Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andrea Magali Gonzalez-Mora, Patricia Garcia-Lopez
Summary: Hormonal factors, specifically estrogen receptors (ERs), may play a role in the development and treatment of glioblastoma. Understanding the function of ERs could lead to the development of more effective therapies for this aggressive brain tumor.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Oncology
Carolyn J. Kravitz, Qin Yan, Don X. Nguyen
Summary: In recent years, it has been discovered that histone and DNA modifying enzymes play a role in different stages of metastasis. Epigenomic alterations can now be measured and detected in human tumors or liquid biopsies. Alterations in the epigenome may cause a loss in lineage integrity, leading to the development of malignant cell clones with a proclivity for relapse. Genetic aberrations acquired during tumor progression or therapeutic response, as well as the evolution of the stroma, can also contribute to these alterations. This review emphasizes the importance of leveraging chromatin and DNA modifying mechanisms as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for metastatic cancers.
CANCER AND METASTASIS REVIEWS
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Cristina Teixido, Paola Castillo, Clara Martinez-Vila, Ana Arance, Llucia Alos
Summary: Melanoma develops as a result of genetic alterations and has seen significant advancements in treatment with targeted therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pradeep Paudel, Samir Ross, Xing-Cong Li
Summary: This review discusses the potential of cannabinoids and their derivatives as novel therapeutic strategies for depression, highlighting key molecular targets associated with depression. The antidepressant activity of cannabinoids and their binding modes with receptors are also discussed, providing insights for the rational design and discovery of new drugs.
CURRENT MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Conor Hennessy, Declan P. McKernan
Summary: PRRs play a central role in inflammation following microbial infection by recognizing molecular patterns, and targeting them may offer a potential therapeutic approach for chronic inflammatory diseases and infections.
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Xinjie Song, Nikhil Kirtipal, Sunjae Lee, Petr Maly, Shiv Bharadwaj
Summary: Caffeine acts as a nonselective adenosine receptor antagonist and has both beneficial effects and paradoxical effects on human health. This article provides an overview of caffeine's validated targets and its impact on organ-specific physiology and pathophysiology. Further studies are needed to explore caffeine-induced changes in specific conditions for therapeutic applications.
PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Christina Pfab, Luisa Schnobrich, Samir Eldnasoury, Andre Gessner, Nahed El-Najjar
Summary: Despite advancements in cancer treatment, therapeutic resistance remains a major challenge. Drug repurposing offers a promising strategy to address this challenge by quickly identifying new therapeutic options. Clinical trials are evaluating the anti-cancer activities of antimicrobial agents and their mechanisms of action against various cancers.
Article
Microbiology
Veronica Folliero, Federica Dell'Annunziata, Biagio Santella, Emanuela Roscetto, Carla Zannella, Nicoletta Capuano, Alessandro Perrella, Anna De Filippis, Giovanni Boccia, Maria Rosaria Catania, Massimiliano Galdiero, Gianluigi Franci
Summary: The emergence of multidrug-resistant strains requires the urgent discovery of new antibacterial drugs. In this study, the anthelmintic avermectins were screened for antibacterial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative strains. Selamectin, a subset of avermectins, showed potent antibacterial activity against gram-positive strains, particularly Staphylococcus aureus. Further studies demonstrated its ability to inhibit bacterial growth, alter cell surface, and reduce biofilm biomass. Synergistic effects were also observed with other antibiotics. These findings suggest that selamectin may be a promising candidate for the treatment of S. aureus infections.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Yaxian Lu, Linhua Deng, Zhiwei Peng, Mengchao Zhou, Chengdong Wang, Lei Han, Shan Huang, Ming Wei, Rongping Wei, Lihong Tian, Desheng Li, Zhijun Hou
Summary: Giant pandas in China are at risk from the parasitic nematode Baylisascaris schroederi. A study tested four anthelmintics on 22 giant pandas and found that pyrantel pamoate may be ineffective. The study highlights the importance of monitoring and managing anthelmintic resistance to protect giant pandas.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andrea Miro Canturri, Younes Smani
Summary: Bacterial infections are a leading cause of death worldwide, and the emergence of antimicrobial resistance poses a serious threat. Repurposing approved drugs may provide a faster and more cost-effective approach to drug development.
CURRENT MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Lida Aeindartehran, Jonathan B. Lefton, Jewel Burleson, Daniel K. Unruh, Tomce Runcevski
Summary: The aim of this study was to reformulate thiabendazole to improve its solubility and palatability. The solubility of thiabendazole can be adjusted by forming salts, and some of these salts can also improve the taste of the drug.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Yuanyuan Ding, Baofang Fan, Cheng Zhu, Zhixiang Chen
Summary: Salicylic acid (SA) is a phenolic compound produced by plants and is involved in plant growth and stress responses. It is also the main metabolite of aspirin and is responsible for its anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective and antitumor effects. SA targets and activities are conserved or similar in plants and humans, highlighting common biological processes regulated by SA in both organisms. Comparing these shared targets and activities can provide insights into new actions and underlying mechanisms of SA in plants and humans.
Review
Oncology
Bomi Song, Eun Young Park, Kwang Joon Kim, Sung Hwan Ki
Summary: This review investigates the potential and limitations of benzimidazole anthelmintics as a cancer therapy, suggesting ways to overcome these limitations. The results demonstrate the potential of repurposing benzimidazoles for cancer treatment based on preclinical evidence, and highlight the need for further studies on anti-cancer pathways and development strategies.
Review
Veterinary Sciences
Rehman Ali, Nisar Ahmad, Sakina Mussarat, Abdul Majid, Sultan F. Alnomasy, Shahid Niaz Khan
Summary: This study investigates the potential, toxicological effects, and mechanism of action of nanoparticles in combating Haemonchus contortus. Organic nanoparticles were found to have certain efficacy against the parasite both in vitro and in vivo, with no observed toxicity in vivo. Further research on molecular effects, toxicological consequences, and pharmacological targets of nanoparticles is needed for developing novel anthelmintic drugs.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Wolfgang Loescher
Summary: Rationally designed multi-target drugs have emerged as an attractive drug discovery paradigm for diseases with complex etiology and drug-resistance problems. While some drugs targeting multiple mechanisms have shown promising effects, others discovered purely by phenotype-based screening have exhibited better efficacy in recent studies. It remains key to identify and validate new target combinations to improve treatment outcomes for drug-resistant epilepsy.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giulia Corsi, Swapnil Tichkule, Anna Rosa Sannella, Paolo Vatta, Francesco Asnicar, Nicola Segata, Aaron R. Jex, Cock van Oosterhout, Simone M. Caccio
Summary: This study compares whole genome sequences of Cryptosporidium parvum isolates from human and ruminant hosts collected from different regions globally. It finds evidence of genetic exchanges between different host species and geographic origins, with these exchanges potentially increasing the parasite's virulence. The study suggests that globalization and close human-animal contacts provide opportunities for genetic exchanges between previously isolated parasite lineages, which can impact host-parasite coevolution dynamics.
Editorial Material
Microbiology
Aaron R. Jex, Kevin M. Tyler
CELL HOST & MICROBE
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Alexander Y. F. Lam, Ernest Lacey, Vesna De Petra, Deborah A. Williamson, Jan Slapeta, Aaron R. Jex, Samantha J. Emery-Corbin
Summary: Trichomonas vaginalis is the most common non-viral sexually transmitted infection, causing 170 million cases of trichomoniasis annually. Current treatment relies on 5-nitroimidazoles (5NIs), but drug resistance is increasing. Diagnostic tools and drug resistance testing methods are limited. Microaerophilic conditions can be used to assess the oxygen-dependent resistance of 5NIs in trichomonads, providing possibilities for high-throughput analysis and standardized surveillance programs.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Christiane Weingart, Christina S. Helm, Elisabeth Mueller, Ingo Schaefer, Marianne Skrodzki, Georg Von Samson-Himmelstjerna, Jurgen Kruecken, Barbara Kohn
Summary: Vector-borne diseases, including autochthonous Babesia canis infection, are increasing in importance in Germany, particularly in the Berlin/Brandenburg region. This study examined 49 dogs with autochthonous B. canis infection and found severe clinical symptoms and pathological changes. It is recommended to monitor treatment effectiveness through PCR testing during and after treatment, and to implement blood donor screening in high-risk areas and year-round tick protection.
JOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Heike Boelow, Juergen Kruecken, Georg Von Samson-Himmelstjerna
Summary: Gastrointestinal nematodes, especially Parascaris spp. and strongyles, are commonly found parasites in grazing equines. However, there is a lack of epidemiological data on the presence and egg-shedding intensities of these parasites. Based on samples collected from German horse farms, 46.5% of the samples were positive for strongyles with a median egg-shedding intensity of 40, while for Parascaris spp., the prevalence was 4.6% with a median egg-shedding intensity of 0. Various variables were found to influence the prevalence and egg-shedding intensity of both Parascaris and strongyles.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Billy L. Amugune, Abneel K. Matharu, Paul Ouma, Francis Mutebi, Lynne Elson, Ulrike Fillinger, Juergen Kruecken
Summary: Tunga penetrans is an invasive flea that causes tungiasis, and a low-cost PCR-based tool for the identification of T. penetrans is needed to understand its ecology and monitor its development in soil.
Article
Microbiology
Anna Maria Floriano, Gherard Batisti Biffignandi, Michele Castelli, Emanuela Olivieri, Emanuela Clementi, Francesco Comandatore, Laura Rinaldi, Maxwell Opara, Olivier Plantard, Ana M. Palomar, Valerie Noel, Amrita Vijay, Nathan Lo, Benjamin L. Makepeace, Olivier Duron, Aaron Jex, Lionel Guy, Davide Sassera
Summary: Midichloria spp. are intracellular bacterial symbionts of ticks. We investigated the intramitochondrial localization of three Midichloria species in different tick hosts and analyzed their genomes. Our findings suggest that this trait is not of monophyletic origin and may have been acquired or lost multiple times. Comparative genomics revealed that non-mitochondrial symbionts have reduced genomes compared to those capable of colonizing mitochondria. We also identified genetic signatures related to mitochondrial tropism, including differential presence of type IV secretion system and flagellum. These findings suggest that the bacteria may secrete unique effectors and interact directly with mitochondria to manipulate host structures.
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alan John, Stefanie M. Bader, Niccolay Madiedo Soler, Kharizta Wiradiputri, Swapnil Tichkule, Sean T. Smyth, Stuart A. Ralph, Aaron R. Jex, Nichollas E. Scott, Christopher J. Tonkin, Ethan D. Goddard-Borger
Summary: Cryptosporidium parvum is a common cause of diarrheal disease worldwide and developing vaccines to prevent or limit infection is important. The study investigates the architecture, conservation, and glycosylation of the CpTSP protein family in C. parvum. The results show that these proteins are modified with C-, O-, and N-linked glycans and are found on the cell surface and in secretory pathway-like structures. The study also reveals the presence of CpTSP1 in sporozoites and meronts, shedding new light on potential vaccine targets for cryptosporidiosis.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Veterinary Sciences
A. C. Kotze, P. W. Hunt
Summary: The Australian ruminant livestock industries are facing challenges in controlling parasitic infectious diseases due to increasing resistance to pesticides. This study reviews the current situation of chemical resistances in parasites in these industries and assesses the threat they pose to sustainability. The study also examines testing for resistance, on-farm management practices, breeding of resistant animals, and non-chemical therapeutics as alternatives to chemical control.
AUSTRALIAN VETERINARY JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Jessica G. Borger, Ashley P. Ng, Holly Anderton, George W. Ashdown, Megan Auld, Marnie E. Blewitt, Daniel Brown, Melissa J. Call, Peter Collins, Saskia Freytag, Leonard C. Harrison, Eva Hesping, Jaci Hoysted, Anna Johnston, Andrew Mcinneny, Phil Tang, Lachlan Whitehead, Aaron Jex, Shalin H. Naik
Summary: The emergence of large language models and assisted AI technologies has revolutionized technology interaction, especially in the field of medical research. However, it also brings about ethical, legal, and social implications that call for new models of governance and responsibility. A symposium at the Walter and Eliza Hall Medical Research Institute discussed the practical applications of AI-assisted technologies in medical research and raised discussions on ethical concerns, privacy, and security issues.
IMMUNOLOGY AND CELL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Ingo Schaefer, Christina Sabine Helm, Georg von Samson-Himmelstjerna, Juergen Kruecken, Tanja Kottmann, Annette Holtdirk, Barbara Kohn, Guy Hendrickx, Cedric Marsboom, Elisabeth Mueller
Summary: This study assessed the prevalence of Babesia spp. infections in dogs in Germany and identified potential risk factors for infection. The results showed that Babesia canis is endemic in Germany and the prevalence of infection is influenced by season, sex, age, tick attachment, and ectoparasite prophylaxis. Travel and importation of dogs are also considered major factors associated with canine babesiosis in Germany.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Barbara Hinney, Sandra Wiedermann, Antonio Bosco, Laura Rinaldi, Martin Hofer, Anja Joachim, Juergen Kruecken, Ralf Steinborn
Summary: Haemonchus contortus, the most pathogenic nematode in small ruminants, is hampered by anthelmintic resistance (AR). Detection of AR status using phenotypic tests cannot achieve early detection, but single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the isotype 1 & beta;-tubulin gene allow early detection of AR-associated alleles in benzimidazoles (BZs). A novel digital PCR (dPCR) was developed to detect these SNPs in H. contortus, with a detection limit of 15 copies/& mu;l and high accuracy. The developed assays showed elevated frequencies of F200Y resistance alleles in Austrian samples and identified polymorphisms in codon 167 and codon 198 for the first time in H. contortus from Austria. In Italian samples, the frequency of resistance alleles was comparatively low but traceable. The dPCR assays provide a valuable tool for early onset SNP-based surveillance of AR development in H. contortus.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Qiao Su, Louise Baker, Samantha Emery, Balu Balan, Brendan Ansell, Swapnil Tichkule, Ivo Mueller, Staffan G. Svard, Aaron Jex
Summary: Benzimidazole-2-carbamates (BZ) are a primary compound class used to treat giardiasis, but their mode of action and resistance in Giardia duodenalis is not well understood. This study identified a specific genetic mutation, E198K, in the tubulin protein of ALB-resistant G. duodenalis. Transcriptomic analysis revealed changes in protein degradation and turnover, up-regulation of tubulin-related genes, and a shift in ATP production and vesicular trafficking system in the ALB-resistant line.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Moritz Stummer, Vicky Frisch, Frauke Glitz, Barbara Hinney, Joachim Spergser, Juergen Kruecken, Irina Diekmann, Katharina Dimmel, Christiane Riedel, Jessika-Maximiliane V. Cavalleri, Till Ruemenapf, Anja Joachim, Manolis Lyrakis, Angelika Auer
Summary: Acute abdominal pain in horses is a significant global health threat, requiring intensive veterinary care and often surgery. Equine coronavirus (ECoV) infections, although rarely considered, can cause colic in horses. A study was conducted to determine the frequency of undetected ECoV infections in horses with acute colic, revealing that 5.7% of colic horses and 2.8% of control horses tested positive for Betacoronaviruses. Furthermore, sequences closely related to bovine coronaviruses (BCoV) were found in three out of six coronavirus-positive horses with colic, indicating a need for further investigation into the pathogenic potential of BCoV in horses.
Article
Microbiology
Mubasher Mohammed, Alexis Dziedziech, Vaishnovi Sekar, Medard Ernest, Thiago Luiz Silva, Balu Balan, S. Noushin Emami, Inna Biryukova, Marc R. Friedlaender, Aaron Jex, Marcelo Jacobs-Lorena, Johan Henriksson, Joel Vega-Rodriguez, Johan Ankarklev
Summary: The malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum causes over half a million deaths annually. Current treatment focuses on the blood stage of the parasite inside the human host. However, targeting the parasite's development in the mosquito gut provides a promising approach for control strategies. This study uses transcriptomics to analyze gene expression patterns during Plasmodium falciparum development in the mosquito gut, uncovering potential targets for transmission-blocking strategies and providing valuable insights for future malaria interventions.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
