Let's Do Love, Not War: Viagra Could Be Good for Your Brain

"Can Viagra prevent or reverse Alzheimer's disease? Older men's ship may be coming in. New research from the Cleveland Clinic suggests the erectile-dysfunction drug could ward off cognitive decline, illustrating how artificial intelligence can help scientists repurpose old medications for new diseases.

The study, published this month in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, builds on earlier research by the Cleveland Clinic that identified sildenafil, the generic name for Viagra, as a promising Alzheimer's treatment.

Researchers first identified genes associated with the disease's pathology, amyloid plaque and tau tangles in the brain. They then mapped out the molecular interplay among more than 1,600 drugs already approved by the Food and Drug Administration and Alzheimer's-related proteins. After identifying 66 medications that interact with Alzheimer's genes and pathology, they settled on sildenafil as the one with the most potential.

As a next step, they analyzed insurance claims from more than seven million Americans. They found that people who took sildenafil were 69% less likely to develop Alzheimer's than those who didn't after adjusting for sex, age and other diseases. Correlation doesn't prove causation, but further study suggested they might be on to something.

Researchers grew neurons from the stem cells of Alzheimer's patients in test tubes and exposed them to sildenafil. What do you know? The drug increased brain cell growth and decreased toxic tau, which usually develops in the early to middle stages of the disease. This suggested possible mechanisms by which sildenafil might arrest the disease.

In their new study, Cleveland Clinic researchers analyzed two patient databases and found that those who took sildenafil were 30% to 54% less likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer's. They also found that sildenafil activated genes in neurons that are associated with cell growth, improved brain function and reduced inflammation.

"We used artificial intelligence to integrate data across multiple domains, which all indicated sildenafil's potential against this devastating neurological disease," Feixiong Cheng, lead researcher at the Cleveland Clinic, explained.

It's doubtful that Viagra explains why men suffer from Alzheimer's at much lower rates than women, which has been true since before the drug was approved. And no, older men shouldn't rush to ask their doctor for a prescription. Placebo-controlled trials are needed to prove its efficacy, since observational and test-tube studies don't always bear out.

But the Cleveland Clinic's research shows how AI can accelerate drug discovery and identify medications that can be put to new uses. Models can map and pinpoint connections among the drugs, genes, molecules and diseases. They can also help ferret out links between diseases and the medications in health records.

Scientists have typically stumbled on new uses for existing drugs by happenstance. Pfizer originally developed sildenafil to treat hypertension and angina, not male sexual dysfunction. Yet some patients in its clinical trials reported a surprising side effect: erections. One reason is that the drug dilates blood vessels and increases blood flow throughout the body. Viagara may improve cognition in the same way.

Similarly, scientists at Upjohn developed minoxidil, commonly known by the brand name Rogaine, as a pill to treat ulcers in the late 1950s. It didn't work, but they discovered that it had a positive effect on blood pressure. More studies found that men on the hypertension drug also became hairier, which prompted trials into whether it could also treat male hair loss.

Eureka, the first medicine for baldness was born. Upjohn reformulated minoxidil into a topical treatment that carries fewer side effects than the blood-pressure medication, although dermatologists sometimes prescribe the pill off-label at low doses for men who don't see results from the spray-on foam.

The antimalaria drug hydroxychloroquine was repurposed to treat rheumatoid arthritis and lupus after soldiers with the autoimmune diseases who received it during World War II showed improvements in their symptoms.

Or take the class of diabetes and obesity drugs known as GLP-1 agonists, which mimic a natural hormone that has been found to stimulate insulin, slow digestion and reduce appetite. GLP-1 drugs appear to work by activating certain receptors on cells that are most commonly found in the pancreas and brain but also in the kidney and liver.

Studies suggest that the drugs activate neural connections that control inflammation. Researchers are studying whether GLP-1 agonists could be used to treat kidney, liver, neurological and inflammatory diseases including depression, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Novo Nordisk is already testing its GLP-1 drugs in early-stage Alzheimer's patients.

Diseases typically have diverse causes, and medications work in diverse ways. Scientists have typically taken many years, if not decades, to figure these out. One of AI's great promises is that it will enable researchers to connect these dots in warp speed, cutting down on development time for new drugs and rapidly putting existing ones to new uses. Who knows? Maybe a Viagra-Ozempic combo could be a cure for Alzheimer's." [1]

1. Life Science: Viagra Could Be Good for Your Brain. Finley, Allysia.  Wall Street Journal, Eastern edition; New York, N.Y.. 18 Mar 2024: A.17. 

 

Italija perspėja, kad NATO karių siuntimas į Ukrainą gali sukelti „trečiąjį pasaulinį karą“, kaltina Macroną konflikto išnaudojimu politiniams tikslams

   „NATO karių siuntimas į Ukrainą sukeltų „Trečiąjį pasaulinį karą“, – perspėjo Italijos ministro pirmininko pavaduotojas Antonio Tajani, kuris apkaltino Prancūzijos prezidentą Emmanuelį Macroną išnaudojant konfliktą asmeniniais politiniais tikslais.

 

     Aukšti Italijos vyriausybės pareigūnai priekaištavo prezidentui Macronui dėl pastarojo meto militaristinių siūlymų, kad NATO kariai galėtų būti dislokuoti Ukrainoje ir dėl to galėtų pulti Rusiją.

 

     Ministro Pirmininko pavaduotojas Antonio Tajani sakė, kad Italijos pozicija yra „labai aiški“, sakydamas, kad nors Roma planuoja ir toliau remti Kijevo kovą tiek finansine, tiek karine pagalba, tai nereiškia, kad Italija konfliktuoja su Rusija, todėl „Jokio tiesioginio mūsų kariuomenės įsikišimo į tą konfliktą nenumatoma tankais, lėktuvais ar žmonėmis“.

 

     „Niekada apie tai nebuvo diskutuojama NATO viduje ir mes nesuprantame, kodėl šiandien reikia iššaukti tokį scenarijų, kuris turėtų labai pavojingų padarinių, net ir Trečiąjį pasaulinį karą“, – perspėjo Tajani.

 

     „Mūsų tikslas yra pasiekti taiką, o ne plėsti konfliktą. Štai kodėl mes padedame Ukrainai priešintis, todėl jie nebus palikti vieni, kad baigtųsi karo veiksmai. Bet tai neturi nieko bendro, pabrėžiu, su mūsų tiesioginiu įsikišimu“, – sakė jis Milano laikraščiui „Corriere della Sera“.

 

     Vyresnysis Italijos politikas tęsė prielaidą, kad prezidentas Macronas, galbūt, užsiima politinėmis pozicijomis, pažymėdamas, kad Europos Parlamento rinkimų „rinkiminė kampanija“ įsibėgėja, o rinkėjai balsuoti ketina po trijų mėnesių. Macronas, kuriam ateina pražūtingi metai, kamuojamas riaušių, streikų ir politinio chaoso, šiuo metu atsilieka nuo Marine Le Pen populistinės dešiniosios Nacionalinio sambūrio partijos, kuri, kaip prognozuojama, užims pirmąją vietą Prancūzijoje; rezultatas, kuris, greičiausiai, pakenktų Macrono pozicijai namuose ir užsienyje.

 

     „Nesuprantu, nežinau, ar tam turi įtakos rinkimų kampanija, kuri įtakoja daugelio lyderių požiūrį į balsavimą. Galbūt jis nori pabrėžti skirtumus su prorusiškomis partijomis, tokiomis, kaip Le Pen. Bet mes esame visiškai kitokioje padėtyje“, – sakė A. Tajani.

 

     Macrono komentarus sukritikavo ir Italijos gynybos ministras Guido Crosetto, kuris interviu „La Repubblica“ sakė, kad Vakarų lyderiai turėtų „vengti sensacingų pareiškimų... tokių, kaip NATO siuntimas į Ukrainą“, taip pat kaltindamas Prancūzijos lyderį, kad jį skatina „vidiniai reikalai“ dėl politinių priežasčių“.

 

     Crosetto toliau kritikavo penktadienį Berlyne įvykusį vadinamąjį „Veimaro trikampį“ įvykusį Prancūzijos, Vokietijos ir Lenkijos lyderių susitikimą, per kurį jie susitarė padidinti karinę gamybą, kad Ukraina aprūpintų daugiau ginklų ir amunicijos.

 

     Gynybos ministras sakė, kad NATO turėtų „vengti skilimo į dviejų ar trijų asmenų susitikimus, kai Europoje mūsų yra 27“, tačiau tvirtino, kad svarbu pateikti vieningą frontą prieš Rusiją su „aiškia, neprieštaraujančia strategija.

 

     „Galiu jus užtikrinti, kad Italijos kariuomenė niekada nevyks į Ukrainą“, – užbaigė Crosetto.

 

     Tuo tarpu įtakingas vyriausybės koalicijos partneris ir transporto ministras Matteo Salvini taip pat išreiškė kritiką Macronui. Atsakydamas X į straipsnį, kuriame aptariamas Prancūzijos lyderio pasiūlymas pasiųsti karius į Ukrainą, Salvini rašė: „Ruošiatės konfliktui? Ne, mes turime atkurti Taiką."

 

     Nepaisant Italijos ir Vokietijos atkirtimo, prezidentas Macronas padvigubino karių siuntimo į Ukrainą mintį, sakydamas, kad nors ir nežengs pirmo žingsnio, gali būti, kad „kažkada... turėsime atlikti operacijas žemėje, kad ir kokios jos būtų, atremti Rusijos pajėgas“."

 

Mes gyvename pavojingu laiku. Artėjančių rinkimų pralaimėtojai tiek Prancūzijoje, tiek Lietuvoje svajoja sugriauti pasaulį. Rusai jau pasakė, kad pasaulis be rusų jiems neįdomus. Tai reiškia, kad rusai nenueis nuo scenos, nepasiimdami branduolinio karo kurstytojus Macroną ir Landsbergį. Tai reiškia, kad Macronas ir Landsbergis kasa kapo duobes patys sau. Žmonės sako, jei pastebėjai, kad kasi sau duobę, nustok kasti.

Italy Warns Sending NATO Troops Into Ukraine Could Lead to a ‘Third World War’, Accuses Macron of Exploiting Conflict for Political Purposes

"Sending NATO troops into Ukraine would trigger a “Third World War”, warned Italian Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani, who went on to accuse French President Emmanuel Macron of exploiting the conflict for personal political purposes.

Senior Italian government officials castigated President Macron for his recent spate of militaristic suggestions that NATO soldiers could be deployed to Ukraine and therefore potentially engage with Russia.

Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani said that Italy’s position is “very clear”, saying that while Rome plans to continue supporting Kyiv’s fight, both through financial and military aid, this does not mean Italy is at conflict with Russia and, therefore, there will be “no direct intervention by our military in that conflict is envisaged, with tanks, planes or men.”

“It has never been discussed within NATO and we don’t understand why today we need to evoke such a scenario, which would have very dangerous consequences, even a Third World War,” Tajani warned.

“Our goal is to achieve peace, not to widen the conflict. This is why we help Ukraine to resist, this is why they will not be left alone, to reach an end to hostilities. But it has nothing to do, I stress, with our direct intervention,” he told the Milan-based Corriere della Sera newspaper.

The senior Italian politician went on to suggest that President Macron might be engaging in political posturing, noting that the “electoral campaign” for the European Parliament elections is in full swing, with voters set to head to the polls in three months. Macron — who is coming off a disastrous year plagued by riots, strikes and political chaos — is currently trailing far behind Marine Le Pen’s populist right-wing National Rally party, which is projected to come in first place in France; an outcome that would likely damage Macron’s standing at home and abroad.

“I don’t understand, I don’t know if it’s the electoral campaign that has an impact, influencing the attitude of many leaders when it comes to voting. Maybe he wants to highlight the differences with pro-Russian parties like Le Pen’s. But we are in a completely different position,” Tajani said.

Macron’s comments were also criticised by Italian Minister of Defence, Guido Crosetto, who said in an interview with La Repubblica that Western leaders should “avoid sensational declarations… such as sending NATO to Ukraine” while also accusing the French leader of being driven by “internal political reasons.”

Crosetto went on to criticise the so-called “Weimar Triangle” meeting between the leaders of France, Germany, and Poland in Berlin on Friday, in which they agreed to ramp up military production to supply Ukraine with more weapons and munitions.

The defence minister said that NATO should “avoid splitting up into two or three-person meetings when there are 27 of us in Europe” while arguing that it is important to present a unified front against Russia with a “clear, non-contradictory strategy on this side, and perhaps one built together as a coalition.”

“I can assure you that Italian troops will never go to Ukraine,” Crosetto concluded.

Meanwhile, influential government coalition partner and Transport Minister, Matteo Salvini also expressed criticism of Macron. Responding on X to an article discussing the French leader’s suggestion of sending troops into Ukraine, Salvini wrote: “Preparing for conflict? No, we must rebuild Peace.”

Despite being rebuffed by Italy and previously by Germany, President Macron doubled down on the notion of sending soldiers into Ukraine, saying that while he would not take the first step, it is possible that “at some point…we will have to have operations on the ground, whatever they may be, to counter the Russian forces.”"

We live in dangerous times. The losers of the upcoming elections in both France and Lithuania dream of destroying the world. The Russians have already said that they are not interested in a world without Russians. This means that the Russians will not walk off the stage without taking nuclear warmongers Macron and Landsbergis with them. This means that Macron and Landsbergis are digging their own graves. People say if you find yourself digging a hole, stop digging.

Briefly and clearly about the leader of Lithuanian Conservatives and education magnate Gabrielius Landsbergis

AAAAsquared:

 

  "I already said 4 years ago that when the tycoon of the education system comes to power, he will drive public education to the bottom. I was not wrong :)"

 

Apie Lietuvos konservatorių vadą ir švietimo magnatą Gabrielių Landsbergį trumpai ir aiškiai

AAAAkvadratru:

 "Jau prieš 4 metus sakiau, kad atejęs į valdžią švietimo sistemos magnatas, valstybinį švietimą nuvarys į dugną. Neklydau :)" 

Lithuanian employers have already stolen enough of the golden spoons, they have enough to defend

  ""We would like the system to be more specific, clearer, so that Lithuanian business can participate. (...) We don't want to know all the defense secrets in general, but at least we should know which segments come out," said Vidmantas Janulevičius, president of the Confederation of Lithuanian Industrialists (LPK). " Business is most interested in a stable situation, because we all invest here, we believe in our country and we are the biggest patriots. 

 

72 percent of business owners would defend their country with a weapon, when all people taken together are only 22 percent," he noted."

 

You forgot, darlings. Smetona's regime failed mainly because the elites, including Smetona himself, were selfish, stole a lot, so no one wanted to help them. You yourself will not be able to defend your wealth.

 

 

Jau prisivogė auksinių šaukštų, turi ką ginti

 "„Norėtųsi sistemos konkretesnės, aiškesnės, kad Lietuvos verslas galėtų dalyvauti. (...) Mes nenorime žinoti visų gynybinių paslapčių plačiai, bet bent kokiems segmentams išeina, turėtume žinoti“, – sakė Lietuvos pramoninkų konfederacijos (LPK) prezidentas Vidmantas Janulevičius. „Verslas labiausiai suinteresuotas stabilia situacija, nes visi čia investuojame, tikime savo šalimi ir esame didžiausi optimistai.

 

72 proc. verslo savininkų gintų savo šalį ginklu, kai visų žmonių bendrai paėmus yra tik 22 proc.“ – pažymėjo jis." 

 

Pamiršote, mielieji. Smetonos režimas žlugo daugiausia todėl, kad elitas, įskaitant patį Smetoną, buvo savanaudžiai, daug vogė, todėl niekas jiems padėti nenorėjo. Patys jūs jūsų turtus neapginsite.