The Potential Role for Phage Therapy for Genetic Modification of Cutaneous Diseases

Metabonomic analysis reveals correlations between mycotoxins and secondary metabolites in Penicillium expansum cultures via time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Penicillium expansum is a major postharvest pathogen causing fruit decay and mycotoxin contamination. This study investigated the mycotoxin production and metabolic profiles of 91 P. expansum strains using metabolomic analysis. Six mycotoxins were identified, with patulin (PAT) and chaetoglobosin A being particularly prevalent at 77.56 and 45.58 mg·kg-1 respectively. Untargeted metabolomics profiled 506 metabolites, revealing a decrease in major metabolites during cultivation due to fungal assimilation. Comparative analysis between high- and low-PAT samples showed distinct metabolic signatures in organic acids, benzenoids, organoheterocyclic metabolites, which are linked to mycotoxin production pathways. These differential metabolites were used to build discriminant models, with random forest model achieving 98 % accuracy in distinguishing high- and low-PAT samples. Metabolites, mainly 3, 4-dihydroxybenzoic acid and 4-ketopimelic acid, were explored as potential biomarkers for PAT contamination diagnosis. This research enhances the understanding of P. expansum's metabolic diversity and supports improved fruit quality and safety control.

Acne vulgaris: advances in pathogenesis and prevention strategies

PURPOSE

The aim is to encourage the creation of innovative prevention and treatment measures and to help readers in selecting the most effective ones.

BACKGROUND

Acne vulgaris is the most prevalent skin condition of adolescents, affecting approximately 9% of the global population. Patients become more prone to mental and psychological problems because of it. Several strategies have been established to effectively improve acne vulgaris. However, the complexity of its pathogenesis and the limitations of the existing strategies to control it in terms of bacterial resistance, patient compliance, and safety have made the development of new control strategies a hot topic in skin health research.

RESULTS

This review systematically summarizes the pathogenesis and prevention strategies of acne vulgaris according to the most recent studies. The limitations of the current research on acne vulgaris and future research directions are presented based on the analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the existing prevention and treatment strategies.

Acne microbiome: From phyla to phylotypes

Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with a complex pathogenesis. Traditionally, the primary pathophysiologic factors in acne have been thought to be: (1) altered sebum production, (2) inflammation, (3) excess keratinization and (4) colonization with the commensal Cutibacterium acnes. However, the role of C. acnes has been unclear, since virtually all adults have C. acnes on their skin yet not all develop acne. In recent years, understanding of the role of C. acnes has expanded. It is still acknowledged to have an important place in acne pathogenesis, but evidence suggests that an imbalance of individual C. acnes phylotypes and an alteration of the skin microbiome trigger acne. In addition, it is now believed that Staphylococcus epidermidis is also an actor in acne development. Together, C. acnes and S. epidermidis maintain and regulate homeostasis of the skin microbiota. Antibiotics, which have long been a staple of acne therapy, induce cutaneous dysbiosis. This finding, together with the long-standing public health edict to spare antibiotic use when possible, highlights the need for a change in acne management strategies. One fertile direction of study for new approaches involves dermocosmetic products that can support epidermal barrier function and have a positive effect on the skin microbiome.