BME100 f2014:Group17 L1
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OUR TEAMLAB 1 WRITE-UPIndependent and Dependent VariablesThe independent variable for this experiment is the dosage of the inflammation inducing agent. The dependent variable is the higher protein levels in the subjects. The amount of inflammotin protein increase depends on the dosage of medication ingested. Experimental Design: 60-70 yrs/ Dosage amount: -placebo -3 mg -5 mg -7 mg -9 mg -10 mg Experimental DesignThere will be one group of fifteen subjects in this study. The study will take place over the course of one month and a half, with patients coming in once a week to have levels of inflammatory protein (Inflammotin) checked. The first week will consist of a placebo, to record the initial levels as well as asking patients how they feel about their overall health. The placebo data will serve as the control group for this experiment. The following weeks will progress to 3 mg, 5 mg, 7 mg, 9 mg and finally 10 mg. Once a week subjects will come to the lab at the same time of day after eating a meal, or possibly eating a meal at the lab to make sure patients are in fact eating prior to taking medication and eliminate that as a source of error. By comparing the results through gradually increasing the dosage we will be able to observe what is the minimum amount of, lipopolysaccharide, the inflammation inducing agent, from the experimental groups.The 10 mg will serve as a guide to determine if more or less medication is needed based on body type or other variables since it has previously been shown to increase levels it will be used as comparative data in this study population Groups 1 group in total to avoid as much error as possible due to human variations
60-70 Number of subjects per group
Subject SelectionSubjects will be selected between ages of 60-70. They will have a history of low protein levels and a similar diet and lifestyle, for example daily activity and diet as vegetarians would be consuming different types of protein than omnivores and would cause more variation. Possible differences between vegetarians and meat eaters with this medication may be examined in a later study. Subjects will be required to go to lab at the same time of day once a week in order to take the medication and have levels tested, it will be necessary that the subject eat a meal prior to taking medication. To eliminate other possible variables the subjects will have to otherwise be in good health as we are not yet prepared to study how this medication would react with other medicines or supplements. It will also be important that subjects represent geographic variation, they are randomized to eliminate bias, to understand how different environments and backgrounds will play a role in this study. It will be the patient’s decision to take place in the study to see what medication would work best to raise levels of inflammatory protein while still being cost effective. There will be one group of fifteen subjects in this study. The study will take place over the course of one month and a half, with patients coming in once a week to have levels of inflammatory protein (Inflammotin) checked. The first week will consist of a placebo, to record the initial levels as well as asking patients how they feel about their overall health. The placebo data will serve as the control group for this experiment. The following weeks will progress to 3 mg, 5 mg, 7 mg, 9 mg and finally 10 mg. Once a week subjects will come to the lab at the same time of day after eating a meal, or possibly eating a meal at the lab to make sure patients are in fact eating prior to taking medication and eliminate that as a source of error. By comparing the results through gradually increasing the dosage we will be able to observe what is the minimum amount of, lipopolysaccharide, the inflammation inducing agent, from the experimental groups.The 10 mg will serve as a guide to determine if more or less medication is needed based on body type or other variables since it has previously been shown to increase levels it will be used as comparative data in this study population.
Sources of Error and BiasIn any experiment, some sort of error always occurs. This experiment in particular, seems to have various factors that could potentially lose the lab a lot of money and credibility. Human variations is not only a major factor, but one that is impossible to control. In order for the agent to work for the general (elderly) public, it must be taken into account that every subject’s anatomy is different. The diet of the individual could also take effect considering that people who partake in the vegan diet, tend to have a smaller intake of protein as opposed to omnivores. If certain medications or dietary supplements have been or are currently being taken, then the results of the experiment could also greatly differ. Things varying from diets to even something as simple as the environment that the subjects are accustomed to, can add to the error of this experiment. Some things, like other medications, timing of the agent being taken, or even how the subjects take the agent, have any easy fix. Before commencing with the experiment, Kristen and her partners could make sure that no other medications/dietary supplements are being taken and controlling the exact time of day that the subject takes[d] the agent along with what they take it with. Other causes of error such as human variations, diet, or environment should not be controlled, because in order for the results to be accurate for the majority of the population with low protein levels, there must be randomization.
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