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A new Chinese study now suggests that the drug may perhaps also help to save lives.

Sildenafil could combat cancer by strengthening a group of key anti-tumour immune cells, according to the study by researchers from China’s Westlake University, Zhejiang University, Peking Union Medical College and Shanghai Institute of Immunology.

Dendritic cells, which act as the “intelligence agents” of the immune system, can become severely depleted or functionally impaired as the tumour progresses. According to the researchers, sildenafil could reverse the process and help to restore the cells.

The researchers, led by Westlake cancer immunology specialist Zhou Ting, published their findings in the peer-reviewed journal Nature on June 25.

In an article posted on its social media account the same day, the university hailed the discovery as a possible new “form of tumour immunotherapy strategy”.

Solna [Sweden], July 5 (ANI): Researchers from Sweden have discovered that the human brain continues to grow new cells in the memory region–called the hippocampus–even into old age.

Using advanced tools to examine brain samples from people of all ages, the team identified the early-stage cells that eventually become neurons.

These findings confirm that our brains remain more adaptable than previously believed, opening the door to potential treatments for memory loss and brain-related disorders.

The study has been published in the journal Science. It presents compelling new evidence that neurons in the brain’s memory centre, the hippocampus, continue to form well into late adulthood.

The research has been done by the scientists of Karolinska Instituet in Sweden.

The hippocampus is a brain region that is essential for learning and memory and involved in emotion regulation.

Back in 2013, Jonas Frisen’s research group at Karolinska Instituet showed in a high-profile study that new neurons can form in the hippocampus of adult humans.

The researchers then measured carbon-14 levels in DNA from brain tissue, which made it possible to determine when the cells were formed.

Identifying cells of origin

However, the extent and significance of this formation of new neurons (neurogenesis) are still debated. There has been no clear evidence that the cells that precede new neurons, known as neural progenitor cells, actually exist and divide in adult humans.

“We have now been able to identify these cells of origin, which confirms that there is an ongoing formation of neurons in the hippocampus of the adult brain,” says Jonas Frisen, Professor of Stem Cell Research at the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, who led the research.

From 0 to 78 years of age

In the new study, the researchers combined several advanced methods to examine brain tissue from people aged 0 to 78 years from several international biobanks.

They used a method called single-nucleus RNA sequencing, which analyses gene activity in individual cell nuclei, and flow cytometry to study cell properties.

By combining this with machine learning, they were able to identify different stages of neuronal development, from stem cells to immature neurons, many of which were in the division phase.

To localise these cells, the researchers used two techniques that show where in the tissue different genes are active: RNAscope and Xenium.

These methods confirmed that the newly formed cells were located in a specific area of the hippocampus called the dentate gyrus. This area is important for memory formation, learning and cognitive flexibility.

The results show that the progenitors of adult neurons are similar to those of mice, pigs and monkeys, but that there are some differences in which genes are active.

There were also large variations between individuals – some adult humans had many neural progenitor cells, others hardly any at all. (ANI)

(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)

Imagine checking your blood pressure as easily as glancing at a smartwatch, without the squeeze of a cuff interrupting your day.

Researchers at Boston University have taken a major step toward making that future a reality. For the first time, they’ve demonstrated that speckle contrast optical spectroscopy (SCOS) can monitor blood pressure without a cuff.

“Hypertension affects nearly half of all adults in the U.S. and is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease,” said Ariane Garrett, a doctoral student in Darren Roblyer’s lab at Boston University.

“This research is a step toward a wearable device that would let people monitor their blood pressure anytime, without a cuff.”

The study shows that SCOS can capture blood flow and volume information simultaneously using a small optical device placed on the wrist or finger, providing up to 31 percent greater accuracy in estimating blood pressure compared to using blood volume signals alone.

This could improve early detection of hypertension, including masked hypertension that may go unnoticed in clinic readings.

Understanding blood pressure

Blood pressure is the force your blood exerts against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps it around your body.

It’s measured using two numbers: systolic pressure (the higher number) is the pressure when your heart beats, and diastolic pressure (the lower number) is the pressure when your heart rests between beats.

Together, these numbers give a snapshot of how hard your heart is working and how relaxed your blood vessels are. A normal reading typically falls around 120/80 mmHg, but this can vary depending on age, activity, and health.

When blood pressure climbs too high – what doctors call hypertension – it can quietly damage your body over time. Your arteries may stiffen, your heart may strain, and your risk for stroke, heart attack, and kidney problems goes up.

On the flip side, if your blood pressure drops too low, your body may not get enough oxygen-rich blood, which can make you feel dizzy or faint.

Light reveals blood pressure patterns

SCOS works by analyzing patterns created when coherent laser light scatters from moving red blood cells and tissues. Previously used for brain blood flow, the technique now opens new doors for cuffless blood pressure monitoring.

“Studies show that tracking blood pressure throughout the day, and especially at night, provides a better picture of someone’s health,” Roblyer said.

“A wearable version of our device would be easier and more comfortable for patients, and could help doctors catch conditions like masked hypertension, where clinic readings don’t reflect the true blood pressure.”

The technology’s ability to monitor blood pressure continuously and comfortably is crucial because traditional cuff-based measurements in clinics often capture only a snapshot of a person’s cardiovascular health, missing critical fluctuations throughout the day and night.

Turning light into insight

The work began as a collaboration between Boston University and Meta Platforms’ Reality Labs. The team, including co-investigator David Boas, formed a key hypothesis. They believed SCOS waveforms of blood flow and volume held valuable cardiovascular data.

In 2023, they established a strong correlation between features of blood flow waveforms and blood pressure.

Their new study shows combining blood flow and volume data improves the accuracy of blood pressure predictions.

“The SCOS device enables us to measure blood pressure much more frequently than a cuff-based device,” Roblyer noted.

“There has been a lot of research indicating that single time-point measurements of blood pressure using a cuff in a clinician’s office are not a good reflection of a person’s true blood pressure in daily life,” he said. “However, it is difficult to take frequent cuff measurements due to the cumbersome nature of the cuff.”

Pressure tested during daily activity

To evaluate their system, the researchers tested SCOS on 30 volunteers. The team captured blood flow and volume data while participants were at rest.

They also collected data during leg press exercises designed to increase blood pressure. These measurements were compared with readings from a continuous blood pressure monitor for validation.

Using a machine learning model, the team trained two versions: one using both blood flow and volume signals, and another using only volume data, as current photoplethysmography devices do.

The combined model showed up to a 31% improvement in accuracy. It reached a 2.26 mmHg error for systolic pressure – a major improvement over current non-invasive methods.

“Our results showed that SCOS improves blood pressure estimation by enabling simultaneous measurements of blood flow and volume changes using the wrist or finger,” Garrett said. “This opens a new way to track cardiovascular health with optical tools.”

The path to wearable monitoring