Global

Global issues are inextricably linked to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Established in 2015, the SDGs provide a universal blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. They encompass a wide array of global challenges, such as poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace and justice, among others, making them a comprehensive framework for international cooperation and action. Each SDG is further divided into specific targets, which are designed to address these challenges at multiple levels.

One of the fundamental principles of the SDGs is that they are interconnected; solving one issue often contributes to resolving others. For example, tackling poverty (SDG 1) can help reduce hunger (SDG 2) and improve health and well-being (SDG 3). Similarly, pursuing quality education (SDG 4) can empower women (SDG 5), and create decent work and economic growth (SDG 8). In turn, these efforts can contribute to reduced inequalities (SDG 10) and promote peace, justice and strong institutions (SDG 16).

In the era of globalization, the role of international cooperation in achieving the SDGs is crucial. The global nature of many contemporary challenges, such as climate change or the COVID-19 pandemic, necessitates that nations work together to address these issues. As such, the SDGs provide a shared global agenda that transcends national borders and brings together diverse stakeholders, including governments, civil society, the private sector, and individuals.

While the SDGs provide the framework for global action, they also have implications for local and national contexts. Countries, regions, and cities are encouraged to tailor the global SDGs to their own contexts, developing local strategies and initiatives to achieve these goals. By addressing global issues at both global and local scales, the SDGs promote a multilevel, integrated approach to sustainable development.

Overall, the relationship between global issues and the SDGs is one of mutual influence and interdependence. The SDGs reflect the urgent need to address global challenges, while also providing a pathway towards solutions. They are a testament to the power of international cooperation and the potential for collective action to create a more sustainable, equitable, and prosperous world.

Elsevier, Current Opinion in Chemical Biology, Volume 65, December 2021
Drug repurposing aims to find new uses for already existing and approved drugs. We now provide a brief overview of recent developments in drug repurposing using machine learning alongside other computational approaches for comparison. We also highlight several applications for cancer using kinase inhibitors, Alzheimer's disease as well as COVID-19.
Elsevier,

Measuring Sustainable Development Goals Performance, 2022, Pages 139-219

This chapter advances SDGs by explaining how the economist takes part in bridging the gap between science and policy.
Effects of the COVID-19 public health crisis related to biodiversity loss and ecosystem health
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, caused by zoonotic SARS-CoV-2, has important links to biodiversity loss and ecosystem health. These links range from anthropogenic activities driving zoonotic disease emergence and extend to the pandemic affecting biodiversity conservation, environmental policy, ecosystem services, and multiple conservation facets. Crucially, such effects can exacerbate the initial drivers, resulting in feedback loops that are likely to promote future zoonotic disease outbreaks.
Background: To discuss a range of strategic options for China to improve the accessibility of direct antiviral agents (DAAs) as the treatment for hepatitis C. Methods: We adopted a narrative review approach for comprehensive comparisons and in-depth analyses of the country context, and barriers of increasing the DAA treatment rate of hepatitis C in Malaysia and China, and how the two countries have been navigating the hepatitis C agenda.
Elsevier, Prostaglandins and Other Lipid Mediators, Volume 156, October 2021
Millions of people are affected by neurodegenerative diseases worldwide. They occur due to the loss of brain functions or peripheral nervous system dysfunction. If untreated, prolonged condition ultimately leads to death. Mostly they are associated with stress, altered cholesterol metabolism, inflammation and organelle dysfunction. Endogenous cholesterol and phospholipids in brain undergo auto-oxidation by enzymatic as well as non-enzymatic modes leading to the formation of by-products such as 4-hydroxynonenal and oxysterols.
Despite the better understanding of the mechanisms underlying Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and launched clinical trials, no AD-modifying treatment based on a synthetic drug has been introduced for almost twenty years. The serotonin 5-HT6 and 5-HT7 receptors turned out to be promising biological targets for modulation of central nervous system dysfunctions including cognitive impairment. Within this paper, we evaluate the pharmacological potency of both, 5-HT6R and 5-HT7R, agents in search for novel AD treatment.
Elsevier, Current Opinion in Chemical Biology, Volume 64, October 2021
The assembly of amyloidogenic peptides and proteins, such as the β-amyloid peptide, α-synuclein, huntingtin, tau, and islet amyloid polypeptide, into amyloid fibrils and oligomers is directly linked to amyloid diseases, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases, frontotemporal dementias, and type II diabetes. Although amyloid oligomers have emerged as especially important in amyloid diseases, high-resolution structures of the oligomers formed by full-length amyloidogenic peptides and proteins have remained elusive.
More than a century has passed since pathological protein aggregates were first identified in the brains of patients with neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs). Yet, we still do not have effective therapies to treat or slow the progression of these devastating diseases or diagnostics for early detection and monitoring disease progression.
Elsevier,

Current Opinion in Chemical Biology, Volume 64, October 2021

Amyloid proteins can aggregate into insoluble fibrils and form amyloid deposits in the human brain, which is the hallmark of many neurodegenerative diseases. Promising strategies toward pathological amyloid proteins and deposition include investigating inhibitors that can disrupt amyloid aggregation or induce misfolding protein degradation. In this review, recent progress of peptide-based inhibitors, including amyloid sequence–derived inhibitors, designed peptides, and peptide mimics, is highlighted.

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has pushed the medical system to its breaking point. While the virus does not discriminate, the elderly and those with comorbidities, including hypertension severe obesity, diabetes mellitus, coronary disease, pneumonia and dementia, are at a greater risk for adverse outcomes due to COVID-19. While many people navigate their new normal, the question of what the long-lasting effects of the pandemic may be, lingers.

Pages