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April 2025 Newsletter
We're excited to bring you the latest news from Cureus, the Open Access journal dedicated to making medical publishing faster, easier, and more accessible. Join our global network of physicians, researchers, and healthcare professionals to stay connected and contribute your own valuable insights. Important Service Update: To ensure you never miss out on critical updates, peer-reviewed research, publishing opportunities, and medical insights from Cureus, please move this email to your primary inbox
Apr 14, 2025
March 2025 Newsletter
We're excited to share the latest from Cureus, the Open Access journal designed to make medical research and publishing faster, easier, and more accessible. Whether you're submitting a study or exploring groundbreaking research, Cureus connects physicians, researchers, and healthcare professionals worldwide. We've also improved our email system! If this message landed in Promotions or Updates, please drag it to your email Inbox to keep receiving peer-reviewed research, publishing opportunities, and medical insights from Cureus.
Mar 14, 2025
February 2025 Newsletter
Hi, We’re excited to bring you the latest news and updates from Cureus, your partner in Open Access medical publishing! We've improved our email system for a better experience! If this landed in Promotions or Updates, drag it to your inbox to keep getting our latest medical insights.
Feb 19, 2025
Understanding the Overlap: Menopause, Hormonal Changes, and Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) in Women
Sponsored Menopause marks a pivotal shift in a woman’s life, often accompanied by a variety of physical and emotional changes. While hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings are well-known symptoms, one of the less-discussed but equally impactful changes is the decline in sexual desire. This is where Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) enters the conversation. Characterized by a persistent lack of interest in sexual activity, HSDD is a recognized medical condition that can significantly impact a woman’s well-being. As highlighted in the Cureus article, "Understanding Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) in Women: Etiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment," hormonal fluctuations during menopause play a crucial role in the onset of HSDD. Shifts in estrogen and testosterone levels affect blood flow, sensitivity, and mood, all of which contribute to decreased libido. Yet, it’s essential to recognize that HSDD is not an inevitable consequence of menopause—it is a treatable condition. By raising awareness about the connection between menopause and HSDD, women can be empowered to seek treatment, explore lifestyle modifications, and access the support they need for optimal well-being and sexual health. Understanding Menopause Menopause typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, with the average onset around 51. It is defined as the time when a woman has not had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months. This period is marked by changes in hormone levels, particularly estrogen and progesterone, leading to various physical and emotional symptoms. Common symptoms of menopause include hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, weight gain, and vaginal dryness. Each of these symptoms can significantly impact a woman's quality of life. However, one of the more subtle yet profound effects of menopause is HSDD, which often goes unrecognized and untreated. The Link Between Menopause and HSDD The hormonal fluctuations that occur during menopause can lead to a decreased libido for many women. Changes in estrogen levels can affect blood flow and sensitivity in the genital area, causing discomfort during sexual activity and leading to a decline in sexual desire. Additionally, psychological factors such as stress, anxiety, and body image issues can further contribute to HSDD. It is essential to acknowledge that HSDD in women is not a natural part of aging or menopause. It is a medical condition that can be managed. Women experiencing a significant decrease in sexual desire should consult healthcare providers to explore options for treatment and support. Strategies for Managing Menopause Symptoms and HSDD Managing menopause and HSDD can feel challenging, but understanding your options can make a significant difference. With a mix of medical treatments, lifestyle changes, and emotional support, women can effectively navigate these changes and improve their quality of life. Here are some steps you can take: 1. Consult a Healthcare Professional: Seeking professional guidance is essential when managing menopause symptoms and HSDD. A healthcare provider can assess your medical history, symptoms, and lifestyle to provide personalized treatment options. They may recommend blood tests to evaluate hormone levels or discuss medication options, ensuring your care plan is tailored to your unique needs. This approach can help alleviate symptoms and address underlying concerns. 2. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Hormone Replacement Therapy is a common treatment for managing menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings. By supplementing the body with estrogen, progesterone, or both, HRT helps stabilize hormone levels and reduce discomfort. Healthcare providers often weigh the benefits against any potential risks, ensuring that this treatment aligns with your health profile. Many women experience significant improvements in their symptoms with HRT. 3. Lifestyle Modifications: Adopting a healthy lifestyle can significantly enhance physical and emotional well-being during menopause. Regular physical activity, such as walking, yoga, or strength training, boosts energy levels and reduces mood swings. A diet rich in whole foods, lean proteins, and healthy fats supports hormonal balance, while adequate hydration prevents fatigue and headaches. Stress management techniques like meditation, mindfulness, or deep-breathing exercises can further alleviate symptoms and promote emotional resilience. 4. Treatment Options for HSDD: For women experiencing Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD), flibanserin like Addyi may be an option. This HSDD treatment can work for most women and works by targeting brain chemicals linked to sexual desire. A healthcare provider can help determine if this treatment is appropriate for you. 5. Counseling and Support Groups: Emotional health is just as important as physical well-being during menopause. Therapy can provide a safe space to discuss concerns, process emotions, and develop coping strategies for challenges related to menopause and HSDD. Support groups offer opportunities to connect with others experiencing similar issues, fostering a sense of community and understanding. Many women find it empowering to share their stories and learn from the experiences of others. 6. Sexual Health Education: Gaining knowledge about sexual health and how menopause affects intimacy can empower women to navigate these changes confidently. Understanding one’s body and discussing concerns with a partner or healthcare provider can foster a more fulfilling and open approach to intimacy. Resources like books, workshops, or online forums on sexual wellness can provide valuable insights and support a positive perspective on sexual health during menopause. Conclusion Menopause is a significant transition in a woman’s life that can present various challenges, including HSDD. However, it is important to recognize that effective management strategies can lead to improved quality of life and sexual health. By consulting with healthcare professionals, exploring treatment options, and adopting a proactive approach to lifestyle changes, women can navigate this phase with confidence and vitality. Empowerment through education and support will enable women to embrace this new chapter while managing menopause symptoms effectively. Â
Jan 09, 2025
Call for Submissions The Real Impact of Wearable Health Tech: Advancing Medicine or Overpromising?
Scope Is the rise of medical wearable technology a true revolution in healthcare, or is it simply a tech trend with more promise than proof? Cureus is excited to announce a call for submissions for research articles and reviews exploring the real-world impact of wearable devices on patient care. From enhancing chronic disease management to raising ethical questions about data privacy, we invite you to contribute to a growing body of literature that critically examines whether wearables are reshaping healthcare or just adding more noise. Submission Details & Guidelines: Please review our detailed author guidelines to ensure your submission meets all requirements. Visit our submissions page to submit your manuscript. Use the keyword “wearable technology” in your submission to indicate your participation in this call. Submission Deadline: November 8th, 2024 Cureus will accept original articles, review articles, case reports, and technical reports. We will NOT accept editorials for this call for articles. Let’s dive into the debate: Are wearable health technologies truly revolutionizing patient care, chronic disease management, and preventive care, or are they just another overhyped promise failing to deliver on their potential?
Oct 23, 2024
Opioid Epidemic Articles
We’d like to thank all of the authors who participated in our “Combating the Opioid Epidemic” call for submissions that kicked off in July. Click the link below to view the articles we've published so far and stay on the lookout for new calls for article submissions on major clinical topics!
Sep 05, 2024
Brain Awareness Article Submissions
Authors submitted research regarding Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s, as well as neurological and neuropsychological disorders. We'd like to thank all of the authors who participated in this call for articles. Stay on the lookout for new calls for article submissions on major clinical topics.
Sep 05, 2024
Peptide Therapy
There are many potential benefits of peptide therapy in different medical fields. This Cureus article explores the expression of antimicrobial peptides and cytokines in the human omentum following abdominal surgery, with the aim of understanding how these peptides can aid in the prevention of postoperative infections. The article below focuses on the effects of Mechano-Growth Factor (MGF) peptide, which has been shown to have favorable impacts on muscle growth, wound healing, cartilage repair, and brain development in animal studies. MGF peptide has also been shown to activate muscle stem cells and enhance heart health, among other benefits. There is a growing interest in peptide therapy as a potential solution to various medical problems, from muscle loss to postoperative infections. Sponsored Content Peptide Research: an Overview Mechano-Growth Factor (MGF) peptide is a splice variant of insulin-like growth factor [i] that has been suggested to have cardiological effects, favorably influencing muscle growth, wound healing, cartilage repair, and brain development in animal studies. MGF C-terminal has been speculated to enhance muscle healing after damage and hasten recovery. Moreover, data is suggesting it may help shield tissues from the mechanical stressors incurred during training and physical activity. Do you have a Ph.D. or MD and need to purchase MGF peptides for your research? You can find high-quality, affordable peptides online. What is the Mechano Growth Factor? In contrast to IGF1, the peptide known as Mechano growth factor (MGF) [ii] has a slightly modified sequence. Research suggests it may significantly impact growth and development. Animal studies purport that MGF peptide may promote tissue repair and development by activating muscle stem cells and increasing protein synthesis for tissue growth. Researchers are now exploring this peptide as a potential adjuvant for disorders that cause muscle loss and wasting in animals. Animal studies support that MGF peptide may promote tissue repair and development by activating muscle stem cells and increasing protein synthesis for tissue growth. Researchers are now exploring this peptide as a potential therapy for disorders that cause muscle loss and wasting in animals. MGF Peptide: Mechanism of Action According to research, IGF and muscle growth factor (MGF) seem to work together to cause hypertrophy and speed up the healing process after muscle injury. Muscle satellite cells, also known as stem cells, are activated with their help, per experimental study results. [v] Investigations purport the IGF-1Eb isoform, as it's more often known, may protect neurons, mitigate the atrophying effects of insulin, and speed up the healing of damaged muscle tissue in animals. Studies in rats have asserted the efficacy of this peptide. After muscular damage, high levels of MGF were found in the rats' muscles, which have been hypothesized to have promoted skeletal muscle cell development. Research on MGF for disorders that cause muscle wasting or tissue damage is limited, but early results are encouraging. MGF Peptide Properties According to the scientific community's findings, MGF peptides have a wide range of applications. In a nutshell, here's what it can do, according to animal studies: Encourage the growth of new muscle by stimulating stem cells Facilitate healing, repair, and cell division Facilitate the reduction of inflammation Maximize workouts Improve mental well-being and growth Enhance heart health Muscle Growth Factor's Effects Recent studies have shown that MGF (Mechanical growth factor) may stimulate satellite cells in the body, leading to increased hypertrophy, larger muscles, and even muscle regeneration. According to animal studies, MGF administered to mice for three weeks resulted in a 25% increase in muscle growth. Researchers think this peptide has the potential to double the health benefits of exercise and cure muscle-wasting disorders. An animal's basal metabolic rate and the pace at which it burns calories at rest benefit from muscle gain. Thus the animal may see more than simply an aesthetic advantage from exercising. Animal studies have demonstrated that increased lean body mass helps alleviate various diseases and health problems linked to obesity. Transplantation of myogenic precursor cells enhances dystrophin expression, which may explain why MGF therapy is effective in the context of some muscle-wasting illnesses like Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). As a result, the negative consequences of these states are mitigated. Despite the treatment's encouraging name, post-transplant survival statistics are dismal. Animal studies suggest that C-terminal peptide may improve transplant outcomes by increasing the number of myogenic precursor cells that survive the procedure. MGF Peptide and Injuries Injuries, inflammatory diseases like arthritis, and overuse of joints may all lead to cartilage breakdown. Experts agree that poor blood flow and a lack of stem cells prevent cartilage from regenerating properly. Yet, research on MGF peptides in animals suggested that they might assist in overcoming many of the obstacles to cartilage regeneration. Research indicates that C-terminal [iii] MGF might help chondrocytes (cells that promote cartilage health and repair) endure exposure to noxious stimuli, including damage and physical stress. By increasing cell survival, MGF supplementation has been theorized to aid in protecting and repairing cartilage when mechanical stress is applied, as per studies. Rodent studies indicated that MGF peptide might stop disc degeneration by stopping cell apoptosis. [iv] Cardiological Consequences Data from animal trials of acute myocardial infarction in sheep suggests that MGF peptide may prevent heart muscle damage caused by ischemia. Researchers also speculated that cardiomyocyte damage seemed reduced by 35% when MGF peptide was presented. MGF Peptide and the Brain In 2010, scientists asserted that MGF peptide was present in the brains of rats, suggesting the peptide's possible neuroprotective properties. Research in mice further indicates that MGF protein is expressed in the context of brain hypoxia and that it may protect neurons. Studies purport that MGF peptide may relieve the increasing muscular weakness seen in Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS) and slow down the underlying cause of the illness, the degeneration of motor neurons. Researchers have ascertained that mechano-growth factor peptides may protect neurons from disease progression more effectively than any other isoform. It has also been hypothesized to aid in recovering brain tissue damaged by ischemia. Scientists have high hopes that MGF peptide, with further study, may prove to be adjuvant and may save motor neurons from dying. References [i] Philippou A, Papageorgiou E, Bogdanis G, Halapas A, Sourla A, Maridaki M, Pissimissis N, Koutsilieris M. Expression of IGF-1 isoforms after exercise-induced muscle damage in humans: characterization of the MGF E peptide actions in vitro. In Vivo. 2009 Jul-Aug;23(4):567-75. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19567392/ [ii] Moriggl, R, V Gouilleux-Gruart, R Jähne, S Berchtold, C Gartmicen, X Liu, L Hennighausen, A Sotiropoulos, B Groner, and F Gouilleux. “Deletion of the Carboxyl-Terminal Transactivation Domain of MGF-Stat5 Results in Sustained DNA Binding and a Dominant Negative Phenotype.” Molecular and Cellular Biology 16, no. 10 (October 1996): 5691–5700. doi:10.1128/mcb.16.10.5691. [iii] Esposito, Simone, Koen Deventer, and Peter Van Eenoo. “Characterization and Identification of a C-Terminal Amidated Mechano Growth Factor (MGF) Analogue in Black Market Products.” Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry 26, no. 6 (February 10, 2012): 686–692. doi:10.1002/rcm.6144. [iv] Liu X, Zeng Z, Zhao L, Chen P, Xiao W. Impaired Skeletal Muscle Regeneration Induced by Macrophage Depletion Could Be Partly Ameliorated by MGF Injection. Front Physiol. 2019 May 17;10:601. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31164836/ [v] Mills P, Dominique JC, Lafrenière JF, Bouchentouf M, Tremblay JP. A synthetic mechano growth factor E Peptide enhances myogenic precursor cell transplantation success. Am J Transplant. 2007 Oct;7(10):2247-59. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17845560/ Editor's Note: This blog post was sponsored by Core Peptides LLC.
Aug 30, 2024
April 2022 Newsletter
Hi, Hopefully you've noticed that Cureus is looking a bit different these days - we redesigned our homepage to highlight more articles, active discussions, trending topics and more. Take a look and keep an eye out for more new sections featuring opportunities to engage directly with us via quizzes, polls and more. Meanwhile, time to publish continues to decrease!
Aug 13, 2024
Cureus Honors Rewards Program
The Cureus Journal of Medical Science is pleased to announce the launch of Cureus Honors, a rewards program through which members earn a variety of benefits to further enhance their Cureus experience. Progress towards one of our rewards tiers can be tracked via the new Cureus Honors Dashboard, located on every registered user's Cureus profile page. Not yet a member of the Cureus community? Sign up is completely free so get started today to enjoy all of the benefits that come with publishing, reviewing and reading articles in the most affordable, efficient and innovative Open Access medical journal in the world.
Aug 13, 2024