Magnesium is an element which is essential to the function of the body. It acts to catalyze over 300 reactions in the body. It has been found that the administration of Magnesium Sulfate can help a variety of cardiovascular problems, as well as those with eclampsia and pre-eclampsia during pregnancy. I will focus specifically on the benefits of Magnesium Sulfate in myocardial infarction and those with eclampsia and pre-eclampsia. In myocardial infarction, patients usually have a deficiency in Magnesium, and the administration of it helps to block the excess Calcium build-up which is damaging. Those with forms of eclampsia are helped because the Magnesium inhibits the release of chemicals which contribute to the convulsions that occur during eclampsia. Overall, Magnesium is an essential element which can be used to helps many patients with a variety of problems including acute myocardial infarction and eclampsia.
I will briefly describe the problem of polyspermy and the resting potential of the egg cell in terms of [Ca2+]. Then I will describe the process of polyspermy block from sperm-egg membrane fusion to the cortical granule exocytosis. Also I will describe experimental evidence of intracellular calcium involvement in these processes and describe techniques to measure intracellular calcium concentrations.
Zinc is the second most abundant element in an organism, and most of that zinc is in the form of zinc-finger proteins.
Through the use of selectively permeable ion channels, and the greater mechanism of axon depolarization, sodium and potassium ions (Na+ and K+) are employed in tandem to enable the transmission of signals along the axons of nerve cells. I will illustrate how charge differences and concentration gradients are maintained and utilized by the membrane of the cell. I will detail the mechanisms that move ions across the membrane and signals along the axon. Special attention will be paid to the characteristics of sodium and potassium which make them useful to nerve cells.
Studies involving the element lithium, specifically in the compound lithium carbonate (LiCO3) have shown that the molecule may decrease various negative social and psychological tendencies. Research beginning in 1949 showed that lithium carbonate reduces symptoms of manic depression with manageable side effects when administered in small doses. Also studies are being conducted showing an inverse relationship between amounts of lithium available to communities and problems like crime and deviant behavior. The exact mechanism of lithium relating to neurobiology is not yet known, but several hypothesizes are being tested.
I will discuss the role of Iron in the body. I will go over the structure of Myoglobin and Hemaglobin, which carries four Fe atoms, accompanied with pictures, and show how each Fe atom can loosely bind to an Oxygen molecule. It then transports the Oxygen from areas of high concentration (lungs) to areas of low concentration (capillaries), which I will show how. 33% of Red Blood Cells are hemoglobin, the presence of Fe, making it red. I will show what exactly occurs during anemia, which is iron deficiency. I will touch on other areas of use for Iron, such as storage of iron in the tissue Ferritin, transport of iron ions with Transferrin, and use of the iron-regulator Lactoferrin.
The one- and two- euro coins are made of an outer ring of one alloy, and an inner pill of another alloy. (the ring of the 2-euro and pill of the 1-euro is Cu and Ni, the ring of the 1-euro and pill of the 2-euro is Cu, Ni, and Zn). Because they contain the two alloys, in the presence of an electrolyte solution, such as sweat, the coin acts as a battery, with the nickel oxidizing at the one electrode. These coins oxidize nickel at a higher rate per centimeter than pure nickel is oxidized. Some people have an allergic reaction to nickel, leading to such health affects as eczema, so that people who handle these coins for long periods of time, such as store and bank clerks, can suffer from the reaction occurring in the coin. The biochemical reaction involves IgE antibodies attached to mast cells becoming crosslinked by the nickel allergens. The mast cell then releases substances such as histamines by exocytosis.
Copper plays a significant role to all aerobic organisms. It is the vital component of CuZn Superoxide Dismutase (SOD). CuZn SOD scours the insides of cells seeking the superoxide radical, O2-. The O2- radical is quickly converted in the following reaction: 2H+ + O2- +SOD --> H2O2. Improper activity of this enzyme can have results ranging from cell death to ALS.
I have chosen high potential iron proteins (HiPIPs) and their function/structure as it is related to my element, sulfur for my poster topic. Sulfur is of major importance in these proteins, and I will be highlighting the role of sulfur in these proteins in my poster, presentation and paper. HiPIPs contain an iron-sulfur cluster of four iron molecules and four sulfur molecules which the HiPIP could not function as it does without. HiPIPs act as electron donors to reaction centers in cells, and are named after this function. They can function as such because the iron-sulfur clusters undergo redox reactions to oxidation states of 2+ and 3+. HiPIPs perform these functions in anaerobic electron transfer chains for the most part.
Selenium is an essential trace element in the human body. In the amino acid selenocysteine, it functions as an activator for the enzyme glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). GSH-Px protects cells and membranes against the oxidative damage of free radicals and peroxides.
Within the past ten years scientists have been combining the fields of engineering, physics, chemistry, and biology to come up with a chip that can be used to test new pharmaceutical drugs, detect gene mutations, and study diseases. Some of the chemical principles used in the process of making the gene chip are photolithography and fluorescence. Silicon wafers are used to hold the molecules for testing. This research will revolutionize the field of medicine because it is a means for testing many molecules at one time.
Iodine plays an important role in the chemical makeup and production of thyroid hormones T3 and T4, which are needed for proper growth and development and determining the basal metabolic rate. Iodine is transported into the follicle cells of the thyroid where it is oxidized to specific amino acids (tyrosines) to produce monoiodotyrosine (MIT) and diiodotyrosine (DIT). Enzymes modify the structure of MIT and DIT, couple them together to produce T4 and T3. Upon stimulation by the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), the thyroid hormones are secreted from the follicle. I will show two diagrams of the thyroid gland; one will be of the throat region, another will be of the follicular cells.Then, I will show a diagram of the production of TH, complete with chemical structures. I will also include a short discussion about the importance of iodide in the diet; I will show a picture of goiter and talk about the symptoms of toxicity and deficiency.
Chlorine dioxide gas is a very effective and economical chemical that is used in water disinfectant, sewage and industrial effluent, and in household and industrial bleaches for hygiene. It destroys pathogens, controls nuisances, and reduces tastes and odors. It treats harmful chemical substances by forming chloromines and oxidizing metals. Its germ killing capabilities are due to its ability to bond with and destroy outer surfaces of bacteria and viruses.
The chemical basis for the danger of fluoride is related to the strength of the fluorine hydrogen bond and the high reactivity of fluoride. Fluoride damages hydrogen bonds between DNA helixes and in enzymes because a strong H-F bond is formed on one side of the location where the hydrogen bond was located, breaking the bond in the process.
Collagen is an enzyme that usually remains in the blood stream and cells in its original state and mineralizes in the bones and teeth. However, in the presence fluoride, mineralization occurs in soft tissue. Collagen is damaged by fluoride due to the effect of the ion on the shape of the enzyme. The way in which an enzyme is bent and its shape are integral to its function. Breaking of hydrogen bonds and other chemical interactions cause this deformation.
Cis-diaminodichloroplatinum(II), or cisplatin, is used in the treatment of head, neck, ovarian, testicular, and bladder cancer. The trans-isomer has no effect, but the cis-isomer enters a cell where the chloride ions are replaced by water molecules. The cisplatin can then bond to single nitrogens in the bases, usually adjacent guanines on the same strand. The cisplatin-DNA complex binds repair proteins irreversibly, inhibiting the ability of a cell to repair itself, eventually leading to the death of the cell.
Mercury is
one of the most toxic substances on earth, and mercury poisoning (mercurialism) can cause significant damage to the
developing central nervous system. The
vaccine preservative thimerosal (CH3CH2-Hg-S-COOH),
which is 49.6% ethyl mercury by weight, which is given to children in bolus
doses during the developmental stage, and has become a major source of mercury
for young children. This exposure to mercury
at such a young age by thimerosal injection justifies
various neurological disorders, which include the phenomenon of autism. Autism is characterized by sociological
problems, as well as dysfunction in physical and neurological practices. The symptoms of autism and mercurialism are strikingly similar to a degree that cannot
be characterized as merely by chance.
The similarities in biochemistry, at the cellular and subcellular level,
also play a big part in the comparison between autism and mercurialism. Mercury-related autism can be attributed to a
genetic predisposition as well as the exposure due to thimerosal
injections. Discovering the true
etiology of autism may take us a step further on the way to discovering the
causes of many other unexplained neurological disorders.
The main biological use of barium is in x-ray techniques. Due to its high density, barium sulfate (BaSO4) is a radiopaque substance – it blocks x-ray radiation. Barium sulfate suspensions are introduced into a patient, either orally or rectally. Orally, the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine can be examined. Rectal introduction is used to examine the colon. For all tests, the organs are filled with barium sulfate solutions. Depending on the individual test, images can be taken in one of two ways. The barium solution can be left in the organ, producing an milky-colored balloon. Alternatively, the solution can be drained, leaving behind a white residue on the organ lining.
Boron Neutron Capture Therapy is a therapy for cancer.The way we want to approach the cure of cancer is kill the tumor cells without destroying the normal cells.Boron Neutron Therapy is a binary radiation therapy. It consist of boron and thermal neutrons. Boron is irradiated with thermal neutrons to yield He and Li which destroies only the cells close to it which is primarily cancer cells in this case because boron is concentrated in tumor cells by attaching it to tumor seeking compounds.
There are several advantages of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy. Alpha, the product of the reaction we described doesn't require oxygen to enhance their effectiveness, they also kill both dividing and non-diving cells, unlike the traditional radiation which only works well with dividing cells.In addition, the advantage of a binary system is we can manipulate two components independently. We can manipulate until when there is the most optimal differential boron concentrations beween tumor and normal cells.
Unfortunately, the first trials of Boron Neutron Capture failed because of several reasons. Firstly, Thermal neutrons are attenuated rapidly due to absorption and scattering. Secondly, the boron they were using were too diffusable that it doesn't attach well to the tumor. Today, Boron Neutron Capture is still underway. Complete or partial control of tumor is observed in several cases. However, a larger bumber of patients have to be tested on until we arrive a large conclusion.
The surgical scientific community has taken a recent interest into the utilization of transition metal isotopes in imaging studies. TI-201, Tc-99 and I-131 are commonly used as radioisotopes in imaging studies of diseased glands in the neck. Technecium-99 in particular has proven critical in the localization of remnant abnormal tissue following surgical therapy. The Technetium-99-sestamibi nuclear medicine scan has become routine in identifying abnormal parathyroid tissue in patients who suffer from recurrent or persistent hyperparathyroidism and who have resisted surgical exploration. The radionucleotide effectively concentrates in parathyroid tissue, allowing for 90% sensitivity in scanning. The MRI, ultrasound and CT scans have been largely replaced by such highly-sensitive imaging tests as the Tc-99 scan.