New blood test 'can detect risk of infection in minutes'

Scientists have created a device that is able to detect a person's risk of infection from a drop of blood within minutes, as opposed to current methods, which can take up to 2 hours. This is according to a study published in the journal Technology.

One common laboratory test to determine an individual's risk of infection is the counting of neutrophils in the blood, known as absolute neutrophil count.

Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell found in human blood. These are the "body's first line of defense" against inflammation and infection.

Within minutes of detecting infection, the neutrophils flee from the blood toward tissue, where they settle at the sites of infection.

"If neutrophils do not migrate well and cannot reach inside the tissues, this situation could have the same consequences as a low neutrophil count".

With this in mind, the investigators created a "miniaturized silicone-based device" that they say is able to measure migration patterns of neutrophils from a finger prick of blood, and this can be carried out within a matter of minutes.

The researchers say that methods currently used to measure the functions of neutrophils involve separating them from the blood. This process can take 2 hours, and the investigators say that the procedure needs to be conducted by skilled laboratory personnel. This, however poses a problem within clinical conditions, such as treating cases of patients with burn injuries, as the process is time-consuming and medical professionals' priorities change throughout the day.

"To address the need for rapid and robust assays, a microfluidic device was designed that measured neutrophil chemotaxis directly from a single droplet of blood.

By comparing neutrophil chemotaxis from finger prick, venous blood and purified neutrophil samples, it was found that average velocity of (19 ± 6 μm/min) and directionality (91.1%) between the three sources was consistent."

Hence it was concluded that being able to measure patients' risk of infections in a matter of minutes from only a droplet of blood is a "significant improvement and one that will improve current treatment."

Surgery 'better than chemotherapy' for tongue cancer

For the treatment of cancer, many would consider chemotherapy to be the best option. But for tongue cancer, new research suggests that surgery may be the most effective primary port of call.

The main treatment options for people with oral and oropharyngeal cancers include surgery (partial or full removal of the tongue for tongue cancer, followed by extensive reconstruction), radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and palliative treatment. These can be used alone or in combination.

Meditation May Aid Smoking Cessation Treatment

Meditation combined with medication and cognitive therapies may be more beneficial in treating nicotine addiction than drug-plus-talk therapy alone.

Pallavi and Vikram of Batch-18, presented on the technical topic of European Regulatory (EMA).This presentation gave brief insight about the regulations for drugs and medical devices and also the approval procedures.

Walking lowers Cardiovascular disease [CVD] Risk in Patients with IGT [Impaired Glucose Tolerance].

In those with impaired glucose tolerance, walking just 2000 steps per day -- the equivalent of 20 minutes of walking at a moderate pace -- lowers CVD risk by 10%.

Stroke risks increase with high levels of anxiety

The negative health effects of anxiety, such as increased coronary heart disease risks, have long been documented and accepted in the medical community. But now, research suggests that individuals with high levels of anxiety have an increased risk for stroke.

A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain stops, and this cuts off oxygen and nutrients that are vital for the brain. When this happens, brain cells die, and depending in which side of the brain the stroke occurs, effects can include paralysis, vision or speech problems, memory loss and behavioral changes.

Hybrid clotting factor means fewer injections, better disease control for hemophilia patients

A Phase III clinical trial led by UC Davis researchers has confirmed that a new coagulation factor (rFIXFc) dramatically reduces the number of injections needed to maintain effective clotting for HEMOPHILIA B patients.

The recombinant protein fuses clotting factor IX with an immunoglobulin (antibody) molecule, which prevents the body from rapidly metabolizing the hybrid protein. As a result, rFIXFc can be administered once a week, or even every two weeks, rather than every other (or every third) day. This extended half-life could have an enormous impact on hemophilia treatment.