The Bioengineered Kidney

The kidneys have many functions that enable us to continue living.  One function involves the filtering of the blood to remove all the waste products (1). The waste products are removed in the urine, which is released by the urethra (1). The kidneys also are involved in keeping our electrolyte balance, controlling our blood pressure, and they promote the production of red blood cells (1). Once the kidneys start to malfunction and or fail completely, the patient might have to get a kidney transplant (1).

Like all other organ transplants, the kidney transplant might not be compatible with the new body. However, there has been a recent breakthrough in the development on a new kidney using one’s own cells to bioengineer a new kidney (2). The discovery was made by Dr. Ott, an MD at the MGH Center for Regenerative Medicine whom has also created bioartificial hearts, lungs, and livers (2). The bioengineered kidney was transplanted into a rat and immediately started functioning by producing urine (2). Although at the moment this bioengineered kidney is functioning, it still does not work as good as a regular kidney (2). However, Dr. Ott and his team are just beginning and they have plans to continue their project; next time using a pig’s kidney, which is more like that of a human (2).

I believe this new bioengineered kidney is only the beginning of a new era and will impact society in a positive way. If Dr. Ott and his team are able to successfully bioengineer a human kidney, many lives will be changed. People will no longer have to wait forever for a kidney transplant. Also, the probability that the kidney will be rejected by the patient will decrease dramatically since the kidney will be specifically bioengineered from his or her own cells.

1). Wedro, Benjamin. “Kidney Failure.” MedicineNet.com. (2013): n. page. Web. 17 Apr. 2013.

2.) Massachusetts General Hospital. “Implantable, bioengineered rat kidney: Transplanted organ produces urine, but further refinement is needed.” ScienceDaily, 14 Apr. 2013. Web. 17 Apr. 2013.

Hannah Livingston

Amenorrhea is the absence of menstruation. The most common causes of amenorrhea are pregnancy and menopause. However, it can be common for  female athletes, which results from reduced secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, which decreases the release of LH and FSH (Tortura & Derrickson). One research study in particular looks at how exercise during puberty may be associated with primary amenorrhea and low mineral density, while exercise after puberty associates with secondary amenorrhea and bone loss. The case study compared 45 prepubertal female gymnasts, 36 retired female gymnasts and 50 controls.

Gymnasts and controls could not participate in the study if they were peri- or postpubertal, if they had anorexia nervosa, or exposure to oral contraceptives, anticonvulsants, or corticosteroids. Controls were excluded if they engaged in more than 6 h of weight-bearing exercise per week. The prepubertal gymnasts were training at an Olympic standard. They trained under supervision for 15-36 hours per week. Most of their training sessions lasted four hours and consisted of a warm up, routine training, and strength and stretching exercises (Journal of Bone and Mineral Research).

In the cross-sectional analyses, areal bone mineral density and primary amenorrhea in active prepubertal gymnasts was higher at the weight-bearing sites than the predicted average in the control group. The Z scores increased as the duration of training increased. During 12 months, the increase in areal bone mineral density and amenorrhea in the active prepubertal gymnasts was 30-85% greater than in controls. In retired gymnasts, areal bone mineral density and amenorrhea was higher as well, resulting in a correlation between intense athletic training and higher bone mineral density as well as amenorrhea (Journal of Bone and Mineral Research).

Gerard J. Tortora and Bryan Derrickson. Principles of Anatomy and Physiology. 13^th ed., John Wiley and Sons, 2012.

Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. Exercise Before Puberty May Confer Residual Benefits in Bone Density in Adulthood. S. Bass G. Pearce. 2013.

The prostate plays an important role as it makes up 25% of the volume of semen that helps sperm in both mobility and survival (Tortora and Derrickson 2012). It continually grows to expand until about age 30 when expansion stops, but then at age 45 it continues to grow once again (Tortora and Derrickson 2012). However, a current U.S. trial of a new nonsurgical procedure called prostatic artery embolization is helping in reducing the prostate enlargement (ScienceDaily). Shrinking of the prostate will counteract many of the symptoms of enlarged prostates without the potential risks that surgery can have (ScienceDaily).

Prostatic artery embolization was performed in Europe and South America with a correlation between the treatment and prostate size (ScienceDaily). This treatment is being carried out in Inova Alexandria Hospital in Alexandria, Virginia headed by Sandeep Bagla, M.D. (ScienceDaily). Prostatic artery embolization works by blocking the flow of blood to the prostate artery and therefore causing a decrease in the size of the prostate (ScienceDaily). Prostate enlargement occurs more frequently in older men and prostate size increases with older age, and because most men don’t choose surgical procedures many of them are prone to bladder stones, poor kidney functions, and infections (ScienceDaily).

As modern medicine continues to allow for humans to live a longer period of time higher incidents of prostate enlargement increases therefore diminishing the lifestyle of many elderly men. This treatment is a great option for those that don’t want to risk impotence, leaking urine, or infection that can come from surgery (ScienceDaily). Patients treated with PAE have had great results with 92% seeing an improvement of their symptoms (ScienceDaily). This is a treatment with the potential to alleviate or rid of the symptoms of enlarged prostates with a quick and easy treatment that has had great success in the clinical studies.

Tortora G.J. and B. Derrickson. 2012. Principles of Anatomy and Physiology. 13th ed., John Wiley and Sons

Society of Interventional Radiology. “Nonsurgical treatment turns back the clock, shrinks enlarged prostate.”ScienceDaily, 15. Apr. 2013. Web. 17 Apr. 2013.

Cystic fibrosis is a disease that causes mucous to be extra thick and sticky (Tortora, Derrickson 2011). Some organs in our body are lined with mucous. Cystic fibrosis affects the digestive and respiratory system. Breathing becomes difficult, out of the ordinary smelly bowel movements, constipation, lung infection, and stuffy nose are the symptoms that make everyday tasks harder than what they should be. The disease is inherited from one parent or both (Tortora , Derrickson 2011) . There are several ways to treat it, antibiotics and mucous thinners are a couple.

Speaking of Treatments, many people have found exercising have been a way to treat cystic fibrosis. The cardio workouts help the heart, which is a muscle, to become stronger. Recent studies have shown that people with cystic fibrosis who work out spend less time at hospitals paying for treatment (MediLexicon 2013). Also compared to a person with CF who does not work out, their growth and lung function has improved 21 % (MediLexicon 2013). Being active is a new treatment used to treat cystic fibrosis (MediLexicon 2013).

Exercising to treat Cystic Fibrosis is benefiting to the community because it is prolonging the life of our loved ones. Secondly it helps avoid paying for costly visits to the hospital and medicine. The hospitals may not benefit from the loss of revenue, but the money we spend there can be invested into our suffering economy and promote the growth of small work companies. Overall no one can lose. Life benefits all.

Literature Cited

1. 1.    Tortora, Gerald J. Derrickson, Bryan H. Principles of Anatomy and Physiology. January 4^th 2011

1. 2.    Journal of Cystic Fibrosis. “Patients with Cystic Fibrosis Benefit from More Time At The Gym.” Medical News Today. MediLexicon, Intl., 1 Mar. 2013. Web.
   6 Apr. 2013. <http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/257009.php>

The Breathing Lung

            Thanks to a fascinating organ, called the lung, we are able to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide with the blood, which allows our body’s cells to carry on their daily functions. However, there are people whose lungs no longer function properly and therefore need a lung transplant. A lung transplant involves surgically removing the lungs of a deceased person onto that of the recipient (1). Lung transplants can be performed from newborns to adults under the age of sixty five (1).

Usually once the donor lungs are removed from the cadaver they are placed inside an icebox where they are carried to the recipient (2). However, there is no longer any need for the icebox when one can have a breathing lung transplant instead, which the lung transplant team at Ronald UCLA medical have successfully performed (2). The devise, known as the Organ Care System (OSC), works by keeping the lungs alive and functioning while being transported (2). As soon as the lungs are placed in the device they are warmed and start breathing using oxygen and a supplementary solution of red blood cells (2). Dr. Abbas Ardehali, a professor and director at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, believes the breathing lung transplant device will not only allow them to improve the function of the donor lungs, it also makes it easier to access the donor lungs and carry them safely across longer distances (2). The OCS device is still going through clinical trials in lung transplant centers in Europe, Australia and Canada (2).

I believe the OCS device will have a positive effect on society. With this new technology device, the donor lungs will be tested before they are put into the recipient, which can determine if the donor lungs are adequate for the recipient; something that cannot be done in the iced box method. Also with the OCS device, the donor lungs can travel across longer distances and are safer than if they were on the iced box. Overall, not only will the OCS device help improve the lung transplant process, it will also save lives.

1.) “Lung Transplantation Procedure.” Johns Hopkins Medicine. The Johns Hopkins Hospital. Web. 27 Mar 2013.

2.) University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Health Sciences. “First ‘breathing Lung’ transplant in United States.” ScienceDaily, 26                               Nov. 2012. Web. 27 Mar. 2013.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease occurs when airflow to the lungs is blocked causing an increase of airway resistance (Tortorra and Derrickson). It is one of the highest causes of death of Americans and affects males more than females, but female COPD diagnoses have recently increased (Tortorra and Derrickson). Its primary cause is cigarette smoking or secondhand smoke meaning it can be prevented by avoiding those activities (Tortorra and Derrickson). There is no cure for COPD but there are available treatments to ease symptoms (ScienceDaily). However, recent studies have shown that with the use of epigenetics, chemical modifications to DNA and its proteins, can cause the lungs to regenerate damaged tissue and possibly curing the disease (ScienceDaily).

Dr. Ed Morrisey from the Institute for Regenerative Medicine in the University of Pennsylvania is researching the possibility of repairing the regenerative property of the lungs that is lost with pulmonary diseases (ScienceDaily). His studies show that a person with COPD had a lower amount of an enzyme called HDAC2 which he believes leads to the inability of the lung epithelium to regenerate properly (ScienceDaily). Further studies supported his belief when it was found that the different types of HDACs in the body functioned for both development and regeneration of lung tissue (ScienceDaily). With this finding, he believes that further studies of HDAC activity can lead to treatments that could potentially cure many types of lung diseases like COPD (ScienceDaily).

The lungs are one of the most important organs in the body and taking care of them is critical for an overall well being, and avoiding damaging such an important organ can prevent one from getting a lung disease. Respiratory diseases are all too common in America with millions diagnosed with Asthma, COPD, Emphysema, Chronic bronchitis, and other lung related diseases. These disorders are a big burden to those affected by them, and those with the disorder live the rest of their life with it as there are no cures only treatments for the symptoms. However, this recent study on the effects of the HDAC enzyme can lead to further research that could allow for a treatment with HDAC to regenerate damaged lung tissue that would cure many respiratory diseases.

Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. “Tweaking gene expression to repair lungs.” ScienceDaily, 25 Feb.  2013. Web. 28 Mar. 2013

Tortora G.J. and B. Derrickson. 2012. Principles of Anatomy and Physiology. 13th ed., John Wiley and Sons

Dendritic cells, which are derived from monocytes, are the most potent of the antigen-presenting cell types. They have long, branched projections that resemble the dendrites of a neuron, and they assist in the maturation process (Tortura & Derrickson). They play a role in anti tumor immunity because of their ability to acquire, process, and present to T lymphocytes tumor-derived antigens. There is current research being studied involving the correlation between various roles of dendritic cells and cancer treatment.

Research has show that dendritic cells can directly attack cancer cells and then present tumor antigens visible to T cells. Antigen presentation makes it easier for the immune system cells to recognize and attack cancer cells (Immunotherapy). Dendritic cells are immune cells that determine the type and regulate the strength and duration of T-cell responses. Also, they contribute to natural killer and natural killer T-cell anti tumor function and to B-cell-mediated immunity (PubMed).

The potential impact of the cytotoxic function of dendritic cells on their ability to present antigens has been a focus of intensive research. This examines the possible strategies to exploit the killing potential of dendritic cells in cancer immunotherapy (PubMed). By understanding the basic science behind the immune system, researchers will have more tools to combat disease and less people could suffer as a result.

Gerard J. Tortora and Bryan Derrickson. Principles of Anatomy and Physiology. 13^th ed., John Wiley and Sons, 2012.

Hanke N, Alizadeh D, Katsanis E, Larmonier N (2013)

Dendritic cell tumor killing activity and its potential applications in cancer immunotherapy.

Immunotherapy. Cancer Vaccines. 25 March 2013. http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/treatmenttypes/immunotherapy/immunotherapy-cancer-vaccines