142 research outputs found
Are incumbent banks bygones in the face of digital transformation?
Digital transformation has received considerable scholarly attention in areas of management, business, information systems, information technology, and marketing. In particular, retail banks have been at the forefront of technological revolution characterized by rapid deployment and innovation of digital services, exponential pace of change and innovative breakthroughs that alter conventional banking practice. However, the term digital transformation is often misunderstood as a straightforward deployment of latest information communication technologies. In practice, technological investments entail not only risk but also require an understanding of the relationship between technological, organizational culture and institutional change within certain boundaries of regulatory framework. Digital transformation is far from simple, certain or predictable and likely to be disruptive or transformative with immutable impacts upon associated organizational outcomes related to technical capabilities and behaviors. The present study attempts to explore and develop a framework for understanding digital transformation by examining the development, deployment and use of digital technologies in retail banking. Within a social informatics perspective, this study examines the effects of digital technologies on retail banks operations, structure and capabilities of those who deploy, implement and use it. Using a grounded theory approach the study explores theoretical constructs by reviewing the literature and analysing primary field data including data from retail banks and interviews with senior professionals. The findings provide the pitfalls and successful approaches towards the digital transformation journey. This includes the ordinary dilemmas that the managers face in order to deliver the projects at hand
The Crocus sativus Compounds trans-Crocin 4 and trans-Crocetin Modulate the Amyloidogenic Pathway and Tau Misprocessing in Alzheimer Disease Neuronal Cell Culture Models
Crocus sativus L. natural compounds have been extensively used in traditional medicine for thousands of years. Recent research evidence is now emerging in support of its therapeutic potential for different pathologies including neurodegenerative diseases. Herein, the C. sativus L. natural compounds trans-crocin 4 and trans-crocetin were selected for in depth molecular characterization of their potentially protective effects against Alzheimerās Disease (AD), utilizing two AD neuronal cell culture models (SH-SY5Y overexpressing APP and PC12 expressing hyperphosphorylated tau). Biologically relevant concentrations, ranging from 0.1 Ī¼M to 1 mM, applied for 24 h or 72 h, were well tolerated by differentiated wild type SH-SY5Y and PC12 cells. When tested on neuronally differentiated SH-SY5Y-APP both trans-crocin 4 and trans-crocetin had significant effects against amyloidogenic pathways. Trans-crocin 4 significantly decreased of Ī²-secretase, a key enzyme of the amyloidogenic pathway, and APP-C99, while it decreased Ī³-secretases that generate toxic beta-amyloid peptides. Similarly, trans-crocetin treatment led to a reduction in Ī²- and Ī³-secretases, as well as to accumulation of cellular AĪ²PP. When tested on the neuronally differentiated PC12-htau cells, both compounds proved effective in suppressing the active forms of GSK3Ī² and ERK1/2 kinases, as well as significantly reducing total tau and tau phosphorylation. Collectively, our data demonstrate a potent effect of trans-crocin 4 and trans-crocetin in suppressing key molecular pathways of AD pathogenesis, rendering them a promising tool in the prevention and potentially the treatment of AD
Natural Products as Sources of Potential Antiamyloidogenic Agents
Natural products have played a dominant role in the discovery of leads for the development of drugs aimed at the treatment of human diseases. Moreover, they may serve as lead compounds for the synthesis of potential therapeutic agents against several diseases. In this study, we present an integrated approach towards the evaluation of the antiamyloidogenic activity of isolated components from the stigmas of saffron, combining isolation of bioactive components from saffron, real-time in vitro screening for noncovalent association with AĪ² by ESI MS and cell viability assays. This is a suitable approach for selecting compounds for the ensuing in vivo studies, and it may provide insights into the design and synthesis of novel compounds for the prevention, or treatment of Alzheimerās Disease (AD)
Preliminary pharmacokinetic study of the anticancer 6BIO in mice using an UHPLC-MS/MS approach
Methods for the Detection, Study, and Dynamic Profiling of O-GlcNAc Glycosylation
The addition of O-linked Ī²-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) to serine/threonine residues of proteins is a ubiquitous posttranslational modification found in all multicellular organisms. Like phosphorylation, O-GlcNAc glycosylation (O-GlcNAcylation) is inducible and regulates a myriad of physiological and pathological processes. However, understanding the diverse functions of O-GlcNAcylation is often challenging due to the difficulty of detecting and quantifying the modification. Thus, robust methods to study O-GlcNAcylation are essential to elucidate its key roles in the regulation of individual proteins, complex cellular processes, and disease. In this chapter, we describe a set of chemoenzymatic labeling methods to (1) detect O-GlcNAcylation on proteins of interest, (2) monitor changes in both the total levels of O-GlcNAcylation and its stoichiometry on proteins of interest, and (3) enable mapping of O-GlcNAc to specific serine/threonine residues within proteins to facilitate functional studies. First, we outline a procedure for the expression and purification of a multiuse mutant galactosyltransferase enzyme (Y289L GalT). We then describe the use of Y289L GalT to modify O-GlcNAc residues with a functional handle, N-azidoacetylgalactosamine (GalNAz). Finally, we discuss several applications of the copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition āclickā reaction to attach various alkyne-containing chemical probes to GalNAz and demonstrate how this functionalization of O-GlcNAc-modified proteins can be used to realize (1)ā(3) above. Overall, these methods, which utilize commercially available reagents and standard protein analytical tools, will serve to advance our understanding of the diverse and important functions of O-GlcNAcylation
Application of Plasma Desorption Mass Spectrometry to Molecular Weight Determination of Human Interleukin-4 Secreted by a Chinese Hamster Ovary Cell Line
Alzheimerās disease: exploring natureās āmedicinal chestā for new therapeutic agents
Natural products have served humanity as a valuable source for the discovery and development of therapeutic agents. In addition, these phytochemicals can function as lead compounds for the development of synthetic analogs aimed at treating human diseases. In our aging society, Alzheimerās disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia, which is characterized by a significant and progressive loss of memory and other cognitive functions. As society demographics change, the predominance of AD and other age-related dementias is increasing, with concurrent financial and societal costs
Alzheimer's disease: Exploring nature's 'medicinal chest' for new therapeutic agents
Natural products have served humanity as a valuable source for the discovery and development of therapeutic agents. In addition, these phytochemicals can function as lead compounds for the development of synthetic analogs aimed at treating human diseases. In our aging society, Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia, which is characterized by a significant and progressive loss of memory and other cognitive functions. As society demographics change, the predominance of AD and other age-related dementias is increasing, with concurrent financial and societal costs. AD represents one of the most remarkable scientific challenges for drug discovery as the search for effective disease-modifying agents has been unsuccessful. Medicinal plants have been used for their āanti-agingā properties, and cognitive enhancing properties. In the past decades, natural products have been studied for their anti-AD properties, and their potential for developing therapeutic agents against several molecular targets has been evaluated. This insight evaluates the prospects of medicinal plants for providing disease-modifying, as well as disease-preventing, agents for AD. Ā© 2020 Anthony Tsarbopoulos, De Gruyter
- ā¦