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Microbiology Spectrum Jun 2024is a highly fatal fungal pathogen affecting individuals with advanced HIV disease. Molecular patterns and ultrastructural aspects of are unknown, and pathogenic models...
UNLABELLED
is a highly fatal fungal pathogen affecting individuals with advanced HIV disease. Molecular patterns and ultrastructural aspects of are unknown, and pathogenic models have not been investigated in detail. Since the cell wall of fungi is a determinant for interaction with the host and antifungal development, we characterized the ultrastructural aspects of and the general properties of cell wall components under different conditions of growth and . We also tested the pathogenic potential of in a model of infection. Transmission electron microscopy revealed the common intracellular, ultrastructural features of fungi in association with a thick cell wall. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a smooth cell surface, with no apparent decorative structures. Yeast cultures of showed the distribution of chitin, chitooligomers, and mannoproteins commonly observed in fungi. However, in mixed microenvironments containing yeast and filamenting forms of , the detection of chitooligomers was increased in comparison with isolated yeast cells, while the detection of these components in filamenting forms was markedly reduced. These observations were suggestive of the ability of to change its cell wall composition in response to different microenvironments. Although was unable to kill , this infection model allowed us to isolate infected hemocytes for further analysis of mannoproteins, chitin, and chitooligomers. Once again, the detection of chitooligomers was markedly increased. These results reveal previously unknown ultrastructural features of and suggest a high plasticity in the cell wall of this lethal pathogen.
IMPORTANCE
The epidemiology of fungal infections is very dynamic, and novel health emergencies are hard to predict. New fungal pathogens have been continuously emerging for the last few decades, and is one of these threats to human health. This complex scenario points to the need for generating knowledge about emerging pathogens so that new therapeutic strategies can be designed. In this study, we characterized the general cellular and pathogenic properties of the emerging fungal pathogen . Our results reveal that manifests some of the typical properties of fungal cells but also exhibits some unique characteristics that might be helpful for the future development of therapeutic strategies.
PubMed: 38916362
DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00863-24 -
Reumatismo Jun 2024Nicotine has major side effects on human health through numerous mechanisms, one of which is the alteration of the immune system and its genetic components. Such... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Nicotine has major side effects on human health through numerous mechanisms, one of which is the alteration of the immune system and its genetic components. Such alteration can be a predisposing factor for autoimmune diseases such as spondyloarthritis (SpA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This review aims to shed light on the effects of nicotine smoking on the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and management of SpA and RA.
METHODS
This review looked into the studies, excluding case reports and series, which were cited by PubMed/MEDLINE.
RESULTS
Patients with established autoimmune conditions may have a different underlying pathophysiology and disease course when exposed to nicotine through cigarette smoking. Through the involvement of several cytokines, endothelial dysfunction, and epigenetic mechanisms, the severity of SpA is more prominent in smokers. The global health status, pain, and fatigue are worse in SpA patients. The evidence on the effect of nicotine smoking on the treatment of SpA is still limited. Nicotine can contribute to RA via the disruption of cellular regulatory activity, inflammatory responses, morphological, physiological, biochemical, and enzymatic responses. As such, smokers with RA have higher disease activity and are more likely to be seropositive through the citrullination of peptides. In addition, these patients are at risk of achieving a suboptimal response to tumor necrosis factor inhibitors.
CONCLUSIONS
Cigarette smoking can substantially affect the pathophysiology and clinical presentation of patients with SpA and RA. The impact of nicotine on the management of these diseases still needs to be further studied.
Topics: Humans; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Nicotine; Spondylarthritis; Smoking
PubMed: 38916171
DOI: 10.4081/reumatismo.2024.1572 -
Frontiers in Plant Science 2024is a dominant species in the desert steppe of Northern China. Grazing is the main land use pattern of grassland, which could cause a variety of adaptive evolutionary...
is a dominant species in the desert steppe of Northern China. Grazing is the main land use pattern of grassland, which could cause a variety of adaptive evolutionary mechanisms in plant community composition as well as individual plant growth and morphological characteristics. However, very little is known about the morphological structure and transcriptional regulation response to different grazing intensities in . In this study, transcriptome and anatomical analyses of under different grazing intensities, including no grazing, moderate grazing, and heavy grazing, were performed. The anatomical analysis results showed that epidermis cells and xylems significantly thicken with grazing intensity, suggesting that grazing results in increasing lignification. Furthermore, the components of cell walls such as lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose, and pectin were all increased dramatically and significantly under both moderate and heavy grazing. Transcriptome analysis showed that the differentially expressed genes related to different grazing intensities were also engaged in plant cell wall formation and in photosynthesis and respiration. In addition, the activities of ATP synthase and Rubisco-activating enzyme increased significantly with enhanced grazing intensity and differed significantly between moderate and heavy grazing intensities. The trends in transcriptome and plant phenotype changes are consistent. Taken together, these results indicated that has evolved a grazing tolerance strategy under long-term grazing conditions, influencing photosynthesis and respiration in terms of its own structure and enzyme activities in the body, to maintain normal life activities under different grazing conditions.
PubMed: 38916033
DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1414093 -
BioRxiv : the Preprint Server For... Jun 2024We implemented a multimodal set of functional imaging techniques optimized for deep-tissue imaging to investigate how cancer cells invade surrounding tissues and how...
We implemented a multimodal set of functional imaging techniques optimized for deep-tissue imaging to investigate how cancer cells invade surrounding tissues and how their physiological properties change in the process. As a model for cancer invasion of the extracellular matrix, we created 3D spheroids from triple-negative breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) and non-tumorigenic breast epithelial cells (MCF-10A). We analyzed multiple hallmarks of cancer within the same spheroid by combining a number of imaging techniques, such as metabolic imaging of NADH by Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (NADH-FLIM), hyperspectral imaging of a solvatochromic lipophilic dye (Nile Red) and extracellular matrix imaging by Second Harmonic Generation (SHG). We included phasor-based bioimage analysis of spheroids at three different time points, tracking both morphological and biological properties, including cellular metabolism, fatty acids storage, and collagen organization. Employing this multimodal deep-imaging framework, we observed and quantified cancer cell plasticity in response to changes in the environment composition.
PubMed: 38915530
DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.10.598307 -
Frontiers in Bioengineering and... 2024Intervertebral Disc (IVD) Degeneration (IDD) is a significant health concern, potentially influenced by mechanotransduction. However, the relationship between the IVD...
Intervertebral Disc (IVD) Degeneration (IDD) is a significant health concern, potentially influenced by mechanotransduction. However, the relationship between the IVD phenotypes and mechanical behavior has not been thoroughly explored in local morphologies where IDD originates. This work unveils the interplays among morphological and mechanical features potentially relevant to IDD through Abaqus UMAT simulations. A groundbreaking automated method is introduced to transform a calibrated, structured IVD finite element (FE) model into 169 patient-personalized (PP) models through a mesh morphing process. Our approach accurately replicates the real shapes of the patient's Annulus Fibrosus (AF) and Nucleus Pulposus (NP) while maintaining the same topology for all models. Using segmented magnetic resonance images from the former project , 169 models with structured hexahedral meshes were created employing the Bayesian Coherent Point Drift++ technique, generating a unique cohort of PP FE models under the initiative. Machine learning methods, including Linear Regression, Support Vector Regression, and eXtreme Gradient Boosting Regression, were used to explore correlations between IVD morphology and mechanics. We achieved PP models with AF and NP similarity scores of 92.06\% and 92.10\% compared to the segmented images. The models maintained good quality and integrity of the mesh. The cartilage endplate (CEP) shape was represented at the IVD-vertebra interfaces, ensuring personalized meshes. Validation of the constitutive model against literature data showed a minor relative error of 5.20%. Analysis revealed the influential impact of local morphologies on indirect mechanotransduction responses, highlighting the roles of heights, sagittal areas, and volumes. While the maximum principal stress was influenced by morphologies such as heights, the disc's ellipticity influenced the minimum principal stress. Results suggest the CEPs are not influenced by their local morphologies but by those of the AF and NP. The generated free-access repository of individual disc characteristics is anticipated to be a valuable resource for the scientific community with a broad application spectrum.
PubMed: 38915337
DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1384599 -
Human Reproduction (Oxford, England) Jun 2024What is the pathological mechanism involved in a thin endometrium, particularly under ischaemic conditions?
Cytoskeletal and inter-cellular junction remodelling in endometrial organoids under oxygen-glucose deprivation: a new potential pathological mechanism for thin endometria.
STUDY QUESTION
What is the pathological mechanism involved in a thin endometrium, particularly under ischaemic conditions?
SUMMARY ANSWER
Endometrial dysfunction in patients with thin endometrium primarily results from remodelling in cytoskeletons and cellular junctions of endometrial epithelial cells under ischemic conditions.
WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY
A healthy endometrium is essential for successful embryo implantation and subsequent pregnancy; ischemic conditions in a thin endometrium compromise fertility outcomes.
STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION
We recruited 10 patients with thin endometrium and 15 patients with healthy endometrium. Doppler ultrasound and immunohistochemical results confirmed the presence of insufficient endometrial blood perfusion in patients with thin endometrium. Organoids were constructed using healthy endometrial tissue and cultured under oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) conditions for 24 h. The morphological, transcriptomic, protein expression, and signaling pathway changes in the OGD organoids were observed. These findings were validated in both thin endometrial tissue and healthy endometrial tissue samples.
PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS
Endometrial thickness and blood flow were measured during the late follicular phase using transvaginal Doppler ultrasound. Endometrial tissue was obtained via hysteroscopy. Fresh endometrial tissues were used for the generation and culture of human endometrial organoids. Organoids were cultured in an appropriate medium and subjected to OGD to simulate ischemic conditions. Apoptosis and cell death were assessed using Annexin-V/propidium iodide staining. Immunofluorescence analysis, RNA sequencing, western blotting, simple westerns, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy were conducted to evaluate cellular and molecular changes.
MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE
Patients with thin endometrium showed significantly reduced endometrial thickness and altered blood flow patterns compared to those with healthy endometrium. Immunohistochemical staining revealed fewer CD34-positive blood vessels and glands in the thin endometrium group. Organoids cultured under OGD conditions exhibited significant morphological changes, increased apoptosis, and cell death. RNA-seq identified differentially expressed genes related to cytoskeletal remodeling and stress responses. OGD induced a strong cytoskeletal reorganization, mediated by the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway. Additionally, electron microscopy indicated compromised epithelial integrity and abnormal cell junctions in thin endometrial tissues. Upregulation of hypoxia markers (HIF-1α and HIF-2α) and activation of the RhoA/ROCK pathway were also observed in thin endometrial tissues, suggesting ischemia and hypoxia as underlying mechanisms.
LARGE SCALE DATA
none.
LIMITATIONS AND REASONS FOR CAUTION
The study was conducted in an in vitro model, which may not fully replicate the complexity of in vivo conditions.
WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS
This research provides a new three-dimensional in vitro model of thin endometrium, as well as novel insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms of endometrial ischaemia in thin endometrium, offering potential avenues for identifying therapeutic targets for treating fertility issues related to thin endometrium.
STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)
This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81925013); National Key Research and Development Project of China (2022YFC2702500, 2021YFC2700303, 2021YFC2700601); the Capital Health Research and Development Project (SF2022-1-4092); the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82288102, 81925013, 82225019, 82192873); Special Project on Capital Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Technology Research and Transformation Application (Z211100002921054); the Frontiers Medical Center, Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory Foundation(TFJC2023010001). The authors declare that no competing interests exist.
PubMed: 38915267
DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deae137 -
Environmental Research Jun 2024Herein, the study introduces a novel bifunctional InS/MgTiO/TiO@N-CNT (IMTNC) nanocomposite, which is poised to revolutionize the detection and removal of clothianidin...
Herein, the study introduces a novel bifunctional InS/MgTiO/TiO@N-CNT (IMTNC) nanocomposite, which is poised to revolutionize the detection and removal of clothianidin (CLD) from aquatic environments by synergistic adsorption and photodegradation. Confirmation of the material's synthesis was done using structural, optical, morphological, and chemical characterizations. An outstanding sensitivity of 2.168 μA/nM.cm with a linear range of 4-100 nM and a LOD of 0.04 nM, along with an exceptional elimination efficiency of 98.06 ± 0.84% for about 10 ppm CLD within 18 min was demonstrated by the IMTNC nanocomposite. Extensive studies were carried out to appraise the material's effectiveness in the presence of various interfering species, such as cations, anions, organic compounds, and different water matrices, and a comprehensive assessment of its stability throughout several cycles was made. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) study was used to determine the ideal removal conditions for improved performance. In addition, the catalytic performance in removing various other pollutants was also analyzed. Adding InS and developing N-doped Carbon Nanotubes (N-CNT) increased conductivity and higher electrochemical sensing skills, improving charge transfer and increasing photocatalytic activity. This research underscores the potential of the IMTNC nanocomposite as a promising candidate for advanced environmental sensing and remediation applications.
PubMed: 38914255
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119435 -
International Ophthalmology Jun 2024To evaluate the predictive factors of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) with poor response to three loading doses of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB).
PURPOSE
To evaluate the predictive factors of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) with poor response to three loading doses of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB).
METHODS
A retrospective cohort study was performed on nAMD patients three loading IVB initial treatment. The patients were divided into two groups, without residual fluid on optical coherence tomography (OCT) images (Group 1) and with residual fluid (Group 2). Demographic data, OCT findings, and morphological features of macular neovascularization (MNV) in optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) were recorded.
RESULTS
The study included one hundred thirty-six eyes of 120 patients (Group 1: n = 66 eyes, Group 2: n = 70 eyes). Central macular thickness, presence of intraretinal fluid, subretinal fluid, hyperreflective foci-band, pigment epithelial detachment (PED), and prechoroidal cleft were similar between the two groups. Pre-injection central choroidal thickness (CCT) was 214.17 ± 50.28 µm in Group 1 and 247.40 ± 60.55 µm in Group 2 (p = 0.021). PED width (p = 0.028) and PED area (p = 0.042) were statistically significantly higher in Group 1. When the morphology of MNV in OCTA was examined, branching (p = 0.736), loops (p = 0.442), peripheral arcade (p = 0.600), hypointense halo (p = 0.779), sea fan (p = 0.250), medusa (p = 0.255), pruned vascular tree pattern (p = 0.148), capillary fringe (p = 0.683) were similar in both groups. The presence of a closed circuit pattern was significantly higher in Group 2 (p = 0.028).
CONCLUSION
Initial CCT and closed circuit pattern MNV were higher in IVB-resistant cases. It was observed that PEDs with large bases and areas responded significantly better to loading therapy. The presence of a closed-circuit pattern was an independent risk factor for poor response to loading therapy. Retrospectively registered.
REGISTRATION NUMBER
2011-KAEK-25 2023/05-08.
Topics: Humans; Retrospective Studies; Male; Angiogenesis Inhibitors; Female; Intravitreal Injections; Tomography, Optical Coherence; Bevacizumab; Aged; Fluorescein Angiography; Visual Acuity; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; Wet Macular Degeneration; Fundus Oculi; Aged, 80 and over; Macula Lutea; Follow-Up Studies; Middle Aged
PubMed: 38913217
DOI: 10.1007/s10792-024-03198-3 -
Journal of Visualized Experiments : JoVE Jun 2024High throughput image-based phenotyping is a powerful tool to non-invasively determine the development and performance of plants under specific conditions over time. By...
High throughput image-based phenotyping is a powerful tool to non-invasively determine the development and performance of plants under specific conditions over time. By using multiple imaging sensors, many traits of interest can be assessed, including plant biomass, photosynthetic efficiency, canopy temperature, and leaf reflectance indices. Plants are frequently exposed to multiple stresses under field conditions where severe heat waves, flooding, and drought events seriously threaten crop productivity. When stresses coincide, resulting effects on plants can be distinct due to synergistic or antagonistic interactions. To elucidate how potato plants respond to single and combined stresses that resemble naturally occurring stress scenarios, five different treatments were imposed on a selected potato cultivar (Solanum tuberosum L., cv. Lady Rosetta) at the onset of tuberization, i.e. control, drought, heat, waterlogging, and combinations of heat, drought, and waterlogging stresses. Our analysis shows that waterlogging stress had the most detrimental effect on plant performance, leading to fast and drastic physiological responses related to stomatal closure, including a reduction in the quantum yield and efficiency of photosystem II and an increase in canopy temperature and water index. Under heat and combined stress treatments, the relative growth rate was reduced in the early phase of stress. Under drought and combined stresses, plant volume and photosynthetic performance dropped with an increased temperature and stomata closure in the late phase of stress. The combination of optimized stress treatment under defined environmental conditions together with selected phenotyping protocols allowed to reveal the dynamics of morphological and physiological responses to single and combined stresses. Here, a useful tool is presented for plant researchers looking to identify plant traits indicative of resilience to several climate change-related stresses.
Topics: Solanum tuberosum; Phenotype; Stress, Physiological; Droughts; High-Throughput Screening Assays
PubMed: 38912820
DOI: 10.3791/66255 -
Frontiers in Plant Science 2024Manganese (Mn) plays a pivotal role in plant growth and development. Aside aiding in plant growth and development, Mn as heavy metal (HM) can be toxic in soil when...
Metabolomics and physio-chemical analyses of mulberry plants leaves response to manganese deficiency and toxicity reveal key metabolites and their pathways in manganese tolerance.
INTRODUCTION
Manganese (Mn) plays a pivotal role in plant growth and development. Aside aiding in plant growth and development, Mn as heavy metal (HM) can be toxic in soil when applied in excess. is an economically significant plant, capable of adapting to a range of environmental conditions and possessing the potential for phytoremediation of contaminated soil by HMs. The mechanism by which tolerates Mn stresses remains obscure.
METHODS
In this study, Mn concentrations comprising sufficiency (0.15 mM), higher regimes (1.5 mM and 3 mM), and deficiency (0 mM and 0.03 mM), were applied to in pot treatment for 21 days to understand Mn tolerance. Mn stress effects on the net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs), transpiration rate (Tr), intercellular CO concentration (Ci), chlorophyll content, plant morphological traits, enzymatic and non-enzymatic parameters were analyzed as well as metabolome signatures via non-targeted LC-MS technique.
RESULTS
Mn deficiency and toxicity decrease plant biomass, Pn, Ci, Gs, Tr, and chlorophyll content. Mn stresses induced a decline in the activities of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), while peroxidase (POD) activity, and leaf Mn content, increased. Soluble sugars, soluble proteins, malondialdehyde (MDA) and proline exhibited an elevation in Mn deficiency and toxicity concentrations. Metabolomic analysis indicates that Mn concentrations induced 1031 differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs), particularly amino acids, lipids, carbohydrates, benzene and derivatives and secondary metabolites. The DEMs are significantly enriched in alpha-linolenic acid metabolism, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, galactose metabolism, pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis, pentose phosphate pathway, carbon metabolism, etc.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
The upregulation of Galactinol, Myo-inositol, Jasmonic acid, L-aspartic acid, Coproporphyrin I, Trigonelline, Pantothenol, and Pantothenate and their significance in the metabolic pathways makes them Mn stress tolerance metabolites in . Our findings reveal the fundamental understanding of DEMs in 's response to Mn nutrition and the metabolic mechanisms involved, which may hold potential significance for the advancement of genetic improvement initiatives and phytoremediation programs.
PubMed: 38911982
DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1349456