The Potential of Hamsters in Ebola Research: A Breakthrough or a Cause for Concern?
Scientists at Hebei Medical University recently made a groundbreaking development by engineering a virus that contains parts of the deadly Ebola virus. In their experiment, hamsters infected with the constructed virus displayed severe systemic diseases similar to those observed in human Ebola patients, including multi-organ failure and impaired vision.
This research has sparked both excitement and concern within the scientific community. On one hand, it represents an important step towards finding animal models that can safely mimic Ebola symptoms, allowing for more effective studies on the spread and treatment of this devastating disease.
However, some experts raise concerns about the potential risks associated with such experiments. While high-security laboratories (Biosafety Level 4) are typically used to handle Ebola due to its highly contagious nature, these researchers conducted their study in lower security conditions (Biosafety Level 2) using a different virus called vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) engineered to carry part of the Ebola virus. This raises questions about possible lab leaks and the spread of these viruses outside controlled environments.
A Balance between Progress and Safety
The use of hamsters as an animal model for studying Ebola is not entirely new. The team’s findings indicate that infected hamsters demonstrated rapid onset symptoms similar to those observed in humans with systemic infections caused by EVD (Ebola Virus Disease). Furthermore, organs harvested from deceased hamsters showed viral accumulation in various tissues.
“It is a sign that 3-week-old Syrian hamsters infected with VSV-EBOV/GP have the possibility of playing a role in studying optic nerve disorders caused by EVD,” states the study published in Virologica Sinica.
While this presents exciting prospects for advancing our understanding of optic nerve disorders, it is crucial to ensure the safety and ethical standards of such research. Scientists must verify that the novel virus does not pose a risk of infectivity, transmissibility, and pathogenicity in humans before proceeding with higher-level studies.
In light of recent concerns about lab leaks and their potential consequences, it is essential to prioritize both progress and safety in scientific research. Respiratory viruses like Ebola can have devastating effects if they spread widely among populations. Therefore, stringent protocols must be followed to prevent any unintended release or transmission from laboratory settings.
The Implications for Ebola Research
The development of animal models that accurately mimic human diseases is key to advancing our knowledge and finding effective treatments and preventive measures. Hamsters infected with the engineered virus provide a unique opportunity for preclinical evaluation in studying optic nerve disorders associated with EVD.
However, as we continue to explore the potential benefits of animal models like hamsters in Ebola research, we must simultaneously address concerns surrounding biosafety protocols. The occurrence of lab leaks involving controlled pathogens underscores the need for continual vigilance and adherence to strict safety measures.
“The surrogate virus and matched hamster EVD model will improve the security and economy of research,” emphasize the researchers during this study.
The Lasting Impact
It is important to reflect on past experiences with Ebola outbreaks when considering the significance of this recent breakthrough. The 2014-2016 outbreak resulted in thousands of infections and deaths across West Africa while also spreading globally.
This serves as a reminder that researching highly contagious diseases requires utmost caution. While advancements bring hope for improved treatments or preventive measures, they also demand responsible actions to preserve public health at all stages – from laboratory experiments to clinical trials.
Read More: Inside NIH virus lab in Montana – that has eerie ties to Wuhan
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Unlocking the Power of Spelt: A Healthy Alternative to White Rice
The staple food of Koreans is definitely rice. The rice we eat every day is mainly composed of carbohydrates, and Koreans’ love for carbohydrates is indescribable, such as eating fried rice after eating meat, eating ramen, and eating rolled rice.
Everyone knows that carbohydrates are one of the important sources of energy for our body. However, if carbohydrates that should be used as energy are not used properly, they turn into body fat. Nowadays, clothes have become thinner, and if you really need to manage your weight due to your weight gain, let’s pay attention to “this”.
◇’Paro’ has existed since ancient times
Spelled is said to be one of the first cereals cultivated around 12,000 years ago. The beginning of Pharos’ history in Italy occurred when the general Caesar (Julius Caesar), who led the prosperity of the ancient Roman Empire, brought Pharos to Rome as a trophy after successfully invading Egypt. Spelled, which is long-lasting and rich in nutrients, was used as a military food during the long Roman war, and was so important that it was later called “the emperor’s grain” and was used as currency.
What exactly is spelled, such a precious food chosen by Caesar? Farro is a collective word for three grains, and spelt is generally called spelt in European countries, including Italy, and in the United States.
◇’Spelt’ is still cultivated today with great care.
Compared to modern grains that have undergone genetic modifications or crossbreeding to increase production, spelled, an ancient grain, has maintained its original shape. The lighthouse is characterized by its strong vitality which allowed it to survive even in the harsh environment of ancient times. The Italian region of Tuscany is considered the optimal growing area for spelled due to its high altitude, low temperature and dryness. In the Italian region of Tuscany, the use of chemical pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers is prohibited when growing spelled, and seed use by local residents is required to maintain the quality of spelled seeds. After cultivation, it undergoes a two-year rest period (crop rotation) to maintain the best quality.
◇Why complex carbohydrate spelled is effective for losing weight
Spelled, a complex carbohydrate, is rich in resistant starch and 100g of spelled contains 21.2g of resistant starch. This ingredient slows digestion and makes you feel full for a long time, which is why it was adopted as a military ration for the Roman army. If you cook it with white rice, which digests quickly, it can help you lose weight by avoiding frequent food intake or overeating.
Spelled is also effective in controlling appetite and managing blood vessel health. Spelled is rich in a component called “arabinoxylan”, which promotes the secretion of hormones that regulate appetite such as leptin. Indeed, providing an arabinoxylan-containing diet to patients with metabolic syndrome was shown to reduce patients’ acute glucose and insulin responses and hunger. Therefore, spelled containing arabinoxylan can reduce hunger and help control appetite.
Spelled is also effective for vascular health. In fact, adding spelled to the diet of diabetic patients for 6 weeks not only reduced fasting blood sugar levels, but also reduced levels of LDL cholesterol, known as bad cholesterol, and triglycerides by 11%. . This is because it contains “arabinoxylan,” a type of dietary fiber. This ingredient works to prevent the synthesis of cholesterol in the body.
◇’Lighthouse’ prevents the increase in blood sugar levels
According to data from the Italian Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Rural Policies, spelled contains 2.4 sugars per 100 g. Spelled, called a low-sugar cereal because its sugar level is very low, helps manage blood sugar levels and is recommended for diabetic patients. In fact, the effects of spelled have been studied in India. Comparing the group that consumed spelled rice and the control group that did not, the postprandial blood sugar level increased by 20 mg/dl, but the blood sugar level remained stable.
◇ ‘Lighthouse’ that protects skin health
Spelled contains high levels of antioxidant compounds. Antioxidants that help boost immunity also help prevent skin aging and improve skin beauty. In particular, ferulic acid, highly contained in spelled, protects the collagen and elastin of the skin by suppressing the production of melanin, preventing the aging of the skin which can become dull due to the diet is said to be beneficial.
◇Spelt goes well with white rice
White rice cooked only with white rice is digested quickly. For this reason, you may feel hungry quickly, but if you mix in spelled, which slows down digestion, you can feel full for a long time along with the rich nutrients of spelled. The golden ratio between white rice and spelled is 7:3, the same as cooking multigrain rice. Spelled is rich in nutrients, including 9 kinds of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc, 10 kinds of essential amino acids, plant vitamins and antioxidant compounds, so every time you eat spelled, you can consume various nutrients that are not found in white rice, so I think it’s helpful for management.
The staple food of Koreans is definitely rice. Rice is very important to Koreans who live by the power they gain from eating rice, also known as “the spirit of rice”. If you’re worried about your blood sugar level every time you eat or are trying to control your weight, try making a healthy meal with spelled rice.
Reporter Kang Min-seong [email protected]
[ 저작권자 ⓒ디지털타임스, 무단 전재 및 재배포 금지 ]
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Unlocking the Power of Spelt: A Healthy Alternative to White Rice
Family Caregiver Month kicks off, with meetings and shows across the province to raise awareness and support those who care in silence
An event for each health district. It started on Family Caregiver Month, aimed at those who provide assistance, voluntarily and free of charge, to a disabled or otherwise non-self-sufficient loved one. The Modena Local Health Authority, in collaboration with local authorities, has organized a series of initiatives to investigate and raise awareness of a topic which personally involves a silent ‘army’ made up of children, wives, husbands, parents or simply friends who every day they engage in domestic environments, an audience that according to ISTAT in Italy reaches 7 million people (over 2 million in Emilia-Romagna alone).
The calendar includes an initiative that will involve all the Districts of the province: a meeting led by rehabilitation professionals, who will provide information on how to correctly manage and assist a person with motor difficulties. The first appointment is scheduled for Tuesday 7 May in Modena, followed by the 9th in Sassuolo, the 14th in Vignola, the 15th in Carpi, the 21st in Pavullo, the 28th in Mirandola and the 29th May in Castelfranco. All meetings will be held from 4.30pm to 6.30pm.
To participate you must register on the site www.ausl.mo.it/caregiver
Here are the other main events in the various Districts:
A Modena Family Caregiver Month includes appointments every Friday. In particular, on Friday 10 May from 10 to 11.30, the bishop Don Erio Castellucci will meet the caregivers at the Sala Pucci in Largo Pucci 40. Also on 10 May and Saturday 11, a theater show entitled ‘Buffoni As Enough’ is scheduled of the inclusive workshop ‘Officina delle Api’: the event will be held both evenings at 9pm at the Teatro Tempio (viale Caduti in Guerra 196).
In Castelfranco EmiliaMonday 13 May from 9.40 to 12.10, at the Spallanzani institute, the initiative entitled ‘Young caregivers: making caring visible’ is scheduled, a lesson dedicated to students in the fourth and fifth grades.
To PaulThe meeting ‘Caregiver: a resource for today, for the future of tomorrow, images, words and thoughts’ will be held on Saturday 4 May from 9 to 11 am in the Unione Frignano Council Room.
A Carpi, on Thursday 16 May at 3pm at the Casa del Volunteere in Viale Peruzzi 22, a meeting entitled ‘World café: planning community actions together to support young caregivers’ is scheduled. Also at the Casa del Volontariato, on Thursday 30 May from 3pm, the event ‘Towards a community that includes and supports assisted people and their caregivers’ will be held.
In Sassuolo Caregiver Month will also be celebrated in the theater. In particular, on Friday 24 May from 6pm to 8.30pm at the Carani Theatre, ‘MUSI-CARE’ is scheduled, a show dedicated to carers with the Ologramma orchestra.
In MirandolaThe meeting ‘Young caregivers: facing challenges is a resource’ will take place on Wednesday 22 May from 9.30 to 13 in the Rita Levi Montalcini room. The event is also open to citizens and involves the involvement of high schools.
In Vignola the caregivers will be the protagonists of a meeting on May 23rd, from 6.30pm to 8pm, at the Auris ‘Francesco Selmi’ Library (via S.Francesco 165). Local associations that deal with caregivers will be present.
The complete program of initiatives in the various Districts can be consulted on the page www.ausl.mo.it/caregiver
[6 maggio 2024]
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