Publications by authors named "J A Villena"

Introduction: The development of a hepatitis E virus (HEV) vaccine is critical, with ORF2 capsid protein as the main target. We previously demonstrated that oral coadministration of recombinant ORF2 with immunomodulatory bacterium-like-particles (IBLP) induces a specific immune response in mice, particularly using IBLP derived from IBL027 (IBLP027), which was effective in eliciting a local humoral response. IBLP are non-live bacteria with adjuvant and carrier properties, serving as a platform for exposing proteins or antigens fused to LysM (lysine motif) domains, protein modules that bind to cell wall polysaccharides like peptidoglycan.

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Orally administered immunomodulatory lactobacilli can stimulate respiratory immunity and enhance the resistance to primary infections with bacterial and viral pathogens. However, the potential beneficial effects of immunomodulatory lactobacilli against respiratory superinfection have not been evaluated. In this work, we showed that the feeding of infant mice with CRL1505 or MPL16 strains can reduce susceptibility to the secondary pneumococcal infection produced after the activation of TLR3 in the respiratory tract or after infection with RVS.

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The beneficial effect of milk kefir on respiratory heath has been previously demonstrated; however, water kefir and kefiran in the context of respiratory viral infections have not been investigated. Water kefir and kefiran could be alternatives to milk kefir for their application in persons with lactose intolerance or milk allergy and could be incorporated into vegan diets. Using mice models, this work demonstrated that the oral administration of water kefir or kefiran can modulate the respiratory Toll-like receptor (TLR3)-mediated innate antiviral immunity and improve the resistance to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection.

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Mol. is a plant of the Bromeliaceae family, which has been traditionally used for medicinal applications in various digestive disorders. In this study, the phytoconstituents of six extracts of stems and flowers of were evaluated: phenols, flavonoids and total anthraquinones, as well as their antioxidant capacity and cytotoxicity in colon cancer cell lines HT-29.

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Nodular syphilis with a granulomatous inflammatory histopathologic pattern is an uncommon cutaneous presentation of secondary syphilis which could pose a diagnostic challenge for clinicians and pathologists alike. A 33-year-old male diagnosed with HIV presented with a 5-week history of asymptomatic generalized erythematous papules and nodules with overlying scales, with involvement of the palms and soles. Histopathologic examination of a nodule from the forearm revealed non-caseating granulomas in a background of a mixed cell inflammatory infiltrate composed of lymphocytes, epithelioid and foamy histiocytes, plasma cells, neutrophils, and multinucleated giant cells.

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