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Category: tissues Page 1 of 2

Can we really replace an damaged iris with a silicone one in the human eye?

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On September 28, 2025

In special senses, tissues

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. tissue chapter – characteristics and locations of smooth muscle
  2. special senses chapter – structures inside the eyeball
  3. special senses chapter – location of the iris and the action of smooth muscle to change pupil diameter

The news item: Recently, the following report appeared online:

Independence woman regains sight after first-of-its-kind surgery in Missouri

In 2010, Jennifer Sanders suffered an orbital globe rupture which destroyed 95% of the iris in her right eye.

The article states that a woman whose eye ruptured in an accident suffered from poor vision and light sensitivity because of a destroyed iris. An artificial iris implanted into her eye resulted in much improved vision.

So, Why Do I Care??  In addition to trauma-caused damage of the iris, about 1% of cataract surgeries damage the iris, and there is a developmental disorder called aniridia that results in the underdevelopment of the iris. Thus, there are tens of thousands of people who suffer from the absence or malfunctioning of the iris. Poor vision affects the ability to learn in school, to get a job, to drive a car, among other things, so it is important to seek out solutions for these conditions.

Plain English, Please!!!  First, let’s talk about the location and function of the iris. The iris is a flat, thin ring inside the eye. For the shape just think about a donut that somebody sat on. The forward-looking surface of the “flattened donut” is the visible, colored part of the iris; this gives us the color of the eye. The backward-looking surface of the iris is made up of a thin layer of smooth muscle. The circle-shaped opening in the “flattened donut” is the pupil where light passes through towards the deeper portion of the eye. Because of the action of the smooth muscle, the pupil can be made wider or narrower. A narrow pupil prevents large amount of light entering the eye as that light would overload the photoreceptors in the retina. A wide pupil allows more light into the eye in a dim environment, so the photoreceptors can receive enough light for producing visual experience.

Second, let’s talk about the implant itself. The implant is made of silicone, and shaped like the biological iris. It is placed into its normal location, immediately in front of the lens.  Because silicone doesn’t

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Can we use gene therapy to fight the skin disorder epidermolysis bullosa?

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On March 29, 2024

In chemical basis of life, integumentary system, tissues

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. cellular basis of life chapter – concept of one gene, one protein
  2. cellular basis of life chapter – concept of gene mutation leading to protein malfunction
  3. tissue chapter – the basement membrane is a thin layer of tissue in-between epithelium and the underlying connective tissue
  4. integumentary system chapter –the integrity of the skin depends on the secure connection of the dermis to the basement membrane

The news item:  Recently the following news item appeared online:

U.S. FDA approves Krystal Biotech’s skin-disorder gene therapy

(Reuters) -The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved Krystal Biotech Inc’s first-of-its kind topical gene therapy for patients with a genetic skin disorder, sending its shares up 7% in afternoon trading. Patients with the rare dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa disorder suffer from open wounds, causing skin infections and are at an increased risk of vision loss, scarring and skin cancer.

The article states that the therapy named Vyjuvek healed skin wounds in 65% of dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa patients as opposed to 22% healing rate with placebo treatment. The article also states that about 10,000 people world-wide, and 3000 people in the USA suffer from the disorder.

So, Why Do I Care??  While severe forms of epidermolysis bullosa are life-threatening, moderate forms are devastating to the quality of life, as they it creates painful wounds or blisters on the skin, or in the mouth, and the healing wounds lead to widespread scarring. That makes dressing into clothes, wearing shoes, eating difficult. For dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa patients the promise is the possibility of returning to a normal lifestyle after this new treatment.

Plain English, Please!!!  First, let’s talk about epidermolysis bullosa. This is a group of diseases with the shared symptoms of fragile, easy to break skin and blistering of the skin. The three-layered area of epithelium-basement membrane-dermis is made sturdy by several molecules, and if one is malfunctioning because of a mutation, then fragility of the skin results. The many types of epidermolysis bullosa are caused by a variety of genetic mutations.

Second, let’s talk about the cause of dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa. In this type of the disease the missing component is type VII collagen, the molecule that secures the basement membrane to the dermis. Imagine a large picnic table where the table cover is clamped to the table so the wind wouldn’t blow the cover away. Type VII collagen acts like those clamps securing the dermis (the table) to the table cover (the basement membrane). When the type VII college gene suffers mutations, the resulting type VII collagen protein clamp has a distorted shape, and cannot secure the basement membrane to the dermis, and the skin blisters to form open wounds.

Third, let’s talk about how Vyjuvek treatment works. This treatment is delivering a normal type VII collagen gene to the fibroblast cells of the dermis. The gene is enclosed in an inactivated virus, and the viruses are mixed into a gel, and that gel is applied to the wound surface.  Once that virus enters inside the fibroblast in the person’s dermis, then the normal gene is used to make the type VII collagen protein. With time the newly-made, normal type VII collagen “clamps” will secure the dermis to the basement membrane, and prevent new blistering or breaking of the skin.

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Can we use an antibody to strengthen patients’ own immune system to fight childhood soft tissue cancer?

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On December 18, 2023

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

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. tissue chapter – general characteristics of epithelial and connective tissues
  2. cellular basis of life chapter – proteins in cell membranes can serve as receptors
  3. immune system chapter – CD8-T-cells actively destroy target cells
  4. immune system chapter – antibodies can be engineered to bind to specific targets

The news item:

Recently a newly approved treatment for childhood soft tissue cancer was reported:

Drug Approved to Help Young Patients Battle a Rare Cancer

US News is a recognized leader in college, grad school, hospital, mutual fund, and car rankings. Track elected officials, research health conditions, and find news you can use in politics, business, health, and education.

The article states that the drug Tecentriq was approved for use against alveolar soft part sarcoma (a soft tissue cancer). About 80 children and adults in the USA are diagnosed each year with his sarcoma, and most conventional treatments fail to fight it. The article also states that Tecentriq is an anti-PD-L1 inhibitor, and works by helping the immune system respond more strongly to cancer.

So, Why Do I Care??  While the overall number of cancer patients diagnosed with alveolar soft part sarcoma is low, these patients could not be helped by regular cancer treatments. Finding new cancer treatment approaches for these patients opens the possibility to treat other cancers where traditional cancer treatment failed.

Plain English, Please!!!  First, let’s talk about what a sarcoma is. The sarcoma type of cancers start from connective tissue, as opposed to the carcinoma type of cancers that start from epithelial tissues. The general course of the sarcomas is similar to other cancers, and that includes local growth, and the spreading, metastasizing throughout the body. Alveolar soft part sarcoma was named such, because the cancer cells form baggy, alveolus-looking microscopic structures.

Second, let’s talk about how cancer cells can slow down the immune system. One normal function of our immune system is to detect and destroy cells that show evidence of infection or abnormal components.

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Can we attack breast cancer with a vaccine?

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On May 8, 2023

In endocrine system, lymphatic and immune system, reproductive system, tissues

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. tissues chapter – epithelial tissue lines the interior of lactiferous ducts
  2. female reproductive system chapter – location of lactiferous ducts in mammary gland
  3. endocrine system chapter – cells need hormone receptors to react to hormones
  4. immune system – the roles of T and B lymphocytes in immune response

The news item:  The following report appeared recently:

Potential breast cancer vaccine undergoing testing

The key protein for a potential vaccine that would treat breast cancer was found through “a matter of luck and tenacity.”

The article states that a key protein was found to serve in the making of a vaccine against breast cancer. This protein is made by breast cancer cells, but not by normal mammary glands.

So, Why Do I Care??  There is over 350,000 new breast cancer diagnosis each year in the US, and over 43,000 women die yearly from this cancer. There are several types of surgical and chemotherapeutical treatments after the diagnosis, however; preventative measures, such as vaccination, would be a great way to decrease the number of breast cancer diagnoses.

Plain English, Please!!!  First, let’s talk about what breast cancer is. Despite the name, breast cancer doesn’t mean that the entire breast turned into a mass of cancer cells. Breast cancer refers to the cancerous changes in the mammary gland. Most frequently cancer cells develop in the epithelial tissues of lobules (where milk is produced) and in the lining of lactiferous ducts.

Second, let’s talk about what is a triple negative breast cancer. The normal growth of the mammary gland during pregnancy is stimulated by the hormones estrogen and progesterone, and epidermal

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Can a protein from pig skin restore vision to blind people?

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On January 15, 2023

In lymphatic and immune system, special senses, tissues

TeachableMedicalNews article 01152023

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. special senses chapter – tunics/layers of the eye
  2. special senses chapter – structure of the cornea
  3. tissues chapter – collagen is found in the extracellular matrix of many connective tissues
  4. immune system chapter – recognition of non-self antigens
  5. immune system chapter – role of lymphocytes for immune functions

The news item:  Recently this news item was online:

Eye implant made from pig protein restored sight in 14 blind people

Twenty people with diseased or damaged corneas saw improvements to their vision after receiving implants engineered out of protein from pigskin.

The article states that collagen from pig skin was helpful in restoring vision to people with the disorder called keratoconus, that this disease represents a bulging of the front of the eye, that about 50-200 from 100,000 people have this disease, and that the treatment includes injection of this collagen into the cornea.

So, Why Do I Care??  Our vision is the most precious sense, so, any loss of visual capacity has a major effect on our quality of life. The misshaped cornea causes loss of sharp vision.  As the article states keratoconus is a relatively rare disorder, nonetheless it is important to keep an account of any remedy that restores vision.

Plain English, Please!!! First, let’s talk about what keratoconus is. At the front of the eyeball there is a transparent sheet called cornea. From the side it looks like a flat bubble. The cornea focuses light into the eye. In some people the cornea has a pointy shape like a small ice cream cone. This keratoconus condition prevents the focusing of light, so, blurred, cloudy vision is the result.

Second, let’s talk about the injection into the cornea. While the cornea is a very thin sheet of tissue, it is possible to inject materials into the sheet.  Because the cornea is flexible, injection of the proper amount

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Can we relieve migraine pain by changing neurotransmitter balance in the brain?

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On December 26, 2022

In nervous system, somatic senses, tissues

TeachableMedicalNews article 12262022

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. nervous tissue chapter – conduction of nerve impulses by axons of neurons
  2. nervous tissue chapter – starting a new nerve impulse by neurotransmitters
  3. brain chapter – anatomical location of thalamus and postcentral gyrus
  4. brain chapter – anatomy and function of trigeminal nerve, cranial nerve V
  5. somatic senses chapter – nerve impulse pathway from pain receptors (nociceptors)

The news item:  Recently the following report appeared online:

New migraine medication given the green light

Migraine sufferers are excited when a new anti-migraine option is available. In this case, it’s medicine called Reyvow.

The article states that migraine is a neurological disorder that causes recurring pain, sensitivity to light, and nausea. Migraine affects 30 million people worldwide, and it is the leading cause of disability. While there are approved medications to treat migraine, this new option, called Reyvow, can be taken by people who have heart disease, high blood pressure, or a history of stroke. The article also states that Reyvow activates the (5-HT) 1F receptors that increase serotonin neurotransmitters and inhibit pain pathways.

So, Why Do I Care??  According to the American Migraine Foundation over 10 million adults in the US suffer from migraine, causing each year over $11 billion economic loss from lost workdays and lost productivity.  Because existing migraine treatment do not work for all patients, new treatments are welcome, because they widen the circle of patients who can be effectively treated.

Plain English, Please!!! First, let’s talk about how migraine occurs. This disorder is characterized by sudden onset feeling (perception) of headache pain, sensitivity to light, or nausea. These symptoms appear suddenly and repeatedly, and can distract and disable people from carrying out daily functions. At first it was thought that abnormal dilation (widening) of blood vessels of the brain caused it, but recently migraine has been linked to the malfunctioning of our nervous system.  According to that during migraine the neurons that make up the pain pathways create unwanted nerve impulses.

Second, let’s talk about what pain pathways are. In our nervous system the word “pathway” means a bundle of axons that carry and deliver nerve impulses to their destination. The pain-carrying nerve

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Why bacterial contamination of baby formula is life threatening for infants?

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On September 29, 2022

In cellular basis of life, lymphatic and immune system, microbiology, nervous system, tissues

TeachableMedicalNews article 09292022

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. cellular basis of life chapter – linker proteins in the plasma membrane form tight junctions
  2. tissue chapter – tight junctions of epithelial cells prevent movement of pathogens between the cells
  3. immune system chapter – reliance of white blood cells for immune functions
  4. brain chapter – the brain is covered by meninges inside the cranial cavity
  5. microbiology – the pathogen bacterium Chronobacter sakazakii

The news item:  Recently a news report appeared about contaminated baby formula:

FDA says maker of powdered infant formula didn’t take steps to prevent products from becoming contaminated | CNN

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined the company running a plant at the center of a baby formula recall didn’t take steps to prevent products from becoming contaminated during manufacturing, according to a preliminary report filed this month.

The article states that Chronobacter sakazakii bacterium caused death of two infants who used baby formula contaminated with the bacterium.

So, Why Do I Care??  While adults can easily defeat a bacterial infection, the bodies of infants are very vulnerable to such infection.  Because the immune system of infants is naturally weak, powdered infant formulas must be free of bacterial contamination. If bacteria are in the infant formula, then the infants are exposed to life threatening infection.  The number of infections is about 15 infants each year, but one-fourth of the infants die from the infection.

Plain English, Please!!!  First, let’s talk about what a Chronobacterium is. This is a very common bacterium in environment, present on many surfaces and in food items. The well-trained immune system of adults can fight off this bacterium, but the not-yet-fully developed immune system of infants has a

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How can the drug Tabrecta slow down oncogene action in lung cancer?

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On April 28, 2022

In cellular basis of life, respiratory system, tissues

TeachableMedicalNews article 04282022

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. cellular basis of life chapter – concept of one gene, one protein
  2. cellular basis of life chapter – concept of gene mutation leading to protein malfunction
  3. cellular basis of life chapter – mitosis (somatic cell division) is stimulated from outside of the cell
  4. tissue chapter – epithelium types in the respiratory system
  5. respiratory system chapter – epithelial lining of the airways

The news item:  Recently this news item appeared online about a new treatment for lung cancer:

New hope for patients with lung cancer

FDA approves Tabrecta™, a new treatment option, for adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer

The report states that lung cancer is the leading cause of death among cancers, and that there will be about 228,000 new diagnoses in the USA each year.  The article also states that the drug Tabrecta helps patients to fight non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), that the drug works especially well against cancers driven by a Met exon 14 skipping mutation, and that each year about 4,000- 5,000 people in the USA are diagnosed with this subtype of NSCLC.

So, Why Do I Care??  Lung cancer is a deadly disease, so finding new treatment options improves the chance of survival when traditional treatments may not work, and, thus, lengthens the survival time after the diagnosis. Another reason to care is that this drug acts specifically on cancer cells that carry a particular genetic change, so this ability improves targeted attack on cancer cells, and avoid attacking the normal cells of the body.

Plain English, Please!!!  First, let’s talk about just what NSCLC is. The NSCLC name represents a type of relatively slow-growing lung cancers that start in the mucous glands of the airways, or in the simple

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Can we get a deadly infection from an aromatherapy bottle?

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On February 26, 2022

In cellular basis of life, lymphatic and immune system, microbiology, tissues

TeachableMedicalNews article 02272022

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. microbiology – Burkholderia bacteria
  2. microbiology – bacterial movement by flagella
  3. cellular basis of life chapter – lysosomes can digest invaders, or self-digest a cell during autophagy cell death
  4. tissue chapter – cells of epithelial tissue line the lumen of respiratory and digestive systems
  5. immune system chapter – neutrophils and other white blood cells phagocytose invaders
  6. blood vessel chapter – septic shock suppresses blood pressure by causing vasodilation

The news item:  Recently the following news report appeared online:

Mysterious fatal infections tied to room spray sold at Walmart

Federal authorities warned Friday that a rare bacterial infection that killed two people has been tied to an aromatherapy spray sold at Walmart. A total of four people in four states were infected earlier this year by the rare tropical disease called melioidosis.

The article stated that four victims of melioidosis were identified in the US, that the disease is caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei bacterium, that the bacterium lives in soils in Southeast Asia, and that the pathogens were traced to aroma therapy spray bottles.

So, Why Do I Care??  Infectious pathogens are found in many locations, and they can cause deadly diseases. In addition to the well-know viruses and bacteria, there are exotic pathogens that cause rare, but just as deadly infections. Therefore, it is important to understand how those exotic pathogens act. Melioidosis has a 50% death rate, and even after antibiotic treatment the death rate remains 10%.

Plain English, Please!!! First, let’s talk about how this bacterium infects our body. The bacteria enter the body through inhaling or ingesting contaminated water. The bacterium then moves into the epithelial cells that line the lumen of the lower respiratory or the epithelial cells that line the lumen of digestive

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Can a virus test replace the traditional test for cervical cancer?

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On August 12, 2021

In cellular basis of life, microbiology, reproductive system, tissues

TeachableMedicalNews article 08122021

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. cellular basis of life chapter – mitosis, cell cycle controls to limit cell division
  2. reproductive system chapter – anatomy of the female reproductive system
  3. tissues chapter – epithelium that lines the female reproductive system
  4. microbiology – human papilloma viruses

The news item:  Recently the following report about cervical cancer testing appeared:

Are Pap smears ‘obsolete’? There’s a better option for cervical cancer screening, American Cancer Society says

The American Cancer Society released new guidelines on cervical cancer screenings Thursday, recommending that people with a cervix start testing at age 25.

The article describes the debate whether the HPV test could replace the Pap smear test. The article states that despite the Pap smear testing, there are over 13,000 new cervical cancer cases per year, and there are over 4,000 deaths. The article also states that the HPV test is screening for human papilloma virus, and the Pap test is screening for cancerous cells.

So, Why Do I Care??  Cervical cancer is a deadly cancer, as the article stated from a yearly 13,000 new diagnoses there are over 4,000 deaths.  While vaccination has been available against cervical cancer, a better diagnostic method is still needed until everyone is vaccinated.

Plain English, Please!!!

First, let’s talk about what cervical cancer is. The narrow, tube-shaped part of the uterus, the cervix, opens into the vagina. The cervix has a thin lining epithelium, and that cell layer is where cancerous

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