Monthly Archives: February 2016
The many faces of macrophages in lung cancer
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide, accounting for more deaths than breast, prostate, and colon cancer combined. Within the past decade, the role of the immune system in the development and progression of
Neurodegeneration-associated RNA-binding protein, FUS, regulates mRNA length
RNA processing, including alternative regulations of transcription initiation, splicing, and 3’ end formation of pre – mRNA, is a highly specialized mechanism that enables to generate multiple isoforms from a single gene. This mechanism expands transcriptome and
Understanding conifer responses to environmental changes
Conifers are a group of ancient plants that include tree species of great ecological and economical relevance. Inside this group, we can found trees such as pines, cedars, firs, spruces or cypresses. Coniferous forests dominate vast regions
More than meets the eye in seemingly random wild population abundances
In the wild, animal populations are not fixed but rather fluctuate in size over time in a seemingly random fashion. At first glance is there is no rhyme or reason to this apparent randomness, but we analyzed
Key elements of proteins involved in the bacterial production of the toxin methylmercury
Mercury is a prevalent global pollutant that has adverse effects on human health. This toxin is present in the environment not only as a result of releases during natural events, such as volcanic eruptions, forest fires and
Harmful algal blooms in the Mar Piccolo: what effect may they have on local mariculture?
More than 70% of the world’s human population lives in the coastal environments and in recent years, population growth and related human activities (agriculture, wastewater treatment plans, urban runoff) have increased nutrient inputs (inorganic fertilizing compounds) in
Pitfalls in Acanthamoeba genotyping
Acanthamoeba is a protozoan (a eukaryotic microorganism), widespread in several natural environments such as soil and water as a free-living microbial predator. However, it may occasionally infect humans and other animals causing diseases, like keratitis, a sight-threatening
Get yourself to eat your way out of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases
A cells health is maintained by numerous biological processes one of which termed autophagy (or self-eating) involves the breakdown of parts of the cell in an orderly manner, this is in order to generate energy and replace
The molecular analysis of tumor cells in pancreatic tissue – searching for a needle in a haystack
In cancer research usually the tumor cell specific abnormalities are of interest: gene mutations, production of abnormal proteins, production of abnormal quantity of proteins, tumor cells treatment response. But the molecular analysis of pancreatic tumor samples poses
Do Bucentaur family proteins represent true monsters in the fight against stress?
The BCNT (Bucentaur) protein family, which is conserved from fungi to humans, is classified by the presence of an ~80 amino acid sequence at the C-terminus called BCNT-C. Family members in fungi, flies, fish, and chicken play
Ethnicity: “Ancient” or “Modern”?
State-building is problematic in a fractious environment in which ethnic groups war against each other and resist incorporation into the state. That ethnic groups may be an important barrier to state-building raises the question: Why it is
Building a matrix mediated cell expansion system for high-quality cartilage regeneration
Articular cartilage is a tissue found in joints throughout the body (knees, elbows, etc.) that plays a significant role in allowing the body to maintain proper movement and engage in physical activities; it also supports the transfer
A new water-filled channel that transports metabolites of peroxisomes
Peroxisomes are the detoxifier of almost all nucleated cells. Their name was given in respect to their capability of eliminating reactive oxygen species like hydrogen peroxide. As round-shaped membrane enclosed vesicles, they can have variable sizes from
New therapy for itch in the future
Chronic itch is a major and distressing symptom in dermatological diseases including atopic eczema and significantly impairs the patient’s quality of life. In current, millions of people worldwide suffer from chronic itch. However, it is poorly treated.
Placental transfer of the HIV drug dolutegravir in a human ex vivo perfusion model
The fetus of an HIV-positive woman has a 25% chance of becoming infected during pregnancy. HIV medicines have shown to be highly effective in preventing fetal infection with HIV. A part of the efficacy but also the
Erasing atherosclerosis with nanoparticles and near-infrared laser
The advent of nanomedicine and near-infrared (NIR) optics allows the development and design of tools that enhance diagnosis and treatment of atherosclerosis. Clinical application of these technologies is anticipated in the near future. Our trial called NANOM-FIM
A cancers addiction to glutamine affects the whole body and could lead to complex skin rashes
Signs or symptoms far from the vicinity of a developing cancer in the body can give clues of its presence (paraneoplastic syndromes). The skin can offer visible markers of abnormal metabolic activity caused by tumourigenesis, in the
Cutting behavior of three different NiTi endodontic instruments
The objective of the endodontic treatment is cleaning and shaping the root canal system allowing ideal irrigation and obturation. This preparation and disinfection are accomplished by the cutting action of rotary endodontic instruments with the help of
Providing isotopes that can pinpoint disease in the body
President Eisenhower’s “atoms for Peace” initiative started the movement to explore peaceful uses of radioactive atoms, and today one use of radioactivity is to diagnose and treat diseases. Radioactive atoms are unstable atoms that decay by characteristic
Work status of Q fever patients and patients with Legionnaires’ disease
Q fever is an infectious disease that causes flu-like symptoms such as fever and headache, often accompanied by pneumonia. In addition, Q fever can continue to cause symptoms, long after patients became infected. Fatigue is one of
