6-7 How Cipro Works

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

6-1 Project Progress

So, we've got the green light. I've talked about the project already, and so has Ryan. We hope to have the pedestal/stand finished by Monday, and the other components of the project will follow soon after that. Then we'll be able to work on the writing section of the product.

Ryan will focus on cholera. Giving the effects of cholera, why people get it, what can treat it. A lot of information on cholera. Edward will write about the organizations that are fighting against cholera, what the governments are doing against cholera, and what are future steps that should be taken to get rid of cholera. I will be in charge of writing an explanation for our product, and a write up on the history of cholera.

Stay tuned for a major update this weekend when we build a large part of our project.

5-30 Project Progress

So, we're pretty much ready to start building. Ryan's blog (rglasheen.blogspot.com) is pretty much our project, save for some small changes. We're going to have one fishtank symbolize a developed water infrastructure. A barrier will represent a filter. The barrier will prevent ping pong balls, cholera, from getting into the water supply system. This demonstrates how advanced countries don't have cholera outbreaks, because the water isn't contaminated, and when it is, it is quickly filtered out. Contruction will start soon. As soon as we have something to show, we'll all post some pictures.

Alright, Ryan's latest blogposts are of interest. He's talked about how countries can't help their citizens, because they don't have enough money to even make their citizens aware. But this isn't true. If Edward's blog is to be trusted, (edpaje.blogspot.com), then Angola has enough money to at least get its citizens aware of cholera. Angola has experience great economical growth, and it's a shame that its citizens are suffering from a preventable disease. Our project focuses on this, and why Angola continues to suffer from cholera.

Stay tuned for more updates on cholera and the project.

Tuesday Update

So, a large mistake on my part. I've talked about cholera, why it happens, what should be done about, a lot of my opinion. But I haven't given a definitive definition of cholera. This is what I hope this blog post does.

World Health Organization's site on cholera
http://www.who.int/cholera/en/

Department of Health and Human Services site on cholera
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/cholera_g.htm

I've used these sites before, but I feel I should make a definitive post on Cholera. Cholera can be spread around by contaminated water. Cholera thrives in humid conditions, and whenever someone drinks contaminated water, or comes in contact with it, they can contract cholera. This is why countries like the US, with filtration systems and an advanced water infrastructure rarely has cholera cases. On the other side of the world, Angola, with it's lack of clean water supply suffers from outbreaks. This is what the project's main focal point will be. It's changed drastically, and it isn't a model of cholera anymore, but more on this later.

Once Cholera gets into the system, it gets to work. Cholera makes the body release all its bodily fluids, causing diarrea. It dehydrates the person, which is why it's important to replenish the fluids lost. Eventually, cholera goes away, like the flu. Antibiotics exist only to lessen the impact of cholera.

For tommorow, expect info on the project, and commentary on my partners' blogs. So check back tommorow. Thanks.

Weekend Update

Reading up on what WHO does to combat cholera was interesting. They have a group called the "Global Task Force on Cholera Control". It was launched in 1992 and ever since has been working on preventing cholera, and providing aid for those with cholera. They also work to control outbreaks, when they do happen. Also, they provide vaccines, to those visiting places where cholera is prevalent. But the question here is: Why is it that cholera continues to be a huge problem in some nations even though organizations like the Global Taks Force are doing everything in their power to stop it? There are many answers to this question, but my belief is that organizations can't do anything by themselves.

They need the help of the main populace, to spread the knowledge of cholera. I read a lot about the task force providing support to those with the disease, I read about the training of medical professionals to deal with the disease but I read very little about spreading awareness of the disease to the people there. What these organizations are doing is good and all, but to be truly effective the disease must not be waiting for it to happen and take action, but strike before. I know I've covered this before but spreading the knowledge is important. Simple facts, such as boiling water before drinking it could avoid cholera outbreaks, and save thousands of lives. This is the cheap solution that I asked for before. Spreading the knowledge is cheaper, and more efficient, than training medical personnel and developing treatments.

On a side note, I found out some more about the treatments. Several treatments exist, as antibiotics. They are seldom used, but can shorten the duration and severity of cholera. Replenishing the lost liquids seems like the sure fire way to survive cholera. This makes treating cholera simple, which confounds me. Cholera should be gone by now, if the treatment is just replacing the liquids.

Well, my longest post yet. Check back soon for my next post, which should provide details on the project, and further dissect my partners' thoughts.

Thursday Update

No update on Wednesday, I was too busy hammering out our project idea. We're going to create a simple simulation of the human digestive system. It will be able to simulate Cholera and simulate the cholera treatment. It will also contain a lot of information on cholera itself, why it happens, where it happens, what can be done about it, all the good stuff. More updates on the project as they come.

As for cholera, Edward's question on who's to blame for Cholera in Africa is tricky. I believe that it is the African governments' fault for not educating its citizens about the disease. It was covered in a former post that education could be the first step in preventing the further spread of cholera. Also, the US should not be blamed for not helping. It has no reason for it to be in places like Angola, treating the ill. There are already international organizations like WHO working to stop cholera in Africa.

For the next post, I'll update on more specifics of the project, and provide an outline. Also, I'll find out what it is that organizations are doing to prevent Cholera from spreading in Africa.

Tuesday Update

edpaje.blogspot.com
rglasheen.blogspot.com
http://www.infoplease.com/cig/dangerous-diseases-epidemics/cholera-scourge-poor.html

Looking over my partner's research is interesting. We share similar opinions on Cholera. If it's fatal then why is it ignored? What can be done to prevent Cholera in these nations? Is there a cheap alternative? All these questions come to mind when there are Cholera outbreaks every year in these undeveloped nations. There were over 10,000 deaths in Africa alone, in the year 1991. Cholera can be taken care of, but without the proper medical care, Cholera can be fatal.

Furthermore, my partners and I tend to look at Africa as victim of Cholera. Cholera outbreaks are still common in Africa. Because of unsanitary conditions and a weak medical system, Africa has had many Cholera outbreaks. In conclusion, I think that it would be a good idea to focus on Africa for this project.

Monday Update

Update on my earlier question. According to Center for Disease Control and Prevention, antibiotics can be used to lessen the impact of Cholera, but doesn't get rid of it altogether. The treatment for Cholera is just replenishing the liquid lost with a special solution, designed to replace the sugars and salts lost. So, Cholera seems to just go away after some time. For tommorow I'll check this up in another site.

Furthermore, for a project, I think we should do a model of what Cholera does to the human body. The project could also demonstrate the treatment, and answer the essential question.

The image makes me think about the regions affected by the disease. This image from WHO answers the essential question. Angola, Africa is still suffering from a large amount of Cholera cases. While in Asia and South America numbers are going down, outbreaks of Cholera occur frequently in Angola. The dry climate, lack of decent medical care and unsanitary conditions contribute to the Cholera problem. Focusing on Angola could prove beneficial for the project.

Weekend Research

http://www.who.int/cholera/en/
http://www.who.int/topics/cholera/en/index.html

WHO is a good place to find recent info on outbreaks for Cholera. It has a lot of info on Cholera itself as well. It goes over statistics and outbreaks as well. It looks helpful and frequently updated. I think it's a dependable source, and this info could come in handy for the project. The fact that Cholera is present in 3rd world countries, and is much more deadly in arid places is important The Cholera Outbreaks in arid areas could be relevant to the essential question. Unsanitary conditions could make Cholera spread easily, and the lack of water resources could make Cholera deadly in some arid areas.

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/cholera_g.htm

Goes over Cholera again, but also goes over what the US government is doing to prevent Cholera. We could use this information to answer our essential question. Also goes over the treatment of Cholera. However, the solution for cholera seems to be keeping hydrated. Does the Cholera go away? Or is there medicinal treatment for it? I'll look into this, and my next post should address this question.

I recommend you read both, to brush up on general Cholera info. This will prepare you for project ideas.

Joe Rubio: Blog Get

The blog's been created, it will be regularly updated with progress on the Plague of Circumstance.