RESUMEN
Vitamin D is a hormone known for a long time, for its effects on bone health and the regulation of phosphorus and calcium metabolism. Since the discovery of receptors for this molecule in a large number of cells in the body, the field has been opened for the study of its effects on the immune system. Its relationships with the cells of the immune system, genes, and microbiota cause great interest in relation to immune-mediated diseases. Many data indicates that this vitamin has preventive, modulating and controlling effects of the adverse effects of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) on bone health, although it is difficult to definitively demonstrate causality. In this review, we try to summarize the current situation and controversial issues in this interesting field, focusing on inflammatory bowel diseases.
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Enfermedades Inflamatorias del Intestino , Vitamina D , Humanos , Enfermedades Inflamatorias del Intestino/etiología , Vitamina D/metabolismo , VitaminasRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus has currently affected millions of people around the world. To combat the rapid spread of COVID-19 there is an urgent need to implement technological platforms for the production of vaccines, drugs and diagnostic systems by the scientific community and pharmaceutical companies. The SARS-CoV-2 virus enters the cells by the interaction between the receptor-binding domain (RBD) present in the viral surface spike protein and its human receptor ACE2. The RBD protein is therefore considered as the target for potential subunit-based vaccines. METHODS AND RESULTS: We evaluate the use of Nicotiana benthamiana plants as the host to transiently-producing recombinant RBD (RBDr) protein. The identity of the plant-produced RBDr was confirmed by immune assays and mass spectrometry. Immunogenicity was confirmed through the specific antibodies generated in all of the immunized mice compared to the PBS treated group. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusions, the immunogenicity of the RBDr produced in N. benthamiana was confirmed. These findings support the use of plants as an antigen expression system for the rapid development of vaccine candidates.
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COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Animales , Anticuerpos Neutralizantes , Anticuerpos Antivirales , COVID-19/prevención & control , Humanos , Ratones , Pandemias/prevención & control , Glicoproteína de la Espiga del Coronavirus/genética , Nicotiana/genética , Nicotiana/metabolismo , Vacunas de SubunidadRESUMEN
Tobacco seeds can be used as a cost effective system for production of recombinant vaccines. Avian influenza is an important respiratory pathogen that causes a high degree of mortality and becomes a serious threat for the poultry industry. A safe vaccine against avian flu produced at low cost could help to prevent future outbreaks. We have genetically engineered tobacco plants to express extracellular domain of hemagglutinin protein from H5N1 avian influenza virus as an inexpensive alternative for production purposes. Two regulatory sequences of seed storage protein genes from Phaseolus vulgaris L. were used to direct the expression, yielding 3.0 mg of the viral antigen per g of seeds. The production and stability of seed-produced recombinant HA protein was characterized by different molecular techniques. The aqueous extract of tobacco seed proteins was used for subcutaneous immunization of chickens, which developed antibodies that inhibited the agglutination of erythrocytes after the second application of the antigen. The feasibility of using tobacco seeds as a vaccine carrier is discussed.
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Glicoproteínas Hemaglutininas del Virus de la Influenza/genética , Vacunas contra la Influenza/farmacología , Nicotiana/metabolismo , Semillas/genética , Pruebas de Aglutinación , Animales , Pollos/virología , Cromatografía Líquida de Alta Presión , Regulación de la Expresión Génica de las Plantas , Glicoproteínas Hemaglutininas del Virus de la Influenza/metabolismo , Vacunas contra la Influenza/genética , Vacunas contra la Influenza/inmunología , Gripe Aviar/prevención & control , Phaseolus/genética , Plantas Modificadas Genéticamente/genética , Plantas Modificadas Genéticamente/metabolismo , Polisacáridos/análisis , Proteínas Recombinantes/genética , Proteínas Recombinantes/aislamiento & purificación , Semillas/metabolismo , Nicotiana/genéticaRESUMEN
La vitamina D es una hormona conocida desde larga fecha, por sus efectos sobre la salud ósea y la regulación del metabolismo del fósforo y calcio. Desde el descubrimiento de receptores para esta molécula en un gran número de células del organismo, se ha abierto el campo para el estudio de sus efectos sobre el sistema inmune. Sus relaciones con las células del sistema inmune, genes y microbiota hace que el interés sea grande en relación con enfermedades inmunomediadas. Muchos datos indican que esta vitamina tiene efectos preventivos, moduladores y controladores de los efectos adversos de las Enfermedades Inflamatorias Intestinales (EII) en la salud ósea, aunque es difícil demostrar la causalidad de forma taxativa. En esta revisión intentamos resumir la situación actual y los temas de controversia en este interesante campo, centrándonos en las enfermedades inflamatorias intestinales.
Vitamin D is a hormone known for a long time, for its effects on bone health and the regulation of phosphorus and calcium metabolism. Since the discovery of receptors for this molecule in a large number of cells in the body, the field has been opened for the study of its effects on the immune system. Its relationships with the cells of the immune system, genes, and microbiota cause great interest in relation to immune-mediated diseases. Many data indicates that this vitamin has preventive, modulating and controlling effects of the adverse effects of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) on bone health, although it is difficult to definitively demonstrate causality. In this review, we try to summarize the current situation and controversial issues in this interesting field, focusing on inflammatory bowel diseases.
RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION By the end of 2017, there were more than 28,000 individuals living with HIV in Cuba, over 80% receiving antiretroviral therapy, which dramatically reduces viral replication, improves immune status and decreases risk of transmission. These results could be jeopardized by emergence of HIV-1 drug resistance. In 2009, a test for HIV-1 genotypic resistance was introduced in routine clinical practice in Cuba. OBJECTIVE Investigate antiretroviral resistance and its relation to subtype distribution in HIV-1 treatment-naïve and previously treated patients in Cuba. METHODS Resistance and HIV-1 subtype distribution were determined in 342 antiretroviral treatment-naïve patients and 584 previously treated for HIV-1 whose blood specimens were sent to the Pedro Kourí Tropical Medicine Institute during 2009-2014. Transmitted drug resistance was determined using the Calibrated Population Resistance Tool v.6. Drug resistance analysis was conducted using the algorithm Rega v9.1.0. RESULTS Prevalence of transmitted drug resistance was 11.4%, and 41% of mutated viruses exhibited dual-class resistance to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor. Overall, 84.9% of patients had ≥1 resistance mutation, 80% had ≥1 nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor mutation, 71.4% had ≥1 non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor mutation and 31.7% had ≥1 protease inhibitor mutation. K65R and K101E mutations were significantly more frequent in subtype C, L210W in CRF19_cpx, and M47V/I in CRF BGs (20, 23, 24). Full class resistance to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, protease inhibitors and multidrug resistance were detected in 21.2%, 32.4%, 8% and 4.1% of patients, respectively. Average percentage resistance to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, protease inhibitor, full class resistance to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, protease inhibitor and multidrug resistance increased in patients failing two or more regimens. Nevertheless, after 2011, a declining trend was observed in the frequency of multidrug resistance and full class resistance to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and protease inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS Detected levels of transmitted drug resistance highlight the need for a national surveillance study in treatment-naïve patients. Resistance prevalence is high in previously treated patients but appears to be decreasing over time. The frequency of resistance mutations in recombinant forms of HIV in Cuba needs further study. KEYWORDS Antiretroviral therapy, highly active antiretroviral therapy, HIV, anti-HIV agents, drug resistance, multiple drug resistance, Cuba.
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Fármacos Anti-VIH/uso terapéutico , Infecciones por VIH/tratamiento farmacológico , VIH-1/efectos de los fármacos , Adulto , Recuento de Linfocito CD4 , Cuba , Farmacorresistencia Viral , Femenino , Técnicas de Genotipaje , Infecciones por VIH/virología , VIH-1/genética , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Carga Viral/efectos de los fármacos , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare the language growth of children with connexin-related deafness (DFNB1) who received cochlear implants versus the language growth of implanted children with non-DFNB1 deafness. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective longitudinal observational study and analysis. SETTING: Two tertiary referral centers. PATIENTS: There were 37 children with severe-to-profound hearing loss who received cochlear implants before the age of 5 years. INTERVENTIONS: A standardized language measure, the section for expressive language of the Reynell Developmental Language Scale was used to assess expressive language skills at 2 times postimplantation (14 and 57 mo postimplantation). Molecular screening for DFNB1 gene variants. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Language quotient (LQ) scores (i.e., age-equivalent score obtained on the Reynell Developmental Language Scale divided by the child's chronological age), results of genotyping. RESULTS: The mean language age at the second time interval (mean ± standard deviation, 51.8 ± 13 mo) was greater than at the first testing session (mean ± standard deviation, 19 ± 8 mo, p < 0.001, Wilcoxon signed rank test). When divided by genotype, DFNB1 children exhibited a higher LQ and less variability in scores than non-DFNB1 children at the second testing interval (Wilcoxon sign rank test, p = 0.0034). A regression analysis (linear-fit by least squares) conducted on 26 children with preimplantation audiometric data showed that DFNB1 status was the independent variable with greater predictive effect on LQ at the second testing interval, followed by age at implantation (R2 = 0.35, p = 0.0479). CONCLUSION: Deaf children who received cochlear implants before the age of 5 years and use oral communication show substantial improvement in language abilities. In this study, DFNB1 children who use cochlear implants show greater gains in expressive language than non-DFNB1 children, independent of residual hearing, age at implantation, and duration of implant use.
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Implantes Cocleares , Conexinas/genética , Pérdida Auditiva Sensorineural/genética , Lenguaje , Habla , Niño , Preescolar , Conexina 26 , Femenino , Genotipo , Pérdida Auditiva Sensorineural/cirugía , Humanos , Lactante , Masculino , Estudios ProspectivosRESUMEN
Se realizó un estudio descriptivo en el área de salud perteneciente a los consultorios médicos de familia 34y 59 del Policlínico Comunitario Docente Tula Aguilerade Camagüey, desde enero de 2002 a enero de2003, con el objetivo de determinar la prevalencia del alcoholismo. El universo de estudio estuvoconstituido por 540 pacientes mayores de 15 años, se tomó una muestra de 117 dispensarizados con riesgode alcoholismo y alcohólicos. Prevaleció el grupo etáreo de 35-44 años, la mayoría de los pacientes delsexo masculino se ubicaron en la categoría de bebedor abusivo y social, su principal motivación fue porgusto personal y por sentirse bien, la autoevaluación fue negativa.
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Humanos , Masculino , Adulto , Consumo de Bebidas Alcohólicas , Alcoholismo , Recolección de Datos , Consultorios Médicos , Epidemiología DescriptivaRESUMEN
Se resume la evolución histórica de la epidemilogía psiquiátrica con énfasis en los aspectos más recientes de su desarrollo y los estudios de casos-control que incluyen la valoración de los eventos vitales. De igual modo se aborda una panorámica de esta temática en Cuba, así como el criterio de los autores sobre los eventos vitales. En una revisión de las investigaciones realizadas en el Servicio de Psiquiátria del Hospital Docente 10 de Octubre sobre eventos vitales y patología psiquiátrica, se analizan tanto los instrumentos empleados, como los resultados en cuanto a posible relación entre la ocurrencia de eventos vitales y la demanda asistencial por patologías psiquiátricas descompensadas. Se comparan estos resultados con los alcanzados por otros autores. Se concluye que es evidente la relación evento vital-inicio cuadro psiquiátrico, pero que es necesario realizar estudios prospectivos de cohortes para precisar la posible causalidad del evento vital en Psiquiatría
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Humanos , Acontecimientos que Cambian la Vida , Trastornos Mentales/epidemiología , CubaRESUMEN
Se realiza un breve recuento del desarrollo de la psiquiatria y su evolución en nuestro pais. Hacemos un estudio del trabajo realizado en el Departamento de Psiquiatria del Hospital Docente Clinico Quirurgico 10 de Octubre asi como las modificaciones sustanciales llevadas e efecto a partir de la sectorización en 1976. Muchos son los logros obtenidos con esta linea de trabajo y que se acentúan después del inicio del Plan del Médico de la Familia. Entre los logros alcanzados podemos citar: la atención continuada; el mayor aprovechamiento de los recursos materiales y humanos que se ven objetivamente en los indicadores hospitalarios; la dispensarización en las enfermedades mentales; la atención a la urgencia y a las crisis en psiquiatria; la hospitalización parcial de pacientes de larga y corta estadia; la introducción de tratamientos especializados como son las "clinicas de litio, de IMAP, de alcoholismo, de terapia sexual" y otros; la docencia de pre y postgrado para especialista y técnicos medios; desarrollo de las investigaciones
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Humanos , Psiquiatría Comunitaria , Salud Mental , Cuba , Estado de Salud , Hospitales de EnseñanzaRESUMEN
Se estudiaron 67 muestras de sangre procedentes de gestantes a término y pretérmino, mediante la técnica de Witter (1968) para determinar la actividad acetilcolinesterásica en eritrocitos. Se encontró que la actividad de la enzima se modifica con el progreso de la gestación. También se comparan los resultados obtenidos con los del grupo de Higiene y Medicina del Trabajo, quienes en igual medio y condiciones realizaron un estudio similar en mujeres no gestantes. El análisis estadístico efectuado demuestra que la actividad de la enzima en las gestantes es menor, que en las que no lo son (p < 0,01)