Researchers have discovered that mutations in the FOXJ3 gene act as a “master switch” failure, disrupting how the brain builds its layers and leading to FCD, a primary cause of drug-resistant epilepsy. The study reveals how FOXJ3 controls the formation of brain cortical layers during brain development by regulating the PTEN–mTOR signaling pathway.
The PTEN-mTOR signaling pathway acts as a critical control system for cell growth, proliferation, metabolism, and survival. When this system malfunctions, it causes many neurological disorders including FCD, tuberous sclerosis complex and neurofibromatosis. The discovery of FOXJ3, a transcription factor (a protein that regulates gene activity), as a new cause of these “mTOR pathway diseases” (mTORpathies) provides new insight into the biological origins of epilepsy and cortical malformations, as well as potential new treatments.
The research team by studying families with inherited focal epilepsy alongside mouse and single-cell analysis, uncovered how FOXJ3 mutations disrupt how brain cells move to their correct locations and take on their proper roles during early brain development.
“Focal cortical dysplasia is one of the most common causes of epilepsy that does not respond to medication, yet in many patients the underlying cause remains unknown,” said the corresponding author. “Our findings identify FOXJ3 as the critical genetic and molecular link between abnormal brain development and epilepsy.” ScienceMission sciencenewshighlights.
The promise of dendritic cell (DC)-based immunotherapy has been established by two decades of translational research. However, long-term benefits of DC vaccination are reported in only scattered patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Here we optimize DC vaccination and evaluate its safety and antitumor efficacy in the genetically engineered PDAC model (KrasLSL-G12D p53LSL-R172H Pdx-1-Cre (KPC mice)). KPC transgenic mice and orthotopic models using KPC cell lines were treated with DC vaccine via an intraperitoneal route. Tumor growth and microenvironment were dynamically monitored by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Histological analysis and flow cytometry were used to evaluate tumor-directed T cell immunity of these mice. DC vaccine via intraperitoneal injection suppressed tumor progression (P = 0.030) and significantly prolonged survival time (P = 0.028) in KPC mice. Vaccinated KPC mice displayed an increased antitumor T cell response indicated by a higher IFN-γ production (P = 0.016) and tumor-specific cytotoxicity (P = 0.027). Particularly, the mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of KPC tumor calculated from diffusion weighted MRI (DW-MRI) were significantly higher in DC vaccine group than that in control group (P < 0.001). More interestingly, we observed that ADC positively correlated with fibrosis in KPC tumor (R2 = 0.463, P = 0.015). Our study demonstrated that the immunization with our improved DC vaccine can elicit a strong tumor-specific immune response and tumor suppression in PDAC.
Xu et al. uncover how metabolites regulate cellular communication during inflammatory resolution and tissue repair in vivo. They find that glutamine metabolism alters chromatin accessibility and suppresses neutrophil chemotaxis gene transcription to resolve inflammation and drive tissue repair.
Dick Van Dyke, the legendary American actor and comedian who starred in classics such as Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, turned 100 on December 13. The beloved actor credits his remarkable longevity to his positive outlook and never getting angry.
While longevity of course comes down to many factors – including genetics and lifestyle – there is some truth to Van Dyke’s claims.
Numerous studies have shown that keeping stress levels low and maintaining a positive, optimistic outlook are correlated with longevity.
Stanford Medicine scientists are launching a clinical trial of prenatal transplants, using stem cells from the mother, to treat a rare genetic disease called Fanconi anemia before a baby is born.
In this Research Article, Ruxandra Bachmann-Gagescu & team integrate blood and urine biochemistry with genetics to improve interpretation of genetic findings in adults with kidney stone disease—the approach has prognostic value, enabling personalized risk assessment.
3Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
4National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR) Kidney. CH, Bern, Switzerland.
5Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Could we sculpt dead planets into living worlds? From artificial crusts and orbital mirrors to taming tectonics and engineering biospheres, this is your definitive guide to turning alien rocks into second Earths.
Watch my exclusive video Fishbowl Starships — Water As Shielding — https://nebula.tv/videos/isaacarthur–… Nebula using my link for 40% off an annual subscription: https://go.nebula.tv/isaacarthur Get a Lifetime Membership to Nebula for only $300: https://go.nebula.tv/lifetime?ref=isa… Use the link https://gift.nebula.tv/isaacarthur to give a year of Nebula to a friend for just $36. Visit our Website: http://www.isaacarthur.net Support us on Patreon: / isaacarthur Support us on Subscribestar: https://www.subscribestar.com/isaac-a… Facebook Group: / 1,583,992,725,237,264 Reddit: / isaacarthur Twitter: / isaac_a_arthur on Twitter and RT our future content. SFIA Discord Server: / discord Credits: Interstellar Travel: Can We Survive The Long Journey? Episode 725; June 15, 2025 Written, Produced & Narrated by: Isaac Arthur Graphics: Jarred Eagley Jeremy Jozwik Ken York YD Visual Mafic Studios Sergio Botero Select imagery/video supplied by Getty Images Music Courtesy of Epidemic Sound http://epidemicsound.com/creator Chris Zabriskie, “Unfoldment, Revealment”, “A New Day in a New Sector”, “Oxygen Garden”, “Wonder Cycle” Kai Engel, “Endless Story About Sun and Moon” Taras Harkavyi, “Alpha and…” Dark Future, “Staring Through” pt1 Miguel Johnson. “The Commanders”, “Far From Home” Lombus, “Hydrogen Sonata”, “Cosmic Soup” Aerium, “Deijocht” Stellardrone, “Red Giant”, “Solar Eclipse”, “Billions and Billions” Chapters 0:00 Intro 5:33 What is Terraforming? 8:27 Terraforming vs Para-Terraforming 11:54 Planets vs Megastructures 14:05 Terraforming vs Bioforming 17:14 The Inevitable Hybrid Approach 20:59 Ethics & Debate: Preservation vs. Transformation 22:42 Terraforming as a Civilization-Scale Endeavor 23:46 Terraforming Technologies & Techniques 24:42 Artificial Gravity Solutions 27:58 Atmospheric Manipulation 31:25 Bioforming & Genetic Engineering 34:06 Comet & Asteroid Bombardment 39:43 Domes & Worldhouses 43:24 Geoengineering & Climate Control 47:05 Hydrospheric Engineering 49:58 Magnetosphere Generation 53:35 Fishbowl Starships 55:02 Mass & Orbital Adjustments 1:00:17 Mega-Mirrors & Solar Shades 1:04:30 Oxygenation & Soil Processing 1:07:39 Planetary Shells & Artificial Crusts 1:10:37 Terraforming Nanotechnology 1:14:04 Tidal & Seismic Stabilization 1:18:45 From Theory to Practice: Adapting Terraforming to Specific Worlds 1:20:27 Extreme Radiation Levels 1:23:57 Frequent Asteroid & Meteor Impacts 1:27:41 High Gravity 1:30:29 Highly Eccentric Orbits 1:34:46 Hostile Native Life 1:38:25 Intense Volcanism 1:40:55 Long or Erratic Day/Night Cycles 1:51:09 Low Light Levels 1:52:57 No Air 1:54:25 No Magnetosphere 1:56:17 No Seasons 1:58:13 No Water 2:00:48 Short or Long Years & Seasons 2:02:05 Tidally Locked 2:03:32 Tidally Wracked 2:04:36 Too Cold 2:05:36 Too Hot 2:06:21 Too Much Air 2:07:05 Too Much Ocean 2:08:44 Too Much Solar Wind 2:11:13 Toxic or Corrosive Atmosphere or Surface 2:14:09 Unstable Tectonics 2:15:10 Wrong Air Composition 2:16:21 Final Thoughts. Get Nebula using my link for 40% off an annual subscription: https://go.nebula.tv/isaacarthur. Get a Lifetime Membership to Nebula for only $300: https://go.nebula.tv/lifetime?ref=isa… Use the link https://gift.nebula.tv/isaacarthur to give a year of Nebula to a friend for just $36.
Visit our Website: http://www.isaacarthur.net. Support us on Patreon: / isaacarthur. Support us on Subscribestar: https://www.subscribestar.com/isaac-a… Facebook Group: / 1583992725237264 Reddit: / isaacarthur. Twitter: / isaac_a_arthur on Twitter and RT our future content. SFIA Discord Server: / discord. Credits: Interstellar Travel: Can We Survive The Long Journey? Episode 725; June 15, 2025 Written, Produced & Narrated by: Isaac Arthur. Graphics: Jarred Eagley. Jeremy Jozwik. Ken York YD Visual. Mafic Studios. Sergio Botero. Select imagery/video supplied by Getty Images. Music Courtesy of Epidemic Sound http://epidemicsound.com/creator. Chris Zabriskie, \
