Cognitive, behavioural and psychiatric phenotypes associated with steroid sulfatase deficiency

The enzyme steroid sulfatase (STS) desulfates a variety of steroid compounds thereby altering their activity. STS is expressed in the skin, and its deficiency in this tissue has been linked to the dermatological condition X-linked ichthyosis. STS is also highly expressed in the developing and adult human brain, and in a variety of steroidogenic organs (including the placenta and gonads); therefore it has the potential to influence brain development and function directly and/or indirectly (through influencing the hormonal milieu). In this review, we first discuss evidence from human and animal model studies suggesting that STS deficiency might predispose to neurobehavioural abnormalities and certain psychiatric disorders. We subsequently discuss potential mechanisms that may underlie these vulnerabilities. The data described herein have potential implications for understanding the complete spectrum of clinical phenotypes associated with X-linked ichthyosis, and may indicate novel pathogenic mechanisms underlying psychological dysfunction in developmental disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and Turner syndrome.

Recent advances and perspectives on tropical diseases: Malaria

Malaria remains a major health problem in the world. It is a neglected disease because it occurs almost exclusively in poor developing countries, which offer negligible marketable and profitable opportunities. Malaria (together with Tuberculosis), is responsible for an unprecedented global health crisis with devastating effects in developing countries. The 2011 Word Malaria Report indicated that 106 countries showed endemic malaria. Malaria control depends mainly on drug treatment, which is increasingly difficult due to the spread of drug resistant parasites and requires expensive drug combinations. Part of the inability to combat this disease is attributed to an incomplete understanding of its pathogenesis and pathophysiology. Improving the knowledge of the underlying pathogenic mechanisms of malaria transmission and of the exclusive metabolic pathways of the parasites (protozoa of the genus Plasmodium), should promote efficient treatment of disease and help the identification of novel targets for potential therapeutic interventions. Moreover, the elucidation of determinants involved in the spread of malaria will provide important information for efficient planning of strategies for targeted control.

What is the purpose of launching the World Journal of Translational Medicine?

Congratulations to the publisher, members of the editorial board of the journal, all the authors and readers on the launch of the World Journal of Translational Medicine (WJTM) as a new member of the World series journal family! Translational medicine is a complex field in which ethical, regulatory and economic issues are integral to efforts to close the circle of translational efforts by bringing diagnostic or therapeutic products to the market, that is, to the patient. WJTM is a peer-reviewed open-access periodical centered in translational medicine but with multidisciplinary coverage primarily intended to facilitate the translation of biomedical knowledge into improved human healthcare, and covering every element involved in the field. A special emphasis of the WJTM will be the publication of novel or revolutionary ideas, even if these are not contemplated within the current molecular research paradigm, as long as they are scientifically sound.