Microfluidics-based diagnostics of infectious diseases in the developing world

One of the great challenges in science and engineering today is to develop technologies to improve the health of people in the poorest regions of the world. Here we integrated new procedures for manufacturing, fluid handling and signal detection in microfluidics into a single, easy-to-use point-of-care (POC) assay that faithfully replicates all steps of ELISA, at a lower total material cost. We performed this 'mChip' assay in Rwanda on hundreds of locally collected human samples. The chip had excellent performance in the diagnosis of HIV using only 1 μl of unprocessed whole blood and an ability to simultaneously diagnose HIV and syphilis with sensitivities and specificities that rival those of reference benchtop assays. Unlike most current rapid tests, the mChip test does not require user interpretation of the signal. Overall, we demonstrate an integrated strategy for miniaturizing complex laboratory assays using microfluidics and nanoparticles to enable POC diagnostics and early detection of infectious diseases in remote settings.     

Role of proteomics in translational research in cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer morbidity and mortality in women worldwide. More than 98% of cases are related to a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Infection with specific subtypes of HPV has been strongly implicated in cervical carcinogenesis. The identification and functional verification of host proteins associated with HPV E6 and E7 oncoproteins may provide useful information for understanding cervical carcinogenesis and the development of cervical cancer-specific markers. In addition, proteomic profiling of altered proteins by anticancer drugs on cervical cancer cells may contribute to providing the fundamental resources for investigation of disease-specific target proteins, elucidation of the novel mechanisms of action and development of new drugs. The advent of proteomics has provided the hope of discovering novel biological markers for use in the screening, early diagnosis and prediction of response to therapy. This review describes the studies where profiles of protein expression in cervical cancer have been generated.     

Nutrition and infectious diseases in developing countries and problems of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Infectious diseases are the major causes of death and morbidity in underdeveloped countries, particularly in children. Increasing evidence suggests that malnutrition-both Protein-Energy type Malnutrition (PEM) and essential micronutrient (vitamins, trace minerals, essential amino acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids) type-is the underlying reason for increased susceptibility to infections. On the other hand, certain infectious diseases also cause malnutrition, which results in a vicious cycle. Before its viral origin was known, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) had been termed the thin disease because cachexia was AIDS' main clinical manifestation. The relationship between infection and malnutrition is well documented in the literature. Our experience supports this. Preventive and therapeutic measures are suggested.     

宏基因组测序在传染性疾病中的研究进展

微生物和人类已经共同进化几百万年了,微生物在维持宿主健康方面起到了非常重要的作用。随着下一代测序技术的进步,可以获得人体在不同环境下微生物群落的特征。本文综述了当前感染各种不同病原菌时复杂微生物群落的变化,病原菌包括HIV、乙肝病毒、流感病毒和结核分支杆菌,以及不同的身体部位。我们相信,增加对传染性疾病和微生物群落变化之间关系的认识,能够更好地管理疾病进展。然而,将来的研究可能需要更加整体化,通过分析人体宿主微生物与传染性疾病的发生机制之间的关系,以建立疾病的确切因果关系。     

The benefits and limitations of animal models for translational research in neurodegenerative diseases

Age-related neurodegenerative diseases are largely limited to humans and rarely occur spontaneously in animals. Genetically engineered mouse models recapitulate aspects of the corresponding human diseases and are instrumental in studying disease mechanisms and testing therapeutic strategies. If considered within the range of their validity, mouse models have been predictive of clinical outcome. Translational failure is less the result of the incomplete nature of the models than of inadequate preclinical studies and misinterpretation of the models. This commentary summarizes current models and highlights key questions we should be asking about animal models, as well as questions that cannot be answered with the current models.     

野生鸟类传染性疾病研究进展

由于具有独特的飞行能力和极强的地理扩散能力,鸟类活动为某些传染性疾病的快速传播和扩散带来了潜在风险.自20世纪以来,以禽霍乱、禽波特淋菌病、西尼罗河热、禽流感等为代表的鸟类疾病频繁暴发,导致为数众多的野生鸟类、家禽甚至人类死亡,给社会造成巨大的经济损失.因此,有关鸟类传染性疾病的研究已引起了国内外学者的广泛关注.从鸟类传染性疾病的生态学特征、疾病对鸟类与人类社会的影响、鸟类对疾病的传播、鸟类疾病的监测、预警和防控等方面对野生鸟类的传染性疾病研究进展进行了综述.不同疾病导致的鸟类死亡量、易感物种数量、暴发频率和地理扩散等特征差异显著.20世纪以来,疾病已成为全球生物多样性的七大威胁因子之一.疾病可能造成鸟类大量死亡,从而对鸟类种群,特别是濒危鸟类种群造成严重影响.其中,人畜共患病还会导致家禽家畜甚至人类的死亡,从而对社会产生严重的影响.野生鸟类作为多种疾病传播的媒介,其移动和迁徙可能会导致疾病的传播与扩散.开展全面的监测活动和建立疾病预警体系,对于疾病的防控具有重要意义.     

Proteomic analysis of tissue samples in translational breast cancer research

In the last decade, many proteomic technologies have been applied, with varying success, to the study of tissue samples of breast carcinoma for protein expression profiling in order to discover protein biomarkers/signatures suitable for: characterization and subtyping of tumors; early diagnosis, and both prognosis and prediction of outcome of chemotherapy. The purpose of this review is to critically appraise what has been achieved to date using proteomic technologies and to bring forward novel strategies – based on the analysis of clinically relevant samples – that promise to accelerate the translation of basic discoveries into the daily breast cancer clinical practice. In particular, we address major issues in experimental design by reviewing the strengths and weaknesses of current proteomic strategies in the context of the analysis of human breast tissue specimens.     

Recommendations for control of pathogens and infectious diseases in fish research facilities

Concerns about infectious diseases in fish used for research have risen along with the dramatic increase in the use of fish as models in biomedical research. In addition to acute diseases causing severe morbidity and mortality, underlying chronic conditions that cause low-grade or subclinical infections may confound research results. Here we present recommendations and strategies to avoid or minimize the impacts of infectious agents in fishes maintained in the research setting. There are distinct differences in strategies for control of pathogens in fish used for research compared to fishes reared as pets or in aquaculture. Also, much can be learned from strategies and protocols for control of diseases in rodents used in research, but there are differences. This is due, in part, the unique aquatic environment that is modified by the source and quality of the water provided and the design of facilities. The process of control of pathogens and infectious diseases in fish research facilities is relatively new, and will be an evolving process over time. Nevertheless, the goal of documenting, detecting, and excluding pathogens in fish is just as important as in mammalian research models.     

A scientometric visualization analysis for global toxicology and pharmacology research of natural products from 1962 to 2018

BackgroundA growing number of studies have been focused on the medicinal potential of natural products since 1962, while few scholars have analyzed the existing documents comprehensively.PurposeAiming to visualize the researches on toxicology and pharmacology of natural products (TPNP) published between 1962 and 2018, as well as to reveal their spatiotemporal patterns, a scientometric analysis with 3210 relevant documents collected from Web of Science was conducted in this study.ResultsThe most prominent contributors of TPNP research are mainly from the USA, China, Brazil, India and Germany. The knowledge domains of TPNP research focus mainly on the topics of (1) traditional Chinese medicine, (2) richardia grandiflora, (3) chemical conversion, (4) new generation, (5) modern medicine, (6) intelligent mixture, (7) hplc-based activity. Most countries have recognized the pharmaceutical potential of natural products, and have paid more attention to the pharmacological and toxicological characteristics of natural products in the past decade. Future TPNP research tends to focus more on complex analysis of mechanisms for diseases treatment, such as toxicology and pharmacology.ConclusionThis research has firstly demonstrated a comprehensive knowledge map for the existing toxicological and pharmacological researches of natural products, which offered essential instructions on medical application of natural products to future research.     

Integrating proteomic and functional genomic technologies in discovery-driven translational breast cancer research

The application of state-of-the-art proteomics and functional genomics technologies to the study of cancer is rapidly shifting toward the analysis of clinically relevant samples derived from patients, as the ultimate aim of translational research is to bring basic discoveries closer to the bedside. Here we describe the essence of a long-term initiative undertaken by The Danish Centre for Translational Breast Cancer Research and currently underway for cancer biomarker discovery using fresh tissue biopsies and bio-fluids. The Centre is a virtual hub that brings together scientists working in various areas of basic cancer research such as cell cycle control, invasion and micro-environmental alterations, apoptosis, cell signaling, and immunology, with clinicians (oncologists, surgeons), pathologists, and epidemiologists, with the aim of understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying breast cancer progression and ultimately of improving patient survival and quality of life. The unifying concept behind our approach is the use of various experimental paradigms for the prospective analysis of clinically relevant samples obtained from the same patient, along with the systematic integration of the biological and clinical data.     

Current problems of immunoprophylaxis of infectious diseases and standardization of medical immunobiological preparations

The state of immunoprophylaxis in the whole of the USSR and in individual Union Republics in 1981-1982 is ralyzed. The connection between an increase in diphtheria, pertussis and measles morbidity and the widening of the scope of contraindications to vaccination has been revealed. The optimum vaccination tactics in Union Republics with regard to differences in their climatic conditions and demographic situation is planned. The problems of the standardization of prophylactic and therapeutic immunobiological preparations are considered. Organizational measures leading to the improvement of their quality are outlined.     

Function and translational regulation of mRNA in developing axons

The capacity to synthesize proteins in axons is limited to early stages of neuronal development, while axons are undergoing elongation and pathfinding. Although the roles of local protein synthesis are not fully understood, it has been implicated in regulating the morphological plasticity of growth cones. Recent studies have identified specific mRNAs that are translated in growth cones in response to specific extracellular signals. In this review, we discuss the functional relevance of axonal protein translation for developing axons, the differences in translational capacity between developing and mature vertebrate axons, and possible pathways governing the specific translational activation of axonal mRNAs.     

Molecular and cellular basis of interleukin 12 activity in prophylaxis and therapy against infectious diseases

A major goal for immunologists dealing with infectious diseases is the development of vaccines and immunotherapies that will protect patients against infection or the undesired effects of immune responses elicited by pathogens. Studies defining the function of different cytokines have contributed to the progress of new strategies to manipulate the immune response. Recent studies have demonstrated that interleukin 12 (IL-12) is a key cytokine for promoting cell-mediated immunity and initiating resistance to infection. Because IL-12 is a potent stimulator of host defense against a variety of pathogens, it holds great promise for therapeutic use. In addition, IL-12 antagonists protect the host against immunopathology and death caused by an excessive cellular immune response that can occur during acute microbial infections.