Monthly Archives: April 2020
Washed platelet concentrates prevent recurrent transfusion reactions
Platelet transfusion is commonly used to prevent or treat bleeding in people with thrombocytopenia or platelet dysfunction. Among transfusable blood products, however, platelet concentrates (PCs), which also contain plasma, have a higher frequency of transfusion reactions than
Coronavirus Prevention and Detection Tools to Protect Your Health
More than 2.5 million cases of coronavirus had been reported as of April 22, 2020, with the death toll at more than 172,000. Of course, many more people have likely become ill and even died due to
The reliability and validity of the Figure of 8 Walk test in older people with knee replacement
The Figure of 8 Walk (F8W) test looks at walking in straight and curved paths in both clockwise and anti-clockwise directions (Fig. 1). The time taken to carry out the test is recorded along with the number
Kelp extracts and their pharmaceutical properties
Kelps are a specific type of large brown seaweeds that generally grow on rocky, shallow, nutrient-rich ocean water. The most common examples of kelps found in the South African coastlines include Ecklonia maxima (sea bamboo) (Fig. 1), Ecklonia
When toxicity goes circular: Isoprostanes as markers and effectors of oxidative stress
In normal conditions, there is a dynamic equilibrium between oxidants and antioxidants in the human body; however, when there is an unbalance in this redox state, oxidative stress occurs. In an unbalanced state, the peroxidation of polyunsaturated
A new link between oxidant stress and lung cancer
DNA repair protects our cells from conditions that cause damage to the genome, which can become a threat to the maintenance and function of our tissues. Our cells have a variety of DNA repair systems. Most frequent
Enlightening the importance of the NDRGs in the (cancerous) gut
The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is one of the most complex organs of the human body. With its approximate 5m length, a diversity of specialized epithelial cell types (the ‘lining’ of the GI tract), about 80% of our
Physiological brainwashing
There is a barrier in the brain, known as the blood-brain barrier, which strictly regulates the exchange of substances between the blood and this organ. The blood-brain barrier restricts the passage of drugs into the brain and
Hydrogen storage in lithium-terminated boron chains
Hydrogen can be used as alternative energy source because of many advantages. Despite the high energy content by mass, hydrogen has low density, and it is necessary to develop an efficient storage medium to use this technology
What to look for in your next IT staff hire
Attrition. It’s inevitable. This is especially true in an age where millennials are prone to quickly move on when a job doesn’t fit their needs or sensitivities. That doesn’t mean this new generation of hires isn’t worthy
Zinc promotes myoblast differentiation activating Zip7 transporter and Akt signalling pathway
Skeletal muscle is a heterogeneous, dynamic and plastic tissue, which comprises 40% of adult human body mass. Through contraction and relaxation, skeletal muscles provide movement and stability to the body. Besides the mechanical function, muscle tissue also
Non-traditional cup-plant crop as a prospective substitute for maize at biogas production
Biogas is a renewable fuel produced from the decomposition of organic materials at anaerobic digestion in special units known as biogas plants. The application of biogas is oriented to heat or electricity generation using the combustion process.
How to improve workers’ satisfaction: The promise of emotional intelligence and work engagement
There is an increased attention paid to which psychological factors help individuals to deal with their daily work-related demands so they feel healthier, happier, and more satisfied at their work. Job satisfaction is a multidimensional psychological response
Exploring early mechanotransduction responses
Mechanical stress plays a key role in cellular behaviour and fate, affecting the correct development and functionality of tissues and organs. Due to the complexity of the in vivo cellular environment, most mechanotransduction research relies on the
Proteins identified in the immune system of crayfish
Invertebrates characteristically only possess mechanisms of innate immunity, both cellular and humoral, that appear to be activated depending on the pathogens involved. These defense mechanisms are triggered by the activation of the pathogen recognition receptors (PRR). The
The dental nerve circulates in a canal within the mandible
The inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) is a sensitive branch of the trigeminal nerve, the 5th pair of cranial nerves. It has an intraosseous path in the mandible, inside the mandibular canal, where it is accompanied by lymphatic,
