Main routes of trasmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)infection in a family setting in Palermo, Italy.

A cross-sectional seroepidemiologic study was carried out on household contacts and sexual partners of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody-positive intravenous drug abusers in Palermo, Italy, in 1985 to evaluate factors that influenced HIV transmission. A total of 43 index cases, 36 spouses or heterosexual partners, 28 children, and 55 adult household members were enrolled. None of the household members without sexual contact, who had shared items and facilities and had interacted with the index cases, contracted HIV infection. However, six of 36 sexual partners had antibodies to HIV. It was observed that the risk of HIV infection was significantly associated with the frequency of sexual intercourse with the seropositive partner. Four children were also found to be infected: two had acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related complex, and the other two were clinically and immunologically normal. Furthermore, one other child had evidence of passive transfer of maternal antibodies. The infection was confined to the younger children (ranging in age from eight months to three years). The data support a high rate of vertical transmission from mother to infant, an intermediate rate of transmission to sexual partners, and no transmission attributable to household contac

Cytotoxic performances of new anionic cyclometalated Pt(II) complexes bearing chelated O^O ligands

The in vitro biological activity towards the MDA-MB-231 triple-negative breast cancer cell line of two different series of anionic Pt(II) organometallic complexes was tested. For the first time, cytotoxic activity of anionic Pt(II) complexes has been observed. The anionic compounds of general formula NBu4[(C^N)Pt(O^O)], where (C^N) represents the cyclometalated form of 2-phenylpyridine (H(PhPy)), 2-thienylpyridine (H(Thpy)) or 2-benzo[h]quinoline (H(Bzq)), feature two different (O^O) chelated ligands: tetrabromocatechol [BrCat]2 12 (1\u20133) or alizarine [Aliz]2 12 (4\u20136). Complexes 1\u20136 displayed a significant cytotoxic effect against the studied cell line (IC50 range of 1.9\u201352.8 \u3bcM). For BrCat-containing complexes 1\u20133, the biological activity was independent of the nature of the coordinated (C^N) ligand. In contrast, in the case of 4\u20136, the cytotoxicity (significantly high for 4) was concomitantly induced by the presence of either the PhPy or the [Aliz]2 12 ligand. Since complexes 1\u20136 are emissive in solution, the potential use of 4 as a theranostic agent was investigated using confocal analysis. The fluorescence signal from MDA-MB-231 cells incubated with 4 indicated the localization of the compound into the cytosol region

Glucose-Impaired Corneal Re-Epithelialization Is Promoted by a Novel Derivate of Dimethyl Fumarate

Glucose induces corneal epithelial dysfunctions characterized by delayed wound repair. Nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) mediates cell protection mechanisms even through the Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) up-regulation. Here, we synthesized new HO-1 inducers by modifying dimethyl fumarate (DMF) and used docking studies to select VP13/126 as a promising compound with the best binding energy to Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (keap1), which is the the regulator of Nrf2 nuclear translocation. We verified if VP13/126 protects SIRC cells from hyperglycemia compared to DMF. SIRC were cultured in normal (5 mM) or high glucose (25 mM, HG) in presence of DMF (1–25 μM) or VP13/126 (0.1–5 μM) with or without ERK1/2 inhibitor PD98059 (15 μM). VP13/126 was more effective than DMF in the prevention of HG-induced reduction of cell viability and proliferation. Reduction of wound closure induced by HG was similarly counteracted by 1 μM VP13/126 and 10 μM DMF. VP13/126 strongly increased phospho/total ERK1/2 and restored HO-1 protein in HG-treated SIRC; these effects are completely counteracted by PD98059. Moreover, high-content screening analysis showed a higher rate of Nrf2 nuclear translocation induced by VP13/126 than DMF in HG-stimulated SIRC. These data indicate that VP13/126 exerts remarkable pro-survival properties in HG-stimulated SIRC, promoting the Nrf2/HO-1 axis