Therapeutic Technique Inactivating Allergic Response
By Rideeta Raquib Allergic reactions are common issues caused by the dysregulation of Th2 cells responses towards allergens. Normally, Th2 CD4+ T cells produce cytokines in response to allergens, and cause chronic inflammation and mucus hypersecretion, among other symptoms. Although genetics does play a role, allergic diseases, such as asthma, occur after sensitization and effector/memory T cell differentiation has taken place. Common treatment includes avoiding … Continue reading Therapeutic Technique Inactivating Allergic Response
Combination Therapies Reduce Treg Functions in CHC Patients
by Caleb Sooknanan ’20 Regulatory T-Cells, or Tregs, are important contributors to the development of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infections in patients. Oral antiviral agents are the most common treatments for CHC infections in most Western countries, while pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) treatment is the standard therapy in many Asian countries. PEG-IFNs are interferons that attach to polyethylene glycol molecules to trigger sustained virological responses (SVR) … Continue reading Combination Therapies Reduce Treg Functions in CHC Patients
Computational Fluid Dynamics Can Be Used to Treat Oral Cancer
by Caleb Sooknanan ’20 Surgical procedures have often been used to treat oral cancer. However, these procedures can cause oral dysfunction — often in the form of speech and breathing difficulties — and thereby harm respiratory organs. To preserve organ function, intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) has become a valuable form of treatment. IAC releases more anticancer agents into tumor-feeding arteries than intravenous systemic chemotherapy. However, anticancer … Continue reading Computational Fluid Dynamics Can Be Used to Treat Oral Cancer
New Species of Fungi Discovered in Chinese Cotton Plants
by Caleb Sooknanan ’20 Dr. Xiao-Lin Li and researchers at Zhejiang University in China recently discovered a new fungal species, now identified as Scopulariopsis gossypii. The species was found in the vascular bundles of cotton plants infected by Verticillium dahlia, a pathogen of economic importance throughout the city of Hangzhou. Scientists have already associated the genus Scopulariopsis with fungi that are isolated from air and … Continue reading New Species of Fungi Discovered in Chinese Cotton Plants
Nanoparticle Drug Delivery
Richard Liang 18’ Mucoadhesive particles (MAPs) are used as the primary method of pulmonary drug delivery since it was believed that they increase drug duration within the lungs. MAPs act by sticking to the mucus layers and are used to treat a variety of illnesses including asthma, cystic fibrosis and lung cancer. However, administered MAPs are, in reality, quickly removed from the body via physiologic … Continue reading Nanoparticle Drug Delivery
The Effects of Insecticidal Nets on Asymptomatic Malaria in India
Caleb Sooknanan ‘20 Over the past decade, mosquitoes have been subject to many vector control strategies in order to control the spread of Malaria. Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) have been among the most effective, as their distribution has reduced global malaria morbidity by 45% since 2000. However, a large proportion of malarial infections remain asymptomatic, likely preventing malaria elimination programs from being executed to the … Continue reading The Effects of Insecticidal Nets on Asymptomatic Malaria in India
Immunity to Future Cancers with Resident Memory T Cells
Richard Liang 18’ Skin cancer melanomas develop from melanocytes, or pigment-containing cells, and cause discoloration in various parts of the body. Patients with melanomas are also likely to develop an autoimmune disease known as vitiligo, in which the body’s immune system attacks melanocytes. This results in a patchy loss of pigmentation. Recently, in a study led by Mary Jo Turk from the Department of Microbiology … Continue reading Immunity to Future Cancers with Resident Memory T Cells
Integrating Synthetic Biology with Hepatogenous Diabetes Treatments
Caleb Sooknanan ‘20 Hepatogenous diabetes is a condition often characterized by the comorbid presence of type 2 diabetes with chronic liver disease. A major factor in this condition is insulin resistance (IR), an asymptomatic disease state in which impaired insulin signaling causes organ dysfunction. Current therapies that target IR are limited and generally inapplicable for patients with liver disease. Dr. Shuai Xue and researchers at … Continue reading Integrating Synthetic Biology with Hepatogenous Diabetes Treatments
Correcting Muscular Dystrophy Gene Mutations
Richard Liang 18’ Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe form of muscle degeneration that can become lethal if it affects heart muscle. It is known to be caused by mutations in the X-linked dystrophin-coding gene and thus, there has been ongoing research in correcting these mutations. Currently, there is no effective treatment for this disease. Recently, in a study led by Yu Zhang from … Continue reading Correcting Muscular Dystrophy Gene Mutations
A Mechanical Thorax for CPR Simulation
Caleb Sooknanan ’20 For the past few decades, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) guidelines have been regulated on the basis of chest compression, medication procedures, and other criteria. However, the circulation generated via CPR varies with intensity and duration of compressions, which can be inconsistent. As studies evaluating such inconsistencies have been relegated to animal or computer simulations due their medical and ethical concerns, Dr. Stefan Eichhorn … Continue reading A Mechanical Thorax for CPR Simulation
New and Revolutionary Treatment for Bacterial Infection
By Patrick Yang ’20 Bronchiectasis occurs when the lung’s bronchial tubes are permanently damaged or inflamed, leading to chest pain, coughing up blood, and large production of mucus. These damaged lung walls also make bronchiectasis patients more prone to chronic infection and, specifically, Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infections, which increase mortality rates. However, previous research has shown that patients with bronchiectasis and chronic P. aeruginosa infection … Continue reading New and Revolutionary Treatment for Bacterial Infection
Sugary Drinks vs. Healthy Brains
By Taylor Ha ’18 Many American consumers regularly indulge in hundreds of sugar- and artificially- sweetened name brand drinks: Coke, Sprite, Fanta soda, and Hawaiian punch, to name a few. However, routine consumption of such drinks is associated with cardiometabolic diseases, which can amplify stroke and dementia risk. And according to new research published on April 20, 2017, avid soda, fruit juice, and overall sweet … Continue reading Sugary Drinks vs. Healthy Brains
