My Personal Theory free essay sample

My Personal Theory of Counseling Kristen Bellows University of Texas at San Antonio My Personal Theory of Counseling Perhaps nothing is as significant to the success of the therapeutic process and nothing represents the foundation of successful therapy more than ones personal theory of counseling. All individuals in all aspects of life work from some belief system, perspective, or model of how the world works, how things are, and how things interact. Developing a deep understanding of ones own personal theory leads to better decision-making with respect to the therapeutic process, including therapist approach and client interaction. Such an understanding also promotes a greater ability to intervene more effectively with clients whose values are in contrast to ones own. Being aware of ones own personal theory of the world and, subsequently, ones view of counseling, also helps the therapist identify individual strengths and areas for improvement. We will write a custom essay sample on My Personal Theory or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The personal orientation of the therapist is a sum total of many influences such as interests, self-awareness, experience, values, and compassion for others, among many other things. Such influences have a direct impact on ones personal theory of counseling. For instance, my Christian upbringing, experiences, and beliefs have a significant impact on my personal view of the world and others and, therefore, also on my theory of counseling. My religious beliefs and values coincide with some therapeutic approaches and not others. In this paper I delve into my recent introspective and reflective explorations as well as the experiences and lessons I have learned throughout my life which has led me to embrace and adopt the particular theory of  counseling I believe suits me the most at this time. Of all the theories I have learned for the duration of this class, none has resonated with me as much as Existentialism. While I have a tremendous reverence for psychoanalysis and its focus on examining the causal factors behind one’s thoughts, feelings and behaviors i. e. one’s past/childhood, the unconscious, as well as its contribution of key concepts to counseling such as transference and countertransference, I am a bit unsettled by the deterministic and rigid view this approach takes of human nature. I connect much more deeply to the philosophies of  existentialism: the emphasis it places on an authentic and genuine encounter with clients, its recognition and respect for the client’s subjective world, trust in the capacity of the client to make positive decisions and the concepts it focuses on in counseling such as meaning, purpose, freedom, responsibility, choice, isolation, death concepts that relate to our mere existing in the world and the larger scheme of life. I tend to shy away from the theories such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, feminist therapy, and gestalt therapy, which are very technique-oriented, exercise-driven, directive in approach, and simply require too much action on the therapist’s behalf. I feel these theories do not allow much of the client’s pursuits and search for meaning in life to come through or at least, it is not the major focus of therapy. I do recognize that for some clients these other therapies may be useful, which is why I do not discredit nor dislike them; I just feel that they do not mesh with who I am personally and are not as inherent to my way of  being as much as the precepts of existentialism are. Personally, I hope to find out my purpose in life and contribute something meaningful to the world. Over the few months of self-reflection, I realize that I simply get great joy through serving others and helping them in any way I can. I am more concerned with creating a meaningful identity and relationships with others as I recognize the limits to my existence. I know that one day, I, as well as everyone else will die, and I therefore have a longing to make the most of my time on earth and the time spent with others filled with less conflict and more harmony and love. To me, love is the ultimate gift in this world, and I think it is one of the most powerful gifts that I possess and would like to share with everyone. I always believe there is something good to love in everyone and don’t believe in categorizing people as good or bad, healthy or unhealthy. I don’t believe that one’s existence is fixed or that people are tied to their  past. I think we are always re-creating ourselves and making sense of each moment of the life we live. Perhaps I relate so well to the concepts of existentialism also because it explores basic dimensions of the human condition, particularly death, which closely ties in with religion. Religion, namely that of the Baptist religion, has played a large role in my life. It has helped me make sense of life and been a moral compass in most regards. The parallel I see drawn between the Baptist religion and existentialism in terms of death occurs when I think about the Lenten season and something the priest says on Ash Wednesday: Remember man that thou art dust and unto dust thou shalt return. † This act reminds me of our mortality, similarly to how the existentialist perspective tries to allow us to grasp the inevitability of death. Death to me is not something I try to avoid thinking about. It is something that I am very aware of and has had a marked impact on my life. I am constantly seeking a life full of zest, meaning, and one that is filled with love and service to others. In this search, I have experienced the existential anxiety that comes from some of the inevitable conditions of simply being alive. That is, loneliness, finiteness and freedom of choice all bring up a certain amount of anxiety in me, yet I use this anxiety as reason to make changes in my life. After I graduated with my degree in psychology in 2003, I worked for a while in a school setting. Working in the school especially caused a lot of  anxiety in me because I constantly felt that I was not living up to my potential. I just felt as though the job I was doing was a means to no end. My view on work is that it should not be just a job, but rather a career, a lifestyle, something that you are proud to call your profession. It has helped me make sense of what I am called to do and given my life a purpose. I am happy with the path I am on right now. As an existentialist, therapy would also be structured around increasing a client’s self-awareness. This is important because we need to be aware of our capacities in order to exercise freedom and live as fully as possible. I would try to especially help clients take responsibility for  their lives instead of passively letting circumstances and external forces direct their future. I would try to point out how it would be an inauthentic way of living if one subsumes the role of a victim instead of exercising the freedom that they possess. I strongly believe that we can create and shape our lives and rise to the challenges that it may present us with. In saying all this, I would not take a directive stance in expressing these opinions, as in doing so, I would be making decisions and choices for the client that they might not choose to accept. I would rather challenge them to explore how they have been living in the past that has prompted them to seek therapy today and help them discover new ways of living that will lead to a change in their situation. A large part of therapy as well would include helping clients trust in themselves to find the answers, rather than look to others to direct them. Ultimately, we are alone. As cynical as it may sound, we did come into the world alone and we will die alone. We of course depend on our  human relationships with others and connecting with others is very important, however, we must be able to function as our own person firstly and form our own identity in order to relate healthily to others. One cannot rely all the time on others for the answers and depend upon them for their happiness. In therapy, when clients try to do the same of me as a therapist, in order to break this pattern, I would explain to them that there is no easy answer and that they alone have the capability to find the right answer. In therapy, I would also try to provide the space for clients to find meaning in their life by asking questions that help them explore whether or not they are content with their current life, and who they are becoming, as well as helping them establish values that they will need to adopt in order to live a life that is meaningful to them. I would also be sure to talk frankly about the reality of death. Ignoring the topic of death makes its presence even stronger than if one were to confront it. In doing this, that is, addressing a fear that seems overwhelming to explore, a client is also opened up to experiencing life in a more authentic way. Along with the goals of exploring anxiety, self-awareness, death, freedom and responsibility, and a meaningful life, the relationship between the client and me is of central prominence. Our therapeutic encounter will be the activator of positive change and it requires honesty and authenticity of me as well, in order to join the client in their subjective experience. I believe as a therapist, it will take a lot of courage, respect and faith in the client’s ability to grow and reach greater heights and it is important that I am fully present to the client in our  encounters. Although right now I am solely focusing on the existential approach to therapy, I believe that later on as I see a variety of clients, I may need to adapt certain interventions or  techniques from other theories that might be suitable for a particular client. However, I believe my main assumptions and goals for clients will remain in line with that of existentialism. The existential theory of counseling appears to be an appropriate theoretical base to use in counseling because it fits my style of counseling. It is supportive of the client finding meaning in life, which resolves the existential anxiety many people are feeling today. In addition the existential philosophy supports clients’ spiritual growth but likewise can be used with a secular approach as well. In the same way I would evaluate a client’s success on the basis of whether they have been able to find a purposeful existence through the discovery of their  strengths, their own freedom of choice etc. , is how I would evaluate myself personally and as a counselor. Can I live authentically? Can I create a life of meaning? Can I sit with ambivalence and anxiety? Can I make my own choices without having to depend on others? Can I face my fears rather than live a restricted existence? I do not have all the answers to these questions thus far, but they are important questions to me that I am always trying to answer. They are questions which I will probably always be asking myself as I re-evaluate and re-discover myself, but one thing I have realized thus far that is true for me, is that love is the highest goal to which I aspire. I wish to serve others and bring about change in others in counseling through this vessel. References Seligman, L. , Reichenberg, L. W. (2010). Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy: Systems, Strategies, and Skills (3rd ed. ). New Jersey: Pearson Education Inc.

Biography of Genghis Khan, Founder of the Mongol Empire

Biography of Genghis Khan, Founder of the Mongol Empire Genghis Khan (c. 1162–August 18, 1227) was the legendary founder and leader of the Mongol Empire. In a span of just 25 years, his horsemen conquered a larger area and greater population than the Romans did in four centuries. To the millions of people conquered by his hordes, Genghis Khan was evil incarnate; in Mongolia and Central Asia, however, he was widely revered. Fast Facts: Genghis Khan Known For: Khan was the founder and leader of the Mongol Empire.Also Known As: TemujinBorn: c. 1162 in Delun-Boldog, MongoliaDied: August 18, 1227, in Yinchuan,  Western XiaSpouse(s): Borje, Khulan, Yesugen, Yesulun (plus others)Children: Jochi, Chagatai, Ogedei, Tolui (plus others) Early Life Records of the Great Khans early life are sparse and contradictory. He was likely born in 1162, though some sources say 1155 or 1165. We know that the boy was given the name Temujin. His father Yesukhei was the chief of the minor Borijin clan of nomadic Mongols, who lived by hunting rather than herding or farming. Yesukhei had kidnapped Temujins young mother, Hoelun, as she and her first husband were riding home from their wedding. She became Yesukheis second wife; Temujin was his second son by just a few months. Mongol legend claims that the baby was born with a blood clot in his fist, a sign that he would be a great warrior. Hardship and Captivity When Temujin was nine, his father took him to a neighboring tribe to work for several years and earn a bride. His intended wife was a slightly older girl named Borje. On the way home, Yesukhei was poisoned by rivals and died. Temujin returned to his mother, but the clan expelled Yesukheis two widows and seven children, leaving them to die. The family survived by eating roots, rodents, and fish. Young Temujin and his full brother Khasar grew to resent their eldest half-brother Begter. They killed him and as punishment for the crime, Temujin was seized as a slave. His captivity may have lasted for more than five years. Youth Set free at age 16, Temujin went to find Borje again. She was still waiting for him and they soon married. The couple used her dowry, a fine sable-fur coat, to make an alliance with Ong Khan of the powerful Kereyid clan. Ong Khan accepted Temujin as a foster son. This alliance proved key, as Hoeluns Merkid clan decided to avenge her long-ago kidnapping by stealing Borje. With the Kereyid army, Temujin raided the Merkids, looting their camp and reclaiming Borje.  Temujin also had help in the raid from his childhood blood-brother Jamuka, who would later become a rival. Borjes first son Jochi was born nine months later. Consolidation of Power After rescuing Borje, Temujins small band stayed with Jamukas group for several years. Jamuka soon asserted his authority, rather than treating Temujin as a brother, which started a two-decade feud between the 19-year-olds. Temujin left the camp, along with many of Jamukas followers and livestock. At the age of 27, Temujin held a kurultai (tribal council) among the Mongols, who elected him khan. The Mongols were only a Kereyid sub-clan, however, and Ong Khan played Jamuka and Temujin off one another. As Khan, Temujin awarded high office not just to his relatives, but to those followers who were most loyal to him. Unification of the Mongols In 1190, Jamuka raided Temujins camp, cruelly horse-dragging and even boiling alive his captives, which turned many of his followers against him.  The united Mongols soon defeated the neighboring Tatars and Jurchens, and Temujin Khan assimilated their people rather than follow the steppe custom of looting them and leaving. Jamuka attacked Ong Khan and Temujin in 1201. Despite suffering an arrow shot to the neck, Temujin defeated and assimilated Jamukas remaining warriors. Ong Khan then treacherously tried to ambush Temujin at a wedding ceremony for Ongs daughter and Jochi, but the Mongols escaped and returned to conquer the Kereyids. Early Conquests The unification of Mongolia ended in 1204 when Temujin defeated the powerful Naiman clan. Two years later, another kurultai confirmed him as Genghis Khan or universal leader of all Mongolia.  Within five years, the Mongols had annexed much of Siberia and what is today the modern Chinese Xinjiang province. The Jurched Dynasty, ruling northern China from Zhongdu (Beijing), noticed the upstart Mongol khan and demanded that he kowtow to its Golden Khan. In reply, Genghis Khan spat on the ground.  He then defeated their tributaries, the Tangut, and in 1214 he conquered the Jurchens and their 50 million citizens. The Mongol army numbered just 100,000. Conquests of Central Asia, the Middle East, and the Caucasus Tribes as far away as Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan heard about the Great Khan and overthrew their Buddhist rulers in order to join his growing empire. By 1219, Genghis Khan ruled from northern China to the Afghan border  and from Siberia to the border of Tibet. He sought a trade alliance with the powerful Khwarizm Empire, which controlled Central Asia from Afghanistan to the Black Sea. Sultan Muhammad II agreed, but then murdered the first Mongol trade convoy of 450 merchants, stealing their goods. Before the end of that year, the wrathful Khan had captured every Khwarizm city, adding lands from Turkey to Russia to his realm. Death In 1222, the 61-year-old Khan called a family kurultai to discuss the matter of succession. His four sons disagreed over which should become the Great Khan. Jochi, the eldest, was born soon after Borjes kidnapping and might not have been Genghis Khans son, so the second son Chagatai challenged his right to the title. As a compromise, the third son Ogodei became the successor. Jochi died in February 1227, six months before his father, who passed away on August 18, 1227. Ogodei took East Asia, which would become Yuan China. Chagatai claimed Central Asia. Tolui, the youngest, took Mongolia proper. Jochis sons controlled Russia and Eastern Europe. Legacy After Genghis Khans secret burial on the steppes of Mongolia, his sons and grandsons continued to expand the Mongol Empire. Ogodeis son Kublai Khan defeated the Song rulers of China in 1279 and established the Mongol Yuan Dynasty. The Yuan would rule all of China until 1368. Meanwhile, Chagatai pushed south from his Central Asian holdings, conquering Persia. Within Mongolia, Genghis Khan revolutionized the social structure and reformed traditional law. His was an egalitarian society, in which the humblest slave could rise to be an army commander if he showed skill or bravery. War booty was divided evenly among all warriors, regardless of social status. Unlike most rulers of the time, Genghis Khan trusted loyal followers above his own family members- which contributed to the difficult succession as he aged. The Great Khan forbade the kidnapping of women, probably due in part to his wifes experience, but also because it led to warfare among different Mongol groups. He outlawed livestock rustling for the same reason and established a winter-only hunting season to preserve game for the hardest of times. Contrary to his ruthless and barbaric reputation in the west, Genghis Khan promulgated several enlightened policies that would not become common practice in Europe until centuries later. He guaranteed freedom of religion, protecting the rights of Buddhists, Muslims, Christians, and Hindus alike. Genghis Khan himself worshiped the sky, but he forbade the killing of priests, monks, nuns, mullahs, and other holy people. A 2003 DNA study revealed that about 16 million men in the former Mongol Empire, about 8% of the male population, carry a genetic marker that developed in one family in Mongolia about 1,000 years ago. The most likely explanation is that they are descended from Genghis Khan or his brothers. Sources Craughwell, Thomas. The Rise and Fall of the Second Largest Empire in History: How Genghis Khans Mongols Almost Conquered the World. Fair Winds Press, 2010.Djang, Sam. Genghis Khan: World Conqueror, Vols. I and II. New Horizon Books, 2011.Weatherford, Jack. Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World. Three Rivers Press, 2004.

Statuses and roles correspond (Sociology) Research Paper

Statuses and roles correspond (Sociology) - Research Paper Example Status is important since along with it are the different set of rights, obligations and roles of an individual is defined. While ascribed status is more of an association with your family and your group, race or economic standing, achieved status is more of an effort of the individual and is more fluid and changes over time. My own status as a middle-class individual or part of the common people is associated with my financial standing in the society. Living in a foreign land, my status as a foreigner gives me a reputation that I am not one of the people in this land and that I may seem different. Though through time, I have gained the status as a student and a manicurist, the roles and responsibilities assigned to be are limited by my ascribed status. Being a student also limits my roles, responsibilities and opportunities since I have yet to go up the status ladder. I believe that my master status right now is being a foreigner in this land, being a different nationality and being an employed student. The ascribed and achieved status that I have been assigned to is how the society sees me and in turn, the status I am in is how the society expects me to act and work with the flow of the

Why Animal Experimentation Should be Banned Essay

Why Animal Experimentation Should be Banned - Essay Example This essay stresses that animal experimentation is an integral part of medical science. However, it seems to be that this is in part due to it being a scientific institution rather than something which is of great benefit. Medical research has relied on animals and animal models for such a long time that some scientists, perhaps, are unable to see the benefits of alternative means of experimentation. Animal models have been used for decades, and they are familiar, and even if they are not specifically accurate when it comes to modeling human disease, they are at least predictable and well-characterized. may be that many of the new techniques that have the potential to replace animal experimentation are simply not-well known enough to be considered acceptable replacements for animal models that are considered more reliable. This paper makes a conclusion that it is truly impossible to see how using animals in medical experiments can be considered ethical. When the results are so often misleading, sometimes to the point where harm is caused to humans, how can we possibly justify the suffering and slaughter of millions of animals worldwide every year? The simple answer is that we can’t. Animal testing is not effective or reliable enough, it is morally and ethically wrong, and there are increasing numbers of safe, accurate, and reliable alternatives to this practice. Animal experimentation must and should stop.

Heart Diseases and Stem Cell Transplantation

Heart Diseases and Stem Cell Transplantation Abstract According a report published by the World health organization about the most prevalent causes of mortality for the time periods of 2000 and 2011, it can be seen that Ischemic heart disease is the leading cause of mortality. There are many conditions that can lead to heart failure. Such conditions are raised blood pressure, myocardial infarction as well as atherosclerotic heart disease. Ischemia leads to necrosis of the myocardial cells due to lack of oxygen resulting in permanent loss of heart muscle. Stem cell therapy allows us to restore the motor function of the heart by delivering stem cells to the site of function loss. The aim of this review is to highlight key points about the different stem cell types that are being researched. Most importantly we will look at how and why recent advances are better suited for treatment of different conditions of the heart. This shall be argued by looking at the ways in which the stem cells used are obtained and transplanted as well as keeping in mind the natural behavior and purpose of the different classes of stem cells. Different Stem cell Types Being Researched The two classes of stem cells that have been researched the most are mulitpotent and pluirpotent stem cells. Pluripotent cells have a greater potency then multipotent stem cells meaning that only specific classes of multipotent stem cells can be used to restore cardiomyocytes. Multipotent Stem cells c-Kit+Cardiac Stem Cells These cardiac stem cells exhibit c-Kit+ which is a surface receptor that has tyrosine kinase activity. There have been successful studies using these types of cells for myocyte regeneration. According to Sheng and co-workers (2012) use of these stem cells has led to regeneration of cardiomyocytes in the ventricles. SCIPIO, is a phase 1 study conducted by Bolli et al. This study looked at patients who suffered from an MI and then had cardiac stem cells introduced into their left ventricle. They published their results in 2011 showing that left ventricular function improved from the initial ejection fraction that was below 40%. Makkar et al. in 2012 published findings for the CADUCEUS study. This study again introduced CSCs into patients LV just after an MI. Results showed no harm being done to the patient as well as an increase in the ejection fraction of the LV. Fuentes and Kearns-Jonker in 2013 released results were application of ephrin A1 can improve CSC treatment in rats. Ephrin A1 is a human protein important for moderating cell maturation that is introduced before transplantation of CSCs occurs. Most notably repopulation of the damaged area (infarct) was twice as much and as well as having improved systolic function as well as reduced number of complications such as arrhythmias. Bone marrow derived stem cells (BMSC) BMSCs are obtained from that patients bone marrow and then used to treat the same patient. BMSCs have been being used for a long time due to ease of acquirement as well as the fact that they don’t elicit an immune response when used. According to Sheng and co-workers (2012) BMSC therapy hasn’t lead to notable changes in patient quality of life with only temporary mild increase in ventricular systolic function. BMSCs release beneficial paracrine effects (Lee et al., 2005). Paracrines have a number of roles including cessation of apoptosis in sites of ischemic heart damage and stimulation of host vascular (angiogenesis) and cardiac tissue (cardiomyogenesis) growth. Inter-conversion of cells from 1 type to another as well as joining of 2 or more cells to become one cell results in formation of endothelial and ventricular muscle tissue from the precursor stem cell (Lee et al., 2005). Pluripotent stem cells Such cells are capable of forming all 3 primary layers. Embryo Stem cells (ESCs) ESCs are obtained from the mass of cells inside the blastocyst and are capable of self renewal. Compared to adult stem cells, embryonic stem cells have more inherent ability to replace damaged tissue in the heart. This is due to them being pluripotent they replace not only the muscle lost but also perform angiogenesis. Advancements in regulation of developmental pathways for ESCs have enabled improved results. BMP inhibitor improves the conversion of ESCs to cardiomyocytes but in so doing reduces conversion to other tissues of mesoderm origin (Hao et al., 2008). Hao and his co-workers (2008) also state that dorsomorphin can become a great tool for stem cell therapy in the future. Wnt/ÃŽ ²-catenin signaling control with the use of XAV939 improves ESC differentiation into cardiomyocytes. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) Gene Transplantation Direct gene delivery For different forms of gene delivery the catheter has to both compatible to the site targeted as well as not having any property causing injury or eliciting an immune response. Naimark et al. compared the use of Nitinol stainless steel and Stiletto catheters for epicardial administration as well as endocardial showing that Stilletto catheters were twice as effective. Intrapericardial injection Advantage of this method of delivery is that there is no exposure of the heart and other organs. The use of intrapericardial infection in dogs has shown they endure the pain with not too much distress highlighting that the patient will undergo less distress compared to open surgery (March et al., 1999). This percutaneous method introduces the genes into the pericardial sac which then migrates into the myocardium. (Kawase et al., 2007) There are varying approaches to how to perform the injection. Fromes and coworkers used a transdiaphragmetic method. What was observed was that injection of the stem cells on their own lead to no gene expression difference in the myocardium. Stem cell expression results at the end of week one improved significantly with addition of proteinase in the injection fluid. Endocardial injection Microsphere retention varies according to volume used and site of injection. Endomyocardial injection had 28% greater retention then epicardial administration. Further retention can be obtained with the use of 10 ÃŽ ¼L rather then 100 ÃŽ ¼L. Greater spread of the adenovirus which encoded lac-Z was observed going to other organs in lower volumes too (Grossman et al., 2002). Use of fluoroscopy proved that this method is safe and that gene expression is present in 81% of the pigs used. Specimens used showed no symptoms and signs of cardiac arrhythmia or disturbance of blood flow. Patients suffering from chronic ischemia can develop complications such as perforation of the ventricle due to its thin nature as well as effusion of fluid in the pericardial sac decreasing cardiac output (Gwon et al., 2001). Intramyocardial injection This method has shown great success in many studies due to direct delivery of vector to site of damage. Injection of reporter gene into cardiac tissue and expression of the gene is feasible in canine myocardium. Response showed to be directly proportional to the volume of plasmid DNA used. Interestingly gene expression was uniform throughout the left ventricle independent of the level of injury. Stem cell expression gradually weakens over time showing greatest activity at the end of the first week (von Harsdorf et al., 1993). Use of plasmid DNA for cardiac muscle shows unique property of the tissue in being able to uptake DNA via the use of T tubules. Weakened expression after the first week is due to immune defensive mechanisms targeting transfected cells (Acsadi et al., 1991). Use of plasmid DNA vectors in early studies showed low efficiency in terms of transduction and time interval in which it is active; this lead to the use of adenovirus to transfer of ÃŽ ²-galactosidase gene an d plasmid. However results showed poor expression after day 7 as well as immune reaction generation (Guzman et al., 1993). Use of rAAV proved to be a more successful vector for the LacZ gene showing no immune response generation or inflammation at the site of injection. Expression was strongest after 1 week during weeks 4 to 8 showing very little results in the first 2 weeks. An increase in efficiency in terms of number of cells that undergo transduction due to perfusion was observed. Half of the cardiomyocytes showed LacZ gene expression (Svensson et al., 1999). BetaARKct gene produces a peptide that improves betaAR (beta-adrenergic receptor) signaling which is seen to diminish after a myocardial infarct. BetaAR function is interfered upon by G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2. BetaARKct gene product will eliminate G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 interference. rAAV6 was used as a vector. Introduction of the BetaARKct gene further increased the efficiency of the intramyocardial injection with improved transduction cell number and length of time interval expression is strongest – up to 12 weeks from start of experiment. Long term use of BetaARKct gene lead to raised cardiac contractility as well as a turn around in ventricular remodeling (Rengo et al., 2009). Transfer of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) promoted angiogenesis in damaged myocardium and diminished anginal pain (Koransky et al., 2002). Transvascular gene delivery Some diseases such as pulmonary and essential hypertension, long QT syndrome and congestive heart failure require not just a percentage of their cells to undergo transduction but rather the entire myocardium. This can only be done by a method that ensures global delivery to the myocardium (Donahue et al., 1997). This is because it’s not just a group of cells that are contributing to the disease but rather every cell. E.g. Intramyocardial injection in these conditions would be useless as it only affects a small area. Selective coronary catheterization with antegrade intracoronary delivery A single pass method yields poor transduction values showing phenotype expression in only 5% of cardiac muscle at most (Ding et al., 2004). For optimal transduction to take place prolonged exposure time via occlusion of blood supply was necessary. The coronary arteries and coronary venous sinus were the tested targets with the latter producing almost 5 times increase in transduction (Logeart et al., 2001). Donahue and coworkers worked on rabbit myocardium observing key conditions for 96% of myocardial cells to undergo transduction. These parameters included increased virus concentrations, increased exposure, performing experiment at 37 °C, increased coronary flow rate and use of crystalloid media with specific compositions. Almost maximal transduction could be achieved with improved microvascular permeability in a decreased coronary perfusion time period of 2 minutes. Lowered Ca2+concentration coupled to bradykinin or serotonin pretreatment and raised virus concentration achieve this (Donahue et al., 1998). Use of catheters to occlude the aorta and venous return in the right atrium in rodents was coupled to cardiopulmonary arrest with the use of esmolol and acetylcholine for 2 and 5 minutes in order to increase viral incubation time proved to increase transduction response in 43% of cardiac muscle after 3 days. Minimally invasive surgical intervention is still required but the fore mentioned method shows a 400 time improvement in phenotype expression contrasted to the sham-operated group. S-Nitroso-N-acetyl-DL-penicillamine and histamine use failed to improve microvacular permeability (Ding et al., 2004). Nonselective (indirect) intracoronary delivery Using a number of injections to transfer genes with the use of surgery has been studied in research extensively (Guzman et al., 1993). Transduction of human beta 2- adrenergic receptor (betaAR) gene in patients diagnosed with chronic heart failure can restore the cardiac beta-adrenergic receptor system. betaAR function is also compromised in acute myocardial function upset. The betaAR signaling pathway is the main target of most drugs on the market today for heart failure treatment (Parsa et al., 2003). Use of catheter to deliver Adeno-beta 2 adrenergic receptor into the left ventricle in rabbits produced at most a ten fold increase in beta 2- adrenergic receptor expression. After 3 weeks improved myocardial function was observed. Left ventricular pressure was improved as a result of increased myocardial contractility and improved ventricle loading conditions. Isoproterenol receptivity was also observed to increase (Maurice et al., 1999). This indirect method of virus introduction wi ll result in virus transport in the systemic circulation possibly resulting in ÃŽ ²-AR overexpression in the lungs and liver. Larger doses of the virus result in systemic ischemia and decreased cardiac function (Parsa et al., 2003). According to Hajjar and coworkers gene transfer in vivo results in transduction occurring in more then one location. In vivogene delivery involving adenovirus mediated transmission of betaAR kinase carboxyl terminus (betaARKct) or betaAR has shown that use of betaARKct prohibits smooth muscle hyperplasia in vascular intima after angioplasty. BetaARKct use improves ventrivular function via improved betaAR signaling via genetic inhibition of GÃŽ ²ÃŽ ³-ÃŽ ²-adrenergic receptor kinase. Over expression of betaAR improves cardiac function (Eckhart et al., 2000). Gene delivery in vivo improves ventricular contractility as well as adjustment of ECG intervals (Hajjar et al., 1998). Global phenotypic changes can be improved via increased transduction with the use of an improved method of to deliver the viruses. Introduction of the catheter into the left ventricular cavity followed by movement superiorly to end in the aortic root is coupled with pulmonary artery and ascending aorta occlusion. As a result a transcoronary perfusion gradient is generated; which improves viral delivery. This method has a number of modifications such as prompting of asystole pharmacologically, hypothermia use to lengthen cross-clamp interval and occlusion of the distal aorta (Beeri et al., 2002), (del Monte et al., 2001) and (Hajjar et al., 2000). Selective coronary sinus or coronary venous catheterization with retrograde delivery Intracoronary delivery involves systemic spread of the vector due to the brief interval in which the vector can adhere to the coronary endothelium. This is the great disadvantage of the fore mentioned method as coronary flow and endothelial permeability have a large contribution (Logeart et al., 2001). Contrasted to intracoronary delivery, retrograde delivery results in improved expression of the delivered gene (Kaye et al., 2007). Adeno-associated viral vectors do not induce an immune response and cause no inflammation. AAV vectors facilitate long-term gene expression (Sakata et al., 2007). Retro-infusion has proven to transfer AAV vectors efficiently as a long term method of gene transfer. This is due to improved endothelial permeability and lengthening of adhesion time for the vector (von Degenfeld et al., 2003). Systemic spread of vector to liver and lungs was observed however with lack of gene expression due to use of an enhanced myosin light chain promoter sequence (Raake et al ., 2008). Studies have proved that a single administration is enough in order for efficient regional myocyte transfection to occur. The advantages of only a single administration being necessary include minimal washout and controlled dwell times promoting longer exposure. The genes human developmentally regulated endothelial locus-1 and green fluorescent protein were used in this study (Hou et al., 2003). Pulmonary and hepatic transgene expression can be avoided with the use of adjusted models of myocardial gene delivery. Kaye and coworkers established a high efficiency percutaneous closed-loop system. This closed loop system permits increased transduction in the cardiac muscle due to higher concentration of vector present. This method reduces peripheral systemic spread that results in decreased transgene expression outside the heart in the lungs and liver (Kaye et al., 2007). Bridges states that usage of the percutaneous closed-loop system just mentioned would result in loss of more then 99% of the vector to the systemic circulation and not to the myocardium. On close examination of results obtained 2,639 vector genomes/ mg DNA were found in the heart contrasted to 69,595 vector genomes/ mg DNA in the liver. It was suggested that lack of hemiazaygous vein control results in this systemic spread. Ex vivotechnique Many studies have been carried out on the use of transplantation model for gene transfer. In the study done by Griscelli and coworkers recombinant adenoviruses are injected into coronary vessels of the organ then the heart is transplanted. This study carried out on piglet hearts have emphasized prolonged exposure time for vector contact to the heart. The advantage of using such a transplantation model is that this takes place with no coronary flow. Expression of transferred gene was noted with little presence of the transferred genome in hepatic and pulmonary tissues (Griscelli et al., 2003). Wang and Knechtle experimented on and compared 2 different methods of vector delivery prior to transplantation; myocardial injection and perfusion. Injection produced a higher degree of transgene expression. Perfusion resulted in greater overall distribution of transgene expression. Use of these methods only provides as a short term method of gene transfer (Wang and Knechtle., 1996).

indians :: essays research papers

the native american indians are very spiritula people. They hunt bison and buffalo In Indian Blood II, I incorrectly stated that Allan W. Eckert started "the Blue Jacket War."   He did not.   It seems clear now that Robert Van Trees did.   In fact, to call it a war is to mischaracterize this mindless tirade by Van Trees and some of his ardent supporters over a simple academic question:   Was Blue Jacket white?   Ã‚      Blue Jacket was a Shawnee chief and it is not really important  whether he was adopted or native--any more than it makes a difference whether one of his wives was white, which Van Trees does not dispute.   According to the information on Carlyle Hinshaw's website, Hinshaw called for a "crusade," using his word, to protest and suppress the republication of Eckert's The Frontiersmen. Thereafter, Eckert's publisher was bombarded with  letters and phone calls from the dozen or so people involved.   Letters were sent and some were posted on the site. Several people wrote Allan Eckert directly.   Ã‚      When asked for comment, Eckert said that some of the letters  he received in this "crusade" were actually hate mail, personally attacking him and calling him names. Pointless harassment.   I should point out that none of the responsible Shawnee scholars--neither Randy Noe nor John Sugden--would join in this disgraceful display of lynch-mob mentality.   Ã‚      I was given Hinshaw's web address by another Shawnee researcher.   Hinshaw's website   at first favorably impressed me, but after I came upon a page of protests led by Van Trees‘s article  entitled "Bluejacket and Swearingen Families Declare War on Eckert," I was taken aback. "Declare War," he says, in such strong language that makes you think of terroristic attacks, some kind of crazy holy war for, in his words, our "honored dead."   This strikes me as unfair and bizarrely un-American, like shouting down the opposition.   Ã‚     This is, after all, a simple and rather silly academic issue. If someone--Rev. Jesse Jackson, say--should write a book claiming that Blue Jacket was actually black and that historians had been wrong in their account of him all these years, would there be a similar protest?   I hardly think so.   Why not just write your own book and let the other fellow write his?   Ã‚     When I asked Mr. Van Trees about this, he said that the tirade against Eckert was justified and by US Mail he sent copies of the rabid hate mail that Robert Denton Bluejacket and others had sent  to Eckert--as if that explained everything.

Drug Addiction: And Urban Social Problem Essay

There are several concurrent urban social problems and for many years now authorities of a community have huge difficulties in eradicating these socially damaging situations. The issue of drug addiction has always been common and widespread in our society. For some reasons this worldwide predicament is very difficult to expunge thus, creating a humungous problem of our world. This shaped several individuals’ lives when the addiction to illegal substances sets in and likewise affected the future of the communities they belonged to especially their children, who of course look up to their parents for guidance. This began a long time ago but the problem is not diminishing and instead became progressively prevalent where teenagers nowadays are provided easy access to these deadly drugs by drug peddlers or pushers on the streets. Drug pushers have even become innovative on ways to introduce these life destructing substances to children just for them to earn easy money the fastest possible way. Some kids get introduced to these illegal substances without being aware what they have gotten into. Those born on the years from 1946 to 1964, were called Baby Boomers and were also exposed to drugs that significantly marked a different era in history. Mike Males, who is a teacher in UC Santa Cruz, and also a baby boomer, raised some criticisms on his own generation. He said that they are the fastest growing age group for felony arrests in California that has the biggest demographic for HIV and AIDs cases and has a one in three ratio of obese people. Since 75. 8 million Americans belong to this generation, their views and the actions dominate the society. They are in the media, fill the church pews, run the corporations thus ruling the market and sat on the Oval office (Hubler). Mike Males even described their generation as; Its members became wildly well-educated and turned â€Å"sex-drugs-and-rock-and-roll† into a mass motto. Then they left all that behind to form a lot of blended, two-income, exceptionally health-conscious households. Then they became inordinately conscientious parents, rethinking whole aspects of child-rearing, but in a good way. Now they’re safely ensconced in midlife and expecting to live past 100, with no worries save for the ever higher cost of seeing the Rolling Stones. (Hubler) His story has even been confirmed by government statistics and other scholars story in saying that, †Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ problems among teens are declining but problems among their baby boom parents were another matter† (Hubler). Having a population dominated by the baby boomers may have its effects to the existence of some urban problems that are still hounding our communities. It was with great dependence on their action that their kids will be able to survive as well as the future generations. However, this generation as parents, have also nurtured their children by providing the support that they needed and wanted (Value Options). They also did wjat they could to provide their children a better and content future. They were also good parents to their kids. We cannot generalize an age group belonging to different society but still the fact remains that the drug problem is still predominant in the society. On the other hand, the children of the baby boomers are referred to as the Generation Y, who are those people born from years 1980 to 1994. They are also called Echo Boomers, Millennial Generation and Generation Next. This new generation is now coming of age to work and transform the future of the humankind. The Echo Boomers are very much controlled by technological innovations that have emerged in the latest years. They have â€Å"The Baby Boomers saw the future as theirs and Generation Xers found the future disheartening, these young workers question whether they will have a future. They have spent a good deal of time watching as their parents rose to the top of the corporate ladder, balancing work and family, and they have seen their parents lose jobs as a result of downsizing and reorganizations. For this generation, work is temporary and unreliable. They are less committed to an employer, sensing that employers are less committed to long-term employment. In some respect, this group is opportunistic and will job hop to meet their immediate wants, needs and goals† (Value Options). Apparently, in some cases, this has caused some adolescents to develop some psychological ordeal full of uncertainties in what the future holds for them that some resort to alcoholism, depression, smoking and drug addiction at a young age. Some of these people gets involve in something due to curiosity and experimentation. Without the parents’ strong presence in their lives, they just may be led on the wrong path. So many events has happened during their time such as high school, college school and even mall shooting as well as the 9/11 attacks. With all these things happening, more support is needed by these people to overcome some trauma. For those who cannot get the support and guidance that they need from their elders, they turn to drugs to momentarily forget their fears, anger and insecurities especially for teenagers. Addiction results from the relationship between a person and the object of their addiction (Schaffer). The sources of drug addiction are the actual drugs that people take, of which some are prescribed for a certain illness or not. Most of these drugs cannot be faced out in the market since it is also very beneficial to the lives of those afflicted by some deadly or threatening diseases. The only way to do for these substances to be safe or away from drug abusive individuals is the control that is implemented by the government to every area. It is a responsibility that should be taken seriously by the ones in governmental positions or in power. Also a huge support from families, friends and community to those people especially the adolescents should be formed to give them the guidance they need. Many of these groups are existent today and are already causing remarkable changes in the lives of some young ones. Drugs would always be in the streets since people would still keep making them for a good or bad cause but we have to focus on what really pushes people to turn to drugs. If we go down to the root of the issue, we would know what to do to be able to stop this worsening predicament. If people’s interests in illegal substances are eliminated, then there will be no consumers for these individuals producing and selling these drugs. No one will be selling something of which no one is buying. If it is parental support that is lacking, everyone should do their best to become responsible parents and give the support their kids deserve. This boils down to family relationships since this is primarily where kids are guided to straighten out their lives and erase the confusions that bother them most which then results to having these vices. It is not fair to pinpoint on whether it is the fault of the Baby Boomers or the Generation Y that this social problem is still rampant. Both generations passed through their adolescent stages where people become vulnerable to such addictions. Everyone knows how confusing it is when we were on this phase and so we know how they should be guided and reared to become responsible and good citizens of this country. The drug problem is there because all of us need to pool our resources together and put more force in bringing this drug problem down. It is not just a responsibility of one generation or one country. It is a problem that can only be solved if every one of us would help each other and take it as our own responsibility to make this world a safe haven for the following generations. WORKS CITED Hubler, Shawn. â€Å"The Boomer Buster – Who is Mike Males, and why is he saying those awful things about people of a certain age? † 22 January 2006. Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice Press Room. 9 December 2007 . Schaffer, Howard J. â€Å"What is an Addiction: A Perspective. † 3 July 2007. Harvard Medical School Division on Addictions. 9 December 2007 . â€Å"Generation Y†. Value Options. 9 December 2007. .