Review of a journal article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Review of a journal - Article Example The researchers determined occupational exposure’s frequency as well as the characteristics associated with this exposure. The electronic health record (EHR) was reviewed to determine the frequency of potential missed exposures. The EHR data revealed the cases of laboratory-confirmed pertussis that were not included in the records of OH or IPC. The researchers found 1193 confirmed cases of HCW’s exposure to pertussis linked with a total of 219 index cases in the course of the period of study. 38.8 per cent of these cases were infants up to 6 months of age whereas 7 cases were of HCWs. 77.5 per cent of the exposures had taken place in an ambulatory site or the emergency department whereas 27.0 per cent of the exposures had taken place after the IPC precautions had been initiated in documents. The researchers’ EHR review led to the discovery of 450 cases of pertussis confirmed in the laboratory of which 49.8 per cent had taken place without any IPC or OH investigat ion. Most of the cases that had not been investigated belonged to the ambulatory sites. The conclusions that can be drawn from this research are that occupational exposure to pertussis is something that takes place in the pediatric health care settings quite frequently in spite of the appropriate guidelines provided by IPC. Consistent and effective implementation of the practices suggested by IPC imparts a need for interventions and timely reporting of the cases of pertussis index so that exposure of the HCWs to pertussis and the infection’s transmission to patients can be prevented. This cross-sectional study was based on a retrospective review of the records of IPCD and OHD in which the data was retrieved from a large quaternary pediatric care network. A strength of the research is that the researchers identified all investigated cases of exposure of the HCWs to

Biology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 9

Biology - Essay Example Each protein is formed in accordance with a set of instructions contained within the nucleic acid, which accounts for the cells genetic material. These set of instructions regulate which of the twenty amino acids are to be incorporated into the protein, and in what sequence. The final shape of the protein and its chemical properties is decided by the R groups of the amino acid subunits. There are four levels of protein structural organization: primary (1Â °), secondary (2Â °), tertiary (3Â °), and quaternary (4Â °). Primary structure is defined as the linear sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain. The secondary structure refers to certain spatial arrangement of the main peptide chain, examples of which are the alpha helix and the beta pleated sheet. Tertiary structure results from long-range contacts within the chain. The quaternary structure is the organization of protein subunits, or two or more independent polypeptide chains, as found in hemoglobin and certain enzymes. Proteins are broken down in the stomach into amino acids by enzymes known as proteases. These amino acids help build protein for the body organs, muscles, bones, blood, besides also acting as an important nutritional source of nitrogen. They also act as a storehouse of energy, containing around 4 kilocalories per gram. In addition to their function in growth and cell maintenance, proteins are also responsible for muscle contraction. Insulin, hormones and most digestive enzymes are all proteins. The antibodies in the immune system are well known proteins, and they are also the chief constituents of hemoglobin, which does the work of carrying oxygen to all parts of the body. The cell theory states that all organisms are made up of similar units of organization, called cells. This idea was conceived by Schleiden and Schwann in the year 1839 and has been one of the major milestones in the history of biology. The road