CD4 T Cell Responses to Are a Double-Edged Sword.

CD4 T cells have been found to play critical roles in the control of both acute and chronic infection. Previous studies identified a protective role for the CD4 T cell-eliciting peptide AS15 (AVEIHRPVPGTAPPS) in C57BL/6J mice. Herein, we found that immunizing mice with AS15 combined with GLA-SE, a TLR-4 agonist in emulsion adjuvant, can be either helpful in protecting male and female mice at early stages against Type I and Type II parasites or harmful (lethal with intestinal, hepatic, and spleen pathology associated with a storm of IL6).

Deciphering the Assembly of Enveloped Viruses Using Model Lipid Membranes.

The cell plasma membrane is mainly composed of phospholipids, cholesterol and embedded proteins, presenting a complex interface with the environment. It maintains a barrier to control matter fluxes between the cell cytosol and its outer environment. Enveloped viruses are also surrounded by a lipidic membrane derived from the host-cell membrane and acquired while exiting the host cell during the assembly and budding steps of their viral cycle.

Evaluation of Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (DuraNet) Under laboratory and Semi-Field Conditions Using Experimental Huts Against in Jimma Zone, Southwestern Ethiopia.

Background: Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) efficacy could be compromised due to a lot of influences together with user compliance and vector population insecticide resistance status. Thus, this study was to assess the biological efficacy of DuraNet® with the help of the World Health Organization cone bioassay and field experimental hut.

Methods: A laboratory and a semi-field conditions experimental huts against Mosquitoes were conducted in southwestern Ethiopia from September 2015 to January 2016.

The clinical characteristics and outcome of cryptococcal meningitis with AIDS in a tertiary hospital in China: an observational cohort study.

Background: Despite the profound impact of antiretroviral therapy in the control of AIDS mortality, central nervous system opportunistic infections remains a significant burden in AIDS patients. This retrospective study aims to elucidate the clinical characteristics, outcome and risk factors of cryptococcal meningitis (CM) poor prognosis in AIDS patients from a tertiary hospital in China.

Methods: Clinical data from 128 patients admitted in Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University from November 2008 to November 2017 was collected.

Engineering and characterization of a novel Self Assembling Protein for Toxoplasma peptide vaccine in HLA-A*11:01, HLA-A*02:01 and HLA-B*07:02 transgenic mice.

Fighting smart diseases requires smart vaccines. Novel ways to present protective immunogenic peptide epitopes to human immune systems are needed. Herein, we focus on Self Assembling Protein Nanoparticles (SAPNs) as scaffolds/platforms for vaccine delivery that produce strong immune responses against Toxoplasma gondii in HLA supermotif, transgenic mice.

Allopurinol therapy provides long term clinical improvement, but additional immunotherapy is required for sustained parasite clearance, in -infected dogs.

There is little evidence that current control strategies for canine leishmaniosis (CanL), the veterinary disease caused by infection, are having a positive impact. This is of critical importance because dogs are a primary reservoir for and a significant source of parasite transmission to humans. Drugs intended primarily for human use are prohibited for the treatment of CanL because of concerns over the propagation of resistant parasites.

Preclinical Efficacy of a Lipooligosaccharide Peptide Mimic Candidate Gonococcal Vaccine.

The global spread of multidrug-resistant strains of constitutes a public health emergency. With limited antibiotic treatment options, there is an urgent need for development of a safe and effective vaccine against gonorrhea. Previously, we constructed a prototype vaccine candidate comprising a peptide mimic (mimitope) of a glycan epitope on gonococcal lipooligosaccharide (LOS), recognized by monoclonal antibody 2C7.

Clinical and epidemiological indicators and spatial analysis of leprosy cases in patients under 15 years old in an endemic area of Northeast Brazil: an ecological and time series study.

Objective: This study aimed to analyse the clinical and epidemiological indicators, temporal trends and the spatial distribution of leprosy in patients under 15 years old in an endemic area of Northeast Brazil.

Design: Regional surveillance study of all reported cases.

Setting: State of Sergipe, endemic area of Northeast Brazil.

Engagement in HIV Care and Access to Cancer Treatment Among Patients With HIV-Associated Malignancies in Uganda.

Purpose: Health system constraints limit access to HIV and cancer treatment programs in sub-Saharan Africa. Limited access and continuity of care affect morbidity and mortality of patients with cancer and HIV. We assessed barriers in the care cascade of comorbid HIV and cancer.

Peer Mentoring at the Uganda Cancer Institute: A Novel Model for Career Development of Clinician-Scientists in Resource-Limited Settings.

Cancer centers are beginning to emerge in low- and middle-income countries despite having relatively few oncologists and specialists in related fields. Uganda, like many countries in sub-Saharan Africa, has a cadre of highly motivated clinician-scientists-in-training who are committed to developing the capacity for cancer care and research. However, potential local mentors for these trainees are burdened with uniquely high demands on their time for clinical care, teaching, institutional development, advocacy, and research.

HIV Status and Associated Clinical Characteristics Among Adult Patients With Cancer at the Uganda Cancer Institute.

Purpose: HIV increases cancer incidence and mortality. In Uganda, the HIV epidemic has led to an elevated incidence of AIDS-defining cancers (ADCs) and non-AIDS-defining cancers (NADCs). Limited information exists about how frequently HIV infection complicates the presentation and manifestations of cancer in sub-Saharan Africa.

The adjuvant GLA-AF enhances human intradermal vaccine responses.

Adjuvants are key to shaping the immune response to vaccination, but to date, no adjuvant suitable for human use has been developed for intradermal vaccines. These vaccines could be self-administered and sent through the mail as they do not require long needles or technical expertise in immunization. In the event of a pandemic outbreak, this approach could alleviate the congregation of patients in health centers and thus reduce the potential of these centers to enhance the spread of lethal infection.

induces somatic mutations in via overexpression of CHAC1 in infected gastric epithelial cells.

Infection with is known to decrease the level of glutathione in gastric epithelial cells and increase the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can lead to DNA damage and the development of gastric cancer. Cation transport regulator 1 (CHAC1) has γ-glutamylcyclotransferase activity that degrades glutathione. We found that -positive infection triggered CHAC1 overexpression in human gastric epithelial (AGS) cells leading to glutathione degradation and the accumulation of ROS.

Protein nanovaccine confers robust immunity against .

We designed and produced a self-assembling protein nanoparticle. This self-assembling protein nanoparticle contains five CD8 HLA-A03-11 supertypes-restricted epitopes from antigens expressed during 's lifecycle, the universal CD4 T cell epitope PADRE, and flagellin as a scaffold and TLR5 agonist. These CD8 T cell epitopes were separated by N/KAAA spacers and optimized for proteasomal cleavage.

Vestigial-like 2 contributes to normal muscle fiber type distribution in mice.

Skeletal muscle is composed of heterogeneous populations of myofibers that are classified as slow- and fast-twitch fibers. The muscle fiber-type is regulated in a coordinated fashion by multiple genes, including transcriptional factors and microRNAs (miRNAs). However, players involved in this regulation are not fully elucidated.

Myristoylation: An Important Protein Modification in the Immune Response.

Protein N-myristoylation is a cotranslational lipidic modification specific to the alpha-amino group of an N-terminal glycine residue of many eukaryotic and viral proteins. The ubiquitous eukaryotic enzyme, N-myristoyltransferase, catalyzes the myristoylation process. Precisely, attachment of a myristoyl group increases specific protein-protein interactions leading to subcellular localization of myristoylated proteins with its signaling partners.

Distinct Roles of Th17 and Th1 Cells in Inflammatory Responses Associated with the Presentation of Paucibacillary Leprosy and Leprosy Reactions.

It is well established that helper T cell responses influence resistance or susceptibility to Mycobacterium leprae infection, but the role of more recently described helper T cell subsets in determining severity is less clear. To investigate the involvement of Th17 cells in the pathogenesis of leprosy, we determined the immune profile with variant presentations of leprosy. Firstly, IL-17A, IFN-γ and IL-10 were evaluated in conjunction with CD4 T cell staining by confocal microscopy of lesion biopsies from tuberculoid (TT) and lepromatous leprosy (LL) patients.

sCD163 levels as a biomarker of disease severity in leprosy and visceral leishmaniasis.

Background: CD163, receptor for the haptoglobin-hemoglobin complex, is expressed on monocytes/macrophages and neutrophils. A soluble form of CD163 (sCD163) has been associated with the M2 macrophage phenotype, and M2 macrophages have been shown to down-modulate inflammatory responses. In particular, previous studies have shown that M2 is closely associated with the most severe clinical presentation of leprosy (i.

Unexpectedly high leprosy seroprevalence detected using a random surveillance strategy in midwestern Brazil: A comparison of ELISA and a rapid diagnostic test.

Background: Leprosy diagnosis is mainly based on clinical evaluation, although this approach is difficult, especially for untrained physicians. We conducted a temporary campaign to detect previously unknown leprosy cases in midwestern Brazil and to compare the performance of different serological tests.

Methods: A mobile clinic was stationed at the main bus terminal in Brasília, Brazil.

The fourth central polypurine tract guides the synthesis of prototype foamy virus plus-strand DNA.

Foamy virus (FV) is a nonpathogenic retrovirus that has the potential to serve as a gene therapy vector. In retroviral replication, the central polypurine tract (cPPT) is used as a primer to synthesize plus-strand DNA. The cPPT is subsequently degraded to produce a single-stranded gap in the double-stranded viral DNA molecule.

Investigation of isoniazid and ethionamide cross-resistance by whole genome sequencing and association with poor treatment outcomes of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis patients in South Africa.

Objective/background: Ethionamide (ETH) and isoniazid (INH) are part of the backbone regimen used for the treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). Both ETH and INH are structurally similar and are activated by ethA and katG gene products. Resistance to INH among MDR-TB patients may cause ETH to be ineffective, as both target nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-dependent enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase inhA protein and mutations within inhA gene may lead to their cross-resistance.

miRNA: A Novel Link Between Rice Ragged Stunt Virus and Oryza sativa.

Rice ragged stunt disease caused leads to severe loss of rice yield. Recently, rice ragged stunt virus (RRSV) were found to be increasingly common in rice-growing regions of China and Vietnam. RRSV may cause problem by interacting with microRNAs (miRNAs) of host cells and the mechanism is not clear yet.

The long non-coding RNA expression profile of Coxsackievirus A16 infected RD cells identified by RNA-seq.

Coxsackievirus A16 (CVA16) is one of major pathogens of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in children. Long non-coding RNAs (IncRNAs) have been implicated in various biological processes, but they have not been associated with CVA16 infection. In this study, we comprehensively characterized the landscape of IncRNAs of normal and CVA16 infected rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cells using RNA-Seq to investigate the functional relevance of IncRNAs.

Draft Genome Sequences of Two Extensively Drug-Resistant Strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Belonging to the Euro-American S Lineage.

We report the whole-genome sequencing of two extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis strains belonging to the Euro-American S lineage. The RSA 114 strain showed single-nucleotide polymorphisms predicted to have drug efflux activity.

The Severity of Visceral Leishmaniasis Correlates with Elevated Levels of Serum IL-6, IL-27 and sCD14.

Background: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a severe disease caused by infection with protozoa of the genus Leishmania. Classic VL is characterized by a systemic infection of phagocytic cells and an intense activation of the inflammatory response. It is unclear why 90% of infected individuals do not develop the disease while a minority develop the classical form.