Chemokines are small proteins that form a specific class or subgroup of signaling molecules called cytokines. Note that the word “chemokines” is a neologism for “chemotactic cytokines” coined in 1992 during the Third Symposium on Chemotactic Cytokines. Note that “chemotaxis” pertains to the movement of an organism or cells in response to a chemical stimulus […]
Tag Archives: Biology
Role of Cytokines: Immunomodulating Agents
Cytokines are immunomodulating agents responsible for regulating the immune response. They are produced and secreted by certain immune and non-immune cells. More specifically, they are a broad and loose category of small proteins that collectively function as a significant communication mechanism used by the immune system and the body in general. Functions and Roles in […]
Dexamethasone as COVID-19 Treatment: An Overview
Preliminary results from clinical trials in the United Kingdom suggested that low-dose dexamethasone could reduce death rates by about 30 percent of critically ill COVID-19 patients. The World Health Organization welcomed these results on 16 June 2020. Hence, the administration of this medication has been positioned as a viable and specific treatment option. Possible Explanation […]
Survivability of SARS-CoV-2 in the Environment
The SARS-CoV-2 virus, previously known by the provisional name nCoV-2019 and the particular coronavirus responsible for COVID-19, has the potential to survive outside of a host and in the environment for several days, thereby making it virulent and a potentially disease-causing contaminant. Remember that the primary mode of transmission of the virus is through tiny […]
Handwashing 101: How Does Soap Work?
The World Health Organization and other medical associations across the world have recommended handwashing using soap as one of the preventive measures against transmissible diseases. In fact, during the Ebola outbreak in Africa and COVID-19 pandemic, proper hand hygiene has been advanced as one of the solutions for containing these diseases. The Science Behind Handwashing […]
Difference Between COVID-19, Influenza, and Colds
The emergence of coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 in December 2019 in China and the subsequent global outbreak beginning in January 2020 have raised another concern: how is it different from influenza or flu and the common cold? Remember that COVID-19 is caused by a type of coronavirus now called SARS-CoV-2 […]
The Characteristics of Coronaviruses
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause diseases in mammalian, avian, and reptilian species. Note that some species such as bats serve as mere reservoirs of these viruses without causing symptoms associated with an infection. In humans, some of these viruses can cause respiratory tract infections with varying severity ranging from mild illnesses […]
What is the Wuhan Institute of Virology?
The Wuhan Institute of Virology or WIV is a research institute administered by the Chinese Academy of Sciences or CAS that specializes in virology. Located in Jiangxia District, Wuhan City, in the Province of Hubei, it has been regarded as a world-class institution due to its contribution in the fields of virology, immunology, and microbiology. […]
Here’s Why SARS-CoV-2 is NOT a Lab-Made Bioweapon from China
A report published by The Washington Times made a case for linking the 2019 novel coronavirus or SARS-COV-2, previously known as 2019-nCoV, to a Chinese covert biological weapons program, thereby suggesting that the Wuhan outbreak originated from a laboratory accident. Arguments for Linking the Novel Coronavirus to a Bioweapons Program The evidence? A rebroadcasted television […]
Difference Between Viruses, Viroids, and Prions
There are three known types of non-living pathogens or infectious agents that affect living organisms. Of course, viral infections are frequently heard alongside bacterial and fungal infections. However, two other types of non-living organic agents also affect living organisms. These are viroids and prions. What are Viroids and Prions? What is the Difference Between Viruses, […]