Category Archives: Research
Superthin muscle filaments: evolution and function of titin in skeletal muscle
The mechanisms by which muscle converts chemical to mechanical energy, allowing animal movement, defied explanation for decades. Following the development of the electron microscope and mechanisms of tissue fixation, the ultrastructure of muscle was finally described. Thus
Heart failure drug restores sensitivity to radioactive iodide treatment in aggressive thyroid cancer
Patients diagnosed with thyroid cancer generally have a good prognosis as a result of implementing treatment regimens consisting of surgery and radioactive iodide (RAI) ablation. However, in about 30% of cases, these tumors develop resistance to RAI
Dietary phosphorus overload can accelerate cavity formation in tooth
Dental caries or dental caries is an extremely common yet preventable oral disease. Clinically, dental decay can be partly reversed, if it is diagnosed and treated in its early stages. Dental decay induces damage to the teeth
Short technical steps to success in inflammation research
Taking a chemical compound from early discovery to clinical trials is a process that is fraught with risks. It is therefore, important to optimize preclinical test systems to improve the chances of developing a compound likely to
The influence of phthalates and bisphenol A on the obesity development and glucose derangement
Obesity and diabetes epidemics represent a real health problem worldwide. There are about 2 billion overweight adults out of which over 600 million are obese. Based on National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey reports it has been
A messenger and its disciples: Spreading stress messages in plant through Ca2+-CBL-CIPK network
The early life forms appeared on earth as entities that were covered by cellular membranes. These entities had a major problem from one of the abundant elements present in the earth- Calcium (Ca2+). Higher level of Ca2+
Spider diversity in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest
Compared to the Amazon Forest, the Atlantic Forest along the eastern coast of Brazil may appear small and insignificant. With respect to area this is true: with 95,000 km2, the Atlantic Forest covers less than 2% of
Simplifying the difficult task of vesicle purification
Throughout their life-cycle, bacterial and mammalian cells have been shown to shed portions of their outermost lipid membranes that often contain carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids on their surfaces as well as within their lumen. Referred to
A newly identified protein controls endothelial barrier function by acting as a cellular glue
The endothelial barrier function maintains vascular and tissue homeostasis, and therefore modulates many cardinal physiological processes such as angiogenesis, immune responses, and dynamic fluid exchanges throughout organs. Blood vessels rely on endothelial cell-cell adhesion to generate a
Does the total alcohol consumption in a population determine the number of heavy drinkers – or is it a case of the tail wagging the dog?
It is widely believed that a country’s total alcohol consumption (commonly reported as per capita volume of 100 per cent alcohol per year) determines the number of heavy drinkers and thus also the degree of alcohol-related health
Development of efficient hybrid system for degradation of Abamectin pesticide based on the advanced oxidation processes
Abamectin is one of the widely used pesticides in veterinary medicine and agriculture, which its widespread usage poses a potentially serious environmental and health problem. Presence of Abamectin in the both ground and surface water resources can
A promising compound to be tested against neurodegenerative disorders
Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are enzymes responsible for protein deacetylation. Abnormalities in acetylation levels caused by deregulation of those enzymes are proposed to be involved in the pathogenesis of cancer and neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer, Parkinson and
L-carnitine attenuates antipsychotic-induced hyperprolactinemia by stimulating pituitary GABA receptors
Antipsychotic-induced hyperprolactinaemia occurs overall in up to 70% of patients with schizophrenia, depending on the medications used. Hyperprolactinemia may cause sexual dysfunction, amenorrhea, infertility, galactorrhea, and osteoporosis, which in general relates to the degree of prolactin elevation.
A new moving boundary model for simulation of the ultrasonic horn reactors
Ultrasonic-assisted technology (UAT) has found astonishing uses in different areas due to its high potential for improving the yield of industrial processes. For example it is used in chemistry and chemical engineering due to its effects on
Water types distribution in the human skin horny layer in vivo
The stratum corneum (SC) is the uppermost horny layer of the skin and provides an efficient barrier function for regulation of water homeostasis. The water in the SC plays an important role in maintaining the SC´s enzyme
How much alcohol is in ketamine`s antidepressant response?
The rapid and robust antidepressant action following a single intravenous sub-narcotic ketamine infusion (usually 0.5 mg/kg over 40 minutes) in the treatment of resistant major depression is unique and encouraging, albeit short-lasting (up to 7 days). Increasing
Inorganic Cadmium affects the fluidity and size of phospholipid based liposomes
Inorganic Cadmium (Cd) is a non-essential metal and a toxic environmental pollutant that induces multiple biochemical dysfunctions. Due to industrial activities since the 1800s, exposure to ever increasing levels of Cd has resulted in a significant impact
Why don’t some employees mind faking their emotions?
Employees often have to show emotions they really do not feel in order to offer quality service to clients. For example, a flight attendant has to appear calm and transmit serenity to passengers, even when he/she is
The journey of Campylobacter: a genomic analysis of a successful zoonotic pathogen
Campylobacter is the leading cause of human gastroenteritis worldwide. Domestic and wild birds are likely zoonotic vectors of Campylobacter. We demonstrated that American crows, abundant in urban, suburban, and agricultural settings, carry multiple Campylobacter genotypes that are
Disturbed sleep matters to patients with ankylosing spondylitis
Disturbed sleep is a significant problem for patients suffering with long-term, inflammatory conditions such as Ankylosing Spondylitis and non-radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis. Alongside other symptoms, these conditions primarily affect the axial skeleton and connective tissue, causing pain and
