WHO Director – a ‘silver (magic) bullet’ for COVID-19 is most likely elusive
Reuters, BBC and other major media reported that the World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Monday that, despite strong hopes for a vaccine, there might never be a ‘silver bullet’ for COVID-19. In addition, the WHO stated that the road to normality would be long with some countries requiring a reset of their current strategies. […]
Evidence that Microglia in Fibromyalgia is Hypersensitive and Overproducing TNF-α
Blogs The first study suggesting abnormal activation of microglia in fibromyalgia, published in Scientific Reports, indicates that microglia in patients with fibromyalgia are probably hypersensitive and overproducing tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in response to the neurotransmitter ATP. Both dysautonomia and cytokine abnormalities have been implicated in the pathogenesis of fibromyalgia. fMRI studies in humans suggests […]
Cognitive Decline and Alzheimer’s Linked to Low Systemic REST Levels and Deficient Stress Protection of the Aging Brain
A study published in Translational Psychiatry indicates that low systemic (plasma) levels of the repressor element 1-silencing transcription (REST) factor represent a candidate biomarker of cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The study also suggests that low systemic REST levels may be associated with a poor brain stress protection during aging. Recent research suggests that […]
The Chemokines CX3CL1 and IL-8 May Be Implicated in the Pathogenesis of Fibromyalgia
A new study published in the Journal of Pain Research reports the presence of high levels of the chemokines CX3CL1 (also known as fractalkine) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) in fibromyalgia (FM) patients. Fibromyalgia is the “current term for chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain for which no alternative cause can be identified”. Typical symptoms includes chronic widespread pain, […]
IL-35 Contributing to Immune Tolerance in Normal Pregnancy
A study published in PLoS One indicates that normal pregnancy is associated with increased levels of interleukin (IL)-35, whereas recurrent spontaneous abortions are linked to low levels of this cytokine, suggesting the involvement of IL-35 in the maintenance of immune tolerance during pregnancy. IL-35, identified in 2007 is a major immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory cytokine along […]
Rhinovirus Infections via ATP Release May Trigger IL-33 Production by Bronchial Smooth Muscle Cells: Implications for Asthma
A recent Journal of Translational Medicine study indicates that interleukin (IL)-33 is produced by bronchial smooth muscle cells (BSMCs) upon rhinovirus (RV) infection and activation of TLR3, and that this response is associated and/or mediated by ATP released by viral-stimulated BSMCs. IL-33 is a cytokine constitutively expressed in epithelial barrier tissues, and was originally described […]
The Therapeutic Potential of Secukinumab in Rheumatic Diseases
A review by Marije Koenders in Drug Design, Development and Therapy outlines some major features and characteristics of the new biological Secukinumab, which blocks the actions of interleukin 17A (IL-17), and explores its development, therapeutic potential and use in several rheumatic diseases. IL-17 provides protection against extracellular bacterial and fungal infections. However, IL-17 and Th17 […]
Job Burnout Reaching an Unprecedented Level and Half of US Physicians Experiencing Professional Burnout
According to a recent Fast Company article, job burnout, in general, is reaching an unprecedented level, and as per a January 2017 Mayo Clinic Proceedings report “50% of US physicians are experiencing professional burnout”. Burnout syndrome is mostly a work-related condition and the subject’s response to chronic work-related stress. According to the classical definition, this […]
New Evidence Linking IL-17 to Neuropathic Pain
A study published in Molecular Medicine Reports provides further evidence that interleukin (IL)-17 contributes to neuropathic pain through the activation of astrocytes and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines. Neuropathic pain or chronic pain is a disease syndrome caused by injury to peripheral nerves, the spinal cord or the brain and over 1.5 billion people suffer from […]
Aducanumab Shows Promise and Impressive Effects in Reducing Alzheimer’s Amyloid-β Plaques
A study recently published in the journal Nature indicates that aducanumab shows promise, in both preclinical and clinical settings, in prevention and reduction of amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques in patients with Alzheimer’s. Aducanumab is a recombinant human monoclonal antibody targeting Aβ aggregates that are believed to play a critical role in the neurodegenerative Alzheimer’s process. Previous […]
