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Cureus May 2024Invasive fungal sinusitis (IFS) poses a fatal threat to patients with hematological malignancies or a history of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT)....
Invasive fungal sinusitis (IFS) poses a fatal threat to patients with hematological malignancies or a history of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). While invasive aspergillosis, a subtype of IFS, remains rare in immunocompetent individuals, allogeneic HSCT recipients face a notable surge in incidence. Despite the rapid onset and progression of IFS, its clinical presentation is subtle, contributing to heightened mortality rates. Prompt surgical debridement and systemic antifungal therapy are required to yield positive results. Examining IFS cases in HSCT recipients is vital, providing insights into its clinical course, prevention strategies, and improved evaluation. We present a rare presentation of IFS with in a relapsed acute myeloid leukemia patient post-HSCT. Two weeks after chemotherapy, the patient developed headaches and blood-tinged sinus drainage in the setting of pancytopenia. Radiologic and pathological findings confirmed the diagnosis of IFS, necessitating weeks of intensive anti-fungal therapy. Despite the initial positive response, the disease ultimately progressed to a fatal outcome. This case emphasizes that early detection is required for a favorable treatment response. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of heightened clinical suspicion, risk stratification, multidisciplinary care, and ongoing research for optimal management of IFS in allogeneic HSCT recipients.
PubMed: 38939236
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.61232 -
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024A tremendous increase in the green synthesis of metallic nanoparticles has been noticed in the last decades, which is due to their unique properties at the nano...
Exploring the Potential of Halotolerant Actinomycetes from Rann of Kutch, India: A Study on the Synthesis, Characterization, and Biomedical Applications of Silver Nanoparticles.
A tremendous increase in the green synthesis of metallic nanoparticles has been noticed in the last decades, which is due to their unique properties at the nano dimension. The present research work deals with synthesis mediated by the actinomycete of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), isolated from Little and Greater Rann of Kutch, India. The confirmation of the formation of AgNPs by the actinomycetes was carried out by using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer where an absorbance peak was obtained at 420 nm. The X-ray diffraction pattern demonstrated five characteristic diffraction peaks indexed at the lattice plane (111), (200), (231), (222), and (220). Fourier transform infrared showed typical bands at 531 to 1635, 2111, and 3328 cm. Scanning electron microscopy shows that the spherical-shaped AgNPs particles have diameters in the range of 40 to 90 nm. The particle size analysis displayed the mean particle size of AgNPs in aqueous medium, which was about 55 nm (±27 nm), bearing a negative charge on their surfaces. The potential of the -mediated synthesized AgNPs was evaluated for their antimicrobial, anti-methicillin-resistant (MRSA), anti-biofilm, and anti-oxidant activity. The maximum inhibitory effect was observed against at (8 µg/mL), followed by and at (32 µg/mL), and against (64 µg/mL), whereas (128 µg/mL) and (256 µg/mL) were much less sensitive to AgNPs. The biosynthesized AgNPs displayed activity against MRSA, and the free radical scavenging activity was observed with an increase in the dosage of AgNPs from 25 to 200 µg/mL. AgNPs in combination with ampicillin displayed inhibition of the development of biofilm in and at 98% and 83%, respectively. AgNPs were also successfully coated on the surface of cotton to prepare antimicrobial surgical cotton, which demonstrated inhibitory action against (15 mm) and (12 mm). The present research integrates microbiology, nanotechnology, and biomedical science to formulate environmentally friendly antimicrobial materials using halotolerant actinomycetes, evolving green nanotechnology in the biomedical field. Moreover, this study broadens the understanding of halotolerant actinomycetes and their potential and opens possibilities for formulating new antimicrobial products and therapies.
PubMed: 38931410
DOI: 10.3390/ph17060743 -
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024The importance of natural plant materials in modern medicine is considerable, and raw materials with antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer properties are... (Review)
Review
The importance of natural plant materials in modern medicine is considerable, and raw materials with antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer properties are still sought because of microbe resistance and difficulties in anticancer therapy. This review focuses on the lemongrass (DC.) Stapf. and on the lemongrass oil properties and applications. Multiple applications of this plant were described in different latitudes and cultures, including cases of digestive disorders and anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, diaphoretic, stimulating, and antispasmodic conditions. Data from the literature on the composition of essential oil and extracts from were analyzed, and the results of research on the antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral effects were quoted. Essential oil inhibits the growth of fungi (, , spp.) and has an antibacterial effect (, , ). It also shows antiviral activity and deters insects. Lemongrass contains active substances with potential anticancer effects. This plant has apoptosis-stimulating properties, mainly through the activity of apigenin, which is the main active flavonoid in this plant. This active substance helps inhibit cell proliferation by stopping the cell cycle and directing cancer cells toward apoptosis.
PubMed: 38931371
DOI: 10.3390/ph17060705 -
Microorganisms Jun 2024The anti-fungal properties of the probiotic bacterium have been studied extensively in agriculture and ecology, but their applications in the built environment remain...
The anti-fungal properties of the probiotic bacterium have been studied extensively in agriculture and ecology, but their applications in the built environment remain to be determined. Our work aims to utilize this biological component to introduce new diverse anti-mold properties into paint. "Mold" refers to the ubiquitous fungal species that generate visible multicellular filaments commonly found in household dust. The development of mold leads to severe health problems for occupants, including allergic response, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and asthma, which have significant economic and clinical outcomes. We here demonstrate the robust effect of a commercial paint enhanced with Bacillus subtilis cells against the common mold agent, , and identify three biosynthetic clusters essential for this effect. Our results lay the foundation for bio-convergence and synthetic biology approaches to introduce renewable and environmentally friendly bio-anti-fungal agents into the built environment.
PubMed: 38930607
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12061226 -
Life (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024The production of citric acid, a vital agricultural commodity utilized across various industries such as food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, detergents, and...
The production of citric acid, a vital agricultural commodity utilized across various industries such as food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, detergents, and cosmetics, predominantly relies on microbial fermentation, with accounting for approximately 90% of global production. In this study, we aimed to optimize the key factors influencing citric acid production, with a focus on strains, fermentation techniques, and carbon sources, particularly sugarcane molasses. , sourced from the Botany department/Biotechnology laboratories at Govt. College of Science, Lahore, was employed for citric acid production. The process involved inoculum preparation through spore collection from 3 to 5 days of cultured PDA slants. The fermentation medium, comprising cane molasses with a 15% sugar concentration, was meticulously prepared and optimized for various factors, including magnesium sulfate, potassium ferrocyanide, time of addition of potassium ferrocyanide, ammonium oxalate, and calcium chloride. Our optimization results shed light on the significant impact of different factors on citric acid production. For instance, the addition of 0.4 g/L magnesium sulfate led to a maximum yield of 75%, while 2 g/L potassium ferrocyanide, added at 24 h, achieved a yield of 78%. Remarkably, ammonium oxalate, at a concentration of 10 g/L, resulted in a notable 77% yield. Conversely, the addition of calcium chloride exhibited negligible effects on citric acid production, with the control group yielding more at 78%. Our study underscores the potential for optimizing factors to enhance citric acid production by in submerged fermentation. These findings highlight the pivotal role of magnesium sulfate, potassium ferrocyanide, and ammonium oxalate in augmenting citric acid yields while emphasizing the minimal impact of calcium chloride. Ultimately, these insights contribute to advancing our understanding of microbial citric acid biosynthesis, providing valuable implications for industrial applications and future research endeavors.
PubMed: 38929739
DOI: 10.3390/life14060756 -
Journal of Applied Microbiology Jun 2024In this study the antifungal efficacy and phytotoxicity of silica coated porous zinc oxide nanoparticle (SZNP) was analyzed as this nanocomposite was observed to be a...
AIMS
In this study the antifungal efficacy and phytotoxicity of silica coated porous zinc oxide nanoparticle (SZNP) was analyzed as this nanocomposite was observed to be a suitable platform for slow release fungicides and has the promise to bring down the dosage of other agrochemicals as well.
METHODS AND RESULTS
Loading and release kinetics of tricyclazole, a potent fungicide was analyzed by measuring surface area (SBET) using Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) isotherm and LC-MS/MS respectively. The antifungal efficacy of ZnO nanoparticle (ZNP) and SZNP was investigated on two phytopathogenic fungi (Alternaria solani and Aspergillus niger). The morphological changes to the fungal structure due to ZNP and SZNP treatment were studied by field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Nanoparticle mediated elevation of reactive oxygen species in fungal samples was detected by analyzing the level of superoxide dismutase, catalase, thiol content, lipid peroxidation and by 2,7-dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFH-DA) assay. The phytotoxicity of these two nanostructures was assessed in rice plants by measuring primary plant growth parameters. Further, the translocation of the nanocomposite in the same plant model system was examined by checking the presence of Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) tagged SZNP within the plant tissue.
CONCLUSIONS
ZNP had superior antifungal efficacy than SZNP and caused generation of more reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the fungal samples. Even then SZNP was preferred as an agrochemical delivery vehicle because unlike ZNP alone it was not toxic to plant system. Moreover, as silica in nano form is entomotoxic in nature and nano ZnO has antifungal property, both the cargo (agrochemical) and the carrier system (silica coated porous nano zinc oxide) will have a synergistic effect in crop protection.
PubMed: 38925655
DOI: 10.1093/jambio/lxae153 -
Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of... Jun 2024Our study focused on enhancing the production of anthraquinone derivatives in Oldenlandia umbellata using fungal elicitors. Aspergillus niger, Mucor prayagensis, and...
Our study focused on enhancing the production of anthraquinone derivatives in Oldenlandia umbellata using fungal elicitors. Aspergillus niger, Mucor prayagensis, and Trichoderma viride were used to elicit the anthraquinone derivatives in root cultures. The elicitation process led to an increase in the production of phytochemicals and secondary metabolites, with the highest total protein content observed in A. niger-elicited plants. We performed qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening of the 80% methanol extract of the plants. Using reverse phase-ultra-fast liquid chromatography, we identified and quantified five anthraquinone compounds: aloe-emodin, rhein, emodin, chrysophanol, and alizarin. The in vitro root samples elicited with A. niger and M. prayagensis exhibited four and three anthraquinone derivatives, respectively, whereas those elicited with T. viride showed only two derivatives. Interestingly, chrysophanol content was the highest in A. niger-elicited root samples. We constructed a system pharmacology framework consisting of 40 nodes and 45 edges with 34 interacting genes. We also identified human proteins that interact with these derivatives, and inferred their roles in cancer-associated pathways. These anthraquinone derivatives interact with various proteins in multiple pathways, including apoptosis, human cytomegalovirus infection, proteoglycans in cancer, MAPK signaling, and hepatitis C, highlighting their potential therapeutic applications in cancer treatment.
PubMed: 38916834
DOI: 10.1007/s00210-024-03239-9 -
Sheng Wu Gong Cheng Xue Bao = Chinese... Jun 2024Galactitol, a rare sugar alcohol, has promising potential in the food industry and pharmaceutical field. The available industrial production methods rely on harsh...
Galactitol, a rare sugar alcohol, has promising potential in the food industry and pharmaceutical field. The available industrial production methods rely on harsh hydrogenation processes, which incur high costs and environmental concerns. It is urgent to develop environmentally friendly and efficient biosynthesis technologies. In this study, a xylose reductase named AnXR derived from CBS 513.88 was identified and characterized for the enzymatic properties. AnXR exhibited the highest activity at 25 ℃ and pH 8.0, and it belonged to the NADPH-dependent aldose reductase family. To engineer a strain for galactitol production, we deleted the galactokinase (GAL1) gene in by using the recombinant gene technology, which significantly reduced the metabolic utilization of D-galactose by host cells. Subsequently, we introduced the gene encoding AnXR into this modified strain, creating an engineered strain capable of catalyzing the conversion of D-galactose into galactitol. Furthermore, we optimized the whole-cell catalysis conditions for the engineered strain, which achieved a maximum galactitol yield of 12.10 g/L. Finally, we tested the reduction ability of the strain for other monosaccharides and discovered that it could produce functional sugar alcohols such as xylitol and arabinitol. The engineered strain demonstrates efficient biotransformation capabilities for galactitol and other functional sugar alcohols, representing a significant advancement in environmentally sustainable production practices.
Topics: Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Aldehyde Reductase; Galactitol; Aspergillus niger; Galactose; Metabolic Engineering; Fermentation; Industrial Microbiology; Galactokinase
PubMed: 38914500
DOI: 10.13345/j.cjb.230744 -
Biomaterials Advances Jun 2024An estimated 1.7 million fatalities and 150 million cases worldwide are attributed to fungal infections annually, that are in rise due to immunocompromised patient...
An estimated 1.7 million fatalities and 150 million cases worldwide are attributed to fungal infections annually, that are in rise due to immunocompromised patient population. The challenges posed by traditional treatments can be addressed with the help of nanotechnology advancements. In this study, Co, Cu, and Ag-were doped into silica nanoparticles. Then the synthesized monometallic silica nanohybrids were combined to formulate heterometallic silica nanohybrids, characterized structurally and morphologically, compared, and evaluated for antifungal activity based on their individual and synergistic activity. The antifungal assays were conducted by using ATCC cultures of Candida albicans and QC samples of Trichophyton rubrum, Microsporum gypseum, and Aspergillus niger. The MIC (ranging from 49.00 to 1560.00 μg/mL), MFC (ranging from 197.00 to 3125.00 μg/mL), IC values (ranging from 31.10 to 400.80 μg/mL), and FICI of nanohybrids were determined and compared. Moreover, well diffusion assay was performed. ABTS assay and DPPH assay were conducted to investigate the radical scavenging activity (RSA) of nanohybrids. SEM analysis clearly evidenced the structural deformations of each fungal cells and spores due to the treatment with trimetallic nanohybrid. According to the results, the trimetallic silica nanohybrids exhibited the most powerful synergistic RSA and the most effective antifungal activity, compared to the bimetallic silica nanohybrids.
PubMed: 38909600
DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2024.213930 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024Frequent and variant infections are caused by the virtue of opportunistic fungi pathogens. Candidiasis, aspergillosis, and mucormycosis are pathogenic microorganisms...
Frequent and variant infections are caused by the virtue of opportunistic fungi pathogens. Candidiasis, aspergillosis, and mucormycosis are pathogenic microorganisms that give rise to vast fungal diseases that alternate between moderate to fatal in severity. The use of fluconazole as an antifungal drug was limited due to the acquired resistance in some types of Candida and other fungal species. This study aims to consolidate fluconazole's biological effectiveness against several pathogenic fungi. Six active monoterpenes (MTs) of carvacrol, linalool, geraniol, α-terpinene, citronellal, and nerolidol were selected and encapsulated in nanostructure lipid carrier (NLC) with (NLC-Flu-MTs) and/without (NLC-MTs) fluconazole in one nanoformulation to determine if they will act synergistically or not? The synthesized nanoformulation NLC-Flu-MTs and NLC-MTs exhibited very good particle size of 144.5 nm and 138.6 nm for size and zeta potential values of (- 23.5 mV) and (- 20.3 mV), respectively. Transmission electron microscope investigation confirmed that the synthesized NLCs have regular and spherical shape. The abundance and concentration of the six released monoterpenes were determined, as a novel approach, using GC-MS with very good results and validity. In-vitro antifungal screening was done before and after nano co-delivery against seven pathogenic, and aggressive fungi of Candida tropicalis, Candida krusei, Candida glabrata, Geotrichum Candidum, Candidaalbicans, Aspergillus Niger, and mucor circinelloides. Inhibition Zone diameter (IZD) and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) were measured. Nanoformulations NLC-Flu-MTs and NLC-MTs manifested potential and unique biological susceptibility against all the tested microorganisms with reduced (MIC) values, especially against Candida Tropicalis (MIC = 0.97 µg/ml) which represents 16-fold of the value shown by NLC-MTs (MIC = 15.6 µg/ml) and 64-fold of fluconazole free before nanoformulation (MIC = 62.5 µg/ml). The efficiency of nanomaterials, particularly NLC-Flu-MTs, has become evident in the diminishing value of MIC which affirmed the synergism between fluconazole and the other six monoterpenes.
Topics: Antifungal Agents; Fluconazole; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Monoterpenes; Nanostructures; Lipids; Drug Synergism; Drug Carriers; Particle Size; Candida
PubMed: 38909063
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63149-x