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Topic Review
The Microbial Hypothesis of Alzheimer’s Disease
The potential contribution of pathogenic microbes to dementia-inducing disease is a subject of considerable importance. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurocognitive disease that slowly destroys brain function, leading to cognitive decline and behavioral and psychiatric disorders. The histopathology of AD is associated with neuronal loss and progressive synaptic dysfunction, accompanied by the deposition of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide in the form of parenchymal plaques and abnormal aggregated tau protein in the form of neurofibrillary tangles. The AD pathogen hypothesis states that pathogens and microbes act as triggers, interacting with genetic factors to initiate the accumulation of Aβ, hyperphosphorylated tau protein (p-tau), and inflammation in the brain. Evidence indicates that Borrelia sp., HSV-1, VZV (HHV-2), HHV-6/7, oral pathogens, Chlamydophila pneumoniae, and Candida albicans can infect the central nervous system (CNS), evade the immune system, and consequently prevail in the AD brain.
  • 1.6K
  • 06 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Arabidopsis RETICULON-LIKE4 (RTNLB4)
Agrobacterium tumefaciens genetically transforms plant cells by transferring the transfer-DNA (T-DNA) and virulence (Vir) proteins from bacteria via a VirB-encoded type IV secretion system into plants. The effectors manipulate plant proteins to assist in T-DNA transfer, integration, and expression in plant cells. The Arabidopsis reticulon-like (RTNLB) proteins are located in the endoplasmic reticulum and are involved in endomembrane trafficking in plant cells. We functionally characterized reticulon-like protein B4 (RTNLB4), which interacted with the A. tumefaciens VirB2 protein, a major component of A. tumefaciens T-pilus. Overexpression or knockdown of RTNLB4 affected the expression of A. tumefaciens elf18 peptide-induced plant defense-related genes and could affect Agrobacterium-mediated transformation rates. Pre-treatment with elf18 peptide decreased Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression efficiency more in wild-type seedlings than RTNLB4 O/E transgenic plants, which suggests that the induced defense responses in RTNLB4 O/E transgenic plants might be affected after bacterial elicitor treatments. We also showed that two VirB2 peptides induced the expression of defense-related genes and H2O2 production and inhibited seedling growth. These typical pathogen-associated molecular pattern-trigged immune responses were less induced in RTNLB4 overexpression transgenic plants. Our findings provide strong evidence that RTNLB4 has major roles in the A. tumefaciens elf18 and VirB2 peptide-derived plant defense responses. We believe this study advances our understanding of possible functions of the RTNLB4 protein in the A. tumefaciens infection process and plant immunity.
  • 1.6K
  • 01 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Honeybee Microbiota
Numerous honeybee (Apis mellifera) products, such as honey, propolis, and bee venom, are used in traditional medicine to prevent illness and promote healing. Therefore, this insect has a huge impact on humans’ way of life and the environment. While the population of A. mellifera is large, there is concern that widespread commercialization of beekeeping, combined with environmental pollution and the action of bee pathogens, has caused significant problems for the health of honeybee populations. One of the strategies to preserve the welfare of honeybees is to better understand and protect their natural microbiota. 
  • 1.6K
  • 05 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Essential Oil from Cistus ladanifer L.
In Oulmes (Middle Atlas, Morocco), the local population uses C. ladanifer traditionally to treat various diseases and health issues due to its antioxidant, gastric, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antimicrobial, and antiviral properties. This plant is usually harvested in May in this area (flowering time). The leaves of all Cistus species secrete essential oils. Essential oils from different species of medicinal plants have been documented to possess antimicrobial propriety with strong activity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and also fungi.
  • 1.6K
  • 25 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Latent Tuberculosis
Latent tuberculosis (LTB), also called latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is when a person is infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, but does not have active tuberculosis. Active tuberculosis can be contagious while latent tuberculosis is not, and it is therefore not possible to get TB from someone with latent tuberculosis. The main risk is that approximately 10% of these people (5% in the first two years after infection and 0.1% per year thereafter) will go on to develop active tuberculosis. This is particularly true, and there is added risk, in particular situations such as medication that suppresses the immune system or advancing age. The identification and treatment of people with latent TB is an important part of controlling this disease. Various treatment regimens are in use for latent tuberculosis. They generally need to be taken for several months.
  • 1.5K
  • 02 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Computational Modeling of Human Microbiome
The human microbiome has been identified as a potentially significant contributor to human health, but the composition and role that the microbiome plays varies across body sites.  Technological improvements have enabled large-scale studies of the human microbiome and this review focuses on the data and health impacts that have been analyzed to date associated with the skin, oral, gut, and vaginal microbiomes.  One major challenge in this area that remains is to gain a better mechanistic understanding of the microbial consortium function and dynamics and how it impacts the human host.  Computational approaches can help analyze some of the interactions and complexity of the microbiome-host interactions and thus, discussion on relevant computational studies associated with the human microbiome are also presented.
  • 1.5K
  • 01 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Fungal Endophytes Associated with Plants
Diverse microbial domains inhabiting the plant endosphere can be beneficial or pathogenic. The beneficial types are referred to as plant growth-promoting endophytic microbes. In agricultural sustainability, the exploration of the beneficial type is utmost of interest in ensuring sustainable plant health. Fungal interactions within the plant endosphere can be modulated by the synthesis of attachment organelle (hyphae) which enable them to create an interdependent ecological balance within the host plants. The impact of fungal endophytes in plant growth promotion can be linked to their potential in various plant physiological functions, directly or indirectly. Also, the production of invaluable bioactive metabolic compounds by fungal endophytes has contributed to their biocontrol efficacy against plant pathogens. Therefore, exploration of fungal endophytes can be promising in agriculture, and interest in endosphere biology will contribute to harnessing them as bioinoculants in developing eco-friendly agriculture.
  • 1.5K
  • 05 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Motility of Helicobacter spp.
Helicobacter spp., including the well-known human gastric pathogen H. pylori, can cause gastric diseases in humans and other mammals. They are Gram-negative bacteria that colonize the gastric epithelium and use their multiple flagella to move across the protective gastric mucus layer. Different Helicobacter spp. differ in the number and arrangement of flagella, as well as in the size and shape of their cell body. The most well-studied of these is H. pylori, which is unipolar and lophotrichous (multiple flagella at one pole). Some of these bacteria are bipolar, e.g., the lophotrichous H. suis, and the monotrichous H. cetorum. The motility of H. pylori, H. suis, and H. cetorum was described in the review in Microorganisms 2023 linked above. 
  • 1.5K
  • 20 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Nanocellulose Functional Material
Nanocellulose is generally defined as cellulose particles or fibers with dimensions in the nanometer range. It can be derived from different cellulose sources, such as wood pulp, agricultural residues, or bacterial cultures, using various methods including mechanical treatment, enzymatic hydrolysis, or chemical processes.
  • 1.5K
  • 28 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Adipocytokines Produced by Adipose Tissue
The alterations of adipocyte-derived signal mediators strongly influence the regulation of inflammation, resulting in chronic low-grade inflammation.
  • 1.5K
  • 23 Jun 2021
Topic Review
HEV infectivity in water samples
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a non-enveloped single-stranded positive-sense RNA virus, belonging to the Hepeviridae family, resistant to environmental conditions, and transmitted by the consumption of contaminated water. This virus is responsible for both sporadic and epidemic outbreaks, leading to thousands of infections per year in several countries, and is thus considered an emerging disease in Europe and Asia. This study refers to a survey in Portugal during 2019, targeting the detection and eventual quantification of enteric viruses in surface and drinking water sources. Samples positive for HEV RNA were recurrently found by reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), in both matrices. The infectivity of these samples was evaluated in cultured Vero E6 cells and RNA from putative viruses produced in cell cultures was subjected to RT-qPCR targeting HEV genomic RNA. Our results evidenced the existence of samples positive either for HEV RNA (77.8% in surface water and 66.7% in drinking water) or for infectious HEV (23.0% in surface water and 27.7% in drinking water). These results highlight the need of effective virological control of water for human consumption and activities.
  • 1.5K
  • 26 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Gut Microbiome and Lipid Metabolism
Lipids are the major structural constituents of cell membranes.
  • 1.5K
  • 18 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Outer Membrane Porins in Gram-Negative Bacteria
Gram-negative bacteria depend on their cell membranes for survival and environmental adaptation. They contain two membranes, one of which is the outer membrane (OM), which is home to several different outer membrane proteins (Omps). One class of important Omps is porins, which mediate the inflow of nutrients and several antimicrobial drugs. The microorganism’s sensitivity to antibiotics, which are predominantly targeted at internal sites, is greatly influenced by the permeability characteristics of porins.
  • 1.5K
  • 14 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Antimicrobial Properties of Lignocellulosic Materials
Pathogenic microbes are a major source of health and environmental problems, mostly due to their easy proliferation on most surfaces. Currently, new classes of antimicrobial agents are under development to prevent microbial adhesion and biofilm formation. However, they are mostly from synthetic origin and present several disadvantages. The use of natural biopolymers such as cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, derived from lignocellulosic materials as antimicrobial agents has a promising potential. Lignocellulosic materials are one of the most abundant natural materials from renewable sources, and they present attractive characteristics, such as low density and biodegradability, are low-cost, high availability, and environmentally friendly.
  • 1.5K
  • 08 Apr 2021
Topic Review
PP2A during Mitosis in Yeasts
Cell cycle regulation is largely based on protein phospho-dephosphorylation events, catalyzed by cyclin dependent kinases (Cdks) and phosphatases (PPases), respectively. During many years the Cdks were considered the main component of the cell cycle control system. Recently, the importance of the counteracting PPases has emerged. Research on yeast has provided many insights into such contribution. Here we present an overview of the protein phosphatase 2A family's roles during mitosis.
  • 1.5K
  • 23 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Schizochytrium.: Game-Changer in Rumen Bacteriome
The inclusion of microalgae on ruminants' diets appears to be a promising feeding strategy to enrich milk with beneficial biomolecules such as ω3 fatty acids. However, radical alterations could occur in both structure and biochemistry potential of the rumen microbiome.
  • 1.5K
  • 16 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Brain–Gut–Microbiome Axis
Beginning with the concept of the brain–gut axis, the importance of the interaction between the brain and the gastrointestinal tract has been extended to the microbiome with increasing clinical applications. With the recent development of various techniques for microbiome analysis, the number of relevant preclinical and clinical studies on animals and human subjects has rapidly increased. Various psychotic symptoms a ect the intestinal microbiome through the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal gland axis. Conversely, the intestinal microbiome regulates the gastrointestinal tract environment and affects psychological factors by means of the microorganisms or their metabolites, either acting directly on the brain or through the synthesis of various neurotransmitters.
  • 1.5K
  • 26 Oct 2020
Topic Review
β-Lactam Resistance Genes in Wastewater Treatment Plants
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the largest global concerns due to its influence in multiple areas, which is consistent with One Health’s concept of close interconnections between people, animals, plants, and their shared environments. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs) circulate constantly in various niches, sediments, water sources, soil, and wastes of the animal and plant sectors, and is linked to human activities. Sewage of different origins gets to the wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), where ARB and ARG removal efficiency is still insufficient, leading to their transmission to discharge points and further dissemination. Thus, WWTPs are believed to be reservoirs of ARGs and the source of spreading AMR. According to a World Health Organization report, the most critical pathogens for public health include Gram-negative bacteria resistant to third-generation cephalosporins and carbapenems (last-choice drugs), which represent β-lactams, the most widely used antibiotics. Therefore, this research presents the available research data for ARGs in WWTPs that confer resistance to β-lactam antibiotics, with a particular emphasis on clinically important life-threatening mechanisms of resistance, including extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) and carbapenemases (KPC, NDM).
  • 1.5K
  • 17 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Spirochetes as Causative Agents of Alzheimer’s Disease
Spirochetes are bacteria that can also form biofilms, and there is increasing evidence regarding infections with specific species. Borrelia burgdorferi, and several species of treponemes are some of the most studied spirochetes regarding Alzheimer’s Disease. Spirochetes were visualized in the neurofibrillary tangles and senile plaques in the brains of individuals with AD, and peptidoglycan was also located near Aβ deposits.
  • 1.5K
  • 06 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Adhesins of Brucella
A central aspect of Brucella pathogenicity is its ability to invade, survive, and replicate in diverse phagocytic and non-phagocytic cell types, leading to chronic infections and chronic inflammatory phenomena. Adhesion to the target cell is a critical first step in the invasion process. Several Brucella adhesins have been shown to mediate adhesion to cells, extracellular matrix components (ECM), or both. These include the sialic acid-binding proteins SP29 and SP41, the BigA and BigB proteins that contain an Ig-like domain, the monomeric autotransporters BmaA, BmaB, and BmaC, the trimeric autotransporters BtaE and BtaF, and Bp26.
  • 1.5K
  • 05 Jan 2021
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