Cancer and the Immune System Essay -- Biology T Cells

Have you ever eaten something without washing your hands or been next to someone who sneezed? If you have then you've been exposed to millions of germs. The world is full of germs (microorganisms) - things like bacteria and viruses which can make us sick - and simple things like breathing and eating are constantly exposing us to them. Sometimes we get sick, but amazingly enough, most of the time we don’t. Our body’s ability to fight off disease is due to the incredible immune system. Several T cells (white) attacking a tumor However, at times something goes wrong with the immune system. Everyone gets sick once in a while, and beyond making us ill, there are still many diseases which can kill people. Cancer is a disease which manages to defeat the immune system. But how? For years cancer immunologists assumed that the cells of the immune system simply couldn’t recognize tumor cells. After all, if they could, cancer would be no more serious than the common cold. The many people who die each year from cancer seem to support the view that the immune system is blind to tumor cells. However, new experimental evidence indicates otherwise. As often happens in science the assumed or most obvious view is not always the correct one. In a study designed to investigate exactly how cancerous cells defeat the immune system, a collaborating group of scientists found some very interesting results. In a Nature Medicine journal article titled â€Å"Characterization of circulating T cells specific for tumor-associat ed antigens in melanoma patients† they discovered a phenomenon we have dubbed Dead Cells Walking. The first problem was to identify anti-melanoma T cells. To do this they first harvested lymphocytes from the peripheral blood of mela... ... be no cure. The fact that specific TAA cells are present in people with metastatic disease opens up a completely new realm for oncologists. Perhaps new cancer therapies will be aimed at reviving the anergic T cells. This would allow physicians to work with the immune system of their patients, and together, maybe the cancer can be defeated. In addition, the study showed that chemotherapy significantly decreased the levels of anti cancer TAA cells. If those cells can somehow be revived, than a standard anti cancer chemotherapy regimen may actually be doing more harm than good. Physicians treat disease with the knowledge they have about how it works. Their treatments then, can only be effective if their knowledge is correct. As a result, studies such as this one, which clarify disease mechanisms, are critical for the continued advancement of the medical profession.

Population Health Essay

Population health is the aggregation of various approach to health care that determines the health outcome of a group of individuals (Nash, JoAnne, Fabius, & Pracilio, 2011). Population health brings together the total quality of health of individuals in the community, considering the disparities in cultures, socioeconomical status, demographics, etc. The outcome of health of individuals in a giving population is highly determined by the policies that govern the healthcare delivery and care interventions (Nash et al., 2011). The care interventions include health screening, promotion and prevention, disease management, and chronic care management (Nash et al., 2011). To improve safety and and eliminate health disparities in the population, it is important to improve the quality of care of individuals, and the community as a whole by creating awareness about disease, providing education and setting in place facilities to help treat such diseases early before it becomes chronic illness. These are all categorized under primary, secondary, and tertiary intervention. According to Kindig, & Stoddart (2003), the concept and measurement of health and health outcomes focuses attention and research effort on the impact of each determinant and their interactions on some appropriate outcome, and it also allows one to consider health inequality and inequity and the distribution of health across subpopulations, as well as the ethical and value considerations underpinning these issues. Nash et al. (2011), the basic attributes of population health as follows: Patient-centered care Identified care provider Interdiciplinary healthcare team members such as physical therapists, spech therapists, occupational therapists, social workers, etc Knowledge and recognition of determinants of health and the impact on individuals and the population Integration of the community systems with public health Application of evidence-based practice to provide good quality, and cost effective care provision of culturally and linguistically appropriate care and health education Implementation of interoperable cross-sector health information technology Nash et al. (2011) defines health disparities as â€Å"difference in the incidence, prevalence, mortality, and the burden of  diseases, as well as other adverse health conditions or outcomes that exists among specific population groups, and have well-documents in subpopulations based on socioeconomic status, education, age, race and ethnicity, geography, disability, sexual orientation,, or special needs†. Disparities in healthcare can lead to high mortality and morbidity rates. It can also lead to low quality of life (Nash et al., 2011). It is important to recognize the impact that social determinants have on health outcomes of specific populations and strive to improve the health of all groups. Population health has opened the eyes of the government and other private sectors to the disparities in population health, and these bodies have come together to improve the healthcare system of the country. Over the years, efforts to eliminate disparities and achieve health equity have focused primarily on diseases or illnesses and on health care services. During the past 2 decades, 1 of Healthy People’s overarching goals has focused on disparities. In Healthy People 2000, it was to reduce health disparities among Americans. In Healthy People 2010, it was to eliminate, not just reduce, health disparities. In Healthy People 2020, that goal was expanded even further: to achieve health equity, eliminate disparities, and improve the health of all groups (Nash et al, 2011). Kindig, D., & Stoddart, G. (2003). What is population health? Am J Public Health. 93(3): 80-383 Nash, D., B., Reifsnyder, J., Fabius, R., J., & Pracilio, V. P. (2011). Population health: Creating a culture of wellness. Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC

The Creationism Question Essay - 1829 Words

In a historical context, creationism versus the theory of evolution has always been a hotly contested subject, one of the major breakthroughs being when Darwin publicized his theory of evolution. When Darwin published his theory of evolution in 1859, his book was considered a major technological breakthrough at that time. The seeming â€Å"proof† that a God didn’t exist created a catalyst, where creationism was replaced with an almost atheism, because the existence of evolution counteracted society’s belief in God. In the article The Evolution Controversy: Who’s Fighting with Whom about What? Ted Peters and Martinez Hewlett writes that Thomas Huxley and his grandson, Julian Huxley, saw Darwin’s theory as an explanation as to why they were†¦show more content†¦Evidence in geological records suggests that the levels of oxygen contained within the atmosphere is linked to the carbon cycle, which in turn is connected to the oxygen cycle. Nancy Triebes, who self-identifies as an intelligent-design creationist and took classes in Zoology, Botany, Geology, Inorganic and Organic Chemistry, and Astronomy and Physics, and sum cum laude in Liberal Arts and Sciences as well as a BA in Christian Theology, that creationism is related to science. In her 1997 unpublished novel How Life Began: The Emergence of Life, she writes that the appearance of complex animal life could not happen until certain conditions were in place on earth, and that â€Å"many passages in the Old Testament portray the patient, long-suffering, and nurturing qualities of the Creator, not only toward human beings, but toward His entire creation† (Triebes, 189). While one could argue that the sentiment is religiously biased, it does connect scientific paths to a specific section in the bible, which verifies that creationism theories are rooted in science. She continues to add that the geological and fossil records display the stages that the earth went th rough, therefore preparing for the arrival of humanity, and that only single-celled organismsShow MoreRelated Creationism in Public Schools Essay1429 Words   |  6 PagesCreationism in Public Schools Teaching Creationism in Schools The question as to whether or not creationism should be taught in public schools is a very emotional and complex question. It can be looked at from several different angles, its validity being one of them. Despite the lack of evidence to support the fundamentalist idea of creationism, that in itself is not enough to warrant its exclusion from the curriculum of public schools in the United States. The question is far moreRead MoreThe Louisiana Science Education Act Essay1728 Words   |  7 PagesIn the United States, evolution and creationism remain a controversial issue as far as which method should stay in science classes across the globe. How was the earth created? How were humans created? These are questions that arise in most science classes. Many students require an explanation of why people exist. There are those who would oppose evolution, and there are those who oppose creationism. Is there a significant difference between these methods? Several states have passed regu lations thatRead MoreThe Problems of Teaching Creationism in Schools1465 Words   |  6 PagesNot Very Creative: On Not Teaching Creationism in Schools Everybody should have a right to believe in whatever religious or spiritual system they want. Living in America, people are legally guaranteed that freedom, as well as protection from being persecuted for their beliefs. Recently there’s been a lot of talk in the media about religious freedom, as a result of the gay marriage controversies. Many people have cited gay marriage as an attack on their religious freedom. However, an excellent HuffingtonRead More Do Creationism and Intelligent Design Have a Place in the Classroom?1280 Words   |  6 Pagesof Evolution† shares similar opinions (2007). In 2006, The Times published an article by Halpin reporting the inclusion of creationism in a new biology syllabus produced by the OCR exam board. James Williams, science course leader at Sussex Universitys School of Education, told the Times Educational Supplement: This opens a legitimate gate for the inclusion of creationism or intelligent design in science classes as if they we re legitimate theories on a par with evolution fact and theory.† The OCRRead MoreThe Theory Of Evolution, Introduced By Charles Darwin,1265 Words   |  6 Pagesare some who believe in theistic evolution, which is the study of religious teachings about God (also known as creationism) that are then intermingled with the modern understanding of evolution today. That being said, a commonly asked question is whether or not science such as evolution and religion should be taught together. The answer to this question is no; evolution and creationism should not be taught hand in hand because they are two entirely different subjects. In 1968, the United StatesRead MoreThe Theory of Evolution and Creationism Debate The subject on what goes into public school1700 Words   |  7 PagesThe Theory of Evolution and Creationism Debate The subject on what goes into public school textbooks have always been an intense debate. Recently Bill Nye the Science Guy and Ken Ham held a debate on this topic on February 4, 2014 which gain over two million views. Which raised the question is creationism a viable model of origin in today’s modern scientific era (Ken Ham)? In order for one to answer this question accurately first one would need to know why this question is significant. Then theyRead MoreThe Beliefs Of The World : Creationism Vs Creationism1266 Words   |  6 PagesAysha Brockington Dr. Stamper GE 102 Compare Contrast 10/28/15 The Beliefs of the World: Creationism vs Evolution Creationism and Evolution is a heavily discussed topic all over the world, sparking controversy on every turn. Whether humanity evolved from monkeys over time or was created instantly by an almighty God; that has been the debate between creationist and scientist since Charles Darwin came forth with the evolution theory in the late eighteen-fifties. It’s hard to contest againstRead MoreThe Battle Of Creationism And Evolutionary Theory869 Words   |  4 Pages The battle of creationism and evolutionary theory is not a new one. That being said, in order to understand whether creationism has a place in secondary education, one must first understand the complexity of the matter. Evolution in itself is a theory proposed by Charles Darwin in 1859. Grossly simplified, the theory states that life evolved from non-life; the concept of descent with modification. This theory arouses conflict because many Christians believe that it negates the literal interpretationRead MoreThe Debate Between Evolution and Creationism1648 Words   |  7 PagesIf the question was posed as to what is the debate between creationism vs. evolution consist of, the thought that it is ‘â€Å"God did it† vs. â€Å"Natural processes did it,†Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ (Scott, 2004) may arise. Science cannot absolutely prove or disprove Creation or Evolution. Yet scientist and the remainder of society use creationism and evolution to prove our existence. Creationist believe in the Christian account of the origin as recorded in Genesis. Creationism is the belief that statements such as â€Å"In the beginningRead MoreShould Religious Education Be Public Schools?1719 Words   |  7 Pagesbackgrounds. Creationism is thought to be a great asset to the education curriculum. Creationism is composed of parts equally religious and science (evolution). It is disadvantageous to exclude this based on its involvement with religion. Additionally, to not include the idea of a creator in our idea of the world’s conception is deemed unconstitutional and senseless. According to the First amendment, no law should prohibit the practice of religion nor should it affect freedom of speech. Creationism should