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In addition, our result suggests AMP-activated protein kinase signaling pathway's role in regulating YAP/TAZ in ZIKV-infected cells. Our data demonstrate that ZIKV infection might initiate a cross talk among AMP-activated protein kinase-Hippo-TBK1 pathways, which could regulate antiviral and energy stress responses during oculoneuronal inflammation. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is up-regulated during inflammation by several cell types. ICAM-1 is best known for its role in mediating leukocyte adhesion to endothelial cells and guiding leukocytes across the vascular wall. Recently, macrophages have been shown to express ICAM-1, however, their role in macrophage function is unclear. We found that ICAM-1 expression was induced during inflammatory macrophage polarization and high numbers of ICAM-1-expressing macrophages were noted in inflamed colon tissue in a murine colitis model and in human inflammatory bowel disease. Because tissue macrophages play a critical role in removing apoptotic/necrotic cells in inflammation and injury, a process termed efferocytosis, it was examined whether ICAM-1 contributes to this process. Genetic deletion (ICAM-1 knockout mice) or siRNA-mediated knockdown of ICAM-1 in isolated murine and human macrophages significantly impaired apoptotic cell (AC) engulfment. Impairment in the engulfment of Jurkat T cells, neutrophils, and epithelial cells was confirmed ex vivo by inflammatory macrophages and in vivo by thioglycolate-recruited peritoneal macrophages. Decreased efferocytosis was also seen in vitro and in vivo with inhibition of ICAM-1 adhesive interactions, using a function blocking anti-ICAM-1 antibody. Mechanistically, it was found that ICAM-1 actively redistributes to cluster around engulfed ACs to facilitate macrophage-AC binding. Our findings define a new role for ICAM-1 in promoting macrophage efferocytosis, a critical process in the resolution of inflammation and restoration of tissue homeostasis. Dogs can be infected by a wide range of Bartonella spp., but studies regarding the prevalence of Bartonella infection in dogs in the Philippines have not been conducted. This study aimed at determining the prevalence of Bartonella infection in pets dogs from two veterinary clinics in Metro Manila, The Philippines, using both serology and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Blood samples from 116 dogs from two different groups, one of 60 mainly "healthy dogs" and the other one of 56 dogs enrolled in a tick-borne disease suspect group, were tested for presence of B. henselae antibodies and to detect Bartonella DNA using primers specific for the citrate synthase gene. Seroprevalence for B. henselae was very low (2.6%), as the only three (5%) seropositive dogs (titer 164) where among the healthy pet dog group. Following subsequent sequencing, 13 samples, all from the tick-borne disease group, were determined positive for B. henselae (11.2%). This is the first study to report dog infection with B. henselae in the Philippines. Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS) is a neglected disease affecting millions, however challenging to diagnose. This explorative descriptive study compares Schistosoma real-time PCR analysis of cervico-vaginal lavages (CVL) with corresponding urine and stool samples of 933 women from five different previously described study populations. Sampling included 310 women from an S. mansoni endemic region in Mwanza, Tanzania and 112 women from a nearby S. haematobium endemic region. Findings were compared with samples collected from S. haematobium endemic regions in South Africa from 394 women and from 117 women from Madagascar of which 79 were urine pre-selected microscopy positive cases from highly-endemic communities and 38 were urine microscopy negatives from a low-endemic community. As anticipated, urine and stool microscopy and gynecological investigations varied substantially between study populations; however, the same Schistosoma real-time PCR was performed in one reference laboratory. Schistosoma DNA was detected in 13% (120/933) of the CVL, ranging from 3% in the S. mansoni Tanzanian endemic region to 61% in the pre-selected Malagasy urine microscopy positive cases. Detectable Schistosoma DNA in CVL was associated with Schistosoma DNA in urine but not with microscopic detection of eggs in urine or by cytological examination. This study confirmed real-time PCR for the detection of Schistosoma DNA in gynecological samples to be a valuable diagnostic tool to study the distribution of FGS within schistosomiasis endemic areas. Ticks and tick-borne pathogens constitute a great threat to livestock production and are a potential health hazard to humans. Grasscutters (Thryonomys swinderianus) are widely hunted for meat in Ghana and many other West and Central African countries. selleck However, tick-borne zoonotic risks posed by wild grasscutters have not been assessed. The objective of this study was to investigate bacterial and protozoan pathogens in ticks infecting wild grasscutters. A total of 81 ticks were collected from three hunted grasscutters purchased from Katamanto, the central bushmeat market in Accra. Ticks were identified as Ixodes aulacodi and Rhipicephalus sp. based on morphological keys, which were further confirmed by sequencing mitochondrial 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and cytochrome oxidase I (COI) genes of specimens. Protozoan infections were tested by PCR amplifying 18S rDNA of Babesia/Theileria/Hepatozoon, while bacterial infections were evaluated by PCRs or real-time PCRs targeting Anaplasmataceae, Borrelia, spotted fever group rickettsiae, chlamydiae and Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii. The results of PCR screening showed that 35.5% (27 out of 76) of I. aulacodi were positive for parasite infections. Sequencing analysis of the amplified products gave one identical sequence showing similarity with Babesia spp. reported from Africa. The Ca. M. mitochondrii endosymbiont was present in 85.5% (65 out of 76) of I. aulacodi but not in the five Rhipicephalus ticks. Two Anaplasmataceae bacteria genetically related to Ehrlichia muris and Anaeplasma phagocytophilum were also detected in two I. aulacodi. None of the ticks were positive for Borrelia spp., spotted fever group rickettsiae and chlamydiae. Since I. aulacodi on wild grasscutters are potential carriers of tick-borne pathogens, some of which could be of zoonotic potential, rigorous tick control and pathogen analyses should be instituted especially when wild caught grasscutters are being used as foundation stock for breedings. V.