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We found reduced complement protein C4a levels in immunodeficient ME/CFS patients suggesting a subgroup-specific innate immune dysregulation. ME/CFS patients without immunodeficiencies exhibit a mucosal barrier leakage, as indicated by elevated levels of Lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP). Stratifying ME/CFS patients based on immune competence enabled the distinction of two subgroups with different pathophysiological patterns.

#myalgic encephalomyelitis #chronic fatigue syndrome #immunodeficient #COVID

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Analysis of the woman’s skeletal remains revealed erosive lesions indicative of RA, affecting various joints in her body, including her hands, feet, shoulders, elbows, wrists, and ankles. This diagnosis, confirmed by experts like Mindy Pitre, an associate professor of anthropology at St. Lawrence University, provides valuable information about the impact of autoimmune diseases on individuals’ lives in ancient times.

#ancient autoimmune diseases #rheumatoid arthritis #Aswan #Egypt

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Australian researchers have worked out how to fix a defect that causes lupus, and hope their world-first discovery will offer effective long-term treatment.

Using human cells, the new treatment restores the protective side of the immune system that prevents autoimmunity, which is when the immune system attacks its own cells. The findings relate to the autoimmune disease lupus, a debilitating disease with no cure and limited treatments.

But researchers hope this new method, developed in test tubes and proven in pre-clinical models, can also be developed for other autoimmune diseases such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis.

#Lupus #treatment #autoimmune diseases #rheumatoid arthritis #multiple sclerosis #diabetes #research

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Testing for mutations in the UNC93B1 gene could enable early diagnosis and a new treatment target for this lifelong condition where the immune system attacks healthy tissue, causing chronic inflammation that potentially damages almost any of the body's organs.

#Lupus #testing #single gene #early diagnosis

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After decades of frustration and failed attempts, scientists might finally be on the cusp of developing therapies to restore immune ‘tolerance’ in conditions such as diabetes, lupus and multiple sclerosis.

Researchers have been trying for more than 50 years to tame the cells that are responsible for autoimmune disorders such as type 1 diabetes, lupus and multiple sclerosis. Most of the approved therapies for these conditions work by suppressing the entire immune response. This often alleviates symptoms but leaves people at elevated risk of infections and cancers.

But for decades, immunologists have hoped to restore what’s known as tolerance — the immune system’s ability to ignore antigens that belong in the body while appropriately attacking those that don’t. In some cases, that means administering the very antigens that the rogue cells are trained to attack, a strategy that can deprogram the cells and dampen the autoimmune response. Other researchers are trying to selectively wipe out the problematic cells, or to introduce suppressive immune cells that have been engineered to target them. One approach that relies on engineered immune cells was used to treat 15 people with lupus or other immune disorders with surprising success.

One participant has been symptom-free for more than two and a half years.

#autoimmune disease cure #Lupus #multiple sclerosis #diabetes #research #hope

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New biomarkers with improved diagnostic performance for early detection of lupus nephritis have been discovered in the University of Houston lab of Chandra Mohan, a pioneer in lupus research. Early identification of renal involvement in lupus and prompt treatment are essential in reducing the pain, suffering and eventual mortality it causes. 

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), commonly called lupus, is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the body attacks its own tissues and organs. Inflammation from the disease can impact many different parts of the body including joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain and heart. Lupus nephritis is one of the most frequent and severe clinical manifestations of SLE, and the leading cause of death.

We and others have reported several urine proteins that can serve as harbingers of renal involvement in lupus. Here, we report on a novel technique based on the use of antibodies and DNA amplification that can detect even low concentrations of proteins. This technique is called Proximity Extension Assay (PEA)

Examining the renal expression of these molecules suggests that both immune cells and non-immune cells in the kidneys may be releasing these biomarker proteins into the urine.   

#Lupus #kidney diseases #nephritis #biomarkers #urine #kidneys

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Bladder cancer has one of the highest incidence rates in the world and ranks as the fourth most common tumour in men. Despite its relatively low mortality rate, nearly half of bladder tumours resurface within 5 years, requiring ongoing patient monitoring. Frequent hospital visits and the need for repeat treatments contribute to making this type of cancer one of the most expensive to cure.

These tiny nanomachines consist of a porous sphere made of silica. Their surfaces carry various components with specific functions. Among them is the enzyme urease, a protein that reacts with urea found in urine, enabling the nanoparticle to propel itself. Another crucial component is radioactive iodine, a radioisotope commonly used for the localized treatment of tumours.

#bladder cancer #research #nano robots

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Researchers reveal full structure of ‘ancient genetic parasite’

In the study, an international multidisciplinary team reported the first high-resolution images and structural details of a genetic element known as LINE-1 , which inserts itself into the human genome and is implicated in diseases such as cancer, autoimmune disorders and neurodegeneration, and even aging. The work provides a target for potential new treatments moving forward.

LINE-1 is described as an “ancient genetic parasite” with about 100 potentially active copies in each person. LINE-1 activity is often correlated with disease. Unlike DNA, which makes RNA and then proteins, retrotransposons like LINE-1 work backwards, making DNA from RNA and then inserting it into the genome. 

#genetic parasite #cancer #autoimmune diseases #neurodegeneration

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How gum disease aggravates chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Highlights:

Previous studies have connected severe gum disease to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD.

Bacteria play a critical role, but the details remain unclear.

A new study shows how periodontitis, an oral disease, activates immune cells associated with aggravated progression of COPD.

The findings suggest that periodontitis and COPD together worsen COPD, and point to gum disease management as a potential treatment for COPD.

#COPD #gum disease #periodontitis #bacteria

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Highlights

•The cardiovascular toxicity of MNPs and plausible mechanisms are explored.

•MNPs can penetrate intestinal or pulmonary barriers and accumulate in the heart.

•Main cardiac effects are abnormal HR, pericardial edema, and myocardial fibrosis.

•Main vascular effects include hemolysis, thrombosis, and blood coagulation.

•MNPs alter the cardiovascular toxicity of other environmental contaminants.

This review unveils that MNPs can disseminate and aggregate in the circulatory system, threatening cardiac function and causing toxicity on (micro)vascular sites. Not only can MNPs generate cardiovascular toxicity, but they also change the toxicological outcomes of other environmental pollutants. The main mechanisms of MNP-driven cardiovascular toxicity are oxidative stress, inflammation, pyroptosis, and the interaction between MNPs and cellular components. 

#Micro- and nanoplastics #circulation #cardiovascular disease #oxidative stress #inflammation

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So far, it has been observed that there exists a definite correlation between exposure to micro- and nanoplastic particles and the onset of several cancers.

Undoubtedly, plastic’s carcinogenic/mutagenic impact on cells has already been broadly reported, fueling researchers’ concerns, and thus the willingness to further research this matter.

Except being potentially harmful themselves, microplastics might also be contaminated with other substances, including harmful organic chemicals or trace metals, whose exposure to living organisms might be toxic.

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Nanoplastics are so tiny that, unlike microplastics, they can pass through intestines and lungs directly into the bloodstream and travel from there to organs including the heart and brain. They can invade individual cells, and cross through the placenta to the bodies of unborn babies.

#nanoplastics #bloodstream #cells #organs

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People with ME/CFS experience severe pain and fatigue associated with post-exertional malaise (PEM). This is when the body is not able to recover after using even small amounts of energy. This fatigue feels very different from ordinary tiredness. It might take a day or 2 to kick in after physical, mental, or emotional exertion.

#post - exertional malaise #chronic fatigue #myalgic encephalomyelitis

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Cytokines are a broad class of small, secreted proteins that act locally or systemically by binding to cognate receptors on target cells, which in turn trigger downstream signalling and orchestrate activities among cell types of the immune system.

Cytokine-based therapies and cytokine antagonists are used to treat a wide range of disorders, including cancer and autoimmunity.

However, the large number of immune cell types and cytokines and complex cellular responses have made it challenging to elucidate in vivo immune responses to cytokines. 

#cytokines #Immune responses #Dictionary #cancer #autoimmune diseases

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Rishi Sunak thought the government should just “let people die” during the coronavirus pandemic, the Covid inquiry has been told.

In one of the most explosive claims heard at the inquiry so far, the now prime minister, who was chancellor at the time, allegedly believed it was time to “just let people die and that’s okay” in the autumn of 2020.

#COVID enquiry #UK Government

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The BMA and the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) have asked the government to designate long term conditions caused by covid-19 as occupational diseases. This would mean that staff with these conditions could receive financial assistance in recognition that they had, most probably, caught the initial infection at work.

In November last year the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council (IIAC) published a paper recommending that five specific conditions be added to a list of prescribed diseases for which industrial injuries disability benefit is payable.

The five conditions include persisting pneumonitis or lung fibrosis after acute covid-19 pneumonitis and persisting pulmonary hypertension caused by a pulmonary embolism developing between three days before and 90 days after a diagnosis of covid-19. Ischaemic stroke and myocardial infarction developing within 28 days of a covid-19 diagnosis are also among the five conditions, as are symptoms of post intensive care syndrome after ventilatory support treatment for covid-19.

#long COVID #lung diseases #occupational disease #UK #compensation denied #health workers

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Improperly disposed plastics have been shown to break into very small pieces and accumulate in water and food supplies, and were found in the blood of most adults in a recent study.

“Our study suggests that the emergence of micro and nanoplastics in the environment might represent a new toxin challenge with respect to Parkinson’s disease risk and progression .

#nanoplastics #Parkinson's Disease #microplastics #blood #environmental hazard