Review
Cell Biology
Shuai Li, Kok Siong Yeo, Taylor M. Levee, Cassie J. Howe, Zuag Paj Her, Shizhen Zhu
Summary: This review provides a comprehensive overview of the advantages of using zebrafish as a model for neuroblastoma research, including real-time monitoring of tumor development, robust gene manipulation, rapid assessment of genetic interactions, and cost-effective drug screening methods.
Review
Plant Sciences
Arunima Sinha, Lovepreet Singh, Nidhi Rawat
Summary: Pathogens and pests pose a major challenge to global food security, especially for wheat, one of the most important food crops. To meet the increasing global production demands, diversification of resistance genes in wheat varieties is necessary. Recent research has discovered non-traditional resistance genes in wheat that provide resistance against various fungal pathogens.
CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Michail S. S. Lionakis, Rebecca A. A. Drummond, Tobias M. M. Hohl
Summary: Pathogenic fungi have become major causes of infectious morbidity and mortality in patients with immunodeficiency conditions, and the spread of multidrug-resistant Candida auris has raised global public health concerns. Advances in understanding the cellular and molecular determinants of antifungal immunity provide potential strategies for risk stratification, prognosis, prophylaxis, and therapy against life-threatening fungal infections.
NATURE REVIEWS IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Huei-Mien Ke, Isheng Jason Tsai
Summary: This review summarizes the current understanding of fungal bioluminescence diversity, evolution, and applications. Studies from the past five years provide extensive evidence that all known bioluminescent fungal lineages share one bioluminescence pathway, which has been successfully reconstructed in multiple plant species, offering potential opportunities for sustainability.
CURRENT OPINION IN GREEN AND SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Cheshta Sharma, David Kadosh
Summary: Global estimates suggest that millions of people are affected by serious fungal infections annually, resulting in a significant number of deaths. The limited treatment options and the emergence of antifungal resistant strains further complicate the clinical management of these infections. This review highlights recently discovered post-transcriptional mechanisms that control antifungal resistance, providing new insights and potential strategies for more effective treatment.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Sean D. Liston, Luke Whitesell, Mili Kapoor, Karen J. Shaw, Leah E. Cowen
Summary: Invasive fungal infections have high mortality rates and the emergence of drug resistance necessitates the development of new antifungal drugs. Fosmanogepix is a new type of drug that inhibits fungal growth and has synergistic fungicidal effects with calcineurin inhibitors. The use of calcineurin inhibitors as immunosuppressants increases the risk of invasive fungal infections, but their interaction with fosmanogepix can mitigate this risk.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bohm Lee, Yongcheol Cho
Summary: Neurons in different nervous systems have varying abilities to regenerate, with rodents serving as key models for studying these mechanisms and advancing understanding of human diseases and treatment methods.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Maria Isabel Navarro-Mendoza, Carlos Perez-Arques, Joseph Heitman
Summary: Chromatin modifications, specifically H3K9 methylation, play a crucial role in repressing transcription in early-diverging fungi. RNA interference (RNAi) and heterochromatin formation are independent regulatory mechanisms in Mucor, contributing to genome stability and defense.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Review
Agricultural Engineering
Amy La, Qiang Zhang, Nazim Cicek, Kevin M. Coombs
Summary: This review summarizes current research on the airborne transmission of African swine fever virus, porcine epidemic diarrhea virus, avian influenza, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, and foot and mouth disease virus. The studies are categorized into short-range transmission and long-range transmission. Short-range airborne transmission has been demonstrated in experimental settings for at least one strain of the mentioned pathogens. Most studies focus on foot and mouth disease virus, with limited information on African swine fever virus and porcine epidemic diarrhea virus. Air sampling is commonly used to demonstrate long-range airborne transmission. Computer modeling has been utilized to study past outbreaks and assess future risk of airborne transmission. The studies indicate that airborne transmission is influenced by virus strain, aerosol type, shedding duration and concentration, environmental conditions, and infectious dose.
BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Kavitha Dhandapani, Karthiga Sivarajan, Ramya Ravindhiran, Jothi Nayaki Sekar
Summary: The occurrence and intensity of systemic invasive fungal infections have significantly increased globally in recent decades, leading to high mortality rates. Current antifungal treatments are often limited due to resistance, but a potential solution lies in combinational therapy to increase inhibitory effects.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Rafael W. Bastos, Luana Rossato, Gustavo H. Goldman, Daniel A. Santos
Summary: Fungal infections are underestimated threats affecting over 1 billion people, with Candida spp., Cryptococcus spp., and Aspergillus spp. being the most fatal fungi. Antifungal drug use can lead to resistance, and resistant strains are not only found in patients undergoing long-term azole therapy but also in the environment. Environmental exposure to fungicides can have significant effects on the morphophysiology and virulence of fungal pathogens beyond just cross-resistance, impacting Candida and Cryptococcus as well.
Review
Microbiology
Simon D. P. Baugh
Summary: This review focuses on antifungal agents containing guanidine groups, which have been shown in the literature to be effective in treating human-related fungal pathogens.
Article
Immunology
Na Rong, Jiangning Liu
Summary: Outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases pose a serious threat to public health security, human health, and economic development. An urgent need for an animal model that is susceptible to human pathogens arises after an outbreak. This article summarizes technologies and methods to induce animal susceptibility to human pathogens, analyzes the advantages and deficiencies of animal models developed using each method, and guides the selection of susceptible animals, potentially reducing the time needed to develop animal models during epidemics.
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Aleeza C. Gerstein, Parul Sethi
Summary: Experimental evolution in vitro is a powerful tool to understand the genetic basis of adaptation and uncover factors contributing to resistance evolution. Recent studies on human fungal pathogens demonstrate that drug resistance often appears readily and rapidly, with mutations found in common genes and pathways known to be involved in drug resistance. The likelihood of resistance acquisition and cross-resistance between drugs is influenced by the specific drug, drug concentration, and strain genetic background. Further research is needed to investigate the potential evolution of drug tolerance in static drugs.
CURRENT OPINION IN GENETICS & DEVELOPMENT
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Pierre Comizzoli, Mary Ann Ottinger
Summary: Reproductive aging is observed in wild species, and this study aims to highlight the importance of comparative research in addressing aging issues in conservation breeding and human reproductive medicine. While many traits are conserved across species, there are also unique features, and further research is needed to understand cellular and molecular processes during reproductive aging.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Respiratory System
Pei Yee Tiew, Jayanth Kumar Narayana, Marilynn Swee Li Quek, Yan Ying Ang, Fanny Wai San Ko, Mau Ern Poh, Tavleen Kaur Jaggi, Huiying Xu, Kai Xian Thng, Mariko Siyue Koh, Augustine Tee, David Shu Cheong Hui, John Arputhan Abisheganaden, Krasimira Tsaneva-Atanasova, Fook Tim Chew, Sanjay H. Chotirmall
Summary: This study found that sensitization to Aspergillus fungi is associated with exacerbations in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). By assessing 35 fungal allergens, two distinct sensitization subgroups were identified: one characterized by Aspergillus sensitization, which had more severe symptoms and worse lung function; and another characterized by Cladosporium sensitization, which exhibited more prominent symptoms. In addition, sensitization to recombinant Aspergillus allergens was found to be associated with worse COPD outcomes.
EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Victor Mercier, Valerie Letscher-Bru, Marie-Elisabeth Bougnoux, Laurence Delhaes, Francoise Botterel, Daniele Maubon, Frederic Dalle, Alexandre Alanio, Sandrine Houze, Eric Dannaoui, Carole Cassagne, Sophie Cassaing, Marie-Fleur Durieux, Arnaud Fekkar, Jean-Philippe Bouchara, Jean-Pierre Gangneux, Julie Bonhomme, Damien Dupont, Damien Costa, Boualem Sendid, Taieb Chouaki, Nathalie Bourgeois, Antoine Huguenin, Sophie Brun, Caroline Mahinc, Lilia Hasseine, Solene Le Gal, Anne-Pauline Bellanger, Eric Bailly, Florent Morio, Celine Nourrisson, Nicole Desbois-Nogard, Estelle Perraud-Cateau, Anne Debourgogne, Helene Yera, Laurence Lachaud, Milene Sasso
Summary: The study aimed to determine the epidemiological cut-off values (ECVs) of ten antifungal agents in a wide range of yeasts and Aspergillus spp. using gradient concentration strips. Retrospective collection of minimum inhibitory concentrations for various antifungal agents was done from 35 French microbiology laboratories between 2002 and 2020. The calculated ECVs can aid in interpreting minimum inhibitory concentrations and identifying non-wild type isolates.
CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Elaine Cristina Francisco, Chendo Dieleman, Ferry Hagen, Arnaldo Lopes Colombo, Trichosporon Brazilian Network
Summary: The in vitro activity of isavuconazole was evaluated on 154 strains of Trichosporon asahii, Trichosporon asteroides, Trichosporon coremiiforme, Trichosporon faecale, and Trichosporon inkin using the EUCAST broth microdilution method and Liofilchem MIC Test Strips. The results showed variable in vitro activity of isavuconazole among the different Trichosporon species. The study also suggested that there is no advantage in extending the reading time for the MTS test from 24 to 48 hours for Trichosporon yeasts.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Auke W. de Jong, Khaled Al-Obaid, Ratna Mohd Tap, Bert Gerrits van den Ende, Marizeth Groenewald, Leena Joseph, Suhail Ahmad, Ferry Hagen
Summary: Although C. albicans is still the major pathogenic yeast, other rare or novel species, such as multidrug-resistant C. auris, are increasingly causing invasive fungal infections. This study describes a new yeast species, C. khanbhai, which is clinically relevant and belongs to the C. haemulonii species complex. In addition, this study also corrects the invalidly described names of several species, including C. auris and C. vulturna.
Article
Mycology
Murat Durdu, Hazal Kandemir, Ayse Sultan Karakoyun, Macit Ilkit, Chao Tang, Sybren de Hoog
Summary: This report presented two cases of infection with terbinafine-resistant Trichophyton indotineae, the first diagnosis of this species in Turkey. The clinical manifestations varied, with one patient having erythematous pruritic patches and plaques in the inguinal and gluteal regions, and the other patient showing annular erythematous scaly plaques in the bilateral posterior thigh and gluteal regions. Both strains had the same amino acid substitution in the squalene epoxidase gene, and one isolate had another unknown mutation.
Article
Mycology
Anderson Messias Rodrigues, Ferry Hagen, Rosana Puccia, Rosane Christine Hahn, Zoilo Pires de Camargo
Summary: Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a group of diseases caused by Paracoccidioides species. The genus has expanded to include seven species. Classic PCM affects the human lungs and may lead to systemic granulomatous disease, while PCM loboi and PCM ceti are observed as subcutaneous mycoses in humans and dolphins. Recognizing species boundaries in Paracoccidioides is crucial for understanding its ecology, evolution, clinical features, and strategies to mitigate PCM.
Article
Environmental Sciences
M. Cogliati, S. Arikan-Akdagli, A. Barac, A. C. Bostanaru, S. Brito, N. Cerikcioglu, M. A. Efstratiou, C. Ergin, M. C. Esposto, M. Frenkel, J. P. Gungneux, A. Gitto, C. I. Goncalves, H. Guegan, N. Gunde-Cimerman, M. Guran, E. Jonikaite, M. Katarzyte, L. Klingspor, M. Mares, W. G. Meijer, W. J. G. Melchers, J. Meletiadis, V. Nastasa, M. Novak Babic, D. Ogunc, B. Ozhak, A. Prigitano, S. Ranque, L. Romano, R. O. Rusu, R. Sabino, A. Sampaio, S. Silva, J. H. Stephens, M. Tehupeiory-Kooreman, A. Velegraki, C. Verissimo, E. Segal, J. Brandao
Summary: The study used data from the Mycosands survey to investigate the factors affecting the distribution of yeasts and molds along European shores. Environmental factors such as climate, soil properties, and water conditions were analyzed using species distribution modelling. The results showed that yeasts and molds have different distributions along European shores, with yeasts being more tolerant of low temperatures and molds showing affinity with specific soil compositions and water conditions.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Correction
Microbiology
Judith Diaz-Garcia, Ana Gomez, Marina Machado, Luis Alcala, Elena Reigadas, Carlos Sanchez-Carrillo, Ana Perez-Ayala, Elia Gomez-Garcia de la Pedrosa, Fernando Gonzalez-Romo, Maria Soledad Cuetara, Coral Garcia-Esteban, Inmaculada Quiles-Melero, Nelly Daniela Zurita, Maria Munoz Algarra, Maria Teresa Duran-Valle, Aida Sanchez-Garcia, Patricia Munoz, Pilar Escribano, Jesus Guinea
Article
Microbiology
Nerea Saenz-Madrazo, Azucena Baeza, Jesus Guinea, Pablo Martin-Rabadan, Alejandro Ruiz-Velasco-Santacruz, Jose Luis Urcelay
Summary: This article presents a case of keratitis caused by a coelomycetous fungus belonging to the family Cucurbitariaceae. The patient, a 56-year-old woman and regular contact lens wearer, experienced pain and fixed spot vision after an injury with plant debris. Initial treatment with topical eye drops was followed by a recurrence of discomfort and persistence of the corneal ulcer. A filamentous fungus was identified through culture and sequencing of the fungal internal transcribed spacer region.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Farnaz Daneshnia, Suleyha Hilmioglu-Polat, Macit Ilkit, Diego Fuentes, Lisa Lombardi, Ulrike Binder, Jakob Scheler, Ferry Hagen, Michael K. Mansour, Geraldine Butler, Cornelia Lass-Floerl, Toni Gabaldon, Amir Arastehfar
Summary: Recent studies have found an increase in MDR C. parapsilosis (MDR-Cp) isolates from single patients. A case study identified a patient infected with MDR-Cp, who had not received treatment with azoles or echinocandins. Whole genome sequencing and CRISPR-Cas9 editing were used to determine the origin of the new isolates and investigate the mechanism of echinocandin resistance.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Xiao Li, Jose F. Munoz, Lalitha Gade, Silvia Argimon, Marie -Elisabeth Bougnoux, Jolene R. Bowers, Nancy A. Chow, Isabel Cuesta, Rhys A. Farrer, Corinne Maufrais, Juan Monroy-Nieto, Dibyabhaba Pradhan, Jessie Uehling, Duong Vu, Corin A. Yeats, David M. Aanensen, Christophe d'Enfert, David M. Engelthaler, David W. Eyre, Matthew C. Fisher, Ferry Hagen, Wieland Meyer, Gagandeep Singh, Ana Alastruey-Izquierdo, Anastasia P. Litvintseva, Christina A. Cuomo
Summary: Genomic analyses are widely used in the study of pathogenic fungi, but the lack of controls for variant prediction accuracy poses a challenge. This study compares 14 variant calling pipelines and evaluates their performance using Candida auris isolates. The study highlights the importance of site quality and variation in read trimming strategies, SNP calling methods and parameters, and downstream filtration criteria in determining the accuracy and consistency of variant calling pipelines.
MICROBIAL GENOMICS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Daniel Guerra-Mateo, Josepa Gene, Vladimir Baulin, Jose Francisco Cano-Lira
Summary: In our study on the diversity of culturable fungi from the Mediterranean Sea, we isolated several specimens of the genus Amphichorda. Molecular analysis showed a close relation between Amphichorda and Onychophora coprophila, and Amphichorda was found to be a member of the Bionectriaceae family. We proposed a new species, Amphichorda littoralis, and demonstrated its higher salt tolerance degree. This study provides a comprehensive framework for future research on this genus.
Article
Respiratory System
James D. Chalmers, Abhya Gupta, Sanjay H. Chotirmall, April Armstrong, Peter Eickholz, Naoki Hasegawa, Pamela J. McShane, Anne E. O'Donnell, Michal Shteinberg, Henrik Watz, Anastasia Eleftheraki, Claudia Diefenbach, Wiebke Sauter
Summary: New therapies are needed to improve the conditions of bronchiectasis patients by reducing airway inflammation, improving symptoms, and preventing further damage. The design of a phase 2 trial assessing the efficacy and safety of a novel CatC inhibitor, BI 1291583, in adult patients with bronchiectasis is presented. The study includes a screening period, treatment period, and follow-up period, and will evaluate the dose-response relationship of BI 1291583 on time to first pulmonary exacerbation.
Article
Microbiology
Aina Mesquida, Marina Machado, Lorena Davila-Cherres, Teresa Vicente, Carlos Sanchez-Carrillo, Luis Alcala, Elena Reigadas, Patricia Munoz, Jesus Guinea, Pilar Escribano
Summary: This study suggests that the gastrointestinal tract may serve as a potential reservoir for potentially invasive genotypes of Candida spp., as there was a high level of matching between genotypes from rectal swabs and those detected in blood and intra-abdominal samples.
Article
Dermatology
Leila Faeli, Firoozeh Kermani, Ali Rezaei-Matehkolaei, Macit Ilkit, Reza Valadan, Seyed Abdollah Hosseini, Javad Javidnia, Sabah Mayahi, Tahereh Shokohi, Mahdi Abastabar
Summary: This study aimed to assess the genotypic diversity and antifungal susceptibility of Trichophyton tonsurans isolates responsible for tinea gladiatorum (TG) in Iranian wrestlers. The results revealed five distinct non-transcribed spacer (NTS) types, with NTS-IV being the most prevalent. The distribution of NTS types varied across different cities, and antifungal susceptibility testing showed that all isolates were susceptible to terbinafine, while one isolate demonstrated resistance to itraconazole. Genotypic diversity was not correlated with antifungal susceptibility, emphasizing the importance of monitoring susceptibility to ensure effective treatment.