Women’s Reproductive Experiences (REP) and Hormones: Patterns of Affective, Sexual, and Physical Well-being

Paradoxical menstrual cycle patterns in women’s well-being (e.g., premenstrual syndrome [PMS] and negative experiences in the periovulatory phase) and sexual behavior (e.g., the periovulatory sociosexual tactic shift [PSTS]) have been found. Patterns in affect and sexuality may have evolved to co-occur if being “in the mood” facilitates sex. In this dissertation, the development of the Women’s Reproductive Experiences (REP) Questionnaire and an initial psychometric evaluation is presented in Part 1 of Study 1 (n = 1943 women aged 16 to 74 years). The Women’s REP separately measures negative and positive experiences associated with reproductive events across the lifespan in three domains: affective, sexual, and physical. In Part 2 of Study 1, evidence for reliability in factor structure (e.g., seven main scales) and internal consistency as well as concurrent validity is provided. Women who differ in reproductive status (e.g., pregnant, postpartum, menopausal, menstrual cycle phase, and hormonal contraceptive use), including estimated conception probability and sex hormone levels, also differ on the Women’s REP scales. In Part 1 of Study 2 (n = 327 women of reproductive age), evidence for the test-retest reliability and further validity of the Women’s REP is presented. Relationships with another newer measure, the Proceptive and Receptive Mating Strategies Scale (PARMSS), were also examined (Part 1). In Part 2 of Study 2, the two measures were used to examine co-variation in negative affective experiences (NA,) positive affective experiences (PA), and proceptivity across the periovulatory and premenstrual phases in naturally cycling women (n = 41). Support was found for the hypothesis that there are two groups of women who show opposing patterns of change differentiated by the phase in which they experience higher NA, lower PA, and lower proceptivity: (1) the premenstrual phase (a premenstrual syndrome, 61%) and (2) the periovulatory phase (a periovulatory syndrome, 39%). In line with the PSTS, wome

Mating strategies across the menstrual cycle : preferences, jealousy, and masculinity

Recent research suggests that there is more within- than between-sex variation in sociosexuality and that there may be organizational and activational effects of gonadal steroids on the mating tactics of women. For instance, there is preliminary evidence of a periovulatory sociosexuality tactic shift (PSTS), whereby women exhibit shifts away from their primary strategies when fertility is high. The present study was one of the first to examine mate preference as measured by the Romantic Partner Attribute Index, and romantic jealousy, across the menstrual cycle. Two hundred and thirteen women completed a Laboratory Session and on Online Questionnaire at each of three phases (menstrual, preovulatory, and luteal), but only 14 met strict post hoc criteria for phase comparisons

Whole-Genome Sequencing Applied to the Molecular Epidemiology of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Argentina

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli strains are worldwide associated with sporadic human infections and outbreaks. In this work, we report the availability of high-quality draft whole-genome sequences for 19 O157:H7 strains isolated in Argentina.Fil: Masana, Marcelo Oscar. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Tecnología de Alimentos; Argentina.Fil: Carbonari, Claudia Carolina. Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas-ANLIS ‘‘Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán’’. Servicio Fisiopatogenia; Argentina.Fil: Fittipaldi, Nahuel. Public Health Ontario. Toronto Laboratories; Canada. University of Toronto. Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology; Canada.Fil: Teatero, Sarah. Public Health Ontario. Toronto Laboratories; Canada.Fil: Athey, Taryn B. T. Public Health Ontario. Toronto Laboratories; Canada.Fil: Pianciola, Luis. Subsecretaría de Salud de Neuquén. Laboratorio Central; Argentina.Fil: Melano, Roberto G. Public Health Ontario. Toronto Laboratories; Canada. University of Toronto. Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology; Canada.Fil: Rivas, Marta. Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas-ANLIS ‘‘Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán’’. Servicio Fisiopatogenia; Argentina.Fil: Chinen, Isabel. Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas-ANLIS ‘‘Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán’’. Servicio Fisiopatogenia; Argentina

Systematic review of Group B Streptococcal capsular types, sequence types and surface proteins as potential vaccine candidates.

BACKGROUND: 21 million pregnant women worldwide (18%) are estimated to carry Group B Streptococcus (GBS), which is a risk for invasive disease in newborns, pregnant women, and stillbirths. Adults ≥ 60 years or with underlying health conditions are also vulnerable to invasive GBS disease. We undertook systematic reviews on GBS organism characteristics including: capsular polysaccharide (serotype), sequence type (multi-locus sequence types (MLST)), and virulence proteins. We synthesised data by at-risk populations, to inform vaccine development. METHODS: We conducted systematic reviews and meta-analyses to estimate proportions of GBS serotypes for at risk populations: maternal colonisation, invasive disease in pregnant women, stillbirths, infants 0-90 days age, and older adults (≥60 years). We considered regional variation and time trends (2001-2018). For these at-risk population groups, we summarised reported MLST and surface proteins. RESULTS: Based on 198 studies (29247isolates), 93-99% of GBS isolates were serotypes Ia, Ib, II, III, IV and V. Regional variation is likely, but data gaps are apparent, even for maternal colonisation which has most data. Serotype III dominates for infant invasive disease (60%) and GBS-associated stillbirths (41%). ST17 accounted for a high proportion of infant invasive disease (41%; 95%CI: 35-47) and was found almost exclusively in serotype III strains, less present in maternal colonisation (9%; 95%CI:6-13),(4%; 95%CI:0-11) infant colonisation, and adult invasive disease (4%, 95%CI:2-6). Percentages of strains with at least one of alp 1, alp2/3, alpha C or Rib surface protein targets were 87% of maternal colonisation, 97% infant colonisation, 93% infant disease and 99% adult invasive disease. At least one of three pilus islands proteins were reported in all strains. DISCUSSION: A hexavalent vaccine (serotypes Ia, Ib, II, III, IV and V) might provide comprehensive cover for all at-risk populations. Surveillance of circulating, disease-causing target proteins is useful to inform vaccines not targeting capsular polysaccharide. Addressing data gaps especially by world region and some at-risk populations (notably stillbirths) is fundamental to evidence-based decision-making during vaccine design

Group B Streptococcus vaccine development: present status and future considerations, with emphasis on perspectives for low and middle income countries.

Globally, group B Streptococcus (GBS) remains the leading cause of sepsis and meningitis in young infants, with its greatest burden in the first 90 days of life. Intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) for women at risk of transmitting GBS to their newborns has been effective in reducing, but not eliminating, the young infant GBS disease burden in many high income countries. However, identification of women at risk and administration of IAP is very difficult in many low and middle income country (LMIC) settings, and is not possible for home deliveries. Immunization of pregnant women with a GBS vaccine represents an alternate pathway to protecting newborns from GBS disease, through the transplacental antibody transfer to the fetus in utero. This approach to prevent GBS disease in young infants is currently under development, and is approaching late stage clinical evaluation. This manuscript includes a review of the natural history of the disease, global disease burden estimates, diagnosis and existing control options in different settings, the biological rationale for a vaccine including previous supportive studies, analysis of current candidates in development, possible correlates of protection and current status of immunogenicity assays. Future potential vaccine development pathways to licensure and use in LMICs, trial design and implementation options are discussed, with the objective to provide a basis for reflection, rather than recommendations

«Citrobacter rodentium» causes fatal diarrhea through R-spondin 2-mediated activation of Wnt signaling

Acute infectious diarrhea is a serious cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, in particular among young children in the developing world. Citrobacter rodentium is a mouse-specific pathogen that is widely used as a model for the human-specific diarrheal pathogens enteropathogenic and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EPEC and EHEC). Despite evidence of variability in disease severity and outcome of EPEC and EHEC infection, little is known about the mechanisms that regulate host susceptibility to these organisms. However, the inter-strain differences in susceptibility of mice to C. rodentium can be used to identify genes involved in host response to infection. To this end, we recently identified a major genetic locus within the mouse genome on chromosome 15 that controls mortality during C. rodentium infection. In order to characterize the genetic control of susceptibility to C. rodentium, we first refined the boundaries of the locus of interest using subcongenic mice, which defined a region of 4 Mb containing eight annotated genes. We examined mRNA expression of these genes in colonic tissue in response to infection. Of these genes, R-spondin 2 (Rspo2), an activator of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, was found to be upregulated by as much as 80-fold in colonic tissue in susceptible mice in response to infection with C. rodentium. We confirmed Rspo2 induction in several other susceptible mouse strains. Rspo2 is an activator of the β-catenin signaling cascade through the canonical Wnt pathway. Thus, we propose that Rspo2 induction in susceptible mice drives a potent Wnt-mediated proliferative response of colonic crypt cells, leading to immature and poorly differentiated colonic epithelium. This work highlights a novel mechanism of susceptibility to bacterium-induced diarrheal disease, and suggests new targets for the treatment of infectious diarrhea.E. coli entero-hémoragique (EHEC) et E. coli entero-pathogenique (EPEC) sont des enterobactéries responsables de gastro-entérites sévères, en particulier chez l'enfant, qui constituent un important problème de santé publique. Néanmoins, les mécanismes physiopathologiques impliqués lors de l'infection par ces pathogènes restent mal connus et aucun traitement spécifique n'est disponible. Citrobacter rodentium est un pathogène naturel des souris, génétiquement proche des EPEC et EHEC, qui possède une même stratégie pathogénique et représente un modèle de choix pour les pathologies humaines. De façon remarquable, dans le modèle murin le fond génétique de l'hôte joue un rôle majeur dans la colite infectieuse: alors que la maladie est généralement non-létale, certaines souches de souris hautement susceptibles meurent de diarrhée aigue. Par une étude génétique de clonage positionnel, notre groupe a récemment identifié sur le chromosome 15 de la souris un locus contrôlant la mortalité suite à l'infection (locus Cri1). Dans ce travail, nous présentons le clonage positionnel du locus Cri1 dans un intervalle de 4 Mb et l'identification du gène Rspo2 comme régulateur de la susceptibilité à l'infection par C. rodentium. Rspo2 est un activateur de la voie de signalisation Wnt qui possède une forte activité mitogénique sur l'épithélium intestinal. Au cours de l'infection, et de façon spécifique aux souches de souris susceptibles, Rspo2 est fortement induit dans la muqueuse du colon, il induit une réponse proliférative exacerbée et la génération d'un épithélium non différentié, caractérisé par des défauts dans l'expression de transporteurs ioniques nécessaire à l'absorption de sel et d'eau. Nos résultats démontrent un nouveau mécanisme critique dans la susceptibilité à l'infection par C. rodentium et suggèrent de nouvelles pistes thérapeutiques contre les bactéries EPEC et EHEC

Serotype IV Sequence Type 468 Group B Streptococcus Neonatal Invasive Disease, Minnesota, USA

To further understand the emergence of serotype IV group B Streptococcus (GBS) invasive disease, we used whole-genome sequencing to characterize 3 sequence type 468 strains isolated from neonates in Minnesota, USA. We found that strains of tetracycline-resistant sequence type 468 GBS have acquired virulence genes from a putative clonal complex 17 GBS donor by recombination

Fluoroquinolone Resistance among Clonal Complex 1 Group B Streptococcus Strains

Fluoroquinolone resistance in group B Streptococcus is increasingly being reported worldwide. Here, we correlated fluoroquinolone resistance with mutations in gyrA, gyrB, parC, and parE genes, identified by mining whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data of 190 clonal complex 1 group B Streptococcus strains recovered from patients with invasive diseases in North America. We report a high prevalence of fluoroquinolone resistance (12%) among GBS strains in our collection. Our approach is the first step towards accurate prediction of fluoroquinolone resistance from WGS data in this opportunistic pathogen.Peer Reviewe