is an emerging worldwide fungal pathogen. Over the past 20 years, 61 patient isolates of
(4 blood and 57 ear) have been obtained from 13 hospitals in Korea. Here, we reanalyzed those molecularly ...identified isolates using two matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) systems, including Biotyper and Vitek MS, followed by antifungal susceptibility testing, sequencing of the
gene, and genotyping. With a research-use-only (RUO) library, 83.6% and 93.4% of the isolates were correctly identified by Biotyper and Vitek MS, respectively. Using an
diagnostic (IVD) library of Vitek MS, 96.7% of the isolates were correctly identified. Fluconazole-resistant isolates made up 62.3% of the isolates, while echinocandin- or multidrug-resistant isolates were not found. Excellent essential (within two dilutions, 96.7%) and categorical agreements (93.4%) between the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) and Vitek 2 (AST-YS07 card) methods were observed for fluconazole. Sequencing
for all 61 isolates revealed that only 3 fluconazole-resistant isolates showed the Erg11p amino acid substitution K143R. All 61 isolates showed identical multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analyses revealed that both blood and ear isolates had the same or similar patterns. These results show that MALDI-TOF MS and Vitek 2 antifungal susceptibility systems can be reliable diagnostic tools for testing
isolates from Korean hospitals. The Erg11p mutation was seldom found among Korean isolates of
, and multidrug resistance was not found. Both MLST and PFGE analyses suggest that these isolates are genetically similar.
Ferroptosis, a novel form of regulated cell death characterized by dependence on iron and lipid peroxidation, has been implicated in a wide range of clinical conditions including neurological ...diseases, cardiovascular disorders, acute kidney failure, and various types of cancer. Therefore, it is critical to suppress cancer progression and proliferation. Ferroptosis can be triggered in cancer cells and some normal cells by synthetic substances, such as erastin, Ras-selective lethal small molecule-3, or clinical pharmaceuticals. Natural bioactive compounds are traditional drug discovery tools, and some have been therapeutically used as dietary additives or pharmaceutical agents against various malignancies. The fact that natural products have multiple targets and minimal side effects has led to notable advances in anticancer research. Research has indicated that ferroptosis can also be induced by natural compounds during cancer treatment. In this review, we focused on the most recent developments in emerging molecular processes and the significance of ferroptosis in cancer. To provide new perspectives on the future development of ferroptosis-related anticancer medications, we also provide a summary of the implications of natural phytochemicals in triggering ferroptosis through ROS production and ferritinophagy induction in a variety of malignancies.
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•Ferroptosis regulates cancer cell death in various carcinomas.•Targeting ferroptosis for cancer therapeutics could be an attractive approach.•Natural compounds induce ferroptosis in different cancer.•Alkaloids, terpenes, phenols, flavonoids, saponin induces ferroptosis.
Shrimp is one of the most valuable aquaculture species globally, and the most internationally traded seafood product. Consequently, shrimp aquaculture practices have received increasing attention due ...to their high value and levels of demand, and this has contributed to economic growth in many developing countries. The global production of shrimp reached approximately 6.5 million t in 2019 and the shrimp aquaculture industry has consequently become a large-scale operation. However, the expansion of shrimp aquaculture has also been accompanied by various disease outbreaks, leading to large losses in shrimp production. Among the diseases, there are various viral diseases which can cause serious damage when compared to bacterial and fungi-based illness. In addition, new viral diseases occur rapidly, and existing diseases can evolve into new types. To address this, the review presented here will provide information on the DNA and RNA of shrimp viral diseases that have been designated by the World Organization for Animal Health and identify the latest shrimp disease trends.
Abstract
The human cutaneous lymphatic system strictly controls lymphatic functions by coordinating with skin cells. The lymphatic system plays important roles in removing cell waste, residual ...proteins, various antigens, and immune cells from tissues to maintain homeostasis and activate the immune system through the drainage of interstitial fluid
1,2
. The skin protects our body from external stimuli such as pathogens through the cutaneous lymphatic system
3,4
. Herein, to develop an in vitro human cutaneous lymphatic model, we present two 3D microfluidic platforms: a lymphangiogenesis model with a precollecting lymphatic vessel-like structure and an advanced lymphangiogenesis model with a functional cutaneous barrier and a precollecting lymphatic vessel-like structure. In addition, we rapidly analyzed prolymphangiogenic effects using methods that incorporate a high-speed image processing system and a deep learning-based vascular network analysis algorithm by 12 indices. Using these platforms, we evaluated the pro-lymphangiogenic effect of Lymphanax, a natural product derived from fresh ginseng. As a result, we demonstrated that Lymphanax induces robust lymphangiogenesis without any structural abnormalities. In conclusion, we suggest that these innovative platforms are useful for studying the interaction between the skin and lymphatic system as well as evaluating the prolymphangiogenic effects of drugs and cosmetics.
Given the increased fluconazole resistance (FR) among
isolates, we assessed the suitability of disk diffusion susceptibility testing (DDT) for the early detection of FR using well-characterized
...isolates.
In total, 188
isolates, including 66
(seven Erg11 mutants), 69
(33 Pdr1 mutants), 29
(15 Erg11 mutants), and 24
(eight Erg11 mutants) isolates, were tested in this study. FR was assessed using DDT according to the standard CLSI M44-ED3 method, except that two cell suspensions, McFarland 0.5 (standard inoculum) and 2.5 (large inoculum), were used, and the inhibition zones were read at 2-hour intervals from 10 hours to 24 hours.
DDT results for the standard inoculum were readable after 14 hours (
,
, and
) and 20 hours (
) for >95% of the isolates, whereas the results for the large inoculum were readable after 12 hours (
and
), 14 hours (
), and 16 hours (
) for >95% of the isolates. Compared with the results produced using the CLSI M27-ED4 broth microdilution method, the first readable results from the DDT method for each isolate exhibited an agreement of 97.0%, 98.6%, 72.4%, and 91.7% for the standard inoculum and 100%, 98.6%, 96.6%, and 95.8% for the large inoculum for
,
,
, and
, respectively.
DDT using large inoculum may detect FR rapidly and reliably in the four most common
species.
Breast cancer presents a significant global health challenge with rising incidence rates worldwide. Despite current efforts, it remains inadequately controlled. Functional foods, notably tempeh, have ...emerged as promising candidates for breast cancer prevention and treatment due to bioactive peptides and isoflavones exhibiting potential anticancer properties by serving as antioxidants, inducing apoptosis, and inhibiting cancer cell proliferation. This study integrates pharmacoinformatics and cellular investigations (i.e., a multifaceted approach) to elucidate the antioxidative and anti-breast cancer properties of tempeh-derived isoflavones. Methodologies encompass metabolomic profiling, in silico analysis, antioxidant assays, and in vitro experiments. Daidzein and genistein exhibited potential therapeutic options for breast cancer treatment and as antioxidant agents. In vitro studies also supported their efficacy against breast cancer and their ability to scavenge radicals, particularly in soy-based tempeh powder (SBT-P) and its isoflavone derivatives. Results have demonstrated a significant downregulation of breast cancer signaling proteins and increased expression of miR-7-5p, a microRNA with tumor-suppressive properties. Notably, the LD50 values of SBT-P and its derivatives on normal breast cell lines indicate their potential safety, with minimal cytotoxic effects on MCF-10A cells compared to control groups. The study underscores the favorable potential of SBT-P as a safe therapeutic option for breast cancer treatment, warranting further clinical exploration.
The correct identification of filamentous fungi is challenging. We evaluated the performance of the VITEK MS v3.0 system (bioMérieux, Marcy-l'Étoile, France) for the identification of a wide spectrum ...of clinically relevant filamentous fungi using a Korean collection. Strains that were added to the upgraded v3.2 database were additionally identified by the VITEK MS v3.2 system. Of the 105 tested isolates, including 37
(nine species), 41 dermatophytes (seven species), and 27 other molds (17 species), 43 (41.0%) showed "no identification" or "multiple species identification" results at the initial VITEK MS testing; these isolates were retested using the same method. Compared with sequence-based identification, the correct identification rate using VITEK MS for
, dermatophytes, other molds, and total mold isolates was 67.6%, 56.1%, 48.1%, and 58.1% at the initial testing and 94.6%, 78.0%, 55.6%, and 78.1% with retesting, respectively. Following retesting, 19 (18.1%) and two (1.9%) isolates showed "no identification" and "misidentification" results, respectively. VITEK MS reliably identified various filamentous fungi recovered in Korea, with a very low rate of misidentification.
Background
The olive flounder (
Paralichthys olivaceus
) is a saltwater fish, which is valuable to the economy. The olive flounder strives to adapt to environmental stressors through physiological, ...biochemical, and transcriptional responses. The rise in water temperature threatens the growth, development, reproduction, and survival of olive flounder. Each organ in the olive flounder can differentially respond to heat stress.
Objectives
The purpose of this study is to investigate organ-specific transcriptional changes in olive flounder tissues during heat stress.
Methods
In this study, transcriptome dynamics of the gill, liver, and muscle of olive flounder to acute or chronic heat stress were investigated.
Results
Principal component analysis plotting revealed that the transcriptome of each organ is quite separated. K-means clustering, gene ontology, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis showed the differential transcriptome responses of each organ to heat stress. Heat stress commonly affects the pathways involved in the correct protein folding, DNA repair, and cell cycle.
Conclusion
Our results may provide a valuable molecular basis of heat acclimation in fishes.
Interferon Regulatory Factor 3 (IRF3) is a member of interferon-regulated transcription factor family and is known to play an important role in the innate immune response against viral infections. In ...this study, the expression of IRF3 in different tissues, developmental stages, and stocking densities of olive flounder was investigated. The expression of IRF3 was observed to gradually increase in early-stage juvenile fish. The highest expression was observed in later-stage juvenile fish when immune tissues were formed. High IRF3 expression was observed in the muscles and the brain tissues. The expression of IRF3 was observed in fish at different stocking densities after viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV) infection. It yielded an interesting expression pattern in the muscles and the brain tissues of fish stocked at low density. These observations can be used as basic data for the study of the expression of immune response-related genes against viruses based on stocking density and immune systems in other fish species.