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Immunity, Inflammation and Disease Nov 2023Rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) is an opportunistic pathogenic fungal disease caused by the fungus mucor, and it is a life-threatening fungal infection. The... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) is an opportunistic pathogenic fungal disease caused by the fungus mucor, and it is a life-threatening fungal infection. The ulceration on the skin of the head and neck, accompanied by rhinitis, headache, orbital inflammation, and eyelid edema, should raise a high suspicion of Mucor infection in diabetic patients with inadequately controlled blood glucose.
CASE DESCRIPTION
The clinical data of a patient with ROCM were analyzed retrospectively, and the clinical features were analyzed. The patient was admitted to the hospital with "diabetic hyperosmotic coma" after presenting with fatigue, poor appetite, and disturbances in consciousness as initial symptoms. After improving relevant examinations, controlling underlying diseases, and administering antifungal treatment, the final clinical outcome was death.
CONCLUSION
ROCM is more prevalent in patients with uncontrolled diabetes and varied clinical manifestations. The characteristic feature is an eschar-like necrosis of the local skin or mucosa. The gold criteria for diagnosis are pathology and fungal culture; imaging examination does not reveal any specific manifestations. Early diagnosis and effective treatment are the keys.
Topics: Humans; Mucormycosis; Retrospective Studies; Orbital Diseases; Diabetes Mellitus; Antifungal Agents
PubMed: 38018593
DOI: 10.1002/iid3.1080 -
Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology Dec 2023Sucrose non-fermenting 1 (SNF1) protein kinase plays the regulatory roles in the utilization of selective carbon sources and lipid metabolism. Previously, the role of β...
Sucrose non-fermenting 1 (SNF1) protein kinase plays the regulatory roles in the utilization of selective carbon sources and lipid metabolism. Previously, the role of β subunit of SNF1 in lipid accumulation was evaluated by overexpression and knockout of Snf-β in oleaginous fungus M. circinelloides. In the present study, the growth and lipid accumulation of Snf-β overexpression and knockout strains were further analyzed and compared with glucose or xylose as a single or mixed carbon sources. The results showed that the lipid contents in Snf-β knockout strain improved by 23.2% (for glucose), 28.4% (for xylose), and 30.5% (for mixed glucose and xylose) compared with that of the control strain, respectively. The deletion of Snf-β subunit also altered the transcriptional level of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC). The highest transcriptional levels of ACC1 in Snf-β knockout strain at 24 h were increased by 2.4-fold (for glucose), 2.8-fold (for xylose), and 3.1-fold (for mixed glucose and xylose) compared with that of the control strain, respectively. Our results indicated that Snf-β subunit enhanced lipid accumulation through the regulation of ACC1 in response to xylose or mixed sugars of glucose and xylose more significantly than that of response to glucose. This is the first study to explore the effect of Snf-β subunit of M. circinelloides in regulating lipid accumulation responding to different carbon nutrient signals of glucose and xylose. This study provides a foundation for the future application of the Snf-β engineered strains in lipid production from lignocellulose.
Topics: Xylose; Glucose; Mucor; Carbon; Lipids; Lipid Metabolism
PubMed: 37086376
DOI: 10.1007/s12010-023-04531-9 -
BioRxiv : the Preprint Server For... Nov 2023Some eukaryotic pre-tRNAs contain an intron that is removed by a dedicated set of enzymes. Intron-containing pre-tRNAs are cleaved by tRNA splicing endonuclease (TSEN),...
Some eukaryotic pre-tRNAs contain an intron that is removed by a dedicated set of enzymes. Intron-containing pre-tRNAs are cleaved by tRNA splicing endonuclease (TSEN), followed by ligation of the two exons and release of the intron. Fungi use a "heal and seal" pathway that requires three distinct catalytic domains of the tRNA ligase enzyme, Trl1. In contrast, humans use a "direct ligation" pathway carried out by RTCB, an enzyme completely unrelated to Trl1. Because of these mechanistic differences, Trl1 has been proposed as a promising drug target for fungal infections. To validate Trl1 as a broad-spectrum drug target, we show that fungi from three different phyla contain Trl1 orthologs with all three domains. This includes the major invasive human fungal pathogens, and these proteins each can functionally replace yeast Trl1. In contrast, species from the order Mucorales, including the pathogens and , contain an atypical Trl1 that contains the sealing domain, but lack both healing domains. Although these species contain fewer tRNA introns than other pathogenic fungi, they still require splicing to decode three of the 61 sense codons. These sealing-only Trl1 orthologs can functionally complement defects in the corresponding domain of yeast Trl1 and use a conserved catalytic lysine residue. We conclude that Mucorales use a sealing-only enzyme together with unidentified non-orthologous healing enzymes for their heal and seal pathway. This implies that drugs that target the sealing activity are more likely to be broader-spectrum antifungals than drugs that target the healing domains.
PubMed: 38014270
DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.16.567474 -
PloS One 2023Soil phosphorus (P) deficiency is a major challenge to food security in most parts of sub-Saharan Africa, including Zimbabwe, where farmers largely depend on local...
Soil phosphorus (P) deficiency is a major challenge to food security in most parts of sub-Saharan Africa, including Zimbabwe, where farmers largely depend on local organic nutrient resources as fertilizer in the production of crops. Soil microorganisms can contribute to synchronous availability of soil P to plants through regulating immobilization and mineralization cycles of soil P pools but their activity may be influenced by antecedent soil P, P fertilizer application regimes and P uptake by plants. Using soils collected from plots where Crotalaria juncea (high quality), Calliandra calothyrsus (medium quality), cattle manure (variable quality), maize stover and Pinus patula sawdust (both low quality) were applied at the rate of 4 t C ha-1 with 16 kg P ha-1 at the start of every season over 16 seasons. A pot study was conducted to evaluate the influence of increasing inorganic P fertilizer rates (26 and 36 kg P ha-1) on soil microbial dynamics, soil P pools, and maize P uptake. Results indicated that nineteen (19) fungal and forty-two (42) bacterial colonies were identified over the study period. Fungi dominated bacteria on day one, with Aspergillus niger showing a 30-98% abundance that depends on organic resource quality. Overall, microbial diversity peaked activity characterized succession on day 29, which coincided with a significant (P<0.05) increase in P availability. Increasing P rate to 26 kg P ha-1 amplified the microbial diverse peak activity under medium-high quality resources while under the control the peak emerged earlier on day 15. Mucor and Bacillus had peak abundances on day 43 and 57, respectively, across treatments regardless of P rates. Treatment and P rate had a significant (P<0.01) effect on microbial P. Bacteria were more responsive to added P than fungi. Increasing P to 36 kg P ha-1 also stimulated an earlier microbial diverse peak activity under maize stover on day 15. Addition of P alone, without supplying complementary nutrients such as N, did not have a positive effect on maize P uptake. Farmers need to co-apply medium-high quality organic resources with high fertilizer P rates to increase microbial diversity, plant available P and maize growth on sandy soils (Lixisols). Our results suggest that there is a need to reconsider existing P fertilizer recommendations, currently pegged at between 26 and 30 kg P ha-1, for maize production on sandy soils as well as develop new fertilizer formulations to intensify crop production in Zimbabwe.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Soil; Zimbabwe; Fertilizers; Sand; Aspergillus niger
PubMed: 37682930
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291226 -
Journal of the Science of Food and... Jul 2023Jiuyao is a critical fermenting agent in traditional huangjiu brewing and it affects the quality of huangjiu. To assess and monitor the quality of jiuyao effectively we...
BACKGROUND
Jiuyao is a critical fermenting agent in traditional huangjiu brewing and it affects the quality of huangjiu. To assess and monitor the quality of jiuyao effectively we determined the differences between two common types of substandard jiuyao and normal jiuyao, with emphasis on the comparison of the main components, enzymatic activity, volatile substances, and microbial community structure.
RESULTS
The water and starch content, acid protease activity, and esterification capability of type I substandard jiuyao were significantly lower than those of the normal jiuyao, and the protein contents, liquefaction capability, glycation capability, and neutral protease activity were substantially higher than those of the normal jiuyao. Type II substandard jiuyao had significantly lower indices than the normal group except for the starch and free amino acid content, which were significantly higher than those of the normal jiuyao. Significant differences were observed between substandard and normal jiuyao in the content of 21 volatile compounds. 2-Pentylfuran could be used as a marker of substandard jiuyao. Type I substandard jiuyao contained a higher abundance of aerobic Pediococcus and Marivita in comparison with the normal jiuyao. Type II substandard jiuyao consisted of a greater abundance of anaerobic Mucor and Staphylococcus.
CONCLUSION
The quality of jiuyao was significantly affected by the water content. Due to the different abundances of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria in jiuyao, oxygen may also be an important parameter affecting the quality of jiuyao. We believe that the present study offers a theoretical basis for the evaluation and control of the quality of jiuyao. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Topics: Bioreactors; Microbiota; Amino Acids; Starch; Peptide Hydrolases
PubMed: 36750373
DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.12487 -
Microbiology and Molecular Biology... Mar 2024SUMMARYThe World Health Organization has established a fungal priority pathogens list that includes species critical or highly important to human health. Among them is... (Review)
Review
SUMMARYThe World Health Organization has established a fungal priority pathogens list that includes species critical or highly important to human health. Among them is the order Mucorales, a fungal group comprising at least 39 species responsible for the life-threatening infection known as mucormycosis. Despite the continuous rise in cases and the poor prognosis due to innate resistance to most antifungal drugs used in the clinic, Mucorales has received limited attention, partly because of the difficulties in performing genetic manipulations. The COVID-19 pandemic has further escalated cases, with some patients experiencing the COVID-19-associated mucormycosis, highlighting the urgent need to increase knowledge about these fungi. This review addresses significant challenges in treating the disease, including delayed and poor diagnosis, the lack of accurate global incidence estimation, and the limited treatment options. Furthermore, it focuses on the most recent discoveries regarding the mechanisms and genes involved in the development of the disease, antifungal resistance, and the host defense response. Substantial advancements have been made in identifying key fungal genes responsible for invasion and tissue damage, host receptors exploited by the fungus to invade tissues, and mechanisms of antifungal resistance. This knowledge is expected to pave the way for the development of new antifungals to combat mucormycosis. In addition, we anticipate significant progress in characterizing Mucorales biology, particularly the mechanisms involved in pathogenesis and antifungal resistance, with the possibilities offered by CRISPR-Cas9 technology for genetic manipulation of the previously intractable Mucorales species.
Topics: Humans; Mucorales; Mucormycosis; Antifungal Agents; Pandemics
PubMed: 38445820
DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00188-22 -
Biotechnologia 2023The exploitation of food industry wastes and their conversion into value-added products present a promising and continuously growing field, given the diversity of...
The exploitation of food industry wastes and their conversion into value-added products present a promising and continuously growing field, given the diversity of elaborated wastes. The current work aimed to utilize sweet cheese whey as a growth medium for acid protease production by a local fungus strain. The biochemical and physicochemical properties of the cheese whey, such as pH, conductivity, chemical oxygen demand, biological oxygen demand (BOD), total nitrogen and protein contents, and mineral salts, were assessed using various analytical methods. The effect of certain parameters on acid protease production by MG603064.1 through the SmF process was investigated using the conventional design method "One factor at a time". Subsequent to characterization, the crude extract was used in a trial to create , compared to the commercial rennin CHY-MAX Powder Extra. Cheese whey characterization revealed its richness in total nitrogen (1.044 ± 0.044 g/l), protein content (6.52 ± 0.04 g/l), and principal mineral salts: calcium (1.637 ± 0.037 g/l), phosphorus (1.173 ± 0.023 g/l), and chloride (1.66 ± 0.09 g/l). The optimal values of the SmF process for acid protease production, such as the inoculum size, beef extract, and KHPO supplements, the initial pH of cheese whey, and incubation temperature were, respectively, 11% (v/v), 0.4% (w/v), 0.5% (w/v), 5.5, and 30°C. Under these conditions, the lowest milk-clotting time of 290 s was achieved, representing an 18.41-fold increase compared to the initial step using the unoptimized medium. The enzyme showed maximum milk-clotting activity at pH 5, a temperature of 60°C, and in the presence of 0.025 M of CaCl. The enzyme activity also significantly improved with sonication (35 kHz) for 10 min. The crude extract of ensured the production of fresh cheese samples with characteristics roughly similar to those obtained by the control (CHY-MAX rennin). The acid protease of could successfully substitute the conventional rennin in the manufacture of fresh cheese.
PubMed: 38213480
DOI: 10.5114/bta.2023.132770 -
Journal of Applied Genetics Sep 2023Among ten metal-tolerant fungal isolates obtained from the microbiomes of detergent industry effluent, Mucor sp. NRCC6 showed the highest tolerance and an adaptive...
Among ten metal-tolerant fungal isolates obtained from the microbiomes of detergent industry effluent, Mucor sp. NRCC6 showed the highest tolerance and an adaptive behavior toward the heavy metals Ni, Pb, Mn, and Zn. It gave the highest growth rates 0.790 ± 0.59, 0.832 ± 0.32, 0.774 ± 0.40, and 0.741 ± 1.06 mm/h along with the lowest growth inhibition 9.19, 4.37, 11.04, and 14.83% in the presence of Pb, Zn, Ni, and Mn, respectively, at a concentration of 5.0 g/L. Then, Mucor sp. NRCC6 was selected as a biotrap for the removal of these heavy metals. The optimized operating conditions were detected to be pH 6.0 for Pb, Zn, and Mn and pH 5.5 for Ni at 30 °C; agitation speed 150 rpm; contact time 30 min for Mn and Ni, 30-60 min for Pb, and 90-180 min for Zn; NRCC6 biomass dosage 5.0 g/L for Ni and Pb and 10.0 g/L for Mn and Zn; and initial concentration 12 mg/L of each ion in the multimetal aqueous solutions. Under these optimized conditions, the adsorption capacity for Pb, Ni, Mn, and Zn reached 98.75, 59.25, 58.33, and 50.83%. The Langmuir isotherm was the best for describing the adsorption of Zn (0.970) and Mn (0.977). The Freundlich isotherm significantly giving a good fit to the adsorption of Pb (0.998) while the adsorption of Ni onto NRCC6 biomass can follow DKR (0.998). Furthermore, the current study revealed that Mucor sp. NRCC6 fungus is a new efficient and eco-friendly method that revealed a maximum removal of 100% for Pb and Zn as well as 97.39, 88.70, 78.95, 74.0, 70.22, 68.57, and 60.0% for Ni, Mn, Cd, Cu, Fe, As, and Cr from the industrial wastewater, respectively.
Topics: Mucor; Detergents; Biodegradation, Environmental; Biomass; Lead; Metals, Heavy; Water
PubMed: 37407883
DOI: 10.1007/s13353-023-00765-9 -
Biotechnology Reports (Amsterdam,... Sep 2023High throughput screening approaches can significantly speed up the identification of novel enzymes from natural microbial consortiums. A two-step high throughput...
High throughput screening approaches can significantly speed up the identification of novel enzymes from natural microbial consortiums. A two-step high throughput screening process was proposed and explored to screen lignin-degrading microorganisms. By employing this modified culture enrichment method and screening based on enzyme activity, a total of 82 bacterial and 46 fungal strains were isolated from fifty decayed wood samples (100 liquid cultures) collected from the banks of the Ottawa River in Canada. Among them, ten bacterial and five fungal strains were selected and identified based on their high laccase activities by 16S rDNA and ITS gene sequencing, respectively. The study identified bacterial strains from various genera including , and , along with fungal counterparts including and . Moreover, (AORF21), . (AORF43), (AORF3) and sp. (AORB55) exhibited xylanase and - glucanase activities in addition to laccase production. The proposed approach allowed for the quick identification of promising consortia and enhanced the chance of isolating desired strains based on desired enzyme activities. This method is not limited to lignocellulose and lignin-degrading microorganisms but can be applied to identify novel microbial strains and enzymes from different natural samples.
PubMed: 37583477
DOI: 10.1016/j.btre.2023.e00809 -
Current Microbiology Dec 2023Mucormycosis is uncommon, yet it is more prevalent among individuals with underlying health conditions and those who are immunocompromised. Chitosan is studied because...
Antifungal Activity of Chitosan Polymeric Nanoparticles and Correlation with Their pH Against Mucor circinelloides Causing Mucormycosis, Along with Penicillium notatum and Aspergillus Species.
Mucormycosis is uncommon, yet it is more prevalent among individuals with underlying health conditions and those who are immunocompromised. Chitosan is studied because of its appealing properties and diverse applications. The purpose of this work is to synthesize chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) by ionic gelation method at various pH levels and test them against Mucor and other filamentous fungus. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope, Zeta sizer, Zeta potential, and Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy were used to characterize CSNPs. Hydrodynamic size increased considerably with increasing pH. Our CSNPs were tested against fungal isolates of Aspergillus Flavus RCMB 02783, Aspergillus Fumigatus RCMB 02564, and Aspergillus Niger RCMB 02588, Penicillium Notatum (NCPF 2881) and (M. circinelloides CNRMA 03.894) causing mucromycosis. Antifungal activity was investigated using Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), Minimum Fungicidal concentration (MFC), Disc diffusion assay, and Antifungal inhibitory percentages methods. The best antifungal efficacy results were obtained through CSNPs prepared at pH = 4.4 at very low concentration for MIC (1.03 or 2.75 μg/mL) with 100% M. circinelloides inhibition followed by pH = 4.6 with MIC (73 or 208 μg/mL) and 93% M. cirecinelloides inhibition %. Future usage of these materials in masks or wound dressing to avoid fungal infections, including mucormycosis following COVID-19, penicillium, and aspergillosis toxicity and infections.
Topics: Humans; Antifungal Agents; Mucormycosis; Mucor; Penicillium chrysogenum; Chitosan; Aspergillus niger; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Nanoparticles; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
PubMed: 38135799
DOI: 10.1007/s00284-023-03555-y