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Steam flowing from an icy moon

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Steam flowing from an icy moon

Study: Rates of depression are higher than currently known

The results of a recent study using a tool to assess gene expression involved in a patient’s immune response show that the number of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) is higher than currently known, and that their disease is often underdiagnosed by their diagnosis. Overactive immune systems.

Efforts by the team at King’s College London’s Institute of Psychiatry, Psychiatry and Neurology (IoPPN) are paving the way to better identify these patients, identify the molecular mechanisms underlying this association, and provide a more precise approach to treatment and management. This disorder.

The research, published in the journal Translational Psychiatry, builds on earlier findings indicating an active immune response in many people with major depressive disorder.

However, most previous research has focused on levels of inflammation-related proteins such as C-reactive protein (CRP), suggesting that 21 percent to 27 percent of people with depression have an active immune system, but CRP levels do not. Full picture of that answer..

“This evidence contributes to our knowledge of depression associated with an active immune system,” Luca Sforzeni, the study’s first researcher, said in a statement to the institute’s website on Wednesday. Certain medications are compatible with their conditions, particularly interventions that target the immune system.

The new study, published on the company’s website (Wednesday), aims to monitor broader immune characteristics not captured by CRP levels. This protein is one of the proteins produced by the liver during inflammation in the body, as the liver begins to overproduce it to eliminate foreign microbes, which is one of the indicators of inflammation measured in the blood. However, this analysis is a general test and does not specifically detect inflammation.

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A previous study on depression obtained biomarkers from 168 participants, 128 of whom had confirmed major depressive disorder, and were divided into three subgroups according to their CRP levels.

The researchers analyzed the expression of 16 genes.

Gene expression is the first step in a normal biological process by which the information contained in our genes influences the formation of our characteristics and behavior.

When MDD patients were compared with those without elevated CRP levels, there were no differences in the expression of 16 genes, indicating that this pattern of gene expression was independent of CRP levels, possibly behind another different mechanism.

The researchers performed another analysis on all participants (both undiagnosed and depressed) whose CRP values ​​were below 1, meaning they were not considered to have any inflammation.

The researchers found that participants with depression and low levels of protein C had significantly higher expression of immune genes compared to those not yet diagnosed with depression.

“Previous research focused on levels of C-reactive protein in severely depressed people, a known marker of inflammation but also part of the immune response,” said Professor Carmine Barriente, professor of biological psychology at the Institute and lead author of the study. .

He explained: “Our study succeeded in broadening this focus and showed that even in those who did not catch inflammation by measuring the CRP test, there is immunity in the genes of patients with the disease independent of CRP levels. This means that the process of increased immunity and immune activation is more common in depressed patients than thought. has

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He added, “These important findings will allow us to identify the molecular pathways involved in depression and identify people with different types of immune responses, which will pave the way for more targeted treatment approaches.”

“These findings will help current and future research improve the characterization of depressed individuals based on their immunological profiles, and provide more effective clinical strategies for the large population that does not benefit from current antidepressants,” Sforgeni added.

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Scientists are tracking a tree in Brazil that was thought to have died out 185 years ago

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Scientists are tracking a tree in Brazil that was thought to have died out 185 years ago

I retired at 100… A centenarian talks about the importance of “being busy at work” to live a long life.

Madeleine Balto recently retired at the age of 100, having worked for more than 80 years – from the age of 18 to 99. According to a CNBC report, Balto believes work has contributed to his longevity.

Balto says of his previous job: “It kept me busy, and I enjoyed the work… As for retirement, I don’t really like it.”

The Balto family started an electric sign manufacturing business in Chicago, with Madeline responsible for office work. She often interacted with customers and it was her favorite job.

She said: “I loved interacting with people… and I was the only one in the office doing all the office work, so it was fun.” “I loved going to work.”

An 85-year-old Harvard University study found that positive relationships make people happier and help them live longer. For this reason, it is not surprising that Balto places a strong emphasis on the importance of family and friends.

Assistant Professor of Medicine and Genetics and Director of Human Lifespan Studies at the Albert Einstein Institute for Aging Research, Dr. Sophia Melman says. College of Medicine.

At 100, Balto maintains his sense of community by going out to dinner with his sons and attending family events. Finally attended a wedding earlier this month.

She also likes going to the Dunkin’ Donuts branch every Sunday with her son to meet friends. “I look forward to it every week,” he says.

Balto affirms that she is lucky; Because she has some friends of the same age who often come to her house for lunch.

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She added: “They always invite me over and come over for lunch on Wednesdays at 12pm… we have fun together… without your friends, where are you, right?”

While maintaining healthy relationships is an important factor in living longer, there are other factors that contributed to Balto’s longevity.

First, Mellman says, “In general, women’s life expectancy is longer than men’s…and we believe that genetics also has a significant relationship with longevity.”

In fact, Balto’s older sister lived to be 103 years old. “But she and I are the only ones who lived over 100 years,” she says, referring to her parents, who died at 84, and her sisters, who didn’t live very long.

I grew up on a vegetarian diet

Aiming to stay active, Balto says, “I’m still getting around better. I can walk up the stairs. I have energy; “so I’m in pretty good shape.”

She also tries to eat as healthy as possible, something that started in her childhood, she explains: “When I was a child, there were seven children in the family, and my father was building a big garden, so we lived mostly. On vegetables. “There wasn’t a lot of meat, we couldn’t afford meat.”

“I think that’s probably why I eat healthier,” she adds. Don’t eat fast food now.

Millman says centenarians are generally more confident, and Balto fits that description. He says it’s unclear whether centenarians are always positive, or whether they develop their positive outlook as they age.

Balto says she doesn’t feel too nervous; Because “everything can be solved.” She continues: “I’m very lucky; As I am 100 years old, I am in good health… I cannot complain about my health. “I’m walking, talking, no pain.”

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Jordanian woman with cancer during pregnancy gives birth in Abu Dhabi

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Jordanian woman with cancer during pregnancy gives birth in Abu Dhabi

Despite being diagnosed with colon cancer in the sixth month of pregnancy, a 36-year-old Jordanian woman overcame the difficulties and pains and gave birth to a healthy baby at Abu Dhabi – Burjeel Hospital. Rania Fuad Al-Sheikh suffered from severe abdominal pain throughout her pregnancy and as the weeks went by, her condition worsened and she became bedridden. Rania said: “When I found out I was going to be a mother for the second time, I felt it. Was very happy, but as my pregnancy progressed, I started suffering from severe pain and heaviness. “In my stomach and liver, in the sixth month of pregnancy, I was tired and had no appetite for food. I was transferred to the emergency room at Barjeel Hospital” Rania added: “I thanked God Almighty because we finally knew the cause of the pain and I was not sad because everything that comes from God is good. I wanted my baby to be healthy.”

Dr Muhannat Diab, an oncologist at Burjeel Hospital in Abu Dhabi, said: When Rania first arrived in April, she was unable to move or speak because biopsies revealed an aggressive form of colon cancer called mucinous adenocarcinoma. While the patient was in critical condition, further tests showed that the child’s condition was unstable, and realizing the seriousness of the situation, the hospital’s multidisciplinary team came up with a comprehensive chemotherapy plan. When the patient was 26 weeks pregnant, after three days of chemotherapy, the patient was able to move and was discharged from the hospital a week after the first chemotherapy session. She continued to have weekly medical appointments during which the team monitored her. Until the baby is born. In the 35th week of her pregnancy, Rania completed five rounds of chemotherapy, underwent a caesarean section, and delivered her little boy weighing 2.32 kilograms.

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The social consequences of the Al Hauz earthquake go beyond the economic damage

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The social consequences of the Al Hauz earthquake go beyond the economic damage

We read some newspaper articles on Friday and the weekend, starting with “Al-Ilm”, which confirms that the earthquake that hit the Kingdom on September 8 may have social consequences, Ali Al-Shabani, a professor of sociology research. Going beyond economic and material damage, family structures are damaged when a family member dies, especially a parent, whose loss affects children and the family, contributing to the disintegration of the social fabric.

With the same media platform, the Regional Directorate of Equipment, Transport, Logistics and Water in Chichawa has taken several measures that made it possible to record the smooth flow of traffic on the classified and unclassified roads connecting the regional communities. Many areas were damaged by the Al Hauz earthquake.

According to the same newspaper, Tawfiq Al-Qurashi, head of the basic equipment department of the Regional Directorate of Equipment and Water in Chichaoua, noted that the ministry has provided about 23 vehicles, including six from the private sector, in the region. Opened 14 classified and unclassified roads and recorded smooth passage of relief convoys.Rescue teams to affected areas.

“Al-Alm” and several Moroccan economists reported that the cost of reconstruction did not exceed 5 percent of GDP. The Al Houze earthquake, although it was a humanitarian disaster, left scars in the region. And throughout Morocco, it may be an economic opportunity to start a new phase in dealing with the situation. With the rural world, it has been outside the orbits of development for decades.

The same newspaper wrote that Moroccan and foreign engineers and experts call for the preservation of historical and cultural elements in the reconstruction. Aziz Al Hilali, Chairman of the Association of Independent Engineers, said that the most difficult thing in this situation is the successful reconstruction and return to normal life. In the same context, the architects cautioned about the locations of some tents that serve as temporary shelters for residents and that they should not be installed in areas exposed to waterways or landslides.

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Also, to “Bayan al-Youm” published that the primary court in Marrakesh decided to postpone the consideration of the file in which the head of the Harbil Tamansoort group and an employee of the same group were arrested for fraud, participation in it, and forging a document issued by the public administration and using it for bribery until September 25. buying Preparation of defense and review of file documents is ongoing.

The court ruled to deny the defendants provisional release, after the session was concluded, after their side submitted a motion on the matter.

The same newspaper reported that the regional governor of cultural heritage of Beni Mellal-Kenifra region, Mohamed Choukry, said that the historical monuments in Ajilal province were not seriously damaged by the earthquake in Morocco on September 8. Shukri pointed out that the Al Hauz earthquake affected ancient local buildings, stressing that these buildings are known for their architectural characteristics that reflect the identity and history of the Middle High Atlas.

As for the “Socialist Union”, the National Union of Mothers and Fathers of Moroccan Students in Ukraine has written to the government and requested intervention to help the students. The association hopes to intervene through the Moroccan embassy in Ukraine to overcome difficulties and provide the students with the necessary support in their daily affairs, expressing confidence in the good understanding of the relevant ministers and their interest in its issues. sons and daughters.

In the material of the same newspaper, the news of the postponement of the 13th session of the Rachidia Film Festival, the session of director Hisham Al-Azri, which was scheduled to be organized from October 17 to 21, 2023. , as an expression of sympathy and solidarity with the victims and their families.

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