Effects of β-caryophyllene and oxygen availability on cholesterol and fatty acids in breast cancer cells.

Hypoxia is a common feature of most solid tumors, one that favors tumor progression and limits treatment effectiveness. Targeting hypoxia has long been a goal in cancer therapy, by identifying factors that reverse or ameliorate the effects of hypoxia on cancer cells. We, and others, have shown that β-caryophyllene (BCP) exhibits anti-proliferative properties in cancer cells.

Machine Learning Prediction and Phyloanatomic Modeling of Viral Neuroadaptive Signatures in the Macaque Model of HIV-Mediated Neuropathology.

In human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, virus replication in and adaptation to the central nervous system (CNS) can result in neurocognitive deficits in approximately 25% of patients with unsuppressed viremia. While no single viral mutation can be agreed upon as distinguishing the neuroadapted population, earlier studies have demonstrated that a machine learning (ML) approach could be applied to identify a collection of mutational signatures within the virus envelope glycoprotein (Gp120) predictive of disease. The S[imian]IV-infected macaque is a widely used animal model of HIV neuropathology, allowing in-depth tissue sampling infeasible for human patients.

Brain tissue transcriptomic analysis of SIV-infected macaques identifies several altered metabolic pathways linked to neuropathogenesis and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs) as potential therapeutic targets.

Despite improvements in antiretroviral therapy, human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) remain prevalent in subjects undergoing therapy. HAND significantly affects individuals' quality of life, as well as adherence to therapy, and, despite the increasing understanding of neuropathogenesis, no definitive diagnostic or prognostic marker has been identified. We investigated transcriptomic profiles in frontal cortex tissues of Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected Rhesus macaques sacrificed at different stages of infection.

Differing impacts of global and regional responses on SARS-CoV-2 transmission cluster dynamics.

Although the global response to COVID-19 has not been entirely unified, the opportunity arises to assess the impact of regional public health interventions and to classify strategies according to their outcome. Analysis of genetic sequence data gathered over the course of the pandemic allows us to link the dynamics associated with networks of connected individuals with specific interventions. In this study, clusters of transmission were inferred from a phylogenetic tree representing the relationships of patient sequences sampled from December 30, 2019 to April 17, 2020.

β-caryophyllene enhances the transcriptional upregulation of cholesterol biosynthesis in breast cancer cells.

β-caryophyllene (BCP) exhibits anti-proliferative properties in cancer cells. Here, we examine the hypothesis that BCP induces membrane remodeling. Our data show that high concentrations of BCP increase membrane permeability of human breast cells (hBrC) causing detachment and cell death.