Author Archives: Francisco Fernandez, MD

It is estimated that more than 240 million people are infected with hepatitis B worldwide, and for that reason it continues to be a major public health problem. Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection is considered a major risk factor for serious liver disease such as cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and related complications.  Current antiviral therapies have […]

Axonal fusion is an efficient means of repair following axonal transection, whereby the regenerating axon fuses with its own separated axonal fragment to restore neuronal function.  The axon, the longest neuronal process, is essential for the transmission of electrochemical signals to other neurons or muscles. Damage to axons in the central or peripheral nervous system […]

The exposure of humans to phthalates is widespread through contact with myriad consumer products. This exposure is particularly high through medications formulated with phthalates, and they can disrupt normal endocrine signaling and are associated with reproductive outcomes and incidence of some cancers.  Phthalates are chemical additives used to enhance the durability or consistency of plastics […]

Exposure to artificial light during the night is widespread globally, particularly in industrialized countries. Given that light and dark exposure patterns play a key role in the timing of many behaviors and physiological functions, exposure to light in the evening and night has been posited to be deleterious for human health and well-being. Studies have […]

A recently published study has suggested that types of immune cells may help predict physical status in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, while others may predict patient survival. The results were published in the journal eLife.  The results of the study suggest that measuring changes in immune cell populations may help physicians monitor the status […]

Metformin is the standard first-line pharmaceutical intervention for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D), and is one of the most widely prescribed drugs worldwide. Metformin has glucose-lowering effects in patients with T2D.  After it is given orally, the medication accumulates to a high degree within the liver due to first-pass uptake in the portal vein following […]

Acetaminophen has been always considered as a safer alternative to Nonsteroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), and their use regarding blood pressure and cardiovascular health.  This medication is widely used as first-line therapy for chronic pain because of this perceived safety and the assumption that, unlike NSAIDs, it has little or no effect on the blood […]