Genital Disease Research Articles

Cell entry of Bovine herpesvirus-1 through clathrin- and caveolin-mediated endocytosis requires activation of PI3K-Akt-NF-κB and Ras-p38 MAPK pathways as well as the interaction of BoHV-1 gD with cellular receptor nectin-1

Bovine herpesvirus-1 (BoHV-1) can infect all breeds of cattle and cause severe respiratory organs and genital tract diseases. However, the mechanism of BoHV-1 entering the cells remains unclear. In this study, we explored the mechanism of BoHV-1 entering MDBK cells. We found that the entry of BoHV-1 was blocked by NH4Cl and bafilomycin A1, indicating that BoHV-1 entry is dependent on the acidic environment of endosome. Specific inhibitor dynasore and small interfering RNA (siRNA) knockdown of dynamin-2 inhibited BoHV-1 entry, showing that dynamin is required in BoHV-1 entry. The results of specific inhibitor, siRNA knockdown and co-localization indicating clathrin- and caveolin- mediated endocytosis play a role in BoHV-1 entry. BoHV-1 infection was not affected by EIPA which is a specific inhibitor of macropinocytosis. In addition, we found that BoHV-1 triggered PI3K-Akt-NF-κB and Ras-p38 MAPK signaling pathways to induce clathrin-mediated and caveolin-mediated endocytosis at the early stage of BoHV-1 infection. BoHV-1 binding was sufficient to activate the endocytic signaling pathways and promote viral entry. These two signaling pathways were activated by transfection of viral gD protein, and were inhibited by deletion of viral gD protein and the siRNA knockdown of cellular receptor nectin-1. The results of co-localization indicating the entered BoHV-1 is traced to late endosomes via early endosomes. Our results suggested the interaction of viral gD protein and cellular receptor nectin-1 triggered the PI3K-Akt-NF-κB and Ras-p38 MAPK signaling pathways and induced clathrin-mediated and caveolin-mediated endocytosis to promote BoHV-1 entry into MDBK cells at the early stage of BoHV-1 infection.

Efficacy of non-invasive photodynamic therapy for female lower reproductive tract diseases associated with HPV infection: a comprehensive meta-analysis.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a proposed non-invasive, highly effective, and fertility-preserving method for the treatment of lower reproductive tract diseases in women. We aim to evaluate the effect of PDT on complete remission, recurrence, and HPV clearance in diseases of the female lower reproductive tract associated with the human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in this meta-analysis. PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases were searched to compare PDT with other treatments for complete remission, recurrence, and HPV clearance in women with lower genital tract disease. Fixed or random effect models were performed to assess the pooled effect size. Sensitivity analysis was performed to detect heterogeneity in the included studies. The Begg and Egger test assessed publication bias. There were 12 studies qualified for inclusion; compared to other treatments, PDT had a significant advantage in complete remission (OR=2.97, 95%CI, 2.18-4.04, I2=0, P<0. 001) and recurrence (OR, 0.21; 95%CI, 0.11-0.39; I2=34.9%, P<0. 001). Furthermore, PDT clears HPV quickly and lastingly compared to other therapies (OR, 2.65; 95% CI, 1.41-4.95; I2=71.0%, P=0.002). In addition, the heterogeneity test of sensitivity analysis suggested that the results were robust. Begg test (P=0.73) and Egger test (P=0.71) showed no publication bias. PDT treats diseases of the female lower reproductive tract associated with HPV infection: high complete remission, low recurrence, and rapid and lasting HPV clearance. The PDT seems to be a non-invasive, effective, and promising treatment of female lower reproductive tract diseases associated with HPV infection.

An Adenovirus-Based Recombinant Herpes Simplex Virus 2 (HSV-2) Therapeutic Vaccine Is Highly Protective against Acute and Recurrent HSV-2 Disease in a Guinea Pig Model

Genital herpes (GH) has become one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases worldwide, and it is spreading rapidly in developing countries. Approximately 90% of GH cases are caused by HSV-2. Therapeutic HSV-2 vaccines are intended for people already infected with HSV-2 with the goal of reducing clinical recurrences and recurrent virus shedding. In our previous work, we evaluated recombinant adenovirus-based vaccines, including rAd-gD2ΔUL25, rAd-ΔUL25, and rAd-gD2, for their potency as prophylactic vaccines. In this study, we evaluated these three vaccines as therapeutic vaccines against acute and recurrent diseases in intravaginal challenged guinea pigs. Compared with the control groups, the recombinant vaccine rAd-gD2ΔUL25 induced a higher titer of the binding antibody, and rAd-gD2 + rAd-ΔUL25 induced a higher titer of the neutralizing antibody. Both rAd-gD2ΔUL25 and rAd-gD2 + rAd-ΔUL25 vaccines significantly enhanced the survival rate by 50% compared to rAd-gD2 and reduced viral replication in the genital tract and recurrent genital skin disease. Our findings provide a new perspective for HSV-2 therapeutic vaccine research and provide a new technique to curtail the increasing spread of HSV-2.

The quantity and quality of scientific evidence about the health of working women in occupational health of Japan: A scoping review.

We aim to investigate the quantity and quality of scientific evidence dealing with comprehensive health issues of working women in occupational health. This scoping review of original articles that investigated comprehensive health issues of working women aged 19-64 years in Japan was published in PubMed (1967-2022) and Igaku Chuo Zasshi (or Ichu-shi, 1982-2022). Using identical broad search terms, we first identified 17 122 English and 6154 Japanese articles. We excluded those with clinically relevant topics, or ethnicity other than Japanese and included 853 English and 855 Japanese articles for review and classified them into nine research areas considered to be critical factors for women in the workforce and five study design groups to investigate the quality of the evidence accumulated. Among 853 English-language articles in PubMed, "Mental health" was the most frequent area studied, followed by "Work-related disease" and "Lifestyle-related disease." Among 855 Japanese-language articles from Ichu-shi, "Mental health" was the most frequently studied area followed by "Work and balance," and "Work-related disease." "Infertility, pregnancy, and childbirth" and "Menstruation, menopause, and genital disease" were well studied in Ichu-shi but scarcely published in PubMed. "Harassment and discrimination" were sparsely reported in both databases. As for research designs, many articles in both PubMed and Ichu-shi employed descriptive or cross-sectional study designs. However, a few studies employed cohort/longitudinal or interventional studies. The results underscored the need for higher-quality study designs with more scientific evidence on working women's health in the field of occupational health.

Non venereal Female Genital Dermatoses: Beyond Sexually Transmitted Infections: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Genital dermatoses can be categorised as either venereal or non venereal. Non venereal genital dermatoses have various causes, and their presentation may differ from that of cutaneous lesions due to local factors. Therefore, it is crucial to have a proper understanding in order to differentiate non sexually transmitted genital dermatoses from sexually transmitted ones. Aim: To study the clinical patterns of non sexually transmitted genital dermatoses in females aged above 18 years. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Outpatient Department (OPD) of Dermatology at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Chennai, India, over a period of one year and six months. It involved 120 female patients above 18 years of age who were diagnosed with non venereal genital dermatosis. All patients were included in the study after providing informed consent. Patients with a history of significant anatomical alterations due to trauma or surgery were excluded. A detailed clinical history was obtained, followed by a thorough dermatological examination. After diagnosing non venereal genital dermatoses, classification based on aetiology and site of involvement was performed. The presence, distribution, and any associated conditions were also studied. Data was entered into a Microsoft Excel datasheet and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0. Categorical data was presented as frequencies and proportions. Results: The mean age of the study participants was 43.08 years. The present study identified 21 different types of non venereal dermatoses, with infectious dermatosis being the most common in 60 (50%) cases, followed by inflammatory dermatosis 33 (27.5%) cases, miscellaneous conditions in 19 (15.83%) cases, benign and physiological conditions in 7 (5.83%) cases, and malignancies in 1 (0.83%) case.. Vulvovaginal candidiasis was the most common dermatosis observed in the present study, accounting for 21 cases (17.5%) of the entire study population. Conclusion: Genital diseases can cause significant psychological trauma and anxiety for patients. It is important to note that not all genital dermatoses are sexually transmitted. Non-venereal dermatoses affecting the external genitalia in females encompass a spectrum of diseases with diverse aetiologies. Therefore, accurate diagnosis of these non venereal dermatoses is crucial to alleviate the patient’s concerns regarding sexually transmitted diseases and the associated stigma.

The Role and Impact of Artificial Intelligence in Addressing Sexually Transmitted Infections, Nonvenereal Genital Diseases, Sexual Health, and Wellness.

The potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in diagnosing and managing sexually transmitted infections (STIs), nonvenereal genital diseases, and overall sexual health is immense. AI shows promise in STI screening and diagnosis through image recognition and patient data analysis, potentially increasing diagnostic accuracy while ensuring inclusivity. AI can fuel the transformation of e-health and direct-to-consumer services, enhancing targeted screening and personalized interventions while improving the user-friendliness of services. There is a significant role for AI in sexual education, particularly its use in interactive, empathetic chatbots. AI's integration into health care as a decision support tool for primary health-care providers can boost real-time diagnostic accuracy. Furthermore, AI's use in big data can enhance real-time epidemiology, predictive analysis, and directed interventions at population levels. However, challenges such as real-world diagnostic accuracy, liability, privacy concerns, and ethical dilemmas persist. Future directions include an emphasis on inclusivity, language accommodation, and swift research-to-practice transitions. Collaboration among policymakers, researchers, and health-care providers is needed to leverage AI's transformative potential in sexual health.

Pattern of Candida Species Isolated from Patient with Vulvovaginal Candidiasis in Pregnancy

Background: Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is one of the most prevalent genital tract diseases in women. The identification of the isolated Candida species is critical for guiding empirical antifungal therapy. Purpose: To determine the Candida species that cause vulvovaginal candidiasis in pregnancy at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Outpatient Clinic, Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital, thus providing scientific and therapeutic benefits. Methods: Pregnant woman receiving antenatal care (ANC) at Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital Obstetric and Gynecology Outpatient Clinic. Subjects were enrolled in a cross-sectional study during 3 months between March and May 2021. Vaginal swab samples were taken from subjects after informed consent. A specific color change in CHROMagar cultures and VITEK 2 compact were used to identify Candida species. Result: During the study period, 15 pregnant patients were diagnosed with VVC. The majority of the women in the study were pregnant women of sexually active age who complained of a whitish body and genital irritation. There were 18 candida isolates from CHROMagar cultures, with C. non albicans (61.1%) predominating over C. albicans (38.3%). With details, non albicans were C. glabrata (54.4%), C. dubliniensis (36.3%), and C. parapsilosis (18.1%). Conclusion: This study revealed a high prevalence of Candida non-albicans species causing VVC. Culture investigation and identification of Candida are critical to avoid diminished susceptibility to antifungal treatments and recurrence.

Prevention and treatment of human papillomavirus in men benefits both men and women.

Men should not be overlooked in research on human papillomavirus (HPV) and its associated genital diseases. This is because men infected with HPV are not only at higher risk of genital cancers, but also increase their partners' risk of HPV infection and reinfection through sexual contact. Herein, we summarized the state of knowledge regarding the prevention and treatment of HPV infection in men as well as the possible effects of the prevention and treatment of HPV in men on their female partners. Condom use, smoking cessation, male circumcision, and HPV vaccination for men each play an important role in preventing HPV infection within heterosexual couples. Additionally, men could choose to test for certain types of HPV, such as the oncogenic HPV16 or HPV18 strains, as part of a routine screening program when their partner is positive for HPV. Although there is no recognized treatment for HPV infection as of yet, immunotherapy drugs, such as toll-like receptor agonists, therapeutic HPV vaccines, and immune checkpoint inhibitors, have shown promising results in clinical trials and in actual clinical practice. HPV infection in men also increases the risk of cervical cancer in their female partners. Because of the high partner concordance for HPV demonstrated in prior research, the prevention and treatment of HPV in men should be explored more comprehensively in future research.

Nonclinical safety evaluation of two vaccine candidates for herpes simplex virus type 2 to support combined administration in humans.

Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is the most common cause of genital disease worldwide. The development of an effective HSV-2 vaccine would significantly impact global health based on the psychological distress caused by genital herpes for some individuals, the risk transmitting the infection from mother to infant, and the elevated risk of acquiring HIV-1. Five nonclinical safety studies were conducted with the replication defective HSV529 vaccine, alone or adjuvanted with GLA-SE, and the G103 subunit vaccine containing GLA-SE. A biodistribution study was conducted in guinea pigs to evaluate distribution, persistence, and shedding of HSV529. A preliminary immunogenicity study was conducted in rabbits to demonstrate HSV529-specific humoral response and its enhancement by GLA-SE. Three repeated-dose toxicity studies, one in guinea pigs and two in rabbits, were conducted to assess systemic toxicity and local tolerance of HSV529, alone or adjuvanted with GLA-SE, or G103 containing GLA-SE. Data from these studies show that both vaccines are safe and well tolerated and support the ongoing HSV-2 clinical trial in which the two vaccine candidates will be given either sequentially or concomitantly to explore their potential synergistic and incremental effects.

Clinical indications referrals – what is the risk of premalignant and malignant female genital tract disease in women referred to a dedicated nurse-led colposcopy service? A retrospective cohort study

Post-coital bleeding (PCB) is a poor predictive factor for cancer and should not be managed as urgent referral. Urgent referral to colposcopy is justified however, in the presence of a visible suspicion of cervical cancer. This retrospective cohort study of women attending a clinical indications referral service aims to identify the risk of pre-malignant and malignant disease in women with clinical indication referrals to colposcopy. Thirty-seven of 3521 women (1%) were diagnosed with pre-malignant cervical or endometrial disease; 14 women (0.4%) were diagnosed with cancer (11 cervix, three endometrial). To detect one cancer in women referred with an abnormal cervix, one would need to see 70 women; to detect one cancer in women referred with PCB one would need to see 790 women. Improved education in primary care and obstetrics and gynaecology training is key to improving clinical indications referral services, which is otherwise an effective and efficient service. Impact Statement What is already known on this subject? Post-coital bleeding is a poor predictive factor for cancer and should not be considered an urgent referral. What do the results of this study add? The presence of a visible suspicion of cervical cancer however does warrant urgent referral as approximately one in 70 women will have a malignancy detected. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Improved education in primary care and obstetrics and gynaecology training is the key to improving clinical indications referral services

Herpes manuum: a new name for non-digit herpetic whitlow.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is one of the most prevalent infections worldwide. It consists of two types: HSV1 and HSV2 that primarily cause orofacial and genital disease. However, both types can infect any site. Rarely, HSV infection of the hand occurs and is often documented as herpetic whitlow. Herpetic whitlow is primarily recognized as an HSV infection of the digits and thus HSV infection of the hand is largely associated with infection of the fingers. This is problematic, as HSV is often left off the differential diagnosis of non-digit hand pathology. We present two cases of non-digit HSV infection of the hand that were misdiagnosed as bacterial infections. As our cases and others demonstrate, the lack of knowledge that HSV infections can occur on the hand leads to confusion and delayed diagnosis among a myriad of providers. Therefore, we seek to introduce the term "herpes manuum" to increase awareness that HSV can appear on the hand in locations aside from the digits and thus differentiate it from herpetic whitlow. By doing so, we hope to encourage more timely diagnosis of HSV hand infections to decrease associated morbidity.

Mastitis causes negative reproduction performance similar to genital diseases

The economic efficiency of dairy farms is directly influenced by reproductive performance. Reproductive performance is affected by postpartum health; however, it is unknown which diseases reduce reproductive performance or how often these diseases occur in tie-stall dairy farms. In this study, the 15 most frequent diseases in tie-stalls and their impact on reproduction were determined by logistic analysis. Data from reproductive and veterinary records of 814 cows (473 Holstein) calving between April 2016 and March 2018 reared in 9 tie-stall commercial dairy farms were used. The 15 most frequent diseases were identified by medical records. The odds ratio (OR) of the diseases reducing reproductive performance (days open, number of artificial insemination, and first artificial insemination days in milk) was measured by logistic regression analysis. We focused on mastitis, and factors (inflammation grade, causative bacteria) having a negative effect on reproduction were measured similarly. Of the 15 most frequent diseases, endometritis (OR: 5.45, p<0.001), ovarian quiescence (OR: 3.95, p<0.001), mastitis (OR: 2.49, p<0.001), and follicular cyst (OR: 2.33, p=0.006) significantly prolonged days open after adjusting for environmental factors (farm, parity, and calving season). Focusing on mastitis, mastitis with mild inflammation significantly prolonged days open. Mastitis and genital diseases were frequent diseases that reduced reproductive performance. Strategies to reduce the incidence of these diseases are considered effective for the economics of tie-stall dairy farms.

V11 - The use of nanofat grafting in the management of urethral and genital lichen sclerosus disease

V11 - The use of nanofat grafting in the management of urethral and genital lichen sclerosus disease

On the assesment of the etiological significance of bacteria detected in the male genital tract

Introduction. Currently, there is an increasing importance of microbial associations in the pathogenesis of genital inflammatory diseases. However, the issues of deciphering the taxonomic affiliation and the diagnostic significance of the bacteria detected in this case remain unresolved.The aim of the study was to review the diagnostic significance of the quantitative approach in determining the etiological role of microorganisms in andrology.Materials and methods. For the study, samples of ejaculate and/or discharge from the urethra from 15 men who were in infertile marriages, 12 with a confirmed diagnosis of "acute genital gonococcal infection" were used. The testing included a classic bacteriological study and the metagenomic analysis of 16S ribosomal RNA samples carried out at the Department of Collection Cultures of the State Research Center for Applied Microbiology (Obolensk). To standardize the distribution of samples into groups based on the indicators of alpha diversity and the concentration of putrescine, the range of variation and the average linear deviation were used. Statistical analysis of the obtained data was carried out using Excel software (MS Office package).Results. The microbial landscape of the ejaculate was characterized by the predominance of representatives of the genera Enterococcus, Neisseria, Lactobacillus, Corynebacterium, Prevotella, Bacteroides. Stable associations of E. faecalis and M. osloensis were detected in the ejaculate. When using the cultural method, representatives of the genus Moraxella were not isolated in any sample. It was shown that discrepancies can affect not only quantitative indicators, but also reveal inconsistencies between the qualitative assessment of detected genetic markers and the results of identification in a bacteriological study of individual representatives of similar or phenotypically similar taxa.Discussion. The results of this study indicate that the lesser diversity of opportunistic pathogens gives them more opportunities to realize their pathogenic potential. On the other hand, in a complex community with greater alpha diversity, its realization is hindered by a complex intermicrobial relationships and the need to survive.Conclusion. As a result, it seems that the most promising approach is the integrated use of cultural methods and metagenomics with a comparative statistical analysis of the obtained qualitative and quantitative indicators.

Analysis of the Function of LncRNA-MSTRG.16919.1 in BHV-1-Infected Bovine Kidney Subculture Cells by Transcriptome Sequencing.

Infection of cattle with bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BHV−1) can lead to upper respiratory tract disease, conjunctivitis, or genital disease and cause serious economic losses to the cattle industry worldwide. The role of long noncoding RNAs in BHV−1 infection is not well understood. To explore the role of lncRNA−MSTRG.16919.1 in bovine herpes virus type I (BHV−1) infected MDBK cells, the lncRNA−MSTRG.16919.1 gene was silenced and sequenced transcriptome and sequencing data were analyzed by Edge R software, Gene Ontology (GO), the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and an interaction network of proteins. Real−time quantitative PCR (RT−qPCR) and Western blotting were used to verify the results of bioinformatic analyses. The results showed that 1151 differential genes were obtained in the siRNA−MSTRG.16919.1 group compared with an NC group. Compared with BHV−33 h, 6586 differentially expressed genes were obtained. A total of 498 differentially expressed genes were screened from the two groups. To verify the accuracy of the sequencing, six genes were randomly selected for RT−qPCR, and the results showed that the expression trend of selected genes was consistent with the sequencing results. GO enrichment analysis showed that the differential genes were related to such biological processes as nucleotide binding, enzyme binding, cell cycle, and glial macromolecule metabolism. KEGG analysis enriched 378 and 2634 signaling pathways, respectively, that were associated with virus infection, ubiquitin−mediated protein hydrolysis, phosphoinositol metabolism, apoptosis, and other metabolic pathways. The STRING protein interaction database was used to analyze the interaction network of proteins encoded by differential genes, and the degree algorithm in Cytoscape was used to screen the top 20 proteins. The results showed that SKIV2L2, JAK2, PIK3CB, and MAPK8 were related to virus infection. Western blot analysis of TNF, NF−κB, MAPK8, MAPK9, and MAPK10 proteins showed that lncRNA−MSTRG.16919.1 was involved in regulating the expression of these functional proteins. The results of this study provide basic information for exploring the function and regulatory mechanism of lncRNA−MSTRG.16919.1 in organisms and help for further studying the interaction between virus and host.

A Cross-Sectional Study of the Prevalence of Anal Dysplasia among Women with High-Grade Cervical, Vaginal, and Vulvar Dysplasia or Cancer: The PANDA Study.

High-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection is a risk factor for anal cancer, yet no anal cancer screening guidelines exist for women with lower genital tract HPV-related disease. We sought to describe the prevalence of anal HR-HPV or cytologic abnormalities in such women. This cross-sectional study was performed between October 2018 and December 2021. Inclusion criteria were ≥21 years of age and a prior diagnosis of high-grade dysplasia/cancer of the cervix, vagina, or vulva. Participants underwent anal cytology and anal/cervicovaginal HR-HPV testing. Women with abnormal anal cytology were referred for high-resolution anoscopy (HRA). 324 evaluable women were enrolled. Primary diagnosis was high-grade dysplasia/cancer of the cervix (77%), vagina (9%), and vulva (14%). Anal HR-HPV was detected in 92 patients (28%) and included HPV-16 in 24 (26%), HPV-18 in 6 (7%), and other HR-HPV types in 72 (78%) patients. Anal cytology was abnormal in 70 patients (23%) and included atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (80%), low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (9%), high-grade intraepithelial lesion (HSIL; 1%), and atypical squamous cells-cannot rule out HSIL (10%). Of these patients, 55 (79%) underwent HRA. Anal biopsies were performed in 14 patients: 2 patients had anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN) 2/3, 1 patient had AIN 1, and 11 patients had negative biopsies. Both patients with AIN 2/3 had a history of cervical dysplasia. Our results suggest an elevated risk of anal HR-HPV infection and cytologic abnormalities in women with lower genital tract dysplasia/cancer. These results add to the growing body of evidence suggesting the need for evaluation of screening methods for anal dysplasia/cancer in this patient population to inform evidence-based screening recommendations.

Reproductive health diseases among South Korean workers: the propensity score matching approach

Background And Aim: To explore the reproductive health problems that may arise from occupational exposure of productive workers’ workplace hazard. Methods: A retrospective investigation was made on the Korean health and Nutrition Examination Survey(KNHANES) of the workers with occupational classification code from 2007 to 2015 for adults ages 20 and 49 years. First, we compared workers classified as workers who KNHANES Korean Standard Classification of Diseases (KCD) reclassification codes 211 to 233 (including diseases such as urogenital system and infertility) and 234 to 244 (including pregnancy, childbirth, and puerperium) with those who did not classify reproductive health diseases reclassification codes (211 to 233, 234 to 244). Then, the relationship between reproductive health diseases and heavy metal exposure according to gender was investigated using the propensity score matching method. Results: In consideration of age, gender, body mass index, and occupation, a 1:1 optimal matching method was used to match workers with genital and non-reproductive diseases. Before matching, there were 2,135 men and 3,838 women. After matching, 42 men and 382 women were reproductive health workers, and 42 men and 382 women were non-reproductive health workers. As a result of estimation by the PSM method, there was no significant difference in male reproductive health disease and exposure to lead, mercury, and cadmium, and there was no difference even after matching. There were significant differences in female reproductive health disease and lead and mercury exposure, but lead did not show a significant difference after matching. Also, there was no significant difference between reproductive disease and cadmium exposure before and after matching. Conclusion: It was confirmed that exposure to mercury in female workers was sensitive to reproductive health diseases. Exposure to mercury in the workplace should be more cautious. Keywords: workers, reproductive health disease, Korean health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Cross protective efficacy of the Non-Neurotropic live attenuated herpes simplex virus type 1 vaccine VC-2 is enhanced by intradermal vaccination and deletion of glycoprotein G

Herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2 respectively) cause life-long latent infections resulting in recurrent orofacial and genital blisters or sores. Ensued disease can be painful and may lead to significant mental anguish of infected individuals. Currently, there are no FDA-approved vaccines for either prophylactic or therapeutic use, and recent clinical trials of subunit vaccines failed to achieve endpoints goals. Development of a safe live-attenuated herpes simplex vaccine may provide the antigenic breadth to ultimately protect individuals from acquiring HSV disease. We have previously shown that prophylactic use of the non-neurotropic live attenuated HSV-1 vaccine, VC-2, provides potent and durable protection from genital HSV-2 disease in the guinea pig model. Here, we investigated the effects of intradermal administration as well as the deletion of the viral glycoprotein G (gG) on the efficacy of prophylactic vaccination. Vaccination with either VC-2, VC-2 gG null, or gD2 MPL/Alum offered robust protection from acute disease regardless of route of vaccination. However, both the VC-2 gG-null and the ID vaccination route were more effective compared to the parent VC2 administered by the IM route. Specifically, the VC-2 gG-null administered ID, reduced HSV-2 vaginal replication on day 2 and day 4 as well as mean recurrent lesion scores more effectively than VC2 administered IM. Most importantly, only VC-2 gG null IM and VC-2 ID significantly reduced the frequency of recurrent shedding, the most likely source for virus transmission. Similarly, while all vaccinated groups demonstrated a significant reduction in the number of animals testing PCR-positive for HSV-2 in their dorsal root ganglia following challenge only VC2 ID vaccinated animals demonstrated a significant reduction in DRG viral load. All vaccinations induced neutralizing antibodies to HSV-2 MS when compared to unvaccinated guinea pigs. Therefore, further investigation of VC-2 gG null delivered ID is warranted.

Ethnopharmacological study of medicinal plants in Kastamonu province (Türkiye)

AbstractThis study is aimed at determining some of the plants traditionally used in the treatment of diseases by the local people living in Kastamonu province center and surrounding villages. A face-to-face questionnaire was applied and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 52 informants, 34 women and 18 men. Identification of 92 plants belonging to 41 families has been confirmed and their medicinal uses have been recorded. The most used families were Rosaceae (13 taxa), Asteraceae (11), and Lamiaceae (11). The most preferred folk recipes of medicinal plants was decoction (55 taxa) and in preparations and applications, the most used were the leaves (45 taxa). According to the International Classification of Primary Care categories, plants were the most used for digestive disorders (37 taxa), respiratory disorders (27 taxa), and urological disorders (24 taxa). The highest use-value was recorded forUrtica dioica(0.519), and highest relative frequency citation was recorded forTilia rubrasubsp.caucasica(0.231). Male genital diseases had the highest informant consensus factor value (0.83). New areas of use were also determined forPilosella leucopsilonsubsp. pilisquama,Galium palustre, andAstragalus nitens. With this study, new information for folkloric medicines is presented and the usage of herbal drugs in the study area are enhanced.

1 Cellular protein TTC4 and its cofactor HSP90 are pro-viral for bovine herpesvirus 1

Bovine Herpesvirus Type 1 (BoHV-1) infection causes infectious bovine rhinotracheitis and genital disease in cattle, with significant economic and welfare impacts. However, the role of cellular host factors during viral replication remains poorly characterised. A previously performed genome-wide CRISPR knockout screen identified pro- and antiviral host factors acting during BoHV-1 replication. Herein we validate a pro-viral role for a candidate from this screen: the cellular protein tetracopeptide repeat protein 4 (TTC4). We show that TTC4 transcript production is upregulated during BoHV-1 infection. Depletion of TTC4 protein impairs BoHV-1 protein production but does not reduce production of infectious virions, whereas overexpression of exogenous TTC4 results in a significant increase in production of infectious BoHV-1 virions. TTC4 itself is poorly characterized (especially in the context of virus infection), but is a known co-chaperone of heat shock protein 90 (HSP90). HSP90 has a well-characterized pro-viral role during the replication of diverse herpesviruses, and we therefore hypothesized that HSP90 is also pro-viral for BoHV-1. Drug-mediated inhibition of HSP90 using geldanamycin at sub-cytotoxic concentrations inhibited both BoHV-1 protein production and viral genome replication, indicating a pro-viral role for HSP90 during BoHV-1 infection. Our data demonstrates pro-viral roles for both TTC4 and HSP90 during BoHV-1 replication; possibly, interactions between these two proteins are required for optimal BoHV-1 replication, or the two proteins may have independent pro-viral roles.