Molecular battles between plant and pathogenic bacteria in the phyllosphere

The phyllosphere, i.e., the aerial parts of the plant, provides one of the most important niches for microbial colonization. This niche supports the survival and, often, proliferation of microbes such as fungi and bacteria with diverse lifestyles including epiphytes, saprophytes, and pathogens. Although most microbes may complete the life cycle on the leaf surface, pathogens must enter the leaf and multiply aggressively in the leaf interior. Natural surface openings, such as stomata, are important entry sites for bacteria. Stomata are known for their vital role in water transpiration and gas exchange between the plant and the environment that is essential for plant growth. Recent studies have shown that stomata can also play an active role in limiting bacterial invasion of both human and plant pathogenic bacteria as part of the plant innate immune system. As counter-defense, plant pathogens such as Pseudomonas syringae pv tomato (Pst) DC3000 use the virulence factor coronatine to suppress stomate-based defense. A novel and crucial early battleground in host-pathogen interaction in the phyllosphere has been discovered with broad implications in the study of bacterial pathogenesis, host immunity, and molecular ecology of bacterial diseases

A study to assess knowledge, attitude, and perception of dental practitioners on minimally invasive dentistry concepts

Background: Minimally invasive dentistry (MID) includes caries detection using caries risk assessment (CRA), early localization of nascent carious sores including necessary and voluntary avoidance, and remineralization of demineralized veneer and dentin when diagnosed early for these reasons. Although the dentistry curriculum prioritizes the benefits of MID in tooth protection, this research is seldom included in classroom instruction. Aim: The purpose of this research was to gauge the level of understanding that dental professionals have about MID ideas. Methods: An online questionnaire measuring MID knowledge and application was used to compile the data. The Chi-square tests were run for statistical analysis in the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Results: Just 42.2% of the dentists who replied had MID training during their undergraduate or internship years, and the majority of that training came via lectures (45.2%). The majority (almost 81%) of respondents believed that CRA should be performed on all patients. Differences in knowledge and experience with atraumatic restorative therapy and the sandwich approach for treating caries in permanent teeth and high caries risk children were shown to be statistically significant (P 0.05). Conclusion: Dentists know about the benefits of MID, but their patients are not reaping those benefits since so many dentists still use the old methods of treating complete caries