Hepatobiliary Pathology 2024

The Iron Age: A Journey through Hemochromatosis - Team 8

Media Type: Video

Summary

team_08_image.jpgOur assignment topic is hemochromatosis. Hemochromatosis is a disorder in which there is increased iron deposition in various parts of your body and if left untreated, can lead to further complications. The most common reasons why people develop hemochromatosis is due to inherited genetic mutations as well as lifestyle choices. Many people suffer from this disorder but are usually unaware of their conditions. This is either due to a lack of knowledge about certain symptoms or that symptoms do not appear until later in life. In North America, this disease affects 1 in 300 non-Hispanic White people; in other words, hemochromatosis affects about 80000 Canadians.
In this project, we ran through many different literature and articles that discussed this disease, which were written and reviewed by various pathologists, researchers, and specialists. Our aim for this paper is to increase the general knowledge about health and bring awareness about hemochromatosis and its consequences to the population. We chose to present our information in the form of a video as this can easily be accessed by learners. The video has a clear voiceover, with animations that help to fluently and cohesively describe the many aspects about hemochromatosis. As well, we have included interactive Kahoots for learners to consolidate their knowledge. With our decision of delivery about this disease, we believe it will be universal in explaining hemochromatosis to the general population and describing the many key definitions and terms that are related to the disorder.

Keywords: Hemochromatosis, Iron Overload, Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Treatments, Complications

JeoPARTY: Hepatobiliary Havoc - Team 14

Media Type: Jeopardy

Summary

team_14_image.jpgOur assignment is a Jeopardy game that tests users on their knowledge of hepatobiliary pathology. Hepatobiliary pathology includes the diseases of the liver and the gallbladder. The liver has 5 main functions: 1) to synthesize certain proteins; 2) to break down hormones, proteins and drugs; 3) to metabolize glucose and lipids; 4) to store glycogen, triglycerides, iron, copper and fat-soluble vitamins; and 5) to produce and excrete bile for storage in the gallbladder. The liver can sustain serious tissue damage, leading to various different diseases, such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, inherited and non-inherited metabolic liver diseases, as well as hepatocellular cancer. Additionally, the gallbladder can suffer from diseases, such as cholestasis where bile excretion is impaired. Understanding hepatobiliary diseases is crucial as they play vital roles in homeostasis, digestion and metabolism. In doing so, students can appreciate the normal functions of the liver and gallbladder, and how they respond to injury. It will also elucidate the interconnectedness of how different damaging factors can have a similar pathological presentation. We chose to summarize this information in a Jeopardy format because it is widely recognized and familiar to many audiences. It enhances memory retention while offering an engaging and interactive means to test knowledge across various difficulty levels and a broad range of topics. This format, as a study tool, effectively presents information, tests knowledge, and fosters engagement in educational settings. Thus, the Jeopardy game aims to consolidate the student’s knowledge of the hepatobiliary system by evaluating their understanding of the normal and diseased state of the liver and the gallbladder.

Keywords: AI-generated Questions, Pathology Review, Diseases of the Liver, Biliary Diseases, Jeopardy-style Questions

Liver to Lungs: The A1AT-deficiency story - Team 21

Media Type: Presentation

Summary

team_21_image.jpgThis assignment was completed as a presentation narrated by celebrities using AI. The presentation provides a clinical explanation of Alpha-1-Antitrypsin deficiency, narrated by a celebrity using AI tools as well. We chose this topic because we found it interesting when discussed in class, but it wasn’t explained in great detail. Thus, we chose to further explore A1AT deficiency on our own for the project. This format was chosen as students are used to learning through presentation/lecture style content. However, our creative touch was adding narration from a celebrity (Morgan Freeman) instead of our own voices. Due to the AI-oriented nature of the assignment, we believed it would be interesting to use AI to generate a narration of the presentation using a familiar voice. By using a celebrity, the presentation is more captivating and intriguing, making it more enjoyable for audiences. A1AT is a protein synthesized in the liver, crucial in maintaining elastic fibers in the lungs and protecting the lung as well. In cases of A1AT deficiency, early emphysema and liver disease may arise, damaging both the lungs and the liver. Combined with its high prevalence, especially in those of European descent, this is an important topic in pathology. Beyond this, we also discuss the diagnosis, manifestations, and treatment options of those with the disease. There are still emerging treatments being developed, trying to optimize the health of patients by targeting genetic causes and helping protein function. Ultimately, both liver and lung function are crucial to maintaining overall health, so it is crucial that we raise awareness about A1AT deficiency.

Keywords: Alpha-1-Antitrypsin (A1AT), A1AT Deficiency, Trypsin, Liver Pathology, Lung Pathology

Pathophysiology of the liver - Team 24

Media Type: Website

Summary

team_24_image.jpgWe decided to work on liver pathology which encompasses the major diseases related to the liver. We covered various etiologies and we delved deeper into the physiological and pharmacological aspects of each disease. Our aim was to create a well rounded overview of these diseases and bring awareness to aid in the prevention. We used a website as our format because this type of media was previously utilized in other courses and agreed that it was a helpful and accessible means of learning. We began by including a brief overview of the physiology and anatomy of the liver so that the students would have a good background to build the pathology knowledge. We then introduced various pathological diseases of the liver that were the most common to reach a broader audience. Finally, we discussed various treatments for all the conditions mentioned. At the end we included a fun and interactive case study so the audience could put what they learned to practice. We ended our website off with a make a difference page which included important statistics surrounding liver disease. It also included lifestyle tips to help reduce incidence and reputable organizations to learn more and donate.

This format gave the audience a comprehensive overview of each topic to make it easy to follow along and help them understand new terminology. Having a website accessible to everyone is so important to bring awareness to the severity of liver diseases and hopefully help people avoid such conditions.

Keywords: The Liver, Cirrhosis, Alcoholic Liver Disease, Hepatitis, Pharmacology, Vaccine

Alpha-1-Antitrypsin Deficiency (A1ATD): A Threat to the Liver and the Lungs - Team 40

Media Type: Infographic

Summary

team_40_image.jpgThe topic of this assignment is alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency and how it affects the liver and the lungs. The information was presented in an infographic format with practice questions so the reader can review what they have learned. An infographic format was used because it summarizes many aspects of A1ATD in a way that is visually appealing and allows the use of diagrams to make the topic easier to understand.

The liver produces many essential proteins and performs important digestive and detoxification functions. The lungs are critical as they take in oxygen that our bodies need, while getting rid of carbon dioxide that our bodies do not need. A1ATD is a disease that demonstrates the serious effects that can occur if these organs are functioning improperly.

It is important to learn about alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency as it is a common genetic disease in individuals with European ancestry but is very rarely diagnosed. It can easily go unnoticed because its symptoms are not unique and can be confused with other liver and lung diseases. It is crucial to get early treatment to avoid serious complications like chronic hepatitis (liver inflammation), cirrhosis (permanent liver damage), and emphysema (lung damage).

Keywords: Liver, Alpha-1-Antitrypsin, Inherited Disease, Jaundice, Cirrhosis, Lung