Probiotics are usually live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefits on host. Nowadays, probiotics are also becoming an integral part of the aquaculture ...practices to obtain high production. The common probiotics that are used for aquaculture practices include
Lactobacillus,
Lactococcus,
Leuconostoc,
Enterococcus,
Carnobacterium,
Shewanella,
Bacillus,
Aeromonas,
Vibrio,
Enterobacter,
Pseudomonas,
Clostridium, and
Saccharomyces species. The involvement of probiotics in nutrition, disease resistance and other beneficial activities in fish has proven beyond any doubt. Among the numerous health benefits attributed to probiotics, modulation of immune system is one of the most commonly purported benefits of the probiotics and their potency to stimulate the systemic and local immunity under
in vitro and
in vivo conditions is noteworthy. Different probiotics either monospecies or multispecies supplementation can eventually elevate phagocytic, lysozyme, complement, respiratory burst activity as well as expression of various cytokines in fish. Similarly, probiotics can stimulate the gut immune system of fish with marked increase in the number of Ig
+ cells and acidophilic granulocytes. Furthermore, mono-bacterial association studies (with non-probiotic bacterial strains) in gnotobiotic fish also indicate the up-regulation of various immune related genes. Though the exact mode of action of probiotics is yet to be established in any animal including fish, probiotics often exert host specific and strain specific differences in their activities. Various factors like source, type, dose and duration of supplementation of probiotics can significantly affect the immunomodulatory activity of probiotics. The review is therefore, aiming to highlight the immunomodulatory activity of probiotics and also to evaluate the factors that regulate for the optimum induction of immune responses in fish.
Summary
We performed a systematic review on the effect of drug holidays (discontinuation) on bone mineral density (BMD) and fracture risk. Bisphosphonate discontinuation may be considered for women ...who do not have low hip BMD after 3–5 years of initial treatment, while women who have low hip BMD may benefit from treatment continuation.
Introduction
We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis on the effect of drug holidays (discontinuation) on BMD and fracture risk.
Methods
We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases to locate controlled clinical trials and cohort studies evaluating the effect of drug holidays/discontinuation versus osteoporosis treatment continuation. We performed random-effects meta-analyses of hazard ratios of hip and any clinical osteoporotic fracture for individuals who discontinued bisphosphonates compared to persistent users.
Results
Thirteen records reporting results from eight different studies met inclusion criteria. The FLEX study found a reduced clinical vertebral fracture risk with 10 years of alendronate therapy compared to 5 (RR 0.45, 95% CI 0.24–0.85), and the HORIZON extension studies found a reduced risk of morphometric vertebral fracture with 6 years of zoledronic acid therapy compared to 3 (OR = 0.51, 95% CI 0.26–0.95); subgroup analyses showed that women with low hip BMD T-scores after the initial treatment period benefitted from continued treatment in terms of reduced vertebral fracture risk. Meta-analysis of adjusted hazard ratios of hip and any clinical osteoporotic fracture for women who discontinued bisphosphonates revealed no significant differences in the risk of hip fracture (summary estimate of HR 1.09, 95% CI 0.87–1.37) or any clinical fracture (summary estimate of HR 1.13, 95% CI 0.75–1.70) compared to persistent users.
Conclusions
Bisphosphonate discontinuation may be considered for women who do not have low hip BMD after 3 to 5 years of initial treatment, while women who have low hip BMD may benefit from treatment continuation.
Viral vectors are potent gene delivery platforms used for the treatment of genetic and acquired diseases. However, just as viruses have evolved to infect cells efficiently, the immune system has ...evolved to fight off what it perceives as invading pathogens. Therefore, innate immunity and antigen-specific adaptive immune responses against vector-derived antigens reduce the efficacy and stability of in vivo gene transfer. In addition, a number of vectors are derived from parent viruses that humans encounter through natural infection, resulting in preexisting antibodies and possibly in memory responses against vector antigens. Similarly, antibody and T-cell responses may be directed against therapeutic gene products that often differ from the endogenous nonfunctional or absent protein that is being replaced. As details and mechanisms of such immune reactions are uncovered, novel strategies are being developed, and vectors are being specifically engineered to avoid, suppress or manipulate the response, ideally resulting in sustained expression and immune tolerance to the transgene product. This review provides a summary of our current knowledge of the interactions between the immune system adeno-associated virus, adenoviral and lentiviral vectors, and their transgene products.
Fungi interact with plants in various ways, with each interaction giving rise to different alterations in both partners. While fungal pathogens have detrimental effects on plant physiology, ...mutualistic fungi augment host defence responses to pathogens and/or improve plant nutrient uptake. Tropic growth towards plant roots or stomata, mediated by chemical and topographical signals, has been described for several fungi, with evidence of species-specific signals and sensing mechanisms. Fungal partners secrete bioactive molecules such as small peptide effectors, enzymes and secondary metabolites which facilitate colonization and contribute to both symbiotic and pathogenic relationships. There has been tremendous advancement in fungal molecular biology, omics sciences and microscopy in recent years, opening up new possibilities for the identification of key molecular mechanisms in plant–fungal interactions, the power of which is often borne out in their combination. Our fragmentary knowledge on the interactions between plants and fungi must be made whole to understand the potential of fungi in preventing plant diseases, improving plant productivity and understanding ecosystem stability. Here, we review innovative methods and the associated new insights into plant–fungal interactions.
The diversity of fungal–plant interactions are reviewed as a function of biochemical, physiological and evolutionary adaptation, which are interconnected at various stages.
Graphical Abstract Figure.
The diversity of fungal–plant interactions are reviewed as a function of biochemical, physiological and evolutionary adaptation, which are interconnected at various stages.
Poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/Polybutylene adipate co-terephthalate (PBAT) blend and its nanocomposites were prepared using melt blending technique. Glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) has been used as a reactive ...compatibilizer to improve the interface between PLA and PBAT. Mechanical studies indicated an increase in impact strength and tensile modulus of PLA matrix with the increase in PBAT loading. PLA/PBAT blend prepared at ratio of 75:25 exhibited optimum impact strength. Further, incorporation of GMA to the tune of 5
wt.% and nanoclay shows an increase of impact strength. Morphological interpretations through SEM reveals improved interfacial adhesion between the PLA/PBAT blend in presence of GMA and nanoclay. XRD studies indicated an increase in
d-spacing in PLA/PBAT/C20A blend nanocomposite thus revealing intercalated morphology. DSC and TGA thermograms also showed improved thermal properties as compared with virgin PLA. DMA tests revealed an increase in damping factor, confirming strong influence between PLA/PBAT blend in presence of GMA and nanoclay.
A new software suite called BiNDAS has been developed, primarily using <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">\text{C}^{++} </tex-math></inline-formula>, for nuclear spectroscopy data sorting ...and analysis. In this transaction, we report its application to gamma-ray spectroscopy but it can easily be used for other experiments. Detailed discussions of the new features which include the MAP file, time spectra alignment, ability to define detectors for the 1-D axis of addback spectra, the 2-D axes of coincidence matrix, etc. have been presented. Few examples, showing the use of these features, have also been furnished. The higher speed, ease of use, and flexibility over the programs currently in use come from the utilization of new algorithms and novel approach to the problems. A discussion on AutoCal, part of this suite, has also been presented. It is a GUI-based automatic gamma spectrum calibration software that can automatically search, fit, and assign energy to peaks in the spectra. The suite is expected to significantly reduce data analysis time, while keeping human errors to a minimum.
Environmental pollution is inherently linked to several metabolic diseases and high mortality. The kidney is more susceptible to environmental pollutants compared to other organs as it is involved in ...concentrating and filtering most of these toxins. Few epidemiological studies revealed the intrinsic relationship between exposure to Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) and CKD development. Though EDCs have the potential to cause severe pathologies, the specific molecular mechanisms by which they accelerate the progression of CKD remain elusive. In particular, our understanding of how pollutants affect the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) through the gut-kidney axis is currently limited. EDCs modulate the composition and function of the gut microbial community and favor the colonization of harmful gut pathogens. This alteration leads to an overproduction of uremic toxin and membrane vesicles. These vesicles carry several inflammatory molecules that exacerbate inflammation and renal tissue damage and aggravate the progression of CKD. Several experimental studies have revealed potential pathways by which uremic toxin further aggravates CKD. These include the induction of membrane vesicle production in host cells, which can trigger inflammatory pathways and insulin resistance. Reciprocally, CKD can also modulate gut bacterial composition that might further aggravate CKD condition. Thus, EDCs pose a significant threat to kidney health and the global CKD burden. Understanding this complicated issue necessitates multidisciplinary initiatives such as strict environmental controls, public awareness, and the development of novel therapeutic strategies targeting EDCs.
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•Kidney is more susceptible to pollutants compared to other organs.•Until now, few epidemiological studies established connection between EDCs and CKD.•EDCs mediate gut dysbiosis, and increase uremic toxins and membrane vesicles level.•Gut microbes-derived vesicles trigger inflammatory pathways and diabetes.•Uremic toxins mediate CKD by inducing vesicle formation in host cells.
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