Publications by authors named "R Nardacci"
Purinergic receptors and NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome regulate inflammation and viral infection, but their effects on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection remain poorly understood. Here, we report that the purinergic receptor P2X7 and NLRP3 inflammasome are cellular host factors required for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Lung autopsies from patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) reveal that NLRP3 expression is increased in host cellular targets of SARS-CoV-2 including alveolar macrophages, type II pneumocytes and syncytia arising from the fusion of infected macrophages, thus suggesting a potential role of NLRP3 and associated signaling pathways to both inflammation and viral replication.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: In a restricted subset of HIV patients with suppressed viral load (i.e., pol-undetected HIV-RNA), the Aptima HIV-1 Quant Dx Assay (Aptima), a dual-target (pol and LTR) and dual-probe test for viral load (VL) monitoring, can detect HIV-RNA exclusively through amplification of the LTR region.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- The epidermis serves as a crucial barrier to prevent water loss, relying on lipids like ceramides, cholesterol, and very long chain fatty acids for proper function.
- Alterations in these lipids can lead to skin disorders such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, with a specific genetic mutation linked to seborrhea-like dermatitis.
- The study highlights the transcription factor ZFP750 as a key regulator in maintaining epidermal lipid balance and its role in the biosynthesis of ceramides, enhancing our understanding of skin disease mechanisms.
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a rare autosomal recessive disease caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. The most common mutation is F508del-CFTR (ΔF) which leads the encoded ion channel towards misfolding and premature degradation. The disease is characterized by chronic bronchopulmonary obstruction, inflammation and airways colonization by bacteria, which are the major cause of morbidity and mortality.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Current COVID-19 treatments are mainly limited to vaccines and monoclonal antibodies, highlighting a potential gap for effective prophylactic options.
- Propolis, a substance produced by honeybees, shows promise as a treatment due to its immune-boosting and antiviral properties, particularly against coronaviruses, yet more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness.
- In laboratory tests, a standardized extract of Eurasian poplar propolis displayed significant antiviral effects against SARS-CoV-2, reducing viral replication and protecting cell health, although it did not prevent the virus from entering cells.