Antigen presentation is a mechanism used by cells to present peptides on the cell surface. Peptides, derived from both viral or self-proteins are presented on the cell surface by MHC Class I molecules to be recognized and detected by cytotoxic T cells. T cells comprise the defense system to protect...
Models of ecosystem carbon (C) balance generally assume a strong relationship between net primary productivity (NPP), litter inputs, and soil C accumulation, but there is little direct evidence for such a coupled relationship. Using a unique 50-year detrital manipulation experiment in a in a mixed deciduous forest and restored prairie...
Systemic hypertension, a persistent elevation in systemic arterial blood pressure (BP), is a well-recognized disorder in cats. Failing to diagnose it accurately could lead to organ damage or unnecessary lifelong therapy. Doppler ultrasonic flow detectors are commonly used for indirect BP measurements in cats. However, whether the audible static from...
The gut microbiome has been previously implemented in a number of diseases. Of note is its substantial role in metabolic syndrome, which encapsulates a group of conditions that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke. Understanding the causal relationships between the gut microbiome and host processes...
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by an accumulation of neutral lipids in the form of triglycerides and cholesterol esters accounting for >5% of liver weight. Excess neutral lipids accumulate in large lipid droplets, i.e., macrosteatosis, displacing the nucleus of cells. Current theory suggests neutral lipid accumulation is the...
The immune system is a complex network of cellular processes working in harmony to guard us against pathogenic attack. Of utmost importance is the ability of the immune system to discriminate between “self” and “non-self” and diseased versus healthy. Recognition of antigens complexed to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules is...
Xanthohumol, a prenylated flavonoid found in hops and beer, possesses a long-standing reputation to improve health. Xanthohumol’s cytotoxicity to a wide variety of cancer cell lines is well-established. Herein we provide further insight into the cytotoxicity of not only xanthohumol, but also its non-estrogenic derivatives, to a number of colonic...
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide with human papillomavirus (HPV) being the main cause of the disease. Currently available treatment methods are limited and emphasize the need for discovery of new therapies that improve patient outcome. Chromosomal amplifications have been identified as a source of...
TAC is the most commonly used medication in post transplantation maintenance immunosuppression therapy. TAC lipophilicity and its erratic oral absorption especially in the presence of food intake result in great intra- and interpatient pharmacokinetic variations. Complicated dosing and frequent required therapeutic monitoring is thought to be the main cause of...