Side effects of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine in health workers of a hospital in the southeast of Mexico.

INTRODUCTION: The goal of this study was to evaluate the side effects of application of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine on the workers at a Mexican hospital. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was carried out, in which 1351 workers from a tertiary care center in the Mexican southeast were included. Sociodemographic data, comorbidities, and side effects after the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine were obtained through an online survey. The variables were analyzed through descriptive statistics. The presence or absence of side effects was analyzed through the Chi-square test or t-test, as appropriate. The result was considered statistically significant at p < 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 1351 health workers participated in the online survey. The mean age was 37.8 ± 10.9 years and 56.4% were women. Among them, 8.2% suffered from high blood pressure. In addition, 76.7% manifested pain in the application area. The presence of side effects was associated with the female gender (p < 0.01). Side effects were more prevalent in younger age (37.2 ± 10.7) than older age (41.5 ± 10.8) (p < 0.01). There was no association with the presence of comorbidities (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that pain in the application area is the most frequent side effect among workers in a Mexican hospital who received the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine against COVID-19. In addition, we observed sialorrhea as a side effect in the studied population and this had not previously been reported. The highest number of adverse events occurred between 24 to 72 hours after application.

Estudio preliminar de un enjuague bucal de solución salina como muestra diagnóstica para SARS-CoV-2 / Preliminary study of a saline mouthwash as a diagnostic sample for SARS-CoV-2

Resumen Objetivo: Evaluar la utilidad de un enjuague bucal con solución salina (EBSS) como muestra diagnóstica para la detección de SARS-CoV-2 en pacientes ambulatorios. Material y métodos: Este fue un estudio prospectivo realizado en el Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad "Dr. Juan Graham Casasús", se seleccionaron 34 muestras aleatorias pareadas EBSS/MNF (enjuague bucal con solución salina/muestra (clínica) de la nasofaringe) que se recolectaron durante la visita al centro de evaluación ambulatoria de dicho hospital. Las muestras se analizaron mediante la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa con transcripción inversa en tiempo real (RT-PCR) y se calculó la concordancia entre EBSS y MNF, la sensibilidad y especificidad del EBSS. Resultados: De las 34 muestras pareadas EBSS/MNF, 14 fueron positivas para SARS- CoV-2; 4 muestras de EBSS y 10 muestras de MNF. Los resultados concordantemente positivos en las muestras pareadas EBSS/MNF fueron 3 y las medias de CT de cada gen (RdRp, N, E) no mostraron diferencia significativa entre las muestras. Se observaron 8 discordancias entre los dos tipos de muestras (7 individuos dieron positivo por MNF y 1 por EBSS). La concordancia observada entre EBSS y MNF fue aceptable (coeficiente kappa 0.31). La sensibilidad de EBSS fue de 30% con una especificidad del 95.8%. Conclusiones: La sensibilidad de EBSS no es comparable con la sensibilidad de MNF para la detección de SARS-CoV-2, pero nuestros datos sugieren al EBSS como una herramienta no invasiva, permite la autocolección y no requiere personal de salud capacitado para su muestreo: asimismo, esta muestra podría ser alternativa ante la escasez de hisopos y medios de transporte viral. Además, el EBSS puede tener beneficio para poblaciones remotas, vulnerables o facilitar las pruebas a un gran número de individuos.

Abstract Objective: To assess the usefulness of a saline mouth rinse (SMR) as a diagnostic tool for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in outpatients. Method: This was a prospective study carried out at the Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad "Dr. Juan Graham Casasús", 34 SMR/SNP (saline mouth rinse/sample (clinical) of nasopharyngeal) randomized paired samples were selected and collected in the outpatient clinic. The samples were analyzed by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and the concordance between SMRs and SNP samples and the sensitivity and specificity of SMR were calculated. Results: Out of the 34 SMR/SNP paired samples, 14 samples were positive for SARS- CoV-2; 4 SMR samples and 10 SNP samples. We found 3 positive concordant results in the SMRs/SNP paired samples, the mean CT for each gene (RdRp, N, E) did not show a significant difference between the samples. Eight discrepancies were observed between the two types of samples (7 individuals were positive by SNP and 1 for SMR). The concordance observed between SMR and SNP was acceptable (kappa coefficient 0.31). The sensitivity of EBSS was 30% with a specificity of 95.8%. Conclusions: The SMR sensitivity is not comparable with SNP sensitivity for SARS- CoV-2 detection, but our data suggest SMR as a non-invasive tool that allows self- collection, and it does not require health trained personnel for its collection. Also, this sample could be an alternative to the lack of swabs and/or viral transportation media. Additionally, SMR may be of benefit in remote and vulnerable populations, and/or to facilitate the screening of SARS-CoV-2 in a large number of individuals.

Association Between FokI Polymorphism of Vitamin D Receptor Gene and Lumbar Spine Disc Degeneration: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present meta-analysis was to explore the association between FokI polymorphism of the vitamin D receptor gene and lumbar spine disc degeneration. DESIGN: The search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases up to January 2020. The authors selected nine studies comprising a total of 1549 cases and 1672 controls. The association analysis included the allelic, dominant, recessive, homozygous, and heterozygous genetic models. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were used to evaluate the association. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to measure the quality of the studies included in the analyses; a cut-off of 6 stars was applied. RESULTS: This meta-analysis indicated that FokI polymorphism is significantly associated with lumbar degenerative disc disorder and disc herniation in the homozygous (odds ratio, 1.77; 95% confidence interval, 1.23-2.54; Z test P = 0.002, Q test P = 0.416) and recessive (odds ratio, 1.53; 95% confidence interval, 1.23-1.90; Z test P < 0.000, Q test P = 0.224) models. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that the vitamin D receptor gene FokI polymorphism may be correlated with the risk of developing a lumbar degenerative disc disorder and disc herniation. However, the small sample population studied and the lack of an evaluation of environmental factors must be taken as limitations in the present meta-analysis.

Differences in attitude toward prevention of suicide between nursing and medicine students: A study in Mexican population.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the attitude toward suicide prevention in medicine and nursing students attending University in south Mexico, considering their family and personal history of suicide. Demographic features and self-reported personal and family history of suicide were evaluated in 355 Mexican students at the Health Sciences School. Their views toward suicide prevention was assessed using the Attitude Toward Suicide Prevention scale. Comparisons between medicine and nursing students were performed, as well as between had or had-not previous personal or family history of suicide. Our results support that nursing students showed the most negative attitude toward suicide prevention. Therefore, training programs and strategies encouraging a better attitude in suicide prevention are necessary to be implemented. It is also necessary to consider cultural, ethnic and family backgrounds of the students/of the population when developing new strategies.

Diverse roles of mtDNA in schizophrenia: Implications in its pathophysiology and as biomarker for cognitive impairment.

Schizophrenia (SZ) is a mental disorder characterized by neurocognitive dysfunctions and a reduction in occupational and social functioning. Several studies have provided evidence for mitochondrial dysfunction in the pathophysiology of SZ. In this sense, it is known that the addition of genetic variations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) impairs oxidative phosphorylation of enzymatic complexes in mitochondria, resulting in ATP depletion and subsequent enhancement of reactive oxygen species; this is associated with cellular degeneration and apoptosis observed in some neuropsychiatric disorders. As a consequence of mitochondrial dysfunction, an increase in circulating cell-free mtDNA fragments can occur, which has been observed in individuals with SZ. Moreover, due to the bacterial origin of mitochondria, these cell-free mtDNA fragments in blood plasma may induce inflammatory and immunogenic responses, especially when their release is enhanced in specific disease conditions. However, the exact mechanism by which mtDNA could be released into blood plasma is not yet clear. Therefore, the aims of this review article were to discuss the participation of mtDNA genetic variations in physiopathologic mechanisms of SZ, and to determine the status of the disease and the possible ensuing changes over time by using circulating cell-free mtDNA fragments as a biomarker.

Vortioxetine versus sertraline in metabolic control, distress and depression in Mexican patients with type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Depression in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) is often undiagnosed and remains untreated, leading to poor therapy adherence and ill health-related outcomes. We evaluated the effect of vortioxetine versus sertraline in the treatment of depression, distress and metabolic control in subjects with T2D and depression. METHODS: Participants were selected from the Clinic for Diabetes, diagnosed with depression when the score was ≥14 in the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, and verified by a psychiatrist in agreement with the DSM-5 instrument (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition). The criteria for recruitment also included glycosylated hemoglobin ≥7.5%, 18 to 60 years of age, and written informed consent. Pharmacological treatment for depression was assigned randomly: vortioxetine (10 mg/day) or sertraline (75 mg/day) for 8 weeks. Biochemical parameters, anthropometric measures and depression symptoms were evaluated after antidepressant treatment. This was a randomized singled-blind study. RESULTS: Subjects that met the inclusion criteria were 50, of which only 21 patients with T2D and depression finished the treatment. Vortioxetine and sertraline showed partial remission of depression. Vortioxetine showed a major effect size in glycosylated hemoglobin and a moderate effect size on weight loss, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels. On the other hand, patients treated with sertraline presented a slight increase in body weight, body mass index (BMI), and in all biochemical markers. CONCLUSIONS: Vortioxetine may ameliorate depressive symptoms and metabolic control in patients with T2D and depression. Trial registration number: NCT03978286.

Erythropoietin: A potential drug in the management of diabetic neuropathy.

Erythropoietin (EPO) is required for promoting the progress of erythroid differentiation. However, the discovery of EPO and the EPO receptor (EPOR) in the nervous system may contribute to new treatment strategies for the use of EPO in neurodegenerative disorders. Diabetic neuropathy is a neurodegenerative disease that affects a large proportion of diabetic patients and results in alterations in functionality, mood and sleep. The pathogenic mechanisms generating diabetic neuropathy involve: Schwannopathy, polyol pathway activity, advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) accumulation, protein kinase C (PKC) activity, increased hexosamine pathway flux, oxidative stress, nitric oxide and inflammation. In this sense, evidence from both clinical and experimental studies indicates that EPO may reverse diabetic neuropathy through an antioxidant action by decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokines, restoring Na+/K+-ATPase activity, and blocking the generation of pro-apoptotic proteins. The aim of this review is to discuss the neuroprotector effect of EPO on pathogenic mechanisms of diabetic neuropathy.

Isobolographic Analyses of Proglumide-Celecoxib Interaction in Rats with Painful Diabetic Neuropathy.

Preclinical Research The aim of the present study was to analyze the antihyperalgesic and antiallodynic interaction between the non-selective cholecystokinin (CCK) antagonist receptor, proglumide, and the selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, celecoxib in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Hyperalgesia was evaluated in the formalin test and tactile allodynia using von Frey filaments. Isobolographic analyses were employed to define the nature of the compound interactions, using a fixed dose ratio (0.5:0.5). Proglumide (20-160 mg/kg) and celecoxib (0.3-30 mg/kg) in these fixed dose ratio combinations induced dose-dependent antihyperalgesia and an antiallodynic effect in diabetic rats. ED40 values were calculated for the treatments and an isobologram was constructed. Theoretical ED40 values for combination proglumide-celecoxib estimated from the isobolograms for antihyperalgesic and antiallodynic activity (30.50 ± 1.90 mg/kg and 45.81 ± 4.55 mg/kg, respectively) were obtained, while experimental ED40 values for this antihyperalgesic and antiallodynic combined effect (13.83 ± 0.65 mg/kg and 17.74 ± 3.57 mg/kg; respectively) were significantly different. Coadministration of proglumide-celecoxib showed an interaction index value of 0.45 ± 0.03 for the antihyperalgesic effect and 0.39 ± 0.08 for the antiallodynic activity, indicating a synergistic interaction. These data suggest that proglumide and celecoxib can interact synergistically to reduce hyperalgesic and allodynic behaviors in diabetic neuropathy. This combination could be useful to treat neuropathic pain in diabetic patients. Drug Dev Res 78 : 116-123, 2017. ©2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.