User:MaherJankiss/Evaluate an Article

Which article are you evaluating?
Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva

Why you have chosen this article to evaluate?
The article of choice is an extremely rare autosomal-dominant monogenetic disorder which is interesting as the gene responsible, ACVR1/ALK2, is apart of the skeletal protein superfamily Bone Morphogenic Proteins (BMP) which are crucial for the regulation of the formation of vertebrae skeleton (i.e., joint formation, cranial sutures, spine, etc.). Since it is a rare disease, that only affects roughly 1 in 2 million, not a lot has been documented about it and the article summarizes the molecular basis of the disease briefly with barely any prevalent research. My initial impression of the article is it is a good, general summary of the genetic disease that is sufficient to provide generalized information about the disorder to the common reader.

Evaluate the article
As stated previously, the published Wikipedia article provides the general public with a sufficient amount of information about the basis of the disease and its pathology, with relevant and appropriate cited (reliable) sources. The article introduces the topic (Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva) with a suitable lead paragraph that summarizes the type of disease it is, the gene responsible, the symptoms/signs, and its severity. An individual trying to find a quick summary of the disease can sufficiently read it just from the introducing paragraph as it covers most of the major contents, which is what an abstract for any topic should aim to be especially that of an encyclopedia subject; concise and short. However, it mentions that it is the only known disorder where tissue can be ossified or turn into another tissue which is only mentioned in the lead and no where else, with support coming from only one source. Moreover, it was stated that it is the only known medical condition that can change organ systems into another. This is not 100% true and is misguiding as the disease gradually ossifies all connective cells and muscle tissue, and all organs are composed of these tissue. Furthermore, this disease is commonly misdiagnosed with other ossifying diseases such as Progressiva osseous heteroplasia and Hereditary multiple osteochondromas which both cause extensive bone formations and replace damaged tendons or muscles with chondrocytes (or bone), similarly to FOP. To mediate this, the article could instead say this is the only known medical condition that causes heterotopic ossification where bone forms within connective tissue. The disease does not alter organs or change organ systems, which a common reader will deduce that this disease can switch organ systems. Lastly, it isn't mentioned anywhere else in the article's major sections.

The overall tone is neutral with not identified subjective claims; the writer did a good job keeping bias opinions or implementing deductions from cited material. More images could have been implemented such as radiograms of bone overgrowth or the mention hallux formation of big toes, and perhaps a mechanism of the BMP signaling pathway with responsible genes ACVR1 or ALK2. This would provide in-depth detail of what gain-function genes do in comparison to a "normal" ACVR1/ALK2.

Overall, this is suitable starting-article that summarizes the major points to supply the reader with an ample amount of knowledge of the disease. Its strengths lie within its pathology of the disease and use of suitable, reliable research. The article is definitely, however lacking in content as it underdeveloped due it using outdated research with the most recent research being from 2019 when there are ongoing drug clinical trials (phase III) for the ALK2 inhibitor, Saractinib, since 2021. All in all, improvements include updating the article with relevant-present research, molecular basis mechanisms of ACVR1, more media such as images and radiograms, and building up the lead introduction with no ambiguity in statements or contradictions of points. This article shows promise and is good starter for a very rare disorder.