Author: ModernMedia

Categories : Ageing Metabolic DisordersTags :

Small Reductions in Cholesterol Could Slash Risk of Dementia for Those with Certain Genetics

On By ModernMedia
Photo by Kampus Production: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-man-in-blue-sweater-sitting-beside-man-in-white-long-sleeves-7551646/

Low cholesterol can reduce the risk of dementia, a new University of Bristol-led study with more than a million participants has shown.

The research, led by Dr Liv Tybjærg Nordestgaard while at the University of Bristol and the Department of Clinical Biochemistry at Copenhagen University Hospital – Herlev and Gentofte, found that people with certain genetic variants that naturally lower cholesterol have a lower risk of developing dementia.

The study, which is based on data from over a million people in Denmark, England, and Finland, has been published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association. 

Some people are born with genetic variants that naturally affect the same proteins targeted by cholesterol-lowering drugs, such as statins and ezetimibe. To test the effect of cholesterol-lowering medication on the risk of dementia, the researchers used a method called Mendelian Randomisation – this genetic analysis technique allowed them to mimic the effects of these drugs to investigate how they influence the risk of dementia, while minimising the influence of confounding factors like weight, diet, and other lifestyle habits.

By comparing these individuals to individuals without these genetic variants, the researchers were able to measure differences in the risk of dementia. They found reducing the amount of cholesterol in the blood by a small amount (one millimole per litre) to be associated with up to 80% reduction in risk of developing dementia for certain drug targets.

“What our study indicates is that if you have these variants that lower your cholesterol, it looks like you have a significantly lower risk of developing dementia,” said Dr Nordestgaard, who now works in the Department of Clinical Biochemistry at Copenhagen University Hospital – Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg hospital.

The results suggest that having low cholesterol, whether due to genes or medical treatment, can help reduce the risk of dementia. However, the study does not say anything definitive about the effect of the medicine itself.  

One of the challenges is that dementia typically does not appear until late in life, and therefore research in the area typically requires a very long period of follow-up. 

It is still not known exactly why high cholesterol can increase the risk of dementia, but one possible explanation proposed by Dr Nordestgaard is that high cholesterol can lead to atherosclerosis. 

“Atherosclerosis is a result of the accumulation of cholesterol in your blood vessels,” Dr Nordestgaard said.  “It can be in both the body and the brain and increases the risk of forming small blood clots – one of the causes of dementia. 

“It would be a really good next step to carry out randomised clinical trials over 10 or 30 years, for example, where you give the participants cholesterol-lowering medication and then look at the risk of developing dementia,” Dr Nordestgaard added. 

The study used data from the UK Biobank, the Copenhagen General Population Study, the Copenhagen City Heart Study, the FinnGen study, and the Global Lipids Genetics Consortium.

Source: University of Bristol

Categories : CancerTags :

Acidic Tumour Environment Promotes the Survival and Growth of Cancer Cells

On By ModernMedia
Cancer cells reshape their mitochondria (stained yellow) when exposed to acidosis. The composed image shows two cells under neutral pH (left) compared to an acidic environment (right), where mitochondria form elongated networks.

Tumours are not a comfortable place to live: oxygen deficiency, nutrient scarcity, and the accumulation of sometimes harmful metabolic products constantly stress cancer cells. A research team from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and the Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP) in Vienna has now discovered that the acidic pH value in tumour tissue – known as acidosis – is a decisive factor in how pancreatic cancer cells adapt their energy metabolism to survive these adverse conditions. The results were published in the journal Science.

Poor blood circulation and increased metabolic activity often create hostile conditions in tumours: typical symptoms include a lack of oxygen, glucose, and other nutrients, the accumulation of sometimes harmful metabolites, and acidification of the tumour environment, known as acidosis.

The team led by Wilhelm Palm from the DKFZ and Johannes Zuber from the IMP investigated how cancer cells adapt to these harsh conditions. First, the researchers systematically switched off each gene individually in pancreatic cancer cells using the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing tool and then tracked how its loss affected the survival and growth of the cells under defined stress conditions. These experiments were initially conducted in culture dishes. The genes identified using this approach were then specifically switched off in mice with pancreatic cancer, and the effects were compared with the results from the cell culture.

The comparative analysis of hundreds of such genes relevant to cancer cell growth under stress conditions surprisingly showed that the metabolism of cancer cells in the mouse model was strongly influenced by adaptations of their energy balance to tumour acidosis. The metabolism of cancer cells within a tumour differs significantly from that in conventional cell culture and can best be replicated by an acidic environment.

“It is not just the lack of oxygen or nutrients that changes the metabolism in the tumour – it is primarily the acidification of the tumour environment,” explains Wilhelm Palm. Acidosis helps cancer cells switch from sugar-based energy production (glycolysis) to more efficient energy production through respiration in the mitochondria. These cell structures, known as organelles, are also referred to as the “powerhouses of the cell.”

The researchers were able to show that the acidic pH value triggers profound changes in the mitochondria. Normally, they are present in cancer cells as small, fragmented structures. Under acidic conditions, however, they merge into extensive networks that are significantly more efficient.

This is possible because acidosis inhibits the activity of the signalling protein ERK. Overactivation of this signalling pathway normally causes mitochondria in cancer cells to repeatedly divide into many small fragments. If this fragmentation does not occur as a result of tumour acidosis, mitochondria can use various nutrients more efficiently for energy production. If genetic intervention prevents the mitochondria from fusing, cancer cells lose their metabolic flexibility and grow much more slowly in the acidic environment of a tumour.

“Our results show that acidosis is not simply a by-product of tumour metabolism, but an important switch that controls the energy supply and survival strategies of cancer cells,” explains co-study leader Johannes Zuber. In the long term, these findings could open up new avenues for therapies that specifically target the energy metabolism of tumours.

Source: German Cancer Research Center

Categories : General Interest PaediatricsTags :

A Decade of Hope and Healing: Surgeons for Little Lives Marks 10 Years of Transforming Paediatric Care

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Every day for ten years, Surgeons for Little Lives has stood beside children and families, providing life-saving care and support.

Professor Jerome Loveland, Founder and Chair of Surgeons for Little Lives at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital paediatric surgery department

For the past ten years, Surgeons for Little Lives has stood as a lifeline for thousands of children at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (CHBAH) in Soweto – the largest hospital in the southern hemisphere. In a healthcare system often stretched to its limits, this dedicated non-profit organisation has filled critical gaps with compassion, resilience and an unwavering belief that every child deserves the best possible care.

Since its founding in 2015, Surgeons for Little Lives has walked hand-in-hand with doctors, nurses, patients and families, not only providing vital resources but transforming the hospital experience for young patients. From upgrading surgical wards and equipment, to nurturing the next generation of paediatric specialists and creating welcoming, family-friendly spaces that offer comfort in the darkest moments – its work has made healing more than just a medical process. It’s become a human one.

“Our first ten years have shown what’s possible when people come together with one shared purpose: to save and uplift the lives of children,” says Professor Jerome Loveland, Founder and Chair of Surgeons for Little Lives. “We are deeply proud of what has been accomplished – but we know the need is growing. That’s why we will continue, every single day, to build capacity, inspire future leaders, and give every child a fighting chance at a brighter future.”

Why this work matters

South Africa has one of the highest burdens of paediatric surgical disease in the region. Children make up nearly 40% of the population, yet there are too few specialists and limited facilities to meet the demand. Severe burns, congenital conditions, childhood cancers and trauma are common, and without surgery many children would not survive.

At CHBAH alone, the paediatric surgery department sees more than 11,000 patients each year and performs over 2,300 operations. Surgeons for Little Lives works closely with the Department of Health to turn overstretched wards into spaces where children can recover with dignity.

3,650 days of achievement

Hospitals can be intimidating places for children. Surgeons for Little Lives has transformed the hospital environment with projects like an outdoor play area for recovering patients, family sleep-over facilities, and a fully revamped Ward 32 with a library, playroom, and upgraded bathrooms. Most recently, the organisation launched the Wells Paediatric Burns Unit, which doubled ICU beds, improved infection control, and added rehab spaces. For families, these changes mean children receive life-saving surgery and care in an environment designed with their needs in mind.

Beyond facilities, Surgeons for Little Lives has created programmes that focus on children’s emotional and physical wellbeing. Healing Through Art & Music gives young patients a way to process trauma through creativity and the SCAN programme, launched in 2023, helps to detect and prevent child abuse. In partnership with the South African Breastmilk Reserve, Surgeons for Little Lives also set up lactation support for new mothers. Other practical initiatives – from discharge packs to Mandela Day donations – have provided small comforts that make a big difference in long hospital stays.

Training for the future

Paediatric surgeons are scarce, and training takes years. Over the past decade, Surgeons for Little Lives has supported the journey of 17 qualified surgeons and backed another 15 registrars currently in training, supplying equipment like surgical loupes and funding access to academic opportunities. In 2024, the first Rolls Royce Oncology Fellow, Dr Andinet Beza from Ethiopia, trained at CHBAH before returning home with new skills. “This initiative, along with other training efforts, is helping to build the next generation of paediatric surgeons equipped to deliver world-class care. Training these specialists is a responsibility we take seriously and a privilege we don’t take for granted,” says Prof Loveland.

Community and partnerships

Community engagement has been central to the success of Surgeons for Little Lives. Fundraising events such as Bara Ride and Joberg2C, together with job shadowing opportunities for young people, have brought South Africans closer to the realities of paediatric care. Volunteers and donors provide not just resources but also comfort to families who spend weeks or months at a child’s bedside.

“This impact has only been possible thanks to the support of partners,” says Prof Loveland. “Contributions from corporates, foundations, and philanthropists have funded essential equipment, upgraded facilities, supported family-centred programmes, and helped fill critical gaps in care, ensuring that more children receive the treatment they need.”

10 years in numbers

  • 11,000+ patients seen in the paediatric surgery department each year
  • 2,300+ operations performed annually at CHBAH
  • 3,000+ burns patients treated since 2015
  • Mortality halved in the burns unit after upgrades
  • ICU beds increased from 6 to 11 in 2025
  • 17 paediatric surgeons trained; 15 registrars in training
  • Hundreds of families supported with sleep-over spaces, counselling, lactation services and more

Join us

Surgeons for Little Lives invites supporters, partners and the wider community to join in building the next chapter. By funding new projects, volunteering time or raising awareness, everyone can help ensure that more children get the surgery and support they deserve.

For its 10th anniversary, the organisation is calling on the public to donate R365 – one rand for every day of the year. In hospital that amount can cover burn dressings for a child, a week of meals for a parent at their child’s bedside or supplies for play therapy to make recovery less frightening, among many other things.

Every rand counts. Every day makes a difference.

For more information or to get involved, visit surgeonsforlittlelives.org.

Categories : AntibioticsTags :

Amazing Images Show How Antibiotics Shred Bacterial Armour

On By ModernMedia
Bacteria response to antibiotics

UK researchers have shown for the first time in stunning detail how life-saving antibiotics act against harmful bacteria. The team, led by UCL and Imperial College London, has shown for the first time how a class of antibiotics called polymyxins are able to pierce the armour of E. coli and kill the microbes. 

The findings, published in the journal Nature Microbiology, could lead to new treatments for bacterial infections – especially urgent since drug-resistant infections already kill more than a million people a year.

Polymyxins were discovered more than 80 years ago and are used as a last-resort treatment for infections caused by “Gram negative” bacteria.

These bacteria have an outer surface layer that acts like armour and prevents certain antibiotics from penetrating the cell. Polymyxins are known to target this outer layer, but how they disrupt it and then kill bacteria is still not understood.

Through capturing these incredible images of single cells, we’ve been able to show that this class of antibiotics only work with help from the bacterium, and if the cells go into a hibernation-like state, the drugs no longer work – which is very surprising

Dr Andrew Edwards Department of Infectious Disease

In the new study, the research team revealed in high-resolution images and biochemical experiments how the antibiotic Polymyxin B rapidly caused bumps and bulges to break out on the surface of an E. coli bacterial cell.

These protrusions, which appeared within minutes, were followed by the bacterium rapidly shedding its outer armour.

The antibiotic, the researchers concluded, had triggered the cell to produce and shed its armour.

The more the cell tried to make new amour, the more it lost the amour it was making, at such a rate that it left gaps in its defences, allowing the antibiotic to enter the cell and kill it.

However, the team found that this process – protrusions, fast production and shedding of armour, and cell death – only occurred when the cell was active. In dormant (sleeping) bacteria, armour production is switched off, making the antibiotic ineffective.

Co-senior author Dr Andrew Edwards, from the Department of Infectious Disease at Imperial College London, said: “For decades we’ve assumed that antibiotics that target bacterial armour were able to kill the microbes in any state, whether they’re actively replicating or they were dormant. But this isn’t the case.

“Through capturing these incredible images of single cells, we’ve been able to show that this class of antibiotics only work with help from the bacterium, and if the cells go into a hibernation-like state, the drugs no longer work – which is very surprising.”

Becoming dormant allows bacteria to survive unfavourable conditions such as a lack of food. They can stay dormant for many years and “wake up” when conditions become more favourable. This can allow bacteria to survive against antibiotics, for instance, and reawaken to cause recurrent infections in the body.

Co-senior author Professor Bart Hoogenboom, based at the London Centre for Nanotechnology at UCL, said: “Polymyxins are an important line of defence against Gram-negative bacteria, which cause many deadly drug-resistant infections. It is important we understand how they work.

“Our next challenge is to use these findings to make the antibiotics more effective. One strategy might be to combine polymyxin treatment – counterintuitively – with treatments that promote armour production and/or wake up ‘sleeping’ bacteria so these cells can be eliminated too.

“Our work also shows we need to take into account what state bacteria are in when we are assessing the effectiveness of antibiotics.”

The E. coli cells were imaged at the London Centre for Nanotechnology at UCL. A tiny needle, only a few nanometres wide, was run over the bacterial cell, “feeling” the shape to create an image (a technique called atomic force microscopy) at much higher resolution than would be possible using light.

Co-author Carolina Borrelli, a PhD student at the London Centre for Nanotechnology at UCL, said: “It was incredible seeing the effect of the antibiotic at the bacterial surface in real-time. Our images of the bacteria directly show how much polymyxins can compromise the bacterial armour. It is as if the cell is forced to produce ‘bricks’ for its outer wall at such a rate that this wall becomes disrupted, allowing the antibiotic to infiltrate.”

The team compared how active (growing) and inactive E. coli cells responded to polymyxin B in the lab, finding that the antibiotic efficiently eliminated active cells but did not kill dormant cells.

They also tested the E. coli cells’ response with and without access to sugar (a food source that wakes up dormant cells). When sugar was present, the antibiotic killed previously dormant cells, but only after a delay of 15 minutes – the time needed for the bacteria to consume the sugar and resume production of its outer armour.

In conditions where the antibiotic was effective, the researchers detected more armour being released from the bacteria. They also observed the bulges occurring across the surface of the cell.

In conditions where it was ineffective, the antibiotic bound itself to the outer membrane but caused little damage.

Co-author Dr Ed Douglas, from Imperial, said: “We observed that disruption of the outermost armour of the bacteria only occurred when the bacteria were consuming sugar. Once we knew that, we could quickly figure out what was happening.”

Co-author Professor Boyan Bonev, of the University of Nottingham, said: “Working together has given us unique insights into bacterial physiology and morphology under stress that have remained hidden for decades. Now we understand better the weak points of bacteria.”

Source: Imperial College London

Categories : AntibioticsTags :

Could Slime Mould Microbes Be a Source of Potent Antimicrobials?

On By ModernMedia
Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

The cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum is a soil microbe that produces diverse natural products with potential antibiotic activity. Previously, three chlorinated compounds had been detected in Dictyostelium, but only the most abundant compound (CDF-1) was identified and shown to be almost as effective an antimicrobial as ampicillin.  In research published in FEBS Open Bio, investigators optimised lab culture conditions of Dictyostelium cells to boost the levels of low-abundance chlorinated compounds and to characterise their antimicrobial properties.

The optimized culture conditions took advantage of propionic acid and zinc supplementation to increase the yield of the chlorinated compounds, leading to the identification of CDF-2 and CDF-3 in addition to CDF-1. The molecular structure of CDF-2 and CDF-3 was similar to that of CDF-1, aside from the length of a molecular structure called an acyl side chain. When their antibacterial activity was tested, similarly to CDF-1, CDF-2 and CDF-3 exhibited stronger activity against Gram-positive bacteria than ampicillin but limited activity against Gram-negative bacteria.

Because these compounds are conserved across distantly related Dictyostelium species, CDFs may fulfill a critical role in protecting against harmful bacteria.

“Soil presents both opportunities and dangers for the Dictyostelium amoeba, and we believe this amoeba responds by producing specialised chemicals to attract, repel, or eliminate friends, prey, and predators. We are just starting to discover these chemicals, including this new, potent antibiotic,” said corresponding author Tamao Saito, PhD, of Sophia University, in Japan.

Source: Wiley

Categories : Cancer Lab Tests and ImagingTags :

New One-hour, Low-cost HPV Test Could Transform Cervical Cancer Screening

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Materials used to run the HPV LAMP assay. A cytology brush is used to collect a cervicovaginal swab sample into ThinPrep buffer. Samples are lysed in screw-on tubes and lysate is added to LAMP reagents in PCR tubes. The assay is run on the Axxin T8-ISO heater/fluorimeter.

A team of researchers led by Rice University, in collaboration with colleagues in Mozambique and the US, has developed a simple, affordable human papillomavirus (HPV) test that delivers results in less than an hour with no specialised laboratory required. The breakthrough could provide an option for women in low-resource settings to be screened and treated for cervical cancer in a single clinic visit, a step that global health experts say could save countless lives. The research was recently published in Nature Communications.

Cervical cancer is considered easily preventable, yet it remains one of the deadliest cancers for women worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), each year more than 350 000 women die from the disease, and nearly 90% of those deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries where access to regular cervical cancer screening is limited. Persistent infection with high-risk types of HPV causes nearly all cases of cervical cancer. While vaccines are helping reduce HPV infections globally, most women at risk today are adults who did not get the vaccine in childhood. For them, regular and reliable screening is the only path to early detection and lifesaving treatment.

“Cervical cancer is almost entirely preventable, yet it still claims hundreds of thousands of lives each year,” said first author Maria Barra, a bioengineering graduate student at Rice. “Our goal was to build a test accurate enough to guide treatment, fast enough to use during a clinic visit and inexpensive enough to scale. This assay meets all three goals.”

The WHO recommends HPV DNA testing as the gold standard for cervical cancer screening, but existing HPV DNA tests often require expensive lab equipment and trained laboratory technicians – barriers that make widespread use in low-resource settings unattainable. As a result, many women are not screened for cervical cancer. Even where screening programs exist, results may take days or weeks to return. Patients leave to await results. However, where care facilities are remote, few in number and difficult to access, patients are often unable to return for treatment, leaving precancerous lesions to progress unchecked. A faster test without reliance on a lab could provide results and prompt treatment during the same patient visit.

“This is the kind of pragmatic innovation we focus on when engineering for global health – fewer steps, lower cost, higher impact,” said Rebecca Richards-Kortum, Professor of Bioengineering and co-director of the Rice360 Institute for Global Health Technologies at Rice. “Our data show you can bring lab-grade molecular screening to almost any setting without sacrificing reliability. Providing accurate results quickly enables clinicians to start treatment without delay.”

The new test uses a method called loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), which simplifies DNA detection by running at a single temperature. Instead of requiring DNA extraction – a complicated step in many existing tests – this process is extraction-free. A swab sample is chemically lysed, added directly to the LAMP reagents and incubated for about 45 minutes in a portable heater then read by fluorescence.

The test detects three of the most dangerous HPV types (HPV16, HPV18 and HPV45), which together cause about 75% of all cervical cancers. It also includes a built-in cellular control to ensure that the sample was collected properly.

In clinical studies, the test showed 100% agreement with the reference standard in 38 samples from Houston and 93% agreement in 191 samples from Maputo, Mozambique. The cost of the test is projected to be less than $8 each, and the portable device it runs on is battery-operated, making it ideal for clinics without consistent electricity.

“High mortality rates from cancer are closely associated with delays in diagnoses and limited access to early treatment,” said Cesaltina Lorenzoni, head of the National Cancer Control Program at the Mozambican Ministry of Health, director of science and teaching at Maputo Central Hospital and professor of pathology at the Eduardo Mondlane University Faculty of Medicine. “Point-of-care technologies that can aid clinicians in identifying cancer and guide treatment options in a single patient visit could be lifesaving in clinical settings in Maputo. This assay performed very well in our clinical setting and holds promise of delivering the kind of rapid, specific, cost-effective cancer detection that would meaningfully improve outcomes for women in our country.”

The WHO has set ambitious targets to screen 70% of women worldwide by 2030 as part of its public health campaign to eliminate cervical cancer. Meeting that goal will require screening millions of women in various global settings that lack advanced lab equipment or resources.

By cutting out expensive instruments, minimising sample handling and delivering rapid, accurate results, the LAMP assay represents a significant step toward realistically achieving the WHO goal. Critically, it opens the door to “screen-and-treat” strategies, where if a positive result is found, the patient can be treated on the same medical visit, reducing treatment delays and loss to follow-ups.

The team is currently working to expand the test to cover additional high-risk HPV types and is also working on lyophilised (freeze-dried) reagents that don’t require refrigeration, further increasing the test’s usability in rural or resource-limited areas. The team also plans to conduct usability studies with frontline health workers to refine the design before larger clinical rollouts.

“Our goal is a complete, field-ready kit that community clinics can use anywhere,” Richards-Kortum said. “If we can help health systems move to same-day screen-and-treat, we can move towards a future where cervical cancer can be eliminated globally.”

Source: Rice University

Categories : Cancer Diet and NutritionTags :

Certain Fatty Acids can ‘Supercharge’ T-Cells’ Antitumour Immunity

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A research team at the LKS Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed) discovered that certain dietary fatty acids can supercharge the human immune system’s ability to fight cancer. The team found that a healthy fatty acid found in olive oil and nuts, called oleic acid (OA), enhances the power of immune γδ-T cells, specialised cells known for their cancer-fighting properties.

Conversely, they found that another fatty acid, called palmitic acid (PA), commonly found in palm oil and fatty meats, diminishes the ability of these immune cells to attack tumours. This groundbreaking study, published in the academic journal Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy, offers an innovative approach using dietary OA supplementation to strengthen the antitumour immunity of γδ-T cells.

Dietary fatty acids and cancer immunotherapy

Dietary fatty acids are essential for health, helping with growth and body functions. They may also play a role in cancer prevention and treatment, but understanding how they affect cancer is challenging because of the complexity of people’s diets and the lack of detailed studies. Recently, scientists have learned that fatty acids can influence the immune system, especially in how it fights cancer. Specialised immune cells, called γδ-T cells, are particularly good at attacking tumours. These cells, once activated, have helped some lung and liver cancer patients live longer. However, this therapy is not effective for all patients, partly because the variation of the metabolic status, such as fatty acid metabolism, can influence its efficacy in the patients.

Oleic acid may improve cancer treatment outcomes

The research team identified a correlation between PA and OA levels and the efficacy of cancer therapies. ‘Our research suggests that dietary fatty acid supplementation, particularly with foods rich in OA, such as olive oil and avocados, could enhance γδ-T cell immunosurveillance, leading to more effective cancer treatments,’ said Professor Tu Wenwei from the Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, HKUMed, who led the study.

The team also discovered that another fatty acid, called PA, can weaken these immune cells and how OA can counteract this. ‘The results indicate that cancer patients should avoid PA and consider OA supplementation in their diets to improve clinical outcomes of γδ-T cell-based cancer therapies,’ added Professor Tu.

Significant impact from simple dietary changes

Professor Tu said, ‘This study is the first to show that the fatty acids we eat can directly affect how well our immune cells fight cancer.’ It reveals how PA can harm these cells and how OA helps them through a specific process involving a protein called IFNγ. By analysing blood samples, the researchers confirmed that the levels of these fatty acids are linked to the outcome of cancer immunotherapy.

‘For cancer patients, this discovery suggests simple changes, like eating more foods rich in OA (such as olive oil, avocados and nuts) and cutting back on PA (found in processed foods, palm oil and fatty meats), could improve the effectiveness of cancer treatments. The study also points to novel strategies, like combining dietary changes with specific drugs to further boost the immune system,’ added Professor Tu.

This study demonstrates that personalised nutrition may serve as an effective strategy to enhance immune function and support cancer treatment. It also suggests that new drugs targeting the processes affected by these fatty acids could enhance the power of γδ-T cell therapies. By integrating nutritional interventions with immunotherapy, this discovery could help more cancer patients achieve better outcomes.

Source: University of Hong Kong

Categories : TransplantsTags :

Aplastic Anaemia: A Stem Cell Donor Is the Difference Between a Future and a Fight for Life 

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Both Leathan (L) and Godfrey (R) have aplastic anaemia, which can treated with a stem cell donation. Leathan received stem cells from his twin sister, who is a perfect match. But Godfrey must travels from KwaMhlanga to Pretoria for life-sustaining blood transfusions.

When aplastic anaemia struck two young South Africans, their fates diverged dramatically. While one received a life-saving stem cell transplant, the other continues to fight every day. The rare blood disease affects fewer than six people per million, but for Leathan and Godfrey, the statistics became deeply personal. 

Understanding Aplastic Anaemia: When Hope Meets Science 

Aplastic anaemia is a devastating condition where the bone marrow fails to produce sufficient blood cells, leaving patients vulnerable to infections, bleeding, and severe anaemia. Given this rare disease’s high mortality rates, prompt recognition and immediate action are critical for survival. “The challenge with aplastic anaemia is that early symptoms can be subtle,” explains Dr Gugulethu Jali, a Clinical Haematologist and Haematopathologist at the Department of Health Kwa-Zulu Natal. “However, advances in treatment, particularly hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), have transformed the prognosis, with survival rates now exceeding 80% when matched donors are found.” 

Leathan’s Journey: From Crisis to Recovery 

Seventeen-year-old Leathan had his whole life mapped out. The passionate soccer player dreamed of becoming a criminal lawyer, balancing his love for the game with serious academic ambitions. But subtle symptoms began to appear, including weight loss and nosebleeds that seemed minor at first. 

When he suddenly collapsed at home, his family rushed him to hospital where doctors discovered his blood levels were critically low. Tests revealed that his bone marrow had completely stopped producing blood cells. Without immediate intervention, he would need blood transfusions and platelets for the rest of his life. 

But Leathan had something that changes everything in aplastic anaemia cases: a perfect genetic match. His twin sister, without hesitation, donated her stem cells , giving her brother the ultimate gift of life. 

Today, Leathan represents the success story that medical advances have made possible. Since the transplant, he has not needed further transfusions, and his blood counts are steadily stabilising. However, he may still need additional stem cell support to fully restore his health.  

Currently, he’s on the path back to his soccer dreams and law school aspirations, a living example of what’s achievable when the right match is found. 

Godfrey’s Battle: The Same Disease, Different Circumstances 

While Leathan’s recovery shows what’s possible, eleven-year-old Godfrey from KwaMhlanga, Mpumalanga, is still living with the daily reality of aplastic anaemia. Like Leathan, Godfrey was once full of energy and loved soccer. 

Then the familiar pattern began to emerge: Godfrey started moving more slowly, struggling with everyday tasks that once came easily. When uncontrollable bleeding began, his family knew something was seriously wrong. After a long diagnostic journey that began in 2019, Godfrey received the same diagnosis Leathan had faced: aplastic anaemia. 

Unlike Leathan, Godfrey doesn’t have a twin sister who’s a perfect match. Instead, every month, he travels from KwaMhlanga to Pretoria for life-sustaining blood transfusions. The physical and emotional toll has been devastating. He was unable to pass Grade 5 last year, not because he lacks ability, but because fighting for your life leaves little energy for schoolwork. 

Your Role in Changing Godfrey’s Story 

For Godfrey to follow the same path as Leathan, he needs his genetic match. That person could be you. 

Compatible donors are often found within similar ethnic backgrounds, making diversity in donor registries crucial for patients like Godfrey. If you’re between 17 and 55 and in good health, registering as a stem cell donor takes minutes and costs nothing. Register today at https://www.dkms-africa.org/save-lives.  

Categories : HospitalsTags :

Hospital Association of South Africa Announces New Board of Directors

On By ModernMedia
Photo by Kindel Media

The Hospital Association of South Africa (HASA) has announced the appointment of a new Board of Directors following its Annual General Meeting held on Monday, 6 October 2025, in Sandton.

Gale Shabangu from Mediclinic Southern Africa has been elected Chairperson, succeeding Melanie Da Costa from Netcare. Mark Bishop from Lenmed will serve as Deputy Chairperson.

Shabangu is widely recognised for her leadership in advancing inclusive, values-driven corporate cultures across South Africa’s private sector.

The newly elected Board represents a broad cross-section of the private hospital industry, from day hospitals, large hospital groups and smaller hospital operators, bringing together strategic insight, operational experience to strengthen HASA’s role in advancing the country’s healthcare priorities.

HASA Chief Executive Officer, Dr Dumisani Bomela, welcomed the new Board and extended appreciation to the outgoing Chairperson and Board members, and said: “I am pleased to share that HASA has elected a new Board of Directors for 2025/2026 to help steer the Association through the next phase of its journey. We also wish to extend our sincere gratitude to Melanie Da Costa, our outgoing Chairperson, for her dedicated leadership over many years, and for her invaluable insights and contributions, in particular on health policy matters, during her tenure.”

This new Board marks a moment of renewal for HASA, with several young professionals taking their place at the Board table, ensuring the Association plays an even more constructive role in advancing South Africa’s healthcare reform agenda. The collective expertise and insight of our members will ensure that the private hospital sector continues to be a strong partner in building an inclusive, resilient and high-performing health system.”

The HASA Board for 2025/2026 is as follows:

  • Amrita Raniga
  • Andre Joseph
  • Bert Von Wielligh
  • Biancha Mentoor
  • Charles Vikisi
  • Gale Shabangu (Chairperson)
  • Hendrica Ngoepe
  • Mark Bishop (Deputy Chairperson)
  • Milton Streak
  • Pranthna Sookoo
  • Vishnu Rampartab

Alternate Directors:

  • Ashley Chengadoo
  • Mary-Ann Nabbie
  • Melanie Stander
Categories : Allergies VaccinesTags :

New mRNA Vaccine Could Prevent Seasonal and Food Allergies

On By ModernMedia
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A new mRNA vaccine stopped allergens from causing dangerous immune reactions and life-threatening inflammation in mice, according to researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and Cincinnati Children’s. The vaccine, outlined in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, may one day be tested and tailored to a variety of seasonal and food allergies.

“This is a potential breakthrough for millions of people worldwide who suffer from life-threatening allergies,” said Nobel laureate Drew Weissman, MD, PhD, Professor in Vaccine Research at Penn and co-lead of the study with Cincinnati Children’s Marc E. Rothenberg, MD, PhD.

Weissman, Penn colleagues Jilian Melamed, PhD, an assistant professor of Infectious Diseases, Mohamad-Gabriel Alameh, PhD, an assistant professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and the Cincinnati Children’s researchers led by Marc E. Rothenberg, MD, PhD, director of the division of Allergy and Immunology, modelled this new vaccine on the design of the COVID-19 mRNA lipid nanoparticle (LNP) vaccines.

This time, however, scientists tweaked the mRNA to instruct cells to produce proteins that resemble certain allergens. By presenting these proteins in a controlled way, the vaccine didn’t cause allergic reactions but did instruct the immune system to respond more appropriately in the future. And, when mice were later exposed to the respective allergens, the vaccines worked.

When mice with specific allergies were exposed to the allergens, none of the mice vaccinated with the respective allergy vaccine had an allergic reaction. Vaccinated mice had fewer allergy-related white blood cells, made fewer inflammation-causing proteins, and their lungs produced less mucus. Their airways were also protected against narrowing, which often happens during asthma, and they made special antibodies that protected against allergic reactions.

A platform with broad potential

Unlike traditional allergy shots, which involve repeated administration of purified allergens over months or years, the mRNA-based approach offers a more flexible solution. Because the mRNA can be tailored to encode proteins from different allergens, the platform could be adapted to treat a wide range of allergic conditions—from seasonal pollen allergies to food sensitivities and asthma. Additionally, many severe food allergies do not have vaccines to protect against severe allergic reactions.

“People with food allergies that can cause anaphylactic shock are rightfully fearful in social situations, eating out in public, sharing food, and engaging in other fun activities where there are food and allergens around,” said Weissman. “Allowing people to partake in foods they were never able to eat would be incredibly rewarding, but I’ll even be happy if we can one day introduce a vaccine that allows parents to breathe just a little easier when sending their kids to class birthday parties.”

The study represents a proof-of-concept that mRNA vaccines can be used not only to prevent infectious diseases but also to adjust immune responses in chronic conditions like allergies and even celiac disease. Researchers say the next steps include testing the vaccine’s safety in humans, determining how many allergens can be included in a single dose, and evaluating how long protection lasts.

“We saw mRNA vaccines save lives during the pandemic, and as the most-tested type of vaccine in history, we know it’s the safest and most effective vaccine ever created,” said Weissman. “We are deeply committed to continuing to uncover the potential of this technology.”

Source: Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania