Modern Medical Laboratory Journal

Breast cancer is the most common cancer globally with around 2.3 million new cases every year. It represents one in eight cancer cases in both sexes and a quarter of all cancers in women1 with 70% mortality occurring in resource constrained settings. Health system barriers and patient level factors with low levels of awareness and knowledge are contributing to low uptake of early detection services, with resultant late-stage diagnoses and poor outcomes. In many resource-constrained settings, breast cancer affects a relatively younger population significantly contributing to premature mortality and maternal orphans. Despite being highly treatable when detected early, breast cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women. The mortality rate is higher in low- and middle-income countries due to limited access to early detection and treatment services.

reventing breast cancer involves a combination of lifestyle changes and regular health screenings. Here are some key strategies:

• Healthy Diet: Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains can help maintain a healthy weight and reduce cancer risk.
• Regular Exercise: Engaging in at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity each week can reduce risk.
• Limit Alcohol: Limiting alcohol intake to one drink per day or less can decrease breast cancer risk.
• Avoid Smoking: Not smoking or quitting smoking reduces the risk of many cancers, including breast cancer.
• Breastfeeding: For mothers, breastfeeding for several months may slightly lower breast cancer risk.

The Importance of Early Detection

Early detection of breast cancer greatly increases the chances of successful treatment and survival. Key points include:

• Mammograms: Regular mammograms can detect breast cancer early, often before any symptoms appear. Women aged 40 and above are typically recommended to have annual screenings.
• Self-Exams: Monthly breast self-exams help women to be familiar with their breasts, enabling them to notice changes and seek medical advice promptly.
• Professional Exams: Regular clinical breast exams by healthcare providers complement self-exams and mammograms.

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Liver cancer awareness is essential for improving early detection, treatment, and prevention. Here are some key aspects to consider for promoting liver cancer awareness:

1. Education on Risk Factors

Factors that increase the risk of primary liver cancer include:

• Chronic infection with HBV or HCV. Chronic infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) increases your risk of liver cancer.
• Cirrhosis. This progressive and irreversible condition causes scar tissue to form in your liver and increases your chances of developing liver cancer.
• Certain inherited liver diseases. Liver diseases that can increase the risk of liver cancer include hemochromatosis and Wilson's disease.
• Diabetes. People with this blood sugar disorder have a greater risk of liver cancer than those who don't have diabetes.
• Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. An accumulation of fat in the liver increases the risk of liver cancer.
• Exposure to aflatoxins. Aflatoxins are poisons produced by molds that grow on crops that are stored poorly. Crops, such as grains and nuts, can become contaminated with aflatoxins, which can end up in foods made of these products.
• Excessive alcohol consumption. Consuming more than a moderate amount of alcohol daily over many years can lead to irreversible liver damage and increase your risk of liver cancer.

 

2. Symptoms Awareness

Signs and symptoms of liver cancer include:

• Unexplained weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Upper abdominal pain or swelling
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fatigue
• Abdominal swelling
• Jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes)
• White, chalky stools

3. Screening and Early Detection

• Promoting awareness about screening options for high-risk individuals, such as those with chronic liver disease or cirrhosis.
• Information about imaging tests and blood tests (e.g., alpha-fetoprotein) that can help in early detection.

4. Prevention Strategies

• Reduce your risk of cirrhosis

  Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver, and it increases the risk of liver cancer. You can reduce your risk of cirrhosis if you:

• Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all. If you choose to drink alcohol, limit the amount you drink. For women, this means no more than one drink a day. For men, this means no more than two drinks a day.
• Maintain a healthy weight. If your current weight is healthy, work to maintain it by choosing a healthy diet and exercising most days of the week. If you need to lose weight, reduce the number of calories you eat each day and increase the amount of exercise you do. Aim to lose weight slowly — 1 or 2 pounds (0.5 to 1 kilograms) each week.

• Get vaccinated against hepatitis B

You can reduce your risk of hepatitis B by receiving the hepatitis B vaccine. The vaccine can be given to almost anyone, including infants, older adults and those with compromised immune systems.

• Take measures to prevent hepatitis C

No vaccine for hepatitis C exists, but you can reduce your risk of infection.

• Know the health status of any sexual partner. Don't engage in unprotected sex unless you're certain your partner isn't infected with HBV, HCV or any other sexually transmitted infection. If you don't know the health status of your partner, use a condom every time you have sexual intercourse.
• Don't use intravenous (IV) drugs, but if you do, use a clean needle. Reduce your risk of HCV by not injecting illegal drugs. But if that isn't an option for you, make sure any needle you use is sterile, and don't share it. Contaminated drug paraphernalia is a common cause of hepatitis C infection. Take advantage of needle-exchange programs in your community and consider seeking help for your drug use.
• Seek safe, clean shops when getting a piercing or tattoo. Needles that may not be properly sterilized can spread the hepatitis C virus. Before getting a piercing or tattoo, check out the shops in your area and ask staff members about their safety practices. If employees at a shop refuse to answer your questions or don't take your questions seriously, take that as a sign that the facility isn't right for you.

• Seek treatment for hepatitis B or C infection

Treatments are available for hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections. Research shows that treatment can reduce the risk of liver cancer.

• Ask your doctor about liver cancer screening

For the general population, screening for liver cancer hasn't been proved to reduce the risk of dying of liver cancer, and it isn't generally recommended. People with conditions that increase the risk of liver cancer might consider screening, such as people who have:

• Hepatitis B infection
• Hepatitis C infection
• Liver cirrhosis

• Discuss the pros and cons of screening with your doctor. Together you can decide whether screening is right for you based on your risk. Screening typically involves a blood test and an abdominal ultrasound exam every six months.
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Histotripsy is an innovative medical technique that utilizes focused ultrasound to generate high-pressure acoustic waves that create cavitation bubbles in tissues, leading to localized tissue disruption. This method has garnered interest in cancer treatment due to several potential advantages:

1. Non-Invasiveness: Histotripsy is a non-invasive method, which means it can treat tumors without the need for surgical intervention, reducing recovery times and associated complications.

2. Targeted Treatment: The focused nature of ultrasound allows for precise targeting of tumor tissues while sparing surrounding healthy tissues, potentially minimizing collateral damage and side effects.

3. Real-time Imaging: The use of ultrasound also allows for real-time imaging, enabling oncologists to monitor treatment effectiveness and make adjustments as needed during the procedure.

4. Potential to Enhance Other Therapies: Histotripsy can potentially be combined with other cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy or immunotherapy, to enhance their efficacy by improving drug delivery or increasing tumor susceptibility.

5. Research and Development: Ongoing research is critical to further understand the mechanisms of histotripsy, its optimal applications, and long-term outcomes in cancer patients.

Histotripsy has also been shown to stimulate an immune response and induce abscopal effects in animal models, which may have positive implications for future cancer treatment. While histotripsy shows promise, more clinical studies and trials are needed to establish its safety, efficacy, and best practices in treating various types of cancers. As with any emerging treatment, it is essential for healthcare providers to weigh the potential benefits against risks and limitations when considering it for patient care. In this regard, three human clinical trials have been undertaken using histotripsy for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia, liver cancer, and calcified valve stenosis.

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A large prospective study utilizing data from the UK Biobank investigated the relationship between caffeine, coffee, and tea consumption and the onset of cardiometabolic diseases (CM) in 360,406 participants. The study revealed nonlinear inverse associations, indicating that moderate coffee consumption (three cups per day) and caffeine intake (200-300 mg daily) significantly lowered the risk of developing CM compared to nonconsumers or those consuming less than 100 mg of caffeine daily, with hazard ratios of 0.519 and 0.593, respectively. Additionally, advanced multistate models demonstrated that moderate caffeine intake is associated with reduced risks throughout various stages of CM development, highlighting its potential protective effects against transitioning from a disease-free state to the onset of CM.
In Conclusion: Habitual coffee or caffeine intake, especially at a moderate level, was associated with a lower risk of new-onset CM and could play important roles in almost all transition phases of CM development. Future studies are warranted to validate the implicated metabolic biomarkers underlying the relation between coffee, tea, and caffeine intake and CM.
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Results from the Phase I trial—the first human study of this therapy—were presented on Saturday, September 14th, at the European Society of Medical Oncology conference in Barcelona by the UK Chief Investigator from the School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. The trial is sponsored by Moderna.
This mRNA immunotherapy is part of a broader trend of cancer vaccines entering clinical trials globally. The therapy functions by presenting common tumor markers to the patients’ immune systems, helping them recognize and attack cancer cells that express these markers, while potentially eliminating cells that could suppress the immune response.
The Phase I trial aimed to evaluate the safety and tolerability of the immunotherapy, with secondary and tertiary objectives focused on assessing radiographic and immunological responses.
The investigational mRNA cancer immunotherapy is designed for patients with lung cancer, melanoma, and other solid tumors. Nineteen patients with advanced-stage cancers received between one and nine doses of the treatment. Researchers observed that the immunotherapy elicited an immune response against the cancer and was well tolerated, with reported side effects including fatigue, pain at the injection site, and fever.
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Suicide represents a significant public health issue, claiming over 700,000 lives each year across the globe. The impact of each suicide extends beyond the individual, resulting in profound social, emotional, and economic repercussions that resonate within families and communities everywhere.
World Suicide Prevention Day, observed annually on September 10, serves as a crucial reminder of the ongoing global effort to address the complexities surrounding suicide. The triennial theme for 2024-2026, "Changing the Narrative on Suicide," emphasizes the urgent need to shift societal perceptions of this sensitive issue. By encouraging individuals to "Start the Conversation," the initiative seeks to dismantle the stigma that often silences those in distress, promoting an environment of understanding and compassion instead. Changing the narrative is not merely about discussing suicide but fostering a culture in which individuals feel safe to share their struggles, seek support, and connect with one another. Through open dialogue, awareness, and education, we can work together to prevent suicide and provide vital support to those who need it most.
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Ahead of World Cancer Day, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the cancer agency of the World Health Organization (WHO), unveiled the most recent global cancer burden estimates. Additionally, WHO shared findings from a survey conducted in 115 countries, revealing that a significant number of nations do not adequately fund essential cancer and palliative care services as part of universal health coverage (UHC).

The IARC estimates, based on the best sources of data available in countries in 2022, highlight the growing burden of cancer, the disproportionate impact on underserved populations, and the urgent need to address cancer inequities worldwide.

In 2022, there were an estimated 20 million new cancer cases and 9.7 million deaths. The estimated number of people who were alive within 5 years following a cancer diagnosis was 53.5 million. About 1 in 5 people develop cancer in their lifetime, approximately 1 in 9 men and 1 in 12 women die from the disease.
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Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats, commonly known as CRISPR, has emerged as a groundbreaking gene-editing technology, revolutionizing the field of molecular biology. Originally discovered as part of the bacterial immune system, CRISPR has been adapted for precise manipulation of DNA sequences in various organisms, offering unprecedented opportunities in medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology. CRISPR was initially identified in bacteria as a defense mechanism against viral infections. The system consists of short, partially palindromic repeated DNA sequences interspersed with unique spacer sequences derived from past viral invasions. In conjunction with Cas proteins, CRISPR provides bacteria with the ability to recognize and eliminate specific viral DNA, creating a memory of past infections. The key to CRISPR's success lies in its molecular scissors – the Cas9 protein. When guided by a synthetic RNA molecule that matches a target DNA sequence, Cas9 precisely cleaves the DNA at the desired location. This targeted DNA break triggers cellular repair mechanisms, allowing for the introduction of specific genetic modifications.CRISPR has sparked a revolution in medical research and treatment. Its potential for precise gene editing opens avenues for developing therapies for genetic disorders, cancer, and infectious diseases. The ability to modify genes associated with hereditary conditions holds promise for personalized medicine, offering tailored treatments based on an individual's genetic makeup.
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Cervical cancer develops in a woman's cervix (the entrance to the uterus from the vagina). Almost all cervical cancer cases (99%) are linked to infection with high risk human papillomavirus (HPV), an extremely common virus transmitted through sexual contact. Although most infections with HPV resolve spontaneously and cause no symptoms, persistent infection can cause cervical cancer in women.

Cervical cancer is the 6th most common cancer in women in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. In 2020, an estimated 89,800 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer in the Region and more than 47,500 women died from the disease.

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. It is a perfect opportunity to raise awareness about cervical cancer and HPV vaccination. This year, we are focusing on ending cervical cancer within a few generations as the theme for Cervical Cancer Awareness Month.

When diagnosed, cervical cancer is one of the most successfully treatable forms of cancer, as long as it is detected early and managed effectively. Cancers diagnosed in late stages can also be controlled with appropriate treatment and palliative care. With a comprehensive approach to prevent, screen and treat, we can end cervical cancer as a public health problem within a few generations.

On this Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, the messages are clear.

Get informed. Find out the facts about cervical cancer and the human papilloma virus (HPV) that causes it. Help educate other women in your life too.

Get screened. Cervical cancer screening typically starts at age 30 and is repeated periodically.

Get vaccinated. The HPV vaccine is given in 2 doses that should begin when a girl is between 9 and 14 years old.

Cervical Cancer Awareness Month also comes at a time when the world continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, where substantial disruptions to essential health services persist. So during this month and beyond, let us work together, to build back healthier communities by improving access to HPV vaccination, screening, treatment for cervical pre-cancer and management of cervical cancer by 2030 and end cervical cancer within a few generations.
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Smoking is a major cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and causes approximately one of every four deaths from CVD. According to World Health Organization data, smoking determines 10% of all CVDs. Tobacco smoking usage causes approximately 6 million death per year throughout the world, in the United States almost 500,000 deaths can be attributed to smoking and about 10% of these deaths are caused from second-hand smoke exposure. Epidemiologic studies have supported the assumption that cigarette smoking increases the incidence of myocardial infarction and fatal coronary artery diseases. Chemicals in cigarette smoke cause the cells that line blood vessels to become swollen and inflamed. This can narrow the blood vessels and can lead to many cardiovascular conditions.
Atherosclerosis, in which arteries narrow and become less flexible, occurs when fat, cholesterol, and other substances in the blood form plaque that builds up in the walls of arteries. The opening inside the arteries narrows as plaque builds up, and blood can no longer flow properly to various parts of the body. Smoking increases the formation of plaque in blood vessels.
Coronary Heart Disease occurs when arteries that carry blood to the heart muscle are narrowed by plaque or blocked by clots. Chemicals in cigarette smoke cause the blood to thicken and form clots inside veins and arteries. Blockage from a clot can lead to a heart attack and sudden death.
Stroke is a loss of brain function caused when blood flow within the brain is interrupted. Strokes can cause permanent brain damage and death. Smoking increases the risk for strokes. Deaths from strokes are more likely among smokers than among former smokers or people who have never smoked.
Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) and peripheral vascular disease occur when blood vessels become narrower and the flow of blood to arms, legs, hands and feet is reduced. Cells and tissue are deprived of needed oxygen when blood flow is reduced. In extreme cases, an infected limb must be removed. Smoking is the most common preventable cause of PAD.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm is a bulge or weakened area that occurs in the portion of the aorta that is in the abdomen. The aorta is the main artery that carries oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. Smoking is a known cause of early damage to the abdominal aorta, which can lead to an aneurysm. A ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm is life-threatening; almost all deaths from abdominal aortic aneurysms are caused by smoking. Women smokers have a higher risk of dying from an aortic aneurysm than men who smoke. Autopsies have shown early narrowing of the abdominal aorta in young adults who smoked as adolescents.
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The human gut microbiome impacts human brain health in numerous ways:
(1) Structural bacterial components such as lipopolysaccharides provide low-grade tonic stimulation of the innate immune system. Excessive stimulation due to bacterial dysbiosis, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, or increased intestinal permeability may produce systemic and/or central nervous system inflammation.
(2) Bacterial proteins may cross-react with human antigens to stimulate dysfunctional responses of the adaptive immune system.
(3) Bacterial enzymes may produce neurotoxic metabolites such as D-lactic acid and ammonia. Even beneficial metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids may exert neurotoxicity.
(4) Gut microbes can produce hormones and neurotransmitters that are identical to those produced by humans. Bacterial receptors for these hormones influence microbial growth and virulence.
(5) Gut bacteria directly stimulate afferent neurons of the enteric nervous system to send signals to the brain via the vagus nerve. Through these varied mechanisms, gut microbes shape the architecture of sleep and stress reactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. They influence memory, mood, and cognition and are clinically and therapeutically relevant to a range of disorders, including alcoholism, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and restless legs syndrome. Their role in multiple sclerosis and the neurologic manifestations of celiac disease is being studied. Nutritional tools for altering the gut microbiome therapeutically include changes in diet, probiotics, and prebiotics.
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Britain's medicines regulator has authorized the world's first gene therapy treatment for sickle cell disease, in a move that could offer relief to thousands of people with the disease. The new medicine, Casgevy, works by targeting the problematic gene in a patient's bone marrow stem cells so that the body can make properly functioning hemoglobin. Patients first receive a course of chemotherapy to make space for the new cells. Then, doctors take stem cells from the patient's bone marrow and use genetic editing techniques in a laboratory to fix the gene. The cells are then infused back into the patient for a permanent treatment.

In a clinical trial of Casgevy for sickle cell disease, 28 of the 29 patients experienced no episodes of major pain – which can lead to them being hospitalised – for at least a year afterward. When the treatment was used for those with beta thalassemia, 39 of the 42 trial participants did not need to have a red blood cell transfusion for at least 12 months after receiving Casgevy. 
Sickle cell disease is caused by mutations in the beta-globin gene, leading to the production of abnormal hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying molecule in red blood cells. Normal red blood cells are shaped like donuts, but in sickle cell disease, the abnormal hemoglobin causes red blood cells to stiffen and adopt a spiky, sickle-like shape. The disease is estimated to affect 100,000 people in the United States and is more common among Black Americans. Sickle cell disease can be cured with a donor bone marrow transplant but use of this therapy has the best chance of success in patients who have a closely matched sibling donor, which is only a minority of patients.
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Gene transcription, a pivotal process in molecular biology, is a highly regulated and intricate mechanism that enables the expression of genetic information. It commences as RNA polymerase recognizes and binds to a specific promoter region on DNA, initiating the unwinding of the DNA double helix. Subsequently, the enzyme synthesizes a complementary RNA strand using ribonucleotides along the template DNA strand. This process elongates the RNA molecule, which may undergo post-transcriptional modifications to become mature RNA, including mRNA, rRNA, and tRNA. The termination of transcription is signaled by specific sequences, leading to the release of the RNA transcript. The regulation of gene transcription plays a fundamental role in determining gene expression and, consequently, cellular functions and responses to various stimuli. This dynamic process allows for the precise control of protein production and the adaptation of cells to their environment.
The regulated transcription of genes determines cell identity and function. Recent structural studies have elucidated mechanisms that govern the regulation of transcription by RNA polymerases during the initiation and elongation phases. Microscopy studies have revealed that transcription involves the condensation of factors in the cell nucleus. A model is emerging for the transcription of protein-coding genes in which distinct transient condensates form at gene promoters and in gene bodies to concentrate the factors required for transcription initiation and elongation, respectively. The transcribing enzyme RNA polymerase II may shuttle between these condensates in a phosphorylation-dependent manner. Molecular principles are being defined that rationalize transcriptional organization and regulation, and that will guide future investigations.
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The immune system is a complex network of cells with critical functions in health and disease. However, a comprehensive census of the cells comprising the immune system is lacking. In a recent study, the researchers estimated the abundance of the primary immune cell types throughout all tissues in the human body. They conducted a literature survey and integrated data from multiplexed imaging and methylome-based deconvolution. They also considered cellular mass to determine the distribution of immune cells in terms of both number and total mass. Their results indicate that the immune system of a reference 73 kg man consists of 1.8 × 10¹² cells (95% CI 1.5–2.3 × 10¹²), weighing 1.2 kg (95% CI 0.8–1.9). Lymphocytes constitute 40% of the total number of immune cells and 15% of the mass and are mainly located in the lymph nodes and spleen. Neutrophils account for similar proportions of both the number and total mass of immune cells, with most neutrophils residing in the bone marrow. Macrophages, present in most tissues, account for 10% of immune cells but contribute nearly 50% of the total cellular mass due to their large size. The quantification of immune cells within the human body presented here can serve to understand the immune function better and facilitate quantitative modeling of this vital system.
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Researchers in Sweden have developed a 3D-printed, microscale implant in the eye to offer cell-based therapy that could treat diabetes. The researchers chose pancreatic islets, cell clusters in the pancreas that produce insulin, as donors’ cells have been used in experimental treatments for type 1 diabetes. 

Anna Herland, senior lecturer in the Division of Bionanotechnology at SciLifeLab at KTH and the AIMES research center at KTH and Karolinska Institutet, says that the eye is ideal for this technology because it has no immune cells that react unfavorably in the first stage of implantation. Its transparency allows visual and microscopic study of what happens to the implant over time.

“The eye is our only window into the body, and it’s immune-privileged,” Herland says.
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Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most prevalent type of primary liver cancer, poses a significant global health challenge. This malignancy typically arises in the hepatocytes of the liver and is often associated with chronic liver disease. Several risk factors contribute to the development of HCC, including chronic hepatitis B and C infections, alcoholic liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and cirrhosis, which result from various etiologies. The key to managing HCC lies in early detection and intervention. While treatments vary based on the stage and severity of the disease, options include surgical resection, liver transplantation, radiofrequency ablation, transarterial chemoembolization, and systemic therapies like sorafenib and immunotherapies. As research into the molecular mechanisms of HCC advances, targeted therapies are emerging, offering new hope for more effective treatment options. The comprehensive approach to HCC, combining prevention, risk factor management, early diagnosis, and a range of therapeutic modalities, is crucial in addressing this formidable cancer and improving patient outcomes.
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A research team, led by Professor Ja Hyoung Ryu from the Department of Chemistry at UNIST, in collaboration with Professor Hyewon Chung from Konkuk University, has achieved a significant breakthrough in the treatment of age-related diseases. Their cutting-edge technology offers a promising new approach by selectively removing aging cells, without harming normal healthy cells. This groundbreaking development is poised to redefine the future of healthcare and usher in a new era of targeted therapeutic interventions. In their study, the team designed organic molecules that selectively target receptors overexpressed in the membranes of aging cells. By leveraging the higher levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) found in aging cells, these molecules promote the formation of disulfide bonds and create oligomers that bind together.
Senolytics, which eliminate senescent cells from tissues, represent an emerging therapeutic strategy for various age-related diseases. Most senolytics target antiapoptotic proteins, which are overexpressed in senescent cells, limiting specificity and inducing severe side effects. To overcome these limitations, they constructed self-assembling senolytics targeting senescent cells with an intracellular oligomerization system. Intracellular aryl-dithiol-containing peptide oligomerization occurred only inside the mitochondria of senescent cells due to selective localization of the peptides by RGD-mediated cellular uptake into integrin α_vβ₃-overexpressed senescent cells and elevated levels of reactive oxygen species, which can be used as a chemical fuel for disulfide formation. This oligomerization results in an artificial protein-like nanoassembly with a stable α-helix secondary structure, which can disrupt the mitochondrial membrane via multivalent interactions because the mitochondrial membrane of senescent cells has weaker integrity than that of normal cells. These three specificities (integrin α_vβ₃, high ROS, and weak mitochondrial membrane integrity) of senescent cells work in combination; therefore, this intramitochondrial oligomerization system can selectively induce apoptosis of senescent cells without side effects on normal cells. Significant reductions in key senescence markers and amelioration of retinal degeneration were observed after elimination of the senescent retinal pigment epithelium by this peptide senolytic in an age-related macular degeneration mouse model and in aged mice, and this effect was accompanied by improved visual function. This system provides a strategy for the treatment of age-related diseases using supramolecular senolytics.
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Axon regeneration can be induced across anatomically complete spinal cord injury (SCI), but robust functional restoration has been elusive. Whether restoring neurological functions requires directed regeneration of axons from specific neuronal subpopulations to their natural target regions remains unclear. To address this question, a team of researchers from UCLA applied projection-specific and comparative single-nucleus RNA sequencing to identify neuronal subpopulations that restore walking after incomplete SCI. They show that chemoattracting and guiding the transected axons of these neurons to their natural target region led to substantial recovery of walking after complete SCI in mice, whereas regeneration of axons simply across the lesion had no effect. Thus, reestablishing the natural projections of characterized neurons forms an essential part of axon regeneration strategies aimed at restoring lost neurological functions.
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Dopamine is a fascinating neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in our daily lives, influencing various aspects of our well-being, including happiness. Often referred to as the "feel-good" neurotransmitter, dopamine is involved in a wide range of functions within the brain and body. Let's explore how dopamine affects happiness, its underlying mechanisms, and how various substances and activities can influence its production.

Dopamine and Happiness:

Dopamine is often associated with feelings of pleasure, reward, and motivation. It's released in response to pleasurable experiences and serves as a biological signal that reinforces positive behaviors. This connection between dopamine and happiness is not only fascinating but also essential for understanding how we experience joy and satisfaction.

Mechanism of Dopamine in Happiness:

1. Reward Pathway: The brain's reward system, often called the mesolimbic pathway, is where dopamine shines. When you engage in activities that bring pleasure or reward, such as eating a delicious meal, winning an award, or receiving praise, your brain releases dopamine. This surge in dopamine reinforces the behavior, making you more likely to repeat it in the future.

2. Motivation and Goal Achievement: Dopamine also plays a crucial role in motivation. It encourages you to pursue and achieve goals, whether they are small tasks like completing a to-do list or larger life aspirations. The anticipation of the reward associated with accomplishing these goals triggers dopamine release, providing a sense of satisfaction and motivation to keep going.

Dopamine and Substances/Activities:

1. Coffee: Many people turn to coffee for a morning dopamine boost. Caffeine, a key component in coffee, can increase dopamine production. It stimulates the release of dopamine by blocking adenosine, another neurotransmitter that promotes relaxation. This temporary surge in dopamine can lead to improved mood and alertness.

2. Awards and Recognition: Receiving awards or recognition for your accomplishments can be a powerful source of dopamine. The acknowledgment of your efforts activates the brain's reward system, releasing dopamine and generating feelings of happiness and pride.

3. Exercise: Physical activity is another way to boost dopamine levels. Regular exercise has been shown to increase dopamine receptors in the brain, making it more sensitive to this neurotransmitter. This is why many people report feeling happier and more energized after a good workout.

4. Drugs of Abuse: Unfortunately, the same dopamine system that promotes happiness and motivation can be hijacked by drugs of abuse, such as cocaine and opioids. These substances artificially increase dopamine levels, leading to intense feelings of euphoria. However, repeated drug use can disrupt the brain's natural dopamine balance, leading to addiction and negative consequences.

In conclusion, dopamine is a key player in our pursuit of happiness. It's the brain's way of rewarding us for positive behaviors and motivating us to achieve our goals. While substances like coffee can provide a temporary dopamine boost, the most sustainable and healthy way to maintain a happy, balanced brain is through activities like exercise and the pursuit of meaningful accomplishments, like winning awards or achieving personal goals. Understanding the role of dopamine in our lives can help us make informed choices about how we seek and experience happiness.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/2631454118806139

To elicit optimal immune responses, messenger RNA vaccines require intracellular delivery of the mRNA and the careful use of adjuvants. MIT researchers report a multiply adjuvanted mRNA vaccine consisting of lipid nanoparticles encapsulating an mRNA-encoded antigen, optimized for efficient mRNA delivery and for the enhanced activation of innate and adaptive responses. They optimized the vaccine by screening a library of 480 biodegradable ionizable lipids with headgroups adjuvanted with cyclic amines and by adjuvanting the mRNA-encoded antigen by fusing it with a natural adjuvant derived from the C3 complement protein. In mice, intramuscular or intranasal administration of nanoparticles with the lead ionizable lipid and with mRNA encoding for the fusion protein (either the spike protein or the receptor-binding domain of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)) increased the titres of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 tenfold with respect to the vaccine encoding for the unadjuvanted antigen. Multiply adjuvanted mRNA vaccines may improve the efficacy, safety and ease of administration of mRNA-based immunization.
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