A newly identified reductive uric acid pathway offers hope for gout

Higher Education Press

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Uric acid degradation pathways.

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Credit: Zhi Li, Wei Meng, Zihan Gao, Wanli Peng, Zhandong Hu, Jianhao Zhang, Yining Wang, Xiaoxia Wu, Zipeng Zhao, Chuyuan Zhang, Zhuohao Tang, Zhujun Nie, Shaohua Wu, Benjuan Wu, Hui Zheng, Duqiang Luo, Yang Tong, Yiling Hu, Zehan Hu, Yifeng Wei, Yan Zhang

Uric acid builds up in the blood when the body cannot excrete it efficiently, leading to painful gout attacks, kidney stones, and other complications. Current treatments often rely on drugs that block uric acid production, but these can have side effects and do not work for everyone.

 

For many years, uric acid degradation is known as occurring mainly through an oxidative pathway, in which uricase enzymes use oxygen to break the purine ring and convert uric acid into allantoin. Humans and higher primates lack functional uricase, which is why they are particularly prone to uric acid accumulation and gout.

 

A new study published in Life Metabolism reports an alternative “reductive pathway” that functions without oxygen. In this route, uric acid is first reduced to a newly identified metabolite, “yanthine”, and then further broken down by a sequence of reductive dearomatization and ring-cleaving reactions, ultimately yielding small molecules such as pyruvate and ammonia (Figure 1). This discovery revises the long-standing view of purine catabolism and highlights the metabolic versatility of gut bacteria in anaerobic environments.

 

Importantly, the study also detected “yanthine” circulating in human blood, with significantly higher levels in patients with gout compared with healthy individuals. This suggests that “yanthine” could serve as a biomarker for diagnosing or monitoring uric acid-related disorders. To explore therapeutic potential, the team engineered a probiotic strain of Escherichia coli to constitutively activate the reductive pathway. In a uricase-deficient mouse model of hyperuricemia, oral administration of this engineered strain significantly lowered blood uric acid levels, alleviated kidney injury, and remained stably colonized in the gut.

 

Together, these findings establish the reductive uric acid pathway as a major addition to the known repertoire of microbial metabolism. The work not only advances fundamental understanding of purine degradation but also points towards practical applications in biomarker discovery and the development of probiotic-based strategies to help control gout.

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Journal

Life Metabolism

DOI

10.1093/lifemeta/loaf031 

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Animal tissue samples

Article Title

A reductive uric acid degradation pathway in anaerobic bacteria

 

Are patients undergoing surgery for early-stage cancer at risk of persistent opioid use?

Study reveals that 1 in 10 will initiate opioid prescriptions long term.

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New research indicates that many patients who undergo surgery with the intent to cure early-stage cancer continue or start opioid prescriptions in the year following surgery. The findings are published by Wiley online in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society.

Pain management is essential during cancer care, but prescription opioid practices associated with cancer treatment may lead to unsafe long-term opioid use and adverse outcomes such as opioid use disorder and opioid overdose. To assess the situation, investigators examined rates of new persistent opioid use in the year following surgery for stage 0 to 3 cancers among 9,213 U.S. Veterans who were opioid-naïve (not on prescribed opioids the year prior to their cancer diagnosis).

The team found that potentially dangerous co-prescription of opioid and benzodiazepine (a central nervous system depressant that treats anxiety, insomnia, and seizures and should not be combined with opioids) medications occurred in 366 (4.0%) Veterans during follow-up. Persistent opioid use occurred in 981 (10.6%). A higher intensity of exposure to opioid prescriptions during treatment was associated with these outcomes. People with a prior history of chronic pain, greater comorbidities, lower socioeconomic status, and who received adjuvant chemotherapy were at especially high risk of opioid use in the year after surgery.

“Minimizing opioid exposure associated with cancer treatment while providing effective pain control will decrease long-term health risks among cancer survivors,” said lead author Marilyn M. Schapira, MD, MPH, of the University of Pennsylvania. “This is important as many patients are living longer after a cancer diagnosis and treatment.”

 

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:
“The Impact of Opioid Use Associated with Curative Intent Cancer Surgery on Safe Opioid Prescribing Practice among Veterans: An Observational Study.” Marilyn M. Schapira, Sumedha Chhatre, Patience M. Dow, Charles E. Leonard, Peter Groeneveld, Jason Prigge, Christopher Roberts, Zachary Meisel, Ravi B. Parikh, Ravishankar Jayadevappa, Emily C. Paulson, Robert Krouse, Katie J. Suda, Pallavi Kumar, Visala Muluk, and Rebecca Hubbard. CANCER; Published Online: September 8, 2025 (DOI: 10.1002/cncr.70009).
URL Upon Publication: http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/cncr.70009 

Author Contact: Meagan Raeke, Senior Science Communications Officer at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Health System, at meagan.raeke@pennmedicine.upenn.edu or +1 267-693-6224

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 X @JournalCancer and Instagram @ACSJournalCancer, and stay up to date with the American Cancer Society Journals on LinkedIn.

About Wiley      
Wiley is a global leader in authoritative content, data-driven insights, and knowledge services that advance science and learning. For more than 200 years, we’ve empowered researchers, learners and institutions worldwide to drive progress and solve the world’s most pressing challenges. Visit us at Wiley.com and Investors.Wiley.com. Follow us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn and Instagram.

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Journal

Cancer

DOI

10.1002/cncr.70009 

Article Title

The impact of opioid use associated with curative‐intent cancer surgery on safe opioid prescribing practice among veterans: An observational study

Article Publication Date

8-Sep-2025

 

KAIST develops smart patch that can run tests using sweat instead of blood​

The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)

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<(From Left) Ph.D candidate Jaehun Jeon, Professor Ki-Hun Jeong of the Department of Bio and Brain Engineering>

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Credit: KAIST

An era is opening where it's possible to precisely assess the body’s health status using only sweat instead of blood tests. A KAIST research team has developed a smart patch that can precisely observe internal changes through sweat when simply attached to the body. This is expected to greatly contribute to the advancement of chronic disease management and personalized healthcare technologies.

KAIST (President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced on September 7th that a research team led by Professor Ki-Hun Jeong of the Department of Bio and Brain Engineering has developed a wearable sensor that can simultaneously and in real-time analyze multiple metabolites in sweat.

Recently, research on wearable sensors that analyze metabolites in sweat to monitor the human body’s precise physiological state has been actively pursued. However, conventional “label-based” sensors, which require fluorescent tags or staining, and “label-free” methods have faced difficulties in effectively collecting and controlling sweat. Because of this, there have been limitations in precisely observing metabolite changes over time in actual human subjects.

To overcome these limitations, the research team developed a thin and flexible wearable sweat patch that can be directly attached to the skin. This patch incorporates both microchannels for collecting sweat and an ultrafine nanoplasmonic structure* that label-freely analyzes sweat components using light. Thanks to this, multiple sweat metabolites can be simultaneously analyzed without the need for separate staining or labels, with just one patch application.

* Nanoplasmonic structure: An optical sensor structure where nanoscale metallic patterns interact with light, designed to sensitively detect the presence or changes in concentration of molecules in sweat.

The patch was created by combining nanophotonics technology, which manipulates light at the nanometer scale (one-hundred-thousandth the thickness of a human hair) to read molecular properties, with microfluidics technology, which precisely controls sweat in channels thinner than a hair.

In other words, within a single sweat patch, microfluidic technology enables sweat to be collected sequentially over time, allowing for the measurement of changes in various metabolites without any labeling process. Inside the patch are six to seventeen chambers (storage spaces), and sweat secreted during exercise flows along the microfluidic structures and fills each chamber in order.

The research team applied the patch to actual human subjects and succeeded in continuously tracking the changing components of sweat over time during exercise. Previously, only about two components could be checked simultaneously through a label-free approach, but in this study, they demonstrated for the first time in the world that three metabolites—uric acid, lactic acid, and tyrosine—can be quantitatively analyzed simultaneously, as well as how they change depending on exercise and diet. In particular, by using artificial intelligence analysis methods, they were able to accurately distinguish signals of desired substances even within the complex components of sweat.

Professor Ki-Hun Jeong said, “This research lays the foundation for precisely monitoring internal metabolic changes over time without blood sampling by combining nanophotonics and microfluidics technologies.” He added, “In the future, it can be expanded to diverse fields such as chronic disease management, drug response tracking, environmental exposure monitoring, and the discovery of next-generation biomarkers for metabolic diseases.”

This research was conducted with Jaehun Jeon, a PhD student, as the first author and was published online in Nature Communications on August 27.

• Paper Title: “All-Flexible Chronoepifluidic Nanoplasmonic Patch for Label-Free Metabolite Profiling in Sweat”
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-63510-2

This achievement was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea, the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

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Journal

Nature Communications

DOI

10.1038/s41467-025-63510-2 

Article Title

All-Flexible Chronoepifluidic Nanoplasmonic Patch for Label-Free Metabolite Profiling in Sweat

 

<Figure 1. Flexible microfluidic nanoplasmonic patch (left). Sequential sample collection using the patch (center) and label-free metabolite profiling (right). In this study, we designed and fabricated a fully flexible nanoplasmonic microfluidic patch for label-free sweat analysis and performed SERS signal measurement and analysis directly from human sweat. Through this, we propose a platform capable of precisely identifying physiological changes induced by physical activity and dietary conditions.>

 

<Figure 3. Label-free analysis graphs of metabolite changes in sweat induced by exercise. Using the fabricated patch in combination with a machine learning model, metabolite concentrations in the sweat of actual subjects were analyzed. Comparison of sweat samples collected before and after consumption of a purine-rich diet, under exercise conditions, revealed label-free detection of changes in uric acid and tyrosine levels, as well as exercise-induced lactate increase. Validation experiments using commercial kits further confirmed the quantification accuracy, supporting the clinical applicability of this platform>

 

<Figure 2. Example of the fabricated patch worn (left) and images of sequential sweat collection and storage (right). By designing precise microfluidic channels based on capillary burst valves, sequential sweat collection was implemented, which enabled label-free analysis of metabolite changes associated with exercise and diet.>

Credit

KAIST

 

Political agreement paves the way for a new Danish epicenter for innovation with international ambitions

Today, the Danish Government, the City of Copenhagen, the University of Copenhagen, and a broad consortium of partners present a comprehensive vision plan for Innovation District Copenhagen, which is set to become Denmark’s new beacon for Life Science

University of Copenhagen

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Today, the Danish Government, the City of Copenhagen, the University of Copenhagen, and a broad consortium of partners present a comprehensive vision plan for Innovation District Copenhagen, which is set to become Denmark’s new beacon for Life Science, Biotechnology, and Quantum technologies.

Denmark must continue to compete with global rivals who are forging ahead. This demands strengthening the ability to link research and business development in new companies and new products. The starting point is strong. But now the next major step is being taken, putting Copenhagen at the forefront of the international innovation scene. Today, the Government, the City of Copenhagen, the University of Copenhagen, and a broad partner group can present a political agreement for the upcoming innovation district in Copenhagen, focusing on life science and quantum technology – Innovation District Copenhagen.

Rector of the University of Copenhagen David Dreyer Lassen says:

“Innovation District Copenhagen is our response to the Draghi report’s call for action – namely, that we renew our growth model, create a stronger foundation for collaboration between the public and private sectors, and build strategic autonomy and European competitiveness through innovation. Denmark has world-class research environments, and together with the government, the City of Copenhagen, and all our excellent partners, we are now setting a joint course to create a world-leading innovation district, which will serve as a strong springboard to transform our knowledge and research strengths in areas such as quantum technology and life science into new technologies, solutions, businesses, and jobs – for the benefit of Denmark and Europe.”

Today, a new vision plan for the area is also unveiled, outlining specific plots with development potential and concrete projects. The district will strengthen cooperation between businesses, educational institutions, and public actors to promote new technology and innovative solutions.

Minister for Industry, Business and Financial Affairs, Morten Bødskov, says:

“The international competition is fierce. We must ensure that even more innovation comes to light. That requires action and investment. Today, we can present the plan for a groundbreaking innovation district. We are making Copenhagen the center for new ideas and smart solutions, creating thousands of new jobs and potential for investments of billions. We’re taking Danish innovation a giant step into the future.”

Experiences from other innovation districts in Boston and London show that such environments significantly impact growth, jobs, and the economy. In these two cities, 66,000 and 59,000 jobs have been created in life science respectively. In 2021, London’s innovation district contributed DKK 302.5 billion to the UK’s gross value added.

Lord Mayor of Copenhagen Lars Weiss (S) says: “The life science industry is incredibly important for Denmark, as we depend on sharp minds and creative solutions in the future. Copenhagen will now have a well-thought-out, attractive and cohesive city district that will put our city on the world map – and hopefully attract investments, companies, and researchers from all over the globe.”

The vision plan follows up on the government’s agreements on the entrepreneurship package and life science strategy from last year. The political agreement will be subject to political review in the City of Copenhagen during the autumn

 

Training to improve memory

ETH Zurich

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By stepping to the right, a study participant confirms that the product was on the shopping list.

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Credit: Jonas Weibel

 

In Europe, almost one in 10 people over 70 suffers from dementia, and this figure could even triple by 2050 due to rising life expectancy. Over time, those affected lose everything that makes them who they are, including their memory and their ability to go about their everyday lives. Many also suffer from physical deterioration. In an advanced stage of the disorder, dementia patients generally require comprehensive care.

Now, the first drugs have emerged that can slightly slow down disease progression in the early stages of Alzheimer’s – which is the most common of several different forms of dementia. However, these drugs are not yet authorised in Switzerland and are only relevant to a small group of patients. In recent years, “exergames” emerged as a low-risk alternative or complement treatment to medications. These fitness games combine physical activity with brain-excerses – without any undesired side effects. In 2021, a study involving researchers from ETH had already shown that this kind of training improves not only cognitive but also physical abilities, as well as the quality of life of people with severe dementia.

Now, two new ETH studies have shown that training with “exergames” also works in older individuals with mild cognitive impairment – an early stage of dementia. “Not only did game-based training improve the cognitive performance of study participants, but we also measured significant changes in their brains,” explains Patrick Manser, who is now carrying out research at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm. Both studies emerged from his doctoral thesis at ETH Zurich and confirm the findings obtained in 2021.

Training for mind and body
In the two studies, Manser and his colleagues examined around 40 people with mild cognitive impairment and an average age of 73. Study participants trained at home for around 25 minutes, 5 times a week over a 12-week period, using a system consisting of a screen with the game software and a floor panel with four fields that measured the person’s steps.

The participants generally had to solve predefined tasks on the screen by performing a sequence of movements with their feet. For example, they would attempt to memorise a shopping list and then decide by stepping to the right or left whether the product shown was on the list or not. “Tasks like these train specific cognitive abilities that deteriorate in dementia patients, such as attention, memory or visuospatial skills,” says Manser.

Following the exercises, the study participants each had to breathe slowly and in a controlled manner for a period of time. By doing so, they regulated their autonomic nervous system by stimulating the  Vagus nerve and activated regions of the brain that are relevant to cognitive processes. This was intended to further boost the effectiveness of the training.

Memory improves significantly
In their first study, the researchers showed that there were significant improvements in the cognitive performance and memory of those doing the training. These improvements were not only statistically significant but also noticeable in everyday life – while shopping, in conversations or when dealing with stress, for example. Study participants reported feeling fitter, more lucid and more self-assured. In contrast, study participants in the control group, who continued with their usual therapies, experienced a worsening of their condition – which matches the typical disease progression.

The results are encouraging above all for people showing initial signs of dementia and for their relatives: “We hope that, with targeted exergame training, we’ll be able to slow down and reduce dementia symptoms,” explains project leader and co-author Professor Eling D. de Bruin, who carries out research at ETH Zurich and Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences (OST).

Structural changes in the brain
In a second study, the researchers investigated whether the cognitive improvements were reflected in the brain. To their surprise, they could indeed detect changes in certain structures. In magnetic resonance images, the researchers found that the volume of the hippocampus – a region that plays a key role in memory – and the thalamus increased in those doing the training. They also observed effects in the anterior cingulate cortex, as well as slight improvements in the prefrontal cortex. In participants in the control group, on the other hand, the volume of these areas of the cerebral cortex decreased.

“These regions play an important role in neurodegenerative diseases. Reduced hippocampal volume is even considered an early feature of dementia,” explains de Bruin. The fact that the researchers were able to measure structural changes after just 12 weeks is, he says, impressive proof of the brain’s plasticity – even in people showing the first signs of dementia.

The researchers also showed that the changes in the hippocampus and thalamus were correlated with better cognitive performance and better memory. This is a first indication of a potential causal, disease-modifying effect of the training. “Our results give us confidence for the future. However, demonstrating whether the personalised, game-based training can delay or even prevent the development of dementia will require studies in which the participants train for longer than three months. There are already plans for projects of this kind,” says de Bruin.

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Journal

Alzheimer s Research & Therapy

DOI

10.1186/s13195-025-01835-2 

Article Title

Structural Brain Improvements Following Individually Tailored Serious Exergame-based Training in Mild Neurocognitive Disorders: Exploratory Randomized Controlled Trial

Article Publication Date

8-Sep-2025

 

Scientists find yoga less effective than traditional exercise in improving vascular and heart function

University of Sharjah

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Contrary to widespread belief, yoga may be less effective than conventional forms of exercise in enhancing vascular health, according to a new study published in Advances in Integrative Medicine.

The study systematically reviews existing literature, including randomized controlled trials, crossover trials, and non-randomized studies, comparing yoga and other exercise interventions in sedentary adults.

The researchers point out that their aim has been to assess the impact of these interventions on vascular function, as measured by ultrasound.

Vascular function refers to the ability of blood vessels to efficiently transport blood to tissues. The elasticity and responsiveness of these vessels are critical indicators of cardiovascular health.

Sedentary behavior and prolonged sitting are known to impair vascular function, increasing the risk of hypertension, cholesterol buildup, and thrombosis.

Co-author Dr. Leena David, a specialist in medical diagnostic imaging and lecturer at the University of Sharjah, says:

“Think of blood vessels like flexible garden hoses. If they stiffen, the risk of heart attacks and strokes increases. Our study shows that structured exercise keeps those hoses flexible, while yoga provides some benefits but not as reliably. Middle-aged and older adults often notice improvements from yoga, but younger adults might not.”

The findings are particularly relevant for the estimated 300 million people worldwide who practice yoga and the more than 620 million individuals affected by cardiovascular disease as of 2023.

The researchers conclude that traditional exercise modalities, such as Tai Chi, Pilates, and high-intensity interval training, consistently outperform yoga in improving vascular function among sedentary individuals.

Dr. David emphasizes that while movement is essential, the type, intensity, and consistency of physical activity are key determinants of vascular health.

“Even simple routines can make arteries more resilient. Blood vessels have a memory—and every workout helps them forget the damage of sitting all day,” she adds.

She also describes prolonged sitting as “the new smoking—silent, sneaky, and stealing years from your arteries,” adding that “movement is the perfect antidote.”

While yoga remains accessible and culturally significant, the study suggests that individuals seeking consistent cardiovascular benefits may need to supplement yoga with more vigorous forms of exercise.

The authors advocate for a nuanced approach to physical activity, especially in public health messaging.

“Yoga has deep cultural roots and shows promise as an inclusive, accessible health intervention,” Dr. David notes.

“At the same time, the fitness and digital health industries can leverage these insights to develop structured exercise programs and technology-driven solutions for sedentary populations.”

The researchers hope their findings will encourage healthcare providers to recommend exercise not only for weight management but also as a proven strategy for improving vascular health.

Although yoga may not consistently enhance vascular function, it remains a valuable option, particularly for older adults and those unable or unwilling to engage in high-intensity workouts.

“On a larger scale, public health campaigns could emphasize that movement is medicine,” Dr. David explains. “This may encourage a mix of exercise and yoga to make heart health more accessible and culturally appropriate.

Forget the fitness goals—this is about protecting your body's internal GPS system that keeps you alive.”

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Journal

Advances in Integrative Medicine

DOI

10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100556 

Method of Research

Literature review

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Comparing the effects of yoga and exercise on vascular function: A systematic review

Article Publication Date

1-Dec-2025