RESUMO
To study the effect of non-ionic contrast media on anticoagulated and non-anticoagulated human whole blood samples, calorimetric measurements were performed. The anticoagulated plasma showed the greatest fall in the total ΔH after Iodixanol treatment. The plasma-free erythrocytes revealed a pronounced shift in the Tmax and a decrease in the ΔH of hemoglobin and transferrin. The total ΔH of Iodixanol treatment showed the highest decline, while Iomeprol and Iobitridol had fewer adverse effects. Similarly, the non-anticoagulated samples revealed a decrease both in the Tmax and the ΔH of albumin and immunoglobulin-specific transitions. The total ΔH showed that Iodixanol had more influence on the serum. The serum-free erythrocyte samples resulted in a significant drop in the Tmax of erythrocyte and transferrin (~5-6 °C). The ΔH of deconvolved hemoglobin and transferrin decreased considerably; however, the ΔH of albumin increased. Surprisingly, compared to Iomeprol and Iobitridol treatments, the total ΔH of Iodixanol was less pronounced in the non-anticoagulated erythrocyte samples. In sum, each non-ionic contrast medium affected the thermal stability of anticoagulated and non-anticoagulated erythrocyte proteins. Interestingly, Iodixanol treatment caused more significant effects. These findings suggest that conformational changes in blood components can occur, which can potentially lead to the increased prevalence of cardiovascular dysfunctions and blood clotting.
RESUMO
Introduction: In our globalised world, the role of intercultural competence in healthcare is increasing as societies become multicultural. The development of this competence should start in medical education. Objective: In our qualitative study among Hungarian medical students, we sought to find out to what extent the multicultural student composition of our elective course contributes to the development of their intercultural competence. Method: In our action research, semistructured focus group interviews were conducted with 35 Hungarian medical students between April and November, 2021. The transcripts of the digitally recorded interviews were evaluated using qualitative methods. Results: After a thematic analysis of the interviews, the vast majority of the students' opinions could be classified into one of the following four thematic categories: 1) the benefits of studying together with international students, 2) the development of cultural awareness, 3) the development of an open mindset, and 4) the expected longterm impact of intercultural competence on medical work. Overall, Hungarian students evaluated their learning in the multicultural course positively. Based on the results of the focus group interviews, it can be claimed that by the end of the semester, the Hungarian students' perceived intercultural competence had improved due to the course and its multicultural composition. Conclusion: The course, with its multicultural student population, can contribute to and promote the acquisition of intercultural competence, which in the long run can be effectively used by future doctors both in patient care and in effective communication within healthcare teams as well as in international medical, research and scientific collaborations. Providing a multicultural student environment in the classroom, including interactive teaching methodologies and intercultural project work, have many potentials to make the learning-teaching process more effective and could be applied in the future when developing new courses.
Assuntos
Educação Médica , Estudantes de Medicina , Humanos , Competência Cultural , Diversidade Cultural , AprendizagemRESUMO
SARS-CoV-2 infections are responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. Transferrin has been found to explain the link between diseases associated with impaired iron transport and COVID-19 infection. The effect of SARS-CoV-2 on human whole blood was studied by differential scanning calorimetry. The analysis of the thermal transition curves showed that the melting temperature of the transferrin-related peak decreased in the presence of SARS-CoV-2. The ratio of the under-curve area of the two main peaks was greatly affected, while the total enthalpy of the heat denaturation remained nearly unchanged in the presence of the virus. These results indicate that SARS-CoV-2, through binding to transferrin, may influence its Fe3+ uptake by inducing thermodynamic changes. Therefore, transferrin may remain in an iron-free apo-conformational state, which depends on the SARS-CoV-2 concentration. SARS-CoV-2 can induce disturbance in erythropoiesis due to toxicity generated by free iron overload.
