Yearly Archives: 2015
Understanding the evolution of protein dynamics can lead to more effective non-toxic drug therapies
Proteins are macromolecules that play important roles in all living organisms. They protect the body from viruses and bacteria, control chemical reactions, transmit signals between cells and organs, and transport other molecules to places in the body
Natural compound-drugs are trending
Doing scientific research on natural compounds isolated from herbs and other plants is a very exciting, and can have a direct influence on human health, since such compounds have the potential to be developed in very successful
Changing the image of Gout
Gout is the most common arthritis of patients over 40 years of age. Many phycians treat these gouty attacks but do not realize that they should also care for the underlying urate accumulation. It is not only
Blood-based biomarkers for multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated, inflammatory demyelinating and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system (CNS). MS is classified in: relapsing–remitting (RRMS), characterized by acute attacks followed by partial or complete recovery periods; primary progressive (PPMS),
The interplay of the ticking clock and miRNA in differentiation of endothelial precursors
Our day-today activities like sleep-wake cycle, hormone release, body temperature and other important bodily functions follow a characteristic rhythm over 24 hours called a circadian rhythm. A ‘master clock’ in brain termed as suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) co-ordinates
Promoting resilience to cognitive impairment associated with sleep deprivation
Chronic sleep loss is a common problem in our society; an estimated 50-70 million adults in the United States have sleep or wakefulness disorder (Institute of Medicine, 2006). Insufficient sleep is co-morbid with chronic problems such as
When sulfur meets oxidant
Transition-metal-catalyzed oxidative cross-coupling between boronic acids and heteroatom nucleophiles has been well known as the Chan−Lam reaction and emerged as a powerful protocol for the construction of carbon-nitrogen bonds or carbon-oxygen bonds, due to a variety of
Two views on the protein folding puzzle
Protein chain folding is a miracle. The protein chain is gene-encoded and initially has no structure (Fig. 1, left panel). Its intricate structure (Fig. 1, right), with every atom in its unique position, results from spontaneous folding.
Protein expression is useful to screen high risk patients for cancer
Endometrial cancer is the most common type of uterine cancer in the United States. The American Cancer Society estimates 54,870 newly diagnosed endometrial cancer cases and 10,170 deaths caused by endometrial cancer in 2015. Most patients (~80%) have a subtype called
Bees get their ‘fix’ in virtual reality
How does a small insect, with its tiny eyes and brain, see the world it moves through? Obviously an insect can’t answer our question directly, so scientists have developed other means to uncover the answers. One approach
Are users satisfied with single sign-on technologies in ER?
In the past few years, many healthcare-related applications and computers devices have been installed in healthcare settings. The regulatory requirements have driven the expansion of the electronic health record (EHR) and electronic structured data reporting. Activities traditionally
Dragon fruit-like multifunctional probe for cancer precision theranostics
Along with the rapid rhythm of human lives, more and more fatal diseases have been surprisingly invading public health. Health is the greatest wealth, health is not equal to everything, but lose health will lose everything. Aside
Fighting (for iron) to survive: therapeutic avenues for aspergillus fumigatus infections
Aspergillus fumigatus (Af), a common fungus, frequently infects the lungs of patients with compromised immune systems. Despite progress in developing anti-fungal agents, Af infections still cause a significant number of deaths, making new treatment options necessary to
The TMPRSS2-ERG fusion gene radiosensitizes to PARP inhibition by blocking DNA repair
Radiotherapy, which is used widely in the clinic, produces DNA damage that leads to DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). The effectiveness of radiotherapy is augmented when the DNA repair is impaired. TMPRSS2-ERG is a unique fusion gene that
Sandwiches to better understand cells
The human body is formed by complex organ systems. These organ systems are moreover composed by cells of different types that have to co-operate in order to make the body work properly. This is the reason why
Mitochondrial ROS and cancer drug resistance
The repetitive and continuous circle of resistance to anti-cancer agents was a primary focus of the above-titled articles recently published in Pharmacological Research. Gaining a basic understanding of why so many (possibly all) drugs currently available against
The First Fe-based sodium-ion cathode with two distinct type of polyanions
The current lithium-ion battery technology finds wide applications, powering cell phones, laptops, and electric vehicles. In 1991, Sony announced the first-generation of commercial Li-ion batteries, which composed of LiCoO2 cathode and graphite anode. Such cells have the
“Metal cats”: on the presence of chemical elements in feline reproductive system
Our cats may have their own ways but they still have a lot in common with humans. For example they suffer from similar diseases: diabetes mellitus, overactive thyroid or Alzheimers. However, most importantly, they often inhabit nearly
What, why, how? Everyday sunscreen protection
The electromagnetic radiation which reaches the Earth from the Sun has an extensive impact on life. Very high energy components of the solar spectrum, gamma rays and X-rays for example, are reflected by Earth’s upper atmosphere, protecting
Breast cancer cells change and adapt during disease progression
A diagnosis of breast cancer usually includes characterisation of the breast cancer cells: determining if the tumour cells have hormone receptors and other proteins which will help to decide the best treatment options for the patient. This
