Category Archives: Research
Mass spectrometry for characterization of anti-theft devices directly from banknotes
The growth of bank and automated teller machine (ATM) thefts, particularly with the use of explosives, is a serious and increasing crime that has recently doubled in frequency in Brazil. Anti-theft security inks or anti-theft devices (ATDs)
Meta-analysis in the Big-data era
Meta-analysis plays an important role in summarizing and synthesizing scientific evidence derived from multiple studies. (In Greek, ‘meta’ pertains to ‘with, across, or after’, referring to a level above or beyond.) By combining multiple data sources, one
Daily costs were higher on day 1 than on subsequent days for surgical ICU patients
Not all hospitals beds are created equal. In the most basic case, a hospital may have beds on a general ward and beds in an intensive care unit (ICU). The main difference between these two locations is
Mucosal immunoglobulins define a healthy gut
The microbiota is the complex community of microorganisms inhabiting all the surfaces that are exposed to the external world, including the oral and gut mucosa, the skin, etc. A highly diverse microbiota has been associated with a
The number of AMPA receptors on the cell surface is abnormally increased in the brain of Cln3-knock-out mice
Nerve cells in the brain communicate with each other by electrical and chemical signals. The amino acid, glutamate is the main stimulatory chemical signal in the brain. When a nerve terminal releases glutamate, it binds and activates
A novel, unexpected example of C1 chemistry!
C1 chemistry refers to the conversion of simple molecules containing one carbon atom only, such as the greenhouse gases methane and carbon dioxide or poisonous carbon monoxide, into higher-value products. One classical example in chemical industry, proposed
Insomnia after traumatic brain injury
Work is central to a person’s life, impacting the physical, mental, financial and social health of individuals and communities. It is a powerful determinant of health. For survivors of traumatic brain injury (TBI), however, the process of
Liver Models for the Development of New Antiviral Drugs
The emergence of novel viruses such as the MERS coronavirus and new variants of well-known viruses such as avian influenza viruses still constitutes a major medical problem and demonstrates the necessity to develop new antiviral drugs. Normally,
A new dimension in the study of life?
One of the key remaining questions in biology is how different cell types originate from single cells such a fertilized eggs or cells from early embryos. What factors drive cells to adopt one cell fate over another?
Protein import into the mitochondrial and hydrogenosomal matrix
Cells, the basic unit of life, can be divided into two major classes: the prokaryotes (cells that have their genetic information freely floating with them) and eukaryotes (cells with internal compartments, one of which holds the genetic
Electricity generation from microbial fuel cells
In an important step towards the development of “wastewater power plant” and “bacterial batteries”, a new study published in the journal of “Bioresource Technology” developed a facile strategy to improve the power output of microbial fuel cells
Multistep food plant processing at Grotta Paglicci
Today the most common staple foods for human consumption consist of plant parts that contain significant amounts of energy-rich compounds, which are accumulated in the plants as energy resource. These compounds, produced by green plants through photosynthesis,
King Coal and the queen of subsidies
The window of opportunity for a global fossil fuel phase out is closing faster than expected: We experience a global renaissance of king coal. In particular poor but fast-growing developing countries are currently investing heavily in the
Pharmacokinetic Evaluation of Improved Oral Bioavailability of Valsartan
The purpose of this study was to develop proliposomes and self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) for a poorly bioavailable drug, valsartan, and to compare their in vivo pharmacokinetics. Valsartan is used to treat high blood pressure, congestive heart failure,
Summary of: Screening for viral hepatitis prior to rituximab chemotherapy
There are an estimated 800,000-1.4 million people with Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) in the US. Patients with a low immune systems, such as cancer patients, are at an increased risk of reactivation of HBV if they have
Locoregional treatment versus no treatment of the primary tumour in metastatic breast cancer
Stage IV breast cancer is the state in which the cancer has spread to distant sites , for example , the brain, liver, lung, bones. Treatment for stages I to III of breast cancer include surgery, chemotherapy
Viscosity scaling in concentrated dispersions
What do water, motor oil, honey and mercury have in common? They are all liquids, and can thus all flow to take the shape of their container. It is however clear that these liquids are very different
Red blood cell survival in very low birth weight neonates
In normal, healthy adults red blood cells (RBCs) are produced in the bone marrow and survive in the circulation for about 4 months. After this time they cease functioning normally and are removed by as yet poorly
Arsenic and other elements in drinking water
Arsenic (As) is a toxic element, known as class (I) human carcinogen and widely distributed in the environment in trace amount. The occurrence of naturally As contamination in groundwater has been reported globally, particularly in Southeast Asia.
The influence of attachment on pain and depression in two different pain groups
Attachment style which can be categorized into secure and insecure can be associated with the development and perception of pain. A secure attachment style is related to people that are able to build a support system by
