Detection of Hepatitis E Antibodies in Kazakhstan: A Pilot Study

Introduction. Hepatitis E virus exposure is associated with sporadic cases of acute hepatitis and outbreaks in many countries worldwide. It is particularly dangerous for pregnant women, in whom the mortality rate is high. There are no previously published data reporting circulation of this virus in Kazakhstan.Methods. We tested blood samples for IgG anti-hepatitis E virus antibodies in 199 Kazakh participants; of  these 119 were workers at the EXPO 2017 building site in Astana, 35 were volunteers who got tested at the Astana City Hall on the World Hepatitis Day 2017, and 45 were volunteers who presented for screening at the Hepatogastroenterology Outpatient Clinic of the Republican Diagnostic Center, University Medical Center.Results. 11 (5.5%) individuals were positive for IgG anti-HEV antibodies, with a higher seroprevalence in males (7; 6.8%) vs females (4; 4.5%). The highest number of positive samples was in the 32-46 years age group.Conclusions. This pilot study suggests that Hepatitis E virus has been circulating in Kazakhstan. Studies are needed to determine whether it continues to be present, which viral genotypes are involved and what are the best methodologies for preventing its spread

CO‑ADMINISTRATION OF FVIII WITH IVIG REDUCES IMMUNE RESPONSE TO FVIII IN HEMOPHILIA A MICE

Hemophilia A is an X-linked recessive congenital bleeding disorder. Exogenous infusion of FVIII is the treatment of choice, and the development of immunoglobulins against FVIII (inhibitors) remains the major challenge in clinical management of the disease. Here, we investigated the effect of co-administration of FVIII with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) on the development of inhibitors in previously untreated hemophilia A mice. A group of hemophilia A mice (C57BL/6FVIII−/−) received weekly injections of recombinant human FVIII (rFVIII) for twelve consecutive weeks while a second group received co-injections of rFVIII + IVIG. An in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was designed to detect antibodies to rFVIII. Every mouse in the first group developed antibodies to rFVIII. In contrast, mice treated with rFVIII + IVIG showed significantly lower antibody titers. Interestingly, when co-administration of IVIG was discontinued after 12 weeks in some mice (rFVIII continued), these mice experienced an increase in antibody titer. In contrast, mice that continued to receive rFVIII + IVIG retained significantly lower titers. In conclusion, prophylactic rFVIII co-administration with IVIG modulated the immune response to FVIII and resulted in decreased anti-FVIII antibody titer. These findings suggest that co-injection therapy with IVIG could potentially be effective in the management of hemophilia A patients at risk of inhibitor development

Cell encapsulation:Promise and progress

In cell encapsulation, transplanted cells are protected from immune rejection by an artificial, semipermeable membrane, potentially allowing transplantation (allo-or xenotransplantation) without the need for immunosuppression. Yet, despite some promising results in animal studies, the field has not lived up to expectations, and clinical products based on encapsulated cell technology continue to elude the scientific community. This commentary discusses the reasons for this, summarizes recent progress in the field and outlines what is needed to bring this technology closer to clinical application

SPUTNIK-V REACTOGENICITY AND IMMUNOGENICITY IN THE BLOOD AND MUCOSA: A PROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY

Sputnik-V (Gam-COVID-Vac) is a heterologous, recombinant adenoviral (rAdv) vector-based, COVID- 19 vaccine now used in > 70 countries. Yet there is a shortage of data on this vaccine’s performance in diverse populations. Here, we performed a prospective cohort study to assess the reactogenicity and immunologic outcomes of Sputnik-V vaccination in Kazakhstan. COVID-19-free participants (n = 82 at baseline) were followed at day 21 after Sputnik-V dose 1 (rAd5) and dose 2 (rAd26). Self-reported local and systemic adverse events were captured using questionnaires. Blood and nasopharyngeal swabs were collected to perform SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic and immunologic assays. We observed that most of the reported adverse events were mild-to-moderate injection site or systemic reactions, no severe or potentially life-threatening conditions were reported, and dose 1 appeared to be more reactogenic than dose 2. The seroconversion rate was 97% post-dose 1, remaining the same post-dose 2. The proportion of participants with detectable virus neutralization was 83% post-dose 1, increasing to 98% post-dose 2, with the largest relative increase observed in participants without prior COVID- 19 exposure. Dose 1 boosted nasal S-IgG and S-IgA, while the boosting effect of dose 2 on mucosal S-IgG, but not S-IgA, was only observed in subjects without prior COVID-19. Systemically, vaccination reduced serum levels of growth regulated oncogene (GRO), which correlated with an elevation in blood platelet count. Overall, Sputnik-V dose 1 elicited both blood and mucosal SARS-CoV-2 immunity, while the immune boosting effect of dose 2 was minimal. Thus, adjustments to the current vaccine dosing regimen are necessary to optimize immunization efficacy and cost-effectiveness. While Sputnik-V reactogenicity is similar to that of other COVID-19 vaccines, the induced alterations to the GRO/platelet axis warrant investigation of the vaccine’s effects on systemic immunology

PSORIASIS IS ASSOCIATED WITH ELEVATED GUT IL-1Α AND INTESTINAL MICROBIOME ALTERATIONS

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory condition that predominantly affects the skin and is associated with extracutaneous disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease and arthritis. Changes in gut immunology and microbiota are important drivers of proinflammatory disorders and could play a role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Therefore, we explored whether psoriasis in a Central Asian cohort is associated with alterations in select immunological markers and/or microbiota of the gut

Recursos para el autoaprendizaje en alumnos de grado y máster en la rama de conocimiento de Artes y Humanidades

Memoria ID-198. Ayudas de la Universidad de Salamanca para la innovación docente, curso 2018-2019

Estudos Artísticos

Há um compromisso entre o artista e a sociedade. Não é possível retirar a arte do seu contexto social. Neste projecto, em que se desafiam os criadores a pesquisar a obra de outros criadores, reúnem-se aqueles artigos que melhor demonstram a responsabilidade e a solidariedade entre os criadores e os seus pares sociais. São obras, artistas, projetos, plataformas de intervenção, projetos que enfatizam as relações sociais como suporte. Sob esta temática geral foram reunidos 25 artigos para este número 6 da Revista Croma, em linhas de exploração variadas e mantendo a elevada internacionalização da revista: mais de noventa por cento das publicações são exógenas à Faculdade de Belas-Artes da Universidade de Lisboa ou do CIEBA, a sua unidade de investigação. Este é um indicador procurado e atingido de modo consistente em todos os exemplares publicados até hoje, e que se espera poder afirmar com continuidade. As diferentes perspetivas apresentadas nos variados artigos expõe a obra de autores que exploram dimensões relacionais ou perante as quais o espectador é convocado a deslocar o seu posicionamento, a desassossegar-se. A implicação surge como resultado da articulação expressiva dos recursos mais variados, em constante mistura, exibindo o modo como as dimensões materiais e ideais são fundadoras das diversas propostas. Nesta revista não há indiferença, há diferenças.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Evaluación de TuFormulas. Diseño y aplicación de indicadores para medir el impacto y la sostenibilidad de este recurso educativo como herramienta de enseñanza y aprendizaje

Depto. de Química en Ciencias FarmacéuticasFac. de FarmaciaFALSEsubmitte

Abastecimiento de agua y energía en la rehabilitación de dos canales de riego en Iringa, Tanzania

Por los alrededores de la ciudad de Iringa en Tanzania circulan dos canales de riego que extraen agua del río Little Ruaha y actualmente se encuentran en mal estado. Los agricultores del área afectada presentan un escenario de pobreza caracterizado por un modelo de agricultura de subsistencia, con escaso acceso a tecnología, inversión y disponibilidad de agua. Con este trabajo, se ha buscado determinar la solución más adecuada para abastecer y gestionar el agua en las parcelas afectadas por los canales en la zona. Se han desarrollado diversas soluciones de pequeña escala que puedan ser replicables por los agricultores locales para la irrigación de sus cultivos. Se ha tenido en cuenta la variedad de posibilidades existentes en la zona del proyecto, brindando un marco que facilite a los agricultores adaptar una solución a su situación individual. Se ha determinado que una combinación de almacenamiento de agua en cercanía, sistemas de irrigación solar fotovoltaico, cambio en los patrones de cultivo y fortalecimiento comunitario puede mejorar considerablemente la situación de los agricultores locales. Estas medidas promueven una gestión más eficiente del agua, aumentan la producción, fortalecen la resiliencia ante crisis climáticas y facilitan el acceso a los mercados. Esto conduce a una mejora en la seguridad alimentaria y un aumento en los ingresos de los agricultores, superando el modelo de agricultura de subsistencia y mejorando su calidad de vida. Se destaca la necesidad de modelos de financiación para que los agricultores puedan afrontar la inversión inicial requerida. Además, se subraya la importancia de establecer un marco normativo para la gestión del agua del canal de Mkoga, regulando su uso y estableciendo una contabilidad y cuotas adecuadas. Abstract Around the town of Iringa in Tanzania there are two irrigation canals that draw water from the Little Ruaha River and are currently in poor condition. Farmers in the affected area present a poverty scenario characterised by a subsistence farming model, with little access to technology, investment and water availability. This work has sought to determine the most appropriate solution for supplying and managing water on the plots affected by the canals in the area. Various small-scale solutions have been developed that can be replicated by local farmers to irrigate their crops. The variety of possibilities in the project area has been considered, providing a framework that makes it easier for farmers to adapt a solution to their individual situation. A combination of nearby water storage, solar photovoltaic irrigation systems, changing cropping patterns and community strengthening can significantly improve the situation of local farmers. These measures promote more efficient water management, increase production, strengthen resilience to climate crisis and facilitate access to markets. This leads to improved food security and increased incomes for farmers, overcoming the subsistence farming model and improving their quality of life. The need for financing models to enable farmers to afford the initial investment required is highlighted. In addition, the importance of establishing a regulatory framework for the management of the Mkoga canal water, regulating its use and establishing proper accounting and quotas is underlined