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Topic Review
The Benefits of Using Phosphate-Solubilizing Biofertilizers
Chemical phosphatic fertilizers are mainly produced from phosphate rocks, a natural reserve that is depleting rapidly. These chemical phosphatic fertilizers are polluting the environment at an alarming rate as a result of injudicious application to farmlands. On the other hand, phosphate-solubilizing biofertilizers (PSBs) are often considered better alternatives to industrial phosphatic fertilizers in many ways. PSBs are microorganisms capable of solubilizing insoluble forms of phosphate into soluble plant-usable forms. The impacts of phosphatic fertilizers are discussed and making the case for why we should shift to PSBs instead. Phosphatic fertilizers have numerous impacts on the environment (water bodies, land resources, and air), and micro- and macro-organisms, including humans. Chemical fertilizers also tend to be more expensive, especially for farmers in developing countries. On the contrary, PSBs tend to be safer and way more beneficial than their chemical counterparts in that they are environmentally friendly and cheaper options of availing plant-usable phosphorus. PSBs are also involved in other beneficial roles such as the production of phytohormones and secretion of anti-phytopathogenic metabolites. The phytohormones enhance plant growth and the metabolites render crops immunity against phytopathogens. Hence, it is vital to replace chemical phosphatic fertilizers with PSB inoculants both to prevent the irreversible impacts of chemical fertilizers and to take advantage of the numerous benefits of PSBs. 
  • 1.2K
  • 13 Feb 2023
Topic Review
The FT-IR and Raman Spectroscopies
Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and Raman spectroscopy and mapping were applied tothe analysis of biofilms produced by bacteria of the genus Streptococcus. Bacterial biofilm, also calleddental plaque, is the main cause of periodontal disease and tooth decay. It consists of a complexmicrobial community embedded in an extracellular matrix composed of highly hydrated extracellularpolymeric substances and is a combination of salivary and bacterial proteins, lipids, polysaccharides,nucleic acids, and inorganic ions. This study confirms the value of Raman and FT-IR spectroscopiesin biology, medicine, and pharmacy as effective tools for bacterial product characterization.
  • 1.2K
  • 03 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Bacillus cereus sensu lato
The potential presence of spore-forming bacteria related to the Bacillus cereus group in Mexican chili powder elaborated from Capsicum annuum L. is of commercial and clinical interest, because chili powder is an essential spice in the Mexican diet and in diets around the globe.
  • 1.2K
  • 16 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Marine Arthropods
Peptide therapeutics play a key role in the development of new medical treatments. The traditional focus on endogenous peptides has shifted from first discovering other natural sources of these molecules, to later synthesizing those with unique bioactivities. Marine arthropods do not have an adaptive immune system, and therefore, they depend on the innate immune system to eliminate pathogens. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) with unique characteristics are a pivotal part of the defense systems of these organisms.
  • 1.2K
  • 17 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Chronic rhinosinusitis
Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is the chronic inflammation of the sinus cavities of the upper respiratory tract, which can be caused by a disrupted microbiome. However, the role of the oral microbiome in CRS is not well understood. Polymicrobial and anaerobic infections of CRS frequently increased the difficulty of cultured and antibiotic therapy. This study aimed to elucidate the patterns and clinical feasibility of the oral microbiome in CRS diagnosis. Matched saliva and nasal swabs were collected from 18 CRS patients and 37 saliva specimens from normal volunteers were collected for 16S rRNA sequencing. The α-diversity of the saliva displayed no significant difference between control and CRS patients, whereas the β-diversity was significantly different (p = 0.004). Taxonomic indices demonstrated that Veillonella dispar, Rothia mucilaginosa, and Porphyromonas endodontalis were enriched, while Campylobacter and Cardiobacterium were reduced in the saliva of CRS patients. These microbial markers could significantly distinguish CRS patients from control (AUC = 0.939). It is noted that the 16S rRNA results of the nasal swab were consistent with the nasopharynx aerobic culture, and additionally detected multiple pathogens in CRS patients. In summary, these results indicated these oral microbiomes may provide a novel signal for CRS detection and that NGS may be an alternative approach for CRS diagnosis.
  • 1.2K
  • 27 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Trichoderma hamatum
Trichoderma hamatum (Bonord.) Bainier (T. hamatum) belongs to Hypocreaceae family, Trichoderma genus. Trichoderma spp. are prominently known for their biocontrol activities and plant growth promotion. Hence, T. hamatum also possess several beneficial activities, such as antimicrobial activity, antioxidant activity, insecticidal activity, herbicidal activity, and plant growth promotion; in addition, it holds several other beneficial properties, such as resistance to dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and degradation of DDT by certain enzymes and production of certain polysaccharide-degrading enzymes.
  • 1.2K
  • 13 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Gut-Microbial Metabolites and Probiotics in Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a worldwide prevalent metabolic disorder defined by high blood glucose levels due to insulin resistance (IR) and impaired insulin secretion. Disturbances of gut microbiota have been widely found in T2D patients and contribute to the development of IR.
  • 1.2K
  • 01 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Infectious Agents in Celiac Disease
The ingestion of wheat gliadin (alcohol-soluble proteins, an integral part of wheat gluten) and re-lated proteins induce, in genetically predisposed individuals, celiac disease (CD), which is charac-terized by immune-mediated impairment of the small intestinal mucosa. The lifelong omission of gluten and related grain proteins, i.e., a gluten-free diet (GFD), is at present the only therapy for CD. Although a GFD usually reduces CD symptoms, it does not entirely restore the small intesti-nal mucosa to a fully healthy state. Recently, the participation of microbial components in patho-genetic mechanisms of celiac disease was suggested.
  • 1.2K
  • 17 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Enumeration of Brettanomyces in Wine Using Impedance
Brettanomyces bruxellensis is a wine spoilage concern in wineries around the world. In order to maintain wine quality during storage and ageing, it is imperative to control and monitor this yeast. Being a fastidious slow growing yeast, which requires 5 to 14 days of incubation for visible growth in agar plates, it is difficult to detect growth (colonies) by conventional agar plate count method. Yeast enumeration by impedance was investigated because previous research using other microorganisms has shown that it is potentially faster than plate counting. The relationship between plate counting and impedance detection times was investigated for Brettanomyces inoculated in red wine samples. A linear relationship between log plate count concentrations and impedance detection times was found. Incubation time was reduced from 120 h down to 0.9 and 57.7 h for samples with 6.7 × 10E7 and 1.8 × 10E2 cfu/mL, respectively, using the ‘indirect’ impedance method. The ‘indirect’ impedance method has the potential to be used by the wine industry to control and monitor the Brettanomyces numbers in wines.
  • 1.2K
  • 17 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Antibacterial Cationic Peptide Dendrimers
On the alarming scenario of the increasing antimicrobial resistance, causing a growing number of untreatable bacterial infections, we decided to report in a serie of entries, the state of the art concerning the development and application of the main types of cationic antibacterial dendrimers, proposed as unconventional options to the no longer effective traditional antibiotics. In a first recent entry, a general overview including an introduction to the topic, and sections which summarize the main types of dendrimers in existence and the main ones that have demonstrated antibacterial properties disclosed in the past decade, the main types of cationic antibacterial dendrimers have been introduced.  In particular, the PAMAM and PPI-based cationic dendrimers developed in the last decade, which showed considerable antibacterial properties, have been reviewed. In this second entry, we have provided an updated overview concerning the most studied class of antibacterial cationic dendrimers, i.e. the antimicrobial peptide ones. Significant case studies concerning the most active agents belonging to this category which have been prepared in the last decade have been reported. 
  • 1.2K
  • 14 Jan 2021
Topic Review
The Parasitic or Symbiotic Lifestyle of CPR Bacteria
Candidate Phyla Radiation (CPR) bacteria is a bacterial division composed mainly of candidate phyla bacteria with ultra-small cell sizes, streamlined genomes, and limited metabolic capacity, which are generally considered to survive in a parasitic or symbiotic manner.
  • 1.2K
  • 30 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Rhizoremediation of Petroleum Hydrocarbon-Contaminated Soils
Rhizoremediation of PHCs is facilitated through a process known as the ‘rhizosphere effect’, in which plants exude a myriad of organic compounds into their root-surrounding zone (the rhizosphere), resulting in an increase in abundance and activity of certain rhizospheric microbes, which in turn can degrade or metabolize hydrocarbon contaminants. 
  • 1.2K
  • 23 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Functional Parasitic Worm Secretome
Nematodes constitute a very successful phylum, especially in terms of parasitism. Inside their mammalian hosts, parasitic nematodes mainly dwell in the digestive tract (geohelminths) or in the vascular system (filariae). One of their main characteristics is their long sojourn inside the body where they are accessible to the immune system. Several strategies are used by parasites in order to counteract the immune attacks. One of them is the expression of molecules interfering with the function of the immune system. Excretory-secretory products (ESPs) pertain to this category. This is, however, not their only biological function, as they seem also involved in other mechanisms such as pathogenicity or parasitic cycle (molting, for example).
  • 1.2K
  • 10 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
Influenza A viral (IAV) infections are common, yet persistent as one of the major contributors towards respiratory viral diseases. With the complete eradication of IAVs seemingly impossible, IAV infections are of major public health concern globally as evident by the need for constant surveillance and vaccine renewals. This entry focuses on the innate immune response against influenza infections and in particular, the roles of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in this response. We first detailed the conventional methods of pathogen recognition of influenza viruses by pathogen recognition receptors (PRRs), leading to the activation of pathways involved in the anti-viral response. Predominantly, we have highlighted the roles that MAPKs (ERK, p38 and JNK) play in the activation of Type I Interferons (IFNs) and pro-inflammatory cytokines to resolve IAV infections. Taking a step further, we also looked at how highly pathogenic influenza A viruses (HPIAVs), as well as aberrant and dysfunctional signalling of the MAPK pathways may lead to a hyperactive immune response that is unwarranted, leading to the progression into acute lung injuries and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) from a simple infection. Taken together, we hope that this entry may shed some light on the important roles that MAPKs play in the innate immune response towards IAV infections, and to provide important considerations when tackling this global challenge.
  • 1.2K
  • 26 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Thymus zygis L. and Thymus willdenowii Boiss. Oils
Essential oils (EOs) are chemical products produced by odoriferous glands from a variety of plants. These essential oils have many health benefits: antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities. So due to these medicinal properties, the present study was designed to analyze essential oils of Thymus zygis L. and Thymus willdenowii Boiss. for their chemical composition and biological activities. These two thyme species were collected from the region of Ifrane, Middle Atlas of Morocco. 
  • 1.2K
  • 24 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria
It has been estimated that 100 g of bulk soil can host about 2000–4000 nematodes and this amount is increased 5-fold in the rhizosphere. A certain number of these nematodes are pathogenic for plants and cause yield and economic losses. Application of chemical nematicides is the most common method used to reduce nematode populations, but these chemicals can have a negative impact on both the environment and human health. Therefore, other more environmentally friendly methods of suppression of plant-parasitic nematodes have been proposed. Among them, the use of plant beneficial soil bacteria, behaving as biocontrol agents against nematodes, represent a potential alternative to chemicals.
  • 1.2K
  • 18 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Antimicrobial Stewardship in Clinical Practice
“Antimicrobial stewardship” is a strategy that promotes the responsible use of antimicrobials. The objective of this paper is to focus on consolidated and more recent improvements in clinical strategies that should be adopted in hospitalized patients to ameliorate their infectious diseases’ outcome and to reduce the antibiotic resistance risk through judicious use of antibiotics. We present 13 common clinical scenarios, the respective suggested interventions and the explanations of the supporting evidence, in order to help clinicians in their decision-making process. Strategies including the choice of antibiotic and dose optimization, antibiotic spectrum narrowing (de-escalation), shortening of duration, shift to oral route or outpatient parenteral antibiotic (including elastomeric pumps), and biomarkers are described and discussed.
  • 1.2K
  • 22 Jul 2020
Topic Review
The Brain-Gut-Microbiome System and Autism Spectrum Disorder
Gastrointestinal dysfunction is one of the most prevalent physiological symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A growing body of largely preclinical research suggests that dysbiotic gut microbiota may modulate brain function and social behavior, yet little is known about the mechanisms that underlie these relationships and how they may influence the pathogenesis or severity of ASD. 
  • 1.2K
  • 17 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Malassezia Species as Commensals in Humans
Malassezia spp. are commensals of the skin, oral/sinonasal cavity, lower respiratory and gastrointestinal tract. Eighteen species have been recovered from humans, other mammals and birds. They can also be isolated from diverse environments, suggesting an evolutionary trajectory of adaption from an ecological niche in plants and soil to the mucocutaneous ecosystem of warm-blooded vertebrates.
  • 1.2K
  • 20 Jul 2022
Topic Review
African Antivirulence Plants
Antivirulence is the concept of blocking virulence factors produced by pathogenic organism. In regards to bacteria, the idea is to design agents that block virulence rather than kill bacteria population that generate more selective pressure leading to antibiotic resistance. African plants, through their huge biodiversity, present a considerable reservoir of secondary metabolites with a very broad spectrum of biological activities, a potential source of natural products targeting such non-microbicidal mechanisms. 
  • 1.2K
  • 04 Dec 2020
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