Surface Architecture Of Fungal Pathogens

Surface components in fungal cells include cell wall molecules and, in certain cases, capsular structures. In pathogens, these components are responsible for key events during interaction with the host. These events include recognition of pathogens by the immune system and generation of damage to host cells and tissues. The molecular nature of surface structures in fungi is vast and may include (glyco)proteins, polysaccharides, lipids and pigments. Many of them have been strictly associated with the antifungal immune response, as well as with steps of fungal adhesion and dissemination during interaction with host cells. For many fungal pathogens, surface composition and architecture are determinant for either disease progression or control. The diversity of the composition of the cell surface and its molecular architecture are believed to include targets for the action of new antifungals, as well as immunogens with potential to interfere with fungal diseases in favor of the host.

Mechanisms of resistance to plant viruses are diverse, and probably involve different types of recognition events. Often, a cascade of changes affecting broader aspects of defence and metabolism is switched on progressively after the initial recognition event. Virulence, i.e. resistence-breaking behaviour of the virus, involves a failure or alteration of recognition or subsequent signalling. Consequences of these recognition events are the ways in which the pathogenic effects on the host are exerted: formation of visible symptoms and control of plant growth. This volume offers a comprehensive coverage of the recognition and signalling events between plants and viruses whereby the particular attraction of viruses (and viroids) is that they can now be completely defined in molecular terms: they offer excellent opportunities for studying the molecular biology of signalling, and may even provide useful guidelines on how plants and cellular pathogens interact.

Recent Trends in Carbohydrate Chemistry: Synthesis and Biomedical Applications of Glycans and Glycoconjugates covers biomedically relevant bacterial cell wall carbohydrates including recent findings on biosynthetic aspects, advances in the chemical assembly of bacterial lipopolysaccharide fragments and teichoic acids, and modern NMR approaches to unravel structural details. The first part introduces and provides the relevant background for synthetic glycoconjugate vaccines. The second section focuses on synthetic carbohydrate-based vaccines of therapeutic potential that are licensed or under development. This second volume of Recent Trends in Carbohydrate Chemistry is ideal for researchers working as synthetic organic chemists, as well as those interested in glycoconjugation, protein chemists, immunologists, and microbiologists, in academia as well as in industry. Highlights important features of bacterial glycoproteins Illustrates modern chemical synthesis and structural analysis of bacterial glycans Demonstrates the importance of carbohydrate chemistry for the synthesis of lipopolysaccharides and teichoic acid Covers recent findings on glycan ligation Gives an overview of the most recent developments on carbohydrate-based vaccines

Continuing in the tradition of its predecessors, this new edition combines an informal, easy to read style with a thorough introduction to concepts and terminology of plant pathology. After reviewing fundamental concepts, the book discusses groups of plant pathogens and molecular tools for studying them, pathogen interactions, epidemiology and disease control, and special topics in plant pathology. The book details various disease-causing organisms, including viruses, fungi, prokaryotics, nematodes, and various biotic agents. It also examines various plant-pathogen interactions, molecular attack strategies, extracellular enzymes, host defenses, and disruption of plant function. New in the Third Edition Molecular plant-fungal interactions Expanded treatment of molecular tools Advanced biocontrol concepts How to use and care for microscopes

Almost all homes, apartments, and commercial buildings will experience leaks, flooding, or other forms of excessive indoor dampness at some point. Not only is excessive dampness a health problem by itself, it also contributes to several other potentially problematic types of situations. Molds and other microbial agents favor damp indoor environments, and excess moisture may initiate the release of chemical emissions from damaged building materials and furnishings. This new book from the Institute of Medicine examines the health impact of exposures resulting from damp indoor environments and offers recommendations for public health interventions. Damp Indoor Spaces and Health covers a broad range of topics. The book not only examines the relationship between damp or moldy indoor environments and adverse health outcomes but also discusses how and where buildings get wet, how dampness influences microbial growth and chemical emissions, ways to prevent and remediate dampness, and elements of a public health response to the issues. A comprehensive literature review finds sufficient evidence of an association between damp indoor environments and some upper respiratory tract symptoms, coughing, wheezing, and asthma symptoms in sensitized persons. This important book will be of interest to a wide-ranging audience of science, health, engineering, and building professionals, government officials, and members of the public.

The Oxford Textbook of Medical Mycology is a comprehensive reference text which brings together the science and medicine of human fungal disease. Written by a leading group of international authors to bring a global expertise, it is divided into sections that deal with the principles of mycology, the organisms, a systems based approach to management, fungal disease in specific patient groups, diagnosis, and treatment. The detailed clinical chapters take account of recent international guidelines on the management of fungal disease. With chapters covering recent developments in taxonomy, fungal genetics and other 'omics', epidemiology, pathogenesis, and immunology, this textbook is well suited to aid both scientists and clinicians. The extensive illustrations, tables, and in-depth coverage of topics, including discussion of the non-infective aspects of allergic and toxin mediated fungal disease, are designed to aid the understanding of mechanisms and pathology, and extend the usual approach to fungal disease. This textbook is essential reading for microbiologists, research scientists, infectious diseases clinicians, respiratory physicians, and those managing immunocompromised patients. Part of the Oxford Textbook in Infectious Disease and Microbiology series, it is also a useful companion text for students and trainees looking to supplement mycology courses and microbiology training.