External quality assessment of HIV-1 DNA quantification assays used in the clinical setting in Italy.

Total cell-associated HIV-1 DNA is a surrogate marker of the HIV-1 reservoir, however, certified systems for its quantification are not available. The Italian HIV DNA Network was launched to validate HIV-1 DNA quantification methods in use at University and Hospital labs. A quality control panel including HIV-1 DNA standards, reconstructed blood samples (RBSs) and DNA from different HIV-1 subtypes was blindly tested by 12 participating labs by quantitative real-time PCR (n = 6), droplet digital PCR (n = 3) or both (n = 3).

Vaccine-Induced Subacute Thyroiditis (De Quervain's) after mRNA Vaccine against SARS-CoV-2: A Case Report and Systematic Review.

De Quervain's thyroiditis, sometimes referred to as subacute thyroiditis (SAT), is the most common granulomatous disease of the thyroid, typically found after a viral infection in middle-aged women. The mRNA encoding for the angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2) receptor is expressed in follicular thyroid cells, making them a potential target for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Besides infection, SARS-CoV-2 vaccines have also been implicated in SAT pathogenesis.

Persistent B cell memory after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination is functional during breakthrough infections.

Breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infections in fully vaccinated individuals are considered a consequence of waning immunity. Serum antibodies represent the most measurable outcome of vaccine-induced B cell memory. When antibodies decline, memory B cells are expected to persist and perform their function, preventing clinical disease.

In Acute Dengue Infection, High TIM-3 Expression May Contribute to the Impairment of IFNγ Production by Circulating Vδ2 T Cells.

γδ T cells are innate cells able to quickly eliminate pathogens or infected/tumoral cells by their antiviral and adjuvancy activities. The role of γδ T cells during Dengue Viral Infection (DENV) infection is not fully elucidated. Nevertheless, human primary γδ T cells have been shown to kill in vitro DENV-infected cells, thus highlighting their possible antiviral function.

SYNCRIP Modulates the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Hepatocytes and HCC Cells.

Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs) control gene expression by acting at multiple levels and are often deregulated in epithelial tumors; however, their roles in the fine regulation of cellular reprogramming, specifically in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), remain largely unknown. Here, we focused on the hnRNP-Q (also known as SYNCRIP), showing by molecular analysis that in hepatocytes it acts as a "mesenchymal" gene, being induced by TGFβ and modulating the EMT. SYNCRIP silencing limits the induction of the mesenchymal program and maintains the epithelial phenotype.

Analysis of HIV quasispecies and virological outcome of an HIV D+/R+ kidney-liver transplantation.

Introduction: Transplantation among HIV positive patients may be a valuable therapeutic intervention. This study involves an HIV D+/R+ kidney-liver transplantation, where PBMC-associated HIV quasispecies were analyzed in donor and transplant recipients (TR) prior to transplantation and thereafter, together with standard viral monitoring.

Methods: The donor was a 54 year of age HIV infected woman: kidney and liver recipients were two HIV infected men, aged 49 and 61.

Tailored first-line biologic and targeted synthetic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: 2021 updated ITABIO statements.

Introduction: In 2015, the Italian board for the TAilored BIOlogic therapy (ITABIO) proposed evidence-based decisional statements for first-line tailored biologic therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Taking into account the new licensed drugs, the aim of the present review was to update the previous statements.

Areas Covered: A narrative review of the most recent evidence on the efficacy and safety of old and newly licensed drugs for the treatment of articular and extra-articular RA was performed.

Pleural Mesothelial Cells Modulate the Inflammatory/Profibrotic Response During SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

Although lung fibrosis has a major impact in COVID-19 disease, its pathogenesis is incompletely understood. In particular, no direct evidence of pleura implication in COVID-19-related fibrotic damage has been reported so far. In this study, the expression of epithelial cytokeratins and Wilms tumor 1 (WT1), specific markers of mesothelial cells (MCs), was analyzed in COVID-19 and unrelated pleura autoptic samples.

Predictive scores for the diagnosis of Pulmonary Embolism in COVID-19: A systematic review.

Objectives: During the COVID-19 pandemic, several studies described an increased chance of developing pulmonary embolism (PE). Several scores have been used to predict the occurrence of PE. This systematic review summarizes the literature on predicting rules for PE in hospitalized COVID-19 patients (HCPs).

The burden of Clostridioides difficile infection in COVID-19 patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: The main aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the proportion of confirmed COVID-19 patients with Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) and to describe risk factors and outcome of these patients.

Methods: MEDLINE and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases were searched up to July 15, 2021. We included studies reporting data on CDI occurring in patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19.

AMBRA1 regulates mitophagy by interacting with ATAD3A and promoting PINK1 stability.

PINK1 accumulation at the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM) is a key event required to signal depolarized mitochondria to the autophagy machinery. How this early step is, in turn, modulated by autophagy proteins remains less characterized. Here, we show that, upon mitochondrial depolarization, the proautophagic protein AMBRA1 is recruited to the OMM and interacts with PINK1 and ATAD3A, a transmembrane protein that mediates mitochondrial import and degradation of PINK1.

Melanoma secretion of transforming growth factor-β2 leads to loss of epidermal AMBRA1 threatening epidermal integrity and facilitating tumour ulceration.

Background: For patients with early American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC)-stage melanoma the combined loss of the autophagy regulatory protein AMBRA1 and the terminal differentiation marker loricrin in the peritumoral epidermis is associated with a significantly increased risk of metastasis.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential contribution of melanoma paracrine transforming growth factor (TGF)-β signalling to the loss of AMBRA1 in the epidermis overlying the primary tumour and disruption of epidermal integrity.

Methods: Immunohistochemistry was used to analyse AMBRA1 and TGF-β2 in a cohort of 109 AJCC all-stage melanomas, and TGF-β2 and claudin-1 in a cohort of 30 or 42 AJCC stage I melanomas, respectively, with known AMBRA1 and loricrin (AMLo) expression.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Viral Load Across the Spectrum of Untreated Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) Infection: A Cross-Sectional Multicenter Study.

Background: The aim of this large multicenter study was to determine variations in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) HIV-RNA in different phases of untreated human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection and its associations with plasma HIV-RNA and other biomarkers.

Methods: Treatment naive adults with available CSF HIV-RNA quantification were included and divided into groups representing significant disease phases. Plasma HIV-RNA, CSF white blood cell count (WBC), neopterin, and albumin ratio were included when available.

Vector-borne and zoonotic infections and their relationships with regional and socioeconomic statuses: An ID-IRI survey in 24 countries of Europe, Africa and Asia.

Background: In this cross-sectional, international study, we aimed to analyze vector-borne and zoonotic infections (VBZI), which are significant global threats.

Method: VBZIs' data between May 20-28, 2018 was collected. The 24 Participatingcountries were classified as lower-middle, upper-middle, and high-income.

Association of Sofosbuvir and Daclatasvir Plasma Trough Concentrations with Patient-, Treatment-, and Disease-Related Factors Among HIV/HCV-Coinfected Persons.

Background: Sofosbuvir plus daclatasvir achieves high rates of sustained virologic response (SVR), with no differences according to HIV serostatus. However, only limited information is available on the pharmacokinetic variability of sofosbuvir and daclatasvir in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify patient-, treatment-, and disease-related factors that are significantly associated with sofosbuvir and daclatasvir plasma trough concentrations (C), including liver and renal function, among HIV/HCV-coinfected persons.

Tracking the international spread of SARS-CoV-2 lineages B.1.1.7 and B.1.351/501Y-V2 with grinch.

Late in 2020, two genetically-distinct clusters of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) with mutations of biological concern were reported, one in the United Kingdom and one in South Africa. Using a combination of data from routine surveillance, genomic sequencing and international travel we track the international dispersal of lineages B.1.

High Serum Levels of Toxin A Correlate with Disease Severity in Patients with Infection.

(CD) represents a major public healthcare-associated infection causing significant morbidity and mortality. The pathogenic effects of CD are mainly caused by the release of two exotoxins into the intestine: toxin A (TcdA) and toxin B (TcdB). CD infection (CDI) can also cause toxemia, explaining the systemic complications of life-threatening cases.

Transplantation of a Severely Traumatized Liver During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Shortages of grafts for liver transplant remain a persistent problem. The use of lacerated livers for liver transplant can add an option for extended criteria donations, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. We present the case of a successful liver transplant performed using a high-grade lacerated liver previously treated with superselective arterial embolization and packing for bleeding control.

Liver transplantation from active COVID-19 donors: A lifesaving opportunity worth grasping?

COVID-19 pandemic dramatically impacted transplantation landscape. Scientific societies recommend against the use of donors with active SARS-CoV-2 infection. Italian Transplant Authority recommended to test recipients/donors for SARS-CoV-2-RNA immediately before liver transplant (LT) and, starting from November 2020, grafts from deceased donors with active SARS-CoV-2 infection were allowed to be considered for urgent-need transplant candidates with active/resolved COVID-19.

Autophagy in major human diseases.

Autophagy is a core molecular pathway for the preservation of cellular and organismal homeostasis. Pharmacological and genetic interventions impairing autophagy responses promote or aggravate disease in a plethora of experimental models. Consistently, mutations in autophagy-related processes cause severe human pathologies.

Gauging the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tuberculosis services: a global study.

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