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Cozzumbo A, Mestichelli B, Mirabile M, Paiella L, Tissino J, Harms J. Opportunities and limits of lunar gravitational-wave detection. Philos Trans A Math Phys Eng Sci 2024; 382:20230066. [PMID: 38522468 DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2023.0066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
A new era of lunar exploration has begun with participation of all major space agencies. This activity brings opportunities for revolutionary science experiments and observatories on the Moon. The idea of a lunar gravitational-wave detector was already proposed during the Apollo programme. The key characteristic of the Moon is that it is seismically extremely quiet. It was also pointed out that the permanently shadowed regions at the lunar poles provide ideal conditions for gravitational-wave detection. In recent years, three different detector concepts were proposed with varying levels of technological complexity and science potential. In this paper, we confront the three concepts in terms of their observational capabilities based on a first more detailed modelling of instrumental noise. We identify important technological challenges and potential show-stoppers. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'Astronomy from the Moon: the next decades (part 2)'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Cozzumbo
- Gran Sasso Science Institute (GSSI), 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
- INFN, Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso, 67100 Assergi, Italy
| | - Benedetta Mestichelli
- Gran Sasso Science Institute (GSSI), 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
- INFN, Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso, 67100 Assergi, Italy
| | - Marco Mirabile
- Gran Sasso Science Institute (GSSI), 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
- INFN, Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso, 67100 Assergi, Italy
| | - Lavinia Paiella
- Gran Sasso Science Institute (GSSI), 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
- INFN, Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso, 67100 Assergi, Italy
| | - Jacopo Tissino
- Gran Sasso Science Institute (GSSI), 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
- INFN, Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso, 67100 Assergi, Italy
| | - Jan Harms
- Gran Sasso Science Institute (GSSI), 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
- INFN, Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso, 67100 Assergi, Italy
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Valenti A, Mirabile M, Cannone E, Boccuni F, Dionisi P, Fortuna G, Gagliardi D, Vizzaccaro R, Iavicoli S. The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemics on the Development of Health Risk Communication: Challenges and Opportunities. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 20:645. [PMID: 36612966 PMCID: PMC9819513 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Starting from an analysis of communication in Italy during the COVID-19 emergency period (February-June 2020), this paper provides an overview of the main challenges and opportunities for communication during pandemics. The purpose of this study is to perform a literature review contributing to the identification of practical recommendations for the improvement of current risk communication strategies. Given the variety of the parties involved in communication and the peculiarity of the theme, an integrated analysis approach was adopted, based on the connections between institutional, scientific and mass communication. On one hand, the "emotional" character of Italian institutional communication aimed at promoting solidarity and unity among citizens. On the other hand, scientific communication played a key role both as a technical and scientific consultation for the policymaker, and as a guide for mass communication. Nevertheless, a lack of awareness emerged from the institutional and scientific side of the importance of an interface between science and effective, transparent policy. It thus becomes necessary to develop new and effective communication strategies aimed at facing uncertainties and the challenges of risk communication in epidemics and pandemics. Such strategies should consider interaction between public health, human and social sciences, political science, law, ethics, communication and media studies, as each of these areas may give an important contribution to the understanding of the context in which communication occurs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Valenti
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers’ Compensation Authority (INAIL), Via Fontana Candida 1, Monte Porzio Catone, 00078 Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Mirabile
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers’ Compensation Authority (INAIL), Via Fontana Candida 1, Monte Porzio Catone, 00078 Rome, Italy
| | - Erika Cannone
- International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH), Via Fontana Candida 1, Monte Porzio Catone, 00078 Rome, Italy
| | - Fabio Boccuni
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers’ Compensation Authority (INAIL), Via Fontana Candida 1, Monte Porzio Catone, 00078 Rome, Italy
| | - Pierluca Dionisi
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers’ Compensation Authority (INAIL), Via Fontana Candida 1, Monte Porzio Catone, 00078 Rome, Italy
| | - Grazia Fortuna
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers’ Compensation Authority (INAIL), Via Fontana Candida 1, Monte Porzio Catone, 00078 Rome, Italy
| | - Diana Gagliardi
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers’ Compensation Authority (INAIL), Via Fontana Candida 1, Monte Porzio Catone, 00078 Rome, Italy
| | - Romina Vizzaccaro
- International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH), Via Fontana Candida 1, Monte Porzio Catone, 00078 Rome, Italy
| | - Sergio Iavicoli
- Directorate-General for Communication and European and International Relations, Ministry of Health, Lungotevere Ripa 1, 00153 Rome, Italy
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Mirabile M, Vasselli D, Boccuni V, Tassone P, Gagliardi D. Workers’ representatives empowerment through ICTs: new opportunities to improve companies' OSH management. Saf Health Work 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.shaw.2021.12.1090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
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Ciangola G, Gurnari C, Paterno G, Mirabile M, Angelini M, Lavorgna S, Ottone T, Travaglini S, Cicconi L, LoCoco F. Corrigendum to “STAT5b-RARa-positive acute myeloid leukemia: Diagnostic and therapeutic challenges of a rare AML subtype” [Leuk. Res. 78 (2019) 21–23]. Leuk Res 2020; 93:106148. [DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2019.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Gagliardi D, Rondinone BM, Mirabile M, Buresti G, Ellwood P, Hery M, Paszkiewicz P, Valenti A, Iavicoli S. The perspective of European researchers of national occupational safety and health institutes for contributing to a European research agenda: a modified Delphi study. BMJ Open 2017. [PMID: 28645965 PMCID: PMC5734473 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-015336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study, developed within the frame of the Partnership for European Research on Occupational Safety and Health joint research activities and based on the frame designed by the 2013 European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) study, is the first example of using the points of view of European occupational safety and health (OSH) researchers.The objective is to identify priorities for OSH research that may contribute to the achievement of present and future sustainable growth objectives set by the European strategies. METHODS The study was carried out using a modified Delphi method with a two-round survey. Each round involved a panel of about 110 researchers representing the network member institutes was selected according to specific criteria, including the ownership of research expertise in at least one of the four macroareas identified by the reference report developed by EU-OSHA in 2013. RESULTS The study identified some innovative research topics (for example, 'Emerging technological devices' and 'OSH consequences of markets integration') and research priorities (ie, crowdsourcing, e-work, zero-hours contracts) that are not reflected in previous studies of this nature.The absence of any reference to violence and harassment at work among the researchers' proposals is a major difference from previous similar studies, while topics related to gender issues and electromagnetic fields show a lower importance. CONCLUSIONS The innovative design of a research priorities identification process, which takes advantage of a large, representative and qualified panel of European researchers allowed the definition of a number of research priorities able to support the inclusion of innovative OSH research issues in the scope of the next European research agenda.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Gagliardi
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, National Institute for the Insurance against Work Accidents (INAIL), Monteporzio Catone, Italy
| | - Bruna M Rondinone
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, National Institute for the Insurance against Work Accidents (INAIL), Monteporzio Catone, Italy
| | - Marco Mirabile
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, National Institute for the Insurance against Work Accidents (INAIL), Monteporzio Catone, Italy
| | - Giuliana Buresti
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, National Institute for the Insurance against Work Accidents (INAIL), Monteporzio Catone, Italy
| | - Peter Ellwood
- Foresight Centre, Health and Safety Executive, Buxton, UK
| | - Michel Hery
- Foresight Unit, National Institute for Research and Safety (INRS), Paris, France
| | - Peter Paszkiewicz
- Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the German Social Accident Insurance (IFA), Sankt Augustin, Germany
| | - Antonio Valenti
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, National Institute for the Insurance against Work Accidents (INAIL), Monteporzio Catone, Italy
| | - Sergio Iavicoli
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, National Institute for the Insurance against Work Accidents (INAIL), Monteporzio Catone, Italy
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Indraccolo U, Ranaldi R, Mirabile M, Centurioni R. Endometrial polyp harboring a primary B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma: a useful in-office hysteroscopic approach. EUR J GYNAECOL ONCOL 2016; 37:572-574. [PMID: 29894088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
A non-menopausal women underwent gynecological evaluation for spotting and menstrual irregularities. After first line gynecological assessments, the patient underwent office hysteroscopy. By using an in-office technique, two isthmic endometrial polyps and one cervical polyp were removed. One endometFial polyp was found to harbor a B-cell high-grade lymphoma just on the apex (found to be necrotic). The following staging examinatioIns and the pathological assessment of the endometrium, the uterus, the adnexa, and the lymphatic regional nodes did not find any localization of the lymphoma. No additional treatments were done. The patient is alive and disease-free at 18 months follow-up.
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Mirabile M, Boccuni F, Gagliardi D, Rondinone BM, Iavicoli S. Workplace exposure to engineered nanomaterials: the Italian path for the definition of occupational health and safety policies. Health Policy 2014; 117:128-34. [PMID: 24582490 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2014.01.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2012] [Revised: 01/13/2014] [Accepted: 01/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
This study explores the way the publication of a National White Book on health and safety risks that affect workers in jobs involving Nanotechnologies and Nanomaterials influenced the key Italian stakeholders attitude toward this issue and identifies the standpoints and priorities shared among researchers and stakeholders to develop a policy framework to address this issue. The study not only highlights some important assumptions (i.e. the acknowledgment by the key stakeholders of the need for actions and the identification of objectives which can gain a wide consensus) for the establishment of a policy community that sustains the development of a policymaking process on the issue but, through the interaction between stakeholders and OSH researchers, it also identifies some in nuce proposals that represent the starting point for policy interventions aimed at meeting the needs of both stakeholders and scientific community. Results obtained in terms of clarification of interests at stake, identification of potential areas of consensus and level of key national actors' engagement achieved, show the potentialities of adopting a knowledge based and inclusive approach to policy-making to address the issue of prevention and management of health and safety risks related to technological innovation within a framework of scientific uncertainty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Mirabile
- INAIL Research Area - Department of Occupational Medicine, Via Fontana Candida 1, Monte Porzio Catone, RM 00040, Italy.
| | - Fabio Boccuni
- INAIL Research Area - Department of Occupational Medicine, Via Fontana Candida 1, Monte Porzio Catone, RM 00040, Italy.
| | - Diana Gagliardi
- INAIL Research Area - Department of Occupational Medicine, Via Fontana Candida 1, Monte Porzio Catone, RM 00040, Italy.
| | - Bruna Maria Rondinone
- INAIL Research Area - Department of Occupational Medicine, Via Fontana Candida 1, Monte Porzio Catone, RM 00040, Italy.
| | - Sergio Iavicoli
- INAIL Research Area - Department of Occupational Medicine, Via Fontana Candida 1, Monte Porzio Catone, RM 00040, Italy.
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Tempera G, Mirabile M, Mangiafico A, Caccamo M, Bonfiglio G. Fosfomycin Tromethamine in Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections: an Epidemiological Survey. J Chemother 2013; 16:216-7. [PMID: 15216960 DOI: 10.1179/joc.2004.16.2.216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
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Iavicoli S, Natali E, Ghelli M, Cafiero V, Mirabile M, Persechino B. [European experiences on psychosocial factor risks]. G Ital Med Lav Ergon 2009; 31:265-269. [PMID: 19943440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Psychosocial factors are largely recognised in Europe as potentially risks related to work. In the past years, important laws and agreements have been elaborated by European stakeholders in order to have a common regulation across Europe on this area. The aim of the present contribution is to introduce three European models for assessment and management of psychosocial factors risks. These models are HSE, SOBANE and Start. Vantages and disvantages are presented and the future perspectives are suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Iavicoli
- Istituto Superiore per la Prevenzione e la Sicurezza del Lavoro (ISPESL), Roma, Italy.
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Busca A, de Fabritiis P, Ghisetti V, Allice T, Mirabile M, Gentile G, Locatelli F, Falda M. Oral valganciclovir as preemptive therapy for cytomegalovirus infection post allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Transpl Infect Dis 2007; 9:102-7. [PMID: 17461994 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-3062.2006.00183.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Antiviral compounds including ganciclovir, foscarnet, and cidofovir are routinely used in the treatment of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and disease; however, these agents have a poor oral bioavailability and have the inconvenience and expense of intravenous administration. AIM OF THE STUDY To evaluate the safety and efficacy of oral valganciclovir (VGCV) for preemptive treatment of CMV reactivation in the setting of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). PATIENTS AND METHODS We treated 15 patients receiving allogeneic HSCT from related (n=9) or unrelated (n=6) donors. In all patients, either the donor, host, or both were CMV Ig G positive pretransplant. Indication for therapy was preemptive treatment of CMV infection defined as one or two consecutive positive tests of pp65 antigenemia assay or CMV-polymerase chain reaction (PCR). VGCV was administered orally in a dosage of 900 mg b.i.d. for 2 weeks, followed by 450 mg b.i.d. for 2 additional weeks. RESULTS Patients developed a positive CMV-PCR after a median of 52 days (range 37-427) post HSCT and a positive pp65 antigenemia after a median time of 74 days (range 37-427) post HSCT. Preemptive treatment with VGCV was started a median time of 56 days (range 37-429) after transplant. In all, 11 patients (73%) completed the 28 days of therapy with VGCV. All patients showed a complete clearance of the virus. The median time to achieve a negative CMV-PCR was 6 days (range 4-18). A relapse of CMV infection after VGCV preemptive therapy occurred in 6 patients (40%). No patient developed early or late CMV disease. Six patients (40%) presented hematological toxicity including neutropenia and/or thrombocytopenia that required drug discontinuation in 4 cases. CONCLUSION VGCV administered as preemptive therapy for CMV infection in patients receiving an allogeneic HSCT showed promise for treating this frequent complication. Prospective randomized studies in this setting are mandatory to yield more definitive results.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Busca
- Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera San Giovanni Battista, Turin, Italy.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To detect and quantify HIV-1 in the liver in vivo. DESIGN Fourteen liver biopsy samples and corresponding blood lymphocytes and monocytes from patients with AIDS were studied for HIV-1 using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In addition, expression of HIV-1 antigen and messenger (m) RNA in 10 autopsy liver specimens was examined by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. RESULTS The amount of HIV-1 DNA in nine liver samples ranged from 850 to 27,000 copies per 10(6) cells, with mean and median values of 8150 and 3500 copies per 10(6) cells, respectively. Five other samples had no detectable HIV-1 DNA by PCR. Intracellular expression of HIV-1 antigen and mRNA was also detected in both Kupffer cells and hepatocytes by in situ studies. CONCLUSION These findings strongly indicate that HIV-1 could replicate in the liver of a majority of patients with AIDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Z Cao
- Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, New York, New York
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Cao YZ, Friedman-Kien AE, Huang YX, Li XL, Mirabile M, Moudgil T, Zucker-Franklin D, Ho DD. CD4-independent, productive human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection of hepatoma cell lines in vitro. J Virol 1990; 64:2553-9. [PMID: 2159530 PMCID: PMC249431 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.64.6.2553-2559.1990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Five hepatoma cell lines, including CZHC/8571, PLC/PRF/5, Hep3B, HepG2, and HUH7, were inoculated with three diverse isolates of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Productive infection was noted in all hepatoma cell lines, and expression of viral p24 antigen lasted for over 3 months, but its level decreased in proportion to the number of viable cells. HIV-1 antigens were also found in the cells by immunohistochemical staining and radioimmunoprecipitation assay, as were viral RNA by in situ hybridization and HIV-1-like particles by electron microscopy. Virus yield assays were also positive on supernatant fluids collected from hepatoma cultures inoculated with HIV-1. Despite their susceptibility to infection, all five hepatoma cell lines were negative for CD4 by immunofluorescence and for CD4 mRNA by slot-blot hybridization. In addition, HIV-1 infection of hepatoma cell lines was not blocked by anti-CD4 monoclonal antibody or soluble CD4. Together, these findings clearly demonstrate that all five hepatoma cell lines were susceptible to productive infection by HIV-1 in vitro via a CD4-independent mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Z Cao
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Medical Center, New York 10016
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Cao YZ, Hosein B, Borkowsky W, Mirabile M, Baker L, Baldwin D, Poiesz BJ, Friedman-Kien AE. Antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 in the urine specimens of HIV-1-seropositive individuals. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 1989; 5:311-9. [PMID: 2543432 DOI: 10.1089/aid.1989.5.311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Specific antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) were detected in 200-fold concentrated urine samples, but none were detected in unconcentrated urine specimens, from 100 randomly selected HIV-1--seropositive individuals by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot techniques using the manufacturer's recommended procedures. Using modified methods for both the ELISA and Western blot tests, antibodies to HIV-1 have also been detected in the unconcentrated urine specimens from the same HIV-1--seropositive individuals. No difference in the frequency of antibodies to HIV-1 were found between unconcentrated and 200-fold concentrated urine samples when tested by the modified methods. HIV-1 core antigen (p24) was not detected in either the concentrated or the unconcentrated HIV-1--seropositive adult urine samples; none of these individuals showed overt clinical or laboratory evidence of renal dysfunction. The titer of the antibodies to HIV-1 found in the urine specimens was found to be parallel with the titer of antibodies to HIV-1 in the corresponding individual's serum. Further elucidation of the pathophysiology and the nature of the specific antibodies to HIV-1 observed in the urine of HIV-1--seropositive individuals is under investigation in our laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Z Cao
- New York University Medical Center, Department of Microbiology, NY 10016
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Cao YZ, Valentine F, Hojvat S, Allain JP, Rubinstein P, Mirabile M, Czelusniak S, Leuther M, Baker L, Friedman-Kien AE. Detection of HIV antigen and specific antibodies to HIV core and envelope proteins in sera of patients with HIV infection. Blood 1987; 70:575-8. [PMID: 2886162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The sera of well-characterized populations were examined for three markers of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection; HIV antigen (HIV Ag), and antibodies to HIV envelope (gp41) and core (p24) proteins. Of 563 serum samples tested, 251 were from HIV-infected patients diagnosed as having AIDS manifested by opportunistic infections (AIDS-OI), AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma (AIDS-KS), or AIDS-related complex (ARC). One hundred seventy-six specimens tested were from asymptomatic high-risk individuals, and 136 were from heterosexual control subjects or patients with non-AIDS-related disease. None of the 136 control individuals tested had HIV Ag or HIV antibodies to either p24 or gp41. Of the 427 HIV-seropositive individuals, 99% to 100% were positive for gp41 antibodies to HIV. In contrast, the seroprevalence of p24 antibodies to HIV varied from 23% to 83% and appeared to be inversely associated with the severity of the patients' clinical symptoms. When specimens were analyzed for the presence of HIV Ag, in seropositive individuals the prevalence rate for this marker was lowest (1.4%) in asymptomatic individuals and highest (50%) in the AIDS-OI diagnosed group. Also, 240 cases with AIDS-KS, AIDS-OI, and ARC and the group of asymptomatic high-risk individuals were analyzed for T helper/T lymphocytes (T4) cell number and T4/T8 ratio; only one (2.0%) HIV Ag-positive case showed a T4 cell number greater than 400 and a normal T4/T8 ratio. These studies appear to demonstrate a direct correlation between the presence of HIV Ag and the severity of clinical complications of HIV infection.
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