Searching for new molecules involved in Anopheles mosquitoes' response to Plasmodium infection.

Plasmodium parasites within mosquitoes are exposed to various physiological processes, such as blood meal digestion activity, the gonotrophic cycle, and host responses preventing the entry of parasites into the midgut wall. However, when in vitro-cultured ookinetes are injected into the hemocoel of mosquitoes, Plasmodium parasites are not affected by the vertebrate host's blood contents and do not pass through the midgut epithelial cells. This infection method might aid in identifying mosquito-derived factors affecting Plasmodium development within mosquitoes. This study investigated novel mosquito-derived molecules related to parasite development in Anopheles mosquitoes. We injected in vitro-cultured Plasmodium berghei (ANKA strain) ookinetes into female and male Anopheles stephensi (STE2 strain) mosquitoes and found that the oocyst number was significantly higher in males than in females, suggesting that male mosquitoes better support the development of parasites. Next, RNA-seq analysis was performed on the injected female and male mosquitoes to identify genes exhibiting changes in expression. Five genes with different expression patterns between sexes and greatest expression changes were identified as being potentially associated with Plasmodium infection. Two of the five genes also showed expression changes with infection by blood-feeding, indicating that these genes could affect the development of Plasmodium parasites in mosquitoes.

Radiation therapy for carcinoma of the uterine cervix: comparison of two brachytherapy schedules.

We compared the survival rates and late effects for two groups of cervical cancer patients treated with almost the same external radiotherapy but different remote afterloading systems (RALS) for high-dose-rate intracavitary radiation therapy regimens. A total of 218 patients with carcinoma of the uterine cervix were treated. For 98 patients, intracavitary brachytherapy was delivered with 6-7.5 Gy/fraction to Point A (Group A), and for 120, 5 Gy/fraction with a modified source step size (Group B). The 3-year cause-specific survival rates by stage and treatment schedule were Group A: 91% and Group B: 96% in Stage I, 89% and 92% in Stage II, 64% and 75% in Stage III, 44% and 69% in Stage IV. The survival curves did not reveal any statistically significant differences at any stage. The 3-year cumulative local failure rates were 14% in Group A and 7% in Group B (P = 0.1202), while the actuarial rates of developing rectal complication (Grade 2 or more) at 3 years were 25% in Group A and 4% in Group B (P < 0.0001). This retrospective analysis suggests that a low dose per fraction with modified source step size is advantageous because of yielding almost the same local control but with fewer rectal complications.

High dose rate brachytherapy using molds after chemoradiotherapy for oral cavity cancer.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the combined use of customized molds and a high dose rate (HDR) remote afterloading brachytherapy apparatus with a (192)Ir microsource in the treatment of superficial oral carcinomas after chemoradiotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma who were treated using this combined technique were analyzed retrospectively. The primary sites of the tumors were the mouth floor, gingiva, and soft palate. For each patient, a customized mold was fabricated in which 2-3 afterloading catheters were placed for the (192)Ir source. Three to eight fractions of 3 Gy, 5 mm below the mold surface, were given following external radiotherapy of 24-50 Gy/2 Gy combined with chemotherapy (peplomycin or taxotere). The total dose of HDR brachytherapy ranged from 9 to 24 Gy. RESULTS: The 2-year local control probability was 100% and the 2-year cause-specific survival rate was 100%. No serious complications (i.e., ulcer or bone exposure) have been observed thus far during the follow-up period of 29-120 months. CONCLUSION: HDR brachytherapy using the mold technique after chemoradiotherapy is a safe and excellent method for selected early and superficial oral cavity cancers.