'Smart Thread' Enables 3-D Tissue Embedding for Medical Diagnostics

By integrating microfluidic networks, nano-scale sensors, and electronics, researchers have created implantable, thread-like devices that can be sutured through several layers of tissue in 3-D to gather and send diagnostic data wirelessly as it happens.

Writing the journal Microsystems & Nanoengineering, the team - led by engineers from Tufts University in Medford, MA - says the new "smart thread" diagnostic platform could form the basis of a new generation of implantable medical diagnostics and smart wearable devices.

The paper describes the creation of microfluidic threads that can be sutured through several layers of tissue to sample fluid. The network of microfluidic circuits "interface intimately with biological tissues in three dimensions," note the authors.

Read more: 'Smart Thread' Enables 3-D Tissue Embedding for Medical Diagnostics

The microfluidic threads penetrate several layers to sample tissue fluid and channel it to sensing

threads that collect data, such as pH and glucose levels. Electrically conductive threads then

deliver the data to a flexible wireless transmitter that can be sited on top of the skin.

Source: medicalnewstoday

Current Approaches for the Detection of Acute Kidney Injury

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a recognized complication in hospitalized patients. A report in 2009 from National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death (NCEPOD) suggested that AKI was frequently undetected in hospital patients thus contributing to patient morbidity and mortality. Clinical guidelines for recognition and treatment for acute kidney injury were published by NICE (the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) in 2013 and reported an associated mortality with AKI of more than 25–30%. This guideline also recognized the prevalence of AKI in the primary care population in patients with or without acute illness. NICE also recognized the impact of AKI on healthcare resources, with costs (excluding those in the community) of £434–620 million per year, more than that associated with breast, lung and skin cancer combined

AKI is characterized by an acute loss of the kidney’s excretory capacity leading to accumulation of waste products such as urea and creatinine, and decreased urine output. It is associated with rapid decline in glomerular filtration rate and increases in potassium, phosphate and hydrogen ions. It has varied causes and may be secondary to a non-renal event, thus may be common in hospitalized patients and critically ill patients. It may go undetected in primary care as it can occur without any symptoms. There are associations between co-morbidities, current medications, acute illness and AKI resulting in the high morbidity associated with the condition and the impact on healthcare resources.

Read more: Current Approaches for the Detection of Acute Kidney Injury

Source: cli-online

Steam Inhalation Does not Ease Chronic Nasal Congestion

While steam inhalation is widely adopted in an attempt to ease a blocked nose, a new study suggests it is unlikely to work for chronic nasal congestion.

However, saline nasal irrigation - a technique used to "flush out" excess mucus from the nasal cavity - may be beneficial for chronic nasal congestion, according to the researchers.

Study leader Dr. Paul Little, professor of primary care research at the University of Southampton, United Kingdom, and colleagues recently published their findings in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

Nasal congestion is a common complaint, often caused by the common cold, flu, or sinus infection. Hay fever and other allergies, nasal polyps, and chronic sinusitis are some other causes of the condition.

While nasal congestion is just an irritation for the most part, it can cause other symptoms, such as headaches and blurred vision.

Read more: Steam Inhalation Does not Ease Chronic Nasal Congestion

Despite its popularity, inhaling steam is unlikely to ease symptoms of chronic nasal congestion.

Source: medicalnewstoday

Amazing Foods That Help Prevent Fatty Liver

Have you been suffering from abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fatigue and loss of appetite quite often?

Then, you need to watch out, as these could be the symptoms of a fatty liver disease. In case of fatty liver disease, one tends to develop excess fats within the liver.

Liver is one of the most important vital organs of our body. A certain amount of fat in the liver is normal, but when it increases above the normal (above 5 per cent of the organ's weight), then the person could be at the risk of developing fatty liver disease.

Read more: Amazing Foods That Help Prevent Fatty Liver

Source: boldsky

Antibiotic Resistance Raising the Specter of 'Untreatable Gonorrhea'

A new federal health surveillance study says gonorrhea is becoming resistant to azithromycin - one of the duo of antibiotics recommended for treating the sexually transmitted disease in the United States.

The study, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is published in the agency's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by a bacterium called Neisseria gonorrhoeae that infects the genitals, rectum, and throat.

Gonorrhea occurs in both men and women, and is one of the most common STDs in the U.S. It is especially common among young people of 15-24 years of age.

Read more: Antibiotic Resistance Raising the Specter of 'Untreatable Gonorrhea'

The CDC say the growing threat of untreatable gonorrhea, together with rising rates of disease,
means preventing new infections is more important than ever.

Source: medicalnewstoday

Simplify Residual Renal Function (RRF) Estimation

Determination and monitoring of RRF has been a long-standing challenge for laboratories. Unreliable, labor-intensive urine collection and complex equations have made accurate measurement and reporting problematic.

Siemens N Latex BTP assay is the first marker to accurately, reliably, and simply estimate RRF status with one serum sample.

Read more:  Simplify Residual Renal Function (RRF) Estimation

"BTP provides a promising blood measure of RRF that could facilitate existing recommendations to
integrate regular assessment of RKF.

Source:healthcare/siemens

If You Want to Study in the United States

Book 1: Undergraduate Study

Undergraduate Study — how to choose and apply to U.S. bachelor’s and associate degree programs, plus information on technical and vocational educational opportunities in the United States.

Undergraduate Study is one of a series of four introductory booklets produced by the U.S. Department of State to provide objective and practical advice to prospective international students and scholars on studying in the United States.

Read more/download: If You Want to Study in the United States

Source: educationusa

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.

Read more: Science Behind Power Naps

Source: boldsky

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.

Read more: Compounds Detected in Breath Samples Specific to Ovarian Cancer

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.

Read more: Fluctuating Serum Aspartate Aminotransferase Activity in a Complicated Pregnancy

uqccr/hepcarepharmacy

Source: clinchem