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Objectives: Intrabony defects are among the most important signs of progression of periodontal disease. Complete tissue regeneration is the ideal goal of periodontal treatment, and regenerative methods aim to achieve this goal. New studies have reported the positive efficacy of chitosan to enhance the recovery of bony defects. This study aimed to clinically and radiographically assess the efficacy of chitosan particles for treatment of intrabony periodontal defects. Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial, 18 intrabony three-wall periodontal defects were randomly divided into three groups (n=6). The control group only received conventional flap surgery with a sulcular incision. In the second group, low molecular weight (100,000-300,000g/mol) chitosan was used in the three-wall intrabony defects during surgery while high molecular weight chitosan particles (600,000-800,000 g/mol) were used in the third group. The probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL) and radiographic defect depth (RDD) were measured at baseline and at 6 and 12 months later. Repeated measures ANOVA, and McNemar’s test were used for statistical analysis. Results: In both the control (P0.05). No significant difference was noted on radiographs between the groups regarding the regenerated bone density. Conclusion: Chitosan showed no positive efficacy for treatment of three-wall periodontal bone defects.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), alcohol-induced liver disease (ALD), and viral hepatitis are the main causes of morbidity and mortality related to chronic liver diseases (CLDs) worldwide. New therapeutic approaches to prevent or reverse these liver disorders are thus emerging. Although their etiologies differ, these CLDs all have in common a significant dysregulation of liver metabolism that is closely linked to the perturbation of the hepatic endocannabinoid system (eCBS) and inflammatory pathways. Therefore, targeting the hepatic eCBS might have promising therapeutic potential to overcome CLDs. Experimental models of CLDs and observational studies in humans suggest that cannabis and its derivatives may exert hepatoprotective effects against CLDs through diverse pathways. However, these promising therapeutic benefits are not yet fully validated, as the few completed clinical trials on phytocannabinoids, which are thought to hold the most promising therapeutic potential (cannabidiol or tetrahydrocannabivarin), remained inconclusive. Therefore, expanding research on less studied phytocannabinoids and their derivatives, with a focus on their mode of action on liver metabolism, might provide promising advances in the development of new and original therapeutics for the management of CLDs, such as NAFLD, ALD, or even hepatitis C-induced liver disorders.

Background: Cancer refers to the abnormal growth of cells and is still the most common cause of morbidity in world. The purpose of this study was to determine cytotoxicity effect of high molecular weight (HMWC) and low molecular weight of chitosan (LMWC) on three cancerous cell lines MCF-7, HeLa and Saos-2 with different histological origin. Methods: The anticancer property of two types of chitosan on three cancerous cell lines and human fibroblast as normal cell was evaluated by cytotoxic activity and apoptosis induction .The cells were treated by different concentration of chitosan and viability was determined by MTT assay after 24, 48 and 72 h .Mode of death was determined by Annexin V staining assay for apoptosis and analyzed by flow cytometry. Results: While both types of chitosan were more efficient in inhibiting cell proliferation of three cancerous cell lines, fibroblast cells showed somehow more compatibility with chitosan .Viability of cells was reduced concentration-dependently to 70-90% of the untreated cells as control. There were no significant differences between the effect of both types of chitosan on all cell lines. Flow cytometry analysis showed necrosis more observable with MCF7 while the apoptosis pattern of death was more in Saos-2 and HeLa. Also higher viability with both types of chitosan was seen in fibroblast as normal cells. Conclusion: While chitosan is compatible with normal diploid fibroblast cells, it shows anticancerous effect against 3 cancerous cell lines. Furthermore, it seems that the molecular weight of chitosan does not affect its anticancerous property.

Background. The ultimate aim of periodontal treatment is to regenerate periodontium and regenerative treatment after that. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of PRGF with 1% metformin biofilm in the treatment of two-wall intrabony periodontal defects. Methods. In this clinical trial, 8 patients with moderate chronic periodontitis and two-wall intrabony defect were selected. The defects were assigned to 4 groups: debridement, 1% metformin, PRGF, PRGF and metformin. The parameters of vertical probing depth, vertical clinical attachment level and gingival index were measured at baseline, immediately before surgery, and 3 and 6 months after surgery. In addition, the radiographic changes were evaluated with digital subtraction radiography before and 6 months after surgery. Analysis of the results was performed with repeated measurements, Friedman test and chisquared test. Results. All the groups exhibited improvements in all the clinical parameters after 6 months. Inter-group comparison of GI, CAL and PPD parameters revealed no statistically significant differences. Radiographic changes in the group of 1% metformin with PRGF revealed statistically significant differences compared with other groups; however, there were no statistically significant differences in other groups. Conclusion. Application of PRGF with 1% metformin in intrabony two-wall periodontal defects was effective in improving the clinical parameters but this effect revealed no difference compared with other groups; however, in terms of radiographic changes significant improvements were noted

Abstract Background Currently, the main goal of cancer research is to increase longevity of patients suffering malignant cancers. The promising results of BCc1 in vitro and vivo experiments made us look into the effect of BCc1 nanomedicine on patients with cancer in a clinical trial. Methods The present investigation was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel, and multicenter study in which 123 patients (30-to-85-year-old men and women) with metastatic and non-metastatic gastric cancer, in two separate groups of BCc1 nanomedicine or placebo, were selected using a permuted block randomization method. For metastatic and non-metastatic patients, a daily dose of 3000 and 1500 mg was prescribed, respectively. Overall survival (OS) as the primary endpoint and quality of life (measured using QLQ-STO22) and adverse effects as the secondary endpoints were studied. Results In metastatic patients, the median OS was significantly higher in BCc1 nanomedicine (174 days [95% confidence interval (CI) 82.37–265.62]) than in placebo (62 days [95% CI 0–153.42]); hazard ratio (HR): 0.5 [95% CI 0.25–0.98; p = 0.046]. In non-metastatic patients, the median OS was significantly higher in BCc1 nanomedicine (529 days [95% CI 393.245–664.75]) than in placebo (345 days [95% CI 134.85–555.14]); HR: 0.324 [95% CI 0.97–1.07; p = 0.066]. The QLQ-STO22 assessment showed a mean difference improvement of 3.25 and 2.29 (p value > 0.05) in BCc1 nanomedicine and a mean difference deterioration of − 4.42 and − 3 (p-value

Background: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are intercellular messengers with epigenetic potential since they can shuttle microRNA (miRNA). EVs and miRNA play a role in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection immunopathogenesis. Chronic immune activation and systemic inflammation during HIV infection despite effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) are associated with non-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) comorbidities in people living with HIV (PLWH). Analysis of plasma EVs and their miRNA content may be useful as immune activation or inflammatory biomarkers in PLWH receiving ART. In this study, we hypothesized that the number, size, and miRNA of large and small EVs could reflect immune activation associated with an elevated CD8 T-cell count or a low CD4/CD8 ratio in PLWH. Methods: Plasma EVs subtype purified from PLWH and uninfected controls were sized using dynamic light scattering and quantified using flow cytometry and acetylcholine esterase (AChE) activity. Expression of mature miRNAs miR-92, miR-155, miR-223 was measured by quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction in EVs and leucocytes. Results: HIV infection induces increased production of small EVs in plasma. EV subtypes were differentially enriched in miR-92, miR-155, and miR-223. Positive correlations between CD8 T-cell count and large EVs abundance and small EVs AChE activity were observed. CD4/CD8 ratio was negatively correlated with small EV AChE activity, and miRNA-155 level per small EV was negatively correlated with CD8 T-cell count. Conclusions: These findings suggest that quantifying large or small EVs and profiling miRNA content per EV might provide new functional biomarkers of immune activation and inflammation.

ABSTRACT Macrophages are a target of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and may serve as a viral reservoir during antiretroviral therapy (ART). Their susceptibility to HIV-1 infection is subject to variations from permissiveness to resistance depending on their origin, tissue localization, and polarization profile. This is in part due to the expression of regulatory microRNAs. Here, we identify two microRNA paralogs, microRNA 103 (miR-103) and miR-107, as regulators of CCR5 expression that are upregulated in noninfected bystander cells of HIV-1-infected-monocyte-derived macrophage (MDM) cultures. Transfection of microRNA 103 mimics in MDMs reduced CCR5 expression levels and inhibited CCR5-dependent HIV-1 entry, whereas the corresponding antagomirs enhanced virus spread in HIV-infected MDMs. Treatment of MDMs with interleukin-1β (IL-1β) enhanced microRNA 103 expression, a condition that we found contributed to the reduction of CCR5 mRNA in IL-1β-exposed MDMs. Interestingly, we show that the induction of miR-103/107 expression is part of a tumor suppressor p53 response triggered by secreted IL-1β that renders macrophages refractory to HIV-1 entry. In a more physiological context, the levels of microRNAs 103 and 107 were found enriched in tissue-resident colon macrophages of healthy donors and alveolar macrophages of individuals under antiretroviral therapy, conceivably contributing to their relative resistance to HIV-1 infection. Overall, these findings highlight the role of p53 in enforcing proinflammatory antiviral responses in macrophages, at least in part, through miR-103/107-mediated downmodulation of CCR5 expression and HIV-1 entry. IMPORTANCE Macrophages are heterogeneous immune cells that display varying susceptibilities to HIV-1 infection, in part due to the expression of small noncoding microRNAs involved in the posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression and silencing. Here, we identify microRNAs 103 and 107 as important p53-regulated effectors of the antiviral response triggered by the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β in macrophages. These microRNAs, which are enriched in colon macrophages of healthy donors and alveolar macrophages of HIV-infected individuals under antiretroviral therapy, act as inhibitors of HIV-1 entry through their capacity to downregulate the CCR5 coreceptor. These results highlight the important role played by miR-103/107 in modulating CCR5 expression and HIV-1 entry in macrophages. They further underscore a distinct function of the tumor suppressor p53 in enforcing proinflammatory antiviral responses in macrophages, thus providing insight into a cellular pathway that could be targeted to limit the establishment of viral reservoirs in these cells.

Of the 37.9 million individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), approximately 50% exhibit HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). We and others previously showed that HIV-1 viral RNAs, such as trans-activating response (TAR) RNA, are incorporated into extracellular vesicles (EVs) and elicit an inflammatory response in recipient naïve cells. Cannabidiol (CBD) and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary cannabinoids present in cannabis, are effective in reducing inflammation. Studies show that cannabis use in people living with HIV-1 is associated with lower viral load, lower circulating CD16+ monocytes and high CD4+ T-cell counts, suggesting a potentially therapeutic application. Here, HIV-1 infected U1 monocytes and primary macrophages were used to assess the effects of CBD. Post-CBD treatment, EV concentrations were analyzed using nanoparticle tracking analysis. Changes in intracellular and EV-associated viral RNA were quantified using RT-qPCR, and changes in viral proteins, EV markers, and autophagy proteins were assessed by Western blot. Our data suggest that CBD significantly reduces the number of EVs released from infected cells and that this may be mediated by reducing viral transcription and autophagy activation. Therefore, CBD may exert a protective effect by alleviating the pathogenic effects of EVs in HIV-1 and CNS-related infections.

BACKGROUND:Cervical cancer associated with high risk-human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection is becoming the one of the most common female cancer in many sub-Saharan African countries. First-generation immigrant African women living in Europe are at-risk for cervical cancer, in a context of social vulnerability, with frequent lack of cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination. OBJECTIVE:Our objective was to address immunologically the issue of catch-up prophylactic HPV vaccination in first-generation African immigrant women living in France. METHODS:IgG immune responses and cross-reactivities to α7 (HPV-18, -45 and -68) and α9 (HPV-16, -31, -33, -35, -52 and -58) HPV types, including 7 HR-HPV targeted by the Gardasil-9® prophylactic vaccine, were evaluated in paired serum and cervicovaginal secretions (CVS) by HPV L1-virus-like particles-based ELISA. Genital HPV were detected by multiplex real time PCR (Seegene, Seoul, South Korea). RESULTS:Fifty-one immigrant women (mean age, 41.7 years; 72.5% HIV-infected) were prospectively included. More than two-third (68.6%) of them carried genital HPV (group I) while 31.4% were negative (group II). The majority (90.2%) exhibited serum IgG to at least one α7/α9 HR-HPV. Serum HPV-specific IgG were more frequently detected in group I than group II (100% versus 68.7%; P = 0.002). The distribution of serum and genital HPV-specific IgG was similar, but mean number of IgG reactivities to α7/α9 HR-HPV was higher in serum than CVS (5.6 IgG per woman in serum versus 3.2 in CVS; P

Introduction: The aim of periodontal treatment is to regenerate periodontium. Regenerative treatments include the use of plasma that is rich in growth factors (PRGF). Materials & Methods: In a randomized clinical trial, 20 three-walled intrabony defects from five patients with moderate periodontitis were randomly assigned to three groups. Patients in the control group underwent debridement of lesions. In the first treatment group, the defects were debrided and cenomembrane was applied. The third group was treated with debridement, PRGF and cenomembrane. Measures of vertical probing depth (VPD), vertical clinical attachment level (VCAL), gingival index (GI; Sinless and Loe) and radiographic index (by digital subtraction) were made preoperatively and 6 months post-surgery. Wilcoxon signed-ranks and Chi-square tests were used for analyzing quantitative and qualitative variables, respectively. Results: All three groups showed improvements in all measures except GI. Intra-group comparison for clinical attachment level (CAL) indicated significant difference in all groups before and after surgery (P

Introduction: Ability to reconstruct the papilla in anterior maxilla is important aspect of perio-plastic surgery. In most articles, connective tissue is used with different designs of incisions. The aim of this study was to use sub-epithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG) with two types of incisions called papilla preservation and semilunar. Materials & Methods: This basic randomized clinical study was performed on 10 sites in two patients. The patients were selected through inclusion and exclusion criteria. Papilla preservation and semilunar techniques were performed on four and six sites, respectively in the anterior maxilla. In both techniques SCTG was gained from palate .The apico-coronal and mesiodistal changes of the dark triangles were measured after 3 and 6 months. Landry(Healing) index was measured after 14 days and one month,Visual Analogue Scale (Esthetic) index was estimated in 3 and 6 month after surgery and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS ) index was analysed as well . Data were analysed using SPSS. Mann- Whitney, Wilcoxon and Paired t- Test were measured. Results: Mean±SD of mesiodistal distance in the time of surgery was 2.00±0.000 in semilunar and 2.1±0.629 in papilla preservation technique whereas after 3 months, it was 1.33±0.016 and 1.37±0.478 for semilunar and papilla preservation, respectively and after 6 month was 1.00±0.000 for semilunar and 1.25±0.500 for papilla preservation. Mean±SD of apicocornal changes by semilunar incision in the time of surgery ,3 month after and 6 months later was 2.67±0.516 ,2.25±0.612and1.91±0.204 whereas by papilla preservation was 2.50±0.577,2.25±0.500 and 2±0.000, respectively. Conclusion: Both techniques had positive effect on papilla reconstruction and the outcome was the same in both groups.

Abstract Background In recent years, livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) multi locus sequence type CC398 has spread widely in the livestock production in Europe. The rates of LA-MRSA in hospitals have been found to be largely determined by contact to and density of livestock in the area. Methods This is a cross sectional study of the prevalence of LA-MRSA among hospital staff in a Danish hospital situated in a livestock production region. We analysed nasal swabs, air and dust samples for the presence of MRSA using PCR and mass spectrometry. Results Of 1745 employees, 545 (31%) contributed nasal swabs. MRSA was not detected in any participant, nor was it detected in air or dust at the hospital or in houses of employees living on farms. Four percent of the participants had contact to pigs either directly or through household members. LA-MRSA was detected in two of 26 samples from animal sheds, both of them from pig farms. The participation rate was relatively low, but participants were representative for the source population with regards to animal contact and job titles. Conclusions The study suggests a low point prevalence of LA-MRSA carriage in Danish hospital staff even in regions where livestock production is dense. Should more studies confirm our findings we see no need for additional hospital precautions towards LA-MRSA in Denmark at the moment. We think that our data might reduce potential stigmatization of hospital workers with contact to LA-MRSA positive farms at their work places and in their communities.

Introduction: Occupational stress results from work demands and pressures that are not matched with abilities and characteristics of an employee. It is one of the main causes of job dissatisfaction, absenteeism, work delays, desertion and early retirement. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate occupational stress among female employees working at the Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional and descriptive-analytical study was performed in 2015 on 400 female employees of the university who were enrolled via stratified and quota sampling. Data were collected using the standard Osipow occupational stress questionnaire and a demographic questionnaire. The data were analyzed in SPSS (version 16) using independent t-test, ANOVA and Tukey’s test. P-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Mean total score of occupational stress was 173.44 ± 25.15. Role ambiguity (score: 33.57 ± 5.74) and physical environment (score: 22.56 ± 8.44) had the highest and lowest impact on occupational stress, respectively. Moreover, 146 contractual employees (52.1%) experienced occupational stress. Total occupational stress was significantly correlated with all study variables including education level (P=0.02), income (P=0.0001), service sector (P=0.001), marital status (P=0.01), employment status (P=0.0001) and work experience (P=0.04). Conclusions: Role ambiguity is the main source of stress for female employees working at the Golestan University of Medical Sciences. Therefore, it is necessary to design individual and organization trainings to help employees overcome role ambiguity.

Objectives: Our objective was to report the baseline characteristics of participants in the Canadian HIV and Aging Cohort Study (CHACS) and present amendments to the initial protocol. Methods: CHACS is a multi‐centred prospective cohort study that was initially set from 2011 to 2016 and will now continue recruitment until 2024. Four additional years of follow‐up have been added, and additional outcomes and covariates will be prospectively collected. Frailty will be assessed using a modified version of the Fried's frailty phenotype. The four interrelated aspects of gender—gender roles, gender identity, gender relationships, and institutionalized gender—will be measured using the GENESIS‐PRAXY questionnaire. Diet will be assessed using a validated, web‐based, self‐administered food frequency questionnaire. Results: A total of 1049 participants (77% people living with HIV) were recruited between September 2011 and September 2019. Median age at baseline was 54 years (interquartile range 50–61). Most participants were male (84%) and white (83%). Compared with participants without HIV, those with HIV were more likely to be male; to report lower education levels and incomes; to be more sedentary; to use tobacco, recreational, and prescription drugs; to report a personal history of cardiovascular diseases; and to be frail. Conclusions: The new assessments added to the CHACS protocol will allow for an even more detailed portrait of the pathways leading to accentuated aging for people living with HIV. Participants in the CHACS cohort display important differences in socio‐economic and cardiovascular risk factors according to HIV serostatus. These imbalances must be taken into account for all further inferential analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) and their contents (proteins, lipids, messenger RNA, microRNA, and DNA) are viewed as intercellular signals, cell-transforming agents, and shelters for viruses that allow both diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. EVs circulating in the blood of individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) may provide insights into pathogenesis, inflammation, and disease progression. However, distinguishing plasma membrane EVs from exosomes, exomeres, apoptotic bodies, virions, and contaminating proteins remains challenging. We aimed at comparing sucrose and iodixanol density and velocity gradients along with commercial kits as a means of separating EVs from HIV particles and contaminating protein like calprotectin; and thereby evaluating the suitability of current plasma EVs analysis techniques for identifying new biomarkers of HIV-1 immune activation. Multiple analysis have been performed on HIV-1 infected cell lines, plasma from HIV-1 patients, or plasma from HIV-negative individuals spiked with HIV-1. Commercial kits, the differential centrifugation and density or velocity gradients to precipitate and separate HIV, EVs, and proteins such as calprotectin, have been used. EVs, virions, and contaminating proteins were characterized using Western blot, ELISA, RT-PCR, hydrodynamic size measurement, and enzymatic assay. Conversely to iodixanol density or velocity gradient, protein and virions co-sedimented in the same fractions of the sucrose density gradient than AChE-positive EVs. Iodixanol velocity gradient provided the optimal separation of EVs from viruses and free proteins in culture supernatants and plasma samples from a person living with HIV (PLWH) or a control and revealed a new population of large EVs enriched in microRNA miR-155 and mitochondrial DNA. Although EVs and their contents provide helpful information about several key events in HIV-1 pathogenesis, their purification and extensive characterization by velocity gradient must be investigated thoroughly before further use as biomarkers. By revealing a new population of EVs enriched in miR-155 and mitochondrial DNA, this study paves a way to increase our understanding of HIV-1 pathogenesis.

Background: Gingival recession may result in aesthetically unfavourable effects, difficulty in plaque control, increased susceptibility to root caries, and dentin hypersensitivity. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the use of modified semilunar techniques with connective tissue and subepithelial connective tissue grafts (Langer) for denuded root surface coverage. Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, fourteen localized recessions of Miller class I to II were treated in 5 subjects. Recessions were randomly treated with modified semilunar techniques (test group) and a subepithelial connective tissue graft (control group). Clinical parameters such as clinical attachment level (CAL), keratinized tissue width (KTW), probing pocket depth (PPD), vertical recession depth (VRD) and recession width (RW)were recorded at base line, 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery and healing index and the subject's satisfaction was evaluated. The repeated measure test and paired-sample t-test were used for statistical analyses by SPSS. Results: Both methods showed significant improvement in clinical parameters. The healing index (HI) in the test group was a slightly more than the control group in Day 10.Aesthetic VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) levels in the test group were more than the control group in 1, 3 and 6months (test group, in 1 month 6.57±1.13, in 3 month 7.86±1.07, in 6 month 8.00±0.81. control group in 1 month 5.57±1.13, in 3 month 7.00±1.00, in 6 month 7.14±0.90). The KTW, CAL, VRD and RW level’s difference in the test and control group was significant in 6 month compared to the base line (p=0.000). Conclusions: The present study shows that treatment of Miller Class I and II gingival recession by the modified semilunar technique is acceptable. Clinical trial registration: The trial was registered at the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (http://www.irct.ir) with the Irct ID: IRCT201512021760N43. Date registered: December 27, 2015. Funding: The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article

Background: The treatment of furcation area defects remained as a challenging issue in periodontal treatments. Regeneration treatment of furcation defects is the most discussed periodontal treatment. Although not completely hopeless in prognosis, the presence of the furcation involvement significantly increases the chance of tooth loss. The current research was conductedeto compare theeadditive effect of combined guided tissue regeneration (GTR) and platelet-rich growth factor (PRGF) on the treatment of furcation bony defects. Materials and Methods: A randomized, triple-blinded, split-mouth study was designed. It included patients with a moderate to severe chronic periodontitis with bilateral Grade II furcation involvement of first or second mandibular molars. Each side of mouth was randomly allocated for the treatment with either Bio-Gide American Society of Anesthesiologists GTR or a PRGF or PRGF by itself. Plaque index, gingival index, vertical clinical attachment level, vertical probing depth, recession depth (REC), horizontal probing depth, fornix to alveolar crest (FAC), fornix to base of defect (FBD), furcation vertical component and furcation horizontal component (FHC) were recorded. The current research was conducted to compare the additive effect of combined GTR and PRGF on treatment of furcation bony defects. Altman's nomogram, Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, Friedman test, general linear model, repeated measures, and paired t-test were used as statistical analysis in this research. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Eight patients were finally enrolled for this study. Overly, general and specific clinical and furcation parameters were improved except REC that was deteriorated insignificantly and FAC improved not significantly. Intergroup comparison revealed better improvement of FHC in GTR/PRGF group (P = 0.02). Conclusion: A significant improvement in the Grade II furcation defects treated with either GTR or PRGF/GTR was noticed. Further large-scale trials are needed to reveal differences of mentioned treatment in more details.

INTRODUCTION: Syphilis rapid test results may be influenced by numerous environmental and genetic factors. METHODS: the proportion of false positive syphilis non-treponemal (NT) and treponemal (T) test results using immuno-chromatographic dual syphilis rapid test on serum from Cameroonian blacks (n=103) versus French blacks (n=104) or French caucasians (n=51), all HIV-negative and free of clinical syphilis, was examined. RESULTS: black individuals in Cameroon had a significantly higher frequency of false positive NT or T tests than black individuals in France. black individuals in France had a higher frequency of indeterminate NT tests as compared to caucasians in France. CONCLUSION: both racial and environmental factors may affect immuno-chromatographic dual syphilis rapid testing.

Introduction. Low levels of nasal NO have been associated with increased propensity to rhinosinusitis and respiratory tract infections. Our objective was to describe nasal NO levels in HIV-infected individuals versus healthy controls and determine possible risk factors for reduced nasal NO levels. Materials and Methods. HIV-infected individuals and healthy controls were recruited. Participants underwent nasal NO testing by standardized methods using a CLD88 chemiluminescence analyzer and completed the Sinonasal Outcome Test-20 (SNOT-20) on symptoms of rhinosinusitis. Results. Participants included 41 HIV-infected individuals with suppressed VL on antiretroviral therapy (ART group), 5 HIV-infected individuals with detectable VL off ART (viremic group), and 12 healthy controls (HC group). Mean nasal NO level was 253 (±77) nL/min in the ART group, 213 (±48) nL/min in the viremic group, and 289 (±68) nL/min in the HC group (p=0.133; ANOVA). There was no correlation between nasal NO level and VL in viremic individuals (r=-0.200; p=0.747). Differences were observed in mean total points on the SNOT-20 which were 19 (±16)/100, 18 (±26)/100, and 4 (±4)/100 in the ART, viremic, and HC groups, respectively (p=0.013; ANOVA). Conclusion. Healthy individuals, HIV patients on ART, and viremic individuals off ART display similar nasal NO levels. However, rhinosinusitis symptoms remain prominent despite ART-treatment.

Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is a pleiotropic cytokine of the IL-1 family with multiple context dependent functions. We and others have shown that HIV infection is accompanied by increased circulating levels of IL-18 along with decreased levels of its antagonist, Interleukin-18 Binding Protein (IL-18BP). The infection is also accompanied by intestinal inflammation and decreased intestinal integrity as measured by intestinal permeability, regeneration and repair. However, little is known concerning the relation between high level of IL-18 associated with the viral infection and intestinal permeability. Here we demonstrate that HIV treatment increases production of IL-18 and decreases that of IL-18BP production in human intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) lines. IL-18 causes apoptosis of the IEC by activating caspase-1 and caspase-3. It induces epithelial barrier hyperpermeability by decreasing and disrupting both tight and adherens junction proteins, occludin, claudin 2 and beta-catenin. Disorganization of F-actin was also observed in the IEC that were exposed to the cytokine. Moreover IL-18 decreases transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) in Caco-2 and increases permeability in HT29 monolayers. The cells' treatment with IL-18 causes an increase in the expression of phosphorylated myosin II regulatory light-chain (p-MLC) and myosin light-chain kinase (MLCK), and a decrease in phosphorylated Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (p-STAT)-5. This increase in p-MLC is suppressed by a Rho-kinase (ROCK)-specific inhibitor. Interestingly, the levels of the cytokine correlate with those of LPS in the circulation in three different categories of HIV infected patients (HAART-naïve and HAART-treated HIV-infected individuals, and Elite controls) as well as in healthy controls. Collectively, these results suggest that the HIV-induced IL-18 plays a role in increased intestinal permeability and microbial translocation observed in HIV-infected individuals.