Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Yuning Zhang, Veenu Bala, Yashpal S. Chhonker, Wafaa N. Aldhafiri, Lucy N. John, Catherine M. Bjerum, Christopher L. King, Oriol Mitja, Michael Marks, Daryl J. Murry
Summary: A high-throughput LC-MS/MS method was developed and validated for quantifying azithromycin concentrations in human plasma. The method is rapid, sensitive, and specific, making it suitable for processing a large number of samples.
BIOMEDICAL CHROMATOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Rebecca L. Brander, Marcia R. Weaver, Patricia B. Pavlinac, Grace C. John-Stewart, Stephen E. Hawes, Judd L. Walson
Summary: Targeted administration of azithromycin to high-risk children may be a cost-effective strategy to reduce child mortality while minimizing antibiotic exposure. However, it may not reach all children who would benefit, and the implications for antibiotic resistance must be considered.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Nishanth Parameswaran, Oriol Mitja, Christian Bottomley, Cynthia Kwakye, Wendy Houinei, Allan Pillay, Damien Danavall, Kai-Hua Chi, Ronald C. Ballard, Anthony W. Solomon, Cheng Y. Chen, Sibauk Bieb, Yaw Adu-Sarkodie, David C. W. Mabey, Kingsley Asiedu, Michael Marks, Diana L. Martin
Summary: WHO and its partners are working towards stopping the transmission of yaws in endemic countries and certifying others as yaws-free. An assessment of transmission using rapid plasma reagin (RPR) tests is operationally impractical, leading to the evaluation of changes in antibody levels against two recombinant treponemal antigens post antibiotic treatment. Results showed a significant decrease in anti-TmpA antibodies within 6 months of treatment, while anti-rp17 antibodies remained relatively stable. Incorporating responses to TmpA as a marker of recent infection could help prioritize areas for yaws mapping.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Holly R. Smith, Emily H. Canessa, Runia Roy, Rita Spathis, Michel Shamoon Pour, Yetrib Hathout
Summary: This study used mass spectrometry to detect pathogen proteins in black-legged ticks, and found that these ticks carried various pathogens, including Lyme disease and Rickettsia. Analysis of individual ticks revealed the presence of different pathogens.
ANALYTICAL AND BIOANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Alexander Drilon, Manish R. Sharma, Melissa L. Johnson, Timothy A. Yap, Shirish Gadgeel, Dale Nepert, Gang Feng, Micaela B. Reddy, Allison S. Harney, Mohamed Elsayed, Adam W. Cook, Christina E. Wong, Ronald J. Hinklin, Yutong Jiang, Eric N. Brown, Nickolas A. Neitzel, Ellen R. Laird, Wen - Wu, Anurag Singh, Ping Wei, Keith A. Ching, John J. Gaudino, Patrice A. Lee, Dylan P. Hartley, S. Michael Rothenberg
Summary: PF-07284892, an allosteric SHP2 inhibitor, combined with various oncogenic driver inhibitors, overcame bypass-signaling-mediated resistance in clinical settings. This combination therapy showed significant tumor and circulating tumor DNA responses, extending the duration of overall clinical benefit in patients with targeted therapy resistance in lung, colorectal, ovarian, and pancreatic cancer.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Matthias Karer, Teresa Haider, Manuel Kussmann, Markus Obermueller, Claas Tiehen, Heinz Burgmann, Heimo Lagler, Ludwig Traby
Summary: This study investigated the efficacy of a single intravenous dose of azithromycin for the treatment of pulmonary legionellosis. The results showed that single-dose azithromycin treatment was equally effective as conventional treatment regimens and had the advantage of shorter hospital stay and antibiotic treatment duration.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Decibel P. Elpa, Chamarthi Maheswar Raju, Hsien-Yi Chiu, Shu-Pao Wu, Pawel L. Urban
Summary: A facile and rapid skin metabolomics protocol using a liquid microjunction-surface sampling probe system and hydrogel probes has been proposed. The method has been validated for the analysis of choline as a putative biomarker of psoriasis, and potential biomarkers including choline, pipecolic acid, ornithine, urocanic acid, and methionine have been identified. The developed method provides a quick and accurate analysis of skin metabolites in a clinical setting.
ANALYTICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Fenfen Li, Ying Zhao, Zhaoxia Cheng, Yazhou Wang, Yale Yue, Xiaoyu Cheng, Jingyi Sun, Mona Atabakhshi-Kashi, Jundong Yao, Jianping Dou, Jie Yu, Xiuping Zhang, Yingqiu Qi, Xiaotian Li, Xiaolong Qi, Guangjun Nie
Summary: This study presents an integrated systemic strategy for liver fibrosis treatment by pretreating with the soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator, riociguat, followed by targeted delivery of the anti-fibrosis agent, JQ1, using peptide-nanoparticles. The riociguat reverses liver sinusoid capillarization to facilitate the transport of JQ1 through the liver sinusoid endothelium wall and enhance its accumulation in the Disse space. The strategy results in significant fibrosis resolution in fibrotic mice. Restoring liver sinusoidal endothelial cell fenestrae by riociguat represents a promising approach for liver fibrosis treatment.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Maria Schmidt, Lena Suenke Mortensen, Henry Loeffler-Wirth, Corinna Kosnopfel, Knut Krohn, Hans Binder, Manfred Kunz
Summary: This study utilized single-cell transcriptomic analyses to investigate mechanisms of melanoma resistance to single and double-agent treatments, identifying distinct trajectories of resistance development and associated mechanisms.
CANCER BIOLOGY & MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yulong Jin, Pradeep K. Mandal, Juntian Wu, Niklas Boecher, Ivan Huc, Sijbren Otto
Summary: Dynamic foldamers, synthetic folded molecules that can change conformation in response to external stimulus, are leading the field of foldamer chemistry. This study presents a size-and shape-switching small dynamic covalent foldamer network that responds to changes in pH. Acidic conditions lead to the oligomerization of a dipeptide-based building block into a 16 subunit macrocycle, while higher pH yields a smaller cyclic foldamer. Both foldamers can readily interconvert upon adjusting the pH. The ability to access multiple discrete foldamers from a single building block is unique and promising for the development of foldamers with adaptive behavior.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Jinwoo Shin, Yuling Xu, Seyoung Koo, Jong Hyeon Lim, Jin Yong Lee, Amit Sharma, Yao Sun, Jong Seung Kim
Summary: A novel mitochondria-targeted nanotheranostic formulation was developed for dual-mode imaging and phototherapy under single laser excitation. By optimizing photon utilization, the formulation can switch between photodynamic therapy and photothermal therapy in different oxygen environments, maximizing therapeutic efficacy.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Anuj Kumar, Chhaya Sharma
Summary: Fine-tuning of the mass spectrometer is crucial for analysis of test samples, as it improves performance, ensures fault-free operation, and reduces the limit of detection. Using a Taguchi model for tuning the spectrometer saves time and yields highly correlated results with actual values.
MICROCHEMICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ana Martinez-Val, Kyle Fort, Claire Koenig, Leander van der Hoeven, Giulia Franciosa, Thomas Moehring, Yasushi Ishihama, Yu-ju Chen, Alexander Makarov, Yue Xuan, Jesper V. Olsen
Summary: This article presents a hybrid data-independent acquisition (DIA) strategy that combines targeted and discovery proteomics to achieve sufficient coverage of regulatory phosphorylation sites. By benchmarking against state-of-the-art targeted MS methods, the authors demonstrate the quantitative accuracy and sensitivity of hybrid-DIA and its ability to profile the global phosphoproteome. The robustness, sensitivity, and biomedical potential of hybrid-DIA are further demonstrated through profiling chemotherapeutic agents in single colon carcinoma multicellular spheroids and evaluating phospho-signaling differences in cancer cells.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Pelin Yildiz, Sureyya Ozcan
Summary: Recent advances in proteomics technologies have allowed for high-throughput analysis of thousands of proteins. In this study, the correlation between protein concentration and corresponding unique peptide responses was investigated under conventional proteolytic digestion conditions. The results indicate that reproducible peptide signals could be misleading in clinical studies and that peptide selection could significantly impact the protein level outcome. This study is the first to explore quantitative protein-peptide correlations in biological samples using all unique peptides representing the same protein, and it opens up a discussion on peptide-based proteomics.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Stephanie Cheung, Alessandra Parrella, Danielle Tavares, Derek Keating, Philip Xie, Zev Rosenwaks, Gianpiero D. Palermo
Summary: The study characterized the sperm structural and genomic characteristics of men with partial and complete globozoospermic conditions to identify the best reproductive treatment. There were no significant differences in histone content, sperm chromatin integrity, and sperm aneuploidy between PG and CG men. Evaluating OASCF and treatment methods led to improved fertilization and clinical pregnancy rates in CG men.
JOURNAL OF ASSISTED REPRODUCTION AND GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Nuria Torre Monmany, Joaquin Americo Astete, Dasarath Ramaiah, Jyothi Suchitra, Xavier Krauel, Manolo Fillol, Yadamala Balasubbaiah, Ana Alarcon, Quique Bassat
Summary: This study describes the status of perinatal mortality in an Indian rural hospital. The results show that antepartum complications are the main cause of perinatal deaths, while infections, congenital malformations, and prematurity are the main causes of neonatal deaths. The stillbirth rate is 11.8/1,000 births, neonatal mortality rate is 4.4/1,000 livebirths, and perinatal mortality rate is 15.8/1,000 births.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PERINATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Ermengol Coma, Marti Catala, Leonardo Mendez-Boo, Sergio Alonso, Eduardo Hermosilla, Enric Alvarez-Lacalle, David Pino, Manuel Medina, Laia Asso, Anna Gatell, Quique Bassat, Ariadna Mas, Antoni Soriano-Arandes, Francesc Fina Aviles, Clara Prats
Summary: This study investigates the effectiveness of mandating face covering masks in schools in reducing COVID-19 transmission. Results show that there were no significant differences in SARS-CoV-2 incidence or transmission between children who were mandated to wear masks and those who were not. Age was found to be the most important factor in explaining transmission risk among school children.
ARCHIVES OF DISEASE IN CHILDHOOD
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Yvette N. N. Lowensteyn, Joukje E. E. Willemsen, Natalie I. I. Mazur, Nienke M. M. Scheltema, Nynke C. J. van Haastregt, Amber A. A. ten Buuren, Ichelle van Roessel, Dunja Scheepmaker, Harish Nair, Peter M. M. van de Ven, Louis J. J. Bont
Summary: This study provides the first global case series of children dying with nosocomial RSV infection. Infant-targeted immunization strategies in the future could prevent the majority of nosocomial RSV-related deaths. Although nosocomial RSV deaths are expected to occur at highest rates in low- and lower-middle-income countries (LMICs), the reported number of these deaths was low in these countries. Hospital-based surveillance is needed to capture the full burden of nosocomial RSV mortality in LMICs.
PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Adam C. Levine, Yuriko Fukuta, Moises A. Huaman, Jiangda Ou, Barry R. Meisenberg, Bela Patel, James H. Paxton, Daniel F. Hanley, Bart J. A. Rijnders, Arvind Gharbharan, Casper Rokx, Jaap Jan Zwaginga, Andrea Alemany, Oriol Mitja, Dan Ouchi, Pere Millat-Martinez, Valerie Durkalski-Mauldin, Frederick K. Korley, Larry J. Dumont, Clifton W. Callaway, Romina Libster, Gonzalo Perez Marc, Diego Wappner, Ignacio Esteban, Fernando Polack, David J. Sullivan
Summary: COVID-19 convalescent plasma treatment can reduce the risk of hospitalization, especially when administered within 5 days of symptom onset and with higher antibody titers.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Oriol Mitja, Andrea Alemany, Michael Marks, Jezer I. Lezama Mora, Juan Carlos Rodriguez-Aldama, Mayara Secco Torres Silva, Ever Arturo Corral Herrera, Brenda Crabtree-Ramirez, Jose Luis Blanco, Nicolo Girometti, Valentina Mazzotta, Aniruddha Hazra, Macarena Silva, Juan Jose Montenegro-Idrogo, Kelly Gebo, Jade Ghosn, Maria Fernanda Pena Vazquez, Eduardo Matos Prado, Uche Unigwe, Judit Villar-Garcia, Noah Wald-Dickler, Jason Zucker, Roger Paredes, Alexandra Calmy, Laura Waters, Cristina Galvan-Casas, Sharon Walmsley, Chloe M. Orkin
Summary: In the 2022 multicountry mpox outbreak, 38-50% of those affected were people living with HIV. Clinical outcomes and mortality were worse in people with more advanced HIV.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Amir Ariff, Yong Song, Ruth Aguilar, Augusto Nhabomba, Maria Nelia Manaca, Siew-Kim Khoo, Selma Wiertsema, Quique Bassat, Arnoldo Barbosa, Llorenc Quinto, Ingrid A. Laing, Caterina Guinovart, Pedro L. Alonso, Carlota Dobano, Peter Le Souef, Guicheng Zhang
Summary: In a randomized controlled clinical trial in Mozambique, researchers found significant associations between TLR4 gene and related genes with the incidence of clinical malaria. These findings suggest a potential central role of TLR4 in the pathogenesis of clinical malaria.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Amilcar Magaco, Maria Maixenchs, Yury Macete, Nelson Escritorio, Raquel Mucor, Antonio Calia, Antonio Sitoe, Elisio Xirinda, Pio Vitorino, Mischka Garel, Robert F. Breiman, Agbessi Amouzou, Quique Bassat, Inacio Mandomando, John Blevins, Khatia Munguambe
Summary: The Mozambique COMSA Program implemented child mortality surveillance and conducted minimally invasive tissue sampling (MITS) on deceased children in addition to cause of death determination. A qualitative study found that some participants did not fully understand the MITS procedure despite the informed consent process due to unclear information and their state of mind after their loss. Factors such as family disagreement, dissatisfaction with the condition of the body after tissue collection, and delays in receiving the body and organizing the funeral increased stress and compromised the acceptability of MITS.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Andrea Alemany, Pere Millat-Martinez, Marc Corbacho-Monne, Clara Suner, Cristina Galvan-Casas, Caty Carrera, Dan Ouchi, Nuria Prat, Jordi Ara, Nuria Nadal, Ricard Riel, Blanca Funollet, Carmen Ojeda-Ciurana, Lluis Esteve Balague, Betlem Salvador-Gonzalez, Anna Forcada Arcarons, Josep Vidal-Alaball, Maria Isabel Del Cura-Gonzalez, Ricardo Rodriguez Barrientos, Rafel Ramos-Blanes, Alberto Alum Bou, Elsa Mondou, Mireia Torres, Neus Campins, Ana Sanz, Yonggiang Tang, Miquel Angel Rodriguez-Arias, Quique Bassat, Bonaventura Clotet, Oriol Mitja
Summary: This study assessed the safety and efficacy of subcutaneous anti-COVID-19 hyperimmune immunoglobulin 20% (C19-IG20%) in preventing the development of symptomatic COVID-19 in asymptomatic individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The results showed that C19-IG20% did not prevent asymptomatic individuals from developing symptomatic COVID-19.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Claudia Gomes, Rosauro Varo, Miquel Duran-Frigola, Antonio Sitoe, Rubio Bila, Sonia Machevo, Alfredo Mayor, Quique Bassat, Ana Rodriguez
Summary: Malaria can progress from an uncomplicated infection to a life-threatening severe disease. Early symptoms are often nonspecific, making it difficult to identify patients at high risk. By analyzing the transcriptomic response of human brain microvascular endothelial cells to Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes, several biomarkers have been identified to distinguish uncomplicated from severe malaria, as well as to differentiate children with cerebral malaria within the severe malaria group.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Oriol Mitja, Clara Suner, Lorenzo Giacani, Marti Vall-Mayans, George-Sorin Tiplica, Jonathan D. C. Ross, Catriona S. Bradshaw
Summary: This review explores the therapeutic challenges of sexually transmitted infections in Europe, focusing on gonorrhoea, Mycoplasma genitalium, and syphilis infections. The review highlights the increasing antimicrobial resistance and limited progress in drug discovery. It provides insights on potential strategies and ongoing evaluation of new antimicrobials to address these challenges and emphasizes the importance of resistance-guided therapy and limited alternative options in regions with high resistance levels.
LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH-EUROPE
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Deniz Gokengin, Teymur Noori, Andrea Alemany, Carlo Bienkowski, Geoffroy Liegon, Jorge Carrillo, Ahmet Cagkan Inkaya, Georg Stary, Katja Knapp, Oriol Mitja, Jean-Michel Molina
Summary: This comprehensive narrative review highlights the current prevention efforts for STIs, HIV, and viral hepatitis in the WHO European Region, particularly in the Central and Eastern subregions. The review discusses achievements, persisting challenges, and new developments that could have a significant impact on the prevention of these infections. It explores innovative approaches, vaccination campaigns, and challenges in HIV vaccine research, emphasizing the research endeavors that pave the way for a more resilient and robust approach to combating STIs, HIV, and viral hepatitis in the region.
LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH-EUROPE
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Oriol Mitja, Valeska Padovese, Cinta Folch, Isotta Rossoni, Michael Marks, Miquel Angel Rodriguez i Arias, Amalio Telenti, Angela Ciuf, Karel Blondeel, Otilia Mardh, Jordi Casabona
Summary: This scoping review provides a comprehensive understanding of the current and recent epidemiology, challenges, and emerging issues of bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the WHO European Region. The review highlights higher notification rates in Northern and Western countries compared to other regions, and emphasizes the need for harmonized STI surveillance systems, proactive strategies, and staying vigilant for emerging STIs.
LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH-EUROPE
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Maria Hernandez-Garcia, Quique Bassat, Victoria Fumado, Gil Rodas, Ramon Pi, Maite Miranda-Garcia, Monica Girona-Alarcon, Marti Catala, Sergio Alonso, Enrique Alvarez-Lacalle, Daniel Lopez, Maria Mele-Casas, Gemma Pons-Tomas, Mariona F. de Sevilla, Elisenda Bonet-Carne, Claudia Fortuny, Aleix Garcia-Miquel, Cristina Jou, Cristina Adroher, Joana Claverol, Marta Cubells, Anna Codina, Daniel Cuadras, Eduard Gratacos, Pedro Brotons, Carmen Munoz-Almagro, Clara Prats, Juan Jose Garcia-Garcia, Iolanda Jordan
Summary: Studies show that engaging in physical activities in stable sports teams is not associated with an increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission, whereas indoor sports and closed living settings can increase the risk. Fulfillment of preventive measures is essential.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS
(2023)
Letter
Immunology
Nuria Balanza, Caroline K. Francis, Valerie M. Crowley, Andrea M. Weckman, Kathleen Zhong, Barbara Baro, Rosauro Varo, Quique Bassat, Kevin C. Kain
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)