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A biofilm is a collection of microbial cells that have adhered to biotic surfaces such as plant cuticles or animal epithelia, as well as abiotic surfaces such as rocky substratum or catheter exteriors. The life cycle of a microorganism includes the fundamental process of biofilm formation for survival in diverse and harsh environments since it is a protected mode of growth allowing colonisation of new habitats by dispersal of microbes from the microbial clusters. The biofilm bound microorganisms remain embedded in an extracellular polymeric matrix that protects the indwelling cells from surfactants, biocides, several invaders like protozoans, and defences offered by the hosts like phagocytic...
This book offers a comprehensive exploration of brain tumors, beginning with a foundational understanding of their pathophysiology and extending through the latest advancements in diagnosis and treatment. The chapters examine the underlying mechanisms that drive the development and progression of brain tumors and present a detailed analysis of the incidence, distribution, and potential risk factors associated with brain tumors. The book explores the intricate relationship between brain tumors and visual disorders, and reviews the critical role of advanced imaging technologies in diagnosing brain tumors, evaluating the strengths and limitations of various modalities such as MRI and PET scans....
Microbial biofilm plays an important role in the life cycle of microorganisms surviving in diverse and harsh environments such as extremes of temperatures, pH, salinity, nutrient scarcity etc. Biofilm formation is a survival strategy adopted by microorganisms allowing colonization in new niches by dispersal of microbes from the microbial clusters embedded within an outer polymer layer produced by the microorganism itself. This layer comprises of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) that helps the indwelling microbes to grow and divide in a protected environment against invaders like antimicrobial agents, surfactant, biocides and phagocytic cells of host organisms. Thus, EPS matrix preven...
This book reviews the current concepts in biofilm formation and its implications in human health and disease. The initial chapters introduce the mechanisms of biofilm formation and its composition. Subsequently, the chapters discuss the role of biofilm in acute and chronic infections. It also explores the pivotal role of both innate and adaptive immunity on the course of biofilm infection. In addition, the book elucidates the bacterial biofilm formation on implantable devices and the current approaches to its treatment and prevention. It analyzes the possible relationship between antimicrobial resistance and biofilm formation. Finally, the book also summarizes the current state-of-the-art therapeutic approaches for preventing and treating biofilms. This book is a useful resource for researchers in the field of microbiology, clinical microbiology, and also medical practitioners.
The book highlights the importance of prebiotics, probiotics and synbiotics in the signalling mechanism between gut microbiota and brain, also referred to as the gut-brain axis. A stable gut microbiota is essential for normal gut physiology and overall health, since it assists in proper signalling along the brain–gut axis. The book describes how the cross talks between gut microbiota and brain, not only regulate gastro-intestinal functions but also ensure proper functioning of cognitive behaviour and immunological functions. The various chapters describe probiotic microorganisms that colonize gastrointestinal tract and provide an array of health benefits to the host. It further elaborates about certain non-digestible oligosaccharides (prebiotics) are easily fermented by specialist microbes in the gut, to produce health-promoting metabolites and inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria. This book is useful for students, researchers and scientists in the field of microbiology, food science and nutrition. It is also meant for industry experts involved in developing nutraceuticals.
Fungi are an important link in the food webs of all ecosystems. They have immense potential and comprise a myriad of useful bioactive compounds. Fungi feature in a wide range of diverse processes and applications in modern agriculture, the food science industry, and the pharmaceutical industry. In the food and drink arena, the role of fungi is historically important in the form of mushrooms and in fermented foods as yeasts for baking and brewing. These roles are supplemented by the use of fungal food processing enzymes and additives, and more recently in the development of protein-based foodstuffs from fungi. Additionally, they are used in the formulation of biofertilizers and biopesticides ...
Lantibiotics as Alternative Therapeutics explores alternative therapeutics, lantibiotics and other novel drugs. This book provides concrete information to readers regarding lantibiotics and various types of antimicrobial peptides with their mode of actions in treating various multidrug resistant organisms. It explains various techniques that are involved in analyzing antimicrobial peptides and their mode of actions. The development of antibiotic resistance has now reached a point of crisis where innovative methods and application of novel compounds and methods are required to prevent the spread of drug resistant infections. Novel compounds exhibit different modes of action to the currently u...
Sustainable Utilization of Fungi in Agriculture and Industry covers current knowledge about different fungal microorganisms, including economically important filamentous fungi and yeasts. 22 chapters summarize information about scientific investigations and the application of fungi in the production of industrial enzymes, organic acids (citric acid, lactic acid, etc.), biofuel (ethanol and hydrogen) and bioactive compounds for sustainable processes in agriculture, bioremediation, and the industrial production of pharmaceuticals. Each chapter gives an updated and detailed account on fungal microbes and their sustainable utilization in agriculture, white biotechnology, and other valuable indus...
Ammonia oxidising bacteria (AOB) and archaea are ubiquitous microorganisms, but their abundance and diversity vary widely across environments and play a crucial role in many ecosystems and aquatic ecosystems in particular. However, characterization of AOB communities requires genomic methods as they are difficult to isolate from samples. Although non-toxic to humans, in the short term, ammonia in water systems is harmful to aquatic life both directly and indirectly through the disruption of the ecosystem by promoting the proliferation of algae (a process called eutrophication). Contamination often occurs due to use of disinfectants with chloramines, fertilizers, waste disposal and from natural processes. Due to their natural presence, utilising AOBs to treat water is viewed as an attractive solution, but greater knowledge of their biochemical processes and measurement of their efficacy is required. Ideal for postgraduates and researchers in a variety of disciplines, this book covers the ecology, genomics, physiology and biochemistry of AOBs and their presence in wastewater, and the challenges, opportunities and potential applications for nitrification and ammonia removal.