Ultrasound guided microwave ablation treatment of uterine fibroids: Clinical response and patient acceptability.

Introduction: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and acceptability of ultrasound guided microwave ablation for treating symptoms related to uterine fibroids.

Material And Methods: This was a prospective interventional study. Patients with symptomatic uterine fibroids were included at Danderyd Hospital, Sweden, from January 2020 to August 2023.

Long term follow-up of uterine fibroids treated with microwave ablation: an up to 3-year observational study of volume, regrowth, and symptoms.

Objective: To study long-term effects in patients treated with microwave ablation (MWA) for symptomatic uterine fibroids and investigate fibroid characteristics predictive of successful treatment.

Method: Women who received MWA treatment for uterine fibroids in a previous study were included. A total of 16 patients underwent contrast enhanced MRI before treatment, postoperatively at 6 months and at long-term follow-up, to assess volumes of treated fibroids ( = 42).

Ultrasound guided microwave ablation compared to uterine artery embolization treatment for uterine fibroids - a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy, feasibility and acceptability of microwave ablation (MWA) compared to uterine artery embolization (UAE) as treatment for uterine fibroids.

Method: A randomized controlled superiority trial, including premenopausal women 30-55 years, with symptomatic uterine fibroids without any single fibroid exceeding mean diameter of eight centimeters. Patients were randomized to receive microwave ablation, performed abdominally or vaginally, or to uterine artery embolization.

Investigating the loss of work productivity due to symptomatic leiomyoma.

Introduction: Leiomyoma affects up to 50% of fertile women, leading to morbidity such as bleeding or pain. The effect of symptomatic leiomyoma on the productivity of employed women is understudied. The present study investigates productivity loss in a Swedish setting in women with symptomatic leiomyoma compared to healthy women.

The vaginal microbiome amplifies sex hormone-associated cyclic changes in cervicovaginal inflammation and epithelial barrier disruption.

Problem: Susceptibility to HIV is associated with the menstrual cycle and vaginal microbiome, but their collective impact on vaginal inflammation remains unclear. Here, we characterized the cervicovaginal proteome, inflammation, and microbiome community structure and function during the menstrual cycle.

Method Of Study: Cervicovaginal secretions were collected from regularly cycling women (n = 16) at median day 10, 16, and 24 of each menstrual cycle and analyzed by mass spectrometry, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and a multiplex bead array immunoassay.

A comparative proteomic analysis of the soluble immune factor environment of rectal and oral mucosa.

Objective: Sexual transmission of HIV occurs across a mucosal surface, which contains many soluble immune factors important for HIV immunity. Although the composition of mucosal fluids in the vaginal and oral compartments has been studied extensively, the knowledge of the expression of these factors in the rectal mucosa has been understudied and is very limited. This has particular relevance given that the highest rates of HIV acquisition occur via the rectal tract.

Broad and potent cellular and humoral immune responses after a second late HIV-modified vaccinia virus ankara vaccination in HIV-DNA-primed and HIV-modified vaccinia virus Ankara-boosted Swedish vaccinees.

We have previously shown that an HIV vaccine regimen including three HIV-DNA immunizations and a single HIV-modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) boost was safe and highly immunogenic in Swedish volunteers. A median 38 months after the first HIV-MVA vaccination, 24 volunteers received 10(8) plaque-forming units of HIV-MVA. The vaccine was well tolerated.

Feasibility and safety of cervical biopsy sampling for mucosal immune studies in female sex workers from Nairobi, Kenya.

Background: There is an urgent need to improve our understanding of the mucosal immuno-pathogenesis of HIV acquisition in the female genital tract, particularly in high-risk women such as female sex workers (FSWs). Cervical biopsy samples offer technical advantages over cytobrush sampling, but there are concerns that this might increase HIV acquisition, particularly if healing is slow and/or women do not abstain from sex during healing.

Methodology/principal Findings: Cervical biopsy samples and cervico-vaginal swabs for co-infection diagnostics, prostate specific antigen (PSA) and immune studies were collected from 59 women, including HIV seropositive and HIV-exposed seronegative (HESN) FSWs as well as lower risk women from Nairobi, Kenya.

Salivary basic proline-rich proteins are elevated in HIV-exposed seronegative men who have sex with men.

Objective: Innate mucosal factors are associated with protection in HIV-exposed seronegative (HESN) individuals, but studies of MSM have been very limited. We performed proteomic analysis of saliva from a cohort of HESN MSM who have regular unprotected oral receptive intercourse with their HIV-infected partner.

Methods: Saliva samples from HESN (n = 25) and non-exposed male controls (n = 22) were analyzed by 2D-LC mass spectrometry.

HIV-1 exposed uninfected men who have sex with men have increased levels of salivary CC-chemokines associated with sexual behavior.

Objectives: To determine whether soluble molecules with known anti-HIV-1 activity are increased in saliva of HIV-1 exposed uninfected individuals of discordant couples of men who have sex with men (MSM), and whether the levels of these molecules are associated with genetic polymorphisms, sexual behavior and/or HIV-1 neutralizing capacity.

Methods: Saliva and PBMC were collected from exposed uninfected individuals (n=25), and low-risk controls (n=22). Levels of CCL2, CCL3, CCL4, CCL5 and CCL11 were detected by Luminex, and SLPI, LL-37, alpha-defensins and IgA2 were detected by ELISA.

Induction of systemic HIV-1-specific cellular immune responses by oral exposure in the uninfected partner of discordant couples.

Objectives: Previous studies have identified HIV-specific T-cell responses in HIV-exposed uninfected individuals (EUI). However, so far no study has investigated exposure through oral sex. Our aim was to investigate whether oral exposure is enough to induce a systemic HIV-specific T-cell response.

Genital and oral mucosal immune response against HIV-1 in exposed uninfected individuals.

Epidemiologic reports routinely indicate that the high rate of HIV-1 transmission via mucosal exposure has been relatively stable since the epidemic began. Unfortunately, research on mucosal immune responses to HIV-1 has not been done in proportion to its importance. Most knowledge about immune responses against HIV-1 in humans comes from studies limited to the use of peripheral blood cells and plasma.

Orally exposed uninfected individuals have systemic anti-HIV responses associating with partners' viral load.

Objectives: To determine whether oral HIV-1 exposure incites a persistent systemic anti-HIV-1 response in exposed uninfected individuals of discordant couples of men who have sex with men, and whether this response associates with HIV-1 exposure measured by viral load in the HIV-positive partners.

Methods: Plasma were collected from exposed uninfected individuals (n = 25), HIV-positive partners (n = 25) and low-risk controls (n = 22). A peripheral blood mononuclear cells-based neutralization assay was used to test these samples against three primary HIV-1 isolates.

Oral HIV-exposure elicits mucosal HIV-neutralizing antibodies in uninfected men who have sex with men.

Objective: To determine whether oral sexual exposure to HIV-1 (HIV) results in HIV-neutralizing activity in saliva of uninfected men who have sex with infected men?

Design: Saliva samples were collected from HIV IgG seronegative men (n = 25) whose male partners were HIV infected and from low-risk healthy controls (n = 22) and analyzed for HIV-neutralizing capacity.

Methods: The presence of neutralizing activity in saliva was tested in a peripheral blood mononuclear cell-based assay using primary HIV isolates. Self-reporting questionnaires described the individuals' sexual behaviors and routes of possible HIV exposure.

HIV-neutralizing immunoglobulin A and HIV-specific proliferation are independently associated with reduced HIV acquisition in Kenyan sex workers.

Objectives: HIV-neutralizing immunoglobulin A (IgA) and HIV-specific cellular immunity have been described in highly exposed, persistently seronegative (HEPS) individuals, but well controlled studies have not been performed. We performed a prospective, nested case-control study to examine the association of genital IgA and systemic cellular immune responses with subsequent HIV acquisition in high-risk Kenyan female sex workers (FSWs).

Design And Methods: A randomized trial of monthly antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent sexually transmitted disease/HIV infection was performed from 1998 to 2002 in HIV-uninfected Kenyan FSWs.

HIV-1 neutralizing activity is correlated with increased levels of chemokines in saliva of HIV-1-exposed uninfected individuals.

Aim: Mucosal HIV-1 exposure stimulates a variety of mucosal immune responses, including IgA1-mediated virus neutralization, even in the absence of an established infection. We hypothesized that other immune molecules might also contribute to the HIV-1 neutralizing activity observed in the mucosal secretions of HIV-1 exposed uninfected individuals.

Methods: Saliva samples were collected from HIV-1 seronegative high-risk female sex workers (FSW) from Nairobi.