Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a worldwide health problem. No vaccine is available against this pathogen and therapeutic treatments currently in use are of limited efficacy. In the present study, the immunogenicity of the therapeutic vaccine candidate CIGB-230, based on the mixture of pIDKE2, a plasmid expressing HCV structural antigens, with a recombinant HCV core protein, Co.120, was evaluated. CIGB-230 was administered by intramuscular injection on weeks 0, 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 to 15 HCV-chronically infected individuals, non-responders to previous treatment with interferon (IFN) plus ribavirin. Interestingly, following the final immunization, neutralizing antibody responses against heterologous viral pseudoparticles were modified in eight individuals, including six de novo responders. In addition, 73% of vaccinees exhibited specific T cell proliferative response and T cell IFN-gamma secretory response 24 weeks after primary immunization with CIGB-230. Furthermore, 33.3% of individuals developed de novo cellular immune response against HCV core and the number of patients (46.7% at the end of treatment) with cellular immune response against more than one HCV structural antigen increased during vaccination (P = 0.046). In addition, despite persistent detection of HCV RNA, more than 40% percent of vaccinated individuals improved or stabilized liver histology, particularly reducing fibrosis, which correlated with cellular immune response against more than one HCV antigen (P = 0.0053). In conclusion, CIGB-230 is a promising candidate for effective therapeutic interventions based on its ability for enhancing the immune response in HCV chronically infected individuals.

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The cruise tourism industry has experienced significant growth in recent years and has a very positive outlook for the future. However, its environmental impact requires a review of its sustainability, including the analysis of its social, economic and environmental balance, and the evaluation of its impact on port cities receiving cruise ships. The purpose of this document is twofold: First, to analyze the relationship between air quality, as an environmental variable, and the volume of cruise ships and passengers that visit a port with the aim of generating information. Secondly, it is intended to develop an index, based on the information already available that allows cities to predict the impact of this activity, so that decisions are made to alleviate these effects. Methods: The primary data taken monthly for the period 2006–2017, related to the level of emissions and the number of cruises and passengers, are used as a basis. A regression analysis is performed to determine the relationship between air pollution and the number of tourists coming from the cruise ships. As a contribution, the results show the influence of this type of tourism on environmental indicators. In addition, in an original way, a regression function is established that allows estimating the future impact of the cruise industry in the ports cities. So that, cities can prevent this type of environmental impact. This will make it easier for the cruise tourism industry to develop more sustainable models in the long term.

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