To determine whether the association between family history of diabetes (FHD) and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) is independent of body mass index (BMI) in children and adolescents. In all 443 (11.9%) children and adolescents with FHD, and 3280 (88.1%) without FHD were enrolled in a population-based cross-sectional study. Eligible subjects to participate were apparently healthy children and adolescents aged 7-15 yr from Middle and Northern Mexico. Obesity was defined by age- and gender-specific BMI >or= 95th percentile. FHD was defined as positive if at least one first degree relative had diabetes. The IFG was defined by fasting plasma glucose >or= 100 mg/dL and < 126 mg/dL. IFG was identified in 390 (88.0%) and 62 (1.9%) children and adolescents with and without FHD, respectively. In the group with positive FHD, IFG was diagnosed in 146 (37.4%), 79 (20.2%), and 165 (42.3%) children and adolescents who were obese, overweight, and normal-weight, respectively. On the other hand, in the group without FHD, IFG was identified in 21 (33.9%), 14 (22.6%), and 27 (43.5%) children and adolescents who were obese, overweight, and normal-weight, respectively. In the overall population, the age-, sex-, and BMI-adjusted logistic regression analysis showed a strong and independent association between FHD and IFG [odds ratio (OR) -11.7; 95% CI 9.5-21.2]. This association remained strong for girls and boys in a subsequent analysis stratified for BMI category. The presence of FHD in a first degree relative is associated with IFG, even in the absence of obesity.

Since the tau protein is closely involved in the physiopathology of Alzheimer´s disease (AD), studying its behavior in cellular models might lead to new insights on understanding this devastating disease at molecular levels. In the present study, primary cultures of human fibroblasts were established and used to determine the expression and localization of the tau protein in distinct phosphorylation states in both untransfected and tau gene-transfected cells subjected to oxidative stress. Higher immunopositivity to phospho-tau was observed in cell nuclei in response to oxidative stress, while the levels of total tau in the cytosol remained unchanged. These findings were observed in both untransfected cells and those transfected with the tau gene. The present work represents a useful model for studying the physiopathology of AD at the cellular level in terms of tau protein implications.

The use of recombinant algae for the production of valuable compounds is opening promising biotechnological applications. However, the development of efficient expression approaches is still needed to expand the exploitation of microalgae in biotechnology. Herein, the concept of using viral expression vectors in microalgae was explored for the first time. An inducible geminiviral vector leading to Rep-mediated replication of the expression cassette allowed producing antigenic proteins at high levels. This system, called Algevir, allows producing complex viral proteins (GP1 from Zaire ebolavirus) and bacterial toxin subunits (B subunit of the heat-labile E. coli enterotoxin), which retained their antigenic activity. The highest achieved yield was 1.25 mg/g fresh biomass (6 mg/L of culture), which was attained 3 days after transformation. The Algevir system allows for a fast and efficient production of recombinant proteins, overcoming the difficulties imposed by the low yields and unstable expression patterns frequently observed in stably transformed microalgae at the nuclear level; as well as the toxicity of some target proteins.

Vaccines for human use have conventionally been developed by the production of (1) microbial pathogens in eggs or mammalian cells that are then inactivated, or (2) by the production of pathogen proteins in mammalian and insect cells that are purified for vaccine formulation, as well as, more recently, (3) by using RNA or DNA fragments from pathogens. Another approach for recombinant antigen production in the last three decades has been the use of plants as biofactories. Only have few plant-produced vaccines been evaluated in clinical trials to fight against diseases, of which COVID-19 vaccines are the most recent to be FDA approved. In silico tools have accelerated vaccine design, which, combined with transitory antigen expression in plants, has led to the testing of promising prototypes in pre-clinical and clinical trials. Therefore, this review deals with a description of immunoinformatic tools and plant genetic engineering technologies used for antigen design (virus-like particles (VLP), subunit vaccines, VLP chimeras) and the main strategies for high antigen production levels. These key topics for plant-made vaccine development are discussed and perspectives are provided.