All posts by medical

Anatomy

Anatomy Quizzes and Games – sporcle.com

Anatomy Quizzes and Games Evolution in a Minute!

Can you quickly pick the modern day animal that belongs to each collage of earlier animals?

The strongest bone in your body is hollow... that doesn't help you with this quiz, but it is interesting.

We are trying to pump out some new games, do you have the heart to try this one? Is Sporcle in your blood?

If you can guess all of these elements, you might say that you have a good body of knowledge.

Yeah, B's aren't really going to cut it if you're trying to get into medical school.

No matter how you put it, "Human Bunker" doesn't sound like a pleasant thing.

Pick these various animals that have just hatched or are in the process of hatching.

Welcome to the Anatomy quiz page.Here you can find 1,885 quizzesthat have been played 15,182,981 times.

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Anatomy Quizzes and Games - sporcle.com

Cell Biology

Structure of protein filament which tethers and moves bacterial DNA revealed – BSA bureau

Singapore's A*STAR researchers have figured out the detailed structure of a type of filamentous protein ParM in C. botulinum, seeking to understand its structure and function

Better known for producing botoxa compound associated with wrinkle removal in cosmetic clinicsthe bacteriaClostridium botulinumis also studied by scientists seeking to understand fundamental biological processes such as bacterial cell division. As a bacteria cell divides, it needs to properly segregate DNA into the resultant daughter cells, a process carried out by strands of proteins.

Earlier research has shown that these protein filaments are encoded by the bacterias DNA (also called a plasmid) and that the proteins differ among bacteria species. In this study, researchers led by Robert Robinson, a Research Director at A*STARsInstitute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), zoomed in on the filamentous protein ParM inC. botulinum, seeking to understand its structure and function.

Collaborating with scientists in Japan, Robinsons group used a technique called cryogenic electron microscopy (cryoEM) to obtain high resolution (4.2 Angstrom) structural data on ParM, which revealed that it generally persists as a 35 m-long filament, with a diameter of 26 nm.

Importantly, the researchers observed that ParM is a complex of 15 loosely associated, left-handed helical, single strands. A cross-section of the 15 strands reveals a central strand surrounded by an intermediate layer of six interacting twisted helical strands running antiparallel to the central strand. The remaining eight strands form an outermost layer, running antiparallel to the six intermediate strands.

Robinson remarked that the result was surprising becauseEscherichia coli, another common model bacteria, makes use of only a pair of two-stranded ParM filaments to segregate its DNA. Hence, the 15-strand configuration of ParM inC. botulinumis likely to allow for a greater generation of force and motion.

Our findings tell us that many filament designs are used in moving plasmids. This is likely selected for during evolution since two types of plasmid existing in the same cell will require two different segregation systems to faithfully maintain both plasmids, explained Robinson.

He added that mutations affecting the structure of ParM could also influence plasmid propagation. Learning about the mechanisms controlling plasmid segregation could, in turn, shed light on how bacteria acquire certain traits, such as antibiotic resistance and toxin production.

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Structure of protein filament which tethers and moves bacterial DNA revealed - BSA bureau

Cell Biology

LSU biologists think they’ve found breakthrough in fight against aging – Greater Baton Rouge Business Report

Two LSU biology professors have discovered a new class of cellular connections that could lead to breakthrough medical therapies and treatments to slow down, and possibly reverse, aging and disease.

Alyssa Johnson and Adam Bohnert, both assistant professors in the LSU Department of Biological Sciences and experts in cell and molecular biology, recently received a $1 million grant from the W. M. Keck Foundation for their work, according to a new LSU announcement.

The pair are researching what they call tubular lysosomes, differing from the traditional idea of a lysosome as a spherical vesiclethink SpaghettiO shape. Lysosomes are cellular garbage dumps for obsolete and unwanted materials, like bacteria and viruses.

Johnson and Bohnert found that tubular lysosomes can form complex networks between the bodys cells that greatly affect stressors like aging and disease. Not every type of tissue in the body of an organism contains these structures, but sometimes the lysosome networks are grown because of outside stressors to the organism. A part of their research tests why these networks form, and whether the tubular lysosomes can be passed on genetically from parent to child, then onto grandchildren and so on.

This is a major black box in biology where we dont have a lot of knowledge yet, Bohnert says. Tubular lysosomes could hint at ways to slow down the aging process, or even reverse it. This sounds like science fiction, but it could be possible.

Johnson was the first to find these tubular lysosomes in a fruit fly, which she routinely studies.

Theyve identified a couple of genes that could control them. The question now is whether they can introduce these genes to animals and tissues that dont normally have them.

Were really the only ones studying tubular lysosomes in the world, which puts us in a unique position to break open this field, Johnson says. Their ongoing research will now likely lead to revisions in textbooks, as it redefines our perception of life at its most basic unitthe cell. Read the full story here.

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LSU biologists think they've found breakthrough in fight against aging - Greater Baton Rouge Business Report

Biochemistry

Students in the lab with LEoPARD | CMUnow – CMUnow

When professors accept positions at Colorado Mesa University, it means they place value on teaching students above everything else. Its called the teacher-scholar method, and its a philosophy of the university. After putting teaching and students first, faculty are still expected to contribute to their discipline and one new faculty member is wasting no time balancing the two worlds.

Assistant Professor of Biochemistry Christopher Dieni, PhD, is sharing his passion for research by getting students out of the classroom and into the lab. Its only his second semester at CMU and already Dieni has a team of undergraduate students researching ways they can get insulin to work in cases where it has stopped.

I was interested in the research when Dr. Dieni explained that it has to do with Type 2 diabetes, cancer and Alzheimers. I have experience with Alzheimers with my grandpa so its something that resonates with me, said junior and student researcher Austin Lorenz.

I was interested in the research when Dr. Dieni explained that it has to do with Type 2 diabetes, cancer and Alzheimers." - junior and student researcher austin lorenz

The program is an undergraduate-focused biochemistry research project called Laboratory for Evaluation of Pharmacological Agents in Remediation of Disease or LEoPARD for short.

We want to find out ways in which we can reverse insulin resistance, said Dieni. The stereotypical answer that most people would give, assuming that diabetes is only associated with poor lifestyle and poor nutrition, is exercise and diet. But what happens in the cases of those non-obese diabetics? What happens to people that have mobility issues who cannot simply get up and start running on a treadmill? What happens when exercise and diet are less of an option or they simply dont work? Well, you need some type of intervention. You need some kind of therapeutics, or drugs, for lack of a better term.

There are medications for diabetics on the market, but according to Dieni, they tend to have side effects and some dont work at all. The assistant professors passion into insulin resistance comes from his family history with Type 2 diabetes.

Its impacted several people, several generations in my family. Were looking for something that is better an alternative with less side effects, said Dieni.

When it comes to undergraduate research opportunities, CMU is unique. Most other universities dont offer students the chance to be involved in research until graduate school. At CMU, they get hands-on experience at the undergraduate level and from their instructors, not teaching assistants.

Its nice to know that if I have any questions I can go to Dr. Dieni and hes always willing to answer them. I have plenty of friends at other universities that tell me their professors dont even know their name. So for me to get super close to Dr. Dieni with this research and the one-on-one time we have, its rewarding and I really appreciate it, said Lorenz.

The beauty of universities that focus on undergraduates is that an undergraduate may come out with their bachelors degree already a published scientist in the peer-reviewed scientific literature," said Dieni. "Where at other institutions, undergraduates get diluted by masters students and doctoral students.

LEoPARD's student researchers include Brett Duncan, Corey Keating and Austin Lorenz, and the team continues to grow. This project gives undergraduatestudents the opportunity to work on important research that will hopefully improve thelives of many individuals.

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Students in the lab with LEoPARD | CMUnow - CMUnow

Biochemistry

Bio-Based Platform Chemicals Market and its Key Opportunities and Challenges | Zhejiang Guoguang Biochemistry Co. Ltd, Reverdia, Cargill Incorporated…

Global Bio-Based Platform Chemicals Market research report for easy to understand detailed breakdown of market growth factors, advance technologies, industry drivers, challenges, regulatory policies, with qualitative research of key company profiles and strategies of players such as Zhejiang Guoguang Biochemistry Co. Ltd, Reverdia, Cargill Incorporated, BioAmber Inc., Braskem, Qingdao Kehai Biochemistry Co. Ltd., AVA Biochem AG, Royal DSM NV, Itaconix PLC, GFBiochemicals Ltd, BASF SE,GC Innovation America, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, LyondellBasell Industries NV,. Conceptual analysis of the Bio-Based Platform Chemicals Market product types, application wise segmented study.Pin-point analysis for changing competitive dynamics, Exploration of major regional segmentation based on how the market is predicted to grow.

The Global Bio-Based Platform Chemicals Market is currently witnessing a higher growth in the recent years. The increasing efforts of making the best use of the sustainable materials, the bio based chemicals are high in demand in the current market. It has been estimated that by the end of the year 2018, the bio-based platform chemicals of more than 3,700 kilo tons is projected to be produced. This type of chemical finds its applications in different manufacturing industries. Currently, a huge range of products including solvents, pharmaceutical and solvents contains tha bio-based platforms chemicals. Currently, there is a huge opportunity for the bio-based chemical platforms which has not been explored yet. However, there are several companies who specialize in the field of platform chemicals have recently started exploring deeper into the bio-based chemical platforms.

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Trends And Strategies This chapter includes some of the major trends shaping the global Bio-Based Platform Chemicals market by segment. This section highlights likely future developments in the market and suggests approaches companies can take to exploit these opportunities.

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Global Market Segmentation This section contains global segmentation of the Bio-Based Platform Chemicals market. Segmentation types include by region and by country segmentation of the Bio-Based Platform Chemicals market.

Global Macro Comparison The global Bio-Based Platform Chemicals market comparison with macro-economic factors gives the Bio-Based Platform Chemicals market size, percentage of GDP, and average Bio-Based Platform Chemicals market expenditure.

Macro Comparison By Country The Bio-Based Platform Chemicals market comparison with macro-economic factors across countries gives the Bio-Based Platform Chemicals market size, percentage of GDP, by country and per capita average Bio-Based Platform Chemicals market expenditure.

Region/Country Market Size And Growth This section contains the regions market size (2017), historic (2013-2017) and forecast (2019-2025) market value, and growth. This report includes information on all the regions (Asia Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa) and major countries within each region.

Competitive Landscape This section covers details on the competitive landscape of the global Bio-Based Platform Chemicals market, estimated market shares and company profiles for the leading players.

Key Mergers And Acquisitions This chapter gives the information on recent mergers and acquisitions in the market covered in the report. This section gives key financial details of mergers and acquisitions which have shaped the market in recent years.

Opportunities And Strategies This section gives information on growth opportunities across countries, segments and strategies to be followed in those markets. It gives an understanding of where there is significant business to be gained by competitors in the next five years.

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Bio-Based Platform Chemicals Market and its Key Opportunities and Challenges | Zhejiang Guoguang Biochemistry Co. Ltd, Reverdia, Cargill Incorporated...

Biochemistry

Associations Between miRNAs and Two Different Cancers: Breast and Colo | CMAR – Dove Medical Press

Berrin Papila Kundaktepe,1 Volkan Sozer,2 Cigdem Papila,3 Sinem Durmus,4 Pinar Cigdem Kocael,1 Gonul Simsek,5 Remise Gelisgen,4 Kagan Zengin,1 Kenan Ulualp,1 Hafize Uzun4

1Department of General Surgery, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey; 2Department of Biochemistry, Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey; 3Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Oncology, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey; 4Department of Medical Biochemistry, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey; 5Department of Physiology, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey

Correspondence: Hafize UzunDepartment of Medical Biochemistry, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University Cerrahpasa, Cerrahpasa, stanbul 34303, TurkeyTel +90 212 414 30 56Fax +90 212 633 29 87Email huzun59@hotmail.com

Objective: Screening approaches using microRNAs (miRNAs) have been gaining increased attention owing to their potential applications in the diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring of cancer, because aberrant miRNA expression plays a role in the development and advancement of malignancies. The objectives of this study were to characterize mir21, miR31, mir143, mir145, and control RNU43, which are differentially expressed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of breast and colorectal cancer patients, compared to that in controls and to establish whether this is specific to breast and colon cancer for use as tumor markers.Methods: Thirty newly diagnosed patients with breast cancer and 30 patients with colorectal cancer were enrolled together with 30 healthy controls. PBMCs were isolated from venous blood samples of individuals. Next, miRNA expression analysis was performed by a two-step method of reverse transcription and qPCR.Results: The expression levels of miR-143 and miR-31 were significantly decreased, whereas the expression levels of miR-145 and miR-21 were significantly increased in breast cancer patients compared to those in healthy subjects. Moreover, the expression levels of miR-143, miR-145, and miR-21 were significantly increased and, in contrast, the changes in the expression levels of miR-31 were not statistically significant in colon cancer compared to those in healthy subjects. miR-21 exhibited the highest increase in both breast and colon cancers. There was a weak positive correlation between miR-145 and CA-15.3 in patients with breast cancer (r = 0.451; p = 0.012). miR-143 was positively correlated with the TNM stage in colon cancer patients (r = 0.568; p = 0.001).Conclusion: A biomarker panel composed of miR-21, miR-31, miR-143, and miR-145 in PBMC may provide a new diagnostic approach for the early detection of breast and colon cancer. As miR-21 expression was found to be the highest among all the miRNAs evaluated, it may represent a new tumor biomarker and a candidate therapeutic drug or gene target in colon and breast cancer.

Keywords: breast cancer, colon cancer, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, mir21, mir31, mir143, mir145

This work is published and licensed by Dove Medical Press Limited. The full terms of this license are available at https://www.dovepress.com/terms.php and incorporate the Creative Commons Attribution - Non Commercial (unported, v3.0) License.By accessing the work you hereby accept the Terms. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed. For permission for commercial use of this work, please see paragraphs 4.2 and 5 of our Terms.

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Associations Between miRNAs and Two Different Cancers: Breast and Colo | CMAR - Dove Medical Press

Biochemistry

Bradley professors react to alum getting spacecraft in his name – CIProud.com

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) Its one small step for man and one giant step for this Bradley University alum during Black History Month.

Robert H. Lawrence Jr. was the first African American astronaut and, Sunday, the company Northrop Grumman is naming the NG-13 spacecraft after him, which will then launch to the International Space Station.

Dr. Dean Campbell, a professor in Bradleys Chemistry and Biochemistry department, said he was overjoyed after hearing the news of Lawrence getting a spacecraft named after him.

I am stoked about it on a number of different levels, Campbell said. Its impressive to have a spacecraft named after a chemist and especially a Bradley graduate.

Dr. Campbell said Lawrence graduated from Bradley with a chemistry degree in 1956. He said the fact that Lawrence was not only a chemist but also the first African American astronaut who happened to be a Bradley graduate makes this event all the more impressive to him.

To me, thats a convergence of really interesting things to put together and were pretty excited about it, Campbell said.

Dr. Michelle Fry, the Chair and Associate Professor of the Mund-Lagoski Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, had similar sentiments. She said its an honor to have an alum like Lawerence walk the halls of Bradley.

He was a remarkable person, Fry said. Even in a short life, he accomplished so much and hes left a legacy at Bradley that persists.

Dr. Fry said Major Lawrences legacy includes, but isnt limited to, the Robert H. Lawrence Endowed Lectureship, the Major Robert H. Lawrence Jr. Memorial Scholarship (which was established the same year as his death), and the Lawrence Conference Room which was built in 1989.

Dr. Fry said during Major Lawrences time at Bradley, he was a member of ROTC and the Omega Psi Phi fraternity. She said he eventually learned German so he could train fighter pilots overseas.

Dr. Fry said he was killed in 1967 while he was training a student in a Lockheed F-104 before he could actually go into space. However, she said this honor is a testament to the level of determination and tenacity he exhibited while he was alive.

Its sort of a remarkable goal and achievement and that just speaks to the hope and the aspirations and the dreaming that Major Lawrence could do, plus his grit and perseverance to make that happen, Fry said.

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Bradley professors react to alum getting spacecraft in his name - CIProud.com

Physiology

Conquer your health and fitness goals with these subscriptions – ITworld

Its officially 2020, and many of us are trying to kick off the new year by living a healthier and more productive life. But making good on that New Years resolution to eat better and hit the gym is always harder than it sounds, which is why weve rounded up five best-selling diet and fitness products and subscriptions that will help you hit your goals faster and more efficiently. Enjoy.

1. Ultimate Meal Plans: Lifetime Subscription

MSRP: $890 | Sale Price: $49 (94% off)

When it comes to living a healthier life, the most important thing you can do is eat better. These Ultimate Meal Plans make it easy to fine-tune your diet and lose weight by offering 28 healthy meal plans per week, each of which is fun and easy to make and features an affordable ingredients list.

2. Health & Nutrition Life Coach Certification (Accredited)

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Boost not only your health but the health of those around you with this accredited Health & Nutrition Life Coach Certification, which will teach you wholistic ways in which you can build powerful motivational techniques, craft diet and fitness plans, gain an understanding of human physiology, and more.

3. Eat This MuchAutomatic Meal Planner: 3-Yr Subscription

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This meal-planning system streamlines the process of eating well by combining planning, shopping, and cooking into an all-in-one app. Youll be able to acquire detailed nutritional information based on your unique body, get weekly cooking lists with delicious ingredients, and keep up with detailed stats on your health progress.

4. The Complete Fitness Trainer Certification Bundle: Beginner to Advanced

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Become an in-demand and certified fitness trainer and build a career that helps people improve their lives with this comprehensive bundle. Youll gain a detailed understanding of how the human body processes a wide range of foods, how different exercise routines work for different body types, and moreall within a framework that prepares you to start your own business.

5. Live Streaming Fitness: Lifetime Subscription

MSRP: $499 | Sale Price: $79 (84% off)

Reach your goal weight faster and without having to spend countless hours in the gym with this Live Streaming Fitness program, which offers live and on-demand fitness classes alongside diet and nutrition advice for your specific body type. Youll even be able to gain direct access to certified nutritionists who can answer any questions you may have along the way.

Prices are subject to change.

This story, "Conquer your health and fitness goals with these subscriptions " was originally published by TechConnect.

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Conquer your health and fitness goals with these subscriptions - ITworld

Physiology

Purdue University to Offer Free Tampons, Pads in Bathrooms – The New York Times

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. Purdue University will offer free tampons and other feminine hygiene products in the campus bathrooms in response to student advocates who have been pushing for the move for three years.

University President Mitch Daniels on Thursday credited the University Senate, a faculty-led body, for proposing the initiative in a resolution that described feminine hygiene products as a basic necessity that should be in campus restrooms free of charge. The measure was set to be voted on later this month, but Daniels obtained permission from the University Senate to go ahead and implement it.

"I think people will treat it responsibly," Daniels told WLFI in an interview. "That's what the Purdue family does."

Its not yet clear when the public university will stock its West Lafayette campus bathrooms with free pads, liners and tampons, a university spokesman said.

Alison Rickert, a junior studying neurobiology and physiology at Purdue, founded The Period Project an initiative aimed at providing menstrual products to those who need them both in and out of university walls. She said Purdues decision resulted from she and other students advocating for the same issue.

We didnt all know each other, necessarily, Rickert said. But we all were heading to the same place. Thats how movements happen, right?

Rickert added that she expected resistance, but Daniels support reassured her.

Its a lot of work for someone and some money, Rickert said Thursday. But its happening. Finally. What a great day.

The West Lafayette campus has more than 650 womens and gender-neutral bathrooms in the academic and administration buildings, Purdue spokeswoman Rebecca Terry said. That number doesnt include residence halls or athletic facilities.

___

This story corrects the attribution of a statement from Rickert.

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Purdue University to Offer Free Tampons, Pads in Bathrooms - The New York Times

Cell Biology

Is There Any Science Behind Beauty Sleep? – Labmate Online

A new study from the University of Manchester suggests the popularised term "beauty sleep" could be more than just a saying. After analysing body clocks of mice, a team of biologists maintain a good night's sleep plays an important role in preparing the body for the day ahead and replenishing cell structures.

The findings were published in the journal Nature Cell Biology and explain how body clock mechanisms support the extracellular matrix (ECM), a three-dimensional network of macromolecules that build connective tissue cells such as skin, bone, cartilage and tendons. Professor Karl Kadler, lead author of the study, argues that understanding the importance of the body clock and the extracellular matrix could shed new light on the ageing process.

Kadler explains that more than half the body is made up of matrix. Of this matrix, 50% is collagen, a key extracellular matrix structural protein and major component of connective tissues. Roles of collagen include providing the skin with structure and elasticity and strengthening bones. By the time the body reaches the age of 17 collagen has fully formed, suggesting the body starts to slowly deteriorate moving forward.

"Collagen provides the body with structure and is our most abundant protein, ensuring the integrity, elasticity and strength of the body's connective tissue," says Kadler.

Collagen is made up of rope-like structures called fibrils, which are woven together by cells to create tissues. During the research, the biologists discovered two types of fibrils. The first were relatively thick, measuring around 200 nanometres in diameter. They form by the age of 17 and stay with the body throughout its lifespan. The second type of fibril was thinner, measuring just 50 nanometres in diameter. As the body is put through its daily paces these thinner fibrils snap and become damaged. They are automatically repaired and replenished at night, with the team asserting that sleep plays a critical role in supporting this process.

"It's intuitive to think our matrix should be worn down by wear and tear, but it isn't and now we know why: our body clock makes an element which is sacrificial and can be replenished, protecting the permanent parts of the matrix."

Kadler says detailed knowledge of how the body clock influences the extracellular matrix could help scientist understand human biology at its most fundamental level. "It might, for example, give us some deeper insight into how wounds heal, or how we age," he predicts.

From exploring the role of the body clock to analysing interactions between different species, science is continually offering new insight into how the world works. To find out more about the cutting-edge composition-gradient multi-angle light scattering (CG-MALS) technique, don't miss 'Fusion Protein Complexes Analysed by CG-MALS - Non-equivalent, Multivalent Interactions.'

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Is There Any Science Behind Beauty Sleep? - Labmate Online