Production and characterization of a chimeric antigen, based on nucleocapsid of SARS-CoV-2 fused to the extracellular domain of human CD154 in HEK-293 cells as a vaccine candidate against COVID-19.

Despite that more than one hundred vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 have been developed and that some of them were evaluated in clinical trials, the latest results revealed that these vaccines still face great challenges. Among the components of the virus, the N-protein constitutes an attractive target for a subunit vaccine because it is the most abundant, highly conserved and immunogenic protein. In the present work, a chimeric protein (N-CD protein) was constructed by the fusion of the N-protein to the extracellular domain of human CD154 as the molecular adjuvant.

Mediterranean diet and psychological well-being intervention to reverse metabolic syndrome in Chile (CHILEMED trial).

Psychosocial status and lifestyle are key risk factors of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which, in turn, are main drivers of healthcare costs and morbimortality worldwide, including Chile. Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) is one of the healthiest dietary patterns under study. However, its impact on high-risk conditions, such as metabolic syndrome (MetS), and NCDs outside the Mediterranean Basin remains mostly unexplored.

Prevalence, Tetracycline Resistance and Tet(O) Gene Identification in Pathogenic Strains Isolated from Chickens in Retail Markets of Lima, Peru.

Background: In this study, we aimed to estimate the prevalence, tetracycline resistance and presence of Tet(O) in Campylobacter strains isolated from chicken in markets of Lima, Peru. Methods: A total of 250 chicken samples were obtained from traditional markets (skin, n = 120) and supermarkets (meat, n = 130). Samples were subjected to microbiological assays for identification of Campylobacter spp.

Chimeric Antigen by the Fusion of SARS-CoV-2 Receptor Binding Domain with the Extracellular Domain of Human CD154: A Promising Improved Vaccine Candidate.

COVID-19 is a respiratory viral disease caused by a new coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. This disease has spread rapidly worldwide with a high rate of morbidity and mortality. The receptor-binding domain (RBD) of protein spike (S) mediates the attachment of the virus to the host's cellular receptor.

Indicators of immunosuppression peripartum in dual purpose cows in the tropics affected health, productive and reproductive parameters.

The objective of the study was to identify immunosuppression peripartum indicators in dual purpose cows in the tropics and determine their effects on productive and reproductive parameters. The indicators used were: changes in leukocyte and neutrophils population, concentrations of energy metabolites (β-hydroxybutyrate and glucose) and body condition scores (BCS). Blood sampling and BCS (scale 1 - 5) were taken weekly during the peripartum.

C-type lectin receptors MR and DC-SIGN are involved in recognition of hemocyanins, shaping their immunostimulatory effects on human dendritic cells.

Hemocyanins are used as immunomodulators in clinical applications because they induce a strong Th1-biased cell-mediated immunity, which has beneficial effects. They are multiligand glycosylated molecules with abundant and complex mannose-rich structures. It remains unclear whether these structures influence hemocyanin-induced immunostimulatory processes in human APCs.

A heat-shocked melanoma cell lysate vaccine enhances tumor infiltration by prototypic effector T cells inhibiting tumor growth.

Background: Immune checkpoint blocker (ICB) therapy has shown survival benefits for some patients with cancer. Nevertheless, many individuals remain refractory or acquire resistance to treatment, motivating the exploration of complementary immunotherapies. Accordingly, cancer vaccines offer an attractive alternative.

Tumor lysate-based vaccines: on the road to immunotherapy for gallbladder cancer.

Immunotherapy based on checkpoint blockers has proven survival benefits in patients with melanoma and other malignancies. Nevertheless, a significant proportion of treated patients remains refractory, suggesting that in combination with active immunizations, such as cancer vaccines, they could be helpful to improve response rates. During the last decade, we have used dendritic cell (DC) based vaccines where DCs loaded with an allogeneic heat-conditioned melanoma cell lysate were tested in a series of clinical trials.

Overexpression of connexin 43 reduces melanoma proliferative and metastatic capacity.

Background: Alterations in connexin 43 (Cx43) expression and/or gap junction (GJ)-mediated intercellular communication are implicated in cancer pathogenesis. Herein, we have investigated the role of Cx43 in melanoma cell proliferation and apoptosis sensitivity in vitro, as well as metastatic capability and tumour growth in vivo.

Methods: Connexin 43 expression levels, GJ coupling and proliferation rates were analysed in four different human melanoma cell lines.

Suboptimal inhibition of platelet cyclooxygenase 1 by aspirin in systemic lupus erythematosus: association with metabolic syndrome.

Objective: Low-dose aspirin prevents platelet aggregation by suppressing thromboxane A2 (TXA2 ) synthesis. However, in some individuals TXA2 suppression by aspirin is impaired, indicating suboptimal inhibition of platelet cyclooxygenase 1 (COX-1) by aspirin. Because patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have increased risk of thrombotic events, many receive aspirin; however, the efficacy of aspirin in SLE has not been determined.

Oxidative stress in fibromyalgia and its relationship to symptoms.

Oxidative stress is thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of fibromyalgia. We examined the hypothesis that oxidative stress was increased in patients with fibromyalgia and related to the severity of symptoms. Urinary F(2)-isoprostane excretion was measured in 48 patients with fibromyalgia and compared to those of 96 control subjects.

The role of complement in the antiphospholipid syndrome-associated pathology.

The antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is characterized by arterial and/or venous thromboses, pregnancy loss, and the presence of anticardiolipin antibodies. The pathogenic mechanisms that lead to these clinical manifestations are incompletely understood. Although a direct pathogenic role of antiphospholipid antibodies has been established, including their role in endothelial cell and platelet activation, there is growing evidence that activation of the complement pathway may contribute to the pathogenesis of APS.

Amino-terminal fragment of the prohormone brain-type natriuretic peptide in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: Increased concentrations of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) are associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, but little is known about their relationship to chronic inflammation. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have chronic inflammation, increased arterial stiffness, and accelerated coronary atherosclerosis. This study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that NT-proBNP concentrations are elevated in patients with RA and are associated with coronary artery calcification and markers of inflammation.

Inflammation-associated insulin resistance: differential effects in rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus define potential mechanisms.

Objective: Insulin resistance is increased by inflammation, but the mechanisms are unclear. The present study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that decreased insulin sensitivity is differentially associated with mediators of inflammation by studying 2 chronic inflammatory diseases of different pathogenesis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: We measured fasting insulin, glucose, and lipid levels, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), and coronary artery calcification in 103 patients with SLE and in 124 patients with RA.

T cells and in situ cryoglobulin deposition in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis.

We discuss a 53-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus who presented with vasculitis, hypocomplementemia and nephritis. Although her serum complement 4 (C4) levels were zero, she had four copies of C4 gene. Renal biopsy revealed membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and the presence of cryoglobulins, detected by electron microscopy, and significant numbers of T cells in the interstitium.

N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide in systemic lupus erythematosus: relationship with inflammation, augmentation index, and coronary calcification.

Objective: Cardiovascular mortality is increased in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Increased plasma concentrations of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) are associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the general population. We examined the hypothesis that NT-proBNP concentrations are higher in patients with SLE, and are related to inflammation, augmentation index, coronary atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular risk factors.

Lipoprotein subclasses and particle size determined by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have accelerated atherosclerosis, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. The size and number of lipoprotein particles may be better predictors of atherosclerosis than conventional cholesterol measurements. We measured lipoprotein subclasses by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), coronary artery calcification by electron beam computed tomography, and insulin resistance by homeostasis model assessment in 105 patients with SLE and 77 control subjects.

Increased augmentation index in rheumatoid arthritis and its relationship to coronary artery atherosclerosis.

Objective: Arterial stiffness, assessed by the augmentation index and pulse wave velocity, is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with accelerated atherosclerosis and increased cardiovascular mortality. We examined the hypothesis that augmentation index and pulse wave velocity are increased in RA, and are related to coronary artery atherosclerosis.

Aspirin therapy and thromboxane biosynthesis in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Incomplete suppression of thromboxane biosynthesis during aspirin therapy is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Since systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with platelet activation and increased cardiovascular mortality, we compared thromboxane and prostacyclin biosynthesis in patients with SLE and control subjects, and measured inhibition of thromboxane excretion in aspirin-treated subjects. We measured the urinary excretion of 11-dehydro thromboxane B( 2) (TXB(2)) and 2,3-dinor 6-ketoPGF(1alpha) (PGI-M), the stable metabolites of thromboxane A(2) and prostacyclin, respectively, in 74 patients with SLE and 70 controls.

Inflammatory mechanisms affecting the lipid profile in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective: Increased low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides, and decreased high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentrations are associated with adverse cardiovascular risk in the general population. Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have an altered lipid profile characterized by increased triglycerides and decreased HDL cholesterol concentrations. We examined the relationships between lipid concentrations, cytokines, and inflammatory markers in patients with SLE.

Serum osteoprotegerin is increased and independently associated with coronary-artery atherosclerosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoprotegerin (OPG), a soluble decoy receptor for receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB ligand, is implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have inflammation and increased atherosclerosis. We examined the hypothesis that OPG concentrations are increased in patients with RA and are associated with coronary-artery atherosclerosis.

Oxidative stress in systemic lupus erythematosus: relationship to disease activity and symptoms.

Oxidative stress may play a role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We examined the hypothesis that oxidative stress was associated with indices of lupus disease activity and severity of symptoms. Urinary F2 isoprostane excretion, a validated marker of oxidative stress, was measured in 95 patients with SLE and 103 healthy controls.

Atherosclerosis and inflammation: insights from rheumatoid arthritis.

Cardiovascular disease is a major health care problem and the most common cause of death among individuals from developed nations. Our understanding of atherosclerosis has evolved from a passive process resulting in narrowing of the lumen and consequent myocardial ischemia to a dynamic process that involves inflammation. The study of atherosclerosis in patients with chronic inflammation, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), will provide insights into the relationship between inflammation and atherosclerosis.