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Plant Biology (Stuttgart, Germany) Jun 2024The flower perianth has various, non-mutually exclusive functions, such as visual signalling to pollinators and protecting the reproductive organs from the elements and...
The flower perianth has various, non-mutually exclusive functions, such as visual signalling to pollinators and protecting the reproductive organs from the elements and from florivores, but how different perianth structures and their different sides play a role in these functions is unclear. Intriguingly, in many species there is a clear colour difference between the different sides of the perianth, with colour patterns or pigmentation present on only one side. Any adaptive benefit from such colour asymmetry is unclear, as is how the asymmetry evolved. In this viewpoint paper, we address the phenomenon of flowers with differently coloured inner and outer perianth sides, focusing on petals of erect flowers. Guided by existing literature and our own observations, we delineate three non-mutually exclusive evolutionary hypotheses that may explain the factors underlying differently coloured perianth sides. The pollen-protection hypothesis predicts that the outer side of petals contributes to protect pollen against UV radiation, especially during the bud stage. The herbivore-avoidance hypothesis predicts that the outer side of petals reduces the flower's visibility to herbivores. The signalling-to-pollinators hypothesis predicts that flower colours evolve to increase conspicuousness to pollinators. The pollen-protection hypothesis, the herbivore-avoidance hypothesis, and the signalling-to-pollinators hypothesis generate largely but not entirely overlapping predictions about the colour of the inner and outer side of the petals. Field and laboratory research is necessary to disentangle the main drivers and adaptive significance of inner-outer petal side colour asymmetry.
PubMed: 38935692
DOI: 10.1111/plb.13680 -
Molecular Biology and Evolution Jun 2024Segregation distorters (SDs) are genetic elements that distort the Mendelian segregation ratio to favor their own transmission and are able to spread even when they...
Segregation distorters (SDs) are genetic elements that distort the Mendelian segregation ratio to favor their own transmission and are able to spread even when they incur fitness costs on organisms carrying them. Depending on the biology of the host organisms and the genetic architecture of the SDs, the population dynamics of SDs can be highly variable. Inbreeding is considered an effective mechanism for inhibiting the spread of SDs in populations, and can evolve as a defense mechanism against SDs in some systems. However, we show that inbreeding in the form of selfing, in fact promotes the spread of SDs acting as pollen killers in a toxin-antidote system in hermaphroditic plants by two mechanisms: (1) By reducing the effective recombination rate between killer and antidote loci in two-locus systems and (2) by increasing the proportion of SD alleles in individual flowers, rather than in the general gene-pool. We also show that in rice (Oryza sativa L.), a typical hermaphroditic plant, all molecularly characterized SDs associated with pollen killing were involved in population hybridization and have introgressed across different species. Paradoxically, these loci, which are associated with hybrid incompatibility and can be thought of as Bateson-Dobzhansky-Muller incompatibility loci expected to reduce gene-flow between species, in fact cross species boundaries more frequently than random loci and may act as important drivers of introgression.
PubMed: 38935581
DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msae132 -
Expert Review of Clinical Immunology Jun 2024Administrationof allergen mixtures of many components comprises the most common approach forAmerican allergists regarding the management of polyallergic patients....
BACKGROUND
Administrationof allergen mixtures of many components comprises the most common approach forAmerican allergists regarding the management of polyallergic patients. Europeanallergists, however, are more reluctant to this type of treatment due to thepotential drawbacks of mixing extracts.
RESEARCH DESIGNAND METHODS
To assess theefficacy and safety of subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) with polymerizedallergen mixtures without dilutional effect in polyallergic patients.Thisobservational, prospective, multicenter study included patients (between 5-60 years) with respiratory allergic diseases that had been prescribed with SCITwith mixtures of two pollen or mite extracts. Changesin Symptoms and Medication Score (SMS) and in rhinitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ), subjective clinicalimprovement, treatment satisfaction and tolerability were assessed after the1-year treatment.
RESULTS
115 patientswere included in the assessment. Mean global SMS decreased from 3.5 (SD = 1.1) to1.6 (SD = 1.2) points, with a meanabsolute reduction of 1.6 (SD = 1.3) points in the RQLQ score ( < 0.001, Wilcoxon test). General subjective clinical improvements anda good treatment satisfaction and tolerability were observed.
CONCLUSION
SCIT with polymerizedallergen mixtures from either pollen or mite extracts proved to be an effectiveand safe treatment option for polyallergic patients suffering from allergicrespiratory diseases.
PubMed: 38934292
DOI: 10.1080/1744666X.2024.2373886 -
International Journal of Urology :... Jun 2024Benign prostatic hyperplasia, a prevalent condition in aging men, is characterized by the proliferation of prostatic epithelial and stromal cells, which leads to bladder... (Review)
Review
Benign prostatic hyperplasia, a prevalent condition in aging men, is characterized by the proliferation of prostatic epithelial and stromal cells, which leads to bladder outlet obstruction and the exacerbation of lower urinary tract symptoms. There is increasing evidence that chronic prostatic inflammation contributes to the pathogenesis and progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia. This review explores the complex relationship between chronic inflammation and benign prostatic hyperplasia, focusing on the underlying mechanisms, clinical implications, and current therapeutic approaches. The pathophysiology of benign prostatic hyperplasia is multifaceted, involving factors such as hormonal changes, hypoxia, urine reflux into prostatic ducts and stroma, autoimmune responses, and infection-induced inflammation. Inflammatory cytokines, particularly interleukin-17 and interleukin-8, may play key roles in tissue remodeling and smooth muscle contraction within the prostate, thereby influencing benign prostatic hyperplasia progression. Current therapies for benign prostatic hyperplasia include α1-blockers, phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors, 5α-reductase inhibitors, and plant-based treatments (e.g., pollen extract). These therapies aim to alleviate symptoms by reducing prostatic inflammation, improving blood flow, and inhibiting hormonal pathways involved in prostatic enlargement. However, patients with chronic prostatic inflammation often experience more severe lower urinary tract symptoms and may be resistant to conventional treatments. This resistance has prompted the exploration of alternative therapies targeting inflammation. Chronic prostatic inflammation plays a central role in the pathogenesis and severity of benign prostatic hyperplasia. An understanding of its mechanisms will enable the development of more effective treatments to improve the quality of life among patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.
PubMed: 38934050
DOI: 10.1111/iju.15518 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2024Allergic sensitization is an essential step in the development of allergic airway inflammation to birch pollen (BP); however, this process remains to be fully...
INTRODUCTION & OBJECTIVE
Allergic sensitization is an essential step in the development of allergic airway inflammation to birch pollen (BP); however, this process remains to be fully elucidated. Recent scientific advances have highlighted the importance of the allergen context. In this regard, microbial patterns (PAMPs) present on BP have attracted increasing interest. As these PAMPs are recognized by specialized pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), this study aims at investigating the roles of intracellular PRRs and the inflammasome regulator NLRP3.
METHODS
We established a physiologically relevant intranasal and adjuvant-free sensitization procedure to study BP-induced systemic and local lung inflammation.
RESULTS
Strikingly, BP-sensitized -deficient mice showed significantly lower IgE levels, Th2-associated cytokines, cell infiltration into the lung, mucin production and epithelial thickening than their wild-type counterparts, which appears to be independent of inflammasome formation. Intriguingly, bone-marrow chimera revealed that expression of NLRP3 in the hematopoietic system is required to trigger an allergic response.
CONCLUSION
Overall, this study identifies NLRP3 as an important driver of BP-induced allergic immune responses.
Topics: Animals; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein; Pollen; Betula; Mice; Mice, Knockout; Administration, Intranasal; Allergens; Disease Models, Animal; Inflammasomes; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Cytokines; Hypersensitivity; Plant Extracts; Immunoglobulin E
PubMed: 38933263
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1393819 -
Ecology and Evolution Jun 2024A new species of the extant staphylinid genus Moore & Legner, sp. nov., is reported from mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber of northern Myanmar. is distinguishable from...
A new species of the extant staphylinid genus Moore & Legner, sp. nov., is reported from mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber of northern Myanmar. is distinguishable from extant members of by the smoother dorsal surface of head, pronotum and elytra, less prominent median projection of clypeus, unnotched mesal edge of mandibles, semiglabrous antennomere 6, and longer tarsomere 1. The pollen-containing coprolite attached to the beetle and the crystals within the beetle body provide valuable information about the biology and taphonomy of the fossil.
PubMed: 38932960
DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11487 -
Vaccines Jun 2024Currently, allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) for ragweed allergy is still based on natural allergen extracts. This study aimed to analyse the ability of four...
Currently, allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) for ragweed allergy is still based on natural allergen extracts. This study aimed to analyse the ability of four commercially available AIT vaccines (CLUSTOID, TYRO-SIT, POLLINEX Quattro Plus and Diater Depot) regarding their ability to induce IgG antibodies against ragweed pollen allergens in rabbits. Accordingly, the IgG reactivity of AIT-induced rabbit sera was tested for ten different ragweed pollen allergens (Amb a 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12) by an ELISA. Furthermore, the ability of rabbit AIT-specific sera to block allergic patients' IgE binding to relevant ragweed allergens (Amb a 1, 4, 6, 8 and 11) and to inhibit allergen-induced basophil activation was evaluated by an IgE inhibition ELISA and a mediator release assay. Only two AIT vaccines (Diater Depot > CLUSTOID) induced relevant IgG antibody levels to the major ragweed allergen Amb a 1. The IgG responses induced by the AIT vaccines against the other ragweed allergens were low and highly heterogeneous. Interestingly, the kinetics of IgG responses were different among the AIT vaccines and even within one AIT vaccine (Diater Depot) for Amb a 1 (long-lasting) versus Amb a 8 and Amb a 11 (short-lived). This could be due to variations in allergen contents, the immunogenicity of the allergens, and different immunization protocols. The IgE inhibition experiments showed that rabbit AIT-specific sera containing high allergen-specific IgG levels were able to inhibit patients' IgE binding and prevent the mediator release with Diater Depot. The high levels of allergen-specific IgG levels were associated with their ability to prevent the recognition of allergens by patients' IgE and allergen-induced basophil activation, indicating that the measurement of allergen-induced IgG could be a useful surrogate marker for the immunological efficacy of vaccines. Accordingly, the results of our study may be helpful for the selection of personalized AIT vaccination strategies for ragweed-allergic patients.
PubMed: 38932364
DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12060635 -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024As a growing part of the world population is suffering from pollen-induced allergies, increasing the number of pollen monitoring stations and developing new dedicated...
As a growing part of the world population is suffering from pollen-induced allergies, increasing the number of pollen monitoring stations and developing new dedicated measurement networks has become a necessity. To this purpose, Beenose, a new automatic and relatively low-cost sensor, was developed to characterize and quantify the pollinic content of the air using multiangle light scattering. A field campaign was conducted at four locations around Brussels, Belgium, during summer 2022 and winter-spring 2023. First, the consistency was assessed between the automatic sensor and a collocated reference Hirst-type trap deployed at Ixelles, south-east of Brussels. Daily average total pollen concentrations provided by the two instruments showed a mean error of about 15%. Daily average pollen concentrations were also checked for a selection of pollen species and revealed Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients ranging from 0.71 to 0.93. Subsequently, a study on the spatial variability of the pollen content around Brussels was conducted with Beenose sensors. The temporal evolution of daily average total pollen concentrations recorded at four sites were compared and showed strong variations from one location to another, up to a factor 10 over no more than a few kilometers apart. This variation is a consequence of multiple factors such as the local vegetation, the wind directions, the altitude of the measurement station, and the topology of the city. It is therefore highly necessary to multiply the number of measurement stations per city for a better evaluation of human exposure to pollen allergens and for more enhanced pollen allergy management.
Topics: Pollen; Belgium; Environmental Monitoring; Allergens; Seasons; Humans; Air Pollutants; Cities
PubMed: 38931513
DOI: 10.3390/s24123731 -
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Bee-collected pollen (BCP) and bee bread (BB) are honey bee products known for their beneficial biological properties. The main goal of this study was to investigate BB...
Bee-collected pollen (BCP) and bee bread (BB) are honey bee products known for their beneficial biological properties. The main goal of this study was to investigate BB microbiota and its contribution to bioactivity exerted by BB. The microbiota of BB samples collected at different maturation stages was investigated via culture-independent (Next Generation Sequencing, NGS) and culture-dependent methods. Microbial communities dynamically fluctuate during BB maturation, ending in a stable microbial community structure in mature BB. Bee bread bacterial isolates were tested for phenotypes and genes implicated in the production and secretion of enzymes as well as antibacterial activity. Out of 309 bacterial isolates, 41 secreted hemicellulases, 13 cellulases, 39 amylases, 132 proteinases, 85 Coomassie brilliant blue G or R dye-degrading enzymes and 72 Malachite Green dye-degrading enzymes. Furthermore, out of 309 bacterial isolates, 42 exhibited antibacterial activity against , 34 against , 47 against ser. Typhimurium and 43 against . Artificially fermented samples exerted higher antibacterial activity compared to fresh BCP, strongly indicating that BB microbiota contribute to BB antibacterial activity. Our findings suggest that BB microbiota is an underexplored source of novel antimicrobial agents and enzymes that could lead to new applications in medicine and the food industry.
PubMed: 38931428
DOI: 10.3390/ph17060761 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Ogura cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is considered the rapeseed ( L.) with the most potential to be utilized as a heterosis system worldwide, but it lacks sufficient...
Ogura cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is considered the rapeseed ( L.) with the most potential to be utilized as a heterosis system worldwide, but it lacks sufficient restorers. In this study, root tip cell (RTC) mitotic and pollen mother cell (PMC) meiosis observations were compared to ensure the number of chromosomes and the formation of a chromosomal bridge using restorer lines R2000, CLR650, and Zhehuhong (a new restorer) as the experimental material. Further, molecular markers of exogenous chromosomal fragments were detected and the sequence and expression differences of restorer genes in the three lines were determined to identify the distinctive characteristics of Zhehuhong. The results showed that the number of chromosomes in Zhehuhong was stable (2n = 38), indicating that the exogenous radish chromosome segment had been integrated into the chromosome of Zhehuhong. Molecular marker detection revealed that Zhehuhong was detected at most loci, with only the RMA05 locus being missed. The exogenous radish chromosome segment of Zhehuhong differed from R2000 and CLR650. The pollen mother cells of Zhehuhong showed chromosome lagging in the meiotic metaphase I, meiotic anaphase I, and meiotic anaphase II, which was consistent with R2000 and CLR650. The restorer gene in Zhehuhong had 85 SNPs compared with R2000 and 119 SNPs compared with CLR650, indicating the distinctive characteristic of in Zhehuhong. In terms of the spatial expression of , the highest level was detected in the anthers in the three restorer lines. In addition, in terms of temporal expression, the gene expression of Zhehuhong was highest at a bud length of 4 mm. Our results clearly indicated that Zhehuhong is a new restorer line for the Ogura CMS system, which can be used further in rapeseed heterosis utilization.
PubMed: 38931135
DOI: 10.3390/plants13121703