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Topic Review
Biography
Topic Review
Auxin Signaling by Smut Fungi during Plant Colonization
A common feature of many plant-colonizing organisms is the exploitation of plant signaling and developmental pathways to successfully establish and proliferate in their hosts. Auxins are central plant growth hormones, and their signaling is heavily interlinked with plant development and immunity responses. Smuts, as one of the largest groups in basidiomycetes, are biotrophic specialists that successfully manipulate their host plants and cause fascinating phenotypes in so far largely enigmatic ways.
189
02 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Mitochondrial Dysfunction in MAFLD
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become an increasingly common diseases in Western countries and has become the major cause of liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in addition to viral hepatitis in recent decades. Furthermore, studies have shown that NAFLD is inextricably linked to the development of extrahepatic diseases. In 2020, NAFLD was renamed metabolic dysfunction fatty liver disease (MAFLD) to show that its pathogenesis is closely related to metabolic disorders. And the interaction between mitochondrial dys-function and the liver–gut axis has also become a new point during the development of MAFLD.
257
02 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Microorganisms and Climate Change
Climate variations directly impacts on the primary productive sectors, such as agriculture, forestry, livestock, and commercial fishing, which present the subsequent economic relevance. As a result, the effect of climate change has been widely discussed for years on flora and fauna. However, the aftermath evaluation over the worldwide microbiota is a challenging task poorly considered, up to date. In fact, most of these effects have yet to be quantified, but the proliferation and geographycally spread of pathogens of plants, animals, or humans are providing clues of the possible results. These microbial issues should be kept in mind and are the core of this entry.
265
02 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Phenological Mapping of Invasive Insects
Phenological maps can depict the development and seasonal activities (phenology) of invasive insects at area-wide scales, such as counties, states, or entire nations. When regularly updated using real-time and forecast climate data, these maps may improve the timeliness of early detection and control tactics that target specific life stages. Rapid responses to invasive insects may increase the likelihood that populations are eradicated or controlled before they can spread or increase in size. Phenological maps may also be used to assess pest establishment risk, investigate pest–host interactions, and measure climate-driven changes in pest phenology.
246
29 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Riboflavin + UV Light Pathogen Reduction Technology
Blood transfusions are essential in treating patients with anemia, blood loss, and other medical conditions. However, these lifesaving procedures can contribute to infectious disease transmission, particularly to vulnerable populations. New methods have been implemented on a global basis for the prevention of transfusion transmissions via plasma, platelets, and whole blood products. Implementing proactive pathogen reduction methods may reduce the likelihood of disease transmission via blood transfusions, even for newly emerging agents.
310
29 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Role of Selenium in Redox Biology
Living organisms use selenium mainly in the form of selenocysteine in the active site of oxidoreductases. Here, selenium’s unique chemistry is believed to modulate the reaction mechanism and enhance the catalytic efficiency of specific enzymes in ways not achievable with a sulfur-containing cysteine. However, despite the fact that selenium/sulfur have different physicochemical properties, several selenoproteins have fully functional cysteine-containing homologues and some organisms do not use selenocysteine at all.
173
29 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Harvesting and Processing Techniques on Black Tea Quality
Tea (Camellia sinensis) has grown for over 300 years and is recognized worldwide as among other well-renowned crops. The quality of black tea depends on plucking (method, standard, season, and intervals), withering and rolling (time and temperature), fermentation (time, temperature, and RH), drying (temperature and method), and storage conditions, which have a high influence on the final quality of black tea. At the rolling stage, the oxidation process is initiated and ends at the early drying stage until the enzymes that transform tea polyphenols into thearubigins (TRs) and theaflavins (TFs) are denatured by heat. By increasing fermentation time, TRs increased, and TF decreased. Each is liable for black tea’s brightness, taste, and color.
505
29 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Green Microbes and the Production of Biodegradable Polymers
Research efforts have shifted to creating biodegradable polymers to offset the harmful environmental impacts associated with the accumulation of non-degradable synthetic polymers in the environment. A comprehensive examination of the role of green microbes in fostering sustainable bioproduction of these environment-friendly polymers is presented. Green microbes, primarily algae and cyanobacteria, have emerged as promising bio-factories due to their ability to capture carbon dioxide and utilize solar energy efficiently. The metabolic pathways harnessed for the synthesis of biopolymers such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) and the potential for genetic engineering to augment their production yields are further discussed. Additionally, the techno-economic feasibility of using green microbes, challenges associated with the up-scaling of biopolymer production, and potential solutions are elaborated upon. With the twin goals of environmental protection and economic viability, green microbes pave the way for a sustainable polymer industry.
162
29 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Hypoxia in Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects 10% of the population. Fibrosis is the hallmark of CKD, which is marked by the deposit of extracellular matrix (ECM). This response is the final outcome of an unbalanced reaction to inflammation and wound healing and can be induced by a variety of insults, including hypoxia. Vascular damage results in an impaired tissue oxygen supply, inducing immune cell infiltration, tubule injury and the activation of ECM-secreting myofibroblasts. In turn, tubulointerstitial fibrosis development worsens oxygen diffusion. Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) is the primary transcriptional regulator of hypoxia-associated responses, such as oxidative stress and metabolic reprogramming, triggering a proinflammatory and profibrotic landscape.
165
29 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Age-Related Alternative Splicing
Alternative splicing changes are closely linked to aging, though it remains unclear if they are drivers or effects. As organisms age, splicing patterns change, varying gene isoform levels and functions. These changes may contribute to aging alterations rather than just reflect declining RNA quality control. Three main splicing types—intron retention, cassette exons, and cryptic exons—play key roles in age-related complexity. These events modify protein domains and increase nonsense-mediated decay, shifting protein isoform levels and functions. This may potentially drive aging or serve as a biomarker. Fluctuations in splicing factor expression also occur with aging. Somatic mutations in splicing genes can also promote aging and age-related disease.
228
29 Dec 2023
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