1
|
Ratsoma FM, Mokoena NZ, Santana QC, Wingfield BD, Steenkamp ET, Motaung TE. Characterization of the Fusarium circinatum biofilm environmental response role. J Basic Microbiol 2024; 64:e2300536. [PMID: 38314962 DOI: 10.1002/jobm.202300536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
The capacity to form biofilms is a common trait among many microorganisms present on Earth. In this study, we demonstrate for the first time that the fatal pine pitch canker agent, Fusarium circinatum, can lead a biofilm-like lifestyle with aggregated hyphal bundles wrapped in extracellular matrix (ECM). Our research shows F. circinatum's ability to adapt to environmental changes by assuming a biofilm-like lifestyle. This was demonstrated by varying metabolic activities exhibited by the biofilms in response to factors like temperature and pH. Further analysis revealed that while planktonic cells produced small amounts of ECM per unit of the biomass, heat- and azole-exposed biofilms produced significantly more ECM than nonexposed biofilms, further demonstrating the adaptability of F. circinatum to changing environments. The increased synthesis of ECM triggered by these abiotic factors highlights the link between ECM production in biofilm and resistance to abiotic stress. This suggests that ECM-mediated response may be one of the key survival strategies of F. circinatum biofilms in response to changing environments. Interestingly, azole exposure also led to biofilms that were resistant to DNase, which typically uncouples biofilms by penetrating the biofilm and degrading its extracellular DNA; we propose that DNases were likely hindered from reaching target cells by the ECM barricade. The interplay between antifungal treatment and DNase enzyme suggests a complex relationship between eDNA, ECM, and antifungal agents in F. circinatum biofilms. Therefore, our results show how a phytopathogen's sessile (biofilm) lifestyle could influence its response to the surrounding environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francinah M Ratsoma
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics, and Microbiology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Nthabiseng Z Mokoena
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics, and Microbiology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Quentin C Santana
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics, and Microbiology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Agricultural Research Council (ARC) Biotechnology Platform, Private Bag X5 Onderstepoort, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Brenda D Wingfield
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics, and Microbiology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Emma T Steenkamp
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics, and Microbiology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Thabiso E Motaung
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics, and Microbiology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Christian M, Oosthuizen WC, Bester MN, de Bruyn PJN. Robustly estimating the demographic contribution of immigration: Simulation, sensitivity analysis and seals. J Anim Ecol 2024. [PMID: 38297453 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.14053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
Identifying important demographic drivers of population dynamics is fundamental for understanding life-history evolution and implementing effective conservation measures. Integrated population models (IPMs) coupled with transient life table response experiments (tLTREs) allow ecologists to quantify the contributions of demographic parameters to observed population change. While IPMs can estimate parameters that are not estimable using any data source alone, for example, immigration, the estimated contribution of such parameters to population change is prone to bias. Currently, it is unclear when robust conclusions can be drawn from them. We sought to understand the drivers of a rebounding southern elephant seal population on Marion Island using the IPM-tLTRE framework, applied to count and mark-recapture data on 9500 female seals over nearly 40 years. Given the uncertainty around IPM-tLTRE estimates of immigration, we also aimed to investigate the utility of simulation and sensitivity analyses as general tools for evaluating the robustness of conclusions obtained in this framework. Using a Bayesian IPM and tLTRE analysis, we quantified the contributions of survival, immigration and population structure to population growth. We assessed the sensitivity of our estimates to choice of multivariate priors on immigration and other vital rates. To do so we make a novel application of Gaussian process priors, in comparison with commonly used shrinkage priors. Using simulation, we assessed our model's ability to estimate the demographic contribution of immigration under different levels of temporal variance in immigration. The tLTRE analysis suggested that adult survival and immigration were the most important drivers of recent population growth. While the contribution of immigration was sensitive to prior choices, the estimate was consistently large. Furthermore, our simulation study validated the importance of immigration by showing that our estimate of its demographic contribution is unlikely to result as a biased overestimate. Our results highlight the connectivity between distant populations of southern elephant seals, illustrating that female dispersal can be important in regulating the abundance of local populations even when natal site fidelity is high. More generally, we demonstrate how robust ecological conclusions may be obtained about immigration from the IPM-tLTRE framework, by combining sensitivity analysis and simulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Murray Christian
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, South Africa
- Centre for Statistics in Ecology, the Environment and Conservation, Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - W Chris Oosthuizen
- Centre for Statistics in Ecology, the Environment and Conservation, Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Marthán N Bester
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, South Africa
| | - P J Nico de Bruyn
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Malatji H, Griffiths F, Goudge J. Community-orientated primary health care: Exploring the interface between community health worker programmes, the health system and communities in South Africa. PLOS Glob Public Health 2023; 3:e0000881. [PMID: 36962793 PMCID: PMC10021906 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Due to insufficient number of health workers and the evidence of the benefits of community health workers (CHWs), CHWs are being deployed to provide health care services to under-served communities. In this article, we explore to what extent the South African CHW programmes introduced between 2009 and 2011 are attuned to community needs, integrated into the healthcare system and community structures, and also implemented in accordance with community-orientated primary health care principles. Using a case study approach, we studied CHW teams in seven primary healthcare facilities located in semi-urban and rural areas of Gauteng and Mpumalanga provinces, South Africa. We collected data using in-depth interviews involving facility managers, CHW supervisors, community representatives and key informants, and focus groups and observations of CHWs. The implementation of community-orientated health interventions remains complex. In the different sites, there were efforts to integrate the views of stakeholders (e.g., political leaders) into the implementation of the CHW programmes. However, many residents were more concerned about access to housing than health services. The CHWs services' were found to be generally comprehensive, however inefficient training, supervision and mentorship limited their effectiveness. The multidisciplinary approach to care, as introduced by some sites, helped enhance the knowledge and skills of some of the CHWs on complex health topics. The roll out of community orientated primary health care services is crucial in a resource-constrained setting like South Africa. However, significant socio-economic issues disrupt community involvement and the effective provision of services. Governments need to provide sufficient funds for training, supervision, supplies and remuneration to help overcome these barriers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hlologelo Malatji
- Centre for Health Policy, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Frances Griffiths
- Centre for Health Policy, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Division of Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Jane Goudge
- Centre for Health Policy, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Indermun S, Kumar P, Govender M, Choonara YE. Can Nanomedicinal Approaches Provide an Edge to the Efficacy of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors? Curr Med Chem 2023; 30:1482-1501. [PMID: 35726410 DOI: 10.2174/0929867329666220618162303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are effective drug molecules for the treatment of various cancers. Nanomedicinal interventions and approaches may not only provide carrying capacities for TKIs but also potentially target tumor-specific environments and even cellular compartments. Nano-inspired drug delivery systems may hence enhance the efficacy of the drugs through enhanced tumour-availability resulting in greater efficacy and decreased side effects. A variety of nanosystems have been developed for the delivery of TKIs for the enhanced treatment of cancers, each with their own preparation methods and physicochemical properties. This review will therefore discuss the applicability of nano-interventions towards combination therapies, dose reduction, and greater potential treatment outcomes. The individual nanosystems have been highlighted with emphasis on the developed systems and their efficacy against various cancer cell lines and models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sunaina Indermun
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Wits Advanced Drug Delivery Platform Research Unit, School of Therapeutic Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa
| | - Pradeep Kumar
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Wits Advanced Drug Delivery Platform Research Unit, School of Therapeutic Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa
| | - Mershen Govender
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Wits Advanced Drug Delivery Platform Research Unit, School of Therapeutic Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa
| | - Yahya E Choonara
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Wits Advanced Drug Delivery Platform Research Unit, School of Therapeutic Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
George C, Stoker S, Okpechi I, Woodward M, Kengne A. The Chronic Kidney Disease in Africa (CKD-Africa) collaboration: lessons from a new pan-African network. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 6:e006454. [PMID: 34348933 PMCID: PMC8340290 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-006454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global public health problem, seemingly affecting individuals from low-income and-middle-income countries (LMICs) disproportionately, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite the growing evidence pointing to an increasing prevalence of CKD across Africa, there has not been an Africa-wide concerted effort to provide reliable estimates that could adequately inform health services planning and policy development to address the consequences of CKD. Therefore, we established the CKD in Africa (CKD-Africa) Collaboration. To date, the network has curated data from 39 studies conducted in 12 African countries, totalling 35 747 participants, of which most are from sub-Saharan Africa. We are, however, continuously seeking further collaborations with other groups who have suitable data to grow the network. Although many successful research consortia exist, few papers have been published (with none from Africa) detailing the challenges faced and lessons learnt in setting up and managing a research consortium. Drawing on our experience, we describe the steps taken and the key factors required to establish a functional collaborative consortium among researchers in Africa. In addition, we present the challenges we encountered in building our network, how we managed those challenges and the benefit of such a collaboration for Africa. Although the CKD-Africa Collaboration is focused primarily on CKD research, many of the lessons learnt can be applied more widely in public health research in LMICs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cindy George
- Non-Communicable Diseases Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Suzaan Stoker
- Non-Communicable Diseases Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Ikechi Okpechi
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Division of Nephrology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Kidney and Hypertension Research Unit, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Mark Woodward
- The George Institute for Global Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Imperial College, London, UK
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Andre Kengne
- Non-Communicable Diseases Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|