Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) are two fatal neurodegenerative disorders with considerable clinical, pathological and genetic overlap. Both disorders ...are characterized by the accumulation of pathological protein aggregates that contain a number of proteins, most notably TAR DNA binding protein 43 kDa (TDP-43). Surprisingly, recent clinical studies suggest that dyslipidemia, high body mass index, and type 2 diabetes mellitus are associated with better clinical outcomes in ALS. Moreover, ALS and FTLD patients have a significantly lower incidence of cardiovascular disease, supporting the idea that an unfavorable metabolic profile may be beneficial in ALS and FTLD. The two most widely studied ALS/FTLD models, super-oxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) and TAR DNA binding protein of 43 kDA (TDP-43), reveal metabolic dysfunction and a positive effect of metabolic strategies on disease onset and/or progression. In addition, molecular studies reveal a role for ALS/FTLD-associated proteins in the regulation of cellular and whole-body metabolism. Here, we systematically evaluate these observations and discuss how changes in cellular glucose/lipid metabolism may result in abnormal protein aggregations in ALS and FTLD, which may have important implications for new treatment strategies for ALS/FTLD and possibly other neurodegenerative conditions.
We have developed a strategy for the ratiometric detection of toxic Hg(2+) ions using a semiconductor nanocrystal energy-transfer donor coupled to a mercury-sensitive "turn-on" dye acceptor. The ...results demonstrate a new paradigm of toxic metal sensing that resolves the difficulties with the use of semiconductor nanotechnology for this purpose.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.7.5208
How to cite this:Jawaid SA, Jawaid M. Achievement of another landmark during 2020 by Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences. Pak J Med Sci. ...2021;37(7):1715-1718. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.7.5208
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.6-WIT.5037
How to cite this:Jawaid SA. Strengthening bonds of Friendship between Pakistan and China through scientific publishing. Pak J Med Sci. ...2021;37(6):1547-1549. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.6-WIT.5037
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.3.4296
How to cite this:Jawaid SA. Problems faced by Researchers and pressure on Impact Factor Journal Editors. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(3):616-620. doi: ...https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.3.4296
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Aging is characterized by progressive memory decline that can lead to dementia when associated with neurodegeneration. Here, we show in mice that aging-related memory decline involves defective ...biogenesis of microRNAs (miRNAs), in particular miR-183/96/182 cluster, resulting from increased protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) and altered receptor SMAD (R-SMAD) signaling. Correction of the defect by miR-183/96/182 overexpression in hippocampus or by environmental enrichment that normalizes PP1 activity restores memory in aged animals. Regulation of miR-183/96/182 biogenesis is shown to involve the neurodegeneration-related RNA-binding proteins TDP-43 and FUS. Similar alterations in miR-183/96/182, PP1, and R-SMADs are observed in the brains of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), two neurodegenerative diseases with pathological aggregation of TDP-43. Overall, these results identify new mechanistic links between miR-183/96/182, PP1, TDP-43, and FUS in age-related memory deficits and their reversal.
We report here a method for synthesizing CdSe quantum dots (QDs) containing copper such that each QD is doped with four copper ions. The synthesis is a derivative of the cluster-seed method, whereby ...organometallic clusters act as nucleation centers for quantum dots. The method is tolerant of the chemical identity of the seed; as such, we have doped four copper ions into CdSe QDs using Na(H2O)32Cu4(SPh)6 as a cluster seed. The controlled doping allows us to monitor the photophysical properties of guest ions with X-ray spectroscopy, specifically XANES and EXAFS at the copper K-edge. These data reveal that copper can capture both electrons and holes from photoexcited CdSe QDs. When the dopant is oxidized, photoluminescence is quenched and the copper ions translocate within the CdSe matrix, which slows the return to an emissive state.
Prolonged periods of social isolation can have detrimental effects on the physiology and behavior of exposed individuals in humans and animal models. This involves complex molecular mechanisms across ...tissues in the body which remain partly identified. This review discusses the biology of social isolation and describes the acute and lasting effects of prolonged periods of social isolation with a focus on the molecular events leading to behavioral alterations. We highlight the role of epigenetic mechanisms and non-coding RNA in the control of gene expression as a response to social isolation, and the consequences for behavior. Considering the use of strict quarantine during epidemics, like currently with COVID-19, we provide a cautionary tale on the indiscriminate implementation of such form of social isolation and its potential damaging and lasting effects in mental health.
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