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Topic Review
Immunological interactions with fungal melanin
Melanins are ubiquitous complex polymers that are commonly known in humans to cause pigmentation of our skin. Melanins are also present in bacteria, fungi, and helminths.
  • 948
  • 04 Aug 2021
Topic Review
SARS-related Coronavirus
Severe acute respiratory syndrome–related coronavirus (SARS-CoV or SARSr-CoV)[note 1] is a species of coronavirus that infects humans, bats and certain other mammals. It is an enveloped positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus that enters its host cell by binding to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. It is a member of the genus Betacoronavirus and subgenus Sarbecovirus. Two strains of the virus have caused outbreaks of severe respiratory diseases in humans: severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV or SARS-CoV-1), which caused the 2002–2004 outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which is causing the 2019–20 pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). There are hundreds of other strains of SARS-CoV, all of which are only known to infect non-human species: bats are a major reservoir of many strains of SARS-related coronaviruses, and several strains have been identified in palm civets, which were likely ancestors of SARS-CoV. The SARS-related coronavirus was one of several viruses identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2016 as a likely cause of a future epidemic in a new plan developed after the Ebola epidemic for urgent research and development before and during an epidemic towards diagnostic tests, vaccines and medicines. The prediction came to pass with the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • 947
  • 29 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Kinetoplastid Diseases
Kinetoplastid parasites are responsible for high mortality and morbidity in (sub)tropical regions. In the development of new drugs, phenotypic screening already allowed the identification of promising new chemical entities with anti-kinetoplastid activity potential, but knowledge on their mode-of-action (MoA) is lacking due to the generally applied whole-cell based approach. However, identification of the drug target is highly beneficial to steer further hit finding, lead optimization and rational drug design. Multiple complementary ‘omics’ approaches have been successfully used to define the MoA or mode-of-resistance (MoR) of current reference drugs and some new anti-kinetoplastid compounds.
  • 946
  • 07 Jul 2020
Topic Review
Sphinganine-Analog Mycotoxins
Sphinganine-analog mycotoxins (SAMs) including fumonisins and Alternaria alternata f. sp. Lycopersici (AAL) toxins are a group of related mycotoxins produced by plant pathogenic fungi in the Fusarium genus and in A. alternata f. sp. Lycopersici, respectively. SAMs have shown diverse cytotoxicity and phytotoxicity, causing adverse impacts on plants, animals, and humans, and are a destructive force to crop production worldwide.
  • 946
  • 14 Jan 2021
Topic Review
The Promise of Microbial Bioeconomy
Naturally occurring resources, such as water, energy, minerals, and rare earth elements, are limited in availability, yet they are essential components for the survival and development of all life. The pressure on these finite resources is anthropogenic, arising from misuse, overuse, and overdependence, which causes a loss of biodiversity and climate change and poses great challenges to sustainable development. The focal points and principles of the bioeconomy border around ensuring the constant availability of these natural resources for both present and future generations. The rapid growth of the microbial bioeconomy is promising for the purpose of fostering a resilient and sustainable future. This highlights the economic opportunity of using microbial-based resources to substitute fossil fuels in novel products, processes, and services. 
  • 946
  • 09 May 2023
Topic Review
Bioresources Use in Organic Farming
Over the years, the practice of agriculture has transformed from the era of traditional to that of intensive agriculture in the bid to boost the production index that will satisfy the food needs of the globally growing population. However, the continuous and exaggerated use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has resulted in major adverse impacts on food and environmental safety, whereas most traditional techniques for the reclamation of natural soil nutrients, including shifting cultivation and polyculture, are no longer attractive measures of land rejuvenation. There is, therefore, the need for urgent evaluation and adoption of innovative methods of replenishing the agricultural soils that conform to the current agricultural systems without exerting undesirable effects on the ecosystem. We elucidated the use of key bioresources, such as organic fertilizers, biofertilizers, and biopesticides, as alternatives to chemical-based products in attaining a safe and sustainable agricultural system. Bioresources are naturally available, safe, and easily accessible products. The potential of these biological products in fostering soil microbial growth, plants’ productivity, and induced host immunity to diseases, alongside the promotion of healthy soil–microbe–plant relationships and preservation of the ecosystem processes without disruption, are aspects that were also explored. Therefore, the productive use of bioresources is considered strategic as it pertains to attaining safe and sustainable food production. 
  • 946
  • 02 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Gut Microbiome and Trimethylamine Oxide in Atherosclerosis
The gut microbiome plays a major role in human health, and gut microbial imbalance or dysbiosis is associated with disease development. Modulation in the gut microbiome can be used to treat or prevent different diseases. Gut dysbiosis increases with aging, and it has been associated with the impairment of gut barrier function leading to the leakage of harmful metabolites such as trimethylamine (TMA). TMA is a gut metabolite resulting from dietary amines that originate from animal-based foods. TMA enters the portal circulation and is oxidized by the hepatic enzyme into trimethylamine oxide (TMAO). Increased TMAO levels have been reported in elderly people. High TMAO levels are linked to peripheral artery disease (PAD), endothelial senescence, and vascular aging.
  • 945
  • 01 Jun 2023
Topic Review
A Mycobacteriophage-Based Vaccine Platform for SARS-CoV-2
Bacteriophage-based vaccines can generate a protective immune response by safely introducing foreign antigens displayed on, encapsidated within, or genetically encoded by phage. Here authors describe recombinants of mycobacteriophage Bxb1 (a phage infecting Mycobacterium smegmatis) that covalently display and express antigenic peptides of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein. Several of these vaccine candidates produced Spike-specific antibodies in immunized mice, but the responses were not neutralizing. This mycobacteriophage-based vaccine platform can likely be improved if delivery of larger antigens is achieved. 
  • 944
  • 06 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Probiotic Lactobacilli Fermented Dairy Products
A selection of 36 commercial probiotic fermented dairy products from UK and Europe markets were evaluated for the numbers, types, and viability of Lactobacillus strains against the stated information on their packages. A comparative study was carried out on selectivity of MRS-Clindamycin, MRS-Sorbitol, and MRS-IM Maltose, to select the right medium for enumeration of probiotic Lactobacillus.
  • 943
  • 24 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Francisella tularensis in Ticks
Ticks can transmit a variety of infectious agents, including viruses, bacteria, and parasites, to humans and animals. Tularemia, caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Francisella tularensis, is a highly-infectious zoonotic agent that elicits flu-like symptoms in humans. In the United States, approximately half of tularemia cases are tick-associated. In a recent review by Tully and Huntley, the following points are highlighted: (1) Background information on tularemia and F. tularensis;  (2) What is known about the four different tick vectors associated with tularemia, including their geographic ranges and other arthropod vectors historically associated with tularemia;  (3) Physiological cues in ticks (compared to the mammalian host) that may prompt F. tularensis to modify its metabolism and protein expression to survive and persist in ticks.
  • 942
  • 15 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Mycobacterium tuberculosis and HIV-1: Evolution
This entry reviews the genetic evolution and adaptation to the host environment of M. tuberculosis and HIV-1. It provides an overview of the latest developments in the knowledge about the genetic diversity of these devastating intracellular human pathogens and its impact on the host immune system, virulence, drug resistance propensity and other relevant aspects. We also proposed a novel topic in the literature regarding the use of single cell "omics" to study the interacting evolutionary dynamics of M. tuberculosis and HIV-1 in co-infection, at the cellular niche of monocytes/macrophages.
  • 940
  • 20 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Equine Herpesvirus 1
Equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) is a virus of the family Herpesviridae that causes abortion, respiratory disease and occasionally neonatal mortality in horses. Initial spread of EHV-1 by a newly introduced horse through direct and indirect contact can lead to abortion and perinatal infection in up to 70 percent of a previously unexposed herd. Abortion usually occurs in the last four months of gestation, two to four weeks after infection of the mare. Perinatal (around the time of birth) infection can lead to pneumonia and death. Encephalitis can occur in affected animals, leading to ataxia, paralysis, and death. There is a vaccine available (ATCvet code QI05AA11 (WHO)), however its efficacy is questionable.The virus varies in severity from sub-clinical to very severe. Most horses have been infected with EHV-1 but the virus can become latent and show no signs and never be an issue. In 2006, an outbreak of EHV-1 among stables in Florida resulted in the institution of various quarantine measures. The outbreak was determined to have originated with several horses imported from Europe via New York, and then shipped to Florida.
  • 939
  • 04 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Nanosystems Applied to HIV Infection
This review highlights the advantages to use nanosized structures for the prevention and treatments of  HIV infection. We briefly  evaluate the most recent developments associated with different polymeric nanosystems.
  • 936
  • 08 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Enteric Fever Diagnosis
Enteric fever, referring to typhoid fever and paratyphoid fever, is a common bacterial disease with high morbidity and mortality rates in low- to middle-income countries in Asia, Africa, and South America, associated with limited proper sanitation and safe drinking water supply.
  • 935
  • 05 May 2021
Topic Review
Naegleria fowleri
Naegleria fowleri is a free-living amoeba (FLA) that is commonly known as the “brain-eating amoeba.” This parasite can invade the central nervous system (CNS), causing an acute and fulminating infection known as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). Even though PAM is characterized by low morbidity, it has shown a mortality rate of 98%, usually causing death in less than two weeks after the initial exposure.
  • 935
  • 24 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Secondary Metabolites of Aspergillus sydowii
Marine-derived fungi are renowned as a source of astonishingly significant and synthetically appealing metabolites that are proven as new lead chemicals for chemical, pharmaceutical, and agricultural fields. Aspergillus sydowii is a saprotrophic, ubiquitous, and halophilic fungus that is commonly found in different marine ecosystems. This fungus can cause aspergillosis in sea fan corals leading to sea fan mortality with subsequent changes in coral community structure.
  • 933
  • 11 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Human Milk Oligosaccharides
Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are a family of free oligosaccharides which are diverse in structure and unique to human milk. Their diversity enables multiple paths of interference against viral entry, which include norovirus, rotavirus and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). 
  • 932
  • 23 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Antimicrobials and Food-Related Stresses
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation uses physical energy, and it is a non-thermal and non-chemical technology used by the food industry for liquid and solid surface decontamination, to control foodborne pathogens and spoilage microorganisms, as well as viruses and protozoa. UV radiations at short wavelengths, in the range of from 220 to 280 nm, result in physical damage to the nucleic acids and inhibit bacterial replication by induction of the formation of cyclobutene pyrimidine dimers, which blocks DNA replication and transcription, leading to cell death . However, the repair mechanism of UV damage, especially by photoreactivation, is a major disadvantage of UV disinfection .
  • 930
  • 10 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Biofilm in Endodontics
Sonic, ultrasonic and Er:Yag laser agitation, in general, offer better biofilm removal when compared to conventional irrigation methods delivered by syringe and needle. The choice of the right irrigation solution is an important factor for removal of the endodontic biofilm, with water and saline being less effective compared to NaOCl and CHX. However, due to heterogeneity in methodologies, it is difficult to compare adjuvant endodontic techniques with one another and give recommendations for the most efficient method in biofilm removal.
  • 930
  • 07 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococci in Animals and Food Products
Staphylococci are Gram-positive bacteria responsible for a wide variety of suppurative infections in humans and animals. Methicillin resistance acquisition is due to the integration of the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec), which contains the mecA gene conferring β-lactam resistance. Methicillin-resistance in Staphylococci (MRS) pose a specific problem as they are in general more difficult to treat and may eventually result in death. Those MRS are now also increasingly found in different animal species and may compromise animal health as well as human health through the transmission of those MRS from animals to humans. As such it is important to know the situation of  MRS in animals and in foods.
  • 929
  • 07 Jul 2022
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