Using Sources in the GDP

Transcription

1 Using Sources in the GDP The following are five examples of sources that you may encounter while working on your GDP project. The information contained in each of these sources (shown by screen shot) was used to answer part of one of the GDP question sets by two students, Janling and Heidi. Janling and Heidi worked together on their GDP project using these sources to answer some of the GDP questions. For each, the question, source, and each of their answers are included here. Review each example with your lab partner and decide which of these examples demonstrate an appropriate use of the source, and if there are any other problems with the answer. Discuss the factors that you used to make your decision. Things to consider as you evaluate each example are: Is the source an appropriate one for the information presented? Did the student use his or her own words? Is the source cited appropriately? * Note: For this activity, you do not need to consider the completeness of the answer to each question; many questions in the GDP question set will require the use of multiple sources. These examples only include the information taken from the sources listed.

2 SOURCE #1 Question Set 1, Question 1: What are the most important symptoms that define the disorder? Source: s- Disease/Diagnosis/How- does- your- doctor- make- a- PD- diagnosis- Heidi s Answer: There are four main symptoms associated with Parkinson s Disease. The first is shaking or tremor. The second is bradykinesia, which is defined as slowness of movement. The third main symptom is, stiffness or rigidity of the arms, legs or trunk, and the fourth is postural instability, or trouble with balance and possible falls. Doctors generally do not consider a diagnosis of Parkinson s Disease unless the patient exhibits at least two of these symptoms over an extended period of time ( Disease/Diagnosis/How-does-your-doctor-make-a-PD-diagnosis-). Janling s Answer: A neurologist might make a diagnosis of Parkinson s Disease if a patient periodically exhibits at least two of the four main symptoms. These symptoms include bradykinesia (sluggish movement), shaking, stiffness, and balance difficulties (

3 SOURCE #2 Question Set 1, Question 8: What physical difficulties and challenges do patients face? Source: physical_symptoms.aspx Heidi s Answer: In addition to the diagnostic symptoms, patients with Parkinson s disease face many other physical challenges. For some patients, the neurological problems associated with the disease lead to difficulties controlling their bladder; others become constipated ( aspx). Many patients have difficulty controlling their lips, tongue, and swallowing, which can

4 cause difficulty talking and a buildup of saliva in the mouth. Others suffer from dry mouth because their saliva production is insufficient. ( about_parkinsons/signs_and_symptoms/physical_symptoms.aspx). Janling s Answer: In addition to the diagnostic symptoms, patients with Parkinson s disease face many other physical challenges. For some patients, the neurological problems associated with the disease lead to difficulties controlling their bladder; others become constipated ( aspx). Many patients have difficulty controlling their lips, tongue, and swallowing, which can cause difficulty talking and a buildup of saliva in the mouth. Others suffer from dry mouth because their saliva production is insufficient. ( about_parkinsons/signs_and_symptoms/physical_symptoms.aspx).

5 SOURCE #3 Question Set 2, Question 1: What is the normal role of the gene in the human cell? Be specific. Source: Heidi s answer: The Parkin protein is a component of the E3 ubiquitin ligase complex, which is required for the degradation of some proteins. It is encoded by the PARK2 gene in humans, and mutations that interfere with its function result in the death of dopaminergic cells (

6 SOURCE #4 Question Set 2, Question 1: What is the normal role of the gene in the human cell? Be specific. Source: D P Huynh, D R Scoles, T H Ho, M R Del Bigio and S M Pulst. Parkin is associated with actin filaments in neuronal and nonneural cells. Ann Neurol 48(5): (2000) Heidi s answer: The parkin protein is found in both neurons and non-neuronal cells. It can be detected in certain regions of the brain, including the basal ganglia and cerebral cortex, among others (Huynh et al., 2000). In these cells, the parkin protein is found associated with the actin cytoskeleton (Huynh et al., 2000). Janling s answer: The authors used Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry to determine where the parkin protein is expressed. They detected protein in neuronal processes and the cytoplasm of neurons in the basal ganglia, midbrain, cerebellum, and cerebral cortex, colocalized with actin filaments but not microtubules (Huynh et al., 2000).

7 SOURCE #5 Question Set 2, Question 2: What types of mutations most commonly lead to the disorder and how do these mutations arise? Source: Heidi s Answer: There are several different mutations associated with Parkinson s Disease. In some patients, the causative mutation is a deletion of exon 4 in the PARK2 gene, while in at least one other, exons 3-7 were deleted. In addition, several different point mutations have been identified in a number of patients (OMIM). Janling s Answer: Parkinson s disease can be caused by either deletions or point mutations in the PARK2 gene. Kitada et al. (1998) identified two different deletions the first of exons 3-7, and the second of exon 4 in different patients. Other researchers have identified point mutations in patients with the disease (Hattori et al., 1998).