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Topic Review
Bacterial Membrane Vesicles
Pathogenic bacteria interact with cells of their host via many factors. The surface components, i.e., adhesins, lipoproteins, LPS and glycoconjugates, are particularly important in the initial stages of colonization. They enable adhesion and multiplication, as well as the formation of biofilms. In contrast, virulence factors such as invasins and toxins act quickly to damage host cells, causing tissue destruction and, consequently, organ dysfunction. These proteins must be exported from the bacterium and delivered to the host cell in order to function effectively. Bacteria have developed a number of one- and two-step secretion systems to transport their proteins to target cells. Several authors have postulated the existence of another transport system (sometimes called “secretion system type zero”), which utilizes extracellular structures, namely membrane vesicles (MVs). 
  • 2.0K
  • 22 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Biobeneficiation of PGMs
Conventional beneficiation of the Platinum Group of Metals (PGMs) relies on the use of inorganic chemicals. With the depreciation of high grade deposits, these conventional processes are becoming less economically viable. Furthermore, the use of chemicals has serious negative impacts on the environment. To address the challenges of conventional PGM beneficiation, biobeneficiation has been proposed. Bio-beneficiation is the concentration of mineral species by employing microorganisms that interact with either the gangue or the valuable mineral species. Bio-beneficiation can also be described as the use of microorganisms to interact with minerals to subsequently induce processes such as magnetic separation, flotation, and flocculation.
  • 2.0K
  • 19 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Dysregulation of Microbiome–Immunity Interaction in Various Diseases
Gut microbes and their metabolites are actively involved in the development and regulation of host immunity, which can influence disease susceptibility. The role of the microbiome as a protective force is supported by research indicating that immature microbiomes of neonates are more susceptible to invasion by pathobionts. During early years of development, exposure to various microbes shapes the immune system for a lifetime. The gut microbiome has a wide range of metabolic activities, including metabolizing lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins, and participates in maintaining host homeostasis. Therefore, disruption of gut microbiome can lead to conditions as severe as cancer.
  • 2.0K
  • 06 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Endolysins
Endolysins are phage-encoded enzymes utilized by mature phage virions to hydrolyze the cell wall from within. There is significant evidence that proves the ability of endolysins to degrade the peptidoglycan externally without the assistance of phage. Thus, their incorporation in therapeutic strategies has opened new options for therapeutic application against bacterial infections in the human and veterinary sectors, as well as within the agricultural and biotechnology sectors. While endolysins show promising results within the laboratory, it is important to document their resistance, safety, and immunogenicity for in-vivo application.
  • 2.0K
  • 24 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Bacterial Membrane Interaction with Host Cells
The bacterial membrane is part of a secretion system which plays an integral role to secrete proteins responsible for cell viability and pathogenicity; pathogenic bacteria, for example, secrete virulence factors and other membrane-associated proteins to invade the host cells through various types of secretion systems (Type I to Type IX). The bacterial membrane can also mediate microbial communities’communication through quorum sensing (QS), by secreting auto-stimulants to coordinate gene expression. The process of bacterial attachment to host cells is the first step in initiating a series of biochemical reactions that include secretion of lethal substances and toxins from the bacterial cytoplasm and penetration of the host cell wall, resulting in infection establishment.
  • 2.0K
  • 24 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Interactions of SARS-CoV-2 & Variants with Cellular Components
Given the global scale of the COVID-19 pandemic and the health emergency it has caused, it is crucial to understand the impact of SARS-CoV-2 and its mutations. Here, we comprehensively review SARS-CoV-2 interactions with host cells, describe SARS-CoV-2 variants, assess impact of their protein mutations and enumerate databases with SARS-CoV-2 host-pathogen interaction data. 
  • 2.0K
  • 24 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Vancomycin Resistance in Enterococcus and Staphylococcus aureus
Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium and Staphylococcus aureus are both common commensals and major opportunistic human pathogens. These bacteria have acquired broad resistance to several major classes of antibiotics, including commonly employed glycopeptides. Exemplified by resistance to vancomycin, glycopeptide resistance is mediated through intrinsic gene mutations, and/or transferrable van resistance gene cassette-carrying mobile genetic elements. 
  • 2.0K
  • 05 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Bluetongue Disease
Bluetongue disease is a noncontagious, insect-borne, viral disease of ruminants, mainly sheep and less frequently cattle, yaks, goats, buffalo, deer, dromedaries, and antelope. It is caused by Bluetongue virus (BTV). The virus is transmitted by the midges Culicoides imicola, Culicoides variipennis, and other culicoids.
  • 2.0K
  • 14 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Emerging Proteolysis-Targeting Strategies in Antimicrobial Drug Discovery
Targeted protein degradation is a new aspect in the field of drug discovery. Traditionally, developing an antibiotic includes tedious and expensive processes, such as drug screening, lead optimization, and formulation. Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) are new-generation drugs that use the proteolytic mechanism to selectively degrade and eliminate proteins involved in human diseases. The application of PROTACs is explored immensely in the field of cancer, and various PROTACs are in clinical trials.
  • 2.0K
  • 08 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Rumen
The rumen is the first digester in the digestive system of ruminants, which is located on the left side of the abdominal cavity. Rumen occupying almost the entire left abdominal cavity. In its front part is the rumen vestibule, which connects with the esophagus through the cardia. Rumen microbes anaerobically ferment complex lignocellulose plant materials which cannot be directly utilized by a host, into monomers which are further degraded into different microbial end-products, including volatile fatty acids, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, methane, and other fermentation products necessary for essential metabolic pathways. The complex rumen microbiome network is dominated by bacteria, archaea, protozoa, and anaerobic fungi.
  • 1.9K
  • 23 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Pathogenesis of Invasive Listeria monocytogenes Infections
Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen that is the causative agent of the human disease, listeriosis. It is primarily a ubiquitous environmental saprophyte found in many environmental niches such as water, soil, and vegetation. Contaminated, often ready-to-eat (RTE) foods are the main transmission vehicles for human L. monocytogenes infections.
  • 1.9K
  • 10 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Phosphate Solubilizing Microorganisms
Phosphorus (P) is a vital element in biological molecules, and one of the main limiting elements for biomass production as plant-available P represents only a small fraction of total soil P. Increasing global food demand and modern agricultural consumption of P fertilizers could lead to excessive inputs of inorganic P in intensively managed croplands, consequently rising P losses and ongoing eutrophication of surface waters. Despite phosphate solubilizing microorganisms (PSMs) are widely accepted as eco-friendly P fertilizers for increasing agricultural productivity, a comprehensive and deeper understanding of the role of PSMs in P geochemical processes for managing P deficiency has received inadequate attention. In this review, we summarize the basic P forms and their geochemical and biological cycles in soil systems, how PSMs mediate soil P biogeochemical cycles, and the metabolic and enzymatic mechanisms behind these processes. We also highlight the important roles of PSMs in the biogeochemical P cycle and provide perspectives on several environmental issues to prioritize in future PSM applications.
  • 1.9K
  • 18 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Plasmopara viticola
Plasmopara viticola, the causal agent of grapevine downy mildew, is a high risk pathogen associated with the development of fungicide resistance.
  • 1.9K
  • 26 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Autothermal Thermophilic Aerobic Digestion
Pembroke JT and MP Ryan.  Autothermal thermophilic aerobic digestion (ATAD) is a microbial fermentation process characterized as a tertiary treatment of waste material carried out in jacketed reactors. Heat is generated which selects a thermoduric microbial population. The process results in a stabilised, pasteurised sludge suitable for land application as a fertiliser. The microbial population biodegrades sludge contents, are unique in terms of diversity and have biotechnological potential as enzymes and proteins associated with the microbial population are thermostable. 
  • 1.9K
  • 24 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Dickeya dadantii
Dickeya dadantii is a gram-negative bacillus that belongs to the family Enterobacteriaceae. It was formerly known as Erwinia chrysanthemi but was reassigned as Dickeya dadantii in 2005. Members of this family are facultative anaerobes, able to ferment sugars to lactic acid, have nitrate reductase, but lack oxidases. Even though many clinical pathogens are part of the Enterobacteriaceae family, most members of this family are plant pathogens. D. dadantii is a motile, nonsporing, straight rod-shaped cell with rounded ends. Cells range in size from 0.8 to 3.2 μm by 0.5 to 0.8 μm and are surrounded by numerous flagella (peritrichous). In the natural plant environment, D. dadantii causes plant maladies such as necrosis, blight and “soft rot,” which is a progressive tissue maceration. D. dadantii contains many pectinases that are able to macerate and break down the plant cell wall material. This exposed part of the plant releases nutrients that can facilitate bacterial growth. Commonly infected plants include potato tubers, bulbs of vegetables, and ornamental crops.
  • 1.9K
  • 11 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Biofilm
A biofilm is a community of microorganisms, especially bacteria, that maintains an organized and structured strategy for growing and proliferating on any surface for their survival. The organization of the cells among the bacteria in the biofilm has primarily been revealed by examining single species. The survival of the bacteria present in the biofilm is feasible because of their orientation in the form of microcolonies, which are encapsulated in the extracellular polymeric substance of the matrix. These are separated by open water channels that serve as the primordial circulatory system for the transportation of nutrients and the disposal of metabolic waste products. All the specific bacteria maintain a microenvironment controlling the pH, nutrient availability, and temperature, which influence the biofilm growth. Biofilm maturation is a multi-stage developmental process with distinct characteristics that should be taken into account when developing antibiotic treatment regimens for biofilms. Biofilms have been extensively accepted as one of the main causes responsible for human diseases.
  • 1.9K
  • 25 May 2022
Topic Review
Multi-Strain Probiotics
Multi-strain probiotics are composed of more than one species or strains of bacteria and sometimes, including some fungal species with benefits to human and animals’ health. The mechanisms by which multi-strain probiotics exert their effects include cell-to-cell communications, interactions with the host tissues, and modulation of the immune systems. 
  • 1.9K
  • 28 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Cytophagales
Cytophagales is an order of non-spore forming, rod-shaped, Gram-negative bacteria that move through a gliding or flexing motion. These chemoorganotrophs are important remineralizers of organic materials into micronutrients. They are widely dispersed in the environment, found in ecosystems including soil, freshwater, seawater and sea ice. Cytophagales is included in the Bacteroidetes phylum.
  • 1.9K
  • 31 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Helicobacter pylori Infection, Pathogenicity, and Therapeutic Advances
A primer on Helicobacter pylori virulence factors, pathogenicity, gastric conditions that are caused by infection, and treatment modalities.
  • 1.9K
  • 22 Jan 2025
Topic Review
Antibacterial Activity of Silver
The problem of antimicrobial resistance is increasingly present and requires the discovery of new antimicrobial agents. Although the healing features of silver have been recognized since ancient times, silver has not been used due to newly discovered antibiotics. Thanks to technology development, a significant step forward has been made in silver nanoparticles research. Nowadays, silver nanoparticles are a frequent target of researchers to find new and better drugs. Namely, there is a need for silver nanoparticles as alternative antibacterial nanobiotics. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), depending on their size and shape, also have different antimicrobial activity. In addition to their apparent antibacterial activity, AgNPs can serve as drug delivery systems and have anti-thrombogenic, anti-platelet, and anti-hypertensive properties. Today they are increasingly used in clinical medicine and dental medicine. This paper presents silver antimicrobial activity and its use in dentistry, cardiology, and dermatology, where it has an extensive range of effects
  • 1.9K
  • 17 Sep 2020
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