Category: Post & News

Ambros and Ruvkun Won the Nobel Prize for Medicine for The Revolutionary Discovery of MicroRNAs and Their Role in Gene Regulation Post & News admin October 11, 2024 This year, the Nobel Prize in Medicine was awarded to two American scientists, Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun, for their groundbreaking discovery of microRNAs (miRNAs) and their role in post-transcriptional gene regulation. Before this transformative insight, it was widely believed that gene activity could only be regulated by proteins. However, the discovery of miRNAs introduced a completely new complexity in gene regulation.   miRNAs play a pivotal role in cellular differentiation, allowing cells to specialize into various types like nerve, muscle, or epithelial cells. They are also involved in modulating gene expression in inflammatory processes, helping cells in quickly responding to internal or external clues.   Importantly, many cancers are linked to miRNA dysregulation. When functioning properly, some miRNAs act as tumor suppressors, inhibiting cancer growth. But when dysregulated, these miRNAs can become harmful by promoting uncontrolled cell proliferation typical of cancerous conditions.   This discovery was revolutionary because it showed that certain non-coding regions of the genome—previously dismissed as “junk DNA”—actually have critical and highly regulated functions. It broadened our understanding of the genome and biological regulation, revealing a complex RNA network controlling life processes. Thanks to the work of Ambros and Ruvkun, RNAs are now considered as key players in cellular biology, with miRNAs opening new research avenues in cancer treatment. Professor Antonio Giordano, M.D., Ph.D., is the creator and head of the Sbarro Health Research Organization, located at Temple University‘s College of Science and Technology in Philadelphia. Stay connected with him through his various social media platforms, including Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram

Health, interview between oncologist Giordano and Emirati minister Al Hamed The interview organized by the University Nuova Scuola Medica Salernitana Popular University. Post & News admin September 28, 2024 Neapolitan oncologist Antonio Giordano, director of the Sbarro Institute in Philadelphia, met with Abdulla bin Mohamed bin Butti Al Hamed , politician and Emirati sheikh head of the National Media Office with the rank of minister.The meeting was organized by the University Nuova Scuola Medica Salernitana Popular University.Professor Antonio Giordano, M.D., Ph.D., is the creator and head of the Sbarro Health Research Organization, located at Temple University‘s College of Science and Technology in Philadelphia. Stay connected with him through his various social media platforms, including Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram

Understanding Cancer Patients with Malnutrition and Metabolic Dysfunction Originally published on: News Wise Post & News admin September 19, 2024 Understanding Cancer Patients with Malnutrition and Metabolic Dysfunction Newswise — Cancer patients frequently experience metabolic dysfunction leading to severe weight loss correlating with a poor prognosis. Causes for this dysfunction include malnutrition and cachexia, a systemic inflammation affecting brain mechanisms regulating satiety and hunger. Malnutrition in cancer patients may result from tumor masses in the gastrointestinal tract that obstruct nutrient absorption, or from cancer cells’ elevated metabolism, which voraciously consumes nutrients from the blood or microenvironment, depriving healthy tissue cells. Tumor-induced chronic systemic inflammation causes endocrine dysfunction, reducing appetite (anorexia) by altering hypothalamic hunger and satiety centers, increasing protein catabolism in muscles, and lipid catabolism in adipose tissue. Anti-cancer therapies further impact nutritional status by altering endocrine metabolism or causing mucositis, which hinders food intake. Researchers working under the guidance of renowned oncologist Prof. Antonio Giordano, M.D., Ph.D., Founder and President of the Sbarro Health Research Organization (SHRO) at Temple University examined the mechanisms by which cancer cells or anti-cancer therapies induce these metabolic alterations leading to malnutrition and weight loss in cancer patients. Led by Salvatore Cortellino, Ph.D., of the Responsible Research Hospital in Campobasso, Italy, with SHRO collaborators Margherita D’Angelo and Massimiliano Quintiliani, they have published the paper, “Cancer Knocks You Out by Fasting: Cachexia as a Consequence of Metabolic Alterations in Cancer,” in the Journal of Cellular Physiology. Their review also explores therapeutic approaches such as nutraceuticals, drug therapies, and lifestyle changes to counteract physical wasting and improve cancer patients’ quality of life and prognosis.”Malnutrition affects 20-70% of cancer patients, worsening their living conditions and reducing their response to therapies, thereby compromising prognosis and life expectancy,” says Giordano. “Evaluating body composition and nutritional status should become standard in clinical practice to improve the psychophysical condition of cancer patients facing challenging treatments. Introducing specific programs in academic training for physicians and health professionals, along with providing appropriate technologies and hospital instrumentation, is essential for assessing these physiological parameters.””The tumor exploits various pathways to sustain itself, inducing systemic changes that cause the body to enter a fasting-like state due to reduced appetite and feeding difficulties,” explains Cortellino. “In this condition, the body mobilizes energy reserves by releasing fatty acids from adipose tissue and amino acids from skeletal muscle. The tumor utilizes fatty acids for energy and amino acids for synthesizing cellular components necessary for its growth or for fueling gluconeogenesis in the liver, thereby producing glucose, which cancer cells avidly consume.” “Nutraceuticals can significantly aid cancer patients by supplying essential nutrients needed to endure debilitating treatments and potentially enhance therapeutic responses,” adds Giordano. “Given these considerations and clinical evidence, it is advisable to caution cancer patients against adopting improvised or highly publicized diets on social media, such as low-calorie diets (intermittent fasting) and ketogenic diets, as they may deteriorate the patient’s nutritional and clinical condition, thereby compromising their prognosis.” Previous PostNext Post

Migrant Women and Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Services Post & News admin September 14, 2024 Originally published on: News Wise Migrant Women and Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Services Newswise — The number of people living in a different place from their place of birth is increasing year by year. Although women have always been involved in migratory movements, today they are increasingly doing so independently. Women are migrating from the Global South to higher-income countries. One of the challenges they face is access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services.A new paper, published in the Midwifery Journal examines the barriers that migrant women face in accessing SRH services. The paper titled, “Access of migrant women to sexual and reproductive health services: A systematic review,” is the work of Miss Fátima Morales, Affiliate Assistant Professor at the Sbarro Health Research Organization at Temple University, Philadelphia, US, and Professor at the Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health at the University of Seville, Spain. The review is a collaboration with some important Italian researchers, such as Dr. Palmira Immordino, Professor at the Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties at the University of Palermo, Italy and Dr. Antonio Giordano and Dr. Gaetano Romano, Professors at the Sbarro Health Research Organization at Temple University, Philadelphia, US, and coworkers of the University of Seville: Dr. Carmen García Gil, expert in gender studies and María Pérez Sánchez. In this paper, they identified the policy-level barriers that limit the access of migrant women to SRH services, their consequences, and strategies implemented to overcome these barriers.The most common barrier to SRH services identified has been lack of information (57 %), followed by language issues (43 %), cultural differences (39 %), economic status (25 %), administrative barriers (25 %) and discrimination (14 %). These barriers led to under-utilisation of maternity services and contraceptive methods. This study also developed strategies and action plans to improve the health of migrant women. Strategies used by migrant women to overcome these barriers were primarily based on seeking help within their own community or family settings. Strategies at institutional level to improve the access of migrant women to SRH services need to reduce existing barriers, promote health literacy, and train health workers to be culturally sensitive and responsive to the needs of migrant women. Policies that bring health services closer to migrant women are required.Professor Antonio Giordano, M.D., Ph.D., is the creator and head of the Sbarro Health Research Organization, located at Temple University‘s College of Science and Technology in Philadelphia. Stay connected with him through his various social media platforms, including Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram

Temple honors State Senator Ryan Aument for his support of groundbreaking research with award ceremony Post & News admin September 7, 2024 Originally published on: Temple University , News Wise Pictured from left to right: Temple President Richard M. Englert; Sen. Ryan Aument (D-36); Antonio Giordano, founder and president of Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine at Temple; Miguel Mostafá, dean of Temple’s College of Science and Technology; and Temple Provost Gregory N. Mandel. Antonio Giordano, founder and president of Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine at Temple, hosted a special lab facility tour that honored State Senator Ryan for his support of the research on Tuesday, Sept. 3. Since taking office in 2014, State Sen. Ryan Aument has been an avid supporter of Temple University’s Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine (SHRO). On Tuesday, Sept. 3, he was recognized at the institute for his continued support of SHRO’s research on cancer genetics and biomarkers, as well as the development of novel diagnostics, drug discovery and therapeutic interventions in these fields. “I am very grateful for the recognition. I would like to thank Temple for their transformative work in this region of the commonwealth and the global impact of their research,” said Aument. “It’s a privilege to be here on campus, and to have this research facility and partnership between the commonwealth and Temple University is really important. “Time and time again, Temple has demonstrated their value in the quality of their research, providing a pathway to economic opportunity to students and constantly improving the quality of life,” he added. “I look forward to working with Temple for years to come.” Sen. Aument was presented with the Scientific Education Award by Antonio Giordano, founder and president of SHRO. As part of the award ceremony, he took Aument on a special lab facility tour of Temple’s SHRO. At Temple, SHRO leads innovative biomedical research, converting scientific findings into healthcare solutions. The nonprofit organization is dedicated to funding basic genetic research to cure and diagnose cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and other chronic illnesses. It also aims to promote the training of aspiring medical professionals. Among Giordano’s many discoveries, he found a direct correlation between the cell cycle regulation and the development of cancer, which led to identifying a new generation of small-molecule drugs widely used today in the treatment of breast, lung and other types of cancers. “The generous donation of a million dollars to Temple’s medical school that came from the commonwealth of Pennsylvania is thanks to Sen. Aument, which was used to open new programs in the medical school and allowed us to hire several outstanding investigators for our organization’s research,” said Giordano. Temple President Richard M. Englert, who attended the ceremony, expressed his appreciation for the continued partnership between the commonwealth and Temple, which has lasted for nearly 60 years. Each year, Temple receives $158.2 million as part of the commonwealth appropriation, which it uses to reduce tuition for Pennsylvania citizens. “We are so grateful for regularly targeted funding from the commonwealth, and time again Sen. Aument has stepped forward as a leader in these initiatives,” said Englert. “I would also like to thank the Sbarro Health Research Organization team, our College of Science and Technology, faculty, and students for their outstanding work in furthering research that saves lives and improves the quality of life. “I want to emphasize it is a partnership among all of us. Sen. Aument is one of our most important partners, so I am thankful for that partnership, and it is very appropriate that he is honored because of all he did,” he added. “This is also an interdisciplinary space that helps prepare the next generation of doctors to care for patients and engage in life-changing research that offers real strategies for treatments and cures of the world’s most complex and pervasive health conditions,” said Gregory N. Mandel, provost at Temple. “Sen. Aument’s support and Dr. Antonio Giordano’s vision that led to this development have proven to have a real impact on people’s lives,” he added. “Their commitment dovetails beautifully with Temple’s mission to improve lives around the world.” Professor Antonio Giordano, M.D., Ph.D., is the creator and head of the Sbarro Health Research Organization, located at Temple University‘s College of Science and Technology in Philadelphia. Stay connected with him through his various social media platforms, including Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram