http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39507650/ns/health-skin_and_beauty/
“By breaking down Botox molecules into two separate building blocks, Davletov's team was able to produce them separately and safely, and then "clip" them back together again, they said in a report of work in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) journal.” In London, these British scientists experimented with new ways of building the molecules in anti-wrinkle products like Botox. Botox is also used for Parkinson’s, cerebral palsy, and chronic migraines. This new developments of Clostridium botulinum (Botox), may be used as long-term painkillers. Safer products will allow more economical production of Botox-based medicines to be sold. The toxins in Botox allow more unwanted effects to occur, while this new method gets rid of. Britain became the first country in the world to approve Botox by Allergan as a treatment for Migraines, but it is very dangerous and toxic and can only be used in small doses. “Davletov said the new refining technique could allow scientists to produce new forms of Botox with wider practical medicinal uses, for example as a long-term painkiller. The method could potentially allow researchers to develop a form of chronic pain relief, which could last as long as a single Botox injection -- around four to six months, he said.”This article was very well written, and I enjoyed learning more about the new studies of Botox. I knew that it was used as a “wrinkle eraser” but I never knew it could be used as a painkiller. The article was informative, concise, and was straight to the point, which I enjoyed.
I found this article very informative, as usually one would simply think that Botox would be used to get rid of wrinkles. The article presented the uses of Botox well, as I did not know it could be used for Parkinson's, though I was aware it could be used for migraines. However, I thought it also presented the risks of Botox well, because I was unaware it could be hazardous when used to treat migraines. Also, it presented the way scientists are trying to make Botox more readily available well.
ReplyDeleteThe review might have included more information. Also, the review could have gone more in depth about how the article could have been improved.
I was impressed to learn how much research has gone into using Botox for uses other than a wrinkle-eraser.
This article was very interesting because I had no idea that botox was used for purposes other than eliminating wrinkles. This review presented the information well about the recent experiment that broke down botox molecules, and their availability as a pharmaceutical drug to relieve headaches and other pains. Also, this review explained that botox, although many people are unaware, is used to help people with Parkison's disease, cerebral palsy, or chronic migraines. Lasty, the review presented very well that the new availability of botox in small, but accessible, doses will make pain relief easier for people with diseases. Overall, this article was very interesting.
ReplyDeleteHowever, this review could have gone more in depth about the actual biological experiment of breaking down the molecule, or mentioned that the article didn’t present that information. Also, it could have gone in more depth as to why this new availability is possible.
I was impressed by this article because its always interesting reading about science discoveries affecting everyday life. This seemingly basic separation and reorganization of molecules and atoms has made botox, a pain relieving drug ever more useful to people.
The first quality of this article and review is that the organization and structure, help to direct the reader to the potential future of Botox as a more universal drug. It begins with the What: "scientists experimented with new ways of building the molecules in anti-wrinkle products like Botox", proceeds onto who: British Scientists, and then the culmination of these aspects into the meat of the article. Why? Because "may be used as long-term painkillers. Safer products will allow more economical production of Botox-based medicines to be sold." This form leads you into the point that they may be able to use this to relieve chronic pain.
ReplyDeleteIt also addresses the possible criticism as a drug by citing the possibile high level of toxicity and possible threats to those using such a drug. This is important because then they counter the point by stating that the techniques being taken to refine the drugs could lead to, " new forms of Botox with wider practical medicinal uses." It provides the setbacks with their reaction to said setbacks evidencing their depth of thought and careful consideration. Perhaps the most significant reason this was particularly well received was because of the startling development of a product from an unlikely reactant. Very few people would ever associate Botox with practical pharmaceuticals--most would link it to vain procedures to make one feel young or beautiful. Because it is such a foreign topic, they must lead the reader, who may not be so knowledgeable on the topic into it gently. By explaining their process, and how it effects the chemical it puts it more into the perception of those laymen reading the article.
This article could be improved by explaining in greater detail how being able to separate and break down molecules contributed to the development of the new drugs, because it is not entirely clear. Secondly, I believe that it would be helpful to understand how they plan to overcome the disadvantages and dangers of converting Botox into pharmaceuticals and create something safe enough for wide-spread use.
I was impressed with the concept that a compund, when broken into parts, could be capable of having such varying properties and uses. It reminds me of isomers because they do not necessarily share the same properties. Overall, and interesting article which gave us good insight on the progress of medical research outside of the U.S.