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Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy May 2022Candida albicans is the most prevalent cause of vulvovaginal candidiasis ("yeast infection" or VVC) and recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC), although the incidence...
Candida albicans is the most prevalent cause of vulvovaginal candidiasis ("yeast infection" or VVC) and recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC), although the incidence of non- yeast species is increasing. The azole fluconazole is the primary antifungal drug used to treat RVVC, yet isolates from some species have intrinsic resistance to fluconazole, and recurrent infection can occur even with fluconazole-susceptible populations. The second-line broad-spectrum antimicrobial drug, boric acid, is an alternative treatment that has been found to successfully treat complicated VVC infections. Far less is known about how boric acid inhibits growth of yeast isolates in different morphologies compared to fluconazole. We found significant differences in drug resistance and drug tolerance (the ability of a subpopulation to grow slowly in high levels of drug) between C. albicans, Candida glabrata, and Candida parapsilosis isolates, with the specific relationships dependent on both drug and phenotype. Population-level variation for both susceptibility and tolerance was broader for fluconazole than boric acid in all species. Unlike fluconazole, which neither prevented hyphal formation nor disrupted mature biofilms, boric acid inhibited C. albicans hyphal formation and reduced mature biofilm biomass and metabolic activity in all isolates in a dose-dependent manner. Variation in planktonic response did not generally predict biofilm phenotypes for either drug. Overall, our findings illustrate that boric acid is broadly effective at inhibiting growth across many isolates and morphologies, which could explain why it is an effective treatment for RVVC.
Topics: Antifungal Agents; Boric Acids; Candida; Candida albicans; Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal; Drug Resistance, Fungal; Female; Fluconazole; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests
PubMed: 35446135
DOI: 10.1128/aac.02406-21 -
Materials (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2020Boric acid, a weak acid, is often used to shield neutrons in water cooling systems in nuclear power stations. The leakage of boric acid in water cooling systems damages...
Boric acid, a weak acid, is often used to shield neutrons in water cooling systems in nuclear power stations. The leakage of boric acid in water cooling systems damages the concrete structure and affects the safety of nuclear power engineering. In this experiment, concrete specimens were cured with boric acid at 20, 40, and 70 °C to study the effect of boric acid on the microstructure and properties of concrete. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC) were used to analyze the change in mineral composition. The microstructure was examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The porosity of the concrete was examined by mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP). The results show that the performance of specimens was stable under the curing conditions of 20 and 40 °C. Under the curing environment of 70 °C, the performance of concrete cured with 0, 2000, and 7000 ppm concentrations was stable, but the compressive strength of the 180,000 ppm specimen was reduced by 27.8% and suffered the most serious loss of mass and surface corrosion, with the most harmful pores. The high concentration of boric acid seriously damaged the surface structure of concrete, which is the main reason for its loss of properties. This situation is extremely dangerous in nuclear power engineering, so the effect of boric acid leakage cannot be ignored.
PubMed: 33171682
DOI: 10.3390/ma13215036 -
Frontiers in Plant Science 2017Boron is an essential element for plants but is toxic in excess. Therefore, plants must adapt to both limiting and excess boron conditions for normal growth. Boron... (Review)
Review
Boron is an essential element for plants but is toxic in excess. Therefore, plants must adapt to both limiting and excess boron conditions for normal growth. Boron transport in plants is primarily based on three transport mechanisms across the plasma membrane: passive diffusion of boric acid, facilitated diffusion of boric acid via channels, and export of borate anion via transporters. Under boron -limiting conditions, boric acid channels and borate exporters function in the uptake and translocation of boron to support growth of various plant species. In , NIP5;1 and BOR1 are located in the plasma membrane and polarized toward soil and stele, respectively, in various root cells, for efficient transport of boron from the soil to the stele. Importantly, sufficient levels of boron induce downregulation of NIP5;1 and BOR1 through mRNA degradation and proteolysis through endocytosis, respectively. In addition, borate exporters, such as BOR4 and barley Bot1, function in boron exclusion from tissues and cells under conditions of excess boron. Thus, plants actively regulate intracellular localization and abundance of transport proteins to maintain boron homeostasis. In this review, the physiological roles and regulatory mechanisms of intracellular localization and abundance of boron transport proteins are discussed.
PubMed: 29204148
DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2017.01951 -
Korean Journal of Family Medicine Jan 2018Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is one of the most common chronic infectious diseases worldwide, especially affecting children. The patients or the parents of... (Review)
Review
Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is one of the most common chronic infectious diseases worldwide, especially affecting children. The patients or the parents of the affected children are often worried about the cost of medical visits, prescription medicines, or inconsistently effective medication. The complications of CSOM have been greatly reduced because of the development of antibiotics; however, the irrational use of antibiotics has led to the emergence of organisms resistant to the commonly used drugs. Owing to the increase in antibiotic resistance, the development of new treatments that will efficiently eradicate infectious microorganisms has become imperative. Boric acid solutions are effective in the treatment of CSOM because of their acidic effect. Various databases, such as the PubMed, The Cochrane Library, and SciELO, were searched for references related to the efficacy of boric acid in the treatment of mucosal CSOM, as well as its ototoxicity. The search revealed that boric acid is relatively effective in treating CSOM, especially at a high concentration. Boric acid in distilled water was found safe in animal studies. However, the ototoxicity of boric acid concentrations higher than 4% needs further evaluation, considering the effectivity of boric acid at high concentrations.
PubMed: 29383205
DOI: 10.4082/kjfm.2018.39.1.2 -
Turkish Journal of Chemistry 2022In the present paper, the fluorescence sensor based on Schiff base and boric acid was developed for easy and rapid detection of L-tryptophan in different samples such as...
In the present paper, the fluorescence sensor based on Schiff base and boric acid was developed for easy and rapid detection of L-tryptophan in different samples such as milk and bovine serum albumin. The photoluminescence intensity was measured by using fluorescent measurements and the results indicated that the developed fluorescent sensor was exhibited selective, sensitive, reliable determination against L-tryptophan, and a series of various analytes such as cations, amino acids, and organic compounds were used to investigate the selectivity of the fluorescent chemosensor. The limit of detection and linear range of the chemosensor were calculated as 0.82 μM, and 0.1-500 μM, respectively. The performance of the chemosensor was evaluated in terms of selectivity, reversible usage, stability, and interference/anti-interference. The developed chemosensor was exhibited excellent photostability, and it was a great potential application of L-tryptophan in bovine serum albumin and milk samples.
PubMed: 37720602
DOI: 10.55730/1300-0527.3381 -
Molecular Medicine Reports Sep 2022Methicillin‑resistant (MRSA) infections are usually found in hospital settings and, frequently, in patients with open wounds. One of the most critical virulence...
Methicillin‑resistant (MRSA) infections are usually found in hospital settings and, frequently, in patients with open wounds. One of the most critical virulence factors affecting the severity and recurrence of infections is the biofilm; increasing antibiotic resistance due to biofilm formation has led to the search for alternative compounds to antibiotics. The present study aimed to use boric acid and potassium metaborate against MRSA infection in a fibroblast wound model. For this purpose, a two‑part experiment was designed: First, MRSA strains were used for the test, and both boric acid and potassium metaborate were prepared in microdilution. In the second step, an MRSA wound model was prepared using a fibroblast culture, and treatments with boric acid and potassium metaborate were applied for 24 h. For the evaluation of the effects of treatment, cell viability assay (MTT assay), analysis of redox stress parameters, including total oxidant status and total antioxidant capacity analyses, lactate dehydrogenase analysis and immunohistochemical staining were performed. In addition, IL‑1β and IL‑10 gene expression levels were assayed. According to the results, potassium metaborate was more effective and exhibited a lower toxicity to fibroblast cells compared to boric acid; moreover, potassium metaborate decreased the level of prooxidant species and increased the antioxidant status more effectively than boric acid. The IL‑1β level in the bacteria group was high; however, boric acid and potassium metaborate significantly decreased the expression levels of inflammatory markers, exhibiting the potential to improve the resolution of the lesion. On the whole, the findings of the present study suggest that boric acid and potassium metaborate may be effective on the tested microorganisms.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antioxidants; Biofilms; Boric Acids; Humans; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Oxidation-Reduction; Potassium; Staphylococcal Infections
PubMed: 35920188
DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2022.12809 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2022The objective was to determine the effect of 5% boric acid gel on vaginal (CA) infections in mice and its effect on the local immune system (i.e., Th1, Th2, and Th17)....
The objective was to determine the effect of 5% boric acid gel on vaginal (CA) infections in mice and its effect on the local immune system (i.e., Th1, Th2, and Th17). Female mice were divided into four groups, with 10 mice in each group. Mycelial suspensions were administered into the vaginal lumen close to the cervix in groups B, F, and M. Mice in group B were given boric acid gel, and group F was treated with fluconazole gel for 30 min every 12 h. Group M was treated with sterile water, and group N was not given treatment. After the seventh day of treatment, each group was observed with the naked eye, and vaginal lavage fluid and vaginal tissue were collected. Expression levels of cytokines were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and immunohistochemistry. Periodic acid Schiff (PAS) staining was used to measure the fungi in vaginal tissues. There were no significant changes in group M. In groups B and F, there was less vaginal injury and less exudate, with group B doing better than group F. The numbers of CA colonies were higher in groups B, F, and M than in group N ( < 0.01). There was less vaginal colonization of CA in group B than in group F ( < 0.01). After the seventh day of treatment, levels of IFN-γ, IL-17, IL-6, TGF-β, IL-4, and IL-10 were significantly greater in groups B, F, and M than in group N ( < 0.001); levels of IFN-γ, IL-17, IL-6, and TGF-β in groups B and F were higher than those of group M ( < 0.01), while IL-4 and IL-10 levels were significantly lower ( < 0.001). The trends of cytokine increases and decreases were more significant in group B than in group F ( < 0.05). Immunohistochemical results were similar to ELISA results. PAS staining revealed that boric acid inhibited hyphal reproduction. The boric acid significantly reduced the symptoms associated with CA vaginal infection. It inhibited the CA growth, prevented vaginal lesions, promoted the secretion of Th1 and Th17 cytokines, and reduced Th2 cytokines.
Topics: Animals; Boric Acids; Candida albicans; Candidiasis; Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal; Cytokines; Female; Humans; Interleukin-10; Interleukin-17; Interleukin-4; Interleukin-6; Mice; Th17 Cells; Transforming Growth Factor beta
PubMed: 35958550
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.950215 -
International Journal of Molecular... Feb 2020Boron is an essential plant micronutrient taken up via the roots mostly in the form of boric acid. Its important role in plant metabolism involves the stabilization of... (Review)
Review
Boron is an essential plant micronutrient taken up via the roots mostly in the form of boric acid. Its important role in plant metabolism involves the stabilization of molecules with -diol groups. The element is involved in the cell wall and membrane structure and functioning; therefore, it participates in numerous ion, metabolite, and hormone transport reactions. Boron has an extremely narrow range between deficiency and toxicity, and inadequate boron supply exhibits a detrimental effect on the yield of agricultural plants. The deficiency problem can be solved by fertilization, whereas soil boron toxicity can be ameliorated using various procedures; however, these approaches are costly and time-consuming, and they often show temporary effects. Plant species, as well as the genotypes within the species, dramatically differ in terms of boron requirements; thus, the available soil boron which is deficient for one crop may exhibit toxic effects on another. The widely documented intraspecies genetic variability regarding boron utilization efficiency and toxicity tolerance, together with the knowledge of the physiology and genetics of boron, should result in the development of efficient and tolerant varieties that may represent a long-term sustainable solution for the problem of inadequate or excess boron supply.
Topics: Boron; Cell Wall; Plant Roots; Plants; Soil
PubMed: 32093172
DOI: 10.3390/ijms21041424 -
Mycoses Sep 2021The genus Candida includes about 200 different species, but only a few are able to produce disease in humans. The species responsible for the highest proportion of human...
BACKGROUND
The genus Candida includes about 200 different species, but only a few are able to produce disease in humans. The species responsible for the highest proportion of human infections is Candida albicans. However, in the last two decades there has been an increase in the proportion of infections caused by other Candida species, including C. glabrata (Nakaseomyces glabrata), C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, C. krusei (Pichia kudriavzevi) and more recently C. auris. Decolonisation of patients has been used as an infection control strategy for bacterial infections, but information about decolonisation products used in clinical practice for Candida and other fungal pathogens is limited. Compounds with antimicrobial activity, such as triclosan (TR), boric acid (BA) and zinc oxide (ZO), are mainly used in personal care products. These products can be used for long periods of time without an abrasive skin effect and are a possible alternative for patient decolonisation in healthcare settings.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the antifungal activity of boric acid (BA), triclosan (TR) and zinc oxide (ZO), individually and combined, against clinically relevant Candida species.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Compounds to be screened for antifungal activity were evaluated at different concentrations, alone, and combined, using a well diffusion assay. The statistical evaluation was performed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and a post hoc analysis using the multiple comparisons method.
RESULTS
Individually, BA and TR showed antifungal activity against all Candida species evaluated but ZO did not show any antifungal activity. Mixtures of BA [5%]-TR [0.2%]; BA [5%]-TR [0.3%]; BA [5%]-TR [0.2%]-ZO [8.6%]; and BA [5%]-TR [0.2%]-ZO [25%] yielded the highest antifungal activity. An increased antifungal effect was observed in some mixtures when compared with individual compounds.
CONCLUSIONS
We demonstrated antifungal activity of BA and TR against multiple Candida species, including against a clade of the emerging healthcare-associated pathogen C. auris. Additionally, this study shows enhancement of the antifungal effect and no antagonism among the mixtures of these compounds. Further research is needed to determine whether these compounds can reduce the burden of Candida on skin.
Topics: Antifungal Agents; Boric Acids; Candida; Candida albicans; Candida glabrata; Candida tropicalis; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Triclosan; Zinc Oxide
PubMed: 33969547
DOI: 10.1111/myc.13302 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2021To determine the effect of 3% boric acid solution on cutaneous infections with (CA) in mice and its effect on skin microflora. Female mice were divided into three...
To determine the effect of 3% boric acid solution on cutaneous infections with (CA) in mice and its effect on skin microflora. Female mice were divided into three groups, with 18 mice in each group. Two injection sites were randomly selected, and 0.1 mL of CA mycelium suspension was injected into the epidermis and dermis of the back of mice. Group N was treated with sterile water for injection (SWFI). We observed the clinical manifestations, fungal fluorescence microscopic examination and colony count. Group B were hydropathically compressed with 3% boric acid solution for 30 min every 12 h. Group M was treated with SWFI, and group N was not treated. One week later, each group was observed with naked eyes, and skin samples were collected. The effect of boric acid on skin microflora was measured using Internal Transcribed Spacer Identification (ITS) and 16S rRNA genes. There were no significant changes in group M. In group B, the degree of skin injury was alleviated, the wounds healed markedly, and the exudate amount decreased. The effective rate of group B (83%) was significantly higher than that of group M (25%) ( < 0.05). The relative average abundance of ( < 0.0001) and CA ( < 0.05) in group B was significantly lower than that in group M. Compared with group M, the microbial richness of group B changed little, but the diversity decreased. The flora structure of group B was significantly different from that of group M, but like that of group N. In group B, the abundance of ( < 0.001), ( < 0.001), and ( < 0.001) was significantly greater, and the abundance of ( < 0.001), ( < 0.001), and ( < 0.001) were significantly lower. The 3% boric acid solution significantly reduced the symptoms of skin infection with . It inhibited the growth of and CA, reduced the diversity of skin microorganisms, increased the abundance of , and reduced the abundance of .
PubMed: 34557169
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.709880