Evolution of parasitoid host preference and performance in response to an invasive host acting as evolutionary trap

The invasion of a novel host species can create a mismatch in host choice and offspring survival (performance) when native parasitoids attempt to exploit the invasive host without being able to circumvent its resistance mechanisms. Invasive hosts can therefore act as evolutionary trap reducing parasitoids' fitness and this may eventually lead to their extinction. Yet, escape from the trap can occur when parasitoids evolve behavioral avoidance or a physiological strategy compatible with the trap host, resulting in either host-range expansion or a complete host-shift. We developed an individual based model to investigate which conditions promote parasitoids to evolve behavioral preference that matches their performance, including host-trap avoidance, and which conditions lead to adaptations to the unsuitable hosts. The model was inspired by solitary endo-parasitoids attacking larval host stages. One important aspect of these conditions was reduced host survival during incompatible interaction, where a failed parasitization attempt by a parasitoid resulted not only in death of her offspring but also in host killing. This non-reproductive host mortality had a strong influence on the likelihood of establishment of novel host-parasitoid relationship, in some cases constraining adaptation to the trap host species. Moreover, our model revealed that host-search efficiency and genetic variation in host-preference play a key role in the likelihood that parasitoids will include the suboptimal host in their host range, or will evolve behavioral avoidance resulting in specialization and host-range conservation, respectively. Hence, invasive species might change the evolutionary trajectory of native parasitoid species, which is important for predicting biocontrol ability of native parasitoids towards novel hosts

Size of third and fourth ventricle in obstructive and communicating acute hydrocephalus after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

In patients with acute hydrocephalus after aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH), lumbar drainage is possible if the obstruction is in the subarachnoid space (communicating hydrocephalus). In case of intraventricular obstruction (obstructive hydrocephalus), ventricular drainage is the only option. A small fourth ventricle is often considered a sign of obstructive hydrocephalus. We investigated whether the absolute or relative size of the fourth ventricle can indeed distinguish between these two types of hydrocephalus. On CT-scans of 76 consecutive patients with acute headache but normal CT and CSF, we measured the cross-sectional surface of the third and fourth ventricle to obtain normal planimetric values. Subsequently we performed the same measurements on 117 consecutive SAH patients with acute hydrocephalus. These patients were divided according to the distribution of blood on CT-scan into three groups: mainly intraventricular blood (n = 15), mainly subarachnoid blood (n = 54) and both intraventricular and subarachnoid blood (n = 48). The size of the fourth ventricle exceeded the upper limit of normal in 2 of the 6 (33%) patients with intraventricular blood but without haematocephalus, and in 15 of the 54 (28%) patients with mainly subarachnoid blood. The mean ratio between the third and fourth ventricle was 1.45 (SD 0.66) in patients with intraventricular blood and 1.42 (SD 0.91) in those with mainly subarachnoid blood. Neither fourth ventricular size nor the ratio between the third and fourth ventricles discriminates between the two groups. A small fourth ventricle does not necessarily accompany obstructive hydrocephalus and is therefore not a contraindication for lumbar drainage

Borderline tumours of the ovary:Common practice in the Netherlands

Objectives: Discordance between frozen section diagnosis and the definite histopathological diagnosis and the fact that the frozen section result is not always unambiguous, may contribute to differences in clinical practice regarding perioperative treatment and follow-up of borderline ovarian tumours (BOTs) patients amongst gynaecologic oncologists, which may lead to over- and undertreatment. The aim of the study was to map the Dutch gynaecologists' preferred treatment and follow-up strategy in case of BOTs. Methods: A questionnaire was sent to all Dutch gynaecologists involved in ovarian surgery with perioperative frozen section analysis, and the outcomes were assessed using descriptive statistics. Results: Nearly half of the respondents (41.0%) would not perform a staging procedure in case of a BOT. In case of an ambiguous frozen section diagnosis, tending towards invasive carcinoma, a considerable number (sBOT 56.4%; mBOT 30.8%) would perform a lymph node sampling as part of the staging procedure. A relaparotomy/relaparoscopy, to perform a lymph node sampling in case of a serous or mucinous carcinoma after a BOT frozen section diagnosis, would be performed by 97.4% and 48.7% of the respondents, respectively. Conclusions: A considerable number of gynaecologists would perform a staging procedure that is recommended for ovarian cancer in case of an ambiguous BOT frozen section diagnosis, especially for serous tumours. In addition, nearly all gynaecologists would perform a second procedure including a lymph node sampling in case of a serous invasive carcinoma after a BOT frozen section diagnosis, which applies to half of the gynaecologists in case of a mucinous carcinoma. Keywords: Borderline tumours of the ovary, Staging procedure, Frozen section analysis, Questionnaire, Gynaecologic oncologist, Semi-specialized gynaecologist

Short-term surgical complications after radical hysterectomy - a nationwide cohort study

Introduction: Centralization has, among other aspects, been argued to have an impact on quality of care in terms of surgical morbidity. Next, monitoring quality of care is essential in identifying areas of improvement. This nationwide cohort study was conducted to determine the rate of short-term surgical complications and to evaluate its possible predictors in women with early-stage cervical cancer. Material and methods: Women diagnosed with early-stage cervical cancer, 2009 FIGO stages IB1 and IIA1, between 2015 and 2017 who underwent radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy in 1 of the 9 specialized medical centers in the Netherlands, were identified from the Netherlands Cancer Registry. Women were excluded if primary treatment consisted of hysterectomy without parametrial dissection or radical trachelectomy. Women in whom radical hysterectomy was aborted during the procedure, were also excluded. Occurrence of intraoperative and postoperative complications and type of complications, developing within 30 days after surgery, were prospectively registered. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of surgical complications. Results: A total of 472 women were selected, of whom 166 (35%) developed surgical complications within 30 days after radical hysterectomy. The most frequent complications were urinary retention with catheterization in 73 women (15%) and excessive perioperative blood loss >1000 mL in 50 women (11%). Open surgery (odds ratio [OR] 3.42; 95% CI 1.73-6.76), chronic pulmonary disease (OR 3.14; 95% CI 1.45-6.79), vascular disease (OR 1.90; 95% CI 1.07-3.38), and medical center (OR 2.83; 95% CI 1.18-6.77) emerged as independent predictors of the occurrence of complications. Body mass index (OR 0.94; 95% CI 0.89-1.00) was found as a negative predictor of urinary retention. Open surgery (OR 36.65; 95% CI 7.10-189.12) and body mass index (OR 1.15; 95% CI 1.08-1.22) were found to be independent predictors of excessive perioperative blood loss. Conclusions: Short-term surgical complications developed in 35% of the women after radical hysterectomy for early-stage cervical cancer in the Netherlands, a nation with centralized surgical care. Comorbidities predict surgical complications, and open surgery is associated with excessive perioperative blood loss

Topical Imiquimod Treatment of High-grade Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (TOPIC-3):A Nonrandomized Multicenter Study

Topical imiquimod could be an alternative, noninvasive, treatment modality for high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). However, evidence is limited, and there are no studies that compared treatment effectiveness and side effects of topical imiquimod cream to standard large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) treatment. A multi-center, nonrandomized controlled trial was performed among women with a histologic diagnosis of CIN 2/3. Women were treated with either vaginal imiquimod (6.25 mg 3 times weekly for 8 to 16 wk) or LLETZ according to their own preference. Successful treatment was defined as the absence of high-grade dysplasia at the first follow-up interval after treatment (at 20 wk for the imiquimod group and at 26 wk for the LLETZ group). Secondary outcome measures were high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) clearance, side effects, and predictive factors for successful imiquimod treatment. Imiquimod treatment was successful in 60% of women who completed imiquimod treatment and 95% of women treated with LLETZ. hrHPV clearance occurred in 69% and 67% in the imiquimod group and LLETZ group, respectively. This study provides further evidence on topical imiquimod cream as a feasible and safe treatment modality for high-grade CIN. Although the effectiveness is considerably lower than LLETZ treatment, imiquimod treatment could prevent initial surgical treatment in over 40% of women and should be offered to a selected population of women who wish to avoid (repeated) surgical treatment of high-grade CIN

Cytoreductive surgery followed by chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone for recurrent platinum- sensitive epithelial ovarian cancer (SOCceR trial):a multicenter randomised controlled study

BACKGROUND: Improvement in treatment for patients with recurrent ovarian cancer is needed. Standard therapy in patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer consists of platinum-based chemotherapy. Median overall survival is reported between 18 and 35 months. Currently, the role of surgery in recurrent ovarian cancer is not clear. In selective patients a survival benefit up to 62 months is reported for patients undergoing complete secondary cytoreductive surgery. Whether cytoreductive surgery in recurrent platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer is beneficial remains questionable due to the lack of level I-II evidence. METHODS/DESIGN: Multicentre randomized controlled trial, including all nine gynecologic oncologic centres in the Netherlands and their affiliated hospitals. Eligible patients are women, with first recurrence of FIGO stage Ic-IV platinum-sensitive epithelial ovarian cancer, primary peritoneal cancer or fallopian tube cancer, who meet the inclusion criteria. Participants are randomized between the standard treatment consisting of at least six cycles of intravenous platinum based chemotherapy and the experimental treatment which consists of secondary cytoreductive surgery followed by at least six cycles of intravenous platinum based chemotherapy. Primary outcome measure is progression free survival. In total 230 patients will be randomized. Data will be analysed according to intention to treat. DISCUSSION: Where the role of cytoreductive surgery is widely accepted in the initial treatment of ovarian cancer, its value in recurrent platinum-sensitive epithelial ovarian cancer has not been established so far. A better understanding of the benefits and patients selection criteria for secondary cytoreductive surgery has to be obtained. Therefore the 4(th) ovarian cancer consensus conference in 2010 stated that randomized controlled phase 3 trials evaluating the role of surgery in platinum-sensitive recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer are urgently needed. We present a recently started multicentre randomized controlled trial that will investigate the role of secondary cytoreductive surgery followed by chemotherapy will improve progression free survival in selected patients with first recurrence of platinum-sensitive epithelial ovarian cancer. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Netherlands Trial Register number: NTR3337

Long-Term Adult Feline Liver Organoid Cultures for Disease Modeling of Hepatic Steatosis.

Hepatic steatosis is a highly prevalent liver disease, yet research is hampered by the lack of tractable cellular and animal models. Steatosis also occurs in cats, where it can cause severe hepatic failure. Previous studies demonstrate the potential of liver organoids for modeling genetic diseases. To examine the possibility of using organoids to model steatosis, we established a long-term feline liver organoid culture with adult liver stem cell characteristics and differentiation potential toward hepatocyte-like cells. Next, organoids from mouse, human, dog, and cat liver were provided with fatty acids. Lipid accumulation was observed in all organoids and interestingly, feline liver organoids accumulated more lipid droplets than human organoids. Finally, we demonstrate effects of interference with β-oxidation on lipid accumulation in feline liver organoids. In conclusion, feline liver organoids can be successfully cultured and display a predisposition for lipid accumulation, making them an interesting model in hepatic steatosis research

Fully three-dimensional sound speed-corrected multi-wavelength photoacoustic breast tomography

Photoacoustic tomography is a contrast agent-free imaging technique capable of visualizing blood vessels and tumor-associated vascularization in breast tissue. While sophisticated breast imaging systems have been recently developed, there is yet much to be gained in imaging depth, image quality and tissue characterization capability before clinical translation is possible. In response, we have developed a hybrid photoacoustic and ultrasound-transmission tomographic system PAM3. The photoacoustic component has for the first time three-dimensional multi-wavelength imaging capability, and implements substantial technical advancements in critical hardware and software sub-systems. The ultrasound component enables for the first time, a three-dimensional sound speed map of the breast to be incorporated in photoacoustic reconstruction to correct for inhomogeneities, enabling accurate target recovery. The results demonstrate the deepest photoacoustic breast imaging to date namely 48 mm, with a more uniform field of view than hitherto, and an isotropic spatial resolution that rivals that of Magnetic Resonance Imaging. The in vivo performance achieved, and the diagnostic value of interrogating angiogenesis-driven optical contrast as well as tumor mass sound speed contrast, gives confidence in the system's clinical potential.Comment: 33 pages Main Body, 9 pages Supplementary Materia

Locational memory of macrovessel vascular cells is transcriptionally imprinted

Vascular pathologies show locational predisposition throughout the body; further insights into the transcriptomics basis of this vascular heterogeneity are needed. We analyzed transcriptomes from cultured endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells from nine adult canine macrovessels: the aorta, coronary artery, vena cava, portal vein, femoral artery, femoral vein, saphenous vein, pulmonary vein, and pulmonary artery. We observed that organ-specific expression patterns persist in vitro, indicating that these genes are not regulated by blood flow or surrounding cell types but are likely fixed in the epigenetic memory. We further demonstrated the preserved location-specific expression of GATA4 protein in cultured cells and in the primary adult vessel. On a functional level, arterial and venous endothelial cells differed in vascular network morphology as the arterial networks maintained a higher complexity. Our findings prompt the rethinking of the extrapolation of results from single-origin endothelial cell systems