Depression and opinion of dental students regarding the hybrid learning model during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The global spread of COVID-19 forced schools at all educational levels to close, which was repeated in more than 60 countries. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the mental health of dental students world wide. This study hypothesizes that the prevalence of depression in dental students from El Salvador is higher than that reported in studies from Europe, Asia, and North America. METHODS: This study was an online cross-sectional survey performed at the Faculty of Dentistry of the University of Salvador. The PHQ-9 questionnaire was applied to know the level of depression of the students, and a questionnaire focused on learning the opinion of the students on the hybrid teaching model adopted. Approximately 450 students participated in both questionnaires. RESULTS: Regarding the levels of depression present in the students, 14% had minimal depression, 29% had medium depression, 23% had moderate depression and, 34% had severe depression. The students had an excellent opinion regarding the hybrid learning model. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of depression in dental students in El Salvador seems to be higher than that reported in studies in non-Latin American countries. Therefore, universities must generate care plans for mental health to avoid these harmful effects on students during future contingencies.

Environmental concerns and bioaccumulation of psychiatric drugs in water bodies - Conventional versus biocatalytic systems of mitigation.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought increments in market sales and prescription of medicines commonly used to treat mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, stress, and related problems. The increasing use of these drugs, named psychiatric drugs, has led to their persistence in aquatic systems (bioaccumulation), since they are recalcitrant to conventional physical and chemical treatments typically used in wastewater treatment plants. An emerging environmental concern caused by the bioaccumulation of psychiatric drugs has been attributed to the potential ecological and toxicological risk that these medicines might have over human health, animals, and plants. Thus, by the application of biocatalysis-assisted techniques, it is possible to efficiently remove psychiatric drugs from water. Biocatalysis, is a widely employed and highly efficient process implemented in the biotransformation of a wide range of contaminants, since it has important differences in terms of catalytic behavior, compared to common treatment techniques, including photodegradation, Fenton, and thermal treatments, among others. Moreover, it is noticed the importance to monitor transformation products of degradation and biodegradation, since according to the applied removal technique, different toxic transformation products have been reported to appear after the application of physical and chemical procedures. In addition, this work deals with the discussion of differences existing between high- and low-income countries, according to their environmental regulations regarding waste management policies, especially waste of the drug industry.

19n01, a broadly neutralizing antibody against omicron BA.1, BA.2, BA.4/5, and other SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern.

This study reports the isolation and characterization of a human monoclonal antibody (mAb) called 19n01. This mAb was isolated by using single-cell RNAseq of B cells from donors infected with the ancestral strain. This mAb possesses a potent and broad capacity to bind and neutralize all previously circulating variants of concern (VOCs), including Omicron sublineages BA.1, BA.2, and BA.4/5. The pseudovirus neutralization assay revealed robust neutralization capacity against the G614 strain, BA.1, BA.2, and BA.4/5, with inhibitory concentration (IC50) values ranging from 0.0035 to 0.0164 µg/mL. The microneutralization assay using the G614 strain and VOCs demonstrated IC50 values of 0.013-0.267 µg/mL. Biophysical and structural analysis showed that 19n01 cross-competes with ACE2 binding to the receptor-binding domain (RBD) and the kinetic parameters confirmed the high affinity against the Omicron sublineages (KD of 61 and 30 nM for BA.2 and BA.4/5, respectively). These results suggest that the 19n01 is a remarkably potent and broadly reactive mAb.

Detection of IgA and IgG Antibodies against the Structural Proteins of SARS-CoV-2 in Breast Milk and Serum Samples Derived from Breastfeeding Mothers.

Background: COVID-19 vaccination or natural infection is associated with the development of immunity. The search of IgA and IgG antibodies against all the structural proteins (spike, nucleocapsid, membrane, and envelope) of SARS-CoV-2 in breastfeeding mothers is associated with immunity that can help the newborn avoid development of the infection. Methods: In this study, we analyzed 30 breastfeeding women that provided samples of breast milk and serum and evaluated the presence of IgA, total IgG, and subclasses against the structural proteins of SARS-CoV-2. Results: We reported a high seroprevalence to IgA (76.67-100%) and negativity to IgG against all analyzed proteins in breast milk. Seroprevalence in serum samples was around 10-36.67% to IgA and 23.3-60% to IgG. Finally, we detected the presence of the subclasses IgG1, IgG2, and IgG4 against all the structural proteins of SARS-CoV-2. Conclusions: This work provides evidence of the presence of IgA and IgG antibodies against the four structural proteins of SARS-CoV-2 in breast milk and serum samples derived from breastfeeding women, which can confer immunity to the newborn.

19n01, a broadly neutralizing antibody against Omicron BA.1, BA.2, BA.4/5, and other SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern

This study reports the isolation and characterization of a human monoclonal antibody (mAb) called 19n01. This mAb was isolated by using single-cell RNAseq of B cells from donors infected with the ancestral strain. This mAb possesses a potent and broad capacity to bind and neutralize all previously circulating variants of concern (VOCs), including Omicron sublineages BA.1, BA.2, and BA.4/5. The pseudovirus neutralization assay revealed robust neutralization capacity against the G614 strain, BA.1, BA.2, and BA.4/5, with IC50 values ranging from 0.0035 to 0.0164 μg/mL. The microneutralization assay using the G614 strain and VOCs demonstrated IC50 values of 0.013 to 0.267 μg/mL. Biophysical and structural analysis showed that 19n01 cross-competes with ACE2 binding to the RBD and the kinetic parameters confirmed the high affinity against the Omicron sublineages (KD of 61 and 30 nM for BA.2 and BA.4/5, respectively). These results suggest that the 19n01 is a remarkably potent and broadly reactive mAb. Graphical

Melatonina : bases científicas para su uso en el COVID 19

La Melatonina es una hormona que actúa facilitando la aparición del sueño fisiológico. Además presenta potentes acciónes antiinflamatoria y antioxidante, con lo que ha demostrado ya ser capaz de ejercer efectos muy beneficioso sobre las alteraciones ligadas al envejecimiento que aparecen en el sistema cardiovascular y especialmente en pulmón, donde nuestro grupo ha podido constatar un efecto protector frente a procesos de estrés oxidativo , inflamatorios y de muerte celular programada ( apoptosis).. Aunque no es una sustancia antivírica, sin embargo ha demostrado tener efectos muy positivos en algunos modelos experimentales de infección por vírus disminuyendo la carga viral y también reduciendo la oxidación y la inflamación con lo que atenúa la gravedad de la enfermedad. En el COVID 19 es capaz también de interferir en el proceso infectivo que ocurre a través de los receptores de ACE2 y de EGF pues es capaz de bloquear dichas interacciones con lo que disminuye la viremia. Concretamente reduce la actividad del inflamasoma NLRP3 con lo que bloquea la liberación masiva de citoquinas disminuyendo el proceso inflamatorio lo que supone una mejoría de la evolución de la enfermedad. Por todo ello la melatonina puede desempeñar un importante papel en el tratamiento del COVID 19.Alternate : Melatonin is a hormone that acts facilitating the appearance of physiological sleep It has also a very evident antinflammatory and antioxidant capacities that result in beneficial actions on the aging processes in the cardiovascular system and in the lungs where our group has detected a protective action against oxidative stress , inflammation and apoptosis . Although melatonin is not viricidal by itself in some models of viral infections it has demonstrated its ability to reduce viral load and also inflammation and oxidation, reducing the severity of the disease. In COVID 19 melatonin has been shown to be able to interfere with the infectious process that takes place through ACE2 and EGF receptors being able to block these interactions thus reducing viremia .It is able to block the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome thus dramatically reducing the massive secretion of cytokines and markedly reducing hyperinflammation and apoptosis leading to a better evolution of the disease .For all these reasons melatonin could play an important role in the treatment of COVID 19.

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in Mexican Health Care Workers after Two Years of the Pandemic: The Picture of an Ophthalmic Medical Centre.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we investigated the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination on seroprevalence in a cohort of healthcare workers (HCW) at an ophthalmic medical center. METHODS: IgG antibodies against the N, S1, and S2 antigens of SARS-CoV-2 as well as their serum neutralizing activity were determined. RESULTS: In the present study, we observed that 98.4% of HCW were seropositive for S1/S2 proteins of SARS-CoV-2 due to the national vaccination program. Interestingly, 78.4% of the participants had anti-N protein antibodies, suggesting previous COVID-19 infection. We also evaluated the neutralizing antibodies and found that the mean value was high (90.7%). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that our HCWs cohort presented a robust hybrid humoral response owing to the massive national vaccination program and natural infections.

Post-Coronavirus Disease 2019 Triggers the Appearance of Mixed Polyneuropathy and Brain Fog: A Case Report.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can directly or indirectly affect the central and peripheral nervous systems, resulting in cognitive impairment, memory problems, and a wide range of neuromuscular involvement, including neuropathies. However, the long-term neurological complications of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection are not clear. The aim this study was to analyze a case report the presence of neurological sequelae due to post-Coronavirus disease 19 in a patient without apparent previous neurological symptoms. Clinical case: A 46-year-old patient, with no relevant history for the described condition, who, after severe COVID-19 infection, started a mixed neuropathy and mental fog syndrome as the main sequel. Multiple laboratory and imaging studies were performed during and after his hospital stay, and it was corroborated by an electromyography that it occurred from a neuropathy triggered by COVID-19 infection. Conclusions: This case provides additional evidence that mixed neuropathy and brain fog syndrome are potential complications of post-coronavirus disease 2019 syndrome. The neurological sequelae that manifest after a COVID-19 episode can be rapidly enhanced as a consequence of another alteration in some systems of the organism. However, future studies are necessary to elucidate the incidence of these neurological complications, their pathophysiological mechanisms and their therapeutic options.

Challenges and Possibilities of Archaeological Sites Virtual Tours: The Ulaca Oppidum (Central Spain) as a Case Study

This research presents a virtual tour performed on the oppidum of Ulaca, one of the most relevant archaeological sites of the Iberian Peninsula during the Late Iron Age (ca. 400–50 BC). Beyond the clear benefits of the tool to the interpretation, dissemination, and knowledge of the mentioned archaeological site and its surroundings, the novelty of this research is the implementation of the platform in alternative scenarios and purposes. In this way, the present work verifies how the access to multi-source and spatially geolocated information in the same tool (working as a geospatial database) allows the promotion of cross-sectional investigations in which different specialists intervene. This peculiarity is also considered useful to promote tourism with an interest beyond the purely historical/archaeological side. Likewise, the possibility of storing and managing a large amount of information in different formats facilitates the investigation in the contexts of excavations and archaeological or environmental works. In this sense, the use of this kind of tool for the study of cultural landscapes is especially novel. In order to better contextualize the potential of the virtual tour presented here, an analysis about the challenges and possibilities of implementing this tool in environments such as the Ulaca oppidum is performed. The selected site stands out for: (i) being in a unique geological, environmental and ecological context, allowing us to appreciate how human beings have modified the landscape over time;(ii) presenting numerous visible archaeological remains with certain conservation problems;and (iii) not having easy access for visitors.

Analysis of IgG, IgA and IgM antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein S1 in convalescent and vaccinated patients with the Pfizer-BioNTech and CanSinoBio vaccines.

The SARS-CoV-2 virus was detected for the first time in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. Currently, this virus has spread around the world, and new variants have emerged. This new pandemic virus provoked the rapid development of diagnostic tools, therapies and vaccines to control this new disease called COVID-19. Antibody detection by ELISA has been broadly used to recognize the number of persons infected with this virus or to evaluate the response of vaccinated individuals. As the pandemic spread, new questions arose, such as the prevalence of antibodies after natural infection and the response induced by the different vaccines. In Mexico, as in other countries, mRNA and viral-vectored vaccines have been widely used among the population. In this work, we developed an indirect ELISA test to evaluate S1 antibodies in convalescent and vaccinated individuals. By using this test, we showed that IgG antibodies against the S1 protein of SARS-CoV-2 were detected up to 42 weeks after the onset of the symptoms, in contrast to IgA and IgM, which decreased 14 weeks after the onset of symptoms. The evaluation of the antibody response in individuals vaccinated with Pfizer-BioNTech and CanSinoBio vaccines showed no differences 2 weeks after vaccination. However, after completing the two doses of Pfizer-BioNTech and the one dose of CanSinoBio, a significantly higher response of IgG antibodies was observed in persons vaccinated with Pfizer-BioNTech than in those vaccinated with CanSinoBio. In conclusion, these results confirm that after natural infection with SARS-CoV-2, it is possible to detect antibodies for up to 10 months. Additionally, our results showed that one dose of the CanSinoBio vaccine induces a lower response of IgG antibodies than that induced by the complete scheme of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence among the Health Care Staff of an Ophthalmological Reference Centre, a Cross Sectional Study.

PURPOSE: During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers (HCWs) are at a considerable risk of being infected with SARS-CoV-2; among them, HCWs from ophthalmology departments are more prone to develop severe symptoms. In Mexico City, the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among HCWs is 30%. The present work aims to describe the seroprevalence among HCWs at an Ophthalmological Reference Centre in Mexico City. METHODS: A self-report questionnaire, RT-PCR test and detection of serum IgG/IgM antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 were performed among HCWs at the Institute of Ophthalmology "Conde de Valenciana". RESULTS: A total of 169 HCWs participated in the study. None of the participants declared severe symptoms, and only 15% showed three or more symptoms. The results showed that 32% of the participants were RT-PCR+ (54/169), and 20% (35/169) presented IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Thirteen percent of the RT-PCR+ subjects were IgG positive, and 7.6% of the RT-PCR- participants were IgG positive. The presence of three or more symptoms correlated with the presence of IgG antibodies, as well as Ct values of < 32 (p < 0,05). CONCLUSION: Most of the HCW cohort showed mild symptoms, and 69% of the RT-PCR+ participants did not show IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Seroprevalence was significantly associated with the presentation of COVID-19-associated symptoms.