Predictive Efficacy of Dual Therapies Combining Integrase Strand Transfer Inhibitors with Second-Generation Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors Following HIV-1 Treatment Failure in Cameroon: Implications for the Use of a Long-Acting Therapeutic Strategy in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

Dual therapies (DT) combining integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) with second-generation non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (2nd-Gen-NNRTIs) offer new possibilities for HIV treatment to improve adherence. However, drug resistance associated mutations (RAMs) to prior antiretrovirals may jeopardize the efficacy of DT. We herein describe the predicted efficacy of DT combining INSTIs + 2nd-Gen-NNRTI following treatment failure among Cameroonian patients.

Plasma Viral Load of 200 Copies/mL is a Suitable Threshold to Define Viral Suppression and HIV Drug Resistance Testing in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Evidence From a Facility-Based Study in Cameroon.

Introduction: In low-and-middle-income-countries (LMIC), viral suppression is defined as plasma viral load (PVL) below 1000 copies/mL (low-level viremia [LLV]) and threshold for HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) testing. However, there is evidence that drug resistance mutations (DRMs) may emerge at LLV, thus compromising antiretroviral treatment (ART) response We evaluated sequencing success rates (SSR) at LLV, described HIVDR profiles and adequacy with potential efficacy of tenofovir-lamivudine-dolutegravir (TLD).

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among individuals with LLV at the Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre, Yaoundé, Cameroon from January 2020 through August 2021.

SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and associated factors among outpatient attendees at health facilities in different provinces in Chad.

Background: Chad with 7,698 confirmed cases of infection and 194 deaths since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, is one of the African countries with the lowest reported case numbers. However, this figure likely underestimates the true spread of the virus due to the low rate of diagnosis. The high rate of asymptomatic infections reflects the reality of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in Chad.

Regarding Bioanalysis Lasting a Few Minutes: Automated Cooling-SPME and Fast-GC for Urinary 2-Phenyl-2-Propanol Monitoring.

An innovative SPME head space GC-MS method, in cooling mode, using a fully automated routine, was developed to detect 2-phenyl-2-propanol, a representative urinary metabolite of cumene. Following an acid hydrolysis and derivatization step with lowered quantities of reagents, acetic anhydride and pyridine, a 30 μm polydimethylsiloxane SPME fiber was used to sample derivatized 2-phenyl-2-propanol, such as benzenemethanol,α,α-dimethyl-acetate, from the headspace. Performances of the method, optimized through experimental design, provide an LOD of 0.

Accidental bufotoxin intoxication: Arenobufagin identification by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry.

Since ancient times, poisoning, even serious poisoning, has been known to occur during nature walks. Intentional or unintentional ingestion of toxins of animal origin is one of the possible causes of poisoning. Bufadienolide poisoning is a critical case.

Combining telemedicine and in-person visits to deliver care to patients with severe chronic kidney disease (CKD): Lessons learned from COVID-19.

Background: Telemedicine has been widely used to deliver healthcare to outpatients during the COVID-19 pandemic. The effectiveness of this modality is unclear in patients with a pre-dialysis stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study aims to describe the clinical characteristics and management of CKD patients receiving telemedicine care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

["Green" Hemodialysis: The Centralized Acidic Concentrate from the Dialysis Center of Policlinico of Modena].

The centralized preparation and distribution system of acidic concentrate represents a true innovation in hemodialysis, when compared to acid bags, in terms of convenience and eco-sustainability. The aim of this study is to compare the use of traditional acid bags with the centralized distribution system of acidic concentrate, with particular attention to differences in terms of eco-sustainability and convenience. At the Nephrology Dialysis and Renal Transplantation Unit of the University Hospital of Modena was installed the Granumix system® (Fresenius Medical Care, Bad Homburg, Germany).

Entanglement Assisted Probe of the Non-Markovian to Markovian Transition in Open Quantum System Dynamics.

We utilize a superconducting qubit processor to experimentally probe non-Markovian dynamics of an entangled qubit pair. We prepare an entangled state between two qubits and monitor the evolution of entanglement over time as one of the qubits interacts with a small quantum environment consisting of an auxiliary transmon qubit coupled to its readout cavity. We observe the collapse and revival of the entanglement as a signature of quantum memory effects in the environment.

XBB.1, BQ1.1 and atypical BA.4.6/XBB.1 recombinants predominate current SARS-CoV-2 Wavelets with flu-like symptoms in Cameroon: A snapshot from genomic surveillance.

As of December 2022, Cameroon had observed a slight resurgence of COVID-19, raising concerns on genomic surveillance of related-SARS-CoV-2 variants under circulation. Following a laboratory-based survey, positive SARS-CoV-2 samples detected from December-2022 through March-2023 were processed for targeted sequencing at the Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre (CIRCB) in Yaoundé-Cameroon. From all positive cases detected, 13 were successfully sequenced (mean age 34 years, 70% female); the majority of the cases were unvaccinated (70%, 9/13) and symptomatic (92%, 12/13); all with flu-like symptoms (100%, 12/12).

Comparison of ELISA with automated ECLIA for IL-6 determination in COVID-19 patients: An Italian real-life experience.

Objectives: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has a wide spectrum of clinical severity. A cytokine storm is associated with COVID-19 severity. Of these, IL-6 is significantly associated with higher mortality and is also a marker for predicting disease prognosis.

Evaluation of the risk of occupational exposure to antineoplastic drugs in healthcare sector: part II - the application of the FMECA method to compare manual vs automated preparation.

Healthcare workers handling antineoplastic drugs (ADs) in preparation units run the risk of occupational exposure to contaminated surfaces and associated mutagenic, teratogenic, and oncogenic effects of those drugs. To minimise this risk, automated compounding systems, mainly robots, have been replacing manual preparation of intravenous drugs for the last 20 years now, and their number is on the rise. To evaluate contamination risk and the quality of the working environment for healthcare workers preparing ADs, we applied the Failure Mode Effects and Criticality Analysis (FMECA) method to compare the acceptable risk level (ARL), based on the risk priority number (RPN) calculated from five identified failure modes, with the measured risk level (MRL).

An Automated Micro Solid-Phase Extraction (μSPE) Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Method for Cyclophosphamide and Iphosphamide: Biological Monitoring in Antineoplastic Drug (AD) Occupational Exposure.

Despite the considerable steps taken in the last decade in the context of antineoplastic drug (AD) handling procedures, their mutagenic effect still poses a threat to healthcare personnel actively involved in compounding and administration units. Biological monitoring procedures usually require large volumes of sample and extraction solvents, or do not provide adequate sensitivity. It is here proposed a fast and automated method to evaluate the urinary levels of cyclophosphamide and iphosphamide, composed of a miniaturized solid phase extraction (µSPE) followed by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) analysis.

Presence of neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in asymptomatic population of N'Djamena, Chad.

Introduction: Neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) are an important specific defence against viral infections, as these antibodies bind to specific receptor(s) and block the viral entry. NAbs assessments are therefore useful in determining individual or herd immunity to SARS-CoV-2. This study aims to deepen the investigation by assessing the positivity rate of neutralizing anti-spike antibodies to understand the real protection of the studied population against SARS-CoV-2.

Primary membranous nephropathy in the Italian region of Emilia Romagna: results of a multicenter study with extended follow-up.

Background: Since primary membranous nephropathy is a heterogeneous disease with variable outcomes and multiple possible therapeutic approaches, all 13 Nephrology Units of the Italian region Emilia Romagna decided to analyze their experience in the management of this challenging glomerular disease.

Methods: We retrospectively studied 205 consecutive adult patients affected by biopsy-proven primary membranous nephropathy, recruited from January 2010 through December 2017. The primary outcome was patient and renal survival.

Evaluation of the risk of occupational exposure to antineoplastic drugs in healthcare sector: part I - medical gloves.

Antineoplastic drugs (ADs) are essential tools in cancer treatment, but their cytotoxicity poses a risk to workers involved in their handling. In a hospital environment fundamental strategies for minimising exposure involve proper use of safety cabinets and closed-circuit transfer devices, along with personnel training and increased awareness of risks. However, medical gloves remain the first line of defence.

Evaluation of Hematological Profiles and Monocyte Subpopulations in Water Buffalo Calves after Immunization with Two Different IBR Marker Vaccines and Subsequent Infection with -1.

1 (BuAHV-1) and 1 (BoAHV-1) are respiratory viruses that can cause an infection known as "Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis" (IBR) in both water buffalo and bovine species. As the main disease control strategy, vaccination can protect animals from clinical disease through the development of specific humoral and cell-mediated immune responses. In the present study, the time-related circulatory kinetics of hematological profile and bubaline monocyte subsets have been investigated in vaccinated buffalo calves after challenge infections with BuAHV-1.

Inflammatory profile of vertically HIV-1 infected adolescents receiving ART in Cameroon: a contribution toward optimal pediatric HIV control strategies.

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has improved the lifespan of people living with HIV. However, their immune system remains in a state of sustained activation/inflammation, which favors viral replication and depletion of helper T-cells with varying profiles according to ART-response. We herein sought to ascertain the inflammatory profile of adolescents living with perinatal HIV-1 infection (ALPHI) receiving ART in an African context.

Laboratory Based Surveillance of HIV-1 Acquired Drug Resistance in Cameroon: Implications for Use of Tenofovir-Lamivudine-Dolutegravir (TLD) as Second- or Third-Line Regimens.

Increased HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) with antiretroviral therapy (ART) rollout may jeopardize therapeutic options, especially in this era of transition to fixed-dose tenofovir-lamivudine-dolutegravir (TLD). We studied acquired HIVDR (ADR) patterns and describe potentially active drugs after first- and second-line failure in resource-limited settings (RLS) like Cameroon. A laboratory-based study with 759 patients (≥15 years) experiencing virological failure was carried out at the Chantal Biya International Reference Centre (CIRCB), Yaoundé, Cameroon.

A New Perspective on SPME and SPME Arrow: Formaldehyde Determination by On-Sample Derivatization Coupled with Multiple and Cooling-Assisted Extractions.

Formaldehyde (FA) is a toxic compound and a human carcinogen. Regulating FA-releasing substances in commercial goods is a growing and interesting topic: worldwide production sectors, like food industries, textiles, wood manufacture, and cosmetics, are involved. Thus, there is a need for sensitive, economical, and specific FA monitoring tools.

Endogenous and viral microRNAs in nasal secretions of water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) after Bubaline alphaherpesvirus 1 (BuHV-1) challenge infection.

Bubaline alphaherpesvirus 1 (BuHV-1) is a pathogen of water buffaloes responsible for economic loss worldwide. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression produced by alphaherpesviruses and hosts. This study aimed at (a) unravelling the ability of BuHV-1 to produce miRNAs, including hv1-miR-B6, hv1-miR-B8, hv1-miR-B9; (b) measuring the host immune-related miRNAs associated to herpesvirus infection, including miR-210-3p, miR-490-3p, miR-17-5p, miR-148a-3p, miR-338-3p, miR-370-3p, by RT-qPCR; (c) identifying candidate markers of infection by receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves; (d) exploiting the biological functions by pathway enrichment analyses.

Combining Solid-State NMR with Structural and Biophysical Techniques to Design Challenging Protein-Drug Conjugates.

Several protein-drug conjugates are currently being used in cancer therapy. These conjugates rely on cytotoxic organic compounds that are covalently attached to the carrier proteins or that interact with them via non-covalent interactions. Human transthyretin (TTR), a physiological protein, has already been identified as a possible carrier protein for the delivery of cytotoxic drugs.

Evaluation of an Immunization Protocol Using Bovine Alphaherpesvirus 1 gE-Deleted Marker Vaccines against Bubaline Alphaherpesvirus 1 in Water Buffaloes.

European regulations on the control of infectious diseases provide measures to control (BoHV-1) infection in both cattle and buffalo. Owing to the reported serological cross-reactivity between BoHV-1 and (BuHV-1), we hypothesized a new immunization protocol using BoHV-1 gE-deleted marker vaccines could protect water buffalo against BuHV-1. Five water buffaloes devoid of BoHV-1/BuHV-1-neutralizing antibodies were immunized with two commercial BoHV-1 gE-deleted marker vaccines at 0, 30, 210, and 240 post-vaccination days (PVDs).