In Vitro and In Vivo Modeling of Normal and Leukemic Bone Marrow Niches: Cellular Senescence Contribution to Leukemia Induction and Progression.

Cellular senescence is recognized as a dynamic process in which cells evolve and adapt in a context dependent manner; consequently, senescent cells can exert both beneficial and deleterious effects on their surroundings. Specifically, senescent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) in the bone marrow (BM) have been linked to the generation of a supporting microenvironment that enhances malignant cell survival. However, the study of MSC's senescence role in leukemia development has been straitened not only by the availability of suitable models that faithfully reflect the structural complexity and biological diversity of the events triggered in the BM, but also by the lack of a universal, standardized method to measure senescence.

(-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate induces apoptosis and differentiation in leukaemia by targeting reactive oxygen species and PIN1.

(-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the major active polyphenol extracted from green tea, has been shown to induce apoptosis and inhibit cell proliferation, cell invasion, angiogenesis and metastasis. Herein, we evaluated the in vivo effects of EGCG in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) using an acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) experimental model (PML/RARα). Haematological analysis revealed that EGCG treatment reversed leucocytosis, anaemia and thrombocytopenia, and prolonged survival of PML/RARα mice.

Spatio-temporal dynamics of Plasmodium falciparum transmission within a spatial unit on the Colombian Pacific Coast.

As malaria control programmes concentrate their efforts towards malaria elimination a better understanding of malaria transmission patterns at fine spatial resolution units becomes necessary. Defining spatial units that consider transmission heterogeneity, human movement and migration will help to set up achievable malaria elimination milestones and guide the creation of efficient operational administrative control units. Using a combination of genetic and epidemiological data we defined a malaria transmission unit as the area contributing 95% of malaria cases diagnosed at the catchment facility located in the town of Guapi in the South Pacific Coast of Colombia.

Evaluation of hypoxia inducible factor targeting pharmacological drugs as antileishmanial agents.

Objective: To evaluate whether hypoxia inducible factor (HIF-1α) targeting pharmacological drugs, echinomycin, resveratrol and CdCl2 which inhibit HIF-1α stimulation, and mimosine, which enhances the stability of HIF-1α present antileishmanial properties.

Methods: The leishmanicidal effect of drugs was evaluated in mouse macrophages and Balb/c mouse model for cutaneous leishmaniosis.

Results: Resveratrol and CdCl2 reduced the parasite load [IC50, (27.

Insecticide resistance status of Aedes aegypti in 10 localities in Colombia.

Insecticide resistance is one of the major threats to the effectiveness of vector control programs. In order to establish a baseline susceptibility profile of Aedes aegypti in the southwest of Colombia, 10 localities in four Departments (States) were evaluated. Standardized WHO bioassay, CDC bottle bioassay and microplate biochemical assays of non-specific β-esterase (NSE), mixed function oxidases (MFO) and acetylcholinesterase were used.