Research Keyword: fungal biofilms

Enhanced biodegradation of fluorinated pharmaceutical by Aspergillus flavus and Cunninghamella elegans biofilms: kinetics and mechanisms

This research shows that two types of fungi—Aspergillus flavus and Cunninghamella elegans—can effectively break down commonly prescribed medications found in wastewater through biofilm formation on foam carriers. The fungi degrade these drugs through enzymatic action rather than absorption, removing 85-99% of the pharmaceuticals within days. This discovery offers a promising, cost-effective biological treatment for cleaning wastewater from hospitals and pharmaceutical factories, potentially protecting aquatic environments from drug pollution.

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Clinical aspects and recent advances in fungal diseases impacting human health

Fungal infections are increasingly common health threats affecting over a billion people worldwide, ranging from minor allergies to serious life-threatening infections. The biggest problems are that fungi are becoming resistant to current medications, diagnosis can be difficult and slow, and treatment options are limited. Recent developments include new antifungal drugs like ibrexafungerp and rezafungin that work differently from older medications, offering hope for treating resistant infections. Better awareness among doctors and patients, faster diagnostic methods, and responsible use of antifungals are essential to combat this growing public health challenge.

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Antifungal persistence: Clinical relevance and mechanisms

Some fungal infections don’t respond well to antifungal medications even though the fungi aren’t drug-resistant. This happens because a small percentage of fungal cells enter a dormant, low-energy state that protects them from being killed by the drugs. Understanding how these persistent cells survive and finding ways to target them could help prevent recurring fungal infections and improve treatment outcomes.

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Breaking down biofilms across critical priority fungal pathogens: proteomics and computational innovation for mechanistic insights and new target discovery

This comprehensive review examines how scientists are fighting dangerous fungal infections that form protective biofilms resistant to current antifungal drugs. Researchers are using advanced protein analysis techniques (proteomics) and artificial intelligence-based computational tools to identify new targets for drug development against four critical fungal pathogens that cause life-threatening infections like meningitis and lung infections. By combining these technologies, scientists can better understand how these fungal biofilms form and develop more effective treatments.

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Enhanced biodegradation of fluorinated pharmaceutical by Aspergillus flavus and Cunninghamella elegans biofilms: kinetics and mechanisms

Researchers discovered that two types of fungi, Aspergillus flavus and Cunninghamella elegans, can effectively break down common prescription drugs like fluoxetine, ciprofloxacin, and atorvastatin in wastewater. When grown as biofilms on foam carriers, these fungi removed over 90% of the pharmaceuticals in just a few days. This is an important finding because conventional wastewater treatment doesn’t effectively remove these medications, which can harm aquatic ecosystems.

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Persister cells in human fungal pathogens

Some fungal infections fail to respond to antifungal drugs even when the fungus should be susceptible to treatment. This happens because certain fungal cells can enter a dormant ‘sleep-like’ state that helps them survive drug exposure. These dormant cells, called persisters, are able to hide from medications by reducing their metabolism and enhancing their protective defenses. Understanding how these persister cells form and survive could lead to better treatments for serious fungal infections.

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Enhanced biodegradation of fluorinated pharmaceutical by Aspergillus flavus and Cunninghamella elegans biofilms: kinetics and mechanisms

This study demonstrates that two types of fungi, Aspergillus flavus and Cunninghamella elegans, can effectively remove persistent pharmaceutical pollution from wastewater when grown as biofilms on foam carriers. The fungi achieved removal rates of 92-98% for three common medications (atorvastatin, ciprofloxacin, and fluoxetine) much faster than previously reported methods. Unlike traditional fungal treatments that depend on lignin, these fungi can work in diverse environments, making them practical for wastewater treatment plants and offering a sustainable biological solution to pharmaceutical pollution.

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