RESUMO

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by a complex interplay of vascular damage, inflammation, and fibrosis, affecting the skin and internal organs. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), a protein encoded by the SERPINE1 gene, is a potential biomarker of SSc because it is primarily involved in fibrinolysis and is associated with the severity of some autoimmune diseases. This study aimed to determine the association between SERPINE1 variant -675 4G/5G and soluble PAI-1 (sPAI-1) levels with the clinical characteristics and risk of SSc in a Mexican population. This cross-sectional study included 56 SSc patients and 114 control subjects (CSs). The variant was genotyped via the PCR-RFLP method and the levels of sPAI-1 were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). The -675 4G/5G variant was not associated with SSc risk or sPAI-I levels. However, higher sPAI-1 levels were observed in SSc patients than in CSs (p = 0.045); these levels were significantly correlated with age, platelets, glucose, and serum levels of transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1, 2, and 3. The SERPINE1 -675 4G/5G variant did not show any association with SSc risk or sPAI-I levels. However, our study shows a possible alteration of sPAI-1 in this disease, which could be associated with the fibrotic and thrombotic processes in SSc.

RESUMO

This study aimed to analyze the dynamics, duration, and production of total and neutralizing antibodies induced by the BNT162b2 vaccine and the possible effect of gender and prior SARS-CoV-2 infection on the generation of these antibodies. Total antibodies were quantified via chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA), and neutralizing antibodies were quantified using the cPass SARS-CoV-2 kit. Individuals with a history of COVID-19 produced twice as many antibodies than vaccinated individuals without prior SARS-CoV-2 infection, with an exponential increase observed in just six days. In those without a COVID-19 history, similar antibody production was reached 45 days after vaccination. Although total antibodies decline considerably in the first two months, the neutralizing antibodies and their inhibitory capacity (>96%) persist up to 6 months after the first dose. There was a tendency for higher total antibodies in women than men, but not at the inhibition capacity level. We suggest that the decline in total antibodies should not be considered as an indicator of loss of protective immunity because most antibodies decay two months after the second dose, but neutralizing antibodies remain constant for at least six months. Therefore, these latter antibodies could be better indicators for estimating the time-dependent vaccine efficacy.

RESUMO

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), every year, more than 700 thousand people die from this cause. Therefore, suicide is a public health issue. The complex interaction between different factors causes suicide; however, depression is one of the most frequent factors in people who have attempted suicide. Several studies have reported that vitamin D deficiency may be a relevant risk factor for depression, and vitamin D supplementation has shown promising effects in the adjunctive treatment of this mood disorder. Among the beneficial mechanisms of vitamin D, it has been proposed that it may enhance serotonin synthesis and modulate proinflammatory cytokines since low serotonin levels and systemic inflammation have been associated with depression and suicide. The present narrative review shows the potential pathogenic role of vitamin D deficiency in depression and suicide and the potential benefits of vitamin D supplementation to reduce their risk.

Assuntos

Tentativa de Suicídio , Deficiência de Vitamina D , Humanos , Vitamina D/uso terapêutico , Depressão/tratamento farmacológico , Ideação Suicida , Serotonina , Vitaminas/uso terapêutico , Deficiência de Vitamina D/complicações , Deficiência de Vitamina D/tratamento farmacológico

RESUMO

This is the first study outside of clinical trials (phase I-III) evaluating the ability of the Ad5-nCoV vaccine to generate neutralizing antibodies and the factors associated with optimal or suboptimal response. In a longitudinal assay, 346 people (117 with prior COVID-19 and 229 without prior COVID-19) vaccinated with Ad5-nCoV were recruited. The percentage of neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 (Surrogate Virus Neutralization Test) and antibodies against Ad5 (ADV-Ad5 IgG ELISA) were quantified pre and post-vaccination effects. The Ad5-nCoV vaccine induces higher neutralizing antibodies percentage in individuals with prior COVID-19 than those without prior COVID-19 (median [IQR]: 98% [97-98.1] vs. 72% [54-90], respectively; p < 0.0001). Furthermore, a natural infection (before vaccination) induces more neutralizing antibodies percentage than immunized individuals without prior COVID-19 (p < 0.01). No patient had vaccine-severe adverse effects. The age, antidepressant, and immunosuppressive treatments, reactogenicity, and history of COVID-19 are associated with impaired antibody production. The anti-Ad5 antibodies increased after 21 days of post-vaccination in all groups (p < 0.01). We recommend the application of a booster dose of Ad5-nCoV, especially for those individuals without previous COVID-19 infection. Finally, the induction of anti-Ad5 antibodies after vaccination should be considered if a booster with the same vaccine is planned.