Itch Mediation and How It Differs from Pain

Itch, to most, is a common nuisance, although when chronic it can negatively affect quality of life. It is obvious that itch is processed differently than pain, but how it differs is not clear. Researchers have been trying to find a path that specifically mediates itch. They have found that itch is mediated through at least two different pathways: histamine dependent and histamine independent. However, many of the mediators involved in the transduction of itch also mediate pain. Although some itch-specific neurons have been found, the majority of the pruritogenic neurons are also responsive to pain stimuli. Two theories that can explain how the brain processes itch and pain as different sensations are the specificity theory and the selectivity theory

"We have not been here before": Aging and elderly women with intellectual disabilities

Thesis (M.A.)--Boston UniversityBACKGROUNDS: Adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) face important health disparities, and are underrepresented in research. There is a particular lack of research from the perspective of members of this population. However, adults with ID are living longer than ever before, and, after a long history of institutionalization, are aging in the community. Aging adults with ID face important support gaps and challenges as pioneers in aging in the community. Aging women with ID are further marginalized by gender and age. This qualitative, participatory study explores lived experiences of aging and elderly women with intellectual disabilities. METHODS: In order to maximize voice for participants with ID, this study used qualitative, participatory methods including individual interviewing and Photo Voice, a participatory technique where participants are given cameras and become co-researchers on the project as they document their worlds. RESULTS: Important themes emerged including: The experience of aging with ID is a gendered phenomenon, anticipation of increased independence and community participation as a result of aging, community inclusion and the importance of relationships and belonging. Discussion: While further research is needed to quantify the experiences described by participants, the importance of community inclusion and relationships suggests that policy level supports for aging in place and individualized planning with be important for this generation of adults with ID. This thesis concludes with recommendations as to how adults with ID can best be supported in achieving healthy aging from a systems perspective

Melatonin and Its Effect on Learning and Memory

Melatonin is a neurohormone produced by the pineal gland and secreted into the body in a circadian rhythm. Melatonin is known to be involved in many vital body functions, including sleep, reproduction, and immune response. Exogenous melatonin, sold as over the counter natural supplements in drugstores, is commonly taken by many people to help cure various ailments. Melatonin also plays a role in the hippocampus. This paper investigates the effects of melatonin on long-term potentiation in the hippocampus. Long-term potentiation, described as a long-lasting strengthening of synapses between nerve cells, is thought to be responsible for long-term memory retention. It is found that melatonin has a negative effect on long-term potentiation, inhibiting its magnitude. As long-term potentiation is related to some forms of learning and memory, melatonin inhibits learning and memory too. The practice of taking melatonin supplements causes one’s long-term potentiation to be inhibited to a greater degree than it would be under normal conditions and can significantly impact one’s learning and memory. In conclusion, although more studies need to be conducted, one should be wary and display caution before using melatonin supplements with any regularity

Autistic Women and Nonbinary Network 2021 Year in Review

Training staff about antiracism to promote equity and justiceBuilding trust and safety for autistic people of colorAdopting a horizontal organization to treat all AWN workers equallyImproving our accessibility to make our resources available to allHolding our first-ever AWN retreat to build and strengthen our community

Immune Recovery after Cyclophosphamide Treatment in Multiple Myeloma: Implication for Maintenance Immunotherapy

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a progressive B-lineage neoplasia characterized by clonal proliferation of malignant plasma cells. Increased numbers of regulatory T cells (Tregs) were determined in mouse models and in patients with MM, which correlated with disease burden. Thus, it became rational to target Tregs for treating MM. The effects of common chemotherapeutic drugs on Tregs are reviewed with a focus on cyclophosphamide (CYC). Studies indicated that selective depletion of Tregs may be accomplished following the administration of a low-dose CYC. We report that continuous nonfrequent administrations of CYC at low doses block the renewal of Tregs in MM-affected mice and enable the restoration of an efficient immune response against the tumor cells, thereby leading to prolonged survival and prevention of disease recurrence. Hence, distinctive time-schedule injections of low-dose CYC are beneficial for breaking immune tolerance against MM tumor cells

PA-II, the L-fucose and D-mannose binding lectin of Pseudomonas aeruginosa stimulates human peripheral lymphocytes and murine splenocytes

AbstractPseudomonas aeruginosa lectin PA-II agglutinates human peripheral lymphocytes and stimulates mitogenesis (predominantly in T cells), like the plant lectins PHA and Con A. Murine splenocytes are also agglutinated and stimulated by PA-II as by Con A. Sialidase treatment of the human and murine cells enhances their agglutination and augments the stimulation of human lymphocytes at low PA-II concentrations. The PA-II agglutinating and mitogenic effects are specifically inhibited by L-fucose. The bacterial source and the specificity of PA-II for L-fucose are both rare features among the hitherto described mitogenic lectins. However, since this lectin also binds mannose, a mannose-bearing receptor might be involved in its mitogenicity