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Showing posts from August, 2023

Human biospecimens lead the way to cancer research.

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  Cancer is a widespread and feared disease in modern society. It affects individuals of all ages, genders, and ethnicities. But what exactly is cancer? Cancer is a chronic condition where abnormal cells grow and multiply rapidly, resulting in tumours or lumps of cells. These tumours can also spread to other body parts, impacting their normal functioning. In cancer, the regular cell cycle is disturbed, causing damaged cells to flourish and develop into malignant cells. Cancer can affect any organ and is named based on the location of its origin and the type of cancer cells involved. Some examples include breast cancer, colorectal cancer, blood cancer, pancreatic cancer and lung cancer. Although advanced diagnostic methods, including specialised treatments, exist, the goal for cancer researchers remains a complete cure with no possibility of relapse. This remains a long-term objective in the field of oncology. Order well-characterized cancer samples for research . Research on cancer...

Procure Human Biospecimens Online Within Minutes.

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  The landscape of human biospecimen search In today's world, the incidence and prevalence of diseases have reached an unprecedented level, highlighting the need for advanced medical research to develop next-generation treatments and diagnostics for better disease management. The starting point for any medical discovery is human biospecimens obtained from patients. Researchers must collect matching human specimens from the target population, including healthy donors and patients, in sufficient quantity and quality to advance investigations and accomplish study targets. However, this is often the most time-consuming stage of the entire research process. Even after spending much time searching for specimens, researchers may need help finding a suitable one. Conversely, many significant research biospecimens get amazed in various biobanks and biorepositories without being used, and some are even discarded without procurement for several years. Birth of Central BioHub for online biospe...

How to procure Hyperlipidaemia Biospecimens for R&D.

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  High blood cholesterol is now regarded as the disease of the new millennium. Millions of people worldwide struggle with high cholesterol. But what does the term "high cholesterol disease" really mean? Let's examine this situation closely.  Hyperlipidaemia, a chronic disease condition marked by high blood cholesterol levels, is brought on by an overabundance of lipids and fats in the blood. It is one of the main diseases of modern life brought on by poor eating patterns and inactivity. The main factor causing hyperlipidemia is the excessive consumption of saturated fats. Severe health and circulatory conditions may develop if it is not treated. Tips to control high cholesterol levels An individual with hyperlipidemia has higher blood levels of triglycerides, low-density lipoproteins (LDL), and high-density lipoproteins (HDL cholesterol or good cholesterol) have a higher risk of these substances accumulating in the arteries and obstructing them. Hyperlipidemia is the main...

Human Biospecimens for Parasitology Research

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Parasitic diseases in humans: An overview  Parasites are tiny organisms that live in the bodies of other organisms, including animals, birds, and humans. Some parasites can grow, reproduce, and invade the host body, causing parasitic infections that can be severe and even life-threatening. However, not all parasites are harmful. For many years, parasitic infections have been a significant cause of death worldwide, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The disease affects people of all ages and genders, presenting a significant public health concern. To combat this issue, public health departments must take swift action to prevent the spread of infections and eliminate the infection from the endemic regions. Transmission of Parasitic Infections: The primary way parasitic infections spread is by consuming undercooked or raw meat or fish. Some infections can also be transmitted to humans through direct or close contact with animals, birds, or their excrement. Additionally, p...

Psoriasis – Advancing treatment options

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  Psoriasis is an immune-mediated disease that affects 2-3% of the worldwide population. It is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune skin condition that is characterized by red, shedding spots on the skin. These patches appear on body parts like knees, elbows, scalp, and the lower back. Psoriasis is characterized by symptoms such as thickened skin, itching, discomfort, dryness, and cracking and can appear in various forms.  The primary form of psoriasis is psoriasis vulgaris, but the inflammation can also affect the joints and lead to psoriatic arthritis, where nail changes like pitting and discoloration can occur. Psoriatic arthritis causes joint pain, swelling, and stiffness, sometimes occurring with skin symptoms. Another form of psoriasis, Guttate psoriasis, occurs with small, drop-like lesions that are triggered by infections. Inverse psoriasis is a form that primarily affects skin folds without the typical scaling, resulting in smooth, red patches, whereas white pustules sur...

Sepsis: Challenges and Recent Biomedical Advances

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  Sepsis, a life-threatening condition caused by the body's overwhelming response to an infection, poses a significant global health threat with millions of deaths annually. Despite substantial progress, managing sepsis remains challenging for healthcare professionals. However, biomedical research has shown promising advancements that could result in better outcomes and reduced mortality rates. Early detection of sepsis remains a challenge as the symptoms might be nonspecific and may reflect other common infections. Identifying and eliminating the source of infection, such as abscesses or infected body parts, remains a vital aspect of successful sepsis treatment. Therefore, early detection of sepsis is a crucial step where rapid interventions will lead to improved patient outcomes. A keystone of sepsis treatment is to stabilize vital functions and often involves close monitoring of the patient in intensive care, where intravenous fluids, vasopressors to maintain blood pressure, or ...

Unlocking the Potential of FFPE Human Tissue Samples in Biomedical Research

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  Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) human tissue samples had been a useful resource in biomedical research for decades dating back to 1893. They are readily available from clinical archives and provide precious insights into various diseases and their progression. Characterized by their ability to preserve tissue architecture and cellular morphology, human tissue samples support researchers worldwide in understanding the molecular basis of diseases and enable them to improve human health in general due to progressive therapeutic discoveries. Recent advancements in the use of FFPE samples allowed researchers to gain more data by exploring novel investigation techniques with improved efficiency and accuracy and therefore maximized the benefits of using these samples. Proteomic analysis with FFPE samples has until recently been very challenging due to protein degradation and cross-linking caused during the formalin fixation process. Nonetheless, recent advancements in sample pre...

Zika Virus- causes, symptoms and prevention

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  Understanding More About Zika Zika virus is a mosquito-borne disease widespread in tropical and subtropical regions. It is transmitted through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitos such as Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus. In addition to mosquito bites, the virus can also spread through sexual contact, blood transfusion, organ transplant, and from mother to child during childbirth. It is one of the leading tropical infections affecting millions every year, with a significant public health burden.  Most of the time, Zika virus infections are mild and resolve without treatment. However, severe infection can result in neurological disorders, Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), and congenital disabilities. Symptoms of the virus include fever, fatigue, headache, joint pain, muscle pain, conjunctivitis, and skin rashes. Pregnant women are especially vulnerable to the virus as it can cause fetal death, microcephaly, and other adverse pregnancy outcomes due to its teratogenic effects. Preve...

Tips for diagnosis and handling of West Nile virus samples for research

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  West Nile virus disease is a zoonotic infection commonly found in the continental United States and some parts of Europe. The virus responsible for the disease is the West Nile Virus (WNV), transmitted from person to person through the bite of an infected Culex mosquito. It is one of the most feared tropical infections. How to diagnose West Nile virus infection? Serological testing and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis are the primary methods for diagnosing West Nile virus infection. Immunoassays such as ELISA and RT-PCR are used to identify WNV-specific IgM antibodies, which are typically present in serum and CSF. These antibodies can usually be detected 3 to 8 days after the onset of symptoms and last for 30 to 90 days. However, it's worth noting that persistent infections with prolonged durability have been observed, which can lead to IgM antibody positivity due to a previous condition. On the other hand, the absence of WNV-specific IgM in serum or CSF samples collected durin...

Procure diabetes patient samples for research and development

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  Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition in which blood sugar levels are elevated, and it can be caused by various factors that impact insulin production and action. High glucose levels can result in severe health issues. Despite the availability of effective treatment and prevention strategies, managing diabetes can be difficult, and it is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide. The incidence and prevalence of diabetes are increasing globally, underscoring the need to develop new therapeutic agents to improve blood sugar control and prevention. There are three main types of diabetes mellitus: 1. Type 1 diabetes: It's an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. It usually develops in childhood or early adulthood. 2. Type 2 diabetes: It's a metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance, in which the body doesn't use insulin effectively. It's often related to lifestyle facto...