IgG antibody levels against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in mother-child dyads after COVID-19 vaccination.

PURPOSE: We aimed to assess IgG antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (anti-SARS-CoV-2 S IgG) in vaccinated mothers and their infants at delivery and 2-3 months of age. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study on mothers who received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BNT162b2, Moderna mRNA-1273, or Oxford-AstraZeneca ChAdOx1-S) during pregnancy and on their infants. The baseline was at the time of delivery (n = 93), and the end of follow-up was 2 to 3 months post-partum (n = 53). Serum anti-SARS-CoV-2 S IgG titers and ACE2 binding inhibition levels were quantified by immunoassays. RESULTS: Mothers and infants had high anti-SARS-CoV-2 S IgG titers against the B.1 lineage at birth. However, while antibody titers were maintained at 2-3 months post-partum in mothers, they decreased significantly in infants (p < 0.001). Positive and significant correlations were found between anti-SARS-CoV-2 S IgG titers and ACE2-binding inhibition levels in mothers and infants at birth and 2-3 months post-partum (r > 0.8, p < 0.001). Anti-S antibodies were also quantified for the Omicron variant at 2-3 months post-partum. The antibody titers against Omicron were significantly lower in mothers and infants than those against B.1 (p < 0.001). Again, a positive correlation was observed for Omicron between IgG titers and ACE2-binding inhibition both in mothers (r = 0.818, p < 0.001) and infants (r = 0.386, p < 0.005). Previous SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination near delivery positively impacted anti-SARS-CoV-2 S IgG levels. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 mRNA vaccines induce high anti-SARS-CoV-2 S titers in pregnant women, which can inhibit the binding of ACE2 to protein S and are efficiently transferred to the fetus. However, there was a rapid decrease in antibody levels at 2 to 3 months post-partum, particularly in infants.

Chemical Characterization of an Encapsulated Red Wine Powder and Its Effects on Neuronal Cells.

Red wine polyphenols are known for their implications for human health protection, although they suffer from high instability. For this reason, a red wine powder was prepared by freeze-drying encapsulation in maltodextrin/arabic gum matrix, and its composition was determined by means of high-performance liquid chromatography coupled quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS-QTOF). More than thirty polyphenols, including anthocyanins, flavanols, flavonols, phenolic acids and stilbenoids, were identified. Some of the main quantified polyphenols were: malvidin-3-O-glucoside, malvidin 3-O-(6″-acetyl-glucose), petunidin-3-O-glucoside, quercetin-3-O-glucuronide, syringenin-3-O-glucoside, epicatechin, gallic acid and syringic acid. The biological activity of this de-alcoholized and encapsulated red wine on human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells was studied. The results showed that the encapsulated red wine powder has active redox properties, as verified by performing reactive oxygen species (ROS) analysis utilizing a neuronal model. This could help explain its action against the neurotoxicity induced by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA).

Reflexiones sobre la implementación de Estomatología Integral VI en la carrera de Estomatología / Reflections on the implementation of Comprehensive Dentistry VI in Dentistry undergraduate studies

Fundamento: el perfeccionamiento del currículo es una estrategia priorizada del sistema educacional. Métodos: se realizó una investigación descriptiva transversal, dirigida a caracterizar la implementación de la asignatura Estomatología Integral VI de la carrera en la Clínica Universitaria de Especialidades Estomatológicas de Bayamo. El estudio comprendió el período de marzo de 2011 a enero de 2012, y participaron 6 profesores y 87 estudiantes de tercer año. Se emplearon métodos teóricos, empíricos y estadísticos. Resultados: se identificaron los principales problemas que atentaron contra el adecuado desarrollo del proceso formativo, entre los que se encuentran: criterios de satisfacción diferentes desde la visión de estudiantes y profesores, problemas con la accesibilidad a la bibliografía, planteamiento de objetivos y el nexo con otras asignaturas. Conclusiones: todo ello puede ser de importancia durante la puesta en marcha del Plan de Estudios D de Estomatología, donde los contenidos de esta asignatura pasarán a formar parte de otras unidades curriculares con nueva nomenclatura y estructura diferente; no obstante, servirán de referente para emprender una acertada gestión docente del currículo.

Background: the improvement of curriculums is a priority strategy of the education system. Methods: a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with the aim of characterizing the implementation of the subject Comprehensive Dentistry VI in Dentistry undergraduate studies at the Dental Specialties University Clinic in Bayamo. The study included the period from March 2011 to January 2012, with the participation of six teachers and 87 3rd year students. Theoretical, empirical and statistical methods were used. Results: the main problems that hindered the proper development of the educational process were identified, for instance, different satisfaction criteria from the standpoint of students and teachers, problems in the access to literature, the setting of objectives, and the link with other subjects. Conclusions: all this could be important for the implementation of Syllabus D in Dentistry undergraduate studies, where the contents of this subject will become part of other curricular units with a new nomenclature and a different structure; however, they will be point of reference for a correct teaching management of the curriculum.