Un cómic ilustrativo sobre el tránsito intracelular de los virus.

El mecanismo de cómo los virus atraviesan las estructuras intracelulares son el modelo que ejemplifica el tránsito intracelular por el sistema de endomembranas, el mismo que es utilizado en la descripción de los diferentes aparatos intracelulares. El objetivo fue desarrollar un método didáctico que explique un mecanismo de la biología molecular, como lo es la tira cómica en el tránsito y la señalización intracelular de los virus. Se diseñó una historia cómica-ilustrativa donde una estructura viral es personificada por un espía encubierto, el eje fundamental de la trama es la obtención de las moléculas de información genética a nivel del núcleo, para ello tiene que pasar por los varios departamentos de la célula que representan las organelas intracitoplasmáticas con sus características funcionales, la secuencia obedece a la comunicación que tienen las diferentes organelas desde la membrana celular hasta el núcleo. La elaboración de comics o historietas pueden recrear eventos y fenómenos estudiados en las ciencias médicas como la biología, teniendo los siguientes resultados: aumentar el interés, la comprensión, la creatividad, la necesidad de conocimientos y generación de nuevas ideas en los estudiantes. El cómic es una herramienta didáctica útil en la enseñanza del tránsito intracelular a partir de la narración gráfica de un modelo viral que se transporta al interior de la célula. The mechanism of how viruses cross intracellular structures is the model that exemplifies intracellular transit through the endomembrane system, the same that is used in the description of the different intracellular apparatus. The objective was to develop a didactic method that explains a mechanism of molecular biology, such as the comic strip in the transit and intracellular signaling of viruses. A comic-illustrative story was designed where a viral structure is personified by an undercover spy, the fundamental axis of the plot is obtaining the genetic information molecules at the nucleus level, for this it has to go through the various departments of the cell that represent the intracytoplasmic organelles with their functional characteristics, the sequence obeys the communication that the different organelles have from the cell membrane to the nucleus. The development of comics or comics can recreate events and phenomena studied in medical sciences such as biology, having the following results: increase interest, understanding, creativity, the need for knowledge and generation of new ideas in students. The comic is a useful didactic tool in teaching intracellular transit from the graphic narration of a viral model that is transported inside the cell.

Genomic Analysis of Prophages from Klebsiella pneumoniae Clinical Isolates

Klebsiella pneumoniae is an increasing threat to public health and represents one of the most concerning pathogens involved in life-threatening infections. The resistant and virulence determinants are coded by mobile genetic elements which can easily spread between bacteria populations and co-evolve with its genomic host. In this study, we present the full genomic sequences, insertion sites and phylogenetic analysis of 150 prophages found in 40 K. pneumoniae clinical isolates obtained from an outbreak in a Portuguese hospital. All strains harbored at least one prophage and we identified 104 intact prophages (69.3%). The prophage size ranges from 29.7 to 50.6 kbp, coding between 32 and 78 putative genes. The prophage GC content is 51.2%, lower than the average GC content of 57.1% in K. pneumoniae. Complete prophages were classified into three families in the order Caudolovirales: Myoviridae (59.6%), Siphoviridae (38.5%) and Podoviridae (1.9%). In addition, an alignment and phylogenetic analysis revealed nine distinct clusters. Evidence of recombination was detected within the genome of some prophages but, in most cases, proteins involved in viral structure, transcription, replication and regulation (lysogenic/lysis) were maintained. These results support the knowledge that prophages are diverse and widely disseminated in K. pneumoniae genomes, contributing to the evolution of this species and conferring additional phenotypes. Moreover, we identified K. pneumoniae prophages in a set of endolysin genes, which were found to code for proteins with lysozyme activity, cleaving the β-1,4 linkages between N-acetylmuramic acid and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine residues in the peptidoglycan network and thus representing genes with the potential for lysin phage therapy.

A propósito del tránsito intracelular de los virus. Comic ilustrativo.

Introduction. The mechanism of how viruses cross intracellular structures is the model that exemplifies the intracellular transit through the endomembrane system, the same that is used in the teaching and description of the different intracellular apparatus and organelles. Objective. Develop a didactic method that explains a mechanism of molecular biology, such as the comic strip in the transit and intracellular signaling of viruses. Methodology. A comic-illustrative story was designed where a viral structure is personified by an undercover spy, the fundamental axis of the plot is obtaining the genetic information molecules at the nucleus level, for this it has to go through the various departments of the cell representing the intracellular and intracytoplasmic organelles with their functional characteristics, the sequence obeys the communication that the different organelles have from the cell membrane to the nucleus. Results. The development of comics or comics can recreate events and phenomena studied in medical sciences such as biology, having the following results: increase interest, understanding, creativity, the need for knowledge and generation of new ideas in students. Conclusion. The comic is a useful didactic tool in teaching intracellular transit from the graphic narration of a viral model that is transported inside the cell.

The Relation of the Viral Structure of SARS-CoV2, High-Risk Condition, and Plasma Levels of IL-4, IL-10, and IL-15 in COVID-19 Patients compared to SARS and MERS Infections

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) has high mortality due to the widespread infection and the strong immune system reaction. Interleukins (ILs) are among the main immune factors contributing to the deterioration of the immune response and the formation of cytokine storms in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections. Introduction: This review article investigated the relationship between virus structure, risk factors, and patient plasma interleukin levels in infections caused by the coronavirus family. Method: The keywords "interleukin," "coronavirus structure," "plasma," and "risk factors" were the main words searched to find a relationship among different interleukins, coronavirus structures, and risk factors in ISI, PUBMED, SCOPUS, and Google Scholar databases. Results: Patients with high-risk conditions with independent panels of immune system markers are more susceptible to death caused by SARS-CoV2. IL-4, IL-10, and IL-15 are probably secreted at different levels in patients with coronavirus infections despite the similarity of inflammatory markers during coronavirus infections. SARS-CoV2 and SARS-CoV increase the secretion of IL-4 in the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection, while it remains unchanged in MERS-CoV infection. MERS-CoV infection demonstrates increased IL-10 levels. However, IL-10 levels increase during SARS-CoV infection, and different levels are recorded in SARS-CoV2. MERS-CoV increases IL-15 secretion while its levels remain unchanged in SARS-CoV2. Conclusion: In conclusion, the different structures of SARS-CoV2, such as length of spike or nonstructural proteins (NSPs), and susceptibility of patients based on their risk factors may lead to differences in immune marker secretion and pathogenicity. Therefore, identifying and controlling interleukin levels can play a significant role in controlling the symptoms and the development of individual-specific treatments.

Idiotype/anti-idiotype antibodies: as a glorious savior in COVID-19 pandemics

The idiotype network is experimentally modified to provide protective immunity against various microbial pathogens. Both internal and non-internal image-idiotype antibodies can trigger specific immune responses to antigens. The current outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome 2 (SARS-2) has provided a great opportunity to take advantage of idiotype / anti-idiotype antibodies as a protective regimen when no approved vaccine is available on earth. The current review identifies successful applications of idiotype/ anti-idiotype antibodies in various viral diseases and highlights their importance in COVID-19 pandemics. In the absence of vaccines and targeted therapies, polyclonal idiotype/ anti-idiotype antibodies against the viral structure may be a potential approach to the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 patients.

The SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Protein and Its Role in Viral Structure, Biological Functions, and a Potential Target for Drug or Vaccine Mitigation

The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on the world is still expanding. Thus, there is an urgent need to better understand this novel virus and find a way to control its spread. Like other coronaviruses, the nucleocapsid (N) protein is one of the most crucial structural components of SARS-CoV-2. This protein shares 90% homology with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus N protein, implying functional significance. Based on the evolutionary conservation of the N protein in coronavirus, we reviewed the currently available knowledge regarding the SARS-CoV-2 N protein in terms of structure, biological functions, and clinical application as a drug target or vaccine candidate.

In Memoriam: Mavis Agbandje-McKenna (1963–2021)

On March 3, 2021, we lost an honored member of the virology community, Mavis Agbandje-McKenna, to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Mavis was a leading light in the fields of viral structure, functions, and gene therapy. She was also a treasured friend and collaborator to scientists around the world and an impactful mentor to a multitude of trainees.

Coagulopathy: Another side effect of coronavirus infection

Recently, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been considered as a major health problem around the globe. This severe acute respiratory syndrome has a bunch of features, such as high transmission rate, which are adding to its importance. Overcoming this disease relies on a complete understanding of the viral structure, receptors, at-risk cells or tissues, and pathogenesis. Currently, researches have shown that besides the lack of a proper anti-viral therapeutic method, complications provided by this virus are also standing in the way of decreasing its mortality rate. One of these complications is believed to be a hematologic manifestation. Commonly, three kinds of coagulopathies are detected in COVID-19 patients: disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), pulmonary embolism (PE), and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). In this paper, we have reviewed the relation between these conditions and coronavirus-related diseases pathogenesis, severity, and mortality rate.

An Updated Review on COVID-19

: Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic has affected more than seven million individuals in 213 countries worldwide with a basic reproduction number ranging from 1.5 to 3.5 and an estimated case fatality rate ranging from 2% to 7%. A substantial proportion of COVID-19 patients are asymptomatic; however, symptomatic cases might present with fever, cough, and dyspnoea or severe symptoms up to acute respiratory distress syndrome. Currently, RNA RT-PCR is the screening tool, while bilateral chest CT is the confirmatory clinical diagnostic test. Several drugs have been repurposed to treat COVID-19, including chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine with or without azithromycin, lopinavir/ritonavir combination, remdesivir, favipiravir, tocilizumab, and EIDD-1931. Recently, Remdesivir gained FDA emergency approval based on promising early findings from the interim analysis of 1063 patients. The recently developed serology testing for SARSCoV-2 antibodies opened the door to evaluate the actual burden of the disease and to determine the rate of the population who have been previously infected (or developed immunity). This review article summarizes current data on the COVID-19 pandemic starting from the early outbreak, viral structure and origin, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, discharge criteria, and future research.