Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Vittoria Lutje, Katrin Probyn, Jorge Seixas, Hanna Bergman, Gemma Villanueva
Summary: The study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of current drugs for treating second-stage Trypanosoma brucei gambiense trypanosomiasis. Oral treatment with fexinidazole is easier to administer but may lead to higher mortality and relapse compared to conventional treatment.
COCHRANE DATABASE OF SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Victor Kande Betu Ku Mesu, Wilfried Mutombo Kalonji, Clelia Bardonneau, Olaf Valverde Mordt, Digas Ngolo Tete, Severine Blesson, Francois Simon, Sophie Delhomme, Sonja Bernhard, Helene Mahenzi Mbembo, Christian Mpia Moke, Steven Lumeya Vuvu, Junior Mudji E'kitiak, Felix Akwaso Masa, Melchias Mukendi Ilunga, Dieudonne Mpoyi Muamba Nzambi, Tim Mayala Malu, Serge Kapongo Tshilumbwa, Franck Botalema Bolengi, Mathieu Nkieri Matsho, Crispin Lumbala, Bruno Scherrer, Nathalie Strub-Wourgaft, Antoine Tarral
Summary: The study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of fexinidazole in early-stage human African trypanosomiasis, showing that fexinidazole is a valuable first-line treatment option in the early stages of g-HAT, with high treatment success rates and no new safety issues observed.
LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Benoit Stijlemans, Maxime Schoovaerts, Patrick De Baetselier, Stefan Magez, Carl De Trez
Summary: African trypanosome infection can lead to a seesaw balance between protective immunity and excessive inflammation, with the roles of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) being crucial in modulating the host immune microenvironment. Blocking MIF and promoting IL-10 receptor signaling pathways could potentially be used as therapy to counteract immunopathology development.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Pediatrics
Etedal Ahmed A. Ibrahim, Mohammed Gasm Elseed M. Elmahal, Khabab Abbasher Hussien Mohamed Ahmed, Elfatih A. Hasabo, Mohammed Eltahier Abdalla Omer
Summary: This case emphasizes the atypical neurological symptoms of late second-stage African trypanosomiasis, particularly non-convulsive status epilepticus. Patients showing progressive cognitive decline and behavioral changes may need to be suspected of African trypanosomiasis and undergo routine electroencephalogram (EEG) testing.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Milim Kim, Hye Yeon Choi, Ji Won Woo, Yul Ri Chung, So Yeon Park
Summary: The study revealed that CXCL10 plays an important role in promoting tumor cell proliferation, invasion, and immune cell infiltration in breast cancer, suggesting its contribution in the progression from DCIS to invasive carcinoma.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
Shin Eui Kang, Jin Kyun Park, Hyun Jung Yoo, Heun-Soo Kang, Young Woo Park, Bum-Chan Park, Jae-Eun Park, Eun Young Lee, Eun Bong Lee, Yeong Wook Song
Summary: The study generated a novel BsAb targeting both TNF-alpha and CXCL10, showing efficacy in inhibiting inflammation and bone destruction in RA models, suggesting a new therapeutic opportunity for RA patients who do not respond to single cytokine blockade.
TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biology
Abirami Rajavel, Selina Klees, Yuehan Hui, Armin Otto Schmitt, Mehmet Gultas
Summary: Climate change increases the risk of spreading vector-borne diseases like African Animal Trypanosomiasis (AAT). This study investigates the genetic mechanisms involved in AAT susceptibility and tolerance in cattle breeds. The findings provide insights into the regulatory SNPs, gene expression profiles, and downstream effectors associated with AAT, contributing to a better understanding of resistance and susceptibility in cattle breeds.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Pieter C. Steketee, Federica Giordani, Isabel M. Vincent, Kathryn Crouch, Fiona Achcar, Nicholas J. Dickens, Liam J. Morrison, Annette Macleod, Michael P. Barrett
Summary: Acoziborole, a newly developed benzoxaborole, shows promise in treating Human African Trypanosomiasis and potentially reducing drug resistance.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Livio Racane, Lucija Pticek, Sanja Kostrun, Silvana Raic-Malic, Martin Craig Taylor, Michael Delves, Sam Alsford, Francisco Olmo, Amanda Fortes Francisco, John M. Kelly
Summary: We designed and synthesized a series of symmetric benzothiazole derivatives and evaluated their efficacy against Trypanosoma brucei and Plasmodium falciparum. One compound showed high selectivity and trypanocidal activity, curing mice infected with trypanosomiasis. It also exhibited activity against the malaria parasite.
JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Daniela Bevanda Glibo, Danijel Bevanda, Katarina Vukojevic, Snjezana Tomic
Summary: The immunohistochemical level of IMP3 protein in rectal cancer patients in clinical stage II is correlated with various sociodemographic, pathohistological, and clinical indicators, as well as overall survival and progression-free survival duration. IMP3 positivity is associated with vascular invasion and is identified as an independent prognostic factor for clinical stage II rectal cancer. Patients with high IMP3 protein levels tend to have a shorter overall survival compared to those with low levels or without IMP3 expression.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Xia Shi, Weihua Li, Zhanyong Guo, Mingbo Wu, Xiangge Zhang, Liang Yuan, Xiaoqian Qiu, Ye Xing, Xiaojing Sun, Huiling Xie, Jihua Tang
Summary: In this study, the researchers analyzed the transcriptomic changes in the ear inflorescence meristems of maize hybrids to understand the mechanisms underlying heterosis. They identified a large number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs), some of which showed additive expression, while others exhibited non-additive or allele-specific expression patterns. These DEGs were significantly enriched in metabolic processes, plant organ morphogenesis, and hormone regulation, suggesting their importance in heterosis. The study also found differential expression of critical genes involved in auxin metabolism and ear development, which may affect the transcriptional control and contribute to heterosis.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Lucia Aidos, Alessandra Cafiso, Annalaura Lopez, Mauro Vasconi, Luisa M. P. Valente, Chiara Bazzocchi, Alessia Di Giancamillo
Summary: This study compared the effects of two different substrates on the Siberian sturgeon larvae during the endogenous feeding stage, finding that a specific substrate may positively impact growth, but further research is needed during the exogenous feeding stage.
Review
Immunology
Soudeh Ghafouri-Fard, Tayyebeh Khoshbakht, Bashdar Mahmud Hussen, Mohammad Taheri, Normohammad Arefian
Summary: Sepsis results from inflammatory response to microbial agents and can lead to multiple organ system failure. Non-coding RNAs such as lncRNAs, miRNAs, and circRNAs have been found to play a role in the pathogenesis of sepsis-related complications.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Hematology
Joao Neves, Ana C. Gomes, David M. Costa, Carolina Barroso, Sophie Vaulont, Anabela Cordeiro da Silva, Joana Tavares, Pedro N. S. Rodrigues
Summary: This study using murine models reveals that anemia in trypanosomiasis progresses through two stages, with hepcidin playing a key role in limiting iron availability and erythropoiesis during the development phase, and subsequently promoting iron release and enhanced erythropoiesis during the recovery phase. Hepcidin clearly contributes significantly to the development and recovery of anemia in trypanosomiasis, as demonstrated by the differences in anemia severity and recovery between hepcidin knockout mice and wild-type animals.
Article
Dermatology
M. Z. X. Xiao, D. Hennessey, A. Iyer, S. O'Keefe, F. Zhang, A. Sivanand, R. Gniadecki
Summary: The study revealed that progression in Mycosis fungoides (MF) is associated with the activation of cell proliferation, survival, as well as the Th2/Th9 signaling pathway in malignant cells. There is evidence of cell migration between late-stage lesions, suggesting a possibility of cell percolation between different skin lesions.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Christian Ulrich von Linstow, Jonas Waider, Marianne Skov-Skov Bergh, Marco Anzalone, Cecilie Madsen, Aina Battle Nicolau, Martin Wirenfeldt, Klaus-Peter Lesch, Bente Finsen
Summary: This study investigates the impact of targeted inactivation of Tph2 on amyloidosis in transgenic mice. The results suggest that Tph2 inactivation does not affect the levels of A beta, but it does influence the processing of A beta PP. Additionally, 5-HT may play a protective role in the viability of APP/PS1 mice.
JOURNAL OF ALZHEIMERS DISEASE
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Richard Idro, Rodney Ogwang, Antonio Barragan, Joseph Valentino Raimondo, Willias Masocha
Summary: Parasitic infections of the central nervous system are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in Africa, with neurological, cognitive, and psychiatric sequelae resulting from the interaction between parasites and host immune response. The review covers diseases caused by various parasitic organisms affecting the nervous system, detailing their geographical distribution, prevalence, life cycle, clinical symptoms, and pathogenesis. The understanding of these processes may guide optimal diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for these disorders, while also highlighting gaps in knowledge and the need for further research on neglected neurological disorders.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Leonard Ngarka, Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo, Esraa Aly, Willias Masocha, Alfred K. Njamnshi
Summary: Neurological disorders related to neuroinfections are highly prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), with epilepsy, dementia, motor neuron diseases, headache disorders, sleep disorders, and peripheral neuropathy being major health concerns. These disorders are often associated with HIV infection, as well as other infections such as toxoplasmosis and malaria. The pathogenesis involves the direct role of the virus, antiretroviral treatments, and immune system dysregulation.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Mithula Sivasaravanaparan, Louise Orum Olesen, Maurizio Severino, Christian Ulrich von Linstow, Kate Lykke Lambertsen, Jan Bert Gramsbergen, Jorgen Hasselstrom, Athanasios Metaxas, Ove Wiborg, Bente Finsen
Summary: Chronic treatment with the SSRI paroxetine does not mitigate A beta pathology and A beta plaque-induced microgliosis in the hippocampus of APP(swe)/PS1(Delta E9) mice.
JOURNAL OF ALZHEIMERS DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jens D. Mikkelsen, Sanjay S. Aripaka, Sif Kaad, Burcu A. Pazarlar, Lars Pinborg, Bente Finsen, Andrea Varrone, Benny Bang-Andersen, Jesper F. Bastlund
Summary: A newly developed radioligand [JNJ-64413739] that selectively binds to the purinergic receptor P2X7R has been found to detect neuroinflammation in the brain. The binding properties of JNJ-64413739 in human brain tissue were investigated, and it was found to have different binding abilities in gray and white matter. These findings demonstrate that JNJ-64413739 is suitable for evaluating the distribution and expression of P2X7R in the human brain.
ACS CHEMICAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Birgitte Villadsen, Camilla Thygesen, Manuela Grebing, Stefan J. Kempf, Marie B. Sandberg, Pia Jensen, Stefanie H. Kolstrup, Helle H. Nielsen, Martin R. Larsen, Bente Finsen
Summary: Ceruloplasmin (Cp) is a multicopper oxidase with important roles in iron and copper regulation. Cp deficiency can lead to aceruloplasminemia, which is characterized by neurological symptoms. This study compared the brain proteome in Cp-deficient and wild-type mice, revealing that Cp deficiency affects proteins involved in neuronal projections, synaptic signaling, cellular mRNA processing, and neurodegenerative disease and diabetes. Cp deficiency also affects iron concentration and transferrin saturation, potentially impacting protein and lipid synthesis.
JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Loulieta Nazerai, Shona Caroline Willis, Patricio Yankilevich, Luca Di Leo, Francesca Maria Bosisio, Alex Frias, Corine Bertolotto, Jacob Nersting, Maria Thastrup, Soren Buus, Allan Randrup Thomsen, Morten Nielsen, Kristoffer Staal Rohrberg, Kjeld Schmiegelow, Daniela De Zio
Summary: This study used the drug 6TG to induce mutations in tumor cells and increase the level of neoepitopes, enhancing the immune response. 6TG exposure increased tumor mutational burden and reshaped the tumor microenvironment, making the tumors more responsive to immune-checkpoint blockade.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Elena Gardella, Roberto Michelucci, Hanne M. Christensen, Christina D. Fenger, Chiara Reale, Patrizia Riguzzi, Elena Pasini, Luca Albini-Riccioli, Valentina Papa, Maria Pia Foschini, Giovanna Cenacchi, Francesca Furia, Dragan Marjanovic, Trine B. Hammer, Rikke S. Moller, Guido Rubboli
Summary: IRF2BPL has been identified as a new cause of neurodevelopmental disorders, presenting with multisystemic regression, epilepsy, cerebellar symptoms, dysphagia, dystonia, and pyramidal signs. This study describes a novel IRF2BPL phenotype consistent with progressive myoclonus epilepsy (PME) in three subjects and reviews previous cases. The findings suggest that PME can be an additional phenotype within the spectrum of IRF2BPL-related disorders and IRF2BPL as a novel causative gene for PME.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maryam W. Al-HadlaQ, Willias Masocha
Summary: Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), used for treating HIV infection, can cause neuropathic pain (NP) and neuroinflammation. A study found that the NRTI drug 2'-3'-dideoxycytidine (ddC) induced mechanical allodynia and increased inflammatory cytokines in the brains of female mice. Different immune cell activation patterns were observed in male and female mice, with microglia activation being important in males and T cell activation being important in females.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Allan Bayat, Zhenjiang Liu, Sheng Luo, Christina D. Fenger, Anne F. Hojte, Bertrand Isidor, Benjamin Cogne, Austin Larson, Caterina Zanus, Flavio Faletra, Boris Keren, Luciana Musante, Isabelle Gourfikel-An, Charles Perrine, Caroline Demily, Gaeton Lesca, Weiping Liao, Dejian Ren
Summary: This study identified genetic variants in the UNC79 gene that are associated with neurological pathologies, including cognitive impairment and developmental delay.
GENETICS IN MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maryam W. Alhadlaq, Willias Masocha
Summary: Microglia activation and p38 MAPK signaling play crucial roles in the development of neuropathic pain caused by antiretroviral drugs. In this study, male and female mice treated with ddC showed increased microglia activation and p38 MAPK phosphorylation. Treatment with microglia and p38 MAPK inhibitors effectively suppressed mechanical allodynia induced by ddC in both sexes. These findings highlight the importance of microglia and p38 MAPK in the pathogenesis of drug-induced neuropathic pain.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Neha Munawar, Milad S. Bitar, Willias Masocha
Summary: This study investigates the role of serotoninergic nervous system in diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP) and suggests that treatment with 8-OH-DPAT, a selective 5-HT1AR agonist, could be effective in alleviating DNP symptoms.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Jens D. Mikkelsen, Sif Kaad, Sanjay S. Aripaka, Bente Finsen
Summary: Histological and biochemical analyses have shown neurodegenerative changes in the cerebral cortex of patients with AD, suggesting a loss of synapses. PET imaging of SV2A has demonstrated reduced synapse density in the hippocampus of AD patients. This study found significantly lower UCB-J binding in the frontal cortex of AD patients, which negatively correlated with age, indicating the potential of SV2A as an important biomarker in AD.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF AGING
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Egle Paskeviciute, Mei Chen, Heping Xu, Bent Honore, Henrik Vorum, Torben Lykke Sorensen, Jan Pravsgaard Christensen, Allan Randrup Thomsen, Mogens Holst Nissen, Maria Abildgaard Steffensen
Summary: Evidence suggests that immune privileged sites such as the CNS and retina may be more involved in the systemic response to infection than previously believed. A study showed that acute virus infection in mice leads to infiltration of CD8 T cells in the brain and retina, independent of virus infection inside the retina. The retina undergoes immune surveillance during systemic infection through mechanisms similar to non-privileged tissues.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Sara Thornby Bak, Eva Bang Harvald, Ditte Gry Ellman, Sabrina Bech Mathiesen, Ting Chen, Shu Fang, Kristian Skriver Andersen, Christina Duhring Fenger, Mark Burton, Mads Thomassen, Ditte Caroline Andersen
Summary: While fetal heart CMs divide, postnatal CMs become binucleated or polyploid due to the lack of karyokinesis and/or cytokinesis, hindering heart regeneration. This study uses scRNA-seq to identify TFs involved in CM proliferation and terminal differentiation. By combining FACS and scRNA-seq, the researchers generate high-resolution transcriptomic maps of diploid and tetraploid CMs, revealing ZEB1 as a key regulator of CM proliferation and endoreplication.
BASIC RESEARCH IN CARDIOLOGY
(2023)
