Perspective Chapter: Candida and Candidiasis - Recent Taxonomic Developments, Invasion Biology, and Novel Active Compounds

Candida spp. infections are most predominantly caused by Candida albicans, followed by C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis and C. tropicalis. Candida spp. can cause a wide range of serious infections. Recent studies indicate that this genus has approximately 200 species. Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by Candida spp. Sexual reproduction gives eukaryotic organisms some advantages, such as producing adaptable fertility to changing environments and eliminating harmful mutations. Relationships between epithelial cells and Candida spp. include responses to medically important fungal pathogens. Infection by C. albicans, which has significantly high virulence due to its biofilm formation feature, is rather difficult to manage. Invasive candidiasis is a serious infection that can affect the blood, brain, eyes, bones, heart or other parts of the body. Understanding C. albicans invasion kinetics is crucial to controlling the pathogen’s intrusion into the cells. New and effective antifungal compounds are needed due to the limited number and competence of antifungal agents. The search for natural compounds with anti-candidiasis effects continues increasingly

An enolato-bridged dinuclear Cu(II) complex with a coumarin-assisted precursor: a spectral, magnetic and biological study

Coumarin assisted dinuclear [Cu2(L)2(DMF)2] (1) shows weak ferromagnetic interaction and a geometric distortion occurs while lowering the temperature in EPR

A Ni(II) dinuclear complex bridged by end-on azide-N and phenolate-O atoms: spectral interpretation, magnetism and biological study

A new dinuclear complex, [Ni(L)(μ1,1-N3)Ni(L)(OH2)2]·ClO4(1), has been synthesized. It shows the presence of ferromagnetic interactions and is endowed with both anti-mycobacterial and anticancer properties

Fusarium - Plant Diseases, Pathogen Diversity, Genetic Diversity, Resistance and Molecular Markers

Fusarium species are ubiquitous environmental fungi and can cause severe invasive infections in plants. They are crop pathogens, and consumption of such infected crops can cause diseases in humans and animals. Furthermore, they act as spoilage organisms in stored products, such as wheat, sorghum, rice, and corn (maize). Fusarium species are mycotoxin producers and contaminate food and grains. Therefore, their eradication and management have economic importance as they can cause enormous economic and agricultural production losses. Despite the fact that the genus Fusarium Link (1809) has been known for over 200 years, new scientific information is being revealed by rapid advancements and breakthrough findings of interdisciplinary studies. This book presents an introductory overview of an update to the scientific knowledge about Fusarium. It discusses various aspects of Fusarium, such as its genetic diversity, root rot incidence and severity, genetic resistance, molecular markers, mycotoxins, diseases caused by Fusarium, and their management and the biological control of these phytopathogens. Furthermore, it also elaborates upon new plant secondary metabolites that are effective against Fusarium and the molecular interaction between Fusarium and the plant

In vitro activity of methanol extracts of plants used as spices against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other bacteria

WOS: 000266028800044This study determined the phenolic composition of two thyme species (Lamiaceae), Origanum minutiflorum O. Schwarz and P.H. Davis and Thymbra spicata L. var. spicata, and assessed their antibacterial and antimycobacterial activities. "Kekik" is a collective term used in Turkey for plants that smell like thyme. O. minutiflorum, (locally "Sutculer kekigi", endemic) and T spicata var. spicata (locally "Karakekik") are widely used in Turkey and are important export commodities. The activity of the methanol extracts of these plants is given here for the first time. T. spicata var. spicata exhibited a high level of activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (minimum inhibitory concentration MIC 196 mu g/ml), and moderate activity (MIC 640 mu g/ml) against Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhinnurium, Enterobacter aerogenes, and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Carvacrol, rosmarinic acid, hesperidin and naringenin were identified as the major phenolic compounds for T. spicata var. spicata. Carvacrol, rosmarinic acid, eriodictiol and luteolin were identified as the major phenolic compounds for O. minutiflorum. The effective constituents of methanol extracts of these plants are given here for the first time. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK)Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK); TBAGTurkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [104T336]The authors are grateful to TUBITAK This research was supported by a grant from the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK), TBAG (Research Grant No. 104T336)