TEACHABLE MEDICAL NEWS

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

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On April 19, 2020

In cellular basis of life, chemical basis of life, respiratory system

TeachableMedicalNews article 04182020

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. chemical basis of life chapter – nucleotides that make up RNA
  2. cellular basis of life chapter – RNA production for cellular uses
  3. microbiology – corona viruses are RNA viruses

The news item:  A recent article discussed clinical trial results of the drug remdesivir:

Report: Covid-19 patients recovering quickly after getting experimental drug | CNN

Covid-19 patients who are getting an experimental drug called remdesivir have been recovering quickly, with most going home in days, STAT News reported Thursday after it obtained a video of a conversation about the trial.

The news item mentions promising anecdotal information of the drug, and that it was found effective in animals against other coronavirus-based diseases.

So, Why Do I Care??  Have you been living under a rock in the last few

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Can we treat sickle cell anemia by making red blood cells less sticky?

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On April 1, 2020

In cardiovascular system, cellular basis of life

TeachableMedicalNews article  04012020

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 – adhesion proteins in plasma membrane
  4. blood chapter – red blood cell structure
  5. blood chapter – sickle cell anemia caused by globin gene mutation

The news item:  Recently a new drug, Adakveo, was approved to treat sickle cell anemia patients:

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/12/20/novartis-wins-medicaid-approval-for-new-sickle-cell-drug-in-key-us-states.html

The article mentions that this disorder afflicts 100,000 people in the USA, that the disorder is caused by sickle shaped red blood cell, that the drug is a biological and injectable drug, and that the drug treats the pain crises of this disorder.

So, Why Do I Care??  There are millions of people living with this disease

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In what possible way could chloroquine defeat the mighty COVID 19 disease?

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On March 21, 2020

In cellular basis of life, respiratory system

TeachableMedicalNews article 03202020

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. cellular basis of life chapter – receptor mediated endocytosis
  2. cellular basis of life chapter – fusion of endosome with lysosome
  3. cellular basis of life chapter – enzymes inside the lysosome require low pH
  4. microbiology – coronaviruses receptors on cell membranes
  5. microbiology – coronaviruses and their release into the cytoplasm

The news item:  A possible treatment of COVID 19 patients made the news recently:

Chloroquine, an old malaria drug, may help treat novel coronavirus, doctors say

According to early research, an old malaria drug called chloroquine might also work for the new coronavirus.

The article mentions the drug chloroquine, and that it blocks the attachment of the virus to cultured cells.  This latter point is inaccurate, so read on to find out the truth.

So, Why Do I Care??  Have you been living under a rock in the last two

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Can anyone be born without skin?

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On March 14, 2020

In cellular basis of life, chemical basis of life, integumentary system, tissues

TeachableMedicalNews article 03132020

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. chemical basis of life chapter – concept of one gene, one protein
  2. cellular basis of life chapter – gene mutation leading to protein  malfunction
  3. tissue chapter – junctional structures, hemidesmosomes
  4. integumentary system chapter – functions of epidermis

The news item:  Recently an article appeared about a newborn who was missing a good part of his skin:

Baby born without skin puzzles doctors, but mom says ‘we have faith, that’s all that matters’

Houston doctors are running tests to diagnose a baby born with most of his skin missing. Mom’s only been able to hold baby twice in three months.

The article mentioned the disorder epidermolysis bullosa, genetic testing for diagnosis, and the low frequency of this disorder.

So, Why Do I Care??  While the combination of the aplasia cutis and

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Can an ancient disease cancel a Phish concert?

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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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Can we relax an overactive bladder by enhancing the actions of the nervous system?

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On February 22, 2020

In nervous system, urinary system

TeachableMedicalNews article 02222020

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. Autonomic nervous system chapter —  examples for sympathetic and parasympathetic activities
  2. Autonomic nervous system chapter —  neurotransmitters acetylcholine and norepinephrine and their receptors
  3. urinary system chapter – layers and tissues of the urinary bladder wall
  4. urinary system chapter – nerve pathways for the micturition reflex

The news item:  A recent news item informs us that a drug to treat overactive bladder is effective in men as well:

Men Get Overactive Bladder, Too

Don’t always blame the prostate.

 

The article mentions the symptoms of overactive bladder, the fact that men get this disorder as much as women, and that one treatment, Myrbetriq, is acting through  beta 3 adrenoceptor agonists.

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Can a steroid treatment combat postpartum depression?

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On February 8, 2020

In chemical basis of life, nervous system

TeachableMedicalNews article 02072020

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. chemical basis of life chapter – lipids and steroids
  2. nervous system chapter – role of neurotransmitters in the life of a neuron
  3. nervous system chapter – effects of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters

The news item:  A new drug, called Zulresso, for the treatment of postpartum depression was in the news recently:

FDA approves first postpartum depression drug. It works quickly but costs more than $20K, report says

Brexanolone, sold as Zulresso, is delivered as a continuous IV infusion over 60 hours. It works quickly and costs $20,000 or more.

The article mentions symptoms and the frequency of postpartum depression.

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Don’t want to get Salmonella infection? Wash your hand after handling pig ears!

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On January 21, 2020

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

TeachableMedicalNews article 01212020

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. cellular basis of life chapter – function of lysosomes
  2. digestive system chapter – HCl in gastric juice kill bacteria
  3. immune system chapter – cytotoxic T cells destroy infected cells
  4. immune system chapter – antibody production by plasma cells
  5. microbiology; human pathogenic bacteria

 The news item:  Hospitalization of over 100 people from Salmonella infection was in the news recently.

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Can ribonucleic acid be made into a life saving medication?

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On January 17, 2020

In cardiovascular system, cellular basis of life, digestive system

TeachableMedicalNews article 01172020

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. chemical basis of life chapter – biological use of the lipid, cholesterol
  2. cellular basis of life chapter – small interfering RNA can stop protein synthesis
  3. cellular basis of life chapter – LDL binding to LDL receptor before endocytosis
  4. digestive system chapter – cholesterol transporter LDL is made in the liver

The news item:  Several new cardiovascular medications were discussed in a recent article:

https://www.cbs17.com/news/new-and-old-drugs-may-offer-new-ways-to-fight-heart-disease/

The article mentions the beneficial LDL-reduction from RNA-interference drug inclisiran.

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Why does a bone marrow transplant create news in the National Hockey League?

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On January 1, 2020

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

TeachableMedicalNews article 12312019

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. cellular basis of life chapter – formation of cancer cells
  2. blood chapter – stem cells in the formation of white blood cells in red bone marrow
  3. blood chapter – stem cells in red bone marrow can be moved from one person to another
  4. immune system chapter – role of macrophages and cytokines in starting immune reactions

The news item:  A happy introduction was in the news recently where a bone marrow donor and the bone marrow recipient met in person the first time:

Eruption of joy as Laila Anderson meets her bone marrow donor

TOWN AND COUNTRY, Mo. – An 11-year-old came face-to-face with the man whose bone marrow donation gave her a second chance at life. There were hundreds of people gathered at the Be the Match gala in Town and Country to witness the special moment and to support young Laila Anderson’s unique journey.

The article mentions that Laila Anderson’s life was saved by the bone marrow donation. 

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