Biomedical Laboratory Science

Sunday, July 17, 2016

Science Behind Power Naps

With a very busy schedule and too much on our plate, we are not getting enough sleep nowadays. Sleep deprivation is very bad for the health and is giving rise to a number of diseases nowadays. Diseases like heart problems, fluctuations in sugar levels, high and low blood pressures and thyroid issues have become very common in sleep deprived individuals. This is where power naps can help.

When you sleep during the day between 1 PM and 4 PM for a period lasting between ten to thirty minutes, it is known as a power nap. If you sleep longer than thirty minutes, you might develop sleep inertia, a groggy feeling. You should also not sleep later than 4 PM as then you will find it difficult to sleep at night.

Compounds Detected in Breath Samples Specific to Ovarian Cancer

Diagnosing cancer today usually involves various imaging techniques, examining tissue samples under a microscope, or testing cells for proteins or genetic material.

In search of safer and less invasive ways to tell if someone has cancer, analyzing breath and defining specific profiles of compounds in breath samples is under investigation, but translating these exhaled disease fingerprints into a meaningful diagnosis has required a large number of sensors, which makes them impractical for clinical use.

Schematic representation of analysis of breath samples for the diagnosis of ovarian cancer

Source: clinchemlabmedica

Fluctuating Serum Aspartate Aminotransferase Activity in a Complicated Pregnancy

Clinical Case Study

A 29-year-old para 0 gravida 2 woman with a history of infertility and spontaneous abortion presented to her local hospital at 9 weeks gestation with severe nausea and vomiting. Symptoms persisted for 10 weeks, leading to the diagnosis of hyperemesis gravidarum and treatment with intravenous fluids (3 times/week) and Zofran.

At 8 weeks gestation, laboratory tests were unremarkable with the exception of increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST)5 measured at a regional reference laboratory [105 U/L; reference interval (RI), 10 – 40 U/L]. AST continued to be monitored at the same laboratory, peaking at 132 U/L (9 weeks gestation) and gradually declining to 38 U/L by 19 weeks gestation.

uqccr/hepcarepharmacy

Source: clinchem

Side Effects of Alzheimer's Gene Visible in Child Brain Development

Certain genes increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The side effects of the most common of these genes, apolipoprotein E, may be evident as early as in childhood, a study finds.

Genetic risks are just one of the factors that may increase or decrease a person's chances of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD), along with age and family history.

While the symptoms of the rarer early-onset AD - representing less than 5 percent of people with the disease - can appear from the age of 30, the symptoms of the more common type, late-onset AD, is apparent over the age of 65.

This study, published in the online issue of Neurology, finds that the effects of the AD gene apolipoprotein E (APOE) may possibly be seen before the age of 20.

Studying genes in childhood that increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease may possibly
help experts develop ways of delaying the disease.

Source: medicalnewstoday

Tips on How Not to Blow Your Patients Vein

One of the major functions of a nurse is to insert IV lines on patients. This should be done perfectly but experienced nurses may still encounter or face problems like a blown vein. In order to minimize patient discomfort and overall productivity of a nurse, here are some useful tips to lessen or eliminate those errors.

Assess the veins– Look for a good vein by palpating the arm or area with your fingers. Choose the larger and straight vein as this will be able to accommodate large bore catheters.
Go for the correct size of the catheter– To be safe and avoid a blown small vein otherwise, use a small one. Gauge 22 is ideal for adult patients while gauges 22-26 catheters for pediatric patients.

Source: nursingguide

Saturday, July 16, 2016

MCQ 10. The glycoprotein hormones are a family of cystine rich proteins

MCQ 10. The glycoprotein hormones are a family of cystine rich proteins consisting of an alpha and beta subunit, and are characterized by their heavy glycosylation.

Which of the following is a glycoprotein hormone?

a. Cortisol

b. Growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRG)

c. Thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH)

d. Thyrotropin (TSH)

e. Oxytocin

Answers

Does Going to the Hospital Make You Sicker?

During a hospital stay, people usually hope to have a medical condition treated effectively so they can recover fully, go home and stay home. But it's not uncommon for a hospitalization to lead to a new health problem that's serious enough to require hospital readmission within 30 days.

The phenomenon, dubbed "post-hospital syndrome" by Dr. Harlan Krumholz, a cardiologist and professor of medicine at the Yale School of Medicine, is roughly defined as an acquired, transient period of increased risk for illness after a hospital stay, one that leads to re-hospitalization.

You could find yourself back in the hospital – because of the hospital (Getty Images).

Source: msn/health&fitness

Funny Picture 15: "Your Cholesterol is Off by a Wide Margarine."

Source: medicalnewstoday

See more funny pics!

Red Meat Consumption Linked to Kidney Failure

A new study, published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, investigated the long-term impact of red meat consumption on kidney health. Their findings justify the current caution suggested in regard to red meat and organ health.

Red meat, such as beef, lamb, and pork, can be included as part of a healthy diet.

But, as with many dietary components, it is best to limit the amount consumed.

For instance, the American Institute for Cancer Research recommend eating no more than 18 ounces of red meat per month because of its links with certain cancers, including stomach cancer.

Research investigates the effects of red meat on kidney health.

Source: medicalnewstoday

Heart Transplantation Recipients Unaffected by Donor Troponin Levels

Many transplant centers routinely reject hearts if the donor’s blood test reveals elevated levels of troponin I, a protein found in heart muscle that enters the bloodstream when there is a heart attack or other heart muscle damage. Donors with previous heart disease are automatically excluded.

Heart transplantation is one of the greatest achievements in modern medicine and patients with advanced heart failure in whom survival is measured in weeks and months are offered the potential for survival of equal to or greater than 10 years with excellent quality of life.

According to new research, a blood test that leads to donor hearts being rejected may not effectively
predict whether a heart transplant will succeed or fail (Photo courtesy of the AMA).

Source: labmedica

Biomedical Laboratory Science