Introduction; I. Kahane. Biology of Mollicutes; J.G. Tully. Molecular Biology of Spiroplasmas; J.M. Bove. Mycoplasmas in the Human Urogenital Tract; D. Taylor-Robinson. Mycoplasma Infections of Man; H. Brunner. Mycoplasmas as Immunomodulators; Y. Naot. Mycoplasmas-Animal Plasmas; R.F. Ross. Detection of Adherence of Ureaplasma urealyticum to Bovine Mucosa Fallopian Tube Cells in Culture; A.B. Saada, et al. Serological Identification of Mollicutes; J.G. Tully. Rapid Detection of PhloemRestricted Mollicutes; M. Garnier, et al. Detection and Identification of Mycoplasmas with Diagnostic DNA Probes Complementary to Ribosomal RNA; K.E. Johansson. Mycoplasmas in Cell Culture; M.F. Barile, S. Rottem. Development of a CaptureELISA for the Specific Detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae in Patients' Material; B. Gerstenecker, E. Jacobs. Identification of Mollicutes by Immunoblotting; S.A. Horowitz. 3 additional articles. Index.

depth overview of the retrovirus family. I have greatly enjoyed and learned from this experience. Each chapter is an excellent introduction to the topic covered and provides a good foundation for further work in the field. Jay A. Levy University of California School of Medicine San Francisco, California REFERENCES Brown, E. W., Yuhki, N., Packer, C., and O'Brien, S. J., 1994, A lion lentivirus related to feline immunodeficiency virus: Epidemiologic and phylogenetic aspects, ,. Viral. 68:5953-5968. Merza, M., Larsson, E., Steen, M., and Morein, B., 1994, Association of a retrovirus with a wasting condition in the Swedish moose, Virology 202:956-961. Contents Chapter 1 The Human Immunodeficiency Viruses Edward Barker, Susan W Barnett, Leonidas Stamatatos, and Jay A. Levy I. Introduction .................................................... 1 TI. Description of Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 A. Virus Structure .............................................. 2 B. Genetic Organization and Gene Function ...................... 2 TIL Transmission.................................................... 7 A. General Observations ........................................ 7 B. HIV Transmission by Blood and Blood Products ................ 8 C. HIV Transmission by Genital Fluids ........................... 10 D. HIV Transmission by Other Body Fluids ....................... 12 E. Mother-to-Child Transmission ................................ 12 IV. HIV Infection of the Cell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . A. Introduction ................................................. 13 B. HIV-Cell Interaction............ ............... .............. 15 C. CD4-Induced gp120 Conformational Changes .................. 16 D. Soluble CD4-Induced gp120-gp41 Dissociation..... ............ 16 E. gp120 Proteolytic Cleavage ................................... 17 F. pH-Independent Membrane Fusion ............................ 19 G. Transmission of HIV by Cell-to-Cell Fusion.................... 19 H. Additional Cell Surface Receptors for HIV ..................... 20 I. The Envelope Region and Cell Tropism ........ . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 . . . .

Handbook of Plant Virus Diseases presents basic information about viral-caused and viral-like diseases in many cultivated crops. The editors, internationally known plant pathologists, provide authoritative descriptive symptomatic signatures of virus diseases, to aid in the diagnosis and possible control of viruses. This handbook organizes cultivated plants into groups according to their final destinations and uses after harvest-a useful grouping system that indicates that some diseases, their resultant epidemiology, and control measures are characteristic within different groups.

Malaria causes more death and disease than any other parasitic pathogen known today. This multiauthored text covers the important areas of malaria research, particularly focusing on those sectors which are of clinical importance for the understanding of the disease, the parasite, and its vector.
The chapter authors are all leading experts within their own particular fields. The biology and molecular biology of the parasite, the clinical spectrum of the disease, the pathogenesis of malaria, and the immunology and emergence of malaria vaccines are some examples of the scientific spheres that are discussed.
The book is suitable as a text for graduate students and clinicians as well as researchers at universities and companies involved in treating or studying infectious diseases.

This detailed volume provides diagnosticians and researchers with practical methodologies and approaches to tackle animal coronaviruses. It explores conventional immunohistochemistry, virus neutralization, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, expression and purification of recombinant viral proteins, and various molecular assays, including conventional and real-time reverse transcription-PCR, reverse genetics methodology, and next generation sequencing and sequence analyses. As part of the Springer Protocols Handbooks series, chapters contain readily reproducible laboratory protocols as well as expert tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Practical and authoritative, Animal Coronaviruses serves as an ideal reference for researchers examining a wide variety of coronavirus species in the Coronaviridae.

This edited book discusses the latest advancements in the area of biofuel development. It covers extensive information regarding different aspects and types of biofuels. The book provides a road map of the various kinds of biofuels available for consideration. It focuses on microbial based power generation, applications of nanotechnology in biofuel development, advancements in molecular techniques, economic and life cycle assessments. The book also highlights the commercialization prospects and economics of the various processes and an overview of the life cycle assessment of the various different kinds of biofuels. The contributors are experienced professors, academicians and scientists associated with renowned laboratories and institutes in India and abroad. This book is of interest to teachers, researchers, biofuel scientists, capacity builders and policymakers. Also the book serves as additional reading material for undergraduate and graduate students. National and international scientists, policy makers will also find this to be a useful read.

This book describes emerging and established industrial processes of biomining technologies used for the recovery of metals of economic interest from, e.g. mineral ores, mining and electronic wastes using microbiological technologies. Multiple chapters focus on engineering design and operation of biomining systems. Several industrial case studies from China, Chile, Peru, Russia/Kazakhstan and Finland are included, which emphasises the practical approach of the book. The reader not only learns more about the biology, diversity and ecology of microorganisms involved in biomining processes, but also about microbial biomolecular and cultivation tools used in the biomining industry. Special emphasis is put on emerging biotechnologies enabling the use of biomining for recycling metals from e-wastes, waste streams and process waters. Finally, the future impacts and direction of biomining towards sustainability in a metal-demanding world are also highlighted. The book is aimed at an interdisciplinary audience involving operators and researchers working across disciplines including geology, chemical engineering, microbiology and molecular biology. This is reflected by the content of this book, as well as by its authors, who are all leading practitioners and authorities in their fields.

This book critically evaluates recently investigated feedstock for biofuels production. Biofuel sector is rapidly evolving to cater the renewable energy demands. Novel and advanced feedstock are being investigated for their techno-economic feasibility. Environmental concerns, food vs fuel debate, energy security, economic feasibility, and availability are the major drivers for exploring different feedstock for biofuel production. This book explores a wide range of potential biofuels feedstock, their functional concepts, recent advancement, novel technique and critical evaluation with other available biofuel feedstock. This book also discusses future prospects of biofuel production. It is a useful read for students, researchers, faculty, industry and policy makers in the biofuel field.

Big Data technologies have the potential to revolutionize the agriculture sector, in particular food safety and quality practices. This book is designed to provide a foundational understanding of various applications of Big Data in Food Safety. Big Data requires the use of sophisticated approaches for cleaning, processing and extracting useful information to improve decision-making. The contributed volume reviews some of these approaches and algorithms in the context of real-world food safety studies. Food safety and quality related data are being generated in large volumes and from a variety of sources such as farms, processors, retailers, government organizations, and other industries. The editors have included examples of how big data can be used in the fields of bacteriology, virology and mycology to improve food safety. Additional chapters detail how the big data sources are aggregated and used in food safety and quality areas such as food spoilage and quality deterioration along the supply chain, food supply chain traceability, as well as policy and regulations. The volume also contains solutions to address standardization, data interoperability, and other data governance and data related technical challenges. Furthermore, this volume discusses how the application of machine-learning has successfully improved the speed and/or accuracy of many processes in the food supply chain, and also discusses some of the inherent challenges. Included in this volume as well is a practical example of the digital transformation that happened in Dubai, with a particular emphasis on how data is enabling better decision-making in food safety. To complete this volume, researchers discuss how although big data is and will continue to be a major disruptor in the area of food safety, it also raises some important questions with regards to issues such as security/privacy, data control and data governance, all of which must be carefully considered by governments and law makers.

This volume presents a critical analysis and timely synthesis of the past decade of intensive research, development, and demonstrations on the in situ bioremediation of perchlorate in groundwater. The intended audiences include the decision makers, practicing engineers and hydrogeologists who will select, design, and operate these remedial systems, as well as researchers seeking to improve the current state-of-the-art. Our hope is that this volume will serve as a useful resource to assist remediation professionals in applying and developing the technology as effectively as possible. An overview of the current state-of-understanding of perchlorate remediation is followed by a discussion of basic principles of microbial and abiotic processes, and of the engineering and implementation issues underlying the technologies described. Characterization of both anthropogenic and natural sources of perchlorate, including isotopic analysis to distinguish between differing sources, precedes discussions of the advantages, performance, and relative costs of applying a range of remedial technologies. Active, semi-passive, and passive in situ bioremediation are fully described and compared with emphasis on field application. Cost information for each technology, using case studies and analyses of several template sites, covers capital costs, as well as costs for laboratory testing, pilot-scale demonstration, design, system operation, monitoring and maintenance during operations, and demolition and restoration after remediation. In addition, analogous cost data are presented for pump-and-treat systems for each template site to illustrate the potential cost savings associated with the use of alternative approaches. Emerging technologies such as monitored natural attenuation, phytoremediation, and vadose zone bioremediation are described, and field demonstrations are used to illustrate the current stage of maturity and the potential applicability of these approaches for specific situations. Each chapter in this volume has been thoroughly reviewed for technical content by one or more experts in each subject area covered.

This book covers all the aspects of food-grade enzymes, including their classification, kinetics, microbial production, biosynthetic pathways, commodity-wise industrial applications, and downstream processing strategies. The broad focus of this book is on the application of various classes of enzymes in dairy, fruits and vegetables, cereals and oilseeds, meat and poultry, and brewing and food packaging industries. Certain recent areas such as nanotechnological perspective in enzyme immobilization, infusion strategies as well as its efficient usage in food packaging and preservation are some of the salient highlights of this book. This book also discusses the aspects related to application of enzymes in functional food development and shelf life extension of various commodities food products. This book is beneficial for researchers, students, entrepreneurs, and industry experts in broad disciplines such as food processing, food biotechnology, food microbiology, biochemistry, agriculture, biotechnology, biochemical engineering, and bioprocess technology.

This book provides an updated knowledge on the biohydrogen production from industrial and municipal organic waste materials. Microbes are increasingly being included in the hydrogen based biofuel production and this book covers the processes and protocols for biohydrogen production. There is an urgent need of alternative energy research to fulfill the global energy demand. Biohydrogen is a promising source of sustainable and clean energy as it harnessed by biological means. Biohydrogen may be produced by utilizing different waste materials as a substrate, and by optimization of various parameters of bioreactors such as temperature, pH, partial pressure etc. The waste materials used in hydrogen production are categorized as agricultural waste, municipal waste, industrial waste, and other hazardous wastes. Biohydrogen production from wastes materials opened a new opportunity for the widespread use of everlasting renewable energy source. This book is useful for professional scientists, academicians, biotechnologist and environmentalist along with research scholars in various biotechnology and bioenergy industries by addressing the latest research going on in the field of renewal bioenergy production from waste and their global impact on the environment.

This book provides a comprehensive and up-to-date collection of review articles focusing on RNA-mediated regulation in prokaryotes. The various modes of action include the direct interaction with proteins, direct sensing of metabolites or of physical parameters, and the interaction with RNAs to stimulate or prevent binding of ribosomes or to stimulate degradation. Written by leading experts in the field, the book covers small RNA functions, RNA thermometers, riboswitches, the diversity of small RNA-guided CRISPR-Cas defense systems and selected RNA chaperons in both prokaryotic domains, bacteria and archaea. Recent advances towards the computational identification of regulatory RNAs and their targets are included and particular attention is paid to small RNA in pathogenic bacteria. This volume is the only one exclusively covering regulatory RNAs in the prokaryotic domains to date, making it essential literature for anyone interested in RNA function and gene regulation and a valuable resource for teaching these concepts.

This book details the widely accepted hypothesis that the majority of bacteria in virtually all ecosystems grow in matrix-enclosed biofilms. The author, who first proposed this biofilm hypothesis, uses direct evidence from microscopy and from molecular techniques, arguing cogently for moving beyond conventional culture methods that dominated microbiology in the last century. Bacteria grow predominantly in biofilms in natural, engineered, and pathogenic ecosystems; this book provides a solid basis for the understanding of bacterial processes in environmental, industrial, agricultural, dental and medical microbiology. Using a unique "ecological" perspective, the author explores the commensal and pathogenic colonization of human organ systems.

In recent years a number of scholars have analyzed the management of BSE, also known as 'mad cow disease'. The BSE crisis is regarded by many as an example of the failure of officials and politicians to handle risk situations. Yet, BSE is also characterized by a unique trait, that is, the infectious agent that causes it. Thus far, no one has paid attention to the fact that BSE and other transmissible spongiform encephalopathy's (TSEs) are allegedly caused by a novel agent - a prion - distinct from all other known infectious agents such as bacteria and viruses. The prion hypothesis was introduced by the American scientist Stanley Prusiner in 1982. It immediately created a controversy among scientists and is still rejected by some. Yet, despite this lack of consensus in the scientific community, Prusiner was awarded the Nobel Prize for medicine in 1997. This book analyzes the introduction, reception, development and consequences of the prion hypothesis. It shows that BSE is a unique case not only in virtue of its political mismanagement but also because its infectious agent has created a form of revolution in biology.

Research on the interactions of plants and phytopathogenic fungi has become one of the most interesting and rapidly moving fields in the plant sciences, the findings of which have contributed tremendously to the development of new strategies of plant protection. This book offers insight into the state of present knowledge. Special emphasis is placed on recognition phenomena between plants and fungi, parasitization strategies employed by the phytopathogenic fungi, the action of phytotoxins, the compatibility of pathogens with host plants and the basic resistance of non-host plants as well as cultivar-specific resistance of host plants. Special attention is paid to the gene-for-gene hypothesis for the determination of race-specific resistance, its molecular models and to the nature of race non-specific resistance as well as the population dynamics of plants and the evolution of their basic resistance.

Diatoms are the most species rich group of algae, and they contribute about 20% of annual global carbon fixation. They play major roles in ocean food webs and global biogeochemical cycles. They are also a target of the biotechnology industry because of their nano-patterned silica cell wall and high lipid content. Diatoms have received increasing attention as more genomes became available and because of the development of genome editing tools such as the CRISPR/Cas9 technology, which has made diatoms as genetically tractable as well-established biological model species. This book provides an overview on diatom molecular biology. It brings together international leading experts in the field to discuss the latest data and developments from genes to ecosystems. As the understanding of diatoms is currently experiencing a step change, it is critical to allow for synergistic approaches on diverse aspects of diatom biology and evolution. The books offers fundamental insights into the molecular life of diatoms; at the same time new scientific concepts are developed based on the application of the latest molecular tools and genomic information to explore the fascinating lifestyle of diatoms.

The advent of X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) as a tool for the soil sciences almost 40 years ago has revolutionised the field. Soil is the fragile, thin layer of material that exists above earth's geological substrates upon which so much of life on earth depends. However a major limitation to our understanding of how soils behave and function is due to its complex, opaque structure that hinders our ability to assess its porous architecture without disturbance. X-ray imagery has facilitated the ability to truly observe soil as it exists in three dimensions and across contrasting spatial and temporal scales in the field in an undisturbed fashion. This book gives a comprehensive overview of the "state of the art" in a variety of application areas where this type of imaging is used, including soil water physics and hydrology, agronomic management of soils, and soil-plant-microbe interactions. It provides the necessary details for entry level readers in the crucial areas of sample preparation, scanner optimisation and image processing and analysis. Drawing on experts across the globe, from both academia and industry, the book covers the necessary "dos and don'ts", but also offers insights into the future of both technology and science. The wider application of the book is provided by dedicated chapters on how the data from such imagery can be incorporated into models and how the technology can be interfaced with other relevant technical applications. The book ends with a future outlook from the four editors, each of whom has over 20 years of experience in the application of X-ray CT to soil science.

This timely book discusses antimicrobial drug resistance, specifically, the resistance against the beta-lactam class of antibiotics by Gram-Negative bacteria. The book is broadly divided into five sections. The first section describes the underlying mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance in Gram-negative bacteria. It gives an insight into the beta-lactamases, their types, classification, inhibitors, etc. The second section delves deep into the genetic basis of resistance. It talks about transposons, integrons, insertion sequences associated with antibiotic-resistant genes. The next section describes phenotypic and molecular methods to detect beta-lactam resistance. The fourth section talks about the epidemiology and prevalence of beta-lactamases in the environment. The last section of the book describes the various therapeutic options to combat this growing public threat of antimicrobial resistance. It talks about the current reserve drugs, as well as the newer antibiotic agents that are in the pipeline. This book is essential for clinical practitioners, students, and researchers in basic and medical microbiology.

Every spring, the University of Massachusetts - Amherst welcomes all ''Soils Conference" Scientific Advisory Board members with open arms as we begin the planning process responsible for bringing you quality conferences year after year. With this "homecoming" of sorts comes the promise of reaching across the table and interacting with a wide spectrum of stakeholders, each of them bringing their unique perspective in support of a successful Conference in the fall. This year marks the 20 DEGREES DEGREES anniversary of what started as a couple of thoughtful scientists interested in developing partnerships that together could fuel the environmental cleanup dialogue. Since the passage of the Superfund Law, regulators, academia and industry have come to realize that models that depend exclusively on ''command and control" mandates as the operative underpinning limit our collective ability to bring hazardous waste sites to productive re-use. It is with this concern in mind that the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection privatized its cleanup program in 1993, spurring the close-out of over 20,000 sites and spills across the Commonwealth to date, in a manner that is both protective of human health and the environment while also flexible and responsive to varied site uses and redevelopment goals. So we gather together again, this year, to hear our collective stories and share success and challenges just as we share stories at a family gathering. Take a read through the stories contained in these proceedings.

The incidence of food poisoning continues to rise and now there is even greater interest in the subject of microbial food poisoning and food safety, than when the first edition of this popular book was published. As in the first edition of his book, Adrian Eley summarizes information on the principal agents that cause food poisoning and emphasizes their mode of action. Also discussed in chapters written by specially selected expert in the area are epidemilogical features of food poisoning, microbiological control of food production, mycoticoxic fungi and food safety legislation. Each chapter has been comprehensively updated to include any changes in for example laboratory practice, legislation, etc. Also included in this edition is a new chapter on food hygiene. Microbial Food Poisoning, Second Edition, appeals to students studying a wide range of courses, including medical microbiology, food science, and technology, nutrition, general microbiology and environmental health. This book will also be of use to professionals in a range of disciplines including food science, medicine, health sciences and environmental and public health.

Principles of Microbiological Troubleshooting in the Industrial Food Processing Environment provides proven approaches and suggestions for finding sources of microbiological contamination of industrially produced products.Industrial food safety professionals find themselves responsible for locating and eliminating the source(s) of food contamination. These are often complex situations for which they have not been adequately prepared. This book is written with them, the in-plant food safety/quality assurance professional, in mind. However, other professionals will also benefit including plant managers, regulatory field investigators, technical food safety policy makers, college instructors, and students of food science and microbiology. A survey of the personal and societal costs of microbial contamination of food is followed by a wide range of respected authors who describe selected bacterial pathogens, emerging pathogens, spoilage organisms and their significance to the industry and consumer. Dr. Kornacki then provides real life examples of in-plant risk areas / practices (depicted with photographs taken from a wide variety of food processing facilities). Factors influencing microbial growth, survival and death area also described. The reader will find herein a practical framework for troubleshooting and for assessing the potential for product contamination in their own facilities, as well as suggestions for conducting their own in-plant investigations. Selected tools for testing the environment and statistical approaches to testing ingredients and finished product are also described. The book provides suggestions for starting up after a processing line (or lines) have been shut down due to a contamination risk. The authors conclude with an overview of molecular subtyping and its value with regard to in-plant investigations. Numerous nationally recognized authors in the field have contributed to the book. The editor, Dr. Jeffery L. Kornacki, is President and Senior Technical Director of the consulting firm, Kornacki Microbiology Solutions in Madison, Wisconsin. He is also Adjunct Faculty with the Department of Food Science at the University of Georgia and also with the National Food Safety & Toxicology Center at Michigan State University.

Since the general recognition of the Archaebacteria, research into the evolution, metabolism, molecular biology and ecological roles of these fastidious anaerobes has proceeded at an ever-increasing pace. All possess a very novel biochemistry and many exploit unique ecological niches. Methanogens, which convert one-and-two carbon compounds into the important atmospheric gas methane, are the largest group among the Archaebacteria. Of all microbial groups, methanogens provide perhaps the best opportunity to study evolution because of their phyologenetic diversity and unique biochemistry. Today, the analysis of methanogens is at a threshold. Molecular-biological studies of these microorganisms are revealing more and more processes unique to this group, and in turn, studies of methanogens are providing new perspectives to the broader fields of biochemistry and molecular biology. This volume is the first book to be published on methanogenesis, and it will provide the reader with a comprehensive view of the field and point to future trends.

This text provides an account of the nature and applications of the Coliform Index. Since the beginning of the 20th century, indicator organisms, in particular the coliform group, have been used to ensure the microbial quality of drinking water. World-wide legislation to protect consumers is based on these out-dated and unreliable tests and while there is considerable concern among scientists over their use, the water industry and regulators continue to place near total reliance on the Coliform Index. This has serious implications for public health and necessitates the debate which this book enters.

Smart Nanomaterials to Combat the Spread of Viral Infections comprises nanotechnology-based approaches with detailed preventive and treatment methodology for enabling their application in antiviral systems. This book discusses the role of metal nanoparticles in the treatment of and prevention of viral infections and nanotechnology advancements in antiviral coatings to combat affected surfaces. It also covers the use of nanomaterials for the efficient intracellular delivery of antiviral agents to disinfect and treat viral infections. This is a timely coverage of how nanotechnologies and materials as well as the utilization of artificial intelligence and Internet of things-based smart nano-systems are used to control and manage viral infections during the COVID-19 pandemic. Advances in smart research and future antimicrobial applications round out the book. This book provides a comprehensive overview of smart nanomaterials and advanced nano-system applications to researchers and academics in virology, microbiology, chemistry, material science, nanotechnology, and biotechnology as well as those in industries interested in their virucidal properties to prevent viral infections.