Human Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells Exposure to SARS-CoV-2 Leads to Inflammatory Activation through NF-κB Non-Canonical Pathway and Mitochondrial Remodeling.

Neurological effects of COVID-19 and long-COVID-19, as well as neuroinvasion by SARS-CoV-2, still pose several questions and are of both clinical and scientific relevance. We described the cellular and molecular effects of the human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs) in vitro exposure by SARS-CoV-2 to understand the underlying mechanisms of viral transmigration through the blood-brain barrier. Despite the low to non-productive viral replication, SARS-CoV-2-exposed cultures displayed increased immunoreactivity for cleaved caspase-3, an indicator of apoptotic cell death, tight junction protein expression, and immunolocalization. Transcriptomic profiling of SARS-CoV-2-challenged cultures revealed endothelial activation via NF-κB non-canonical pathway, including RELB overexpression and mitochondrial dysfunction. Additionally, SARS-CoV-2 led to altered secretion of key angiogenic factors and to significant changes in mitochondrial dynamics, with increased mitofusin-2 expression and increased mitochondrial networks. Endothelial activation and remodeling can further contribute to neuroinflammatory processes and lead to further BBB permeability in COVID-19.

Role of aging in Blood-Brain Barrier dysfunction and susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection: impacts on neurological symptoms of COVID-19.

COVID-19, which is caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has resulted in devastating morbidity and mortality worldwide due to lethal pneumonia and respiratory distress. In addition, the central nervous system (CNS) is well documented to be a target of SARS-CoV-2, and studies detected SARS-CoV-2 in the brain and the cerebrospinal fluid of COVID-19 patients. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) was suggested to be the major route of SARS-CoV-2 infection of the brain. Functionally, the BBB is created by an interactome between endothelial cells, pericytes, astrocytes, microglia, and neurons, which form the neurovascular units (NVU). However, at present, the interactions of SARS-CoV-2 with the NVU and the outcomes of this process are largely unknown. Moreover, age was described as one of the most prominent risk factors for hospitalization and deaths, along with other comorbidities such as diabetes and co-infections. This review will discuss the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the NVU, the expression profile of SARS-CoV-2 receptors in the different cell types of the CNS and the possible role of aging in the neurological outcomes of COVID-19. A special emphasis will be placed on mitochondrial functions because dysfunctional mitochondria are also a strong inducer of inflammatory reactions and the "cytokine storm" associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Finally, we will discuss possible drug therapies to treat neural endothelial function in aged patients, and, thus, alleviate the neurological symptoms associated with COVID-19.

Impacto del número de controles periódicos en la salud bucal de los pacientes atendidos en la Clínica de Odontopediatría / Impacto do número de controles periódicos na saúde bucal dos pacientes atendidos na Clínica de Odontologia Pediátrica / Impact of the number of periodic dental checkups on oral health at a university pediatric dentistry clinic

Resumen La Clínica de Odontopediatría desarrolla un modelo de atención con énfasis en promoción, educación y rehabilitación destacándose su control y mantenimiento. No hay información sobre el impacto de los controles periódicos. Objetivo: Evaluar la asociación del número de controles y la salud bucal de niños entre 5 y 10 años. Estudio transversal, descriptivo (2017-18) y retrospectivo (hasta 2014) en dos subpoblaciones: G1=controles y G2=primera vez, evaluando diferencias de piezas afectadas Resultados: 115 niños, 44 en G1 y 71 en G2. El 100% presentaron biopelícula. G1 presentó un valor significativamente menor del IPV>20% (p<0.001), de lesiones cavitadas (p<0.001). G1 con 2 o más controles el promedio de lesiones iniciales fue de 2,6 y G2 de 4,5 (p<0.001). Conclusiones: Los niños con dos o más controles presentaron mejor situación de salud bucal que quienes consultaron por primera vez. Se confirma la importancia del control programado para el mantenimiento de la salud bucal.

Resumo A Clínica de Odontologia Pediátrica desenvolve um modelo de cuidado com ênfase na promoção, educação em saúde e reabilitação destacando seu controle e manutenção. Não há informações que sustentem o impacto que os controles regulares. Objetivo: Avaliar a associação do número de controles anuais e da saúde bucal de crianças entre 5 e 10 anos. Estudo transversal e descritivo (2017-18) e retrospectiva (até 2014) em duas subpopulações: G1-controle e G2-primeira vez. Resultados: 115 crianzas: G1-44 e G2-71. 100% do de crianças apresentaram biofilme. G1 apresentou valor de IPV>20% e lesões cavitadas significativamente menor (p<0,001). G1 com 2 ou mais controles a média de lesões iniciais foi de 2,6 e no G2 4,5 (p <0,001). Conclusões: Crianças que assistem a 2 ou mais controles têm uma melhor situação de saúde bucal em comparação com aquelas que consultam pela primeira vez. Confirma-se a importância do controle programado para manutenção da saúde bucal.

Abstract The Pediatric Dentistry Clinic at the School of Dentistry, Universidad de la República, has a care model that focuses on promotion, health education and rehabilitation, and aims to support health control and maintenance. There is no information on the impact of periodic checkups. Objective: To evaluate the association between the number of checkups and oral health in children aged between 5 and 10. Cross-sectional, descriptive (2017-18) and retrospective (up to 2014) study in two subpopulations: G1 = checkups, and G2 = first visit. We evaluated the differences in the number of teeth affected. Results: The sample included 115 children: 44 in G1 and 71 in G2. All of them had biofilm. G1 presented significantly lower values regarding visible plaque index (VPI) (>20%) (p < 0.001) and cavitated lesions (p < 0.001). G1 members, who had attended two or more checkups, had 2.6 initial lesions on average, and G2 members, 4.5 (p < 0.001). Conclusions Children who had attended two or more checkups had better oral health than those seeking care for the first time. This confirms the importance of scheduled checkups for maintaining oral health.