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Nano-Particles Show Promise in Treating Infectious Diseases – Mirage News
The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the importance of being prepared with drug interventions to contain viral outbreaks that can otherwise have devastating consequences. In preparing for the next pandemicor Disease X, there is an urgent need for versatile platform technologies that could be repurposed upon short notice, to combat infectious outbreaks.
A team of researchers, led by Assistant Professor Minh Le from the Institute for Digital Medicine (WisDM) and Department of Pharmacology at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS Medicine), discovered that nano-sized particles released by cells, termed "extracellular vesicles" (EVs), can curb the viral infectivity of SARS-CoV-2its wild type and variant strainsand potentially other infectious diseases. Asst Prof Le said, "Our study showed that these cell-derived nanoparticles are effective carriers of drugs that target viral genes precisely. These EVs are therefore an efficient tool for therapeutic intervention in patients who are infected with COVID-19 or other infectious diseases."
The study, conducted in collaboration with NUS Medicine's Biosafety Level 3 (BSL3) Core Facility, the Cancer Science Institute of Singapore at National University of Singapore, and the School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), demonstrated potent inhibition of COVID-19 infection in laboratory models using a combination of EV-based inhibition and anti-sense RNA therapy mediated by antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs). A versatile tool that can be applied to any gene of interest, ASOs can recognise and bind to complementary regions of target RNA molecules and induce their inhibition and degradation.
In the study, published in ACS Nano, the authors utilised human red blood cell-derived EVs to deliver ASOs to key sites infected with SARS-CoV-2, resulting in efficient suppression of SARS-CoV-2 infection and replication. The researchers also discovered that EVs exhibited distinct antiviral properties, capable of inhibiting phosphatidylserine (PS) receptor-mediated pathways of viral infectiona key pathway utilised by many viruses to facilitate viral infection. These viral inhibitory mechanisms were applicable to multiple variants of SARS-CoV-2, including the Delta and Omicron strains, ensuring their broad effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
The results from the study point to anti-sense RNA therapy with ASOs as a potentially effective approach that could serve to combat future viral outbreaks. The platform that was developed to deliver ASOs through EVs to target the SARS-CoV-2 viral genes can be readily applied to treat other viral infections by replacing the ASO sequences with those complementary to the target viral genes. Asst Prof Le and her graduate students Migara Jay and Gao Chang, the first authors of the study, are currently developing more potent combinations of ASOs with the help of artificial intelligence prediction models to achieve enhanced viral inhibition. This collaborative effort includes partnership with the research teams of Associate Professor Edward Chow from WisDM, NUS Medicine, and NUS Medicine's BSL3 Core Facility.
Associate Professor Justin Chu, Director of the BSL3 Core Facility at NUS Medicine, and co-author of the study, added, "This remarkable extracellular vesicle-based delivery platform technology coupled with anti-viral therapy is highly promising to combat a broad range of viruses and even Disease X." The latter is a general description for emerging and unknown infectious threats, such as novel coronaviruses. The term was used to alert and encourage the development of platform technologies, including vaccines, drug therapies and diagnostic tests, which could be quickly customised and then deployed against future epidemic and pandemic outbreaks. Assoc Prof Chu is also from the Infectious Diseases Translational Research Programme at NUS Medicine.
Professor Dean Ho, Provost's Chair Professor and Director of WisDM at NUS Medicine, said, "This work brings the scalable and well-tolerated extracellular vesicle-based drug delivery platform an important step closer towards clinical validation studies."
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Nano-Particles Show Promise in Treating Infectious Diseases - Mirage News
The effects of exposure to O2- and HOCl-nanobubble water on … – Nature.com
Clinical parameters of the participants
Table 1 shows clinical parameter of the participants. The median age was 53.5years (Interquartile range (IQR) 45.868.0), and the median number of teeth was 25.5 (IQR 23.028.0). Of the total number of 153 periodontal sites, the median number of pockets less than 3mm was 123.50 (IQR 101.80147.00), the median number of pockets 4mm was 16 (IQR 3.7528.25), and the median number of pockets greater than 5mm was 1.5 (IQR 0.008.00).
In this study, salivary microbiota composition of 16 patients was studied based on the sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. The samples provided 2,092,625 quality reads corresponding to the V3V4 regions of the 16S rRNA gene sequences, which were subsequently assigned to 308 species-level operational taxonomic units (OTUs) based on~97% sequence similarity. We investigated the changes of alpha-diversity due to exposure to NBW. In observed features, O2-NBW and HOCl-NBW tended to decrease alpha-diversity relative to the control; however, the differences were not significant (P=0.85). Shannon index also did not show significant differences (P=0.79) (Supplementary Fig.1). Figure1 shows the scatter diagram of beta-diversity based on Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA). In the Unweighted UniFraq distance, there was no significant difference between control and O2-NBW (P=0.168) or between control and HOCl-NBW (P=0.916) (Fig.1A). Similarly, there was no significant difference between control and O2-NBW or HOCl-NBW at the Weighted UniFrac distance (Fig.1B, P=0.521; P=0.828, respectively).
Beta-diversity of unweighted UniFraq distance (A) and weighted UniFraq distance (B). Colored dots indicate individual sample groups: Black: Control; red: O2-NBW; green: HOCl-NBW. Colored circles indicate groups exposed to NBW; Black: Control; Red: O2-NBW; Green: HOCl-NBW.
Supplementary Fig.2 shows the relative frequencies of the different salivary bacteria. The bacterial genera, based on detection in 1% or more of the total population of the salivary microbiome, were composed of 71 OTUs (frequency>0.001) (Supplementary Fig.2A). Specifically, 14 major genera including Prevotella, Streptococcus, Veillonella, Neisseria, Haemophilus, Leptotrichia, Porphyromonas, Fusobacterium, Rothia, Graulicatella, Alloprevotella, Campylobacter, Atopobium, Saccharibacteria (TM7) [G-1] were detected. In similar analyses, bacterial species that were detected in 1% and more of the salivary microbiome, constituted 166 OTUs (frequence>0.001) and included 25 major species, namely Prevotella melaninogenica, Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Streptococcus salivarius, Neisseria spp., Porphyromonas pasteri, Veillonella dispar, Streptococcus spp., Rothia mucilaginosa, Fusobacterium periodonticum, Veillonella atypica, Leptotrichia sp. HMT417, Prevotella pallens, Veillonella parvula, Veillonella rogosae, Prevotella spp., Granulicatella adiacens, Leptotrichia sp. HMT221, Streptococcus parasanguinis clade411, Neisseria subflava, Prevotella sp. HMT313, Prevotella salivae, Campylobacter concisus, Leptotrichia sp. HMT215, Saccharibacteria (TM7) [G-1] bacterium HMT352, Atopobium parvulum.
We next investigated the relative abundance in the control and exposed groups by bacterial genera. Repeat measures ANOVA for the 14 bacterial genera with detection rates greater than 1% showed that only the genus Porphyromonas had a significant association among the three groups. Multiple testing also revealed significant associations between control and O2-NBW (P=0.044) and between control and HOCl-NBW (P=0.007) in the genus Porphyromonas (Table 2). Also, we investigated the relative abundance in the control and exposed groups by bacterial species. Repeated measures analysis of variance for the 25 bacterial species with detection rates greater than 1% showed that only P. pasteri was significantly associated among the three groups (P=0.008). Multiple testing also showed a significant reduction (1.066%) in P. pasteri (P=0.028) between control and HOCl-NBW (Table 3).
Figure2 shows the results of the hierarchical cluster analysis by Wards method based on the results of the PCoA, which revealed two subclusters in terms of both Unweighted UniFraq distance (Fig.2A) and Weighted UniFraq distance (Fig.2B). In Fig.2A, CL1 and CL2 were formed, with CL1 having 10 subjects and CL2 having 6 subjects. In Fig.2B, CL3 and CL4 were formed, with CL3 comprising 9 subjects and CL4 7 subjects.
Results of cluster analysis of relative abundance in oral microbiome (N=16). (A) Unweighted cluster. (B) Weighted cluster. Stratified cluster analyses were performed according to the Ward method based on the results of PCoA. Numbers indicate sample ID. Clustering was performed using the Ward method with Euclidian Distance.
Supplementary Fig.3 shows the results of the principal coordinates analysis of the Unweighted UniFraq distance (A, B), and the Weighted UniFrac distance (C, D). Supplementary Fig.3A shows the results between Control and O2-NBW, and Supplementary Fig.3B shows the results between Control and HOCl-NBW. In Supplementary Fig.3A, there was no significant difference between the two groups in CL1 (P=0.536), while in CL2 there was a significant difference between the two groups (P=0.033). On the other hand, in Supplementary Fig.3B, there was no significant difference between CL1 and CL2.
In contrast, Supplementary Fig.3C,D show the results of the principal coordinates analysis of the Weighted UniFraq distance. Supplementary Fig.3C shows the results for control and O2-NBW, and Supplementary Fig.3D shows the results for control and HOCl-NBW. There were no significant differences between the two groups for both CL3 and CL4 in Supplementary Fig.3C,D.
We investigated the relative abundance of bacterial genera in CL1 and CL2 in the Unweighted cluster; no bacterial genera were significantly different in both CL1 and CL2. Also, in bacterial species, no bacterial species were found to have a significant difference between CL1 and CL2 (Supplementary Table 1).
On the other hand, in the relative abundance of bacterial genera in CL3 in the weighted clusters, the only significant reduction (1.186%) between Control and HOCl-NBW was observed in the genus Porphyromonas (Table 4). However, no bacterial genus showed significant differences in CL4. In the relative abundance of bacterial species, only P. pasteri showed significant reduction (0.921%) among the bacterial species in the CL3. On the other hand, no significant differences were found among the bacterial species in the CL4 (Table 5).
Tables 6 and 7 show the clinical parameters of the subjects according to cluster. Table 6 shows the Unweighted results; the categories that showed significant differences between CL1 and CL2 were the number of probing pocket depth (PD)s less than 3mm, the number of PDs 4mm, and the number of PDs greater than 5mm. No significant differences were found in the other categories. Table 7 shows the weighted results, where the category that showed a significant difference between CL3 and CL4 was the number of PDs of 4mm. No significant differences were found in the other categories.
Figure3 shows a scatter plot between PD values and difference in relative abundance in CL3 (N=9), the cluster where a significant association between Control and HOCl-NBW was observed in Tables 4 and 5. As shown in Fig.3B, t=2.45 at PD=4mm, indicating that the higher the number of PD=4mm, the higher the effect of HOCl-NBW exposure on P. pasteri. On the other hand, no significant association was found for PD=3mm or less and PD=5mm or more. These results suggest that relative abundance of P. pasteri is associated with clinical signs of early stage of periodontitis.
Scatter plots and correlation coefficient tests in CL3 group (N=9). Spearmans rank correlation coefficient. Alternative hypothesis: true is greater than 0. The significance level was set at alpha=0.05. (A) Spearmans rank correlation coefficient0.0667 (P=0.58). (B) Spearmans rank correlation coefficient 0.653 (P=0.028). (C) Spearmans rank correlation coefficient 0.131(P=0.37).
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The effects of exposure to O2- and HOCl-nanobubble water on ... - Nature.com
Building Trust and Fostering Collaborations Key to Startup Formation – Weill Cornell Medicine Newsroom
One of the hardest points on the translational road from bench to bedside can be the point where you have to turn over your discovery to a company youve foundeda company whose subsequent direction you wont fully control.
Its sort of your baby that youre turning over, said Dr. Ronald Crystal, chair of the Department of Genetic Medicine and the Bruce Webster Professor of Internal Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine, gene therapy pioneer and four-time startup founder. But youve got to be willing to let go of it; it takes a village to develop a new drug.
Dr. Crystal and others recounted recent entrepreneurial journeysin his case, to bring a gene therapy for refractory angina to the clinicat the seventh annual Deans Symposium onInnovation and Entrepreneurship, hosted by Enterprise Innovation on Nov. 7 in the Griffis Faculty Club. Now an established tradition, the Deans Symposium celebrates innovation and Weill Cornell Medicines entrepreneurial spirit, and showcases the institutions support for faculty and trainees who want to bring their discoveries to market to benefit a large patient population.
Dr. Robert Harrington speaks during the Dean's Symposium on Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
You are part of a medical college that has a history of innovation, Dr. Robert Harrington, the Stephen and Suzanne Weiss Dean of Weill Cornell Medicine reminded attendees, citing the example of Weill Cornells Dr. Georgios Papanikolaou, developer of the Pap Smear a century ago. Dr. Harrington noted that, thanks to Weill Cornell Medicines network of programs supporting translational research, there are currently 44 active startups founded by institutional researchers, with a total of nearly $2 billion in funding, including from top-tier venture capital firms.
Dr. Krystyn Van Vliet, Cornell Universitys vice president for research and innovation, emphasized that the journey from discovery to commercialization requires much resilience and expertise, which is why a team that helps guide the harder steps of our investors is so important.
Dr. John Leonard, senior associate dean for innovation and initiatives, discussed the recent expansion of Weill Cornell Medicine Enterprise Innovations team of experts and entrepreneurial programs.
It's really important to keep in mind that our remit here, and the opportunities, are broad, Dr. Leonard said, noting that Enterprise Innovation partners with innovators to develop not only therapeutics and medical devices but also diagnostics, laboratory tools and software tools for clinical and research applications.
Dr. John Leonard
If youre working in these areas, there are opportunities to take your findings forward in different ways, said Dr. Leonard, who is also interim chair of the Weill Department of Medicine and the Richard T. Silver Distinguished Professor of Hematology and Medical Oncology at Weill Cornell Medicine.
Keynote speaker Dr. Sangeeta Bhatia, a physician, biomedical engineer and serial inventor/entrepreneur who is the John J. and Dorothy Wilson Professor of Engineering and director of the Laboratory for Multiscale Regenerative Technologies at M.I.T., offered an appealing picture of translational success as she discussed some of her many inventions. These include a human-liver-on-a-chip device that pharma companies can use to study drug metabolism without posing risks to patients; an injectable set of nano-sensors that can be collected in urine to provide a multiplex readout of liver health as an alternative to liver biopsy; and a liver-cell-based therapy for treating liver disease.
Dr. Bhatia highlighted that now is a great time for biomedical and biotech entrepreneurs, given the advances and convergences in miniaturization, artificial intelligence, stem cell methods, genomics and other relevant, cutting-edge technologies.
She noted too that female academics, though underrepresented in startups, are getting more support and resources than ever. At M.I.T., for example, Dr. Bhatia recently helped start the Faculty Founder Initiative, which provides skilled mentorship, funding, legal advice, lab space and other resources to female faculty. She stressed that there are ways to minimize conflicts between entrepreneurship and family life, recounting how her first startup was hatched with colleagues in the hours after her youngest daughter went to bed, whereas for a subsequent venture, during the pandemic, she and her co-founders raised most of the initial funding via Zoom.
For those of you who have young families, it doesnt have to be that youre always going to dinners and getting on planesthere are all kinds of ways to do it, she said.
Dr. Bhatia also underscored that entrepreneurship tends to be easier when one doesnt go it alone.
It can be lonely and stressfulyoure doing something no ones ever done before and there are no right answers, and that can keep you up at night, she said. Its so much more fun to be on that ride with a colleague that you like and trust.
Trust, and willingness to bring others into ones circle of trust, was a theme echoed by Dr. Crystal and his colleague Albert Gianchetti, CEO of Xylocor Therapeutics, the startup now developing the angina gene therapy. In a discussion moderated by Dr. Lisa Placanica, senior managing director of Center for Technology Licensing at Weill Cornell Medicine, the scientist and seasoned pharma CEO spoke about hurdles overcome and lessons learned.
The biotech side, the business side, is like a whole different world, and you learn that the people involved on that side are really smart about that side of thingsthey may not know the things we scientists know, but we dont know the things they know, Dr. Crystal said.
The stories highlighted the key events in the science-to-startup journey: the initial high-impact scientific publication; the recognition of translational potential; the filing of patent applications and the drafting of a business plan; the acquisition of a mentor or mentors; the search for seed money and a founding CEO; the months-to-years-long hunt for that first big (Series A) investment, from venture capital investors or an established pharma company; and lastlyparticularly for therapeutic venturesthe first tests in patients.
You get better at it over time, Dr. Bhatia said. You develop a keener sense of what a company needs to make it to the next level, and at the same time your network of connections with investors and entrepreneurs is expanding.
Even so, she added, each entrepreneurial journey is different, and involves its own challenges and pitfalls.
Dr. Crystal reiterated this point during his fireside chat. I would advise the budding entrepreneurs in the audience to use the resources we have here to help you avoid some of those pitfalls, he said.
Naturally, all spoke of the satisfactionat the end of that entrepreneurial roadof being able to improve patients lives.
One of the most exciting things for me, Gianchetti said, was when we went out and interviewed patients who did very well in a trial, and they were talking about how much better they feltone asked, When can my family make an investment in this company? Because what you guys did for me was a miracle.
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Building Trust and Fostering Collaborations Key to Startup Formation - Weill Cornell Medicine Newsroom
NOT-AR-23-022: Request for Information on Themes for the NIAMS … – National Institutes of Health (.gov)
Request for Information on Themes for the NIAMS Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2025-2029
The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) supports research into the causes, treatment, and prevention of arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin diseases; the training of basic and clinical scientists to carry out this research; and the dissemination of information on research progress in these diseases. NIAMS is updating its Strategic Plan to help guide the research, training, and information dissemination programs it supports between fiscal years 2025 through 2029. The new Plan will focus on cross-cutting thematic research opportunities that position the Institute to make a difference in the lives of all Americans.Because public input is a crucial step in this effort, the Institute issued a Request for Information (NOT-AR-22-023) and hosted a meeting attended by approximately 160 researchers, patient representatives, and staff from other Federal entities to gain insight into topics that could be included in the new Strategic Plan.
Through this Request for Information, NIAMS invites feedback from researchers in academia and industry, health care professionals, patient advocates and health advocacy organizations, scientific or professional organizations, Federal agencies, and other interested members of the public on the Institutes distillation of the input received to date. Professional societies and patient organizations are strongly encouraged to submit a single response that reflects the views of their entire membership.
Please provide your perspective on the following potential cross-cutting themes, examples, and bold aspirations. NIAMS is particularly interested in suggestions for additional or alternative:
Examples:
Bold Aspirations:
Examples:
Bold Aspiration:
Note: Efforts to identify and reduce health disparities and provide all Americans with equitable access to clinical and epidemiologic studies and healthcare should be considered for NIAMS-funded research projects whenever possible.
Examples:
Bold Aspirations:
Examples:
Bold Aspiration:
Note: Consistent with the note under Health disparities and health equity, studies of lifestyle factors and environmental exposures should include efforts to identify and reduce health disparities and provide all Americans with equitable access to clinical and epidemiologic studies and healthcare whenever possible.
Examples:
Bold Aspiration:
Note: Consistent with the note under Health disparities and health equity, clinical and epidemiologic research should include efforts to identify and reduce health disparities and provide all Americans with equitable access to clinical and epidemiologic studies and healthcare whenever possible.
Examples:
Bold Aspiration:
Examples:
Bold Aspiration:
Note: Training and workforce efforts are essential for the pursuit of all cross-cutting thematic research areas in the new NIAMS Strategic Plan.
Examples:
Bold Aspiration:
Examples:
Bold Aspirations:
Responses to this RFI must be submitted electronically at https://rfi.grants.nih.gov/?s=654a7bc81e7ccb6f7d03d792.
Responses must be received by Monday, January 1, 2024.
Responses to this RFI are voluntary. Do not include any proprietary, classified, confidential, trade secret, or sensitive information in your response. The responses will be reviewed by NIAMS staff, leadership, and Advisory Council members. Individual feedback will not be provided to any respondent. NIAMS will use the information submitted in response to this RFI at its discretion and will not provide comments to any respondents submission. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted.The Government reserves the right to use any submitted information on public NIH websites, in reports, in summaries of the state of the science, in any possible resultant solicitation(s), grant(s), or cooperative agreement(s), or in the development of future funding opportunity announcements.
This RFI is for information and planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a solicitation, grant, or cooperative agreement, or as an obligation on the part of the Federal Government, the NIH, or individual NIH Institutes and Centers to provide support for any ideas identified in response to it. The Government will not pay for the preparation of any information submitted or for the Governments use of such information. No basis for claims against the U.S. Government shall arise as a result of a response to this request for information or from the Governments use of such information.
We look forward to your input and hope that you will share this RFI document with your colleagues.
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NOT-AR-23-022: Request for Information on Themes for the NIAMS ... - National Institutes of Health (.gov)
UNSW picks up lion’s share of Royal Society of NSW Awards – UNSW Newsroom
Six UNSW researchers and professional staff have been recognised at the 2023 Royal Society of NSW Awards. Scientia Professor Helen Christensen has been awarded the James Cook Medal, which is the Societys highest honour. Professor Maria Kavallaris, Scientia Professor Kaarin Anstey, Dr Brendon Neuen, Professor Moninya Roughan and Mr Jason Antony have also received awards.
Overall, eight awards and medals, three scholarships and two service awards were announced for 2023 by the Royal Society of NSW at the 1318th Ordinary General Meeting, held at the State Library in NSW Wednesday night. The Open Lecture was delivered by UNSW Professor John Church, winner of the Societys 2022 James Cook Medal.
Interim Dean of UNSW Medicine & Health Professor Adrienne Torda applauded the UNSW winners on their success.
"I congratulate these extraordinary UNSW researchers for being recognised at the Royal Society of New South Wales Awards.Special congratulations to Helen Christensen for receiving the James Cook Medal. Helen is a truly deserving recipient as one of Australias leading mental health experts, she has made significant contributions to being able to identify and treat sufferers of this chronic disease through innovative digital treatments, Prof. Torda said.
All our winners are exceptional specialists in their fields. The annual Royal Society of NSW awards are among the oldest and most prestigious awards in Australia, and its an honour for so many of our scientists to be recognised.
UNSW Scientia Professor Helen Christensen, Board Director of the Black Dog Institute, has been awarded the James Cook Medal for outstanding contributions to science and human welfare in the Southern Hemisphere. Its the most prestigious award offered by the Royal Society of NSW.
Prof. Christensen is a leading expert on using technology to deliver evidence-based interventions for the prevention and treatment of depression, anxiety, suicide, and self-harm.
I'm very honoured to receive this prestigious medal. The work I do, alongside my colleagues, is all about making life better for those in our community facing mental health struggles. The Royal Societys award recognises that using science is one of the best ways to solve the tough problems we're dealing with today, Prof. Christensen said.
Read more: UNSW researchers awarded $10m in health funding
UNSW researchers have received the James Cook Medal nine of the last 10 times the medal has been awarded.
Professor Moninya Roughan. Photo: UNSW.
Professor Moninya Roughan from UNSW Science has been awarded the Clarke Medal for distinguished research in the natural sciences, conducted in Australia and its territories, in the fields of botany, zoology, and geology.
Prof. Roughan is an authority on the dynamics of the East Australian Current, ocean observationand prediction systems and their application to understanding western boundary currents and continental shelf processes. She leads the Coastal and Regional Oceanography Lab at UNSW.
I am truly humbled and deeply grateful to be the recipient of this prestigious award. This recognition is not just a reflection of my individual efforts but a testament to the collaborative spirit of the scientific community and every breakthrough stands on the shoulders of those who came before me. I am fortunate to have been guided by mentors, inspired by colleagues, and supported by my dedicated research team at UNSW, Prof. Roughan said.
"I believe that the truest achievement is in the positive impact my research has on the world and I hope that this recognition inspires future generations to explore the limitless possibilities in the ocean sciences and foster environmental stewardship."
Professor Maria Kavallaris. Photo: UNSW.
Professor Maria Kavallaris from UNSW Medicine & Health received the Walter Burfitt Award, for distinguished research in any area of the Medical and Veterinary Sciences and Technologies.
Prof. Kavallaris leads the Tumour Biology and Targeting Group at the Childrens Cancer Institute and is the founding co-director of the Australian Centre for NanoMedicine at UNSW. She has made seminal contributions to understanding the role of the cytoskeleton in cancer biology andis best known for identifying how tumour cells become resistant to commonly used chemotherapydrugs and how drug resistance can be reversed.
Read more:New treatment approach to selectively target cancer cells: study
Her studies have identified how some tumours can grow and spread in the body, and she has applied this knowledge towards the development of advanced diagnostics and therapeutics using nanotechnology.
I've dedicated my life to understanding and identifying effective treatments for cancer because I believe that everyone deserves a chance to survive. This award is a reminder that our work is making a difference, and it inspires me to continue pushing forward. This award is not just for me; it's for all the past and present brilliant students and researchers who I have had the honour of mentoring and working with, Prof. Kavallaris said.
Scientia Professor Kaarin Anstey. Photo: UNSW.
Scientia Professor Kaarin Anstey from UNSW Science has received the inaugural Award in the Social and Behavioural Sciences, which is for distinguished research in any area of the social and behavioural sciences including psychology, economics, management, and related disciplines.
Read more:Chef's kiss: brain-friendly cake shines light on cognitive decline
Prof. Ansteys research programs focus on cognitive resilience in ageing as well as prevention of dementia. She has developed new methods to assess risk of cognitive decline and dementia as well as non-pharmacological interventions to reduce these risks. Another focus of her work is on older driver safety and in this field, she has also developed and validated risk assessment tools and interventions.
I am excited and honoured to receive this inaugural award from the Royal Society of NSW and would like to thank my colleagues and team with whom Ive worked for many years, Prof. Anstey said.
Cognitive health is central to ageing well and I look forward to continuing to expand our knowledge in this field.
Dr Brendon Neuen from the George Institute of Global Health an affiliate of UNSW has been awarded the inaugural Ida Browne Early Career Medal. The Medal is awarded for contributions to knowledge and society in Australia or its territories by an individual from 05 years post-PhD or equivalent.
Dr Neuen is a nephrologist and Director of the Kidney Trials Unit at Royal North Shore Hospital. He is recognised for his expertise in cardio-renal-metabolic medicine. His work has directly informed more than 25 major international and national guidelines, position papers and scientific statements about optimal care for people with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease.
I am delighted and honoured to be the inaugural recipient of the Ida Browne Medal from the Royal Society of NSW. My work would not be possible without the generosity of patients and thededicationofstudy teams and investigatorswho made large-scale internationalclinical trialsa reality, Dr Neuen said.
I feel a deep sense of responsibility to ensure that this recognitionis translated intoa long and impactful career in clinical trialsthat improves the lives of people with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease worldwide."
Jason Antony. Photo: UNSW
Mr Jason Antony from the Industrial Relations Research Group atUNSW Canberra has received the Royal Society of New South Wales Citation, for significant contributions to the Society.
Since 2016, Mr Antony has been indispensable in the production of fifteen issues of the Journal & Proceedings of the Royal Society, and as editor and producer, of 28 issues of the Bulletin from 2020 to 2023.
Helping produce the Royal Societys Journal & Proceedings and Bulletinis a rewarding and enriching experience, Mr Antony said.
When a venerable institution recognises one'scontributions formally, it fills life with vim, vigour, and a renewed sense of purpose. I am immensely grateful to the Society, and to the myriad ofwise, wonderful people who have provided guidance and nurtured my skills over the years.
Read more about the Royal Society of NSW Awards 2023.
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UNSW picks up lion's share of Royal Society of NSW Awards - UNSW Newsroom
Brain Study Suggests Traumatic Memories Are Processed as … – Slashdot
Traumatic memories had their own neural mechanism, brain scans showed, which may help explain their vivid and intrusive nature. From a report: At the root of post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a memory that cannot be controlled. It may intrude on everyday activity, thrusting a person into the middle of a horrifying event, or surface as night terrors or flashbacks. Decades of treatment of military veterans and sexual assault survivors have left little doubt that traumatic memories function differently from other memories. A group of researchers at Yale University and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai set out to find empirical evidence of those differences.
The team conducted brain scans of 28 people with PTSD while they listened to recorded narrations of their own memories. Some of the recorded memories were neutral, some were simply "sad," and some were traumatic. The brain scans found clear differences, the researchers reported in a paper published on Thursday in the journal Nature Neuroscience. The people listening to the sad memories, which often involved the death of a family member, showed consistently high engagement of the hippocampus, part of the brain that organizes and contextualizes memories. When the same people listened to their traumatic memories -- of sexual assaults, fires, school shootings and terrorist attacks -- the hippocampus was not involved.
[...] Indeed, the authors conclude in the paper, "traumatic memories are not experienced as memories as such," but as "fragments of prior events, subjugating the present moment." The traumatic memories appeared to engage a different area of the brain -- the posterior cingulate cortex, or P.C.C., which is usually involved in internally directed thought, like introspection or daydreaming. The more severe the person's PTSD symptoms were, the more activity appeared in the P.C.C. What is striking about this finding is that the P.C.C. is not known as a memory region, but one that is engaged with "processing of internal experience," Dr. Schiller said.
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Brain Study Suggests Traumatic Memories Are Processed as ... - Slashdot
Monoclonal Antibodies Market Size Worth USD 572.62 Billion in … – GlobeNewswire
Vancouver, Nov. 28, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global monoclonal antibodies market size was USD 204.42 billion in 2022 and is expected to register a revenue CAGR of 10.8% during the forecast period. The global monoclonal antibodies market is poised for significant growth, driven by factors such as the rising adoption of personalized medicine, expanding regulatory approvals for monoclonal antibodies, and continuous technological advancements in biotechnology and immunology. These factors, along with the increasing prevalence of cancer and infectious diseases, are contributing to a surge in demand for effective and targeted monoclonal antibody-based therapies. The market witnessed substantial developments in 2022, with major players actively contributing to advancements in monoclonal antibody-based treatments. Notably, GlaxoSmithKline plc. (GSK) and iTeos Therapeutics announced a promising partnership for the development and commercialization of EOS-448, an anti-TIGIT monoclonal antibody, showcasing the potential for next-generation immuno-oncology therapies.
Despite the positive trajectory, challenges such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on manufacturing processes, higher associated manufacturing costs, and a shortage of skilled professionals have hindered revenue growth. Recent safety concerns and FDA cautionary messages regarding specific monoclonal antibodies for COVID-19 treatment, especially in light of the omicron variant, have added complexity to the market dynamics.
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End-Use Insights:
Regional Insights:
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MAJOR COMPANIES and Market Share Analysis
The global monoclonal antibodies market is fairly fragmented, with many large and medium-sized players accounting for the majority of market revenue. Major players are deploying various strategies, entering mergers & acquisitions, strategic agreements & contracts, developing, testing, and introducing more effective monoclonal antibodies solutions. Some major players included in the global monoclonal antibodies market report are:
Strategic Development
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Segments Covered in Report
For the purpose of this report, Emergen Research has segmented the global monoclonal antibodies market on the basis of source, indication, production type, end-use, and region:
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Hybrid Operating Room Market Size, Share, Trends, By Component (Surgical Instruments, Audiovisual Display Systems and Tools, Intraoperative Diagnostic Imaging Systems, Operating Room Fixtures), By Application, By End-use, and By Region and Country Forecast to 2028
Single Use/Disposable Endoscopy Market By Product (Endoscope, Visualization Systems, Endoscopic Ultrasound, Insufflator), By Application (Bronchoscopy, Urologic Endoscopy, Arthroscopy, GI endoscopy, ENT Endoscopy, Others), By End-use (Hospitals, Healthcare Centers, Clinics), and By Region Forecast to 2028
Nanorobotics Market Size, Share, Trends, By Type (Nanomanipulator, Bio-Nanorobotics, Magnetically Guided, Bacteria-Based), By Application (Nanomedicine, Biomedical, Mechanical, Others), and By Region Forecast to 2028
AI based Clinical Trials Solution Provider Market By Therapeutic Application (Oncology, Cardiovascular Disease, and Neurological Disease), By Phase, By End-use (institutes), and By Region Forecast To 2030
Veterinary Ultrasound Market, By Type [Two-Dimensional (2D), Three-Dimensional/Four Dimensional (3D/4D), and Doppler], By Product, By Technology, By Animal Type, By Application, By End-Use, and By Region Forecast to 2030
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Monoclonal Antibodies Market Size Worth USD 572.62 Billion in ... - GlobeNewswire
Union leader: Online casino gambling would cost Maryland … – Baltimore Sun
In addition to contributing to gaming addiction as pointed out in The Baltimore Suns recent editorial, Can elected officials resist the lure of more online betting to balance Md.s budget? (Nov. 28), the expansion of online gambling would eliminate casino jobs and reduce the incentive to invest in or expand Marylands casinos. It will harm thousands of Maryland workers who rely on in-person gaming and tips. It will undermine the promise of good jobs and economic development that the industry made to Marylands voters in 2008.
Legalizing iGaming will reduce Marylands brick and mortar casino revenue by 10.2%, according to a report produced by The Innovation Group for the Maryland Lottery. It found that from 2019 to 2022, states with iGaming saw in-person revenues decline 8.2% while states without iGaming saw in-person revenues grow 2%, implying a cannibalization rate of 10.2%. There would be less money to local jurisdictions that get a percentage of the revenue from their casinos and benefit from the local business and taxes that are generated.
Marylands six brick and mortar casinos directly employ 6,715 people and generate an annual economic impact of $2.96 billion that supports 15,364 jobs in the state. A 10.2% reduction in gaming revenue would mean a loss of 685 direct jobs and 1,567 total jobs in Maryland.
Since Maryland legalized online sports betting, in-person sports betting wagers have fallen 42% in the state. This is already harming Marylanders who work at in-person sportsbooks as attendants, bartenders, servers and cleaners. Many rely on tips from customers.
In 2008, Maryland voters approved legalizing casino gaming for the promise of good jobs and economic development. Online gaming will endanger these economic development opportunities at casinos throughout the state, slashing future job creation.
Maryland, say no to iGaming.
Tracy Lingo, Baltimore
Paul Schwab, Washington, D.C.
The writers are, respectively, president of UNITE HERE Local 7 and executive secretary-treasurer of UNITE HERE Local 25. UNITE HERE is the largest union of gaming workers in the country, representing 100,000 casino workers nationwide.
Add your voice: Respond to this piece or other Sun content by submitting your own letter.
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Union leader: Online casino gambling would cost Maryland ... - Baltimore Sun
Gambling and Canada: The Best Online Casino Games – The Garnette Report
Gambling and Canada: The Best Online Casino Games
We dont know what the future holds for us, but one thing is for sure: online casinos are the next big thing. Although casinos have been present for quite some time now, the online version has just showed up and made its way to the market recently worldwide, and Canada was not an exception. Since it was observed that people loved the convenience of playing from home, more and more investors have invested in online casinos and now we basically have them in every corner of the digital world.
But with all this presence online, one might ask, what is this hype about? Well, while casinos that have a physical location might not be present in every city in Canada for example, online casinos make it into every home. As a result, there are more and more users that can entertain themselves playing at a casino. Now the question rises, there are plenty of websites that promote real money online casino in Canada, what games are leading the list of being the best ones in those online casinos? Lets find out together!
Oh, the good ol blackjack. Yes, thats right, blackjack is also leading this list. I am saying also because it is widely known that blackjack is the game that is played mostly in the casino world. That means, it is also a favorite in brick-and-mortar casinos.
The game has a deck of 52 cards and the idea is that you and the rest of the players are presented two each time. If the value of the cards you are presented is 21, then that is blackjack, and you win. If it is less or more, then you get to choose what you do next. There are two options on what you can do; you can continue to draw other cards until you get what you want, or you can stay with what you have. Then, this goes on rounds with all the people playing.
Roulette is another classic that people just love, and we could say that it is almost standing next to blackjack on this list. Btw, the games name derives from French and it basically means wheel in English, which denotes the revolving wheel in the game.
Initially, in roulette all of the players place their bets on whether they are going for the red or the black numbers. In the revolving wheel that we mentioned previously, there are different numbers some of which are colored red and the others with black. What happens is that the dealer in this case throws a small ball into the revolving wheel and whatever lands on, it determines who the winners are. The best for roulette can start as small as $5 and then as the game carries on, the bet also rises.
Third on this list is baccarat which is also known as baccara. This game is present in every casino; be it in real life or online. Similar to blackjack, baccarat is also a game played with cards.
As stated above, baccarat uses a set of cards and different from blackjack where multiple people can pay, in baccarat there are only two people and those are the player and the banker. There are some coups involved in baccara where three options are available, the banker, the player or a tie. Then, the cards are presented facing up by the dealer for both the banker and the player. Finally, whichever hand sums up to the total of nine wins, it wins.
This list is then finalized by slots which are very different from the rest of the games here, yet a global favorite. Slots for many people appear to be an easy and entertaining way of getting into the mood for playing.
Slot machines have a machine of number generation inside of them. Each of the numbers has a symbol which shows up on the screen. For example, there are 7s, diamonds, cherries, lemons, berries or bells, which by the way is the most common symbol which either gives you a jackpot or a bonus round. Then once you turn on the machine, you get a different combination of symbols, and you can go around playing slots for as long as you want.
Conclusion
And that concludes our list! So, in this article we saw which games are the most popular ones in online casinos in Canada and also briefly showed how they are played. We are excited to see what online casinos, often referred to as this next big thing, have in store for us in the future and whether this list will change overtime with more and more users involved.
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Gambling and Canada: The Best Online Casino Games - The Garnette Report
The Intersection of Rugby Players and Online Gambling: A Closer … – Rugby Observer
Rugby and online gambling do not appear to be two activities that have much in common if anything at all. However, when you dig deep beneath the surface, it becomes possible to notice some similarities that do exist.
Rugby players are known to enjoy playing casino games, with some often opting to play at online casinos. It can provide them with a level of anonymity, as they can stay out of the limelight, especially if they are athletes who may play at the highest levels of the sport. They may even opt for No KYC Casinos as a means of remaining private and being able to enjoy a quick session whenever they want to enjoy and entertain themselves away from the training field and the pitch.
Both activities require individuals to be disciplined in what they do, with things like strategies and game management being crucial. Matches require the athletes to be able to manage the clock and execute certain strategies that are required to try and best their opponent. Many of these skills are needed with casino games, too. Discipline, concentration, focus, and patience are all transferable skills between the two activities, as are decision-making and critical thinking. It is almost impossible for any sport to challenge football when it comes to betting, but wagering on rugby can do its best to compete.
Football is renowned worldwide as the biggest sport, with billions of people enjoying it. Many like to bet on it because of their love for the game. With matches being played globally and at any given moment, it is also one of the most accessible, offering various opportunities through various markets.
Nonetheless, rugby betting can offer the same experiences, albeit on a smaller scale than football. Competitive leagues are played in various countries, with many tournaments also being played domestically and continentally.
International tournaments are also huge, with the Rugby World Cup, Six Nations, and Tests between two countries often being extremely competitive. In truth, these are perhaps the events that receive more attention from bettors, as sports enthusiasts will be more prepared to support and wager on nations compared to the clubs, especially if they have no real passion or interest in the sport at a club level.
These matches continue to offer markets in the same ways football matches have, with traditional final result odds and player props all possible to find.
It would appear unlikely that rugby betting will ever become as popular as football betting, but there is always a chance that the gap between them shortens. With sport offering the same types of bets, the only reason the sport is perhaps not as widely bet on as football is the number of people who actually enjoy the sport.
Sportsbooks can do their best to try and help make rugby betting more attractive by offering certain bonuses or promotions. However, with billions enjoying football, it might be a tireless task to make rugby betting more popular than it already is.
It is possible to argue that online gambling can provide rugby players with several benefits when games are played. Players can keep their brains active and healthy, which can translate onto the field through the decisions that they are able to make. Certain online gambling games can also have a positive impact on focus and concentration, while also providing them with the ability to be able to create strategies that they can execute.
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The Intersection of Rugby Players and Online Gambling: A Closer ... - Rugby Observer
Gambling securely: A look at the technology behind online casino … – Times of Malta
In the vast landscape of online casinos, where the thrill of a bet meets the convenience of the digital realm, ensuring a secure gaming environment is paramount. As players navigate through the virtual corridors of blackjack tables, slot machines and poker rooms, the unseen guardian ensuring a safe experience is the sophisticated technology underpinning online casino security. This exploration will explore four intriguing aspects that shed light on the high-tech fortress protecting your bets.
At the heart of every secure online casino lies a robust encryption system, the digital guardian of your sensitive information. It's not merely a technological buzzword; it's the impregnable fortress that shields your financial transactions, personal details and gameplay history from prying eyes. Top online gambling establishments, including the ones reviewed ononline-casinos.es, use advanced encryption protocols, such as the industry-standard SSL (Secure Socket Layer). This technology creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and the casino's servers.
Imagine this encryption as an intricate lock and your data as a precious gem in a virtual safe. Even if a cyber marauder were to intercept the data during transmission, the encryption renders it unreadable and useless. It's a technological dance of complex algorithms and keys, ensuring that your online gambling experience is not only thrilling but also impenetrable to cyber threats.
In the dynamic world of online security, the humble password is no longer the lone sentinel standing guard. Two-factor authentication (2FA) emerges as the unsung hero, adding an extra layer of defence against unauthorized access. While the password remains your first defence, 2FA introduces a second step, typically involving a temporary code sent to your mobile device or email.
This additional layer of verification not only fortifies your account against potential breaches but also adds a touch of real-world security to the virtual realm. It's akin to having a second key to your digital kingdom, ensuring that even if one key is stolen, the other remains securely in your possession. As the saying goes, luck favours the prepared, and in online gambling, preparation includes a sturdy two-factor shield.
The tech landscape has evolved beyond passwords and codes, introducing biometric security to online casinos. Imagine logging into your casino account without a password but with the touch of your fingertip. Biometric authentication, such as fingerprint and facial recognition, adds a touch of sophistication to the security dance.
In an era where smartphones unlock at a glance, online casinos are embracing this technology to enhance user experience and security simultaneously. It's not just about convenience; it's about making sure that the person placing the bets is who they claim to be. Biometric security is the high-tech bouncer ensuring that only the rightful account owner gains access to the exciting world of online gambling.
Anti-fraud systems are the digital detectives safeguarding the integrity of online casino games. These systems utilize advanced algorithms and machine learning to analyze behaviour patterns, identifying anomalies that might indicate fraudulent activity. From detecting suspicious transactions to identifying collusive play in poker rooms, these systems operate silently, preserving the fairness and security of the online casino environment.
Anti-fraud measures are not just about protecting the casino but about ensuring a fair and enjoyable experience for every player. By swiftly identifying and neutralizing potential threats, these systems contribute to the overall trustworthiness of online casinos, fostering an environment where players can focus on the thrill of the game without worrying about foul play.
As online casinos continue to shape the future of gambling, the technology safeguarding these digital arenas becomes increasingly sophisticated. Encryption, two-factor authentication, biometric security, and anti-fraud systems collectively form an impregnable fortress, ensuring that players can indulge in the excitement of online gambling without compromising security. In this digital age, where luck is just a spin away, the robust technology behind online casino security ensures that your bets remain your own, and the thrill of the game is the only uncertainty you need to embrace.
Disclaimer: Play responsibly. Players must be over 18. For help visit https://www.gamcare.org.uk/
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Gambling securely: A look at the technology behind online casino ... - Times of Malta
Simone de Beauvoir, Hannah Arendt, Simone Weil and Ayn Rand … – The Conversation Indonesia
The actual impulse of astonishment that sparks all philosophising is honest bafflement that other people live as they do, writes Wolfram Eilenberger in his new book, The Visionaries.
Its a wild ride through ten of the worst years in the 20th century, spanning the period from 1933, the year Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany, to 1943 and the thick of the second world war. Its told through the occasionally intersecting lives of four brilliant young women philosophers: Simone de Beauvoir and Simone Weil (both French), Russian-American Ayn Rand, and German-Jewish Hannah Arendt, who spent time exiled in France and New York.
Though very different, they all experienced themselves as having been placed fundamentally differently in the world from how other people had been. Eilenberger writes:
All of them were tormented from an early age by the same questions: What could it be that makes me so different? What is it that I clearly cant understand and experience like all the others? Am I really driving down the freeway of life in the wrong direction or is it not perhaps the mass of wildly honking people coming toward me flashing their lights?
I had thought myself reasonably schooled in the writings of these women, but discovered how little I actually knew about them their early work and their jobs, who they knew and loved or loathed, and how the broken stick of 1930s Europe shaped the possibilities for their lives and thought.
Review: The Visionaries: Arendt, Beauvoir, Rand, Weil, and the salvation of philosophy Wolfram Eilenberger, trans Shaun Whiteside (Allen Lane)
The Visionaries traces the gradual unfolding of their systems of thought, including how they changed their minds in response to the radically changed situations they found themselves in.
It builds, to some extent, on Eilenbergers earlier volume, Time of the Magicians: Wittgenstein, Benjamin, Cassirer, Heidegger, and the Decade That Reinvented Philosophy, which followed four brilliant young men who transformed European philosophy in the agonised decade following the first world war.
Both books weave the work of the philosophers with social history, biography, accounts of the cultural and economic environment, and depictions of the quarrels and agreements, friendships and passions that characterised their communities.
The Visionaries opens at the end of 1943. Each character is a very young woman, only in her thirties. But each is already possessed of a trained mind, formidable intelligence and a determination to make sense of life, the universe, and everything.
Beauvoir is writing her first philosophical essay, is about to publish her first novel and has a play in the works. Weil has been asked by occupied Frances shadow government to draw up plans and scenarios for the political reconstruction of France (after her offer to go to the front to die for her ideals was refused).
Rand is awaiting the publication of her debut book, The Fountainhead, a philosophical manifesto masquerading as a novel. And exactly ten years after being driven out of Hitlers Germany, Hannah Arendt is figuring out her next steps, reflecting that in these dark times:
One only had to find the courage in oneself to open ones eyes keep them open to perceive the abysses of ones own time with an alert mind.
After this opening chapter, the narrative jumps back a decade to 1933, and then progresses year by year, back to where it began.
First, we meet Simone de Beauvoir, who with her life partner Jean-Paul Sartre is associated with existentialism (though Eilenberger writes that she avoids the term). Existentialism argues each individual is a free agent, capable of crafting their own identity and existence through acts of the will.
By 1943, Beauvoir was wrestling with one of existentialisms core precepts: how individuals can achieve their best possible lives. She asked, why would someone even attempt this? After all, everything we do comes to nothing because of times inexorable progress and our inevitable death so why do anything at all?
At that stage, her answer is that we should do something because we are in the world as acting creatures, and therefore should grasp our freedom to act while we are able.
Read more: What makes a good life? Existentialists believed we should embrace freedom and authenticity
Simone Weil, whom we meet next, is pretty much the polar opposite of Beauvoir. Indeed, late in the volume Eilenberger notes:
If we compare Weils Notebooks with Beauvoirs diaries and writings from the same time [19411942], we have the extremely strange impression of a telepathic contact between two minds resonating tensely at either end of an infinite piece of string.
Where Beauvoir sees herself as comparatively separate from society, Weil had, as Beauvoir wrote, a heart that could beat right across the world. Despite her physical fraility (and probable anorexia), Weil was possessed by enormous passion and empathy. The wellbeing of everyone else in the world absorbed her thoughts and actions during her short life (she died in 1943).
For years, Weil kept from her wages precisely the minimum sum assigned to unemployed factory workers on state support, while the rest she donate[d] to needy or feeling comrades. And she directed her obedient parents to use their unoccupied apartment to house refugees it once hosted a meeting between exiled communist leader Leon Trotsky and the new high command of the world revolution.
Born into a Jewish family, Weil veered into a passionate and ascetic Christianity. For her, the point of being alive was to disappear into a future of nonbeing, confident that Supernatural love alone creates reality and that our meaning, if one can call it that, is to dissolve into a vessel for Gods will.
This is not a matter of acting, in Beauvoirs terms, but of leaving the world of authenticity and safety in favour of some notion of the divine. (Perhaps unsurprisingly, Weils often brilliant work has attracted less attention than that of her fellow characters in this book.)
Read more: Guide to the Classics: Simone Weils The Need for Roots
Ayn Rand comes next: her familys home and possessions were expropriated in the 1917 October Revolution, on the grounds they were representatives of the Jewish bourgeoisie. They fled to Crimea, then lived in poverty when they returned to St Petersburg (now named Petrograd) in 1921.
The Russian jackboot she escaped was at least as violent as that of the Nazis as Simone Weil too argues in her 1933 discussion about the structural similarity between newly fascist Germany and Stalins Soviet Union.
Rand made it to the United States in 1926, and began a career as a thinker and writer who named her philosophical position objectivism. Where Weil aimed to change the whole world through divine engagement, and Beauvoir perceived freedom as the freedom to act within a community, Rand insisted on:
the concept of man as a heroic being, with his own happiness as the moral purpose of his life, with productive achievement as his noblest activity, and reason as his only absolute.
For man, read Rand. Her most famous character, the architect Howard Roark, the protagonist of The Fountainhead, was after all based on herself. Roark, whose real-life admirers include Donald Trump, was a mouthpiece for objectivism: for reason, for facts, but never for compassion or empathy.
Like an early Margaret Thatcher, Rand built an entire worldview based on there being no society only self-focused, self-seeking individuals, capable of determining who and what they are, in perfect freedom.
Read more: Atlas Shrugged: Ayn Rand's hero burns the world down when he doesn't get his way. Her fans run the world should we worry?
Hannah Arendt, with her mother, had fled Germany in 1933 after they were arrested and interrogated by the Gestapo. For some years, she lived as an exile in France, later escaping to the United States.
Her initial writings explored the uncertainty of freedom in a world where events can strip the individual of identity, of nationality, of freedom and even of life.
Her perspectives differ markedly from both existentialism and objectivism: Eilenberger observes that, for Arendt, self-creation is always contingent on social and cultural conditions, from which no individual can fully escape. It is, she argued poignantly, political power, not self-determination, that sets the limits of our being.
In her case, this was the power of the Nazi machine, which destroyed so many members of her community and which she had so narrowly escaped. Her philosophical concerns were, therefore, far from either individual self-realisation or self-abnegation.
Rather, she was concerned with what an individuals responsibility might be in the face of overwhelming social, political and economic realities.
Read more: The book that changed me: Hannah Arendt's Eichmann in Jerusalem and the problem of terrifying moral complacency
These, in brief, are the four philosophers who galvanised the salvation of philosophy. The lines and turns of their thinking were unpacked and reframed through much of what was going on in the salons of their twenties, or the writings of their thirties.
They were deeply connected, through reading, through shared intellectual concerns, and in some cases through personal relationships, with the great philosophers who preceded them all the way back to Plato in the fourth century BCE and with their contemporaries.
Simone de Beauvoir, for example, was intimately connected to Jean-Paul Sartre in life and work. Ludwig Wittgensteins ethical and intellectual struggles with religion closely parallel Weils own (though there is little evidence they knew each other). Walter Benjamin was Arendts friend throughout their period of exile (and later was the subject of her writings).
Martin Heidegger was the most intertwined with these philosophers. His writings influenced both Weils and Beauvoirs work, particularly into the nature of being, and of human consciousness.
He had also been Arendts teacher (and lover) at university; and though they were on opposite sides of the political divide Heidegger became a Nazi in 1933, the same year Arendt was arrested by the Gestapo Arendt reconnected with him in 1949, and remained his friend.
Read more: Heidegger in ruins? Grappling with an anti-semitic philosopher and his troubling rebirth today
The four women are complex characters, and not always likeable, being neither straightforward, nor straightforwardly admirable. Beauvoir, for example, declined to join a 1934 general workers strike on the grounds she was not part of society. She wrote: The existence of Otherness remained a danger to me. In fact, Otherness was such a danger that at this point, she claimed to identify with no one but Sartre.
Interestingly though, she records a sharp criticism offered her by Simone Weil in a discussion they had about care of the Other, and what matters in the world. For Weil, the most important thing is to feed all the starving people of the earth. For Beauvoir, what matters is:
not to make men happy, but to find the reason for their existence. [Weil] looked me up and down: Its easy to see youve never been hungry, she snapped. Our relations ended right there []
Fair point. Or maybe not all that fair, since by the mid-1930s, Beauvoir was less inclined to consider the world a universe only of Beauvoir-plus-Sartre. Instead, she was beginning to take a more other-oriented, and more sensibly pragmatic, stance.
Perhaps this was motivated by the fact the Beauvoir-plus-Sartre unit had become a polyamorous group, incorporating a worryingly young group of people who participated in their sexual and intellectual lives. The philosophers ease with this complicated sexual engagement, which they characterised as family, did not meet social norms.
Beauvoir was the subject of a year-long investigation, following complaints by the mother of one of the young people that she seduced her students and then passed them on to Sartre. This crime of incitement to debauchery was not proven, for lack of evidence. At the same time, Sartre was sulking about his unsatisfying professional life, and insatiably sexually engaging with (it seems) pretty well anyone who entered his orbit.
Read more: Sex, lies and Hegel: did the intimate lives of philosophers shape their ideas?
I would imagine such experiences exposed Beauvoir to the limitations of both her philosophy and her capabilities. Certainly, such an awareness seems present in her explanation of why she and Sartre declined to join so many of their circle in travelling to Spain to serve in the war against Franco: that they were more likely to be a nuisance rather than a help.
In evidence of this, she pointed out that Weil had gone to Spain to serve in the military, but when the infantry sensibly refused to arm her, Weil instead worked in the kitchens. (Her war ended when she stepped into a pot of boiling oil and was sent back to France to recover.)
Weils passion for others often made her a nuisance rather than a help. She identified strongly with the concept, at least, of the common people, but usually got things wrong. Despite her deeply fragile health, she took a sabbatical from her job as a philosophy teacher to work in a metals factory. This, she thought, would be real life. Eilenberger gently teases this aspiration, but at the same time he notes her action:
stands in a respectable tradition of philosophical experiments whose declared objective was to turn ones back on a presumably alienated world [] Like the Buddha fleeing the temple, or Diogenes in his barrel, or of course Thoreau building his hut on Walden Pond.
It was not an obviously useful experiment. Weil was a hopeless factory worker, causing herself injury, messing up the production line, and worsening her always-frail physical health. She was a hopeless social activist too. After her failure to solve the problems of the Spanish Civil War, and as France edged ever closer to war with Germany, she began developing suites of well-argued and utterly impractical solutions, all of which were rejected.
Arendt seems to have had a much stronger practical streak than did Weil, and a much clearer sense both of the complexities of being a human among other humans, and of the limitations on the fantasies of freedom, than either Beauvoir or Rand.
While she was still living as a refugee in France, she was developing an understanding of what it is to be a pariah: considering how to preserve the only freedom pariahs have the capacity to think for themselves. She was also wondering about what love means.
Read more: Friday essay: Rai Gaita and the moral power of conversation
Reading through this decade, and through the thinking that propelled the four women then, I had to keep reminding myself how dire their living conditions were.
For the three Europeans, the looming dread of war and the nailing down of any freedom or opportunity framed their lives. Ayn Rand may have been far from Hitlers reach, but she was unable to free her parents from the Great Terror of Stalinist Russia, she was having only uncertain success in her writing, and she lived with an unsatisfying husband.
Throughout all this, the Europeans at least sharpened and nuanced their understanding of what it is to be human, the point of being alive, what freedom means, and where our responsibilities lie. In doing so, they laid down some of the intellectual and ethical foundations that have inflected much of the 20th century, and into our time. (Ayn Rands writings, on the other hand, provided a textbook for the US Tea Party efficacious work, no doubt, but not work I can applaud.)
By the end of the book, I found I had changed my mind about the four women primarily in the form of a significantly elevated appreciation for Simone de Beauvoir and an enhanced sympathy for Simone Weil. (I retained my confirmed enthusiasm for Arendt, and my equally confirmed disdain for Rand.)
I also discovered a substantial admiration for the skill of the author and his translator. The clarity of voice, the respect paid to readers and to the four main subjects, and the little glimpses of humour (and larger glimpses of empathy) have left me a fan of this work.
Readers who are not fans of philosophy shouldnt fear the book will tangle them in the weeds of impenetrable lines of thought: its philosophy is made highly accessible. And the human stories, with all their tragedies, irritations and delights, are luminously and empathically crafted.
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Simone de Beauvoir, Hannah Arendt, Simone Weil and Ayn Rand ... - The Conversation Indonesia
Exclusive Event: Ayn Rand Speaking about Her Life – New Ideal
Join us for a presentation of intriguing audio excerpts from Ayn Rands in-depth 196061 biographical recollections.
Mark your calendar: On December 9 we will host a special year-end celebration with Tal Tsfany, president and CEO of the Ayn Rand Institute, who will showcase the Institutes successes, followed by an exclusive presentation of Ayn Rands biographical recollections.
These 196061 audio recordings provide an extraordinary window into Rands life, work, and achievements in her own words. At the event, well share a thirty-minute selection curated from nearly forty hours of original audio, housed at the Ayn Rand Archives.
This online event part of our monthly ARI Member Roundtable series is open to supporters who donate $25 or more per month ($300+ year). They will receive an invitation with details on how to join the Zoom space.
Please become an ARI donor or increase your support today to attend this special event.
After the audio presentation, well open breakout rooms hosted by ARI staff and scholars. At the end of our program, youre welcome to stay for the free-form hangout. The Roundtable will last approximately ninety minutes; the hangout will remain open for another hour.
(This audio selection premiered in July at a private event for Benefactors and members of Atlantis Legacy, our planned giving program.)
Join us on Saturday, December 9, at 1:00 pm ET / 10:00 am PT.
If you value the ideas presented here, please become an ARI Member today.
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Exclusive Event: Ayn Rand Speaking about Her Life - New Ideal
Childfree Woman Wants To Divorce Husband Over Wanting … – Romper
Is there some weird new guy code about dating that says you should just...never bring up the fact that you have kids? A dad went viral on Reddits popular Am I The A**hole? community earlier this year for refusing to tell his dates he had children until at least a year into being together. Well if you thought that was bad, a new post is taking AITA by storm, in which one woman says her husband of approximately one year is just now telling her he has two kids, and that he suddenly wants custody of them. Now, she considering getting divorced.
In the Reddit post, the 27-year-old woman explains that she has been married to her 33-year-old husband for roughly a year. She describes herself as vehemently childfree, saying she has been sterilized and made it very clear she has no interest in bearing or caring for any children. Fair enough, maam! All was seemingly well until her husband surprised her with some news: hes actually a father of two, a 10-year-old son and 7-year-old daughter. And now, he wants to file for 50/50 custody of the kids.
The idea to fight for custody came about because the couple shares a bank account for bills, but keeps separate savings and fun money accounts. He pays regular child support, however, it dips into his fun money and he wants to be able to have fun like I am, she writes. The poster describes herself as having amazing pay for very few working hours as a honeymoon planner. Her husband works 12- and 16-hour shifts as a nurse, so she expects to be the one caring for the children should he actually be granted custody. She said she wants a divorce. He says shes an a**hole for not helping him save money. And Reddit has no mercy on him.
The comments on this post make one thing clear: no one thinks this dude is even a halfway decent dad.
He only wants 50/50 custody of his own children because itll reduce his child support and give him some fun money. Hes a f*cking loser, says one. How on earth has this guy been hanging out with his kids for the entirety of his marriage without his wife finding out? Or has he just been paying the child support and not actually developing any kind of relationship with them? And now he wants 50-50 custody, its ridiculous, adds another. (One person replied to this by saying, Easy. He didnt. This guy is a sad excuse for a father.)
There are also plenty of comments in support of the poster, with more than one saying the dad in this equation was just looking for a sugar mama all along. Dont you love being pressured to step up and take someone elses responsibility? jokes one commenter. Your husband lied to you and probably married you with the intention of saddling you with his children. Get out of this marriage whether or not he fights for custody. He is a liar and a manipulator, and your entire marriage is built on sand, says another. Harsh, but this seems to be the consensus.
Whether the poster goes through with the divorce because her husband lied, doesnt care about her wish to be child-free, ignored his own children for years, or just wants them now for selfish reasons, Redditors agree: its time to throw the whole man in the trash.
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Childfree Woman Wants To Divorce Husband Over Wanting ... - Romper
Professors collaborate with NASA to lower cost of space travel – The Baylor Lariat
By Kobe Baker | Reporter
In collaboration with teams at NASA, Purdue University, the University of New Hampshire and Astroport, three Baylor professors are working to make space travel more affordable.
The Baylor professors on the project are Dr. Trevor Fleck, assistant professor of mechanical engineering; Dr. Paul Allison, professor of mechanical engineering; and Dr. J. Brian Jordon, professor of mechanical engineering.
Jordon said the project uses technology with a combination of human-made materials and lunar resources to create devices needed to travel in space.
I think the long-term goal was then to shrink down the scale of the machine into a footlocker-type thing that can be sent into space, Jordon said.
Additionally, Fleck said the teams are trying to ensure that the process does not sacrifice the performance of what they are creating.
The fundamental science were trying to establish is understanding the entire relationship so that an engineer can go design something with this, process them with these materials and have some idea of how its going to perform when they use that part, Fleck said.
The scale of the project requires constant communication from all of the teams at NASA, Astroport and the three universities.
I think there are natural challenges in working with multiple institutions, but theres some really good people, Jordon said. Weve got some really good colleagues at the other institutions and in the private company that were collaborating with.
Fleck said the teams have found community through the project, bringing in many different backgrounds while working toward a common goal.
Its kind of meeting with the community through conferences and establishing those relationships and finding unique problems we can collaborate on, Fleck said.
Fleck said that with large national research teams like this one, more expert perspectives are available to give insight into a project.
Whenever researchers collaborate, you get to go after these bigger projects and solve these bigger problems that need to be overcome, Fleck said.
Fleck, Allison and Jordon dont have a set estimate of how much money the project will save, although sending a satellite into space can currently cost anywhere from $50 million to $400 million for an individual launch.
Part of this research will identify what is the return on investment the savings that can be obtained through doing these types of manufacturing approaches, Allison said.
In September, Fleck, Allison and Jordon also received a $3 million grant from the National Science Foundation, and they said they hope to use the funds to bring in a variety of graduate and undergraduate students to aid them in their research.
Part of the reason were excited is we get to introduce new students to this technology field and expose them to things they may not have an opportunity to, Jordon said. And exposing undergrad students to research in our lab, we hope they get bit by the research bug.
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Professors collaborate with NASA to lower cost of space travel - The Baylor Lariat
After Starfield, I thought I was done with large-scale space travel, but … – PC Gamer
I never fully wrote off Star Citizen as a scam to sell expensive fake ships to credulous fans of Wing Commander, but neither have I ever been convinced that it will actually achieve a 1.0 release someday. I don't think this latest trailer has changed my mind on that point, but it has made me glad that Star Citizen exists as an idea, purely because it is so mesmerising to watch.
To be honest, "trailer" doesn't really do this video justice. It's a 25-minute showcase of the game's bespoke Star Engine tech, and by proxy a chance for Roberts Space Industries to exhibit the scale of the game. And it's the most I've been interested in Star Citizen for ages, despite recent events demonstrating that exploring simulated universes is never as exciting as it seems.
The trailer kicks off with a crucial note: "Everything you are about to see has been captured in engine as one continuous shot without loading screens. Distance between planets has been compressed for the sake of brevity." Then there's a performative orchestral tune-up, before the trailer's soaring soundtrack kicks in.
Instantly, we're off, barrelling through the cosmos. After a few seconds, we arrive at the first planet, microTech Stanton IV, where the Star Engine shows off those most coveted of features, fully explorable planets and seamless transition from space to ground without a loading screen in sight. Take that, Starfield! Right between the eyes.
The trailer spends a while floating around Stanton IV, showing off an incredibly detailed city complete with fully operating rail system, glistening icy mountains, and lush forests. Then we're off again, arriving at a silhouetted ring planet, where the trailer dives into those icy halos to showcase the engine's "real-time large scale asteroid belt generation and rendering". Then we pop over to a gas giant for a look at my favourite bit of ostentatious-sounding tech, "Volumetric clouds at a gas giant scale." We also see the impressive "Floating Cloud City" Orison, which in typical Star Citizen fashion looks absolutely massive.
There are plenty more technical whizzbangs shown off in the second half of the trailer. A spaceship engulfed in flames showcases the game's "Dynamic fire simulation based on voxel grids", while a bleak Hebridean planet forms the stage for the game's "Hierarchical object container technology for outposts and points of interest," which I'm guessing means procedurally generated small settlements. Weirdly, it ends with a closeup of a sweaty man's face, although I can't deny how realistic those salty beads look.
In short, the trailer achieves what it sets out to do, namely wowing with its scale, and making me want to play an open-universe space-game underpinned by this tech. That's despite the fact that I got excited about No Man's Sky and Starfield for the exact same reasons, and both of them ultimately left me cold. This I suppose is the ultimate question: Can Star Citizen turn all this flashy technology into a game that's fun to play? I tried the playable Alpha years ago, and it certainly seemed to have more mechanical grit than either Starfield or NMS. But it was also far too janky to be fun.
Either way, I thoroughly enjoyed kicking back and zooming through Star Citizen's universe for 25 minutes, and it reignited my desire for a space sim which merges that galactic scale and seamless spaceflight with a game that's actually fun to play. I remain doubtful about whether that's actually possible, but I'm also happy that, after all these years, Roberts Space Industries is still trying to make it happen.
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After Starfield, I thought I was done with large-scale space travel, but ... - PC Gamer
Short-term benefits of smoking cessation | COPD – Dove Medical Press
Introduction
Refrain from smoking is the main therapeutic intervention effective in curbing and reducing the patients respiratory functional decline. It is reported in the COPD guidelines.13 The main consequence of a long-time cigarette exposure is airflow limitation involving both large and small airways.4 A major component of bronchial obstruction is represented by small airways which is characterized by inflammation of bronchioles and airway wall narrowing.
The evolution of the disease can be influenced by the presence of exacerbations that correlate with the degree of obstruction, influencing mortality.5,6
The purpose of the present study is to point out the benefit of quit smoking on respiratory functional and metabolic parameters.
From April to December 2021, 120 patients who referred to a smoking cessation outpatients service were recruited and retrospectively analyzed. The setting was a university hospital, at the outpatient anti-smoking center of the pulmonology operating unit.
Exclusion criteria were: patients who were taking oral steroid therapy or bronchodilators were ruled out as well as patients with severe comorbidities.
Inclusion criteria were the following: patients smokers for at least 20 pack-years who were not taking neither therapy for lipid metabolism nor bronchodilators. The expected duration of the smoking cessation program was six months The assessment was done at baseline and at one month after smoking cessation. Data management was by the physicians attached to the smoke-free center and an expert statistician.
Smoking cessation program was accomplished through motivational counselling along with a drug that reduces addiction. It was varenicline that acts as a partial agonist on 42 nicotinic-acetylcholine receptor. Counselling was also applied consisting of a psycho-behavioural analysis by identifying the stage of change according to the transtheoretical approach. Smoking abstinence was achieved as the eCO value was less than 7 ppm.
Several tests and questionnaires were being administered: the test for nicotine dependence (FTND) (range 02 no dependence, 34 low, 57 moderate, 810 high dependence), the questionnaire COPD assessment test, CAT (range 040),7 the questionnaire for detection of dyspnea, mMRC (range 04).8 The Wests test for the assessment of motivation to quit was also performed. The spirometry (Jaeger system masterscreen, Germany) was performed according to the ERS-ATS guidelines.
Post-bronchodilation values were obtained by inhaling 400 g of salbutamol.9 A smokerlyzer device was used for eCO detection (Bedfont, USA).10 Each patient underwent a 6 min walking test (WT) with walking distance detection (NoninMed Inc., Plymouth,MN, USA).11 Finally, a venous blood sample was taken for detection of cholesterol, HDL and vitamin D total level. The time of detection was at baseline and at one month after smoking cessation.
The study was approved by Sapienza Ethic Committee. Each patient provided the consent to the study. The patients were informed about the purpose of the study. Our study complies with the Declaration of Helsinki.
Data are represented as mean SD or median interquartile range as appropriate.
Data comparison before and after smoking cessation was performed by the Wilcoxon signed rank test.
The statistical significance value was set at p<0.05. SPSS 24.0 for windows was the statistical program used for the analysis of data (Chicago, Il).
The baseline values are shown in Table 1: the mean age is 62 years.
Table 1 Demographic Baseline Data
Males were prevalent: 65 versus 55. Hypertension was the main comorbidity.
At baseline smoking exposure was major than 20 pack-years which represent the cutoff about the risk of developing COPD. The mean daily consumption of cigarettes exceeded the packet. The Fagestroms test indicates a moderate level of nicotine dependence.
By contrast, the Wests test revealed a high motivation and therefore a good probability to achieve smoking cessation. The mean value of body mass index was in the normal range. Finally the average of CAT value (152.5) indicates a moderate increase of the risk of exacerbation.
In Table 2 we can find the variation of the parameters one month after smoking cessation from baseline. No significant differences between different genders were detected.
Table 2 Differences Among Baseline and at the Follow-Up One Month After Quit. Gender: 55 Females, 65 Males
A significant increase of the main obstruction parameters was observed. Notably FEV 1 absolute value in litres was significantly increased (p<0.02), as well as indices of capacity and volume such as FVC were increased.
An index of peripheral airway obstruction such as the FEF 25/75% of predicted was also increased in a short time (p<0.05) as an expression of reduced inflammation. The six minute walking test results show that a significant increase of the walking distance was obtained along with a reduction of heart rate (p<0.05). This goes hand in hand with improved respiratory symptoms and exercise tolerance. In fact the other parameter of respiratory symptoms,CAT, decreased (p<0.01) whereas mMRC test which refers to the extent of dyspnea improved by 0.5 (p<0.0.05).
The main index of smoking exposure, as a tobacco combustion product, such as exhaled CO was reduced (p<0.02).
Regarding metabolic parameters and molecules examined on peripheral venous blood, the data show an improvement. In particular, an important decrease of total cholesterol had been achieved without the use of specific drugs, as well as vitamin D levels had been raised (Respectively p<0.02, p<0.01).
The purpose of this study was to highlight the effects of smoking cessation in the short term, not only on clinical and respiratory function indices but also on metabolic indices and in particular on the level of macromolecules important for many of our functions, such as cholesterol and vitamin D. To our knowledge it is the first study that highlights the rapid benefits of smoking cessation therapy on symptoms and metabolism-expressing molecules. Our findings suggest that smoking cessation confirms its efficacy on respiratory obstruction parameters. Its effectiveness is also extended to the effect of reducing the level of a cholesterol, which when in excess, increases the risk of heart and vascular disease. Similar studies highlighted that cigarette smoke increases the level of fatty acids and glycerol.12
In previous studies a higher concentration of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in ex-smokers than smokers has consistently been observed.13 Our findings suggest that there is a recovery of HDL and total cholesterol levels by quitting smoking.
We know that smoke exposure is the main cause of COPD that is the third cause of mortality and it is closely smoke-related. Under the continuous stimulus of tobacco smoke, large and small airways are affected by inflammation and structural remodeling.14,15
In the present study, the effects of smoking cessation on respiratory function in the short time are shown and an improvement of all considered parameters was achieved in both large and small airways.
We know that long-term smoking patients experience a respiratory function decline, furthermore there is an association of bronchial obstruction with nicotine metabolism rate.16
Chronic inflammation of the airways causes COPD, which in turn is characterized by flow limitation that occurs in the small and large bronchial branches.15
Lung function decline is closely related to age and smoking habit leading to symptoms worsening, conversely smoking cessation allow an improvement of functional and clinical parameters.17,18
Our findings provide novel insights in the clinical approach and evolution of bronchial obstruction highlighting a benefit in lipid metabolism, too.
As we know small airways are involved in smoke-induced inflammation by an alteration of the basal cells differentiation.1921
With regard to smoking cessation therapy, the first-line treatment of smoking cessation, aside from replacement therapy, is represented by varenicline which increases the percentage of quit smoking.22 The latter showed its efficacy both as a brief treatment and as a maintenance treatment.23
Smoking can affect the lungs local immune defenses by reducing them, and at the same time it can alter the local bacterial flora by increasing the pathogenic power of microorganisms. This ultimately promotes exacerbations in COPD patients.24
Regarding the effects of smoking on metabolism, it is associated with an increase of triglycerides and cholesterol lipoproteins, due to the interference of cigarette smoking with cytochrome enzyme system involved in lipid, cholesterol metabolism and its transport.25
Cigarette smoking promotes an altered level of cholesterol and lipoproteins26,27 and we demonstrated that after smoking cessation the levels improve without any therapeutic supplement. Finally, the increased level of vitamin D after smoking cessation suggests that smoking reduces bowel absorption of the vitamin and conversely smoking cessation leads to a fast improvement of its level.28
The study has some limitations mainly due to the small sample of patients, however it lends itself as a basis for further clinical and biological studies.
Smoking cessation confirms its efficacy leading to an improvement of all respiratory functional parameters including symptoms and obstruction parameters in the short time. It also affects lipid metabolism leading to a decrease of total cholesterol and at the same time it brings about an increase of HDL cholesterol level. Patients who quit benefit about their quality of life, by reducing dyspnea, and other respiratory symptoms, eventually preventing bronchitis exacerbations.
The authors would like to acknowledge and thank all the patients who agreed to take part in this research. The abstract of this paper took its cue from the abstract that was presented at the XXIV National Congress of Italian Pulmonology as a poster presentation talk with interim findings. The posters abstract was published in Poster Abstracts in Journal Respiration Hyperlink https://doi.org/10.1159/000531211 with DOI: 10.1159/000531211.
Professor Giuseppe Tonini reports on advisory board for Molteni, MSD, Novartis, Roche, and Pharmamar, outside the submitted work. The authors report no other conflicts of interest in this work.
1. Lareau SC, Fahy B, Meek P, Wang A. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2019;199:1P2.
2. Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease Global strategy for the diagnosis, management, and prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease; 2020.
3. Pezzuto A, Spoto C, Vincenzi B, Tonini G. Short-term effectiveness of smoking-cessation treatment on respiratory function and CEA level. J Comp Eff Res. 2013;2:335343.
4. Song Q, Zhao YY, Zeng YQ, et al. The characteristics of airflow limitation and future exacerbations in different GOLD groups of COPD patients. Int J Chronic Obstr Pulm Dis. 2021;16:14011412.
5. Suissa S, DellAniello S, Ernst P. Long-term natural history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: severe exacerbations and mortality. Thorax. 2012;6:957963.
6. Seemungal TA, Hurst JR, Wedzicha JA. Exacerbation rate, health status and mortality in COPD--a review of potential interventions. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2009;4:203223. doi:10.2147/copd.s3385
7. Jones PW, Tabberer M, Chen WH. Creating scenarios of the impact of COPD and their relationship to COPD Assessment Test (CAT) scores. BMC Pulm Med. 2011;11:42. doi:10.1186/1471-2466-11-42
8. Hayata A, Minakata Y, Matsunaga K, Nakanishi M, Yamamoto N. Differences in physical activity according to mMRC grade in patients with COPD. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2016;11:22032208.
9. ATS Committee on Proficiency Standards for Clinical Pulmonary Function Laboratories. ATS statement: guidelines for the six-minute walk test. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2002;166:111117.
10. Deveci S, Deveci F, Aik Y, Ozan A. The measurement of exhaled carbon monoxide in healthy smokers and non smokers. Respir Med. 2004;98:551556.
11. Laszlo G. Standardization of lung function testing: helpful guidance from the ATS/ERS Task Force. Thorax. 2006;61:744746.
12. Kershbaum A, Bellet S, Dickstein ER, Feinbergl J. Effect of cigarette smoking and nicotine on serum free fatty acids based on a study in the human subject and the experimental animal. Circ Res. 1961;9:631638. doi:10.1161/01.res.9.3.631.
13. Forey BA, Fry JS, Lee PN, Thornton AJ, Coombs KJ. The effect of quitting smoking on HDL-cholesterol - a review based on within-subject changes. Biomark Res. 2013;1(1):26. doi:10.1186/2050-7771-1-26.
14. Mirza S, Clay RD, Koslow MA. Scanlon PD2 COPD Guidelines: a Review of the 2018 GOLD Report. Mayo Clin Proc. 2018;93:14881502.
15. Rennard SI, Vestbo J. Natural histories of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Proc Am Thorac Soc. 2008;5:878883. doi:10.1513/pats.200804-035QC
16. Pezzuto A, Lionetto L, Ricci A, Simmaco M, Borro M. Inter-individual variation in CYP2A6 activity and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in smokers: perspectives for an early predictive marker. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis. 2021;1867(1):165990.
17. Maci E, Comito F, Frezza AM, Tonini G, Pezzuto A. Lung nodule and functional changes in smokers after smoking cessation short-term treatment. Cancer Investig. 2014;32:388393.
18. Pezzuto A, Stellato M, Catania G, et al. Short term benefit of smoking cessation along with glycopyrronium on lung function and respiratory symptoms in mild COPD patients: a retrospective study. J Breath Res. 2018;12:046007.
19. Polosa R. Cessation of smoking in COPD: a reality check. Intern Emerg Med. 2021;16:20292030. doi:10.1007/s11739-021-02740-w
20. Wohnhaas CT, Gindele JA, Kiechle T, et al. Cigarette smoke specifically affects small airway epithelial cell populations and triggers the expansion of inflammatory and squamous differentiation associated basal cells. Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(14):7646. doi:10.3390/ijms22147646.
21. Churg A, Tai H, Coulthard T, Wang R, Wright JL. Cigarette smoke drives small airway remodeling by induction of growth factors in the airway wall. Am J Respir Crit Care Med Churg. 2006;174(12):13271334. doi:10.1164/rccm.200605-585OC.
22. Tashkin DP. Smoking cessation in COPD: confronting the challenge. Intern Emerg Med. 2021;16:545547.
23. Tonstad S, Tnnesen P, Hajek P, Williams KE, Billing CB, Reeves KR, for the Varenicline Phase 3 Study Group. Effect of maintenance therapy with varenicline on smoking cessation: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2006;296:6471.
24. Ghosh B, Gaike AH, Pyasi K, et al. Bacterial load and defective monocyte-derived macrophage bacterial phagocytosis in biomass smoke-related COPD. Eur Respir J. 2019;53(2):1702273. doi:10.1183/13993003.02273-2017.
25. Vicol C, Buculei I, Melinte OE, et al. The lipid profile and biochemical parameters of COPD patients in relation to smoking status. Biomedicines. 2022;10(11):2936. doi:10.3390/biomedicines10112936.
26. Freyberg J, Landt EM, Afzal S, Nordestgaard BG, Dahl M. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and risk of COPD: Copenhagen general population study. ERJ Open Res. 2023;9(2):004962022.
27. He BM, Zhao SP, Peng ZY. Effects of cigarette smoking on HDL quantity and function: implications for atherosclerosis. J Cell Biochem. 2013;114(11):24312436.
28. Zhang C, Zhu Z.Associations among vitamin D, tobacco smoke, and hypertension: a cross-sectional study of the NHANES 2001-2016 by Wu et al. Hypertens Res. 2023;46(6):1615.
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Short-term benefits of smoking cessation | COPD - Dove Medical Press
Key protein in blood vessel’s growth identified – Science Daily
Blood vessels are responsible of the appropriate and efficient delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the whole body. To do so, they must grow and branch to reach every cell in a process called angiogenesis. The precise regulation of the sprouting and pruning of blood vessels is complex and partly unknown, but endothelial cells, those lining the inner part of the vessels, are known to play an important role.
The growth and proliferation of endothelial cells is promoted by a protein known as mTORC1. Controlling its activity is important to organise a coherent branching of blood vessels and alterations in this process may lead to vascular malformations.
New research from the Mariona Graupera's lab (Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute), published yesterday at the top journal Science Signaling, has just found that PI3K-C2b, a family member of the PI3K kinases, is responsible of the mTORC1 fine tuning through its inhibition. In a series of experiments using mice models and human cells, researchers found that animals with an inactive form of PI3K-C2a displayed aberrantly enlarged blood vessels. Similarly, when PI3K-C2b was transiently inactivated, endothelial cells appeared larger than usual. Both effects correlated with an increased expression of mTORC1 and were restored upon its external repression.
The findings are important since mutations in components of the PI3K family of proteins are frequent in patients with congenital vascular disorders. Understanding the link between one and the other may be useful to find new therapeutic targets in the future.
The present work was a collaborative initiative including researchers from the Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, the CNIO, the Universittsmedizin Berlin, the Max Delbrck Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association and the University College London. Funders of the project were the Spanish Ministry for Science and Innovation, the PTEN Foundation, "La Caixa" Foundation, the Spanish Association Against Cancer and the BBVA Foundation.
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Key protein in blood vessel's growth identified - Science Daily