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Topic Review
Sources of AMPs and Their Inhibitory Effects
Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs) can be divided into four major categories: those derived from mammals (human host defence peptides), amphibians and fish, microorganisms, and insects. The AMPs found in oceans have also attracted widespread attention.
  • 1.6K
  • 13 May 2022
Topic Review
Peptidoglycan Synthesis and Regulation in Bacteria
Peptidoglycan is a three-dimensional polymer that enables bacteria to resist cytoplasmic osmotic pressure, maintain their cell shape and protect themselves from environmental threats. Numerous antibiotics target enzymes involved in the synthesis of the cell wall, particularly peptidoglycan synthases.
  • 1.6K
  • 08 May 2023
Topic Review
Biodegradation of Polyolefins
Polyolefins, including PE, PP and PS, are composed of C–C and C–H bonds, which are more stable against degradation than ester bonds. During polyolefin biodegradation, C–C and C–H bonds are oxidized. Many types of microorganisms have been isolated from sea water, compost and activated sludge with the capacity for polyolefin biodegradation.With the development of synthetic biology and metabolic engineering strategies, engineered strains could be used to degrade plastics.
  • 1.6K
  • 17 Aug 2022
Topic Review
SARS-CoV-2 and Coronavirus Disease 2019
Coronaviruses, named for the crown-like spikes on their surface (Latin: corona = crown), are positive-sense RNA viruses that belong to the Coronvirinae subfamily, in the Coronaviridae family of the Nidovirales order. They have four main subgroups—alpha, beta, gamma, and delta—based on their genomic structure. Alpha- and betacoronaviruses infect only mammals, usually causing respiratory symptoms in humans and gastroenteritis in other animals. In December 2019, a cluster of fatal pneumonia cases presented in Wuhan, China.  Based on clinical criteria and available serological and molecular information, the new disease was called coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19), and the novel coronavirus was called SARS Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), emphasizing its close relationship to the 2002 SARS virus (SARS-CoV).
  • 1.6K
  • 18 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Candida and Candidiasis
One of the most important questions in microbiology nowadays is how apparently harmless, commensal yeasts such as Candida spp. can cause a rising number of infections. The occurrence of the disease requires firstly the attachment to the host cells, followed by the invasion of the tissue. The adaptability translates into a rapid ability to respond to stress factors, to take up nutrients or to multiply under different conditions. By forming complex intracellular networks such as biofilms, Candida spp. become not only more refractive to antifungal therapies but also more prone to cause disease. The inter-microbial interactions can enhance the virulence of a strain. In vivo, the fungal cells face a multitude of challenges and, as a result, they develop complex strategies serving one ultimate goal: survival. This review presents the virulence factors of the most important Candida spp., contributing to a better understanding of the onset of candidiasis and raising awareness of the highly complex interspecies interactions that can change the outcome of the disease.
  • 1.6K
  • 27 Oct 2020
Topic Review
The Gut Microbiome in NAFLD
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a multifactorial disease in which environmental and genetic factors are involved. Although the molecular mechanisms involved in NAFLD onset and progression are not completely understood, the gut microbiome (GM) is thought to play a key role in the process, influencing multiple physiological functions. 
  • 1.6K
  • 30 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Actinobacteria and Environmental Adaptations
Actinobacteria are among the secondary metabolites producers and hold high pharmacological and commercial interest. It has great capability to produce secondary metabolites such as immunomodulators, antibiotics, anti-cancer drugs, growth factors, anthelminthic enzymes and herbicides.describes the historical isolation of bioactive compounds from Actinobacteria from the first isolation by Selman Waksman.
  • 1.6K
  • 05 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Gold Nanoparticles Functionalized with Natural Compounds from Plants
Biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) has been widely studied and described. In the age of bacterial drug resistance, an intensive search for new agents with antibacterial properties or a new form of antibiotics with effective action is necessary.
  • 1.6K
  • 12 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Campylobacter Fetus
Campylobacter fetus is a rod-shaped, gram-negative species of bacteria within the genus Campylobacter of phylum Proteobacteria. Identification of C. fetus species in infected animals or people is routinely performed by culture on blood or cefoperazone deoxycholate agar. Subspecies of C. fetus commonly causes reproductive disease in ruminants and gastrointestinal disease in humans. Transmission of C. fetus subspecies venerealis occurs mainly through venereal contact while transmission of C. fetus subspecies fetus occurs mainly through ingestion of bacteria in a contaminated environment. Infertility in cattle and abortion in sheep are common outcomes of infection associated with C. fetus subspecies venerealis and C. fetus subspecies fetus, respectively. Disease in humans occurs through zoonotic transmission of C. fetus mainly via ingestion of contaminated food or water sources. C. fetus can be diagnosed with polymerase chain reaction assays, enzyme linked immunosorbent assays and vaginal mucus agglutination testing. As vaccines are typically not efficient in preventing future spread, infected bulls are often culled. Human infections may be treated with erythromycin as antimicrobial resistance has been emerging for the fluoroquinolones.
  • 1.6K
  • 11 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Order Bacillales
Bacillales (later heterotypic synonyms of Caryophanales) is the most productive order of the phylum Firmicutes. The enormous diversity of the order, which includes numerous genera and species. The Order Bacillales, the type order of the class Bacilli, was approved in the list of bacterial names in 1980. 
  • 1.6K
  • 08 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Secondary Metabolites from Trichoderma harzianum
The biocontrol fungus Trichoderma harzianum, from both marine and terrestrial environments, has attracted considerable attention. T. harzianum has a tremendous potential to produce a variety of bioactive secondary metabolites (SMs), which are an important source of new herbicides and antibiotics.
  • 1.6K
  • 05 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Antimicrobial Peptides
It is widely recognized that many chronic infections of the human body have a polymicrobial etiology. These include diabetic foot ulcer infections, lung infections in cystic fibrosis patients, periodontitis, otitis, urinary tract infections and even a proportion of systemic infections. Treatment of mixed infections poses serious challenges in the clinic as a plethora of interactions establish among community members that may greatly affect the expression of virulence factors and susceptibility to antimicrobials of individual species in the community. Therefore, new strategies able to target multiple pathogens in mixed populations need to be urgently developed and evaluated. In this regard, antimicrobial or host defense peptides (AMPs) deserve particular attention as they are endowed of many favorable features that may serve to this scope. An updated overview of studies addressing the therapeutic potential of AMPs in mixed infections is provided, highlighting the opportunities offered by this class of antimicrobials in the fight against polymicrobial infections, but also the limits that may arise in their use for this type of application.
  • 1.6K
  • 02 Feb 2021
Topic Review
LN-Derived Fibroblastic Reticular Cells
Lymph node structural organization is reported to be governed by the stromal cells. Fibroblast reticular cells (FRCs), a subset of the stromal cells found in the T lymphocyte region of lymph nodes (LNs) and other secondary lymphoid organs (SLOs), have been described as much more than structural cells.FRCs are described to be organized in a conduit system called the “reticular fiber network”, responsible for transferring antigens from tissue to T cell zones in LNs and for controlling the conduit matrix deposition during lymph node expansion.
  • 1.6K
  • 04 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Entomopathogen Isolation
Microbes that cause infections amongst insects leading to death or serious disabilities are known as entomopathogens. Entomopathogenic bacteria and fungi are quite frequently found in soils and insect cadavers. The first step in utilizing these microbes as biopesticides is to isolate them, and several culture media and insect baiting procedures have been tested in this direction. In this work, the authors review the current techniques that have been developed so far, in the last five decades, and display brief protocols which can be adopted for the isolations of these entomopathogens. Among bacteria, this study focuses on Serratia spp. and bacteria from the class Bacilli. Among fungi, the review focuses those from the order Hypocreales, for example, genera Beauveria, Clonostachys, Lecanicillium, Metarhizium, and Purpureocillium. The authors chose these groups of entomopathogenic bacteria and fungi based on their importance in the microbial biopesticide market.
  • 1.6K
  • 13 Jan 2021
Topic Review Peer Reviewed
Morphometric Characterization of Bacteria Associated with Bacteremia
Among the leading causes of bacteremia are Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus. E. coli and K. pneumoniae are increasingly exhibiting resistance to last-resort antibiotics, such as carbapenems. Rapid and accurate identification of these pathogens is critical for timely treatment and infection control. This paper aimed to develop a computer-aided bacterial morphometric technique for identifying and classifying wild-type E. coli, K. pneumoniae, and S. aureus in a field guide fashion. A 3D laser scanning confocal microscope was used to gather key parameters of each organism: length (L, µm), circular diameter (CD, µm), volume (V, µm3), surface area-to-cross-sectional area ratio (SA/CSA, unitless), surface uniformity ratio (Str), and surface texture ratio (Sdr). Microscope images and measurement results showed that S. aureus was spherical with the shortest length (1.08 µm) and smallest volume (0.52 µm3). E. coli and K. pneumoniae were rod-shaped with lengths >2.0 µm and volumes >1.0 µm3. Carbapenem-resistant (CR) strains exhibited larger volumes than their wild-type counterparts. Surface parameters further differentiated strains: wild-type E. coli had a greater surface texture or a less smooth surface (larger Sdr) than K. pneumoniae (lower Sdr) did. CR E. coli had more surface uniformity (lower Str) than CR K. pneumoniae did. A dichotomous key based on shape, circular diameter, volume, length, and surface characteristics was developed to classify the species using a series of paired, contrasting features. This morphometric analysis can aid researchers in quickly identifying bacteria, leading to faster diagnosis of life-threatening diseases and improved treatment decisions.
  • 1.6K
  • 28 Aug 2025
Topic Review
YdfD
ydfD is a lytic gene from the Qin cryptic prophage that encodes a 63-amino-acid protein, the ectopic expression of which in Escherichia coli can cause nearly complete cell lysis rapidly. The bacterial 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway is responsible for synthesizing the isoprenoids uniquely required for sustaining bacterial growth.
  • 1.6K
  • 21 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Climate-Smart Agriculture in African Countries
The agricultural sector contributes approximately 10–20% of the total anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions. Consequently, climate change can negatively affect crop yields and livestock production thus threatening food security, especially in a vulnerable continent like Africa. Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices are classified as follows: agricultural practices, restoration practices of degraded lands, forest and cropland regeneration practices, practices in the livestock sub-sector, water resources and use of weather and climate information services.
  • 1.6K
  • 21 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Plasmids Mediating Quinolone Resistance
Plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) remains one of the main mechanisms of bacterial quinolone resistance and plays an important role in the transmission of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). The two novel plasmids, p3M-2A and p3M-2B, which mediate quinolone resistance in Proteus vulgaris strain 3M (P3M) were identified. Of these, only p3M-2B appeared to be a qnrD-carrying plasmid. Both p3M-2A and p3M-2B could be transferred into Escherichia coli, and the latter caused a twofold change in ciprofloxacin resistance, according to the measured minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Plasmid curing/complementation and qRT-PCR results showed that p3M-2A can directly regulate the expression of qnrD in p3M-2B under treatment with ciprofloxacin, in which process, ORF1 was found to play an important role. Sequence alignments and phylogenetic analysis revealed the evolutionary relationships of all reported qnrD-carrying plasmids and showed that ORF1–4 in p3M-2B is the most conserved backbone for the normal function of qnrD-carrying plasmids. The identified direct repeats (DR) suggested that, from an evolutionary perspective, p3M-2B may have originated from the 2683-bp qnrD-carrying plasmid and may increase the possibility of plasmid recombination and then of qnrD transfer. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first identification of a novel qnrD-carrying plasmid isolated from a P. vulgaris strain of shrimp origin and a plasmid that plays a regulatory role in qnrD expression. This study also sheds new light on plasmid evolution and on the mechanism of horizontal transfer of ARGs encoded by plasmids.
  • 1.6K
  • 27 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Biofilms
The treatment of biofilm infection is difficult in clinical practice. Therefore, the eradication mechanisms of action of silver sulfadiazine, which is a well-utilized antibacterial compound, in a biofilm were investigated. Its unique mode of action in biofilms is defined. Biofilm-forming drug-resistant microbes are frequently detected in hospitals. Therefore, we examined the effects of silver sulfadiazine (SSD), a well-utilized antibacterial compound, and clarified the mechanisms underlying its activity against biofilms formed by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The effects of SSD were a result of silver ions rather than sulfadiazine. SSD had a lesser revelation capacity of silver ions than silver nitrate; however, only SSD could eradicate mature biofilms by bacterial killing. Nevertheless, the effect was reduced by the addition of an ion chelator. Thus, the silver in SSD could be liberated after binding sulfadiazine to biofilms, and the use of SSD is reasonable in the eradication of biofilms in wounds.
  • 1.6K
  • 21 Oct 2020
Topic Review
The Interplay between Plants and Microbial Communities
Plant-microbe interactions are critical for ecosystem functioning and driving rhizosphere processes. To fully understand the communication pathways between plants and rhizosphere microbes, it is crucial to measure the numerous processes that occur in the plant and the rhizosphere. Plants can host a wide range of microbes, collectively known as the plant microbiome, in the rhizosphere (i.e., the region of soil in the vicinity of plant roots), endosphere (i.e., plant internal tissues), and phyllosphere (i.e., stem, leaves, or flowers). These microbiomes form long-lasting interactions with the host plant, leading to positive, neutral, or negative impacts on crop performance and microbe-mediated biogeochemical processes.
  • 1.6K
  • 08 Feb 2023
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