Post 14

I seem to have somewhat forgotten the prompt for this blog post and cannot seem to find it on the website, so I will give it my memory’s best shot. I believe this blog post is supposed to delineate one’s thoughts concerning the last assignment due to raiderwriter, well, that is what mine shall include. More than anything, this class reinforced the idea that I need to allow adequate time to write my papers. When I write papers, I first think of how I want to structure my paper and then quickly write the paper as it streams out of my head. I then let it sit for a little while and then tailor the information to the structure and then fine-tune my sentences. Sometimes I found it difficult to write in this strange way while also allowing adequate time to write my papers, which, in my opinion, often led to rather poor papers. However, perhaps had I started all my papers on Monday or Tuesday instead of Wednesday or Thursday or Friday, perhaps they would have been better? I don’t know, but the point is that I learned that allowing adequate time to write my papers is important for my writing anyway. If I fail to allow enough time, I will continue to turn in less than adequate papers.

Post 13

All of the sources I used in my argument are credible sources written by qualified author(s) and published in credible peer-reviewed journals. Further, the six sources included in my paper supply all of the information I need…or so I thought. One part of my argument may need to be reworked, and if so, I may need some additional evidence. The following article deals with how the gut-brain axis effects schizophrenia and includes much discussion on the link between gluten-relate disorders and schizophrenia. 

Nemani, Katlyn, et al. "Schizophrenia And The Gut–Brain Axis." Progress In Neuropsychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry 56.(2015): 155-160. ScienceDirect. Web. 27 Apr. 2015.

My argument deals with why people who meet certain qualifications need to be tested for gluten. This article provides two things to my argument. First, it provides further examples of a seemingly permanent disease cured by going gluten-free—a sub-topic of one of my paragraphs. Second, this article provides support for my potentially reworked paragraph, which will include more about being tested and potential effects. Overall, this source is a great addition to my working argument.

Post 12

1. Original: For example, Borre, a leading researcher at the Laboratory of NeuroGastroenterology in Cork, Ireland, notes improvement in patients with gluten-induced rheumatoid arthritis—a disease normally thought to be permanent (514). Revised: For example, Borre, a leading researcher at the Laboratory of NeuroGastroenterology in Cork, Ireland, provides evidence that avoiding gluten cures diseases normally thought to be permanent when he notes that many patients with gluten-induced rheumatoid arthritis (a permanent disease) improved when they eliminated gluten from their diet (514). Commentary: I changed the sentence to show the purpose of the example.

2. Original: According to Hadjivassiliou, a researcher at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital’s Department of Neurology in Sheffield, UK who specializes in the connection between gluten-related disorders and neurological disorders, gluten-related disorders affect up to 9% of the population (2010, 327). Revised: Hadjivassiliou, a specialist in the connection between gluten-related disorders and neurological disorders at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital’s Department of Neurology in Sheffield, UK, reports that gluten-related disorders affect up to 9% of the population (2010, 327). Commentary: I changed how I worded part of the sentence and added a more descriptive word to show the purpose of the sentence.

3. Original: Hadjivassiliou notes that the new discoveries apply only to blood tests and include examining not only a person’s DNA, but also recognizing the presence of IgA antibodies in the blood (2004, 580). Revised: Hadjivassiliou describes these recent discoveries when he reveals that the new tests examine both a person’s DNA and detect IgA antibodies, which form in response to ingested gluten in people with gluten-related disorders (Hadjivassiliou (2004) 580). Commentary: I used a more descriptive verb, added why IgA antibodies are indicators of a gluten-related disorder, and moved the part about blood tests to the next sentence.

4. Original: Bengmark remarks that three main tests are used for determining if one possesses a gluten-related disorder: a blood test, a gastrointestinal biopsy, and a cheek swab. Revised: Bengmark asserts that three main tests are used for determining if one possesses a gluten-related disorder: a blood test, a gastrointestinal biopsy, and a cheek swab (112). Commentary: I used a more descriptive word.

5. Original: Hadjivassiliou notes that blood tests, gastrointestinal biopsies, and cheek swabs examine a person’s DNA for the presence of one of two different genes—the two different genes corresponding to the two different types of gluten-related disorders (2004, 580). Revised: Hadjivassiliou explains that blood tests, gastrointestinal biopsies, and cheek swabs examine a person’s DNA for the presence of one of two different genes—the two different genes corresponding to the two different types of gluten-related disorders (2004, 580). Commentary: I used a better descriptive word.

Post 11

I watched Pamela Meyer’s How to Spot a Liar. Meyer wrote a book titled “How to Spot a Liar,” which, from what I gathered, provides different techniques on how to spot a liar without utilizing lie-detecting machines. The main thesis of her talk (and perhaps her book?) is that telling the truth creates better consequences for both yourself and others than telling lies. She begins her argument by demonstrating that lying is something in which everyone frequently participates. For example, she cites a study which found that “strangers lied three times within the first 10 minutes of meeting each other.” After establishing lying as an activity that everyone engages in, she show that lying, although sometimes only a white lie, is dangerous. For example, she mentions that according to British Authorities, Henry Oberlander, a sly conman skilled in effective lying, “could have undermined the entire banking system of the Western world.” After giving a few more examples, she teaches the audience a few tricks on how to detect when someone is lying. Overall I found the argument rather convincing. However, Meyer’s mentions that some white lies are not only harmless, but helpful. In other words, to strengthen her argument, she needs to better clarify if all lying should be avoided or if certain lies should be avoided or something else entirely.

Link: https://www.ted.com/talks/pamela_meyer_how_to_spot_a_liar/transcript?language=en#t-237000

Post 10

Researchers have recently established the existence of non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Non-celiac gluten sensitivity differs from celiac disease in that ingested gluten does not induce an immunological attack. However, non-celiac gluten sensitivity accords with celiac disease in that ingested gluten causes many of the same disease that celiac disease does. However, study in this area is extremely new—within the last 10 years.  Although a few theories exist, researchers remain unsure how non-celiac gluten sensitivity can cause many of the same diseases without inducing an immunological attack. In addition, further research into this connection is necessary considering non-celiac gluten sensitivity may affect up to 10% of the population.  

While accumulating sources for my literature review on the connection between celiac disease and neurological disorders, I came across two general and mutually compatible theories on how celiac disease causes a range of neurological disorders. One of the theories named not an immunological attack as the cause by which celiac disease caused other disorders, but damaged gut microbiota as the cause behind the connection. Before writing my literature review, I had no opinion on the mechanism by which non-celiac disease caused many of the same disorders associated with celiac disease. Yet, after researching the literature, I believe, for a few reasons, this theory is how non-celiac gluten sensitivity causes many of the same disorders associated celiac disease.

Post 9

Thirty years ago, researchers discovered that celiac disease causes musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, neurological, reproductive, and endocrine disorders. However, researchers remain unsure how celiac disease, which originates from the gut, can cause such a large variety of disorders. This confusion has resulted in a range of arguments (or perhaps hypotheses?) exploring how celiac disease can cause such a large array of disorders and why celiac disease affects people so differently. Another major argument regarding celiac disease asks whether all people need to be tested for celiac disease. The two answers are, obviously, yes or no, but researchers differ in their reasoning for both answers. In addition, a third major argument asks whether all people need to avoid gluten. Again, the answers here are yes or no, but researchers differ in their reasoning for both answers. I am unsure which of these three arguments (if any) I shall use. All of the arguments contain ample information and views to write a successful argument, however, the first argument may be more challenging than the latter two arguments because it contains the most information. Yet, I may choose the first argument only because sorting through the information and putting together my own argument sounds semi-fun (in my head anyway).