SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF THYMIC PEPTIDES IN THE TREATMENT OF HOSPITALIZED COVID-19 PATIENTS IN HONDURAS.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) active cases continue to demand the development of safe and effective treatments. This is the first clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of oral thymic peptides. ; We conducted a nonrandomized phase 2 trial with a historic control group to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a daily 250-mg oral dose of thymic peptides in the treatment of hospitalized Covid-19 patients. Comparisons based on standard care from registry data were performed after propensity score matching. The primary outcomes were survival, time to recovery, and number of participants with treatment-related adverse events or side effects by day 20. ; A total of 44 patients were analyzed in this study: 22 in the thymic peptide group and 22 in the standard care group. There were no deaths in the intervention group compared to 24% mortality in standard care by day 20 (log-rank P=0.02). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a significantly shorter time to recovery by day 20 in the thymic peptide group than in the standard care group (median, 6 days vs. 12 days; hazard ratio for recovery, 2.75 [95% confidence interval, 1.34 to 5.62]; log-rank P=0.002). No side effects or adverse events were reported. ; In patients hospitalized with Covid-19, the use of thymic peptides resulted in no side effects, adverse events, or deaths by day 20. Compared with the registry data, a significantly shorter time to recovery and mortality reduction were measured.

Beyond the wing planform: morphological differentiation between migratory and nonmigratory dragonfly species.

Migration is a significant trait of the animal kingdom that can impose a strong selective pressure on several structures to overcome the amount of energy that the organism invests in this particular behaviour. Wing linear dimensions and planform have been a traditional focus in the study of flying migratory species; however, other traits could also influence aerodynamic performance. We studied the differences in several flight-related traits of migratory and nonmigratory Libellulid species in a phylogenetic context to assess their response to migratory behaviour. Wings were compared by linear measurements, shape, surface corrugations and microtrichia number. Thorax size and pilosity were also compared. Migratory species have larger and smoother wings, a larger anal lobe that is reached through an expansion of the discoidal region, and longer and denser thoracic pilosity. These differences might favour gliding as an energy-saving displacement strategy. Most of the changes were identified in the hind wings. No differences were observed for the thorax linear dimensions, wetted aspect ratio, some wing corrugations or the wing microtrichiae number. Similar changes in the hind wing are present in clades where migration evolved. Our results emphasize that adaptations to migration through flight may extend to characteristics beyond the wing planform and that some wing characteristics in libellulids converge in response to migratory habits, whereas other closely related structures remain virtually unchanged. Additionally, we concluded that despite a close functional association and similar selective pressures on a structure, significant differences in the magnitude of the response may be present in its components.

[Alkaptonuria: evolution and course of the disease towards ochronotic arthropathy. Series of cases managed with joint replacement]. / Alcaptonuria: evolución y curso de la enfermedad hacia artropatía ocronótica. Serie de casos manejados con reemplazo articular.

INTRODUCTION: alkaptonuria is a very rare metabolic disease with autosomal recessive inheritance due to HGA oxidase deficiency. Classically described and diagnosed in the third to fourth decade of life, affecting both men and women; Its diagnostic impression is clinical based on the blue/black coloration of the conjunctivae, however it is confirmed by the specific analysis of the enzyme in the urine, to date there is no cure and its treatment is palliative and symptomatic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: descriptive, observational, case series study, the primary objective of which is to describe the progression of the disease and its involvement in the musculoskeletal system. RESULTS: two clinical cases are presented in women and men in which the broad clinic is illustrated, its progressive advance and the different alterations that it can generate in the musculoskeletal system. CONCLUSIONS: alkaptonuria is a rare disease which leads to a severe secondary arthropathy, currently without a specific management which is based on treating the symptoms, in its final stages joint replacements are a management option with satisfactory results for the relief of pain.

INTRODUCCIÓN: la alcaptonuria es una enfermedad metabólica inusual, de herencia autosómica recesiva dada por la deficiencia de la oxidasa de HGA. Clásicamente descrita y diagnosticada sobre la tercera a cuarta década de la vida, la cual tiene afectación en ambos sexos, su impresión diagnóstica es clínica, basándose en la coloración azul/negro de las conjuntivas; sin embargo, se confirma mediante el análisis específico de la enzima en la orina, actualmente no existe un tratamiento definitivo, sólo alternativas en cuanto a lo paliativo y sintomático. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: estudio descriptivo, observacional, de tipo serie de casos, como objetivo primario se describe la progresión de la enfermedad y su compromiso en el sistema musculoesquelético. RESULTADOS: se presentan dos casos clínicos en mujer y hombre, los cuales ilustran: variedad clínica, avance progresivo y las alteraciones que puede generar en el sistema musculoesquelético. CONCLUSIONES: la alcaptonuria es una enfermedad rara, la cual conlleva una artropatía secundaria severa, sin un tratamiento definitivo dirigido a tratar los síntomas, incluso en sus estadios finales los reemplazos articulares son una opción para proporcionar manejo del dolor obteniendo resultados satisfactorios.

OCT-angiography for diagnosis and response to treatment of subretinal neovascularization secondary to idiopathic macular telangiectasia type 2.

Idiopathic macular telangiectasia type 2 (MacTel 2) is a slow and progressive bilateral condition that affects middle-aged and elderly individuals. Vision loss is generally mild and occurs over the course of many years. The development of sub-retinal neovascularisation (SRNV) can occur late in the disease process, and lead to more dramatic vision loss. A report is presented of 2 cases of MacTel 2 in which optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) was essential for the diagnosis of secondary SRNV. The commercially available OCTA Cirrus AngioPlex 5000 platform (Zeiss, Jena, Germany) was used. Subretinal neovascularization was detectable in both cases in OCTA at the level of the deep capillary plexus and the avascular layer. OCTA also allowed us to monitor disease progression and monitor response to anti-VEGF therapy.

Mutational analysis of Arabidopsis thaliana ABCE2 identifies important motifs for its RNA silencing suppressor function.

ATP-binding cassette sub-family E member 1 (ABCE1) is recognized as a strongly conserved ribosome recycling factor, indispensable for translation in archaea and eukaryotes, however, its role in plants remains largely unidentified. Arabidopsis thaliana encodes two paralogous ABCE proteins (AtABCE1 and AtABCE2), sharing 81% identity. We previously reported that AtABCE2 functions as a suppressor of RNA silencing and that its gene is ubiquitously expressed. Here we describe the structural requirements of AtABCE2 for its suppressor function. Using agroinfiltration assays, we transiently overexpressed mutated versions of AtABCE2 together with GFP, to induce silencing in GFP transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. The influence of mutations was analysed at both local and systemic levels by in vivo imaging of GFP, Northern blot analysis of GFP siRNAs and observation of plants under UV light. Mutants of AtABCE2 with impaired ATP binding in either active site I or II failed to suppress GFP RNA silencing. Mutations disrupting ATP hydrolysis influenced the suppression of silencing differently at active site I or II. We also found that the N-terminal iron-sulphur cluster domain of AtABCE2 is crucial for its suppressor function. Meaningfully, the observed structural requirements of AtABCE2 for RNA silencing suppression were found to be similar to those of archaeal ABCE1 needed for ribosome recycling. AtABCE2 might therefore suppress RNA silencing via supporting the competing RNA degradation mechanisms associated with ribosome recycling.

Atypical bilateral presentation in idiopathic macular telangiectasia type 1.

Idiopathic macular telangiectasia type 1 (MacTel 1) almost always occurs unilaterally. In this article, we report the case of a 73-year-old man with no significant history diagnosed with MacTel 1 but with atypical bilateral presentation, something very rare in this disease. The usefulness of multimodal imaging studies, including optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), is highlighted to differentiate it from macular telangectasia type 2 (MacTel 2). The patient's condition was characterized by cystoid macular edema (CME) with discreet results with treatment with a dexamethasone implant. However, aflibercept therapy showed favorable results, but with recurrences when extending the doses.

OCT-angiography for diagnosis and response to treatment of subretinal neovascularization secondary to idiopathic macular telangiectasia type 2. / Angiografía-OCT para diagnóstico y respuesta al tratamiento de la neovascularización subretiniana secundaria a telangiectasia macular idiopática tipo 2.

Idiopathic macular telangiectasia type 2 (MacTel 2) is a slow and progressive bilateral condition that affects middle-aged and elderly individuals. Vision loss is generally mild and occurs over the course of many years. The development of sub-retinal neovascularisation (SRNV) can occur late in the disease process, and lead to more dramatic vision loss. A report is presented of 2cases of MacTel 2 in which optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) was essential for the diagnosis of secondary SRNV. The commercially available OCTA Cirrus AngioPlex 5000 platform (Zeiss, Jena, Germany) was used. Subretinal neovascularization was detectable in both cases in OCTA at the level of the deep capillary plexus and the avascular layer. OCTA also allowed us to monitor disease progression and monitor response to anti-VEGF therapy.

Focal laser for idiopathic macular telangectasia type 1 refractory to ozurdex, ranibizumab and aflibercept. / Láser focal para telangectasia macular idiopática tipo 1 refractario a ozurdex, ranibizumab y aflibercept.

We present a case of a woman with idiopathic macular telangiectasia type 1, characterized by the presence of a capillary macroanaeurysm associated with macular edema with a macular star pattern. Several differential diagnoses were proposed, in which the study with a multimodal image was key to clarify the diagnosis. In addition, the various treatments used and their effectiveness are discussed.

Atypical bilateral presentation in idiopathic macular telangiectasia type 1. / Presentación bilateral atípica en telangiectasia macular idiopática tipo 1.

Idiopathic macular telangiectasia type 1 (MacTel 1) almost always occurs unilaterally. In this article, we report the case of a 73-year-old man with no significant history diagnosed with MacTel 1 but with atypical bilateral presentation, something very rare in this disease. The usefulness of multimodal imaging studies, including optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), is highlighted to differentiate it from macular telangectasia type 2 (MacTel 2). The patient's condition was characterized by cystoid macular edema (CME) with discreet results with treatment with a dexamethasone implant. However, aflibercept therapy showed favorable results, but with recurrences when extending the doses.