The 2022 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Prof. Svante Pääbo, Ph.D., for his work on extinct hominin genomes and for his new insights into human evolution. Pääbo is considered the founder of paleogenetics.[1]

Svante Pääbo, Ph.D.

Pääbo conducts research at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig and at the University of Leipzig, both in Leipzing, Germany. His research also showed, among other things, that archaic gene sequences from our extinct relatives influence the physiology of modern humans.

By examining the genome of Neanderthal man – who was the first to sequence it – and comparing it to that of living humans, “his discoveries lay the foundation for exploring what makes us unique human beings,” according to the jury.

Neanderthal genome sequencing

From the beginning of his career, Pääbo investigated the possibility of using modern genetic methods to study Neanderthal DNA. He soon faced extreme technical difficulties due to the degradation of nucleotide chains over time. During his postdoctoral studies at the University of California, Berkeley, USA, after completing a dissertation in 1986 with Allan Wilson, a pioneer in the field of evolutionary biology, Pääbo began developing methods for studying Neanderthal DNA. a work that spanned several decades.

In 1990 the researcher was hired at the University of Munich in Munich, Germany, where he continued his work on archaic DNA as a newly appointed professor, with a particular interest in Neanderthal mitochondrial DNA. Although the mitochondrial genome is small, containing only a fraction of the cell’s genetic information, it has the advantage of being present in thousands of copies, increasing the chances of success. Thanks to the techniques he developed, Pääbo was able to sequence a region of mitochondrial DNA from a 40,000-year-old bone. Comparisons with modern-day humans and chimpanzees have shown that Neanderthals are a genetically distinct species.

In 1997, the Swedish biologist founded a paleogenetic research center within the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, where he tackled the sequencing of the genome, not mitochondrial but nuclear, of the Neanderthal thanks to new technical developments that allowed the sequencing of the DNA is very efficient. Pääbo also invited several key collaborators specializing in population genetics. His efforts were crowned with success, because in 2010 the researcher published the first sequence of the Neanderthal genome. Comparative analyzes show that the most recent common ancestor of Neanderthals and Homo sapiens lived around 800,000 years ago.

Neanderthals versus Homo Sapiens
Research has provided evidence that anatomically modern humans, Homo sapiens, emerged in Africa around 300,000 years ago, while our closest known relatives, the Neanderthals, evolved outside of Africa and populated Europe and western Asia from around 400,000 years to 30,000 years ago . when they died out. About 70,000 years ago groups of Homo sapiens migrated from Africa to the Middle East and from there across the rest of the world. Homo sapiens and Neanderthals coexisted across much of Eurasia for tens of thousands of years.

A sensational discovery: Denisova

In 2008, a 40,000-year-old finger bone fragment was discovered in Denisova Cave in southern Siberia. The bone contained exceptionally well-preserved DNA, which Pääbo’s team sequenced. The results caused a stir: the DNA sequence was unique compared to all known Neanderthal and modern human sequences. Pääbo had discovered a previously unknown hominid that was given the name Denisova. Comparisons with sequences from contemporary humans from different parts of the world showed that gene flow also occurred between Denisova and Homo sapiens. This relationship was first observed in populations from Melanesia and other parts of Southeast Asia.

What do the discoveries of Nobel Prize winner Svante Pääbo contribute?

Essentially to better understand the history of our evolution. At least two extinct hominin populations lived in Eurasia at the time Homo sapiens migrated from Africa. Neanderthals lived in western Eurasia, while Denisovans populated the eastern parts of the continent. During their expansion out of Africa and their eastward migration, Homo sapiens encountered and interbred with not only Neanderthals but also Denisovans.

Physiologically, paleogenomic work indicates that archaic genetic sequences influence modern humans. Like the Denisovan version of the EPAS1 gene, which confers a high-altitude survival advantage and is widespread among modern Tibetans. He also found that gene transfer occurred between these now-extinct hominins and Homo sapiens after they migrated from Africa about 70,000 years ago. This ancient flow of genes to modern humans has physiological significance today, for example by influencing how our immune system responds to infections.

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WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) – The US government has described the OPEC+ oil alliance’s decision to reduce oil production as “shortsighted” and a “mistake”. US President Joe Biden was disappointed by this, Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan and White House National Economic Council director Brian Deese said on Wednesday. At a time when maintaining the global energy supply is of paramount importance, this decision will have a particularly negative impact on low- and middle-income countries.

White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre called the oil production cut “wrong” and a “mistake”. The oil alliance made a decision that only served its own interests. “It is clear that with today’s announcement, OPEC+ is an ally of Russia,” said Jean-Pierre.

Given the planned supply shortages, Biden also wants to consult with Congress on additional tools and powers to loosen OPEC’s grip on energy prices, he said. More recently, US gasoline prices have fallen back a bit. For Biden’s Democrats, this was especially important just before Congressional elections in November. High inflation in the country particularly affected the US president’s party in polls./nau/DP/stw

AXC0297 2022-10-05/19:23

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Surgical procedures, transplants, chemotherapy: At the University of Montreal Hospital Center (CHUM), surgeries had to be postponed because patients could not pay for their mandatory dental treatment before the procedure.

Posted at 12:00 p.m

Alice Girard-Bossé La Presse

“It’s disgusting. That puts us in very difficult situations,” criticizes Dr. Matthieu Schmittbuhl, head of the dental department at CHUM.

To reduce the risk of complications, patients awaiting transplantation, cardiac surgery and oncology patients who need to receive chemotherapy need to systematically perform preventive oral care, including tooth cleaning and tooth extraction.

“The dental check-up and the preparation of the mouth are essential, otherwise it can have very serious consequences for the patient,” explains Dr. Schmittbuhl.

Recently, an immunocompromised patient at CHUM was admitted to the ICU with pneumonia and pericarditis, an inflammation of the membrane that surrounds the heart. These complications were most likely related to a dental infection.

Currently, only adult head and neck cancer patients who require oral care are covered by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ). Everyone else doesn’t, much to the chagrin of Dr. Schmittbuhl.

PHOTO ALAIN ROBERGE, THE PRESS

dr Matthieu Schmittbuhl, head of the CHUM dental department

This is not comfort care, but basic care.

dr Matthieu Schmittbuhl, head of the CHUM dental department

Every week, the specialist meets patients who cannot pay these fees. “Sometimes, in the urgency of a situation, we’ll take care of it for free, but we can’t always do it. It’s unbearable to discuss money with someone waiting for a transplant. It doesn’t make ethical sense,” he said.

Waiting for funding

In January, a team of CHUM specialists asked the Department of Health and Human Services (MSSS) to establish an oral care program for these uninsured patients. The ministry did not respond to her request.

“Medically, ethically and deontologically, it seems to me the minimum that we should provide this care when everything else is covered,” said Dr. Schmittbuhl.

According to their estimates, this program could involve about 200 patients per year or an annual budget of $100,000. “It’s a very modest budget. It’s a drop in the bucket of the healthcare budget and we can’t get it,” he says.

dr Schmittbuhl argues that putting off surgeries due to a lack of oral care is far more costly to the healthcare system. In fact, the annual cost of dialysis for a patient awaiting a kidney transplant is $100,000, while the cost of a kidney transplant is $66,000 in the first year and $23,000 in subsequent years.

Delaying a heart transplant or surgery, or keeping a patient in the ICU comes at a staggering cost to the healthcare system.

dr Matthew Schmittbuehl

For several years, the Ordre des Dentistes du Québec has required that medically necessary dental treatment be covered by public funds. “The Order believes that the division of healthcare between those who fall within the field of medicine and those who fall under the field of dentistry creates situations that are totally unacceptable from a purely human point of view,” said the director for public affairs and communications. Andre Lavoie.

The Quebec Medical Association (FMSQ) also believes that pre-surgery care should be covered by the RAMQ. “Some treatments require preoperative evaluation and good oral health, and patients in Quebec should be able to receive this oral care without incurring any costs,” said FMSQ spokeswoman Sacha Lubin.

The MSSS, for its part, claims that this file is currently being analyzed. “A committee to direct a medically necessary oral care program […] was set up, but the pandemic delayed the completion of the work,” said spokeswoman Marjorie Larouche.

Debate over how to deal with the launch of a North Korean ballistic missile over Japanese territory on Wednesday split an already deeply divided UN Security Council, with Russia and China insisting US-led military drills in the region had provoked North Korea into action .

Wednesday’s meeting ended with no agreement on next steps, despite warnings from the US and its allies that the council’s failure to reach a consensus on North Korea’s record number of missile launches this year emboldens North Korea and undermines the authority of the United Nations’ most powerful Body.

“This advice should be aware that it is being tested and its credibility is at stake. This council should act and take measures that restore its credibility,” said Hiroshi Minami, Japan’s deputy representative to the United Nations and one of those who unsuccessfully urged the council to its previous unified stance on North Korea’s launches.

North Korea’s missile flight on Tuesday was its longest-range weapons test ever, a nuclear-capable ballistic missile that flew over Japan and had enough power to reach the US Pacific region of Guam and beyond. It forced the Japanese government to issue evacuation warnings and halt trains.

The United Nations said North Korea’s unprecedented number of ballistic missile launches this year, now more than 40, comes as North Korea also moves toward a seventh nuclear test. North Korea fired two ballistic missiles at its eastern waters just 22 minutes apart early Thursday, officials said.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is pushing to develop a full-fledged nuclear arsenal capable of threatening the US mainland and territory of US allies, with a view to wringing concessions from those countries, some experts say.

Tuesday’s launch was the first Kim has aimed at Japan since 2017. It came days after a US-led military exercise in the Sea of ​​Japan with allies Japan and South Korea. The exercise involved a US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.

Deputy UN representative to Russia Anna Evstigneeva insisted to Security Council members that it was the “irresponsibility” of this US-led exercise, along with growing US alliances with partners in the Asia-Pacific region, that prompted North Korea’s action.

China’s deputy UN representative, Geng Shuang, presented the matter as a confrontation between the US and North Korea and urged a more conciliatory approach by Washington.

Wednesday’s session ended with only a vague call for more discussion of the matter. It served as the latest example of growing polarization between Russia and China and the other permanent members of the Security Council, the United States, the United Kingdom and France.

The division, brought to the fore by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, China’s military assertiveness in the Asia-Pacific region and the US response thereto, and other issues, has paralyzed the Security Council on many key actions. That’s because all five permanent members have the power to veto Council actions.

The Security Council imposed sanctions after North Korea’s first nuclear test blast in 2006 and has tightened them over the years to curb its nuclear and ballistic missile programs and cut funding.

In May, however, China and Russia blocked a Security Council resolution that would have tightened sanctions over the missile launches, sparking the Council’s first serious row over sanctions against North Korea.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US ambassador to the United Nations, told Security Council members on Wednesday that “two permanent members of the Security Council activated Kim Jong Un.”

Missile launches earlier this year were clearly launched without concurrent US military exercises or other clear triggers, Thomas-Greenfield said, calling North Korea’s a “self-initiated escalation.”

“We will not tolerate any country blaming our defenses… as somehow inherently causing these threats,” she said. She added, “The United States will not stand by while the DPRK directly threatens the US or its allies.”