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Topic Review
Nanostructures and Combating Oral Bacterial Diseases
The oral cavity is an ideal environment for microbial cell growth, survival, and stability, followed by oral biofilm formation on the tooth surface. Biofilms contain a set of bacteria that are produced in extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). Bacterial growth results in the conversion of bacterial biofilm from commensal plaque to a pathogenic form. Bacteria present in the biofilm are significantly less sensitive to antimicrobial agents than planktonic bacteri. 
  • 832
  • 23 Nov 2021
Topic Review
COVID-19 Associated Pulmonary Thrombosis
Pulmonary thrombosis in situ is a pathological condition nonrelated to embolism from deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the lower extremities. 
  • 832
  • 04 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Detection of Sepsis in Platelets
The incidence of sepsis varies depending on the hospital studied, being higher in those dealing with more clinically severe patients, such as cancer hospitals.
  • 829
  • 09 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Acute Infectious Gastroenteritis
Acute infectious gastroenteritis (AGE) is defined as a diarrhoeal disease of rapid onset presenting with the incidence of three or more soft or liquid stools, or three bouts of vomiting per 24 h, with addition of abdominal pain, or fever.
  • 827
  • 10 Feb 2022
Topic Review
COVID-19 Vaccination and Alcohol Consumption: Justification of Risks
Since the beginning of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, pharmaceutical companies and research institutions have been actively working to develop vaccines, and the mass roll-out of vaccinations against COVID-19 began in January 2021. At the same time, during lockdowns, the consumption of alcoholic beverages increased. During the peak of vaccination, consumption remained at high levels around the world, despite the gradual relaxation of quarantine restrictions. Two of the popular queries on search engines were whether it is safe to drink alcohol after vaccination and whether this will affect the effectiveness of vaccines. Many studies have been published suggesting that excessive drinking not only worsens the course of an acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus but can also exacerbate post-COVID-19 syndrome. Despite all sorts of online speculation, there is no specific scientific data on alcohol-induced complications after vaccination in the literature. Most of the published vaccine clinical trials do not include groups of patients with a history of alcohol-use disorders.
  • 827
  • 02 Feb 2023
Topic Review
SARS-CoV-2 ORF3a Protein as Therapeutic Target against COVID-19
The ORF3a (open reading frame 3a) protein found in SARS-CoV-2, represents a promising target for antiviral treatment due to its multifaceted role in viral pathogenesis, cytokine storms, disease severity, and mortality. ORF3a contributes significantly to viral pathogenesis by facilitating viral assembly and release, essential processes in the viral life cycle, while also suppressing the body’s antiviral responses, thus aiding viral replication. ORF3a also has been implicated in triggering excessive inflammation, characterized by NF-κB-mediated cytokine production, ultimately leading to apoptotic cell death and tissue damage in the lungs, kidneys, and the central nervous system. 
  • 827
  • 19 Mar 2024
Topic Review Peer Reviewed
Clinical Applications of Isothermal Diagnosis for Human Schistosomiasis
About 250 million people affected, 779 million people at risk of infection, and 440 million people with residual morbidity are globally attributable to schistosomiasis. Highly sensitive and specific, simple and fast to perform diagnostics are required for detecting trace infections, and applications in resource-poor settings and large-scale assessments. Research assessing isothermal diagnoses of S. japonicum, S. haematobium, S. mansoni, mixed infections, and schistosomal hybrids among clinical human specimens was investigated. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) and combined techniques were identified. Both, LAMP and RPA reached species-dependent 100% sensitivity, and detection levels within femtogram and nanogram amounts for pure and hybridale breeds. Cross-reactivity among Schistosoma species and co-endemic pathogens was rare though research on diagnostic markers and primer optimization should continue. Operating with ready-to-use lyophilized reagents, simplified and inexpensive nucleic acid extraction, tolerability to likely inhibitors, and enzyme stability at ambient temperature is advantageous. RPA performed optimal at 35–39ºC within 5–10 minutes while LAMP operated at 61–65ºC for up to 120 minutes; properties are preferable over assays requiring expensive laboratory equipment. DNA degradation could be prevented by stabilizing substances. A limitation throughout warranting future research is the small sample size reaching a few hundred participants at the maximum. Isothermal diagnostics are highly valuable in detecting trace infections seen subsequent to chemotherapeutic treatment, and among apparently healthy individuals, both constituting likely sources of ongoing pathogen transmission. Its expansion to the vaccine field for assessing parasitological trial endpoints could be considered.
  • 826
  • 26 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Naturally Acquired Antibodies against Malaria
Here, we discuss naturally acquired antibodies in malaria, and the potentially harmful or beneficial effects of them.Most studies have focused on the inhibitory effect of antibodies, but we review both the beneficial as well as the potentially harmful roles of naturally acquired antibodies, as well as autoantibodies formed in malaria. We discuss different studies that have sought to understand acquired antibody responses against P. falciparum antigens, and potential problems when different antibodies are combined such as in naturally acquired immunity.
  • 825
  • 04 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Human Streptococcus suis Disease in Southeast Asia
The public health systems of Southeast Asian countries are financially challenged by a comparatively higher incidence of human S. suis infections than other geographical areas. Efforts to improve practices in production settings, including improved meat inspection regulations, prevention of the slaughtering of non-healthy pigs, and enhanced hygiene practices at processing facilities, along with improvements in the pork supply chain, all appear promising for reducing food cross-contamination with S. suis. 
  • 825
  • 27 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Nanotechnology in γ-Herpesviruses Treatments
Epstein–Barr Virus (EBV) and Kaposi’s sarcoma associated-herpesvirus (KSHV) are γ-herpesviruses that belong to the Herpesviridae family. In the last decade, many studies conducted by scientists and clinicians have indicated that nanotechnology and nanomedicine could improve the outcome of several treatments in γ-herpesvirus-associated diseases. 
  • 824
  • 26 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Pathogenesis and Treatment of the Omicron BA.2 lineage
The epidemic curve of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is silently rising again. Worldwide, the dominant SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern (VOC) is Omicron, and its virological characteristics, such as transmissibility, pathogenicity, and resistance to both vaccine- and infection-induced immunity as well as antiviral drugs, are an urgent public health concern. The Omicron variant has five major sub-lineages; as of February 2022, the BA.2 lineage has been detected in several European and Asian countries, becoming the predominant variant and the real antagonist of the ongoing surge. Hence, although global attention is currently focused on dramatic, historically significant events and the multi-country monkeypox outbreak, this new epidemic is unlikely to fade away in silence. Many aspects of this lineage are still unclear and controversial, but its apparent replication advantage and higher transmissibility, as well as its ability to escape neutralizing antibodies induced by vaccination and previous infection, are rising global concerns. 
  • 824
  • 11 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Mycoplasma bovis Infections
Mycoplasma bovis is a cause of bronchopneumonia, mastitis and arthritis but may also affect other main organs in cattle such us the eye, ear or brain. M. bovis infections are responsible for substantial economic health and welfare problems worldwide. M. bovis has spread worldwide, including to countries for a long time considered free of the pathogen.
  • 823
  • 15 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Microscopy Diagnosis of Trichomoniasis
More than one million curable sexually transmitted infections occur every day. Trichomonas vaginalis is one of the main infections responsible for these epidemiological data. The diagnosis of this protozoan is mainly based on microscopic and culture identification. 
  • 822
  • 15 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Iron in Health and Disease
Iron dysregulation is a common characteristic in many subtypes of acute lung injury (ALI). On the one hand, iron is needed to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) as part of the immune response to an infection; on the other hand, iron can accelerate the occurrence of ferroptosis and extend host cell damage. Iron chelation represents a novel therapeutic strategy for alleviating lung injury and improving the survival of patients with ALI. 
  • 821
  • 10 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Xenobiotic-Metabolizing Enzymes in Trematodes
Trematode infections occur worldwide causing considerable deterioration of human health and placing a substantial financial burden on the livestock industry. The hundreds of millions of people afflicted with trematode infections rely entirely on only two drugs (praziquantel and triclabendazole) for treatment. An understanding of anthelmintic biotransformation pathways in parasites should clarify factors that can modulate therapeutic potency of anthelmintics in use and may lead to the discovery of synergistic compounds for combination treatments.
  • 820
  • 09 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Microbial Natural Products and COVID-19 Infection
The SARS-CoV-2 virus, which caused the COVID-19 infection, was discovered two and a half years ago. It caused a global pandemic, resulting in millions of deaths and substantial damage to the worldwide economy. Only a few vaccines and antiviral drugs are available to combat SARS-CoV-2. However, there has been an increase in virus-related research, including exploring new drugs and their repurposing. Since discovering penicillin, natural products, particularly those derived from microbes, have been viewed as an abundant source of lead compounds for drug discovery. 
  • 816
  • 14 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Diagnosis of IPA in Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Fungal diseases range from relatively minor superficial and mucosal infections to severe, life-threatening systemic infections. Delayed diagnosis and treatment could result in serious consequences for patient outcomes and could be associated with high medical costs. Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is a frequent complication of critically ill patients with H1N1 virus infection and severe respiratory failure. Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) presents a known risk to critically ill patients with SARS-CoV-2.
  • 816
  • 26 May 2023
Topic Review
γδ T Cells in Staphylococcus aureus Infections
The growth of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections necessitates focusing on host-derived immunotherapies. γδ T cells are an unconventional T cell subset, making up a relatively small portion of healthy circulating lymphocytes but a substantially increased proportion in mucosal and epithelial tissues. γδ T cells are activated and expanded in response to bacterial infection, having the capability to produce proinflammatory cytokines to recruit neutrophils and clear infection. They also play a significant role in dampening immune response to control inflammation and protecting the host against secondary challenge, making them promising targets when developing immunotherapy. Importantly, γδ T cells have differential metabolic states influencing their cytokine profile and subsequent inflammatory capacity.
  • 816
  • 05 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Strategies to Mitigate Against Pathogenic Drug Resistant Fungi
Antifungal resistance, antifungal drug tolerance, and biofilm formation directly contribute to rising cases of fungal morbidity and mortality. As with all of the infectious diseases, prevention is the optimal way to mitigate disease outbreak and transmission. The application of effective disinfection and sterilization regimes, particularly in hospital settings, is vitally important, where a focus on fungal biofilm formation on indwelling medical devices is important. Preventing the growth of mycotoxin-producing fungi on foods through the performance of appropriate end-to-end processes is advisable, as mycotoxins are recalcitrant and challenging to eliminate once they have been formed. Adopting the OneHealth approach will support and enable solutions to address this complex societal challenge.
  • 814
  • 31 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Nanotechnology-Based Drug Delivery to Control Bacterial-Biofilm-Associated Lung Infections
Airway mucus dysfunction and impaired immunological defenses are hallmarks of several lung diseases, including asthma, cystic fibrosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, and are mostly causative factors in bacterial-biofilm-associated respiratory tract infections. To combat bacterial biofilm in the respiratory tract, researchers have developed various strategies, including a pipeline of new antibiotics, biofilm biomatrix disruption, quorum sensing inhibition, biofilm dispersion promotion, or combinations of these. Among the strategies, nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems have received increasing attention for delivering antibiotics to biofilm sites or enhancing anti-biofilm activity through the nanoparticles themselves. 
  • 813
  • 06 Nov 2023
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