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Topic Review
Omics to Study Fungal Plant Pathogens
In plant pathology, multi-omics (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics) can help mainly in the prevention and management of diseases. The omics have been applied to elucidate the function of genes and the structure of the genome to provide insights into gene and protein expression and to understand the metabolic profiling of both the host and the pathogen during an infection process. The application of omics in the genus Diaporthe is still poorly explored, although metabolomics has been widely applied to explore endophytic Diaporthe natural products for their potential applications in pharmacology. Although the genus Diaporthe comprises important plant pathogens and endophytes, these species also have the ability to switch lifestyles.
  • 1.0K
  • 29 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Occurrence of β-N-Methylamino-L-alanine
One interesting compound in the spectrum of cyanobacterial metabolites is the non-proteinogenic amino acid β-N-methylamino-L-alanine, abbreviated BMAA. In total, the presence of BMAA and/or its isomers was linked to more than 200 findings related to cyanobacteria from nature (freshwaters, marine and brackish environment, terrestrial habitats and plant symbionts), market samples and specimens from culture collections. Although BMAA and its isomers are found in many ecosystems, the occurrence of these compounds is not ubiquitous. 
  • 1.0K
  • 29 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Toxicity of Mycotoxins to Intestinal Epithelial Cells
Mycotoxin is a naturally occurring substance produced by fungi. Consumption of low concentrations of mycotoxins in animals would result in severe hazardous symptoms.
  • 1.0K
  • 26 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Epidermal Growth Factor-Like Protein-7
Cancer growth and metastasis require interactions with the extracellular matrix (ECM), which is home to many biomolecules that support the formation of new vessels and cancer growth. One of these biomolecules is epidermal growth factor-like protein-7 (EGFL7). EGFL7 alters cellular adhesion to the ECM and migratory behavior of tumor and immune cells contributing to tumor metastasis. EGFL7 is engaged in the formation of new vessels and changes in ECM stiffness. One of its binding partners on the endothelial and cancer cell surface is beta 3 integrin. Beta 3 integrin pathways are under intense investigation in search of new therapies to kill cancer cells. All these properties enable EGFL7 to contribute to drug resistance. 
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  • 10 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Phages in Food Industry Biocontrol
Bacteriophages are ubiquitous in nature and their use is a current promising alternative in biological control. Multidrug resistant (MDR) bacterial strains are present in the livestock industry and phages are attractive candidates to eliminate them and their biofilms. 
  • 1.0K
  • 20 Jul 2021
Topic Review
The Role of Outer Membrane Vesicles against Bacteria
Gram-negative bacteria are resistant to many commercialized antibiotics. The outer membrane (OM) of Gram-negative bacteria prevents the entry of such antibiotics. Outer membrane vesicles (OMV) are naturally released from the OM of Gram-negative bacteria for a range of purposes, including competition with other bacteria. OMV may carry, as part of the membrane or lumen, molecules with antibacterial activity. Such OMV can be exposed to and can fuse with the cell surface of different bacterial species. 
  • 1.0K
  • 07 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Phytophthora sansomeana
Phytophthora sansomeana has been shown to be a causal agent of Phytophthora root rot (PRR) in soybean in addition to P. sojae. The emergence and spread of a second pathogen causing PRR poses a significant threat to soybean production.
  • 1.0K
  • 20 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Grape Ripe Rot Caused by the Colletotrichum Complex
Grape ripe rot, which is predominantly caused by the Colletotrichum species, presents a growing threat to global grape cultivation. This threat is amplified by the increasing populations of the Colletotrichum species in response to warmer climates.
  • 1.0K
  • 21 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP)
Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is a sensitive molecular tool suitable for use as a near point-of-care test for the diagnosis of malaria.
  • 1.0K
  • 23 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Allelochemicals from Microalgae
Allelochemicals are toxic secondary metabolites produced by plants, microalgae, bacteria, and fungi that influence other organisms. The bioactivity of allelochemicals and their toxic or beneficial effects have been the focus of research in medicine and agriculture, and for their anticancer and antimicrobial properties. Microalgae are the source of a remarkable diversity of biologically active compounds, which can be involved in allelopathic interactions. The main chemical classes of microalgal allelochemicals are alkaloids, fatty acids and derivatives, polyketides, peptides, phenolics, and terpenoids. In the environment, these molecules are secreted by microalgae for communication, defence, and adaptation purposes.
  • 1.0K
  • 17 May 2023
Topic Review
Gut-Skin Microbiota Axis in Diabetic Wound Healing
Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) are a growing concern worldwide as they pose complications in routine clinical practices such as diagnosis and management. Bacterial interactions on the skin surface are vital to the pathophysiology of DFU and may control delayed wound healing. 
  • 1.0K
  • 16 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Membrane Efflux Pumps of Pathogenic Vibrio Species
Infectious diseases caused by bacterial species of the Vibrio genus have had considerable significance upon human health for centuries. V. cholerae is the causative microbial agent of cholera, a severe ailment characterized by profuse watery diarrhea, a condition associated with epidemics, and seven great historical pandemics. V. parahaemolyticus causes wound infection and watery diarrhea, while V. vulnificus can cause wound infections and septicemia. Species of the Vibrio genus with resistance to multiple antimicrobials have been a significant health concern for several decades. Mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance machinery in Vibrio spp. include biofilm formation, drug inactivation, target protection, antimicrobial permeability reduction, and active antimicrobial efflux. Integral membrane-bound active antimicrobial efflux pump systems include primary and secondary transporters, members of which belong to closely related protein superfamilies. The RND (resistance-nodulation-division) pumps, the MFS (major facilitator superfamily) transporters, and the ABC superfamily of efflux pumps constitute significant drug transporters for investigation.
  • 1.0K
  • 11 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Metal(loid) Bioremediation by Microbial Polymers
Environmental pollution arising from metal(loid)s is a result of industrialization, and has led to serious health issues. Conventional methods of metal(loid) removal often result in generation of secondary waste which is toxic to the environment. Bioremediation in combination with physicochemical techniques offer an excellent and effective means of removal. The use of secondary metabolites and extracellular polymers produced by microorganisms is an effective procedure employed in metal(loid) sequestration and reduction in toxicity of contaminated environments. These biopolymers have different chemical structures and have shown varied selectivity to different metal(loid)s. 
  • 1.0K
  • 09 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Therapeutic Applications of Bacteriophages in the Gut Microbiota
Bacteriophages (phages) are nano-sized viruses characterized by their inherent ability to live off bacteria. They utilize diverse mechanisms to absorb and gain entry into the bacterial cell wall via the release of viral genetic material, which uses the replication mechanisms of the host bacteria to produce and release daughter progeny virions that attack the surrounding host cells. They possess specific characteristics, including specificity for particular or closely related bacterial species. They have many applications, including as potential alternatives to antibiotics against multi-resistant bacterial pathogens and as control agents in bacteria-contaminated environments. They are ubiquitously abundant in nature and have diverse biota, including in the gut. Gut microbiota describes the community and interactions of microorganisms within the intestine. As with bacteria, parasitic bacteriophages constantly interact with the host bacterial cells within the gut system and have obvious implications for human health.
  • 1.0K
  • 17 Oct 2023
Topic Review
New Antimicrobial Oleanonic Acid Polyamine Conjugates
The series of 21 oleanolic acid derivatives containing di- and polyamine fragments at position C3 and C28 was synthesized and evaluated for their antimicrobial activities against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial. Almost all series presented good to moderate Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) against Gram-positive S. aureus, S. faecalis and B. cereus bacteria, moreover compounds possess important antimicrobial activities against Gram-negative E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. enterica, and EA289 bacteria with MICs ranging from 6.25 to 200 µg/mL. The SAR data showed that the nature of the polyamine fragment, as well as differences in the structure of oleanolic acid plays an important role in the potential activities of tested compounds. The testing of the ability to restore the antibiotic activity of doxycycline and erythromycin at a 2 µg/mL concentration in a synergistic assay showed that only Mannich base with spermine fragment 6 lead to a moderate improvement in terms of antimicrobial activities of the different selected combinations against both P. aeruginosa and E. coli. The study of the mechanism of action of the most important compound in this series (amide 2i derived from N-methyl-norspermidine) showed the effect of disruption of the outer bacterial membrane of P. aeruginosa PA01 cells. Computational ADMET profiling renders compound 2i as a suitable starting point for pharmacokinetic optimization.
  • 1.0K
  • 19 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Biofilm Survival Strategies in Chronic Wounds
Bacterial biofilms residing in chronic wounds are thought to have numerous survival strategies, making them extremely difficult to eradicate and resulting in long-term infections. However, much of people's knowledge regarding biofilm persistence stems from in vitro models and experiments performed in vivo in animal models. While the knowledge obtained from such experiments is highly valuable, its direct translation to the human clinical setting should be undertaken with caution. 
  • 1.0K
  • 27 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Angiotensin II Type I Receptor (AT1R)
AT1R has a major role in RAS by being involved in several physiological events including blood pressure control and electrolyte balance. Following SARS-CoV-2 infection, pathogenic episodes generated by the vasoconstriction, proinflammatory, profibrotic, and prooxidative consequences of the Ang II–AT1R axis activation are accompanied by a hyperinflammatory state (cytokine storm) and an acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). AT1R, a member of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family, modulates Ang II deleterious effects through the activation of multiple downstream signaling pathways, among which are MAP kinases (ERK 1/2, JNK, p38MAPK), receptor tyrosine kinases (PDGF, EGFR, insulin receptor), and nonreceptor tyrosine kinases (Src, JAK/STAT, focal adhesion kinase (FAK)), and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase.
  • 1.0K
  • 12 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Syndecan-4
Emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants pose threats to vaccination campaigns against COVID-19. Being more transmissible than the original virus, the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617 lineage, named the Delta variant, swept through the world in 2021. The mutations in the Delta’s spike protein shift the protein towards a net positive electrostatic potential. Compared to the wild-type spike, the Delta one shows a higher affinity towards heparan sulfate proteoglycans than ACE2. Cellular studies showed that syndecan-4, the syndecan isoform abundant in the lung, enhances the transmission of the Delta variant by attaching its mutated spike glycoprotein and facilitating its cellular entry. In addition to the attachment to the polyanionic heparan sulfate chains, the Delta spike’s molecular interactions with syndecan-4 also involve syndecan-4’s cell-binding domain that mediates cell-to-cell adhesion. Exogenously added heparin or syndecan-4 knockdown efficiently blocks the Delta variant’s cellular entry. A profound understanding of syndecan-4-mediated endocytosis enables the development of molecularly targeted yet simple strategies to reduce the Delta variant’s spread.
  • 1.0K
  • 20 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Malassezia spp. and Hosts
Malassezia is a lipid-dependent genus of yeasts known for being an important part of the skin mycobiota. These yeasts have been associated with the development of skin disorders and cataloged as a causal agent of systemic infections under specific conditions, making them opportunistic pathogens. Little is known about the host–microbe interactions of Malassezia spp., and unraveling this implies the implementation of infection models.
  • 1.0K
  • 21 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Candida auris
Candida auris is a multidrug-resistant species associated with high morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised individuals worldwide.
  • 1.0K
  • 04 Aug 2021
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