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inkyweenus · 9 months

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Post 8 edit: This has nothing to do with EP8, but I still stand by it.

I was kinda frustrated at first with how little actual plot information we've been getting each episode, but then I realized that if we got any semblance of a plan from Lu Guang, that would mean that Xiao Li would also probably get that information, and then he'd fuck up everything with sheer incompetence.

I mean... it's pretty much his fault that both of his partners are dead, and if it weren't for Qiao Ling reigning him in, he'd have done a lot more damage already. But she's reigning everyone in this season. Post 8 edit: I stand by this QL statement even more now. Although, because of the shitty subtitles, I'm not 100% sure if Wang Juan is actually dead yet.

Love that for Qiao Ling. But back to Xiao Li:

I have very little sympathy for him.

As a boss, he never gave his subordinate a day off. Not even to have a proper wedding. Or to care for his pregnant wife and unborn child. And after working Chen Bin several days in a row without even letting the man go home to sleep, XL was too caught up in getting some civilians to do his job that he didn't even notice CB leave the room during a time that he said himself everyone was to be on high alert. And we all know what happened after that.

And then after seeing his dead partner fall from the sky, XL was knocked out by random extras he knew would probably be afoot, rendering him incapable of doing anything while those civilians and some old people safely (?) apprehended the suspects.

(Okay, that one isn't fair. He was definitely in shock. But still.)

And then once he was conscious and back to work, he demanded the civilians continue to do his job for him, even though one was literally hooked into a hospital bed, because he's not even competent enough to look into cases that his former colleague-turned-evil and current antagonist was involved with during his downward spiral.

And then, he doesn't even wonder why some random unidentifiable witness only wants to talk to this civilian that shouldn't isn't publicly on the case but is essentially running it. XL just gives said civilian, who minutes before exited the scene of a double homicide while experiencing not only his own emotions but those of the child watching her mother (and almost brother) be beaten to death, a crash course on police interrogation and says, "Go get 'em, Tiger!"

And then, after losing his first trusted partner to a person who has proved capable of possessing anyone to do anything including kill themself and kill their friends, he established a whole buddy system to avoid people getting possessed and hurt but said his currently assigned partner was fine to go alone because he trusted her and she's "strong." Isn't that even more reason to not want her to potentially get possessed? It literally just happened to a cop you trusted, so it's not like the law makes them immune.

And then when his new partner, this civilian he can't stop traumatizing, and the person that has admitted on mic to be the one possessing people went missing after acting suspicious on camera AND MICROPHONE, he didn't even bother to call and notify the guard posted at the exit, who was also not part of this buddy system apparently. Like... Where did you think they were escaping from, the air vents?! This isn't a spy novel. And you left the one guy who's in charge of people coming in and out of the premise alone and totally out of the loop?? When one of the people involved is a former cop that people around here seem to kinda trust a bit?!

AND THEN he couldn't even catch the kid he put a tracker on, but this time he didn't even have to ask the civilians to do his job for him. They just heard that CaPtaIn XiAo was on the case and immediately jumped into action--evading police and hijacking vehicles to triangulate their partner's location by land and sea to prevent his capture

(at least for now... things can go south pretty quick and I'm just being dramatic while I wait for this episode to drop) Post 8 edit: Obviously things were going to get worse first. Would love some understandable subtitles to really know how much worse, though.

Or.

He's actually the bad guy and all of this was on purpose. I think I'd be okay with that.

#link click #Wrote this last night waiting for EP8 but I got distracted trying to load literally any version with decent subtitles and didn't post it #Probably just have to get a VPN again so I can watch it on Bilibili #I kinda hate Xiao Li's character if you couldn't tell and will be pretty disappointed if he gets out of all this unscathed #He's so stupid that it's actually suspicious. I don't trust him at all. Even if he's a good guy I don't trust him to not fuck up #But if he's evil I'm all for it because he's been fucking things up since the Dou Dou case and masking it as incompetence #Also thanks to everyone who makes GIFS for sgdlr 🤍🖤🩷 I would never finish posting anything if I had to make all of them myself

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lumagen · 1 year

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How Do Inklings Die?

[This entire post can also be read here]

Weird question to ask, right? I mean, with the use of respawn technology, inklings are functionally invulnerable. However, because of people like Craig Cuttlefish, we know that even squid kids aren’t immune to the inevitable passing of time. And yet, despite being over 100 years old, and the rest of the original Squidbeak Splatoon having died off several years ago, how is it that Craig is still alive? Further still, if Craig is still alive, then what did he do differently that allowed him to live as long as he has?

[Pictured above: Sunken Scroll 15 in Splatoon 1, depicting the Squidbeak Splatoon one year into the Great Turf War, 100 years before the events of Splatoon 1. A much younger Craig Cuttlefish can be seen to the left, with his Bamboozler. Ammoses Shellendorf, Sheldon’s grandfather, is posed next to him, and also there’s a much thinner Judd towards the center!]

Well, after doing some careful research, combing the Splatoon wiki, rereading the Sunken Scrolls, and finishing Return of the Mammalians, I’ve compiled a theory on how inklings die, how Craig managed to evade death, and what it could mean for potential squid immortality.

This is my attempt to answer the question of how inklings die.

(Spoilers for all Splatoon games, especially Octo Expansion and Return of the Mamallians.)

[Part 1: Why do humans die, and why is that relevant?]

Before jumping straight into my theory, however, I think it’s important to identify what sets inklings apart from humans from a biological standpoint. Through the Alternan Logs, we know that squid evolution was stimulated by the crystals left behind by humanity that contained their hopes and dreams, inadvertently creating a weird rebirth of mankind with sea creatures at the center. However, humans and inklings are still very different, clearly. As of the time of this writing, when one of us dies, that’s it: there’s no substance that we can submerge ourselves in to heal our wounds, and no soul to reach a respawn point.

Beyond death from external factors, humans are also susceptible to the passing of time. According to Steve Horath (LA times full article in the bibliography), it’s generally agreed upon that our bodies spend less time and energy on maintaining our physical forms after we have passed the age of reproduction. This is why we feel most physically capable in our late teens and twenties, but slowly start to deteriorate afterward. Although we all age biologically at different rates, there’s nothing we can do to “reverse” the aging process to maintain our youth.

[Side note: there are creatures on Earth that are capable of biological age regression. For example, the Turritopsis dohrnii (also known as the “immortal” jellyfish”) reverts back to a “sexually immature” state after reaching sexual maturity, effectively cycling between being a child and a young adult, forever. Of course, the jellyfish is still able to be eaten or killed, but in the absence of these factors, it could potentially live forever. I’ve linked an article explaining more in detail in the bibliography.]

The life cycle of humans is relevant to the life cycle of inklings because we differ in several important ways: humans cannot regenerate their cells very quickly, even when stimulants are applied. We also cannot shoot out the bodily fluids that keep our circulatory system running, especially not with the intent of harming anyone other than ourselves. We also have bones, but that’s not necessarily relevant.

So, how does inkling biology aid them in cheating death?

[Part 2: Inkling Biology Refresher Course]

It’s important to remember that inklings are squids with the ability to assume humanoid form, not the other way around. In fact, inklings spend all of their developmental years as squids, reaching full biological maturity when they turn 14 years old. It is also at this age when inklings can turn into their humanoid form. Once a squid, now a kid.

[Pictured above: a rudimentary illustration detailing the inkling development process. Can be found in the Splatoon 1 artbook, “The Art of Splatoon”.]

Inklings are unique in their way that they can shift between the two forms at will, using the diminutive “squid” form to submerge themselves in ink for healing and enhanced speed, while using the “kid” form for the added dexterity that the body provides. They also don’t have “blood” in the way that we do: instead, their body circulates ink throughout their body, that comes from an ink sac located towards the center of their bodies. Because inkling bodies are comprised of ink, organs and all, the ink sac is crucial to keeping their physical form. However, if the body is exposed to mass amounts of another kind of ink, or is severely harmed in any other way, the inkling’s physical form dissipates, leaving their soul to float aimlessly. If connected to a respawn point, they’ll return there: otherwise, they end up dying permanently (per Amano in the Splatoon 2 first anniversary Famitsu interview: “...(in relation to the Octo Expansion finale) However, the final stage has a different function called "Groove Charge.'' In fact, in the final stage, there's no longer a life counter, and if you get splatted, you really do lose your life.” I’ve linked the full interview translation in the bibliography).

[Pictured above: Sunken Scroll 14, as seen in Splatoon 2. The regulatory ink sac is on full display.]

Most of you reading this likely already knew that, but I think it’s important to acknowledge that killing an inkling is very, very difficult. Rather it be death by ink, water, or any other form of harm, they can always reconstitute their corporeal form. And yet, it seems that even inklings aren’t immune to the passing of time. According to The Art of Splatoon, on page 58,

[Alt text: “…Past the age of fifty, squids begin a ritual called “sun-drying” to start preserving their bodies. Due to this practice, Cap’n [Craig] Cuttlefish has been around a long time.” I would have included the quote, but since I have the artbook handy, I thought it couldn’t hurt to add some credibility for some hard-to-obtain knowledge.]

Well, what if the ink reliance is actually what ends up killing them?

Apparently, for the purpose of “body preservation”, inklings begin to drain the fluid that keeps their bodies together in order to extend their lifespan. Sounds a bit backwards on the surface, doesn’t it? I mean, if any of us were to purposefully thin our blood, it’s only mean certain death! On the surface, it seems like it’d mean the same for the squids as well: they seem even more reliant on ink than we do on blood. Restating the purpose that ink serves for them would be pointless: it is quite literally their entire life force. How could “sun-drying” serve to extend their lifespan?

[Part 3: How do Inklings die? My Theory]

Spontaneous, rapid, ink loss.

Before I explain my theory, I have to come clean: I came up with the theory even before I did all my research. Luckily, all the research I did actually backed it up! So, how do I believe that inklings die (from old age)?

[Alt text: A crude diagram detailing the dissolution of an inkling via aforementioned ink loss. The first illustration details an inkling, healthy, throwing up deuces with a smile. The second illustration has the inkling’s expression turn to worry and confusion looking at their hands as they begin to dissolve. Melting can be observed most prominently on their arms. The third illustration is far into the dissolution process. Most of their upper body has become nothing more than a dripping ink pile. Half of the inkling’s face has almost completely dissolved, with a lone eye remaining. The other half depicts the inkling, distraught and crying as they continue to leak ink. The fourth illustration depicts the squid corpse lying in a pool of ink.]

Here’s how it works: because inklings have to manually age/”dry” themselves, I’m assuming that inklings do not physically age much over the course of their lifespan. (Saiyans are similar in this aspect, where their biological aging is slowed for most of their life until they rapidly deteriorate upon reaching old age.) My theory hinges on the idea that without sun-drying, inklings are susceptible to losing their ink uncontrollably. As their cells age and become less willing to maintain themselves post-maturity, the ink that maintains their bodies starts to “leak” out. Returning to squid form and remaining submerged in ink helps to slow the process, but it does not reverse it: eventually, the inkling loses hold of its ink sac and internal organs, reducing them to no more than a dried husk.

A similar thing happens to Craig during the climax of Return of the Mammalians, where Mr. Grizz drains what little ink he has left, leaving him as a lifeless corpse. Of course, he is almost instantly revitalized by the single tear that Captain 3 sheds (more on that later), but it gives a live example of what a dead inkling looks like. Pretty morbid stuff. Attached to Splatoon 3’s 21st Sunken Scroll is another inkling corpse, although this one was mummified and maintained over several centuries.

[Pictured above: former Cap’n Craig Cuttlefish’s dried corpse, as seen in Return of the Mammalians.]

Brief recap: because an inkling’s body is comprised mostly of ink, that ink reliance becomes deadly if the cells put less work into regulating an inkling’s circulatory system. However, I am assuming the process is rapid and spontaneous: otherwise, sun-drying would serve no purpose. Sun-drying leaves very little ink in the inkling’s body, only enough for vital functions and leaving them physically withered, but they are able to live for much longer.

[Part 3.5: Well, what about Octarians?]

Octarians, on the whole, seem to face a much more grim fate. The only non-octoling octarian we’ve seen that possesses a soul is the Octo Samurai, although the reason he has one while others don’t remains a mystery. This means that octarians aren’t even capable of respawning upon death. Their ability to submerge themselves in ink seems to require a snorkel, meaning that they likely aren’t able to sustain themselves in it for long periods of time. Further, because they are all offspring of cut-off tentacles, I’m assuming that they don’t leave corpses behind. Death for most octarians seems to be more akin to that of humans: you only get the one life to live.

Octolings, however, on the whole, seem to be pretty much identical to inklings in terms of biology and survivability. Octoling soldiers in the Valley and Canyon have souls upon being splatted, meaning that they more than likely have a point to respawn from. Octolings that have reached the surface, as well as Agent 8 during Octo Expansion, can use the same respawn technology as inklings. Because of this, I am assuming that Octolings are susceptible to the same ink loss.

[Pictured above: GYAHAHA! A very not-so-subtle reference to one of the biggest characters in the franchise, DJ Octavio.]

[Part 4: Inkling Immortality: A Real Possibility?]

DJ Octavio is, to put it bluntly, an anomaly. He has lived just as long, if not longer than Craig has, and was reportedly injured so badly during the Great Turf War that he cannot even return to humanoid form. And yet, somehow, his body seems just as lively as any other young person’s would be, aside from being larger in size. Currently, there has been no officially offered explanation for this, and while I have some ideas for this (maybe entering humanoid form is more taxing on the body?). I don’t have any real evidence to back up my claims. As it stands, Octavio knows something we don’t about his own lifespan, and the answer may never be revealed.

Return of the Mammalians also raises some strange questions about inkling biology. Up until this point, we believed that water is incredibly deadly, aside from being used for consumption. However, that single, salty tear didn’t dissolve Craig’s body further: it brought him back to life? How could this be possible?

[Pictured above: Sunken Scroll 21, from Splatoon 3. The flavor text implies that this is a mummified squid from years long past, with its body preserved in the hopes that it could potentially be revived. It’s quite similar to what happened to Craig!]

Could this mean that Craig could permanently perpetuate his life by periodically adding water to his body? Could adding water to previously mummified squid bodies revive them centuries after they passed? Does Octavio undergo a similar process to extend his life, or it just coincidence? Could the mysterious dried thing in my locker potentially be an inkling ancestor?! (Likely not, it’s much more likely to be a dried stingray corpse. Sorry, Big Man!)

Obviously, there are many lingering threads about the “finality” of inkling life, many of which will never be tied, but it certainly is fun to speculate about.

[Part 5: Thank You For Reading!]

If you made it this far, thank you for reading! This theory has been floating around in my head for ages, so I wanted to put in down in a form where it could be read and critiqued by other people. If you have any comments or criticism, I’d love to hear them!

[Author’s note: also also also if u have any deeper interest in this series at all PLEASE take a look at the artbooks for each game. they’re all incredible !!]

#splatoon #theory #txt #thanks for reading!#my writing

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usafphantom2 · 1 year

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F/A-18’s Infrared Search And Track System Plagued By Delays

Manufacturing quality issues and testing delays mean that the Navy is still waiting for its much-needed infrared search and track pods.

Thomas NewdickPUBLISHED Jun 9, 2023 2:28 PM EDT

F/A-18F IRST POD

U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. James Merriman)

The U.S. Navy’s Infrared Search And Track System, or IRST, intended for its F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighter jets, is still to join the fleet, more than four years after it entered production. The podded IRST, seen as a critical tool to retain the Navy’s air-to-air advantage over potential adversaries, was first flown on a Super Hornet in late 2019, but operational testing is not now expected to begin until early next year.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), in its latest Report to Congressional Committees, provides an update on the status of the IRST pod, which is still dogged by production quality issues and which officials worry could be subject to more delays in the future. All this is happening at a time when an IRST capability is arguably more important than ever.

A Lockheed Martin infographic showing different applications for its IRST2 1 sensor, including the podded version for the Navy F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. Lockheed Martin

In the past, we have looked extensively at the advantages an IRST pod will bring to the Super Hornet community and the Navy’s tactical aviation branch as a whole.

To summarize, an IRST sensor is entirely passive, using the infrared spectrum alone to detect and track airborne targets, including those at far beyond visual range. With no radio-frequency emissions, the target won’t be alerted to the fact that they’ve been detected and are being tracked.

As stealth technology and advanced electronic warfare capabilities continue to proliferate, the arguments behind introducing an IRST become even more compelling. By their nature, IRST sensors are immune to electromagnetic jamming and other electronic attacks and can literally see through radar-evading stealth technology.

IRST21 built into the centerline tank on the Super Hornet during tests. U.S. Navy

As well as operating as a standalone sensor, an IRST can furthermore make use of sensor-fusion capabilities, adding a critical sensor data stream to enhance a flight crew’s situational air-to-air ‘picture’ in conjunction with more traditional sensors.

The Super Hornet’s IRST — which is installed in the nose of an external fuel tank — is clearly a big deal and an item that is only becoming more essential as potential foes like China and Russia expand their stealth and electronic warfare capabilities.

Some iteration of the pod has also been deployed on operations, carried by Super Hornets in the Middle East, with photos emerging of this in late 2020. The results of these combat trials remain unknown, and it’s not clear to what degree the pods used were actually functional, but it was a significant step to test them in this way, regardless.

Equipped with an IRST pod, a U.S. Navy F/A-18F flies over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility during a mission in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, September 30, 2020. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. James Merriman

So why, exactly, is the Navy having to wait so long for its IRST pod?

According to officials, “between 20 and 30 percent of the manufactured components [in the IRST pod] failed to meet performance specifications due to microelectronics issues.” More worrying still is the fact that these issues are persisting more than four years after limited manufacturing started and they are continuing to push back the launch of developmental and operational testing, as well as full-rate production.

It appears that the components affected were fiber-optic gyroscopes, considered “critical to delivering IRST capability.” To address the problem, the Navy is now meeting with manufacturer Lockheed Martin on a biweekly basis, “in an effort to improve manufacturing efficiency to support the planned rate of production.”

The Lockheed Martin IRST21 sensor, as used in the Navy Super Hornet IRST pod. Lockheed Martin

In more positive news, however, the same report does note that the program has “matured its one critical technology and has a stable design.”

But that won’t be much comfort for the Navy tactical aviation community who clearly want to get their hands on what is a potentially game-changing air combat tool.

Exactly when production IRST pods might start to reach the fleet is also unclear at this point. In January this year, the Navy received its first Block II production representative articles — known as infrared optimized configuration (IROC) pods. That was a full 10 months later than had been anticipated as of last year.

A conceptual diagram of how the IRST21 sensor is mounted in the fuel tank for the Super Hornet. Lockheed Martin

Once the IROC pods became available, the Navy was able to begin developmental testing, to verify that the system’s design meets all technical specifications and that all contract requirements have been met. Developmental testing is the precursor to operational testing, in which the IRST pod will be evaluated in an operational environment, and procedures and tactics developed for its use.

Completion of developmental testing is reliant upon sufficient pods being delivered, but officials are confident this will be achieved, to enable the start of operational testing in two locations in April 2024. That major milestone, if met, will be 44 months later than planned under the previous schedule.

The delays related to the launch of full-rate production also make for sobering reading. Due to the production quality issues and delays in operational testing, the full-rate production decision has been pushed back by 33 months.

To mitigate that, and keep the production line running to some degree, a seventh low-rate initial production (LRIP) lot has been added, and it may also be followed by an eighth. In the process, the number of pods acquired under the LRIP could leap to 73 — around 43 percent of the total quantity planned. However, until production quality issues are ironed out, there’s little option other than to extend the LRIP phase. The production line needs to be kept active, but at the same time, it’s too risky to move straight into full-rate production if more design changes are needed.

A render of Block III Super Hornets equipped with IRSTs. Boeing

Other factors that have led to holdups in the program include “staffing challenges” at a critical software development contractor, and delays in the delivery of hardware, which has had a knock-on effect on software development. This meant that, by August 2022, less than half of the total software development effort had been completed. In October last year, six new software releases arrived, but, as the report warns, “significant development and testing of functionality, maintenance, and security features remains to be completed.”

However, with the delivery of the first IROC pods, the hardware issue is now considered resolved, at least until the operational testing phase.

Last year, delays with the IRST pod were already bad enough that the program was deemed to have breached its baseline schedule and a risk assessment was launched to help get it back on track.

The risk assessment led to the Navy approving a revised schedule in May 2022, which included delaying the start of operational testing by 36 months to August 2023. Of course, that has now slipped further still, until April 2024. Program officials have said there could be more delays on top of that, as well, depending on progress with software development and flight testing.

F/A-18F equipped with an IRST. Lockheed Martin

All these delays not only mean that the IRST’s long-awaited capabilities are yet to be fielded by the Navy but also push up program costs.

According to the GAO, the estimated procurement costs have risen by about 12 percent, with inflation and global supply chain disruptions also having an effect here.

Furthermore, the delays mean that the planned service life of the IRST pods has also taken a dramatic hit. Not only will they arrive far later than planned, but they will become surplus to requirements more quickly, once the Super Hornet’s successor has begun to be fielded, planned for the 2030s. The anticipated net result is a 44 percent decrease in the planned service life of the pods. While a reduced service life would also bring down operation and support costs, the saving is expected to be only 33 percent, since upfront costs for support equipment, training aids, and initial spare parts will still need to be covered.

An artist’s conception of a sixth-generation stealth combat jet for the U.S. Navy, as well as an advanced companion drone design. Boeing

The program office responsible for the IRST pod has meanwhile taken other actions to try and improve the situation. These include building in 45 days of schedule margin prior to operational testing and making more use of commercial aircraft to support testing.

Efforts have also been made to increase synergies between the Navy’s IRST pod and a similar pod ordered for the Air National Guard. In this way, the program office says it’s reduced unit cost between the fourth and seventh LRIP lots by 29 percent. It does, however, beg the question as to why this path wasn’t taken to start with.

Speaking to The War Zone back in 2020, Capt. Jason Denney, head of the Super Hornet and Growler program for the U.S. Navy, explained some of the differences between the Lockheed Marin IRST set-up used by the Navy and that for the Air Force:

“We haven’t done anything specifically, co-development-wise with the Air Force. There are certain [common] aspects of the IRST, what they’re developing and ours. So, with the hardware modifications, things like that, we’ve kept a lot of those common, and commonality helps us when it comes down to configuration management or being able to buy huge blocks of them. If we all had, say, the same circuit card, for example, then, hey, we combine the Air Force and the Navy buys and then we all get a better price for it. But other than that, we really haven’t done a whole lot of close coordination because their requirements and their implementation are very different than ours.”

youtube

Meanwhile, we are not aware of any significant issues encountered with the Air Force versions of the Lockheed Martin IRST, although this cannot be ruled out.

All in all, the slow progress made by the Navy’s IRST pod program is clearly a concern for the service. While the Navy may already be quietly at work on a sixth-generation successor to the Super Hornet, the fact remains that the fourth-generation jet remains the backbone of the carrier air wing and will continue to do so for years to come.

It’s also worth noting that even the contractor-operated adversary community is flying jets with IRST sensors, with Tactical Air Support announcing that it had completed initial flight testing of the Lockheed Martin-designed TacIRST, an integrated IRST sensor, on its F-5 Advanced Tiger aggressor jets late last year. While there is a capability gap between the staring-type, fixed-senor TacIRST, and the full-spec Navy system, if Lockheed Martin is able to work with Tactical Air Support to bring this capability to the threat-replication community, it begs the question of why things have been so much more difficult with the Navy.

A zoomed-in shot of an F-5AT flight testing the TacIRST. The forward-staring device can be seen directly in front of the cockpit windscreen. TacAir

Many potential real-world adversaries of the United States are already regularly flying with internal IRST systems, including most Russian-made high-end fighter jets, such as the Su-35 and Su-30 Flanker series, also operated by China.

A Russian Su-35S with its IRST sensor on the right side of its nose in front of the windscreen. Russian Ministry of Defense

Delays in giving the Super Hornet a type of sensor that has already been deployed on many other fourth-generation platforms (as well having been retrofitted on Air Force F-15Cs and F-16Cs) is a serious issue, especially as low-observable threats are only going to proliferate and electronic warfare capabilities become an even bigger concern than they are now.

Contact the author: [email protected]

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nuadox · 1 year

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FAQ on COVID-19 subvariant XBB.1.5

- By Sameer Elsayed , Western University , The Conversation -

Despite intensive public health efforts to grind the COVID-19 pandemic to a halt, the recent emergence of the highly transmissible, extensively drug-resistant and profoundly immune system-evading XBB.1.5 SARS-CoV-2 subvariant is putting the global community on edge.

What is XBB.1.5?

In the naming convention for SARS-CoV-2 lineages, the prefix “X” denotes a pedigree that arose through genetic recombination between two or more subvariants.

The XBB lineage emerged following natural co-infection of a human host with two Omicron subvariants, namely BA.2.10.1 and BA.2.75. It was first identified by public health authorities in India during summer 2022. XBB.1.5 is a direct descendent, or more accurately, the “fifth grandchild” of the original XBB subvariant.

Genetic lineage of COVID-19 subvariant XBB.1.5. (Sameer Elsayed), Author provided

How does XBB.1.5 differ from Omicron?

XBB.1.5 is one of many Omicron subvariants of concern that have appeared on the global pandemic scene since the onset of the first Omicron wave in November 2021. In contrast to other descendants of the original Omicron variant (known as B.1.1.529), XBB.1.5 is a mosaic subvariant that traces its roots to two Omicron subvariant lineages.

XBB.1.5 is arguably the most genetically rich and most transmissible SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariant yet.

Where is XBB.1.5 prevalent?

According to the World Health Organization, XBB.1.5 is circulating in at least 38 countries, with the highest prevalence in the United States, where it accounts for approximately 43 per cent of COVID-19 cases nationwide. Within the U.S., there is wide geographic variation in the proportion of cases caused by XBB.1.5, ranging from seven per cent in the Midwest to over 70 per cent in New England.

XBB.1.5 has also been officially reported by governmental agencies in Australia, Canada, the European Union, Japan, Kuwait, Russia, Singapore, South Africa and the United Kingdom. Real-time surveillance data reveals that XBB.1.5 is rapidly spreading across the globe and will likely become the next dominant subvariant.

XBB.1.5 has also been detected in municipal wastewater systems in the United States, Europe and other places.

How likely is XBB.1.5 to cause serious illness?

There is limited data about the ability of XBB.1.5 to cause serious illness. According to the World Health Organization, XBB.1.5 does not have any specific mutations that make it any more dangerous than its ancestral subvariants.

Nonetheless, XBB.1.5 is perceived as being equally capable of causing serious illness in elderly and immunocompromised persons compared to previous Omicron subvariants of concern.

Are current mRNA vaccines effective against XBB.1.5?

XBB.1.5 and XBB.1 are the Omicron subvariants with the greatest immune-evasive properties. Therefore, one of the most contentious issues surrounding XBB.1.5 relates to the degree of protection afforded by currently available mRNA vaccines, including the latest bivalent booster formulations.

Researchers from the University of Texas determined that first-generation and bivalent mRNA booster vaccines containing BA.5 result in lacklustre neutralizing antibody responses against XBB.1.5. A report (yet to be peer reviewed) from investigators at the Cleveland Clinic found that bivalent vaccines demonstrate only modest (30 per cent) effectiveness in otherwise healthy non-elderly people when the variants in the vaccine match those circulating in the community.

Furthermore, some experts believe the administration of bivalent boosters for the prevention of COVID-19 illness in otherwise healthy young individuals is not medically justified nor cost-effective.

In contrast, public health experts from Atlanta, Ga. and Stanford, Calif. reported that although the neutralizing antibody activity of bivalent booster vaccines against XBB.1.5 is 12 to 26 times less than antibody activity against the wild-type (original) SARS-CoV-2 virus, bivalent vaccines still perform better than monovalent vaccines against XBB.1.5.

However, investigators from Columbia University in New York found that neutralizing antibody levels following bivalent boosting were up to 155–fold lower against XBB.1.5 compared to levels against the wild-type virus following monovalent boosting.

This suggests that neither monovalent nor bivalent booster vaccines can be relied upon to provide adequate protection against XBB.1.5.

How can you protect yourself against XBB.1.5?

The rapid evolution of SARS-CoV-2 continues to pose a challenge for the management of COVID-19 illness using available preventive and therapeutic agents. Of note, all currently available monoclonal antibodies targeting the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 are deemed to be ineffective against XBB.1.5.

Antiviral medicines such as remdesivir and Paxlovid may be considered for the treatment of eligible infected patients at high risk of progressing to severe disease.

Standard infection control precautions including indoor masking, social distancing and frequent handwashing are effective measures that can be employed for personal and population protection against XBB.1.5 and other subvariants of concern.

Although bivalent boosters may be considered for elderly, immunocompromised and other risk-averse individuals, their effectiveness in preventing COVID-19 illness due to XBB.1.5 remains uncertain.

Why is XBB.1.5 nicknamed ‘Kraken’?

Some scientists have coined unofficially-recognized nicknames for XBB.1.5 and other SARS-CoV-2 subvariants of concern, arguing that they are easier to remember than generic alphanumeric designations.

The ‘Kraken’ label for XBB.1.5 is currently in vogue on social media sites and news outlets, and the nicknames ‘Gryphon’ and ‘Hippogryph’ have been used to denote the ancestral subvariants XBB and XBB.1, respectively. Kraken refers to a mythological Scandinavian sea monster or giant squid, Gryphon (or Griffin) refers to a legendary creature that is a hybrid of an eagle and a lion, while Hippogryph (or Hippogriff) is a fictitious animal hybrid of a Gryphon and a horse.

Notwithstanding their potential utility as memory aids, the use of nicknames or acronyms in formal scientific discussions should be avoided.

Sameer Elsayed, Professor of Medicine, Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, and Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Western University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Read Also

Study: 30% of COVID patients develop ‘long COVID’

#covid19 #coronavirus #virus #pandemic #public health #health #covid variant #kraken

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patientmakt · 7 days

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What should we really make of the birdflu timing? Is the birdfly hype the attempt to usher in the WHO Pandemic Treaty with fear mongering? Read more in the text.

Natural bird flu is harmless to humans, but Bill Gates and Dr. Anthony Fauci have, for many years, funded research to develop a bird flu pathogen capable of infecting humans. Some of that research has been undertaken in Pentagon-funded biolabs in Ukraine.

Bill Gates-funded research by Dr. Yoshihiro Kawaoka, the bird flu virus was mixed with 2009 H1N1 (swine flu) virus, creating an airborne hybrid capable of completely evading the human immune system, effectively rendering humans defenseless against it.

#bird flu #who #world health organisation (who)#who pandemic treaty

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drpriya · 4 months

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Cancer immunotherapy has emerged as a groundbreaking approach in the treatment of various cancers, revolutionizing the landscape of oncology. Immunotherapy utilizes the body's immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells, offering promising outcomes for patients with different types of cancer.

Several key advances have propelled the field of cancer immunotherapy, including:

Immune checkpoint inhibitors: Immune checkpoints are molecules that regulate the immune system's response to prevent excessive activation and maintain self-tolerance. Cancer cells often exploit these checkpoints to evade immune detection. Drugs known as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), such as pembrolizumab, nivolumab, and ipilimumab, target these checkpoints (e.g., PD-1, PD-L1, CTLA-4), unleashing the immune system to attack cancer cells. ICIs have shown remarkable efficacy across various cancers, including melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, and renal cell carcinoma.

CAR-T cell therapy: Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy is a personalized treatment that involves genetically engineering a patient's own T cells to express chimeric antigen receptors targeting specific antigens present on cancer cells. CAR-T therapy has demonstrated remarkable success in treating certain blood cancers, particularly acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Approved CAR-T therapies include axicabtagene ciloleucel and tisagenlecleucel.

Cancer vaccines: Cancer vaccines stimulate the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells bearing specific antigens. Therapeutic cancer vaccines aim to activate T cells against tumor-associated antigens, helping to eliminate cancer cells. Sipuleucel-T, a therapeutic vaccine for advanced prostate cancer, was one of the first FDA-approved cancer vaccines. Recent research focuses on developing personalized cancer vaccines tailored to individual patients' tumor antigens.

Bispecific antibodies: Bispecific antibodies are engineered molecules that simultaneously bind to two different targets, often combining a tumor-specific antigen with an immune cell receptor. By bringing cancer cells and immune cells into close proximity, bispecific antibodies enhance immune-mediated killing of cancer cells. Blinatumomab, a bispecific T-cell engager (BiTE) antibody, has demonstrated efficacy in treating relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

NK cell therapy: Natural killer (NK) cells are innate immune cells capable of recognizing and destroying cancer cells without prior sensitization. NK cell therapy involves isolating and expanding NK cells from either peripheral blood or umbilical cord blood, followed by infusion into patients to enhance anti-tumor immunity. NK cell therapy holds promise for treating various cancers, including hematologic malignancies and solid tumors.

These advances in cancer immunotherapy have significantly expanded treatment options for cancer patients, leading to improved outcomes and prolonged survival rates. Ongoing research continues to refine existing therapies and explore novel strategies to harness the power of the immune system against cancer.

Overall, while cancer immunotherapy has shown remarkable effectiveness in certain cancers, it is not a universal cure, and its efficacy varies among individuals and cancer types. Continued research and clinical trials are essential for advancing our understanding of immunotherapy and optimizing its effectiveness in the treatment of cancer.

Get the best treatment for cancer and also get a full body health checkup done at the best hospitals in India.

#full body health checkup #full body checkups #health #surgery #health checkups #checkup #health care #cancer #chemotherapy #immunotherapy

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ask-the-achs · 5 months

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(New battle!)

TOBY! Wait. You're not my son. Wh-who the-he hell?

TICCI TOBY VS LUCCINA MOONTEAR @tobys-multiverse-official (enjoy)

Ticci Toby info:

Height: 5 foot 8

Weight: 139lbs

Weapons: Hatchets, Kitchen Knife

Strengths: Is one of the most famous Creepypasta characters along with one of the most famous of Slenderman’s Proxies, Peak human strength (Is able to carve through bone with his Hatchets, Beat down Laughing Jack and it took Jeff the Killer, Hoodie, Masky and Eyeless Jack to fully restrain him, Aided in restraining Zalgo), Peak human durability (Was born with the inability to feel pain allowing him to tank any wound that doesn’t outright kill or cripple him, Survived the car crash that killed his sister), Peak human speed (Can effortlessly evade capture, Is stated to be faster than Jeff the Killer), Is a master of stealth.

Weaknesses: Slenderman deciding if Toby lives or dies counts as outside assistance and will be removed for this battle, Along with Jeff the Killer Toby can be considered one of the weakest Creepypasta characters, Works better as part of a team than by himself, His inability to feel pain does not mean he is immune to damage and it can actually work against him as he be completely unaware that he has suffered a life threatening wound until its too late.

Luccina Moontear

Height:5 foot 4 inch

Weight:160 pounds

Weapons:Nano-Rifle Implants Kodachi blade crowbar medkit (the only dangerous thing in there is the adrenaline shot to give her a second wind and a different syringe that contains a medical liquid that slows down blood flow which disorient people for a few minutes)

Strengths:the ACHS second in command, and while a low ranking yakuza member, she was a capable fighter and skilled nurse. Peak humans may be past Peak human strength(the metalic implants in her body allows her to overpower men twice her size and easily breaks bone and steel with kicks and punches) peak human? durability (thanks to implants in her body she can get cut by swords and knives without losing limbs and her shins and arms are nearly blade proof. Thanks to a supersoldier surem she made to help being out the best of humanity let's her heal from wounds faster and her immune system was bossted to resist most poisons and diseases.) Suprising speed (can react to bullets and stab attack from Nevada's grunts and agents could throw a knife faster then other agents can react and can pull out a gun and fire before anyone can react and there was 3 people pointing guns at her. Sunblood claims her mind makes choices in 1/250th of a second with means her brain works faster then skilled marines.) Shes capable of aiming her rifle and fire with skilled accuracy and her rifle is can make a according to her 800 ft shot. But she does need time to aim. As a yakuza she was capable kickboxer. Her implants give her metal in certain parts of her body (spine shins forearms) the ones in her arms house hidden curved blades in her elbows. Skilled medic.

Weaknesses:she's still human at the end of the day. Her nano rifle was actually ment to allow people to be injected with temporary healing nanites from a distance but when shot at a human she states all it does to a person with a switch flip is give a target minor flu symptoms (mostly stomach aches.) Is far more focused on keeping hostages around her safe. Her own protective mother dragon nature can be used against her (just get away from her. The last guy who tried got reminded of the fact Moontear was a yakuza.)

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mediopinions · 6 months

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The Future Of Healthcare: Advancements In Medical Treatments

Globally, there is a serious concern about the range of healthcare facilities available to meet new diseases and existing terminal diseases. While healthcare facilities and treatments have progressed with leaps and bounds, our world is yet to conquer some of the critical healthcare challenges. This is where the current advancements in medical treatments and technologies come into play. They offer hope for a better future of healthcare, where patients can receive more personalized and effective treatments.

These advancements have the potential to deliver three major results:

1. Save countless lives,

2. Reduce healthcare costs, and

3. Improve patient outcomes.

In this blog post, we will explore some of the latest advancements in medical treatments and technologies. We will dive into how these advancements will shape the future of healthcare and the possibilities that exist and inspire hope for a better future of healthcare.

Advancements in Medical Treatments

Let’s take a quick look at the major advancements in medical treatments consisting of;

Gene therapy

Immunotherapy

Stem cell therapy

Precision medicine

Gene therapy

Gene therapy involves altering a patient’s DNA to treat or cure diseases that have been carried down to the individual through their genes, or in other words, hereditary diseases. The treatment works by introducing a functional copy of a faulty gene or correcting the gene mutation itself. Compared to the previous decades, in recent years, gene therapy has progressed tremendously to include a wide range of genetic diseases that were earlier considered difficult to treat.

Perhaps, the use of CRISPR-Cas9 is one of the most promising developments in gene therapy. As a genome editing tool, it enables precise and efficient editing of infected genes. The treatment has been found capable of treating several diseases like sickle cell anemia, cystic fibrosis, and Huntington’s disease. Further, technological advancements have also made possible the use of viral vectors to deliver the corrected genes to the patient’s cells. This has drastically reduced the risk associated with gene therapy and the effectiveness of the treatment.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that leverages the inherent power of our body’s immune system to target and destroy cancer cells. It works in two ways:

1. By boosting the body’s immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells or

2. By using engineered immune cells to specifically target cancer cells.

There are several forms of immunotherapy, the most widely used of them is checkpoint inhibitors. They work by blocking proteins that cancer cells use to evade the immune system. Another popular form of immunotherapy is CAR T-cell therapy, wherein a patient’s own T-cells are used to target and terminate cancer cells.

Right from melanoma to lung cancer and lymphoma, immunotherapy has proven to be of great potential in cancer treatment. Further, its results are considered to be durable and may even help complete remission. The downside is, not all patients respond to immunotherapy. Ongoing research and advancements are in progress to make it an active form of cancer treatment.

Stem cell therapy

Stem cell therapy gives hope to patients suffering from a variety of diseases and injuries. By tapping into the incredible regenerative potential of stem cells, doctors can potentially repair or replace damaged tissues and organs, paving the way for a brighter future for countless people.

The biggest application of stem cell therapy is perhaps the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders like osteoarthritis and cartilage injuries. Imagine being able to inject tiny, powerful stem cells directly into an aching joint, where they can work their magic and transform into the very cells that make up cartilage. This has the potential to heal damaged tissue and ease pain and inflammation, offering a welcome alternative to harsh painkillers or joint replacement surgery.

Stem cell therapy is also being explored as a treatment for neurological disorders like spinal cord injuries, stroke, and multiple sclerosis. The idea of using stem cells to replace damaged neural cells and restore function to the body is nothing short of miraculous and could help countless people regain their independence and quality of life.

Of course, there are still many challenges to be faced and questions to be answered when it comes to stem cell therapy. Researchers and doctors are working tirelessly to ensure the safety and effectiveness of this promising treatment, while also exploring ethical concerns surrounding embryonic stem cells.

Precision medicine

As the name suggests, precision medicine seeks to tailor medical care to the unique needs of each patient, based on their individual genetic makeup, environment, and lifestyle. Instead of the traditional one-size-fits-all approach to treatment, this treatment approach considers a truly personalized approach for achieving desired patient outcomes.

Precision medicine distinguishes itself from other treatment approaches with the use of advanced diagnostic tools, such as genetic testing and biomarker analysis. They help in identifying the specific molecular drivers of a patient’s disease which in turn, allow doctors to develop personalized treatment plans that target those drivers. As a result, the results can easily be achieved with fewer side effects.

Cancer treatment has been the biggest beneficiary of precision medicine. By analyzing a patient’s tumor cells for specific mutations or biomarkers, doctors can choose the most effective therapy while steering away from those that are unlikely to be effective. Needless to say, this personalized approach has drastically improved survival rates while reducing fatalities.

The bright future ahead

We do know for a fact that the future of healthcare treatments are bright and promising. From gene therapy to immunotherapy, stem cell therapy to precision medicine, these advancements have tremendous potential to transform the way we diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases.

However, the road to these becoming mainstream treatments are far. There are still many challenges to be faced and questions to be answered. The healthcare community is coming together to share their expertise and knowledge to fast-track the progress.

Want to share your knowledge and expertise for attaining the shared goal?

Participate in medical surveys.

Medi Opinions is a cutting-edge medical survey tool designed to gather valuable insights and data from patients and healthcare professionals around the world. It provides a simple, user-friendly platform for conducting surveys and research studies on a wide range of healthcare topics.

With a focus on data privacy and security, Medi Opinions ensures that all survey responses are kept confidential and are only shared with authorized parties for research purposes. By leveraging the power of technology and big data analytics, Medi Opinions is helping to shape the future of healthcare by providing valuable insights and information that can inform medical research, product development, and clinical decision-making.

#medical survey #healthcare #survey #therapy

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siva621 · 10 months

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Immuno Oncology Market: Empowering the Body to Fight Cancer

Introduction:

The field of cancer treatment has witnessed groundbreaking advancements over the years. Among these, Immuno Oncology (IO) Market has emerged as a revolutionary approach to combat cancer. This article delves into the realm of Immuno Oncology, exploring its mechanisms, current market players, trends, growth potential, challenges, regulatory landscape, and future prospects.

Understanding Immuno Oncology:

What is Immuno Oncology?

Immuno Oncology, also known as immunotherapy, is a specialized branch of cancer treatment that harnesses the body's immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. Unlike traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation, IO stimulates the patient's immune response, helping it identify and eliminate cancer cells more effectively.

How does Immuno Oncology work?

IO treatments utilize various techniques to bolster the immune system. One of the key approaches involves using checkpoint inhibitors, which inhibit specific proteins that restrain the immune system, thereby allowing it to target cancer cells more efficiently.

The role of the immune system in cancer treatment:

The immune system plays a vital role in recognizing abnormal cells, including cancerous ones. However, cancer cells can develop strategies to evade the immune system. IO works to reverse this evasion, enabling the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells.

Key Players in the Immuno Oncology Market:

Pharmaceutical Companies:

Leading pharmaceutical companies have invested significantly in IO research and development. They are actively engaged in clinical trials and launching innovative IO therapies.

Biotechnology Firms:

Biotech companies are at the forefront of developing novel IO treatments. Their agility and focus on cutting-edge research have led to several promising advancements.

Research Institutions:

Academic and research institutions also play a crucial role in IO research. They contribute valuable insights and collaborate with industry players to drive progress.

Current Trends and Advancements:

Checkpoint Inhibitors:

Checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized cancer treatment. They target specific proteins like PD-1 and CTLA-4, enhancing the immune system's ability to attack cancer cells.

CAR-T Cell Therapy:

CAR-T cell therapy involves modifying a patient's T-cells to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), enabling them to recognize and destroy cancer cells more effectively.

Cancer Vaccines:

Cancer vaccines are designed to stimulate the immune system to recognize and remember cancer cells, aiding in their elimination.

Adoptive Cell Transfer:

Adoptive cell transfer involves extracting, modifying, and reinfusing a patient's T-cells to boost their cancer-fighting capabilities.

Market Size and Growth Potential:

Global Immuno Oncology Market Size:

The IO market has experienced rapid growth in recent years, and it is projected to continue expanding at a substantial rate.

Factors driving market growth:

Increasing cancer prevalence, rising demand for effective and targeted therapies, and supportive government initiatives are fueling the growth of the IO market.

Future projections:

The IO market is poised for further growth, with ongoing research and development paving the way for groundbreaking treatments.

Challenges and Opportunities:

Managing Side Effects:

While IO treatments offer promising results, they can also cause immune-related side effects that need careful management.

Patient Access and Affordability:

Ensuring broad patient access to IO therapies and addressing cost concerns remain critical challenges.

Emerging Markets:

IO presents significant opportunities in emerging markets, where there is a rising demand for advanced cancer treatments.

Regulatory Landscape:

FDA Approval Process:

IO therapies undergo rigorous evaluation by regulatory authorities like the FDA to ensure safety and efficacy before approval.

Compliance and Safety:

Continuous monitoring of IO treatments is crucial to identify and address potential safety concerns.

International Regulations:

The IO market is subject to varying regulations across different countries, necessitating compliance with diverse standards.

Collaborations and Partnerships:

Industry-Academia Collaborations:

Collaborations between pharmaceutical companies and academic institutions foster innovation and knowledge exchange.

Cross-Industry Partnerships:

Partnerships between different industries can lead to innovative IO solutions and improved patient outcomes.

Future Outlook:

Innovations on the horizon:

Ongoing research holds the promise of introducing novel IO therapies with even higher efficacy.

Potential breakthroughs:

Combination therapies, personalized medicine, and targeting rare cancers are some areas that hold potential for significant breakthroughs.

Conclusion:

The Immuno Oncology market represents a transformative era in cancer treatment, where the body's own defense mechanisms are harnessed to fight the disease. With continuous advancements, collaborations, and regulatory support, the IO market is poised to offer new hope to cancer patients worldwide.

For more insights on the immuno-oncology market forecast, download a free report sample

#Immuno Oncology Market

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awerobotics · 1 year

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Nanobot Drug Delivery - Advancing Targeted Therapies

Nanobot drug delivery represents a cutting-edge approach in the field of medicine, offering precise and targeted therapies. By harnessing the potential of nanotechnology, these tiny machines hold the promise of revolutionizing the way drugs are delivered within the human body. Nanobots, also known as nanorobots or nanomachines, are designed to navigate through intricate biological systems and deliver therapeutic agents to specific sites. In this article, we delve into the world of nanobot drug delivery, exploring its mechanisms, benefits, challenges, and future directions. The Need for Targeted Drug Delivery In traditional drug delivery methods, drugs are administered systemically, meaning they are introduced into the body and circulate throughout, potentially affecting healthy cells and tissues in addition to the targeted diseased cells. This lack of specificity often results in diminished therapeutic efficacy and increased side effects. Targeted drug delivery, on the other hand, aims to overcome these limitations by selectively delivering drugs to the intended site of action. Enhanced Therapeutic Efficacy - By specifically targeting diseased cells or tissues, nanobots can deliver drugs directly to the site of action, maximizing therapeutic efficacy. - The precise targeting reduces the required drug dosage, minimizing potential side effects and improving patient safety. - Nanobots can reach sites that are difficult to access through conventional drug delivery routes, such as the blood-brain barrier, enabling treatments for neurological disorders. Reduced Side Effects - Nanobots can avoid healthy tissues and cells, minimizing off-target effects and reducing the risk of adverse reactions. - By delivering drugs directly to the affected cells, nanobots minimize exposure to healthy tissues, preserving their normal physiological functions. - Controlled release mechanisms of nanobots allow for sustained drug release at the target site, reducing the frequency of drug administration and further minimizing side effects. Overcoming Biological Barriers - Nanobots can be engineered to navigate through complex biological environments, such as the bloodstream or the gastrointestinal tract, overcoming barriers to drug delivery. - The small size of nanobots enables them to penetrate cellular barriers, facilitating drug transport across cell membranes and reaching intracellular targets. - Surface modifications and functionalization of nanobots can enhance their ability to evade immune responses, prolonging their circulation time and improving drug delivery efficiency. Versatile Therapeutic Capabilities - Nanobots can be designed to deliver a wide range of therapeutic agents, including small molecule drugs, proteins, nucleic acids, and even gene-editing tools. - They can be equipped with sensors and imaging agents, allowing real-time monitoring of drug distribution and treatment response. - The modular nature of nanobots enables the incorporation of multiple functionalities, such as targeting ligands, stimuli-responsive components, and drug release mechanisms, expanding their therapeutic potential. Potential Applications Nanobot drug delivery holds immense potential across various fields of medicine. Some potential applications include: Cancer Therapy - Nanobots can deliver chemotherapy drugs directly to tumor sites, reducing off-target effects and enhancing tumor cell killing. - They can target specific cancer cells or tumor microenvironments, improving treatment outcomes and reducing the risk of drug resistance. - Nanobots can also be engineered to deliver combination therapies, simultaneously targeting multiple pathways involved in cancer progression. Neurological Disorders - Nanobots have the potential to cross the blood-brain barrier and deliver drugs to the brain, opening up new possibilities for treating neurological disorders. - They can target specific brain regions affected by diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, or brain tumors, delivering therapeutic agents precisely where they are needed. - Nanobots can be utilized for targeted drug delivery in conditions like stroke, epilepsy, or neurodegenerative diseases. Infectious Diseases - Nanobots can be designed to target and destroy pathogens, such as bacteria or viruses, within the body, offering new strategies for combating infectious diseases. - They can deliver antimicrobial agents directly to the site of infection, enhancing treatment efficacy and reducing the risk of drug resistance. - Nanobots can also assist in the development of personalized medicine, tailoring treatments based on the specific characteristics of the infecting pathogens. Regenerative Medicine - Nanobots can play a role in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine by delivering growth factors, stem cells, or genetic material to promote tissue repair and regeneration. - They can facilitate the controlled release of regenerative agents, creating optimal conditions for tissue healing and restoration. - Nanobots can aid in the regeneration of damaged organs, including the heart, liver, or kidneys, potentially reducing the need for organ transplantation. In the next section, we will explore the different types of nanobots used in drug delivery and their unique characteristics. Types of Nanobots in Drug Delivery Nanobots used in drug delivery systems come in various forms, each designed to serve specific functions and address different therapeutic needs. These nanobots can be classified based on their structural characteristics, functionalities, and modes of action. Understanding the different types of nanobots is essential in developing tailored approaches for targeted drug delivery. Let's explore some of the key types of nanobots in drug delivery: Passive Nanobots Passive nanobots, also known as carrier nanobots, primarily act as drug carriers without active targeting capabilities. These nanobots are designed to encapsulate and protect therapeutic agents, improving their stability and solubility. They can be made from various materials such as lipids, polymers, or inorganic nanoparticles. Passive nanobots rely on passive targeting mechanisms, such as the enhanced permeability and retention effect (EPR), to accumulate in tumor tissues due to their leaky vasculature. Once accumulated, the therapeutic agents are released, exerting their effects on the tumor cells. Liposomes - Liposomes are lipid-based nanobots consisting of phospholipid bilayers. They can encapsulate hydrophilic drugs within their aqueous core or incorporate hydrophobic drugs within the lipid membrane. - Liposomes offer excellent biocompatibility and versatility in drug encapsulation, making them suitable for a wide range of therapeutics. - They can passively accumulate in tumor tissues through the EPR effect and deliver drugs specifically to cancer cells, minimizing systemic toxicity. Polymeric Nanoparticles - Polymeric nanoparticles are nanobots composed of biocompatible polymers, such as poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) or polyethylene glycol (PEG). - These nanoparticles can encapsulate both hydrophobic and hydrophilic drugs and provide controlled release profiles. - Polymeric nanoparticles can passively accumulate in tumor tissues, enabling site-specific drug delivery and reducing off-target effects. Active Targeting Nanobots Active targeting nanobots are designed with specific targeting ligands on their surface, allowing them to actively recognize and bind to specific receptors or biomarkers present on the target cells. These nanobots possess enhanced selectivity and affinity towards the target cells, improving the efficiency of drug delivery and reducing exposure to healthy tissues. Active targeting nanobots utilize ligand-receptor interactions to achieve precise and targeted drug delivery. Antibody-Conjugated Nanobots - Antibody-conjugated nanobots are functionalized with monoclonal antibodies that specifically recognize antigens expressed on the surface of target cells. - By selectively binding to the target cells, antibody-conjugated nanobots can deliver therapeutic agents directly to the diseased cells, enhancing treatment efficacy. - These nanobots can be used in various diseases, including cancer, where specific antibodies can target tumor-specific antigens. Peptide-Targeted Nanobots - Peptide-targeted nanobots are equipped with short peptides that can bind to specific receptors overexpressed on the target cells. - These peptides can be derived from natural proteins or designed de novo to exhibit high affinity and selectivity towards the target receptors. - Peptide-targeted nanobots offer a versatile approach for targeted drug delivery, enabling personalized therapies by utilizing disease-specific peptides. Stimuli-Responsive Nanobots Stimuli-responsive nanobots are engineered to respond to specific stimuli in their microenvironment, triggering the release of therapeutic agents. These nanobots can be designed to respond to various stimuli, such as pH, temperature, light, or enzymes. By incorporating stimuli-responsive components, drug release can be precisely controlled, ensuring optimal drug concentrations at the target site. pH-Responsive Nanobots - pH-responsive nanobots release drugs in response to changes in pH levels, such as the acidic tumor microenvironment. - They can be designed with pH-sensitive linkers or materials that undergo conformational changes or degradation at acidic pH, leading to drug release. - pH-responsive nanobots provide targeted drug delivery to acidic environments, such as solid tumors, improving treatment efficacy. Temperature-Responsive Nanobots - Temperature-responsive nanobots release drugs upon exposure to specific temperature thresholds, typically near the disease site. - These nanobots can be engineered using materials that undergo phase transitions or structural changes at specific temperatures, triggering drug release. - Temperature-responsive nanobots enable localized drug delivery by responding to the elevated temperatures often associated with inflammation or tumor sites. Light-Responsive Nanobots - Light-responsive nanobots employ light as a stimulus for drug release, utilizing photoactive materials or light-sensitive linkers. - Upon exposure to specific wavelengths of light, these nanobots undergo photochemical reactions, resulting in drug release at precise locations. - Light-responsive nanobots offer spatiotemporal control over drug release and can be externally activated, providing on-demand drug delivery. In the next section, we will delve into the mechanisms by which nanobots deliver drugs to their target sites, further exploring their capabilities in targeted drug delivery. Mechanisms of Drug Delivery by Nanobots Nanobots employ various mechanisms to deliver drugs to their target sites within the body. These mechanisms ensure efficient drug transport, release, and interaction with the intended cells or tissues. Understanding the mechanisms of drug delivery by nanobots is crucial for optimizing therapeutic outcomes. Let's explore some of the key mechanisms employed by nanobots in drug delivery: Passive Diffusion One of the simplest mechanisms of drug delivery by nanobots is passive diffusion. Nanobots, particularly those made of small molecules or nanoparticles, can diffuse through biological barriers and reach their target sites based on concentration gradients. This mechanism allows nanobots to distribute drugs throughout the body, targeting both local and systemic conditions. Diffusion through Extracellular Matrix - Nanobots can move through the extracellular matrix, a network of proteins and sugars that surrounds cells. - By utilizing their small size and appropriate surface properties, nanobots can navigate through the matrix and reach specific cells or tissues. - Diffusion through the extracellular matrix enables nanobots to deliver drugs to target sites that are not easily accessible through other means. Diffusion through Biological Fluids - Nanobots can also rely on diffusion through biological fluids, such as blood or lymphatic fluid, to reach their target sites. - These fluids act as transport media, allowing nanobots to travel throughout the body and distribute drugs to various tissues. - Diffusion through biological fluids facilitates systemic drug delivery by nanobots. Active Targeting Active targeting mechanisms enable nanobots to actively recognize and bind to specific cells or tissues, enhancing their precision and selectivity in drug delivery. Active targeting can be achieved through various approaches, such as ligand-receptor interactions or receptor-mediated endocytosis. Ligand-Receptor Interactions - Nanobots can be engineered with specific ligands on their surface that bind to complementary receptors expressed on the target cells. - Ligand-receptor interactions facilitate the specific recognition and binding of nanobots to the intended cells, ensuring targeted drug delivery. - Once bound, nanobots can enter the target cells through receptor-mediated endocytosis, releasing the encapsulated drugs inside. Receptor-Mediated Endocytosis - Nanobots can exploit the natural process of receptor-mediated endocytosis to enter cells and deliver drugs. - By binding to cell surface receptors, nanobots are internalized through endocytic pathways, allowing drug release within the cells. - Receptor-mediated endocytosis provides a targeted and efficient mechanism for nanobots to deliver drugs to specific cell types. Triggered Drug Release Triggered drug release mechanisms enable nanobots to release drugs at specific locations or in response to certain stimuli. These mechanisms ensure controlled drug release, enhancing therapeutic efficacy and minimizing off-target effects. Environmental Stimuli - Nanobots can be designed to respond to environmental stimuli, such as pH, temperature, or enzyme activity, to trigger drug release. - Environmental stimuli-responsive nanobots utilize materials or linkers that undergo conformational changes, degradation, or other responses in the presence of specific environmental cues. - These stimuli-responsive nanobots offer spatiotemporal control over drug release, ensuring targeted and on-demand delivery. External Stimuli - Nanobots can also be triggered to release drugs by external stimuli, such as light, magnetic fields, or ultrasound. - External stimuli-responsive nanobots incorporate materials or components that can be activated or manipulated by external forces or energies, leading to drug release. - External stimuli-responsive nanobots enable non-invasive control over drug delivery, allowing precise spatial and temporal control. In the next section, we will explore the benefits and advantages of nanobots in drug delivery, highlighting their potential impact on targeted therapies. Benefits of Nanobots in Drug Delivery Nanobots in drug delivery offer a multitude of benefits that can revolutionize targeted therapies. These tiny machines possess unique characteristics and capabilities that enhance the effectiveness and precision of drug delivery. Understanding the benefits of nanobots is crucial for realizing their potential in improving patient outcomes. Let's explore some of the key advantages of nanobots in drug delivery: Enhanced Targeting and Specificity Nanobots enable precise targeting and specificity in drug delivery, addressing the limitations of conventional methods. By incorporating targeting ligands or antibodies, nanobots can recognize and bind to specific cells or tissues, ensuring drug delivery to the intended sites. This enhanced targeting minimizes exposure to healthy tissues, reducing off-target effects and improving therapeutic outcomes. Selective Accumulation in Diseased Tissues - Nanobots can selectively accumulate in diseased tissues or sites, such as tumors, due to their specific targeting capabilities. - This selective accumulation ensures high drug concentrations at the target site, enhancing treatment efficacy while minimizing systemic exposure. - Nanobots' ability to target specific diseased tissues enables precision medicine and personalized therapies. Overcoming Biological Barriers - Nanobots can overcome biological barriers that pose challenges to conventional drug delivery methods. - Their small size allows them to navigate through intricate biological environments, such as the blood-brain barrier or cell membranes, facilitating drug transport to desired locations. - Nanobots can breach biological barriers and deliver drugs directly to the target cells, enhancing treatment options for diseases that were previously difficult to access. Controlled and Sustained Drug Release - Nanobots offer controlled and sustained drug release profiles, optimizing therapeutic efficacy. - By incorporating stimuli-responsive components, nanobots can release drugs in response to specific cues, such as pH or temperature, ensuring precise spatiotemporal drug delivery. - Controlled and sustained drug release by nanobots minimizes the need for frequent dosing and maintains therapeutic drug levels over an extended period. Combination Therapies and Multifunctionality Nanobots enable the delivery of combination therapies and exhibit multifunctional capabilities, further enhancing treatment strategies. Combination Therapies - Nanobots can deliver multiple therapeutic agents simultaneously, allowing combination therapies to target multiple disease pathways or cellular processes. - This approach can enhance treatment efficacy, overcome drug resistance, and synergize the effects of different therapeutic agents. - Combination therapies delivered by nanobots provide a comprehensive and tailored approach to address complex diseases. Multifunctionality - Nanobots can be engineered with multiple functionalities, including targeting ligands, imaging agents, and diagnostic tools. - This multifunctionality allows nanobots to perform diagnostics, monitor treatment response, and deliver therapeutics in a single platform. - Nanobots with multiple functionalities streamline the treatment process, providing a more efficient and comprehensive approach to patient care. Minimized Side Effects and Improved Safety Nanobots in drug delivery offer the potential to minimize side effects and improve patient safety compared to traditional systemic drug administration. Reduced Systemic Toxicity - Nanobots can deliver drugs directly to the target site, minimizing systemic exposure and reducing toxicity to healthy tissues. - This targeted drug delivery approach reduces the risk of off-target effects and enhances the safety profile of therapeutic interventions. - Nanobots' ability to spare healthy tissues from exposure to therapeutic agents improves patient well-being and quality of life. Lower Drug Dosages - Nanobots' targeted drug delivery enables lower drug dosages while maintaining therapeutic efficacy. - By delivering drugs directly to the intended site, nanobots optimize drug concentrations at the target, reducing the overall dosage required. - Lower drug dosages help mitigate potential side effects, enhancing patient tolerance and adherence to treatment regimens. Improved Pharmacokinetics - Nanobots can enhance drug stability, solubility, and circulation time in the body, improving pharmacokinetics. - Nanobots can protect drugs from degradation and clearance, allowing for longer circulation and sustained drug availability. - Improved pharmacokinetics by nanobots contribute to optimal drug delivery and maximize therapeutic outcomes. Read the full article

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destinyimage · 1 year

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Reduce Inflammation with These 4 Essential Oils

Inflammation

Essential Oils

Frankincense. Encourages circulation and helps decrease symptoms of joint or muscle pain.

Turmeric. Helps relieve inflammation in the entire body, including joints and gut.

Patchouli. Can address internal inflammation and conditions such as arthritis and gout.

Ginger. Contains zingiberene and gingerols, which have potent anti-inflammatory properties.

Research

Frankincense has been shown to be a potent inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase, an enzyme responsible for inflammation in the body.

Home Remedy

Anti-Inflammatory Pain Relieving Rub. Mix ½ cup of coconut or jojoba oil, 10 drops of helichrysum oil and 10 drops of lavender oil in a bottle and massage it into inflamed areas.

Background

Inflammation is your body's response to stress—whether from your diet, lifestyle or environment—that results in an inflamed or heated area. When you catch a cold, you may have inflammation in the form of a fever as your body heats up to eradicate the effects of the invading virus.

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This kind of inflammation is acute and beneficial, but the modern epidemic of chronic, low-grade inflammation destroys the balance in your body. When your body's systems experience a constant inflammatory response, you become more susceptible to aging and disease. Over time, dietary and environmental toxins build up in the body, turning on the immune system and keeping it highly reactive and in an inflamed state. Other causes of inflammation include stress, leaky gut and chronic food allergies or food sensitivities. Essential oils can work together with healthy diet and lifestyle choices to reduce inflammation and help prevent disease.

Suggested Supplements

Omega-3. EPA/DHA found in fish is nature’s anti-inflammation prescription.

Proteolytic Enzymes. Enzymes (bromelain, papain and actinidin) help our bodies respond to inflammation by breaking down inflammatory proteins and toxins.

Infection

Essential Oils

Oregano. Has proven and powerful antibiotic capabilities.

Cedarwood. Defends the body against toxins; fights off bacteria in the body.

Tea Tree and Manuka. Destroys parasites and fungi.

Thyme. An antiseptic; controls infections on the skin and within the body; antibacterial.

Research

A study conducted at the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology found that cedarwood is effective in controlling both bacteria and yeasts responsible for oral infections.130

Home Remedy

Infection-Fighting Lotion. Mix 1 to 2 drops each of tea tree, cedarwood, manuka and thyme oils into a squirt of natural lotion and apply it to areas of infection or to your lymph nodes to fight internal infection. Additionally, take oregano oil internally for up to two weeks.

Background

An infection is the invasion of body tissues by disease-causing agents. These agents are able to multiply, cause a reaction in bodily tissues and produce toxins within the body. An infection can lead to countless symptoms, from a sore throat and fever to far more serious and sometimes fatal complications. Worldwide, infectious diseases are the leading cause of death of children and adolescents, and one of the leading causes in adults. Infections are caused by germs such as viruses, bacteria, parasites and fungi. Many of the constituents in essential oils have been proven to fight these germs and help you recover from or possibly evade infection

Suggested Supplements

Elderberry. Fights infections, including influenza, herpes, viral infections and bacterial infections.

Echinacea. Evidence suggests that phytochemicals in echinacea have the capacity to reduce viral infections.

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parasiteenthusiast · 1 year

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Slightly different then art stuff, but I’ve heard several people in recent times say things like “there probably is a cure for cancer, the government (or pharmaceutical industry) just don’t want us to have it.” Here is the thing, because I understand where this is coming from and I don’t think governments or pharmaceutical companies are good or that they care any bit for any of us really beyond what we can do for them, but I don’t think the problem is that they don’t want to release a cancer cure, I genuinely think we don’t have one. The problem is the actual research, most cutting edge research begins in universities and then is picked up by pharmaceutical companies when whatever it is proves to be promising, then money is pumped into it.

The thing with research in universities is, it is a competition, there is limited funding and limited grants. So think of it like this, you have four research teams and only enough money to fund one research project. One team says I want to look at this one particular gene expression to try to create a lasting, effective treatment for Crohn’s disease. Maybe another says I want to find a way to make transplanted cells from pigs more viable and with a longer life span in humans, with the hope of offering surgical relief to people with diabetes. Yet another may say hey I want to research the effects of micro plastics on developing embryos. The final one may then say I want to look at genetic markers in people that have had cancer come back and see if there is any commonalities we can use to assess risk factors in future patients. Now how do you choose which of these to fund you can only choose one and the others won’t be able to do their research. Of course it isn’t just the research itself and what the researchers want to accomplish you’re looking at either. You have to keep in mind current events and the length of time the research may take and whether or not you think the researchers goals are achievable with the current technology among other factors.

This is a very long winded way of saying, research is surprisingly underfunded, I think we have the capability of fully preventing and fully treating cancer with no risk of future disease. I just don’t think we have yet because medical research and many other forms of research is highly competitive and underfunded. Also it’s a board of peers choosing who gets grants, so obviously connections will play a role. Researchers are also pretty underpaid for the service they are doing for society.

This is why my deep rooted curiosity and desire to help others and figure out the puzzle different life forms have laid out for us will likely manifest into a intense and undoubtedly more dangerous brand of backyard science. Because I cannot make the connections necessary to truly succeed in most fields since my social skills are at best pathetic. Also I don’t want to be stuck trying to compete with people doing really flashy experiments that draw attention when I want to research neglected tropical diseases and parasitic diseases. Which a lot of these things aren’t researched because the first response is normally we can easily treat this so why research it. As if the way parasites evade the immune system isn’t something that could help us out immensely when it comes to treating chronic illness and immune related conditions like Crohn’s disease (which some crohns patients already use helminth therapy, usually pork whip worm, the main problem is the life span of the whip worm is five to ten years so the relief is temporary).

I feel like the end of this post really shows why I chose the username parasite enthusiast.

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cyarskj1899 · 1 year

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About time. I wished that her involvement in other cases were looked into. If she’s capable of covering up for a murderer let alone three murderers, then God knows what other cases she was corruptive

LAW ENFORCEMENT

Former DA In Ahmaud Arbery Case Finally Gets A Court Date

The long delay for Jackie Johnson shows how race and privilege helps some people avoid accountability.

Keith Reed

Published6 hours ago

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It’s been almost three years since Ahmaud Arbery was chased, trapped and gunned down by three bigots with ties to local law enforcement over the offense of jogging while Black. Those homicidal racists have since been tried, convicted and shipped off to prison, likely for the rest of their lives.

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But months after the last conviction for his actual murder, one person who played a pivotal role by using her elected office to help the killers initially evade accountability is just now starting the process of facing her own accountability. Jackie Johnson, who was district attorney for Georgia’s Brunswick Judicial Circuit when Arbery was killed, will finally be arraigned Dec. 29. She will have to face a judge and enter a plea to charges that she violated her oath of office and improperly interfered with the investigation of Arbery’s killing by instructing Gwynn County cops not to make an arrest in the case.