Publications by authors named "Garcia-Blanco M"

Article Synopsis
  • - The study focused on developing an mRNA vaccine for the Andes virus (ANDV) using two types of mRNA: regular uridine (U-mRNA) and N1-methylpseudouridine (m1Ψ-mRNA).
  • - Mice showed better immune responses with the m1Ψ-mRNA, but both mRNA types led to similar activation and effective antibody responses in subsequent tests with Syrian hamsters.
  • - The results indicate that the U-mRNA construct produced higher glycoprotein-binding antibodies, yet both vaccines effectively protected rodents from a lethal ANDV challenge, showing the vaccine's potential despite subtle differences.
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DExD-box RNA proteins DDX39A and DDX39B are highly homologous paralogs that are conserved in vertebrates. They are required for energy-driven reactions involved in RNA processing. Although we have some understanding of how their functions overlap in RNA nuclear export, our knowledge of whether or not these proteins have specific or redundant functions in RNA splicing is limited.

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Forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) is the master fate-determining transcription factor in regulatory T (T) cells and is essential for their development, function, and homeostasis. Mutations in cause immunodysregulation polyendocrinopathy enteropathy X-linked (IPEX) syndrome, and aberrant expression of has been implicated in other diseases such as multiple sclerosis and cancer. We previously demonstrated that pre-mRNA splicing of RNAs is highly sensitive to levels of DExD-box polypeptide 39B (DDX39B), and here we investigate the mechanism of this sensitivity.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The study aimed to assess how effective it is for students to learn to administer inferior alveolar nerve blocks (IANB) with or without practical simulator lessons compared to just theoretical instruction.
  • - Students were randomly divided into two groups: one received both theory and practical lessons using a simulator, while the other only had theory. Results showed that those who used the simulator were better at handling instruments and had a hint of improved anatomical landmark recognition.
  • - Although both groups had similar success rates in administering the IANB and felt equally confident, all students found training with the simulator to be beneficial.
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The prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) is a growing global health concern. Recent advances have demonstrated significant reductions in acute cardiovascular events through the management of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors. However, these factors are responsible for about 50% of the global cardiovascular disease burden.

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Alternative RNA splicing, a ubiquitous mechanism of gene regulation in eukaryotes, expands genome coding capacity and proteomic diversity. It has essential roles in all aspects of human physiology, including immunity. This review highlights the importance of RNA alternative splicing in regulating immune T cell function.

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A 66-year-old woman was admitted to the emergency department with diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting as well as low-grade fever. She was initially treated with ciprofloxacin and metronidazole with symptomatic improvement and was discharged. One week later, she returned to the emergency department for gait instability, dizziness, and vomiting and had a witnessed generalized tonic-clonic seizure in the hospital.

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A 41-year-old man was admitted to the Emergency Department with bilateral numbness in lower extremities and left femoral palsy. He also reported constitutional symptoms, vomiting and non-bloody diarrhoea for the last several months. He had a previous history of eosinophilic asthma with erratic follow-up.

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Over the last decade, our understanding of spliceosome structure and function has significantly improved, refining the study of the impact of dysregulated splicing on human disease. As a result, targeted splicing therapeutics have been developed, treating various diseases including spinal muscular atrophy and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. These advancements are very promising and emphasize the critical role of proper splicing in maintaining human health.

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Genes associated with increased susceptibility to multiple sclerosis (MS) have been identified, but their functions are incompletely understood. One of these genes codes for the RNA helicase DExD/H-Box Polypeptide 39B (DDX39B), which shows genetic and functional epistasis with interleukin-7 receptor-α gene () in MS-risk. Based on evolutionary and functional arguments, we postulated that DDX39B enhances immune tolerance thereby decreasing MS risk.

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Mosquito transmission of dengue viruses to humans starts with infection of skin resident cells at the biting site. There is great interest in identifying transmission-enhancing factors in mosquito saliva in order to counteract them. Here we report the discovery of high levels of the anti-immune subgenomic flaviviral RNA (sfRNA) in dengue virus 2-infected mosquito saliva.

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Introduction: Recent simple dental extraction protocols suggest that therapeutic levels of the anticoagulant drug should be maintained because bleeding complications could be managed with local haemostasis manoeuvres. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between bleeding complications and the international normalized ratio (INR) values in patients after dental extractions completed with a plug of bismuth subgallate, without interrupting anticoagulant administration.

Materials And Methods: Patients undergoing oral Vitamin K antagonist chronic anticoagulant therapy requiring simple dental extractions were included in the study.

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It is evident that viral infection dramatically alters host gene expression, and these alterations have both pro- and anti-viral functions. While the effects of viral infection on transcription and translation have been comprehensively reviewed, less attention has been paid to the impact on alternative splicing of pre-messenger RNAs. Here we review salient examples of how viral infection leads to changes in alternative splicing and discuss how these changes impact infection.

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RNA viruses are likely to cause future pandemics and therefore we must create and organize a deep knowledge of these viruses to prevent and manage this risk. Assuming prevention will fail, at least once, we must be prepared to manage a future pandemic using all resources available. We emphasize the importance of having safe vaccine candidates and safe broad-spectrum antivirals ready for rapid clinical translation.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study evaluated the growth rate of impact factors (IF) in Radiology, Nuclear Medicine, and Medical Imaging from 2015 to 2020, identifying significant increases during this period.
  • Three journals experienced over 100% growth in IF, while others showed varied increases of 51% to 100%.
  • The findings highlight a significant trend, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, which can help authors select appropriate journals for submission.
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Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a severe stroke with a high death rate (40% mortality). The prevalence of hemorrhagic stroke has increased globally, with changes in the underlying cause over time as anticoagulant use and hypertension treatment have improved. The fundamental etiology of ICH and the mechanisms of harm from ICH, particularly the complex interaction between edema, inflammation, and blood product toxicity, have been thoroughly revised by the American Heart Association (AHA) in 2022.

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The interleukin 7 receptor () is strongly associated with increased risk to develop multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system, and this association is likely driven by up-regulation of the soluble isoform of IL7R (sIL7R). Expression of sIL7R is determined by exclusion of the alternative exon 6 from IL7R transcripts, and our previous work revealed that the MS risk allele of the SNP rs6897932 within this exon enhances the expression of sIL7R by promoting exclusion of exon 6. sIL7R potentiates the activity of IL7, leading to enhanced expansion of T cells and increased disability in the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) murine model of MS.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The study investigates the role of alternative splicing in the development of the three embryonic germ layers using RNA-Seq on human embryonic stem cells and their derived lineages, identifying distinct splicing programs for each lineage.
  • - Significant differences in splicing were found primarily between definitive endoderm and cardiac mesoderm, with an integrative analysis revealing RNA binding proteins that regulate these splicing events, particularly highlighting Quaking (QKI) in cardiac mesoderm specification.
  • - QKI knockout led to disruptions in the cardiac mesoderm splicing program and the formation of myocytes by reducing splice variants of the BIN1 gene, emphasizing QKI's role in managing this process through specific RNA interactions and chromatin
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Infection with dengue virus (DENV) induces vast rearrangements of the endoplasmic reticulum, which allows the compartmentalization of viral RNA replication and particle assembly. Both processes occur in concert with viral and cellular proteins. Prior studies from our group suggest that the host RNA-binding protein (RBP) Y-box binding protein 1 (YBX1) is required for a late step in the DENV replication cycle.

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The aim of this retrospective study was to describe the etiology and characteristics of trigeminal nerve injuries referred to a specialized center in Buenos Aires, Argentina. A retrospective analysis was performed of patients referred from February 2016 to January 2020. Age, sex, intervention performed, nerve affected, time elapsed from injury, diagnosis, location, and whether patient had signed informed consent were recorded.

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Quaking (QKI) controls RNA metabolism in many biological processes including innate immunity, where its roles remain incompletely understood. To illuminate these roles, we performed genome scale transcriptome profiling in QKI knockout cells with or without poly(I:C) transfection, a double-stranded RNA analog that mimics viral infection. Analysis of RNA-sequencing data shows that QKI knockout upregulates genes induced by interferons, suggesting that QKI is an immune suppressor.

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The importance of transcriptional regulation of host genes in innate immunity against viral infection has been widely recognized. More recently, post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms have gained appreciation as an additional and important layer of regulation to fine-tune host immune responses. Here, we review the functional significance of alternative splicing in innate immune responses to viral infection.

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Background: Venous thrombotic events (VTE) are frequent in COVID-19, and elevated plasma D-dimer (pDd) and dyspnea are common in both entities.

Objective: To determine the admission pDd cut-off value associated with in-hospital VTE in patients with COVID-19.

Methods: Multicenter, retrospective study analyzing the at-admission pDd cut-off value to predict VTE and anticoagulation intensity along hospitalization due to COVID-19.

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Our main aim was to describe the effect on the severity of ACEI (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor) and ARB (angiotensin II receptor blocker) during COVID-19 hospitalization. A retrospective, observational, multicenter study evaluating hospitalized patients with COVID-19 treated with ACEI/ARB. The primary endpoint was the incidence of the composite outcome of prognosis (IMV (invasive mechanical ventilation), NIMV (non-invasive mechanical ventilation), ICU admission (intensive care unit), and/or all-cause mortality).

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