Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yan Zeng, Ahmed Fadaak, Nora Alomeir, Yan Wu, Tong Tong Wu, Shuang Qing, Jin Xiao
Summary: This study found that a probiotic strain, Lactobacillus plantarum 14917, has a remarkable inhibitory effect on the pathogenic microorganisms Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans. It can reduce their growth, alter biofilm structure, and decrease their virulence. This discovery could lead to a new approach for preventing dental caries.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Angela Maione, Marianna Imparato, Annalisa Buonanno, Federica Carraturo, Antonetta Schettino, Maria Teresa Schettino, Marilena Galdiero, Elisabetta de Alteriis, Marco Guida, Emilia Galdiero
Summary: Candida albicans is a common microorganism in the human microbiota that can cause vulvovaginal infections. The development of drug resistance in C. albicans isolates is a complication that requires new therapeutic strategies. The study found that phenyllactic acid (PLA) has strong antifungal and antivirulence activities against C. albicans, including reducing biofilm formation and affecting gene expression. PLA shows promise as a novel and safe antifungal agent for the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tamara Carevic, Marina Kostic, Biljana Nikolic, Dejan Stojkovic, Marina Sokovic, Marija Ivanov
Summary: Hesperetin exhibits significant inhibitory effects on the growth and biofilm formation of Candida species, and shows promising results in inhibiting polymicrobial biofilm formation. However, it has cytotoxic effects at antibacterial concentrations and has lower inhibitory potential towards Staphylococcus aureus. Further research is needed for the antibacterial application of hesperetin.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Nour Fattouh, Dana Hdayed, Geovanni Geukgeuzian, Sima Tokajian, Roy A. Khalaf
Summary: The study identified an increase in ergosterol content in fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans isolates, as well as novel and previously reported amino acid substitutions and frameshift mutations in ERG11 that may contribute to resistance. However, the resistant isolates did not exhibit increased virulence potential in a mouse infection model, and showed decreased ability to form biofilms in vitro. No differences in response to cell surface disrupting agents were observed between drug-resistant and sensitive isolates. This research represents the first attempt in Lebanon to identify potential mechanisms and phenotypes of drug-resistant C. albicans isolates.
FUNGAL GENETICS AND BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Angela Maria Catania, Pierluigi Di Ciccio, Ilario Ferrocino, Tiziana Civera, Francesca Tiziana Cannizzo, Alessandra Dalmasso
Summary: Food processing lines are suitable environments for the formation of bacterial biofilms, with Bacillus being one of the most common biofilm-forming genera in dairy processing plants. This study evaluated the biofilm-forming ability and molecular characteristics of dairy Bacillus spp. isolates (B. cereus and B. subtilis), including reference strains. The biofilm formation was higher on polystyrene than stainless steel, and the presence of selected genes involved in biofilm formation correlated with higher biofilm production. Furthermore, enterotoxin genes were detected in B. cereus strains.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Laura Mena, Muriel Billamboz, Rogatien Charlet, Berangere Despres, Boualem Sendid, Alina Ghinet, Samir Jawhara
Summary: This study aimed to select new antifungal compounds through library-screening methods and evaluate their antifungal effects against Candida albicans. Two compounds, PYR and TRI, were identified as having potential antifungal activity. They showed rapid fungicidal activity, inhibitory effect on Candida biofilm formation, and reduced thickness of the mannan cell wall. In a Caenorhabditis elegans infection model, PYR and TRI decreased mortality rates and enhanced antimicrobial gene expression. Overall, PYR and TRI demonstrated antifungal properties against C. albicans.
Article
Microbiology
Emerenziana Ottaviano, Giovanna Baron, Laura Fumagalli, Jessica Leite, Elisa Adele Colombo, Angelica Artasensi, Giancarlo Aldini, Elisa Borghi
Summary: The study demonstrated the efficacy of urinary cranberry metabolites VAL and 4-HBA in inhibiting Candida adhesion and biofilm formation in vitro. These metabolites interfered with yeast adhesion by modulating key gene expression, leading to a significant reduction in biofilm biomass and metabolic activity. The findings suggest that VAL and 4-HBA could be potential targets for drug development in preventing genitourinary Candida infections.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Quan Lin, Yanxin Li, Maokun Sheng, Jiaman Xu, Xiaoyan Xu, Jintae Lee, Yulong Tan
Summary: In recent years, there has been an increasing trend in Candida contamination caused by Candida mastitis, which has a significant impact on the hygienic quality of raw milk and dairy products. The biofilm produced by Candida albicans plays a critical role in fungal infection by protecting the fungus from host defense and drug attacks. Therefore, finding effective means to reduce the biofilm and drug resistance of Candida albicans has become an urgent problem. This study investigated the anti-biofilm effect of berberine-loaded chitosan nanoparticles on Candida albicans and explored the antifungal mechanism of released berberine.
LWT-FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jiawen Du, Yixuan Dong, He Zhao, Liping Peng, Yao Wang, Qilin Yu, Mingchun Li
Summary: In this study, the researchers identified the role of the Pho23 component in the Rpd3 HDAC complex in the transcriptional regulation of physiological processes in Candida albicans. Pho23 was found to regulate autophagic activity, cell wall stress resistance, hyphal development, protease secretion, and virulence in C. albicans.
Article
Microbiology
Md Asfakur Rahman, Nirakar Sahoo, Veerachandra Yemmireddy
Summary: The effect of sanitizer use conditions on the susceptibility, biofilm forming ability and pathogenicity of Listeria monocytogenes was investigated in this study. Different concentrations and treatment times of sodium hypochlorite, benzalkonium chloride, and peroxyacetic acid were tested, and it was found that there was no significant difference in reduction among the three sanitizers. The survival and susceptibility of the bacteria varied depending on the concentration and treatment time of the sanitizer used.
Article
Microbiology
Eunsoo Do, Max Cravener, Manning Y. Huang, Gemma May, C. Joel McManus, Aaron P. Mitchell
Summary: In this study, natural variation in the fungal pathogen Candida albicans was investigated to understand the gene regulatory control of biofilm formation, an important aspect of its virulence. Collaboration between the transcription factors Efg1 and Wor1 was found to drive natural variation in biofilm formation and gene expression. These findings highlight the importance of studying natural isolates to uncover unexpected features of gene function.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lana Glerieide Silva Garcia, Maria Gleiciane da Rocha, Laysa Rocha Lima, Arcelina Pacheco Cunha, Jonathas Sales de Oliveira, Ana Raquel Colares de Andrade, Nagila Maria Pontes Silva Ricardo, Waldemiro Aquino Pereira-Neto, Jose Julio Costa Sidrim, Marcos Fabio Gadelha Rocha, Rodrigo Silveira Vieira, Raimunda Samia Nogueira Brilhante
Summary: The study aimed to produce and characterize chitosan microparticles loaded with essential oils, evaluate their anti-Candida activity, and assess essential oil release profile. The results showed that these microparticles have promising antibiofilm activity against Candida.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Article
Biophysics
Florian Weber, Louise Morais Dornelas-Figueira, Nora Hafiane, Daria Zaytseva-Zotova, Alejandro Barrantes, Fernanda Cristina Petersen, Hanna Tiainen
Summary: Oral biofilms can cause infections and diseases, and the role of fungi is often overlooked in research. Plant-derived polyphenolic coatings may be effective in resisting microbial growth and adhesion, but further research is needed.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Sabi Pokhrel, Nawarat Boonmee, Orawan Tulyaprawat, Sujiraphong Pharkjaksu, Iyarit Thaipisutikul, Phoom Chairatana, Popchai Ngamskulrungroj, Chalermchai Mitrpant
Summary: Biofilm formation is an important virulence factor for the pathogenesis of Candida albicans. This study used the zebrafish model to evaluate the in vivo virulence of strains with different biofilm formation strengths. The results showed that stronger biofilm formation was associated with shorter survival time in zebrafish and higher up-regulation of biofilm-associated genes.
Article
Microbiology
Petr Jaros, Maria Vrublevskaya, Kristyna Lokocova, Jana Michailidu, Irena Kolouchova, Katerina Demnerova
Summary: The use of antibiotics and antifungals to control infections caused by pathogenic microorganisms is currently ineffective due to emerging resistance. Boswellia serrata extract containing boswellic acids has shown promising antifungal activity against Candida species.
Article
Plant Sciences
Shu Yang, Jeffrey J. Coleman, Boris A. Vinatzer
Summary: Fusarium avenaceum is a common filamentous fungus associated with plant diseases and soil. It is known for causing Fusarium head blight and blights on various plant species, and has the unique ability to catalyze ice formation. In this study, we report the draft genome of an ice-nucleation-active F. avenaceum strain isolated from the atmosphere above Virginia.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Giovana Sant'Ana Pegorin Brasil, Patricia Pimentel de Barros, Matheus Carlos Romeiro Miranda, Natan Roberto de Barros, Juliana Campos Junqueira, Alejandro Gomez, Rondinelli Donizetti Herculano, Ricardo Jose de Mendonca
Summary: Natural latex serum (NLS) is a natural rubber latex fraction from the Hevea brasiliensis tree, containing proteins, acids, nucleotides, salts and carbohydrates. Characterization showed that NLS promotes fibroblast proliferation and exhibits biocompatibility in Galleria mellonella model.
JOURNAL OF BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE-POLYMER EDITION
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Stephen M. Parris, Steven N. Jeffers, James M. Olvey, James M. Olvey, Jeffrey W. Adelberg, Li Wen, Joshua A. Udall, Jeffrey J. Coleman, Don C. Jones, Christopher A. Saski
Summary: An in vitro coculture system using an inert polyphenolic foam substrate and liquid medium was designed to study the resistance of domesticated cotton to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum race 4. The results showed that susceptible cultivars exhibited more severe disease symptoms and plant mortality, while resistant cultivars performed better.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Livia M. A. Figueiredo-Godoi, Maira T. Garcia, Juliana G. Pinto, Juliana Ferreira-Strixino, Eliseu Gabriel Faustino, Lara Luise Castro Pedroso, Juliana C. Junqueira
Summary: This study evaluated the efficacy of a new photosensitizer derivative called Fotoenticine-FTC in antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) against Acinetobacter baumannii. The results showed that methylene blue (MB) had greater antimicrobial activity compared to FTC, inhibiting the growth of bacterial cells in planktonic cultures, biofilms, and burn infections in Galleria mellonella.
Article
Microbiology
Thais Fernanda de Campos Fraga-Silva, Natalia Munhoz-Alves, Luiza Ayumi Nishiyama Mimura, Larissa Ragozo Cardoso de Oliveira, Livia Mara Alves Figueiredo-Godoi, Maira Terra Garcia, Evelyn Silva Oliveira, Larissa Lumi Watanabe Ishikawa, Sofia Fernanda Goncalves Zorzella-Pezavento, Vania Luiza Deperon Bonato, Juliana Campos Junqueira, Eduardo Bagagli, Alexandrina Sartori
Summary: Candida infections may increase the risk of developing multiple sclerosis. This study found that systemic infections caused by non-albicans Candida species can affect the severity and immunological characteristics of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, indicating their possible relevance in the development of multiple sclerosis.
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Vanessa Marques Meccatti, Larissa de Souza Moura, Juliana Guerra Pinto, Juliana Ferreira-Strixino, Amjad Abu Hasna, Livia Mara Figueiredo-Godoi, Juliana Campos Junqueira, Maria Cristina Marcucci, Lucas de Paula Ramos, Claudio Antonio Talge Carvalho, Cesar Rogerio Pucci, Luciane Dias de Oliveira
Summary: This study evaluated the phototransformation potential of the glycolic extract of Curcuma longa and the antifungal activity of Curcuma longa, curcumin, and antifungal photodynamic therapy (aPDT) with blue light-emitting diodes (LED) on Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis in vitro. The toxicity of Curcuma longa and curcumin in a Galleria mellonella model was also assessed. The results showed that Curcuma longa, curcumin, and aPDT using blue LED had an antifungal effect on both Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis. Furthermore, the extract of Curcuma longa and curcumin did not exhibit toxicity in the Galleria mellonella model.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DENTISTRY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Shu Yang, Mariah Rojas, Jeffrey J. Coleman, Boris A. Vinatzer
Summary: Ice nucleation activity (INA) is the ability of certain particles to catalyze ice formation at temperatures higher than the freezing point of pure water. This study found that Fusarium strains secrete ice-nucleating particles (INPs) which consist of proteinaceous aggregates smaller than 5 nm. INA in these strains is higher after growth at low temperatures and varies among different strains. Comparative genomics and transcriptomics were used to identify candidate INA genes, with ten predicted to encode secreted proteins only present in strains that produce the highest number of INPs. A total of 203 candidate INA genes coding for secreted proteins were induced at low temperatures, including two predicted to encode hydrophobins, small secreted proteins with amphipathic properties. The potential of these candidate genes to encode INA proteins and the next steps for identifying the molecular basis of INA in F. avenaceum are discussed.
Article
Plant Sciences
Qiang Wang, Ming Qin, Jeffrey J. Coleman, Wenjing Shang, Xiaoping Hu
Summary: Verticillium wilt, caused by Verticillium dahliae, is a significant soilborne plant disease worldwide. In this study, a detection method using CRISPR/Cas12a and RPA technologies was developed for accurate and rapid detection of V. dahliae. The detection system had a lower detection limit of approximately 10 copies of genomic DNA per reaction and could detect as little as one microsclerotium per gram of soil. This study expands the application of CRISPR/Cas12a nucleic acid detection to soilborne crop diseases and contributes to the development of field-deployable diagnostic tools.
Review
Microbiology
Paulo Henrique Fonseca do Carmo, Maira Terra Garcia, Livia Mara Alves Figueiredo-Godoi, Anna Carolina Pinheiro Lage, Newton Soares da Silva, Juliana Campos Junqueira
Summary: Candidiasis is a common fungal infection caused by Candida albicans. Current antifungal treatments have limitations such as toxicity and drug resistance, leading to the exploration of nanocarrier systems like metal nanoparticles. This review focuses on the use of silver, gold, and iron nanoparticles as potential antifungal agents against C. albicans, discussing their mechanism of action and potential for reducing drug resistance.
Article
Microbiology
Dorcas Zuniga-Silgado, Ayixon Sanchez-Reyes, Maria Laura Ortiz-Hernandez, Miranda Otero, Edgar Balcazar-Lopez, Susana Valencia-Diaz, Mario Serrano, Jeffrey J. Coleman, Luis Sarmiento-Lopez, Luz E. De-Bashan, Jorge Luis Folch-Mallol
Summary: The Capsicum genus is economically important and widely cultivated. Soil type significantly affects phosphorus availability for plants. This study found that different soil types and inoculation methods can enhance the growth and phosphorus absorption of chili plants.
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Sheila Mondragon Contreras, Juliana Benace Fernandes, Manuela da Silva Spinola, Maira Terra Garcia, Juliana Campos Junqueira, Eduardo Bresciani, Taciana Marco Ferraz Caneppele
Summary: This study investigated the ability of bioactive materials to prevent caries in enamel and dentine specimens. The results showed that bioactive restorative materials provided greater protection against surface caries development than resin composite.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Ambika Pokhrel, Jeffrey J. Coleman
Summary: The Fusarium solani species complex (FSSC) is a complex of at least 77 phylogenetically distinct species that includes agriculturally important and clinically relevant opportunistic pathogens. The FSSC has been found to produce a diverse range of secondary metabolites, which may contribute to its ability to colonize different habitats and hosts. This study identified a large number of secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) in the genomes of ten FSSC fungi, including several novel BGCs and those responsible for the production of known compounds.
Article
Microbiology
Maira Terra Garcia, Jessica Diane dos Santos, Paulo Henrique Fonseca do Carmo, Gabriela Vieira Mendes, Jonatas Rafael de Oliveira, Luciane Dias de Oliveira, Juliana Campos Junqueira
Summary: This study demonstrates that the supernatant of Streptococcus mutans can inhibit virulence factors and infectivity of Candida albicans, potentially providing new therapeutic strategies for candidiasis.
BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Thais C. Pereira, Paulo H. F. do Carmo, Raquel T. de Menezes, Haroldo C. de Oliveira, Luciane D. de Oliveira, Juliana C. Junqueira, Liliana Scorzoni
Summary: This study evaluated the antifungal activity of verapamil alone and in combination with amphotericin B against Cryptococcus neoformans. Verapamil showed antifungal activity against C. neoformans and when combined with amphotericin B, exhibited synergistic effect and reduced the drugs' concentrations. The combination therapy also reduced the size and glucuronoxylomannnan content of C. neoformans capsule.
FOLIA MICROBIOLOGICA
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Juliana de C. Fenley, Patricia P. de Barros, Paulo H. F. do Carmo, Maira T. Garcia, Rodnei D. Rossoni, Juliana C. Junqueira
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of two HIV-PIs, ATV and DRV, on C. albicans and experimental candidiasis. The results showed that ATV and DRV exhibited antifungal activity, reduced biofilm formation and filamentation, and downregulated the expression of virulence genes. They also decreased the occurrence of candidiasis.
CURRENT ISSUES IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2022)