Candida species: the silent enemy

Candida species are known to cause serious infections in immunocompromised patients but uncommon cases have been reported in immunocompetent individuals regardless of the harmless co-existence of the fungi with the host. Recently, the incidence rate of candidiasis has increased dramatically alongside the emergence of antifungal resistance. Although conventional methods to ensure prompt diagnosis of candidiasis for effective therapy have been established, the scientific world is witnessing progress in the development of more accurate, timely and cost-effective methods that is coinciding with the molecular revolution and advanced DNA analysis. Moreover, the challenges of resistance of Candida to available antifungal agents are being met with the deployment of molecular techniques to investigate the mechanisms of resistance. This review is an attempt to provide up-to-date information on the persistent problems of Candida with highlights on the clinical importance, molecular diagnosis, and resistance to candidate antifungal drugs; azoles and echinocandins.Keywords: Candida, resistance, molecular diagnosis, azole, echinocandi

Review on biogas production processess

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Ultrasonographic Differential Diagnosis of Superficial Swellings in Farm Animals

This report describes the ultrasonographic differential diagnosis of different types of swellings affecting (28) farm animals. The swellings were, abscess (11), cyst (2), hematoma (2), hernia (9) and urethral diverticulum (4). The swellings varied sonographically according to the type, duration, content and location. Cases suffering the same type of swellings may have some degree of difference in echogenicity according to the period of the swelling. Abscesses appeared as hypo/hyperechoic structures with distinct hyperechoic well-developed capsule. Recent hematomas were anechoic with a well demarcated wall, with increased duration, the hematoma gradually became more echoic and textured. The hernial ring was determined as a discontinuation of the abdominal wall echogenicity and the hernial contents were clearly evaluated via ultrasonography. Recent cysts resembled hematoma in compartmentalization but the location and case history helped the differential diagnosis. Urethral dilatation appeared sonographically as an anechoic to hypoechoic homogenous structure with well demarcated wall and acoustic enhancement. Ultrasonography could be considered a successful, noninvasive, rapid technique for differential diagnosis of different types of swellings in farm animals. It could be easily used under field conditions to screen the lesions before the surgical operations and to fellow up the cases after surgery

Tioconazole and Chloroquine Act Synergistically to Combat Doxorubicin-Induced Toxicity via Inactivation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling Mediated ROS-Dependent Apoptosis and Autophagic Flux Inhibition in MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells.

Cancer is a complex devastating disease with enormous treatment challenges, including chemo- and radiotherapeutic resistance. Combination therapy demonstrated a promising strategy to target hard-to-treat cancers and sensitize cancer cells to conventional anti-cancer drugs such as doxorubicin. This study aimed to establish molecular profiling and therapeutic efficacy assessment of chloroquine and/or tioconazole (TIC) combination with doxorubicin (DOX) as anew combination model in MCF-7 breast cancer. The drugs are tested against apoptotic/autophagic pathways and related redox status. Molecular docking revealed that chloroquine (CQ) and TIC could be potential PI3K and ATG4B pathway inhibitors. Combination therapy significantly inhibited cancer cell viability, PI3K/AkT/mTOR pathway, and tumor-supporting autophagic flux, however, induced apoptotic pathways and altered nuclear genotoxic feature. Our data revealed that the combination cocktail therapy markedly inhibited tumor proliferation marker (KI-67) and cell growth, along with the accumulation of autophagosomes and elevation of LC3-II and p62 levels indicated autophagic flux blockage and increased apoptosis. Additionally, CQ and/or TIC combination therapy with DOX exerts its activity on the redox balance of cancer cells mediated ROS-dependent apoptosis induction achieved by GPX3 suppression. Besides, Autophagy inhibition causes moderately upregulation in ATGs 5,7 redundant proteins strengthened combinations induced apoptosis, whereas inhibition of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway with Beclin-1 upregulation leading to cytodestructive autophagy with overcome drug resistance effectively in curing cancer. Notably, the tumor growth inhibition and various antioxidant effects were observed in vivo. These results suggest CQ and/or TIC combination with DOX could act as effective cocktail therapy targeting autophagy and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways in MCF-7 breast cancer cells and hence, sensitizes cancer cells to doxorubicin treatment and combat its toxicity

HMLP,MLP and Recurrent Networks for Carbon Monoxide Concentrations Forecasting: A Comparison Studies.

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a primary pollutant in urban area, due to the major emission from motor vehicles. Forecasting of CO or other gas pollutants concentration are very important since preventive action can be taken if the forecasted CO level exceeds certain value

Collaborative Arrangements and the State of Trust between SMEs and Large Companies in Mandated Business Interactions

The focus of this study is to explore trust between small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and large companies in interorganizational relationships (IORs) that are mandated by government policy. Due to the important contribution made by SMEs to national economies and to the fact that their growth is pivotal for entrepreneurial activities, many governments have made significant efforts to enhance their performance. However, SMEs are constrained by their lack of resources and experience. Some countries have required large companies to collaborate with SMEs to overcome these constraints. Whilst much attention has been devoted to trust in relationships of choice between SMEs and large companies, scant attention has been paid to the state of trust in mandated business interactions. This study explores the state of trust between large companies and SMEs companies in mandated business interactions, identifying those factors that influence trust between them. Qualitative semi-structured interviews with 25 key managers from large companies and SMEs were conducted in Oman which has a policy of mandated IORs. The interview data were analyzed thematically. The key findings resulted in a new contextual concept of trust, a refinement of classical trust indicators by which the presence of trust in IORs can be more appropriately detected and the development of a model embracing factors which were found to influence trust. Several new factors not previously commented on in the literature were identified in this study. The findings provide theoretical and practical contributions with recommendations for policy, practice and further research.Ministry of Manpower, Oman

Selenium Hyperaccumulators Facilitate Selenium-Tolerant Neighbors via Phytoenrichment and Reduced Herbivory

SummaryBackgroundSoil surrounding selenium (Se) hyperaccumulator plants was shown earlier to be enriched in Se, impairing the growth of Se-sensitive plant species. Because Se levels in neighbors of hyperaccumulators were higher and Se has been shown to protect plants from herbivory, we investigate here the potential facilitating effect of Se hyperaccumulators on Se-tolerant neighboring species in the field.ResultsWe measured growth and herbivory of Artemisia ludoviciana and Symphyotrichum ericoides as a function of their Se concentration and proximity to hyperaccumulators Astragalus bisulcatus and Stanleya pinnata. When growing next to hyperaccumulators, A. ludoviciana and S. ericoides contained 10- to 20-fold higher Se levels (800–2,000 mg kg−1 DW) than when growing next to nonaccumulators. The roots of both species were predominantly (70%–90%) directed toward hyperaccumulator neighbors, not toward other neighbors. Moreover, neighbors of hyperaccumulators were 2-fold bigger, showed 2-fold less herbivory damage, and harbored 3- to 4-fold fewer arthropods. When used in laboratory choice and nonchoice grasshopper herbivory experiments, Se-rich neighbors of hyperaccumulators experienced less herbivory and caused higher grasshopper Se accumulation (10-fold) and mortality (4-fold).ConclusionsEnhanced soil Se levels around hyperaccumulators can facilitate growth of Se-tolerant plant species through reduced herbivory and enhanced growth. This study is the first to show facilitation via enrichment with a nonessential element. It is interesting that Se enrichment of hyperaccumulator neighbors may affect competition in two ways, by reducing growth of Se-sensitive neighbors while facilitating Se-tolerant neighbors. Via these competitive and facilitating effects, Se hyperaccumulators may affect plant community composition and, consequently, higher trophic levels