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An Introduction to Parasitism
Published in Eric S. Loker, Bruce V. Hofkin, Parasitology, 2023
Eric S. Loker, Bruce V. Hofkin
Different biological disciplines answer this question in different ways. For example, among microbiologists and infectious disease specialists, the term parasite is often used to refer to those organisms with the properties of parasites that are eukaryotes. Eukaryotes are organisms with a defined nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, such as mitochondria. Eukaryotes include unicellular protists (or protozoa), fungi, plants and animals (this diversity is discussed in more detail in Chapter 2). Bear in mind that many eukaryotes are free-living and so are not parasites. From this vantage point, suborganismal entities, such as prions or viruses, and prokaryotes (bacteria) that infect hosts and cause them damage are not parasites. Parasites (in the restricted eukaryotic sense), viruses and some bacteria are all considered infectious agents or pathogens by this reckoning (Figure 1.4).
Fungi and Water
Published in Chuong Pham-Huy, Bruno Pham Huy, Food and Lifestyle in Health and Disease, 2022
Chuong Pham-Huy, Bruno Pham Huy
Fungi including mushrooms, molds, and yeasts are eukaryotic organisms as vegetable or animal species, but are classified as a separate kingdom because fungal cell walls contain rigid chitin and glucans that are not found in animal, vegetal, or bacterial species (1–8). Eukaryotic cells are cells that contain a nucleus and other organelles enclosed within membranes. In other words, the fungal kingdom comprises a hyper diverse clade of heterotrophic eukaryotes characterized by the presence of a chitinous cell wall, the loss of phagotrophic capabilities, and cell organizations that range from completely unicellular monopolar organisms to highly complex syncytial filaments (containing several nuclei) that may form macroscopic structures (8). Mushrooms like morels, button mushroom, and puffballs are macroscopic multicellular fungi, while molds are a large group of microscopic multicellular fungi. Molds are characterized by filamentous forms named hyphae. Many fungi occur not as hyphae but as unicellular forms called yeasts, which are invisible to the naked eye and reproduce by budding (2–4).
Mitochondria and Embryo Viability
Published in Carlos Simón, Carmen Rubio, Handbook of Genetic Diagnostic Technologies in Reproductive Medicine, 2022
Irene Corachan Garcia, Laura Iñiguez Quiles, Antonio Diez-Juan
Mitochondria play a critical role in the generation of metabolic energy in eukaryotic cells, using oxidative phosphorylation to derive energy (ATP) from carbohydrates and fatty acids. Mitochondria contain their own DNA, which encodes tRNAs, rRNAs, and some mitochondrial proteins (1). Ranging in size from 0.5 to 1.0 μm in diameter (2), these unique organelles have a double-membrane system consisting of inner and outer membranes separated by an intermembrane space (1). The outer mitochondrial membrane encloses the matrix (internal space) and contains a large number of proteins that form channels allowing small molecules to pass. The inner mitochondrial membrane, which is folded into structures (cristae) that increase the surface area, is less permeable, blocking the movement of ions and other small molecules. Both the inner and outer membranes contain specific transport proteins that can move molecules by a passive or active transport (2) (Figure 15.1).
A mouthwash formulated with o-cymen-5-ol and zinc chloride specifically targets potential pathogens without impairing the native oral microbiome in healthy individuals
Published in Journal of Oral Microbiology, 2023
Javier Pascual, Javier Mira Otal, Daniel Torrent-Silla, Manuel Porcar, Cristina Vilanova, Fernando Vivancos Cuadras
Alpha diversity (richness of taxa, Shannon’s diversity index (H´), Simpson´s diversity index 1-D) and beta diversity of bacterial communities (Bray-Curtis distance) were analysed using the phyloseq (version 1.40.0) and vegan R (version 2.5–7) packages based on ASVs defined at 99.9% [31]. The non-parametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test in R [stats:wilcox.test(a,b, paired = TRUE or FALSE -depending on the nature of the data-)] was used with a Bonferroni correction for multiplicity adjustment to compare the means of numerical values of alpha diversity estimates and the relative abundances of taxa. Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) was performed with the R package vegan (version 2.5–7). Boxplots and ordination plots were constructed with the ggplot2 R package (version 3.3.6) and the heatmap with ampvis2 R package (version 2.7.2) [32,p.2]. Rarefaction curves were obtained with iNEXT R package (version 2.0.20) [33]. The non-parametric PERMANOVA test in R [vegan:adonis(); default conditions], with a Bonferroni correction for multiplicity adjustment was used to determine statistical significance of differences in beta diversity of bacterial communities. We used the stats package version as embedded in R version 3.6.3 (www.r-project.org). All the sequences assigned to chloroplasts, mitochondria or eukaryotic species were removed from the ecological analyses.
Tailoring and optimization of a honey-based nanoemulgel loaded with an itraconazole–thyme oil nanoemulsion for oral candidiasis
Published in Drug Delivery, 2023
Amal M. Sindi, Waleed Y. Rizg, Muhammad Khalid Khan, Hala M. Alkhalidi, Waleed S. Alharbi, Fahad Y. Sabei, Eman Alfayez, Hanaa Alkharobi, Mohammed Korayem, Mohammed Majrashi, Majed Alharbi, Mohammed Alissa, Awaji Y. Safhi, Abdulmajeed M. Jali, Khaled M. Hosny
Free-living eukaryotic organisms known as fungi can be molds (filamentous fungi), yeasts (round fungi), or a blend of both (dimorphic fungi) (Terezhalmy & Huber, 2011). One of the common fungal infections of the oral mucus membranes is oral candidiasis (Prasanna, 2012). It is caused by the yeast Candida albicans, which is a fairly normal component of the oral microbiota; it is found in 30% to 50% of people. As people age, the rate of carriage rises (Dangi et al., 2010). In 60% of patients over 60 years of age with dental problems, C. albicans is recovered from their mouths (Parihar, 2011). In addition to C. albicans, there are several other species of Candida that can be found in the oral environment, including Candida guilliermondii, Candida krusei, Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, Candida pseudotropicalis, and Candida tropicalis (Dangi et al., 2010).
Progress in understanding primary glomerular disease: insights from urinary proteomics and in-depth analyses of potential biomarkers based on bioinformatics
Published in Critical Reviews in Clinical Laboratory Sciences, 2023
Lili Ge, Jianhua Liu, Baoxu Lin, Xiaosong Qin
The complement system plays a vital role in many diseases and can be activated in three ways. Its activation can also trigger an attack against the body’s own cells, consequently causing autoimmune diseases [91,92]. It is also associated with kidney pathologies, especially MN. Cell adhesion is a dynamic process that plays an essential role in cell proliferation, differentiation, and migration, while perturbations in cell adhesion often lead to severe pathological alterations [93]. Abnormal cell adhesion may cause kidney disease such as IgAN, which is associated with mesangial cell and cell adhesion matrix proliferation [94,95]. Further delineating the relationship between IgAN and cell adhesion may help toward promoting noninvasive methods for diagnosing this disease. Cytoskeleton. the protein fiber grid system in eukaryotic cells, is a dynamic scaffolding network that is essential in maintaining basic cell morphology. Cytoskeleton proteins have been found to be abnormally expressed in patients with MCN and FSGS [96], while podocyte cytoskeleton injury can cause proteinuria [97]. Another study reported that rearrangements of the cytoskeleton could lead to functional abnormality of podocyte foot processes and symptoms of albuminuria, which trigger podocyte-related diseases [98]. Additional studies on cytoskeleton dynamics may help to characterize the pathogenesis of MCD and FSGS in greater detail. Further research in these three areas may lead to new discoveries about PGD.