Potential molecular patterns for tuberculosis susceptibility in diabetic patients with poor glycaemic control: a pilot study.

Type 2 diabetes (DM2) is an increasingly prevalent disease that challenges tuberculosis (TB) control strategies worldwide. It is significant that DM2 patients with poor glycemic control (PDM2) are prone to developing tuberculosis. Furthermore, elucidating the molecular mechanisms that govern this susceptibility is imperative to address this problem.

Antimycobacterial Precatorin A Flavonoid Displays Antibiofilm Activity against BCG.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential antibiofilm activity of () compounds over BCG ( BCG) as a model for (). We evaluated the antibiofilm activity as the ability to both inhibit biofilm formation and disrupt preformed biofilms (bactericidal) of compounds, which have been previously described as being antimycobacterials against . BCG developed air-liquid interface biofilms with surface attachment ability and drug tolerance.

Genomic epidemiology analysis of drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis distributed in Mexico.

Genomics has significantly revolutionized pathogen surveillance, particularly in epidemiological studies, the detection of drug-resistant strains, and disease control. Despite its potential, the representation of Latin American countries in the genomic catalogues of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the bacteria responsible for Tuberculosis (TB), remains limited. In this study, we present a whole genome sequencing (WGS)-based analysis of 85 Mtb clinical strains from 17 Mexican states, providing insights into local adaptations and drug resistance signatures in the region.

Prevalence of Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) in Mexican Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA).

Introduction: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at increased risk of developing tuberculosis, and even more so if they receive biological agents. In Mexico, the prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in RA diagnosed by interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) is largely unknown. The objective was to determine LTBI prevalence and the associated risk factors in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Metabolomic Selection in the Progression of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Genetic Algorithm Approach.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a result of the inefficient use of insulin by the body. More than 95% of people with diabetes have T2DM, which is largely due to excess weight and physical inactivity. This study proposes an intelligent feature selection of metabolites related to different stages of diabetes, with the use of genetic algorithms (GA) and the implementation of support vector machines (SVMs), K-Nearest Neighbors (KNNs) and Nearest Centroid (NEARCENT) and with a dataset obtained from the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social with the protocol name of the following: "Análisis metabolómico y transcriptómico diferencial en orina y suero de pacientes pre diabéticos, diabéticos y con nefropatía diabética para identificar potenciales biomarcadores pronósticos de daño renal" (differential metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses in the urine and serum of pre-diabetic, diabetic and diabetic nephropathy patients to identify potential prognostic biomarkers of kidney damage).

A pseudovirus-based platform to measure neutralizing antibodies in Mexico using SARS-CoV-2 as proof-of-concept.

The gold-standard method to evaluate a functional antiviral immune response is to titer neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) against a viral pathogen. This is historically performed using an in vitro assay of virus-mediated infection, which requires BSL-3 facilities. As these are insufficient in Latin American countries, including Mexico, scant information is obtained locally about viral pathogens NAb, using a functional assay.

GPR15 expressed in T lymphocytes from RA patients is involved in leukocyte chemotaxis to the synovium.

The rheumatoid arthritis (RA) inflammatory process occurs in the joints where immune cells are attracted into the synovium to promote remodeling and tissue damage. GPR15 is a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) located on chromosome 3 and has similarity in its sequence with chemokine receptors. Recent evidence indicates that GPR15 may be associated with modulation of the chronic inflammatory response.

The Alpha Variant (B.1.1.7) of SARS-CoV-2 Failed to Become Dominant in Mexico.

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the emergence and rapid increase of the B.1.1.

Kynurenine and Hemoglobin as Sex-Specific Variables in COVID-19 Patients: A Machine Learning and Genetic Algorithms Approach.

Differences in clinical manifestations, immune response, metabolic alterations, and outcomes (including disease severity and mortality) between men and women with COVID-19 have been reported since the pandemic outbreak, making it necessary to implement sex-specific biomarkers for disease diagnosis and treatment. This study aimed to identify sex-associated differences in COVID-19 patients by means of a genetic algorithm (GALGO) and machine learning, employing support vector machine (SVM) and logistic regression (LR) for the data analysis. Both algorithms identified kynurenine and hemoglobin as the most important variables to distinguish between men and women with COVID-19.

Immunometabolic signatures predict risk of progression to sepsis in COVID-19.

Viral sepsis has been proposed as an accurate term to describe all multisystemic dysregulations and clinical findings in severe and critically ill COVID-19 patients. The adoption of this term may help the implementation of more accurate strategies of early diagnosis, prognosis, and in-hospital treatment. We accurately quantified 110 metabolites using targeted metabolomics, and 13 cytokines/chemokines in plasma samples of 121 COVID-19 patients with different levels of severity, and 37 non-COVID-19 individuals.

Impact of type 2 diabetes on the capacity of human macrophages infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis to modulate monocyte differentiation through a bystander effect.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is a risk factor for the development of tuberculosis (TB) through mechanisms poorly understood. Monocytes and macrophages are key effector cells to control TB, but they are also subverted by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Specifically, Mtb can induce a bystander effect that skews monocyte differentiation towards macrophages with a permissive phenotype to infection.

Serum Th17 and TNF-α distinguish between patients with occult hepatitis B infection, chronic hepatitis B infection and healthy individuals.

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is classified into five phases based on virus-host interactions: immune tolerance, immune clearance, inactive carrier state, reactive phase and occult hepatitis B infection (OBI). OBI is an uncommon asymptomatic phase of CHB that can be reactivated when the immune system is compromised, occasionally giving rise to severe liver disease. Host immune factors play essential roles in all phases of the CHB infection.

Overexpression of TLR7 and TLR9 Occurs Before Onset Symptoms In First-Degree Relatives of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients.

Background: Autoantibodies have a central role in the physiopathology of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). However, the responsible factors that trigger and perpetuate the autoantibodies production are unknown. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) have been considered as promotors of autoantibodies production to break down the immunotolerance in RA.

Long-term exposure to particulate matter from air pollution alters airway β-defensin-3 and -4 and cathelicidin host defense peptides production in a murine model.

Epidemiological studies have associated long-term exposure to environmental air pollution particulate matter (PM) with the development of diverse health problems. They include infectious respiratory diseases related to the deregulation of some innate immune response mechanisms, such as the host defense peptides' expression. Herein, we evaluated in BALB/c mice the effect of long-standing exposure (60 days) to urban-PM from the south of Mexico City, with aerodynamic diameters below 2.

Calpain Participates in Cortical Cytoskeleton Modification and DNA Release during Neutrophil Extracellular Trap Formation.

Introduction: The formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) is a process in which several kinds of enzymes participate generating posttranslational modifications of proteins. NETs have been associated with infectious, autoimmune, and inflammatory diseases. Inhibition of several proteases reduces the formation of NETs.

Steroid hormone modulates the production of cathelicidin and human β-defensins in lung epithelial cells and macrophages promoting Mycobacterium tuberculosis killing.

Several studies have documented the interaction between the immune and endocrine systems as an effective defense strategy against tuberculosis, involving the production of several molecules and immunological processes. In this study, we determined the effect of cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on the production of antimicrobial peptides such as cathelicidin and human β-defensin (HBD) -2, and HBD-3 and their effect on intracellular growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) in lung epithelial cells and macrophages. Our results showed that DHEA promotes the production of these antimicrobial peptides in infected cells, correlating with the decrease of Mtb bacilli loads.

The analysis on the human protein domain targets and host-like interacting motifs for the MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV/CoV-2 infers the molecular mimicry of coronavirus.

The MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 are highly pathogenic viruses that can cause severe pneumonic diseases in humans. Unfortunately, there is a non-available effective treatment to combat these viruses. Domain-motif interactions (DMIs) are an essential means by which viruses mimic and hijack the biological processes of host cells.

Platelets immune response against Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.

Tuberculosis (TB) is the first cause of death by a single infectious agent. Previous reports have highlighted the presence of platelets within Tb granulomas, albeit the immune-associated platelet response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) has not been deeply studied. Our results showed that platelets are recruited into the granuloma in the late stages of tuberculosis.

Nicotine promotes the intracellular growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in epithelial cells.

Several epidemiological studies have identified the cigarette smoke as a risk factor for the infection and development of tuberculosis. Nicotine is considered the main immunomodulatory molecule of the cigarette. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of nicotine in the growth of M.

Methotrexate reduces keratinocyte proliferation, migration and induces apoptosis in HaCaT keratinocytes in vitro and reduces wound closure in Skh1 mice in vivo.

The aim of the present work was to evaluate MTX treatment (0.1, 1 and 10 μg mL) in vitro in order to characterize its effects on cell proliferation alterations in cell cycle of HaCaT keratinocytes and wound healing in a Skh1 mice treated with MTX (low doses 30 mg kg, high doses 200 mg kg and repeated doses at 1.5 mg kg).

A mango (Mangifera indica L.) juice by-product reduces gastrointestinal and upper respiratory tract infection symptoms in children.

The study aimed to evaluate the effect of a mango juice by-product (JBP) on upper-respiratory and gastrointestinal tract infection symptoms in children (6-8 y) in a randomized, double-blind, parallel, case-control study. For two months, children drank either flavored water (control group) or a mango JBP-based beverage (0.04 g·ml; treatment group); such beverage provided 1.

Subclinical inflammation in the preclinical phase of rheumatoid arthritis might contribute to articular joint damage.

The first degree relatives of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients have a higher risk of developing RA, which is related to the expression of autoantibodies against citrullinated proteins (ACPA). Remarkably, prior to the onset of RA, cartilage damage is already initiated, whereas ACPA autoantibodies are already expressed. Here we show that both TNF-α and IL-6 are also increased prior to the onset of RA.

Identification of immunogenic T-cell peptides of Mycobacterium tuberculosis PE_PGRS33 protein.

The development of a more efficient vaccine is needed to improve tuberculosis control. One of the current approaches is to identify immunogenic T-cell peptides that can elicit a protective and specific immune response. These peptides come from immunogenic proteins of the pathogen.

Host Defense Peptide RNase 7 Is Down-regulated in the Skin of Diabetic Patients with or without Chronic Ulcers, and its Expression is Altered with Metformin.

Background: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are one of the main complications in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2), previous studies have reported that DM2 patients have lower production of host defense peptides (HDP).

Aim Of The Study: To investigate the expression of RNase 7, cathelicidin, HBD-2, and psoriasin in biopsies obtained from DM2 patients with or without DFU.

Methods: Biopsies from DFU patients grade 3 according to Wagner's classification, from diabetic patients without ulcer and from healthy donors were obtained.

Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells Show Different Frequencies in Diabetics and Subjects with Arterial Hypertension.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) is strongly associated with other comorbidities such as obesity, atherosclerosis, and hypertension. Obesity is associated with sustained low-grade inflammatory response due to the production of proinflammatory cytokines. This inflammatory process promotes the differentiation of some myeloid cells, including myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs).