COVID-19 and dengue coinfection in Latin America: A systematic review

"Introduction: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread globally, becoming a long-lasting pandemic. Dengue is the most common arboviral disease in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. COVID-19 and dengue coinfections have been reported, associated with worse outcomes with significant morbidity and mortality. Therefore, this study aims to determine the epidemiological situation of COVID-19 and dengue coinfection in Latin America. Methods: A systematic literature review was performed using PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, LILACS, and BVS databases from January 1, 2020, to September 4, 2021. The key search terms used were ""dengue"" and ""COVID-19"". Results: Nineteen published articles were included. The studies were case reports with a detailed description of the coinfection’s clinical, laboratory, diagnostic, and treatment features. Conclusion: Coinfection with SARS-CoV-2 and dengue virus is associated with worse outcomes with significant morbidity and mortality. The similar clinical and laboratory features of each infection are a challenge in accurately diagnosing and treating cases. Establishing an early diagnosis could be the answer to reducing the estimated significant burden of these conditions.

Neuroplastic and cognitive impairment in substance use disorders: a therapeutic potential of cognitive stimulation

Author manuscriptDrug addiction is a chronic and relapsing disorder in which repeated drug exposure compromises brain neuroplasticity. Brain areas normally involved in learning and goal- directed behaviors become corrupted, which may lead to cognitive deficits that coexist with other addiction symptoms and predict a worse treatment outcome. New learning experiences that are not motivated by drugs may improve both cognitive deficits and drug-induced symptoms by promoting adaptive neuroplastic changes that could alleviate or reverse those involved in addiction. The present review will focus on whether potentiating healthy cognitive function, either by formal cognitive training or non-drug related environmental experiences, could exert beneficial effects in the therapeutics of addiction. Although additional studies are needed, the available clinical and preclinical evidence suggests that cognitive stimulation may provide a valuable adjuvant intervention in drug addiction.This study was funded by grants from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Agencia Estatal de Investigación) co-founded by the European Research Development Fund-AEI/FEDER, UE- (PSI2015-73156-JIN to E.C.O.; PSI2017-82604R to L.J.S.), Red de Trastornos Adictivos (RD16/0017/0001 to F.R.F.), Plan Nacional sobre Drogas, Ministerio de Sanidad, Servicios Sociales e Igualdad (PNSD2015/047 to J.S.) and the University of Málaga (Plan Propio 2017 – ‘Ayudas para proyectos dirigidos por jóvenes investigadores’, PPIT.UMA.B1.2017/38 to P.S.P). Author P.S.P. holds a ‘Juan de la Cierva-formación’ grant from the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness (code: FJCI-2015-23925). Author D.L.G.M. holds a ‘FPU’ grant from the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports (code: FPU13/04819). Authors J.S., A.S. and F.J.P. hold ‘Miguel Servet’ grants (codes: CPII17/00024, CP14/00173 and CP14/00212, respectively) from the National System of Health-Instituto de Salud Carlos- III co-funded by FEDER, UE. Author E.C.O. holds a ‘Jóvenes Investigadores’ grant (code: PSI2015-73156-JIN) from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Agencia Estatal de Investigación) co-funded by FEDER, UE

Options for agriculture at Marrakech climate talks: messages for SBSTA 45 agriculture negotiators

SBSTA 45 in Marrakech represents a unique opportunity for Parties to decide on the future of agriculture within the UNFCCC. The process of discussions on issues related to agriculture initiated at COP17 in Durban 2011 culminates at COP22 in Marrakech 2016. The explicit reference to food security in the preamble of the Paris Agreement and the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions which prioritize agriculture as a sector for adaptation and mitigation actions, provide a foundation for Parties to develop appropriate frameworks to support actions within the agricultural sector. SBSTA workshops on agriculture in 2015 and 2016 allowed Parties to share experiences, identify priorities, and propose ways of taking action within the agricultural sector and so provide the core knowledge base to work from. As Parties reach a decision on issues related to agriculture at SBSTA 45, a number of options are available. This report presents ten such options that might contribute to a decision, taking into consideration political priorities, implementation arrangements, timelines and level of ambition. Options outlined in this report are not mutually exclusive and can be combined in many different ways

What role does the LPA1 receptor play in regulating emotional-like behaviours?

The LPA1 receptor is one of the six characterized G protein-coupled receptors (LPA1–6) through which lysophosphatidic acid acts as an intercellular signalling molecule. It has been proposed that this receptor has a role in controlling anxiety-like behaviours and in the detrimental consequences of stress. In general, the neurobiological mechanism of fear extinction is strikingly similar to that of the adaptative stress response (distress regulation), sharing similar neuroanatomical, neuroendocrine, and neurochemical basis. Inadequate control of the stress response could precipitate or provoke anxiety disorders. In this context, we tried to elucidate the LPA1 receptor involvement in emotional regulation. For this purpose, we first examined fear extinction, a type of emotional regulation, in normal wild-type (wt) and maLPA1-null mice using two different extinction procedures (cued fear extinction and contextual fear extinction). Additionally, to study the role of the LPA1 receptor in the absence of developmental abnormalities induced by its permanent loss, the effect of the LPA1 antagonist Ki16425 administration was examined in contextual fear extinction on wild-type mice. Next, we studied the consequences of the absence of the LPA1 receptor in two key areas involved in emotional regulation, characterizing the structure and GABAergic composition of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and the amygdala by immunohistochemical detection of neuron specific nuclear protein (NeuN), GABA-positive cells and calcium-binding proteins (calretinin (CR), parvalbumin (PV), and calbindin (CB)). Lastly, we examined the corticosterone response and the expression of a marker of neuronal activity, c-Fos protein, in the amygdala and the mPFC after acute stress. Our results revealed that lack of the LPA1-receptor induces exaggerated amygdala reactivity and endocrine responses to emotional stimuli (e.g., an acute episode of stress), revealing a role of the LPA1 receptor in regulating emotional-like behaviours. Considering that a reduction of GABAergic inhibitory control in the amygdala may be a common mechanism to generate a heightened emotional state, the abnormal emotional response reported in LPA1-null mice could be explained, at least in part, by a significant reduction of GABAérgic composition of the amygdala observed in these animals. Taking together, the LPA1 receptor is involved in emotional behaviours and in the anatomical integrity of the corticolimbic circuit, the deregulation of which may be a susceptibility factor for anxiety disorders and a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of these diseases.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Impact of dapagliflozin on cardiac remodelling in patients with chronic heart failure: The DAPA-MODA study.

AIMS Dapagliflozin improves the prognosis of patients with heart failure (HF), regardless of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). However, its effect on cardiac remodelling parameters, specifically left atrial (LA) remodelling, is not well established. METHODS AND RESULTS The DAPA-MODA trial (NCT04707352) is a multicentre, single-arm, open-label, prospective and interventional study that aimed to evaluate the effect of dapagliflozin on cardiac remodelling parameters over 6 months. Patients with stable chronic HF receiving optimized guideline-directed therapy, except for any sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor, were included. Echocardiography was performed at baseline, 30 and 180 days, and analysed by a central core-lab in a blinded manner to both patient and time. The primary endpoint was the change in maximal LA volume index (LAVI). A total of 162 patients (64.2% men, 70.5 ± 10.6 years, 52% LVEF >40%) were included in the study. At baseline, LA dilatation was observed (LAVI 48.1 ± 22.6 ml/m2 ) and LA parameters were similar between LVEF-based phenotypes (≤40% vs. >40%). LAVI showed a significant reduction at 180 days (-6.6% [95% confidence interval -11.1, -1.8], p = 0.008), primarily due to a decrease in reservoir volume (-13.8% [95% confidence interval -22.5, -4], p = 0.007). Left ventricular geometry improved with significant reductions in left ventricular mass index (-13.9% [95% confidence interval -18.7, -8.7], p < 0.001), end-diastolic volume (-8.0% [95% confidence interval -11.6, -4.2], p < 0.001) and end-systolic volume (-11.9% [95% confidence interval -16.7, -6.8], p < 0.001) at 180 days. N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) showed a significant reduction at 180 days (-18.2% [95% confidence interval -27.1, -8.2], p < 0.001), without changes in filling Doppler measures. CONCLUSION Dapagliflozin administration in stable out-setting patients with chronic HF and optimized therapy results in global reverse remodelling of cardiac structure, including reductions in LA volumes and improvement in left ventricular geometry and NT-proBNP concentrations.This study has been sponsored by Sociedad Española de Cardiología and has received funding by a non-conditional investigational grant from AstraZeneca Farmacéutica Spain.S

1 - Introducción

At the end of 2019, a new zoonotic coronavirus originated in China, which was called the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This virus first generated the denomination by the World Health Organization (WHO) of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), and later of pandemic. The impact of this COVID-19 pandemic has affected the entire world. Latin America has not been the exception, and with this this Consensus, which brings together the work of experts from different countries in the region, gathered in the Pan American Association of Infectious Diseases (API), seeks to serve as a guide, especially for those countries in which to date have not developed clear guidelines, especially in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease, but also in other epidemiological and preventive aspects. This consensus is divided into parts. This one, corresponds to the first, Introduction.A finales del año 2019 se originó en China un nuevo coronavirus, zoonótico, que fue denominado como el coronavirus del síndrome agudo respiratorio severo 2 (SARS-CoV-2), causante de la enfermedad por coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). Este virus generó inicialmente la denominación por parte de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) de Emergencia Sanitaria de Preocupación Internacional (ESPI), y posteriormente de pandemia. El impacto de esta pandemia por COVID-19 ha afectado todo el mundo. América Latina no ha sido la excepción, y con ello el presente Consenso, que reúne el trabajo de expertos de diferentes países de la región, congregados en la Asociación Panamericana de Infectología (API), busca servir de guía, especialmente para aquellos países en los cuales no se han desarrollado a la fecha lineamientos claros, especialmente en el diagnóstico y tratamiento de la enfermedad, pero también en otros aspectos epidemiológicos y preventivos. El presente consenso está dividido en partes. Esta, corresponde a la primera, Introducción

1 - Introducción

At the end of 2019, a new zoonotic coronavirus originated in China, which was called the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This virus first generated the denomination by the World Health Organization (WHO) of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), and later of pandemic. The impact of this COVID-19 pandemic has affected the entire world. Latin America has not been the exception, and with this this Consensus, which brings together the work of experts from different countries in the region, gathered in the Pan American Association of Infectious Diseases (API), seeks to serve as a guide, especially for those countries in which to date have not developed clear guidelines, especially in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease, but also in other epidemiological and preventive aspects. This consensus is divided into parts. This one, corresponds to the first, Introduction.A finales del año 2019 se originó en China un nuevo coronavirus, zoonótico, que fue denominado como el coronavirus del síndrome agudo respiratorio severo 2 (SARS-CoV-2), causante de la enfermedad por coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). Este virus generó inicialmente la denominación por parte de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) de Emergencia Sanitaria de Preocupación Internacional (ESPI), y posteriormente de pandemia. El impacto de esta pandemia por COVID-19 ha afectado todo el mundo. América Latina no ha sido la excepción, y con ello el presente Consenso, que reúne el trabajo de expertos de diferentes países de la región, congregados en la Asociación Panamericana de Infectología (API), busca servir de guía, especialmente para aquellos países en los cuales no se han desarrollado a la fecha lineamientos claros, especialmente en el diagnóstico y tratamiento de la enfermedad, pero también en otros aspectos epidemiológicos y preventivos. El presente consenso está dividido en partes. Esta, corresponde a la primera, Introducción

Differential Effects of Migration and Deportation on HIV Infection among Male and Female Injection Drug Users in Tijuana, Mexico

HIV prevalence is rising, especially among high risk females in Tijuana, Baja California, a Mexico-US border city situated on major migration and drug trafficking routes. We compared factors associated with HIV infection among male and female injection drug users (IDUs) in Tijuana in an effort to inform HIV prevention and treatment programs. IDUs aged ≥18 years were recruited using respondent-driven sampling and underwent testing for HIV, syphilis and structured interviews. Logistic regression identified correlates of HIV infection, stratified by gender. Among 1056 IDUs, most were Mexican-born but 67% were born outside Tijuana. Reasons for moving to Tijuana included deportation from the US (56% for males, 29% for females), and looking for work/better life (34% for females, 15% for males). HIV prevalence was higher in females versus males (10.2% vs. 3.5%, p = 0.001). Among females (N = 158), factors independently associated with higher HIV prevalence included younger age, lifetime syphilis infection and living in Tijuana for longer durations. Among males (N = 898), factors independently associated with higher HIV prevalence were syphilis titers consistent with active infection, being arrested for having ‘track-marks’, having larger numbers of recent injection partners and living in Tijuana for shorter durations. An interaction between gender and number of years lived in Tijuana regressed on HIV infection was significant (p = 0.03). Upon further analysis, deportation from the U.S. explained the association between shorter duration lived in Tijuana and HIV infection among males; odds of HIV infection were four-fold higher among male injectors deported from the US, compared to other males, adjusting for all other significant correlates (p = 0.002). Geographic mobility has a profound influence on Tijuana's evolving HIV epidemic, and its impact is significantly modified by gender. Future studies are needed to elucidate the context of mobility and HIV acquisition in this region, and whether US immigration policies adversely affect HIV risk