Ball Formation Research Articles

The Adaptor Protein UvSte50 Governs Fungal Pathogenicity of Ustilaginoidea virens via the MAPK Signaling Pathway.

The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways regulate diverse cellular processes and have been partially characterized in the rice false smut fungus Ustilaginoidea virens. UvSte50 has been identified as a homolog to Saccharomyces cerevisiae Ste50, which is known to be an adaptor protein for MAPK cascades. ΔUvste50 was found to be defective in conidiation, sensitive to hyperosmotic and oxidative stresses, and non-pathogenic. The mycelial expansion of ΔUvste50 inside spikelets of rice terminated at stamen filaments, eventually resulting in a lack of formation of false smut balls on spikelets. We determined that UvSte50 directly interacts with both UvSte7 (MAPK kinase; MEK) and UvSte11 (MAPK kinase kinase; MEKK), where the Ras-association (RA) domain of UvSte50 is indispensable for its interaction with UvSte7. UvSte50 also interacts with UvHog1, a MAP kinase of the Hog1-MAPK pathway, which is known to have important roles in hyphal growth and stress responses in U. virens. In addition, affinity capture–mass spectrometry analysis and yeast two-hybrid assay were conducted, through which we identified the interactions of UvSte50 with UvRas2, UvAc1 (adenylate cyclase), and UvCap1 (cyclase-associated protein), key components of the Ras/cAMP signaling pathway in U. virens. Together, UvSte50 functions as an adaptor protein interacting with multiple components of the MAPK and Ras/cAMP signaling pathways, thus playing critical role in plant infection by U. virens.

Effects of the growth and the root ball formation of the containerized Sugi (<i>Cryptomeria japonica</i> (L.f.)D.Don) seedlings on the irrigation method

スギコンテナ苗の育苗技術の構築を目的に，育苗時の潅水方法（底面給水と頭上潅水（常法））が苗木の成長，物質生産および根鉢形成に及ぼす影響について検討した。1 成長期間，両潅水法で育苗したコンテナ苗の苗高，根元径，形状比および苗木乾重（地上部，粗根，細根）には有意な差異は認められなかった。コンテナ苗の地下部は，根系が培地をしっかり包み込んだ根鉢が形成され，培地の崩落や根腐れは認められず，根鉢硬度（山中式硬度計による指標硬度）および細根率には有意な差異は認められなかった。スギコンテナ苗の育苗において，底面給水は頭上潅水と同等な育苗成績を示したことから，有効な潅水法と考えられる。

The bZIP transcription factor UvbZIP6 mediates fungal growth, stress response, and false smut formation in Ustilaginoidea virens

Rice false smut, caused by Ustilaginoidea virens, is one of the most destructive diseases in major world rice-producing regions. Basic leucine zipper (bZIP) proteins, which belong to an evolutionarily conserved transcription factor family and play critical roles in various biological processes in eukaryotes, have been previously identified in U. virens; however, their functions still need to be further elucidated. Therefore, we aimed to analyze the biological roles of UvbZIP6, a member of the bZIP family in U. virens. In this study, we found that UvbZIP6 was highly up-regulated at 7 days post-inoculation. Deletion of UvbZIP6 in U. virens resulted in an increase in fungal growth and sensitivity to Congo red and calcofluor white, whereas a decrease in sensitivity to hyperosmotic, oxidative, and sodium dodecyl sulfate stresses. Conidiation capacity was reduced in UvbZIP6-knockout mutants, but conidial morphology and germination were not affected. Although UvbZIP6-knockout mutants caused infection in rice plants, they could not form false smut balls. Our study indicates that UvbZIP6 is required for fungal growth, conidiation, stress response, and false smut ball formation of U. virens.

Cu Dendrite Crystal Ball Formation on a Zn-Al Substrate by Electroplating Method

Cu Dendrite Crystal Ball Formation on a Zn-Al Substrate by Electroplating Method

Study on the Causes and Remedies of Ball Formation in Looms due to Improper Sizing

Study on the Causes and Remedies of Ball Formation in Looms due to Improper Sizing

Numerical modeling of oil spills in the Gulf of Morrosquillo, Colombian Caribbean

This study encompasses the analysis of oil spills occurred in the Gulf of Morrosquillo during the loading procedures of oil tankers in the Coveñas maritime Terminal, by means of numerical simulation experiments of the trajectories and weathering processes of oil spilled, which occurred under specific wind, waves, and ocean currents conditions. A three-dimensional (3D) modelling system, OpenOil, which is part of the open-source OpenDrift trajectory framework was used to simulate two contingencies occurred in July and August 2014. During each event, different volumes of Vasconia crude oil spilled on the sea surface were simulated. The resulting slicks were subject to wind drift, Stokes drift from wave forcing, and ocean currents transporting the oil spilled towards the coast. Oil weathering effects (evaporation, emulsification, and biodegradation) are included in the analysis. To calculate weathering of the oil, OpenOil interfaces with the latest version of the open source ADIOS oil library. It should be noted that meteorological and ocean conditions contribute to the oil pathways that in both periods forced the oil slick towards the central coast of the Gulf. The wind speed is an important factor contributing to the rapid evaporation rates of the oil spilled in the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea; hence, allowing a gradual increase of the water fraction, which could lead to the formation of tar balls found in the affected coasts in the areas simulated by the model. The implementation of OpenOil to predict the oil fate and weathering processes in the Colombian basin prove to be a valuable tool that should be used in this maritime terminal to improve planning and preparedness in case of an oil spill. The simulations could be enhanced with higher resolution databases.

Study on the causes and remedies of ball formation in looms due to improper sizing

Textile industry is a significant source of revenue in Bangladesh. More effort is being put into producing high-quality woven fabrics. The generation of fiber balls is a significant challenge in the fabrication of woven fabrics. It causes coloring issues in woven fabrics as well as fabric rejection. The method of fiber ball generation during weaving has been described in this article. The advancements in the weaving process that are required to prevent ball formation and to weave virtually flawless cloth have also been explored.

Malignant course of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in the new coronavirus infection COVID-19

Respiratory infections caused by fungal pathogens are the main cause of death in immunocompromised patients. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the registration of respiratory fungal pathology, especially pulmonary aspergillosis, has increased significantly.
 We present a histopathologically confirmed case of fatal invasive pulmonary aspergillosis complicating COVID-19. A 65-year-old patient with long-term diabetes backgrounded with a severe course of COVID-19 (the virus was identified ICD-10 code U07.1) described. During the illness bilateral polysegmental pneumonia of fungal-bacterial (Klebsiella pneumoniae) etiology with necrosis and sequestration of the affected tissue the lower lobe of the right lung with the formation of a fungal ball and the development of a right-sided pneumothorax was developed. In other parts of both lungs, focal destruction of the interalveolar septa was determined with the formation of small cavities filled with detritus and accumulations of segmented neutrophils, with the proliferation of fungal mycelium, positively stained in the PAS reaction. Fungal hyphae and conidial heads were also found in the lumens of individual bronchi and vessels with invasion of their walls. Long-term (more than one month) course of the disease, clinical and radiological dynamics, and detection of a forming connective tissue capsule along the periphery of the necrosis zone during microscopy testifies in favor of the subacute nature of the infection.
 The presented clinical case, as well as a review of current publications and meta-analyses on invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, point to diagnostic problems and poor outcomes of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in patients with COVID-19.
 Pulmonary aspergillosis associated with COVID-19 is a serious and potentially life ― threatening complication in patients with severe COVID-19 receiving immunosuppressive treatment. Early diagnosis of fungal infections is crucial to ensure the survival of such patients. Targeted biopsy examination with microscopy and/or seeding of a lung biopsy allows not only to establish the diagnosis of aspergillosis, but also to determine the presence of tissue invasion.
 Further research should include approaches aimed at developing an effective diagnosis of fungal tissue invasion and respiratory tract damage, determining the patients immune status in order to conduct personalized immunotherapy.

The Velvet Protein UvVEA Regulates Conidiation and Chlamydospore Formation in Ustilaginoidea virens.

Rice false smut, caused by Ustilaginoidea virens, is a serious disease of rice worldwide, severely reducing the quantity and quality of rice production. The conserved fungal velvet proteins are global regulators of diverse cellular processes. We identified and functionally characterized two velvet genes, UvVEA and UvVELB, in U. virens. The deletion of these genes affected the conidiation of U. virens but had no effect on the virulence of this pathogen. Interestingly, the ΔUvVEA mutants appeared in the form of smaller false smut balls with a reduced number of chlamydospores compared with the wide-type strains. In addition, the deletion of UvVEA affected the expression of some transmembrane transport genes during chlamydospore formation and rice false smut balls development. Furthermore, the ΔUvVEA mutants were shown to be defective in the utilization of glucose. These findings proved the regulatory mechanism underlying the formation of rice false smut balls and chlamydospores and provided a basis for the further exploration of the mechanism of these processes.

Genes associated with hot defensive bee ball in the Japanese honeybee, Apis cerana japonica

BackgroundThe Japanese honeybee, Apis cerana japonica, shows a specific defensive behavior, known as a “hot defensive bee ball,” used against the giant hornet, Vespa mandarinia. Hundreds of honeybee workers surround a hornet and make a “bee ball” during this behavior. They maintain the ball for around 30 min, and its core temperature can reach 46. Although various studies have been conducted on the characteristics of this behavior, its molecular mechanism has yet to be elucidated. Here, we performed a comprehensive transcriptomic analysis to detect candidate genes related to balling behavior.ResultsThe expression levels of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the brain, flight muscle, and fat body were evaluated during ball formation and incubation at 46 °C. The DEGs detected during ball formation, but not in response to heat, were considered important for ball formation. The expression of genes related to rhodopsin signaling were increased in all tissues during ball formation. DEGs detected in one or two tissues during ball formation were also identified.ConclusionsGiven that rhodopsin is involved in temperature sensing in Drosophila, the rhodopsin-related DEGs in A. cerana japonica may be involved in temperature sensing specifically during ball formation.

Effect Of Chemicals On The Formation Of Tar Balls From Overboard Water Discharges An Analysis Of Environmental View

The ratio of produced water to produced hydrocarbons increases over the lifetime of an oil well. It is common that oil well production fl uids in the old reservoirs are eventually composed of 90% or more of water and only 10% or less of hydrocarbons. After the initial separation of the bulk produced fl uids, the produced water still contains fi nely dispersed solids and hydrocarbons. It must either be re-injected underground or discharged to surface waters, such as oceans. Strict overboard discharge limits are set by the government regulation. The oil content of overboard water is limited by the Ministry of Environment to be less than 50 mg/L. Various chemicals have been developed as proprietary chemical separation aids to effect and accelerate the separation of oil, water, and solids from each other. These chemicals are commonly referred to as de-emulsifi ers and water clarifi ers. Other chemicals, for example corrosion inhibitors, have properties that are contradictory to de-emulsifi er and clarifi er. These non-separation aid chemicals will absolutely affect the fl uid (oil and water) separation. In the last couple of years, there were problems with the tar balls and chocolate mousse found in the coastal regions of Indonesia, such as at Pulau Seribu and Eastern Coast of Kalimantan. Although these tar balls do not frequently happen, these problems have given nuisance to the surrounding communities especially the fi shermen. This paper is intended to give an analysis of environmental view of the possible factors that might contribute to the formation of tar balls and chocolate mousse from the overboard water discharges from the old oil fi elds.

Field-induced formation and manipulation of a microscale liquid ball on an outside wall of the pulled pipette

We report a phenomenological observation of electric-field-induced formation and manipulation of liquid ball on an outer wall of the pulled pipette by using the quartz tuning fork-based atomic force microscope (QTF-AFM). The dye molecule solution with excitation wavelength of 488 nm and detection efficiency of 95% is used to investigate the movement characteristics of liquid droplets when the electric field is applied. The ejected liquid solution forms a microscale liquid droplet at the apex of the pipette by the application of electric field, containing dye molecules, which climbs up along the negatively charged outer surface of the pipette due to the electro-osmosis effect. With positive or negative bias voltages, we manipulate a liquid ball to slide upward or downward, respectively. This field-induced transport of a liquid droplet may be useful to nano-biotechnology or droplet-based microfluidic technology, for example, noncontact delivery and manipulation of liquid solution in the form of separated droplets.

Genome-Wide Identification and Functional Characterization of CCHC-Type Zinc Finger Genes in Ustilaginoidea virens

Rice false smut caused by Ustilaginoidea virens is a serious disease of rice (Oryza sativa), severely reducing plant mass and yields worldwide. We performed genome-wide analysis of the CCHC-type zinc-finger transcription factor family in this pathogen. We identified and functionally characterized seven UvCCHC genes in U. virens. The deletion of various UvCCHC genes affected the stress responses, vegetative growth, conidiation, and virulence of U. virens. ∆UvCCHC5 mutants infected rice spikelets normally but could not form smut balls. Sugar utilization experiments showed that the ∆UvCCHC5 mutants were defective in the utilization of glucose, sucrose, lactose, stachyose, and trehalose. Deletion of UvCCHC5 did not affect the expression of rice genes associated with grain filling, as revealed by RT-qPCR. We propose that the ∆UvCCHC5 mutants are impaired in transmembrane transport, and the resulting nutrient deficiencies prevent them from using nutrients from rice to form smut balls. RNA-seq data analysis indicated that UvCCHC4 affects the expression of genes involved in mitochondrial biogenesis, ribosomes, transporters, and ribosome biogenesis. These findings improve our understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying smut ball formation in rice by U. virens.

A Schizophyllum commune fungus ball in a lung cancer cavity: a case report

BackgroundSchizophyllum commune is a basidiomycete that lives in the environment and can cause infections, mainly those of the respiratory system. Although S. commune is increasingly reported as a cause of allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis and sinusitis, cases of fungal ball formation are extremely uncommon. Identification of S. commune is difficult using routine mycological diagnostic methods, and in clinically suspicious cases, internal transcribed spacer sequencing should be used for diagnosis. Here, we report a first case of lung cancer with a fungal ball formation of S. commune, confirmed by analyzing the internal transcribed spacer.Case presentationA 76-year-old man with diabetes and hypertension was admitted to the hospital with a chief complaint of hemosputum, which he had for about 19 months. A computed tomography image of the patient’s chest showed a cavity and internal nodule in the left upper lobe of his lung. A left upper lobectomy was performed, and histopathological examination revealed squamous cell carcinoma of the lung and a fungal ball. The isolate from the surgical specimen was identified as S. commune by analyzing the internal transcribed spacer. The patient had no recurrence of the infection during 5 months of follow-up.ConclusionsOnly three cases of lung fungal balls caused by S. commune have been previously reported, and this is the first case of lung cancer cavity with a fungal ball formation. In cases of fungal ball formation in the lung, S. commune should be considered a possible causative microorganism.

Combination of nano-particles of graphite and PTFE in the right amount for synergism as anti-wear and extreme pressure additive in oil

Solid lubricants (SLs) are known to enhance the tribo-performance of oils significantly. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) particles have proved as an excellent extreme-pressure additive (EPA) but not as so good anti-wear additive (AWA). In contrast, the graphite nano-particles (NPs) are known as very good AWA but not so promising EPA. In this context, graphite and PTFE particles with different shapes (graphite-laminar and PTFE- spherical) and sizes (graphite- 60–120 nm and PTFE- 11–13 μm) were used in combination in different amounts for exploring possible synergism as AWA and EPA. A series of oils based on Group III (Gr III) with polyisobutylene succinimide (PIBSI) dispersant (1 wt%) along with an increasing amount of graphite NPs (0%–4%) and a simultaneous decrease in PTFE NPs (4%–0%) was prepared. The tribo-performance of oils was evaluated on Four ball tester for EP (weld-load) and anti-wear performance. Formulations were characterized for density, viscosity, and viscosity index. Also, the stability of oils was monitored through visual observation, and it was more than two months. Combo-oils showed improvement in anti-wear (AW) performance up to 54% for the concentration of 2 wt% each. For AW, synergism was observed, while for extreme pressure (EP) property, PTFE particles in isolation proved best, showing almost 350% improvement for group III oil. The inclusion of graphite particles step by step deteriorated the performance. The SEM (Scanning electron microscopy) and EDAX (Energy-dispersive X-ray) were used to analyze worn surfaces of ball and film formation mechanism.

Ultrasonographic evaluation of the children with candiduria for the fungal ball: Is It necessary?

Imaging of the urinary tract by ultrasonography (USG) or computerized tomography scanning is recommended for detecting structural abnormalities, hydronephrosis, abscesses, emphysematous pyelonephritis, or fungus ball formation. Limited studies on the epidemiology and the imaging results of candiduria were present in the children. This study aimed to evaluate the results of renal ultrasonography imaging in hospitalized pediatric patients with candiduria. In this descriptive study, we reviewed our ultrasonography findings with hospitalized children and infants who with candiduria. The study included the period between January 2012 and December 2019. Demographic data, the previous medical history, the clinical features of the patients, ultrasonographic findings of the urinary tract system, presence of an indwelling urinary catheter, type of urinary samplings, type of candida species were retrospectively recorded. The study was approved by Institutional Review Board with the registration number 2019/366. During the study period, 220 children with nosocomial candiduria were evaluated. The most common isolated candida species was Candida albicans (68.2%) and followed by C. tropicalis (9.1%). Among all patients, 2 (0.9%) had renal fungal balls associated with C. Albicans. Twenty-five patients (11.4%) had findings including internal echogenicity in the bladder (n=12), uroepithelial thickening of the kidney (n=10), and sediments in the renal pelvis (n=3). Candida albicans was the most prominent candida isolated from the patients. The fungal ball is an uncommon infection especially in children and predominantly caused by Candida species. Fungal ball in the kidney was reported as case reports especially in neonates, in immunosupressed patients, and in patients who had undergone surgical procedures. In our study, none of the patients with the fungal ball were in the neonatal period, however, the patients with fungus ball had underlying disease or condition. Our study has several limitations including a retrospective study, and the USG were not performed by a single radiologist. Besides these limitations, our findings are important to give information about the place of USG for diagnosis of the renal fungal ball in children adding valuable information to a topic in which data came from mainly case reports. Despite the low incidence of fungal balls reported, considering the high consequences of missing a fungal ball and elimination of it, a non-invasive method such as the renal bladder USG is still necessary for detection of fungal ball especially. More prospective studies are required for high risk groups to establish the diagnostic value of renal USG.

Assembly Wirebond Process Solution for Mitigating Leadframe Bouncing on Multi-Die QFN Device

Modification and improvement of an existing tooling design in semiconductor packaging industry has been a usual practice, to enhance the current setup and to provide a solution to a specific assembly problem. This paper discusses the solution in eliminating the smashed ball defect occurrence observed after wirebond process. Smashed ball is usually encountered if the unit is unstable and creates a bouncing effect during wirebond process. It is therefore important to mitigate this micro-bouncing effect by analyzing the package design and the window clamp and top plate (WCTP). The objective is to increase the stability of the unit during wirebonding, especially for quad-flat no-leads (QFN) package with no tape. To achieve this, the solution is to alter the vacuum hole design of the top plate from single hole per unit to multiple holes of varied sizes per unit. Ultimately, after changing the design of the top plate, the micro-bouncing encountered during wirebond process was significantly reduced. This in turn created a consistent ball formation in all bonded wires. The comparative data presented in this paper confirmed the effectivity of the redesigned WCTP. For future works and studies, the improvement and learnings could be used on devices with comparable configuration.

Wnt7a Promotes the Occurrence and Development of Colorectal Adenocarcinoma.

ObjectiveThe expression of Wnt7a in colorectal cancer tissues and cell lines was analyzed, and the effect of Wnt7a on the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells was studied, so as to confirm the relationship between Wnt7a and the occurrence and development of colorectal cancer.Methods(1) Immunohistochemical method was used to compare the expression of Wnt7a in different tissues and its relationship with the clinicopathology of colorectal adenocarcinoma. (2) The expression levels of Wnt7a in colorectal cancer cell lines HT-29 and HCT 116 were detected by qRT-PCR. (3) The down-regulated Wnt7A expression vector was constructed, and the down-regulated Wnt7A expression cell line was established. The regeneration ability of cancer cells was detected by stem cell ball formation assay, and the influence of plate cloning assay on the proliferation ability of colorectal cancer cells was detected.Results(1) The positive rates of Wnt7a in normal colorectal mucosa, colorectal adenoma and colorectal adenocarcinoma tissues gradually increased,Wnt7a are closely related to the degree of colorectal adenocarcinoma differentiation, lymph node metastasis and Duke stage. (2) The expression level of Wnt7a in colorectal cancer cells was higher than that in normal colorectal epithelial cells. (3) The down-regulation of Wnt7A reduced the proliferation ability of colorectal cancer cells.ConclusionsWnt7a promotes the occurrence and development of colorectal adenocarcinoma.

Intractable Biliary Candidiasis in Patients with Obstructive Jaundice and Regional Malignancy: A Retrospective Case Series.

BackgroundCandida species are infrequently grown in bile cultures. An association between biliary candidiasis and regional malignancy may exist. The role of fungus membranes in frequent biliary stent occlusion is also presented in this case series.MethodsWe retrospectively identified patients who underwent percutaneous trans-hepatic cholangiogram (PTC) for obstructive jaundice between January 2014 and January 2019. The results of bile cultures – obtained by PTC – for all patients were analyzed, and patients with fungus growth were determined; their medical records were reviewed.ResultsA total of 71 patients with obstructive jaundice underwent PTC between January 2015 and January 2019. Five patients (all male; mean age 55.8 years) had candida species growth in bile cultures. Two patients were diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, one with adenocarcinoma of the head of the pancreas, one with gallbladder cancer, and one with locally advanced gastric adenocarcinoma. Formation of fungal balls predisposed to frequent PTC drain clogging. Eradication of Candida was achieved in 4 patients after 10 days to 3 weeks of antifungal therapy.ConclusionWe present a case series of biliary candidiasis in patients with obstructive jaundice and regional malignancy. We suggest that patients with obstructive jaundice and regional malignancy should be screened for biliary candidiasis. Persistent cholestasis may be caused by the recurrent formation of fungal membranes (balls).

Formation of a Water Ball in a Water Bottle to Learn the Chemistry of Surfactants

This paper reports a demonstration of a 90 min on-demand class where a chemical experiment is performed to educate nonscience majors on surfactants. First-year undergraduate students perform the wa...