Natural Killer Cell Dysfunction in Premenopausal Mutation Carriers: A Potential Mechanism for Ovarian Carcinogenesis.

Background: Tissue-specificity for fimbrial fallopian tube ovarian carcinogenesis remains largely unknown in mutation carriers. We aimed to assess the cell autonomous and cell-nonautonomous implications of a germline mutation in the context of cancer immunosurveillance of CD3 CD56 natural killer (NK) cells.

Methods: Premenopausal mutation carriers versus age-matched non-carriers were compared.

Clinical Validation of a Rapid Variant-Proof RT-RPA Assay for the Detection of SARS-CoV-2.

The COVID-19 pandemic has unveiled a pressing need to expand the diagnostic landscape to permit high-volume testing in peak demand. Rapid nucleic acid testing based on isothermal amplification is a viable alternative to real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and can help close this gap. With the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, clinical validation of rapid molecular tests needs to demonstrate their ability to detect known variants, an essential requirement for a robust pan-SARS-CoV-2 assay.

Preexisting and de novo humoral immunity to SARS-CoV-2 in humans.

Zoonotic introduction of novel coronaviruses may encounter preexisting immunity in humans. Using diverse assays for antibodies recognizing SARS-CoV-2 proteins, we detected preexisting humoral immunity. SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein (S)-reactive antibodies were detectable using a flow cytometry-based method in SARS-CoV-2-uninfected individuals and were particularly prevalent in children and adolescents.

Pregnancy outcome and management of women with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator: a single centre experience.

Aims: With improved survival of patients with congenital and inherited heart disease, there is now a younger cohort of patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) for the prevention and treatment of ventricular dysrrhythmias. Young women with such disorders often wish to embark on pregnancy, but pregnancy outcome data for this group is sparse. We therefore evaluated pregnancy outcome in patients with heart disease and an ICD in situ.

Blurred vision due to psychosocial difficulties: a case series.

Purpose: The association between psychological difficulties and accommodative insufficiency in children and young adults has been previously reported. The authors give their experiences with such cases and address the research and service developments required to deal with these problems.

Methods: When no other organic pathology was found in full ophthalmological assessment, and where insufficient improvement in accommodation was found in orthoptic treatment, the patients were referred to liaison psychiatry or to adult or child psychotherapy services for assessment.