Irwanjot Kaur

Neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson's disease (PD) are defined by the gradual degeneration of neurons across various regions of the central nervous system, which ultimately leads to brain dysfunction in the affected patients. The utilization of stem cell-based approaches, encompassing fetal ventral mesencephalic cells, human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), and human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), holds great promise for PD patients. The modeling of neurodegenerative diseases using stem cells provides a valuable platform to screen potential therapeutic agents and investigate disease mechanisms. However, the common clinical use of stem cell therapies is hindered by related ethical concerns, the risk of immunological rejection, and the lack of established grafting protocols. The conversion of differentiated adult cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has sparked renewed optimism for the progress of cell-based replacement therapeutic approaches. This review highlights the recent progress in the application of stem cell technologies, specifically the utilization of hiPSCs, for the treatment of PD. Additionally, the review discusses the potential of hiPSCs in PD, which can facilitate the translation of iPSC-based approaches into clinical settings for PD treatment.

Purpose Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), which regulates androgen and estrogen bioavailability, has been linked to cognitive decline, but its relationship with temporal lobe changes—an area vulnerable in early Alzheimer’s disease (AD)—remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether plasma SHBG levels are associated with temporal lobe volume and cognitive performance across the cognitive spectrum from normal aging to AD. Methods Participants included individuals with AD (n = 85), mild cognitive impairment (MCI; n = 304), and cognitively normal controls (CN; n = 50). Cognitive performance was assessed using the ADAS-Cog 11, MMSE, and CDR-SB. Temporal lobe volumes were derived from MRI scans using tensor-based morphometry (TBM), and plasma SHBG levels were measured using a validated immunoassay. Multiple regression analyses adjusted for age, sex, education, handedness, and APOE ε4 status were conducted, followed by mediation analysis to test indirect effects through temporal lobe volume. Results After covariate adjustment, elevated plasma SHBG levels were significantly associated with reduced temporal lobe volume in the MCI group. Across both MCI and AD participants, greater temporal lobe volume correlated with better cognitive performance on all tests. Mediation analysis indicated that in MCI, the relationship between higher plasma SHBG and poorer cognitive outcomes was significantly mediated by reduced temporal lobe volume. Conclusion These findings suggest that elevated SHBG may contribute to early cognitive impairment in MCI through its impact on temporal lobe integrity, highlighting SHBG as a potential target in the prodromal stages of AD.

Background: Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a re-emerging viral disease. Vaccine acceptance is crucial for preventing its spread. This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the acceptance of the Mpox vaccine among student populations. Methods: We searched electronic databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase, up to 14 September 2024. The studies included were observational, such as cross-sectional and cohort studies, and specifically assessed vaccine acceptance for Mpox vaccines among students. R version 4.4 was used to perform the meta-analysis, and sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the robustness of the findings. The publication bias was evaluated using Doi plots. Results: Of the 143 studies initially identified, eight studies were included in the final analysis, comprising a total of 16,129 participants. The overall vaccine acceptance rate was 58.6%, with considerable variability across studies (I² = 100%). The sensitivity analyses indicated that acceptance rates ranged between 45% and 70%. The Doi plot demonstrated the presence of moderate publication bias. Conclusion: This systematic review and meta-analysis shows moderate acceptance of the Mpox vaccine among students. Future studies should investigate the factors influencing vaccine acceptance and design targeted strategies to improve coverage, which will be essential for controlling Mpox and ensuring successful vaccination campaigns.

Background: Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a re-emerging viral disease. Vaccine acceptance is crucial for preventing its spread. This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the acceptance of the Mpox vaccine among student populations. Methods: We searched electronic databases including PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase up to September 14, 2024. The studies included were observational, such as cross-sectional and cohort studies, and specifically assessed vaccine acceptance for Mpox vaccines among students. R version 4.4 was used to perform meta-analysis and sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the robustness of the findings. Publication bias was evaluated using Doi plots. Results: Of the 143 studies initially identified, eight studies were included in the final analysis, comprising a total of 16,129 participants. The overall vaccine acceptance rate was 58.6%, with considerable variability across studies (I² = 100%). Sensitivity analyses indicated that acceptance rates ranged between 45% and 70%. The Doi plot demonstrated the presence of moderate publication bias. Conclusion: This systematic review and meta-analysis show moderate acceptance of the Mpox vaccine among students. Future studies should investigate the factors influencing vaccine acceptance and design targeted strategies to improve coverage, which will be essential for controlling Mpox and ensuring successful vaccination campaigns.