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Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common infections encountered worldwide in clinical practice. Escherichia coli is by far the most frequent cause of infections responsible for nearly 80–90% of the infections. The strains of E. coli causing UTI are termed as uropathogenic E. coli. They vary from commensal strains as they have acquired virulence and resistant determinants through plasmids, bacteriophages, pathogenicity islands or DNA horizontal transfer of transposons which permits them to victoriously colonize the urinary tract and cause a broader spectrum of disease. For the fact, UPEC strains possess an abundance of both structural (as fimbriae, pili, flagella, capsule, lipopolysaccharide) and secreted (toxins, iron-acquisition systems, enzymes) virulence factors that play a crucial role in the pathogenesis. The pathogenesis of UPEC involves adherence, colonization, evading host defenses and damage to host tissue to achieve virulence. UTI is often treated empirically by broad-spectrum antibiotics in the absence of culture and susceptibility results. This over-use of antibiotics has resulted in the development of antibiotic resistance worldwide. Having a detailed understanding of the bacterium and its virulence factors can help us in developing new treatment options in presence of global antimicrobial resistance.

Fatty acids are molecules with important physiological functions, proved to be good bioindicators of the presence of natural and chemical stressors and so used as early warning signals. Indeed, biochemical analyzes, such as fatty acids, are an important tool in water body management and water quality analysis, allowing detecting molecular changes in aquatic communities, related to the trophic status of the systems, before they are perceived in the environment. In this work was investigated the fatty acid composition on zooplankton community collected in four reservoirs of hydroelectric plants on the Iguaçu River, Brazil, and assessed the species distribution to assess and compare the water quality in these reservoirs. Results showed the trophic state index presented a wide variation among samples, ranging from oligotrophic (Salto Caxias) to hypereutrophic (Foz do Areia). The most abundant fatty acid was docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6n3) an essential fatty acid with health benefits, playing a pivotal role in biological functions. This study highlights the sensitiveness of the zooplankton community to environmental conditions and underlines the role of fatty acids as good bioindicators, being good endpoints to use in ecological studies. This supports the zooplankton contribution as a biological quality element in the assessment of reservoir quality elements.

The plasticity zone (PZ) of Helicobacter pylori is a genomic region harbouring genes that can be exchanged between strains, contributing to the genetic diversity of this bacterium. The presence or absence of genes reflects the adaptation and coevolution of a pathogen within its host. Among the genes present in PZ, jhp0940, jhp0945, jhp0947 and jhp0949 have gained attention due to their association with gastroduodenal disease, and the prevalence of the latter three among H. pylori isolates from different geographical regions has allowed this association to be understood. With respect to jhp0940, also known as ctkA (cellular translocation kinase A), various results have been obtained regarding its prevalence. However, the presence of jhp0940 in isolates from children seems to be higher than that in isolates from adults, and the product of this gene can induce TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 via translocation of NF-κB into macrophages. While little is known about the functions of jhp0945, jhp0947 and jhp0949, their presence in H. pylori strains induces IL-8 and IL-12 expression at higher levels than that in strains lacking these genes. In this chapter, we aim to show a general overview of the prevalence, association with gastroduodenal disease, and currently known function of the H. pylori genes jhp0940, jhp0945, jhp0947 and jhp0949, which are located in PZ.

Endothelial cells play a critical role in maintaining the integrity of vascular structure and function. Endothelial dysfunction is closely associated with the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) like hypertension (HTN) and atherosclerosis. Gut microorganisms significantly contribute to atherosclerosis and related CVDs. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) colonizes in human gastric epithelium in a significant portion of general population in the world. Patients with H. pylori infection have significantly increased risk for CVDs including atherosclerosis, HTN, coronary heart disease, and cerebrovascular disease especially in younger patients (< 65 years old). H. pylori infection significantly impairs vascular endothelial function through multiple mechanisms including increased reactive oxygen species production and oxidative stress, inflammation, decreased nitric oxide formation, modification of the expression of cytokines and microRNAs, abnormalities of lipid and glucose metabolisms, and exosomes-mediated pathways. Endothelial dysfunction associated with H. pylori infection is reversible in both animal model and human subjects. Accumulating data suggests that H. pylori infection is an important risk factor for endothelial dysfunction and CVDs especially in young patients. Screening young male population for H. pylori infection and treating accordingly could be an effective approach for early prevention of CVDs especially premature atherosclerosis associated with H. pylori infection.

An efficient and specific cytotoxic immune response against a tumor requires a complex, rapidly evolving interaction between various immune cell types in the adaptive and innate immune system. This pliable interplay is a relentless process that has been concisely organized in three different phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape. The identification of key immune players and molecules involved in this interplay has been crucial for the introduction of reliable prognostic factors and effective therapeutic protocols against cancers. In this chapter, we aim to depict the roles of these distinct immune cell subsets, summarize the prognostic value of immune cells in different cancer types, and discuss briefly the principles of different immunotherapeutic approaches against hematologic malignancies and solid tumors.

Chagas disease, also known as American trypanosomiasis, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi and transmitted by hematophagous vectors, is a parasitic disease, which according to the WHO ranks fourth as a cause of loss of potential years of life due to complications that can occur in multiple body systems. According to the reports presented by the World Health Organization, there are between 16 and 18 million infected people in the world, predominantly in endemic areas of Latin America, of which only 1% receives an adequate diagnosis and full treatment, thereby that the chronic phase comes to present digestive disorders that are one of the main causes of loss in the quality of life of patients, as well as complications that can lead to life-threatening surgical emergencies.

This chapter discusses food contamination including mycotoxin contamination problems, biological, chemical, physical, and cross contamination. Food contamination challenges are generally referred to the presence of microorganisms or derived toxic substances such as mycotoxin in food that make them unsafe for human, animals, and crops. The mycotoxins can enter food throughout the food supply chain (from farm to fork). In terms of the safety of food, the presence of mycotoxin is a hazard threatening the consumer of contaminated food. Furthermore, it is necessary to know the nature, sources, distribution ways, and incidence of mycotoxin contamination in order to protect people and provide public health.

Although cyanobacteria are essential microorganisms on earth, some cyanobacteria produce toxins known as cyanotoxins, threatening humans and animals’ health. Hence, it is imperative to rapidly and accurately identify those toxic cyanobacteria. Unfortunately, traditional microscopic methods have limitations for accurate identification due to the lack of discernable morphological difference between toxic and non-toxic strains within the same cyanobacterial species or genus. In contrast, their genetic profiles are inherently conserved; therefore, nucleic acid-based assays can be more reliable for precise identification. Furthermore, molecular assays can provide high throughput and significantly reduce the turnaround time of test results. Such advantages make those assays a preferred method for rapid detection and early warning of potential toxicity. Toxigenic cyanobacterial species have synthetase genes (DNAs) for toxin production, which can be excellent marker genes. Numerous molecular assays targeting cyanotoxin synthetase genes have been developed for the identification of toxigenic cyanobacteria at various taxonomic levels. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assays are the most prevailing. Among different versions of PCR assays, the real-time quantitative PCR can be utilized to quantify the genes of interest in samples, fulfilling the purpose of both taxonomic recognition and biomass estimation. Reverse transcription (RT)-PCR assays can be used to detect transcripts (i.e., mRNAs) from toxin synthetase genes, probably enhancing the predictive value of PCR detection for toxin production from observed cyanobacterial species. Nevertheless, the utility of toxin synthetase gene- or its transcript-based PCR assays for routine cyanotoxin monitoring needs to be further evaluated on a large scale.

At the time of this study India had the third highest COVID-19 infection rate in the world after the US and Brazil, but that statistic was in flux due to rapidly changing variables and, therefore, it seemed an appropriate setting for a supplementation study. Following a successful first trial of vitamin C, D and zinc supplementation in 2020 with the staff at a small medical clinic in India, a second opportunity arose to continue the trial from January-March 22nd due to an urban coronavirus outbreak during the beginning of March 2021. It resulted in nearly a doubling of COVID-19 cases within the country in two weeks (March 8th - March 22nd) possibly due to the new, highly infectious, Indian Delta variant with multiple mutations and/or other international variants like the UK Alpha variant that were also present in the population by this time. As a result, a nighttime curfew and other restrictions were imposed for the whole month. An outbreak also occurred locally in a nearby city where the incidence of coronavirus cases increased and this happened prior to vaccination of the medical staff as part of the country’s universal inoculation campaign for healthcare workers, which began in January 2021 (one clinic clerk who travelled to the district civil hospital to receive the vaccine during the course of this second study was disqualified; all other clinic staff were inoculated after March 22nd). Although the clinic had closed during the first lockdown between March and mid-June 2020, it remained open to the public for this second wave in March 2021. During this period, the medical & non-medical staff continued following the same supplementation regimen as they had in July-December 2020 for Part I of this trial with positive results. Once again, in Part II of the trial, there were no COVID-19 cases recorded among any of the staff members at the clinic, which is situated in a rural community. It was concluded that targeted vitamin/mineral supplementation may be a useful addition to the anti-COVID-19 arsenal for health professionals at higher than average risk of infection.

Chemotherapeutic agents produce from numerous sources such as animals, plants and micro-organisms are derived from the natural products. Although the existing therapeutic pipeline lacks fungal-derived metabolites, but hundreds of secondary metabolites derived from fungi are known to be possible chemotherapies. Over the past three decades, several secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, alkaloids, phenolic and polyketides have been developed by Saccharomyces cerevisiae species with exciting activities that considered valued for the growth of new chemotherapeutic agents. Many secondary metabolites are protective compounds which prevent abiotic and biotic stresses, i.e. predation, infection, drought and ultraviolet. Though not taking part in a living cell’s central metabolism, secondary metabolites play an important role in the function of an organism. Nevertheless, due to slow biomass build-up and inadequate synthesis by the natural host the yield of secondary metabolites is low by direct isolation. A detailed comprehension of biosynthetic pathways for development of secondary metabolites are necessary for S. cerevisiae biotransformation. These metabolites have higher inhibitory effect, specificity among cancer and normal cells, and the mechanism of non-apoptotic cell killing. This study shows the significance of bioactive compounds produced by S. cerevisiae species with their possible activity and value in chemotherapeutic drugs pipeline. The isolation and alteration of these natural secondary metabolites would promote the development of chemotherapeutic drugs.

Foodborne pathogens are evaluated as an important risk factor in terms of public health in developed and developing countries due to their extensiveness all around the world. Escherichia coli and other coliform bacteria are important foodborne pathogens. Some of the most important sources of contamination for these groups of microorganisms are reported as: areas with unfavorable hygiene, contaminated waste water, meat products, cereal products and vegetables. Total coliform bacteria and E. coli count is known to be the indicator of unfavorable hygienic conditions and fecal contamination in foods. Foodborne diseases, however, are a global issue. A joint approach by all countries and related international organizations is a prerequisite for detection and control of foodborne problems that pose a threat to human health and international trade. Despite their complicated biology, epidemiology and analyses, most foodborne diseases are preventable. It is of vital importance for public health that consumers and food producers act in accordance with the principles regarding internationally accepted safety methods.

Anthropogenic activities have contributed to the increased atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases, which are an important contributor to climate change. From 1940 to 2004, global emissions increased by 70%, and projections suggest a continual increase by 2050 due to agriculture, forestry, and other land uses. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are ubiquitous in undisturbed soils and form a symbiotic relationship with various plants. The relationship that enhances nutrient uptake and plant growth, among other benefits, is well known. Several soil management practices employed in agriculture adversely affect the symbiosis. Zea mays (maize) provides 30% of total caloric intake to 4.5 billion people worldwide and is an important staple crop, vulnerable to climate change. Higher temperatures can result in increased water demand, while changes in precipitation can result in crop failure. AM fungi can be applied as inoculants to maize. Resulting in improved plant growth, yield, and nutrient uptake and providing superior food quality properties, such as increased antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. AM fungi are considered a crucial biotechnological tool in crop production. This review illustrates their essential role in sustainable maize production and emphasizes the need to maintain AM fungal communities in the soil to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Trypanothione reductase (TR), a flavoprotein oxidoreductase is an important therapeutic target for leishmaniasis. Ligand-based pharmacophore modelling and molecular docking were used to predict selective inhibitors against TR. Homology modelling was employed to generate a three-dimensional structure of Leishmania major trypanothione reductase (LmTR). A pharmacophore model used to screen a natural compound library generated 42 hits, which were docked against the LmTR protein. Compounds with lower binding energies were evaluated via in silico pharmacological profiling and bioactivity. Four compounds emerged as potential leads comprising Karatavicinol (7-[(2E,6E,10S)-10,11-dihydroxy-3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-2,6-dienoxy]chromen-2-one), Marmin (7-[(E,6R)-6,7-dihydroxy-3,7-dimethyloct-2-enoxy]chromen-2-one), Colladonin (7-[[(4aS)-6-hydroxy-5,5,8a-trimethyl-2-methylidene-3,4,4a,6,7,8-hexahydro-1H-naphthalen-1-yl]methoxy]chromen-2-one), and Pectachol (7-[(6-hydroxy-5,5,8a-trimethyl-2-methylidene-3,4,4a,6,7,8-hexahydro-1H-naphthalen-1-yl)methoxy]-6,8-dimethoxychromen-2-one) with good binding energies of ‚àí9.4, ‚àí9.3, 8.8, and ‚àí8.5 kcal/mol, respectively. These compounds bound effectively to the FAD domain of the protein with some critical residues including Asp35, Thr51, Lys61, Tyr198, and Asp327. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulations and molecular mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann surface area (MMPBSA) computations corroborated their strong binding. The compounds were also predicted to possess anti-leishmanial activity. The molecules serves as templates for the design of potential drug candidates and can be evaluated in vitro with optimistic results in producing plausible attenuating infectivity in macrophages.

The scope of this chapter is to review the significant effect that nanomedicine has had in the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Nanotechnology has been widely studied in the last decade and proved to be an encouraging strategy in the healthcare system and the medical field. This novel technology provides a vast number of nanomaterials and tools that could actually diagnose and treat different inflammatory disorders and conditions. An enormous amount of in vivo and in vitro research was conducted by many groups to validate the positive contribution that nanoparticles have in regard to the treatment of inflammation and its associated illnesses. This contribution is due to the fact that nanoparticles could be modulated to pass through metabolic barriers and specifically targeted to deliver drugs to the required sites without affecting healthy cells and tissues. This makes them a promising therapeutical choice for the treatment of inflammatory diseases in the future.

Ultraviolet light-emitting diode (UV-LED) is a newly emerging UV light source with a potential of replacing the conventional chemical methods, mercury UV lamps and xenon lamps in water disinfection applications. In this chapter, we will first give a general description on the status of E. coli disinfection in water by UV-LEDs. Then the main text will concentrate on our experimental studies. We will discuss the effects of single and combined UV-LED irradiation on E. coli in water, including the inactivation efficiency, the recover percentage after the UV-LED irradiation, the optimal wavelength for low energy consumption, differences in pulsed and continuous operations of UV-LEDs, effect of UVA-LED followed by UVC-LED irradiation and vice versa, and finally the effect of TiO2-assisted photocatalytic disinfection.

Disinfectants, antiseptics, and sanitizers are crucial for hygiene standards and disease control, as recently emphasized by the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic. With the foreshadowing of antibiotic resistance, new cutting-edge technologies and innovative methodology need to be applied to prevent the latest emerging antimicrobial resistance crisis, resistance to disinfectants. Disinfectant resistance is a relatively novel field of study, and although some molecular mechanisms have been elucidated, little is known about complex mechanisms, cross-resistance with antibiotics, and the existence of resistance biomarkers. Fortunately, great advances have been made in the field of sequencing technology and bioinformatics. Although there are many limitations to this technology, various “omics” approaches to disinfectant resistance will be crucial in directing environment-specific disinfection programs. In addition, the vast amounts of data generated by sequencing technologies can be applied by artificial intelligence (AI) models to identify key disinfectant resistance markers and in the surveillance of disinfectant resistance genes. A combination of these approaches will be crucial in identifying new disinfectant resistance mechanisms, in monitoring resistant populations, and in identifying cellular targets for new disinfectant formulations. These molecular tools will be vital in the battle against disinfectant resistance, the latest development in the antimicrobial resistance crisis.

Trypanosoma cruzi is a protozoan responsible for Chagas disease and has a complex life cycle including vertebrate (mammals) and invertebrate (insects) hosts. The parasite presents proliferative and infective forms that are challenged throughout their cycle as different sources of nutrients, pH, immune system, and levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Although ROS cause damage to cells and tissues when their levels are controlled, they are involved in signal transduction pathways involved in cell growth and differentiation. Curiously, the proliferation of epimastigote inside the bug insect is favored by high levels of ROS from the digestion of blood meal, and it is regulated by a cellular signaling mechanism involving heme and CaMKII. On the other hand, the differentiation of epimastigote into metacyclic trypomastigote in the rectum occurs in the reduced state. Interestingly, when the parasite infects the vertebrate, the immune system recognizes this pathogen and macrophages become activated. Thus, NADPH oxidase produces ROS that helps the parasite enter the mammalian cells, improving the infection. The parasite thrives inside the mammalian cells also involving ROS. Thus, the life cycle of Trypanosoma cruzi obeys a fine tuning of the redox state, not affecting the host cells and being helpful to the parasite.

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the deadly diseases in the present era caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Principally, this bacterium attacks the lungs, however, MTB Has been observed affecting any part of the human body including the kidney, spine, and brain. Drug-resistant progression and other associated properties of MTB become a major hurdle in drug discovery to fight against tuberculosis. Moreover, some of the challenging situations such as the low range of chemical agents, the time-consuming process of drug development, the shortage of predictive animal models, and inadequate information of the physicochemical evidence required for effective bacterial penetration, are additional hindrances for the pharmaceutical scientist. In the current chapter, we focus on challenges encountered during drug discovery and need to be overcome as M. tuberculosis has a substantial barrier in its lipid-containing cell wall to inhibit the influx of drugs which is the initial requirement of the drug to show its therapeutic effect. There is also an immediate need for efficient vaccine development which may show its effect on adolescents and adults along with infants. Investigation on key bacterial targets has been troublesome, in light of the vulnerability around the microenvironments found in vivo and subsequently, the importance of exceptional metabolic pathways. The manuscript is prepared after the extensive literature survey to explore the vigorous approaches in novel drug designing and in proposing potent drug targets. The re-engineering and repositioning of prominent antitubercular drugs are required to attain viable control.

Allergy is an immune disorder due to over responsiveness of immune system to a relatively normal and harmless antigen; derived from environmental and dietary substances commonly referred as allergens. Allergy is an IgE mediated type I hypersensitivity which is characterized by the degranulation of specialized white blood cells known as mast cells and basophils. Majority of characterized allergens are proteinaceous in nature and induce Th2 response. Specific Th2 cytokines elicit the induction of allergen specific IgE antibodies in sensitive individuals. The IgE binds to Fc epsilon receptor on basophil/mast cells and on exposure, allergens cross links the IgE and induce release of hypersensitivity mediators that result in allergic symptoms. The symptoms varies from mild allergies like hay fever, itchiness, rashes, rhinatisis, conjunctivitis to a severe condition such as Asthma and some time life threatening anaphylaxis. At present a various blood based test exist to diagnose allergies which include skin prick, patch test and Specific IgE tests. The best treatment available is to avoid exposure to allergens alternatively use of anti-histamines, steroids or other symptom reducing medications are in practice. Immunotherapy to desensitize the response to allergen and targeted therapy are promising for allergy in future.

Basic and translational research on lung biology and pathology can greatly benefit from the development of 3D in vitro models with physiological relevance. Lung organoids and lungs-on-chip allow the creation of different kinds of in vitro microenvironments, that can be useful for the elucidation of novel pathogenetic pathways, for example concerning tissue fibrosis in chronic diseases. Moreover, they represent important translational models for the identification of novel therapeutic targets, and for preliminary testing of new drugs. In this chapter, we provide a selected overview of recent studies on innovative 3D in vitro models that have enhanced our knowledge on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), particularly concerning oxidative stress and pro-fibrotic pathogenetic mechanisms. Despite several limitations, these complex models must be considered as complementary in all respects to in vivo studies on animal models and clinical research.

Escherichia coli is a Gram-negative bacteria which is well known for its pathogenic properties that can cause serious food poisoning, mostly indicated by diarrhea or other severe symptoms. Despite of its well-known properties due to its ability to produce toxin, most of E. coli strains are harmless and even beneficial especially in recombinant protein production. This bacterium is suitable for protein recombinant host since it has rapid growth, high expression rate, and well-known genome. Various proteins have been produced using E. coli expression systems, with therapeutic protein for medical application being the most notably produced. Apart from that, our group succeeded in producing beta galactosidase from a wild type E. coli strain B130. Furthermore, recombinant human serum albumin was successfully produced using E. coli strains BL21 (DE3). However, studies on E. coli toxin contamination in recombinant protein productions, strains, and genomic comprehension are indispensable, particularly in therapeutic protein. Therefore, this chapter will discuss the safety aspects of recombinant therapeutic proteins in terms of toxin contamination by strain and genomic approaches.

Therapeutic measures designed to treat multiple myeloma (MM) have undergone a fundamental shift over the past two decades as a number of small molecules that attack this cancer by different mechanisms, including proteasome blockade, immunomodulation, and histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibition, have been introduced. The insertion of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) into the mix began in 2015 with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of daratumumab and elotuzumab, which target CD38 and SLAMF7, respectively. In 2020, they were joined by another anti-CD38 mAb, isatuximab, and the bispecific antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) belantamab mafodotin, which targets the B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA). This review focuses on additional mAbs currently under clinical study for MM. These include several BCMAxCD3-directed bispecifics (AMG 420, AMG 701, REGN5458, REGN5459, teclistamab, and TNB-383B), the ADCs indatuximab ravtansine and STRO-001, and checkpoint inhibitors, although the future status of the latter is in a state of flux due to toxicity issues that arose in trials in which these drugs, especially PD-1 or PD-L1 blockers, were combined with immunomodulators.

Bacteria have developed the capability to produce structured communities (or cluster of cells) via adherence to surface to form biofilms that facilitate or prolong their survival under extreme environmental condition. Bacterial biomass adheres to inanimate and biotic surfaces in the hospital setting as well as in the environment. In the healthcare system, the biofilm formation on medical devices allows bacteria to sustain as a reservoir and becomes more resistant to antimicrobial agents. However, biofilm formation facilitates pathogens to sabotage the host defenses that are linked to long-term retention within the host cell. Therefore, in this review, we provide some steps leading to the formation of biofilm within the host and on inanimate surfaces, also emphasizing various medically significant pathogens and debate current developments on novel approaches that aimed to prevent biofilm formations and its dispersion to patients.

Agro-industrial by-products have not been efficiently valorized. Lactobacillus used to transform these by-products into interesting metabolites is a way to increase the adding-value of these residues and to contribute to the circular economy. These lactic acid bacteria (LAB) metabolize the available substrate produced by enzymes that are responsible for breaking complex carbohydrates into glucose and subsequently obtaining lactic acid through glycolysis in a homofermentative process. By-products used like substrates to produce lactic acid must be rich in carbohydrates e.g. whey, cassava peel, pineapple peel, and molasses, among others. In addition, from lactic acid obtained, it is possible to develop functional foods such as easily-assimilated beverages and to be antagonists to pathogenic microorganisms such as E. coli, improve the quality of final products and extract compounds of interest like pigments.

The majority of neurological diseases may have an impact on lower urinary tract function. High intravesical pressure, post-void residual and incontinence are the main consequences of this dysfunction. All the mentioned conditions are inductive factors for urinary tract infections (UTIs). In addition, the potential complications of neurogenic urinary disorders (reflux, stone formation, incomplete emptying of the bladder), and the methods of urine drainage (intermittent or indwelling catheters, urinary diversion) contribute even more to UTIs. In neuro-patients, all UTIs are considered as complicated ones and there is a different microbiology as compared to the general population. In this chapter, inductive factors for UTIs in neuro-patients will be analyzed and the potential solutions will be exposed. There is a special mention in asymptomatic bacteriuria, which is correlated to neurogenic urinary dysfunction and it is clinically total different from UTI. Asymptomatic bacteriuria should not be treated as the treatment has a negative final outcome for the patient.

Despite the importance of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) within forest and agroecosystems, few data are available about how AMF communities are structured in the root zone of the argan tree. Some studies have characterized endomycorrhizal fungi population occurring in rhizosphere soils of argan trees grown in southwest of Morocco, numerous sites in this area harbored unexplored communities. The endomycorrhizae diversity of rhizosphere soils collected from 15 argan forest stands located in Lakhssas, Smimou, Ait Baha, Tamanar, Essaouira, Taroudant (Elkodya), Irherm, Guelmim, Imsouane, Anzi, Tiznit, Taghazoute, Ait Melloul, Bouizakarne, and Oulad Teima have revealed the presence of different AMF communities sharing some species but dissimilar AMF community compositions are noted according to sampling time and site. Additionally, the diverse AMF structures detected such as vesicles, arbuscules and hyphae reflect implicitly the germination of AMF propagules in the rhizospheric area of the Argan tree. The pre-evaluation of AMF in the soil through spores’ density can indicate AMF community dynamics, signaling either the adaptability of mycorrhizal symbionts to the local conditions or its decline. In total, 39 morphotypes of endomycorrhizal fungal spores were identified and described, representing seven genera: Glomus (15 species), Scutellospora (3 species), Entrophospora (4 species), Pacispora (2 species), Gigaspora (4 species), Acaulospora (10 species), and Ambispora (1 species). The genus Glomus has a wide occurrence and had the largest number of species. This chapter gives a great overview of the mycorrhizal status of argan trees in their natural habitats of the main Moroccan argan forests.

Enterococci are commensal bacteria in the gastrointestinal flora of animals and humans. These are an important global cause of nosocomial infections. A Biofilm formation constitutes an alternative lifestyle in which microorganisms adopt a multi-cellular behavior that facilitates and prolongs survival in diverse environmental niches. The species of enterococcus forms the biofilm on biotic and abiotic surfaces both in the environment and in the healthcare settings. The ability to form biofilms is among the prominent virulence properties of enterococcus. The present chapter highlights the mechanisms underlying in the biofilm formation by enterococcus species, which influences in causing development of the diseases.

Attachment of bacterial biofilm to the surfaces of farm, fomites and equipments remains chance transmission of infection poultry and human through food chain. Formation of biofilm causes spoilage of poultry products during processing of eggs, meat and distribution. Biofilm may cause many bacterial species in biofilm society. The formation of biofilm deteriorates food quality, water supply system, drugs resistance, and reduces the efficacy of equipments, spread disease and lingering of disease course. Common bacteria cause biofilm in poultry farm and food industries are Salmonella sp., Staphylococcus spp., Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonae, Campylobacter jejuni, Streptococcus agalactiae. Formation of biofilm is under stress and regulated by several genes of bacterial. There are several methods of diagnosis of biofilm such as Roll plate method, tube method, microtitre assay, PCR assay, mass spectrometry method and Biological assay of Biofilm. Therapeutic elimination of biofilms for smooth production of poultry is chemical and environmental modifications. Water may be treated with several means, both chemical and physical ways. Food-contaminated biofilm-related treatment is done applying quaternary ammonium compounds, aldehydes, phenolics, alkyl amines, chlorine dioxide, etc. Veterinary medical therapy against biofilms is use of antibiotics with ultrasound, low electric current, phage therapy, nanodrug delivery system, antimicrobial peptides, antiadhesin, antimatrix and chelating substances.

A group of particular acidophiles microorganisms (bacteria and archaea) known as chemolithoautotrophs are capable of using minerals as fuel. Its oxidation generates electrons to obtain energy and carbon that is obtained by fixing CO2 from the air. During this aerobic mineral oxidation, metals are solubilized or biodegraded. Metal bioleaching usually is used in biomining and urban biomining approaches to recovery metals such as copper, gold and zinc. Several species of bacterial genus Acidithiobacillus display a great bioleaching activity. Bacterial attachment and biofilm formation are the initial requirements to begin a successful bioleaching process. Biofilm formation in Acidithiobacillus bacteria is strongly regulated by cell to cell communication system called Quorum Sensing. The goal of this chapter is to review the Quorum Sensing system mediated by the autoinducer N-acyl- homoserine-lactones in the Bacterium Acidiothiobacillus ferroxidans, in order to enhance and to boost the bioleaching technologies based in the use of this bacterium. The main applications of the cell-to-cell communication system concepts in A. ferrooxidans are reviewed in this chapter. It is that the addition of synthetic autoinducers molecules, which act as agonist of quorum sensing system, especially those with long acyl chains, both as single molecules (C12-AHL, 3-hydroxy-C12-AHL, C14-AHL, and 3-hydroxy-C14-AHL) or as a mixture (C14-AHL/3- hydroxy-C14-AHL/3-oxo-C14-AHL) increased the adhesion to sulfur and pyrite and enhance the metal bioleaching in urban biomining approaches.

Despite advances in applied sciences, myasthenia gravis (MG) remains a challenging disorder to diagnose and treat. The clinical presentation results in either transient or persistent painless weakness and abnormal fatigability of any (ocular, bulbar, limbs, trunk, respiratory) or all voluntary (skeletal) muscles; however, it is usually not to the same extent. Several scoring systems of MG signs or the global state of the patient have been proposed in an attempt to provide a standard scheme for use by all investigators. Some patients may have non-muscle-related complaints due to different disorders which may be associated with MG (thymoma, thyroid disorders, other autoimmune diseases, etc.).

There are several different types of vaccines. Each type is designed to teach your immune system how to fight off certain kinds of germs and the serious diseases they cause. There are four main types of vaccines: live attenuated vaccines; inactivated vaccines; subunit, recombinant, polysaccharide, and conjugate vaccines; and toxoid vaccines.

The role of immune system in our body is to defense against the foreign bodies. However, if the immune system fails to recognize self and non-self-cells in our body leads to autoimmune diseases. Widespread autoimmune diseases are rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, and more yet to be added to the list. This chapter discusses about how stem cell-based therapies and advancement of regenerative medicine endow with novel treatment for autoimmune diseases. Furthermore, in detail, specific types of stem cells and their therapeutic approach for each autoimmune condition along with their efficiency to obtain desired results are discussed. Ultimately, this chapter describes the recent trends in treating autoimmune diseases effectively using advanced stem cell research.

Thymus is a ductless, highly organized, bilobed encapsulated gland of the lymphoid organs that contributes in thymopoiesis. Thymus plays an important function in the assortment, progress and profusion of T cells. The mature subsets of thymus dependent lymphocytes linked with the thymic epithelial and other cells developed the microstructure that protect the body from the harmful foreign micro-organism. Most of the thymic lobular areas experienced the parenchymal cells hypoplasia, undergone infiltration of stromal FCT and experienced thymic atrophy with age progression. As the host gets adult, the regression of the thymus and the thymopoiesis occurs, which ultimately boost the vulnerable situations of the host and open a gateway to autoimmune diseases. Since past decades, scientists are intensely investigated to develop some tactics for the improvements of the thymus performance including T-cell regeneration and maturation with age progression. This unique organ is continuously altered morphologically with age and disease; however, this microarchitectural alteration and its possible modulations is not yet clear. Therefore, the main purpose of this chapter is to highlight the microstructural compartments and physiological modification of the thymus with age. Also, the chapter is suggesting the possible alternative ways to improve its durable physio-morphology in vertebrates.

Food is a means to sustain and enjoy life, but it is also a medium for microbial contamination, causing disease and death. Fruits, vegetables, meat, and water are the common sources of contamination. Escherichia coli is one of the most frequent Pathogenic Bacteria responsible for food poisoning and food-related infections. E. coli infection causes severe bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and occasional vomiting. In the present study, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), surface plasmon resonance (SPR), and physisorption techniques were evaluated to decrease sample preparation time and to improve the sensitivity and specificity for the detection of low levels of pathogenic Escherichia coli in frozen chicken meat. The electrical and optical properties of the immobilized anti-E. coli antibody were studied. Moreover, the developed biosensor was used for E. coli detection in inoculated frozen chicken meat.

There are mounting evidences showing the relation of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases with the uncontrolled intensification of gut dysbiosis. This position asserts that an elevated presence of pathogens and bacterial, fungal, and viral components is directly involved in inflammatory metabolic diseases with a strong alteration of autoimmune components such as in inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS), ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease. Furthermore, the increase of unbalanced enteric microbiota is also connected to other types of conditions of metabolic origin such as diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, and osteo-degenerative conditions. As a matter of fact, evidence confirmed that gut damages histologically inspected revealed a situation with high expression of pro-inflammatory cytotumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and IL1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-17 together with high level of mucin-2. This chapter focuses on diverse topics related to microbiota dysfunction and systemic health condition and regenerative capacity and the therapeutic role of probiotics in gut health and disease emphasizing the potential beneficial role of probiotics in idiopathic inflammatory metabolic diseases. In brief, outcomes demonstrate that an intimate relationship between microbiota, metabolism, tissue/cellular damages, and regeneration is standing. Within this scenario, the gut certainly plays a big part of the regenerative mechanisms in translational medicine.

The use of antibiotics to treat bacterial infections have largely been successful. However, the misuse and overuse of these precious drugs have led to the development of bacterial resistance and this seems to have jeopardized their effectiveness. Many antibiotics that hitherto were seen as “miraculous drugs”, have witnessed a low efficacy and this has threatened the life of humanity as never before. The rapid emergence of antibiotic resistance in bacteria is the major cause of this sad development. One such superbug is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). MRSA is a general problem in most healthcare centers with a reported astronomical incidence of invasive MRSA infections causing death. Honey, a natural product, popular for its antibacterial activity is increasingly being used owing to its reported antibiotic potential against ‘stubborn’ bacteria. This review discusses the fact that though honey is an ancient remedy, it is still relevant and its application in modern medicine for the treatment of chronically infected wounds caused by MRSA should be re-visited. Furthermore, the in vitro antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of medical-grade honey on S. aureus infections and challenges encountered by Researchers in developing honey, into an acceptable medical, therapeutic antibacterial agent for wound care have also been highlighted.

Candida albicans is an opportunistic dimorphic yeast. This organism is pathogen associated to superficial and systemic infections. Actually, Candida albicans represents an emergent pathogen especially in a patient with some immunity compromises. Added to this, the use of antifungal in an indiscriminate form has increased the resistance of the existing drugs. In this aspect, the nanotechnology generates the possibility of creating new therapeutic agents. Nanoparticles are structures of 1–100 nm with special physicochemical characteristics that allow it to function as therapeutic agents or as carriers of these. Palladium, silver, and gold metallic nanoparticles and iron, titanium, zinc, and copper oxides have been used as growth inhibitors. These nanoparticles have been proved alone or in form of nanocomposites. The objective of this chapter is to describe the state of the art of the use of nanoparticles as inhibitors of the growth of Candida albicans, as well as the most relevant results regarding the mechanisms involved in this inhibition.

Exposure to environmental toxins in water, soil and air are increasing with health effects, mainly in older ages and physiological states (childhood and pregnancy). The role of the microbiota has been widely studied with effects on the maintenance of health but this is only possible with a diet that promotes it. The traditional Mexican diet is rich in fiber, which has prebiotic effects and has found a higher excretion of arsenic and fluoride in adolescents who maintained a diet high in fiber derived from traditional foods. After several descriptive studies in the state of Guanajuato, since 2004, first with arsenic in drinking water in population of several communities, in 2015, it is achieved through an intervention study with a supplementation of several vitamins and minerals in population adolescent, a greater urinary arsenic and fluoride excretion, as well as a greater consumption of traditional foods such as beans, bananas, orange and quelites. Food is key to maintain a function of the microbiota, so its review and study should be encouraged.

The present review describes a part of the author’s own experience in applying immunoperoxidase staining to routine histopathological diagnosis. The target disorder was focused on infection. In the practice of pathology diagnosis services, it is important for us diagnostic pathologists to judge whether the lesion is caused by an infection or not. When an infectious disease is highly likely, the visualization of pathogens within the inflammatory lesion is required to suggest a causative agent. Two main approaches the author would like to introduce include (1) the use of commercially available antisera showing wide cross-reactivity to a variety of bacteria and (2) the use of diluted patients’ sera. These immunohistochemical studies employing “low-specificity” and “high-sensitivity” probes are useful for confirming the localization of pathogen within the infectious lesion.

Tumor viruses cause cancer; thus, extensive studies are being conducted on them. In this article, we will review the basic medical research on the current clinical genetic tests for tumor viruses such as human papilloma virus, hepatitis B virus, and T-cell leukemia virus. Recently, clinical genetic tests have been developed for quick diagnosis of the tumor virus infection. Additionally, we will review the mutagenesis of murine leukemia retrovirus. In particular, we will focus on the insertional mutagenesis. This will help in deciding the direction of future virus research by combining clinical and basic research.

When a Dunaliella salina cell is stressed, a series of adaptive changes occur, including gene expression regulation, acclimating to new conditions, and maintaining survival. Due to the natural habitat and the high adaptability of this extraordinary organism to the intolerable environment for other photosynthetic organisms, the plasticity of metabolic pathways has been proven. In this regard, it seems that manipulating the amount and activity of enzymes involved in these pathways is inevitable. Therefore, both nuclear and organelles genomes must sense environmental fluctuation quickly and accurately to respond appropriately to those changes during transcription or post-transcriptional stages. In addition to the nuclear genome, D. salina has an autonomous chloroplast genome, consisting of 66, and a mitochondria genome consisting of seven genes encoding proteins. The mystery of D. salina survival in harsh environments, from 5 M salinity salt lakes to the Atacama Desert Caves, lies in this flexibility and adaptability from molecular levels to the metabolic pathway of D. salina cells. Therefore, who can say prudently that the prosperity of D. salina depends on flexibility in the regulation of plastid gene expression?

This chapter reviews various interferon (IFN) system disturbances—interferonopathies. The authors describe clinical specifics of type I interferonopathy associated with overexpression of IFNα—which is a rare Mendelian genetic disease. Certain autoimmune diseases (systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), vasculitis, immune dysregulation syndrome, etc.) are also characterized by overproduction of IFNα. Furthermore the most common interferonopathies are described—deficiencies of IFN, congenital or acquired IFNα/IFNβ and IFNγ deficiencies in children and adults. Deficiency of IFNα/IFNβ associated with severe recurrent viral infections and deficiency of IFNγ cause mycobacterial infection. Interferon-corrective therapy methods are described. The target therapy of type I interferonopathies (biologics) binds IFNα and normalizes the high level of IFNα. From the other side, patients with congenital IFNα deficiencies are needed in replacement IFN therapy. In case of acquired IFNα deficiency, the differentiated interferon-corrective therapy is performed. In both replacement and interferon-corrective therapies, recombinant human IFNα2b in complex with antioxidants (Viferon®) can be used, because their application is safe and has good clinical efficiency and no side effects.

Decades of ill-agricultural practices associated with emerging risks of climatic changes have been degrading the ecosystem with immense stress on the soil health, crop productivity. Arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) form advantageous symbiosis between plant roots and specialized soil fungi that is rampant in natural habitats. Studies show that the elevated AMF indicated good soil health, high crop turnouts benefiting the Agriculture and other industries. AMF dependent on plants for sugars, while offering benefits like intact binding of soil particles, biomass increase, improvement of water-holding capacity, replacement of harmful chemicals, increased intake of phosphorous, zinc and other nutrients, drought and salinity tolerance, carbon sequestering in soil and protection from nematodes and other predatory insects. AMF are best candidates as bio-fertilizers and this review will explore their beneficial interconnections.

Approximately 80% of the pathogens that lead to deadly infections in humans choose mucosal tissue as the first site of infection. The mucosal surfaces of the body include the gastrointestinal tract, airways, oral cavity, and urogenital mucosa, which provide a large area conducive to the invasion and accumulation of many microorganisms and are of great importance in this regard. The large extent of mucus, as well as the accumulation of bacteria and countless foreign antigens in these areas, are the most important reasons for the importance of mucosal tissues. In addition to the myriad of symbiotic bacteria, large amounts of oral antigens (both pathogenic and non-pathogenic) enter a person’s body daily and human mucosal tissues are exposed to these antigens. The function of the mucosal immune system is to distinguish pathogenic antigens from non-pathogenic ones. In this way, against a large number of oral antigens or co-tolerant microorganisms, and pathogenic antigens, a favorable (and even non-inflammatory, possible) immune response is produced. Mucosal tissue, as the largest lymphatic organ in the body, is home to 75% of the lymphocyte population and produces the highest amount of immunoglobulin. The amount of secreted IgA (slgA) produced daily by mucosal surfaces is much higher than the IgG produced in the bloodstream. A 70 kg person produces more than 3 grams of IgA per day, which is about 70–60% of the total antibodies produced in the body. The first embryonic organ in which immune system cells are located in the intestine. Some researchers consider this organ (and specifically mucosal lymph nodes) to be the source of the human immune system.

Agriculture is an important activity globally since it ensures food security and is a source of income for many families, especially those living in underprivileged countries. The continuous growth in the global population has seen farmers increase the crop production acreage to meet the increasing demand for food and avert food shortage. Despite this, farmers continue to harvest lower yields than anticipated, which threatens global food security. The reduced yields result from outdated and ineffective farming practices as well as pests and diseases. Diseases are a significant cause of reduced crop yields globally. Biotic and abiotic factors cause diseases. Of the recognized biotic causes of disease, root-knot nematodes, also known as Meloidogyne spp. are plant-parasitic nematodes that cause significant losses to farmers in terms of reduced plant yields. Over the years, researchers have conducted several studies on the effective use of Trichoderma spp. fungi as a biocontrol agent for these pathogens. This paper analyzes the advancements made towards the effective and efficient biocontrol of Meloidogyne spp. using Trichoderma spp. and the implications of these advancements for agriculture and food security.

Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) strains are those that cause infections in the urinary tract. They acquired virulence factors which enable them to survive in the urinary tract and elicit pathogenicity. The virulence factors are classified into two categories: (i) bacterial cell surface virulence factors and (ii) bacteria secreted virulence factors. Adhesins, toxins and iron up-take systems are major groups of virulence factors. The variety of virulence factors of UPEC is presented in this chapter.

The plant parasitic nematodes are one of the major limiting factors in fruit trees specially in citrus, banana, papaya, jackfruit, guava etc. The root knot nematodes are the major problem amongst all those nematodes infecting on these trees. Besides, directly causing a huge losses, they are also inviting the secondary plant pathogens, like fungi, bacteria, viruses etc. amongst which, the wilt fungus, Fusarium species increase the severity of the diseases. This complex disease is becoming much severe in banana and guava recent years. In citrus also, the citrus nematodes, Tylenchulus semipenetrans, is causing havoc by slow decline disease and it is becoming a major problem in horticultural nurseries because these nurseries are a hot spot of citrus nematodes. So, unknowingly these nematodes get spread to different places. The management of these nematodes by simple, cheap and eco friendly methods, is very important as it will decrease the monetary pressure on cultivators as well as it helps in improving environmental pollution.

Escherichia coli (E. coli) has many serotypes. The O157:H7 E. coli serotype is the most prominent serotype of enterohemorrhagic E. coli. It produces the Shiga toxin, which is one of the most important virulent factors discovered till today and has different subtypes with different antigenic and molecular traits. Consumption of contaminated water, milk or even eating an uncooked raw meat can cause bloody diarrhea that can end up in a life-threatening disease, such as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This is a condition that affects endothelial cells in the blood vessels and leads to thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) that can cause blood clots formation in small blood vessels. The E. coli O157:H7 can be isolated from patient’s stool and be identified by serological tests such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoblotting methods. This special strain of E. coli can be used as a biological weapon, as it can be so dangerous and has the ability to spread easily form person to person.

Zika virus (ZIKV), an arthropod-borne flavivirus, was classified as reemerging infectious disease and included as neglected tropical disease. During the recent ZIKV outbreak in South America, it has been demonstrated that ZIKV infection during pregnancy is strongly associated with fetal loss, malformations and neurological disorders in newborns. Despite the first line of host immune defense is related to innate immunity activation, the immunological homeostasis is essential for pregnancy success. Although the dynamic changes in maternal-fetal immunity is not completely understood and poorly investigated, the knowledge of immune responses during gestation is very important for infectious disease prevention and control, as ZIKV. Here, we put together more and new information about the innate immunity during gestation, highlighting three parts probably involved with clinical outcome and/or not well explored in literature: 1) type III interferon; 2) innate regulatory cells; and 3) cell death pathways modulation. Additionally, we will be focused on discussing how the dynamic responses of innate immune system during pregnancy and its effects in newborns, could be modulated by ZIKV, as well as how efforts on development of new/old drugs and vaccines could be effective for ZIKV prevention and control to provide a successful pregnancy.