Development of Flower Extracts with Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties for Nutraceutical and Food Uses.

Plant flowers are recognized as a rich source of bioactive phenolic compounds. In this study, for the first time, the recovery of antioxidant phenolic compounds from flowers (CF) was optimized using microwave-assisted extraction (MAE). The variables (% of ethanol, temperature, and time) were studied using a response surface methodology (RSM).

Pre-clinical evaluation of a divalent liposomal vaccine to control invasive candidiasis.

Candida albicans causes systemic infections with 20-50% mortality in critically ill and immunocompromised patients, despite antifungal treatment. Current therapies face limitations, including toxicity and resistance, underscoring the need for prophylactic vaccines. This study presents a novel divalent liposomal vaccine, delivering C.

Benzo[a]phenoxazine derivative C34 efficacy against fluconazole-resistant Candida spp.

Candida infections pose a significant health risk, prompting the search for new antifungal solutions due to the diminishing effectiveness of traditional drugs. Benzo[a]phenoxazine derivatives, described to have antimicrobial activity, are promising candidates. This study assessed the antifungal efficacy of five benzo[a]phenoxazine derivatives against Candida species for an effective antifungal strategy.

Microwave-assisted extraction of raspberry pomace phenolic compounds, and their bioaccessibility and bioactivity.

Raspberry pomace (RBP) is rich in phenolic compounds. This study aims to optimize the extraction of phenolics from RBP and assess their bioaccessibility and bioactivity. The extraction process revealed that ethanol 50 % was the most effective solvent.

Combining Fluconazole with Benzo[]phenoxazine Derivatives as a Promising Strategy Against Fluconazole-Resistant Species.

The rise in non- species, exhibiting unpredictable antifungal resistance, complicates treatment and contributes to the growing threat of invasive, life-threatening infections. This study evaluates the antifungal activity of four benzo[]phenoxazine derivatives (, , , and ) against 14 strains following EUCAST standards. Fluconazole interactions are analysed through fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) calculation and response surface analysis based on the Bliss model.

Candida albicans chitinase 3 with potential as a vaccine antigen: production, purification, and characterisation.

Chitinases are widely studied enzymes that have already found widespread application. Their continued development and valorisation will be driven by the identification of new and improved variants and/or novel applications bringing benefits to industry and society. We previously identified a novel application for chitinases wherein the Candida albicans cell wall surface chitinase 3 (Cht3) was shown to have potential in vaccine applications as a subunit antigen against fungal infections.

Effects of Zn-ZnO Core-Shell Nanoparticles on Antimicrobial Mechanisms and Immune Cell Activation.

The deposition of zinc-zinc oxide nanoparticles (Zn-ZnO NPs) onto porous TaO surfaces enriched with calcium phosphate by DC magnetron sputtering was investigated to improve the surface antimicrobial activity without triggering an inflammatory response. Different sizes and amounts of Zn NPs obtained by two optimized different depositions and an additional thin carbon (C) layer deposited over the NPs were explored. The deposition of the Zn NPs and the C layer mitigates the surface porosity, increasing the surface hydrophobicity and decreasing the surface roughness.

Design of a lipid nano-delivery system containing recombinant Candida albicans chitinase 3 as a potential vaccine against fungal infections.

Opportunistic fungi cause lethal systemic infections and impose high medical costs to health systems. The World Health Organization has recognized the importance of fungal infections, including them in its global priority list guiding research, development, and discovery of new therapeutic approaches. Fungal vaccine development has been proposed as one of the treatment and prevention strategies in the last decade.

Immobilization of Streptavidin on a Plasmonic Au-TiO Thin Film towards an LSPR Biosensing Platform.

Optical biosensors based on localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) are the future of label-free detection methods. This work reports the development of plasmonic thin films, containing Au nanoparticles dispersed in a TiO matrix, as platforms for LSPR biosensors. Post-deposition treatments were employed, namely annealing at 400 °C, to develop an LSPR band, and Ar plasma, to improve the sensitivity of the Au-TiO thin film.

Development and Characterization of Monoolein-Based Liposomes of Carvacrol, Cinnamaldehyde, Citral, or Thymol with Anti- Activities.

There is an increasing need for novel drugs and new strategies for the therapy of invasive candidiasis. This study aimed to develop and characterize liposome-based nanoparticles of carvacrol, cinnamaldehyde, citral, and thymol with anti- activities. Dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide- and monoolein-based liposomes in a 1:2 molar ratio were prepared using a lipid-film hydration method.

The Role of Transcription Factor in Response to Carbon Adaptation.

is the main causative agent of candidiasis and one of the most frequent causes of nosocomial infections worldwide. In order to establish an infection, this pathogen supports effective stress responses to counter host defenses and adapts to changes in the availability of important nutrients, such as alternative carbon sources. These stress responses have clear implications on the composition and structure of cell wall.

High variability within Candida albicans transcription factor RLM1: Isolates from vulvovaginal infections show a clear bias toward high molecular weight alleles.

Previous studies have correlated the severity of recurrent vulvovaginal Candida infections (VVC) and balanitis in patients from China with the presence of some dominant genotypes at the ORF RLM1. Here we tested VVC vs non-VVC isolates from Portugal, Brazil and Greece and, although the same genotypes were identified in VVC isolates, they were present in only five out of 150 strains. However, this analysis showed that VVC isolates presented a higher percentage of genotypes with similar high molecular weight alleles, in comparison with strains isolated from other biological sources.