intranasal delivery comes up often in conversation and rarely with the context attached. Here we lay out the basics in order, then work through the practical considerations.
Last reviewed on 2025-09-06. Where a claim depends on a specific study, the study is described rather than over-claimed.
Semax is a synthetic heptapeptide with the sequence Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro. Its chain combines the first seven residues of corticotropin with a C-terminal proline-glycine-proline extension, a modification intended to slow enzymatic breakdown. The free peptide has a molecular mass near 813.9 daltons. It belongs to the class of ACTH-derived fragments studied for central nervous system activity rather than for adrenal steroid stimulation. This structural relationship to a natural hormone fragment is the usual starting point for describing the compound in the literature.
Development took place during the 1980s at institutes of the Russian Academy of Sciences, where peptide fragments of ACTH were screened for cognitive and neuroprotective effects. The compound received regulatory approval in Russia as a nasal preparation, marketed for conditions such as ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attacks, and optic nerve disorders. Registration in other countries has not followed. Most published clinical reports originate from a small number of Russian research groups, and independent replication outside that setting remains limited. The regulatory status therefore differs sharply between Russia and the rest of the world.
Identity and purity are confirmed with reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, typically monitored at 214 nanometres where the peptide bond absorbs. Mass spectrometry, either electrospray or MALDI-TOF, verifies molecular mass against the theoretical value and detects truncation or adduct formation. Amino acid analysis and peptide mapping provide additional confirmation when required. The most frequently reported impurities are deletion sequences from incomplete coupling, methionine sulfoxide from oxidation, and dimeric species formed through non-covalent aggregation. Impurity profiles depend strongly on the synthesis and purification route chosen by the producer.
Published research has focused mainly on neurological and cognitive endpoints in animal models, with proposed mechanisms involving brain-derived neurotrophic factor and related signalling pathways. A substantial share of the human data originates from a limited number of research groups, and independent replication in other countries remains sparse. Regulatory status reflects that distribution: the peptide is registered as a medicine in Russia and appears in some neighbouring markets, while elsewhere it is handled as a research chemical without approved therapeutic labelling. Questions about dose-response relationships, long-term effects, and comparability across studies are still open.
| Property | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sequence | Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro | Heptapeptide; ACTH(4-10) analog extended at C-terminus |
| Molecular mass | ~813.9 Da | Free peptide, unmodified |
| Appearance | White to off-white powder | Typical lyophilized solid |
| Solubility | Soluble in water and saline | Also soluble in common aqueous buffers |
| Storage (solid) | -20 °C, desiccated | Protect from moisture and repeated thawing |
Later generations of the molecule include an N-acetylated form and an amidated form, both marketed online alongside the parent peptide. These variants differ in terminal chemistry and stability, and they are frequently discussed in the same breath even though they have not been compared in controlled trials. Supply outside formal healthcare systems comes largely from laboratories that synthesize peptides to order. Purity and identity of these materials vary widely, and no single body oversees the international trade.
Semax is a synthetic heptapeptide developed in the Soviet Union during the 1980s by researchers at the Institute of Molecular Genetics in Moscow. It was designed as a truncated analog of adrenocorticotropic hormone, retaining only the fragment spanning residues four through ten. Investigators sought a peptide that would preserve the cognitive effects associated with ACTH while eliminating the hormonal stimulation of the adrenal cortex. The compound entered clinical use in Russia during the following decade.
稳定性主要由水解与氧化两条路径支配。肽键在中性或弱酸性条件下相对稳定，遇到强碱或长时间高温则明显断裂；甲硫氨酸侧链容易被氧化成亚砜，使主峰前移并拉低实际含量。金属离子、光照和反复冻融会进一步促进降解或聚集。冻干粉在低温避光条件下可存放较长时间，配制后的水溶液通常需要冷藏并尽快用完。
纯度评估以反相高效液相色谱为主，通过主峰面积百分比给出粗略结果，再配合电喷雾质谱核对分子量。氨基酸分析可验证组成比例，手性色谱或毛细管电泳用于检查残基构型。常见杂质包括缺失序列的短肽、氧化产物与二聚体。由于多数市售品不附带完整检验报告，独立第三方检测常被用来核实标称值。
Scientific literature on semax is unevenly distributed. A substantial share of published work originates from a small number of laboratories in Russia, while independent replication elsewhere is limited. Human data consist mostly of small trials with short follow-up, and several reported outcomes rely on subjective rating scales. Questions about how much intact peptide reaches the central nervous system after nasal administration, and how long it persists there, are still unresolved. The compound is best described as an active research subject rather than a settled pharmacological agent.
Semax is a synthetic heptapeptide with the sequence Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro. It was derived from the ACTH(4-10) fragment, a short segment of adrenocorticotropic hormone that lacks the hormonal activity associated with the full-length peptide. Researchers at the Institute of Molecular Genetics in Moscow developed the compound during the 1980s. It has been registered as a pharmaceutical product in Russia and several neighbouring countries, where it is supplied as a nasal solution, and it is also sold internationally as a research chemical.
Circulation time for the peptide is short because peptidases cleave it readily. The Pro-Gly-Pro tail is thought to slow breakdown compared with the bare ACTH fragment, but the gain appears modest. Absorption after intranasal dosing is limited, and only a fraction of a dose is expected to reach the central nervous system. Laboratory concentrations therefore sit well above levels achieved systemically, a gap that complicates translation from bench findings to clinical claims.
The mechanisms attributed to semax are inferred from animal and cell studies rather than traced to one confirmed target. The most frequently cited pathway involves increased expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor in hippocampal and cortical tissue. Some work points to engagement of melanocortin receptors, particularly MC4, which the parent ACTH fragment can activate. Effects on dopaminergic and serotonergic signalling have also been reported. No single account explains all observed results, and the relative weight of each pathway remains unsettled.
Anti-nuclear protests first emerged in the late 1950s and early 1960s. In the United Kingdom, the first Aldermaston March, organised by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, took place in 1958. In 1961, at the height of the Cold War, about 50,000 women brought together by Women Strike for Peace marched in 60 cities in the United States to demonstrate against nuclear weapons. In 1964, Peace Marches in several Australian capital cities featured "Ban the bomb" placards. In the early 1980s, the revival of the nuclear arms race triggered large protests about nuclear weapons. In October 1981 half a million people took to the streets in several cities in Italy, more than 250,000 people protested in Bonn, 250,000 demonstrated in London, and 100,000 marched in Brussels. The largest anti-nuclear protest was held on June 12, 1982, when one million people demonstrated in New York City against nuclear weapons. In October 1983, nearly 3 million people across western Europe protested nuclear missile deployments and demanded an end to the arms race; the largest crowd of almost one million people assembled in the Hague in the Netherlands. In Britain, 400,000 people participated in what was probably the largest demonstration in British history.
On 14 June, Canadian prime minister Carney and British prime minister Starmer held their bilateral meeting in Ottawa. On route to Ottawa, Starmer stated that "Canada is an independent, sovereign country and a much-valued member of the Commonwealth" in the wake of President Trump's threats to annex Canada as the 51st state. Upon arrival, Starmer had dinner with Canadian prime minister Mark Carney at his official residence at Rideau Cottage, later the two watched a National Hockey League game between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers. They agreed to establish an Economic and Trade Working Group and to deepen the Trade Continuity Agreement, while Carney committed Canada to ratifying the UK's accession to CPTPP. The meeting was the first between two international leaders since Israel's strikes on Iran starting the 2025 Iran–Israel conflict; Starmer began a diplomatic push to try to de-escalate the Middle Eastern crisis.
=== Non-human infection === Treponema pallidum has been found in non-human primates in multiple different geographical regions. In Tanzania specifically, T. pallidum geographical distribution closely aligns with the distribution of yaws in humans. The most common strains in NHPs are T. p. pertenue and T. p.endemicum. It is unclear however whether or not these NHP strains can naturally infect humans, but flies have been proposed as possible vectors in an alternative transmission route. Clinically, these infections range from asymptomatic to severe skin ulceration that affect the face or genitalia in these primates. Infection of NHPs is largely reliant on ecological patterns, behaviors, and interactions between the species. There are no current treatments available for infected NHPs.
Off-line is an older method than on-line and involves the chemical analysis of sampled aerosols collected traditionally on filters or with cascade impactors (shown to the right) in the field and analyzed back in the lab. Cascade impactors collects particles as they transverse a series of impaction plates, and separate them based on size. The aerosol samples are analyzed by the coupling of pre-separation methods with mass spectrometry. The benefit of this method relative to on-line sampling is greater molecular and structural speciation. The greater molecular and structural speciation is due to the pre-separation. There are many different types of instrumentation used for the analysis due to various type and combinations of the ionization, separation, and mass detection methods. Not one combination is best for all samples, and as such depending on the need for analysis, different instrumentation is used. The most commonly used ionization method for off-line instrument is electron ionization (EI) which is a hard ionization technique that utilized 70 eV to ionize the sample, which causes significant fragmentation that can be used in a library search to identify the compounds. The separation method that EI is usually coupled with is gas chromatography (GC), where in GC the particles are separated by their boiling points and polarity, followed by solvent extraction of the samples collected on the filters.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Amphetamine, the active ingredient of Adderall, works primarily by increasing the activity of the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. It also triggers the release of several other hormones (e.g., epinephrine) and neurotransmitters (e.g., serotonin and histamine) as well as the synthesis of certain neuropeptides (e.g., cocaine and amphetamine regulated transcript (CART) peptides). Both active ingredients of Adderall, dextroamphetamine and levoamphetamine, bind to the same biological targets, but their binding affinities (that is, potency) differ somewhat. Dextroamphetamine and levoamphetamine are both potent full agonists (activating compounds) of trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) and interact with vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2), with dextroamphetamine being the more potent agonist of TAAR1. Consequently, dextroamphetamine produces more CNS stimulation than levoamphetamine; however, levoamphetamine has slightly greater cardiovascular and peripheral effects. It has been reported that certain children have a better clinical response to levoamphetamine. In the absence of amphetamine, VMAT2 will normally move monoamines (e.g., dopamine, histamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, etc.) from the intracellular fluid of a monoamine neuron into its synaptic vesicles, which store neurotransmitters for later release (via exocytosis) into the synaptic cleft.
Since 1997, the US federal government has prohibited the harvesting of white sharks in US waters, requiring that any incidentally caught shark be released immediately. Management of the species is split by region: the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan covers the Atlantic, while the Pacific Fishery Management Council oversees the Pacific. The white shark also receives protection in National Marine Sanctuaries managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Some states provide additional safeguards. California has protected the species within its waters (up to 3 miles (4.8 km) offshore) since 1994 and in 2013, added white sharks to the California Endangered Species Act, which introduced strict permit requirements for both scientific research and incidental bycatch. In 2019, the state further banned the use of bait, chum, or decoys to lure white sharks in state waters and prohibited their use within one nautical mile of any shoreline or pier when a shark is present. A 2014 study estimated the white shark population along the California coastline to be approximately 2,400 individuals. Massachusetts also provides state-level protection, having prohibited the capture of white sharks in 2005 and banning the use of chum or bait to lure them in 2015. In 2025, authorities restricted shore-based fishing around Cape Cod in response to viral videos of anglers catching white sharks.
The secondary stage occurs months to two years later (but usually 1–2 months later), and may thus begin when the mother wound has not yet healed. It happens when the bacterium spreads in the blood and lymph. It begins as multiple, pinhead-like papules; these initial lesions grow and change in appearance and may last weeks before healing, with or without scarring. Secondary yaws typically shows widespread skin lesions that vary in appearance, including "crab yaws" (areas of skin of abnormal color) on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet (named for the crab-like gait they cause people with painful soles to assume). These may show desquamation. These secondary lesions frequently ulcerate and are then highly infectious, but heal after 6 months or more. Secondary yaws affects the skin and bones. The most common bone-related problem is periostitis, an inflammation around the bone, which often occurs in the bones of the fingers and the long bones of the lower arms and legs, causing swollen fingers and limbs. This causes pain at night and thickening of the affected bones (periostitis). About 75% of infected children surveyed in Papua New Guinea reported joint pain. Swollen lymph nodes, fever, and malaise are also common. A latent infection develops after primary and secondary yaws (and possibly, in some cases, without these phases). Within five years (rarely, within ten years), it can relapse and become active again, causing further secondary lesions, which may infect others. These relapse lesions are most commonly found around the armpits, mouth, and anus.
The babies from this initial experiment were born in 1954, and the milestone was first publicized in the Cedar Rapids Gazette under the headline "Fatherhood After Death Has Now Been Proved Possible." After receiving his doctorate, Sherman accepted a position at the Biological Research Institute with the American Foundation for Biological Research in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1954. In 1957 Sherman joined the faculty at the University of Arkansas. He served as a professor there until 1992, when he became a professor emeritus and continued work until 1994. At University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, he founded what is considered to be the second human semen cryobank. During his career, he also traveled by request to assist with the establishment of other cryobanks across the country. He also helped to establish and advocate for the Office of Minority Affairs within the School of Medical Sciences at Arkansas. From 1974 to 1975, he spent a year on sabbatical teaching at National Chung-Hsing University in Taichung, Taiwan. Throughout his career, Sherman was also active in professional societies including his role as a charter member of the Society of Cryobiology in 1964, where he also served on the society's editorial board; as a founder of the American Association of Tissue Banks, where he drafted the first standards for the cryobanking of human embryos; and as an advisor to the Food and Drug Administration on AIDS and cryobanking from 1988 to 1992.
P7C3-A20 is a synthetic chemical compound belonging to the carbazole class. It was developed as a more potent analog of P7C3. It functions as an activator of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT), the rate-limiting enzyme in the NAD+ salvage pathway. P7C3-A20 exhibits proneurogenic and neuroprotective properties in preclinical models, crossing the blood-brain barrier and demonstrating efficacy in various models of brain injury and neurodegeneration. Research has investigated its potential to treat Alzheimer's disease, where it reversed pathological features and restored cognitive function in mice. As of 2025, P7C3-A20 remains an experimental compound with no established clinical use in humans.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
=== Marriage === Seligman writes: "Unlike money, which has at most a small effect, marriage is robustly related to happiness... In my opinion, the jury is still out on what causes the proven fact married people are happier than unmarried people." (pp. 55–56). Married persons report higher levels of happiness and well-being than single people. Other data has shown a spouse's happiness depends on the happiness of their partner. When asked, spouses reported similar happiness levels to each other. The data also shows the spouses' happiness level fluctuates similarly to one another. If the husband is having a bad week, the wife will similarly report she had a bad week. There is little data on alternatives like polyamory, although one study stated wife order in polygyny did not have a substantial effect on life or marital satisfaction over all. This study also found younger wives were happier than older wives. On the other hand, at least one large study in Germany found no difference in happiness between married and unmarried people. Studies have shown that married couples are consistently happier and more satisfied with their life than those who are single. Some research findings have indicated that marriage is the only real significant bottom-up predictor of life satisfaction for men and women, and that those people who have a higher life satisfaction prior to marriage, tend to have a happier marriage. Self-reported satisfaction typically drops as the years of marriage roll on, particularly for couples who have children compared to those who do not.
The Chinese Physical Society (CPS) is a professional society of physicists established in 1932. It is part of the China Association for Science and Technology. Current membership is at around 40,000. CPS has been a member of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP) since 1984 and of the Association of Asia Pacific Physical Societies (AAPPS) since 1990.
In physics, a vapor (American English) or vapour (Commonwealth English; see spelling differences) is a substance in the gas phase at a temperature lower than its critical temperature, which means that the vapor can be condensed to a liquid by increasing the pressure on it without reducing the temperature of the vapor. A vapor is different from an aerosol. An aerosol is a suspension of tiny particles of liquid, solid, or both within a gas. For example, water has a critical temperature of 647 K (374 °C; 705 °F), which is the highest temperature at which liquid water can exist at any pressure. In the atmosphere at ordinary temperatures gaseous water (known as water vapor) will condense into a liquid if its partial pressure is increased sufficiently. A vapor may coexist with a liquid (or a solid). When this is true, the two phases will be in equilibrium, and the gas-partial pressure will be equal to the equilibrium vapor pressure of the liquid (or solid).
Tritium, 3H (atomic mass 3.016049281320(81) Da), has one proton and two neutrons in its nucleus (called a triton). It is radioactive, β− decaying into helium-3 with half-life 12.32 years. Traces of 3H occur naturally due to cosmic rays interacting with atmospheric gases. 3H has also been released in nuclear tests. It is used in fusion bombs, as a tracer in isotope geochemistry, and in self-powered lighting devices. The most common way to produce 3H is to bombard a natural isotope of lithium, 6Li, with neutrons in a nuclear reactor. Tritium can be used in chemical and biological labeling experiments as a radioactive tracer. Deuterium–tritium fusion uses 2H and 3H as its main reactants, giving energy through the loss of mass when the two nuclei collide and fuse at high temperatures.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Semax is a synthetic seven-amino-acid peptide derived from a fragment of corticotropin. It is used in Russia as a nasal preparation, while elsewhere it is studied as a research compound. It is not approved as a medicine in most countries.
Its sequence corresponds to the 4-10 region of corticotropin extended by three residues. This fragment lacks the region responsible for adrenal steroid release, so it is explored for neural rather than hormonal effects. The relationship explains the compound's classification among ACTH-derived peptides.
It holds approval in Russia for several neurological indications as a nasal spray or drop formulation. Regulatory agencies in the United States and the European Union have not approved it. Products sold elsewhere are generally labeled for research use only.
Reversed-phase HPLC gives the main purity figure, most often with UV detection near 214 nanometres. Mass spectrometry then confirms the molecular mass. Together the two methods distinguish a correct sequence from a closely related impurity.