Increased risk of testicular cancer in people with neurodevelopmental disorders

 new study by researchers at Uppsala University and Uppsala University Hospital shows that men who have a neurodevelopmental disorder, such as autism and ADHD, also have a slightly increased risk of testicular cancer, or seminoma. This is the first study to show such a link, with the results to be published in the British Journal of Cancer.

Testicular cancer is the most common form of cancer in young men, and its underlying causes are still largely unknown.

“As testicular cancer can be surgically removed, thus curing the disease, it is important to seek care in time if you feel a lump in your testicle,” notes Ingrid Glimelius, Senior Consultant at the Department of Oncology at Uppsala University Hospital and Professor at Uppsala University.

The new study focused on patients with testicular cancer in Sweden. A total of 6,166 patients were included and then compared with 61,660 age-matched men without testicular cancer. Medical register data was used to investigate whether psychiatric diagnoses prior to cancer diagnosis were more common in patients with testicular cancer than in the control group.

In general, the researchers did not find an increased risk of testicular cancer in patients with a psychiatric diagnosis, but the group with a neurodevelopmental disorder in particular saw a significant increase in the risk of the seminoma type of testicular cancer.

Although the researchers found that there was an increased risk of seminoma among people with neurodevelopmental disorders the absolute risk increase was less than one percent. The risk of testicular cancer is therefore still very low even among boys and men with conditions such as autism and ADHD, and there is no need to worry if you have these diagnoses. However, the results are intriguing in terms of attempts to get closer to explaining the mechanisms of testicular cancer occurrence.

“The study also found that people with a neurodevelopmental disorder were a median of four years younger when they developed cancer and were more likely to have more advanced disease at diagnosis,” adds Glimelius.

“We also saw that people with a previous psychiatric diagnosis had a slightly increased risk of dying from their testicular cancer compared to people without a previous psychiatric diagnosis, although testicular cancer survival rates were generally very good in both groups,” says Anna Jansson, doctoral student at Uppsala University and Physician at Uppsala University Hospital.

This is the first research study to provide a link between neurodevelopmental disorders and the risk of testicular cancer. Previously known risk factors include having an undescended testicle as a baby or having a father or brother with testicular cancer.

“We do not know why we are seeing a link between neurodevelopmental disorders and the risk of testicular cancer, but we believe that early life events have an impact; perhaps even as early as the foetal stage,” continues Jansson.

“Since we can see a reduced survival rate among people with a mental health issue, it is important for the health care system, the individuals in question and their families to be aware that they may also be affected by another illness, and to ensure they seek treatment if they feel a lump in their testicle. This disease can be cured in most people today,” adds Glimelius.

FACTS: Testicular cancer
* In Sweden, approximately 360 men are diagnosed with testicular cancer each year, and testicular cancer is the most common cancer among young men aged 15–35.
* The most common symptom of testicular cancer is feeling a lump in the testicle.
* The specific cause of testicular cancer is unknown, but some risk factors have been identified, such as the fact that around 10% of those affected have had surgery for an undescended testicle in childhood and that a hereditary predisposition is noted in around 1–3% of those affected. The risk is deemed most severe if you have a brother who has also had testicular cancer.
* Treatment involves surgery to remove the diseased testicle. The disease can also be cured if it has spread beyond the testicle by way of chemotherapy, which makes testicular cancer one of the most survivable cancers today.

Wear and forget: an ultrasoft material for on-skin health devices

With cancer, diabetes and heart disease among the leading causes of disability and death in the United States, imagine a long-term, in-home monitoring solution that could detect these chronic diseases early and lead to timely interventions. 

Zheng Yan


Zheng Yan CREDIT University of Missouri

Zheng Yan and a team of researchers at the University of Missouri may have a solution. They have created an ultrasoft “skin-like” material — that’s both breathable and stretchable — for use in the development of an on-skin, wearable bioelectronic device capable of simultaneously tracking multiple vital signs such as blood pressure, electrical heart activity and skin hydration.

“Our overall goal is to help improve the long-term biocompatibility and the long-lasting accuracy of wearable bioelectronics through the innovation of this fundamental porous material which has many novel properties,” said Yan, an assistant professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering and the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.

Made from a liquid-metal elastomer composite, the material’s key feature is its skin-like soft properties.

“It is ultrasoft and ultra-stretchable, so when the device is worn on the human body, it will be mechanically imperceptible to the user,” Yan said. “You cannot feel it, and you will likely forget about it. This is because people can feel about 20 kilopascals or more of pressure when something is stretched on their skin, and this material creates less pressure than that.”

Its integrated antibacterial and antiviral properties can also help prevent harmful pathogens from forming on the surface of the skin underneath the device during extended use.

“We call it a mechanical and electrical decoupling, so when the material is stretched, there is only a small change in the electrical performance during human motion, and the device can still record high-quality biological signals from the human body,” Yan said.

While other researchers have worked on similar designs for liquid-metal elastomer composites, Yan said the MU team has a novel approach because the breathable “porous” material they developed can prevent the liquid metal from leaking out when the material is stretched as the human body moves.

The work builds on the team’s existing proof of concept, as demonstrated by their previous work including a heart monitor currently under development. In the future, Yan hopes the biological data gathered by the device could be wirelessly transmitted to smartphone or similar electronics for future sharing with medical professionals.

Rogue immune cells linked to leukaemia are a key driver of autoimmune diseases like RA

Killer T Cell

A killer T cell (centre) hunting a target cell. Credit: NIH Image Gallery CREDIT NIH Image Gallery

Gene variants associated with leukaemia can produce ‘rogue’ immune cells that drive autoimmune diseases, according to a new study from the Garvan Institute of Medical Research.

Scientists had previously noticed that leukaemia patients were also likely to develop an autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis or aplastic anaemia. Research into this link revealed that immune cells called killer T cells – responsible for destroying harmful cells and pathogens – were a key player.

This new research provides insight into the role these killer T cells play in leukaemia and autoimmune disease. Gene variations affecting a protein that controls the growth of killer T cells can turn them rogue, the researchers found.

“We showed that these rogue killer T cells are driving the autoimmunity. They’re probably one of the cell types most directly contributing to autoimmune disease,” says Dr Etienne Masle-Farquhar, a postdoctoral researcher in the Immunogenomics and Genomic Medicine Labs at Garvan.

“Our research also narrows down a few pathways that might be helpful in targeting these cells for future treatments,” he says.

The findings are published in the journal, Immunity.

Cancers can grow when tumour cells are not identified or destroyed by the immune system. Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system attacks the body’s own cells, mistaking them for harmful or foreign cells.

“We knew that people with various autoimmune diseases acquire these rogue killer T cells over time, but also that inflammation can cause immune cells to proliferate and develop mutations. We set out to discover whether the rogue T cells were causing these autoimmune conditions, or simply associated with them,” says Dr Masle-Farquhar.

The researchers used new high-resolution screening methods to look at blood from children with rare inherited autoimmune diseases.

They then used a technique called CRISPR/Cas9, a genome editing tool, in mouse models, to find out what happens when the protein STAT3 is genetically altered.

STAT3 is found throughout the body and is critical for various cell functions, including controlling the immune system’s B cells and T cells.

The team found that if these proteins are altered, they can cause rogue killer T cells to grow unchecked, resulting in enlarged cells that bypass immune checkpoints to attack the body’s own cells.

In addition, even just 1-2% of a person’s T cells going rogue could cause autoimmune disease.

“It’s never been clear what the connection between leukaemia and autoimmune disease is – whether the altered STAT3 protein is driving disease, or whether leukaemic cells are dividing and acquiring this mutation just as a by-product. It’s a real chicken-and-egg question, which Dr Masle-Farquhar’s work has been able to solve,” says Professor Chris Goodnow, Head of the Immunogenomics Lab and Chair of The Bill and Patricia Ritchie Foundation at Garvan.

“This gives some really good cracks in the coalface of where we might do better in terms of stopping these diseases, which are sometimes life threatening,” he says.

Future applications could include better targeting of medication, like already TGA-approved JAK inhibitors, based on the presence of these mutations. “We can now go and look for T cells with STAT3 variations. That’s a big step forward in defining who’s the bad guy,” says Professor Goodnow.

The study also identified two specific receptor systems – ways for cells to talk to one another – that are linked to stress.

“Part of what’s driving these rogue cells to expand as killer T cells is the stress-sensing pathways. There is a lot of correlation between stress, damage and ageing. Now we have tangible evidence of how that’s connected to autoimmunity,” Professor Goodnow says.

The team’s research may help develop screening technologies that clinicians could use to sequence the complete genome of every cell in a blood sample, to identify which cells might turn rogue and cause disease.

Further study is needed to determine whether rogue killer T cells are involved in all autoimmune diseases, and what proportion of people with rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune conditions have rogue cells and STAT3 variations.

Amazing technology that is making diagnosis and treatment easier

There are so many amazing pieces of technology out there these days that it is hard to keep track of them all. However, one area where technology has really taken off is in the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. From cancer to Alzheimer’s, new technologies are constantly being developed that make it easier for doctors to pinpoint and treat diseases. Here are just a few examples of the amazing technologies that are making a difference in the world of healthcare.

Cancer Detection Technology

There has been a lot of progress made in recent years in the detection of cancer. One of the most promising pieces of technology is called CTCs, or circulating tumor cells. These are cells that have broken away from a tumor and are circulating in the bloodstream. By testing for these cells, doctors can often detect cancer much earlier than with traditional methods. This can lead to more successful treatments and better outcomes for patients.

Another piece of technology that is being used to detect cancer is called PET scanning. This uses a special type of radioactive dye that helps to highlight areas of the body where there may be cancerous cells. This can be very helpful in detecting cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.

Particle size analyzers 

This amazing technology is helping to revolutionize the way that drugs are developed. In the past, it was very difficult to measure the size of particles in a sample. This made it hard to develop new drugs, as there was no way to know if they would be effective. However, with particle size analyzers from companies such as Malvern Panalytical, scientists can now quickly and accurately measure the size of particles. This is helping to speed up the drug development process and bring new and better drugs to market.

3D printing 

3D printing is another amazing technology that is starting to make a difference in the world of healthcare. With 3D printing, doctors can create custom-made implants and prosthetics for patients. This means that patients can get the perfect fit for their needs. It also reduces the time that it takes to create these devices, which can be a major benefit for patients who need them urgently.

Alzheimer’s Detection Technology

There is also some promising new technology for the detection of Alzheimer’s disease. One of the most promising methods is called amyloid imaging. This uses special dyes to highlight areas of the brain that may be affected by Alzheimer’s. This can help doctors to diagnose the disease much earlier than with traditional methods.

Another promising piece of technology for Alzheimer’s detection is called tau imaging. This uses special dyes to highlight areas of the brain that are affected by tau, a protein that is associated with Alzheimer’s. This can also help to diagnose the disease much earlier than before.

These are just a few examples of the amazing technologies that are making a difference in healthcare. With each new breakthrough, the world is getting closer to a world where all diseases can be detected and treated effectively. Remember to stay up to date on all of the latest breakthroughs so that you can take advantage of them.

All physicians should know the benefits of plant-based diets for these six health conditions

Plant based food
Plant based food


new commentary in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine says that all physicians should be aware of the benefits of a plant-based diet for six health conditions: weight loss and maintenance, cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and COVID-19.

“The field of medicine, despite its prominent influence in society, has invested little to promote healthy lifestyle choices,” says the commentary co-authored by Saray Stancic, MD, FACLM, director of medical education for the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. “The consequence of this is reflected in our ever-rising chronic disease statistics, most notably obesity and diabetes rates.”

Part of the problem, say the authors, is that “medical schools offer an anemic number of hours of nutrition education over 4 years,” which does not improve in postgraduate training. They note than in a recent survey of more than 600 cardiologists, 90% reported they had not received needed nutrition education during training.

The commentary acknowledges that not all physicians must be experts in nutrition, but says that they should at least have rudimentary knowledge of the benefits of a plant-based diet for these six conditions, for which they provide detailed evidence, including the following:

  1. Weight loss and maintenance. A study of 70,000 people that found those who consumed a vegan diet weighed about 9 pounds less than those who did not. They also had a reduced risk of death.
  2. Cardiovascular disease. Animal products are high in saturated fat and cholesterol, which are key drivers of cardiovascular disease. But a recent metanalysis found that those consuming a vegetarian diet decreased LDL “bad” cholesterol by 13 mg/dl. Another analysis found a 24% lower rate of heart disease deaths among vegetarians compared to omnivores.
  3. Cancer. Adopting healthy behaviors, which includeremaining physically active and consuming diets rich in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, has the potential to reduce breast cancer risk by as much as 50-70%. Research also shows that diets that include soy and are high in fiber reduce breast cancer risk. Diets high in dairy products increase prostate cancer risk. High-fiber diets reduce colorectal cancer risk, while daily consumption of red and processed meat increases its risk.
  4. Diabetes. A Harvard study, which included participants from the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study, Nurses’ Health Study, and the Nurses’ Health Study II, concluded that those who consumed a plant-based diet could expect a 34% reduction in type 2 diabetes risk.
  5. Alzheimer’s disease. A study found that those who adhered to the primarily plant-based Mediterranean-DASH Diet Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet, which is focused on brain-healthy foods such as green leafy vegetables, other vegetables, beans, berries, nuts, and whole grains, had a 60% lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
  6. COVID-19. Harvard’s smartphone-based COVID-19 study found that in those who consumed a primarily plant-based diet there was a 41% reduction in risk of severe COVID-19 as well as a 9% reduction in infection of any severity.

“It is time for all physicians across the globe to speak to the importance of diet and lifestyle in health,” concludes the commentary, which recommends that physicians do this by counseling patients, assuring hospitals provide healthy menus, lecturing in the community, writing articles, using social media, and providing commentary to media.