Effects of COVID-19 on male sex function and its potential sexual transmission.

INTRODUCTION: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2, (SARS-CoV-2) was first identified by the Chinese Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on January 8, 2020 and was declared as a global pandemic on March 11, 2020 by WHO. SARS-CoV-2 uses the Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor as an entry route, associated with the transmembrane serine protease protein (TMPRSS2), which makes the testis and particularly spermatogenesis potentially vulnerable, since this tissue has high expression of ACE2. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a systematic literature review by electronic bibliographic databases in Pubmed, Scopus and ScienceDirect up to August 2020 about the effect of SARS-CoV-2 on male sexual function and its transmission, to assess possible repercussions on sex organs and the existence of a sexual transmission path. RESULTS: Although SARS-CoV-2 presence has not been found in testicle samples, it has been demonstrated that it causes histological changes compatible with orchitis, and sex hormone disturbances. TMPRSS2 is up-regulated in prostate cancer where it supports tumor progression, thus these patients may have a higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. TMPRSS2 inhibitors may be useful for the treatment or prevention of COVID-19. No viral material has been found in blood or semen, however it has been proven to be present in stool and saliva. CONCLUSION: The male reproductive system would be highly vulnerable and susceptible to infection by SARS-CoV-2 given the expression of the ACE2 receptor in somatic and germ cells. The seminal fluid would remain free of viral presence in patients with COVID-19. Regardless, non-genital sex could be an important source of viral transmission. In assisted reproduction techniques all necessary tests must be carried out to ensure the donor is free of the virus at the time of collection and handling of the seminal sample.

Susceptibilidad de las mucosas oculares al SARS COV-2: bioseguridad sanitaria / Susceptibility of eye mucosa to SARS CoV-2: sanitary biosecurity

RESUMEN: El SARS CoV-2, agente causal de la enfermedad llamada Covid-19, infecta las mucosas digestivas y respiratorias, afectando las células epiteliales. El virus ingresa a través del receptor de membrana ACE2 provocando la disrupción de la homeostasis celular. Frecuentes reportes indican la presencia de conjuntivitis ocular en pacientes diagnosticadas con Covid-19, lo cual ha alertado a los científicos sobre el potencial foco de infección viral de las secresiones lagrimales.Los epitelios de la conjuntiva ocular sub-palpebral y corneal, se caracterizan por presentar el receptor de la enzima convertidora de angiotensina 2 (ACE2) y proteasa transmembrana asociada serina 2 (TMPRSS2), cuya interacción activa los mecanismos de liberación de citoquinas, capaces de instalar un proceso de conjuntivitis infecciosa por SARS CoV-2, pero no necesariamente hacer extensiva la infección hacia los sistemas digestivo y respiratorio.Aunque este proceso inflamatorio es más frecuente como una expresión de la infección general y más grave. Sin embargo, cualquiera sea la vía de infección o ingreso del virus SARS CoV-2 es importante considerar el riesgo de infectividad de las lágrimas y las secresiones conjuntivales en los pacientes. Este estudio pretende llamar la atención sobre las medidas de cuidados y control sanitario, incorporando mejores normas de protección personal y bioseguridad, especialmente en el áreas de oftalmología, asumiendo que la mucosa ocular puede ser una vía de entrada del virus y a la vez una fuente de contagio.También considerar la potenciación de la infección viral con las enfermedades de base asociadas, como glaucoma y diabetes.Se sugiere además incorporar estudios histológicos de la mucosa ocular para diferenciar epitelios sanos e infectados.

SUMMARY: SARS CoV-2, the causal agent of the Covid- 19 disease, infects the digestive and respiratory mucosa, affecting epithelial cells. The virus enters through the ACE2 membrane receptor causing the disruption of cell homeostasis. Frequent reports indicate the presence of ocular conjunctivitis in patients diagnosed with Covid-19, which has alerted scientists to the potential source of viral infection from lacrimal secretions. The epithelia of the sub-palpebral and corneal ocular conjunctiva are characterized by presenting the receptor for angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and associated transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2), whose interaction activates cytokine release mechanisms, with the ability to start the infectious conjunctivitis process by SARS CoV-2, but not necessarily extend the infection to the digestive and respiratory systems. Although this inflammatory process is more frequent as an expression of the general and more serious infection. However, whatever the route of infection or entry of the SARS CoV-2 virus, it is important to consider the risk of infection of tears and conjunctival secretions in patients. This study aims to draw attention to health care and control measures, incorporating better standards of personal protection and biosafety, especially in the areas of ophthalmology, assuming that the ocular mucosa can be a route of entry for the virus, and at the same time a source of contagion. A further consideration is the potential of viral infection with associated underlying diseases, such as glaucoma and diabetes. It is also suggested to incorporate histological studies of the ocular mucosa to differentiate healthy and infected epithelia.

Effect of classical conditioning over immature and mature B lymphocytes regulation.

Classical conditioning (CC) with a sweet flavored is useful for experimental models of immune response. The objective this work was analyze spleen cell response on the differentiation of B-lymphocytes associated with the CC with sweet flavored in adult rats. Twelve adult male rats were divided (n = 3) in Group 1 (control); Group 2 without conditioned stimulus (WCS) received only water; Group 3 receiving only water with salt; Group 4 (experimental) with CS of sweet flavored and salty flavored afterwards. In every work group, all animals were subjected to the unconditioned stimulus (US) treated by 10 mg/kg body weight of cyclophosphamide injected intraperitoneally (i.p.). Subsequently an immunological challenge with sheep red blood cells i.p. was applied. Spleen samples were obtained 15 days after using euthanasia with 1% sodium thiopental i.p. The evaluation B lymphocyte (immature and mature) was performed by immunohistochemistry using specific antibodies against CD20 and against CD37, and revealed with HRP/DAB. The results show in every work group significant increases of CD20+ and CD37+ cell densities in the red pulp of the spleen of male adult rats from different groups of the experimental design. We concluded that the immunomodulatory response under CC might facilitate a less aggressive and more physiological immunological response against immunosuppression. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: The immune response can be reinforced by classical conditioning. The sweet taste allows to positively condition the immune response. B lymphocytes actively participate in the immune response and classical conditioning.

Calidad de vida en conductores de taxis colectivos usando el cuestionario short form 36 Versión 2 / Quality of life in taxis drivers using the questionnaire short form 36 version 2

El presente estudio -no experimental, transversal y descriptivo- tiene por objetivo determinar la calidad de vida mediante el cuestionario de salud SF-36v.2 en conductores de taxis colectivos en Santiago de Chile. La recolección de datos fue realizado entre septiembre y noviembre del año 2013 a 76 conductores de la Empresa de Transportes Unidos de Maipú (ETRUM) S.A, seleccionados mediante participación voluntaria. La técnica de muestreo es mediante registro de información y el muestreo fue no aleatorio. Se utilizó el cuestionario autoadministrado SF-36v.2, para evaluar el perfil de estado de salud respecto a su calidad de vida, calculándose puntuaciones netas que se estandarizaron con la población chilena. La edad media de los participantes fue de 48,1 años (DE = 10,95) (DE = Desviación Estándar). Las dimensiones más afectadas con valores crudos fueron Salud General, Vitalidad, Dolor Corporal y Función Social. Al estandarizar los datos con la población chilena, las dimensiones más afectadas fueron Salud General, Vitalidad, Función Física y Función Social. Sin embargo, las diferencias encontradas al estandarizar los datos no superan el 0,5 de DE respecto a la media de referencia, lo que no supone significancia clínica.

This is a non experimental transversal, descriptive. Our aim is to determine the quality of life using the health questionnaire SF-36v.2 in taxi drivers in Santiago de Chile. Data collection was conducted between September and November 2013. -76 drivers from the United Transport Company of Maipú (ETRUM) S.A., were selected through voluntary participation. The sampling technique is a non random registration of the information. The self-administered questionnaire SF-36v.2 was used to assess the health status profile regarding their quality of life, the overall scores were calculated and standardized with the Chilean population. The average age was 48,1 years (SD = 10,95) (SD = Standard Deviation). The most affected dimensions on raw values are "General Health", "Vitality", "Body Pain" and "Social Function". Once standardized, the most affected dimensions were "General Health", "Vitality", "Physical Function" and "Social Function". However, the differences found by standardizing the data do not exceed 0,5 SD from the mean baseline, which means a lack of clinical significance.

Efecto de dosis única intraperitoneal de cipermetrina en la corteza cerebral somatosensorial de ratones CF- 1 / Effect of a single doses intraperitoneal of cypermethrin in brain somatosensory area of mice CF-1

La cipermetrina es un pesticida ampliamente utilizado en agricultura y en salud pública. Sus efectos histopatológicos a nivel de sistema nervioso central han sido poco estudiados, aún cuando se han demostrado casos de intoxicación en humanos, con importante compromiso neurológico. El propósito de este trabajo es conocer los efectos de una dosis única intraperitoneal de cipermetrina sobre la morfología neuronal de corteza somatosensorial (láminas superficiales y profundas) de ratones CF-1. 35 ratones fueron separados en tres grupos: control (n=5), control vehículo (n=15) y experimental (n=15); los dos últimos grupos sacrificados los días 1, 8, 18, 26 y 35, en grupos de a tres. Los encéfalos fueron removidos, fijados, y procesados con técnica de rutina, para un análisis morfométrico. Análisis estadístico con Kruskal Walli's test. Fueron evidenciadas alteraciones morfológicas correspondientes a muerte neuronal en todas las láminas estudiadas, a los distintos intervalos de tiempo.

The cypermethrin is a pesticide widely used in agriculture and public health. Their histopathological effects at central nervous system level, little have been studied, even though has demonstrated cases of poisoning in humans with important neurological commitment. The aim of this work is to know the effects a intraperitoneal single dose of cypermethrin on neuronal morphology of somatosensory cortex (superficial and deep laminae) of mice CF-1. 35 mice were separated in three groups: control (n=5), control vehicle (n=15) and experimental (n=15); the two last sacrificed groups 1, 8, 18, 26 and 35 days, three animals per group. The brain were removed, fixed, and process with routine technique, for a morphometric analysis. Statistical analysis with Kruskal Wallís test. We demonstrated corresponding morphologic alterations until death neuronal, in all studied laminae, at the different time intervals.