ObjectiveVaginal lactobacilli play a crucial role in inhibiting bacteria such as Gardnerella vaginalis (G. vaginalis), a key contributor to dysbiosis and bacterial vaginosis. We aimed to compare the inhibitory effects of Lactobacillus cell-free supernatants on G. vaginalis growth with those observed in Lactobacillus-G. vaginalis coculture, an experimental setup that more closely mimics in vivo conditions.ResultsTo identify the optimal medium for coculture experiments, MRS broth and NYC-III broth were compared. NYC-III significantly enhanced the growth of G. vaginalis and four of the five tested Lactobacillus strains. We then developed a direct quantitative PCR (qPCR) method that allowed us to specifically measure G. vaginalis genome concentrations in cocultures with Lactobacillus. This direct qPCR did not require DNA extraction and had a 4,096-fold dynamic range. We then assessed the inhibition of G. vaginalis growth by Lactobacillus cell-free supernatants in G. vaginalis cultures by measuring optical density and the Lactobacillus-mediated inhibition in cocultures by the G. vaginalis specific direct qPCR. The two measurement methods showed different levels of inhibitory activity for two of the five Lactobacillus strains tested. These findings suggest that coculture experiments should be conducted in place of, or in addition to, supernatant-based inhibitory assays.

This study investigated the effect of two types of exercise on the hypothalamic expression of CRH and GnRH genes in response to acute noise stress in young rats. 42 male Wistar rats were divided into 7 groups including control (Con), Control Time (CT), acute noise stress (S), Moderate-intensity Continuous Training (MCT), High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), MCT + noise stress (MS), and HIIT + noise stress (HS). Exercise raining was performed for eight weeks. Noise stress was induced for one session. Hippocampus samples were taken 48 h following eight weeks in exercise training groups (MCT and HIIT) as well as CT and just after noise stress in related groups (S, HS, and MS). One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the groups. CRH expression was significantly higher in the HIIT group while was significantly lower in the MCT group compared to the CT group (P = 0.0001). GnRH expression was significantly lower in the HIIT group than the MCT group; it was significantly higher in MCT group than the CT group (P = 0.0001). CRH expression increased in S group (P = 0.0001); it was significantly lower in HS and MS groups than in S group. CRH expression was significantly higher while, GnRH expression was significantly lower in the MS group compared to MCT group (P = 0.0001). So, HIIT inhibited GnRH and increased CRH while MCT increased GnRH and inhibited CRH gene expression. HIIT and MCT training, in that order, were effective in reducing the effects of noise stress.

ObjectiveOvarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynecological cancers. In the early stages, it is generally asymptomatic, leading to delays in the early diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Inflammation, which is the body’s response to tissue damage, plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of cancer. Inflammatory responses result in cellular changes, damaged tissue repair, and affected area proliferation. This research aims to determine the differences in LMR (Lymphocyte-to-Monocyte Ratio), PLR (Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio), and SIRI (Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index), which were the parameters of inflammation between ovarian malignant tumors and benign ovarian tumors.ResultsThis retrospective cohort study analyzed medical records of 327 patients treated at Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, Bandung, between 2020 and 2022, including 166 cases of malignant ovarian tumors and 161 benign ovarian tumors. Inflammatory markers were calculated from routine blood counts. The mean LMR was significantly lower in the malignant group than the benign group (3.32 vs. 3.83, P = 0.004). Conversely, PLR and SIRI values were significantly higher in malignant tumors (PLR: 355 vs. 213, P = 0.001; SIRI: 3.50 vs. 2.97, P = 0.042). These findings suggest that LMR, PLR, and SIRI may serve as supportive inflammatory biomarkers in distinguishing malignant from benign ovarian tumors.

Gene therapy has emerged as an encouraging therapeutic approach for several diseases. The use of plasmid DNA (pDNA)or viral vectors encoding proteins have yielded low efficacy in recent trials. Syntheticmessenger RNA(mRNA), also known as in vitro transcribed mRNA (IVT-mRNA), is a highly potent alternative. However, the use of IVT-mRNA in reproductive conditions remains scarce. Our previous work has demonstrated the involvement of endometrial serum- and glucocorticoid kinase 1 (SGK1), where it influences pregnancy outcomes in murine models. On this basis, we investigated the expression and function of human SGK1 encoded by IVT-mRNA in vitro. We show using flow cytometry, quantitative RT-PCR and immunoblotting, that IVT-mRNA has a superior transfection efficiency compared with pDNA. At protein level, we show that the constitutively active SGK1 variant (SGK1S422D) could increase protein levels andthat the inactive SGK1 variant (SGK1K127A) could reduce SGK1 levels. This effect of SGK1 activity modulation could contribute to reprogramming endometrial cells and support a conducive environment for pregnancy.

This study explores the application of Google Search Trends (GST) data as a tool for COVID-19 surveillance in Bangladesh. Using the Vector Autoregression (VAR) approach, it investigates how GST search can predict new COVID-19 cases. The findings show that GST can offer timely insights into public health responses. The results also show that GST search items can predict the outbreak before 1–2 weeks. While VAR analysis confirms the causal relationship between the GST terms and the new COVID-19 cases, this study also acknowledges the limitations of inappropriate regional data at the outset of any new pandemic. It also acknowledges the misinformation from GST can underestimate real time surveillance. Policymakers can use GST for real-time risk communication and informed decision during pandemic. The results also suggest the importance of infodemiology to integrate it into the public health system for disease surveillance as the country’s’ resources are constrained. This study highlights the contribution of infodemiology towards the enhancement of traditional methods and systems of surveillance, which is relevant both nationally and globally. GST offers a great opportunity for advancing digital epidemiology and innovation in public health, nonetheless obstacles rest in the way.

Here we report initial observations and bioinformatics analysis suggesting that the sea anemone Diadumene lineata can be induced to age when cultured at 16oC. Inducible aging may make D. lineata a useful experimental model for aging studies. This research stemmed from a published study of D. lineata that did not involve or report on inducible aging. Anemones cultured at 16oC displayed several signs of aging not evident when cultured at room temperature (21oC), including the cessation of binary fission, growth to a much larger size, a progressive reduction in the consumption of prey, and ultimately, shriveling. Re-analysis of published RNA-seq data identified 2,824 differentially expressed putative genes in anemones cultured at 16oC vs. room temperature. Functional enrichment analysis of the differentially expressed genes is consistent with an aging phenotype at 16oC, and suggests that the 16oC anemones may undergo gametogenesis prior to the development of senescence. A significant increase in somatic single nucleotide polymorphisms also occurred at 16oC.

ObjectiveTeamwork rehabilitation is recommended for children with hearing impairment, who often require multidimensional support. This study aimed to investigate the impact of team-based rehabilitation services on the quality of life and mental health of mothers of preschool children with hearing impairment. A total of 126 mothers of hearing-impaired children residing in Tehran, Iran, participated in the study. Based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, 63 mothers whose children received team-based rehabilitation and 63 whose children received individual rehabilitation were selected. Participants completed the quality-of-life questionnaire (SF-36) and the Beck Depression Inventory. The results of the two groups were then compared.ResultsThe analysis revealed a statistically significant difference in quality-of-life scores between the two groups (p < 0.05). Additionally, Fisher’s exact test showed that a higher percentage of mothers in the team-based group were categorized as having normal mental health according to the Beck Depression Inventory, compared to the individual-services group. The model of rehabilitation service delivery—team-based versus individual—has a significant impact on maternal depression and quality of life. These findings emphasize the importance of incorporating interdisciplinary approaches in the rehabilitation of children with hearing impairment.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to understand adolescents’ contextual perspectives on nutrition, food security, causes of food insecurity, and the association between food adequacy and academic performance. It explored food and nutrition security among high school adolescents in Machakel District, Amhara Region, Ethiopia. The objective was to explore how food and nutrition security impact adolescents’ growth and development. Qualitative data were collected through interviews with 33 key informants including school adolescents, teachers, health workers, community members, and woreda officers and six focus group discussions across four high schools. Data were analysed using MAXQDA Pro 2020 for its user-friendliness and advanced features.ResultsFindings showed that school adolescents living away from their families faced challenges in accessing adequate food, both in quantity and variety. These school adolescents relied on various strategies to access food, including part-time work and support from friends, relatives, or the school community, to supplement their food access. Participants perceived that inadequate food access negatively affected school adolescents’ academic performance. The study explored the need for interventions to improve adolescent food and nutrition security, including nutrition education programs, funding for nutritious school meals, and collaboration between schools and local communities to support adolescents living away from families.

ObjectiveEmergence of antimicrobial resistance is a major public health problem worldwide, particularly in developing countries. The aim of this study was to determine the antimicrobial resistance pattern of Staphylococcus aureus isolate from different clinical specimens at University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital. This retrospective study used laboratory records of 25870 clinical specimens submitted for bacterial culture submitted to the microbiology laboratory of University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital for bacterial culture and sensitivity testing from July 2018 and June 2022. Records from specimens positive for Staphylococcus aureus isolates were included for analysis.ResultOf the total 25,870 samples culture records, 4653 (18%) were culture positive for bacteria. A total of 1057 S. aureus isolates were collected from clinical specimens such as: wound discharge (342; 32.4%), blood (312; 29.5%), cerebrospinal fluid (16; 1.5%), urine (21; 2%), other body fluids (71; 6.7%) and other discharge like ear discharge, eye discharge and vaginal discharge295; 28%). The prevalence of methicillin resistant S. aureus was 33.8% (233/698) and the overall prevalence of multi-drug resistant S. aureus out of 1057 S. aureus isolates was 36% (380/1057).

ObjectiveThe reproductive success of Aedes aegypti, a primary vector of dengue and other arboviruses, depends on host blood nutrition. Variations in blood group composition may significantly influence mosquito fecundity, egg viability, and offspring fitness, potentially impacting disease transmission dynamics. This study investigates the effect of human blood groups on the egg hatching rate and offspring morphometric development of Aedes aegypti.ResultsBlood groups B− and O− demonstrated the highest fecundity rates, with significantly larger egg sizes and greater egg viability compared to other groups (P < 0.05). Offspring from these groups exhibited superior morphometric traits, including longer larval lengths and larger head capsule widths. In contrast, blood groups B+ and AB+ resulted in the lowest reproductive success, with smaller egg sizes and reduced larval fitness. The observed differences suggest blood group-specific variations in nutritional quality influencing mosquito reproductive potential and offspring development. The findings reveal that host blood group significantly impacts Aedes aegypti reproduction and larval fitness, with B− and O− blood groups providing the most favorable outcomes.