Publications by authors named "Angelica Dominguez de-Barros"

Background/objectives: COVID-19 is characterised by a wide variety of clinical manifestations, and clinical tests and genetic analysis might help to predict patient outcomes.

Methods: In the current study, the expression of genes related to immune response (, , , , , and ) was analysed in the upper airway and paired-blood samples from 25 subjects infected with SARS-CoV-2. Relative gene expression was determined by RT-qPCR.

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Telomeres, conserved DNA sequences at chromosome ends, naturally shorten with age, exacerbated by external factors like environmental challenges and reproduction. Birds, particularly psittacine, are gaining prominence as new aging models over the years because of their unique characteristics. This study explores erythrocyte telomere length (TL) and oxidative stress markers in plasma of long- and short-lived captive birds of the order Psittaciformes over four years.

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Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) poses a significant public health concern in endemic regions due to its increasing prevalence and substantial impact on affected individuals. This disease is primarily caused by the protozoa, which are transmitted through insect bites, and it manifests as a range of symptoms, from self-healing lesions to severe disfigurement. Current treatments, which often involve the parenteral administration of antimonials, face challenges such as poor compliance and adverse effects.

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Aging is a complex process influenced by internal and external factors. Oxidative stress damages DNA, leading to 8-hydroxy-2' deoxyguanosine formation (8-OHdG). Telomere shortening is considered a biomarker of aging and oxidative stress may enhance its attrition.

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Free-living amoebae (FLA) are widely distributed in the environment. Among these, Acanthamoeba spp., Naegleria fowleri, Balamuthia mandrillaris, and Vermamoeba vermiformis have been reported as human pathogens with health effects ranging from lethal encephalitis to different epithelial disorders.

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COVID-19 is characterized by a wide range of clinical manifestations, where aging, underlying diseases, and genetic background are related to worse outcomes. In the present study, the differential expression of seven genes related to immunity, , , , , , , and , was analyzed in individuals with COVID-19 diagnoses of different disease severities. Two-step RT-qPCR was performed to determine the relative gene expression in whole-blood samples from 160 individuals.

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Lung cancer (LC) constitutes an important cause of death among patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Both diseases may share pathobiological mechanisms related to oxidative damage and cellular senescence. In this study, the potential value of leucocyte telomere length, a hallmark of aging, and 8-OHdG concentrations, indicative of oxidative DNA damage, as risk biomarkers of LC was evaluated in COPD patients three years prior to LC diagnosis.

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Lung cancer (LC) is the most common cause of cancer death, with 75% of cases being diagnosed in late stages. This study aimed to determine potential miRNAs as biomarkers for the early detection of LC in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) cases. Ninety-nine patients were included, with registered clinical and lung function parameters followed for 6 years.

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COVID-19 is characterized by a wide range of symptoms where the genetic background plays a key role in SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this study, the relative expression of , and genes (related to immunity and antiviral activity) was analyzed in upper airway samples from 127 individuals (97 COVID-19 positive and 30 controls) by using a two-step RT-PCR. All genes excepting (p=0.

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Aging is a multifactorial process that includes molecular changes such as telomere shortening. Telomeres shorten progressively with age in vertebrates, and their shortening rate has a significant role in determining the lifespan of a species. However, DNA loss can be enhanced by oxidative stress.

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Pathogenic and opportunistic free-living amoebae such as spp. can cause keratitis ( keratitis [AK]), which may ultimately lead to permanent visual impairment or blindness. can also cause rare but usually fatal granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE).

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