En 46-årig gravid kvinde fik ved en rutinemæssig fostertest påvist en usædvanlig kromosomal sammensætning. Hendes krop bestod af celler fra to individer, sandsynligvis fra sammensmeltede tvillingeembryoner. Nogle af hendes celler var XX (kvindelige), mens andre var XY (mandlige), hvilket hun først opdagede midt i livet.
Titel på undersøgelse:
Sex Redefined.
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Hele abstrakt på originalsprog:
The piece, published in Nature (2015), is a news feature rather than a research study, so it lacks a formal abstract. However, it discusses emerging evidence linking microbial infections to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). It highlights research suggesting that pathogens, including bacteria like Helicobacter pylori, viruses, and fungi, might contribute to AD by triggering inflammation or amyloid-beta accumulation in the brain. The article cites studies showing microbial presence in AD patients’ brains and explores the controversial hypothesis that infections could initiate or exacerbate neurodegeneration. It mentions historical skepticism about microbial roles in chronic diseases, drawing parallels to H. pylori’s eventual acceptance in ulcers. Researchers interviewed propose that microbes might cross the blood-brain barrier, sparking immune responses that worsen AD pathology. The feature notes ongoing debates, with some experts questioning causality versus coincidental presence. It calls for more rigorous studies to test this infectious theory, emphasizing its potential to reshape AD prevention and treatment if validated. The discussion reflects growing interest in unconventional AD risk factors.