Viability-PCR for the selective detection of and in live bacteria-containing products.

To exert their beneficial effects, microorganisms used in live bacteria-containing products must be viable and present in certain amounts. In this study, we developed a viability assay based on quantitative PCR coupled with propidium monoazide for the identification and enumeration of viable and . In order to optimize the protocol, the thermal inactivation conditions for the two target microorganisms and the PMA concentration inhibiting DNA amplification from the dead cells while allowing it from the live cells were first determined.

Distribution of IL28B Polymorphism in a Cohort of Italians and Immigrants with HCV Infection: Association with Viraemia, Stage of Fibrosis and Response to Treatment.

Aims of the study are to investigate, in a cohort of patients affected by HCV chronic hepatitis with genotypes 1 and 4, the prevalence of interleukin 28B (IL28B) genotypes, the possible association between IL28B polymorphism and severity of liver damage, the role of IL28B CC as a predictor of outcome. 365 patients with HCV infection were observed between 2013 and 2014. Demographic, virological, biochemical, and genetic characteristics of each patient were investigated.

Hepatitis C virus core protein modulates pRb2/p130 expression in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines through promoter methylation.

Background: Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection is associated with chronically evolving disease and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), albeit the mechanism of HCC induction by HCV is still controversial. The nucleocapsid (core) protein of HCV has been shown to be directly implicated in cellular transformation and immortalization, enhancing the effect of oncogenes and decreasing the one of tumor suppressor genes, as RB1 and its protein product pRB. With the aim of identifying novel molecular mechanisms of hepatocyte transformation by HCV, we examined the effect of HCV core protein on the expression of the whole Retinoblastoma (RB) family of tumor and growth suppressor factors, i.

HBV whole-genome mutation profile in HIV-1/HBV coinfected patients in a long-term follow-up study.

Purpose: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1)-infected patients frequently harbour hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV and HCV, respectively). Possible modifications of the natural history of hepatitis B may occur. The aim of this study was to characterise HBV diversity and evolutionary and mutational viral genome profiles in HIV-1/HBV coinfections.

The woodchuck hepatitis B virus infection model for the evaluation of HBV therapies and vaccine therapies.

Studies focused on the understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in recovery or progression to chronicity of HBV may take advantage of natural and experimental models that mimic its properties. This is also of relevance for associated diseases such as cirrhosis and hepatocellulocarcinoma. The eastern woodchuck (Marmota monax) infected by the hepadnavirus woodchuck Hepatitis B virus (WHV) has been applied as a predictive model to support development of new HBV vaccines, antivirals, immunotherapies and combination therapies.