PepperJackson's recent activity

  1. Comment on Epstein-Barr virus appears to be trigger of lupus disease in ~health

    PepperJackson
    Link Parent
    I guess I would add, just in case anyone was curious, that the latest research I had heard is that lupus may at its core be the result of lysosomal trafficking dysregulation. I've seen some mouse...

    I guess I would add, just in case anyone was curious, that the latest research I had heard is that lupus may at its core be the result of lysosomal trafficking dysregulation. I've seen some mouse models of disease that are incredibly similar to lupus (SLE in particular) that are deficient in a lysosomal trafficking gene, but I can't remember which one off the top of my head. Could EBV cause this? Sure, but I wonder if we will eventually subcategorize lupus based on the etiology of this dysfunction

    5 votes

  2. Comment on Epstein-Barr virus appears to be trigger of lupus disease in ~health

    PepperJackson
    (edited )
    Link Parent
    To your point, it would not be terribly helpful, but could provide some benefit. The best use case for vaccines is, as you suggest, to prevent a primary infection from a pathogen. There are some...

    To your point, it would not be terribly helpful, but could provide some benefit. The best use case for vaccines is, as you suggest, to prevent a primary infection from a pathogen. There are some indications for secondary exposure vaccines in limited cases. Herpesviruses like EBV do have an example of this in the shingles vaccine, but it is more useful in this case because shingles tends to have very distinct viral reactivation in the context of immunocompromise (typically age and other environmental factors). Does EBV act in this way to cause the secondary pathologies is central to the question of utility of vaccination.

    I do feel qualified to speak on this to a degree, I am an immunologist and physician. But I don't do vaccine development or virology in particular, which explains a bit of my hedging!

    11 votes

  3. Comment on First death linked to red meat allergy triggered by tick bites, researchers say in ~health

    PepperJackson
    Link Parent
    Definitely, I'm not sure if the same species of tick would feed on both mammals and dinosaurs though. It certainly seems plausible, but I'm no entomologist

    Definitely, I'm not sure if the same species of tick would feed on both mammals and dinosaurs though. It certainly seems plausible, but I'm no entomologist

  4. Comment on First death linked to red meat allergy triggered by tick bites, researchers say in ~health

    PepperJackson
    Link Parent
    To expand on this, the real question would be, are there ticks that bite mammals and also dinosaurs? Which I couldn't even begin to answer.

    To expand on this, the real question would be, are there ticks that bite mammals and also dinosaurs? Which I couldn't even begin to answer.

  5. Comment on First death linked to red meat allergy triggered by tick bites, researchers say in ~health

    PepperJackson
    Link Parent
    It depends what you mean by " People don't develop it naturally or through exposure to allergens like how bee stings can cause bee allergies.". The reason you get the allergy from ticks is because...

    It depends what you mean by " People don't develop it naturally or through exposure to allergens like how bee stings can cause bee allergies.". The reason you get the allergy from ticks is because you are exposed to the allergen (galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose) from the mammal blood that the ticks have in a blood meal. So in that regard the sensitization to the antigen is exactly the same.

    1 vote

  6. Comment on First death linked to red meat allergy triggered by tick bites, researchers say in ~health

    PepperJackson
    Link Parent
    I would consider it very likely that dinosaurs could get alpha gal allergy because they do not make alpha gal, and the gene that leads to the glycosylation is quite old!

    Other curiosity, I wonder if alpha-gal be found on older tick specimens? Imagine the dinosaurs being allergic to mammals.

    I would consider it very likely that dinosaurs could get alpha gal allergy because they do not make alpha gal, and the gene that leads to the glycosylation is quite old!

    1 vote

  7. Comment on First death linked to red meat allergy triggered by tick bites, researchers say in ~health

    PepperJackson
    Link Parent
    I wouldn't classify it as an autoimmune disease. In the medical community it is classified as an allergy, because the type of immune response is the same as typical allergies (i.e., IgE mediated)....

    I wouldn't classify it as an autoimmune disease. In the medical community it is classified as an allergy, because the type of immune response is the same as typical allergies (i.e., IgE mediated). Unless you consider allergies autoimmune diseases.

    5 votes

  8. Comment on Is vaping less harmful than smoking, and does it help people quit? in ~health

    PepperJackson
    Link Parent
    Yes, sorry for not responding earlier, these were off market vapes too. So there's even less reason to be afraid of vapes from a medical perspective.

    Yes, sorry for not responding earlier, these were off market vapes too. So there's even less reason to be afraid of vapes from a medical perspective.

    2 votes

  9. Comment on Is vaping less harmful than smoking, and does it help people quit? in ~health

    PepperJackson
    Link
    A number of my physician colleagues are still reeling from the VAPI/EVALI crisis years ago when vitamin E acetate contaminated vapes were killing young people. I think it's pretty clear that vapes...

    A number of my physician colleagues are still reeling from the VAPI/EVALI crisis years ago when vitamin E acetate contaminated vapes were killing young people. I think it's pretty clear that vapes are preferable to cigarettes now, though of course not using either is preferable.

    8 votes

  10. Comment on What are your favorite low cost main dishes/meals? in ~food

    PepperJackson
    Link
    We have a few "go-to" meals for when we want simple, low cost food. Speed rice bowl with a fried egg. We will break up a box of salted seaweed and mix it into a bowl of rice, then fry an egg in...

    We have a few "go-to" meals for when we want simple, low cost food.

    1. Speed rice bowl with a fried egg. We will break up a box of salted seaweed and mix it into a bowl of rice, then fry an egg in sesame oil with a bit of soy sauce, and pour it on top of the rice. It's quite salty, but I'm a big fan.

    2. Refried beans. These are quite versatile, use them in a burrito, taco, bowl, whatever. I use Samin Nosrat's recipe.

    3. Sweet potato and bean quesadilla. This one is a bit of a wildcard and best for when I want something warm and filling but not very involved to cook. I toss a sweet potato in the microwave, rinse a can of black beans, spread out the cooked sweet potato onto a tortilla, press in the beans, add some cheese, then cook in a skillet. It's not terribly fast, but I quite like the flavor.

    4. Classic beans and greens stew. I use Mark Bittman's recipe.

    5. Pasta Alla Norma (tomato and eggplant based sauce), again Mark Bittman's recipe.

    3 votes

  11. Comment on Starter comments on Tildes? in ~tildes

    PepperJackson
    Link
    I've thought about this myself. There is often a link with no comment from more than a day ago on the front page. I've thought that tildes could benefit from a system where link posts do not...

    I've thought about this myself. There is often a link with no comment from more than a day ago on the front page. I've thought that tildes could benefit from a system where link posts do not appear for others until the original poster adds a top level comment. Is this a strict improvement? Probably not, but I think the way I am interested in using tildes would benefit, though I do not necessarily use tildes the same way as others.

    2 votes

  12. Comment on Looking for low-cost ways to replace industrially processed foods in ~food

    PepperJackson
    Link Parent
    I guess it's true. I just don't think the difference between "instant pot" and "instapot" is as different as "Cocker Spaniel - Miniature Poodle crossbreed" and "Cockapoo"

    I guess it's true. I just don't think the difference between "instant pot" and "instapot" is as different as "Cocker Spaniel - Miniature Poodle crossbreed" and "Cockapoo"

    1 vote

  13. Comment on Looking for low-cost ways to replace industrially processed foods in ~food

    PepperJackson
    Link Parent
    I think this is very reasonable, thank you. I was just curious. Calling it an instapot really has caught on!

    I think this is very reasonable, thank you. I was just curious. Calling it an instapot really has caught on!

    1 vote

  14. Comment on Looking for low-cost ways to replace industrially processed foods in ~food

    PepperJackson
    Link Parent
    Sorry, what I specifically meant here is that "instant pot" is different than "instapot". Where the other ones took the name from the other products, this one took something very similar but not...

    Sorry, what I specifically meant here is that "instant pot" is different than "instapot". Where the other ones took the name from the other products, this one took something very similar but not what they were referencing. The only other thing I can think of is how it is common to call espresso, "Expresso"

  15. Comment on Looking for low-cost ways to replace industrially processed foods in ~food

    PepperJackson
    Link Parent
    With those it makes sense because there is a thing that actually has the name "Kleenex" or "Jacuzzi" or "Velcro". But how did Instant pot get shortened this way? And why do so many people say it...

    With those it makes sense because there is a thing that actually has the name "Kleenex" or "Jacuzzi" or "Velcro". But how did Instant pot get shortened this way? And why do so many people say it that way? Language works in mysterious ways

    1 vote

  16. Comment on Looking for low-cost ways to replace industrially processed foods in ~food

    PepperJackson
    Link Parent
    I'm curious, I've seen a ton of people do this, but where does the name instapot come from? I know the InstantPot tool, but have met a lot of people call it an instapot. I don't necessarily mind,...

    I'm curious, I've seen a ton of people do this, but where does the name instapot come from? I know the InstantPot tool, but have met a lot of people call it an instapot. I don't necessarily mind, but to me it's like calling espresso, expresso.

    1 vote

  17. Comment on Looking for low-cost ways to replace industrially processed foods in ~food

    PepperJackson
    (edited )
    Link
    I have a couple things I'd mention based on your post that I would add to th excellent overview from creesch. For an alternative to juice, consider Spindrift carbonated drinks. They are the only...

    I have a couple things I'd mention based on your post that I would add to th excellent overview from creesch.

    1. For an alternative to juice, consider Spindrift carbonated drinks. They are the only one I've found widely available whose ingredients are simply carbonated water and juice. Be careful for "Natural flavors", they can be anything! And not necessarily natural

    2. Try, when you are buying things from the grocery store, to only buy foods that you can identify every ingredient on the label. It can be hard to find foods that meet this criteria!

    3. Try this quiz for the New York times: it will help you navigate how to avoid ultraprocessed foods. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/01/05/well/eat/ultraprocessed-foods-challenge-quiz.html?unlocked_article_code=1.wE8.vCLd.Q0HTpPgeQRUv&smid=url-share

    3 votes

  18. Comment on mRNA COVID vaccines may substantially extend life for those undergoing cancer treatments in ~health

    PepperJackson
    Link Parent
    Oh my goodness you have landed upon something that immunologists have been studying for a bazillion years, that we call adjuvants. Essentially, whenever you give a vaccine, you need to give some...

    Oh my goodness you have landed upon something that immunologists have been studying for a bazillion years, that we call adjuvants. Essentially, whenever you give a vaccine, you need to give some other components (the aforementioned adjuvants) that activate the immune system to bring about a good immune response. Almost all conventional vaccines use these ancient formulations that use aluminum that seem to be okay. However, immunologists have discovered a number of the receptors that are activated in innate immune reactions and have since developed chemicals that activate these receptors really well.

    One of these is a chemical similar to RNA, that we call PolyI:C (more like DNA, but some crossover stimulation). So we think that part of why the COVID vaccines were so good is that they are loaded with their own adjuvants that make the immune response great.

    There's just no momentum for bringing new adjuvants to the market, and I find it infuriating! I should read into the details of why, because I know a bunch of people who are interested in this work.

    14 votes

  19. Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games

    PepperJackson
    Link Parent
    I just bought this game this past weekend and it's been a great bit of fun. I've only played maybe 4 runs because I'm at a busy time at work, but being able to sit down and enjoy a solid 20...

    I just bought this game this past weekend and it's been a great bit of fun. I've only played maybe 4 runs because I'm at a busy time at work, but being able to sit down and enjoy a solid 20 minutes of gaming is great. I was playing Megabonk for a similar kick, but those runs can get a bit long if you hit some good items. I'm looking forward to playing more this week and weekend now that things have cooled off a bit.

    1 vote

  20. Comment on What is your 'Subway Take'? in ~talk

    PepperJackson
    Link Parent
    I think "you all" is perfectly fine for me. Pretty cool too have a grandpa who was a "yinzer" though

    I think "you all" is perfectly fine for me. Pretty cool too have a grandpa who was a "yinzer" though

    2 votes