So, it's been a long time.
I caught up with a good friend from college last night, and we chatted about, well, MANY things (tears of laughter started after only about 5 minutes of conversation... yep, it was THAT good). But we chatted about her blog and how it's fun to read. She reminded me that I technically still have mine, and that even though I haven't written in years, she still stops by to feed the fish. This is a very good thing, as it is clear that I haven't been doing that, and I was very happy to log on tonight and see that they are still there. Whew! Didn't kill the fish. Teags, I owe you big time.
Blogger has changed their style since I last wrote. I was very curious about the stats report that you can read about your blog - telling you how many people visit your blog, etc. I expected the numbers to be near zero, haha, but I was surprised to see that I actually have quite a few hits. After some rooting around through the stats, I've discovered that apparently my Macgyvered Blackberry Dump Cake recipe is relatively popular (fun party trick: google "blackberry dump cake"; my blog is in the top ten results! I'm practically famous). Also, I have had more visits from people in Germany than any other country. I can only assume that Germans really like reading about Blackberry Dump Cake.
This reminds me that I have a bag of frozen blueberries in my freezer that should be used somehow...
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
This ad has been showing up on Canadian Airwaves this month. It is too good to not share with my American friends! I find it so inspiring and energizing. It send chills up my spine every time I see it. After watching it twice in a row on youtube, I was teary-eyed. A third time yielded real teardrops. It's amazing, and I love how it shows the power of hope and the human spirit in the face of tremendous adversity and once-bleak prospects. Each person in the ad is telling his or her own story: some are directly affected by illness, some are family members, and others are doctors, nurses, and researchers. Regardless, they have pulled together to help each other through it all, and that is something we can all do.
With an estimated one in three people to be diagnosed with cancer in our lifetime, it is something that all of us will likely have to pull together on at some point, in one role or another. Hope is essential.
The music choice was so appropriate - Verve's Bittersweet Symphony. Illness and loss are two of life's most bitter experiences, but through them, our capacity to understand and appreciate life's sweet moments is increased. One girl's story, "Cancer took my leg, but not my life", emphasizes this. Loss is part of life, and mourning those losses is an important step, but focusing on the good that remains will ultimately further our healing from loss and deepen our capacity for joy and appreciation of life and its sweet moments.
With an estimated one in three people to be diagnosed with cancer in our lifetime, it is something that all of us will likely have to pull together on at some point, in one role or another. Hope is essential.
The music choice was so appropriate - Verve's Bittersweet Symphony. Illness and loss are two of life's most bitter experiences, but through them, our capacity to understand and appreciate life's sweet moments is increased. One girl's story, "Cancer took my leg, but not my life", emphasizes this. Loss is part of life, and mourning those losses is an important step, but focusing on the good that remains will ultimately further our healing from loss and deepen our capacity for joy and appreciation of life and its sweet moments.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Harry Potter and Physcis
First off, let me alert you that if you haven't seen the new Harry Potter movie yet, you might not want to read on. I'm not going to reveal any huge plot twists or anything (and really, they're in the books anyway...), it will actually be quite insignificant, but if you like to be completely, totally, wonderfully surprised when you watch movies, this would be a good time to stop reading. Also, if, upon reading the title, you think that I might be about to discuss the intricate physical phenomena of levitation, apparition, spells, charms, etc., I'm sorry to inform you that you will be disappointed. There is just one small part that caught my eye...
So I saw HP6 this week, and it was great! I went with some friends who are also a little obsessed (in a good way!) with the books and movies, so it was lots of fun.
Right, so, on to the physics.
At one point near the beginning of the film, the Death Eaters are flying around London, causing havoc here and there. Nasty people, those Death Eaters. At one point, they began flying next to a suspension bridge that spans the Thames. The bridge started swaying back and forth and twisting, more and more violently until it snapped and collapsed. As this was happening, it reminded me of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge Disaster:
(there are a great many more videos on youtube about this bridge collapse, but I just chose the shortest one :) )
Basically (according to my physics professor), the wind gusting through the narrows (down the river, hitting the bridge), was not only powerful, but the gusts also occurred at a frequency that happened to be a resonance frequency of the bridge. This is the same principle that makes crystal shatter when a loud, high frequency noise (like a soprano's high note, lol) is sung. Instead of a glass, though, the bridge itself was resonating, and the strain caused it's collapse. Which is pretty cool, despite the destruction that it caused (for those who may be wondering, no person was killed or injured on the Tacoma Narrows collapse).
Anyway, so while watching the HP, and seeing the Death Eaters' flight around the bridge cause it to tremble, twist, bend, and eventually collapse, my thoughts wandered slightly, and I thought:
"Wow, those Death Eaters must be flying at exactly the resonance frequency of the bridge!"
There is no denying it now... I am a physics geek.
So I saw HP6 this week, and it was great! I went with some friends who are also a little obsessed (in a good way!) with the books and movies, so it was lots of fun.
Right, so, on to the physics.
At one point near the beginning of the film, the Death Eaters are flying around London, causing havoc here and there. Nasty people, those Death Eaters. At one point, they began flying next to a suspension bridge that spans the Thames. The bridge started swaying back and forth and twisting, more and more violently until it snapped and collapsed. As this was happening, it reminded me of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge Disaster:
(there are a great many more videos on youtube about this bridge collapse, but I just chose the shortest one :) )
Basically (according to my physics professor), the wind gusting through the narrows (down the river, hitting the bridge), was not only powerful, but the gusts also occurred at a frequency that happened to be a resonance frequency of the bridge. This is the same principle that makes crystal shatter when a loud, high frequency noise (like a soprano's high note, lol) is sung. Instead of a glass, though, the bridge itself was resonating, and the strain caused it's collapse. Which is pretty cool, despite the destruction that it caused (for those who may be wondering, no person was killed or injured on the Tacoma Narrows collapse).
Anyway, so while watching the HP, and seeing the Death Eaters' flight around the bridge cause it to tremble, twist, bend, and eventually collapse, my thoughts wandered slightly, and I thought:
"Wow, those Death Eaters must be flying at exactly the resonance frequency of the bridge!"
There is no denying it now... I am a physics geek.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Oh, Joy
Well, my somewhat firm resolve to stop posting silly videos in lieu of actual posts has broken. Partly because I don't have too much to say, and partly because I think these next couple flicks are hilarious. And you all deserve a dose of hilarity in your days. Who am I to deny you that joy?
I loved watching the Muppet Show when I was little. I think, of all the members of our family, I loved it the most. I figure this to be true since I have memories of whining to keep the channel on the Muppet Show, and no one supported me.
Actually, it just occurred to me that that may have had nothing to do with their love for the Muppets, but rather with their disdain for my whining.
Hm.
Anyway.
One reason to love the Muppets is that they can take something serious or stuffy, like classical music, and make it accessible to more people. Exhibit A:
I love that the violin caught on fire... that is some intense friction.
Another great aspect of the Muppets is their ability to take cultural pieces and bring them to people of other nations. Exhibit B:
And I think that anyone who has played that song umpteen times in band will find that funny. I also love how Animal only seems to know the first few words: "Oh Danny Boy... oh... boy...". Which, can probably be said of a lot of people. "Oh, Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling.... um... Danny... Boy...something something something." The words to the song really are beautiful, but I never would have known them if hadn't had a CD that happened to have that song on it. Funny how that happens. But we (as band people) can't be blamed - our job is to play notes, not sing words, and adding the words to our music would only cause confusion and missed cues.
I loved watching the Muppet Show when I was little. I think, of all the members of our family, I loved it the most. I figure this to be true since I have memories of whining to keep the channel on the Muppet Show, and no one supported me.
Actually, it just occurred to me that that may have had nothing to do with their love for the Muppets, but rather with their disdain for my whining.
Hm.
Anyway.
One reason to love the Muppets is that they can take something serious or stuffy, like classical music, and make it accessible to more people. Exhibit A:
I love that the violin caught on fire... that is some intense friction.
Another great aspect of the Muppets is their ability to take cultural pieces and bring them to people of other nations. Exhibit B:
And I think that anyone who has played that song umpteen times in band will find that funny. I also love how Animal only seems to know the first few words: "Oh Danny Boy... oh... boy...". Which, can probably be said of a lot of people. "Oh, Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling.... um... Danny... Boy...something something something." The words to the song really are beautiful, but I never would have known them if hadn't had a CD that happened to have that song on it. Funny how that happens. But we (as band people) can't be blamed - our job is to play notes, not sing words, and adding the words to our music would only cause confusion and missed cues.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Oops
As Teagan was kind enough to point out to me today, it's been two weeks since a post! Whoops.
Today has been an ok day, I had a biochemistry midterm this morning that was a little rougher than I'd like, but I think overall it went alright, and one can always hope for a grade curve. :)
This course is a 3-credit class science class, all crammed in to 3 1/2 weeks. The pace is definitely up! But I think it's just like tearing off a bandaid - sometimes it hurts less to get it done quickly, rather than dragging it out (the danger in this analogy is that, when applied to learning, it makes the lecture schedule a nightmare, assignment pace atrocious, and labs... every afternoon). It's going alright, though, so I can't complain about the course. About my lab partner, maybe, but... not about the course.
Speaking of which, I think I might start a writing project: a guide manual for science students on how to best irritate their lab partners. Given the extent of experience I have in this area (many times being the annoyed, and possibly also the annoyee on occasion ;) ), I'm sure I could have enough material for a great book (or at least a pamphlet). But that's only if I get really ambitious, which is not likely to happen, so... this guide will probably stay on the internet.
Here is some rough work so far...
Working Title: How to Annoy, Frustrate, and Drive your Lab Partner to Tears by Your Incompetence (She Didn't Actually Want to Pass This Class Anyway)
1. Be sure to show up to lab without having read the procedure beforehand. Reading is for losers, and you wouldn't want to show that kind of weakness. The *true* mark of a good student is being able to do experiments on the fly (even if this may mean having to repeat them when you add the wrong reagents).
2. In fact, don't even print out the lab procedure before coming to class. Having only one copy to work off of makes it much easier when both people need to be doing different parts of the procedure.
3. Marking glassware with a Sharpie makes clean-up a snap!
4. When holding a slide with neurotoxin on it, be sure to hold it over your lab partner's laptop so that when you space out and drop it, the liquid dribbles on to the keyboard. This is especially effective if you space out so much that you don't notice you have dropped the sample until your lab partner starts cleaning it up (yes, it was neurotoxin, but it was in its polymer form, so it wasn't dangerous. So I've been told... *twitch*).
5. Every so often, leave the lab without explanation for 20 or so minutes. While some lab procedures may leave you with down time while you wait for reactions to be completed, leaving during such times is almost expected. For maximum effect, leave the lab right before a complicated, time-sensitive procedure that can't wait needs to be done. Your lab partner will LOVE doing the work of two people herself. Come back at the next lull time, but don't offer any explanation as to where you might have been. Guessing games are fun!
I'm sure this will evolve as time goes on... and previously-repressed memories come back.
Naturally, any and all input from fellow students from their own experiences will be appreciated. :)
Today has been an ok day, I had a biochemistry midterm this morning that was a little rougher than I'd like, but I think overall it went alright, and one can always hope for a grade curve. :)
This course is a 3-credit class science class, all crammed in to 3 1/2 weeks. The pace is definitely up! But I think it's just like tearing off a bandaid - sometimes it hurts less to get it done quickly, rather than dragging it out (the danger in this analogy is that, when applied to learning, it makes the lecture schedule a nightmare, assignment pace atrocious, and labs... every afternoon). It's going alright, though, so I can't complain about the course. About my lab partner, maybe, but... not about the course.
Speaking of which, I think I might start a writing project: a guide manual for science students on how to best irritate their lab partners. Given the extent of experience I have in this area (many times being the annoyed, and possibly also the annoyee on occasion ;) ), I'm sure I could have enough material for a great book (or at least a pamphlet). But that's only if I get really ambitious, which is not likely to happen, so... this guide will probably stay on the internet.
Here is some rough work so far...
Working Title: How to Annoy, Frustrate, and Drive your Lab Partner to Tears by Your Incompetence (She Didn't Actually Want to Pass This Class Anyway)
1. Be sure to show up to lab without having read the procedure beforehand. Reading is for losers, and you wouldn't want to show that kind of weakness. The *true* mark of a good student is being able to do experiments on the fly (even if this may mean having to repeat them when you add the wrong reagents).
2. In fact, don't even print out the lab procedure before coming to class. Having only one copy to work off of makes it much easier when both people need to be doing different parts of the procedure.
3. Marking glassware with a Sharpie makes clean-up a snap!
4. When holding a slide with neurotoxin on it, be sure to hold it over your lab partner's laptop so that when you space out and drop it, the liquid dribbles on to the keyboard. This is especially effective if you space out so much that you don't notice you have dropped the sample until your lab partner starts cleaning it up (yes, it was neurotoxin, but it was in its polymer form, so it wasn't dangerous. So I've been told... *twitch*).
5. Every so often, leave the lab without explanation for 20 or so minutes. While some lab procedures may leave you with down time while you wait for reactions to be completed, leaving during such times is almost expected. For maximum effect, leave the lab right before a complicated, time-sensitive procedure that can't wait needs to be done. Your lab partner will LOVE doing the work of two people herself. Come back at the next lull time, but don't offer any explanation as to where you might have been. Guessing games are fun!
I'm sure this will evolve as time goes on... and previously-repressed memories come back.
Naturally, any and all input from fellow students from their own experiences will be appreciated. :)
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Concerned Children's Advertisers Strike Again
Maybe one of these days I'll stop posting videos of commercials I see on tv. Maybe one of these days, commercials will stop making me laugh hard enough to want to post them. Maybe one of these days, I'll just stop watching tv.
But until then, enjoy...
I love the music - it reminds me of Copland's Rodeo.
But until then, enjoy...
I love the music - it reminds me of Copland's Rodeo.
Study Break
So, I'm writing this, not because I'm taking a study break, but because it's about something that happened during a study break. I had a calculus final last Friday (and I am SO glad it's over! But that's another post... that I may or may not ever get around to writing), and spent all of Thursday in my room cramming. I started around 10:00 in the morning, and paused for some snacks here and there, but around 4:00, I decided that I needed to get outside for some exercise. This, of course, meant that I had to change out of my pyjamas. But I didn't want to put too much effort in to this, so I pulled on my gym shorts (ah, the Hart) and one of my bigger t-shirts (you know, the kind you wear to lounge around your house instead of out to the movies). Anyway, I set out for a walk/run through the neighbourhood, and it was really nice to get outside. It was a pretty warm day, so I was sweating in no time (not to mention my lack of physical fitness, haha). After a while, I realized that the people I was passing on the street were giving me some funny looks. I kept wogging (walk-jogging), and it kept happening. Finally I pieced it all together. The t-shirt I had happened to throw on is from my favourite bakery in Rexburg: The Cocoa Bean (they make the most amazing cupcakes and I miss them much more than is probably healthy). The t-shirt is red and looks like this:
And I realized that, from their perspective they see a pale, sweaty, out-of-breath girl wogging down the street, wearing an "I heart Cupcakes" shirt.
And I'm pretty sure at least one of them thought: "Well, there's your first problem".
Ba ha ha ha....
Anyway, also related to study breaks.... As much as living at home may not be my ideal situation right now, I have to admit that it's really, really, really nice when you're cramming away far into the evening and your mom knocks on your door and asks if you'd like her to make you a snack, coming back minutes later with a bowl full of fresh fruit on which to munch. Thanks, mom!
And I realized that, from their perspective they see a pale, sweaty, out-of-breath girl wogging down the street, wearing an "I heart Cupcakes" shirt.And I'm pretty sure at least one of them thought: "Well, there's your first problem".
Ba ha ha ha....
Anyway, also related to study breaks.... As much as living at home may not be my ideal situation right now, I have to admit that it's really, really, really nice when you're cramming away far into the evening and your mom knocks on your door and asks if you'd like her to make you a snack, coming back minutes later with a bowl full of fresh fruit on which to munch. Thanks, mom!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
So, I'm not trying to turn you all in to couch potatoes - really! I promise! But another funny ad came on today, and since it's Canadian, many of you may have NEVER seen it before. This is a tragedy, and evidently, I need to share it with you. More than one Canadian kid has, at some point or another, wanted a house hippo:
One of the best PSAs ever. :)
One of the best PSAs ever. :)
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Re: video
also, I noticed that when I'm using tabs in Firefox, "YouTube" is shortened to "YouTub", which, considering it's being read by people who are spending wayyy too much time watching stupid videos on the internet, is probably a very appropiate statement.
So cute!
Alright, every time this ad comes on, it makes me so happy. I realize that perhaps it's a little strange to get so much joy out of 30 seconds of video designed to get me to buy gum, but... I can't help it. If you haven't seen this ad yet, you need to check it out. Actually, check it out anyway.
They're just so cute! I love the coffee cup at 0:14 - he's just sitting there, swinging his legs like he's so excited to be going for a car ride. Not to mention the fact that they got all buckled in and everything -safety first! And then they helped each other up the stairs. So, so cute.
They're just so cute! I love the coffee cup at 0:14 - he's just sitting there, swinging his legs like he's so excited to be going for a car ride. Not to mention the fact that they got all buckled in and everything -safety first! And then they helped each other up the stairs. So, so cute.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Taxes (but no death!)
So, I just finished putting together my tax paperwork for last year. Since I was in the US for pretty much all of the year, I only had US taxes to file. Now, before anyone looks at their calendar, realizes that it is several weeks past April 15th, and has a minor heart attack on my behalf - don't worry! Since I'm no longer in the country, I have an extension. Until June 15th. Which is Monday. But I didn't leave it to the last minute - I have a whole 2 days until then!
Anyway, after finding my W-2 and 1042-S forms (I had put them in a "safe place" when I moved; a place so safe, I couldn't find them even when I wanted to), I got to work. Line 17, Box 2, add, deduct, etc. And I eventually found that I did, indeed, owe taxes on part of my income from last year: 9 dollars in taxes.
9 dollars.
What a stupid number!
On one hand, I'm certainly glad it's not any higher. On the other hand, it seems a little silly to have to pay such a small amount (I checked for any way out of it since the total was so small, but only when your total tax owed equals less than one dollar are you exempt from paying). So, Monday morning, I will head to the post office and file my taxes, along with a cheque for $9. The government certainly seems to want it. But I wonder what they'll do with it? What can the government of the United States of America buy with $9?
Some options:
Anyway, after finding my W-2 and 1042-S forms (I had put them in a "safe place" when I moved; a place so safe, I couldn't find them even when I wanted to), I got to work. Line 17, Box 2, add, deduct, etc. And I eventually found that I did, indeed, owe taxes on part of my income from last year: 9 dollars in taxes.
9 dollars.
What a stupid number!
On one hand, I'm certainly glad it's not any higher. On the other hand, it seems a little silly to have to pay such a small amount (I checked for any way out of it since the total was so small, but only when your total tax owed equals less than one dollar are you exempt from paying). So, Monday morning, I will head to the post office and file my taxes, along with a cheque for $9. The government certainly seems to want it. But I wonder what they'll do with it? What can the government of the United States of America buy with $9?
Some options:
- nine packages of 10 HB #2 pencils
- one mousepad
- one tenth of a office chair
- one fifteenth of a pothole repair
- 6 minutes of a defense attorney's time
- half of one person's business lunch
- 5 gallons of jet fuel for Air Force One (yes, I checked the price of jet fuel)
Sunday, April 12, 2009
This one's for you, Teags
This is at the Subway by Sonic in Rexburg. We stopped by to grab a bite to eat, and noticed that they charge for water. 27 cents. Not 25, not 30. 27.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Conference Weekend!
Some of my favourite thoughts from conference this weekend...
This is a great time to be alive (Allan F. Packer)
We need to take care of each other (D. Todd Christofferson)
We need to learn to recognize and help those in need, even when we may need it more than they (Henry B. Eyring)
Our prayers can be enhanced with the use of music, and fasting (Russell M. Nelson)
Spiritual growth requires participation, not spectatorship (Dieter F. Uchtdorf)
Part of mortality is to be tried, but another part of it is to have joy (President Monson)
Righteousness is measured not by our temptations, but by our resistance to them (Robert D. Hales)
Reverence invites revelation (Margaret S. Lifferth)
The sacrament meeting begins with the prelude music, not the opening prayer (Margaret S. Lifferth)
Don’t underestimate the power and influence that the youth in the church can have (Michael A. Nieder)
This is a great time to be alive (Allan F. Packer)
We can build again (D. Todd Christofferson)
We need to take care of each other (D. Todd Christofferson)
We cannot expect life to always be perfect (Henry B. Eyring)
Life is not meant to be fair or equal (Henry B. Eyring)
Things will work out (Henry B. Eyring)
Tragedy does not have to erode faith – it can strengthen it (Henry B. Eyring)
We need to learn to recognize and help those in need, even when we may need it more than they (Henry B. Eyring)
Our lives are examples to others (Quentin L. Cook)
Our prayers can be enhanced with the use of music, and fasting (Russell M. Nelson)
The road to eternal life is not a sprint, but a path of endurance (Dieter F. Uchtdorf)
Spiritual growth requires participation, not spectatorship (Dieter F. Uchtdorf)
Change is an essential part of life’s experience. (Steven E. Snow)
Be cheerful and optimistic (Steven E. Snow)
Learn to laugh – it will enrich your life, as well as the lives of those around you (Steven E. Snow)
The time is far spent (Barbara Thompson)
We need to take every opportunity to strengthen our families (Barbara Thompson)
Because Jesus walked His path alone, we do not have to walk ours alone (Jeffrey R. Holland)
Part of mortality is to be tried, but another part of it is to have joy (President Monson)
The future is as bright as your faith (President Monson)
Forget yourself and go to work (Dallin H. Oaks)
Everything that leads us to do good is from God (José A. Teixeira)
We cannot do great things, we can only do small things with great love (Mother Theresa, quoted by Dallin H. Oaks)
Turn your homes toward the temple (Gary E. Stevenson)
Everything that leads us to do good is from God (José A. Teixeira)
May your homes be filled with harmony and love (Thomas S. Monson)
Blackberry Dump Cake
I made a very tasty cake this weekend, and I thought I'd share the recipe... and the story...
I got the recipe from Mrs. Oliver in Nachitoches (NACK-uh-tish), Louisiana, when we were there on tour. Grace and I stayed at the Oliver's home one night for homestay. Mr. and Mrs. Oliver, both in their eighties, were not members of the church, but had been meeting with the missionaries for a little while, and agreed to let us stay in their home. Mr. Oliver reminded me a bit of Dad, because as soon as we were settled in their home, he offered us a drink. Of beer. When we declined, he said (with a bit of a twinkle in his eye), "Oh, coffee, then?". He was hilarious. They were both so wonderful and kind.
Nachitoches! It was so beautiful and green, though it was just mid-April.
The chapel in Nachitoches, where we had a musical fireside.
Mrs. Oliver had made some cake for us, and it was so delicious, I had to ask for the recipe. She seemed surprised that I had never heard of dump cake before, so maybe it's a Southern thing. Many tasty foods are....
Breakfast at the Oliver's - biscuits, butter, molasses, sausage, and whole milk.
It's called "Dump Cake" because you really just dump all the ingredients into the pan - no mixing required! I didn't get a picture of the one I made because we ate it before I thought of my camera... which tells you how good it was! :)
2 1/2 cups of crushed pineapple (not drained)
3 cups fresh of frozen blueberries (I used blackberries because that's what I had in my freezer)
3/4 cup of sugar (we decided that this ingredient is probably not necessary... :) )
1 cake mix (yellow cake)
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 cup pecans (I used a mix of walnuts and almonds because, again, that's what I had)
Preheat oven to 350 F. In a buttered 9x13 pan, layer the pineapple, berries, and sugar. Add the powedered cake mix on top, and drizzle the melted butter on top of that. Sprinkle nuts over the top, and bake for about 45 minutes.
It's so good, and really easy. The only thing that I might change is that some of the cake mix didn't get "wet" with either butter or berry juice, so there were some dry spots. So next time I think I'll try mixing the ingredients a little in the pan, though that might disrupt the awesome cake layer that forms on top. We'll see... :)
Mr. and Mrs. Oliver (yes, I have forgotten their first names... sorry!)
I got the recipe from Mrs. Oliver in Nachitoches (NACK-uh-tish), Louisiana, when we were there on tour. Grace and I stayed at the Oliver's home one night for homestay. Mr. and Mrs. Oliver, both in their eighties, were not members of the church, but had been meeting with the missionaries for a little while, and agreed to let us stay in their home. Mr. Oliver reminded me a bit of Dad, because as soon as we were settled in their home, he offered us a drink. Of beer. When we declined, he said (with a bit of a twinkle in his eye), "Oh, coffee, then?". He was hilarious. They were both so wonderful and kind.
Nachitoches! It was so beautiful and green, though it was just mid-April.
The chapel in Nachitoches, where we had a musical fireside.Mrs. Oliver had made some cake for us, and it was so delicious, I had to ask for the recipe. She seemed surprised that I had never heard of dump cake before, so maybe it's a Southern thing. Many tasty foods are....
Breakfast at the Oliver's - biscuits, butter, molasses, sausage, and whole milk.It's called "Dump Cake" because you really just dump all the ingredients into the pan - no mixing required! I didn't get a picture of the one I made because we ate it before I thought of my camera... which tells you how good it was! :)
2 1/2 cups of crushed pineapple (not drained)
3 cups fresh of frozen blueberries (I used blackberries because that's what I had in my freezer)
3/4 cup of sugar (we decided that this ingredient is probably not necessary... :) )
1 cake mix (yellow cake)
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 cup pecans (I used a mix of walnuts and almonds because, again, that's what I had)
Preheat oven to 350 F. In a buttered 9x13 pan, layer the pineapple, berries, and sugar. Add the powedered cake mix on top, and drizzle the melted butter on top of that. Sprinkle nuts over the top, and bake for about 45 minutes.
It's so good, and really easy. The only thing that I might change is that some of the cake mix didn't get "wet" with either butter or berry juice, so there were some dry spots. So next time I think I'll try mixing the ingredients a little in the pan, though that might disrupt the awesome cake layer that forms on top. We'll see... :)
Mr. and Mrs. Oliver (yes, I have forgotten their first names... sorry!)Friday, March 27, 2009
Because I know your weekend won't be complete without it...
Here is the study guide from my most recent medical microbiology exam. And yes, it's 12 pages long. :)
Chapter 19 - Mechanisms of Bacterial Pathogenesis
1. Define each of the following terms: pathology, etiology, etiological agent, pathogenesis, colonization, disease, infection, pathogen, pathogenic, bacteremia, septicemia, toxemia, viremia, and reservoir.
Pathology – study of disease
Etiology – the cause of the disease (eg. The organism)
Colonization – bacteria growing in the body
Disease – change from a state of health
Infection – colonization with a pathogenic bacterium
Pathogen – disease-causing agent
Pathogenic – adj. for pathogen
Bacteremia – bacteria in the blood
Septicemia – bacteria growing in the blood
Toxemia – toxins in the blood
Viremia – viruses in the blood
Reservoir – where the pathogen “hangs out” naturally.
2. What is normal flora? Explain how normal flora could be categorized as: mutualistic, commensal, or opportunistic. What is a parasite?
Normal flora is the colonization of bacteria in out body that is normal and not harmful. They contribute to microbial antagonism, and may synthesize nutrients such as vitamins that help us.
Mutualistic – both benefit
Commensal – one benefits
Opportunistic – NF takes advantage of suppressed immune system to cause infection in an unusual location
Parasite – one benefits, other is harmed
3. What is the germ theory of disease? What are Koch’s Postulates? What are they used for?
Germ theory – germs cause disease. One germ, one disease.
Koch – to prove which microorganism is the causative agent of the disease
Isolate sample from infected individual
Culture
Infect new individual
When signs and symptoms develop that are the same as the first infected individual, the organism is the same, and can be concluded to be the causative agent.
4. Describe how each of the following is used to describe a disease (and explain what the term means): communicable, contagious, noncommunicable, endemic, epidemic, pandemic, acute, chronic, and latent.
Communicable – can spread from person to person (HIV)
Contagious – spreads easily from person to person (rhinovirus)
Non-communicable – cannot be spread from person to person (tetanus)
Endemic – at a consistent rate of infection
Epidemic – spike of infection rate in a given area
Pandemic – disease is worldwide
Acute – rapid onset, severe, then finishes
Chronic – slow onset, prolonged illness
Latent – person is a carrier, but shows no symptoms. Can flare up (varicella)
5. What is the difference between a local infection and a systemic infection?
Local – confined to one area
Systemic – whole body
6. What is the difference between a primary infection and a secondary infection? What is a subclinical infection?
1ary – first infection
2ary – infection after the 1ary, more susceptible to it bc of weakened immune system
Subclinical – no symptoms
7. Describe the following mechanisms of disease transmission: contact transmission (direct, indirect, and droplet), vehicle transmission, and vector transmission.
Contact:
Direct – person-to-person
Indirect – through an inanimate object
Droplet – cough, sneeze
Vehicle – food and water
Vector – insect bite
8. What is a fomite? What is a nosocomial infection?
Fomite – for indirect transmission
Nosocomial – acquired in a healthcare setting
9. What is epidemiology?
Study of frequency and distribution of disease.
10. What is the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)? What types of things does this agency do?
National Epidemiology Center (USA). Tracks infectious diseases, helps local health agencies during outbreaks. Publishes monthly reports.
11. Describe the sequence of events successful pathogens carry out.
Transmission to host, entry into tissue, adherence to target tissue, invasion/evasion, host damage, exit, transmission.
12. What are portals of entry? What are the possible portals of entry for pathogens?
PofE are where the pathogen gains entry to the host. Usually: mucous membranes (GI, GU, respiratory), parenteral, skin.
13. What are virulence factors? How does each of the following function as a virulence factor: adhesions, fimbriae, biofilms, capsule, cell walls of mycobacteria, toxins, and enzymes?
Adhesins – help bacteria stick to host tissue. Fimbriae and pili.
Fimbrie – “ “
Biofilms – glue to surfaces
Capsule – evade phagocytosis, poorly antigenic
Mycolic acid – evade phagocytosis
Toxins – host damage, direct (exo) and indirect (endo)
Enzymes – kinase, coagulase, hyaluronidase, collagenase, IgA protease.
14. Give the function of each of the following enzymes and explain how they can aid pathogens in causing disease: hemolysins (both α and β hemolysins), leukocidins, streptokinase, staphylokinase, coagulase, collagenase, proteases, hyaluronidase, and phospholipase C.
Hemolysins – lyse RBCs
α – complete lysis
β – partial lysis
Leukocidins – lyse WBCs
Strepto/staphylokinase – break down blood clots, gain entry
Coagulase – formation of blood clots, wall off from WBCs
Collagenase – break collagen, get deeper into tissues
Protease – break down specific proteins, eg. IgA protease.
Hyaluronidase – break down hyaluronic acid, get deeper into tissues
Phospholipase C – hydrolyses lecithin (in tissues)
15. What are exotoxins? List the examples of the following types of exotoxins discussed in class and explain how they affect the host: cytotoxins, enterotoxins, and neurotoxins.
Exotoxins – released by the cell. Usually G(+), but can be G(-).
Cytotoxins – damage cells
Erythrotoxins – damage to capillary cells, cause blood to leak out (S. pyogenes)
Enterotoxins – damage to GI -> diarrhea, vomiting, etc. (Cholera, S. food poisoning, bacterial dystentery)
Neurotoxins – inhibit normal NT flow (Tetanus, Botulinum)
16. What is endotoxin? How does it affect humans?
Made by G(-) cells, is the LPS in the outer membrane. Once ingested by phagocytes, LPS is relased, stimulating cell to release cytokine IL-1, which reaches hypothalamus. Resets the “thermostat”, h-thal. Releases prostaglandins to initiate the fever response (vasodilation, vasopermeability, high temp.). Can lead to shock due to decrease in BP from vasodilation.
17. How do the following help bacteria evade the immune system: antigenic variation and inactivation of antibodies or complement?
AV – evade immune system’s antibodies
Inactivation – cascade/signaling system is disrupted
18. What are cross-reactive antibodies? How are they involved in damage to host cells?
Antibodies produced in response to an antigen, that undergo slight variation in the final differentiation process, that are similar enough to our own proteins to elicit an inflammatory response against our own tissues. Strep throat -> rheumatic fever, glomerulonephritis. Heart valves & strep. Antibiotics are prescribed with Strep. Infections not to help clear up the infection (which will subside in a few days), but to prevent the formation of antibodies that could attack our own cells.
19. What are superantigens? How are they involved in damage to host cells?
Antigens that are repeating polysaccharide units, stimulate non-T-cell-specific activation of the immune system, large cytokine release -> shock. Can get out of hand quickly, lead to death. Toxic shock syndrome (S. aureus).
Chapter 20 - Antibacterial Agents
1. Briefly describe the history of the antibacterial agents Protosil (sulfanilamide) and penicillin.
Protosil (sulfas) – 1935, used first in mice to treat systemic strep. Protosil is cleaved in the body to produce sulfanilamide, the active agent.
Penicillin – Alexander Fleming – Penicillium mold prevented bacterial growth on a plate.
2. Are all antibacterial agents antibiotics? Why or why not?
No – antibiotics are, by definition, made by other microorganisms. Some antibacterial agents, like the sulfa drugs, are made in the lab.
3. Describe the property of selective toxicity. Why is this an important property of antibacterial agents?
Selective toxicity means that the drug is selectively harmful toward the pathogen, and not our own cells. This is important because we want to maximize damage to pathogens while minimizing damage to our cells.
4. What is the difference between broad-spectrum and narrow-spectrum drugs? Under what conditions would each type of drug be used?
Broad – affects all, used when ID in unknown
Narrow – affects some, used when ID known, to protect NF
5. List the various targets of antimicrobial drugs and give which types of drugs have each type of target. (Those listed in Figure 20-1 and those discussed in class).
Cell wall synthesis
Penicillins
Cephalosporins
Beta-lactams
Isoniazid
Ethambutol
Cycloserine
Ethionamide
Bacitracin
Polymixin
Protein Synthesis
30S:
Aminoglycosides
Tetracyclines
50S:
Chloramphenicol
Macrolides
Clindamycin
Linezolid
Quinupristindalfopristin
DNA replication
Quinolones
Metronidazole
Clofazimine
RNA synthesis
Rifampin
Rifabutin
Antimetabolites
Sulfanamides
Dapsone
Trimethoprim
Para-aminosalycylic acid
6. What are Beta-lactams? What do they do to kill bacterial cells?
Β-lactams are rings in the structure of antibiotics in the penicillin and cephalosporin families. They inactivate bacterial enzymes used in the synthesis of peptidoglycan. Without p-glycan, the cells cannot replicate.
7. What would be a problem with drugs used to fight fungal infections?
How about those used to fight viral infections?
Fungal – harder to crate drugs with selective toxicity as fungi are eukaryotic cells. More in common structurally, so harder to target.
Viruses – spend little time outside of host cells, hard to detect and target. Don’t carry out metabolism, so not “cell” processes to target.
8. List and describe the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance. What are beta-lactamases?
Destroy the drug (lactamases)
Altering drug target site
Increase drug elimination from cell, host
Alter permeability to drug (more impermeable)
β-lactamases are enzymes that break the β-lactam ring of antibiotics in the penicillin and cephalosporin families.
9. How is resistance to a drug acquired?
Begins with spontaneous mutation, and spreads through plasmid transfer (pili, phage conversion).
10. What human practices lead to antibiotic resistance in bacteria?
Overuse of antibiotics
Use by immunosuppressed individuals
Patient noncompliance
Animal feed
Chapter 22 –
Staphylococcus organisms
G(+) coccus. Facultative anaerobes. Tolerate high salt (resistance to osmotic pressure).
S. AUREUS – COAGULASE+
Virulence – capsule, peptidoglycan, teichoic acid, protein A, cytoplasmic membrane, toxins – exfolitoxins, enterotoxins, TSS superantigen, cytotoxins; enzymes: coagulase, catalase, hyalurondiase, fibrinolysin, lipases, nucleases, penicillinase
Epidemiology – NF skin, nares. Survive on dry surfaces, fomite spread.
Diseases
Staph. Scalded Skin Syndrome (Ritter’s) (destroy connective tissue between dermis and epidermis, epidermis falls off. Exfolitoxins).
Bullous Impetigo – blisters on skin
Food Poisoning – heat stable toxin
TSS – high mortality
Folliculitis – hair follicles infected (“ingrown hairs”?)
Furuncle (boil) (site of draining pus, must be drained (will not clear up))
Carbuncle (several sites of draining pus)
Pustular Impetigo
Bacteremia
Endocarditis
Pneumonia
Osteomyelitis – infection in bone, from bacteremia or spread of wound
Septic Arthritis
ID: Gram stain, catalase, coagulase, mannitol fermentation.
Treatment – penicillin resistance is common
Chapter 23 – Streptococcus
G(+), chains, fac. Anaerobes, some are aerotolerants. Produce lactic acid. Catalase (-). Complex nutritional requirements.
Virulence –
Capsule – mimics hyaluronic acid
M proteins
Heart valve protein (rheumatic fever protein)
Blocks C3B
Toxins – erythrogenic
Streptolysin
Type S – aerobic conditions
Type O – anaerobic conditions
Streptokinase
Breaks down blood clots
Epidemiology
Oropharynx and skin – children and Young adults
Transmitted through direct contact (infected mucus, body secretions)
Asymptomatic patients, pts on antibiotics are less contagious
Noninvasive disease is common
Over 10 million cases, underreported
Most common : pharyngitis, pyoderma
Diseases –
Suppurative (development of pus)
Pharyngitis (strep throat)
2-4/365 incubation
cannot diagnose visually
Complication : Scarlet fever
Pyoderma (Impetigo)
S. aureus
Erysipelas
Acute skin infection
Systemis signs (fever, chills…)
Cellulitis
Inflammation of connective tissue
Bacteremia
40% mortality
Necrotizing Fasciitis
Streptococcal gangrene
Destroy muscle, fat, skin
25% mortality
Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS)
Superantigens
Often accompanies NF
45% mortality
Non-suppurative (no pus)
Rheumatic Fever
Complication of pharyngitis or skin infections, may have had asymptomatic infection
Prevented with antibiotics
Cross-reactive antibodies
Inflammation in heart, joints, blood vessels, skin
Affected individuals are more susceptible to further infection/damage
Actue glomerulonephritis – damage to glomerulus, causes blood in the urine
ID –
S.pyogenes :
Group A
G(+)
blood agar
PYR enzymes (differentiate b/t S. pyogenes, S. anginosus)
Antigen detection – rapid strep test
Treatment –
Penicillin
Macrolides
NF – surgery
Rheumatic Fever – preventative antibiotics
Wash hands, etc.
Ch 23 b
Strep. agalactiae
Group B strep
Characteristics-
G(+) streptococci
Facultative anaerobe
Beta-hemolytic (Small percentage non-hemolytic)
B antigen
Virulence –
Epidemiology –
Site : lower GI tract, GU tract
10-30% of pregnant women are carriers
60% of infants born to infected mothers become infected
In men and non-pregnant women :
Skin and soft tissue
Bacteremia
UTI/urosepsis
Pneumonia
Predisposing factors :
Diabetes mellitus
Cancer
Alcoholism
Diseases –
Puerperal sepsis (childbed fever)
In newborns : Septicemia, Pneumonia, Meningitis
Early-onset neonatal disease (1/52)
Acquired in utero or at birth
Bacteremia, pneumonia, meningitis
Must examine CSF
5% mortality
15-30% of survivors have permanent neurological damage –
blindness, deafness, severe mental retardation
Late Onset Neonatal disease(1-12/52)
Source : mother, other infants
Bacteremia, meningitis
Pregnant Women – UTIs
Men and non-pregnant women
In immunocompromised individuals
Bacteremia
Pneumonia
Bone and joint infections
Skin and soft tissue infection
15-32% mortality
ID –
Culture
Antigen detection
PCR
Treatment –
Penicillin G
Pregnant women – IV of antibiotics before delivery, can cross placenta, offers defense if colonized by bacteria
Viridans Streptococci
Characteristics –
Heterogenous collection of alpha-hemolytic and non-hemolytic strep. Spp.
20 spp. In 6 groups
Req. complex media, blood products, 5-10% CO2
Colonize
Oropharynx (NF)
GI (NF), GU
Diseases
Dental caries
Subacute endocarditis
Not from Ig, but from bacteria. The viridans bind to damaged (congenital, superantigen) heart valves. Transmitted during dental work.
Suppurative intraabdominal infections
Treatment
Penicillin
Some resistant strains
Strep. pnuemoniae
Characteristics -
G(+) coccus, large cells, oval/lancet shape
Also called diplococcus, pneumococcus
Fastidious requirements
Alpha-hemolytic in aerobic
Beta-hemolytic in anaerobic
Catalase (-)
Poor growth in high glucose
Prominent capsule
Virulence factors
CAPSULE
Epidemiology
Enodgenous (NF)
Direct transmission is rare
Often a SECONDARY infection
Young and old at higher risk (meningitis)
More common in cool months
Diseases
Sinusitis & Otitis media
Over 7 million cases/year
Paranasal sinuses and middle ear
2ary to viral infection in upper respiratory tract
Sinus – all ages
Otitis media – young children
Eustacian tube is shorter, bacteria can travel more easily to middle ear. Opening more narrow, closes off more easily. Closes off, fluid accumulates, puts pressure on tympanic memrane, can rupture eardrum (can heal), break malleus/incus/stapes -> hearing loss.
Meningitis
6000 cases/year
Mostly in children
More damage than other types of meningitis
Bacteremia
55000 cases/year
Endocarditis, even with previously undamaged heart valves
Identification
Treatment
Penicillins and others
Immunization
Ch 24 – Enterococcus
Characteristics
Originally group D strep
E. faecalis
E. faecium
Catalase (-)
Fermentation
Tolerates high salt, bile salts
Commensal organism in large intestine
High antibiotic resistance
Infections : endogenous source
Transmission
Person-to-person
Contaminated food
Virulence Factors:
Multi-drug resistance
Colonization
Secreted factors
Diseases
Risk factors:
Catheterization
Long-term hospitalization
UTI (especially w/ catheter)
10% of all nosocomial infections
Vancomycin- Resistant Enterococcus (VRE) 35-50% mortality
Peritonitis (after surgery)
Endocarditis (5-15%)
Bacteremia
Wound infections, abcesses
Treatment
Highly resistant
25% resist aminoglycoside
50% resist ampicillin
25% resist vancomycin
Chapter 19 - Mechanisms of Bacterial Pathogenesis
1. Define each of the following terms: pathology, etiology, etiological agent, pathogenesis, colonization, disease, infection, pathogen, pathogenic, bacteremia, septicemia, toxemia, viremia, and reservoir.
Pathology – study of disease
Etiology – the cause of the disease (eg. The organism)
Colonization – bacteria growing in the body
Disease – change from a state of health
Infection – colonization with a pathogenic bacterium
Pathogen – disease-causing agent
Pathogenic – adj. for pathogen
Bacteremia – bacteria in the blood
Septicemia – bacteria growing in the blood
Toxemia – toxins in the blood
Viremia – viruses in the blood
Reservoir – where the pathogen “hangs out” naturally.
2. What is normal flora? Explain how normal flora could be categorized as: mutualistic, commensal, or opportunistic. What is a parasite?
Normal flora is the colonization of bacteria in out body that is normal and not harmful. They contribute to microbial antagonism, and may synthesize nutrients such as vitamins that help us.
Mutualistic – both benefit
Commensal – one benefits
Opportunistic – NF takes advantage of suppressed immune system to cause infection in an unusual location
Parasite – one benefits, other is harmed
3. What is the germ theory of disease? What are Koch’s Postulates? What are they used for?
Germ theory – germs cause disease. One germ, one disease.
Koch – to prove which microorganism is the causative agent of the disease
Isolate sample from infected individual
Culture
Infect new individual
When signs and symptoms develop that are the same as the first infected individual, the organism is the same, and can be concluded to be the causative agent.
4. Describe how each of the following is used to describe a disease (and explain what the term means): communicable, contagious, noncommunicable, endemic, epidemic, pandemic, acute, chronic, and latent.
Communicable – can spread from person to person (HIV)
Contagious – spreads easily from person to person (rhinovirus)
Non-communicable – cannot be spread from person to person (tetanus)
Endemic – at a consistent rate of infection
Epidemic – spike of infection rate in a given area
Pandemic – disease is worldwide
Acute – rapid onset, severe, then finishes
Chronic – slow onset, prolonged illness
Latent – person is a carrier, but shows no symptoms. Can flare up (varicella)
5. What is the difference between a local infection and a systemic infection?
Local – confined to one area
Systemic – whole body
6. What is the difference between a primary infection and a secondary infection? What is a subclinical infection?
1ary – first infection
2ary – infection after the 1ary, more susceptible to it bc of weakened immune system
Subclinical – no symptoms
7. Describe the following mechanisms of disease transmission: contact transmission (direct, indirect, and droplet), vehicle transmission, and vector transmission.
Contact:
Direct – person-to-person
Indirect – through an inanimate object
Droplet – cough, sneeze
Vehicle – food and water
Vector – insect bite
8. What is a fomite? What is a nosocomial infection?
Fomite – for indirect transmission
Nosocomial – acquired in a healthcare setting
9. What is epidemiology?
Study of frequency and distribution of disease.
10. What is the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)? What types of things does this agency do?
National Epidemiology Center (USA). Tracks infectious diseases, helps local health agencies during outbreaks. Publishes monthly reports.
11. Describe the sequence of events successful pathogens carry out.
Transmission to host, entry into tissue, adherence to target tissue, invasion/evasion, host damage, exit, transmission.
12. What are portals of entry? What are the possible portals of entry for pathogens?
PofE are where the pathogen gains entry to the host. Usually: mucous membranes (GI, GU, respiratory), parenteral, skin.
13. What are virulence factors? How does each of the following function as a virulence factor: adhesions, fimbriae, biofilms, capsule, cell walls of mycobacteria, toxins, and enzymes?
Adhesins – help bacteria stick to host tissue. Fimbriae and pili.
Fimbrie – “ “
Biofilms – glue to surfaces
Capsule – evade phagocytosis, poorly antigenic
Mycolic acid – evade phagocytosis
Toxins – host damage, direct (exo) and indirect (endo)
Enzymes – kinase, coagulase, hyaluronidase, collagenase, IgA protease.
14. Give the function of each of the following enzymes and explain how they can aid pathogens in causing disease: hemolysins (both α and β hemolysins), leukocidins, streptokinase, staphylokinase, coagulase, collagenase, proteases, hyaluronidase, and phospholipase C.
Hemolysins – lyse RBCs
α – complete lysis
β – partial lysis
Leukocidins – lyse WBCs
Strepto/staphylokinase – break down blood clots, gain entry
Coagulase – formation of blood clots, wall off from WBCs
Collagenase – break collagen, get deeper into tissues
Protease – break down specific proteins, eg. IgA protease.
Hyaluronidase – break down hyaluronic acid, get deeper into tissues
Phospholipase C – hydrolyses lecithin (in tissues)
15. What are exotoxins? List the examples of the following types of exotoxins discussed in class and explain how they affect the host: cytotoxins, enterotoxins, and neurotoxins.
Exotoxins – released by the cell. Usually G(+), but can be G(-).
Cytotoxins – damage cells
Erythrotoxins – damage to capillary cells, cause blood to leak out (S. pyogenes)
Enterotoxins – damage to GI -> diarrhea, vomiting, etc. (Cholera, S. food poisoning, bacterial dystentery)
Neurotoxins – inhibit normal NT flow (Tetanus, Botulinum)
16. What is endotoxin? How does it affect humans?
Made by G(-) cells, is the LPS in the outer membrane. Once ingested by phagocytes, LPS is relased, stimulating cell to release cytokine IL-1, which reaches hypothalamus. Resets the “thermostat”, h-thal. Releases prostaglandins to initiate the fever response (vasodilation, vasopermeability, high temp.). Can lead to shock due to decrease in BP from vasodilation.
17. How do the following help bacteria evade the immune system: antigenic variation and inactivation of antibodies or complement?
AV – evade immune system’s antibodies
Inactivation – cascade/signaling system is disrupted
18. What are cross-reactive antibodies? How are they involved in damage to host cells?
Antibodies produced in response to an antigen, that undergo slight variation in the final differentiation process, that are similar enough to our own proteins to elicit an inflammatory response against our own tissues. Strep throat -> rheumatic fever, glomerulonephritis. Heart valves & strep. Antibiotics are prescribed with Strep. Infections not to help clear up the infection (which will subside in a few days), but to prevent the formation of antibodies that could attack our own cells.
19. What are superantigens? How are they involved in damage to host cells?
Antigens that are repeating polysaccharide units, stimulate non-T-cell-specific activation of the immune system, large cytokine release -> shock. Can get out of hand quickly, lead to death. Toxic shock syndrome (S. aureus).
Chapter 20 - Antibacterial Agents
1. Briefly describe the history of the antibacterial agents Protosil (sulfanilamide) and penicillin.
Protosil (sulfas) – 1935, used first in mice to treat systemic strep. Protosil is cleaved in the body to produce sulfanilamide, the active agent.
Penicillin – Alexander Fleming – Penicillium mold prevented bacterial growth on a plate.
2. Are all antibacterial agents antibiotics? Why or why not?
No – antibiotics are, by definition, made by other microorganisms. Some antibacterial agents, like the sulfa drugs, are made in the lab.
3. Describe the property of selective toxicity. Why is this an important property of antibacterial agents?
Selective toxicity means that the drug is selectively harmful toward the pathogen, and not our own cells. This is important because we want to maximize damage to pathogens while minimizing damage to our cells.
4. What is the difference between broad-spectrum and narrow-spectrum drugs? Under what conditions would each type of drug be used?
Broad – affects all, used when ID in unknown
Narrow – affects some, used when ID known, to protect NF
5. List the various targets of antimicrobial drugs and give which types of drugs have each type of target. (Those listed in Figure 20-1 and those discussed in class).
Cell wall synthesis
Penicillins
Cephalosporins
Beta-lactams
Isoniazid
Ethambutol
Cycloserine
Ethionamide
Bacitracin
Polymixin
Protein Synthesis
30S:
Aminoglycosides
Tetracyclines
50S:
Chloramphenicol
Macrolides
Clindamycin
Linezolid
Quinupristindalfopristin
DNA replication
Quinolones
Metronidazole
Clofazimine
RNA synthesis
Rifampin
Rifabutin
Antimetabolites
Sulfanamides
Dapsone
Trimethoprim
Para-aminosalycylic acid
6. What are Beta-lactams? What do they do to kill bacterial cells?
Β-lactams are rings in the structure of antibiotics in the penicillin and cephalosporin families. They inactivate bacterial enzymes used in the synthesis of peptidoglycan. Without p-glycan, the cells cannot replicate.
7. What would be a problem with drugs used to fight fungal infections?
How about those used to fight viral infections?
Fungal – harder to crate drugs with selective toxicity as fungi are eukaryotic cells. More in common structurally, so harder to target.
Viruses – spend little time outside of host cells, hard to detect and target. Don’t carry out metabolism, so not “cell” processes to target.
8. List and describe the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance. What are beta-lactamases?
Destroy the drug (lactamases)
Altering drug target site
Increase drug elimination from cell, host
Alter permeability to drug (more impermeable)
β-lactamases are enzymes that break the β-lactam ring of antibiotics in the penicillin and cephalosporin families.
9. How is resistance to a drug acquired?
Begins with spontaneous mutation, and spreads through plasmid transfer (pili, phage conversion).
10. What human practices lead to antibiotic resistance in bacteria?
Overuse of antibiotics
Use by immunosuppressed individuals
Patient noncompliance
Animal feed
Chapter 22 –
Staphylococcus organisms
G(+) coccus. Facultative anaerobes. Tolerate high salt (resistance to osmotic pressure).
S. AUREUS – COAGULASE+
Virulence – capsule, peptidoglycan, teichoic acid, protein A, cytoplasmic membrane, toxins – exfolitoxins, enterotoxins, TSS superantigen, cytotoxins; enzymes: coagulase, catalase, hyalurondiase, fibrinolysin, lipases, nucleases, penicillinase
Epidemiology – NF skin, nares. Survive on dry surfaces, fomite spread.
Diseases
Staph. Scalded Skin Syndrome (Ritter’s) (destroy connective tissue between dermis and epidermis, epidermis falls off. Exfolitoxins).
Bullous Impetigo – blisters on skin
Food Poisoning – heat stable toxin
TSS – high mortality
Folliculitis – hair follicles infected (“ingrown hairs”?)
Furuncle (boil) (site of draining pus, must be drained (will not clear up))
Carbuncle (several sites of draining pus)
Pustular Impetigo
Bacteremia
Endocarditis
Pneumonia
Osteomyelitis – infection in bone, from bacteremia or spread of wound
Septic Arthritis
ID: Gram stain, catalase, coagulase, mannitol fermentation.
Treatment – penicillin resistance is common
Chapter 23 – Streptococcus
G(+), chains, fac. Anaerobes, some are aerotolerants. Produce lactic acid. Catalase (-). Complex nutritional requirements.
Virulence –
Capsule – mimics hyaluronic acid
M proteins
Heart valve protein (rheumatic fever protein)
Blocks C3B
Toxins – erythrogenic
Streptolysin
Type S – aerobic conditions
Type O – anaerobic conditions
Streptokinase
Breaks down blood clots
Epidemiology
Oropharynx and skin – children and Young adults
Transmitted through direct contact (infected mucus, body secretions)
Asymptomatic patients, pts on antibiotics are less contagious
Noninvasive disease is common
Over 10 million cases, underreported
Most common : pharyngitis, pyoderma
Diseases –
Suppurative (development of pus)
Pharyngitis (strep throat)
2-4/365 incubation
cannot diagnose visually
Complication : Scarlet fever
Pyoderma (Impetigo)
S. aureus
Erysipelas
Acute skin infection
Systemis signs (fever, chills…)
Cellulitis
Inflammation of connective tissue
Bacteremia
40% mortality
Necrotizing Fasciitis
Streptococcal gangrene
Destroy muscle, fat, skin
25% mortality
Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS)
Superantigens
Often accompanies NF
45% mortality
Non-suppurative (no pus)
Rheumatic Fever
Complication of pharyngitis or skin infections, may have had asymptomatic infection
Prevented with antibiotics
Cross-reactive antibodies
Inflammation in heart, joints, blood vessels, skin
Affected individuals are more susceptible to further infection/damage
Actue glomerulonephritis – damage to glomerulus, causes blood in the urine
ID –
S.pyogenes :
Group A
G(+)
blood agar
PYR enzymes (differentiate b/t S. pyogenes, S. anginosus)
Antigen detection – rapid strep test
Treatment –
Penicillin
Macrolides
NF – surgery
Rheumatic Fever – preventative antibiotics
Wash hands, etc.
Ch 23 b
Strep. agalactiae
Group B strep
Characteristics-
G(+) streptococci
Facultative anaerobe
Beta-hemolytic (Small percentage non-hemolytic)
B antigen
Virulence –
Epidemiology –
Site : lower GI tract, GU tract
10-30% of pregnant women are carriers
60% of infants born to infected mothers become infected
In men and non-pregnant women :
Skin and soft tissue
Bacteremia
UTI/urosepsis
Pneumonia
Predisposing factors :
Diabetes mellitus
Cancer
Alcoholism
Diseases –
Puerperal sepsis (childbed fever)
In newborns : Septicemia, Pneumonia, Meningitis
Early-onset neonatal disease (1/52)
Acquired in utero or at birth
Bacteremia, pneumonia, meningitis
Must examine CSF
5% mortality
15-30% of survivors have permanent neurological damage –
blindness, deafness, severe mental retardation
Late Onset Neonatal disease(1-12/52)
Source : mother, other infants
Bacteremia, meningitis
Pregnant Women – UTIs
Men and non-pregnant women
In immunocompromised individuals
Bacteremia
Pneumonia
Bone and joint infections
Skin and soft tissue infection
15-32% mortality
ID –
Culture
Antigen detection
PCR
Treatment –
Penicillin G
Pregnant women – IV of antibiotics before delivery, can cross placenta, offers defense if colonized by bacteria
Viridans Streptococci
Characteristics –
Heterogenous collection of alpha-hemolytic and non-hemolytic strep. Spp.
20 spp. In 6 groups
Req. complex media, blood products, 5-10% CO2
Colonize
Oropharynx (NF)
GI (NF), GU
Diseases
Dental caries
Subacute endocarditis
Not from Ig, but from bacteria. The viridans bind to damaged (congenital, superantigen) heart valves. Transmitted during dental work.
Suppurative intraabdominal infections
Treatment
Penicillin
Some resistant strains
Strep. pnuemoniae
Characteristics -
G(+) coccus, large cells, oval/lancet shape
Also called diplococcus, pneumococcus
Fastidious requirements
Alpha-hemolytic in aerobic
Beta-hemolytic in anaerobic
Catalase (-)
Poor growth in high glucose
Prominent capsule
Virulence factors
CAPSULE
Epidemiology
Enodgenous (NF)
Direct transmission is rare
Often a SECONDARY infection
Young and old at higher risk (meningitis)
More common in cool months
Diseases
Sinusitis & Otitis media
Over 7 million cases/year
Paranasal sinuses and middle ear
2ary to viral infection in upper respiratory tract
Sinus – all ages
Otitis media – young children
Eustacian tube is shorter, bacteria can travel more easily to middle ear. Opening more narrow, closes off more easily. Closes off, fluid accumulates, puts pressure on tympanic memrane, can rupture eardrum (can heal), break malleus/incus/stapes -> hearing loss.
Meningitis
6000 cases/year
Mostly in children
More damage than other types of meningitis
Bacteremia
55000 cases/year
Endocarditis, even with previously undamaged heart valves
Identification
Treatment
Penicillins and others
Immunization
Ch 24 – Enterococcus
Characteristics
Originally group D strep
E. faecalis
E. faecium
Catalase (-)
Fermentation
Tolerates high salt, bile salts
Commensal organism in large intestine
High antibiotic resistance
Infections : endogenous source
Transmission
Person-to-person
Contaminated food
Virulence Factors:
Multi-drug resistance
Colonization
Secreted factors
Diseases
Risk factors:
Catheterization
Long-term hospitalization
UTI (especially w/ catheter)
10% of all nosocomial infections
Vancomycin- Resistant Enterococcus (VRE) 35-50% mortality
Peritonitis (after surgery)
Endocarditis (5-15%)
Bacteremia
Wound infections, abcesses
Treatment
Highly resistant
25% resist aminoglycoside
50% resist ampicillin
25% resist vancomycin
Monday, March 16, 2009
I saw this sign today as I walked up from the Hart toward the MC. There have been quite a few problems recently at crosswalks (both drivers not paying attention and pedestrians wandering all over the place). The school has been working with the city to try to remedy this (including drumroll..... fixing the crosswalk signals on 2nd South!! I thought I would never live to see the day! Especially the way the cars barrel through that intersection).I guess this sign is one of the other ways they are increasing awareness. I read it as I walked by, thought about it while walking, started to laugh nearly out loud, and turned around to take a picture. "Use crosswalks!" "Share the Road!" But it's the caption at the bottom that gets me "think of the impact you can make". Um... I thought the idea was to NOT make an impact.
Hehe.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
It's Saturday!!
I was so excited to wake up this morning and to not have to be anywhere any time soon. It's nice. I spent the night at Katie's again, and am convinced that she has the Best Couch in the World. Really! Today was the first day since Wednesday that I haven't woken up with a migraine (which is weird, because I really haven't gotten them lately at all - the last one before this week was on tour with the Symphony Band in April). So, I am giving credit to the couch. :) I met Katie at her work last night so we could head over to her apartment together. She works at Hogi Yogi, which is a bit of a Utah-Idaho institution... but is basically a fast-food type place, but a little higher up than McDonald's. Anyway, they had some drama there last night - someone graffitied one of their booths. They have security cameras, though, so they'll be able to figure out who did it (only a few people sat at that bench last night). We were talking about it afterward, and just thought it was a little funny - the graffiti was a gang tag (which in and of itself isn't funny), but... a gang tag in Rexburg? Borderline hilarious. What, are they having drug territory wars? It was probably just some 14-year-old who was trying to be cool. Anyway.
I've been thinking of what to do next year... I know I'll be home for a while, but I'm trying to figure out a more long-term plan. I still think that med school is the way to go for me, but I just may have to take a different route to get there. So I'm starting to think of what I need to do to make myself a stronger applicant for next year, and also thinking about possible master's programs. It's a little hard, because I don't have a strong interest in research (last summer cured me of that, haha... sigh), but many programs focus on that. I really just want something that will help me gain a better understanding and perspective in medicine and prepare me for med school. I started thinking about bioethics, which I think would be really neat. The only catch is that there seems to be only one program in all of Canada, at the U of T. And Toronto is a nice city, but... I guess it would just be nice to have a few more options. There are some online master's programs, but I'm pretty wary of those and how useful they would prove to be in further studies and jobs. Another program is a master's of public health, which would be really cool. BYU (Provo) has a great MPH program, and for part of it you get to work in an underdeveloped area of the country or the world and implement a program that you help design (eg. stop smoking program, patient education programs, etc). Which I think would be an A-M-A-Z-I-N-G opportunity! But let's be honest... I'm not sure I could handle Provo! Haha... I guess I'll have to think about things a bit more.
Sometimes I just want to forget about it all and go to law school instead. Sometimes I want to forget it all and be a bum on the street, but of those two options, I'm pretty sure my parents would disapprove of the latter.
Or maybe the former. ;)
I've been thinking of what to do next year... I know I'll be home for a while, but I'm trying to figure out a more long-term plan. I still think that med school is the way to go for me, but I just may have to take a different route to get there. So I'm starting to think of what I need to do to make myself a stronger applicant for next year, and also thinking about possible master's programs. It's a little hard, because I don't have a strong interest in research (last summer cured me of that, haha... sigh), but many programs focus on that. I really just want something that will help me gain a better understanding and perspective in medicine and prepare me for med school. I started thinking about bioethics, which I think would be really neat. The only catch is that there seems to be only one program in all of Canada, at the U of T. And Toronto is a nice city, but... I guess it would just be nice to have a few more options. There are some online master's programs, but I'm pretty wary of those and how useful they would prove to be in further studies and jobs. Another program is a master's of public health, which would be really cool. BYU (Provo) has a great MPH program, and for part of it you get to work in an underdeveloped area of the country or the world and implement a program that you help design (eg. stop smoking program, patient education programs, etc). Which I think would be an A-M-A-Z-I-N-G opportunity! But let's be honest... I'm not sure I could handle Provo! Haha... I guess I'll have to think about things a bit more.
Sometimes I just want to forget about it all and go to law school instead. Sometimes I want to forget it all and be a bum on the street, but of those two options, I'm pretty sure my parents would disapprove of the latter.
Or maybe the former. ;)
Thursday, March 12, 2009
So things have settled down a little... the two roommates who were kicked finally *moved* out this week. It was pretty tense until they did, but things have been ok since then. And by "ok", what I really mean is "no one is openly hostile". Which is a nice change, but... still a far cry from what would be nice. Anyway, I am glad things are a little better.
I had a good day in the ceramics studio, I was able to get some work done and am really happy with hoe it turned out. We did a Raku firing in class today, which was a lot of fun. With Raku, when the pieces are fired and really hot, you pull them out of the kiln and then set them in bins that are full of sawdust, newspaper, and other combustibles. The pieces are so hot that they ignite the material, and the ash produced gives the piece a cool finish. I'm hoping to Raku fire a piece next week. The ones done today were really beautiful. The only drawback is that the pieces don't get hot enough to vitrify, and they remain porous, so you can't use them to hold food or water. But I think I'll still give it a shot. I'm hoping to find a ceramics studio in Winnipeg so I can keep up with it after graduation.
I had a good day in the ceramics studio, I was able to get some work done and am really happy with hoe it turned out. We did a Raku firing in class today, which was a lot of fun. With Raku, when the pieces are fired and really hot, you pull them out of the kiln and then set them in bins that are full of sawdust, newspaper, and other combustibles. The pieces are so hot that they ignite the material, and the ash produced gives the piece a cool finish. I'm hoping to Raku fire a piece next week. The ones done today were really beautiful. The only drawback is that the pieces don't get hot enough to vitrify, and they remain porous, so you can't use them to hold food or water. But I think I'll still give it a shot. I'm hoping to find a ceramics studio in Winnipeg so I can keep up with it after graduation.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Untitled 4, 2009.
I think sometimes things get worse before they get better.
This appears to be one of those times.
But my religion professor (Brother Ferguson) shared something today that I thought was applicable... "The difficulties proceeding the decision are evidence of the correctness of that decision". It's a cruel fact of life that doing the right things can often times land you in more hot water than doing the wrong things. But, at the end of the day (okay, actually wayyy more long-term than just one day), the frustrations and difficulties of life will seem small compared with the person you have become through them. It's just the going through part that stinks. ;)
I'll be at Katie's tonight.
This appears to be one of those times.
But my religion professor (Brother Ferguson) shared something today that I thought was applicable... "The difficulties proceeding the decision are evidence of the correctness of that decision". It's a cruel fact of life that doing the right things can often times land you in more hot water than doing the wrong things. But, at the end of the day (okay, actually wayyy more long-term than just one day), the frustrations and difficulties of life will seem small compared with the person you have become through them. It's just the going through part that stinks. ;)
I'll be at Katie's tonight.
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