{"title":"The pangenome structure of human pathogen Mycobacterium kansasii","authors":"S. Sur","doi":"10.14232/abs.2022.2.192-201","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14232/abs.2022.2.192-201","url":null,"abstract":"The non-tuberculous Mycobacterium kansasii, is the causative agent of destructive pulmonary and extrapulmonary infections in immunocompromised persons. Incessant use of multiple antibiotics and lack of effective vaccines did little to combat M. kansasii mediated infections. Here, a bioinformatic analysis has been carried out using PanExplorer, to analyze the pangenome aimed at functional characterization of the bacterium, understanding it’s pathogenic lifestyle and recognize the factors shaping evolution and variations amongst strains. M. kansasii had a large core genome (60.2%), a small (11.9%) dispensable genome and 27.9% strain-specific genes. The core genome of M. kansasii had a high concentration of COGs (Cluster of orthologous genes) linked to energy production and conversion, amino acid transport and metabolism, nucleotide transport and metabolism, coenzyme transport and metabolism, and secondary me-tabolite biosynthesis, transport and metabolism. Interestingly, numerous genes within the core and dispensable genome were associated with pathogenesis and virulence. Noteworthy among them were type VII secretion, ESX, PP and PPE family proteins. Although, M. kansasii genomes revealed overall relatedness and conservation, genomic rearrangements caused variability within the strains. The information from this analysis could assist future microbial genomics research on M. kansasii, and further studies, e.g., concerning distinctive gene clusters, and evolution.","PeriodicalId":34918,"journal":{"name":"Acta Biologica Szegediensis","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45764955","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M. Donadu, S. Zanetti, B. Battah, H. Hetta, Danica Matusovits, K. Kárpáti, Virág Finta, Berta Csontos, Anna Kuklis, Fruzsina Szikora, Adrienn Csegény, Lea Szalma, Eszter Major, I. Kushkevych, M. Gajdács
{"title":"Drug repurposing in the context of common bacterial pathogens","authors":"M. Donadu, S. Zanetti, B. Battah, H. Hetta, Danica Matusovits, K. Kárpáti, Virág Finta, Berta Csontos, Anna Kuklis, Fruzsina Szikora, Adrienn Csegény, Lea Szalma, Eszter Major, I. Kushkevych, M. Gajdács","doi":"10.14232/abs.2022.2.140-149","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14232/abs.2022.2.140-149","url":null,"abstract":"The clinical problem of multidrug resistance (MDR) in bacteria is due to the lack of novel antibiotics in development and the dwindling pipeline of drugs receiving market authorization. Repurposing of non-antibiotic pharmacological agents may be an attractive pathway to provide new antimicrobial drugs. The aim of the present study was to ascertain the antibacterial and adjuvant properties of a wide range of pharmaceuticals against antibiotic-susceptible and drug-resistant bacteria. Sixty-five (n = 65) pharmacological agents were included in our experiments. For Gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 43300 (methicillin-resistant), S. epidermidis ATCC 12228, Streptococcus pyogenes ATCC 12384 and Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 were used, while for Gram-negative bacteria, Enterobacter cloacae ATCC 13047 (extended-spectrum β-lactamase-positive), Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 49619, Serratia marcescens ATCC 29632 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 were included as representative strains. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the tested compounds were determined using the standard broth microdilution method, while a MIC reduction assay was included to ascertain the effect of the tested compounds on the MICs of standard antibiotics (ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin and gentamicin). Seventeen and twelve drug molecules tested showed measurable antibacterial activities (MIC: 32-512 µg/mL) against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, respectively. Several compounds decreased the MICs of ciprofloxacin and gentamicin. Although there are increasing number of studies in this field, there are still significant gaps in the evidence to the potential use of non-antibiotic drugs in antimicrobial drug repurposing.","PeriodicalId":34918,"journal":{"name":"Acta Biologica Szegediensis","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48264996","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Investigating crossed-symmetry pattern in children from the past","authors":"Ágnes Fogl, G. Pálfi, I. Maák, J. Balázs","doi":"10.14232/abs.2022.2.126-131","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14232/abs.2022.2.126-131","url":null,"abstract":"In biological anthropology, bilateral asymmetry in living adult samples is a well-studied field. During the last decade, researchers have become more interested in its developmental characteristics in individuals of both living and past populations. It is still the upper limb that gets attention, as handedness and its effects on the bones via biomechanical loading is an obvious and easily measurable marker of bilateral asymmetry. The majority of the population exhibit right bias in the measurements of the upper limb bones and the lower limb behaves the opposite due to its performance in weight- bearing. This pattern is called crossed-symmetry. Despite its marked role in posture, examining the emergence of lower limb bone asymmetry during growth has not been well-researched. To add more information to this field, the present study investigated the developmental pattern of lower limb bone bilateral asymmetry in medieval Hungarian children from one of the country’s biggest anthropological collections.","PeriodicalId":34918,"journal":{"name":"Acta Biologica Szegediensis","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42132263","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
András Misz, Henrietta Allaga, R. Büchner, A. Varga, N. Bakos-Barczi, Judit Bajzát, L. Kredics, C. Csutoras, C. Vágvölgyi
{"title":"Investigation of the efficiency of some fungicides and disinfectants applied in Agaricus bisporus cultivation","authors":"András Misz, Henrietta Allaga, R. Büchner, A. Varga, N. Bakos-Barczi, Judit Bajzát, L. Kredics, C. Csutoras, C. Vágvölgyi","doi":"10.14232/abs.2022.2.100-105","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14232/abs.2022.2.100-105","url":null,"abstract":"Pathogenic moulds (e.g., Trichoderma, Hypomyces, and Lecanicillium) cause huge problems in industrial scale production of Agaricus bisporus. It is important to choose the right control strategy, either chemical or biocontrol-based, to prevent substantial economic losses. The present study was carried out to reveal the in vitro efficacy of some fungicides and disinfectants against causative agents of wet bubble (Hypomyces perniciosus), dry bubble (Lecanicillium fungicola var. fungicola), cobweb disease (Hypomyces odoratus), and green mould (e.g., Trichoderma aggressivum f. aggressivum, T. aggressivum f. europaeum, T. harzianum), the four most devastating fungal infections in mushroom production. Prochloraz was efficient against Trichoderma and H. perniciosus isolates. Metrafenone did not cause complete inhibition for any of the isolates even at the highest concentration (5%) tested. In both cases Lecanicillium isolates displayed the lowest growth rate inhibition. Concerning the tested disinfectants, treatment with Sekusept Aktiv resulted in complete growth inhibition for all isolates in the concentration range of 1.25-5%. Terralin Protect, Disinflex and Formalin were also effective, except against the tested isolates of T. agressivum f. agressivum which proved to be the most resistant.","PeriodicalId":34918,"journal":{"name":"Acta Biologica Szegediensis","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48020016","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Heavy metals tolerance on seed germination and growth of serpentine plant species Alyssum murale L.","authors":"B. Gashi, Mirsade Osmani, Naim Berisha, Liridon Buqaj, Besnik Dakaj, Eliesa Qazimi, Erëza Çoçaj","doi":"10.14232/abs.2022.2.116-124","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14232/abs.2022.2.116-124","url":null,"abstract":"Alyssum murale L. is a nickel hyperaccumulator herbaceous perennial species in a natural serpentine soil and adapted to arid, infertile soils. The objective of this study was to investigate how the seed germination, root, and hypocotyl growth of this plant species respond to exposure to different concentrations of heavy metals such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr) and manganese (Mn). The highest germination, even higher than in the control group, was observed at lower concentrations of Ni, Cd, Pb and Mn, while almost all higher concentrations of the metals decreased germination. Germination time was significantly slower (from about 6 to 10 days) for seeds treated with higher metal concentrations, especially Mn, Cd and Ni, and faster (from about 3 to 5 days) for seeds treated with lower concentrations. The strongest inhibitory effect on root and hypocotyl length occurred in treatments with different concentrations of Pb, Cd, and Mn, and seeds treated with lower concentrations of Ni showed a positive effect on root and hypocotyl growth. Seeds treated with Ni showed relatively high tolerance to this metal, presenting the potential for practical use in various fields of phytoremediation technology.","PeriodicalId":34918,"journal":{"name":"Acta Biologica Szegediensis","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43687293","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Effect of intraductal drug delivery of orexin receptor antagonists into lactating rat mammary gland on milk cholesterol metabolism by regulating Fas and Hmgcr genes","authors":"Shima Jafari Zandieh, H. Khazali","doi":"10.14232/abs.2022.2.156-161","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14232/abs.2022.2.156-161","url":null,"abstract":"In recent years, many studies have demonstrated that the system of orexin plays a pivotal role in regulating lipogenesis enzymes. However, its effect on the mammary glands is not entirely known. This study answers the question of whether intra-ductal injection of orexin antagonists (OX1RA and OX2RA) into the mammary glands can result in the expression of fatty acid synthase (Fas) and HMG-CoA reductase (Hmgcr) genes and the secretion of cholesterol in lactating female rats or not. To this end, 42 Lactating rats were randomly divided into experimental groups including a control group and groups receiving OX1RA and OX2RA intraductal (with doses of 5, 10, and 20 µg/kg, i.duc). Milk samples were collected for cholesterol testing. Using specific primers for each gene, the target genes were measured via real-time PCR. Data differences were considered significant with P <0.05. PCR exhibited that the injection of orexin antagonists significantly reduced Fas and Hmgcr gene expression. Moreover, the injection of antagonists significantly reduced milk cholesterol. Intra-mammary injection of orexin antagonists reduces milk cholesterol levels by affecting the expression of Fas and Hmgcr genes.","PeriodicalId":34918,"journal":{"name":"Acta Biologica Szegediensis","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46530269","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Comparative mathematical analysis of economically important ampelographic indicators in white wine vine varieties (Vitis vinifera L.)","authors":"V. Roychev, N. Keranova","doi":"10.14232/abs.2022.2.106-115","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14232/abs.2022.2.106-115","url":null,"abstract":"A comparative mathematical analysis of economically important ampelographic indicators was performed in 32 local, introduced and newly bred white wine vine varieties. It was found that depending on the similarity and remoteness of the values of the studied indicators, the varieties are grouped into three generalized clusters. In the first, the varieties are characterized by a longer budding period and relatively lower productivity. In the second, they have similarities in the length of the budding period, long period of budding - technological maturity, moderate productivity, and close content of volatile acids in the wine. In the third, the newly bred two varieties Gergana and Misket Markovski, which are the most fertile and productive and with the smallest number of seeds in the berries. There is a high variability of the individual white wine varieties according to the studied economically valuable indicators. The indicators of bunch length and average weight per 100 berries have a stronger direct effect on the formation of the yield in individual varieties, and the average bunch weight, bunch width, percentage of mesocarp in berries, berry length and width, as well as the theoretical yield significantly affect indirectly the productivity of vines.","PeriodicalId":34918,"journal":{"name":"Acta Biologica Szegediensis","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43658169","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Moumi Mandal, Niladri Prasad Mishra, P. Chatterjee, Sanchari Bhattacharyya, K. C. Mondal, Sagar Acharya
{"title":"A longitudinal study on the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in the multiethnic communities of Jhargram, West Bengal","authors":"Moumi Mandal, Niladri Prasad Mishra, P. Chatterjee, Sanchari Bhattacharyya, K. C. Mondal, Sagar Acharya","doi":"10.14232/abs.2022.2.180-191","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14232/abs.2022.2.180-191","url":null,"abstract":"Anemia is a significant public health concern in India, with an esti-mated prevalence of 38% to 82% in non-pregnant females and 18% to 59% in males. Destitution, poor nutrition, illiteracy, unhealthy practices, obliviousness, and inadequate health service is the significant reasons for the higher rate of IDA in the tribals of India. The objective of the present study was to estimate the disease burden in Binpur-I and II, Jhargram blocks in West Bengal, India. The research was planned as a multiethnic community-based investigation that includes age and sex-specific gradation of anemia with iron status (SF, SI, TIBC). 910 participants (female: 529 and male: 381) were enrolled in the study. Overall, 67.47% of individuals were diagnosed with anemia (female: 42.74% and male: 24.73% ). According to severity, 29.12%, 27.14%, and 11.2% of individuals were moderate, mild, and severely anemic. Results also showed that IDA is prevalent among all age groups irrespective of sex, with the highest rates in the 40.1 - 60 age group (female). The higher prevalence of the geriatric population could be due to chronic disease, iron deficiency, and genetic polymorphisms, which require future investigations.","PeriodicalId":34918,"journal":{"name":"Acta Biologica Szegediensis","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43232286","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
I. Oyeyemi, Oluwabukola O. Akanni, O. Adaramoye, A. Bakare
{"title":"Hepatoprotective effect of the methanol extract of Luffa cylindrica fruit on carbon-tetrachloride induced chronic liver injury","authors":"I. Oyeyemi, Oluwabukola O. Akanni, O. Adaramoye, A. Bakare","doi":"10.14232/abs.2022.2.150-155","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14232/abs.2022.2.150-155","url":null,"abstract":"Luffa cylindrica (Linn) commonly called sponge gourds has both medicinal and nutritional properties. It is used traditionally for the management of liver diseases. Herein, we investigated the hepatoprotective effect of the crude methanol extract of L. cylindrica fruit in rats chronically exposed to carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Male rats were exposed to CCl4 twice a week for six weeks and the extract was administered five times a week for six weeks. Markers of liver toxicity, antioxidant enzymes and liver peroxidation were evaluated and histological analysis of the liver was carried out. Significant reduction in serum markers (ALT, AST and ALP), increase in antioxidant enzyme and reduction in lipid peroxidation compared to CCl4 were observed in rats exposed to both CCl4 and the extract. CCl4-induced liver lesions were ameliorated by the extract. These show the protective effect of the methanol extract of L. cylindrica on CCl4-induced chronic liver injury in rats.","PeriodicalId":34918,"journal":{"name":"Acta Biologica Szegediensis","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46297676","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Belay Teweldemedhin Keleta, Z. Békefi, József László Bakos, D. Örsi, L. Szalay
{"title":"Frost hardiness of almond flower buds during dormancy","authors":"Belay Teweldemedhin Keleta, Z. Békefi, József László Bakos, D. Örsi, L. Szalay","doi":"10.14232/abs.2022.2.170-179","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14232/abs.2022.2.170-179","url":null,"abstract":"Frost hardiness of flower buds of twenty almond genotypes was investigated in five dormancy periods by determining LT50 values after artificial freezing tests. The main aim of our work was modelling the changing of frost hardiness of the observed accessions during dormancy and assessing the potential best frost tolerance of them. The effect of genotype and year had significant impact on frost hardiness of flower buds. The potential frost hardiness of accessions has been characterised by LT50 values of flower buds averaged of the bests of the four years. ‘Sóskút 96/5’ was the most sensitive with -17.16 °C, and ‘Tétényi keményhéjú’ was the most frost hardy with -21.08 °C in averaged of years, but both showed lower and higher frost tolerance as well in different years. Flower buds were most frost-tolerant in December and January but did not achieve the same frost resistance every year. From this, we conclude that temperature plays an important role in the hardening process of them. From the aspect of safe yield, frost hardiness of flower buds is an important trait of cultivars, because Hungary is situated at the northern part of economical almond growing area. Our work contributes to facilitating practical considerations in orchard planning.","PeriodicalId":34918,"journal":{"name":"Acta Biologica Szegediensis","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43895217","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}