Category Archives: Research
Tay Sachs in South Italy
Tay Sachs disease (TSD) is an autosomal recessive neurological disorder characterized by significant deficiency of lysosomal enzyme β-Hexosaminidase A and subsequent intralysosomal accumulation of GM2 ganglioside. The classical TSD occurs in early infancy with psychomotor retardation, blindness,
Identification of a new T cell regulator
T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling is mediated by the activation of protein-tyrosine kinases such as p56lck and ZAP-70. In mature T-cells, CD4 and CD8 molecules bind to p56lck which then phosphorylates the intracellular immune-receptor tyrosine-based activation motifs (ITAM)
Does subjecting health students to stressful scenarios better prepare them for real world practice?
Simulation is an education and training technique that allows students to practice in safe environments that replicate substantial aspects of the real world in a fully interactive fashion. Simulation is often used to train undergraduates as it
Determination of the size of folding nuclei of fibrils formed from Aβ(1-40) peptide
One of the most important models for studying amyloid fibril formation is the Aβ peptide, aggregates of which form plaques in the course of Alzheimer`s disease. Formation of Aβ aggregates goes through the nucleation mechanism with exponential
A novel method for the preparation of 18F-labeled α-SCF3 carbonyl compounds
As fluorine-18 (18F) is the most commonly used radioisotope in positron emission tomography (PET), significant efforts have been devoted to the exploration of efficient methods for the incorporation of 18F into small and biological molecules. However, the
Next generation sequencing, a new gold standard for clinical gene panel testing
The adaption of the Next Generation Sequencing ( NGS ) technology to clinical laboratories has revolutionized the molecular diagnostics by reducing the costs and increasing the throughput. Clinical use of NGS enables simultaneous testing of multiple genes
Oral anticoagulants and renal failure: The mystery yet unsolved
The optimal utilization of novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in patients with renal failure represents an urgent, unmet, and yet unsolved need with regard to the choice of agents, duration of treatment, and potential dose/regimen adjustment. Lack of
Human chorionic gonadotrophin induces ovarian follicle growth in pregnant sows
Fertility of female pigs is often significantly depressed during the summer and early autumn, an effect referred to as seasonal infertility. Manifestations of seasonal infertility can include reduced pregnancy rates and, less often, smaller litter sizes. These
Atomic structures of telomerase shed light into the mechanism of telomere replication
Telomeres comprise the six nucleotide repeats at the end of eukaryotic chromosomes and they are essential for the faithful replication and protection of our genome. Significant telomere attrition forces the cells to enter a dormant state to
The importance of clinical endpoints in lymphoma
Lymphomas, or neoplasms of the lymphoid system, include a broad array of cancers. The least aggressive, often called indolent, lymphomas (the most frequent of which is follicular lymphoma, FL) are characterized by their incurability. At the same
Sick already? Job loss makes it even worse
There are good reasons to expect job loss to deteriorate health. It reduces available income and social contacts, might affect daily routines and social identity. Obviously, it seems unrealistic to assume health consequences of job loss to
Uncovering the diversity of a rich insect family in Colombia, the case of the genus Notiospathius
To understand a phenomenon, we usually start by looking at the number and type of parts that compose that subject; we like to know the anatomy of a system in order to move into its functionality. The
Epigenetics and multiple sclerosis
Genetic studies have long been trying to describe the etiopathology of human diseases. Even though the cutting-edge approaches like whole human genome sequencing and genome wide association studies have largely improved our apprehension, there are numerous questions
Hiding under sea bed: a new species of sand crab Jonas kalpakkamensis is discovered
The common edible crabs which we often encounter in land, sea and freshwater bodies mostly belong to a group classified as brachyuran crabs. They constitute a third of the commercial value of Indian seafood. There are about
Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs): a new leak proof electrolyte for alkaline fuel cell
Everincreasing energy demand of world and pollution associated with fossil fuels , has demanded an urgent need to develop alternate clean energy systems. Fuel cells are the promising energy technology which converts chemical energy into electricity through
Electronic witness system in IVF – patient’s perspective
Biological sample mix up is a very rare event in IVF procedure, but it can happen. In order to almost eliminate the risk of error during the handling of biological samples and make safer the IVF treatments,
What do or should we value in the treatment for psychotic individuals?
Even with the biological approach adopted by mainstream psychiatry, it seems necessary to revitalize interest in the use of psychotherapy in the treatment of psychosis. Supporting this idea, there are compelling reasons. One of the most important
North American tetras: Such abundant fishes, such a complex evolutionary history
Tetras of Central and North America are fishes that belong in genus Astyanax, family Characidae. They are among the most abundant and frequent freshwater fishes in tropical America. Although some authors consider all Astyanax in the region
How to predict how medical student will do on future high stakes exams?
It is widely assumed by many admissions councilors and by the general public that performance on previous college and standardized exams, both of which weigh heavily toward requirements for entry to medical school, highly predicts future performance
Energy in versus energy out – the key to optimising body composition for endurance athletes?
Running and triathlon are among the most popular and fastest growing sports in the world. In these sports, time of is of the essence and strategies to reduce time taken to complete a set distance are most
