Biomarkers for the diagnosis, treatment follow-up, and prediction of cardiac complications in Chagas disease in chronic phase: Recent advances.

Chagas disease is caused by the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite and is transmitted by infected triatomine bugs. This infection affects approximately 8 million people in the Americas, and due to globalisation and displacement, it is becoming increasingly common to find infected patients worldwide. Diagnosis of the disease in its acute form is relatively simple, as the parasite can be detected in peripheral blood smears, and symptoms are visible. However, in its chronic condition, the parasite is almost undetectable, and indirect tests are necessary to determine the presence of antibodies in infected patients. It is important to note that a single test is not enough to confirm the disease in this phase, as a second serological test should confirm the diagnosis. If the results are contradictory, a third test should be performed to confirm or discard the disease. Unfortunately, laboratories may not have access to all necessary tests in many rural areas where the disease is more frequent. Rapid tests to diagnose this disease present problems, such as significant variations in sensitivity and specificity in different countries. Therefore, searching for new biomarkers that allow for optimal correlation is essential. In this work, we have searched scientific literature from the last 10 years for mentions of novel biomarkers for diagnosis, treatment follow-up, and prediction of cardiac complications in Chagas disease in its chronic phase.

The Effect of Glyphosate on Human Sperm: In Vitro Approximation / Efecto del glifosato sobre los espermatozoides humanos: una aproximación in vitro

Introduction Glyphosate is an herbicide used to eradicate illicit crops; however, its use is controversial due to different health problems associated with it. The present study aims to evaluate the effects of glyphosate on human sperm in vitro. Methods Twenty-two semen samples from healthy normozoospermic men were included; 11 semen samples were incubated with Panzer (INVESA S.A., Antiquia, Colombia) and 11 with Roundup (Monsanto Company, MO, USA). The changes in motility and viability were observed. Functional seminal parameters were evaluated as well. Results The samples exposed to glyphosate showed less motility and viability; a decrease in the potential of the mitochondrial membrane was observed, and an increase in the lipoperoxidation of the membrane was evidenced. Conclusion Based on the present results, we concluded that glyphosate has cytotoxic potential for exposed people and may affect their fertility.

Introducción El glifosato es un herbicida utilizado ampliamente para la erradicación de cultivos ilícitos; sin embargo, su uso es polémico debido a diferentes problemas de salud asociados con él. El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar los efectos del glifosato sobre los espermatozoides humanos in vitro. Métodos Se incluyeron 22 muestras de semen de hombres sanos normozoospérmicos, de las cuales 11 se incubaron con Panzer y 11 con Roundup, y se evaluaron los cambios en la movilidad y la viabilidad espermática, además de valorar los parámetros seminales funcionales. Resultados Las muestras expuestas al glifosato presentaron una menor movilidad y viabilidad, una disminución en el potencial de la membrana mitocondrial, y un aumento en la lipoperoxidación de la membrana. Conclusiones El glifosato es potencialmente citotóxico para las personas que estén expuestas, y puede afectar su fertilidad.

Efecto del Cigarrillo Electrónico sobre los Espermatozoides Humanos: Aproximación in vitro / Effect of Electronic Cigarette on Human Sperm: in vitro Approximation

Introducción Los cigarrillos electrónicos (E-Cig) aparecieron en el mercado hace 15 años como una alternativa para combatir el consumo de tabaco, un problema de salud pública, sin embargo, su efecto sobre la salud reproductiva no ha sido completamente evaluado. El objetivo del presente estudio, fue evaluar los efectos de los E-Cig sobre los espermatozoides humanos in vitro. Métodos Un dispositivo para incubar en contacto directo a los espermatozoides con el vapor a partir de dos esencias diferentes (TNT y Sugar Drizzle), el humo del cigarrillo o aire como control negativo fue construido. Adicionalmente, usando el mismo dispositivo, se elaboró el extracto a partir del aire, de las dos esencias con el E-Cig y con el cigarrillo Piel Roja sin filtro en medio para incubar en contacto indirecto con los espermatozoides. Resultados Se observó disminución de la movilidad con el E-Cig en más del 38% en el tiempo y una disminución de la viabilidad en más del 18% que se mantenían con el tiempo mientras que con el cigarrillo convencional afectaba la movilidad y la viabilidad en casi el 100%. Finalmente se encontró que se afecta más la movilidad de los espermatozoides con la esencia de Sugar Drizzle que contaba con menos concentración de nicotina que con la esencia de TNT. Conclusiones En conclusión, tanto el cigarrillo convencional como el E-Cig afectan los parámetros seminales (movilidad y viabilidad), y se postula que el uso del E-Cig, aunque es menos citotóxico y afecta menos que el cigarrillo convencional, también puede generar a largo plazo problemas de infertilidad.

Introduction Electronic cigarettes (E-Cig) appeared in the market 15 years ago as an alternative to combat tobacco use, a public health problem, however, its effect on reproductive health has not been fully evaluated. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of E-Cig on human sperm in vitro. Methods A device to incubate sperm in direct contact with steam from two different scents (TNT and Sugar Drizzle), cigarette smoke or air as a negative control was built. Additionally, using the same device, extracts were elaborated from the air, from the two essences with the E-Cig and with the Red Skin cigarette without a filter in the medium to incubate in indirect contact with sperm cells. Results Decreased motility with E-Cig was observed in more than 38% over time and a decrease in viability in more than 18% that was maintained over time while with the conventional cigarette affected motility and viability in almost 100%. Finally, we found that sperm motility of the sperm is more affected with the essence of Sugar Drizzle that had less nicotine concentration than with TNT essence. Conclusions In conclusion, both the conventional cigarette and the E-Cig affect the seminal parameters (motility and viability) and it is postulated that the use of the E-Cig, although it is less cytotoxic and affects less than the conventional cigarette can also generate long-term infertility problems