University of Rijeka

About: University of Rijeka is a education organization based out in Rijeka, Croatia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Tourism. The organization has 3471 authors who have published 7993 publications receiving 110386 citations. The organization is also known as: Rijeka University & Sveučilište u Rijeci.

Natural History of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Implications for Clinical Practice and an Individualized Approach

Abstract: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming the most prevalent liver disease worldwide, associated with epidemics of overweight and resulting metabolic syndrome (MetS). Around 20–30% of patients with NAFLD develop progressive liver fibrosis, which is the most important predictor of liver-related and overall morbidity and mortality. In contrast to classical understanding, no significant association has been demonstrated between the inflammatory component of NAFLD, i.e., nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and the adverse clinical outcomes. Older age (>50 years) and presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus, in addition to some genetic variants, are most consistently reported indicators of increased risk of having liver fibrosis. However, critical driving force for the progression of fibrosis and risk factors for this have still not been fully elucidated. Apart from the genetic profile, gut dysbiosis, weight gain, worsening of insulin resistance, and worsening of liver steatosis represent candidate factors associated with unfavourable development of liver disease. Cardiovascular events, extrahepatic malignancies, and liver-related deaths are the leading causes of mortality in NAFLD. As patients with advanced fibrosis are under highest risk of adverse clinical outcomes, efforts should be made to recognize individuals under risk and rule out the presence of this stage of fibrosis, preferably by using simple noninvasive tools. This process should start at the primary care level by using validated biochemical tests, followed by direct serum tests for fibrosis or elastography in the remaining patients. Patients with advanced fibrosis should be referred to hepatologists for aggressive lifestyle modification and correction of the components of MetS, and cirrhotic patients should be screened for hepatocellular carcinoma and oesophageal varices.

Targeted deletion of regions rich in immune-evasive genes from the cytomegalovirus genome as a novel vaccine strategy.

Abstract: Human cytomegalovirus (CMV), a ubiquitous human pathogen, is a leading cause of congenital infections and represents a serious health risk for the immunosuppressed patient. A vaccine against CMV is currently not available. CMV is characterized by its large genome and by multiple genes modulating the immunity of the host, which cluster predominantly at genome termini. Here, we tested whether the deletion of gene blocks rich in immunomodulatory genes could be used as a novel concept in the generation of immunogenic but avirulent, herpesvirus vaccines. To generate an experimental CMV vaccine, we selectively deleted 32 genes from the mouse cytomegalovirus (MCMV) genome. The resulting mutant grew to titers similar to that of wild-type MCMV in vitro. In vivo, the mutant was 10,000-fold attenuated and well tolerated, even by highly susceptible mice deficient for B, T, and NK cells or for the interferon type I receptor. Equally relevant for safety concerns, immune suppression did not lead to the mutant's reactivation from latency. Immunization with the replication-competent mutant, but not with inactivated virus, resulted in protective immunity, which increased over time. Vaccination induced MCMV-specific antibodies and a strong T-cell response. We propose that a targeted and rational approach can improve future herpesvirus vaccines and vaccine vectors.

Minimum information about a protein affinity reagent (MIAPAR)

Abstract: This is a proposal developed within the community as an important first step in formalizing standards in reporting the production and properties of protein binding reagents, such as antibodies, developed and sold for the identification and detection of specific proteins present in biological samples. It defines a checklist of required information, intended for use by producers of affinity reagents, quality-control laboratories, users and databases. We envision that both commercial and freely available affinity reagents, as well as published studies using these reagents, could include a MIAPAR-compliant document describing the product's properties with every available binding partner.