Schistosomiasis as a disease of stem cells

Schistosomiasis is a devastating parasitic disease caused by flatworms of the genus Schistosoma. The complex life cycles and developmental plasticity of these parasites have captured the attention of parsitologists for decades, yet little is known on the molecular level about the developmental underpinnings that have allowed these worms to thrive as obligate parasites. Here, we describe basic schistosome biology and highlight how understanding the functions of stem cells in these worms will transform our understanding of these parasites. Indeed, we propose that schistosomiasis is fundamentally as disease of stem cells. We hope this review will attract new interest in the basic developmental biology of these important organisms

Jornalismo científico em instituições comunitárias de Ensino Superior do Rio Grande do Sul

A ciência ocupa lugar relevante na sociedade atual. Foi ela que nos permitiu os atuais estágios de desenvolvimento intelectual e, também, a realização de feitos memoráveis enquanto espécie. A ciência é produzida, em grande parte, no ambiente acadêmico. Esta monografia concentra seus esforços na tentativa de entender como 15 universidades e centros universitários do estado do Rio Grande do Sul, parceiros no Consórcio das Universidades Comunitárias Gaúchas (Comung), realizam a divulgação de sua produção acadêmica. Entende-se ser relevante disseminar a informação científica às populações para que os indivíduos possam avaliar criticamente as ações desenvolvidas no campo da ciência. Este trabalho tem como objetivo geral investigar a produção da notícia científica nas Instituições de Ensino Superior vinculadas ao Comung, assim como caracterizar as relações entre os atores e processos relacionados à divulgação jornalística da ciência produzida nestas mesmas instituições. A análise quali-quantitativa dos textos de divulgação científica foi direcionada às notícias publicadas pelas organizações, por meio de uma pesquisa exploratória que mapeou toda a produção das assessorias entre janeiro e agosto de 2016 e, posteriormente, foi feita a análise qualitativa do discurso de assessores de imprensa, após aplicação de um questionário. Ao longo da investigação, confirmou-se a hipótese de que as instituições divulgam sua produção científica, porém o fazem de maneiras marcadamente distintas entre si

MetaMSD: meta analysis for mass spectrometry data

Mass spectrometry-based proteomics facilitate disease understanding by providing protein abundance information about disease progression. For the same type of disease studies, multiple mass spectrometry datasets may be generated. Integrating multiple mass spectrometry datasets can provide valuable information that a single dataset analysis cannot provide. In this article, we introduce a meta-analysis software, MetaMSD (Meta Analysis for Mass Spectrometry Data) that is specifically designed for mass spectrometry data. Using Stouffer’s or Pearson’s test, MetaMSD detects significantly more differential proteins than the analysis based on the single best experiment. We demonstrate the performance of MetaMSD using simulated data, urinary proteomic data of kidney transplant patients, and breast cancer proteomic data. Noting the common practice of performing a pilot study prior to a main study, this software will help proteomics researchers fully utilize the benefit of multiple studies (or datasets), thus optimizing biomarker discovery. MetaMSD is a command line tool that automatically outputs various graphs and differential proteins with confidence scores. It is implemented in R and is freely available for public use at https://github.com/soyoungryu/MetaMSD. The user manual and data are available at the site. The user manual is written in such a way that scientists who are not familiar with R software can use MetaMSD

Flatworm-specific transcriptional regulators promote the specification of tegumental progenitors in Schistosoma mansoni

Schistosomes infect more than 200 million people. These parasitic flatworms rely on a syncytial outer coat called the tegument to survive within the vasculature of their host. Although the tegument is pivotal for their survival, little is known about maintenance of this tissue during the decades schistosomes survive in the bloodstream. Here, we demonstrate that the tegument relies on stem cells (neoblasts) to specify fusogenic progenitors that replace tegumental cells lost to turnover. Molecular characterization of neoblasts and tegumental progenitors led to the discovery of two flatworm-specific zinc finger proteins that are essential for tegumental cell specification. These proteins are homologous to a protein essential for neoblast-driven epidermal maintenance in free-living flatworms. Therefore, we speculate that related parasites (i.e., tapeworms and flukes) employ similar strategies to control tegumental maintenance. Since parasitic flatworms infect every vertebrate species, understanding neoblast-driven tegumental maintenance could identify broad-spectrum therapeutics to fight diseases caused by these parasites

Alu element in the RNA binding motif protein, X-linked 2 (RBMX2) gene found to be linked to bipolar disorder

Objective We have used long-read single molecule, real-time (SMRT) sequencing to fully characterize a similar to 12Mb genomic region on chromosome Xq24-q27, significantly linked to bipolar disorder (BD) in an extended family from a genetic sub-isolate. This family segregates BD in at least four generations with 24 affected individuals. Methods We selected 16 family members for targeted sequencing. The selected individuals either carried the disease haplotype, were non-carriers of the disease haplotype, or served as married-in controls. We designed hybrid capture probes enriching for 5-9Kb fragments spanning the entire 12Mb region that were then sequenced to screen for candidate structural variants (SVs) that could explain the increased risk for BD in this extended family. Results Altogether, 201 variants were detected in the critically linked region. Although most of these represented common variants, three variants emerged that showed near-perfect segregation among all BD type I affected individuals. Two of the SVs were identified in or near genes belonging to the RNA Binding Motif Protein, X-Linked (RBMX) gene family-a 330bp Alu (subfamily AluYa5) deletion in intron 3 of the RBMX2 gene and an intergenic 27bp tandem repeat deletion between the RBMX and G protein-coupled receptor 101 (GPR101) genes. The third SV was a 50bp tandem repeat insertion in intron 1 of the Coagulation Factor IX (F9) gene. Conclusions Among the three genetically linked SVs, additional evidence supported the Alu element deletion in RBMX2 as the leading candidate for contributing directly to the disease development of BD type I in this extended family.Peer reviewe

Transplantation of schistosome sporocysts between host snails: A video guide.

Schistosomiasis is an important parasitic disease, touching roughly 200 million people worldwide. The causative agents are different Schistosoma species. Schistosomes have a complex life cycle, with a freshwater snail as intermediate host. After infection, sporocysts develop inside the snail host and give rise to human dwelling larvae. We present here a detailed step-by-step video instruction in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese that shows how these sporocysts can be manipulated and transferred from one snail to another. This procedure provides a technical basis for different types of ex vivo modifications, such as those used in functional genomics studies

Transplantation of schistosome sporocysts between host snails::A video guide

Schistosomiasis is an important parasitic disease, touching roughly 200 million people worldwide. The causative agents are different Schistosoma species. Schistosomes have a complex life cycle, with a freshwater snail as intermediate host. After infection, sporocysts develop inside the snail host and give rise to human dwelling larvae. We present here a detailed step-by-step video instruction in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese that shows how these sporocysts can be manipulated and transferred from one snail to another. This procedure provides a technical basis for different types of ex vivo modifications, such as those used in functional genomics studies

Diagnóstico dos Repositórios de Dados no Brasil

Digital data have become essential for leveraging scientific research. In part, they serve a purely functional and ephemeral role, but their importance becomes permanent, and their value as a substrate for scientific communication may increase or decrease, depending on the demands and uses to which they are put. In this context, data preservation has become a demand both for researchers and for universities and research centers. In response, in Brazil different repositories have emerged, serving to store data in various areas of knowledge. This research aims to locate repositories that hold primary scientific research data in Brazil. To accomplish this, searches were undertaken in the Re3Data, OpenDoar, ROAR directories and review of the repositories of the Federal Institutions of Higher Education registered with the Ministry of Education. This enabled the location of 20 repositories covering data and the analysis of their main characteristics in relation to subject coverage areas and preservation standards. The data obtained shows that, although most repositories provide alignment with international standards, some do not have adequate infrastructure for the datasets provided. It is considered that there may be a management failure in some repositories, but most are adequate to meet the needs of making scientific data available and searchable across all indicators.Los datos digitales se han convertido en esenciales para impulsar la investigación científica. En parte, cumplen un papel puramente funcional y efímero, pero su importancia pasa a ser permanente y su valor como sustrato de la comunicación científica puede aumentar o disminuir en función de las exigencias y los usos que se les den. En este contexto, la conservación de datos se ha convertido en una exigencia tanto para los investigadores como para las universidades y centros de investigación. En respuesta, en Brasil han surgido diferentes repositorios que sirven para almacenar datos en diversas áreas del conocimiento. Esta investigación pretende localizar repositorios que contengan datos primarios de investigación científica en Brasil. Para ello, se realizaron búsquedas en los directorios Re3Data, OpenDoar, ROAR y revisión de los repositorios de las Instituciones Federales de Enseñanza Superior registradas en el Ministerio de Educación. Esto permitió localizar 20 repositorios de datos y analizar sus principales características en relación con las áreas de cobertura temática y las normas de conservación. Los datos obtenidos muestran que, aunque la mayoría de los repositorios se ajustan a las normas internacionales, algunos no disponen de la infraestructura adecuada para los conjuntos de datos proporcionados. Se considera que algunos repositorios pueden tener fallos de gestión, pero la mayoría ofrecen una adecuación a las necesidades de disponibilidad y búsqueda de datos científicos en todos los indicadores.Os dados digitais se tornaram essenciais para alavancar a pesquisa científica. Em parte, servem a um papel puramente funcional e efêmero, mas sua importância se torna permanente e o seu valor como substrato da comunicação científica pode aumentar ou diminuir, dependendo das demandas e usos a que são destinados. Nesse contexto, a preservação dos dados passou a ser uma demanda tanto para pesquisadores quanto para universidades e centros de pesquisa. Em resposta, no Brasil têm surgido diferentes repositórios, servindo para armazenar os dados em variadas áreas do conhecimento. A presente pesquisa tem o objetivo de localizar repositórios que reúnem dados primários de pesquisa científica no Brasil. Para realizá-lo, foram empreendidas buscas nos diretórios Re3Data, OpenDoar, ROAR e revisão dos repositórios das Instituições Federais de Ensino Superior cadastradas no Ministério da Educação. Isto possibilitou a localização de 20 repositórios que abrangem dados e a análise  das suas principais características em relação às áreas de cobertura temática e aos padrões de preservação. Os dados obtidos demonstram que, embora a maioria dos repositórios disponibilizem alinhamento com padrões internacionais, alguns não apresentam infraestruturas adequadas para os conjuntos de dados disponibilizados. Considera-se que pode haver falha na gestão de determinados  repositórios, mas a maioria oferece adequação às necessidades para disponibilização e busca dos dados científicos em todos os indicadores