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Cadmium (Cd) pollution in soils is an increasing problem worldwide, and it affects crop production and safety. We identified Cd-tolerant and -sensitive cultivars by testing 258 accessions of Medicago truncatula at seedling stage, using the relative root growth (RRG) as an indicator of Cd tolerance. The factorial analysis (principal component analysis method) of the different growth parameters analyzed revealed a clear differentiation between accessions depending on the trait (tolerant or sensitive). We obtained a normalized index of Cd tolerance, which further supported the suitability of RRG to assess Cd tolerance at seedling stage. Cd and elements contents were analyzed, but no correlations with the tolerance trait were found. The responses to Cd stress of two accessions which had similar growth in the absence of Cd, different sensitivity to the metal but similar Cd accumulation capacity, were analyzed during germination, seedling stage, and in mature plants. The results showed that the Cd-tolerant accession (CdT) displayed a higher tolerance than the sensitive cultivar (CdS) in all the studied stages. The increased gene expression of the three main NADPH recycling enzymes in CdT might be key for this tolerance. In CdS, Cd stress produced strong expression of most of the genes that encode enzymes involved in glutathione and phytochelatin biosynthesis (MtCYS, MtγECS, and MtGSHS), as well as GR, but it was not enough to avoid a redox status imbalance and oxidative damages. Our results on gene expression, enzyme activity, antioxidant content, and lipid peroxidation indicate different strategies to cope with Cd stress between CdS and CdT, and provide new insights on Cd tolerance and Cd toxicity mechanisms in M. truncatula.The effects of growth regulators, namely, 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and thidiazuron (TDZ), on the morphogenic capacity of 13 cultivars of clematis plants, in terms of their morphological structure formation, shoot regeneration, and somatic embryo development, are presented. The clematis cultivars 'Alpinist,' 'Ay-Nor,' 'Bal Tsvetov,' 'Crimson Star,' 'Crystal Fountain,' 'Kosmicheskaya Melodiya,' 'Lesnaya Opera,' 'Madame Julia Correvon,' 'Nevesta,' 'Nikitsky Rosovyi,' 'Nikolay Rubtsov,' 'Serenada Kryma,' and 'Vechniy Zov' were taken in collection plots of the Nikita Botanical Gardens for use in study. After explant sterilization with 70% ethanol (1 min), 0.3-0.4% Cl2 (15 min), and 1% thimerosal (10 min), 1-cm long segments with a single node were introduced to an in vitro culture. The explants were established on the basal MS medium supplemented with BAP (2.20-8.90 μM) and 0.049 μM NAA, or TDZ (3.0; 6.0, and 9.0 μM) with 30 g/L sucrose and 9 g/L agar. The medium with 0.89 μM BAP served as the control. Culture veber somatic embryo formation and a temperature of 26°C affected somatic embryo development. Active formation of primary and secondary somatic embryos was also demonstrated. 2.20 μM BAP with 0.09 μM IBA affected the high-number somatic embryo formation for eight cultivars. Secondary somatic embryogenesis by the same concentration of BAP was induced. The frequency of secondary somatic embryogenesis was higher in 'Crystal Fountain' (100%), 'Crimson Star' (100%), 'Nevesta' (97%), and 'Ay-Nor' (92%) cultivars. Based on these results, the methodology for direct somatic embryogenesis and organogenesis of studied clematis cultivars has been developed.Limited attention has been paid to maize (Zea mays L.) resistance induced by corn borer damage, although evidence shows that induced defenses have lower resource allocation costs than constitutive defenses. Maize responses to short- and long-term feeding by the Mediterranean corn borer (MCB, Sesamia nionagrioides) have been previously studied, but the suggested differences between responses could be due to experimental differences. Therefore, in the current study, a direct comparison between short- and long-term responses has been made. The objectives were (i) to determine changes in the level of antibiosis of the stems induced by feeding of S. nonagrioides larvae for 2days (short-term feeding) and 9days (long-term feeding), (ii) to characterize the metabolome of the stems' short- and long-term responses to borer feeding, and (iii) to look for metabolic pathways that could modulate plant resistance to MCB. Defenses were progressively induced in the resistant inbred, and constitutive defenses were broken down in the susceptible inbred. Results suggest that the different resistance levels of the two inbreds to stem tunneling by MCB could depend on their ability to establish a systemic response. Based on these results, a high throughput look for specific metabolites implicated in systemic induced resistance to maize stem borers is recommended; the current focus on constitutive defense metabolites has not been successful in finding molecules that would be valuable tools for pest control.Background BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 are the two recently approved mRNA-based vaccines against COVID-19 which has shown excellent safety and efficacy. Preliminary data about specific and neutralizing antibodies is available covering the first 100 days after vaccination. Methods We reviewed all the publications regarding the immunologic consequences of BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 vaccination. A summary of specific antibodies concentration and neutralizing antibodies titers elicited by each vaccine is provided. Results BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 displayed a reassuring safety and efficacy profile, with the latter above 94%. They can elicit specific antibodies titers and neutralizing antibodies concentrations that are far superior from those observed among COVID-19 human convalescent serum, across a wide span of age, for at least 100 days after vaccination. Moreover, the vaccine-induced T cellular response is oriented toward a TH1 response and no evidence of vaccine-enhanced disease have been reported. Discussion BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 can elicit specific antibodies titers and neutralizing antibodies concentrations above those observed among COVID-19 human convalescent serum in the first 100 days after vaccination. Data about vaccine efficacy in those with previous COVID-19 or immunocompromised is still limited.COVID-19 manifests with a wide diversity of clinical phenotypes characterized by dysfunctional and exaggerated host immune responses. Many results have been described on the status of the immune system of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2, but there are still aspects that have not been fully characterized or understood. In this study, we have analyzed a cohort of patients with mild, moderate and severe disease. We performed flow cytometric studies and correlated the data with the clinical characteristics and clinical laboratory values of the patients. Both conventional and unsupervised data analyses concluded that patients with severe disease are characterized, among others, by a higher state of activation in all T cell subsets (CD4, CD8, double negative and T follicular helper cells), higher expression of perforin and granzyme B in cytotoxic cells, expansion of adaptive NK cells and the accumulation of activated and immature dysfunctional monocytes which are identified by a low expression of HLA-DR and an intriguing shift in the expression pattern of CD300 receptors. More importantly, correlation analysis showed a strong association between the alterations in the immune cells and the clinical signs of severity. These results indicate that patients with severe COVID-19 have a broad perturbation of their immune system, and they will help to understand the immunopathogenesis of COVID-19.Background Germline mutations in signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1), which lead to primary immunodeficiency, are classified as defects in intrinsic and innate immunity. To date, no comprehensive overview comparing GOF with LOF in early-onset immunodeficiency has been compiled. Objective To collect and systematically review all studies reporting STAT1 GOF and LOF cases, and to describe the clinical, diagnostic, molecular, and therapeutic characteristics of all the conditions. Methods A systematic review of the PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane to identify articles published before May 23, 2020. Data pertaining to patients with a genetic diagnosis of STAT1 GOF or LOF germline mutations, along with detailed clinical data, were reviewed. Results The search identified 108 publications describing 442 unique patients with STAT1 GOF mutations. The patients documented with chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMC; 410/442), lower respiratory tract infections (210/442), and autoune thyroid disease as well as Th17 cytopenia and humoral immunodeficiency. HSCT is still not a reasonable therapeutic choice. Immunoglobulin replacement therapy and JAK inhibitors are an attractive alternative. STAT1 LOF deficiency is a more complicated underlying cause of early-onset MSMD, osteomyelitis, respiratory tract infections, and Herpesviridae infection. Anti-mycobacterial treatment is the main therapeutic choice. More trials are needed to assess the utility of HSCT.Background The immunomodulatory enzyme, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) facilitates tryptophan catabolism at the rate-limiting step of the kynurenine (Kyn) pathway. IDO expression and elevations in Kyn metabolites are associated with immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment including T cell proliferative arrest and generation of regulatory T cells (Tregs) which can favor tumor progression. However, the extent of the role of IDO in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is currently ill-defined. This study reviews the role of IDO-driven Treg function in AML and evaluates the current body of evidence implicating IDO in AML pathogenesis. Method Studies related to IDO in AML were identified through a systematic review of PubMed and Scopus. Data extracted described sample analysis, IDO expression, IDO in prognosis, techniques used in Treg phenotypic studies, and the effect of IDO inhibitors. Results Twenty studies were included in the systematic review. Expression of IDO was identified in a range of cells in AML, both inducible and constitutive. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/gw788388.html Seven studies indicated an association between elevated expression and poor clinical prognosis. Six studies suggested a positive correlation between IDO expression and Treg induction, with FoxP3 being the prominent Treg phenotypic marker. Of eight studies investigating IDO inhibition, some reported reductions in Treg frequency and enhanced effector T cell proliferation. Conclusion This review highlights that IDO expression in AML is associated with poor prognosis and measurement of IDO and its Kyn metabolites may offer utility as prospective prognostic markers. Pharmacological inhibition of IDO using novel drugs may hold promise for the treatment of AML.Our goal was to provide a comprehensive overview of the antibody response to Staphylococcus aureus antigens in the general population as a basis for defining disease-specific profiles and diagnostic signatures. We tested the specific IgG and IgA responses to 79 staphylococcal antigens in 996 individuals from the population-based Study of Health in Pomerania. Using a dilution-based multiplex suspension array, we extended the dynamic range of specific antibody detection to seven orders of magnitude, allowing the precise quantification of high and low abundant antibody specificities in the same sample. The observed IgG and IgA antibody responses were highly heterogeneous with differences between individuals as well as between bacterial antigens that spanned several orders of magnitude. Some antigens elicited significantly more IgG than IgA and vice versa. We confirmed a strong influence of colonization on the antibody response and quantified the influence of sex, smoking, age, body mass index, and serum glucose on anti-staphylococcal IgG and IgA.