November 2020 - TEACHABLE MEDICAL NEWS

TeachableMedicalNews article 11252020

Teachable moment in classrooms:

cellular basis of life chapter – protein synthesis in cells can be changed by stimulus
muscle tissue chapter – thick and thin filaments in the sliding filament muscle contraction model
muscle tissue chapter – the role of calcium in muscle contraction model
heart chapter – relationship of stroke volume to cardiac output

The news item: Recently a new electronic device, Optimizer Smart, was in the news:

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/25/fda-approves-new-device-for-patients-with-chronic-heart-failure.html

The article states that this device is not a pacemaker; it sends non-excitatory signals, and this way it improves the squeezing ability of the heart which, in turn, improves the physical abilities of the heart failure patients.

So, Why Do I Care?? In the USA there are about 5 million people living with congestive heart failure. There are over 500,000 new cases every year, and 280,000 deaths. The people who live with congestive heart failure have a diminished quality of life because their physical activities are limited. Any new approach to help those patients is welcome news.

Plain English, Please!!! First, let’s talk about what heart failure is. Contrary to popular belief “heart failure” doesn’t mean that the heart stops beating. Heart failure means that the cardiac output (the blood volume pumped out each minute)

TeachableMedicalNews article 11072020

Teachable moment in classrooms:

cellular basis of life chapter – gene mutation leading to malfunctioning protein
cellular basis of life chapter – mitosis or somatic cell division
integumentary system chapter – scar tissue formation during dermal wound healing
immune system chapter – lymph nodes as location of lymphocytes
immune system chapter – cell division as part of immune response in lymph nodes.

The news item: Recently a recall of breast implants was in the news:

Breast implants tied to rare form of cancer recalled at FDA request

Allergan Inc. announces a worldwide recall of implants with a textured surface

The report described how one type of breast implant made by Allergan is associated with the development of a rare cancer, called anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL).

So, Why Do I Care?? Altogether close to 600 anaplastic large cell lymphoma cases have been reported in women with breast implants. Even such a relatively slow number of cancers is a concern, because most of those cases occurred in women with one type of implant. Add to this that breast implants have been considered as a cosmetic alteration that presents little danger, but now a specific disorder is associated with them. That is a substantial change in how we view the risks of this procedure

Plain English, Please!!!

First, let’s talk about how a breast implant affects the body. This cosmetic implant is made of plastic, and it is surgically inserted under the skin. The normal wound

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Month: November 2020

How could a new non-pacing electronic device help chronic heart failure patients?

Why breast implants can become life threatening?

Breast implants tied to rare form of cancer recalled at FDA request