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Αλέξανδρος Γ. Σφακιανάκης

Friday, October 28, 2022

Cytosolic DNA Sensors Activation Inhibits HIV Infection of Macrophages

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader

Abstract

Cytosolic recognition of microbial DNA in macrophages results in the activation of the interferon (IFN) dependent antiviral innate immunity. Here, we examined whether activating DNA sensors in peripheral blood monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) can inhibit HIV. We observed that the stimulation of MDMs with poly(dA:dT) or poly(dG:dC) (synthetic ligands for the DNA sensors) inhibited HIV infection and replication. MDMs treated with poly(dA:dT) or poly(dG:dC) expressed higher levels of both type I and type III IFNs than untreated cells. Activation of the DNA sensors in MDMs also induced the expression of the multiple intracellular anti-HIV factors, including IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs: ISG15, ISG56, Viperin, OAS2, GBP5, MxB and Tetherin) and the HIV restriction microRNAs (miR-29c, miR-138, miR-146a, miR-155, miR-198, and miR-223). In addition, the DNA sensor activation of MDM upregulated the expression of the CC chemokines (RANTES, MIP-1α, MIP-1β), the ligan ds for HIV entry coreceptor CCR5. These observations indicate that the cytosolic DNA sensors have a protective role in the macrophage intracellular immunity against HIV and that targeting the DNA sensors has therapeutic potential for immune activation-based anti-HIV treatment.

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Impact of Serial Intralesional Steroid Injections on Idiopathic Subglottic Stenosis

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader

Objectives

Serial intralesional steroid injection (SILSI) has been increasingly used to treat idiopathic subglottic stenosis (iSGS). Prior studies have shown effectiveness, but not in all patients. This multi-institutional study evaluates the effect of SILSI on time to recurrent operation, peak expiratory flow (PEF), and dyspnea.

Methods

Post-hoc secondary analysis of the North American Airway Collaborative data were performed to evaluate the outcomes of iSGS patients undergoing and not undergoing SILSI. The primary outcome was time to recurrent operation, evaluated using Kaplan–Meier curves and Cox regression analysis. Secondary outcomes were change in PEF and clinical chronic obstructive pulmonary disease questionnaire (CCQ) score. Within patients undergoing SILSI, demographics, time from last procedure, and PEF at initiation of SILSI were evaluated to determine the effect on recurrence.

Results

Two hundred and ninety patients were included, 238 undergoing endoscopic dilation alone and 52 undergoing dilation and SILSI. No differences in baseline characteristics were observed. There was no difference in time to recurrence (hazard ratio: 0.64; p = 0.183). There were no differences in PEF or CCQ across the 2.5-year study period. Among 52 patients undergoing SILSI, PEF at the time of starting SILSI did not affect recurrence (χ 2 = 0.09, p = 0.77).

Conclusion

Patients undergoing and not undergoing SILSI had similar times to recurrence, PEF, and CCQ. Factors predicting recurrence among patients undergoing SILSI were not identified. These results support a randomized controlled trial with a uniform SILSI protocol to quantify the effects of SILSI on objective and subjective outcomes and help determine which iSGS patients benefit most.

Level of Evidence

3 Laryngoscope, 2022

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Diagnostic performance of magnetic resonance imaging for degenerative temporomandibular joint disease

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader

Abstract

Background

Degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is an important type of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) potentially leading to orofacial pain and jaw dysfunction. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is important in TMD diagnosis; however, its diagnostic ability for DJD remains unknown.

Objective

To explore the utility of MRI in diagnosing DJD according to the latest diagnostic criteria for TMD and detecting condylar bone abnormalities and their severity.

Methods

Overall, 122 participants were examined using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and MRI. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of MRI for detecting DJD and different types of TMJ condylar bone abnormalities were calculated (considering CBCT as gold standard); in addition, we tested MRI and CBCT's consistency in scoring five types of condylar bone abnormalities.

Results

The sensitivity and specificity of MRI for DJD were 95.3% and 43.1%, respectively.The MRI sensitivities for condylar flattening, erosion, osteophytes, sclerosis, and cysts were 98.6%, 96.2%, 79.4%, 50%, and 79.2% (specificity, 53.6%, 48.3%, 81.6%, 83.3%, and 88.2%, respectively), respectively. The consistency between MRI and CBCT in assessing the severity of condylar bone abnormalities was fair-to-moderate (kappa coefficient: 0.278-0.491). The inter-observer consistency for CBCT was good, whereas for MRI it was relatively poor.

Conclusion

MRI can detect DJD and condylar bone abnormalities. However, MRI could not efficiently detect the severity of condylar bone abnormalities.

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Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies for HIV Treatment: Broad in Theory, Narrow in Reality

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader

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Abstract
In this viewpoint we briefly review the status of antiretroviral therapy, its unmet needs, and the role that broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) might have in the near future for the treatment of HIV. We summarize advances in the development of bNAbs as antiretroviral therapy, the results of main clinical trials of bNAbs for HIV treatment and prevention, and its role in cure trials. The limitations of broadly neutralizing antibodies are the current need for primary re sistance testing, the still unclear number of antibodies that must be combined, the lack of penetration in anatomical reservoirs and the role they might play in cure studies. We compare the advantages and disadvantages of "classical ART" and therapy based on broadly neutralizing antibodies. We conclude that broadly neutralizing antibodies still need considerable improvements before they can be considered an alternative to "classical ART".
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