Animal Scaffolding Helps Regrowth of Human Muscle

                There was a man who was involved in a bombing in Afghanistan that blew off part of his leg. Sgt. Ron Strang was really concerned that he would never be able to walk correctly again. Because of the explosion, Strang had to endure many surgeries that left a large divot in his upper thigh where the quad muscles had been. But that was two years ago, now he is walking like a normal person. He says if you know him, or know what had happened, you would see a slight limp, but otherwise you would never have guessed. Sgt. Strang has grown new muscle due to a thin sheet of material from a pig. The material is called extracellular matrix. It is the natural scaffolding that underlies all tissues and organs in people as well as animals. Scientists have discovered that the scaffolding signals the body to grow and repair those tissues and organs. Now that they have this knowledge, body builders are now using this for replacement tissue so their muscles can grow. Dr. Peter Rubin, a plastic surgeon at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center who is a leader of the study, said that early results with Sergeant Strang and a handful of other patients showed that the animal scaffolding was spurring muscle growth. Evidence has shown remodeling of tissues.

                I think this is most definitely a global issue. There are people all around the world that fight in war, and have pieces of their skin and tissues blown off. Having this knowledge now can help doctors all over the world repair these wounded soldiers. I am deeply involved with the military, and it has had a huge impact on me recently; so knowing this helps me cope with what goes on overseas.

Blog #2: Study shows overall health despite obesity is better indicator of heart disease or cancer risk

According to European Heart Journal, with new research they have found that if you are obese it doesn’t mean you aren’t physically fit.  Obese people aren’t necessarily at greater risk of heart disease or cancer than a normal weight person.  Scientists say that the key to being “metabolically fit” is by exercising daily.  The researchers looked at data from more than 43,000 Americans to find that a third of them were obese.  Half of the obese people were metabolically healthy after a physical exam and lab tests.  People with ideal weight and also obese people have the same chance of developing cardiovascular disease or cancer.  Getting more exercise can keep you healthier, even if you are overweight.  This is why being active is important to everyone not just obese people. 

This would be a global problem because America has a high percentage of people dealing with obesity. For instance, if a parent is obese and does not practice healthy eating habits for their children to follow, then America has to deal with the issue of overweight children as well. Because overweight persons are generally assumed to develop chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, and heart disease, the national budget for healthcare spending increases exponentially. Not only is money cut out of much needed programs, such as school advancement, unemployment, and social security funds, but projects that require research to develop a cure for a deadly disease, such as cancer is ignored because many people make the conscience choice to live an unhealthy lifestyle. Being very involved in numerous sports since high school, I am very passionate about maintaining a healthy lifestyle. My goal in life is to be a physician and teach others how to make wise choices when it comes to being obese in the global world today. While many may believe this is a personal issue, it is a global problem that requires an immediate solution so that our future children and employers can wisely distribute funds.

http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/study-shows-health-obesity-better-indicator-heart-disease-cancer-risk-article-1.1154258?localLinksEnabled=false

Tick-borne Disease in Missouri

Two farmers from northwestern Missouri have suffered from an illness that is believed to have been started by a tick bite. Scientists have discovered a new virus that has yet to have been discovered. They say that it is unique that it was discovered in this part of the world, because it is the first phlebovirus to affect humans in the Western Hemisphere. They are unaware of how widespread the actual virus is, or how many people in Missouri have had the illness. The virus is a new species and is totally new to the knowledge of the US Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. The new virus is suspected to be a part of the Severe Fever Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus. This is found in northeastern parts of China and known to cause death in 30% of patients. There are more than seventy viruses in the phlebovirus family. The way they are grouped is how they are carried. Scientists are still unsure how the virus in Missouri is carried, but they suspect ticks. This virus is very similar to the other phleboviruses carried by ticks and mosquitoes. They are casting a wide set net so they can figure out where this virus is located and how it's being transmitted. They are also going to be doing laboratory studies to learn more about the biology of the virus and how it might be transmitted throughout the state. Both of the farmers were in the hospital for several weeks to recover, and another two weeks till they were fully recovered. One of the men was a healthy, 587 year old man; the other was a 65 year old man with type two diabetes and they both were affected the same way. Tick-borne diseases are on the rise in the United States, so people need to be sure to check themselves after being outside, or in a shed. Just to be safe.