Before I begin, this will probably be the last blog post. I will probably write a reflection of the project in my DP (students.hightechhigh.org/~jrubio). Now, about Cipro.
"...inside E. Coli bacteria and anthrax bacteria is an enzyme, called topoisomerase II, that helps the cell to wind DNA into a compact structure and then unwind it when needed. Cipro blocks topoisomerase II and prevents it from doing its job. A bacterial cell that has Cipro in it can no longer uncoil its DNA in order to create enzymes or reproduce. The bacteria containing Cipro eventually die." This is straight from How Stuff Works. (http://health.howstuffworks.com/cipro3.htm)
This pretty much covers it. I'll try to simplify it a bit. In simpler terms, Cipro prevents bacteria from reproducing. The remaining bacteria, eventually dies off. Cipro would be effective against Cholera in the same manner, by preventing Cholera from multiplying the bacteria will die off. This will make Cholera not last as long because there won't be any new bacteria, and it won't be as severe, because there's not as many Cholera bacteria in the system. This is why it's important to take Cipro in the early stage, and not stop taking it for awhile, or resistance will develop.
On a last note, it looks like we'll finish in time, and check back my DP for updates, and work samples.
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
6-5 Project Progress
Unfortunately there won't be any progress tommorow. We'll be spending the day in an art exhibit in Seaport Village. But we got a lot done today. While we experienced some setbacks, we were able to assemble mostly everything and paint most of it. We'll finish on Thursday, and promptly begin the written portion. Check back tommorow, for the info on Cipro.
6-5 Cholera in the Cellular Level
Cholera can be caught through contaminated food or water. The Cholera bacteria survives the stomach acids, and makes it's way to the small intestine. It then starts to release toxins, which affect the mucosal epithelium in the small intestine, which cause the diarrea to occur. The diarrea is clear with white specks. The loss of liquids may cause complications. If untreated, Cholera can be fatal in less than 12 hours. That is why it is necessary to replenish the liquids lost. The liquids will be needed until the diarrea stops, or else the victim might get dehydrated.
Also, looking at the essential question, answering it won't pose much of the problem. We've already looked a lot into it, and our project shows the answer to the main essential question, and ours.
Stay tuned for the cellular explanation of how Cipro works tommorow. And expect another update later today on progress with the project.
Monday, June 4, 2007
6-4 All About Cholera
I needed to post this today, it couldn't wait another day. We're having a quiz on Cholera tommorow, so I thought I could post all the information that I know on the study guide as practice, for tommorow. Following is a list of answers to all the questions we were given in the study guide.
Cholera started off in India, in the early 1800's. It spread quickly when a river was contaminated with Cholera. Then, land and sea trade routes ensured that in less than a decade, Europe, Russia, and the Americas all were affected by Cholera. Now, with a developed water infrastructure, filters prevent water from spreading Cholera. Cholera remains prevalent only in undeveloped nations.
The immediate symptoms of Cholera are diarrea and vomiting. In less than a day, if no treatment is given, Cholera can be fatal. Also, because of the large amount of diarrea, a person can get dehydrated if the liquids lost aren't replenished.
It is acquired through coming in contact with contaminated water. Cholera can be present in unfiltered waters, which is why Cholera is still present in several third world countries.
In well developed nations, Cholera doesn't pose a problem. However, in places like Angola, the general populace fears Cholera, since it can be fatal in such a short period of time.
Cipro is used to treat Cholera. It helps shorten the duration and severity of Cholera. The only information I could find on the development of Cipro was that it was created over 19 years ago. This coming from the official Cipro site. (www.cipro.com)
Anyone has access to the drug. Several organizations that I've talked about, like WHO, have centers opened up for the treatment of Cholera. In Africa, a Cipro pill can cost around three dollars. A generic tablet only costs 20 cents.
There aren't any major side effects. According to a study, only 5% of people that used the drug complained about side effects. The prominent side effects were nausea and vomiting.
Cipro isn't necessary to treat Cholera. Just replenishing the liquids lost is the definitive treatment. Cipro can just make Cholera go away faster.
The disease was discovered in the early 1800's in India. I think I've already gone over this.
When the disease first came about, no one knew how to prevent it. So everyone was afraid of Cholera. Later, once Cholera became common knowledge, everyone knew that boiling water before drinking it would get rid of Cholera. So it became unimportant to people in North America and Europe.
The societies that don't suffer from Cholera epidemics are always the ones with the advanced water filtration systems. Those that get their source of water from a river, and don't boil the water before drinking it are more susceptible to Cholera.
Since the beggining, there have been several strains of Cholera. Each new one is resistant to the drug that was used to treat before. While drug resistance against Cipro exists, there are very few cases in which this occurs.
Although Angola's economy is blooming Angola's government has done little to control the outbreaks that ravage its people. Organizations have taken it upon themselves to provide aid, and treat those afflicted with Cholera.
The drug is not tested anymore, it is a proven product. It has been around for a two decades.
Cipro can help, but it is not necessary to get rid of Cholera. Those that have enough money for the generic version will get it, those that don't won't.
Religion does not play a major role in people's view of Cholera or it's treatment.
However, several organizations, like WHO are educating people about Cholera, and how to prevent it. Preventative measures, like boiling water is taught by people sent by organizations to teach people about Cholera, and how to treat it.
Anyone with enough money has access to the drug. However, with the sparsity of medical centers in Angola, it can be difficult to find the treatment.
Locations that aren't developed have a larger chance of getting affected by Cholera. Unsanitary conditions can mean that the disease is spread around quickly.
The disease was brought over to the Americas and Europe through trade routes leading out of India, where Cholera originated.
A wet climate can mean that Cholera can be spread around easier. For example, in wet rainy conditions, the rain water running through the streets can be contaminated with Cholera.
Well, that was a lot of info. Check back tommorow, for more info on progress and another surprise or two.
Cholera started off in India, in the early 1800's. It spread quickly when a river was contaminated with Cholera. Then, land and sea trade routes ensured that in less than a decade, Europe, Russia, and the Americas all were affected by Cholera. Now, with a developed water infrastructure, filters prevent water from spreading Cholera. Cholera remains prevalent only in undeveloped nations.
The immediate symptoms of Cholera are diarrea and vomiting. In less than a day, if no treatment is given, Cholera can be fatal. Also, because of the large amount of diarrea, a person can get dehydrated if the liquids lost aren't replenished.
It is acquired through coming in contact with contaminated water. Cholera can be present in unfiltered waters, which is why Cholera is still present in several third world countries.
In well developed nations, Cholera doesn't pose a problem. However, in places like Angola, the general populace fears Cholera, since it can be fatal in such a short period of time.
Cipro is used to treat Cholera. It helps shorten the duration and severity of Cholera. The only information I could find on the development of Cipro was that it was created over 19 years ago. This coming from the official Cipro site. (www.cipro.com)
Anyone has access to the drug. Several organizations that I've talked about, like WHO, have centers opened up for the treatment of Cholera. In Africa, a Cipro pill can cost around three dollars. A generic tablet only costs 20 cents.
There aren't any major side effects. According to a study, only 5% of people that used the drug complained about side effects. The prominent side effects were nausea and vomiting.
Cipro isn't necessary to treat Cholera. Just replenishing the liquids lost is the definitive treatment. Cipro can just make Cholera go away faster.
The disease was discovered in the early 1800's in India. I think I've already gone over this.
When the disease first came about, no one knew how to prevent it. So everyone was afraid of Cholera. Later, once Cholera became common knowledge, everyone knew that boiling water before drinking it would get rid of Cholera. So it became unimportant to people in North America and Europe.
The societies that don't suffer from Cholera epidemics are always the ones with the advanced water filtration systems. Those that get their source of water from a river, and don't boil the water before drinking it are more susceptible to Cholera.
Since the beggining, there have been several strains of Cholera. Each new one is resistant to the drug that was used to treat before. While drug resistance against Cipro exists, there are very few cases in which this occurs.
Although Angola's economy is blooming Angola's government has done little to control the outbreaks that ravage its people. Organizations have taken it upon themselves to provide aid, and treat those afflicted with Cholera.
The drug is not tested anymore, it is a proven product. It has been around for a two decades.
Cipro can help, but it is not necessary to get rid of Cholera. Those that have enough money for the generic version will get it, those that don't won't.
Religion does not play a major role in people's view of Cholera or it's treatment.
However, several organizations, like WHO are educating people about Cholera, and how to prevent it. Preventative measures, like boiling water is taught by people sent by organizations to teach people about Cholera, and how to treat it.
Anyone with enough money has access to the drug. However, with the sparsity of medical centers in Angola, it can be difficult to find the treatment.
Locations that aren't developed have a larger chance of getting affected by Cholera. Unsanitary conditions can mean that the disease is spread around quickly.
The disease was brought over to the Americas and Europe through trade routes leading out of India, where Cholera originated.
A wet climate can mean that Cholera can be spread around easier. For example, in wet rainy conditions, the rain water running through the streets can be contaminated with Cholera.
Well, that was a lot of info. Check back tommorow, for more info on progress and another surprise or two.
6-4 Project Progress
Looking at my partners' blogs, (rglasheen.blogspot.com) (edpaje.blogspot.com) there's a lot of new information. My partners and I are all very excited for this new project. We're looking to finish construction by Thursday, and then we can focus on the writing, which we've laid out and done preliminary work on.
Ryan's already doing research about Cipro and how it works. We hope to incorporate this info to the writing. Also, Edward's looking at several organizations, evidenced by his latest blog post. He's also looking at Angola's government, and criticizing it for lack of action. Finally, I've been looking over the project, and started writing the explanation of our project.
Check back tommorow, since we're going to do a large portion of the building.
Ryan's already doing research about Cipro and how it works. We hope to incorporate this info to the writing. Also, Edward's looking at several organizations, evidenced by his latest blog post. He's also looking at Angola's government, and criticizing it for lack of action. Finally, I've been looking over the project, and started writing the explanation of our project.
Check back tommorow, since we're going to do a large portion of the building.
Sunday, June 3, 2007
6-3 Project Progress
Good news, most of the stand is built. We just have to get the drill a couple things together, and paint it. Then we'll have ourselves a pedestal for our project. Also, since the pedestal's a bit bigger than the fishtank, we'll be able to display our research on the top surface. We'll most likely leave it untouched until Tuesday, which is when we expect to finish the pedestal.
As for the fish tank, we're still acquiring materials, but we'll have everything we need to get started by Wednesday morning.
Finally, the writing. We'll get everything hammered out tommorow. So we can begin writing as soon as we set everything out, which will probably be tommorow.
Well, some small facts about Cipro. Side effects are uncommon, about 5% of people get them. They are vomiting and nausea. Also, an original tablet of Cipro sold in several regions of Africa, will cost about 3 US dollars. Luckily, since Bayer doesn't have exclusivity to cipro in Africa, generic pills cost about 20 cents each.
Check back tommorow for the next post, where I'll talk about the progress that we've made.
As for the fish tank, we're still acquiring materials, but we'll have everything we need to get started by Wednesday morning.
Finally, the writing. We'll get everything hammered out tommorow. So we can begin writing as soon as we set everything out, which will probably be tommorow.
Well, some small facts about Cipro. Side effects are uncommon, about 5% of people get them. They are vomiting and nausea. Also, an original tablet of Cipro sold in several regions of Africa, will cost about 3 US dollars. Luckily, since Bayer doesn't have exclusivity to cipro in Africa, generic pills cost about 20 cents each.
Check back tommorow for the next post, where I'll talk about the progress that we've made.
Saturday, June 2, 2007
6-2 All About Cipro
I believe I've mentioned the drug cipro before. But I haven't gotten into great detail about it. (http://www.cipro.com) This is the official Cipro website. Cipro is produced by Bayer, and is a main focus of the company. It is one of the few drugs that are profitable for Bayer. No generic forms exist, because Bayer has kept releasing new iterations of the drug, therefore increasing the longetivity to exclusive rights to the drug.
Cipro is used mainly to combat bacterial infections, mostly those of the urinary tract. Cipro works by inhibiting the bacteria's ability to replicate. Cipro works to shorten, and ultimately get rid of bacterial infections. When treating cholera, it can shorten the duration of cholera, and make it's symptoms less severe.
Today, we picked up most of the materials for the project. We found everything we needed, and while I'll tackle the stand, Edward will work on the upper part and Ryan will take care of most of the writing. Well, check back tommorow. Maybe I'll post more on Cipro, and I'll definitely give updates on the progress.
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