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Topic Review
Aqueous Plant Extracts in Management of Bacterial Infections
Plant-derived aqueous extracts compounds could provide novel straightforward approaches to control pathogenic bacteria. This review focus on the antimicrobial activity of aqueous plant extracts against Salmonella serovars, the possible mechanisms of action involved, which components/structures might be responsible for such activity, and the current challenges for the use of these extracts/components in Salmonella infection management and their application perspectives.
  • 669
  • 14 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Major Phytochemical Classes with Potent Antibacterial Activity
Plants have two major groups of metabolites: primary and secondary. Carbohydrates and lipids are products of the primary metabolism of plants, while phenolic compounds, carotenoids, alkaloids, saponins, and terpenoids are considered to be secondary metabolites. Numerous secondary metabolites exhibit multifaceted pharmacological properties, such as anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities, among others.
  • 669
  • 07 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Major Antimicrobial Peptides Expressed in Lung Airways
The vast surface area of the respiratory system acts as an initial site of contact for microbes and foreign particles. The whole respiratory epithelium is covered with a thin layer of the airway and alveolar secretions. Respiratory secretions contain host defense peptides (HDPs), such as defensins and cathelicidins, which are the best-studied antimicrobial components expressed in the respiratory tract. HDPs have an important role in the human body’s initial line of defense against pathogenic microbes. Epithelial and immunological cells produce HDPs in the surface fluids of the lungs, which act as endogenous antibiotics in the respiratory tract. The production and action of these antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are critical in the host’s defense against respiratory infections.
  • 664
  • 17 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Microorganisms in Sarcoid Tissues
Sarcoidosis may have more than a single causative agent, including infectious and non-infectious agents. Among the potential infectious causes of sarcoidosis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Propionibacterium acnes are the most likely microorganisms. 
  • 663
  • 19 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Mast Cells against Fungal Host Defense
Mast cells take part in host defense against various microorganisms as they are numerous at the portal of infection, exert several essential mechanisms of pathogen destruction, and they express pattern recognition receptors. MCs can support immune responses to fungi and their specific constituents through initiated degranulation, synthesis and release of cytokines, chemokines, mediators, and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), as well as immune cells' recruitment, phagocytosis, or formation of extracellular DNA traps. 
  • 663
  • 06 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Drug-resistant Streptococcus Pneumoniae
A pneumococcal infection is an infection caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, which is also called the pneumococcus. S. pneumoniae is a common member of the bacterial flora colonizing the nose and throat of 5–10% of healthy adults and 20–40% of healthy children. However, it is also a cause of significant disease, being a leading cause of pneumonia, bacterial meningitis, and sepsis. The World Health Organization estimates that in 2005 pneumococcal infections were responsible for the death of 1.6 million children worldwide.
  • 663
  • 11 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Essential Oils in Food Safety and Shelf Life
The use of plant extracts (e.g., essential oils and their active compounds) represents an interesting alternative to chemical additives and preservatives applied to delay the alteration and oxidation of foods during their storage. Essential oils (EO) are nowadays considered valuable sources of food preservatives as they provide a healthier alternative to synthetic chemicals while serving the same purpose without affecting food quality parameters. The natural antimicrobial molecules found in medicinal plants represent a possible solution against drug-resistant bacteria, which represent a global health problem, especially for foodborne infections. 
  • 660
  • 30 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Genetic Engineering in Bacillus 
Due to the increase in the global population, there is an urgent call to enhance the crop production through sustainable agriculture. Biological control is a possible solution. There are many examples of biological control agents applied to different crops that have improved their yield or quality, including vegetable and fruit crops and ornamental plants. The Bacillus species have been used as powerful tools since they suppress plant pathogens and promote plant growth as well. B. thuringiensis has been used as biopesticide in several crops. 
  • 658
  • 06 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Tuberculosis and Its Relevant Aspects
Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), whose pathogenic role was demonstrated in 1882 by the research conducted by Koch. TB is transmitted from person to person through the respiratory route, commonly affecting the lungs, but other tissues can also be damaged.
  • 658
  • 07 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Molecular Basis for Toxicity of Yeast Ppz1
Overexpression of Ppz1 causes abundant changes in gene expression and modifies the phosphorylation state of more than 150 proteins, including key signaling protein kinases such as Hog1 or Snf1. Diverse cellular processes are altered: halt in translation, failure to properly adapt to low glucose supply, acidification of the cytosol, or depletion of intracellular potassium content are a few examples. Therefore, the toxicity derived from an excess of Ppz1 appears to be multifactorial, the characteristic cell growth blockage thus arising from the combination of various altered processes. Notably, overexpression of the Ppz1 regulatory subunit Hal3 fully counteracts the toxic effects of the phosphatase, and this process involves intracellular relocation of the phosphatase to internal membranes.
  • 653
  • 19 May 2022
Topic Review
Candida Infections
Candidiasis (oral, vulvovaginal, or systemic bloodstream infections) are important human fungal infections associated with a high global prevalence in otherwise healthy adults but are also opportunistic infections in immunocompromised patients. With the recent discovery of the multidrug resistant—and often difficult to treat—Candida auris, as well as the rising costs associated with hospitalisations and the treatment of infections caused by Candida species, there is an urgent need to develop effective therapeutics against these pathogenic yeasts. Essential oils have been documented for many years as treatments for different ailments and are widely known and utilised in alternative and complementary therapies, including treating microbial infections.
  • 649
  • 08 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Non-Genetic Diversity in Chemosensing/Chemotactic Behavior
Non-genetic phenotypic diversity plays a significant role in the chemotactic behavior of bacteria, influencing how populations sense and respond to chemical stimuli.
  • 648
  • 15 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Wine and Non-Dairy Fermented Beverages
Probiotics and prebiotics are microbiota-management instruments for improving human health once they may be beneficial for maintaining a healthy community of gut microbiota and bowel function. Probiotic’s main target is the gut, via the gastrointestinal tract, although direct application to other body zones such as the vaginal tract, the oral cavity, and skin have been studied.
  • 648
  • 04 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Biotechnological Versatility of Bacillus spp.
The genus Bacillus represents a diverse group of Gram-positive, endospore-forming bacterial species with the well-deserved fame of being potent, versatile, and one of the most promising industrial microorganisms yet discovered. They have an average genome size between 3.4 and 6.0 Mbp. Genetically modified B. subtilis and, to a lesser extent, B. licheniformis, B. amyloliquefaciens, and B. megaterium have been used for the heterologous expression of numerous proteins (enzymes, vaccine components, growth factors), platform chemicals, and other organic compounds of industrial importance.
  • 648
  • 29 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Metallophores Produced by Salmonella enterica
Salmonella enterica (S. enterica) serovars Enteritidis and Typhimurium are the main causes of bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide. This Gram-negative rods bacterium possesses several virulence factors that enable it to survive the host’s nutritional immunity. Toxins and metallophores are among these factors. Heavy metals, in particular, are essential for the survival of all living organisms including bacteria.
  • 646
  • 05 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Metaproteomics Approach in Obesity and Diabetes
Low-grade inflammatory diseases revealed metabolic perturbations that have been linked to various phenotypes, including gut microbiota dysbiosis. Metaproteomics has been used to investigate protein composition profiles at specific steps and in specific healthy/pathologic conditions. Metaproteomics allows researchers to build a more complete overview on protein composition at a specific time (fingerprint) and in specific health conditions, especially when used in combination with meta-omics approaches.  Metaproteomics approach and pathway modulation in obesity and diabetes are described.
  • 645
  • 03 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Natural Methods for Foodborne Biofilms
Biofilms are large aggregates of various species of bacteria or other microorganisms tightly attached to surfaces through an intricate extracellular matrix. These complex microbial communities present quite the challenge in the food processing industry, as conditions such as raw meats and diverse food product content in contact with workers, drains, machinery, and ventilation systems, make for prime circumstances for contamination. Adding to the challenge is the highly resistant nature of these biofilm growths and the need to keep in mind that any antimicrobials utilized in these situations risk health implications with human consumption of the products that are being processed in these locations. For that reason, the ideal means of sanitizing areas of foodborne biofilms would be natural means. 
  • 645
  • 09 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Human Microbiota in Immunotherapy
Microbiota is considered an independent organ with the capability to modulate tumor growth and response to therapies. In the chemo-free era, the use of new immunotherapies, more selective and effective and less toxic, led to the extension of overall survival of patients, subject to their ability to not stop treatment. This has focused scientists’ attention to optimize responses by understanding and changing microbiota composition. While we have obtained abundant data from studies in oncologic and hematologic patients receiving conventional chemotherapy, we have less data about alterations in intestinal flora in those undergoing immunotherapy, especially based on Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cells. Actually, we know that the efficacy of Programmed Cell Death 1 (PD-1), PD-1 ligand, and Cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) is improved by probiotics rich in Bifidobacterium spp., while compounds of Bacteroidales and Burkholderiales protect from the development of the anti-CTLA-4-induced colitis in mouse models.
  • 644
  • 06 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Medical Applications of Phages
Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses with a size of 20 to 200 nm that infect bacteria with very high specificity. Due to their bactericidal activity and their inability to infect eukaryotic cells, phages could be used in the fight against infectious diseases. 
  • 643
  • 19 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Tools for Molecular Epidemiology of Streptococcus suis
Streptococcus suis is a pathogen of pigs that can cause infections in humans who are in close contact with infected animals and/or contaminated pork-derived products, as well as those who have consumed raw pork products. Several molecular methods have been applied to investigate S. suis strain diversity and identify phylogenetic groups. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST), commonly used to differentiate between S. suis strains, has been instrumental in identifying that the species is genetically highly diverse. Recent advances in whole-genome analysis have resulted in schemes permitting the classification of S. suis populations as pathogenic or non-pathogenic, or disease-associated or non-disease associated. 
  • 641
  • 10 Feb 2022
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