First-Aid Friday: Seizures

 To finish off the weekdays quite nicely, let's take a look at the types of seizures.

In fact, how about we elaborate on each throughout the week...

1. "Grand Mal"
2. Absence
3. Myoclonic
4. Clonic

- Geeker

Haemogram!

Don't forget to follow our Instagram!

@Haemobloggings

- Geeker

The Journey Through a Cell - Packaged and Ready to Go

 So we're back in the Golgi Apparatus, where lots of little things occur.

For us, a tiny little protein, visiting the Golgi Apparatus is an important part of our journey, where there are folds called "cisternae". Here, in the Golgi Apparatus, we are modified after entering the cis face and then packaged into little membranous sacs called vesicles, upon leaving the trans face.

[Source: http://www.buzzle.com]

These vesicles are perfect for storage and transport, and contain a single membrane with fluid inside.

Now we're all packaged comfortably into our vesicle, we'll journey again through the cytoskeleton

[Source: cellspd5spering.wikispaces.com]

We're all ready, but how do we escape the cell?

Stay tuned!

- Geeker

The Journey Through a Cell - It's Just the Beginning

Since I've been very busy with studies recently, I thought I'd show you some of my work.

So here's some A-Level Biology!

The Journey Through a Cell - It's Just the Beginning

 

We begin in the nucleus - where all our genetic information as chromatin (containing DNA and histones) is condensed into chromosomes. Inside here we've also got the nucleolus, which is responsible for making RNA molecules and ribosome. We've got a surrounding nuclear envelope, and small nuclear pores - allowing only certain molecules to pass in and out of the nucleus. So let's say we're an RNA molecule, after being made in the nucleolus we pass through the nuclear pores...

 

 Our next stop is at the endoplasmic reticulum, where there are two types:

• Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum
• Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum

Now, you might be asking how tiny organelles can be "rough". Well, the smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) is responsible for carbohydrate and lipid synthesis. However, the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) which is where we're heading, contains many ribosomes on its surface - making it rough.  These ribosomes are the main site for protein synthesis, so it turns our small RNA body into a protein.

After venturing through the SER, we hop into the tracks of the "Cytoskeleton" which is responsible for many different things. It's made up of three components:

• Microfilaments  - Contractile actin fibres which are responsible for cell contraction and cytokinesis
• Intermediate fibres - for strength and integrity of the cell
• Microtubules - (which is where we're heading) for not only a component in spindle fibres, but also "tracks" for transport of molecules within a cell. 

"Actin filaments are shown in red, and microtubules composed of beta tubulin are in green."

Now we travel down to the "golgi apparatus"

What happens next? Stay tuned for more!


- Geeker

Update and the News!

Hi Everyone,

Thought I'd make a quick update post on what's been happening recently! So, I just received my exam results, which I'm extremely happy about! Been doing some studying of this and that.

For now, have you read the article about the NHS's cuts?

"The BBC has seen draft sustainability and transformation plans (STPs) which propose ward closures, cuts in bed numbers and changes to A&E and GP care in 44 areas."

Read more here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-37186455

- Geeker

Work Experience Was Absolutely Amazing!

So I've been very busy recently; more specifically, with Work Experience!

It was absolutely amazing!

On Monday I got to observe some Neurology consultations, where the speciality is in dizziness, headaches, Parkinson's, MS, epilepsy, etc.

Then, for the afternoon I stayed with a doctor who works in dermatology. So we were reviewing skin complaints associated with skin cancer.

On Tuesday I was based in Rheumatology where I saw rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, rotator cuff tears, Sjögren's syndrome, and polymyalgia rheumatica.

For the afternoon I was then based in the Day Care unit, where I witnessed endoscopies and colonoscopies. 

On Wednesday I was in the MS Clinic, but also saw a case of neuromyelitis optica and cases of strokes.

For the late afternoon, I was then based in endocrinology for the last half hour.

On Thursday I was in the Acute Medicine unit on Wards 1 and 2. This was where I witnessed cases of pneumonia, chest infections, bed sores, generalised stomach problems, etc.

For the afternoon, I went back to the day care unit to watch some OGDs, flexible sigmoidoscopies and other scopes.

On Friday (my last day, sadly), I was in Radiology. I was scrubbed up to watch an angiogram (cardiac catheter) and a pacemaker being changed in the Cath Lab. Then I watched an ultrasound, fluoroscopy and liver drainage.

 Finally, I went back to the Day Care unit to watch a bronchoscopy!

Overall, my experience was completely amazing. Aside from the fact that I was able to witness some absolutely incredible procedures, the actual patient care and communication was incredible. I was able to reflect on the effectiveness of teamwork, especially in MDTs, and the daily activities that doctor's carry out. Of course, I had a lot of contact with the nurses too, and it was nice to see how they work together. I've learnt to open my mind to the countless possibilities that medicine can offer, consider the key qualities that make a good doctor, to always listen, and to always be true to myself by striving for what I care about most.

- Geeker

Last Week's Answers 18!

 Secret Sunday

Brain nervous limbic system

Mash-Up Monday

 - K I A Z = Zika
- P A T E N C H E L I S I = Encephalitis
-  N A D G U A = Uganda
-  S I T M O O Q U = Mosquito
- R I V U S = Virus

- Geeker

- Geeker

Secret Sunday and First-Aid Friday

I thought I'd cover both Secret Sunday and First-Aid Friday in one post!

Here are some symptoms that the NHS has provided:

• tiredness and weakness
• feeling faint or dizzy
• a decrease in blood pressure
• a headache
• muscle cramps
• feeling and being sick
• heavy sweating
• intense thirst
• a fast pulse
• urinating less often and having much darker urine than usual 

 Any idea what this could be?


- Geeker

Wednesday Words: DNA Themed!

 Can you decode this genetic information of our first Wednesday Words since we're back!

This week (as you may have guessed), it's DNA themed

Let's look at four words to keep on the idea of the four bases!

Word number one:

"a unit of heredity which is transferred from a parent to offspring and is held to determine some characteristic of the offspring."

Word number two:

"a compound which is one of the four constituent bases of nucleic acids. A purine derivative, it is paired with thymine in double-stranded DNA."

Word number three:

"the process of transcribing RNA, with existing DNA serving as a template, or vice versa" 

Word number four:

"forms the structural framework of nucleic acids, including DNA and RNA. " 

- Geeker

What is Immuno-Oncology?

,Something different today; let's talk about Immuno Oncology!

So, here we go!

Immuno Oncology

What is it?

Immuno oncology is the use of the immune system by stimulation or giving compounds to combat cancer.

How does it work?

There are two types of immunotherapy:

• Active Immunotherapy
• Passive Immunotherapy

Active Immunotherapy

Active Immunotherapy targets Tumour Associated Antigens which are found on the surface of cancer cells, by directing the immune system.

Passive Immunotherapy

Active Immunotherapy uses lymphocytes (a subtype of white blood cell), monoclonal antibodies (the fusion of a cell (I.e spleen cell from a mouse) with a cancer cell to form a hybridoma) and cytokines (small proteins)

The history of immunotherapy

Let's take a step back a second, and investigate how immunotherapy first began...

Edward Jenner who was alive during the 18th Century, was also alive during the time that smallpox was widespread.

herschelmuseum.org.uk

Jenner noticed that milkmaids who were subject to cowpox did not get smallpox afterwards. So, he took the puss from blisters on the hands of the milkmaids and injected them into a boy. For a short time, the boy got sick, but afterwards... the boy became immune to both cowpox and smallpox.

Jenner had created the first vaccine.

Assessing our methods 

Active Immunotherapy 

Therapeutic Cancer Vaccines

www.lungevity.org

Presents T-Cells (A type of lymphocyte) and B-Cells (Lymphocytes that specifically produce antibodies) to a TAA

 Adverse effects: may produce T-Cells that attack normal tissue

Cytokines

Tampers with the "lifestyle" of lymphocytes

Adverse effects: the cytokines may cause the lymphocytes to work on normal tissue

Passive Immunotherapy

Monoclonal Antibodies

http://www.cancerresearchuk.org

 When monoclonal antibodies are injected into the body, they target the TAA. Then, they perform four different things:

1. Identify the tumour for destruction
2. Affect the signalling of immune receptors
3. Cause the promotion of immune receptor degradation
4. Bring anti-cancer cells to the tumour cells

 Adverse effects: some non-malignant cells may be affected in the process by autoimmune responses

Cell Therapies

cellbiomedgroup.com

 T-cells are genetically modified and injected into the patient where they promote an immune response

Adverse effects: it may target normal cells if they have the same target antigens 

Mediators of T-cell activation

Builds up the autoimmne response by promoting activation of T-cells 

Adverse effects: Could affect the way the immune system works, promoting t-cells to target normal tissue
 

Hope you've learnt lots from this post! 

- Geeker

8,000 Views!

I wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who's been reading my blog, as it's just reached 8,000+ views.

You can check out our view counter down the bottom on the right toolbar, if you'd like to watch it with us!

For now, here's an amazing piece of artwork. Credit to http://galonth2000.deviantart.com/

- Geeker

Mash-Up Monday: Zika Style?

Following on from this morning's post about the Zika Virus, can you guess this week's Mash-up Monday?

- K I A Z

Too easy?

- P A T E N C H E L I S I

-  N A D G U A

-  S I T M O O Q U

- R I V U S

- Geeker

What is the Zika Virus?

Today, we'll answer some very important questions:

What is the Zika Virus?

How is it spread?

What are the symptoms?

Are there vaccines available?

 

www.thehairsociety.org

 The word "Zika" comes comes from the "Zika Forest in Uganda" where in 1947, it was first isolated!

"Zika virus is related to dengue, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, and West Nile viruses" [Jgid.org]

http://www.frostillustrated.com

So, how is it spread?

It's actually spread by daytime Aedes Mosquitoes!

https://upload.wikimedia.org

Expanding on what I previously said, it was first documented to be found in Uganda - on monkeys, but then, in 1960 the first human case was found in Nigeria!

www.storybench.org

It can also be transferred from:

• Sexually active men to their partners
• Pregnant women to the foetus 
• Through blood transfusion

Did you know:

• Zika replicates in the mosquito's midgut epithelial cells and then its salivary gland cells. 
• After 5–10 days, ZIKV can be found in the mosquito’s saliva, which can then infect humans. 
• If the mosquito’s saliva is inoculated into human skin, the virus can infect epidermal keratinocytes, skin fibroblasts in the skin and the Langerhans cells. 
• The pathogenesis of the virus is hypothesized to continue with a spread to lymph nodes and the bloodstream.^{[Field's Virology Book][Journal of Infection]} 
• Flaviviruses generally replicate in the cytoplasm, but Zika antigens have been found in infected cell nuclei.^{[Microbiology Research]}

 Symptoms?

If you can't read that, it says: fever, pale, skin rash, muscle pain, arthralgia, headache, diarrhoea, and red eyes!

Here's an example of the Zika Virus Rash:

It's also known to cause microcephaly:

"A baby with microcephaly (left) compared to a baby with a typical head size" - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microcephaly

Vaccines?

 As of March 2016, 18 companies and institutions internationally were developing vaccines against Zika, but none had yet reached clinical trials.^{[WHO Report]}

But, within the rest of the flaviviridae family, there are several vaccines availible. Have you ever been vaccinated for yellow fever? That's one of them!

It's been reported that WHO experts believe priority should be placed on "pregnant women and those of childbearing age"^{[WHO Report]}

So, here's a summary and some information on how to prevent it!

Click here for an enlarged view!

- Geeker

Secret Sunday: What's Happening With the Zika Virus?

 Secret Sunday's back...

Hmm... secrets, eh?

Can anyone guess what this week's image is of:

Plus, have you heard the recent news about the Zika Virus?

It's been reported that there's been a huge increase in the number of abortions that are being wanted by Latin American women

"More than 1,500 babies have been diagnosed with microcephaly caused by the virus"

Here's the report for abortions, given by the BBC

	Expected	Actual	Increase
Brazil	582	1210	+108%
Colombia	102	141	+39%
Costa Rica	49	67	+36%
El Salvador	18	24	+36%
Ecuador	34	71	+108%
Honduras	21	36	+76%
Venezuela	45	86	+93%

 More information on the Zika virus is coming soon... so stay tuned!


Read more here, for now!: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-36595448

Abortion demand 'soars' over Zika https://t.co/iKTZUblRag pic.twitter.com/aLWJ4yC5Bs

— BBC Science (@BBCScienceClub) June 23, 2016

- Geeker

We're Back - It's Time to Talk About Allergies

Woo! It's time to celebrate!

Exams are over, and I'm now back in business!

For now, here's a First Aid Friday post!

St John Ambulance's "How to Treat Allergic Reactions" Video!



 Here's the transcript for the video, if you can't watch it:

An allergy is the body’s unexpected reaction

to something it comes into contact with, called an allergen.

Source: www.nutritics.com/

Allergens include plant pollen, insect stings, animal hair, fruit, nuts, shellfish and drugs.

A severe allergic reaction can develop within just a few seconds and can be fatal if not

treated quickly. The person may carry medication in the form of an auto-injector, a pre-filled pen filled with adrenalin or epinephrine and this can help reduce the body’s allergic reaction.

Source: www.team-consulting.com

If you think somebody maybe having a severe allergic reaction, there are six key things to look for - puffy eyes, difficulty in breathing, blotchy skin, swelling of the tongue and throat, anxiety and signs of shock.

Source: www.nhs.co.uk

When you call for an ambulance, make sure you tell them that you think the person is suffering a severe allergic reaction and what could have triggered it.
Help the casualty down into a comfortable position, sitting forward slightly will help with their breathing. Help them to find their auto-injector and get them to use it.
You may have to do that for them.
Read the instructions on the pen and follow them. 

For this one, take off the cap, hold it about 10 centimetres away from the outer thigh, and gently stab it into the thigh.
Hold it there for 10 seconds.
After 10 seconds gently remove the pen and massage the area for 10 seconds.

If the casualty becomes unconscious, perform a primary survey and treat for an unconscious casualty.

Source: www.sja.org.uk

Remember, for a severe allergic reaction, call for an ambulance, help them to take their

medication if they have any, and if they become unconscious, check their breathing.

That’s how we treat a severe allergic reaction.

Looking forward to some good posts!

 - Geeker

BrightMed Session 3: Are you tensing for angiotensin?

Well it definitely was a while ago that BrightMed Session 3 occurred, but I've been so busy that I only now have the time to write about it!

This time's session was about the creation of our own drug, and I've been really looking forward to this time for a long time.

I'm pretty proud to say our drug was named "Renogen" (guess who came up with the great name)

This afternoon, our groups are presenting their drugs to the group. First we have Renogen, a synthetic angiotensin replacement.

— BrightMed BSMS (@BrightMed) February 13, 2016

As the tweet above describes, Renogen is a synthetic angiotensin replacement

But what does that mean?

Let's begin by describing perfusion:

This is the process of supplying all of the vital organs with enough blood to carry nutrients and oxygen, and remove waste products.

Or you can take a definition from Mr. Wikipedia:

In physiology, perfusion is the process of a body delivering blood to a capillary bed in its biological tissue. The word is derived from the French verb "perfuser" meaning to "pour over or through."

Now we've established that, let's talk about hypertension.

Hypertension is described as blood pressure that is greater than 140/90, and can cause things such as stroke, myocardial infarctions, or even retinopathy.

So, how do we actually get blood pressure? Well, we times the flow with the resistance, of course!

Blood pressure = cardiac output x the peripheral resistance.

Another thing to note: stroke volume x heart rate, gives your cardiac output!

Now we can look at cardiac output!

1. The sympathetic nervous system
2. Releases noradrenalin
3. Bind to β receptors in heart
4. Increased heart rate and stroke volume

The opposite?

1. The parasympathetic nervous system
2. Releases acetylcholine
3. Binds to M receptors in heart

 Now for a very important fact: the more calcium there is, the more contractions we have.

So, in your heart

Na (Sodium) > β receptors > Ca²⁺ (Calcium) channel opens > Increased Ca²⁺ > Increased contractions

ACh (acetylcholine) > M receptors > Ca²⁺ (Calcium) channel closes> Decreased Ca²⁺ > Decreased contractions

And in your vessels:

Sympathetic Nervous System > NA > A1 Receptors > Ca²⁺ (Calcium) channel opens  > Increased contractions

Don't worry, there's no reverse of this for the vessels, as they can simply "relax"

So, we can now look at the Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System... but not just yet... there's more information coming soon!

Well, we can
- Geeker

Secret Sunday: Iced Gems?

What could this be?

Source: Daily Medicine

 *Hint: They're not iced gems*

- Geeker

MyGCSE: Yummy Digestion!

Hi Readers!

It's been suggested to me through the survey (http://haemobloggings.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/survey.html), that I should provide some content to help with exams for GCSE students!

So today's new post is on GCSE Biology for the Edexcel Exam Board (which has been the most requested).

 First up, is the Digestive System:

Food is moved down the digestive system by peristalsis - the squeezing motion of food being pushed down the gut by the muscles.

 

Mouth

•  The teeth chew food into a bolus for an increased surface area for the enzymes
• Saliva moistens
• Salivary enzymes chemically digest
• Salivary amylase breaks down starch to glucose

Oesophagus

•  Muscular tube which contracts in waves
• Squeezes food to the stomach by peristalsis (but you already know what that is, smarty pants)

Stomach

•  Muscular bag with Hydrochloric acid and enzymes
• Proteins are digested (the acid provides optimum pH for enzymes)
• Microbes are destroyed

Pancreas

•  Makes digestive enzymes and releases them into the small intestine

Liver

• Produces bile

Gall bladder

• Stores biles
• Salts to emulsify fats to again, increase the surface area
• Neutralises stomach acids 

Small intestine

•  Contains lots of digestive enzymes
• Most of the large insoluble food molecules are broken down to soluble molecules which are absorbed by the blood through the villi

Large Intestine

•  Undigested food
• Water and minerals are absorbed into the blood
• Main function: push faeces to rectum
• Faeces are then egested from the anus

Rectum

•  Where faeces is stored

Anus

•  Egests faeces

More next time about enzymes and the villi!

But for now, here's some more information about the digestive system (just don't peak at next week's :D) http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/add_edexcel/common_systems/digestionrev1.shtml

- Geeker

Mash-Up Monday: Topical!

Here's some topical words for today!


D I E N K Y

N E R A L


H E N R O P N


L U D L E M A D

And here's a hint:

- Geeker

Secret Sunday: Pass the Scalpel

For today's Secret Sunday... Can you guess what this operation is?

- Geeker

Last Week's Information!

As promised, here's our information from last week's answers!

 Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence affects a lot of people. If we take a look at some statistics by www.bladder-control.co.uk, we can see that an overactive bladder is more predominant in older generations:

 Here are some of the top facts provided by their website, sourced from other places:

1. Studies suggest that in the UK "major faecal incontinence" affects 1.4% of the general population over 40 years old and constipation affects between 3% and 15% of the population.⁵

2. In the UK, 24% of older people are affected by urinary incontinence. Of those older people in institutional care, 30-60% are affected by urinary incontinence, and 25% by bowel incontinence.⁷

3. Women are more likely to suffer from stress urinary incontinence than men. That's because of the effects of childbirth and the menopause. Men, on the other hand, are more likely to have urinary retention. That's because many men develop prostate gland enlargement as they age. Women don't have a prostate gland.

Sources:
5. Perry, S. et al. Prevalence of faecal incontinence in adults aged 40 years or more living in the community. Gut 2002; 50: 480-484. http://gut.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/50/4/480. (Abstract available. Article accessed 17.01.2006)
7. Hunskaar, S., Lose, et al. (2003) Prevalence of Stress Urinary Incontinence in Women in Four European Countries, 2002. ICS: UK. Link to PDF: http://www.icsoffice.org/publications/2002/pdf/257.pdf (Accessed 28.11.2006)

But what is urinary incontinence?

According to the NHS:

Urinary incontinence is the unintentional passing of urine. It is a common problem and is thought to affect millions of people worldwide.

If you're struggling with incontinence, there's a very helpful website here, that will provide with crucial information that you need to know: http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/incontinence/Pages/Gettinghelp.aspx

 Myocardial Infarction

For a simple definition, the medical term "myocardial infarctions" means heart attack.

And again stated by our helpful website, the NHS (it's very useful, you know):

A heart attack is a serious medical emergency in which the supply of blood to the heart is suddenly blocked, usually by a blood clot. Lack of blood to the heart can seriously damage the heart muscle.

Here's some symptoms that might be present:

Source: http://www.ba-bamail.com/content.aspx?emailid=18627

And some more...

Source: Heart attack wisdom on Pinterest

So, how to "treat" it?

Here's a great, informative video!



I hope that covers a lot!

Any more questions, just ask!
 
- Geeker