Β-glucan Research Articles

Evaluation of novel nutraceuticals based on the combination of oat beta-glucans and a green coffee phenolic extract to combat obesity and its comorbidities. A randomized, dose-response, parallel trial.

Obesity and its associated comorbidities are a major public health concern worldwide. Reduced energy intake and increased physical activity interventions have limited success in the long term. Nutraceuticals might be an alternative means to help lose weight and reduce obesity-associated cardiometabolic risk factors without changes in the habitual diet. The objective of the present study was to comparatively evaluate the efficiency of nutraceuticals based on the combination of a decaffeinated green coffee bean extract (GCBE) and two types of oat beta-glucans (BG) with different physiochemical properties on obesity related biomarkers in overweight/obese subjects. A randomized, dose-response, parallel, blind study was carried out in four groups of subjects (n = 15 each) who consumed for 6 weeks, twice a day, a nutraceutical containing 3 g d-1 or 5 g d-1 doses of 35% or 70% BG and a fixed amount of GCBE providing 600 mg d-1 of phenols. 35% BG showed a 10 and 100 times higher molecular weight and viscosity, respectively, compared to 70% BG. Food intake, anthropometry and different cardiometabolic markers were assessed at the beginning and end of the intervention. According to the general model of variance with repeated measure analysis, the intervention caused positive changes in the levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol, triglycerides, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, haemoglobin A1c, insulin, systolic blood pressure (SBP), total body fat percentage (TBF%), visceral fat percentage, and waist and hip circumferences without differences among the treatments, except for SBP and TBF%. Looking into the rates of change [(end value - beginning value)/beginning value] of these parameters, 5 g - 70% BG was the treatment that lowered TBF% the most. In conclusion, 5 g - 70% BG may be more effective in helping to lose weight and additionally, it produced the least bloating according to participants' subjective perception.

Influence of 8-week daily consumption of a new product combining green coffee hydroxycinnamates and beta-glucans on polyphenol bioavailability in subjects with overweight and obesity.

Nutraceuticals based on plant extracts rich in polyphenols, as well as dietary fibres, are new means to fight overweight/obesity and associated diseases. However, to understand the potential effects of polyphenols on health it is critical to study their bioavailability and metabolic fate. Consumption of a green coffee phenolic extract (GCPE) in combination with oat beta-glucan (BG) could affect the pharmacokinetic profile of the main polyphenols present in coffee (hydroxycinnamates). Moreover, the regular intake of the combination could also induce changes. Nine overweight men and women consumed a novel nutraceutical product containing 300 mg of green coffee hydroxycinnamic acids and 2.5 g of BG twice a day for 8 weeks. A pharmacokinetic study was carried out in blood and urine samples taken before (baseline) and at week 8 after the nutraceutical intervention, collecting samples at different times in a 0-24 h interval. Faecal samples were also obtained at 0 and 24 h after the intake of the nutraceutical at baseline and week 8. Phenolic metabolites were analysed by LC-MS-QToF. Results showed that polyphenols were differentially absorbed and extensively metabolized throughout the gastrointestinal tract. An apparent reduction in the excretion of small intestinal metabolites was accompanied by a tendency to increase colonic metabolites after sustained intake (p = 0.052). In conclusion, continued consumption of the GCPE/BG nutraceutical appears to enhance the absorption of hydroxycinnamates by increasing the colonic bioavailability of their derived metabolites compared to baseline, although the regular intake of the nutraceutical did not modify the metabolite profile in any of the biological samples.

The interplay between oat beta glucan, gut microbiota and gut-liver axis in treatment of obesity associated non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and Type II diabetes mellitus

Dietary fibers regulate host health through various mechanisms related to their physicochemical structure and physiological properties in the gut. The interplay between diet, gut microbiota and human host appear to play a significant role in pathogenesis of obesity associated complications. This study was designed to unravel oat beta glucan modulatory effect on non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and type II diabetes mellitus in high fat fed rats and to explain possible pathomechanics involving gut microbiota and gut liver axis. Sixty male albino rats were included and randomly divided into four equal groups: control group; positive control group; diet induced obesity group; oat beta glucan treated group. All were subjected to assessment of glycemic profile; liver enzymes; serum trimethylamine-N-oxide levels; hepatic G-protein coupled receptor 43 relative gene expression. Histopathological examination of hepatic tissue was performed. Results revealed that oat beta glucan administration improved the biochemical changes. The histopathological findings confirmed the biochemical changes. Gut microbiota appeared to be highly implicated via its metabolites short chain fatty acids and trimethylamine. Our conclusion was that oat beta glucan was a successful compliance in the management strategy of hepatic steatosis and diabetes mellitus via modulating a number of gut microbial products.

In-Silico Research to Screen Various Phytochemicals as Potential Therapeutics Against Beta Glucan Synthase Enzyme from Black Fungus Endangering Covid Patients in India

Mucormycosis, has reportedly decimated numerous Indian states. This malady has already been deemed a catastrophe in several Indian states. Black fungus appears to have been a deadly, existence situation that needs medical assistance. Mucormycosis has indeed been medicated using antagonists of glucan biosynthesis processes, however, the discovery is now in its beginning stages. Because of its main functions in glucan biosynthesis, betaglucan synthase was picked as nothing more than a great option for therapeutic development in this investigation. The objectives of this research were about to conduct in-silico assessment plus molecular docking analysis on a number of phytocompounds (a total of 32 phytochemicals) in regard towards 1,3-beta-glucan synthase protein (4M80). There have been very few studies done on in-silico investigation by using beta-glucan synthase as target protein for various phytochemicals to date. The strongest interacting phytomolecule was found to be rhamnazin 3- rutinoside, with the largest negative correlating -10.54 Kcal/mol. The interacting energy of hesperidin, the secondbest interacting chemical, would have to be -10.47 Kcal/mol, whereas pectolinarin, the third-best dealing compound, had been -10.38 Kcal/mol. This study, which aimed to predict the repressive exercises of plant-derived materials that specifically target 4M80 proteins, found a number of interesting findings, including how the pharmaceutical had a vastly greater posture as well as complexation than hydroxychloroquine and the antibiotic fluconazole. Furthermore, ADME was also carried out with all the selected compounds. More studies in animal and clinical prototype may lay the groundwork for some of these compounds to be utilised in drug research.

TNBS ile Oluşturulan Deneysel Ülseratif Kolit Modelinde Beta Glukan Uygulamasının Koruyucu ve Terapötik Etkileri

Aim: In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effects of beta glucan (BG) on the experimental colitis model created by using trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS). Material and Methods: Thirty-two Wistar Albino rats were divided equally into four groups as sham control, TNBS, TNBS-BG3, and TNBS-BG10 groups. While saline was administrated to sham group, TNBS was administered intrarectally to the TNBS groups under anesthesia. BG was administered at a dose of 100 mg/kg by oral gavage, intragastrically, for 3 days (TNBS+3) to the TNBS-BG3 group and for 10 days (7+TNBS+3) to the TNBS-BG10 group. At the end of the study, macroscopic, histological and biochemical tests were applied to the colon tissues taken. Results: It was determined by histopathological scoring and biochemical results that BG administration caused positive effects on colon damage due to colitis. Malondialdehyde level and myeloperoxidase activity were found to be significantly higher in the TNBS group compared to the other groups (p=0.003 and p<0.001, respectively). Antioxidant levels increased in BG treated groups compared to TNBS group. While this increase was statistically significant among glutathione levels (p<0.001), it was not statistically significant in catalase enzyme activity (p=0.218). BG administration reduced the increase in lipid peroxidation and leukocyte infiltration level in the colon tissue. Positive changes due to the prophylactic effect of BG were determined in histological and biochemical results. Conclusion: BG administration has been found to show anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and BG has a treatment potential in reducing colon tissue damage due to TNBS-induced colitis.

Investigation of extraction method effect on yeast beta glucan production

Nowadays, due to the stressful, tiring and busy lives of humans, the immune system becomes weak and can get sick easily. Therefore, scientists have been doing researches about new, natural and healthy products that can strengthen their immune system and can provide to adapt life standards. One of these products is the beta glucan. It is a polysaccharide molecule that consists of D-glucose monomers bonding with beta glycosidic bonds. Beta (β) glucans have being produced from different sources (microorganisms, cereals and mushrooms) so they have different branched structures such as (1→3) (1→6), (1→3) (1→4), (1→3) (1→2). Thus, different branched beta glucans show different physicochemical properties and biological activities that designate their usage purposes. Especially yeast beta glucan has lots of biological activities. On the other hand, it is fact that the extraction method affects the molecular weight, yield, purity and other properties of beta glucans. The main purpose of this study is to compare the performances of ultrasonically assisted alkali-acidic and autolysis extraction methods to produce a high yield of beta glucan. Also, it was aimed to determine the effect of extraction method on the molecular weight of yeast beta glucan. As a result of this work, it was found that the yeast beta glucan yield for ultrasonic supported autolysis extraction (12 %) is higher than that of the ultrasonic supported alkali-acidic extraction (8 %). On the other hand, having the lower molecular weight of yeast beta glucan (87 kDa) was produced by using an ultrasonic supported autolysis extraction method.

Fiber mixture-specific effect on distal colonic fermentation and metabolic health in lean but not in prediabetic men

ABSTRACT Infusions of the short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) acetate in the distal colon improved metabolic parameters in men. Here, we hypothesized that combining rapidly and slowly fermentable fibers will enhance distal colonic acetate production and improve metabolic health. In vitro cultivation studies in a validated model of the colon were used to identify fiber mixtures that yielded high distal colonic acetate production. Subsequently, in two randomized crossover studies, lean and prediabetic overweight/obese men were included. In one study, participants received supplements of either long-chain inulin+resistant starch (INU+RS), INU or maltodextrin (PLA) the day prior to a clinical investigation day (CID). The second trial studied beta glucan+RS (BG+RS) versus BG and PLA. During each CID, breath hydrogen, indirect calorimetry, plasma metabolites/hormones were assessed during fasting and postprandial conditions. Additionally, fecal microbiota composition and SCFA were determined. In prediabetic men, INU+RS increased plasma acetate compared to INU or PLA (P < .05), but did not affect metabolic parameters. In lean men, INU+RS increased breath hydrogen and fasting plasma butyrate, which was accompanied by increased energy expenditure, carbohydrate oxidation and PYY and decreased postprandial glucose concentrations (all P < .05) compared to PLA. BG+RS increased plasma butyrate compared to PLA (P < .05) in prediabetic individuals, but did not affect other fermentation/metabolic markers in both phenotypes. Fiber-induced shifts in fecal microbiota were individual-specific and more pronounced with INU+RS versus BG+RS. Administration of INU+RS (not BG+RS) the day prior to investigation improved metabolic parameters in lean but not in prediabetic individuals, demonstrating that effects were phenotype- and fiber-specific. Further research should study whether longer-term supplementation periods are required to elicit beneficial metabolic health in prediabetic individuals. Trial registration numbers: Clinical trial No. NCT03711383 (Inulin study) and Clinical trial No. NCT03714646 (Beta glucan study).

Phase I Trial of Oral Yeast-Derived β-Glucan to Enhance Anti-GD2 Immunotherapy of Resistant High-Risk Neuroblastoma.

Simple SummaryBeta glucans, complex polysaccharides, can prime leukocyte dectin-1 and CR3-receptors and enhance anti-tumor cytotoxicity of monoclonal antibodies. In a phase I study (clinicaltrials.gov NCT00492167), we treated patients with intravenous 3F8 (fixed dose of 10 mg/m2/day × 10 days) and oral BG (dose-escalated from 10–200 mg/kg/day × 17 days in cohorts of 3–6 patients each). Forty-four patients completed 141 cycles of therapy with 3F8 + BG. One patient developed DLT: transient self-limiting hepatic transaminase elevation at a BG dose of 120 mg/kg/day. Overall, 1, 3, 12 and 24 evaluable patients had complete response, partial response, stable and progressive disease, respectively, at the end of treatment. Positive human anti-mouse antibody response and dectin-1 rs3901533 polymorphism were associated with better overall survival. BG dose level and serum BG levels did not correlate with response. BG lacked major toxicity and, in combination with 3F8, demonstrated anti-neuroblastoma activity against resistant disease. The recommended phase II dose was established at 40 mg/kg/day.Beta glucans, complex polysaccharides, prime leukocyte dectin-1 and CR3-receptors and enhance anti-tumor cytotoxicity of complement-activating monoclonal antibodies. We conducted a phase I study (clinicaltrials.gov NCT00492167) to determine the safety of the combination of yeast-derived beta glucan (BG) and anti-GD2 murine monoclonal antibody 3F8 in patients with relapsed or refractory high-risk neuroblastoma. Patients received intravenous 3F8 (fixed dose of 10 mg/m2/day × 10 days) and oral BG (dose-escalated from 10–200 mg/kg/day × 17 days in cohorts of 3–6 patients each). Forty-four patients completed 141 cycles. One patient developed DLT: transient self-limiting hepatic transaminase elevation 5 days after starting BG (120 mg/kg/day). Overall, 1, 3, 12 and 24 evaluable patients had complete response, partial response, stable and progressive disease, respectively, at the end of treatment. Positive human anti-mouse antibody response and dectin-1 rs3901533 polymorphism were associated with better overall survival. BG dose level and serum BG levels did not correlate with response. Progression-free and overall survival at 2 years were 28% and 61%, respectively. BG lacked major toxicity. Treatment with 3F8 plus BG was associated with anti-neuroblastoma responses in patients with resistant disease. Although the maximal tolerated dose for yeast BG was not reached, considering the large volume of oral BG, we recommended 40 mg/kg/day as the phase II dose.

Theoretical and Experimental Insights into the Possible Interfacial Interactions between β-Glucan and Fat Molecules in Aqueous Media.

Excessive body fat and high cholesterol are one of the leading reasons for triggering cardiovascular risk factors, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. Beta-glucan (BG)-based dietary fibers are found to be effective for lowering fat digestion in the gastrointestinal tract. However, the fat capturing mechanism of BG in aqueous medium is still elusive. In this report, we studied the dietary effect of barley-extracted BG on docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, a model fat molecule) uptake and the impact of the aqueous medium on their interactions using computational modeling and experimental parameters. The possible microscale and macroscale molecular interactions between BG and DHA in an aqueous medium were analyzed through density functional theory (DFT), Monte-Carlo (MC), and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. DFT analysis revealed that the BG polymer extends hydrogen bonding and nonbonding interactions with DHA. Bulk simulation with multiple DHA molecules on a long-chain BG showed that a viscous colloidal system is formed upon increasing DHA loading. Experimental size and zeta potential measurements also confirmed the electrostatic interaction between BG-DHA systems. Furthermore, simulated and experimental diffusion and viscosity measurements showed excellent agreement. These simulated and experimental results revealed the mechanistic pathway of how BG fibers form colloidal systems with fat molecules, which is probably responsible for BG-induced delayed fat digestion and further halting of fatty molecule absorption in the GI tract.

In silico study of potential immunonutrient-based sports supplements against COVID-19 via targeting ACE2 inhibition using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations

Use of some sports supplements can inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2), a receptor for the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), as reviewed through molecular docking and sequent molecular dynamics (MD) simulations against this condition. The crystal structures of ACE2 receptors of SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV, applied in docking analysis, were taken from the Protein Data Bank (PDB). The receptors were then prepared using the Molecular Operating Environment (MOE), as a drug-discovery software platform for docking. Supplements such as quercetin and beta glucan (β-glucan) were the top docked compounds to ACE2 receptor though they strongly interacted with CoV target protein. The study data showed that immune responses to immunonutrient-based sports compounds (viz. quercetin and β-glucan) in Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were essential in mounting successful immune responses by athletes. While awaiting the development of an effective vaccine, there is a need to focus on immunonutrient-based sports supplements as preventive and therapeutic options that can be implemented in a safe and quick manner to bolster immune responses in athletes. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma

Beta-D-Glucan in Patients with Haematological Malignancies.

(1-3)-beta-D-glucan (BDG) is an almost panfungal marker (absent in zygomycetes and most cryptococci), which can be successfully used in screening and diagnostic testing in patients with haematological malignancies if its advantages and limitations are known. The aim of this review is to report the data, particularly from the last 5 years, on the use of BDG in haematological population. Published data report mainly on the performance of the Fungitell™ assay, although several others are currently available, and they vary in method and cut-off of positivity. The sensitivity of BDG for invasive fungal disease (IFD) in haematology patients seems lower than in other populations, possibly because of the type of IFD (lower sensitivity was found in case of aspergillosis compared to candidiasis and pneumocystosis) or the use of prophylaxis. The specificity of the test can be improved by using two consecutive positive assays and avoiding testing in the case of the concomitant presence of factors associated with false positive results. BDG should be used in combination with clinical assessment and other diagnostic tests, both radiological and mycological, to provide maximum information. Good performance of BDG in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has been reported. BDG is a useful diagnostic method in haematology patients, particularly for pneumocystosis or initial diagnosis of invasive fungal infections.

Incidence and Risk Factors for Inappropriate Use of Non-Culture-Based Fungal Assays: Implication for Diagnostic Stewardship.

BackgroundNon-culture-based fungal assays (NCBFAs) have been used increasingly to help diagnose invasive fungal diseases. However, little is known about inappropriate use of NCBFAs. We aimed to investigate inappropriate use of NCBFAs in a tertiary academic hospital.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study included patients who underwent testing with beta-D glucan (BDG) between January and March 2018 or with galactomannan antigen (GMA) or cryptococcal antigen (CRAG) between January and June 2018. Testing was deemed appropriate if the clinical presentation was compatible with a fungal infection and there was a predisposing host factor at the time of ordering. We compared patients with appropriate and inappropriate use of NCBFAs using multivariate logistic regression analysis.ResultsFour hundred seventy patients (BDG, 394; GMA, 138; CRAG, 164) met inclusion criteria and were evaluated. About 80% of NCBFAs were deemed inappropriate. Ordering by transplant medicine physicians, repetitions of the test, the absence of predisposing factors for fungal infections, and the absence of recommendations from infectious diseases consultants were associated with an increased risk of inappropriate NCBFA use.ConclusionsWe found that a large proportion of NCBFAs were deemed inappropriate. There is an opportunity for diagnostic stewardship to reduce avoidable fungal testing among patients at low risk for fungal infection.

984. Diagnostic Utility of Bronchoalveolar Lavage Pneumocystis jirovecii DNA Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay in Patients with Hematological Malignancies and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation

Abstract Background Pneumocystis jirovecii, an ubiquitous fungus, can lead to opportunistic pneumonia (PJP) in patients with hematological malignancies (HM) and hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) with mild to severe presentation. Unlike patients with HIV, diagnosis of PJP pneumonia is often challenging in patients with HM/HCT possibly related to lower fungal burden versus atypical presentation. The gold standard for diagnosis of PJP from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) is cytology, followed by direct fluorescent antigen (DFA), however, in the context of lower fungal burden, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is increasingly used. PCR DNA load cut-off for diagnosis of PJP is not established. The objective of this study is to assess the correlation between three tests (cytology, DFA and PCR) and diagnosis of PJP (colonization, possible, probable or proven infection). Methods In this retrospective study at City of Hope, HM/HCT patients with BALF performed to investigate pneumonia who tested positive for any of the 3 tests were included. The study period is from July 2014 to July 2020. All patients had a clinical and radiographic diagnosis of pneumonia. Results Eighty-five patients were identified to have at least one positive diagnostic test for PJP. Twenty (23.5%) patients had a PCR with less than 84 copies/mL, and colonization was suspected in these patients. Of the remaining 65 patients, 46 had all 3 tests done. Twenty seven (58.7%) patients only had positive PCR ranging from 106 to 588,000 copies/mL with negative DFA and cytology. Twelve (26.1%) patients had either DFA or cytology positive with a positive PCR, and in 6 patients (13%) all 3 tests were positive. All of these 18 patients had clinical presentation and radiographic findings consistent with PJP. Quantitative or qualitative serum beta-D-glucan (BDG) level was available in 28 patients and 17 had a positive test with a level &amp;gt;80 pg/ml. Conclusion PJP PCR is a very sensitive test that can lead to early detection of PJP pneumonia in HM/HCT with lower sensitivity of DFA/cytology unless the fungal burden is high. However, the optimal cut off PCR value associated with disease needs to be clinically validated in our patient population and a concurrent serum BDG level can increase diagnostic yield. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

336. COVID-19 and Pneumocystis jiroveci Pneumonia

BackgroundMore accounts of opportunistic infection in COVID-19 patients are emerging. At our institution, we identified 2 COVID-19 patients with Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PJP) opportunistic infection. This prompted a review of the literature to identify trends in patient characteristics, risk factors, and outcomes in this population. MethodsA literature review was conducted using PubMed that identified 13 other patients with both COVID-19 and PJP infection. Age, gender, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status, other immunocompromised states, time between COVID-19 and PJP diagnosis, and clinical outcomes were captured for analysis. ResultsEleven patients were male. The average age was 56 years. All but 2 patients were immunocompromised. At time of PJP diagnosis, seven patients had newly diagnosed HIV and one had known, well-controlled HIV. One patient had rheumatoid arthritis receiving leflunomide, 1 had ulcerative colitis receiving budesonide and sulfasalazine, 2 patients had multiple myeloma whereby both were on lenalidomide, 1 patient was a renal transplant recipient immunosuppressed on tacrolimus, mycophenolate, and methylprednisolone, and 1 patient had chronic lymphocytic leukemia getting fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab. Nine patients had positive COVID-19 and PJP tests performed within 7 days of one another. One patient tested positive for PJP 54 days into admission for COVID-19. This patient received high dose steroids and tocilizumab for initial COVID-19 infection. Three patients were re-hospitalized with PJP after a recent admission for COVID-19 pneumonia, with a mean time to readmission of 25 days. One of these 3 patients had no treatment for COVID-19, while 2 received steroids. Five of the total 15 patients (33%) died. ConclusionCOVID-19 treatments with high dose steroids and tocilizumab can make patients vulnerable for opportunistic infection with PJP. Furthermore, COVID-19 is known to cause lymphopenia which may further increase this risk. A diagnosis of concomitant PJP can be especially challenging due to nearly identical radiographical findings. Serum beta-D glucan and HIV testing can be especially helpful in this situation, and there should be a low threshold for performing bronchoalveolar lavage.Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Beneficial immune-regulatory effects of novel strains of Aureobasidium pullulans AFO-202 and N-163 produced beta glucans in Sprague Dawley rats

The beneficial immunomodulation effects of a biological response modifier glucan (BRMG) produced by two strains of Aureobasidium pullulans, AFO-202 and N-163, have already been reported. Herein, we compared their efficacy on immune-inflammatory parameters in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. This study was performed on four groups of healthy SD rats, n=6 in each group: Group 1, euthanised on Day 0 for baseline values; Group 2, control (drinking water); Group 3, AFO-202 beta glucan, 200 mg/kg/day; and Group 4, N-163 beta glucan, 300 mg/kg/day. The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) decreased and leukocyte-to C-reactive protein ratio (LeCR) increased in Group 3 (AFO-202) at 15 and 29 days whereas the lymphocyte to C-reactive protein ratio (LCR) increased in group 4 (N-163), within the normal physiological range. These promising results warrant further investigations in larger numbers of healthy and diseased models to develop appropriate strategies for balancing immune system dysregulation.

Low cut-off value of serum (1,3)-beta-d-glucan for the diagnosis of Pneumocystis pneumonia in non-HIV patients: a retrospective cohort study

BackgroundNon-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is a fulminant disease with an increasing incidence. The serum beta-d-glucan (BDG) assay is used as an adjunct to the diagnosis of PCP; however, the cut-off value for this assay is not well-defined, especially in the non-HIV PCP population. Therefore, we aimed to identify the assay cut-off value for this population.MethodsIn this retrospective observational study, we reviewed the medical records of all patients (≥ 18 years old) with clinical suspicion of PCP who underwent evaluation of respiratory tract specimens between December 2008 and June 2014 at Kameda Medical Center. We created a receiver operating characteristic curve and calculated the area under the curve to determine the cut-off value for evaluating the inspection accuracy of the BDG assay.ResultsA total of 173 patients were included in the study. Fifty patients showed positive results in specimen staining, loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay, and polymerase chain reaction test, while 123 patients showed negative results. The receiver operating characteristic analyses suggested that the BDG cut-off level was 8.5 pg/mL, with a sensitivity and specificity of 76% and 76%, respectively.ConclusionsThe Wako-BDG cut-off value for the diagnosis of non-HIV PCP is 8.5 pg/mL, which is lower than the classical cut-off value from previous studies. Clinicians should potentially consider this lower BDG cut-off value in the diagnosis and management of patients with non-HIV PCP.Trial registration: The participants were retrospectively registered.

Yeast Beta-Glucans Ingestion Does Not Influence Body Weight: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Pre-Clinical Studies.

Dietary fiber supplementation has been studied as a promising strategy in the treatment of obesity and its comorbidities. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to verify whether the consumption of yeast beta-glucan (BG) favors weight loss in obese and non-obese rodents. The PICO strategy was employed, investigating rodents (Population), subjected to the oral administration of yeast BG (Intervention) compared to animals receiving placebo (Comparison), evaluating body weight changes (Outcome), and based on preclinical studies (Study design). Two reviewers searched six databases and the grey literature. We followed the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, and the protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021267788). The search returned 2467 articles. Thirty articles were selected for full-text evaluation, and seven studies remained based on the eligibility criteria. The effects of BG intake on body weight were analyzed based on obese (n = 4 studies) and non-obese animals (n = 4 studies). Even though most studies on obese rodents (75%) indicated a reduction in body weight (qualitative analysis), the meta-analysis showed this was not significant (mean difference −1.35 g—95% CI −5.14:2.45). No effects were also observed for non-obese animals. We concluded that the ingestion of yeast BG barely affects the body weight of obese and non-obese animals.

Multiple Sclerosis, Chlamydia and Gut Disbiosis

I believe that multiple sclerosis progression could be stopped through antibiotics, dewormers, beta glucans and garlic extract and, by far the most difficult, changing the quality of the water ingested, or used for washing salads, in addition to increasing the consumption of probiotics. I believe that MS sclerosis is due to the unfortunate encounter of 3 diseases: intestinal dysbiosis, chlamydia infections and orthopedic problems. However, how would these three diseases cause demyelination of nerve fibers?

Pulmonary eosinophilia may indicate onset stage of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis

BackgroundAllergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) and chronic eosinophilic pneumonia (CEP) both display peripheral eosinophilia as well as pulmonary infiltration, together described as pulmonary eosinophilia, and differentiation is sometimes problematic. This study therefore examined the distinctions between ABPA with and without CEP-like shadows.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study from a single center included 25 outpatients (median age, 65 years) with ABPA diagnosed between April 2015 and March 2019, using criteria proposed by the International Society of Human and Animal Mycology (ISHAM), which focuses on positive specific IgE for Aspergillus fumigatus. Patients were assigned to either the eosinophilic pneumonia (EP) group or Non-EP group, defined according to findings on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). The EP group included patients with HRCT findings compatible with CEP; i.e., the presence of peripheral consolidation (p-consolidation) or ground-glass opacities (GGO), with no evidence of high-attenuation mucus. The Non-EP group comprised the remaining patients, who showed classical findings of ABPA such as mucoid impaction. Differences between the groups were analyzed.ResultsBaseline characteristics, frequency of a history of CEP (EP, 50% vs. Non-EP, 26%) and tentative diagnosis of CEP before diagnosis of ABPA (67% vs. 16%) did not differ significantly between groups. Although elevated absolute eosinophil count and Aspergillus-specific immunoglobulin E titers did not differ significantly between groups, the Non-EP group showed a strong positive correlation between these values (R = 0.7878, p = 0.0003). The Non-EP group displayed significantly higher levels of the fungal marker beta-D glucan (median, 11.7 pg/ml; interquartile range, 6.7–18.4 pg/ml) than the EP group (median, 6.6 pg/ml; interquartile range, 5.2–9.3 pg/ml). Both groups exhibited frequent recurrence of shadows on X-rays but no cases in the EP group had progressed to the Non-EP group at the time of relapse.ConclusionsThe ABPA subgroup with imaging findings resembling CEP experienced frequent recurrences, as in typical ABPA. In pulmonary eosinophilia, even if there are no shadows indicating apparent mucous change, the Aspergillus-specific immunoglobulin E level is important in obtaining an accurate diagnosis and in the selection of appropriate therapies for this type of ABPA.

Effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell wall addition on feed digestibility, fecal fermentation and microbiota and immunological parameters in adult cats

BackgroundThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of increasing dosages of a commercial product composed by Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast (YAM), with active metabolites, which are beta glucans, nucleotides, organic acids, polyphenols, amino acids, vitamins and minerals (Original XPCtm, Diamond V, IOWA, USA) added to a commercially available dry cat food. Apparent digestibility of dietary nutrients, fecal microbiota, fecal fermentation products and immunological parameters were evaluated. Twenty-seven healthy cats of mixed sexes, with a mean body weight of 4.19 ± 0.83 kg and a mean age of 9.44 ± 5.35 years were distributed by age in an unbalanced randomized block design, consisting of three experimental treatments: CD (control diet), YAM 0.3 (control diet with 0.3% yeast with active metabolites) and YAM 0.6 (control diet with 0.6% yeast with active metabolites).ResultsThe inclusion of the additive elevated the apparent digestibility of crude fiber (p = 0.013) and ash (p < 0.001) without interfering feed consumption, fecal production and fecal characteristics. Regarding fermentation products present in the feces, prebiotic inclusion increased lactic acid concentration (p = 0.004) while reducing isovaleric acid (p = 0.014), only in the treatment YAM 0.3. No differences were noticed on biogenic amines (BA), fecal pH, ammonia concentration, total and individuals short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and total and individuals branched-chain fatty acids (BCFA) (except isovaleric acid in YAM 0.3). As regards to fecal microbiota, prebiotic inclusion has resulted in the reduction of Clostridium perfringens (p = 0.023). No differences were found in the immunological parameters evaluated.ConclusionIt can be concluded that the additive, at the levels of inclusion assessed shows prebiotic potential and it has effects on fecal fermentation products and microbiota without interfering on crude protein and dry matter digestibility. More studies evaluating grater inclusion levels of the prebiotic are necessary to determine optimal concentration.