Clinical manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection include more frequently fever and cough, but complications (such as pneumonia, respiratory distress syndrome, and multiorgan failure) can occur in persons with additional comorbidities. Liver dysfunction is one of the most striking affections among patients suggesting that SARS-CoV-2 may represent a new king of liver aggressor. However, the molecular process underlying this phenomenon is still unclear. In this work, we overview the most recent findings between the molecular biology of the virus, pathogenic mechanisms, and its relationship to liver disease observed in patients.

The results showed MARK1 as a novel functional target for miR-125a-5p with implications on cell migration of tumor cervical cancer cells.

Prior to and during the process of human labor, maternal circulating leukocytes infiltrate the maternal-fetal interface (choriodecidua) and become activated resembling choriodecidual leukocytes. Since, there is no evidence comparing maternal circulating and choriodecidual leukocytes, herein, we characterized their transcriptome and explored the biological processes enriched in choriodecidual leukocytes. From women undergoing spontaneous term labor we isolated circulating and choriodecidual leukocytes, performed microarray analysis (n = 5) and qRT-PCR validation (n = 9) and interaction network analysis with up-regulated genes. We found 270 genes up-regulated and only 17 genes down-regulated in choriodecidual leukocytes compared to maternal circulating leukocytes. The most up-regulated genes were CCL18, GPNMB, SEPP1, FN1, RNASE1, SPP1, C1QC, and PLTP. The biological processes enriched in choriodecidual leukocytes were cell migration and regulation of immune response, chemotaxis, and humoral immune responses. Our results show striking differences between the transcriptome of choriodecidual and maternal circulating leukocytes. Choriodecidual leukocytes are enriched in immune mediators implicated in the spontaneous process of labor at term.

Mexico took swift action and has strictly followed mitigation measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease, COVID-19. In this study we compared influenza activity indicators in our country after the implementation of public health measures for COVID-19. We compared indicators of influenza activity in 2020 before and after public health measures were taken to reduce COVID-19 with the corresponding indicators from three preceding years and the immediate one, and the potential decrease in seasonal influenza cases/deaths. Nationwide surveillance data revealed a drastic decline in influenza diagnosis in outpatient clinics and public hospitals, influenza positivity rates of clinical specimens, and confirmed severe cases during the following 10 weeks of 2020 as lockdown activities and control measures were established compared with the same period of 2019. Our results suggest that the measures taken for COVID-19 were effective in reducing the spread of other viral respiratory diseases as influenza in our country.

SummaryBackgroundThe progression and distribution of SARS-CoV-2 is unknown because typically only symptomatic individuals are diagnosed.AimWe evaluated the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 in blood donors in Nuevo Leon, Mexico as a strategy for asymptomatic case detection of COVID-19 and epidemic progression.Methods/MaterialsWe tested 1968 blood donors that attended two regional donation centers in Northeast Mexico from January 1st to August 30, 2020, to identify anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG by chemiluminescent immunoassay. Additionally, routine tests for donors including Brucella, Chagas, HCV, VDRL, HIV-1, and HBsAg identification were performed.ResultsWe found 77 donors reactive for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG (seroprevalence 3.99%) and none of them had reported recent COVID-19 symptoms. Donors aged 18 to 49 years (89.5%) were more likely to be seropositive compared to those aged 50 years or older (10.5%) (P<0.001). Prevalence of antibodies increased each epidemiological (EPI) week, parallel to the report of confirmed cases by RT-PCR, identifying the highest prevalence between EPI week 33 and 35 (10.2% to 19%). The metropolitan area of Monterrey recorded the highest number of cases. Routine tests showed that the prevalence of anti-Brucella was 0.13%, anti-HCV 0.5%, anti-HIV-1-2 0.14%, HBsAg 0.16%, Chagas 0.48% and syphilis 1.06%.ConclusionsThere is a growing trend of seroprevalence over time, parallel to the constantly increasing epidemic curve in our region and it was higher under 49 years of age associated with asymptomatic infection in donors from the Nuevo Leon area. Detection of anti-SARS-CoV-2 in blood donors is a potential tool for tracking the progression and identifying population exposure during the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak.