Advances in precision therapy of low-grade serous ovarian cancer: A review.

Low-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (LGSOC) is a rare subtype of ovarian cancer that accounts for approximately 6% to 10% of serous ovarian cancers. The clinical treatment of LGSOC is similar to that of high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma, however, its clinical and molecular characteristics are different from those of high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma. This article reviews the research on gene diagnosis, surgical treatment, chemotherapy, and biological therapy of LGSOC, providing reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment of LGSOC. Surgery is the cornerstone of LGSOC treatment and maximum effort must be made to achieve R0 removal. Although LGSOC is not sensitive to chemotherapy, postoperative platinum-based combination chemotherapy remains the first-line treatment option for LGSOC. Additional clinical trials are needed to confirm the clinical benefits of chemotherapy and explore new chemotherapy protocols. Hormone and targeted therapies may also play important roles. Some patients, particularly those with residual lesions after treatment, may benefit from hormone maintenance therapy after chemotherapy. Targeted therapies, such as MEKi, show good application prospects and are expected to change the treatment pattern of LGSOC. Continuing to further study the genomics of LGSOC, identify its specific gene changes, and combine traditional treatment methods with precision targeted therapy based on second-generation sequencing may be the direction for LGSOC to overcome the treatment bottleneck. In future clinical work, comprehensive genetic testing should be carried out for LGSOC patients to accumulate data for future scientific research, in order to find more effective methods and drugs for the treatment of LGSOC.

A fetus of partial urorectal septum malformation sequence characterized by complete septate uterus: A case report.

RATIONALE: Urorectal septum malformation sequence (URSMS) is an extremely uncommon anomaly characterized by imperforate anus accompanied by multiple genitourinary malformations. Here, we report a case of URSMS identified by the autopsy and classified into partial URSMS. Prenatal diagnosis is challenging for clinicians due to the difficulty of early identification of URSMS and the relative lack of specific features in ultrasound. We intend to share our experiences. PATIENT CONCERNS: One fetus was indicated abdominal cystic structure, abdominal effusion and right renal pelvis separation (7 mm) by ultrasound at 28 + 1 week's gestation. After the pregnancy was terminated, the fetal tissues were performed to be tested by autopsy, copy number variation sequencing and whole exon sequencing. DIAGNOSES: Based on the clinical characteristics, ultrasound, autopsy, and genetic test findings, the fetus was diagnosed with URSMS. INTERVENTIONS: After genetic counseling, the couple opted to terminate her pregnancy. OUTCOMES: The copy number variation results of the fetus showed a 0.48-MB duplication fragment of uncertain significance on chromosome 8p23.3, while the whole-exome sequencing revealed a SAL-LIKE 1 gene mutation. The autopsy of the fetus showed imperforate anusa, the abdominal cyst was further confirmed with complete septate uterus and the lower urethra and vagina converge formed a lumen. LESSONS: Individuals with URSMS during the fetal period might be misdiagnosed due to atypical features of URSMS. Once structural abnormalities especially cystic mass of the futuses in the lower abdomen, URSMS should be considered.

Self-assembled bovine serum albumin nanoparticles as pesticide delivery vectors for controlling trunk-boring pests.

BACKGROUND: Trunk-boring pests (TBPs) are an important type of forest pest, TBPs not only feed on the branches and trunks of trees, but also spread quarantine diseases in forests. However, because the larvae of TBPs live inside the trunk and are well concealed, prevention and control are difficult. The lack of effective control methods leads to the death of many trees in forests. In this study, a novel nanopesticide featuring high bioactivity and slow-release properties was developed to control TBPs. Thiacloprid (THI), which is commonly used to control Coleoptera species, was used as a model pesticide. RESULTS: The oleophobic properties of bovine serum albumin (BSA) were exploited to encapsulate the hydrophobic pesticide THI by self-assembly, and the size of the obtained nanoparticles, THI@BSA·NPs, was approximately 23 nm. The loading efficiency reached 70.4%, and THI@BSA·NPs could be released continuously for over 15 days, with the cumulative release reaching 93.5%. The fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled nanoparticles were evenly distributed in the digestive tract and body surface of a typical TBPs, M. alternatus, and the stomach and contact toxicities increased by 33.7% and 25.9%, respectively, compared with those of free THI. Furthermore, the results showed that the transport efficiency of THI@BSA·NPs was highest at a concentration of 50 µg/mL, and the THI@BSA·NPs content in the trunk, from to lower to higher layers, was 8.8, 8.2, 7.6, and 5.8 µg/g. At the same time, THI@BSA·NPs also exhibited high transport efficiency in dead trees. CONCLUSION: The transport efficiency and toxicity of the active ingredients are the key factors for the control of TBPs. This work provided idea for the application of biological delivery system encapsulated hydrophobic pesticides. The novel self-assembled THI@BSA·NPs have promising potential for sustainable control of TBPs.