Search Results (1,280)

Hemodialysis (HD) remains the most widely adopted renal replacement therapy for patients with end-stage kidney disease; however, its delivery entails a substantial environmental burden due to high water and energy consumption and extensive reliance on single-use synthetic polymeric membranes. As the global prevalence of chronic kidney disease increases, the ecological footprint of dialysis systems has become a critical challenge for sustainable healthcare. Conventional HD membranes, based on petroleum-derived polymers, provide controlled permeability but are inherently non-renewable, non-biodegradable, and susceptible to fouling and bio-incompatibility, underscoring the need for alternative, more sustainable materials. Chitosan has emerged as a promising biopolymer owing to its biodegradability, intrinsic antimicrobial activity, chemical versatility, and favorable hemocompatibility. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of chitosan-based hybrid membranes for HD, with emphasis on sustainability-driven material innovation. The structural chemistry and functional properties of chitosan are discussed in relation to molecular weight, degree of deacetylation, and supramolecular organization, followed by a comparative assessment of chitosan derived from crustacean, insect, fungal, and cephalopod sources. Attention is given to fungal chitosan as a naturally deacetylated, high-purity, and reproducible biomaterial aligned with circular bioeconomy principles. Eco-innovative extraction and purification strategies, including enzymatic and low-energy processes, are critically examined alongside membrane fabrication approaches such as polymer blending, electrospinning of hollow fibers, and functionalization strategies aimed at improving hemocompatibility, antimicrobial performance, and fouling resistance. Key challenges related to membrane reuse, scale-up, regulatory compliance, and clinical translation are also addressed. Overall, this review highlights fungal-derived chitosan as a sustainable platform for next-generation HD membranes. Full article

Background: Candida albicans constitutes part of the normal human gastrointestinal (GI) microbiome(GM). Alterations inthe GM induced by antibiotics may disrupt colonization resistance and promote fungal overgrowth. This review summarizes the effects of antibiotics on GI C. albicans colonization in experimental animal models and humans. Methods: A narrative review was conducted using data from the PubMed/MEDLINE and Scopus databases. Studies evaluating changes in GI C. albicans populations following antibiotic administration in mice or humans were included. Results: Twenty-six articles met the inclusion criteria, comprising 16 murine and 10 human studies. Across all studies, antibiotics were consistently associated with increased GI C. albicans colonization. The greatest increases were observed with broad-spectrum agents with activity against anaerobic bacteria. Elevated fungal concentrations frequently persisted after treatment discontinuation. Human studies largely reproduced findings from murine models. Despite substantial increases in GI colonization, dissemination beyond the GI tract was uncommon. Conclusions: Available evidence demonstrates that antibiotic-induced disruption of the GM promotes GI overgrowth of C. albicans. Hence, C. albicans concentration can serve as an indicator of antibiotics’ impact on the GM. While increased colonization alone rarely results in invasive disease, antibiotic-associated yeast expansion may represent an important step in the pathogenesis of disseminated candidiasis. Full article

The calcium ion-transporting ATPase (Ca²⁺-ATPase) gene family maintains plant intracellular Ca²⁺ homeostasis and regulates growth, development and stress immunity; however, its functions remain poorly characterized in Malus domestica. Here, we performed a genome-wide identification of apple Ca²⁺-ATPase genes and obtained 45 members, which were classified into MdACA (39) and MdECA (6) subfamilies and unevenly distributed on 14 chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis of Ca²⁺-ATPase genes from Malus domestica, Arabidopsis thaliana, and Oryza sativa classified these proteins into five subgroups. The ACA and ECA subfamilies were highly conserved across species, whereas Group D was apple-specific. Collinearity and Ka/Ks analyses indicated that segmental duplication and purifying selection dominated the evolution of apple Ca²⁺-ATPase genes. Promoter cis-element prediction uncovered numerous regulatory elements related to phytohormone signaling, growth, development and stress defense. Codon usage bias analysis indicated that AUG (methionine) was the dominant codon. Tissue expression profiles showed differential expression of apple Ca²⁺-ATPase genes in various organs. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) assays demonstrated widespread responses of Ca²⁺-ATPase genes to Alternaria alternata infection, exogenous CaCl₂, salicylic acid (SA) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA), among which MdACA39 was strongly induced under all treatments. Subcellular localization verified that MdACA39 resides on the plasma membrane. Moreover, transient overexpression of MdACA39 significantly enhanced apple resistance to A. alternata, likely due to the activation of SA, MeJA and Ca²⁺ signaling-mediated immune pathways, the induction of disease resistance-related genes, and elevated antioxidant enzyme activity. Collectively, this study systematically characterizes the apple Ca²⁺-ATPase family and identifies MdACA39 as a key regulator of fungal resistance, providing valuable gene resources for dissecting Ca²⁺ signaling-mediated disease resistance in apple. Full article

Chitosan, a chitin-derived biopolymer, is widely used in agriculture and food preservation. Fungal-derived chitosan offers a sustainable alternative to crustacean sources, and Ganoderma lucidum represents a promising source of this functional material. This study characterized fungal chitosan (F.Cs) extracted from G. lucidum cell-wall chitin by FT-IR, molecular weight, viscosity, and degree of deacetylation. Its antimicrobial activity was evaluated in vitro, and its preservative and disease control efficacy against Monilinia fructicola on postharvest apples was compared to commercial chitosan (C.Cs). DNA/protein leakage of the studied FGs and C.Cs were investigated to reveal the antimicrobial mechanisms. In particular, F.Cs exhibited promising in vitro antimicrobial activity, with MIC/MFC values of 0.75/0.75 mg/mL against M. fructicola and 0.75/1.5 mg/mL against Botrytis cinerea, compared to C.Cs. In addition, F.Cs induced greater membrane damage in M. fructicola than C.Cs, as evidenced by higher DNA leakage (24% vs. 13%) and more pronounced protein leakage (102% vs. 98%). In vivo assay demonstrated that F.Cs formed an effective protective coating layer, reducing fruit moisture loss, preserving firmness s, and significantly limiting M. fructicola-induced decay compared to C.Cs. Particularly, F.Cs (1.5%) were most effective, reducing disease incidence to 12.5% (preventive) and 20.8% (curative), with decay rates of 18 and 31%, respectively. C.Cs (1.5%) provided moderate protection, with disease incidences of 37.5 and 43.7% in preventive and curative treatments, respectively. These results demonstrate the superior efficacy of F.Cs over C.Cs in preserving apple quality and enhancing resistance to M. fructicola, highlighting the potential of G. lucidum-derived chitosan as a sustainable, multifunctional biopolymer for postharvest disease control and fruit quality preservation. Full article

Pyricularia oryzae Triticum lineage (PoTl), the fungal pathogen responsible for wheat blast disease, has demonstrated increased fitness, stable resistance to quinone outside inhibitor (QoI) fungicides, and no associated fitness cost in the absence of fungicide selection pressure. In this study, we assessed whether the fitness-related epidemiological traits and competitive abilities of QoI-resistant (R) PoTl isolates increased or remained unchanged under continuous QoI applications across multiple disease infection cycles in wheat plants, compared to untreated plants. Approximately 48 h before inoculating each group of QoI-R or sensitive (S) PoTl isolates, wheat plants were treated with 10 μg mL⁻¹ azoxystrobin. The EC₅₀, incubation and latent periods, as well as the germination capacity of the QoI-R isolates inoculated on wheat leaves treated with 10 μg mL⁻¹ azoxystrobin, remained unchanged throughout five successive infection cycles. However, continuous azoxystrobin applications throughout successive disease cycles increased head blast severity by 1.33-fold and conidial production on wheat leaves by 36.8-fold in QoI-resistant (QoI-R) PoTl isolates compared with untreated plants. Conidia germination and germ tube development by QoI-R isolates on the abaxial surface of wheat leaves and/or head rachis treated with 10 μg mL⁻¹ azoxystrobin, six hours after inoculation (h.a.i), were observed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). These findings demonstrate that repeated azoxystrobin exposure enhances fitness-related epidemiological traits of QoI-R PoTl isolates. Consequently, alternative evolutionarily informed disease management strategies, including fungicide rotation, multisite fungicides, and integrated disease management, are urgently needed. Full article

Aquaculture faces structural constraints linked to input sustainability, animal health, and a persistent reliance on fishmeal and fish oil, alongside the intensive use of antibiotics in high-density production systems. In this context, edible fungi have emerged as promising functional ingredients, primarily due to their content of structural polysaccharides, particularly β-glucans and chitin. This review synthesizes recent evidence on the dietary inclusion of fungal-derived compounds in aquafeeds for commercially relevant species. Overall, these bioactive components have been associated with beneficial effects on growth performance, feed efficiency, antioxidant status, and disease resistance in species such as Oncorhynchus mykiss, Salmo salar, and Oreochromis spp. However, the magnitude and consistency of these responses remain highly variable across studies. Such variability is primarily attributed to differences in the structural composition of the ingredients, their physicochemical form, processing methods, and their compatibility with host digestive physiology, all of which influence functional bioavailability and the resulting biological responses. Consequently, their biological effects are context-dependent and should be interpreted according to ingredient characteristics, host species, dietary inclusion level, and experimental conditions rather than assuming a universal dose–response relationship. Effective implementation will require advances in matrix standardization, detailed structural characterization of bioactive compounds, and validation under industry-relevant conditions. Full article

Background: Saffron corm rot causes significant yield losses worldwide. Although synthetic pesticides are commonly used for management, their overuse can lead to increased fungal resistance and pose a risk to public health. Numerous plants possessing antifungal properties hold significant potential for development as biocontrol agents against saffron corm rot. Result: In this study, the efficacy of biocontrol agents derived from natural plants was evaluated for managing saffron corm rot. Aqueous and 70% ethanol extracts from 15 plants were investigated for antifungal activity and virulence suppression against three saffron pathogens: Fusarium oxysporum, Penicillium citrinum, and Aspergillus brasiliensis. Antifungal activity experiments indicated that clove ethanol extract at a concentration of 20 mg/mL exhibited the highest inhibition rate, with values of 93.27 ± 0.0% for Fusarium oxysporum, 86.47 ± 5.55% for Penicillium citrinum, and 68.65 ± 2.40% for Aspergillus brasiliensis. Compared with the model group, clove ethanol extract significantly reduced corm rot and normalized the metabolism of infected corms. On day 30, compared with the model group (34.3 ± 3.7%), the rot rate of clove-treated corms was reduced to 17.2 ± 1.4%, and on day 60, it was reduced to 27.5 ± 1.5% (versus 52.9 ± 3.3% in the model group). Compared with the model group, the levels of soluble sugar, starch, α-amylase, soluble protein, and superoxide dismutase in clove-treated infected corms approached those observed in the control group. Field trials confirmed that clove ethanol extract effectively improved plant growth and reduced the disease severity index (37.00 ± 3.51) in infected corms. Conclusion: Clove ethanol extract is a promising candidate to replace or reduce the use of synthetic pesticides. It provides a theoretical and practical basis for the biocontrol of saffron corm rot. Full article

Lycium barbarum L. is a characteristic agricultural crop in Ningxia. Powdery mildew is a serious fungal disease affecting Lycium barbarum. Resistance analysis of Lycium barbarum varieties is rarely reported, and comparative information on field resistance and associated anatomical and physiological responses remains limited. This study evaluated powdery mildew resistance in 26 Lycium barbarum germplasm accessions under natural field conditions over two years, compared leaf anatomical traits in eight representative accessions, and characterized early physiological responses in the genotype Ningqi-1 after inoculation. Based on the two-year mean disease index (DI), the 26 accessions were assigned to four descriptive resistance categories. Four sigmoidal equations were fitted to the observed disease-progress data; these equations were used only as descriptive curves and were not treated as independently validated predictive models. Across the eight representative accessions, the 2021 DI was negatively correlated with the number of palisade tissue layers, palisade tissue thickness, and leaf compactness, but positively correlated with spongy tissue thickness (two-tailed Pearson correlation, n = 8). In Ningqi-1, inoculation induced time-dependent changes in antioxidant-enzyme activities, malondialdehyde content, defense-related enzyme activities, lignin content, soluble protein content, and soluble sugar content during the first 48 h. The increase in malondialdehyde content suggested enhanced membrane lipid peroxidation during infection, which may reflect oxidative stress associated with powdery mildew infection. Overall, this study characterized field disease responses, candidate anatomical traits associated with DI, and early physiological responses in Ningqi-1. These findings provide preliminary information for future resistance screening, but validation in larger germplasm populations and under controlled inoculation conditions is still required. Full article

Potato early blight is a fungal disease caused by Alternaria solani that seriously affects potato production. Catalase (CAT), an important antioxidant enzyme in plants, regulates the basal immune response to necrotrophic pathogens by decomposing hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂); however, its role in potato early blight remains unclear. The results revealed that using a H₂O₂ biosensor for transient overexpression in Nicotiana benthamiana, we found that A. solani infection significantly induced sustained H₂O₂ accumulation in tobacco leaves. Exogenous application of H₂O₂ to potato leaves followed by inoculation with A. solani showed that elevated H₂O₂ levels promoted infection by the pathogen. StCAT1 expression was upregulated upon A. solani infection. Silencing StCAT1 in potato reduced antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, PAL, CAT) and disease resistance, accompanied by elevated H₂O₂ accumulation. Overexpression of StCAT1 enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities and disease resistance while decreasing H₂O₂ levels. Additionally, StABI5 was identified as an upstream transcription factor that activates StCAT1 expression, and silencing StABI5 compromised potato resistance to early blight. In conclusion, this study confirms that StCAT1 acts as a positive regulatory factor and mediates potato resistance to early blight through the StABI5-StCAT1 signaling pathway, providing scientific basis and genetic resources for disease-resistant breeding. Full article

Wheat Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a globally prevalent and destructive fungal disease predominantly caused by Fusarium graminearum. Pydiflumetofen, a novel succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI) fungicide, exhibits strong inhibitory activity against F. graminearum; however, the molecular regulatory mechanisms underlying the field-developed resistance in this pathogen remain poorly defined. In the present study, a field-evolved resistant isolate W24-039 and a sensitive isolate W24-016 were subjected to multi-omics analysis. The sequencing results identified compound mutations C89S/A93V in SdhC2, and A21T/S30F in SdhD of the resistant strain, which confer stable fungicide resistance without any detectable fitness costs. Physiological tests revealed that these target mutations sustain the homeostasis of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity and intracellular ATP production. Following pydiflumetofen treatment, the sensitive isolate displayed remarkable declines in SDH activity, intracellular ATP content and deoxynivalenol (DON) biosynthesis, accompanied by markedly elevated cell membrane permeability. Transcriptomic sequencing uncovered 2221 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the sensitive strain under fungicide stress, and 2566 DEGs in the resistant isolate under the same conditions. The genes associated with detoxification and drug efflux, including cytochrome P450, glutathione S-transferase (GST), ABC and MFS transporters, were significantly upregulated in the resistant isolate. Metabolomic analysis indicated that differential metabolites were mainly enriched in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, amino acid metabolism and membrane lipid biosynthesis pathways. The resistant strain maintained intact TCA cycle operation and accumulated high levels of pivotal metabolites such as phosphatidylcholine, unsaturated fatty acids and reduced glutathione. Integrated multi-omics analysis verified that the ABC transporter and glutathione metabolism pathways serve as core regulatory modules governing fungicide resistance. Collectively, F. graminearum develops resistance via the synergistic effects of SDH compound mutations, enhanced detoxification and efflux, and global metabolic remodeling, demonstrating that target-site mutation alone is not the sole driver of resistance, which is instead controlled by an intricate regulatory network involving multiple coordinated pathways. This study systematically characterizes the resistance regulatory network of F. graminearum against pydiflumetofen, and provides theoretical guidance for the rational application and sustainable field resistance management of this fungicide. Full article

Verticillium dahliae is a devastating soil-borne fungal pathogen that causes severe yield losses in melon (Cucumis melo L.) and other crops. Identifying novel resistance genes is crucial for sustainable disease management. In this study, we characterized the function of CmVQ23, a candidate gene previously identified through QTL mapping, in mediating defense against V. dahliae using heterologous expression in Arabidopsis thaliana. Subcellular localization assays revealed that the CmVQ23-eGFP fusion protein predominantly localized to the nucleus, consistent with its predicted role as a co-factor of transcription factor. Upon V. dahliae inoculation, CmVQ23-overexpressing Arabidopsis lines exhibited significantly reduced disease indices and restricted fungal proliferation compared with wild-type and mutant plants, although these lines displayed altered vegetative growth, including delayed bolting and reduced plant height. Mechanistically, CmVQ23 overexpression promoted reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and hypersensitive response (HR)-mediated cell death at infection sites, as evidenced by intensified DAB and trypan blue staining. Furthermore, transgenic lines maintained higher photosynthetic efficiency, enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities, and increased lignin deposition via upregulation of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO). Notably, CmVQ23 overexpression markedly upregulated both salicylic acid (SA)- and jasmonic acid/ethylene (JA/ET)-responsive marker genes, including AtPR1, AtPR2, AtPR5, AtPAD4, AtPDF1.2, and AtVSP2 upon infection. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that CmVQ23 functions as a positive regulator of resistance to Verticillium dahliae by orchestrating ROS/HR-mediated cell death, antioxidant defense, phenylpropanoid pathway activation, and phytohormone signaling crosstalk, offering a promising genetic resource for improving Verticillium wilt resistance in crops. Full article

Cotton Verticillium wilt is a devastating fungal disease caused by Verticillium dahliae, and biological control has become a safe and efficient strategy for its green prevention and control. In this study, the endophytic strain Bacillus velezensis BHZ-29 was used as the biocontrol material, and rifampicin labeling and greenhouse pot assays were performed to clarify its colonization characteristics and induced disease resistance mechanism in cotton. The results showed that the rifampicin-resistant mutant strain maintained consistent morphological traits, antagonistic activity and biocontrol performance with the wild-type strain, ensuring the reliability of colonization tracing. Strain BHZ-29 could stably colonize the roots, stems and leaves of different cotton varieties, with roots serving as the dominant colonization tissue. Physiological analysis indicated that BHZ-29 inoculation significantly activated the antioxidant and defense enzyme system of cotton, including POD, CAT, SOD, PPO and PAL. The defense enzyme activities of cotton leaves showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing, and the combined inoculation of BHZ-29 and V. dahliae exhibited the highest enzyme activity. Meanwhile, BHZ-29 treatment significantly increased vitamin C content and reduced malondialdehyde accumulation in cotton, alleviating pathogen-induced oxidative damage. Field pot verification confirmed that BHZ-29 possessed excellent and broad-spectrum biocontrol effects on cotton Verticillium wilt with stable control efficacy across different cotton varieties. This study clarifies the colonization and induced resistance mechanism of strain BHZ-29 against Verticillium wilt, providing a promising microbial resource and theoretical basis for the green biological control of cotton soil-borne diseases. Full article

Invasive candidiasis, predominantly driven by multidrug-resistant Candida species and intractable biofilms, represents an escalating global health crisis with mortality rates rivaling major infectious diseases. The clinical efficacy of conventional antifungal agents—azoles, polyenes, and echinocandins—is severely compromised by poor tissue penetration, dose-limiting systemic toxicity, and the rapid evolution of complex resistance mechanisms. Here, we review the two-decade structural evolution of nanotechnological interventions designed to overcome these pharmacological and biological barriers. We systematically analyze advanced nanosystems, including lipid-based formulations, natural polymers, and biogenic metallic nanostructures, highlighting their capacity to penetrate the dense extracellular polymeric substance (EPS), combat potential fungal ‘nano-resistance’, and significantly reduce metabolically dormant persister cell populations. The literature search was performed using the electronic databases PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Publications indexed between 2015 and 2025 were primarily considered, while seminal studies published before 2015 were included when necessary to provide historical context and foundational knowledge. We place specific emphasis on next-generation biomimetic and exosome-inspired nanocarriers, which significantly reduce systemic host toxicity while maximizing targeted antifungal efficacy. In this context, the synergistic integration of smart nanocarriers to actively disassemble fungal resistance networks, such as the target of rapamycin (TOR) signaling pathway and sphingolipid biosynthesis. Finally, we outline a strategic roadmap to bridge the translational “Valley of Death”. By prioritizing manufacturing standardization, comprehensive long-term biosecurity profiling, and rationally designed biomimetic platforms, we propose an alternative way to outpace the evolutionary adaptations of fungal pathogenesis and translate these innovations into the clinic. Full article

Canker is a destructive fungal disease that adversely affects plant growth, triggering leaf drop, branch dieback and even plant death. For the blueberry industry, fungal canker reduces blueberry yield and quality. In this study, diseased branches of the ‘Bluegold’ blueberry cultivar collected from open-field plantations in Jilin Province, China, were used to isolate and identify the pathogen, characterize its biological properties, and investigate the physiological and metabolomic responses of blueberry shoots to pathogen infection. Based on morphological characteristics and internal transcribed spacer sequence analysis, the pathogen was preliminarily identified as Diaporthe eres. Biological characterization showed that the optimal temperature and pH for mycelial growth of the isolate were 25 °C and 6, respectively, while light conditions had no significant effect on fungal growth. Pathogenicity results demonstrated that infection by the isolate significantly induced the accumulation of superoxide anions (O₂^.−) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in blueberry new shoots, which led to lipid peroxidation and subsequently resulted in significant increases in malondialdehyde content and relative electrical conductivity. Concurrently, the plant’s antioxidant enzyme system was disrupted, and the activities of peroxidase and superoxide dismutase remained significantly elevated throughout the infection period, while catalase activity exhibited an initial increase followed by a gradual decline. Metabolomic analysis identified 541 differentially accumulated metabolites, with key metabolites including ferulic acid, quercetin and kaempferol showing marked abundance changes. These were primarily enriched in pathways closely associated with plant resistance, such as phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and flavonoid biosynthesis. Combined analysis of physiological and metabolomic data showed that reactive oxygen species accumulation and antioxidant enzyme responses were accompanied by significant enrichment of phenylpropanoid and flavonoid metabolism, indicating coordinated antioxidant regulation and secondary metabolic reprogramming in blueberry shoots following pathogen infection. Overall, this study preliminarily identified a D. eres isolate associated with blueberry canker in Jilin Province, and systematically characterized the physiological and metabolic responses of blueberry to pathogen infection, providing a theoretical basis for understanding blueberry—Diaporthe interactions and for developing effective disease management strategies. Full article

Kazakhstan possesses considerable potential for the development of organic agriculture. In organic production systems, the use of chemical plant protection products is restricted or completely excluded, making the cultivation of genetically resistant wheat lines to major fungal diseases one of the most effective approaches for maintaining stable grain production. The current study aimed to evaluate disease resistance in wheat genotypes by integrating phenotypic screening and marker-assisted selection and their validation under organic farming conditions. A total of 50 facultative and introgressive wheat lines were evaluated under an artificial infection background for resistance to yellow rust, leaf rust, stem rust, and common bunt. Molecular marker analysis was performed to identify resistance-associated alleles. Integrated phenotypic and molecular analyses enabled the identification of three promising genotypes, namely 1675-52, 1723-32, and 1716-24. They combined a high level of resistance to yellow rust and common bunt with the presence of resistance-associated alleles. These selected genotypes were subsequently validated under organic field conditions. The results demonstrated that these lines maintained stable resistance to yellow rust and common bunt and produced seed yield ranging from 5.45 to 5.94 t/ha, exceeding that of the standard cv. Almaly (4.88 t/ha). The obtained results confirm the effectiveness of integrating phenotypic screening with marker-assisted selection for identifying wheat genotypes with complex disease resistance. These genotypes represent promising prebreeding resources for organic agriculture, subject to validation across a wider range of environments. Full article