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Topic Review
New Carbapenemase Inhibitors
Carbapenem resistance is a major global health problem that seriously compromises the treatment of infections caused by nosocomial pathogens. Production of carbapenemases (carbapenem-hydrolyzing enzymes) is the most important mechanism of carbapenem resistance. A new generation of promising carbapenemase inhibitors, together with the recently approved avibactam, relebactam and vaborbactam are being tested in clinical and pre-clinical trials.This review summarizes the main, most promising carbapenemase inhibitors synthesized to date. 
  • 1.8K
  • 30 Dec 2020
Topic Review
The Microbiome in Obesity
Obesity has become a global epidemic and a public health crisis in the Western World, experiencing a threefold increase in prevalence since 1975. High-caloric diets and sedentary lifestyles have been identified as significant contributors to this widespread issue, although the role of genetic, social, and environmental factors in obesity’s pathogenesis remain incompletely understood. In recent years, much attention has been drawn to the contribution of the gut microbiota in the development of obesity, driven by a body of evidence supporting its central role in regulation of host physiology. Indeed, research has shown that in contrast to their healthier counterparts the microbiomes of obese individuals are structurally and functionally distinct, strongly suggesting gut dysbiosis as a key factor underpinning an obese phenotype. The following entry  explores the myriad of mechanisms by which the microbiome may contribute to the etiology of obesity, including modulation of host energy balance, immune function and macronutrient metabolism. 
  • 1.8K
  • 04 May 2021
Topic Review
Urbanization alters soil microbial communities
Urban development is one of the leading causes of biodiversity change. Understanding how soil microorganisms respond to urbanization is particularly important because they are crucial for the provisioning of ecosystem functions and services. Our results showed that microbial richness and community composition exhibited nonsignificant changes over time regardless of the location. Soil fungal richness was lower in moderately and highly urbanized locations, but soil bacterial/archaeal richness was not significantly different among locations. Both bacteria/archaea and fungi exhibited significant differences in community composition across locations. After inferring potential functional groups, soils in the highly urbanized location had lower proportions of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and soil saprotrophic fungi but had higher proportions of bacterial taxa involved in aromatic compound degradation, human pathogens, and intracellular parasites. Furthermore, ammonia-oxidizing bacteria were more abundant in the highly urbanized location, but ammonia-oxidizing archaea were more abundant in lowly and moderately urbanized locations. Together, these results highlight the significant changes in belowground microbial communities across an urbanization gradient, and these changes might have important implications for aboveground–belowground interactions, nutrient cycling, and human health.
  • 1.8K
  • 21 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Mycobacteriophages for Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis Treatment
The current emergence of multi-, extensively-, extremely-, and total-drug resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis poses a major health, social, and economic threat, and stresses the need to develop new therapeutic strategies. Mycobacteriophages are genetically diverse viruses that specifically infect mycobacterial hosts, including members of the M. tuberculosis complex. Here, we will review general features of mycobacteriophages and their mechanisms of M.tb killing, as well as their advantages and limitations as therapeutic and prophylactic agents against drug-resistant M.tb. 
  • 1.8K
  • 31 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Microbial Pyrrolnitrin
Pyrrolnitrin (PRN) is a microbial pyrrole halometabolite of immense antimicrobial significance for agricultural, pharmaceutical and industrial implications. The compound and its derivatives have been isolated from rhizospheric fluorescent or non-fluorescent pseudomonads, Serratia and Burkholderia. They are known to confer biological control against a wide range of phytopathogenic fungi, and thus offer strong plant protection prospects against soil and seed-borne phytopathogenic diseases. Although chemical synthesis of PRN has been obtained using different steps, microbial production is still the most useful option for producing this metabolite. In many of the plant-associated isolates of Serratia and Burkholderia, production of PRN is dependent on the quorum-sensing regulation that usually involves N-acylhomoserine lactone (AHL) autoinducer signals. When applied on the organisms as antimicrobial agent, the molecule impedes synthesis of key biomolecules (DNA, RNA and protein), uncouples with oxidative phosphorylation, inhibits mitotic division and hampers several biological mechanisms. 
  • 1.8K
  • 01 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Overview of Colicins and Microcins
The family Enterobacteriaceae is a large, heterogeneous group of Gram-negative bacteria, which includes strains that naturally inhabit the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of animals and humans. Being considered normal commensal members of the GIT microbiota, these microbes can also live and multiply in food environments. Additionally, Enterobacteriaceae are acknowledged as indicators of food production hygiene, preservation, and storage, often being used as indicators of food quality and safety. Additionally, Salmonella spp., Yersinia enterocolitica, pathogenic Escherichia coli, including Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Shigella spp., among others, are important foodborne pathogens. Moreover, some members of this group, namely Citrobacter, Enterobacter, Erwinia, Klebsiella, Kluyvera, Pantoea, and Serratia, have been described both as harboring plant growth-promoting characteristics and attaining pathogenicity potential.
  • 1.8K
  • 17 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Probiotics for Neurodegenerative Diseases
Neurodegenerative disorders (ND) are a group of conditions that affect the neurons in the brain and spinal cord, leading to their degeneration and eventually causing the loss of function in the affected areas. These disorders can be caused by a range of factors, including genetics, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices. Major pathological signs of these diseases are protein misfolding, proteosomal dysfunction, aggregation, inadequate degradation, oxidative stress, free radical formation, mitochondrial dysfunctions, impaired bioenergetics, DNA damage, fragmentation of Golgi apparatus neurons, disruption of axonal transport, dysfunction of neurotrophins (NTFs), neuroinflammatory or neuroimmune processes, and neurohumoral symptoms. According to studies, defects or imbalances in gut microbiota can directly lead to neurological disorders through the gut-brain axis. Probiotics in ND are recommended to prevent cognitive dysfunction, which is a major symptom of these diseases. 
  • 1.8K
  • 28 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Antimicrobial Activity of Curcumin
Curcumin (CUR) is a natural substance extracted from turmeric that has antimicrobial properties. Due to its ability to absorb light in the blue spectrum, CUR is also used as a photosensitizer (PS) in antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy (aPDT). 
  • 1.8K
  • 23 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Microbiota for HPV Infection
The microbiome is able to modulate immune responses, alter the physiology of the human organism, and increase the risk of viral infections and development of diseases such as cancer. Herein, we address changes in the cervical microbiota as potential biomarkers to identify the risk of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) development and invasive cervical cancer in the context of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.
  • 1.8K
  • 30 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Microbial Cell-Cell Chemical Communication Systems
The microbial cell–cell chemical communication systems include QS and host–pathogen communication systems. In 1994, Fuqua et al., coined the term of “quorum sensing” to describe an environmental sensing system that monitors the population density to coordinate the social behaviors of microorganisms. QS regulatory systems are characterized by the fact that microorganisms produce and release to the surrounding environment a diffffusible autoinducer or QS signal, which accumulates along with bacterial growth and induces target gene transcriptional expression when reaching a threshold concentration. Typically, a QS system contains a signal synthase, which produces QS signals, and a signal receptor that detect and response to QS signal in a population-dependent manner. In addition, microbial pathogens can also exploit the chemical molecules produced by host organisms as cross-kingdom signals to regulate virulence gene expression.
  • 1.8K
  • 18 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Acinetobacter Baumannii Infections
Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest challenges for the clinical sector and industry, environment and societal development. One of the most important pathogens responsible for severe nosocomial infections is Acinetobacter baumannii, a Gram-negative bacterium from the Moraxellaceae family, due to its various resistance mechanisms. The enormous adaptive capacity of A. baumannii and the acquisition and transfer of antibiotic resistance determinants contribute to the ineffectiveness of most current therapeutic strategies, including last-line or combined antibiotic therapy. In this review, we will present the current progress in developing innovative strategies for combating multidrug-resistant A. baumannii (MDRAB) infections.
  • 1.7K
  • 26 Oct 2020
Topic Review
COVID-19-Associated Candidiasis
The recent global pandemic of COVID-19 has predisposed a relatively high number of patients to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which carries a risk to develop secondary infections. Candida species are major constituents of the human mycobiome and the main cause of invasive fungal infections with a high mortality rate, and are also increasingly reported as complication of severe COVID-19. Despite the marked immune dysregulation in COVID-19, no prominent defects have been reported in immune cells that are critically required for immunity to Candida. This suggests that relevant clinical factors, including prolonged ICU stays, use of central venous catheters and often broad-spectrum antibiotics may dominate over immune-mediated mechanisms to drive susceptibility to candidemia in the setting of COVID-19. Although diagnostic performance evaluations are often lacking in COVID-19 patients, a combination of serological and molecular techniques may present promising diagnostic options for identification of COVID-19-associated candidiasis. Clinical awareness and screening of invasive candidiasis is needed, as those are difficult to diagnose, particular in the setting of severe COVID-19. Echinocandins and azoles are the primary antifungal used to treat invasive candidiasis, yet therapeutic failures exerted by prominent nosocomial pathogens such as C. auris and C. glabrata calls for the development of new antifungal drugs with novel mechanisms of action.
  • 1.7K
  • 26 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Autogenous Vaccines
Autogenous vaccines, also called autologous vaccines, autovaccines, “self” or custom vaccines, are vaccines that are prepared by isolation and destruction of microorganisms in infected individuals and used to provide immunity to the same individual. Autogenous vaccines were introduced in the early twentieth century with growing evidence of its efficacy against certain infections. These vaccines rely on the activation of the individual's immune system to produce immunity against the infectious pathogen. They are usually produced when an individual or small group is presented with a disease and can be applied to various bacterial and viral infections. Autogenous vaccines are quite similar to conventional vaccines in terms of their use, however, they are dissimilar and arguably preferred over conventional vaccines in certain areas. Currently, several autogenous vaccines are available for veterinary use in several countries. Human use of this type of vaccine is limited and has not been widely approved due to lack of scientific evidence and research.
  • 1.7K
  • 01 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Salmonella enterica
Salmonella enterica serovars are important pathogens of humans and animals that are responsible for enormous morbidity, mortality and economic loss worldwide.  Models used to study the disease pathology so far have provided valuable advancements, however, the molecular complexity of its pathogenesis remains poorly understood, particularly in humans. Therefore there remains a disconnect between what works at the bench versus at the bedside, especially in case of vaccines. The development of organoids/enteroids offers a tremendous opportunity to bridge this gap by bringing human-specific factors into the research models as well as elevate our understanding of the interactions and crosstalk between multiple cell types and the microbiota with Salmonella. Thus the use of organoids in studying Salmonella biology has the potential for improving clinical outcomes and future prophylactic and therapeutic intervention strategies.
  • 1.7K
  • 29 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Locust Bacterial Symbionts
Locusts have been devastating vegetation and agriculture since ancient times. The formation of huge swarms that migrate long distances is a hallmark of the locust phenomenon. An important aspect of locusts’ natural history is that of their interaction with the bacteria they harbor in and on their body. These locust-associated bacteria have been shown to affect certain physiological traits (such as immunity and swarm cohesion), as well as possibly also being affected by differentfactors in the locust biology. This review summarizes our current understanding of the locust-bacterial interaction. We focus on identifying the relevant bacterial strains and their locations within the insects; the role of the bacteria and their importance to their host’s life; the mechanism of transmitting important bacteria across locust generations; and more. Finally, we offer some new perspectives and research directions that could broaden our understanding of the locust-associated bacteria and their tentative instrumental role in locust outbreaks.
  • 1.7K
  • 19 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Spondyloarthritis
Spondyloarthritis (SpA) is a group of autoimmune inflammatory diseases that leads to inflammation of the spine or peripheral joints, namely axial SpA and peripheral SpA respectively. SpA is a painful and debilitating disease that affects mostly individuals aged 45 years old or younger. Trillions of microorganism reside in the human gut and interact with the immune system, and these reactions may trigger different autoimmune diseases including SpA. Dysbiosis, an imbalance of gut microbiota, may affect the mucosal barrier integrity, resulting in gut inflammation. In animal study, none of the germfree mice developed features of SpA. However, after introduction of gut commensal, over 80% of them developed features of SpA. Different gut microbiome compositions also affect the degree of gut inflammation in HLA-B27 transgenic rats. Moreover, nearly 50% of the SpA patients had subclinical gut inflammation. Chronic gut inflammation also correlated with increased bone marrow edema on MRI in SpA patients. These findings suggest there is a link between gut microorganisms and the occurrence of SpA.
  • 1.7K
  • 18 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Limosilactobacillus fermentum CECT5716
Limosilactobacillus fermentum CECT5716 has become one of the most promising probiotics and it has been described to possess potential beneficial effects on inflammatory processes and immunological alterations.
  • 1.7K
  • 15 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Antimicrobial Potential of Curcumin
Curcumin is a bioactive compound that is extracted from Curcuma longa and that is known for its antimicrobial properties. Curcuminoids are the main constituents of curcumin that exhibit antioxidant properties. It has a broad spectrum of antibacterial actions against a wide range of bacteria, even those resistant to antibiotics. Curcumin has been shown to be effective against the microorganisms that are responsible for surgical infections and implant-related bone infections, primarily Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The efficacy of curcumin against Helicobacter pylori and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, alone or in combination with other classic antibiotics, is one of its most promising antibacterial effects. Curcumin is known to have antifungal action against numerous fungi that are responsible for a variety of infections, including dermatophytosis. Candidemia and candidiasis caused by Candida species have also been reported to be treated using curcumin. Life-threatening diseases and infections caused by viruses can be counteracted by curcumin, recognizing its antiviral potential.
  • 1.7K
  • 16 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Glutathione System in Pathogenic Fungi
The glutathione system has been recognized as one of the most important intracellular antioxidant systems; however, the contribution of this system in pathogenesis has been neglected, especially in human fungal pathogens. 
  • 1.7K
  • 01 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Basal Parasitic Fungi in Marine Food Webs
Although aquatic and parasitic fungi have been well known for more than 100 years, they have only recently received increased awareness due to their key roles in microbial food webs and biogeochemical cycles. There is growing evidence indicating that fungi inhabit a wide range of marine habitats, from the deep sea all the way to surface waters, and recent advances in molecular tools, in particular metagenome approaches, reveal that their diversity is much greater and their ecological roles more important than previously considered. Parasitism constitutes one of the most widespread ecological interactions in nature, occurring in almost all environments. Despite that, the diversity of fungal parasites, their ecological functions, and, in particular their interactions with other microorganisms remain largely speculative, unexplored and are often missing from current theoretical concepts in marine ecology and biogeochemistry. In this review, we summarize and discuss recent research avenues on parasitic fungi and their ecological potential in marine ecosystems, e.g., the fungal shunt, and emphasize the need for further research.
  • 1.7K
  • 17 Feb 2022
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