Conference Schedule

Day1: October 26, 2018

Keynote Forum

Biography

Adel M Talaat is a Microbiologist with a long-term interest in better understanding the pathogenesis of emerging infectious diseases. He has received his Veterinary and Masters’ degrees from Cairo University, Egypt and a PhD from the School of Medicine University of Maryland At Baltimore, USA. Currently, he is a Professor of Microbiology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His research involves developing new technologies and innovative approaches to understand bacterial pathogenesis and to generate useful therapies (drugs and vaccines). Currently, we are working on the functional genomics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis. Recently, he and his group started to utilize nanotechnology to develop nano-biosensors and nanovaccines to control animal infections, including avian viral agents. In 2011, he started a biotechnology company (Pan Genome Systems, INC.) to further develop intellectual properties generated by his group (vaccine-based patents) into products useful to improve human and animal health. During the past decade, he has mentored 17 Undergraduates, 19 Graduate students and 10 Postdoctoral fellows in his laboratory at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The results of his career at UW-Madison were shared through more than 50 articles in peer-reviewed journals.

Abstract

The economic success of animal production worldwide hinges on extensive use of vaccines to control bacterial and viral infections. Most of the current antibiotics are not used in food animals to curb the problem of spreading drug-resistant pathogens and anti-viral agents are expensive to use in animals. Despite vaccines are available to combat many of the important pathogens that impact animal health, most of these vaccines do not provide sufficient immunity against emerging infections and are not stable under field conditions. In this project, we are applying synthetic, biodegradable polyanhydride nanoparticles (PAN) to improve efficiency and delivery of protective antigens for prolonged and robust induction of immune responses. We tested this platform technology using two different infection models including bacterial (Johne’s disease) and viral (avian influenza) diseases. To start, we examined the fate of PANs in mice and chicken which resulted in no untoward effects on animals, confirming the safety of PAN in two approved models of the target diseases, respectively. We also deciphered the immunogenicity and protective immunity of key antigens encapsulated within PANs in standard immunization and challenge models for testing vaccine efficacy. Immunological assays demonstrated a substantial increase in the levels of antigen-specific T cell responses post-vaccination in the PAN-vaccinated groups as indicated by high percentages of triple cytokine (IFN-γ, IL-2, TNF-α) producing CD8+ T cells, a key marker for successful vaccination. More importantly, when animals were immunized with PAN-based vaccines, superior protection as indicated by lower tissue pathogen loads were elicited for both Johne’s disease and avian influenza models. Currently, we are trying more approaches to examine the utility of nanovaccines as platform technology for animal vaccination to overcome problems associated with traditional vaccine applications under field conditions.

 

Biography

S Parida is trained as a Veterinarian and has completed his PhD in 1998 from TANUVAS, India and Postdoctoral studies from Institute for Animal Health, UK through Welcome Trust Travelling Research Fellowship. He is the Head of the Vaccine Differentiation group at the Pirbright Institute at UK since 2007 and additionally, he is a Jenner Investigator at the Oxford University and a Visiting Professor at Royal Veterinary College, UK. He has published more than 129 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an Editorial Board Member of PLOS One and Transboundary Emerging Diseases.

Abstract

Chemically inactivated, oil adjuvanted foot and mouth disease (FMD) vaccines are a critical element in FMD control in developing countries. Although these vaccines are effective in pigs and ruminants, protective immunity is not reached quickly, is short-lived (~3 months) and is serotype and sometimes strain-specific. More appropriate vaccine strains that induce broader protection, together with identification of novel adjuvants that provide a greater duration of immunity and simplified methods to measure vaccine quality would make a significant contribution to FMD control and to livestock development in developing countries. Oil adjuvant vaccines induce variable T cell responses, whilst novel adjuvants can prime greater and more consistent T cell and humoral responses that may give longer duration of protection. In our CIDLID funded grant, we had selected eight new adjuvants as potent immune enhancers, including ligands for TLR receptors that enhanced Th1 priming in various human or animal vaccines. The aim was to supplement the oil component of the adjuvant with a novel immunostimulant that impacts on TLR or related signaling pathways. These eight new adjuvanted vaccines were tested in a pilot study in cattle at IIL, India. The four most efficacious ones (MPLA, Poly I: C, Abisco 300 and R848) were retested for Serotype A in a larger number of cattle at Pirbright, UK. The vaccinated cattle were challenged on 21 days post-vaccination. The most efficacious adjuvant, poly I: C, tested further in cattle for serotype O FMD vaccine for 7.5 months to assess its impact on the duration of immunity. The enhanced humoral and cellular responses were observed by incorporating poly I: C in FMD vaccine that increased the duration of immunity in comparison to the conventional oil adjuvant vaccine. Therefore, we conclude that there is a measurable T cell component to vaccine-induced protection in addition to humoral antibody component and strengthening this would improve efficacy and duration of immunity.

 

Biography

Kathleen Hefferon has received her PhD from the Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto and completed her Postdoctoral Fellowship at Cornell University. She has published multiple research papers, chapters and reviews, and has written three books. She is the Fulbright Canada Research Chair of Global Food Security and has been a Visiting Professor at the University of Toronto over the past year. Her research interests include virus expression vectors, food security agricultural biotechnology and global health. 

Abstract

For over two decades now, plants have been explored for their potential to act as production platforms for biopharmaceuticals such as vaccines and monoclonal antibodies. Without a doubt, the development of plant viruses as expression vectors for pharmaceutical production have played an integral role in the emergence of plants as inexpensive and facile systems for the generation of therapeutic proteins. More recently, plant viruses have been designed as non-toxic nanoparticles which can target a variety of cancers and thus empower the immune system to slow or even reverse tumor progression. The following presentation describes the employment of plant virus expression vectors for the treatment of some of the most challenging diseases known today. The presentation concludes with a projection of the multiple avenues by which virus nanoparticles could impact developing countries.
 

Biography

Leonardo Sáenz Iturriaga is a Veterinary Doctor in Biomedical Sciences of the University of Chile. He is an Associate Professor of the Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences of the University of Chile; Director of the Veterinary Vaccines Laboratory, an University Center. He is specialized in research and development of vaccines and adjuvants of new generation with the ultimate goal of transferring technologies to the veterinary industry. He has multiple articles and patents on recombinant and subunit veterinary vaccines.

Abstract

Immunocastration is an immunological strategy used to block the activity of gonadrotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH-I), thus allowing control of reproductive activity, fertility, physiological characteristics and sexual behavior in mammals. This process provides a more humanitarian alternative to classical methods of controlling sexual behavior in production animals such as surgical castration in male pigs and bulls, and can also be applied to pets or wild animals. However, the duration of the immune-contraction effect is limiting, which is a problem when long-term reproductive and population control are wanted. There are existing vaccine strategies that vary both in the design of the antigen and use of different adjuvants, which have proven to be effective in controlling reproductive activity for short or prolonged periods of time in different animal models. Using an immunocastration model based on a recombinant antigen, our laboratory has managed to induce a temporary blockage of GnRH-I, decreasing the production of sex hormones and blocking fertility, oogenesis and spermatogenesis, thus reducing sexual behavior in both male and female of different animal species. We found the duration and potency of the immunocastration effect is strongly linked to the adjuvant strategy used with correlations to fertility, gonadal function and hypothalamic GnRH-I expression in immunocastrated animals, making it a vital component for reproductive control and vaccine design. 

Tracks

  • Impact of mixed equine influenza vaccination on correlate of protection in horses
  • Barriers to vaccination for vaccine preventable infections: Georgia experience
  • Contamination Prevention
  • Bacteriological evaluation and antibiotic sensitivity pattern in tonsillitis among university students in Kerkuk province, Iraq
  • Developing an environmental control program for vaccines
Location: Szent Laszlo room
Speaker

Leonardo Saenz Iturriaga

Biomedical Sciences of the University of Chile, Chile

Chair

Speaker

Kathleen Hefferon

Cornell University, USA

Co Chair

Biography 




Mohamed Dilai is a Veterinarian graduated from Hassan II Institute for Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine in Morocco in 2008. He started his career in the pharmaceutical industry at Elanco Animal health and stayed for a period of 3 years. In 2012, he joined the National Horse Institute in Rabat and started his PhD in 2014 for the study of equine influenza. In 2016, he joined the Hassan II Institute for Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine as a Clinician in Equine Department. 



 







Abstract




In order to evaluate the humoral immune response to mixed equine influenza vaccination, a common practice in the field, an experimental study was carried out on 42 unvaccinated thoroughbred weanlings foals divided into 6 groups of 7. Three groups were vaccinated using a non-mixed protocol (Equilis® Prequenza-Te, Proteqflu-Te® or Calvenza-03®) and three other groups were vaccinated using a mix of the three vaccines mentioned previously. Each foal underwent a primary EI vaccination schedule composed of two primary immunisations (V1 and V2) 4 weeks apart followed by a third boost immunisation (V3) 6 months later. Antibody responses were monitored until one-year post-V3 by single radial hemolysis (SRH), a correlate of protection against equine influenza virus (EIV) infection. The results showed similar antibody responses for all groups using mixed EI vaccination and the group exclusively vaccinated with Equilis® Prequenza-TE, which were significantly higher than the other 2 groups vaccinated with Proteqflu-TE® and Calvenza-03®. All the weanlings (100%) failed to seroconvert after V1 and 21% (9/42) still had low or no SRH antibody titres 2 weeks post-V2. All weanlings had seroconverted and exceeded the clinical protection threshold one month after V3. The poor response to vaccination was primarily observed in groups exclusively vaccinated with Proteqflu-Te® and Calvenza-03®. A large window of susceptibility (3 to 4.5 months duration) usually called immunity gap was observed after V2 and prior to V3 for all groups. The SRH antibody level was maintained above the clinical protection threshold for 3 months post-V3 for the groups exclusively vaccinated with Proteqflu-Te® and Calvenza-03®, 6 months to one year for groups using mixed EI vaccination or exclusively vaccinated with Equilis® Prequenza-Te. This study demonstrates for the first time that the mix of EI vaccines during the primary vaccination schedule has no detrimental impact on the correlate of protection against EIV infection.

























Location: Szent Laszlo room 

















































Biography




George Kamkamidze, MD, ​PhD, MS is the Full Professor at the Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia and the Head of Research Department, Health Research Union, Tbilisi, Georgia. He got his MD and PhD from the Tbilisi State Medical University and the MS in Biometry and Statistics from the Albany School of Public Health, SUNY, Albany, NY. He was also a Post-doctoral fellow at the Wadsworth Center for Laboratories and Research, Albany, NY and at the Laboratory of Immunology, Hospitals Group Pitie-Salpetriere, Paris, France. His research interest is focused on the immunology and immunogenetic aspects of HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis and other persistent viral infections. He has published more than 50 papers in peer-reviewed journals. 







Abstract




Several studies have been done in recent years in Georgia to study barriers to vaccination for vaccine-preventable infections. In one of such studies, 278 obstetrician-gynaecologists in 8 cities in the country of Georgia were investigated on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to influenza vaccination during pregnancy. Most physicians perceived influenza to be a serious infectious disease (88%) and that pregnant women are more susceptible to it than the general population. Only 43% of physicians reported recommending influenza vaccination during pregnancy; 18% reported vaccinating any pregnant patients during the last influenza season. Most (75%) physicians reported a perception that there is insufficient evidence supporting influenza vaccination during pregnancy. Most (93%) were receptive to receiving additional education on maternal vaccination. Another cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered written survey of 288 physicians practicing in 7 healthcare institutions in Tbilisi, Rustavi and Batumi, Georgia. Data were collected on demographics, conduct of and perceived barriers to Pap smear testing, knowledge about HPV and HPV vaccination. Only 48% of physicians actively offered the HPV vaccine, although most physicians were receptive to increased education and training about HPV and cervical cancer. Another study focused on the prevalence and awareness of hepatitis B and hepatitis B vaccine was conducted among randomly selected physicians and nurse employed in seven hospitals in Georgia. Of the 1328 participants included in this analysis, 36% reported recommending against hepatitis B vaccination for children, including 33% of paediatricians. Among the 70.6% who provided a reason for not recommending HBV vaccine, the most common concern was an adverse vaccine event. Unvaccinated physicians and nurses were more likely to recommend against HBV vaccine. Additionally, health care worker age was inversely correlated with recommendations for HBV vaccine with older workers less likely to recommend it.

























Location: Szent Laszlo room 

















































Biography




Brian G. Hubka is the CEO of Contamination Prevention Technologies, Inc.  This company provides a vast array of contamination remediation and prevention technologies and products to eliminate and prevent mold, bacteria, viruses, prions and the like. They are also specialists in biofilm remediation and elimination.  He also consults on contamination issues in pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.  Has worked with Pfizer, Amgen, Celgene and many others. He is a graduate of University of Notre Dame pre-medicine.  He is also a frequent speaker and has authored book chapters for many PDA/DHI books.







Abstract




Contamination Prevention is a common occurrence costing time delays for product release, product rejection by quality and product recall by the FDA. There are several new technologies that can quickly and completely eliminate contamination:


    

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   How to prevent certain types of contamination
    

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  Identify extremely effective disinfectants that don’t harm stainless steel
    

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  Identify easier methods to validate cleaning and disinfection using biological indicators
    

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  Preventing and eliminating biofilm with ambient water.
    

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Location: Szent Laszlo room 

















































Biography




Ayoub A Bazzaz has completed his PhD from Nottingham University, UK and continued postdoctoral research works for over 10 years at Leeds, Liverpool and Cardiff Universities in UK. He is one of the founder of Faculty of Medicine of Tikrit University, Iraq and first head of Anatomy department 1988-1991. Has supervised and refereed many PhD and MSc students in Iraq, KSA, Libya and UK and has over 55 published scientific papers in reputed International journals.







Abstract




Tonsillitis is a common bacterial disease caused by (β-haemolytic streptococci group-A), spread in most part of the world causes inflammation of tonsils while it could also be caused by Adeno and Epstein-Barr viruses. The objective was to determine the bacterial aetiology of Tonsillitis and their susceptibility to antibiotics amongst the university students within Kerkuk province. Only 148 throat swabs were collected from student and assessed in laboratory. The bacterial causes involved β-haemolytic streptococci group-A (29.7%), Staphylococcus aureus (17.6%) Pseudomonas aeroginosa (10.8%), Klebsiella spp. (5.4%) and E. coli (1.4%) respectively. The infection prevalence was 23.6% and 8.8% in rural and urban areas, respectively. Antimicrobial sensitivity assessment showed that all the bacterial isolates were 100% sensitive towards Ceftazidime and relatively high resistant to Ampicillin but varied in their sensitivity to other antibiotics. Both β-haemolytic streptococci group-A and Staphylococcus aureus showed high sensitivity for Cefotaxime) 91% and 92 %), respectively. The Pseudomonas aeroginosa gave showed (87.5%) sensitivity to Ciprofloxacin while Klebsiella spp (75%) while the E. coli showed multi resistance to many antibiotics. It is concluded that Bacteria causing tonsillitis are of various species which their resistance to antibiotics vary enormously. Such variation endure the general practitioners to have cultural tests carried out prior prescribing an effective and righteous antibiotic for patients.



 

























Location: Szent Laszlo room 

















































Biography




Jeanne Moldenhauer, Vice-President of Excellent Pharma Consulting has more than 30 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical industry.  She chaired the Environmental Monitoring/Microbiology Interest Group of PDA for more than 15 years, served on the Scientific Advisory Board of PDA for 20 years, founded the Rapid Microbiology User’s Group™, and is a Member of ASQ and RAPS.  She is the author of many books and numerous publications (book chapters and magazine articles)







Abstract




In this every changing world of regulatory expectations, developing a regulatory strategy for environmental control can be challenging.  This talk will discuss current expectations for environmental control and will also provide guidance on regulatory issues associated with these programs.





























Day2: October 27, 2018












Keynote Forum





















 













Biography




Aleksandar Stefanović has finished----- Medical School University of Belgrade (1977), MD (1995), PhD (1996) and academic special studies of Gynecology and Obstetrics (1994)

 He has 25 years of clinical experiences, working at Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinical Centre of Serbia, which is the biggest one in whole region, as Gynecologist for 18 years.

He currently serves as Director (chairman) of Clinic for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Center of Serbia. He was President of Association of gynecologists and obstetricians of Serbia, Montenegro and Republic Srpska, official FIGO Member; Dean of Medical Faculty, University of Belgrade, Serbia; President of Expert Committee for Cervical Carcinoma Prevention and Control; also Member of Advisory Board for the implementation of Screening and Early Detection of Breast, Cervical and Colorectal Carcinoma Programme, Author of National Good Practice Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Cervical Carcinoma, Member of Multidisciplinary Team for Gynecologic Oncology, Clinic for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Center of Serbia. His representative publications are about 50 in CC/SCI expanded and JCR indexed, and active participant on more than 50 international congresses with total number of publication about 150.







Abstract




The concept of fertility preserving surgery in early cervical, radical trachelectomy with stage IA2 or IB disease. Trachelectomy is a conservative oncologic operation with the aim to preserve fertility in early stages of cervical cancer female patients that have realized reproduction. Excised structures in trachelectomy are: cervix, upper 1/3 of vagina, parametria and paracolpia, with preservation of uterine corpus. After removing the vaginal fornix and cervix, uterovaginal anastomosis with non resorptive suture is performed. Indications for trachelectomy are patients up to 45 years of age who wish to conserve fertility with negative lymph nodes, no distant metastatic disease, FIGO stage cervical cancer staged IA1, IA2, IB1 (tumour size ≤2cm with negative lymph nodes), with adequate cervical length, no evidence of expansion of malignant process on the upper part of the cervical canal, squamocellular carcinoma, rarely cervical adenocarcinoma, negative lymph nodes intraoperatively, no metastatic disease, clear resected margins. There is an ongoing debate regarding the need for uterine vessels preservation. Some authors have proved that the preservation of the uterine artery is associated with more favorable restoration of the reproductive function. Others claim that preservation of the uterine vasculature is not necessary for fertility as obstetrical outcomes are similar to those of the historical vaginal radical trachelectomy cohorts. Simple trachelectomy as alternative to radical trachelectomy in selected cases (parametrial involvement rate <1% in patients with IB1 ≤2cm, negative lymph nodes and stromal invasion ≤ 10mm)




















 













Biography




Alexander Suvorov, MD, has completed his PhD in Biochemistry in the Institute of Experimental Medicine, Russia and Postdoctoral studies from Minnesota and Oklahoma Universities. He is the Head of the Department of Molecular Microbiology in the Institute of Experimental Medicine, Saint-Petersburg Russia; Head and Professor of the Faculty of Fundamental Medicine in Saint-Petersburg State University. He has published more than 100 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an Editorial Board Member of several Russian and International Journals. Recently, he became a Corresponding Member of Russian Academy of Science.







Abstract




Introduction: Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococcus–GBS) is a severe human pathogen causing diseases in newborns and elderlies. This makes GBS infection an important medical and social problem requiting vaccine prophylactics. Presently, there are couple vaccine candidates in testing. However, there are no GBS vaccines in the market. Present work describes the results of several variants of GBS vaccines based on recombinant surface expressed proteins.  



 



Materials & Methods: Recombinant GBS proteins were obtained after cloning of the gene fragments encoding for the immunogenic epitopes of the surface expressed proteins and expressing them in the E.coli. Recombinant chimeric vaccines were generated after chemical synthesis of DNA molecules encoding for several immunogenic epitopes belonging to different proteins. Artificial DNA was cloned in the E.coli expression vectors with the following isolation of recombinant chimeric proteins. Life vaccines were developed after incorporation of the streptococcal DNA into the probiotic strains chromosome. Immunogenicity and protectiveness were tested on various mice models. Antibody levels were tested by ELISA.



 



Results & Conclusion: We have developed several streptococcal vaccine candidates based on different approach–making the mixture of recombinant proteins or making recombinant chimeric vaccines consisting from several immunogenic surface proteins epitopes artificially assembled in one protein molecule. These GBS vaccines against S. agalactiae had been tested on several experimental models which proved their immunogenicity and are protective. This approach had been expanded for making new life vaccines for mucosal immunization with expression of streptococcal vaccine antigens by the probiotic bacteria as delivery vehicles. These probiotic vaccines had been also shown to be immunogenic and protective. The future of practical implication of novel streptococcal vaccine candidates is discussed.




















 













Biography




Maurice Gatera is an Epidemiologist; he has worked as Director of the Vaccine Preventable Diseases Division of the Rwanda Ministry of Health, responsible for overseeing and coordinating all immunizations in Rwanda. He has supervised the rollout of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, human papillomavirus vaccine, rotavirus vaccine, and measles and rubella vaccine. He has been also a Member of the GAVI Alliance (formerly the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation) Global Accelerated Vaccine Initiative HPV subteam. Prior to his position with the vaccine preventable diseases division, he was an Intelligence Surveillance Officer of Vaccine Preventable Diseases in Rwanda Ministry of Health, where he implemented an acute flaccid paralysis surveillance system, measles surveillance system, MN tetanus surveillance, pediatric bacterial meningitis surveillance, congenital rubella syndrome surveillance. He has extensive experience in leadership, research, program implementation, and monitoring and evaluation, having worked in immunization programs for 11 years. He has earned one Degree in Population Studies and another one in Public Health. He also received a Certificate in Vaccinology from the Regional Institute of Public Health in Ouidah, Benin. He has recently performed advanced course of vaccinology at Geneva University. He has a Masters’ in field Epidemiology and Laboratory from National University of Rwanda. He is currently a PhD candidate. He has published more than 8 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an Editorial Member.







Abstract




As the pace of vaccine uptake accelerates globally, also access to vaccines in many of the poorest countries has risen dramatically in recent years with improvements in health care delivery systems, the advantage of new funding, monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, and increased global connectivity partnerships with multilateral organizations including the World Health Organization (WHO), GAVI Alliance and UNICEF to launch and bolster nationally-owned and managed immunization programs significantly accelerated progress towards meeting the international targets for child survival. There is a need to document low-income country experiences with vaccine introductions. Over the course of five years, the government of Rwanda rolled out vaccines against pneumococcal, human papillomavirus, rotavirus, and measles and rubella, achieving over 90% coverage for each. To carry out these rollouts, Rwanda's Ministry of Health engaged in careful review of disease burden information and extensive, cross-sectorial planning at least one year before introducing each vaccine. Rwanda's local leaders, development partners, civil society organizations and widespread community health worker network were mobilized to support communication efforts. Community health workers were also used to confirm target population size. Support from GAVI/Alliance, UNICEF and WHO was used in combination with government funds to promote country ownership and collaboration. Vaccination was also combined with additional community-based health interventions which make uptake at higher immunization coverage for each. Other countries considering rapid consecutive or simultaneous rollouts of new vaccines may consider lessons from Rwanda's experience while tailoring the strategies used to local context.


























Tracks



    

  • The selective effect of NSC-631570 on women reproductive cancers
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  • Screening for morbid adherent placenta (MAP) in early pregnancy
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  • Autologous fat grafting to the post mastectomy irradiated chest wall a way for minimal invasive breast reconstruction: A series of 54 patients
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  • Tumor liberated protein (TLP) as potential vaccine for lung cancer
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  • To evaluate the relation of delayed channel dissolution in oocytes after ICSI with embryo
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  • Double homologous IUI with combination of two sperm preparation method to improve pregnancy outcome
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  • What do Lebanese women know about cervical cancer and Human papillomavirus? A report on awareness levels in urban communities
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  • Outcome of HIC and ICSI on sibling oocytes for male sub fertility
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Location: Szent Laszlo room 


























Speaker











Wassil Nowicky



Nowicky Pharma/ Ukrainian Anti-Cancer Institute, Austria






















Chair














































Biography




Wassil Nowicky (Dipl Ing, Dr techn, DDD rh c) is the Director of Nowicky Pharma and President of the Ukrainian Anti-Cancer Institute (Vienna, Austria). He has finished his study at the Radiotechnical Faculty of the Technical University of Lviv (Ukraine) with the end of 1955, with graduation to “Diplomingeniueur” in 1960 which title was nostrificated in Austria in 1975. He became the very first Scientist in the development of the anticancer protonic therapy and is the Inventor of NSC-631570, the anticancer preparation on basis of celandine alkaloids. He used the factor that cancer cells are more negatively charged than normal cellsand invented the celandine alkaloid with a positive charge, thanks to which it accumulates in cancer cells very fast. He is the Author of over 300 scientific articles dedicated to cancer research. He is a real Member of the New York Academy of Sciences, Member of the European Union for applied immunology and of the American Association for scientific progress, honorary Doctor of the Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno, Doctor Honoris Causa of the Open International University for Complementary Medicine in Colombo, Honorary Member of the Austrian Society on the Name of Albert Schweizer. He has received merits of National Guild of the award of Austrian Society of sanitary, hygiene and public health services and others.







Abstract




First indications on the selective effect of NSC‐631570 on the cancer cells were provided in an early study when different oxygen consumption by normal liver cells and Ehrlich’s tumor ascitic cells after the incubation with NSC‐631570 was revealed.  In the tests on the Jurkat lymphoma model, NSC‐631570 has been proven to be a strong apoptosis inductor. Profound research showed NSC‐631570 brought about the depolarization of mitochondrial membranes and consequently the activation of caspases. NSC‐631570 induced apoptosis in a panel of cancer cell lines (ovarial and cervical cancer HeLa, HeKB, HeKS32, HeBcl3, HeNFR and HeIKK, human colon cancer SW480, human renal carcinoma HEK293, human osteosarcoma MG‐63) by activating the caspases of the intrinsic cell death pathway. Interestingly, non‐transformed fibroblasts (hTERT) cell line was insensitive to the drug. In the tests on human ovarian and cervix carcinoma cells HeLa, squamous carcinoma cells WHCO5, normal kidney cell line Graham 293, and transformed kidney cell line Vero from African green monkey, NSC‐631570 inhibited the tubulin polymerisation and caused a metaphase block in cancer cells which is characterized by abnormal chromosomal distribution, and results in the formation of micronuclei and in apoptosis.

























Location: Szent Laszlo room 

















































Biography




Jeni Panaiotova has graduated in Medicine and took speciality in Obstetrics and Gynecology in Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria. During the years, the passion in Fetal medicine, that was rising in her, made her to apply and finish training in Fetal Medicine at Fetal Medicine Foundation, London, United Kingdom. Being part of the FMF team for nearly 4 years and observing how most of the diseases could be predicted as early as first trimester of pregnancy, she and her team decided to start a research of predicting placenta accreta in the first trimester. The aim of their research was to improve the work of obstetricians, dealing with this serious and life threatening obstetric condition, which incidence is rising due to the rising incidence of delivery by Cesarean section worldwide. After four years of hard work, they completed their research and according to the results, they were able to predict placenta accreta. At the present moment, she is working in Nadezhda Women’s Health Hospital, Sofia, Bulgaria, as a Consultant in Fetal medicine and Obstetrics.



 







Abstract




Objective: To estimate the diagnostic accuracy of a two-stage strategy for early prediction of morbid adherent placenta (MAP). In the first stage, at 11-13 weeks’ gestation women with history of previous uterine surgery and low lying placenta are classified as being at high-risk for MAP and in the second stage, at 12-16 weeks, these high-risk pregnancies are assessed at a specialist MAP clinic.



Methods: This was a prospective study in women having an ultrasound scan at 11-13 weeks’ gestation as a part of routine pregnancy care. Women with a history of previous uterine surgery and low lying placenta were followed up in a specialist MAP clinic, at 12-16 weeks’ gestation, 20-24 weeks and 28-34 weeks. In each visit to the MAP clinic an ultrasound scan was carried out and the following features suggestive of MAP were recorded: non-visible cesarean section scar, bladder wall interruption, thin retroplacental myometrial thickness, presence of intraplacental lacunar spaces, presence of retroplacental arterial-trophoblastic blood flow and irregular placental vascularization demonstrated by 3D Power Doppler.



Results: Screening at 11-13 weeks was carried in 22,604 singleton pregnancies and 1,298 (6%) were considered to be at high-risk of MAP because they had previous uterine surgery and low lying placenta. In the MAP clinic at 12-16 weeks, the diagnosis of MAP was suspected in 14 cases and this was confirmed at delivery in 13. In the rest of the population there were no cases of MAP.



Conclusion: Accurate prediction of MAP can be achieved by ultrasound examination at 12-16 weeks’ gestation.



 

























Location: Szent Laszlo room 

















































Biography








Abstract




Introduction: Breast reconstruction after total mastectomy and irradiation is a real challenge for the surgical teams. And is a crucial step for the patient in the life after breast cancer. The effect of radiotherapy on the skin often leads to preferring the reconstructions by flaps. However, a reconstruction by prosthesis carries a high risk of complications and unsatisfactory cosmetic results. The optimization of skin trophicity by lipofilling and its positive impact on the results of secondary prosthetic breast reconstruction led us to perform an autologous fat grafting prior to secondary implant breast reconstruction after mastectomy and radiotherapy.



Patients & Methods: All patients were treated at the Nord Artois Breast Institute-France between 2012 and 2015. They all had a total mastectomy and irradiation. They all had one or more sessions of lipofilling prior to breast implant reconstruction. Patients were followed to collect this data: postoperative complications, prosthesis removal, cosmetic result, and tumor recurrences.



Results: 54 patients were included. The mean pre-pectoral lipofilling session was 1.1 (1-2). The average volume of fat injected is 150 cc (80-250). The average time between the end of treatment and the first session of lipofilling is 20.4 months (3-60). The mean volume of the prosthesis is 400 cc (290-620). The mean follow-up time is 22 months. No local tumor recurrence was reported. One patient had a cutaneous necrosis after lipofilling. Implant explantation was performed in three cases (5.5%). The mean cosmetic result is 4.7 (3.5-5).



Conclusions: Pre-pectoral lipofilling prior to implant breast reconstruction improves the chances of success by optimizing the trophicity of the skin. It significantly reduces the risk of prosthesis explanation.



 

























Location: Szent Laszlo room 

















































Biography




Giulio Tarro has graduated from Medicine School, Naples University (1962). He served many positions such as Research Associate, Division of Virology and Cancer Research, Children’s Hospital (1965-1968); an Assistant Professor of Research Pediatrics, College Medicine (1968-1969), Cincinnati University, Ohio; Oncological Virology Professor, Naples University (1972-1985); Chief Division Virology (1973-2003); Head Department Diagnostic Laboratories (2003-2006) at D Cotugno Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Naples; an Emeritus, from 2006 to till now. Since 2007, he is serving as Chairman Committee of Biotechnologies and VirusSphere, World Academy Biomedical Technologies, UNESCO; an Adjunct Professor at Biology Department, Temple University, College of Science and Technology, Philadelphia. He is the Recipient of the Sbarro Health Research Organization Lifetime Achievement Award (2010). His researches have been concerned with the characterization of specific virus-induced tumour antigens, which were the finger-prints left behind in human cancer. His achievements include patents in field; discovery of Respiratory Syncytial Virus in infant deaths in Naples and of tumor liberated protein as a tumor associated antigen, 55 kiloDalton protein overexpressed in lung tumors and other epithelial adenocarcinomas.







Abstract




Tumor liberated protein (TLP) has been previously described as a TAA (complex) present in the sera from lung cancer patients with early stage disease. Since early detection improves overall survival in lung cancer, identification of screening biomarkers for patients at risk for the development of this disease represents an important target. Starting from the peptide epitope RTNKEASI previously isolated from TLP complexes, we generated a rabbit anti-RTNKEASI serum. This antiserum detected and immunoprecipitated a 55 kDa protein band in the lysate of the lung cancer cell line A549. This protein band was identified as aldehyde dehydrogenase isoform 1A1 through mass spectrometry, revealing the molecular nature of at least one component of the previously described TLP complex. Next, we screened a cohort of 29 lung cancer patients (all histologies), 17 patients with non-neoplastic lung pathologies and 9 healthy donors for the presence of serum ALDH1A1 and global serum ALDH by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. This analysis indicated that the presence of ALDH was highly restricted to patients with lung cancer. Interestingly, the global ALDH test detected more lung cancer patients compared to the ALDH1A1-specific test, suggesting that other ALDH isoforms might add to the sensitivity of the assay. Our data suggest that ALDH levels may therefore be evaluated as part of a marker panel for lung cancer screening. Finally, the ability of the immune system to recognize a TAA, enables the development of a vaccine approach for preventive and therapeutic application and represents a main target of this field of research.



 

























Location: Szent Laszlo room 

















































Biography




Charulata has completed her PhD and She is senior consultant embryologist at Yashoda Fertility and Research Institute, Hyderabad, India. She has a 18 long years’ experience in field of ART.  She keeps herself updated with recent advances in ART and regular in writing Abstracts, Posters , Oral paper presentations in national and international forum.







Abstract




Objective: To evaluate the relation of delayed channel dissolution in oocytes after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with embryo quality and pregnancy rates  



Design: Randomized study



Patient(s): Total of 62 embryo transfers for couples undergoing IVF-ICSI procedure



Main outcome measure(s): Channel formation and timing of oocyte restoration after ICSI procedure, pronuclear, cleavage stage and pregnancy rate observation.



Methods: Out of 208 oocytes, 196 metaphase II oocytes were ICS injected. According to oocyte responses like channel shape and timing of restoration after ICSI, division was made in two groups. Group 1 is positive channel formation and normal restoration immediately after ICSI. Group 2 is delayed channel dissolution after ICSI (±2mins)  



Results: Out of 196 injected oocytes in 127 oocytes channel dissolved immediately whereas in 69 oocytes it was delayed restoration of channel. Fertilization rate between Group 1 and 2 were 84.92%, 68.25% respectively. ≥40% fragmentation is observed in group 2 (20.45%). 9 transfers on day 3 were with the embryos formed by constant channel. Out of 2 pregnancies (22.2%), one resulted in miscarriage. Remaining 53 embryo transfers were from the embryos derived from ICSI procedure where oocytes gained spherical shape immediately after ICSI. 20 (37.73%) resulted positive for pregnancy (p=0.3718).



Conclusion: This small group study suggests oocytes with viscous cytoplasm may result in aneuploid embryos, which may be a reason for miscarriage. Careful observation can help to select good quality embryo.

























Location: Szent Laszlo room 

















































Biography




Charulata has completed her PhD and She is senior consultant embryologist at Yashoda Fertility and Research Institute, Hyderabad, India. She has a 18 long years experience in field of ART.  She keeps herself updated with recent advances in ART and regular in writing Abstracts, Posters , Oral paper presentations in national and international forum.



 







Abstract




Background: Intra uterine insemination (IUI) is preferred fertility treatment for unexplained and moderate male factor sub fertility. Incorporation of double insemination and two sperm preparation method (double density gradient and swim up) might help to improve outcome.



Purpose: This study aims to investigate the single vs. doubles IUI in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation cycle (COH) and to evaluate the effects of combining two methods on improving the efficacy of sperm preparation.



Design: Retrospective study



Setting: A newly opened private fertility institute  



Patients: 41 couples undergoing COH for an IUI cycle within three months of institute inauguration.



Main outcome measure: The primary outcome measure was clinical pregnancy.



Methods: Inclusion criteria for women were age below 35 years with functional fallopian tube/s and no other noted uterine or ovarian abnormalities. Men with post-wash total motile sperm count of at least 10 million were included in the study. All women underwent COH and ovulation tracking was done with ultra sound scan. Inseminations were performed either once or twice depending upon ovulation status or as decided earlier with couples. In case of double IUI density gradient processed sperm were inseminated in pre ovulatory phase and sperms were processed through swim up technique and then inseminated after ovulation.



Results: Out of 41, one couple dropped the treatment in between due to personal reason and 22 couple underwent double IUI whereas 18 couple single IUI was done. The overall clinical pregnancy rate was 22.72% and 11.11% (p=0.3424) for double vs. single IUI respectively.



Conclusion: A combination of two sperm preparation methods resulted in higher recovery rates of mature motile spermatozoa and helped to improve success rate. A large group study is recommended to support this observation. 



 

























Location: Szent Laszlo room 

















































Biography




Jacques Choucair is an Infectious Diseases Specialist in Hotel Dieu de France in Beyrouth. He did 2 years Fellowship at Bichat Claude Bernard hospital, University of Paris VII Faculty of Medicine and Bacteriology at Broussais Hospital affiliated to University of Paris V, Faculty of Pharmacy. He has a Medical Teaching Diploma from the University of Montreal and published more than 30 articles and is a Reviewer in national and international journals. He is a Member the Lebanese Society of Infectious Diseases, a Member of the Arab association for the proper use of antibiotics, Member of ECMID and the ICID.



 







Abstract




Objectives: To evaluate the knowledge of adult urban Lebanese women regarding cervical cancer (CC), its symptoms and risk factors and Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, its diagnostic tests and vaccination. To measure the uptake of the CC screening test (Pap smear) and the uptake of HPV vaccination and to determine the influencing factors.



Methods: 444 women aged ≥18 years previously healthy fill out a 32 item questionnaire about CC and HPV. Data was analyzed in SPSS® v. 21.0.



Results: 45.7% aged 18 to 25, were Christian (50.7%), single (49.3%), with high education (73.9%) and currently employed (49.1%) in a field not related to health (84.9%). They did not visit a general physician (64%) or a gynecologist (64.6%) regularly. 85.6% were aware of CC. HPV involvement in the pathogenesis of CC was correctly identified in 53.9%. 35.6% were aware of HPV infection but 80.4% believed they lack information. 37.6% had a Pap smear at least once whereas 9% did not know what a Pap smear was. Screening and regular visits to a physician were significantly associated with CC awareness. Only 11.7% aged 18 to 35 were vaccinated against HPV. Vaccination uptake was significantly associated with CC awareness, religion, field of work and studies, and regular visits to gynecologists.



Conclusion: Urban Lebanese women are not well informed in regards to CC and HPV. Screening by Pap smear and HPV vaccination uptakes are non-satisfactory. Further interventions are required in order to improve these numbers.

























Location: Szent Laszlo room 

















































Biography




Charulata has completed her PhD and She is senior consultant embryologist at Yashoda Fertility and Research Institute, Hyderabad, India. She has a 18 long years’ experience in field of ART.  She keeps herself updated with recent advances in ART and regular in writing Abstracts, Posters, Oral paper presentations in national and international forum.







Abstract




Objective: To follow up the outcome of sibling oocytes subjected to high insemination concentration (HIC) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in the first cycles of male sub fertility with normal sperm morphology ≤4%



Design: Randomized study



Patient(s):  26 couples undergoing first cycle of IVF-ICSI



Intervention(s):  Performing IVF with HIC and ICSI on sibling oocytes



Main outcome measure(s): Fertilization and pregnancy rate



Result(s): A controlled comparison between IVF-HIC and ICSI was made for 26 patients with ≤ 4% normal sperm morphology and ≥10x106 motile spermatozoa per semen preparation. Female partner’s age was 31±3.1 and day 3 FSH was 7.9±1.1. HIC procedure involved insemination under micro droplets with sperm concentration 2-5 fold higher than standard IVF. ICSI was done as per available standard procedure. A total of 316 oocytes were retrieved from 26 pickups. 182 were subjected to ICSI and 143 MII oocytes were micro manipulated and 134 were subjected to HIC. Fertilization rate between ICSI and HIC was 88.8% (127/143) and 80.5% (108/134). The pregnancy rate in the two groups was 44% (6/14) and 41.6% (5/12).



Conclusion: The present study offered HIC as an initial form of treatment for male sub fertility, as long as ICSI remains more expensive and required skillful embryologist. However, the use of sibling oocytes for ICSI is recommended, especially in cases with <4% normal sperm morphology.