Global declines of amphibian populations are a source of great concern. Several pathogens that can infect the skin have been implicated in the declines. The pathogen most frequently associated with recent die-offs is a chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. A second fungus, Basidiobolus ranarum, was isolated from declining populations of Wyoming toads. A third pathogen, Aeromonas hydrophila, is an opportunistic bacterium found in healthy frogs, but capable of inducing disease. Among the immune defense mechanisms used by amphibians is the production of antimicrobial peptides in granular glands in the skin. These packets of natural antibiotics can be emptied onto the skin when the amphibian is injured. To determine whether antimicrobial skin peptides defend against these amphibian pathogens, six peptides (magainin I, magainin II, PGLa, CPF, ranalexin, and dermaseptin), from three species, and representing three structurally different families of peptides, were tested in growth inhibition assays. We show here that the peptides can kill or inhibit growth of both fungi but not Aeromonas. Although each peptide varied in its effectiveness, at least one from each species was effective against both fungi at a concentration of about 10-20 microM. This is the first direct evidence that antimicrobial peptides in the skin can operate as a first line of defense against the organisms associated with global amphibian declines. It suggests that this innate defense mechanism may play a role in preventing or limiting infection by these organisms.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0145-305x(01)00041-6 | DOI Listing |
Malar J
January 2025
Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, Australia.
Background: In moderate-to-high malaria transmission regions, the World Health Organization recommends intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp) with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) alongside insecticide-treated bed nets to reduce the adverse consequences of pregnancy-associated malaria. Due to high-grade Plasmodium falciparum resistance to SP, novel treatment regimens need to be evaluated for IPTp, but these increase pill burden and treatment days. The present qualitative study assessed the acceptability of IPTp-SP plus dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DP) in Papua New Guinea, where IPTp-SP was implemented in 2009.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMC Nutr
January 2025
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Tbilisi State Medical University, Tbilisi, Georgia.
Background: Childhood overweight and obesity are significant global public health challenges that affect approximately 340 million children worldwide. In Georgia, the prevalence of childhood obesity is alarming, with approximately 28% of 7-year-old children classified as overweight or obese in 2019. This study aimed to investigate the key factors associated with overweight and obesity among school-age children in Georgia.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMC Public Health
January 2025
School of Psychology, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, 730070, China.
Objective: The aging population represents a formidable global challenge, with China experiencing an accelerated demographic shift. While previous research has established a directional link between mental health literacy, social participation, and active aging, the moderating effect of socioeconomic status (SES) on these associations remains underexplored. This study sought to address this gap by employing moderated network analysis, in contrast to the total score approaches commonly used in prior literature.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCardiovasc Diabetol
January 2025
Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Virgen de la Victoria University Hospital, 29010, Málaga, Spain.
Background: The prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is rising globally, particularly among children exposed to adverse intrauterine environments, such as those associated with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Epigenetic modifications, specifically DNA methylation, have emerged as mechanisms by which early environmental exposures can predispose offspring to metabolic diseases. This study aimed to investigate DNA methylation differences in children born to mothers with GDM compared to non-GDM mothers, using saliva samples, and to assess the association of these epigenetic patterns with early growth measurements.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMC Nurs
January 2025
Department of Medical Nursing, Teda Health Science College, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Background: The issue of workplace violence (WPV) directed at nurses is a chronic and global public health concern. Numerous studies on workplace violence in Ethiopia have been conducted; however, the results have been inconsistent. The review aims to identify the pooled prevalence and associated factors of workplace violence against nurses.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!