Antiangiogenic activity of zinc and zinc-sorafenib combination using the chick chorioallantoic membrane assay: a descriptive study

Background: Zinc, a trace element, is known for downregulating several proangiogenic growth factors and cytokines. However, its antiangiogenic activity is not adequately studied. The present study was aimed to evaluate the possible antiangiogenic activity of zinc via the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. Also, the antiangiogenic activity of the combination therapy of zinc with various doses of sorafenib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, was evaluated.Methods: A pilot study was initially conducted so as to select suitable doses of zinc and sorafenib. The antiangiogenic activity after combining zinc 2.5 μg/embryo with sorafenib 1, and 2 μg/embryo was also evaluated. The antiangiogenic activity was quantified in terms of total length of blood vessels, number of junctions, number of branching points, and mean length of the blood vessels.Results: Zinc 2.5 μg/embryo showed significant (p 0.05) to that of sorafenib 2 μg/embryo.Conclusions: Zinc caused significant antiangiogenic activity in the CAM assay. The lack of addition/synergism in the zinc-sorafenib combination could have been due to the variability in the dose/ratio selection. Addition of zinc to sorafenib therapy could improve treatment tolerability, reduce cost of therapy, and reduce the emergence of drug resistance. Future mechanistic studies could identify the exact pharmacodynamics of zinc as an angiogenesis inhibitor

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

Updated dust scattering properties derived from the 2018 global dust storm

International audienceThe Imaging Ultraviolet Spectrograph (IUVS) instrument on the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) spacecraft takes mid-UV spectral images of the Martian surface and atmosphere. From these apoapse images, information about dust and ice aerosols can be retrieved and comprise the only MAVEN observations of clouds and airborne dust. Measuring local time variability of large-scale recurring features is made possible with MAVEN's ~4.5-hour elliptical orbit, something not possible with sun-synchronous orbits

Association of FTO gene variant rs9939609 with polycystic ovary syndrome from Gujarat, India

Abstract Background Polycystic ovary syndrome is a multifactorial endocrine disorder impacting women of reproductive age. Variations within the FTO gene have been linked to both obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Given that PCOS is frequently associated with obesity and compromised glucose tolerance, we investigated the prevalence of the rs9939609 variant within the FTO gene among women diagnosed with PCOS and a control group. Our aim is to uncover potential correlations between this genetic variant, metabolic attributes, and endocrine markers within the Gujarat province of India. Method We enrolled a total of 114 participants, (62 individuals diagnosed with PCOS and 52 healthy controls). DNA extraction from venous blood was conducted for all participants. The rs9939609 polymorphism was investigated through tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction. Furthermore, we performed biochemical assessments to quantify levels of estradiol, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), total testosterone, prolactin (PRL), and Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS). Statistical analyses were carried out utilizing SPSS version 21 (IBM, USA). Results The present study did not reveal any noteworthy association between cases and controls. The frequencies of genotypes and alleles within the cohorts displayed no statistically significant differences (p = 0.25, p = 0.68, and p = 0.78, respectively). The dominant model indicated a modest risk (OR:1.13, 95%CI: 0.55 to 2.38) toward PCOS development. There was a noticeable statistical difference observed in the levels of total testosterone, DHEAS, and BMI between the case and control groups (p < 0.002, p < 0.0002, p < 0.0008). However, no variations in clinical variables were observed among genotypes within the PCOS group. Conclusion This is the first study to investigate the association of FTO gene polymorphism and PCOS in Gujarati population. Our study findings indicate that the FTO gene variant is not directly linked to the onset of PCOS. However, it appears to exert an influence on metabolic factors such as obesity and insulin resistance. Notably, our results suggest that insulin resistance is more frequently observed among PCOS patients who are obese, as compared to those with non-obese PCOS patients

Comparative evaluation for removal of gutta-percha and bio-ceramic sealers from oval root canals with reciprocating and rotary retreatment file systems: A micro-computed tomography study

Context: Residual filling material can impair the prognosis in endodontic retreatment cases. A variety of file systems have been used in both rotary and reciprocating motion. Aims: To evaluate and compare the ability of ProTaper Universal Retreatment systems, GPR Mani Retreatment systems and, V Blue Reciproc systems in removal of gutta percha and bioceramicsealer from oval root canals using micro-computed tomography. Materials and Methods: Sixty extracted human mandibular premolar with oval canals standardised with cone beam computed tomography(CBCT). Following preparation with ProTaper Next files and obturation with gutta-percha and I Root SP sealer all specimens were randomly assigned to three groups ProTaper Universal retreatment system (PTUR), GPR Mani Retreatment system and V-Blue files, (n=20). Quality of obturation was confirmed with CBCT. After 1 month, retreatment was carried out and the percentage of remaining obturating material was evaluated before and after retreatment through micro-CT imaging. Two sample means and Kolmogorov-Smirnov test were used to analyse data. Results: The V-Blue files removed 97.27%&nbsp; of residual &nbsp;filling material whereas PTUR and GPR Maniremoved 85% and 79.33% respectivelyand the difference between V-Blue and other two files tested was statistically significant (P&lt; 0.05).&nbsp

Additional file 1 of Association of FTO gene variant rs9939609 with polycystic ovary syndrome from Gujarat, India

Additional file 1: Supplementary Figure 1. Recruitment of PCOS samples and healthy controls. Supplementary Table 1. Risk factors for PCOS

Effect of the 2018 Martian global dust storm on the CO2 density in the lower nightside thermosphere observed from MAVEN/IUVS Lyman-α absorption

International audienceAn increase by a factor of 2 of the CO2 density in the lower nightside thermosphere is observed on 8 June 2018 using the Lyman-alpha absorption by CO2 from MAVEN/IUV