At the northwestern edge of South America is located Ecuador. This place is a classical example of an active continental margin with widespread active volcanism. Detailed studies about the impact of volcanic ash on human health are still lacking. Therefore, the disease of exposed populations is unknown. The objective of the present investigation was to assess the biological impact of Pichincha volcanic ash on cell culture and inflammation in murine lung tissues that will contribute to the understanding of the hazards. In this study, thein vivophase was performed in mice C57BL/6 exposed to several doses of volcanic ash (0.5, 1, and 3.75 mg/100 g mouse body weight). The body weight and survival were controlled during seven days of treatment. The expression of inflammation markers NRLP 3, caspase-1, pro-IL-1, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and h-HPRT was analyzed. Thein vitrophase was performed in lung cancer cells A549, peritoneal macrophages, and McCoy cells exposing them to different concentrations of volcanic ash (80, 320, and 1280 μg/cm3) to determine the cytotoxicity and the production of reactive oxygen species. The ash initiated activation of the inflammasome complex NRLP 3 and the initiation of a proinflammatory activity in the murine lung tissue depending on the concentration of this agent. The viability of A549 and McCoy cell decreased with the length of exposure and increased with the concentration of volcanic ash. The activity in superoxide dismutase decreased by about 60%, leading to the formation of reactive oxygen species. These results associated with compounds contained in Pichincha volcanic ash are considered hazardous elements which induce inflammation leading to activate inflammasome NRLP, releasing reactive oxygen species, and producing changes in cell morphology and density, all of which are expression of cytotoxicity.

The global COVID-19 pandemic initiated in Ecuador with the patient zero in February 2020 and since more than 40,000 persons have been tested positive to the virus, leaving some 3,500 deceased, while approximately about 10,500 persons above annual average numbers died within March to May. A strict lockdown was applied by mid-March, which resulted to a severe economic crisis in the country. Although during the lockdown occurred a notable decrease in the number of new cases, the spread of the infection was already massive, untechnical, political and economic decisions will certainly lead to continuous wave of infections for months.Objective Our study postulates, that persons who are most likely to be infected during such secondary wave will be people who have already health issues to which we count besides the known ones, especially those who are already suffer by the distribution of volcanic ashes, as such pyroclastic material is known to affect lunges and thyroids.Methods A descriptive ecological study of information related to COVID-19 infection at a national level using official data from the Minister of Public Health and volcanic ash fall by geographical area in Ecuador.Results The mortality rate per canton indicated that those with lower attack rates are the ones with highest mortality rate. For instance, Portovelo (21.3/100,000), Playas (18.4/100,000), Santa Rosa (15.8/100,000), Suscal (15.3/100,000) and Penipe (14.3/100,000) reported the highest mortality rate per 100,000 people. The main distribution of such volcanic material is within the central to northern area of the Highlands and Inter-Andean Valley of Ecuador, due to the analysis of some 7394 satellite images of the last 21 years.Conclusions We conclude that areas with high vulnerabilities are also most susceptible to develop COVID-19. Such areas with their respective populations will be affected above average and shall be protected in particular within the presently starting during possible second wave of infection.

The application of nanotechnology to stem cell research and development has made great strides during the last years. Nanotechnology offers a new opportunity for the research and development of stem cells. The mammary gland is a dynamic organ that undergoes extensive morphogenesis during the different stages of embryonic development, puberty, pregnancy, lactation and involution. There are multipotent stem cells that reside in mammary tissue (MaSCs) with the ability to self-renew and even differentiate into all types of mammary cells. To identify, characterize, and differentiate MaSCs, a variety of methods have been used to understand the signal transduction pathways that promote their self-renewal and their cellular fate. In the last decade, stem cell therapy has become a promising and modern topic of scientific research, which has raised great expectations. However, by itself, it presents some problems that have been overcome with the use of nanoparticles (NPs). A triple function has been accomplished: transport of drugs or biomolecules that help in the differentiation and proliferation of stem cells, cell targeting and contrast agents for real-time monitoring and obtaining bioimages for diagnostic and detection systems. The main objective of applying stem cells in conjunction with NPs is to control cellular activity, mainly the regenerative capacity of mammary tissue against diseases such as mastitis or to optimize milk production. In this review, we provide a current overview of the application of nanomaterials on stem cells, specifically bovine stem cells in both the mammary gland and milk, as they are a potential source of cell progenitors with potential characteristics and could be used in potential therapies based on these cells.

Los biopolímeros se han convertido en un herramienta indispensable para el desarrollo de la medicina regenerativa, su amplio espectro ha permitido la aparición de nuevas técnicas para la generación de andamios de diversos tamaños, formas, con características estructurales únicas capaces de generar e innovar tratamientos nuevos ante enfermedades catastróficas, su aplicación por todas las ramas de investigación como la neurología, endocrinología, en el área cardiovascular, para la reparación de tejidos o donación de órganos ha producido su aplicación como conductores o transportadores de fármacos para lograr una liberación guiada aumentando la efectividad y disminuyendo efectos adversos en el caso de tratamientos contra el cáncer. El objetivo de esta revisión es conocer los fundamentos de la medicina regenerativa, los avances producidos a partir del uso de biopolímeros como una herramienta capaz de desarrollar biomateriales funcionales, tipos, modo de síntesis y aplicabilidad en tratamientos. Esta investigación se realizó a partir de la recopilación de artículos científicos relacionados al área de la salud pública y la aplicación de andamios funcionales como terapia. La funcionalización de andamios radica en la utilización de polímeros biocompatibles capaces de unirse a un sustrato en un ambiente controlado para el desarrollo de una matriz celular, generando la producción de un tejido en específico acorde a las células diana que se han investigado, gracias a esto el posible rechazo ante un injerto producido con las mismas células del paciente permite la aparición de estructuras como vasos sanguíneos u órganos biocompatibles. Este trabajo recapitula la importancia del uso de biopolímeros en la medicina, las técnicas de producción, su estructura, forma y aplicaciones más importantes para el tratamiento contra enfermedades.