Zinc (Zn) is an essential micronutrient involved in numerous physiological processes in plants, serving catalytic, structural, and regulatory functions. Maintaining its appropriate concentration requires precise control of uptake, transport, distribution, and storage, as both Zn deficiency and excess lead to disruptions in plant growth and development. This paper presents the mechanisms regulating zinc homeostasis in plants, with a particular focus on the role of membrane transporters and chelating compounds. The ZIP, MTP, and HMA protein families play a key role, being responsible for cellular Zn uptake, its sequestration within organelles, and inter-tissue transport, respectively. Low-molecular-weight chelating ligands maintain safe zinc levels in the cytosol, and some of them facilitate its storage in vacuoles. Furthermore, they enhance its symplastic mobility and enable zinc transport in the xylem and phloem, thereby facilitating its distribution to shoots and seeds. Overall, this demonstrates the complex and multilevel nature of zinc homeostasis regulation in plants
The Escherichia coli bacterium is presented from its discovery in 1885 by the German-Austrian microbiologist and pediatrician Theodor Escherich, to contemporary research using state-of-the-art experimental and bioinformatic techniques, including artificial intelligence and machine learning. E. coli accompany humans from birth as a commensal organism of the gut microbiota. However, some E. coli strains exhibit pathogenic properties, causing intestinal and extraintestinal diseases, sometimes threatening the health and even life of the host. At the same time, 140 years after the discovery of E. coli bacteria, it is the best-studied single-celled organism in the world. Molecular biologists, bacteriologists, and biochemists point to the enormous importance of E. coli as a model organism in understanding the molecular mechanisms of key life processes in both health and disease, as well as its use in industrial-scale biotechnology. That is why E. coli is called the “workhorse of molecular biology and biomedicine,” and scientists working with E. coli strains have been recognized and honored for their discoveries with numerous Nobel Prizes.
Maggot therapy is a method for treating chronic, non-healing wounds using live fly larvae that consume necrotic tissue, thereby cleaning the wound. The species most commonly used is Lucilia sericata (Meigen, 1826). Although clinically applied, the method raises concerns among patients and medical staff. Current research highlights the therapeutic potential of chemical compounds in larval excretions/secretions (ES), particularly against the growing issue of antibiotic resistance, as a complement to standard antibiotic therapy. Most studies focus on ES from L. sericata, while other fly species have been less explored. Investigated groups include Calliphoridae, Muscidae, and Sarcophagidae. Studies suggest ES may have antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and anticancer properties. This work focuses on the less-studied species and the properties of their ES.
Phytotherapy relies on biologically active plant-derived compounds and preparations. The use of phytotherapeutics in treatment of diabetes consequently increases. Many plant extracts interact with key elements of glucose metabolism, e.g. through modulation of DPP-4 activity, increase in glucose intake by tissues and improvement of pancreatic beta-cells. Experimental data indicates that Hairy Rock-rose, tea plant, European olive, American ginseng, berberis or white mulberry can support glycemic control and limit the development of metabolic side effects. Despite vast literature data, the clinical efficacy of several phytotherapeutics remains ambiguous, what indicates the need to conduct further research, in particular well-designed clinical studies. Here we review plants with therapeutic potential, whose use in the treatment of diabetes has been confirmed by experimental in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies; promising directions in future studies on phytotherapeutics have also been indicated.
