Public Health & Health Science Division, ULAB

The RAS protein family functions as binary switch proteins toggling between active (GTP-bound) and inactive (GDP-bound) states, regulating pivotal cellular pathways like PI3K, MAPK, and Ral-GEF. Dysregulation of Ras signaling, often via mutations, leads to constitutive activation of downstream pathways, driving uncontrolled cell proliferation, a hallmark of cancer. Targeting aberrant Ras signaling pathways with small molecular inhibitors represents a promising therapeutic strategy in cancer treatment. This review examines three main approaches: Farnesyltransferase inhibitors (FTIs), upstream regulation of KRAS, and kinase inhibitors targeting RAS effector pathways. FTIs: inhibiting Ras activation, exhibit cytostatic effects on cancer cells, with clinical trials demonstrating promising activity in various cancer types. Sotorasib: a KRAS p.G12C inhibitor, shows efficacy in KRAS p.G12C-mutated cancers, including pancreatic and non-small cell lung cancers, highlighting its potential as a targeted therapy. Additionally, kinase inhibitors targeting RAS effector pathways demonstrate efficacy in preclinical and clinical settings, with recent advancements in identifying direct RAS inhibitors showing promising results. Despite challenges such as drug resistance, ongoing research aims to develop more effective inhibitors, offering hope for improved cancer therapies targeting RAS-driven malignancies.

Cannabis, derived from the Cannabis sativa plant, has historically been utilized for its medicinal properties, notably for pain management and symptom relief in various health conditions. Recent research has expanded its potential therapeutic applications, particularly in cancer treatment and chronic pain management. This paper explores the role of two primary cannabinoids, Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), in addressing cancer-related symptoms and chronic pain. THC and CBD have demonstrated significant anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory activities, which are mediated through interactions with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). THC primarily targets CB1 receptors to modulate pain and neuroinflammation, while CBD exerts effects through a more complex mechanism involving various receptors, including CB2, TRPV1, and 5-HT1A. The paper reviews clinical and preclinical studies to elucidate the efficacy of these cannabinoids in alleviating symptoms such as pain, anxiety, and nausea in cancer patients and their role in enhancing traditional cancer treatments. Additionally, it addresses the potential risks and side effects associated with cannabinoid use, including cognitive and psychological effects linked to THC. The paper emphasizes the need for standardized dosing and formulation in cannabinoid therapies and calls for further research to optimize treatment protocols, assess long-term safety, and explore new therapeutic targets. The findings underscore the promising role of cannabinoids in improving the quality of life for cancer patients and managing chronic pain, highlighting their potential as adjunctive therapies in modern medicine.

This study investigates the connection between antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and climate change across diverse global regions. The study focuses on Mexico, Southeast Asia, and Canada. By analyzing how regional climatic conditions such as temperature, humidity, and seasonal weather patterns influence AMR dynamics, the research can address the critical question of how to tackle AMR. Based on the global escalation of AMR and its profound implications for public health, our study is vital in highlighting the necessity for integrated climate change mitigation strategies within AMR management. The findings emphasize the urgency of surveillance, targeted research, and enforcing strict antimicrobial stewardship to counteract the rising threat of AMR, thereby informing more effective global health responses and policy-making in an era of significant environmental change.

The goal of this literature review is to analyze different herbal medicine treatment options for Glioblastoma, a highly malignant cancer that starts as a growth of cells in the brain or spinal cord. The four different herbal medicine treatments that are studied in the paper are Curcumin, Flavonoids, Quercetin, and Terpenoids. Curcumin is used as a key inhibitor in various pathways in the cell proliferation and apoptosis of GBM cells. Flavonoids regulate tumor cell glucose metabolism by preventing cancer cells from uptaking glucose and cannot harness energy in the form of ATP. Quercetin is targeted at glioma cancer growth without negatively impacting normal CNS cells. Terpenoids are used to inhibit the transfer of P-glycoprotein, which can inhibit glioblastoma formation. All four herbal treatments have been shown to slow the progression of Glioblastoma by inhibiting the proliferation of Glioblastoma cells. This can be seen through the decrease in the tumor size of Glioblastoma patients.

Climate change poses a significant challenge to global human health, particularly impacting vulnerable populations such as infants, children, and youths. Despite growing awareness of its environmental effects, the relationship between climate change and human health remains underexplored. This study aims to address this gap by conducting an observational analysis of the association between climate change, characterized by the total greenhouse gas emissions from the Worldbank database, and stillbirths, neonatal, under-5 and child and youth (ages 5 – 24) mortality rates from the UNICEF database. By stratifying the analysis based on UNICEF regions, this study seeks to explore the spatial and temporal patterns to provide insights for policymakers, non- governmental organization, and the public to target interventions effectively. The results reveal complex relationships with varying mortality rates across UNICEF regions despite the differing levels of greenhouse gas emissions. Across the four UNICEF mortality measures, East Asia and Pacific was found to have the highest total greenhouse emissions and West and Central Africa was found to have the highest fetal, infant, child and youth mortality rates. Despite limitations inherent in this observational study design, this study underscores the urgent need for proactive measures to combat climate change and to mitigate its health effects on vulnerable populations such as infants, children, and youths.

With social media's prevalence in recent decades, the relationship between social media and the well-being of its users has always been under debate—with some believing that social media tends to have a negative impact and others believing that social media has a positive impact. This systematic review aims to determine how social media contributes to feelings of social isolation or connectedness among college students at the University of California, Berkeley.

We conducted a university-wide survey to determine how college students feel about using social media. Using cluster analysis and the data analysis program R, we determined that most college students feel socially connected while using social media. While some past research articles support this theory, most do not discuss the ways in which college students generally tend to feel socially connected on social media platforms. Our paper explores specific factors contributing to college students’ social connectedness on various social media platforms.

Dysregulated sleep is often a typical companion of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, but the exact relationship between the two remains complex. Beta-amyloid (Aβ) is a protein related to the onset of dementia, with high levels of Aβ plaque buildup being positively correlated with Alzheimer’s disease, but it is unclear by which mechanism Aβ causes dementia. Recent studies have suggested a bidirectional relationship between sleep disturbances and Alzheimer's pathology, wherein disrupted sleep may prevent the clearing of Aβ plaque from the extracellular space, thus exacerbating Aβ accumulation and vice versa, creating a cycle that accelerates cognitive decline. Continuously activated microglia may play a role in the development of neurodegenerative diseases. Microglia are the main sources of brain inflammation, and thus, research indicates that excessively activated microglia can generate elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, which are neuroimmune inflammatory factors that ultimately result in impaired neuronal function. The emphasis on early disease stages is pivotal in highlighting treatments targeting later stages as well, particularly dementia. While addressing early stages is crucial, it is just as important to address and develop symptomatic treatments for advanced disease stages. Our research highlights various approaches to addressing the various stages of Alzheimer's disease. Current studies focusing on non-pharmacological prevention are increasingly utilizing evidence-based multimodal intervention programs that coincide with lifestyle changes and sleeping habits. Other pharmaceutical therapies including drugs that target Aβ plaque and others that modulate neuroinflammatory pathways are also being implemented. In addition, immunotherapy has also proven to be useful as it employs both active and passive strategies in formulating anti-beta-amyloid antibodies. Our analysis and research seek to combine various methods of interventions to mitigate AD while seeking to find improved study designs for more effective preventive outcomes.

Probiotics are known for providing health benefits, calling for clinical result testing on subjects. We focus on the biological effects of the following probiotics to find their potential to help neurological disorders: Lactobacillus brevis, Enterococcus, and Bifidobacterium longum. We delve into how probiotics work with the gut-brain axis—the communication center between the central and the enteric nervous system—and its effect on different neurological disorders through an extensive literature review. We found that Lactobacillus brevis helps the immune system with the potential to help with stress and anxiety disorders. Bifidobacterium longum has been shown to help age-associated disorders like Alzheimer’s and reduce severe stress levels. Enterococcus has been shown to help neuroinflammation-based diseases like Parkinson’s. Enterococcus is also shown to be more present in people with depression than without. These results bring attention to specific probiotic potential in helping neurological disorders. They will help to create more treatments and bring attention to new areas of preventing disorders.

Our study focuses on the impact of the pesticide DDT on maternal and child health, specifically in relation to obesity and breast cancer. The objective is to investigate the interdependence of obesity and breast cancer resulting from DDT exposure on a hormonal level, particularly estrogen, and to understand the association between DDT exposure and maternal and child health. The methodology employs a meta-analysis approach, analyzing independent studies on DDT's impacts on obesity and breast cancer, and examining the correlation between maternal DDT exposure and obesity, as well as the impact of obesity on breast cancer gene mutations. The study population primarily consists of mothers and their newborn children from the United States, with a focus on the persistence of DDT in regions such as South America, Africa, and Asia. Additionally, rodent studies were analyzed to see the impacts of DDT on generational development and reproduction. The data analysis is drawn from primary sources of similar research studies published in journals or scholarly websites, with a focus on the reliability and validity of the data. The results indicate a significant association between DDT exposure and obesity, as well as an increased risk of breast cancer, particularly estrogen receptor-positive cancer, in both maternal and child health. The report suggests a correlation between DDT exposure and heightened susceptibility to transgenerational obesity and breast cancer. However, it emphasizes the imperative for additional research endeavors and regulatory initiatives aimed at exploring alternative solutions to DDT and comprehending its multigenerational ramifications regarding disease.

Several studies indicate the lack of a comprehensive understanding of climate change among the youth populations. However, perspectives regarding the socio-ecological factors influencing climate anxiety in young people have yet to be accomplished. We were able to report this in terms of a survey that collected data regarding participants’ levels of climate anxiety, demographic information, and perceptions of various socio-ecological factors. Although the sample size was limited, with this method, we gathered insight and opinions regarding effective strategies to address and alleviate anxiety surrounding the global climate change issue, specifically regarding the students in the University of California, Berkeley from varying demographic backgrounds. Such exposure to a range of perspectives contributed to varying levels of concern and engagement with climate change issues. The importance of individual and collective action to address climate change and its psychological impacts were highlighted. Gauging that none of the participants have seen support for climate-related anxiety or distress indicates potential gaps in support systems for climate-related mental distress, leading individuals to internally manage their anxiety rather than seek external support.