fungal infections – Page 11

Botrytis cinerea combines four molecular strategies to tolerate membrane-permeating plant compounds and to increase virulence

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Botrytis cinerea is a fungus that causes plant disease by overcoming plant chemical defenses called saponins. Researchers discovered that this fungus uses four different molecular strategies to survive saponin exposure: it breaks down saponins with an enzyme, modifies membrane structures to resist saponin damage, activates proteins that protect the cell membrane, and repairs membrane damage after it occurs. These findings explain how this fungus successfully infects plants protected by saponins and reveal new understanding of how microorganisms resist antimicrobial compounds.

Himalayan Mushrooms as a Natural Source of Ergosterol and Vitamin D2: A Review of Nutraceutical and Functional Food Perspectives

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Mushrooms from the Himalayan region are naturally rich in ergosterol, a compound that converts to vitamin D2 when exposed to sunlight or UV light. This review explores how mushrooms can serve as sustainable, plant-based sources of vitamin D to address deficiencies in populations with limited sun exposure. By understanding how environmental factors and UV treatment affect ergosterol levels, scientists can develop enriched mushroom-based foods and supplements with enhanced nutritional benefits.

Exploring the health benefits of Ganoderma: antimicrobial properties and mechanisms of action

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Ganoderma is a medicinal mushroom that has been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years and shows promise as a natural antibiotic. The mushroom contains special compounds like polysaccharides and triterpenoids that can kill harmful bacteria and fungi by damaging their cell walls and boosting your immune system. Recent research shows it works against common infections like those caused by staph bacteria and E. coli, and may even help fight antibiotic-resistant germs.

Microbe Profile: Streptomyces formicae KY5: an ANT-ibiotic factory

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Scientists discovered a special bacterium called Streptomyces formicae living with plant-ants in Africa that produces powerful antibiotics. This bacterium can kill dangerous drug-resistant bacteria and fungi that are hard to treat with current medicines. By using genetic tools, researchers are unlocking the bacterium’s hidden potential to create many more new antibiotics that could help fight infections.

Modeling of mold inactivation via cold atmospheric plasma (CAP)

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This study presents a mathematical formula that predicts how quickly cold atmospheric plasma can kill mold on surfaces. Researchers tested the model using a common mold species and found that when plasma energy matched the mold’s natural growth rate, the mold died completely. The advantage of this approach is that scientists can now predict mold elimination in minutes using calculations instead of waiting weeks for laboratory experiments.

Extraction and Identification of the Bioactive Metabolites Produced by Curvularia inaequalis, an Endophytic Fungus Collected in Iran from Echium khuzistanicum Mozaff

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Scientists discovered a beneficial fungus living inside the leaves of an Iranian medicinal plant. They isolated three compounds from this fungus, with the main compound showing powerful activity against drug-resistant bacteria and plant-damaging fungi. This discovery suggests that beneficial fungi within plants could be valuable sources for developing new medicines and natural pesticides.

Antifungal efficacy of caffeic acid and nano-caffeic acid particles against candidiasis: an in vitro study

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Researchers developed a nano-particle form of caffeic acid, a natural compound found in coffee and tea, to treat oral yeast infections (candidiasis). The nano-version showed better antifungal activity than regular caffeic acid, though not as strong as prescription antifungal drugs. Since it comes from plants with fewer side effects, it could offer an alternative treatment option for patients with candidiasis.

The VelB IDD promotes selective heterodimer formation of velvet proteins for fungal development

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Fungi use special proteins called velvet factors to decide whether to make spores, form protective structures, or produce toxins. This research discovered that one velvet protein called VelB has a special flexible region that helps it choose the right partner protein to team up with. This teamwork determines what developmental path the fungus takes and what chemicals it produces, revealing a clever biological control system.

Discovery of the antifungal compound ilicicolin K through genetic activation of the ilicicolin biosynthetic pathway in Trichoderma reesei

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Scientists used genetic engineering to activate a dormant gene cluster in the fungus Trichoderma reesei, enabling it to produce the antifungal compound ilicicolin H in high quantities. During this process, they discovered a new related compound called ilicicolin K that shows even stronger antifungal properties. These compounds could potentially overcome limitations of current antifungal treatments, especially against drug-resistant fungi like Candida auris.

Azole fungicides and Aspergillus resistance, five EU agency report highlights the problem for the first time using a One Health approach

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A major European health agency report warns that widely-used fungicides sprayed on crops to prevent plant diseases may be creating resistant fungi that can infect humans and make medical treatments ineffective. The study found that about 10,000 tonnes of these azole fungicides are used in Europe annually, and their residues accumulate in the environment where they can cause harmful fungi to become resistant to the same medicines doctors use to treat patients. The report calls for urgent action to better monitor this problem and prevent resistance through smarter use and regulation of agricultural fungicides.

Disease: fungal infections