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International Journal of Molecular... Mar 2021is a dominant pathogen in people with cystic fibrosis (CF) contributing to morbidity and mortality. Its tremendous ability to adapt greatly facilitates its capacity to... (Review)
Review
is a dominant pathogen in people with cystic fibrosis (CF) contributing to morbidity and mortality. Its tremendous ability to adapt greatly facilitates its capacity to cause chronic infections. The adaptability and flexibility of the pathogen are afforded by the extensive number of virulence factors it has at its disposal, providing with the facility to tailor its response against the different stressors in the environment. A deep understanding of these virulence mechanisms is crucial for the design of therapeutic strategies and vaccines against this multi-resistant pathogen. Therefore, this review describes the main virulence factors of and the adaptations it undergoes to persist in hostile environments such as the CF respiratory tract. The very large genome (5 to 7 MB) contributes considerably to its adaptive capacity; consequently, genomic studies have provided significant insights into elucidating evolution and its interactions with the host throughout the course of infection.
Topics: Adaptation, Physiological; Animals; Biofilms; Humans; Lung; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Quorum Sensing; Virulence Factors
PubMed: 33803907
DOI: 10.3390/ijms22063128 -
International Journal of Environmental... Mar 2023Strength training in prepubertal children is one of the topics that has aroused the most interest and controversy among training professionals in recent years.... (Review)
Review
Strength training in prepubertal children is one of the topics that has aroused the most interest and controversy among training professionals in recent years. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to analyze the available scientific evidence on the influence of strength training variables on morphological and/or neuromuscular adaptations in healthy prepubertal populations with no previous experience in this type of training according to the descriptive sample characteristics. According to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis, 22 studies were selected after a systematic search and selection process using four electronic databases: Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, and SPORT Discus. Furthermore, the internal validity of the studies included was assessed using the modified PEDro scale. The sample consisted of 604 prepubertal children (age, 10.02 ± 0.75 years), of whom 473 were boys and 131 were girls, with 104 strength training programs recorded. Strength training resulted in a significant increase in jumping ( = 29) and sprinting ( = 13) abilities. Moreover, muscle strength was increased in 100% of the cases. Morphologically, strength training resulted in a decrease in body fat percentage ( = 19) and an increase in lean body mass ( = 17). With regard to gender, increases in general sport skills and basic physical abilities were significant in males but not in females. Thus, the results are more heterogeneous in girls due to the small number of studies carried out. Therefore, this research provides practical applications for coaches to design and implement more effective training programs to maximize adaptations, enhance physical performance, and reduce injury risk.
Topics: Male; Female; Humans; Child; Resistance Training; Muscle Strength; Sports; Adaptation, Physiological; Acclimatization
PubMed: 36981742
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20064833 -
Sports Health 2016Athletes at different skill levels perform strenuous physical activity at high altitude for a variety of reasons. Multiple team and endurance events are held at high... (Review)
Review
CONTEXT
Athletes at different skill levels perform strenuous physical activity at high altitude for a variety of reasons. Multiple team and endurance events are held at high altitude and may place athletes at increased risk for developing acute high altitude illness (AHAI). Training at high altitude has been a routine part of preparation for some of the high level athletes for a long time. There is a general belief that altitude training improves athletic performance for competitive and recreational athletes.
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION
A review of relevant publications between 1980 and 2015 was completed using PubMed and Google Scholar.
STUDY DESIGN
Clinical review.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
Level 3.
RESULTS
AHAI is a relatively uncommon and potentially serious condition among travelers to altitudes above 2500 m. The broad term AHAI includes several syndromes such as acute mountain sickness (AMS), high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), and high altitude cerebral edema (HACE). Athletes may be at higher risk for developing AHAI due to faster ascent and more vigorous exertion compared with nonathletes. Evidence regarding the effects of altitude training on athletic performance is weak. The natural live high, train low altitude training strategy may provide the best protocol for enhancing endurance performance in elite and subelite athletes. High altitude sports are generally safe for recreational athletes, but they should be aware of their individual risks.
CONCLUSION
Individualized and appropriate acclimatization is an essential component of injury and illness prevention.
Topics: Acclimatization; Age Factors; Altitude; Altitude Sickness; Athletic Performance; Humans; Physical Conditioning, Human; Physical Education and Training; Sleep Wake Disorders; Ultraviolet Rays
PubMed: 26863894
DOI: 10.1177/1941738116630948 -
Cell Jan 2022Conifers dominate the world's forest ecosystems and are the most widely planted tree species. Their giant and complex genomes present great challenges for assembling a...
Conifers dominate the world's forest ecosystems and are the most widely planted tree species. Their giant and complex genomes present great challenges for assembling a complete reference genome for evolutionary and genomic studies. We present a 25.4-Gb chromosome-level assembly of Chinese pine (Pinus tabuliformis) and revealed that its genome size is mostly attributable to huge intergenic regions and long introns with high transposable element (TE) content. Large genes with long introns exhibited higher expressions levels. Despite a lack of recent whole-genome duplication, 91.2% of genes were duplicated through dispersed duplication, and expanded gene families are mainly related to stress responses, which may underpin conifers' adaptation, particularly in cold and/or arid conditions. The reproductive regulation network is distinct compared with angiosperms. Slow removal of TEs with high-level methylation may have contributed to genomic expansion. This study provides insights into conifer evolution and resources for advancing research on conifer adaptation and development.
Topics: Acclimatization; Chromosomes, Plant; Cycadopsida; DNA Transposable Elements; Epigenome; Evolution, Molecular; Forests; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Gene Regulatory Networks; Genes, Plant; Genome Size; Genomics; Introns; Magnoliopsida; Pinus
PubMed: 34965378
DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.12.006 -
Journal of Integrative Plant Biology Mar 2024Excess soil salinity affects large regions of land and is a major hindrance to crop production worldwide. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms of plant salt... (Review)
Review
Excess soil salinity affects large regions of land and is a major hindrance to crop production worldwide. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms of plant salt tolerance has scientific importance and practical significance. In recent decades, studies have characterized hundreds of genes associated with plant responses to salt stress in different plant species. These studies have substantially advanced our molecular and genetic understanding of salt tolerance in plants and have introduced an era of molecular design breeding of salt-tolerant crops. This review summarizes our current knowledge of plant salt tolerance, emphasizing advances in elucidating the molecular mechanisms of osmotic stress tolerance, salt-ion transport and compartmentalization, oxidative stress tolerance, alkaline stress tolerance, and the trade-off between growth and salt tolerance. We also examine recent advances in understanding natural variation in the salt tolerance of crops and discuss possible strategies and challenges for designing salt stress-resilient crops. We focus on the model plant Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and the four most-studied crops: rice (Oryza sativa), wheat (Triticum aestivum), maize (Zea mays), and soybean (Glycine max).
Topics: Crops, Agricultural; Arabidopsis; Glycine max; Salt Tolerance; Salinity
PubMed: 38108117
DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13599 -
Proceedings of the National Academy of... Jun 2023As a crucial nitrogen source, nitrate (NO) is a key nutrient for plants. Accordingly, root systems adapt to maximize NO availability, a developmental regulation also...
As a crucial nitrogen source, nitrate (NO) is a key nutrient for plants. Accordingly, root systems adapt to maximize NO availability, a developmental regulation also involving the phytohormone auxin. Nonetheless, the molecular mechanisms underlying this regulation remain poorly understood. Here, we identify () in Arabidopsis (), whose root growth fails to adapt to low-NO conditions. is defective in the high-affinity NO transporter NRT2.1. () mutants exhibit defects in polar auxin transport, and their low-NO-induced root phenotype depends on the PIN7 auxin exporter activity. NRT2.1 directly associates with PIN7 and antagonizes PIN7-mediated auxin efflux depending on NO levels. These results reveal a mechanism by which NRT2.1 in response to NO limitation directly regulates auxin transport activity and, thus, root growth. This adaptive mechanism contributes to the root developmental plasticity to help plants cope with changes in NO availability.
Topics: Nitrate Transporters; Nitrates; Acclimatization; Biological Transport; Arabidopsis; Indoleacetic Acids
PubMed: 37307446
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2221313120 -
The New Phytologist Mar 2024Salt stress is a major challenge that has a negative impact on soybean growth and productivity. Therefore, it is important to understand the regulatory mechanism of salt...
Salt stress is a major challenge that has a negative impact on soybean growth and productivity. Therefore, it is important to understand the regulatory mechanism of salt response to ensure soybean yield under such conditions. In this study, we identified and characterized a miR160a-GmARF16-GmMYC2 module and its regulation during the salt-stress response in soybean. miR160a promotes salt tolerance by cleaving GmARF16 transcripts, members of the Auxin Response Factor (ARF) family, which negatively regulates salt tolerance. In turn, GmARF16 activates GmMYC2, encoding a bHLH transcription factor that reduces salinity tolerance by down-regulating proline biosynthesis. Genomic analysis among wild and cultivated soybean accessions identified four distinct GmARF16 haplotypes. Among them, the GmARF16 haplotype is preferentially enriched in localities with relatively saline soils, suggesting GmARF16 was artificially selected to improve salt tolerance. Our findings therefore provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying salt response in soybean and provide valuable genetic targets for the molecular breeding of salt tolerance.
Topics: Glycine max; Salt Tolerance; Haplotypes; Base Sequence; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
PubMed: 38135657
DOI: 10.1111/nph.19503 -
Journal of Visualized Experiments : JoVE Jan 2023Festa, F., Labaer, J. Kinase inhibitor screening in self-assembled human protein microarrays. Journal of Visualized Experiments. 152, e59886 (2019). Stockman, B. J. et...
Festa, F., Labaer, J. Kinase inhibitor screening in self-assembled human protein microarrays. Journal of Visualized Experiments. 152, e59886 (2019). Stockman, B. J. et al. NMR-Based activity assays for determining compound inhibition, IC50 values, artifactual activity, and whole-cell activity of nucleoside ribohydrolases. Journal of Visualized Experiments. 148, e59928 (2019). Gao, S. et al. A high-throughput assay for the prediction of chemical toxicity by automated phenotypic profiling of Caenorhabditis elegans. Journal of Visualized Experiments. 145, e59082 (2019). Axelsson, H., Almqvist, H., Seashore-Ludlow, B. Using high content imaging to quantify target engagement in adherent cells. Journal of Visualized Experiments. 141, e58670 (2018). Chorba, J. S., Galvan, A. M., Shokat, K. M. A high-throughput luciferase assay to evaluate proteolysis of the single-turnover protease PCSK9. Journal of Visualized Experiments. 138, e58265 (2018). Sullivan, C. et al. Using zebrafish models of human influenza A virus infections to screen antiviral drugs and characterize host immune cell responses. Journal of Visualized Experiments. 119, e55235 (2017). Tiemann, K., Garri, C., Wang, J., Clarke, L., Kani, K. Assessment of resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors by an interrogation of signal transduction pathways by antibody arrays. Journal of Visualized Experiments. 139, e57779 (2018). Radnai, L., Stremel, R. F., Sellers, J. R., Rumbaugh, G., Miller, C. A. A semi-high-throughput adaptation of the NADH-coupled ATPase assay for screening small molecule inhibitors. Journal of Visualized Experiments. 150, e60017 (2019). Nandha Premnath, P., Craig, S., McInnes, C. Development of inhibitors of protein-protein interactions through REPLACE: Application to the design and development non-ATP competitive CDK inhibitors. Journal of Visualized Experiments. 104, e52441 (2015). Chen, E. W., Ke, C. Y., Brzostek, J., Gascoigne, N. R. J., Rybakin, V. Identification of mediators of T-cell receptor signaling via the screening of chemical inhibitor libraries. Journal of Visualized Experiments. 143, e58946 (2019). Takakusagi, Y. Biosensor-based high throughput biopanning and bioinformatics analysis strategy for the global validation of drug-protein interactions. Journal of Visualized Experiments. 166, e61873 (2020). Riching, K. M., Mahan, S. D., Urh, M., Daniels, D. L. High-Throughput cellular profiling of targeted protein degradation compounds using HiBiT CRISPR cell lines. Journal of Visualized Experiments. 165, e61787 (2020).
Topics: Humans; Animals; Proprotein Convertase 9; Zebrafish; Proteolysis; Acclimatization; Caenorhabditis elegans
PubMed: 37602881
DOI: 10.3791/64811 -
International Journal of Molecular... Oct 2019Necessitated by the subzero temperatures and seasonal exposure to ice, various organisms have developed a remarkably effective means to survive the harsh climate of... (Review)
Review
Necessitated by the subzero temperatures and seasonal exposure to ice, various organisms have developed a remarkably effective means to survive the harsh climate of their natural habitats. Their ice-binding (glyco)proteins keep the nucleation and growth of ice crystals in check by recognizing and binding to specific ice crystal faces, which arrests further ice growth and inhibits ice recrystallization (IRI). Inspired by the success of this adaptive strategy, various approaches have been proposed over the past decades to engineer materials that harness these cryoprotective features. In this review we discuss the prospects and challenges associated with these advances focusing in particular on peptidic antifreeze materials both identical and akin to natural ice-binding proteins (IBPs). We address the latest advances in their design, synthesis, characterization and application in preservation of biologics and foods. Particular attention is devoted to insights in structure-activity relations culminating in the synthesis of de novo peptide analogues. These are sequences that resemble but are not identical to naturally occurring IBPs. We also draw attention to impactful developments in solid-phase peptide synthesis and 'greener' synthesis routes, which may aid to overcome one of the major bottlenecks in the translation of this technology: unavailability of large quantities of low-cost antifreeze materials with excellent IRI activity at (sub)micromolar concentrations.
Topics: Acclimatization; Antifreeze Proteins; Biomimetics; Cryoprotective Agents; Crystallization; Freezing; Ice
PubMed: 31627404
DOI: 10.3390/ijms20205149 -
Cell Systems Jun 2021A distinctive feature of many biological systems is their ability to adapt to persistent stimuli or disturbances that would otherwise drive them away from a desirable... (Review)
Review
A distinctive feature of many biological systems is their ability to adapt to persistent stimuli or disturbances that would otherwise drive them away from a desirable steady state. The resulting stasis enables organisms to function reliably while being subjected to very different external environments. This perspective concerns a stringent type of biological adaptation, robust perfect adaptation (RPA), that is resilient to certain network and parameter perturbations. As in engineered control systems, RPA requires that the regulating network satisfy certain structural constraints that cannot be avoided. We elucidate these ideas using biological examples from systems and synthetic biology. We then argue that understanding the structural constraints underlying RPA allows us to look past implementation details and offers a compelling means to unravel regulatory biological complexity.
Topics: Acclimatization; Adaptation, Physiological; Homeostasis; Models, Biological; Synthetic Biology
PubMed: 34139163
DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2021.05.020