Epilepsy is one of the most prevalent chronic brain disorders and is characterized by recurrent and spontaneous seizures. Seizures are highly synchronized neuronal discharges that arise from some epileptogenic regions and can spread to large areas in the brain. While about 50 million people worldwide are suffering from epilepsy, almost one-third of patients are resistant […]
Small amounts of artificial vanilla extract, also known as vanillin, are in a wide range of products, from baked goods to perfumes. But vanillin’s versatility doesn’t stop there. In a recent mouse study reported in ACS’ Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, researchers report that this compound could also prevent or reduce psoriatic skin inflammation. […]
Metabolic diseases require the continuous management of eating habits, dietary plans, physical exercise, exposome and other general behaviors including sleep. The number of people with diabetes worldwide is 460 million as of 2019, and it is steadily increasing every year, with approximately 11.3% of deaths worldwide is due to the diabetes-related complications. Diabetes mellitus increases […]
High blood pressure is the main cause of strokes, and a common cause of heart attacks and kidney failure. In most people with the condition, the cause is unknown, and they need life-long treatment through drugs. High blood pressure is one of the most common conditions among adults in the UK, roughly a third of […]
The identification of nitric oxide (NO) as endothelium-derived relaxing factor ushered in the modern era of vascular biology; yet, the medical promise of NO in cardiovascular disease, the most common cause of death in the developed world, remains largely unrealized. While NO bioactivity reduces cardiovascular risk through combined effects on endothelial function, blood pressure, and […]
Hydrogels are polymers that are reinforced by different chemical bonds, and are capable of absorbing water and swelling without breaking down. As a result, biotechnology researchers have often turned to these structures to provide stability and structural support for their cell cultures. Hydrogel capsules have been utilized for over 50 years. There are many different […]
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a syndrome resulting from exposure to real or threatened serious injury or sexual assault. The signs and symptoms of PTSD appear to arise from complex interactions of psychological and neurobiological factors. Studies have found alterations in the amygdala, prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and anterior cingulate, and corpus callosum as well as […]
Although not a life-threatening condition, chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) represents the most distressing side-effect for cancer patients and the fear of hair loss causes severe anxiety in patients. Thus it is important to understand the mechanisms of CIA in order to design safe and effective prevention strategies. Chemotherapy drugs, such as taxanes and particularly anthracyclines, cause […]
Marijuana is the most widely used illicit psychoactive substance in the world and the second-most commonly smoked substance after tobacco. Its use has increased in Canada since the legalization of nonmedical marijuana in 2018. In 2020, 20% of the population in Canada aged at least 15 years reported having used marijuana in the previous 3 […]
Influenza A virus (IAV) remains a serious health burden that disproportionately affects older individuals. Most young people who contract IAV only experience mild to moderate symptoms, but older individuals (≥65 years of age) experience higher rates of susceptibility, mortality, and complications such as secondary bacterial infections. For example, 86% of the deaths due to 2017–2018 […]