Development and evaluation of a new biochip Nucleic Acid Test (NAT) multi-target for cervical cancer screening

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women and the cytological screening represents the most diffuse method of prevention. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is an established essential etiological factor for this cancer. Persistence of HPV infection, particularly by those belonging to the high-risk types (HR-HPV), is associated with an increased risk for cervical cancer development. Low-risk HPV (LR-HPV) types are more often associated with benign warts. Most invasive carcinomas are caused by two HR-HPV types: HPV16 and 18. Recently, HPV tests are used as an adjunct test to decrease the falsenegative rate of cytological screening with Papanicolaou test (PAP Test), especially HR-HPV DNA detection tests are useful for primary screening of cervical cancer and for triage of patients with equivocal cytological findings. However, the roles and contributions of other uncommon and rare genotypes remain uncertain, especially in specific geographic areas or populations. Recently, microarray biochip technology has been introduced into the clinical laboratory for HPV detection. One such test is the ProDect® CHIP HPV TYPING KIT (bcs Biotech Srl, Italy), which has the ability to identify 19 HPV types (all HR-HPV and most common LR-HPV types) and detect the generic presence of E6/E7 HR-HPV sequences. The aim of this pilot study was design a new biochip (CHIP PLUS) for the cervical cancer screening able to detect a large number of HPV anogenital types (HR- and LR-HPV) using two regions of the viral genome (L1 and E6/E7 sequences) as targets. This report also presents the results of a preliminary validation study in preparation for an extended clinical validation of the medical diagnostic ProDect® CHIP HPV TYPING PLUS employing the above CHIP PLUS designed both for the simultaneous detection of 31 HPV types (both common and uncommon HPV types) and for the characterization of three E6/E7 consensus sequences belonging to the principal groups of HR-HPV. The preliminary results of the ProDect® CHIP HPV TYPING PLUS KIT validation had higher concordance and/or greater compatibility with those of the reference tests, underlining the importance of searching for uncommon HPV types, enabling good prevention of cervical cancer using HPV DNA as test screening

Prevalence of human papillomavirus infection in women in Benin, West Africa

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cervical cancer ranks as the first most frequent cancer among women in Benin. The major cause of cervical cancer now recognized is persistent infection of Human Papillomavirus (HPV). In Benin there is a lack of screening programs for prevention of cervical cancer and little information exists regarding HPV genotype distribution.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Cervical cells from 725 women were examined for the presence of viral DNA by means of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) multiplex-based assay with the amplification of a fragment of L1 region and of E6/E7 region of the HPV genome, and of abnormal cytology by Papanicolaou method. The association between HPV status and Pap test reports was evaluated. Socio-demographic and reproductive characteristics were also related.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 18 different HPV types were identified, with a prevalence of 33.2% overall, and 52% and 26.7% among women with and without cervical lesions, respectively. Multiple HPV infections were observed in 40.2% of HPV-infected women. In the HPV-testing group, the odds ratio for the detection of abnormal cytology was 2.98 (95% CI, 1.83-4.84) for HPV positive in comparison to HPV negative women. High risk types were involved in 88% of infections, most notably HPV-59, HPV-35, HPV-16, HPV-18, HPV-58 and HPV-45. In multiple infections of women with cytological abnormalities HPV-45 predominated.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study provides the first estimates of the prevalence of HPV and type-specific distribution among women from Benin and demonstrates that the epidemiology of HPV infection in Benin is different from that of other world regions. Specific area vaccinations may be needed to prevent cervical cancer and the other HPV-related diseases.</p

Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection: an international cohort study

Background: The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on postoperative recovery needs to be understood to inform clinical decision making during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports 30-day mortality and pulmonary complication rates in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This international, multicentre, cohort study at 235 hospitals in 24 countries included all patients undergoing surgery who had SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed within 7 days before or 30 days after surgery. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality and was assessed in all enrolled patients. The main secondary outcome measure was pulmonary complications, defined as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or unexpected postoperative ventilation. Findings: This analysis includes 1128 patients who had surgery between Jan 1 and March 31, 2020, of whom 835 (74·0%) had emergency surgery and 280 (24·8%) had elective surgery. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed preoperatively in 294 (26·1%) patients. 30-day mortality was 23·8% (268 of 1128). Pulmonary complications occurred in 577 (51·2%) of 1128 patients; 30-day mortality in these patients was 38·0% (219 of 577), accounting for 81·7% (219 of 268) of all deaths. In adjusted analyses, 30-day mortality was associated with male sex (odds ratio 1·75 [95% CI 1·28–2·40], p\textless0·0001), age 70 years or older versus younger than 70 years (2·30 [1·65–3·22], p\textless0·0001), American Society of Anesthesiologists grades 3–5 versus grades 1–2 (2·35 [1·57–3·53], p\textless0·0001), malignant versus benign or obstetric diagnosis (1·55 [1·01–2·39], p=0·046), emergency versus elective surgery (1·67 [1·06–2·63], p=0·026), and major versus minor surgery (1·52 [1·01–2·31], p=0·047). Interpretation: Postoperative pulmonary complications occur in half of patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with high mortality. Thresholds for surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic should be higher than during normal practice, particularly in men aged 70 years and older. Consideration should be given for postponing non-urgent procedures and promoting non-operative treatment to delay or avoid the need for surgery. Funding: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, Bowel and Cancer Research, Bowel Disease Research Foundation, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, British Association of Surgical Oncology, British Gynaecological Cancer Society, European Society of Coloproctology, NIHR Academy, Sarcoma UK, Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland, and Yorkshire Cancer Research

METHOD AND MEANS FOR IDENTIFYING HPV VIRUS

A method for identifying the presence of viral DNA of HPV virus in cellular material collected from an individual, comprising the following steps: extracting DNA from said cellular material amplifying said DNA by means of polymerase, using identifying means for identifying sequences complementary to sequences of the genome of HPV virus, said identifying means comprises identifying means suitable for identifying sequences complementary to sequences of said genome in the regions E of the genome. Identifying means for identifying sequences complementary to sequences of the genome of HPV viru

System for searching for and identifying pathogenic agents

System for the simultaneous detection and identification in a single miniaturized solid support (chip) of pathogenic agents that are detectable in foodstuffs, water or in biological samples such as, for example, swabs, biopsies, blood and faeces. The chip is comprised in a kit based on a method that provides for an extraction of the nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) in the sample, an amplification of specific genic sequences, whether or not preceded by Reverse Transcription (RT) if the target nucleic acid is an RNA, and a hybridization of the amplification product by specific probes comprised in the chip

Pyrrolobenzothiadiazepine combinations with nucleoside analogues for the treatment of AIDS

The use of pyrrolobenzothiadiazepine (BTDP) combinations with nucleoside analogues such as AZT, ddI, ddC, d4T and their phosphodiester and phosophotriester derivatives for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions suitable for the treatment of AIDS

Synthesis and evaluation of the antiviral activity of acyclic nucleosides carrying fluorine and sulfur substituents.

-2',3'-Seco nucleosides 5 carrying fluorine and sulfur substituents at C-3' and C-5', respectively, of acyclic sugar moiety were synthesized in enantiomerically and diastereoisomerically pure form. These products and some structurally similar 1',2'-seco-2'-nor-and 1',2'-seco-nucleosides 3 and 4 were tested in vitro for cytotoxicity and antiviral activity. At non-cytotoxic concentrations the compounds were inactive against human immunodeficiency virus and herpes simplex virus type-1

A Biochip reader for qualitative and quantitative analysis of images, in particular for the analysis of single or multiple Biochips

A biochip reader for qualitative and quantitative analysis of images, in particular for the analysis of single or multiple biochips with different colorimetric signals for different targets of biological interest such as drugs or nucleic acids, fat acids and proteins from viruses, prokaryotes and eukaryotes organisms, obtained from human, animal, vegetal or environmental biological samples. Said biochip reader comprises: - an optical head 18, able to moving itself in one direction Y, comprising: - at least one visible light source 20 or 21 - at least two CCD sensors 16 and 17, attached each other; each CCD comprising a reflective lens set 24 and a focalising lens 25; - control means, able to control said optical head 18 and its one-dimensional motion. Being each CCDs attached each other, then each half, or portion of, image has an identical position or angle error of the other half, or portion of, image, so as the joining process becomes immediat