Yearly Archives: 2016
Specific synthetic nucleic acids instead antibodies
For a long time immunological methods have been applied in biological research as well as for detection and evaluation of various substances in clinical analysis of body fluids. Serum proteins, antibodies, form integral parts in all variants
Assessing plant responses to gravity may be the key to unlocking Martian agriculture
For humans to become a multi-planetary species, we must first overcome many technological and biological hurdles. The closest two potential sites for extraterrestrial colonization (apart from low Earth orbit) are the Moon and Mars. The Moon exhibits
Is our immune system mistaking tumours for foetuses?
Tumours are abnormal growths of tissue where cells produced by the body get out of control and divide at a rapid and unregulated pace. And – when you think about it – embryos too are masses of
The roles of α2AP in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is autoimmune rheumatic disease of unknown etiology that is characterized by the fibrosis of skin and visceral organs, and peripheral circulatory disturbance. In our study, we found that alpha2-antiplasmin (α2AP), which is known to
Why clinicians, general practitioners and other therapists hesitate to use psychosomatic insights
Therapists often believe that psychosocial factors play a causal role in the etiology of psychosomatic syndromes, such as psoriasis, stomach ulcers, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, bowel syndrome or migraines. But for decades, all attempts at confirming such causation
The effects of brain stimulation on cognitive inhibition
The term cognitive inhibition refers to the ability to control or suppress irrelevant responses, and to adopt instead relevant and flexible responses. A common situation that requires cognitive inhibition includes for example, the resistant to check messages
Cardiac device lead clots and cardiac ablation: mitigating the potential for Peri-procedural stroke?
An increasing number of patients receive implanted cardiac devices to ensure adequate beating of the heart ( pacemakers ), prevent sudden cardiac death from life – threatening rhythm disturbances (implantable cardioverter – defibrillator (ICDs) ), as well
RhEPO improves time to exhaustion by non-hematopoetic factors in humans
It is still unclear by which mechanism recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) improves endurance performance. The common belief that it acts by increasing oxygen delivery is rather unlikely. Therefore, we investigated several exercise-relevant variables in healthy, very active
Gas Man computer simulation mimics anesthesia care
Gas Man® computer simulation mimics anesthesia care and allows anesthesia care providers to improve patient safety. Major surgery requires an anesthesia professional to give general anesthesia to a patient. This often begins with a drug injected in
A new example of what not to do in science
A well-known example of what not to do in science is to publish one’s research results not in a single paper, but in as many small papers––called Least Publishable Units (LPUs)––as possible. This is advantageous because researchers
Invertase effect localized on the cell wall on resistance of potato plants to low temperatures
Low temperature is a determinative environmental factor, which can affect all aspects of plant life and determine their geographical distribution and productivity. According to the response to low temperatures plants are divided into some groups: frost- resistant,
New app revolutionising assessment in youth mental healthcare
Across the population, young people are at the highest risk of developing mental health disorders but are the least likely to receive the support they require. Barriers to care been attributed to a range of issues with
Essential role of a conserved nitrogen phosphotransferase system in rhizobium-legume symbiosis
The overuse of chemical nitrogen fertilizer in agriculture has caused serious environmental issues around the world. Legume crops play important roles in sustainable agriculture and are characterized by their ability of forming nitrogen-fixing nodules, in which rhizobia
Lyme disease causing Borrelia are genetically distinct from their relapsing fever causing cousins
Lyme disease, a tick-borne infection caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and its relatives, is currently the most prevalent vector-borne disease in North America and temperate regions of Eurasia. Increasing temperatures have expanded the habitat range for
Polyfunctional T cells induced potent anti-tumor efficacy
Adoptive T cell therapy is a form of cancer immunotherapy using T cells to target cancer cells. In adoptive T cell therapy, white blood cells are collected from cancer patients, T cells (CD4+ and CD8+ cells) within
Drugs and drowning
Electrical activity of the heart is commonly monitored by the electrocardiogram (ECG). Such electrical activity depends on certain proteins called ion channels. These channels control the timing and the flow of electrically charged particles (ions) in and
Contamination of newly built thermal plants – does water hold the answer?
A domestic central heating system uses a boiler, powered by electric or gas, to heat water. This is then pumped around the system to radiators that heat a room by radiation and convection. The heat transfer fluid
Why blood donors lapse or reduce their donation’s frequency?
Finding effectives ways to retain blood donors is crucial. Four percent of Quebec (Canada) citizens are registered in the province’s blood bank. Only 6% of blood donors are registered as apheresis donors, but they supply 15% of
Relativity: Relatively uninteresting for chemists?
The periodic table of elements is among the corner stones of chemistry. In the given order, in both the periods (rows) and groups (columns), elements show some specific properties. However, when going around the bottom of the
Phthalate exposure and depression in an elderly population
Phthalates are chemicals used to increase the flexibility and softness of plastics or preserve the scent in various personal care products. They are included in a wide range of products such as food packaging, medical devices, children’s
