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Cureus Aug 2023Monkeypox, a viral zoonotic ailment originating in the Central and West African regions, has escalated into a global health issue of growing concern. The current... (Review)
Review
Monkeypox, a viral zoonotic ailment originating in the Central and West African regions, has escalated into a global health issue of growing concern. The current analysis offers an exhaustive examination of monkeypox, emphasizing its historical progression, etiology, epidemiological patterns, pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical manifestations, diagnostic methodologies, treatment modalities, and preventive strategies. The worldwide discontinuation of smallpox vaccination has contributed to an increased incidence of monkeypox, driven by the expansion of vulnerable host populations. Significant strides in diagnostic procedures, prospective antiviral treatments, and vaccine development exhibit potential in managing this affliction, yet obstacles remain in terms of disease control, prevention, and treatment. Additionally, the international propagation of monkeypox underscores the need for robust public health initiatives and the significant role played by global health institutions in disease containment. Prospective research endeavors should strive to enhance our comprehension of the natural reservoirs of monkeypox and its transmission dynamics, evaluate sustained immune responses to novel vaccines, and investigate the potential impact of One Health strategies. This analysis underscores the pressing necessity for increased research and synchronized global efforts to tackle this emergent infectious malady.
PubMed: 37753017
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.43961 -
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces Nov 2023Sensors that can quickly measure the lipase activity from biological samples are useful in enzyme production and medical diagnostics. However, current lipase sensors...
Sensors that can quickly measure the lipase activity from biological samples are useful in enzyme production and medical diagnostics. However, current lipase sensors have limitations such as requiring fluorescent labels, pH control of buffer vehicles, or lengthy assay preparation. We introduce a sparsely tethered triglyceride substrate anchored off of a gold electrode for the impedance sensing of real-time lipase activity. The tethered substrate is self-assembled using a rapid solvent exchange technique and can form an anchored bilayer 1 nm off the gold electrode. This allows for an aqueous reservoir region, providing access to ions transported through membrane defects caused by triglyceride enzymatic hydrolysis. Electrical impedance spectroscopy techniques can readily detect the decrease in resistance caused by enzymatically induced defects. This rapid and reliable lipase detection method can have potential applications in disease studies, monitoring of lipase production, and as point-of-care diagnostic devices.
PubMed: 37931023
DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c11767 -
Viruses Dec 2023Henipaviruses are zoonotic viruses, including some highly pathogenic and capable of serious disease and high fatality rates in both animals and humans. Hendra virus and... (Review)
Review
Henipaviruses are zoonotic viruses, including some highly pathogenic and capable of serious disease and high fatality rates in both animals and humans. Hendra virus and Nipah virus are the most notable henipaviruses, resulting in significant outbreaks across South Asia, South-East Asia, and Australia. Pteropid fruit bats have been identified as key zoonotic reservoirs; however, the increased discovery of henipaviruses outside the geographic distribution of Pteropid fruit bats and the detection of novel henipa-like viruses in other species such as the shrew, rat, and opossum suggest that Pteropid bats are not the sole reservoir for henipaviruses. In this review, we provide an update on henipavirus spillover events and describe the recent detection of novel unclassified henipaviruses, with a strong focus on the shrew and its emerging role as a key host of henipaviruses.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Rats; Henipavirus Infections; Shrews; Chiroptera; Nipah Virus; Hendra Virus
PubMed: 38140648
DOI: 10.3390/v15122407 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2023is the etiological agent of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (ZVL). The disease is endemic in Central and South America, Central and South East Asia, and the...
is the etiological agent of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (ZVL). The disease is endemic in Central and South America, Central and South East Asia, and the Mediterranean basin. Dogs are the main reservoir, with an estimated prevalence of approximately 2.5 million dogs in Southern Europe. Current treatments cause side effects, disease recurrence, and drug resistance. Therefore, the development of vaccines against canine leishmaniasis is necessary. We have generated a DNA vaccine based on the non-replicative antibiotic resistance marker-free plasmid vector pPAL that contains the encoding gene for the activated protein kinase C receptor analog (LACK). Homologous pPAL-LACK prime-boost intranasal administration confers efficacious protection in Beagle dogs with a reduction of clinical signs and a statistically significant reduction of the parasite burden in the bone marrow of more than 90% of dogs after experimental infection with highly infective promastigotes. This DNA vaccine elicits a robust cellular immune response skewed towards the Th1 profile.
Topics: Animals; Dogs; Vaccines, DNA; Administration, Intranasal; Leishmaniasis, Visceral; Genetic Vectors; Drug Resistance, Microbial
PubMed: 37790927
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1213193 -
Viruses Oct 2023HIV-1 latency is a major barrier to curing infections with antiretroviral therapy and, consequently, to eliminating the disease globally. The establishment, maintenance,... (Review)
Review
HIV-1 latency is a major barrier to curing infections with antiretroviral therapy and, consequently, to eliminating the disease globally. The establishment, maintenance, and potential clearance of latent infection are complex dynamic processes and can be best described with the help of mathematical models followed by experimental validation. Here, we review the use of viral dynamics models for HIV-1, with a focus on applications to the latent reservoir. Such models have been used to explain the multi-phasic decay of viral load during antiretroviral therapy, the early seeding of the latent reservoir during acute infection and the limited inflow during treatment, the dynamics of viral blips, and the phenomenon of post-treatment control. Finally, we discuss that mathematical models have been used to predict the efficacy of potential HIV-1 cure strategies, such as latency-reversing agents, early treatment initiation, or gene therapies, and to provide guidance for designing trials of these novel interventions.
Topics: Humans; HIV-1; Virus Latency; Models, Biological; Models, Theoretical; HIV Infections; HIV Seropositivity; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes
PubMed: 37896896
DOI: 10.3390/v15102119 -
Progress in Retinal and Eye Research Mar 2024The cornea, as a dynamic and responsive tissue, constantly interacts with mechanical forces in order to maintain its structural integrity, barrier function, transparency... (Review)
Review
The cornea, as a dynamic and responsive tissue, constantly interacts with mechanical forces in order to maintain its structural integrity, barrier function, transparency and refractive power. Cells within the cornea sense and respond to various mechanical forces that fundamentally regulate their morphology and fate in development, homeostasis and pathophysiology. Corneal cells also dynamically regulate their extracellular matrix (ECM) with ensuing cell-ECM crosstalk as the matrix serves as a dynamic signaling reservoir providing biophysical and biochemical cues to corneal cells. Here we provide an overview of mechanotransduction signaling pathways then delve into the recent advances in corneal mechanobiology, focusing on the interplay between mechanical forces and responses of the corneal epithelial, stromal, and endothelial cells. We also identify species-specific differences in corneal biomechanics and mechanotransduction to facilitate identification of optimal animal models to study corneal wound healing, disease, and novel therapeutic interventions. Finally, we identify key knowledge gaps and therapeutic opportunities in corneal mechanobiology that are pressing for the research community to address especially pertinent within the domains of limbal stem cell deficiency, keratoconus and Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy. By furthering our understanding corneal mechanobiology, we can contextualize discoveries regarding corneal diseases as well as innovative treatments for them.
Topics: Animals; Mechanotransduction, Cellular; Endothelial Cells; Cornea; Fuchs' Endothelial Dystrophy; Keratoconus
PubMed: 38176611
DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2023.101234 -
Translational Andrology and Urology Dec 2023Penile prosthesis surgery is considered a safe and effective treatment for patients with erectile dysfunction. Implantation in the medically complex patient can be a... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
Penile prosthesis surgery is considered a safe and effective treatment for patients with erectile dysfunction. Implantation in the medically complex patient can be a challenge. The benefits of treatment must outweigh the possible risks or complications. A description of possible problems and how to cope with them is given in this narrative review.
METHODS
Literature search was performed in January 2023 using different search prompts in PubMed. These articles, excluding non-English and non-full text articles, were listed by the two authors and afterwards, the most relevant ones were included.
KEY CONTENT AND FINDINGS
This article is divided into five important topics. We evaluated different comorbidities such as spinal cord injury, diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease, in which preoperative work-up and counseling is of significant importance. A detailed description of these comorbidities and how to handle these can be found in each section. In addition to the preoperative aspect in organ transplant patients, problems during surgery can arise, e.g., with the reservoir placement. Similarly, in patients with previous pelvic surgery, an ectopic reservoir placement can prevent possible complications.
CONCLUSIONS
Preoperative diagnostics are crucial and prosthetic surgery should be done by an experienced high-volume surgeon with a diverse range of surgical techniques at his disposal.
PubMed: 38196703
DOI: 10.21037/tau-23-71 -
Scientific Reports Jan 2024Echocardiographic differentiation of cardiac amyloidosis (CA) and Fabry disease (FD) is often challenging using standard echocardiographic parameters. We retrospectively...
Echocardiographic differentiation of cardiac amyloidosis (CA) and Fabry disease (FD) is often challenging using standard echocardiographic parameters. We retrospectively analyzed the diagnostic accuracy of right heart and left atrial strain parameters to discriminate CA from FD using receiver operating characteristic curve analyses and logistic regression models. A total of 47 FD and 88 CA patients with left ventricular wall thickening were analyzed. The comparison of both cardiomyopathies revealed significantly reduced global and free wall longitudinal right ventricular strain (RVS; global RVS: CA - 13 ± 4%, n = 67, vs. FD - 18 ± 4%, n = 39, p < 0.001) as well as right atrial strain (RAS; reservoir RAS: CA 12 ± 8%, n = 70, vs. FD 26 ± 9%, n = 40, p < 0.001) and left atrial strain (LAS) in CA patients. Individually, global RVS as well as phasic LAS and RAS showed the highest diagnostic accuracy to distinguish CA and FD. The best diagnostic accuracy was achieved by combining the age, basal RV diameter, global RVS, and reservoir and conduit RAS (area under the curve 0.96 [95% CI 0.90-1.00]). Differential echocardiographic diagnostic work-up of patients with suspected CA or FD can be improved by integrating structural and functional parameters of the right heart and the left atrium.Trial registration: DRKS00027403.
Topics: Humans; Fabry Disease; Retrospective Studies; Heart Atria; Amyloidosis; Echocardiography
PubMed: 38291191
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52890-y -
Circulation Journal : Official Journal... Jul 2023The left atrium (LA) plays an important role in facilitating left ventricular (LV) filling by acting as a reservoir, passive conduit, and active booster pump, as well as... (Review)
Review
The left atrium (LA) plays an important role in facilitating left ventricular (LV) filling by acting as a reservoir, passive conduit, and active booster pump, as well as a regulator of blood volume through A-type natriuretic peptide secretion in response to stimulation by mechanical stretch of the cavity. LA myopathy has emerged as one of the most important non-LV contributors to disease progression in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). LA dysfunction is common in HFpEF and is associated with more severe pulmonary vascular disease and right ventricular dysfunction, and increases the risk of incident atrial fibrillation or atrial functional mitral regurgitation, leading to limitations in cardiac output reserve and reduced exercise capacity. LA deformation assessed by 2-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography is useful for estimating abnormal hemodynamics or exercise capacity, discriminating HFpEF from non-cardiac dyspnea and is an independent predictor of adverse outcome in HFpEF. Thus, interventions directly targeting LA myopathy may improve outcomes in HFpEF with LA myopathy. This review provides information regarding the physiology of the LA in patients with HFpEF and discusses the importance of evaluation of LA function, management issues, and future directions through ongoing trials of medical interventions.
Topics: Humans; Heart Failure; Stroke Volume; Atrial Fibrillation; Heart Atria; Echocardiography
PubMed: 34645733
DOI: 10.1253/circj.CJ-21-0795