Apoptosis induced by parasitic diseases

Fatalities caused by parasitic infections often occur as a result of tissue injury that results from a form of host-cell death known as apoptosis. However, instead of being pathogenic, parasite-induced apoptosis may facilitate host survival. Consequently, it is of utmost importance to decipher and understand the process and the role of apoptosis induced or controlled by parasites in humans. Despite this, few studies provide definitive knowledge of parasite-induced host-cell apoptosis. Here, the focus is on a consideration of host-cell apoptosis as either a pathogenic feature or as a factor enabling parasite survival and development

Are protozoan metacaspases potential parasite killers?

Mechanisms concerning life or death decisions in protozoan parasites are still imperfectly understood. Comparison with higher eukaryotes has led to the hypothesis that caspase-like enzymes could be involved in death pathways. This hypothesis was reinforced by the description of caspase-related sequences in the genome of several parasites, including Plasmodium, Trypanosoma and Leishmania. Although several teams are working to decipher the exact role of metacaspases in protozoan parasites, partial, conflicting or negative results have been obtained with respect to the relationship between protozoan metacaspases and cell death. The aim of this paper is to review current knowledge of protozoan parasite metacaspases within a drug targeting perspective

Systematic review of Plasmodium knowlesi in Indonesia: a risk of emergence in the context of capital relocation to Borneo?

Background: The Indonesian Republic plans to relocate its capital from Jakarta to East Kalimantan, Borneo Island, in the next few years. This relocation may be associated with deforestation, decreased biodiversity, and an increased risk of emerging zoonotic infections, including Plasmodium knowlesi malaria. The Malaysian part of Borneo Island is one of the main hotspots of P. knowlesi malaria. Methods: Considering this risk, we evaluated the transmission dynamics of P. knowlesi in the Indonesian Archipelago based on a literature search and extensive review of data from the Indonesian Ministry of Health. Results: We report that 545 P. knowlesi cases were documented in Indonesia, mainly in the Aceh and North Sumatra provinces, with 95% of these occurring in the last 4 years. Conclusions: The main P. knowlesi vectors are present in the area of the future capital, requiring strengthened surveillance to reduce the risk of emerging cases in a rapidly growing population

Subcellular localization of 14-3-3 proteins in Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites and evidence for a lipid raft-associated form. in « Fems

Abstract A polyclonal antibody was raised against a Toxoplasma gondii 14-3-3^gluthatione S-transferase fusion protein obtained by cloning a 14-3-3 cDNA sequence determined from the T. gondii database. This antibody specifically recognized T. gondii 14-3-3 without any crossreaction with mammalian proteins. Immunofluorescence microscopy studies of the tachyzoites or the T. gondii-infected cells suggested cytosolic and membranous localizations of 14-3-3 protein. Different subcellular fractions were prepared for electrophoresis analysis and immunodetection. 14-3-3 proteins were found in the cytosol, the membrane fraction and Triton X-100-resistant membranes. Two 14-3-3 isoforms were detected. The major one was mainly cytoplasmic and to a lesser extent membrane-associated, whereas the minor isoform was associated with the detergent-resistant lipid rafts.

Guidelines and Recommendations on Yeast Cell Death Nomenclature

Elucidating the biology of yeast in its full complexity has major implications for science, medicine and industry. One of the most critical processes determining yeast life and physiology is cellular demise. However, the investigation of yeast cell death is a relatively young field, and a widely accepted set of concepts and terms is still missing. Here, we propose unified criteria for the definition of accidental, regulated, and programmed forms of cell death in yeast based on a series of morphological and biochemical criteria. Specifically, we provide consensus guidelines on the differential definition of terms including apoptosis, regulated necrosis, and autophagic cell death, as we refer to additional cell death routines that are relevant for the biology of (at least some species of) yeast. As this area of investigation advances rapidly, changes and extensions to this set of recommendations will be implemented in the years to come. Nonetheless, we strongly encourage the authors, reviewers and editors of scientific articles to adopt these collective standards in order to establish an accurate framework for yeast cell death research and, ultimately, to accelerate the progress of this vibrant field of research

Altimetry for the future: Building on 25 years of progress

In 2018 we celebrated 25 years of development of radar altimetry, and the progress achieved by this methodology in the fields of global and coastal oceanography, hydrology, geodesy and cryospheric sciences. Many symbolic major events have celebrated these developments, e.g., in Venice, Italy, the 15th (2006) and 20th (2012) years of progress and more recently, in 2018, in Ponta Delgada, Portugal, 25 Years of Progress in Radar Altimetry. On this latter occasion it was decided to collect contributions of scientists, engineers and managers involved in the worldwide altimetry community to depict the state of altimetry and propose recommendations for the altimetry of the future. This paper summarizes contributions and recommendations that were collected and provides guidance for future mission design, research activities, and sustainable operational radar altimetry data exploitation. Recommendations provided are fundamental for optimizing further scientific and operational advances of oceanographic observations by altimetry, including requirements for spatial and temporal resolution of altimetric measurements, their accuracy and continuity. There are also new challenges and new openings mentioned in the paper that are particularly crucial for observations at higher latitudes, for coastal oceanography, for cryospheric studies and for hydrology. The paper starts with a general introduction followed by a section on Earth System Science including Ocean Dynamics, Sea Level, the Coastal Ocean, Hydrology, the Cryosphere and Polar Oceans and the ‘‘Green” Ocean, extending the frontier from biogeochemistry to marine ecology. Applications are described in a subsequent section, which covers Operational Oceanography, Weather, Hurricane Wave and Wind Forecasting, Climate projection. Instruments’ development and satellite missions’ evolutions are described in a fourth section. A fifth section covers the key observations that altimeters provide and their potential complements, from other Earth observation measurements to in situ data. Section 6 identifies the data and methods and provides some accuracy and resolution requirements for the wet tropospheric correction, the orbit and other geodetic requirements, the Mean Sea Surface, Geoid and Mean Dynamic Topography, Calibration and Validation, data accuracy, data access and handling (including the DUACS system). Section 7 brings a transversal view on scales, integration, artificial intelligence, and capacity building (education and training). Section 8 reviews the programmatic issues followed by a conclusion

Guidelines and recommendations on yeast cell death nomenclature

Elucidating the biology of yeast in its full complexity has major implications for science, medicine and industry. One of the most critical processes determining yeast life and physiology is cel-lular demise. However, the investigation of yeast cell death is a relatively young field, and a widely accepted set of concepts and terms is still missing. Here, we propose unified criteria for the defi-nition of accidental, regulated, and programmed forms of cell death in yeast based on a series of morphological and biochemical criteria. Specifically, we provide consensus guidelines on the differ-ential definition of terms including apoptosis, regulated necrosis, and autophagic cell death, as we refer to additional cell death rou-tines that are relevant for the biology of (at least some species of) yeast. As this area of investigation advances rapidly, changes and extensions to this set of recommendations will be implemented in the years to come. Nonetheless, we strongly encourage the au-thors, reviewers and editors of scientific articles to adopt these collective standards in order to establish an accurate framework for yeast cell death research and, ultimately, to accelerate the pro-gress of this vibrant field of research

Mycetoma and Chromoblastomycosis: Perspective for Diagnosis Improvement Using Biomarkers

Background: Mycetoma and chromoblastomycosis are both chronic subcutaneous infectious diseases that pose an obstacle to socioeconomic development. Besides the therapeutic issue, the diagnosis of most neglected tropical diseases (NTD) is challenging. Confirmation using direct microscopy and culture, recognized as WHO essential diagnostic tests, are limited to specialized facilities. In this context, there is a need for simple user-friendly diagnostic tests to be used in endemic villages. Methods: This review discuss the available biomarkers that could help to improve the diagnostic capacity for mycetoma and chromoblastomycosis in a theoretical and practical perspective. Results: A lack of research in this area has to be deplored, mainly for mycetoma. Biomarkers based on the immune response (pattern of leucocytes, antibody detection), the dermal involvement (extracellular matrix monitoring, protein expression), and the presence of the infectious agent (protein detection) are potential candidates for the detection or follow-up of infection. Conclusion: Confirmatory diagnosis based on specific diagnostic biomarkers will be the basis for the optimal treatment of mycetoma and chromoblastomycosis. It will be part of the global management of NTDs under the umbrella of stewardship activities

Interactions between hydatid cyst and regulated cell death may provide new therapeutic opportunities

Cystic echinococcosis and alveolar echinococcosis are chronic zoonotic infections, transmitted throughout the world. Development of the cestode larval stages in the liver and lungs causes damage to intermediate hosts, including humans. Several pathways leading to the suppression of host immune response and the survival of the cysts in various hosts are known. Immune response modulation and regulated cell death (RCD) play a fundamental role in cyst formation, development and pathogenesis. RCD, referring to apoptosis, necrosis and autophagy, can be triggered either via intrinsic or extrinsic cell stimuli. In this review, we provide a general overview of current knowledge on the process of RCD during echinococcosis. The study of interactions between RCD and Echinococcus spp. metacestodes may provide in-depth understanding of echinococcosis pathogenesis and open new horizons for human intervention and treatment of the disease