Persistent and uncontrolled inflammation is the root cause of various debilitating diseases. Given that interleukin-1 receptor–associated kinase 4 (IRAK4) is a critical modulator of inflammation, inhibition of its activity with selective drug molecules (IRAK4 inhibitors) represents a promising therapeutic strategy for inflammatory disorders. To exploit the full potential of this...
Pactamycin, produced by the soil bacterium Streptomyces pactum, is a cytotoxic antibiotic that belongs to the aminocyclitol family of natural products. This antibiotic has shown various forms of biological activity, including antibacterial, antifungal, antimalarial, and antitumor activities. Despite its outstanding biological activity, the mode of formation of its pharmacophore (the...
Women’s lives in one of the oldest neighborhoods in Mekele, Ethiopia are very organized, systematic, and sophisticated. The women in this study model, express, and reflect the values of community, trust, care, stability, and futurity through their perceptions and sentiments regarding social and political change. I document how these values...
The production of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles has increased significantly in the past decades, which has generated concern due to their known toxicity in the environment. As a result of the production, use and disposal of productions containing TiO2, TiO2 nanoparticles are often received by wastewater treatment facilities. The adsorption...
Throughout their lifetime individuals are exposed to complex mixtures of chemicals. The study of chemical mixtures is an internationally recognized research priority, but seemingly complex challenge. To reduce the intricacy of studying mixtures, researchers have identified different prioritization methods based on exposure or the toxicity of chemicals. However, understanding the...
Curbing overall disease burden with faster intervention requires early stage and accurate diagnostics. Ultrasound (US) provides a safe, nonionizing, inexpensive, and noninvasive imaging modality that has become commonplace in diagnostics. Paired with the relatively new technology of photoacoustic imaging (PAI), optical level resolution becomes feasible with the deeper signal penetration...
Natural products (a.k.a. secondary metabolites) are produced by living organisms that are not essential for their growth, development, or reproduction, but may play a role in their survival or adaptability in nature. Many secondary metabolites isolated from plants and microbes have found use as molecular probes, drug leads, or medicine...
The increase in the demand for energy is estimated to be 28 TW by a year of 2050, which is twice of the energy produced in 2010, in response to the unprecedented growth of the global population. Current energy market is heavily relying on the fossil fuel, which brings the...
Ewing sarcoma (EwS) is the second most highly malignant tumor that arises mainly from bone and surrounding soft tissue of adolescent and young adult patients. Despite the advances in Ewing sarcoma treatment that today include a combination of five chemotherapeutic agents, surgery, and/or radiotherapy, these therapies have demonstrated limited improvement...