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Microbiology Spectrum Oct 2022is being developed as a biological tool to suppress mosquito populations and/or interfere with their transmitted viruses. Adult males with an artificial infection have...
is being developed as a biological tool to suppress mosquito populations and/or interfere with their transmitted viruses. Adult males with an artificial infection have been released, successfully yielding population suppression in multiple field trials. The main characteristic of the artificial -infected mosquitoes used in the suppression program is the lower vector competence than that in native infected/uninfected mosquitoes in horizontal and vertical transmission. Our previous studies have demonstrated that the Aedes albopictus HC line infected with a trio of strains exhibited almost complete blockade of dengue virus (DENV) and Zika virus (ZIKV) in horizontal and vertical transmission. However, the extent to which inhibits virus transovarial transmission is unknown since no studies have been performed to determine whether protects ovarian cells against viral infection. Here, we employed ovarian cells of the . GUA (a wild-type mosquito line superinfected with two native strains, AlbA and AlbB), HC, and GT lines (tetracycline-cured, -uninfected mosquitoes), which exhibit key traits, and compared them to better understand how inhibits ZIKV transovarial transmission. Our results showed that the infection rate of adult GT progeny was significantly higher than that of GUA progeny during the first and second gonotrophic cycles. In contrast, the infection rates of adult GT and GUA progeny were not significantly different during the third gonotrophic cycle. All examined adult HC progeny from three gonotrophic cycles were negative for ZIKV infection. A strong negative linear correlation existed between density and ZIKV load in the ovaries of mosquitoes. Although there is no obvious coexistence area in the ovaries for and ZIKV, host immune responses may play a role in blocking ZIKV expansion and maintenance in the ovaries of . These results will aid in understanding -ZIKV interactions in mosquitoes. Area-wide application of to suppress mosquito populations and their transmitted viruses has achieved success in multiple countries. However, the mass release of -infected male mosquitoes involves a potential risk of accidentally releasing fertile females. In this study, we employed ovarian cells of the GUA, HC, and GT lines, which exhibit key traits, and compared them to better understand how inhibits ZIKV transovarial transmission. Our results showed an almost complete blockade of ZIKV transmission in HC female mosquitoes. in natively infected GUA mosquitoes negative affected ZIKV, and this interference was shown by slightly lower loads than those in HC mosquitoes. Overall, our work helps show how blocks ZIKV expansion and maintenance in the ovaries of and aids in understanding -ZIKV interactions in mosquitoes.
Topics: Animals; Male; Female; Wolbachia; Aedes; Zika Virus; Zika Virus Infection; Mosquito Vectors; Tetracyclines
PubMed: 35894613
DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02633-21 -
BMC Cancer Nov 2023One of the most frequently reported effects of cancer and its treatments is cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI). Viral infections may affect inflammation and...
PURPOSE
One of the most frequently reported effects of cancer and its treatments is cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI). Viral infections may affect inflammation and immune function and therefore may influence patient symptoms, including CRCI. The goal of this study was to describe the prevalence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections at diagnosis, during, and after chemotherapy in individuals with ovarian cancer and explore CMV infection at diagnosis with cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) following chemotherapy.
METHODS
We recruited adults newly diagnosed with ovarian, primary peritoneal or fallopian tube cancer at a single academic cancer center into two prospective studies. In Study 1 (N = 71), participants provided blood samples at diagnosis. In Study 2 (N = 18), participants provided blood samples and completed symptom surveys before, during and after front-line adjuvant chemotherapy. Serum CMV DNA levels were assessed using digital PCR; >100 copies/mL of serum was considered positive for active CMV infection (CMV+). CRCI was measured using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Cognitive Function (FACT-Cog) questionnaire. Changes in FACT-Cog scores were compared by CMV status at diagnosis using t-tests at each time point.
RESULTS
At diagnosis, 29.2% were CMV+ (28.2% in Study 1, 33.3% in Study 2). Following three cycles of chemotherapy (Study 2), CMV positivity rose to 60.0% and then back down to 31.3% after chemotherapy. We observed significant differences in CRCI following chemotherapy by CMV status at diagnosis.
CONCLUSION
Our data suggest that active CMV infection is common among patients undergoing treatment for ovarian cancer and may contribute to symptoms of CRCI.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Female; Prevalence; Prospective Studies; Ovarian Neoplasms; Cognition; Cytomegalovirus Infections
PubMed: 37923995
DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-11566-y -
BMJ Case Reports Dec 2023Ovarian cysts exhibit variable clinical presentations depending on their size, type and resulting sequelae. Rupture of ovarian cysts is infrequent, and cyst infections...
Ovarian cysts exhibit variable clinical presentations depending on their size, type and resulting sequelae. Rupture of ovarian cysts is infrequent, and cyst infections are even rarer. Here, we report an unusual case involving a young, non-pregnant woman who presented acutely with features of peritonitis and sepsis and was found to have a complex adnexal mass. Following a rigorous diagnostic evaluation, which included an urgent exploratory laparotomy and salpingo-oophorectomy, common diagnoses including tubo-ovarian abscess, endometriotic cyst and pelvic tuberculosis were ruled out. Instead, she was diagnosed with an ovarian mucinous cystadenoma that had become infected, possibly due to pelvic inflammatory disease, leading to spontaneous rupture. Such a presentation has rarely been reported, especially in a non-pregnant setting. Therefore, we emphasise the importance of considering this rare complication as a potential differential diagnosis in similar clinical presentations and discuss the management implications, including the importance of adequately treating pelvic inflammatory disease.
Topics: Female; Humans; Cystadenoma, Mucinous; Pelvic Inflammatory Disease; Rupture, Spontaneous; Cysts; Ovarian Neoplasms; Ovarian Cysts; Fallopian Tube Diseases
PubMed: 38114297
DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2022-253329 -
Gynecological Endocrinology : the... Oct 2021No information exists in the literature regarding the effect of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) infection on subsequent n vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle attempt. We,... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
OBJECTIVE
No information exists in the literature regarding the effect of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) infection on subsequent n vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle attempt. We, therefore, aim to assess the influence of COVID-19 infection on IVF treatments.
DESIGN
An observational study.
SETTING
A tertiary, university-affiliated medical center.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
All consecutive couples undergoing ovarian stimulation (OS) for IVF, before and after recovering from COVID-19 infection, and reached the ovum pick-up (OPU) stage. The stimulation characteristics and embryological variables of couples undergoing IVF treatments after recovering from COVID-19 infection were assessed and compared to their IVF cycles prior to COVID-19 infection.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Stimulation characteristics and embryological variables.
RESULTS
Nine couples (seven with the female partner infection and two with the male partner) resumed IVF treatment 8-92 d after recovering from the COVID-19 infection (negative polymerase chain reaction [PCR]). No in-between cycles differences were observed in OS and embryological variables between the cycles before and after recovering from the COVID-19 infection, except for a significantly lower proportion of top-quality embryos.
CONCLUSIONS
COVID-19 infection did not affect patients' performance or ovarian reserve in their immediate subsequent IVF cycle, except for a reduced proportion of top-quality embryos (TQEs). We therefore suggest, to postpone IVF treatment for a least 3 months (duration of folliculogenesis and spermatogenesis) after recovering from COVID-19 infection, aiming to recruit healthy gametes that were not exposed to COVID-19 infection during their development.
Topics: Adult; COVID-19; Embryo Transfer; Embryo, Mammalian; Female; Fertilization in Vitro; Humans; Male; Ovarian Reserve; Ovulation Induction; SARS-CoV-2; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 33974475
DOI: 10.1080/09513590.2021.1918080 -
International Journal of Environmental... May 2023Ovarian Cancer (OC) diagnosis is entrusted to CA125 and HE4. Since the latter has been found increased in COVID-19 patients, in this study, we aimed to evaluate the...
Ovarian Cancer (OC) diagnosis is entrusted to CA125 and HE4. Since the latter has been found increased in COVID-19 patients, in this study, we aimed to evaluate the influence of SARS-CoV-2 infection on OC biomarkers. HE4 values above the cut-off were observed in 65% of OC patients and in 48% of SARS-CoV-2-positive patients (not oncologic patients), whereas CA125 values above the cut-off were observed in 71% of OC patients and in 11% of SARS-CoV-2 patients. Hence, by dividing the HE4 levels into quartiles, we can state that altered levels of HE4 in COVID-19 patients were mostly detectable in quartile I (151-300 pmol/L), while altered levels in OC patients were mostly clustered in quartile III (>600, pmol/L). In light of these observations, in order to better discriminate women with ovarian cancer versus those with COVID-19, we established a possible HE4 cut-off of 328 pmol/L by means of a ROC curve. These results demonstrate that the reliability of HE4 as a biomarker in ovarian cancer remains unchanged, despite COVID-19 interference; moreover, it is important for a proper diagnosis that whether the patient has a recent history of SARS-CoV-2 infection is determined.
Topics: Humans; Female; Biomarkers, Tumor; Reproducibility of Results; WAP Four-Disulfide Core Domain Protein 2; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Ovarian Neoplasms; ROC Curve
PubMed: 37297598
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20115994 -
Gynecological Endocrinology : the... Jun 2022The need for protective measures during the COVID-19 pandemic forced assisted reproduction centers to adopt new protocols in order to reduce the risk of infection for...
PURPOSE
The need for protective measures during the COVID-19 pandemic forced assisted reproduction centers to adopt new protocols in order to reduce the risk of infection for patients and staff. A COVID-19 Compliant IVF ( fertilization) program based on the use of follitropin delta to induce ovarian stimulation and fixed protocol with GnRH (Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone) antagonists was applied to demonstrate the efficacy of this program in reducing the necessity of patients to be present within the clinic while maintaining the expected success rate.
METHODS
The program was applied to 100 patients (women aged between 20 and 40 years, at their first IVF cycle): pretreatment assessment was carried out video conference and clinical documentations were sent by email. Ovarian stimulation was based on doses of Follitropin delta selected on the basis of body weight and serum AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone). The study population was then compared with historical controls to assess the percentage of patients receiving fresh embryo transfer. Finally, a questionnaire was proposed to assess patient satisfaction.
RESULTS
The ovarian stimulation protocol with a fixed dose of follitropin delta led to an optimal ovarian response (8-14 oocytes) in 54% of the women included in the study. The rate of hyper response was 15% and was significantly lower that what reported in the control group (26.8%, < .05). The good control of ovarian response to stimulation is the reason for the large percentage of cycles associated with fresh embryo transfer (84%, 84/100). The rate of fresh embryo transfer was significantly higher that what reported for the control population (68.5%, < .05). In 40 out of 84 patients, blastocysts were available for the fresh embryo transfer procedure. Eighty-five percent (89/100) of survey responders reported being extremely satisfied with the simplified approach to the IVF cycle because of reduced number of visits, easy management of working hours and reduction in travel costs.
CONCLUSIONS
The use of follitropin delta and fixed protocol with GnRH antagonist in COVID-19 - Compliant IVF program is associated to a low percentage of patients developing excessive ovarian response compared to conventional strategy and a very good level of patient satisfaction. Beyond the pandemic, the new approach to ovarian stimulation, modern technologies and telemedicine could play a key role in bridging the gap between different geographic areas and could offer advantages such as increased accessibility, cost saving and patient satisfaction.
Topics: Anti-Mullerian Hormone; COVID-19; Female; Fertilization in Vitro; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Hormone Antagonists; Humans; Pandemics; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Rate
PubMed: 35548947
DOI: 10.1080/09513590.2022.2073346 -
Biomedical Journal Apr 2020Despite the hard times COVID-19 has imposed on us, the Biomedical Journal strives to provide fresh and compelling reading material - to be enjoyed safely from home. In... (Review)
Review
Despite the hard times COVID-19 has imposed on us, the Biomedical Journal strives to provide fresh and compelling reading material - to be enjoyed safely from home. In this issue, we glance behind the scenes of dental stem cell preservation for potential therapeutic use, and discover that cancer cells hijack podoplanin expression to induce thrombosis. Moreover, we learn how the helicase DDX17 promotes tumour stemness, how genetic defects in meiosis and DNA repair cause premature ovarian insufficiency, and that the brain-derived neurotrophic factor is associated with several psychiatric diseases. Further accounts relate the role of miR-95-3p in colorectal cancer, the protective power of eggplants against mercury poisoning, and the predictive value of inhibin A for premature delivery. Finally, the very rare case of adenoid cystic carcinoma in the external auditory canal receives some attention, and we get to read up on how 3D imaging and modelling combines functional and aesthetic repair of cleft lip and palate cases.
Topics: Betacoronavirus; COVID-19; Cell Differentiation; Coronavirus Infections; Humans; MicroRNAs; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral; SARS-CoV-2; Stem Cells; Tooth
PubMed: 32333995
DOI: 10.1016/j.bj.2020.04.001 -
International Journal of Gynecological... Aug 2020The spleen plays a role in the immune and coagulative responses, yet a splenectomy may be required during ovarian cancer surgery to achieve complete cytoreduction. The...
INTRODUCTION
The spleen plays a role in the immune and coagulative responses, yet a splenectomy may be required during ovarian cancer surgery to achieve complete cytoreduction. The aim of the study was to correlate hematologic changes with the development of infection and venous thromboembolism in patients undergoing splenectomy.
METHODS
This single-institution retrospective review includes all patients undergoing splenectomy during cytoreductive surgery for advanced ovarian cancer, March 2001 to December 2016. We compared postoperative hematologic changes (evaluated daily before discharge) in patients developing infection within 30 days' post-surgery (Infection group) with those who did not (No-Infection group). We also compared patients developing venous thromboembolism with those without.
RESULTS
A total of 265 patients underwent splenectomy. Median age was 64 years (range 22-88): 146 (55%) patients had stage IIIC and 114 (43%) patients had stage IV. The majority, 201 (76%) patients underwent splenectomy during primary debulking. A total of 132 (50%) patients comprised the Infection group (most common: urinary tract infection, 54%). Median time from surgery to infection was 8 days (range, 0-29). After initial rise in white blood cell count in both groups, the Infection group had a second peak on postoperative day 10 (median 16.6K/mcL, IQR 12.5-21.2) not seen in the No-Infection group (median 12K/mcL, IQR 9.3-16.3). A total of 40 (15%) patients developed venous thromboembolism, median time of 6.5 days (range, 1-43). All patients demonstrated a continuous rise in platelets during postoperative days 0-15. Thrombocytosis was present in 38/40 (95%) patients with venous thromboembolism vs 183/225 (81%) patients without (P=0.036). Median days with thrombocytosis was higher in venous thromboembolism (8 days, range 1-15) vs non groups (6 days, range 1-16, P=0.049).
CONCLUSION
We identified initial leukocytosis after splenectomy in all patients. The Infection group had a second peak in white blood cell count on postoperative day 10, not present in the No-Infection group. Among patients with venous thromboembolism, thrombocytosis was more frequent and of longer duration.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cytoreduction Surgical Procedures; Female; Humans; Infections; Leukocyte Count; Leukocytosis; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Staging; Ovarian Neoplasms; Platelet Count; Postoperative Complications; Postoperative Period; Retrospective Studies; Splenectomy; Thrombocytosis; Time Factors; Venous Thromboembolism; Young Adult
PubMed: 32665236
DOI: 10.1136/ijgc-2020-001368 -
Journal of Visualized Experiments : JoVE Jan 2020Malaria research requires large-scale breeding and production conditions for mosquitoes (Anopheles spp.) in captivity. The sustainable and reliable production of...
Malaria research requires large-scale breeding and production conditions for mosquitoes (Anopheles spp.) in captivity. The sustainable and reliable production of mosquitoes is currently inhibited by the supply of fresh vertebrate blood. Alternatives to blood are required to promote efficient control strategies for malaria and other vector borne diseases that are transmitted by blood feeding insects. With this in mind, artificial liquid diets were formulated as substitutes for fresh vertebrate blood. Herein we report a blood-free artificial liquid diet that delivers feeding rates similar to blood and mimics the physiological effects of a fresh vertebrate blood meal. The diet induces ovarian and egg maturation of Anopheles mosquitoes and also produces good larval survival and development of functional adults. The formulated blood-free liquid diet is an important advance towards sustainable mosquito breeding in captivity and will reduce the maintenance costs of mosquito colonies and eliminate the need for fresh vertebrate blood.
Topics: Animals; Anopheles; Breeding; Diet; Female; Malaria; Mosquito Vectors
PubMed: 32065124
DOI: 10.3791/60144 -
Current Oncology (Toronto, Ont.) Apr 2022This review of the meaningful data from 2021 on cervical, endometrial, and ovarian cancers aims to provide an update of the most clinically relevant studies presented at... (Review)
Review
This review of the meaningful data from 2021 on cervical, endometrial, and ovarian cancers aims to provide an update of the most clinically relevant studies presented at important oncologic congresses during the year (the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress and the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) Annual Meeting). Despite the underlying existence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the last year has been notable in terms of research, with significant and promising advances in gynecological malignancies. Several major studies reporting the effects of innovative therapies for patients with cervical, endometrial, and ovarian cancers might change the medical practice in the future.
Topics: COVID-19; Female; Gynecology; Humans; Medical Oncology; Ovarian Neoplasms; Pandemics
PubMed: 35448205
DOI: 10.3390/curroncol29040231