Nucleic acid levels in the developing ovaries of Hyalomma (Hyalomma) dromedarii (Acari: Ixodidae).

Protein and nucleic acid levels from the ovaries of Hyalomma dromedarii Koch were determined during different stages of oogenesis. The concentrations of total protein, DNA, and RNA increased during oogenesis, reflecting the rapid developmental changes taking place in this tissue. Peak protein and DNA levels were reached in the fully fed females, whereas RNA level peaked slightly earlier. Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) was found to be composed of 27.0s, 17.0s, and 4.1s particles. The ratio of 27.0s to 17.0s varied within the developing ovary, yet the 27.0s/4.1s ratio remained constant. The nucleotides of total RNA and rRNA were determined, and the ratio of purine/pyrimidine equaled approximately 1 and remained unchanged during oogenesis.     

Sex in the Era of COVID-19 in a U.S. National Cohort of Cisgender Men,Transgender Women,and Transgender Men Who Have Sex with Men: April–May 2020

Since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increasing body of research focused on the effects that measures like stay-at-home orders and social distancing are having on other aspects of health, including mental health and sexual health. Currently, there are limited extant data on the effects of the pandemic on sexual and gender minorities. Between April 15, 2020, and May 15, 2020, we invited participants in an ongoing U.S. national cohort study (Together 5000) to complete a cross-sectional online survey about the pandemic, and its effects on mental and sexual health and well-being (n?=?3991). Nearly all (97.7%) were living in an area where they were told they should only leave their homes for essentials. Most (70.1%) reported reducing their number of sex partners as a result of the pandemic. Among the 789 participants prescribed HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), 29.9% said they stopped taking their PrEP entirely, and 14.2% started selectively skipping doses. For those who had been taking PrEP, discontinuing PrEP was associated with having no new sex partners (β?=?0.90, 95% CI 0.40–1.40). Among the 152 HIV-positive participants, 30.9% said they were unable to maintain an HIV-related medical appointment because of the pandemic and 13.8% said they had been unable to retrieve HIV medications. Additionally, 35.3% of participants were experiencing moderate to severe anxiety because of the pandemic and 36.7% reported symptoms of depression. In a multivariable logistic regression, reporting a new sex partner in the prior 30 days was significantly associated with being aged 30 or older (vs. not, AOR?=?1.21), being Black (AOR?=?1.79) or Latinx (AOR?=?1.40, vs. white), and being unsure if they had been in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 (AOR?=?1.32, vs. no contact). It was unassociated with COVID-19-induced anxiety, depression, or knowing someone hospitalized with COVID-19. The pandemic has caused disruptions in sexual behavior (partner reduction) as well as difficulties navigating PrEP and HIV care continua. Findings will guide more comprehensive public health responses to optimize HIV prevention and treatment in the era of COVID-19.

     

Colorectal cancer in Egypt

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to review the age distribution and pathology features of colorectal cancer in Egypt. METHODS: A seven-year review (retrospective in first six years, prospective in the seventh) of all colorectal adenocarcinoma patients (N = 177; 104 males; mean age, 46; range, 19–74 years) presented to the Department of Surgery, Ain Shams University, was performed. Data from three other major hospitals throughout the country were retrieved and compared with Ain Shams data. Retrospective data were retrieved from patients files and surgery and pathology records. Family history of colorectal cancer and other characteristic hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer tumors was obtained prospectively in all patients. RESULTS: According to Ain Shams data, the disease had no predilection to a specific age group. Thirty-eight percent of the tumors occurred in patients aged less than 40 years, and only 15 percent of patients were aged above 60 years. None of the young patients fulfilled the Amsterdam criteria for hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer. Seventy-five percent of tumors occurred in the left side, 3 percent were Dukes A, and 58 percent were Dukes C. Synchronous and metachronous tumors occurred in 2.8 and 4.5 percent of patients, respectively. Adenomas were present in 5.6 percent of patients and bilharziasis in 3.4 percent of resection specimens. Data from different centers were remarkably similar to Ain Shams results. CONCLUSION: Colorectal cancer in Egypt has no age predilection and more than one-third of tumors affects a young population. The high prevalence in young people can neither be explained on a hereditary basis nor can it be attributed to bilharziasis. The disease usually presents at an advanced stage, and predisposing adenomas are rare. Similarity of the data from different centers suggests that this is the picture of colorectal cancer typical of Egypt.     

Drug-induced thrombocytopenia: localization of the binding site of GPIX-specific quinine-dependent antibodies

Immune thrombocytopenia is a common complication of therapy with a large number of drugs. The most widely studied drug-induced immune thrombocytopenia (DIT) is caused by quinine. In most cases of DIT, antibodies bind to the platelet membrane glycoprotein (GP) Ib-IX complex in a drug-dependent fashion and bring about increased platelet clearance by the reticuloendothelial system resulting in thrombocytopenia. Here, we report the characterization of the quinine-dependent antibody activity of sera from 13 patients with quinine-induced thrombocytopenia. In our series of patients, GPIX was the most prevalent target of quinine-dependent antibodies. To identify the structural determinants of GPIX recognized by quinine-dependent antibodies, 4 chimeric mouse/human GPIX constructs and stable Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines that expressed the chimeras in association with GPIbalpha and GPIbbeta were produced. The analysis of 6 patient sera with the chimeric cell lines provided evidence for localization of the anti-GPIX quinine-dependent antibody binding site to the C-ext region (amino acid [aa] 64-135) of human GPIX. Further characterization of the C-ext region of the GPIX indicated that replacement of the Arg110 and Gln115 of the human GPIX with the corresponding residues from mouse (Gln and Glu, respectively) resulted in a significant reduction in the binding of GPIX antibodies in our series of patients, with Arg110Gln, giving a more pronounced effect than Gln115Glu. Hence, these 2 residues, particularly Arg110, play an important role in the structure of the antigenic site on GPIX recognized by anti-GPIX antibodies.     

Specific balance training included in an endurance-resistance exercise program improves postural balance in elderly patients undergoing haemodialysis

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of 6 months of specific balance training included in endurance-resistance program on postural balance in haemodialysis (HD) patients.

Methods: Forty-nine male patients undergoing HD were randomly assigned to an intervention group (balance training included in an endurance-resistance training, n?=?26) or a control group (resistance-endurance training only, n?=?23). Postural control was assessed using six clinical tests; Timed Up and Go test, Tinetti Mobility Test, Berg Balance Scale, Unipodal Stance test, Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test and Activities Balance Confidence scale.

Results: All balance measures increased significantly after the period of rehabilitation training in the intervention group. Only the Timed Up and Go, Berg Balance Scale, Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test and Activities Balance Confidence scores were improved in the control group. The ranges of change in these tests were greater in the balance training group.

Conclusions: In HD patients, specific balance training included in a usual endurance-resistance training program improves static and dynamic balance better than endurance-resistance training only.

• Implications for rehabilitation

• Rehabilitation using exercise in haemodialysis patients improved global mobility and functional abilities.

• Specific balance training included in usual endurance resistance training program could lead to improved static and dynamic balance.

     

Possible antiosteoporotic mechanism of Cicer arietinum extract in ovariectomized rats

Objective: The present study aimed to throw the light on the anti-osteoprotic mechanism of Cicer arietinum extract (CAE) seeds against ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Methods: Seventy female rats were divided into two groups. The first group (14 rats/group) represented normal rats (Sham operated) while the second group (56 rats/group) underwent bilateral ovariectomy (OVX). After one week of recovery from ovariectomy surgery, the second group was randomly subdivided into 4 subgroups (14 rats/ each subgroup). The rats administered orally; distilled water (vehicle) (1^st subgroup), Cicer arietinum extract (CAE) (500 or 1000 mg/kg body weight/day) (2^nd and 3^rd subgroups), alendronate (6.5 mg/kg mg/kg body weight) as a positive control one time/week (4^rh subgroup), daily for 10 weeks. Results: The present study demonstrated that ovariectomy caused significant decrease in bone mineral; density (BMD) and content (BMC), Bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcitonin levels. Furthermore, ovariectomy induced significant elevation of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRAP 5b) and receptor activator of nuclear factor (NF-kappa β) ligand (RANKL) concentration. Conversely, osteoprotegerin (OPG) and OPG/RANKL ratio were decreased following ovariectomy. The present work suggests that CAE has antiosteoporotic action against ovariectomy effects and its activity may results from its phytochemical and/or phytoestrogen contents. Conclusion: The ongoing study speculates that the CAE exerts its action through regulation of RANK/RANKL/OPG system. As, CAE not only promotes osteoblast differentiation, but also up-regulates OPG and downregulates RANKL secretion in osteoblasts, subsequently prevents bone loss and osteoporosis.