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Insights Into Genetic and Molecular Elements for Transgenic Crop Development
Climate change and the exploration of new areas of cultivation have impacted the yields of several economically important crops worldwide. Both conventional plant breeding based on planned crosses between parents with specific traits and genetic engineering to develop new biotechnological tools (NBTs) have allowed the development of elite cultivars with new features of agronomic interest. The use of these NBTs in the search for agricultural solutions has gained prominence in recent years due to their rapid generation of elite cultivars that meet the needs of crop producers, and the efficiency of these NBTs is closely related to the optimization or best use of their elements. Currently, several genetic engineering techniques are used in synthetic biotechnology to successfully improve desirable traits or remove undesirable traits in crops. However, the features, drawbacks, and advantages of each technique are still not well understood, and thus, these methods have not been fully exploited. Here, we provide a brief overview of the plant genetic engineering platforms that have been used for proof of concept and agronomic trait improvement, review the major elements and processes of synthetic biotechnology, and, finally, present the major NBTs used to improve agronomic traits in socioeconomically important crops.
Journal Article
A daughter of Isis : the early life of Nawal El Saadawi
Nawal has been pilloried, censored, imprisoned and exiled for her refusal to accpet the oppressions imposed on women by gender and class. This is the autobiography of this extraordinary woman.
Book
The effects of β-carotene on osteoporosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies
Purpose
The aim is to evaluate the effect of β-carotene for osteoporosis and provide quantitative evidence.
Method
PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched for eligible studies. Fifteen studies were included. Random-effect model was applied to pool the odds ratio (OR). The risk of osteoporosis and fracture were compared between low β-carotene intake group and high β-carotene intake group.
Result
The intake of β-carotene was unassociated with the overall risk of osteoporosis [OR = 0.733, 95% Cl (0.528, 1.018),
p
= 0.064]. Subgroup analysis showed that the intake of β-carotene was negatively associated with the risk of osteoporosis in both male subgroup [OR = 0.7, 95% Cl (0.549, 0.893),
I
2
= 40.40%,
p
= 0.004] and female subgroup [OR = 0.684, 95% Cl (0.487, 0.960),
I
2
= 86.40%,
p
= 0.028]. There was also a negative association between β-carotene intake and osteoporosis in Asia subgroup [OR = 0.512, 95% Cl (0.403, 0.650),
I
2
= 0.00%,
p
= 0], whereas no association was observed in Western subgroup [OR = 1.107, 95% Cl (0.908, 1.350),
I
2
= 2.30%,
p
= 0.314]. In addition, random-effect model was adopted to pool the standard mean difference (SMD), and the results showed that β-carotene intake was positively associated with overall bone mineral density (BMD) [SMD = − 0.213, 95% Cl (− 0.391, − 0.034),
I
2
= 87.30%,
p
= 0.019]. Subgroup analysis showed that β-carotene intake was positively associated with BMD in Asian participants [SMD = − 0.394, 95% Cl (− 0.461, − 0.328),
I
2
= 0,
p
= 0], while unassociated in Western participants [SMD = − 0.047, 95% Cl (− 0.314, 0.219),
I
2
= 78.9%,
p
= 0.727].
Conclusion
β-carotene may improve BMD and reduce the risk of osteoporosis and fracture. However, these effects could vary by gender and race and need to be further validated by longitudinal studies.
Journal Article
Klebsiella pneumoniae infection biology: living to counteract host defences
Klebsiella species cause a wide range of diseases including pneumonia, urinary tract infections (UTIs), bloodstream infections and sepsis. These infections are particularly a problem among neonates, elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Klebsiella is also responsible for a significant number of community-acquired infections. A defining feature of these infections is their morbidity and mortality, and the Klebsiella strains associated with them are considered hypervirulent. The increasing isolation of multidrug-resistant strains has significantly narrowed, or in some settings completely removed, the therapeutic options for the treatment of Klebsiella infections. Not surprisingly, this pathogen has then been singled out as an 'urgent threat to human health' by several organisations. This review summarises the tremendous progress that has been made to uncover the sophisticated immune evasion strategies of K. pneumoniae. The co-evolution of Klebsiella in response to the challenge of an activated immune has made Klebsiella a formidable pathogen exploiting stealth strategies and actively suppressing innate immune defences to overcome host responses to survive in the tissues. A better understanding of Klebsiella immune evasion strategies in the context of the host-pathogen interactions is pivotal to develop new therapeutics, which can be based on antagonising the anti-immune strategies of this pathogen.
Journal Article
Pathological significance of urinary complement activation in diabetic nephropathy: A full view from the development of the disease
Aims/Introduction The aim of the present study was to obtain a full view of the changes of urinary complement activation products in the development of diabetic nephropathy and explore their possible significance in the disease process. Materials and methods A total of 62 patients at different stages of diabetic nephropathy, 20 diabetes patients without nephropathy and 20 healthy persons were enrolled. Urinary complement activation products, including C3a, C5a and C5b‐9, were measured, and their associations with the progression of the disease were analyzed. Results The urinary complement activation products increased markedly since the proteinuria stage, and were parallel with the progression of diabetic nephropathy. More severe renal tubular damage was observed in patients with higher levels of urinary complement activation products. The urinary complement activation products levels correlated closely with renal tubulointerstitial injury score and relative tubular interstitial volume. Multivariate regression analysis showed that elevated urinary complement activation products were independent risk factors for tubular injury in diabetic nephropathy patients. Conclusions Urinary complement activation might have a role in renal tubular interstitial injury in patients with diabetic nephropathy, especially in patients at a later stage of the disease. Urinary CAPs levels are found to increase with the development of DN. Urinary CAPs levels are found to be associated closely with the severity of tubular damage. Urinary complement activation might promote the progression of DN through directly aggravating renal tubular damage, especially in the later stage of DN.
Journal Article
Iron acquisition strategies in pathogenic fungi
Iron plays a crucial role in various biological processes, including enzyme function, DNA replication, energy production, oxygen transport, lipid, and carbon metabolism. Although it is abundant in the Earth's crust, its bioavailability is restricted by the insolubility of ferric iron (Fe³
) and the auto-oxidation of ferrous iron (Fe²
) in oxygen-rich environments. This limitation poses significant challenges for all organisms, including fungi, which have developed intricate mechanisms for iron acquisition and utilization. These mechanisms include reductive iron uptake, siderophore production/transport, and heme utilization. Fungi employ a variety of enzymes-such as ferric reductases, ferroxidases, permeases, and transporters-to regulate intracellular iron levels effectively. The challenge is heightened for pathogenic fungi during infection, as they must compete with the host's iron-binding proteins like transferrin and lactoferrin, which sequester iron to restrict pathogen growth. This review delves into the iron acquisition strategies of medically important fungi, emphasizing the roles of reductive iron uptake and siderophore pathways. Understanding these mechanisms is vital for enhancing our knowledge of fungal pathogenesis and developing effective treatments. By targeting these iron acquisition processes, new antifungal therapies can be formulated more effectively to combat fungal infections.
Journal Article