physiology

  • Omenn Syndrome: When Your Body Throws Its Own Surprise Party

    Omenn Syndrome: When Your Body Throws Its Own Surprise Party

    Imagine your immune system as an overzealous party planner, but instead of organizing a fun bash, it’s staging a revolt against your own body. Welcome to the world of Omenn syndrome, where your T cells decide to go rogue and treat your organs like they’re uninvited guests. These rebellious T cells, armed with mutant RAG…

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  • Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) is divided into acute and chronic forms

    Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) is divided into acute and chronic forms

    Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) is a syndrome, characterized by inflammation in different organs. GvHD is commonly associated with bone marrow transplants and stem cell transplants. Not to be confused with Host-versus-graft disease. White blood cells of the donor’s immune system which remain within the donated tissue (the graft) recognize the recipient (the host) as foreign (non-self). The white blood cells present within the…

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  • In the case of GVHD, maculopapular rash may progress to a condition similar to toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN)

    In the case of GVHD, maculopapular rash may progress to a condition similar to toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN)

    Together with Stevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS) it forms a spectrum of disease, with TEN being more severe. Early symptoms include fever and flu-like symptoms. A few days later the skin begins to blister and peel forming painful raw areas. Mucous membranes, such as the mouth, are also typically involved. Complications include dehydration, sepsis, pneumonia, and multiple organ failure. The most common cause is certain medications such as lamotrigine, carbamazepine, allopurinol, sulfonamide…

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  • Maculopapular Rash Is Seen in Graft-Versus-Host Disease (GVHD) 

    Maculopapular Rash Is Seen in Graft-Versus-Host Disease (GVHD) 

    A maculopapular rash is a type of rash characterized by a flat, red area on the skin that is covered with small confluent bumps. It may only appear red in lighter-skinned people. The term “maculopapular” is a compound: macules are small, flat discolored spots on the surface of the skin; and papules are small, raised bumps. It is also described as erythematous, or red.…

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  • Average body temperature dropped every decade since the 1800s and even more every decade since 1960 

    Average body temperature dropped every decade since the 1800s and even more every decade since 1960 

    Attention, fellow humans! It’s time to chill out… literally! 🧊 Our bodies are on a cosmic cooldown, and it’s not just because we’ve all become walking popsicles addicted to air conditioning. Oh no, this is far more sinister and hilarious than that! The Great American Refrigeration❄️ Since the 1800s, our core temperatures have been dropping…

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  • Buggy Love Potion: The Science of Insect Sex Hormones

    Buggy Love Potion: The Science of Insect Sex Hormones

    Listen up, you sexy six-legged sirens and alluring arthropods! 🐞💋 Get ready to have your mind blown and your exoskeleton rocked. Insect sex hormones: They’re real, they’re spectacular, and they’re changing the game of love in the miniature world! From ecdysone’s double life to gonadotropins’ matchmaking skills, these hormones are the unsung heroes of insect…

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  • Sex-determining region Y protein (SRY), or testis-determining factor (TDF)

    Sex-determining region Y protein (SRY), or testis-determining factor (TDF)

    Sex-determining region Y protein (SRY), or testis-determining factor (TDF), is a DNA-binding protein (also known as gene-regulatory protein/transcription factor) encoded by the SRY gene that is responsible for the initiation of male sex determination in therian mammals (placental mammals and marsupials). SRY is an intronless sex-determining gene on the Y chromosome. Mutations in this gene lead to a range of disorders of sex development with varying effects on an individual’s phenotype and genotype. SRY is a member of the SOX (SRY-like box)…

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  • DAX1

    DAX1

    DAX1 (dosage-sensitive sex reversal, adrenal hypoplasia critical region, on chromosome X, gene 1) is a nuclear receptor protein that in humans is encoded by the NR0B1 gene (nuclear receptor subfamily 0, group B, member 1). The NR0B1 gene is located on the short (p) arm of the X chromosome between bands Xp21.3 and Xp21.2, from base pair 30,082,120 to base pair 30,087,136. Function This gene encodes a protein…

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  • DMRT1

    DMRT1

    Doublesex and mab-3 related transcription factor 1, also known as DMRT1, is a protein which in humans is encoded by the DMRT1 gene. Function DMRT1 is a dose sensitive transcription factor protein that regulates Sertoli cells and germ cells. The DMRT1 gene is located at the end of the 9th chromosome. This gene is found in a cluster with two other members…

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  • DMT1 aka DCT1 and NRAMP2

    DMT1 aka DCT1 and NRAMP2

    Natural resistance-associated macrophage protein 2 (NRAMP 2), also known as divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) and divalent cation transporter 1 (DCT1), is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SLC11A2 (solute carrier family 11, member 2) gene. DMT1 represents a large family of orthologous metal ion transporter proteins that are highly conserved from bacteria to humans. As its name suggests, DMT1 binds a variety of divalent metals…

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