scholarly journals Enniatin Production Influences Fusarium avenaceum Virulence on Potato Tubers, but not on Durum Wheat or Peas

Pathogens ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anas Eranthodi ◽  
Danielle Schneiderman ◽  
Linda J. Harris ◽  
Thomas E. Witte ◽  
Amanda Sproule ◽  
...  

Fusarium avenaceum is a generalist pathogen responsible for diseases in numerous crop species. The fungus produces a series of mycotoxins including the cyclohexadepsipeptide enniatins. Mycotoxins can be pathogenicity and virulence factors in various plant–pathogen interactions, and enniatins have been shown to influence aggressiveness on potato tubers. To determine the role of these mycotoxins in other F. avenaceum–host interactions, ENNIATIN SYNTHASE 1 (ESYN1) disruption and overexpression mutants were generated and their ability to infect wheat and peas investigated. As a preliminary study, the transformants were screened for their ability to cause potato tuber necrosis and, consistent with a previous report, enniatin production increased necrotic lesion size on the tubers. By contrast, when the same mutants were assessed in their ability to cause disease in pea roots or durum wheat spikes, no changes in disease symptoms or virulence were observed. While it is known that, at least in the case of wheat, exogenously applied enniatins can cause tissue necrosis, this group of mycotoxins does not appear to be a key factor on its own in disease development on peas or durum wheat.

mSphere ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie M. Callaghan ◽  
Joseph P. Dillard

ABSTRACT The work presented by Audry et al. (M. Audry, C. Robbe-Masselot, J.-P. Barnier, B. Gachet, et al., mSphere 4:e00494-19, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1128/mSphere.00494-19) gives new insight into the interactions of Neisseria meningitidis and the human nasopharynx. Using an air interface tissue culture model of a polarized, mucus-secreting epithelium, Audry et al. demonstrate that N. meningitidis bacteria do not commonly invade epithelial cells. Rather, they are trapped in the mucus layer, where they are protected from dessication. In this model, meningicocci fail to elicit a pro-inflammatory immune response and show growth effects in response to another nasopharyngeal colonizer, Streptococcus mitis. These findings prompt new questions about pathobiont behaviors, the role of mucus in bacterium-host interactions, and modeling human infection.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (15) ◽  
pp. 7765
Author(s):  
Youichirou Higashi ◽  
Takaaki Aratake ◽  
Takahiro Shimizu ◽  
Shogo Shimizu ◽  
Motoaki Saito

Stroke is a major cause of death worldwide, leading to serious disability. Post-ischemic injury, especially in the cerebral ischemia-prone hippocampus, is a serious problem, as it contributes to vascular dementia. Many studies have shown that in the hippocampus, ischemia/reperfusion induces neuronal death through oxidative stress and neuronal zinc (Zn2+) dyshomeostasis. Glutathione (GSH) plays an important role in protecting neurons against oxidative stress as a major intracellular antioxidant. In addition, the thiol group of GSH can function as a principal Zn2+ chelator for the maintenance of Zn2+ homeostasis in neurons. These lines of evidence suggest that neuronal GSH levels could be a key factor in post-stroke neuronal survival. In neurons, excitatory amino acid carrier 1 (EAAC1) is involved in the influx of cysteine, and intracellular cysteine is the rate-limiting substrate for the synthesis of GSH. Recently, several studies have indicated that cysteine uptake through EAAC1 suppresses ischemia-induced neuronal death via the promotion of hippocampal GSH synthesis in ischemic animal models. In this article, we aimed to review and describe the role of GSH in hippocampal neuroprotection after ischemia/reperfusion, focusing on EAAC1.


Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 766
Author(s):  
David F. Woods ◽  
Stephanie Flynn ◽  
Jose A. Caparrós-Martín ◽  
Stephen M. Stick ◽  
F. Jerry Reen ◽  
...  

The study of the respiratory microbiota has revealed that the lungs of healthy and diseased individuals harbour distinct microbial communities. Imbalances in these communities can contribute to the pathogenesis of lung disease. How these imbalances occur and establish is largely unknown. This review is focused on the genetically inherited condition of Cystic Fibrosis (CF). Understanding the microbial and host-related factors that govern the establishment of chronic CF lung inflammation and pathogen colonisation is essential. Specifically, dissecting the interplay in the inflammation–pathogen–host axis. Bile acids are important host derived and microbially modified signal molecules that have been detected in CF lungs. These bile acids are associated with inflammation and restructuring of the lung microbiota linked to chronicity. This community remodelling involves a switch in the lung microbiota from a high biodiversity/low pathogen state to a low biodiversity/pathogen-dominated state. Bile acids are particularly associated with the dominance of Proteobacterial pathogens. The ability of bile acids to impact directly on both the lung microbiota and the host response offers a unifying principle underpinning the pathogenesis of CF. The modulating role of bile acids in lung microbiota dysbiosis and inflammation could offer new potential targets for designing innovative therapeutic approaches for respiratory disease.


Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Maia Acuña ◽  
Lucile Maria Floeter-Winter ◽  
Sandra Marcia Muxel

An inflammatory response is essential for combating invading pathogens. Several effector components, as well as immune cell populations, are involved in mounting an immune response, thereby destroying pathogenic organisms such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. In the past decade, microRNAs (miRNAs), a group of noncoding small RNAs, have emerged as functionally significant regulatory molecules with the significant capability of fine-tuning biological processes. The important role of miRNAs in inflammation and immune responses is highlighted by studies in which the regulation of miRNAs in the host was shown to be related to infectious diseases and associated with the eradication or susceptibility of the infection. Here, we review the biological aspects of microRNAs, focusing on their roles as regulators of gene expression during pathogen–host interactions and their implications in the immune response against Leishmania, Trypanosoma, Toxoplasma, and Plasmodium infectious diseases.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 5861
Author(s):  
Marianne Pedinotti-Castelle ◽  
Pierre-Olivier Pineau ◽  
Kathleen Vaillancourt ◽  
Ben Amor

Transportation is a key factor in the fight against climate change. Consumer behavior changes in transportation are underrepresented in energy policies, even if they could be essential to achieve the fixed GHG emission reduction targets. To help quantify the role of behaviors in energy transition and their implications on the dynamics of an energy system, this study is conducted using the North American TIMES Energy Model, adapted to Quebec (Canada). A behavioral disruption scenario (an increase in carpooling) is introduced in the model’s transportation sector and is compared to a massive electrification scenario. Our results highlight the fact that a behavioral disruption can lead to the same GHG emission reductions (65%) by 2050 as an electrification policy, while alleviating different efforts (such as additional electrical capacity and additional costs) associated with massive electrification. Moreover, the results are sensitive to behavior-related parameters, such as social discount rates and car lifetimes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 2177
Author(s):  
Shulamit B. Wallach-Dayan ◽  
Dmytro Petukhov ◽  
Ronit Ahdut-HaCohen ◽  
Mark Richter-Dayan ◽  
Raphael Breuer

By dint of the aging population and further deepened with the Covid-19 pandemic, lung disease has turned out to be a major cause of worldwide morbidity and mortality. The condition is exacerbated when the immune system further attacks the healthy, rather than the diseased, tissue within the lung. Governed by unremittingly proliferating mesenchymal cells and increased collagen deposition, if inflammation persists, as frequently occurs in aging lungs, the tissue develops tumors and/or turns into scars (fibrosis), with limited regenerative capacity and organ failure. Fas ligand (FasL, a ligand of the Fas cell death receptor) is a key factor in the regulation of these processes. FasL is primarily found in two forms: full length (membrane, or mFasL) and cleaved (soluble, or sFasL). We and others found that T-cells expressing the mFasL retain autoimmune surveillance that controls mesenchymal, as well as tumor cell accumulation following an inflammatory response. However, mesenchymal cells from fibrotic lungs, tumor cells, or cells from immune-privileged sites, resist FasL+ T-cell-induced cell death. The mechanisms involved are a counterattack of immune cells by FasL, by releasing a soluble form of FasL that competes with the membrane version, and inhibits their cell death, promoting cell survival. This review focuses on understanding the previously unrecognized role of FasL, and in particular its soluble form, sFasL, in the serum of aged subjects, and its association with the evolution of lung disease, paving the way to new methods of diagnosis and treatment.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 185
Author(s):  
Nadežda Jankelová ◽  
Zuzana Joniaková ◽  
Juraj Mišún

The aim of our paper is to examine whether the support of innovative work behavior by management is positively related to business performance and at the same time, whether this relationship is mediated by the teamwork climate and cognitive diversity of teams. Cognitive diversity is defined as differences in knowledge and perspective, which arise from professional diversity and account for its positive effects. A teamwork climate represents staff perceptions of collaboration between personnel. Business performance is defined by the level of sales. Our sample consisted of 211 managers of companies operating in Slovakia, and data collection took place in the form of a questionnaire. The main tool for examining the mechanism of operation of the investigated relationships is mediation using regression analysis and the Sobel test to determine the significance of the indirect effect of mediation variables. The findings point to a significant direct relationship between the innovative work behavior of company employees and business performance. The intensity of this relationship can be partly influenced by promoting cognitive diversity, especially in the area of knowledge and ways of thinking. The significant role of a teamwork climate was not demonstrated in the examined model.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ran Fu ◽  
Wenwen Du ◽  
Zongli Ding ◽  
Yi Wang ◽  
Yue Li ◽  
...  

AbstractNeovascularization is a key factor that contributes to tumor metastasis, and vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is an important form of neovascularization found in highly invasive tumors, including lung cancer. Despite the increasing number of studies focusing on VM, the mechanisms underlying VM formation remain unclear. Herein, our study explored the role of the HIF-1α/NRP1 axis in mediating lung adenocarcinoma metastasis and VM formation. HIF-1α, NRP1 expression, and VM in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) patient samples were examined by immunohistochemical staining. Quantitative real-time (qRT-PCR), western blot, transwell assay, wound healing assay, and tube formation assay were performed to verify the role of HIF-1α/NRP1 axis in LUAD metastasis and VM formation. ChIP and luciferase reporter assay were used to confirm whether NRP1 is a direct target of HIF-1α. In LUAD tissues, we confirmed a positive relationship between HIF-1α and NRP1 expression. Importantly, high HIF-1α and NRP1 expression and the presence of VM were correlated with poor prognosis. We also found that HIF-1α could induce LUAD cell migration, invasion, and VM formation by regulating NRP1. Moreover, we demonstrated that HIF-1α can directly bind to the NRP1 promoter located between −2009 and −2017 of the promoter. Mechanistically, MMP2, VE-cadherin, and Vimentin expression were affected. HIF-1α plays an important role in inducing lung adenocarcinoma cell metastasis and VM formation via upregulation of NRP1. This study highlights the potential therapeutic value of targeting NRP1 for suppressing lung adenocarcinoma metastasis and progression.


Author(s):  
Jessica Bowie ◽  
Oliver Brunckhorst ◽  
Robert Stewart ◽  
Prokar Dasgupta ◽  
Kamran Ahmed

Abstract Purpose Body image, self-esteem, and masculinity are three interconnected constructs in men with prostate cancer, with profound effects on quality of life. This meta-synthesis aimed to evaluate all known qualitative studies published studying the effect of prostate cancer on these constructs. Methods A systematic review utilising PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO databases up to May 2020 was conducted in line with PRISMA and ENTREQ guidelines. All qualitative studies of men’s experiences with body image, self-esteem, and masculinity whilst living with prostate cancer were included. A thematic meta-synthesis was conducted to identify emergent descriptive and analytical themes under the main study constructs. Results Of 2188 articles identified, 68 were included. Eight descriptive themes were identified under two analytical themes: ‘Becoming a Prostate Cancer Patient’ and ‘Becoming a Prostate Cancer Survivor’. These described the distress caused by changes to body image, sexual functioning, sense of masculinity, and self-esteem, and the subsequent discourses men engaged with to cope with and manage their disease. A key element was increased flexibility in masculinity definitions, and finding other ways to re-affirm masculinity. Conclusions Prostate cancer has an important effect on men’s health post-diagnosis, and we identified strong relationships between each construct evaluated. The role of hegemonic masculinity is important when considering men’s coping mechanisms and is also a key factor when addressing these constructs in counselling post-treatment. Implications for Cancer Survivors This meta-synthesis provides key topics that uniquely affect prostate cancer survivors, enabling these patients to be effectively counselled, and have their concerns recognised by clinicians.


Plant Disease ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 101 (10) ◽  
pp. 1788-1794 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noel L. Knight ◽  
Bethany Macdonald ◽  
Mark W. Sutherland

Fusarium crown rot is a significant disease of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum), which exhibits high levels of disease susceptibility. The most extreme symptom of crown rot is a prematurely senescing culm that typically fails to set grain. Individual crown rot-affected durum wheat plants displaying both nonsenescent and prematurely senescent culms were harvested to compare visual discoloration, Fusarium pseudograminearum biomass, and vascular colonization in culm sections sampled at three different heights above the crown. Field samples of EGA Bellaroi were collected at Wellcamp, QLD, in 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014, and of Hyperno at Narrabri, NSW, in 2014. Prematurely senescent culms exhibited greater visual discoloration, F. pseudograminearum biomass, and vascular colonization than nonsenescent culms in each year they were examined. The extent of these differences varied between environments and timing of collection in each year. Vascular colonization initially occurred in xylem vessels and spread into phloem tissues as disease severity increased. The increased presence of hyphae in vascular bundles of prematurely senescing culms provides strong evidence for the hypothesis that restriction of water and nutrient movement in a diseased culm is a key factor in crown rot severity.


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