...Introduction Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease in which antibodies are produced that block or destroy the nicotine acetylcholine receptors at the postsynaptic membrane, causing muscle weakness and fatigue (Pendleton & Schultz-Krohn, 2006). Myasthenia gravis can occur at any age but onset usually occurs at an earlier age in women than in men. In the United States, there are about 14.2 cases of myasthenia gravis per one million people (Pendleton & Schultz-Krohn, 2006). Myasthenia gravis will be discussed in this paper according to the following: etiology, signs and symptoms, pathology and the progression of myasthenia gravis, diagnosis, prognosis, medical interventions, complications and resulting dysfunction of myasthenia gravis. Etiology Romi, Gilhus, and Aarli (2005) point to a genetic predisposition for myasthenia gravis with 30% of patients having mothers with myasthenia gravis or another autoimmune disease (p. 136). Other precipitating factors may include surgery, certain drugs, infection, and disorders of the thymus (Beers & Porter, 2006, p. 1899). Approximately 12% of babies born to mothers with myasthenia gravis display a passing muscle weakness termed “neonatal myasthenia” (Keesy, 2004, p. 485) not considered autoimmune, due to maternal antibodies crossing the placenta. Myasthenia gravis occurs at any age with the peak onset age in males between 50 and 70 years and in females between the teens and the thirties. Both...
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...| Research Paper Part 1 – Introduction & Body Paragraphs | EN 1320 | | Anthony Brown | Week 8 | | Myasthenia Gravis (pronounced My-as-theen-a Grav-us) derived from the Greek and Latin words and it means “grave muscle weakness.” Myasthenia Gravis (MG) is a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease characterized by varying degrees of weakness of the skeletal (voluntary) muscles of the body ("National institute of," 2012). The prevalence of MG in the United States is estimated to be about 20/100,000 people ("What is myasthenia," 2010). MG is a rare but very serious disease and many people who have been diagnosed do not recognize the symptoms. If detected early, MG can be treated successfully with, if any, very little side effects in the future. Once diagnosed with MG, that person must go through a drastic life change; Enduring rigorous treatments depending on how aggressive the disease has become, possibly undergoing a life threatening surgery, and living with myasthenia gravis for the duration of their life. “Muscle weakness caused by MG progresses as the effected muscle is used repeatedly. Since symptoms typically improve with rest, but your muscle weakness may come and go” (Staff, 2010). The first signs and symptoms of MG are ptosis and diplopia. “Ptosis is a drooping of the upper eyelid. The lid may droop only slightly, or it may cover the pupil entirely” (What is ptosis?, N.d.). “Diplopia (double vision) is a common subjective complaint, or diplopia may...
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...Myasthenia Gravis and Physical Therapy Student’s Name Professor’s Name Class Institution of Affiliation Date of Submission Myasthenia Gravis and Physical Therapy Myasthenia Gravis According to medical research studies, Myasthenia Gravis is an autoimmune disease that develops when an individual’s immune system makes certain antibodies that affect its tissues. The antibodies produced by the body destroy or block muscle receptors that are fundamental in communication between the nerve-to-muscle and muscle contraction. The receptors are often referred to as acetylcholine (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 2010). The condition results in weakness of muscles and the effects tend to increase a lot when one is involved in physical activity that only reduces after resting. The most important fact to note is that the degree by which muscle weakness occurs due to myasthenia differs greatly among the affected individuals. The difference ranges from a localized form that is only limited to ocular myasthenia to a more severe form in which other muscles, such as those that control breathing, are affected (Drachman, 1994). In the traditional context, the condition has often been regarded to affect both genders and all ethnic groups. The most common cases are often found in younger women under the age of 40 and older men over the age of 60, although the condition can occur at any given age within the population. Epidemiological studies done in Greece found a Female...
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...Treatment The treatment of Myasthenia Gravis is dependent upon whether it is seen as an autoimmune disease or a congenital neuromuscular disease within the patient. As an autoimmune disease, MG is treated through the usage of immunosuppressive drugs, medication with the intended goal of reducing the efficacy of the immune system. Some of these drugs include prednisone, azathioprine, cyclosporin, and mycophenolate, in order from most commonly used to least prevalent. Other less commonly used forms of treatment for autoimmune MG includes plasmapheresis, intravenous immunoglobulin therapy, and thymectomy. In general, MG results in antibodies focused against the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, the cholinergic neuron receptor protein which signals...
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...Analysis of Indirect-acting Cholinergic Stimulants: Pyridostigmine and Neostigmine Vanessa Rhule Drugs can be are related by their chemical structure, the way they work or if they are used for the same purpose (Pubmed Health, 2012). A cholinergic stimulant is a class of drugs used to increase activity at acetylcholine synapses and can be further subdivided into two categories; direct and indirect acting cholinergic stimulants. This categorization is based on their mechanisms of action and specificity for clinical use (Ciccone, 2007). Direct-acting cholinergic stimulants increase activity at the acetylcholine synapses by binding directly with the cholinergic receptor on the other hand; indirect-acting cholinergic stimulants put forth the same effect by inhibiting the acetylcholinesterase enzyme situated on the cholinergic synapse. For the purpose of this paper, an analysis of indirect acting cholinergic stimulants will be completed, with focus on Pyridosigmine and Prostigmin and their implications to physical therapy practice. Indirect-Acting Cholinergic Stimulants Indirect-acting cholinergic stimulants are also known as Cholinesterase inhibitors or Anticholinesterase agents. Cholinesterase inhibitors increase activity at cholinergic synapses by preventing the acetylcholinesterase enzyme from breaking down acetylcholine (ACh) after its release from the presynaptic terminal. Cholinesterase inhibitors inhibit acetylcholinesterase thus allowing more acetylcholine to remain...
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... Myasthenia gravis is a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease characterized by varying degrees of weakness of the skeletal (voluntary) muscles of the body. The name myasthenia gravis, which is Latin and Greek in origin, literally means "grave muscle weakness." With current therapies, however, most cases of myasthenia gravis are not as "grave" as the name implies. In fact, for the majority of individuals with myasthenia gravis, life expectancy is not lessened by the disorder. The hallmark of myasthenia gravis is muscle weakness that increases during periods of activity and improves after periods of rest. Certain muscles such as those that control eye and eyelid movement, facial expression, chewing, talking, and swallowing are often, but not always, involved in the disorder. The muscles that control breathing and neck and limb movements may also be affected. Myasthenia gravis is caused by a defect in the transmission of nerve impulses to muscles. It occurs when normal communication between the nerve and muscle is interrupted at the neuromuscular junction - the place where nerve cells connect with the muscles they control. Normally when impulses travel down the nerve, the nerve endings release a neurotransmitter substance called acetylcholine. Acetylcholine travels through the neuromuscular junction and binds to acetylcholine receptors which are activated and generate a muscle contraction. In myasthenia gravis, antibodies block, alter...
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...Discussion The aim of the present study was to determine the substrate specificity of AChE and BChE by testing these cholinesterases in the presence of a number of cholinergic compounds. Also to investigate the sensitivity of AChE and BChE to various cholinesterase inhibitors. Referring to the results of this experiment, it demonstrated that AChE had limited substrate specificity, whereas BuChE had extensive substrate specificity. BuChE hydrolysed BuCh faster when compared to Ach. It also hydrolysed other esters such as suxamethonium and neostigmine. It is evident that hypothesis for this research are accepted, and the substrate specificity of both compounds can be determined in cholinergic compound and the sensitivity in various cholinesterase inhibitors. George and Balasubramanian’s (1981) the aryl acylamidases and their relationship to cholinesterases in human serum, erythrocytes and liver study concluded that liver and aryl acylamidase when compared with erythrocyte aryl acylamidase was associated with acetylcholinesterase. Erythrocyte and serum aryl acylamidase illustrated some similarities in their sensitivities to amine compounds like serotonin and choline derivatives, the liver enzyme had no effect to any of these compounds. The liver aryl acylamidase differed from cholinesterase inhibitor. This is evident in other researchers work e.g. Miao et al., 2010. Human serum when compared to horse serum cholinesterase showed the differences in specificity. It showed that...
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...The muscular system derives of smooth muscles, skeletal muscles, and cardiac muscle. Smooth muscles are those that surround hollow organs while skeletal muscles attach the skeleton to form the flesh of the body and cardiac muscle is found only in the heart. Just like any other body system, there can be affective problems. Neuromuscular junction disorders impair the transmission of nerve signals to muscles. Myasthenia Gravis is the most common neuromuscular junction disorder. The discovery of Myasthenia Gravis was in early 1970’s and its condition causes a breakdown in communication between nerves and muscles. This characterization considers to cause highly changes of weakness of the skeletal muscles and it can be harder for operation. MG...
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...Ανασκόπηση Όγκοι του Θύμου Αδένα – Τι γνωρίζουμε; ΧΑρΑλΑμπος Ζήςής Χειρ. Θώρακος, Επιμελητής Νοσοκομείου «Ευαγγελισμός» Ο θύμος αδένας θεωρήθηκε για μεγάλο χρονικό διάστημα όργανο χωρίς ιδιαίτερη σημασία στις λειτουργίες του οργανισμού. Η εξαίρεσή του μάλιστα αποφασιζόταν εύκολα, ειδικά στην καρδιοχειρουργική προκειμένου να εξασφαλιστεί καλύτερη προσπέλαση στην καρδιά. Η αντίληψη αυτή άρχισε να αλλάζει από τα μέσα της δεκαετίας του 1960, με την αναγνώριση της κεντρικής θέσης που κατέχει στη διαδικασία της ανοσίας 1 και στην ανάπτυξη των Τ-λεμφοκυττάρων . Στο κείμενο που ακολουθεί παρουσιάζονται συνοπτικά τα τελευταία δεδομένα για την αντιμετώπιση των όγκων του θύμου αδένα. Ανατομία Η εμφάνιση του αδένα ποικίλλει σημαντικά και διαφέρει ανάλογα με την ηλικία. Είναι μεγαλύτερος κατά την πρώιμη περίοδο της ζωής μέχρι την ηλικία των 15 ετών, μολονότι παραμένει ενεργό όργανο ακόμη και σε γεροντική ηλικία. Είναι μαλθακής συστάσεως, δίλοβο όργανο, με συνδετικό ιστό στη μέση γραμμή που συγχωνεύεται με την κάψα του κάθε λοβού. Στα παιδιά είναι περισσότερο πυραμοειδές στο σχήμα και στερεότερο στη σύσταση απ’ό,τι στη μετέπειτα ζωή, όταν πια μειώνεται ο λεμφικός ιστός. Στη γέννηση είναι περίπου 10-15gr, γρήγορα φτάνει τα 20gr και μένει σ’αυτό το επίπεδο ακολούθως, παρά τη μείωση που επέρχεται βαθμιαία στην ποσότητα του λεμφικού ιστού. Η θέση που τυπικά καταλαμβάνει ο θύμος είναι το πρόσθιο-άνω μεσοθωράκιο, ανάμεσα στο στέρνο και το περικάρδιο. Προσθίως βρίσκεται το στέρνο, τα παρακείμενα...
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...As. J. Food Ag-Ind. 2012, 5(05), 364-373 Asian Journal of Food and Agro-Industry ISSN 1906-3040 Available online at www.ajofai.info Research Article Kinetics of the reduction of pesticide residues in vegetables by ultrasonic cleaning Ratikorn Buakham1, Sirichai Songsermpong1* and Chutima Eamchotchawalit2 1 Food Engineering Program, Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Agro-Industry, Kasetsart University, Jatujak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand. Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research. Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand. 2 Email: sirichai.so@ku.ac.th Abstract The problem of pathogen and pesticide residues in vegetables is a big concern to both consumers and exporters. This study introduced a new method of cleaning vegetables with high frequency sound waves (ultrasonic) as a way to solve the problem. This research aimed at studying the kinetics of reduction of pesticide residues in four kinds of vegetables: coriander, kale, yard long bean and red chili by using the ultrasonic cleaner (60 kHz 140 W) with tap water compared with soaking in tap water. The cleaning was done at 20, 25 and 30oC for 0, 3, 7 and 10 minutes. The determination of the toxicity levels was done by means of cholinesterase inhibition technique. The decimal reduction time, the reaction rate constant and the activation energy were determined. It was found that ultrasonic cleaning at 25oC and soaking in tap water at 30oC was the best combination to reduce...
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...talking, that he has a slurring of his words. The patients also stated he has an appointment with his primary care provider later on this week. What could be causing the symptoms thispatient is experiencing? Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an acquired, autoimmune-neuromuscular disease that has many signs, symptoms and some treatment options, dental professionals will need to alter their treatment to accommodate these patients. Pathophysiology Myasthenia gravis is pronounced ( my- as-thenia -grav- is). MG is...
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...ANT250 I Anatomy and Physiology I The Muscular System Module Three Case Assignment 20 May 2013 Professor: Dr. Koronika Q1. Describe normal anatomy/physiology of muscle contraction. Anatomy of Skeletal Muscle: A single skeletal muscle, such as the triceps muscle, is attached at its • Origin to a large area of bone; in this case, the humerus. • At its other end, the insertion, it tapers into a glistening white tendon which, in this case, it’s attached to the ulna, one of the bones of the lower arm. As the triceps contracts, the insertion are pulled toward the origin and the arm is straightened or extended at the elbow. Thus the triceps is an extensor. Because skeletal muscle exerts force only when it contracts, a second muscle a flexor is needed to flex or bend the joint. The biceps muscle is the flexor of the lower arm. Together, the biceps and triceps make up an antagonistic pair of muscles. Similar pairs, working antagonistically across other joints, provide for almost all the movement of the skeleton. The Muscle Fiber Skeletal muscle is made up of thousands of cylindrical muscle fibers often running all the way from origin to insertion. The fibers are bound together by connective tissue through which run blood vessels and nerves. Each muscle fibers contains: • An array of myofibrils that are stacked lengthwise and run the entire length of the fiber; • Mitochondria; • An extensive smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) ...
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...consequences that can arise in the health care system, being ethical should be greatly. This paper includes an interview conducted on November 1St 2014, over the phone, on a patient’s hospitalization experience, and how it is related to ethics in health care. Description of Patient experience Patient A shared that she was hospitalized at Columbia University to undergo a Thymecthomy in September 2014. The patient was diagnosed in late 2005 with Myasthenia Gravis. This was patient A’s second time being hospitalized. The patient had been hospitalized in 2006 at George Washington University after having a Myasthenia Gravis crisis. However, this was Patient A’s first time having a surgery. She was put on IV for three days and being watched. Patient A has since regularly been a patient at GWU to monitor her disease. Therefore, Patient A is in regular contact with healthcare workers. Patient A tells that she was referred to a surgeon at Columbia University for a thymecthomy (Patient A, personal communication, November 1st 2014). Myasthenia Gravis is a chronic disease, and the chances of remission are rare. Thymecthomy has in certain cases improved the patient’s health after . Patient A was offered two alternatives to the surgery. An invasive one which would require an incision, or a minimally invasive one, where cameras would be inserted on the side of the chest area, leaving very little scars, and allowing for a much faster to recovery time. Patient A chose the second option. The patient...
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...consequences that can arise in the health care system, being ethical should be greatly. This paper includes an interview conducted on November 1St 2014, over the phone, on a patient’s hospitalization experience, and how it is related to ethics in health care. Description of Patient experience Patient A shared that she was hospitalized at Columbia University to undergo a Thymecthomy in September 2014. The patient was diagnosed in late 2005 with Myasthenia Gravis. This was patient A’s second time being hospitalized. The patient had been hospitalized in 2006 at George Washington University after having a Myasthenia Gravis crisis. However, this was Patient A’s first time having a surgery. She was put on IV for three days and being watched. Patient A has since regularly been a patient at GWU to monitor her disease. Therefore, Patient A is in regular contact with healthcare workers. Patient A tells that she was referred to a surgeon at Columbia University for a thymecthomy (Patient A, personal communication, November 1st 2014). Myasthenia Gravis is a chronic disease, and the chances of remission are rare. Thymecthomy has in certain cases improved the patient’s health after . Patient A was offered two alternatives to the surgery. An invasive one which would require an incision, or a minimally invasive one, where cameras would be inserted on the side of the chest area, leaving very little scars, and allowing for a much faster to recovery time. Patient A chose the second option. The patient...
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...What vital signs or symptoms does Annie exhibit? Blurred vision & eye strain, feel weak, gasping for air, constant fatigue Can you see any common features in Annie’s signs and symptoms? With blurred vision and eyestrain we must look at the optic nerve within the brain. From there, what could be causing the difficulty breathing and weakness? It must be a neurological problem involved with the synaptic centers. Since Annie is having such problems when she is working out hard and just playing around it can’t be related always to work, but to everyday tasks as well. Often we see that having eyestrain is just the beginning. Whenever you don’t see well other factors will play into it, like headaches, soreness, and fatigue. After working out though, we often have lactic acid buildup, which will cause fatigue and muscle weakness, so we must rule that out. Why is Annie having problems breathing? Breathing is an involuntary function of the respiratory system. In the spinal cord there are nerves that are in charge of these involuntary functions. The apneustic center is the “regulatory area located in the pons; stimulates the inspiratory center to increase the length and depth of inspiration”. There is also the medullary rhythmicity centers in the medulla oblongata that adjusts the rate of breathing. By having multiple sclerosis, Annie is having degeneration of this area since it is a part of the brain and spinal cord. What are the possible reasons for Annie’s condition...
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