Neutron Scattering at the Intersection of Heart Health Science and Biophysics
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Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Biophysics Division, University of Graz (NAWI Graz), mbox Graz 8010, Austria
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BioTechMed-Graz, Graz 8010, Austria
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Department of Physics, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada
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Department of Physics and Astronomy, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4M1, Canada
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Canadian Neutron Beam Centre, Chalk River, ON K0J 1P0, Canada
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Academic Editor: Andy Wessels
J. Cardiovasc. Dev. Dis. 2015, 2(2), 125-140; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcdd2020125
Received: 4 February 2015 / Accepted: 25 May 2015 / Published: 2 June 2015
There is an urgent quest for improved heart health. Here, we review how neutron radiation can provide insight into the molecular basis of heart health. Lower cholesterol, a daily intake of aspirin and supplemental vitamin E are argued to all improve heart health. However, the mechanisms behind these common regimens, and others, are not entirely understood. It is not clear why a daily intake of aspirin can help some people with heart disease, and the benefits of vitamin E in the treatment of reperfusion injury have been heavily debated. The molecular impact of cholesterol in the body is still a hot topic. Neutron scattering experiments present a unique opportunity for biophysicists attempting to address these problems. We review some recently published studies that are advancing our understanding of how cholesterol, vitamin E and aspirin work at the molecular level, by studying the impact of these molecules on the cell membrane. These insights engage the broader health science community with new ways of thinking about these molecules.
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MDPI and ACS Style
Marquardt, D.; Alsop, R.J.; Rheinstädter, M.C.; Harroun, T.A. Neutron Scattering at the Intersection of Heart Health Science and Biophysics. J. Cardiovasc. Dev. Dis. 2015, 2, 125-140. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcdd2020125
AMA Style
Marquardt D, Alsop RJ, Rheinstädter MC, Harroun TA. Neutron Scattering at the Intersection of Heart Health Science and Biophysics. Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease. 2015; 2(2):125-140. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcdd2020125
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarquardt, Drew; Alsop, Richard J.; Rheinstädter, Maikel C.; Harroun, Thad A. 2015. "Neutron Scattering at the Intersection of Heart Health Science and Biophysics" J. Cardiovasc. Dev. Dis. 2, no. 2: 125-140. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcdd2020125
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