Author Archives: karen
Cardiac atrial appendage stem cells: bright cells for a bright future for patients with ischemic heart disease
Ischemic heart disease is still one of the major causes of global morbidity and mortality. Although significant improvements in medical and surgical treatments have been accomplished over the last few decades, these are still not able to
Characterisation of the human epicardium in the developing heart
The vertebrate heart is composed of three cell layers: an inner layer lining the heart chambers (atria and ventricles), the endocardium; an intermediate muscle layer, the myocardium; and an outer layer that envelops the myocardium, the epicardium.
Immediate antidepressant effects on functional brain connectivity
Neurotransmitters are the brain’s chemical messengers that allow for communication between neurons. They ‘jump’ from one neuron to the next causing excitation or inhibition of cell firing. Since healthy brain functioning relies on adequate neural communication, neurotransmitter
Unlocking trafficking impasse in life-and-death struggle of leukemic cells
Lymphocytes are immune system cells devoted to the defence against enemies coming from both outside (i.e. bacteria and viruses) and inside (tumours). Several times per day these cells escape from the blood and enter into the immune
In vitro test bench to reproducing pulsatile flow conditions
Cardiovascular diseases are among the top causes of mortality in the world. Huge efforts are made to fight against the cardiovascular diseases. However, the variability of the symptoms and risk factors makes this fight very challenging. While
How does social class affect obesity in emerging countries? The case of Mexico
Brought on by rapid economic growth and urbanization, overweight, obesity and related diseases reached dramatic levels in the developing world, particularly among emerging countries such as Mexico. More than 2/3 of Mexicans are overweight and almost 1/3
Heme: an old player with a novel mechanism in cardiac muscle contractility
Heme is a complex containing iron and protoporphyrin IX and it is commonly bound to proteins involved in oxygen transport, detoxification and energy production. However, this molecule has been known to have toxic effects in the heart.
Newborn pulse oximetry screening is not just for heart defects
Measuring the arterial oxygen content (saturation) of the blood is easily done by pulse oximetry. In newborn infants a probe emitting and absorbing light is put on the hand or foot (or booth) and a reliable result
Regucalcin may prevent the development of prostate age-related pathologies such as prostate cancer
Regucalcin (RGN) is a protein with a multifunctional role, which regulates the basic biological processes determining cell fate. RGN actions have been implicated in the control of intracellular calcium levels, oxidative stress, cell metabolism, cell death and
Table olive debittering without chemical solution by using power ultrasound
Table olive is one of the most important products in the world, with a total production of 2,512,500 tons in the 2012/2013. Different processing methods are applied for producing table olives with the objective of eliminating their
Oxygen affects buds burst in grapevine
Grapevine is the most economically important fruit crop worldwide and is the mainstay of rural communities in over 100 countries. However, grapevine production is concentrated in latitudes of 30°-50°, and largely in maritime regions, due to its
Bio-coordination of bismuth in Helicobacter pylori tells the inhibitory mechanisms of metallodrugs
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), the dominant bacterial pathogen in human stomach, is the leading risk factor for the development of gastric cancer and is now infecting over half of the worlds’ population. Bismuth compounds have been used
Vaccines and autoimmunity
The human immune system (and of other animals as well), have been developed historically to prevent infections by invading microorganisms, bacteria, viruses etc. This system is not supposed to react against the components of the body itself.
Regulation of mediator’s expression and chemotaxis in mast cells
The increasing prevalence of inflammatory diseases worldwide underlines the importance to study the molecular mechanisms leading to these disorders. Recent genome-wide association studies based on large group of patients and healthy controls revealed candidate genes, which are
Minute exocrine glands in the compound eyes of water strider
Epidermis of insects are covered with sensilla (sensory receptors) and exocrine glands, which are responsible for sensing and interacting with the external environment. Exocrine glands secret chemicals, such as pheromones, lubricant and noxious substances, to the outside
Save your pancreas from diabetes! Your beta cell reserve is critical for prevention and treatment of diabetes.
To date the number of people with diabetes is estimated to be 387 million over the world. This number is continuing to increase and predicted to be 592 million in 2035. Despite the recent advance in the
Holding on to the electrons in artificial photosynthesis
For our future sustainable society mankind will have to make efficient use of solar energy. The conversion of sunlight to electricity is already a powerful technology, but for storage and transport we need liquid fuels, which have
Have you ever think how wastewaters are transformed into clean waters?
Sewage treatment is the process that converts wastewaters (water no longer suitable for other purposes) into a clean effluent that can be reused. The treatment process consists into removing impurities (such as organic matter, pathogens, heavy metals
Gene therapy not just counseling for your denim obsession
Imagine a world where one size does not fit all, wait that’s the world we live in now. So why is the treatment you get under the “one size fits all” umbrella, we are all different, right?
A novel treatment for saphenous venous graft thrombosis
Coronary artery disease refers to narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the heart. Lack of blood supply to the heart can result in a myocardial infarction, commonly referred to as a heart attack. One way
