December 28, 2022
Simple Tips on Savings
A Brief History Of Pizza
December 12, 2022
Curing African Sickness Using Biological Trojan Horse
Figure 2. Reaction pathway of DFMO and PLP forming a highly reactive Schiff base. Upon further reaction with the enzyme active site, it will for an inactivated ezyme. |
With the continuous study and research in enzymology and metabolism, more and more drugs or treatments will be discovered especially to the diseases that are currently incurable. Although it will take several times, Biological Trojan Horses are just around the corner waiting to be found.
Nelson, David. Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry. 7th ed., W.H. Freeman, 2017.
Pascholati, Cauê P., et al. “The Interaction of an Antiparasitic Peptide Active against African Sleeping Sickness with Cell Membrane Models.” Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, vol. 74, no. 2, 2009, pp. 504–10. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfb.2009.08.018.
Poulin, R., et al. “Mechanism of the Irreversible Inactivation of Mouse Ornithine Decarboxylase by Alpha-Difluoromethylornithine. Characterization of Sequences at the Inhibitor and Coenzyme Binding Sites.” Journal of Biological Chemistry, vol. 267, no. 1, 1992, pp. 150–58. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.1016/s0021-9258(18)48472-4.
Reddy, Prakash. Organofluorine Compounds in Biology and Medicine. Elsevier Gezondheidszorg, 2015.
“What Is a Trojan Horse? Trojan Virus and Malware Explained.” Fortinet, www.fortinet.com/resources/cyberglossary/trojan-horse-virus. Accessed 17 Mar. 2022.
December 1, 2022
An Understanding of Protease Mechanisms Lead to New Treatments of HIV Infection
Figure 1. The life cycle of HIV (“Life Cycle | NIH”) |
Based on the mechanism, there are 3 major enzymes of the HIV used in the cycle – reverse transcriptase, integrase, and HIV protease. With these three enzymes, the HIV protease is the most studied in the development of treatments against HIV.
Proteases are classified into two huge groups according to their ability to catalyze the mechanism. The first class uses a nucleophilic atom, either hydroxyl or thiol of the amino acid side chain to start the amide hydrolysis (Brik and Wong 5–14).
The second classification requires two aspartyl β-carboxyl groups in the enzymatic sites to activate a water molecule for nucleophilic reaction on a peptide bond. It is referred to as aspartyl protease where HIV protease belongs (Windsor et al. 1465).
One way to inhibit the proliferation of HIV is by disturbance of the HIV protease enzyme responsible for the breakdown of polyprotein virus using protease inhibitors called anti-retroviral or ARVs. Here are several USFDA-approved ARVs given to PLHIV (Brik and Wong 5–14).
Figure 2. Structures of different HIV protease inhibitors or antiretrovirals. |
The different HIV protease inhibitors vary in their structures but have similarities in terms of the main chain with a hydroxyl group in the β-position from the benzyl group (Nelson, 589).
Refer to the figure below regarding one of the accepted mechanisms for the aspartyl protease (HIV protease) mechanism.
Studying the mechanisms for HIV protease enzyme, and other enzymes is a good starting point in the discovery of new drugs that can cure (or at least control its progress) not only HIV but also other chronic illnesses. The available ARVs help extend the lifespan of the PLHIV.
Recently, there is a reported case of PLHIV cured of the said retrovirus. The patient undergoes stem cell treatment using cord blood with the mutation that prevents the entrance of HIV into the cell. Thirty-seven (37) months after the transplant, the patient chooses to top the use of ARVs. After 14 months, the patient did not show any signs of HIV in the blood tests as well as detectable antibodies to the virus (Mandavilli).
With this information, it can be a great breakthrough for researchers to further study the mechanism on how the stem cell procedure works in killing the HIV in the body which will lead to the right medicine or drug in the cure of this incurable disease.
References:
Brik, Ashraf, and Chi-Huey Wong. “HIV-1 Protease:
Mechanism and Drug Discovery.” Organic
& Biomolecular Chemistry, vol. 1, no. 1, 2002, pp. 5–14. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.1039/b208248a.
“HIV/AIDS.” WHO, 30 Nov. 2021, www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hiv-aids.
“Life Cycle | NIH.” CLINICAL INFO.HIV.GOV,
clinicalinfo.hiv.gov/en/glossary/life-cycle. Accessed 21 Mar. 2022.
Mandavilli, Apoorva. “A Woman Is Cured of
H.I.V. Using a Novel Treatment.” The
New York Times, 22 Feb. 2022, www.nytimes.com/2022/02/15/health/hiv-cure-cord-blood.html.
Nelson, David. Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry.
7th ed., W.H. Freeman, 2017.
Nguyen, Alice. “The HIV Epidemic in the
Philippines: Affected Populations.” The
Borgen Project, 26 Jan. 2021,
borgenproject.org/hiv-epidemic-in-the-philippines.
Windsor, Ian W., et al. “An N→Ï€* Interaction in the Bound Substrate of Aspartic Proteases Replicates the Oxyanion Hole.” ACS Catalysis, vol. 9, no. 2, 2018, pp. 1464–71. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.1021/acscatal.8b04142.
November 25, 2022
Defective Glucose and Water Transport in Two Forms of Diabetes (Part 3 of 3)
Source |
Diabetes prevalence in the Philippines is quite alarming. This only gives us the warning to keep our health monitored and choose a lifestyle that will keep us fit.
References:
Baclig, Cristina Eloisa. “Diabetes: A Bitter Health Crisis for Filipinos.” INQUIRER.Net, 21 July 2021, newsinfo.inquirer.net/1461980/diabetes-a-bitter-health-crisis-for-filipinos.
Bryant, Nia J., et al. “Regulated Transport of the Glucose Transporter GLUT4.” Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, vol. 3, no. 4, 2002, pp. 267–77. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.1038/nrm782.
“Diabetes Insipidus and Diabetes Mellitus.” The Diabetic Voice.Com, www.the-diabetic-voice.com/diabetes-insipidus-and-diabetes-mellitus.html. Accessed 26 Apr. 2022.
Felman, Adam. “What’s to Know about Diabetes Insipidus?” Medical News Today, 7 Apr. 2022, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/183251.
“Glucose Regulation and Utilization in the Body.” Nutrition FN 225, media.lanecc.edu/users/powellt/FN225OER/Carbohydrates/FN225Carbohydrates5.html. Accessed 26 Apr. 2022.
“Insulin | Definition, Structure, and Function.” Encyclopedia Britannica, www.britanica.com/science/insulin.
Nelson, David. Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry. 7th ed., W.H. Freeman, 2017.
Qureshi, Sana, et al. “Diabetes Insipidus: Celebrating a Century of Vasopressin Therapy.” Endocrinology, vol. 155, no. 12, 2014, pp. 4605–21. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.1210/en.2014-1385.
Tahrani, Abd A., et al. “Management of Type 2 Diabetes: New and Future Developments in Treatment.” The Lancet, vol. 378, no. 9786, 2011, pp. 182–97. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(11)60207-9.
Vasiljević, Jovana, et al. “The Making of Insulin in Health and Disease.” Diabetologia, vol. 63, no. 10, 2020, pp. 1981–89. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00125-020-05192-7.
“What Is Diabetes?” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2 Mar. 2022, www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/d
November 23, 2022
How to Deal with Conflict in the Family
Give a heartfelt apology
If you are able to talk calmly to the other person about the issues going on, give a heartfelt apology, if it is needed. In fact, most of the time (even if you truly did not do anything wrong), you can give an apology for making the other person feel whatever way they felt. Know that just because you did not mean to do anything, the other person might have felt a certain way, and they are not wrong for any of their feelings. When this happens, understand why they felt that way (or try your best to) and if you had any part to do with that, give a heartfelt apology. One way to stir the pot, even more, is by giving an apology that feels forced or not genuine, so try to avoid that, when possible.
Know triggers for the future
Trying to figure out triggers can be beneficial for trying to keep the peace down the road. A lot of the time, there will be something that pulls at the emotional strings of others, so if you are able to realize what has caused conflict in the past and try to avoid it in the future, it’s a great (and relatively easy) way to keep the peace going forward.
Focus on positive traits
Every single family member will not be your favorite person ever. For example, if things are tense with your siblings or inlaws, instead of focusing on the negatives, try to focus on positive traits. Sure, someone might chew with their mouth open or have obnoxious political opinions, but try to put that aside and write out their positive traits. Everyone has some good in them and you can focus on the good by listing out their positive traits!
Set and maintain boundaries
Another great way to avoid conflict in the family is by setting and maintaining boundaries. Does this always work when there is a current conflict? No, because it’s never a good idea to just push things under the rug and run from the conflict, but if you know there might be conflict in the future, it’s a great idea to set and maintain boundaries. Sometimes, all it takes is a little space. If you live too close to family members, consider moving a bit farther away from them, to keep conflict at a minimum. When you do move, reach out to a moving company to help make the process easier. Movin’ is a great option because they go above and beyond for their clients, removing the stress from the move. They do residential moving, packing services, storage solutions, commercial moving, gun safe moving Salt Lake City, and more.
Talk with a therapist
If all else fails, talk with a therapist. Sometimes, conflict is just too big and hard to resolve on your own and that’s okay. Therapists are there to help you through conflict and life changes. It is NEVER a bad idea to talk with someone and see how they can help support you!
Shout out to MoversBoost for collaborating. MoversBoost is a marketing agency for movers offering leads and digital offerings.
November 21, 2022
Defective Glucose and Water Transport in Two Forms of Diabetes (Part 2 of 3)
Source |
References:
Baclig, Cristina Eloisa. “Diabetes: A Bitter Health Crisis for Filipinos.” INQUIRER.Net, 21 July 2021, newsinfo.inquirer.net/1461980/diabetes-a-bitter-health-crisis-for-filipinos.
Bryant, Nia J., et al. “Regulated Transport of the Glucose Transporter GLUT4.” Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, vol. 3, no. 4, 2002, pp. 267–77. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.1038/nrm782.
“Diabetes Insipidus and Diabetes Mellitus.” The Diabetic Voice.Com, www.the-diabetic-voice.com/diabetes-insipidus-and-diabetes-mellitus.html. Accessed 26 Apr. 2022.
Felman, Adam. “What’s to Know about Diabetes Insipidus?” Medical News Today, 7 Apr. 2022, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/183251.
“Glucose Regulation and Utilization in the Body.” Nutrition FN 225, media.lanecc.edu/users/powellt/FN225OER/Carbohydrates/FN225Carbohydrates5.html. Accessed 26 Apr. 2022.
“Insulin | Definition, Structure, and Function.” Encyclopedia Britannica, www.britanica.com/science/insulin.
Nelson, David. Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry. 7th ed., W.H. Freeman, 2017.
Qureshi, Sana, et al. “Diabetes Insipidus: Celebrating a Century of Vasopressin Therapy.” Endocrinology, vol. 155, no. 12, 2014, pp. 4605–21. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.1210/en.2014-1385.
Tahrani, Abd A., et al. “Management of Type 2 Diabetes: New and Future Developments in Treatment.” The Lancet, vol. 378, no. 9786, 2011, pp. 182–97. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(11)60207-9.
Vasiljević, Jovana, et al. “The Making of Insulin in Health and Disease.” Diabetologia, vol. 63, no. 10, 2020, pp. 1981–89. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00125-020-05192-7.
“What Is Diabetes?” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2 Mar. 2022, www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/diabetes.html.