This book discusses the latest research into the highly prevalent neurodevelopmental disease most commonly associated with aging: Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Even after years of research, Alzheimer’s disease is still far from being cured. It presents a range of common symptoms in the form of behavioral and cognitive impairments. This book describes the symptoms and the biology behind them. The contents covers latest findings on the genetics involved and various factors and pathways influencing disease development. It also covers various non-pharmacological therapies like immunotherapy, use of natural products, and employing nanotechnology in both the detection and treatment of AD. This book also highlights the role of diet and nutrition in healthy aging. Given its scope, it offers a valuable asset for researchers and clinicians alike.

Given the success of Volume I of this Research Topic, we are pleased to announce the launch of Volume II: “The Alzheimer's Disease Challenge”. The repeated failure of clinical trials on the amyloid-based medications and the pessimistic calculations of Alzheimer's disease cost burden for the next few decades present a severe challenge to humankind with severe social implications. In recent years, several alternative diagnostic and treatment procedures have been presented to treat and manage Alzheimer’s disease as it has been nearly impossible to suggest a holistic solution. Several revelations in human biology have highlighted the multiparametric character of the disease. Besides the amyloid aggregation and neurofibrillary tangles that result in Aβ toxicity and tau phosphorylation, processes such as Gene Mutations, Proteins Misfolding, Brain Biochemical and Histopathological Changes, Behavioral Changes, Nutrition and Metabolism Alterations, and Autonomic Dysfunctions due to Central Nervous System dysregulations are common signs and probably early diagnostic biomarkers in most of the Alzheimer's classification categories.

This edited book highlights the plant and cell/organ culture systems, and environmental and genetic transformation-based modulation of biochemical pathways. Special focus is given to microRNA-based technology, heterologous systems expression of enzymes and pathways leading to products of interest, as well as applications using both model and non-model plant species. Metabolic engineering is usually defined as the re-routing of one or more enzymatic reactions to generate new compounds, increase the production of existing compounds, or facilitate the degradation of compounds. Plants are the foundation of numerous compounds which are synthesized via assimilated complex biosynthetic routes. Plants have evolved an incredible arrangement of metabolic pathways leading to molecules/compounds capable of responding promptly and effectively to stress situations imposed by biotic and abiotic factors, some of which supply the ever-growing needs of humankind for natural chemicals, such as pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, agrochemicals, food and chemical additives, biofuels, and biomass. However, in foreseeable future we will be forced to think about the accessibility of resources for the generations to come. For these reasons, the book proposes alternative options of food/food supplement, medicines and other essential items, by using plant metabolic engineering approach. This book is of interest to teachers, researchers and academic experts. Also, the book serves as additional reading material for undergraduate and graduate students of biotechnology and molecular biology of plants.

Agri-Waste and Microbes for Production of Sustainable Nanomaterials assesses the most recent trends used to produce bionanomaterials from agricultural waste and microorganisms. The book covers the green synthesis of various nanomaterials using microorganisms and agricultural waste, including the synthesis and characterization of green nanomaterials, the production of nanomaterials from agri-waste, including metallic, copper, silica, cellulose, nanopolymers and nano/micro plastics, and biological methods such as agricultural and microbial synthesis of metallic/metal oxide, magnetic, silver, copper, nanomaterials and nanonutrients. This is an important reference source for plant scientists, materials scientists and environmental scientists who want to understand this new generation of sustainable nanomaterials. The synthesis of nanocellulose materials from agri-wastes is an emerging alternative for waste treatment methods, developing new biosensors and antimicrobial agents. Silicon nanoparticles are an additional ingredient for the improvement of crop yields. With recent advances in nanomaterials synthesis performance and the discovery of their biomedical, environmental and agricultural applications, it is hoped that the implementation of these methods will be used at large-scale for industrial applications in different sectors. - Highlights recent methods to produce bionanomaterials from agricultural waste and microorganisms - Explores the use of agri-waste in environmental and agricultural applications - Assesses the major challenges for using agri-waste to create eco-friendly nanomaterials at large scale

Large-scale chemical fertilizer application causes irreparable damage to soil structure, mineral cycles, soil microbial flora, plants, and other food chains across ecosystems, culminating in heritable mutations in future generations of consumers. A better way forward is the use of nanofertilizers to focus on macro elements (N, P, K), as switching to nanofertilizers may result in large environmental benefits by replacing the majority of these nutrients. Furthermore, the biosynthesis of nanomaterials using bacteria, algae, yeast, fungus, actinomycetes, and plants has opened up a new avenue of research in the production of inorganic nanoparticles as ecologically friendly fertilizers. Nanofertilizers should also attain increased efficiency because of a several-fold increase in the surface-to-volume ratio of nano-forms of nutrients and their suitability for foliar application, where environmental losses are further reduced. Nanostructured fertilizers can also improve nutrient use efficiency through strategies such as targeted distribution and progressive or controlled-release as they can precisely release their active molecules in response to environmental cues and biological demands. Recent research shows nanofertilizers can increase agricultural productivity by speeding up seed germination, seedling growth, photosynthetic activity, nitrogen metabolism, and carbohydrate and protein synthesis. The potential agricultural benefits of nanofertilizers, their modes of action, and the fate of nanomaterials in soil are all discussed in this book. It also covers nanofertilizer formulation and delivery, applications, uptake, translocation, and their fate in plants, as well as their impact on plant physiology and metabolism. Nutrient nanoformulation is a valuable method that has the potential to alter the agricultural sector and provide solutions to current and future concerns for sustainable and climate-sensitive crops

Nanotechnology provides an innovative platform for drug delivery and antiviral actions. This book discusses the utilization of nano-based formulations for the control of viral agents. The antiviral potential of green synthesized silver, chitosan nanoparticles encapsulating curcumin, photoinduced antiviral carbon nanohorns, and the role of carbon-based materials like fullerenes and carbon nanotubes in the repression of viral antigens are explained. The book also covers nanomaterial-based solutions for SARS-CoV-2 and other viral infections. Features: Explains theory and practical applications of nanomaterials as antiviral agents Reviews upscaling of nanomaterials from laboratory to fabrication stage Illustrates nanocurcumin, silver nanoparticles, and carbon nanoparticles for biomedical applications Highlights role of nanotechnology in effectively combating viral infections and pandemics Includes case studies of specific pharma companies This book is aimed at researchers, graduate students in materials science, microbiology and virology, and pharmaceutical sciences.

Nanotechnology-based Sustainable Alternatives for the Management of Plant Diseases addresses the power of sustainable nanomaterials for plant and food protection. The book highlights dangers arising from bacteria, fungi, viruses, insects, seeds, plants, fruits and food production and summarizes new and sustainable strategies. It places a particular focus on plant pathogen control, and in the food packaging sector in agri-food applications. The control of plant pathogens in plants and in food has been conventionally made by adding chemical preservatives and by using thermal processing, but sustainable nanotechnology can be a power tool to aid in this complex set of challenges. Advances in materials science have led to the rapid development of nanotechnology that has great potential for improving food safety as a powerful tool for the delivery and controlled release of natural antimicrobials. - Analyzes and lays out information related to sustainable strategies, taking a nano-based approach to the management of plant diseases and biotic damage on fresh food - Presents the latest discoveries and practical applications of nanotechnology based, sustainable plant protection strategies to combat dangerous microorganisms and improve the shelf-life of food - Assesses the major challenges of manufacturing nanotechnology-based pesticides on a mass scale

Expanding knowledge on genetic and epigenetic risk factors is rapidly enhancing our understanding of the complex molecular interactions and systems involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. In this publication, leading experts discuss emerging novel conceptual models of the disease along with advances in the development of surrogate markers that will not only improve the accuracy of diagnostic technologies but also improve the prospects of developing disease-modifying interventions. The novel framework of the disease presented here highlights research on biological markers as well as efforts to validate technologies for early and accurate detection. It also introduces notion of a complex systems dysfunction that extends beyond prevailing ideas derived from the ‘amyloid’ or ‘tau’ hypotheses.This outstanding publication provides researchers, clinicians, students and other professionals interested in neurodegenerative disorders with a comprehensive update on current trends and future directions in therapy development, with special focus on advances in clinical trial designs.

Aquananotechnology: Applications of Nanomaterials for Water Purification focuses on the impacts of, and opportunities for, the application of nanotechnology to enhance water quality and the societal concerns surrounding the widespread use of nanotechnology in the water arena. Sections cover the use of nano-sensors for the detection of water pollutants, the control of waterborne pathogens, and the use of nano-biochar coal fly composites for phytoremdtions wastewater pollutants. In addition, the book explores the uses of nanoadsorbents for heavy metals, dyes, Arsenic, pesticides, and water/wastewater remediation and decontamination of water from xenobiotics, bionanocomposites, metal oxides, silver, zinc nanoparticles, and carbon-based nanomaterials for wastewater treatment. In addition, the book covers the use of zerovalent iron nanomaterials and nanostructured mesoporous silica for water purification, along with nano-hydrogels to increase water efficiency and conservation. Finally, the socioeconomic impacts and risks of aquananotechnology in ecosystems are discussed. This book provides a detailed description of the ecological applications of nanomaterials in aquatic environments, offering a cogent analysis of both major applications and challenges. - Shows how a range of nanomaterial types are being used for ecological applications in aquatic environments - Explores the effects different types of nanomaterials have on a variety of ecosystems - Assesses the major challenges of using nanotechnology to improve water quality on a mass scale

Plants face a wide range of environmental challenges, which are expected to become more intense as a result of global climate change. Plant–soil interactions play an important role in the functioning of ecosystems. Soil properties represent a strong selection pressure for plant diversity and influence the structure of plant communities and biodiversity. The complexity of plant–soil interactions has recently been studied by developing a trait-based approach in which responses and effects of plants on soil environment are quantified and modelled. This fundamental research on plant–soil interaction in ecosystems is essential to transpose knowledge of functional ecology to environmental management.Frontiers in Plant-Soil Interaction: Molecular Insights into Plant Adaptation will address topics that provide advances in understanding plant responses to soil conditions through the integration of genetic, molecular, and plant-level studies of diverse biotic and abiotic stresses under field and laboratory conditions. This book will be beneficial to students and researchers working on stress physiology and stress proteins, genomics, proteomics, genetic engineering and other fields of plant-soil interactions. Frontiers in Plant-Soil Interaction will also help scientists explore new horizons in their area of research. - Brings together global leaders working in the area of plant–environment interactions and shares their research findings - Presents current and future scenarios for the management of stressors - Illustrates the central role for plant-soil interactions in applying basic research to address current and future challenges to humans