Discovery of a third RNA virus linage in extreme environments Jan 17, 2024

AI SummaryA new RNA virus has been found in a hot spring, indicating that RNA viruses can survive in extreme temperatures. This suggests the possibility of a third kingdom of RNA viruses.A research group has discovered a novel RNA viral genome from microbes inhabiting a high-temperature acidic hot spring. Their study shows that RNA viruses… Continue reading Discovery of a third RNA virus linage in extreme environments Jan 17, 2024

649 Phase 1a open-label, non-randomized, multi-center clinical trial of intratumoral IVX037 in patients with advanced microsatellite stable (MSS) colorectal, gastroesophageal or ovarian cancer

Background Oncolytic viruses have emerged as promising therapeutic agents to selectively infect and destroy cancer cells while synergizing with checkpoint inhibitors to increase efficacy of immunotherapy. IVX037 is a novel bio-selected, receptor targeted, non-genetically modified, naturally occurring oncolytic strain of a human enteric RNA picornavirus. It is a non-enveloped, single-positive-stranded RNA virus with a capsid… Continue reading 649 Phase 1a open-label, non-randomized, multi-center clinical trial of intratumoral IVX037 in patients with advanced microsatellite stable (MSS) colorectal, gastroesophageal or ovarian cancer

Research article antibody induction and immune response in nasal cavity by third dose of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination

Guo L, Ren L, Yang S, Xiao M, Chang D, Yang F, Dela Cruz CS, Wang Y, Wu C, Xiao Y, et al. Profiling early humoral response to diagnose Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). Clin Infect Dis. 2020;71:778–85. Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar  Long QX, Liu BZ, Deng HJ, Wu GC, Deng K, Chen YK, Liao… Continue reading Research article antibody induction and immune response in nasal cavity by third dose of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination

Virus usurps alternative splicing to clear the decks for infection

Berget SM, Moore C, Sharp PA. Spliced segments at the 5’ terminus of adenovirus 2 late mRNA. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1977;74:3171–5. Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar  Chow LT, Roberts JM, Lewis JB, Broker TR. A map of cytoplasmic RNA transcripts from lytic adenovirus type 2, determined by electron microscopy… Continue reading Virus usurps alternative splicing to clear the decks for infection

An mRNA Vaccine to Treat Cancer

by Gertrud U. Rey There are several highly effective vaccines that block infection by human papillomaviruses (HPVs) and thereby prevent the cervical, anogenital, and head and neck cancers caused by these viruses. However, none of these vaccines are effective for the treatment of established HPV-induced tumors. The success of the COVID-19 messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines… Continue reading An mRNA Vaccine to Treat Cancer

RNA vaccination in rabbit mothers confers benefits to offspring in the womb

Newly developed mRNA vaccines against Zika virus and HIV-1 produced strong antibody responses that transferred from pregnant rabbits to their offspring, researchers report. As noted by the authors, the results support further development of their vaccine platform, LIONTM/repRNA, for maternal and neonatal settings to protect against mother-to-child transmission of pathogens in animals and humans.

Trial By Error: Double Talk on Mind-Body “Dualism” in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research?

By David Tuller, DrPH Proponents of the psychosomatic approach to ME and long Covid–as well as the broader range of so-called “functional” disorders and/or “medically unexplained symptoms”–routinely declare that those who disagree with them are engaging in what they dismissively refer to as mind-body “dualism.” The mind and body are not separate entities, they note,… Continue reading Trial By Error: Double Talk on Mind-Body “Dualism” in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research?