Association between Vaccination Status for COVID-19 and the Risk of Severe Symptoms during the Endemic Phase of the Disease.

The global health emergency caused by COVID-19 concluded in May 2023, marking the beginning of an endemic phase. This study aimed to evaluate the association between vaccination status and other patient characteristics and the risk of severe disease during this new endemic period. A nationwide cohort study was conducted in Mexico, where we analyzed data from 646 adults who had received positive confirmation of COVID-19 through PCR testing from May to August 2023. The overall risk of severe symptoms in the study sample was 5.3%. The average time elapsed from the last vaccine shot to symptom onset was over six months in all the immunized groups (1, 2 or 3 vaccine doses). Compared to unvaccinated patients, those with three vaccine doses showed an elevated risk of severe symptoms. Advancing age and various chronic comorbidities (specifically cardiovascular, kidney, and obstructive pulmonary conditions) were associated with a heightened risk of severe COVID-19 manifestations. These findings underscore the ongoing seriousness of COVID-19, even in an endemic phase, underscoring the urgent need for tailored interventions aimed at high-risk patients.

Survival Analysis and Contributing Factors among PCR-Confirmed Adult Inpatients during the Endemic Phase of COVID-19.

In May 2023, the global health emergency status of COVID-19 concluded, marking the onset of an endemic era. This study assessed survival rates among PCR-confirmed adult inpatients during this phase and determined contributing factors. Employing a survival analysis approach, this investigation utilized a nationwide Mexican cohort encompassing 152 adult inpatients. Survival rates were computed using the Kaplan-Meier method, and a proportional Cox model identified mortality risk factors. Survival rates remained above 65% on day 14 after admission. Vaccination status, including the number of doses administered, was not significantly associated with fatal outcomes. Chronic kidney disease or a history of immunosuppression (due to any cause) increased mortality risk. Our findings underscore the persistent severity of COVID-19 beyond the global health emergency, emphasizing the necessity for tailored interventions for vulnerable patients.

Animal models of kidney iron overload and ferroptosis: a review of the literature.

In recent years, it has been identified that excess iron contributes to the development of various pathologies and their complications. Kidney diseases do not escape the toxic effects of iron, and ferroptosis is identified as a pathophysiological mechanism that could be a therapeutic target to avoid damage or progression of kidney disease. Ferroptosis is cell death associated with iron-dependent oxidative stress. To study the effects of iron overload (IOL) in the kidney, numerous animal models have been developed. The methodological differences between these models should reflect the IOL-generating mechanisms associated with human IOL diseases. A careful choice of animal model should be considered for translational purposes.

Assessing the Burden of Dengue during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Mexico.

The transmission of the dengue virus in Mexico has historically been high, and its burden during the COVID-19 pandemic is currently not well understood. Our objective was to assess the burden of dengue-related disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) between 2020 and 2022. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of databases resulting from an epidemiological surveillance of vector-borne diseases and computed DALYs using the protocol of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study 2019. Our results showed that there were 218,807 incident cases of dengue during the study period, resulting in 951 deaths. The calculated DALYs (and their 95% confidence intervals) were 8121 (7897-8396), 4733 (4661-4820), and 8461 (8344-8605) in 2020, 2021, and 2022, respectively. The DALY rates (per 100,000) were 6.5 (6.3-6.6), 3.8 (3.7-3.9), and 6.7 (6.6-6.8), respectively. The rates for 2020 and 2022 were similar to the historical mean (6.4, p = 0.884), whereas the rate for 2021 was lower than the mean. Premature mortality (years of life lost, YLL) contributed to 91% of the total burden. Our findings suggest that dengue fever remained a significant cause of disease burden during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in terms of premature mortality.

Increased Frequency of Giant Miniature End-Plate Potentials at the Neuromuscular Junction in Diabetic Rats.

There is a need for research addressing the functional characteristics of the motor end-plate in diabetes to identify mechanisms contributing to neuromuscular dysfunction. Here, we investigated the effect of diabetes on spontaneous acetylcholine release in the rat neuromuscular junction. We studied two randomized groups of male Wistar rats (n = 7 per group, 350 ± 50 g, 12-16 weeks of age): one with streptozotocin-induced experimental diabetes, and a healthy control group without diabetes. After 8 weeks of monitoring after diabetes induction, rats in both groups were anesthetized with pentobarbital. Then, the diaphragm muscle was dissected for electrophysiological recordings of miniature end-plate potentials (MEPPs) using a single electrode located at the region of the muscle end-plate. All experiments were conducted at environmental temperature (20-22 °C) in rat Ringer solution with constant bubbling carbogen (95% O2, 5% CO2). Compared to healthy controls, in the diaphragm neuromuscular end-plate derived from diabetic rats, the MEPPs were higher in amplitude and frequency, and the proportion of giant MEPPs was elevated (7.09% vs. 1.4% in controls). Our results showed that diabetes affected the acetylcholine MEPP pattern and increased the number of giant potentials compared to healthy controls.

Capsaicin Decreases Kidney Iron Deposits and Increases Hepcidin Levels in Diabetic Rats with Iron Overload: A Preliminary Study.

Iron overload (IOL) increases the risk of diabetes mellitus (DM). Capsaicin (CAP), an agonist of transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 (TRPV1), reduces the effects of IOL. We evaluated the effects of chronic CAP administration on hepcidin expression, kidney iron deposits, and urinary biomarkers in a male Wistar rat model with IOL and DM (DM-IOL). IOL was induced with oral administration of iron for 12 weeks and DM was induced with streptozotocin. Four groups were studied: Healthy, DM, DM-IOL, and DM-IOL + CAP (1 mg·kg-1·day-1 for 12 weeks). Iron deposits were visualized with Perls tissue staining and a colorimetric assay. Serum hepcidin levels were measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Kidney biomarkers were assayed in 24 h urine samples. In the DM-IOL + CAP group, the total area of iron deposits and the total iron content in kidneys were smaller than those observed in both untreated DM groups. CAP administration significantly increased hepcidin levels in the DM-IOL group. Urinary levels of albumin, cystatin C, and beta-2-microglobulin were similar in all three experimental groups. In conclusion, we showed that in a DM-IOL animal model, CAP reduced renal iron deposits and increased the level of circulating hepcidin.

Activation of Peripheral Cannabinoid Receptors Synergizes the Effect of Systemic Ibuprofen in a Pain Model in Rat.

Pharmacological synergism is a current strategy for the treatment of pain. However, few studies have been explored to provide evidence of the possible synergism between a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and a cannabinoid agonist, in order to establish which combinations might be effective to manage pain. The aim of this study was to explore the synergism between ibuprofen (IBU) and the synthetic cannabinoid WIN 55,212-2 (WIN) to improve pain relief by analyzing the degree of participation of the CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors in the possible antinociceptive synergism using an experimental model of pain in Wistar rats. First, the effective dose thirty (ED30) of IBU (10, 40, 80, and 160 mg/kg, subcutaneous) and WIN (3, 10, and 30 µg/p, intraplantar) were evaluated in the formalin test. Then, the constant ratio method was used to calculate the doses of IBU and WIN to be administered in combination (COMB) to determine the possible synergism using the isobolographic method. The participation of the CB1 and CB2 receptors was explored in the presence of the antagonists AM281 and AM630, respectively. The combination of these drugs produced a supra-additive response with an interaction index of 0.13. In addition, AM281 and AM630 antagonists reversed the synergistic effect in 45% and 76%, respectively, suggesting that both cannabinoid receptors are involved in this synergism, with peripheral receptors playing a relevant role. In conclusion, the combination of IBU + WIN synergism is mainly mediated by the participation of the CB2 receptor, which can be a good option for the better management of pain relief.

Type 2 Diabetes Alters Vascular Cannabinoid Receptor 1 Expression, Phosphorylation Status, and Vasorelaxation in Rat Aorta.

Previous studies have suggested a role of the endocannabinoid system in metabolic diseases, such as diabetes. We investigated the effect of diabetes on cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) expression and cannabinoid-induced vasorelaxation in rat aorta rings. Aortas from healthy rats and from rats with experimentally induced diabetes were used to compare the vasorelaxant effect of the cannabinoid agonist arachidonylcyclopropylamide (ACPA) and CB1 expression and localization. After 4-8 weeks of diabetes induction, CB1 receptor expression and CB1 phosphorylation were higher in aortic rings, in association with greater vasorelaxation induced by the CB1 agonist ACPA compared to healthy rats. The vasorelaxant effect observed in healthy rats is similar throughout the study. Further studies are needed to elucidate the implications of CB1 receptor overexpression in diabetes and its influence on the progression of the cardiovascular complications of this metabolic disease.

Oral fatty acid taste sensitivity in healthy young individuals of both sexes is related to body mass index and soluble CD36 serum levels / La sensibilidad oral a ácidos grasos en jóvenes sanos de ambos sexos está relacionada con el índice de masa corporal y los niveles séricos de sCD36

Introduction: CD36 is a membrane protein that functions as a lingual receptor for lipids. The soluble CD36 fraction (sCD36) may correlate oral fatty acid fat taste sensitivity to body mass index (BMI) and adiposity. Objectives: to determine if the oral fatty acid taste sensitivity in healthy young individuals of both sexes is related to serum sCD36 levels, adiposity and BMI. Methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted in 72 healthy young individuals (18-25 years). Serum sCD36 was quantified for all subjects. Oral fatty acid taste sensitivity was determined using an ascending series of the three-alternate forced choice methodology. Additionally, BMI was calculated using anthropometry, and adiposity was determined by bioelectric impedance analysis. Results: there was a positive correlation between BMI and the oral fatty acid taste sensitivity threshold (r = 0.277, p < 0.05) and a negative correlation between BMI and serum sCD36 levels (r = -0.035, p < 0.01). Adiposity negatively correlated with the sCD36 levels only in women (r = -0.359, p < 0.05). The threshold for oral sensitivity to fatty acids in overweight individuals was 1.0 (IQR 1.16) mM vs 0.2 (IQR 0.29) mM in healthy weight individuals (p < 0.05), while sCD36 levels were 26.1 pg/ml (IQR 32.9) and 77.97 pg/ml (IQR 560.66) in overweight and normal weight individuals, respectively (p < 0.05). Conclusions: BMI positively correlates with the oral sensitivity threshold of fatty acids and negatively correlates with serum sCD36 levels. The threshold of oral sensitivity to fatty acids was significantly higher in overweight subjects, while sCD36 levels were significantly higher in the group of normal weight individuals

Introducción: CD36 es una proteína de membrana que funciona como receptor lingual para lípidos. La fracción soluble del CD36 (sCD36) podría correlacionar la sensibilidad gustativa a los ácidos grasos orales con el índice de masa corporal (IMC) y con la adiposidad. Objetivos: determinar si la sensibilidad gustativa a ácidos grasos orales se relaciona con los niveles séricos de sCD36, la adiposidad y el IMC en jóvenes de ambos sexos. Métodos: estudio transversal en 72 adultos jóvenes (18-25 años). Se cuantificaron los niveles séricos de sCD36 para todos los sujetos. Se determinó la sensibilidad gustativa a los ácidos grasos orales usando la prueba triangular discriminatoria de concentraciones escaladas. Adicionalmente, se calculó el IMC usando antropometría y se determinó la adiposidad por análisis de bioimpedancia. Resultados: se encontró correlación positiva entre el IMC y el umbral de sensibilidad gustativa a los ácidos grasos orales (r = 0,277, p < 0,05) y una correlación negativa entre el IMC y los niveles séricos de sCD36 (r = -0,035, p < 0,01). La adiposidad, solo en mujeres se correlacionó negativamente con los niveles de sCD36 (r = -0,359, p < 0,05). El umbral para la sensibilidad gustativa a ácidos grasos orales en sujetos con sobrepeso fue 1,0 (IQR 1,16) mM vs. 0,2 (IQR 0,29) mM en sujetos con peso normal (p < 0,05), mientras que los niveles séricos de sCD36 fueron de 26,1 pg/ml (IQR 32,9) en sujetos con sobrepeso y 77,97 pg/ml (IQR 560,66) en sujetos con peso normal, respectivamente (p < 0,05). Conclusiones: el IMC se correlaciona positivamente con el umbral para la sensibilidad oral a los ácidos grasos y negativamente se correlaciona con los niveles séricos de sCD36. El umbral de sensibilidad oral a los ácidos grasos fue significativamente mayor en sujetos con sobrepeso, mientras que los niveles de sCD36 fueron significativamente más altos en el grupo de sujetos con peso normal

Oral fatty acid taste sensitivity in healthy young individuals of both sexes is related to body mass index and soluble CD36 serum levels.

INTRODUCTION: Introduction: CD36 is a membrane protein that functions as a lingual receptor for lipids. The soluble CD36 fraction (sCD36) may correlate oral fatty acid fat taste sensitivity to body mass index (BMI) and adiposity. Objectives: to determine if the oral fatty acid taste sensitivity in healthy young individuals of both sexes is related to serum sCD36 levels, adiposity and BMI. Methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted in 72 healthy young individuals (18-25 years). Serum sCD36 was quantified for all subjects. Oral fatty acid taste sensitivity was determined using an ascending series of the three-alternate forced choice methodology. Additionally, BMI was calculated using anthropometry, and adiposity was determined by bioelectric impedance analysis. Results: there was a positive correlation between BMI and the oral fatty acid taste sensitivity threshold (r = 0.277, p < 0.05) and a negative correlation between BMI and serum sCD36 levels (r = -0.035, p < 0.01). Adiposity negatively correlated with the sCD36 levels only in women (r = -0.359, p < 0.05). The threshold for oral sensitivity to fatty acids in overweight individuals was 1.0 (IQR 1.16) mM vs 0.2 (IQR 0.29) mM in healthy weight individuals (p < 0.05), while sCD36 levels were 26.1 pg/ml (IQR 32.9) and 77.97 pg/ml (IQR 560.66) in overweight and normal weight individuals, respectively (p < 0.05). Conclusions: BMI positively correlates with the oral sensitivity threshold of fatty acids and negatively correlates with serum sCD36 levels. The threshold of oral sensitivity to fatty acids was significantly higher in overweight subjects, while sCD36 levels were significantly higher in the group of normal weight individuals.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Introducción: CD36 es una proteína de membrana que funciona como receptor lingual para lípidos. La fracción soluble del CD36 (sCD36) podría correlacionar la sensibilidad gustativa a los ácidos grasos orales con el índice de masa corporal (IMC) y con la adiposidad. Objetivos: determinar si la sensibilidad gustativa a ácidos grasos orales se relaciona con los niveles séricos de sCD36, la adiposidad y el IMC en jóvenes de ambos sexos. Métodos: estudio transversal en 72 adultos jóvenes (18-25 años). Se cuantificaron los niveles séricos de sCD36 para todos los sujetos. Se determinó la sensibilidad gustativa a los ácidos grasos orales. Adicionalmente, se calculó el IMC usando antropometría y se determinó la adiposidad por análisis de bioimpedancia. Resultados: se encontró correlación positiva entre el IMC y el umbral de sensibilidad gustativa a los ácidos grasos orales (r = 0,277, p < 0,05) y una correlación negativa entre el IMC y los niveles séricos de sCD36 (r = −0,035, p < 0,01). La adiposidad, solo en mujeres se correlacionó negativamente con los niveles de sCD36 (r = −0,359, p < 0,05). El umbral para la sensibilidad gustativa a ácidos grasos orales en sujetos con sobrepeso fue 1,0 (IQR 1,16) mM vs. 0,2 (IQR 0,29) mM en sujetos con peso normal (p < 0,05), mientras que los niveles séricos de sCD36 fueron de 26,1 pg/ml (IQR 32,9) en sujetos con sobrepeso y 77,97 pg/ml (IQR 560,66) en sujetos con peso normal, respectivamente (p < 0,05). Conclusiones: el IMC se correlaciona positivamente con el umbral para la sensibilidad oral a los ácidos grasos y negativamente se correlaciona con los niveles séricos de sCD36. El umbral de sensibilidad oral a los ácidos grasos fue significativamente mayor en sujetos con sobrepeso, mientras que los niveles de sCD36 fueron significativamente más altos en el grupo de sujetos con peso normal.

The Comparative Effect of Nopal and Mucilage in Metabolic Parameters in Rats with a High-Fructose Diet.

Nopal is used in Mexico as both food and traditional medicine for metabolic diseases. Our aim was to analyze the effect of the chronic administration of mucilage fiber extracted from nopal (Opuntia ficus indica; 500 mg/kg body weight per day) on male Wistar rats on a high-fructose diet (HFD). After which three groups were administered one of the following for 30 days: whole-fresh nopal mixed in water, mucilage, and control. Metabolic and hemodynamic parameters (triglycerides, cholesterol, fasting glucose, oral glucose tolerance test, blood pressure, and abdominal circumference) were determined. Rats administered nopal and mucilage had lower levels of triglycerides and diastolic arterial pressure than control, but only nopal had significant differences. Furthermore, systolic and diastolic pressure were higher in the control group. Thus, whole nopal and mucilage improve metabolic parameters in rats fed a HFD.

Effects of Moringa oleifera leaf powder on metabolic syndrome induced in male Wistar rats: a preliminary study.

Objective To evaluate the preventive effects of Moringa oleifera on metabolic syndrome (MS) in male Wistar rats. Methods MS was induced by feeding rats a high-fat diet and drinking water containing 10% fructose for 6 weeks. In the preventive group, M. oleifera was orally administered for 3 weeks prior to the induction of MS, while in the treatment group, M. oleifera was administered for 3 weeks after the onset of MS. The treatment groups were compared with a control group of untreated rats with induced MS. Fasting glucose, oral glucose tolerance, insulin tolerance, total cholesterol, triglycerides, abdominal circumference, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured before and after MS induction and/or M. oleifera treatment. Results After the induction of MS, the control group had higher fasting glucose levels than the preventive group. No significant differences were observed in insulin tolerance, oral glucose tolerance, cholesterol, triglycerides, abdominal circumference, or systolic or diastolic blood pressure. Compared with untreated controls, rats in the treatment group had significantly improved glucose tolerance, triglycerides, and abdominal circumference. Conclusions M. oleifera treatment attenuates MS in Wistar rats.