Lab Gloves Art

Laboratorians are so creative

Original publication:
Ramadan karim

Source: Laboratory professionals all over Lebanon
Image credits: Ali Hachem

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Essentials of Pathology – Free eBook

Essentials of Rubin's Pathology, Sixth Edition, is a condensed version of the main title, Rubin's Pathology, 6e. Targeted to students in allied health fields, including dentistry, nursing, physical therapy, physician assistant, chiropractic, and occupational therapy,  Essentials of Rubin's Pathology follows the same format as Rubin's Pathology, covering principles and mechanisms of pathology in the first section and organ-specific pathology in the second section. Essentials extracts key information on pathogenesis, epidemiology, and clinical features of diseases.  

Download here (select button "Low Speed Download")

Read more:
Essentials of Rubin’s Pathology – 6th Edition (2013)

Source: Medical Books Free
Image credits: amazon.com

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Mystery in blot clotting disorder solved

Scientists claim to have finally solved the bloodcurdling mystery, a key breakthrough which has implications for the treatment of bleeding disorders.
A team at Harvard University has in fact uncovered the fundamental feedback mechanism that the body uses to regulate the clotting of blood, by applying cutting-edge techniques in single-molecule manipulation.

Read more:
Mystery in blot clotting disorder solved

Source: Science Daily
Image credits WebMD

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The role of POCT and rapid testing

Point-of-care testing (POCT) is defined as medical testing at or near the site of patient care. The first reported use of POCT is found in papyrus documents dating back to 1550 B.C., which depict Egyptian physicians using ants to determine glycosuria in patients suspected of having diabetes mellitus. Today, as it was then, the goal of POCT is to provide immediate, convenient, and easy-to-use diagnostic testing that shortens the therapeutic turnaround time when providing care for a patient.
During the past 10 years there has been an increasing concern about the use of OTC devices in the hospital. This is particularly true when devices are used in settings where they have not necessarily been properly validated. An example of this is the use of handheld glucose meters in high acuity settings such as the intensive care unit, where they are frequently utilized in the management of patients on tight glycemic control using intensive insulin therapy.

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The role of POCT and rapid testing

Source: MLO
Image credits: HSC

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Glowing Bacteria Art Gallery

In a student project, some impressive creativity is demonstrated by non-majors, using unusual medium - bacteria that glow!

View more:
Student Project: Glowing Bacteria Art Gallery | Biological Sciences Collegiate Division | The University of Chicago

Source: The University of Chicago
Image credits: Student Project: Glowing Bacteria Art Gallery

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Pipette competition

Wild day at lab

Image credits: invitrogen

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Celiac Disease e-Learning Module

 Developed as part of the EU-funded CD-Medics project, this module aims to expand your knowledge on coeliac disease and its diagnosis.

Why not give it a try and test your knowledge.

Read more:
Presentation :: Playback View :: Alpha 1.0

Source: CD medics
Image credits: CD medics

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CLIA requirements for proficiency testing

 Along with requirements for personnel qualifications and quality control testing, proficiency testing (External Quality Assessment) is one of the central safeguards of laboratory quality under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) and its regulations. The CLIA regulations have often been compared to a three-legged stool, resting on requirements for personnel qualifications and two performance indicators: quality control testing and proficiency testing. Proficiency testing is the only external performance indicator required by CLIA.

Read more:
CLIA requirements for proficiency testing: the basics for laboratory professionals

Source: MLO
Image credits: Labquality

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Hidden extra costs of blood draw

Numerous variables complicate the process involved in obtaining a blood sample. Ask any phlebotomist: a routinely simple blood draw is, by no means, guaranteed. Certain categories of patients make venipuncture especially difficult. Critical care patients undergo more frequent testing and make finding an adequate draw site difficult. Younger and geriatric patients are more susceptible to collapsed veins, limiting the sizes of samples. These scenarios create a very specific but commonly overlooked budgetary problem: redraws.

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Hidden phlebotomy expenses: exposing and eliminating excess costs

Source: MLO
Image credits: istockphoto.com

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Clinical Hematology: Theory and Procedures – Free eBook

Clinical Hematology, Fifth Edition covers the theory and procedures involved in the medical diagnosis and treatment of various disorders of the blood and bone marrow. Presented in a highly readable and engaging format, this text is ideally suited for the two-year MLT student. Procedures are organized to adhere to the format suggested by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI).

Download book here (pdf 27.7 MB)

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Clinical Hematology: Theory and Procedures

Source: Medical Books Free
Image credits: Amazon.com

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Lab Cat Pipetting

Our Cat Scientist is very busy pipetting samples in the laboratory with his Pipetman.

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Cat Scientist Pipetting

Source: Etsy
Image credits: Prim&Plush 

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I Have Lost My Heart To Pathology

I love pathology <3

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Love in pathology 1

Source: Flickr
Image credits: Paul Kaplan

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Sickle Haemoglobin and Varients

Substitution of the amino acid glutamic acid by valine at position 6 of the beta globin gene (HBB glu6val) results in a mutant haemoglobin that polymerizes at low oxygen pressure. This mutation results in sickle shaped cells under hypoxic conditions. The haemoglobin gets its name, sickle haemoglobin, from the phenomena. Sickling is responsible for symptoms of sickle cell anaemia. Shown above are sickle cells from the smear of a patient with sickle cell anaemia.
HbS is an autosomal co-dominant trait. Homozygous individuals suffer from sickle cell anaemia (SS). The clinical profile of compound heterozygous depends on the non-HbS allele.

Read more:
Sickle Haemoglobin and Varients 

Source:All About Blood
Image credits: All About Blood

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Key protein accelerates diabetes in two ways

The same protein tells beta cells in the pancreas to stop making insulin and then to self-destruct as diabetes worsens, according to a University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) study published online 25 August in the journal Nature Medicine

Specifically, the research revealed that a protein called TXNIP controls the ability of beta cells to make insulin, the hormone that regulates blood-sugar levels.

Read more: 
Key protein accelerates diabetes in two ways

Source: Science Daily
Image credits: WalesOnline

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Researchers identify novel approach to create red blood cells, platelets in vitro

A study led by Boston University School of Medicine has identified a novel approach to create an unlimited number of human red blood cells and platelets in vitro. In collaboration with Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) and Boston Medical Center (BMC), the researchers differentiated induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells into these cell types, which are typically obtained through blood donations. This finding could potentially reduce the need for blood donations to treat patients requiring blood transfusions and could help researchers examine novel therapeutic targets to treat a variety of diseases, including sickle cell disease.

Read more:
Researchers identify novel approach to create red blood cells, platelets in vitro

Source: Science Codex
Image credits: Animated healthcare

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Medical Laboratory Typography

Amazing microscope word cloud.

Click image to enlarge it.

Source: DeviantArt
Image credits: nash88

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Microbiologist´s way to say it

Geeky but beautiful. Laboratory scientists are so creative.

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Niall Hamilton « Microbial Art

Source: Microbial Art
Image credits: Niall Hamilton

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Blood Cell Pillows

Give blood to your love ones today! The Blood Cell Collection is made up of the cells of normal peripheral blood, all in cuddly soft polarfleece form.

Read more: 
The Blood Cell Collection plush toy blood cells

Source: Etsy
Image credits: eolaG

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Glowing Lab Beaker Earrings

Show how you measure up with these beaker (Erlenmeyer flask) earrings made from glow in the dark acrylic.

Read more:
Glow in the Dark Beaker Acrylic Earrings

Source: Etsy
Image credits: FabricationUnlimited

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Germline and somatic mutations

 I don’t understand gene mutations. Are mutations like the Philadelphia chromosome present from birth? If so how do people ever survive? Wouldn’t the mutation cause a crisis much sooner than adulthood?

That’s a great question! I love it because it’s one of those questions that can persist even after you sit through lecture, or do whatever reading you’re supposed to do for class. For whatever reason, it’s something you’re just expected to know, even though it’s not really explained outright. It’s great to identify and put those questions into words, so you can get an answer and clear things up now (rather than carrying that hole in your knowledge for years and years).

Read more:
Germline vs. somatic mutations

Source: Pathology Student
Image credits:  Natmandu

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Study finds that microbes influence B-cell development in the gut

Gut bacteria exert a dramatic, systemic effect on the development of the immune system's B-lymphocytes, according to a new mouse study by researchers at Boston Children's Hospital. While influences of gut bacteria on T-lymphocytes have been noted before, this is the first time that researchers have documented early B-cell development in the gut and that microbes influence this process.

Starting at birth, the immune system programs immature B-cells to produce antibodies against a wide array of potentially pathogenic antigens by shuffling genes for different antibody components. This shuffling process, called V(D)J recombination, depends on a factor called RAG, which results in an immense number of B-cells that collectively are able to respond to a diverse repertoire of antigens that the immune system has yet to encounter.

Read more: 
Study finds that microbes influence B-cell development in the gut

Source: MedicalXpress
Image credits: Duane Wesemann

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Can You Identify This Blood Cell?

Peripheral blood cell morphology quiz.

Image credits: kootation.com


Correct answer: Monocyte.
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Do You Feel Like Snow White Sometimes?

Snow White and seven scientists in the lab.

Source: Trust Me I´m Biologist
Image credits: Matze Großmann 

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Hand Made Microbes

Since the invention of the microscope artists have been inspired by the beauty of life at the cellular level. Microorganisms live in our bodies, our food and all around us. We need some to survive; others we do better without. This show creates an opportunity to explore the beauty of natural forms not visible to the naked eye, how we imagine microorganisms, and how we fit into the whole spectrum of life. 

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Microbe Fiber Art Show 2010















































Source: eCALS
Image credits: eCALS

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Choosing the sex of an unborn baby - Ethical or not?

Choosing the sex of babies born via IVF is a realistic, but illegal, possibility. However, a leading medical ethicist argues there’s no justification for the ban
Scientific research has the power to transform society but “with great power comes great responsibility” and so much of this is regulated by law.  Advances in reproductive technology are one example of this paradigm and raise a host of ethical dilemmas. We have the science and the tools, but the actual process
is illegal in the UK under most circumstances. However, leading bioethicist, Professor Stephen Wilkinson has argued recently that this ban on choosing the sex of an unborn baby is not ethically justifiable.

Read more: 
“Is it a boy or a girl?” 

Source: Laboratory News
Image credits: Sospm.in

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Can bacteria use pain to tamp down the immune system?

Nothing gets our attention like pain.

But pain is more than the body’s miniature cattle prod to get us to heed a wound, rest a swollen ankle, or stop eating chili peppers. Pain may be the language between animals and microbes.
Far from being a product of an inflamed immune system, aggravated nerves far from the spine and brain appear to communicate with invading bacteria and regulate the fight against them, according to a study published online lately in the journal Nature. And at least one tenacious bacterium shows the ability to manipulate a pain signal to put the brakes on a mammal's molecular defenses, the study suggests.

Read more:
Can bacteria use pain to tamp down the immune system?

Source: LATimes
Image credits: ASM Moicrobelibrary.org Miller and Hanley

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Infrared Finds Veins

Children’s Mercy Hospital and Clinics, Kansas City, is one of only 60 hospitals in the country solely dedicated to the care of patients under the age of 18. Children’s Mercy is the only freestanding children’s hospital located between St. Louis and Denver, also has the distinction of being among the most innovative with its large scale adoption of AccuVein vein illumination. Children’s Mercy recently incorporated 32 AV300’s into their standard of care across the facility. AccuVein Inc., is the global leader in vein illumination and the creator of the AV300, the world’s only hand-held, non-contact vein illumination device.

Read more:
Leading Children’s Hospital Embraces Vein Illumination as a Standard of Care

Souerce: Medical Technologies
Image credits: Accuvein

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Fecal microbiota transplantation for recurrent C difficile infection

Recurrent Clostridium difficile infection has been a major challenge for patients and clinicians. Recurrence of infection after treatment with standard antibiotics is becoming more common with the emergence of more-resistant strains of C difficile. Fecal microbiota transplantation is an alternative treatment for recurrent C difficile infection, but it is not yet widely used.

Fecal microbiota transplantation involves instilling gut microbiota from a healthy donor into the diseased gut of a patient who has recurrent or recalcitrant episodes of diarrhea despite antibiotic treatment for C difficile infection. The instillation can be done via nasogastric tube, endoscope, or enema. Donor screening is necessary to prevent transmission of communicable diseases to the recipient. Recently published studies indicate that this procedure is effective for treating recurrent C difficile infection. Randomized clinical trials to assess its efficacy and safety are underway. The field of microbiota therapy is rapidly progressing. More physicians are learning to embrace the concept of fecal microbiota transplantation, and patients are beginning to overcome the “yuck factor” and accept its benefits.

Read more: 
Fecal microbiota transplantation for recurrent C difficile infection: Ready for prime time?

Source: Cleveland Clinical Journal of Medicine
Image credits: www.zazzle.com

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www.zazzle.com#sthash.4zIr5uB7.dpuf

Another thing for which to blame your mother – your microbes

Wash your hands all the time. Sterilize your kitchen counters. Take antibiotics whenever you have a cough or an itchy throat. Avoid dirt and pets and farms. Do everything you can to keep away those germs.
Such antimicrobial views used to be broadly accepted and beaten into us further by many in the medical community and by diverse marketing efforts.  Sure, we have known about the important role of beneficial microbes in the lives of various plants and animals for many many years. And we certainly knew about some “good microbes” living in and on us. But somehow humans seem to have been generally viewed as – well – bigger than all this.  Better.  Able to go about our daily lives without depending on others.  Especially things so – well – small.

Read more: 
Yet another thing for which to blame/thank your mother – your microbes 

Source: PLOS Biologue
Image credits: Martin Oeggerli/National Geographic

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Blood Cell Cookies

Can cookies describe what a doctor is looking for in a CBC? (complete blood cell count) With the capable artistic hands of Ms. Humble from Not So Humble Pie and the scientific knowledge of Joanne, they can! Learn about the formed elements of blood: red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (lymphocytes, monocytes, basophils, eosinophils, neutrophils) and platelets in a series of videos that begins here!

View video
Blood Cell Bakery--Introduction - YouTube

Source:  Not So Humble Pie

Image credits: Ms Humble

 

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My First Microbiology Book

Baby book for microbiology geeks

This cushy, yet crunchy book has several felted pages of actual microbiology-related concepts. Hooray for science!

Read more:
My Bedside Manner: Journey of a Future

Source: My Bedside Manner
Image credits: Verdant Violet

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Restaurant for A Laboratory Scientist

"Merci" serves water to patrons in a 'science beaker'! greige: interior design ideas and inspiration for the transitional home by christina fluegge: grazie.. Paris

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greige: interior design ideas and inspiration for the transitional home : grazie.. Paris

  '
























Source: Greigedesign
Image creditts: Greige

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Role of HDL in Heart Disease Risk

Does good cholesterol still predict heart risk after bad cholesterol is controlled by statin therapy?

Yes, according to a post-hoc analysis of data from the controversial COURAGE trial, appearing in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
No, according to Dutch researchers whose report on the Secondary Manifestations of Arterial Disease (SMART) study also appears in the journal.

Those findings mimic the state of the field, according to Jacques Genest, MD, of McGill University in Montreal -- it's just not yet clear whether the mass of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is even an appropriate biomarker for heart risk.

Read more:
Role of HDL in Heart Disease Risk 

Source: MedPage Today
Image credits: Academic Brooklyn cuny edu

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Theory and reality of lab gloves

Everyday life at the lab

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New Molecular Assay Diagnoses Eight Gastrointestinal Parasites

A novel, rapid, high-throughput quantitative multiparallel real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) platform has been developed for the diagnosis of gastrointestinal parasites.

Species-specific primers/probes were used for eight common gastrointestinal parasite pathogens: Ascaris lumbricoides, Necator americanus, Ancylostoma duodenale, Giardia lamblia, Cryptosporidium spp., Entamoeba histolytica, Trichuris trichiura, and Strongyloides stercoralis.

The qPCR was able to distinguish between patients without parasites and those with polyparasitism more accurately and with greater detection rates than direct smear microscopy.

Read more:
A Novel, Multi-Parallel, Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction Approach for Eight Gastrointestinal Parasites Provides Improved Diagnostic Capabilities to Resource-Limited At-Risk Populations

Source: The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Image credits: Parasite Gal

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HPV Found in Sperm

HPV has been found in the sperm of infected men. This can harm a man’s ability to have children. This is particularly true in those who have both HPV (human papillomavirus), which is the most common sexually transmitted viral disease (STD), and Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct), which is the most common bacterial STD.
The German and Italian researchers who conducted the study wrote that, “A high incidence of HPV infection has been reported in sperm from sexually active men… and from infertile patients.” In addition, they wrote that sperm in HPV and Ct infected men did not move or “swim” like healthy sperm.

Read more:
Study: HPV Found in Sperm; polyDNA Recommends Gene-Eden-VIR Against the Latent HPV

Source: Digital Journal
Image credits: Nuffield health

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The metric system. It’s time the US got on board

I’ve met a lot of people and learned a lot while traveling Europe the past several weeks. Of all the things I have had to explain to fellow travels as not only an American – but a Texan – by far the most frustrating thing is our stubborn refusal to embrace the metric system. I can confidently argue the finer points of how the use of y’all and the plural form all y’all are descriptive and have a place in the American lexicon. I take pleasure in explaining the intricacies of chicken fried foods.
But the metric system is another matter. “I don’t understand why y’all don’t use the metric system” is something I’ve heard too often. I don’t argue with them because there is no technical argument for why we haven’t adopted the Système Internationale – our refusal is based on emotion and familiarity.

Read more:
You know what the rest of the world has figured out? The metric system. It’s time the US got on board. | Plugged In, Scientific American Blog Network

Source: Scientific American
Image credits: Adafruit

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Biomarkers Can Predict Suicidal Behaviors

People who have suicidal ideations do not always seek psychiatric help or discuss these thoughts with friends or loved ones. Therefore, the development of a simple blood test to predict when an individual has a higher risk for self-harm has been a long-term goal of the medical community. Now, a team of researchers at Indiana University in Indianapolis has found a handful of molecular indicators that can increase the accuracy of predictions of future suicide-related hospitalizations. The team reported its findings today (August 20) in Molecular Psychiatry.

Read more: 
Biomarkers Can Predict Suicidal Behaviors 

Source: The Scientist
Image credits: Wikimedia Commons

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Infection during newborn's first week of life associated with bacterial infection in the mother

Infection during a newborn's first 7 days of life is associated with bacterial infection or colonization in the mother
Newborns of mothers with laboratory-confirmed infection had an odds ratio of 6.6 (95%CI 3.9-11.2) for laboratory-confirmed infection themselves compared with newborns of mothers without laboratory-confirmed infection. Newborns of mothers with colonization had an odds ratio of 9.4 (95%CI 3.1-28.5) of laboratory-confirmed infection compared with newborns of non-colonized mothers. Furthermore, newborns of mothers with risk factors for infection (prelabour rupture of membranes, preterm <37 weeks prelabour rupture of membranes, and prolonged rupture of membranes) had an odds ratio of infection of 2.3 (95%CI 1.0-5.4) compared with newborns of mothers without risk factors.

Read more:
Infection during newborn's first week of life associated with bacterial infection in the mother

Source: EurekAlert
Image credits: Jennie Woodcock/Reflections Photolibrary/Corbis

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Red Blood Cell Earrings

Something special for haematology lovers

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Red Blood Cell Earrings

Source: illcoveryouwjh on deviantART
Image credits:  ~illcoveryouwjh /Breana

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The Basics of Prothrombin Time

Prothrombin time was described by Quick in 1935. It is the time taken by re-calcified plasma to clot in the presence of tissue procoagulant extract known as thromboplastin. It asses the efficiency of the extrinsic coagulation system. The test depends on activation of factor X by factor VII by tissue factor.

The details of the method are beyond the scope of this text. The outline is as follows. Thromboplastin is added to plasma that has been separated from blood collected in sodium citrate and allowed time to mix. To this mixture calcium chloride is added. The time taken for the plasma to clot is the prothrombin time. The end point (clotting) may be determined manually or using automated (optical or magnetic) methods.

Read more:
Prothrombin Time 

Source: All about blood
Image credits: All about blood

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Americans diagnosed with Lyme disease: Number may be 10 times more than reported

Preliminary estimates released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that the number of Americans diagnosed with Lyme disease each year is around 300,000.

This early estimate is based on findings from three ongoing CDC studies that use different methods, but all aim to define the approximate number of people diagnosed with Lyme disease each year. The first project analyzes medical claims information for approximately 22 million insured people annually for six years, the second project is based on a survey of clinical laboratories and the third project analyzes self-reported Lyme disease cases from a survey of the general public.

 Read more:
Americans diagnosed with Lyme disease: Number may be 10 times more than reported

Source: Science Daily
Image credits: CDC / James Gathany; William Nicholson

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External Quality Assessment Does Improve Quality

Michael Noble suspect that most laboratorians understand why they are required to participate in proficiency testing. That does not make it any easier to accept. In over 30 years I don’t recall many technologists or microbiologists telling me that they look forward to receiving and testing our challenge samples. But the important thing is that they do it anyways.

Recently they sent out a survey to our participants asking questions about the relationship between proficiency testing and quality management (see results in the image).

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Proficiency Testing Does Improve Quality

Source:  Making Medical Lab Quality Relevant
Image credits: Quality Doc

Art and Science of Laboratory Medicine

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Microscope Necklace For A Laboratory Scientist

Personalized Microscope Charm Necklace, Silver Microscope Jewelry, Monogrammed Initial, Personalized Gift, Silver Microscope Charm.

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Personalized Microscope Charm Necklace Silver by FiftyEighteen

Source: Etsy
Image credits: FiftyEighteen 

Art and Science of Laboratory Medicine

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Immune system boost 'fights cancer'

By carefully adjusting the function of crucial immune cells, scientists may have developed a completely new type of cancer immunotherapy—harnessing the body's immune system to attack tumors. To accomplish this, they had to thread a needle in immune function, shrinking tumors without triggering unwanted autoimmune responses.
The new research, performed in animals, is not ready for clinical use in humans. However, the approach, making use of a key protein to control immune function, lends itself to further study using candidate drugs that employ the same mechanisms.
"This preclinical study demonstrates proof of principle that using a drug to regulate the function of a special, immunosuppressive subset of so-called T-regulatory (Treg) cells safely controls tumor growth," said study leader Wayne W. Hancock, M.D., Ph.D., of the Division of Transplant Immunology at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). "It really moves the field along towards a potentially major, new cancer immunotherapy."

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Dialing back treg cell function boosts the body's cancer-fighting immune activity

Source: EurekAlert
Image credits: BBC

Art and Science of Laboratory Medicine

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