Author: gracebt018

Humira is a commonly used monoclonal antibody drug that is used to treat autoimmune disorders like rhuematoid arthritis. Monoclonal antibodies (MAB) serve as a type of immunotherapy that acts as an synthetic immune system. Essentially, they bind to antigens that promote a certain immune response like extreme inflammation. Humira, in particular, inhibits inflammation and structural damage that autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis cause. The purpose of the drug is to alleviate any symptoms and prevent further damage. As a result, patients potentially would improve their quality of life. 

According to the Humira website, the drug targets TNF, a type of cytokine that induces inflammation. As a result, inflammation and other signs and symptoms will be potentially eliminated. However, this causes several side effects. This includes, serious infections, liver problems, blood problems, and heart failure. In addition, this drug also makes a person more sucesptible to TB infections because TNF is an important cytokine used when fighting off TB. Therefore, if a person tests positive for TB or lives close to a person with TB, they should consider other treatment options. 

Since Humira targets TNF, an important cytokine in response to inflammation, it can negatively affect different aspects of the immune response. Therefore, other parts of the immune system could be negatively affected in the prescence of this monoclonal antibody. I think MABs are a fascinating approach to treating complicated diseases like autoimmunity and cancer. However, I think it’s important to know the risks and benefits before considering them, since they can have nasty side effects. Overall, these drugs are super cool and I think that they can sigificantly improve complex diseases.

Scientists and researchers are currently attempting to determine antibody tests for COVID-19. Luckily, the FDA has recently approved the first antibody test for COVID-19. This test indicates whether a person has produced IgM and IgG antibodies for COVID-19. If a person only has IgM antibodies, then it is likely that a person is experiencing an acute infection of a disease. Therefore, it is a good indicator if a person actively has COVID-19. This means they are very contagious and should follow CDC and hospital guidelines for infection control. IgG antibodies are present later on in the course of infection, meaning that a person is at the tail end of the infection. As a result, they are less likely to infect someone. Therefore, testing for both can provide more insight into the stage of infection of a person. 

According to this Nature article, doctors have been using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test in order to determine if a person is infected with COVID-19. PCR tests look for viral RNA encoded in the virus’ genome. This test provides accuracy, however is confined to core labs. This lessens accessibility and fails to provide enough data for the sake of public health. In addition, the article discusses how Immunoassay tests have been used for rapid and accurate diagnoses. Immunoassays test for both IgM and IgG antibodies. The test approved by the FDA is a type of immunoassay and can provide results in fifteen to twenty minutes. This is incredibly encouraging, for it shows the initiative the FDA and scientists are taking to combat COVID-19. 

I believe that these antibody tests are the key to helping curb COVID-19. If a person is aware of what type of coronavirus antibodies they have circulating in their body, then that person will be equipped with powerful information on how they ought to operate in this public health crisis. Since COVID-19 has a high asymptomatic transmission rate, this data would help asymptomatic people know whether they have the virus and to stay home if they have contracted it. I think this will help bolster the economy as well because people who have had it can go back to work because they have acquired immunity. Therefore, I feel encouraged by these tests and look forward to how they will shape the outcome of COVID-19. 

Scientists and doctors have begun to use T-Cells, a vital component of the adaptive immune system, to treat different forms of cancer. In conjunction with chemotherapy, doctors use the patient’s own immune cells to mount an effective response against cancers like Lymphoma and lymphoblastic leukemia. According to this article from the Cleveland Clinic, T-Cells become genetically modified. Then they are administered to the patient via IV. Scientists now deem them as “chimeric antigen receptors”. This means that they have the ability to bind to certain cancer cells and effectively kill them. This form of cancer treatment is incredibly effective and shows great promise for helping patients reach remission. 

Normally scientists program these T-cells to target a receptor called CD19. However, sometimes this is not as effective. In this study from Nature, they hypothesized that adding CD20 and CD22 as targets would help prevent stubborn forms of acute lymphoblastic leukemia from going into remission. Scientists are still attempting to understand exactly how these T-cells work, however, they maintained that adding a receptor would benefit patients. In another study from Nature, the authors discuss the different targets that have shown great promise in curing lymphoma, an incredibly prevalent cancer. They propose different surface antigens that could help contribute to treating more cases of lymphoma. 

Lymphoma is incredibly common, showcasing the need for advanced treatments for this particular kind of cancer. Side effects depend on the patient, but they can range from anemia to different neurological events like aphasia. However, most side effects can be managed with different drugs, so I think the benefits outweigh the risks. However, this treatment is incredibly expensive, costing up to $373,000 for each round of treatment. Medicare covers a lot of this cost, however does not adequately reimburse hospitals, making it very expensive. This could prevent more patients from receiving this life saving treatment. Although health insurance is something I am continually learning about, I hope that more insurance companies will consider covering these types of treatments in their plans so that more people have access. Overall, T-cell therapy sounds incredibly exciting, and I look forward to see how this type of treatment advances.

Coronavirus: the one word consistently circulating through every person’s brain, including mine. I held many expectations for this semester. However, one microscopic virus has completely shattered those notions, and forced every person to evaluate their own situation. I am currently at home and have not left my house much. This abrupt transition from living at school to home requires a new mindset and a strong ability to adapt to a new way of living. Sometimes I feel ready to embrace this new schedule, or lack thereof, and sometimes I don’t. It has been difficult to not see other people. I am constantly worried about the vulnerable people that I know and that I don’t. However I know that I must rest in the hope that by doing my part in being socially responsible, this crisis will resolve sooner rather than later. 

As someone who hopes to be a nurse one day, it frustrates me to see the lack of medical supplies available to them and other healthcare professionals. I think this New York Times article showcases the bleak prognosis of coronavirus’ impact and the dutiful courage of healthcare professionals. I hold so much admiration for every one who enters a hospital ready to serve, and it makes me excited to enter into a profession that produces so much good in trying times. Reading articles like those and talking (over the phone!) with my friends who work in hospitals, it reminds me of the importance of staying home and encourages me to continue adhering strictly to CDC guidelines. I think stories like these are important to spur others on to do the same, and I hope more will emerge. 

Even though this time has proven to be incredibly hard and uncertain for everyone, I think it will reveal levels of human ingenuity that people have not witnessed in our generation. I am encouraged by people 3D printing facemasks. I also feel a sense of pride knowing that UNC has led the way in creating testing kits and studying drugs in order to meet urgent needs. In addition, one UNC professor even created a guide for students with autism. I am choosing to focus on those moments because they lift my spirits in a time when I feel quite weary and overwhelmed. My plea is that everyone listens to professionals by staying at home if they can and by washing their hands. Overall my charge is this: let’s use this moment in time to stand up for the vulnerable by sitting down on our couches.  

Sexually transmitted diseases, particularly gonorrhea and HPV, are common infections that arise as a result of sexual contact. This includes vaginal, oral, and anal sex. If left untreated, STD’s can result in cancer, infertility, and other unfortunate consequences. According to the CDC, Gonorrhea often is asymptomatic and presents itself differently in men and women. If left untreated, it can cause pelvic inflammatory disease in women and epididymitis in men. This can result in infertility and other complications. Although it is usually treatable, gonorrhea has increasingly become resistant to antibiotics. As a result, it is considered an urgent threat to the public’s health. According to another article from the CDC, there is now only one antibiotic that can cure Gonorrhea in the United States. Although in the 1980’s the CDC launched the Gonococcal Isolate Surveillance Project (GISP), new research and initiatives have been implemented in order to combat resistance. In order to prevent resistance, it is important for people to either abstain from sex or use proper protection like condoms. In addition, routine testing for STD’s help to catch this common infection, aiding in early treatment and decreased resistance.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is an incredibly common STD that can give rise to cancer in both men and women. There is a vaccine, commonly known as Gardasil, that prevents everal types of HPV from arising. According to an article in the Lancet, this life-saving vaccine could potentially eliminate all cervical cancers. Scientists hope to eliminate cervical cancer by 2046, which is in our lifetime! However, there remain obstacles to achieving this medical feat. Many parents object to the vaccine because they believe it may lead their children to become sexually active. However, there is no link between the vaccine and the likeliness of kids engaging in early sexual behavior. Therefore, it is important to follow the CDC’s recommendations to receive this vaccine in order to help stop a type of cancer.

STDs remain a touchy subject because of the way humans contract them. However, I think it is important to normalize discussions about them with your healthcare provider and partner in order to make sure you are doing your part to avoid contracting them and spreading them to others. I believe that no matter your opinion on sex and whether a person should wait until marriage, it is so important to be educated on how STD’s are contracted so when you do decide to have sex, you can be fully informed. There are many ways to prevent them like the HPV vaccine, condoms, abstinence, and monogamy. If one has honest, open conversations with their healthcare provider and becomes fully informed, then STDs can be prevented, and antibiotic resistance and cancers can become lessened.

Antibiotic resistance has become a complex issue that healthcare professionals increasingly encounter. Although antibiotics are life-saving drugs, overuse of antibiotics has led to the creation of superbugs. These superbugs are bacteria that have gained resistance to various antibiotics due to overprescription and improper use in industries like agriculture. As a result of the rise of superbugs, it has become very difficult to treat bacterial diseases with antibiotics. New organisms are constantly evolving to encode the genes for resistance. In particular, according to an article posted by the CDC, Candida auris and Acinetobacter have become urgent threats due to antibiotics’ ineffectiveness against them. If we lose the ability to use antibiotics, then deadly bacterial diseases will be almost impossible to treat.

Other factors besides over-prescription of antibiotics have aided in resistant bacteria. According to an article from the United States Department of Agriculture, antibiotics are given to farm animals in order to prevent illness and to fatten up the animal. A heavier animal tends to be worth more because people pay for meat by the pound. However, this contributes to antibiotic resistance. I noticed in my research that the USDA fails to admit that use of antibiotics contributes to antibiotic resistance, citing that mutation mainly occurs because of natural processes. There needs to be better transparency concerning these issues so that proper use can become the standard. Certain bacteria like Salmonella can be easily transmitted between humans and animals, so I think there is a need for accountability in order to solve this global crisis. 

Even though more companies are claiming that they are “antibiotic free”, according to Consumer Reports, there is very little regulation when companies make those claims. I think as consumers, it is our job to do our research before purchasing certain animal products and to advocate for safer regulations concerning the dairy and meat industry. In addition, do not seek out antibiotics if you have a cold or any other type of virus. Advocate for yourself if doctors prescribe antibiotics without testing for any disease. Although antibiotics are a powerful tool in medicine, it remains imperative for everyone to understand when to use them and when to avoid them. That way, we can preserve antibiotics’ usefulness for years to come.

Vaccinations have played a crucial role in eradicating the disease, Polio. Two vaccines, the Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) and the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV), have been used in order to diminish the spread of Polio. In order to eradicate the virus, the OPV vaccine has proved to be the optimal choice to prevent transmission due to its oral administration and cost effectiveness. According to the World Health Organization, it is an attenuated vaccine that induces an immune response. Therefore, not only will the person receiving the vaccine be protected, but also they cannot spread the virus. However, there are incredibly rare occurrences in which the OPV an infection called Vaccine-associated Paralytic Poliomyelitis, a virus indistinguishable from polio. As a result, global health professionals opt for this vaccine in order to achieve eradication in their respective area. 

According to the CDC, the IPV vaccine now is the only vaccine doctors administer in the United States. Mostly everyone, even immunocompromised individuals, can receive this vaccine. Since the vaccine contains dead microorganisms, each person must receive four doses of the injection before they are deemed fully protected. Even though it prevents a vaccinated person from contracting polio it does not prevent transmission. As a result, the OPV vaccine used to be administered in the United States. However, since the wildtype virus has essentially been eradicated, the CDC now recommends the IPV vaccine since there are no live-virus risks.  

Since 1988, the World Health Organization has sought to eradicate polio. Thanks to the use of the IPV and the OPV, the transmission of polio has been reduced by 99%. However, in several countries, like Pakistan and Afghanistan, there are still wild type strains present. There are several organizations, like the Polio Global Eradication Initiative, that are fighting to eliminate this awful disease. I think this organization’s goals are reasonable because there has been proven eradication in most countries all around the world. I have confidence that if people adhere to recommended CDC guidelines, and if public health officials continue their efforts to eliminate this vaccine, then polio can be eradicated in this lifetime. It is so fascinating to see the benefits of vaccines at play. The Polio vaccine, as a result, serves as an example for how vaccines effectively work to eradicate diseases.

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The microbiome consists of trillions of microorganisms that call our body home. Their presence, or lack thereof, have several consequences to our health and wellbeing. The microbiome mostly remains a mystery due to the fact that most microbiota from the gut cannot be cultured due to its reliance on its multi-microbial community. According to an article in Nature, it remains critical for a person to host a large variety of bacteria in order to maintain a healthy body. Our microbiome plays a significant role in key health markers like body weight, vitamin synthesis, and metabolism. In this study by Ziying Zhang, he and other researchers note how the microbiome even affects the body’s immune response in the gut. The presence of a certain type of bacteria called IECs even ward off pathogenic invasions. As a result, there is an established connection between the bacteria that lives in humans and how our body responds to certain foods and pathogens. 

Although our understanding of the human microbiome’s potential has only just started to become untapped, it already is starting to play a vital role in technology, culture, and commercialism. According to this article by Beth Greenhough, many companies are promoting their product’s benefits for the microbiome. In addition, probiotic supplements have established their popularity and skincare is beginning to incorporate them into their products. People wish to have a deeper understanding of this community so that they can support their own health. As a result, these product’s appeal has increased significantly. 

I think it is important to be updated on advances in this area of microbiology. There have already been many scientific advances due to our understanding of this complex community. I believe that there can be many benefits in understanding our own microbiome so that one can maintain a healthy lifestyle. However, I think it remains imperative to remember that this research is quite fresh, and that companies quickly are adjusting their marketing to fit a narrative that may or may not be true. So, as a result, I suggest that one ought to do their research and consult with their doctor in order to understand this microscopic community. 

The influenza virus, more commonly known as the flu, is most prevalent during the months of October and April. While for most people, the flu can be an awful inconvenience. However, it can also prove to be life threatening for many immunocompromised individuals. Normally, if a person is infected with the flu, they will exhibit mild symptoms for about 2 weeks. A normal person will experience fever, malaise, a sore throat, a stuffy nose, and a cough. However, there are some awful occurrences in which the flu virus can be deadly. According to the CDC, if pregnant women, young children, adults over the age of 65, and people with chronic illnesses contract the flu, it can cause secondary infections like pneumonia or bronchitis. The duality of the flu and these secondary infections can prove to have deadly consequences.

 According to the World Health Organization, this year’s flu is on par with typical flu seasons in the past. This vaccine protects against 3-4 strains of the virus. Although this is not a final estimate, the CDC reports that 10,000-25,000 people have died from flu complications out of the 19 to twenty million cases of the flu. This showcases that the vaccine’s effectiveness is typical of its usual 60% effectiveness. Therefore, the data itself shows that it is worthwhile to get your flu shot. Typically it is best to receive your vaccine in October, however since flu season is still occuring, it is still worthwhile to go get one if you have forgotten to get one. Also, talking, sneezing, and coughing help to spread this respiratory illness rapidly. Therefore, improve your chances of not contracting this virus by washing your hands and not touching your face. 

Most people agree that the flu shot is important. I personally think it is crucial for the public’s health to get vaccinated. However, many of my friends do not get their flu shot out of pure laziness or because they hold misconceptions about the flu vaccine. To clear up any misconceptions, the flu shot will not give you the flu. If you get the flu, it is because you had the flu before you got the flu shot, or you contracted a different strain than the vaccine contained. No matter what, the vaccine will still lessen your symptoms! Overall, please get your flu shot. That way, people who cannot get their flu vaccine have their best “shot” at being protected by herd immunity.

Andrew Wakefield, an anti-vaccination advocate and former physician, conducted a fraudulent study connecting the MMR vaccine, which provides immunity against Measles, Mumps and Rubella, to autism and other developmental disorders. According to an article that discusses the harmful nature of Wakefield’s study, it states that 12 children participated in the study. The original study claims that the children who participated were consecutively referred to the hospital, however Wakefield falsified that information. In fact, he specifically chose children with pre-existing developmental conditions. Wakefield’s paper was initially published in the Lancet, a reputable peer-reviewed journal, however it retracted the article due to the gross falsification and misinformation included in the study. His study followed the guidelines of a standard scientific research paper, and even explicitly stated the fact that there was no causal association between the MMR vaccine and Autism. However, he embedded vague wording and lofty claims throughout the paper, confusing readers to believe otherwise. In addition, his sample size was not large enough to support his claims. The language he used throughout his paper favored the anti-vaccination movement by using lofty, vague wording that promoted Wakefield’s motive of wanting to incite fear concerning vaccines. This shapes the study to be a gross misrepresentation of vaccines. 

As a result of this study, a decline in parents electing for their children to receive the MMR vaccine has occurred. According to this journal article, the media perpetuated this fear, selecting fear mongering quotes from the Lancet article and expanding upon them without any scientific basis. This led to a rapid decline in the MMR vaccine, even resulting in the first measles death the U.K. had seen in a decade. A decline arose in the United States as well, resulting in measles outbreaks around the country. In addition, attention has been shifted away from autism research, further alienating children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. 

This study was the main contributor to parents refusing vaccines for their children. As a result, it showcases the importance of scrutinized, peer-reviewed science, especially when it regards public health and safety. In addition, this occurrence showcases the responsibility that news media outlets possess. The Lancet ought to have opted not to publish this article because of the public health implications. This study reveals the public’s attraction to fear-mongering articles, even when they are not rooted in fact. In addition, this public health catastrophe marginalizes children with autism and families who raise them. As a person who has a family member on the spectrum, it remains incredibly frustrating to see misinformation spread concerning this developmental disorder. In addition, it suggests that autism is worse than measles or other life threatening illnesses, which invalidates and degrades people with spectrum disorders. Vaccines save lives and there is no thoroughly studied link between them and spectrum disorders. Therefore, this study represents the power and influence of scientific studies and their implications.