Pulmonary manifestations and clinical management of echinococcosis in a low-endemic region of Mexico: a 15-year retrospective cohort study at a tertiary hospital.

Background: Cystic echinococcosis has a low incidence even in endemic countries. It is a chronic and complex zoonosis that in many cases presents delay in diagnosis; it typically affects the liver in up to 90% of the cases, being disseminated pulmonary disease the most common in young subjects, while the rate of cases located only in the pulmonary parenchyma is low. In Mexico it is considered a disease of low endemicity.

The Possible Roles of Glucosamine-6-Phosphate Deaminases in Ammonium Metabolism in Cancer.

Nearly 5% of the glucose-6-phosphate (Glc6P) in cells is diverted into the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway (HBP) to synthesize glucosamine-6-phosphate (GlcN6P) and uridine diphosphate -acetyl-glucosamine-6-phosphate (UDP-GlcN6P). Fructose-6-phosphate (Fru6P) is a common intermediary between glycolysis and the HBP. Changes in HBP regulation cause abnormal protein N-glycosylation and -linked-N-acetylglucosamine modification (O-GlcNAcylation), affecting protein function and modifying cellular responses to signals.

Altered PLCβ/IP/Ca Signaling Pathway Activated by GPRCs in Olfactory Neuronal Precursor Cells Derived from Patients Diagnosed with Schizophrenia.

: Schizophrenia (SZ) is a multifactorial chronic psychiatric disorder with a worldwide prevalence of 1%. Altered expression of PLCβ occurs in SZ patients, suggesting alterations in the PLCβ/IP/Ca signaling pathway. This cascade regulates critical cellular processes in all cell types, including the neuronal lineage; however, there is scarce evidence regarding the functionality of this transduction signaling in neuronal cells derived from SZ patients.

Clinical implications of persistently increased blood urea nitrogen/serum creatinine ratio (PI-BUN/Cr) in severe COVID-19 patients.

Background: Patients with COVID-19 may experience a persistent increase in the blood urea nitrogen over creatinine ratio (PI-BUN/Cr). Its elevation could reflect multiple underlying pathophysiological processes beyond prerenal injury but also warrants nuanced interpretation due to its complex interplay with various factors, underscoring the importance of investigating its effects on mortality and acute kidney injury in this population.

Methods: We analized a retrospective and longitudinal cohort of patients admitted to a single center in Mexico City for patients with severe COVID-19.

Challenges in Treating Pediatric Cancer Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Balancing Risks and Care.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in millions of fatalities worldwide. The case of pediatric cancer patients stands out since, despite being considered a population at risk, few studies have been carried out concerning symptom detection or the description of the mechanisms capable of modifying the course of the COVID-19 disease, such as the interaction and response between the virus and the treatment given to cancer patients. By synthesizing existing studies, this paper aims to expose the treatment challenges for pediatric patients with COVID-19 in an oncology context.

Interaction between MARK3 (rs11623869), PLCB4 (rs6086746) and GEMIN2 (rs2277458) variants with bone mineral density and serum 25-hidroxivitamin D levels in Mexican Mestizo women.

Introduction: Understanding the genetic factors contributing to variations in bone mineral density (BMD) and vitamin D could provide valuable insights into the pathogenesis of osteoporosis. This study aimed to evaluate the association of single nucleotide variants in (rs11623869), (rs6086746), and (rs2277458) with BMD in Mexican women.

Methods: The gene-gene interaction was evaluated in these variants in serum 25(OH)D levels and BMD.

Factors Influencing Mortality in Children with Central Nervous System Tumors: A Cohort Study on Clinical Characteristics and Genetic Markers.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) commonly leads to cancer treatment failure because cancer cells often expel chemotherapeutic drugs using ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, which reduce drug levels within the cells. This study investigated the clinical characteristics and single nucleotide variant (SNV) in , , , , and , and their association with mortality in pediatric patients with central nervous system tumors (CNST). Using TaqMan probes, a real-time polymerase chain reaction genotyped 15 SNPs in 111 samples.

Hypoxic Effects on Matrix Metalloproteinases' Expression in the Tumor Microenvironment and Therapeutic Perspectives.

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is characterized by an acidic pH and low oxygen concentrations. Hypoxia induces neoplastic cell evasion of the immune surveillance, rapid DNA repair, metabolic reprogramming, and metastasis, mainly as a response to the hypoxic inducible factors (HIFs). Likewise, cancer cells increase matrix metalloproteinases' (MMPs) expression in response to TME conditions, allowing them to migrate from the primary tumor to different tissues.

Hypoxia Induces Alterations in the Circadian Rhythm in Patients with Chronic Respiratory Diseases.

The function of the circadian cycle is to determine the natural 24 h biological rhythm, which includes physiological, metabolic, and hormonal changes that occur daily in the body. This cycle is controlled by an internal biological clock that is present in the body's tissues and helps regulate various processes such as sleeping, eating, and others. Interestingly, animal models have provided enough evidence to assume that the alteration in the circadian system leads to the appearance of numerous diseases.

Potential of olfactory neuroepithelial cells as a model to study schizophrenia: A focus on GPCRs (Review).

Schizophrenia (SZ) is a multifactorial disorder characterized by volume reduction in gray and white matter, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, altered neurotransmission, as well as molecular deficiencies such as punctual mutation in Disrupted‑in‑Schizophrenia 1 protein. In this regard, it is essential to understand the underlying molecular disturbances to determine the pathophysiological mechanisms of the disease. The signaling pathways activated by G protein‑coupled receptors (GPCRs) are key molecular signaling pathways altered in SZ.

Estrogenic Modulation of Ionic Channels, Pumps and Exchangers in Airway Smooth Muscle.

To preserve ionic homeostasis (primarily Ca, K, Na, and Cl), in the airway smooth muscle (ASM) numerous transporters (channels, exchangers, and pumps) regulate the influx and efflux of these ions. Many of intracellular processes depend on continuous ionic permeation, including exocytosis, contraction, metabolism, transcription, fecundation, proliferation, and apoptosis. These mechanisms are precisely regulated, for instance, through hormonal activity.

Longitudinal Characterization of a Neutralizing and Total Antibody Response in Patients with Severe COVID-19 and Fatal Outcomes.

The host immune response to SARS-CoV-2 appears to play a critical role in disease pathogenesis and clinical manifestations in severe COVID-19 cases. Until now, the importance of developing a neutralizing antibody response in the acute phase and its relationship with progression to severe disease or fatal outcome among hospitalized patients remains unclear. In this study, we aim to characterize and compare longitudinally the primary humoral immune host response in the early stages of the disease, looking for an association between neutralization, antibody titers, infective viral lineage, and the clinical outcome in hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients.

Sex and Age Influence on Association of Polymorphism with Midazolam Levels in Critically Ill Children.

Midazolam is a drug that is metabolized by cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes, particularly CYP3A4 and CYP3A5. The present study aimed to determine the sex and age influence on association of CYP450 polymorphism with midazolam levels in critically ill children. Seventy-two DNA samples were genotyped by real-time PCR.

Effect of Hypoxia in the Transcriptomic Profile of Lung Fibroblasts from Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an aging-associated disease characterized by exacerbated extracellular matrix deposition that disrupts oxygen exchange. Hypoxia and its transcription factors (HIF-1α and 2α) influence numerous circuits that could perpetuate fibrosis by increasing myofibroblasts differentiation and by promoting extracellular matrix accumulation. Therefore, this work aimed to elucidate the signature of hypoxia in the transcriptomic circuitry of IPF-derived fibroblasts.

Functional Repercussions of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-2α in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Hypoxia and hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) are essential in regulating several cellular processes, such as survival, differentiation, and the cell cycle; this adaptation is orchestrated in a complex way. In this review, we focused on the impact of hypoxia in the physiopathology of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) related to lung development, regeneration, and repair. There is robust evidence that the responses of HIF-1α and -2α differ; HIF-1α participates mainly in the acute phase of the response to hypoxia, and HIF-2α in the chronic phase.

Risk of Pulmonary Fibrosis and Persistent Symptoms Post-COVID-19 in a Cohort of Outpatient Health Workers.

Background: Infection by SARS-CoV-2 has been associated with multiple symptoms; however, still, little is known about persistent symptoms and their probable association with the risk of developing pulmonary fibrosis in patients post-COVID-19. Methods: A longitudinal prospective study on health workers infected by SARS-CoV-2 was conducted. In this work, signs and symptoms were recorded of 149 health workers with a positive PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 at the beginning of the diagnosis, during the active infection, and during post-COVID-19 follow-up.

Ivermectin: A Controversial Focal Point during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has confirmed the apocalyptic predictions that virologists have been making for several decades. The challenge the world is facing is that of trying to find a possible treatment, and a viable and expedient option for addressing this challenge is the repurposing of drugs. However, in some cases, although these drugs are approved for use in humans, the mechanisms of action involved are unknown.

ADAR1 Isoforms Regulate Processing in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Double-stranded RNA adenosine deaminase 1 (ADAR1) is significantly down-regulated in fibroblasts derived from Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) patients, and its overexpression restored levels of , , and . There are two ADAR1 isoforms in humans, ADAR1-p110 and ADAR1-p150, generated by an alternative promoter. is considered an essential microRNA in Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF).

Clinical characteristics and mortality predictors of patients with cancer hospitalized by COVID-19 in a pediatric third-level referral center.

Background: More than 135 million COVID-19 cases (coronavirus disease 2019) have been reported worldwide until today, with over 2.9 million deaths. Several studies have demonstrated that disease severity is lower in the pediatric population than in adults; however, differences are described in patients with chronic diseases, including oncological patients.

miRNAs, from Evolutionary Junk to Possible Prognostic Markers and Therapeutic Targets in COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a public health issue around the world in the last few years. Currently, there is no specific antiviral treatment to fight the disease. Thus, it is essential to highlight possible prognostic predictors that could identify patients with a high risk of developing complications.

Could Lower Testosterone in Older Men Explain Higher COVID-19 Morbidity and Mortalities?

The health scourge imposed on humanity by the COVID-19 pandemic seems not to recede. This fact warrants refined and novel ideas analyzing different aspects of the illness. One such aspect is related to the observation that most COVID-19 casualties were older males, a tendency also noticed in the epidemics of SARS-CoV in 2003 and the Middle East respiratory syndrome in 2012.

Total, Bioavailable, and Free 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Equally Associate with Adiposity Markers and Metabolic Traits in Mexican Adults.

Epidemiological studies suggest a relationship between total 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], adiposity, and metabolic traits. The bioavailability of 25(OH)D is regulated by the albumin, vitamin D binding protein (VDBP), and variants of the gene. Therefore, it is not clear if bioavailable or free 25(OH)D offer additional benefits compared to total 25(OH)D when estimating the magnitude of these associations.

Changes in the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio as predictors of outcome in pediatric patients with central nervous system tumors undergoing surgical resection.

Background: Changes in neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (ΔNLR) have been used as a clinical tool for stratification and prognosis of patients with solid tumors, there is scarce evidence of their clinical relevance in patients with tumors of the central nervous system who have also undergone surgical resection.

Objective: Determine if (ΔNLR) are associated with poor response to treatment and worse prognosis in pediatric patients with central nervous system tumors (CNST) who underwent surgical resection.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study; demographic, clinical, and hematological variables were evaluated, Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox proportional hazards regression model were performed to evaluate prognosis.

Hypoxia in Cancer and Fibrosis: Part of the Problem and Part of the Solution.

Adaptive responses to hypoxia are involved in the progression of lung cancer and pulmonary fibrosis. However, it has not been pointed out that hypoxia may be the link between these diseases. As tumors or scars expand, a lack of oxygen results in the activation of the hypoxia response, promoting cell survival even during chronic conditions.