Predicting the environmental suitability for onchocerciasis in Africa as an aid to elimination planning.

Recent evidence suggests that, in some foci, elimination of onchocerciasis from Africa may be feasible with mass drug administration (MDA) of ivermectin. To achieve continental elimination of transmission, mapping surveys will need to be conducted across all implementation units (IUs) for which endemicity status is currently unknown. Using boosted regression tree models with optimised hyperparameter selection, we estimated environmental suitability for onchocerciasis at the 5 × 5-km resolution across Africa. In order to classify IUs that include locations that are environmentally suitable, we used receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis to identify an optimal threshold for suitability concordant with locations where onchocerciasis has been previously detected. This threshold value was then used to classify IUs (more suitable or less suitable) based on the location within the IU with the largest mean prediction. Mean estimates of environmental suitability suggest large areas across West and Central Africa, as well as focal areas of East Africa, are suitable for onchocerciasis transmission, consistent with the presence of current control and elimination of transmission efforts. The ROC analysis identified a mean environmental suitability index of 0·71 as a threshold to classify based on the location with the largest mean prediction within the IU. Of the IUs considered for mapping surveys, 50·2% exceed this threshold for suitability in at least one 5 × 5-km location. The formidable scale of data collection required to map onchocerciasis endemicity across the African continent presents an opportunity to use spatial data to identify areas likely to be suitable for onchocerciasis transmission. National onchocerciasis elimination programmes may wish to consider prioritising these IUs for mapping surveys as human resources, laboratory capacity, and programmatic schedules may constrain survey implementation, and possibly delaying MDA initiation in areas that would ultimately qualify.

in vitro Anti-Proliferative Effect of Adiponectin on Human Endometriotic Stromal Cells through AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 Gene Receptor Expression.

BACKGROUND: Endometriosis is a complex disorder in reproductive age women which consist of stromal and epithelial cells implantation outside the uterine cavity. Adiponectin is a member of cytokine family with various metabolic roles and proliferation inhibition of many cancer cells. The aim of the present research was to determine adiponectin effect on human endometriotic stromal cells (ESCs) proliferation and their expression of adiponectin receptors. METHODS: In this experimental study, endometrial biopsies (n=7) were taken. ESCs isolation was done by enzymatic digestion and cell filtrations. ESCs of each biopsy were divided into four groups: 0 (control), 10, 100, and 200 ng/ml adiponectin concentrations in three different times (24, 48 or 72 h). The effect of adiponectin on ESC viability and expression of mRNA Adipo receptor1 (R1) and Adipo receptor2 (R2) was determined by Trypan blue staining and semi-quantitative RT-PCR, respectively. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and unpaired student's t-test, and P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Adiponectin inhibited human endometriotic stromal cell proliferation in time- and dose-dependent manners significantly (P=0.001). Expression of AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 gene receptors was increased in human ESCs significantly (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Adiponectin can suppress endometriosis by inhibiting ESC proliferation and increased AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 expression.

Adiponectin effect on the viability of human endometrial stromal cells and mRNA expression of adiponectin receptors.

BACKGROUND: Adiponectin is one of the most important adipokines secreted from fatty tissue that has a direct inhibitory effect on the development of cancer cells. Adiponectin plays an important role in human reproduction system and fertility of women. Adiponectin concentration decreases in women with endometriosis and endometrial cancer. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of adiponectin on human endometrial stromal cell (HESC) viability as well as mRNA expression of Adipo R1 and Adipo R2 receptors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study, eight endometrial biopsies were taken and stromal cells were separated by enzymatic digestion and cell filtrations. Stromal cells of each biopsy were divided into four groups: control, 10, 100, and 200 ng/ml adiponectin concentrations. The effect of adiponectin on viability of the normal HESCs was studied by trypan blue staining and the relative expression levels of Adipo R1 and R2 were analyzed by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Data were analyzed by one way ANOVA and unpaired student's t test and p<0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Adiponectin decreased viability of normal human endometrial stromal cells in a dose and time dependent manner. Expression of Adipo R1 and Adipo R2 receptors did not change in the presence of adiponectin. CONCLUSION: Adiponectin can directly influence the viability of HESCs and decrease their viability, but it didn't change expression of adiponectin receptors.

Adiponectin effect on nitric oxide secretion by normal and endometriotic human endometrial stromal cells: in vitro study / Efecto de la adiponectica sobre la secreción de óxido nítrico por células estromales de endometrio humano, normales y con endometriosis: estudio in vitro

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disease in reproductive age women. Adiponectin and Nitric oxide (NO) have an important role in physiologic functions especially in human reproductive system. Levels of NO increased in the endometriosis patients but serum adiponectin levels decreased in woman with endometriosis. The aim of this study was to determine adiponectin effect on nitric oxide secretion by cultured normal and endometriotic human endometrial stromal cells. In this experimental study, normal (n= 10) and endometriotic endometrial biopsies (n= 10) were taken in sterile condition. Stromal cells isolated and cultured in in DMEM/ F12 medium and treated with adiponectin concentrations (0, 10, 100, and 200 ng/ml) for 24 and 48 hours. NO assay was done on their supernatants by Greiss method. Data was analyzed by one way ANOVA and p<0.05 was considered significant. There was significant difference between endometriosis groups in NO secretion in all dose of adiponectin and time (p<0.05). In normal groups there was significant difference in 48 hours (p<0.05) but no significant change in 24 hours (p>0.05). Adiponectin effects nitric oxide secretion of cultured human endometriotic stromal cells.

La endometriosis es una enfermedad dependiente de estrógenos que se presenta en mujeres en edad reproductiva. La adiponectina y el óxido nítrico (ON) tienen un papel importante en las funciones fisiológicas, especialmente en el sistema reproductivo humano. Los niveles de ON aumentan en los pacientes con endometriosis, pero los niveles de adiponectina en suero disminuyen. El objetivo fue determinar el efecto de la adiponectina sobre la secreción de ON por las células estromales de endometrio humano, tanto normales como con endometriosis, en medio de cultivo. En este estudio experimental, las células estromales de endometrio normales (n= 10) y las biopsias de endometrio con endometriosis (n= 10) se tomaron en condiciones de esterilidad. Las células estromales fueron aisladas y cultivadas en un medio DMEM/F12, y se sometieron a distintas concentraciones de adiponectina (0, 10, 100, y 200 ng/ml) durante 24 y 48 horas. El ensayo con ON se realizó a los sobrenadantes obtenidos por el método de Greiss. Los datos recolectados fueron analizados por ANOVA de una vía y un valor p<0,05 se consideró significativo. Entre los grupos con endometriosis, en referencia a la secreción de ON, no hubo diferencia significativa en todas las dosis de adiponectina y los tiempos estipulados (p<0,05). En los grupos normales, hubo diferencia significativa a las 48 horas (p<0,05), pero ningún cambio significativo a las 24 horas (p>0,05). La adiponectina tiene efectos sobre la secreción de óxido nítrico por las células estromales endometriales humanas en cultivo.