Berberine inhibits fluphenazine-induced up-regulation of CDR1 in Candida albicans.

Over-expression of the Candida drug resistance gene CDR1 is a common mechanism generating azole-resistant Candida albicans in clinical isolates. CDR1 is transcriptionally activated through the binding of the transcription factor Tac1p to the cis-acting drug-responsive element (DRE) in its promoter. We previously demonstrated that the combination of fluconazole (FLC) and berberine (BBR) produced significant synergy when used against FLC-resistant C.

Transposition of the Zorro2 retrotransposon is activated by miconazole in Candida albicans.

Zorro2 is a member of a non-long terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposon family in Candida albicans, but as yet no clear evidence has been provided to establish either transcription or transposition activity for Zorro2. In this study, the relative expression changes of two open reading frames in Zorro2, ORF19.7274 and ORF19.

High-frequency genetic contents variations in clinical Candida albicans isolates.

Genome plasticity is a hallmark of Candida albicans and is believed to be an adaptation strategy. But the extent of such genomic variability is not well investigated. In this study, genetic contents of clinical C.

[Advances in the study of Candida albicans gene mutation on azole drug resistance].

Gene mutation of Candida albicans is one of the main causes for azole drug resistance. Different types of variation play different roles in promoting the process of drug resistance. ERG series of gene mutations primarily affect the ergosterol synthesis pathway.

A novel polyamide SL-A92 as a potential fungal resistance blocker: synthesis and bioactivities in Candida albicans.

Aim: To synthesize a novel polyamide SL-A92 and evaluate its bioactivity against drug resistance in Candida albicans.

Methods: SL-A92 was synthesized using N-hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBT)/N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) in solution phase. Its antifungal activities and effects on strain growth were tested using the micro-broth dilution method and growth curves, respectively.

Moxifloxacin monotherapy versus beta-lactam-based standard therapy for community-acquired pneumonia: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

The aim of this study was to compare more conclusively the efficacy and safety of moxifloxacin, a new respiratory fluoroquinolone antibiotic, with beta-lactam-based standard therapy, which has been reported to possess good efficacy for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) identified in PubMed, the Cochrane Library and Embase was performed. Seven RCTs, involving 3903 patients, were included in the meta-analysis.

Transcriptional response of Candida albicans biofilms following exposure to 2-amino-nonyl-6-methoxyl-tetralin muriate.

Aim: To identify changes in the gene expression profile of Candida albicans (C albicans) biofilms following exposed to 2-amino-nonyl-6-methoxyl-tetralin muriate(10b) and clarify the mechanism of 10b against C albicans biofilms.

Methods: Anti-biofilm activity of 10b was assessed by tetrazolium (XTT) reduction assay and the action mechanism against biofilms was investigated by cDNA microarray analysis and real-time RT-PCR assay.

Results: Ten differentially expressed genes were directly linked to biofilm formation and filamentous or hyphal growth (eg, NRG1, ECE1 and CSA1).

TOP2 gene disruption reduces drug susceptibility by increasing intracellular ergosterol biosynthesis in Candida albicans.

In this study the role of the TOP2 gene in fungal drug susceptibility was investigated by disrupting and overexpressing the gene in Candida albicans. MIC determination and a spot assay showed that a top2Delta/Delta null mutant (strain T2bc) was more resistant to the antifungals tested than the wild-type (strain CAI4). Real-time RT-PCR and rhodamine 6G efflux examination showed that TOP2 did not influence the activity of drug efflux pumps.

2-Amino-nonyl-6-methoxyl-tetralin muriate inhibits sterol C-14 reductase in the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway.

Aim: To investigate the action mechanism of a novel chemical structural aminotetralin derivate, 2-Amino-Nonyl-6-Methoxyl-Tetralin Muriate (10b), against Candida albicans (C albicans) in the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway.

Methods: Antifungal susceptibility test of 10b was carried out using broth microdilution method, the action mechanism of 10b against C albicans was investigated by GC-MS spectrometry and real-time RT-PCR assay, and cytotoxicity of 10b in vitro was assessed by MTS/PMS reduction assay.

Results: 10b reduced the ergosterol content markedly, and the 50% ergosterol content inhibitory concentration (ECIC(50) value) was 0.

Proteomic analysis reveals a synergistic mechanism of fluconazole and berberine against fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans: endogenous ROS augmentation.

Our previous study showed that concomitant use of berberine (BBR) and fluconazole (FLC) provided a synergistic action against FLC-resistant Candida albicans (C. albicans) clinical strains in vitro. To clarify the mechanism underlying this action, we performed a comparative proteomic study in untreated control cells and cells treated with FLC and/or BBR in 2 clinical strains of C.

Baicalein induces programmed cell death in Candida albicans.

Recent evidence has revealed the occurrence of an apoptotic phenotype in Candida albicans that is inducible with environmental stresses such as acetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and amphotericin B. In the present study, we found that the Chinese herbal medicine Baicalein (BE), which was one of the skullcapflavones, can induce apoptosis in C. albicans.

Ascorbic acid decreases the antifungal effect of fluconazole in the treatment of candidiasis.

1. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of ascorbic acid (AA) on the antifungal activity of fluconazole (FCZ) in a systemic murine candidiasis model as well as in vitro. 2.

[Advances in the chemical and biological studies of polyamides].

Polyamides, containing N-methylpyrrole (Py) and N-methyl-imidazole (Im) amino acids, are synthetic oligomers programmed to read the DNA double helix in the minor groove with high affinities and sequence specificities resulting in modulation of gene expression. They are cell permeable, stable and have no cytotoxicity, which provide a promising tool of gene regulation. We describe here recent advances in the field of DNA binding polyamides, including pairing rules, specifities and affinities to DNA, synthesis methods, cellular and nuclear uptake properties, gene regulation and effectiveness in vivo.

In vitro synergism of fluconazole and baicalein against clinical isolates of Candida albicans resistant to fluconazole.

In vitro interaction of fluconazole and baicalein (BE) was investigated against 30 fluconazole-resistant clinical isolates of Candida albicans. Synergistic activities were determined using the checkerboard microdilution assay based on the fractional inhibitory concentration indices. Organisms were also tested against the 2 drugs singly and in combination using time-kill methods.

RTA2, a novel gene involved in azole resistance in Candida albicans.

Widespread and repeated use of azoles, particularly fluconazole, has led to the rapid development of azole resistance in Candida albicans. Overexpression of CDR1, CDR2, and CaMDR1 has been reported contributing to azole resistance in C. albicans.

In vitro activity of baicalein against Candida albicans biofilms.

Candidiasis can be associated with the formation of biofilms on bioprosthetic surfaces. The intrinsic resistance of Candida albicans biofilms to the most commonly used antifungal agents has been demonstrated. Here we examined the effect of baicalein (BE) on C.

Changtai granule, a traditional Chinese drug, protects hapten-induced colitis by attenuating inflammatory and immune dysfunctions.

The study was aimed to investigate the effects and mechanism of action of Changtai granule (CT), a traditional compound Chinese medicinal formula, in rodent 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) colitis. Rats with TNBS/ethanol-induced colitis were used. The colonic wet weight, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, macroscopic and histological colon injury was observed.

CaIPF7817 is involved in the regulation of redox homeostasis in Candida albicans.

CaIPF7817, a functionally unknown gene in Candida albicans, was suggested to be involved in the redox system previously, but its exact role is unknown. In this study, ipf7817 null mutant was generated with the URA-blaster method. After the deletion of CaIPF7817, intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species were significantly increased; mitochondrial membrane potential, a direct indicator of mitochondrial function, was elevated; some important redox-related genes, including GLR1, SOD2, and TRR1, were up-regulated; and the GSH/GSSG ratio was raised.

Proteomic analysis reveals a metabolism shift in a laboratory fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans strain.

Multifactorial and multistep alterations are involved in acquired fluconazole (FLC) resistance in Candida albicans. In this study, a FLC-resistant C. albicans strain was obtained by serial cultures of a FLC-susceptible C.

Fcr1p inhibits development of fluconazole resistance in Candida albicans by abolishing CDR1 induction.

Overexpression of Candida drug resistance 1 (CDR1) gene in Candida albicans (C. albicans), an efflux pump, is one of the major mechanisms contributing to drug resistance. C.

In vitro and in vivo activities of HQQ-3, a new triazole antifungal agent.

The activity of HQQ-3, a new triazole antifungal agent, was evaluated and compared with those of fluconazole, ketoconazole and terbinafine in vitro and with fluconazole in vivo. HQQ-3 exhibited potent in vitro activity against clinically important fungi. The activity of HQQ-3 against Candida spp.

Lymphtoxin beta receptor-Ig protects from T-cell-mediated liver injury in mice through blocking LIGHT/HVEM signaling.

LIGHT is a member of the TNF superfamily, which is transiently expressed on the surface of activated T lymphocytes and immature dendritic cells. Its known receptors are herpesvirus entry mediator (HVEM) prominently in T lymphocytes, and lymphtoxin beta receptor (LTbetaR) in stromal cells or nonlymphoid hematopoietic cells. Previous studies have shown that overexpression of LIGHT on T cells could lead to autoimmune reaction including lymphocytes activation, inflammation, and tissue destruction.

Drug susceptibilities of yeast cells are affected when expressing mutant Candida albicans drug resistance protein.

In the present study, wild-type and mutant Candida drug resistance protein 1 (Cdr1p) was expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and phenotype alterations were observed in order to understand the importance of Cdr1p in azole resistance. Cdr1p was subjected to site-directed mutagenesis resulting in an alteration (W629L) to transmembrane segment 4 (TMS4). The susceptibilities to azole antifungal drugs of yeast cells as well as passive efflux of Rhodamine 6G were measured.

Cap1p is involved in multiple pathways of oxidative stress response in Candida albicans.

Cap1p, a transcription factor in Candida albicans, is thought to participate in oxidative stress tolerance, but the pathways involved are still unclear. The study was designed to reveal the possible pathways by examining changes in the transcription profile after H2O2 treatment with both the cap1-deleted strain CJD21 and its parental strain CAI4 using microarray analysis. Of the identified 89 genes differentially expressed in CAI4 after exposure to H2O2, 76 genes were in a Cap1p-dependent expression pattern.

Potent in vitro synergism of fluconazole and berberine chloride against clinical isolates of Candida albicans resistant to fluconazole.

In vitro interaction of fluconazole and berberine chloride was investigated against 40 fluconazole-resistant clinical isolates of Candida albicans. Synergism in fungistatic activity was found with the checkerboard microdilution assay. The findings of agar diffusion tests and time-kill curves confirmed the synergistic interaction, but no antagonistic action was observed.