Tag Archives: disease
Association of polymorphism gene with clinical variability in cystic fibrosis patients
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited disease, caused by a dysfunction (mutation) in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. This disease affects a numerous organs particularly the lungs and digestive system. CF is characterized by
From the gut to the eye: commensal microbes as potential triggers of autoimmune uveitis
Autoimmune uveitis is a group of inflammatory diseases that affect the retina of the eye and related tissues and constitute a major cause of human blindness. It is believed that the disease is triggered by the activation
Rare and uncommon cancers
A rare cancer is one that occurs less than 6 times in 100,000 people and an uncommon cancer is found between 6 and 12 times in each 100,000 people. The problem with being rare is that there
Stepping to recover from a fall is not helped by Deep Brain Stimulation in people with Parkinson’s disease
Poor balance is common in people with Parkinson’s Disease and can limit the activities people are able to engage in. If a fall occurs the injuries can be debilitating and impair quality of life. The ability to
Agreement between physician’s recommendation and fitness-to-drive decision in multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive disease of the central nervous system with potential debilitating effects on visual, motor and cognitive functions. These functions are essential for daily life activities, such as driving a car. Previous studies
Small or big, brain cells don’t like protein gunk that lead to diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s
An interdisiciplinary study by scientists at Trinity College Dublin (TCD, Ireland) have answered a hotly debated question in the neurodegenerative diseases research area: “Which protein aggregate form is the primary pathogenic agent in neurodegenerative diseases – (i) the prefibrillar oligomeric
Albuminuria and cognitive decline
People with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) have a 50-100% increased risk of developing cognitive decline and dementia as compared to people without T2DM. The reasons for this decline are not yet clearly defined but are likely to
Rust proofing the humble oat: wild cousins to the rescue
Crown rust is a disease caused by the fungus Puccinia coronata (Pc) that leads to a reduction in grain-yield of the oat crop and other cereals. Rust diseases of oat and cereals like wheat and barley result
Nuclear membrane diversity
Although it is obvious that every tissue in our bodies is different, the vast majority of scientific research is done on a small number of cancer cell lines studying individual cells grown in dishes — for example
Alzheimer’s disease: SMILES to preserve wisdom
Simplified molecular input-line entry systems (SMILES) is informative representation of molecules. This representation gives possibility to compare molecules in their architecture and in their action. Molecules characterized by good pharmaceutical action can be modified in order to
Building capacity where it is needed
Once thought to be affecting only affluent countries, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity and other life-style related diseases (collectively referred to as non-communicable diseases or NCD) are now the leading cause of death and disability also in developing
How to best treat severe and chronic heartburn
Heartburn, a burning sensation behind the breastbone, is the most frequent symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) causing acidic stomach contents to be pushed up into the esophagus, the muscular tube connecting the mouth to the stomach.
The portal venous system in liver cirrhosis: not yet a gray zone
Liver cirrhosis is a complex disease involving many systems, mainly located inside the abdominal cavity. The clinical diagnosis today is usually followed by laboratory, endoscopic, radiological examinations, among which the sectional imaging tools, ultrasound, computed tomography and
Finding therapeutic way to eradicate tuberculosis of the brain
Tuberculosis is one of oldest infectious disease in the world. It is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis, where it infects primarily the lung. Millions of individuals are infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Even though we are
Changes in anti-predator behaviour of prey after large predator declines
Large carnivores are suffering severe declines worldwide due to their vulnerability to habitat loss, emerging diseases and persecution. Their loss has been attributed to changes in the abundance and behaviour of other species, including small mammals and
Forecasting malaria using environmental and clinical predictors
In 1911, Christophers developed an early-warning system for malaria epidemics in Punjab based on rainfall, fever-related deaths and wheat prices. Since that initial system, researchers and practitioners have continued to search for determinants of spatial and temporal
Using stem cells to battle brain diseases
Neurodegenerative diseases are conditions resulting from the malfunction and death of brain cells, known as “neurons”. As people are living longer, neurodegenerative diseases affect an increasing number of people and pose a major social and economic burden
The multiple faces of Alzheimer’s disease: it’s not only memory
When we think of Alzheimer’s, the first thing that comes to our mind is memory loss. Memory problems were, until recently, a core and mandatory criteria to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease. The word has spread through awareness programs
The resilient pituitary gland: What happens when the pituitary gland has to be cut during surgery?
The pituitary gland is considered to be the “master endocrine gland”. It is a pea-sized structure located at the base of the brain, important in controlling growth and development and the functioning of the other endocrine glands.
Maps can help in the fight against neglected tropical diseases
Numerous diseases affect the populations of Africa. Some diseases receive a lot of attention and others do not. The World Health Organization has grouped seventeen of these latter diseases into what is now known as Neglected Tropical
