Toxoplasma gondii IST suppresses inflammatory and apoptotic responses by inhibiting STAT1-mediated signaling in IFN-γ/TNF-α-stimulated hepatocytes.

The dense granule protein of Toxoplasma gondii, inhibitor of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (IST) is an inhibitor of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) transcriptional activity that binds to STAT1 and regulates the expression of inflammatory molecules in host cells. A sterile inflammatory liver injury in pathological acute liver failures occurs when excessive innate immune function, such as the massive release of IFN-γ and TNF-α, is activated without infection. In relation to inflammatory liver injury, we hypothesized that Toxoplasma gondii inhibitor of STAT1 transcription (TgIST) can inhibit the inflammatory response induced by activating the STAT1/IRF-1 mechanism in liver inflammation.

The human PTGR1 gene expression is controlled by TE-derived Z-DNA forming sequence cooperating with miR-6867-5p.

Z-DNA, a well-known non-canonical form of DNA involved in gene regulation, is often found in gene promoters. Transposable elements (TEs), which make up 45% of the human genome, can move from one location to another within the genome. TEs play various biological roles in host organisms, and like Z-DNA, can influence transcriptional regulation near promoter regions.

Excessive fluoride induces ovarian function impairment by regulating levels of ferroptosis in fluorosis women and ovarian granulosa cells.

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of ferroptosis in fluorosis women and the in vitro molecular mechanisms leading to ovarian dysfunction and abnormal hormone secretion by sodium fluoride (NaF) treatment of KGN cells. Fifty women with fluorosis as Fluorosis group and fifty healthy women as Control group were included in this study. The levels of lipid peroxidation and activities of antioxidant enzyme were assessed by photometric methods.

Isolation, characterization, and circulation sphere of a filovirus in fruit bats.

Bats are associated with the circulation of most mammalian filoviruses (FiVs), with pathogenic ones frequently causing deadly hemorrhagic fevers in Africa. Divergent FiVs have been uncovered in Chinese bats, raising concerns about their threat to public health. Here, we describe a long-term surveillance to track bat FiVs at orchards, eventually resulting in the identification and isolation of a FiV, Dehong virus (DEHV), from bats.

Effectiveness of Diode (810 nm) Laser in Periodontal Parameters and Reduction of Subgingival Bacterial Load in Periodontitis Patients.

Aim: This split-mouth randomized trial (RCT) aimed to assess the effect of diode laser on the clinical parameters in patients with periodontitis, compare the results with scaling and root planing (SRP) alone, and assess the implications of diode laser (DL) on plaque bacteria.

Materials And Methods: Seventeen periodontitis patients were randomly assigned into two equal groups based on the therapy delivered. Group I (control site) received just SRP at baseline, while group II (test site) received both SRP and DL irradiation.

High-dimensional profiling of regulatory T cells in psoriasis reveals an impaired skin-trafficking property.

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with a Th17-skewed immune phenotype. Although it has been generally accepted that regulatory T cells (Tregs) in lesional psoriatic skin have functional impairment due to the local inflammatory microenvironment, the molecular properties of skin-homing psoriatic Tregs have not been well explored.

Methods: We designed an extensive 39 marker mass cytometry (CyTOF) panel to deeply profile the immune landscape of skin-homing Tregs from 31 people with psoriasis stratified by psoriasis area severity index score as mild (n = 15) to moderate-severe (n = 16) and 32 healthy controls.

Identification of specific neutralizing antibodies for highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 2.3.4.4b clades to facilitate vaccine design and therapeutics.

The highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 2.3.4.

Soluble Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor Ligand and Osteoprotegerin Levels in Gingival Crevicular Fluid among Cigarette Smokers and Non-smokers with and without Periodontitis.

Aim: This study aimed to measure and compare the levels of soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), as well as their ratio, in smokers and nonsmokers with periodontitis.

Materials And Methods: Gingival crevicular fluid samples were collected using PerioPaper strips, from 150 individuals, who were categorized into three groups: current smokers with periodontitis stage III grades C and B ( = 50), nonsmokers with periodontitis stages I and II grade A ( = 50), and control healthy individuals ( = 50). The concentrations (pg/mL) of sRANKL and OPG in the GCF were measured by enzyme-linked immunesorbent assays (ELISA).

[Molluscicidal effect of spraying 5% niclosamide ethanolamine salt granules with drones against in hilly regions].

Objective: To establish a snail control approach for spraying chemicals with drones against in complex snail habitats in hilly regions, and to evaluate its molluscicidal effect.

Methods: The protocol for evaluating the activity of spraying chemical molluscicides with drones against snails was formulated based on expert consultation and literature review. In August 2022, a pretest was conducted in a hillside field environment (12 000 m) north of Dafengji Village, Dacang Township, Weishan County, Yunnan Province, which was assigned into four groups, of no less than 3 000 m in each group.

Haematological dynamics following treatment of visceral leishmaniasis: a protocol for systematic review and individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis.

Introduction: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a parasitic disease with an estimated 30 000 new cases occurring annually. Despite anaemia being a common haematological manifestation of VL, the evolution of different haematological characteristics following treatment remains poorly understood. An individual participant data meta-analysis (IPD-MA) is planned to characterise the haematological dynamics in patients with VL.

Recurrent abdominal wall mass in a hepatitis B-positive male: An unusual case of lumbar mycetoma.

Key Clinical Message: Atypical presentations of eumycetoma can pose a challenge in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Healthcare providers thorough in their differential diagnosis and investigations, even in the absence of classic symptoms, in order to improve early detection and the case management for such a neglected tropical disease.

Abstract: In this communication, we present a case study of an unusual presentation of eumycetoma; a fungal infection that is considered a neglected tropical disease.

T-2 toxin induces mitochondrial dysfunction in chondrocytes via the p53-cyclophilin D pathway.

Kashin-Beck disease is an endemic joint disease characterized by deep chondrocyte necrosis, and T-2 toxin exposure has been confirmed its etiology. This study investigated mechanism of T-2 toxin inducing mitochondrial dysfunction of chondrocytes through p53-cyclophilin D (CypD) pathway. The p53 signaling pathway was significantly enriched in T-2 toxin response genes from GeneCards.

Safety and efficacy of paromomycin/miltefosine/liposomal amphotericin B combinations for the treatment of post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis in Sudan: A phase II, open label, randomized, parallel arm study.

Background: Treatment for post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) in Sudan is currently recommended only for patients with persistent or severe disease, mainly because of the limitations of current therapies, namely toxicity and long hospitalization. We assessed the safety and efficacy of miltefosine combined with paromomycin and liposomal amphotericin B (LAmB) for the treatment of PKDL in Sudan.

Methodology/principal Findings: An open-label, phase II, randomized, parallel-arm, non-comparative trial was conducted in patients with persistent (stable or progressive disease for ≥ 6 months) or grade 3 PKDL, aged 6 to ≤ 60 years in Sudan.

Lessons from the pandemic: new best practices in selecting molecular diagnostics for point-of-care testing of infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa.

Introduction: Point-of-care molecular diagnostics offer solutions to the limited diagnostic availability and accessibility in resource-limited settings. During the COVID-19 pandemic, molecular diagnostics became essential tools for accurate detection and monitoring of SARS-CoV-2. The unprecedented demand for molecular diagnostics presented challenges and catalyzed innovations which may provide lessons for the future selection of point-of-care molecular diagnostics.

Molecular detection of Epstein-Barr virus among Sudanese patients diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

Objectives: Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. The exact mechanism initiating the development of HT is not yet clear. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between HT and the presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in a Sudanese population.

Unusual manifestation of cystic mycetoma lesions: A case report.

Key Clinical Message: This case presents an atypical cystic presentation of mycetoma without sinuses or discharge. Awareness of these variations is crucial for accurate diagnosis and timely intervention, highlighting the need for healthcare professionals to consider diverse manifestations of mycetoma.

Abstract: Mycetoma is a chronic and debilitating infectious disease characterized by localized swellings and granulomatous lesions.