Functions of the multi-interacting protein KIDINS220/ARMS in cancer and other pathologies

Development of an organ and subsequently the whole system from an embryo is a highly integrated process. Although there is evidence that different systems are interconnected during developmental stages, the molecular understanding of this relationship is either not known or only to a limited extent. Nervous system development, amongst all, is maybe the most crucial and complex process. It relies on the correct distribution of specific neuronal growth factors and hormones to the specific receptors. Among the plethora of proteins that are involved in downstream signalling of neuronal growth factors, we find the kinase-D interacting substrate of 220 kDa (KIDINS220), also known as ankyrin-rich repeat membrane spanning (ARMS) protein. KIDINS220 has been shown to play a substantial role in the nervous system and vascular system development as well as in neuronal survival and differentiation. It serves as a downstream regulator for many important neuronal and vascular growth factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), the neurotrophin family, glutamate receptors and ephrin receptors. Moreover, activation and differentiation of B- and T-cells, as well as tumour cell proliferation has also shown to be related to KIDINS220. This review comprehensively summarises the existing research data on this protein, with a particular interest in its role in cancer and in other pathologies

Platform for Plasmodium vivax vaccine discovery and development

Plasmodium vivax is the most prevalent malaria parasite on the American continent. It generates a global burden of 80-100 million cases annually and represents a tremendous public health problem, particularly in the American and Asian continents. A malaria vaccine would be considered the most cost-effective measure against this vector-borne disease and it would contribute to a reduction in malaria cases and to eventual eradication. Although significant progress has been achieved in the search for Plasmodium falciparum antigens that could be used in a vaccine, limited progress has been made in the search for P. vivax components that might be eligible for vaccine development. This is primarily due to the lack of in vitro cultures to serve as an antigen source and to inadequate funding. While the most advanced P. falciparum vaccine candidate is currently being tested in Phase III trials in Africa, the most advanced P. vivax candidates have only advanced to Phase I trials. Herein, we describe the overall strategy and progress in P. vivax vaccine research, from antigen discovery to preclinical and clinical development and we discuss the regional potential of Latin America to develop a comprehensive platform for vaccine development

Knowledge, Perceptions, and Practices on Risks and Disasters Among Medical Students. A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study in 9 Latin American and Caribbean Countries

Juan S Izquierdo-Condoy,1 Miguel Angel Montiel-Alfonso,2 Humberto Alejandro Nati-Castillo,3 Ruth Saucedo,4 Damary S Jaramillo-Aguilar,5 Camila Nanjari-Barrientos,6 Carolina García-Arévalo,7 Daniel Rivera-Flores,8 Maria Ibanesi Díaz Batista,9 Valentina Loaiza-Guevara,10 Esteban Ortiz-Prado1 1OneHealth Global Research Group, Universidad de las Américas, Quito, Ecuador; 2Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Católica Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, Asunción, Paraguay; 3Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad del Quindío, Armenia, Colombia; 4Scientific Committee, Bolivian Association of Scientific Societies of Medical Students (ABOLSCEM), Santa Cruz, Bolivia; 5Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Cuenca, Cuenca, Ecuador; 6Faculty of Medicine, University of Valparaiso, Valparaiso, Chile; 7Faculty of Medicine, University of Panama, Panama City, Panama; 8Faculty of Medical Sciences, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras, Tegucigalpa, Honduras; 9Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Autonoma de Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo, República Dominicana; 10Faculty of Medicine, Institución Universitaria Visión de las Américas, Pereira, ColombiaCorrespondence: Esteban Ortiz-Prado, OneHealth Global Research Group, Universidad de las Américas, Calle de los Colimes y Avenida De los Granados, Quito, 170137, Ecuador, Tel +593995760693, Email [email protected]: The objective of this study was to describe the level of knowledge, perceptions, and practices in relation to risks and disasters in medical schools in Latin America and the Caribbean.Participants and Methods: Multicenter, observational, analytical, non-probabilistic convenience sample study with 2546 medical students in 9 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. An online survey was conducted between October 2020 and November 2020, using an instrument validated in each country to assess knowledge, perceptions, and practices regarding risk and disaster prevention measures. Frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation (SD) were used for descriptive analysis. Differences resulting from the relationship between the variables studied and the level of knowledge were obtained using the Chi-square test. P-value < 0.05 was accepted as statistically significant for all analyses.Results: The highest proportion of responses came from women, third-semester students, and those studying in public universities. Students from Colombia and Honduras had the highest percentage of high levels of knowledge about disasters, while Peruvian students had the highest percentage of low levels of knowledge. Women and students from public universities showed a higher proportion of high levels of knowledge. 52.7% considered that they live in a country with a medium risk of natural disasters, while 91.2% said that Latin American and Caribbean countries are not prepared to face natural disasters. Only 43.6% believe they are prepared to help in the event of a natural disaster.Conclusion: Most of medical students from Latin America and Latin America and the Caribbean have high and medium level of knowledge in risks and disasters. However, the implementation of disaster training programs for medical students has the potential to improve the preparedness, knowledge, and skills that are important for medical personnel to improve their self-confidence, and their ability to respond, resulting in more effective systems.Keywords: disaster medicine, knowledge, perceptions, practices, students, medical, Latin America, Caribbea