Topic Review
miRNA Therapeutics
The discovery of the link between microRNAs (miRNAs) and a myriad of human diseases, particularly various cancer types, has generated significant interest in exploring their potential as a novel class of drugs. This has led to substantial investments in interdisciplinary research fields such as biology, chemistry, and medical science for the development of miRNA-based therapies. Furthermore, the recent global success of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines against the COVID-19 pandemic has further revitalized interest in RNA-based immunotherapies, including miRNA-based approaches to cancer treatment. Consequently, RNA therapeutics have emerged as highly adaptable and modular options for cancer therapy.
  • 218
  • 30 Jan 2024
Topic Review Peer Reviewed
Understanding Rumen Microbiology: An Overview
The rumen is the largest of the four chambers of the “stomach” in ruminant animals, which harbors an incredibly dense, diverse, and dynamic microbial community crucial for feedstuff degradation, animal health, and production. The primary objective of this article is to enhance knowledge and comprehension of rumen microbiology by providing an introductory-level overview of the field of rumen microbiology. Ruminants possess a distinctive digestive system optimized for the microbial breakdown of complex plant materials. The ruminant ”stomach” consists of four chambers (e.g., reticulum, rumen, omasum, and abomasum), which is home to a microbial population that degrades feedstuffs consumed by ruminant animals. Dr. Robert Hungate and Dr. Marvin Bryant’s groundbreaking research in the 1960s laid the foundation for understanding the function of the ruminal microbial ecosystem. Recent advancements (e.g., next-generation sequencing) have provided the field with deeper insight into populations, boosting our understanding of how the microbial population of the rumen functions in a variety of conditions. The ruminal microbial ecosystem is comprised of bacteria, along with archaea, protozoa, bacteriophage, and fungi, each contributing to the symbiotic relationship between the microbial ecosystem and the host animal that is essential for optimal animal health and efficient animal production. Traditional anaerobic growth techniques have facilitated the study of individual anaerobic bacteria but have been limited by dependence on growth in laboratory conditions. The development of 16S rRNA sequencing allows the identification of microbial populations that cannot be grown and allows an unbiased view of microbial diversity. Diet shapes the rumen microbial population composition, influencing animal production metrics such as feed efficiency, methane emissions, and immunological functions. Feed additives (e.g., essential oils, eubiotics) hold promise by manipulating and unraveling the microbial biochemical potential for improving animal health, feed efficiency, environmental impacts, and overall production sustainability. Future research impacts include the development of probiotics, prebiotics, and genetic strategies for optimizing the rumen microbiome’s multifaceted impacts.
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Topic Review
Noxious Alien Plant Species Bidens pilosa
Bidens pilosa L., belonging to the Asteraceae family, is an annual (or biennial) herbaceous plant. The species grows 20–180 cm tall, and the stems are quadrangular with hairy straggling branches. It has alternate leaves with 3–5 pinnate leaflets, which are supported by a petiole (10–70 mm long). The leaflets are broadly ovate, serrate, and 30–70 mm long and 12–18 mm wide. Capitula occur at the end of the main stems and lateral branches and expand 5–12 mm in diameter. Capitula consist of 0–8 ray florets and 35–55 disk florets. The corollas of the ray florets are 7–15 mm long and white–yellow. The ray florets have poorly developed pistils and lack stamens. The disk florets have 3–5 mm long yellow corollas, five stamens, and well-developed 2–3 mm long pistils. Its fruits are black liner cypselae with 2–5 stiff awns of 2–4 mm long. The species often forms thick monospecific stands. 
  • 176
  • 30 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Extracellular Vesicles in the Central Nervous System
Communication in the central nervous system (CNS) is fundamental for different biological functions including brain development, homeostasis preservation, and neural circuit formation. Indeed, the crosstalk between glia and neurons is critical in the CNS for a variety of biological functions, such as brain development, neural circuit maturation, and homeostasis maintenance. Glia cells are involved in different processes including inflammatory responses to infections or diseases, neurotrophic support, and synaptic remodelling and pruning. In addition to the traditional direct cell-to-cell contact, glial cell can also communicate with neurons through the paracrine action of secreted molecules, or by the release and reception of extracellular vesicles (EVs). EVs, which are subdivided into three subtypes: microvesicles, exosomes, and apoptotic bodies, are a major constituent of the cell secretome. EVs have the ability to circulate in the extracellular body fluid and modulate several biological processes and their associated pathways. EVs cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB) bidirectionally from the bloodstream to the brain parenchyma and vice versa. They play an important role in brain–periphery communication in physiology and pathophysiology. According to the current literature, although EVs cross the BBB, it is unclear how, where, and when they can overcome this tightly controlled cellular barrier.
  • 126
  • 30 Jan 2024
Topic Review
CD123 in Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm
Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare and aggressive hematologic cancer originating from the malignant transformation of plasmacytoid dendritic cell precursors. The exploration of combinations such as CD123-targeted immunotherapies with azacitidine and venetoclax is suggested to enhance antineoplastic responses and improve survival rates in BPDCN patients.
  • 118
  • 30 Jan 2024
Topic Review
β-glucosidases
β-glucosidases (EC. 3.2.1.21) are enzymes that hydrolyze glucosidic bonds of oligosaccharides, in special disaccharides, such as cellobiose, realizing glucose at the end of the process. They are highly used in second-generation biofuel production. 
  • 849
  • 29 Jan 2024
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.
  • 131
  • 29 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Oleogels as a Promising Alternative in Meat Products
The surge in chronic diseases is closely linked to heightened levels of saturated and trans fatty acids in processed foods, particularly meat products. Addressing this concern, various strategies have been employed to alleviate the impact of these detrimental fats. Among these, oleogels have emerged as a novel and promising approach in the food industry.
  • 229
  • 29 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Nematicidal Activity of Essential Oils and Root-Knot Nematodes
The Meloidogyne genus is widely recognized for its significant economic and scientific importance within the group of plant-parasitic nematodes. The chemical management of nematodes presents its challenges and heavily depends on employing soil fumigants containing toxic and costly nematicides. However, plant-derived essential oils offer promising alternatives, demonstrating a wide range of biological activities that affect nematodes through a range of mechanisms, including disrupting their nervous systems, inducing detrimental effects on plasma membrane permeability, penetrating the gelatinous matrix of nematode eggs, and disturbing intracellular redox status. Most of the extracted essential oils were predominantly sourced from the Lamiaceae family (32%), followed by Asteraceae (11%), Apiaceae (9%), and Poaceae (8%), and with genera Thymus, Mentha, Ocimum, Artemisia, Cymbopogon being the most common. The nematicidal activity of EOs primarily arises from their chemical groups, such as terpenes, phenylpropanoids, and organosulfur compounds. 
  • 283
  • 29 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Nanoparticles for Brain Protection
Strokes rank as the second most common cause of mortality and disability in the human population across the world. Currently, available methods of treating or preventing strokes have significant limitations, primarily the need to use high doses of drugs due to the presence of the blood–brain barrier. In the last decade, increasing attention has been paid to the capabilities of nanotechnology. However, the vast majority of research in this area is focused on the mechanisms of anticancer and antiviral effects of nanoparticles.
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  • 29 Jan 2024
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