Encounters: Journal Post 9

The other day I was on the internet aimlessly waiting for my next class. As I scrolled through pages upon pages on Tumblr, I came across a blog that posted an article about a breakthrough in breast cancer diagnosis. My aimless internet-combing finally paid off. 

The article was titled "Imaging software could speed up breast cancer diagnosis." The article was written earlier this month and told of a new method of diagnosis for breast cancer that was recently developed. Richards-Kortum's lab developed a software that may be the future of how we approach breast cancer and provide resources to those who are not able, such as third-world countries. The software is said speed up diagnosis with a 90% accuracy.

The article goes on by first stating how breast cancer diagnosis occurs currently. The procedure consist of a tissue sample taken either by an incision or a a needle. The sample is then examined in a lab through the observation of cancerous cells under a microscope. The new software developed is non-invasive and does not require the time consuming tissue preparation and examination used now. This is performed with the use of a high-speed optical microscope. The software consists of a confocal fluorescence microscope that uses the parameter data of tissue. The tissues being examined are compared to a sample of healthy breast tissue leading to the determination of malignant of benign tissue.

While this scientific breakthrough is sure to be one that will change the way breast cancer is handled, more research and experimentation of the software is being conducted.

The article was very interesting. It is important to know what breakthroughs are occurring in the field I am pursuing. The article taught me of not only the process of breast tissue examination for cancer, but also how different methods can be used to determining the existence of cancerous tissue. The article was very relevant to the class because it often mentioned the histological processes that are done to diagnose breast cancer. It also spoke of how the tissues are effected by this cancer.

Investigations: Journal Post 8

The lab dealt with this week was related to nerve agents. After doing the lab, I became very intrigued by the idea and was interested in what nerve agents have been used in the past as well as the times it was use in history.

One nerve agent that came up much in my research was Sarin. One article I found was in BioTeach Journal entitled "Sarin Nerve Gas - Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Pon-1." The article revolved mostly around the mechanism of how this nerve agent attacks. Sarine binds to AChE which prevents it from binding to acetylcholine. Once this occurs, AChE undergoes dealkylation and becomes resistant to hydrolysis and is inhibited. This bind to sarin is irreversible. The article was explained nerve agent poisoning very well and aided in my understanding of the mechanisms of action. It also provided visuals, which also made it easier to understand the actual process (Simpson, 2004).

Sarin has been used as a terrorist attack a countless amount of times in history. They have been the cause of many deaths throughout history. A more memorable one was the one that occurred in Tokyo in 1995. A terrorist group released eleven bags of Sarin in a Tokyo subway system, leaving twelve dead and thousands injured. The article was very detailed and made me feel very disappointed. The knowledge that we have gained about nerve agents has been used negatively, which is very hard to take in (Tokyo Subway Attack).

Now that I understand the true dynamic of nerve agent poisoning, hearing that it is used as a form of public attack makes me feel disheartened. People who commit these acts are hurting innocent people in possibly one of the worst ways possible. Luckily there are forms of treatment, but even so, by the time an antidote is able to be administered, it is too late for some.

Sources:

Simpson, B. (2004). Sarin Nerve Gas - Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Pon-1. BioTeach Journal , 2.

Tokyo Subway Attack. (n.d.). Retrieved from Crime Museum: http://www.crimemuseum.org/crime-library/tokyo-subway-attack

Reflections: Journal Post 6

This week, I was working on my first disease paper. A friend of mine told me his sister had rheumatoid arthritis and naturally, I was interested in how the disease came about so felt it was a perfect topic for my paper.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a painful, autoimmune diseases that effects joints and bones of people affected by the disease. Antibodies attack antigens normally, but in RA, the antibodies continue to do their jobs and attack healthy host cells.

After reading about the disease, I realized just how serious and impactful diseases can be. My friend's sister is only a teenager and has had rheumatoid arthritis for quite some time. He told me about the pain she's in but still wants to turn her disease into something positive by becoming a doctor who specializes in rheumatology for children. Even through all her pain, she still feels the need to give back somehow and help people who have been effected just like her. 

The disease she has is not one that should be taken lightly. Disease affects people all over the world and still we have professionals who make differences everyday simply because they do not want other people to experience what they have gone through. 

Medicine is a powerful subject and is often a basis for people to improve themselves and their communities. It continues to effects populations everyday but it is important to take all you can out of your experiences and grow into a better person because of them.

Definitions: Journal Post 5

Cartilage was a focus last week and I wanted to take this time to refresh myself on the different cartilage types and how to tell them apart.

Hyaline Cartilage- This type of cartilage is present in places with support and flexibility are needed. It is typically found in joints and the respiratory tract. The cartilage itself is typically uniform and shiny in appearance with chondroctyes that are evenly dispersed.









Elastic Cartilage- The fibers in this cartilage type are easily visible, which include elastic fibers. A perichondrium is also present. Elastic cartilage can be found in places where elasticity is needed including the epiglottis and ear lobes.

Fibrocartilage- Fibrocartilage is characterized by the collagen fibers that appear to be layered upon one another. Fibrocartilage appears more open then the other two cartilage, making it a very good shock absorber. It is present in places where stress is added to the body in order to prevent severe damage. These places include the knees and feet.