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Candida glabrata is an opportunistic human pathogen, capable of causing severe systemic infections that are often resistant to standard antifungal treatments. To understand the importance of protein SUMOylation in the physiology and pathogenesis of C. glabrata, we earlier identified the components of SUMOylation pathway and demonstrated that the deSUMOylase CgUlp2 is essential for pathogenesis. In this work we show that the CgUlp2 is essential to maintain protein homeostasis via the SUMO-targeted ubiquitin ligase pathway. The dual loss of deSUMOylase and specific ubiquitin ligase, CgSlx8, results in heightened protein degradation, rendering the cells vulnerable to various stressors. This degradation affects crucial processes such as purine biosynthesis and compromises mitochondrial function in the mutants. Importantly, the absence of these ubiquitin ligases impedes the proliferation of C. glabrata in macrophages. These findings underscore the significance of SUMOylation and SUMO-mediated protein homeostasis as pivotal regulators of C. glabrata physiology and capacity to survive in host cells. Understanding these mechanisms could pave the way for the development of effective antifungal treatments. Author summary: Opportunistic fungal infections are a major cause of mortality across the world. There are a limited number of antifungal drugs and many fungi are resistant to one or more of these. Therefore, there is an unmet need for new antifungals. As fungi are evolutionarily close to humans, identifying targets that are unique or sufficiently different from human counterparts is crucial/ our laboratory has been investigating if the post-translational modification pathway, SUMOylation, can be an effective target. To this end, we are studying the importance of this pathway in the pathogenic yeast, Candida glabrata, which is the second most common causative agent for candidiasis. We had earlier identified the components of this pathway and showed that this reversible protein modification was important for pathogenesis. Here, we investigated the mechanistic basis of the role of SUMOylation-deSUMOylation in C. glabrata infection and find that the balanced activity of this pathway is critical to maintain protein homeostasis in the cell. Perturbation of this pathway leads to unwarranted protein degradation rendering the cell incapable of combating stress including survival in host cells. Therefore, the SUMO-mediated protein homeostasis pathway in C. glabrata could be targeted for new antifungal development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the effects of the Bacillus licheniformis (BL) ATCC 21424 strain, as a potential bacterial probiotic in broiler diets based on soybean meal (SBM) or cowpea seeds (CWP), on growth performance (GP), bone mineralization, and intestinal/fecal microbiota status (0 to 42 d age). A 2 × 2 factorial arrangement was employed in a completely randomized design, with four dietary treatments: SBM and CWP diets with or without BL supplementation (1.0 × 1011 CFU spores g−1 feed). A total of 480 one-day-old mixed-sex Ross 308 broiler chickens were randomly assigned to the treatments, with 6 pens of 20 chicks each. The results showed that broilers fed with CWP diets showed comparable body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), and feed conversion rate to those fed the SBM diet (p > 0.05). The inclusion of BL improved BWG during the grower and finisher periods (p = 0.01) and overall study (p < 0.001), resulting in a numerical increase in FI (p = 0.054). In addition, BL in birds' diets reduced abdominal fat (p = 0.032) and influenced cecum weight (p = 0.040). Additionally, BL improved tibia iron (Fe) and phosphorus (P) bone mineralization and reduced the calcium–phosphorus (Ca:P) ratio (p = 0.0001). Microbial analysis revealed that BL inclusion decreased Coliforms counts in the CWP diet (p = 0.073), reduced E. coli in the ileum (p ≤ 0.05), and lowered Clostridium spp. and Enterococcus spp. in the cecum broilers on SBM diets (p ≤ 0.05). The presence of Staphylococcus spp. in broiler feces was also reduced in both SBM and CWP groups (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the addition of BL to broiler diets enhanced growth performance and bone mineralization and positively influenced gut and excreta bacterial populations in both SBM and CWP diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cotton is often threatened by Verticillium wilt caused by V. dahliae. Understanding the molecular mechanism of V. dahlia–cotton interaction is important for the prevention of this disease. To analyze the transcriptome profiles in V. dahliae and cotton simultaneously, the strongly pathogenic strain Vd592 was inoculated into cotton, and the infected cotton roots at 36 h and 3 d post infection were subjected to dual RNA-seq analysis. For the V. dahliae, transcriptomic analysis identified 317 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) encoding classical secreted proteins, which were up-regulated at least at one time point during infection. The 317 DEGs included 126 carbohydrate-active enzyme (CAZyme) and 108 small cysteine-rich protein genes. A pectinesterase gene (VDAG_01782) belonging to CAZyme, designated as VdPE1, was selected for functional validation. VdPE1 silencing by HIGS (host-induced gene silencing) resulted in reduced disease symptoms and the increased resistance of cotton to V. dahliae. For the cotton, transcriptomic analysis found that many DEGs involved in well-known disease resistance pathways (flavonoid biosynthesis, plant hormone signaling, and plant–pathogen interaction) as well as PTI (pattern-triggered immunity) and ETI (effector-triggered immunity) processes were significantly down-regulated in infected cotton roots. The dual RNA-seq data thus potentially connected the genes encoding secreted proteins to the pathogenicity of V. dahliae, and the genes were involved in some disease resistance pathways and PTI and ETI processes for the susceptibility of cotton to V. dahliae. These findings are helpful in the further characterization of candidate genes and breeding resistant cotton varieties via genetic engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genomics has emerged as a great tool in enhancing our understanding of the biology of Verticillium species and their interactions with the host plants. Through different genomic approaches, researchers have gained insights into genes, pathways and virulence factors that play crucial roles in both Verticillium pathogenesis and the defense responses of their host organisms. This review emphasizes the significance of genomics in uncovering the mechanisms that underlie pathogenicity, virulence, and host resistance in Verticillium fungi. Our goal is to summarize recent discoveries in Verticillium research highlighting progress made in comprehending the biology and interactions of Verticillium fungi. The integration of genomics into Verticillium studies has the potential to open avenues for developing strategies to control diseases and produce crop varieties resistant to verticillium, thereby offering sustainable solutions for enhancing agricultural productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungal HacA/Hac1 transcription factors play a crucial role in regulating the unfolded protein response (UPR). The UPR helps cells to maintain endoplasmic reticulum (ER) protein homeostasis, which is critical for growth, development, and virulence. The Aspergillus flavus hacA gene encodes a domain rich in basic and acidic amino acids (Bsc) and a basic leucine zipper (bZip) domain, and features a non-conventional intron (Nt20). In this study, CRISPR/Cas9 was utilized to dissect the Bsc-coding, bZip-coding, and Nt20 sequences to elucidate the relationship between genotype and phenotype. In the Bsc and bZip experimental sets, all observed mutations in both coding sequences were in frame, suggesting that out-of-frame mutations are lethal. The survival rate of transformants in the Nt20 experiment set was low, at approximately 7%. Mutations in the intron primarily consisted of out-of-frame insertions and deletions. In addition to the wild-type-like conidial morphology, the mutants exhibited varied colony morphologies, including sclerotial, mixed (conidial and sclerotial), and mycelial morphologies. An ER stress test using dithiothreitol revealed that the sclerotial and mycelial mutants were much more sensitive than the conidial mutants. Additionally, the mycelial mutants were unable to produce aflatoxin but still produced aspergillic acid and kojic acid. RNAi experiments targeting the region encompassing Bsc and bZip indicated that transformant survival rates generally decreased, with a small number of transformants displaying phenotypic changes. Defects in the hacA gene at the DNA and transcript levels affected the survival, growth, and development of A. flavus. Thus, this gene may serve as a promising target for future host-induced gene-silencing strategies aimed at controlling infection and reducing aflatoxin contamination in crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smt3, as a small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO), play an essential role in the regulation of protein SUMOylation, and thus this process can affect various important biological functions. Here, we investigated the roles of MrSmt3 (yeast SUMO/Smt3 homologs) in the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium robertsii. Our results of subcellular localization assays demonstrated that MrSmt3 was present in the cytoplasm and nucleus, whereas MrSmt3 was largely localized in the nucleus during oxidative stress. Importantly, disruption of MrSmt3 significantly decreased the level of protein SUMOylation under heat stress. Deletion of MrSmt3 led to a significant decrease in conidial production, and increased sensitivity to various stresses, including heat, oxidative, and cell wall-disturbing agents. However, bioassays of direct injection and topical inoculation demonstrated that deletion of MrSmt3 did not affect fungal virulence. Furthermore, RNA-seq analysis identified 1,484 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of the WT and ΔMrSmt3 during conidiation, including 971 down-regulated DEGs and 513 up-regulated DEGs, and further analysis showed that the expression level of several classical conidiation-associated genes, such as transcription factor AbaA (MAA_00694), transcription factor bZIP (MAA_00888) and transcription factor Ste12 (MAA_10450), was down-regulated in the ΔMrSmt3 mutant. Specifically, the major downregulated DEGs were mainly associated with a variety of metabolic regulatory processes including metabolic process, organic substance metabolic process and primary metabolic process. Collectively, our findings highlight the important roles of the SUMO gene MrSmt3 in modulating SUMOylation, conidiation and stress response in M. robertsii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subsidence refers to the gradual lowering or sudden sinking of the ground surface and is known to impact human lives in terms of damages to the infrastructures, utility lines, and buildings as well as changes in the surficial drainage systems and groundwater conditions. The impacts of land subsidence will be greater in the future, considering the sea level rise, population growth, intensification of coastal erosion and extreme events, as well as increase in flood risk or freshwater salinization, mostly in coastal cities. The main aim of this work is to provide an open-source, peer-reviewed, and comprehensive database identifying the main and secondary causes of land subsidence in 143 coastal cities. We highlight the potential impacts of subsidence that are still unknown in some at-risk cities and non-existence of mitigation measures. The database additionally shows that mitigation measures, specifically those addressing subsidence due to groundwater extraction, have proven successful in the past. The proposed database aims to increase the knowledge on the subsidence phenomenon and also global awareness of land subsidence issues among researchers, the scientific community, stakeholders, and policymakers in terms of urban planning and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Pravnik is the property of Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of State & Law and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Bacillus cereus is a widespread environmental Gram-positive bacterium which is especially common in soil and dust. It produces two types of toxins that cause vomiting and diarrhea. At present, foodborne outbreaks due to Bacillus cereus group bacteria (especially Bacillus cereus sensu stricto) are rising, representing a serious problem in the agri-food supply chain. Methods: In this work, we analyzed 118 strains belonging to the Bacillus cereus group, isolated from several food sources, for which in vitro and in silico antibiotic resistance assessments were performed. Results: Many strains showed intermediate susceptibility to clindamycin, erythromycin, and tetracycline, suggesting an evolving acquisition of resistance against these antibiotics. Moreover, one strain showed intermediate resistance to meropenem, an antibiotic currently used to treat infections caused by Bacillus cereus. In addition to the phenotypic antimicrobial resistance profile, all strains were screened for the presence/absence of antimicrobial genes via whole-genome sequencing. There was inconsistency between the in vitro and in silico analyses, such as in the case of vancomycin, for which different isolates harbored resistance genes but, phenotypically, the same strains were sensitive. Conclusions: This would suggest that antibiotic resistance is a complex phenomenon due to a variety of genetic, epigenetic, and biochemical mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gliomas, particularly glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), are highly aggressive brain tumors that present significant challenges in oncology due to their rapid progression and resistance to conventional therapies. Despite advancements in treatment, the prognosis for patients with GBM remains poor, necessitating the exploration of novel therapeutic approaches. One such emerging strategy is the development of glioma vaccines, which aim to stimulate the immune system to target and destroy tumor cells. Aims: This review aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the current landscape of glioma vaccine development, analyzing the types of vaccines under investigation, the outcomes of clinical trials, and the challenges and opportunities associated with their implementation. The goal is to highlight the potential of glioma vaccines in advancing more effective and personalized treatments for glioma patients. Materials and Methods: This narrative review systematically assessed the role of glioma vaccines by including full‐text articles published between 2000 and 2024 in English. Databases such as PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and Scopus were searched using key terms like "glioma," "brain tumor," "glioblastoma," "vaccine," and "immunotherapy." The review incorporated both pre‐clinical and clinical studies, including descriptive studies, animal‐model studies, cohort studies, and observational studies. Exclusion criteria were applied to omit abstracts, case reports, posters, and non‐peer‐reviewed studies, ensuring the inclusion of high‐quality evidence. Results: Clinical trials investigating various glioma vaccines, including peptide‐based, DNA/RNA‐based, whole‐cell, and dendritic‐cell vaccines, have shown promising results. These vaccines demonstrated potential in extending survival rates and managing adverse events in glioma patients. However, significant challenges remain, such as therapeutic resistance due to tumor heterogeneity and immune evasion mechanisms. Moreover, the lack of standardized guidelines for evaluating vaccine responses and issues related to ethical considerations, regulatory hurdles, and vaccine acceptance among patients further complicate the implementation of glioma vaccines. Discussion: Addressing the challenges associated with glioma vaccines involves exploring combination therapies, targeted approaches, and personalized medicine. Combining vaccines with traditional therapies like radiotherapy or chemotherapy may enhance efficacy by boosting the immune system's ability to fight tumor cells. Personalized vaccines tailored to individual patient profiles present an opportunity for improved outcomes. Furthermore, global collaboration and equitable distribution are critical for ensuring access to glioma vaccines, especially in low‐ and middle‐income countries with limited healthcare resources Conclusion: Glioma vaccines represent a promising avenue in the fight against gliomas, offering hope for improving patient outcomes in a disease that is notoriously difficult to treat. Despite the challenges, continued research and the development of innovative strategies, including combination therapies and personalized approaches, are essential for overcoming current barriers and transforming the treatment landscape for glioma patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The olive tree is crucial to the Mediterranean agricultural economy but faces significant threats from climate change and soil-borne pathogens like Verticillium dahliae. This study assesses the dual role of an onion extract formulation, rich in organosulfur compounds, as both biostimulant and antifungal agent. Research was conducted across three settings: a controlled climatic chamber with non-stressed olive trees; an experimental farm with olive trees under abiotic stress; and two commercial olive orchards affected by V. dahliae. Results showed that in the climatic chamber, onion extract significantly reduced MDA levels in olive leaves, with a more pronounced reduction observed when the extract was applied by irrigation compared to foliar spray. The treatment also increased root length by up to 37.1% compared to controls. In field trials, irrigation with onion extract increased the number of new shoots by 148% and the length of shoots by 53.5%. In commercial orchards, treated trees exhibited reduced MDA levels, lower V. dahliae density, and a 26.7% increase in fruit fat content. These findings suggest that the onion extract effectively reduces oxidative stress and pathogen colonization, while enhancing plant development and fruit fat content. This supports the use of the onion extract formulation as a promising, sustainable alternative to chemical treatments for improving olive crop resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sirtuin 5 (SIRT5) is increasingly recognized as a key regulator of cellular metabolism, which is commonly dysregulated in cancer cells, resulting in enhanced proliferation and tumor progression. To investigate the clinicopathologic implications of SIRT5 dysregulation in glioblastoma, we performed comprehensive analyses of transcriptomic data and functional verifications using in vitro and in vivo glioblastoma models. We found that higher SIRT5 expression levels were associated with a favorable prognosis in glioma patients. Knockdown of SIRT5 significantly enhanced glioblastoma cell growth. Our data suggest its potential role in regulating mitochondrial metabolism in gliomas. Furthermore, SIRT5 is also significantly correlated with synaptic remodeling pathways. Our findings indicate a tumor-suppressive role for SIRT5 that extends beyond regulating cancer metabolism, by which it may function through modulating neuroplasticity. Understanding these cellular interactions provides nuanced insights into the multifaceted role of SIRT5 and the broader therapeutic implications of this for the development of novel treatment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beside climate‐change‐induced sea‐level rise (SLR), land subsidence can strongly amplify coastal risk in flood‐prone areas. Mapping and quantifying contemporary vertical land motion (VLM) at continental scales has long been a challenge due to the absence of gridded observational products covering these large domains. Here, we fill this gap by using the new European Ground Motion Service (EGMS) to assess the current state of coastal VLM in Europe. First, we compare the InSAR‐based EGMS Ortho (Level 3) with nearby global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) vertical velocity estimates and show that the geodetic reference frame used to calibrate EGMS strongly influences coastal vertical land velocity estimates at the millimeter per year level and this needs to be considered with caution. After adjusting the EGMS vertical velocity estimates to a more updated and accurate International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF2014), we performed an assessment of VLM in European low elevation coastal flood plains (CFPs). We find that nearly half of the European CFP area is, on average, subsiding at a rate faster than 1 mm/yr. More importantly, we find that urban areas and populations located in the CFP experience a near −1 mm/yr VLM on average (excluding the uplifting Fennoscandia region). For harbors, the average VLM is even larger and increases to −1.5 mm/yr on average. This demonstrates the widespread importance of continental‐scale assessments based on InSAR and GNSS to better identify areas at higher risk from relative SLR due to coastal subsidence. Plain Language Summary: Land subsidence increases the risk of flooding in low‐lying coastal zones by amplifying relative sea‐level rise (SLR). In this study, we assess for the first time current coastal land subsidence at the scale of Europe using the new Copernicus European Ground Motion Service (EGMS) that was released in 2022. Our results suggest that nearly half of the low‐lying coastal areas in Europe are currently subsiding at a rate faster than 1 mm/yr on average. We find that coastal subsidence is higher on average in areas hosting more people, urban centers and critical infrastructure. This raises concerns that coastal subsidence, and therefore relative SLR, tends to be underestimated in Europe and presumably in many other regions around the world. Our study demonstrates that emerging continental‐scale land motion services such as EGMS are useful to better characterize the issue and anticipate coastal risks and adaptation accordingly. Key Points: Continental‐scale coastal land motion assessment in Europe is performed based on the European Ground Motion Service released in 2022European flood‐prone coastal cities subside on average at 1 mm/yr (Fennoscandia excluded)The geocentric reference frame used to calibrate continental‐scale land motion affects the results for geodetic (non‐geophysical) reasons [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The obstacle associated with continuous cropping is an important problem in the production of muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.). The allelochemicals from root exudates play an active role in root–microbe communication. The primary objective of this study was to delve into the impact of root exudates and the continuous cultivation of muskmelon on the growth and colonization patterns of Trichoderma viride T23. It was observed that the root exudates of muskmelon significantly promoted mycelial growth and the sporulation of Trichoderma viride T23 at concentrations of 0.05, 0.1 g·mL−1, while at a concentration of 0.05 g·mL−1, the enzyme activities of β-glucosidase, chitinase and cellulase were 12.34, 13.23, and 17.85 U·mL−1, respectively, which were higher than those of the control. With increasing concentrations of root exudates, the hyphal growth, spore germination, and the three enzyme activities of Trichoderma viride T23 were decreased. The findings from the pot experiments revealed that the total phenolic acid content in the soil of replanted muskmelon demonstrated a trend of escalating over the course of the first growth cycle of continuous cropping to the fourth growth cycle of continuous cropping. The population density in the rhizosphere soil of Trichoderma viride T23 in the first growth cycle and the second growth cycle of continuous cropping shows a significant difference compared with other treatments, which led to statistically significant increments of stem diameter, leaf area, fresh weight, dry weight and SPAD index. It is necessary to increase the dose of the beneficial microorganism or degrade the phenolics in the rhizosphere soil to promote effectiveness while increasing the growth cycles of continuous cropping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gliomas are aggressive malignant tumors, with poor prognosis. There is an unmet need for the discovery of new, non-invasive biomarkers for differential diagnosis, prognosis, and management of brain tumors. Our objective is to validate four plasma biomarkers – glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), neurofilament light (NEFL), matrix metalloprotease 3 (MMP3) and fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) – and compare them with established brain tumor molecular markers and survival. Methods: Our cohort consisted of patients with benign and malignant brain tumors (GBM = 77, Astrocytomas = 26, Oligodendrogliomas = 23, Secondary tumors = 35, Meningiomas = 70, Schwannomas = 15, Pituitary adenomas = 15, Normal individuals = 30). For measurements, we used ultrasensitive electrochemiluminescence multiplexed immunoassays. Results: High plasma GFAP concentration was associated with GBM, low GFAP and high FABP4 were associated with meningiomas, and low GFAP and low FABP4 were associated with astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas. NEFL was associated with progression of disease. Several prognostic genetic alterations were significantly associated with all plasma biomarker levels. We found no independent associations between plasma GFAP, NEFL, FABP4 and MMP3, and overall survival. The candidate biomarkers could not reliably discriminate GBM from primary or secondary CNS lymphomas. Conclusions: GFAP, NEFL, FABP4 and MMP3 are useful for differential diagnosis and prognosis, and are associated with molecular changes in gliomas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Pravnik is the property of Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of State & Law and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The world witnessed unprecedented growth of digitalisation, especially the rise of digital banking with a more robust ecosystem. Salient discussions are widely done by consumers, marketing society, e-commerce, banking and fintech industries, regulators and literature experts. This research critically evaluates the evolution of the retail consumer behaviour model arising from digitalisation with an in-depth study of variables closely associated with consumer behaviour in the Singapore market. The research philosophy used in the current study is Critical Realism based on ontology. Descriptive research is used in the present study to examine the situation as it exists in the current state of the effects of digitalisation on consumers. The study is a cross-section analysis with a deductive approach. Data is collected through a web-based questionnaire with a sample size of 200, selected using a non-probabilistic convenience sampling method. Various statistical analysis tools, including Descriptive Analysis, ANOVA (Analysis of Variance), Pearson's correlation coefficient test and inferential statistics tools like a simple linear regression test, were applied and presented. Hypotheses related to perceived risks, perceived values, and various attributes, namely social groups, intention, attitude and emotion correlation with digital consumer purchase behaviour, are also studied and tested. The findings highlight that perceived risk, perceived values and emotion elements positively impact digital consumer behaviour. Notwithstanding that, it is pivotal to point out that these independent variables are not correlated with the rationale of consumers. Recommendations suggested providing deeper insights into measures for consumer protection against the threats of digitalisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sti1/Hop, a stress-induced co-chaperone protein, serves as a crucial link between Hsp70 and Hsp90 during cellular stress responses. Despite its importance in stress defense mechanisms, the biological role of Sti1 in Verticillium dahliae, a destructive fungal pathogen, remains largely unexplored. This study focused on identifying and characterizing Sti1 homologues in V. dahliae by comparing them to those found in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The results indicated that the VdSti1-deficient mutant displayed increased sensitivity to drugs targeting the ergosterol synthesis pathway, leading to a notable inhibition of ergosterol biosynthesis. Moreover, the mutant exhibited reduced production of microsclerotia and melanin, accompanied by decreased expression of microsclerotia and melanin-related genes VDH1, Vayg1, and VaflM. Additionally, the mutant's conidia showed more severe damage under heat shock conditions and displayed growth defects under various stressors such as temperature, SDS, and CR stress, as well as increased sensitivity to H2O2, while osmotic stress did not impact its growth. Importantly, the VdSti1-deficient mutant demonstrated significantly diminished pathogenicity compared to the wild-type strain. This study sheds light on the functional conservation and divergence of Sti1 homologues in fungal biology and underscores the critical role of VdSti1 in microsclerotia development, stress response, and pathogenicity of V. dahliae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The possibility of the differentiation of glioblastoma from traumatic brain injury through blood serum analysis by terahertz time-domain spectroscopy and machine learning was studied using a small animal model. Samples of a culture medium and a U87 human glioblastoma cell suspension in the culture medium were injected into the subcortical brain structures of groups of mice referred to as the culture medium injection groups and glioblastoma groups, accordingly. Blood serum samples were collected in the first, second, and third weeks after the injection, and their terahertz transmission spectra were measured. The injection caused acute inflammation in the brain during the first week, so the culture medium injection group in the first week of the experiment corresponded to a traumatic brain injury state. In the third week of the experiment, acute inflammation practically disappeared in the culture medium injection groups. At the same time, the glioblastoma group subjected to a U87 human glioblastoma cell injection had the largest tumor size. The THz spectra were analyzed using two dimensionality reduction algorithms (principal component analysis and t-distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding) and three classification algorithms (Support Vector Machine, Random Forest, and Extreme Gradient Boosting Machine). Constructed prediction data models were verified using 10-fold cross-validation, the receiver operational characteristic curve, and a corresponding area under the curve analysis. The proposed machine learning pipeline allowed for distinguishing the traumatic brain injury group from the glioblastoma group with 95% sensitivity, 100% specificity, and 97% accuracy with the Extreme Gradient Boosting Machine. The most informative features for these groups' differentiation were 0.37, 0.40, 0.55, 0.60, 0.70, and 0.90 THz. Thus, an analysis of mouse blood serum using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy and machine learning makes it possible to differentiate glioblastoma from traumatic brain injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apple Glomerella leaf spot (GLS) is an emerging fungal disease caused by Colletotrichum fructicola and other Colletotrichum species. These species are polyphyletic and it is currently unknown how these pathogens convergently evolved to infect apple. We generated chromosome‐level genome assemblies of a GLS‐adapted isolate and a non‐adapted isolate in C. fructicola using long‐read sequencing. Additionally, we resequenced 17 C. fructicola and C. aenigma isolates varying in GLS pathogenicity using short‐read sequencing. Genome comparisons revealed a conserved bipartite genome architecture involving minichromosomes (accessory chromosomes) shared by C. fructicola and other closely related species within the C. gloeosporioides species complex. Moreover, two repeat‐rich genomic regions (1.61 Mb in total) were specifically conserved among GLS‐pathogenic isolates in C. fructicola and C. aenigma. Single‐gene deletion of 10 accessory genes within the GLS‐specific regions of C. fructicola identified three that were essential for GLS pathogenicity. These genes encoded a putative non‐ribosomal peptide synthetase, a flavin‐binding monooxygenase and a small protein with unknown function. These results highlight the crucial role accessory genes play in the evolution of Colletotrichum pathogenicity and imply the significance of an unidentified secondary metabolite in GLS pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several strategies promote phyllosphere colonization by soil-born Trichoderma plant-beneficial strains. One of these strategies is foliar spraying with suspensions containing large amounts of chlamydospores—spores with thick cell wall structures that make them highly resistant to harsh environmental conditions. Trichoderma biomass was produced by cultivation on a cornmeal medium and compared with the biomass produced on potato dextrose broth by microscopic and thermogravimetric analyses. The analyses revealed increased chlamydospore content and thermostability in the fungal biomass produced on the corn meal medium. The Trichoderma suspension rich in chlamydospores was sprayed on bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) leaves at two inoculant concentrations, 106 and 108 ufc/mL. The effect of these treatments on the plant physiological parameters, leaf photosynthetic pigments, polyphenol and flavonoid contents, antioxidant activities of the leaves and fruits, and yield was compared to the control (plants sprayed with water) and to the experimental treatment involving spraying with 108 ufc/mL of propagules produced in potato dextrose broth. The effect of chlamydospore-rich suspensions on plant physiological parameters was more pronounced and long-lasting compared with the other treatments. The treatment with chlamydospore-rich suspension enhanced the accumulation of polyphenols and flavonoids in the leaves (by 17% and 50%, respectively) and fruits (by 18% and 31%, respectively) and increased the antioxidant activity. The Trichoderma treatment increased the yield by +25.33–53.07%. The application of the foliar treatment with Trichoderma suspensions did not modify the cytocompatibility of the extracts from the fruits determined on the L929 cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of Polyether Ether Ketone (PEEK) in implant fabrication is a sign of the revolution in healthcare that has been sparked by the convergence of 3D printing technology and advanced materials. This review paper investigates the multifaceted impact of PEEK on changing the implant manufacturing landscape. This paper explores the significance of implant fabrication, the critical function of 3D printing, and the emergence of PEEK as a leading 3D printing material through a thorough analysis of PEEK's exceptional biocompatibility, mechanical properties, and adaptability. It explores the various PEEK-based 3D printing applications in the dental, orthopedic, spinal, cranial, cardiovascular, and emerging implant domains, supported by real-world case studies and success stories. The review also discusses difficulties, developments, and sustainability issues related to PEEK-based 3D printing. The revolutionary impact of PEEK-based 3D printing on healthcare is highlighted in this paper, which also charts future directions and provides insights into how patient care is changing and the changing paradigm of implantology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rhopalosiphum padi is a major infection affecting cereal crops in the boundary area. However, continuous use of chemical pesticides has increased cases of drug resistance in its field population. Therefore, we aimed to verify the insecticidal properties of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens YJNbs21.10 against aphids, isolated to determine the bioactivity of its metabolite Macrolactin A against aphids for the first time., Results: The results of activity tracking showed that the fermentation broth of YJNbs21.10 had the best inhibitory efficacy against R. padi, and the corrected efficiency reached 95.57% after 24 h. With the continuous separation and test, the efficiency of the active components decreased: Macrolactin A, as the most active substance, had a control activity against aphids under 500 mg L -1 of 74.64% at 72 h, (which was significantly lower than that of fermentation broth, indicating a synergistic effect between the active substances of each part of the strain. In addition, the result of the stereomicroscope showed that Macrolactin A damaged the body wall of aphids. The toxicity of Macrolactin A to R. padi was confirmed through the gradient test., Conclusion: In this study, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens YJNbs21.10 exhibited comparable inhibitory ability to chemical pesticides suggesting its potential to provide effective biological control on aphids. The biological activity of Macrolactin A against aphids was also verified for the first time, in this experiment, the EC 50 of this substance against aphids was 169.02 mg L -1 (24 h), which provided strong evidence that YJNbs21.10 may act as an effective agent for the prevention of aphid. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.)

The emergence of new internet-enabled technologies and social media, with increasing usage of smartphones, have transformed communication in the tourism industry. Social media has enabled tourists to search, share, and co-create tourism-related content. It has become one of the potential sources for tourists to plan, organize, and fulfill their expectations. The following paper aims to explore the role of social media on tourists' intentions to visit tourist destinations in Madhya Pradesh. The research design explores already available and published reading materials along with performing a primary data survey. The study collects responses from 170 tourists through a structured questionnaire. Analysis of the same was conducted using descriptive techniques like percentages, charts, and F test based on gender in Excel. The key findings reveal a strong influence of social media on tourism and travelers who primarily rely on social media for information searches and planning their vacations. Destination managers and travellers being the primary stakeholders have been using social media for co-creating (e-word of mouth), sharing, and disseminating tourism experiences that have led to the emergence of new business models. The study aims to assist tourism destination managers in managing their online communications to enhance their customer loyalty and destination branding through customer engagement and retention through social media marketing applications. The research study will offer unique dimensions for the extensive use of social media marketing for tourism destination image and tourist intention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) have growth-promoting and disease-resisting effects and can be used as new types of plant growth promoters. This study was conducted to determine the plant growth-promoting traits of five strains and follow a 2-year field trial to evaluate their effects on grape growth and fruit quality. The five PGPB were combined with two organic fertilizers (cow dung fertilizer and distillers' grain fertilizer) for application on grape fields; the control group only received the corresponding organic fertilizer. The five strains showed different growth promoting abilities, as indicated by their differing production of indole acetic acid (IAA) and siderophores and ability to dissolve phosphorus and potassium, fix nitrogen, and resist saline and alkali. During the field trial, vine growth and fruit quality were significantly better in the distillers' grain fertilizer (high nutrient content) alone treatment than in the cow dung fertilizer (low nutrient content) alone treatment. However, after the two fertilizers were inoculated with the five different PGPB, only the five treatments with cow dung fertilizer inoculated with PGPB showed significant improvement. The five treatments of cow dung fertilizer inoculated with PGPB exhibited varied impacts on plant growth and fruit quality. And the promotion effects persisted significantly after two consecutive years. Among the PGPB, Bacillus velezensis 18, B. velezensis 20, and Rahnella aquatilis 5 emerged as consistently effective performers over the two-year period, demonstrating stable and commendable outcomes. These strains are recommended for prolonged application in grape cultivation to optimize growth and yield. This study provides a theoretical reference and an experimental basis for organic fertilizer inoculated with PGPB to improve grape production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, drug delivery has an important role in medical therapy. The use of biopolymers in developing drug delivery systems (DDSs) is increasingly attracting attention due to their remarkable and numerous advantages, in contrast to conventional polymers. Biopolymers have many advantages (biodegradability, biocompatibility, renewability, affordability, and availability), which are extremely important for developing materials with applications in the biomedical field. Additionally, biopolymers are appropriate when they improve functioning and have a number of positive effects on human life. Therefore, this review presents the most used biopolymers for biomedical applications, especially in drug delivery. In addition, by combining different biopolymers DDSs with tailored functional properties (e.g., physical properties, biodegradability) can be developed. This review summarizes and provides data on the progress of research on biopolymers (chitosan, alginate, starch, cellulose, albumin, silk fibroin, collagen, and gelatin) used in DDSs, their preparation, and mechanism of action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Glioma is a primary brain tumor and the assessment of its molecular profile in a minimally invasive manner is important in determining treatment strategies. Among the molecular abnormalities of gliomas, mutations in the isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) gene are strong predictors of treatment sensitivity and prognosis. In this study, we attempted to non-invasively diagnose glioma development and the presence of IDH mutations using multivariate analysis of the plasma mid-infrared absorption spectra for a comprehensive and sensitive view of changes in blood components associated with the disease and genetic mutations. These component changes are discussed in terms of absorption wavenumbers that contribute to differentiation. Methods: Plasma samples were collected at our institutes from 84 patients with glioma (13 oligodendrogliomas, 17 IDH-mutant astrocytoma, 7 IDH wild-type diffuse glioma, and 47 glioblastomas) before treatment initiation and 72 healthy participants. FTIR-ATR spectra were obtained for each plasma sample, and PLS discriminant analysis was performed using the absorbance of each wavenumber in the fingerprint region of biomolecules as the explanatory variable. This data was used to distinguish patients with glioma from healthy participants and diagnose the presence of IDH mutations. Results: The derived classification algorithm distinguished the patients with glioma from healthy participants with 83% accuracy (area under the curve (AUC) in receiver operating characteristic (ROC) = 0.908) and diagnosed the presence of IDH mutation with 75% accuracy (AUC = 0.752 in ROC) in cross-validation using 30% of the total test data. The characteristic changes in the absorption spectra suggest an increase in the ratio of β-sheet structures in the conformational composition of blood proteins of patients with glioma. Furthermore, these changes were more pronounced in patients with IDH-mutant gliomas. Conclusions: The plasma infrared absorption spectra could be used to diagnose gliomas and the presence of IDH mutations in gliomas with a high degree of accuracy. The spectral shape of the protein absorption band showed that the ratio of β-sheet structures in blood proteins was significantly higher in patients with glioma than in healthy participants, and protein aggregation was a distinct feature in patients with glioma with IDH mutations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This study was carried out to investigate the effect of Rhodotorula mucilaginosa in mitigating the effects of Fusarium wilt on tomato plant growth under water stress conditions. The pot experiment was conducted in a shade net house using a randomized complete block design with 12 treatments and 3 replicates. Tomato seedlings were inoculated with/without R. mucilaginosa and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (the causative agent of Fusarium wilt) under three water stress levels: I100 = 100% of field capacity (FC), I80 = 80% of FC, and I60 = 60% of FC. Disease severity and tomato plant growth were assessed. All treatments reduced disease incidence and severity compared with the untreated plants, and the highest reduction was achieved by yeast strain with water I80. In addition, the treatments enhanced the total phenol, polyphenol oxidase, and peroxidase contents in treated plants, which is a promising result. Severe stress (I60) significantly decreased tomato plant growth (plant height, number of leaves, number of branches, and fresh and dry matter of tomatoes plants) compared with the control plants that received full irrigation (I100). Under all irrigation treatments, tomato plants treated with yeast produced the highest values of these parameters. The interaction between water stress, yeast strain, and Fusarium had a significant effect on tomato plant growth. The highest values of tomato plant growth were recorded in plants irrigated with mild stress (I80) and treated with yeast under Fusarium-infected tomatoes. By contrast, the lowest parameter values were obtained from plants irrigated with I60 and treated with yeast under Fusarium-infected tomatoes. Therefore, in the case of Fusarium infection, it is recommended to add yeast and apply a decreasing irrigation system I80. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Verticillium dahliae, a fungal pathogen that affects more than 200 plant species, including tomatoes, requires specific proteins for its early steps in plant infection. One such crucial protein, VdPBP1, exhibits high expression in the presence of tomato roots. Its 313-amino acid C-terminal section restores adhesion in nonadhesive Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains. To uncover its role, we employed a combination of bioinformatics, genetics, and morphological analyses. Our findings underscore the importance of VdPBP1 in fungal growth and pathogenesis. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that the VdPBP1 gene consists of four exons and three introns, encoding a 952-codon reading frame. The protein features a 9aaTAD domain, LsmAD, and PAB1 DNA-binding sites, as well as potential nuclear localization and transmembrane helix signals. Notably, the deletion of a 1.1 kb fragment at the gene's third end impedes microsclerotia formation and reduces pathogenicity. Mutants exhibit reduced growth and slower aerial mycelial development compared to the wild type. The VdPBP1 deletion strain does not induce disease symptoms in tomato plants. Furthermore, VdPBP1 deletion correlates with downregulated microsclerotia formation-related genes, and promoter analysis reveals regulatory elements, including sites for Rfx1, Mig1, and Ste12 proteins. Understanding the regulation and target genes of VdPBP1 holds promise for managing Verticillium wilt disease and related fungal pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An inflammatory biomarker is an indicating substance that facilitates the process of cell injury and promotes the development of cancer cells. The brain structure naturally protects the extracellular matrix (ECM), which consists of microglia, astrocytes, and neurons, by separating them from harm with the blood--brain barrier (BBB). Yet, the inflammation process damages the brain cells, thus releasing inflammatory markers into the plasma. Chronic inflammation results from persistent inflammation, and any failure of control mechanisms within the brain tissues will promote the development of cancer cells. Previous studies showed that several proinflammatory biomarkers, which included interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and C-reactive protein (CRP), were observably higher in patients with glioblastoma compared to those with healthy brain tissues. However, the relationship between proinflammatory factors and glioma development remains unclear. Against such background, this review discusses the potential association between inflammatory markers and a brain tumour, along with the importance of these parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Histidine kinases (HKs) are important sensor proteins in fungi and play an essential role in environmental adaptation. However, the mechanisms by which fungi sense and respond to fungivores attack via HKs are not fully understood. In this study, we utilized Neurospora crassa to investigate the involvement of HKs in responding to fungivores attack. We found that the 11 HKs in N. crassa not only affected the growth and development, but also led to fluctuations in antioxidant production. Ten mutants in the genes encoding HKs (except ∆phy1) showed increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), especially upon Sinella curviseta attack. The ROS burst triggered changes in conidia and perithecial beaks formation, as well as accumulation of β-glucan, ergothioneine, ergosterol, and carotenoids. β-glucan was increased in ∆hk9, ∆os1, ∆hcp1, ∆nik2, ∆sln1, ∆phy1 and ∆phy2 mutants compared to the wild-type strain. In parallel, ergothioneine accumulation was improved in ∆phy1 and ∆hk16 mutants and further increased upon attack, except in ∆os1 and ∆hk16 mutants. Additionally, fungivores attack stimulated ergosterol and dehydroergosterol production in ∆hk9 and ∆os1 mutants. Furthermore, deletion of these genes altered carotenoid accumulation, with wild-type strain, ∆hk9, ∆os1, ∆hcp1, ∆sln1, ∆phy2, and ∆dcc1mutants showing an increase in carotenoids upon attack. Taken together, HKs are involved in regulating the production of conidia and antioxidants. Thus, HKs may act as sensors of fungivores attack and effectively improve the adaptive capacity of fungi to environmental stimuli., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Where does one draw the line between primary and secondary metabolism? The answer depends on the perspective. Microbial secondary metabolites (SMs) were at first believed not to be very important for the producers because they are dispensable for growth under laboratory conditions. However, such compounds become important in natural niches of the organisms, and some are of prime importance for humanity. Polyketides are an important group of SMs with aflatoxin as a well-known and well-characterized example. In Aspergillus spp., all 34 afl genes encoding the enzymes for aflatoxin biosynthesis are located in close vicinity on chromosome III in a so-called gene cluster. This led to the assumption that most genes required for polyketide biosynthesis are organized in gene clusters. Recent research, however, revealed an enormous complexity of the biosynthesis of different polyketides, ranging from individual polyketide synthases to a gene cluster producing several compounds, or to several clusters with additional genes scattered in the genome for the production of one compound. Research of the last decade furthermore revealed a huge potential for SM biosynthesis hidden in fungal genomes, and methods were developed to wake up such sleeping genes. The analysis of organismic interactions starts to reveal some of the ecological functions of polyketides for the producing fungi., (© 2023 The Authors. Molecular Microbiology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

The plant vascular system is a key element for long-distance communication. Understanding its composition may provide valuable information on how plants grow and develop themselves. In this study, a quantitative proteome dataset of the vascular sap proteome of three commercially important Eucalyptus species was shown. Protein extraction was carried out using a pressure bomb, whereas only in silico predicted extracellular proteins were considered as part of the sap proteome. A total of 132 different proteins were identified in all three Eucalyptus species and the most abundant proteome subset within all three species was comprised of proteins involved in the carbohydrate metabolic process, proteolysis, components of membrane, and defense response. The sap proteome of the species E. grandis and E. urophylla revealed the highest similarities. Functional classification indicated that the sap proteome of E. grandis and E. urophylla are mostly comprised of proteins involved in defense response and proteolysis; whereas no prominent functional class was observed for the E. camaldulensis species. Quantitative comparison highlighted characteristic sap proteins in each of the Eucalyptus species. The results that could be found in this study can be used as a reference for the proteome sap analysis of Eucalyptus plants grown under different conditions., (© 2023 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)