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Purpose: Invasive aspergillosis is a major threat to immunocompromised individuals. Galactomannan (GM) is used as a biomarker for invasive aspergillosis. Investigations recommended in current guidelines include GM testing of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids. GM testing of endotracheal aspirate, the sampling of which is less invasive, less resource-intensive and less aerosol-generating, is not validated. We compared the performance of endotracheal aspirate GM as a screening tool to predict BAL fluid GM-positivity in patients with suspected invasive aspergillosis. Methods: Of each patient, a pair of corresponding endotracheal aspirate and BAL fluid samples was tested and compared for GM results. Two sample sets were included. The first consisted of 140 consecutive BAL fluid/endotracheal aspirate pairs obtained from 133 patients. The pairs of the second sample set (n = 38) were selected based on the criterion that the BAL tested positive for GM. All specimens were obtained in a German 2,000 bed tertiary care center. Results: Among BAL fluid GM-positive samples, endotracheal aspirate GM demonstrated poor specificity (72%) but high sensitivity (92% in predicting BAL fluid GM of ≥ 0.50 and 91% for BAL fluid GM of ≥ 1.00) and an excellent negative predictive value (98%). The use of a marginally elevated cutoff of 0.63 resulted in an improved specificity (72–81%), without loss of sensitivity. Conclusions: For screening purposes, one might consider testing endotracheal aspirate for GM, which could help avoid unnecessary BAL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has recently been a significant growth in research exploring natural-based coagulant due to its various benefits to decrease or even substitute inorganic chemical coagulants. Due to their abundance, polysaccharide-based coagulant and coagulant aid are promising sources. This study reports the utilization of galactomannan extracted from spent coffee grounds as a natural coagulant aid in coagulation of Congo red synthetic wastewater. Galactomannan was extracted using water and separated by adding ethanol. The obtained galactomannan powder was subsequently characterized. The coagulation study was conducted by using the standard jar test apparatus at a fixed dosage of FeCl3 (160 mg/L) and a pH of 6. The effect of galactomannan as a coagulant aid was observed by varying the galactomannan dosage and Congo red concentration. This revealed that galactomannan as a coagulant aid could increase the removal of Congo red, amounting to a 30–90% removal, depending on the Congo red concentration, compared to using FeCl3 only (0–65%). The coagulation adsorption study was also investigated using several isotherm models. This showed that the Congo red coagulation using FeCl3 only followed the Langmuir isotherm, indicating the monolayer–homogeneous formation during the coagulation. With the presence of galactomannan the coagulation was best described by the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller isotherm, indicating multilayer–heterogeneous adsorption, possibly due to interparticle bridging of galactomannan during colloid aggregation. The findings suggest the synergistic effect of galactomannan and FeCl3 in the coagulation process as well as the proved potential of galactomannan from spent coffee grounds as a natural coagulant aid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the work was to study the influence of natural polysaccharides—arabinogalactan, galactomannan, and carrageenan—on the growth of Klebsiella pneumoniae strains. It was found that carrageenan, especially in high concentrations, most effectively stimulated the growth of these microorganisms. A dependence of the effect of galactomannan on the concentration used was discovered: an inhibitory effect was detected in high doses and a stimulating effect in low doses. Arabinogalactan inhibited the growth of Klebsiella pneumoniae, which could be due to phenolic impurities (bioflavonoids), the presence of which is typical of this polysaccharide. Moreover, this polysaccharide at a concentration of 0.1 mg/mL completely blocked the growth of the studied microbial strains, which can be explained by the antibacterial effect of flavonoids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of Review: The true incidence of fungal disease is hampered by conventionally poor diagnostic tests, limited access to advanced diagnostics, and limited surveillance. The availability of serological testing has been available for over two decades and generally underpins the modern diagnosis of the most common forms of fungal disease. This review will focus on technical developments of serological tests for the diagnosis of fungal disease, describing advances in clinical performance when available. Recent Findings: Despite their longevity, technical, clinical, and performance limitations remain, and tests specific for fungal pathogens outside the main pathogens are lacking. The availability of LFA and automated systems, capable of running multiple different tests, represents significant developments, but clinical performance data is variable and limited. Summary: Fungal serology has significantly advanced the diagnosis of the main fungal infections, with LFA availability increasing accessibility to testing. Combination testing has the potential to overcome performance limitations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many species of pathogenic fungi deploy the unfolded protein response (UPR) to expand the folding capacity of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in proportion to the demand for virulence-related proteins that traffic through the secretory pathway. Although Ca2+ plays a pivotal role in ER function, the mechanism by which transcriptional upregulation of the protein folding machinery is coordinated with Ca2+ homeostasis is incompletely understood. In this study, we investigated the link between the UPR and genes encoding P-type Ca2+-ATPases in the human-pathogenic mold Aspergillus fumigatus We demonstrate that acute ER stress increases transcription of the srcA gene, encoding a member of the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) family, as well as that of pmrA, encoding a secretory pathway Ca2+-ATPase (SPCA) in the Golgi membrane. Loss of the UPR transcription factor HacA prevented the induction of srcA and pmrA transcription during ER stress, defining these ER/Golgi Ca2+ pumps as novel downstream targets of this pathway. While deletion of srcA alone caused no major deficiencies, a ΔsrcA/ΔpmrA mutant displayed a severe polarity defect, was hypersensitive to ER stress, and showed attenuated virulence. In addition, cell wall analyses revealed a striking reduction in mannose levels in the absence of both Ca2+ pumps. The ΔhacA mutant was hypersensitive to agents that block calcineurin-dependent signaling, consistent with a functional coupling between the UPR and Ca2+ homeostasis. Together, these findings demonstrate that the UPR integrates the need for increased levels of chaperone and folding enzymes with an influx of Ca2+ into the secretory pathway to support fungal growth, stress adaptation, and pathogenicity.IMPORTANCE The UPR is an intracellular signal transduction pathway that maintains homeostasis of the ER. The pathway is also tightly linked to the expression of virulence-related traits in diverse species of human-pathogenic and plant-pathogenic fungal species, including the predominant mold pathogen infecting humans, Aspergillus fumigatus Despite advances in the understanding of UPR signaling, the linkages and networks that are governed by this pathway are not well defined. In this study, we revealed that the UPR is a major driving force for stimulating Ca2+ influx at the ER and Golgi membranes and that the coupling between the UPR and Ca2+ import is important for virulence, cell wall biosynthesis, and resistance to antifungal compounds that inhibit Ca2+ signaling.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) is a serious complication affecting patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection, and is associated with increased mortality. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate potential risk factors, and to estimate the incidence and mortality in patients diagnosed with CAPA. METHODS: A single-center retrospective observational study was conducted on patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with severe COVID-19 from October 2020 to May 2022. Patients with deterioration of their clinical status were evaluated with serum galactomannan (GM) for probable CAPA. Baseline demographic patient characteristics, vaccination status, and time period during which each patient was infected with SARS-CoV-2 were obtained, and risk stratification according to underlying comorbidities was performed in an effort to assess various risk factors for CAPA. The incidence of CAPA in the entire cohort was measured, and mortality rates in the CAPA and non-CAPA groups were calculated and compared. RESULTS: Of 488 patients admitted to the ICU, 95 (19.4%) had deterioration of their clinical status, which prompted testing with serum GM. Positive serum testing was observed in 39/95 patients, with an overall CAPA incidence in the entire study cohort reaching 7.9% (39/488). The mortality rate was 75% (42/56) in the non-CAPA group that was tested for serum GM, and 87.2% (34/39) in the CAPA group (P = 0.041). Multivariable Cox regression hazard models were tested for 28- and 90-day survival from ICU admission. An invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) risk-stratified cox regression model corrected for the SARS-CoV-2 variant of the patient identified the diagnosis of probable CAPA and elevated procalcitonin (PCT) levels measured at least 10 days after ICU admission, as significantly associated with death in the IPA-risk subgroup only, with hazard ratio (HR): 3.687 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.030–13.199, P = 0.045) for the diagnosis of probable CAPA, and HR: 1.022 (95% CI, 1.003–1.042, P = 0.026) for every 1 ng/mL rise in PCT. CONCLUSIONS: Patients in the IPA-risk subgroup that were diagnosed with CAPA had a lower 90-day survival when compared to patients in the same group without a CAPA diagnosis.

Galactomannan (GM) detection in biological samples has been shown to predict therapeutic response by azoles and polyenes. In a murine invasive pulmonary aspergillosis model, fosmanogepix or posaconazole treatment resulted in an ∼6- to 7-log reduction in conidial equivalents (CE)/g lung tissue after 96 h versus placebo. Changes in GM levels in BAL fluid and serum mirrored reductions in lung CE, with significant decreases seen after 96 h or 72 h for fosmanogepix or posaconazole, respectively (P < 0.02).

To evaluate vitreous Galactomannan(GM) and 1,3 β-D-Glucan (BDG) levels in the diagnosis of fungal endophthalmitis, with emphasis on culture-negative cases. Vitreous from 31 clinically suspected fungal endophthalmitis patients and 11 controls were evaluated for GM and BDG using ELISA Kits. The Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves and diagnostic significance was calculated. The median vitreous GM in culture-positive (60.83pg/ml) and culture-negative (59.9pg/ml) samples were higher than the (51.2pg/ml) control group. The median vitreous BDG in culture-positive (1.47pg/ml) and culture-negative (1.52pg/ml) samples were also similar, and higher than the control group (1.18pg/ml). ROC analysis showed that at a cut-off of 51.35pg/ml, the sensitivity and specificity for GM were 0.88 and 0.73.Similarly, for BDG at a cut-off of 1.18pg/ml, the sensitivity and specificity were 0.94 and 0.82 respectively. Vitreous GM and BDG above the indicated threshold level could suggest a fungal infection, even when cultures are negative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, galactomannan (GM), including guar gum (GG) or locust bean gum (LG), was incorporated into a κ-carrageenan film to improve barrier properties and reduce the swelling ratio (SR). The effects of that with different concentrations on optical, mechanical, barrier, swelling and thermal properties of the κ-carrageenan-based film were researched. SEM and rheological results showed that both κ-carrageenan/GG and κ-carrageenan/LG had good compatibility and stability. FTIR results showed that LG was easier to form hydrogen bonds with κ-carrageenan. The KC-L exhibited excellent mechanical properties, barrier properties, and SR than KC-G. The film with 15% GM had good light transmittance. Moreover, the thermal stability of the film could be improved by adding GMs. This study reports that the κ-carrageenan–GM film has potential in packaging applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is a severe condition in immunocompromised children, but the optimal management is still under debate. In order to better clarify this issue, a literature search was performed through MEDLINE/PubMed database to describe current risk factors and diagnostic, therapeutic and prophylactic tools for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in the paediatric age. Observational studies and clinical trials regarding diagnosis, treatment and prophylaxis were considered, and results were summarised. Five clinical trials and 25 observational studies (4453 patients) were included. Haematological malignancies, previous organ transplant and other primary or acquired immunodeficiency were identified as risk factors for IPA in children. Current diagnostic criteria distinguish between "proven", "probable" and "possible" disease. Consecutive galactomannan assays have good sensitivity and specificity, especially when performed on broncho-alveolar lavage. At the same time, β-D-glucan should not be used since cut-off in children is unclear. PCR assays cannot currently be recommended for routine use. Voriconazole is the recommended first-line agent for IPA in children older than 2 years of age. Liposomal amphotericin B is preferred in younger patients or cases of intolerance to voriconazole. Its plasma concentrations should be monitored throughout the treatment. The optimal duration of therapy has yet to be determined. Posaconazole is the preferred prophylactic agent in children older than 13 years old, whereas oral voriconazole or itraconazole are the drugs of choice for those between 2–12 years. Further good-quality studies are warranted to improve clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis is associated with high mortality. For diagnosis, galactomannan-antigen in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid is recommended, with higher sensitivity in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Because of invasiveness, bronchoalveolar lavage might be withheld due to patients' or technical limitations, leading to a delay in diagnosis while early diagnosis is crucial for patient outcome. To address this problem, we performed an analysis of patient characteristics of intubated patients with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis with comparison of galactomannan-antigen testing between non-directed bronchial lavage (NBL) and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. A total of 32 intubated ICU patients with suspected invasive pulmonary aspergillosis could be identified. Mycological cultures were positive in 37.5% for A. fumigatus. Galactomannan-antigen in NBL (ODI 4.3 ± 2.4) and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (ODI 3.6 ± 2.2) showed consistent results (p-value 0.697). Galactomannan-antigen testing for detection of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis using deep tracheal secretion showed comparable results to bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Because of widespread availability in intubated patients, galactomannan-antigen from NBL can be used as a screening parameter in critical risk groups with high pretest probability for invasive aspergillosis to accelerate diagnosis and initiation of treatment. Bronchoalveolar lavage remains the gold standard for diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis to be completed to confirm diagnosis, but results from NBL remove time sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Since February 2021 active screening of COVID‐19‐associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) has been implemented in our institution. Objectives: To evaluate CAPA incidence in our centre and evaluate performance of our screening protocol. Methods: We screened once per week, collecting endotracheal aspirates for fungal culture and galactomannan (GM) and serum for 1,3‐ß‐D‐glucan (BG). In case of positivity (GM more than 4.5, platelia assay, and/or BG >7 pg/ml, wako and/or positive fungal culture), second‐level investigations were performed to pursue CAPA diagnosis according to ECMM/ISHAM criteria: bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fungal culture and GM, chest computed tomography (CT), serum GM. Results: A total of 102 patients were screened (median age 64 years, range 39–79; 28 (27.4%) females). Twenty‐two patients were diagnosed with CAPA (21%). 12 patients were positive for serum BG, 17 patients were positive for endotracheal aspirates GM and 27 patients were positive for endotracheal aspirates fungal culture. Thirty‐two BALs were performed, and 26 patients underwent CT chest. Following the second level investigations 61% of the patients with positive screening tests were diagnosed with CAPA. Serum BG above 20 pg/ml or positive serum GM were always associated with typical CT chest signs of aspergillosis. Compared with 1 single positive test, having 2 positive screening test was significantly more associated with CAPA diagnosis (p =.0004). Conclusions: Active CAPA screening with serum 1,3‐ß‐D‐glucan and endotracheal aspirates galactomannan and fungal cultures and consequent second level investigations led to high number of CAPA diagnosis. Combining more positive fungal biomarkers was more predictive of CAPA diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spent coffee grounds (SCG) are rich in polysaccharides, which can be recovered and used for various applications. However, the polysaccharides in SCG are not soluble in water, and an alternative non-toxic solvent is required to dissolve the polysaccharides. Zinc chloride aqueous solution is suitable for such a task because it is non-toxic, non-volatile, and can be easily recovered, thus being an environmentally friendly solvent. To evaluate its effects on polysaccharides, the treatment was performed with alkaline hydrogen peroxide to remove condensed phenolics from SCG. Then, the material was dissolved in 53, 60, and 67% ZnCl2 solutions, assisted by ultrasound. Thermal analysis results indicated that ZnCl2 decreased the thermal stability of the samples. However, the sample dissolved in 53% ZnCl2 assisted by ultrasound showed the highest thermal stability amongst the other samples. FT-IR spectra suggested that the zinc chloride solution had reduced the crystallinity of the material, as indicated by XRD data. However, it was not observed that the appearance of peaks indicated changes in the structure of the polysaccharide molecules. The study demonstrated the relevance of understanding the effects of ZnCl2 solution concentration on the dissolution of polysaccharides, which are essential for lignocellulosic materials applications.

Previous studies have shown that recombinant Trichinella spiralis galectin (rTsgal) is characterized by a carbohydrate recognition domain sequence motif binding to beta-galactoside, and that rTsgal promotes larval invasion of intestinal epithelial cells. Galactomannan is an immunostimulatory polysaccharide composed of a mannan backbone with galactose residues. The aim of this study was to investigate whether galactomannan inhibits larval intrusion of intestinal epithelial cells and enhances antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), killing newborn larvae by polarizing macrophages to the M1 phenotype. The results showed that galactomannan specially binds to rTsgal, and abrogated rTsgal facilitation of larval invasion of intestinal epithelial cells. The results of qPCR, Western blotting, and flow cytometry showed that galactomannan and rTsgal activated macrophage M1 polarization, as demonstrated by high expression of iNOS (M1 marker) and M1 related genes (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α), and increased CD86+ macrophages. Galactomannan and rTsgal also increased NO production. The killing ability of macrophage-mediated ADCC on larvae was also significantly enhanced in galactomannan- and rTsgal-treated macrophages. The results demonstrated that Tsgal may be considered a potential vaccine target molecule against T. spiralis invasion, and galactomannan may be a novel adjuvant therapeutic agent and potential vaccine adjuvant against T. spiralis infection.

Involvement of lung by aspergillus can occur in various forms like allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, and pulmonary aspergilloma. Galactomannan, a component of the cell wall of the mold aspergillus, is released in various body fluids like blood, urine, and bronchoalveolar fluid in pulmonary aspergilloma. In this study, pre-operative and post-operative serum samples were collected 24 h before and 6 weeks post-surgery respectively. It was a prospective study to quantify the changes in serum galactomannan levels in patients with aspergilloma lung. The pre-operative GM levels of patients were 5.09 SD 0.48 (range 0.7–8.9) and 6-week post-operative GM levels were 1.20 SD 0.12 (range 0.5–2.3). Comparing the pre and post GM levels of patients showed significant decrease (76.5%) in GM level at post as compared to pre (5.09 SD 0.48 vs. 1.20 SD 0.12) with mean change of 3.89 SD 0.47. Monitoring of galactomannan levels in the post-operative period can be used to confirm disease-free period and keep a watch on residual disease or disease recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundWe compared new Aspergillus Galactomannan Lateral Flow Assay with the newly formatted Aspergillus-specific Lateral Flow device tests for the diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in non-neutropenic patients.MethodsWe performed both tests in 82 bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples from 82 patients at risk for IPA but without underlying haematologic malignancy. Samples were collected between September 2016 and September 2018 at the University of California San Diego, United States. IPA was classified following two published consensus criteria.ResultsClassification of cases varied widely between the two consensus criteria. When using criteria established for the intensive care unit, 26/82 patients (32%) met criteria for proven or putative IPA. Both point-of-care assays showed sensitivities ranging between 58% and 69%, with specificities between 68% and 75%. Sensitivity increased up to 81% when both tests were combined.ConclusionThe study outlines the need for updated, unified and more broadly applicable consensus definitions for classifying IPA in non-neutropenic patients, a work that is currently in progress. Both point-of-care tests showed comparable performance, with sensitivities and specificities in the 60%-70% range when used alone and increasing to 80% when used in combination. The new point-of-care tests may serve a role at the bedside in those with clinical suspicion of IPA.

Galactomannan is a polysaccharide natural polymer compound, which has certain water-solubility, thickening and cross-linking, but has the shortcomings of long dispersion process and low solubility. Physical or chemical modification of galactomannan to optimize physical and chemical properties and improve product performance is the focus of current research. The anionic derivatives modified by carboxymethyl have obvious improvement in dissolution rate, water solubility, transparency and so on, and have broad application prospects. In this paper, the composition, structure and defects of galactomannan in industrial production are introduced, and the necessity of modification and the advantage of carboxymethyl modification are described. Secondly, the modification methods, characterization and application status of carboxymethyl galactomannan are summarized. The structure and rheological properties of the modified galactomannan as well as its research progress in the medical field as a sustained-release carrier are summarized. In the end, the limitations of the research status quo of carboxymethyl galactomannan and the direction of future research are summarized and prospected, in order to provide reference for expanding the application field and depth of galactomannan resources in China.

The effects of treating two biopolymers (Trigonella foenum—graceum galactomannan and xanthan gum mixtures) with microwaves and ultrasound on the rheological aspects of O/W emulsions were investigated. The data obtained from steady shear flow were fitted with various models and the best were chosen due to the values of R2 and RMSE. The oscillatory shear rheology data demonstrated that the emulsions not treated with microwaves or ultrasound had viscous-like behavior and treated samples demonstrated weak gel behavior. The values obtained for various rheological parameters (especially apparent viscosity, storage modulus and loss modulus) indicated that fenugreek galactomannan had more impact on the rheological aspects of emulsions in comparison with xanthan gum. In addition, the synergistic interaction between two biopolymers, particularly in samples treated with ultrasound, resulted in better rheological aspects which could be affiliated with the strong bonds between the hydrocolloids. By treating the samples with microwaves and ultrasound, the emulsion stability values of the samples (especially those with a high ratio of galactomannan) significantly increased, which might be connected with various parameters, especially viscosity.

For a long time, the diagnostic approach to IA/Aspergillus disease has been a challenge. The definitive diagnosis is made by correct microbiological and/or histopathological documentation, undoubtedly the fundamental cornerstone for therapeutic decision-making. However, it is considered limited by lack of sensi-tivity and speed, often being counterproductive, as in many cases invasive procedures are needed (e.g., fibrobronchoscopy [FBC] or tissue biopsy), which delays treatment and undermines survival of at-risk patients. This highlights the need for faster and more accurate diagnostic tools. Although novel serological and molecular methods have been developed that have demonstrated their potential to replace conventional diagnostic tests, inconsistencies in interpretation and validation among the different approaches limit their reproducibility and large-scale clinical application. However, whenever possible, an immunological and/or molecular diagnosis should be made, as it has proven useful in different detection and diagnostic strategies, which with an understanding of its strengths and limitations, and the standardization of the different techniques available, can be incorporated into care protocols and diagnostic algorithms, as an aid in adminis-tering and monitoring the different antifungal treatments and predicting possible clinical outcomes. Due to the limited sensitivity (SE) of many of the tests, and variations in the specificity (SP) of some of them, the combined use of several diagnostic tools during the high-risk period for invasive infection and/or during the early period in the course of IA/Aspergillus disease would allow an adequate diagnostic approach, provided that their results are interpreted together with the existing clinical and imaging information.

Abstract High-intensity ultrasound irradiation proved to be an effective method for modifying tara gum by generating low molecular weight products and better water solubility. The objectives of this research were to optimize the parameters for the high-intensity ultrasonic treatment with response surface methodology and improve the tara gum solubility. The results demonstrated that after the ultrasound treatment, the solubility of the tara gum had increased (17.7%) as a result of the reduced intrinsic viscosity (70%). The molecular weight of the untreated tara gum was 1.89 x 106 Da, and after ultrasound treatment, it was reduced to 0.47 x 106 Da. Rheological analyses confirmed the reduction in molecular weight for the modified and optimized tara gum and the resulting increase in solubility. This knowledge provides a better understanding of ultrasound treatment technology and increases the scope for use of tara gum in the food industry.

ObjectiveThe present study aimed to investigate the lipid-lowering effects and mechanisms of fenugreek gum (FG), hawthorn pectin (HP), and burdock inulin (BI) on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hyperlipidemic rats.MethodsIn this study, high-fat diet (HFD) together with fat emulsion administration were used to establish hyperlipidemia model. The biochemical indices were assayed after administration of FG, HP, and BI. Their effects were evaluated by factor analysis. Alterations of gut microbiota and short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the cecal were assessed to illustrate the mechanism of lipid lowering.ResultsThe supplementation of FG, HP, and BI on HFD-fed rats decreased the levels of serum lipid and reduced the HFD-related liver and testicle damage. In the scatter plot of factor analysis, HP and BI were closer to normal fat diet (NFD) group in restoring the severity of hyperlipidemia, while FG and HP enhanced the excretion of cholesterol and bile acids (BAs). The levels of total SCFAs, especially butyric acid reduced by HFD were increased by HP. The ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes increased by HFD was reduced by HP and BI. FG, HP, and BI enriched intestinal probiotics, which were related to bile acid excretion or lipid-lowering.ConclusionsFG inhibited the absorption of cholesterol and enhanced the excretion of it, as well as increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria. While BI restored the imbalance of intestinal microbiota. HP enhanced the excretion of cholesterol and BAs, and restored the imbalance of intestinal microbiota. It was also utilized by intestinal microorganisms to yield SCFAs. This study suggested that FG, HP, and BI possessed the potential to be utilized as dietary supplements for obesity management.

Background Empiric antifungal therapy is considered the standard of care for high-risk neutropenic patients with persistent fever. The impact of a preemptive, diagnostic-driven approach based on galactomannan screening and chest computed tomography scan on demand on survival and on the risk of invasive fungal disease (IFD) during the first weeks of high-risk neutropenia is unknown. Methods Patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant recipients were randomly assigned to receive caspofungin empirically (arm A) or preemptively (arm B), while receiving fluconazole 400 mg daily prophylactically. The primary end point of this noninferiority study was overall survival (OS) 42 days after randomization. Results Of 556 patients recruited, 549 were eligible: 275 in arm A and 274 in arm B. Eighty percent of the patients had AML or MDS requiring high-dose chemotherapy, and 93% of them were in the first induction phase. At day 42, the OS was not inferior in arm B (96.7%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 93.8%–98.3%) when compared with arm A (93.1%; 95% CI, 89.3%–95.5%). The rates of IFDs at day 84 were not significantly different, 7.7% (95% CI, 4.5%–10.8%) in arm B vs 6.6% (95% CI, 3.6%–9.5%) in arm A. The rate of patients who received caspofungin was significantly lower in arm B (27%) than in arm A (63%; P <.001). Conclusions The preemptive antifungal strategy was safe for high-risk neutropenic patients given fluconazole as prophylaxis, halving the number of patients receiving antifungals without excess mortality or IFDs. Clinical Trials Registration. NCT01288378; EudraCT 2010-020814-27. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gluten-free batters, in general, require the incorporation of agents to control their rheology; this role is commonly played by hydrocolloids. New natural sources of hydrocolloids are under permanent research. In this regard, the functional properties of the galactomannan extracted from the seed of Gleditsia triacanthos (Gledi) have been studied. In this work, we evaluated the incorporation of this hydrocolloid, alone and in combination with Xanthan gum, in gluten-free batters and bread and compared it with Guar gum. The incorporation of hydrocolloids increased the viscoelastic profile of the batters. Gledi addition at 0.5% and 1.25% increased the elastic modulus (G′) by 200% and 1500%, respectively, and similar trends were observed when Gledi-Xanthan was used. These increases were more pronounced when Guar and Guar-Xanthan were used. The batters became firmer and more elastically resistant because of the addition of hydrocolloids; batters containing Gledi had lower values of these parameters than batters containing Gledi-Xanthan. The addition of Gledi at both doses significantly increased the volume of the bread compared to the control by about 12%, while when Xanthan gum was included, a decrease was observed, especially at higher doses (by about 12%). The increase in specific volume was accompanied by a decrease in initial crumb firmness and chewiness, and during storage, they were significantly reduced. Bread prepared with Guar gum and Guar-Xanthan gum combinations was also evaluated, and the trends observed were comparable to that of bread with Gledi gum and Gledi-Xanthan gum. The results showed that Gledi addition favors the production of bread of high technological quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Galactomannans are reserve carbohydrates in legume plants and are primarily extracted from their seeds. They contain galactose side chains throughout the mannose backbone and have unique features such as emulsifying, thickening, and gelling together with biodegradability, biocompatibility, and non-toxicity, which make them an appealing material. Guar gum and locust bean gum mainly are used in all galactomannan needed applications. Nonetheless, tara gum and fenugreek gum have also attracted considerable attention in recent decades. Despite the increased usage of galactomannans in the textile-related fields in recent years, there is no review article published yet. To fill this gap and to demonstrate the striking and increasing importance of galactomannans, a concise summary of the properties of common galactomannans and their comparisons is given first, followed by an account of recent developments and applications of galactomannans in the textile-related fields. The associated potential opportunities are also provided at the end of this review. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) may be a rare cause of granulomatous pneumonia in horses. The mortality of IPA is almost 100%; direct diagnostic tools in horses are needed. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and serum samples were collected from 18 horses, including individuals suffering from IPA (n = 1), equine asthma (EA, n = 12), and 5 healthy controls. Serum samples were collected from another 6 healthy controls. Samples of BALF (n = 18) were analyzed for Aspergillus spp. DNA, fungal galactomannan (GM), ferricrocin (Fc), triacetylfusarinin C (TafC), and gliotoxin (Gtx). Analysis of 24 serum samples for (1,3)-β-D-glucan (BDG) and GM was performed. Median serum BDG levels were 131 pg/mL in controls and 1142 pg/mL in IPA. Similar trends were observed in BALF samples for GM (Area under the Curve (AUC) = 0.941) and DNA (AUC = 0.941). The fungal secondary metabolite Gtx was detected in IPA BALF and lung tissue samples (86 ng/mL and 2.17 ng/mg, AUC = 1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several studies have evaluated the serum galactomannan (GM) antigen assay in pediatric patients, and there is convincing evidence for its usefulness as a diagnostic tool for invasive Aspergillus infections in patients with acute leukemias or post allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Less is known about the utility of the assay in monitoring responses to treatment in patients with established invasive aspergillosis (IA). Here, we present the long-term kinetics of serum galactomannan in two severely immunocompromised adolescents with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) who were cured after complicated clinical courses. We also review the utility of the GM antigen assay in serum as a prognostic tool around the time of diagnosis of IA and as a biomarker to monitor disease activity in patients with established IA and assess responses to systemic antifungal therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis is growing in incidence, as patients at risk are growing in diversity. Outside the classical context of neutropenia, new risk factors are emerging or newly identified, such as new anticancer drugs, viral pneumonias and hepatic dysfunctions. Clinical signs remain unspecific in these populations and the diagnostic work-up has considerably expanded. Computed tomography is key to assess the pulmonary lesions of aspergillosis, whose various features must be acknowledged. Positron-emission tomography can bring additional information for diagnosis and follow-up. The mycological argument for diagnosis is rarely fully conclusive, as biopsy from a sterile site is challenging in most clinical contexts. In patients with a risk and suggestive radiological findings, probable invasive aspergillosis is diagnosed through blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples by detecting galactomannan or DNA, or by direct microscopy and culture for the latter. Diagnosis is considered possible with mold infection in lack of mycological criterion. Nevertheless, the therapeutic decision should not be hindered by these research-oriented categories, that have been completed by better adapted ones in specific settings. Survival has been improved over the past decades with the development of relevant antifungals, including lipid formulations of amphotericin B and new azoles. New antifungals, including first-in-class molecules, are awaited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanocomposite gels are novel materials mainly used in the medical field for the control drug release and distribution. In this study, the effect of the concentration of galactomannan/zinc oxide nanocomposite in a polymeric Carbopol matrix to obtain a functional nanocomposite gel was studied. The swelling, thermogravimetric, rheological, and antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were evaluated. The results indicate that there is a direct effect between the amount of the employed nanocomposite and the properties studied in the gels. In this regard, we present a formulation that demonstrates that the prepared nanocomposite gel has ideal properties to be used in the medical field as an antibacterial agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aspergillus fumigatus has been designated by the World Health Organization as a critical priority fungal pathogen. Some commercially available diagnostics for many forms of aspergillosis rely on fungal metabolites. These encompass intracellular molecules, cell wall components, and extracellular secretomes. This review summarizes the shortcomings of antibody tests compared to tests of fungal products in body fluids and highlights the application of β-d-glucan, galactomannan, and pentraxin 3 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids. We also discuss the detection of nucleic acids and next-generation sequencing, along with newer studies on Aspergillus metallophores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, preparing biodegradable films based on hydrocolloids has become thoroughly crucial in food packaging. Also, to enhance some of the aspects of these films, adding oil to the formulation of the films has been considered as a valid method. In this study, a variety of films based on two biopolymers (fenugreek galactomannan and xanthan gum) in the presence or absence of grape seed oil were produced and the various aspects of the obtained films were comprehensively investigated. The obtained data demonstrated that preparing composite films based on two hydrocolloids improved the aspects including film thickness, water vapor permeability (WVP), oxygen permeability (OP), mechanical and thermal properties more than films based on only one hydrocolloid. This improvement was mostly related to the good and acceptable interaction between two biopolymers. The X‐ray diffraction (XRD) patterns indicated that all films had an amorphous or non‐crystalline structure. Also, the scanning electron microscope images demonstrated that films based on fenugreek galactomannan and composite films based on two hydrocolloids. The value of film thickness and strain at break (SAB) increased by adding oil to the formulation. Contrarily, the moisture content and absorption, WVP, OP, opacity, and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) values of the films decreased by adding oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungal tracheobronchitis caused by Aspergillus and Candida spp. is a recognized complication after lung transplantation, but knowledge of the incidence of Candida tracheobronchitis is lacking. The diagnosis relies on fungal cultures in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), but cultures have low specificity. We aimed to evaluate the one-year incidence of fungal tracheobronchitis after lung transplantation and to assess the utility of diagnostic markers in serum and BALF to discriminate fungal tracheobronchitis from colonization. Ninety-seven consecutively included adult lung-transplant recipients were prospectively followed. BALF and serum samples were collected at 1, 3 and 12 months after transplantation and analyzed for betaglucan (serum and BALF), neutrophils (BALF) and galactomannan (BALF). Fungal tracheobronchitis was defined according to consensus criteria, modified to include Candida as a mycologic criterion. The cumulative one-year incidence of Candida and Aspergillus tracheobronchitis was 23% and 16%, respectively. Neutrophils of >75% of total leukocytes in BALF had 92% specificity for Candida tracheobronchitis. The area under the ROC curves for betaglucan and galactomannan in BALF to discriminate Aspergillus tracheobronchitis from colonization or no fungal infection were high (0.86 (p < 0.0001) and 0.93 (p < 0.0001), respectively). To conclude, the one-year incidence of fungal tracheobronchitis after lung transplantation was high and dominated by Candida spp. Diagnostic markers in BALF could be useful to discriminate fungal colonization from tracheobronchitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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What is known and objective: To analyse the diagnostic accuracy of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid galactomannan (BALF‐GM) assay for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in adults to determine the optimal diagnostic cut‐off by meta‐analysis. Methods: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China national knowledge infrastructure (CNKI), and China Wanfang databases were searched to collect relevant studies on the diagnostic value of BALF‐GM for IPA from inception to March 2022. The summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve was drawn to determine the optimal diagnostic cut‐off. Results and discussion: Nineteen articles (56 data sets) were included. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) were 0.79 (95% CI: 0.72–0.84), 0.92 (95% CI: 0.88–0.94), 9.25 (95% CI: 6.84–12.52), 0.23 (95% CI: 0.18–0.30), 39.44 (95% CI: 29.55–52.65), and 0.92 (95% CI: 0.90–0.94), respectively. The area under the curves (AUCs) were 0.92, 0.86, 0.93, 0.89, 0.88, and 0.94 when the cut‐off values were 0.5, 0.8, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 3.0, respectively. Sixteen studies were included in the combined analysis when the cut‐off value was 0.5. The results showed that the pooled sensitivity, specificity, PLR, NLR and DOR of BALF‐GM (cut‐off 0.5) for the diagnosis of IPA were 0.89 (95% CI: 0.83–0.93), 0.79 (95% CI: 0.71–0.86), 4.33 (95% CI: 3.04–6.16), 0.14 (95% CI: 0.09–0.22), and 31.51 (95% CI: 17.43–56.98). The AUC was 0.92 (95% CI: 0.89–0.94). What is new and conclusions: BALF‐GM has excellent diagnostic accuracy for adult IPA, which can be diagnosed early and treated early to reduce the mortality rate. Considering the sensitivity, specificity, PLR and NLR, the recommended diagnostic cut‐off of BALF‐GM for adult IPA is 0.5. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Lung infections are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in neutropenic patients. It was aimed to determine the fungal agents, clinical and microbiological characteristics of lung infections in febrile neutropenic patients. Material and Method: Febrile neutropenic patients whose fever did not regress despite broad-spectrum antibacterial therapy and who were suspected of invasive fungal infection were evaluated. Those with newly developed infiltration on posterior anterior chest radiography or newly developed nodule, "halo sign", consolidation, "reverse halo sign", cavitation, and air-crescent sign on thorax computer tomography were included in the study. Microscopic examination, bacterial and fungal culture cultivation, galactomannan antigen, Aspergillus fumigatus and Pneumocystis jirovecii polymerase chain reaction test were performed on the collected serum and bronchoalveolar lavage samples. Results: Two patients were classified as definite, 32 patients as probable, 12 patients as suspected invasive fungal infection and 27 patients as non-invasive fungal infection. The sensitivity and specificity of the GM antigen test in serum were found as 74,4% and 100% respectively. In BAL, the sensitivity and specificity were found to be 66,7%, 71,4%, 47,6%, and 100%, respectively, with cut-off values of 0,5 and 1. The sensitivity and specificity of the LightMix A. fumigatus PCR test in serum were calculated as 67,9% and 5,9%, and the sensitivity and specificity in BAL were calculated as 81% and 14,3%, respectively. Conclusion: In the diagnosis of IFI, LightMix A. fumigatus PCR test may be more helpful in BAL than in serum. Bronchoalveolar lavage GM is more valuable in diagnosis in patients using antifungal treatments/prophylaxis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fungal cell wall is necessary for survival as it serves a barrier for physical protection. Therefore, glycosyltransferases responsible for the synthesis of cell wall polysaccharides may be suitable targets for drug development. Mannose is a monosaccharide that is commonly found in sugar chains in the walls of fungi. Mannose residues are present in fungal-type galactomannan, O -glycans, N -glycans, glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchors, and glycosyl inositol phosphorylceramides in Aspergillus fumigatus. Three genes that are homologous to α-(1 → 2)-mannosyltransferase genes and belong to the glycosyltransferase family 15 were found in the A. fumigatus strain, Af293/A1163, genome: cmsA / ktr4 , cmsB / ktr7 , and mnt1. It is reported that the mutant ∆ mnt1 strain exhibited a wide range of properties that included high temperature and drug sensitivity, reduced conidia formation, leakage at the hyphal tips, and attenuation of virulence. However, it is unclear whether Mnt1 is a bona fide α-(1 → 2)-mannosyltransferase and which mannose residues are synthesized by Mnt1 in vivo. In this study, we elucidated the structure of the Mnt1 reaction product, the structure of O -glycan in the Δ mnt1 strain. In addition, the length of N -glycans attached to invertase was evaluated in the Δ mnt1 strain. The results indicated that Mnt1 functioned as an α-(1 → 2)-mannosyltransferase involved in the elongation of N -glycans and synthesis of the second mannose residue of O -glycans. The widespread abnormal phenotype caused by the disruption of the mnt1 gene is the combined result of the loss of mannose residues from O -glycans and N -glycans. We also clarified the enzymatic properties and substrate specificity of Mnt1 based on its predicted protein structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Michael D Levitt,1 Sophie M Hapak,2 David G Levitt3 1Medicine Service, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN, 55417, USA; 2Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA; 3Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USACorrespondence: David G Levitt, Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA, Email levit001@umn.eduAbstract: While serum alkaline phosphatase activity has become a routine clinical measurement, we have found that physicians’ knowledge of the pathophysiology of this enzyme is almost solely limited to the concept that an elevated serum alkaline phosphatase suggests disease of liver or bone. For example, physicians at all levels of training had no understanding of such basic physiological information as the function of alkaline phosphatase in the liver or how this enzyme is eliminated from the serum. Based on a patient with an enormously elevated alkaline phosphatase, this report provides a review of existing clinically relevant information concerning the pathophysiology of alkaline phosphatase with emphasis on the mechanisms involved in the homeostasis of this enzyme. A novel aspect of this paper is the discussion of the previously neglected concept that defective enzyme elimination could play a major role in the pathogenesis of serum alkaline phosphatase elevations.Keywords: alkaline phosphatase catabolism, alkaline phosphatase isoforms, galactose receptor, galactomannan

Constructing bio-based composite hydrogel materials are receiving much interest, while regulating the interactions of the hydrogel components and integrating functions for multi-application meet various challenges. Herein, composite hydrogels were prepared by cross-linking of poly-acrylamide (PAM) and poly-N-[3-(Dimethylamino) propyl] acrylamide (PDMAPAA), assisted by natural galactomannan (GM) regulation. Even distribution and compatibility of GM in the three-dimensional materials were proved by a series of chemical and morphological characterizations, which favored the improvement of mechanical properties (~80 kPa) and flexibility. Besides, the hydrogels were well-connected with double networks of noncovalent intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions and hydrophobic interactions, in addition to covalent-linked polymers. Due to great amount of inner hydrogen bond linkages, the hydrogels present satisfying anti-swelling capabilities (<15 %), exhibiting high potential for application in water treatment. Meanwhile, abundant surface functional groups provided possibilities to form interactive layer with the various substrates surface, exhibiting highly adhesive properties. Significant dyes adsorption capabilities were revealed on the hydrogels according to the electrostatic attraction with Congo red and hydrogen bond interactions with Brilliant green respectively. Thus, the proposed composite hydrogels integrated multi-functions due to the tuning the surface groups and cross-linking interactions, which provided deeper understanding on bio-based materials on fields of water treatment and environmental protection. • Natural galactomannan (GM) based composites hydrogels were constructed. • Greatly improved tensile strength of ~80 kPa and deformation of 430 % was achieved. • Anti-swelling capability of <15 % offers the hydrogels high application potential. • Non-covalent interactions contributed to adhesive property to various substrates. • Dyes pollution adsorption capability was equipped to the hydrogels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel hyaluronic acid/ Gleditsia sinensis galactomannan hydrogel was prepared using various alkyl glycidyl ethers as cross-linking agents. The morphological, physicochemical, and mechanical properties of the obtained hydrogels were comparatively investigated and discussed. The optimal hydrogel exhibited high storage modulus (210 P), loss modulus (27.8 P), and water retention properties (95 %). The diffusion rate constant of water molecules in freeze-dried hydrogels exhibited a positive correlation with water uptake/equilibrium swelling rate, and the water molecules exhibited a non-Fickian type diffusion mechanism. Hydrogels with high molecular weight (Mw) hyaluronic acid showed higher water retention properties than those with low-Mw hyaluronic acid (80 % water retention properties). The molecular docking simulations of hyaluronic acid confirmed the higher formation energies of the high-Mw hyaluronic acid (-14.98 Kcal/mol) than that of the low-Mw hyaluronic acid (-6.90 Kcal/mol). This study offers a new design strategy for a water retention hydrogel by optimizing the cross-linked dimension with various-length polymer chains as cross-linkers. These remarkable advantages make hydrogels have enormous potential in the application of cosmetics and biomedical. • A epoxy-crosslinked galactomannan hydrogel was prepared with hyaluronic acid. • Length of cross-linker determined the mechanical property. • Molecular weight of hyaluronic acid affect the water retention behavior of hydrogel. • Hydrogels exhibited excellent mechanical strength and biocompatibilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Curcumin is a turmeric-derived bioactive flavonoid that is beneficial to human health. Unfortunately, poor water solubility and low bioactivity of curcumin limit its applications. Multiple food-derived curcumin delivery systems have been developed, but their loading capacities still need to be improved. In this work, binary complexes of hydroxypropyl methycellulose-galactomannan (HPMC-GM) with different mannose to galactose (M:G) ratios in GM were manufactured for curcumin delivery. HPMC-GM achieved 40–55 wt% curcumin loading capacity depending on the M:G ratio, which was about twice that of other reported food-derived vehicles. Porous dense networks were observed in HPMC-GM, which were driven by hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions. Curcumin bound tightly to hydrophobic cavities in the amorphous state via hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds. The hydrophilic galactose branches of GM restrict complexation between HPMC and GM. Higher M:G ratios resulted in higher curcumin loading capacities of HPMC-GM. The results of in vitro dissolution and anti-proliferation activity showed that the bioactivity of curcumin loaded in HPMC-GM was superior to unloaded curcumin. This study created delivery systems with high curcumin loading capacities using 100% food-grade materials as vehicles, which circumvents the drawback of using artificial synthetic polymers to achieve high curcumin loading capacity. The HPMC-GM vehicle has great potential in developing curcumin products as dietary supplements as well as for medical purposes. [Display omitted] • HPMC-GM was found to achieve a 55 wt% curcumin loading capacity. • Higher M:G ratios of GM led to higher curcumin loading capacities of HPMC-GM. • Dense networks were found in HPMC-GM. • Curcumin bound to dense networks of HPMC-GM in the amorphous state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates the non-invasive diagnosis of Invasive Aspergillosis Pneumonia (IPA) in mechanically ventilated patients by measuring galactomannan (GM) in exhaled breath condensate (EBC). Utilizing a rat model and a novel EBC collection device, we compared GM levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and EBC, supplemented by cytokine profiling. Analysis of 75 patients confirmed the device's efficacy, with EBC-GM and BALF-GM showing high diagnostic accuracy (AUC = 0.88). The threshold of 0.235 ng/ml for EBC-GM achieved 92.8 % sensitivity and 66.7 % specificity, with a strong correlation (r = 0.707, P < 0.001) with BALF-GM. This approach offers a safe, effective alternative to invasive diagnostics, enhancing precision with IL-6 and TNF-α measurements. The number registered on clinicaltrails.gov is NCT06333379. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Neurospora intermedia has the potential to cause an endobronchial mass. • N. intermedia develops orange conidiating colonies composed of septate hyphae. • Coculturing opposite mating types yields ascomata, indicating heterothallism. • N. intermedia cross-reacts with the Aspergillus galactomannan assay in vitro. • N. intermedia is susceptible to amphotericin B and voriconazole. The ascomycete filamentous fungus Neurospora intermedia is commonly used in the food industry and considered nonpathogenic to humans. This study characterizes four N. intermedia isolates recovered from three patients. The first patient had a mediastinal germ cell tumor with multiple metastases. N. intermedia was recovered from his endotracheal aspirate and from the endobronchial mass obtained by bronchoscopic forceps biopsy. Histopathology of the biopsy tissue revealed necrotic tissue mixed with septate fungal hyphae with right-angle branching. An endobronchial mass caused by N. intermedia was thus diagnosed. Another two N. intermedia isolates were recovered from the endotracheal aspirates of two critically ill patients. In vitro, N. intermedia grows rapidly and forms orange, conidiating colonies composed of septate hyphae. Two isolates from the first patient belong to mating type a; the other two isolates belong to mating type A. Coculture of isolates of opposite mating types yielded dark ascomata containing ascospores, supporting that N. intermedia is a heterothallic fungus. N. intermedia isolates cross-reacted with the Aspergillus galactomannan antigen assay and were susceptible to amphotericin B and voriconazole. In conclusion, this report describes the first human infection (endobronchial mass) caused by N. intermedia , highlighting its potential to invade the human respiratory tract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioceramics are used to repair, rebuild, and replace parts of the human body, e.g., bones, joints and teeth, in the form of powder, coatings or prostheses. The synthetic hydroxyapatite [Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2 (HAP)] based on calcium phosphate has been widely used in the medical and dental areas due to the chemical similarity with the inorganic component of human bone tissue. In this work, hydroxyapatite nanocrystalline powders were synthesized by the solid-state reaction method and sintered with a galactomannan and chitosan blend. The bioceramics studied were prepared from 70%, 80% and 90% of hydroxyapatite with 30%, 20% and 10% of galactomannan and chitosan blends, respectively. The influence of the blend content on the bioceramics was investigated through structural, vibrational, thermal, morphological and dielectric characterizations. It was observed that the increase in the blend percentage promoted an increase in the grain size, which was followed by a decrease in the density and hardness of the samples. The sample with a higher amount of polymeric blend also presented a higher dielectric constant and higher losses.

Objectives: The severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is characterized by acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and risk of fungal co-infection, pulmonary aspergillosis in particular. However, COVID-19 associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) cases remain limited due to the difficulty in diagnosis. Methods: We describe presumptive invasive aspergillosis in eight patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in a single center in Shenzhen, China. Data collected include underlying conditions, mycological findings, immunodetection results, therapies and outcomes. Results: Four of the eight patients had tested positive for Aspergillus by either culture or Next-generation sequencing analysis of sputum or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), while the rest of patients had only positive results in antigen or antibody detection. Although all patients received antifungal therapies, six of these eight patients (66.7%) died. Conclusion: Due to the high mortality rate of CAPA, clinical care in patients with CAPA deserves more attention.

Both β-mannanases and β-mannosidases are required for mannan-backbone degradation into mannose. In this study, two β-mannosidases of glycoside hydrolase (GH) families 2 (BtMan2A) and 5 (CmMan5A) were evaluated for their substrate specificities and galactomannan binding ability. BtMan2A preferred short manno-oligomers, while CmMan5A preferred longer ones; DP >2, and galactomannans. BtMan2A displayed irreversible galactomannan binding, which was pH-dependent, with higher binding observed at low pH, while CmMan5A had limited binding. Docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations showed that BtMan2A galactomannan binding was stronger under acidic conditions (-8.4 kcal/mol) than in a neutral environment (-7.6 kcal/mol), and the galactomannan ligand was more unstable under neutral conditions than acidic conditions. Qualitative surface plasmon resonance (SPR) experimentally confirmed the reduced binding capacity of BtMan2A at pH 7. Finally, synergistic β-mannanase to β-mannosidase (BtMan2A or CmMan5A) ratios required for maximal galactomannan hydrolysis were determined. All CcManA to CmMan5A combinations were synergistic (≈1.2-fold), while combinations of CcManA with BtMan2A (≈1.0-fold) yielded no hydrolysis improvement. In conclusion, the low specific activity of BtMan2A towards long and galactose-containing oligomers and its non-catalytic galactomannan binding ability led to no synergy with the mannanase, making GH2 mannosidases ineffective for use in cocktails for mannan degradation.

We present two ICU-hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) presenting with endogenous endophthalmitis in one eye and variable manifestations of chorioretinitis in the fellow eye. Two diabetic patients (57 and 62 years old) showed anterior uveitis and yellowish-white subretinal infiltrations. The fellow eye of one patient showed patches of choroiditis, while the other showed full retinal thickness infiltrations. A workup yielded high serum titers of galactomannan, diagnostic of aspergillosis. The widespread use of high doses of corticosteroids in the management of COVID-19 may predispose to various secondary fungal opportunistic infections and may manifest in different forms of chorioretinal infiltration.