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Category: biotech/medical – Page 357

Autocracies win the minds of the democratic public: how Japanese citizens are persuaded by illiberal narratives propagated by authoritarian regimes

Against the backdrop of global democratic backsliding and the rise of authoritarianism, Footnote 1 the nature of authoritarian propaganda and public diplomacy has undergone significant changes. In particular, the transformation of the information environment brought about by the global proliferation of social media has created new avenues for authoritarian states to exert influence over democratic publics. Footnote 2 Notable examples include Russia’s intervention in the 2016 U.S. presidential election Footnote 3 and the dissemination of disinformation regarding COVID-19 by Chinese diplomats. Footnote 4 These actions are referred to as “sharp power,” defined as attempts to “pierce, penetrate, or perforate the information environments in the targeted countries” Footnote 5 with the aim of altering public opinion in democratic countries to favour authoritarian regimes. Footnote 6 Unlike soft power, which appeals to cultural and value-based attractions, sharp power operates as a means to destabilize target countries, weaken their commitment to democracy, and enhance the perceived superiority of authoritarian systems using disinformation and economic incentives. Footnote 7

At the core of sharp power lies the narrative, which is a story-based message that appeals to emotions and values, Footnote 8 and by sustaining attention and fostering emotional resonance, narratives often influence audience behaviour more than objective statistical facts or logical arguments. Footnote 9 Given their persuasive power and emotional impact, narratives are a potent tool for shaping people’s attitudes and behaviours. Political actors leverage narratives not only to strengthen their own position but also to undermine the arguments of opposing forces. Footnote 10 In particular, authoritarian governments use favourable narratives both domestically and internationally to reinforce the legitimacy of their regimes and to emphasise the superiority of authoritarian systems over democratic systems, thereby contributing to a global power shift.

Leucovorin may help with improving verbal communication in certain individuals with ASD who have a vitamin deficiency

I think Paul may have posted this already, if so here is some more information from a site about drug repurposng. Its really cool.

Click the video above to watch a story that ran on CBS Evening News about leucovorin for ASD.

Every Cure is excited to highlight the potential role that leucovorin (folinic acid) may play in improving verbal communication in some individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who have speech challenges and certain antibodies that cause a vitamin deficiency in the brain. As a nonprofit research organization committed to identifying and elevating potential repurposed treatments, we’ve summarized information about this promising drug repurposing opportunity below.

A vitamin deficiency may contribute to speech challenges in some individuals with ASD.

ITSN1 gene linked to substantial risk of Parkinson’s disease

A new study published in Cell Reports reveals a breakthrough discovery linking genetic variants in the gene ITSN1 to a significantly elevated risk of Parkinson’s disease, a neurodegenerative condition that affects nearly 2% of adults older than 65 years.

These findings were subsequently validated across three independent cohorts comprising more than 8,000 cases and 400,000 controls. Importantly, ITSN1 carriers trended toward earlier age of disease onset.

ITSN1 plays an important role in how neurons send messages to each other – a process called synaptic transmission – making it particularly relevant to Parkinson’s disease, a condition in which disruption of nerve signals leads to the typical symptoms of impaired gait and balance, tremors and rigidity. “We also showed in fruit flies that reducing ITSN1 levels worsens Parkinson’s-like features, including the ability to climb. We plan to extend these investigations to stem cell and mouse models,” the author said.

Interestingly, previous studies have recently implicated similar ITSN1 mutations in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Other emerging data also have suggested an association between ASD and Parkinson’s disease, indicating that people with ASD are three times more likely to develop parkinsonism.

Electrons travel one of two routes in nano-biohybrid systems

Peanut butter and jelly. Simon and Garfunkel. Semiconductors and bacteria. Some combinations are more durable than others. In recent years, an interdisciplinary team of Cornell researchers has been pairing microbes with the semiconductor nanocrystals known as quantum dots, with the goal of creating nano-biohybrid systems that can harvest sunlight to perform complex chemical transformations for materials and energy applications.

Now, the team has for the first time identified exactly what happens when a microbe receives an electron from a quantum dot: The charge can either follow a direct pathway or be transferred indirectly via the microbe’s shuttle molecules.

The findings are published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The lead author is Mokshin Suri.

What does it mean for a technology to scale?

An excellent concise newsletter article by the legendary Ben Reinhardt on how to think about scaling new technologies, what kinds of bottlenecks can occur, and strategies for maximizing chances of success. #development #industry #biotech #tech

A particular failure mode that we’ve noticed among scientists and engineers doing ambitious technology research is ignoring the question “does this technology scale?” It’s a question that gets thrown around a lot by VCs and technology analysts, but people rarely unpack what that means and (I suspect) many of us don’t even know.

Epidermal Growth Factor Stability and Cell Proliferation Enhanced by Antioxidants

1. Introduction.

The natural production of EGF, a short polypeptide hormone, promotes the processes of proliferation, expansion, and division of cells [1]. For in vitro cell culture, EGF functions as a growth factor [2] and has an effective mitogenic effect on endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and most epithelial tissues. Its biological functions rely on associating itself with a specific cell membrane receptor [3]. Because EGF plays a crucial role as a mitogen in the proliferation of various cell types both in vivo and in vitro, it has been used in the therapeutic and cosmetic areas [4] to cover scars and reduce the appearance of aging skin [1]. Moreover, recombinant EGF is used topically for diabetic foot ulcers [5]. The structures and properties of proteins vary; favorable conditions are necessary for conformation, stability, and proper function. In contrast, a protein degrades, denatures, or precipitates when it is exposed to unfavorable conditions or when its natural environment changes suddenly. Recombinant human EGF is most frequently degraded by oxidation and deamidation [6]. These reactions typically have long-term implications. For protein solutions to remain stable and have a longer shelf life, excipients may need to be added, depending on how the protein is used in the experiment and other factors. When it comes to the chemical and physical degradation of proteins, the solution environment plays a crucial role in protein formulations. Of particular concern are buffer types, pH, and antioxidants [7]. Even though antioxidants assist in stability and solubility in liquid solutions, which help to preserve protein structure and function, they are frequently considered inactive ingredients in pharmaceutical compositions [8] [9].

Since an unstable protein solution can impact the product’s appearance, potency, purity, healing effects, and cell proliferation, in vitro protein stabilization is an essential practical consideration for the development of an effective EGF formulation. The stability of EGF in solution has been well documented in several in vivo solutions [10]. Though there have been numerous reports on EGF stability, none have specifically addressed treatment in cell culture conditions. Since it has a big influence on several aspects of the parenteral formulation creation process and EGF-based cell proliferation, the study of EGF stability in cell culture medium has gotten little attention. But since many of these in vitro tests are conducted in non-physiological settings, such as organic solvents or acidic solutions [11], they frequently fail to yield qualitatively positive results in cellular therapies.

Thromboembolism in Patients with Cancer: A Practical Guide to Recurrent Events

Cancer patients have an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), and VTE is the second most common cause of death among them. Anticoagulation plays a key role in the treatment of cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT). Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) or direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are effective and generally safe options for cancer-associated VTE. However, those patients have a 10–20% risk of VTE recurrence in spite of using anticoagulants. The main reasons for recurrent VTE (rVTE) can be non-compliance, inadequate dosing of anticoagulants, thrombocytopenia and malignancy progression. Despite the publication of major guidelines regarding the management of CAT, the treatment of patients with rVTE is undefined. Treatment options for rVTE include bridging to LMWH in cases of oral anticoagulants use, LMWH dose escalation, and sometimes considering inserting a vena cava filter.

The Twonky — Full Movie Colorized — Science Fiction Comedy — 1953 — Starring: Hans Conried

Is a 1953 independently made American black-and-white science fiction/comedy film, produced by A.D. Nast, Jr., Arch Oboler, and Sidney Pink, written and directed by Arch Oboler, and starring Hans Conried, Gloria Blondell, Billy Lynn, and Edwin Max. The film was distributed by United Artists.

Directed by Arch Oboler.
Screenplay by Arch Oboler.

Hans Conried as Kerry West.
Janet Warren as Carolyn West.
Billy Lynn as Coach Trout.
Edwin Max as the Television Deliveryman.
Gloria Blondell as the Bill Collector.
Evelyn Beresford as Old Lady Motorist.
Bob Jellison as the TV Shop Owner.
Norman Field as the Doctor.
Stephen Roberts as Head Treasury Agent.
Connie Marshall as Susie.
William Phipps as Student.
Lenore Kingston as Offended Phone Operator #2
Alice Backes as Offended Phone Operator #1
Brick Sullivan as Cop.

Triggering Cancer Cells To Self-Destruct Could Help Tumors to Shrink

Cells function through an intricate network of proteins, each designed for specific tasks like metabolism, tissue repair, and immune defense. These proteins are built using genetic blueprints in our DNA. A process called alternative splicing enables a single gene to generate multiple mRNA transcripts — molecules carrying genetic instructions — allowing for protein diversity.

In healthy cells, this process maintains balance. Cancer cells, however, disrupt that process to fuel their unchecked growth by disabling proteins that regulate cell proliferation.

The researchers focused on a genetic element known as a poison exon. This natural “off switch” prevents the production of certain proteins by marking their RNA messages for destruction before they can be translated. Cancer cells suppress the poison exon in a key gene called TRA2β. Without this regulation, TRA2β levels rise, promoting tumor growth and making cancer cells more aggressive.

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