Q and A: about health and research

Answer through an Evaluator’s Lens: Exploring Trauma Psychology, Narrative Therapy, and Developmental Psychopathology The sentence, “My dear, for this reason—as you know and have lived through—I wouldn’t recommend reading my book,” originates from a personal letter written in response to a private correspondence concerning a memoir that addresses experiences of childhood adversity and abuse. This response was subsequently selected for psychological and literary analysis due to its notable demonstration of emotional nuance, empathic attunement, and narrative restraint within trauma-informed communication. Narrative Structure and Coherence The subject presents a highly coherent and emotionally grounded autobiographical narrative, organized both chronologically and thematically. There is clear evidence of reflective functioning—particularly the capacity to view one’s own experiences from multiple vantage points, including developmental, psychological, and sociopolitical frames....

Related publication: A lupus-derived autoantibody that binds to intracellular RNA activates cGAS-mediated tumor immunity and can deliver RNA into cells https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scisignal.adk3320 In a groundbreaking study titled “A lupus-derived autoantibody that binds to intracellular RNA activates cGAS-mediated tumor immunity and can deliver RNA into cells,” researchers have identified a novel way to weaponize the immune system against cancer — using a molecule that originally plays a role in the autoimmune disease lupus. The antibody, known as 4H2 , was isolated from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) , an autoimmune condition characterized by chronic inflammation and overactivation of immune responses. While lupus is usually associated with the immune system attacking healthy tissue, the very mechanisms that make lupus dangerous may also hold the key to unlocking new cancer therapies. 🔬 Harnessing a Lupus Antibody to Activate Tumor Immunity Chen et ...

 Detail to: 📰 ARTICLE: ArfGAP2 Boosts STING Activity, Fueling Cytokine Transport and Inflammation in Autoinflammatory Disease Background: STING and the Immune Alarm System Inside our cells, a protein called STING (Stimulator of Interferon Genes) acts like an internal alarm system for the immune system. When our body detects something unusual — like viral DNA — STING is activated and kicks off a chain reaction that helps fight infections. It does this by turning on specific immune genes, which produce cytokines — chemical messengers that help coordinate the immune response. STING doesn't act alone. It works with a team of other proteins, including cGAS (which detects the DNA), IRF3 , and IFNAR1 , to trigger this response. When the Alarm Won’t Shut Off: Understanding SAVI In rare genetic disorders like SAVI (STING-Associated Vasculopathy with Onset in Infancy), a mutation in the STING1 (TMEM173) gene causes STING to stay permanently active — like an alarm that can’t be t...

Leptin, a hormone primarily produced by fat cells (adipocytes), plays a central role in regulating hunger, energy expenditure, sleep, mood, and even cognitive performance. When leptin levels become too high or too low—or when the body becomes resistant to its signals—both the brain and body can experience significant dysfunction. Certain rare genetic disorders directly affect leptin production or its signaling pathways, leading to severe disruptions in appetite regulation, metabolism, and body weight. Congenital leptin deficiency (caused by LEP gene mutations) results in little to no leptin production, causing early-onset obesity, extreme hunger, and hormonal imbalances—but can be treated with leptin replacement therapy. In contrast, leptin receptor deficiency ( LEPR mutations) causes similar symptoms, but treatment is more challenging since the receptors themselves are faulty. Other related conditions include POMC deficiency , which impairs downstream leptin signaling and is often...