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Obesity is one of the most common problems among many in all age groups. As per world health organisation obesity or overweight defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may cause impair health. Obesity measured by BMI (Body mass index), normal BMI for children is  range Go back Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Childhood obesity Last updated: 18/11/24 Published: 25/03/23 Obesity is one of the most common problems among many in all age groups. As per the World Health Organisation, obesity or overweight is defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may cause impaired health. Obesity is measured by Body Mass Index (BMI). The normal BMI for children ranges from 13.53 to 20.08. Children are the most vulnerable age group for becoming overweight. Early prevention reduces the overall burden of health care system globally. Obesity causes: Obesity mainly results from imbalance between energy intake and utilisation of calorie intake. There are several reasons for becoming overweight. Five main causes for overweight are- Genetic factors Food quality and quantity Parental belief Sedentary lifestyle Environmental resource Symptoms of childhood obesity: Shortness of breath while physical activity Difficulty in breathing while sleeping. Easily fatigue. Gastric problems such as gastroesophageal reflux disease Fat deposits in various body parts such as breast, abdomen and thigh area Prevalence The prevalence of overweight children is increasing every year. In England, in the year 2019/2020, the prevalence of overweight increased rapidly. The National Child Measurement Program measure shows that in Reception (4-5 years old), the obesity rate was 9.9% and continued to increase to 21% in year 6. Childhood obesity is tackled early so complications can be managed before it worsens. There are many ways to prevent childhood obesity. Prevention The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance currently recommends lifestyle intervention as the main treatment for prevention of childhood obesity. Diet management and physical activity are the main areas to focus on for obesity prevention. Dietary modification includes limited use of refined grains and sweets, potatoes, red meat, processed meat, sugary drinks, and alternatively increase intake of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grain and adopt more healthier food options, instead of fatty and junk food. On top of that, add physical activity in daily routine. It is one of the key factors for reduction of obesity. Another way for communities to tackle obesity is to take part in government programmes such as Healthier You and NHS Digital weight management programme, which are helpful for handling obesity. Written by Chhaya Dhedhi Related articles: Depression in children / Childhood stunting in developing nations / Nature vs nurture in childhood intelligence

To begin, there was the Humoral Theory, which looked at how disease was caused by gaps in fluids/humours which were: blood, yellow bile, black bile and phlegm, which equated to the elements of air, fire, earth and water respectively. The imbalance can come from habits like overeating Go back Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Key historical events and theories in public health Last updated: 17/11/24 Published: 10/02/23 Introduction Now more than ever, public health has become crucial, which looks at promoting health and preventing disease within a society. There have been numerous events and concepts that have helped shape our current health systems today because without them, it is possible that our health systems would not have advanced without previous knowledge to evolve from. This article will focus on certain key events and concepts. Humoral Theory (Ancient Greek and Roman times) To begin, there was the Humoral Theory, which looked at how disease was caused by gaps in fluids/humours which were: blood, yellow bile, black bile and phlegm, which equated to the elements of air, fire, earth and water respectively. The imbalance can come from habits like overeating and too little/much exercise or external factors such as the weather. This theory was thought to have originated from the Hippocratic Corpus, a compilation of 60 medical documents written during the Ancient Greek era by Hippocrates. Although this theory as we know now is flawed, it did provide a foundational understanding of the human body and was utilised in public health for centuries before being subsequently discredited for the Germ Theory established during the mid-19th century. Miasma Theory (Ancient Greek era to the 19th century) Another theory replaced by Germ Theory was the Miasma theory, which stated that diseases like the plague and cholera were spread due to toxic vapours from the ground/decomposing matter. This theory along with the Humoral theory was accepted for thousands of years since the Ancient Greek era. With regards to the cholera outbreaks in the Victorian era, John Snow’s theory of polluted water causing cholera was initially not accepted by the scientific community during his death in 1858. Eventually though, his theory became accepted when Joseph Bazalgette worked to fix London’s sewage to prevent more deaths by cholera. This event with the Germ Theory led to Miasma and Humoral theories to be disproved, although they provided foundational understanding of how diseases spread. The discovery of vaccines (late 18th century) Aside from theories such as the four humors from above, there were concepts or discoveries that advanced public health measures such as vaccination, which eradicated smallpox and is still used today to prevent the severity of diseases such as COVID-19, influenza and polio. The origins of successful vaccines could be traced back to Edward Jenner who in 1796, retrieved samples from cowpox lesions from a milkmaid because he noticed that contracting cowpox protected against smallpox. With this in mind, he inoculated an 8 year old boy and after this, the boy developed mild symptoms, but then became better. Without this event, it is likely that the human population would significantly decrease as there is more vulnerability to infectious diseases and public health systems being weaker or less stable. Image of a COVID-19 injection. Germ Theory (19th century) As for current scientific theories relating to public health, there is the widely accepted Germ Theory by Robert Koch during the 19th century in the 1860s, stating that microorganisms can cause diseases. He established this theory by looking at cow’s blood through a microscope to see that they died from anthrax and observed rod-shaped bacteria with his hypothesis that they caused anthrax. To test this, he infected mice with blood from the cows and the mice also developed anthrax. After these tests, he developed postulates and even though there are limitations to his postulates at the time like not taking into account prions or that certain bacteria do not satisfy the postulates, they are vital to the field of microbiology, in turn making them important to public health. The establishment of modern epidemiology (19th century) Another key concept for public health is epidemiology, which is the study of the factors as well as distribution of chronic and infectious diseases within populations. One of epidemiology’s key figures is John Snow, who explored the cholera epidemics in London 1854, where he discovered that contaminated water from specific water pumps was the source of the outbreaks. Moreover, John Snow’s work on cholera earned him the title of the “father of modern epidemiology” along with his work providing a basic understanding of cholera. Therefore, this event among others has paved the way for health systems to become more robust in controlling outbreaks such as influenza and measles. Conclusion Looking at the key events above, it is evident that each of them has played an essential role in building the public health systems today through the contributions of the scientists. However, public health, like any other science, is constantly evolving and there are still more future advancements to look forward to that can increase health knowledge. Written by Sam Jarada Related articles: Are pandemics becoming less severe? / Rare zoonotic diseases / How bioinformatics helped with COVID-19 vaccines REFERENCES Lagay F. The Legacy of Humoral Medicine. AMA Journal of Ethics. 2002 Jul 1;4(7). Earle R. Humoralism and the colonial body. Earle R, editor. Cambridge University Press. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 2012. Halliday S. Death and miasma in Victorian London: an obstinate belief. BMJ. 2001 Dec 22;323(7327):1469–71. Riedel S. Edward Jenner and the history of smallpox and vaccination. Proceedings (Baylor University Medical Center). 2005 Jan 18;18(1):21. National Research Council (US) Committee to Update Science, Medicine, and Animals. A Theory of Germs. Nih.gov. National Academies Press (US); 2017. Sagar Aryal. Robert Koch and Koch’s Postulates. Microbiology Notes. 2022. Tulchinsky TH. John Snow, Cholera, the Broad Street Pump; Waterborne Diseases Then and Now. National Library of Medicine. Elsevier; 2018. p. 77–99.

Lyra is a prominent constellation, largely due to Vega which forms one of its corners, and is one of the brightest stars in the sky. Interestingly, Vega is defined as the zero point of the magnitude scale - a logarithmic system used to measure the brightness of celestial objects. Technically, the brightness of all stars and galaxies are measured relative to Vega! Go back Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link The Lyrids meteor shower Last updated: 14/11/24 Published: 10/06/23 The Lyrids bring an end to the meteor shower drought that exists during the first few months of the year. On April 22nd, the shower is predicted to reach its peak, offering skygazers an opportunity to witness up to 20 bright, fast-moving meteors per hour which leave long, fiery trails across the sky, without any specialist equipment. The name Lyrids comes from the constellation Lyra - the lyre, or harp - which is the radiant point of this shower, i.e. the position on the sky from which the paths of the meteors appear to originate. In the Northern Hemisphere Lyra rises above the horizon in the northeast and reaches the zenith (directly overhead) shortly before dawn, making this the optimal time to observe the shower. Lyra is a prominent constellation, largely due to Vega which forms one of its corners, and is one of the brightest stars in the sky. Interestingly, Vega is defined as the zero point of the magnitude scale - a logarithmic system used to measure the brightness of celestial objects. Technically, the brightness of all stars and galaxies are measured relative to Vega! Have you ever wondered why meteor showers occur exactly one year apart and why they always radiate from the same defined point in the sky? The answer lies in the Earth's orbit around the Sun, which takes 365 days. During this time, Earth may encounter streams of debris left by a comet, composed of gas and dust particles that are released when an icy comet approaches the Sun and vaporizes. As the debris particles enter Earth’s atmosphere, they burn up due to friction, creating a streak of light known as a meteor. Meteorites are fragments that make it through the atmosphere to the ground. The reason that the Lyrids meteor shower peaks in mid-late April each year is that the Earth encounters the same debris stream at the point on its orbit corresponding to mid-late April. Comets and their debris trails have very eccentric, but predictable orbits, and the Earth passes through the trail of Comet Thatcher in mid-late April every year. Additionally, Earth’s orbit intersects the trail at approximately the same angle every year, and from the perspective of an observer on Earth, the constellation Lyra most accurately matches up with the radiant point of the meteors when they are mapped onto the canvas of background stars in the night sky. The Lyrids meteor shower peaks in mid-late April each year. Image/ EarthSky.org This year, there is a fortunate alignment of celestial events. New Moon occurs on April 20th, meaning that by the time the Lyrids reach their maximum intensity, the Moon is only 6% illuminated, resulting in darker skies and an increased chance to see this dazzling display. Written by Joseph Brennan Related article: L onar Lake

Manufacturing doubt is another strategy where facts are intentionally changed to promote an agenda. It is used in the tobacco industry and against the climate crisis. Meaning articles can maintain the façade of using scientific methods by referencing sources that are difficult to interpret whilst research supported by sound evidence is labelled and downplayed. Go back Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link How fake science websites hijack our trust in experts to misinform and confuse Last updated: 07/11/24 Published: 29/12/22 In science, all research is peer-reviewed by experts. Now, fake science websites are mimicking these disciplines. These websites capitalise on our trust in experts. In some cases, these websites are paid to publish fake science. This is becoming more common. In a recent global survey, almost 50% of respondents said they see false or misleading information online daily. By understanding the methods these sites use we can prevent their influence. Hyperlinking is a technique used to convince website users. They reassure the user that the content is credible, but most people don’t have experience in analytical techniques and so these links aren’t questioned. Repetition is used to increase the visibility of fake science content but also saturate search engines. This content can be repeated and spread across different sites. Users of “lateral reading” get multiple websites that corroborate the fake science from the initial source. Many of these sites only choose articles that agree with their perspective and depend on the audience not taking time to follow up. Manufacturing doubt is another strategy where facts are intentionally changed to promote an agenda. It is used in the tobacco industry and against the climate crisis. Meaning articles can maintain the façade of using scientific methods by referencing sources that are difficult to interpret whilst research supported by sound evidence is labelled and downplayed. On fake science websites first, check the hyperlinked articles. These websites will use sites with repeated content from disreputable sites. Next, look at the number of reposts a website has. Legitimate science posts are on credible websites. Some websites investigate websites that feature fake science. Ultimately, these websites thrive on users not having the time or skills to look deeper into the evidence, so doing so will help expose the fake websites. Written by Antonio Rodrigues Related articles: Digital disinformation / COVID-19 misconceptions

The lunar terrain Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link A love letter from outer space: Lonar Lake, India Last updated: 09/10/25, 10:05 Published: 10/04/25, 07:00 The lunar terrain Around 50,000 years ago, outer space gifted the earth with a crater that formed the foundations of the world’s third largest natural saltwater lake, situated within a flat volcanic area known as the Deccan Plateau. This resulted from a 2 million tonne meteorite tunnelling through the earth’s atmosphere at the velocity of 90,000km/hour and colliding into the Deccan Plateau. As time slipped away, pressure and heat melted the basalt rock tucked underneath the impact, and the accumulation of rainwater filled the crater with water. These foundations curated what is famously known today as the ‘Lonar Lake’. What is unique about the Lonar Lake is that it is the only meteorite-crater formed in basaltic terrain - synonymous to a lunar terrain. Additionally, the remnants bear similarities to the terrestrial composition of Mercury, which contains craters, basaltic rock and smooth plains resulting from volcanic activity. Many speculations have arisen to prove the theory of the crater forming from the impact of a meteorite. One such collaborative study conducted by The Smithsonian Institute of Washington D.C. USA, the Geological Survey of India and the US Geological Survey involved drilling holes at the bottom of the crater and scrutinising the compositions of rock samples sourced from the mining. When tested in the laboratory, it was found that the rock samples contained leftovers of the basaltic rock that were modified from the crater collision under high heat and pressure. In addition, shattered cone-shaped fractures, due to high velocity shock waves being transmitted into the rocks, were identified. These two observations align with the meteorite impact phenomenon. Additionally, along with its fascinating astronomical properties, scientists have been intrigued by the chemical composition of the lake within the crater. Its dark green colour results from the presence of the blue-green algae Spirulina. The water also has a pH of 10, making the water alkaline in nature, supporting the development of marine systems. One explanation for the alkalinity of the water is that it is a result of immediate sulphide formation, where the groundwater of meteorite origin contains CO2 undergoes a precipitation reaction with alkaline ions, leaving a carbonate precipitate with an alkaline nature. What is also striking about the composition of the water as well is its saline nature, which coexists with the alkaline environment - a rare phenomenon to occur in ecological sciences. The conception of the lake, from the matrimony of Earth with the debris within outer space, has left its imprints within the physical world. It's a love letter, written in basaltic stone and saline water, fostering innovation in ecology. The inscription of the meteorite’s journey within the crater has branched two opposing worlds, one originating millions of miles away from humans with one that resides in the natural grounds of our souls. Written by Shiksha Teeluck Related articles: Are aliens on Earth? / JWST / The celestial blueprint of time: Stonehenge REFERENCES Taiwade, V. S. (1995). A study of Lonar lake—a meteorite-impact crater in basalt rock. Bulletin of the Astronomical Society of India, 23, 105–111. Tambekar, D. H., Pawar, A. L., & Dudhane, M. N. (2010). Lonar Lake water: Past and present. Nature Environment and Pollution Technology, 9(2), 217–221. Project Gallery

Study the plethora of interactions between drug and target with these articles focusing on antibiotic resistance, analgesics, and drug treatments for diseases with presently no cure. Pharmacology Articles Study the plethora of interactions between drug and target with these articles focusing on antibiotic resistance, analgesics, and drug treatments for diseases with presently no cure. You may also like: Chemistry , Medicine Effect of heat on medicine When medication is exposed to extreme heat, what happens? Antibiotic resistance Its rising threat Exploring ibuprofen Ibuprofen is a painkiller A treatment for Parkinson's disease By using a common diabetes drug mRNA vaccines What they are, and how they are different to traditional (live, attenuated, or viral-vectored) vaccines Anthrax toxin Using bacterial toxins to treat pain

Arginine, the key to metabolic reprogramming in liver cancer Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Linking arginine and tumour growth: a breakthrough in cancer research Last updated: 20/02/25, 15:29 Published: 27/02/25, 08:00 Arginine, the key to metabolic reprogramming in liver cancer Unpicking the secrets of tumour growth: arginine, the key to metabolic reprogramming in liver cancer. We will look at how unleashing the power of arginine and elevating levels of this amino acid drive metabolic reprogramming and fuel tumour growth. Introduction In recent years, the field of cancer research has made significant progress in unravelling the complexities of this devastating disease. Scientists at the University of Basel have made a groundbreaking discovery regarding the role of the amino acid arginine in promoting tumour growth. Their findings shed light on the mechanisms underlying metabolic reprogramming in cancer cells and present new avenues for improving liver cancer treatment. Elevated levels of arginine: a surprising revelation An intriguing aspect of the study conducted by the researchers is the observation that tumour cells accumulate high levels of arginine despite producing less or none of this amino acid. Through careful analysis of liver tumour samples from both mice and patients, the team discovered that the tumour cells achieve this accumulation by increasing the uptake of arginine and suppressing its consumption. The role of arginine in tumorigenicity Upon further investigation, the scientists at the University of Basel found that high concentrations of arginine bind to a specific factor, triggering metabolic reprogramming in the tumour cells. This reprogramming, in turn, promotes tumour growth by regulating the expression of metabolic genes. The tumour cells revert to an undifferentiated embryonic cell state, enabling them to divide indefinitely. Immune system escape: a beneficial effect for tumour cells Another fascinating discovery made by the researchers is the role of arginine in aiding tumour cells in evading the immune system. Immune cells rely on arginine to function properly. By depleting arginine in the tumour environment, the tumour cells can escape immune surveillance. This finding opens up new possibilities for targeted therapies. Targeting the arginine-binding factor: a novel approach Instead of depleting arginine levels overall, which can have unwanted side effects, the scientists propose targeting the specific arginine-binding factor responsible for promoting metabolic reprogramming. By inducing the degradation of this factor, the researchers were able to prevent metabolic reprogramming in liver tumours. This approach offers a promising alternative to liver cancer treatment. Metabolic changes as biomarkers for early cancer detection Furthermore, the study suggests that metabolic changes, such as increased arginine levels, may serve as biomarkers for the early detection of cancer. Early detection is crucial for successful cancer treatment and patient survival. This finding provides hope for the development of non-invasive diagnostic methods that can detect elevated arginine levels. By measuring arginine levels in patients, these diagnostic methods can potentially identify liver cancer at an early stage. By identifying the elevated levels of arginine in liver tumour cells, these diagnostic methods could potentially use metabolic changes, such as increased arginine levels, as biomarkers for detecting cancer. Therefore, this would be crucial for successful cancer treatment and patient survival, as early detection allows for prompt intervention and improved outcomes. Conclusion The discovery of the role of arginine in driving metabolic reprogramming and promoting tumour growth opens up new avenues for liver cancer treatment. Additionally, the elevated levels of arginine observed in liver cancer patients suggest the potential for using arginine as a biomarker for non-invasive cancer detection. Further research is needed to explore the full potential of arginine as a diagnostic marker and to develop targeted therapies that exploit the metabolic vulnerabilities of cancer cells. With continued advancements in our understanding of cancer metabolism and the role of arginine in tumour growth, further research is needed to explore the full potential of arginine as a diagnostic marker and to develop targeted therapies that exploit the metabolic vulnerabilities of cancer cells. By studying the specific arginine-binding factor and its role in promoting metabolic reprogramming, scientists may be able to develop new treatments that selectively target tumour cells while minimising harm to immune cells that rely on arginine. Additionally, investigating the metabolic changes associated with increased arginine levels may lead to new biomarker designs for early cancer detection, which is crucial for successful treatment and patient survival. Written by Sara Maria Majernikova Related articles: Immune signals and metastasis / Cancer research treatment / Prostatate cancer treatment REFERENCE MOSSMANN, D., MÜLLER, C., PARK, S., RYBACK, B., COLOMBI, M., RITTER, N., WEISSENBERGE, D., DAZERT, E., COTO-LLERENA, M., NUCIFORO, S., BLUKACZ, L., ERCAN, C., JIMENEZ, V., PISCUOGLIO, S., BOSCH, F., TERRACCIANO, L. M., SAUER, U., HEIM, M. H. & HALL, M. N. Arginine reprograms metabolism in liver cancer via RBM39. Cell . DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2023.09.011 Project Gallery

On the 25th of May, 2020, the world was shocked by the brutal murder of George Floyd, a black American man, by four white police officers. This led to mass outrage among every creed and race and propelled the Black Lives Matter movement to new heights, even in places like Palestine Go Back Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Micro-chimerism: a mother’s intuition and why do men call for their mothers near death? In collaboration with Dr. Aakila Sammy of Publett Last updated: 14/11/24 Published: 08/05/23 On the 25th of May, 2020, the world was shocked by the brutal murder of George Floyd, a black American man, by four white police officers. This led to mass outrage among every creed and race and propelled the Black Lives Matter movement to new heights, even in places like Palestine, a country already drowning in peril. While his last words were “I can’t breathe”, the transcripts revealed that he repeated several times, "Momma, I love you. Tell my kids I love them. I'm dead." As painful as it is to hear these words, especially for his mom, it's not surprising; calling out for your mom when death approaches. Many hospice nurses and soldiers recall that dying men call out for their “Mommy” or “Mama” in their last breath. Some have attributed it to its caregiver familiarity, primal instinct like calling out for your mom as a child or a Mary-Jesus connection. George Floyd (1973-2020). Image/ Publett We know that “the mother” is largely responsible for every life on earth, and most of them have the ability to make everything better, but what if that connection is more than something psychological or spiritual? I know, a physical connection to your mom outside the nine months of her carrying you? Like at this moment? Yes! Scientists call it micro-chimerism, and it may be able to explain why for most, the next greatest pain to losing a child is losing your mom. Micro-chimerism originates from the Greek mythical creature “Chimera”, a monster made up of three animals; a lion, a snake and a goat. In medicine, micro-chimerism was initially described as “alien cells”, and it is simply the circulation of cells from one individual in another genetically distinct individual. A Greek 'Chimera'. Image/ Publett And the culprit? There are several actually; natural cases like pregnancy and breast-feeding and artificial instances like organ or blood transplant. And it goes both ways! It could be responsible for that gut feeling you get when something is wrong with your child, also known as “a mother’s intuition”. And it doesn’t stop there; it has been observed in multiplet pregnancies like twins, which may be why twins have their own intuitive connection. So, in addition to nutrients and waste being exchanged, cells are also trafficked bi-directionally. The embryo/fetus receives cells from the mother and the mother from the fetus, and everyone coexists peacefully, sometimes spanning decades. And the burning question that might be in your mind right now is whether a biological female can have male DNA circulating in her body after carrying a male baby. Yes! Cells are also trafficked bidirectionally. Image/ Publett But what are the limits to this phenomenon? This answer is not clear-cut and varies among individuals and situations. Scientists have found maternal-fetal micro-chimerism is present as early as the embryo stage, and the further along, the more abundant it is. This allows non-invasive tests for genetic abnormalities or gender determination on the fetus using blood drawn from the mother. Another situation where it varies is trauma. We might all be familiar with the fetus releasing stem cells into the mother's circulation, which comes with healing benefits to maintain the well-being of the fetal host – and these cells can be detected up to 27 years after delivery. Even though they sound insignificant, fetal cells aren’t afraid of a challenge. Researchers have found them taking on the role of cancer immune surveillance, clustering around lung tumours in women decades after pregnancy and reducing risk of ovarian cancer in women who have later pregnancies. Now, in the case of abortions and miscarriages, the phenomenon might come as a source of comfort, heartache or both. It is unclear how early fetal cells enter the mother’s circulation; it can be when the placenta attaches around week eight or earlier. Commercial fetal blood tests start at weeks 7-8, but this is when they are abundant enough for testing, so it might very well be earlier. So, what does it mean if you have a miscarriage or abortion before week 8? No fetal cell acquisitions? On the contrary, the trauma of the process, especially in the first trimester, causes a massive acquisition of fetal cells by the mother. It is higher in the case of abortion and even higher in surgical abortions versus chemical abortions. Although the fetus is described as having parasitic nature, this last farewell release of healing benefits to its host is nothing short of pure. While controversy still exists around the role of maternal and fetal microchimeric cells, we still crave answers to questions like: How is the phenomenon affected when the fetus carries genetic abnormalities? Do fetal cells from a previous pregnancy enter the circulation of the fetus sibling in a subsequent pregnancy? It might also result in psychologists reframing questions they ask their male patients; are they worried about becoming your father, or should they be more concerned about becoming their mothers? Plus, we need more on the association between parous women and autoimmune diseases, especially in fetal Y-chromosome carriers. Micro-chimerism is a promising and exciting area of research with much to reveal for many fields. While no concrete evidence exists, we know that these cells are resilient to stress and trauma and offer a new perspective to inter-individual bonds and intuitions. Many scientists believe that individuals are calling out to these cells in times of survival, and maybe that’s why kids call out to their moms first or men their mothers near death. -- Scientia News wholeheartedly thanks Aakila Sammy , co-founder and CEO of Publett , for this fascinating piece of work on a lesser-known genetics topic of micro-chimerism. We hope you enjoyed reading this! Follow them @Dr.Publett on Instagram and/or @Publett Limited on Linkedin for more information. -- Related article: The Y Chromosome Unveiled

In particular the novel zeolitic 2-methylimidazole framework (ZIF-8) MOF has received attention for drug delivery. ZIF-8 is composed of Zn2+ ions and 2-methylimidazole ligands, making a highly crystalline structure. ZIF-8 MOFs are able to deliver  cancer drugs like doxorubicin to tumorous environments as it possesses a pH-sensitive degradation property. ZIF-8’s framework will only degrade in pH 5.0-5.5 which is a cancerous pH environment, and will not degrade in normal human body pH 7.4 Go back Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link How metal organic frameworks are used to deliver cancer drugs in the body Last updated: 14/11/24 Published: 20/04/23 Metal ions and organic ligands are able to connect to form metallic organic frameworks on a nanoscale (Nano-MOFs) for cancer drug delivery. Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs) are promising nanocarriers for the encapsulation of cancer drugs for drug delivery in the body. Cancer affects people globally with chemotherapy remaining the most frequent treatment approach. However, chemotherapy is non-specific, being cytotoxic to patients’ normal DNA cells causing severe side effects. Nanoscale Metal Organic Frameworks (Nano-MOFs) are highly effective for encapsulating cancer drugs for controlled drug delivery, acting as capsules that deliver cancer drugs to only tumorous environments. MOFs are composed of metal ions linked by organic ligands creating a permanent porous network. MOFs are able to form one-, two-, or three-dimensional structures building a coordination network with cross-links. When synthesized MOFs are crystalline compound and can sometimes be observed as a cubic structure when observed on a scanning electron microscope (SEM) image. In particular the novel zeolitic 2-methylimidazole framework (ZIF-8) MOF has received attention for drug delivery. ZIF-8 is composed of Zn2+ ions and 2-methylimidazole ligands, making a highly crystalline structure. ZIF-8 MOFs are able to deliver cancer drugs like doxorubicin to tumorous environments as it possesses a pH-sensitive degradation property. ZIF-8’s framework will only degrade in pH 5.0-5.5 which is a cancerous pH environment, and will not degrade in normal human body pH 7.4 conditions. This increases therapeutic efficacy for the patients having less systemic side effects, an aspect that nanomedicine has been extensively researching. As chemotherapy will damage health DNA cells as well as cancer cells, MOFs will only target cancer cells. Additionally the ZIF-8 MOF has a high porosity property due to the MOFs structures that is able to uptake doxorubicin successfully. Zn2+ is used in the medical field having a low toxicity and good biocompatibility. Overall MOFs and metal-organic molecules are important for the advancement of nanotechnology and nanomedicine. MOFs are highly beneficial for cancer research being a less toxic treatment method for patients. ZIF-8 MOFs are a way forward for biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies that research treatments that are more tolerable for patients. Such research shows the diversity of chemistry as the uses of metals and organic molecules are able to expand to medicine. Written by Alice Davey Related article: Anti-cancer metal compounds

Restoring cardiac tissue and reducing heart failure Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Why is there a need for cardiac regeneration? Last updated: 13/03/25, 11:37 Published: 06/03/25, 08:00 Restoring cardiac tissue and reducing heart failure Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a predominant cause of morbidity and mortality on a global scale. Among its various manifestations, heart failure (HF) stands out as a significant public health concern, with a prevalence exceeding 23 million individuals worldwide. Heart failure, especially after a heart attack (myocardial infarction) or ischemic heart disease, is a major challenge. The five-year survival rate is less than 50%. In these patients, functional cardiomyocytes are substantially lost (cardiomyocytes refer to cardiac muscle cells). The remaining cardiomyocytes often attempt to compensate for this loss; however, this compensatory mechanism can lead to scar tissue formation, subsequently compromising the overall functionality of the cardiac muscle. Despite numerous advancements in medical science and therapeutic interventions, restoring lost cardiomyocytes in the adult mammalian heart remains a significant obstacle due to its poor regenerative capacity. Consequently, there exists an urgent need for novel therapeutic approaches. Cardiac regeneration has emerged as a promising field of research focused on restoring cardiac tissue and reducing heart failure, offering hope for improved clinical outcomes in affected patients. Approaches for cardiac regeneration Cardiac regeneration has emerged as a pivotal area of research, and various innovative strategies, including stem cell therapies and gene therapy, are being explored. Stem cell therapies: Stem cell therapies utilise the ability of stem cells to differentiate into cardiomyocytes or release factors that promote tissue repair. Preclinical studies involving animal models and early-phase clinical trials have demonstrated that stem cell interventions can enhance cardiac function. However, significant challenges remain concerning the efficacy and safety of these therapies in human subjects, necessitating further investigation. Gene therapy: Gene therapy delivers specific genes that directly support cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival to damaged cardiac tissue. Introducing these genes can activate specific intracellular signalling pathways, resulting in the replication and maturation of cardiac muscle cells. Ultimately, this strategy aims to restore normal heart function and improve cardiac health. Benefits of cardiac regeneration Cardiac regeneration has the potential to significantly enhance survival rates and improve the quality of life for patients with heart conditions. Compared to heart transplantation, cardiac regeneration offers a less invasive alternative with fewer complications related to immune rejection and lifelong immunosuppressive therapy. Some of the potential benefits of cardiac regeneration are: Replacing the scar formation and improving heart function Reduce the dependency on medications Alternative to heart transplantation Reducing the healthcare costs Challenges to cardiac regeneration Cardiac regeneration remains a complex field marked by ethical considerations and scientific challenges that require thorough exploration. Stem cell therapy limitations include low engraftment rates, potential tumorigenesis, and difficulty effectively integrating host cardiac tissue. Additionally, immune rejection poses a substantial risk, affecting safety and efficacy. Beyond biological hurdles, the high cost of research, treatment development, and patient care presents a significant challenge to widespread adoption. Regulatory approval processes add another layer of complexity, as therapies must meet stringent safety and efficacy standards before clinical use. Furthermore, scalability remains an issue, as translating experimental techniques into large-scale, cost-effective treatments is a major obstacle in making cardiac regeneration accessible to a broader population. Moreover, it is imperative to deepen our understanding of the roles played by non-cardiomyocyte cell types such as endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and immune cells in cardiac regeneration. Conclusion Cardiac regeneration is a ray of hope for heart patients, significantly enhancing their chances of survival and quality of life. Therefore, cardiac regeneration demands thorough exploration, as it has the potential to transform the treatment and management of cardiovascular disease. Written by Prabha Rana Related article: Hypertension REFERENCES Baccouche, B. M., Elde, S., Wang, H., & Woo, Y. J. (2024). Structural, angiogenic, and immune responses influencing myocardial regeneration: a glimpse into the crucible. Npj Regenerative Medicine, 9(1), 18. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41536-024-00357-z Pezhouman, A., Nguyen, N. B., Kay, M., Kanjilal, B., Noshadi, I., & Ardehali, R. (2023). Cardiac regeneration - Past advancements, current challenges, and future directions. Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology, 182, 75–85. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yjmcc.2023.07.009 Sacco, A. M., Castaldo, C., di Meglio, F. di, Nurzynska, D., Palermi, S., Spera, R., Gnasso, R., Zinno, G., Romano, V., & Belviso, I. (2023). The Long and Winding Road to Cardiac Regeneration. Applied Sciences, 13(16), 9432. https://doi.org/10.3390/app13169432 van der Pol, A., & Bouten, C. V. C. (2021). A Brief History in Cardiac Regeneration, and How the Extra Cellular Matrix May Turn the Tide. 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