Host immunity to mosquitoes: effect of antimosquito antibodies on Anopheles tessellatus and Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae).

Rabbit antibodies to antigens derived from the tissues of sugar-fed Anopheles tessellatus Theobald were fed to An. tessellatus and Culex quinquefasciatus Say in blood meals. These antibodies tended to reduce the number of eggs produced by An. tessellatus, but had no effect on the fecundity of Cx. quinquefasciatus. Ingestion of the rabbit antibodies did not detectably affect the mortality of An. tessellatus but increased the mortality of Cx. quinquefasciatus. The results provide preliminary evidence for the potential of antimosquito antibodies to disrupt the physiology of mosquito vectors and indicate the need for further studies with high-titer, monospecific antibodies against the relevant target antigens.     

How defective spermatogenesis affects sperm DNA integrity

Spermatogenesis is the essential process to maintain and promote male fertility. It is extraordinarily complex with many regulatory elements and numerous steps. The process involves several cell types, regulatory molecules, repair mechanisms and epigenetic regulators. Evidence has shown that fertility can be negatively impacted by reduced sperm DNA integrity. Sources of sperm DNA damage include replication errors and causes of DNA fragmentation which include abortive apoptosis, defective maturation and oxidative stress. This review outlines the process of spermatogenesis, spermatogonial regulation and sperm differentiation; additionally, DNA damage and currently studied DNA repair mechanisms in spermatozoon are also covered.     

Innate and Adaptive Immune Responses in the Upper Respiratory Tract and the Infectivity of SARS-CoV-2

Increasing evidence shows the nasal epithelium to be the initial site of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and that early and effective immune responses in the upper respiratory tract (URT) limit and eliminate the infection in the URT, thereby preventing infection of the lower respiratory tract and the development of severe COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 interferes with innate immunity signaling and evolves mutants that can reduce antibody-mediated immunity in the URT. Recent genetic and immunological advances in understanding innate immunity to SARS-CoV-2 in the URT, and the ability of prior infections as well as currently available injectable and potential intranasal COVID-19 vaccines to generate anamnestic adaptive immunity in the URT, are reviewed. It is suggested that the more detailed investigation of URT immune responses to all types of COVID-19 vaccines, and the development of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines for intranasal administration, are important needs.     

Retinal detachment in eyes treated with Aurolab aqueous drainage implant for refractory glaucoma - Incidence and outcomes

Purpose:To analyze the incidence of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) in patients who have undergone prior Aurolab aqueous drainage implant (AADI) surgery and report outcomes in terms of anatomic, visual acuity, and intraocular pressure (IOP) findings.Methods:Case records of all patients who underwent RRD repair after AADI surgery from 2013 to 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Data collected included patient demographics, ocular examination findings at all visits including IOP and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and clinical findings related to RRD both at baseline and postoperatively.Results:Ten eyes of nine patients were included in study. The mean age of patients was 28.2 years (median: 15 years, range: 6–83 years). Mean duration between AADI and RRD was 14 months (median 2.5 months; range 2 days-72 months). All eyes underwent pars plana vitrectomy with silicon oil injection. The preoperative LogMAR BCVA (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution) was 2.52 ± 0.15 which improved to 2.29 ± 0.58 at final follow-up; however, only one eye had vision ≥ 20/400 largely due to recurrent RRD and advanced glaucomatous disc damage. Postoperatively retina was attached in 6 eyes (60%) and IOP was ≤ 21 mmHg in 5 out of 6 eyes with anatomic successConclusion:The incidence of RRD following AADI was found to be 0.86% in our study. Pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with silicon oil tamponade was the preferred approach in the management of these eyes with IOP being well controlled post PPV. However, visual acuity outcomes were largely unsatisfactory due to recurrent RRD and preexisting advanced glaucoma.     

Percutaneous embolization of varicocele: technique,indications, relative contraindications,and complications

There are several options for the treatment of varicocele, including surgical repair either by open or microsurgical approach, laparoscopy, or through percutaneous embolization of the internal spermatic vein. The ultimate goal of varicocele treatment relies on the occlusion of the dilated veins that drain the testis. Percutaneous embolization offers a rapid recovery and can be successfully accomplished in approximately 90% of attempts. However, the technique demands interventional radiologic expertise and has potential serious complications, including vascular perforation, coil migration, and thrombosis of pampiniform plexus. This review discusses the common indications, relative contraindications, technical details, and risks associated with percutaneous embolization of varicocele.     

Learning the lessons from conflict: Pre-hospital cervical spine stabilisation following ballistic neck trauma

Background

Current ATLS protocols dictate that spinal precautions should be in place when a casualty has sustained trauma from a significant mechanism of injury likely to damage the cervical spine. In hostile environments, the application of these precautions can place pre-hospital medical teams at considerable personal risk. It may also prevent or delay the identification of airway problems. In today's global threat from terrorism, this hostile environment is no longer restricted to conflict zones. The aim of this study was to ascertain the incidence of cervical spine injury following penetrating ballistic neck trauma in order to evaluate the need for pre-hospital cervical immobilisation in these casualties.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of British military casualties of combat, from Iraq and Afghanistan presenting with a penetrating neck injury during the last 5.5 years. For each patient, the mechanism of injury, neurological state on admission, medical and surgical intervention was recorded.

Results

During the study period, 90 casualties sustained a penetrating neck injury. The mechanism of injury was by explosion in 66 (73%) and from gunshot wounds in 24 (27%). Cervical spine injuries (either cervical spine fracture or cervical spinal cord injury) were present in 20 of the 90 (22%) casualties, but only 6 of these (7%) actually survived to reach hospital. Four of this six subsequently died from injuries within 72 h. Only 1 (1.8%) of the 56 survivors to reach a surgical facility sustained an unstable cervical spine injury that required surgical stabilisation. This patient later died as result of a co-existing head injury.

Conclusions

Penetrating ballistic trauma to the neck is associated with a high mortality rate. Our data suggests that it is very unlikely that penetrating ballistic trauma to the neck will result in an unstable cervical spine in survivors. In a hazardous environment (e.g. shooting incidents or terrorist bombings), the risk/benefit ratio of mandatory spinal immobilisation is unfavourable and may place medical teams at prolonged risk. In addition cervical collars may hide potential life-threatening conditions.