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Access Microbiology 2023Fungal keratitis is a time-sensitive ocular infection that often requires a high index of suspicion followed by intensive medical/surgical interventions to achieve a...
Fungal keratitis is a time-sensitive ocular infection that often requires a high index of suspicion followed by intensive medical/surgical interventions to achieve a successful clinical outcome. COVID-19 pandemic-related restrictions, necessitated the modification of conventional protocols and guidelines associated with the treatment of keratomycosis. We report four cases of atypical fungal keratitis with poorly differentiated clinical characteristics. The challenges faced during their management were (1) the dilemma of clinically differentiating fungal () and bacterial keratitis; (2) treatment of and keratitis with natamycin monotherapy; (3) mixed infection of and and continuing medications before rescraping the corneal ulcer against the recommended treatment guidelines; (4) phenotypic identification and differentiation among morphologically resembling fungi; and (5) decision making arising out of disparities between KOH and fungal culture results. Three patients responded well to conservative treatments. The fourth patient underwent therapeutic keratoplasty but was lost to follow-up due to travelrelated pandemic restrictions. This case series seeks to broaden the clinician's knowledge of rare and emerging moulds as presumptive aetiologies of keratomycosis. It also intends to emphasize the significance of early microbiological investigations, (direct microscopy and culture), in resource-limited settings, for initiating empirical treatment for a better visual prognosis.
PubMed: 37691845
DOI: 10.1099/acmi.0.000570.v3 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2023Grapevine trunk diseases (GTDs) are a substantial challenge to viticulture, especially with a lack of available control measures. The lack of approved fungicides...
Grapevine trunk diseases (GTDs) are a substantial challenge to viticulture, especially with a lack of available control measures. The lack of approved fungicides necessitates the exploration of alternative controls. One promising approach is the investigation of disease escape plants, which remain healthy under high disease pressure, likely due to their microbiome function. This study explored the microbiome of grapevines with the disease escape phenotype. DNA metabarcoding of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) and 16S ribosomal RNA gene was applied to trunk tissues of GTD escape and adjacent diseased vines. Our findings showed that the GTD escape vines had a significantly different microbiome compared with diseased vines. The GTD escape vines consistently harbored a higher relative abundance of the bacterial taxa and . Among fungi, and were differentially associated with GTD escape vines, while the GTD pathogen, , was associated with the diseased vines. This is the first report of the link between the GTD escape phenotype and the grapevine microbiome.
PubMed: 37680529
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1231832 -
Journal of Smooth Muscle Research =... 2023In contrast to the long-standing focus on the pathophysiology of skeletal muscles in the hunt for a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), we opine that the...
In contrast to the long-standing focus on the pathophysiology of skeletal muscles in the hunt for a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), we opine that the malfunctioning of dystrophin produced by vascular smooth muscle is a major contributor to the pathology of the illness. We believe that a biological response modifier glucan (BRMG), which has been shown in clinical studies of DMD to boost the expression of vascular smooth muscle dystrophin and provide anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory effects, may play a key role in reducing the pathogenesis of DMD. According to the evaluation of biomarkers, this BRMG, which is safe and side-effect-free, reduces the pathogenesis of DMD. We describe the possible mechanisms of action by which this BRMG helps in alleviating the symptoms of DMD by targeting smooth muscle dystrophin, in addition to its advantages over other therapeutic modalities, as well as how it can serve as a valuable adjunct to existing therapies. We suggest that using BRMG adjuncts that target smooth muscle dystrophin would be a potential therapeutic approach that prolongs the lifespan and extends the duration of ambulation from the onset of DMD. Further studies are needed to validate this hypothesis.
Topics: Humans; Dystrophin; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular; Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne; Muscle, Skeletal; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Glucans
PubMed: 37673649
DOI: 10.1540/jsmr.59.67 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2023The organoleptic profile and quality of wine are affected by the presence of different non-s species and strains. Therefore, the identification and characterization of...
The organoleptic profile and quality of wine are affected by the presence of different non-s species and strains. Therefore, the identification and characterization of non-s yeasts are the first step to understand their function, and to develop a better strain selection program for winemaking. This study investigated the biodiversity of non- yeasts associated with spontaneous fermentation of Cabernet Sauvignon wines from five sub-regions (Shi Zuishan, Yinchuan, Yu Quanying, Qing Tongxia and Hong Sibu) in Ningxia, China. Yeast species were identified by sequencing the 26S rRNA D1/D2 region, and strains at the subspecies level were discriminated using tandem repeat-tRNA (TRtRNA) PCR analysis. A total of 524 yeast colonies were isolated, and 19 non- yeast species belonging to 10 genera were identified, including , , sp., , , , , , sp., , , , , , , and . , , and were the three most dominated species, while other non- species were only present in the early stage of spontaneous fermentations at different levels. Further, for the yeast discrimination at strain level, 34 profiles were obtained by amplification with primer pairs TtRNASC/5CAG, while 40 profiles were obtained with primer pairs TtRNASC/ISSR-MB. This study explored the diversity of non- species in Ningxia, China, and made an important contribution of genetic resources for further strain development.
PubMed: 37664125
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1253969 -
Journal of Functional Foods Aug 2023Humans have been consuming medicinal plants (as herbs/ spices) to combat illness for centuries while ascribing beneficial effects predominantly to the...
BACKGROUND
Humans have been consuming medicinal plants (as herbs/ spices) to combat illness for centuries while ascribing beneficial effects predominantly to the plant/phytochemical constituents, without recognizing the power of obligatory resident microorganism' communities (MOCs) (live/dead bacteria, fungus, yeast, molds etc.) which remain after industrial microbial reduction methods. Very little is known about the taxonomic identity of residual antigenic microbial associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) debris in our botanical over the counter (OTC) products, which if present would be recognized as foreign (non-self) antigenic matter by host pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) provoking a host immune response; this the basis of vaccine adjuvants. As of today, only few research groups have removed the herbal MAMP biomass from herbs, all suggesting that immune activation may not be from the plant but rather its microbial biomass; a hypothesis we corroborate.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this work was to conduct a high through put screening (HTPS) of over 2500 natural plants, OTC botanical supplements and phytochemicals to elucidate those with pro-inflammatory; toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) activating properties in macrophages.
STUDY DESIGN
The HTPS was conducted on RAW 264.7 cells vs. lipopolysaccharide (LPS) 0111:B4, testing NOS / nitric oxide production as a perimeter endpoint. The data show not a single drug/chemical/ phytochemical and approximately 98 % of botanicals to be immune idle (not effective) with only 65 pro-inflammatory (hits) in a potency range of LPS. Method validation studies eliminated the possibility of false artifact or contamination, and results were cross verified through multiple vendors/ manufacturers/lot numbers by botanical species. Lead botanicals were evaluated for plant concentration of LPS, 1,3:1,6-β-glucan, 1,3:1,4-β-D-glucan and α-glucans; where the former paralleled strength . LPS was then removed from plants using high-capacity endotoxin poly lysine columns, where bioactivity of LPS null "plant" extracts were lost. The stability of 0111:B4 in an acid stomach mimetic model was confirmed. Last, we conducted a reverse culture on aerobic plate counts (APCs) from select hits, with subsequent isolation of gram-negative bacteria (MacConkey agar). Cultures were 1) heat destroyed (retested/ confirming bioactivity) and 2) subject to taxonomical identification by genetic sequencing 18S, ITS1, 5.8 s, ITS2 28S, and 16S.
CONCLUSION
The data show significant gram negative MAMP biomass dominance in A) (e.g. echinacea, yucca, burdock, stinging nettle, sarsaparilla, hydrangea, poke, madder, calamus, rhaponticum, pleurisy, aconite etc.) and B) (e.g. bladderwrack, chlorella, spirulina, kelp, and "OTC Seamoss-blends" (irish moss, bladderwrack, burdock root etc), as well as other random herbs (eg. corn silk, cleavers, watercress, cardamom seed, tribulus, duckweed, puffball, hordeum and pollen). The results show a dominance of gram negative microbes (e.g. , ), fungus (), with black walnut hull, echinacea and burdock root also containing gram positive microbial strains ( and various strains of ).
CONCLUSION
This work brings attention to the existence of a functional immune bioactive herbal microbiome, independent from the plant. There is need to further this avenue of research, which should be carried out with consideration as to both positive or negative consequences arising from daily consumption of botanicals highly laden with bioactive MAMPS.
PubMed: 37654434
DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2023.105687 -
International Journal of Biological... Dec 2023Poly (β-L-malic acid) (PMLA) is a biopolymer used in food and medical fields. However, the industrial processes are susceptible to the pollution of CaSO waste and...
Poly (β-L-malic acid) (PMLA) is a biopolymer used in food and medical fields. However, the industrial processes are susceptible to the pollution of CaSO waste and organic solvent owing to the heavy use of CaCO in fermentation process and organic solvents in isolation process. This study developed an organic solvent and CaSO -free process for the industrial-scale production of PMLA. Firstly, calcium ion was removed at pH 9.2 by pH adjustment with NaCO, and the generated CaCO was reused in the fermentation process. Then, the D296 resin was selected to isolate the PMLA from the Ca-free broth, where the adsorption data were both primely described by the Freundlich and Langmuir equation, while Freundlich model better fit the process than Langmuir equation, indicating that it was non-monolayer adsorption of PMLA on the resin. Meanwhile, a three-step gradient elution with phosphate buffer (i.e., 0.2 mol/L, pH 7.0) containing 0.1, 0.2 and 1 mol/L NaCl was developed to recover PMLA. Finally, a PES15 membrane was selected to recover the PMLA from the elution solution, which could be reused in the next cycle. As a result, the PMLA with a purity of 98.89 % was obtained with the developed green process. In the developed process, it removed the pollution of organic solvent and calcium waste for the biosynthesis of PMLA on an industrial scale, which also offers a sustainable and green route for the biosynthesis of other carboxylic acids.
Topics: Aureobasidium; Polymers; Calcium; Ion Exchange; Fermentation; Malates; Solvents
PubMed: 37648124
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.126505 -
JAR Life 2023In this pilot study, we have evaluated the specific metabolic and immune-related benefits of the AFO-202 strain and N-163 strain of black yeast Aureobasidium...
Beta 1,3-1,6 Glucans Produced by Two Novel Strains of Aureobasidium Pullulans Exert Immune and Metabolic Beneficial Effects in Healthy Middle-aged Japanese Men: Results of an Exploratory Randomized Control Study.
OBJECTIVES
In this pilot study, we have evaluated the specific metabolic and immune-related benefits of the AFO-202 strain and N-163 strain of black yeast Aureobasidium pullulans-produced beta 1,3-1,6 glucan in healthy human subjects.
METHODS
Sixteen healthy Japanese male volunteers (aged 40 to 60 years) took part in this clinical trial. They were divided into four groups (n = 4 each): Group I consumed AFO-202 beta-glucan (2 sachets of 1 g each per day), IA for 35 days and IB for 21 days; Group II consumed a combination of AFO-202 beta-glucan (2 sachets of 1 g each) and N-163 beta-glucan (1 sachet of 15 g gel each per day), IIA for 35 days and IIB for 21 days.
RESULTS
Decrease in HbA1C and glycated albumin (GA), significant increase of eosinophils and monocytes and marginal decrease in D-dimer levels, decrease in neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), with an increase in the lymphocyte-to-CRP ratio (LCR) and leukocyte-to-CRP ratio (LeCR) was observed in Group I between pre- and post-treatment. Decrease in total and LDL cholesterol, a decrease of CD11b, serum ferritin, galectin-3 and fibrinogen were profound in Group II between pre- and post-treatment. However, there was no statistically significant difference between day 21 and day 35 among the groups.
CONCLUSION
This outcome warrants larger clinical trials to explore the potentials of these safe food supplements in the prevention and prophylaxis of diseases due to dysregulated metabolism, such as fatty liver disease, and infections such as COVID-19 in which balanced immunomodulation are of utmost importance, besides their administration as an adjunct to existing therapeutic approaches of both communicable and non-communicable diseases.
PubMed: 37637272
DOI: 10.14283/jarlife.2023.11 -
Journal of Water and Health Aug 2023The European Union currently has no specific regulations on fungi in water. The only country where fungi are listed as the parameter is Sweden, with the maximal number...
The European Union currently has no specific regulations on fungi in water. The only country where fungi are listed as the parameter is Sweden, with the maximal number of 100 CFU per 100 mL. The present study thus compared culturable mycobiota from Swedish drinking water with Slovenian, which has no specific requirements for fungi. Fungi were isolated with up to 38 CFU/L from 75% of Swedish samples. The most common were the genera Varicosporellopsis (27.3%), Paracremonium (14.5%), and black yeasts Cadophora, Cyphellophora, and Exophiala (18.2%). Using the same sampling and isolation methods, 90% of tap water samples in Slovenia were positive for fungi, with Aspergillus spp. (46%), Aureobasidium melanogenum (36%), and Exophiala spp. (24%) being the most common. The observed differences between countries are likely the consequence of geographical location, the use of different raw water sources, and water treatment methods. However, the core species and emerging fungi Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida parapsilosis sensu stricto, Exophiala phaeomuriformis, Bisifusarium dimerum, and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa were isolated in both studies. These findings point out the relevance of tracking the presence of emerging fungi with known effects on health in drinking water and encourage further studies on their transmission from raw water sources to the end-users.
Topics: Humans; Drinking Water; Sweden; Slovenia; European Union; Hydrotherapy
PubMed: 37632381
DOI: 10.2166/wh.2023.089 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Aug 2023Many grape endophytic microorganisms exhibit high potential for suppressing the development of grape diseases and stimulating grapevine growth and fitness, as well as...
Many grape endophytic microorganisms exhibit high potential for suppressing the development of grape diseases and stimulating grapevine growth and fitness, as well as beneficial properties of the crop. The microbiome of wild grapevines is a promising source of biocontrol agents, which can be beneficial for domesticated grapevines. Using next-generation sequencing (NGS) and classical microbiology techniques, we performed an analysis of bacterial and fungal endophytic communities of wild grapevines Rupr. and Pulliat growing in the Russian Far East. According to the NGS analysis, 24 and 18 bacterial taxa from the class level were present in and grapevines, respectively. Gammaproteobacteria (35%) was the predominant class of endophytic bacteria in and Alphaproteobacteria (46%) in Three taxa, namely , and were the most common bacterial genera for and . Metagenomic analysis showed the presence of 23 and 22 fungi and fungus-like taxa of class level in and , respectively. The predominant fungal classes were Dothideomycetes (61-65%) and Tremellomycetes (10-11%), while and were the most common fungal genera in and respectively. A comparative analysis of the endophytic communities of and with the previously reported endophytic communities of revealed that the bacterial biodiversity of and was similar in alpha diversity to 's bacterial biodiversity. The fungal alpha diversity of and was statistically different from that of . The beta diversity analysis of bacterial and fungal endophytes showed that samples of formed separate clusters, while samples formed a separate cluster including samples. The data revealed that the endophytic community of bacteria and fungi from wild was richer than that from grapes and cultivated grapes. Therefore, the data obtained in this work could be of high value in the search for potentially useful microorganisms for viticulture.
PubMed: 37631163
DOI: 10.3390/plants12162952 -
Microorganisms Aug 2023Airborne fungal spores constitute an important type of bioaerosol and are responsible for a number of negative effects on human health, including respiratory diseases...
Airborne fungal spores constitute an important type of bioaerosol and are responsible for a number of negative effects on human health, including respiratory diseases and allergies. We investigated the diversity and concentration of culturable airborne fungi on pedestrian bridges in Tianjin, China, using an HAS-100B air sampler. We compared the airborne fungal communities at the top central area of the selected pedestrian bridges and along the corresponding sidewalk, at ground level. A total of 228 fungal strains belonging to 96 species and 58 genera of Ascomycota (68.86%), Basidiomycota (30.26%), and Mucoromycota (0.88%) were isolated and identified using morphological and molecular analysis. was the dominant genus (20.61%), followed by (11.48%), (6.14%), (5.70%), and (4.82%). was the most frequently occurring fungal species (6.58%), followed by (5.26%), sp. (4.82%), (4.39%), and (3.95%). The recorded fungal concentration ranged from 10 to 180 CFU/m. Although there was no significant difference in the distribution and abundance of the dominant airborne fungal taxa between the two investigated bridges' sites, numerous species detected with a low percentage of abundance belonging to well-known pathogenic fungal genera, including , , , , , and , were exclusively present in one of the two sites. The relative humidity showed a stronger influence compared to the temperature on the diversity and concentration of airborne fungi in the investigated sites. Our results may provide valuable information for air quality monitoring and for assessing human health risks associated with microbial pollution.
PubMed: 37630657
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11082097