Fudan University

Physical Activity in Childhood Linked to Better Mental Health and Cognitive Function in Adolescence

a month ago

• Finnish longitudinal study reveals children with higher physical fitness levels develop better cognitive abilities and experience lower rates of depression and stress as teenagers. • Researchers tracked 241 children over eight years, finding that shuttle sprint performance in childhood positively correlated with improved mental health outcomes in adolescence. • Experts recommend increased physical activity participation in schools and leisure settings, while noting excessive screen time may diminish the mental health benefits of fitness.

Brain-Computer Interface Advances Enable Speech Synthesis and Action Control in Epilepsy Patient

4 months ago

• A 43-year-old epilepsy patient with a brain tumor can now communicate and control actions through computer decoding of her thoughts, marking a significant BCI advancement. • NeuroXess and Huashan Hospital collaborated on the project, showcasing the potential of flexible electrode BCI technologies for restoring basic life functions. • Clinical trials in China are expanding, with NeuroXess achieving 71% accuracy in decoding 142 Chinese syllables within seven days of surgery. • Ethical considerations, including data privacy and patient safety, are being emphasized as BCI technology advances toward broader clinical application.

Dapagliflozin and Calorie Restriction Show Promise in Reversing Type 2 Diabetes

4 months ago

• A clinical trial published in The BMJ reveals that combining dapagliflozin with calorie restriction can reverse type 2 diabetes in nearly half the participants. • The study included over 300 adults in China and showed that 44% of participants in the dapagliflozin group achieved remission, compared to 28% in the placebo group. • Participants taking dapagliflozin also experienced greater weight loss, improved insulin sensitivity, and better blood pressure and cholesterol levels. • Experts suggest this approach offers a more accessible strategy for managing type 2 diabetes compared to intensive weight-loss methods or bariatric surgery.

Toripalimab Approved in Australia for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

4 months ago

• Toripalimab, an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody, has been approved in Australia for the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). • The approval covers first-line treatment in combination with chemotherapy and as a single agent for recurrent or metastatic NPC after platinum-based chemotherapy. • This marks toripalimab as the first and only immuno-oncology treatment option available for NPC patients in Australia. • The approval was based on data from the JUPITER-02 and POLARIS-02 trials, demonstrating improved survival and antitumor activity.

Radiomics in Rectal Cancer: A Powerful Tool for Diagnosis, Treatment Response Evaluation, and Prognosis Prediction

4 months ago

• Radiomics, an advanced computational approach that extracts quantitative features from medical images, is revolutionizing rectal cancer management by providing more accurate tumor staging and treatment response prediction than conventional imaging methods. • Recent studies demonstrate radiomics' effectiveness in predicting lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, and pathological complete response to neoadjuvant therapy, with multimodal approaches combining CT, MRI, and ultrasound showing the highest predictive accuracy. • The integration of radiomics with deep learning algorithms and molecular markers represents the future direction of research, potentially enabling more personalized treatment strategies and improved patient outcomes in rectal cancer care.

Neuralink Implants Third Human with Brain-Computer Interface, Plans Expansion

4 months ago

• Neuralink has successfully implanted its brain-computer interface device in a third human patient, with all three implants reported to be functioning well. • The company plans to expand its human trials significantly, aiming to implant the device in 20 to 30 more individuals in 2025. • Upgrades to the Neuralink device include more electrodes, higher bandwidth, and longer battery life, enhancing its potential for restoring digital independence. • A new clinical trial site will open at the University of Miami, focusing on patients with paralysis or ALS, to further research and development of the technology.

Chinese BCI System Achieves Breakthrough in Language Decoding

5 months ago

• A Chinese research team has achieved a breakthrough in brain-computer interface (BCI) technology using a domestically developed, invasive flexible BCI system. • The BCI system demonstrated high-precision, real-time movement intention and language decoding in a clinical trial with a brain injury patient. • The patient could convert thoughts into Chinese text with 71% accuracy for 142 common syllables within seven days of training. • This advancement signifies China's progress to world-class standards in BCI, potentially aiding patients with motor and language impairments.

High-Dose Diuretics and Levosimendan Show Promise in Acute Heart Failure with Renal Dysfunction

5 months ago

• A network meta-analysis of 13 studies involving 21,745 patients suggests high-dose diuretics (HDD) are most effective in reducing NT-proBNP levels in acute heart failure (AHF) patients with renal dysfunction. • Levosimendan significantly improved glomerular filtration rate (GFR) compared to placebo and tolvaptan, indicating a potential benefit for renal function in AHF patients. • The study found no significant differences in 60-day all-cause mortality or cardiovascular mortality across the various drug treatments assessed for AHF with renal dysfunction. • These findings suggest HDD and levosimendan may be optimal agents for managing AHF complicated by renal dysfunction, warranting further investigation.

Sensorion's Audiogene Trial Completes First Cohort Enrollment for OTOF Gene-Mediated Hearing Loss

5 months ago

• Sensorion has completed enrollment of the first cohort in its Phase I/II Audiogene trial, evaluating SENS-501 for OTOF gene-mediated hearing loss. • The trial focuses on infants and toddlers aged 6-31 months without cochlear implants, aiming to restore hearing and speech development during peak brain plasticity. • Initial data from the first two treated patients indicate that SENS-501 and the surgical procedure were well-tolerated, with encouraging behavioral improvements observed. • Sensorion plans to host a KOL event in early 2025 to present comprehensive safety and efficacy data, along with next steps for the Audiogene trial.

Mixed Results for Immunotherapy in Early Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

5 months ago

• The NSABP B-59 trial showed that adding atezolizumab to neoadjuvant chemotherapy did not significantly improve event-free survival in stage II-III TNBC. • The CamRelief trial in China demonstrated a significant improvement in pathologic complete response with camrelizumab plus chemotherapy for TNBC. • Neither trial demonstrated improvement in overall survival or other survival endpoints, raising questions about pCR as a surrogate for long-term benefit. • Differences in trial design, patient characteristics, and drugs may explain the mixed efficacy signals observed in neoadjuvant immunotherapy for TNBC.

Camrelizumab and Apatinib Show Promise in Neoadjuvant Treatment of TNBC

5 months ago

• Camrelizumab plus chemotherapy significantly improved pathologic complete response (pCR) rates in early or locally advanced triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). • Apatinib combined with sintilimab and chemotherapy demonstrated a high pCR rate of 70.6% in early TNBC, suggesting synergistic effects. • Both camrelizumab and apatinib regimens exhibited manageable safety profiles, supporting their potential as new neoadjuvant therapeutic options. • Biomarker analysis in the apatinib study identified correlations between immune response and pCR, offering insights for predicting treatment efficacy.

BioNTech's VEGF x PD-L1 Bispecific BNT327 Shows Promise in TNBC

5 months ago

• BioNTech's BNT327, a VEGF x PD-L1 bispecific antibody, demonstrates encouraging Phase II survival data in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). • The bispecific antibody, combined with nab-paclitaxel, achieved a 13.5-month progression-free survival (PFS) as a first-line treatment for advanced TNBC. • These findings suggest a potential advantage over standard PD-1 blockers, positioning BNT327 as a promising therapeutic option for TNBC. • BioNTech is preparing to advance BNT327 to Phase III trials based on the positive Phase II results presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

SHR-A1811 Demonstrates Promising Activity in HER2-Expressing Breast Cancer Subtypes

5 months ago

• SHR-A1811, a novel anti-HER2 ADC, shows promising anti-tumor activity and acceptable safety in HR-positive/HER2-low breast cancer in a phase 2 trial. • In HR-positive/HER2-low breast cancer, SHR-A1811 achieved an objective response rate of 74.3% in the first stage of a phase 2 trial. • The FASCINATE-N trial showed SHR-A1811 monotherapy had similar pathological complete response rates compared to standard chemotherapy in HER2-positive breast cancer. • Common treatment-related adverse events with SHR-A1811 include neutropenia, leukopenia, anemia, nausea, asthenia, and vomiting, with manageable safety profiles.

China's NEO Brain-Computer Interface Set for Large-Scale Clinical Trials

5 months ago

• China's NEO brain-computer interface (BCI) device is set to begin large-scale clinical trials next year, enrolling 30-50 spinal cord injury patients across 10 centers. • The NEO device, developed by Neuracle Technology and Tsinghua University, has already undergone three successful human implantations this year. • A recent surgery enabled a paralyzed patient to regain the ability to move their arms and perform simple tasks via mind control. • Clinical data from these trials will be submitted to regulatory authorities to seek approval for commercialization of the BCI product.

HELP Therapeutics' iPSC-Derived Cell Therapy, HiCM-188, Receives FDA IND Clearance for End-Stage Heart Failure Trial

7 months ago

• HELP Therapeutics received FDA clearance for its IND application for HiCM-188, an allogeneic human iPSC-derived cardiomyocyte therapy. • The Phase I study will evaluate the safety and tolerability of HiCM-188 transplantation in patients with end-stage heart failure. • HiCM-188 represents a potential innovative approach, shifting from whole heart transplants to precise myocardial repair via cell injection. • This marks the first U.S. clinical evaluation of an iPSC-derived cell therapy for end-stage heart failure, offering hope for unmet clinical needs.

Ruanjian Qingmai Granules Evaluated in Clinical Trial for Early Symptomatic Peripheral Artery Disease

7 months ago

• A multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial is underway to assess Ruanjian Qingmai granules for early symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD). • The study aims to enroll 250 patients to evaluate the granules' efficacy in improving pain-free and maximum walking distance over 16 weeks. • Ruanjian Qingmai granules, a traditional Chinese medicine formula, have shown potential in alleviating ischemic inflammation and improving lipid profiles. • The trial will also explore the impact of the granules on inflammatory markers and quality of life in PAD patients.

Green Light Shows Promise in Relieving Chronic Pain Conditions

8 months ago

• Studies indicate that green light exposure can significantly reduce pain in patients with migraines and fibromyalgia, offering a non-pharmacological approach. • Research suggests green light's analgesic effects are mediated through the visual system, activating enkephalinergic neurons in the brain. • Clinical trials have demonstrated that green light therapy can decrease the frequency, intensity, and duration of headache attacks without reported side effects. • Scientists are exploring optimal parameters, such as dosage and wavelengths, to enhance green light therapy's effectiveness for various pain conditions.

UltraDx Bio's Single-Molecule Analyzer Receives Clinical Approval in China for Early Alzheimer's Detection

9 months ago

• UltraDx Bio's UD-X™ Single-Molecule Analyzer has received clinical approval in China, marking a significant advancement in medical diagnostics. • The analyzer enables ultra-sensitive detection of trace protein biomarkers in body fluids, crucial for early disease screening and diagnosis. • Experts emphasize the importance of early detection for diseases like Alzheimer's, where timely intervention can mitigate disease progression. • The technology aims to address the increasing burden of Alzheimer's in China, which has the highest number of affected individuals globally.