<![CDATA[Definium’s CMO says FDA talks stay aligned with their plans for advancing DT120 ODT for the treatment of depression, anxiety, and now PTSD.]]>
Retrieval-Augmented Generation Versus GPT-4o for Patient-Facing Gynecological Cancer Information: Quality Evaluation
Retrieval-augmented generation improved overall quality scores for patient-facing gynecological cancer information mainly through better source attribution.
<img src="https://jmir-production.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thumbs/6f5424b223cbd674be852ff0ea0cbaf2" />
<![CDATA[Explore GLP-1 agonists and their “truly transformative” role in psychiatry in this podcast. ]]>
AI in Oncology Takes Off, Tackling HIV and Liver Disease, Pharma’s Recent Gains
Some GEN editors were in sunny San Diego covering the hottest research, trends, and products from the American Association for Cancer Research meeting. We kick things off with news from America’s Finest City, particularly around the growing role of AI in oncology. Then we dive into two new research studies. In the first, scientists used CRISPR to identify genes in primary CD4+ T cells that promote or restrict HIV infection. The second study described engineered implantable liver constructs that could eventually serve as a stopgap for patients waiting for donor transplants. Finally, the acquisitions keep coming as Eli Lilly scoops up CAR T cell therapy developer Kelonia for $7B. Also, Revolution Medicines has shared some impressive data from a Phase III trial of its pancreatic cancer drug.
Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base:
AACR 2026: A Video Update from San Diego
By Julianna LeMieux, PhD, and Damian Doherty, GEN, April 21, 2026
AACR 2026 Video Update: Cancer Research Edges Toward an AI-Driven Era
By Fay Lin, PhD, and Jonathan Grinstein, PhD, GEN, April 22, 2026
Using AI in Healthcare Ethically by Considering Humanity
By Corinna Singleman, PhD, IPM, November 18, 2025
10x Genomics Unveils Atera Spatial Platform at AACR Meeting
By Julianna LeMieux, PhD, GEN, April 19, 2026
CRISPR Screens Map Human T‑Cell Genes That Promote or Block HIV Infection
GEN, April 20, 2026
Synthetic Biology and Tissue Engineering Grow Liver Tissue In‑Body
GEN, April 20, 2026
StockWatch: Revolution’s Phase III Pancreatic Cancer Data Dazzles Investors, Analysts
By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, April 19, 2026
Lilly to Acquire Kelonia for Up to $7B, Expanding Cancer Cell Therapy Pipeline
By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, April 20, 2026
Touching Base Podcast
Hosted by Corinna Singleman, PhD
Behind the Breakthroughs
Hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD
The post AI in Oncology Takes Off, Tackling HIV and Liver Disease, Pharma’s Recent Gains appeared first on GEN – Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News.
<![CDATA[In this CME article, learn how depression hides in organ failure, transplants, neurologic disease, and hormonal shifts—plus screening tips and safer treatment choices.]]>
Odor-specific olfactory stimulation is associated with selective transcriptional changes and partial improvement of stress-evoked bladder overactivity in mice
Chronic psychological stress is known to induce functional and molecular alterations in central circuits regulating micturition. Here, we investigated whether odor-specific olfactory stimulation modulates stress-associated bladder dysfunction and related brain transcriptional responses. Female C57BL/6J mice were subjected to repeated water avoidance stress (WAS) and exposed to inhalated essential oils derived from Alpinia zerumbet (Gettou) or Citrus depressa (Shikuwasa). Bladder function was assessed by continuous cystometry, spontaneous locomotor activity was evaluated during the dark phase, and whole-brain transcriptional responses were analyzed using exploratory RNA sequencing to characterize stress-associated transcriptional patterns. WAS was associated with bladder overactivity characterized by shortened contraction intervals, together with a tendency toward increased bladder weight and reduced locomotor activity. Transcriptomic analysis identified stress-associated upregulation of immediate-early genes and suppression of synapse-related gene categories. Gettou inhalation was associated with attenuation of stress-related immediate-early gene expression and partial normalization of bladder contraction dynamics, whereas Shikuwasa inhalation induced broad transcriptional changes without measurable improvement in bladder function. These findings suggest that odor-specific transcriptional modulation may be associated with partial functional improvement of stress-evoked bladder overactivity.
Vagus nerve stimulation as an anti-inflammatory therapy for maternal immune activation-induced alterations in offspring microglia and neurodevelopment
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. With the increasing prevalence of ASD diagnosis, it is crucial to understand the mechanisms behind preventable causes, such as prenatal infections, and look for possible routes to improve outcomes. For example, maternal immune activation (MIA), the process by which immunogens that enter the maternal system lead to a maternal inflammatory response, has been well established as associated with increased ASD diagnosis. However, the mechanisms have not been fully elucidated and the options for targeting MIA as a preventative measure are uncertain. The maternal cytokine response is considered a crucial mechanism underlying MIA-induced neurodevelopmental changes, with key contributing cytokines, which include interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-17a. These cytokines can be produced in the maternal periphery and placenta, leading to the transmission of maternal cytokines into the fetal brain and causing upregulation of endogenous production. In the fetal brain, IL-6 and IL-17a act on microglia, the innate immune cells of the central nervous system, to further induce pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Furthermore, microglia alter fetal brain neurocircuitry, leading to lifelong, ASD-like dysregulation. The vagus nerve, the primary nerve of the parasympathetic nervous system, may serve as a target for intervention. The cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway can be targeted by vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) and can lead to the downregulation of peripheral cytokines. This review is intended to summarize the cytokine-related mechanisms of MIA, the role of fetal microglia in dysregulation, and to assess the potential for VNS as a preventative treatment measure for MIA-induced alterations.
Toward an NGF-based therapy for Rett syndrome
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder primarily caused by mutations in the MECP2 gene. Although recent therapeutic advances, such as the approval of Trofinetide, offer partial relief, no comprehensive curative treatment is currently available. Among the emerging strategies, nerve growth factor (NGF) has gained attention due to its neurotrophic and immunomodulatory properties. This review, in addition to discussing the key features of RTT and the role of growth factors, also highlights recent evidence supporting NGF-based strategies for RTT, focusing on two independent studies that tested intranasal administration of NGF-like molecules in Mecp2-mutant mice. Both recombinant human NGF (rhNGF) and a modified, “painless” variant (hNGFp) improved behavioral (cognitive and motor) symptoms. While rhNGF primarily restored mitochondrial function, hNGFp restored neuroinflammatory responses through microglial regulation. Despite differences in molecular mechanisms and dosages, both molecules demonstrated efficacy without adverse effects, especially when administered intranasally, preventively, and over longer periods. These findings suggest that NGF may act through dual mechanisms, by supporting energy homeostasis and regulating immune responses. The use of intranasal delivery further enhances translational potential by overcoming blood–brain barrier limitations. Together, these studies provide a strong rationale for pursuing NGF-based therapies in RTT and encourage further investigations to optimize dosing, timing, and safety in preclinical and clinical settings.
Impact of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields exposure on sleep quality and mental health in a Tunisian power plant: a cross-sectional study
IntroductionExtremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) are ubiquitous in our daily life. They may have an impact not only on physical health but also on mental health.ObjectivesTo assess the impact of occupational exposure to the ELF-EMFs on sleep quality, depression, anxiety and stress among workers at the Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company (TEGC).MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study. The study population included two groups: an exposed group (EG), consisting of power plant employees, and a non-exposed group (NEG), consisting of administrative workers. Exposure to ELF-EMFs was assessed via spot measurements using a magnetometer. Sleep quality, depression, anxiety and stress were assessed by the French versions of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21).ResultsSeventy-seven participants in the EG and 88 participants in the NEG were included in the study. The median value of the ELF-EMFs was 5.86 μT at the power plant [min 0.1, max 40.34 μT]. According to the PSQI global score, 64.9% of the EG had poor sleep quality versus 29.5% of the NEG. Depression was registered in 24.7% of EG and in 3.4% of NEG. Anxiety was noted in 23.4% of the EG and in none of the NEG. Stress was found in 46.8% of the EG and none of the NEG. After multivariate analysis, ELF-EMF exposure was significantly associated with poor sleep quality and depression.ConclusionThe present study revealed that ELF-EMFs can affect sleep and mental health. Further studies are needed to explain the mechanism involved.
Associations of psychological distress, gaming motives and internet gaming disorder in adolescents: a network analysis
Background and objectiveThe rapid popularization of the Internet among Chinese adolescents has resulted in the emergence of a public major concern known as Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD). As demonstrated by previous studies, an association has been demonstrated among emotional distress, gaming motives and IGD. Nevertheless, the specific pathways connecting these constructs remain to be elucidated. The present study aims to explore the network structure characterizing the interactions among these three constructs and to identify potential targets for psychological interventions.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional survey conducted in city of Hangzhou. A total of 3,795 middle school students were included in the analysis. The 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21), the Motives for Online Gaming Questionnaire (MOGQ), and the Chinese version of the Ten-Item Internet Gaming Disorder Test (IGDT-10) were used to assess emotional distress, gaming motives and IGD symptoms, respectively. Network analyses were performed using R4.5.1 software to explore the interrelationships among emotional distress, gaming motives and IGD symptoms, and identify the core symptoms and bridge symptoms.ResultsIn the depression combined network model, the presence of bridge symptoms was indicated by no initiative (D2), gaming for escape or mood relief (IGD8) and fantasy motive (fan). In anxiety combined network model, the bridge symptoms included coping motive(cop), gaming for escape or mood relief (IGD8), withdrawal (IGD2), mouth dryness (A1), and fear of embarrassment (A4). The bridge symptoms in the stress combined network model were gaming for escape or mood relief (IGD8), difficulty winding down (S1), withdrawal (IGD2), nervous energy expenditure (S3), and coping motive (cop).ConclusionThe present study explored complex network structure among psychological distress, gaming motivation, and IGD. and suggested fantasy and coping motive as bridges connecting psychological distress and IGD. Besides, our research identified no initiative, mouth dryness, difficulty winding down, fear of embarrassment, and nervous energy expenditure as the best targets for intervention to reduce IGD.