Search results for "Lyme"
showing 10 items of 10624 documents
Identification of Candida auris and related species by multiplex PCR based on unique GPI protein‐encoding genes
2020
Background The pathogen Candida auris is rapidly gaining clinical importance because of its resistance to antifungal treatments and its persistence in hospital environments. Early and accurate diagnosis of C. auris infections is crucial, however, the fungus has often been misidentified by commercial systems. Objectives To develop conventional and real-time PCR methods for accurate and rapid identification of C. auris and its discrimination from closely related species by exploiting the uniqueness of certain glycosylphosphatidylinositol-modified protein-encoding genes. Methods Species-specific primers for two unique putative GPI protein-encoding genes per species were designed for C. auris, …
Pleomorphic forms of Borrelia burgdorferi induce distinct immune responses.
2016
Borrelia burgdorferi is the causative agent of tick-borne Lyme disease. As a response to environmental stress B. burgdorferi can change its morphology to a round body form. The role of B. burgdorferi pleomorphic forms in Lyme disease pathogenesis has long been debated and unclear. Here, we demonstrated that round bodies were processed differently in differentiated macrophages, consequently inducing distinct immune responses compared to spirochetes in vitro. Colocalization analysis indicated that the F-actin participates in internalization of both forms. However, round bodies end up less in macrophage lysosomes than spirochetes suggesting that there are differences in processing of these for…
Physicochemical and Preclinical Evaluation of Spermine-Derived Surfactant Liposomes for in Vitro and in Vivo siRNA-Delivery to Liver Macrophages
2016
Herein we report on a liposomal system for siRNA delivery consisting of cholesterol (Chol), distearoylphosphatidylcholine (DSPC), and surfactant TF (1-hydroxy-50-amino-3,4,7,10,13,16,19,22-octaoxa-37,41,45-triaza-pentacontane), a novel spermine derivative (HO-EG8-C12-spermine) which has shown improved siRNA delivery to cells in vitro and in vivo. Predominantly single-walled liposomes with reproducible sizes and moderately broad size distributions were generated with an automated extrusion device. The liposomes remained stable when prepared in the presence of siRNA at N/P ratios of 17-34. However, when mixed with human serum in equal volumes, larger aggregates in the size range of several hu…
DNA demethylation caused By 5-Aza-2'-Deoxycytidine induces mitotic alterations and aneuploidy
2016
Aneuploidy, the unbalanced number of chromosomes in a cell, is considered a prevalent form of genetic instability and is largely acknowledged as a condition implicated in tumorigenesis. Epigenetic alterations like DNA hypomethylation have been correlated with cancer initiation/progression. Furthermore, a growing body of evidence suggests the involvement of epigenome-wide disruption as a cause of global DNA hypomethylation in aneuploidy generation. Here, we report that the DNA hypomethylating drug 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (DAC), affects the correct ploidy of nearly diploid HCT-116 human cells by altering the methylation pattern of the chromosomes. Specifically, we show that a DAC-induced reduc…
On the prospect of serum exosomal miRNA profiling and protein biomarkers for the diagnosis of ascending aortic dilatation in patients with bicuspid a…
2018
Background: To determine the impact of circulating miRNA and protein activity on the severity of ascending aortic dilatation in patients with bicuspid (BAV) and tricuspid aortic valve (TAV). Methods: By reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, exosomal circulating expression levels (versus healthy aorta) of miRNAs and absolute levels of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2, -3 and -9), tissue inhibitors (TIMP-1, -2, -3 and -4), and soluble receptors for advanced glycation end products AGEs (sRAGE) were evaluated in ascending dilated aortas of 71 patients with different valve morphotype. Results: Less-dilated ascending aorta exhibited a specific miRN…
Theabrownin triggersDNAdamage to suppress human osteosarcoma U2OScells by activating p53 signalling pathway
2018
Abstract Osteosarcoma becomes the second leading cause of cancer death in the younger population. Current outcomes of chemotherapy on osteosarcoma were unsatisfactory to date, demanding development of effective therapies. Tea is a commonly used beverage beneficial to human health. As a major component of tea, theabrownin has been reported to possess anti‐cancer activity. To evaluate its anti‐osteosarcoma effect, we established a xenograft model of zebrafish and employed U2OS cells for in vivo and in vitro assays. The animal data showed that TB significantly inhibited the tumour growth with stronger effect than that of chemotherapy. The cellular data confirmed that TB‐triggered DNA damage an…
Gene Expression and Apoptosis Levels in Cumulus Cells of Patients with Polymorphisms of FSHR and LHB Undergoing in Vitro Fertilization Program
2017
Background/Aims: FSH receptor (FSHR) Ala307Thr and Asn680Ser and LHβ chain (LHB) Trp28Arg and Ile35Thr polymorphisms affect the response to pharmacological ovarian stimulation with r-FSH in women undergoing assisted reproductive treatment (ART). Here, we evaluated the expression level of selected genes involved in follicle maturation and the possible onset of apoptosis in cumulus cells of patients with single and double FSHR and LHB polymorphisms, as potential markers of oocyte competence. Methods: Cumulus cells from 36 stimulated patients were collected and SNP genotyping performed by PCR. Gene expression was evaluated through real-time PCR, and apoptosis estimated via TUNEL assay, and cle…
Active biopackaging produced from by‐products and waste from food and marine industries
2021
The agro‐food industry cannot today do without packaging to preserve and above all market its products. Plastic materials coming mainly from petrochemicals have taken a predominant place in the food packaging sector. They have become indispensable in many sectors, from fresh to frozen products, from meat and dairy products to fruit and vegetables or almost‐ready meals. Plastics are cheap, their lightness reduces transport costs, and their convenience is fundamental for out‐of‐home catering. However, plastics pose serious end‐of‐life issues. The development of materials that are more respectful of the consumer and the environment has become a major issue. In addition, the agro‐food industrie…
Virus-encoded microRNA contributes to the molecular profile of EBV-positive Burkitt lymphomas
2015
Burkitt lymphoma (BL) is an aggressive neoplasm characterized by consistent morphology and phenotype, typical clinical behavior and distinctive molecular profile. The latter is mostly driven by the MYC over-expression associated with the characteristic translocation (8;14) (q24; q32) or with variant lesions. Additional genetic events can contribute to Burkitt Lymphoma pathobiology and retain clinical significance. A pathogenetic role for Epstein-Barr virus infection in Burkitt lymphomagenesis has been suggested; however, the exact function of the virus is largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the molecular profiles (genes and microRNAs) of Epstein-Barr virus-positive and -negative…
Simultaneous lipidomic and transcriptomic profiling in mouse brain punches of acute epileptic seizure model compared to controls
2018
In this study, we report the development of a dual extraction protocol for RNA and lipids, including phospholipids, endocannabinoids, and arachidonic acid, at high spatial resolution, e.g., brain punches obtained from whole frozen brains corresponding to four brain subregions: dorsal hippocampus, ventral hippocampus, basolateral amygdala, and hypothalamus. This extraction method combined with LC/multiple reaction monitoring for lipid quantification and quantitative PCR for RNA investigation allows lipidomic and transcriptomic profiling from submilligram amounts of tissue, thus benefiting the time and animal costs for analysis and the data reliability due to prevention of biological variabil…