Open Access DOI:10.23937/2572-3278.1510007
The Importance of Nutritional Control and Diet Care in Huntington's Disease
Nieves Gonzalez
Article Type: Editorial | First Published: September 28, 2015
The first descriptions of chorea, from the Greek word 'dance', date back to the middle ages. The condition 'Saint Vitus dance' was initially considered a curse, and was named so, because afflicted individuals were 'cured' when they touched churches, which enshrined Saint Vitus relics. In 1872, Dr. George Huntington published a report entitled 'On chorea', where he characterized the Huntington's disease (HD) as a genetic condition, which specifically causes degeneration in neurons of the striatum...
Open Access DOI:10.23937/2572-3278.1510006
Active Hexose Correlated Compound Activates Immune Function to Decrease Chlamydia trachomatis Shedding in a Murine Stress Model
Tesfaye Belay, Chih-lung Fu and Anthony Woart
Article Type: Original Article | First Published: September 15, 2015
A cold-induced stress mouse model for investigating chlamydia genital infection and immune response analysis was established in our laboratory. Previous results showed that cold-induced stress results in suppression of the immune response and increased intensity of chlamydia genital infection in the mouse model. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the potential therapeutic value of active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) against chlamydia genital infection in mice. AHCC is an extra...
Open Access DOI:10.23937/2572-407X.1510003
Hypercalcemia, an Uncommon Presentation of Hyperthyroidism
Fathimabeebi PK, Noor Bader Al Busaidi and Mohamed Al Lamki
Article Type: Case Report | First Published: October 13, 2015
Background: Moderate to severe hypercalcemia associated with hyperthyroidism is not very common and can raise a diagnostic challenge to the treating physician. Objective: To present a case of thyrotoxicosis manifested with symptoms of hypercalcemia and resolution of symptoms after rendering euthyroid. Method: We report the case of a 61 year old Omani gentleman, who presented with symptoms of hypercalcemia like weight loss (10 kg) with poor appetite, constipation and depression as first manifesta...
Open Access DOI:10.23937/2572-407X.1510002
Growth-Differentiation Factor-15 at Risk Stratification in Diabetes Patients: Usefulness, Discrepancies, and Hype
Alexander E. Berezin
Article Type: Mini Review | First Published: September 17, 2015
Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) is a stress-responsive cytokine, which belongs to super family of the transforming growth factor beta. GDF-15 is widely presented in the various cells (macrophages, vascular smooth muscle cells, adipocytes, cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, fibroblasts), tissues (adipose tissue, vessels, tissues of central and peripheral nervous system) and organs (heart, brain, liver, placenta) and it plays an important role in the regulation of the inflammatory respon...
Open Access DOI:10.23937/2378-3664/1410012
Bio-Active Designer Materials and Dentures: from Design to Application
V Tamara Perchyonok, John Souza, Shengmiao Zhang, Desigar Moodley and Sias Grobler
Article Type: Research Article | First Published: November 02, 2015
The bio-active modified polymethyl methacrylate denture resins (PMMA) were prepared by dispersion of the corresponding component in glycerol and acetic acid with the addition of chitosan gelling agent. The release behaviors at physiological pH and also under acidic conditions and stability of the antioxidant-chitosan were also evaluated. Mechanical performance such as tensile strength and compressive strength were measured as well bio-adhesive studies were investigated in order to assess the sui...
Open Access DOI:10.23937/2378-3664/1410010
Biomedical Applications of Natural Polymer Based Nanofibrous Scaffolds
Preethi GU, Manu M Joseph, Unnikrishnan BS, Shiji R and Sreelekha TT
Article Type: Review Article | First Published: September 17, 2015
Nanotechnology is one of the most popular branches of science in the current decade where nanofiber scaffolds (NS) attain principal attraction. NS are composed of several nanometer to micrometer diameter fibers similar in nature to collagen, keratin and elastin fibers of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and helps in cell attachment, proliferation and differentiation. NS with desired features can be fabricated using various chemical, physical and biological methods such as electrospinning, phase se...
Open Access DOI:10.23937/2474-3631/1510011
Cross-Cultural Research on Internet Addiction: A Systematic Review
Olatz Lopez-Fernandez
Article Type: Research Article | First Published: October 29, 2015
Internet addiction (IA) is the most studied behavioral addiction. However, few studies have been conducted that simultaneously include several countries to attain an inter-cultural and international perspective on the phenomenon. The aim of this systematic review is to observe the characteristics of cross-cultural IA studies, in order to explore (i) their classification, (ii) the cultures involved, (iii) the IA issues treated, and (iv) the commonalities and differences among cultures. For this r...
Open Access DOI:10.23937/2474-3631/1510010
Flaxseed Oil Decreases Craving for Chocolate: Preliminary Results
Pedro Luis Prior, Anna Carolina Ramos, Jaqueline Kalleian Eserian, Jucara Zaparoli and Jose Carlos Fernandes Galduroz
Article Type: Brief Communication | First Published: October 22, 2015
Chocolate is recognized as a type of food that contains many psychoactive components. Many studies have shown that some people may present compulsive symptoms such as the difficulty in resisting the urge to consume chocolate. On the other hand, there is evidence that omega 3 deficiency results in a dopaminergic hypofunctioning of the mesocortical and mesolimbic pathways related to reinforcing effects. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the effects of flaxseed oil (rich in om...