Surface area of the digestive tract much smaller than previously thought

Jake Urso

Source: University of Gothenburg

URL:http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/04/140423111505.htm

Summary:

The internal surface area of the gastro-intestinal tract was once thought to be between 180 and 300 square meters. Biologists at the Sahlgrenska Academy have used new and improved microscopic techniques that allowed them to see the internal surface area was actually between 30 and 40 square meters. The reason previous measurements were so far off was because the measurements were taken when the tissue was relaxed. In the new methods of measuring the surface area scientists use radiological methods, along with studies of the structures of the digestive system, taken through the use of endoscopes to obtain samples of the mucous membrane of the intestines. The scientists said that these were average measurements that can vary from person to person based on the healthfulness of their lifestyle. 

Connection:

This connects to our recent studies of the human body because it is about the digestive system. It was interesting because when we talked about the surface area of the digestive system in class it was compared to the surface area of a tennis court. In this article it says specifically how scientists once thought the same thing, but these new microscopic techniques allowed for this to be proven wrong.

Autism Breakthrough with Help of Enzymes

Saturday October 19, 2013

Marisa Patel
Mr. Mathieu
Period 2

Author: Janet Bruno
Published: October 15, 2013
http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=181505#.UmLyWhyd6fp

Summary:
Autism has always been a common problem in our growing society. Scientists have never really found away to stop it, except for now. They have concluded that autism is caused by a defect with two specific proteins in the digestive system: gluten and casein which are two of the most common proteins in food. They are found in basic, everyday food that contain dairy and wheat products. But, scientists clinically proved that the enzyme complex DDP-IV helps to solely break down the gluten and casein, causing less damage to the digestive system. Many parents believed there was no way out for their child's autism, but now that has been disproved! The results were outstanding with this new improvement; one result was an increase in eye contact for autistic children who were on DDP-IV. The '3-in-1 Digestive Formula' went from being tested in the labs, straight to being sold right from Amazon today.

Connection:
Enzymes were part of the chapter four and chapter nine lessons. In those lessons, we learned about how enzymes are proteins that speed up chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy. In this case, for the autistic children, the DDP-IV enzyme complex breaks down the gluten and casein which can help them have a healthier digestive system. In class, we proved how enzymes create different chemical reactions with different variables. The experiment was exactly what is happening to help cure children with autism. We learned how different enzymes can produce different chemical reactions, and they either synthesize or decompose. In this case, the DDP-IV enzyme is used to decompose the harmful components in the digestive system of an autistic child.

Gut Bacteria Adapt to Life in Bladder

Meghan Rosen
May 9, 2013
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/350277/description/News_in_Brief_Gut_bacteria_adapt_to_life_in_bladder

Summary:

Although humans may be mutualists with bacteria living in the gut, such bacteria can still cause infections in humans. Normally, E. coli bacteria live in the small intestine and aid in digestion. The E. coli benefits from this as well, for they receive food and more importantly, nutrients from the food the host human eats. In the intestine, E. coli is viewed as helpful bacteria and don't cause infections. However, recent research shows that E. coli may sometimes travel from the intestine all the way through the bladder, where they can cause dangerous infectious diseases. This transition from gut to bladder is aided by the fact that the bacteria use sticky nubs to cling to the organ's walls. By clumping together and hiding between individual bladder cells, the E. coli bacteria can prevent antibodies from reaching them and destroying them, which is why they can cause disease. Also, such bacteria are easily able to travel from bladder to gut (where they are not attacked by bodily defenses) in both directions, allowing large quantities of such bacteria to grow and cause urinary tract infections.

This was discovered by Jeffrey Gordon of Washington State University by analyzing urine and fecal matter of four woman with urinary tract infections and this discovery may lead to doctors monitoring bacteria levels in the body to determine the risk of such infections.

Relevance:

This article is highly relevant to the systems we are discussing in class in many ways. First of all, the E. coli play a very important role in the digestive system, which we talked about last unit. In the digestive system, E. coli helps break down certain foods, getting nutrients and food in return. Also, the article talks about how the bacteria can avoid the antibodies of the immune system, which is the system we are discussing right now. Lastly, the article also mentions the bladder, which is part of the excretory system, a later part of this unit.