Black Fungus Research Articles

Ultra-Fast, Unidirectional Water Absorption on Wood Ear.

Materials exhibiting rapid, unidirectional liquid absorption are desirable for comfort textiles and wound dressings. Implementing chemical or structural gradient along the vertical axis of substrates is an effective way to achieve such properties. Liquid's lateral spreading across the substrate affects area occurring vertical imbibition. However, the influence of lateral spreading on liquid's overall absorption remains unexplored. Findings on ultra-fast, unidirectional water absorption on the abhymenium of wood ear fungi are presented, featuring dense micro-sized hairs atop a porous sublayer containing smaller micro-/nano-pores. These hairs facilitate lateral spreading, and the gradient-sized structures from the surface hairs to the internal pores enhance capillary force, promoting efficient vertical imbibition. The synergistic wicking mechanism in both directions shortens absorption time of a 1-µL droplet by two orders of magnitude compared to a solely porous surface (35 ms vs 5.2 s). An artificial micro-pillar array on a porous substrate also exhibits ultra-fast, unidirectional water absorption. This study advances the understanding of liquid dynamics in porous media and provides a blueprint for engineering materials with superior liquid management.

Automated image registration of RGB, hyperspectral and chlorophyll fluorescence imaging data

BackgroundThe early and specific detection of abiotic and biotic stresses, particularly their combinations, is a major challenge for maintaining and increasing plant productivity in sustainable agriculture under changing environmental conditions. Optical imaging techniques enable cost-efficient and non-destructive quantification of plant stress states. Monomodal detection of certain stressors is usually based on non-specific/indirect features and therefore is commonly limited in their cross-specificity to other stressors. The fusion of multi-domain sensor systems can provide more potentially discriminative features for machine learning models and potentially provide synergistic information to increase cross-specificity in plant disease detection when image data are fused at the pixel level.ResultsIn this study, we demonstrate successful multi-modal image registration of RGB, hyperspectral (HSI) and chlorophyll fluorescence (ChlF) kinetics data at the pixel level for high-throughput phenotyping of A. thaliana grown in Multi-well plates and an assay with detached leaf discs of Rosa × hybrida inoculated with the black spot disease-inducing fungus Diplocarpon rosae. Here, we showcase the effects of (i) selection of reference image selection, (ii) different registrations methods and (iii) frame selection on the performance of image registration via affine transform. In addition, we developed a combined approach for registration methods through NCC-based selection for each file, resulting in a robust and accurate approach that sacrifices computational time. Since image data encompass multiple objects, the initial coarse image registration using a global transformation matrix exhibited heterogeneity across different image regions. By employing an additional fine registration on the object-separated image data, we achieved a high overlap ratio. Specifically, for the A. thaliana test set, the overlap ratios (ORConvex) were 98.0 ± 2.3% for RGB-to-ChlF and 96.6 ± 4.2% for HSI-to-ChlF. For the Rosa × hybrida test set, the values were 98.9 ± 0.5% for RGB-to-ChlF and 98.3 ± 1.3% for HSI-to-ChlF.ConclusionThe presented multi-modal imaging pipeline enables high-throughput, high-dimensional phenotyping of different plant species with respect to various biotic or abiotic stressors. This paves the way for in-depth studies investigating the correlative relationships of the multi-domain data or the performance enhancement of machine learning models via multi modal image fusion.

1,8-Dihydroxynaphthalene (DHN) melanin provides unequal protection to black fungi Knufia petricola and Cryomyces antarcticus from UV-B radiation.

Black fungi on rock surfaces endure a spectrum of abiotic stresses, including UV radiation. Their ability to tolerate extreme conditions is attributed to the convergent evolution of adaptive traits, primarily highly melanized cell walls. However, studies on fungal melanins have not provided univocal results on their photoprotective functions. Here, we investigated whether the black fungi Knufia petricola and Cryomyces antarcticus only use DHN melanin or may employ alternative mechanisms to counteract UV-induced damage. For this, melanized wild types and non-melanized Δpks1 mutants were exposed to different doses of UV-B (312 nm) followed by incubation in constant darkness or in light-dark cycles to allow light-dependent DNA repair by photolyases (photoreactivation). C. antarcticus could tolerate higher UV-B doses but was sensitive to white light, whereas K. petricola showed the opposite trend. DHN melanin provided UV-B protection in C. antarcticus, whereas the same pigment or even carotenoids proved ineffective in K. petricola. Both fungi demonstrated functional photoreactivation in agreement with the presence of photolyase-encoding genes. Our findings reveal that although the adaptive trait of DHN melanization commonly occurs across black fungi, it is not equally functional and that there are species-specific adaptations towards either UV-induced lesion avoidance or repair strategies.

Comparative Study on the Proximate Composition and Amino Acid Levels in Chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius) and Wood Ear (Auricularia auricula) Mushroom Samples

Mushrooms have been consumed by mankind for millennia. They are macrofungi with a distinctive fruiting body which can be hypogeous or epigeous, large enough to be seen with unaided eyes. They are not widely consumed due to lack of information on its nutritive value. Therefore, this research was carried out to compare the proximate gross energy composition as well as amino acids levels in two selected edible mushrooms (Cantharellus cibarius and Auricularia auricula). Fully matured species of Chanterelle mushroom (Cantherellus cibarius) and Wood ear mushroom (Auricularia auricula) were collected from different parts of Southern and Northern Cross River; Ikom and Bekwara precisely. The collected samples were air dried for 5 days and then stored in transparent polythene bag for analysis. The dried and stored mushroom were pounded to powdered form and then subjected to amino acid analysis using isocratic HPLC and proximate analysis for proximate composition using the standard methods of Association of Official Analytical Chemist (AOAC). The results of this research showed that chanterelle mushroom has high concentration of amino acids compared to Wood ear mushroom. However, there was significant differences (p<0.05) in the levels of isoleucine in both mushrooms. There were no significant differences in the proximate composition and gross energy levels of both mushroom species. Some of the amino acids detected in both mushrooms were: methionine, threonine, isoleucine, leucine, phenylalanine, valine, tryptophan, histidine, arginine, aspartic acid, glycine, alanine and glutamic acid. Based on the findings of this study, the two edible mushrooms were observed to have appreciable levels of gross energy and amino acids. However, Chanterelle mushroom had higher protein composition than wood ear. Hence, it can be concluded that Chanterelle mushroom has greater nutritive value and more suitable for consumption.

The protective effect of Auricularia auricula polysaccharides on cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression and intestinal injury: A fecal microbiota transplantation study

Auricularia auricula polysaccharides (AHP) have potential immunomodulatory activities. However, the relationship between polysaccharides, intestinal microbiota, and immune activity remains unclear. Therefore, to explore this relationship, we performed immunosuppressive donor, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), and pseudo-sterile mouse validation experiments. Our results showed that AHP enhanced immunomodulatory activity, as evidenced by the alleviation of cyclophosphamide (Cy)-induced body weight loss, spleen and thymus atrophy, and splenic and colonic lesions. Additionally, AHP effectively regulated antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, T-AOC, CAT, GSH-Px), lipid peroxidation product content (MDA), levels of immune factors (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6), immunoglobulins (sIgA), and the expression of tight junction proteins (Muc2, ZO-1, Occuldin, and Claudin-1) in the colon of immunosuppressed mice. FMT results demonstrated that FAHP displayed superior immunomodulatory ability and could further affect the abundance of Dehydroepiandrosterone, Prostaglandin E2, Cholesterol and Pregnenolone by increasing the abundance of unclassified_Muribaculaceae, Desulfovibrio, Alloprevotella, and unclassified_Oscillospiraceae and decreasing that of Staphylococcus, Bacteroides, and Corynebacterium. Pseudo-sterilization experiments showed that AHP was unable to increase antioxidant enzyme activity, reduce lipid peroxidation content, or promote the release of immune factors. In brief, AHP did not alleviate Cy-induced immunosuppression after microbiota elimination. In summary, AHP exerted a protective effect against Cy-induced immunosuppression and intestinal damage by modulating intestinal microbiota and its metabolites. These findings provide new insights into the mechanisms by which AHP, as a functional food or drug, promotes immune response regulation and maintains intestinal health.

Biological Activities and Chemical Contents of Edible Hohenbuehelia petaloides (Bull.) Schulzer.

Mushrooms are a good diet with high protein and polyunsaturated fatty acid contents in health, food, and industry from past to present. Mushrooms have attracted a lot of attention in terms of the bioavailability of natural products. Hohenbuehelia petaloides, a member of the Pleuroteceae family, is an edible wood fungus that grows naturally on the trunks of old and decayed trees. In this study, the cytotoxic activities of hexane, methanol, and water extracts of H. petaloides against various cancer cell lines A549, MCF-7, PC-3, and HT-29 were investigated with the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-dipenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. In addition, the apoptotic, inflammatory, angiogenic, and antimicrobial effects of the extracts were examined by flow cytometry, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and well diffusion assays, respectively. Moreover, the antioxidant activity and phenolic and lipid components of H. petaloides were determined. The hexane extract showed the highest cytotoxic activity (IC50 = 26.48 ± 0.02 μg/mL) against A549 cells, while water and methanol extracts exhibited the highest cytotoxicity (IC50 = 83.18 ± 0.05 μg/mL and IC50 = 90.95 ± 0.05 μg/mL, respectively) against PC-3 cells. The hexane extract killed A549 cells via apoptosis. The methanol extract, at the IC50 level, was the most effective in decreasing both tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) release. In antioxidant activity tests performed with 5 different methods, the methanol extract had higher antioxidant activity than the others, followed by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical (IC50 = 82.61 ± 0.90 μg/mL) and 2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) cation radical removal (IC50 = 55.20 ± 0.65 μg/mL) and CUPRAC-reducing power (IC50 = 76.41 ± 0.73 μg/mL). Among the extracts studied, the hexane extract showed antimicrobial activity against Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and Micrococcus luteus with different inhibition zones. The major lipid components of H. petaloides analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) were elaidic acid (38.22%), palmitic acid (30.59%), stearic acid (13.21%), linoleic acid (4.35%), and azelaic acid (4.29%). The phenolic compounds determined by the high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode-array detection (HPLC-DAD) system were p-hydroxybenzoic acid (7.42 μg/g extract), cinnamic acid (6.83 μg/g extract), gallic acid (5.36 μg/g extract), and protocatechuic acid (1.83 μg/g extract). The results showed that H. petaloides has the potential to be a natural source for the development of novel anticancer and antimicrobial agents as well as a beneficial food supplement for the prevention of cancer.

Auricularia Auricula Polysaccharide-Mediated Green Synthesis of Highly Stable Au NPs

Polysaccharide-functionalized gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) exhibit a promising application in biomedical fields due to their excellent stability and functional properties. The Au NPs from Auricularia auricula polysaccharide (AAP) were successfully synthesized using a straightforward method. By controlling the mass fraction of AAP, pH, reaction temperature, reaction time, and concentration of gold precursor, the highly dispersed spherical AAP-functionalized Au NPs (AAP-Au NPs) were prepared. The Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) indicated that the synthesis mechanism of AAP-Au NPs was as follows: the molecular chain of AAP undergoes a glycosidic bond breakage to expose the reduction terminus in the presence of gold precursor, which reduced Au(III) to Au(0), and itself was oxidized to carboxylate compounds for maintaining the stability of AAP-Au NPs. Additionally, based on the electrostatic interactions and steric forces, as-prepared AAP-Au NPs exhibit excellent stability at various pH (5–11), temperature (25–60 °C), 5 mmol/L glutathione, and 0.1 mol/L Na+ and K+ solutions. Furthermore, AAP-Au NPs retained the ability to scavenge DDPH and ABTS radicals, which is expected to expand the application of Au NPs in biomedical fields.

Effect of microwave-puffed on Auricularia auricula polysaccharide and probiotic fermentation on its biotransformation and quality characteristics during storage period

In this study, probiotics with superior fermentation performance were screened, and the mixed-bacteria fermentation was carried out with Auricularia auricula treated with microwave-puffed process as fermentation substrate, and the changes in nutritional quality under different storage conditions were investigated. The results showed that the acid and bile salt resistance of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 21,801 and 21,805 reached 95 % and 75 % respectively, and the intestinal adhesion was superior; microwave puffing treatment had the highest retention rate of A. auricula polysaccharides and the lowest loss of polyphenols, and no effect on soluble protein. Mixed bacterial fermentation significantly increased the total polyphenols and total flavonoids of A. auricula (p < 0.05), and the DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging reached 48.31 % and 73.21 % respectively. Furthermore, the viable counts, DPPH radical scavenging, color, and sensory quality of fermented A. auricula remained stable when stored at 4 °C. In contrast, when stored at 25 °C for 7 days, the taste was unfavorable, undesirable odor and spoilage occurred; by 21 days, DPPH clearance rate dropped below 40 % and color changed significantly (△E > 2). In conclusion, the probiotic mixed fermentation and storage conditions had a significant effect on the biometabolic transformation of macromolecules and other substances in A. auricula.

The Biphasic Activity of Auricularia Auricula-Judae Extract on Bone Homeostasis Through Inhibition of Osteoclastogenesis and Modulation of Osteogenic Activity.

Osteoporosis arises from the disturbance of bone homeostasis, a process regulated by osteoblasts and osteoclasts. The treatment and prevention of bone metabolic disorders resulting from an imbalance in bone homeostasis require the use of agents that effectively promote both bone formation and anti-resorptive effects. Therefore, an investigation was carried out to determine the potential of the edible mushroom Auricularia auricula-judae in modulating bone remodeling by inhibiting RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis and enhancing BMP-2-stimulated osteoblast differentiation. Moreover, this study assessed the mode of action of the Auricularia auricula-judae extracts. The staining of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), a marker for osteoclast activity, demonstrated that Auricularia auricula-judae water extract (AAJWE) inhibited the formation of multinucleated osteoclasts while exhibiting no cytotoxic effects. The study demonstrated that AAJWE reduced RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation by inhibiting c-Fos/NFATc1 through the inhibition of ERK and JNK phosphorylation during the RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation. Moreover, AAJWE exhibited a dose-dependent induction of ALP expression in the presence of BMP-2 during osteoblast differentiation. The AAJWE strengthened BMP-2-induced osteogenesis through the activation of Runx2 and Smad phosphorylation. Therefore, AAJWE emerges as a promising candidate for both prevention and therapy owing to its biphasic effect, which aids in the preservation of bone homeostasis.

Enhanced preservation of cut rose flowers through bacterial nanocellulose produced from legume wastewater and fortified with Auricularia auricula polysaccharide

Cut flowers of Rosa hybrida 'Lychee' are susceptible to rapid decay, resulting in a brief shelf life, a inherent feature to their floral physiology. This study evaluated the effects of bacterial nanocellulose (BNC), which was produced from the legume processing wastewater and loaded with Auricularia auricula polysaccharide and 8-hydroxyquinoline, in extending the shelf life of these cut rose flowers. Water-retaining cotton and floral foam blocks were employed as control materials. The bacterial strain Komagataeibacter rhaeticus CP050139.1 yielded BNC from legume waste at a rate comparable to that from a glucose-based medium: 0.107±0.004 g L−1 d−1 versus 0.157±0.004 g L−1 d−1, respectively. Characterization via FE-SEM, FT-IR, TGA, and XRD confirmed that the BNC from both sources exhibited similar microscopic morphology, chemical composition, thermal stability, and crystallinity. The use of BNC, particularly when enriched with Auricularia auricula polysaccharide (AAP), extended the shelf life of cut roses by 50 % and significantly minimized fresh weight loss in comparison to the control materials. BNC's superior water-holding capacity — 42.7 times greater than that of water-retaining cotton — proved advantages for maintaining hydration and preventing wilting during transportation. This study underscored the potential of BNC hydrogel, sourced from legume processing wastewater, as an innovative, effective, and environmentally sustainable solution for preserving cut rose flowers, promoting the recycling of agricultural by products and enhancing the preservation of horticultural products.

Investigation and determination of CoQ10(H2) and CoQ10(H4) species from black yeast-like fungi and filamentous fungi.

Coenzyme Q (CoQ) or ubiquinone functions as an electron transporter in the electron transport system in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The isoprenyl side chain of CoQ is modified in some organisms, especially in fungi, for optimal electron transport performance under various conditions. In this study, we investigated the side chain saturated dihydro CoQ (CoQ10(H2)) in Aureobasidium pullulans EXF-150, Sydowia polyspora NBRC 30562, and naturally isolated Plowrightia sp. A37, all of which are melanized Dothideomycetes species within the Ascomycota, and also in filamentous fungi Aspergillus oryzae and Aspergillus terreus. Plowrightia sp. A37 produced the rarely synthesized tetrahydro type CoQ10(H4), especially in glucose-rich medium, during extended cultivation in contrast to CoQ10(H2) in time-limited cultivation. Using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, we identified demethoxyubiquinone-H2 (DMQ(H2)) as an indicative intermediate that suggests that the side chain-saturation of CoQ occurs after the formation of DMQ and not always in the last step as previously considered.

Glucono-δ-lactone induced Auricularia auricula polysaccharide-casein composite gels for curcumin loading and delivery

Polysaccharides could be used to form the network structure of casein (CA) gel, and affect its gelling properties. Auricularia auricula polysaccharide (AAP) has good gel properties and activity, however, how the AAP affects gelling properties of CA gels remains unclear. In this study, AAP and CA were acid-induced by glucono-δ-lactone (GDL) to prepare composite gels for curcumin loading. The effects of different AAP additions on the gel structure were emphasized. Water holding capacity, rheology, texture profile analysis, sulfhydryl content, surface hydrophobicity and gel microstructure showed that the composite gels were most structurally stable upon addition of 0.4 % AAP. The composite gels exhibited a higher strength and a more regular network structure compared to the CA gels. The results of turbidity studies showed that CA and AAP formed gels through electrostatic interactions due to pH < pI. The results of FT-IR, X-ray diffraction, fluorescence spectroscopy, and UV–Vis spectroscopy indicated that curcumin interacted with the CA and was successfully encapsulated within the gel. In addition, in vitro simulated digestion experiments demonstrated that the composite gels exhibited better protection against curcumin than the single CA gel. The results suggested that composite gels can be used as a curcumin carrier, which may enhance its wider application in the food and health industries.

Auricularia auricula polysaccharide alleviates cyclophosphamide-induced liver injury in mice involving remodeling of the gut bacteriome, mycobiome, and metabolome

In this study, a novel polysaccharide (AHP) from Auricularia auricula was isolated and purified, showing protective effects against CTX-induced liver injury in mice. To study the action mechanism of AHP, a liver injury model was established by intraperitoneally injection 80 mg/kg of CTX for 3 consecutive days. The focus was on how AHP regulated the gut bacteriome and mycobiome to help alleviate metabolic disorders associated with liver injury. Results showed that AHP amended liver injury by improving liver function, stabilizing oxidative stress homeostasis, reducing inflammatory invasion and activating Akt/GSK3β/Nrf-2/HO-1 signaling pathway. The 16S ribosomal DNA (16S rDNA) and Internal Transcribed Spacer-1 (ITS1) sequencing results demonstrated that AHP supplementation significantly restored the gut bacteriome and mycobiome composition in CTX-induced liver injury mice, by enriching the abundance of beneficial bacteriome (unclassified_Muribaculaceae, Faecalibaculum and Alloprevotella) and mycobiome (Fusarium), reducing the abundance of harmful bacteriome (Akkermanisa) and mycobiome (Fusicolla and Cladosporium). Analysis of untargeted metabolomics indicated that AHP altered the levels of metabolites associated with both bile acid and arachidonic acid metabolism, showing a significant connection to the AHP-regulated bacteriome and mycobiome. To conclude, the findings suggested that AHP was a viable and secure candidate for use as a hepatoprotective medication.

Clinicopathological Study of Mucormycosis at Varied Sites During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Mucormycosis, also known as black fungus, is a rare but serious fungal infection caused by mucor that belongs to Zygomycotic species. Mucor is characterized by non-septate, irregularly wide hyphae with right-angle branching. Mucor can infect different systems of the body and manifest differently depending on the location of the infection, which includes pulmonary, gastrointestinal, rhino-cerebral, and cutaneous. The study aims to analyze the incidence, clinical history, and microscopic features associated with mucormycosis in the COVID-19 pandemic at our institute. This is a prospective study conducted in the Department of Pathology for three years from March 2020 to April 2022. The samples were collected from different clinical departments mostly from Surgery and Radiology. These samples were fixed in 10% formalin, processed,stained with hematoxylin and eosin(H&E) and were analysed. A total of 69 cases were included in the study. The age range was 25-80 years and male preponderance was seen with an M:F ratio of 2.6:1. Diabetes was the most common risk factor seen in 53 (77%) casesfollowed by post-COVID-19 status in 49 (71%) cases. The most common site was paranasal sinuses (58, 84%) followed by orbit (eight, 11%) and two (2.8%) cases each of lung and bone. Fifty (72.4%)cases showed necrosis and 10 (14.5%)cases showed granulomatous inflammation. Angioinvasion was seen in 27 (39%) cases, bony invasion was seen in 26 (37.6%) cases and perineural invasion was seen in one (1.4%) case. We had three (4.3%) cases of mixed fungal infection (mucor and Aspergillus). This study describes the clinical site of presentation and histopathological features of mucormycosis.

A 3-step load-wash-elute solid-phase extraction tandem dedicated clean-up cartridge prior to UPLC-MS/MS for the simultaneous determination of bongkretic acid, isobongkretic acid and toxoflavin in edible mushrooms and rice noodles

A 3-step load-wash-elute solid-phase extraction tandem dedicated clean-up cartridge prior to UPLC-MS/MS for the simultaneous determination of bongkretic acid, isobongkretic acid and toxoflavin in food is presented in this work. The 3-step load-wash-elute SPE strategy with PRiME HLB, eliminating conditioning and equilibration, and coupled with dedicated purification cartridge, PriboFast MFC 336, was used as a tandem cartridge for sample pretreatment. Various sample pretreatment conditions including sample extractant, the tandem cartridge, the optimizatioin of PRiME HLB SPE conditions and PriboFast MFC 336 purification conditions, as well as MS/MS conditions and HPLC conditions were systematically investigated. Under the optimal experimental conditions, high sensitivity (LODs: 0.030–0.040 μg kg−1, LOQs: 0.090–0.12 μg kg−1), acceptable recoveries (83 %–96 %) and good precisions (r2 < 6.0 %) were obtained. The method was successfully applied to 90 food samples, bongkretic acid and isobongkretic acid were detected simultaneously in a dried black fungus, whereas toxoflavin was not detected in any of the samples.

Clinical and pathological features of cerebrospinal meningitis caused by Pantoea agglomerans : a case report

BackgroundPantoea agglomerans (P. agglomerans) is a gram-negative bacterium that is commonly isolated from plant surfaces, seeds, and the environment. As an opportunistic pathogen, it can cause blood, urinary and soft tissue infections in immunocompromised patients. In central nervous system, P. agglomerans infection has been report in children and immune-compromised patients, however, infection by such bacterium in nontraumatized immune competent adults has not been reported. Here, we report a case of P. agglomerans cerebrospinal meningitis accompanied by positive anti-myeloperoxidase (MPO) antibody in a 49-year-old female who has a history of black fungus planting.Case presentationThe patient manifested with repeated fever, headache, generalized muscle pain, and neurological defects. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tests revealed a moderately elevated number of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (50–193 × 106/L), low glucose levels (0.54–2.44 mmo1/L), and extremely high protein content (2.42–25.42 g/L). Blood tests showed positive anti-myeloperoxidase antibodies lasting for 1.5 year before turning negative. Spine MRI showed thickening and enhancement of the whole spinal meninges. CSF metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) revealed 75,189 specific DNA reads of P. agglomerans. The patient underwent spinal laminectomy due to meningeal adhesions. Pathological results revealed fibrous tissue proliferation, inflammatory infiltration with focal necrosis and calcification in the dura mater. The patient was successfully treated with sufficient antibiotics at 1-year follow-up.ConclusionsPeople should be alert to CNS infections caused by P. agglomerans which presented with relatively mild clinical symptoms at onset, especially for those who contucts relevant agricultural and forestry work. The CSF characterization of P. agglomerans meningitis is elevated multiple nuclei white blood cells, significantly reduced glucose content, and markedly increased protein level which may be related to the secondary spinal membrane adhesions.

Cultivation of a Wild Strain of Wood Ear Auricularia cornea from Brazil.

Auricularia cornea has become one of the most important cultivated mushrooms worldwide. Although not remarkably flavorful, Auricularia species are very versatile and rehydrate easily after drying, adding a unique and pleasing texture to the dishes. In this study, we collected, identified, and domesticated a wild strain of A. cornea from the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest. The wild strain was evaluated for mycelial growth at different temperatures and substrates, biological efficiency, and nutritional composition. The temperature that best favored the A. cornea mycelium growth was 30°C, and the substrate was sterile Eucalyptus sawdust. The highest biological efficiency value obtained was 106.90 ± 13.28%. Nutritional analysis showed that the produced wood ears contained 71.02% carbohydrates, 19.63% crude fiber, 11.59% crude protein, 10.19% crude fat, and 4.24% ash on dry matter basis. For the mineral content profile, the elements K and P were the most abundant. This is the first report on cultivation of a wild strain of A. cornea from Brazil.

The effect of ionizing radiation on hydrated fungal cells: Implications for planetary protection and mars habitability

Liquid water is one of the essential conditions for life as we know it. Its presence has been currently reported beyond Earth. Geological and mineralogical evidence indicates that water once flowed on Mars. The recent discovery of present ice-water on the planet's surface is one of the driving factors for life-detection missions. The highly radiative Martian surface, combined with aqueous thin layers, is prohibitive for the presence of hypothetical forms of terrestrial-like life on the planet. In this context, we examined the survival of hydrated colonies of the Antarctic black fungus Cryomyces antarcticus, which thrives in the extreme environment of McMurdo Dry Valleys in Antarctica, after the exposure to increasing doses of space relevant γ-rays. Results suggest that water significantly reduces the number of survivors at the lowest doses, while at the higher dose (117 kGy) the cumulative damage caused by radiation could no longer be counteracted by dehydration.

A two-stage image segmentation method for harvest order decision of wood ear mushroom

A two-stage image segmentation method for harvest order decision of wood ear mushroom

Neglected Pulmonary Infection Caused by Exophiala dermatitidis Misidentified as Rhodotorula spp.

Exophiala dermatitidis is an emerging black fungus that causes pulmonary infections that may be underestimated by conventional culture methods. We encountered one case that initially appeared to be yeast and was misidentified as Rhodotorula spp. using a commercial identification kit. Thus, genetic identification and clinical background investigations were conducted on 46 strains of Rhodotorula spp. The sequences of the internal transcribed spacer and large-subunit RNA genes (D1/D2 regions) of 43 isolates, excluding two environmental isolates and one difficult-to-culture isolate, were determined and genetically identified. Notably, 22 isolates were identified as E. dermatitidis and misidentified as Rhodotorula spp. using the conventional method. Based on the exclusion criteria, the clinical information of 11 patients was retrospectively reviewed. Five cases (definite) had definite exacerbation of pulmonary infections due to E. dermatitidis, and six cases (possible) had undeniable infections. Of the 11 cases of pulmonary infection suggested to be caused by E. dermatitidis, comorbidities included two cases of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA), three cases of pulmonary non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infection and one case of pulmonary nocardiosis, suggesting a trend towards simultaneous detection of chronic pulmonary infections. Steroid and immunosuppressive drug use was observed in five cases, and β-D-glucan elevation was observed in three of five definite cases of pulmonary infections due to E. dermatitidis. The possibility of E. dermatitidis infection should be considered when Rhodotorula spp. are isolated from cultures of airway-derived specimens, and, in addition to CPA and NTM, identification of E. dermatitidis may be important in chronic pulmonary infections.