Contrasting mutation rates in mitochondrial and nuclear genes of yeasts versus mammals

Summary Base substitutions have been compared in two mitochondrial and two nuclear genes from three yeasts and three mammals. In yeasts, the two mitochondrial genes, cytochrome oxidase subunit 2 (COX2) and apocytochrome b (CYB), have fewer changes on a percentage basis than the nuclear-encoded cytochrome c (CYC) gene. By contrast, in mammals, the same mitochondrial genes have more mutations than CYC on a percentage basis. Sequence comparisons of the nuclear small-subunit ribosomal RNA (nSSU) gene shows that there are more substitutions per unit length in the three yeasts than in the three mammals. This result suggests that although the yeasts are more distantly related than the mammals, their mitochondrial genes have accumulated fewer changes.     

Potential risk factors for infection with Candida spp. in critically ill patients

The incidence, risk factors and prognostic factors for candidal infection were determined in a prospective study of 280 infected patients. Thirty-one (11%) patients were infected with Candida spp., sub-divided into 18 (58%) with C. albicans, and 13 (42%) with non-albicans spp. (six C. glabrata, three C. parapsilosis, and one each of C. krusei, C. tropicalis, C. guilliermondii and C. lusitaniae). Infection with Candida spp. was always associated with concurrent bacterial infection. By univariate logistic regression analysis, the degree of morbidity and the duration of mechanical ventilation were independent predictive factors for death, but infection with Candida spp., was not. Factors associated with Candida spp. infection were the degree of morbidity, intensive care unit length of stay, alterations of immune response, and the number of medical devices involved. By multivariate logistic regression analysis, the only independent risk factor for candidal infection was intensive care unit length of stay.     

Optimization of process parameters for reduction of gossypol levels in cottonseed meal by Candida tropicalis ZD-3 during solid substrate fermentation.

The objective of this work is to optimize the process parameters for detoxification of gossypol in cottonseed meal (CSM) by Candida tropicalis ZD-3 during solid substrate fermentation (SSF). The maximum detoxification efficiency of gossypol was achieved by employing the substrate, which consists of 70% of CSM, 20% of corn flour and 10% of wheat bran. The optimum fermentation conditions for gossypol detoxification are incubation period of 48h, incubation temperature at 30 degrees Celsius, inoculum level 5% v/w, moisture content of solid substrate 50% and pH in nature. Adding minerals solution to CSM substrate benefit fermentation detoxification.     

Candida albicans osteomyelitis of the spine: progressive clinical and radiological features and surgical management in three cases

Candida albicans vertebral osteomyelitis is rare. Three cases are presented. Without antifungal treatment, they developed spinal collapse and neurological deterioration within 3–6 months from the onset of symptoms. There was a delay of 4.5 and 7.5 months between the onset of symptoms and surgery. All patients were managed with surgical debridement and reconstruction and 12-week fluconazole treatment. The neurological deficits resolved completely. The infection has not recurred clinically or radiologically at 5–6 years follow-up. Although rare, Candida should be suspected as a causative pathogen in cases of spinal osteomyelitis. Without treatment the disease is progressive. As soon as osteomyelitis is suspected, investigations with MRI and percutaneous biopsy should be performed followed by medical therapy. This may prevent the need for surgery. However, if vertebral collapse and spinal cord compression occurs, surgical debridement, fusion and stabilisation combined with antifungal medications can successfully eradicate the infection and resolve the neurological deficits.     

几种抗艾滋病中药有效成分对解脲支原体和白色念珠菌体外抑制作用的实验研究

目的筛选对解脲支原体和白色念珠菌体外有明显抑制作用的抗H IV中药有效成分,为治疗H IV继发感染或性病奠定基础。方法以微量稀释法测定9种中药有效成分对解脲支原体和白色念珠菌的M IC50和M IC90,同时测定其中6种中药有效成分对H IV-1的EC50和TI值。结果所测药物对解脲支原体、白色念珠菌及H IV-1均有一定的抑制作用,对解脲支原体和白色念珠菌作用最好的分别是三七总皂苷、三七叶皂苷和化合物A,化合物A对H IV-1的抑制作用最好,其EC50为0.09,TI值大于10 000。结论化合物A对解脲支原体、白色念珠菌及H IV-1的抑制效果最好,值得进一步研究。     

Prosthetic valve endocarditis due to candida albicans treated successfully with medical treatment alone

Prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) caused by Candida species is associated with high morbidity and mortality. A combination of surgical resection and antifungal drug therapy is the golden standard for treatment, yet surgical intervention is not possible in all cases of Candida PVE. We report a case of PVE due to Candida albicans cured by medical treatment alone. This case suggests that, in some instances, Candida PVE can be managed medically with antifungal therapy. Such a conservative approach should be applied with caution and necessitates very close follow-up on a long-term basis.     

过氧化氢对白色念珠菌DNA破坏的研究

本文用热变性温度法研究一定浓度 H_2O_2对 C.albicans DNA 破坏作用。结果表明,经6%和10%H_2O_2处理后,C.albicans DNA G c Mol%(分别为28.1±0.82和14.4±1.51)显著低于对照 DNA G C Mol%(85.9±0.62),并推断 H_2O_2可能作用于 C.albicans DNA 碱基以及其间的氢键上;DNA 电泳图谱发现,经3%和6%H_2O_2处理的 C.albicans DNA 电泳带明显不同于对照,提示 H_2O_2更易造成 C.albicans DNA 核苷酸链的降解或断裂.H_2O_2对 C.albicans DNA 的破坏,增强了其杀菌作用。     

纳米抗菌剂抑菌杀菌性能研究

目的：检测纳米抗菌剂对标准菌株的杀菌、抑菌性能和高温对其抑菌效果的影响。方法：目标菌为大肠杆菌、金黄色葡萄球菌和白色念珠菌，通过悬液定量杀灭试验和抑菌环试验检测纳米抗菌剂的杀菌、抑菌能力。结果：水溶性纳米抗菌膜溶于5ml灭菌水中作用l0min可杀灭95．39％的金黄色葡萄球菌和93．28％的白色念珠菌，复合了纳米银的抗菌医用棉条、烧烫伤贴、创伤贴对大肠杆菌和金黄色葡萄球菌的抑菌环直径大于l0mm，对白色念珠菌的抑菌环直径大于7mm。结论：纳米抗菌剂对细菌繁殖体和白色念珠菌具有良好的抑菌、杀菌作用，高压灭菌处理对纳米银抗菌剂抑菌效果影响不大，但织物构造对其抑菌效果有影响。     

Oral manifestation of chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis: seven case reports

BACKGROUND: Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMC) is a rare disorder characterized by persistent or recurrent candidal infections of the skin, nails and mucous membranes or by a variable combination of endocrine failure as well as immunodeficiency. Oral clinicopathological features of CMC have seldom been described in detail. METHODS: Seven patients with CMC were reported in the study. The clinical and histological findings, etiological Candida species, immunological evaluation, and therapeutic pattern of oral lesions, were analyzed. RESULTS: Long-standing whitish hyperplastic and nodule-like lesions with exaggerated deep fissure were the typical and characteristic oral manifestations presented by all patients. The tongue was the most common site affected. Histologically, no obvious distinction was found between CMC and other forms of candidal infection. Abnormal proportions of T-lymphocyte subsets and positive titers of autoantibody were observed in three subjects (42.9%) and one patient (14.3%) respectively. Meanwhile, four subjects (57.1%) showed decreased albumin and increased globulin, three cases (42.9%) had high levels of ESR. But no iron deficiency was found. Candida albicans was the microorganism isolated from these patients. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple and widespread candidal infectious lesions can be observed on the oral cavity of CMC patients. Hyperplastic and nodule-like lesion with irremovable whitish patches and deep fissure are the most common oral manifestations of these patients. Dentists, otolaryngologists and pediatricians should be familiar with the clinical appearances of CMC to make an accurate diagnosis. Potential systemic disorders should be concerned to avoid the reoccurrence of oral candidiasis.     

Ultrastructure of experimental candidial lesions in the rabbit esophagus

Although the esophagus is the most frequent site ofCandida infections in the gastrointestinal tract, and many clinical studies about it have been reported, little attention has been directed toward experimental candidiasis of the esophagus, especially with regard to its ultrastructure. Using transmission electron microscopy, this study was performed to clarify the ultrastructure of experimental lesions, obtained from five New Zealand white male rabbits which were given a suspension ofCandida albicans cells (10⁷/ml) for 13 days. The results showed that the lesions consisted of exfoliating, squamous epithelial cells with mycelial elements ofCandida albicans cells penetrating through them, and that a widened intercellular space between individual cells in the area of candidial invasion seems to be a characteristic finding of candidial infection. A part of this study was presented at the 25th Annual Meeting of the Clinical Electron Microscopy Society of Japan, Matsumoto, September 28–30, 1993.