Author Archives: Tigran Dadalyan
Jurassic siphon
The sauropod dinosaurs were the tallest animals to ever stalk the earth. The fossilised remains of sauropods indicate that some had necks as long as 12 m. Sauropods are often depicted with their heads held high –
Approaching distal radius fractures from a unified perspective
Distal Radius Fracture (DRF) is one of the most common traumatic orthopedic conditions among adults. However, a common metric to assess outcomes does not exist. We propose a comprehensive approach to outcomes assessments for DRFs that would
Antibiotics for treatment of asthma-like episodes in childhood
Childhood asthma is often preceded by recurrent episodes of asthma-like symptoms in relation to airway infections in the first years of life. Treatment of such episodes represents a major unmet clinical need; they are the most common
Could you still ‘see’ one’s action even when s/he disappears?
The ability to predict and anticipate the actions of others is crucial for planning appropriate behaviours before engaging or intervening in observed action, such as the pre-judgement of partner’s next actions in the football game. Even we
Insulin analogue with reduced weight gain effect in diabetic patients: detemir
Diabetes mellitus is a progressive condition in which the glycated hemoglobin level (i.e. marker of average blood glucose levels) rises inexorably over time. Strict glucose control in patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus reduces
Who is a cancer survivor? A brief overview of this controversial term
Chiara Marzorati, Foundations of the Life Sciences Bioethics and Cognitive Sciences, European School of Molecular Medicine (SEMM), European Institute of Oncology, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy. Gabriella Pravettoni, Department of Oncology and Hemato-oncology, University of Milan,
Monitoring biosafety of pharmaceutical drugs, insecticides, and other bioactive molecules to mitochondria
Why study the biosafety of pharmaceutical drugs, insecticides, and other bioactive molecules to mitochondria? Mitochondria are large cell organelles in plant and animal cells. They convert chemical energy from food in the cell to usable energy using
Luminescent molecular wires that consist of up to eight copper atoms
Linear multi-atom complexes of Group 11 metals (Cu, Ag, Au) exhibit fascinating luminescence properties that make them highly interesting 1) for the systematic design of molecular wires in nanoelectronics and 2) their application as light-emitting building blocks
Are less expensive “biosimilar” drugs as effective at treating ankylosing spondylitis?
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a type of arthritis caused by inflammation, in which the main symptom is back pain. When a substance called tumour necrosis factor (TNF) is over-active in the body, it causes inflammation and damage
The link between osteoporosis and periodontal disease
Osteoporosis and periodontal disease are both characterized by bone resorption. After menopause, bone loss rate is dramatically accentuated, which seems to potentially accelerate and/or aggravate periodontal tissue breakdown. The dental biofilm induces the immune system to produce
A new role for a well-known hematopoietic factor (G-CSF) in placenta
Multiple growth factors produced in our organism by different types of cells promote a variety of biological responses related to cell proliferation, differentiation, survival, migration or death. The granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) is a protein that
Do low frequency electromagnetic fields interfere with cellular physiology?
Electromagnetic radiation, fields, or waves have been around since the birth of the universe, with daylight as the most familiar one. We are continuously exposed to different EMFs, mostly without even noticing them. Depending on their frequency,
Can taking part in a fruit and vegetable research trial improve longer term fruit and vegetable intake in older adults?
Increasing fruit and vegetable intake is widely accepted as being an important part of a healthy lifestyle and is often encouraged for the prevention of chronic health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, certain cancers and diabetes. Although public
Nocardia donostiensis
Edmond Nocard was a French veterinarian and microbiologist born in Provins in 1850. One of his main contributions to medicine was the discovery of a bacterial genus called “Nocardia” on his honor. Most of the species belonging
Can a doughnut-shaped molecule help design new drugs?
Some of the most advanced and modern medicines, such as those used in the treatment of cancer rely heavily on their selective, high affinity targeting of cancerous cells in order to be effective medicine. However, some drugs
ACT for a “self” relieved of the burden of pain
Chronic pain is often defined as any pain lasting more than 3 months, and may arise from an initial injury, an on-going illness, or no clear cause. The change and suffering wrought from chronic pain could fundamentally
Keeping Score: dermoscopy for the diagnosis of melanocytic lesions
Among people at high risk for melanoma, skin cancer screening is valuable for early detection of a new malignant melanoma. When dermatologists identify a suspicious lesion, a biopsy is performed and the removed skin sample is sent
Differential courses of delay discounting in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer´s disease
People prefer to receive a reward rather sooner than later, which means that people put a smaller value on a reward they have to wait for (= delay discounting, DD). But when people get to choose between
Effects of Cadmium on amphibians
Cadmium is a toxic metal for living organisms. It causes abnormal fetus development, cancer, DNA mutations; it impairs growth, and compromises the functions of the reproductive, respiratory and endocrine systems. Cadmium enters the aquatic system through industrial
