Summary:
A molecular compound (OL-1) made by Saint Louis University students was able to restore memory, learning, and behavior in mice with a mouse model of Alzheimer's. The compound was also able to get rid of inflammation in the parts of the brain responsible for memory and learning. It is a possible cure for humans. "OL-1 blocks the translation of RNA, which triggers a process that keeps excess amyloid beta protein from being produced". The excess amyloid beta protein could be partially responsible for Alzheimer's disease. In order for this to be useful in humans the compound needs to be able to stop the beta protien from being produced.
Relevance:
This Article is relevant because Alzheimer's very common and many people are effected and as of now there is no cure. With this product there is data to prove that the the major factor is the excess beta protein build up. From that discovery it can help scientists focus on what needs to be done in order to find a cure. Also the OL-1 is a very good step in the right direction because it has already been proven to get rid of some of the symptoms of Alzheimer's. In class we learned about the nervous system Alzheimer's is a very prominent disease that effects the brain.
Date: May 20th 2014
Link:http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/05/140520184640.htm
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Monday, May 19, 2014
A New Protein that Affects the Heartbeat
Author: Ting Ting Hong
Published: May 19th 2014
Link: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/277002.php
Article:
A researchers at the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute recently discovered the importance of the B1N1 protein. This protein helps to capture materials such as calcium inside microscopic folds in the left ventricle known as T-tubules. These folds hold materials that help to keep the heart rate consistent by transferring the electrical signal more effectively. While it was originaly speculated that the B1N1 protein actually produced these folds, it was later discovered that rather than that the protein traps chemicals that control the hearts rhythm. This, along with the observation that before heart problems levels of B1N1 are often lower, provides a very distinct correlation between the B1N1 protein and heart diseases.
Relevance:
The B1N1 protein is an important factor in keeping the heart healthy. This connects to our units about the circulatory system by directly affecting the main organ of the system, the heart. In addition it connects to the presentation given on the 16th by referencing irregular heartbeats, which were discussed during that.
Summary By: Alex Osler
Published: May 19th 2014
Link: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/277002.php
Article:
A researchers at the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute recently discovered the importance of the B1N1 protein. This protein helps to capture materials such as calcium inside microscopic folds in the left ventricle known as T-tubules. These folds hold materials that help to keep the heart rate consistent by transferring the electrical signal more effectively. While it was originaly speculated that the B1N1 protein actually produced these folds, it was later discovered that rather than that the protein traps chemicals that control the hearts rhythm. This, along with the observation that before heart problems levels of B1N1 are often lower, provides a very distinct correlation between the B1N1 protein and heart diseases.
Relevance:
The B1N1 protein is an important factor in keeping the heart healthy. This connects to our units about the circulatory system by directly affecting the main organ of the system, the heart. In addition it connects to the presentation given on the 16th by referencing irregular heartbeats, which were discussed during that.
Summary By: Alex Osler
3D Printing Organs, Blood Vessels and All, Takes a Big Step Toward Reality
Summary
Scientists at Harvard have made a breakthrough in the printing of organs, and more specifically, blood vessels. The method consists of using three different kinds of "ink", consisting of extracellular matrix, a combination of extracellular matrix and living cells, and a third tissue which would trace out vessels. This third "ink" was designed in such a way that as it cooled, it would melt and be drained out of the printed tissue, leaving blood vessels behind.
This method of printing human tissue and organs could have a use in printing organs for transplant, however is more immediately useful for creating tissues to test drugs. The vessels would allow for the tissue to survive for longer durations of time, ultimately allowing for longer tests to be performed on the tissues. It is, however, currently unknown as to how well this method of printing will scale. If it can produce actual organs rather than ambiguous lumps of cells, then it could have a serious potential use in testing drugs and in producing organs to be transplanted.
Significance
This article relates to our unit on the circulatory system. By allowing for longer and more accurate drug tests, this could allow for better treatment of various circulatory diseases, and more broadly could allow for various types of organ transplants and more effective medications.
Link to article
Scientists at Harvard have made a breakthrough in the printing of organs, and more specifically, blood vessels. The method consists of using three different kinds of "ink", consisting of extracellular matrix, a combination of extracellular matrix and living cells, and a third tissue which would trace out vessels. This third "ink" was designed in such a way that as it cooled, it would melt and be drained out of the printed tissue, leaving blood vessels behind.
This method of printing human tissue and organs could have a use in printing organs for transplant, however is more immediately useful for creating tissues to test drugs. The vessels would allow for the tissue to survive for longer durations of time, ultimately allowing for longer tests to be performed on the tissues. It is, however, currently unknown as to how well this method of printing will scale. If it can produce actual organs rather than ambiguous lumps of cells, then it could have a serious potential use in testing drugs and in producing organs to be transplanted.
Significance
This article relates to our unit on the circulatory system. By allowing for longer and more accurate drug tests, this could allow for better treatment of various circulatory diseases, and more broadly could allow for various types of organ transplants and more effective medications.
Link to article
MERS in The United States
Summary:
MERS, Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome, is a
coronavirus, which is in the same group of viruses as the common cold. An Indiana man was diagnosed with MERS on May 2. This is the first
case according to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention. He traveled to Saudi Arabia
Relevance:
The relevance is to our study of the respiratory system.
MERS is spread through human to human transmissions. This suggests that the
virus is air born and is passed through the inhale of oxygen and exhale of
carbon dioxide. It also connects to the immune system because MERS is an attack
on the immune system. And it connects to our study of pathogens, because MERS
is a virus, and there have not been a vaccine found that can help cure or
prevent it. Suggesting it may have become immune to certain antiviral drugs
over time.
Citation:
January 3, 2014http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/17/health/mers-case-u-s-/index.html?hpt=hp_t3
CNN
Chelsea J.
Carter and Caleb Hellerman
The Heartbeat
Summary
A pacemaker is a small device that is attached, with surgery, to a persons heart. The heart controls the pumping of blood throughout the body by transferring electronic signals throughout itself to shut and close its multiple valves. But as a person ages, this system can grow weaker over time. Causing problems like arrhythmia, an irregular heat beat. The pace maker assists the heat by regulating its electronic pulses, or even sending out its own electronic pulses. A person with arrhythmia who doesn't have pacemaker can often become fatigued and tired easily. a result of not getting enough oxygen to the muscles. But a pacemaker can help a person go back to a more active life style. The pulse starts at the SA node. First, it causes the atria to open and close. Then, the pulse travels to the ventricles that also open and close. These ventricles contracting are what push the blood throughout the body. Newer pacemakers can monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, and other factors. From the data it collects, it can adjust your heart rate accordingly.
Connection
This connects to both the pulmonary and the circulatory system. We have discussed the electronic pulses that control the opening and closing of the valves. These valves push the flow of blood throughout the body. This connects to the circulatory system by improving the rate that oxygen enters the body. With an increased heart rate, more oxygen can enter sooner and be delivered to the muscles sooner. This could also connect to our cardiovascular lab report. For the report, we had to measure our heart rate and breathing rate. That is what a pacemaker can do.
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/pace/
A pacemaker is a small device that is attached, with surgery, to a persons heart. The heart controls the pumping of blood throughout the body by transferring electronic signals throughout itself to shut and close its multiple valves. But as a person ages, this system can grow weaker over time. Causing problems like arrhythmia, an irregular heat beat. The pace maker assists the heat by regulating its electronic pulses, or even sending out its own electronic pulses. A person with arrhythmia who doesn't have pacemaker can often become fatigued and tired easily. a result of not getting enough oxygen to the muscles. But a pacemaker can help a person go back to a more active life style. The pulse starts at the SA node. First, it causes the atria to open and close. Then, the pulse travels to the ventricles that also open and close. These ventricles contracting are what push the blood throughout the body. Newer pacemakers can monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, and other factors. From the data it collects, it can adjust your heart rate accordingly.
Connection
This connects to both the pulmonary and the circulatory system. We have discussed the electronic pulses that control the opening and closing of the valves. These valves push the flow of blood throughout the body. This connects to the circulatory system by improving the rate that oxygen enters the body. With an increased heart rate, more oxygen can enter sooner and be delivered to the muscles sooner. This could also connect to our cardiovascular lab report. For the report, we had to measure our heart rate and breathing rate. That is what a pacemaker can do.
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/pace/
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Red Blood Cells Take On Many-Sided Shape During Clotting
Shiva Mudide
Author: John Weisel
Date Published: December 13, 2013
Link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/01/140109132133.htm
Summary:
Date Published: December 13, 2013
Link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/01/140109132133.htm
Summary:
While studying how blood clots contract John W. Weisel, Ph.D. and colleagues, discovered a new geometry that red blood cells assume, when compressed during clot formation.The Penn team found that red blood cells can be compressed into many-sided, closely-packed polyhedral structures, instead of their free flowing concave, disc shape.
Furthermore they came upon the fact that the fibrin and platelets that make up clots lie primarily on the clot exterior, with the red blood cells crowded within the clot interior. Clots may have a seal and help prevent vascular obstruction, but get resistance to drugs that break down fibrin, a common treatment option for heart attacks and strokes. Little was known about the structure of contracted clots or the role of red blood cells in the contraction process, but they found that "contracted blood clots develop a mesh work of fibrin and platelets on the exterior of the clot and a close-packed, tessellated array of compressed polyhedral erythrocytes within," says Weisel.This shape is likely taken on by the red blood cells when contracted or pushed together when the platelets compress a clot so as to decrease volume, surface energy, or bending energy.
Clinically, physicians need to inject thrombolytic agents to rapidly break up clots that obstruct blood flow, in coronary arteries to treat a heart attack, or in the arteries to the brain to treat a stroke. These clots develop resistance to being broken up, which is one reason why early intervention is so important. Clot contraction could be a target of intervention to prevent the formation this resistance.
Connection:
We learned how blood can clot in order to heal from ruptures to the vessels or capillaries, as well as how plaque build-up can lead to heart attack or stroke. When a vessel ruptures, platelets clump at the injured site and release clotting factors. This activates a series of reactions leading to the production of the protein fibrin, which forms a "patch." This article explains how the vessel can become resistant to drugs that break down fibrin in order to unclot a vessel to help prevent a heart attack or stroke. This can thus be an issue. Also, the shape of the blood cells as described in the article leads to a tighter fit with the fibrin, making the "patch" more effective. We also learned that atherosclerosis, the narrowing of the arteries results from plaque building up inside the artery wall. As the pathway narrows, blood pressure increases. Sometimes the narrowing completely blocks the flow of blood. If such a blockage occurs in one of the coronary arteries, the main arteries that supply the heart, the heart becomes deprived of oxygen and other nutrients. The article explains how physicians can inject thrombolytic agents to rapidly break up clots that obstruct blood flow to treat this.
Terminator-style liquid metal connects severed nerves
Terminator-style liquid metal connects severed nerves
Summary:Jing Liu and his colleagues from Tsinghua University in Beijing, China experimented with bullfrogs to find out if a liquid metal alloy could be applied to let neurons keep on passing signals until it heals fully and then remove the liquid metal alloy. They found that when connecting damaged nerves with a liquid alloy mix of gallium, indium and selenium, which is a good conductor, it helped pass on neuron signals while the nerve healed up. To show how this works, they removed the sciatic nerves of a bullfrog and tested the strength of the electrical impulse and then cut the nerve so they could connect it with the liquid metal alloy. They found that the nerves reconnected with the metal alloy sent signals that were as well as a health nerve signal. In order to test if they could remove the metal alloy, they injected the alloy into a severed frog's leg. They were then easily able to find and remove the alloy using x-rays and a syringe. Liu also hopes that in the future this alloy can be used to encourage nerve development however Mei Zang from Zyno Medical states that it is possible for the metal alloy to get into the bloodstream and poison the human,
Relevance:
This article connects to our unit on Humans I. In Humans I we learned about the peripheral nervous system and how nerve signals travel through nerves. This articles connects to it because we learned that nerve signals travel through the nerve by sending an action potential from a dendrite to an axon. Since the metal alloy is made up of conductors that easily allow electrical signals to pass through, then the metal alloy is able to send along the electrical signal through the nerve as efficiently as the neuron with its action potential.
Author: Lisa Grossman
Date Published: May 2014
Weblink: http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn25510-terminatorstyle-liquid-metal-connects-severed-nerves.html#.U3mBvfRDtn5
Multiple sclerosis research could help repair damage affecting nerves
Paran Culanathan
Summary:
A new study allows us to understand how myelin sheaths can regenerate around nerve fibers in the brain. Myelin sheaths are responsible for quick transmission of nerve signals enabling vision, sensation, and movement, but are unavailable to people with multiple sclerosis. The study found that macrophages, which are immune cells, trigger the regeneration of myelin sheaths. Researchers also found that as a result of damage to myelin, macrophages can activate a compound called activin-A, which activates production of more myelin. Scientists plan to further research how activin-A works and whether it can altered to increase its effects. This could result in a new way to slow down the progression of multiple sclerosis.
Connection: This article connects to our unit about humans. This also connects to our study of the nervous system. We learned about how the myelin sheath insulates the axons of a neuron and increases the speed at which nerve signals travel. This also connects to homeostasis because homeostasis cannot be maintained if myelin is broken down by multiple sclerosis.
Author: University of Edinburgh
Date: July 21, 2013
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/07/130721161747.htm
Summary:
A new study allows us to understand how myelin sheaths can regenerate around nerve fibers in the brain. Myelin sheaths are responsible for quick transmission of nerve signals enabling vision, sensation, and movement, but are unavailable to people with multiple sclerosis. The study found that macrophages, which are immune cells, trigger the regeneration of myelin sheaths. Researchers also found that as a result of damage to myelin, macrophages can activate a compound called activin-A, which activates production of more myelin. Scientists plan to further research how activin-A works and whether it can altered to increase its effects. This could result in a new way to slow down the progression of multiple sclerosis.
Connection: This article connects to our unit about humans. This also connects to our study of the nervous system. We learned about how the myelin sheath insulates the axons of a neuron and increases the speed at which nerve signals travel. This also connects to homeostasis because homeostasis cannot be maintained if myelin is broken down by multiple sclerosis.
Author: University of Edinburgh
Date: July 21, 2013
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/07/130721161747.htm
Rats and frosting help to find genetic causes of binge-eating
Summary: Kelly L. Klump and her team at Michigan State University used rats in an experiment to help determine the genetic and biological causes/contributing factors to binge eating. Based on previous research, Klump knew that genes play a role in binge eating but did not know which specific human genes were the contributors. She used two different strains of rats, Sprague-Dawley and Wistar rats, to see if one strain was more prone to the eating disorder than the other. If one strain was more prone, then that could narrow down potential genes that influenced the binge eating. To test this, Klump gave the rats their regular food but also gave them vanilla frosting every other day, in order to mimic binge eating. The results showed that the Sprague-Dawley female rats had a much higher rate of binge eating the vanilla frosting than the other rats. With this information Klump and her team will study the strain's genes with the hope of narrowing down the genes that may be contributing to the disease.
Connection: This article connects with our current unit on humans and their nutrition. Binge eating, the condition being researched by Kelly Klump, is when someone consumes excessive Calories. We learned that Calories are a measure of the energy content of food. Humans must consume a certain amount of Calories in order to carry out metabolic processes and to be in a state of homeostasis, but consuming too many calories can lead to obesity and can cause a state of homeostatic imbalance. This article also relates to unit 6, molecular genetics. According to Klump's studies, binge-eating is not just psychological but also hereditary. In class we have learned about many hereditary disorders and how genes are passed on.
Author: N/A
Date Published: March 4, 2014
Link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/03/140304130035.htm
Lab-grown Organs Being Transplanted
Olivia Tyndall
Link: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/04/08/scientists-grow-human-body-parts-in-lab/
Author: N/a
Date: April 08, 2014
Summary: In a hospital in London, scientists are growing noses, ears and blood vessels in a laboratory in an attempt to make body parts using stem cells. So far, a few patients have received some of the lab-grown organs, including tear ducts, blood vessels and windpipes. Doctors and scientists soon hope to transplant the first nose made partly from stem cells.To make the organs, scientists add a salt and sugar solution to the mold of the organ to mimic the somewhat sponge-like texture of the real thing. Stem cells are taken from the patient's fat and grown in the lab for two weeks before being used. Seifalian, the main doctor heading the project, and his team are creating other organs including coronary arteries and ears. Later this year, a trial is scheduled to start in India and London to test lab-made ears for people born without them."Scientists have to get things like noses and ears right before we can move onto something like a kidney, lungs or a liver, which is much more complicated," said Eileen Gentleman, a stem cell expert at King's College London, who is not involved in Seifalian's research.
Connection:
This article relates to our unit about the nervous system, which included sensory organs, because the scientists are primarily trying to make sensory organs, such as noses and ears. Apart from actually physically making the organs, doctors have to make sure these organs connect to the central nervous system (using neurotransmitters) so they are actually functional. This also relates to our unit earlier in the year about genetic engineering. Scientists are taking the same principal about genetically modifying plants and instead applying it to people.
Link: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/04/08/scientists-grow-human-body-parts-in-lab/
Author: N/a
Date: April 08, 2014
Summary: In a hospital in London, scientists are growing noses, ears and blood vessels in a laboratory in an attempt to make body parts using stem cells. So far, a few patients have received some of the lab-grown organs, including tear ducts, blood vessels and windpipes. Doctors and scientists soon hope to transplant the first nose made partly from stem cells.To make the organs, scientists add a salt and sugar solution to the mold of the organ to mimic the somewhat sponge-like texture of the real thing. Stem cells are taken from the patient's fat and grown in the lab for two weeks before being used. Seifalian, the main doctor heading the project, and his team are creating other organs including coronary arteries and ears. Later this year, a trial is scheduled to start in India and London to test lab-made ears for people born without them."Scientists have to get things like noses and ears right before we can move onto something like a kidney, lungs or a liver, which is much more complicated," said Eileen Gentleman, a stem cell expert at King's College London, who is not involved in Seifalian's research.
Connection:
This article relates to our unit about the nervous system, which included sensory organs, because the scientists are primarily trying to make sensory organs, such as noses and ears. Apart from actually physically making the organs, doctors have to make sure these organs connect to the central nervous system (using neurotransmitters) so they are actually functional. This also relates to our unit earlier in the year about genetic engineering. Scientists are taking the same principal about genetically modifying plants and instead applying it to people.
Lou Gehrig's Disease
Lou Gehrig's Disease: A cure?
Summary: Lou Gehrig's disease, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS, has symptoms of rapidly progressive weakness, muscle and nervous degeneration. This in turn leads to increased difficulty swallowing, speaking or even breathing. Most people die from failure of the respiratory system, and so the average death is around three years and three months after the symptoms start to show. ALS affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, this leads to the loss of muscle movement due to the motor neurons degenerating. Patients with Lou Gehrig's disease eventually become totally paralyzed in the later stages of the disease. Though now, a study from University of British Columbia and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute has shown how ALS is transmitted from cell to cell. Which suggests that the disease can be blocked. The research has shown that the misfolded non-mutant superoxide dismutase or SOD1 can be transmitted from one region of the nervous system to another. Which in turn, explains the spread of ALS in the human body. Something else the research tells researchers is that the spread of ALS can be blocked by using antibodies. The antibodies would bind to regions of SOD1 when it becomes misfolded and stops the spread of the disease.
Relevance: This relates back to our studies in chapters 27, 28, and 30, since these chapters all talk about muscle movement, the respiratory system, and the nervous system. Lou Gehrig's disease is related to muscle movement because ALS has muscle degeneration as one of its symptoms. ALS relates to the respiratory system since people eventually die from failure of the respiratory system. Since the muscles of the neck swell, not allowing air to pass through. Lastly, is the nervous system which ALS affects the most. Due to the fact that it starts with a symptom where the nerves in the body are degenerating. Up to the point that the muscles can not be used. Another part is that Lou Gehrig's disease affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord where the most important motor neurons are.
Author: Macroevolution.net
Published: March 1, 2014
Link: http://www.macroevolution.net/lou-gehrigs-disease.html
By: Simin Li
Summary: Lou Gehrig's disease, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS, has symptoms of rapidly progressive weakness, muscle and nervous degeneration. This in turn leads to increased difficulty swallowing, speaking or even breathing. Most people die from failure of the respiratory system, and so the average death is around three years and three months after the symptoms start to show. ALS affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, this leads to the loss of muscle movement due to the motor neurons degenerating. Patients with Lou Gehrig's disease eventually become totally paralyzed in the later stages of the disease. Though now, a study from University of British Columbia and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute has shown how ALS is transmitted from cell to cell. Which suggests that the disease can be blocked. The research has shown that the misfolded non-mutant superoxide dismutase or SOD1 can be transmitted from one region of the nervous system to another. Which in turn, explains the spread of ALS in the human body. Something else the research tells researchers is that the spread of ALS can be blocked by using antibodies. The antibodies would bind to regions of SOD1 when it becomes misfolded and stops the spread of the disease.
Relevance: This relates back to our studies in chapters 27, 28, and 30, since these chapters all talk about muscle movement, the respiratory system, and the nervous system. Lou Gehrig's disease is related to muscle movement because ALS has muscle degeneration as one of its symptoms. ALS relates to the respiratory system since people eventually die from failure of the respiratory system. Since the muscles of the neck swell, not allowing air to pass through. Lastly, is the nervous system which ALS affects the most. Due to the fact that it starts with a symptom where the nerves in the body are degenerating. Up to the point that the muscles can not be used. Another part is that Lou Gehrig's disease affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord where the most important motor neurons are.
Author: Macroevolution.net
Published: March 1, 2014
Link: http://www.macroevolution.net/lou-gehrigs-disease.html
By: Simin Li
Hip and Stem Cell Surgery
Summary
Doctors and scientists in Southampton have completed their first hip surgery with a 3D printed-implant and bone stem cell graft. The 3D printed hip was made from titanium. It was designed to specially fit the specification of the patients by computer technology. The titanium hip will act as the socket for the femur to enter in. Behind the implants, doctors have put a graft containing bone stem cells. The graft is also inserted with the patients original bone marrow cells to encourage bone regeneration around the implant. This surgery is a huge game changer because it makes the titanium hip more durable then before. Also since it is made to fit the patient perfectly, it reduces the chances to have another surgery.
Connection
This article is relevant to our curriculum because it talks about the skeletal system. In class, we talked about the different kinds of joints in the human body. In the article it talks about the ball and socket joint between the hip and femur. Another connection is that the article talks about bone marrow. We talked about the importance of bone marrow and in the article, they put some bone marrow in the graft because it is so important in the skeletal system. The last connection is the homeostatic imbalance. Since the hip needed surgery, it wasn't functioning as well it was supposed to. The hip wasn't supporting the body as well as it should have. Now, since the hip is made up of titanium, it can support the body because it is now very strong.
Date Published: May 16 2014
Author: University of Southampton
Link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/05/140516203334.htm
What Really Killed William Henry Harrison?
Summary:
William Henry Harrison was the ninth President of the United States. Unfortunately he did just a month after he elected into office on April 4, 1841. His doctor, Thomas Miller, said his death was caused by "pneumonia of the lower lobe of the right lung, complicated by congestion of the liver." Miller thought Harrison could have caught the pneumonia on his inauguration day, when he did not dress according to the weather. But as scientists look back on his death, they think it was caused by something entirely different, enteric fever. They came to this conclusion from the notes that the doctor took as Harrison was dying. It stated that he had cold, blue extremities and had a sinking pulse which are effects of septic shock. This hypothesis was backed up by the fact that back in the 1840's the White House had no sewer system, which meant the contaminated water could seep into the clean water supply. It was also known that Harrison had a history of dyspepsia (indigestion). And to top it off the medicine Miller was distributing, opium and enemas, were aiding the gastrointestinal pathogens kill Harrison. Opium disrupts the intestine's ability to rid microbial pathogens and enemas produce S. typhi and S. paratyphi allowing bacteria to escape from the small intestine to the bloodstream. These three factors is what ultimately led to President Harrison's death.
Connection:
This article connects back to the digestive system which we are learning about now. In specific it is the small intestine, that was effected. Dyspepsia was mentioned as a disease Harrison had. It effects the gastrointestinal organs, the stomach and upper part of the small intestine. It causes upper abdominal pain, nausea, and abdominal bloating but has no life threatening side effects. This disease connects back to our term project, the different diseases on the different systems, along with the disease enteric fever. Enteric fever causes a systemic fever, severe headache, nausea, and loss of appetite. These factors are not life threatening, but if the disease is not cured it can be. Now a days if you are treated for enteric fever there is a 99% rate of survival. This brings up the point of how science has greatly improved over the years in diagnosis and treatment and cleanliness in general.
Author: Jane McHugh and Philip A. Mackowiak
Website: The New York Times
Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/01/science/what-really-killed-william-henry-harrison.html
Date: March 31, 2014
William Henry Harrison was the ninth President of the United States. Unfortunately he did just a month after he elected into office on April 4, 1841. His doctor, Thomas Miller, said his death was caused by "pneumonia of the lower lobe of the right lung, complicated by congestion of the liver." Miller thought Harrison could have caught the pneumonia on his inauguration day, when he did not dress according to the weather. But as scientists look back on his death, they think it was caused by something entirely different, enteric fever. They came to this conclusion from the notes that the doctor took as Harrison was dying. It stated that he had cold, blue extremities and had a sinking pulse which are effects of septic shock. This hypothesis was backed up by the fact that back in the 1840's the White House had no sewer system, which meant the contaminated water could seep into the clean water supply. It was also known that Harrison had a history of dyspepsia (indigestion). And to top it off the medicine Miller was distributing, opium and enemas, were aiding the gastrointestinal pathogens kill Harrison. Opium disrupts the intestine's ability to rid microbial pathogens and enemas produce S. typhi and S. paratyphi allowing bacteria to escape from the small intestine to the bloodstream. These three factors is what ultimately led to President Harrison's death.
Connection:
This article connects back to the digestive system which we are learning about now. In specific it is the small intestine, that was effected. Dyspepsia was mentioned as a disease Harrison had. It effects the gastrointestinal organs, the stomach and upper part of the small intestine. It causes upper abdominal pain, nausea, and abdominal bloating but has no life threatening side effects. This disease connects back to our term project, the different diseases on the different systems, along with the disease enteric fever. Enteric fever causes a systemic fever, severe headache, nausea, and loss of appetite. These factors are not life threatening, but if the disease is not cured it can be. Now a days if you are treated for enteric fever there is a 99% rate of survival. This brings up the point of how science has greatly improved over the years in diagnosis and treatment and cleanliness in general.
Author: Jane McHugh and Philip A. Mackowiak
Website: The New York Times
Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/01/science/what-really-killed-william-henry-harrison.html
Date: March 31, 2014
Novel Function of Protein Linked to Alzheimer's Disease Discovered
Web Link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/04/140421094415.htm
Author: n/a
Date: 21 April 2014
APP, which stands for amyloid precursor protein, is a protein that is linked to Alzheimer's disease. In patients with Alzheimer's, APP clumps abnormally in the brain. Recently, a team of researchers at the National Neuroscience Institute have discovered a new function of APP. They found that APP affects a microRNA molecule known as microRNA-574-5p, which regulate the maturation of newborn neurons, by affecting the expression of genes. Newborn neurons are newly generated neurons in adults. Without APP, brain activities are disrupted due to the absence of control of these newborn neurons. This research could help create more targeted medicines for Alzheimer's disease. In addition, because microRNAs affect brain development, this research has implications for other diseases such as autism and schizophrenia.
This article is directly related to our study of the human body systems. One of these systems is the nervous system, which is comprised mainly of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Alzheimer's disease is a neurological disorder, and therefore is a disease which impacts the nervous system. As we learned, the functional unit of the nervous system is neurons. Alzheimer's is a progressive degenerative disorder, which means that the neurons continuously die in the brain. This article builds upon the information we learned about nervous system disorders in our class presentations. It relates to a cause of Alzheimer's disease that was briefly discussed, which is APP. It also is relevant to our entire biology curriculum, as it discusses molecular and genetic topics such as microRNA and the protein APP.
Author: n/a
Date: 21 April 2014
APP, which stands for amyloid precursor protein, is a protein that is linked to Alzheimer's disease. In patients with Alzheimer's, APP clumps abnormally in the brain. Recently, a team of researchers at the National Neuroscience Institute have discovered a new function of APP. They found that APP affects a microRNA molecule known as microRNA-574-5p, which regulate the maturation of newborn neurons, by affecting the expression of genes. Newborn neurons are newly generated neurons in adults. Without APP, brain activities are disrupted due to the absence of control of these newborn neurons. This research could help create more targeted medicines for Alzheimer's disease. In addition, because microRNAs affect brain development, this research has implications for other diseases such as autism and schizophrenia.
This article is directly related to our study of the human body systems. One of these systems is the nervous system, which is comprised mainly of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Alzheimer's disease is a neurological disorder, and therefore is a disease which impacts the nervous system. As we learned, the functional unit of the nervous system is neurons. Alzheimer's is a progressive degenerative disorder, which means that the neurons continuously die in the brain. This article builds upon the information we learned about nervous system disorders in our class presentations. It relates to a cause of Alzheimer's disease that was briefly discussed, which is APP. It also is relevant to our entire biology curriculum, as it discusses molecular and genetic topics such as microRNA and the protein APP.
Sarah Bluhm
Marijuana: Now causing cardiovascular health problems?
Summary
There are many concerns in the health world about the growing movement to legalize marijuana in the United States, but recently, another concern was added to that list that was not previously thought about. While there is not enough evidence to make a solid argument about marijuana's cardiovascular health problems, a recent study performed in France explains "clinical evidence ... suggests the potential for serious cardiovascular risks associated with marijuana risk." In the study, it was found that nearly 2% of 1,979 patients treated for serious health problems associated with marijuana in France were people who were treated for problems with the cardiovascular system. This included heart arrhythmias, heart attacks, strokes, and circulation problems in their limbs.
Why is it that marijuana seems to affect cardiovascular health? The authors of the study, Drs. Sherief Rezkalla and Robert A. Kloner hypothesized that use of the drug may increase factors that clot the blood, therefore blocking the blood vessels throughout the body. They also suggest the drug may cause changes in small blood vessels so that they can not fully recover from the clot, even after it has been removed. These new discoveries just add to the worries about marijuana as the movement for it's legalization grows stronger than ever.
Connection
This article contains information about the cardiovascular system that we have studied in class, and introduces a newly-discovered method of harming it. In the article, there is mention of factors that help to clot the blood, and we learned about that in class. Platelets, which are small bits of material that float in the blood, lead to clotting, so we could infer that marijuana somehow increases the production of the platelets in one's blood stream. The article also mentions other diseases or medical conditions that affect the cardiovascular system that we learned about in class or through group presentations, such as heart attacks and arrhythmias. While the article explains itself very well, there are a few more connections that we could make because of our knowledge from the past few weeks of class.
Author: Melissa Healy
Website: LA Times
Link: http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-heart-attack-stroke-marijuana-20140423-story.html
There are many concerns in the health world about the growing movement to legalize marijuana in the United States, but recently, another concern was added to that list that was not previously thought about. While there is not enough evidence to make a solid argument about marijuana's cardiovascular health problems, a recent study performed in France explains "clinical evidence ... suggests the potential for serious cardiovascular risks associated with marijuana risk." In the study, it was found that nearly 2% of 1,979 patients treated for serious health problems associated with marijuana in France were people who were treated for problems with the cardiovascular system. This included heart arrhythmias, heart attacks, strokes, and circulation problems in their limbs.
Why is it that marijuana seems to affect cardiovascular health? The authors of the study, Drs. Sherief Rezkalla and Robert A. Kloner hypothesized that use of the drug may increase factors that clot the blood, therefore blocking the blood vessels throughout the body. They also suggest the drug may cause changes in small blood vessels so that they can not fully recover from the clot, even after it has been removed. These new discoveries just add to the worries about marijuana as the movement for it's legalization grows stronger than ever.
Connection
This article contains information about the cardiovascular system that we have studied in class, and introduces a newly-discovered method of harming it. In the article, there is mention of factors that help to clot the blood, and we learned about that in class. Platelets, which are small bits of material that float in the blood, lead to clotting, so we could infer that marijuana somehow increases the production of the platelets in one's blood stream. The article also mentions other diseases or medical conditions that affect the cardiovascular system that we learned about in class or through group presentations, such as heart attacks and arrhythmias. While the article explains itself very well, there are a few more connections that we could make because of our knowledge from the past few weeks of class.
Author: Melissa Healy
Website: LA Times
Link: http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-heart-attack-stroke-marijuana-20140423-story.html
A cure for lung cancer? Doctors hail incredible breakthrough with new drugs
Summary:
There has been an discovery of an extraordinary new drug the clears tumors caused by lung cancer. Some scientist have hope that the drug could cure to patients of the disease. Once lung cancer has spread to other organs, the patients often die within months. Lung cancer is the biggest killer in Britain, claiming 35,000 lives a year. However, the new drugs, such as nivolumab, can stop the deaths. Lungs cancer arise from epithelial cells lining the airways, and can travel around the body relatively fast due to its proximity with the pulmonary vein. Using nivolumab, over a quarter of 129 in the US have survived at least two years with known lung cancer. Those treated with the optimum dose, over 45% were alive in two years, a rare accomplishment. Nivolumab is one of a new type of drug called anti-PD1s and anti-PDL1s, which help the immune system recognized tumors as foes. However, it is still “a little early” to call these new drugs a cure, but the scientific community has hope. Using these new drugs, scientist witness tumors in patients shrunk to almost nothing, and are still well after three years from the treatment. Therefore, the new drugs suggest that the immune system can learn from intravenous therapy. The scientist hope to make the drugs even more effective.
Relevance:
This article relate both to the respiratory system, circulatory system, and (although not learned) the immune system. Lung cancer takes place in the lungs, but more specifically in the bronchi, which connect the lung with the trachea. The main purpose of the lung is to provide oxygen to oxygen-poor blood of the pulmonary artery and take out the carbon dioxide from the bloodstream, allowing the pulmonary vein to return oxygen rich blood to the heart. This is the part of the article that relates to the circulatory system. Since the lungs have such close contact with the pulmonary artery/vein, the cancer cells can flow into the bloodstream and be transported around the body, affecting other organs. Because of this, lung cancer is the deadliest cancer in the world. Finally, the article relates to the immune system, which there are allusions to a function of the system, which is to learn and recognize a ‘foe,’ which in this case is cancer.
Citation:
Author:
Stephen Adams
Date of Publication:
May 17, 2014
Article Link: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2631494/A-cure-lung-cancer-Doctors-hail-incredible-breakthrough-new-drugs.html
Exercise before meals might help stave off diabetes
Article Written By: MARY MACVEAN
Published: May 8, 2014
Link: http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-exercise-snack-20140508-story.html
Summary:
A little intense exercise could be a good plan to help people control their blood sugars. Researchers say that a brief intense exercise is more effective than daily 30 minute workout at reduced glucose concentrations for insulin resistant people.
This finding eventually made it to European Assn. for the Study of Diabetes. Researcher Monique Francois, of the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand, said that lowering the amount of post meal spikes of hyperglycemia(high amount of glucose with little insulin in blood) can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and its side affects.
The scientists got 2 women and 7 men ages 18 to 55. They all were insulin resistant and were not taking diabetes or heart medication. The mean BMI was 36, which is obese. Type 2 diabetes was detected in 2 of the people.
More people are getting type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance worldwide. Exercise and control of diet are the cheapest and mose effective ways to combat them. Less than 10% of Americans and 20% of British adults are meeting the actively recommendations. Many of those people use lack of time as a reason.
The scientists made 3 plans. The 3 plans involved people exercising 30 minutes before their dinner. The first one was making a person quickly walking up an incline before dinner at 60% of maximum heart rate. The second one was making the same person walk intensely for 6 one minute bursts at 90% of heart rate. The third one was making the person walk intensely with 6 one minute exercises. The exercises was alternating resistance training and incline walking.
Published: May 8, 2014
Link: http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-exercise-snack-20140508-story.html
Summary:
A little intense exercise could be a good plan to help people control their blood sugars. Researchers say that a brief intense exercise is more effective than daily 30 minute workout at reduced glucose concentrations for insulin resistant people.
This finding eventually made it to European Assn. for the Study of Diabetes. Researcher Monique Francois, of the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand, said that lowering the amount of post meal spikes of hyperglycemia(high amount of glucose with little insulin in blood) can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and its side affects.
The scientists got 2 women and 7 men ages 18 to 55. They all were insulin resistant and were not taking diabetes or heart medication. The mean BMI was 36, which is obese. Type 2 diabetes was detected in 2 of the people.
More people are getting type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance worldwide. Exercise and control of diet are the cheapest and mose effective ways to combat them. Less than 10% of Americans and 20% of British adults are meeting the actively recommendations. Many of those people use lack of time as a reason.
The scientists made 3 plans. The 3 plans involved people exercising 30 minutes before their dinner. The first one was making a person quickly walking up an incline before dinner at 60% of maximum heart rate. The second one was making the same person walk intensely for 6 one minute bursts at 90% of heart rate. The third one was making the person walk intensely with 6 one minute exercises. The exercises was alternating resistance training and incline walking.
As a result, the second and third plans reduced blood sugar levels. These exercise plans reduced blood sugar by 17% in comparison to not exercising before breakfast. These exercise plans also reduced blood sugars by 13% in comparison to the regular exercise plans. The researchers said that the effects at lunch were unclear.
With these plans, people can both benefit from exercise as well as still preserving time for other activities.
Relevance:
Relevance:
The relevance of this article to the studies of biology class because this article discusses about how to help people with diabetes. In Chapter 32, the text book talks about diabetes. Diabetes is a condition that decreases amount of insulin produced in the blood. This insulin cannot then break down glucose and cannot give the cells the food that they need. Therefore, the cells cannot produce energy with sugars and have to use fats and proteins. There are 2 types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes, white blood cells attack pancreas cells, which then cannot do its job. Type 2 diabetes, the cells fail to respond to insulin. Even though diabetes cannot be treated. It can be controlled by exercise like the article states. It an also be controlled by managing sugar intake.
New Hepatitis C Treatment
Mayank Mali
Article: http://www.forbes.com/sites/robertglatter/2014/05/07/new-drug-combination-highly-effective-for-hepatitis-c/
Author: Pharma and Healthcare, Robert Glatter
Published: 7 May 2014
Summary:
Dr. David Bernstein, chief of the division of hepatology at North Shore University Hospital, presented research on a drug highly effective in treating hepatitis C on May 4 2014 at the annual Digestive Disease Week meeting in Chicago.
Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by blood contamination. The contamination can stem from unscreened blood products, blood transfusions, IV drug use, not enough sterilization of madical equipment, and unsanitary medical settings. It caused by the hepatitis C virus, and can lead to cirrhosis, or chronic scarring of the liver tissue. Hepatitis C has no current vaccine, and about 350,000 to 500,000 people die globally from diseases stemming form hepatitis C. In the US, hepatitis C is the leading cause of liver transplantation and cancer, and kills more people than HIV/AIDS.
Electron Micrograph of the Hepatitis C Virus
("New Drug Combination Highly Effective for Hepatitis C." Forbes)
The study held by North Shore University Hospital involved more than 400 subjects with genotype 1A, a subgroup of hepatitis C, without cirrhosis. The published study can be found here: http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1402338. In the testing period for 12 weeks, subjects were given the experimental medications ABT-450/Ombitasvir and Dasabuvir with and without the antiviral drug ribavirin. In the end, the drugs cured 97 per cent of the test subjects. Because of its usage with oral directly acting antiviral agents(DAA), this medication could quickly replace currently lengthy injection-based treatments for hepatitis C such as pegylated interferon and ribavirin, which is poorly tolerated in some patients and not globally available.
The cost for the treatment ($84,000 per course) would be very expensive for patients and insurers; however, Berstein's team believes that the 97% success rate in essentially 'curing' hepatitis C for thousands of people with the 1A genotype covers that worth.
Connection:
In the unit of human body systems, we covered the circulatory system. We learned how blood is pumped throughout the body through the heart and its chambers, and its connection to the respiratory system to transport oxygen to and carbon dioxide from the body tissues. The liver is also a major organ for the function of the circulatory system. It recycles old blood cells, helps filter out blood toxins, and funcions in the manufacture and storage of glycogen to the body cells from the hormone insulin originating from the pancreas. With a homeostatic imbalance such as a viral infection, or large toxic concentrations in the blood, liver scarring (cirrhosis) can occur, and deteriorate with the development of liver cancer.
Article and Picture Citation:
Pharma and Healthcare. "New Drug Combination Highly Effective for Hepatitis C." Forbes. Forbes. 2014. Web. 17 May 2014. <http://www.forbes.com/sites/robertglatter/2014/05/07/new-drug-combination-highly-effective-for-hepatitis-c/>.
A Promising New Development for Treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Summary: The disease Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, or DMD, is the most common form of muscular dystrophy. In the class of diseases know as muscular dystrophy, the muscles of the individual break down and eventually die because of the lack of a protein. The protein varies with each type of MD, but in DMD the gene that produces the protein called dystrophin is mutated. Dystrophin normally helps hold the structure of the cytoskeleton of the muscle cells. With DMD, the protein is unable to function because of a missing section of the gene that makes it impossible for the entire protein to connect during translation (protein formation from RNA). However, in the new mouse-tested procedure called exon skipping, a "molecular plaster" is inserted into the genome of the afflicted individual (in this case the mouse) that fills the gap for the missing section, allowing the two parts of the protein to connect. This is called exon skipping because these sections are exons, or coding regions of chromosomes. This procedure does not allow for a complete dystrophin protein to be made though; the individual would still not have the missing exon. This procedure simply allows a partial protein to be made, which makes the symptoms of DMD much milder. The most recent experiments have been more significant than past ones because the tested mice were missing another protein called utrophin, making their disease more severe and therefore closer to what DMD is like in a human.
Connection: This connects to our biology curriculum in a few ways. It connects to our unit on the muscular system because of the functions of dystrophin. The dystrophin protein allow the muscle fibers to keep their structure as the contract, which we learned is through the movement of the action filaments towards each other. The absence of this protein results in a homeostatic imbalance, interrupting the muscular system's ability to move the body. This connect to our past unit on molecular genetics because of the specific function of the so called exon skipping compounds. These compounds, currently being researched by pharmaceutical companies in various countries, contains molecules that fill the gaps created by a missing exon. We learned about exons, introns, and RNA splicing in this unit. We learned that after transcription, the introns, or non-coding regions of the genes, are "cut out" before the mRNA is sent off for translation. DMD result in the failure of the exon pieces to connect after splicing. Finally, this connects to our cellular unit again because of the function of dystrophin. We learned in this unit about the cytoskeleton and its function in cells. The functions of the cytoskeleton include maintaining the shape of the cell and providing "tracks" on which the organelles can move
URL: http://mda.org/quest/promising-new-development-treatment-duchenne-muscular-dystrophy
Connection: This connects to our biology curriculum in a few ways. It connects to our unit on the muscular system because of the functions of dystrophin. The dystrophin protein allow the muscle fibers to keep their structure as the contract, which we learned is through the movement of the action filaments towards each other. The absence of this protein results in a homeostatic imbalance, interrupting the muscular system's ability to move the body. This connect to our past unit on molecular genetics because of the specific function of the so called exon skipping compounds. These compounds, currently being researched by pharmaceutical companies in various countries, contains molecules that fill the gaps created by a missing exon. We learned about exons, introns, and RNA splicing in this unit. We learned that after transcription, the introns, or non-coding regions of the genes, are "cut out" before the mRNA is sent off for translation. DMD result in the failure of the exon pieces to connect after splicing. Finally, this connects to our cellular unit again because of the function of dystrophin. We learned in this unit about the cytoskeleton and its function in cells. The functions of the cytoskeleton include maintaining the shape of the cell and providing "tracks" on which the organelles can move
URL: http://mda.org/quest/promising-new-development-treatment-duchenne-muscular-dystrophy
Interrupted breathing during affects brain neurons necessary to regulate heart rate
Interrupted breathing during sleep affects brain neurons necessary to regulate heart rate
Source: Wiley
Date: May 16, 2014
Summary: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep breathing disorder. It affects about 24% of adult males and 9% of adult females. OSA causes repetitive interruptions of breathing during sleep, and the lack of oxygen during these episodes brings the person to a lighter state of sleep or brief period of wakefulness in order restore normal breathing. Cycles of interrupted breathing and rousing to wakefulness can occur very frequently, up to once per minute. Recent research shows that OSA causes neurons in the brainstem that control heart rate to reduce in activity. The reductions of these neurons has multiple affects on the person. The reduction of activity contributes to increased heart rate and blood pressure in people with OSA. Also, it contributes to an increased risk in patients with OSA to experience adverse cardiovascular events or an irregular heartbeat. A group of researchers performed an experiment on rats in which they mimicked OSA for four weeks and measured changes in heart rate, blood pressure, and synaptic activity in parasympathetic neurons which control heart rate. This experiment provides a foundation which in the future can be built upon in order to find ways to restore normal activity to the neurons which control heart rate, which will help reduce the risk of elevated heart rate and blood pressure that occur with obstructive sleep apnea.
Connection: This article connects to four of the systems we have done. The interruption in breathing connects to the respiratory system. OSA causes interruptions of breathing, and therefore a lack of oxygen in the body. Oxygen comes into the body through the alveoli in the lungs, through the process of diffusion. The article also connects to the nervous system, specifically to our study of the brain. The functional unit if the nervous system is a neuron. In OSA, the neurons of the brain stem which control the heart reduce their activity. This can cause changes that specifically affect the heart. The heart is part of the muscular and circulatory systems. It is made up of cardiac muscle, which is branching, striated, and also involuntary. This means that you cannot consciously control the heart. The heart is also the main organ of the circulatory, or cardiovascular, system. The heart pumps blood throughout the body. There are two main loops of blood flow, the pulmonary loop and systematic loop. The pulmonary loop carries oxygen-poor blood to the lungs, where they are oxygenated, and then the oxygenated blood back to the heart. The systematic loop brings the oxygenated blood to cells throughout the body, and oxygen poor blood back to the heart. Blood travels away form the heart through arteries, back to the heart through veins, and to cells through capillaries.
The Limits of ‘No Pain, No Gain’
Caroline Maxwell
18 May 2014
Author: Gretchen Reynolds
Article Published: April 23, 2014
Summary: This article has to deal with why athletes feel muscle fatigue after working out. Scientist were not quite sure why the muscles would become weak, and then send a message to the brain that what is happening needs to stop. An experiment went on at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, and they isolated a part of mouse muscle tissue, and observed the nerve cells in that. They saw that when the muscles contracted, ATP was released along with lactate and other acids. Scientists then put each individual substance in the mouse and there was no effect, but when all three were added at the same time, the cell responded. This then signaled to the brain that the muscles were tired. From this they tried it on people's thumbs. Again, they added the individual substances and the people did not feel anything. Then they added ATP, lactate and the acid together, and shortly there after, people felt their thumbs were heavy, puffy and tired. They concluded that muscles begin to fatigue after these substances start building up.
Connection: This unit we have learned all about muscles and their contractions. When the actin and myosin contract they release small amounts of ATP, which is another subject we learned about earlier in the year. ATP is the main energy source for the cells to function and do their jobs. ATP is needed in order for cells to contract. The nervous system also plays a role in when muscles contract, sending the original muscle to the cell so it can contact. The muscular and nervous systems are too the themes that we learned about in this unit.
Link: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/04/23/with-exercise-the-limits-of-no-pain-no-gain/?action=click&module=Search®ion=searchResults&mabReward=relbias%3Ar&url=http%3A%2F%2Fquery.nytimes.com%2Fsearch%2Fsitesearch%2F%3Faction%3Dclick%26region%3DMasthead%26pgtype%3DHomepage%26module%3DSearchSubmit%26contentCollection%3DHomepage%26t%3Dqry579%23%2Fmuscle%2Bsystem%2F30days%2F
18 May 2014
Author: Gretchen Reynolds
Article Published: April 23, 2014
Summary: This article has to deal with why athletes feel muscle fatigue after working out. Scientist were not quite sure why the muscles would become weak, and then send a message to the brain that what is happening needs to stop. An experiment went on at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, and they isolated a part of mouse muscle tissue, and observed the nerve cells in that. They saw that when the muscles contracted, ATP was released along with lactate and other acids. Scientists then put each individual substance in the mouse and there was no effect, but when all three were added at the same time, the cell responded. This then signaled to the brain that the muscles were tired. From this they tried it on people's thumbs. Again, they added the individual substances and the people did not feel anything. Then they added ATP, lactate and the acid together, and shortly there after, people felt their thumbs were heavy, puffy and tired. They concluded that muscles begin to fatigue after these substances start building up.
Connection: This unit we have learned all about muscles and their contractions. When the actin and myosin contract they release small amounts of ATP, which is another subject we learned about earlier in the year. ATP is the main energy source for the cells to function and do their jobs. ATP is needed in order for cells to contract. The nervous system also plays a role in when muscles contract, sending the original muscle to the cell so it can contact. The muscular and nervous systems are too the themes that we learned about in this unit.
Link: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/04/23/with-exercise-the-limits-of-no-pain-no-gain/?action=click&module=Search®ion=searchResults&mabReward=relbias%3Ar&url=http%3A%2F%2Fquery.nytimes.com%2Fsearch%2Fsitesearch%2F%3Faction%3Dclick%26region%3DMasthead%26pgtype%3DHomepage%26module%3DSearchSubmit%26contentCollection%3DHomepage%26t%3Dqry579%23%2Fmuscle%2Bsystem%2F30days%2F
Blood poisoning increases the risk of blood clots, new research shows
Summary:
Researchers at Aarhus University have discovered a direct correlation between blood poisoning and getting blood clots. Of their 4000 patients with blood poisoning, the chance of the patients also suffers from blood clots are twice as likely than those without blood poisoning. They have found that within the first 30 days of infection the risk is the highest. This study was just published in Circulation. The researchers hope to utilize this new discovery to diagnose patients earlier and treat earlier to prevent many of the complications associated with blood clotting. The clear correlation is a large breakthrough in the prevention and treatment of major heart and circulatory diseases.
Connection:
This connects to our second unit of the Human Systems and specifically to the circulatory system. We studied that blood clotting can lead to many major diseases such as the ones mentioned by the circulatory group, where mos were caused, directly or indirectly, by blood clots.
Date published: March 14, 2014
Author: Aarhus University
Link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/03/140314111527.htm
Researchers at Aarhus University have discovered a direct correlation between blood poisoning and getting blood clots. Of their 4000 patients with blood poisoning, the chance of the patients also suffers from blood clots are twice as likely than those without blood poisoning. They have found that within the first 30 days of infection the risk is the highest. This study was just published in Circulation. The researchers hope to utilize this new discovery to diagnose patients earlier and treat earlier to prevent many of the complications associated with blood clotting. The clear correlation is a large breakthrough in the prevention and treatment of major heart and circulatory diseases.
Connection:
This connects to our second unit of the Human Systems and specifically to the circulatory system. We studied that blood clotting can lead to many major diseases such as the ones mentioned by the circulatory group, where mos were caused, directly or indirectly, by blood clots.
Date published: March 14, 2014
Author: Aarhus University
Link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/03/140314111527.htm
New medical gel grows bone tissue exactly where you need it
Summary:
At Rice University, a certain gel has been created that helps bone tissue production for patients who cannot produce enough bone tissue themselves. Being a dual gelation process, the first part starts off with a cold polymer just a bit under room temperature. After it warms up to body temperature, it undergoes a thermal gelation which is a hardening to surround any growth factors or stem cells that might be absorbed into the gel. Next, scientists created a secondary gelation component that stabilizes the gel and prevents any break down after the primary gelation occurs, and this is added to the first component right before the gel is injected into the mold. What the gel really ends up doing is that it delivers stem cells or growth factors into a selected region of bone tissue defects which ultimately helps regenerate bone. All doctors need to do is inject the gel and leave the rest up to time and nature. This new innovation would overall be an extreme benefit because in some cases of large defects, due to a limited amount bone tissue it's hard to harvest bone tissue from other places in the body.
Connection:
This connects to our study of the human skeletal system and how we examined different parts of a bone such as the spongy bone on the inside and the more durable compact bone on the outside. Other parts of the bone we discussed in class were the two bone marrows: red and yellow. We also covered osteoclasts which destroy bone and osteoblasts which create bone. There was also the skeletal presentation that talked about a couple of different diseases that affect bones. For example, there was a presentation on osteoporosis and how it ends up weakening the bone since the osteoblasts' bone production rate cannot keep up with the osteoclasts' bone destruction rate. The osteoclasts could also deteriorate bone marrow which would affect the bone's storage function and red blood cell creation. With this new gel, people who have bone diseases or who have certain bone defects may be able to treat or potentially cure their bone illnesses because of the fact that the gel stimulates and promotes bone growth and regeneration.
Author: Jon Fingas
Date of Publication: May 11, 2014
Link: http://www.engadget.com/2014/05/11/hydrogel-bone-growth/
At Rice University, a certain gel has been created that helps bone tissue production for patients who cannot produce enough bone tissue themselves. Being a dual gelation process, the first part starts off with a cold polymer just a bit under room temperature. After it warms up to body temperature, it undergoes a thermal gelation which is a hardening to surround any growth factors or stem cells that might be absorbed into the gel. Next, scientists created a secondary gelation component that stabilizes the gel and prevents any break down after the primary gelation occurs, and this is added to the first component right before the gel is injected into the mold. What the gel really ends up doing is that it delivers stem cells or growth factors into a selected region of bone tissue defects which ultimately helps regenerate bone. All doctors need to do is inject the gel and leave the rest up to time and nature. This new innovation would overall be an extreme benefit because in some cases of large defects, due to a limited amount bone tissue it's hard to harvest bone tissue from other places in the body.
Connection:
This connects to our study of the human skeletal system and how we examined different parts of a bone such as the spongy bone on the inside and the more durable compact bone on the outside. Other parts of the bone we discussed in class were the two bone marrows: red and yellow. We also covered osteoclasts which destroy bone and osteoblasts which create bone. There was also the skeletal presentation that talked about a couple of different diseases that affect bones. For example, there was a presentation on osteoporosis and how it ends up weakening the bone since the osteoblasts' bone production rate cannot keep up with the osteoclasts' bone destruction rate. The osteoclasts could also deteriorate bone marrow which would affect the bone's storage function and red blood cell creation. With this new gel, people who have bone diseases or who have certain bone defects may be able to treat or potentially cure their bone illnesses because of the fact that the gel stimulates and promotes bone growth and regeneration.
Author: Jon Fingas
Date of Publication: May 11, 2014
Link: http://www.engadget.com/2014/05/11/hydrogel-bone-growth/
Saturday, May 17, 2014
New treatment targeting versatile protein may protect brain cells in Parkinson's disease
Summary:
In Parkinson's disease (PD), dopamine-producing nerves cells that control movements waste away. Current treatments for PD therefore aim to restore dopamine contents in the brain. In a new study from Lund University researchers focused on the early activation of a protein that improves the brain's capacity to cope with a host of harmful processes. Stimulating the protein, called Sigma-1 receptor, sets off a set of defense mechanisms and restores lost motor function. By activating the Sigma-1 receptor, a versatile protein involved in many cellular functions that help nerve cells build connections increased, inflammation decreased, and dopamine levels rose. Improvement of motor symptom has been shown in mice with a Parkinson-like condition who had been treated with a Sigma-1 stimulating drug. The treatment has been shown to be most effective when started at the beginning of the most aggressive phase of dopamine cell death. This treatment however has not been studied in connection with PD. There are many reports that show positive results when Sigma-1 stimulating drugs were used to treat stroke and motor neuron diseases. According to Professor M. Nilsson of Lund University the fact that these substances stimulating the protein is a huge advantage since it means that the body tolerates this treatment. Nilsson also says that clinical trials of PD should start soon.
Connection:
This article connects with our study of the nervous system. The nervous system controls and coordinates all body functions. The nervous systems is composed of nerves and neurons, that transmit signals between different parts of the body. This article focuses on Parkinson's Disease. Parkinson's Disease is a progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects movement. Parkinson's Disease involves the death of neurons. Some of these neurons produce dopamine a chemical that sends messages to the part of the brain that controls movement and coordination. As this disease progresses dopamine levels in the brain decrease which lead to a person unable to control movements. This disease disrupts homeostasis in the nervous system. New treatment will be able to decrease the affects that this disease has on homeostasis.
Author: Lund University
Date: May 16, 2014
Link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/05/140516092046.htm
In Parkinson's disease (PD), dopamine-producing nerves cells that control movements waste away. Current treatments for PD therefore aim to restore dopamine contents in the brain. In a new study from Lund University researchers focused on the early activation of a protein that improves the brain's capacity to cope with a host of harmful processes. Stimulating the protein, called Sigma-1 receptor, sets off a set of defense mechanisms and restores lost motor function. By activating the Sigma-1 receptor, a versatile protein involved in many cellular functions that help nerve cells build connections increased, inflammation decreased, and dopamine levels rose. Improvement of motor symptom has been shown in mice with a Parkinson-like condition who had been treated with a Sigma-1 stimulating drug. The treatment has been shown to be most effective when started at the beginning of the most aggressive phase of dopamine cell death. This treatment however has not been studied in connection with PD. There are many reports that show positive results when Sigma-1 stimulating drugs were used to treat stroke and motor neuron diseases. According to Professor M. Nilsson of Lund University the fact that these substances stimulating the protein is a huge advantage since it means that the body tolerates this treatment. Nilsson also says that clinical trials of PD should start soon.
Connection:
This article connects with our study of the nervous system. The nervous system controls and coordinates all body functions. The nervous systems is composed of nerves and neurons, that transmit signals between different parts of the body. This article focuses on Parkinson's Disease. Parkinson's Disease is a progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects movement. Parkinson's Disease involves the death of neurons. Some of these neurons produce dopamine a chemical that sends messages to the part of the brain that controls movement and coordination. As this disease progresses dopamine levels in the brain decrease which lead to a person unable to control movements. This disease disrupts homeostasis in the nervous system. New treatment will be able to decrease the affects that this disease has on homeostasis.
Author: Lund University
Date: May 16, 2014
Link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/05/140516092046.htm
Artificial eyes, plastic skulls: 3-D printing the human body
By: Meera SenthilingamPublished: April 17, 2014
Summary: 3-D printing has made tremendous progress in the 21st century. 3-D scanning technologies along with thermoplastics and organic inks have enabled the bioprinting of many human organs to be used for a wide range of medical conditions. Doctors at a medical university in Holland have successfully completed their first surgery in which they completely replaced a patients skull with a plastic version that was 3-D printed. The disorder made the patient's skull 5cm thick which caused her to lose her vision and would have ultimately killed her. But this operation saved her and the patient regained her vision. Mass production of printed prosthetic eyes has also successfully made progress in UK. The aim of this is to produce more affordable prosthetic eyes for people in poor countries that have reportedly been showing interest in this project. Production of facial prostheses like noses and ears has also been making progress. 3-D facial scans of patients are used to print prosthetics using materials closely matching the ones present in the patient's original nose or ear. Synthetic skin is being manufactured to replace a patient's burnt skin. It is designed to have the enzymes and materials that a natural skin cell contains and to match the patient's skin tone as closely as possible. Thermoplastics helped the development of printable hands. A team in South Africa is creating functional, affordable prosthetic fingers for use by combining the printing of the thermoplastic with stainless steel digits to make a fully functional finger. The bioprinting of human bone implants is one of the more established fields of 3-D printing. The structure was printed using the important mineral- calcium phosphate and has successfully been tested in animals. The development of all these different types of printable organs has made lives of people living with diseases and lost/malfunctioning body parts much easier at an affordable price.
Link: http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/17/tech/innovation/artificial-eyes-3d-printing-body/
Relevance: We have studied the different organs in the body and the important purposes they serve. We have also learned about the important vitamins, minerals and proteins in the body that are essential to its function. When printable organs are manufactured, the scientists also make sure they use organic inks that contain the materials important to the body's function to print them. This way the body of a human with prosthetic or 3-D printed limbs and organs can have the same, normal functions as a normal, healthy human body. We also learned about the structure of the eye and ear which are essential to their functions. It is important for scientists and researchers to properly study the structure of these organs to manufacture them using bioprinting so that the prosthetic organs used with the patient have the same functions as a natural eye or ear.
Mice with multiple sclerosis-like condition walk again after human stem cell treatment
Link
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/05/140515123204.htm
This article was written by the University of Utah Health Sciences and published on May 15, 2014.
Summary
In one experiment, researchers transplanted human neural stem cells into severely disabled mice with conditions similar to multiple sclerosis. They had predicted this wasn't going to be beneficial to the mice at all because the stem cells would be rejected- in other words, destroyed. However, to their astonishment, the rodents regained their motor skills within 10-14 days after the transplant, and haven't slowed down for the six months following the experiment. It also turns out that the researchers' prediction was true- the stem cells disappeared in the mice a week after the transplant. However, there was enough time before the rejection for the stem cells to send chemical signals instructing the mice's own cells to repair damaged myelin sheath. This explained the rodents' quick recovery and opens up a new field of research in treating humans with multiple sclerosis. Because transplanting stem cells into humans is challenging, alternate ideas are arising. For example, one idea is to put the chemical signals into a drug for patients with multiple sclerosis. The researchers are shooting for clinical trials and plan to assess its safety using mice.
Relevance
This article relates to when we learned about the nervous system, particularly the disease, multiple sclerosis. We learned that people with this condition have damaged myelin sheath. Electrical signals which communicate information to other neurons or effector cells take a longer time to travel down the axon. Normally, a functioning myelin sheath speeds the transmission of the signals by cutting some distance- signals jump from node to node. However, the absence of functioning myelin sheath means there's more distance for signals to cover, meaning that it takes up more time for them to get to other neurons or effector cells. This slows communication within the nervous system, causing motor skills such as walking to be impaired. As discussed in the article, repairing the damaged myelin sheath mean the speed of the transmission of signals would return to normal, and motor skills would be regained. This article also relates to the immune system, which is something we'll be learning about soon.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/05/140515123204.htm
This article was written by the University of Utah Health Sciences and published on May 15, 2014.
Summary
In one experiment, researchers transplanted human neural stem cells into severely disabled mice with conditions similar to multiple sclerosis. They had predicted this wasn't going to be beneficial to the mice at all because the stem cells would be rejected- in other words, destroyed. However, to their astonishment, the rodents regained their motor skills within 10-14 days after the transplant, and haven't slowed down for the six months following the experiment. It also turns out that the researchers' prediction was true- the stem cells disappeared in the mice a week after the transplant. However, there was enough time before the rejection for the stem cells to send chemical signals instructing the mice's own cells to repair damaged myelin sheath. This explained the rodents' quick recovery and opens up a new field of research in treating humans with multiple sclerosis. Because transplanting stem cells into humans is challenging, alternate ideas are arising. For example, one idea is to put the chemical signals into a drug for patients with multiple sclerosis. The researchers are shooting for clinical trials and plan to assess its safety using mice.
Relevance
This article relates to when we learned about the nervous system, particularly the disease, multiple sclerosis. We learned that people with this condition have damaged myelin sheath. Electrical signals which communicate information to other neurons or effector cells take a longer time to travel down the axon. Normally, a functioning myelin sheath speeds the transmission of the signals by cutting some distance- signals jump from node to node. However, the absence of functioning myelin sheath means there's more distance for signals to cover, meaning that it takes up more time for them to get to other neurons or effector cells. This slows communication within the nervous system, causing motor skills such as walking to be impaired. As discussed in the article, repairing the damaged myelin sheath mean the speed of the transmission of signals would return to normal, and motor skills would be regained. This article also relates to the immune system, which is something we'll be learning about soon.
Friday, May 16, 2014
Protein Molecule that may Improve Survival in Deadly Lung Disease
Protein Molecule that may Improve Survival in Deadly Lung Disease
Summary: A protein molecule called Lysocardiolipin Acyltransferase, or LYCAT, was found to be made by one of the many genes mutated in a Lung disease called Pulmonary Fibrosis. Pulmonary Fibrosis is a progressive disease that causes the lungs to be covered by fibrosis scar tissue, due to chronic inflammatory disease, an autoimmune disease, or exposure to asbestos. This scar tissue in turn leads to a shortness of breath that progressively gets worse as the disease progresses, and treatment is limited for this disease due to the fact that scar tissue is permanent and cannot be removed. The protein LYCAT is directly correlated with better lung function, so because of this scientists tested blood of patients for the LYCAT protein and those who did had a much better lung function and survival rate than those who did not. This was also tested in mice, with mice that had the LYCAT making gene compared to those who did not. The mice who did not have the gene grew more scar tissue more readily than those who did have the protein. With this new information, researchers are now looking into increasing the production of the LYCAT protein in Pulmonary Fibrosis patients to increase lung function and the survival rate.
Connection: This article is related to the Human Body II unit, because it involves the lungs and therefore the respiratory system along with the impacts of a disease on homeostasis. The respiratory system's main job, is to exchange gases with the environment therefore taking oxygen into the body and expelling carbon dioxide. Because of Pulmonary Fibrosis, homeostasis of the body is disrupted due to the scar tissue on the lungs which causes shortness of breath. This shortness of breath would lead to the inefficiency of the respiratory system taking in oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide. This article relates to the respiratory system and the effects diseases can have on homeostasis.
Author: Sharon Parmet
Date of Publication: May 6, 2014
Scientists Grow Human Heart Tissue
Biomedia Report Term 4: Scientists grow Human Heart Tissue
Eli Tsakiris
This article explains how using stem cells, scientists have been able to recreate human heart tissue. A type of cell called an induced pluripotent stem (iPS) is used as a template to create the general heart tissue or MCP (precursor heart cells). These iPS were placed on a rat heart “scaffold”, which is not a living heart but a carbohydrate/protein outline of one, so the cells have a place to grow. In the experiment, the cells began to contract at 40-50 beats per minute after given time to grow. This heart like function was received as a huge success as this was the first creation of a pulsating heart tissue from stem cells. Although scientists have added the disclaimer that this success meant in no way that the lab was close to recreating an entire human heart, they do believe that with refinement, the iPS derived MCP method could be used to help reconstruct tissue damaged in a heart attack or similar disaster. When heart tissue is damaged in a heart attack, it does not regenerate or heal itself, this new ability to create heart muscle could allow surgeons to replace the destroyed muscle.
This related to our unit as we have learned about the function of the heart and also the potential importance of stem is research. Stem cells are cells that haven't specialized yet and can be used as a template to create whatever type of cell is required. Luckily, the iPS solved the moral problems we discussed. Formerly, the only way to obtain stem cells was to remove them from the human embryo which contradicted many peoples religious beliefs. Also, we talked about the dangers of heart disease, which is the problem these efforts are primarily aimed at. The article also talks about heart attacks, which we learned are the result of blood not getting to portions of the heart, and thus destroying it. In the Circulatory system group’s presentation, they talked about how there was no way for scientists to replace the damaged heart muscle, however this new process may be the start of a solution.
Read more at : http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/scientists-grow-human-heart-tissue-stem-cells-article-1.1428089
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Antidepressant may slow Alzheimer's disease
Summary:
Researchers recently found that a common antidepressant, citalopram, reduces levels of a protein associated with Alzheimer's disease. There tend to be higher levels of the protein amyloid beta in Alzheimer's patients. The excess proteins clump together and form plaques in the brain. The neurotransmitter serotonin reduces levels of amyloid beta. Because many antidepressants help to maintain serotonin circulation in the brain, researchers wondered if they could help lower levels of the plaque causing protein and therefor slow Alzheimer's onset. To test their hypotheses, researchers gave several different antidepressants to mice that had been genetically engineered to develop Alzheimer's disease. When the mice received the antidepressants they had not yet started to develop plaques, but the hope was that the antidepressant would slow or prevent plaque development. Indeed, the antidepressants lowered amyloid beta production by 25 percent after a single day.
In a different experiment researchers gave the antidepressant citalopram to mice that had already developed plaques. Researchers monitored plaque growth in the mice for 28 days after giving them citalopram. Preexisting plaques stopped growing and the rate of new plaque growth lowered by 78 percent, giving the researchers hope that citalopram could treat Alzheimer's in humans.
Researchers, in a separate experiment, gave citalopram to 23 adults between the ages of 18 and 50 who were not suffering from cognitive impairment. Patients who had taken citalopram showed a 37 percent drop in the amount amyloid beta in their spinal fluid. So far it is not recommended that patients take antidepressants solely for the purpose of slowing Alzheimer's onset, but researchers will be further exploring the science behind serotonin's effect on amyloid beta.
Researchers, in a separate experiment, gave citalopram to 23 adults between the ages of 18 and 50 who were not suffering from cognitive impairment. Patients who had taken citalopram showed a 37 percent drop in the amount amyloid beta in their spinal fluid. So far it is not recommended that patients take antidepressants solely for the purpose of slowing Alzheimer's onset, but researchers will be further exploring the science behind serotonin's effect on amyloid beta.
Connection:
This article relates to our study of disease and the nervous system. We learned about homeostatic imbalances and how a homeostatic imbalance is caused by a disruption between structure and function. This article mentions plaque building up in the brain of Alzheimer's patients, while Alzheimer's disease is not fully understood there is a potential disruption. If plaque builds up in the brain and disrupts the flow of information from body to brain or interferes with the function of a certain part of the brain, then the function of the brain is being impaired due to plaque intruding the structure.
In chapter 28 of our text book we read about the nervous system. We learned about the brain and the function of neuron as well as the different divisions of the nervous system. Alzheimer's disease, the disease which centers this article, is a disease of the nervous system. We also learned about neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, the neurotransmitter mentioned in this article. In chapter 28 we learned about how neurotransmitters are sent from the axon terminals of one neuron to the dendrites of another and how they are chemical signals.
Date: May 14, 2014
Author: Michael C. Purdy
Link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/05/140514142326.htm
This article relates to our study of disease and the nervous system. We learned about homeostatic imbalances and how a homeostatic imbalance is caused by a disruption between structure and function. This article mentions plaque building up in the brain of Alzheimer's patients, while Alzheimer's disease is not fully understood there is a potential disruption. If plaque builds up in the brain and disrupts the flow of information from body to brain or interferes with the function of a certain part of the brain, then the function of the brain is being impaired due to plaque intruding the structure.
In chapter 28 of our text book we read about the nervous system. We learned about the brain and the function of neuron as well as the different divisions of the nervous system. Alzheimer's disease, the disease which centers this article, is a disease of the nervous system. We also learned about neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, the neurotransmitter mentioned in this article. In chapter 28 we learned about how neurotransmitters are sent from the axon terminals of one neuron to the dendrites of another and how they are chemical signals.
Date: May 14, 2014
Author: Michael C. Purdy
Link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/05/140514142326.htm
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Stem cell breakthrough could set up future transplant therapies
Francesca Sajedi
Link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131010124732.htm
Author: University of Cambridge
Date Published: October 10, 2013
Summary:
Researchers at The University of Cambridge have found a way to produce large amounts of foregut cells that are uncontaminated and can be used for clinical applications and later on for regenerative therapies. Foregut cells include cells in the alimentary canal from the mouth to the duodenum, including the liver and pancreas. The researchers didn’t come up with a brand new idea, but they greatly enhanced an existing one. In order for them to grow stem cells, they have to start with human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). These are biological cells that are unspecialized. Since the cells are not specialized, they have the potential to transform into one of the three cell layers. The mesoderm, endoderm, and the ectoderm are the three layers of cells. In order for the researchers to transform the cells successfully, they had to figure out ways to ensure that there would only be the specific kind they wanted and how to differentiate the target cells. The researchers figured out that they had to change each pathway for each cell and vary the environment where they are kept. Even in the foregut there are many different types needed. Under these conditions, researchers could use a contaminated sample because the non-endodermal cells gradually disappeared. They gradually disappeared because the endodermal cells were in a stage where they self-reproduced. When they self-reproduce, it doesn’t allow any room for the others and researchers can use the large quantities for research and clinical purposes. Growing these cells also allow scientists to learn more about how each piece of the foregut develops in the embryological stages. More research is needed, but hopefully these cells will be able to develop new treatments for Type 1 Diabetes and liver disease.
Connection:
This article relates to our human body units because the stem cells are going to help with parts of the digestive system and the endocrine system. It will help with the digestive system because the stem cells could be used for any part in the foregut/ mouth to the duodenum. With the stem cells helping with these parts, we can learn more about the foregut’s embryological development through the way that the researchers grow stem cells. The stem cells will help the endocrine system because they will help treat Type 1 Diabetes and liver disease. In addition, the article relates to our human body units because these stem cells will help our bodies sustain homeostasis on its own because it can regenerate the functions of the cells in the foregut, liver, and pancreas. If these structures are at all damaged doctors will eventually be able to inject these cells to replace the damaged cell in the structure.
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