"There's a wooden thing for sitting": Representing Memory Loss in Emma Healey's Elizabeth is Missing

Aggregation of amyloid beeta 1-42 (Aβ42) peptide causes the formation of clustered deposits knows as amyloid plaques in the brain which leads to neuronal dysfunction and memory loss and associated with many neurological disorders including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Aβ42 has core structural motif with phenylalanine at the 19 and 20 positions. The diphenylalanine (FF) residue plays a crucial role in the formation of amyloid fibers and serves as model peptide for studying Aβ42 aggregation. FF self-assembles to well-ordered tubular morphology via aromatic pi-pi stackings. Our studies, suggest that the aromatic rings present in the anti-amyloidogenic compounds may interact with the pi-pi stacking interactions present in the FF. Even the compounds which do not have aromatic rings, like cyclodextrin and cucurbituril show anti-amyloid property due to the binding of aromatic ring inside the guest cavity. Hence, our studies also suggest that compounds which may have a functional moiety capable of interacting with the aromatic stacking interactions might be tested for their anti-amyloidogenic properties. Further, in this manuscript, we have proposed two novel nanoparticle based assays for the rapid screening of amyloid inhibitors. In the first assay, interaction between biotin-tagged FF peptide and the streptavidin labelled gold nanoparticles (s-AuNPs) were used. In another assay, thiol-Au interactions were used to develop an assay for detection of amyloid inhibitors. It is envisaged that the proposed analytical method will provide a simple, facile and cost effective technique for the screening of amyloid inhibitors and may be of immense practical implications to find the therapeutic remedies for the diseases associated with the protein aggregation.

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The Status of Mind and Intellect in Digital Environment

Russian Journal of Philosophical Sciences ◽

10.30727/0235-1188-2019-63-2-123-143 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 63 (2) ◽

pp. 123-143

Author(s):

Elena I. Yaroslavtseva

Keyword(s):

Human Life ◽

Cognitive Activity ◽

Memory Loss ◽

Natural Material ◽

Human Being ◽

Connection To Nature ◽

Digital World ◽

The Status ◽

Natural Foundation ◽

The Impact

The article examines the impact of digitalization on human life and intellectual experience. The development of computer technology demands an understanding of new aspects of human development and requires a capability to overcome not only external conditions but also ourselves. Entering a new level of development cannot imply a complete rejection of previous dispositions, but should be accompanied by reflection on personal experience and by the quest for new forms of interaction in society and with nature. Communicative and cognitive activity of a person has an ontological basis and relies on processes that actually evolve in nature. Therefore, the creation of new objects is always associated with the properties of natural material and gives rise to new points of support in the development of man. The more audacious his projects, the more important it is to preserve this connection to nature. It is always the human being who turns out to be the initiator who knows how to solve problems. The conformity of complex technical systems to nature is not only a goal but also a value of meaningful construction of development perspectives. The key to the nature orientation of the modern digital world is the human being himself, who keeps all the secrets of the culture of his natural development. Therefore, the proposed by the Russian philosopher V.S. Stepin post-non-classical approach, based on the principle of “human-sizedness,” is an important contribution to contemporary research because it draws attention to the “human – machine” communication, to the relationship between a person and technological systems he created. The article concludes that during digital transformation, a cultural conflict arises: in an effort to solve the problems of the future, a person equips his life with devices that are designed to support him, to expand his functionality, but at the same time, the boundaries of humanity become dissolved and the forms of human activity undergo simplification. Transhumanism engages society in the fight against fears of vulnerability and memory loss and ignores the flexibility and sustainability of natural foundation.

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Protective Effect of Boswellic Resin Against Memory Loss and Alzheimer’s Induced by Aluminum Tetrachloride and D-Galactose (Experimental study in Mice)

Phytothérapie ◽

10.3166/phyto-2020-0222 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

K. Zerrouki ◽

N. Djebli ◽

L. Gadouche ◽

I. Erdogan Orhan ◽

F. SezerSenol Deniz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chemical Composition ◽

Protective Effect ◽

Cell Damage ◽

Memory Loss ◽

Control Group ◽

Total Extract ◽

Swiss Mice ◽

Octyl Acetate

Nowadays, because of the industrialization, a lot of contaminant were available ; the consequences of this availability are apparition of diseases including neurodegeneration. Neurodegenerative diseases of the human brain comprise a variety of disorders that affect an increasing percentage of the population. This study is based on the effect of the Boswellic resin, which is from a medicinal plant and known for its antioxidant effects on nerve cell damage. The objective of this work was to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo effects of the Boswellic resin on anticholinesterase activity and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) induced by D-galactose and aluminum tetrachloride in Swiss mice. Chemical composition of the resin essential oil was identified by the CG-MS analysis. The antioxidant activity was also assessed by the DMPD and metal chelation methods. In order to understand the mechanism of memory improvement, the acetylcholinesterase, AChE, and butyrylcholinesterase, BChE, inhibitory assays were performed. In vivo part of the study was achieved on Swiss mice divided into four groups: control, AD model, treated AD, and treated control group. The identification of chemical composition by CG-MS reach the 89.67% of the total extract compounds presented some very important molecules (p-Cymene, n-Octyl acetate, α-Pinene…). The present study proves that Boswellic resin improves memory and learning in treated Alzheimer’s group, modulates the oxidative stress and be involved in the protective effect against amyloid deposition and neurodegeneration, and stimulates the immune system in mice’s brain.

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Perceptions of Dementia among Asian Indian Americans

10.36650/nexus6.2_45-65_otilingametal ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 45-65 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Poorni Otilingam ◽

Margaret Gatz

Keyword(s):

Asian Indian ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Memory Loss ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Culturally Tailored ◽

Willingness To Seek Help ◽

Indian Americans ◽

Education And Care ◽

Dementia Education ◽

Asian Indian Americans

We surveyed a convenience sample of 255 Asian Indian Americans (AIAs) aged 18-81 years assessing perceptions of dementia etiology, help-seeking, and treatment, and knowledge of symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In response to a vignette describing the early stages of AD, participants indicated a substantial willingness to seek help. Most participants knew that memory loss was the key symptom of dementia, yet most knowledge items were correctly answered by fewer than half of the sample. Participants who had more knowledge of AD were more likely than those with less knowledge of AD to state that they would seek help for an elderly relative showing symptoms of dementia. Relative to other psychosocial factors, loneliness was highly rated as an etiological factor and keeping mentally active was highly rated as a treatment. This study is the first to document dementia beliefs among AIAs, illustrating the need for culturally-tailored dementia education and care for the AIA population.

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