The Rhyothemis princeps Brain Externalization Project

Yesterday I watched two introductory videos on the ubiquitin-proteasome system - very important in autoimmunity, aging, cancer and neurodegeneration. Alfred Goldberg, Functions of the proteasome, R&D Systems,  recorded February 4, 2016:  Index: 9:30 start of presentation 13:20 ubiquitin-proteasome pathway summary slide - ATP required 15:22 antigen presentation - 1% of product peptides are taken up by ER and displayed in cell surface by MHC class I molecules - proteasome allows immune system to screen intracellular space for abnormal proteins (pathogen or cancer) 23:16 multiple ATP dependent steps in proteasome function 38:00 Bortezmib - proteasome inhibitor, inhibits NF-kB, does not cross BBB, induces apoptosis 40:33 Endoplasmic-reticulum-associated protein degradation (ERAD) pathway is unusually activated in multiple myeloma cells ; proteasome inhibition results in increased ER stress and triggers UPR, further UPR activation triggers apoptosis 42:30 proteasome inhib

  A brief review on how statins could be used to treat immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), an autoimmune disease: Nazy and Cuker (2018) - Statins for high cholesterol … and for low platelets? - https://doi.org/10.1182/blood-2018-01-824888 "Megakaryocytes in ITP patients show impaired maturation and signs of degradation due to defects in the megakaryocytes and their environment. 7   Among the cells in the BM [bone marrow] niche implicated in supporting megakaryopoiesis and thrombopoiesis are the BM EPCs [endothelial progenitor cells], ... Treatments that induce platelet production by enhancing the BM microenvironment could be beneficial for corticosteroid-resistant ITP. Atorvastatin is a widely used drug for the treatment of primary hypercholesterolemia and mixed dyslipidemia by inhibiting 3-hydroxy-3methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A reductase. Among its activities, it is known to improve the mobilization and function of EPCs. Recently, Shi et al showed the effectiveness of atorvasta

Two mind-blowing articles on the effects of geomagnetic field fluctuations on human health, published in highly ranked peer-reviewed journals. Otsuka et al. (2019) Anti-aging effects of long-term space missions, estimated by heart rate variability  https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-45387-6 "Exposure to variable magnetic fields in space resulted in an increase in several HRV endpoints, suggesting that aging may also be slowed down in astronauts in space, as it was for Caenorhabditis elegans 18 . By contrast, our previous 1998–2000 studies (during solar cycle 23) in a subarctic area indicated that magnetic storms, which involved larger magnetic disturbances than those observed during ISS01 and ISS02, suppressed HRV indices in 19 clinically healthy subjects 24 . The decrease in HRV was statistically validated for TF (−18.6%, P = 0.00009), primarily contributed to by VLF (−21.9%, P < 0.000001) in conjunction with ULF (−15.5%, P = 0.00865) and LF (−14.2%, P = 0.001

Fucoidan is a sulfated polysaccharide found in brown seaweed that varies in molecular weight and composition. Wakame ( Undaria pinnatifida ) is a brown seaweed commonly consumed in Japan and is a main ingredient in miso soup and is also served as a salad.  Recently it as been reported that fucoidan can inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication in vitro: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41421-020-00192-8 Of course it remains to be demonstrated in humans, but it's a start.  ~ Wakame fucoidan could be useful for Covid-19 since it inhibits thrombosis without increasing bleeding time: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22084059/ The  Min et al. (2011) study also found in comparison to wakame fucoidan, fucoidan from bladder wrack inhibited thrombus formation, but bleeding time was prolonged (but not as much as for heparin).  An important caveat when considering the therapeutic potential of seaweed/fucoidan is that there are differences in biological activities in fucoidans from different species as we