A CD46-Sp1 axis controls human CD4 T cell gene programs underlying survival, effector function, and integrated virus transcription.
Category: biotech/medical – Page 117
Imaging assessment of immunotherapy in pediatric brain tumors
Immunotherapy is a rapidly evolving field in pediatric neuro-oncology, using diverse strategies to enhance or initiate an antitumor immune response. Its use has expanded from hematologic malignancies to solid central nervous system (CNS) tumors, creating new diagnostic challenges in neuroimaging, particularly in children.
The aim of this review is to summarize current immunotherapeutic strategies for pediatric solid CNS tumors and to discuss their characteristic imaging findings and response patterns, with emphasis on pitfalls in differentiating true progression from treatment‑related inflammatory changes.
Across different immunotherapeutic approaches, a major challenge is distinguishing tumor progression from pseudoprogression, immune‑related flare phenomena, and neurotoxicity. Multiparametric imaging combining advanced MRI techniques and metabolic imaging may improve diagnostic specificity; however, validation in children is limited, and existing response frameworks such as iRANO and RAPNO do not specifically address immunotherapy‑related imaging patterns in the pediatric population.
Blood-based test can predict risk of developing symptoms of Alzheimer’s up to a decade early
A blood test for the biomarker phosphorylated tau 217 (p-tau217) recently received federal clearance, but questions have emerged about the extent to which such tests can accurately predict whether a cognitively healthy individual will develop cognitive impairment—a key symptom of Alzheimer’s disease.
A new international study involving researchers across three continents and led by experts from the Mass General Brigham Neuroscience Institute sheds new light on the prognostic value of such tests.
The study found that cognitively unimpaired individuals with very high levels of the biomarker had a 38% absolute risk of developing cognitive impairment over the next five years and a 78% risk over the next 10 years.
Whole cross-sectional human ultrasound tomography
An impressive paper where entire human torso cross sections were imaged via ultrasound. I’m also curious if this has any ties to Midjourney’s announcement of a similar-sounding technology in their new biomedical division.
An ultrasound tomography system composed of a custom 512-element circular receiver array combined with a single-element transmitter that rotates around the participant enables whole cross-sectional ultrasound imaging of the human body.
Scientists discover how macrophages age differently throughout the body
Why does the immune system become less effective as we age? A new USC study published in BMC Biology offers fresh insights by examining a key immune cell type across tissues: macrophages.
Macrophages act as the body’s cleanup and maintenance crew. Found in nearly every tissue, they help fight infections, remove damaged cells, repair tissues and keep inflammation under control, acting as a first line of defense for the immune system. But like many cells in the body, macrophages change as we get older.
In this new study, researchers analyzed data from macrophages collected from different mouse tissues, including the brain, lungs, liver and other organs. By comparing younger and older animals, they uncovered common patterns of aging shared across many macrophage populations, as well as important differences depending on where the cells come from.
Plant-based wound dressing fights infection before it takes hold
A new dressing made from plant-based materials can deliver antibiotics directly to wounds during critical early stages of infection, according to researchers from the University of Bath. The study, published in Bioactive Materials, is the first to use this family of sustainable furan-based polymers, previously explored for sustainable plastics and packaging, for infection-fighting wound dressings.
Wound infections are a major challenge for health care systems worldwide and are estimated to cost the NHS alone billions every year. Bacteria can enter a wound and begin forming a protective, slimy layer known as a biofilm within hours, slowing healing and making infections much harder to treat.
The team from the Department of Chemical Engineering and the Department of Chemistry created a novel, two-sided dressing from sustainable polymers, plastic-like materials sourced from plants rather than petrochemicals. One side of the dressing rapidly releases antibiotics into the wound, while the other acts as a barrier to maintain the protected healing environment.