Tag: 20/11/20

Categories : GeneticsTags :

“Elegant Chemo” Uses CRISPR Tools to Target Tumours

On By ModernMedia

New research from Tel Aviv University led by Prof Dan Peer, has developed a new system to directly slice DNA in cancer cells, effectively “deleting” them with molecular “scissors”, leaving no side effects, it is claimed. 

“This is the first study in the world to prove that the CRISPR genome editing system, which works by cutting DNA, can effectively be used to treat cancer in an animal,” said Peer.

The treatment increased survival by 30% for mice with gliboglioblastoma, one of the deadliest cancers, and 80% in disseminated ovarian tumours. 

When adapted for humans, the treatment would have to be customised for each individual based on a biopsy and then injected, either into the tumour or generally.

Peer explained that the injection consists of three components: a nanoparticle made from lipids, messenger RNA which “encodes” the “tiny scissor function” for cutting the DNA, and a system which “recognises” cancerous cells.   

Peer said, “When we first spoke of treatments with messenger RNA twelve years ago, people thought it was science fiction. I believe that in the near future, we will see many personalized treatments based on genetic messengers, for cancer and various genetic diseases.”

Source: Times of Israel

Categories : COVIDTags :

COVID and Vaping Lung Injuries can be Confused

On By ModernMedia

Three recent case studies show that breathing problems in teens could be a result of vaping or COVID, according to a UC Davis Health paediatric team.

Known as e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI), it is present in large numbers. As of February 2020, 2758 cases of EVALI were hospitalised, with 64 deaths in the United States, and over half of those hospitalised were under 25 years old.

“EVALI and COVID-19 share many symptoms but have very different treatment plans,” said lead author Kiran Nandalike, associate professor of paediatrics. “For this reason, providers caring for pediatric patients with unexplained respiratory failure should consider EVALI and ask for relevant smoking/vaping history.”

EVALI and COVID patients often present with fever, cough, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. Bilateral ground glass opacities are seen in chest imaging in both conditions.

Adolescents often use vaping with marijuana obtained through friends, family and unlicenced dealers, with products often containing vitamin E acetate, an additive which is strongly associated with lung injury. Isolation and stress as a result of the COVID pandemic increased usage.

In the case studies, all of the patients had fever, nausea and cough, as well as a high heart rate, rapid breathing and low blood oxygen levels. Laboratory results showed higher white blood cells (WBC) count and elevated inflammation, pointing to COVID inflammation. Chest imaging revealed nonspecific ground glass opacities. Despite all other findings indicating COVID, SARS-CoV-2 testing was negative. The patients were successfully treated with steroids, a potentially life-saving treatment for EVALI.

“To help reduce risk of EVALI recurrence, providers would recommend vaping cessation counseling to patients and close outpatient monitoring,” advised Nandalike.

Source: Medical Xpress

Categories : Diseases, Syndromes and Conditions Gastrointestinal LungTags :

Gut Microbiome is Linked to Pulmonary Disease

On By ModernMedia

A link has been shown between the gut microbiome and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a lung disease with an often poor prognosis.

Senior author Prof Phil Hansbro, Director of the Centenary University of Technology Sydney Centre for Inflammation, said, “It’s already known that the lung microbiome is a contributing factor in COPD. We wanted to see if the gut environment was also somehow involved–to determine whether the gut could act as a reliable indicator of COPD or if it was connected in some way to the development of the disease.”

Stool samples of COPD patients showed elevated levels of the bacteria Streptococcus and Lachnospiraceae. Additionally a unique metabolite signature was identified in individuals with COPD, created by the chemical by-products of the metabolic process.

First author Dr Kate Bowerman from the University of Queensland said, “Our research indicates that the gut of COPD patients is notably different from healthy individuals. This suggests that stool sampling and analysis could be used to non-invasively diagnose and monitor for COPD,” she said.
“The ‘gut-lung axis’ describes the common immune system of the lung and gastrointestinal tract. This means that activity in the gut can impact activity in the lung. Our COPD findings suggest that the gut microbiome should now also be considered when looking for new therapeutic targets to help treat lung disease,” Prof Hansbro said.

Source: Medical Xpress

Categories : Genetics HIV T-cellsTags :

Long-term HIV Immunisation in Mice with Gene Technology

On By ModernMedia

While some COVID vaccines are entering the final phases of approval less than a year before the disease was first identified, HIV still has no vaccine after decades of research.

Now, engineered immune cells have elicited a response against HIV in mice, presenting an important first step forward in the quest for a vaccine. These broadly neutralising antibodies (bnabs) are effective against a variety of viruses and neutralise the glycan protecting HIV’s proteins.

Previous research had engineered B cells that produced the same antibodies as seen in rare HIV patients who are able to produce bnabs against HIV after many years. Now, this research has shown that it was possible to mature these into memory and plasma cells, conferring long-lasting protection and even showing improved antibodies can be produced, as in the immunisation process.

Principal investigator James Voss, PhD, of Scripps Research said, “This is the first time it has been shown that modified B cells can create a durable engineered antibody response in a relevant animal model.”

Currently it appears it would be an expensive therapy and a great barrier to many of the 38 million living with HIV around the world. A blood draw would be taken to the lab to engineer a vaccine for the patient, but Voss says that his team is looking to make the procedure inexpensive.

“People think of cell therapies as being very expensive,” Voss said. “We’re doing a lot of work towards trying to make the technology affordable as a preventative HIV vaccine or functional cure that would replace daily antiviral therapy.”

Source: Science Daily

Categories : COVIDTags :

COVID Most Infectious Early On, Says New Review

On By ModernMedia

According to a meta-analysis of COVID research published in The Lancet, individuals with COVID are most infectious early on.

In a meta-analysis of 79 studies from around the world, they examined viral load dynamics, duration of viral RNA shedding, and viable virus shedding for SARS-CoV-2, and for comparison, 8 studies on MERS-CoV and 11 on SARS-CoV. The study only looked at symptomatic individuals.

For SARS-CoV-2, the average duration of viral RNA shedding was 17 days in the upper respiratory tract and 14.6 days in the lower respiratory tract. Similar durations were found for stool (17.2 days) and serum samples (16.6 days). 

The maximum duration of viral RNA shedding was 83 days in the upper respiratory tract, 59 days in the lower respiratory tract and 126 days in stools.  No role could be discerned for faecal shedding. Average shedding duration was positively correlated with age. No studies detected live virus after 9 days.

The viral load in the upper respiratory tract reached a peak in the first week of illness, which was shorter than SARS-CoV (peaking at days 10-14) and MERS-CoV (days 7-10). Most studies indicated faster viral load clearing in asymptomatic versus symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 carriers.

In view of these findings, the researchers suggest that repeat testing may not be necessary for patients no longer deemed infectious, and that isolation could be set for 10 days after the onset of symptoms.

The researchers concluded that early containment was key in fighting the spread of COVID, especially with regard to acting on atypical symptoms that might appear before other symptoms. Still, this could prove challenging to effect in practice. 

Source: The Lancet