Children with rare spinal condition regain ability to walk; STI epidemic may be slowing; newly discovered molecule helps treat cardiovascular disease – Morning Medical Update

Author(s):

Austin Littrell

Key Takeaways

TSS combined with movement shows promise in improving mobility for children with AFM, offering a non-surgical treatment option.
The CDC reports a potential slowdown in the STI epidemic, with a decrease in gonorrhea cases and minimal syphilis increase.
Itaconate, identified by Case Western Reserve researchers, may play a crucial role in reducing inflammation and stabilizing plaques in atherosclerosis treatment.

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Children with rare spinal condition regain ability to walk thanks to new treatment

Researchers from Kennedy Krieger Institute’s International Center for Spinal Cord Injury (ICSCI) have published a new study in the journal, Children, demonstrating how a combination of Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Simulation (TSS) and movement can help children with Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM) improve their ability to walk. “TSS is revolutionizing the field of neurorehabilitation, providing a safe alternative to the aggressive surgeries often required for young patients,” Rebecca Martin, OTR/L, OTD, CPAM, manager of clinical education and training at ICSCI and lead investigator of the study, said in a news release.

STI epidemic may be slowing

Despite more than 2.4 million sexually transmitted infections (STIs) reported in the United States in 2023, the latest data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggest that the epidemic could be slowing. Gonorrhea cases decreased 7% from 2022 and syphilis cases rose by only 1% following years of double-digit increases.

“I see a glimmer of hope amidst millions of STIs,” Jonathan Mermin, MD, MPH, director of the CDC’s National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, said in a CDC release. “After nearly two decades of STI increases, the tide is turning. We must make the most of this moment—let’s further this momentum with creative innovation and further investment in STI prevention.”

Discovery of an inflammation-reducing molecule for treatment of cardiovascular disease

In a recent study, published in the journal Cell Reports, researchers at Case Western Reserve University identified an inflammation-reducing molecule called itaconate (ITA), which could be the foundation of a new approach to treating atherosclerosis. “We’ve found that [ITA] is crucial to the diet’s ability to stabilize plaques and reduce inflammation, which has been a mystery until now,” Andrei Maiseyeu, associate professor at the Cardiovascular Research Institute and Department of Biomedical Engineering at Case Western Reserve’s School of Medicine, explained in a university release.