Bark beetles form multipartite symbiotic associations with blue stain fungi (Ophiostomatales, Ascomycota). These fungal symbionts play an important role during the beetle's life cycle by providing ...nutritional supplementation, overcoming tree defences and modifying host tissues to favour brood development. The maintenance of stable multipartite symbioses with seemingly less competitive symbionts in similar habitats is of fundamental interest to ecology and evolution. We tested the hypothesis that the coexistence of three fungal species associated with the mountain pine beetle is the result of niche partitioning and adaptive radiation using SNP genotyping coupled with genotype–environment association analysis and phenotypic characterization of growth rate under different temperatures. We found that genetic variation and population structure within each species is best explained by distinct spatial and environmental variables. We observed both common (temperature seasonality and the host species) and distinct (drought, cold stress, precipitation) environmental and spatial factors that shaped the genomes of these fungi resulting in contrasting outcomes. Phenotypic intraspecific variations in Grosmannia clavigera and Leptographium longiclavatum, together with high heritability, suggest potential for adaptive selection in these species. By contrast, Ophiostoma montium displayed narrower intraspecific variation but greater tolerance to extreme high temperatures. Our study highlights unique phenotypic and genotypic characteristics in these symbionts that are consistent with our hypothesis. By maintaining this multipartite relationship, the bark beetles have a greater likelihood of obtaining the benefits afforded by the fungi and reduce the risk of being left aposymbiotic. Complementarity among species could facilitate colonization of new habitats and survival under adverse conditions.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in Qatar, many patients who were severely ill were colonized and infected by Candida auris, an invasive multidrug-resistant yeast pathogen that spreads through nosocomial ...transmission within healthcare facilities. Here, we investigated the molecular epidemiology of these C. auris isolates and the mechanisms associated with antifungal drug resistance.
Whole genomes of 76 clinical C. auris isolates, including 65 from patients with COVID-19 collected from March 2020 to June 2021, from nine major hospitals were sequenced on Illumina NextSeq. Single nucleotide polymorphisms were used to determine their epidemiological patterns and mechanisms for antifungal resistance. The data were compared with those published prior to the COVID-19 pandemic from 2018 to 2020 in Qatar.
Genomic analysis revealed low genetic variability among the isolates from patients with and without COVID-19, confirming a clonal outbreak and ongoing dissemination of C. auris among various healthcare facilities. Based on antifungal susceptibility profiles, more than 70% (22/28) of isolates were resistant to both fluconazole and amphotericin B. Variant analysis revealed the presence of multi-antifungal resistant isolates with prominent amino acid substitutions: Y132F in ERG11 and V704L in CDR1 linked to reduced azole susceptibility and the emergence of echinocandin resistance samples bearing mutations in FKS1 in comparison with pre-COVID-19 pandemic samples. One sample (CAS109) was resistant to three classes of antifungal drugs with a unique premature stop codon in ERG3 and novel mutations in CDR2, which may be associated with elevated amphotericin B and azole resistance.
Candida auris isolates from patients with COVID-19 and from most patient samples without COVID-19 in Qatar were highly clonal. The data demonstrated the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains that carry novel mutations linked to enhanced resistance to azoles, echinocandins, and amphotericin B. Understanding the epidemiology and drug resistance will inform the infection control strategy and drug therapy.
Giardia is the most common parasitic cause of gastrointestinal infections worldwide, with transmission through surface water playing an important role in various parts of the world. Giardia ...duodenalis (synonyms: G. intestinalis and G. lamblia), a multispecies complex, has two zoonotic subtypes, assemblages A and B. When British Columbia (BC), a western Canadian province, experienced several waterborne giardiasis outbreaks due to unfiltered surface drinking water in the late 1980s, collection of isolates from surface water, as well as from humans and beavers (Castor canadensis), throughout the province was carried out. To better understand Giardia in surface water, 71 isolates, including 29 from raw surface water samples, 29 from human giardiasis cases, and 13 from beavers in watersheds from this historical library were characterized by PCR. Study isolates also included isolates from waterborne giardiasis outbreaks. Both assemblages A and B were identified in surface water, human, and beavers samples, including a mixture of both assemblages A and B in waterborne outbreaks. PCR results were confirmed by whole-genome sequencing (WGS) for one waterborne outbreak and supported the clustering of human, water, and beaver isolates within both assemblages. We concluded that contamination of surface water by Giardia is complex, that the majority of our surface water isolates were assemblage B, and that both assemblages A and B may cause waterborne outbreaks. The higher-resolution data provided by WGS warrants further study to better understand the spread of Giardia.
The mountain pine beetle (MPB; Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins, 1902) forms beneficial symbiotic associations with fungi. Here we explored the fine-scale spatial genetic structure of three of those ...fungi using single nucleotide polymorphism. We found that single mated pairs of beetles carry not only multiple fungal species, but also multiple genotypes of each species into their galleries. We observed genetic diversity at a fine spatial scale. Most of the diversity was found within and among galleries with nonsignificant diversity among trees. We observed clonal propagation almost exclusively within galleries. Ophiostoma montium (Rumbold) Arx possessed a larger expected number of multilocus genotypes and lower linkage disequilibrium than Grosmannia clavigera (Rob.-Jeffr. & R.W. Davidson) Zipfel, Z.W. de Beer & M.J. Wingf. and Leptographium longiclavatum S.W. Lee, J.J. Kim & C. Breuil. More than 80% of fungal samples were genetically unrelated, a result that parallels what has been observed in the beetles. The proportion of genetically related samples within galleries was higher in O. montium (40%) than in G. clavigera (20%) or L. longiclavatum (6%), likely the consequence of within-gallery sexual recombination in O. montium. The underlying genetic diversity reported here and the differences among fungal species could enable the symbiont community to quickly respond to new environmental conditions or changes in the host, enhancing the maintenance of this multipartite relationship and allowing the MPB to colonize new habitats.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
BF, DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Antimicrobial resistance is a global healthcare threat with significant clinical and economic consequences peaking at secondary and tertiary care hospitals where multidrug-resistant Gram-negative ...bacteria (MDR GNB) lead to poor outcomes. A prospective study was conducted between January and December 2019 for all invasive bloodstream infections (BSIs) secondary to MDR GNB in Qatar identified during routine microbiological service to examine their clinical, microbiological, and genomic characteristics. Out of 3238 episodes of GNB BSIs, the prevalence of MDR GNB was 13% (429/3238). The predominant MDR pathogens were
(62.7%),
(20.4%),
species (6.6%), and
(5.3%), while out of 245 clinically evaluated patients, the majority were adult males, with the elderly constituting almost one-third of the cohort and with highest observed risk for prolonged hospital stays. The risk factors identified included multiple comorbidities, recent healthcare contact, previous antimicrobial therapy, and admission to critical care. The in-hospital mortality rate was recorded at 25.7%, associated with multiple comorbidities, admission to critical care, and the acquisition of MDR
. Resistant pathogens demonstrated high levels of antimicrobial resistance but noticeable susceptibility to amikacin and carbapenems. Genomic analysis revealed that
ST131 and
ST1 were the predominant clones not observed with other pathogens.
The world’s ten most feared fungi Hyde, Kevin D.; Al-Hatmi, Abdullah M. S.; Andersen, Birgitte ...
Fungal diversity,
11/2018, Letnik:
93, Številka:
1
Journal Article
Recenzirano
An account is provided of the world’s ten most feared fungi. Within areas of interest, we have organized the entries in the order of concern. We put four human pathogens first as this is of concern ...to most people. This is followed by fungi producing mycotoxins that are highly harmful for humans;
Aspergillus flavus
, the main producer of aflatoxins, was used as an example. Problems due to indoor air fungi may also directly affect our health and we use
Stachybotrys chartarum
as an example. Not everyone collects and eats edible mushrooms. However, fatalities caused by mushroom intoxications often make news headlines and therefore we include one of the most poisonous of all mushrooms,
Amanita phalloides
, as an example. We then move on to the fungi that damage our dwellings causing serious anxiety by rotting our timber structures and flooring.
Serpula lacrymans
, which causes dry rot is an excellent example. The next example serves to represent all plant and forest pathogens. Here we chose
Austropuccinia psidii
as it is causing devastating effects in Australia and will probably do likewise in New Zealand. Finally, we chose an important amphibian pathogen which is causing serious declines in the numbers of frogs and other amphibians worldwide. Although we target the top ten most feared fungi, numerous others are causing serious concern to human health, plant production, forestry, other animals and our factories and dwellings. By highlighting ten feared fungi as an example, we aim to promote public awareness of the cost and importance of fungi.
Obesity is a persistent public health concern and a risk factor for many chronic diseases including at least 13 different cancers. Adult Black females have the highest prevalence of obesity (57%) ...compared to other racial/gender groups in the U.S. Although behavioral weight loss (BWL) interventions have demonstrated effectiveness, Black females tend to lose less weight than White counterparts. The higher prevalence of chronic psychological stress reported by Black females may contribute to their disproportionate prevalence of obesity and observed suboptimal weight loss. This study will examine the effectiveness of a 12-month culturally-targeted, stress management-enhanced BWL intervention on weight loss and stress reduction among Black females in a fully-powered randomized, controlled trial.
Adult Black females with obesity (n = 340) will be randomized to either a culturally targeted stress management-enhanced BWL intervention (BWL-Stress) or the same BWL intervention alone (BWL-alone). The primary outcome is weight change at month 6. Secondary outcomes will include changes in stress measures (e.g., perceived stress, cortisol), energy intake, and physical activity at month 6. We will also assess process measures (e.g., treatment adherence, treatment burden). Each outcome will also be evaluated at month 12 to assess longer-term effects of the intervention.
This novel approach for enhancing an evidence-based BWL program with culturally-targeted stress management strategies for Black females addresses an understudied barrier to effective weight management among a population at high risk for obesity and obesity-related chronic diseases. This study will potentially elucidate psychological or behavioral mechanisms linking our novel intervention to study outcomes. If the intervention is proven to be effective, this study will have significant clinical and public health implications for weight management among Black females.
This study was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov , identifier NCT04335799t , on April 6, 2020.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
.
The identification of a moderate increase in circulating inflammatory factors in obese subjects, the description of changes in inflammatory gene expression in adipose tissue (AT) and the discovery ...that macrophage cells infiltrate AT are observations contributing to the concept that human obesity is a chronic inflammatory illness. This concept has led to some revision of the physiopathology of obesity and of its related metabolic and cardiovascular co‐morbidities. Low‐grade inflammation in the AT and the subsequent production of specific biomarkers could actually link expanded fat mass to obesity complications. This review aims at providing an overview of the current knowledge brought up by human gene expression studies, notably those performed on a large scale in AT depots. The regulation of specific biomarkers related to inflammation and putative new candidates (i.e. cathepsins and serum amyloid A) is discussed in the context of weight loss programmes based on calorie restriction and physical exercise. The foreseen clinical and technological challenges are also summarized.
Objective
Educating Nurses about Reproductive Issues in Cancer Healthcare (ENRICH) is a web‐based training program to assist oncology nurses with timely communication and relevant information ...regarding reproductive health issues (eg, risk of infertility, fertility preservation, and sexual health) to adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients and survivors. This manuscript describes impact on knowledge, perceived communication skills, and practice behaviors.
Methods
The eight‐module course incorporated didactic content and an interactive applied learning component on the following reproductive health topics: overview, men, women, family building options, pediatrics, sexual health, communication, and practical applications. A 14‐question pretest and posttest was administered to assess changes in knowledge. Additionally, participants received a follow‐up survey addressing communication skills and practice behaviors.
Results
Over a 3‐year period, 233 nurses completed the training. The mean pretest to posttest total score increased significantly (P < .001). Nurses rated their communication skills regarding risk of infertility with males as 7.5 and females as 7.4, based on a 10‐point scale. Half of participants noted that they often or always discuss risk of infertility and fertility preservation options. Two‐thirds indicated they refer patients to reproductive specialists, and majority (72%) indicated they document those referrals.
Conclusions
ENRICH is a successful intervention for oncology nurses caring for AYA patients and survivors by increasing knowledge, communication skills, and frequency of discussion of reproductive health.
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