Yearly Archives: 2016

Application of pH-sensitive magnetic microgel in environmental samples

Phenoxy acid herbicides are phytotoxic compounds employed to kill annual and perennial broad leaved weeds in gardens and crops. Phenoxy acid herbicides such as 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4 – D), 4 – (2,4 – dichlorophenoxy) butanoic acid (2,4-DB),

Safe-by-Design nanotechnology for safer cultural heritage restoration

Humanity cultural heritage is vast, and it includes archeological areas, antique and modern works of art (e.g. paintings, statues), books, monuments, and frescos. Some of these works of art are subjected to environmental stressors like air pollution

High-Resolution chromosome ideogram representation of recognized genes for autism spectrum disorders

Classical autism which is termed as an autistic disorder belongs to the autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Autism was first coined in 1943 by Dr. Kanner. Individuals with ASD may be diagnosed as early as three years of

Dissecting how cells communicate to prevent cancer relapse

Protein kinases are a class of enzymes that are responsible for the transfer of phosphates onto other proteins. These phosphate groups, although small, can change the behaviour of the protein itself, or the behaviour of those it

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