Category Archives: Research
Cannabis sativa: not just Devil’s weed
When hearing about Cannabis sativa, we undeniably think about marijuana and its addiction. However, C. sativa grown for industrial use has a Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, a psychoactive component) content <0.3% and has instead a high number of cellulosic
A vaccine candidate for Zika with potential for reduced risk of antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE)
Zika virus (ZIKV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that has rapidly extended its geographic range. Its association with abnormal fetal brain development, sexual transmission, and lack of a preventive vaccine have constituted a global health concern. Designing a
Hinokitiol (Beta-thujaplicin) has an ability to inhibit action potential conduction in nerve fibers
Hinokitiol, a natural tropolone derivative contained in a species of cypress tree, has various actions including inhibition of apoptosis, and insecticidal, anti-fungal, anti-tumor, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities. We previously reported that plant-derived chemicals (capsaicin, menthol and
Potential biomarkers of CDK4/6 inhibitors in HR-positive advanced breast cancer
Thanks to the development of endocrine therapy, the mortality rate of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer patients has been decreased drastically. In spite of the improvement, however, relapse and progression that are driven by different mechanisms are
A new class of antisense RNAs that regulate gene expression
Cellular senescence is characterized by a stable cell proliferation arrest in response to different stresses such as oncogene activation. It is thus considered as a major anti-cancer barrier. However, the accumulation of senescent cells can lead to
Midkine controls natural bypass growth by regulating the bioavailability of VEGF
Cardiovascular occlusive diseases such as stroke, myocardial infarction or perivascular artery diseases (PAD) are a major personal and social burden. According to the World Health Organization, vascular occlusive diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide. Current
Immunological changes at puberty drive increased mortality from endotoxemia in mice
Sepsis is a complex and deadly syndrome in which the body’s response to infection malfunctions and loses the ability to resolve inflammation properly. This loss manifests in a variety of ways, ranging from organ-damaging inflammation to immune
A novel quantitative iron imaging strategy in hereditary hemochromatosis based on LA-ICP-MS
Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) is the most frequent genetic disorder in Caucasians, which affects about 1 in 1000 people in the Northern European ancestry. It is an iron overload disease with typical clinical symptoms resulting from excess body
Molecular motion of propane in silica pores: computer simulations compared with neutron scattering experiments
Understanding how fluids, and notably hydrocarbon gases, seep through porous rocks in the terrestrial environment is essential to understand the fundamental processes involved and also to aid better recovery of these gases from the earth. It is
Myocardial stunning
How dose myocardial infarction develop? The myocardium is nourished from blood flowing in coronary arteries. When a coronary artery is abruptly occluded by a thrombus which develop at the site of a ruptured plaque or endothelial erosion,
Using glowing yeast to keep food safe
Dioxins and dioxin-like chemicals (DLCs) are a problematic group of pollutants that come from both natural and man-made origins. They do not easily break down on their own, which means that once they are present in an
How to detect dying neurons in the central nervous system?
The central nervous system (CNS) changes dynamically throughout an animal life. In the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, asymmetric mitosis of the neuroblasts during embryonic development produces about 10,000 differentiated neurons that form a juvenile (larva) CNS. These
Sequencing of mtDNA of multiple single mitochondrion isolated from live cells identifies common heteroplasmic sites
Mitochondria are organelles present in all eukaryotic cells, including brain cells, and supply ATP required for cellular physiology through a series of redox reactions known as oxidative phosphorylation. They are unique in their requirement for expression of
Spindle associated membrane protein 1 (Samp1) in muscle differentiation
Skeletal muscles, the most common type of muscle in the body, are responsible for voluntary movements. Skeletal muscles are formed in a process called myogenesis (differentiation of muscles). During myogenesis a single-nucleus-myoblast (undifferentiated muscle cell) fuses with
Cholesterol manipulation switches the production of “toxic Aβ” to “protective Aβ”
The amyloid hypothesis maintains that the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is driven by the production and accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides in the brain. Consequently, many therapeutic strategies to reduce Aβ production have been examined. However,
Polarized light therapy: Illuminating immunity
What is it?: Light has been used as an alternative mode for the treatment of diseases, since the ancient Egyptians basked in the sun to restore their energy. Phototherapies are modern treatments in which light is used
A new strategy against cancer cells. Targeting the Rho-GTPases interactions: The case of the new compound 1A116
For the last decades scientist have been working hard to find cancer´s Achilles heel to design and develop more specific and efficacious therapeutic strategies for cancer. It has become clear that altered cell signaling is a key
Estimating effects of new psychoactive substances (NPS) based on in vitro neurotoxicity data
The use of new psychoactive substances (NPS) is increasing and currently > 600 NPS have been reported. However, limited information on neuropharmacological and toxicological effects of NPS is available, hampering risk characterization. We reviewed the literature on
Bioartificial liver constructs
The liver with high regenerative capability performs a complex array of synthetic, metabolic, immunologic and detoxification functions to regulate the physiological homeostasis of the human body. Viral infections, drug induced liver injury, hepatocellular carcinoma, autoimmune disorders, alcoholic
The antibiotics of tomorrow: from enzyme Lego blocks to customized enzybiotics
Antibiotics play a key role in the treatment of bacterial infections and have saved millions of lives since their invention. Moreover, they allowed the development of complex surgeries and cancer treatments. However, already in 1945, after receiving
