Genetic characterization of the zoonotic parasite Ancylostoma caninum in the central and eastern United States.

Ancylostoma caninum is the most common nematode parasite of dogs in the United States. The present study aimed to describe the molecular epidemiology of A. caninum isolates from the central and eastern states of the United States using the partial mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase (cox1) gene and to compare them with those reported globally. We isolated eggs from faecal samples of dogs and characterized each isolate based on cox1 sequences. A total of 60 samples originating from Kansas, Iowa, New York, Florida and Massachusetts were included. 25 haplotypes were identified in the United States dataset with high haplotype diversity (0.904). Sequence data were compared to sequences from other world regions available in GenBank. Global haplotype analysis demonstrated 35 haplotypes with a haplotype diversity of 0.931. Phylogenetic and network analysis provide evidence for the existence of moderate geographical structuring of A. caninum haplotypes. Our results provide an updated summary of A. caninum haplotypes and data for neutral genetic markers with utility for tracking hookworm populations. Sequences have been deposited in GenBank (ON980650-ON980674). Further studies of isolates from other regions are essential to understand the genetic diversity of this parasite.

In vitro activation of ovarian cortex and autologous transplantation: A novel approach to primary ovarian insufficiency and diminished ovarian reserve.

BACKGROUND: Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) and diminished ovarian reserve are two conditions that affect women's fertility. Oocyte donation remains an option for these patients; however, the development of certain novel technologies, such as in vitro activation of ovarian cortex (IVA), enables the possibility of activating the pool of resting primordial follicles, increasing the chance of pregnancy. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE: Here, we review the main pathways (PI3K and Hippo signaling) that govern the activation of primordial follicles and its application through the development of culture systems that support ovarian cortex for autologous transplantation. We also review the available data from case reports regarding outcomes of pregnancy and live birth rates with IVA. SEARCH METHODS: A PubMed search was conducted using the PubMed-NCBI database to identify literature pertinent to the pathways involved in the activation of primordial follicles and the outcomes of IVA techniques from 2013 to the present. OUTCOMES: Women with POI have around a 5% chance of spontaneous pregnancy. Recently, novel techniques involving the activation of primordial follicles through molecular pathways have been developed, thus increasing the odds of these patients. More recently, the introduction of a drug-free IVA technique has shown to increase the number of antral follicles with successful oocyte maturation after gonadotropin treatment, reaching pregnancy rates over 30%, either through spontaneous conception or by the implementation of assisted reproductive technology. LIMITATIONS: The evidence of this review is based on a few small series, so data should be interpreted with caution, and only randomized controlled trials could estimate the real magnitude and success of the procedure. REASONS FOR CAUTION: IVA technique remains an experimental strategy, with limited available data and the requirement of invasive procedures. Moreover, possible carcinogenic effects not yet determined after transplantation require special caution. WIDER IMPLICATIONS: In view of the results achieved, IVA could provide a promising option for the preservation of fertility in some cancer patients and prepuberal girls where the only alternative is tissue cryopreservation. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS: The authors received no specific funding for this work and declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Installing oncofertility programs for common cancers in limited resource settings (Repro-Can-OPEN Study): An extrapolation during the global crisis of Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

PURPOSE: The state of limited resource settings that Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has created globally should be taken seriously into account especially in healthcare sector. In oncofertility, patients should receive their fertility preservation treatments urgently even in limited resource settings before initiation of anticancer therapy. Therefore, it is very crucial to learn more about oncofertility practice in limited resource settings such as in developing countries that suffer often from shortage of healthcare services provided to young patients with cancer. METHODS: As an extrapolation during the global crisis of COVID-19 pandemic, we surveyed oncofertility centers from 14 developing countries (Egypt, Tunisia, Brazil, Peru, Panama, Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala, Argentina, Chile, Nigeria, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, and India). Survey questionnaire included questions on the availability and degree of utilization of fertility preservation options in case of childhood cancer, breast cancer, and blood cancer. RESULTS: All surveyed centers responded to all questions. Responses and their calculated oncofertility scores showed different domestic standards for oncofertility practice in case of childhood cancer, breast cancer, and blood cancer in the developing countries under limited resource settings. CONCLUSIONS: Medical practice in limited resource settings has become a critical topic especially after the global crisis of COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding the resources necessary to provide oncofertility treatments is important until the current COVID-19 pandemic resolves. Lessons learned will be valuable to future potential worldwide disruptions due to infectious diseases or other global crises.

Vitiligo y temperamento / Vitiligo and tempetament

A la fecha no existe ningún trabajo que explore la relación entre vitíligo y temperamento, salvo algunos que intentan buscar posibles causas. Menos aún trabajos desde una perspectiva del desarrollo que indaguen diversos factores psicobiológicos asociados a la génesis de este compromiso. Objetivo: Estudiar el temperamento, carácter y el respectivo desarrollo de pacientes con vitíligo, además de eventos vitales y calidad de vida. Método: Se analizaron 21 pacientes con diagnóstico de vitiligo infantil (G0), comparándolos con dos grupos controles,(G1) 14 hermanos sanos y (G2) 21 escolares sanos. Se utilizaron los siguientes instrumentos: 1.- JTCI ( Junior Temperament and Character Inventory) 2.- EDC ( Encuesta de Desarrollo Cualitativo) 3.- LEC ( Life Event Checklist) 4.- CDLQI ( Children’s Life Quality Index ). Resultados: Mediante el JTCI se encontró una frecuencia estadísticamente signifi cativa de dimensión Evitación del Daño (ED) en G0 vs G2 (13.6 v/s 10.6, p=0.037). En la EDC encontramos una mayor frecuencia de temor frente a extraños (71.4 por ciento v/s 35.7 por ciento) y una respuesta predominante de retraimiento y temor frente a cambios emocionales en figuras de apego (79,8 por ciento v/s 8,3 por ciento) G0 vs G1. En la LEC se encontró una relación en los eventos vitales del tipo situaciones de distanciamiento de figuras significativas. Conclusión: Al encontrar mayor frecuencia de ED en los niños con vitíligo más el resultado en la EDC, se corrobora la impresión clínica anterior, que estos niños tienen una especial sensibilidad que se asociaría a la génesis de este cuadro. Se inicia así, una línea de investigación, la perspectiva del desarrollo, para entender estos cuadros psico-somáticos de manera más integrada.

There is a lack for studies exploring the relationship between vitiligo and temperament, except those searching for possible causes. Yet, no study from a developmental view investigates different psychobiological factors related to the origin of this condition. Objective: to study the temperament, character and the respective development of vitiligo patients, the vital events and the life quality. Method: 21 patients with a diagnosis of childhood vitiligo (G0) were analyzed and compared to two control groups, 14 healthy brothers or sisters (G1) and 21 healthy school-aged children (G2). Instruments: 1. Junior Temperament and Character Inventory (JTCI), 2. Qualitative Psychosocial Development Survey (QPDS), 3. Life Event Checklist (LEC), 4.Children`s life quality index (CDLQI). Results: the JTCI revealed a significant statistics association between the harm avoidance dimension in the G0 group vs G2 (13.6 vs 10.6, p=0.037). The QPDS showed a higher frequency in fear to strangers(71.4 percent vs 35.7 percent) and a significant responsive fear- withdrawn pattern to the emotional variations of the attachment figure (G0 vs G1: 79.8 percent vs 8.3 percent).The LEC revealed an association between life events and …. Situations. Conclusions: the present study revealed a higher frequency for harm avoidance at the vitiligo group and by considering the QPDS results, the clinical impression was corroborate by suggesting the special sensitivity of this group of children in the origin of this pathology. An investigation line may start with a developmental and integrated view for the understanding of psychosomatic disorders.