Candida and dermatophyte species are the most common causes of superficial mycoses because their treatment can be difficult due to limitations of current antifungal drugs in terms of toxicity, bioavailability, interactions, narrow-spectrum activity, and development of resistance. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) involves the topical administration of a photosensitizer in combination with light of an appropriate wavelength and molecular oxygen that produces reactive oxygen species (ROS), which promote damage to several vital components of the microorganism. Tagetes species are known as a source of thiophenes, biologically active compounds whose antifungal activity is enhanced by irradiation with UVA. The present investigation evaluated Tagetes minuta extracts as a photosensitizer on growth of Candida and dermatophytes and their effect on Candida virulence factors. T. minuta root hexane and dichloromethane extracts demonstrated high photodynamic antifungal activity. Bioautographic assays and chromatographic analysis revealed the presence of five thiophenes with reported photodynamic antifungal activities under UVA. Analysis of ROS production indicated that both type I and II reactions were involved in the activity of the extracts. In addition, the extracts inhibited virulence factors of Candida, such as adherence to epithelial surfaces and germ tube formation and showed efficacy against different Candida morphologies: budding cells, cells with germ tube and biofilms. Results suggested that PDT with T. minuta extracts might become a valuable alternative to the already established antifungal drugs for the treatment of superficial fungal infections.

Revista digital de deRecho administRativo, n.º 18, segundo semestRe/2017, pp. Las agencias estatales de naturaleza especial en Colombia -ii [1] maRía claRa gaRRido 2 RESUMENCon la más reciente reforma a la estructura de la administración pública colombiana del orden nacional se propaga entre 2011 y 2013 la figura de la "agencia nacional", término con el que se denomina a una serie de organismos administrativos que, bajo un modelo de gestión, estarían orientados al logro de resultados y a la eficaz utilización de los recursos públicos. Dentro de las agencias creadas aparecen aquellas "estatales de naturaleza especial" como unidades de servicios de la administración, con las que se pretendía contar con estructuras diferentes, caracterizadas por la especialidad y tecnicidad. A partir de una comparación que abarca aspectos orgánicos y funcionales, la presente investigación busca determinar si realmente las agencias estatales de naturaleza especial constituyen una tipología de órganos distinta de los organismos y entidades contemplados en la Ley 489 de 1998. Palabras clave: Agencias estatales, Establecimientos públicos, Unidades administrativas especiales, Estructura de la administración pública, Organización administrativa.