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Virology Journal Jun 2024The discovery of mimivirus in 2003 prompted the search for novel giant viruses worldwide. Despite increasing interest, the diversity and distribution of giant viruses is...
The discovery of mimivirus in 2003 prompted the search for novel giant viruses worldwide. Despite increasing interest, the diversity and distribution of giant viruses is barely known. Here, we present data from a 2012-2022 study aimed at prospecting for amoebal viruses in water, soil, mud, and sewage samples across Brazilian biomes, using Acanthamoeba castellanii for isolation. A total of 881 aliquots from 187 samples covering terrestrial and marine Brazilian biomes were processed. Electron microscopy and PCR were used to identify the obtained isolates. Sixty-seven amoebal viruses were isolated, including mimiviruses, marseilleviruses, pandoraviruses, cedratviruses, and yaraviruses. Viruses were isolated from all tested sample types and almost all biomes. In comparison to other similar studies, our work isolated a substantial number of Marseillevirus and cedratvirus representatives. Taken together, our results used a combination of isolation techniques with microscopy, PCR, and sequencing and put highlight on richness of giant virus present in different terrestrial and marine Brazilian biomes.
Topics: Brazil; Giant Viruses; Phylogeny; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Acanthamoeba castellanii; Soil Microbiology; Sewage; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Seawater; Water Microbiology
PubMed: 38858684
DOI: 10.1186/s12985-024-02404-z -
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth Jun 2024Small-for-gestational-age (SGA), commonly caused by poor placentation, is a major contributor to global perinatal mortality and morbidity. Maternal serum levels of...
Maternal serum biomarkers of placental insufficiency at 24-28 weeks of pregnancy in relation to the risk of delivering small-for-gestational-age infant in Sylhet, Bangladesh: a prospective cohort study.
BACKGROUND
Small-for-gestational-age (SGA), commonly caused by poor placentation, is a major contributor to global perinatal mortality and morbidity. Maternal serum levels of placental protein and angiogenic factors are changed in SGA. Using data from a population-based pregnancy cohort, we estimated the relationships between levels of second-trimester pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A), placental growth factor (PlGF), and serum soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) with SGA.
METHODS
Three thousand pregnant women were enrolled. Trained health workers prospectively collected data at home visits. Maternal blood samples were collected, serum aliquots were prepared and stored at -80℃. Included in the analysis were 1,718 women who delivered a singleton live birth baby and provided a blood sample at 24-28 weeks of gestation. We used Mann-Whitney U test to examine differences of the median biomarker concentrations between SGA (< 10th centile birthweight for gestational age) and appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA). We created biomarker concentration quartiles and estimated the risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for SGA by quartiles separately for each biomarker. A modified Poisson regression was used to determine the association of the placental biomarkers with SGA, adjusting for potential confounders.
RESULTS
The median PlGF level was lower in SGA pregnancies (934 pg/mL, IQR 613-1411 pg/mL) than in the AGA (1050 pg/mL, IQR 679-1642 pg/mL; p < 0.001). The median sFlt-1/PlGF ratio was higher in SGA pregnancies (2.00, IQR 1.18-3.24) compared to AGA pregnancies (1.77, IQR 1.06-2.90; p = 0.006). In multivariate regression analysis, women in the lowest quartile of PAPP-A showed 25% higher risk of SGA (95% CI 1.09-1.44; p = 0.002). For PlGF, SGA risk was higher in women in the lowest (aRR 1.40, 95% CI 1.21-1.62; p < 0.001) and 2nd quartiles (aRR 1.30, 95% CI 1.12-1.51; p = 0.001). Women in the highest and 3rd quartiles of sFlt-1 were at reduced risk of SGA delivery (aRR 0.80, 95% CI 0.70-0.92; p = 0.002, and aRR 0.86, 95% CI 0.75-0.98; p = 0.028, respectively). Women in the highest quartile of sFlt-1/PlGF ratio showed 18% higher risk of SGA delivery (95% CI 1.02-1.36; p = 0.025).
CONCLUSIONS
This study provides evidence that PAPP-A, PlGF, and sFlt-1/PlGF ratio measurements may be useful second-trimester biomarkers for SGA.
Topics: Humans; Female; Pregnancy; Infant, Small for Gestational Age; Placenta Growth Factor; Biomarkers; Prospective Studies; Adult; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1; Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A; Placental Insufficiency; Infant, Newborn; Pregnancy Trimester, Second; Bangladesh; Young Adult; Gestational Age; Risk Factors
PubMed: 38858611
DOI: 10.1186/s12884-024-06588-8 -
Asian Journal of Andrology Jun 2024This observational cohort study investigated the potential of a novel sperm-washing medium (SWM) enriched with serotonin (5-HT), L-carnitine (L-C), and coenzyme Q10...
This observational cohort study investigated the potential of a novel sperm-washing medium (SWM) enriched with serotonin (5-HT), L-carnitine (L-C), and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) to enhance sperm motility and reduce DNA damage. It compared this innovative medium (5-HT/L-C/CoQ10 SWM) with two widely used commercial media (SWM 1 and SWM 2). Ninety-eight volunteers from an infertility clinic provided semen samples, which were divided into three aliquots for analysis in different SWMs: group 1, SWM was composed of hydroxyethyl piperazineethanesulfonic acid (HEPES), sodium bicarbonate, human serum albumin (HSA), taurine, and gentamicin sulfate (SWM 1); group 2, SWM was composed of HEPES, sodium bicarbonate, and HSA (SWM 2); and group 3, SWM was composed of HEPES-buffered human tubal fluid supplemented with 5-HT, L-C, and CoQ10 (5-HT/L-C/CoQ10 SWM). Sperm motility was categorized as progressive, nonprogressive, or immotile. Apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and DNA fragmentation were also assessed. There were no significant differences in total or progressive sperm motility among the groups. Spermatozoa in group 3 exhibited reduced apoptosis, necrosis, and ROS levels and increased viability. No significant differences were observed in the DNA fragmentation index among groups. The 5-HT/L-C/CoQ10 SWM reduced sperm oxidative stress and apoptosis compared with those of the two commercially available SWMs, suggesting that 5-HT/L-C/CoQ10 SWM could be useful for enhancing in vitro fertilization success rates.
PubMed: 38856308
DOI: 10.4103/aja202425 -
Journal of Mass Spectrometry and... Aug 2024Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) plays a crucial role in transplantation medicine when it comes to immunosuppressants like Tacrolimus, Cyclosporine A, Sirolimus, and...
OBJECTIVE
Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) plays a crucial role in transplantation medicine when it comes to immunosuppressants like Tacrolimus, Cyclosporine A, Sirolimus, and Everolimus. The analysis involves using immunometric or mass spectrometric methods on whole blood samples. Hemolysis of the samples is necessary for the assessment. Typically, this is accomplished through manual protein precipitation using pre-treatment reagents, followed by vigorous vortex mixing and subsequent centrifugation. It is important to note that omitting the vortex step in these manual procedures can be seen as a potential procedural error.
METHODS
To assess the potential impact of omitting the vortex step, an experiment was conducted. Clinical samples were divided into two aliquots, which were then analyzed comparatively. In one group of aliquots, the vortex step was intentionally omitted, while the other followed the correct execution of the test.
RESULTS
The non-vortex-mixed samples showed significantly erroneous low results for all analytes.
CONCLUSION
Omitting or inadequately performing vortex mixing during the hemolysis procedure can be considered as a significant potential source of analytical error in TDM of immunosuppressants.
PubMed: 38841390
DOI: 10.1016/j.jmsacl.2024.05.002 -
Pharmaceutical Research Jun 2024Wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a blinding retinal disease. Monthly intravitreal anti-VEGF antibody injections of bevacizumab (off-label) and ranibizumab...
PURPOSE
Wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a blinding retinal disease. Monthly intravitreal anti-VEGF antibody injections of bevacizumab (off-label) and ranibizumab (FDA approved) are the standard of care. Antibody aggregation may interfere with ocular absorption/distribution. This study assessed topical delivery of dilute antibodies to the posterior segment of rabbit eyes using a novel anti-aggregation formula (AAF).
METHODS
Bevacizumab, or biosimilar ranibizumab was diluted to 5 mg/ml in AAF. All rabbits were dosed twice daily. Substudy 1 rabbits (bevacizumab, 100 µl eye drops): Group 1 (bevacizumab/AAF, n = 6); Group 2 (bevacizumab/PBS, n = 7) and Vehicle control (AAF, n = 1). Substudy 2 rabbits (ranibizumab biosimilar/AAF, 50 µl eye drops): (ranibizumab biosimilar/AAF, n = 8). At 14.5 days, serum was drawn from rabbits. Aqueous, vitreous and retina samples were recovered from eyes and placed into AAF aliquots. Tissue analyzed using AAF as diluent.
RESULTS
Bevacizumab in AAF permeated/accumulated in rabbit aqueous, vitreous and retina 10 times more, than when diluted in PBS. AAF/0.1% hyaluronic acid eye drops, dosed twice daily, provided mean tissue concentrations (ng/g) in retina (29.50), aqueous (12.34), vitreous (3.46), and serum (0.28 ng/ml). Additionally, the highest concentration (ng/g) of ranibizumab biosimilar was present in the retina (18.0), followed by aqueous (7.82) and vitreous (1.47). Serum concentration was negligible (< 0.04 ng/ml). No irritation was observed throughout the studies.
CONCLUSIONS
Bevacizumab and ranibizumab, in an AAF diluent eye drop, can be delivered to the retina, by the twice daily dosing of a low concentration mAb formulation. This may prove to be an adjunct to intravitreal injections.
Topics: Animals; Ranibizumab; Rabbits; Bevacizumab; Ophthalmic Solutions; Retina; Angiogenesis Inhibitors; Vitreous Body; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; Intravitreal Injections; Biosimilar Pharmaceuticals; Wet Macular Degeneration
PubMed: 38839719
DOI: 10.1007/s11095-024-03721-2 -
Journal of Immunological Methods Jul 2024There is a critical need to understand the effectiveness of serum elicited by different SARS-CoV-2 vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 variants. We describe the generation of...
There is a critical need to understand the effectiveness of serum elicited by different SARS-CoV-2 vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 variants. We describe the generation of reference reagents comprised of post-vaccination sera from recipients of different primary vaccines with or without different vaccine booster regimens in order to allow standardized characterization of SARS-CoV-2 neutralization in vitro. We prepared and pooled serum obtained from donors who received a either primary vaccine series alone, or a vaccination strategy that included primary and boosted immunization using available SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines (BNT162b2, Pfizer and mRNA-1273, Moderna), replication-incompetent adenovirus type 26 vaccine (Ad26.COV2·S, Johnson and Johnson), or recombinant baculovirus-expressed spike protein in a nanoparticle vaccine plus Matrix-M adjuvant (NVX-CoV2373, Novavax). No subjects had a history of clinical SARS-CoV-2 infection, and sera were screened with confirmation that there were no nucleocapsid antibodies detected to suggest natural infection. Twice frozen sera were aliquoted, and serum antibodies were characterized for SARS-CoV-2 spike protein binding (estimated WHO antibody binding units/ml), spike protein competition for ACE-2 binding, and SARS-CoV-2 spike protein pseudotyped lentivirus transduction. These reagents are available for distribution to the research community (BEI Resources), and should allow the direct comparison of antibody neutralization results between different laboratories. Further, these sera are an important tool to evaluate the functional neutralization activity of vaccine-induced antibodies against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. IMPORTANCE: The explosion of COVID-19 demonstrated how novel coronaviruses can rapidly spread and evolve following introduction into human hosts. The extent of vaccine- and infection-induced protection against infection and disease severity is reduced over time due to the fall in concentration, and due to emerging variants that have altered antibody binding regions on the viral envelope spike protein. Here, we pooled sera obtained from individuals who were immunized with different SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and who did not have clinical or serologic evidence of prior infection. The sera pools were characterized for direct spike protein binding, blockade of virus-receptor binding, and neutralization of spike protein pseudotyped lentiviruses. These sera pools were aliquoted and are available to allow inter-laboratory comparison of results and to provide a tool to determine the effectiveness of prior vaccines in recognizing and neutralizing emerging variants of concern.
Topics: Humans; SARS-CoV-2; Antibodies, Viral; COVID-19; Antibodies, Neutralizing; COVID-19 Vaccines; 2019-nCoV Vaccine mRNA-1273; BNT162 Vaccine; Neutralization Tests; Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus; Reference Standards; Immunization, Secondary; Vaccination; Ad26COVS1
PubMed: 38823574
DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2024.113698 -
Cureus Apr 2024Mechanical ventilation and endotracheal intubation can cause airway damage and inflammation resulting in excessive mucus secretions, thereby increasing the risk of...
Mechanical ventilation and endotracheal intubation can cause airway damage and inflammation resulting in excessive mucus secretions, thereby increasing the risk of respiratory failure post extubation. An abundance of secretions may result in bronchial obstruction and lung collapse distant from the site of obstruction. If lung collapse is diagnosed, extra support, including oxygen and, rarely, reintubation, can be necessary. The combination of chest wall percussion and vibrations, patient positioning to facilitate mucus drainage, coughing, and breathing exercises was the chest physiotherapy method employed for airway clearance in this study. Since the late 20th century, pulmonary rehabilitation strategies have been a standard aspect of care to prevent lung collapse in postoperative cases. Bronchoscopic aspiration and lavage are the common techniques used to remove retained secretions or mucus plugs. Large-volume saline instillation in aliquots and repeated suctioning are required during the procedure. Thus, the current case series emphasizes the role of bronchoscopy and pulmonary rehabilitation in the management of acute lung atelectasis during the postoperative period.
PubMed: 38817485
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.59324 -
Human Genomics May 2024This study evaluated ten nucleic acid extraction protocols (EP1 to EP10) for measuring five endogenous antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in four aircraft wastewater...
This study evaluated ten nucleic acid extraction protocols (EP1 to EP10) for measuring five endogenous antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in four aircraft wastewater samples (AWW1 to AWW4). The targeted ARGs, including bla, bla, ermB, qnrS, and tetA, encompassed highly and minimally abundant ARGs. TetA and ermB were consistently detected across four aircraft wastewater samples using the DNeasy Blood and Tissue Kit and the AllPrep PowerViral DNA/RNA kit. QnrS displayed high detection rates with specific extraction protocols and aliquot volumes. Concentrations of ARGs varied across aircraft wastewater samples, with differing extraction protocols influencing quantitative results. The concentrations of tetA, ermB, and qnrS in AWW1 were distinct, while AWW2 to AWW4 exhibited a broader range for tetA, ermB, qnrS, bla, and bla. EP1 consistently produced the highest concentrations for several ARGs. Collective data analysis revealed varying ARG concentrations across the ten extraction protocols, suggesting the importance of careful extraction protocol selection in ARG monitoring in aircraft wastewater samples. Based on the results, we suggest that a small sample volume (as low as 0.2 mL) may be sufficient for ARG characterization in aircraft wastewater samples. The findings also emphasize the need for considering toilet paper removal without compromising nucleic acid extraction efficiency. The study highlights promising prospects for aircraft wastewater monitoring of ARGs, calling for further investigation into the import and spread of unique ARGs through transport hubs.
Topics: Wastewater; Aircraft; Genes, Bacterial; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Humans; Nucleic Acids; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Anti-Bacterial Agents
PubMed: 38816866
DOI: 10.1186/s40246-024-00617-5 -
Translational Animal Science 2024This experiment compared narasin and monensin as anticoccidials for calves naturally infected with spp. Twenty-four weaned, non-castrated male calves ( × cross)...
This experiment compared narasin and monensin as anticoccidials for calves naturally infected with spp. Twenty-four weaned, non-castrated male calves ( × cross) were assigned to this experiment (days -8 to 42). All calves were infected by spp. according to oocyst count per gram () from fecal samples collected on days -8 and -7 (average 1,059 ± 101 oocysts/g). Calves were housed in individual pens, received corn silage, mineral mix, and water for ad libitum consumption, in addition to a grain-based supplement at 200 g/head daily. Fecal samples were collected on days -2 and -1 for OPG, and results averaged as initial OPG value. Calves were blocked according to initial OPG into eight blocks of three calves each, ranked within each block according to body weight () recorded on day -1, and assigned to receive narasin ( 0.8 mg/kg of BW), monensin ( 1 mg/kg of BW), or no ionophore (; negative control). Ionophores were added to the grain-based supplement, and offered from days 0 to 42 of the experiment. Calf BW was recorded on days 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42. Fecal samples were collected on days 6 and 7, 13 and 14, 20 and 21, 26 and 27, 34 and 35, and 41 and 42 for OPG analysis, and results from samples collected on consecutive days were averaged. Aliquoted fecal samples were also pooled across calves from the same treatment and collection days, and used to determine the prevalence of individual species of . No treatment effects were detected (≥ 0.51) for calf BW or growth rate. A treatment × day interaction was detected (< 0.01) for OPG, as NAR and MON calves had less (< 0.01) OPG compared with CON calves beginning on day 7. The OPG was also less (≤ 0.03) in MON compared with NAR calves on days 7, 14, and 28, but did not differ (≥ 0.48) on days 21, 35, and 42. The anticoccidial efficacy of NAR and MON did not differ (≥ 0.16) when calculated across all spp., or according to prevalence of and . A treatment × day interaction was detected (= 0.04) for anticoccidial efficacy to , which was greater (< 0.01) in MON calves on days 7 and 14 and did not differ (≥ 0.40) afterward. Collectively, both ionophores were similarly effective in controlling coccidiosis upon completion of the 42-d study, although the anticoccidial effects of monensin were noted earlier in the experiment. Nonetheless, these results corroborate narasin as an efficient anticoccidial ionophore for naturally infected calves.
PubMed: 38800106
DOI: 10.1093/tas/txae069 -
Cytotherapy May 2024Autologous peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) transplantation is crucial in pediatric cancer treatment, and tandem transplantation is beneficial in certain malignancies....
Autologous peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) transplantation is crucial in pediatric cancer treatment, and tandem transplantation is beneficial in certain malignancies. Collecting PBSCs in small children with low body weight is challenging. We retrospectively analyzed data of pediatric cancer patients weighing <15 kg who underwent autologous PBSC harvesting in our hospital. Collections were performed in the pediatric intensive care unit over 2 or 3 consecutive days, to harvest sufficient stem cells (goal ≥2 × 10 CD34 cells/kg per apheresate). From April 2006 to August 2021, we performed 129 collections after 50 mobilizations in 40 patients, with a median age of 1.9 (range, 0.6-5.6) years and a body weight of 11.0 (range, 6.6-14.7) kg. The median CD34 cells in each apheresate were 4.2 (range, 0.01-40.13) × 10/kg. 78% and 56% of mobilizations achieved sufficient cell dose for single or tandem transplantation, respectively, without additional aliquoting. The preapheresis hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) count was highly correlated with the CD34 cell yield in the apheresate (r = 0.555, P < 0.001). Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor alone was not effective for mobilization in children ≥2 years of age, even without radiation exposure. By combining the preapheresis HPC count ≥20/μL and the 3 significant host factors, including age <2 years, no radiation exposure and use of chemotherapy, the prediction rate of goal achievement was increased (area under the curve 0.787).
PubMed: 38795116
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2024.05.008