Publications by authors named "C Machahua"
Background: Calprotectin is an inflammatory marker mainly released by activated neutrophils that is increased in acute severe COVID-19. After initial recovery, some patients have persistent respiratory impairment with reduced diffusion capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO) months after infection. Underlying causes of this persistent impairment are unclear.
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- The Omicron-BA.1 variant of concern became the dominant strain globally in early 2022, prompting the need for extensive research using primary cell cultures and animal models to understand its characteristics compared to the Delta variant.* -
- In laboratory studies, Omicron-BA.1 showed increased early replication in human nasal cells but less replication in bronchial cells; however, in animal models like hamsters and ferrets, Delta variant remained more dominant.* -
- The research revealed that the spike gene from Omicron-BA.1 leads to lower replication and pathogenicity in certain mice, while also indicating that this variant may escape immune responses generated by mRNA vaccines, contributing to its dominance over other variants.*
Patients with progressive fibrosing interstitial lung diseases (fILD) have increased morbidity and mortality. Lung fibrosis can be associated with lung cancer. The pathogenesis of both diseases shows similarities, although not all mechanisms are understood.
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- * In laboratory tests, DHEA showed the ability to lower pro-fibrotic markers without being toxic, and it influenced cell growth by changing the cell cycle and reducing G6PD activity.
- * Low levels of DHEAS in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and other fibrotic ILDs were linked to worse lung function and increased risk of early mortality, suggesting that DHEAS could serve as a potential biomarker for disease severity.