Monthly Archives: February 2016
Where leprosy still lives
Leprosy affected 214,000-300,000 people per year globally between 2005 and 2014. It remains as a public health problem, particularly in the poorest communities of developing countries, such as India, Brazil and Indonesia. Globally, these three countries accounted
Out of thin air – how marine bacteria beat nitrogen limitation
Nitrogen (N), one of life’s most important building blocks, is often in short supply; both on land and in the ocean (Fig. 1). This shortage means that N is often the factor limiting the growth and abundance
Genetics and dietary stress explain low calcium absorption
It is well understood that osteoporosis is influenced by a variety of environmental factors such as age, nutrition, and race. Calcium absorption is one of these important factors and low levels of calcium absorption have been associated
Going my way? A tale of enzyme recruitment and activation
Protein synthesis is an energetically costly cellular process, in part due to the metabolic requirements of ribosome assembly and gene-specific messenger RNA (mRNA) production. Consequently, biosynthetic flux through the protein translation pathway is tightly regulated while translational
Specific danger signals associate with non-infection-related COPD exacerbations
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive and chronic lung disease, leading to difficulties with breathing for the patients. This is caused by the destruction of the lung sacs (alveoli), called emphysema and by inflammation of
Catalytic carbon-carbon bond formation
A chemical reaction is the transformation of one or more reagents into one or more products that takes place at a characteristic rate depending on the energy needed to activate the process. A catalyst is a substance
ATF3-dependent cross-talk between cardiomyocytes and macrophages promotes cardiac maladaptive remodeling
Cardiovascular diseases are disorders of the heart and blood vessels which are leading to heart failure. Cardiovascular diseases correspond to 30% of all deaths in the world. The molecular processes that undergone from a healthy heart to
Reversibility of FXTAS
Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome or FXTAS is a relatively unknown neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive development of tremor, ataxia, parkinsonism, and psychiatric problems. The cause of the disease is a so-called premutation in the FMR1 gene, located
Lutetium-177 radioisotope targeted therapy for treatment of cancer and other diseases
By their nature, radioactive isotopes are unstable and can change to more stable forms by radioactive decay and emission of different types of radiation. This emitted radiation is useful for cancer treatment which includes placement of “sealed”
G protein signaling: a major culprit of essential hypertension
Blood pressure (BP) is the driving force that distributes the blood to the organs of the body according to their instantanous needs. It may be increased by pressor agents acting on the heart, vessels, and blood volume,
Cerium fluoride nanoparticles protect cells against oxidative stress
Nano-biomaterials engineering is one of today’s most promising areas of materials science. In very recent years, nanocrystalline cerium oxide (nanoceria) has been shown to possess enormous biological activity, which originates from its ability to scavenge the reactive
Species are always important
This review is based on the premise that all species are important to life on earth even if the exact role or value of a species has not been formally documented. Recently, many surprising and unexpected roles
Binding study of fibrinogen and albumin to metal oxide nanoparticles and its relevance in nanomedicine
The binding of proteins to different inorganic surfaces plays an important role in natural processes such as the growth of bone tissue (protein-mineral interactions) and in biotechnological and biomedical applications. Recently, the binding of proteins to metal
Antibiotics: what patients don’t know
Antibiotics are among the most frequently prescribed and precious medicines we have. They cure infections if used correctly but overuse, underuse and usage errors pose risks to patients and the community. Risks include excess side effects, uncured
The behaviors of microplastics in the marine environment
Due to their inexpensive, lightweight and durable properties, plastics hold a highly prevalent place in contemporary society, with extensive commercial, industrial, medicinal and municipal applications. Most of plastics are used in single-use applications, or other short-lived products.
What’s in your water? Using DNA to keep drinking waters clean
Turn on a tap, and many of us will be greeted with safe and clean drinking water. This is something that people living in developed nations often take for granted, as contaminated drinking water is a significant
Light as a green tool in pharmaceutical approach: myths, reality and possibility
Daylight is an electromagnetic photo-radiation that comprises visible and ultraviolet lights. Since the beginning of creation and light is being used in both simple and complicated biological processes, for example plants use the light energy in the
Males who take citicoline show increased motor speed and attention
Citicoline is marketed as a nutritional supplement in the United States and has been shown to influence cellular metabolism in the brain and to contribute to the synthesis of essential neurotransmitters including acetylcholine and dopamine. Citicoline is
Human papillomavirus infection and vaccination
Human papillamoavirus (HPV) is an infection that can be sexually transmitted. A person can get HPV by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with another person who has the virus. HPV infections are the most common sexually
Arrestin-enolase protein complex as a new auto antigen in heart disease
Over the past two decades, evidence of a pathogenic relevance of autoimmunity in human heart disease has increased significantly. A central role for autoimmunity in a significant proportion of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients is supported by the
