Clinical–pathologic significance of cancer stem cell marker expression in familial breast cancers

Human breast cancer cells with a CD44(+)/CD24(−/low) or ALDH1+ phenotype have been demonstrated to be enriched for cancer stem cells (CSCs) using in vitro and in vivo techniques. The aim of this study was to determine the association between CD44(+)/CD24(−/low) and ALDH1 expression with clinical–pathologic tumor characteristics, tumor molecular subtype, and survival in a well characterized collection of familial breast cancer cases. 364 familial breast cancers from the Ontario Familial Breast Cancer Registry (58 BRCA1-associated, 64 BRCA2-associated, and 242 familial non-BRCA1/2 cancers) were studied. Each tumor had a centralized pathology review performed. TMA sections of all tumors were analyzed for the expression of ER, PR, HER2, CK5, CK14, EGFR, CD44, CD24, and ALDH1. The Chi square test or Fisher’s exact test was used to analyze the marker associations with clinical–pathologic tumor variables, molecular subtype and genetic subtype. Analyses of the association of overall survival (OS) with marker status were conducted using Kaplan–Meier plots and log-rank tests. The CD44(+)/CD24(−/low) and ALDH1+ phenotypes were identified in 16% and 15% of the familial breast cancer cases, respectively, and associated with high-tumor grade, a high-mitotic count, and component features of the medullary type of breast cancer. CD44(+)/CD24(−/low) and ALDH1 expression in this series were further associated with the basal-like molecular subtype and the CD44(+)/CD24(−/low) phenotype was independently associated with BRCA1 mutational status. The currently accepted breast CSCs markers are present in a minority of familial breast cancers. Whereas the presence of these markers is correlated with several poor prognostic features and the basal-like subtype of breast cancer, they do not predict OS

Intestinal Parasitic Infections among Pregnant Women in Venezuela

Introduction. Intestinal parasitic infections, especially due to helminths, increase anemia in pregnant women. The results of this are low pregnancy weight gain and IUGR, followed by LBW, with its associated greater risks of infection and higher perinatal mortality rates. For these reasons, in the setting of no large previous studies in Venezuela about this problem, a national multicentric study was conducted. Methods. Pregnant women from nine states were studied, a prenatal evaluation with a coproparasitological study. Univariated and multivariated analyses were made to determine risk factors for intestinal parasitosis and related anemia. Results. During 19 months, 1038 pregnant women were included and evaluated. Intestinal parasitosis was evidenced in 73.9%: A lumbricoides 57.0%, T trichiura 36.0%, G lamblia 14.1%, E hystolitica 12.0%, N americanus 8.1%, E vermicularis 6.3%, S stercoralis 3.3%. Relative risk for anemia in those women with intestinal parasitosis was 2.56 (P < .01). Discussion. Intestinal parasitoses could be associated with conditions for development of anemia at pregnancy. These features reflect the need of routine coproparasitological study among pregnant women in rural and endemic zones for intestinal parasites. Further therapeutic and prophylactic protocols are needed. Additional research on pregnant intestinal parasitic infection impact on newborn health is also considered

Fixed and drifting buoys around the national Spanish waters

Joint Technical Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology (JCOMM) Marine Technical Conference, The Technical Conference (TECO) Toward an Integrated Met-ocean Monitoring, Forecasting and Services System, 25-29 October 2017, Geneva, SwitzerlandImproving the knowledge of the ocean and seas surrounding the Iberian Peninsula and Balearic and Canary islands is an objective of the Spanish oceanography. For that purpose, a number of fixed and drifting floats have been established in the last 25 years. Data buoys measure sea surface temperature and salinity, ocean current velocity, air temperature, humidity, wave characteristic and wind velocity across seas and ocean. The objective is increase the quantity, quality, coverage and timeliness of atmospheric and oceanographic data. These observations are used immediately to improve forecast and therefore increase marine safety. The main group of fixed buoys is formed by the Puertos del Estado deep and shallow buoy networks, but a series of well instrumented new platforms has been established in later times. The RAIA Project (Xunta de Galicia), PLOCAN, SOCIB, IEO, Euskalmet-AZTI, ICM and UTM (CSIC) and University and Polytechnic of Barcelona have completed the Observing System. Most of the buoys are transmitting data by GTS for using in atmospheric and ocean prediction models. Multidisciplinary sensors as Dissolved Oxygen, Fluorescence Chlorophyll or pCO2 has been mounted in the buoys and calibration/validation procedures has been developed for improve data quality. Antifouling systems recently developed have also been included and quality of the optical sensors measurements has improved. Drifting floats has increase its number and importance, from Argo floats to traditional deriving ones improving the Spanish contribution to IOC and WWO and JCOMM. Spain is member of EuroArgo ERIC. SOCIB and IEO are the main contributors. Also multidisciplinary work has been done associated to Argo buoys. BGQ ARGO incorporate O2 sensor. ICM, SMOS Barcelona Expert Center, and SOCIB are the main contributors to the drifting buoys group. Main objectives are improving Technological development as well as data management. Tropical and Southern Atlantic Ocean are the main studying areasPeer Reviewe

Clinical Study Intestinal Parasitic Infections Among Pregnant Women in Venezuela

Introduction. Intestinal parasitic infections, especially due to helminths, increase anemia in pregnant women. The results of this are low pregnancy weight gain and IUGR, followed by LBW, with its associated greater risks of infection and higher perinatal mortality rates. For these reasons, in the setting of no large previous studies in Venezuela about this problem, a national multicentric study was conducted. Methods. Pregnant women from nine states were studied, a prenatal evaluation with a coproparasitological study. Univariated and multivariated analyses were made to determine risk factors for intestinal parasitosis and related anemia. Results. During 19 months, 1038 pregnant women were included and evaluated. Intestinal parasitosis was evidenced in 73.9%: A lumbricoides 57.0%, T trichiura 36.0%, G lamblia 14.1%, E hystolitica 12.0%, N americanus 8.1%, E vermicularis 6.3%, S stercoralis 3.3%. Relative risk for anemia in those women with intestinal parasitosis was 2.56 (P &lt; .01). Discussion. Intestinal parasitoses could be associated with conditions for development of anemia at pregnancy. These features reflect the need of routine coproparasitological study among pregnant women in rural and endemic zones for intestinal parasites. Further therapeutic and prophylactic protocols are needed. Additional research on pregnant intestinal parasitic infection impact on newborn health is also considered. INTRODUCTION The soil-transmitted helminthiases are ancient diseases that continue to cause misery and disability in poor populations. The numbers affected are staggering. About 2 billion harbor these infections worldwide, of whom 300 million suffer associated severe morbidity. Of the total number infected, an estimated 400 millions are school-age children. In 1999, World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis represented more than 40% of the disease burden due to all tropical diseases, excluding malaria Tropical diseases such as malaria, schistosomiasis, intestinal helminths, and filariasis have a dramatic impact on reproductive health. Many cases of unexplained pregnancy loss are due to undiagnosed tropical diseases. Malnutrition or anemia caused by intestinal worms may be worsened by pregnancy and make the pregnancy difficult In the developing world, young women, pregnant women, and their infants and children frequently experience a 2 Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology cycle, where undernutrition (macronutrient and micronutrient) and repeated infection, including parasitic infections, lead to adverse consequences that can continue from one generation to the next. Among parasitic infections, malaria and intestinal helminths coexist widely with micronutrient deficiencies and contribute importantly to anemia and this cycle of retarded growth and development. In somewhat more limited or focal geographic settings, other parasitic diseases (eg, schistosomiasis, filariasis) contribute similarly to this cycle. It is undoubtedly much better to enter a pregnancy free of infection and nutritionally replete than the various alternatives Intestinal parasitic infections, especially due to the helminths, increase anemia in pregnant women For these reasons, in the setting of no large previous studies in Venezuela about this problem, a national multicentric study was conducted with the objectives to describe preliminarily the epidemiological importance of intestinal parasitosis in pregnant women and its possible impacts. METHODS The study was a transversal analysis of pregnant women attending to prenatal control outpatient health care centers in Venezuela. Pregnant women from fifteen centers located in semi-urban and rural areas of nine states in the country were studied during the period January 2003-July 2004. All women accepted to be studied and included in this study. Women with previous diagnosis of infectious diseases as HIV/AIDS, HBV infection, syphilis, or toxoplasmosis were not enrolled. Evaluation of those women included, as a part of their routine prenatal control, an initial interrogation, physical examination, and laboratory studies: count of blood cells (CBC) (including thick and thin films, stained with Giemsa), serological screening studies for HIV-1 and -2 (ELISA), HBV (HbsAg and IgM anti-HBc), VDRL, and FTA-ABS, and toxoplasmosis (antibody titers by DAT). For this study, we considered as normal levels of Hb in women those between 12-16 g/dL, and between 37-48% for the hematocrit. An eosinophils proportion up to 4% was considered normal. All women were asked for a fresh stool sample each for coproparasitological study. The stool samples were masked, coded, and processed for parasitological examination. All stool samples were processed within 2 hours of collection. Isolation of enteric bacterial and viral pathogens was not studied in these samples. Different stool examinations were used for efficacy in detecting parasites. These were direct wet-mount, formaldehyde-ether sedimentation method and modified acid-fast staining techniques RESULTS One thousand thirty eight pregnant women were enrolled in this study. The mean age of this population was 25.5 ± 6.5 years old. The mean gestational age at enrollment moment was 28.5 ± 4.0 weeks (60% was on the 3rd trimester). At clinical evaluations, no apparent significant obstetrical alterations were observed. All women were asymptomatic. All serological studies were negative in all women (HIV, HBV, VDRL, Toxoplasmosis). Hematological evaluation showed that 65.1% of women presented anemia. The mean hemoglobin levels were 10.3 ± 0.4 g/dL, mean hematocrit was 30.6 ± 1.8%. Eosinophils relative mean proportion was 5.1 ± 4.2%. Eosinophilia was seen in 22.3% women. No other alterations were seen in these women. Intestinal parasitosis was seen in 767 women (73.9%). From this total, 360 (46.9 %) presented infections due to two simultaneous intestinal parasite species, 84 (10.9 %) with three intestinal parasite species, and only 2 women presented infections due to more than three intestinal parasite species (0.3 %). In this studied group of women, ten different species of intestinal parasites were found, 2 nonpathogenic protozoans, 3 pathogenic protozoans, and 5 helminths species Univariated and multivariated analyses made to assess risk factors for intestinal parasitosis and related anemia only found significance for the presence of intestinal parasitosis as a risk to have anemia during pregnancy, relative risk (RR) was 2.56 (95% CI 2.13-3.08)

Data for "Laboratory Evaluation Links Some False-Positive COVID-19 Antigen Test Results Observed in a Field Study to a Specific Lot of Test Strips"

This dataset contains the data presented in "Laboratory Evaluation Links Some False-Positive COVID-19 Antigen Test Results Observed in a Field Study to a Specific Lot of Test Strips

A Case study on the policies that affect the operations of national irrigation administration specifically its project funding

Government Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) were mainly established to improve provision of infrastructure services. The Government privatized more than 200 GOCCs and strengthened the performance of the remainder. The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) is among the losing GOCCs. It is a cost center since it is an implementing agency and relies on budgets given by the government. The principal function of National Irrigation Administration (NIA) was initially to develop, maintain, operate, improve and rehabilitate irrigation systems including communal and pump irrigation projects. The NIA National Irrigation Administration assumes its primary responsibility, the implementation of the irrigation-integrated program of the government. The policies, changing with every administration because of certain laws enacted with every presiding officer, have a great effect on these corporations, including NIA, since their operations are dependent to this. As a result, the researchers decided to conduct a study evaluating the impact of these policies to the operations of NIA specifically the funding of its projects. The policies of each administration play a big role on the operations of NIA particularly the funding of its national projects. The policies implemented by each administration determine the amount of funding to be given to the national projects of NIA. As a cost center, the operations of NIA greatly depend on how well the corporation manages their costs. The researchers recommend that NIA can minimize the variance resulting from the budgeted and actual funds received by resorting to domestic loans

Daily SARS-CoV-2 Nasal Antigen Tests Miss Infected and Presumably Infectious People Due to Viral Load Differences among Specimen Types

ABSTRACT In a recent household transmission study of SARS-CoV-2, we found extreme differences in SARS-CoV-2 viral loads among paired saliva, anterior nares swab (ANS), and oropharyngeal swab specimens collected from the same time point. We hypothesized these differences may hinder low-analytical-sensitivity assays (including antigen rapid diagnostic tests [Ag-RDTs]) by using a single specimen type (e.g., ANS) from reliably detecting infected and infectious individuals. We evaluated daily at-home ANS Ag-RDTs (Quidel QuickVue) in a cross-sectional analysis of 228 individuals and a longitudinal analysis (throughout infection) of 17 individuals enrolled early in the course of infection. Ag-RDT results were compared to reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) results and high, presumably infectious viral loads (in each, or any, specimen type). The ANS Ag-RDT correctly detected only 44% of time points from infected individuals on cross-sectional analysis, and this population had an inferred limit of detection of 7.6 × 106 copies/mL. From the longitudinal cohort, daily Ag-RDT clinical sensitivity was very low (<3%) during the early, preinfectious period of the infection. Further, the Ag-RDT detected ≤63% of presumably infectious time points. The poor observed clinical sensitivity of the Ag-RDT was similar to what was predicted based on quantitative ANS viral loads and the inferred limit of detection of the ANS Ag-RDT being evaluated, indicating high-quality self-sampling. Nasal Ag-RDTs, even when used daily, can miss individuals infected with the Omicron variant and even those presumably infectious. Evaluations of Ag-RDTs for detection of infected or infectious individuals should be compared with a composite (multispecimen) infection status to correctly assess performance. IMPORTANCE We reveal three findings from a longitudinal study of daily nasal antigen rapid diagnostic test (Ag-RDT) evaluated against SARS-CoV-2 viral load quantification in three specimen types (saliva, nasal swab, and throat swab) in participants enrolled at the incidence of infection. First, the evaluated Ag-RDT showed low (44%) clinical sensitivity for detecting infected persons at all infection stages. Second, the Ag-RDT poorly detected (≤63%) time points that participants had high and presumably infectious viral loads in at least one specimen type. This poor clinical sensitivity to detect infectious individuals is inconsistent with the commonly held view that daily Ag-RDTs have near-perfect detection of infectious individuals. Third, use of a combination nasal-throat specimen type was inferred by viral loads to significantly improve Ag-RDT performance to detect infectious individuals

Extreme Differences in SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Viral Loads Among Specimen Types

Dataset provides de-identified results from the Caltech COVID-19 Study. See README document. IRB of the California Institute of Technology gave ethical approval for this work under IRB protocol #20-1026 Data analysis scripts can be accessed at: https://github.com/reakan/relaunch_antigen https://github.com/reakan/relaunch_pc

Longitudinal SARS-CoV-2 Viral Loads

Companion data for Viloria Winnett et al., 2022. Uploaded to medRxiv. This dataset provides viral load quantification and analysis for individuals with acute SARS-CoV-2 infection participating in the Caltech COVID-19 Study (https://covid-study.caltech.edu/). Data is de-identified. Raw data is listed for each figure