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Topic Review
Sources of Antifungal Drugs
Due to their eukaryotic heritage, the differences between a fungal pathogen’s molecular makeup and its human host are small. Therefore, the discovery and subsequent development of novel antifungal drugs are extremely challenging. Nevertheless, since the 1940s, researchers have successfully uncovered potent candidates from natural or synthetic sources. Analogs and novel formulations of these drugs enhanced the pharmacological parameters and improved overall drug efficiency. These compounds ultimately became the founding members of novel drug classes and were successfully applied in clinical settings, offering valuable and efficient treatment of mycosis for decades.
  • 725
  • 16 May 2023
Topic Review
Diversity of Soil Microbes in Rhizosphere
Plant roots aid the growth and functions of several kinds of microorganisms such as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, mycorrhizal fungi, endophytic bacteria, actinomycetes, nematodes, protozoans which may impart significant impacts on plant health and growth. Plant soil–microbe interaction is an intricate, continuous, and dynamic process that occurs in a distinct zone known as the rhizosphere.
  • 722
  • 23 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Biological Demalication and Deacetification of Musts and Wines
Grape must sometimes reveal excess acidity. An excessive amount of organic acids negatively affects wine yeasts and yeast fermentation, and the obtained wines are characterized by an inappropriate balance between sweetness, acidity or sourness, and flavor/aroma components. An appropriate acidity, pleasant to the palate, is more difficult to achieve in wines with high acidity due to an excess of malic acid because the Saccharomyces species generally cannot effectively degrade malic acid during alcoholic fermentation. One approach to solving this problem is biological deacidification by lactic acid bacteria or non-Saccharomyces yeasts, like Schizosaccharomyces pombe, that can degrade L-malic acid. Excessive volatile acidity in wine is also a problem in the wine industry. Free or immobilized Saccharomyces cells have been studied to solve these problems since these yeasts are wine yeasts that show a good balance between taste/flavor and aromatic compounds during alcoholic fermentation.
  • 721
  • 13 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Drought-Adapted Mediterranean Diet Plants
The Mediterranean diet features plant-based foods renowned for their health benefits derived from bioactive compounds.
  • 720
  • 20 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Mycotoxin Patterns in Fish Feedstuffs
he first part of this study evaluates the occurrence of mycotoxin patterns in feedstuffs and fish feeds. Results were extrapolated from a large data pool derived from wheat (n = 857), corn (n = 725), soybean meal (n = 139) and fish feed (n = 44) samples in European countries and based on sample analyses by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in the period between 2012–2019. Deoxynivalenol (DON) was readily present in corn (in 47% of the samples) > wheat (41%) > soybean meal (11%), and in aquafeeds (48%). Co-occurrence of mycotoxins was frequently observed in feedstuffs and aquafeed samples.
  • 719
  • 15 Jun 2021
Topic Review
The Microbiome and Tuberculosis Disease
The study of the microbiome has changed overall perspective on health and disease. Although studies of the lung microbiome have lagged behind those on the gastrointestinal microbiome, there is now evidence that the lung microbiome is a rich, dynamic ecosystem. Tuberculosis is one of the oldest human diseases, it is primarily a respiratory infectious disease caused by strains from the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex. Even today, during the COVID-19 pandemic, it remains one of the principal causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Tuberculosis disease manifests itself as a dynamic spectrum that ranges from asymptomatic latent infection to life-threatening active disease. 
  • 719
  • 31 May 2022
Topic Review
SidE Family Proteins in Pathogenesis of Legionella pneumophila
Legionella pneumophila is the causative agent of Legionnaires’ disease, causing fever and lung infection, with a death rate up to 15% in severe cases. In the process of infection, Legionella pneumophila secretes over 330 effectors into host cell via the Dot/Icm type IV secretion system to modulate multiple host cellular physiological processes, thereby changing the environment of the host cell and promoting the growth and propagation of the bacterium. Among these effector proteins, SidE family proteins from Legionella pneumophila catalyze a non-canonical ubiquitination reaction, which combines mono-ADP-ribosylation and phosphodiesterase activities together to attach ubiquitin onto substrates. Meanwhile, the activity of SidE family proteins is also under multiple modulations by other effectors.
  • 719
  • 26 May 2023
Topic Review
Monomorphic Epitheliotropic Intestinal T Cell Lymphoma
Monomorphic epitheliotropic intestinal T cell lymphoma (MEITL) (formerly termed enteropathy-associated T cell lymphoma, type II) is an extremely rare peripheral T-cell lymphoma that involves the malignant proliferation of a type of lymphocyte, the T cell, in the gastrointestinal tract (i.e. GI tract). Over time, these T cells commonly spread throughout the mucosal lining of a portion of the GI tract (particularly the jejunum and ileum of the small intestine), lead to GI tract nodules and ulcerations, and cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, weight loss, diarrhea, obstruction, bleeding, and/or perforation. In 2008, the World Health Organization defined a specific type of lymphoma, enteropathy-associated T cell lymphoma (EATL), as having two different types: EATL type I, a lymphoma occurring in patients with the chronic, autoimmune GI tract disorder, celiac disease, and EATL type II, a similar bowel lymphoma that was not associated with celiac disease. However, subsequent studies found significant clinical, pathologic, and pathophysiological differences between these two types of lymphoma. Consequently, the World Health Organization (2016) redefined these lymphomas as separate entities, terming the celiac disease-associated lymphoma as enteropathy-associted T cell lymphoma (EATL) and the lymphoma not associated with celiac disease as monomorphic epitheliotropic intestinal T cell lymphoma (MEITL). MEITL is only 1/5 to 1/10 as common as EATL. The Organization (2016) also termed a third type of intestinal T cell lymphoma that could not be classified as ATL or MEITL as intestinal T cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified. MEITL is a highly aggressive GI tract lymphoma which typically has had very short survival times following its diagnosis. The disease often occurs in elderly patients who are afflicted with other ailments and consequently have little tolerance for the standard chemotherapy regimens that are used to treat other types of lymphomas. Moreover, these therapeutic regimens have shown little effectiveness in treating MEITL. To date, the best but still only marginally effective therapeutic interventions for the disease have been treatments that incorporate hematopoietic stem cell transplantation into chemotherapy plus surgical (when needed to treat local bowel issues such as obstruction or perforation) regimens.
  • 717
  • 17 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Fusarium Photobiology
The genus Fusarium comprises a large and heterogeneous group of ascomycetes widely distributed in nature. Many of them have received attention as phytopathogens, with great impacts on crops and as mycotoxin producers, but others are non-pathogenic, endophytic, saprophytic, or parasitic species of other organisms. The global distribution of the genus is attributed both to its metabolic diversity, which broadens its accessibility to very diverse potential substrates, and to its efficient dispersal mechanism, which is based on the production of different types of conidia. The complex taxonomy of Fusarium species has been clarified by DNA-based phylogenetic analyses, which revealed a monophyletic lineage consisting of 20 species complexes including almost 300 phylogenetically distinct species. Different species of the Fusarium genus are widely used in research, e.g., Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium oxysporum, and Fusarium fujikuroi, which are normally associated with pathogenesis or secondary metabolism. Some features of the biology of these species, especially those related to development and metabolite production, are influenced by light. 
  • 717
  • 27 Mar 2023
Topic Review
The VBNC State in Beneficial Bacteria
Bacteria in the viable but non-culturable (VBNC) state exhibit a remarkable phenomenon: they are unable to grow and form colonies on conventional culture media, yet they remain alive and able to restart their metabolic activity. Cells in this status typically display reduced levels of metabolic activity and undergo significant metabolic alterations, such as reductions in nutrient transport and respiration rates and macromolecular synthesis, and form resistance structures similar to spores. However, a feature that distinguishes the VNBC state is the continuous gene expression within these cells.
  • 716
  • 08 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Endophytic Streptomyces
Endophytic microorganisms especially endophytic actinobacteria are considered and recognized as a potential source for the discovery of bioactive compounds. 
  • 715
  • 28 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Accessory Gene Regulator Control in Staphylococcus aureus
Staphylococcus aureus is a leading global pathogen that causes a considerable and hard-to-estimate number of moderately severe skin infections, but also more severe and sometimes fatal infections of the blood, bones, and lungs. The accessory gene regulator (Agr) system is undoubtedly the best-studied staphylococcal regulatory system, both in terms of its quorum-sensing mechanism and regarding its regulon and mechanisms of target gene control. It consists of an operon of four genes, agrB, agrD, agrC, and agrA, which form the quorum-sensing circuit.
  • 714
  • 01 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Extracytoplasmic Function σ Factors
The ability of bacterial core RNA polymerase (RNAP) to interact with different σ factors, thereby forming a variety of holoenzymes with different specificities, represents a powerful tool to coordinately reprogram gene expression. Extracytoplasmic function σ factors (ECFs), which are the largest and most diverse family of alternative σ factors, frequently participate in stress responses. The classification of ECFs in 157 different groups according to their phylogenetic relationships and genomic context has revealed their diversity.
  • 711
  • 17 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Host Small GTPases in Apicomplexan Parasite Infection
The Apicomplexa are obligate intracellular parasites responsible for several important human diseases. These protozoan organisms have evolved several strategies to modify the host cell environment to create a favorable niche for their survival. The host cytoskeleton is widely manipulated during all phases of apicomplexan intracellular infection. Moreover, the localization and organization of host organelles are altered in order to scavenge nutrients from the host. Small GTPases are a class of proteins widely involved in intracellular pathways governing different processes, from cytoskeletal and organelle organization to gene transcription and intracellular trafficking. These proteins are already known to be involved in infection by several intracellular pathogens, including viruses, bacteria and protozoan parasites.
  • 710
  • 15 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Rhizoctonia solani
Mycoviruses, or fungal viruses, are prevalent in all significant fungal kingdoms and genera. These low-virulence viruses can be used as biocontrol agents to manage fungal diseases. These viruses are divided into 19 officially recognized families and 1 unclassified genus. Mycoviruses alter sexual reproduction, pigmentation, and development. Spores and fungal hypha spread mycoviruses. Isometric particles mostly encapsulate dsRNA mycoviruses. The widespread plant-pathogenic fungus Rhizoctonia solani, which has caused a rice sheath blight, has hosted many viruses with different morphologies. It causes significant crop diseases that adversely affect agriculture and the economy. Rice sheath blight threatens the 40% of the global population that relies on rice for food and nutrition. Mycoviruses control rice sheath blight. Hypovirulence associated mycoviruses are needed to control R. solani since no cultivars are resistant. Mycoviruses are usually cryptic, but they can benefit the host fungus. Phytopathologists may use hypovirulent viruses as biological control agents. New tools are being developed based on host genome studies to overcome the intellectual challenge of comprehending the interactions between viruses and fungi and the practical challenge of influencing these interactions to develop biocontrol agents against significant plant pathogens.
  • 708
  • 23 Oct 2023
Topic Review
TFEB-Induced Autophagy's Regulation during Mtb Infection and Starvation
Through the promotion of phagolysosome formation, autophagy has emerged as a crucial mechanism to eradicate intracellular Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). A cell-autonomous host defense mechanism called lysosome biogenesis and autophagy transports cytoplasmic cargos and bacterial phagosomes to lysosomes for destruction during infection. Similar occurrences occurred in stressful or starvation circumstances and led to autophagy, which is harmful to the cell. It is interesting to note that under both hunger and infection states, the transcription factor EB (TFEB) acts as a master regulator of lysosomal activities and autophagy. 
  • 708
  • 18 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Essential Factors for a Healthy Microbiome
Discoveries of the purpose and potential of microbial interactions with humans have broad implications for understanding of metabolism, immunity, the host–microbe genetic interactions. Bioavailability and bioaccessibility of phytonutrients in foods not only enrich microbial diversity in the lower human gastrointestinal tract (GIT) but also direct the functioning of the metagenome of the microbiota. Thus, healthy choices must include foods that contain nutrients that satisfy both the needs of humans and their microbes. Physical activity interventions at a moderate level of intensity have shown positive effects on metabolism and the microbiome, while intense training (>70% VO2max) reduces diversity in the short term. The microbiome of elite endurance athletes is a robust producer of short-chain fatty acids. A lifestyle lacking activity is associated with the development of chronic disease, and experimental conditions simulating weightlessness in humans demonstrate loss of muscle mass occurring in conjunction with a decline in gut short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production and the microbes that produce them.
  • 706
  • 19 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Thermo-L-Asparaginases
L-asparaginase (L-ASNase) is a vital enzyme with a broad range of applications in medicine, food industry, and diagnostics. Among various organisms expressing L-ASNases, thermophiles and hyperthermophiles produce enzymes with superior performances—stable and heat resistant thermo-ASNases.
  • 704
  • 20 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Immunomodulation, Bioavailability and Safety of Bacteriocins
Bacteriocins can help in the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases. Moreover, bacteriocins can be obtained in prokaryotic organisms, and contribute s to their widespread use. While the use of bacteriocins is currently limited to the food industry (for example, nisin is used as a preservative, E234), a large number of studies on their microbicidal properties suggest that their use in medicine may increase in the foreseeable future. However, for the successful use of bacteriocins in medicine, it is necessary to understand their effect on the immune system, especially in cases where immunity is weakened due to infectious processes, oncological, allergic, or autoimmune diseases. Studies on the immuno-modulatory activity of bacteriocins in animal models and human cells have revealed their ability to induce both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory factors involved in the implementation of innate immunity. The influence of bacteriocins on acquired immunity is revealed by an increase in the number of T-lymphocytes with a simultaneous decrease in B-lymphocyte levels, which makes them attractive substances for reducing inflammation. The widespread use of bacteriocins in the food industry, their low toxicity, and their broad and narrow specificity are reasons for researchers to pay attention to their immunomodulatory properties and explore their medical applications. Inflammation regulation by bacteriocins can be used in the treatment of various pathologies.
  • 704
  • 24 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Antifungal and Anticancer Activity of Amphidinium spp.
Dinoflagellates make up the second largest marine group of marine unicellular eukaryotes in the world ocean and comprise both heterotrophic and autotrophic species, encompassing a wide genetic and chemical diversity. They produce a plethora of secondary metabolites that can be toxic to other species and are mainly used against predators and competing species. Dinoflagellates are indeed often responsible for harmful algal bloom, where their toxic secondary metabolites can accumulate along the food chain, leading to significant damages to the ecosystem and human health. Secondary metabolites from dinoflagellates have been widely investigated for potential biomedical applications and have revealed multiple antimicrobial, antifungal, and anticancer properties. Species from the genus Amphidinium seem to be particularly interesting for the production of medically relevant compounds.
  • 704
  • 29 Dec 2023
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