MedWorm: Aspergillus

Fungal Rhinosinusitis: A Retrospective Microbiologic and Pathologic Review of 400 Patients at a Single University Medical Center

Advances in Pharmacological Sciences — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:37:00 +0100

In this study, we evaluate the diagnosis of FRS in a single medical center. Cases were divided into 2 main categories, non-invasive and invasive. Non-invasive FRS included fungus ball (FB) and allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS). Invasive FRS included acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis (AIFRS), chronic invasive fungal rhinosinusitis (CIFRS), and chronic invasive granulomatous fungal rhinosinusitis (CGFRS). Fungal culture data, if available was reviewed. 400 patients with FRS were identified. 87.25% were non-invasive (45% AFRS, 40% FB, and 2% combined AFRS and FB and 12.5% were invasive 11% AIFRS 1.2% CIFRS 0.5% CGFRS. One patient (0.25%) had combined FB/CGFRS. Aspergillus sp. or dematiaceous species were the most common fungi isolated in AFS while Aspergillus sp. was most common in FB ...

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Composition and antimicrobial activities of the leaf essential oil of Machilus zuihoensis from Taiwan

Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 18:30:49 +0100

This study investigated the chemical composition, and antimicrobial and anti-wood-decay fungal activities of the essential oil isolated from the leaf of endemic Machilus zuihoensis Hayata, Lauraceae, of Taiwan. The essential oil from the fresh leaves of M. zuihoensis was isolated using hydrodistillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus, and characterized by GC-FID and GC-MS. A total of 104 compounds were identified, representing 100% of the oil. The main components identified were n-dodecanal (23.8%) and (E)-nerolidol (10.5%). The antimicrobial activity of the oil was tested by the disc diffusion method and micro-broth dilution method against ten microbial species (Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomo...

Quinine/steroids: First report of Aspergillus-related myositis: case report

Reactions — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 18:29:54 +0100

(Source: Reactions)

Recovery of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria in sinus fungal ball

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:49:01 +0100

Brook I (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

Indole alkaloids from marine-derived fungus Aspergillus sydowii SCSIO 00305

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:49:01 +0100

He F, Sun YL, Liu KS, Zhang XY, Qian PY, Wang YF, Qi SH (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

Response to: Lack of intra-laboratory reproducibility in using Platelia Aspergillus enzyme immunoassay test for detection of Aspergillus galactomannan antigen

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:49:01 +0100

Bizzini A, Marchetti O, Meylan P (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

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Intracranial Aspergillus granuloma

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:49:01 +0100

Sundaram C, Murthy JM (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

Low Interleukin-17A Production in Response to Fungal Pathogens in Patients with Chronic Granulomatous Disease

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:49:01 +0100

Smeekens SP, Henriet SS, Gresnigt MS, Joosten LA, Hermans PW, Netea MG, Warris A, van de Veerdonk FL (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

Aspergillus myosin-V supports polarized growth in the absence of microtubule-based transport

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:49:01 +0100

Zhang J, Tan K, Wu X, Chen G, Sun J, Reck-Peterson SL, Hammer JA 3rd, Xiang X (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

Oral voriconazole versus intravenous low dose amphotericin B for primary antifungal prophylaxis in pediatric acute leukemia induction: a prospective, randomized, clinical study

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:49:01 +0100

Mandhaniya S, Swaroop C, Thulkar S, Vishnubhatla S, Kabra SK, Xess I, Bakhshi S (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

Depsidones, Aromatase Inhibitors and Radical Scavenging Agents from the Marine-Derived Fungus Aspergillus unguis CRI282-03

Planta Medica — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Planta MedDOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1298228AbstractThree new depsidones (1, 3, and 4), a new diaryl ether (5), and a new natural pyrone (9) (synthetically known), together with three known depsidones, nidulin (6), nornidulin (7), and 2-chlorounguinol (8), were isolated from the marine-derived fungus Aspergillus unguis CRI282-03. Aspergillusidone C (4) showed the most potent aromatase inhibitory activity with the IC50 value of 0.74 µM, while depsidones 1, 3, 6–8 inhibited aromatase with IC50 values of 1.2–11.2 µM. It was found that the structural feature of depsidones, not their corresponding diaryl ether derivatives (e.g. 5), was important for aromatase inhibitory activity. Aspergillusidones A (1) and B (3) showed radical scavenging activity in the XXO assay with IC50 values of 16.0 an...

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Reengineering an Azaphilone Biosynthesis Pathway in Aspergillus nidulans To Create Lipoxygenase Inhibitors

Organic Letters — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:09:37 +0100

Organic LettersDOI: 10.1021/ol203094k (Source: Organic Letters)

Fungi and allergic lower respiratory tract diseases

Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Asthma is a common disorder that in 2009 afflicted 8.2% of adults and children, 24.6 million persons, in the United States. In patients with moderate and severe persistent asthma, there is significantly increased morbidity, use of health care support, and health care costs. Epidemiologic studies in the United States and Europe have associated mold sensitivity, particularly to Alternaria alternata and Cladosporium herbarum, with the development, persistence, and severity of asthma. In addition, sensitivity to Aspergillus fumigatus has been associated with severe persistent asthma in adults. Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is caused by A fumigatus and is characterized by exacerbations of asthma, recurrent transient chest radiographic infiltrates, coughing up thick mucus plugs,...

Triple fungal infection in a patient with liver cirrhosis.

Annales de Biologie Clinique — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

We report a case of triple fungal infection including an invasive pulmonary aspergillosis by Aspergillus fumigatus, a candidemia by Candida albicans and a Pneumocystis pneumonia. The overall clinical picture of this patient was liver cirrhosis with medical history of immunosuppressive treatment for Crohn disease and a non-hodgkin lymphoma. There was no antifungal prophylaxis for this patient. Under treatment, the issue was unfavourable with multivisceral failure. PMID: 22294141 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Annales de Biologie Clinique)

Essential Oil of Juniperus communis subsp. alpina (Suter) Čelak Needles: Chemical Composition, Antifungal Activity and Cytotoxicity

Phytotherapy Research — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Essential oils are known to possess antimicrobial activity against a wide spectrum of bacteria and fungi. In the present work the composition and the antifungal activity of the oils of Juniperus communis subsp. alpina (Suter) Čelak were evaluated. Moreover, the skin cytotoxicity, at concentrations showing significant antifungal activity, was also evaluated. The oils were isolated by hydrodistillation and analysed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal lethal concentration (MLC) were used to evaluate the antifungal activity of the oil against dermatophytes (Epidermophyton floccosum, Microsporum canis, M. gypseum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, T. mentagrophytes var. interdigitale, T. rubrum, T. verrucosum), yeasts ...

An Aspergillus nidulans bZIP response pathway hardwired for defensive secondary metabolism operates through aflR

Molecular Microbiology — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:34:56 +0100

SummaryThe eukaryotic bZIP transcription factors are critical players in organismal response to environmental challenges. In fungi, the production of secondary metabolites (SMs) is hypothesized as one of the responses to environmental insults, e.g. attack by fungivorous insects, yet little data to support this hypothesis exists. Here we establish a mechanism of bZIP regulation of SMs through RsmA, a recently discovered YAP‐like bZIP protein. RsmA greatly increases SM production by binding to two sites in the A. nidulans AflR promoter region, a C6 transcription factor known for activating production of the carcinogenic and anti‐predation SM, sterigmatocystin (ST). Deletion of aflR in an overexpression rsmA (OE::rsmA) background not only eliminates ST production but also significantly re...

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NCE102 homologue in Aspergillus fumigatus is required for normal sporulation, not hyphal growth or pathogenesis

FEMS Microbiology Letters — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

AbstractIn Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Nce102 encodes a 173 amino acid transmembrane protein, which acts as a key player in eisosome assembly and plasma membrane organization. Here we describe the characterization of Nce102 homologue in the human pathogen, Aspergillus fumigatus. Our results demonstrated that AfuNce102 is continuously expressed during fungal growth. In addition, microscopic examination of an AfuNce102‐GFP expressing transformant confirmed the localization of the fusion protein to the endoplasmic reticulum with higher density fluorescence at the tip of the mycelium. During conidiogenesis, the protein was localized to the conidiophores and the conidia. Abnormal conidiation of AfuNce102 deletion mutant suggests a potential role for AfuNce102 in sporulation process. (Source: FE...

Tissue remodeling gene expression in a murine model of chronic rhinosinusitis

The Laryngoscope — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions:Induction of CRS is associated with time‐dependent changes in tissue remodeling cytokine expression occurring in conjuction with inflammatory tissue changes. Antibody staining for upregulated cytokines suggests local production within the sinonasal mucosa. Further study is required to better understand the association between BMP, FGF, and MMP regulation and tissue remodeling changes resulting from chronic inflammation. (Source: The Laryngoscope)

[Invasive aspergillosis after near-drowning: case reports and review of the literature]

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:58:14 +0100

Li P, Cao EH, Zhao BL, Sun HM, Li MM, Xu J, Song Y, Shi Y (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

Feeding Aspergillus awamori reduces skeletal muscle protein breakdown and stimulates growth in broilers

Animal Science Journal — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, feeding A. awamori improves growth performance because skeletal muscle proteolytic activity is reduced and digestibilities of energy and protein are increased. (Source: Animal Science Journal)

An Integrated Control Strategy for the Fermentation of the Marine-Derived Fungus Aspergillus glaucus for the Production of Anti-cancer Polyketide.

Marine Biotechnology — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Cai M, Zhou X, Lu J, Fan W, Zhou J, Niu C, Kang L, Sun X, Zhang Y Abstract An integrated control strategy of pH, shear stress, and dissolved oxygen tension (DOT) for fermentation scale-up of the marine-derived fungus Aspergillus glaucus HB 1-19 for the production of the anti-cancer compound aspergiolide A was studied. Keeping initial pH of 6.5 and shifting pH from 6.0 to 7.0 intermittently during the production phase greatly facilitated biosynthesis of aspergiolide A in shake flask cultures. Thus, a pH-shift strategy was proposed that shifting pH to 7.0 once it went lower than 6.0 by pulsed feeding NaOH solution during the production phase in bioreactor fermentation of A. glaucus HB 1-19. As a result, aspergiolide A production in a 30-L bioreactor was increased to 37.6 mg...

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Fetuin A, a serum component, promotes growth and biofilm formation by Aspergillus fumigatus.

International Journal of Medical Microbiology — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Toyotome T, Yamaguchi M, Iwasaki A, Watanabe A, Taguchi H, Qin L, Watanabe H, Kamei K Abstract Aspergillus fumigatus is an all-important pathogenic fungus and is known for its angiotropism. When it invades human organs, A. fumigatus makes direct contact with blood and its components by causing inflammation and invading vascular structures. To learn the effect of its contact with blood on the development of infection, we examined the effect of serum on A. fumigatus growth. In Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum, hyphal tip growth was accelerated, forming a thickened and well-networked biofilm associated with extracellular matrix, and fetuin A was identified as the active component in the serum that accelerates fungal growth leading to format...

Synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation of some pyridine and quinoline fused chromenone derivatives

Medicinal Chemistry Research — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:56:03 +0100

Abstract In an attempt to find a new class of antimicrobial agents, a series of fused chromenone derivatives containing pyridine and quinoline moieties were prepared via the reaction of 4-chloro-2-oxo-2H-chromene-3-carbaldehydes with cyclopentanone or cyclohexanone or α-tetralone in the presence of ammonium acetate in refluxing glacial acetic acid. The target molecules were also synthesized using interchange component strategy. These compounds were screened for their antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes), Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas phaseolicola and Pseudomonas fluorescens), and antifungal activity against Fusarium oxysporum and Aspergillus niger. The compounds exhibited good to moderate antibacterial...

Hypersensitivity Testing for Aspergillus fumigatus IgE Is Significantly More Sensitive Than Testing for Aspergillus niger IgE.

American Journal of Clinical Pathology — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:57:02 +0100

Authors: Selvaggi TA, Walco JP, Parikh S, Walco GA Abstract We sought to determine if sufficient redundancy exists between specific IgE testing for Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus niger to eliminate one of the assays in determining Aspergillus hypersensitivity. We reviewed regional laboratory results comparing A fumigatus-specific IgE with A niger-specific IgE using the Pharmacia UniCAP system (Pharmacia, Kalamazoo, MI). By using the Fisher exact test as an index of concordance among paired results, we showed a significant difference between 109 paired samples for the presence of specific IgE to A fumigatus and A niger (P < .0001). Of these specimens, 94 were negative for IgE to both species, 10 were positive for A fumigatus and negative for A niger; no specimen was positi...

TLR3 essentially promotes protective class I-restricted memory CD8+ T-cell responses to Aspergillus fumigatus in hematopoietic transplanted patients

Blood — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Aspergillus fumigatus is a model fungal pathogen and a common cause of severe infections and diseases. CD8+ T cells are present in the human and murine T-cell repertoire to the fungus. However, CD8+ T-cell function in infection and the molecular mechanisms that control their priming and differentiation into effector and memory cells in vivo remain elusive. In the present study, we report that both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells mediate protective memory responses to the fungus contingent on the nature of the fungal vaccine. Mechanistically, class I MHC-restricted, CD8+ memory T cells were activated through TLR3 sensing of fungal RNA by cross-presenting dendritic cells. Genetic deficiency of TLR3 was associated with susceptibility to aspergillosis and concomitant failure to activate memory-protectiv...

Heterologous Expression of Manganese Peroxidase in Aspergillus niger and Its Effect on Phenanthrene Removal from Soil

Journal of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 04:04:06 +0100

J Mol Microbiol Biotechnol 2011;21:120–129 (DOI:10.1159/000331563) (Source: Journal of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology)

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Technical Paper 12: (Research Report) Indoor environmental quality in refurbishment

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:48:25 +0100

Richard Hobday (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

The role of cytokines and pathogen recognition molecules in fungal keratitis - Insights from human disease and animal models.

Cytokine — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Leal SM, Pearlman E Abstract Fungal infections of the cornea are an important cause of blindness and visual impairment worldwide, with contact lens wear being the main risk factor in the USA and other industrialized countries, and traumatic injury being the main risk factor in developing countries. In this review, we highlight recent advances in the understanding of the host response to Aspergillus and Fusarium species in infected human corneal tissue and in mouse models of fungal keratitis. PMID: 22280957 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Cytokine)

Medically unexplained symptoms and neuropsychological assessment

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:48:26 +0100

Binder LM, Campbell KA (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

Total viable molds and fungal DNA in classrooms and association with respiratory health and pulmonary function of European schoolchildren

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:25:45 +0100

Simoni M, Cai GH, Norback D, Annesi-Maesano I, Lavaud F, Sigsgaard T, Wieslander G, Nystad W, Canciani M, Viegi G, Sestini P (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

Respiratory and allergic health effects of dampness, mold, and dampness-related agents: a review of the epidemiologic evidence

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:50:23 +0100

Mendell MJ, Mirer AG, Cheung K, Tong M, Douwes J (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

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Biosynthesis and function of gliotoxin in Aspergillus fumigatus

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 19:13:01 +0100

Scharf DH, Heinekamp T, Remme N, Hortschansky P, Brakhage AA, Hertweck C (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

Increased chitinase expression and fungal-specific antibodies in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of asthmatic children

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 19:11:08 +0100

Goldman DL, Li X, Tsirilakis K, Andrade C, Casadevall A, Vicencio AG (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

Testimony by hung cheung, md, mph, facoem vice president, clinical services ictm before the florida house of representatives committee meeting mold workgroup 404 house office building tallahasse, florida january 20, 2004

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:21:18 +0100

HUNG CHEUNG, MD, MPH, FACOEM (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

Elimination of mycotoxins from the body

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:58:04 +0100

International Center for Toxicology and Medicine (ICTM) (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

Regulatory interactionis for iron homoeostatis in Aspergillus fumigatus inferred by a Systems Biology approach

BMC Systems Biology - Latest articles — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: This study presents an application of the typical Systems Biology circle and is based on cooperation between wet-lab experimentalists and in silico modellers. The results underline that using prior knowledge during network inference helps to predict biologically important interactions. Together with the experimental results, we indicate a novel iron homoeostasis regulating system sensing the amount of metabolically available iron and identify the binding site of iron-related SrbA target genes. It will be of high interest to study whether these regulatory interactions are also important for close relatives of A. fumigatus and other pathogenic fungi, such as Candida albicans. (Source: BMC Systems Biology - Latest articles)

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A Novel endo-1,4-β-Mannanase from Bispora antennata with Good Adaptation and Stability over a Broad pH Range.

Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Liu Q, Yang P, Luo H, Shi P, Huang H, Meng K, Yao B Abstract An endo-β-1,4-mannanase encoding gene, man5, was cloned from Bispora antennata CBS 126.38, which was isolated from a beech stump. The cDNA of man5 consists of 1,299 base pairs and encodes a 432-amino-acid protein with a theoretical molecular mass of 46.6 kDa. Deduced MAN5 exhibited the highest amino acid sequence identity of 58% to a β-mannanase of glycoside hydrolase family 5 from Aspergillus aculeatus. Recombinant MAN5 was expressed in Pichia pastoris and purified to electrophoretic homogeneity. The specific activity of the final preparation towards locust bean gum was 289 U mg(-1). MAN5 showed optimal activity at pH 6.0 and 70 °C and had good adaptation and stability over a broad range of pH values. The e...

Essential oil of Myrica esculenta Buch. Ham.: composition, antimicrobial and topical anti-inflammatory activities.

Natural Product Research — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Agnihotri S, Wakode S, Ali M Abstract Hydrodistilled oil obtained from the stem bark of Myrica esculenta Buch. Ham. ex D. Don (yield 0.3%) was analysed by capillary GC and GC-MS. The volatile oil consisted mainly of n-hexadecanol (25.2%), eudesmol acetate (21.9%), palmitic acid (11.6%), cis-β-caryophyllene (8.7%), n-pentadecanol (7.7%) and n-octadecanol (7.6%). The oil was found to be a potential antimicrobial agent against Bacillus pumilus, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The essential oil exhibited significant topical anti-inflammatory activity compared to standard drug in Swiss albino mice ear. PMID: 22260222 [PubMed - as supplied by publis...

Regulatory interactions for iron homoeostatis in Aspergillus fumigatus inferred by a Systems Biology approach

BMC Systems Biology - Latest articles — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Immunoproteomics based identification of thioredoxin reductase GliT and novel Aspergillus fumigatus antigens for serologic diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis

BMC Microbiology - Latest articles — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The immunoreactive proteins identified in this study may be helpful for the diagnosis of IA in critically ill patients. Our results indicate that TR and other immunodominant antigens have potential as biomarkers for the serologic diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis. (Source: BMC Microbiology - Latest articles)

Small surfactant-like peptides can drive soluble proteins into active aggregates

Microbial Cell Factories — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: This study shows that the surfactant-like peptides L6KD and it derivatives can act as a pull-down handler for converting soluble proteins into active aggregates, much like 18A and ELK16. These peptide-mediated protein aggregations might have important implications for protein aggregation in vivo, and can be explored for production of functional biopolymers with detergent or other interfacial activities. (Source: Microbial Cell Factories)

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Comparison and characterization of α-amylase inducers in Aspergillus nidulans based on nuclear localization of AmyR.

Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Murakoshi Y, Makita T, Kato M, Kobayashi T Abstract AmyR, a fungal transcriptional activator responsible for induction of amylolytic genes in Aspergillus nidulans, localizes to the nucleus in response to the physiological inducer isomaltose. Maltose, kojibiose, and D: -glucose were also found to trigger the nuclear localization of GFP-AmyR. Isomaltose- and kojibiose-triggered nuclear localization was not inhibited by the glucosidase inhibitor, castanospermine, while maltose-triggered localization was inhibited. Thus, maltose itself does not appear to be an direct inducer, but its degraded or transglycosylated product does. Non-metabolizable D: -glucose analogues were also able to trigger the nuclear localization, implying that these sugars, except maltose, directly functio...

A new chitosan-thymine conjugate: Synthesis, characterization and biological activity.

International Journal of Biological Macromolecules — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Kumar S, Koh J, Kim H, Gupta MK, Dutta PK Abstract Conjugation of chitosan with nucleobases is expected to expand its not only antimicrobial activity but also anti-cancer activity. Here, we report the synthesis of a novel chitosan-thymine conjugate by the reaction between chitosan and thymine-1-yl-acetic acid followed by acylation. The synthesized conjugate was characterized by FTIR, XRD, (1)H NMR, TGA and SEM. The microbiological screening results demonstrated the antimicrobial activity of the conjugate against bacteria viz., Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and fungi viz., Aspergillus niger. The chitosan-thymine conjugate also inhibited (p<0.05) the proliferation of human liver cancer cells (HepG2) in a dose-dependent manner but had no cellular toxicity in non...

Fluorescent spray 'detects oesophageal cancer'

NHS News Feed — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 08:30:00 +0100

Conclusion This small study has developed a fluorescently tagged molecule that can help identify areas of Barrett’s oesophagus that have progressed towards becoming cancerous. This is an early study with limitations, including the following: This was a small study, which only tested the technique in sections of oesophagus from four patients. The study only looked at oesophageal samples that had been removed from the body, although the researchers did try to replicate how the oesophagus would be examined in real life. The fluorescent molecule binds more strongly to normal tissue and less strongly to abnormal tissue. The researchers note that an ideal marker for cancerous tissue would usually work in the opposite way: binding to abnormal tissue but not normal tissue. This study...

Effects of Koji Fermented Phenolic Compounds on the Oxidative Stability of Fish Miso

Journal of Food Science — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Abstract: In the present study, Aspergillus oryzae‐inoculated koji inhibited lipid oxidation in fermented fish paste rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids following a long fermentation period. The fermentation of koji by A. oryzae liberated several bioactive phenolic compounds, including kojic acid and ferulic acid, which were the most abundant. A linear correlation between several phenolic compounds and their bioactive properties, including their radical‐scavenging activity, reducing power, metal‐chelating activity, and ability to inhibit linoleic acid oxidation was observed. This suggested an important role of koji phenolics in the oxidative stability of fermented fish paste. The activities of different carbohydrate‐cleaving enzymes, including α‐amylase, cellulase, and β‐g...

Optimization of enzymatic hydrolysis of pretreated rice straw and ethanol production.

Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Singh A, Bishnoi NR Abstract Cellulase, Tween 80, and β-glucosidase loading were studied and optimized by response surface methodology to improve saccharification. Microwave alkali-pretreated rice straw used as substrate for onsite enzyme production by Aspergillus heteromorphus and Trichoderma reesei. The highest enzymatic hydrolysis (84%) was obtained from rice straw at crude enzyme loading of 10 FPU/gds of cellulase, 0.15% Tween 80, and 100 international unit/g dry solids of β-glucosidase activities. Enzymatic hydrolyzate of pretreated rice straw was used for ethanol production by Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Scheffersomyces stipitis, and by co-culture of both. The yield of ethanol was 0.50, 0.47, and 0.48 g(p)/g(s) by S. cerevisiae, S. stipitis, and by co-culture, res...

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Enzymatic hydrolysis of cassava starch for production of bioethanol with a colombian wild yeast strain

Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 07:04:39 +0100

Enzymatic hydrolysis of cassava starch for producing glucose syrups was evaluated using alpha-amylase from Bacillus licheniformis and glucoamylase from Aspergillus niger. Moreover, an enzyme mixture of α-amylase from Aspergillus kawachi and glucoamylase from Aspergillus niger was tested. Enzyme conditions for starch hydrolysis were optimized by a factorial experimental design (3³×2) using as variables substrate concentration, enzyme/substrate ratio and time reaction. Optimal enzyme reactions with 100 g of starch per L were: α-amylase at pH 5.0, 80 °C and enzyme dosage of 130.5 U g-1 of starch; and glucoamylase, pH 4.5, 70 °C and enzyme dosage of 81.5 U g-1 of starch. Additionally, optimal conditions for the enzymatic mixture were pH 4.5, 46 °C, and enzyme dosage of 16.4 U g-1 of sta...

Comparison of the skin test and ImmunoCAP system in the evaluation of mold allergy

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:09:16 +0100

Liang KL, Su MC, Jiang RS (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

Sensitization to Aspergillus antigens and occurrence of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis in patients with asthma

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:03:29 +0100

Maurya V, Gugnani HC, Sarma PU, Madan T, Shah A (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

Identification of novel allergens of Aspergillus fumigatus using immunoproteomics approach

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:51:26 +0100

Gautam P, Sundaram CS, Madan T, Gade WN, Shah A, Sirdeshmukh R, Sarma PU (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

Concurrent allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and aspergilloma: is it a more severe form of the disease?

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:49:47 +0100

Shah A (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

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Frequency of familial occurrence in 164 patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:47:45 +0100

Shah A, Kala J, Sahay S, Panjabi C (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

Concomitant allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and allergic Aspergillus sinusitis: a review of an uncommon association*

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:45:58 +0100

Shah A, Panchal N, Agarwal AK (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

Lipid formulations of amphotericins: are you a lumper or a splitter?

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:40:29 +0100

Wingard JR (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

Asthma outbreak during a thunderstorm

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 19:33:42 +0100

Packe GE, Ayres JG (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

Use of the University of Minnesota Biocatalysis/Biodegradation Database for study of microbial degradation

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 19:16:55 +0100

Lynda B.M. Ellis and Lawrence P. Wackett (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

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Thunderstorm associated asthma: a detailed analysis of environmental factors

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:59:22 +0100

Celenza A, Fothergill J, Kupek E, Shaw RJ (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

Epidemic asthma and the role of the fungal mold Alternaria alternata

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:58:14 +0100

Pulimood TB, Corden JM, Bryden C, Sharples L, Nasser SM (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

MOULD ALLERGY 1. An investigation of the airborne fungal spores in Stockholm, Sweden

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:53:47 +0100

ERIK RIPE (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

MOULD ALLERGY III. Extract preparation of moulds

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:51:07 +0100

E. RIPE & H. PALMSTIERNA (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

MOULD ALLERGY II. Submerged cultivation of allergcnic moulds.

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:44:00 +0100

H. PALMSTIERNA & E. RIPE (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

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The incidence of fungi in various diseased conditions.

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:40:59 +0100

E. L. MACQUIDDY AND ELIZABETH PINKERTON. (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

Global burden of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis as a sequel to pulmonary tuberculosis

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:53:39 +0100

David W Denning, Alex Pleuvry & Donald C Cole (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

Intracranial fungal granuloma

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:30:41 +0100

Sharma BS, Khosla VK, Kak VK, Banerjee AK, Vasishtha RK, Prasad KS, Sharma SC, Mathuriya SN, Tewari MK, Pathak A (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

Antifungal drug resistance in Aspergillus

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:27:00 +0100

Moore CB, Sayers N, Mosquera J, Slaven J, Denning DW (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

Endobronchial aspergilloma: report of 10 cases and literature review

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:34:30 +0100

Ma JE, Yun EY, Kim YE, Lee GD, Cho YJ, Jeong YY, Jeon KN, Jang IS, Kim HC, Lee JD, Hwang YS (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

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Contribution of a Cyclonic-Based Liquid Air Collector for Detecting Aspergillus Fumigatus by QPCR in Air Samples

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:31:39 +0100

Bellanger AP, Reboux G, Scherer E, Vacheyrou M, Millon L (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

Complete mitochondrial genome of compactin‐producing fungus Penicillium solitum and comparative analysis of Trichocomaceae mitochondrial genomes

FEMS Microbiology Letters — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

AbstractWe determined the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the compactin‐producing fungus Penicillium solitum strain 20‐01. The 28601‐base pair circular‐mapping DNA molecule encodes a characteristic set of mitochondrial proteins and RNA genes and is intron‐free. All 46 protein‐ and RNA‐encoding genes are located on one strand and apparently transcribed in one direction. Comparative analysis of this mtDNA and previously sequenced but unannotated mitochondrial genomes of several medically and industrially important species of the Aspergillus/Penicillium group revealed their extensive similarity in terms of size, gene content and sequence homology, which is also reflected in the almost perfect conservation of mitochondrial gene order in Penicillium and Aspergillus. Phyl...

Fatal subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by Aspergillus arteritis without angiographic abnormalities

Neuropathology — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

We describe a case of fatal SAH caused by Aspergillus arteritis without formation of fusiform dilatation or aneurysms. A 76‐year‐old man with a 2‐month history of progressive visual loss due to pachymeningitis around the optic nerves suffered from SAH in the bilateral sylvian fissures. Repetitive serum galactomannan assay and angiography showed no abnormality. Post mortem examination revealed marked proliferation of Aspergillus in the granulomas of the frontal base dura mater. In addition, major trunks and several branches of the bilateral middle cerebral arteries were invaded by Aspergillus hyphae, which destroyed the walls in the absence of dilatation and aneurysms. Invasive aspergillosis of the CNS often forms a mycotic aneurysm. However, four autopsy cases of nonaneurysmal SAH du...

Resistin-Like Molecule Alpha Regulates IL-13-Induced Chemokine Production but not Allergen-Induced Airway Responses.

American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Munitz A, Cole ET, Atar-Karo D, Finkelman FD, Rothenberg ME Abstract Resistin-like molecule alpha (Relm-α) is one of the most up-regulated gene products in allergen and parasite-associated Th2 responses. Localized to alternatively activated macrophages, Relm-α has been shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect in parasite-induced Th2 responses, but its role in experimental asthma remains unexplored. Herein, we analyzed the cellular source, IL-4 receptors required to stimulate Relm-α production, and the role of Relm-α following experimental asthma induction by IL-4, IL-13 or multiple experimental regimes, including OVA and Aspergillus fumigatus immunization. We demonstrate that Relm-α was secreted into the airway lumen, dependent upon both IL-13Rα1 and likely the type...

Novel Copper-Based Therapeutic Agent for Anti-Inflammatory: Synthesis, Characterization, and Biochemical Activities of Copper(II) Complexes of Hydroxyflavone Schiff Bases.

Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Joseph J, Nagashri K Abstract Four hydroxyflavone derivatives have been synthesized with the aim of obtaining a good model of superoxide dismutase. Better to mimic the natural metalloenzyme, copper complexes have been designed. The Cu(II) complexes of general formulae, [CuL] where L = 5-hydroxyflavone-o-phenylenediamine (L(1)H(2))/m-phenylenediamine (L(2)H(2)) and 3-hydroxyflavone-o-phenylenediamine (L(3)H(2))/m-phenylenediamine (L(4)H(2)) have been synthesized. The structural features have been determined from their analytical and spectral data. All the Cu(II) complexes exhibit square planar geometry. Redox behavior of copper complexes was studied and the present ligand systems stabilize the unusual oxidation state of the copper ion during electrolysis. The in vitro a...

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ANCUT2, an Extracellular Cutinase from Aspergillus nidulans Induced by Olive Oil.

Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Castro-Ochoa D, Peña-Montes C, González-Canto A, Alva-Gasca A, Esquivel-Bautista R, Navarro-Ocaña A, Farrés A Abstract Cutinases are versatile carboxylic ester hydrolases with great potential in many biocatalytic processes, including biodiesel production. Genome sequence analysis of the model organism Aspergillus nidulans reveals four genes encoding putative cutinases. In this work, we purified and identified for the first time a cutinase (ANCUT2) produced by A. nidulans. ANCUT2 is a 29-kDa protein which consists of 255 amino acid residues. Comparison of the amino acid sequence of ANCUT2 with other microbial cutinase sequences revealed a high degree of homology with other fungal cutinases as well as new features, which include a serine-rich region and conserved cystein...

Characterization and application of fusidane antibiotic biosynethsis enzyme 3-ketosteroid-∆(1)-dehydrogenase in steroid transformation.

Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In this study, a 3-ketosteroid-∆(1)-dehydrogenase (kstD(F)) involved in fusidane antibiotic biosynthesis from Aspergillus fumigatus CICC 40167 was characterized for use in steroid transformation. KstD(F) encodes a polypeptide consisting of 637 amino acid residues. It shows 51% amino acid identity with a kstD from Thermomicrobium roseum DSM 5159. Expression of kstD(F) in Escherichia coli and Pichia pastoris showed that all kstD(F) activity is located in the cytoplasm. This indicates that it is a soluble intracytoplasmic enzyme, unlike most kstDs from bacteria, which are membrane-bound. The expression of kstD(F) was performed in P. pastoris, both intracellularly and extracelluarly. The intracellularly expressed protein displayed good activity in steroid transformation, while the extracellu...

Investigation and threshold of optimum blood concentration of voriconazole: a descriptive statistical meta-analysis

Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 06:42:05 +0100

Abstract Voriconazole (VRCZ) reportedly possesses a broad spectrum of antifungal activity against Aspergillus spp. and Candida spp., and the blood concentration of VRCZ is correlated with both the efficacy and the adverse effects of this drug. Monitoring of the blood concentration target level of VRCZ has not yet been widely adopted in the medical field, and no evidence concerning this target level has been reported. Accordingly, we used a meta-analysis to investigate the optimal blood concentration of VRCZ. Using data from 12 reports, we found that the success rate for fungal infection treatment increased significantly at VRCZ levels greater than 1.0 μg/ml when a graded cutoff value within the range of 1.0–3.0 μg/ml was used as the VRCZ trough blood concentra...

Isolation of multiple-triazole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus strains carrying the TR/L98H mutations in the cyp51A gene in India

Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions We report for the first time from India the occurrence of TR/L98H mutations in the cyp51A gene (responsible for reduced azole susceptibility) in two A. fumigatus isolates from patients with chronic respiratory disease who had not previously been exposed to azoles. The presence of TR/L98H is consistent with a route of resistance development through exposure to azole compounds in the environment. Given the emergence of azole resistance in environmental strains, continued surveillance of resistance in clinical A. fumigatus strains is desirable for successful therapy of aspergillosis. (Source: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy)

Casein phosphopeptides drastically increase secretion of extracellular proteins in Aspergillus awamori. Proteomics studies reveal changes in the secretory pathway

Microbial Cell Factories — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: In summary, CPPs cause a reprogramming of cellular metabolism leading to massive secretion of extracellular proteins. (Source: Microbial Cell Factories)

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Biomedically important pathogenic fungi detection with volatile biomarkers

Journal of Breath Research — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Volatile chemical profiles collected from the headspace of Aspergillus fumigatus (a pathogenic fungus that causes invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and chronic fungal sinusitis) grown on media with the connective tissue protein elastin, found in lung tissue, contained a large abundance of the sesquiterpene farnesene (3,7,11-trimethyl-1,3,6,10-dodecatetraene) and, depending on extraction time and sorbent material, other farnesene isomers and sesquiterpenes such as bisabolene (methyl-4-(6-methylhepta-1,5-dien-2-yl)cyclohex-1-ene). When human lung cells were cultured externally and infected with A. fumigatus , farnesene was also detected in each model lung system. Volatiles measured from cultured nasal lavage collected from a patient diagnosed w...

DAMP AND MOULD Health risks, prevention and remedial actions Information

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 21:41:20 +0100

World Health Organisation: Information brochure (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

Richness of endophytic fungi isolated from Opuntia ficus-indica Mill. (Cactaceae) and preliminary screening for enzyme production

World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 16:56:43 +0100

The objective of this study was to describe the richness of endophytic fungi from O. ficus-indica and to detect the capacity of these species to produce extracellular hydrolytic enzymes. Forty-four endophytic fungi species were isolated. Among them, the most commonly found were Cladosporium cladosporioides (20.43%) and C. sphaerospermum (15.99%). Acremonium terricola, Monodictys castaneae, Penicillium glandicola, Phoma tropica and Tetraploa aristata are being reported for the first time as endophytic fungi for Brazil. The majority of isolated fungi exhibited enzymatic potential. Aspergillus japonicus and P. glandicola presented pectinolytic activity. Xylaria sp. was the most important among the other 14 species with positive cellulase activity. All 24 isolates analysed were xylanase-po...

In vitro evaluation of antifungal activity of the seed extract of embelia ribes

Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

A Sabitha Rani, K Saritha, V Nagamani, G SulakshanaIndian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 2011 73(2):247-249Antifungal activity of Embelia ribes was evaluated on eight different fungal species by employing various concentrations of seed extract (0.5-2.0 mg). All the concentrations of seed extract inhibited the fungal growth, whereas maximum activity was observed at 2.0 mg concentration of seed extract. Among different doses, the diameter of inhibition zones ranged from 9 to 18 mm in various fungal species and increased with the increase in the concentration of test solution. Among all the fungi, high inhibition zones were observed in Colletotricum crassipes (18 mm). This was followed by Cladosporium (17.5 mm), Armillaria mellea (17 mm), Colletotricum capsici (17 mm), Aspergillus niger (...

Cloning and Characterization of a Gene Coding for a Major Extracellular Chitosanase from the Koji Mold Aspergillus oryzae.

Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Sugita A, Sugii A, Sato K, Zhang XY, Dai AL, Taguchi G, Shimosaka M Abstract A gene coding for a major extracellular chitosanase was isolated from Aspergillus oryzae IAM2660. It had a multi-domain structure composed of a signal peptide, a catalytic domain, Thr- and Pro-rich linkers, and repeated peptides (the R3 domain) from the N-terminus. The R3 domain bound to insoluble powder chitosan, but it did not promote the hydrolysis rate of the chitosanase to any extent. PMID: 22232262 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry)

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Advances in Aspergillus secondary metabolite research in the post-genomic era

RSC - Nat. Prod. Rep. latest articles — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 00:11:56 +0100

Nat. Prod. Rep., 2012, Advance ArticleDOI: 10.1039/C2NP00084A, ReviewJames F. Sanchez, Amber D. Somoza, Nancy P. Keller, Clay C. C. WangThe genomic sequence data from several Aspergillus species has proven to be a boon to researchers interested in studying the genetics and biochemistry underlying secondary metabolism in this important fungal genus.To cite this article before page numbers are assigned, use the DOI form of citation above.The content of this RSS Feed (c) The Royal Society of Chemistry (Source: RSC - Nat. Prod. Rep. latest articles)

Efficient bio-conversion of glycerol to glycerol carbonate catalyzed by lipase extracted from Aspergillus niger

RSC - Green Chem. latest articles — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 00:11:54 +0100

Green Chem., 2012, Advance ArticleDOI: 10.1039/C2GC16294F, PaperMadalina Tudorache, Loredana Protesescu, Simona Coman, Vasile I. ParvulescuAn eco-friendly, performant and economic biocatalytic route with lipase extracted from Aspergillus niger as an efficient biocatalyst is suggested for the glycerol carbonate synthesis.To cite this article before page numbers are assigned, use the DOI form of citation above.The content of this RSS Feed (c) The Royal Society of Chemistry (Source: RSC - Green Chem. latest articles)

Biotransformation of thymol by Aspergillus niger

Chemistry of Natural Compounds — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 06:43:19 +0100

Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-3DOI 10.1007/s10600-012-0115-6Authors Akbar Esmaeili, Department of Chemical Engineering, North Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, P.O. Box 19585/936, Tehran, IranAbas Khodadadi, Department of Chemical Engineering, North Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, P.O. Box 19585/936, Tehran, IranShila Safaiyan, Department of Chemical Engineering, North Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, P.O. Box 19585/936, Tehran, Iran Journal Chemistry of Natural CompoundsOnline ISSN 1573-8388Print ISSN 0009-3130 (Source: Chemistry of Natural Compounds)

Characterization of different FAD-dependent glucose dehydrogenases for possible use in glucose-based biosensors and biofuel cells.

Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In this study, different flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD)-dependent glucose dehydrogenases (FADGDHs) were characterized electrochemically after "wiring" them with an osmium redox polymer [Os(4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine)(2)(PVI)(10)Cl](+) on graphite electrodes. One tested FADGDH was that recently discovered in Glomerella cingulata (GcGDH), another was the recombinant form expressed in Pichia pastoris (rGcGDH), and the third was a commercially available glycosylated enzyme from Aspergillus sp. (AspGDH). The performance of the Os-polymer "wired" GDHs on graphite electrodes was tested with glucose as the substrate. Optimal operational conditions and analytical characteristics like sensitivity, linear ranges and current density of the different FADGDHs were determined. The performance of al...

5-DMATS from Aspergillus clavatus [Microbiology]

Journal of Biological Chemistry — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

The putative prenyltransferase gene ACLA_031240 belonging to the dimethylallyltryptophan synthase superfamily was identified in the genome sequence of Aspergillus clavatus and overexpressed in Escherichia coli. The soluble His-tagged protein EAW08391 was purified to near homogeneity and used for biochemical investigation with diverse aromatic substrates in the presence of different prenyl diphosphates. It has shown that in the presence of dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP), the recombinant enzyme accepted very well simple indole derivatives with l-tryptophan as the best substrate. Product formation was also observed for tryptophan-containing cyclic dipeptides but with much lower conversion yields. In contrast, no product formation was detected in the reaction mixtures of l-tryptophan with g...

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Characterization of Halomonas sp. H11 α-glucosidase activated by monovalent cations and its application for efficient synthesis of α-D-glucosylglycerol.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Ojima T, Saburi W, Yamamoto T, Kudo T Abstract An α-glucosidase (HaG) with the following unique properties was isolated from Halomonas sp. H11 strain: 1) high transglucosylation activity; 2) activation by monovalent cations; and 3) very narrow substrate specificity. The molecular mass of the purified HaG was estimated at 58 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). HaG showed high hydrolytic activities toward maltose, sucrose, and p-nitrophenyl α-d-glucoside (pNPG), but to almost no other disaccharides or malto-oligosaccharides higher than trisaccharides. HaG showed optimum activity to maltose at 30°C and pH 6.5. Monovalent cations such as K(+), Rb(+), Cs(+), and NH(4)(+) increased the enzymatic activity to 2-9-fold of the original act...

Expression of a library of fungal β-glucosidases in Saccharomyces cerevisiae for the development of a biomass fermenting strain.

Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Wilde C, Gold ND, Bawa N, Tambor JH, Mougharbel L, Storms R, Martin VJ Abstract Converting cellulosic biomass to ethanol involves the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose and the fermentation of the resulting glucose. The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is naturally ethanologenic, but lacks the enzymes necessary to degrade cellulose to glucose. Towards the goal of engineering S. cerevisiae for hydrolysis of and ethanol production from cellulose, 35 fungal β-glucosidases (BGL) from the BGL1 and BGL5 families were screened for their ability to be functionally expressed and displayed on the cell surface. Activity assays revealed that the BGL families had different substrate specificities, with only the BGL1s displaying activity on their natural substrate, cellobiose. However, gr...

Deciphering cell wall integrity signalling in Aspergillus fumigatus: identification and functional characterization of cell wall stress sensors and relevant Rho GTPases

Molecular Microbiology — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

SummaryThe fungal cell wall, a conserved and highly dynamic structure, is essential for virulence and viability of fungal pathogens and is an important antifungal drug target. The cell wall integrity (CWI) signalling pathway regulates shape and biosynthesis of the cell wall. In this work we identified, localized and functionally characterized four putative CWI stress sensors of Aspergillus fumigatus, an airborne opportunistic human pathogen and the cause of invasive aspergillosis. We show that Wsc1 is specifically required for resistance to echinocandin antifungals. MidA is specifically required for elevated temperature tolerance and resistance to the cell wall perturbing agents congo red and calcofluor white. Wsc1, Wsc3 and MidA additionally have overlapping functions and are redundantly ...

Genes encoding hevein-like defense peptides in wheat: Distribution, evolution, and role in stress response.

Biochimie — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Andreev YA, Korostyleva TV, Slavokhotova AA, Rogozhin EA, Utkina LL, Vassilevski AA, Grishin EV, Egorov TA, Odintsova TI Abstract Hevein-like plant defense peptides WAMP-1a/b with a unique 10-Cys motif are found in the wheat Triticum kiharae seeds. Three different wamp genomic and cDNA sequences were derived from T. kiharae; no introns were spotted in the protein-coding regions of the genes. The deduced Wamp precursor proteins consist of a signal peptide, mature peptide (WAMP) and C-terminal prosequence. Origin of WAMPs from class I/IV chitinases via deletion of the catalytic domain is proposed based on homology between their genes. Genome screening of several cereals and goatgrasses from the genera Triticum and Aegilops was performed. No wamp homologues were identified i...

Discovery of 2-(4-cyano-3-trifluoromethylphenyl amino)-4-(4-quinazolinyloxy)-6-piperazinyl(piperidinyl)-s-triazines as potential antibacterial agents

Medicinal Chemistry Research — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 16:54:37 +0100

Abstract A series of 2-(4-cyano-3-trifluoromethylphenyl amino)-4-(4-quinazolinyloxy)-6-piperazinyl(piperidinyl)-s-triazines have been synthesized in this study by a simple and efficient synthetic protocol. The synthetic route to final piperazinyl s-triazines involved two nucleophilic substitution reactions of 4-amino-2-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile and 4-hydroxyquinazoline with 2,4,6-trichloro-1,3,5-triazine resulting in 2,4-disubstituted-6-chloro-1,3,5-triazine derivative to introduce the piperazinyl or piperidinyl functionality. The structures of the compounds were elucidated with the aid of IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, 19F NMR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. The antimicrobial activity of the compounds was tested against eight bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus MTCC 96, Bacillus...

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The Role of Allergy in Severe Asthma

Clinical and Experimental Allergy — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

SummaryThe classification of asthma to identify forms which have different contributing causes is useful for all cases in which the disease requires regular treatment, but it is essential for the management of severe asthma. Many forms of the disease can occur, and complex mixtures are not uncommon; here we artificially separated the cases into four groups: i) inhalant allergy, ii) fungal sensitization with or without colonization (including ABPA); iii) severe sinusitis with or without aspirin‐exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD), and iv) non‐inflammatory cases, including those associated with severe obesity and vocal cord dysfunction (VCD). The reason for focusing on these groups is because they illustrate how much the specific management depends upon correct classification. Inhalan...

Real-time nucleic Acid sequence-based amplification to predict the clinical outcome of invasive aspergillosis.

J Korean Med Sci — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This study suggests that the serial monitoring of RTi-NASBA could be useful for prediction of the clinical outcome in hematologic patients with IA. PMID: 22219607 [PubMed - in process] (Source: J Korean Med Sci)

Interlaboratory comparison of PCR‐based identification of Candida and Aspergillus DNA in spiked blood samples

Mycoses — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

SummaryDespite PCR per se being a powerful and sensitive technique, regarding the detection of fungi in patients’ blood, no consensus for a standardised PCR protocol yet exists. To complement other ongoing or accomplished studies which tackle this problem, the German Reference Center for Systemic Mycoses conducted an interlaboratory comparison starting with blood samples spiked with fungal cell elements. Altogether, six laboratories using in‐house PCR‐protocols from Germany and Austria participated in the trial. Blood samples were spiked with vital cells of Candida albicans or Aspergillus fumigatus. Candida was used in the yeast form, whereas Aspergillus cells were either spiked as conidia or as very young germlings, also known as smoo cells. Spiked blood samples contained between 10...

Metabolite profiling and bioactivity of rice koji fermented by Aspergillus strains.

Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In this study, the metabolite profiles of three Aspergillus strains during rice koji fermentation were compared. In the partial least squares discriminant analysis-based gas chromatography-mass spectrometry data sets, the metabolite patterns of A. oryzae (KCCM 60345) were clearly distinguished from A. kawachii (KCCM 60552) and only marginal differences were observed for A. oryzae (KCCM 60551) fermentation. In the 2 days fermentation samples, the overall metabolite levels of A. oryzae (KCCM 60345) were similar to the A. oryzae (KCCM 60551) levels and lower than the A. kawachii (KCCM 60552) levels. In addition, we identified discriminators that were mainly contributing tyrosinase inhibition (kojic acid) and antioxidant activities (pyranonigrin A) in A. oryzae (KCCM 60345) and A. kawachii (KC...

Syntheses, spectral, crystallographic, antimicrobial, and antioxidant studies of few Mannich bases

Medicinal Chemistry Research — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 16:50:08 +0100

Abstract The newly synthesized Mannich bases were characterized in this study on the basis of UV–Vis, FT-IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, Mass spectroscopic techniques, and micro elemental analyses. The single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis on one of the Mannich bases 1-[anilino(phenyl)methyl] pyrrolidine-2,5-dione was also carried out. This compound crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P21/c, with a = 15.4871(8) Å, b = 6.6637 (3) Å, c = 20.1544 (11) Å, β = 109.403(2)°, Z = 4 and V = 1961.83 (17) Å3. Antibacterial study has been carried out on all the Mannich bases against a panel of antibacterial (Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, and Bacillus subtilis) and antifungal agents (Asperg...

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ENGINEERING PLATFORMS FOR THE DIRECTED EVOLUTION OF LACCASE FROM Pycnoporus cinnabarinus.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Camarero S, Pardo I, Cañas AI, Molina P, Record E, Martínez AT, Martínez MJ, Alcalde M Abstract While the Pycnoporus cinnabarinus Laccase (PcL) is one of the most promising high redox potential enzymes for environmental biocatalysis, its practical use has to date remained limited due to the lack of directed evolution platforms with which to improve its features. Here, we describe the construction of a PcL fusion gene and the optimization of conditions to induce its functional expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, facilitating its directed evolution and semi-rational engineering. The native PcL signal peptide was replaced by the α-factor prepro-leader and this construct was subjected to six rounds of evolution coupled to a multi-screening assay based on the oxidation ...

Prevention of Aspergillus ochraceus growth on and Ochratoxin a contamination of sausages using ozonated air.

Food Microbiology — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 11:06:58 +0100

Authors: Iacumin L, Manzano M, Comi G Abstract Mycotoxigenic moulds can grow on the surface of sausages and reduce the safety of these sausages for consumption. The aim of this study was to prevent the growth of Aspergillus ochraceus and the presence of Ochratoxin A (OTA) on the surface of Milano-type sausages using ozonated air. Spores of A. ochraceus were used to inoculate the casings of the sausages after casing. A portion of the lot (35 samples) was ripened in typical rooms, and another portion (35 samples) was dried and ripened in a separate room that was treated with gaseous ozone. The gas was delivered at night (8 h/day) at a concentration of ∼1 ppm. The temperature and relative humidity during the drying and ripening were the same for both rooms. Our results demonstrat...

Vacuolar H(+)-ATPase plays a key role in cell wall biosynthesis of Aspergillus niger.

Fungal Genetics and Biology — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Schachtschabel D, Arentshorst M, Lagendijk EL, Ram AF Abstract The identification of suitable targets is crucial for the discovery and development of new antifungals. Since the fungal cell wall is an essential organelle, the identification of genes involved in cell wall biosynthesis is expected to help discover new antifungal targets. From our previously obtained collection of cell wall mutants with a constitutively active cell wall stress response pathway, we selected a thermosensitive, osmotic-remediable mutant with decreased resistance to SDS for complementation analysis. The phenotypes of this mutant were complemented by a gene encoding a protein with high sequence similarity to subunit d of the eukaryotic Vacuolar-H(+)-ATPase (VmaD). Genetic analysis of this thermosen...

The veA gene of the pine needle pathogen Dothistroma septosporum regulates sporulation and secondary metabolism.

Fungal Genetics and Biology — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Chettri P, Calvo AM, Cary JW, Dhingra S, Guo Y, McDougal RL, Bradshaw RE Abstract Fungi possess genetic systems to regulate the expression of genes involved in complex processes such as development and secondary metabolite biosynthesis. The product of the velvet gene veA, first identified and characterized in Aspergillus nidulans, is a key player in the regulation of both of these processes. Since its discovery and characterization in many Aspergillus species, VeA has been found to have similar functions in other fungi, including the Dothideomycete Mycosphaerella graminicola. Another Dothideomycete, Dothistroma septosporum, is a pine needle pathogen that produces dothistromin, a polyketide toxin very closely related to aflatoxin (AF) and sterigmatocystin (ST) synthesized b...

Effects of inositol 1,2,6-triphosphate on human liver cancer SMMC-7721 cells

Medicinal Chemistry Research — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 17:02:57 +0100

Abstract Phytic acid (myo-inositol hexaphosphoric acid) is present substantially in plant kingdom, and has striking anticancer effects. Phytic acid can be hydrolyzed into lower inositol phosphates by partial dephosphorylation during food processing. Inositol 1,2,6-triphosphate [Ins(1,2,6)P3] is the derivative of phytic acid prepared by partial hydrolysis of phytic acid with Aspergillus terreus phytase. The effects of Ins(1,2,6)P3 on the cell proliferation rate, cell cycle distribution, immunohistochemical staining of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and α-fetal protein (AFT) in human liver cancer SMMC-7721 cell line were investigated. Ins(1,2,6)P3 inhibited cell proliferation of SMMC-7721 cells in a dose and time-dependent manner. Ins(1,2,6)P3 induced an accumulati...

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Reshuffling of Aspergillus fumigatus cell wall components chitin and β-glucan under influence of caspofungin and nikkomycin Z alone or in combination.

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Verwer PE, van Duijn ML, Tavakol M, Bakker-Woudenberg IA, van de Sande WW Abstract Chitin and β-glucan are major cell wall components of Aspergillus spp. We investigated the antifungal activity of chitin synthesis inhibitors nikkomycin Z, polyoxin D, flufenoxuron, lufenuron and teflubenzuron, alone and combined with β-glucan synthesis inhibitor caspofungin. Only nikkomycin Z and caspofungin were found to act synergistically. The nikkomycin Z-induced chitin decrease corresponded with a β-glucan increase, while with the caspofungin-induced β-glucan decrease, an increase in chitin was found. This could explain the synergistic activity of this combination of drugs. PMID: 22203603 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy)

[Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis mimicking lung cancer in patients without bronchial asthma - case report.]

Pneumonologia i Alergologia Polska — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 23:30:40 +0100

Authors: Nowicka U, Wiatr E, Jakubowska L, Polubiec-Kownacka M Abstract Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a pulmonary disorder characterized by hypersensitivity reaction to Aspergillus, mainly Aspergillus fumigatus with variable radiological findings. The prevalence of ABPA is about 1-2% in patients with asthma and 5-15% in patients with cystic fibrosis. Very infrequently the disease is diagnosed in patients without previous bronchial asthma. The case of 45 year old women has been shown, who was admitted to the hospital with suspicious of lung cancer with hilar lymphadenopathy, without asthma. After examinations ABPA has been diagnosed. After treatment clinical, radiological, serological improvement were observed. Pneumonol. Alergol. Pol. 2011; 80, 1: 77-81. PM...

Cholic acid changes defense response to oxidative stress in soybean induced by Aspergillus niger

Central European Journal of Biology — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 16:46:38 +0100

Abstract The oxidative stress and antioxidant systems in soybean leaves and roots infected with plant pathogen Aspergillus niger were studied following treatment with different concentrations of cholic acid. Several oxidative stress parameters were analyzed: production of superoxide (O2 ·−) and hydroxyl radicals (·OH), lipid peroxidation (LP), and superoxide dismutase (SOD; EC 1.15.1.1) activity, as well as the content of reduced glutathione (GSH). Results showed that inoculation with A. niger led to the increase of O2 ·− production and GSH quantities in leaves and ·OH in roots. The highest activity of SOD occured in infected plants treated with cholic acid in concentrations of 40 and 60 mg L−1 which ultimately led to a decrease in O2 ·− production. Inoculatio...

Influence of supplementation of prebiotic, probiotic, and antibiotic to wet-fed wheat-based diets on growth, ileal nutrient digestibility, blood parameters, and gastrointestinal characteristics of broiler chickens

Comparative Clinical Pathology — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 16:52:41 +0100

Abstract A feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementations of prebiotic, probiotic, and antibiotic to wet wheat-based diets on broiler performance, carcass yield, organ weights, and histomorphological measurements of the small intestine. One hundred and sixty-day-old male broiler chicks were randomly assigned to one of four dietary treatments for 6 weeks. The dietary treatments were: (1) control (1.2 g water/gram of dry feed); (2) control diet supplemented with antibiotic (15 mg/kg of virginiamycin); (3) control diet supplemented with 1 g/kg probiotic (8 × 105 colony forming units (CFU) of Bacillus subtilis/gram); and (4) control diet supplemented with 1 g/kg prebiotic (Aspergillus sp. meal). The body weight an...

In vitro antibacterial, antifungal, and DNA cleavage studies of coumarin Schiff bases and their metal complexes: synthesis and spectral characterization

Medicinal Chemistry Research — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 16:52:25 +0100

Abstract A series of metal complexes of the type ML·2H2O [M = Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II)] have been synthesized with newly synthesized Schiff bases derived from 1,8-diaminonaphthalene and 8-formyl-7-hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin/8-acetyl-7-hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin. The chelation of the metal complexes has been proposed in the light of analytical, spectral (IR, NMR, UV–Vis, ESR, and FAB-mass), magnetic, and thermal studies. The redox behavior of the complexes was investigated by electrochemical method using cyclic voltammetry. The Schiff bases and their complexes have been screened for their antibacterial (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella typhi) and antifungal activities (Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, and Cladosp...

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Purification and characterization of β‐d‐glucosidase from aspergillus niger naringinase

Journal of Food Biochemistry — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

This study can help interested readers to take further insights into naringinase from A. niger and set strong base for the production and industrial applications of the β‐D‐glucosidase, which is useful to debitter citrus juice and produce medical ingredients. (Source: Journal of Food Biochemistry)

Terminal Amino Acids Disturb Thermostability and Activity [Molecular Biophysics]

Journal of Biological Chemistry — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Protein structure is composed of regular secondary structural elements (α-helix and β-strand) and non-regular region. Unlike the helix and strand, the non-regular region consists of an amino acid defined as a disordered residue (DR). When compared with the effect of the helix and strand, the effect of the DR on enzyme structure and function is elusive. An Aspergillus niger GH10 xylanase (Xyn) was selected as a model molecule of (β/α)8 because the general structure consists of ∼10% enzymes. The Xyn has five N-terminal DRs and one C-terminal DR, respectively, which were deleted to construct three mutants, XynΔN, XynΔC, and XynΔNC. Each mutant was ∼2-, 3-, or 4-fold more thermostable and 7-, 4-, or 4-fold more active than the Xyn. The N-terminal deletion decreased the xylanase temp...

CTBT (7‐chlorotetrazolo[5,1‐c]benzo[1,2,4]triazine) producing ROS affects growth and viability of filamentous fungi

FEMS Microbiology Letters — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

AbstractCTBT (7‐chlorotetrazolo[5,1‐c]benzo[1,2,4]triazine) causes intracellular superoxide production, oxidative stress and enhances the susceptibility of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida albicans and C. glabrata cells to cycloheximide, 5‐fluorocytosine and azole antimycotic drugs. Here we demonstrate the antifungal activity of CTBT against 14 tested filamentous fungi. CTBT prevented spore germination and mycelial proliferation of Aspergillus niger and the pathogenic A. fumigatus. The action of CTBT is fungicidal. CTBT increased the formation of reactive oxygen species in fungal mycelium as detected by 2′,7′‐dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate and reduced the radial growth of colonies in dose dependent manner. Co‐application of CTBT and itraconazole led to complete inhibit...

Optimization of ethanol, citric acid, and α-amylase production from date wastes by strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Aspergillus niger, and Candida guilliermondii.

Journal of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Acourene S, Ammouche A Abstract The present study deals with submerged ethanol, citric acid, and α-amylase fermentation by Saccharomyces cerevisiae SDB, Aspergillus niger ANSS-B5, and Candida guilliermondii CGL-A10, using date wastes as the basal fermentation medium. The physical and chemical parameters influencing the production of these metabolites were optimized. As for the ethanol production, the optimum yield obtained was 136.00 ± 0.66 g/l under optimum conditions of an incubation period of 72 h, inoculum content of 4% (w/v), sugars concentration of 180.0 g/l, and ammonium phosphate concentration of 1.0 g/l. Concerning citric acid production, the cumulative effect of temperature (30°C), sugars concentration of 150.0 g/l, methanol concentration of 3.0%, initi...

New bisabolane sesquiterpenoids from a marine-derived fungus Aspergillus sp. isolated from the sponge Xestospongia testudinaria.

Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Sun LL, Shao CL, Chen JF, Guo ZY, Fu XM, Chen M, Chen YY, Li R, de Voogd NJ, She ZG, Lin YC, Wang CY Abstract Three new phenolic bisabolane sesquiterpenoid dimers, disydonols A-C (1-3), and one known compound (S)-(+)-sydonol (4) were isolated from the fermentation broth of a marine-derived fungus Aspergillus sp., which was isolated from the sponge Xestospongia testudinaria collected from the South China Sea. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of comprehensive spectral analysis including 1D and 2D NMR spectra and HR-ESI-MS. These compounds were evaluated for cytotoxic activity against HepG-2 and Caski human tumour cell lines. Among them, compounds 1 and 3 exhibited cytotoxicity against the two cell lines. PMID: 22225637 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (So...

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Diagnosis and Treatment Outcome of Mycotic Keratitis at a Tertiary Eye Care Center in Eastern India

BMC Ophthalmology - Latest articles — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

This study reports the epidemiological characteristics, microbiological diagnosis and treatment outcome of mycotic keratitis at a tertiary eye care center in eastern India. Methods: A retrospective review of medical and microbiology records was done for all patients with laboratory proven fungal keratitis. Results: Between July 2006 and December 2009, 997 patients were clinically diagnosed as microbial keratitis. While no organisms were found in 25.4% (253/997) corneal samples, 23.4% (233/997) were bacterial, 26.4% (264/997) were fungal (45 cases mixed with bacteria), 1.4% (14/997) were Acanthamoeba with or without bacteria, 23.4% (233/997) were microsporidial with or without bacteria. Two hundred fifteen of 264 (81.4%, 215/264) samples grew fungus in culture while 49 corneal scrapings we...

The Aspergillus Genome Database (AspGD): recent developments in comprehensive multispecies curation, comparative genomics and community resources

Nucleic Acids Research — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

The Aspergillus Genome Database (AspGD; http://www.aspgd.org) is a freely available, web-based resource for researchers studying fungi of the genus Aspergillus, which includes organisms of clinical, agricultural and industrial importance. AspGD curators have now completed comprehensive review of the entire published literature about Aspergillus nidulans and Aspergillus fumigatus, and this annotation is provided with streamlined, ortholog-based navigation of the multispecies information. AspGD facilitates comparative genomics by providing a full-featured genomics viewer, as well as matched and standardized sets of genomic information for the sequenced aspergilli. AspGD also provides resources to foster interaction and dissemination of community information and resources. We welcome and enco...

CADRE: the Central Aspergillus Data REpository 2012

Nucleic Acids Research — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

The Central Aspergillus Data REpository (CADRE; http://www.cadre-genomes.org.uk) is a public resource for genomic data extracted from species of Aspergillus. It provides an array of online tools for searching and visualising features of this significant fungal genus. CADRE arose from a need within the medical community to understand the human pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. Due to the paucity of Aspergillus genomic resources 10 years ago, the long-term goal of this project was to collate and maintain Aspergillus genomes as they became available. Since our first release in 2004, the resource has expanded to encompass annotated sequence for eight other Aspergilli and provides much needed support to the international Aspergillus research community. Recent developments, however, in sequencing ...

Metal-Based Biologically Active Compounds: Synthesis, Spectral, and Antimicrobial Studies of Cobalt, Nickel, Copper, and Zinc Complexes of Triazole-Derived Schiff Bases

International Journal of Biomedical Imaging — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 20:22:14 +0100

A series of cobalt, nickel, copper, and zinc complexes of bidentate Schiff bases derived from the condensation reaction of 4-amino-5-mercapto-3-methyl/ethyl-1,2,4-triazole with 2,4-dichlorobenzaldehyde were synthesized and tested as antimicrobial agents. The synthesized Schiff bases and their metal complexes were characterized with the aid of elemental analyses, magnetic moment measurements, spectroscopic and thermogravimetric techniques. The presence of coordinated water in metal complexes was supported by infrared and thermal gravimetric studies. A square planar geometry was suggested for Cu(II) and octahedral geometry proposed for Co(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II) complexes. The Schiff bases and their metal complexes have been screened for antibacterial (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtil...

Earlier Diagnosis of Angioinvasive Pulmonary Mold Disease: Is Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiography a New Step?

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 15:54:12 +0100

Herbrecht R, Roedlich MN (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

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Computed Tomographic Pulmonary Angiography for Diagnosis of Invasive Mold Diseases in Patients With Hematological Malignancies

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 15:51:38 +0100

Stanzani M, Battista G, Sassi C, Lewis RE, Tolomelli G, Clissa C, Femia R, Bazzocchi A, Tumietto F, Viale P, Ambretti S, Baccarani M, Vianelli N (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

Evaluation of a Recombinant Antigen-Based EIA for the Diagnosis of Non-Invasive Aspergillosis

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 15:40:00 +0100

Guitard J, Sendid B, Thorez S, Gits M, Hennequin C (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

Systemic FasL neutralization increases eosinophilic inflammation in a mouse model of asthma

Allergy — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 23:47:50 +0100

Conclusions:FasL activity may play an active role in resolving eosinophilic inflammation through regulating T cells and pro‐eosinophilic cytokine release during the allergic airway response. (Source: Allergy)

Innate Recognition of Cell Wall β-Glucans Drives Invariant Natural Killer T Cell Responses against Fungi

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 19:04:08 +0100

Cohen NR, Tatituri RV, Rivera A, Watts GF, Kim EY, Chiba A, Fuchs BB, Mylonakis E, Besra GS, Levitz SM, Brigl M, Brenner MB (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

Study on the biosynthesis of the notoamides: Pinacol-type rearrangement of the isoprenyl unit in deoxybrevianamide E and 6-hydroxydeoxybrevianamide E.

Tetrahedron Letters — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 08:24:22 +0100

Authors: Kato H, Nakamura Y, Finefield JM, Umaoka H, Nakahara T, Williams RM, Tsukamoto S Abstract Two reverse-prenylated indole alkaloids, deoxybrevianamide E and 6-hydroxydeoxybrevianamide E, are proposed as biosynthetic precursors for advanced metabolites isolated from the marine-derived Aspergillus sp. In order to uncover the role of the alkaloids in the biosynthetic pathway, the feeding experiments of the [(13)C](2)-[(15)N]-labeled deoxybrevianamide E and 6-hydroxydeoxybrevianamide E were performed to afford the metabolites, which were produced by oxidation and successive pinacol-type rearrangement of the isoprenyl units. PMID: 22140281 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Tetrahedron Letters)

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Conserved and specific responses to hypoxia in Aspergillus oryzae and Aspergillus nidulans determined by comparative transcriptomics.

Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Terabayashi Y, Shimizu M, Kitazume T, Masuo S, Fujii T, Takaya N Abstract Hypoxia imposes stress on filamentous fungi that require oxygen to proliferate. Global transcription analysis of Aspergillus oryzae grown under hypoxic conditions found that the expression of about 50% of 4,244 affected genes was either induced or repressed more than 2-fold. A comparison of these genes with the hypoxically regulated genes of Aspergillus nidulans based on their predicted amino acid sequences classified them as bi-directional best hit (BBH), one-way best hit (extra homolog, EH), and no-hit (non-syntenic genes, NSG) genes. Clustering analysis of the BBH genes indicated that A. oryzae and A. nidulans down-regulated global translation and transcription under hypoxic conditions, respective...

Localization and activity of the calcineurin catalytic and regulatory subunit complex at the septum is essential for hyphal elongation and proper septation in Aspergillus fumigatus

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:25:58 +0100

Juvvadi PR, Fortwendel JR, Rogg LE, Burns KA, Randell SH, Steinbach WJ (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

Ecophysiology of Aspergillus section nigri species potential ochratoxin a producers

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:19:24 +0100

Astoreca AL, Magnoli CE, Dalcero AM (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

In Silico Characterization of Alkaline Proteases from Different Species of Aspergillus

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:18:16 +0100

Morya VK, Yadav S, Kim EK, Yadav D (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

Impact of the revised (2008) EORTC/MSG definitions for invasive fungal disease on the rates of diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:17:01 +0100

Tsitsikas DA, Morin A, Araf S, Murtagh B, Johnson G, Vinnicombe S, Ellis S, Suaris T, Wilks M, Doffman S, Agrawal SG (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

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Diagnostic Accuracy of Serum 1,3-β-D-Glucan for Pneumocystis Jiroveci Pneumonia, Invasive Candidiasis and Invasive Aspergillosis: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:15:10 +0100

Onishi A, Sugiyama D, Kogata Y, Saegusa J, Sugimoto T, Kawano S, Morinobu A, Nishimura K, Kumagai S (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

Aspergillus fumigatus Densities in Relation to Forest Succession and Edge Effects: Implications for Wildlife Health in Modified Environments

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:13:45 +0100

Perrott JK, Armstrong DP (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

Two cases of endobronchial carcinoid masked by superimposed aspergillosis: a review of the literature of primary lung cancers associated with Aspergillus

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:11:09 +0100

Nilsson JR, Restrepo CS, Jagirdar J (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

The Aspergillus Genome Database (AspGD): recent developments in comprehensive multispecies curation, comparative genomics and community resources

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:09:52 +0100

Arnaud MB, Cerqueira GC, Inglis DO, Skrzypek MS, Binkley J, Chibucos MC, Crabtree J, Howarth C, Orvis J, Shah P, Wymore F, Binkley G, Miyasato SR, Simison M, Sherlock G, Wortman JR (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

CADRE: the Central Aspergillus Data REpository 2012

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:06:30 +0100

Mabey Gilsenan J, Cooley J, Bowyer P (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

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Heterologous expression system in Aspergillus oryzae for fungal biosynthetic gene clusters of secondary metabolites

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:04:06 +0100

Sakai K, Kinoshita H, Nihira T (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

Disruption of the phospholipase D gene attenuates virulence of Aspergillus fumigatus

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:02:39 +0100

Li X, Gao M, Han X, Tao S, Zheng D, Cheng Y, Yu R, Han G, Schmidt M, Han L (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

A survey on distribution and toxigenicity of Aspergillus flavus from indoor and outdoor hospital environments

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 17:59:25 +0100

Sepahvand A, Shams-Ghahfarokhi M, Allameh A, Jahanshiri Z, Jamali M, Razzaghi-Abyaneh M (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

Antioxidant Activity of Aspergillus fumigatus

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 17:57:14 +0100

Arora DS, Chandra P (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

Pharmacodynamic effects of simulated standard doses of antifungal drugs against Aspergillus species in a new in vitro pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 17:55:37 +0100

Meletiadis J, Al-Saigh R, Velegraki A, Walsh TJ, Roilides E, Zerva L (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

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Aspergicin, a new antibacterial alkaloid produced by mixed fermentation of two marine-derived mangrove epiphytic fungi

Chemistry of Natural Compounds — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 17:02:44 +0100

A new alkaloid designated as aspergicin (1), together with a previous secondary metabolite, neoaspergillic acid (2), and a common compound, ergosterol (3), were isolated from the mixed cultured mycelia of two marine-derived mangrove epiphytic Aspergillus sp. fungi. Extensive application of 1D and 2D NMR techniques was made to characterize the structure and to establish the 1H and 13 C assignments of compound 1. In the antibacterial assays, both compounds 1 and 2 showed significant antibacterial activity against some selected Gram bacteria. Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-3DOI 10.1007/s10600-011-0053-8Authors Feng Zhu, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Foshan University, 528000 Foshan, P. R. ChinaGuangying Chen, Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Phar...

Nonpolar compounds and free fatty acids from marine fungi Aspergillus ustus

Chemistry of Natural Compounds — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 17:02:38 +0100

Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-2DOI 10.1007/s10600-011-0066-3Authors G. K. Oleinikova, Pacific Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Far-East Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, 690022 Vladivostok, Russian FederationN. N. Slinkina, Pacific Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Far-East Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, 690022 Vladivostok, Russian FederationSh. Sh. Afiyatullov, Pacific Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Far-East Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, 690022 Vladivostok, Russian Federation Journal Chemistry of Natural CompoundsOnline ISSN 1573-8388Print ISSN 0009-3130 (Source: Chemistry of Natural Compounds)

Polyatomic alcohols from the marine isolate of the fungus Aspergillus ochraceus

Chemistry of Natural Compounds — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 17:02:34 +0100

Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Brief communicationsPages 1-2DOI 10.1007/s10600-011-0062-7Authors M. P. Sobolevskaya, Pacific Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Far-East Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Russian Federation 690022 Vladivostok, Prosp. 100-Letiya Vladivostoka, 159E. V. Leshchenko, Far-East Federal University, Russian Federation 690950 Vladivostok, Ul. Sukhanova, 8M. V. Pivkin, Pacific Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Far-East Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Russian Federation 690022 Vladivostok, Prosp. 100-Letiya Vladivostoka, 159V. A. Denisenko, Pacific Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Far-East Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Russian Federation 690022 Vladivostok, Prosp. 100-Letiya Vladivostoka, 159N. N. Slinkina, Pacific Institute of Bioorganic Che...

A new cyclic peptide from the marine fungal strain Aspergillus sp. AF119

Chemistry of Natural Compounds — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 17:02:34 +0100

A new cyclic heptapeptide containing γ-aminobutyric acid in the ring, namely unguisin E (1), was isolated from the fermentation culture of Aspergillus sp. AF119. The structure was elucidated by spectroscopic analyses, including 1D and 2D NMR experiments, and HR ESI-Q-TOF mass spectrometry, and by comparison with those reported. Compound 1 was evaluated for its antimicrobial activities by the paper diffusion method. Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-3DOI 10.1007/s10600-011-0059-2Authors Shaosong Liu, Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Cell Biology and Tumor Cell Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, No. 422 South Siming Road, Xiamen, Fujian 361005, P. R. ChinaYuemao Shen, Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Cell Biology and Tumor Cell E...

Antifungal treatment affects the laboratory diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis

Journal of Clinical Pathology — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions Previous exposure to antifungal therapy must be considered when interpreting either qPCR or galactomannan-based IA diagnostics as this study has shown that individual classes of antifungal agents impact upon the dynamics of antigen and DNA release into the circulation. (Source: Journal of Clinical Pathology)

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An investigation of anthraquinone dye biodegradation by immobilized Aspergillus flavus in fluidized bed bioreactor.

Environmental Science and Pollution Research International — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: The present fluidized bed bioreactor setup with indigenously isolated fungal strain in its immobilized form is efficiently able to convert the parent toxic dye into less toxic by-products. PMID: 22161118 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Environmental Science and Pollution Research International)

Antifungal Prophylaxis in Lung Transplantation

Seminars in Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Semin Respir Crit Care Med 2011; 32: 717-726DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1295719ABSTRACTFungal infections are among the most serious complications of lung transplantation. The 1-year cumulative incidence of invasive fungal infections in lung transplant recipients is 6 to 10%, which is higher than most other solid organ transplant recipients. Aspergillus spp. are the most common etiologic agents, but Candida spp., non-Aspergillus mycelial fungi, Cryptococcus, Pneumocystis, and endemic mycoses can cause active infections in this population. Clinical manifestations of fungal infection in lung transplant recipients are protean, and include invasive pulmonary disease, airway and anastomotic infections, posttransplant empyemas, and disseminated infections. Most centers employ either universal or targeted...

Antifungal PK/PD Considerations in Fungal Pulmonary Infections

Seminars in Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Semin Respir Crit Care Med 2011; 32: 783-794DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1295726ABSTRACTPharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) studies examine the relationships of drug pharmacokinetic properties, in vitro drug potency, and treatment efficacy. Study results are integral to the design of optimal dosing strategies, prevention of toxicity, development and interpretation of susceptibility break points, and prevention and recognition of drug resistance. These principles are increasingly utilized to optimize therapy for pulmonary fungal pathogens such as Aspergillus species, although they have been underutilized for other difficult-to-treat fungal pathogens. Understanding the design and implementation of PK/PD studies facilitates more effective utilization of the available antifungal agents to improve o...

Pulmonary Mucormycosis

Seminars in Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Semin Respir Crit Care Med 2011; 32: 693-702DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1295717ABSTRACTMucormycosis (formerly zygomycosis) is a life-threatening opportunistic mycosis that infects a broad range of hosts with qualitative or quantitative defects in innate immunity, including patients with severe neutropenia, recipients of corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive medications, poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, and those with iron overload states. Mucormycosis has recently emerged as breakthrough sinopulmonary infection in hematologic patients and recipients of transplantation being on antifungal prophylaxis with Aspergillus-active antifungals that lack activity against Mucorales. Unlike pulmonary aspergillosis, the prognosis and outcome of pulmonary mucormycosis have not improved significantly ov...

Stereoselective Bioreduction of 1-(4-Methoxyphenyl)ethanone by Whole Cells of Marine-Derived Fungi.

Marine Biotechnology — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Rocha LC, Ferreira HV, Luiz RF, Sette LD, Porto AL Abstract Nine strains of marine-derived fungi (Aspergillus sydowii Ce15, A. sydowii Ce19, Aspergillus sclerotiorum CBMAI 849, Bionectria sp. Ce5, Beauveria felina CBMAI 738, Cladosporium cladosporioides CBMAI 857, Mucor racemosus CBMAI 847, Penicillium citrinum CBMAI 1186, and Penicillium miczynskii Gc5) were screened, catalyzing the asymmetric bioreduction of 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethanone 1 to its corresponding 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethanol 2. A. sydowii Ce15 and Bionectria sp. Ce5 produced the enantiopure (R)-alcohol 2 (>99% ee) in accordance with the anti-Prelog rule and, the fungi B. felina CBMAI 738 (>99% ee) and P. citrinum CBMAI 1186 (69% ee) in accordance with the Prelog rule. Stereoselective bioreduction by whole...

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Antifungal activities of clove oil against rhizopus nigricans, aspergillus flavus and penicillium citrinum in vitro and in wounded fruit test

Journal of Food Safety — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

ABSTRACTIn this article, in vitro and in vivo antifungal activities of clove oil to inactivate Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium citrinum and Rhizopus nigricans were investigated. The result showed that eugenol (approximately 83.02%) is the main constituent of clove oil. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of clove oil against A. flavus, P. citrinum and R. nigricans were 25, 25 and 50 µL/mL, respectively. In an in vitro experiment, the results revealed that clove oil possessed stronger antifungal activities against A. flavus and P. citrinum than against R. nigricans, and the antifungal activity improved with increasing its concentration. In an in vivo study, clove oil treatments significantly reduced fungal decay, and clove oil at a concentration of 3.0% showed complete cont...

Composition, antifungal activity and main fungitoxic components of the essential oil of mentha piperita l.

Journal of Food Safety — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

This study demonstrates the potential of M. piperita EO as antifungal against C. gloeosporoides, C. musae, F. oxysporum, F. semitectum, A. niger, A. flavus and A. glaucus. Further studies are underway to evaluate M. piperita EO as a feed preservative. In addition, its principal active compounds were isolated and characterized. Identification of such components also helps to understand the mode of action of the extract, which can lead to the discovery of new antifungal compounds. (Source: Journal of Food Safety)

High-level expression and characterization of a highly thermostable chitosanase from Aspergillus fumigatus in Pichia pastoris.

Biotechnology Letters — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Chen X, Zhai C, Kang L, Li C, Yan H, Zhou Y, Yu X, Ma L Abstract The sequence of an endo-chitosanase gene (CSN) from Aspergillus fumigatus was optimized based on the preferred codons of Pichia pastoris and synthesized in vitro through overlapping PCR (CSN-P). The gene was cloned into a yeast expression vector, pHBM905A, and secretorily expressed in Pichia pastoris GS115. The yield of CSN-P reached ~3 mg/ml with a high-density fermentation in a 14 l fermenter and the enzyme activity was ~25,000 U/ml. The enzyme had half-lives of 2.5 h at 80°C, 1 h at 90°C and 32 min at 100°C. It retained 70% activity after incubation with 10 M urea at room temperature for 30 min. This enzyme was used for a large-scale preparation of oligosaccharides: 3 g enzyme converted 200 kg...

Melanin contributes to physicochemical spore surface characteristics controlling spore aggregation in Aspergillus niger.

Fungal Genetics and Biology — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Priegnitz BE, Wargenau A, Brandt U, Rohde M, Dietrich S, Kwade A, Krull R, Fleißner A Abstract Fungi grow on a great variety of organic and inorganic materials. Colony establishment and growth on solid surfaces require adhesion of spores and hyphae to the substrate, while cell-to-cell interactions among spores and/or hyphae are a prerequisite for the development of three-dimensional mycelial structures such as pellets or biofilms. Surface adherence has been described as a two-step process, comprised of the initial attachment of ungerminated conidia followed by further adhesion of the forming germ tubes and growing hyphae. In the present study, we analyzed the contribution of adhesion of ungerminated spores to pellet and biofilm formation in Aspergillus niger. Mutants defi...