Genetic variability and circulation pattern of human metapneumovirus isolated in Italy over five epidemic seasons.

Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is an important aetiological agent of respiratory tract infection (RTI) in infants. Based on genetic differences, hMPVs are separated into two main groups, A and B, and two subgroups 1 and 2. To better understand the genetic diversity of hMPV, we analyzed 435 bp fragments of the F gene from 49 isolates obtained from a paediatric clinical centre in Northern Italy from 2005 to 2009.

Performance of genotypic tropism testing in clinical practice using the enhanced sensitivity version of Trofile as reference assay: results from the OSCAR Study Group.

Objective: The goal of the OSCAR programme is to evaluate the performances of genotypic HIV-1 tropism testing in clinical practice using the enhanced sensitivity version of Trofile (ESTA) as reference-assay.

Methods: HIV-1 coreceptor-usage was assessed using plasma samples from 406 HIV-1 infected patients by ESTA and by gp120 V3 population-sequencing followed by Geno2pheno (set at a False Positive Rate [FPR] of 10% and 5%).

Results: ESTA was successful in 365 (89.

Curcumin protects against NMDA-induced toxicity: a possible role for NR2A subunit.

Purpose: Curcumin, a phenolic compound extracted from the rhizome of Curcuma longa, was found to attenuate NMDA-induced excitotoxicity in primary retinal cultures. This study was conducted to further characterize curcumin neuroprotective ability and analyze its effects on NMDA receptor (NMDAr).

Methods: NMDAr modifications were analyzed in primary retinal cell cultures using immunocytochemistry, whole-cell patch-clamp recording and western blot analysis.