Blood feeding preferences of laboratory-reared aedes albopictus for human blood groups and its effect on their fertility

Female mosquitoes require both sugar and blood for feeding. They show distinct host preferences depending on behavioral, ecological, and physiological factors. Knowledge of the feeding behavior of Aedes albopictus, one of the primary vectors of Dengue, is critical in disease prevention measures. This study was aimed to determine the preference of Ae. albopictus on human blood groups (ABO) and their effects on female fecundity. Laboratory colonies of these mosquitoes were offered O, A, B, and AB blood via artificial membrane feeders, and blood meal preferences were identified using multiplex allelespecific PCR. Fertility was assessed by the mean number of eggs laid. Results showed that Ae. albopictus species significantly preferred the O blood group compared to others and blood type choice did not affect the fertility of the mosquitoes. To our knowledge, this is the first study assessing blood feeding choice of Ae. albopictus mosquitoes directly using human blood, hereby reducing the effects of factors such as odor when using human participants. The results of this study provide a new perspective on the still partially unknown ABO blood group host selection of mosquitoes, promoting the personal protection of individuals in at-risk populations

Distribution of Aedes (Stegomyia) cretinus in Türkiye

Objective:Aedes cretinus, a white and black stripped Aedes species, shares morphological similarities with Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti which are among the most important vectors and invasive species in the world. Due to its limited distribution and low population density, information on the biology and ecology of the species has been limited so far. This study aimed to determine distribution of Ae. cretinus in Türkiye.Methods:Field works have been carried out in the Mediterranean, Aegean and Marmara Regions of Türkiye. Larval samples were collected by larval dippers while adult mosquito catches were performed using the human landing catch method and CDC-light traps.Results:A total of 44 different Ae. cretinus populations were identified in the Mediterranean, Aegean and Marmara Regions of Türkiye. The larval specimen collected from small containers, tires, tree holes and natural small habitats. A plane (Platanus orientalis), walnut (Juglans regia), Türkiye oak (Quercus cerris), chestnut (Castenea sativa) and cedar (Cedrus libani) tree holes are the main larval habitats in which the specimen collected. In some localities, larvae were found together with Anopheles plumbeus, Anopheles claviger and Aedes geniculatus larvae in tree holes. Human landing catch method captured a greater number of females than CDC-light traps.Conclusion:This study determined the distribution of Ae. cretinus in Türkiye for the first time. Information on respective geographic distribution of Ae. cretinus is fundamental for effective control programmes. Further studies are needed to understand the biology and ecology of these species

Real-world efficacy and safety of Ledipasvir plus Sofosbuvir and Ombitasvir/Paritaprevir/Ritonavir +/- Dasabuvir combination therapies for chronic hepatitis C: A Turkish experience

Background/Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the real-life efficacy and tolerability of direct-acting antiviral treatments for patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) with/without cirrhosis in the Turkish population.Material and Methods: A total of 4,352 patients with CHC from 36 different institutions in Turkey were enrolled. They received ledipasvir (LDV) and sofosbuvir (SOF)+/- ribavirin (RBV) ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir +/- dasabuvir (PrOD)+/- RBV for 12 or 24 weeks. Sustained virologic response (SVR) rates, factors affecting SVR, safety profile, and hepatocellular cancer (HCC) occurrence were analyzed.Results: SVR12 was achieved in 92.8% of the patients (4,040/4,352) according to intention-to-treat and in 98.3% of the patients (4,040/4,108) according to per-protocol analysis. The SVR12 rates were similar between the treatment regimens (97.2%-100%) and genotypes (95.6%-100%). Patients achieving SVR showed a significant decrease in the mean serum alanine transaminase (ALT) levels (50.90 +/- 54.60 U/L to 17.00 +/- 14.50 U/L) and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores (7.51 +/- 4.54 to 7.32 +/- 3.40) (p<0.05). Of the patients, 2 were diagnosed with HCC during the treatment and 14 were diagnosed with HCC 37.0 +/- 16.0 weeks post-treatment. Higher initial MELD score (odds ratio [OR]: 1.92, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.22-2.38; p=0.023]), higher hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA levels (OR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.31-2.28; p=0.038), and higher serum ALT levels (OR: 1.38, 95% CI: 1.21-1.83; p=0.042) were associated with poor SVR12. The most common adverse events were fatigue (12.6%), pruritis (7.3%), increased serum ALT (4.7%) and bilirubin (3.8%) levels, and anemia (3.1%).Conclusion: LDV/SOF or PrOD +/- RBV were effective and tolerable treatments for patients with CHC and with or without advanced liver disease before and after liver transplantation. Although HCV eradication improves the liver function, there is a risk of developing HCC.Turkish Association for the Study of The Liver (TASL

Recent Advances in Health Biotechnology During Pandemic

The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which emerged in 2019, cut the epoch that will make profound fluctuates in the history of the world in social, economic, and scientific fields. Urgent needs in public health have brought with them innovative approaches, including diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. To exceed the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, various scientific authorities in the world have procreated advances in real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) based diagnostic tests, rapid diagnostic kits, the development of vaccines for immunization, and the purposing pharmaceuticals for treatment. Diagnosis, treatment, and immunization approaches put for- ward by scientific communities are cross-fed from the accrued knowledge of multidisciplinary sciences in health biotechnology. So much so that the pandemic, urgently prioritized in the world, is not only viral infections but also has been the pulsion in the development of novel approaches in many fields such as diagnosis, treatment, translational medicine, virology, mi- crobiology, immunology, functional nano- and bio-materials, bioinformatics, molecular biol- ogy, genetics, tissue engineering, biomedical devices, and artificial intelligence technologies. In this review, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the development of various scientific areas of health biotechnology are discussed