Plasmid Gene Therapy for Monogenic Disorders: Challenges and Perspectives.

Monogenic disorders are a group of human diseases caused by mutations in single genes. While some disease-altering treatments offer relief and slow the progression of certain conditions, the majority of monogenic disorders still lack effective therapies. In recent years, gene therapy has appeared as a promising approach for addressing genetic disorders.

Serum and Vitreous Levels of Placenta Growth Factor in Diabetic Retinopathy Patients: Correlation With Disease Severity and Optical Coherence Tomographic Parameters.

Purpose The primary objective of this study was to compare placenta growth factor (PlGF) levels in the serum and vitreous of diabetic retinopathy (DR) patients to non-diabetic controls. Additionally, the study aimed to establish associations between serum and vitreous PlGF concentrations and to examine the correlation between vitreous PlGF in DR patients and morphological parameters. Methods This study included serum and vitreous samples from 38 patients, including 21 patients with DR and 17 non-diabetic controls.

ESBL and AmpC β-Lactamases in Clinical Strains of from Serra da Estrela, Portugal.

: Given the considerable spatial, temporal, and ecological factors, heterogeneity, which affects emergency response, persistence, and dissemination of genetic determinants that confer microorganisms their resistance to antibiotics, several authors claim that antibiotics' resistance must be perceived as an ecological problem. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of broad-spectrum genes, not only Extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) but also AmpC-types, in clinical strains of isolated from Portugal (in the highest region of the country, Serra da Estrela) to disclose susceptibility profiles among different genotypes, and to compare the distribution of genes expressing broad-spectrum enzymes. Clinical strains of presenting resistance to third generation (3G) cephalosporins and susceptibility to inhibition by clavulanic acid were studied by means of phenotypic and molecular profiling techniques for encoding β-lactamases genes.

VEGF-B Levels in the Vitreous of Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Patients with Ocular Diseases and Its Correlation with Structural Parameters.

Vascular endothelial growth factor B (VEGF-B) is one of the enigmatic members of the VEGF family. The knowledge gap about VEGF-B expression and how its levels are altered in diabetic eyes were the focus of this investigation that was addressed by comparing and correlating vitreous VEGF-B between diabetic and non-diabetic patients. VEGF-B levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in vitreous samples ( = 33) from diabetic ( = 25) and non-diabetic ( = 8) patients.

Evaluation and comparison of commercially available latex extracts for skin prick tests.

Background: Crude latex extracts are commonly used in skin prick tests (SPT) for the diagnosis of natural rubber latex (NRL) allergy. Nevertheless, variations in protein and allergen composition between latex extracts from different manufacturers can hamper a correct diagnosis.

Objectives: To analyze the heterogeneity of proteins and allergens in latex extracts from 7 different manufacturers and to assess its relevance in the diagnosis of latex allergy.

Different in vivo reactivity profile in health care workers and patients with spina bifida to internal and external latex glove surface-derived allergen extracts.

Background: Allergy to natural rubber latex is a well-recognized health problem, especially among health care workers and patients with spina bifida. Despite latex sensitization being acquired in health institutions in both health care workers and patients with spina bifida, differences in allergen sensitization profiles have been described between these two risk groups.

Objective: To investigate the in vivo reactivity of health care workers and patients with spina bifida to extracts of internal and external surfaces of latex gloves and also to specific extracts enriched in major allergens for these risk groups.

Interference of Dermatophagoides' specific immunoglobulins G in the quantification of mite's specific immunoglobulins E.

In order to investigate the interference of specific IgG in the quantification of specific IgE, using the ImmunoCAP 250 system, we studied, in parallel, the interference by total adsorption of interferent and the classical method of adding interferent increasingly. Furthermore, to evaluate if the interference is affected by different solid phases, total extract of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and recombinant allergens of Dermatophagoides farinae were used. The results showed a statistical significant interference by IgG in the quantification of the specific IgE, but neither analytical nor clinical significant interference were observed.

Latex allergy: new insights to explain different sensitization profiles in different risk groups.

Background: Differences in latex allergen sensitization profiles have been described between children subjected to repetitive surgical interventions and health care workers (HCW). 'Major' allergens for patients with spina bifida are Hev b 1, 3 and 7, while for HCW, 'major' allergens are Hev b 2, 5, 6.01 and 13.