Review
Microbiology
Camila Barros Galinari, Tiago de Paula Biachi, Renato Sonchini Goncalves, Gabriel Batista Cesar, Eduardo Victor Bergmann, Luis Carlos Malacarne, Erika Seki Kioshima Cotica, Patricia de Souza Bonfim-Mendonca, Terezinha Inez Estivalet Svidzinski
Summary: In recent years, the antimicrobial application of photodynamic therapy (PDT) has gained attention, particularly the antifungal action of hypericin. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the origin, characteristics, and optimal drug delivery methods of hypericin-PDT, as well as the best strategies for antifungal application. It offers a future perspective on the advancements and clinical possibilities of this technique in the treatment of human mycoses.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Magdalena Wozniak
Summary: The biodegradation of wood caused by fungi is a significant global problem. To protect the environment, the development of environmentally friendly wood preservatives is essential. This review paper provides information on natural substances, synthetic compounds, and their combinations that have low environmental impact and show antifungal properties.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Meng Zhao, Xupeng Yang, Hao Fu, Chuanrong Chen, Yanhua Zhang, Zhihua Wu, Yourong Duan, Ying Sun
Summary: A novel tumor-targeted nanosized ultrasound contrast nanobubble was developed for more efficient molecular targeted therapy against triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), showing potential in enhancing treatment efficacy and immunotherapy.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Emre Kara, Gokhan Metan, Aygin Bayraktar-Ekincioglu, Dolunay Gulmez, Sevtap Arikan-Akdagli, Figen Demirkazik, Murat Akova, Serhat Unal, Omrum Uzun
Summary: This study evaluated the role of Antifungal stewardship (AFS) in providing appropriate antifungal therapy through three periods, observing an increase in overall appropriateness without significant impact on 30-day mortality. The integration of an AFS program and team-based evaluation by a clinical pharmacist may enhance the quality of antifungal therapy.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Roberta Perego, Martina Mazzeo, Eva Spada, Daniela Proverbio
Summary: Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been used in dogs for the management of various skin lesions and diseases. This study reviewed the literature to determine the skin diseases in dogs for which LLLT is a recommended treatment. The findings suggest that LLLT can be an effective adjunctive treatment for canine interdigital pyoderma and canine deep pyoderma when combined with systemic antibiotic therapy. However, there is insufficient evidence to support the use of LLLT as a therapy for pedal pruritus secondary to canine atopic dermatitis, and more research is needed for other canine skin diseases.
VETERINARY SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Audrey Damiens, Mohammad Taghi Alebrahim, Estelle Leonard, Antoine Fayeulle, Christophe Furman, Jean-Louis Hilbert, Ali Siah, Muriel Billamboz
Summary: A study evaluated naturally occurring terpenoids and phenolic compounds as crop protection compounds against Zymoseptoria tritici. Sesamol esters were discovered as promising antifungal agents with high activity and no cytotoxicity against human cells, after some hemisynthetic modifications.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Jianhua Zou, Ling Li, Zhen Yang, Xiaoyuan Chen
Summary: Phototherapy combined with immunotherapy enhances the immunostimulating response and has synergistic effects for cancer treatment. Photoimmunotherapy (PIT) is a potential win-win strategy to prevent tumor metastases and recurrence by inducing immunogenic cell death (ICD).
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Ana Waleska Pessoa Barros, Pedro Henrique da Hora Sales, Paulo Goberlanio de Barros Silva, Ana Claudia Amorim Gomes, Alessandra Albuquerque Tavares Carvalho, Jair Carneiro Leao
Summary: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy in treating herpes labialis. The findings showed that low-level laser therapy significantly reduced tissue healing time, but had no significant effect on crust formation time. However, due to the high risk of bias in the included studies, more standardized research is needed to prove the effectiveness of this therapy.
LASERS IN MEDICAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Vanessa Duncan, Daniel Smith, Laura Simpson, Emma Lovie, Laura Katvars, Leon Berge, Jennifer Robertson, Shane Smith, Carol Munro, Derry Mercer, Deborah O'Neil
Summary: Fungi cause disease in nearly one billion individuals worldwide, and current antifungal agents face challenges such as emerging and drug-resistant fungi, toxicity, and drug-drug interactions. The development of NP339, a polyarginine peptide with potent antifungal activity against various pathogenic fungi, presents a promising solution to these challenges. NP339 targets fungal cell membranes specifically, demonstrating rapid fungicidal activity without inducing resistance, suggesting its potential as a differentiated antifungal candidate for serious fungal diseases.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
AbdulRahman Saeed AlGhamdi, Zeeshan Qamar, Rasha AlSheikh, Muntasar Talib Ali Al Hinai, Nishath Sayed Abdul, Eman Ahmed Aljoghaiman, Saqib Ali
Summary: This study evaluated the clinical efficacy of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA)-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) alone and in combination with topical antifungal therapy for the treatment of hyperplastic candidiasis (HC). The results showed that 5-ALA-mediated PDT combined with nystatin gel has the potential to be a well-tolerated and safe therapeutic modality for HC patients.
PHOTODIAGNOSIS AND PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Ravindra R. Cheruku, Steven G. Turowski, Farukh A. Durrani, Walter A. Tabaczynski, Joseph Cacaccio, Joseph R. Missert, Leslie Curtin, Sandra Sexton, Ronald Alberico, Craig M. Hendler, Joseph A. Spernyak, Zachary Grossman, Ravindra K. Pandey
Summary: In this study, a tumor-avid chlorophyll a derivative, HPPH, currently undergoing clinical trials, was conjugated with Gd(III)tetraxetan (DOTA) moieties to create a conjugate with potential for both tumor imaging and photodynamic therapy (PDT). The conjugate showed tumor specificity and low organ toxicity in mice, indicating its potential as a cancer imaging and treatment agent.
JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Mengbin Ding, Yongliang Fan, Yicheng Lv, Jiansheng Liu, Ningyue Yu, Deping Kong, Haitao Sun, Jingchao Li
Summary: This study presents a dual-responsive prodrug hydrogel for synergistic cancer immunotherapy, which can induce immunogenic cell death and enhance the efficacy of immune checkpoint blocking. The prodrug hydrogel has shown promising results in treating tumors and preventing metastasis in mouse models.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Shi-Jie Tang, Qing-Fang Li, Meng-Fan Wang, Rong Yang, Li-Zhen Zeng, Xue-Lian Li, Rui-Dong Wang, Hongbin Zhang, Xiaoxia Ren, Dan Zhang, Feng Gao
Summary: A series of cyclometalated Ir(III) complexes incorporating morpholine and piperazine groups are designed as dual photosensitizers and photothermal agents for enhanced antitumor phototherapy. Spectroscopic, electrochemical, and theoretical calculations are performed to investigate the properties and structural effects on their photophysical and biological characteristics. The Ir(III) complexes, especially Ir6, demonstrate high phototherapy indexes and significant photothermal effects on melanoma tumor cells. Ir6 exhibits minimal hepato-/nephrotoxicity in vitro, effectively inhibits tumor growth in vivo, and can be efficiently eliminated from the body, suggesting their potential as highly efficient phototherapeutic drugs for large, deeply buried solid tumors.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Cunqing Kong, Xingcai Chen
Summary: This article summarizes the importance and development of photoactivation therapy based on photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT) in tumor treatment. Photosensitizers and photothermal conversion agents play a key role in the phototherapy process. The advancement of nanotechnology has promoted the application of phototherapy in tumor treatment. PDT can increase the sensitivity of tumor cells to PTT, while PTT can enhance the therapeutic effect of PDT.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NANOMEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ziling Zeng, Chi Zhang, Jingchao Li, Dong Cui, Yuyan Jiang, Kanyi Pu
Summary: This study introduces an organic polymer nanoenzyme (SPNK) with near-infrared (NIR) photoactivatable immunotherapeutic effects for photodynamic immunometabolic therapy. By generating singlet oxygen (O-1(2)) upon NIR photoirradiation, SPNK induces immunogenic cell death of cancer and degrades immunosuppressive kynurenine (Kyn), ultimately promoting effector T cell proliferation and infiltration, enhancing systemic antitumor T cell immunity, and inhibiting both primary and distant tumors in living mice.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bruna Goncalves, Ana Barbosa, Ana Raquel Soares, Mariana Henriques, Sonia Silva
Summary: This study reveals the regulatory role of the transcription factor Sfi1 on Candida albicans biofilms under acidic conditions. Despite being a filamentation repressor, Sf1 is required for maximal biofilm formation under acidic conditions. The study also identifies the complex regulatory network of Sfi1 in acidic biofilms, involving positive and negative regulation of transcription factors and their targets.
Editorial Material
Virology
Joana Azeredo, Jean Paul Pirnay
CURRENT OPINION IN VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Diana Rocha, David S. Freitas, Jessica Magalhaes, Mariana Fernandes, Sonia Silva, Jennifer Noro, Artur Ribeiro, Artur Cavaco-Paulo, Madalena Martins, Carla Silva
Summary: The demand for products based on natural ingredients is increasing among cosmetic and textile consumers. Cork extracts contain components of interest with special properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial activities, that might improve the effectiveness of cosmetic formulations currently on the market and may impart new characteristics to textiles.
Article
Mycology
Liliana Fernandes, Raquel Costa, Mariana Henriques, Maria Elisa Rodrigues
Summary: Candida species maintained the same biofilm formation capacity and morphology in both simulated vaginal fluid (SVF) and Sabouraud Dextrose Broth (SDB), and the effect of vapor phase of oregano and white thyme essential oils (VP-EOs) was not affected by the SVF medium, suggesting their potential application as prophylactic or therapeutic treatment for biofilm-related vulvovaginal candidiasis.
JOURNAL DE MYCOLOGIE MEDICALE
(2023)
Article
Mycology
D. Araujo, B. Goncalves, D. Vilas Boas, M. E. Rodrigues, M. Henriques, S. Silva
Summary: This study aimed to design ASOs to target BRG1 and ROB1 mRNA of Candida albicans, and it was found that these ASOs could reduce gene expression and biofilm formation of C. albicans. The combined application of these ASOs further decreased the formation and thickness of biofilms, indicating the potential value of ASOs in research and therapeutic development on Candida species biofilm formation.
Article
Polymer Science
Alexandra Catarina Pinto, Mariana Henriques, Pedro Gomes, Juliana Cruz, Fernanda Gomes
Summary: The study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity and durability of silver-modified textiles functionalized using fiber extrusion and exhaustion methods, and to investigate the influence of knitting structure and wash/dry conditions. The results showed that both methods achieved good antibacterial activity but had low durability to washing cycles. Additionally, knitting structure and washing/drying conditions affected the durability of antibacterial activity.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
D. Araujo, J. Castro, F. Matos, R. Oliveira, C. Ramos, C. Almeida, S. Silva
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence and antibiotic resistance of Klebsiella spp. in clinically ill cats and dogs in veterinary clinics in the North of Portugal. The results showed that multidrug-resistant Klebsiella is widely disseminated in companion animals, and carries extended-spectrum beta-lactamase genes. This highlights the potential role of dogs and cats as a reservoir of resistant Klebsiella spp. that have the potential to be transmitted to humans.
RESEARCH IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Liliana Fernandes, Raquel Costa, Sonia Silva, Mariana Henriques, Sofia Costa-de-Oliveira, Maria E. Rodrigues
Summary: This study evaluates the effect of oregano vapor-phase essential oil on biofilms of antifungal-resistant Candida species and determines its mode of action. The results reveal high antifungal activity of oregano vapor-phase essential oil and confirm its effectiveness on a reconstituted vaginal epithelium model. Therefore, oregano vapor-phase essential oil can be considered as a preferred alternative treatment for vulvovaginal candidiasis.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Maria Margarida Barros, Joana Castro, Daniela Araujo, Ana Maria Campos, Ricardo Oliveira, Sonia Silva, Divanildo Outor-Monteiro, Carina Almeida
Summary: This review summarizes the epidemiological challenge of swine colibacillosis caused by Escherichia coli, highlighting the role of antibiotic use in animal practices in the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains. It discusses the diversity, resistance, and virulence profiles of pathogenic ETEC strains and emphasizes their importance as zoonotic agents.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Anderson da Silva Rego, Guilherme Eustaquio Furtado, Rafael A. Bernardes, Paulo Santos-Costa, Rosana A. Dias, Filipe S. Alves, Alar Ainla, Luisa M. Arruda, Ines P. Moreira, Joao Bessa, Raul Fangueiro, Fernanda Gomes, Mariana Henriques, Maria Sousa-Silva, Alexandra C. Pinto, Maria Boucanova, Vania Isabel Fernande Sousa, Carlos Jose Tavares, Rochelne Barboza, Miguel Carvalho, Luisa Filipe, Liliana B. Sousa, Joao A. Apostolo, Pedro Parreira, Anabela Salgueiro-Oliveira
Summary: This paper aims to present the eight phases of a project that focuses on the development of a new type of smart clothing for individuals with reduced mobility and/or who are bedridden in order to prevent pressure injuries.
Review
Health Policy & Services
Eduardo Silva, Margarida F. Pereira, Joana T. Vieira, Joao Ferreira-Coimbra, Mariana Henriques, Nuno F. Rodrigues
Summary: The emergency department is a vital healthcare entrance point with unpredictable demand. Accurate forecasting of ED visits is crucial for effective management strategies and resource utilization. This review investigates the factors and models that affect ED visit forecasting outcomes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Tania Ferreira, Ana Catarina Vale, Alexandra C. Pinto, Rita V. Costa, Vania Pais, Diana Sousa, Fernanda Gomes, Graca Pinto, Jose Guilherme Dias, Ines P. Moreira, Carlos Mota, Joao Bessa, Joana C. Antunes, Mariana Henriques, Fernando Cunha, Raul Fangueiro
Summary: The development of advanced facemasks is a top priority for enhancing healthcare preparedness. This study characterized different polypropylene non-woven fabrics and used zinc oxide nanoparticles to functionalize the selected fabric for improved antimicrobial properties. The functionalized fabric showed promising results, with the ability to eradicate bacteria and inhibit virus growth. A three-layered facemask with antimicrobial capacity was developed and evaluated for filtration efficiency and breathability. These findings demonstrate the potential of these advanced facemasks for individual protection.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Alice Ferreira, Daniela Silva, Carina Almeida, Maria Elisa Rodrigues, Sonia Silva, Joana Castro, Dalila Mil-Homens, Isidro Garcia-Menino, Azucena Mora, Mariana Henriques, Ana Oliveira
Summary: This study evaluated the efficacy of phage vB_EcoM_FJ1 (FJ1) in reducing the load of pathogenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) and found that encapsulated FJ1 in microparticles significantly reduced the quantity of ETEC. Bacteriophage-insensitive mutants (BIMs) displayed weaker adaptability in the pig model.
VETERINARY RESEARCH
(2023)