sharrath's blog

Fatty acids are central molecules in lipid metabolism and are the structures that contain most of the energy in a tracylglycerol. The oxidation of these molecules more energy than a molecule of glucose. This is because the C-H bonds that make up fatty acids are highly reduced while in the glucose molecule most of the carbons are bonded to oxygen. These C-O bonds are already oxidized meaning that these bonds dont have energy to be released. Fatty acid oxidation consists of five processes that generally start in the cytoplasm and are carried out in the mitochondria. The first step is acyl-CoA formation. Acyl-CoA formation is a susbtrate of beta oxidation(which is the third step) and is formed in the cytoplasm by acyl-CoA synthetase. This process requires two ATP(adenosine triphosphate). Once acyl-CoA has been formed it can then be transported into the mitochondrial matrix for oxidation. This transport is carried out by carnitine acyltransferase. 

Lipids are a class of organic compounds that are fatty acids. These lipids are used for energy storage, membrane structure and signaling between organ systems. Lipids are also significantly nonpolar and most are mainly composed of hydrogren and carbon and able to form van der Waals interactions. Triacylglycerols are three fatty acids attached to a glycerol and are formed by dehydration reactions between glycerol hydroxyl groups and fatty acid carboxyl groups. Triacylglycerol are often found in the liver and adipocytes and are main tissues involved in fat metabolism. Material from the digestive system directly enters the liver and biosynthesis of lipoproteins occurs which is then distributed to body cells for energy use. 

Most plants  are composed of two very distint parts; xylem and phloem. These plants are known as being vasuclar, the simple small plants such as mosses and algae, do not have these parts and are known as non-vascular plants. Xylem tissue is mostly used for transporting water from the roots to the leaves. Phloem is used for transporting compounds produced in the leaves to the roots. This movement from leaves to the roots in the phloem is bidirectional, but in the xylem it is not. However, the xylem is made up of dead cells which are elongated and hollow. In contrast, the phloem is made up of cells such as sieve tubes and companion cells. Both of these parts of vascular plants are essential in transporting nutrients and keeping the plant hydrated. Photosynthesis in leaves requires a lot of water from the xylem and produces lots of sugar for the phloem. Although these parts are quite distinct they work together to allow the plant to flourish. 

Trypanosomiasis, human African sleeping sickness generally occurs in 36 sub-Saharan African countries. This disease is a vector-borne parasitic disease and is caused by an infection with protozoan parasites and transmitted to humans by the tsetse fly. This disease not only causes severe disruption in sleep patterns, but changes in behavior, confusion and without treatment the disease can ultimately lead to death. Health officials have reported about 1447 cases of African trypanosomiasis, but many believe that the true number of cases is believed to be much higher that what is reported. Treatments of the human African trypanosomiasis include drugs named eflornithine and nifurtimox, both treatments involve a complicated set of procedures including fusions and pills that are administered in a hospital. Many of the countries where most of the cases occur; put these treatments out of reach for many patients because of its complexity. The new drug, fexindazole, is a much simpler treatment in which it can be taken as a once-a-day pill for 10 days without having to be hospitalized. After the DNDi (Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative), a nonprofit organization, teamed up with drug maker Sanofi, they could test the drug on patients and apply for an EMA recommendation for the drug itself. The EMA has just recently approved of the drug and have expressed a “positive opinion” for the fexindazole, opening opportunities for patients to receive treatment earlier and help slow the spread of the disease as well. 

Golden rice is a genetically modified form of rice containing large amounts of orange plant pigment, betacarotene. Betacarotene is an essential pigment that is converted into Vitamin A. Vitamin A is not only important for both our vision and immune system, but vitamin A is essential in keeping many of our organs working properly. This vitamin acts as an antioxidant fighting off cell damage to keep many of our systems working. Golden rice is an example of a GMO food as it has been genetically modified to contain this pigment in order to assist countries with high vitamin A deficiency diseases. Countries with high vitamin A deficiency  include; India, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and the Philippines. Although many people have a negative outlook on the use of GMOs on food, researchers have been able to create this rice to help those individuals with intake of this vitamin. 

Botox is a form of botulinum toxin, which is a neurotoxin produced by the bacteria botulinum. When this toxin is injected into a certain area it temporarily reduces muscle contractions as it blocks the release of chemicals involved in pain transmission. Botox is often used cosmetically, but many have found that those suffering from chronic migraines could benefit from this treatment. In 2010, the FDA approved of the use of medicinal botox on patients suffering of chronic migraines, those who had headaches for more than 15 days a month. Botox has been found to prevent migraines before they begin, but it does take some time for the botox to settle in, but treatments often last up to 10 weeks and can be covered by insurance companies. 

Peripheral neuropathy refers to the damage of the nerves and the damage to the peripheral nervous system. Damage to these nerves can result from trauma injuries, infections and metabolic issues. Patients with peripheral neuropathy seem to experience symptoms distally and works its way up. Symptoms include feeling of pins and needles, pain in hands and feet, burning, loss of balance, numbness and tingling. There are a variety of classifications and about 100 types have been found. Peripheral neuropathy usually affects all nerves at the same degree of damage. Some causes could also be due to autoimmune diseases, alcoholism and vitamin deficiency. 

This disease known as the African sleeping sickness seems to affect a majority of sub-Saharan African countries. Tsetse flies are the main cause of this transmission of infection to individuals living within these countries. I thought it was interesting that these flies only inhabit tropical Africa and are large biting parasites that live by feeding on the blood of animals. The blood of the animals is where initially the flies themselves are infected. I also think that because of the scarce and in availability to the treatment of this disease is how the spread of the disease continues to infect so many individuals. There has been a reduced number of new cases since 2009 which used to be 10,000, meaning that the research and discovery of treatments and medications is helping the countries infected. The goal of this renovated medication is to stop the disease at an earlier stage and prevent the widespread of infection. Because the disease can be fatal, I think that with an earlier treatment could help prevent the loss of many human lives as well.  

Many of the countries where most of the cases occur; put these treatments out of reach for many patients because of its complexity. The new drug, fexindazole, is a much simpler treatment in which it can be taken as a once-a-day pill for 10 days without having to be hospitalized. After the DNDi (Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative), a nonprofit organization, teamed up with drug maker Sanofi, they could test the drug on patients and apply for an EMA recommendation for the drug itself. The EMA has just recently approved of the drug and have expressed a “positive opinion” for the fexindazole, opening opportunities for patients to receive treatment earlier and help slow the spread of the disease as well. 

Trypanosomiasis, human African sleeping sickness generally occurs in 36 sub-Saharan African countries. This disease is a vector-borne parasitic disease and is caused by an infection with protozoan parasites and transmitted to humans by the tsetse fly. This disease not only causes severe disruption in sleep patterns, but changes in behavior, confusion and without treatment the disease can ultimately lead to death. Health officials have reported about 1447 cases of African trypanosomiasis, but many believe that the true number of cases is believed to be much higher that what is reported. Treatments of the human African trypanosomiasis include drugs named eflornithine and nifurtimox, both treatments involve a complicated set of procedures including fusions and pills that are administered in a hospital.