June 28th, 2012 at 2:32PM
realfakescientist: Credit: (blood cells, left) Ery Haufen; (iceman, right) © South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology When Ötzi the Iceman was alive 5300 years ago, eating ibex and deer and traipsing over the Alps, his veins pulsed with blood. But when Ötzi’s frozen, mummified body was discovered in 1991, his vessels were empty; scientists assumed his blood had degraded over time. Now, a team of researchers has zoomed in on two spots on the Iceman’s body: a shoulder wound found with an embedded arrowhead and a hand lesion resembling a stab wound. The scientists used atomic force microscopy, a visualization method with resolution of less than a nanometer, to scan the wounds for blood residue. They discovered red blood cells (inset)—the oldest in the world to be found intact—as well as fibrin, a protein needed for blood to clot, they report today in Journal of the Royal Society Interface. The presence of fibrin indicates that Ötzi didn’t die immediately after being wounded. Next, the researchers plan to study the blood cells for changes in molecular structure due to dehydration and aging. Such analyses could help forensic experts pick up on more subtle changes that reveal the age of younger blood cells, such as those from crime scenes. 

realfakescientist:

Credit: (blood cells, left) Ery Haufen; (iceman, right) © South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology

When Ötzi the Iceman was alive 5300 years ago, eating ibex and deer and traipsing over the Alps, his veins pulsed with blood. But when Ötzi’s frozen, mummified body was discovered in 1991, his vessels were empty; scientists assumed his blood had degraded over time. Now, a team of researchers has zoomed in on two spots on the Iceman’s body: a shoulder wound found with an embedded arrowhead and a hand lesion resembling a stab wound. The scientists used atomic force microscopy, a visualization method with resolution of less than a nanometer, to scan the wounds for blood residue. They discovered red blood cells (inset)—the oldest in the world to be found intact—as well as fibrin, a protein needed for blood to clot, they report today in Journal of the Royal Society Interface. The presence of fibrin indicates that Ötzi didn’t die immediately after being wounded. Next, the researchers plan to study the blood cells for changes in molecular structure due to dehydration and aging. Such analyses could help forensic experts pick up on more subtle changes that reveal the age of younger blood cells, such as those from crime scenes. 

17 notes Source: sciencemag.org #otzi#human biology#biology#haematology#blood#erythrocytes#red blood cells
June 3rd, 2012 at 6:57PM
medicalschool: Partially dried red blood cells clotted on the cotton fibers of a gauze wound dressing

medicalschool:

Partially dried red blood cells clotted on the cotton fibers of a gauze wound dressing

(via fromrussiawithmike-deactivated2)

634 notes Source: medicalschool #erythrocytes#red blood cells#cell biology#cellular biology#cell#coagulation#blood clot
June 1st, 2012 at 6:29AM
nurse-with-a-smile: Anemia: Definition: a deficiency of RBCs characterized by a decreased RBC count, Hgb, or Hct. Anemia is a clinical sign that results in decreased oxygen delivery to the cells. Contributing Factors: Acute or chronic blood loss [GI bleeding] Greater than normal destruction of RBCs [spleen diseases] Abnormal bone marrow function [chemotherapy] Decreased erythropoietin [renal failure] Inadequate maturation of RBCs [cancer] Nutritional deficiencies [iron, B12, folic acid, intrinsic factor]  Manifestations: Fatigue, dizziness, and weakness Pallor: first seen in conjuctival area [Caucasians] and oral area [dark-skinned persons], as well as the nail beds, the palmar creases, and around the mouth Tachycardia, murmurs and gallops, and orthostatic hypotension Decreased activity tolerance Decreased Hgb, Hct, and RBC levels SOB and dyspnea; decreased SaO2 levels Increased fatigue and headache Nursing Interventions: Monitor labs [RBC, Hgb, and Hct] Encourage acitivity as tolerated by the client with frequent rest periods Monitor skin integrity and implement measures to prevent breakdown Provide oxygen therapy as needed Administer blood products and medications as prescribed

nurse-with-a-smile:

Anemia:

Definition: a deficiency of RBCs characterized by a decreased RBC count, Hgb, or Hct. Anemia is a clinical sign that results in decreased oxygen delivery to the cells.

Contributing Factors:

  • Acute or chronic blood loss [GI bleeding]
  • Greater than normal destruction of RBCs [spleen diseases]
  • Abnormal bone marrow function [chemotherapy]
  • Decreased erythropoietin [renal failure]
  • Inadequate maturation of RBCs [cancer]
  • Nutritional deficiencies [iron, B12, folic acid, intrinsic factor] 

Manifestations:

  • Fatigue, dizziness, and weakness
  • Pallor: first seen in conjuctival area [Caucasians] and oral area [dark-skinned persons], as well as the nail beds, the palmar creases, and around the mouth
  • Tachycardia, murmurs and gallops, and orthostatic hypotension
  • Decreased activity tolerance
  • Decreased Hgb, Hct, and RBC levels
  • SOB and dyspnea; decreased SaO2 levels
  • Increased fatigue and headache

Nursing Interventions:

  • Monitor labs [RBC, Hgb, and Hct]
  • Encourage acitivity as tolerated by the client with frequent rest periods
  • Monitor skin integrity and implement measures to prevent breakdown
  • Provide oxygen therapy as needed
  • Administer blood products and medications as prescribed

(via fuckyeahnarcotics)

38 notes Source: nurse-with-a-smile #blood#haematology#erythrocytes#red blood cells#notes#biology#human biology#disease
May 28th, 2012 at 6:15PM
37 notes Source: kylepredki #humour#cell biology#erythrocytes#red blood cells
April 22nd, 2012 at 5:49PM
fuckyeahmolecularbiology: Coloured SEM image of a coronary artery teeming with red blood cells (centre). Image Source: Science Photo Library.

fuckyeahmolecularbiology:

Coloured SEM image of a coronary artery teeming with red blood cells (centre).

Image Source: Science Photo Library.

781 notes Source: amolecularmatter #blood#erythrocytes#haematology#red blood cells#cells