Serum prolactin, Preptin, CCL 18 and genetic polymorphisms in Iraqi women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

The polycystic ovary syndrome is an endocrine condition. One of the leading causes of female infertility and the most common disorder among women. The work was being carried out on 100 Iraqi women (50 cases confirmed with PCOS and 50 controls). Between October 2019 and March 2020, blood samples were collected from the Advanced Institute of Infertility Diagnosis and Assisted Reproductive Technology at AL-Nahrain University and a private laboratory. ELISA was used to evaluate the biochemical parameters of preptin, FSH, insulin, LH, and CCL 18 in serum samples from the AFIAS-6 (AFIAS Automated Immunoassay System). The findings of the analysis indicate that, as opposed to the control group, values of prolactin (ng/ml), LH (mIU/ml), Preptin (pg/ml) and CCL 18 (ng/ml) Quite higher in PCOS sickness (p < 0.001) Compared with the patient group, the values of testosterone (ng/ml) and FSH (mIU/ml) was noticeably higher (p <0.05), and PRLR gene expression levels in PCOS patients were significantly increased by 3.6 times. I n summary, the levels of Preptin and CCL18 can be regarded as PCOS markers.

What people really change after genetic testing (GT) performed in private labs: results from an Italian study

Despite the widespread diffusion of direct-to-consumer genetic testing (GT), it is still unclear whether people who learn about their genetic susceptibility to a clinical condition change their behaviors, and the psychological factors involved. The aim of the present study is to investigate long-term changes in health-related choices, individual tendencies and risk attitudes in an Italian sample of GT users. In the context of the Mind the Risk study, which investigated a sample of Italian adults who underwent GT in a private laboratory, 99 clients participated in the follow up assessment. They completed a self-administered questionnaire investigating: (a) clinical history and motivation for testing, (b) lifestyle and risk behaviors, (c) individual tendencies toward health, and (d) risk-taking attitude and risk tolerance. Such variables were measured at three different time-points: T0—before GT, T1—at 6 months after genetic results, and T2—at 1 year from results. Results showed that, at baseline, participants who stated they intended to modify their behavior after GT results, effectively did so over time. This result held both for participants who received a positive or negative test result. In general, a healthier diet was the most frequently observed long-term behavioral change. As regards psychological variables, a risk-taking attitude and risk tolerance did not seem to affect the decision to change the lifestyle. Finally, we found an overall reduction in anxiety and worry over health over time, but also a reduction in the motivation for health promotion and prevention, health esteem, and positive expectations for their health in the future.

Antimicrobial Sensitivity Profile Of Uropathogens In A Macapá Laboratory, Amapá, Brazilian Amazon

Urinary tract infections (UTI) represent a worldwide health problem. Microbial resistance, due to selective antibiotic pressure, has a direct influence on the evolution and impact of these infections. The objective of this work was to identify the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of uropathogens isolated in uroculture samples from a private laboratory in the city of Macapá/AP. It is a quantitative, retrospective and cross-sectional study, using a laboratory database. Data were collected from results of urocultures with antibiogram analyzed from January to December 2019. The present study evaluated 3,510 urocultures, carried out during the study period, of which 1,269 had bacterial growth, equivalent to 36.15%. Among the positive results, we found the bacteria Escherichia coli (66.59%), Staphylococcus aureus (32.62%), mixed colonies of E. coli and S. aureus (0.47%), Staphylococcus saprophyticus (0.24%) and Serratia marcescens (0.08%). The male gender was responsible for 16.35% (n = 574) of the urocultures analyzed, while the female population was 83.65% (n = 2936). When analyzing the distribution of bacteria isolated by gender, males were considered a protective factor with 42% less chance of presenting bacteria in urine. The bacteria E. coli was the predominant pathogen in these infections in both sexes and in all age groups.

Antimicrobial Resistance in Bacteria Isolated From Cats and Dogs From the Iberian Peninsula

Pet animals are assumed to be potential reservoirs in transferring antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to humans due to the extensively applied broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents and their close contact with humans. In this study, microbiological data and antimicrobial susceptibility results of dog (n = 5,086) and cat (n = 789) clinical samples from a private Laboratory of Diagnosis in Barcelona were analyzed. Samples came from different counties of the Iberian Peninsula during 2016–2018. In dogs, clinical samples were most commonly from otitis, and in cats from wounds, respiratory tract infections and conjunctivitis. In both pet groups, Staphylococcus spp. (31% in dogs vs 30% in cats), Streptococcus spp. (19% vs 17%), Pseudomonas spp. (16% vs 10%), Escherichia coli (8% vs 5.6%), and Enterococcus spp. (5.5% vs 6.8%) were shown as the most predominant bacteria. However, higher frequencies of P. aeruginosa, P. canis, and S. pseudintermedius were found in dogs, while S. aureus and P. multocida were more prevalent in cats. The antimicrobial susceptibility testing demonstrated that Enterococcus spp. and Pseudomonas spp. presented the highest levels of AMR in both dogs and cats. Within the Enterobacteriaceae, E. coli showed low levels of AMR compared to Klebsiella, Proteus, or Enterobacter spp. Respiratory tract infections caused by K. pneumoniae presented higher AMR in cats. By contrast, Pasteurella isolates from the respiratory tract were highly sensitive to all the antimicrobials in cats and dogs. Data from this study could be used to guide empirical antimicrobial selection in companion animal veterinary practices in the Iberian Peninsula.

121 Anti-Müllerian hormone cutoff values for the selection of oocyte donors in the Gir (Bos indicus) breed

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) has a well-known association with antral follicle count (AFC) and the number of oocytes recovered by OPU in cattle. However, to be used as a criterion to select candidate donors for ART, AMH reference values must be established for each breed. The aim of this study was to estimate AMH cutoff values for selecting oocyte donors in Gir (Bos indicus) cattle. A blood sample was collected at a random day of oestrous cycle from Gir heifers (n=120) at 23.3±0.5 months of age, and the plasma was stored for further AMH analysis by ELISA, using a commercial kit (AL114, AnshLabs) in a private laboratory (LEAC, Sao Paulo, Brazil). Data from 506 ovum pickup-invitro embryo production (OPU-IVEP) sessions (4.2±0.2 per donor) performed in these heifers from 2017 to 2019, starting 120 days after blood sampling, were then analysed. Donors were ranked in quartiles according to the number of total oocytes recovered, viable oocytes recovered, and embryos produced. Those classified in the first quartile for each endpoint were considered poor responders. The AMH values were then analysed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and cutoff values for each endpoint were estimated based on best values for sensitivity and specificity. A second analysis was performed to check which cutoff value would result in a significant increase in average for each endpoint. The OPU-IVEP data were ranked according to corresponding AMH values (smaller to greater), and the average of the selected group of donors was compared with the original group by ANOVA, using the PROC GLM of SAS (SAS Institute Inc.), after successive exclusion of donors with lower AMH concentrations. Results are shown as mean±s.e.m. On average, heifers presented AMH concentrations of 932.9±48.4pgmL−1 (ranging from 112.7 to 2044.8pgmL−1) and produced 32.3±1.5 total oocytes, 25.9±1.4 viable oocytes, and 5.3±0.4 embryos per OPU-IVEP session. The heifers ranked in the third and last quartiles yielded more total oocytes, viable oocytes, and blastocysts than those ranked in the first quartile (P&lt;0.05). Based on the total number of oocytes recovered (59.2±3.1), heifers of the last quartile had an estimated AFC &gt;60. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for total oocytes, viable oocytes, and embryos produced were 0.77 (P&lt;0.0001), 0.75 (P&lt;0.0001), and 0.72 (P=0.0003), and the estimated cutoffs for AMH concentration were 761.4, 622.5, and 681.5pgmL−1, respectively. After successive exclusions of donors with lower AMH values, averages were greater (P&lt;0.05) at a cutoff value of 632.4pgmL−1 for total oocytes (36.9±1.6 vs. 32.3±1.5; +15.3%), 672.3pgmL−1 for viable oocytes (30.3±1.4 vs. 25.9±1.4; +19.4%), and 776.8pgmL−1 for embryos produced (6.6±0.3 vs. 5.3±0.4; +23.4%). However, the use of these cutoff values to increase the averages would result in the exclusion of 32.8, 37.9, and 50.0% of the potential donors for each endpoint, respectively. In summary, these results demonstrated that an AMH concentration of approximately 700pgmL−1 can be used to select donors with higher oocyte yield and thus to increase IVEP outcomes in Gir heifers. This research was supported by Fazendas do Basa, Fapemig CVZ APQ 03430-17.

Who has the Custody over the Fertilized Egg in Vitro?

The issue of fertilized egg in vitro has been the object of controversy in the American courts. Some courts have recognized its right to future life while others have ruled that it was no more than pre-embryo and hence lacking the potential for actual life and the right to future life. The debate became more intense when this fertilized oven was stored in a private laboratory during the marital life followed by the divorce and a dispute between spouses over the future of this oven. In this regard, the American courts concluded to the common custody of the former spouses over this stored egg. At the same time, it endorsed the right to refuse the procreation specially in the case of the former husband invoking his right not to have children.

Prevalence of Trichomonas vaginalis in women attended at a private laboratory.

Introduction: Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are caused by viruses, fungi, bacteria, or other microorganisms, thus being a serious public health issue. Trichomonas vaginalis is the disease causative agent of trichomoniasis, a worldwide protozoan. The prevalence of trichomoniasis depends on some factors, including age, sexual activity, number of sexual partners, hygiene habits, among others. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of Trichomonas vaginalis in gynecological cytology in a private laboratory in the city of Fortaleza, state of Ceará, Brazil. Methods: This is a retrospective, quantitative, and descriptive study carried out in a private laboratory in Fortaleza, state of Ceará. Data for the research, such as age, marital status, and symptoms, were collected from the patients’ medical records as well as the prevalence of cases in liquid-based cytology (LBC) and conventional cytology (CC). Results: In 2019, 83 women were positive for trichomoniasis. The most prevalent age group was between 36 and 51 years old (41%), with an average of 39.9 years old. Regarding symptoms, 14 (16.8%) were asymptomatic and 41 (49.3%) had some symptom. Conclusion: The data obtained in this study describe the profile of women affected by Trichomonas vaginalis.