Variation in physiological host range in three strains of two species of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria

Knowledge of the host range of a biocontrol agent (BCA) is fundamental. Host range determines the BCA's economic potential, as well as the possible risk for non-target organisms. Entomopathogenic fungal strains belonging to the genus Beauveria are widely used as BCA, but our knowledge of their physiological host range is only partial. The aim of this study was to improve our understanding of the physiological host range of three Beauveria strains belonging to two species, B. hoplocheli and B. bassiana. We performed laboratory mortality bioassays to assess their pathogenicity and virulence against nine insect pests, belonging to three orders: Lepidoptera, Coleoptera and Diptera. Mortality rate, mean survival time and mycosis rate were used to estimate virulence. Pathogenicity was assessed as the capacity to cause a disease and induce mortality. Virulence was assessed as the severity of the disease based on mortality rate, mean survival time and mycosis rate. The results of this study revealed significant differences in the physiological host range of the three Beauveria strains tested. The three strains were pathogenic to all Diptera and Lepidoptera species tested. In the case of the Coleoptera, only the B. hoplocheli strain was pathogenic to the white grub Hoplochelus marginalis and only the B. bassiana strains were pathogenic to Alphitobius diaperinus. The B. hoplocheli strain was less virulent on Lepidoptera and Diptera than the two B. bassiana strains. The latter both exhibited very similar virulence patterns. The fact that B. hoplocheli and B. bassiana strains have different host ranges means that they can be used as BCA to target different pests. Impacts on non-target insects across multiple orders cannot be ruled out in the absence of ecological host range studies

Ultra-sensitive and selective Hg2+ chemosensors derived from substituted 8-hydroxyquinoline analogues

International audienceNovel analogues of 8-hydroxyquinoline with phosphinate or thiophosphinate functions and styryl fluorophores in the para position to the nitrogen atom were prepared via multi-step syntheses, using phosphorylation and Wittig coupling reactions. A strong affinity between the quinoline analogues and heavy metal ions such as Pb2+, Cd2+ and Hg2+ was highlighted. The interaction of the metal ions with the nitrogen of the styrylquinoline leads to a large red shift of the absorption and emission spectra in agreement with an increase of the photoinduced charge transfer character of the styryl fluorophore. In the presence of metal ions the appearance of a green fluorescence emission is also observed upon excitation at 420 nm or 840 nm, thanks to a significant increase of the two-photon response. Under optimal conditions, a mercury concentration of 15 ppt in a partially aqueous medium can be detected using the thiophosphinate derivative without interference from other metal ions

Functional Mechanism of the Efflux Pumps Transcription Regulators From Pseudomonas aeruginosa Based on 3D Structures

Bacterial antibiotic resistance is a worldwide health problem that deserves important research attention in order to develop new therapeutic strategies. Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified Pseudomonas aeruginosa as one of the priority bacteria for which new antibiotics are urgently needed. In this opportunistic pathogen, antibiotics efflux is one of the most prevalent mechanisms where the drug is efficiently expulsed through the cell-wall. This resistance mechanism is highly correlated to the expression level of efflux pumps of the resistance-nodulation-cell division (RND) family, which is finely tuned by gene regulators. Thus, it is worthwhile considering the efflux pump regulators of P. aeruginosa as promising therapeutical targets alternative. Several families of regulators have been identified, including activators and repressors that control the genetic expression of the pumps in response to an extracellular signal, such as the presence of the antibiotic or other environmental modifications. In this review, based on different crystallographic structures solved from archetypal bacteria, we will first focus on the molecular mechanism of the regulator families involved in the RND efflux pump expression in P. aeruginosa, which are TetR, LysR, MarR, AraC, and the two-components system (TCS). Finally, the regulators of known structure from P. aeruginosa will be presented

Selection assisted by a BoLA-DR/DQ haplotype against susceptibility to bovine dermatophilosis

Bovine dermatophilosis is a severe skin infection of tropical ruminants inducing a severe loss in productivity and a 15% mortality rate. This disease is caused by the actinomycete bacterium Dermatophilus congolensis associated with the tick Amblyomma variegatum. Currently there are no prospects for a vaccine, and acaricide or antibiotic control is hampered by the development of chemoresistance. Animal breeders have observed that dermatophilosis susceptibility seems to be determined genetically, and we previously identified a BoLA-DRB3-DQB class II haplotype marker for high (R2 = 0.96) susceptibility to the disease. With this marker, we developed a successful eugenic selection procedure for zebu Brahman cattle in Martinique (FWI). Over a period of five years, a marked reduction in disease prevalence, from 0.76 to 0.02 was achieved, and this low level has been maintained over the last two years. The selection procedure, based on a genetic marker system targeting the highly polymorphic BoLA locus, eliminates only those individuals which are at the highest risk of contracting the disease. In the present work, we discuss the properties of this system, including the "heterozygote advantage" and the "frequency dependence" theories, and examine their involvement in the biological mechanisms at the host/pathogen interface. We speculate on the exact role of the MHC molecules in the control of the disease, how the natural selection pressure imposed by the pathogens selectively maintains MHC diversity, and how our results can be practically applied for integrated control of dermatophilosis in developing countries

Evaluation De La Denutrition Chez Les Enfants Ages De 2 A 60 Mois Hospitalises Aux Services De Pediatrie Des Hopitaux De Ziguinchor (Senegal)

Introduction: Malnutrition is a public health problem in developing countries. The prevalence of malnutrition at the national level hardly reflects the reality in hospitals. It is in this context that we assessed the nutritional status of children from 2 months to 5 years hospitalized in the pediatric ward of the regional hospital and the Ziguinchor Peace Hospital. Materials and methods: This was a prospective study from June 1 to October 30, 2016. Children aged 2 to 60 months, hospitalized in one of the two services, were included. Children with esdato-ascetic syndrome were not included. Epidemiological, anthropometric data, and associated diagnosis were studied. Results: We included 114 children (70 boys and 44 girls). The average age was 21.9 months [4-59]. Forty-two point one percent (42.1%) of infants <6 months were breastfed exclusively with breast milk. The weaning of children was done early in 55.3%. The mean age of mothers was 26.6 years [17-38]. The socioeconomic level was low in 62.3% of cases. The prevalence of malnutrition averaged 35.5% for underweight; 32.9% for wasting and 32.0% for stunting. Acute respiratory infections (ARI) and acute gastroenteritis were the most common associated conditions. Mean hospital stay was 8 days ± 009 [3-28]. About two thirds of the patients (n = 72) had a hospital stay of more than 7 days. Malnutrition was significantly associated with multiparity, low socioeconomic status, hospital stay of more than 7 days and infectious diseases. Conclusion: Infections and a hospital stay longer than a week are factors favoring malnutrition in children from 2 months to 5 years

Genetic Testing of Patients with Inherited Retinal Diseases in the European Countries. An International Survey by the European Vision Institute

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this project was to explore the current standards of clinical care genetic testing and counseling for patients with inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) from the perspective of leading experts in selected European countries. Also, to gather opinions on current bottlenecks and future solutions to improve patient care. METHODS: On the initiative of the European Vision Institute, a survey questionnaire with 41 questions was designed and sent to experts in the field from ten European countries. Each participant was asked to answer with reference to the situation in their own country. RESULTS: Sixteen questionnaires were collected by November 2023. IRD genetic tests are performed in clinical care settings for 80% or more of tested patients in 9 countries, and the costs of genetic tests in clinical care are covered by the public health service to the extent of 90% or more in 8 countries. The median proportion of patients who are genetically tested, the median rate of genetically solved patients among those who are tested, and the median proportion of patients receiving counseling are 51-70%, 61-80% and 61-80%, respectively. Improving the education of healthcare professionals who facilitate patient referrals to specialised centres, improving access of patients to more thorough genotyping, and increasing the number of available counselors were the most advocated solutions. CONCLUSION: There is a significant proportion of IRD patients who are not genetically tested, whose genetic testing is inconclusive, or who do not receive counseling. Educational programs, greater availability of state-of-the-art genotyping and genetic counselors could improve healthcare for IRD patients

Genome-wide association analysis provides insights into the molecular etiology of dilated cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a leading cause of heart failure and cardiac transplantation. We report a genome-wide association study and multi-trait analysis of DCM (14,256 cases) and three left ventricular traits (36,203 UK Biobank participants). We identified 80 genomic risk loci and prioritized 62 putative effector genes, including several with rare variant DCM associations (MAP3K7, NEDD4L and SSPN). Using single-nucleus transcriptomics, we identify cellular states, biological pathways, and intracellular communications that drive pathogenesis. We demonstrate that polygenic scores predict DCM in the general population and modify penetrance in carriers of rare DCM variants. Our findings may inform the design of genetic testing strategies that incorporate polygenic background. They also provide insights into the molecular etiology of DCM that may facilitate the development of targeted therapeutics

Genome-wide association study meta-analysis provides insights into the etiology of heart failure and its subtypes

Heart failure (HF) is a major contributor to global morbidity and mortality. While distinct clinical subtypes, defined by etiology and left ventricular ejection fraction, are well recognized, their genetic determinants remain inadequately understood. In this study, we report a genome-wide association study of HF and its subtypes in a sample of 1.9 million individuals. A total of 153,174 individuals had HF, of whom 44,012 had a nonischemic etiology (ni-HF). A subset of patients with ni-HF were stratified based on left ventricular systolic function, where data were available, identifying 5,406 individuals with reduced ejection fraction and 3,841 with preserved ejection fraction. We identify 66 genetic loci associated with HF and its subtypes, 37 of which have not previously been reported. Using functionally informed gene prioritization methods, we predict effector genes for each identified locus, and map these to etiologic disease clusters through phenome-wide association analysis, network analysis and colocalization. Through heritability enrichment analysis, we highlight the role of extracardiac tissues in disease etiology. We then examine the differential associations of upstream risk factors with HF subtypes using Mendelian randomization. These findings extend our understanding of the mechanisms underlying HF etiology and may inform future approaches to prevention and treatment

Assessment of health risk behaviours among university students: A cross-sectional study in Lebanon

There are insufficient data concerning health risk behaviours of university students in the Middle East, particularly Lebanon. Our objective was to identify health risk factors among university students in Lebanon, focusing on preventable behaviours. A cross-sectional study was carried out, using a proportionate cluster sample of Lebanese students in public and private universities. A standardised questionnaire was distributed across university campuses. Data concerning socio-demographic characteristics, toxic substances consumption (including tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs), nutrition and sedentarity behaviours, in addition to sexual behaviours, were collected. Among 3384 participants, 20% were current cigarette smokers, while 23% were current waterpipe smokers and 33.5% declared consuming alcohol. Higher rates were found for smoking and alcohol consumption in private versus public universities (p < 0.001). Participants also reported a very low consumption of fruits and vegetables. Moreover, 31% of boys and 8.6% of girls declared having regular sexual activity; among them, 41% of boys and 26% of girls declared using a condom regularly. Substantial proportions of university students in Lebanon adopt risky behaviours for health, particularly in private universities. Health-promotion activities should be established to decrease the occurrence of these behaviours and prevent their future adverse health outcomes. © 2012 Taylor & Francis