Universidad del Desarrollo

About: Universidad del Desarrollo is a education organization based out in Santiago, Chile. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Entrepreneurship. The organization has 2695 authors who have published 3578 publications receiving 52302 citations.

Medications, Deep Brain Stimulation, and Other Factors Influencing Impulse Control Disorders in Parkinson's Disease.

Abstract: Impulse control disorders (ICDs) in Parkinson's disease (PD) have a high cumulative incidence and negatively impact quality of life. ICDs are influenced by a complex interaction of multiple factors. Although it is now well-recognized that dopaminergic treatments and especially dopamine agonists underpin many ICDs, medications alone are not the sole cause. Susceptibility to ICD is increased in the setting of PD. While causality can be challenging to ascertain, a wide range of modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors have been linked to ICDs. Common characteristics of PD patients with ICDs have been consistently identified across many studies; for example, males with an early age of PD onset and dopamine agonist use have a higher risk of ICD. However, not all cases of ICDs in PD can be directly attributable to dopamine, and studies have concluded that additional factors such as genetics, smoking, and/or depression may be more predictive. Beyond dopamine, other ICD associations have been described but remain difficult to explain, including deep brain stimulation surgery, especially in the setting of a reduction in dopaminergic medication use. In this review, we will summarize the demographic, genetic, behavioral, and clinical contributions potentially influencing ICD onset in PD. These associations may inspire future preventative or therapeutic strategies.

Connexinopathies: a structural and functional glimpse.

Abstract: Mutations in human connexin (Cx) genes have been related to diseases, which we termed connexinopathies. Such hereditary disorders include nonsyndromic or syndromic deafness (Cx26, Cx30), Charcot Marie Tooth disease (Cx32), occulodentodigital dysplasia and cardiopathies (Cx43), and cataracts (Cx46, Cx50). Despite the clinical phenotypes of connexinopathies have been well documented, their pathogenic molecular determinants remain elusive. The purpose of this work is to identify common/uncommon patterns in channels function among Cx mutations linked to human diseases. To this end, we compiled and discussed the effect of mutations associated to Cx26, Cx32, Cx43, and Cx50 over gap junction channels and hemichannels, highlighting the function of the structural channel domains in which mutations are located and their possible role affecting oligomerization, gating and perm/selectivity processes.

Early Weight-Bearing After Percutaneous Reduction and Screw Fixation for Low-Energy Lisfranc Injury

Abstract: Background:Anatomic restoration and postoperative rehabilitation of displaced fracture-dislocations of the tarsometatarsal junction of the foot are essential. Our objective was to report percutaneo...

DNA vaccine-generated duck polyclonal antibodies as a postexposure prophylactic to prevent hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS).

Abstract: Andes virus (ANDV) is the predominant cause of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) in South America and the only hantavirus known to be transmitted person-to-person. There are no vaccines, prophylactics, or therapeutics to prevent or treat this highly pathogenic disease (case-fatality 35-40%). Infection of Syrian hamsters with ANDV results in a disease that closely mimics human HPS in incubation time, symptoms of respiratory distress, and disease pathology. Here, we evaluated the feasibility of two postexposure prophylaxis strategies in the ANDV/hamster lethal disease model. First, we evaluated a natural product, human polyclonal antibody, obtained as fresh frozen plasma (FFP) from a HPS survivor. Second, we used DNA vaccine technology to manufacture a polyclonal immunoglobulin-based product that could be purified from the eggs of vaccinated ducks (Anas platyrhynchos). The natural "despeciation" of the duck IgY (i.e., Fc removed) results in an immunoglobulin predicted to be minimally reactogenic in humans. Administration of ≥ 5,000 neutralizing antibody units (NAU)/kg of FFP-protected hamsters from lethal disease when given up to 8 days after intranasal ANDV challenge. IgY/IgYΔFc antibodies purified from the eggs of DNA-vaccinated ducks effectively neutralized ANDV in vitro as measured by plaque reduction neutralization tests (PRNT). Administration of 12,000 NAU/kg of duck egg-derived IgY/IgYΔFc protected hamsters when administered up to 8 days after intranasal challenge and 5 days after intramuscular challenge. These experiments demonstrate that convalescent FFP shows promise as a postexposure HPS prophylactic. Moreover, these data demonstrate the feasibility of using DNA vaccine technology coupled with the duck/egg system to manufacture a product that could supplement or replace FFP. The DNA vaccine-duck/egg system can be scaled as needed and obviates the necessity of using limited blood products obtained from a small number of HPS survivors. This is the first report demonstrating the in vivo efficacy of any antiviral product produced using DNA vaccine-duck/egg system.