RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus has currently affected millions of people around the world. To combat the rapid spread of COVID-19 there is an urgent need to implement technological platforms for the production of vaccines, drugs and diagnostic systems by the scientific community and pharmaceutical companies. The SARS-CoV-2 virus enters the cells by the interaction between the receptor-binding domain (RBD) present in the viral surface spike protein and its human receptor ACE2. The RBD protein is therefore considered as the target for potential subunit-based vaccines. METHODS AND RESULTS: We evaluate the use of Nicotiana benthamiana plants as the host to transiently-producing recombinant RBD (RBDr) protein. The identity of the plant-produced RBDr was confirmed by immune assays and mass spectrometry. Immunogenicity was confirmed through the specific antibodies generated in all of the immunized mice compared to the PBS treated group. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusions, the immunogenicity of the RBDr produced in N. benthamiana was confirmed. These findings support the use of plants as an antigen expression system for the rapid development of vaccine candidates.
Assuntos
COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Animais , Anticorpos Neutralizantes , Anticorpos Antivirais , COVID-19/prevenção & controle , Humanos , Camundongos , Pandemias/prevenção & controle , Glicoproteína da Espícula de Coronavírus/genética , Nicotiana/genética , Nicotiana/metabolismo , Vacinas de Subunidades AntigênicasRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Prior research has established some risk factors for an increased risk of severe disease and mortality from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, the impact of HIV infection on SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and severity is a significant gap in the literature. In the same way, not many studies across the globe have analyzed the degree of vaccination willingness among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and considerations regarding prioritizing this population during vaccination plans, particularly in developing countries. METHODS: A descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted. Self-completed electronic surveys directed to PLWHA were performed via Twitter in February 2021, using accounts of HIV activists. RESULTS: 460 (87.1%) participants were willing to be vaccinated with any COVID-19 vaccine. The reasons for that were listed as 1) the belief that vaccination prevents both the COVID-19 infection (81.3%) as well as being a spreader (52.2%); 2) having a high occupational risk of becoming infected with COVID-19 (22%); and 3) the belief that they would be at high risk of death because of COVID-19 (21.3%). Only 56 (10.6%) participants expressed hesitancy toward vaccination, and 12 (2.2%) stated they did not want to get vaccinated. CONCLUSIONS: Our results may support the prioritization of people living with HIV during the implementation of vaccination plans in developing countries. New strategies should be adopted to overcome the hesitancy and unwillingness toward the COVID-19 vaccination, especially in populations with risk factors for severe disease.
Assuntos
COVID-19 , Infecções por HIV , COVID-19/epidemiologia , COVID-19/prevenção & controle , Vacinas contra COVID-19 , Estudos Transversais , Infecções por HIV/epidemiologia , Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Prática em Saúde , Humanos , América Latina/epidemiologia , SARS-CoV-2 , VacinaçãoRESUMO
Uncontrolled diabetes results in several metabolic alterations including hyperglycemia. Indeed, several preclinical and clinical studies have suggested that this condition may induce susceptibility and the development of more aggressive infectious diseases, especially those caused by some bacteria (including Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Streptococcus pneumoniae, among others) and viruses [such as coronavirus 2 (CoV2), Influenza A virus, Hepatitis B, etc.]. Although the precise mechanisms that link glycemia to the exacerbated infections remain elusive, hyperglycemia is known to induce a wide array of changes in the immune system activity, including alterations in: (i) the microenvironment of immune cells (e.g., pH, blood viscosity and other biochemical parameters); (ii) the supply of energy to infectious bacteria; (iii) the inflammatory response; and (iv) oxidative stress as a result of bacterial proliferative metabolism. Consistent with this evidence, some bacterial infections are typical (and/or have a worse prognosis) in patients with hypercaloric diets and a stressful lifestyle (conditions that promote hyperglycemic episodes). On this basis, the present review is particularly focused on: (i) the role of diabetes in the development of some bacterial and viral infections by analyzing preclinical and clinical findings; (ii) discussing the possible mechanisms by which hyperglycemia may increase the susceptibility for developing infections; and (iii) further understanding the impact of hyperglycemia on the immune system.
Assuntos
Infecções Bacterianas/etiologia , COVID-19/etiologia , Complicações do Diabetes/imunologia , Complicações do Diabetes/fisiopatologia , Suscetibilidade a Doenças , Hiperglicemia/complicações , Viroses/etiologia , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-IdadeRESUMO
Infantile hemangiomas (IH) are frequent (4-5% of the childhood population) benign vascular tumors that involve accumulation, proliferation, and differentiation of aberrant vascular cells. Typically, IH are innocuous and spontaneously disappear, but they represent a potential risk for harmful effects in the body (e.g., permanent disfigurement) and health (e.g., ulcerations) in some patients. From a serendipitous discovery, the nonselective ß-adrenoceptor blocker propranolol (which blocks ß1-adrenoceptors, ß2-adrenoceptors, and ß3-adrenoceptors) emerged as an alternative therapy to treat this pathology and it quickly became a first-line treatment for IH. Nevertheless, its specific mechanisms of action remain thus far unknown. In this respect, several studies have suggested that ß1-adrenoceptors and ß2-adrenoceptors play a role in proliferative and angiogenic mechanisms. However, current basic research studies suggest that ß3-adrenoceptors could be also involved. Notably, ß3-adrenoceptors stimulate multiple intracellular pathways related to vascular function (e.g., blood flow, angiogenesis, etc.). This review compiles some lines of evidence suggesting that ß3-adrenoceptors may: (1) play a role in the pathophysiology of IH and (2) represent a potential therapeutic target for IH treatment. Hence, clinical evidence is mandatory to decide whether incorporation of ß3-adrenoceptor blockers into the therapeutic armamentarium may increase effectiveness in the treatment of IH and other vascular anomalies.
Assuntos
Antagonistas de Receptores Adrenérgicos beta 3/uso terapêutico , Antineoplásicos/uso terapêutico , Hemangioma Capilar/tratamento farmacológico , Síndromes Neoplásicas Hereditárias/tratamento farmacológico , Neovascularização Patológica , Receptores Adrenérgicos beta 3/efeitos dos fármacos , Antagonistas de Receptores Adrenérgicos beta 3/efeitos adversos , Animais , Antineoplásicos/efeitos adversos , Hemangioma Capilar/metabolismo , Hemangioma Capilar/patologia , Humanos , Síndromes Neoplásicas Hereditárias/metabolismo , Síndromes Neoplásicas Hereditárias/patologia , Receptores Adrenérgicos beta 3/metabolismo , Transdução de Sinais/efeitos dos fármacos , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To compare the modifications in lipids between patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) receiving etanercept plus methotrexate (ETA + MTX) versus methotrexate (MTX) and their relationship with serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). METHODS: In an observational cohort study, we compared changes in lipid levels in patients receiving ETA + MTX versus MTX in RA. These groups were assessed at baseline and at 4 and 24 weeks, measuring clinical outcomes, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and TNF-α. RESULTS: Baseline values for lipid levels were similar in both groups. HDL-C levels increased significantly only in the ETA + MTX group (from 45.5 to 50.0 mg/dL at 4 weeks, a 10.2% increase, P < 0.001, and to 56.0 mg/dL at 24 weeks, a 25.1% increase, P < 0.001), while other lipids underwent no significant changes. ETA + MTX also exhibited a significant increase in TNF-α (44.8 pg/mL at baseline versus 281.4 pg/mL at 24 weeks, P < 0.001). The MTX group had no significant changes in lipids or TNF-α. Significant differences in HDL-C between groups were observed at 24 weeks (P = 0.04) and also in TNF-α (P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: HDL-C levels increased significantly following treatment with ETA + MTX, without a relationship with decrease of TNF-α.
Assuntos
Antirreumáticos/uso terapêutico , Artrite Reumatoide/tratamento farmacológico , Imunoglobulina G/uso terapêutico , Lipídeos/sangue , Metotrexato/uso terapêutico , Receptores do Fator de Necrose Tumoral/uso terapêutico , Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa/sangue , Adulto , Antirreumáticos/administração & dosagem , Artrite Reumatoide/sangue , Artrite Reumatoide/epidemiologia , Quimioterapia Combinada , Etanercepte , Feminino , Humanos , Imunoglobulina G/administração & dosagem , Masculino , Metotrexato/administração & dosagem , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Estudos Prospectivos , Receptores do Fator de Necrose Tumoral/administração & dosagemRESUMO
Inter-American Meeting, at the Minister Level, on Animal Health, 11. Pan American Health Organization; 13-15 April 1999
Assuntos
Doenças dos Animais , Saúde Pública Veterinária , América LatinaRESUMO
Reunion Interamericana de Salud Animal a Nivel Ministerial, 11. Organizacion Panamericana de la Salud; 13-15 abril 1999
Assuntos
Saúde Pública Veterinária , Doenças dos Animais , Cooperação Internacional , Higiene dos AlimentosRESUMO
Se presenta una serie compuesta por 10 perros que fueron inducidos a pancreatitis aguda grave mediante la inyección intraductal de cloruro de calcio. Después de 12 horas, y en una nueva operación, se les realizó la administración del Ethibloc. Los resultados de este nuevo enfoque terapéutico demostraron también en esta serie, la reducción de la mortalidad del 100% dentro de las 36 horas, característica del cloruro de calcio al 10%. Se analizan los resultados de su evolución clínica y se describen los hallazgos anatomopatológicos comparándolos con las series anteriores (AU)
Assuntos
Cães , Animais , Aminoácidos/uso terapêutico , Pancreatite/induzido quimicamente , Cloreto de Cálcio/farmacologia , Doença Aguda , Pancreatite/fisiopatologia , Pancreatite/patologia , Pancreatite/tratamento farmacológicoRESUMO
Se presenta una serie compuesta por 10 perros que fueron inducidos a pancreatitis aguda grave mediante la inyección intraductal de cloruro de calcio. Después de 12 horas, y en una nueva operación, se les realizó la administración del Ethibloc. Los resultados de este nuevo enfoque terapéutico demostraron también en esta serie, la reducción de la mortalidad del 100% dentro de las 36 horas, característica del cloruro de calcio al 10%. Se analizan los resultados de su evolución clínica y se describen los hallazgos anatomopatológicos comparándolos con las series anteriores