Link between caries,periodontitis,and pregnancy:The role of personalized oral hygiene

Optimal health during pregnancy is crucial for ensuring the well-being of the mother and the developing fetus.This article is focused on the impact of oral health and the role of personalized oral hygiene management in addressing prevalent dental issues among pregnant women,with particular emphasis on periodontal disease and dental caries.Despite the high prevalence of these dental problems and their association with obstetric complications such as pre-term birth and low birth weight,many pregnant women do not receive adequate dental care.This gap in care is often due to misconceptions about the safety of dental treat-ments during pregnancy and lack of awareness on the part of healthcare profes-sionals.Appreciations of the impacts of oral health and personalization of oral hygiene strategies such as tailored education and support,have proven effective in improving oral health in this population.Significant reductions in the incidence of caries and periodontal disease may be achieved by adapting care to the specific needs of each patient,thereby enhancing maternal and fetal health outcomes.Integration of personalized oral hygiene management into maternal health pro-grams and enhancement of ongoing education for pregnant women and healthcare professionals are essential steps in the reduction of pregnancy-related risks and improvement of maternal and neonatal well-being.Core Tip:In this article,we reviewed a recent study on the effects of personalized oral hygiene management on the oral health of pregnant women,as discussed in the article by Men et al.The study demonstrated that personalized oral hygiene interventions significantly improved oral health outcomes during pregnancy by reducing the prevalence of dental caries and periodontal disease.We emphasized the importance of individualized oral care programs that integrate education and tailored support,and we highlighted their significance in enhancing maternal and fetal health.This approach underscores the need for incorporating personalized oral hygiene management into routine prenatal care in order to optimize health outcomes.CONCLUSION This article emphasizes the critical role of personalized oral hygiene management in improving oral health during pregnancy.By tailoring oral care strategies to individual needs,significant improvements in dental health may be achieved,as evidenced by the reduced CAT scores observed in the experimental group in the study by Men et al[25].This personalized approach not only addresses common oral issues such as dental caries and periodontal disease but also underscores the broader implications for maternal and fetal health.Despite the positive results,there remains a gap in consistency in the application of oral health practices during pregnancy,partly due to misconceptions and lack of awareness among patients and healthcare providers.Future research should aim at validating these findings across diverse populations,investigating the impact of oral hygiene interventions at various stages of pregnancy,and evaluating their long-term effects on maternal and fetal health.Integrating personalized oral hygiene management into maternal health programs and promoting continuous education for pregnant women and healthcare professionals are essential steps toward enhancing overall health outcomes.By proactively managing oral health,the risks associated with pregnancy may be reduced while improving maternal and neonatal well-being.

Maternal and fetal death associated with acute pancreatitis during pregnancy:A case report

BACKGROUND Acute pancreatitis in pregnancy is a rare but serious condition that can lead to high maternal mortality and fetal loss.Instances of pregnancy complicated by severe acute pancreatitis,particularly with subsequent respiratory and cardiac arrest,are rarely reported.CASE SUMMARY We present the case of a 35-year-old woman,at 36+5 weeks of gestation,who presented with paroxysmal epigastric pain accompanied by low back pain,nausea,and vomiting.According to the clinical symptoms,B-ultrasound imaging and biochemical indicators,the patient was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis and initially managed conservatively.However,3 hours after admission,the patient experienced respiratory and cardiac arrest,and the fetus died.In this case,the adverse outcomes occurred due to the lack of aggressive fluid resuscitation and an active surgical intervention.CONCLUSION Implementing aggressive fluid resuscitation to sustain tissue perfusion,alongside the proactive evaluation of pharmacological agents that suppress gastric acid secretion and inhibit pancreatic enzyme activity,may be beneficial in mitigating the risk of a severely adverse prognosis.Effective management of acute pancreatitis during pregnancy requires careful timing of surgical intervention,a thorough evaluation of the risks and benefits regarding the continuation or termination of pregnancy,and a focus on safeguarding both maternal and fetal health.

Jungle Animals

A jungle is full of life.You can sometimes see exhibits of jungle animals and learn about them.Monkeys play in jungle trees.Colorful parrots fly and call to one another.Black and orange tigers hunt under the trees.

Persistent challenges in the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis due to primary hyperparathyroidism during pregnancy

In this manuscript,we provide critical commentary on the systematic review by Augustin et al,which investigated acute pancreatitis induced by primary hyperparathyroidism during pregnancy.Although this is an infrequent complication,it poses severe risks to both maternal and fetal health.Due to its infrequent occurrence in clinical practice,this review is based on an analysis of individual case reports over the past 55 years.While this is not the first study to utilize this sampling method for primary hyperparathyroidism-induced acute pancreatitis,it is unique in that it has a sufficiently large sample size with statistically significant results.Our discussion focuses on the diagnostic challenges associated with this condition,which are grounded in the mechanisms of parathyroid hormone secretion and variations in serum calcium levels.We also address the limitations of the current review and suggest potential strategies to increase diagnostic accuracy and improve health outcomes for both mothers and fetuses during pregnancy.

Independent risk factors for twin pregnancy adverse fetal outcomes before 28 gestational week by first trimester ultrasound screening

BACKGROUND The incidence of multiple pregnancies has increased worldwide recently and women with a twin pregnancy are at higher risk of adverse outcomes compared with women with a singleton pregnancy.It is important to understand the risk factors for adverse fetal outcomes in twin pregnancy in order to guide clinical management.AIM To identify the independent risk factors,including maternal personal and family medical histories and first trimester ultrasound screening findings,for adverse fetal outcomes of twin pregnancy before 28 weeks of gestation.METHODS The data of 126 twin pregnancies in our hospital,including pregnancy outcomes,first trimester ultrasound screening findings and maternal medical history,were retrospectively collected.Twenty-nine women with adverse outcomes were included in the abnormal group and the remaining 97 women were included in the control group.RESULTS Patients in the abnormal group were more likely to be monochorionic diamniotic(13/29 vs 20/97,P=0.009),with a higher mean pulsatility index(PI,1.57±0.55 vs 1.28±0.42,P=0.003;cutoff value:1.393)or a higher mean resistance index(0.71±0.11 vs 0.65±0.11,P=0.008;cutoff value:0.683)or early diastolic notch of bilateral uterine arteries(UtAs,10/29 vs 15/97,P=0.024)or with abnormal ultrasound findings(13/29 vs 2/97,P<0.001),compared with the control group.Monochorionic diamnioticity,higher mean PI of bilateral UtAs and abnormal ultrasound findings during first trimester screening were independent risk factors for adverse fetal outcomes(P<0.05).CONCLUSION First trimester ultrasound screening for twin pregnancy identifies independent risk factors and is useful for the prediction of fetal outcomes.

Development of an animal model of hypothyroxinemia during pregnancy in Wistar rats

Background:Hypothyroxinemia is a subclinical thyroid hormone deficiency in which the mother has inadequate levels of T_(4) during pregnancy.The fetus relies entirely on the mother's T_(4) hormone level for early neurodevelopment.Isolated maternal hypothyroxinemia(IMH)in the first trimester of pregnancy can lead to lower intelligence,lower motor scores,and a higher risk of mental illness in descendants.Here,we focus on the autism-like behavior of IMH offspring.Methods:The animals were administered 1 ppm of propylthiouracil(PTU)for 9 weeks.Then,the concentrations of T_(3),T_(4),and thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH)were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)to verify the developed animal model of IMH.We performed four behavioral experiments,including the marble burying test,open-field test,three-chamber sociability test,and Morris water maze,to explore the autistic-like behavior of 40-day-old offspring rats.Results:The ELISA test showed that the serum T_(3) and TSH concentrations in the model group were normal compared with the negative control group,whereas the T_(4) concentration decreased.In the behavioral experiments,the number of hidden marbles in the offspring of IMH increased significantly,the frequency of entering the central compartment decreased,and the social ratio decreased significantly.Conclusion:The animal model of IMH was developed by the administration of 1 ppm of PTU for 9 weeks,and there were autistic-like behavior changes such as anxiety,weakened social ability,and repeated stereotyping in the IMH offspring by 40 days.

Analysis of Perinatal Outcomes of Twin Pregnancy in a Referral Hospital for High Risk

Introduction: The incidence of twin pregnancies has increased significantly in recent decades. These pregnancies require more attention due to their worse outcomes than singleton pregnancies. Objective: To analyze the characteristics and perinatal outcomes of twin pregnancies at the Caxias do Sul General Hospital. Methods: This is a descriptive and retrospective study that included all births related to twin pregnancies between March 1998 and June 2018. Maternal and perinatal variables were analyzed. Descriptive analyses were carried out using measures of central tendency and dispersion for continuous variables (mean and standard deviation or median and interquartile range), according to a prior assessment of distribution using the Shapiro-Wilk test, and absolute (n) and relative (n%) frequencies for categorical variables. Results: 172 pairs of twins/21,972 births (0.8%) were identified. There was a high percentage of interpartum interval of less than 12 months, adherence and prenatal visits, body mass index, and need for neonatal intensive care. Stillbirth and neomortality rates were within acceptable parameters. Conclusion: The sample studied showed a percentage similar to that in the literature, a high rate of maternal and perinatal complications, characterizing it as a high-risk fetal pregnancy.

Effects of mesenchymal stem cell on dopaminergic neurons,motor and memory functions in animal models of Parkinson's disease:a systematic review and meta-analysis

Parkinson’s disease is chara cterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars com pacta,and although restoring striatal dopamine levels may improve symptoms,no treatment can cure or reve rse the disease itself.Stem cell therapy has a regenerative effect and is being actively studied as a candidate for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.Mesenchymal stem cells are considered a promising option due to fewer ethical concerns,a lower risk of immune rejection,and a lower risk of teratogenicity.We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stem cells and their derivatives on motor function,memory,and preservation of dopamine rgic neurons in a Parkinson’s disease animal model.We searched bibliographic databases(PubMed/MEDLINE,Embase,CENTRAL,Scopus,and Web of Science)to identify articles and included only pee r-reviewed in vivo interve ntional animal studies published in any language through J une 28,2023.The study utilized the random-effect model to estimate the 95%confidence intervals(CI)of the standard mean differences(SMD)between the treatment and control groups.We use the systematic review center for laboratory animal expe rimentation’s risk of bias tool and the collaborative approach to meta-analysis and review of animal studies checklist for study quality assessment.A total of 33studies with data from 840 Parkinson’s disease model animals were included in the meta-analysis.Treatment with mesenchymal stem cells significantly improved motor function as assessed by the amphetamine-induced rotational test.Among the stem cell types,the bone marrow MSCs with neurotrophic factor group showed la rgest effect size(SMD[95%CI]=-6.21[-9.50 to-2.93],P=0.0001,I^(2)=0.0%).The stem cell treatment group had significantly more tyrosine hydroxylase positive dopamine rgic neurons in the striatum([95%CI]=1.04[0.59 to 1.49],P=0.0001,I^(2)=65.1%)and substantia nigra(SMD[95%CI]=1.38[0.89 to 1.87],P=0.0001,I^(2)=75.3%),indicating a protective effect on dopaminergic neurons.Subgroup analysis of the amphetamine-induced rotation test showed a significant reduction only in the intracranial-striatum route(SMD[95%CI]=-2.59[-3.25 to-1.94],P=0.0001,I^(2)=74.4%).The memory test showed significant improvement only in the intravenous route(SMD[95%CI]=4.80[1.84 to 7.76],P=0.027,I^(2)=79.6%).Mesenchymal stem cells have been shown to positively impact motor function and memory function and protect dopaminergic neurons in preclinical models of Parkinson’s disease.Further research is required to determine the optimal stem cell types,modifications,transplanted cell numbe rs,and delivery methods for these protocols.

Finding biomarkers of experience in animals

At a time when there is a growing public interest in animal welfare,it is critical to have objective means to assess the way that an animal experiences a situation.Objectivity is critical to ensure appropriate animal welfare outcomes.Existing behavioural,physiological,and neurobiological indicators that are used to assess animal welfare can verify the absence of extremely negative outcomes.But welfare is more than an absence of negative outcomes and an appropriate indicator should reflect the full spectrum of experience of an animal,from negative to positive.In this review,we draw from the knowledge of human biomedical science to propose a list of candidate biological markers(biomarkers)that should reflect the experiential state of non-human animals.The proposed biomarkers can be classified on their main function as endocrine,oxidative stress,non-coding molecular,and thermobiological markers.We also discuss practical challenges that must be addressed before any of these biomarkers can become useful to assess the experience of an animal in real-life.

Correlates of Mistimed Pregnancy and Unmet Need for Family Planning among Women of Reproductive Age in Sandema, Ghana

Background: Globally, an estimated 80 million unintended pregnancies comprising both mistimed and unwanted pregnancies are recorded yearly. Yet only half of the women at risk of mistimed pregnancy use contraceptives. In developing countries, over 100 million females have unmet need, and national surveys in Ghana indicate 23% unmet need rate. Methods: Using a cross-sectional community-based approach, a sample size of 300 women of reproductive age were selected using multi-step cluster sampling techniques. The study was quantitative, using structured interviewer-administered questionnaires. Results: Two-third (66%) of the women in reproductive age still had unmet need, 71% were currently pregnant, and more than a third (36%) confirmed ever having a mistimed pregnancy. Fifty-three percent (53%) of the women confirmed never communicating with their partners on family planning issues, a little below half (45%) took their own health care decisions. Seventy nine percent (79%) ever received family planning services from a health professional. Factors related to unmet needs included mistimed pregnancy, level of education, preferred birth/pregnancy interval, communication between partners and the autonomy to spend self-earnings. Conclusion: Considering that high rates of unmet need results in mistimed pregnancy, improved policies around the influence of unmet need on mistimed pregnancies are needed.

Term Abdominal Pregnancy with Live Baby;Case Report from St Padre Pio Hospital Akwa Nord Douala (August 2024)

In this report, we present a case of a term abdominal pregnancy managed in St Padre Pio Hospital Douala (Cameroon). The 28-year-old G2P1001 woman whom we received to our facility at 15 weeks gestation with an intrauterine pregnancy confirmed by ultrasonography. She returned at 21 weeks with a history of syncope and blood transfusion in another facility. An obstetrical ultrasonography done that day revealed a live fetus located at the upper right side within the peritoneal cavity. She continued with her routine Antenatal visits, and at each visit, an ultrasonography was done, revealing a slowly growing fetus. At 38 weeks, a laparotomy was carried out, and the live male baby weighing 2500 grammes was extracted. The placenta was implanted in the uterus;it was removed with minimal blood loss of approximately 400 mls. The mother was heamodynamically stable post-operatively. The newborn presented with mild cyanosis, an oxygen saturation of 80%, which resolved after 24 hours of oxygen administration. Both mother and baby were discharged from the hospital one week after laparotomy in a stable state. This case illustrates that intra-abdominal pregnancies, though rare and complex, can be managed to term and produce viable fetuses. Practitioners should, therefore, understand the challenges in its management.

Prevalence and Individual-Level Determinants of Uptake of Three or More Doses of Sulphadoxine-Pyrimethamine for Intermittent Preventive Treatment of Malaria in Pregnancy in Busia County, Kenya

Background: Malaria in pregnancy causes maternal anemia, low birth weight, intrauterine growth retardation, and preterm deliveries. In malaria-endemic regions in Kenya, percentage of pregnant women hospitalized with malaria reach up to 60%. WHO recommends at least three doses of sulphadoxine pyrimethamine for Intermittent Preventive Treatment of Malaria in Pregnancy (IPTp) antenatally. This study sought to ascertain the prevalence and individual-level factors influencing the uptake of IPTp-SP3+. Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study at Busia County Referral Hospital. 384 mothers were consecutively sampled at the maternity unit during delivery. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect data. Odds ratio (OR) and adjusted OR were used to determine statistical significance of individual factors influencing uptake of three or more IPTp-SP. Results: 43.0% of participants took IPTp-SP3+. Individual factors that affected the uptake of IPTp-SP3+ included starting ANC visits in the first trimester (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.23 – 3.67, p = 0.046), having more than four ANC visits (aOR = 3.1, 95% CI: 1.49 – 6.50, p = 0.002), having a higher monthly income (aOR = 2.6, 95% CI: 1.24 – 5.36, p = 0.012), being aware of the advantages of IPTp-SP medications (aOR = 3.7, 95% CI: 1.40 – 9.74, p = 0.008), and having a positive attitude toward ANC services (aOR = 3.2, 95% CI: 1.61 – 6.31, p = 0.001). Conclusion: Less than half of the pregnant mothers are complyingIPTp-SP3+. There should be aggressive efforts by the County and National Ministries of Health promoting initiation of ANC attendance early and attendance of all the recommended eight visits together with ensuring availability of the drugs.

Thyroid disease in pregnancy: A review of diagnosis, complications and management

Malfunction of the thyroid gland is the second most common endocrine disorder encountered during pregnancy. It is well known that overt disease of the thyroid gland, either hyper or hypo can adversely affect pregnancy outcome. There is also an ongoing debate surrounding the issue of subclinical hypothyroidism and its effect on the cognitive development of the unborn child. The goal of this paper is to present a systematic review of the literature and the current recommendations for diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disease in pregnancy and postpartum.

Rare uterine serosal pregnancy after in vitro fertilization in a woman with bilateral salpingectomy

Objective:To improve the understanding of ectopic pregnancy after bilateral salpingectomy through case analysis and literature review.Method:A case of uterine serosal pregnancy after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer(IVF-ET)in a woman with bilateral salpingectomy was reported in detail and summarized,and relevant literatures searched in Pubmed were analyzed.Results:The patient had a sudden abdominal pain 18 days after transplantation.Ultrasound showed no pregnancy sac in the intrauterine cavity and bilateral adnexal areas,but there was a large amount of fluid in the Pouch of Douglas,which was an indication for surgical exploration.During the operation,the pregnancy tissue was found on the uterine serosal and cleared in time.And the patient recovered well after surgery.Review of the literatures showed that most of ectopic pregnancies after bilateral salpingectomy were treated surgically and had a good prognosis.Conclusion:Ectopic pregnancy after bilateral salpingectomy is extremely rare and should be early judged by the patients’signs.Surgical treatment timely can achieve good outcome.

A Study on the Correlation of Body Mass Management During Pregnancy with Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes and Labor Progression

Objective:To investigate the effects of body mass management during pregnancy on adverse pregnancy outcomes,duration of labor,and neonatal birth weight.Methods:472 pregnant women who visited Beijing Anzhen Hospital from January to December 2023 were selected,and the pregnant women were divided into 236 each in the observation group and the control group.Body mass of pregnant women was measured and BMI was calculated in early and late pregnancy respectively,and the pregnant women in the control group were guided by routine management,while the observation group was guided by body mass management during pregnancy.The growth of maternal body mass,mode of delivery,postpartum hemorrhage,neonatal score,neonatal blood glucose at birth,and umbilical artery blood,as well as the comparison of the duration of labor,were observed.Results:The observation group was significantly better than the control group in terms of mode of delivery,postpartum hemorrhage,and body mass growth,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05),and there was no statistical significance in terms of neonatal scores,neonatal blood glucose at birth,and umbilical artery blood(P>0.05);the time of the first stage of labor and the time of the second stage of labor of the mothers in the observation group was significantly better than that of the control group,with statistical differences(P<0.05),and the time of the third stage of labor of the mothers in the observation group was statistically better than that of the control group.There was no statistically significant difference between the time of the third stage of labor in the observation group and the control group(P>0.05),and the time of the total stage of labor in the observation group was statistically better than that in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Body mass management during pregnancy can effectively improve maternal control of weight gain,reduce labor time,and decrease the occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Analysis of Cardiac Functional Status and Factors Influencing Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes in Pregnant Women with Combined Heart Disease

Objective:To investigate the cardiac function of pregnant women with complicated heart disease during pregnancy and the factors influencing the adverse pregnancy outcome.Methods:A total of 162 cases of pregnant women with complicated heart disease admitted to the Beijing Anzhen Hospital from October 2021 to December 2023 were selected to compare the occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women with complicated heart disease at different levels of cardiac function and to analyze the single and multi factors leading to adverse pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women with complicated heart disease.Results:Among 162 pregnant women with combined heart disease in pregnancy,the highest percentage of heart disease type was congenital heart disease(80/49.38%),and the lowest percentage was other(9/5.56%);the overall incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women with combined heart disease in pregnancy with cardiac function grades of 3–4 cardiac function(30/68.18%)was higher than that in pregnant women with combined heart disease in cardiac function grades of 1–2(40/33.90%)(P=0.000);age,marital status,hypertension,and past history of all pregnant women were not statistically significant(P>0.05);gestational age,type of heart disease,and cardiac function grading were statistically significant(P<0.05),and these factors were all independent risk factors for adverse pregnancy resolution in pregnant women with combined heart disease(P<0.05).Conclusion:The overall incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes was higher in pregnant women with heart disease than in those with heart disease grades 1–2,and the number of pregnancies,the type of heart disease,and heart function grades were all independent risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women with heart disease.

Knee osteoarthritis:A review of animal models and intervention of traditional Chinese medicine

Background:Knee osteoarthritis(KOA)characterized by degeneration of knee cartilage and subsequent bone hyperplasia is a prevalent joint condition primarily affecting aging adults.The pathophysiology of KOA remains poorly understood,as it involves complex mechanisms that result in the same outcome.Consequently,researchers are interested in studying KOA and require appropriate animal models for basic research.Chinese herbal compounds,which consist of multiple herbs with diverse pharmacological properties,possess characteristics such as multicomponent,multipathway,and multitarget effects.The potential benefits in the treatment of KOA continue to attract attention.Purpose:This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the advantages,limitations,and specific considerations in selecting different species and methods for KOA animal models.This will help researchers make informed decisions when choosing an animal model.Methods:Online academic databases(e.g.,PubMed,Google Scholar,Web of Science,and CNKI)were searched using the search terms“knee osteoarthritis,”“animal models,”“traditional Chinese medicine,”and their combinations,primarily including KOA studies published from 2010 to 2023.Results:Based on literature retrieval,this review provides a comprehensive overview of the methods of establishing KOA animal models;introduces the current status of advantages and disadvantages of various animal models,including mice,rats,rabbits,dogs,and sheep/goats;and presents the current status of methods used to establish KOA animal models.Conclusion:This study provides a review of the animal models used in recent KOA research,discusses the common modeling methods,and emphasizes the role of traditional Chinese medicine compounds in the treatment of KOA.

Integrins and their potential roles in mammalian pregnancy

Integrins are a highly complex family of receptors that, when expressed on the surface of cells, can mediate reciprocal cell-to-cell and cell-to-extracellular matrix(ECM) interactions leading to assembly of integrin adhesion complexes(IACs) that initiate many signaling functions both at the membrane and deeper within the cytoplasm to coordinate processes including cell adhesion, migration, proliferation, survival, differentiation, and metabolism. All metazoan organisms possess integrins, and it is generally agreed that integrins were associated with the evolution of multicellularity, being essential for the association of cells with their neighbors and surroundings, during embryonic development and many aspects of cellular and molecular biology. Integrins have important roles in many aspects of embryonic development, normal physiology, and disease processes with a multitude of functions discovered and elucidated for integrins that directly influence many areas of biology and medicine, including mammalian pregnancy, in particular implantation of the blastocyst to the uterine wall, subsequent placentation and conceptus(embryo/fetus and associated placental membranes) development. This review provides a succinct overview of integrin structure, ligand binding, and signaling followed with a concise overview of embryonic development, implantation, and early placentation in pigs, sheep, humans, and mice as an example for rodents. A brief timeline of the initial localization of integrin subunits to the uterine luminal epithelium(LE) and conceptus trophoblast is then presented, followed by sequential summaries of integrin expression and function during gestation in pigs, sheep, humans, and rodents. As appropriate for this journal, summaries of integrin expression and function during gestation in pigs and sheep are in depth, whereas summaries for humans and rodents are brief. Because similar models to those illustrated in Fig. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 are present throughout the scientific literature, the illustrations in this manuscript are drafted as Viking imagery for entertainment purposes.

Occurrence of microcystins in water,sediment,and aquatic animals in Dau Tieng Reservoir,Vietnam

This study investigates the variations of microcystins(MCs)in water,cyanobacterial blooms,sediment,and aquatic organisms collected from the Dau Tieng Reservoir(DTR).Vietnam.Highperformance liquid chromatography(HPLC)was employed to measure MC concentrations in various target samples.Results indicate that Microcystis spp.dominates as the primary MC producer in the DTR.The average concentrations of analyzed MCs in surface water ranged from 1.10 to 5.54μg/L,temporally and spatially.In sediment,average concentrations varied from 0.15 to 1.13μg/g wet weight(WW)temporally and from 0.41 to 0.72μg/g WW spatially.MCs were detected in different organs of fish species(Oreochromis sp.and Labiobarbus sp.)and in the entire soft tissues of bivalve(Corbicula sp.)and gastropod(Assiminea sp.).The highest observed MC concentration in July was 0.83±0.22μg/g WW in the intestines of fish Oreochromis sp.The presence of MCs in grass shrimp Palaemonetes sp.was observed solely in June,reaching a concentration of 0.28±0.19μg/g WW.This is the first report of MC accumulation in the grass shrimp Palaemonetes sp.during field collection.For the bivalve Corbicula sp.,the presence of analyzed MCs was consistent throughout the study period,except for March and September,with the highest concentrations in July at 0.77±0.1μg/g WW.Pearson correlation analysis revealed significant positive correlations between MCs in water and sediment with MC concentrations in aquatic animals,indicating the potential transfer of MCs across different trophic levels.The estimated daily intake values for analyzed MCs indicate that fish collected from the DTR are considered safe for consumption,as long as only the edible organs,such as the muscle,are consumed.However,bivalves or gastropods collected from the DTR are not safe for human consumption.This study underscored the importance of monitoring MC accumulation in aquatic animals used as food to mitigate adverse effects on human health.

Immunobiology of COVID-19: Mechanistic and therapeutic insights from animal models

The distribution of the immune system throughout the body complicates in vitro assessments of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)immunobiology,often resulting in a lack of reproducibility when extrapolated to the whole organism.Consequently,developing animal models is imperative for a comprehensive understanding of the pathology and immunology of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)infection.This review summarizes current progress related to COVID-19 animal models,including non-human primates(NHPs),mice,and hamsters,with a focus on their roles in exploring the mechanisms of immunopathology,immune protection,and long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection,as well as their application in immunoprevention and immunotherapy of SARS-CoV-2 infection.Differences among these animal models and their specific applications are also highlighted,as no single model can fully encapsulate all aspects of COVID-19.To effectively address the challenges posed by COVID-19,it is essential to select appropriate animal models that can accurately replicate both fatal and non-fatal infections with varying courses and severities.Optimizing animal model libraries and associated research tools is key to resolving the global COVID-19 pandemic,serving as a robust resource for future emerging infectious diseases.