Reflection#3: Semester Review - Week 15 (April 23, 2010)

During 2010 spring semester, I could learn a lot of immunology terms and mechanisms. It helped me to understand how my body responds to the foreign invasion and how we could help our body to keep on shaped. I missed many classes and I deeply sorry for myself, my classmates, and my professor. It could be more exciting semester but I could not make it that way. However, I’m still thank to God who always keep me on right track and cure me when I sick.

Investigation#3: Aged Thymus - Week 14 (April 16, 2010)

The aging process affects all aspects of the immune system, particularly the T cells. The immune system in older individuals is often characterized by lower T cell numbers, lower naive/memory T cell ratios, and lower T cell diversity. Most measures of inflammation increase with age. Why this happens, and why there is so much person-to-person variability in these changes, is not known. In this issue oftheJCl, Sauce and colleagues show that removal of the thymus during infancy results in premature onset of many of these age-associated changes to the immune system (see the related article beginning on page 3070). The effect of thymectomy was particularly notable in those individuals who acquired CMV infection. Data from this study, as well as data from other observational settings, suggest that reduced thymic function and persistent viral infections combine to accelerate a decline in immunologic function.

I learned that our immune system can lose their function as we get old. We need to do exercises and get proper nutrition to keep our immune system healthy for long time.

Citation: Gress, Ronald E.; Deeks, Steven G.. Reduced thymus activity and infection prematurely age the immune system. Journal of Clinical Investigation, Oct2009, Vol. 119 Issue 10, p2884-2887.

Encounter#3: Hand Sanitizer vs. Soap and Water - Week 13 (April 9, 2010)

We easily can see ‘Anti-Bacterial Hand Gel’. I usually carry Bath & BodyWorks lemon Pocket anti-bacterial hand gel. It advertises as it is a powerful germ-killing formula and leaves hands feeling clean and virtually germ-free. However, I am curious about actual effectiveness of this product and possibility that it could replace the soap. Therefore, I searched the internet and found out the website as ‘Hand Sanitizer vs. Soap and Water’. The manufacturers of the products test the products on inanimate surfaces hence they are able to derive the claims of 99.9 percent of bacteria killed. If the products were fully tested on hands, there would no doubt be different results. Since there is inherent complexity in the human hand, testing hands would definitely be more difficult. Using surfaces with controlled variables is an easier way to obtain some type of consistency in the results. But as we are all aware, everyday life is not as consistent. In addition, FDA recommends that hand sanitizers not be used in place of soap and water but only as an adjunct.

Hand Sanitizer vs. Soap and Water

Dictionary#3: Syngenic & Congenic - Week 12 (April 2, 2010)

Syngenic: denoting genetically identical individuals

e.g.) syngenic tumor cells, grafts between syngenic mice

Congenic: denoting individuals that differ genetically at a single genetic locus or region

Investigation#2: Anti IgE and IgE-producing B cell - Week 11 (Mar 26, 2010)

The author reflects on the findings of the study by Kerzel and colleagues which investigates the effects of altered antibody repertoire on the outcomes of allergic asthma. He notes that the results of the study indicate the significant role of anti-immunoglobulin E (IgE) and IgE-producing B cells in the perpetuation of allergic inflammation. He contends that with this research, new opportunities for other treatment approaches may become apparent

I am curious about allergy response related to IgE. I actually could not fully understand about this primary research article but I can see that the relationship between anti-IgE and B-cell could make alternate medication for allergic asthma.

Citation: Davies, J. M.. Altered immunoglobulin E diversity and regulation of allergic inflammation in asthma. Clinical & Experimental Allergy, Apr2009, Vol. 39 Issue 4, p455-457

Encounter#2: Allergy and Air Purifier - Week 10 (Mar 19, 2010)

Every year, every march, I usually have a pollen allergy. My immunoglobulin E responded to pollen allergy it was showing symptoms like sneezing and itching eyes. I used to take over-the-counter allergy medication such as Zyrtec or Claritin. These allergy medications work for temporarily and I did not cure an allergy. Few days ago, I found out that unfamiliar appliance was standing on the living room. It looked like usual cubic box. It was air purifier called IQAir. Since my mom heard about this air purifier from other church member she bought this for family because my dad has asthma and my mother and I has pollen allergy. It worked very well as it advertised that allergen control, light molecular control, light odor control, and complex air pollution control. I could breathe freely and satisfied. If you have a severe pollen allergy and asthma symptom like my family, I suggest you to clean the air quality of your room by vacuum and air purifier.

Reflections#2: Fatigue and Damaged Immune System - Week 7 (Feb 26, 2010)

I was sick during the ‘snowmageddon’ and exhausted after thousands of snow plowing. Severe fatigue seemed to make me sick and it also gave a lot of damage on my immune system. It seemed like chronic fatigue syndrome and my immune system responded poorly to other infections. Because of those, I could not go to school for a week and it also ruined my normal life rhythm.

Investigation#1: Smallpox is possible Bioterror weapon - Week 6 (Feb 19, 2010)

Recent world events have increased concern and preparations for possible bio-terror events. Despite worldwide efforts to limit access to bio-weapons, smallpox is still considered a potential bio-terror threat. Americans' understanding of smallpox could prevent panic and enhance the willingness of citizens to receive vaccinations. Objective: The authors' purpose in this study was to describe graduating college students' levels of smallpox-related knowledge. Method summary: Participants at a graduation ceremony--mostly female, with a mean age of 28.4 ± 8.1 years--were handed a 35-item questionnaire that assessed smallpox knowledge and whether respondents would submit to vaccination under hypothetical circumstances. Results: The convenience sample was ignorant of numerous facts about smallpox and unaware of government efforts to prepare for an attack, answering an average of 3.8 out of 10 items correctly. Conclusion: These findings raise concern because, in a smallpox event, prompt responses to directives of public health officials will be necessary to maximize the effectiveness of response plans.

I was curious about smallpox during work on the class project and found this article from library database. I thought it was deadly disease in old days and not anymore for these days. I just surprised by this could be popular bio-terror weapon.

Citation: Bungum, Timothy; Day, Charlene. Smallpox-Related Knowledge and Beliefs Among Recent College Graduates. Journal of American College Health, Nov/Dec2006, Vol. 55 Issue 3, p181-183.

Encounter#1: Do not take Energy Drink or Coffee - Week 5(Feb 12, 2010)

I recently searched youtube.com and found out the commercial about the energy drink. Energy drink company tried to convince that their drink have a lot of good features like vitamins, herbs, ginseng, and other beneficial ingredients help our body deal with effects of stress and support our immune system. However, I do not think that this kind of energy drink can be a good product to support our immune system because it actually ruined my life pattern by a lot of caffeine and eventually ruined my immune system. I suggest that do not take any coffee or energy drink to keep you up for whole night. I will eventually damage your immune system.