Amyloidosis is a disease characterized by the extracellular accumulation of fibrils in different organs in the body. The precursor proteins may vary but all contain an antiparallel β-pleated sheet configuration thus resulting to their amyloidogenic properties and unique reaction (the production of a green birefringence under polarized light) when stained with Congo red. All types of amyloid are comprised of a serum amyloid P component, a 25-kD glycoprotein, and a member of the C-reactive-protein-containing pentraxin family. Amyloidosis may be classified into diverse groups of local and systemic diseases with primary amyloidosis as the most widely occurring.
In primary amyloidosis, the fibrils that build up in various organs are made up of the N-terminal acid residues of the variable section of an immunoglobin light chain; hence the other name primary amyloidosis is known for: immunoglobin light chain amyloidosis. Here, the clonal plasma cells predominantly express λ light chains over κ light chains and an increased incidence of monoclonal λ type VI can be observed. There are various symptoms that could hint people of primary amyloidosis but in order to be confirmed, a biopsy documentation of the amyloid is required.
The typical number of cases of primary amyloidosis reaches 8 per million yearly. It normally occurs in patients over the age of 50; only about 1% are below the age of 40. And it occurs in men in about twice as much as it does in women. Patients with primary amyloidosis are typically proven to have only a median survival of 2 years or less. One reason to this may be the fact that multisystem organ involvement is quite usual in this disease, with the most commonly affected ones being the kidney, the heart, and the pe...
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... is also of note that high-dose chemotherapy with peripheral blood stem cell transportation has led to the treatment of nephrotic syndrome and biopsy-improvement of amyloid organ involvement in some isolated cases, and that it has shown very promising results. However, strict care measures must still be observed regardless of whether chemotherapy or marrow transplant is used.
Works Cited
Cotter, F., & Rund, D. (2001). Historical Review, Amyloidosis: A Convoluted Story. British Journal of Haematology. (114). Retrieved from http://www.bloodmed.com/home/hannpdf/bjh2999.pdf
Linman, J. (1975). Hematology: Physiologic, Pathophysiologic, and Clinical Principles. New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc.
Hoffman, R., Benz, E., et al. (2005). Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. Philadephia, Pennsylvannia: Elsevier Inc.
Brenner, B. (2004). The Kidney. Saunder’s.
Since most patients will either have an intact immunoglobulin or a free light chain, quantifying the amount of the M protein will aid in calculating the myeloma tumor burden; staging the myeloma patients; and documenting their response to treatment (Dispenzieri, Lacy, & Greipp, 2004). Moreover, since in 93% of patients a monoclonal protein can be detected in serum and in roughly 70% a monoclonal protein or fragment will be present in urine, according to Nau and Lewis (2008), the diagnosis of an asymptomatic (smoldering) multiple myeloma disease depends on the presence of serum M protein levels of ≥ 3 g/dL; ≥ 10% of bone marrow plasma cells; no related organ or tissue destruction like bone lesions; and no symptoms. On the other hand, the diagnosis of a symptomatic multiple myeloma disease can be accomplished by the presence of M protein in serum and/or urine together with clonal bone marrow plasma cells or plasmacytoma; myeloma-related organ or tissue impairment; and obvious symptoms (Nau, & Lewis,
The article “Cracking the Alzheimer’s code” by Linda Marsa discusses the history, discoveries and advancements for Alzheimer’s disease. The discovery of Alzheimer’s disease was revealed through a German physician named Alois Alzheimer. Alzheimer first discovered Alzheimer’s in the year 1901 while he was interviewing a mentally Ill patient named Auguste Dexter. The beginning of his discovery was due to the fact that Dexter was exhibiting uncontrollable behaviors that included jealously, screaming, confusion and paranoia. After Dexter had passed away, Alzheimer saw this as an opportunity to examine her brain under a microscope in thin pieces. To Alzheimer’s surprise, he discovered two abnormal substances on brain slices that were called amyloid
When red blood cells start out, they are shaped like flat discs. Over time, when passing through the spleen, pieces of the membrane are removed, causing the red blood cells to become round in shape, hence the term Spherocytosis (Seattle Childrens). When red blood cells enter the spleen, the cells undergo hemolysis. Hemolysis in hereditary spherocytosis results in the interplay of an intact spleen and an intrinsic membrane protein defect (Medscape). The breakdown of red blood cells is called hemolytic anemia (Wint Carmella).
The first case of dementia was discovered in 1906 by a German physiatrist Alois Alzheimer. It was first observed in a female patient and she was forty-one years old her name was Auguste D. Dr. Alzheimer observed a decline in the patient’s cognitive abilities. She lost her memory, she exhibited behavioral issues, and she suffered from hallucinations, lost the ability to comprehend language, disorientation and lost her speech. After Augusta’s passing Dr. Alzheimer preformed an autopsy that showed the classic triangles and knots we associate today with Alzheimer. Those triangles and knots are a proteins and plaque. The brain is self looked smaller and had distinct characteristics. Still with modern medicine the only way to diagnose a person with Alzheimer is after their death with an autopsy. (THE ALZHEIMER'S PROJECT, 2014).
The wide range of prospective uses for stem cells could greatly improve the health and wellbeing of many people. In stem cell treatments, undifferentiated cells are programmed to form specific cells, which can then be transplanted to the afflicted area. Stems cells can possibly treat afflictions including “Alzheimer’s diseases, spinal cord injury, stroke, burns, heart disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis” (“Stem Cell Basics”). Another important use is in drug testing. Drugs can be tested on stem cells that develop into the target tissue before using it on human test subjects, which improves safety. Finally, transplantation of organs created from stem cells could eliminate the need for human...
Alzheimer’s disease got its name from the German doctor, Dr. Alois Alzheimer. In 1906, he noticed that there were abnormal clumps and bundles of fibers i...
Alzheimer's Disease Introduction to Alzheimer's Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative disease of the brain. It was first described by the German neuropathologist Alois Alzheimer (1864-1915). in 1905. This disease worsens with advancing age, although there is no evidence. that it is caused by the aging process.
Alzheimer’s can be diagnosed before age 65, although rare, and is caused by a mutation in 3 known genes. About 5 percent of those who are under 65 and possess the ailment have AD in their family history. Given that the symptoms of AD are caused by plaque in the brain, causing loss of nerve cells that help the body communicate with the brain, mutations to these genes; amyloid precursor protein, presenilin 1, and presenilin 2 cause a excessive production of certain proteins (primarily a B-42 form of amyloid protein), and therefore spark an excessive growth of plaque cells which are toxic to the neurons of the brain. For those cases of Alzheimer’s that occur after age 65, a genetic mutation has yet to be proven, although some may be linked, to the fact that a difference may cause an increased chance of developing the ailment. Whatever the case may be for patients over 65 years old, the disease and its symptoms are caused by neurofibrillary tangles of almyloid plaques. It is impossible for someone to test positive for Alzheimer’s Disease, because the only way to determine an affirmative case i...
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive, terminal, degenerative brain disease. It is the fourth leading cause of death in adults and currently affects over four million people in the United States. This number is expected to increase over the next several years as the baby boomers age, until it reaches fourteen million by the year 2025.
In this experiment, we determined the isotonic and hemolytic molar concentrations of non-penetrating moles for sheep red blood cells and measured the absorbance levels from each concentration. The results concluded that as the concentration increased the absorbance reading increased as well. A higher absorbance signifies higher amounts of intact RBCs. The isotonic molar concentration for NaCl and glucose is 0.3 M. The hemolysis molar concentration for NaCl and glucose is 0.05 M. Adding red blood cells to an isotonic solution, there will be no isotonic pressure and no net movement. The isotonic solution leaves the red blood cells intact. RBC contain hemoglobin which absorbs light, hemoglobin falls to the bottom of the tube and no light is absorbed. Determining the isotonic concentration of NaCl and glucose by finding the lowest molar concentration. In contrast to isotonic molar concentration, hemolysis can be determined by finding the
Alzheimer’s disease or AD is an incurable disorder of the brain that results in loss of normal brain structure and function. In an AD brain, normal brain tissue is slowly replaced by structures called plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. The plaques represent a naturally occurring sticky protein called beta amyloid and in an Alzheimer’s brain, sufferer’s tend to accumulate too much of this protein. Neurofibrillary tangles represent collapsed tau proteins which, in a normal brain along with microtubules, form a skeleton that maintains the shape of the nerve cells. In Alzheimer’s disease, the tau proteins break loose from their normal location and form tangles. Without the support of these molecules, nerve cells collapse and die. As normal brain structure is lost with progression of the disease, brain function also degenerates. Patients afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease display a gradual mental decline. Initially, and most apparently, there is a loss of short-term memory. Eventually, as a patient progresses to later stages of the disease, the brain becomes so damaged that patients can no longer communicate or recognize immediate family or even themselves. They have difficulty walking and standing and frequently fall. In the final stages, they lose bladder and bowel control and have difficulty with swallowing, frequently leaving them malnourished and dehydrated. Eventually, they are forced to remain bedridden and, without the help of life-prolonging measures provided in a hospital, die. However, this level of deterioration is severe and may take as long as twenty years. Because of the disease’s slow progress and its usual later start in a person’s life, a victim of AD will usually die first of natural causes. Under the objectives ...
Red blood cell indices:(mean corpuscular volume [MCV], mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration [MCHC]
In 1906, Dr. Alois Alzheimer, noticed some changes in the brain tissue of a woman who had died of an unusual mental illness. Her symptoms were comprised of memory loss, language problems, and unpredictable behavior. After her death, Dr. Alzheimer examined her brain and found many abnormal clumps (amyloid plaques) and tangled bundles of fibers (neurofibrillary tangles).
Alzheimer’s Disease is named after a German doctor, who specializes in the brain and nervous system, named Alois Alzheimer. This Disease forms in the brain. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of Dementia, a general term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to enter. The Tau protein ensures the tubes in your brain stay straight allowing molecules to pass through freely. In Alzheimer’s Disease the protein collapses into strands or tangles, making the tubes disintegrate. There is visible differences of brain tissue in the from misfolded proteins called plaques and tangles. Beta-Amyloid clumps block signals and communication between cells in the brain. Researchers agree that Alzheimer’s Disease is m...
...there are some risk factors in using stem cell for therapeutic approaches, hematopoietic stem cell therapy by bone marrow transplantation has already been proofed to be safe if donors’ background and screening, cell contamination, HLA matching and opportunistic or nosocomial infections during immunocompromised period were carefully monitored and controlled. Still, other types of stem cell therapies, despite of their good therapeutic efficacy, are remain in experimental stage and need more data to support and demonstrate the safety in clinical trials. More understanding of stem cell biology is also required in order to keep stem cell under controlled and avoid some complications that they might cause. So, to pave the way for successful stem cell therapy, research in this extent is needed to pursue to maximized therapeutic efficiency with highest safety in patients.