Monthly Archives: January 2017
The risks of brain damage after hyperthermia
This article describes the unintended neurological consequences after a period of fever or hyperthermia. A fever may have many causes, including after strenuous exercise, being in a heatwave, taking certain drugs and medications, and various illnesses. Hyperthermia
The groundwater quality assessment of Fars province, Iran
Groundwater is an important supplier of irrigation and drinking water, and it has a strong impact on rivers and aquatic ecosystems. In the developing countries like Iran, 80% of all diseases are directly related to poor drinking
MRI with GBCAs – Practical help to ensure patient safety
Malayeri et al writes: “At present, there is no evidence suggesting that gadolinium deposition in the brain alters neurologic function”. Where is the evidence for this statement? Free gadolinium is highly toxic. Even though no clinical implications
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) 2017: sorting out calls for inflammation
For its structure and function, the human gut can be considered as a barrier hub wherein the outer environment (comprising the huge antigenic contents of the gut microflora – the well-known microbiome populating the gut lumen with
Targeted nanoparticles for molecular imaging
Oncologic, cardiovascular, and neurological diseases are the most common causes of death in the developed world. It is well established, especially for cancer that early diagnosis results in more favorable outcomes. Although various diagnostic tests are available
Eat your carrots – otherwise your risk of getting Alzheimer’s might increase!
Vitamin A is an important component of human nutrition, delivered by e.g. liver or fish dishes, but also fruits and vegetables, such as carrots. It is not only needed for development of organs and tissue (e.g. the
Teasing apart the roles that oncogenic miRNAs play in breast cancer
Oncogenic miRNA and breast cancer Since the early 2000’s, the field of RNA has been contributing to major discoveries in cancer research. McroRNAs are small RNA molecules (miRNA), inhibit the messenger RNAs that produce our proteins. Normally,
EGCg-AuNPs Nanotherapeutics – as an alternative Green Nanotechnology approach for treating cardiovascular diseases
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States and globally. However, despite remarkable technological advances, significant limitations remain in stent-based treatment. Therefore, it is important to develop selective and effective therapeutics
Levosimendan to reduce mortality in cardiac surgery (CHEETAH trial)
Over the past decade, there was a significant decline of mortality after cardiac-surgery. Although the average perioperative mortality for elective procedures currently is 1% to 2%, the rate of major complications remains high. Low-cardiac-output syndrome (LCOS, a
Cellular migration required for testis development
Gonad development requires the integration of multiple cell types of various origins. Testis development in particular depends on the crucial step of vascular endothelial cell migration from the mesonephros (the embryonic kidney) into the neighboring gonad tissue.
A multistep virtual screening approach to identify proteasome inhibitors
Proteasome plays a fundamental role in the protein turnover by degrading misfolded, abnormal or damaged proteins, previously labeled through addition of a polyubiquitin chain. An aberration of this proteolytic system could result in different types of hematological
Could low albumin be a marker of an undiagnosed cancer?
Cancer is an increasingly common problem that affects one-in-two British people over the course of their lifetime. Survival rates are getting better with increased awareness, better tests and more effective treatments, but the UK still lags behind
How to characterize best the genetic content of small supernumerary marker chromosomes
An inborn genetic defect can be found prenatally or postnatally. The best known and most frequently observed reason for such developmental delay and/or mental retardation is Down-syndrome, also known as trisomy 21. I.e. besides the normally present
High-performance polymer solar cells via Al-doped ZnO cathode interlayer
Recently accomplished landmark power conversion efficiency (PCE) over 10% of polymer solar cells (PSCs) presents promising potential for the practical application of the printable photovoltaics. However, for achieving the top-level performances, particular design and huge effort have
Alcohol and prostate cancer risk
In a large follow-up study, we found that heavy regular alcohol consumption and binge drinking during midlife were associated with a significantly increased risk of prostate cancer risk. Specifically, men who were heavy drinkers (>14 drinks/week) were
Patterns of mutation in cancer genes
In most cancers, the majority of the changes to the DNA (termed mutations), acquired during the disease process are inconsequential in terms of driving the cancer, however a few of the changes in a small set of
Rating perceived exertion using facial expressions for children
Workload or exercise level can be subjectively or objectively assessed. Heart rate (HR), oxygen uptake, and blood lactate level are often used to objectively assess workload or exercise level. These physiological responses can be measured using instruments.
Kinase inhibitors and new treatments for asthma and COPD
Kinases are enzymes that phosphorylate proteins, leading to their activation within cells. Over 500 kinases have now been identified in human cells and they activate many processes in the cells, including the production of inflammatory mediators. Kinases
Do we hallucinate when we sleep?
By definition, hallucinations occur only when we are fully awake state. Yet the similarities to experiences that occur during the transition between sleep and wakefulness; dreams; and incubus phenomena have been known for a long time. In
How sugar and fat affect our brain leading to a high blood pressure?
Obesity is a serious, chronic and pandemic disease that can have a negative effect on many systems in our body. People who are overweight or obese have a much greater risk of developing serious diseases including hypertension.
