Polarized light therapy: Illuminating immunity
What is it?: Light has been used as an alternative mode for the treatment of diseases, since the ancient Egyptians basked in the sun to restore their energy. Phototherapies are modern treatments in which light is used
A new strategy against cancer cells. Targeting the Rho-GTPases interactions: The case of the new compound 1A116
For the last decades scientist have been working hard to find cancer´s Achilles heel to design and develop more specific and efficacious therapeutic strategies for cancer. It has become clear that altered cell signaling is a key
Estimating effects of new psychoactive substances (NPS) based on in vitro neurotoxicity data
The use of new psychoactive substances (NPS) is increasing and currently > 600 NPS have been reported. However, limited information on neuropharmacological and toxicological effects of NPS is available, hampering risk characterization. We reviewed the literature on
Bioartificial liver constructs
The liver with high regenerative capability performs a complex array of synthetic, metabolic, immunologic and detoxification functions to regulate the physiological homeostasis of the human body. Viral infections, drug induced liver injury, hepatocellular carcinoma, autoimmune disorders, alcoholic
The antibiotics of tomorrow: from enzyme Lego blocks to customized enzybiotics
Antibiotics play a key role in the treatment of bacterial infections and have saved millions of lives since their invention. Moreover, they allowed the development of complex surgeries and cancer treatments. However, already in 1945, after receiving
The role of oxidative stress in Type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a major health concern that affects people no matter their gender, race, or socio-economic background is. In type 2 diabetes, a person’s body stops responding efficiently to insulin after a meal. This desensitization
Impact of digestion on the transport of macromolecule loaded nanoemulsion through intestine epithelium
The oral route, being the most convenient route for patients, has been extensively explored for the delivery of large molecular weight hydrophilic drugs. Oral delivery of macromolecules such as peptides and proteins has been a challenge due
Origin and fate of radionuclides in Swiss soils
Soils profiles from protected recharge fields used for drinking water production were drilled and analysed for radionuclides, such as radiocesium (137Cs), radiostrontium (90Sr) and plutonium (239+240Pu). Inventories and distribution of the radionuclides were compared with an uncultivated
Optimization of multi-omic genome-scale models
Metabolism is the set of biochemical reactions in a cell that maintain its living state. As these reactions are essential, it is vital that metabolic networks in all living organisms are well-characterized. This can be achieved by
Molecular mechanisms of gastrointestinal disorders caused by general anesthesia
Nowadays it is impossible to imagine surgery procedures without general anesthesia. From the wide variety of general anaesthetics both intravenous (such as propofol, ketamine, fentanyl etc.) and inhalation anesthetics (such as isoflurane, sevoflurane, desflurane etc.) are some
Oncogenic role of CircPVT1 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of endogenous non-coding RNAs that have recently shown to behave as gene regulators in eukaryotic cells, extending our previous knowledge regarding the diversity and complexity of the transcriptome. Nowadays, circRNAs have
Nerve conduction inhibition by various antidepressants used to alleviate chronic pain
Information of nociceptive stimuli given to the periphery is transmitted through the dorsal root to the superficial spinal dorsal horn, and then flows to the primary-sensory area of the cerebrum through the brainstem and thalamus, causing pain
New inflammatory properties of nanoparticles (NPs): NPs can alter the biology of human eosinophils
The term nanoparticles (NPs) refer to particles with a very small size ranging in the nanometer scale. One nanometer (nm) is a unit of measure corresponding to a billionth of a meter. In general, the definition of
Shedding new light on the causes and treatment of chronic unexplained stomach symptoms
Across the world, about one in six people suffer from chronic stomach symptoms, including feeling very full and uncomfortable or bloated after eating, being unable to finish a normal sized meal and experiencing after meals frequent stomach
Aflatoxin B1: a foodborne contaminant which impairs sperm quality and fertilization competence
The gradual decline in fertility of human and farm animals over the past few decades coincides with intensive industrial and agricultural development. Multiple environmental factors affect sperm function and fertility, among them are aflatoxins, poisonous byproducts of
Genomics-based selective breeding of forest trees
The selective breeding of forest trees is a long-term endeavor requiring sustained organizational and financial commitments, and follows the recurrent selection scheme with protracted repeated cycles of selection, mating and testing. This process encounters numerous challenges including
Artifacts in AFM topography images of TMD monolayers
Initially motivated by work with graphene, the broad class of two dimensional (2D) materials has generated enormous interest. Monolayers and heterostructures of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have attracted intense investigation as the long awaited 2D semiconductor analogs
Prenatal exposure to bisphenol A and phthalates may modify fetal adipokines
Bisphenol A and phthalates are widely detected in human urine, blood, breast milk, and amniotic fluid. Bisphenol A is widely used in polycarbonate products, such as epoxy resins used as coatings on the inside of many food
Absence of bilirubin increases oxidative stress in vivo
Oxidative stress, defined as an imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants in favor of the former, is a hallmark of many diseases, including cardiovascular disease (CVD) and related metabolic syndrome. Modifying uncontrolled oxidative stress may attenuate the development
Capillary number in the “late” pattern correlates with the progression of organ involvement in systemic sclerosis
Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune rheumatic disease characterized by vascular alterations and tissue fibrosis of multiple organs. Vascular structural alterations are detected early and seem to play an important role in SSc pathogenesis. Microvascular damage is
