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Journal of Diabetes and Metabolic... Dec 2020With the COVID-19 pandemic causing huge threat to public health and definite treatment modalities and preventive vaccines yet to be arrived at, some of the key...
With the COVID-19 pandemic causing huge threat to public health and definite treatment modalities and preventive vaccines yet to be arrived at, some of the key indicators of relevance to its prognosis have started emerging. One such independent predictor of outcome has been fasting plasma glucose (FPG) at the time of admission. Earlier, co-morbidities such as diabetes also have been reported to have a risk of relatively increased mortality due to COVID-19. In this background, we herein report on the beneficial effects of Biological response modifier glucan (BRMG) secreted by the black yeast AFO-202 which has been proven to bring under control blood sugar levels in human subjects and also has potential in enhancing & regulating the immune parameters in relevance to COVID-19. We further recommend that this BRMG be tried in clinical studies of COVID-19 to provide a prophylactic effect for validation.
PubMed: 33102263
DOI: 10.1007/s40200-020-00664-4 -
TheScientificWorldJournal 2020Some studies have reported the occurrence of microorganisms isolated from water. Considering these microorganisms, fungi are known to occur ubiquitously in the...
INTRODUCTION
Some studies have reported the occurrence of microorganisms isolated from water. Considering these microorganisms, fungi are known to occur ubiquitously in the environment, including water, and some are pathogenic and may cause health problems, especially in immunocompromised individuals. The aim of this study was to identify fungi in hospital water samples and to correlate their presence with the concentration of free residual chlorine.
METHODS
Water samples (100 mL) were collected from taps ( = 74) and water purifiers ( = 14) in different locations in a university hospital. Samples were filtered through a nitrocellulose membrane and placed on Sabouraud dextrose agar and incubated for 24 hours at 30°C. Fungi were identified according to established methods based on macroscopic and microscopic characteristics (filamentous) and physiological tests (yeasts). Free chlorine residual content was measured at the time of sample collection.
RESULTS
Seventy species of fungi were identified in the water samples and about 56% of the water samples contained culturable fungi. , , and were the most common filamentous fungi. and were the most common yeasts. Chemical analyses revealed that free residual chlorine was present in 81.8% of the samples within recommended concentrations. Among samples from water purifiers, 92.9% showed low levels of free residual chlorine (<0.2 mg/L). There was no significant association between chlorine concentrations (either within or outside the recommended range) and the presence of filamentous fungi and yeasts.
CONCLUSIONS
This study showed that hospital water can be a reservoir for fungi, some of which are potentially harmful to immunocompromised patients. Free residual chlorine was ineffective in some samples.
Topics: Aspergillus fumigatus; Aureobasidium; Biodiversity; Biofilms; Brazil; Candida parapsilosis; Chlorine; Cladosporium; Fungi; Hospitals, University; Humans; Mycoses; Penicillium; Water; Water Microbiology; Water Supply
PubMed: 32694957
DOI: 10.1155/2020/9358542 -
Journal of Clinical and Experimental... 2022Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are highly prevalent conditions characterized by inflammation and fibrosis of the...
BACKGROUND
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are highly prevalent conditions characterized by inflammation and fibrosis of the liver, which can progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma if left untreated. Conventional modalities are mainly symptomatic, with no definite solution. Beta-glucan-based biological response modifiers are a potential strategy in lieu of their beneficial metabolic effects. strains AFO-202 and N-163 beta-glucans were evaluated for anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory hepatoprotective potentials in a NASH animal model in this study.
METHODS
In the STAM™ murine model of NASH, five groups were studied for 8 weeks: (1) vehicle (RO water), (2) AFO-202 beta-glucan; (3) N-163 beta-glucan, (4) AFO-202+N-163 beta-glucan, and (5) telmisartan (standard pharmacological intervention). Evaluation of biochemical parameters in plasma and hepatic histology including Sirius red staining and F4/80 immunostaining were performed.
RESULTS
AFO-202 beta-glucan significantly decreased inflammation-associated hepatic cell ballooning and steatosis. N-163 beta-glucan decreased fibrosis and inflammation significantly ( value < 0.05). The combination of AFO-202 with N-163 significantly decreased the NAFLD Activity Score (NAS) compared with other groups.
CONCLUSION
This preclinical study supports the potential of N-163 and AFO-202 beta-glucans alone or in combination as potential preventive and therapeutic agent(s), for NASH.
PubMed: 36340302
DOI: 10.1016/j.jceh.2022.06.008 -
World Journal of Microbiology &... Sep 2022This research investigated the characteristics of Zalaria obscura LS31012019 in terms of growth ability in different media (SDB, YPD and TSB) and temperatures (22, 25...
This research investigated the characteristics of Zalaria obscura LS31012019 in terms of growth ability in different media (SDB, YPD and TSB) and temperatures (22, 25 and 37 °C), utilization of several carbon sources (Glucose, Fructose, Lactose, Sucrose, Xylose, Glycerol and Mannitol at 5, 2 and 1%) and several biochemical features (total protein content, Glutathione, pigments), in comparison with those of the phylogenetically related Aureobasidium pullulans ATCC 15233. The best growth of Z. obscura LS31012019 was obtained in YPD at 25 °C with the highest OD value (0.45) after 144 h of incubation, similar to that of A. pullulans ATCC 15233 (0.48). Glucose resulted the preferred carbon source for both the considered yeasts but also sucrose resulted in efficacy supporting the growth of Z. obscura LS31012019 and A. pullulans ATCC 15233, for their ability in converting sucrose to glucose and fructose and the latter into glucose. Interestingly, Z. obscura LS31012019 utilized also glycerol and mannitol. The biochemical analysis showed the similarity of protein profile in Z. obscura LS31012019 and A. pullulans ATCC 15233 (from 90 to 20 kDa) and a reduced GSH content (0.321 and 0.233 µmol/mg). The pigments extraction with hexane generated a yellow oleaginous pellet in both the strains, while a yellow solid matrix more intensely coloured in A. pullulans ATTC 15233 was visible with the following solvent extractions. Overall, our data showed that Z. obscura LS31012019 can grow in different media and temperatures and utilize carbon sources apart from glucose and sucrose, shifting to a non-fermentative metabolism. These results improve the information regarding the characteristics of Z. obscura, opening a new field of investigation for the possible application of new species of black yeasts in human application.
Topics: Ascomycota; Carbon
PubMed: 36149541
DOI: 10.1007/s11274-022-03417-y -
Drug Delivery Nov 2018Polymer nano-sized hydrogels (nanogels) as drug delivery carriers have been investigated over the last few decades. Pullulan, a nontoxic and nonimmunogenic hydrophilic... (Review)
Review
Polymer nano-sized hydrogels (nanogels) as drug delivery carriers have been investigated over the last few decades. Pullulan, a nontoxic and nonimmunogenic hydrophilic polysaccharide derived from fermentation of black yeast like Aureobasidium pullulans with great biocompatibility and biodegradability, is one of the most attractive carriers for drug delivery systems. In this review, we describe the preparation, characterization, and 'switch-on/off' mechanism of typical pullulan self-assembled nanogels (self-nanogels), and then introduce the development of hybrid hydrogels that are numerous resources applied for regenerative medicine. A major section is used for biomedical applications of different nanogel systems based on modified pullulan, which exert smart stimuli-responses at ambient conditions such as charge, pH, temperature, light, and redox. Pullulan self-nanogels have found increasingly extensive application in protein delivery, tissue engineering, vaccine development, cancer therapy, and biological imaging. Functional groups are incorporated into self-nanogels and contribute to expressing desirable results such as targeting and modified release. Various molecules, especially insoluble or unstable drugs and encapsulated proteins, present improved solubility and bioavailability as well as reduced side effects when incorporated into self-nanogels. Finally, the advantages and disadvantages of pullulan self-nanogels will be analyzed accordingly, and the development of pullulan nanogel systems will be reviewed.
Topics: Animals; Biological Availability; Drug Carriers; Drug Delivery Systems; Glucans; Humans; Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate; Nanoparticles; Proteins; Solubility
PubMed: 29334800
DOI: 10.1080/10717544.2018.1425776 -
Biotechnology For Biofuels 2018Polymalic acid (PMA) is a water-soluble biopolymer with many attractive properties for food and pharmaceutical applications mainly produced by the yeast-like fungus ....
BACKGROUND
Polymalic acid (PMA) is a water-soluble biopolymer with many attractive properties for food and pharmaceutical applications mainly produced by the yeast-like fungus . Acid hydrolysis of PMA, resulting in release of the monomer l-malic acid (MA), which is widely used in the food and chemical industry, is a competitive process for producing bio-based platform chemicals.
RESULTS
In this study, the production of PMA and MA from sucrose and sugarcane molasses by was studied in shake flasks and bioreactors. Comparative metabolome analysis of sucrose- and glucose-based fermentation identified 81 intracellular metabolites and demonstrated that pyruvate from the glycolysis pathway may be a key metabolite affecting PMA synthesis. In silico simulation of a genome-scale metabolic model (ZX637) further verified that pyruvate carboxylase () via the reductive tricarboxylic acid cycle strengthened carbon flux for PMA synthesis. Therefore, an engineered strain, FJ-PYC, was constructed by overexpressing the gene, which increased the PMA titer by 15.1% compared with that from the wild-type strain in a 5-L stirred-tank fermentor. Sugarcane molasses can be used as an economical substrate without any pretreatment or nutrient supplementation. Using fed-batch fermentation of FJ-PYC, we obtained the highest PMA titers (81.5, 94.2 g/L of MA after hydrolysis) in 140 h with a corresponding MA yield of 0.62 g/g and productivity of 0.67 g/L h.
CONCLUSIONS
We showed that integrated metabolome- and genome-scale model analyses were an effective approach for engineering the metabolic node for PMA synthesis, and also developed an economical and green process for PMA and MA production from renewable biomass feedstocks.
PubMed: 29632554
DOI: 10.1186/s13068-018-1099-7 -
European Journal of Plant Pathology 2022Brown rot caused by spp. is one of the most important diseases in stone fruits worldwide. Latent infections of fruit by the pathogen often manifest once the fruit is...
UNLABELLED
Brown rot caused by spp. is one of the most important diseases in stone fruits worldwide. Latent infections of fruit by the pathogen often manifest once the fruit is ripe, leading to post-harvest rots. Two microbial strains (B91 and - Y126) have shown antagonistic properties against in previous studies. This study assessed the reduction in post-harvest rot of cherry by when the two biocontrol (BCAs) strains were applied pre-harvest under field conditions to fruit artificially inoculated with . The experiment was carried out for two consecutive years in cherry orchards in Kent. When applied pre-harvest, both strains (B91 and Y126) reduced the incidence of post-harvest rots by 30% - 60%. This promising result helps towards the commercialisation of the two strains, which would reduce reliance on fungicides in commercial cherry production.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10658-022-02508-8.
PubMed: 35756540
DOI: 10.1007/s10658-022-02508-8 -
IDCases 2017is a saprophytic fungus that is widely distributed in the environment, and in the right host can be an opportunistic human pathogen.
INTRODUCTION
is a saprophytic fungus that is widely distributed in the environment, and in the right host can be an opportunistic human pathogen.
PRESENTATION OF CASE
A 66-year-old man with Crohn's disease with a single kidney, and requiring total parenteral nutrition via a Hickman catheter, was admitted with a 10-week history of progressive shortness of breath, fevers and weight loss. Chest imaging demonstrated new multifocal lung parenchymal opacities compatible with septic pulmonary emboli. Blood culture grew a yeast-like organism that transformed into a black mold on subculture, eventually identified as . Due to triazole resistance, the patient was treated with liposomal amphotericin and micafungin. Serum (1,3)-β-d-glucan level was used to monitor therapy, initially measured at >500 pg/mL and decreasing to 66 pg/mL after one year of therapy.
DISCUSSION
We describe the successful treatment of a case of catheter related fungemia and septic pulmonary emboli due . While initially appearing as an oval yeast on blood culture, subsequent growth as a black mold led to identification of the fungus as . The infection was cured with a combination of antifungal agents, even though the foreign body could not be safely removed. Nephrotoxicity required dosing adjustment of the amphotericin to biweekly during the maintenance phase of treatment. The serum (1,3)-β-d-glucan level proved to be useful in monitoring response to therapy.
CONCLUSION
We report here successful treatment of a disseminated infection with an induction and maintenance approach to liposomal amphotericin dosing, and monitoring response to therapy with serum (1,3)-β-d-glucan levels.
PubMed: 28951848
DOI: 10.1016/j.idcr.2017.08.017 -
Applied and Environmental Microbiology Apr 2021More than 30,000 tons of menthol are produced every year as a flavor and fragrance compound or as a medical component. So far, only extraction from plant material and...
More than 30,000 tons of menthol are produced every year as a flavor and fragrance compound or as a medical component. So far, only extraction from plant material and chemical synthesis are possible. An alternative approach for menthol production could be a biotechnological-chemical process with ideally only two conversion steps, starting from (+)-limonene, which is a side product of the citrus processing industry. The first step requires a limonene-3-hydroxylase (L3H) activity that specifically catalyzes hydroxylation of limonene at carbon atom 3. Several protein engineering strategies have already attempted to create limonene-3-hydroxylases from bacterial cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (CYPs, or P450s), which can be efficiently expressed in bacterial hosts. However, their regiospecificity is rather low compared to that of the highly selective L3H enzymes from the biosynthetic pathway for menthol in species. The only naturally occurring limonene-3-hydroxylase activity identified in microorganisms so far was reported for a strain of the black yeast-like fungus sp. in South Africa. We have discovered additional fungi that can catalyze the intended reaction and identified potential CYP-encoding genes within the genome sequence of one of the strains. Using heterologous gene expression and biotransformation experiments in yeasts, we were able to identify limonene-3-hydroxylases from and Further characterization of the enzyme demonstrated its high stereospecificity and regioselectivity, its potential for limonene-based menthol production, and its additional ability to convert α- and β-pinene to verbenol and pinocarveol, respectively. (-)-Menthol is an important flavor and fragrance compound and furthermore has medicinal uses. To realize a two-step synthesis starting from renewable (+)-limonene, a regioselective limonene-3-hydroxylase enzyme is necessary. We identified enzymes from two different fungi which catalyze this hydroxylation reaction and represent an important module for the development of a biotechnological process for (-)-menthol production from renewable (+)-limonene.
Topics: Ascomycota; Aureobasidium; Biotransformation; Catalysis; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; Fungal Proteins; Hydroxylation; Industrial Microbiology; Limonene; Menthol
PubMed: 33637576
DOI: 10.1128/AEM.02873-20 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2021Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) are prebiotics with numerous health benefits. So far, the dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration control strategy for fermentative production...
Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) are prebiotics with numerous health benefits. So far, the dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration control strategy for fermentative production of FOS is still unknown. In order to improve FOS production, the effects of DO concentration and fermentation mode on FOS using were investigated in this study. The greatest FOS production (123.2 ± 6.2 g/L), with a yield of 61.6% ± 3.0% (g FOS/g sucrose), was obtained in batch culture under high DO concentration. Furthermore, repeated-batch culture revealed that enzyme production and FOS production were not closely associated with cell growth. By keeping the DO concentration above 5% in the repeated-batch culture, a maximum FOS concentration of 548.3 ± 37.4 g/L and yield of 68.6% ± 2.6% (g FOS/g sucrose) were obtained, which were 3.45% and 11.4% times higher than those obtained in the batch culture without DO control, respectively. Additionally, the ratios of 1-fructofuranosyl nystose (GF4) and 1,1,1,1-kestohexose (GF5) were 33.8% and 23.2%, respectively, in the product of repeated-batch culture, but these compounds were not detected in batch culture. Thus, it can be concluded that the DO concentration affects not only the yield of FOS but also the composition of FOS with different degrees of polymerization, which is the key factor in the fermentative production of FOS with a high polymerization degree.
Topics: Aureobasidium; Oligosaccharides; Oxygen; Sucrose
PubMed: 34202788
DOI: 10.3390/molecules26133867