Article
Microbiology
David M. Goldfarb, Peter Tilley, Ghada N. Al-Rawahi, Jocelyn A. Srigley, Geoffrey Ford, Heather Pedersen, Abhilasha Pabbi, Stephanie Hannam-Clark, Marthe Charles, Michelle Dittrick, Vijay J. Gadkar, Jeffrey M. Pernica, Linda M. N. Hoang
Summary: This study evaluated the performance, stability, and user acceptability of different self-collected sample types for detecting SARS-CoV-2. Saline mouth rinse/gargle samples showed excellent sensitivity and stability, as well as the highest acceptability scores, making them a promising option for outpatient self-collection in adults and school-aged children.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kenji Ota, Katsunori Yanagihara, Daisuke Sasaki, Norihito Kaku, Naoki Uno, Kei Sakamoto, Kosuke Kosai, Taiga Miyazaki, Hiroo Hasegawa, Ayumi Fujita, Masato Tashiro, Takeshi Tanaka, Koichi Izumikawa, Koya Ariyoshi, Hiroshi Mukae, Jiro Yasuda, Kouichi Morita, Shigeru Kohno
Summary: The study compared quantitative RT-PCR results between nasopharyngeal swabs and saliva specimens from COVID-19 patients on a cruise ship in Nagasaki port, Japan. It found that saliva specimens had a higher positive rate and more accurate viral load detection compared to nasopharyngeal swabs, suggesting that saliva may be a reliable sample for SARS-CoV-2 detection.
Article
Microbiology
Merlin Jayalal Lawrence Panchali, Choon-Mee Kim, Yu-Mi Lee, Jun-Won Seo, Da Young Kim, Na Ra Yun, Dong-Min Kim
Summary: This study investigated the viral load and diagnostic accuracy of upper and lower respiratory specimens infected with SARS-CoV-2 wild-type, delta, and omicron variants. The results showed that omicron variant saliva samples had higher sensitivity and there was no significant difference in viral load between different variants. The study also found no significant difference in viral load between vaccinated and nonvaccinated patients infected with the omicron variant. This study provides important insights into the correlation between saliva samples and other specimen results, regardless of vaccination status.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sylwia M. Berus, Ariadna B. Nowicka, Julia Wieruszewska, Krzysztof Nicinski, Aneta A. Kowalska, Tomasz R. Szymborski, Izabela Drozdz, Maciej Borowiec, Jacek Waluk, Agnieszka Kaminska
Summary: This study used intrinsic surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and chemometric analysis to establish the biochemical fingerprint of SARS-CoV-2 infected human fluids, such as saliva and nasopharyngeal swabs. The numerical methods PLS-DA and SVMC facilitated the identification of viral-specific molecules and molecular changes in the fluids. A reliable classification model was developed to differentiate negative and positive groups. The study also highlighted the role of neopterin as a biomarker for predicting COVID-19 infection.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Antonios Kritikos, Giorgia Caruana, Rene Brouillet, John-Paul Miroz, Samia Abed-Maillard, Geraldine Stieger, Onya Opota, Antony Croxatto, Peter Vollenweider, Pierre-Alexandre Bart, Jean-Daniel Chiche, Gilbert Greub
Summary: The RESTART study found that nasopharyngeal RT-PCR is the most accurate method for COVID-19 diagnosis in hospitalized patients, while salivary RT-PCR can be used as an alternative when nasopharyngeal swabs are not feasible. Nasopharyngeal RATs performed poorly when using the wet-swab approach, and salivary RATs exhibited very low sensitivity. Therefore, RATs are not suitable for hospitalized patients.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Ali Vahidnia, Dennis Souverein, Sjoerd M. Euser, Milly Haverkort, Elise Noordhuis, Thomas Z. I. van Zijl, Jayant Kalpoe, Jan C. Sinnige, Bjorn L. Herpers
Summary: This study compared the technical and clinical performance of saliva samples with oropharyngeal (OP) and nasopharyngeal (NP) samples for SARS-CoV-2 detection. The results showed that the Real-Time Transcription-Mediated Amplification (RT-TMA) assay on the Hologic Panther platform had comparable sensitivity for detecting SARS-CoV-2 in saliva samples and OP/NP swabs from participants with minimal or mild symptoms.
Review
Immunology
Sergio Candel, Sylwia D. D. Tyrkalska, Carmen Alvarez-Santacruz, Victoriano Mulero
Summary: The development of novel culture-independent techniques has significantly advanced the understanding of the nasopharyngeal microbiota and its role in health and disease. Research on the association between the nasopharyngeal microbiota and COVID-19 severity or outcome has yielded controversial results, possibly due to design limitations. This work compiles and discusses relevant results to date, highlighting the limitations and variability of previous studies.
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2023)
Article
Virology
Satoshi Hiroi, Ritsuko Kubota-Koketsu, Tadahiro Sasaki, Saeko Morikawa, Kazushi Motomura, Emi E. Nakayama, Yoshinobu Okuno, Tatsuo Shioda
Summary: The study found that using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and a specific detection technique can quantify infectious SARS-CoV-2 titers in patient samples. The results indicate that the infectious virus titers in saliva samples are significantly lower than those in nasopharyngeal swab samples, and patients who showed symptom resolution ten days after onset were less likely to infect others.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Nicole R. Blumenfeld, Michael Anne E. Bolene, Martin Jaspan, Abigail G. Ayers, Sabin Zarrandikoetxea, Juliet Freudman, Nikhil Shah, Angela M. Tolwani, Yuhang Hu, Terry L. Chern, James Rogot, Vira Behnam, Aditya Sekhar, Xinyi Liu, Bulent Onalir, Robert Kasumi, Abdoulaye Sanogo, Kelia Human, Kasey Murakami, Goutham S. Totapally, Mark Fasciano, Samuel K. Sia
Summary: This study proposes a strategy using plasmonic polymerase chain reaction for multiplexed fluorescence detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in human samples, showing potential as a point-of-care approach. The use of small optical components enables rapid and accurate molecular clinical diagnostics in decentralized settings.
NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Adriana Martinez-Cuazitl, Gustavo J. Vazquez-Zapien, Miguel Sanchez-Brito, Jorge H. Limon-Pacheco, Melissa Guerrero-Ruiz, Francisco Garibay-Gonzalez, Raul J. Delgado-Macuil, Maria G. Garcia de Jesus, Miguel A. Corona-Perezgrovas, Armando Pereyra-Talamantes, Monica M. Mata-Miranda
Summary: This study utilized ATR-FTIR spectroscopy to analyze salivary samples from COVID-19 patients and healthy individuals, establishing specific salivary vibrational modes and successfully differentiating between the two groups using an MLRM model. The COVID-19 patients exhibited symptoms such as low SaO(2), cough, dyspnea, headache, and fever, with elevated levels of C-reactive protein, lactate dehydrogenase, fibrinogen, d-dimer, and ferritin in laboratory tests. Additionally, changes in amide I and immunoglobulin regions were observed in the FTIR spectra analysis, contributing to the discrimination between COVID-19 patients and healthy individuals.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Lorenzo Azzi, Daniela Dalla Gasperina, Giovanni Veronesi, Mariam Shallak, Giuseppe Ietto, Domenico Iovino, Andreina Baj, Francesco Gianfagna, Vittorio Maurino, Daniele Focosi, Fabrizio Maggi, Marco Mario Ferrario, Francesco Dentali, Giulio Carcano, Angelo Tagliabue, Lorenzo Stefano Maffioli, Roberto Sergio Accolla, Greta Forlani
Summary: BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine induces strong systemic immune response but poorly activates mucosal immunity.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Dan H. Barouch
Summary: This article reviews the protective effects of vaccination and prior infection on severe Covid-19, and proposes future research directions.
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Qin Liu, Qi Su, Fen Zhang, Hein M. Tun, Joyce Wing Yan Mak, Grace Chung-Yan Lui, Susanna So Shan Ng, Jessica Y. L. Ching, Amy Li, Wenqi Lu, Chenyu Liu, Chun Pan Cheung, David S. C. Hui, Paul K. S. Chan, Francis Ka Leung Chan, Siew C. Ng
Summary: By integrating clinical features and multi-omics data, the authors identified specific gut microbiome patterns associated with disease severity and development of post-acute COVID-19 syndrome. These findings highlight the potential utility of host phenotype and multi-kingdom microbiota profiling as a prognostic tool for patients with COVID-19.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Lucas C. Lazari, Rodrigo M. Zerbinati, Livia Rosa-Fernandes, Veronica Feijoli Santiago, Klaise F. Rosa, Claudia B. Angeli, Gabriela Schwab, Michelle Palmieri, Dmity J. S. Sarmento, Claudio R. F. Marinho, Janete Dias Almeida, Kelvin To, Simone Giannecchini, Carsten Wrenger, Ester C. Sabino, Herculano Martinho, Jose A. L. Lindoso, Edison L. Durigon, Paulo H. Braz-Silva, Giuseppe Palmisano
Summary: In this study, a prognostic method for COVID-19 was developed using the proteomic profile of saliva samples and machine learning algorithms with MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry technique. The method achieved high accuracy, specificity, and sensitivity in classifying mild/moderate and severe conditions. It has the potential to be a prognostic method for COVID-19 and can be implemented in multiple clinics. Further investigation and larger datasets are needed to consolidate the technique.
JOURNAL OF ORAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ruben Canton-Vitoria, Kotaro Sato, Yashiro Motooka, Shinya Toyokuni, Zheng Liu, Ryo Kitaura
Summary: We made sensors by modifying MoS2 and WS2 surfaces with COVID-19 antibodies and examined their stability, reusability, sensitivity, and selectivity. Antibodies interact strongly with Mo or W sites, resulting in durable devices that remain stable for several days in air or water. The antibodies remain intact even during aggressive cleaning at pH 3, allowing reuse without significant loss of sensitivity. The nanodevice can be used for different patient samples, with a limit of detection of 1 fg ml(-1) at room temperature and a response time of 1 second, showing selectivity against interferences.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Patricia Savio de Araujo-Souza, Mariam El-Zein, Aline do N. Bolpetti, Paulo Cesar Maciag, Tatiana Rabachini, Eduardo L. Franco, Luisa L. Villa
Summary: A study in Brazilian women found that human leukocyte antigen polymorphisms may influence the natural history of human papillomavirus infections, suggesting that genetic factors play a role in the risk of cervical neoplasia.
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jaqueline Carvalho de Oliveira
Summary: Ultraconserved regions (UCRs) are highly conserved genomic elements in humans, mice, and rats. Despite their primarily non-coding nature, some transcribed UCRs (T-UCRs) have been implicated in pathological conditions, particularly cancer. This review focuses on T-UCRs involved in cancer cell signaling and their potential as prognostic markers. Out of 481 T-UCRs, 297 show differential expression in cancer samples, with 23 implicated in tumorigenesis and 12 showing potential as prognostic markers. T-UCRs represent important molecules in cancer networks and have potential clinical implications, but further research is needed.
GENETICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ana Carolina Rodrigues, Erika Pereira Zambalde, Daniel de Lima Bellan, Edvaldo da Silva Trindade, Enilze Maria de Souza Fonseca Ribeiro, George Calin, Daniela Fiori Gradia, Jaqueline Carvalho de Oliveira
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the role of long non-coding RNA lnc-uc.147 in different types of cancer and suggest its functional and regulation aspects. The results showed that deregulated expression of lnc-uc.147 was associated with histologic grade in hepatocellular carcinoma and tumor stage in clear cell renal and gastric adenocarcinoma. Silencing lnc-uc.147 reduced the viability and clonogenic capacity of HepG2 cell lines. Additionally, a relationship between the transcription factor TEAD4 and lnc-uc.147 was suggested in liver and breast cancer cells.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Alexandre Luiz Korte de Azevedo, Tamyres Mingorance Carvalho, Cristiane Sato Mara, Igor Samesima Giner, Jaqueline Carvalho de Oliveira, Daniela Fiori Gradia, Iglenir Joao Cavalli, Enilze M. S. F. Ribeiro
Summary: Metastasis is a complex process in breast cancer that involves multiple steps and gene regulatory networks. Through analysis, several key regulators and mediators, such as E2F1, EGR1, and miR-200c-3p, were identified, which impact overall survival and are potential therapeutic targets. Moreover, miRNAs were found to play a crucial role in mediating feed-forward loops and regulating the expression of metastasis-related genes. These findings contribute to a better understanding of metastasis complexity and offer promising avenues for breast cancer management.
FUNCTIONAL & INTEGRATIVE GENOMICS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Renata Spagolla Napolea, Douglas Adamoski, Alessandra Girasole, Ellen Nogueira Lima, Amauri da Silva Justo-Junior, Romenia Domingues, Ana Clara Caznok Silveira, Rafael Elias Marques, Murilo de Carvalho, Andre Luis Berteli Ambrosio, Adriana Franco Paes Leme, Sandra Martha Gomes Dias
Summary: Ultraviolet C (UVC) light has been used for sterilization, and filtered KrCl excimer lamps emitting at 222 nm have been proposed as safer alternatives. This study compared the effects of UV 254 nm and UV 222 nm on cell viability, DNA damage, protein oxidation, and skin morphology. It found that UV 254 nm caused more alterations in reactive oxygen species and inflammatory responses, but UV 222 nm caused minor damage to the skin and raised concerns about skin regeneration pathways.
JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY B-BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Carolina Mathias, Anelis Maria Marin, Ana Flavia Kohler, Heloisa Bruna Soligo Sanchuki, Natalie Sukow, Marcia Holsbach Beltrame, Suelen Cristina Soares Baal, Ana Paula Martins Sebastiao, Enilze Maria de Souza Fonseca Ribeiro, Daniela Fiori Gradia, Mateus Nobrega Aoki, Jaqueline Carvalho de Oliveira
Summary: Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a type of RNA molecule that do not code for proteins and have a regulatory role. This study identified lncRNA-SNPs with a potential biological role in the development of breast cancer (BC) in the Brazilian population. Certain SNPs were found to be associated with BC development and patient characteristics.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
A. Santos, A. P. Macedo de Souza Brandao, B. M. Hryniewicz, H. Abreu, L. Bach-Toledo, S. Schuster da Silva, A. E. Deller, V. Z. Rogerio, D. S. Baeta Rodrigues, P. M. Hiraiwa, B. G. Guimaraes, L. F. Marchesi, J. Carvalho de Oliveira, D. F. Gradia, F. L. F. Soares, N. I. T. Zanchin, C. Camargo de Oliveira, M. Vidotti
Summary: The rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 requires urgent and accurate diagnosis. Several sensors with different biorecognition elements have been developed to achieve high specificity and sensitivity. However, it is still challenging to combine these parameters with fast detection, simplicity, and portability, especially for identifying biorecognition elements at low concentrations.
MATERIALS TODAY CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Douglas Adamoski, Marilia Meira Dias, Jose Edwin Neciosup Quesnay, Zhengyi Yang, Ievgeniia Zagoriy, Anna M. Steyer, Camila Tanimoto Rodrigues, Alliny Cristiny da Silva Bastos, Bianca Novaes da Silva, Renna Karoline Eloi Costa, Flavia Mayumi Odahara de Abreu, Zeyaul Islam, Alexandre Cassago, Marin Gerard van Heel, Silvio Roberto Consonni, Simone Mattei, Julia Mahamid, Rodrigo Villares Portugal, Andre Luis Berteli Ambrosio, Sandra Martha Gomes Dias
Summary: This study reveals the molecular mechanism of Pi-induced filamentation of mouse GLS and its impact on mitochondrial morphology and recycling.
NATURE STRUCTURAL & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Isisdoris Rodrigues de Souza, Martina Iulini, Valentina Galbiati, Enzo Zini Moreira Silva, Taina Wilke Sivek, Ana Carolina Rodrigues, Daniela Fiori Gradia, Cynthia Bomfim Pestana, Daniela Morais Leme, Emanuela Corsini
Summary: This paper used an integrated in silico-in vitro test approach to assess the skin sensitization and immunomodulatory effects of 4-Octylphenol (OP). The results indicate that OP acts as a skin sensitizer and has immunomodulatory effects.
Review
Oncology
Carolina Mathias, Vanessa Nascimento Kozak, Jessica Maria Magno, Suelen Cristina Soares Baal, Victor Henrique Apolonio dos Santos, Enilze Maria de Souza Fonseca Ribeiro, Daniela Fiori Gradia, Mauro Antonio Alves Castro, Jaqueline Carvalho de Oliveira
Summary: In this article, we review the role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the regulation of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway and in defining immune-related prognostic signatures in various types of tumors. We also identify two lncRNAs, UCA1 and HCP5, which have not yet been studied in the context of the tumoral immune response in breast cancer, but may have potential as biomarkers for the response to immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Renna K. E. Costa, Guilherme A. Brancaglion, Matheus P. Pinheiro, Douglas Adamoski, Bianca N. da Silva, Cyro Z. de V. Negrao, Kaliandra de A. Goncalves, Camila T. Rodrigues, Andre L. B. Ambrosio, Rafael V. C. Guido, Julio C. Pastre, Sandra M. G. Dias
Summary: Cancer cells rely on glucose metabolism, but also have an increased dependency on glutamine metabolism. Glutaminase inhibitors could be a potential therapeutic target for cancer treatment. The molecule C12 shows promise in inhibiting glutaminase activity and could be useful for developing new inhibitors.
RESULTS IN CHEMISTRY
(2023)
