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Topic Review
Natural Killer Cells
When facing an acute viral infection, our immune systems need to function with finite precision to enable the elimination of the pathogen, whilst protecting our bodies from immune-related damage. In many instances however this ‘perfect balance’ is not achieved, factors such as ageing, cancer, autoimmunity and cardiovascular disease all skew the immune response which is then further distorted by viral infection. SARS-CoV-2 infection skews the immune response towards an overwhelmingly inflammatory phenotype. Restoration of NK cell effector functions has the potential to correct the delicate immune balance required to effectively overcome SARS-CoV-2 infection.
  • 1.7K
  • 27 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Ultraviolet Light
Ultraviolet (UV) light is a dry and biologically inert process that decreases the microorganism count by around 99.9% with minimum heating of the packing material. Between the UV lamp and the area to be disinfected, there should be no obstruction. Since dirt absorbs radiation and thereby protects bacteria, the effectiveness of this application is therefore dependent on the sanitation of the material surfaces.
  • 1.7K
  • 10 Aug 2021
Topic Review
ABCDE Model of Sarcoidosis Care
The importance of comprehensive care in sarcoidosis is generally acknowledged [12,13]. Here, we describe the ABCDE model, that can be used to structure comprehensive sarcoidosis management in order to improve quality of life and outcomes for patients (Figure 1). This model includes the following components: the Assessment of symptoms and patient’s needs, Backing patients by providing support and education, treatment of Complaints and Comorbidities, Disease-modifying treatment, and the involvement of Extrapulmonary specialists. As disease activity, organ involvement, and patients’ preferences may vary during the disease course, regular reassessment is essential. The ABCDE model can provide guidance to clinicians during the first work-up and follow-up of patients with sarcoidosis.
  • 1.7K
  • 23 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Long-Term Land Leasing
Land leasing, as an alternative to the purchase of agricultural land, is increasingly being embraced as a mechanism for securing tenure of land.
  • 1.7K
  • 25 May 2021
Topic Review
Khat
Khat (Catha edulis) is a recreational, chewed herbal drug that has been used as a psychostimulant for centuries in East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, namely in Somalia, Ethiopia, and Yemen. However, the growing worldwide availability of khat has produced widespread concern. The plant comprises a large number of active substances, among which cathinone, cathine, and norephedrine are the main constituents, which can be included in the group of sympathomimetics of natural origin. In fact, these compounds are amphetamine analogues, and, as such, they have amphetamine-like nervous system stimulant effects. Chewing the leaves gives people a sensation of well-being and increases energy, alertness, and self-confidence. The chronic use of khat is, however, associated with severe cardiac, neurological, psychological, and gastrointestinal complications. The psychological dependence and withdrawal symptoms of khat are the reasons for its prolonged use.
  • 1.7K
  • 18 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Techniques Involved in Plantlet Generation
Ornamentals come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors to suit a wide range of climates, landscapes, and gardening needs. Compared to demand, a shortage of plant materials and diversity force the search for solutions for their constant acquisition and improvement to increase their commercial value, respectively. In vitro cultures are a suitable solution to meet expectations using callus culture, somatic embryogenesis, protoplast culture, and the organogenesis of protocorm-like bodies; many of these techniques are commercially practiced. Factors such as culture media, explants, carbohydrates, plant growth regulators, and light are associated with the success of in vitro propagation. Techniques, especially embryo rescue and somatic hybridization, are widely used to improve ornamentals. The development of synthetic seed allows season-independent seed production and preservation in the long term. Despite the advantages of propagation and the improvement of ornamentals, many barriers still need to be resolved. In contrast to propagation and crop developmental studies, there is also a high scope for molecular studies, especially epigenetic changes caused by plant tissue culture of ornamentals. 
  • 1.7K
  • 07 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Packaging Materials for Postharvest Conservation of Table Grapes
Table grapes are one of the leading fruit species cultivated in several countries due to their distinguishing sensory and nutritional properties. However, grapes are a non-climacteric fruit with relatively low physiological activity after harvest, and they are highly perishable due to gray mold caused by Botrytis cinerea as well to mass loss, berry softening, color degradation, and dehydration and darkening of the stem. To avoid all these difficulties, several packaging materials are used during cold storage to keep table grapes fresh and healthy for consumers. Proper packaging and cold storage combined can extend the shelf life of high-quality bunches by protecting them from mechanical injuries and decays during transportation and storage.
  • 1.7K
  • 30 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Intestinal Stem Cells
Intestinal stem cells (ISC) are crucial players in colon epithelium physiology. The accurate control of their auto-renewal, proliferation and differentiation capacities provides a constant flow of regeneration, maintaining the epithelial intestinal barrier integrity. Under stress conditions, colon epithelium homeostasis in disrupted, evolving towards pathologies such as inflammatory bowel diseases or colorectal cancer. A specific environment, namely the ISC niche constituted by the surrounding mesenchymal stem cells, the factors they secrete and the extracellular matrix (ECM), tightly controls ISC homeostasis. Colon ECM controls ISC homeostasis by exerting physical constraint on the enclosed stem cells through peculiar topography, stiffness and deformability.
  • 1.7K
  • 22 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Technologies in Detection of Mycotoxins
Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by filamentous fungi that cause harmful effects on human and animal health as well as significant economic losses. As mycotoxins are responsible for food contamination and certain permissible limits have already been established, developing sensitive and reliable methods to detect them is a top priority. Proteomic and genomic methods, molecular techniques, electronic nose, aggregation-induced emission dye, quantitative NMR, and hyperspectral imaging are some innovative techniques which are applied in the analysis and determination of important mycotoxins in foods and are used alternatively in chromatographic techniques. Some of them have proven to be particularly effective in not only the detection of mycotoxins, but also in detecting mycotoxin-producing fungi. As mycotoxin-contaminated foods can appear anywhere in the world through international trade, their detection and identification are considered essential to the protection of human health by providing safe foods free of major food contaminants such as mycotoxins.
  • 1.7K
  • 29 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilms
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic human pathogen causing devastating acute and chronic infections in individuals with compromised immune systems. Its highly notorious persistence in clinical settings is attributed to its ability to form antibiotic-resistant biofilms. Biofilm is an architecture built mostly by autogenic extracellular polymeric substances which function as a scaffold to encase the bacteria together on surfaces, and to protect them from environmental stresses, impedes phagocytosis and thereby conferring the capacity for colonization and long-term persistence.
  • 1.7K
  • 03 Dec 2020
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