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Background: Although human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) reservoir size is very stable under antiretroviral therapy (ART), individuals exposed to the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) (chronically coinfected and spontaneous clarifiers) show an increase in HIV reservoir size and in spliced viral RNA, which could indicate that the viral protein regulator Tat is being more actively synthesized and, thus, could lead to a higher yield of new HIV. However, it is still unknown whether the effect of HCV elimination with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) could modify the HIV reservoir and splicing. Methods: This longitudinal study (48 weeks' follow-up after sustained virological response) involves 22 HIV+-monoinfected individuals, 17 HIV+/HCV- spontaneous clarifiers, and 24 HIV+/HCV+ chronically infected subjects who eliminated HCV with DAAs (all of them aviremic, viral load < 50). Viral-spliced RNA transcripts and proviral DNA copies were quantified by qPCR. Paired samples were analyzed using a mixed generalized linear model. Results: A decrease in HIV proviral DNA was observed in HIV+/HCV- subjects, but no significant differences were found for the other study groups. An increased production of multiple spliced transcripts was found in HIV+ and HIV+/HCV+ individuals. Conclusions: We conclude that elimination of HCV by DAAs was unable to revert the consequences derived from chronic HCV infection for the reservoir size and viral splicing, which could indicate an increased risk of rapid HIV-reservoir reactivation. Moreover, spontaneous clarifiers showed a significant decrease in the HIV reservoir, likely due to an enhanced immune response in these individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the primary etiologic agent of liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. HCV elevated infection rates are mostly due to the lack of an accurate and accessible screening and diagnosis, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Conventional HCV diagnostic algorithm consists of a serological test followed by a nucleic acid test. This sequence of tests is time consuming and not affordable for low-resource settings. Nanotechnology have introduced new promising tests for the diagnose of infectious diseases. Based on the employment of nanoparticles and other nanomaterials which lead to highly sensitive and specific nanoscale tests, most of them target pathogen genome. Implementation of nanoscale tests, which are affordable, portable and easy to use by non-specialized personal, would improve HCV diagnosis algorithm. In this review, we have summed up the current emerging nanotechnology tools, which will improve actual screening and treatment programs, and help to reach HCV elimination proposal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel set-up for monitoring the gas diffusion process in polymers has been developed. This set-up is based on performing neutron radiography and tomography of polymeric materials under high pressures of gas. Information about the absorption kinetics of supercritical CO 2 was obtained. Additionally, solubility, diffusivity, and macroscopic changes in the dimensions of the samples can be in-situ obtained through the developed measurement technique. This novel approach can be very helpful to analyze the diffusion kinetics in a wide range of polymers. [Display omitted] • In-situ visualization of gas diffusion process in polymers. • Neutron radiography and tomography of gas diffusion in polymers. • In situ dimensions evolution of polymers under gas pressure. • In situ solubility and diffusivity evolution of polymers under gas pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] The latent viral reservoir formed by HIV-1, mainly in CD4 + T cells, is responsible for the failure of antiretroviral therapy (ART) to achieve a complete elimination of the virus in infected individuals. We previously determined that CD4 + T cells from individuals with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) on treatment with dasatinib are resistant to HIV-1 infection ex vivo. The main mechanism for this antiviral effect is the preservation of SAMHD1 activity. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the impact of dasatinib on the viral reservoir of HIV-infected individuals with CML who were on simultaneous treatment with ART and dasatinib. Due to the low estimated incidence of HIV-1 infection and CML (1:65,000), three male individuals were recruited in Spain and Germany. These individuals had been on treatment with standard ART and dasatinib for median 1.3 years (IQR 1.3–5.3 years). Reservoir size and composition in PBMCs from these individuals was analyzed in comparison with HIV-infected individuals on triple ART regimen and undetectable viremia. The frequency of latently infected cells was reduced more than 5-fold in these individuals. The reactivation of proviruses from these cells was reduced more than 4-fold and, upon activation, SAMHD1 phosphorylation was reduced 40-fold. Plasma levels of the homeostatic cytokine IL-7 and CD4 effector subpopulations TEM and TEMRA in peripheral blood were also reduced. Therefore, treatment of HIV-infected individuals with dasatinib as adjuvant of ART could disturb the reservoir reactivation and reseeding, which might have a beneficial impact to reduce its size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Low thermal conductivity foams prepared from recycled panel glass have been produced. • The mechanisms of heat transfer through glass foams of varying density and microstructure are evaluated. • A new model accounting for the scattering of radiation in foams with bimodal cellular structures is proposed. • The contribution of each heat transfer mechanism and the thermal conductivity of glass foams at different temperatures are predicted by the model. • The model is validated using experimental measurements and the deviation is below 2%. Glass foams are highly sustainable materials with enormous potential to replace traditional thermal insulators. Current research on glass foams is focused on improving thermal insulation by reducing density, but this is somehow a limited approach. Selecting the best approach to reduce thermal conductivity relies on establishing a detailed knowledge on the heat transfer mechanisms playing the most significant role. We have studied the mechanisms of heat transfer in a set of cathode-ray-tube (CRT) panel glass foams. The influence of relative density, cellular structure, gas composition, glass distribution between cell walls and struts, and radiation on heat transfer is addressed. From a detailed characterisation and state-of-the-art models, we have created a new analytical model adapted to the peculiarities of the foams under analysis. Additionally, the thermal conductivity for varying temperature conditions has been predicted. The obtained results point out to a significant contribution of the heat transfer by radiation for foams with porosities higher than 0.96. The predicted values of thermal conductivity indicate the existence of a plateau region at high porosities. Temperature is proven to shift the contributions of heat transfer, increasing the weight of radiation and gas conduction. The predictions of the new analytical model have been contrasted with experimental measurements of the thermal conductivity at different densities and temperatures obtaining differences below 2%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coinfection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) influences HIV reservoir size. However, it is unknown whether this coinfection also induces a higher provirus transcription. Viral transcription is promoted by synergy between cellular factors such as NF-κB and the viral regulator Tat. The impact of HCV coinfection on HIV provirus transcription was analyzed in resting (r)CD4 T+ cells (CD3+CD4+CD25-CD69-HLADR-) and rCD4 T cells-depleted PBMCs (rCD4 T- PBMCs) from a multicenter cross-sectional study of 115 cART-treated HIV patients: 42 HIV+/HCV+ coinfected individuals (HIV+/HCV+), 34 HIV+ patients with HCV spontaneous clearance (HIV+/HCV−) and 39 HIV patients (HIV+). Viral transcription was assessed in total RNA through the quantification of unspliced, single spliced, and multiple spliced viral mRNAs by qPCR. Linear correlations between viral reservoir size and viral splicing were determined. A 3-fold increase of multiple spliced transcripts in rCD4 T+ cells of HIV+/HCV+ patients was found compared to HIV+ individuals (p < 0.05). As Tat is synthesized by multiple splicing, the levels of Tat were also quantified in these patients. Significant differences in single and multiple spliced transcripts were also observed in rCD4 T- PBMCs. Levels of multiple spliced mRNAs were increased in rCD4 T+ cells isolated from HIV+/HCV+ subjects, which could indicate a higher Tat activity in these cells despite their resting state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although nanocellular polymers are interesting materials with improved properties in comparison with conventional or microcellular polymers, the production of large and flat parts of those materials is still challenging. Herein, gas dissolution foaming process is used to produce large and flat nanocellular polymethylmethacrylate samples. In order to do that, the foaming step is performed in a hot press. The methodology is optimized to produce flat samples with dimensions of 100 × 100 × 6 mm3, relative densities in the range 0.25–0.55 and cell sizes around 250 nm. Additionally, foaming parameters are modified to study their influence on the final cellular structure, and the materials produced in this paper are compared with samples produced by using a most conventional approach in which foaming step is conducted in a thermal bath. Results obtained show that an increment in the foaming temperature leads to a reduction in relative density and an increase of cell nucleation density. Moreover, differences in the final cellular structure for materials produced by both foaming routes are studied, proving that although there exist some differences, the mechanisms governing the nucleation and growing are the same in both processes, leading to the production of homogeneous materials with very similar cellular structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection (AHC) is often difficult to identify due to the lack of symptoms (around 85% of cases) [1,2]. Despite the decline of HCV transmission via blood-to-blood due to donor screening programs and a decline in intravenous drug use (IDUs) [3], the incidence of sexual transmission has now increased, particularly in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected men who have sex with men (MSM), arousing great interest in this new public health problem [4,5]. This is the first study to evaluate the incidence of hospital admissions and mortality related to admitted AHC and AHC recurrences, with particular attention to HIV-infected patients, as well as to analyze its trend through the combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) era (1997–2012) in Spain. Materials and methods: We performed a retrospective study on patients with an AHC diagnosis in the Spanish Minimum Basic Data Set (MBDS). Patients were classified as HCV-monoinfected patients and HIV/HCV-coinfected patients. The outcome variables were: i) AHC-related hospital admission; ii) AHC-related mortality (intra-hospital mortality); iii) hospital admissions related to AHC recurrences. The data were treated with full confidentiality, according to Spanish legislation. MBDS is regulated by an organic law that sets out how institutions must proceed with health-related personal data. Informed consent is not required because personal data are collected for the exercise of the functions proper to public administrative bodies. The Spanish Ministry of Health confirmed that our study fulfilled all the appropriate ethical considerations, according to Spanish legislation. Results: Overall, 5792 patients were diagnosed with AHC during the study period, 4831 subjects were HCV-monoinfected, 961 individuals were HIV/HCV-coinfected and there were 115 (1.99%) recurrences, of them, 97 (2.00%) were HVC monoinfected and 18 (1,88%) HIV/HCV coinfected, showing similar incidence in both groups. The incidence of AHC-related hospital admission in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients was 0.81 per 10,000 person-years (p-y) while in HCV-monoinfected, it was 1.2 per 100,000 p-y (p < 0.001). Both groups showed a dramatic decrease in hospital admissions during the study period (p < 0.001). The mortality over the whole follow-up in the HIV/HCV-coinfected group was 2.2 per 10,000 p-y, while in the HCV-monoinfected group it was 2.0 per 100,000 p-y (p < 0.001). AHC-related mortality diminished significantly in both groups (approximately 2–3 times) during the study period (p < 0.001). The adjusted likelihood of death for AHC was 1.90 (95%CI =2.07–3.02) times higher in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients than in HCV-monoinfected. The adjusted likelihood of AHC recurrence during the follow-up was 1.31 times higher in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients than in HCV-monoinfected patients [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 1.31 (95%CI = 1.05–1.63); p = 0.013]. Discussion and conclusions: HIV/HCV-coinfected individuals were at higher risk of hospital admissions and deaths related to AHC during the cART era, with higher incidence and mortality than HCV-monoinfected subjects. Recurrence of AHC-related to hospital admissions was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gender-specific consequences after HCV eradication are unexplored. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role in the immune response against viral infections. However, few have highlighted miRNA role in sex-biased disease or therapy response. We aim to assess gender differences reflected in the miRNA expression of HIV/HCV-coinfected patients who achieve sustained virological response (SVR) with direct acting antivirals (DAAs). We conducted a prospective study of miRNA expression in PBMCs from 28 chronic HIV/HCV-coinfected patients (HIV/HCV) at baseline and after achieving SVR with DAAs. Sixteen HIV-monoinfected patients (HIV) and 36 healthy controls (HC) were used as controls. Identification of significant differentially expressed (SDE) miRNAs was performed with generalized linear model and mixed GLMs. We also explored putative dysregulated biological pathways. At baseline , the HIV/HCV patients showed differences in the miRNA profile concerning the HIV group (165 and 102 SDE miRNAs for males and females, respectively). Gender-stratified analysis of HIV/HCV group at baseline versus at SVR achievement showed higher differences in males (80 SDE miRNAs) than in females (55 SDE miRNAs). After SVR, HIV/HCV group showed similar values to HIV individuals, especially in females (1 SDE miRNA). However, ten miRNAs in males remained dysregulated, which were mainly involved in cancer, fatty acid, and inflammatory pathways. Taken together, our results show gender-biased dysregulation in the miRNA expression profile of PBMCs after HCV eradication with DAAs. These differences were normalized in females, while miRNA profile and their target-related pathways in males lack of normalization, which may be related to a high-risk of developing liver-related complications. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micro RNAs (miRNAs) are essential players in HIV and HCV infections, as both viruses modulate cellular miRNAs and interact with the miRNA-mediated host response. We aim to analyze the miRNA profile of HIV patients with different exposure to HCV to explore specific signatures in the miRNA profile of PBMCs for each type of infection. We massively sequenced small RNAs of PBMCs from 117 HIV+ infected patients: 45 HIV+ patients chronically infected with HCV (HIV/HCV+), 36 HIV+ that spontaneously clarified HCV after acute infection (HIV/HCV-) and 36 HIV+ patients without previous HCV infection (HIV). Thirty-two healthy patients were used as healthy controls (HC). Differential expression analysis showed significantly differentially expressed (SDE) miRNAs in HIV/HCV+ ( n = 153), HIV/HCV- ( n = 169) and HIV ( n = 153) patients. We found putative dysregulated pathways, such as infectious-related and PI3K signaling pathways, common in all contrasts. Specifically, putatively targeted genes involved in antifolate resistance (HIV/HV+), cancer-related pathways (HIV/HCV-) and HIF-signaling (HIV) were identified, among others. Our findings revealed that HCV strongly influences the expression profile of PBMCs from HIV patients through the disruption of its miRNome. Thus, different HCV exposure can be identified by specific miRNA signatures in PBMCs.