Yearly Archives: 2016
Changes in 3-dimentional chromatin structure as a mean to relieve oxidative stress?
DNA in our cells is packaged into a structure called chromatin, which is mainly a protein-DNA complex. Chromatin needs to be loosened for fundamental processes to take place, such as decoding genetic information (i.e. gene expression) and
Physical activity helps to reduce cognitive symptoms for dementia patients
Dementia is a clinical syndrome characterized by cognitive symptoms, which lead to disruptions in many aspects of daily life. The most common type of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, which affects 5.3 million people in the United States
Clay nanotubes loaded with Sr(II) could help in designing composite scaffolds for bone regeneration
The treatment of age-related diseases is a high-priority issue in modern western societies, mainly because of the progressive ageing of the population and the increase in life expectancy. Osteoporosis, literally “porous bone”, is a condition in which
Decreased radiation exposure with a safety training program
The importance of limiting radiation exposure among healthcare workers and patients is of utmost importance. According to the National Council on Radiation and Standards the recommended maximum annual dose of radiation to the whole body is 5,000
Cortical bone: a ground-breaking source for multipotent stem cells
Multipotent stromal cells also known as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a family of cells derived from the mesodermal germ layer, distinguished by their ability to replicate themselves and differentiate, or change morph into different types of
Alzheimer’s disease or type 2 diabetes?
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of the most common causes of senile dementia and it is estimated that by 2050, the number of cases will rise to 110 million. The vast majority of patients suffer from the
Fungicide residues in wine
With a total surface of approximately 7.5 million hectares, viticulture is a hugely important economic activity in geographical areas with warm climates. Grapevines are especially vulnerable to attacks by fungi; namely, gray mold, downy mildew, powdery mildew,
PACAP expression induced in neuropathic pain is controlled by a splicing of REST/NRSF
Neuropathic pain (NP) is caused by the damage of the nervous system and one of the most common types of intractable pain. It is often severe, persistent, and refractory to available therapies. Although various analgesic has been
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
