A5073522581- Viral Infections and Vectors
- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
- Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research
- Fire effects on ecosystems
- Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy
- Connective Tissue Growth Factor Research
- SARS-CoV-2 detection and testing
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Kawasaki Disease and Coronary Complications
- Arsenic contamination and mitigation
- COVID-19 epidemiological studies
- Connective tissue disorders research
- Botulinum Toxin and Related Neurological Disorders
- Climate Change and Health Impacts
- Nutrition, Genetics, and Disease
- Sepsis Diagnosis and Treatment
- Genomic variations and chromosomal abnormalities
- Vector-Borne Animal Diseases
- Long-Term Effects of COVID-19
- TGF-β signaling in diseases
- Neurological diseases and metabolism
- Digestive system and related health
- Myasthenia Gravis and Thymoma
- Muscle Physiology and Disorders
Universidad del Desarrollo
2015-2024
Clínica Alemana
2015-2024
Instituto de Neurociencia Biomédica
2024
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
2007-2020
University of New Mexico
2014-2020
Instituto de Salud Pública de Chile
2020
Ministry of Health
2020
Fundación Ciencia and Vida
2020
San Sebastián University
2020
Austral University of Chile
2014
Abstract Identifying the ancestral components of genomes admixed individuals helps uncovering genetic basis diseases and understanding demographic history populations. We estimate local ancestry on 313 Chileans assess contribution from three continental The distribution block-length suggests an average admixing time around 10 generations ago. Sex-chromosome analyses confirm imbalanced European men Native-American women. Previously known genes under selection contain SNPs showing large...
Abstract Andes hantavirus (ANDV) causes cardiopulmonary syndrome in Chile and is the only for which person-to-person transmission has been proven. We describe an outbreak of 5 human cases ANDV infection symptoms developed 2 household contacts health care workers after exposure to index case-patient. Results epidemiologic investigation sequence analysis virus isolates support 4 secondary case-patients, including nosocomial workers. Health personnel who have direct contact with case-patients...
In diabetic nephropathy, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is upregulated and bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP-7) downregulated. CTGF known to inhibit BMP-4, but similar cross-talk between BMP-7 has not been studied. this study, it was hypothesized that acts as an inhibitor of signaling activity in nephropathy. Compared with wild-type CTGF(+/+) mice, CTGF(+/-) mice had approximately 50% lower mRNA protein, less severe albuminuria, no thickening the glomerular basement membrane,...
Fibrotic disorders are typified by excessive connective tissue and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition that precludes normal healing processes of different tissues. Connective growth factor (CTGF) seems to be involved in the fibrotic response. Several muscular dystrophies characterized a progressive weakness wasting musculature, extensive fibrosis. However, exact role CTGF skeletal muscle is unknown. Here we show myoblasts myotubes able synthesize response transforming type-beta (TGF-beta)...
Fibrotic disorders are the end point of many chronic diseases in different tissues, where an accumulation extracellular matrix occurs, mainly because action connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2). Little is known about how this activity regulated. We found that decorin null myoblasts more sensitive to CTGF than wild type myoblasts, as evaluated by fibronectin or collagen III. Decorin added exogenously negatively regulated pro-fibrotic and induction actin stress fibers. Using...
Background. Andes virus (ANDV)–related hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) has a 35% case fatality rate in Chile and no specific treatment. In an immunomodulatory approach, we evaluated the efficacy of intravenous methylprednisolone for HCPS treatment, through parallel-group, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Methods. Patients aged >2 years, with confirmed or suspected stage, admitted to any 13 study sites Chile, were randomized by center blocks 4 1:1 allocation assigned sequentially...
In Chile, Andes virus (ANDV) is the sole aetiological agent of hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) with mean annual incidence 55 cases, 32% case fatality rate (CFR) and no specific treatment. Neutralizing antibody (NAb) titres at hospital admission correlate inversely HCPS severity. We designed an open trial to explore safety efficacy evaluate pharmacokinetics immune plasma as a treatment strategy for this disease.We performed plasmapheresis on donors least 6 months after measured NAb...
The antibody profile against autoantigens previously associated with autoimmune diseases and other human proteins in patients COVID-19 or multisystem inflammatory syndrome children (MIS-C) remains poorly defined. Here we show that 30% of adults had autoantibodies the lung antigen KCNRG, 34% antibodies to SLE-associated Smith-D3 protein. Children rarely autoantibodies; one 59 GAD65 acute onset insulin-dependent diabetes. While SLE/Sjögren’s (Ro52, Ro60, La) and/or gastritis (gastric ATPase)...
Abstract Background Seroprevalence studies provide an accurate measure of SARS-CoV-2 spread and the presence asymptomatic cases. They also information on uneven impact pandemic, pointing out vulnerable groups to prioritize which is particularly relevant in unequal societies. However, due their high cost, they limited evidence spatial pandemic specially Our objective was estimate prevalence antibodies Chile model its risk distribution. Methods During Oct–Nov 2020, we conducted a...
Chromosome 22q11.2 deletion is the most commonly occurring known microdeletion syndrome. Deaths related to syndrome have been reported, but magnitude of death has not quantified. This study evaluated deletion's impact on survival and its clinical manifestations in a large cohort Chilean patients.Demographic data individuals with 22q11 deletions diagnosed between 1998 2013 were collected from medical records certificates. Case fatality rate was calculated compared national vital statistics....
Dysregulation in neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation and degradation may play a role the pathogenesis severity of COVID-19; however, its pediatric manifestations this disease, including multisystem inflammatory syndrome children (MIS-C) chilblain-like lesions (CLLs), otherwise known as "COVID toes," remains unclear. Studying multinational cohorts, we found that, CLLs, NETs were significantly increased serum skin. There was geographic variability prevalence MIS-C, association with...
Abstract The exposure of a research team to chigger mites in southern Chile allowed the first identification trombiculid species as vector and reservoir scrub typhus outside tsutsugamushi triangle, providing unique insights into ecology transmission this recently discovered rickettsial infection South America.
CoronaVac vaccine from Sinovac Life Science is currently being used in several countries. In Chile, the effectiveness of preventing hospitalization higher than 80% with a vaccination schedule. However, to date, there are no data about immune response induction or specific memory. For this reason, we recruited 15 volunteers without previous suspected/diagnosed COVID-19 and negative PCR over time evaluate 28 90 days after second immunization (dpi). The administration induces total neutralizing...
Chile has achieved the highest coverage for vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 virus worldwide.
Scrub typhus is a potentially severe infection caused by bacteria of the genus Orientia, endemic in Asia-Pacific and recently discovered southern Chile. The presented study aimed to determine prevalence species richness rodent-associated trombiculid mites their with Orientia spp. different areas two regions Chile.During summer 2020, were collected from rodents captured three Chile known be for scrub (Cochamó Chiloé Island Los Lagos Region Tortel Aysén Region). A total 132 belonging five...
Abstract 22q11.2 microdeletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) is the most common disorder in humans, with an incidence of 1/4000 live births. It caused by a heterozygous deletion 1.5–3 Mb on chromosome region 22q11.2. Patients present features that include neuropsychiatric problems, craniofacial abnormalities and cardiovascular malformations. However, phenotype highly variable factors related to clinical heterogeneity are not fully understood. About 65% patients 22q11.2DS have congenital heart defects...
Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) is an important extracellular matrix remodeling enzyme, and it has been involved in different fibrotic disorders. The connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2), which increased these pathologies, induces the production of proteins. To understand process observed diverse we analyzed fibroblast response to CTGF when MMP-2 activity inhibited. fibronectin (FN) amount, mRNA expression, gelatinase 3T3 cells. When was inhibited either by metalloproteinase...