Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is associated with CD4+ T cells that are specific for the C9orf72 autoantigen and preferentially produce IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10.

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a debilitating, multifactorial disorder characterised by profound fatigue, post-exertional malaise, cognitive impairments, and autonomic dysfunction. Despite its significant impact on quality of life, ME/CFS lacks definitive diagnostic biomarkers, complicating diagnosis and management. Recent evidence highlights potential blood tests for ME/CFS biomarkers in immunological, genetic, metabolic, and bioenergetic domains. Chromosome conformations (CCs) are potent epigenetic regulators of gene expression and cross-tissue exosome signalling. We have previously developed an epigenetic assay, EpiSwitch®, that employs an algorithm-based CCs analysis. Using EpiSwitch® technology, we have shown the presence of disease-specific CCs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), prostate and colorectal cancers, diffuse Large B-cell lymphoma and severe COVID-19. In a recent paper, we have identified a profile of systemic chromosome conformations in cancer patients reflective of the predisposition to respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors, PD-1/PD-L1 antagonists, with 85% accuracy. In this Retrospective case/control study (EPI-ME, Epigenetic Profiling Investigation in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis), we used whole blood samples retrospectively collected from n = 47 patients with severe ME/CFS and n = 61 age-matched healthy control patients to perform whole-genome 3D DNA screening for CCs correlating to ME/CFS diagnosis. We identified a 200-marker model for ME/CFS diagnosis (Episwitch®CFS test). First testing on the retrospective independent validation cohort demonstrated a strong systemic ME/CFS signal with a sensitivity of 92% and a specificity of 98%.Pathways analysis revealed several likely contributors to the pathology of ME/CFS, including interleukins, TNFα, neuroinflammatory pathways, toll-like receptor signalling and JAK/STAT. Comparison with pathways involved in the action of Rituximab and glatiramer acetate (Copaxone) (therapies with potential in ME/CFS treatment) identified IL2 as a shared pathway with clear patient clustering, indicating a possibility of a potential responder group for targeted treatment.

Research could offer hope for ME patients – but some experts urge caution and say more studies needed

A takeaway, loved by Stephen Fry and Michael Portillo, closes for good, says the college landlord.

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<article data-history-node-id="429725" about="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/un-rights-office-flags-ill-treatment-gaza-flotilla-activists-detained" class="live-blog-update default clearfix"> <h2> <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/un-rights-office-flags-ill-treatment-gaza-flotilla-activists-detained" rel="bookmark"> <span class="field field-title">UN rights office flags ill-treatment of Gaza flotilla activists detained in Israel</span> </a> </h2> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-field-text"><p>The UN human rights spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan on Monday said that his office&nbsp;had received worrying information about the ill-treatment of&nbsp;Global Sumud Flotilla activists detained in Israel, Anadolu news agency reported.&nbsp;</p> <p>"We have received worrying information of ill-treatment and violations of due process rights of the flotilla participants," the spokesperson said.&nbsp;</p> <p>He added that the office "has long raised the alarm regarding the intentionally degrading conditions" in Israeli prisons and detention centres.</p> <p>More than 400 activists, parliamentarians, and lawyers were detained after Israeli forces intercepted the Gaza-bound aid flotilla earlier this week.</p> <p>Some of the detainees have since been deported, while proceedings for others are still underway.</p> <p>Spanish activists of the Gaza humanitarian aid flotilla on Monday&nbsp;alleged mistreatment and violation of rights by Israeli authorities.</p> <p>Earlier,&nbsp;Sweden's Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said that allegations regarding the abusive treatment of climate activist Greta Thunberg are "very serious" if confirmed.&nbsp;</p> </div> </div> </article>

The constant ebb and flow of hormones that guide the menstrual cycle don't just affect reproductive organs – they also reshape the brain, and a 2023 study gives us insight into how this happens.