Author Archives: karen
Making drug discovery more efficient: predicting drug side effects in early screening efforts
Drug research and development is a complex and expensive process that begins with initial screening steps of candidate chemical compounds. Compounds that appear to have the desired potency against a specific cellular target or pathway are further
An algal infection (protothecosis) in a cat
This case report describes a cat with inflammation caused by an infection with a particular type of algae named Prototheca. The evoked clinical disease is called protothecosis. Prototheca species and their occurrence in the environment. Prototheca species
In silico prediction of ebolavirus RNA polymerase inhibition
A virus at work: Let us assume that you are a virus that just infected a cell (the HOST CELL) of an individual (the PATIENT). What is your vicious objective? You want to make copies of yourself
Rising from obscurity: 11β-hydroxy-androstenedione under the spotlight
Steroid hormones are small molecules that act as messengers in our bodies, regulating normal development and impacting on disease. These hormones are produced from cholesterol by the actions of enzymes− proteins which change cholesterol to form new
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 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
A cancers addiction to glutamine affects the whole body and could lead to complex skin rashes
Signs or symptoms far from the vicinity of a developing cancer in the body can give clues of its presence (paraneoplastic syndromes). The skin can offer visible markers of abnormal metabolic activity caused by tumourigenesis, in the
Are you eating genetically modified food?
There are some foods on the supermarket shelves now that are produced by a new food production, namely from a Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) or Genetically Engineered (GM). The GMO food products are basically altered from the
Out of thin air – how marine bacteria beat nitrogen limitation
Nitrogen (N), one of life’s most important building blocks, is often in short supply; both on land and in the ocean (Fig. 1). This shortage means that N is often the factor limiting the growth and abundance
G protein signaling: a major culprit of essential hypertension
Blood pressure (BP) is the driving force that distributes the blood to the organs of the body according to their instantanous needs. It may be increased by pressor agents acting on the heart, vessels, and blood volume,
Species are always important
This review is based on the premise that all species are important to life on earth even if the exact role or value of a species has not been formally documented. Recently, many surprising and unexpected roles
Binding study of fibrinogen and albumin to metal oxide nanoparticles and its relevance in nanomedicine
The binding of proteins to different inorganic surfaces plays an important role in natural processes such as the growth of bone tissue (protein-mineral interactions) and in biotechnological and biomedical applications. Recently, the binding of proteins to metal
Antibiotics: what patients don’t know
Antibiotics are among the most frequently prescribed and precious medicines we have. They cure infections if used correctly but overuse, underuse and usage errors pose risks to patients and the community. Risks include excess side effects, uncured
The behaviors of microplastics in the marine environment
Due to their inexpensive, lightweight and durable properties, plastics hold a highly prevalent place in contemporary society, with extensive commercial, industrial, medicinal and municipal applications. Most of plastics are used in single-use applications, or other short-lived products.
What’s in your water? Using DNA to keep drinking waters clean
Turn on a tap, and many of us will be greeted with safe and clean drinking water. This is something that people living in developed nations often take for granted, as contaminated drinking water is a significant
Light as a green tool in pharmaceutical approach: myths, reality and possibility
Daylight is an electromagnetic photo-radiation that comprises visible and ultraviolet lights. Since the beginning of creation and light is being used in both simple and complicated biological processes, for example plants use the light energy in the
Males who take citicoline show increased motor speed and attention
Citicoline is marketed as a nutritional supplement in the United States and has been shown to influence cellular metabolism in the brain and to contribute to the synthesis of essential neurotransmitters including acetylcholine and dopamine. Citicoline is
Human papillomavirus infection and vaccination
Human papillamoavirus (HPV) is an infection that can be sexually transmitted. A person can get HPV by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with another person who has the virus. HPV infections are the most common sexually
