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Category: lymphatic and immune system Page 3 of 5

Can we decrease people’s cat allergies just by changing the cat food?

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On May 1, 2021

In lymphatic and immune system, respiratory system

TeachableMedicalNews article 04302021

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. immune system chapter – IgE antibodies are made in response to allergens
  2. immune system chapter – interactions of antibody with specific targets
  3. immune system chapter – elements of anaphylactic reaction

The news item:  Recently several news outlets reported on a new cat food, Purina’s Pro Plan LiveClear, that reduces people’s allergic reaction to cats:

 

Purina Pro Plan Releasing Cat Food that Can Help Ease Cat Allergies in Humans

Purina Pro Plan LiveClear is designed to safely neutralize Fel d1, the main allergen that causes cat allergies, in your cat’s saliva

The article states that Fel d1 is the major cat allergen, and the new cat food makes cats to carry less of this allergen on their fur.

So, Why Do I Care??

About 10-30% of people are prone to develop allergies to cats. 95% of cat allergies happen because of anaphylactic reaction to the Fel d1 cat allergen. With the popularity of cats in households, any non-invasive method to decrease allergic reactions can have major impact on the quality of life for millions of people in the US alone. In addition, this approach may point the way to similar solution to other allergy problems.

Plain English, Please!!!

First, let’s talk about what is an allergy. Some cells in our immune system are programmed to recognize foreign material we breathe in or we swallow. When immune cells make an IgE antibody in response, then that foreign material is now called an allergen. When the allergen enters the body the second time,

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How could gene editing fight cancers?

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On December 8, 2020

In cellular basis of life, lymphatic and immune system

TeachableMedicalNews article 12082020

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. cellular basis of life chapter – chromosomes contain many genes
  2. cellular basis of life chapter – a gene is a specific stretch of DNA that encodes one protein
  3. cellular basis of life chapter – concept of gene mutation leading to protein

malfunction

  1. immune system chapter – function of T lymphocytes (T cells)

The news item: Recently the gene editing approach to cancer fighting was in the news:

Doctors try CRISPR gene editing for cancer, a 1st in the US

The first attempt in the U.S. to use the gene editing tool CRISPR against cancer seems safe, but it’s too soon to know if it will improve survival.

The report described an experimental treatment of one sarcoma patient and two multiple myeloma patients with the Crispr technology. The article states that this approach deletes 3 genes and adds one gene to the T cells of the patients, and the gene-edited T cells are infused back into the body of the patients.

So, Why Do I Care??

The thing to care about is the potential of the technology of gene editing.  While experimental in humans, and the targets of the technology are relatively rare diseases, if proven useful there are many human genetic disorders that may be managed or cured by it. Any disorder that is caused by mutated genes and malfunctioning proteins may be the future target of gene editing.

Plain English, Please!!!

First, let’s talk about multiple myeloma and sarcoma. Myeloma is a cancer that forms in the red bone marrow. Sarcoma is a cancer that starts from connective

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Why breast implants can become life threatening?

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On November 7, 2020

In cellular basis of life, integumentary system, lymphatic and immune system

TeachableMedicalNews article 11072020

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. cellular basis of life chapter – gene mutation leading to malfunctioning protein
  2. cellular basis of life chapter – mitosis or somatic cell division
  3. integumentary system chapter – scar tissue formation during dermal wound healing
  4. immune system chapter – lymph nodes as location of lymphocytes
  5. 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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Why eating Listeria-contaminated food can be life threatening?

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On October 22, 2020

In cellular basis of life, digestive system, lymphatic and immune system, nervous system, reproductive system

TeachableMedicalNews article 10222020

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. cellular basis of life chapter – cytosol
  2. nervous system chapter – location of meninges
  3. immune system chapter – vasodilation during inflammation
  4. immune system chapter – emigration by white blood cells
  5. microbiology – Listeria monocytogenes biology

The news item:  Recently a Listeria outbreak was reported to have started from contaminated mushrooms:

Enoki mushrooms tied to listeria outbreak that killed four people and hospitalized 31, CDC says | CNN

Enoki mushrooms are linked to four deaths and 31 hospitalizations in what the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says was a multistate listeria outbreak that is now presumed to be over.

The article stated that Listeria outbreak is caused by a bacterium, and that the symptoms of infection are stiff neck, loss of balance, miscarriage, confusion and fever.

So, Why Do I Care??

Infection by Listeria bacterium is the third leading cause of food borne illness, and it is the most lethal food borne illness by killing about 15 – 20% of the infected individuals.  In the US each year about 1600 people get infected, and 260 die. The victims are the most vulnerable of society: elderly, pregnant women, and immunosuppressed people.

Plain English, Please!!!

First, let’s talk about what Listeria is. Listeria is a type of bacterium that infects human beings when they consume Listeria-contaminated food. The bacterium lives

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How does a new antibiotic called Xenleta fight bacterial infections?

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On October 9, 2020

In cellular basis of life, chemical basis of life, lymphatic and immune system, respiratory system

TeachableMedicalNews article 10092020

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. chemical basis of life chapter – proteins are made of amino acids linked by peptide bonds
  2. cellular basis of life chapter – protein synthesis on ribosome
  3. respiratory system chapter – alveoli location and function
  4. immune system chapter – events during inflammation
  5. microbiology – bacterial resistance against antibiotics

The news item:  Recently the news of a novel antibiotic was reported:

FDA approves new antibiotic for bacterial pneumonia

A new antibiotic has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. It’s called Xenleta and the FDA says it’s another treatment option to fight a common type of pneumonia.

The article states that the new antibiotic, Xenleta, is a pleuromutilin, and it fights community acquired bacterial pneumonia.

So, Why Do I Care??

Pneumonia is the reason for 1 million hospitalizations and 50,000 deaths each year in the US. Most pneumonia cases are caused by bacterial infections. Because this disease can get worse quickly, efficient treatment must include the killing of the bacteria that cause the disease. Any new antibiotic that can treat people whose pneumonia resists the regular antibiotics likely to save thousands of lives each year.

Plain English, Please!!!

First, let’s talk about what bacterial pneumonia is. When the deepest portion of our respiratory system, the alveoli (air sacks), are attacked by bacteria, the result is local

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Could antibodies from plasma of recovered patients defeat the SARS-CoV-2 virus?

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On June 4, 2020

In lymphatic and immune system, respiratory system

TeachableMedicalNews article 06042020

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. cell chapter – endocytosis and phagocytosis as transport through cell membranes
  2. blood chapter – white blood cell types and their functions
  3. respiratory system chapter – alveoli as the sites of gas exchange
  4. respiratory system chapter – macrophages of alveoli
  5. lymphatic and immune system chapter – antibody structure
  6. lymphatic and immune system chapter – antibodies are made for specific targets

The news item:  Recently reports appeared where blood plasma taken from recovered patients are given to seriously ill COVID-19 patients:

Blood plasma appears safe for COVID-19 patients in early trial results

Researchers report promising results in early safety trials of convalescent plasma therapy, in which the blood of COVID-19 survivors is used to treat patients.

The article mentions that antibodies in the plasma are the active ingredient, and that 5000 patients were evaluated in this trial to determine the safety of such treatment.

So, Why Do I Care??  Have you been living under a rock in the last few months??? The coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, responsible for the COVID-19 disease has so far infected over 6 million people, and caused over 377,000 deaths worldwide (on the date of this article). The virus attacks the respiratory system, specifically the alveoli, and may cause pneumonia and death by respiratory failure.  The antibodies from the recovered patients hold promise as a possible treatment to lower the lethality of the virus.

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How could the antiproliferative drug Jakafi help us defeat the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus?

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On May 7, 2020

In cardiovascular system, lymphatic and immune system, respiratory system

TeachableMedicalNews article 05072020

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. blood chapter – white blood cell types and their functions
  2. blood chapter – hematopoiesis in red bone marrow
  3. respiratory system chapter – alveoli as the sites of gas exchange
  4. respiratory system chapter – immune defense cells of alveoli
  5. lymphatic and immune system chapter – events of inflammation

How could the anti-proliferative drug Jakafi help us defeat the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus?

The news item:  Recent articles reported that the anti-proliferative drug will be evaluated as potential treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infected patients:

Incyte drug could be part of COVID-19 treatment

A global biopharmaceutical company based in Delaware is working to get one of its drugs approved to treat the new coronavirus disease. Officials at Incyte…

The news item mentions that the drug may inhibit cytokine storm in coronavirus infected patients.

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How could the drug Opaganib help us defeat the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus?

By

On May 2, 2020

In cardiovascular system, cellular basis of life, lymphatic and immune system, respiratory system

TeachableMedicalNews article 05022020

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. cellular basis of life chapter – cell cycle and mitosis
  2. blood chapter – white blood cell types and their functions
  3. respiratory system chapter – alveoli as the sites of gas exchange
  4. respiratory system chapter – immune defense cells of alveoli
  5. lymphatic and immune system chapter – events of inflammation

How could the drug Opaganib help us defeat the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus?

The news item:  Recent articles reported that the investigational drug Opaganib will be evaluated as potential treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infected patients:

https://www.timesofisrael.com/2-israeli-covid-19-patients-improve-in-experimental-drug-trial/

The news item mentions that the drug has an anti-inflammatory effect, and that it is a sphingosine kinase inhibitor.

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How could the leukemia fighter drug Calquence help us defeat the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus?

By

On April 24, 2020

In cardiovascular system, lymphatic and immune system, respiratory system

TeachableMedicalNews article 04242020

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. blood chapter – white blood cell types and their functions
  2. blood chapter – malfunctioning mechanisms in leukemia
  3. respiratory system chapter – alveoli as the sites of gas exchange
  4. respiratory system chapter – immune defense cells of alveoli
  5. lymphatic and immune system chapter – events of inflammation

How could the leukemia fighter drug Calquence help us defeat the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus?

The news item:  Recent articles reported that the anti-cancer drug will be evaluated as potential treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infected patients:

AstraZeneca to test impact of cancer drug Calquence on coronavirus patients

Calquence (acalabrutinib) belongs to a class of drugs called Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors which can suppress autoimmune diseases. The drug, which is currently used to treat certain types of blood cancers, has already been approved for the treatment of adult patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia in the U.S.

The news item mentions cytokine storm in coronavirus infected patients, and that the drug is a BTK inhibitor.

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Can an ancient disease cancel a Phish concert?

By

On March 5, 2020

In cellular basis of life, lymphatic and immune system

TeachableMedicalNews article 03052020

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. cellular basis of life chapter – endocytosis as cellular transport
  2. immune system chapter – phagocytosis by the cells of the innate immune system
  3. immune system chapter – activation of the B cells by macrophages in the adaptive immune system
  4. immune system chapter – antibodies speed up phagocytosis of invading microbes
  5. microbiology —  pathology of Yersinia pestis bacterium

The news item:  Recently the disease called plague was reported to disrupt camping and other preparation for a Phish concert in Denver:

Plague-ridden prairie dogs force cancellation of Phish camping event

This is probably not what Phish had in mind when they wrote their 1994 single, “Down with Disease.” Self-proclaimed “Phans” of the legendary jam band are singing the blues a…

The article mentioned that prairie dogs were infected with the plague, and there was concern that the plague would be passed on to concert goers.

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