Category Archives: Research
Adhesion of gecko lizards to vertical surfaces is influenced by digital proteins
Some lizards, especially numerous species of geckos, are able to stick, walk and run along vertical or inverted surfaces, defeating gravity (Fig. 1 A). The nature of the subtrates is very variable in both physical and chemical
Receptors talking: solo vs chorus
Multi-cell organisms, including humans, need reliable and timely communication between cells to function. Every cell is surrounded by the plasma membrane made of lipids, which separates it from the environment. Receptors localized on that membrane are proteins
Effect of electropulses on the plastic deformation during machining
The plastic deformation is a nuisance to study the machinability of materials in metal cutting processes. The high process efficiency can be achieved by minimizing the work done in the plastic deformation of chip. It was generally
Expression of mTOR-signalling pathway proteins in skin squamous-cell carcinomas before and after conversion to mTOR-inhibitors
Inhibitors of the Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTORis) are drugs exerting both immunosuppressive and antitumor effects, and are thereby used in organ-transplant recipients (OTR) in order to both prevent allograft rejection and to reduce the risk of
Analysis of serum biomarkers and their correlation with pain and quality of life in the rare disease alkaptonuria
Alkaptonuria (AKU) is an ultra-rare disease causing an early onset, chronically debilitating spondylo-arthropathy due to deposition of an ochronotic pigment in joints and spine, which causes severe pain and greatly reduces patients’ quality of life. Despite an
Impact of decontaminant and microbiological media on Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis
Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (Map) has aetiological significance in Crohn’s disease of humans, and chronic intestinal disease in domestic and wild ruminants. This opportunistic pathogen can proliferate inside its host, whilst restricted to grow in the environment.
Are identical quantum twins distinguishable?
For twins, the identity is a “yes” or “not” intrinsic property: they can be identical (monozygous) or non-identical (heterozygous). Classical identical twins can always be distinguished (at least by their mother!). In fact, it is always possible
How do people’s expectations compare to the reality of their recovery after a knee replacement surgery?
The decision to undergo a knee replacement is not one taken lightly by the patient or medical team. For many people with arthritis, medication and exercise therapies can help their symptoms, but when problems persist, a knee
Shame on me: dancing and adversity
Professional and pre-professional dancers spend years training in order to express the deepest experiences of the human condition. They acquire physical skills that translate into aesthetic works of art. Regardless of the dance form, whether classical ballet,
Anion exchange in water: a simple way to complex and greener thermoelectrics
The need to convert and store energy in an efficient and sustainable way has already become one of the highest priorities of the new millennium. One possible solution to this challenge is the thermoelectric, which can be
Alcohol injections for the treatment of intermetatarsal neuromas
Intermetatarsal neuromas, sometimes called Morton’s neuroma, cause nerve pain in the forefoot. It arises due to entrapment of the nerve(s) supplying the toes(s) due to compression of the forefoot. Although any foot can be affected it’s uncommon
Three-step method for the frozen elephant trunk positioning by transesophageal echocardiography
The frozen elephant trunk (FET) procedure has prevailed because it has simplified the treatment of complex thoracic aortic lesions. However, some procedure-related complications have been reported, and spinal cord injury is one of the most important complications.
The doors of the cell’s nucleus play a critical role in the survival and function of immune cells
Our immune system has a fascinating ability to distinguish between what does or does not belong to our body. This ability allows it to fight off infectious agents without harming our own cells. T cells are key
Unlocking the gating mechanism of the piezo1 channel with a molecular key
Mechanosensitive Piezo channels are large membrane proteins present at the cell membrane of eukaryotic cells. These channels open in response to the presence of mechanical forces such as frictions that occur when extracellular fluids flow against the
New variants of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus with large deletions in the spike protein, identified in the United States
The Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PEDV) is an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus that belongs to the genus Alphacoronavirus. This virus is known to only infect pigs and causes acute diarrhea, vomiting, and generally has a mortality
Mechanical vibrations can indicate if a fracture is healing
One of the most critical issues in orthopaedics is the development of a procedure for assessing fracture healing in an objective way and by means of a non-invasive approach, replacing the actual gold standard based on X-rays.
Determining the optimum grain size is critical for invasive species distribution models
Invasive species are the organisms that cause significant economic or ecological damage in their non-native environment. Invasive species are considered the second biggest threat to global biodiversity after habitat degradation. These species threaten the stability and functioning
Cells with an appetite: munching at a single-cell level
Phagocytosis is defined as the receptor-mediated uptake of large particulate matter. This process is particularly efficient in specialized immune cells such as macrophages, neutrophils and dendritic cells. These cells constitute the first line of defense against invading
Large animal models for osteochondral regeneration
Due to the lacking of a blood supply and the low cellular density of articular cartilage, this hard tissue has a limited healing capacity. Therefore, focal traumatic events causing cartilage defects rarely resolve spontaneously or are usually
Thermo- and soluto-capillarity: Passive and active drops as micro-fluidic carriers or reactors
Why study drop (or bubble) motions? Drops can be seen free, hanging, suspended in air, sessile, aggregating, coalescing, disintegrating/splitting or spreading in nature, in engineering processing or at home. Think about dew, fogs with drops of diameters
