Role of Caprine Herpesvirus – 1 (CpHV-1) in the innate immuno-evasion Interferon mediate.

Caprine Herpesvirus-1 (CpHV-1) is a member of Varicellovirus genus within Herpesvirus family. CpHV-1 is the responsible of a disease that causes respiratory symptoms, balanopostitis, vulvovaginitis and abortion in adult goats. It also affects young goats with a systemic disease [1]. Type I (IFN-a/ ) and type II (IFN g) interferons, are the first weapons of the host to fight against viral infections. Type I IFNs induce the expression of more than 100 Interferon Stimulated Genes (ISGs) to establish an antiviral state that limits viral replication and dissemination. [2] Type II IFN is produced by activated immune cells and leads to the production of a different subset of ISGs via a distinct signaling pathway. Many viruses are able to subvert both type I and type II IFN-mediated antiviral responses. Herpesviruses are able to evade the IFN response by targeting different transcriptions factors of the interferon (IFN) signaling pathway [3]. There are no reports in literature about the role of CpHV-1 in IFN antagonism. Aim of the work: Herein, we describe a work to address the possible role of CpHV-1 as modulator of the innate immune response interferon mediate. Materials and methods. To investigate whether CpHV-1 interferes with type I interferon production, we performed an IFN- Beta reporter assay, using a reporter plasmid that carries the IFN-Beta promoter driving the expression of a firefly luciferase gene. A renilla-luciferase reporter plasmid was used as control. For the activation of the pathway we used the constitutively active N-terminal (2CARD) domain of RIG-I. To evaluate the potential CpHV-1-mediated inhibition of IFN a/b signaling, we performed an ISRE54 reporter assay using a construct having an ISRE54 promoter driving the expression of firefly luciferase. A renilla-luciferase reporter plasmid was used as internal control. Results. Our results show that CpHV-1 infection strongly suppressed the activation of IFN-β promoter induced by RIGI 2 CARD domain. Moreover cells mock infected and treated with type I IFN showed a significant increase in luciferase expression, as expected compared with the cells that were not treated with type I IFN and were not infected. The cells infected with CpHV-1 and treated with type I IFN showed significantly reduced luciferase expression driven by the ISRE54 promoter. These results showed that CpHV-1 is a strong inhibitor of type I Interferon production and signaling pathways. [1] Tempesta M, Pratelli A, Greco G, Martella V, Buonavoglia C, 1999. Detection of caprine herpes virus 1 in the sacral ganglia of latently infected goats by polimerasi chain reactionj J Clin Microbiol 37, 1598-99. [2] Garcia-Sastre A, Biron CA (2006) Type 1 interferons and the virus-host relationship: a lesson in detente. Science 312: 879-882. [3] Afroz S, Brownlie R, Fodje M, van Drunen Littel-van den Hurk S. VP8, the Major Tegument Protein of Bovine Herpesvirus 1, Interacts with Cellular STAT1 and Inhibits Interferon Beta Signaling. J Virol. 2016 Apr 29; 90(10): 4889-904

MG-132 reduces virus release in Bovine herpesvirus-1 infection

Bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) can provoke conjunctivitis, abortions and shipping fever. BoHV-1 infection can also cause immunosuppression and increased susceptibility to secondary bacterial infections, leading to pneumonia and occasionally to death. Herein, we investigated the influence of MG-132, a proteasome inhibitor, on BoHV-1 infection in bovine kidney (MDBK) cells. Infection of MDBK cells with BoHV-1 induces apoptotic cell death that enhances virus release. Whereas, MG-132 inhibited virus-induced apoptosis and stimulated autophagy. Protein expression of viral infected cell protein 0 (bICP0), which is constitutively expressed during infection and is able to stimulate Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), was completely inhibited by MG-132. These results were accompanied by a significant delay in the NF-κB activation. Interestingly, the efficient virus release provoked by BoHV-1-induced apoptosis was significantly reduced by MG-132. Overall, this study suggests that MG-132, through the activation of autophagy, may limit BoHV-1 replication during productive infection, by providing an antiviral defense mechanism

Pain perception and stabilometric parameters in people with chronic low back pain after a pilates exercise program: A randomized controlled trial

Various exercise interventions, such as Pilates exercises and traditional physical therapy methods, are employed to decrease low back pain (LBP). Nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP) is distinct from LBP, however, as the distribution of pain is restricted to the region between the costal margin and the inferior gluteal. The aim of our randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the effects of a program of Pilates exercises on pain perception and stabilometric parameters in patients with NSLBP.Thirty-eight participants were randomly allocated, using a 1:1 scheme, to either the experimental group (EG) or control group (CG). The EG completed a 14-week program of Pilates exercises, performed thrice per week under the supervision of an exercise specialist, while the CG was managed with a social program only. Measures of posturography and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) for pain perception were obtained at baseline (T0) and after the 14 weeks of intervention (T)1.Posturography measures improved for patients in the EG, with both eyes open and eyes closed (P\u200a<\u200a0.05). There were no statistical differences in posturography in the CG. ODI decreased significantly in both groups over the 14 weeks of the study protocol: EG, T0, 13.7\u200a\ub1\u200a5.0 compared with T1, 6.5\u200a\ub1\u200a4.0 (P\u200a<\u200a0.001); and CG, T0, 10.7\u200a\ub1\u200a7.8 compared with T1, 8.4\u200a\ub1\u200a7.8 (P\u200a<\u200a0.01). A greater extent of reduction in pain was achieved in the EG.The Pilates exercise program yielded improvements in pain and posturography outcomes. Our study also confirms the applicability of posturography in evaluating postural instability in patients with NSLBP. Due to our relatively small study group, future studies would be necessary to confirm our findings

2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and the viral infection

Exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), a widespread highly toxic environmental contaminant, suppresses immune response and leads to an increased susceptibility to infectious agents. In particular, several studies have provided evidence that TCDD decreases resistance to numerous viruses. Indeed, in vivo and in vitro investigations showed that the presence of TCDD is able to interfere with the replication of both human and animal viruses, such as influenza A viruses, coxsackie virus B3, immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1), cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes simplex II, and bovine herpesvirus 1. Moreover, TCDD could induce an exacerbation of latent infection produced by HIV-1, CMV or Epstein-Barr virus. In this review, we first describe the general effects of TCDD exposure on mammalian cells, then we focus on its influence on the viral infections. Overall, the available data support the concept that TCDD exposure may act as an additional risk factor in promoting of viral diseases

EFFECTS OF A SPECIFIC TRAINING PROTOCOL ON POSTUROGRAPHIC PARAMETERS OF A TAEKWONDO ELITE ATHLETE AND IMPLICATIONS ON INJURY PREVENTION: A CASE STUDY

Introduction: Taekwondo elite athletes should have excellent qualities in several aspects of fitness, as well as peculiar postural characteristics in terms of balance and postural control, to achieve the best possible results during competitions. Moreover, it is known that taekwondo shows high risk of injury. The aim of this case study is to evaluate the effects of a specific training protocol on posturographic parameters of a taekwondo elite athlete in order to prevent the risk of injury. Materials and methods: The specific training protocol provided 2 months of general strength conditioning, which included pre-conditioning in the first 2 weeks, physical training to improve explosive strength, balance and postural control and athletic training to improve the combat technique. The experimental design included three assessment times: the pre-test (T0), the intermediate- test (T1) and the post-test (T2). Each test provided the same evaluations: anthropometric measurements, cervical ROM assessment and posturographic evaluation. Results: Stabilometric parameters showed a good balance and postural control both in T0 and T2. Baropodometric parameters showed a physiological load pressure distribution between the left and the right foot in T0 (left foot 54% - right foot 46%) as well as in T2 (left foot 45% - right foot 55%). The left forefoot-rearfoot ratio pressure showed no differences between T0 and T2 (p&gt;0.05); we found an improvement on the right forefoot-rearfoot ratio (p&lt;0.05). Cervical range of motion evaluation showed no significant variations from T0 to T2 (p&gt;0.05) on rotation and lateral bending movements; we found an improvement on the extension movement from T0 to T2 (p&lt;0.05), while the flexion movement decreased (p&gt;0.05). Conclusion: The presented case study showed that the experimental protocol improved the postural parameters of this taekwondo elite athlete. We believe that other athletes may adopt this protocol in order to improve own sports performance and to prevent injuries

MR imaging of entrapment neuropathies of the shoulder

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: To describe the MRI features of most common entrapment neuropathies of the shoulder: - Parsonage-Turner syndrome - quadrilateral space syndrome (axillary neuropathy) - suprascapular nerve syndrome BACKGROUND: Entrapment neuropathies are characterized by alteration of nerve function secondary to compression by mechanical or dynamic forces. The compression may be acute, chronic or intermittent. Not infrequently compressive neuropathies are related to space-occupying lesions such as tumors, cysts, inflammatory processes, or post-traumatic conditions. IMAGING FINDINGS: The MR imaging appearance of Parsonage-Turner syndrome is quite characteristic, with marked edema in the affected muscles of the shoulder, most commonly those innervated by the suprascapular nerve, although deltoid muscle can also be compromised. MR imaging of quadrilateral space syndrome may reveal fatty atrophy or edema isolated to the teres minor muscle. MR imaging of suprascapular nerve syndrome is established when edema or fatty changes of supraspinatus and/or infraspinatus muscle is present along with a cyst or ganglion in the spinoglenoid or suprascapular notch. CONCLUSION: MRI is a powerful diagnostic imaging tool in the diagnosis of entrapment neuropathies of the shoulder and underlying causes, thus excluding other possible causes of shoulder pain. Moreover, MRI may recognize active changes of denervation in muscle from chronic denervation muscle changes or “fatty atrophy” in isolation, and therefore it may change treatment and management

Can tongue position and cervical ROM affect postural oscillations? A pilot and preliminary study

The tongue is considered an important part of the postural system, so it is fundamental to understand how it can interfere with the humans’ postural oscillations. The aim of this preliminary investigation is to understand the effects of different tongue position and cervical ROM on postural oscillations measured in a stabilometric test. Thirteen voluntary subjects were recruited (30.8 ± 9.7 yrs.; 173.6 ± 14.9 cm; 72.6 ± 15.6 kg) and tested in three different random tongue conditions: comfortable tongue position (CT), palatal spot position (ST) and low tongue position (LT). All tests were performed with open eyes. Stabilometric test were performed with a pressure platform. In addition, the cervical ROM was assessed in the CT condition to create a baseline measurement and to find out baseline relationship with cervical ROM and postural oscillations. Data analysis indicates no significant difference in CoP sway path length for CT / ST / LT (260.7 ± 106.5 mm / 236.9 ± 79.3 mm / 272.9 ± 89.3 mm, respectively). A moderate but significant correlation is present between postural oscillations and cervical rotation ROM (R = -0.59; p = .03), indicating that good postural oscillations are connected with a free ROM of the highest part of the body. The results of this preliminary investigation do not support the use of different tongue position during postural assessment to discriminate some postural interferences of the tongue. At the same time the results suggest the relationship between cervical ROM and stability. These results suggest the necessity to study more in deep this phenomenon with other specific class of subjects

Evaluation of Fitness and the Balance Levels of Children with a Diagnosis of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: A Pilot Study

Background: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is a main cause of physical disability and has high economic costs for society. The purpose of this study was to assess the fitness levels and the postural and balance deficits with a specific test battery. Methods: Fifty-six subjects were enrolled in this study. Thirty-nine healthy subjects were included in the control group and seventeen in the juvenile idiopathic arthritis group. All subjects were evaluated using a posturography system. The fitness level was evaluated with a battery of tests (Abalakov test, sit-up test, hand grip test, backsaver sit and reach, the toe touch test). An unpaired t-test was used to determine differences. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the correlation between the tests. Results: The battery of tests demonstrated that subjects in the juvenile idiopathic arthritis group have lower fitness levels compared to the control group. The juvenile idiopathic arthritis group showed low postural control with respect to the control group. Pearson analysis of the juvenile idiopathic arthritis group data showed significant correlations between variables. Pearson's results from the control group data showed a similar trend. Conclusions: The results suggest that the battery of tests used could be an appropriate tool. However, we highlight that these conclusions need to be supported by other studies with a larger population scale

Autophagy up-regulation upon FeHV-1 infection on permissive cells

: FeHV-1 is a member of the Herpesviridae family that is distributed worldwide and causes feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR). Since its relationship with the autophagic process has not yet been elucidated, the aim of this work was to evaluate the autophagy mediated by FeHV-1 and to determine its proviral or antiviral role. Our data showed that autophagy is induced by FeHV-1 in a viral dose and time-dependent manner. Phenotypic changes in LC3/p62 axis (increase of LC3-II and degradation of p62) were detected from 12 h post infection using western blot and immuno-fluorescence assays. In a second step, by using late autophagy inhibitors and inducers, the possible proviral role of autophagy during FeHV-1 infection was investigating by assessing the effects of each chemical in terms of viral yield, cytotoxic effects, and expression of viral glycoproteins. Our findings suggest that late-stage autophagy inhibitors (bafilomycin and chloroquine) have a negative impact on viral replication. Interestingly, we observed an accumulation of gB, a viral protein, when cells were pretreated with bafilomycin, whereas the opposite effect was observed when an autophagy inducer was used. The importance of autophagy during FeHV-1 infection was further supported by the results obtained with ATG5 siRNA. In summary, this study demonstrates FeHV-1-mediated autophagy induction, its proviral role, and the negative impact of late autophagy inhibitors on viral replication