Tag: tissues

Can a copper injection really cure a genetic disease?

On January 24, 2026

In cardiovascular system, cellular basis of life, metabolism, nervous system, skeletal system, tissues

Teachable moment in classrooms:

cellular basis of life chapter – concept of one gene, one protein
cellular basis of life chapter – concept of gene mutation leading to protein malfunction
cellular basis of life – active transporter proteins use ATP to move substances against concentration gradient
tissues chapter – collagen fibers in connective tissues
nervous system chapter – function of the blood-brain barrier

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

Zydus Lifesciences Sentynl Gets USFDA Approval for ZYCUBO for Menkes Disease First Approved Therapy in United States – CNBC TV18

The US drug regulator approval is backed by positive clinical data showing a nearly 80% reduction in the risk of death in patients who received early treatment with ZYCUBO®, compared with an untreated external control group.

The article states that the newly-approved drug, Zycubo, is for the treatment of X-linked Menkes disease that is characterized by impaired copper transport.

So, Why Do I Care?? Menkes disease affects about 3000 children yearly in the USA. Most children die by the age of three, and that is the best evidence that treatment attempts have not been successful in fighting this disease. The relatively simple drug, Zycubo, by simple injection has proven successful in reducing disease severity and increasing survival to past age 6. This gives hope for the patients and the parents, and opens the door to future treatments that may be even more effective.

Plain English, Please!!! First, let’s talk about why copper is important for our bodies. Copper is a cofactor for several enzymes. A cofactor is a small atom or molecule that change the active site of the enzyme to make the enzyme more efficient. Picture the enzyme as a hand drill. The hand drill cannot work without a drill bit, that twisting piece of steel that has to be inserted into the hand drill. In this case the drill bit is the cofactor. One such copper-dependent enzyme, superoxide dismutase, removes harmful oxidizing chemicals from the cells. When this enzyme is disabled by copper deficiency, the neurons lower their activities leading to the deterioration of the nervous system we see in Menkes disease. Another enzyme, lysine oxidase, cross-links, strengthens collagen fibers, and when this enzyme is disabled by copper deficiency, weak collagen fibers are created leading to the weakened aorta and bones in Menkes disease.

Second, let’s talk about the nature of the genetic mutation in Menkes disease. When we think about copper deficiency, first we think about the possible deficiency of absorption from the small intestine. Copper absorption from the small intestine

Can we fight long-Covid by slowing scar tissue formation?

By admin

On November 27, 2025

In cellular basis of life, respiratory system, tissues

Teachable moment in classrooms:

tissues chapter – elastin and collagen fibers in connective tissues
respiratory system chapter – microscopic structure of alveoli
respiratory system chapter – changes in lung volume during ventilation
cellular basis of life chapter – general action of receptors on cell surface

The news item: Recently the following article appeared online:

Overactive genes contribute to long COVID lung fibrosis

A handful of overactive genes that regulate the immune response cause debilitating lung fibrosis, researchers find.

The article describes research that identified interleukin 6, CD47 and pJUN genes that make COVID-19 survivors’ lungs resemble the lungs with pulmonary fibrosis. The article also states that those three genes are active in scar formation, and that in mice the fibrosis was stopped by blocking interleukin 6 and CD47 action.

So, Why Do I Care?? Currently, approximately 23 million people in the US have long-COVID (defined by having disease symptoms longer than 3 months after the initial infection). Many of these people have respiratory symptoms such as debilitating shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. Research into the causes into the molecular details of the chronic fibrosis might lead to remedies that greatly improve the quality of life of long-COVID patients.

Plain English, Please!!! Let’s talk about what the nature of the fibrosis is seen in the lungs of long-COVID patients. In the walls of alveoli, away from the respiratory membrane, there is a layer of connective tissue normally dominated by the stretchable elastic fibers. In lung fibrosis the elastin fibers are degraded and replaced with collagen fibers that are not stretchable. The cells that make the connective tissue are called fibroblasts. The increased volume of collagen-rich connective tissue and increased number of fibroblasts is the hallmark of fibrosis we observe in the lungs of long-COVID patients. Apparently, this process is similar to scar formation in the skin.

Second, let’s talk about how fibrosis limits lung function. The accumulation of fibrotic tissue in the lung doesn’t affect the gas exchange process in the alveoli, but, rather, it makes ventilation more difficult.

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

By admin

On December 18, 2023

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

Teachable moment in classrooms:

tissue chapter – general characteristics of epithelial and connective tissues
cellular basis of life chapter – proteins in cell membranes can serve as receptors
immune system chapter – CD8-T-cells actively destroy target cells
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

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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.

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

By admin

On September 29, 2022

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

TeachableMedicalNews article 09292022

Teachable moment in classrooms:

cellular basis of life chapter – linker proteins in the plasma membrane form tight junctions
tissue chapter – tight junctions of epithelial cells prevent movement of pathogens between the cells
immune system chapter – reliance of white blood cells for immune functions
brain chapter – the brain is covered by meninges inside the cranial cavity
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

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

By admin

On August 12, 2021

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

TeachableMedicalNews article 08122021

Teachable moment in classrooms:

cellular basis of life chapter – mitosis, cell cycle controls to limit cell division
reproductive system chapter – anatomy of the female reproductive system
tissues chapter – epithelium that lines the female reproductive system
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