Quantum particles to fight Superbugs

Scientists have created an antibiotic to kill the bacteria off since almost 80 years. Unfortunately, the bacteria can multiply rapidly, and most evolved into a superbug that is invulnerable to all antibiotics, while making new drugs is a long and expensive process.

Therefore, the scientists at Biofrontiers Institute of University of Colorado learn how to make drugs that are not based on biology. They developed an "antibiotic" that can be updated via computer.

Ultraviolet light reveals different "species" of quantum dots that have been programmed to attack specific microbes. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1hqKZr)

In an advanced laboratory at the University of Colorado, scientists Anushree Chatterjee wearing safety glasses and gloves when examining petri dishes containing some most dangerous microbes in the world. They are superbug cause of the disease is difficult to overcome with traditional antibiotic drugs.

"They are immune, in some cases, on more than 20 kinds of antibiotics. They can even live in an environment of antibiotics is high enough. They not only survive but also thrive with antibiotics," said Chatterjee.

It took many years to develop traditional biology-based antibiotics to fight them. Husband and Chatterjee's colleagues, Prashant Nagpal, said that in the meantime, scientists are losing the fight against superbugs. But he had an idea.

Chemical engineer Anushree Chatterjee shows one of the Petri dishes holding dangerous superbugs.. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1hqKZr)

"We want to develop a system that can adapt, if not sooner, at least at the same level with microbes," explains Nagpal.

To achieve this goal, in the laboratory Nagpal analyzed superbug DNA, then create a special antibiotic, in just a few days. He does this by creating an "antibiotic" of particles of very small semiconductors known as "quantum dots."

"(Every time we discuss about semiconductors,) we always think, oh, that objects in the camera, or on the roof. We show here, is that we can use the same semiconductor, stripping it and put it into the cells," he explained,

In each "quantum dots" size is 20,000 times smaller than a living cell. When millions of quantum dots are mixed with water, ultraviolet light shows the different varieties that glow in yellow, orange and green.

To kill a superbug, Nagpal said a tube with size of a fingertip, can be very effective. "Perhaps this is the only treatment that is needed," he said. And if superbug back to adapt quickly, Nagpal said, researchers can quickly change the composition of the next quantum dots.

Chatterjee and Nagpal said it need to test many years before quantum dots are safe to use in humans. But the positive results so far and hope that someday, the particles of semiconductor that can help physicians overcome the superbug. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | VOA NEWS]

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Robotic surgical still pricey, but countinues developed

Researchers in South Korea are developing robots that can assist in the patient surgery, although it is recognized the development of these technologies are still more expensive than conventional surgery.

It claimed, the robot allows doctors to perform minimally invasive surgery details, thus reducing the likelihood of complications and pain, and quicker recovery time.

Doctors prepare to perform a surgery using a robot. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1hSFjA)

The doctors said the robot would be useful for malignant tumor operation in areas such as the liver. According to them, robotic surgery is the most advanced in the development of minimally invasive surgery, despite reports of a robot that helps the tumor in or around the pancreas or bile duct is still very small.

"The method of operation of this kind is largely done via laparotomy (incision in the abdomen) because it is a very difficult procedure. However, the more the surgeon performs surgery using a robot," said Park Min-soo of Kyunghee University Hospital.

According to doctors, thyroid cancer surgery by using the robot was five times more expensive than conventional methods and protected by national health insurance.

"Robotic Surgery leaves virtually no scars and provide a broader view for physicians during surgery. However, operating costs are still very burdensome to the patient," said Park as reported by Yonhap. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | YONHAP]

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Ebola vaccine trials claimed hundred percent successful

Researchers who recently reported the successful testing Ebola vaccine up to 100 percent to  protect against those deadly disease. Even if the vaccine was not yet been approved by the appropriate authorities, but the study reported by The Lancet medical journal is considered very effective. In fact, the research that took place in Guinea was mentioned to have an emergency supply of 300,000 doses of Ebola vaccine to prevent the outbreak returned widespread.

No Ebola cases were recorded 10 days or more after the vaccination, among the 5,837 people who received it. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1h8TzE)

"Although it is too late for those who have lost their lives because of the epidemic of Ebola in West Africa, this vaccine may be a way we survive," said Marie-Paule Kieny, Assistant Director General of Systems and Innovation at the World Health Organization (WHO) at the same time as the lead author of those research report.

Since the first Ebola case is discovered in the former area of Zaire in 1976, people have been making every effort to create a vaccine. It all started because of the emergency, but these efforts should be halted because of lack of funds.

WHO noted that approximately 1,600 people die due to the Ebola during the past few years, so become reputed as frightening disease. In 2014 an Ebola outbreak attacked 11,000 people in Africa and spread out around the world, and also killing some people in Europe and the United States. These series of events that made the competent authorities tried again to make an effective vaccine.

The test results of the vaccine trial in Guinea finally released on Thursday, December 22 2016 in The Lancet medical journal. The vaccine can not be used to stop the outbreak, but the prospects for vaccine supplies have now been brought optimism among the public health experts. The researchers have so far only suggests the Ebola possibility still lodged in various locations, such as trees and its spread is carried by bats.

The researchers say that the new vaccine still has some drawbacks, among others only worked against one of two types of Ebola virus alone, and there may be no long-term protection. In fact, some of the researchers also found that the side effects of the vaccine for the user, such as joint pain and headaches. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SCROLL.IN]

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Neurologists have found a way to eliminate the phobia

Neuroscientists have found a way to eliminate the specific fear (phobia) of the brains of patients by using a combination of artificial intelligence (AI) and brain scanning technology. This technique is expected to change the lives of those who suffer from excruciating acute phobia.

The process is called Decoded Neurofeedback requires no conscious effort of the subjects to overcome their fears, but rely on identifying patterns of the brain associated with a certain fear, which then 'overwritten' by using a 'gift' system.

An extreme fear of spiders and other arachnids called Arachnophobia. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1gTy0j)

Even better, the phobia is gone forever after treatment. The researchers also say the technique will be used to treat a condition of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

"When inducing phobia memories in the brain, we were able to develop a fast and accurate method to read by using AI algorithms," explains Ben Seymour one of the researchers from the University of Cambridge, England.

"The challenge then is how to find ways to reduce or remove the phobia memory, without ever consciously raise it up again."

On the study involving 17 participants, and the scientists sought to associate a memory that triggers fear, with a prize or something positive.

One of the brain scans mapped with AI. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1gTxcu)

"As a result, the memory features that were previously set to predict a painful surprise, are now predicting something positive," said lead researcher Ai Koizumi of the Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International in Kyoto, Japan.

In further tests, when participants are confronted with pictures that can trigger the phobia, scientists no longer find any signs of fear or increased activity in the amygdala (part of the brain that processes fear).

This treatment technique was in contrast to conventional medical therapy, which exposes the patient directly to the cause of their fear. And conventional therapy is often successful. After trying hard to face his fears, most people just get rid of phobias.

But this new technique offers a treatment process which is completely painless for the patient is not even aware that they was on fight against their phobia. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SCIENCE ALERT]

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The first HIV vaccine efficacy study is conducted in South Africa

The first HIV vaccine efficacy study that will last seven years to test whether the modification of the candidate vaccine can provide effective protection against the virus that causes AIDS started in South Africa, says the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on Monday, 28 November 2016.

The study is called HVTN 702 was intended to enroll approximately 5,400 men and women aged 18 to 35 who are sexually active, and make the largest and most sophisticated clinical trials of HIV vaccines place in South Africa, in which more than 1,000 people are infected with HIV every day.

A 3D look at the HIV virus. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1gRfO1)

"When deployed together with our current weapons proven to prevent HIV, the vaccine is safe and effective could be the last nail in the coffin of HIV," said Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the NIH, and the organizers of these clinical trials.

"Even a moderately effective vaccine would significantly reduce the burden of HIV disease from time to time in countries and populations with high HIV infection rates such as South Africa."

The experimental vaccine regimen tested in HVTN 702 is based on the vaccine investigated in RV144 clinical trials in Thailand, showed that the vaccine was 31.2 percent effective in preventing infection during 3.5 years after vaccination.

The new vaccine regimen was adjusted to a prominent HIV subtype in Southern Africa and small preliminary clinical trials involving 252 people showed that it was safe for the study participants and the impact on the immune response comparable to that reported in RV144.

The new clinical trial conducted at 15 sites across South Africa aims to test whether the vaccine will provide greater protection and more continuous than the RV144 regimen.

Volunteers will be randomly be given the vaccine regimen that is still in the research or placebo. All participants will receive a total of five injections over a year and the results will be known late in 2020.

"HIV has claimed many deaths in South Africa, but now we begin scientific exploration could be very promising for our country," said Head of HVTN 702 Protocol Glenda Gray, who's also the president and chief executive of the Medical Research Council of South Africa.

"If the HIV vaccine successful in South Africa, it would dramatically change the course of the pandemic," she said as quoted by Xinhua news agency.

If you want to know briefly about HIV/AIDS (for men only), you can see it in The Manly Zone. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | NIAID | LIVESCIENCE | XINHUA NEWS]

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Not a Doctor, these Engineer have found a way to fix his Cardiac problems

Tal Golesworthy, an engineer from London, England had been scored his name in the history of the medical world. It started from a dilemma when he should selecting two deadly choice, Tal using his foresight as an engineer to give a new treatment alternatives.

As reported by Independent, on Wednesday, November 9, 2016, Tal was first sentenced to suffer from Marfan syndrome at the age of approximately 6 years. He inherit this condition from his father. People with Marfan syndrome typically have a slender bone, with an unusual height, as well as some joint problems and eye.

Tal Golesworthy credits his invention as the only thing keeping him alive for the past decade. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1g3FnT)

In addition to the visible effects from the outside, Marfan syndrome also causes the body can not produce the fibrillin protein perfectly. This protein is responsible for the flexibility of the body's tissues and blood vessels.

Regarding the blood vessels are not flexible. The aortic conditions are most dangerous. If a normal person, aorta will stretch or shrink as usual, but in patients with Marfan syndrome, the aorta will only stretch and did not return to its original state. Tal is already aware of his conditions, of the examination which he did in 2000, a team of doctors who examined him advised to surgery immediately to prevent the dangerous expansion of the aortic root.

At that time, Tal Golesworthy given two surgical options. The first option, Tal was offered to replace the enlarged aorta and also replace the heart valve with an artificial valve. The first option has a very large percentage of success. But after that the patient must regularly consume the anticoagulation drug on the rest of their life.

The second option is similar to the first option, but the cardiac valve is not replaced. The second way is more effective and does not require the anticoagulation drug consumption. However, it has a small percentage of success. Knowing these two choices are difficult, Tal chose refused the surgery.

In the dilemma between does not want to bear the terrible effects of the operation and did not want to give up, Tal then came up with the proposal of an engineer. According to Tal why should replace the existing components if they can be supported by a more simple tool.

The aortic wrapping sleeve called Personelaized External Aortic Root Support (PEARS) invented by Tal Golesworthy aims to halt the dangerous expansion of the aortic root. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1g3Hhf)

As quoted from 3D Printing Industry on Tuesday, November 15, 2016, Tal came up with the most effective solution. Tal tried to create a special wrapping sleeve so the dangerous expansion of the aortic root can be prevented but does not reduce the function of the aorta. 

The first, Tal's heart is scanned and printed with a 3D printer. From the heart models, then he designed an aortic wrapping sleeve that conforms to the shape of the aortic root. These aortic wrapping sleeve is then called by Personelaized External Aortic Root Support (PEARS).

Tal Golesworthy not a doctor or the medical activists. He needs a team of doctors to verify this new invented tool. It took almost four years to convince a team of doctors and perfecting the ideas. To improve the idea, Tal has done more than 30 hours to use the MRI scans to ensure compatibility between the aortic wrapping sleeve and the aorta itself.

In 2004, Tal became the first to attempt his discovery techniques. And his surgery was successful, and since then the threat of aortic dilation and heart failure in theory could have been avoided.

Since this success, Tal technique is known as one of the most effective treatment for Marfan syndrome cases. In 2013 there have been 34 patients who underwent similar surgery. All the operations were success and the patient experiences a significant change. 

Until now reported only one patient was died, but the cause of death was not associated with the heart disease. In fact, the patients who died five years after the operation was uncover new facts. Of the autopsy report stated that the aortic wrapping tool still attached in good condition. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | 3D PRINTING INDUSTRY | INDEPENDENT]

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