med-hints

       The blood flowing through our bodies contains protein rich fluid and cells.   Red cells bring oxygen to every corner of our body and white cells protect us from invading bacteria and viruses.   One group of white cell, B lymphocytes, make millions of antibodies, and like snowflakes, no two antibodies are exactly the same.   The antibodies are Y-shaped and are composed of two identical light chains and two identical heavy chains. Each arm of the Y is a binding site that can tag a specific antigen--foreign intruder like bacteria and viruses.   In nature both tips of the "Y" attach to the same antigen and when they bind they activate part of the immune system. Antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) “embody a simple but elegant vision for cancer therapy.”   one of the Y arms is a monoclonal antibody that is specific for a protein in a cancer cell.  The other arm is attached to a cytotoxic chemical.   When they work the antibody...

  On May 6, 2024 PBS news hour interviewed Dr. Loren Streicher, a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University School of Medicine.   She said that 22 years ago a study called the women’s health initiative frightened doctors and women taking hormones for symptoms of menopause.   Most doctors stopped prescribing the medicine.   Dr. Streicher pointed out that what she is saying is not based on a new study or new data.   She is just posing another way of looking at data from the women’s health initiative .   It was done at a time that doctors used hormone therapy that experts no longer use.   (estrogens and progestins) “We’re looking at short term and long term issues.” Short term: Hot flashes, vaginal dryness, brain fog, moodiness, insomnia Long term:   Prevention of: heart disease. breast cancer, and uterine cancer;   cognitive function down the road;   joint pain; sexual function. Clearly people ...