Lung organoids unveil secret: How pathogens infect human lung tissue

UNIVERSITY OF BASEL

 

IMAGE: 

THE PATHOGENIC BACTERIUM PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA BREACHING THROUGH THE RESPIRATORY EPITHELIA OF A HUMAN LUNG MICROTISSUE MODEL, CAPTURED VIA SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY.

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CREDIT: BENOIT LAVENTIE, BIOZENTRUM, UNIVERSITY OF BASEL

How do pathogens invade the lungs? Using human lung microtissues, a team at the Biozentrum of the University of Basel has uncovered the strategy used by a dangerous pathogen. The bacterium targets specific lung cells and has developed a sophisticated strategy to break through the lungs’ line of defense.

Earlier this year, the WHO published a list of twelve of the world’s most dangerous bacterial pathogens that are resistant to multiple antibiotics and pose a grave threat to human health. This list includes Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a much-feared nosocomial pathogen that causes severe and life-threatening pneumonia. This pathogen is especially threatening to immunocompromised patients and those on mechanical ventilation, with mortality rates up to 50 percent.

The lung barrier is penetrable

Pseudomonas aeruginosa has developed a broad range of strategies to invade the lungs and the body. Researchers led by Prof. Urs Jenal at the Biozentrum, University of Basel, have now gained novel insights into the infection process using lab-grown lung microtissues generated from human stem cells. In the scientific journal “Nature Microbiology”, they describe how Pseudomonas breaches the top layer of lung tissue and invades deeper areas. This study was conducted as part of the National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR) “AntiResist”.

Our lungs are lined by a thin layer of tightly packed cells that protects the deeper layers of lung tissue. The surface is covered with mucus, which traps particles such as microorganisms and is removed from the airways by specialized cells. This layer serves as an effective almost impenetrable barrier against invading pathogens. However, Pseudomonas bacteria have found a way to breach it. But how the pathogen crosses the tissue barrier has remained a mystery until now.

Lung organoids provide new insight into infections in humans

“We have grown human lung microtissues that realistically mimic the infection process inside a patient’s body,” explains Jenal. “These lung models enabled us to uncover the pathogen’s infection strategy. It uses the mucus-producing goblet cells as Trojan horses to invade and cross the barrier tissue. By targeting the goblet cells, which make up only a small part of the lung mucosa, the bacteria can breach the defense line and open the gate.”

With a large arsenal of virulence factors, known as secretion systems, the pathogen specifically attacks and invades the goblet cells, replicates inside the cells and ultimately kills them. The burst of the dead cells leads to ruptures in the tissue layer, making the protective barrier leaky. The pathogens exploit this weak spot: They rapidly colonize the rupture sites and spread into deeper tissue regions.

New sensor for monitoring bacteria

Using human lung organoids, the scientists have been able to elucidate the sophisticated infection strategies of Pseudomonas. However, it remains unclear how the pathogens adapt their behavior during the infection process. For example, they must first be mobile to spread over the tissue surface, then quickly adhere to lung cells upon contact, and later activate their virulence factors. It is known that the bacteria can rapidly change their behavior thanks to small signaling molecules. Until now, however, the technology to study these correlations was not available.

Jenal’s team has now developed a biosensor to measure and track a small signaling molecule called c-di-GMP in individual bacteria. The method was recently described in Nature Communications. "This is a technological breakthrough," says Jenal. "Now we can monitor in real time and with high resolution how this signaling molecule is regulated during infection and how it controls the pathogen’s virulence. We now have a detailed view on when and where individual bacterial cells activate certain programs to regulate their behavior. This method enables us to investigate lung infections in more detail."

Organ models mimic conditions in patients

"Thanks to the development of human lung organoids, we now have a much better understanding of how the pathogens behave in human tissue and presumably in patients," emphasizes Jenal. "This brings us a big step closer to the goal of NCCR AntiResist." Organoids of the human lung and other organs like the bladder allow the researchers to study the effects of antibiotics in tissue, for example, identifying where and how bacteria survive during treatment. Such organ models will be indispensable in the future for developing new and effective strategies to combat pathogens.

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JOURNAL

Nature Microbiology

DOI

10.1038/s41564-024-01718-6 

ARTICLE TITLE

Goblet cell invasion promotes breaching of respiratory epithelia by an opportunistic human pathogen.

ARTICLE PUBLICATION DATE

10-Jun-2024

Lung cancer screening prolongs lives in real-world study

Among US veterans, screening led to earlier lung cancer diagnoses and improved survival.

WILEY

Among US veterans diagnosed with lung cancer through the Veterans Health Administration healthcare system, those who underwent screening before diagnosis were more likely to be diagnosed with earlier stage disease and had a higher cure rate than those who had not been screened. The findings come from an observational study published by Wiley online in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, and most patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage. Early detection through screening could save lives, and current recommendations state that adults 50–80 years old with at least a 20-pack-year smoking history who currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years should undergo annual imaging tests for lung cancer.

Such screening has been shown to be beneficial in clinical trials, but there are limited data on the real-world effectiveness of lung cancer screening. To investigate, researchers assessed the impact of screening among patients in the Veterans Health Administration healthcare system diagnosed with lung cancer from 2011–2018.

Among 57,919 individuals diagnosed with lung cancer, 2,167 (3.9%) underwent screening before diagnosis. Patients who underwent screening had higher rates of early (stage I) diagnoses compared with those who had no screening (52% versus 27%), lower rates of death from any cause (49.8% versus 72.1%), and death from cancer (41.0% versus 70.3%) over 5 years.

“It is incredible to witness how dedicated national efforts to increase lung cancer screening from the Lung Precision Oncology Program can lead to substantial improvements in lung cancer outcomes,” said co–corresponding author Michael Green, MD, PhD, of the University of Michigan and the Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System. 

 

Additional information
NOTE: The information contained in this release is protected by copyright. Please include journal attribution in all coverage. A free abstract of this article will be available via the CANCER Newsroom upon online publication. For more information or to obtain a PDF of any study, please contact: Sara Henning-Stout, newsroom@wiley.com

Full Citation:
“Impact of Lung Cancer Screening on Stage Migration and Mortality among the National VA Lung Cancer Population.” Donna M. Edwards, Mina Pirzadeh, Tony Van, Ralph Jiang, Akshay Tate, Grace Schaefer, Jadyn James, Caroline Bishop, Cydnee Wilson, Nicholas Nedzesky, Aaren Alseri, Anthony Leveque, Amanda Malus, Akbar Waljee, David A. Elliott, Jane Deng, Ann Schwartz, Matthew Schipper, Alex K. Bryant, Nithya Ramnath, and Michael D. Green. CANCER; Published Online: June 10, 2024 (DOI: 10.1002/cncr.35340). 

URL Upon Publication: http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/cncr.35340

Author Contact: Chris Arbino, Deputy Director of Communications at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, at christopher.arbino@va.gov or +1 734-496-4509

About the Journal
CANCER is a peer-reviewed publication of the American Cancer Society integrating scientific information from worldwide sources for all oncologic specialties. The objective of CANCER is to provide an interdisciplinary forum for the exchange of information among oncologic disciplines concerned with the etiology, course, and treatment of human cancer. CANCER is published on behalf of the American Cancer Society by Wiley and can be accessed online. Follow CANCER on Twitter @JournalCancer and Instagram @ACSJournalCancer, and stay up to date with the American Cancer Society Journals on LinkedIn.

About Wiley      
Wiley is a knowledge company and a global leader in research, publishing, and knowledge solutions. Dedicated to the creation and application of knowledge, Wiley serves the world’s researchers, learners, innovators, and leaders, helping them achieve their goals and solve the world's most important challenges. For more than two centuries, Wiley has been delivering on its timeless mission to unlock human potential.  Visit us at Wiley.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

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JOURNAL

Cancer

DOI

10.1002/cncr.35340 

ARTICLE TITLE

Impact of Lung Cancer Screening on Stage Migration and Mortality among the National VA Lung Cancer Population

ARTICLE PUBLICATION DATE

10-Jun-2024

 

Psychosocial skills can stop relapse in people with eating disorders, says expert

Book Announcement

TAYLOR & FRANCIS GROUP

Health services should teach patients with eating disorders psychosocial skills to help more people recover and avoid relapse, according to an expert.

Anorexia, bulimia and other eating issues affect millions of people, and eating disorder specialist Bethany Crowley warns that eating disorders are often misunderstood. She suggests a more integrated approach to treating people is needed, to focus on the whole person rather than just the disordered eating.

Quieting negative thoughts, learning to cope with emotional triggers and practicing self-compassion are among nine key skills outlined by the therapist in a new book.

An Integrative Approach to Treating Eating Disorders aims to demystify the complexities and nuances of disordered eating. The intention is also to help patients understand their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Warning signs

An estimated 30 million people are affected every year in the US by eating disorders including anorexia, bulimia and binge eating, and every 62 minutes someone dies as a direct result.

The rate of relapse is high among those who seek treatment.

An Integrative Approach to Treating Eating Disorders includes real-life patient case histories to illustrate the struggles people face with disordered eating.

The author says that eating disorders are hard to treat because everything is a metaphor, and one of the key skills to recovery is understanding the meanings behind food and eating. A bag of crisps, she adds, can serve as a symbol of love and a substitute for a hug.

Sensitivity to rejection, obsessive thoughts, and compensatory behavior such as only eating after exercise are among the many warning signs – or red flags – for a possible eating disorder, Crowley warns. Teaching patients to use their authentic ‘voice’ is key to recovery, Crowley suggests, and learning to quiet negative thoughts.

She also says that people with eating disorders often struggle with daily life and relationships such as social situations, and another key skill is understanding attachment styles and needs to develop healthier relationships.

Other skills include people changing the ‘story’ or ‘narrative’ they have been repeating for years. Crowley says some people regard their eating disorder as a ‘best friend’. “What is needed,” she says, “is for them to learn to let go of their rigid thinking and the belief that they cannot change a negative situation, even when opportunities to do so are available.”

Evidence-based treatment

Crowley’s advice is based on multimodal therapy (MMT), an evidence-based therapy which explores biological, psychological, and social aspects of why someone develops an eating disorder. MMT uses several therapeutic techniques at once, instead of one alone which can mean underlying factors are overlooked.

Crowley, who has 20 years’ experience treating eating disorders, says therapists need to develop a better understanding of patients’ struggles from the time they enter treatment to discharge.

For patients, they are given a framework which they can use to cultivate the skills necessary for a positive recovery.

She says: “Psychoeducation is an essential part of my method in treating eating disorders. Helping clients to understand how their thoughts, behaviors, feelings, and perceptions are connected to their eating struggles and body dissatisfaction has been a cornerstone to the effectiveness of my approach.

“For example, people who struggle with eating often have difficulties asking questions when things don’t make sense which can be due to their anxiety or a need for control. If they don’t ask questions, how can they expect to get better?

“It’s our job to help them gain clarity around their issues, so they can eventually ask the right questions – and then better follow and practice the skills needed for eating disorder recovery.”

An Integrative Approach to Treating Eating Disorders also advises that therapists use a physical and emotional energy scale to help patients identify the body’s cues for rest. A lower number means the person is physically and emotionally tired, and should act on this.

Moreover, the book provides details of how patients can identify their emotional triggers –  their ‘window of tolerance’ for emotional discomfort. The upper limit is hyperarousal such as agitation and the lower limit is hypo-arousal such as feelings of hopelessness.

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DOI

10.4324/9781032651408 

 

Laser-based 3D printing: A powerful tool to advance optical microscopy

LIGHT PUBLISHING CENTER, CHANGCHUN INSTITUTE OF OPTICS, FINE MECHANICS AND PHYSICS, CAS

 

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THE 3D MICRO-DEVICE CONSISTS OF A MODIFIED COVERSLIP AND A MICRO-SPHERE FABRICATED BY ADVANCED MPL. IT CAN ENHANCE THE LATERAL RESOLUTION BEYOND WHAT IS ACHIEVABLE WITH CONVENTIONAL OPTICS.

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CREDIT: BY GORDON ZYLA, GÖRAN MACONI, ANTON NOLVI, JAN MARX, DIMITRA LADIKA, ARI SALMI, VASILEIA MELISSINAKI, IVAN KASSAMAKOV, AND MARIA FARSARI

Today, optical microscopy is one of the most widely used methods in various multidisciplinary fields for inspecting objects, organisms, or surfaces on a small scale. However, its lateral resolution is fundamentally limited by the diffraction of light—a constraint that, with the use of conventional lenses, has become increasingly critical as the demand for higher resolutions grows.

The integration of a dielectric micro-sphere behind the last imaging lens of an optical microscope offers a promising solution to significantly enhance lateral resolution, a research area known as micro-sphere-assisted microscopy. However, in practice, the use of commercially available dielectric micro-spheres comes with substantial limitations. Cumbersome workflows are required for proper handling of the micro-spheres, and the sizes of commercially available dielectric micro-spheres are also limited. These challenges hinder the widespread application of micro-sphere-assisted microscopy as a cost-effective alternative to expensive microscopy solutions, such as scanning electron microscopy or atomic force microscopy.

In a new paper published in Light: Advanced Manufacturing, scientists from the Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser - Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, the University of Helsinki, and Ruhr University Bochum have developed a new strategy for fabricating high-quality micro-spheres using laser-based 3D printing. This approach utilizes multi-photon lithography (MPL), which enables maskless production of true 3D structures at the micro- and nanoscale. Additionally, due to the nonlinear nature of MPL, its precision can be dramatically enhanced by locally refining the laser intensity throughout the printing process. By combining this sophisticated approach with an advanced hatching and slicing strategy, the team successfully fabricated a micro-sphere with a diameter of 20 µm, exhibiting almost perfect geometric quality (λ/8) and exceptional surface smoothness.

Ultimately, the micro-sphere was printed on a coverslip, which had a hole in its center processed by femtosecond laser ablation. The combination of this modified coverslip and the micro-sphere constitutes a 3D micro-device, enabling flexible manipulation of the sphere and its potential integration into any optical microscope.

The performance of the micro-sphere, when incorporated into the 3D micro-device, was evaluated using a Mirau-type coherence scanning interferometer (MCSI) and a calibration grid with a resolving power of λ = 0.28. As a result, the sphere’s optical properties surpassed the typical resolution limits of conventional lenses in visible light, while preserving the high axial resolution of MSCI.

Fabricated in just 8 minutes, including both the modification of the coverslip and the fabrication of the sphere, the 3D micro-device strongly indicates its applicability as a real-world solution. Moreover, the unique capabilities of MPL enable the exploration of innovative micro-optical structures and systems to further enhance the lateral resolution for both 2D and 3D optical microscopy. Looking towards the future, the scientists highlight the numerous possibilities for employing MPL in this field, emphasizing its high potential for cost-effectively developing custom-designed devices that improve resolution for any optical microscope.

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JOURNAL

Light: Advanced Manufacturing

DOI

10.37188/lam.2024.019 

 

Hidden challenges of tooth loss and dentures revealed in new study

The hidden challenges faced by people with tooth loss and dentures has been identified by new research from the University of Sheffield

UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD

 

IMAGE: 

IMAGE COPYRIGHT GINA ALLEN 2024

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CREDIT: IMAGE COPYRIGHT GINA ALLEN 2024

The hidden challenges faced by people with tooth loss and dentures has been identified by new research from the University of Sheffield.

 

Improvements in dental care, more people living longer and the social value placed on having a healthy smile has led to people keeping their own teeth longer, but it has also led to an increasing number of people needing some kind of restoration work including crowns, bridges and implants. 

 

Many of these treatments remain unobtainable for most people due to the availability of NHS dentists and the high cost of private dental work. Removable dentures are often the only viable option for anyone experiencing tooth loss with an estimated 10 to 15 percent of the population wearing them.

 

A new study by researchers at the University of Sheffield’s Healthy Life Span Institute and the School of Clinical Dentistry has highlighted the emotional struggles and hidden challenges patients experience when having dentures fitted. This is the first study to map out the patient journey and how this experience can affect the overall success of the treatment.

 

The study found that patients think about their denture journey in four stages:

 

• Tooth Loss: This is the initial stage where patients experience the physical loss of teeth.

 

• The Emotional Tunnel: This stage focuses on the emotional rollercoaster of tooth loss. Patients experience self-consciousness, depression, and struggle with dentures. They may feel shame, anger, or fear, but also hope.

 

• Prosthetic Hope: This stage represents the hope and optimism patients feel when getting dentures. They might anticipate regaining their smile and ability to eat normally.

 

• Prosthetic Compromise leading to managing disclosure: This final stage acknowledges that dentures take some getting used to. Patients might need to adjust their expectations and learn how to manage talking and eating with dentures. They might also develop strategies to feel comfortable disclosing their denture use to others.

 

These feelings and how dentists understand and manage them can influence the patient outcomes. A dentist's empathy during this adjustment period is crucial for successful denture use and better patient outcomes.

 

The study also identified that wearing removable dentures can be a hidden disability for many. People with dentures feel they have to hide them due to feeling embarrassed or worrying they will fall out. Some patients also avoided social situations 

 

Lead researcher Barry Gibson, Professor in Medical Sociology at the University of Sheffield said “Tooth loss can be hugely traumatic and this study has uncovered just how challenging it is for people needing partial dentures. Feelings such as embarrassment or shame can significantly affect the process of having dentures made and fitted. On top of this if they don’t fit properly this can make everyday activities such as speaking, eating and drinking very difficult which affects a person’s quality of life. The impact can be so dramatic that it can impact their confidence to leave the house. This can have a devastating and lasting impact.

 

“Understanding the emotional difficulties identified in the study will help dentists to improve the care given to denture patients and lead to a more successful and better experience for everyone”

 

The research team partnered with local Sheffield artist Gina Allen to create an art piece reflecting the diverse emotional journeys of denture wearers. 

 

The picture is a collage that illustrates the type of journeys patients go through from tooth loss to life with a denture. It uses colour to depict the emotional nature of the journey and demonstrates that all patients have a unique journey and outcome from the experience.  One patient, a young woman, has a successful outcome; a middle-aged man is OK but a bit 'Meh!' An older woman continues to struggle to cope with some aspects of adapting to her denture.

 

Artist Gina Allen said  “I’m a visual artist with a science background and a particular interest in how art can help to explore and interpret data, often around social and environmental themes. It seemed to me that there was such a depth and variety of individual experiences captured by the research team on this project, so it was a really interesting challenge to be involved in, trying to use the visual parameters of an artwork to convey some of that in an engaging and meaningful way.”

 

This collaboration has influenced the development of a new patient questionnaire designed to:

• Identify Individual Needs: Tailor care based on specific patient experiences.
• Improve Communication: Enable dentists and patients to have open conversations about dentures.
• Trigger Follow-Up: Identify patients who may need additional support.

 

In addition to identifying the emotional challenges faced by patients, the study also highlights the need for a clinical care pathway to improve patient support, focus on improving denture fit, educate patients about denture care, and combat the shame and stigma associated with wearing dentures.

 

Mr Bilal El-Dhuwaib, Clinical Teacher in Restorative Dentistry at the University of Sheffield, said: “This study is important because it goes beyond the typical numbers-driven approach to dentistry by looking at crucial aspects of patients' emotions and lived experiences. By understanding the psychological and social impact of tooth loss and replacement, the research provides a valuable toolkit for myself and fellow dentists to better understand and address the emotional rollercoaster patients navigate during this process. By equipping dentists with the tools to understand these challenges, we can create a more compassionate and effective approach to tooth replacement."

 

The research team is seeking further funding to validate the questionnaire and develop a comprehensive clinical pathway for denture care. This pathway aims to improve patient outcomes and address the hidden struggles faced by denture wearers.

 

This study, published in The Journal of Dentistry was funded by global consumer health company Haleon. 

 

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JOURNAL

Journal of Dentistry

DOI

10.1016/j.jdent.2024.104964 

METHOD OF RESEARCH

Case study

SUBJECT OF RESEARCH

People

ARTICLE TITLE

Hidden challenges of tooth loss and dentures revealed in new study

ARTICLE PUBLICATION DATE

6-Jun-2024

 

Political connections fuel innovation in emerging markets, but talent makes the difference

UNIVERSITY OF SURREY

Political connections can be a double-edged sword for innovation in emerging markets. While they provide companies with valuable resources and partnerships, the right kind of skilled talent is needed to take advantage of these benefits, according to a new study from the University of Surrey.  

Firms can be helped in emerging markets through political connections by gaining access to resources and knowledge or driving innovation. However, highly skilled employees are essential to utilise these benefits. 

Tazeeb Rajwani, Professor of International Business and Strategy at the University of Surrey and co-author of the study, said: 

"Our research suggests that political connections can be a valuable tool for firms in emerging markets to drive innovation. However, having the right talent in place is critical to maximise these benefits.  

"Simply having political connections isn't enough. You need the people to understand and implement the new knowledge and resources effectively. Think about it like this: if you give someone a box of expensive tools, they can't build a house if they don't know how to use a hammer and saw. Highly skilled employees are the hammers and saws that firms need to turn political connections into real innovation." 

The study examined data from over 3,200 Chinese-listed businesses over a decade. Researchers looked at various factors, including: 

• The CEO's political connections (determined by previous government work experience).  

• The business' level of innovation (measured by the number of invention patent applications). 

• The educational backgrounds of employees.  

This comprehensive approach allowed Surrey's researchers to analyse the complex relationship between political connections, talent, and innovation in emerging markets. 

The research differentiates between two types of employees: under-qualified and highly skilled employees. Companies with highly skilled employees can better use resources and knowledge from political connections, leading to more innovation.  

Read the full study in the International Business Review.    

 

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Note to editors:      

• Professor Tazeeb Rajwani is available for interview upon request      

• Contact the University of Surrey press office: mediarelations@surrey.ac.uk   

 

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JOURNAL

International Business Review

DOI

10.1016/j.ibusrev.2023.102244 

ARTICLE TITLE

Diverse human resource slack and firm innovation: Evidence from politically connected firms

 

New study explores the world of philanthropy and research funding

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA SCHOOL OF DATA SCIENCE

Private philanthropy has long been a key source of funding for U.S. scientists, particularly as government support has failed to keep pace with the rising cost of research.

But while a few large, headline-grabbing private donations have creeped into the public consciousness over the years, little is known about the much larger philanthropic ecosystem that helps underpin scientific research at U.S. universities and institutions.

A new study, co-authored by Alex Gates, an assistant professor of data science at the University of Virginia, aims to illuminate this little-known but critical element of the U.S. scientific landscape. 

Gates teamed up with colleagues Louis M. Shekhtman, an assistant professor at Bar-Ilan University, and Albert-László Barabási, a professor at Northeastern University — all scientists themselves who have extensive experience operating in the world they studied.  

“As researchers, we have to write grants, and we have to ask people for money,” Gates said. “And it started to occur to us that there were probably more systematic ways to identify whom we should be asking.”

To paint a full picture of philanthropic funding for scientific research, though, would require data. 

Fortunately for Gates, Shekhtman, and Barabási, the IRS in recent years has made the tax form that nonprofits must file disclosing their revenue, expenditures, and other organizational information — called Form 990 — machine readable. Gates said that while some journalists have taken advantage of this treasure trove of material, “no one’s really leveraged the full extent of the data.”

Gates and his co-authors analyzed more than 3.6 million tax records filed by approximately 685,000 universities and research institutions between 2010 and 2019. From their analysis, which employed machine learning and network science, emerged a rich and complex portrait of the many dynamics driving philanthropic support of science in the United States. 

For starters, the authors identified the full magnitude of philanthropic spending on scientific research: 69,675 nonprofits gave and received 926,124 grants totaling $208 billion during the period examined. In recent years funding levels reached $30 billion annually, which approaches the amount of support provided by the National Institutes of Health.

While the assumption might be that multimillion-dollar donations are driving this spending, large gifts are, in fact, an anomaly, Gates said.

“The largest donations are very few in number; there are many, many more very small donations,” he said.

The authors were also able to explore what factors drove a philanthropic group’s decision to donate. They found that the scientific potential of a proposal was not necessarily the determinant.

“When you focus on science, we think it’s a meritocracy, right? Always the best scientific ideas should be getting the most money,” Gates said, describing the perception of philanthropic support. However, the authors found that other factors influenced giving patterns, including geography.

“Some philanthropists make it very explicit that they give to their local communities,” Gates said. However, even for organizations that have a global mission, such as the Seattle-based Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, location can matter.
“The Gates Foundation is a great example. Their biggest donation was to the University of Washington. It turns out they favor things in Seattle much more than they declared,” he explained. 

The authors also found that the amount of philanthropic dollars institutions receive is highly correlated to the degree of support provided by the National Science Foundation, a federal agency, suggesting that inequalities that have been identified in public financing of research may also occur in philanthropic giving. 

Additionally, private donors and nonprofits tend to support the same organizations over time, the analysis showed.

To illustrate, the authors found that there was an 80% chance that a donor who gave to an organization two years in a row would support it the following year; for funding relationships that had lasted seven years, the probability is even higher, with a 90% likelihood support would continue.

The authors note that this funding continuity could be beneficial for research by allowing organizations to take more risks and tackle more complex challenges. However, this phenomenon may simply reflect inertia, they pointed out, which could lead to funding shortfalls for organizations that experience state or federal funding cuts.

There is also evidence that donors with shared priorities often support the same groups, which, the authors note, could inhibit the ability of other institutions to gain funding. 

The key objective for Gates, Shekhtman, and Barabási was to determine whether they could develop a model that could predict which groups would receive philanthropic funding.

Such a tool could enhance the public’s understanding of the impact of philanthropy on science and help researchers gain access and awareness of the philanthropic options that could advance their work. 

The network-based model they ultimately developed, Gates explained, was similar to the original Netflix algorithm that the company used to offer movie recommendations to customers based on their prior viewing habits. 

“We got fairly high accuracy for this model, so that was really encouraging,” he said. 

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JOURNAL

Scientific Reports

METHOD OF RESEARCH

Data/statistical analysis

SUBJECT OF RESEARCH

People

ARTICLE TITLE

Mapping philanthropic support of science

 

Doctors advise caution as energy drinks may trigger life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias in patients with genetic heart diseases

A study published in Heart Rhythm examined potential dangers of energy drink consumption in a Mayo Clinic cohort of sudden cardiac arrest survivors

Peer-Reviewed Publication

ELSEVIER

Philadelphia, June 6, 2024 – A new study in Heart Rhythm, the official journal of the Heart Rhythm Society, the Cardiac Electrophysiology Society, and the Pediatric & Congenital Electrophysiology Society, published by Elsevier, examined the potential dangers of consuming energy drinks for patients with genetic heart diseases. A cohort of 144 sudden cardiac arrest survivors was examined at Mayo Clinic, of which seven patients (5%) had consumed one or more energy drinks in close proximity to their cardiac event. While the study did not prove direct causation, caution is advised, and doctors recommend that patients consume energy drinks in moderation.

Lead investigator of the study Michael J. Ackerman, MD, PhD, Genetic Cardiologist at Mayo Clinic and Director of the Mayo Clinic Windland Smith Rice Sudden Death Genomics Laboratory in Rochester, MN, says, "The energy drink market in the United States has been growing consistently over the past few years, raising concerns about the potential combined effects of caffeine consumption and additional unregulated ingredients in these beverages. Energy drinks are not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), so researching the effects that these drinks have on our patients is of utmost importance."

Energy drinks contain caffeine ranging from 80 mg to 300 mg per serving, compared with 100 mg in an 8-ounce cup of brewed coffee. However, most of these energy drinks contain other stimulating ingredients in addition to caffeine that are unregulated by the FDA, such as taurine and guarana. It has been postulated that the highly stimulating and unregulated ingredients alter heart rate, blood pressure, cardiac contractility, and cardiac repolarization in a potentially pro-arrhythmic manner.

Ehud Chorin, MD, PhD, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, co-author of the accompanying editorial commentary "Arrhythmogenic Foods – An Underestimated Medical Problem?" says, "Establishing a probable cause of an arrhythmia includes inquiring about a potential exposure to toxins or medications. An increasing number of substances in the standard diet are found to have unwanted cardiac effects, prompting the consideration of a novel subcategory in a patient’s clinical history intake: arrhythmogenic foods. Energy drinks fall in this category. The findings reported in this study should be viewed in the context of the large body of evidence suggesting arrhythmogenic effects of certain foods, especially when consumed in large quantities or large concentration by high-risk patients."

In addition to examining the consumption of energy drinks among the cohort of sudden cardiac arrest survivors, the researchers also looked closely at the type of cardiac event as well as the conditions surrounding the event, such as exercise and other stressors known to be associated with genetic heart disease-associated cardiac arrhythmias.

Dr. Ackerman explains, "While there seemed to be a temporal relationship between energy drink consumption and the seven patients' sudden cardiac arrest event, a myriad of potential 'agitators' that could have also contributed to a genetic heart disease-associated arrhythmia occurred, like sleep deprivation, dehydration, dieting or extreme fasting, concomitant use of QT-prolonging drugs, or the postpartum period. As such, unusual consumption of energy drinks most likely combined with other variables to create a 'perfect storm' of risk factors, leading to sudden cardiac arrest in these patients."

Peter J. Schwartz, MD, FHRS, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Center for Cardiac Arrhythmias of Genetic Origin and Laboratory of Cardiovascular Genetics, Milan, co-author of the accompanying editorial commentary "Energy Drinks and Sudden Death: If it Swims Like a Duck …", says, "Critics might say of these findings, ’it’s just an association by chance.’ We, as well as the Mayo Clinic group, are perfectly aware that there is no clear and definitive evidence that energy drinks indeed cause life-threatening arrhythmias and that more data are necessary, but we would be remiss if we were not sounding the alarm. At one point, clinical experience, solid understanding of pathophysiology, and common sense should join and speak up."

Dr. Ackerman concludes, “Although the relative risk is small and the absolute risk of sudden death after consuming an energy drink is even smaller, patients with a known sudden death predisposing genetic heart disease should weigh the risks and benefits of consuming such drinks in the balance.”

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JOURNAL

Heart Rhythm

DOI

10.1016/j.hrthm.2024.02.018 

METHOD OF RESEARCH

Data/statistical analysis

SUBJECT OF RESEARCH

People

ARTICLE TITLE

Sudden Cardiac Arrest Occurring in Temporal Proximity to Consumption of Energy Drinks

ARTICLE PUBLICATION DATE

6-Jun-2024