CRISPR/Cas9‐HPV‐liposome enhances antitumor immunity and treatment of HPV infection associated cervical cancer

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader CRISPR/Cas9‐HPV‐liposome enhances antitumor immunity and treatment of HPV infection associated cervical cancer via Journal of Medical Virology ABSTRACT Increasing evidence shows that human papillomavirus (HPV) E6/E7 deletion in cervical cancer cells may be related to immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment and adverse reactions or resistance to immune checkpoint blockade. Here, we demonstrate that liposome delivery of CRISPR/cas9 can effectively knock out HPV, which in turn induces autophagy and triggers cell death-related immune activation by releasing damage-related molecular patterns. The results of in vivo experiments showed that HPV-targeting gRNA–liposomes could promote CD8+ T cell infiltration in tumour tissues; enhance the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-12, tumour necrosis factor-α and interferon-γ and reduce regulatory T cells and myeloid suppressor cells. The combination of HPV-targeting gRNA–liposomes with immune checkpoint inhibitors and anti-programmed death-1 antibodies produced highly effective antitumour effects. In addition, combination therapy induced immune memory in the cervical cancer model. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. View on Web

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Single‐cell transcriptome atlas reveals protective characteristics of COVID‐19 mRNA vaccine

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Single‐cell transcriptome atlas reveals protective characteristics of COVID‐19 mRNA vaccine via Journal of Medical Virology Abstract mRNA vaccines are promising alternatives to conventional vaccines in many aspects. We previously developed a lipopolyplex (LPP)-based mRNA vaccine (SW0123) that demonstrated robust immunogenicity and strong protective capacity against SARS-CoV-2 infection in mice and rhesus macaques. However, the immune profiles and mechanisms of pulmonary protection induced by SW0123 remain unclear. Through high-resolution single-cell analysis, we found that SW0123 vaccination effectively suppressed SARS-CoV-2-induced inflammatory responses by inhibiting the recruitment of pro-inflammatory macrophages and increasing the frequency of polymorphonuclear myeloid-derived suppressor cells (PMN-MDSCs). In addition, the apoptotic process in both lung epithelial and endothelial cells was significantly inhibited, which was proposed to be one major mechanism contributing to vaccine-induced lung protection. Cell-cell interaction in the lung compartment was also altered by vaccination. These data collectively unravel the mechanisms by which the SW0123 protects against lung damage caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. View on Web

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Polygenic risk score and peer victimisation independently predict depressive symptoms in adolescence: results from the Quebec Longitudinal Study of Children Development

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Polygenic risk score and peer victimisation independently predict depressive symptoms in adolescence: results from the Quebec Longitudinal Study of Children Development via Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry Background Peer victimisation has been associated with depressive symptoms during adolescence, however not all peer victimised adolescents will exhibit such symptoms. This study tested whether having a genetic predisposition to developing depression increased the risk of experiencing depressive symptoms in peer victimised youth. To date, no study has explored such gene–environment interaction using a polygenic risk score for depression (PRS-depression) in the context of peer victimisation and depressive symptoms in adolescence. Methods The sample included 748 participants born in 1997/98 from the Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development with genotype data and prospectively collected information on peer victimisation (12–13 years) obtained from both self- and teacher-reports, as well as self-reported depressive symptoms (15–17 years). The PRS-depression was based on the genome-wide association meta-analysis of broad depression by Howard et al. (2019). Results Self- and teacher-reported peer victimisation in early adolescence were both associated with depressive symptoms in adolescence (β = 0.34, p < .001; β = 0.14, p = .001 respectively), and this association remained significant when accounting for PRS-depression (β = 0.33, p < .001; β = 0.13, p = .002 respectively). PRS-depression was independently associated with depressive symptoms, but there was no significant PRS-depression by peer victimisation interaction (self-reported and teacher-reported). PRS-depression was correlated with self-reported, but not teacher-reported, peer victimisation. Conclusions Our findings suggested that a partial measure of an individual's genetic predisposition to depression, as measured by PRS-depression, and being exposed to peer victimisation (self- and teacher-reported) were independently associated with depressive symptoms in adolescence. Furthermore, PRS-depression did not exacerbate the risk of depressive symptoms among adolescents who had been peer victimised. Lastly, we found evidence of a gene–environment correlation between PRS-depression and self-reported peer victimisation. Future studies are needed to replicate this finding and to further understand the role of genetic predispositions in experiencing depressive symptoms following peer victimisation. View on Web

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The impact of extended treatment with artemether-lumefantrine on antimalarial exposure and reinfection risks in Ugandan children with uncomplicated malaria: A randomized controlled trial

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader The impact of extended treatment with artemether-lumefantrine on antimalarial exposure and reinfection risks in Ugandan children with uncomplicated malaria: A randomized controlled trial via Clinical Infectious Diseases Advance Access ABSTRACT Background. Artemether-lumefantrine (AL) is the most widely used artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) in sub-Saharan Africa and is threatened by the emergence of artemisinin resistance. Dosing is suboptimal in young children. We hypothesized that extending AL duration will improve exposure and reduce reinfection risks.Methods. We conducted a prospective, randomized, open-label pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic study of extended durat ion AL (EXALT) in children with malaria in high transmission rural Uganda. Children received 3-day (standard 6-dose) or 5-day (10-dose) AL with sampling for artemether, dihydroartemisinin (DHA), and lumefantrine over 42-day clinical follow-up. Primary outcomes were 1) comparative pharmacokinetic parameters between regimens, and 2) recurrent parasitemia analyzed as intention-to-treat.Results. 177 children ages 16 months to 16 years were randomized, contributing 227 total episodes. Terminal median lumefantrine concentrations were significantly increased in the 5-day versus 3-day regimen on days 7, 14, and 21 (p-values < 0.001). A pre-defined day 7 lumefantrine threshold of 280 ng/mL was strongly predictive of recurrence risk at 28 and 42 days (p < 0.001). Kaplan-Meier estimated 28-day (51% vs 40%) and 42-day risk (75% vs 68%) did not significantly differ between 3-day and 5-day regimens. No significant toxicity was seen with the extended regimen. Conclusions. Extending the duration of AL was safe and significantly enhanced overall drug exposure in young children but did not lead to significant reductions in recurrent parasitemia risk in our high transmission setting. However, day 7 levels were strongly predictive of recurrent parasitemia risk and those in the lowest weight-band were at higher risk of underdosing with the standard 3-day regimen. View on Web

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Molecular and regulatory mechanisms of oxidative stress adaptation in Streptococcus mutans

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Molecular and regulatory mechanisms of oxidative stress adaptation in Streptococcus mutans via Molecular Oral Microbiology Abstract Dental caries is a chronic progressive disease, which destructs dental hard tissues under the influence of multiple factors, mainly bacteria. Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) is the main cariogenic bacteria. However, its cariogenic virulence is affected by environmental stress such as oxidative stress, nutrient deficiency and low pH to some extent. Oxidative stress is one of the main stresses that S. mutans faces in oral cavity. But there are a variety of protective molecules to resist oxidative stress in S. mutans, including superoxide dismutase, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide oxidase, Dps-like peroxide resistance protein, alkyl-hydrogen peroxide reductase, thioredoxin, glutamate-reducing protein system and some metabolic substances. Additionally, some transcriptional regulatory factors (SloR, PerR, Rex, Spx, etc.) and two-component systems are also closely related to oxidative stress adaptation by modulating the expression of protective molecules. This review summarizes the research progress of protective molecules and regulatory mechanisms (mainly transcription factors) of oxidative stress adaptation of S. mutans. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved View on Web

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Transition Metals and Enterococcus faecalis: Homeostasis, Virulence and Perspectives

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Transition Metals and Enterococcus faecalis: Homeostasis, Virulence and Perspectives via Molecular Oral Microbiology Abstract Enterococcus faecalis, a Gram-positive bacterium is known to be a key player in several chronic infections as well as nosocomial, heart valve, urinary tract, surgical wound and dental root canal infections. The capability to sense different transition metal levels and tune its response accordingly endows it with the potential to thrive and cause infections in several host niches. Over the past decade, our knowledge of how transition metals play a critical role in maintaining homeostasis of E. faecalis has improved significantly. The aim of this review is to elucidate the roles of metals such as iron, manganese, zinc and copper in the physiology, metabolism, and pathogenicity of E. faecalis. These essential micronutrients contribute to energy production, redox stress response, expression of virulence determinants, and cooperation in polymicrobial communities. The review also highlights metal homeostasis systems in E. faecalis, which respond to fluctuatio ns in extracellular metal levels, and regulate the intracellular metal content. Regulation of intracellular metallome secures the tolerance of E. faecalis to oxidative stress and host-mediated metal sequestration strategies. Therapeutic interventions which deprive E. faecalis of its essential metal requirements or disrupt its homeostatic control have been proposed to combat E. faecalis infections. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved View on Web

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Institutional cisnormativity and educational injustice: Trans children's experiences in primary and early secondary education in the UK

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Institutional cisnormativity and educational injustice: Trans children's experiences in primary and early secondary education in the UK via British Journal of Educational Psychology Abstract Background Transgender children are known to face a wide range of barriers, difficulties and injustices at school. Few studies have focused on the educational experiences of trans pupils who socially transition at or before primary school, with no such studies in the UK. Aims To learn about the at-school experiences of transgender children who socially transitioned at or before primary school in the UK, listening to children's and parental accounts of navigating cisnormativity in UK primary and early secondary education. Sample The primary sample included 30 parents whose children had socially transitioned under the age of 11 in the UK. This sample was complemented with data directly from 10 of these trans children. The primary sample was accessed through six trans positive parenting groups in the UK, supplemented through snowball sampling. Methods Semi-structured interviews produced a rich and detailed qualitative data set, that was analysed through inductive thematic analysis. Results Three major themes are presented, highlighting experiences of (i) institutional cisnormativity in UK schools, (ii) a failure to protect trans children and (iii) evidence of educational injustice. The results demonstrate how institutional cisnormativity leaves trans pupils in unsafe educational environments, contributing to school drop-out and trauma. Conclusions Cisnormative attitudes normalize injustice, making it acceptable for trans children to lose access to education, or to experience trauma in school. Educators, schools and school leaders need to take action to protect trans children in our schools. View on Web

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