IntroductionProper evaluation of the allergic sensitizations is inevitable in treating severe asthma. Besides seasonal allergens, perennial aeroallergens have to be considered. However, within the ...German reimbursement system testing of only 8 allergens per quarter is reimbursed by health insurances, and thus, analyses of relevant allergens beyond the 8 common ones is often not done.PurposeThe aim of this ongoing project is to gain data on sensitizations towards 35 perennial aeroallergens in severe asthmatic patients, in which no allergen could be detected in previous testing and who are thus considered non-atopic.Methods35 locally common perennial aeroallergens (mites, fungi, animal epithelia, insects) are tested via Immulite registered (specific IgE in blood) in 600 severe asthmatic patients in Germany who had negative results in previous allergen testing by either Skin Prick Test or analyses of specific IgE. Furthermore, total IgE levels are determined and a general anamnesis is documented including historical allergen testing, comorbidities, symptoms, exposure to allergens etc.ResultsIn an interims analysis, 56.1% of 214 patients demonstrated at least one sensitisation towards a perennial aeroallergen despite they were considered non-atopic before. The most common sensitizations were found towards Rhizopus nigricans (16.8%), Aspergillus fumigatus (15.9%), Cat dander (11.1%), Dermatophagoides farina (10.7%) and Dog dander (9.9%). 84.2% of patients were (partly) uncontrolled according to GINA classification of asthma control and 51.7% had greater than or equal to 2 exacerbations in the past 12 months. These results indicate a lack in diagnostics of perennial aeroallergens in severe asthmatic patients in Germany. The correct ascertainment of the allergic status is crucial to make optimal treatment decisions for the asthmatic patient.
An extracellular polysaccharide (EPS1-1) extracted from the fermentation broth of Rhizopus nigricans has been proved to enhance the immunity of immunosuppressed mice. The purpose of this study was to ...investigate the beneficial effects of EPS1-1 on the intestinal immunity of mice with colorectal cancer induced by azoxymethane (AOM) and dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). The results showed that EPS1-1 could resist hydrolysis in an artificial stomach. Oral EPS1-1 modulated gut microbiota and increased the concentration of total short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the feces of colorectal cancer mice compared with the AOM/DSS only-treated mice. Furthermore, EPS1-1 increased the villus length, ratio of villus length and crypt depth in colonic tissues, and improved the number of acid mucus-secreting goblet cells in mice with colorectal cancer. These findings suggest that EPS1-1 might play an important role in the improvement of intestinal function in mice with colorectal cancer, which indicate its strong potential as efficient bio-secure immunotherapy for clinical applications or adjuvant drug.
•EPS1-1 could modulate gut microbiota to protect intestine of mice with colorectal cancer.•EPS1-1 could increase total SCFAs, villus length and ratio of V/C compared to model group.•EPS1-1 could increase mucus secreting goblet cells in mice with colorectal cancer.
Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum, is a devastating soilborne fungal disease. Compared to traditional chemical pesticides, biological control has been attracting increasing attention ...recently, owing to its eco-friendly features. This study investigated the potential use of mixed culture fermentation of Rhizopus nigricans and Trichoderma pseudokoningii (MCF) to control Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.cucumerinum (FOC). At first, the tablet confrontation experiment using bio-control fungi and F. oxysporum showed that the suppression rate of R. nigricans and T. pseudokoningii were more than 60% higher than that of individual fermentations. Furthermore, the inhibitory effect of MCF on the pathogen was higher than that of single fermentation broth, both in vitro and in greenhouse experiment. At the molecular level, MCF had better control on the number of pathogens in the plant tissue and soil, as seen by the real-time PCR assay. In the pot experiment, increased activities of the defense enzymes involved in PAL, SOD, and POD indicated that mixed broth treatment could increase the plant-induced resistance. In the field experiment, after two-year treatment by the mixed broth, the relative control effect on cucumber Fusarium wilt was 76.5%. Through this study, we demonstrated that co-fermentation of R. nigricans and T. pseudokoningii has synergistic effect on the control of F. oxysporum, which may promote more reasonable and effective utilization of biocontrol agents in future.
•We used mixed culture fermentation (MCF) for biological control of Fusarium wilt.•MCF of Rhizopus nigricans and Trichoderma pseudokoningii was used.•The relative control effect on cucumber Fusarium wilt was 76.5%.•Co-fermentation of R. nigricans and T. pseudokoningii showed a synergistic effect.
Adsorption and desorption studies on different types of adsorbents, including natural materials such as teak tree bark powder, rice husk, natural bentonite, different algae like Ecklonia maxima, ...Escherichia coli, Ascophyllum nodasum, Rhizopus nigricans, Cladophora fascicularis, goethite and soils of three nuclear power plant and artificial materials such as Fe oxide-coated sand, goethite pretreated with phosphate, dithizone-modified sodium trititanate whisker, modified nanometre sized TiO2, Chromosorb 102 resins and poly(m-phenylenediamine) are summarized. The kinetics, thermodynamics, sorption/desorption mechanism of different metal ions on different adsorbents under different experimental conditions are discussed. It is found that desorbing agent is greatly dependent on the adsorbate used. All the metal ions are desorbed using acids like HCl, HNO3 and H2SO4 in most of the cases, except Cr(VI). EDTA can be used to remove Pb2+ and Zn2+ in addition to acids. Since Cr(VI) is present in anionic form; it can be eliminated from the loaded adsorbents using bases like NaOH, Na2CO3 or NaHCO3.
Polysaccharide (EPS1-1) from Rhizopus nigricans might bind to TLR4 to activate the function of macrophages via MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways.
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•Polysaccharide (EPS1-1) from ...Rhizopus nigricans might bind to the surface receptor TLR4 to activate the function of macrophages.•EPS1-1 can activate MAPK signaling pathway to induced the activation of macrophages.•EPS1-1 can activate NF-κB signaling pathway to perform the immune activation of macrophages.
Our previous reports showed that the structural features and immunologic enhancement of polysaccharide (EPS1-1) from Rhizopus nigricans. However, the molecular mechanism in cellular immunomodulatory of EPS1-1 remains unclear. Here the experiments for the molecular mechanisms of EPS1-1 on the peritoneal macrophages were performed. The results demonstrated that the expression of TLR4 was significantly improved by EPS1-1. Subsequently, the phosphorylation of p38MAPK, ERK1/2, JNK and IKKα/β were promoted. Moreover, EPS1-1 enhanced the expressions of IL-2, TNF-α and iNOS in EPS1-1-induced macrophages which were pretreated with MAPK signaling pathway inhibitors, and reduced the blocking effects of the inhibitors to the expressions of p-p38MAPK, p-ERK1/2 and p-IKKα/β. Therefore, these results illustrated that EPS1-1 could improve the immune functions of peritoneal macrophages by promoting the gene expressions of IL-2, TNF-α and iNOS via the MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways.
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•An acidic polysaccharide (RBAPS) was gained from fermented burdock residue mediated by R. nigricans.•The structural characteristics of RBAPS were clarified.•RBAPS promoted cell ...viability and phagocytosis of macrophages.•RBAPS induced the macrophages polarization and pro-inflammatory cytokines secretion.
An acidic heteropolysaccharide (RBAPS) with a relative molecular weight of 140.9 kDa was extracted from Rhizopus nigricans mediated burdock residue fermentation. Structural analysis indicated that RBAPS was mainly composed of Rha, Ara, Gal, GalA, GlcA, Glc and Xyl in a molar ratio of 14.5: 14.3: 30.1: 31.0: 5.5: 0.8: 3.8. The dominant backbone of RBAPS consisted of α-Rhap, α-GalAp, and α-Galp with the branched chains of β-Galp and α-Araf. In macrophage RAW264.7 cells, RBAPS promoted proliferation, enhanced phagocytosis, hindered apoptosis, and promoted cytokines (NO, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β) secretion. RBAPS also promoted M1 macrophage transformation and induced the secretion of NO and IL-6 in differentiated macrophages. The findings suggested that RBAPS has the potential immunomodulatory and anti-tumor effects, giving it application prospect in the health and pharmaceutical fields.
is a widespread phytopathogen in fruits and vegetables that can cause considerable economic effects and resource waste. Flavonoids from
L. (FSAL) have specific antifungal activities. This study ...selected FSAL as an antifungal to prolong the preservation of fruits and vegetables. The results showed that the mycelial morphology and ultrastructure were damaged by the FSAL treatment (1.0 minimum inhibitory concentration), led to the increase of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde, and affected the activity of key enzymes in the glycolytic pathway, such as lactic dehydrogenase, pyruvate kinase, and hexokinase of
. Key genes in glycolysis were upregulated or downregulated. In addition, in the treatment and control groups, 221 differentially expressed genes were found, including 89 that were upregulated and 32 that were downregulated, according to the transcriptome results. The differential genes were mainly enriched in glycolysis, pyruvate metabolism, and citrate cycle pathways. The results revealed some insights into the antifungal mechanism of FSAL against
and offered a theoretical foundation for its advancement as a novel plant-derived antifungal agent.
The 11a-hydroxylation of 16a, 17-epoxyprogesterone (EP) catalyzed by Rhizopus nigricans is crucial for the steroid industry. However, lower conversion rate of the biohydroxylation restricts its ...potential industrial application. The 11a-steroid hydroxylase CYP509C12 from R. oryzae were reported to play a crucial role in the 11a-hydroxylation in recombinant fission yeast. In the present study, the CYP509C12 of R. oryzae (RoCYP) was introduced into R. nigricans using the liposome-mediated mycelial transformation. Heterologous expression of RoCYP resulted in increased fungal growth and improved intracellular reactive oxygen species content in R. nigricans. The H 2 O 2 levels in RoCYP transformants were approximately 2-folder that of the R. nigricans wild type (RnWT) strain, with the superoxide dismutase activities increased approximately 45% and catalase activities decreased approximately 68%. Furthermore, the 11a-hydroxylation rates of EP in RoCYP transformants (C4, C6 and C9) were 39.7%, 38.3% and 38.7%, which were 12.1%, 8.2% and 9.4% higher than the rate of the RnWT strain, respectively. This paper investigated the effect of heterologous expression of RoCYP in R. nigricans, providing an effective genetic method to construct the engineered strains for steroid industry.