Preparing for the Next Pandemic: Increased Expression of Interferon-Stimulated Genes After Local Administration of Nasalferon or HeberNasvac.

HeberNasvac, a therapeutic vaccine for chronic hepatitis B, is able to safely stimulate multiple Toll-like receptors, increasing antigen presentation in vitro and in a phase II clinical trial (Profira) in elderly volunteers who were household contacts of respiratory infection patients. Thus, a new indication as a postexposure prophylaxis or early therapy for respiratory infections has been proposed. In this study, we evaluated the expression of several interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) after mucosal administration of HeberNasvac and compared this effect with the nasal delivery of interferon alpha 2b (Nasalferon). Molecular studies of blood samples of 50 subjects from the Profira clinical trial who were locally treated with HeberNasvac or Nasalferon and concurrent untreated individuals were compared based on their relative mRNA expression of OAS1, ISG15, ISG20, STAT1, STAT3, and DRB1-HLA II genes. In most cases, the gene expression induced by HeberNasvac was similar in profile and intensity to the expression induced by Nasalferon and significantly superior to that observed in untreated controls. The immune stimulatory effect of HeberNasvac on ISGs paved the way for its future use as an innate immunity stimulator in elderly persons and immunocompromised subjects or as part of Mambisa, a nasal vaccine to prevent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection.

Riesgos y complicaciones asociados al embarazo en la adolescencia / Risks and complications associated with pregnancy in adolescent ages

RESUMEN Introducción: el embarazo en la adolescencia constituye un problema de salud en el mundo, repercute en la sociedad y compromete la salud de la madre y del feto. Objetivo: describir los factores de riesgos y complicaciones asociados al embarazo en la adolescencia. Métodos: se realizó una revisión bibliográfica sobre el embarazo en la adolescencia. Se expresó criterios de autores y resultados de investigaciones disponibles en las bases de datos SciELO, Medline, PubMED. Se empleó un total de 30 referencias bibliográficas, más del 75 % de la literatura consultada corresponde a los últimos cinco años. Desarrollo: el embarazo en la adolescencia no tiene causa específica. En su desarrollo inciden factores de riesgos individuales, familiares y socioeconómicos. Las complicaciones del embarazo en edades tempranas son frecuentes, constituyen un alto riesgo obstétrico pues compromete la vida de la madre y el feto. Las complicaciones se asocian fundamentalmente a las características biológicas de la madre y a la edad gestacional que presenta. Conclusiones: los principales factores de riesgos asociados con el embarazo adolescente están relacionados con el inicio precoz de las relaciones sexuales, la deficiente educación sexual y los conflictos con la familia. Las complicaciones más significativas asociadas a gestantes adolescentes son la enfermedad hipertensiva gestacional, los traumas obstétricos del parto, el recién nacido pretérmino y el bajo peso. La prevención de los factores de riesgos, desarrollar una correcta educación sexual por la familia, la sociedad y los profesionales de la salud, favorecerá a la disminución de los embarazos en edades tempranas.

ABSTRACT Introduction: pregnancy in adolescent age constitutes a health problem all over the world, having repercussion throughout the society and affecting the health of the mother and the fetus. Objective: to describe the risk factors and complications associated with pregnancy in adolescent age. Methods: a bibliographic review with reference to pregnancy in adolescent age was carried out. The criteria of the authors and the results of the available researches in SciELO, Medline, PubMED databases were expressed; using a total of 30 bibliographic references, more than 75 % of the consulted literature corresponded to the last 5 years. Development: pregnancy in adolescent ages has not a specific cause. In its increase individual, familial and socioeconomic risk factors influence. Complications in pregnancy at early ages are frequent, and constitute a high obstetric risk affecting the life of the mother and the fetus. Complications are mainly associated with the biological characteristics of the mother and her gestational age. Conclusions: the main risk factors associated with pregnancy in adolescent ages are related to early initiation of sexual relations, poor sexual education and conflicts with the family. The most significant complications associated with pregnancy in adolescent ages are gestational hypertensive disease, obstetric trauma of delivery, preterm newborn and low birth weight (LBW). The prevention of risk factors, to develop a correct sexual education by the family, the society and the healthcare professionals will favor to decrease the rates of pregnancy in early ages.

Tabaquismo y su relación con las enfermedades cardiovasculares / Smoking and its relation to cardiovascular diseases

Introducción: El tabaquismo es un grave problema de salud mundial debido a los daños asociados a su consumo. Es la causa que más influye en la morbilidad y mortalidad por enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles. Se encuentra relacionado con el desarrollo de enfermedades cardiovasculares. Objetivo: Describir las afectaciones provocadas por el tabaquismo en el sistema cardiovascular. Material y Métodos: Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica empleando literatura nacional e internacional, en formato electrónico e impreso. Se expresaron criterios de autores y resultados de investigaciones disponibles en las bases de datos SciELO, Medline, PubMED y Google. Se emplearon un total de 26 referencias bibliográficas. Los criterios de selección establecieron un período de 5 años hasta la actualidad, utilizando además literaturas anteriores de valor para esta investigación. Desarrollo: La nicotina es el principal componente del tabaco que ejerce un poder adictivo.Fumar tiene un efecto sinérgico con la presencia de otros factores de riesgo aumentando el riesgo cardiovascular total. La probabilidad de desarrollar afectaciones cardiovasculares en fumadores se relaciona directamente con el número de cigarrillos consumidos diariamente y el tiempo de evolución. Conclusiones: El tabaquismo constituye una mala conducta social y un peligroso factor de riesgo, representando la principal causa de mortalidad y morbilidad cardiovascular posible de prevenir en el mundo(AU)

Introduction: Smoking is a serious global health problem due to the damages associated with its consumption. It is the cause that most influences morbidity and mortality due to chronic non-communicable diseases. It is related to the development of cardiovascular diseases. Objective: To describe the affectations of the cardiovascular system caused by smoking. Material and Methods: A bibliographic review was made using national and international literature, in both electronic and printed formats. Authors' criteria and research results available from SciELO, Medline, PubMED and Google databases were expressed. A total of 26 bibliographical references were used. Selection criteria established a period of 5 years to date, also using previous literature of great value for this research. Development: Nicotine is the main component of tobacco that exerts an addictive power. Smoking has a synergistic effect on other health related risk factors, thus increasing the total cardiovascular risk. The probability of developing cardiovascular affectations in smokers is directly related to the number of cigarettes consumed daily and the time of evolution. Conclusions: Smoking constitutes a bad social behavior and a dangerous risk factor, representing the main cause of mortality and cardiovascular morbidity that can be prevented in the world(AU)