Month: November 2020

1. Can experiments detect differences that matter? The significance of this question is that it suggests that when analyzing scientific literature, we must be aware of what methods are available to use and which are used in any particular study, and whether or not these methods can actually point out significant differences.
2. Does the study show causation or correlation? This question is significant because sometimes people tend to assume that a correlation is a causation. We must take the time to decipher whether the results of a study are presenting correlation or causation.
3. What is the mechanism? This is significant particularly in microbiology as it suggests that we analyze the exact mechanism by which a microbe is causing some effect. We now have the means to do this to some extent, and creating an entire pathway for explaining a microbes effects would be invaluable.
4. How much do experiments reflect reality? When we read a study, it is important that we understand how much we can generalize from the study unto the human population. The article discusses that germ free mice are regularly used in microbial experiments, but findings from them generally cannot be used to describe human populations as these mice are usually unhealthy due to their lack of a diverse microbial community.
5. Could anything else explain the results? This question is significant because we must be aware that there are few experiments that are truly perfect for providing results which can be applied in a broader context and because of this, we must be aware of other variables in the experiments that could have affected the results.

I believe that the most helpful of these questions to ask when discussing controversy is the third, what is the mechanism? I think this is the most helpful because if you can draw out a mechanism of all of the chemical and physical interactions caused by some microbe, that is the best proof of its effect on a system.

Microbial communities and mental health states both have the means to affect one another. In order to better understand this abstract connection, lets first examine how microbial communities can impact mental health states.

Microbes tend to utilize the resources around them to propagate. In this hypothetical scenario, these resources are allocated in our bodies. For the purpose of this example, lets analyze microbes that tend to attack the lungs. Although these microbes may not be feasting on the matter in our lungs, their presence may cause an immune response which causes inflammation of the lungs. Due to this inflammation, the lungs become incapable of inhaling as much air as they could previously. Thus, less air reaches the brain. In extreme cases, this could cause the cells of the brain to work less effectively, and perhaps die. This is an example of how microbes can affect our mental health states.

An example of the inverse is in the case of someone with bipolar disorder. These people tend to have depressive and manic phases. During these manic phases, these people tend to race about and stay up for several days performing some task. During this time, their body temperature is elevated. This elevation in body temperature could provide an optimal environment for some bacteria to flourish, and for others it may be the opposite and they may die. This is an example of how a mental health state could affect microbial communities.

There are many behaviors that humans exhibit, especially in today day and age, that contribute to the reduction of exposure to microbes. One of which is self isolation, which many people are doing today due to COVID-19. If not self isolation, many people are at least attempting to limit the number of people that they interact with. This leads to a reduction of exposure to microbes because just as people are diverse, so are the microbes that they carry, and as we see fewer and fewer people, we also see fewer and fewer microbes.

Another example of this phenomenon is hand washing and use of antibacterial agents such as hand sanitizer. Although your skin is still exposed to external microbes, other systems such as the mouth and nose will see less exposure to microbes as a result of this behavior. This is another behavior that has been increased due to the prevalence of COVID-19.

A final example of a human behavior that reduces exposure to microbes is the decision to work at home. Many people are working from home because of COVID, but it is not some new idea that was brought about because of the virus. People have been working from home more and more as the internet and related services have expanded, resulting in having fewer coworkers, or at least seeing them, and thus a lessening in the exposure to microbes.

The number of things I’ve learned over the course of this class so far are vast. Scientific articles are meant to present quality information and present it in such a way that it makes sense and has strong scientific backing.

Probably due to the recency effect, when I think of things I’ve learned in this class, I think of the most recent articles I’ve read. I discovered, through this article, that there are immense effect on the microbiota of children in PICU simply due to their extended stays there and their exposure to antibiotics.

For some reason I can’t seem to recall any of the other articles I’ve read in this class. Perhaps its because its late and my memory is sluggish. However, I have learned how to write based on a given audience. Whether the audience be normal people with no scientific education, or educated individuals immersed in science, the way that you write depends on the audience.

Whether the audience be normal people with no scientific education, or educated individuals immersed in science, the way that you write depends on the audience.

It is important for people to understand the writing of others. As such, it is a responsibility instilled upon the writer to ensure that their target audience is able to do just that. Using a writing style that is easy to understand among that audience is essential to producing a successful piece. Additionally, you must ensure that you use words that the readers will understand. Including several different tests and scientific jargon is sure to shy away readers that are not in tune with that sort of language. However, if you are writing for someone who is an expert in that field, then more tests and correct wordage would be the best way to go about things.

As I prepare to write my final review essay, I need to determine what controversial topics there are in the microbial world. From there, I feel that it will be fairly easy to find the appropriate scientific articles to back both sides of the argument and to provide sufficient information from my paper.

Regarding childbirth, there are many ways that the microbiota of both the child and the mother can be affected, both positively and negatively. This post will be focused primarily on the effects on the child post childbirth.

One was that the microbiota of the infant could be affected is through the mothers use of antibiotics. It has been shown that the use of antibiotics decreases the diversity of healthy microbes in individuals. This could harbor some sort of negative effect on the child, as the when the child is exposed to the mothers microbiota upon birth, there is lower diversity than there should be. This leads to the infant not being exposed to the full breadth of microbes upon birth, and could lead to weaker immune system or less diversity in the child’s microbiota.

Another factor that could influence the microbiota of the infant is the setting in which the infant is born. If it is a home birth, strict measures must be taken to ensure that no harmful microbes are present that could hurt the child. In a hospital setting, precautions must be taken to ensure that no nosocomial pathogens afflict the child. This is especially important if the child is expected to stay in the hospital for an extended period after the birth.

A third potential factor that could affect the microbiota of the child is the food introduced to the child post birth. If breastfeeding, the child will be exposed to all microbes in the mothers milk and all those harbored on her skin. This is generally a positive thing, as these microbes good for the diversity of the microbiota of the child. This also sets the stage for the microbiota of the child’s gut.

There are countless other microbial factors that could positively or negatively impact the child, just are there are countless factors that can affect us.