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Topic Review
Biography
Topic Review
Galleria mellonella
Immune System
The study of pathogenicity and virulence of fungal strains, in vivo in the preclinical phase, is carried out through the use of animal models belonging to various classes of mammals (rodents, leproids, etc.). Although animals are functionally more similar to humans, these studies have some limitations in terms of ethics (animal suffering), user-friendliness, cost-effectiveness, timing (physiological response time) and logistics (need for adequately equipped laboratories). A good in vivo model must possess some optimal characteristics to be used, such as rapid growth, small size and short life cycle. For this reason, insects, such as Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera), Drosophila melanogaster (Diptera) and Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera), have been widely used as alternative non-mammalian models. Due to their simplicity of use and low cost, the larvae of G. mellonella represent an optimal model above all to evaluate the virulence of fungal pathogens and the use of antifungal treatments (either single or in combination with biologically active compounds). A further advantage is also represented by their simple neuronal system limiting the suffering of the animal itself, their ability to survive at near-body ambient temperatures as well as the expression of proteins able to recognise combined pathogens following the three R principles (replacement, refinement and reduction).
168
12 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Ganoderma
Triterpenoids and Their Bioactivities
Ganoderma has been used as a traditional medicine in Asian countries to prevent and treat various diseases. Numerous publications are stating that Ganoderma species have a variety of beneficial medicinal properties, and investigations on different metabolic regulations of Ganoderma species, extracts or isolated compounds have been performed both in vitro and in vivo.
754
11 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Genista tridentata
Phytochemical Characterization
Genista tridentata (L.) Willk., known as “prickled broom”, is a Leguminosae (Fabaceae) species native to the Iberian Peninsula, Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. It is used in folk medicine as an anti-inflammatory, for gastrointestinal and respiratory disorders, rheumatism, and headaches, to lower blood pressure, against hypercholesterolemia and hyperglycemia.
311
08 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Geranium sanguineum
L.
Bloody cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum L.) is a flowering perennial herb with a natural range extending over Europe. The herb is used in the ethnopharmacological practice in Bulgaria. Infusions and decoctions from the roots and aerial parts can be used as a rinse for inflamed mucous membranes of the mouth and respiratory tract, a wash for wounds or skin eruptions, for its astringent, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, hypotensive, and immunostimulant activity, as well as for supportive treatment of diarrhea, dysentery, and enterocolitis.
120
08 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Giardia lamblia
Giardia lamblia, also known as Giardia intestinalis, is a flagellated parasitic microorganism, that colonizes and reproduces in the small intestine, causing giardiasis. The parasite attaches to the epithelium by a ventral adhesive disc or sucker, and reproduces via binary fission. Giardiasis does not spread via the bloodstream, nor does it spread to other parts of the gastrointestinal tract, but remains confined to the lumen of the small intestine. Giardia trophozoites absorb their nutrients from the lumen of the small intestine, and are anaerobes. If the organism is split and stained, its characteristic pattern resembles the familiar "smiley face" symbol. Chief pathways of human infection include ingestion of untreated sewage, a phenomenon particularly common in many developing countries; contamination of natural waters also occurs in watersheds where intensive grazing occurs. Giardia infections occur worldwide, however Giardia lamblia is the most commonly identified intestinal parasite in the United States and Canada among children in day care centers, hikers, family members, homosexual male partners and immunocompromised adults. Approximately 20,000 cases per year in the United States are reported.
1.2K
25 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Ginkgo biloba
and Phenolic Compounds in Age-Related Diseases
Ginkgo biloba, and its main constituent compounds, the ginkgolides, have become something of a celebrity as far as natural drug candidates go.
509
28 Jan 2023
Topic Review
GJB2
Missense Variants
The GJB2 gene is the most common gene responsible for hearing loss (HL) worldwide, and missense variants are the most abundant type. GJB2 pathogenic missense variants cause nonsyndromic HL (autosomal recessive and dominant) and syndromic HL combined with skin diseases.
247
08 May 2023
Topic Review
Glycyrrhiza glabra
(Licorice)-Containing Herbs in Cancer Treatment
Cancer is one of the leading causes of premature death and a significant barrier to increasing life expectancy in almost every country in the world. Licorice belongs to the genus Glycyrrhiza, and radix glycyrrhizae (RG) is the dried roots and rhizomes of licorice. Licorice, as well as licorice-purified compounds, has the potential to abrogate the onset and progression of different malignancy cancers, both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, previous studies also suggest that licorice is a beneficial medicine plant used as a cure for nausea and vomiting.
441
14 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Granulicatella
spp.
Granulicatella spp. are non-motile, non-sporulating, facultatively anaerobic Gram-positive cocci. These organisms have been referred to by several names, such as “nutritionally deficient streptococci”, “vitamin-B dependent streptococci” and “pyridoxal-dependent streptococci”, because of their fastidious nutritional requirements, which can often make culture isolation challenging. Known to be a member of the normal microbiota of the human oral cavity and urogenital and intestinal tracts, similar to other streptococci, Granulicatella spp. can cause bacteremia, sepsis and infective endocarditis. Considering the difficulty in growing this organism on culture medium, the fact that it is now included among the bacteria known to be responsible for culture-negative infective endocarditis suggests that its pathogenic role could be highly underestimated. Moreover, being considered such a rare causative agent, it is not a target of standard antibiotic empiric treatment.
507
27 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Gurltia paralysans
Gurltia paralysans is a neglected and re-emerging metastrongyloid angio-neurotropic nematode causing severe chronic meningomyelitis in domestic cats (Felis catus) as well as in free-ranging small wild felids such as kodkods (Leopardus guigna), margays (Leopardus wiedii) and the northern tiger cat (Leopardus triginus) in South America. Within these definitive hosts (DH), adult males and females of G. paralysans parasitize the leptomeningeal veins of the subarachnoid space and/or the meningeal veins of spinal cord parenchyma, inducing vascular alterations.
567
29 Jul 2022
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