Comparison of aerobic conjunctival bacterial flora in pregnant, reproductive-aged and postmenopausal women

AIM: To evaluate the effect of hormonal status on aerobic conjunctival flora in women. METHODS: One hundred fifty-eight women [reproductive-aged (n=55), pregnant (n=51), and postmenopausal (n=52)] who admitted to outpatient clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of Denizli State Hospital were enrolled. Age, body-mass index (BMI), obstetric history, cigarette smoking, drug usage, presence of systemic disease, and intraocular pressure (IOP) were recorded for each patient. The samples were taken from the lower fornix with two culture swabs and directly incubated in culture containing 5% sheep blood, eosin-methylene blue and chocolate agar. The other swab specimen was Gram stained. All growths and microscopic results were analyzed. RESULTS: The coagulase-negative Staphylococcus was the predominant organism isolated in the conjunctival samples in both three groups. The aerobic microorganism growth rate for all isolated aerobic organisms revealed no significant change in the three groups (P>0.05). The conjunctival culture positivity rates were similar in the three groups (49% in reproductive-aged, 57% in pregnant and 58% in postmenopausal women) (P>0.05). Age, IOP, BMI, gravidity, parity, cigarette smoking, drug usage, and presence of systemic diseases did not have an effect on culture positivity in three groups. CONCLUSION: Results of this study showed that conjunctival aerobic flora and bacterial colonization did not differ between reproductive-aged, pregnant and postmenopausal women.

Standardization of Sampling for Isolation of Exosome-Like Small-Extracellular Vesicles from Peripheral Blood from Reproductive-Aged Women

Exosome-like small-extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are extracellular vesicles that act in intercellular communication and are involved in several biologic and pathologic processes. While sEVs increase the stability of their cargo molecules, there is still a need for standardization of sampling and isolation of these microvesicles. We aimed to determine the best sampling method for isolation of sEVs from peripheral blood from reproductive-aged women. Material and Methods: We included samples of plasma from our biobank collected in 2014 by venipuncture in heparin tubes and stored at -80°C. We also included blood samples collected in heparin tubes and Ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) tubes and stored at -80°C for one to two weeks prior processing. All blood samples were collected from the same nine reproductive-aged female volunteers. sEVs were isolated from plasma by ultracentrifugation and filtration and indirectly quantified using Pierce BCA Protein Assay kit. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Nano Tracking Analysis (NTA) were performed to confirm the isolation of sEVs. Results and Discussion: TEM and NTA confirmed the isolation of sEVs. Protein concentration of short-time stored heparin samples was not statistically different from long-time stored heparin samples (1847.2 ± 651.4 vs. 2363.2 ± 1025.1, p = 0.14). There was no difference between heparin and EDTA plasma samples recently collected (2363.2 ± 1025.1 vs. 2044.8 ± 653.2, p = 0.44). In conclusion, blood samples may be collected using heparin or EDTA for isolation of sEVs. Long-time stored plasma samples maintain sEVs integrity and may be used, especially in comparative studies.

Seroepidemiology of Syphilis Infection among 2 Million Reproductive-age Women in Rural China：A Population-based, Cross-sectional Study

Background：Quantifying syphilis prevalence is important for planning interventions and advocating for resources on syphilis.However,data on large sample studies regarding the prevalence of syphilis among reproductive-age women in rural China were not available for analysis.The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence,epidemiological characteristics,and related factors of syphilis infection among reproductive-age women in rural China.Methods：Data were obtained from a nationwide,population-based,cross-sectional study under the National Free Preconception Health Examination Project which covered all the 31 provinces in China's Mainland.Women intending to get pregnant within the next 6 months were enrolled between January 1,2010,and December 31,2012.Sociodemographic,gynecological and obstetric characteristics,and other relevant information were obtained through face-to-face interviews.Treponema pallidum particle agglutination assay test was used to detect positive samples of syphilis.Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed to assess the associations between syphilis seropositivity and related factors.Results：The overall seroprevalence of syphilis （SPS） among the 2,044,126 women who received syphilis screening test during 2010-2012 was 0.37% （95% confidence interval [CI]：0.36-0.37%）.The SPS appeared 0.24% （95% CI：0.23-0.26%） and 0.66% （95% CI：0.59-0.72%） in women at 21-24 and 40-44 years of age,respectively,showing an increase of SPS,parallel with age,and the difference was significant.SPS was significantly higher in ethnic minorities than that in Han nationality （0.58% vs.0.35%,respectively,odds ratio [OR] =1.41,95% CI：1.30-1.53） and higher in workers than that in farmers （0.45% vs.0.36%,respectively,OR =1.27,95% CI：1.14-1.41）.Women with primary school or below level had a higher SPS as compared to those with college or above educational level （0.61% vs.0.32%,respectively,OR =2.49,95% CI：2.14-2.89）,and the increase reversely correlated with the levels of education.Women whose spouses were syphilis seropositive had significant greater risk （OR =48.26,95% CI：44.38-52.48） as compared those whose spouses were seronegative.Women who reported having had a history of sexually transmitted infections were more likely to be tested positive for serological syphilis （OR =27.17,95% CI：20.44-36.11） as compared to those without.Conclusions：High SPS is seen among reproductive-age women in rural China that calls for targeted interventions on syphilis prevention and control in this target population,with emphasis on those who are 35 years of age and above,less educated,being minor ethnicity,workers,and living in the western regions of China.