Tag Archives: disease
Changing the image of Gout
Gout is the most common arthritis of patients over 40 years of age. Many phycians treat these gouty attacks but do not realize that they should also care for the underlying urate accumulation. It is not only
Blood-based biomarkers for multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated, inflammatory demyelinating and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system (CNS). MS is classified in: relapsing–remitting (RRMS), characterized by acute attacks followed by partial or complete recovery periods; primary progressive (PPMS),
Fighting (for iron) to survive: therapeutic avenues for aspergillus fumigatus infections
Aspergillus fumigatus (Af), a common fungus, frequently infects the lungs of patients with compromised immune systems. Despite progress in developing anti-fungal agents, Af infections still cause a significant number of deaths, making new treatment options necessary to
“Metal cats”: on the presence of chemical elements in feline reproductive system
Our cats may have their own ways but they still have a lot in common with humans. For example they suffer from similar diseases: diabetes mellitus, overactive thyroid or Alzheimers. However, most importantly, they often inhabit nearly
Breast cancer cells change and adapt during disease progression
A diagnosis of breast cancer usually includes characterisation of the breast cancer cells: determining if the tumour cells have hormone receptors and other proteins which will help to decide the best treatment options for the patient. This
Vaccinating pregnant women – a global perspective
The World Health Organization (WHO) influenza vaccine policy recommendations aim to protect vulnerable high-risk groups from severe disease. In a 2012 update of its influenza vaccine position, WHO recommended that countries considering the initiation or expansion of
Using nanotechnology to outsmart pancreatic cancer
Cancer is a versatile disease and makes use of complex cellular signaling networks to defend itself against a host of treatments. Pancreatic cancer in particular has proven challenging with tenacious resistance to DNA-damaging chemoradiation. Malignant cells disobey
Parasites hidden in feedstuff – pigs also have to watch what they eat!
In many parts of the world, Sunday pork roast is not as delicious as it might sound. The tapeworm with the Latin name Taenia solium is a parasite that causes much suffering mainly in low-income countries where
Is digoxin safe?
Digoxin is a medication commonly used in patients with heart disease. It is extracted from the foxglove plant and was first described in 1785. During the last few centuries it has become an established treatment in patients
Using ‘Big Data’ approaches to gain new insights into asthma
By combining fibre optic camera technology with the mathematics of ‘Big Data’ from Silicon Valley, researchers at Southampton have been with gaining new insights into the nature of the world’s commonest long-term lung disease: asthma. Up to
A gentle look at the heart
Coronary artery disease is one of the major causes of death in the Western population, mainly because of the potential risk of a heart attack. The latter often occurs out of the blue and the only chance
Cardiac atrial appendage stem cells: bright cells for a bright future for patients with ischemic heart disease
Ischemic heart disease is still one of the major causes of global morbidity and mortality. Although significant improvements in medical and surgical treatments have been accomplished over the last few decades, these are still not able to
In vitro test bench to reproducing pulsatile flow conditions
Cardiovascular diseases are among the top causes of mortality in the world. Huge efforts are made to fight against the cardiovascular diseases. However, the variability of the symptoms and risk factors makes this fight very challenging. While
A novel treatment for saphenous venous graft thrombosis
Coronary artery disease refers to narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the heart. Lack of blood supply to the heart can result in a myocardial infarction, commonly referred to as a heart attack. One way
Hope and concern
The ancient way of curing disease was the administration of natural products to the patient. The next step in drug discovery resulted from advances in chemistry. After isolation of natural active ingredients, synthesis in the laboratory of
Sanitation and disease: it’s time to cut the crap!
Even if we don’t talk about it, most of us will experience diarrhea in our lifetime, suffering little more than temporary discomfort and embarrassment. Except for the approximately 1.5 million people — over 350,000 of whom are
The effect of dehydroepiandrosterone in different stages of osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA) is likely to become an increasing burden in the coming decades. Current medications for OA, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), steroids or viscosupplementation provide only symptomatic improvements. The major disadvantage of all current treatments is
Genetically engineered mice provide a new look at sight-threatening eye disease
A group of sight-threatening inflammatory diseases of the eye, in which the immune system inappropriately recognizes and attacks the retina and adjacent structures, is known as non-infectious, or autoimmune, uveitis. Lymphocytes of the patients in fact recognize
Should we protect the brain barriers to prevent Alzheimer’s disease?
When discovered in 1906, Alzheimer’s disease was described as a peculiar disease and was rarely observed in the population. Today it is one of the top five causes of the death in elderly worldwide. People with Alzheimer’s
Use of antibiotics in animals and people – resistance transfer
There is a great debate going on in the European Union and the United States, regarding the effects of the use of antibiotics in animals and the potential transfer of resistance to man, primarily via the consumption
