Sequential LASER ART and CRISPR treatments eliminate HIV-1 in a subset of infected humanized mice

Elimination of HIV-1 requires clearance and removal of integrated proviral DNA from infected cells and tissues. Here, sequential long-acting slow-effective release antiviral therapy (LASER ART) and CRISPR-Cas9 demonstrate viral clearance in latent infectious reservoirs in HIV-1 infected humanized mice. HIV-1 subgenomic DNA fragments, spanning the long terminal repeats and the Gag gene, are excised in vivo, resulting in elimination of integrated proviral DNA; virus is not detected in blood, lymphoid tissue, bone marrow and brain by nested and digital-droplet PCR as well as RNAscope tests. No CRISPR-Cas9 mediated off-target effects are detected. Adoptive transfer of human immunocytes from dual treated, virus-free animals to uninfected humanized mice fails to produce infectious progeny virus. In contrast, HIV-1 is readily detected following sole LASER ART or CRISPR-Cas9 treatment. These data provide proof-of-concept that permanent viral elimination is possible

Activity and safety of NGR-hTNF, a selective vascular-targeting agent, in previously treated patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

Background:Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly vascularised and poor-prognosis tumour. NGR-hTNF is a vascular-targeting agent consisting of human tumour necrosis factor-alpha fused to the tumour-homing peptide NGR, which is able to selectively bind an aminopeptidase N overexpressed on tumour blood vessels.Methods:Twenty-seven patients with advanced-stage disease resistant to either locoregional (59%; range, 1-3), systemic treatments (52%; range, 1-3) or both (33%) received NGR-hTNF 0.8 gm-2 once every 3 weeks. The primary aim of the study was progression-free survival (PFS).Results:No grade 3-4 treatment-related toxicities were noted. Common toxicity included mild-to-moderate, short-lived chills (63%). Median PFS was 2.3 months (95% CI: 1.7-2.9). A complete response ongoing after 20 months was observed in a sorafenib-refractory patient and a partial response in a Child-Pugh class-B patient, yielding a response rate of 7%. Six patients (22%) experienced stable disease. The disease control rate (DCR) was 30% and was maintained for a median PFS time of 4.3 months. Median survival was 8.9 months (95% CI: 7.5-10.2). In a subset of 12 sorafenib-resistant patients, the response rate was 8% and the median survival was 9.5 months.Conclusion:NGR-hTNF was well tolerated and showed single-agent activity in HCC. Further investigation in HCC is of interest

HIV-1 specific IgA detected in vaginal secretions of HIV uninfected women participating in a microbicide trial in Southern Africa are primarily directed toward gp120 and gp140 specificities.

CAPRISA, 2014.Abstract available in pdf

Depressione post-natale : studio pilota sui fattori di rischio in un gruppo di donne del Nord Italia

Aim. This research aimed to study the risk factors which predispose women to post partum depression. This study was conducted on women from a rural province in northern Italy. Methods. The women enrolled in the study were interviewed and completed the Symptom Checklist 90-R (SCL 90R) and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) scales at 12 weeks of pregnancy and at 12 weeks post partum. Interviews prior to birth were focused on the emotional significance of pregnancy while interviews after birth were on the relationships with the partner and the family and on the birthing experience. Results. Two groups emerged, a low risk group and a medium-high risk group. Conclusion. Prenatal fears, the birthing experience and post partum stress involving caring for the newborn child, concurrent with specific personality traits are the greatest risk factors forpost partum depression

EXPERIMENTAL DIABETIC NEUROPATHY - INHIBITION OF PROTEIN MONO-ADP-RIBOSYLATION PREVENTS REDUCTION OF SUBSTANCE-P AXONAL-TRANSPORT

The extranuclear endogenous mono-ADP-ribosylation of proteins in cellular fractions from retinas of control and diabetic rats was studied. At least six proteins were ADP-ribosylated in the crude extract, membrane and cytosolic fractions from control preparations, whereas in diabetic rats the number of labeled proteins and the extent of labeling were highly reduced. Treatment of diabetic animals with silybin, a flavonoid with ADP-ribosyltransferase inhibitory activity, did not affect hyperglycemia, but prevented the alterations of the extent of ADP-ribosylation of the 38 K cytosolic, 39 K, 40 K membrane and 39 K, 41 K and 42 K crude extract proteins. These data suggest a hyperactivity of extranuclear endogenous protein mono-ADP-ribosylation in the diabetic rat retina, and that treatment with silybin inhibits such enzyme activity, thus improving the extent of ADP-ribosylation. Sciatic nerve axonal transport of substance P was reduced markedly in diabetic rats, and inhibition of mono-ADP-ribosylation with silybin prevented such a loss in spite of high blood glucose levels. These results suggest that the abnormal endogenous ADP-ribosylation of proteins might play a role in the onset of diabetic peripheral neuropathy and its inhibition may represent a novel pharmacological approach to the treatment of diabetes complications