Immune Gene Repertoire of Soft Scale Insects (Hemiptera: Coccidae)

Insects possess an effective immune system, which has been extensively characterized in several model species, revealing a plethora of conserved genes involved in recognition, signaling, and responses to pathogens and parasites. However, some taxonomic groups, characterized by peculiar trophic niches, such as plant-sap feeders, which are often important pests of crops and forestry ecosystems, have been largely overlooked regarding their immune gene repertoire. Here we annotated the immune genes of soft scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccidae) for which omics data are publicly available. By using immune genes of aphids and Drosophila to query the genome of Ericerus pela, as well as the transcriptomes of Ceroplastes cirripediformis and Coccus sp., we highlight the lack of peptidoglycan recognition proteins, galectins, thaumatins, and antimicrobial peptides in Coccidae. This work contributes to expanding our knowledge about the evolutionary trajectories of immune genes and offers a list of promising candidates for developing new control strategies based on the suppression of pests' immunity through RNAi technologies.

Cladosporium-Insect Relationships

The range of interactions between Cladosporium, a ubiquitous fungal genus, and insects, a class including about 60% of the animal species, is extremely diverse. The broad case history of antagonism and mutualism connecting Cladosporium and insects is reviewed in this paper based on the examination of the available literature. Certain strains establish direct interactions with pests or beneficial insects or indirectly influence them through their endophytic development in plants. Entomopathogenicity is often connected to the production of toxic secondary metabolites, although there is a case where these compounds have been reported to favor pollinator attraction, suggesting an important role in angiosperm reproduction. Other relationships include mycophagy, which, on the other hand, may reflect an ecological advantage for these extremely adaptable fungi using insects as carriers for spreading in the environment. Several Cladosporium species colonize insect structures, such as galleries of ambrosia beetles, leaf rolls of attelabid weevils and galls formed by cecidomyid midges, playing a still uncertain symbiotic role. Finally, the occurrence of Cladosporium in the gut of several insect species has intriguing implications for pest management, also considering that some strains have proven to be able to degrade insecticides. These interactions especially deserve further investigation to understand the impact of these fungi on pest control measures and strategies to preserve beneficial insects.

Analysis of Dieback in a Coastal Pinewood in Campania, Southern Italy, through High-Resolution Remote Sensing

For some years, the stone pine (Pinus pinea L.) forests of the Domitian coast in Campania, Southern Italy, have been at risk of conservation due to biological adversities. Among these, the pine tortoise scale Toumeyella parvicornis (Cockerell) has assumed a primary role since its spread in Campania began. Observation of pine forests using remote sensing techniques was useful for acquiring information on the health state of the vegetation. In this way, it was possible to monitor the functioning of the forest ecosystem and identify the existence of critical states. To study the variation in spectral behavior and identify conditions of plant stress due to the action of pests, the analysis of the multispectral data of the Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite, acquired over seven years between 2016 and 2022, was conducted on the Domitian pine forest. This method was used to plot the values of individual pixels over time by processing spectral indices using Geographic Information System (GIS) tools. The use of vegetation indices has made it possible to highlight the degradation suffered by the vegetation due to infestation by T. parvicornis. The results showed the utility of monitoring the state of the vegetation through high-resolution remote sensing to protect and preserve the pine forest ecosystem peculiar to the Domitian coast.

Comparative Analysis of Secondary Metabolites in Diplodia corticola Strains with Different Virulence Degrees Associated with Canker and Dieback of Quercus spp

Diplodia corticola is one of the most aggressive fungal pathogens of Quercus species involved in the decline of Mediterranean oak forests. In this study, three strains of D. corticola associated with holm (Quercus ilex) and cork (Quercus suber) oak trees exhibiting dieback symptoms and cankers in Algeria were selected to investigate the production of secondary metabolites. Metabolomic analyses revealed the production of several known compounds, such as sphaeropsidins, diplopyrones and diplofuranones. Moreover, the comparative investigation of secondary metabolites produced by the analyzed strains with different degrees of virulence revealed possible implications of these compounds in the fungal virulence. In particular, sphaeropsidins seem to be the main phytotoxic compounds of D. corticola involved in the infections of Quercus species, with a possible synergistic influence of the less representative compounds in the fungal virulence.

In Vitro Evaluation of Antiviral Activities of Funicone-like Compounds Vermistatin and Penisimplicissin against Canine Coronavirus Infection

Recent studies have demonstrated that 3-O-methylfunicone (OMF), a fungal secondary metabolite from Talaromyces pinophilus belonging to the class of funicone-like compounds, has antiviral activity against canine coronaviruses (CCoV), which causes enteritis in dogs. Herein, we selected two additional funicone-like compounds named vermistatin (VER) and penisimplicissin (PS) and investigated their inhibitory activity towards CCoV infection. Thus, both compounds have been tested for their cytotoxicity and for antiviral activity against CCoV in A72 cells, a fibrosarcoma cell line suitable for investigating CCoV. Our findings showed an increase in cell viability, with an improvement of morphological features in CCoV-infected cells at the non-toxic doses of 1 μM for VER and 0.5 μM for PS. In addition, we observed that these compounds caused a strong inhibition in the expression of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a ligand-activated transcription factor which is activated during CCoV infection. Our results also showed the alkalinization of lysosomes in the presence of VER or PS, which may be involved in the observed antiviral activities.

First report of 6-methylpyridione analogues from Dothiorella sarmentorum, a botryosphaeriaceous fungus associated with grapevine trunk diseases

Dothiorella species are fungal plant pathogens associated with Botryosphaeria dieback of grapevine. Symptoms caused by these fungi on grapevines suggest possible implication of phytotoxic metabolites in the infection mechanisms. However, few studies were conducted to investigate the secondary metabolism of these fungi. In this study, 6-methylpyridione analogues were isolated and identified for the first time in liquid cultures of Dothiorella sarmentorum isolated from symptomatic grapevine in Algeria.

The Outstanding Chemodiversity of Marine-Derived Talaromyces

Fungi in the genus Talaromyces occur in every environment in both terrestrial and marine contexts, where they have been quite frequently found in association with plants and animals. The relationships of symbiotic fungi with their hosts are often mediated by bioactive secondary metabolites, and Talaromyces species represent a prolific source of these compounds. This review highlights the biosynthetic potential of marine-derived Talaromyces strains, using accounts from the literature published since 2016. Over 500 secondary metabolites were extracted from axenic cultures of these isolates and about 45% of them were identified as new products, representing a various assortment of chemical classes such as alkaloids, meroterpenoids, isocoumarins, anthraquinones, xanthones, phenalenones, benzofurans, azaphilones, and other polyketides. This impressive chemodiversity and the broad range of biological properties that have been disclosed in preliminary assays qualify these fungi as a valuable source of products to be exploited for manifold biotechnological applications.

Anti-Insect Properties of Penicillium Secondary Metabolites

In connection with their widespread occurrence in diverse environments and ecosystems, fungi in the genus Penicillium are commonly found in association with insects. In addition to some cases possibly implying a mutualistic relationship, this symbiotic interaction has mainly been investigated to verify the entomopathogenic potential in light of its possible exploitation in ecofriendly strategies for pest control. This perspective relies on the assumption that entomopathogenicity is often mediated by fungal products and that Penicillium species are renowned producers of bioactive secondary metabolites. Indeed, a remarkable number of new compounds have been identified and characterized from these fungi in past decades, the properties and possible applications of which in insect pest management are reviewed in this paper.

Mitidjospirone, a new spirodioxynaphthalene and GC-MS screening of secondary metabolites produced by strains of Lasiodiplodia mitidjana associated to Citrus sinensis dieback

Mitidjospirone, a new spiridioxynaphthalene, was isolated from the mycelial extract of a strain of Lasiodiplodia mitidjana, a recently described species belonging to the family Botryosphaeriaceae. Its structure was elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis and the absolute configuration was determined by electronic circular dichroism (ECD) experiment. Furthermore, several known compounds were identified during the screening of secondary metabolites produced by four strains of L. mitidjana.

Effectiveness of the Fungal Metabolite 3-O-Methylfunicone towards Canine Coronavirus in a Canine Fibrosarcoma Cell Line (A72)

Canine coronavirus (CCoV), an alphacoronavirus, may cause self-limiting enteric disease in dogs, especially in puppies. The noteworthy plasticity of coronaviruses (CoVs) occurs through mutation and recombination processes, which sometimes generate new dangerous variants. The ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the isolation of a novel canine-feline recombinant alphacoronavirus from humans emphasizes the cross-species transmission ability of CoVs. In this context, exploring antiviral compounds is essential to find new tools for fighting against CoVs infections. Fungi produce secondary metabolites, which are often developed as antibiotics, fungicides, hormones, and plant growth regulators. Previous examinations of benzo-γ-pyrone 3-O-methylfunicone (OMF), obtained from Talaromyces pinophilus, showed that it reduces the infectivity of hepatitis C virus and bovine herpesvirus 1. Based on this evidence, this study evaluated the antiviral ability of OMF against CCoV infection in a canine fibrosarcoma (A72) cell line. During CCoV infection, a non-toxic dose of OMF markedly increased features of cell viability. Moreover, OMF induced a significant reduction in virus yield in the presence of an intense downregulation of the viral nucleocapsid protein (NP). These findings occurred in the presence of a marked reduction in the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) expression. Taken together, preliminary findings suggest that OMF inhibiting AhR shows promising activity against CCoV infection.

Interaction of the Fungal Metabolite Harzianic Acid with Rare-Earth Cations (Pr3+, Eu3+, Ho3+, Tm3+)

Rare-earth elements (REEs) are in all respect a class of new contaminants that may have toxic effects on organisms and microorganisms and information on their interactions with natural ligands should be of value to predict and control their diffusion in natural environments. In the current study, we investigate interactions of tripositive cations of praseodymium, europium, holmium, and thulium with harzianic acid (H₂L), a secondary metabolite produced by selected strains of fungi belonging to the Trichoderma genus. We applied the same techniques and workflow previously employed in an analogous study concerning lanthanum, neodymium, samarium, and gadolinium tripositive cations. Therefore, in the current study, HPLC-ESI-HRMS experiments, circular dichroism (CD), and UV-Vis spectrophotometric absorption data, as well as accurate pH measurements, were applied to characterize bonding interactions between harzianic acid and Pr³⁺, Eu³⁺, Ho³⁺, and Tm³⁺ cations. Problems connected to the low solubility of harzianic acid in water were overcome by employing a 0.1 M NaClO₄/(CH₃OH + H₂O 50/50 w/w) mixed solvent. For Pr³⁺, Ho³⁺, and Tm³⁺, only the mono complexes PrL⁺, HoL⁺, and TmL⁺ were detected and their formation constant determined. Eu³⁺ forms almost exclusively the bis complex EuL2− for which the corresponding formation constant is reported; under our experimental conditions, the mono complex EuL⁺ is irrelevant. Combining the results of the present and previous studies, a picture of interactions of harzianic acid with rare-earth cations extending over 8 of the 17 REEs can be composed. In order to complement chemical information with toxicological information, a battery of bioassays was applied to evaluate the effects of praseodymium, europium, holmium, and thulium tripositive cations on a suite of bioindicators including Aliivibrio fischeri (Gram-negative bacterium), Raphidocelis subcapitata (green alga), and Daphnia magna (microcrustacean), and median effective concentration (EC50) values of Pr³⁺, Eu³⁺, Ho³⁺, and Tm³⁺ for the tested species were assessed.

Aspergillus-bees: A dynamic symbiotic association

Besides representing one of the most relevant threats of fungal origin to human and animal health, the genus Aspergillus includes opportunistic pathogens which may infect bees (Hymenoptera, Apoidea) in all developmental stages. At least 30 different species of Aspergillus have been isolated from managed and wild bees. Some efficient behavioral responses (e.g., diseased brood removal) exerted by bees negatively affect the chance to diagnose the pathology, and may contribute to the underestimation of aspergillosis importance in beekeeping. On the other hand, bee immune responses may be affected by biotic and abiotic stresses and suffer from the loose co-evolutionary relationships with Aspergillus pathogenic strains. However, if not pathogenic, these hive mycobiota components can prove to be beneficial to bees, by affecting the interaction with other pathogens and parasites and by detoxifying xenobiotics. The pathogenic aptitude of Aspergillus spp. likely derives from the combined action of toxins and hydrolytic enzymes, whose effects on bees have been largely overlooked until recently. Variation in the production of these virulence factors has been observed among strains, even belonging to the same species. Toxigenic and non-toxigenic strains/species may co-exist in a homeostatic equilibrium which is susceptible to be perturbed by several external factors, leading to mutualistic/antagonistic switch in the relationships between Aspergillus and bees.

O-001 Semen impairment and occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 virus in semen after recovery from COVID-19

Background

The presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in human semen and its role in virus contagion and semen quality after recovery from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is still unclear. Recent reports evidence that, after SARS-CoV-2 infection, male reproductive function and semen quality may be damaged.

Aim

To evaluate the semen parameters and inflammation of sexually active men following recovery from SARS-CoV-2 infection at 1 month and 3 months follow-up after the second negative nasopharyngeal swab.

Materials and methods

A prospective cross-sectional study on sexually active men recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection was performed.

For previously hospitalized COVID-19 patients, data on serum inflammatory markers were retrospectively collected.

One month after the second SARS-CoV-2 negative nasopharyngeal swab and 3 months later, four biological fluid samples, namely saliva, pre-ejaculation urine, semen, and post-ejaculation urine, were collected. The occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the specimen was evaluated in all the biological fluids collected by RT-PCR. Female partners were retested if any specimen was found to be SARS-CoV-2 positive.

Semen parameters were evaluated according to the World Health Organization manual edition V. Furthermore, semen inflammation was assessed by quantification of semen leukocytes and interleukin-8 (IL-8) levels and evaluation of a panel of sperm cytokine levels by a two-step ELISA method.

Results

A total of 43 men were enrolled in the study. Three patients (7%) tested positive for at least one sample (one saliva; one pre-ejaculation urine; one semen and one post-ejaculation urine), so the next day new nasopharyngeal swabs were collected. The results from these 3 patients and their partners were all negative for SARS-CoV-2.

At 1-month follow-up, 25% of the men with recent SARS-Cov-2 infections and proven healing were oligo-cryptoazoospermic, despite the absence of virus RNA in semen. Of the 11 men with semen impairment, 8 were azoospermic and 3 were oligospermic.

Serum inflammatory markers (procalcitonin and C-reactive protein) were analyzed in previously hospitalized patients both at admission and at peak of infection. Levels at admission were statistically significantly higher in patients resulting in crypto-azoospermic with respect to those resulting in normozoospermic (p = 0.05; p = 0.03 and p = 0.02, respectively) after healing.

Oligo-crypto-azoospermia was significantly related to COVID-19 severity (P < 0.001).

A total of 33 patients (76.7%) showed pathological levels of IL-8 in semen.

Interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α levels were significantly negatively related to sperm total number and concentration, whereas interleukin-4 was correlated with sperm motility.

At 3-months follow-up, 8/10 men with semen impairment showed an overall increase of semen parameters compared to levels assessed after 1 month. Of the 4 crypto-/azoo-spermic men 1 month after healing, 2 resulted oligozoospermic, 1 normozoospermic and only 1 remained azoospermic. Two of the 3 oligozoospermic men turned normozoozpermic. Semen cytokine levels remained elevated after 3 months, except for IL-6.

Discussion and conclusion

SARS-CoV-2 can be detected in saliva, urine, and semen in a small percentage of men who recovered from COVID-19. 25% of men who recovered from COVID-19 demonstrated oligo-crypto-azoospermia. Negative correlations between interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α and sperm number and the overall high levels of semen cytokines indicate a potential detrimental role of SARS-CoV-2 driven inflammation on spermatogenesis.

An overall tendency to an improvement of semen parameters was found although a genital tract inflammatory condition appears to persist at least 3 months after COVID-19 recovery.

Despite the low number of enrolled patients may limit the statistical power of study and the fact that the previous semen quality of these men was unknown, our results indicate that male of reproductive age recovering from COVID-19 deserve accurate follow-up for their fertility status.

Secondary Metabolites, including a New 5,6-Dihydropyran-2-One, Produced by the Fungus Diplodia corticola. Aphicidal Activity of the Main Metabolite, Sphaeropsidin A

An undescribed 5,6-dihydropyran-2-one, namely diplopyrone C, was isolated and characterized from the cultures of an isolate of the fungus Diplodia corticola recovered from Quercus suber in Algeria. The structure and relative stereostructure of (5S,6S,7Z,9S,10S)-5-hydroxy-6-(2-(3-methyloxiran-2-yl)vinyl)-5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-one were assigned essentially based on NMR and MS data. Furthermore, ten known compounds were isolated and identified in the same cultures. The most abundant product, the tetracyclic pimarane diterpene sphaeropsidin A, was tested for insecticidal effects against the model sucking aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum. Results showed a toxic dose-dependent oral activity of sphaeropsidin A, with an LC₅₀ of 9.64 mM.

Interaction of the Fungal Metabolite Harzianic Acid with Rare-Earth Cations (La3+, Nd3+, Sm3+, Gd3+)

Rare-earth elements are emerging contaminants of soil and water bodies which destiny in the environment and effects on organisms is modulated by their interactions with natural ligands produced by bacteria, fungi and plants. Within this framework, coordination by harzianic acid (H₂L), a Trichoderma secondary metabolite, of a selection of tripositive rare-earth cations Ln³⁺ (Ln³⁺ = La³⁺, Nd³⁺, Sm^3+, and Gd³⁺) was investigated at 25 °C, and in a CH₃OH/0.1 M NaClO₄ (50/50 w/w) solvent, using mass spectrometry, circular dichroism, UV-Vis spectrophotometry, and pH measurements. Experimental data can be satisfactorily explained by assuming, for all investigated cations, the formation of a mono-complex (LnL⁺) and a bis-complex (LnL₂^-). Differences were found between the formation constants of complexes of different Ln³⁺ cations, which can be correlated with ionic radius. Since gadolinium is the element that raises the most concern among lanthanide elements, its effects on organisms at different levels of biological organization were explored, in the presence and absence of harzianic acid. Results of ecotoxicological tests suggest that harzianic acid can decrease gadolinium biotoxicity, presumably because of complex formation with Gd³⁺.

Antiviral Property of the Fungal Metabolite 3-O-Methylfunicone in Bovine Herpesvirus 1 Infection

Bovine herpesvirus type-1 (BoHV-1) is a widespread pathogen that provokes infectious rhinotracheitis and polymicrobial infections in cattle, resulting in serious economic losses to the farm animal industry and trade restrictions. To date, non-toxic active drugs against BoHV-1 are not available. The exploitation of bioactive properties of microbial products is of great pharmaceutical interest. In fact, fungi are a promising source of novel drugs with a broad spectrum of activities and functions, including antiviral properties. Hence, the potential antiviral properties of 3-O-methylfunicone (OMF), a secondary metabolite produced by Talaromyces pinophilus, were evaluated on BoHV-1. In this study, during BoHV-1 infection in bovine cells (MDBK), the non-toxic concentration of 5 µM OMF considerably reduced signs of cell death and increased cell proliferation. Furthermore, OMF significantly decreased the virus titer as well as the cytopathic effect and strongly inhibited the expression of bICP0, the major regulatory protein in the BoHV-1 lytic cycle. These findings were accompanied by a considerable up-regulation in the expression of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a multifunctional transcription factor also linked to the host’s response to a herpesvirus infection. Overall, our results suggest that by involving AhR, OMF shows potential against a BoHV-1 infection.

Ecological and Molecular Interactions between Insects and Fungi

Insects and fungi represent two of the most widespread groupings of organisms in nature, occurring in every kind of ecological context and impacting agriculture and other human activities in various ways. Moreover, they can be observed to reciprocally interact, establishing a wide range of symbiotic relationships, from mutualism to antagonism. The outcome of these relationships can in turn affect the extent at which species of both organisms can exert their noxious effects, as well as the management practices which are to be adopted to counter them. In conjunction with the launch of a Special Issue of Microorganisms with the same title, this article offers a general overview of the manifold aspects related to such interactions from the perspective of implementing our capacity to regulate them in a direction more favorable for the environment, crop production and human health.

Cryptic Diversity in Cladosporium cladosporioides Resulting from Sequence-Based Species Delimitation Analyses

Cladosporium cladosporioides is an extremely widespread fungus involved in associations ranging from mutualistic to pathogenic and is the most frequently represented Cladosporium species in sequence databases, such as Genbank. The taxonomy of Cladosporium species, currently based on the integration of molecular data with morphological and cultural characters, is in frequent need of revision. Hence, the recently developed species delimitation methods can be helpful to explore cryptic diversity in this genus. Considering a previous study that reported several hypothetical species within C. cladosporioides, we tested four methods of species delimitation using the combined DNA barcodes internal transcribed spacers, translation elongation factor 1-α and actin 1. The analyses involved 105 isolates, revealing that currently available sequences of C. cladosporioides in GenBank actually represent more than one species. Moreover, we found that eight isolates from this set should be ascribed to Cladosporium anthropophilum. Our results revealed a certain degree of discordance among species delimitation methods, which can be efficiently treated using conservative approaches in order to minimize the risk of considering false positives.

Semen impairment and occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 virus in semen after recovery from COVID-19

STUDY QUESTION

How is the semen quality of sexually active men following recovery from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Twenty-five percent of the men with recent SARS-Cov-2 infections and proven healing were oligo-crypto-azoospermic, despite the absence of virus RNA in semen.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

The presence of SARS-CoV-2 in human semen and its role in virus contagion and semen quality after recovery from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is still unclear. So far, studies evaluating semen quality and the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 in semen of infected or proven recovered men are scarce and included a limited number of participants.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

A prospective cross-sectional study on 43 sexually active men who were known to have recovered from SARS-CoV2 was performed. Four biological fluid samples, namely saliva, pre-ejaculation urine, semen, and post-ejaculation urine, were tested for the SARS-CoV-2 genome. Female partners were retested if any specimen was found to be SARS-CoV-2 positive. Routine semen analysis and quantification of semen leukocytes and interleukin-8 (IL-8) levels were performed.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

Questionnaires including International Index of Erectile Function and Male Sexual Health Questionnaire Short Form were administered to all subjects. The occurrence of virus RNA was evaluated in all the biological fluids collected by RT-PCR. Semen parameters were evaluated according to the World Health Organization manual edition V. Semen IL-8 levels were evaluated by a two-step ELISA method.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

After recovery from COVID-19, 25% of the men studied were oligo-crypto-azoospermic. Of the 11 men with semen impairment, 8 were azoospermic and 3 were oligospermic. A total of 33 patients (76.7%) showed pathological levels of IL-8 in semen. Oligo-crypto-azoospermia was significantly related to COVID-19 severity (P < 0.001). Three patients (7%) tested positive for at least one sample (one saliva; one pre-ejaculation urine; one semen and one post-ejaculation urine), so the next day new nasopharyngeal swabs were collected. The results from these three patients and their partners were all negative for SARS-CoV-2.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

Although crypto-azoospermia was found in a high percentage of men who had recovered from COVID-19, clearly exceeding the percentage found in the general population, the previous semen quality of these men was unknown nor is it known whether a recovery of testicular function was occurring. The low number of enrolled patients may limit the statistical power of study.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

SARS-CoV-2 can be detected in saliva, urine, and semen in a small percentage of men who recovered from COVID-19. One-quarter of men who recovered from COVID-19 demonstrated oligo-crypto-azoospermia indicating that an assessment of semen quality should be recommended for men of reproductive age who are affected by COVID-19.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

None.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

N/A.

New Cladosporium Species from Normal and Galled Flowers of Lamiaceae

A series of isolates of Cladosporium spp. were recovered in the course of a cooperative study on galls formed by midges of the genus Asphondylia (Diptera, Cecidomyidae) on several species of Lamiaceae. The finding of these fungi in both normal and galled flowers was taken as an indication that they do not have a definite relationship with the midges. Moreover, identification based on DNA sequencing showed that these isolates are taxonomically heterogeneous and belong to several species which are classified in two different species complexes. Two new species, Cladosporium polonicum and Cladosporium neapolitanum, were characterized within the Cladosporium cladosporioides species complex based on strains from Poland and Italy, respectively. Evidence concerning the possible existence of additional taxa within the collective species C. cladosporioides and C. pseudocladosporioides is discussed.

Endophytic Fungi and Ecological Fitness of Chestnuts

Chestnuts (Castanea spp.) are plants of relevant economic interest in the agro-sylvicultural contexts of mountain regions throughout the temperate zone, particularly in the northern hemisphere. In recent years, several biological adversities have repeatedly endangered species belonging to this genus, calling for coordinated actions addressed to contrast their decline. These actions have mainly focused on the control of key pests/pathogens and the improvement of resistance/tolerance by the plant host, while the role of microorganisms as mediators of interactions between plants and the noxious agents has been less considered, essentially by reason of a limited knowledge on their ecological impact. In line with the increasing awareness of the basic importance of microbial symbionts in regulating plant fitness in both natural and crop contexts, this paper offers an overview on the occurrence and effects of endophytic fungi of chestnuts.

Endophytic Fungi of Olive Tree

In addition to the general interest connected with investigations on biodiversity in natural contexts, more recently the scientific community has started considering occurrence of endophytic fungi in crops in the awareness of the fundamental role played by these microorganisms on plant growth and protection. Crops such as olive tree, whose management is more and more frequently based on the paradigm of sustainable agriculture, are particularly interested in the perspective of a possible applicative employment, considering that the multi-year crop cycle implies a likely higher impact of these symbiotic interactions. Aspects concerning occurrence and effects of endophytic fungi associated with olive tree (Olea europaea) are revised in the present paper.

Identification of the Main Metabolites of a Marine-Derived Strain of Penicillium brevicompactum Using LC and GC MS Techniques

Marine-derived fungi are an important source of many valuable compounds with original structures and diverse physico-chemical properties. In this work, the metabolomic profile of a strain of Penicillium brevicompactum, recovered from a snakelocks sea anemone (Anemonia sulcata), was investigated through the parallel application of LC-ESI-HRMS, GC-MS, and NMR. Our strategy allowed the identification of mycophenolic acid, brevianamide A, and several compounds belonging to the thiosilvatins. Among the latter, five products are reported for the first time in this species. The main product of this series, cis-bis(methylthio)silvatin, was also tested for antiproliferative activity on both cancer and non-tumoral colon cell lines.

The Issue of Misidentification of Kojic Acid with Flufuran in Aspergillus flavus

In the course of investigations on the complex phenomenon of bee decline, Aspergillus flavus was isolated from the haemocoel of worker bees. Observations on the metabolomic profile of this strain showed kojic acid to be the dominant product in cultures on Czapek-Dox broth. However, an accurate review of papers documenting secondary metabolite production in A. flavus also showed that an isomer of kojic acid, identified as 5-(hydroxymethyl)-furan-3-carboxylic acid and named flufuran is reported from this species. The spectroscopic data of kojic acid were almost identical to those reported in the literature for flufuran. This motivated a comparative study of commercial kojic acid and 5-(hydroxymethyl)-furan-3-carboxylic acid, highlighting some differences, for example in the 13C-NMR and UV spectra for the two compounds, indicating that misidentification of the kojic acid as 5-(hydroxymethyl)-furan-3-carboxylic acid has occurred in the past.

Selecting patients for resection after primary chemotherapy for non-metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Patients with borderline (BL) or locally advanced (LA) pancreatic adenocarcinoma are usually treated with primary chemotherapy (CT), followed by resection when feasible. Scanty data are available about the criteria to candidate patients to resection after CT.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between 2002 and 2016 overall 223 patients diagnosed with BL or LA pancreatic adenocarcinoma were primarily treated with Gemcitabine combination (4-drugs or nab-paclitaxel-gemcitabine) for 3-6 months followed by surgery and/or chemoradiation. Resection was carried out when radical resection could be predicted by imaging studies and intraoperative findings. The prognostic value of both pre-treatment factors and treatment response was retrospectively evaluated, searching for criteria that could improve the selection of patients for surgery.

RESULTS

Median survival (MS) for the whole population was 18.3 months. Surgical resection was carried out in 61 patients; MS in resected patients was significantly longer (30.0 months) as compared with 162 non-resected patients (16.5 months) (P < 0.00001). According to response criteria, 48% had a radiological partial response, 47% a stable disease and 5% a disease progression); CA19.9 response (reduction >50%) was obtained in 77.8% of patients. Among resected patients, neither pre-treatment factors, including BL/LA distinction, nor radiological response, were able to prognosticate survival differences. Survival of resected patients having no CA19.9 response was significantly lower as compared with responders (MS 15.0 versus 31.5 months, P = 0.04), and was similar to non-responders patients that did not undergo resection (MS 10.9 months, P= 0.25). Multivariate analysis carried out on the overall population, showed that Karnofsky performance status, T3-T4 status, resection and CA19.9 response were independent prognostic factors, while radiological response, BL/LA distinction and baseline CA19.9 had not significant influence on survival.

CONCLUSIONS

CA19.9 response may allow a better selection of patients who will benefit from resection after primary CT for BL or LA pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Bioactive Compounds Produced by Strains of Penicillium and Talaromyces of Marine Origin

In recent years, the search for novel natural compounds with bioactive properties has received a remarkable boost in view of their possible pharmaceutical exploitation. In this respect the sea is entitled to hold a prominent place, considering the potential of the manifold animals and plants interacting in this ecological context, which becomes even greater when their associated microbes are considered for bioprospecting. This is the case particularly of fungi, which have only recently started to be considered for their fundamental contribution to the biosynthetic potential of other more valued marine organisms. Also in this regard, strains of species which were previously considered typical terrestrial fungi, such as Penicillium and Talaromyces, disclose foreground relevance. This paper offers an overview of data published over the past 25 years concerning the production and biological activities of secondary metabolites of marine strains belonging to these genera, and their relevance as prospective drugs.

Structural and bioactive properties of 3-O-methylfunicone

In recent years, the ongoing need for novel pharmaceuticals to be introduced in human medicine has substantially benefited from the widespread research activity on the role of bioactive microbial compounds involved in the regulation of interactions with other organisms. A good example is represented by 3-O-methylfunicone, a benzo-γ-pyrone metabolite at first characterized on account of the antifungal aptitude of the producing strain, which has later become more valuable for its antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic properties resulting in a series of studies on human tumor cell lines. An overview of aspects concerning molecular structure, sources, and biological properties of this compound is offered in the present paper.

Choline kinase-alpha by regulating cell aggressiveness and drug sensitivity is a potential druggable target for ovarian cancer

Background:

Aberrant choline metabolism has been proposed as a novel cancer hallmark. We recently showed that epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) possesses an altered MRS-choline profile, characterised by increased phosphocholine (PCho) content to which mainly contribute over-expression and activation of choline kinase-alpha (ChoK-alpha).

Methods:

To assess its biological relevance, ChoK-alpha expression was downmodulated by transient RNA interference in EOC in vitro models. Gene expression profiling by microarray analysis and functional analysis was performed to identify the pathway/functions perturbed in ChoK-alpha-silenced cells, then validated by in vitro experiments.

Results:

In silenced cells, compared with control, we observed: (I) a significant reduction of both CHKA transcript and ChoK-alpha protein expression; (II) a dramatic, proportional drop in PCho content ranging from 60 to 71%, as revealed by ¹H-magnetic spectroscopy analysis; (III) a 35–36% of cell growth inhibition, with no evidences of apoptosis or modification of the main cellular survival signalling pathways; (IV) 476 differentially expressed genes, including genes related to lipid metabolism. Ingenuity pathway analysis identified cellular functions related to cell death and cellular proliferation and movement as the most perturbed. Accordingly, CHKA-silenced cells displayed a significant delay in wound repair, a reduced migration and invasion capability were also observed. Furthermore, although CHKA silencing did not directly induce cell death, a significant increase of sensitivity to platinum, paclitaxel and doxorubicin was observed even in a drug-resistant context.

Conclusion:

We showed for the first time in EOC that CHKA downregulation significantly decreased the aggressive EOC cell behaviour also affecting cells' sensitivity to drug treatment. These observations open the way to further analysis for ChoK-alpha validation as a new EOC therapeutic target to be used alone or in combination with conventional drugs.