Beyond the Abstract Beyond the Abstract

Thousands of patients in the US die every year waiting for an organ transplant, often because there are not enough human organ donors. Xenotransplantation — transplantation from another species to humans — could solve this problem, but has remained the realm of science fiction given many technical obstacles. Now, with advances in gene editing, this pipe dream is becoming reality. In today's episode of Beyond the Abstract, Dan and Derek explore xenotransplantation, tell the stories of the few humans who have received pig organs, and explain why this may herald a new era in transplant medicine.
Articles discussed
Griffith et al. Genetically modified porcine-to-human cardiac xenotransplantation. New England Journal of Medicine. 2022. (https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2201422)
Anand et al. Design and testing of a humanized porcine donor for xenotransplantation. Nature. 2023. (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06594-4)
The information presented here is not medical advice. Consult your physician for any questions regarding your personal health.

While almost all women experience nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, few are debilitated by severe symptoms: a condition known as hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). HG has been stigmatized and neglected by the biomedical community, with limited research funding for developing effective treatments. In this episode of Beyond the Abstract, Derek and Dan tell the remarkable story of one scientist who experienced HG herself, and her decades-long journey to find a cure. 
Articles discussed
Her Doctor Said Her Illness Was All in Her Head. This Scientist Was Determined to Find the Truth. Alice Callahan. New York Times, 2023. (https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/14/well/marlena-fejzo-hyperemesis-gravidarum.html)
GDF15 linked to maternal risk of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Fejzo et al. 2023. Nature. (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06921-9).
Placenta and appetite genes GDF15 and IGFBP7 are associated with hyperemesis gravidarum. Fejzo et al. 2018. Nature Communications. (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-03258-0)
The information presented here is not medical advice. Consult your physician for any questions regarding your personal health.

A new class of medicines has transformed the treatment of obesity -- Wegovy and Ozempic have become household names. While we discussed these GLP-1 medicines on an episode of Beyond the Abstract less than a year ago, the field has progressed so quickly we thought it was already time to review many of these recent developments. In today's episode, Derek and Dan first discuss improved versions of these medicines on the horizon for the treatment of obesity. Derek and Dan then talk about how these medicines are being studied to treat a wide range of diseases outside of obesity, ranging from cardiovascular disease to substance use disorder. 
Articles discussed
Jastreboff et al 2023 NEJM, Triple-Hormone Receptor Agonist Retatrutide for Obesity -- A Phase 2 Trial (https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2301972)
Wharton et al 2023 NEJM, Daily Oral GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Orforglipron for Adults with Obesity (https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2302392)
Lincoff et al 2023 NEJM, Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Obesity without Diabetes (https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2307563)
Kosiborod et al 2023 NEJM, Semaglutide in Patients with Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction and Obesity (https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2306963)
The information presented here is not medical advice. Consult your physician for any questions regarding your personal health.

Debates around artificial intelligence are everywhere: will ChatGPT usher in a new era of productivity and creativity? Or will advanced AI replace millions of workers? Doctors have similar questions about how AI may influence medicine. In today's episode of Beyond the Abstract, Dan and Derek take a deep dive into all things AI and health. They discuss the current role of AI in medicine and the promises and perils of potential new applications made possible because of ChatGPT and other emerging AI technologies. 
Moor et al., Foundational models for generalist medical artificial intelligence, Nature, 2023 (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-05881-4).
He et al., Blinded, randomized trial of sonographer versus AI cardiac function assessment, Nature, 2023 (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-05947-3).
The information presented here is not medical advice. Consult your physician for any questions regarding your personal health.

It's well known that emotions can affect the heart - we've all had an anxiety-producing thought that leads to the feeling of our heart pounding out of our chest. But what about the opposite: can the heart control our emotions? In today's episode of Beyond the Abstract, Derek and Dan discuss a fascinating new study looking at whether making the heart beat fast can cause anxiety-related behaviors.  
Hsueh et al., Cardiogenic control of affective behavioral state, Nature, March 2023 (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-05748-8)
The information presented here is not medical advice. Consult your physician for any questions regarding your personal health.

The effect of inappropriate blood clotting can be devastating, including heart attack and stroke. While there are many medications to reduce the risk of clotting, our understanding of why blood clots and when remains incomplete. In today’s episode of Beyond the Abstract, Derek and Dan share the remarkable story of how a team of researchers discovered new clotting biology, in a story that begins with a surprising observation about hibernating bears and ends with the characterization of a potential new drug target for humans.
Thienel et al. Immobility-associated thromboprotection is conserved across mammalian species from bear to human. Science, 2023.
The information presented here is not medical advice. Consult your physician for any questions regarding your personal health.