Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Joram Kiriga Waititu, Xingen Zhang, Tianci Chen, Chunyi Zhang, Yang Zhao, Huan Wang
Summary: This study compared the transcriptome and physiological responses of drought-tolerant and susceptible maize inbred lines at the seedling stage, revealing higher water content and lower electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde levels in the tolerant line. RNA-seq analysis identified key drought-responsive genes related to cytoskeleton, photosynthesis, and other pathways. The findings provide a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms mediating drought stress tolerance in maize seedlings.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Salik Miskat Borbora, Bijewar Ashish Satish, Smriti Sundar, Mahima, Sneha Bhatt, Kithiganahalli Narayanaswamy Balaji
Summary: During Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, the expression of SLIT2 is upregulated, leading to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and impairing the host's ability to counter oxidative stress and favoring mycobacterial survival.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Jodie A. Schildkraut, Jordy P. M. Coolen, Sophie Burbaud, Jasper J. N. Sangen, Michael P. Kwint, R. Andres Floto, Huub J. M. op den Camp, Lindsey H. M. Te Brake, Heiman F. L. Wertheim, Kornelia Neveling, Wouter Hoefsloot, Jakko van Ingen
Summary: This study provides the first description of the major transcriptional mechanisms of tolerance to recommended antibiotics in Mycobacterium abscessus. The bacterium shows both drug-specific and common transcriptomic responses to antibiotic exposure. The findings have significant implications for understanding antibiotic resistance mechanisms and developing targeted therapeutic regimens.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Tamas Emri, Karoly Antal, Barnabas Gila, Andrea P. Jonas, Istvan Pocsi
Summary: This study revealed the significant impact of glucose withdrawal on the physiological characteristics of A. fumigatus, including regulation of cell wall degradation, antioxidative enzyme genes, iron acquisition, and gene cluster activities. These findings are important for understanding the adaptability and pathogenic mechanisms of this fungal strain under carbon limitation conditions.
Article
Plant Sciences
Sabarna Bhattacharyya, Maya Giridhar, Bastian Meier, Edgar Peiter, Ute C. Vothknecht, Fatima Chigri
Summary: This study identified differentially expressed genes in barley plants after the application of H2O2, revealing that the regulation was organ-specific and different biological processes were affected in roots and leaves.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Yeyu Chen, Xiaoyun Wu, Pengcheng Li, Ya Liu, Mingjiang Song, Feiyang Li, Jun Ou, Jiansheng Lai
Summary: This study conducted an integrated analysis of the transcriptome and metabolism of Triplophysa siluroides under heat stress conditions. The results revealed that heat stress strongly upregulated genes in the Hsp family and affected specific pathways, while also causing differential abundance of metabolites. The combined analysis of transcriptome and metabolism results showed enhanced ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis and purine metabolism pathways under heat stress conditions to protect cells from damage.
FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Alexander D. H. Kingdon, Asti-Rochelle Meosa-John, Sarah M. Batt, Gurdyal S. Besra
Summary: Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a deadly pathogen causing tuberculosis infections and the leading cause of death globally from a single infectious agent. The identification of additional drugs and the development of strategies to combat drug resistance are crucial in achieving the goals of the End TB 2030 strategy. Vanoxerine, a dopamine re-uptake inhibitor, has been found to have anti-mycobacterial activity, disrupting the membrane electric potential and inhibiting mycobacterial growth without detectable resistance, suggesting its potential as a tool compound or for further development.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Amparo Martinez-Perez, Olivia Estevez, Africa Gonzalez-Fernandez
Summary: The author discusses the main fields explored in tuberculosis (TB) using transcriptomics and identifies the challenges that need to be addressed for real implementation in TB diagnosis, prevention, and therapy.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Byeong Hee Kang, Woon Ji Kim, Sreeparna Chowdhury, Chang Yeok Moon, Sehee Kang, Seong-Hoon Kim, Sung-Hwan Jo, Tae-Hwan Jun, Kyung Do Kim, Bo-Keun Ha
Summary: This study identified genes related to salt stress in cowpea by comparing germplasms with contrasting salt tolerance. The results provide useful information for the development of molecular markers in cowpea breeding programs.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xiaoxiang Zhang, Peng Liu, Chunyan Qing, Cong Yang, Yaou Shen, Langlang Ma
Summary: Salt stress affects crop yield by limiting growth and delaying development. Our study identified several DEGs enriched in the ABA signaling pathway common to both salt-tolerant and salt-sensitive maize lines, as well as specific DEGs induced in the salt-tolerant line, which may be responsible for high salt tolerance. Analysis showed that the period between 0 and 6 hours was crucial for the rapid response of tolerant genes under salt stress. These findings contribute to understanding the mechanism of salt response and provide references for functional gene revelation in plants.
Article
Microbiology
Sungmin Zo, Hojoong Kim, O. Jung Kwon, Byung Woo Jhun
Summary: Limited data exist on the impact of the antibiotic maintenance period on the redevelopment of Mycobacterium avium complex pulmonary disease after microbiological cure. Extending the antibiotic maintenance period beyond 12 months did not reduce the redevelopment rate, indicating the need for further optimization of the duration of the antibiotic maintenance period to prevent recurrence.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Ashley M. Cunningham, Deena M. Walker, Aarthi Ramakrishnan, Marie A. Doyle, Rosemary C. Bagot, Hannah M. Cates, Catherine J. Pena, Orna Issler, Casey Lardner, Caleb Browne, Scott J. Russo, Li Shen, Eric J. Nestler
Summary: Studies have shown that paternal stress can lead to long-lasting changes in germ cells, with differences in transmission patterns between stress-resilient and stress-susceptible mice. Research on chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) has revealed significant alterations in sperm transcriptomes of susceptible versus resilient fathers, particularly in the regulation by long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). These findings advance our understanding of intergenerational epigenetic transmission of behavioral experience.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Minkyung Kim, Wonjae Kim, Yunho Lee, Woojun Park
Summary: The study found that under high light and organic-rich conditions, bacteria communities with H2O2 resistance can promote the growth and photosynthetic activity of Microcystis aeruginosa, with Alphaproteobacteria playing a key role, likely by protecting them from the toxicity of H2O2. These bacterial communities have higher catalase activity levels and faster rates of O2 production upon H2O2 detoxification.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Pengxiang Tian, Zhiming Zhao, Yanli Fan, Na Cui, Baojun Shi, Guimin Hao
Summary: This study investigated the effects of stress on male reproductive function by observing changes in the testes of rats exposed to stress. It found that chronic stress can lead to pathological changes in the testes, decreased expression of key marker genes related to spermatogenesis, and alterations in the population of spermatogenic cells, which may contribute to male reproductive dysfunction.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mengyun Xing, Kangkang Huang, Chen Zhang, Dujun Xi, Huifeng Luo, Jiabo Pei, Ruoxin Ruan, Hui Liu
Summary: Waterlogging stress is a major issue affecting the growth and productivity of kiwifruits. In this study, transcriptome analysis was conducted on wild kiwifruit plants subjected to waterlogging stress. The analysis revealed a large number of differentially expressed genes, with functional enrichment in stress response, metabolic processes, molecular transport, and mitotic organization. Hypoxia-related genes and transcription factors were found to be correlated with the levels of acetaldehyde and ethanol. Differences were also observed in the promoter sequences of ADH genes between Actinidia deliciosa and Actinidia chinensis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Editorial Material
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Qingtian Guan, Bushra Alhuthali, Sara Mfarrej, Magid Abdel Halim, Reem S. Almaghrabi, Arnab Pain
JOURNAL OF TRAVEL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tobias Mourier, Muhammad Shuaib, Sharif Hala, Sara Mfarrej, Fadwa Alofi, Raeece Naeem, Afrah Alsomali, David Jorgensen, Amit Kumar Subudhi, Fathia Ben Rached, Qingtian Guan, Rahul P. Salunke, Amanda Ooi, Luke Esau, Olga Douvropoulou, Raushan Nugmanova, Sadhasivam Perumal, Huoming Zhang, Issaac Rajan, Awad Al-Omari, Samer Salih, Abbas Shamsan, Abbas Al Mutair, Jumana Taha, Abdulaziz Alahmadi, Nashwa Khotani, Abdelrahman Alhamss, Ahmed Mahmoud, Khaled Alquthami, Abdullah Dageeg, Asim Khogeer, Anwar M. Hashem, Paula Moraga, Eric Volz, Naif Almontashiri, Arnab Pain
Summary: Monitoring the spread and evolution of SARS-CoV-2 through genome sequencing is crucial in managing the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, the authors sequenced 892 SARS-CoV-2 genomes collected from patients in Saudi Arabia and identified two consecutive mutations in the nucleocapsid protein that were associated with higher viral loads in COVID-19 patients. Through biochemical analysis, they found that the mutant protein displayed enhanced viral RNA binding and differential interaction with key host proteins. The study also revealed dysregulated interferon response genes in host cells expressing the mutant protein. These findings provide important insights into the modulation of host-virus interactions and highlight the potential of the nucleocapsid protein as a target for drug development during infection.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Amit Kumar Subudhi, Anne-Lise Bienvenu, Guillaume Bonnot, Reem Abu-Shamma, Faryal Khamis, Hussain Ali Abdulhussain Al Lawati, Stephane Picot, Eskild Petersen, Arnab Pain
Summary: This article presents a clinical and genomic epidemiological perspective of the first case of Artesunate treatment failure in an Omani citizen who originally contracted Plasmodium falciparum malaria during travel to Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. The patient was admitted to a hospital in Muscat for treatment.
JOURNAL OF TRAVEL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xindong Xu, Yifeng Wang, Changhong Wang, Gangqiang Guo, Xinyu Yu, Yang Dai, Yaobao Liu, Guiying Wei, Xiaohui He, Ge Jin, Ziqiu Zhang, Qingtian Guan, Arnab Pain, Shengyue Wang, Wenbao Zhang, Neil D. Young, Robin B. Gasser, Donald P. McManus, Jun Cao, Qi Zhou, Qingfeng Zhang
Summary: This study reports a chromosome-level reference genome for Schistosoma japonicum, shedding light on the evolution of sex chromosomes and providing insights into the sex determination and differentiation of this species. The study also identified W-linked genes and female-preferentially transcribed genes, which play critical roles in the maturation of female worms.
MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jonah Larkins-Ford, Bree B. Aldridge
Summary: This article discusses the methods and advances in designing drug combinations for tuberculosis, including in vitro, in vivo, and computational approaches. By using optimized combination therapies, utilizing existing and new drug combination backbones, novel and effective multidrug therapies can be generated.
EXPERT OPINION ON DRUG DISCOVERY
(2023)
Review
Parasitology
Richard Culleton, Arnab Pain, Georges Snounou
Summary: Plasmodium malariae is a neglected malaria parasite, with less research conducted compared to its more notorious cousins, P. falciparum and P. vivax. However, there has been increasing interest in this parasite due to improved detection techniques revealing a wider prevalence and high numbers of chronic, asymptomatic infections, particularly in Africa.
TRENDS IN PARASITOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Kin Ki Jim, Rieza Aprianto, Rutger Koning, Arnau Domenech, Jun Kurushima, Diederik van de Beek, Christina M. J. E. Vandenbroucke-Grauls, Wilbert Bitter, Jan-Willem Veening
Summary: This study investigates the specific transcriptional responses of pneumolysin and identifies key pathways involved in early pneumococcal meningitis using an in vivo dual RNA sequencing approach. The study provides new insights into the interactions between the host and pathogen during the early phase of central nervous system infection.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Andrea Zuccolo, Sara Mfarrej, Mirko Celii, Saule Mussurova, Luis F. Rivera, Victor Llaca, Nahed Mohammed, Arnab Pain, Abdulmajeed Fahad Alrefaei, Abdulwahed Fahad Alrefaei, Rod A. Wing
Summary: This study sequenced and assembled the genome of the gyrfalcon species using third-generation sequencing strategies and optical maps. The assembled genome showed high contiguity and completeness. Comparative analysis with other avian genomes revealed several genome rearrangements, including nine putative chromosome fusions in the gyrfalcon genome.
G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vien Q. T. Ho, Mark K. Rong, Eva Habjan, Samantha D. Bommer, Thang V. Pham, Sander R. Piersma, Wilbert Bitter, Eelco Ruijter, Alexander Speer
Summary: In this study, a 1,2,4-oxadiazole derivative was found to inhibit the secretion of active lipase LipY by the ESX-5 secretion system. Other ESX-5 substrates were even more abundantly secreted in the presence of several 1,2,4-oxadiazoles. These compounds significantly reduced bacterial burden in zebrafish models.
Article
Microbiology
Malak Haidar, Shahin Tajeri, Laurence Momeux, Tobias Mourier, Fathia Ben-Rached, Sara Mfarrej, Zineb Rchiad, Arnab Pain, Gordon Langsley
Summary: MicroRNA levels are altered in diseases caused by parasites. In this study, the authors show that infection by Theileria annulata and Plasmodium falciparum parasites leads to changes in miR-34c-3p levels, which regulate host cell PKA activity by targeting prkar2b. This regulation occurs independently of cAMP and has implications for tumor dissemination and parasite fitness.
Article
Oncology
Lisette Waanders, Lieve E. H. van der Donk, Louis S. Ates, Janneke Maaskant, John L. van Hamme, Eric Eldering, Jaco A. C. van Bruggen, Joanne M. Rietveld, Wilbert Bitter, Teunis B. H. Geijtenbeek, Coenraad P. Kuijl
Summary: By expressing cGAS in Salmonella typhimurium, the STING pathway can be activated in vitro, leading to enhanced cytotoxic T-cell response and tumor cell killing. This suggests the potential of Salmonella typhimurium-cGAS in vitro and provides rationale for further in vivo research.
JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ilona van Alen, Mayra A. Aguirre Garcia, Janneke J. Maaskant, Coenraad P. Kuijl, Wilbert Bitter, Annemarie H. Meijer, Marcellus Ubbink
Summary: This study tested the activity of variants of the beta-lactamase enzyme BlaC from Mycobacterium tuberculosis under more physiological conditions and investigated their effectiveness in combination therapy with antibiotics and inhibitors using a zebrafish infection model. The results suggest that the zebrafish host is less sensitive to the combinatorial therapy, which is important for the future development of combination therapies to treat tuberculosis.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Muhammad Shuaib, Sabir Adroub, Tobias Mourier, Sara Mfarrej, Huoming Zhang, Luke Esau, Afrah Alsomali, Fadwa S. Alofi, Adeel Nazir Ahmad, Abbas Shamsan, Asim Khogeer, Anwar M. Hashem, Naif A. M. Almontashiri, Sharif Hala, Arnab Pain
Summary: This study found that two mutations (R203K and G204R) on the nucleocapsid protein of SARS-CoV-2 are associated with increased disease severity in COVID-19 patients. The presence of these KR mutations caused a heightened inflammatory response, increased levels of neutrophils, and elevated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio. These findings suggest that KR mutations may modulate the host immune response and contribute to the pathogenesis of COVID-19.
Article
Ecology
Herbert Venthur, Ignacio Arias, Paula Lizana, Jernej Jakse, Hatten A. A. Alharbi, Mohammed Ali Alsaleh, Arnab Pain, Binu Antony
Summary: Red palm weevil (RPW) was found to have 27 novel rostrum-specific olfactory proteins, including OBPs and an IR93a-clade related to hygrosensation.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Abeer N. Alshukairi, Yasser Aldabbagh, Sabir A. Adroub, Tobias Mourier, Khalid Y. Abumelha, Ghadeer E. Albishi, Basem M. Alraddadi, Mohammad K. Al Hroub, Aiman El-Saed, Suzan M. Nagash Ibrahim, Mohammed Al Musawa, Ahlam Almasari, Wael T. Habahab, Fatimah S. Alhamlan, Awad Al-Omari, Arnab Pain, Ashraf Dada
Summary: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of Omicron subvariants on the mortality of transplant recipients. Our findings revealed that the mortality rate of transplant patients infected with Omicron variants was higher in our cohort compared to other centers, as a limited number of patients received booster vaccines. Optimizing booster vaccination is the most efficient way to improve the mortality of COVID-19 in transplant recipients.
JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY AND GLOBAL HEALTH
(2023)