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Biology Jun 2024Biotic stressors pose significant threats to crop yield, jeopardizing food security and resulting in losses of over USD 220 billion per year by the agriculture industry.... (Review)
Review
Biotic stressors pose significant threats to crop yield, jeopardizing food security and resulting in losses of over USD 220 billion per year by the agriculture industry. Plants activate innate defense mechanisms upon pathogen perception and invasion. The plant immune response comprises numerous concerted steps, including the recognition of invading pathogens, signal transduction, and activation of defensive pathways. However, pathogens have evolved various structures to evade plant immunity. Given these facts, genetic improvements to plants are required for sustainable disease management to ensure global food security. Advanced genetic technologies have offered new opportunities to revolutionize and boost plant disease resistance against devastating pathogens. Furthermore, targeting susceptibility (S) genes, such as and , through CRISPR methodologies offers novel avenues for disrupting the molecular compatibility of pathogens and for introducing durable resistance against them in plants. Here, we provide a critical overview of advances in understanding disease resistance mechanisms. The review also critically examines management strategies under challenging environmental conditions and -gene-based plant genome-engineering systems intending to enhance plant responses against emerging pathogens. This work underscores the transformative potential of modern genetic engineering practices in revolutionizing plant health and crop disease management while emphasizing the importance of responsible application to ensure sustainable and resilient agricultural systems.
PubMed: 38927301
DOI: 10.3390/biology13060421 -
Biology May 2024Basement membranes (BMs) are thin layers of extracellular matrix that separate epithelia, endothelia, muscle cells, and nerve cells from adjacent interstitial connective... (Review)
Review
Basement membranes (BMs) are thin layers of extracellular matrix that separate epithelia, endothelia, muscle cells, and nerve cells from adjacent interstitial connective tissue. BMs are ubiquitous in almost all multicellular animals, and their composition is highly conserved across the Metazoa. There is increasing interest in the mechanical functioning of BMs, including the involvement of altered BM stiffness in development and pathology, particularly cancer metastasis, which can be facilitated by BM destabilization. Such BM weakening has been assumed to occur primarily through enzymatic degradation by matrix metalloproteinases. However, emerging evidence indicates that non-enzymatic mechanisms may also contribute. In brittlestars (Echinodermata, Ophiuroidea), the tendons linking the musculature to the endoskeleton consist of extensions of muscle cell BMs. During the process of brittlestar autotomy, in which arms are detached for the purpose of self-defense, muscles break away from the endoskeleton as a consequence of the rapid destabilization and rupture of their BM-derived tendons. This contribution provides a broad overview of current knowledge of the structural organization and biomechanics of non-echinoderm BMs, compares this with the equivalent information on brittlestar tendons, and discusses the possible relationship between the weakening phenomena exhibited by BMs and brittlestar tendons, and the potential translational value of the latter as a model system of BM destabilization.
PubMed: 38927255
DOI: 10.3390/biology13060375 -
Biology May 2024The endothelial barrier plays a critical role in immune defense against bacterial infection. Efficient interactions between neutrophils and endothelial cells facilitate... (Review)
Review
The endothelial barrier plays a critical role in immune defense against bacterial infection. Efficient interactions between neutrophils and endothelial cells facilitate the activation of both cell types. However, neutrophil activation can have dual effects, promoting bacterial clearance on one hand while triggering inflammation on the other. In this review, we provide a detailed overview of the cellular defense progression when neutrophils encounter bacteria, focusing specifically on neutrophil-endothelial interactions and endothelial activation or dysfunction. By elucidating the underlying mechanisms of inflammatory pathways, potential therapeutic targets for inflammation caused by endothelial dysfunction may be identified. Overall, our comprehensive understanding of neutrophil-endothelial interactions in modulating innate immunity provides deeper insights into therapeutic strategies for infectious diseases and further promotes the development of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs.
PubMed: 38927254
DOI: 10.3390/biology13060374 -
Biology May 2024Tomato bacterial spots, caused by pv. () and (), as well as bacterial specks, caused by two strains of pv. ( and ), represent significant threats to tomato...
Tomato bacterial spots, caused by pv. () and (), as well as bacterial specks, caused by two strains of pv. ( and ), represent significant threats to tomato production in the El-Sharkia governorate, often resulting in substantial yield losses. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of various biocontrol culture filtrates, including bacteria and fungi agents, in managing the occurrence and severity of these diseases, while also monitoring physiological changes in tomato leaves, including antioxidant enzymes, phenolics, and pigment content. The culture filtrates from examined species (, and ), as well as the tested bacteria (, , and ) at concentrations of 25%, 50%, and 100%, significantly inhibited the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria In vitro. For the In vivo experiments, we used specific doses of 5 mL of spore suspension per plant for the fungal bioagents at a concentration of 2.5 × 10 spores/mL. The bacterial bioagents were applied as a 10 mL suspension per plant at a concentration of 1 × 10 CFU/mL. Spraying the culture filtrates of the tested bioagents two days before infection In vivo significantly reduced disease incidence and severity. exhibited the highest efficacy among the fungal bioagents, followed by and . Meanwhile, the culture filtrate of emerged as the most potent among the bacterial bioagents, followed by . Furthermore, applying these culture filtrates resulted in elevated levels of chitinase, peroxidase, and polyphenol oxidase activity. This effect extended to increased phenol contents, as well as chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids in sprayed tomato plants compared to the control treatment. Overall, these findings underscore the potential of these biocontrol strategies to effectively mitigate disease incidence and severity while enhancing plant defense mechanisms and physiological parameters, thus offering promising avenues for sustainable disease management in tomato production.
PubMed: 38927249
DOI: 10.3390/biology13060369 -
Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024With the increasing burden of carbapenem-resistant (CR-Kp), including high rates of healthcare-associated infections, treatment failure, and mortality, a good...
UNLABELLED
With the increasing burden of carbapenem-resistant (CR-Kp), including high rates of healthcare-associated infections, treatment failure, and mortality, a good therapeutic strategy for attacking this multi-resistant pathogen is one of the main goals in current medical practice and necessitates the use of novel antibiotics or new drug combinations.
OBJECTIVES
We reviewed the clinical and microbiological outcomes of seven patients treated at the "Agrippa Ionescu" Clinical Emergency Hospital between October 2023 and January 2024, aiming to demonstrate the synergistic activity of the ceftazidime-avibactam (C/A) plus aztreonam (ATM) combination against the co-producers of NDM + OXA-48-like CR-Kp.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Seven CR-Kp with NDM and OXA-48 as resistance mechanisms were tested. Seven patients treated with C/A + ATM were included. The synergistic activity of C/A + ATM was proven through double-disk diffusion in all seven isolates. Resistance mechanisms like KPC, VIM, OXA-48, NDM, IMP, and CTX-M were assessed through immunochromatography.
RESULTS
With a mean of nine days of treatment with the synergistic combination C/A + ATM, all patients achieved clinical recovery, and five achieved microbiological recovery.
CONCLUSIONS
With the emerging co-occurrence of OXA-48 and NDM among in Romania, the combination of C/A and ATM could be a promising therapeutic option.
PubMed: 38927216
DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13060550 -
Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Leptospirosis is a major zoonotic disease caused by pathogenic spirochetes in the genus Leptospira, affecting over a million people annually and causing approximately...
Leptospirosis is a major zoonotic disease caused by pathogenic spirochetes in the genus Leptospira, affecting over a million people annually and causing approximately 60,000 deaths. , a key causative agent, likely possesses defense systems against bacteriophages (leptophages), yet these systems are not well understood. We analyzed 402 genomes of using the DefenseFinder tool to identify and characterize the antiphage defense systems. We detected 24 unique systems, with CRISPR-Cas (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats and CRISPR-associated proteins), PrrC, Borvo, and Restriction-Modification (R-M) being the most prevalent. Notably, Cas were identified in all strains, indicating their central role in phage defense. Furthermore, there were variations in the antiphage system distribution across different serovars, suggesting unique evolutionary adaptations. For instance, Retron was found exclusively in the Canicola serovar, while prokaryotic Argonaute proteins (pAgo) were only detected in the Grippotyphosa serovar. These findings significantly enhance our understanding of 's antiphage defense mechanisms. They reveal the potential for the development of serovar-specific phage-based therapies and underscore the importance of further exploring these defense systems.
PubMed: 38927188
DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13060522 -
Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024(immortelle) essential oil is one of the most popular essential oils worldwide and it has many beneficial properties, including antimicrobial. However, in this plant,...
(immortelle) essential oil is one of the most popular essential oils worldwide and it has many beneficial properties, including antimicrobial. However, in this plant, the chemical diversity of the essential oil is very pronounced. The aim of this work was to process the GC-MS results of four samples of essential oil of Serbian origin by chemometric tools, and evaluate the antimicrobial activity in vitro and in silico. Overall, 47 compounds were identified, the most abundant were -curcumene, -pinene, and -curcumene, followed by -ylangene, neryl acetate, -caryophyllene, italicene, -selinene, limonene, and italidiones. Although the four samples of essential oil used in this study were obtained from different producers in Serbia, they belong to the type of essential oil rich in sesquiterpenes (-curcumene and -curcumene chemotype). In vitro antimicrobial potential showed that five were sensitive among ten strains of tested microorganisms: , , , and . Therefore, these microorganism models were used further for in silico molecular docking through the mechanism of ATP-ase inhibitory activity. Results showed that among all compounds from essential oil, neryl acetate has the highest predicted binding energy. Artificial neural network modeling (ANN) showed that two major compounds -curcumene and -pinene, as well as minor compounds such as --ocimene, terpinolene, terpinene-4-ol, isoitalicene, italicene, --bergamotene, --bergamotene, italidiones, --farnesene, -selinene, -selinene, -selinene, and guaiol are responsible for the antimicrobial activity of essential oil. The results of this study indicate that essential oil samples rich in -curcumene, -pinene, and -curcumene cultivated in Serbia (Balkan) have antimicrobial potential both in vitro and in silico. In addition, according to ANN modeling, the proportion of neryl acetate and other compounds detected in these samples has the potential to exhibit antimicrobial activity.
PubMed: 38927166
DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13060499 -
Biomolecules Jun 2024The antioxidant defense mechanisms play a critical role in mitigating the deleterious effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Catalase stands out as a paramount... (Review)
Review
The antioxidant defense mechanisms play a critical role in mitigating the deleterious effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Catalase stands out as a paramount enzymatic antioxidant. It efficiently catalyzes the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide (HO) into water and oxygen, a potentially harmful byproduct of cellular metabolism. This reaction detoxifies HO and prevents oxidative damage. Catalase has been extensively studied as a therapeutic antioxidant. Its applications range from direct supplementation in conditions characterized by oxidative stress to gene therapy approaches to enhance endogenous catalase activity. The enzyme's stability, bioavailability, and the specificity of its delivery to target tissues are significant hurdles. Furthermore, studies employing conventional catalase formulations often face issues related to enzyme purity, activity, and longevity in the biological milieu. Addressing these challenges necessitates rigorous scientific inquiry and well-designed clinical trials. Such trials must be underpinned by sound experimental designs, incorporating advanced catalase formulations or novel delivery systems that can overcome existing limitations. Enhancing catalase's stability, specificity, and longevity in vivo could unlock its full therapeutic potential. It is necessary to understand the role of catalase in disease-specific contexts, paving the way for precision antioxidant therapy that could significantly impact the treatment of diseases associated with oxidative stress.
Topics: Catalase; Humans; Oxidative Stress; Animals; Antioxidants; Reactive Oxygen Species; Hydrogen Peroxide; Genetic Therapy
PubMed: 38927099
DOI: 10.3390/biom14060697 -
Modulation of Adverse Health Effects of Environmental Cadmium Exposure by Zinc and Its Transporters.Biomolecules May 2024Zinc (Zn) is the second most abundant metal in the human body and is essential for the function of 10% of all proteins. As metals cannot be synthesized or degraded, they... (Review)
Review
Zinc (Zn) is the second most abundant metal in the human body and is essential for the function of 10% of all proteins. As metals cannot be synthesized or degraded, they must be assimilated from the diet by specialized transport proteins, which unfortunately also provide an entry route for the toxic metal pollutant cadmium (Cd). The intestinal absorption of Zn depends on the composition of food that is consumed, firstly the amount of Zn itself and then the quantity of other food constituents such as phytate, protein, and calcium (Ca). In cells, Zn is involved in the regulation of intermediary metabolism, gene expression, cell growth, differentiation, apoptosis, and antioxidant defense mechanisms. The cellular influx, efflux, subcellular compartmentalization, and trafficking of Zn are coordinated by transporter proteins, solute-linked carriers 30A and 39A (SLC30A and SLC39A), known as the ZnT and Zrt/Irt-like protein (ZIP). Because of its chemical similarity with Zn and Ca, Cd disrupts the physiological functions of both. The concurrent induction of a Zn efflux transporter ZnT1 (SLC30A1) and metallothionein by Cd disrupts the homeostasis and reduces the bioavailability of Zn. The present review highlights the increased mortality and the severity of various diseases among Cd-exposed persons and the roles of Zn and other transport proteins in the manifestation of Cd cytotoxicity. Special emphasis is given to Zn intake levels that may lower the risk of vision loss and bone fracture associated with Cd exposure. The difficult challenge of determining a permissible intake level of Cd is discussed in relation to the recommended dietary Zn intake levels.
Topics: Humans; Cadmium; Zinc; Environmental Exposure; Animals; Cation Transport Proteins; Metallothionein
PubMed: 38927054
DOI: 10.3390/biom14060650 -
Malaria Journal Jun 2024Malaria, a severe health threat, significantly affects total antioxidant status (TAS) levels, leading to considerable oxidative stress. This systematic review and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Malaria, a severe health threat, significantly affects total antioxidant status (TAS) levels, leading to considerable oxidative stress. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to delineate differences in TAS levels between malaria patients and healthy controls, and assess correlations between disease severity and parasite density.
METHODS
The systematic review was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) under registration number CRD42023448761. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in databases such as Embase, MEDLINE, Journals@Ovid, PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest, and Google Scholar to identify studies reporting data on TAS levels in malaria patients. Data from the included studies were analysed both qualitatively and quantitatively. Differences in TAS levels between malaria patients and controls were pooled using a random effects model, with Hedges' g as the effect size measure.
RESULTS
Of 1796 identified records, 20 studies met the inclusion criteria. The qualitative synthesis of these studies revealed a marked decrease in TAS levels in patients with malaria compared to non-malaria cases. The meta-analysis results showed a significant decrease in TAS levels in patients with malaria compared to non-malaria cases (P < 0.01, Hedges' g: - 2.75, 95% CI - 3.72 to -1.78, I: 98.16%, 13 studies), suggesting elevated oxidative stress in these patients. Subgroup analyses revealed that TAS level variations were significantly influenced by geographical region, age group, Plasmodium species, and method for measuring TAS. Notably, TAS levels were significantly lower in severe malaria cases and those with high parasite density, indicating a potential relationship between oxidative stress and disease severity.
CONCLUSION
This study highlights the potential utility of TAS as a biomarker for disease risk and severity in malaria. The significant decrease in TAS levels in malaria patients compared to controls implies increased oxidative stress. Further well-designed, large-scale studies are warranted to validate these findings and elucidate the intricate mechanisms linking TAS and malaria.
Topics: Malaria; Antioxidants; Humans; Oxidative Stress
PubMed: 38926807
DOI: 10.1186/s12936-024-05003-z