Stage Ovarian Cancer Research Articles

Direct male development in chromosomally ZZ zebrafish.

The genetics of sex determination varies across taxa, sometimes even within a species. Major domesticated strains of zebrafish (Danio rerio), including AB and TU, lack a strong genetic sex determining locus, but strains more recently derived from nature, like Nadia (NA), possess a ZZ male/ZW female chromosomal sex-determination system. AB fish pass through a juvenile ovary stage, forming oocytes that survive in fish that become females but die in fish that become males. To understand mechanisms of gonad development in NA zebrafish, we studied histology and single cell transcriptomics in developing ZZ and ZW fish. ZW fish developed oocytes by 22 days post-fertilization (dpf) but ZZ fish directly formed testes, avoiding a juvenile ovary phase. Gonads of some ZW and WW fish, however, developed oocytes that died as the gonad became a testis, mimicking AB fish, suggesting that the gynogenetically derived AB strain is chromosomally WW. Single-cell RNA-seq of 19dpf gonads showed similar cell types in ZZ and ZW fish, including germ cells, precursors of gonadal support cells, steroidogenic cells, interstitial/stromal cells, and immune cells, consistent with a bipotential juvenile gonad. In contrast, scRNA-seq of 30dpf gonads revealed that cells in ZZ gonads had transcriptomes characteristic of testicular Sertoli, Leydig, and germ cells while ZW gonads had granulosa cells, theca cells, and developing oocytes. Hematopoietic and vascular cells were similar in both sex genotypes. These results show that juvenile NA zebrafish initially develop a bipotential gonad; that a factor on the NA W chromosome, or fewer than two Z chromosomes, is essential to initiate oocyte development; and without the W factor, or with two Z doses, NA gonads develop directly into testes without passing through the juvenile ovary stage. Sex determination in AB and TU strains mimics NA ZW and WW zebrafish, suggesting loss of the Z chromosome during domestication. Genetic analysis of the NA strain will facilitate our understanding of the evolution of sex determination mechanisms.

Accuracy of 18FDG Positron emission computer tomography (PET-CT) in characterization and preoperative staging of ovarian cancer

Accuracy of 18FDG Positron emission computer tomography (PET-CT) in characterization and preoperative staging of ovarian cancer

Contrast-enhanced CT radiomics for preoperative prediction of stage in epithelial ovarian cancer: a multicenter study

BackgroundPreoperative prediction of International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is crucial for determining appropriate treatment strategy. This study aimed to explore the value of contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) radiomics in predicting preoperative FIGO staging of EOC, and to validate the stability of the model through an independent external dataset.MethodsA total of 201 EOC patients from three centers, divided into a training cohort (n = 106), internal (n = 46) and external (n = 49) validation cohorts. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression algorithm was used for screening radiomics features. Five machine learning algorithms, namely logistic regression, support vector machine, random forest, light gradient boosting machine (LightGBM), and decision tree, were utilized in developing the radiomics model. The optimal performing algorithm was selected to establish the radiomics model, clinical model, and the combined model. The diagnostic performances of the models were evaluated through receiver operating characteristic analysis, and the comparison of the area under curves (AUCs) were conducted using the Delong test or F-test.ResultsSeven optimal radiomics features were retained by the LASSO algorithm. The five radiomics models demonstrate that the LightGBM model exhibits notable prediction efficiency and robustness, as evidenced by AUCs of 0.83 in the training cohort, 0.80 in the internal validation cohort, and 0.68 in the external validation cohort. The multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that carcinoma antigen 125 and tumor location were identified as independent predictors for the FIGO staging of EOC. The combined model exhibited best diagnostic efficiency, with AUCs of 0.95 in the training cohort, 0.83 in the internal validation cohort, and 0.79 in the external validation cohort. The F-test indicated that the combined model exhibited a significantly superior AUC value compared to the radiomics model in the training cohort (P < 0.001).ConclusionsThe combined model integrating clinical characteristics and radiomics features shows potential as a non-invasive adjunctive diagnostic modality for preoperative evaluation of the FIGO staging status of EOC, thereby facilitating clinical decision-making and enhancing patient outcomes.

The TRPV6 Calcium Channel and Its Relationship with Cancer.

Transient receptor potential vanilloid-6 (TRPV6) is a cation channel belonging to the TRP superfamily, specifically the vanilloid subfamily, and is the sixth member of this subfamily. Its presence in the body is primarily limited to the skin, ovaries, kidney, testes, and digestive tract epithelium. The body maintains calcium homeostasis using the TRPV6 channel, which has a greater calcium selectivity than the other TRP channels. Several pieces of evidence suggest that it is upregulated in the advanced stages of thyroid, ovarian, breast, colon, and prostate cancers. The function of TRPV6 in regulating calcium signaling in cancer will be covered in this review, along with its potential applications as a cancer treatment target.

Differential Expression of Down-regulated MicroRNA-126 and Micro RNA-22 in Ovarian Carcinogenesis

Background: Non-coding RNA i.e. MicroRNA plays an important role in the progression and pathogenesis of different types of tumours including ovarian cancer. Deregulated microRNA expression could transform the passivity of cancer, disease progression, chemoresistance, and mobility. The miRNA profile of healthy and cancerous samples was observed to be different. MicroRNA expression analysis and profiling have a bright future in improving the effectiveness of ovarian cancer treatment that is customized to the patient's specific requirements. Expression analysis of serum microRNA-126 and microRNA-22 in ovarian carcinogenesis has been done in the present study. Methods: Present study has been done in the serum of eighty- two epithelial ovarian cancer patients and eighty- two their age-matched healthy women to investigate +the expression of miR-126 and miR22 was TaqMan PCR microRNA assay. The correlation of expression miR-126 and miR-22 with epidemiological and clinicopathological factors was determined statistically. Results: Results showed a 3.37-fold decrease in miR-126 expression and a 2.67-fold reduction in miR-22 expression in ovarian cancer patients. Decreased serum level of miR-22 and miR-126 in ovarian cancer patients has been correlated with the FIGO stage. Results revealed 87.46 sensitivity and 91.12 specificities for down-regulated microRNA 22 with FIGO stage of ovarian cancer and 71.26 sensitivity and 81.12 specificities respectively. More sensitivity and specificity of microRNA 22 with FIGO stage of ovarian cancer was revealed as compared to microRNA 126. Conclusion: Present study revealed downregulated expression of miR-126 and miR-22 in the serum of epithelial ovarian cancer patients. Among all epidemiological and clinical parameters, the FIGO stage of ovarian cancer revealed a substantial association with microRNA level. Results revealed that the sensitivity and specificity of down-regulated microRNA 22 in ovarian cancer were 87.46 and 91.12 and for microRNA 126 with 71.26 and 81.12 respectively. This may be investigated and verified as a durable diagnostic biomarker for the pre-diagnosis of ovarian carcinogenesis.

Modeling adjusted for age and menopause statuses dependent on PET/CT scan for ovarian cancer diagnosis and staging

Aims: The main objective of this observational study is to develop a linear regression model that incorporates age, menopausal status, and family history to predict the risk and severity of ovarian cancer. Methods: In early 2023, the King Hussein Medical Centre's gynaecological clinic began using PET/CT scanning and histopathological analysis to identify ovarian cancer cases. The data was then used to strategize interventions for each patient. The study aimed to assess the probability of ovarian cancer in female patients by analysing their age, menopausal onset, and family history. Patients were classified as pre-menopausal or post-menopausal, and PET/CT scan results were converted into FIGO classifications. Histopathological findings were analysed using ROC and binary logistic regression analyses. The study also used multiple linear regression to determine correlations and variations in the estimated Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (FIGO) grade for females with suspected ovarian cancer. The research developed a pragmatic model to forecast ovarian cancer likelihood and severity levels. Results: The study examined 105 patients with suspected ovarian cancer at King Hussein Medical Centre between 2021 and mid-2023. Only 97 patients (92.38%) had matched FIGO-derived PET/CT scans with biopsy-based histopathological positivity. The optimal FIGO grade was 3.5, with a sensitivity of 77.2%, a specificity of 76.92%, a positive predictive value of 95.95%, a negative predictive value of 32.26%, an accuracy index of 77.14%, and a Youden index of 54.10%. Conclusion: A regression-based model was developed to triage the risk of ovarian cancer. This model enables us to early prioritise suspected females who should undergo PET/CT at the clinic level, with a high positive predictive value of over 90%.

Strategy for Biobanking of Ovarian Cancer Organoids: Addressing the Interpatient Heterogeneity across Histological Subtypes and Disease Stages

While the establishment of an ovarian cancer biobank from patient-derived organoids along with their clinical background information promises advances in research and patient care, standardization remains a challenge due to the heterogeneity of this lethal malignancy, combined with the inherent complexity of organoid technology. This adaptable protocol provides a systematic framework to realize the full potential of ovarian cancer organoids considering a patient-specific variability of progenitors. By implementing a structured experimental workflow to select optimal culture conditions and seeding methods, with parallel testing of direct 3D seeding versus a 2D/3D route, we obtain, in most cases, robust long-term expanding lines suitable for a broad range of downstream applications. Notably, the protocol has been tested and proven efficient in a great number of cases (N = 120) of highly heterogeneous starting material, including high-grade and low-grade ovarian cancer and stages of the disease with primary debulking, recurrent disease, and post-neoadjuvant surgical specimens. Within a low Wnt, high BMP exogenous signaling environment, we observed progenitors being differently susceptible to the activation of the Heregulin 1 ß (HERß-1)-pathway, with HERß-1 promoting organoid formation in some while inhibiting it in others. For a subset of the patient's samples, optimal organoid formation and long-term growth necessitate the addition of fibroblast growth factor 10 and R-Spondin 1 to the medium. Further, we highlight the critical steps of tissue digestion and progenitor isolation and point to examples where brief cultivation in 2D on plastic is beneficial for subsequent organoid formation in the Basement Membrane Extract type 2 matrix. Overall, optimal biobanking requires systematic testing of all main conditions in parallel to identify an adequate growth environment for individual lines. The protocol also describes the handling procedure for efficient embedding, sectioning, and staining to obtain high-resolution images of organoids, which is required for comprehensive phenotyping.

Correlation between pre-operative platelets count and serum cancer antigen-125 level in epithelial ovarian carcer

Cancer antigen 125 (Ca-125) is currently used as an adjunct to ovarian cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring. Platelet (PLT) count and Ca-125 levels are both prognostic markers in ovarian cancer that are linked to inflammation and immune evasion.To determine the relationship between pre-operative platelet count and serum Ca-125 level, and their diagnostic accuracy for the prediction of stage IV epithelial ovarian cancer.The study included forty-two women with histologic diagnosis of epithelial ovarian cancer managed at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2020. Following informed consent, a data collection form was used to obtain socio-demographic and clinical characteristics. Pretreatment levels of Cancer Antigen 125 (Ca-125) and Platelets count (PLT) were determined from blood samples. The Spearman correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between PLT and Ca-125, and the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to assess the predictive accuracy of PLT count alone and PLT-Ca-125. The sample median platelet count was 308 (307) x 10/L and median Ca-125 was 286µ/ml (397). Pre-operative platelets count was significantly associated with Ca-125 (rho= 0.28 p-value = 0.03). Ca-125 had a statistically significant relationship with ovarian cancer histology (X2:19.522; p-value 0.001). PLT-Ca-125 (0.51) and PLT only (0.29) had a statistically significant positive correlation with ovarian cancer stage (p 0.001). Since it had an area under the curve (AUC) greater than 0.7, PLT-Ca-125 can be used as a predictive model to correctly stage patients with epithelial ovarian cancer. Ca-125 level (z:-2.24; p-value = 0.025) was significantly associated with thrombocytosis in ovarian cancer patients.Platelet count and Ca-125 levels do correlate in blood samples taken from ovarian cancer patients prior to treatment. Furthermore, PLT-Ca-125 levels could be used to predict advanced stage disease.

Genome-wide identification, evolution, and expression analysis of the NAC gene family in chestnut (Castanea mollissima)

The NAC gene family is one of the most important transcription factor families specific to plants, responsible for regulating many biological processes, including development, stress response, and signal transduction. However, it has not yet been characterized in chestnut, an important nut tree species. Here, we identified 115 CmNAC genes in the chestnut genome, which were divided into 16 subgroups based on the phylogenetic analysis. Numerous cis-acting elements related to auxin, gibberellin, and abscisic acid were identified in the promoter region of CmNACs, suggesting that they play an important role in the growth and development of chestnut. The results of the collinear analysis indicated that dispersed duplication and whole-genome-duplication were the main drivers of CmNAC gene expansion. RNA-seq data of developmental stages of chestnut nut, bud, and ovule revealed the expression patterns of CmNAC genes. Additionally, qRT-PCR experiments were used to verify the expression levels of some CmNAC genes. The comprehensive analysis of the above results revealed that some CmNAC members may be related to chestnut bud and nut development, as well as ovule fertility. The systematic analysis of this study will help to increase understanding of the potential functions of the CmNAC genes in chestnut growth and development.

Overexpression of Fut 2, 4, and 8, and nuclear localization of Fut 4 in ovarian cancer cell lines induced by ascitic fluids from epithelial ovarian cancer patients.

Fucosyltransferases (Fut) regulate the fucosylation process associated with tumorogenesis in different cancer types. Ascitic fluid (AF) from patients diagnosed with advanced stage of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is considered as a dynamic tumor microenvironment associated with poor prognosis. Previous studies from our laboratory showed increased fucosylation in SKOV-3 and OVCAR-3, cancer-derived cell lines, when these cells were incubated with AFs derived from patients diagnosed with EOC. In the present work we studied three fucosyltransferases (Fut 2, Fut 4, and Fut 8) in SKOV-3, OVCAR-3 and CAOV-3 cell lines in combination with five different AFs from patients diagnosed with this disease, confirming that all tested AFs increased fucosylation. Then, we demonstrate that mRNAs of these three enzymes were overexpressed in the three cell lines under treatment with AFs. SKOV-3 showed the higher overexpression of Fut 2, Fut 4, and Fut 8 in comparison with the control condition. We further confirmed, in the SKOV-3 cell line, by endpoint PCR, WB, and confocal microscopy, that the three enzymes were overexpressed, being Fut 4 the most overexpressed enzyme compared to Fut 2 and Fut 8. These enzymes were concentrated in vesicular structures with a homogeneous distribution pattern throughout the cytoplasm. Moreover, we found that among the three enzymes, only Fut 4 was located inside the nuclei. The nuclear location of Fut 4 was confirmed for the three cell lines. These results allow to propose Fut 2, Fut 4, and Fut 8 as potential targets for EOC treatment or as diagnostic tools for this disease.

Comparative transcriptomic analysis of the different developmental stages of ovary in the cuttlefish Sepia pharaonis

The cuttlefish, Sepia pharaonis, is characterized by rapid growth and strong disease resistance, making it an important commercially farmed cephalopod species in the southeastern coastal regions of China. However, in the reproductive process of S. pharaonis, there are challenges such as a low output of eggs, poor quality, and low survival rates of newly hatched juveniles. Therefore, there is an urgent need to study the molecular mechanisms underlying ovarian development in this species. In this study, we conducted the first transcriptomic analysis of the ovary at four developmental stages: the undeveloped stage, developing stage, nearly-ripe stage, and ripe stage, and compared the transcriptomics among these four stages using Illumina sequencing technology. The total numbers of clean reads of the four stages ranged from 40,890,772 to 52,055,714 reads. A total of 136,829 DEGs were obtained, GC base ratios of raw data were between 38.44 and 44.59%, and the number of uniquely mapped reads spanned from 88.08 to 95.90%. The Pearson correlation coefficient demonstrated a strong correlation among different samples within the same group, PCA and Anosim analysis also revealed that the grouping of these four stages was feasible, and each stage could be distinguished from the others. GO enrichment analysis demonstrated that ovarian follicle growth, sex differentiation, and transforming growth factor beta receptor, played a foreshadowing role at the early ovarian development stage, and the terms of small molecule metabolic process, peptide metabolic process, and catalytic activity were prominent at the mature stage. Meanwhile, KEGG analysis showed that the early ovarian development of S. pharaonis was mainly associated with the cell cycle, DNA replication, and carbon metabolism, while the mid-late ovarian development was involved with the signal transduction, endocrine system, and reproduction pathway. RT-qPCR further confirmed the consistent expression patterns of genes such as 17β-HSD, GH, VGS, NFR, and NYR in the ovaries of S. pharaonis, exhibiting elevated levels of expression during the maturation stage. Conversely, ER and OM exhibited high expression levels during the early stages of ovarian development. These transcriptomic data provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of S. pharaonis ovarian development. The findings of this study will contribute to improving the reproduction and development of cuttlefish and enriching the bioinformatics knowledge of cephalopods.

Transcriptome analysis and identification of differentially expressed genes between early and mature ovarian stages in the female mantis shrimp (Harpiosquilla raphidea) using RNA-Seq

Harpiosquilla raphidea, the largest of the mantis shrimps, is a commercially important crustacean species widely distributed in many countries of the Pacific Ocean. However, no data are currently available regarding the molecular mechanisms that regulate reproduction in this species. To address this knowledge gap, we performed transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq) of previtellogenic and vitellogenic ovaries of female H. raphidea, and compared the expression patterns of transcripts from the two resulting libraries to identify genes involved in ovarian development. A total of 418,635,748 clean reads were retrieved after removing adapter sequences and filtering out low-quality data. The reads were assembled into 242,861 unigenes with an average length of 585.27 base pairs (bp) and an N50 of 829 bp. A search of all unigenes against the NR (non-redundant protein), SwissProt, KEGG, GO, and COG databases yielded 53,111; 25,460; 27,255; 26,793; and 3838 unigene matches, respectively). Of the 53,111 unigenes identified in the NR database, 30,441 could be functionally annotated, 59.49% of which were significantly matched with the transcripts of L. vannamei. A total of 13,867 full-length transcripts and 11,441 partial transcripts were retrieved. In addition, using all-unigenes as a reference, a total of 12,765 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were identified. DESeq2 analysis identified a total of 962 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between previtellogenic and vitellogenic ovaries, 456 of which were upregulated and 506 downregulated. Five unigenes were validated by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). The results of both the RNA-Seq and qPCR analysis revealed that the H. raphidea vitellogenin gene (HrVtg) was upregulated in vitellogenic ovaries. The open reading frame of HrVtg was found to be 7455 bp long, corresponding to a polypeptide of 2485 amino acids. The important functional genes and pathways identified here provide a valuable dataset for understanding the molecular mechanisms controlling ovarian development in H. raphidea.

Comparison of platelet-to-lymphocyte and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios with epithelial ovarian cancer stages

Objectives: Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the most common histologic type among ovarian cancers. It is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage and the prognosis worsens. The aim of our study was to investigate the predictive value of serum platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), which are systemic inflammatory response markers in EOC stages. Methods: In this study, 140 patients diagnosed with primary EOC in İzmir Katip Çelebi University Atatürk Training and Research Hospital Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinic between 01.01.2012-01.07.2019 were included. The cases were staged using the FIGO 2014 Ovarian Cancer Staging system. Whether the PLR and NLR values were different between the stages were analyzed with appropriate statistical analysis methods. Results: A total of 140 patients, 54 were in the early stage (Stage I: 47; Stage II: 7) and 86 were in the advanced stage (Stage III: 73; Stage IV: 13). The PLR and NLR values differed between the four stages (p = 0.003 and p = 0.032, respectively). The PLR value was different between the early and advanced stages (p = 0.033), the AUC value was 0.607, the optimum cut-off was 220, the sensitivity was 47%, and the specificity was 81% in the early and advanced stage discrimination. Accordingly, the Odds ratio of PLR for advanced EOC was 3.82 (95% CI: 1.70-8.57, p = 0.0011). Conclusions: The NLR and PLR values were found to have a prognostic value in the discrimination of EOC stages. It has been determined that PLR value may play a predictive role in advanced EOC before surgery.

Alterations in mitochondria isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells and tumors of patients with epithelial ovarian cancers

Metabolic alterations play an essential role in ovarian carcinogenesis. The flexibility of mitochondrial functions facilitates cellular adaptation to the tough environment associated with carcinogenesis. An understanding of the differences in mitochondrial functions in normal ovaries and cancers could provide a basis for further exploration of future mitochondria-based screening, diagnosis, prognostic prediction, and targeted therapy for epithelial ovarian cancers. The main objective of this study was to assess mitochondrial function profiles measured from PBMCs and ovarian tissues of epithelial ovarian cancers in comparison with normal ovaries. A total of 36 patients were recruited for the study, all of whom underwent primary surgical treatment for malignant epithelial ovarian neoplasm. Of these, 20 patients were in the early stage and 16 patients were in the advanced stage. Additionally, 21 patients who had pelvic surgery for benign gynecologic conditions, with normal ovaries incidentally removed, were recruited as controls. At the time of surgery, a blood sample was collected from each participant for PBMC isolation, and ovarian tissue was retained for molecular studies. These studies included the examination of oxidative stress, mitochondrial mass, mitochondrial respiration, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) changes, and mitochondrial swelling. Clinical and histopathological data were also collected and compared between different stages of epithelial ovarian cancers: early-stage (group 1), advanced-stage (group 2), and normal ovaries (group 3). The levels of cellular oxidative stress, mitochondrial mass, and mitochondrial biogenesis in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of participants with ovarian cancer were significantly lower than those of the control group. However, the mitochondrial respiratory parameters measured from the PBMCs were similar across all three groups. Furthermore, mitochondrial membrane depolarization and mitochondrial swelling were observed in ovarian tissues of both early-stage and advanced-stage cancer groups. We demonstrated the dynamic nature of mitochondrial ROS production, biogenesis, and respiratory function in response to epithelial ovarian carcinogenesis. The flexibility of mitochondrial functions under diverse conditions may make it a challenging therapeutic target for ovarian cancer.

Accuracy of Multi-detector Computed Tomography compared to laparoscopy In Ovarian Cancer Staging

Accuracy of Multi-detector Computed Tomography compared to laparoscopy In Ovarian Cancer Staging

IMMEDIATE AND LONG-TERM OUTCOMES OF COMPREHENSIVE TREATMENT FOR PATIENTS WITH OVARIAN CANCER STAGE III-IV

Summary. Aim:to evaluate the immediate treatment outcomes and overall and relapse-free survival of patients with ovarian cancer stage III-IV depending on the treatment method. Object and methods: the study presents the overall and relapse-free survival results of 269 patients with ovarian cancer stage III-IV who received comprehensive treatment at the “Prykarpattia Clinical Oncology Center of the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Council” between 2017 and 2023. Patients were divided into 3 groups based on the treatment method: Group I – primary cytoreductive surgery followed by 6 adjuvant cycles of polychemotherapy (PCT); Group II – three neoadjuvant cycles of PCT, interval cytoreductive surgery, and adjuvant PCT; Group III – 6 cycles of PCT. All patients received chemotherapy following the paclitaxel-carboplatin regimen. Results: in all groups, 19 (7%) cases of platinum-resistant ovarian cancer were identified, and the treatment outcomes for these patients were not included in survival calculations. The 3-year overall cumulative survival rate was 50% in group I, 58% in group II, and 36% in group III. The median overall survival in group I was 31 months, in group II – 37 months, and in group III – 17 months. The 3-year relapse-free cumulative survival was 24% in group I, 48% in group II, and 36% in group III. The median relapse-free survival in group I was 19 months, in group II – 25 months, and in group III – 17 months. Conclusions: relapse-free and overall survival rates were significantly better in patients who received comprehensive treatment compared to those who only underwent chemotherapy cycles. The use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with stage III-IV ovarian cancer improves relapse-free survival but does not affect overall survival compared to patients who underwent primary cytoreductive surgery.

Paper based molecularly imprinted SERS substrate for early detection of lysophosphatidic acid in ovarian cancer

The current study is related to fabrication of point-of-care molecularly imprinted paper-based analytical devices, specifically related to ovarian cancer early stage detection. The task involves creating a paper coated with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) that can be used as a transducer via surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) to detect the threshold level of the biomarker lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) as a template molecule to diagnose ovarian cancer. MIPs are synthetic receptors designed for a targeted molecule which are prepared from polymers in the presence of target such as small molecules, proteins or cells etc. Removal of the template results in cavities which are structurally and electrostatically complementary to the template molecule. The molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) layer was anchored on vinyl trimethoxy silane modified-paper, which served as a detector by hydrolytically modifying the paper surface with vinyl trimethoxy silane. To detect LPA in serum samples for ovarian cancer, MIP-paper based on SERS was developed. Patients with benign ovarian tumors had an LPA level of 7.73 μM whereas those with ovarian cancer have a level of 16.99 μM. A healthy person's LPA level is 2.92 μM. Consequently, the rise in LPA levels may aid in the early detection of ovarian cancer. The study refers to the use of a point of care device to diagnose ovarian cancer early, which should be simple, effective, and cost-effective. The analytical tool in the study is a sensor with high selectivity and sensitivity, quick assay times, and inexpensive costs. For LPA in serum, the binding constant of modified paper-based MIP ranges from 11.00 μM to 0.08 μM. The amalgamation of nanoparticles on 2D-paper with MIP have lead to develop sensor which can effectively select LPA in untreated real samples like serum.

Foxl2l is a germ cell-intrinsic gatekeeper of oogenesis in zebrafish.

Zebrafish serve as a valuable model organism for studying germ cell biology and reproductive processes. The AB strain of zebrafish is proposed to exhibit a polygenic sex determination system, where most males initially develop juvenile ovaries before committing to male fate. In species with chromosomal sex determination, gonadal somatic cells are recognized as key determinants of germ cell fate. Notably, the loss of germ cells in zebrafish leads to masculinization, implying that germ cells harbor an intrinsic feminization signal. However, the specific signal triggering oogenesis in zebrafish remains unclear. In the present study, we identified foxl2l as an oocyte progenitor-specific gene essential for initiating oogenesis in germ cells. Results showed that foxl2l-knockout zebrafish bypassed the juvenile ovary stage and exclusively developed into fertile males. Further analysis revealed that loss of foxl2l hindered the initiation of oocyte-specific meiosis and prevented entry into oogenesis, leading to premature spermatogenesis during early gonadal development. Furthermore, while mutation of the pro-male gene dmrt1 led to fertile female differentiation, simultaneous disruption of foxl2l in dmrt1 mutants completely blocked oogenesis, with a large proportion of germ cells arrested as germline stem cells, highlighting the crucial role of foxl2l in oogenesis. Overall, this study highlights the unique function of foxl2l as a germ cell-intrinsic gatekeeper of oogenesis in zebrafish.

RECURRENCE OF OVARIAN CANCER: POSSIBLE CAUSES, EARLY DETECTION

Relevance: Early detection of ovarian cancer relapses and their treatment is among the most difficult in practical oncogynecology. Early diagnosis of ovarian cancer recurrence increases the effectiveness of treatment and gives a more favorable survival prognosis.&#x0D; The study aimed to show the possible cause of ovarian cancer recurrence and methods for early detection of relapses.&#x0D; Materials and methods: We systematically analyzed 31 cases of recurrent ovarian cancer treated at the Zhambyl Regional Center of Oncology and Surgery (Kazakhstan) in 2021-2022. We divided them by age, stage, period of relapse, type of histology, tumor grade, sites of recurrence, and symptoms of recurrence.&#x0D; Results: Ovarian cancer is most often detected in the late stages since, in the early stages, the disease is asymptomatic. Patients with advanced stages showed more relapses and distant metastases. Most ovarian cancer and this disease’s relapses are detected at 50-70 years old. The late stages give more distant and multiple relapses than the early stages and in terms of earlier. Moreover, according to histology results, mesenchymal tumors are more significant than epithelial and G3.&#x0D; Conclusion: The recurrence of ovarian cancer is an aggressively occurring disease. Based on the analysis work carried out, more than 70% of patients with recurrent ovarian cancer were aged 50-70 years, and the recurrence rate was higher at later stages (St III) or with a low-grade form of the tumor. All patients received platinum-based combination therapy. Targeted therapy (Bevacizumab) was administered in generalization of the process. More than 20% of all patients are resistant to platinum, whose relapse occurred before six months; the rest are sensitive to platinum with a later relapse. Based on everything, there is an increase in distant and multiple relapses in the late stages of ovarian cancer. This indicates the need to introduce screening programs based on cancer markers (CA-125) and diagnostic instrumental examinations (MRI/CT) to detect ovarian cancer in the early stages. After the treatment, all patients with this disease should be under active supervision, especially patients with low-grade tumors and in late stages.

RECURRENCE OF OVARIAN CANCER:&#x0D; POSSIBLE CAUSES, EARLY DETECTION

Relevance: Early detection of ovarian cancer relapses and their treatment is among the most difficult in practical oncogynecology.&#x0D; Early diagnosis of ovarian cancer recurrence increases the effectiveness of treatment and gives a more favorable survival prognosis.&#x0D; The study aimed to show the possible cause of ovarian cancer recurrence and methods for early detection of relapses.&#x0D; Materials and methods: We systematically analyzed 31 cases of recurrent ovarian cancer treated at the Zhambyl Regional Center&#x0D; of Oncology and Surgery (Kazakhstan) in 2021-2022. We divided them by age, stage, period of relapse, type of histology, tumor grade,&#x0D; sites of recurrence, and symptoms of recurrence.&#x0D; Results: Ovarian cancer is most often detected in the late stages since, in the early stages, the disease is asymptomatic. Patients with&#x0D; advanced stages showed more relapses and distant metastases. Most ovarian cancer and this disease’s relapses are detected at 50-70&#x0D; years old. The late stages give more distant and multiple relapses than the early stages and in terms of earlier. Moreover, according to&#x0D; histology results, mesenchymal tumors are more significant than epithelial and G3.&#x0D; Conclusion: The recurrence of ovarian cancer is an aggressively occurring disease. Based on the analysis work carried out, more&#x0D; than 70% of patients with recurrent ovarian cancer were aged 50-70 years, and the recurrence rate was higher at later stages (St III)&#x0D; or with a low-grade form of the tumor. All patients received platinum-based combination therapy. Targeted therapy (Bevacizumab) was&#x0D; administered in generalization of the process. More than 20% of all patients are resistant to platinum, whose relapse occurred before six&#x0D; months; the rest are sensitive to platinum with a later relapse. Based on everything, there is an increase in distant and multiple relapses&#x0D; in the late stages of ovarian cancer. This indicates the need to introduce screening programs based on cancer markers (CA-125) and&#x0D; diagnostic instrumental examinations (MRI/CT) to detect ovarian cancer in the early stages. After the treatment, all patients with this&#x0D; disease should be under active supervision, especially patients with low-grade tumors and in late stages.