Gastroenteritis constitutes a group of diarrheal diseases of infectious origin, responsible for absenteeism from work, morbidity and mortality, especially among aged people. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacter...Gastroenteritis constitutes a group of diarrheal diseases of infectious origin, responsible for absenteeism from work, morbidity and mortality, especially among aged people. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of Mitragyna inermis extracts on the in vitro growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa involved in gastroenteritis. Phytochemical screening was carried out using two distinct methods. The detection of phytochemical compounds by tube coloring and chromatography on a thin layer of silica gel. The sensitivity of organisms was evaluated by the agar well method. The dilution method in liquid medium coupled with spreading on Mueller Hinton agar helped determine the CMB/MIC activity ratios. The investigations show that the extract has the best extraction yield (75.86% ± 0.20%) compared to the aqueous macerated (61.8% ± 0.08%) and decocted (66.6% ± 0.12%). These extracts contain several phytochemical compounds such as flavonoids, polyphenols, tannins, alkaloids, saponosides, coumarins and sterols and terpenes. These substances are endowed with biological activities and could be at the origin of antibacterial activity observed with M. inermis extracts. The analysis of antibacterial activity showed that the germs are sensitive to the extracts with inhibition diameters ranging from 8.30 ± 0.53 to 17.87 ± 0.58 mm. The ethanolic extract was the most active with diameters varying from 15.07 ± 0.62 to 17.87 ± 0.58 mm on all the germs tested. E. coli and S. aureus were the most sensitive germs to the extracts. P. aeruginosa was the least sensitive germ. Activity reports indicate that the extracts exert bactericidal activity on E. coli and S. aureus but bacteriostatic activity on P. aeruginosa. These results justify the use of M. inermis leaves in a traditional environment to treat gastroenteritis.展开更多
Objective:To determine if passive gravitational sedimentation of blood samples,followed by buffy coat thin smear preparation could increase the sensilivitv of malaria diagnosis when compared to conventional thin smear...Objective:To determine if passive gravitational sedimentation of blood samples,followed by buffy coat thin smear preparation could increase the sensilivitv of malaria diagnosis when compared to conventional thin smear preparation without the additional cost of centrifuges or molecular diagnostics.Method Blood samples were collected from 205 patients,Each patient sample was analyzed using all three methods of sample preparation.Results:Buffy coal analysis of centrifuged blood samples greatly increased the sensilivitv of malaria diagnosis when compared to standard thin smear techniques.Sensitivity between mechanically centrifuged samples and gravitationally sedimented samples showed equal improvement in sensitivity when compared to standard thin smear preparation.Conclusions:Passive gravitational sedimentation of red blood cells followed by buffy coat analysis dramatically improves the sensitivity of malaria diagnosis without the additional costs associated with centrifugation.展开更多
Thymidine kinase 1 (TK1) is a well-studied cancer biomarker. It is commonly found upregulated in the serum of cancer patients, and its levels correlate with stage and grade, disease progression, and prognosis. It has ...Thymidine kinase 1 (TK1) is a well-studied cancer biomarker. It is commonly found upregulated in the serum of cancer patients, and its levels correlate with stage and grade, disease progression, and prognosis. It has recently been reported that TK1 localizes on the plasma cell membrane of hematological and solid malignancies, and not on the membrane of normal healthy cells, and while on the membrane, TK1 has enzymatic activity. However, the function of TK1 on the surface membrane is not well understood. Here, we hypothesize that it may have a role in tumor invasion and migration. It has been shown that TK1 expression levels positively correlate with epithelia to mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers in patients with breast cancer as they progress from HER2+ to triple negative breast cancer. In this study, we silenced TK1 expression by siRNA and show that TK1’s membrane expression is significantly downregulated at 60 hours post transfection. Using a Matrigel-based quantitative invasion assay, we measured cell invasion potential in cells either expressing or lacking TK1 on their membrane and found that cells that lack TK1 on their membrane exhibit decreased invasion potential. These results suggest that TK1’s presence on the membrane may play a role in invasion and cell migration in cancer.展开更多
Repair of DNA double-strand breaks(DSBs) via the homologous recombination(HR) pathway is a highly regulated process. A number of proteins that participate in HR are intricately modulated by the cell cycle and chromati...Repair of DNA double-strand breaks(DSBs) via the homologous recombination(HR) pathway is a highly regulated process. A number of proteins that participate in HR are intricately modulated by the cell cycle and chromatin environments of DSBs. Recent studies have revealed a clear impact of transcription on HR in transcribed regions of the genome. Several models have been put forth to explain how the process of transcription and/or its RNA products may influence HR. Here we discuss the results and models from these studies, presenting an emerging view of transcription-coupled DSB repair.展开更多
Rhizopus microsporus has been used for centuries in the production of oriental fermented foods,but the species is also known as a toxin producer and from severe human infections.To study the diversity and species deli...Rhizopus microsporus has been used for centuries in the production of oriental fermented foods,but the species is also known as a toxin producer and from severe human infections.To study the diversity and species delimitation of Rhizopus microsporus,48 isolates from the reference collection of the CBS-KNAW Fungal Biodiversity Centre,comprising nine environmental,ten clinical,and 23 foodborne strains,in addition to six strains from unknown sources and representing all existing varieties of the species,were examined.Sequence diversity was based on the internal transcribed spacer(ITS),and on a part of the actin(ACT)and translation elongation factor 1-α(TEF)genes.Differences in physiological properties were assessed including temperature relationships.Spore morphology was studied,mating type tests were performed,and MALDI-ToF profiles were generated.Clinical and food-associated strains as well as members of different varieties mated successfully and consequently they belong to a single biological species.Molecular differences did not match with any other parameter investigated.Based on these results the varieties of Rhizopus microsporus are reduced to synonyms.展开更多
Flowers are required for the Darwinian fitness of flowering plants, but flowers＇ advertisements for pollination services can attract florivores. Previous glasshouse work with Nicotiana attenuata revealed the role of ...Flowers are required for the Darwinian fitness of flowering plants, but flowers＇ advertisements for pollination services can attract florivores. Previous glasshouse work with Nicotiana attenuata revealed the role of jasmonate （JA） signaling in flower development, advertisement and defense. However, whether JA signaling mediates flowers＇ filtering of floral visitors in nature remained unknown. This field study revealed that silencing JA signaling resulted in flowers that produce less nectar and benzyl acetone, two pollinatorattractive traits. Meanwhile, flowers of defenseless plants were highly attacked by a suite of native herbivores, and damage to buds in native plants correlated negatively with their JA-lle levels.展开更多
This paper addresses section Theobromina within the genus Hebeloma(Agaricales).We recognise seven European species within this section,three of which are described as new:Hebeloma alboerumpens,H.griseopruinatum and H....This paper addresses section Theobromina within the genus Hebeloma(Agaricales).We recognise seven European species within this section,three of which are described as new:Hebeloma alboerumpens,H.griseopruinatum and H.parvicystidiatum.The first two of these species appear to be ectomycorrhizal with Cistaceae:Cistus and Helianthemum.Hebeloma parvicystidiatum is more likely to be in mycorrhizal association with Quercus spp.We also provide a key to the European species within sect.Theobromina and an updated key of known Hebeloma associates of Cistus.Molecular analyses based on multiple loci further illustrate the distinctness of the newly described taxa and provide molecular evidence,supporting the morphological evidence,for the relationship that exists among species of this section.The ITS is the only one from the sequenced loci that,alongside with morphology,distinguishes among all of the species of sect.Theobromina.The section gains most of its molecular support from the MCM7 locus,followed by RPB2.展开更多
Triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC)is the most aggressive breast cancer subtype.It disproportionately affects BRCA mutation carriers and young women,especially African American(AA)women.Chemoresistant TNBC is a hetero...Triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC)is the most aggressive breast cancer subtype.It disproportionately affects BRCA mutation carriers and young women,especially African American(AA)women.Chemoresistant TNBC is a heterogeneous and molecularly unstable disease that challenges our ability to apply personalized therapies.With the approval of immune checkpoint blockade(ICB)for TNBC,the addition of pembrolizumab to systemic chemotherapy has become standard of care(SOC)in neoadjuvant systemic therapy(NST)for high-risk early-stage TNBC.Pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy significantly increased the pathologic complete response(pCR)and improved event-free survival in TNBC.However,clinical uncertainties remain because similarly treated TNBC partial responders with comparable tumor responses to neoadjuvant therapy often experience disparate clinical outcomes.Current methods fall short in accurately predicting which high-risk patients will develop chemo-resistance and tumor relapse.Therefore,novel treatment strategies and innovative new research initiatives are needed.We propose that the EGFR-K-RAS-SIAH pathway activation is a major tumor driver in chemoresistant TNBC.Persistent high expression of SIAH in residual tumors following NACT/NST reflects that the EGFR/K-RAS pathway remains activated(ON),indicating an ineffective response to treatment.These chemoresistant tumor clones persist in expressing SIAH(SIAH^(High/ON))and are linked to early tumor relapse and poorer prognosis.Conversely,the loss of SIAH expression(SIAH^(Low/OFF))in residual tumors post-NACT/NST reflects EGFR/K-RAS pathway inactivation(OFF),indicating effective therapy and chemo-sensitive tumor cells.SIAH^(Low/OFF) signal is linked to tumor remission and better prognosis post-NACT/NST.Therefore,SIAH is well-positioned to become a novel tumor-specific,therapy-responsive,and prognostic biomarker.Potentially,this new biomarker(SIAH^(High/ON))could be used to quantify therapy response,predict chemo-resistance,and identify those patients at the highest risk for tumor relapse and poor survival in TNBC.展开更多
Many fungi are pathogenic on plants and cause significant damage in agriculture and forestry.They are also part of the natural ecosystem and may play a role in regulating plant numbers/density.Morphological identifica...Many fungi are pathogenic on plants and cause significant damage in agriculture and forestry.They are also part of the natural ecosystem and may play a role in regulating plant numbers/density.Morphological identification and analysis of plant pathogenic fungi,while important,is often hampered by the scarcity of discriminatory taxonomic characters and the endophytic or inconspicuous nature of these fungi.Molecular(DNA sequence)data for plant pathogenic fungi have emerged as key information for diagnostic and classification studies,although hampered in part by non-standard laboratory practices and analytical methods.To facilitate current and future research,this study provides phylogenetic synopses for 25 groups of plant pathogenic fungi in the Ascomycota,Basidiomycota,Mucormycotina(Fungi),and Oomycota,using recent molecular data,up-to-date names,and the latest taxonomic insights.Lineagespecific laboratory protocols together with advice on their application,as well as general observations,are also provided.We hope to maintain updated backbone trees of these fungal lineages over time and to publish them jointly as new data emerge.Researchers of plant pathogenic fungi not covered by the present study are invited to join this future effort.Bipolaris,Botryosphaeriaceae,Botryosphaeria,Botrytis,Choanephora,Colletotrichum,Curvularia,Diaporthe,Diplodia,Dothiorella,Fusarium,Gilbertella,Lasiodiplodia,Mucor,Neofusicoccum,Pestalotiopsis,Phyllosticta,Phytophthora,Puccinia,Pyrenophora,Pythium,Rhizopus,Stagonosporopsis,Ustilago and Verticillium are dealt with in this paper.展开更多
文摘Gastroenteritis constitutes a group of diarrheal diseases of infectious origin, responsible for absenteeism from work, morbidity and mortality, especially among aged people. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of Mitragyna inermis extracts on the in vitro growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa involved in gastroenteritis. Phytochemical screening was carried out using two distinct methods. The detection of phytochemical compounds by tube coloring and chromatography on a thin layer of silica gel. The sensitivity of organisms was evaluated by the agar well method. The dilution method in liquid medium coupled with spreading on Mueller Hinton agar helped determine the CMB/MIC activity ratios. The investigations show that the extract has the best extraction yield (75.86% ± 0.20%) compared to the aqueous macerated (61.8% ± 0.08%) and decocted (66.6% ± 0.12%). These extracts contain several phytochemical compounds such as flavonoids, polyphenols, tannins, alkaloids, saponosides, coumarins and sterols and terpenes. These substances are endowed with biological activities and could be at the origin of antibacterial activity observed with M. inermis extracts. The analysis of antibacterial activity showed that the germs are sensitive to the extracts with inhibition diameters ranging from 8.30 ± 0.53 to 17.87 ± 0.58 mm. The ethanolic extract was the most active with diameters varying from 15.07 ± 0.62 to 17.87 ± 0.58 mm on all the germs tested. E. coli and S. aureus were the most sensitive germs to the extracts. P. aeruginosa was the least sensitive germ. Activity reports indicate that the extracts exert bactericidal activity on E. coli and S. aureus but bacteriostatic activity on P. aeruginosa. These results justify the use of M. inermis leaves in a traditional environment to treat gastroenteritis.
文摘Objective:To determine if passive gravitational sedimentation of blood samples,followed by buffy coat thin smear preparation could increase the sensilivitv of malaria diagnosis when compared to conventional thin smear preparation without the additional cost of centrifuges or molecular diagnostics.Method Blood samples were collected from 205 patients,Each patient sample was analyzed using all three methods of sample preparation.Results:Buffy coal analysis of centrifuged blood samples greatly increased the sensilivitv of malaria diagnosis when compared to standard thin smear techniques.Sensitivity between mechanically centrifuged samples and gravitationally sedimented samples showed equal improvement in sensitivity when compared to standard thin smear preparation.Conclusions:Passive gravitational sedimentation of red blood cells followed by buffy coat analysis dramatically improves the sensitivity of malaria diagnosis without the additional costs associated with centrifugation.
文摘Thymidine kinase 1 (TK1) is a well-studied cancer biomarker. It is commonly found upregulated in the serum of cancer patients, and its levels correlate with stage and grade, disease progression, and prognosis. It has recently been reported that TK1 localizes on the plasma cell membrane of hematological and solid malignancies, and not on the membrane of normal healthy cells, and while on the membrane, TK1 has enzymatic activity. However, the function of TK1 on the surface membrane is not well understood. Here, we hypothesize that it may have a role in tumor invasion and migration. It has been shown that TK1 expression levels positively correlate with epithelia to mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers in patients with breast cancer as they progress from HER2+ to triple negative breast cancer. In this study, we silenced TK1 expression by siRNA and show that TK1’s membrane expression is significantly downregulated at 60 hours post transfection. Using a Matrigel-based quantitative invasion assay, we measured cell invasion potential in cells either expressing or lacking TK1 on their membrane and found that cells that lack TK1 on their membrane exhibit decreased invasion potential. These results suggest that TK1’s presence on the membrane may play a role in invasion and cell migration in cancer.
基金supported by NIH grants (GM076388 and CA197779 to Lee Zou, GM118833 to Li Lan)
文摘Repair of DNA double-strand breaks(DSBs) via the homologous recombination(HR) pathway is a highly regulated process. A number of proteins that participate in HR are intricately modulated by the cell cycle and chromatin environments of DSBs. Recent studies have revealed a clear impact of transcription on HR in transcribed regions of the genome. Several models have been put forth to explain how the process of transcription and/or its RNA products may influence HR. Here we discuss the results and models from these studies, presenting an emerging view of transcription-coupled DSB repair.
文摘Rhizopus microsporus has been used for centuries in the production of oriental fermented foods,but the species is also known as a toxin producer and from severe human infections.To study the diversity and species delimitation of Rhizopus microsporus,48 isolates from the reference collection of the CBS-KNAW Fungal Biodiversity Centre,comprising nine environmental,ten clinical,and 23 foodborne strains,in addition to six strains from unknown sources and representing all existing varieties of the species,were examined.Sequence diversity was based on the internal transcribed spacer(ITS),and on a part of the actin(ACT)and translation elongation factor 1-α(TEF)genes.Differences in physiological properties were assessed including temperature relationships.Spore morphology was studied,mating type tests were performed,and MALDI-ToF profiles were generated.Clinical and food-associated strains as well as members of different varieties mated successfully and consequently they belong to a single biological species.Molecular differences did not match with any other parameter investigated.Based on these results the varieties of Rhizopus microsporus are reduced to synonyms.
基金supported by the Max Planck Society,the European Research Council advanced grant Clockwork Green(293926)to I.T.B.by a Humboldt Postdoctoral Research Fellowship to R.L
文摘Flowers are required for the Darwinian fitness of flowering plants, but flowers＇ advertisements for pollination services can attract florivores. Previous glasshouse work with Nicotiana attenuata revealed the role of jasmonate （JA） signaling in flower development, advertisement and defense. However, whether JA signaling mediates flowers＇ filtering of floral visitors in nature remained unknown. This field study revealed that silencing JA signaling resulted in flowers that produce less nectar and benzyl acetone, two pollinatorattractive traits. Meanwhile, flowers of defenseless plants were highly attacked by a suite of native herbivores, and damage to buds in native plants correlated negatively with their JA-lle levels.
文摘This paper addresses section Theobromina within the genus Hebeloma(Agaricales).We recognise seven European species within this section,three of which are described as new:Hebeloma alboerumpens,H.griseopruinatum and H.parvicystidiatum.The first two of these species appear to be ectomycorrhizal with Cistaceae:Cistus and Helianthemum.Hebeloma parvicystidiatum is more likely to be in mycorrhizal association with Quercus spp.We also provide a key to the European species within sect.Theobromina and an updated key of known Hebeloma associates of Cistus.Molecular analyses based on multiple loci further illustrate the distinctness of the newly described taxa and provide molecular evidence,supporting the morphological evidence,for the relationship that exists among species of this section.The ITS is the only one from the sequenced loci that,alongside with morphology,distinguishes among all of the species of sect.Theobromina.The section gains most of its molecular support from the MCM7 locus,followed by RPB2.
基金supported by DOD-BCRP Level II Breakthrough Award(BC180907 to A.H.T.)National Institutes of Health National Cancer Institute(R01 CA140550 to A.H.T.)+1 种基金the Center for Innovative Technology(CIT)-Commonwealth Research Commercialization Fund(CRCF)(MF14S-009-LS to A.H.T.)Dorothy G.Hoefer Foundation(Breast Cancer Grant to A.H.T.).
文摘Triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC)is the most aggressive breast cancer subtype.It disproportionately affects BRCA mutation carriers and young women,especially African American(AA)women.Chemoresistant TNBC is a heterogeneous and molecularly unstable disease that challenges our ability to apply personalized therapies.With the approval of immune checkpoint blockade(ICB)for TNBC,the addition of pembrolizumab to systemic chemotherapy has become standard of care(SOC)in neoadjuvant systemic therapy(NST)for high-risk early-stage TNBC.Pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy significantly increased the pathologic complete response(pCR)and improved event-free survival in TNBC.However,clinical uncertainties remain because similarly treated TNBC partial responders with comparable tumor responses to neoadjuvant therapy often experience disparate clinical outcomes.Current methods fall short in accurately predicting which high-risk patients will develop chemo-resistance and tumor relapse.Therefore,novel treatment strategies and innovative new research initiatives are needed.We propose that the EGFR-K-RAS-SIAH pathway activation is a major tumor driver in chemoresistant TNBC.Persistent high expression of SIAH in residual tumors following NACT/NST reflects that the EGFR/K-RAS pathway remains activated(ON),indicating an ineffective response to treatment.These chemoresistant tumor clones persist in expressing SIAH(SIAH^(High/ON))and are linked to early tumor relapse and poorer prognosis.Conversely,the loss of SIAH expression(SIAH^(Low/OFF))in residual tumors post-NACT/NST reflects EGFR/K-RAS pathway inactivation(OFF),indicating effective therapy and chemo-sensitive tumor cells.SIAH^(Low/OFF) signal is linked to tumor remission and better prognosis post-NACT/NST.Therefore,SIAH is well-positioned to become a novel tumor-specific,therapy-responsive,and prognostic biomarker.Potentially,this new biomarker(SIAH^(High/ON))could be used to quantify therapy response,predict chemo-resistance,and identify those patients at the highest risk for tumor relapse and poor survival in TNBC.
基金the Chinese Academy of Sciences,project number 2013T2S0030,for the award of Visiting Professorship for Senior International Scientists at Kunming Institute of Botanythe National Research Council of Thailand(grant for Pestalotiopsis No:55201020008)+3 种基金Mae Fah Luang University(grant for Pestalotiopsis No:55101020004)for financial supportthe University of Malaya for grant number RU006H-2014 entitled“diversity and importance of fungal mangrove disease”Financial support to Julia Pawłowska and Marta Wrzosek was partially provided by the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education(MNiSW),grant no.NN303_548839financial support from FORMAS(215-2011-498).
文摘Many fungi are pathogenic on plants and cause significant damage in agriculture and forestry.They are also part of the natural ecosystem and may play a role in regulating plant numbers/density.Morphological identification and analysis of plant pathogenic fungi,while important,is often hampered by the scarcity of discriminatory taxonomic characters and the endophytic or inconspicuous nature of these fungi.Molecular(DNA sequence)data for plant pathogenic fungi have emerged as key information for diagnostic and classification studies,although hampered in part by non-standard laboratory practices and analytical methods.To facilitate current and future research,this study provides phylogenetic synopses for 25 groups of plant pathogenic fungi in the Ascomycota,Basidiomycota,Mucormycotina(Fungi),and Oomycota,using recent molecular data,up-to-date names,and the latest taxonomic insights.Lineagespecific laboratory protocols together with advice on their application,as well as general observations,are also provided.We hope to maintain updated backbone trees of these fungal lineages over time and to publish them jointly as new data emerge.Researchers of plant pathogenic fungi not covered by the present study are invited to join this future effort.Bipolaris,Botryosphaeriaceae,Botryosphaeria,Botrytis,Choanephora,Colletotrichum,Curvularia,Diaporthe,Diplodia,Dothiorella,Fusarium,Gilbertella,Lasiodiplodia,Mucor,Neofusicoccum,Pestalotiopsis,Phyllosticta,Phytophthora,Puccinia,Pyrenophora,Pythium,Rhizopus,Stagonosporopsis,Ustilago and Verticillium are dealt with in this paper.
