Clinical Evaluation of Locally Made Flocked Swabs in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Developing Country

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused an international shortage of nasopharyngeal flocked swabs, which are one of the main supplies for diagnostic testing. In response to this issue, our institution developed locally made nasopharyngeal swabs. This report aims to provide a clinical evaluation by conducting a sterility test, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) compatibility test, and a user-based survey test of two batches of locally made flocked swabs. Sterility and compatibility tests were conducted at our microbiology laboratory. Participants with clinical suspicion of COVID-19 were scheduled for swab tests using Flocked Swab HS-19 and samples obtained were tested using the RT-PCR method. The cycle threshold (Ct) value of the samples was recorded. A user-based survey was conducted to evaluate the swab stick and flocked-fiber tip performance. The sterility test showed no evidence of bacterial growth on both blood agar and thioglycolate medium. RT-PCR compatibility test from Ct value of 33 samples of the first batch and 30 samples of the second batch was recorded with a mean Ct of 27.17±2.96 and 23.99±2.18, respectively. Six parameters of the swab stick (comfortability, smoothness, flexibility, durability, applicability, and breakpoint performance) showed satisfactory scores with an average of 4.14 out of 5.0 for the first batch and 4.16 for the second batch, while 4 parameters of the flocked-fiber tip (fiber adherence, thickness, symmetricity, and sample collection sufficiency) revealed acceptable scores with an average of 3.6 out of 5.0 for the first batch and 3.75 for the second batch. This study indicates that locally made flocked swabs are satisfactory and clinically applicable for testing and diagnosing COVID-19. Furthermore, mass production and distribution across the country are expected. The development of these swabs, which involved multidisciplinary teamwork and various industrial partners, portrayed a valuable lesson on how to cope with the pandemic through innovation. &nbsp

Early upregulation of AR and steroidogenesis enzyme expression after 3 months of androgen-deprivation therapy

Background: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is a standard treatment for advanced prostate cancer (PCa). However, PCa recurrence and progression rates during ADT are high. Until now, there has been no evidence regarding when progression begins. This study evaluated the gene expression of intraprostatic androgen receptor (AR) and steroidogenic enzymes in the early stages of ADT. Methods: Prostate tissue samples were taken from PCa patients with urinary retention who received ADT (ADT-PCa; n = 10) and were further subgrouped into ADT ≤12 months (n = 4) and ADT > 12 months (n = 6). The ADT-PCa tissues were then compared with BPH (n = 12) and primary (no treatment) PCa tissues (n = 16). mRNA for gene expression analysis of AR and steroidogenic enzymes was extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissues and analyzed by real-time PCR. Protein expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry with specific antibodies. Results: AR gene expression was higher in the ADT-PCa group than in the BPH or primary PCa group. Both the ADT ≤12 and > 12 months subgroups had significantly higher relative gene expression levels of AR (p < 0.01 and 0.03, respectively) than the primary PCa group. In the ADT-PCa group, AR protein expression showed an increasing trend in the ADT ≤12 months subgroup and was significantly elevated in the ADT > 12 months subgroup compared with the PCa group (100%; p < 0.01). Half (50%) of the patients in the ADT ≤12 months subgroup were found to have upregulation of AR, and one showed upregulation beginning at 3 months of ADT. A trend toward elevated relative gene expression of SRD5A3 was also apparent in the ADT groups. Conclusion: AR and steroidogenic enzymes are upregulated in ADT-PCa patients as early as 3 months, without PSA elevation. Steroidogenic enzymes, particularly SRD5A3, were also upregulated before PSA rose

Surgical Management of Giant Genital Condyloma Acuminata by Using Double Keystone Flaps

Condyloma acuminata in the external genitalia (genital warts) is a sexually transmitted disease that is often caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). We report a case of giant genital condyloma acuminata in a 35-year-old male patient with HIV comorbidity treated by wide surgical excision. Excision defect was covered with split thickness skin graft (STSG) and double keystone flaps. There was no complication after surgery. Ten months following surgery, there was no new condyloma lesion and the patient had normal voiding and erectile functions

Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C3 (AKR1C3) is a biomarker and therapeutic target for castration-resistant prostate cancer

Contains fulltext : 108926.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)Current endocrine treatment for advanced prostate cancer does not result in a complete ablation of adrenal androgens. Adrenal androgens can be metabolized by prostate cancer cells, which is one of the mechanisms associated with progression to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C3 (AKR1C3) is a steroidogenic enzyme that plays a crucial role in the conversion of adrenal androgen dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) into high-affinity ligands for the androgen receptor (testosterone [T] and dihydrotestosterone [DHT]). The aim of this study was to examine whether AKR1C3 could be used as a marker and therapeutic target for CRPC. AKR1C3 mRNA and protein levels were upregulated in CRPC tissue, compared with benign prostate and primary prostate cancer tissue. High AKR1C3 levels were found only in a subset of CRPC patients. AKR1C3 can be used as a biomarker for active intratumoral steroidogenesis and can be measured in biopsy or transurethral resection of the prostate specimens. DuCaP (a CRPC cell line that has high AKR1C3 expression levels) used and converted DHEA under hormone-depleted conditions into T and DHT. The DHEA-induced growth of DuCaP could be antagonized by indomethacine, an inhibitor of AKR1C3. This study indicates that AKR1C3 can be considered a therapeutic target in a subgroup of patients with high AKR1C3 expression