Monthly Archives: January 2016
Regucalcin controls prostate cell proliferation and glycolytic metabolism
Regucalcin (RGN) is a protein with multiple functions and facets, which seems to play an important role in tissue cell homeostasis by regulating the equilibrium between cell survival/proliferation and death, and also in the control of cell
Learning from evolution to target cancer with combinatorial strategies
Chemotherapy is the most prominently used therapy for many cancers yet it effects multiple and, in many cases, unknown targets. Of the most modern advancements in cancer treatment is the targeting of single key gene products, for
AntiVEGF therapy: hidden changes on heart and vessels
VEGF (Vascular endothelial growth factor) is a protein normally present in our organism that promotes the growth of new blood vessels, a process known as angiogenesis. Cancer cells produce this substance in large quantity, obtaining a continuous
Migraine, lifestyle, childhood
Migraine is one of the most frequently reported somatic complaints in childhood, with a negative impact on health-related quality of life. Headaches in childhood are subtended by primary headache syndromes with a significant negative impact on the
Headache is the third leading cause of disability in the world
Three years ago, the medical journal Lancet published the third Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study (GBD 2010). We wrote then of the political significance, and promise, of this report for people with headache. Migraine, an under-recognised,
What role do medications play in changes in sexual activity after a heart problem?
Heart disease affects millions of people worldwide. While advances in medical treatment have allowed many with heart disease to live longer, healthier lives, changes in quality of life often occur. This is particularly true for sexual activity,
Complementary therapies can increase survival in cancer patients
It is well known that a large percentage of cancer patients use some form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), usually with the goal of improving quality of life, providing supportive care as well as relieving pain
Metformin is a potential remedy for the treatment of Gaucher disease
Glycosphingolipids (GSLs) are amphipathic compounds consisting of oligosaccharides and hydrophobic chain of ceramide. They are ubiquitously distributed in the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane and believed to be involved in a large number of cellular processes,
Replacement of saturated with unsaturated fats had no impact on vascular function but beneficial effects on lipid biomarkers and blood pressure
Disease of the heart and blood vessels (referred to as cardiovascular disease (CVD)) is the primary cause of death worldwide. A key public health recommendation for reducing the risk of developing CVD is to lower our intake of
CITED1 is a potential therapeutic target for metastatic melanoma
Cancer kills over 8 million people every year. What makes it so deadly is its ability to spread from the organ where it originates to the rest of the body, a process known as metastasis. Even though
Contraception protects females against germline tumours… in worms
Genetic females of the nematode worm C. elegans initially produce 30-40 oocytes that accumulate in two U-shaped gonad arms, after which oocyte production ceases until a male is encountered. Oocyte accumulation is perceived as a signal that
Drinking tea lowers blood pressure
High blood pressure is a common condition in which the chronic force of the blood to the walls of the arteries may eventually cause health problems. According to the World Health Organization, high blood pressure causes almost
Employing more nurse practitioners can lower health care costs
We all want to have access to health care when we are not feeling well and we want to do so without breaking our budget. However there is growing concern about the availability of care and the
Association of polymorphism gene with clinical variability in cystic fibrosis patients
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited disease, caused by a dysfunction (mutation) in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. This disease affects a numerous organs particularly the lungs and digestive system. CF is characterized by
A new drug to prevent vomiting from cancer treatment
Vomiting after drug treatment for cancer used to be a major problem. However 2 different types of drugs were introduced which reduced this vomiting. The first was ondansetron which was very effective for the vomiting which occurred
Plant flavonoids prevent cancer progression through suppression of new blood vessel formation
Flavonoids are a sub-family of polyphenolic compounds. They are abundantly found in plants and known to have inhibitory properties in the initiation, promotion and progression of invasive cancers. Cancer progression is a complex process. It is mainly
An innovative method to increase access to surgery worldwide
One of the major health challenges facing almost two thirds of the world’s population is a lack of access to safe life-saving surgery. Picture a scenario where a loved one is involved in a terrifying accident and
Ability of four vitamin D assays to measure vitamin D2
Vitamin D, the sunshine hormone, is essential for healthy bones. Vitamin D is found in two basic forms in nature—vitamin D3 which is made by skin exposed to sun rays (cholecaliferol), and vitamin D2 which is made
From the gut to the eye: commensal microbes as potential triggers of autoimmune uveitis
Autoimmune uveitis is a group of inflammatory diseases that affect the retina of the eye and related tissues and constitute a major cause of human blindness. It is believed that the disease is triggered by the activation
Biodiesel synthesis in response to individual short chain fatty acids during mixotrophic mode of microalgal cultivation
Growing concern over fuel crisis and global climate change has led to substantial investment and research into alternative fuel sources. In this prospect, photosynthetic organisms have huge potential for biofuels production in a carbon neutral way with
