[IR] Stem Cells

So yeah, that was a short introduction to stem cells.

• These, are probably, the most useful cell in multi-cellular organisms.
• In mammals, there are two main types of stem cells: embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells.

Before we get started, we need to know more about potencies in cells.

1) Totipotency:

• Is the ability of a single cell to divide and produce all the differentiated cells in an organism.
• Totipotent cells include spores and zygotes which are the initial cells formed when two gamete cells are joined by means of sexual reproduction.

2) Pluripotency

• Refers to a stem cell that has the potential to differentiate into any of the three germ layers:
• Endoderm (interior stomach lining, gastrointestinal tract, the lungs)
• Mesoderm (muscle, bone, blood, urogenital)
•Ectoderm (epidermal tissues and nervous system).

3) Multipotency

• Have the potential to give rise to cells from multiple, but a limited number of lineages.
• An example of a multipotent stem cell is a hematopoietic cell — a blood stem cell that can develop into several types of blood cells, but cannot develop into brain cells or other types of cells.

4) Other potencies

• They include ogliopotency and unipotency.
• Ogliopotency refers to the ability of progenitor cells to differentiate into only a few cell types
• Unipotency refers to a cell that has the capacity to develop into only one type of tissue or cell type.

So now, let's get down to business. So, as I was saying, In mammals, there are two main types of stem cells: embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells.

Embryonic Stem Cells

• Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent stem cells
• Derived from the inner cell mass of the blastocyst, an early-stage embryo.

• Embryonic stem cells are distinguished by two distinctive properties: their pluripotency and their ability to replicate indefinitely.
• They are able to differentiate into all derivatives of the three primary germ layers: ectoderm, endoderm, and mesoderm. These include each of the more than 220 cell types in the adult body.

Adult Stem Cells

• Adult stem cells are mutlipotent
• So they have limits to what cells they can develop into unlike the embryonic stem cells.
• However, there are pluripotent adult stem cells but they are rare and generally small in number

• However, there are pluripotent adult stem cells but they are rare and generally small in number
• But can be found in a number of tissues including umbilical cord blood. This is why parents are given the option of storing their babies’ umbilical cord blood, so if the babies develop cancer or other such diseases when they grow up, they can use these stem cells to save their child.

So, how can these stem cells be used for treatment of medical illnesses?

• Medical researchers believe that stem cell therapy has the potential to dramatically change the treatment of human disease.
• A number of adult stem cell therapies already exist, particularly bone marrow transplants that are used to treat leukaemia.

• In the future, medical researchers anticipate being able to use technologies derived from stem cell research to treat a wider variety of diseases including cancer, Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injuries, amongst a number of other impairments and conditions.

So, lets end off with a cartoon.

[IR] Mucus

I don't exactly know why I'm writing about this today, maybe its because I have the flu.

But anyway, what exactly is this slippery secretion found in our body? Well for starters, if you think its only found in our noses, you're wrong. You can find it in throat, oesophagus and even your stomach!
It is produced by mucous cells found in mucous glands.The mucus serves to protect against infectious agents such as fungi, bacteria and viruses.

The average human produces about a litre of mucus everyday. To put this into perspective, 1 litre is the same as 2 500ml Coca Cola Plastic Bottles.

That is a lot of Mucus.

In the Respiratory System:

Mucus aids in the protection of the lungs by trapping foreign particles that enter it, in particular, through the nose, during normal breathing. Small particles such as dust, particulate pollutants, and allergens are caught in the nasal or airway mucus and are prevented from entering the system. In addition, mucus aids in moisturizing the inhaled air and prevents tissues such as the nasal and airway epithelia from drying out. Nasal and airway mucus is produced continuously, with most of it swallowed unconsciously even when the mucus is dried. 

In the Digestive System:

Mucus acts as a lubricant for materials that must pass over membranes. For example, mucus is present in the oesophagus for food to slide down easily, and not get stuck in the tube. A layer of of mucus along the inner walls of the stomach is vital to protect the cell linings of the stomach from the highly acidic environment within the stomach. 

During Cold Weather: 

The cillia which normally sweeps mucus away from the nostrils and toward the back of the throat, become sluggish, which causes the mucus to run down and drip from the nose. This is known as a runny nose. It is a symptom of the common cold. It may also thicken in the cold weather, causing what is known as a blocked nose.

This concludes my last post of the month, see you in March!

[IR] Mouth Ulcers

I was inspired to write this article, because right now, I have two ulcers in my mouth, and they are causing me unbearable pain when I eat, drink or brush my teeth. As a matter of fact, I get ulcers very frequently, and find them the most irritating thing in the whole world. The most ulcers I had in my mouth at a time was 8. I could barely eat, I had to eat porridge all day, thankfully it was during the school holidays so I could stay home and rest. But anyway, after some research, I realised that my ulcers are called aphthous ulcer, which looks like this:

An aphthous ulcer is a painful open sore inside the mouth. It appears as a white oval with an inflamed red border.

So, what is its cause???

Well, there is no exact cause. So I will never no what causes my ulcers but apparently, citrus fruits (e.g. Oranges and Lemons) can play a part in causing these sores.

I will never look at you the same, my sweet, juicy, delicious, ulcer causing friend.

Also, lack of sleep could be a possible cause. This explains a lot as I have gotten ulcers less frequently when I was in the afternoon session in Primary School, where I could sleep till 9am.

There is even a condition known as Sutton's Disease for major, multiple, recurring ulcers. It is one of the most common oral conditions. 10% of the population has this condition. These are the people who record having more than one ulcer per month. In fact, 30 to 40% of patients who have Sutton's Disease report a family history. My father, and two of my paternal aunties also have recurring aphthous ulcers. Does this explain my situation? Yes. I think I can safely diagnose myself with Sutton's Disease. Being a doctor seems easy enough now, just look at the symptoms from Wikipedia, compare it with the patient's symptoms and voila! You are done and can make millions of dollars.

Its interesting to note that people above the age of 55 very very rarely get ulcers.

I don't get ulcers! Isn't that nice honey?
 Let me go grab my glasses and make you a nice cup of hot cocoa.

The Remedy?

Step 1: Avoid eating spicy foods.

Step 2: Rinse with Mouthwashes.

Step 3: Proper Oral Hygiene.

I will definitely try these methods to get rid of the ulcers in my mouth now.
See you next week, for my first experiment post.