Scientists at the University of Michigan have created a detailed atlas of ovarian cells – a map of the types of cells present in the ovaries, how they interact with each other, and how they change with age or disease.

Why is this necessary?

• Many women face premature menopause or loss of ovarian function due to cancer treatments (such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy).
• Loss of ovarian function leads not only to infertility, but also to serious hormonal problems – osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and a decrease in quality of life.

What’s new?

• Using modern single-cell transcriptomics (single-cell RNA-seq), they have compiled a detailed map of gene expression in ovarian cells.
• This has made it possible to understand which cells play a key role in the maturation of eggs, the synthesis of hormones and the maintenance of reproductive function.

What will this lead to?

1. The development of artificial ovaries – bioengineered structures that can replace lost functions.
2. Targeted therapy for female infertility and early menopause.
3. Personalized medicine – the ability to predict reproductive potential and correct hormonal imbalances.

In principle, we are talking about creating a “living prosthesis” that will in the future provide women with not only the ability to bear children, but also maintain normal hormonal balance.

The Chikungunya virus, which is transmitted by the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes, causes the following symptoms:

• High fever,
• Severe joint pain,
• Skin rashes and general malaise.

The situation is worrying experts because:

• The number of cases is constantly increasing,
• There is a high risk of the virus spreading to other regions, including Southeast Asian countries and beyond Asia via international flights.

The Chinese authorities are stepping up measures:

• Mosquito extermination (disinfection),
• Strengthening sanitary control,
• Awareness campaigns are being conducted for the population.

The World Health Organization is monitoring the situation and, although it has not yet declared an international emergency, it is being seen as a “global signal,” especially in light of climate change and insect migration.

During the event, lectures were presented on the identification of impurities in medicines and pharmaceutical substances based on the monographs of the United States Pharmacopeia. Topics included methods of analysis, equipment used, applicable standards, and a newly developed platform related to nitrosamine impurities.

As part of the visit, a short familiarization tour was organized to the newly established “Pharma Park,” located at the Agency for the Development of the Pharmaceutical Industry under the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

• Macular degeneration (age-related maculopathy) is the main cause of central vision loss in people over 60 years old.
• The disease affects the macula — the central part of the retina responsible for clear vision (for example, reading, driving and recognizing faces).

The role of gold nanoparticles (GNP — Gold Nanoparticles):

• The unique properties of gold on the nanoscale allow it to be used:
• as a carrier for the delivery of drugs to damaged areas of the retina;
• to protect cells from oxidative stress, which plays a key role in the development of maculodystrophy;
• it is like a photosensitizer in laser therapy.

How it works:

1. Nanoparticles are covered with bioactive molecules that purposefully bind to the affected cells of the retina.
2. After introduction into the eye (usually by injection), they release active substances locally, minimizing side effects.
3. Some methods use laser radiation that activates nanoparticles for the destruction of abnormal vessels (for example, in the wet form of maculodystrophy).

Research and results:

• In 2024-2025, several international laboratories (including in Great Britain, Japan and the USA) conducted successful preclinical tests.
• The first phases of clinical trials show:
• Slowing down degeneration;
• Improvement of contrast vision;
• Reduction of inflammation and vascular growth.

Technological advantages:

• Minimally invasive;
• High accuracy of drug delivery;
• Potential single or rare application, unlike frequent injections of other drugs (e.g., anti-VEGF).

Restrictions and challenges:

• Even more experimental level — there is no FDA or EMA approval;
• A long-term safety assessment is required: for example, how nanoparticles are removed from the body;
• The price may be high at the beginning of commercial use.

Cochlear implants are used to restore hearing in people with severe or complete hearing loss. They work by bypassing damaged areas of the inner ear and stimulating the auditory nerve with electrical impulses.

Main components:

1. External processor – receives sound signals, processes them and transmits them to the implant.
2. Implantable part – converts signals into electrical impulses and transmits them to the auditory nerve.
3. Electrode array – is located in the cochlea of ​​the inner ear and stimulates the auditory nerves.

Modern cochlear implants are equipped with powerful sound processing algorithms, allowing you to hear music and even have phone conversations.

Neural chips

Neural chips are devices integrated with the nervous system to expand cognitive capabilities, treat diseases or control external devices with the power of thought.

Applications of neural implants:

• Treatment of paralysis – chips can restore motor activity by transmitting signals from the brain to muscles or robotic prostheses.
• Treatment of epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease – deep brain stimulation using implants reduces the severity of symptoms.
• Cognitive enhancement – chips are being developed that can improve memory, information processing speed, and even connect to the Internet.

Examples of modern projects:

• Neuralink (Elon Musk) – develops brain-computer interfaces for controlling devices with the power of thought.
• Synchron – creates neural implants that do not require complex surgery, which help people with paralysis control computers.

The future of these technologies promises a significant improvement in the quality of life of people with disabilities, as well as the potential to “enhance” a healthy brain.

How do biosoluble microneedles work?

• Application to the skin: The microneedle plate is pressed against the skin.
• Penetration: The microneedles penetrate the stratum corneum of the epidermis, but do not reach the pain receptors, making the procedure painless.
• Dissolution: The needles dissolve in the skin layers, releasing the active substance.
• Absorption: The drug penetrates the bloodstream or lymphatic system, providing a therapeutic effect.

Advantages of biosoluble microneedles

• Painlessness – do not reach pain receptors.
• Ease of use – can be used without medical personnel.
• No medical waste – dissolves completely, no needle disposal.
• Increased drug stability – do not require a cold chain of storage.
• Effective drug delivery – the possibility of controlled release of active substances.

Application areas

• Vaccination (flu, COVID-19, measles, HPV, etc.).
• Insulin delivery for diabetics.
• Local administration of analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Cosmetology (anti-aging and moisturizing products, collagen stimulation).

Development prospects

Clinical trials of new drugs are underway, the possibility of delivering DNA and RNA vaccines, biologically active substances and even stem cells are being studied. This technology can revolutionize medicine, making vaccination and drug therapy more accessible, more effective and less painful.

Let’s consider the main areas of their application:

1. Targeted drug delivery

Nanoparticles allow drugs to be delivered directly to affected cells, which increases the effectiveness of therapy and reduces side effects. For example, iron oxide nanoparticles are used for hyperthermia, in which the particles are heated in a magnetic field and cancer cells are killed.

2. Improving visualization in diagnostics

Nanomaterials are used to improve the quality of medical images. Biofunctionalized fluorescent nanoparticles can be attached to specific proteins, which allows for high-resolution visualization of tumors or other pathological changes.

3. Antibacterial properties

Silver nanoparticles are known for their antibacterial properties and are already used for medical purposes. They are effective against a wide range of microorganisms and are used to create antibacterial coatings on medical devices and implants.

4. Tissue engineering

Nanotechnology helps to regenerate damaged tissues. For example, nanostructured carbon nanotube scaffolds are used to regenerate bone tissue by providing support and stimulating the growth of new cells.

5. Development of biosensors

Nanomaterials such as nanotubes and nanowires are used to create biosensors for the detection of biomolecules. This allows for rapid and accurate diagnosis in the early stages of various diseases.

The basic studies show that about half of all side effects are preventable. Patient safety is our top priority, and during the MedSafetyWeek campaign, we would like to remind patients to be careful when taking medicine and healthcare professionals to be careful before prescribing treatment for them.

The Analytical Expertise Center of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Azerbaijan participates in this year’s social media campaign, as every year, and supports the importance of reporting side effects through the Notification Card.

MedSafetyWeek is a company that will cover 106 organizations from 94 countries of the world and is a joint initiative of the authorities that control medicines.

The 19th International Conference of Drug Regulatory Agencies (ICDRA) started on October 14, 2024 in Delhi and will continue work until October 19, 2024. The conference is organized by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of India, Government of India and supported by WHO.

The AEC of the Ministry of Health of Azerbaijan is represented by General Director Murad Suleymanov and Head of the Pharmaceutical Track and Trace Department Said Farzullayev at the mentioned international conference.

The conference will open with the first two days to all interested parties and the last three days reserved for representatives of national and regional pharmaceutical regulatory bodies, the Conference promises extensive discussions, information sharing and the development of collaborative strategies. The conference is proceeding under the slogan “Smart Regulation: Delivering Quality Assured Medical Products for All.”

The Secretary General of the OTS, health ministers of the member and observer countries, the special representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Shusha region, as well as invited scientists from different countries attended this event.

The Secretary General of the OTS Kubanichbek Omuraliev in his opening speech expressed confidence that the event would be successful and effective for the further development of the health sector of the member countries of the Organization of Turkic States. It was emphasized that the issues to be discussed by the Secretary General and the decisions to be made would give an important impetus to the future work of the organization in a new aspect.

Speaking at the opening of the event, Teymur Musayev Minister of Health of the Azerbaijan emphasized that holding the IV meeting of health ministers of the Organization of Turkic States in Shusha is a historic and proud event. “The great son of the Turkic world and the national leader of the Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev said: “Without Shusha there is no Karabakh, and without Karabakh there is no Azerbaijan.”

In their speeches, the Minister of Health of Turkey Kemal Memisoglu, the First Deputy Minister of Health of Uzbekistan Davron Sultanov, the Vice Minister of Health of Kazakhstan Yerbol Ospanov, the Minister of Health of Kyrgyzstan Alymkadyr Beyshenaliev, the Deputy Minister of Health of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Durye Deren Oygar and the representative of Hungary in Turkey emphasized that the event held by the UN member states and the Ministry of Health of Azerbaijan was organized at a high level and will give impetus to the development of cooperation between the countries in a modern sense through a new prism.

Then a video message to the participants of the event was addressed from the WHO Regional Director for Europe Hans Henri Kluge. Hans Henri Kluge emphasized the essence of the event and wished success to the meeting.

Within the framework of the event, was signed a “protocol of intentention on the establishment of “turktransplant”. The speakers noted the essence of the document, emphasizing that at present time the transplantology field allows to take radical decision the problems of treating many serious diseases. A number of memorandums of understanding were also signed between research institutes and centers of the ministries of health of the member countries and observers of the OTS in the of oncology, cardiology, ophthalmology, pediatrics, traumatology and orthopedics fields. The document supposes the establishment of intensive ties between the parties, conducting scientific research, improving the knowledge and skills of medical workers working in these specialties, personnel exchange, promoting and strengthening useful cooperation.

At the end of the meeting, the ministers of health of the member countries and observers of the organization of Turkic states answered on questions from media representatives.