Latin American framework for faculty development in health education.

Purpose: This study aims to develop and establish a comprehensive framework for faculty development in health sciences in Latin America. This initiative enhances teaching methodologies and elevates the quality of learning experiences.

Materials And Methods: The methodology included a qualitative approach using an initial questionnaire, interviews, and group discussions.

-derived exovesicles contribute to parasite infection, tissue damage, and apoptotic cell death during infection of human placental explants.

, the causative agent of Chagas disease, can be congenitally transmitted by crossing the placental barrier. This study investigates the role of -derived exovesicles (TcEVs) in facilitating parasite infection and the consequent tissue damage and apoptotic cell death in human placental explants (HPEs). Our findings demonstrate that TcEVs significantly enhance the parasite load and induce tissue damage in HPEs, both in the presence and absence of the parasite.

Mammalian placental explants: A tool for studying host-parasite interactions and placental biology.

The placenta plays a critical role in host-pathogen interactions. Thus, ex vivo infection of mammalian placental explants is an excellent and simple method to study the mechanisms of cellular and tissue invasion by different pathogens in different mammalian species. These explants can be maintained in culture for several days, preserving the tissue architecture and resembling in-utero conditions under more physiological conditions than their isolated counterparts in isolated cell culture models.

Plasmodium falciparum alters the trophoblastic barrier and stroma villi organization of human placental villi explants.

Background: The sequestration of Plasmodium falciparum infected erythrocytes in the placenta, and the resulting inflammatory response affects maternal and child health. Despite existing information, little is known about the direct impact of P. falciparum on the placental barrier formed by trophoblast and villous stroma.

MicroRNA-512-3p mediates Trypanosoma cruzi-induced apoptosis during ex vivo infection of human placental explants.

Introduction: Upon infection, Trypanosoma cruzi, a protozoan parasite, crosses the placental barrier and causes congenital Chagas disease. Ex vivo infection of human placental explants (HPEs) with the parasite induces apoptotic cell death. This cellular process involves changes in gene expression, which are partially regulated by miRNAs.

Statins change the cytokine profile in -infected U937 macrophages and murine cardiac tissue through Rho-associated kinases inhibition.

Introduction: Chronic Chagasic cardiomyopathy (CCC), caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, is the most severe manifestation of Chagas disease.CCC is characterized by cardiac inflammation and fibrosis caused by a persistent inflammatory response. Following infection, macrophages secrete inflammatory mediators such as IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α to control parasitemia.

Effect of statins on inflammation and cardiac function in patients with chronic Chagas disease: A protocol for pathophysiological studies in a multicenter, placebo-controlled, proof-of-concept phase II trial.

Background: Cardiac complications, including heart failure and arrhythmias, are the leading causes of disability and death in Chagas disease (CD). CD, caused by the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite, afflicts 7 million people in Latin America, and its incidence is increasing in non-endemic countries due to migration. The cardiac involvement is explained by parasite-dependent, immune-mediated myocardial injury, microvascular abnormalities, and ischemia.

Shedding Light on the Dentition and Venom Delivery System of the Rear-Fanged Snake, (Serpentes: Dipsadidae: Tachymenini) from Chile.

Although the rear-fanged snake (formerly named ) causes ophidian accidents with clinical importance in Chile, the anatomical and histological characterizations of the venom delivery system (venom gland and fang) of this species still remain unknown. This study describes the dentition and characteristics of fangs and their ontogenetic variations in . Moreover, histological and histochemistry analyses of the venom glands of this species are presented.

Differential microRNAs expression during ex vivo infection of canine and ovine placental explants with Trypanosoma cruzi and Toxoplasma gondii.

Trypanosoma cruzi and Toxoplasma gondii are two zoonotic parasites that constitute significant human and animal health threats, causing a significant economic burden worldwide. Both parasites can be transmitted congenitally, but transmission rates for T. gondii are high, contrary to what has been observed for T.

Host-Pathogen Interaction Involved in Infection.

Chagas disease, or American trypanosomiasis, caused by the protozoan parasite () [...

Ex Vivo Infection of Human Placental Explants by Reveals a microRNA Profile Similar to That Seen in Trophoblast Differentiation.

Congenital Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan parasite , is responsible for 22.5% of new cases each year. However, placental transmission occurs in only 5% of infected mothers and it has been proposed that the epithelial turnover of the trophoblast can be considered a local placental defense against the parasite.

Trypanocidal effect of alcoholic extract of Castanedia santamartensis (Asteraceae) leaves is based on altered mitochondrial function.

The deficit of effective treatments for Chagas disease has led to searching for new substances with therapeutic potential. Natural products possess a wide variety of chemical structural motifs and are thus a valuable source of diverse lead compounds for the development of new drugs. Castanedia santamartensis is endemic to Colombia, and local indigenous communities often use it to treat skin sores from leishmaniasis; however, its mechanism of action against the infective form of Trypanosoma cruzi has not been determined.

Aspirin-triggered resolvin D1 reduces parasitic cardiac load by decreasing inflammation in a murine model of early chronic Chagas disease.

Background: Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, is endemic in Latin America and is widely distributed worldwide because of migration. In 30% of cases, after years of infection and in the absence of treatment, the disease progresses from an acute asymptomatic phase to a chronic inflammatory cardiomyopathy, leading to heart failure and death. An inadequate balance in the inflammatory response is involved in the progression of chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy.

Congenital Transmission of Apicomplexan Parasites: A Review.

Apicomplexans are a group of pathogenic protists that cause various diseases in humans and animals that cause economic losses worldwide. These unicellular eukaryotes are characterized by having a complex life cycle and the ability to evade the immune system of their host organism. Infections caused by some of these parasites affect millions of pregnant women worldwide, leading to various adverse maternal and fetal/placental effects.

Ex vivo infection of canine and ovine placental explants with Trypanosoma cruzi and Toxoplasma gondii: differential activation of NF kappa B signaling pathways.

Chagas disease and toxoplasmosis, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi and Toxoplasma gondii, respectively, are important zoonotic diseases affecting humans, companion animals, and livestock, responsible for major health and economic burden. Both parasites can be transmitted vertically in different mammalian species through the placenta. Of note, the transmission rate of T.

and Induce a Differential MicroRNA Profile in Human Placental Explants.

and are two parasites than can be transmitted from mother to child through the placenta. However, congenital transmission rates are low for and high for . Infection success or failure depends on complex parasite-host interactions in which parasites can alter host gene expression by modulating non-coding RNAs such as miRNAs.

Simvastatin Improves Cardiac Function through Notch 1 Activation in BALB/c Mice with Chronic Chagas Cardiomyopathy.

Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan , endemic in Latin America but distributed worldwide because of migration. Without appropriate treatment, the disease progresses from an acute asymptomatic phase to a chronic, progressive inflammatory cardiomyopathy causing heart failure and death. Despite specific trypanocidal therapy, heart damage progression cannot be stopped or reversed.

Microalgae extracts: Potential anti-Trypanosoma cruzi agents?

Introduction: Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan parasiteTrypanosoma cruzi, has no effective treatment available. On the other hand, microalgae are aquatic organisms that constitute an interesting reservoir of biologically active metabolites. Moreover, some species of green and red algae present anti-protozoan activity.

Multi-target heteroleptic palladium bisphosphonate complexes.

Bisphosphonates are the most commonly prescribed drugs for the treatment of osteoporosis and other bone illnesses. Some of them have also shown antiparasitic activity. In search of improving the pharmacological profile of commercial bisphosphonates, our group had previously developed first row transition metal complexes with N-containing bisphosphonates (NBPs).