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Abstract: Proteoliposomes (PL) obtained from Mycobacterium smegmatis (Ms) were evaluated for their capacity to elicit cross-reactive responses against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) antigens in BALB/c mice. Animals immunized with PL adjuvanted with alum (PL–AL) or Freund''s Incomplete Adjuvant (PL–IFA) showed significant IgG responses against the PL as well as total Ms lipids. Both groups of animals also showed significant IgG responses against BCG, but only animals immunized with PL–AL produced significant IgG responses against soluble cell wall proteins (SCWP) or whole cell lysate (WCL) of Mtb. Significant DTH responses against WCL were observed in both groups of animals after 24h, but only PL–AL-immunized mice showed significant DTH responses after 48h and 72h. PL–Ms are capable of eliciting cross-reactive humoral and cellular responses against Mtb antigens and thus may be a potential vaccine strategy against tuberculosis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Down-regulation of Drosha and Dicer has been suggested to be of prognostic value in some cancers. The aims of our study were to investigate the down-regulation of Drosha and Dicer in breast cancers and its associations with clinicopathological features, molecular subtypes and outcome. Drosha and Dicer expression was assessed with real-time RT-PCR in 245 patients with breast cancer receiving adjuvant anthracycline-based chemotherapy and compared to expression levels of normal breast tissue. Drosha down-regulation was observed in 18% of cases and was associated with high grade, high Ki-67, lack of Bcl2 expression, HER2 over-expression and gene amplification and TOPO2A gene amplification. Dicer down-regulation was found in 46% of cases and was associated with lack of expression of ER, PR and Bcl2 and with high grade, high Ki-67, triple-negative and basal-like phenotypes. Drosha and Dicer were concurrently down-regulated in 15% of cases and significantly associated with high grade and high Ki-67 index. No significant associations between down-regulation of Drosha and/or Dicer and outcome were observed. Our results suggest that down-regulation of Drosha and/or Dicer is not robustly associated with the outcome of breast cancer patients treated with adjuvant anthracycline-based chemotherapy but preferentially observed in distinct subgroups of breast cancer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This article discusses the research priorities for neglected infectious diseases (NIDs) in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region. The region is heavily affected by NIDs, which are influenced by ecological diversity, environmental changes, and migrations. The article highlights the need for research on arthropod vector-borne diseases, soil- and tissue-transmitted helminths, endemic mycosis, emerging viral diseases, and sexually transmitted diseases. It also emphasizes the importance of strengthening research and technological facilities in LAC, particularly in natural products research and clinical/epidemiologic research. The article aims to stimulate debate and inform future actions by funding agencies in the area of NIDs in LAC. The text discusses research priorities for neglected infectious diseases (NIDs) in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). It emphasizes the need for collaboration and partnerships between different scientific areas, such as social sciences, bioethics, and genomics, to address the diverse challenges posed by NIDs. The text also highlights the importance of capacity strengthening in areas such as medical entomology and biotechnology incubators to improve research and development efforts. Overall, the text emphasizes the need for a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to tackle NIDs in the LAC region. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on prioritizing neglected infectious diseases (NIDs) research on two countries such as Latin America and Caribbean Region. It states that the NIDs elimination and reduction goal has been set by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in American countries. It mentions several indicators that could be utilized in prioritizing NIDs related research including the indicators of poverty, mortality, and disease morbidity. It says that identifying the technological strengths and opportunities in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) is believed to be the second approach in prioritizing medical research for NIDs mentioning that the researches and technological networks in the area might contribute to a new cost-effective research action concerning NIDs.