The course of one woman’s life took a sharp turn when she entered into marriage with a wealthy man, believing he would be a blessing to her family. Sharing her story on Reddit, she recounted his acts of generosity, from lavishing expensive gifts upon her parents to settling her sister’s credit card debts and securing a lucrative job for her brother at a prestigious firm. Despite his infidelity, her husband remained faithful to her, garnering admiration from her in-laws for his unwavering support during tough times.
The first crack in their marriage surfaced soon after the birth of their daughter, Kelly. Faced with the dilemma of leaving her husband, she sought counsel from loved ones, yet found herself unable to take decisive action, convincing herself that his infidelity stemmed from her perceived inadequacies as a wife during pregnancy. The second instance of betrayal occurred when Kelly was around 12 years old, prompting her mother to seriously consider divorce.
Despite her resolve to end the marriage, familial pressures, fueled by a desire to avoid scandal, weighed heavily against her. Reluctantly, she proceeded with the divorce, though custody battles left her without Kelly by her side, despite receiving alimony and a fair settlement.
Painted as the antagonist by her in-laws and parents, she faced an uphill battle to maintain a connection with her daughter. Only her steadfast friend Tina provided solace and support through the ordeal, serving as both confidante and anchor during tumultuous times.
Though she extended financial support for Kelly’s education, the rift between mother and daughter persisted, exacerbated by stringent conditions outlined in her will. Kelly, however, forged her own path, pursuing an accounting degree and a successful career, distancing herself from her mother’s inheritance to assert her independence.
Life, however, has a way of reshuffling the deck. Kelly, now financially self-reliant, sought to mend bridges with her mother, especially as her father’s fortunes dwindled, leaving her college fund depleted. This unexpected turn of events led to a tentative reconciliation, with Kelly relinquishing her claim to her mother’s estate in exchange for support for her graduate studies.
In a twist of fate, Laura, the woman’s goddaughter, emerged as the primary beneficiary in her will, sparking familial discord and bitterness over the perceived injustice.
We’ve All Waited for It: Scientists Created a Drug That Can Help Regrow Lost Teeth
The tooth fairy is a welcome guest for any child who has lost a tooth. Not only will the fairy leave a small gift under the child’s pillow, but they be assured of a replacement tooth in a few months. Unfortunately, the scenario is quite different for adults grappling with a loss of teeth. Luckily, there may be some hope thanks to a new study performed by scientists at Kyoto University and the University of Fukui.
A dental breakthrough
While the typical adult mouth houses 32 teeth, approximately 1% of the population exhibits variations of them, either possessing more or fewer teeth due to congenital conditions. Researchers have delved into the genetic factors behind cases of excessive teeth, seeking valuable insights into the potential regeneration of teeth in adults. This study is the first to show that monoclonal antibodies can help regrow teeth. It suggests a new way to treat a dental problem that currently requires implants and other artificial solutions.
A bit of science
The research team disclosed that an antibody targeting a specific gene, known as uterine sensitization-associated gene-1 (USAG-1), can induce tooth development in mice affected by tooth agenesis, a congenital condition. The findings were published in the journal, Science Advances.
As per Katsu Takahashi, a senior lecturer at the Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine and one of the principal contributors to the study, the essential molecules crucial for the development of teeth have already been pinpointed. “The morphogenesis of individual teeth depends on the interactions of several molecules including BMP, or bone morphogenetic protein, and Wnt signaling,” says Takahashi.
On April 13, 2021, the University of Kyoto posted its first pic of newly-grown teeth in mice.
BMP and Wnt are involved in more than just tooth development; they affect the growth of organs and tissues early in the body’s development. Because drugs affecting them directly might have broad side effects, scientists are cautious. To find a potentially safer method, researchers focused on the gene USAG-1, thinking that aiming at factors countering BMP and Wnt specifically in tooth development could be more precise.
“We knew that suppressing USAG-1 benefits tooth growth. What we did not know was whether it would be enough,” added Takahashi.
The first results
Scientists looked at how different monoclonal antibodies affect USAG-1. Monoclonal antibodies are often used to treat things like cancer and arthritis and for making vaccines. Tests with this antibody showed that BMP signaling is crucial for deciding the number of teeth in mice. Also, just one treatment was enough to grow a whole tooth. Further tests confirmed these positive results in ferrets too.
“Ferrets are diphyodont animals with similar dental patterns to humans. Our next plan is to test the antibodies on other animals, such as pigs and dogs,” explained Takahashi.
Fully regrown frontal teeth in ferrets
The next steps
Now, scientists are going to test the drug on healthy adults. If that goes well, the team plans to try it on kids aged 2 to 6 with a rare tooth problem called anodontia, a genetic disorder defined as the absence of all teeth. These kids will get one shot of the drug to see if it makes their teeth grow. If everything works out, the medicine might be approved by 2030.
Takahashi sees the new medicine as an additional choice for individuals who are missing some or all of their teeth.
“The idea of growing new teeth is every dentist’s dream,” Takahashi told the Japanese newspaper, The Mainichi in June this year. “I’ve been working on this since I was a graduate student. I was confident I’d be able to make it happen.”
So hopefully, by the year 2030, humans will get a chance to have their third generation of teeth grown and say goodbye to implants. Until then, make sure to keep your teeth strong and healthy — this article will help you with that.
Preview photo credit KyotoU_News / Twitter
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