Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Laboratory of the year 2013

MLO 2013 LAB OF THE YEAR WINNER: CATHOLIC MEDICAL CENTER

For a clinical laboratory, external customers are the patients, physicians, and others who make use of the lab’s expertise. If the lab is affiliated with a hospital or hospital system, the other departments of the hospital would probably be considered external customers. A lab’s internal customers are, primarily, the people who work in the lab.

Read more:
Commitment to service: lab of the year 2013 >> Medical Laboratory Observer

 


















Source: MLO

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Monday, April 22, 2013

HPV Vaccination a Success in Australia

The American government’s goal of vaccinating young girls against the human papillomavirus has been disappointing, with less than a third of teenagers having completed a full course of HPV vaccine. But now the United States can look to Australia, which six years into a successful nationwide HPV vaccination campaign has experienced a sharp decline in the number of new cases of genital warts among young men and women.

Read more:
HPV Vaccination a Success in Australia




















Source: NYTimes


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New study shows how Salmonella colonises the gut

Salmonella is a major cause of human diarrhoeal infections and is frequently acquired from chickens, pigs and cattle, or their products. Around 94 million such infections occur in people worldwide each year, with approximately 50,000 cases in the UK per annum.
In a BBSRC-funded collaboration between the University of Cambridge's Department of Veterinary Medicine, the University of Edinburgh's Roslin Institute and the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, scientists have studied how Salmonella colonises the intestines of food-producing animals. This is relevant both to the welfare of the animal hosts and to contamination of the food chain and farm environment.

Read more:
New study shows how Salmonella colonises the gut

























Source: Phys org

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Sunday, April 21, 2013

Art of Capillary Sampling

Easy if you can and a huge source of preanalytical errors if you don´t.


















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Use This Cutting Board Periodically

Elysium Woodworks sure knows how to tickle their clients. Who would not want to prepare food on such a playful cutting board like this one? Though the Chemistry subject was not really my favorite in high school, I would certainly love to have this Periodic Cutting Board of the Elements in which by the way you could personally request to engrave your name on the 118th element Ununoctium. Aside from this, there are other clever designs such as the world map or words like bacon, chop, or cook which are spelled out using periodic element symbols.

Read more:
Cleverly Playful Personalized Cutting Boards by Elysium Woodworks



















Source: wave avenue

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Parasites in human faeces

Can you identify these particles?

62 years old woman from Split, Croatia has been suffering diarrhea and abdominal pain. Stool sample was taken and particles found from faeces are in the image below. The size of the particles is 16 x 28 micrometers.


















Anawer: Eggs of Metagonimus yokogawai (Heterophyes heterophyes, Clonorchis sinensis, and Metagonimus yokogawai are morphologically vey similar)

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ECG tattoo

An interesting case in your hand

























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World Immunization Week 2013

Starting 22 April, 2013

Immunization averts an estimated 2-3 million deaths every year, providing protection from diphtheria, measles, pertussis (whooping cough), pneumonia, polio, rotavirus diarrhoea, rubella and tetanus. Yet, an estimated 22 million infants are not fully immunized with routine vaccines. There is an urgent need to better communicate the health benefits of vaccination and the dangers of not immunizing children. 

Read more: 
WHO | World Immunization Week 2013












Source: WHO

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Saturday, April 20, 2013

50 000 Medical Laboratory Professionals

Medical Laboratory and Biomedical Science community page reached 50 000 fans today.

Open page: http://www.facebook.com/LaboratoryEQAS


























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A Memo of A Laboratorian

Better write it down...

























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Leukocytes in peropheral blood

Can you identify these two white blood cells?


















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Microscope tattoo

Perfect for a laboratory scientist





















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Sri Lanka Association of Medical Laboratory Technologists

AMLT  is the registered professional body  in Sri Lanka. It works for the betterment of medical laboratory science and mainly concern with education, professional development, good laboratory practice, and quality assurance in laboratory medicine. The membership is open to MLTT registered at Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC),

Read more:
Association of Medical Laboratory Technologists | Association of Medical Laboratory Technologists


















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Take a look inside tomorrow's lab

Leica Biosystems announced the launch of the EXPERIENCELAB tour, a mobile demonstration lab that showcases Leica’s full line of anatomical pathology solutions. Customers will be able to visit the EXPERIENCELAB as it moves across North America. This will be an opportunity to receive continuing education (CE) credits, listen to guest speakers, and interact with Leica’s team to understand innovative solutions developed to meet their pathology needs.

Read more:
Leica Biosystems launches The ExperienceLAB tour providing laboratories with the ability to “Take a look inside tomorrow's lab.”: Leica Biosystems



















Source: Leica Biosystems

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Friday, April 19, 2013

Spring at Microbiology Laboratory

"I created these two plate cultures for a "most popular" photo scholarship contest on the web and amazingly I have received a nice popularity score thus far. The plates are of Eosin Methylene Blue Agar media with Escherichia coli as the stem and leaves and Salmonella paratyphi as the petels. If you like this and would like to go see my other microbe art, or to vote and help me win the scholarship go to: www.brickfish.com/cardiotripsy (you do not have to be a member)."

Read more:
Escherichia coli and Salmonella paratyphi Flower on 2 EMB plates


























Source: Microbeworld

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Ethnical Variation of Myeloma

Baker and colleagues present the first study on genomic differences between multiple myeloma (MM) tumors derived from European Americans (EA) and African Americans (AA). They found a lower frequency of IgH translocations in AA compared with EA but otherwise similar genomic profiles. 

Read more:
Multiethnic myeloma






















Source: Blood

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Immunity-related DNA sections could vary depending on ethnicity

 Cracking the DNA code for a complex region of the human genome has helped 14 North American scientists, including five at Simon Fraser University, chart new territory in immunity research.
They have discovered that a good number of our antibody genes, how well they operate and, potentially, what they fight off, actually vary from person to person. That means even though drugs, treatments and vaccinations are designed to treat whole populations, our response to them could be individualistic.

Read more:
Ethnicity may influence antibody genes: Immunity-related DNA sections could vary depending on ethnicity


























Source: Science Daily

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Thursday, April 18, 2013

Milk Instead of Serum Running in His Veins

Hyperlipemic serum.

























Source: Lori Roscher Guevara


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Treatment for Novel Coronavirus Shows Promise in Early Lab Tests

National Institutes of Health (NIH) scientists studying an emerging coronavirus have found that a combination of two licensed antiviral drugs, ribavirin and interferon-alpha 2b, can stop the virus from replicating in laboratory-grown cells. These results suggest that the drug combination could be used to treat patients infected with the new coronavirus, but more research is needed to confirm this preliminary finding. The study appears in the April 18, 2013, issue of Scientific Reports.

Read more:
Treatment for Novel Coronavirus Shows Promise in Early Lab Tests



























Source: NIH

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Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Biobank or Just an USB for Cells

Store your laboratory data

























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Routine EKG finding could signal serious heart problem

A common test that records the heart's electrical activity could predict potentially serious cardiovascular illness, according to a UC San Francisco-led study.
A cardiac condition called left anterior fascicular block (LAFB), in which scarring occurs in a section of the left ventricle, may not be as benign as currently thought and could increase the likelihood of heart failure, sudden cardiac death or atrial fibrillation.

Read more:
Routine EKG finding could signal serious heart problem























Source: Science daily


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Tuesday, April 16, 2013

C-peptide levels linked to death and heart disease in nondiabetic adults

High blood levels of the serum C-peptide are linked to heart disease and death in people without diabetes, according to a large study published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association. Journal). Researchers looked at data from the Third Nutrition and Health Examination Survey (NHANES III) and the NHANES III Linked Mortality File to determine the link between C-peptide levels and death from all causes as well as from heart disease.

Read more:
C-peptide levels linked to death and heart disease in nondiabetic adults

























Source: Science Daily

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Outbreak of hepatitis A virus infection in four Nordic countries

Between 1 October 2012 and 8 April 2013, 16 confirmed cases of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infections were reported in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden.
As none of the cases have a travel history outside the EU within their period of potential exposure, this represents a multicountry outbreak, with exposure currently taking place in the EU. The descriptive epidemiology indicates foodborne transmission originating from a persistent common source with possible multiple vehicles of infection in the EU that are contaminated with viruses sharing an identical sequence.

Read more:
Outbreak of hepatitis A virus infection in...




























Source: ECDC


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Monday, April 15, 2013

Practical Genetics

Sex chromosomes




















Source: Yo amo la Biología


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How blood wastage impacts upon blood shortage levels within the UK

Blood transfusions are required for many purposes and procedures – they are not simply reserved for people who have suffered severe accidents or traumas.  Blood donations are used in many different situations to treat a large number of different illnesses and conditions. These can include cancer treatments, severe anaemia, childbirth; all of these conditions can result in people needing blood to make them safe & healthy.  It stands to reason, therefore, that when blood stores become low it is dangerous: and is often the difference between life and death.

Read more: 
How blood wastage impacts upon blood shortage levels within the UK



















Source: Gael

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Immunohistochemistry Troubleshooting

Many problems can arise affecting proper staining

Troubleshooting in immunohistochemistry (IHC) can be highly complex and is more than "what's wrong with or why didn't my slides stain?" There are many issues affecting IHC quality and the ability of technical staff to troubleshoot. Some issues related to IHC problems are: deviating from established IHC protocols, no standardization of IHC protocols, introducing multiple variables in the IHC process, antigen retrieval optimization, improper antigen retrieval techniques and use of heat sources.

Read more:
Immunohistochemistry Troubleshooting
























Source: ADVANCED


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Sunday, April 14, 2013

Particles in Human Stool

Can you identify these particles?



















Correct answer: Eggs of Ascaris lumbricoides
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Rise of The Robot Phlebotomists

It's a robot designed to draw blood from people, or scare the Goth out of needlephobes, and created by the Imperial College (London).
Bloodbot How does it work?  According to Wired, the nightmare-inducing machine presses a probe against the surface tissue and measures the force on the probe. The pressure difference across the area indicates the presence of a vein. Once the Bloodbot finds a vein it inserts a needle and draws the blood. The system is sophisticated and precise enough to ensure that it doesn’t insert the needle too far into the vein or overshoot the vein.

Read more:
Rise of the robot phlebotomists - Infocult: Uncanny Informatics























Source: Uncanny informatics


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International Biomedical Laboratory Science Day 15 April

The theme for 2013 is "Ethics"

Biomedical Laboratory Scientists are one of the largest groups of health-care professionals, yet our role in medicine is poorly understood. Patients, families and even colleagues within health care have a poor understanding of the vital role Biomedical Scientists have in medicine and public health. The best person to promote our profession is a confident Biomedical Laboratory Scientist. We are the experts and understand our role in healthcare and are the best to carry our message.

Read more:
BLS Day Guide to Arrangements



































 Source: IFBLS

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The Life Cycle of Plasmodium spp and Malaria Vaccine Status 2013

It has been 40 years since David Clyde’s landmark induction of sterile immunity against deadly falciparum malaria through immunization by exposure to 1000 irradiated mosquitoes, and the first recombinant Plasmodium falciparum vaccine, RTS,S/AS01, is now in Phase III testing. Interim reports from this largest ever Phase III pediatric trial in Africa show the malaria vaccine decreased clinical and severe disease by 56% and 47% respectively in 5 - 17 month olds, and by 31% and 26% respectively in infants participating in the Expanded Programme on Immunization.Targets for a vaccine to protect against placental malaria, the leading remediable cause of low birth weight infants in Africa, have been identified. Lastly, renewed efforts are underway to develop a practical attenuated-sporozoite vaccine to recapture the promise of David Clyde’s experiment.

Read more:
Malaria Vaccine Status 2013



























Sporce: Elsevierhealth

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Saturday, April 13, 2013

Leukocytes in peripheral blood

Can you identify these two leukocytes?



















Answer:: Reactive lyphocytes (plasmacytoid)
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Pipette Tip Art

Dinosaurs



















Source: Trust me I am a biologist

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Friday, April 12, 2013

Bacteria in Photos - photo gallery of bacteria

The detection of micro-organisms accounts for a major part of the work in the laboratories of clinical bacteriology. These centres focus on detecting bacteria in, e.g., swabs from the throat, faeces, wounds, urine and other material. The aim is to ensure optimum growth conditions for bacteria or other micro-organisms, to isolate them from a mixture of cultivated organisms, and to identify those whose presence might relate to the given health condition of a patient. For this purpose cultivation media are used where the growth of bacteria leads to the formation of colonies.

View gallery:
Bacteria in Photos - photo gallery of bacteria



















Source: Bacteria in Photos

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Eight ways to improve management of test results at your practice

 Dr Bryony Hooper, medicolegal adviser at MPS, looks at some of the issues GPs face surrounding test results, and offers tips on how to manage these risks for the benefit of the patient and the practice
One day in your afternoon surgery a patient comes for their annual medication review. He mentions that he never heard back about the result of that mole you removed four months ago and sent to the lab. To reassure the patient you look up the result, and to your horror find that the mole was a malignant melanoma. Such scenarios may seem unlikely, but they do occur. MPS data collected from 121 Clinical Risk Self Assessments (CRSAs) of general practices during 2012 identified the handling of test results as one of the top ten risks.

Read more:
Eight ways to improve management of test results at your practice

Pathology, blood test - online


Source: Pulse

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A Review of Bachelor´s Degree Medical Laboratory Scientist Education and Entry Level Practice in The USA

The baccalaureate degree is generally the degree that provides the laboratory professional with the greatest level of general scientific background, training, job flexibility, and advancement opportunities. It is widely considered the requirement for entrylevel work in the field of medical laboratory science, especially for those that covet work in management or specialty areas. This paper focuses on the educational models and levels of practice for MLS professionals including the entry level competencies of new professionals at the baccalaureate level. The accreditation of MLS programs and professional certification serve as important quality management systems to ensure program quality and professional competency prior to the start of entry level work.


Read more:
A REVIEW OF BACHELOR'S DEGREE MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST EDUCATION AND ENTRY LEVEL PRACTICE IN THE UNITED STATES




Source: eJIFCC

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Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Giardia

This digitally-colorized scanning electron micrograph (SEM) depicted the dorsal (upper) surface of a Giardia protozoan that had been isolated from a rat’s intestine. Some of the identifying morphologic characteristics include pairs of thread-like flagella that facilitate motility, and a ventolateral flange that appears as a “ruffle” around the anterior portion of the organism. Pairs of flagella seen here include an anterior, posterior-lateral, and caudal pairs.

Read more: 
Giardia protozoan

giardia.jpg




Source: Microbeworld

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Diagnosis of Bleeding Disorders

When screening for a blood disorder there are five basic tests:
  • Complete Blood Count (CBC) -- measures the amount of hemoglobin, red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets
  • Bleeding Time (surrogate PFA-100) -- measures basic platelet adhesion and aggregation
  • Prothrombin Time (PT) -- measures the clotting ability of extrinsic factors (I, II, V, VII and X)
  • Partial Thrombin Time (PTT) -- measures the clotting ability of intrinsic factors (VIII, IX, XI and XII)
  • Fibrinogen or Thrombin Time (TT) -- measures the level of fibrinogen activity and TT measures whether fibrinogen is inhibited
These tests suggest whether coagulation factor deficiency or thrombocytopenia might be the potential cause of clinical bleeding.
Read more:
Diagnosis of Bleeding Disorders




















Read more: ADVANCED

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New Troponin T Test Predictive in Stable CAD

In patients with stable coronary artery disease, higher levels of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) independently predicted poorer outcomes, researchers found.
After adjustment for other risk predictors, including clinical risk factors, baseline cardiac structure and function, N-terminal portion of the pro-hormone of brain-type natriuretic peptide, and C-reactive protein levels, each doubling in hs-cTnT level was associated with a 37% higher rate of cardiovascular events (HR, 1.37 [95% CI, 1.14 to 1.65], P=0.001).

Read more:
New Troponin T Test Predictive in Stable CAD















Source: MedPage

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Sunday, April 7, 2013

Alcohol is a solution

According to chemistry...



















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Protection Against Cold Agglutinins?

Knitted warmer for poor little test tubes


















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Conversion Factors of SI Units for Laboratory Medicine

Système International (SI) Conversion Factors for Selected Laboratory Components

Conventional units of measure are preferred in the table, with Système International (SI) units expressed secondarily (in parentheses). To convert values from conventional units to SI units, multiply by the conversion factor.

This table is worth to bookmark
JAMA - table of conversion factors


























Source: JAMA

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Antibiotic found on human skin could lead to new medicine

 An international team of scientists has discovered an important natural antibiotic called dermcidin, produced by our skin when we sweat.
It is possible that the newly discovered antibiotic - dermcidin - could be used as the latest tool in the fight against tuberculosis. Dermcidin is an anti-microbial (antibiotic) peptide secreted by human eccrine sweat glands onto the skin as a part of the innate immune system.

Read more:
Antibiotic found on human skin could lead to new medicine





















Source: Digital journal

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Parasites in Faeces

Parasitology case from Sankt Peterburg, Russia

Can you identify these particles?

35 years old female from Sankt Peterburg has diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Stool sample was taken and findings are on the image below. The size of the particles are around 12 micrometers.




















Answer: Cysts of Giardia lamblia
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A Febrile Blood Donor

A 4-day-old neonate born prematurely at 29 weeks gestation developed thrombocytopenia (platelet count 43 × 109/L) with associated severe pulmonary and intracranial hemorrhaging. Urgent transfusions with 10 mL/kg of packed red cells and 10 mL/kg of platelet concentrate were given. These were sourced from blood donated 2 days earlier in Singapore by a 21-year-old female university student who was clinically well at the time. The day after these blood products were given to the neonate, the blood donor contacted the blood transfusion service to inform them that she was now sick with a febrile flu-like illness. Her blood donation screening plasma sample was retrieved and tested by PCR for several viruses, including dengue, chikungunya, enterovirus, and Epstein-Barr virus.

Read more: 
A Febrile Blood Donor




















Source: AACC

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Inherited Genetic Variations Have Major Impact on Childhood Leukemia Risk

 Humans have between 20,000 and 25,000 genes that carry instructions for assembling the proteins that do the work of cells. Work led by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that children who inherit certain variations in four particular genes are at much higher risk of developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
The study also showed that Hispanic patients were more likely than patients of European or African ancestry to inherit high-risk versions of two of these genes. This discovery points to at least one reason for that difference.

Read more: 
Inherited Genetic Variations Have Major Impact on Childhood Leukemia Risk





















Source: Advanced

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Saturday, April 6, 2013

WHO Quiz on World Health Day 2013

World Health Day is celebrated on 7 April to mark the anniversary of the founding of WHO in 1948. Each year a theme is selected for World Health Day that highlights a priority area of public health concern in the world.

The theme for 2013 is high blood pressure.

Regional office for region South East Asia provides a quiz - What is your score?

Open quiz here:
Quiz on World Health Day 2013






















Source: WHO

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You will be a biomedical scientist

Do not even think about other possibilities....


























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Chemistry Shot Set

Some fun for Saturday night


http://www.thebarnacletree.co.uk/shop/product_info.php?products_id=136



















 Source: The Barnacle Tree

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Blood Cell Quiz

Peripheral blood cell morphology - Can you identify these leukocytes?



















Correct answer: Myelocytes (eosinophilic and neutrophilic)
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Microbiologist

What does other people think I do



















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