EAGLES EYE UPDATE

An illustration of a coronavirus.  (Stocktrek Images/Getty Images ) Coronaviruses  are a family of  viruses  known for containing strains that cause potentially deadly diseases in mammals and birds. In humans they're typically spread via  airborne droplets  of fluid produced by infected individuals. Of the seven coronaviruses kown to infect humans,  four spread with seasonal regularity , causing anything from mild cold-like symptoms to flu-like discomforts. A few more notable strains, including SARS-CoV-2 (responsible for COVID-19), and those responsible for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), can cause death in humans. The cause of death is complex, though is typically the result of heightened immune responses causing damage in multiple systems throughout the body. Why is it called a coronavirus? First described in detail in the 1960s, the coronavirus gets its name from a distinctive corona or  'c...

( Science Photo Library, Steve Gschmeissner/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images ) The job description for a red blood cell isn't considered to be overly complicated. Pick up oxygen, drop off oxygen. Wash, rinse, repeat. But when it comes to protecting the body against infection, it's their white cell sisters that we've been giving all the credit to. However, a new study led by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania in the US has confirmed red blood cells also play a critical role in inflammation, one that could make a life-or-death difference. As far back as the  middle of last century  scientists had their suspicions that red cells played some kind of role in keeping invaders at bay. By the 1990s, researchers were  uncovering receptors  on red blood cells that responded to inflammatory messenger chemicals called cytokines. It all pointed to something afoot. Meanwhile, there was also the inexplicable loss of blood cells – anemia – that often comes with sepsis. "Ac...

The Gram stain is a fundamental laboratory technique used to differentiate bacterial species based on the chemical and physical properties of their cell walls. Here's a breakdown of the procedure and how it relates to different organisms: GRAM STAIN PROCEDURE : The Gram stain procedure involves a series of steps:  * Crystal Violet (Primary Stain) :    * This stains all bacterial cells purple.  * Gram's Iodine (Mordant) :    * This forms a complex with the crystal violet, trapping it within the cell wall.  * Decolorization (Alcohol or Acetone):    * This step is crucial.    * Gram-positive bacteria, with their thick peptidoglycan layer, retain the crystal violet-iodine complex and remain purple.    * Gram-negative bacteria, with their thinner peptidoglycan layer and outer membrane, lose the crystal violet-iodine complex and become colorless.  * Safranin (Counterstain):    * This stains the decolor...

When working with Gram-positive bacteria in a laboratory setting, culture media plays a crucial role in their identification and study. Here's how Gram-positive bacteria interact with different types of culture media: General Principles: Nutrient Requirements :    * Like all bacteria, Gram-positive organisms need specific nutrients to grow. Culture media provides these essential elements, including carbon sources, nitrogen sources, vitamins, and minerals. Selective vs. Differential Media:    * Culture media can be either selective, differential, or both.    * Selective media inhibits the growth of certain bacteria while allowing others to grow. This is useful for isolating specific Gram-positive species from a mixed population.    * Differential media contains substances that allow different bacteria to be distinguished based on their metabolic reactions. This helps in identifying specific species. Examples of Culture Media and Gram-Po...

To understand the differences and similarities between peptidoglycan and teichoic acids, it's essential to consider their roles within the Gram-positive bacterial cell wall. Here's a comparative breakdown: PEPTIDOGLYCAN LAYER: Structure :    * It's a polymer composed of sugars and amino acids that form a mesh-like layer.    * It creates a rigid, thick structure surrounding the cell. Function :    * Provides structural integrity and rigidity to the cell wall.    * Protects the cell from osmotic pressure.    * It is the layer that retains the crystal violet stain in gram positive bacteria.   Location :    * Forms the primary component of the Gram-positive cell wall, located outside the plasma membrane. TECHOIC ACIDS :   Structure :    * Polymers of glycerol phosphate or ribitol phosphate.    * Can be divided into Wall teichoic acids, and lipoteichoic acids.   Function :    ...

The Gram-positive cell wall is a key feature that distinguishes this group of bacteria. Here's a breakdown of its structure and characteristics: Key Components : Peptidoglycan :    * This is the dominant component, forming a thick, multilayered structure. It provides the cell with structural integrity and protection against osmotic pressure.    * It's a polymer of sugars and amino acids that are cross-linked, creating a strong, mesh-like network. Teichoic Acids:    * These are embedded within the peptidoglycan layer.    * They are polymers of glycerol phosphate or ribitol phosphate.   There are two main types:       Wall teichoic acids : These are covalently linked to the peptidoglycan.       Lipoteichoic acids : These are linked to the underlying plasma membrane.    * Teichoic acids contribute to the cell's negative charge, regulate ion movement, and play a role in cell growth and adhesion....

The United Kingdom’s Home Office has asked some Nigerian nurses being probed for alleged examination fraud to leave the country. According to Nursing Times, the affected nurses are still awaiting the outcomes of their appeals. However, they have received official letters from the Home Office instructing them to leave the UK starting next week. The deportation order follows an ongoing probe by the UK’s Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) into suspected malpractice at Yunnik Technologies Test Centre in Ibadan, Nigeria. Campaigners and advocates have called on the regulator to expedite hearings to prevent the nurses from being repatriated before their appeals are fully considered. Peters Omoragbon, executive president of Nurses Across The Borders and president of the Diaspora Nurses Association of Nigeria, accused the NMC of “deliberately delaying” appeal hearings so that nurses could be served with notice from the Home Office. He told Nursing Times: “That saves them the troub...

Professor Tosan Erhabor has urged Medical Laboratory Science researchers to uphold ethical standards and reduce misconduct to foster public trust. He made this call through his representative, Dr. Akinwale Akinlabi, Director Health Laboratory Planning, Research & Statistics, during a training session organized by the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) Health Research Ethics Committee (HREC) on Health Policy and Planning (HPP). The three-day training, which focused on reviewing research protocols and providing constructive feedback, commenced today in Abuja Speaking at the occasion, the Chairman of the MLSCN Ethics Review Committee (ERC), Professor Kolawole Solomon Oyedeji, emphasized the need for strict compliance with ethical standards to enhance the quality of research. He highlighted that adherence ethical guidelines ensures credible and reliable research outcomes, ultimately benefiting society. The training brought together key stakeho...