Influence of the Co-Administration of Heptavalent Conjugate Vaccine PCV7-TT on the Immunological Response Elicited by VA-MENGOC-BC® and Heberpenta®-L in Rabbits.

Finlay Vaccine Institute is developing a new heptavalent conjugate vaccine against Streptococcus pneumoniae. As infants are the target population, PCV7-TT will be necessarily co-administered with other vaccines, and then, the interactions represent a concern. The aim of this work is to evaluate the possible immunological interferences in rabbits as animal experimental model. Rabbits were immunized with Heberpenta®-L, VA-MENGOC-BC®, and PCV7-TT. Blood samples were taken fourteen days after final immunization for obtaining sera. Antibody responses to all antigens were evaluated by indirect ELISA. Functional responses against diphtheria and tetanus toxoid were done by in vivo seroneutralization assay. No interference was observed by PCV7-TT over the humoral response against diphtheria toxoid and meningococcal antigens (p > 0.05). A nonstatistically significant reduction (p > 0.05) was observed in the case of the humoral response against Haemophilus influenzae type b oligosaccharide. Concomitant administration of Heberpenta®-L and PCV7-TT increased twice the antibody titers as well as the protective activity against tetanus toxoid, but no statistical differences were found. The co-administration did not induce a reduction in the percent of responders against pneumococcal polysaccharides contained in PCV7-TT vaccine. Concomitant administration of PCV7-TT did not induce interferences over the evaluated antigens of Heberpenta®-L and VA-MENGOC-BC®. Also, no interference was observed on the immune response elicited by PCV7-TT. These preclinical results suggest that PCV7-TT will not result in a serious problem over the immune response elicited by the licensed vaccines Heberpenta®-L and VA-MENGOC-BC®. However, the clinical interference could be strictly studied during clinical trials in infants.

Mangifera indica L. extract (Vimang) and mangiferin reduce the airway inflammation and Th2 cytokines in murine model of allergic asthma.

OBJECTIVES: The aim was to study the effects of Mangifera indica extract and its major component mangiferin on lung inflammation response and Th2 cytokine production using a murine experimental model of allergic asthma. METHODS: BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally sensitized with 10 µg of ovoalbumin (OVA) adsorbed on aluminium hydroxide on days 0, 7 and 14. Seven days after the last injection, the mice were challenged with 2% aerosolized OVA inhalation for 30 min beginning on day 21 and continuing until day 24. To evaluate the protective effect, mice were orally treated with M. indica extract (50, 100 or 250 mg/kg) or mangiferin (50 mg/kg) from days 0 to 24. Anti-OVA immunoglobulin E, interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5 were determined by ELISA and lungs were analysed by histology. KEY FINDINGS: M. indica extract and mangiferin produced a marked reduction of airway inflammation around vessels and bronchi, inhibition of IL-4 and IL-5 cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lymphocyte culture supernatant, IgE levels and lymphocyte proliferation. CONCLUSION: This is the first pre-clinical report of the anti-inflammatory properties of M. indica extract and mangiferin in experimental asthma and it could be an important part of pre-clinical requirement necessary for its use to complement the treatment of this complex disease.

Estrés académico y afrontamiento en estudiantes de Medicina / Academic stress and coping in medical students

Las estrategias de afrontamiento al estrés son consideradas factores protectores de la salud. El afrontamiento positivo promueve un estilo de vida salutogénico favoreciendo la salud mental y la calidad de vida. Desde esta perspectiva se caracteriza al estrés académico y los estilos de afrontamiento de estudiantes de Medicina. Durante el curso 2007-2008 se realizó un estudio descriptivo con una muestra de 42 estudiantes del primer año de Medicina del Instituto Superior de Ciencias Médicas de Camagüey, a los que se les aplicaron exámenes y encuestas. Los resultados mostraron que los factores más significativos dentro del contexto académico son: la realización de un examen, la sobrecarga académica y la falta de tiempo para cumplir las tareas docentes. En cuanto los estilos de afrontamiento, predominaron las estrategias enfocadas en la solución del problema como el afrontamiento activo, la reinterpretación positiva, el crecimiento a partir de la elaboración de un plan de acción, el afrontamiento de la situación y el aprendizaje de la experiencia. Hay un bajo predominio del afrontamiento pasivo centrado en la emoción. Se concluye que toda la muestra es vulnerable al estrés.

Stress coping strategies are considered as health protective factors. Positive coping supports a healthy life style and favors both mental health and quality of life. From this viewpoint, medical students´ academic stress and coping styles are characterized. With a sample of 42 second-year medical students from the Medical School of Camagüey, a descriptive study was carried out during academic course 2007-2008. Tests and surveys were applied. Results showed that the most important factors within the academic context are: taking exams, academic overload, and lack of time to complete school tasks. Concerning coping styles, strategies focused on solving problems were predominant, such as: active coping, positive reinterpretation, development after elaborating an action plan, situation coping, and learning from experiences. There was little prevalence of passive coping focused on emotions. As conclusions, the whole sample proved to be vulnerable to stress.