SEROPREVALENCE OF LEPTOSPIROSIS IN ALPACAS FROM QUIMSACHATA, PUNO

El objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar la seroprevalencia de leptospirosis en alpacas durante la época de lluvias (enero-marzo) en la localidad Quimsachata, Puno. Se analizaron 344 sueros de alpacas de una estación experimental del Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Extensión Agraria, mediante la prueba de microaglutinación. Se evaluó, además, la asociación de las variables sexo y edad con la reacción a la prueba. El 44.8 ± 5.3% de los animales fueron serorreactores. Los serovares detectados fueron pomona (43.6%), icterohaemorrhagiae (9.9%), y canicola (1.5%), no encontrándose ningún reactor a hardjo. No se encontró ningún suero positivo en tuis; mientras que en adultos no se encontró diferencia significativa entre sexos. Los altos títulos hallados para pomona e icterohaemorrhagiae en estos animales sugieren una infección activa durante la época de lluvia.The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of leptospirosis in alpacas reared in the locality of Quimsachata, Puno during the rainy season (January-March). Serum samples (n=344) of alpacas from the experimental station of the Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Extensión Agraria (INIA) were analyzed using the microaglutination test. The association of age and sex with test results was also evaluated. The overall seroprevalence was 44.8 ± 5.3%. The detected serovars were pomona (43.6%), icterohaemorrhagiae (9.9%), canicola (1.5%), and none for hardjo. Positive samples in young animals («tuis») were nil, whereas in adult animals no statistical differences was found due to sex. The high antibody titres in pomona and icterohaemorrhagiae suggested an active infection during the rainy period

Birds of Universidad de los Llanos (Villavicencio, Colombia): a rich community at the andean foothills-savanna transition

Objetivos: Desarrollar el inventario de las aves del campus Barcelona de la Universidad de los Llanos, Villavicencio, Colombia, con el objeto de estimar la riqueza de especies, abundancia y asociaciones de hábitat de la avifauna local. Alcance: Caracterización de la diversidad aviar local y su asociación con diferentes tipos de ecosistemas naturales y transformados. Metodología: Inventariamos la avifauna tomando registros visuales y auditivos semanales entre agosto de 2013 y agosto de 2014, además de observaciones no sistemáticas entre 2013 y 2018. Estimamos la riqueza de especies usando estimadores no paramétricos, y categorizamos las abundancias locales y asociaciones de hábitat con base en la frecuencia de encuentros. Principales resultados: Registramos un total de 189 especies a través de observaciones sistemáticas, además de 21 registradas de manera no sistemática para un total de 210 especies. El listado incluye una especie casi amenazada para Colombia, 20 especies migratorias y cuatro ampliaciones de distribución para la cuenca del Orinoco colombiano. La heterogeneidad de la vegetación mantiene una rica comunidad compuesta principalmente por especies asociadas a zonas urbanas, bosque de galería y lagos artificiales. Muchas especies fueron raras y ocasionales, lo cual sugiere que son visitantes o mantienen pequeñas poblaciones dentro del campus. Conclusiones: Este estudioprovee datos básicos sobre la diversidad de aves en ecosistemas transformados en la cuenca del Orinoco, y resalta la importancia de los mosaicos de sabana, bosque y ecosistemas transformados como refugio y áreas de parada de aves residentes y migratorias.Objectives: To conduct a bird inventory at the Barcelona campus of Universidad de los Llanos Villavicencio, Colombia, with the aim of estimating species richness, abundance and habitat associations of the local avifauna. Scope: Characterization of the local avian diversity and its association with different types of natural and transformed ecosystems. Methodology: We inventoried birds using sight and auditory records made weekly between August 2013 and August 2014, plus opportunistic observations made between 2013 and 2018. We estimated species richness using non-parametric estimates, and categorized local abundances and habitat associations based upon encounter frequencies. Main results: We recorded a total of 210 species (189 species through systematic observations, plus 21 recorded non-systematically). The list includes one Colombian near-endemic, 20 migrant species, and four range extensions for the Orinoco basin. The heterogeneous vegetation sustains a rich community composed mainly by species associated with urban zones, gallery forest and artificial lakes. Most species were rare and occasional, which suggests that they are visitors or maintain small populations within the campus. Conclusions: This study provides basic data on bird diversity of transformed ecosystems in the Orinoco basin, and highlights the importance of mosaics of savanna, forest and transformed ecosystems as refuges and stopover areas of resident and migratory birds

SARS-CoV-2 accessory proteins involvement in inflammatory and profibrotic processes through IL11 signaling

SARS-CoV-2, the cause of the COVID-19 pandemic, possesses eleven accessory proteins encoded in its genome. Their roles during infection are still not completely understood. In this study, transcriptomics analysis revealed that both WNT5A and IL11 were significantly up-regulated in A549 cells expressing individual accessory proteins ORF6, ORF8, ORF9b or ORF9c from SARS-CoV-2 (Wuhan-Hu-1 isolate). IL11 is a member of the IL6 family of cytokines. IL11 signaling-related genes were also differentially expressed. Bioinformatics analysis disclosed that both WNT5A and IL11 were involved in pulmonary fibrosis idiopathic disease and functional assays confirmed their association with profibrotic cell responses. Subsequently, data comparison with lung cell lines infected with SARS-CoV-2 or lung biopsies from patients with COVID-19, evidenced altered profibrotic gene expression that matched those obtained in this study. Our results show ORF6, ORF8, ORF9b and ORF9c involvement in inflammatory and profibrotic responses. Thus, these accessory proteins could be targeted by new therapies against COVID-19 disease

SARS-CoV-2 accessory proteins involvement in inflammatory and profibrotic processes through IL11 signaling

15 p.-7 fig.SARS-CoV-2, the cause of the COVID-19 pandemic, possesses eleven accessory proteins encoded in its genome. Their roles during infection are still not completely understood. In this study, transcriptomics analysis revealed that both WNT5A and IL11 were significantly up-regulated in A549 cells expressing individual accessory proteins ORF6, ORF8, ORF9b or ORF9c from SARS-CoV-2 (Wuhan-Hu-1 isolate). IL11 is a member of the IL6 family of cytokines. IL11 signaling-related genes were also differentially expressed. Bioinformatics analysis disclosed that both WNT5A and IL11 were involved in pulmonary fibrosis idiopathic disease and functional assays confirmed their association with profibrotic cell responses. Subsequently, data comparison with lung cell lines infected with SARS-CoV-2 or lung biopsies from patients with COVID-19, evidenced altered profibrotic gene expression that matched those obtained in this study. Our results show ORF6, ORF8, ORF9b and ORF9c involvement in inflammatory and profibrotic responses. Thus, these accessory proteins could be targeted by new therapies against COVID-19 disease.This research work was funded by the European Commission – NextGenerationEU (Regulation EU 2020/2094), through CSIC’s Global Health Platform (PTI+ Salud Global) (COVID-19-117 and SGL2103015), Junta de Andalucía (CV20-20089) and Spanish Ministry of Science project (PID2021-123399OB-I00).Peer reviewe

SARS-CoV-2 accessory proteins involvement in inflammatory and profibrotic processes through IL11 signaling

SARS-CoV-2, the cause of the COVID19 pandemic, possesses eleven accessory proteins encoded in its genome. Their roles during infection are still not completely understood. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that both WNT5A and IL11 were significantly up-regulated in A549 cells expressing individual accessory proteins ORF6, ORF8, ORF9b or ORF9c from SARS-CoV-2 (Wuhan-Hu-1 isolate). IL11 signaling-related genes were also differentially expressed. Bioinformatics analysis disclosed that both WNT5A and IL11 were involved in pulmonary fibrosis idiopathic disease. Functional assays confirmed their association with profibrotic cell responses. Subsequently, data comparison with lung cell lines infected with SARS-CoV-2 or lung biopsies from patients with COVID19 evidenced altered gene expression that matched those obtained in this study. Our results show ORF6, ORF8, ORF9b and ORF9c involvement in inflammatory and profibrotic responses. Thus, these accessory proteins could be targeted by new therapies against COVID19 disease.N

Individually expressed SARS-CoV-2 viroporin ORF3a alters inflammatory responses and cellular structure in lung epithelial cells

1 p.-6 fig.The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is the causative agent of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The clinical course of this respiratory disease exhibits a broad spectrum of severity and progression patterns, being potentially fatal. It is known that the underlying cause of severe disease is a cytokine dysregulation and hyperinflammation status. The SARS-CoV-2 genome encodes for eleven accessory proteins which, despite being non-essential for viral replication, may play important roles in viral pathogenesis, and even several variants of concern have mutations among them.ORF3a, the largest accessory protein, is a type III transmembrane protein that forms dimers. It is thought to be a viroporin and function as an ion channel, although this is currently under debate. It has been described to activate the NF-kB pathway and NLRP3 inflammasome, upregulate cytokine expression, induce oxidative stress and cell apoptosis, inhibit interferon-activated JAK/STAT pathway and reduce MHC-I levels among other functionsThis research work was funded by the European Commission – NextGenerationEU (Regulation EU 2020/2094), through CSIC's Global Health Platform (PTI+ Salud Global), Junta de Andalucía (CV20-20089) and Spanish Ministry of Science project PID2021-123399OB-I00.Peer reviewe

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IL-6 serum levels predict severity and response to tocilizumab in COVID-19: An observational study

Background: Patients with coronavirus disaese 2019 (COVID-19) can develop a cytokine release syndrome that eventually leads to acute respiratory distress syndrome requiring invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). Because IL-6 is a relevant cytokine in acute respiratory distress syndrome, the blockade of its receptor with tocilizumab (TCZ) could reduce mortality and/or morbidity in severe COVID-19. Objective: We sought to determine whether baseline IL-6 serum levels can predict the need for IMV and the response to TCZ. Methods: A retrospective observational study was performed in hospitalized patients diagnosed with COVID-19. Clinical information and laboratory findings, including IL-6 levels, were collected approximately 3 and 9 days after admission to be matched with preadministration and postadministration of TCZ. Multivariable logistic and linear regressions and survival analysis were performed depending on outcomes: need for IMV, evolution of arterial oxygen tension/fraction of inspired oxygen ratio, or mortality. Results: One hundred forty-six patients were studied, predominantly males (66%); median age was 63 years. Forty-four patients (30%) required IMV, and 58 patients (40%) received treatment with TCZ. IL-6 levels greater than 30 pg/mL was the best predictor for IMV (odds ratio, 7.1; P < .001). Early administration of TCZ was associated with improvement in oxygenation (arterial oxygen tension/fraction of inspired oxygen ratio) in patients with high IL-6 (P = .048). Patients with high IL-6 not treated with TCZ showed high mortality (hazard ratio, 4.6; P = .003), as well as those with low IL-6 treated with TCZ (hazard ratio, 3.6; P = .016). No relevant serious adverse events were observed in TCZ-treated patients. Conclusions: Baseline IL-6 greater than 30 pg/mL predicts IMV requirement in patients with COVID-19 and contributes to establish an adequate indication for TCZ administrationThis study was funded by Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness (MINECO) and Instituto de Salud Carlos III (grant nos. RD16/0011/0012 and PI18/ 0371 to I.G.A., grant no. PI19/00549 to A.A., and grant no. SAF2017-82886-R to F.S.-M.) and co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund. The study was also funded by ‘‘La Caixa Banking Foundation’’ (grant no. HR17-00016 to F.S.-M.) and ‘‘Fondos Supera COVID19’’ by Banco de Santander and CRUE. None of these sponsors have had any role in study design; in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; and in the decision to submit the article for publicatio

Global, regional, and national disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) for 359 diseases and injuries and healthy life expectancy (HALE) for 195 countries and territories, 1990-2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017.

How long one lives, how many years of life are spent in good and poor health, and how the population's state of health and leading causes of disability change over time all have implications for policy, planning, and provision of services. We comparatively assessed the patterns and trends of healthy life expectancy (HALE), which quantifies the number of years of life expected to be lived in good health, and the complementary measure of disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), a composite measure of disease burden capturing both premature mortality and prevalence and severity of ill health, for 359 diseases and injuries for 195 countries and territories over the past 28 years. Methods We used data for age-specific mortality rates, years of life lost (YLLs) due to premature mortality, and years lived with disability (YLDs) from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2017 to calculate HALE and DALYs from 1990 to 2017. We calculated HALE using age-specific mortality rates and YLDs per capita for each location, age, sex, and year. We calculated DALYs for 359 causes as the sum of YLLs and YLDs. We assessed how observed HALE and DALYs differed by country and sex from expected trends based on Socio-demographic Index (SDI). We also analysed HALE by decomposing years of life gained into years spent in good health and in poor health, between 1990 and 2017, and extra years lived by females compared with males. Findings Globally, from 1990 to 2017, life expectancy at birth increased by 7·4 years (95% uncertainty interval 7·1-7·8), from 65·6 years (65·3-65·8) in 1990 to 73·0 years (72·7-73·3) in 2017. The increase in years of life varied from 5·1 years (5·0-5·3) in high SDI countries to 12·0 years (11·3-12·8) in low SDI countries. Of the additional years of life expected at birth, 26·3% (20·1-33·1) were expected to be spent in poor health in high SDI countries compared with 11·7% (8·8-15·1) in low-middle SDI countries. HALE at birth increased by 6·3 years (5·9-6·7), from 57·0 years (54·6-59·1) in 1990 to 63·3 years (60·5-65·7) in 2017. The increase varied from 3·8 years (3·4-4·1) in high SDI countries to 10·5 years (9·8-11·2) in low SDI countries. Even larger variations in HALE than these were observed between countries, ranging from 1·0 year (0·4-1·7) in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (62·4 years [59·9-64·7] in 1990 to 63·5 years [60·9-65·8] in 2017) to 23·7 years (21·9-25·6) in Eritrea (30·7 years [28·9-32·2] in 1990 to 54·4 years [51·5-57·1] in 2017). In most countries, the increase in HALE was smaller than the increase in overall life expectancy, indicating more years lived in poor health. In 180 of 195 countries and territories, females were expected to live longer than males in 2017, with extra years lived varying from 1·4 years (0·6-2·3) in Algeria to 11·9 years (10·9-12·9) in Ukraine. Of the extra years gained, the proportion spent in poor health varied largely across countries, with less than 20% of additional years spent in poor health in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burundi, and Slovakia, whereas in Bahrain all the extra years were spent in poor health. In 2017, the highest estimate of HALE at birth was in Singapore for both females (75·8 years [72·4-78·7]) and males (72·6 years [69·8-75·0]) and the lowest estimates were in Central African Republic (47·0 years [43·7-50·2] for females and 42·8 years [40·1-45·6] for males). Globally, in 2017, the five leading causes of DALYs were neonatal disorders, ischaemic heart disease, stroke, lower respiratory infections, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Between 1990 and 2017, age-standardised DALY rates decreased by 41·3% (38·8-43·5) for communicable diseases and by 49·8% (47·9-51·6) for neonatal disorders. For non-communicable diseases, global DALYs increased by 40·1% (36·8-43·0), although age-standardised DALY rates decreased by 18·1% (16·0-20·2)