Seropositivity of influenza A H1NI in mothers and infants following maternal vaccination with trivalent seasonal influenza vaccine after the 2009 pandemic

Objective

To assess H1N1 antibody titers between vaccinated and nonvaccinated maternal and cord blood sera after the 2009 pandemic.

Suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) enhances olaparib activity by targeting homologous recombination DNA repair in ovarian cancer

Objectives

Approximately 50% of serous epithelial ovarian cancers (EOC) contain molecular defects in homologous recombination (HR) DNA repair pathways. Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) have efficacy in HR-deficient, but not in HR-proficient, EOC tumors as a single agent. Our goal was to determine whether the histone deacetylase inhibitor, suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA), can sensitize HR-proficient ovarian cancer cells to the PARPi AZD-2281 (olaparib).

Methods

Ovarian cancer cell lines (SKOV-3, OVCAR-8, NCI/ADR-Res, UWB1.289 BRCA1null and UWB1.289 + BRCA1 wild-type) were treated with saline vehicle, olaparib, SAHA or olaparib/SAHA. Sulforhodamine B (SRB) assessed cytotoxicity and immunofluorescence and Western blot assays assessed markers of apoptosis (cleaved PARP) and DNA damage (pH2AX and RAD51). Drug effects were also tested in SKOV-3 xenografts in Nude mice. Affymetrix microarray experiments were performed in vehicle and SAHA-treated SKOV-3 cells.

Results

In a microarray analysis, SAHA induced coordinated down-regulation of HR pathway genes, including RAD51 and BRCA1. Nuclear co-expression of RAD51 and pH2AX, a marker of efficient HR repair, was reduced approximately 40% by SAHA treatment alone and combined with olaparib. SAHA combined with olaparib induced apoptosis and pH2AX expression to a greater extent than either drug alone. Olaparib reduced cell viability at increasing concentrations and SAHA enhanced these effects in 4 of 5 cell lines, including BRCA1 null and wild-type cells, in vitro and in SKOV-3 xenografts in vivo.

Conclusions

These results provide preclinical rationale for targeting DNA damage response pathways by combining small molecule PARPi with HDACi as a mechanism for reducing HR efficiency in ovarian cancer.     

SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare workers whom already received booster vaccination during epidemic outbreak of omicron variant in Taiwan

Background/PurposeHealthcare workers (HCWs) are at risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection due to occupational exposure. We aim to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of SARS-CoV-2 infection among HCWs during epidemic outbreak of omicron variant in Taiwan.MethodsSequential reserved serum samples collected from our previous study during December 2021 and July 2022 were tested for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein (NP). Diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection was defined as positive either of anti-SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein, rapid antigen test or polymerase chain reaction. Retrospective chart review and a questionnaire were used to access the symptoms and risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection.ResultsTotally 300 participants (69.3% female) with a median age of 37.9 years were enrolled. A significant increase incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was found before and during community outbreak (11.91 versus 230.93 per 100,000 person-days, P < 0.001), which was a trend paralleling that observed in the general population. For 61 SARS-CoV-2 infected participants, nine (14.8%) were asymptomatic. Multivariate analysis revealed recent contact with a SARS-CoV-2 infected household (odds ratio [OR], 7.01; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 3.70–13.30; P < 0.001) and co-existed underlying autoimmune diseases (OR, 4.46; 95% CI, 1.28–15.51; P = 0.019) were significant risk factors associated with acquisition of SARS-CoV-2 infection among HCWs.ConclusionCommunity factors, such as closely contact with SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals and underlying immune suppression status, were significant factors for acquisition of SARS-CoV-2 infection among HCWs. We suggest the application of appropriate infection control measures for HCWs should be maintained to reduce risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection.     

小鼠富含半胱氨酸分泌蛋白-1DNA疫苗免疫避孕效果的评价

目的:观察小鼠富含半胱氨酸分泌蛋白-1(Crisp-1)DNA避孕疫苗免疫雌、雄性BALB/c小鼠后特异性抗体的表达及免疫避孕效果。方法:将雌、雄性BALB/c小鼠随机分为实验组和对照组,每组雌鼠12只,雄鼠8只。每只动物经肌肉接种重组质粒pcDNA3.1-Crisp-1或pcDNA3.1空载体3次,ELISA测定小鼠血清中抗Crisp-1抗体水平的变化,Western blotting检测抗体的特异性。免疫结束后2周,将实验小鼠分别与未接种的正常雌、雄性小鼠合笼,记录每组雌鼠的妊娠率与每窝产仔数。结果:重组质粒pcDNA 3.1-Crisp-1可以在小鼠体内诱发特异性抗Crisp-1免疫应答,免疫后雌、雄性小鼠妊娠率和平均每窝产仔数均显著降低(P<0.05)。结论:重组质粒pcDNA3.1-Crisp-1具有一定的抗生育潜能。     

COVID-19 vaccination and fertility: fighting misinformation

The introduction of vaccination against COVID-19 was associated with widespread misinformation on social media concerning, among other things, the potential effect of the vaccine in reducing fertility and increasing the risk of miscarriage among recipients. Tackling misinformation requires an understanding of the context in which it spreads and careful use of the doctor's knowledge and communication skills. Research into ways of tackling disinformation is still at an early stage, but some measures that are likely to be effective include content moderation, misinformation labelling and improving the level of scientific discussion in public media. Health professionals have a duty to provide unbiased and accurate information, including through the use of social media. This requires the maintenance of empathy, trustworthiness and openness in the face of what may at times be malicious intent.