Breast milk induces the differentiation of monocytes into macrophages, promoting human cytomegalovirus infection.

Unlabelled: Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a ubiquitous herpesvirus found in human breast milk that is frequently transmitted from HCMV-seropositive mothers to their infants during the postnatal period. Despite extensive research, the mechanisms underlying HCMV transmission from breast milk and the anatomical location at which virus transfer takes place remain unclear. Breast milk contains many uniquely differentiated macrophages that undergo specific morphological and functional modifications in the mammary gland during lactation.

HIV-1 Proteins gp120 and Tat Promote Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Invasiveness of HPV-Positive and HPV-Negative Neoplastic Genital and Oral Epithelial Cells.

The incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated anogenital and oropharyngeal cancer in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals is substantially higher than in HIV-uninfected individuals. HIV may also be a risk factor for the development of HPV-negative head and neck, liver, lung, and kidney cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying HIV-1-associated increase of epithelial malignancies are not fully understood.

The Cellular and Viral circRNAome Induced by Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a new class of noncoding RNAs that have gained increased attention. DNA virus infections have been reported to induce modifications in cellular circRNA transcriptomes and express viral circRNAs. However, the identification and expression of cellular and viral circRNAs are unknown in the context of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a human RNA virus with no effective treatments or vaccines.

Update on the Relationship Between Depression and Neuroendocrine Metabolism.

Through the past decade of research, the correlation between depression and metabolic diseases has been noticed. More and more studies have confirmed that depression is comorbid with a variety of metabolic diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome and so on. Studies showed that the underlying mechanisms of both depression and metabolic diseases include chronic inflammatory state, which is significantly related to the severity.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) Coinfection of Infant Tonsil Epithelium May Synergistically Promote both HIV-1 and HCMV Spread and Infection.

Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) may occur during pregnancy, labor, or breastfeeding. These viruses from amniotic fluid, cervicovaginal secretions, and breast milk may simultaneously interact with oropharyngeal and tonsil epithelia; however, the molecular mechanism of HIV-1 and HCMV cotransmission through the oral mucosa and its role in MTCT are poorly understood. To study the molecular mechanism of HIV-1 and HCMV MTCT via oral epithelium, we established polarized infant tonsil epithelial cells and polarized-oriented tonsil tissue explants.

HBx-Derived Constrained Peptides Inhibit the Secretion of Hepatitis B Virus Antigens.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the primary cause of cirrhosis and liver cancer. Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) between HBV x protein (HBx) and its host targets, including Bcl-2, are important for cell death and viral replication. No modulators targeting these PPIs have been reported yet.

Autophosphorylation Mechanism of the Ser/Thr Kinase Stk1 From .

The eukaryotic-like Ser/Thr kinase Stk1 is crucial for virulence, cell wall biosynthesis, and drug susceptibility in methicillin-resistant () (MRSA). Importantly, MRSA lacking Stk1 become sensitive to β-lactam antibiotics, implying that Stk1 could be an alternative target for combination therapy. However, the autophosphorylation mechanism of Stk1 remains elusive.

High-Throughput Screening Strategies for the Development of Anti-Virulence Inhibitors Against Staphylococcus aureus.

Background: The increasing threats of antibiotic resistance urge the need for developing new approaches to combat bacterial infections including those caused by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Unlike conventional antibiotics that aim to kill bacteria or inhibit their growth, targeting bacterial virulence may be a promising alternative approach, which imposes less selective pressure for antibiotic resistance in future generations.

A virus-like particle of the hepatitis B virus preS antigen elicits robust neutralizing antibodies and T cell responses in mice.

The preS antigen of hepatitis B virus (HBV) corresponds to the N-terminal polypeptide in the large (L) antigen in addition to the small (S) antigen. The virus-like particle (VLP) of the S antigen is widely used as a vaccine to protect the population from HBV infection. The presence of the S antigen and its antibodies in patient blood has been used as markers to monitor hepatitis B.

Structure-Based Identification of a Potent Inhibitor Targeting Stp1-Mediated Virulence Regulation in Staphylococcus aureus.

The increasing threats of antibiotic resistance urge the need for developing new strategies against bacterial infections. Targeting eukaryotic-like Ser/Thr phosphatase Stp1-mediated virulence regulation represents a promising approach for combating staphylococcal infection yet to be explored. Here, we report the 2.

Toxic effects of graphene on the growth and nutritional levels of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.): short- and long-term exposure studies.

Increased use of graphene materials might lead to their release into the environment. However, only a few studies have investigated the impact of graphene-based materials on green plants. In the present study, effects of graphene on plant roots and shoots after 48h or 30days of hydroponic culture were evaluated to determine its phytotoxicity.

[Determination of trace elements in Spirulina platensis (Notdst.) Geitl. by flame atomic absorption spectrometry combined with microsampling pulse nebulization technique].

The contents of trace elements Ni, Zn, Mn, Cu, Mg, Fe, Ca and Pb in Spirulina platensis (Notdst.) Geitl. were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry combined with microsampling pulse nebulization technique.