Phase II/III Double-Blind Study Evaluating Safety and Immunogenicity of a Single Intramuscular Booster Dose of the Recombinant SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine "Patria" (AVX/COVID-12) Using an Active Newcastle Disease Viral Vector (NDV) during the Omicron Outbreak in Healthy Adults with Elevated Baseline Antibody Titers from Prior COVID-19 and/or SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination (preprint)

Background: The urgent need for safe, effective, and economical coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines, especially for booster campaigns targeting vulnerable populations, prompted the development of the AVX/COVID-12 vaccine candidate. AVX/COVD-12 is based in a Newcastle disease virus La Sota (NDV-LaSota) recombinant viral vector. This vaccine expresses a stabilized version of the spike protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), specifically the ancestral Wuhan strain. The study aimed to assess its safety, immunogenicity, and potential efficacy as an anti-COVID-19 booster vaccine. Methods: In a phase II/III clinical trial conducted from November 9, 2022, to September 11, 2023, a total of 4,056 volunteers were enrolled. Participants received an intramuscular booster dose of either AVX/COVID-12 or AZ/ChAdOx-1-S vaccines. Safety, immunogenicity, and potential efficacy were assessed through various measures, including neutralizing antibody titers, interferon (IFN)-γ-producing CD4+ T cells, and CD8+ T cells. The evaluation also involved immunobridging, utilizing the AZ/ChAdOx-1-S vaccine as an active comparator, and monitoring the incidence of COVID-19 cases. Findings: The AVX/COVID-12 vaccine induced neutralizing antibodies against both the ancestral SARS-CoV-2 and the BA.2 and BA.5 Omicron variants. The geometric mean ratio of neutralizing antibody titers between individuals immunized with the AVX/COVID-12 vaccine and those with the AZ/ChAdOx-1-S vaccine at 14 days is 0.96, with a confidence interval (CI) of 0.85-1.06. The outcome aligns with the non-inferiority criterion recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), indicating a lower limit of the CI greater than or equal to 0.67. Induction of IFN-γ-producing CD8+ T cells at day 14 post-immunization was exclusively observed in the AVX/COVID-12 group. Finally, a trend suggested a potentially lower incidence of COVID-19 cases in AVX/COVID-12 boosted volunteers compared to AZ/ChAdOx-1-S recipients. Conclusion: The AVX/COVID-12 vaccine proved safe, well-tolerated, and immunogenic. AVX/COVID-12 meets the WHO non-inferiority standard compared to AZ/ChAdOx-1-S. These results strongly advocate for AVX/COVID-12 as a viable booster dose, supporting its utilization in the population.

Chryseobacterium Indologenes Sepsis and Acute Renal Failure Secondary to Abdominal Compartment Syndrome in a Confirmed COVID-19 Patient.

Sepsis due to nosocomial pathogens markedly increases morbidity and mortality in the critically ill patient. The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic has increased the number of patients requiring intensive care unit (ICU) in-patient management. Chryseobacterium indologenes (C. indologenes) is a group of multiresistant gram-negative bacteria associated with in-hospital environment and catheter-associated infections of increasing importance in the ICU. SARS-CoV-2 severe infection in the critically ill patient increases the risk of abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) and acute kidney injury (AKI). We hereby report a case of a patient with SARS-CoV-2 severe infection, C. indologenes sepsis, abdominal compartment syndrome, and secondary renal failure.

Metalloproteinases 1 and 3 as Potential Biomarkers in Breast Cancer Development.

Breast cancer continues to be one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality globally and was the leading cause of cancer death in women in Spain in 2020. Early diagnosis is one of the most effective methods to lower the incidence and mortality rates of breast cancer. The human metalloproteinases (MMP) mainly function as proteolytic enzymes degrading the extracellular matrix and plays important roles in most steps of breast tumorigenesis. This retrospective cohort study shows the immunohistochemical expression levels of MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, and MMP-9 in 154 women with breast cancer and 42 women without tumor disease. The samples of breast tissue are assessed using several tissue matrices (TMA). The percentages of staining (≤50%->50%) and intensity levels of staining (weak, moderate, or intense) are considered. The immunohistochemical expression of the MMP-1-intensity (p = 0.043) and MMP-3 percentage (p = 0.018) and intensity, (p = 0.025) present statistically significant associations with the variable group (control-case); therefore, expression in the tumor tissue samples of these MMPs may be related to the development of breast cancer. The relationships between these MMPs and some clinicopathological factors in breast cancer are also evaluated but no correlation is found. These results suggest the use of MMP-1 and MMP-3 as potential biomarkers of breast cancer diagnosis.

Efectos del COVID-19 en la Policía Nacional de Honduras y lecciones aprendidas sobre el bienestar y el estrés laboral de los policías

Antecedentes: A principios de 2020, una pandemia global vinculada a un coronavirus, conocida como COVID-19, se propagó rápidamente y las autoridades gubernamentales se apresuraron a responder implementando restricciones de viaje, distanciamiento social, pruebas y cuarentenas. A principios de marzo, la República de Honduras implementó protocolos estrictos que requerían una mayor atención por parte de la policía para hacer cumplir las restricciones de movilidad y trabajar con el gobierno y los funcionarios de salud pública para contener la propagación del COVID-19. Propósito: El propósito de esta investigación formativa es comprender mejor los impactos del COVID-19 en la Policía Nacional de Honduras, con especial atención al bienestar de los oficiales y el estrés ocupacional. Métodos: Utilizando métodos mixtos, este artículo reporta los resultados descriptivos de 28 entrevistas cualitativas semiestructuradas con altos mandos de la Policía Nacional de Honduras (PNH) y una muestra representativa de 143 patrulleros provenientes de distritos policiales de Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, La Ceiba y La Lima. Resultados: Las actividades policiales relacionadas con la prevención del delito, las investigaciones y la asignación de recursos humanos han cambiado en Honduras debido al COVID-19. Se han actualizado pocos protocolos policiales para reflejar este nuevo entorno de trabajo y las medidas para proteger el bienestar de los agentes de policía han sido inconsistentes, lo que ha provocado un aumento de los niveles de estrés entre los agentes. Limitaciones: Este estudio de caso de la policía en Honduras se basa en una muestra relativamente pequeña pero representativa. Los hallazgos de este estudio son más útiles para los países vecinos de Centroamérica, aunque hay hallazgos relevantes para todas las agencias policiales. Conclusiones: Nuestra revisión y análisis tienen implicaciones inmediatas para las agencias policiales que trabajan para abordar las deficiencias de planificacLOS ticas para prepararse para la próxima crisis de salud mundial.Alternate :Background: In early 2020 a global pandemic linked to a coronavirus, known as COVID-19, quickly spread and Government authorities scrambled to respond implementing travel restrictions, social distancing, testing, and quarantines. By early March, the Republic of Honduras implemented strict protocols, requiring greater attention from the police in enforcing the mobility restrictions and working with Government and public health officials to contain spread of COVID-19. Purpose: The purpose of this formative research is to better understand the impacts of COVID-19 on the Honduras National Police with particular attention to officer well-being and occupational stress. Methods: Using mixed methods, this article reports the descriptive results of 28 semi-structured qualitative interviews with high-level command staff from the Honduran National Police (HNP) and a representative sample of 143 patrol officers drawn from police districts in Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, La Ceiba, and La Lima. Results: Policing activities related to crime prevention, investigations, and human resource assignments have shifted in Honduras due to COVID-19. Few police protocols have been updated to reflect this new work environment and steps to protect the well-being of police officers have been inconsistent, with elevated stress levels among officers. Limitations: This case study of police in Honduras is based on a small but representative sample of line officers. The findings of this study are most useful to neighbouring countries in Central America, though there are findings relevant to all police agencies. Conclusions: Our review and analysis have immediate implications for police agencies working to address planning and training deficiencies during the current COVID-19 outbreak while also underscoring critical considerations to prepare for the next worldwide health crisis.Alternate :Contexto: No início de 2020, uma pandemia global ligada a um coronavír s, conhecida como COVID-19, se espalhou rapidamente e as autoridades governamentais foram rápidas em responder implementando restrições de viagens, distanciamento social, testes e quarentenas. No começo de março, a República de Honduras implementou protocolos rígidos que exigiam maior atenção da polícia para fazer cumprir as restrições de mobilidade e trabalhar com o governo e as autoridades de saúde pública para conter a disseminação do COVID-19. Objetivo: O objetivo desta pesquisa formativa é compreender melhor os impactos do COVID-19 na Polícia Nacional de Honduras, com atenção especial ao bem-estar dos policiais e ao estresse ocupacional. Métodos: Usando métodos mistos, este artigo relata os resultados descritivos de 28 entrevistas qualitativas semiestruturadas com altos funcionários da Polícia Nacional de Honduras (PNH) e uma amostra representativa de 143 policiais de patrulhamento dos distritos policiais de Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, La Ceiba e La Lima. Resultados: As atividades policiais relacionadas à prevenção do crime, investigações e alocação de recursos humanos mudaram em Honduras devido ao COVID-19. Poucos protocolos policiais foram atualizados para refletir esse novo ambiente de trabalho, e as medidas para proteger o bem-estar dos policiais têm sido inconsistentes, levando a um aumento dos níveis de estresse entre os policiais. Limitações: Este estudo de caso da polícia em Honduras é baseado em uma amostra relativamente pequena, mas representativa. Os resultados deste estudo são mais úteis para os países vizinhos da América Central, embora haja resultados relevantes para todas as agências policiais. Conclusões: Nossa revisão e análise têm implicações imediatas para as agências policiais que trabalham para lidar com as deficiências de planejamento e treinamento durante o surto atual do COVID-19, ao mesmo tempo em que fazem ênfase nas considerações fundamentais para a preparação para uma futura crise de saúde global.