You're using an outdated browser. Please upgrade to a modern browser for the best experience.
Subject:
All Disciplines Arts & Humanities Biology & Life Sciences Business & Economics Chemistry & Materials Science Computer Science & Mathematics Engineering Environmental & Earth Sciences Medicine & Pharmacology Physical Sciences Public Health & Healthcare Social Sciences
Sort by:
Most Viewed Latest Alphabetical (A-Z) Alphabetical (Z-A)
Filter:
All Topic Review Biography Peer Reviewed Entry Video Entry
Topic Review
Climacostol Analogue as a Prodrug
Drug delivery systems based on pH have emerged as useful carriers for many drugs, including anti-tumor compounds, and are related to the acidic extracellular microenvironment in damaged tissues and some acidic organelles like lysosome and endosome. Here we report on the cytotoxic properties of MOMO, a synthetic precursor of the protozoan antimicrobial and anticancer agent climacostol, which is efficiently activated in mild extracellular acidosis to obtain a great quantity of climacostol in biologically active (Z)-configuration. Biological effects observed on free-living ciliates, tumour cell lines, and Drosophila melanogaster demonstrated that MOMO is well-tolerated in a physiological environment, while its cytotoxicity is rapidly and efficiently triggered at pH 6.3. In addition, the cytostatic versus cytotoxic effects of acidified-MOMO can be modulated in a dose-dependent manner. While these results demonstrate the pH-dependence of MOMO effects, methoxymethyl ether (MOM) protection emerges as a potential prodrug strategy for the design of new efficient pH-sensitive molecules as pharmacologically cytotoxic compounds.
  • 891
  • 28 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Antimicrobial Activity of Natural Compounds
Using natural compounds as antimicrobial agents in food is not a new idea. For ages, humans have used a variety of compounds, ranging from organic acids, essential oils (EOs), and wines to salts and seasonings, all with the intent of improving the sensorial experience and the product’s lifespan. Essential oils, present in numerous seasonings (e.g., garlic, oregano, thyme, and rosemary), and the organic acids present in various fruits (e.g., grapes, tomatoes, and citrus fruits), have been studied for their natural preservative properties. Heavily complex fermented substances, such as vinegar, wines, and sauces such as soy sauce, that possess various known antimicrobial compounds are also frequently used. Although some of the substances mentioned above mainly have high concentrations of organic acids, others, such as wines, hold highly complex matrices containing several compounds known for their antimicrobial activity.
  • 890
  • 28 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Environment, Gut Microbiota, and CAD
Gut microbiota has been shown to affect the cardiovascular system through different mechanisms, representing a potentially modifiable risk factor for atherosclerosis. This opens new perspectives on therapeutic and preventive strategies for coronary artery disease (CAD). Gut microbiota strongly varies depending on several environmental and lifestyle factors, such as pollution and diet, and maintains a symbiotic relationship with the gut mucosa, with substantial metabolic, immunological, and gut protective functions in the healthy individual.
  • 889
  • 23 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Antimicrobial Mediterranean Wild Edible Plants
Mediterranean wild edible plants (MWEPs) and their antimicrobial properties have been known from ancient times, and nowadays, a growing number of people have rediscovered them as natural remedies for common infections. One of the problems concerning their use is the heterogeneity of the protocols used to extract and analyze the properties of their active principles; such heterogeneity still marks the overall set of scientific studies on MWEPs, not to mention the enormous heterogeneity that characterizes the properties of plants at the outset. We reviewed the current literature on medicinal value of Mediterranean native edible plants trying to emphasize both the weaknesses and the opportunities of these plants. The majority of the reviewed MWEPs can inhibit both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, and fungi.
  • 889
  • 24 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Microsporidian Spore Germination
Microsporidia are a large group of mysterious obligate intracellular eukaryotic parasites. The microsporidian spore can survive in the absence of nutrients for years under harsh conditions and germinate within seconds under the stimulation of environmental changes like pH and ions. During germination, microsporidia experience an increase in intrasporal osmotic pressure, which leads to an influx of water into the spore, followed by swelling of the polaroplasts and posterior vacuole, which eventually fires the polar filament (PF). Infectious sporoplasm was transported through the extruded polar tube (PT) and delivered into the host cell. 
  • 889
  • 08 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Microbiome and Endometriosis
Endometriosis affects approximately 6 to 10% of reproductive-age women globally. Despite much effort invested, the pathogenesis that promotes the development, as well as the progression of this chronic inflammatory disease, is poorly understood. The imbalance in the microbiome or dysbiosis has been implicated in a variety of human diseases, especially the gut microbiome. In the case of endometriosis, emerging evidence suggests that there may be urogenital-gastrointestinal crosstalk that leads to the development of endometriosis. Along with these findings, several studies have reported the potential of probiotics in managing endometriosis, however subsequent investigations on microbial dynamics post administration of probiotics as well as route of administration and formulation of probiotics would be needed to strengthen the rationale of using such microbiome-based intervention in the management of endometriosis.  
  • 888
  • 23 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Biogenesis of Outer Membrane Vesicles
Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) are spheroidal proteoliposomes ranging from ~20 to 200 nm in diameter that originate from the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. The biogenesis of OMVs has been a topic of intense research due to the diverse roles that OMVs play in bacterial pathogenesis, immune modulation, and potential therapeutic applications. 
  • 888
  • 04 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Impact of Human Activities on Zoonotic Infection Transmissions
As humans expand their territories across more and more regions of the planet, activities such as deforestation, urbanization, tourism, wildlife exploitation, and climate change can have drastic consequences for animal movements and animal–human interactions. These events, especially climate change, can also affect the arthropod vectors that are associated with the animals in these scenarios. As the COVID-19 pandemic and other various significant outbreaks throughout the centuries have demonstrated, when animal patterns and human interactions change, so does the exposure of humans to zoonotic pathogens potentially carried by wildlife.
  • 888
  • 24 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Microorganisms in Fermented Mare Milk Products
Mare milk is consumed by approximatively 30 million people in the world. In countries in Asia and East Europe, mare milk is mainly consumed as source of fermented products, called koumiss, airag or chigee, alcoholic beverages obtained by means of a culture of bacteria and lactose-fermenting yeasts. Recent research concerning mare milk and its derivatives deals mainly with their potential employment for human health. 
  • 887
  • 20 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Bacterial Toxins Active against Mosquitoes
Insects can act as vectors of etiological agents of different diseases and can be a nuisance to humans, being responsible for health burdens worldwide. Re-emergent and emergent diseases, in particular arboviruses, remain a global challenge as recently shown for the epidemic problems caused by the Zika virus. Microbial larvicides based on entomopathogen bacteria have been successfully used for controlling mosquito and black-fly populations, as an alternative to the conventional classes of chemical insecticides, due to their high effectiveness and environmental safety. Bacillus thuringiensis serovariety (svar.) israelensis (Bti) de Barjac was the first B. thuringiensis (Bt) bacterial serotype identified as active against some Diptera larvae.
  • 886
  • 10 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Borrelia burgdorferi in Ixodidae Tick around Asia
Lyme disease (LD) is a common arthropod-borne inflammatory disorder prevalent in the northern hemisphere. LD is caused by a spirochete named Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., which is transmitted to humans by ticks. Climate, environment, and other factors affect land use; recreational-behavior changes affect human contact with infected ticks. Ixodes, Haemaphysalis and Dermacentor may be the most common tike of B. burgdorferi-positive in Asia. 
  • 884
  • 13 Apr 2022
Topic Review
The Female Reproductive Tract Microbiota
Many intrinsic and extrinsic factors influences the female reproductive tract microbiota (FRTM) that directly affects the reproductive health. It is believed that FRTM dominated by Lactobacilli may play an essential role in obstetric health beyond the woman’s intimate comfort and well-being. Women with altered microbiota may face numerous health-related issues. Altered microbiota can be manipulated and restored to their original shape to re-establish normal reproductive health. 
  • 884
  • 08 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Epstein–Barr Virus-Associated Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is an uncommon type of malignancy/cancer worldwide. However, NPC is an endemic disease in southeast Asia and southern China and the reasons behind the underlying for such changes are unclear. Even though the Epstein–Barr infection (EBV) has been suggested as an important reason for undistinguishable NPC, the EBV itself is not adequate to source this type of cancer. The risk factors, for example, genetic susceptibility, and environmental factors might be associated with EBV to undertake a part in the NPC carcinogenesis. Normal healthy people have a memory B cell pool where the EBV persists, and any disturbance of this connection leads to virus-associated B cell malignancies. Less is known about the relationship between EBV and epithelial cell tumors, especially the EBV-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (EBVaNPC) and EBV-associated gastric carcinoma (EBVaGC). It is believed that premalignant genetic changes in epithelial cells contribute to the aberrant establishment of viral latency in these tumors. The early and late phases of NPC patients’ survival rates vary significantly. 
  • 882
  • 29 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Aging of Podospora anserina
Podospora anserina is a filamentous fungus that, in contrast to most other fungi, is characterized by a defined limited lifespan. Already in the 1950s it was reported that this ascomycete develops a well-defined senescence syndrome. Depending on the strain, this syndrome occurs after a defined short period of growth (e.g., after 2–3 weeks): the pigmentation of the peripheral part of the thallus increases while the growth rate decreases until it comes to a complete stop and the thallus dies at the growth front. The molecular basis of aging of P. anserina have been carefully investigated over more than 60 years of research and a network of pathways and their interactions have been uncovered.
  • 874
  • 22 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Proteolytic Dysregulation and Digestive Inflammation
Dysregulation of the proteolytic balance is often associated with diseases. Serine proteases and matrix metalloproteases are involved in a multitude of biological processes and notably in the inflammatory response. Within the framework of digestive inflammation, several studies have stressed the role of serine proteases and matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) as key actors in its pathogenesis and pointed to the unbalance between these proteases and their respective inhibitors. 
  • 874
  • 23 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Study of Water Safety Plan
The use of Microfiltered Water Dispensers (MWDs) is increasing in offices, companies, or commercial facilities, as a response to plastic pollution. Despite their widespread use, poor data are available about the water quality and pathogens developed. Starting from a high contamination found in MWDs, a Water Safety Plan (WSP) was implemented on 57 MWDs to improve the water quality. To assess the effectiveness of WSP during the period 2017–2021, the environmental monitoring of heterotrophic plate counts (HPCs) at 36 °C and 22 °C, Enterococcus spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Clostridium perfringens, as prescribed by Italian regulation for drinking water, was conducted.
  • 871
  • 08 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Rejuvenating the Usual Antibiotics on Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria
Antibiotic resistance continues to evolve and spread beyond all boundaries, resulting in an increase in morbidity and mortality for non-curable infectious diseases. Due to the failure of conventional antimicrobial therapy and the lack of introduction of a novel class of antibiotics, novel strategies have emerged to combat these multidrug-resistant infectious microorganisms.
  • 871
  • 27 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Caenorhabditis elegans as an In Vivo Model
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) due to the prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens is rapidly increasing worldwide, and the identification of new antimicrobial agents with innovative mechanisms of action is urgently required. Medicinal plants that have been utilised for centuries with minor side effects may hold great promise as sources of effective antimicrobial products. The free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) is an excellent live infection model for the discovery and development of new antimicrobial compounds. However, while C. elegans has widely been utilised to explore the effectiveness and toxicity of synthetic antibiotics, it has not been used to a comparable extent for the analysis of natural products.
  • 871
  • 11 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Safety Properties of Escherichia coli O157:H7 Specific Bacteriophages
Shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is typically detected on food products, mainly due to cross-contamination with faecal matter. The serotype O157:H7 has been of major public health concern due to the severity of illness caused, prevalence, and management. In the food chain, the main methods of controlling contamination by foodborne pathogens often involve the application of antimicrobial agents, which are now becoming less efficient. There is a growing need for the development of new approaches to combat these pathogens, especially those that harbour antimicrobial resistant and virulent determinants. Strategies to also limit their presence on food contact surfaces and food matrices are needed to prevent their transmission. Studies have revealed that bacteriophages are useful non-antibiotic options for biocontrol of E. coli O157:H7 in both animals and humans. Phage biocontrol can significantly reduce E. coli O157:H7, thereby improving food safety. However, before being certified as potential biocontrol agents, the safety of the phage candidates must be resolved to satisfy regulatory standards, particularly regarding phage resistance, antigenic properties, and toxigenic properties.
  • 868
  • 14 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Antimicrobial Peptides from Scorpion Venom
Scorpion venoms have long captivated scientific researchers, primarily due to the potency and specificity of the mechanism of action of their derived components. Among other molecules, these venoms contain highly active compounds, including antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and ion channel-specific components that selectively target biological receptors with remarkable affinity. Some of these receptors have emerged as prime therapeutic targets for addressing various human pathologies, including cancer and infectious diseases, and have served as models for designing novel drugs. Consequently, extensive biochemical and proteomic investigations have focused on characterizing scorpion venoms. 
  • 867
  • 19 Oct 2023
  • Page
  • of
  • 51
Featured Entry Collections
>>

Featured Books

>>
Encyclopedia of COVID-19
Encyclopedia of Engineering
Encyclopedia of Social Sciences
Encyclopedia of Digital Society, Industry 5.0 and Smart City
Academic Video Service
Feedback