Ending the War Metaphor

Ending the War Metaphor PDF

Author: Institute of Medicine

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2006-07-09

Total Pages: 306

ISBN-13: 0309096014

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Infectious diseases have existed longer than us, as long as us, or are relatively newer than us. It may be the case that a disease has existed for many, many years but has only recently begun affecting humans. At the turn of the century the number of deaths caused by infections in the United States had been falling steadily but since the '80s has seen an increase. In the past 30 years alone 37 new pathogens have been identified as human disease threats and 12% of known human pathogens have been classified as either emerging or remerging. Whatever the story, there is currently a "war" on infectious diseases. This war is simply the systematic search for the microbial "cause" of each disease, followed by the development of antimicrobial therapies. The "war" on infectious diseases, however, must be revisited in order to develop a more realistic and detailed picture of the dynamic interactions among and between host organisms and their diverse populations of microbes. Only a fraction of these microbes are pathogens. Thus, in order to explore the crafting of a new metaphor for host-microbe relationships, and to consider how such a new perspective might inform and prioritize biomedical research, the Forum on Microbial Threats of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) convened the workshop, Ending the War Metaphor: The Changing Agenda for Unraveling the Host-Microbe Relationship on March 16-17, 2005. Workshop participants examined knowledge and approaches to learning about the bacterial inhabitants of the human gut, the best known host-microbe system, as well as findings from studies of microbial communities associated with other mammals, fish, plants, soil, and insects. The perspective adopted by this workshop is one that recognizes the breadth and diversity of host-microbe relationships beyond those relative few that result in overt disease. Included in this summary are the reports and papers of individuals participating in the Forum as well as the views of the editors.

Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Synbiotics

Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Synbiotics PDF

Author: Ronald Ross Watson

Publisher: Academic Press

Published: 2015-09-23

Total Pages: 938

ISBN-13: 0128023716

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Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Synbiotics: Bioactive Foods in Health Promotion reviews and presents new hypotheses and conclusions on the effects of different bioactive components of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics to prevent disease and improve the health of various populations. Experts define and support the actions of bacteria; bacteria modified bioflavonoids and prebiotic fibrous materials and vegetable compounds. A major emphasis is placed on the health-promoting activities and bioactive components of probiotic bacteria. Offers a novel focus on synbiotics, carefully designed prebiotics probiotics combinations to help design functional food and nutraceutical products Discusses how prebiotics and probiotics are complementary and can be incorporated into food products and used as alternative medicines Defines the variety of applications of probiotics in health and disease resistance and provides key insights into how gut flora are modified by specific food materials Includes valuable information on how prebiotics are important sources of micro-and macronutrients that modify body functions

Immunopathology and Immunomodulation

Immunopathology and Immunomodulation PDF

Author: Krassimir Metodiev

Publisher: BoD – Books on Demand

Published: 2015-11-18

Total Pages: 314

ISBN-13: 953512210X

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This book is a continuation of the efforts of InTech to expand the scientific know-how in the field of immunopathology and bring valuable updated information to medical professionals and researchers. It consists of chapters related to various approaches to investigate the unique role of the immune system in response to different clinical disorders. The international team of authors is the bonus of the book, reflecting the rapid development of immunology and new achievements in medical science. We firmly hope that the book will be an excellent manual and guideline for people dealing with biology, microbiology, immunology, virology, pharmacology, general and dental medicine, and health care, from students and postdocs to high-level specialists and university professors.

The Gut-Brain Axis

The Gut-Brain Axis PDF

Author: Niall Hyland

Publisher: Elsevier

Published: 2023-12-15

Total Pages: 544

ISBN-13: 0323983022

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The Gut-Brain Axis: Dietary, Probiotic, and Prebiotic Interventions on the Microbiota, Second Edition presents the most advances on how the gut microbiome influences central nervous system and brain function introduced in the first edition. The book also describes how environmental influences which affect the microbiota, including, diet, exercise, and early-life, impact on the gut-brain axis. The second edition contains new chapters on metabolomics and the gut-brain-axis; dietary factors in the maintenance of a healthy brain ; the role of gut microbes in neurodegenerative disorders; the link between exercise and the gut-brain-axis; and infant Nutrition, the microbiome and neurodevelopment. In addition, the second edition presents coverage of mechanisms underlying neurological disease; approaches to investigate the role of the microbiome in brain and behavior, and 'next generation' probiotics and prebiotics. The Gut-Brain Axis: Dietary, Probiotic, and Prebiotic Interventions on the Microbiota, Second Edition continues to be the “go-to resource for further exploration of the microbiota. Includes new chapters focused on metabolomics and the gut-brain axis; dietary polyphenols to maintain healthier brain measures and cognitive function; the role of gut microbes in Parkinson’s Disease; the microbiota-gut-brain axis in psychosis; exploration of exercise and the gut-brain axis; and coverage of pediatric nutrition Updated chapters reflect on the most recent advances on the role of the microbiome and gut-brain axis in early-life, aging, cognition, metabolism, neurodevelopmental disorders, as well as on the enteric nervous system Addresses the role of diet and the gut-brain axis across several chapters with unique author insights and perspectives Examines common mechanisms and pathways by which the microbiota may influence brain and behavior Discusses strategies to explore the contribution of the microbiome to the gut-brain axis; methods to enhance therapeutic strategies targeted toward the microbiota; and presents a case study demonstrating a rational screening approach to increase translational success

Microbial Endocrinology

Microbial Endocrinology PDF

Author: Mark Lyte

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2010-04-06

Total Pages: 325

ISBN-13: 1441955763

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Microbial endocrinology represents a newly emerging interdisciplinary field that is formed by the intersection of the fields of neurobiology and microbiology. This book will introduce a new perspective to the current understanding not only of the factors that mediate the ability of microbes to cause disease, but also to the mechanisms that maintain normal homeostasis. The discovery that microbes can directly respond to neuroendocrine hormones, as evidenced by increased growth and production of virulence-associated factors, provides for a new framework with which to investigate how microorganisms interface not only with vertebrates, but also with invertebrates and even plants. The reader will learn that the neuroendocrine hormones that one most commonly associates with mammals are actually found throughout the plant, insect and microbial communities to an extent that will undoubtedly surprise many, and most importantly, how interactions between microbes and neuroendocrine hormones can influence the pathophysiology of infectious disease.

Probiotics and Prebiotics

Probiotics and Prebiotics PDF

Author: Koen Venema

Publisher: Caister Academic Press Limited

Published: 2015

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781910190098

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Composed of nearly a thousand different types of microorganisms - some beneficial, others not - the human gut microbiota plays an important role in health and disease. This is due to the presence of probiotic or beneficial microbes, or due to the feeding of prebiotics that stimulate the endogenous beneficial microbes (these promote health by stimulating the immune system, improving the digestion and absorption of nutrients, and inhibiting the growth of pathogens). The notable health benefits of probiotic organisms have prompted much commercial interest, which in turn has led to a plethora of research initiatives in this area. These range from studies to elucidate the efficacy of the various health benefits to analyses of the diet-microbe interaction as a means of modulating the gut microbiota composition. Research in this area is at a very exciting stage. With state-of-the-art commentaries on all aspects of probiotics and prebiotics research, this book provides an authoritative and timely overview of the field. Written by leading international researchers, each chapter affords critical insight to a particular topic, reviews current research, discusses future direction, and stimulates discussion. Topics range from the different microorganisms used as probiotics (lactobacilli, bifidobacteria, yeast, etc.), and the techniques and approaches used (metagenomics, etc.), to the reviews of the clinical and medical aspects. The provision of extensive reference sections positively encourages readers to pursue each subject in greater detail. *** Librarians: ebook available on ProQuest and EBSCO [Subject: Microbiology, Life Science]

Prebiotics and Probiotics

Prebiotics and Probiotics PDF

Author:

Publisher: BoD – Books on Demand

Published: 2020-03-04

Total Pages: 274

ISBN-13: 1789859212

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Probiotic bacteria are found in the intestinal microbiota of the host and favor multiple metabolic reactions. Prebiotics provide food for probiotic bacteria and have an effect on their own performance in favor of host health. Numerous metabolic and immunological mechanisms are involved in its effects. Probiotics have been studied for several decades and their use for human consumption is still unclear. However, new types of molecules with prebiotic functions and components of probiotic bacteria with therapeutic potential are still being studied. The versatility of these molecules makes their incorporation into human food and animal diets feasible. This book is a compendium of recent scientific information on the use of probiotics and prebiotics for the benefit of human and animal health.