Journal of Biosciences最新文献

In today's world, food safety is of paramount importance. Even a slight lapse can lead to significant economic losses and place a heavy burden on the healthcare system. Over the years, multiple mathematical models have been developed to predict microbial growth in commercial foods. However, each of these models had to give up at least one of the factors, i.e., generality, realism, or precision. The Baranyi and Roberts model was proposed in the 1990s and was an extension of the logistic model. It took 'realism' into account and bridged the gap between the conditions affecting populations in nature and how they are represented on paper. The realistic attributes of the model allowed it to model, for the first time, the lag time. In this review, we have discussed the model in detail, along with its extrapolations that made it flexible. We have further discussed how the Baranyi model is still important in food safety regimes. We have also discussed how one can explain the setting up of the adjustment factor used in this model. Our literature review has revealed how the Baranyi and Roberts model continues to be relevant even after 30 years of its proposition, and further insights on the biochemical aspects of the model's assumptions might help in strengthening its predictions.

In the wild, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans primarily feeds on microbes, which are abundant in rotting vegetation. Studies show that several gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial populations predominantly constitute the C. elegans gut microbiome, but surprisingly lack any yeast species. To understand the lack of yeast in the intestine of C. elegans, we studied the behaviour of worms on pathogenic and non-pathogenic yeast diets. We show that C. elegans displays low satiety on a yeast diet of Cryptococcus neoformans, Cryptococcus laurentii or Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We find that the average size of cells of budding yeast is much larger than that of Escherichia coli, which constitute the laboratory diet of C. elegans. We have shown that yeast cells cause pharyngeal obstruction, diminished feeding, and lower level of neutral lipids in adult C. elegans. Using scanning electron microscopy, we show that the mouth size of C. elegans larvae is smaller than the average yeast cell. The larvae have no detectable yeast in their alimentary canal, and they undergo delayed development on a yeast diet. We propose that microbial cell size or bite size could be crucial factors in the regulation of feeding in C. elegans, and the composition of the microbiome in its intestine.

Non-syndromic hearing loss (NSHL) is a genetically heterogeneous disorder affecting millions worldwide. Recent advances in genetic technologies have expanded our understanding of its molecular basis, but challenges remain in identifying and interpreting causative variants. This study aimed to investigate the genetic etiology of NSHL using comprehensive genetic screening, with a focus on identifying rare and potentially pathogenic variants. We performed genetic analysis on 43 participants diagnosed with NSHL using whole exome sequencing (WES) technology. Variant filtering, in silico prediction tools, and segregation analysis were employed to evaluate the pathogenicity of identified variants. Our analysis revealed 20 rare and deleterious variants (4 novel and 16 previously reported) in 16 NSHL-related genes among 43 participants. These variants included 3 known pathogenic, 4 likely pathogenic, and 13 variants of uncertain significance (VUS). Notably, we identified compound heterozygous variants in the GPSM2 gene (NM_013296:c.185G>A;p.Ser62Asn and NM_013296:c.1264delG;p.Val422Tyrfs*28) in one participant, with segregation analysis confirming their trans configuration. This study expands our understanding of the genetic landscape of NSHL by identifying several rare variants in known NSHL-related genes. Notably, we report the first case of compound heterozygous variants in the GPSM2 gene in the Indian population, a finding not previously documented. This discovery underscores the importance of comprehensive genetic screening in diverse populations and contributes to the growing body of evidence for the role of GPSM2 in NSHL.

Wild bees are crucial for pollinating flowering plants, with about 1,200 species found in Argentina. While the complex of pests and pathogens that attack honey bees are widely known, few studies have investigated fungal pathogens such as Aspergillus in wild bee fauna. This study focuses on understanding the nesting biology of two solitary ground-nesting wild bees and sheds light on the impact of fungal infections caused by Aspergillus flavus on larval mortality in these bees. Brood cells were excavated from two aggregations of nests from two localities in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Cells were isolated in plates and monitored daily until adult emergence. Data on species, date, sex, and presence of parasitoids and cleptoparasites were recorded, and the total mortality due to insects and fungal pathogens was estimated. Pollen masses, larvae, and dead pupae were photographed and stored for microbiological analysis. Samples were cultured on yeast-glucose-starch-agar (YGPSA) in media plates. In positive samples, DNA was extracted using a specific commercial kit. Molecular analysis involved PCR amplification and sequencing, utilizing specific primers. Data on the nesting biology of Melitoma segmentaria and Ancyloscelis halictoides were presented. We identified three causes of mortality: Aspergillus flavus, Leiopodus lacertinus, and Melittobia hawaiiensis. The most prevalent cause of mortality in both study sites was A. flavus, the first record of this fungus causing stonebrood in wild bees of South America. Our findings open up discussions on the importance of this fungal pathogen for the health of wild bees.

HIV-associated immune activation is characterized by an increase in pro-inflammatory mediators and dysfunctional T-cells with senescent phenotypes. This persistent activation predisposes HIV-infected persons to non-AIDS-defining co-morbid conditions. At the retina, Müller glia undertake innate immune functions. Evidence from our microarray data shows changes in pathways which include cytokines, their receptors, and focal adhesion genes, suggesting inflammatory changes which could affect the blood-retinal barrier. Using a bioinformatics approach, we analyzed our dataset to identify changes in reactive Müller glia. Abnormalities in Müller glia signaling involve phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase B (AKT). In silico analysis was validated by quantitative RT-PCR. PKB/AKT is increased in reactive Müller glia. Inhibition of PI3K/AKT affected transendothelial resistance in TAT-exposed Müller glia. Identification of a cluster of gene expression suggests underlying changes in the functions of Müller glia in maintaining barrier permeability through the PI3K/AKT signaling network. Activation of retinal Müller cells can therefore lead to proinflammatory molecular cascades that promote widespread physiological changes. Alterations in these pathways may affect vascular permeability, retinal and corneal angiogenesis, and disruption of the blood-ocular barrier.

N-Myc downregulated-like (NDL) proteins belong to the α/ꞵ-hydrolase-fold-containing protein family. NDLs are interacting partners of G-protein subunits which are involved in abiotic and biotic stress signaling mechanisms in plants. Three NDLs (NDL1, NDL2, and NDL3) have been identified in Arabidopsis thaliana. The NDL1 interactome reveals its interaction with numerous proteins involved in diverse plant functions, suggesting its role in various signaling mechanisms. The current study was designed to explore the level of conservation of NDL proteins across the plant kingdom to analyze protein structure for the conserved sites involved in protein-protein interactions. We analyzed NDL proteins from different plant groups for sequence conservation patterns through phylogenetic and motif analyses. Subsequently, homology-based models were built for NDLs and their selected interactors using MODELLER, and interaction sites were also analyzed using molecular docking. Overall, our study revealed sequence conservation within the NDL family and the presence of several conserved motifs across diverse plant groups. Additionally, docking analysis suggests that two specific regions, spanning positions 40-50 and 135-170 in the NDL1 structure, may serve as hotspots for various protein-protein interactions.

Intercellular communication embodies an evolutionarily conserved mechanism facilitated through the release of extracellular vesicles (EVs). These EVs, membranous structures secreted by cells, serve as carriers for a variety of biological molecules, including proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, facilitating intercellular information exchange and material transfer. Studies in classical genetic model organisms represented by Caenorhabditis elegans revealed the developmental and behavioral roles of EVs. In this review, we discuss the effect of EV-mediated intercellular communication on neuronal activity and aging. Notably, we summarize the roles of EVs released from ciliary sensory neurons and a class of evolutionarily conserved large EVs known as exophers, shedding light on their contributions to the regulation of multicellular organismal development and function.

The Caenorhabditis elegans dauer stage is an alternative developmental stage to the third larval stage of the nematode. The decision to enter the dauer stage instead of continuing development into reproductive adults is triggered during the late larval stage 1 (L1)/early larval stage 2 (L2) by environmental stressors such as starvation, crowding, or extreme temperatures. Several regulatory pathways can trigger the dauer decision. These pathways, which include the insulin signaling pathway (ILS), the TGF-ꞵ pathway, and the more recently discovered cytokine interleukin ILC-17.1 pathway, appear to act as independent and parallel inputs into the C.elegans developmental program. In this review, we discuss these regulatory pathways and their possible interactions, with a focus on the lesser-studied ILC-17.1 pathway. We then briefly discuss the intriguing possibility that the many routes into dauer can drive differences in gene expression in dauer larvae, which, if they persist, could allow dauers to survive in and exploit different niches upon their exit from the dauer state.

Persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) is a major etiological cause of cancers associated with the cervix, anogenital region, vulva, vagina, penis, and oropharynx. Cervarix®, Gardasil®, and Gardsil9® are three approved prophylactic vaccines that can effectively provide protection against HPV infection. However,they only offer protection against a limited number of HPV strains, not all of which can cause cervical cancer (CC). Additionally, they only provide limited therapeutic advantages against HPV infections that have already been established. Thus, developing a therapeutic vaccine is urgently required and is the need of the hour. Unlike normal cells, two of the viral early proteins, E6 and E7, are persistently expressed in tumor cells. This makes these two proteins the prime candidates for therapeutic vaccines that aim to eliminate the infected cells by cytotoxic T-lymphocytes without affecting normal cells. Therapeutic vaccinations are being researched and are under trials, and no such vaccines have yet been authorized. The development of a therapeutic vaccination coupled with currently available prophylactic vaccines is anticipated to significantly lower morbidity and cancer load globally. This review aims to provide a clear understanding of the molecular basis, immunogenicity, effectiveness, and challenges of current prophylactic vaccines and the future scope of implementing therapeutic vaccines against infection caused by HPV.

Plants, being sessile organisms, are continually exposed to diverse combinations of biotic and abiotic stresses in their natural habitats. Combined stresses are considered significant threats to plants, particularly in the context of today's climate change. Despite the vast amount of data generated by OMICS experiments, information remains widely dispersed and inaccessible within the literature. Attempts to collect, integrate, store, and generate such data and information that are easily accessible to the public are the need of the hour. Crop Plants Combined Stress Knowledgebase (CroPCS) is a manually curated repository, created through the biocuration of OMICS literature, storing valuable data on crop plant responses to combined stresses. It offers a user-friendly interface for exploring, querying, and downloading molecular data [genes, proteins, metabolites, and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs)] under various stress combinations. The literature on all OMICS (transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics) are listed with cross-referenced data. The current version of CroPCS encompasses 13 crop plants and 16 stress combinations, and contains a total of 266,417 molecules, including 262,220 genes, 1709 proteins, 274 metabolites, and 2214 ncRNAs. Additionally, it supports community curation by allowing users to submit their own data. CroPCS stands out as a unique online resource and is available at https://www2.tezu.ernet.in/cropcs.