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Pharmacological Research Jul 2023Metabolic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and obesity, have become a major public health problem worldwide.... (Review)
Review
Metabolic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and obesity, have become a major public health problem worldwide. In recent years, most research on the role of gut microbes in metabolic diseases has focused on bacteria, whereas fungal microbes have been neglected. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of gut fungal alterations in T2DM, obesity, and NAFLD, and to discuss the mechanisms associated with disease development. In addition, several novel strategies targeting gut mycobiome and/or their metabolites to improve T2DM, obesity and NAFLD, including fungal probiotics, antifungal drugs, dietary intervention, and fecal microbiota transplantation, are critically discussed. The accumulated evidence suggests that gut mycobiome plays an important role in the occurrence and development of metabolic diseases. The possible mechanisms by which the gut mycobiome affects metabolic diseases include fungal-induced immune responses, fungal-bacterial interactions, and fungal-derived metabolites. Candida albicans, Aspergillus and Meyerozyma may be potential pathogens of metabolic diseases because they can activate the immune system and/or produce harmful metabolites. Moreover, Saccharomyces boulardii, S. cerevisiae, Alternaria, and Cochliobolus fungi may have the potential to improve metabolic diseases. The information may provide an important reference for the development of new therapeutics for metabolic diseases based on gut mycobiome.
Topics: Humans; Mycobiome; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Obesity; Bacteria
PubMed: 37244385
DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106807 -
Molecular Plant Pathology Mar 2024Alternaria spp. cause different diseases in potato and tomato crops. Early blight caused by Alternaria solani and brown spot caused by Alternaria alternata are most... (Review)
Review
UNLABELLED
Alternaria spp. cause different diseases in potato and tomato crops. Early blight caused by Alternaria solani and brown spot caused by Alternaria alternata are most common, but the disease complex is far more diverse. We first provide an overview of the Alternaria species infecting the two host plants to alleviate some of the confusion that arises from the taxonomic rearrangements in this fungal genus. Highlighting the diversity of Alternaria fungi on both solanaceous hosts, we review studies investigating the genetic diversity and genomes, before we present recent advances from studies elucidating host-pathogen interactions and fungicide resistances.
TAXONOMY
Kingdom Fungi, Phylum Ascomycota, Class Dothideomycetes, Order Pleosporales, Family Pleosporaceae, Genus Alternaria.
BIOLOGY AND HOST RANGE
Alternaria spp. adopt diverse lifestyles. We specifically review Alternaria spp. that cause disease in the two solanaceous crops potato (Solanum tuberosum) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). They are necrotrophic pathogens with no known sexual stage, despite some signatures of recombination.
DISEASE SYMPTOMS
Symptoms of the early blight/brown spot disease complex include foliar lesions that first present as brown spots, depending on the species with characteristic concentric rings, which eventually lead to severe defoliation and considerable yield loss.
CONTROL
Good field hygiene can keep the disease pressure low. Some potato and tomato cultivars show differences in susceptibility, but there are no fully resistant varieties known. Therefore, the main control mechanism is treatment with fungicides.
Topics: Alternaria; Solanum tuberosum; Solanum lycopersicum; Plant Diseases; Fungicides, Industrial
PubMed: 38476108
DOI: 10.1111/mpp.13435 -
Journal of Fungi (Basel, Switzerland) Sep 2023is a saprophytic and opportunistic fungus with a worldwide distribution that can affect the quality of various agricultural products, such as fruits, cereals, and...
is a saprophytic and opportunistic fungus with a worldwide distribution that can affect the quality of various agricultural products, such as fruits, cereals, and pseudocereals. This research was carried out to investigate the population of this genus associated with quinoa cultivation in plots located in the Boyacá department (Colombia), the country's third-largest quinoa-producing department. The present study found 17 isolates, of which 13 were identified as and 4 as (formerly ) employed molecular markers of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and translation elongation factor 1α (TEF-1α). In the pathogenicity test under greenhouse conditions, all the isolates showed some degree of pathogenicity on Piartal quinoa cultivar plants although no significant differences were found in isolates. The severity indices ranged from 2 to 5, and the percentage of affected leaves per plant ranged between 15% and 40%. This fungus affected the foliar tissue of quinoa, resulting in chlorotic and necrotic spots, symptoms that can generate a reduction in the quality and productivity of crops. This is the first time that the pathogenicity of spp. in the Piartal variety has been described and the first report of this genera in quinoa crops of Colombia.
PubMed: 37755055
DOI: 10.3390/jof9090947 -
Toxins Aug 2023mycotoxins are a class of important, agriculture-related hazardous materials, and their contamination in ruminant feeds and products might bring severe toxic effects to...
mycotoxins are a class of important, agriculture-related hazardous materials, and their contamination in ruminant feeds and products might bring severe toxic effects to animals and even human beings. To control these hazardous compounds, a reliable and sensitive LC-MS/MS (liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry) method was established for simultaneous determination of six target mycotoxins in ruminant feeds, including ALT (Altenuene), AME (Alternariol Monomethyl Ether), AOH (Alternariol), ATX-Ι (Altertoxins I), TeA (Tenuazonic Acid), and TEN (Tentoxin). This developed analytical method was used for the determination of the presence of these substances in cattle and sheep feeds in Xinjiang Province, China. The results revealed that mycotoxins are ubiquitously detected in feed samples. Especially, AME, AOH, TeA, and TEN are the most frequently found mycotoxins with a positive rate over 40% and a concentration range of 4~551 µg/kg. The proposed method could be applied for exposure investigation of mycotoxins in ruminant feeds and for the reduction in the health risk to animals and even consumers.
Topics: Humans; Cattle; Sheep; Animals; Mycotoxins; Alternaria; Chromatography, Liquid; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Ruminants
PubMed: 37624252
DOI: 10.3390/toxins15080495 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2023Cereal grains serve as the cornerstone of global nutrition, providing a significant portion of humanity's caloric requirements. However, the presence of fungal genera,... (Review)
Review
Cereal grains serve as the cornerstone of global nutrition, providing a significant portion of humanity's caloric requirements. However, the presence of fungal genera, such , , , and , known for their mycotoxin-producing abilities, presents a significant threat to human health due to the adverse effects of these toxins. The primary objective of this study was to identify the predominant fungal contaminants in cereal grains utilized in breadmaking, as well as in flour and bread. Moreover, a systematic review, including meta-analysis, was conducted on the occurrence and levels of mycotoxins in wheat flour from the years 2013 to 2023. The genera most frequently reported were , followed by , , and . Among the published reports, the majority focused on the analysis of Deoxynivalenol (DON), which garnered twice as many reports compared to those focusing on Aflatoxins, Zearalenone, and Ochratoxin A. The concentration of these toxins, in most cases determined by HPLC-MS/MS or HPLC coupled with a fluorescence detector (FLD), was occasionally observed to exceed the maximum limits established by national and/or international authorities. The prevalence of mycotoxins in flour samples from the European Union (EU) and China, as well as in foods intended for infants, exhibited a significant reduction compared to other commercial flours assessed by a meta-analysis investigation.
PubMed: 38231837
DOI: 10.3390/foods12234328 -
Science Advances Dec 2023Steroids are the standard treatment for allergic airway inflammation in asthma, but steroid-refractory asthma poses a challenge. Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s),...
Steroids are the standard treatment for allergic airway inflammation in asthma, but steroid-refractory asthma poses a challenge. Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s), such as T helper 2 (T2) cells, produce key asthma-related type 2 cytokines. Recent insights from mouse and human studies indicate a potential connection between ILC2s and steroid-resistant asthma. Here, we highlight that lung ILC2s, rather than T2 cells, can develop steroid resistance, allowing them to persist and maintain their disease-driving activity even during steroid treatment. The emergence of multipotent IL-5IL-13IL-17A ILC2s is associated with steroid-resistant ILC2s. The Janus kinase 3 (JAK3)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3, 5, and 6 pathways contribute to the acquisition of steroid-resistant ILC2s. The JAK3 inhibitor reduces ILC2 survival, proliferation, and cytokine production in vitro and ameliorates ILC2-driven -induced asthma. Furthermore, combining a JAK3 inhibitor with steroids results in the inhibition of steroid-resistant asthma. These findings suggest a potential therapeutic approach for addressing this challenging condition in chronic asthma.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Mice; Immunity, Innate; Janus Kinase Inhibitors; Lymphocytes; Asthma; Cytokines; Inflammation; Steroids; Janus Kinase 3
PubMed: 38117887
DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adi3770 -
Frontiers in Plant Science 2023A systematic study was carried out on 638 wheat and paddy grains (including fresh and stored samples) collected in 2021 from Shanghai, China, to identify the major...
A systematic study was carried out on 638 wheat and paddy grains (including fresh and stored samples) collected in 2021 from Shanghai, China, to identify the major mycobiota and their toxigenic abilities. A total of 349 fungi, namely, 252 , 53 , and 44 , were characterized by morphological and molecular identification. and were more frequently isolated in paddy with species complex and section as the predominant species, respectively. The genus was the most frequently isolated fungal species in wheat. The toxin-producing potentials of the identified fungi were further evaluated . Deoxynevalenol (DON) was produced by 34.5% of isolates and zearalenone (ZEN) was produced by 47.6% of them, and one isolate also processed the abilities for fumonisin B (FB), B (FB), and B (FB) productions. Aflatoxin B (AFB), B (AFB), and G (AFG) were only generated by section , with the production rate of 65.5%, 27.6%, and 13.8%, respectively. Alternariol (AOH) was the most prevalent toxin, which could be produced by 95.5% of the isolates, followed by alternariol monomethyl ether (AME) (72.7%), altenuene (ALT) (52.3%), tenuazonic acid (TeA) (45.5%), tentoxin (TEN) (29.5%), and altenusin (ALS) (4.5%). A combinational analysis of mycobiota and toxigenic ability allowed us to provide comprehensive information about the production mechanisms of mycotoxins in wheat and paddy in a specific geographic area, and will be helpful for developing efficient prevention and control programs.
PubMed: 37560029
DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1202738 -
Biosensors Jul 2023Medicinal plants are constantly challenged by different biotic inconveniences, which not only cause yield and economic losses but also affect the quality of products... (Review)
Review
Medicinal plants are constantly challenged by different biotic inconveniences, which not only cause yield and economic losses but also affect the quality of products derived from them. Among them, pathogens are one of the harmful fungal pathogens in medicinal plants across the globe. Therefore, a fast and accurate detection method in the early stage is needed to avoid significant economic losses. Although traditional methods are available to detect , they are more time-consuming and costly and need good expertise. Nevertheless, numerous biochemical- and molecular-based techniques are available for the detection of plant diseases, but their efficacy is constrained by differences in their accuracy, specificity, sensitivity, dependability, and speed in addition to being unsuitable for direct on-field studies. Considering the effect of on medicinal plants, the development of novel and early detection measures is required to detect causal species accurately, sensitively, and rapidly that can be further applied in fields to speed up the advancement process in detection strategies. In this regard, nanotechnology can be employed to develop portable biosensors suitable for early and correct pathogenic disease detection on the field. It also provides an efficient future scope to convert innovative nanoparticle-derived fabricated biomolecules and biosensor approaches in the diagnostics of disease-causing pathogens in important medicinal plants. In this review, we summarize the traditional methods, including immunological and molecular methods, utilized in plant-disease diagnostics. We also brief advanced automobile and efficient sensing technologies for diagnostics. Here we are proposing an idea with a focus on the development of electrochemical and/or colorimetric properties-based nano-biosensors that could be useful in the early detection of and other plant pathogens in important medicinal plants. In addition, we discuss challenges faced during the fabrication of biosensors and new capabilities of the technology that provide information regarding disease management strategies.
Topics: Alternaria; Plants, Medicinal; Biosensing Techniques; Nanotechnology; Plant Diseases
PubMed: 37504100
DOI: 10.3390/bios13070701 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2023Gut mycobiota inhabits human gastrointestinal lumen and plays a role in human health and disease. We investigated the influence of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) on...
Gut mycobiota inhabits human gastrointestinal lumen and plays a role in human health and disease. We investigated the influence of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) on gastric mucosal and fecal mycobiota in patients with gastroesophageal reflux diseases (GERD) by using Internal Transcribed Spacer 1 sequencing. A total of 65 participants were included, consisting of the healthy control (HC) group, GERD patients who did not use PPIs (nt-GERD), and GERD patients who used PPIs, which were further divided into short-term (s-PPI) and long-term PPI user (l-PPI) groups based on the duration of PPI use. The alpha diversity and beta diversity of gastric mucosal mycobiota in GERD patients with PPI use were significantly different from HCs, but there were no differences between s-PPI and l-PPI groups. LEfSe analysis identified at the genus level as a biomarker for the s-PPI group when compared to the nt-GERD group. Meanwhile, , , , , and were more abundant in the l-PPI group than in the nt-GERD group. Furthermore, colonization of in gastric mucosa was significantly increased after PPI treatment. However, there was no significant difference in colonization between patients with endoscopic esophageal mucosal breaks and those without. There were significant differences in the fecal mycobiota composition between HCs and GERD patients regardless whether or not they used PPI. As compared to nt-GERD patient samples, there was a high abundance of , , , , and in the s-PPI group. In addition, there was a significantly higher abundance of , , , , and in the l-PPI group than nt-GERD patients. In conclusion, our study indicates that dysbiosis of mycobiota was presented in GERD patients in both gastric mucosal and fecal mycobiota. PPI treatment may increase the colonization of in the gastric mucosa in GERD patients.
Topics: Humans; Proton Pump Inhibitors; Dysbiosis; Candida; Feces; Gastroesophageal Reflux
PubMed: 37662013
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1205348 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Aug 2023Schneid. is widely planted as a versatile tree species with ecological and economic significance. In September 2022, a leaf blotch disease of was observed in Nanjing,...
Schneid. is widely planted as a versatile tree species with ecological and economic significance. In September 2022, a leaf blotch disease of was observed in Nanjing, Jiangsu, China, with an infection incidence of 63%. The disease led to severe early defoliation, significantly affecting the ornamental and ecological value of the host tree. The accurate identification of pathogens is imperative to conducting further research and advancing disease control. Koch's postulates confirmed that the fungal isolates (B1-B9) were pathogenic to . The morphology of the characteristics of the pathogen matched those of spp. The internal transcribed spacer region (ITS), large subunit () and small subunit () regions of rRNA, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (), major allergen gene (), RNA polymerase second largest subunit (), and portions of translation elongation factor 1-alpha () genes were sequenced. Based on multi-locus phylogenetic analyses and morphology, the pathogenic fungi were identified as and . The findings provided useful information for disease management and enhanced the understanding of species diversity in China. This is the first report of and causing leaf blotch of in China and worldwide.
PubMed: 37687359
DOI: 10.3390/plants12173113