Identification of the ATPase alpha subunit of Trypanosoma cruzi as a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of Chagas disease.

BACKGROUND: Chagas disease (CD) is considered by the World Health Organisation (WHO) a neglected disease endemic to the Americas, but it has spread throughout the world due to migrations. The disease is almost 100% curable if detected in time. Still, the lack of rapid diagnostic tests with sufficient sensitivity and specificity leads to a chronic phase with a mortality of about 50,000 people worldwide per year. METHODS: Using the total proteins extracted from serum samples of patients confirmed with chronic phase CD; we performed the Bio-SELEX strategy. The best aptamers were selected using next-generation sequencing (NGS) based on their most abundant sequences (reads and rpm). Then, selected aptamers were used to isolate potential biomarkers directly from serum samples of patients with chronic phase CD using pull-down and mass spectrometry experiments. RESULTS: CH1 aptamer was the aptamer selected after the NGS results analysis. The pull-down and mass spectrometry experiments identified the presence of the ATPase alpha subunit of T. cruzi circulating in serum samples of patients with chronic phase CD. CONCLUSIONS: We report the ATPase alpha subunit of T. cruzi as a potential biomarker for chronic phase CD and CH1 aptamer as a potential tool for diagnosing CD.

Relación entre la vitamina D y la salud sexual y reproductiva masculina / The relationship between vitamin D and male reproductive and sexual health

La vitamina D es importante para el mantenimiento de la masa ósea, y en los últimos años su deficiencia se ha vinculado con enfermedades cardiovasculares, metabólicas, gineco-obstétricas, oncológicas, infecciosas, e incluso con alteraciones reproductivas. El propósito de esta revisión narrativa de la literatura fue entender el papel de la vitaminaD sobre la salud sexual y reproductiva masculina y la fertilidad.La vitamina D tiene un papel importante durante la maduración de los espermatozoides, en la protección del ADN espermático, así como en la movilidad y la reacción acrosomal espermática. Adicionalmente la vitaminaD participa indirectamente tanto en la disfunción eréctil como en la eyaculación precoz, ayudando a controlar los factores de riesgo asociados como las enfermedades cardiovasculares y algunas afecciones psicológicas (estrés, depresión y ansiedad). Por lo tanto, son necesarios nuevos trabajos que permitan considerar la implementación de suplementos de vitaminaD para el mejoramiento de la salud sexual y reproductiva masculina.(AU)

Vitamin D is an essential molecule for the maintenance of bone mass. In the last years, its deficiency has been linked to cardiovascular, metabolic, gynaecological-obstetric, oncological, and infectious diseases, as well as with reproductive disorders. The aim of this narrative literature review was to understand the role of vitaminD on male reproduction and sexual health and fertility.Vitamin D has a vital role during the maturation of sperm, and in the protection of DNA integrity, such as sperm motility and acrosome reaction. VitaminD also participates indirectly in both erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation, helping to control associated risk factors such as cardiovascular diseases, and some psychological conditions (stress, depression, and anxiety). Therefore, more studies are needed to considerer the implementation of vitaminD supplements in order to improve male sexual and reproductive health.(AU)