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Exploiting Arthropod Midgut Components for Development of Interventions against Infectious Diseases
Published in Hajiya Mairo Inuwa, Ifeoma Maureen Ezeonu, Charles Oluwaseun Adetunji, Emmanuel Olufemi Ekundayo, Abubakar Gidado, Abdulrazak B. Ibrahim, Benjamin Ewa Ubi, Medical Biotechnology, Biopharmaceutics, Forensic Science and Bioinformatics, 2022
Oluwafemi Abiodun Adepoju, Bashiru Ibrahim, Emmanuel Oluwadare Balogun
Defensin is an antimicrobial peptide that has been detected in the midguts of Stomoxys calcitrans, Anopheles gambiae, Glossina morsitans, and several other hematophagous insects including some hard and soft ticks (Boulanger et al., 2002; Munks et al., 2001; Nakajima et al., 2002; Nakajima et al., 2001; Richman et al., 1996). A study revealed the differential expression of defensins and lysozyme in the midgut of the soft tick, Ornithodoros moubata, following blood feeding (Nakajima et al., 2001). Like other hematophagous insects, blood feeding stimulates differential expression of antimicrobial genes in ticks. Defensin has been reported in certain tissues including the midguts, hemolymph, fat bodies and hemocytes of both (soft) and ixodid (hard) ticks as well as the synganglia of ixodid ticks (Ceraul et al., 2007; Ceraul et al., 2003; Nakajima et al., 2002). D. variabilis challenged with R. montanensis, an obligate natural intracellular bacterium of ticks, were shown to differentially express the antimicrobial genes defensin-1, defensin-2, and lysozyme in their midgut tissues and fat body (Ceraul et al., 2007).
Clinical Effects of Pollution
Published in William J. Rea, Kalpana D. Patel, Reversibility of Chronic Disease and Hypersensitivity, Volume 5, 2017
William J. Rea, Kalpana D. Patel
The average person breathes in more than 10,000 L of air a day, much of it through the nose, and that air contains countless bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Our nose is the front line of respiratory defense. Every time we breathe, particles of debris, viruses, bacteria, and fungal spores get trapped there. Yet, amazingly, most people walk around breathing freely without any kind of airway infection. It turns out that one previously unsuspected reason may be, literally, on our tongue. Proteins—called taste receptors—that detect bitter flavors have been found to do double duty, also defending against bacteria. Our own research has shown that these receptors, also found in the nose, trigger three bacteria-fighting responses. First, they send signals that cause the cells to flick invaders away by moving cilia—tiny, hairlike projection—on the cells’ surface. Second, the receptor proteins tell cells to release nitric oxide, which kills bacteria. Third, receptors signal still other cells to send out antimicrobial proteins called defensins.
Risk factors, diagnosis and management of prosthetic joint infection after total hip arthroplasty
Published in Expert Review of Medical Devices, 2019
Syed S. Ahmed, Fahima Begum, Babar Kayani, Fares S. Haddad
Human alpha defensin-1 (AD1) is a small antimicrobial protein released by local neutrophils and macrophages. It plays an important role in host defense, as both an effector and a regulator. The laboratory-based immunoassay gives a qualitative result that is specific for synovial fluid. It was developed from studies of genomes and proteomes. However, there has been the development of a quick on table intra-operative test marketed as Synavasure by Zimmer Biomet. The advantage of this being that the result will be available in 10 min. However, the accuracy of this lateral flow test has not been independently validated.