The development of molecular tools that enable precise manipulation and control of biological systems would allow for a broader understanding of cellular functions and applications in biotechnology, synthetic biology, and therapeutic research. The discovery of CRISPR/Cas systems and the understanding and repurposing of their mechanisms have revolutionized the field of molecular biology. Here, I identified and characterized novel CRISPR/Cas systems and applied them for different in vivo and in vitro applications. In this work, I interrogated various Cas13 effector proteins and identified the most efficient Cas13 effector (CasRx) for in planta applications. I adapted CasRx to engineer plant immunity against different plant RNA viruses. CasRx showed robust activity and specificity against RNA viruses, demonstrating its suitability for studying key questions relating to virus biology. To expand the Cas13 toolbox and enable new applications, I performed a homology search of Cas13 enzymes in prokaryotic genomes and metagenomes, and identified previously uncharacterized, novel CRISPR/Cas13 effector proteins. I first identified and functionally characterized a small size, miniature Cas13 effector (named here as mCas13) and combined it with isothermal amplification to develop a simple and sensitive CRISPR-based SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic platform. In addition, I discovered and biochemically characterized the first known thermostable Cas13 proteins and showed that these thermostable proteins are phylogenetically related. I harnessed the unique features of these thermostable enzymes to develop the first one-pot, RT-LAMP coupled Cas13-based nucleic acid detection assay, which was utilized for highly sensitive, specific, and easily programmable detection of SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses. Lastly, I utilized CRISPR/Cas12a to develop a detection assay of plant ssDNA geminiviruses with easy-to-interpret visual readouts, making it suitable for point-of-use applications. In addition, I leveraged the self vs. non-self-discrimination and pre-crRNA processing capabilities of CRISPR/Cas12a, with the allosteric transcription factors (aTFs)- regulated expression of CRISPR array to engineer a field-deployable small molecule detection platform. I demonstrated the ability of the developed platform to detect different tetracycline antibiotics with high sensitivity and specificity. In conclusion, my work demonstrates that the discovery and characterization of programmable nucleic acid targeting systems could enable their utility for biotechnological innovations, including technologies for inhibition of viral replication and diagnostics.

La pandemia del nuevo coronavirus continúa con nosotros y lo hará por largo tiempo. Ha causado un nuevo modo de vivir, con aislamiento, protección personal, distanciamiento, empleo de la virtualidad y otros. Se ha mejorado el diagnóstico del infectado y su manejo. No existe cura aún, aunque se cuenta con vacunas aprobadas con premura. La crisis de salud ha desnudado la falta de preparación de nuestros sistemas de salud, y ha devenido en crisis políticas y económicas, empobrecimiento, muerte e inquietud emocional y psicológica. En estas páginas continuamos escribiendo de manera resumida los nuevos conocimientos sobre el SARS-CoV-2 y la enfermedad COVID-19, su diagnóstico, fisiopatología, manejo sintomático y de la enfermedad severa, la reinfección, sus secuelas y letalidad. Pero, principalmente, el compromiso de la mujer infectada durante el embarazo y el parto y puerperio, así como aspectos del alojamiento conjunto y lactancia; y qué ocurre cuando la infección afecta al neonato. Queda por saber el futuro de las madres y niños que sufrieron la infección. / The new coronavirus pandemic continues with us and will do so for a long time. It has brought a new way of life, with isolation, confinement, personal protection, distancing, use of virtuality and others. The diagnosis of the infected and its management has been improved; there is no cure yet, although there are vaccines approved in haste. The health crisis has exposed the lack of preparation of our health systems, resulting in political and economic crises, with impoverishment, death, and emotional and psychological complications. In these pages we continue writing in a summarized way the new knowledge about SARS-CoV-2 and the COVID-19 disease, its diagnosis, pathophysiology, symptomatic management and the severe disease, re-infection, its sequelae and lethality. But mainly how it affects the infected woman during pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium, as well as aspects of rooming in and breastfeeding. And what happens when the infection affects the newbo ture of the mothers and children who suffered the infection remains to be known.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the novel coronavirus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and has escalated, becoming a pandemic in early 2020. Multiple testing modalities have been developed to detect this virus including RT-PCR, antigen, and serology testing. RT-PCR testing is the clinical gold standard and is used for diagnostic purposes of current infections. Antigen testing is rapid and requires significantly less equipment, but lacks the sensitivity of RT-PCR testing. Serology assays detect antibodies raised against SARS-CoV-2, so only detect prior exposure. It is important to note that use of antibody tests may also detect prior asymptomatic infections. For these reasons, it is imperative that all testing modalities be continuously developed and improved to better our understanding of disease transmission, helping to inform and change infection control policies and protecting both employees in the workplace and patients. We aim to quantify the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG in the healthcare workers at Boston Medical Center, including those with asymptomatic infections. Our results show an overall seroprevalence of 5.5% with an asymptomatic seroprevalence of 1.8%. High risk groups include those who are obese, smokers, and Hispanic/LatinX. Experiencing some symptoms was associated with a higher risk of seropositivity, as was lack of social distancing amongst coworkers. In a separate study, we aim to assess the direct antigen rapid tests (DART) created by E25Bio in patients seeking care at Boston Medical Center. This study has been significantly limited by number of participants, as recruitment has been paused during both COVID-19 surges in Boston, MA. The current data shows poor positive agreement between DART and RT-PCR, but acceptable negative agreement. Each testing modality works to fill in the gaps of knowledge that still persist around SARS-CoV-2. Each of these testing types provides a unique piece of information and when used together, will help to inform strategies to overcome the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

La terbinafina es un fármaco que puede inducir daño hepático agudo. Presentamos el caso de un paciente varón de 40 años que desarrolló disfunción hepática después de 35 días de tratamiento con terbinafina por onicomicosis. El estudio anátomo patológico demostró: hepatitis aguda en resolución, además de ductopenia y colestasis. Estos hallazgos, sin el antecedente de hepatitis viral o autoinmune, son consistentes con el diagnóstico de daño hepático inducido por drogas (DILI). En este reporte presentamos el primer caso en nuestro país de un paciente que es afectado por una enfermedad hepática aguda: injuria hep osteriormente infección por SARS-CoV-2 en el contexto de una pandemia. / Terbinafine is a drug that can induce acute liver damage. We present the case of a 40-year-old male patient who developed liver dysfunction after 35 days of terbinafine treatment for onychomycosis. The anatomopathological study showed: acute hepatitis in resolution, in addition to ductopenia and cholestasis. These findings, without a history of viral or autoimmune hepatitis, are consistent with the diagnosis of drug-induced liver damage (DILI). In this report we present the first case in our country of a patient who is affected by an acute liv ver injury, to which SARS-CoV-2 infection was later associated in the context of a pandemic.

La Asociación Peruana de Bibliotecas Académicas ALTAMIRA se une al esfuerzo para la lucha contra el COVID-19 facilitando acceso a la información científica especializada mediante el envío de un boletín diario con las últimas publicaciones académicas sobre el COVID-19. Este Boletin cuenta con secciones: información oficial sobre COVID-19, artículos científicos, artículos preprint, revisiones sistemáticas y otras fuentes de información.

Boletín que incluye información científica sobre el COVID-19, incluye artículos científicos y artículos preprint actualizados al 11 de Junio de 2020.

Boletín que incluye información científica sobre el COVID-19, incluye artículos científicos y artículos preprint actualizados al 03 de Junio de 2020.

Boletín que incluye información científica sobre el COVID-19, incluye artículos científicos y artículos preprint actualizados al 23 de Junio de 2020.

Boletín que incluye información científica sobre el COVID-19, incluye artículos científicos y artículos preprint actualizados al 24 de Junio de 2020.

Boletín que incluye información científica sobre el COVID-19, incluye artículos científicos y artículos preprint actualizados al 25 de Junio de 2020. Tipo