Yearly Archives: 2017
Do roots rule anti-malarial artemisinin production in Artemisia annua leaves?
Artemisinin is an anti-malarial molecule that is produced and stored in the leaves of the plant Artemisia annua in microscopic glandular surface structures called trichomes (Fig. 1). Evidence from various studies suggests that the roots, which produce neither significant
More needs-led services needed for people with ADHD during the transition between childhood and adulthood
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that may persist into adulthood in up to two-thirds of cases. However, few young adults with ADHD are in contact with clinical services. This is a concern
Effect of selection for egg production on eggshell quality of Japanese quail
Japanese quail have been widely used for biological and genetic studies. In many countries, among all products of intensive poultry farming, Japanese quail meat and eggs convey the image of a natural and festive food. The genetic
Top ten research priorities relating to stroke nursing
It is important that research addresses what is of greatest priority to people affected by a health condition. A UK based organisation called the James Lind Alliance (JLA) brings patients, their family and caregivers, and health professionals
Electron collisions with atoms, ions, molecules, and surfaces: Fundamental science empowering advances in technology
Electron collisions with atoms, ions, molecules, and surfaces are critically important to the understanding and modeling of low-temperature plasmas (LTPs), and hence in the development of technologies based on LTPs. Progress in obtaining experimental benchmark data, the
Migraine aura and photosensitive epilepsy: what’s the link?
Migraine and epilepsy are frequent, paroxysmal and chronic disorders. In various ways they are clearly different diseases, although presenting with clinical signs with similar characteristics regarding motor deficits, sensory and alterations of consciousness. Migraine can follow a
Improved characteristics of an industrial biocatalyst expressed in engineered E. coli
The constantly expanding field of biocatalysis is in search of novel enzymes to meet its new needs. The global market for enzyme biocatalysts in industrial applications was about $4.8 billion in 2014 and it is expected to
The new definition of plasma remnant lipoproteins
The definition of remnant lipoproteins (RLP) in plasma has been confused for many years because of the variety of methods used to identify RLP. The most common definition of RLP proposed several decades ago has been the
Measurement of uncertainty of the calibration for the Intoxilyzer® 8000 breath alcohol analyzer
Breath alcohol analysis is most prevalent in determining a subject’s blood alcohol level for forensic use. This analysis is often used by law enforcement to determine if a driver is unfit to operate their vehicle on a
Gut pacemakers
Food turns into nutrients in the stomach and small bowel and the nutrients need to be absorbed through the epithelial cells and waste needs to be removed. The muscle layers of the gut make sure that gut
Mutations in cancer genomes avoid sites recognized by transcription factors
Genome mutations occur in cancer cells much more often than in normal cells. Mutations may unpredictably disrupt various genomic elements and affect important cell functions. Until recently, for the most part only coding regions of cancer genomes
The effects on the body of a fever
This article discusses the differences between pyrogenic (eg sepsis) and non-pyrogenic fever (eg classical and exertional heat stroke, and drug-related illnesses). Normal human temperature is around 37C, but may vary by up to 1C. ‘Fever’ is not
Lactated Ringer’s solution as “a solution” to reperfusion injury
Reperfusion of the ischemic myocardium is crucial for salvaging myocardial cells from ischemic cell death. However, reperfusion injury attenuates the beneficial effects of reperfusion therapy for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), thus limiting the myocardial salvaging effects
Beyond coffee production – Utilization of coffee residues
Different biomasses have been tested in the past for the production of platform chemicals which have the potential to substitute petroleum-based chemicals in chemical reactions. Predominant approaches thereby are the hydrolysis and subsequent conversion of hydrolytic products
Not remodeled left atria and mitral regurgitation: what learn from microstructure
Chronic mitral regurgitation (MR) is the most common type of heart valve disorder, frequently characterized by left atrial (LA) enlargement as a compensatory mechanism. This change in LA dimension may increase the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF)
Human cells can count their chromosomes – but how do they do?
Human cells normally carry 46 chromosomes. There are 2 gonosomes and 22 pairs of autosomes, numbered from 1 through 22. In male there are as gonosomes an X- and a Y-chromosome; in female there are two X-chromosomes.
Five distinct neuronal types inhabit the ventrolateral preoptic nucleus
The ventrolateral preoptic nucleus (VLPO) is considered as the main brain region inducing slow-wave sleep (SWS). Despite its physiological importance, the neuronal composition of the VLPO still remained incompletely described. Yet, the characterization of neuronal properties within
Predicting the properties of materials: Stepping into the unknown
To use a material, one needs to know and understand its properties – its density, its hardness, its strength, etc. – and the relation of the relevant properties to the desired application. Those properties listed above are
Staggering financial shortfalls to meet biodiversity targets in Kenya
Biodiversity is highly valuable for ecosystem functioning and the provision of ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration and flood control. However, biodiversity is threatened by multiple human pressures on the natural environment, such as habitat loss and
