Substance in brown coal may aid in combating viruses

Scientists have identified biologically active molecular components of humic substances extracted from coal and discovered substances with antiviral activity against the tick-borne encephalitis virus.

Natural multicomponent mixtures, such as humic substances found in soil, peat and coal are a significant source of biologically active compounds. Understanding their composition and extracting active components can be a great help in creating new drugs. However, finding a specific compound in these environments is a highly challenging task that requires advanced methods capable of differentiating and separating one substance from another.

The study was jointly conducted by researchers from different  research institutes.

We made an attempt at understanding the structural reasons behing the antiviral activity of the molecular components of humic substances. Aware that standard methods of complex mixture separation do not work for humic substances, we looked at some known structures matching the molecular compositions determinable by mass spectrometry and noticed that some structures correspond to compounds often extracted from natural sources, for e.g., flavonoids, said one of the authors of the study.

We undertook further mass spectometry experiments, which suggest that there can indeed be a match between the types of structures we found in the databases and the molecular components of humic systems, he added.

The study revealed that humic substances inhibit the reproduction of a dangerous human pathogen, tick-borne encephalitis virus. The authors relied in high-resolution mass spectometry to study the composition of humic samples and chemoinformatics to analyse their findings.

They compared the results against extensive databases of chemical compounds and identified the compounds' structural features which may be responsible for their virucidal activity. The data analysis results clearly attest to the importance of natural central fragments of flavonoids and polyphenols, 2 classes of natural compounds with wide-ranging biological activity.

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                    PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO  VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/                                                                                                                                                FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                       https:// kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com/                                                                                                                     FOR CROCHET DESIGNS                                                                                                   

                                https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com

'Cell therapy may replace need for kidney transplants'

Regenerating damaged tissues using therapeutic cells may prove to be a promising new approach to treat chronic kidney disease, scientists say.

Researchers found that harnessing the unique properties of human amniotic fluid-derived stem cells could potentially help recover organ function in a pre-clinical model of kidney disease. 

"Our results indicate that this type of stem cell could be used as an off the shelf universal cell source and may provide an alternative therapeutic strategy for patients suffering from this chronic and debilitating disease," said a Prof.


Amniotic fluid-derived stem cells can be used as a universal cell source because they have the ability to become different cell types as well as the ability to be anti-inflammatory, making them a potential source for regeneration.

Unlike pluripotent and adult stem cells, amniotic fluid-derived stem cells are not as likely to provoke an immune system response.

Their use does not lead to risks of tumours or ethical concerns, as with embryonic stem cells, researchers said.

The study found that amniotic fluid stem cells injected into a diseased kidney in a pre-clinical model led to improvement of kidney function based on measured waste levels after 10 weeks.

Biopsy findings showed reduced damage to the cluster of capillaries where waste products are filtered from the blood.

"Our studies demonstrate that treatment with amniotic fluid stem cells had positive effects on functional improvement and structural recovery of the kidney," said  a researcher that CKD is a worldwide public health problem and can manifest in acute and chronic symptoms.

Transplantation is the only definitive treatment method that restores kidney function, but has its own challenges with rejection and life-long immunosuppression.

There also are not enough donor organs to meet demand.

"It remains to be seen whether injecting more cells or more efficient engraftment of the infused cells enhances improvement of organ function," said a research fellow.

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                    PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO  VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/                                                                                                                                                         FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-                                                  https:// kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com/           

                                                                           FOR CROCHET DESIGNS                                                                                                                                                                                                  https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com

The Connection Between Triclosan and Gut Infections

In the 1970s, a new chemical appeared in many different products that we use every day, such as toothpastes, soaps, and detergents. This chemical is called triclosan and has antibacterial and antifungal effects. For years, the experts investigated this miracle material that suddenly appeared in a variety of products and tested the safety of its use, and it was only in 2016 that clear legislation was introduced that forbade its presence in soaps. However, it still exists in many of the products we use, such as toothpastes and wet wipes, and it is important that you recognize it and the danger it poses to your health.

What have scientists thought of triclosan till today?

"Consumers think that antibacterial agents are more effective than others in eliminating bacteria, but there is no scientific evidence that they are more effective than soap and water," says a researcher. The experts has made it clear that triclosan, along with 18 other compounds, should not be used in antiseptic products such as hand soap, but the administration's legislation was limited, and the chemical is still used to make toothpastes, wet wipes, and disinfectants. 

Over the years, an increasing number of studies have shown that triclosan is harmful to humans and the environment, while the first ones have shown that there is a reason to worry that the chemical acts as an endocrine disruptor – interfering with the physiological functioning of the hormones. In addition, the use of triclosan over time increases the ability of bacteria to develop resistance to antibiotics. 

The direct effect of triclosan on human health is widely debated, and according to a review of studies, the conclusion reached by experts is that the use of low-volume chemicals isn’t harmful to human health; This includes the amount used to produce cosmetics, shampoos, and toothpastes. However, the  government has made it clear that the chemical is indeed harmful to the environment; In fact, it is one of the 10 most common pollutants in rivers in North America.

What do scientists have to say about triclosan today?

Researchers decided to examine the effects of triclosan, and specifically whether it is related to intestinal infections - a problem that has emerged more since they began using the chemical. In the study, they examined the response of mice to a low amount of triclosan, which could be traced in the blood; After 3 weeks of testing previously healthy mice, symptoms of chronic GI infections began to appear. 

The study was conducted again in the same way, but this time on mice genetically engineered to develop inflammatory bowel disease. The symptoms of inflammation of the mice developed faster this time, and some also developed ulcerative colitis - a disease that increases the chances of cancer. The same group of mice that developed ulcerative colitis also had a shorter life expectancy than other mice. 

Researchers believe that triclosan affects the intestinal microbial community in a way that can be significant to the formation of inflammatory effects. To investigate this mechanism further, the researchers conducted the study again, but this time with mice that had no intestinal microbial community. Indeed, there was no adverse effect on the intestines of these mice. 

It is important to emphasize that all these studies have not yet been conducted on humans, but researchers believe that the same results will also appear among them. "We know very little about the effect of triclosan on the human body, and our research indicates that the effects of its use and exposure should be examined and the legality of its use, updated," says one of the researchers.

What does all this mean for us?

A previous study found that triclosan tends to be stored in toothbrush fibers, and even if you switch to a toothpaste that doesn’t contain the chemical, the triclosan left on the brush is released directly into the mouth in dangerous amounts. Therefore, you may also want to replace your toothbrush. It is still unclear whether there is a link between triclosan and intestinal infections in humans, but it is certainly worth making this small change.

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO  VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/                                                                                                                                                                             FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                                                             https:// kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com/                                                                                        FOR CROCHET DESIGNS                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com 

AAV Gene Therapy Successfully Protects Against Ebola in Mice

Infectious disease researchers have discovered a new method for effectively protecting against and treating Ebola infections. The study, performed in mice, used an adeno-associated virus (AAV) to deliver monoclonal antibody genes against Ebola. Similar viral vector treatments have been used to effectively treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections.

“Our goal is to make an antibody-based therapy that can protect against all strains of Ebola, and potentially Marburg virus, as well,” says Prof., who, along with PhD student found a new way to fight Ebola. “It would be used to stop the spread of the virus in outbreak situations.”

Traditional monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatments for Ebola are promising but are limited by the resources required for production and the immunity they provide is short-term. Using a viral vector method, anti-Ebola monoclonal antibody genes are delivered to the cell and the cell will produce the antibody and secrete it into the bloodstream to fight an infection. The research team demonstrated that in mice, 100 percent protection was provided against an Ebola infection with a mixture of two different types of antibodies and 83 percent protection was provided with a different antibody cocktail. The gene therapy was shown to provide protection from the disease for five months following administration.

“We are hoping to use this technology in a post-exposure scenario. Let’s say someone has been exposed to Ebola. The idea would be to give them this AAV vector to start producing the antibodies that prevent death, commented the Prof.”

The preliminary findings are promising and the team is moving forward to develop a gene-based therapeutic or vaccine to Ebola or one that can be used to treat other filovirus infections such as Marbug.

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.    

PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO VIEW MY BLOG-                      
HTTP:GSEASYRECIPES.BLOGSPOT.COM/

FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-                                                     

HTTP://KNEE REPLACEMENT-STICK CLUB.BLOGSPOT.COM/
FOR CROCHET DESIGNS
HTTP://MY CROCHET CREATIONS.BLOGSPOT.COM

Scientists develop first human kidney tissue capable of producing urine

In a first for medical science, scientists have successfully produced human kidney tissue within a living organism that is able to produce urine, a significant milestone in the development of treatment for kidney disease. Using stem cells, scientists from the University of Manchester, created mini-kidneys that were implanted into mice. Tests revealed they were able to filter and excrete waste. In the study, published in the journal , kidney glomeruli — a constituent microscopic parts of the organ — were generated from human embryonic stem cells grown in plastic laboratory culture dishes. These were combined with a gel like substance, which acted as natural connective tissue — and then injected as a tiny clump under the skin of mice.

After three months, an examination of the tissue revealed that nephrons — the microscopic structural and functional units of the kidney — had formed. The new structures contained most of the constituent parts present in human nephrons — including proximal tubules, distal tubules, Bowman’s capsule and Loop of Henle. Tiny human blood vessels — known as capillaries — had developed inside the mice which nourished the new kidney structures. “We have proved beyond any doubt these structures function as kidney cells by filtering blood and producing urine — though we can’t yet say what percentage of function exists,” said a Professor.

“What is particularly exciting is that the structures are made of human cells which developed an excellent capillary blood supply, becoming linked to the vasculature of the mouse.”

“Though this structure was formed from several hundred glomeruli, and humans have about a million in their kidneys — this is clearly a major advance,” the Prof. said.

However, the mini-kidneys lack a large artery, and without that, the organ’s function will only be a fraction of normal.

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.    

PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO VIEW MY BLOG-                      
HTTP:GSEASYRECIPES.BLOGSPOT.COM/

FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-                                                     

HTTP://KNEE REPLACEMENT-STICK CLUB.BLOGSPOT.COM/
FOR CROCHET DESIGNS
HTTP://MY CROCHET CREATIONS.BLOGSPOT.COM

Thus, researchers are working with surgeons to put in an artery that will bring more blood the new kidney.

The results may help create working human kidneys for transplant in people with kidney disease.
Annually, 2.6 million people worldwide receive dialysis or kidney transplantation for end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), while around 2.2 million people with kidney disease die prematurely, unable to access treatment.

Kidney transplants are in short supply and an adult on long-term dialysis has an average life expectancy of barely a decade.

Therapies that prevent the progression of chronic kidney disease to end-stage kidney disease are therefore, urgently needed, the researchers said.