Drug Testing as a requirement for school admission?

“Do you agree that DRUG TESTING should be done as a requirement for admission to schools?”

Since there are existing rules and regulations for driver's license applicant to be tested for any dangerous drug for the purpose of securing a driver's license and etc., drug testing should also be done as a requirement for admission to schools to fully guard the safety of learners and teachers.


Drug of abuse comprises the frequent or habitual and disproportionate use of chemical or substances that eventually users achieve a certain effect. These substances being tested during drug testing are illegal due to their high capability for addiction and abuse that are usually used for pleasure instead for medical reasons.

Unfortunately, because of the fact that certain drug chemicals could assemble alterations to the brain, it can only take a few times or even a single time to be on the road to addiction. Because of abuse of certain drugs it affects the brain and the body directly that causes many physical, mental and emotional problems. Since drug affects a person’s life it is not appropriate and definitely not conducive for the person as well as the people around him/her to study because there are marked changes in the appearance, behavior and health of the affected individual.

Abuse and addiction of drugs is due to many factors wherein one of this is peer pressure. Abuse of drugs is not always a matter of innocence or faulty self-restraint. If people around you, your classmate or your friends are doing drugs, it can be difficult to abide the pressure they give to try them, especially with teenagers. Drug testing as a requirement for admission to schools could also help to stop the widespread of drug addiction among students or teenagers. “If before our teams focused on high schools before testing students in college or the vocational schools, now we’re doing the testing in all of them at the same time,” Education Assistant Secretary Thelma Santos said in an interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer in their article titled Drug testing also covers vocational students.


photo sources: Flickr.com:
compujeramy
xTVRx

Answers in the Quiz on Transport Proteins

Objective Part:
1. Carrier proteins & 2. Carrier molecules . What are the other terms used that also imply to Transport Proteins?

3.Active transport is a type of protein substrate transport that requires chemicals or cellular energy to mediate a specific solute.

4. Passive transport is a type of protein substrate transport that passively travels biochemicals or molecular substances with the flow of the solvent across the cell membrane .

5. – 10. True or False:

True. The substrate or the molecule, chemical, ion or substance to be transported must first bind at a binding site of the carrier or transport protein molecules which it has a certain binding affinity.

True. Transport protein or Carrier molecules are generally firmly packed with polar region on the outside.

True. Polar regions from the outside of some specific molecules are utilized to intensify the solubility in water of most substance in the body that do not dissolve in water.

False. Via Transport Proteins, the substrate will be discharged at the appropriate site and all steps are irreversible.

False. After the substrate has associate to the transport protein molecule, it will take in and temporarily alter its molecular and chemical structure.

False. Transport proteins or Carrier molecules do not initiate the body regulation of the amount of specific biochemical processes.

Analysis Part:
Explain briefly how specific transport proteins recognize specific substances and the processes that occur or that are involved in the transportation of appropriate molecules.

The substrate or the molecule, chemical, ion or substance to be transported must first bind at a binding site of the carrier or transport protein molecules which it has a certain binding affinity. Each transport protein is very specific that are designed to recognize only one specific substance or one group of very similar substances.
After the substrate has associate to the transport protein molecule, it will take in and retain the substrate within its molecular structure and cause an internal shift for the substrate to face the other side of the carrier membrane. The substrate will be discharged at the appropriate site and all steps are reversible.


Photo source: pickaniche.com

Questions about Transport Proteins

PART 1: Objective Type

1._____________& 2.____________ What are the other terms used for Transport Proteins?

3. ____________ is a type of protein substrate transport that requires chemicals or cellular energy to mediate a specific solute.

4. ____________ is a type of protein substrate transport that passively carries biochemicals or molecular substances with the flow of the solvent across the cell membrane.

5. – 10. True or False:

______________ The substrate or the molecule, chemical, ion or substance to be transported must first bind at a binding site of the carrier or transport protein molecules to which it has a certain binding affinity with.

______________ Transport protein or Carrier molecules are generally firmly packed with polar regions on the outside.

______________ Polar regions from the outside of some specific molecules are utilized to intensify the solubility in water of most substances in the body that are not dissolved in water.

______________ Via Transport Proteins, the substrate will be discharged at the appropriate site and all steps are irreversible.

______________ After the substrate has associated with the transport protein molecule, it will temporarily alter its molecular and chemical structures.

______________ Transport proteins or Carrier molecules do not initiate the body regulation of the amount of specific biochemical processes.


PART 2: Analysis

Explain briefly how specific transport proteins recognize specific substances and the processes that occur or that are involved in the transportation of appropriate molecules.


Photo source: flicker.com Zitaa
catch.co.uk

Transport via Protein Molecules

Transport proteins are also called as carrier proteins or carrier molecules which serve in vital function of body cells that carry specific materials, molecules or ions from one part of the body to another through the circulation or through intracellular compartments or in extracellular fluids. Transport proteins are often globular proteins wherein, these molecules play very important roles that initiate the body regulation of the amount of specific biochemical processes. Most transport proteins facilitates in the movement of specific molecules, chemicals or ions to pass through the cell membrane or plasma membrane.

Each transport protein is very specific that are designed to recognize only one specific substance or one group of very similar substances. The substrate or the molecule, chemical, ion or substance to be transported must first bind at a binding site of the carrier or transport protein molecules which it has a certain binding affinity. After the substrate has associate to the transport protein molecule, it will take in and retain the substrate within its molecular structure and cause an internal shift for the substrate to face the other side of the carrier membrane. The substrate will be discharged at the appropriate site and all steps are reversible.



Since a large number of materials in the body do not dissolve in water, transport protein molecules are generally firmly packed with polar region on the outside to intensify their solubility in water and mostly have non-polar region attached to the inside of the protein to keep water from penetrating and unfolding them.Some of the transport proteins channel a variety of body substances and some are transporters of small hydrophobic molecules which are water-soluble transport proteins that may or may not get across with biological membranes.

Substrate transportation ca be an Active transport or Passive transport:



Active transport involves movement of molecules or ions with the use of certain chemical energy (such as ATP) against the energy of the colliding molecules going through the plasma or cell surface.

Passive transport involves movement of molecules or ions with the flow of the substance molecules without energy required.

Photo source:

annflores
ywwy
life.nthu.edu.tw

References:

Clinical Chemistry A Fundamental Textbook Donald F. Calbreath
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transport_protein
http://dl.clackamas.edu/ch106-08/transpor.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrier_protein
http://www.college-cram.com/study/biology/presentations/371

Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs of 2009

There are many different types of blogs emerging and influencing different people, most of them differ by one another not only in the type of content, but also in the way that content is expressed or written or how may people read in between the lines. Many blogs provide informations on particular topics or be able to inspire others by sharing their passsion, wonderful thoughts and experiences that are able to motivate a lot of blog readers and writers to explore life. For me, blogging is not an easy job, one must have the passion and intrinsic motivation to provide a better one. So, here are my picks for the Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs for 2009 Writing Project by Janette Toral:



1. Zorlone

This is a blog by Dr. Lorenzo Bernardino a specialist in Internal Medicine. His dedication in his passion are greatly reflected in his poems which are very beutiful with nicely structed words and he is able to inspire life in his own very simple way. He's really gifted with writing skills that he expresses his thoughts in his masterpiece. The first time I visited his blog, i read his poem entitled "Padyak" it is really a nice poem for me, made me interested in his future post.



2. The Struggling Blogger

This is a blog by Roy dela Cruz a widower who write many different articles, poets and short stories which are very informative and inspiring because he greatly express his thought honestly. His post that i first read is the entitled "Clothes for my kids" which made me think that there are really a lot of sacrifices in life and also his other posts such as the "The life i can only dream of" and "More of my dream life" which are more of about his personal dreams are very inspiring. His creative artcles are made influencial by his very inspiring thoughts.



3. Writing to Exhale

This is a blog by Jan Geronimo of Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro who is for me he is a very talented writer. He express his ideas in his articles and poems which are so inspirational yet informative that boost up your interest and he is very dauntless in his words. He deeply shows his great willingness to learn in his post. his poat that i like most is his "My Philosophy in a Bottle of Ketchup" where in he share about his very simple life , it is so inspiring and made me thought that theres a lot of fascination even in simplest things in life. prooving the motto “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” by L. da Vinci

4. Lifelots

This is a blog by Irene, her posts are very interesting. There are many lessons in life to be learn that inspire and motivates the reader to explore life. She motivates her readers to live life to the fullest without hatred. I love the lines from her post "Learn from one rebuke" which says "Mistakes and pain are part of growing up and who would want to feel the same pain over and over again that is why we have to learn the lesson of the mistake and never do it again.......Life is never perfect - we just have to make it worth living.", i love her positive outlook in life, it really inspires me.



5. Father Blogger Dot Com

This is a blog by Angel Cuala, for me he's a very influencial blogger because he shares from his real personal experiences in his blogs that many people can relate and his wonderful thoughts gaining lessons from his life as a great father. his posts in his blogs entails a lot of being practical in life and necessary information, just like in his post "Battered Wives: Not Just a Problem of Physical Abuse" and his "Financial Crisis: How Our Children Can Help" which are very nice.


6. A Walk in the Dark

This is a blog by luke which is more on articles, short stories and sharing of information and ideas on technologies about computers, cyberspace, social medias, personal protection (such as privacy, laws, etc.) and ancient science. This blog is very interesting to read, giving us very important information and help us to be aware of the rising innovations. There are a lot of thing that you can learn in his blog, specially in his post "The Seven Ancient Sciences".



7. Tales form the Mom Side

This is a very wonderful blog by Dee who is a mother blogger and her posts are about mother's experiences and advise since we all konw that mothers' knows best. This blog is very interesting blog to read because you can really feel how much love and care a mom has not just for her own family but also to all readers proving the saying "A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie." of Tenneva Jordan.



8. Kelvinonian Ideas 2.0

This blog is by Kelvin Servigonwho is a civil engineering student and his post are very interesting and through this he could express his own great ideas.. It talks about anything, but most of his post are about giving information on new technologies and inovations. Since now a days technolgy is very common for us, like computers, mobile phones, cameras, cars and etc. There's a lot of ideas to explore in his blog and a lot of very informative articles that will surely motivate you to read them once you visit his blog.



9. I Love/Hate America

This is a blog by Binkee which shares many different thoughts and give us information about USA and issues about american. She write what's on her mind. She is a dauntless writer who writes what she thinks and some of his articles are funny making them more entetaining and motivating readers to read her blog.

10 It’s all a matter of Perspective: Mine

This is a blog by by Holly Jahangiri which talks about many things in all aspect of life, surely you'll be able to learn a lot of thing when you come to read her blog since her topic are all so interesting by sharing herself in all of her post..

For me, they really deserve to be nominated in the Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs of 2009 Writing Project. Good Luck everyone! =)


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prolactin

Prolactin is synthesized by Lactotrophs
which initiates milk production together with other mammary gland hormones.
Prolactin which was secreted by the adenohypophysis,
and is made up of 199 amino acids.


Prolactin variation in levels has many effects,
which its levels in the laboratory can esily be detected.
Vital reproduction and lactation can be affected
in newborn babies, males as well as females.


During pregnancy, prolactin levels rise
as the mother's love for the baby never dies.
rising estrogen promotes prolactin release,
causing further mammary glands maturity,
preparing them for lactation for the baby.


After childbirth, prolactin levels fall
but this is normal stimulation for all.
Sucking by the baby on the nipple promotes further prolactin release,
and maintaining the ability to lactate eventually ceases within one or two weeks.



High prolactin levels tend to suppress the ovulatory cycle
by inhibiting both FSH and GnRH.
Too much prolactin can cause galactorrhea
and disturbances in the ovulatory cycle and are often the result of a prolactinoma,
which is a non-cancerous swelling in the pituitary gland.


photo source: www.flickr.com
by krisdamato

Answers to the Quiz

1. What is the major hormone that inhibits the release of prolactin from the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland? 
Dopamine

2. What part of the CNS system that regulates the prolactin level in the body? 
hypothalamus

3. It is a pituitary tumor that directly secretes prolactin and represents the most common type of pituitary tumor.
prolactinoma 

4. What is the major mode of hypothalamic regulation of prolactin? 
tonic inhibition

5. What is the normal value of prolactin in SI Units in non-pregnant women? 
Less than 25 mcg/L

6. It is a type of acidophil in the adenohypophysis that synthesizes and secretes prolactin.
Lactotrophs 

7. What major posterior pituitary hormone prolactin is dependent upon ejection of milk from mammary glands? 
oxytocin

8. It is also known as the absence of menstrual period in women.
amenorrhea 

9. – 10. Give two hormones tha stimulate prolactin secretion. 
Thyroid-releasing hormone, gonadotropin-releasing hormone


Lets keep thinking… 


Case analysis. 

A 27 year old, non-pregnant women who is 1 year married and is complaining of changes in menstruation such as irregular menstrual flow or amenorrhea, loss of libido, galactorrhea and is suspected of inability of a person to contribute to conception (being infertile) have shown the following laboratory results: 

Estrogen – 120 pg/mL 
Prolactin – 290 ng/mL 
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) – 11 mIU/ml 
Luteinizing Hormone - 11 mIU/ml 

Guide questions: 

What is the probable diagnosis? 
prolactinoma 
What medical procedure can you recommend to manage the symptoms?
MIR

photo source: upload.wikimedia.org

Let's have some fun.. Just take this quiz..

IDENTIFICATIONS:

1.  What is the major hormone that inhibits the release of prolactin from the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland? 

2.  What part of the CNS system that regulates the prolactin level in the body? hypothalamus?

3. It is a pituitary tumor that directly secretes prolactin and represents the most common type of pituitary tumor.

4. What is the major mode of hypothalamic regulation of prolactin?

5. What is the normal value of prolactin in SI Units in non-pregnant women?

6. It is a type of acidophil in the adenohypophysis that synthesizes and secretes prolactin. 

7. What major posterior pituitary hormone prolactin is dependent upon ejection of
milk from mammary glands?

8.  It is also known as the absence of menstrual period in women.

9. – 10. Give two hormones tha stimulate prolactin secretion.

Lets keep thinking…

Case analysis.

A 27 year old, non-pregnant women who is 1 year married and is complaining of changes in menstruation such as irregular menstrual flow or amenorrhea, loss of libido, galactorrhea and is suspected of inability of a person to contribute to conception (being infertile) have shown the following laboratory results:

Estrogen – 120 pg/mL
Prolactin – 290 ng/mL
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) – 11 mIU/ml
Luteinizing Hormone - 11 mIU/ml

Guide questions:

What is the probable diagnosis?
What medical procedure can you recommend to manage the symptoms?

Photo source: floriascience.com

PRL a single-chain peptide hormone.

Prolactin is secreted and synthesized by Lactotrophs that initiates milk production together with other hormones in the mammary gland. Prolactin by itself has a weak effect. It is considered a stress hormone it possess vital functions necessarily related to reproduction.

"Prolactin is structurally related to growth hormone and human placental lactogen.. It is unique among the anterior pituitary hormones because its major mode of hypothalamic regulation is tonic inhibition rather than intermittent stimulation." - Clinical Chemistry; Bishop et.al

Prolactin secretion is regulated by the hypothalamus which secretes both the inhibitory and excitatory hormone. Neuroendocrine neurons in the hypothalamus regulates pituitary prolactin secretion. Dopamine is a nuerotransmitter which is the major prolactin-inhibiting hormone inhibit the release of prolactin from the anterior lobe of the pituitary. Thyroid-releasing hormone, gonadotropin-releasing hormone and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide positively regulate prolactin secretion which has stimulatory effect on prolactin release.



photo source:

http://neurosurgery.ucla.edu/images/Pituitary%20Program/Prolactin.jpg

"Only after the mammary gland have been primed by estrogens, progesterones, glucocorticoids, human growth hormone, thyroxine and insulin, which exert permissive effects, does prolactin bring about milk secretion. Ejection of milk from mammary glands depends on the hormone oxytocin, which is released from the posterior pituitary. Together, milk secretion and ejection constitute lactation." - Principles of Anatomy and Physiology; 12th edition; Tortora et.al



Precautionary measures before the prolactin test. (as the patient):

1. Fasting hours as instructed by your health professional before having a prolactin test.
   
   
2. A blood prolactin determination is usually done about 2-3 hours after you wake up, sometime between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.
   
   
3. Avoid emotional stress or strenuous exercise just before the test
   
   
4. Avoid nipple stimulation for 24 hours prior to prolactin testing.
   
   

Procedure of the test:

The health professional drawing blood will:

1. Apply tourniquet or an elastic band around your upper arm to make the veins below the band larger so it is easier to put a needle into the vein.
   
   
2. Sterilize the needle and the puncture site (most commonly with the use of alcohol)
   
   
3. Insert the needle into the vein. More than one needle stick may be needed.
   
   
4. Hook a tube to the needle to fill it with blood.
   
   
5. Release the band or tourniquet.
   
   
6. Put a sterile gauze pad or cotton ball over the needle site as the needle is removed.
7. Apply pressure to the site of puncture and then a bandage.
   
   

Reference values:

Normal values may vary in many different laboratories:

Pregnant Women: 20 to 400 ng/mL or 20 to 400 mcg/L (SI units)
Non-pregnant women: Less than 25 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) or 25 mcg/L (SI units)
Men: Less than 20 ng/mL or 20 mcg/L (SI units)

External and Internal Factors affecting the Tests:

1. Doing heavy and strenuous exercise before prolactin test may cause variation of the results.
   
   
2. Suffering a lot of emotional stress
   
   
3. Suffering from sleep disorders, prolactin levels are highest during sleep so if you do not sleep well, your levels may be lower than normal.
   
   
4. Nipples stimulation.
   
   
5. Taking certain medicines or even medicines for mental illness, such as phenothiazines.
   
   
   
6. Use of cocaine.

We can measure prolactin hormone level in the laboratory to asses the cause of abnormal nipple discharge, amenorrhea which is known as the absence of menstrual period in women or if a woman is infertile. In a man we test for the prolactin hormone level to detect when a pituitary gland problem is suspected. Also, a prolactin test may be done to check levels if a man lacks sexual desire or suffering erectile dysfunction. Prolactin levels may be checked when a man's testosterone levels are really low. Prolactin test is also done to see prolactinoma, a pituitary tumor that directly secretes prolactin and represents the most common type of pituitary tumor.

Hyperprolactinemia may be due to many cause such as physiologic, pathologic or even pharmacologic. Substantial increase in prolactin levels is obtaining more than 200 ng/ml indicates presence of prolactinoma. The higher the prolactin level, the more likely a pituitary gland tumor is present. Tumor size in prolactinoma is correlated in the degreee in increase in level of prolactin. Modest increase in the prolactin levels such as obtaining 25 to 100 ng/ml may be due to other medical conditions such as use of dopaminergic antagonist medication.


References:

Electronic references:

http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/prolactin/test.html

http://www.medic8.com/healthguide/articles/prolactin.html

http://www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/endocrine/hypopit/prolactin.html

http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/prolactin-15129?page=2

Book references:
Clinical Chemistry; Bishop et.al
Principles of Anatomy and Physiology 12th edition Tortora et.al

Welcome

Hi, I'm Ann Alexys, welcome to my blog.