Monday, January 27, 2020

Diagnosing Diabetes Mellitus

Diagnosing Diabetes Mellitus Introduction In this practical, enzymatic assays were used to determine the glucose concentration of patients in plasma samples. The use of enzymes as a marker for analytical analysis of plasma samples are very reliable due to the high specificity, reproducibility and sensitivity of enzyme assays (glucose HK assay kit). The first assay used is a glucose oxidase assay, this assay measures the glucose levels in plasma by using enzymes such as glucose oxidase to catalyse the oxidation of D-glucose which is present in plasma into D-Gluconic acid. The reaction is coupled to another chemical reaction where a reduced form of o-Diansidine is oxidised to an oxidised form of o-diansidine. This occurs in combination with a formation of hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen peroxide is then broken down and reacts with H2SO4 to form a coloured compound that can be spectrophotometrically detected at a wavelength of 540nm. Another popular glucose measuring assay is the hexokinase assay. This assay catalyses the phosphorylation of glucose present in the sample in presence of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) by using hexokinase to form glucose-6-phosphate (G6P). G6P is then oxidised in the presence of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) to form 6-phospho-gluconate, this reaction is catalysed by the presence of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH). While this reaction is undergoing, the NAD is reduced to NADH. This creates a colorimetric signal that can be detected at a wavelength of 340nm by a spectrophotometer. These assays are two of many assays used to measure glucose in patients. They are commonly used to determine if the patient is diabetic or for routine uses to monitor patients who are already diagnosed with diabetes. Glucose Oxidase assay Materials Pipette and tips Eppendorf tubes Potassium phosphate Glucose oxidase (1U/ µl) Peroxidase (0.01U/ µl) O-Diansidine hydrochloride Patient samples x6 (2 for each patient) Stop solution (Sulphuric acid H2SO4) 96 well plate Plate reader Method Firstly, 3ml of glucose oxidase reagent was prepared by adding 60 µl of glucose oxidase, 30 µl of peroxidase and 60 µl of o-diansidine hydrochloride in 2,85 ml of 0.1 potassium phosphate to create a solution at a pH of 7.5. Calculations: Glucose Oxidase (1U/ µl) => (1000 U/ml)/(20 U/ml) =50 (3ml)/50=0.06ml =60 µl Peroxidase (0.01 U/ µl) => (10 U/ml)/(0.1 U/ml) = 100 (3ml)/100 =0.03ml =30 µl O-Diansidine hydrochloride => 1:50 dilution needed 3ml=3000 µl 3000/50=60 µl Then, a set of 6 standards were prepared by diluting a 0.1M stock glucose solution in water as followed: Table 1. Preparation of standards volumes Final concentration (mM) 0.1 stock glucose solution ( µl) Purified water ( µl) 0 0 200 5 10 190 10 20 180 15 30 170 20 40 160 25 50 150 Then, 50 µl of the samples (provided) and standards were added in duplicate on a 96 well plate as shown below (See Table 2.). Table 2. 96 well plate distribution 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 A 25 QC4 Patient 1 T=1 Patient 2 T=1 Patient 3 T=1 25 QC4 Patient 1 T=1 Patient 2 T=1 Patient 3 T=1 B 20 QC7 Patient1 T=2 Patient 2 T=2 Patient 3 T=2 20 QC7 Patient 1 T=2 Patient 2 T=2 Patient 3 T=2 C 15 QC11 15 QC11 D 10 10 E 5 5 F 0 0 Then 100 µl of the assay reagent prepared earlier was added to each well. After 30 minutes of incubation at 37 °C, the reaction was stopped by adding 100 µl of sulphuric acid to each well. The plate was then read at 540nm on a plate reader. Results After reading the plate at 540nm on the plate reader, the following results were obtained: Table 3. Sample Absorbance 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 A 0.640 0.126 0.160 0.099 0.087 0.686 0.129 0.082 0.090 0.093 B 0.545 0.193 0.141 0.139 0.087 0.567 0.204 0.176 0.113 0.041 C 0.442 0.266 0.410 0.303 0.104 D 0.261 0.283 E 0.193 0.144 F 0.049 0.048 Results highlighted in red were omitted from further calculations due to preparation errors. 200 µl instead of 100  µl of assay reagent was added to well A9, this diluted the signal creating an inaccurate result. The well was re-prepared in well C9 but the time interval between the substrate and stop solution was unequal to the duplicate in well A3, therefore, the result of well C9 was omitted from further calculations. Finally, the result of well B11 was omitted from further calculations since the assay reagent was not added to the well, therefore there was no chemical reaction (same value as blank). Table 4. Standard Absorbance Standards (mM) 0.000 5.000 10.000 15.000 20.000 25.000 Absorbance Date: 25/01/2017 0.049 0.144 0.291 0.442 0.545 0.640 Date: 25/01/2017 0.048 0.193 0.283 0.410 0.567 0.686 Mean 0.049 0.169 0.287 0.426 0.556 0.663 Standard deviation (n=2) 0.001 0.035 0.006 0.023 0.016 0.033 CV % (n=2) 1.458 20.563 1.971 5.312 2.798 4.906 Table 5. Standards mean absorbance recapitulative Standards Concentration (mM) Abs 1 0 0.049 2 5 0.169 3 10 0.287 4 15 0.426 5 20 0.556 6 25 0.663 A standard curve can be plotted using the results generated by the wells containing the standards. Figure 1. Standard curve of the Absorbance versus concentration The precision of the standard curve can be determined by calculating the coefficient of variation (CV% where CV=standard deviation (SD)/mean) for each standard as shown below: Figure 2. Comparison of the coefficients of variations percentages of the standard duplicates          Results are usually rejected if the difference in values is greater than 20% for more than 75% of the calibration standards. In this case, the precision of the curve is acceptable since all the CVs of the points (except from 1) are below 20 % (EMEA or Desilva). The accuracy and the precision can be further analysed by the quality controls (QCs) which were ran in duplicate on the plate. Table 6. Quality control results Absorbance Results QC (4 mM) QC (7 mM) QC (11 mM) 0.126 0.193 0.266 0.129 0.204 0.303 Mean 0.128 0.199 0.285 Standard deviation (n=2) 0.002 0.008 0.026 CV % (n=2) 1.664 3.918 9.196 As shown above, the CVs of the QCs are below 20% meaning that the precision of the duplicates is acceptable. By extrapolating the mean absorbance from the QCs, the corresponding concentrations can be determined. QC performances are determined by calculating the precision and accuracy of these. The precision is determined as a CV% (CV%, where CV = SD/mean) and the accuracy as absolute bias (% RE, where relative error [RE] = [measured value actual value]/ actual value). If these are between  ±20% ( ±25% for low QC and high QC) and the target total error (sum of these two values) is below 30% (40% for low QC and high QC), then the results generated from the standard curve are acceptable (De silva EMEA). Table 7. Quality control precision and accuracy QC (4 mg/ml) QC (7 mg/ml) QC (11 mg/ml) Absorbance 0.128 0.199 0.285 Concentration 3.29 6.13 9.57 CV % (n=2) 2.595 5.092 10.958 Bias % 17.8583547 12.48608 13.03319986 Total error 20.453 17.578 23.992 Following the results shown above, it can be determined that the precision and accuracy of the results are acceptable for each control. Once this has been determined, the results generated from the samples can be analysed reliably. Finally, by extrapolating the absorbance generated from the samples on the standard curve, a corresponding concentration can be determined as shown below: Table 8. Sample results Patient1(t=1) Patient 1 (t=2) Patient 2 (t=1) Patient 2 (t=2) Patient 3 (t=1) Patient 3 (t=2) absorbance 0.130 0.159 0.095 0.126 0.09 0.087 Concentration (nM) 3.37 4.53 1.97 3.21 1.77 1.65 Hexokinase assay Due to time constraints, the hexokinase assay was not performed. Despite this, some results were provided to determine the glucose concentrations of the 3 patients. Results Table 9. Standards, quality controls and samples results provided Standards: Glucose concentration mM Absorbance 0 0.048 5 0.154 10 0.366 15 0.496 20 0.725 25 0.854 Samples and quality controls: Sample Absorbance IQC1 0.162 IQC2 0.260 IQC3 0.393 Patient 1 sample 1 0.269 Patient 1 sample 2 0.411 Patient 2 sample 1 0.196 Patient 2 sample 2 0.303 Patient 3 sample 1 0.206 Patient 3 sample 2 0.236 A standard curve can be plotted using the standard results provided: Figure 3. Standard curve of absorbance over concentration By extrapolating the absorbance from the quality controls and samples, the corresponding concentrations can be determined as shown below: Table 10. Quality control results QC (4) QC (7) QC (11) Absorbance 0.162 0.26 0.393 Concentration (nM) 4.27 7.16 11.10 Bias % 6.68430505 2.347304 0.871558008 The bias calculated is within the 20% range meaning that the assay is accurate and the results generated are validated. Finally, by extrapolating the provided absorbance of the samples on the standard curve, a corresponding concentration can be determined. Table 11. Sample results Patient1 (t=1) Patient 1 (t=2) Patient 2 (t=1) Patient 2 (t=2) Patient 3 (t=1) Patient 3 (t=2) absorbance 0.269 0.411 0.196 0.303 0.206 0.236 Concentration (nM) 7.43 11.63 5.27 8.44 5.57 6.45 Discussion The results obtained by the glucose oxidase assay are very different from the hexokinase assay, even though the accuracy and precision of both assays are acceptable. Meaning that there must have been an error in preparation of the samples, standards or controls of one of these assays. It has been predetermined that a preanalytical error was made during the storage of the patient samples prior to their use in the glucose oxidase assay. The samples were thawed and not kept on ice which degraded the samples, this explains the low values for the patient concentrations.   Due to the abnormal results obtained in the glucose oxidase assay (t=1 and t=2 decrease in glucose concentrations for patient 3), the results were omitted from further clinical interpretation. The results provided in the hexokinase assay seem to be more correct (increase in glucose concentrations from t=1 to t=2). Taking this into account, the results obtained from the hexokinase assay were used for the clinical interp retation of the patients. The paired samples which were ran on the assays were samples collected during a glucose tolerance test.   A glucose tolerance test (commonly called GTT or OGTT) is performed on a patient to help diagnose diabetes. It is used to help diagnose disorders such as pre-diabetes, insulin resistance, gestational diabetes (for pregnant women) and reactive hypoglycaemia for example. The test involves the administration of a glucose dose (usually 75g in liquid form) to a fasting patient. Blood is taken before the ingestion of the dose and 2 hours later. The results from the blood glucose levels help determine glucose disorders(ref). GTT is a widely-used tool for diagnosing gestational diabetes. It is offered to women who are 24-28 weeks pregnant and present a risk factors such as an elevated BMI, family history of diabetes or a previous pregnancy of a large baby. Patient 1 is a 36-year-old female who is 28 weeks pregnant. She was offered a routine GTT following the last pregnancy since the baby was large. Her fasting glucose was 7.43 mmol/L and her blood glucose levels after 2 hours was 11.6mmol/L. In the UK, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines, a fasting glucose greater than 5.6 mmol/L and/or a 2-hour blood glucose level greater than 7.8mmol/L for pregnant women is considered diagnostic for gestational diabetes (NICE guidleines). Therefore, the patient in question is diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Patient 2 is a 67 year old female, she was referred for a GTT following the results of her fasting plasma glucose to be 5.6mmol/L at a routine GP check-up. According to the results from the hexokinase assay, her fasting glucose was 5.27mmol/L and her 2-hour plasma glucose levels were 8.44mmol/L. These results indicate that the patient has an impaired glucose tolerance (fasting glucose less than 7mmol/L and 2-hour plasma level between 7.8 and 11.1mmol/L). This diagnosis is given when the results do not indicate diabetes but are still abnormal. Further check-ups need to be planned to routinely check for diabetes. Patient 3 is a 24 year old male. He is affected by cystic fibrosis which requires annual pancreatic function tests such as GTTs. His fasting blood glucose levels were 5.57mmol/L and the 2-hour blood glucose levels were 6.45mmol/L following these results it is safe to say that this patient is healthy (fasting plasma levels less than 5.5mmol/L and plasma glucose levels at 2-hours less than 7.8mmol/L). Conclusion By using an enzyme assay, blood glucose levels from patients can be monitored. These assays are reliable due to the specificity, reproducibility and sensitivity of the enzymes. By measuring the glucose levels of samples before and after the administration of an oral dose of glucose, the results can help diagnose several types of diabetes such as gestational diabetes in pregnant women. There are a variety of available assays that can measure glucose from serum samples, but they all function on the same principle of catalysing a reaction to produce a detectable signal that is correlated to a concentration. The use of internal quality controls is an indispensable way of testing the reliability of the results.

Sunday, January 19, 2020

Relationships in Braided Lives Essay -- Braided Lives

Relationships in Braided Lives In Marge Piercy's Braided Lives, Jill goes through many consecutive, turbulent relationships with men. This pattern begins with her father, continues with her best friend, and then continues through many other relationships in her college years. Each relationship affects Jill and how she views men and herself. She has a very negative outlook on men. In fact, most of the male-female relationships in the novel are not positive experiences for the women involved. Jill's own self-esteem is continuously torn down and ruined by each negative relationship that she enters. Eventually Jill finds true happiness, but only after these significant relationships teach her how to love herself. Jill's father was not caring or kind to Jill regarding any aspect of her life. He wanted a boy and got Jill instead. He treated her like the boy he wanted. She desperately wanted his love and attention, and she spent a lot of time trying to make him happy by acting like the son he wanted. "He wanted a boy. At 12 I made the grand try...For months on end I sat ...

Saturday, January 11, 2020

Imperfections of modern society Essay

Fashion may be described as the predominant style at any given time due to ones mode of expression or presentation. Ones personality may be defined by the clothes they have selected to wear. Celebrities and fashion ads seem to demonstrate that it is acceptable to wear extremely revealing clothes and promote their outfits. Sexually provocative people with strong personalities may choose to wear clothes with inappropriate innuendos or phrases written on them. Modern fashion illustrates the social acceptance of provocative clothing, which reflects upon our cultures bold behavior. see more:why fashion is important It is thought that the clothes society chooses to wear defines ones intentions, character and gives others a basis on how to interpret personality. People have bold behaviours because of what they wear. Many are too open with what they wear making it seem as if modern fashion is mainly about sex appeal. Modern culture is mainly concerned with how others will interpret them and their appearance. Therefore society uses this to make oneself more appealing. If someone were to dress in revealing clothing, others will construe this as they are trying make themselves as sexually appealing as possible. However if someone were to dress in less revealing clothes they would not be in to the hype of sex appeal. This shows how modern culture reflects on the clothes being worn. These people who are only worried about revealing themselves through outfits clearly have bold behaviours because they care what society thinks of them. People tend to act more outgoing when they are dress in clothes that they are comfortable wearing. No matter what type of clothing a person wears it can be an influence that alters others perception of the character of a person. Revealing clothing that is exposed by media can be dangerous to people’s thoughts on modern fashion. Celebrities feel that it acceptable to wear whatever they please. Miley Cyrus is an excellent example of this. She has recently had a tendency of wearing inappropriate clothing on stage and in her music videos. Her personality reflects how she dresses by showing how much she does not care about what people think of her. Miley is very revealing in her videos and her lyrics show her personality of being so careless of what other people think. â€Å"Its our party we can do what we want to†¦ Its my mouth I can say what I want to†(Cyrus). In her lyrics, she is inferring that she is above the law. This is the unstated conclusion throughout her song. She shows her careless attitude in her lyrics but also in her music videos. Miley is a role model to many but she rolls around on the floor wearing nothing but underwear and a tank top making it seem like this is acceptable as she has a young, naive audience that does not know between right and wrong. She also does dance moves that are so inappropriate that young children should not watch this. Miley used to dress normally and she was an idol for many young girls growing up starring as Hannah Montana. Now she has changed personality by exemplifying it through her fashion. Clothing with sexual or inappropriate phrases written on them has become more popular in modern culture because of the popular idols. People with forward personalities tend to buy clothes that reflect on the way that one would want to be judged. Select societies with careless attitudes wear clothing that can be offensive to other people. Shirts with phrases such as â€Å"Orgasm Donor† and â€Å"Drink Up Bitches† are some of many examples of the offensiveness that people display through their clothing. People who wear clothing like this are often sexually provocative people who try to resemble the looks of their idols. Society feels the need encourage to others that it is socially acceptable to look sexually appealing. In reality this type of clothing is obnoxious and reflects poorly on modern culture by giving it a bad label. The popularity of wearing offensive clothing has increased due to people trying to â€Å"fit in†. People who are unsure of what type of personality they have are often the ones who go with the latest and most popular fashion. Our cultures outgoing behaviour is based on the social acceptance that modern fashion portrays. It is believed that the clothes that a person may wear can reflect on their personality. Celebrities who wear excessively revealing clothing tend to set an image that modern culture wants to follow. Miley Cyrus is one of the many celebrities who contribute to this. People who have audacious personalities are usually ones to try to keep up with modern fashion. These people have clothing with sexually provocative expressions written on them. Fashion can be defined as the prevailing style or etiquette. Society may dress to support feelings, actions or how others should interpret their character. Works Cited Cyrus, Miley. â€Å"MILEY CYRUS – WE CAN’T STOP LYRICS. † Directlyrics. N. p. , n. d. Web. 26 Sept. 2013.

Friday, January 3, 2020

Americans With Disability Act Essay - 882 Words

The signing of the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26, 1990, was one of the largest gatherings for the signing of a piece of legislation in the history of the United States. It passed Congress with overwhelming bipartisan support. President George H.W. Bush hailed the bill as an unambiguous civil rights achievement. The ADA expands civil rights to disabled individuals similar to those provided to on the basis of race, gender, age, and religion. It is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life. The intent of the ADA is to ensure equal access to programs and services for those who are disabled. It seeks to do so by fostering employment opportunities,†¦show more content†¦An individual needs to only be substantially limited in one major life activity to be protected by the ADA. The second part covers individuals with a record of an impairment. For example, a person who has recovered fr om a mental illness or cancer. Impairments that are in remission or episodic still meet the definition of a disability. The third part protects individuals who are regarded as having an impairment, even though they may not actually have one. Being regarded as disabled has more to do with how the individual is perceived, and the effects of those perceptions on the individual. Some specific examples of disabilities listed in the ADA include: deafness, blindness, intellectual disability, partially or completely missing limbs, mobility impairments, autism, cancer, cerebral palsy, diabetes, epilepsy, HIV infection, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and schizophrenia (ADA, 2013). Individuals are considered disabled with or without the effects of mitigating measures. 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