Justification and future work Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Justification and future work - Essay Example In spite of the recent advances in treatment including chemotherapy, the survival rate of advanced colon cancer is rather poor. Hence, several institutions worldwide are funding high quality research on colorectal cancer every year to address some basic questions about the causes and ways to better prevent and treat this malignant disease in the future. One of the main reasons for taking up the present project was the grant received from a Saudi Arabian university, and the reason for choosing to study colorectal cancer (CRC) under this project is that CRC is a frequently diagnosed malignancy in Saudi Arabia (Mansoor et al., 2002), constituting 5.5% of all cancers reported (Yassin et al., 2010). Furthermore, the incidence of CRC is increasing in Saudi Arabia, and is ranked fourth among all cancers in the Saudi population (Aljebreen, 2007). Studies have revealed that the incidence of colonic and rectal cancers in Saudi Arabia has almost doubled between 1994 and 2003, with a four-fold i ncrease in these numbers being predicted in the next thirty years (Colorectal Cancer Awareness Campaign, http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=310957583707&topic=13732). Recent statistics reveal CRC to be the second most common cancer among Saudi males and the third most common among Saudi females (Al-Eid, 2004; Bavi et al., 2010). In the analysis presented by Aljebreen (2007), it is shown that Saudi patients present with CRC at a more advanced stage of the disease and at younger ages compared to Western populations. The excessive changes that have occurred in CRC incidence in recent times in Saudi Arabia suggest environmental factors, including obesity as important aetiological factors for the noted change (Uddin et al., 2009). Age-standardised death rate from colon and rectum cancers in Saudi Arabia according to WHO statistics for 2004 was 8.3 per 100,000 population [Centre for Arab Genomic Studies (CAGS), UAE, http://www.cags.org.ae/gme2cancersencolon.pdf]. Also, according to CAG S, the incidence of colon cancer among Arab populations is lower compared to other world populations. Yet in several Gulf countries including Saudi Arabia, CRC incidence in people under 40 years of age has been found to be relatively high. Considering that colorectal cancer tops the list of causes of cancer-related death among Saudi population, it was deemed important to conduct research on CRC. Hence, this project chose to study the chemotherapeutic aspects of CRC, in particular the activity of platinum-based compounds as cytotoxic agents for treatment of CRC. Future work Platinum compounds are the usual first option against colorectal cancer. Oxaliplatin, a diaminocyclohexane-containing platinum analogue, shows significant cytotoxic effect in a wide range of cell lines. Clinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of oxaliplatin monotherapy in several cancers, including colon cancer (Cvitkovic and Bekradda, 1999). Some desirable factors that are specific to oxaliplatin are its high potency even in sensitive cell lines (Woynarowski et al., 2000), and the absence of resistance due to mismatch repair deficiency (Sergent et al., 2002). Oxaliplatin activity and mechanisms of action and resistance are quite different from those of other platinum-containing compounds such as cisplatin. Peripheral neuropathy is the main side effect of oxaliplatin treatment. Satraplatin

Obama and the Historical Left Wing Attacks on 2nd Amendment Rights Research Paper

Obama and the Historical Left Wing Attacks on 2nd Amendment Rights - Research Paper Example In addition, the paper also has details on the role of the Supreme Court and effects of Obama reelection on the status of the Second Amendment1. The individualism of the Second Amendment has what has brought the modern debate on the issue of owning arms and guns. The State is recognized as supreme and individuals that exist are there to serve the State. Therefore, these freedoms are granted by the State, which act as a protector and provider for individuals and groups. The Democratic Party from the Clinton administration up to the current Obama’s administration has had several attacks on the second amendment. The Clinton administration officials and Obama Attorney General co signed an amicus succinct in the District of Columbia v. Heller. The brief signed was in support of DC’s ban on all hand guns. In addition, the ban was on any use of firearm for self defense at the homes. In the brief, it was argued that the second amendment was a united right, instead of, an indivi dual right. However, the modern day freedom patriots and founders of America saw it differently. The amendment was not put to protect hunters and sportsmen2. The amendment was to protect the individual right of freedom, and further, it was to protect an individual from a dictatorial State. More guns are needed in the communities since citizens ought to be armed and taught how to use the weapons for the nation to be free. However, the obstacle to this objective is the Constitutional right of the American people to bear and keep arms. The keeping of the arms can prevent the government from oppressing the citizens. This is because people will have the guns at their disposal any time the government tries to oppress them. The solution to the gun problem lies in the implementation of the constitution. The ownership of the arms is to be restricted with legislation. The government is trying to replace the 20,000 federal, local, and state gun laws. This is done by prohibiting or controlling of arms with laws3. The second amendment proponents for gun control are trying to strip the constitutional rights of the Americans to bear and own arms. This is being done by advocating for piece-by-piece and step-by-step dismantling of the amendment. This call to dismantle the Constitution is to transfer power from the people to the hands of the minority ruling elite. The gun control laws started way back in 1934 when a Federal Gun Control Act was passed. This law restricted the sale of automatic weapons like machine guns to the citizens. In 1938, another act followed that prohibited the people convicted of felony from possessing weapons. In addition, all the dealers and sellers were to be licensed. These laws induced gun control and restricted availability of guns to the people of America. Another act of 1968, on gun control, regulated the use of imported weapons. In addition, those who were mentally stable, minors, those convicted of a felony, and the people who used illegal guns were forbidden from possessing weapons. The Brandy Handgun Violence Prevention act was put in place in 1994. This act placed a five day waiting period for those who wanted to purchase weapons. There are State laws that have been put in place regarding the second amendment. Most states consider it a crime to leave weapons in a place that can be accessed by