Exosomes are extracellular vesicles that are believed to play a role in communication between cells by transporting materials inside the vesicle. Credit: Alex_Traksel/Shutterstock.com Exosomes are released from cells upon fusion with an intermediate endocytic compartment, or a multivesicular body (MVB). When the MVB fuses with the plasma membrane surrounding the cell, intraluminal vesicles are released into the extracellular matrix and […]
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There is at present no cure for Crohn’s disease. However, there are medications that can improve the symptoms. There are several surgical methods that may help in improving the symptoms of the condition. Aims of treatment of Crohn’s disease The aim of treatment of Crohn’s disease is to treat the active disease in order to relieve the symptoms. Maintenance therapy […]
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Retinoic acid is a member of the over 4,000-strong family of retinoids, which are compounds derived from retinol or vitamin A, or compounds structurally similar to it. Vitamin A itself is derived only from food, and cannot be made in the body of any animal. It is esterified and stored in the liver, the richest source of vitamin A apart […]
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Chemokines are small cell signalling molecules secreted by certain cells in the presence of infective bodies such as bacteria or viruses. These chemokines induce the migration of immune cells, which target the invasive body through a variety of mechanisms. The process by which activated immune cells move towards a site of infection is called chemotaxis, that is the movement of […]
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The complete set of lipids in an organism or a cell along with its interactions with other molecules, such as other lipids, proteins, and metabolites constitutes the lipidome. Lipidomics is the comprehensive and quantitative study of the lipidome. It involves identification and quantitation of thousands of biological pathways involving lipids and their interactions. Structure of a fat cell. 3D rendering. […]
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Bowel movements are regulated by the muscles and nerves around the rectum, anus, sphincters (internal and external) as well as the pelvic floor muscles. The common factors that affect the normal bowel function leading to incontinence include: inability of the rectum to hold the stool until social conditions permit evacuation inability of the sphincters and muscles to hold the stool […]
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The term "cytokine" is derived from a combination of two Greek words – "cyto" meaning cell and "kinos" meaning movement. Cytokines are cell signalling molecules that aid cell to cell communication in immune responses and stimulate the movement of cells towards sites of inflammation, infection and trauma. Cytokines. Image Credit: Designua / Shutterstock Cytokines exist in peptide, protein and glycoprotein […]
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Melanoma is a health condition with a long history, dating back to early records in the 5th century BC. The following is a short summary of the prominent historical events. Ancient History In approximately the 5th century BC, Hippocrates was the first to record a description of melanoma, which he described as melas, meaning dark, and oma, clonidine adhd meaning […]
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Ankylosing spondylitis is a complex chronic disease that causes inflammation in the spine and other areas of the body. Symptoms of the condition develop gradually over months or years. Some individuals can eventually get better, while others find their condition deteriorates. Although patients are at risk of long-term disability, advair no prescripton this can usually be prevented with exercise, physiotherapy […]
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The back is a complex structure made up of: Bones of the vertebrae Muscles Nerves Joints Because of this complex structure it is difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of the pain. In most cases the pain is not caused by serious damage or disease but by sprains, minor strains, minor injuries or an irritated nerve ending. These may be […]
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