Yearly Archives: 2015
Nanoformulations for cancer therapy
Cancer is a major disease responsible for death in human beings. A lot of research has been performed to develop improved diagnostic tools as well as drugs to treat cancer. Effectiveness of therapeutics in cancerous malignancy is
Re-designing primary care
Understanding the needs, preferences, and goals related to their health is essential for doctors and other health care professionals to support and achieve their version of optimal health. The Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) is the largest
Predictive modeling of ion track formation during irradiation
Radiation is common in nature such as during the decay of radioisotopes in minerals and in space (cosmic radiation), but also in man-made environments, like fusion and fission reactors, nuclear waste disposal facilities, medical imaging and treatment.
NEIL2 repairs DNA damage within active genes, maintains chromosome end integrity, prevents inflammation
Mammalian cells are subjected to a plethora of exogenous and endogenous agents that cause damage to the cellular DNA. One of the major sources of such damage is oxygen-derived molecules and free radicals, collectively termed “Reactive Oxygen
Epilepsy spectrum disorders
Symptoms of mental illness (like depression or hallucinations) tend to change slowly overtime (with or without treatment). At time individuals may experience episodic symptoms like sudden and brief panic attacks or sudden and brief violent episodes. While
The first case of transcatheter intervention in an adult with Cor Triatriatum Sinister
Breathing was difficult on 4 liters of oxygen. Her weight had slipped below 100 pounds. For 51 years there was a defect in her heart, a membrane that split her left upper heart chamber, the left atrium,
Endovascular aortic repair: a simple explanation of its indication and common complications
The aorta is a major arterial channel carrying blood from the heart to the rest of the body. But some medical problems, such as high blood pressure along with wear and tear which occurs with aging, can
Can we trust survey data?
Provocative findings from survey data are a daily matter; we see them almost every day in the media, be it in the newspapers, in magazines, in the radio or in television. Most interest is paid to country-wide
Facile enzymatic synthesis of ketoses
Over the past decades, 11 rare ketopentoses and ketohexoses have been successfully synthesized by scientist. However, all the reported processes suffer from complicated purification steps, low yield, or expensive starting materials. Studies of rare ketoses have been
The sound of one hand clapping
Combat in the animal kingdom is pervasive. Animals fight to gain mates, food and suitable places to rest and they fight to protect what they have, be it food or young. But with fighting there is risk,
Structure-function relationships
This study compared a new form of visual field analysis, flicker defined form, with conventional analysis techniques and compared both with anatomical measurements of the retina. These measurements are important in the diagnosis and evaluation of glaucoma,
Artificial agents, good care, and modernity
Technology has always been used in health care. But what about robots and other automation technology? What about artificial agents: technological entities that act in a health care environment? Should they be allowed to take over care
Metabolic regulation by the intestinal hormone FGF19: From basic science to clinical application
Physiological adaptations of our body to changes in nutritional status induced by fasting or food intake occur various times per day and are crucial to maintain a healthy metabolic state. To meet this requirement, our body is
The quest for targeted therapy in fragile X syndrome
For many years we believed that most hereditary diseases were untreatable. However, hopes for a cure were raised following the discovery of genetic causes and better understanding of disease mechanisms. This elucidated new targets for therapy. The
A new technology welcomes you in smudge-free world
Windows, walls, and automobile interior repelling smudge are no longer a dream. A new paint has been invented at Queen’s University (Kingston, Ontario, Canada), which will reduce fingerprints deposition on glass, prevent graffiti/acid rain from historical statutes,
Antipsychotic medications in pregnancy: Balancing the needs of mother and child
Consider Jenny, first diagnosed with schizophrenia in her 20’s. After years of suffering the severe symptoms of her illness along with medication side-effects, she was commenced on a new class of medications, “atypical antipsychotics”. She was finally
What is the right blood transfusion trigger?
Blood transfusions are used in medical practice every day all over the world. Their use is largely aimed at restoration of the necessary number of red blood cells (erythrocytes), which main goal is to transport the oxygen
Control the frustration between molecular pairs with external stimuli-responsive motions
Given the growing importance of economic and sustainable chemical processes, chemists have been continuously devoting their efforts to the development of homogeneous systems for molecular transformations with earth – abundant elements. As such, much attention has recently
PDE2 is a potential new target for the treatment of cardiac hypertrophy
Heart failure is one of the leading causes of death in the Western World today. It typically involves a deficiency of the heart to provide sufficient blood flow and/or blood pressure to meet the requirements of the
Identifying doses in commercial liquid drugs sterilized by ionizing radiation
Drug sterilization with ionizing radiation, such as gamma-radiation using doses up to 25 kGy is a well-established technology, which can adequately eliminate bacteria by breaking down their DNA. This method is gaining ground due to its numerous
