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Topic Review
Biography
Topic Review
Peer Reviewed
Role of Phages in Past Molecular Biology and Potentially in Future Biomedicine
Viruses that infect bacteria (bacteriophages or phages) have a history of use in both biomedicine and basic molecular biology. Here, I briefly outline the pre-1940 use of phages in biomedicine and then more comprehensively outline the subsequent use of phages in determining the basics of molecular biology. Finally, I outline work that appears to form the foundation for a future, phage-enhanced biomedicine that generally extends medicine in the areas of anti-bacterial therapy (including vaccinology), anti-tumor therapy, and understanding the basic process of amyloid-associated neurodegenerative diseases. The following are general conclusions. (1) In the future, the discipline of phage-based biomedicine will be enhanced by more extensive merging with the discipline of basic phage biology (including molecular biology) and evolution. These two disciplines have been separated post-1940. (2) Biomedicine, in general, will be assisted if the focus is on key problems and key observations, thereby leaving details to later work. (3) Simplicity of strategy is a virtue that can be implemented and should be pursued with phages. (4) Capacity for directed evolution provides phages with generative (artificial intelligence-like) means for increasing biomedical effectiveness without using human design. Two related quotes set the stage (references at the end of the text). “But see that the imagination of nature is far, far greater than the imagination of man” (physicist Richard Feynman). “Nature, in all its variations and seeming paradoxes, speaks to those who pay attention and gives hints and clues to basic facts” (a thought attributed to Felix d’Herelle, a self-trained biologist who developed biological phage isolation and characterization). The integration of natural phenomenon-focused basic science and medical practice is an underlying theme.
27
20 May 2025
Topic Review
sST2 in Child with Kawasaki Disease
sST2 belongs to the interleukin-1 receptor family, it is believed that sST2 is a myocardial protein produced by myocardial cells under the action of biomechanical forces. After comparison, we noticed that in the acute stage of Kawasaki disease (KD) in children, the increase of ST2 was significantly associated with IVIG-R KD and multi-organ damage, and had more predictive value than PRO-NT BNP. The higher the ST2 is, the more severe the patient is.
13
20 May 2025
Topic Review
Influence of Nesting Habitat and Nest Emplacement
The black francolin (Francolinus francolinus, Phasianidae) is a ground-dwelling bird found across Eurasia, including Pakistan. Understanding its breeding ecology is essential for conservation. This study explores how nesting habitat and site selection affect breeding success in the Totali Game Reserve. Results show that wetlands, particularly bush-covered areas, provide better protection for nests, leading to higher survival rates. These findings help us improve habitat management strategies for the species. Additionally, human activities including bird translocations may influence genetic diversity, highlighting the need for conservation efforts.
22
16 May 2025
Topic Review
Peer Reviewed
Comparative Characteristics of Various Cereals in Relation to Fodder Value, Antinutrients and Use for Poultry Feeding
The primary ingredients in poultry feed, cereals, are among the most widely used crops in worldwide agriculture, with principal staples being wheat, rice, corn (maize), sorghum, barley, oat and millet. The scope of this review is to provide a detailed comparative analysis of the nutritive values of cereal crops, and the antinutrients they contain, with reference specifically to their use for feeding poultry. These cereal crops range in biological value from 55 to 77.7%, in protein digestibility from 77 to 99.7%, and in net protein utilization from 50 to 73.8%. Most essential amino acids, including lysine, are found in cereal grains, whereas the nutritional value of cereals is impacted by antinutritional elements. These include non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs), such as pentosans (arabinoxylans) and β-glucan, as well as alkylresorcinols. Around 100 g/kg of pentosans are found in rye, 50–80 g/kg in wheat and 68–92 g/kg in triticale. There are strategies to reduce NSPs and other antinutrients and maximize the effectiveness of utilizing grains in compound feed for poultry. These include the application of enzyme preparations, along with dry and wet extrusion methods, for processing grains. By restricting our narrative to a direct comparison of all major staples for poultry feed, we conclude that further research is required specifically in the area of determining how economically viable it is to feed adult and young chickens with compound feeds containing various cereal crops. Furthermore, we speculate on the utility of employing enzyme preparations and extrudates to maximize feed efficiency.
87
13 May 2025
Topic Review
The Psychological Impact of Living with End-Stage Disease
End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) represents the final stage of chronic kidney disease, where the kidneys can no longer function adequately to meet the body's needs. At this point, individuals require either dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive. While ESRD has significant physical health implications, its psychological impact can be just as profound, affecting emotional well-being, mental health, and quality of life. The challenges faced by individuals with ESRD go beyond managing their physical symptoms—they must also cope with the mental and emotional burdens that accompany living with a life-threatening, chronic illness. In this article, we explore the psychological effects of living with ESRD, including anxiety, depression, and cognitive difficulties, and discuss strategies to address these issues and improve mental health outcomes for patients.
37
06 May 2025
Topic Review
The Subretinal Space of the Eye
The subretinal space is located between the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and the photoreceptive cells. The majority of the retina is a delicate matrix of photoreceptive cells and their support network which are responsible for human vision. These cells are separated from the choroid by a layer of pigment epithelium. The RPE has tight junctions, effectively insulating the inside of the retina from systemic circulation; the contents of the retina can then be controlled by transcellular transport.
4.9K
03 May 2025
Topic Review
Sloths
Sloths are some of the most fascinating and unique creatures in the animal kingdom. Known for their incredibly slow movements, these tree-dwelling mammals spend most of their lives hanging upside down in the rainforests of Central and South America. But there's so much more to them than just their leisurely pace.
175
29 Apr 2025
Topic Review
Video
Dipteryx oleifera Benth
Dipteryx oleifera Benth., a member of the Fabaceae family, is an emergent, evergreen tree found primarily in the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. Known for its ecological importance, D. oleifera plays a vital role in the stability and biodiversity of its native forests. The tree produces large seeds that serve as a primary food source for various animal species, contributing to its role as a keystone species.
227
17 Apr 2025
Topic Review
Fennec Fox
The Fennec Fox (Vulpes zerda) is a small, desert-dwelling fox species known for its distinctive large ears, which serve to dissipate heat and detect prey underground. Native to the arid regions of North Africa, particularly the Sahara Desert, the Fennec Fox is supremely adapted to its harsh environment, with specialized physiological and behavioral traits that enable survival in extreme conditions. Despite its diminutive size, the Fennec Fox is a highly efficient predator, preying on insects, small mammals, and birds, and its charming appearance has made it a popular subject of fascination and conservation efforts worldwide
3.8K
14 Apr 2025
Topic Review
Peer Reviewed
Field Guide: Morphometric Visualization and Characterization of Selected Foodborne Pathogens Using Advanced Imaging Techniques
This paper aims to present the phenotypic characteristics, such as length, width, circular diameter, volume, surface area to cross-sectional area ratio, surface uniformity, and surface texture, of the foodborne pathogens Salmonella enterica serovar Agona, Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis, Listeria monocytogenes, and Campylobacter jejuni. It is a novel “field-guide” presentation of the observable morphological characteristics of these four species in the form of a Dichotomous Key. Phenotypic values of the pathogens were measured using a high-accuracy, nano-level-resolution 3D laser confocal scanning microscope. All samples were fixed with glutaraldehyde and stained with methylene blue, ensuring morphological preservation. The images of the pathogens were captured under various imaging modes, including 3D, laser, and transmission electron microscopy resolutions. Results show that these pathogens exhibit distinct morphological and surface properties, with Campylobacter jejuni showing unique features. The dichotomous key shows a simplified way of classifying selected foodborne pathogens from their morphometric properties. The morphometric measurements, in many instances first reported in the literature, and images provide a readily observable way to identify and classify microorganisms, allowing researchers to potentially study evolutionary relationships, assess species diversity, and understand how organisms interact with their environment, especially when genetic information is limited or difficult to obtain.
179
09 Apr 2025
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