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Topic Review
Mycobacteriophages as Diagnostics
Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the most impactful diseases of the modern era. Current diagnostics are struggling to meet the multifaceted challenges TB presents. Mycobacteriophages (specific phages active against mycobacterial species) are now being utilised to create promising new diagnostic technologies. Here we explore and review contemporary phage diagnostics targeting mycobacteria, while commenting on key areas warranting further investigation and development. 
  • 775
  • 29 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Environmental Biofilms in Livestock Buildings
Biofilms are three-dimensional biological structures composed of microbial communities embedded in cohesive self-produced extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). EPS can drastically vary between biofilms but is generally composed of water and a complex mixture of polysaccharides, extracellular DNA (eDNA), proteins, and amyloid fibers. The presence of EPS, along with spatial organization and specific signaling systems, triggers a diversification of cell types and emerging community functions, including a fantastic adaptation to environmental fluctuations and the action of antimicrobials, in comparison to their free planktonic homologs.
  • 774
  • 18 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Non-Saccharomyces Yeasts in Drinking Wine
Non-Saccharomyces yeasts can also contribute to the sensory characteristics of wines. For example, some non-Saccharomyces yeasts can produce volatile compounds that contribute to fruity, floral or spicy aromas in wine. Others can produce enzymes that release aroma precursors, which can lead to the development of complex and desirable aromas during aging. Non-Saccharomyces yeasts can also contribute to the mouthfeel of wine by producing polysaccharides and glycerol, which can increase the viscosity and perceived body of the wine. In addition to wine production, non-Saccharomyces yeasts are used in the production of other fermented foods and beverages, such as beer, cider, mead, and kefir. In beer production, non-Saccharomyces yeasts can contribute to the flavor, aroma, and mouthfeel of the final product.
  • 774
  • 15 May 2023
Topic Review
Functional Roles of the Lepidopteran Gut Microbiota
Lepidopteran insects are one of the most widespread and speciose lineages on Earth, with many common pests and beneficial insect species. The evolutionary success of their diversification depends on the essential functions of gut microorganisms. 
  • 773
  • 14 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Coronavirus(SARS-CoV-2) Pandemic for Dental Practitioners
In the context of the SARS-CoV-2 (Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) pandemic, the medical system has been subjected to many changes. Face-to-face treatments have been suspended for a period of time. After the lockdown, dentists have to be aware of the modalities to protect themselves and their patients in order not to get infected. Dental practitioners are potentially exposed to a high degree of contamination with SARS-CoV-2 while performing dental procedures that produce aerosols. It should also be noted that the airways, namely the oral cavity and nostrils, are the access pathways for SARS-CoV-2. In order to protect themselves and their patients, they have to use full personal protective equipment. Relevant data regarding this pandemic are under evaluation and are still under test.
  • 771
  • 19 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Food-Related Bacteria and IR Microspectroscopy
Because the robust and rapid determination of spoilage microorganisms is becoming increasingly important in industry, the use of IR microspectroscopy, and the establishment of robust and versatile chemometric models for data processing and classification, is gaining importance. To further improve the chemometric models, bacterial stress responses were induced, to study the effect on the IR spectra and to improve the chemometric model. Thus, in this work, nine important food-relevant microorganisms were subjected to eight stress conditions, besides the regular culturing as a reference. Spectral changes compared to normal growth conditions without stressors were found in the spectral regions of 900–1500 cm−1 and 1500–1700 cm−1. These differences might stem from changes in the protein secondary structure, exopolymer production, and concentration of nucleic acids, lipids, and polysaccharides. As a result, a model for the discrimination of the studied microorganisms at the genus, species and strain level was established, with an accuracy of 96.6%. This was achieved despite the inclusion of various stress conditions and times after incubation of the bacteria. In addition, a model was developed for each individual microorganism, to separate each stress condition or regular treatment with 100% accuracy.
  • 771
  • 24 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Ocular and Oral Microbiome
The immune-privileged healthy eye has a small unique population of microbiota. Typically, ocular microflorae are commensals of low diversity that colonize the external and internal sites of the eye, without instigating any disorders. Any alteration in the symbiotic relationship culminates in the perturbation of ocular homeostasis and shifts the equilibrium toward local or systemic inflammation and, in turn, impaired visual function. A compositional variation in the ocular microbiota is associated with surface disorders such as keratitis, blepharitis, and conjunctivitis, however, studies now implicate non-ocular microbial dysbiosis in glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), uveitis, and diabetic retinopathy. A methodical understanding of the mechanisms of invasion and host-microbial interaction is of paramount importance for preventative and therapeutic interventions for vision-threatening conditions.
  • 771
  • 21 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Prevalence of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus in Poultry in Malaysia
Enterococcus has emerged as a significant nosocomial and community-acquired pathogen as a result of its ability to develop resistance to antimicrobials, particularly vancomycin. Vancomycin is the final treatment option, particularly for Enterococcus. There is abundant proof that drug-resistant bacteria exist in poultry and can be transmitted to humans. Regular monitoring of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) in poultry would aid policymakers in developing effective control measures and design antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance capacity building in Malaysia. Further, livestock farmers should be educated on antibiotics resistance and trained on responsible utilization of antibiotics.
  • 770
  • 16 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Probiotics in Pediatric Critical Illness
In 2002, for the first time, the World Health Organization (WHO) described probiotics as live micro-organisms that, when administered in the necessary quantities, help to maintain the homeostasis of the intestinal flora. In fact, the microbiome is a collection of microorganisms that live in symbiosis with the human body and play a crucial role in regulating the response of the intestinal immune system through production of anti-inflammatory cytokines and inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
  • 768
  • 06 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Host–Microbiota Interactions in Liver
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a difficult to treat liver cancer that generally arises in individuals suffering from alcoholic or non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases. Inflammation, tissue injury and fibrosis are important precursors of HCC. Translocation of microbial- and danger-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs and DAMPs) from the gut to the liver elicits profound chronic inflammation, leading to severe hepatic injury and eventually HCC progression. 
  • 768
  • 24 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Bovine Herpesvirus 1
Bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) is a virus of the family Herpesviridae and the subfamily Alphaherpesvirinae, known to cause several diseases worldwide in cattle, including rhinotracheitis, vaginitis, balanoposthitis, abortion, conjunctivitis, and enteritis. BoHV-1 is also a contributing factor in shipping fever, also known as bovine respiratory disease (BRD). It is spread horizontally through sexual contact, artificial insemination, and aerosol transmission and it may also be transmitted vertically across the placenta. BoHV-1 can cause both clinical and subclinical infections, depending on the virulence of the strain. Although these symptoms are mainly non-life-threatening it is an economically important disease as infection may cause a drop in production and affect trade restrictions. Like other herpesviruses, BoHV-1 causes a lifelong latent infection and sporadic shedding of the virus. The sciatic nerve and trigeminal nerve are the sites of latency. A reactivated latent carrier is normally the source of infection in a herd. The clinical signs displayed are dependent on the virulence of the strain. There is a vaccine available which reduces the severity and incidence of disease. Some countries in Europe have successfully eradicated the disease by applying a strict culling policy. Infection can occur in cattle of any age, but it is most commonly seen between the ages of 6 and 18 months.
  • 767
  • 20 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Small RNAs in Mycobacteria
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), with 10.4 million new cases per year reported in the human population. Recent studies on the Mtb transcriptome have revealed the abundance of noncoding RNAs expressed at various phases of mycobacteria growth, in culture, in infected mammalian cells, and in patients. Among these noncoding RNAs are both small RNAs (sRNAs) between 50 and 350 nts in length and smaller RNAs (sncRNA) < 50 nts.
  • 766
  • 30 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Biospeckle Analysis and Biofilm Electrostatic Tests
The development of more sensitive methodologies, capable of quickly detecting and monitoring a microbial population present in a specific biological matrix, as well as performing to allow for the study of all its metabolic changes (e.g., during the formation of biofilm) to occur, is an essential requirement for both well-being and the food industry. Two techniques, in particular, have gained the attention of scientists: The first is “biospeckle”, an optical technique representing an innovative tool for applications in food quality, food safety, and nutraceuticals.  A second technique with great chances is the “biofilm electrostatic test” (BET). BET undoubtedly represents a fast, simple, and highly reproducible tool suitable for admitting the evaluation of the in vitro bacterial capacity in order to adhere through an electrostatic interaction with a pyro-electrified carrier after only 2 h of incubation.
  • 765
  • 03 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Legume–Rhizobial Symbiotic Interactions Beyond Nitrogen Fixation
Plants often experience unfavorable conditions during their life cycle that impact their growth and sometimes their survival. A temporary phase of such stress, which can result from heavy metals, drought, salinity, or extremes of temperature or pH, can cause mild to enormous damage to the plant depending on its duration and intensity. Besides environmental stress, plants are the target of many microbial pathogens, causing diseases of varying severity. In plants that harbor mutualistic bacteria, stress can affect the symbiotic interaction and its outcome.
  • 765
  • 16 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Mycobiota in the Carposphere
Sour cherries (Prunus cerasus L.) and sweet cherries (P. avium L.) are economically important fruits with high potential in the food industry and medicine. In this study, we analyzed fungal communities associated with the carposphere of sour and sweet cherries that were freshly harvested from private plantations and purchased in a food store. Following DNA isolation, a DNA fragment of the ITS2 rRNA gene region of each sample was individually amplified and subjected to high-throughput NGS sequencing. Analysis of 168,933 high-quality reads showed the presence of 690 fungal taxa. Investigation of microbial ASVs diversity revealed plant-dependent and postharvest handling-affected fungal assemblages. Among the microorganisms inhabiting tested berries, potentially beneficial or pathogenic fungi were documented. Numerous cultivable yeasts were isolated from the surface of tested berries and characterized by their antagonistic activity. Some of the isolates, identified as Aureobasidium pullulans, Metschnikowia fructicola, and M. pulcherrima, displayed pronounced activity against potential fungal pathogens and showed attractiveness for disease control.
  • 764
  • 08 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Embelin and Herpes Simplex Virus-1
Embelin (2,5-dihydroxy-3-undecyl-1,4-benzoquinone) is an orange solid derived from berries of the Embelia ribes plant found throughout India and is not water soluble; however, it can dissolve in organic solvents. Embelin has shown excellent antioxidant activity when scavenging the superoxide radical.
  • 763
  • 07 May 2021
Topic Review
Sage and Lavender Essential Oils
Modern society is becoming more and more reluctant to use antibiotic or chemical compounds in food production and is demanding foods without what they perceive as artificial and harmful chemicals, including many used as antimicrobials and preservatives in food. Another big problem is the improper use of antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum ones, which has significantly contributed to increased antibiotic resistance in many microorganisms. As a consequence, the whole scientific world has recently concentrated numerous studies on the research of natural remedies capable of counteracting multidrug-resistant strains and fighting infections: the use of aromatic plants and their essential oils (EOs) as potential alternatives to conventional antimicrobials to extend shelf life and combat foodborne pathogens has heightened.
  • 762
  • 31 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Application of Antifungal Nanomaterials
Fungi are a varied group of eukaryotic creatures that colonize a variety of ecological niches, each of which requires a specific set of morphological characteristics]. It has been projected that there are between 3 and 5 million different types of fungi in the environment and. of those, around 300 different species have the potential to cause diseases in humans. Because they most frequently infect people whose immune systems are compromised, the majority of the members of this fungus group are classified as opportunistic pathogens. Meanwhile, only a select few species provide a significant risk to people who are otherwise healthy. The human fungal pathogens are responsible for a wide variety of infectious diseases, including those that affect the mucosa, the skin, and the invasive tissue. Because of their rapid development, resistance to high temperatures (37 degrees Celsius), ability to exploit the host’s nutrition to their advantage, ability to penetrate tissues, and ability to avoid the host immune system, pathogenic fungi are successful in infecting humans and causing illness. The Cryptococcus, Mucor, Aspergillus, and Candida genus are some of the fungal species that are responsible for the majority of the fatal illnesses that are caused by fungi.
  • 756
  • 26 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Rhodococcus Fascians
Rhodococcus fascians (known as Corynebacterium fascians until 1984) is a Gram positive bacterial phytopathogen that causes leafy gall disease. R. fascians is the only phytopathogenic member of the genus Rhodococcus; its host range includes both dicotyledonous and monocotyledonous hosts. Because it commonly afflicts tobacco (Nicotiana) plants, it is an agriculturally significant pathogen.
  • 755
  • 02 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Bacteria Single-Cell and Photosensitizer Interaction
Quantifying changes in bacteria cells in the presence of antibacterial treatment is one of the main challenges facing contemporary medicine; it is a challenge that is relevant for tackling issues pertaining to bacterial biofilm formation that substantially decreases susceptibility to biocidal agents. Three-dimensional label-free imaging and quantitative analysis of bacteria–photosensitizer interactions, crucial for antimicrobial photodynamic therapy, is still limited due to the use of conventional imaging techniques. We present a new method for investigating the alterations in living cells and quantitatively analyzing the process of bacteria photodynamic inactivation. Digital holographic tomography (DHT) was used for in situ examination of the response of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus to the accumulation of the photosensitizers immobilized in the copolymer revealed by the changes in the 3D refractive index distributions of single cells. Obtained results were confirmed by confocal microscopy and statistical analysis.
  • 754
  • 07 Jun 2021
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