scholarly journals Mycophagy of White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus Zimmermann) in the Boreal Forest

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 1247
Author(s):  
Myriam Cadotte ◽  
Julien H. Richard ◽  
Jean A. Bérubé ◽  
Steeve D. Côté
Keyword(s):  
Odocoileus Virginianus ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
Mushroom Species ◽  
Large Herbivores ◽  
Lactating Females ◽  
Total Dna ◽  
Fungal Dna ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Anticosti Island

Mushrooms are a little known source of food for large herbivores, but are of high quality because of their high protein content and digestibility. Approximately 50 epigeous and hypogeous mushroom and lichen species have been identified in the diet of cervids so far using macro remains. Our main objective was to determine which mushroom species are consumed by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus Zimmermann) using a molecular approach. We collected 114 fecal samples from deer harvested in 2014 and 2015 on Anticosti Island (Québec, Canada), extracted total DNA from feces, and amplified fungal DNA specifically via polymerase chain reaction. Amplified fungi DNA was then sequenced with the Illumina method to identify mushroom species consumed by deer. Our results revealed that deer harvested consumed up to 4979 fungal species, including 580 species that appeared to be consumed directly. Adults tended to consume a higher mushroom diversity than juveniles, and mushroom diversity consumed by deer was much higher in 2015 than 2014. Adult females consumed a higher mushroom diversity than males, especially lactating females. Our results contribute to the understanding of the role of mushrooms and their large diversity in white-tailed deer diet.

Gut Mycobiota and Fungal Metabolites in Human Homeostasis

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 232-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Izabella Mogilnicka ◽  
Marcin Ufnal
Keyword(s):  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
Fungal Metabolites ◽  
Human Gut ◽  
Fecal Transplantation ◽  
Bacterial Microbiota ◽  
Bowel Diseases ◽  
Inflammatory Bowel

Background:Accumulating evidence suggests that microbiota play an important role in host’s homeostasis. Thus far, researchers have mostly focused on the role of bacterial microbiota. However, human gut is a habitat for several fungal species, which produce numerous metabolites. Furthermore, various types of food and beverages are rich in a wide spectrum of fungi and their metabolites.Methods:We searched PUBMED and Google Scholar databases to identify clinical and pre-clinical studies on fungal metabolites, composition of human mycobiota and fungal dysbiosis.Results:Fungal metabolites may serve as signaling molecules and exert significant biological effects including trophic, anti-inflammatory or antibacterial actions. Finally, research suggests an association between shifts in gut fungi composition and human health. Changes in mycobiota composition have been found in obesity, hepatitis and inflammatory bowel diseases.Conclusion:The influence of mycobiota and dietary fungi on homeostasis in mammals suggests a pharmacotherapeutic potential of modulating the mycobiota which may include treatment with probiotics and fecal transplantation. Furthermore, antibacterial action of fungi-derived molecules may be considered as a substitution for currently used antibacterial agents and preservatives in food industry.

scholarly journals Cyclo-oxygenase 2, a putative mediator of vessel remodeling, is expressed in the brain AVM vessels and associates with inflammation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Keränen ◽  
Santeri Suutarinen ◽  
Rahul Mallick ◽  
Johanna P. Laakkonen ◽  
Diana Guo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Rank Correlation ◽  
Inflammatory Cells ◽  
Vessel Remodeling ◽  
Brain Avm ◽  
Inflammatory Drugs ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Cox2 Expression

Abstract Background Brain arteriovenous malformations (bAVM) may rupture causing disability or death. BAVM vessels are characterized by abnormally high flow that in general triggers expansive vessel remodeling mediated by cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX2), the target of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. We investigated whether COX2 is expressed in bAVMs and whether it associates with inflammation and haemorrhage in these lesions. Methods Tissue was obtained from surgery of 139 bAVMs and 21 normal Circle of Willis samples. The samples were studied with immunohistochemistry and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Clinical data was collected from patient records. Results COX2 expression was found in 78% (109/139) of the bAVMs and localized to the vessels’ lumen or medial layer in 70% (95/135) of the bAVMs. Receptors for prostaglandin E2, a COX2-derived mediator of vascular remodeling, were found in the endothelial and smooth muscle cells and perivascular inflammatory cells of bAVMs. COX2 was expressed by infiltrating inflammatory cells and correlated with the extent of inflammation (r = .231, p = .007, Spearman rank correlation). COX2 expression did not associate with haemorrhage. Conclusion COX2 is induced in bAVMs, and possibly participates in the regulation of vessel wall remodelling and ongoing inflammation. Role of COX2 signalling in the pathobiology and clinical course of bAVMs merits further studies.

scholarly journals Type III Collagen is Required for Adipogenesis and Actin Stress Fibre Formation in 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes

Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 156
Author(s):  
Mohammad Al Hasan ◽  
Patricia E. Martin ◽  
Xinhua Shu ◽  
Steven Patterson ◽  
Chris Bartholomew
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Type Iii Collagen ◽  
Type Iii ◽  
Actin Stress Fibre ◽  
Matrix Gene ◽  
Gene Transcripts ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Oil Red O Staining ◽  
Oil Red O

GPR56 is required for the adipogenesis of preadipocytes, and the role of one of its ligands, type III collagen (ColIII), was investigated here. ColIII expression was examined by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction, immunoblotting and immunostaining, and its function investigated by knockdown and genome editing in 3T3-L1 cells. Adipogenesis was assessed by oil red O staining of neutral cell lipids and production of established marker and regulator proteins. siRNA-mediated knockdown significantly reduced Col3a1 transcripts, ColIII protein and lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 differentiating cells. Col3a1−/− 3T3-L1 genome-edited cell lines abolished adipogenesis, demonstrated by a dramatic reduction in adipogenic moderators: Pparγ2 (88%) and C/ebpα (96%) as well as markers aP2 (93%) and oil red O staining (80%). Col3a1−/− 3T3-L1 cells displayed reduced cell adhesion, sustained active β-catenin and deregulation of fibronectin (Fn) and collagen (Col4a1, Col6a1) extracellular matrix gene transcripts. Col3a1−/− 3T3-L1 cells also had dramatically reduced actin stress fibres. We conclude that ColIII is required for 3T3-L1 preadipocyte adipogenesis as well as the formation of actin stress fibres. The phenotype of Col3a1−/− 3T3-L1 cells is very similar to that of Gpr56−/− 3T3-L1 cells, suggesting a functional relationship between ColIII and Gpr56 in preadipocytes.

scholarly journals Spontaneous Retroperitoneal Hematoma in COVID-19 Severe Pneumonia–Dual-phase Multidetector Computed Tomography (MDCT) Angiogram and Role of Radiologist

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vikash Kumar Gupta ◽  
Buthaina Mohammad Alkandari ◽  
Wasif Mohammed ◽  
Mohsen Ahmed Abdelmohsen ◽  
Mohammad Gaber Abdullah Mohammad
Keyword(s):  
Significant Risk ◽  
Severe Pneumonia ◽  
Retroperitoneal Hematoma ◽  
Low Molecular Weight ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Prophylactic Dose ◽  
Therapeutic Anticoagulation ◽  
Coagulation Tests ◽  
Polymerase Chain

AbstractStudies available in the literature have shown alterations in blood coagulation tests in severe cases of COVID-19 pneumonia, with a significant risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Since microvascular thrombosis is a well-known fact in COVID-19 disease, requiring therapeutic anticoagulation, low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH) in prophylactic dose is a part of the clinical management of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. In this scenario, we describe three cases of abdominal spontaneous retroperitoneal hematoma (SRH) in hospitalized reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-confirmed COVID-19 patients.

scholarly journals I Like the Way You Eat It: Lemur (Indri indri) Gut Mycobiome and Geophagy

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luigimaria Borruso ◽  
Alice Checcucci ◽  
Valeria Torti ◽  
Federico Correa ◽  
Camillo Sandri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Material ◽  
Soil Characteristics ◽  
Nutrient Supply ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Beneficial Role ◽  
Intimate Connection ◽  
Indri Indri ◽  
Lemur Species

AbstractHere, we investigated the possible linkages among geophagy, soil characteristics, and gut mycobiome of indri (Indri indri), an endangered lemur species able to survive only in wild conditions. The soil eaten by indri resulted in enriched secondary oxide-hydroxides and clays, together with a high concentration of specific essential micronutrients. This could partially explain the role of the soil in detoxification and as a nutrient supply. Besides, we found that soil subject to geophagy and indris’ faeces shared about 8.9% of the fungal OTUs. Also, several genera (e.g. Fusarium, Aspergillus and Penicillium) commonly associated with soil and plant material were found in both geophagic soil and indri samples. On the contrary, some taxa with pathogenic potentials, such as Cryptococcus, were only found in indri samples. Further, many saprotrophs and plant-associated fungal taxa were detected in the indri faeces. These fungal species may be involved in the digestion processes of leaves and could have a beneficial role in their health. In conclusion, we found an intimate connection between gut mycobiome and soil, highlighting, once again, the potential consequent impacts on the wider habitat.

scholarly journals The Role of Fungi in the Cocoa Production Chain and the Challenge of Climate Change

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 202
Author(s):  
Johannes Delgado-Ospina ◽  
Junior Bernardo Molina-Hernández ◽  
Clemencia Chaves-López ◽  
Gianfranco Romanazzi ◽  
Antonello Paparella
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Close Association ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Plant Diseases ◽  
Production Chain ◽  
Cocoa Production

Background: The role of fungi in cocoa crops is mainly associated with plant diseases and contamination of harvest with unwanted metabolites such as mycotoxins that can reach the final consumer. However, in recent years there has been interest in discovering other existing interactions in the environment that may be beneficial, such as antagonism, commensalism, and the production of specific enzymes, among others. Scope and approach: This review summarizes the different fungi species involved in cocoa production and the cocoa supply chain. In particular, it examines the presence of fungal species during cultivation, harvest, fermentation, drying, and storage, emphasizing the factors that possibly influence their prevalence in the different stages of production and the health risks associated with the production of mycotoxins in the light of recent literature. Key findings and conclusion: Fungi associated with the cocoa production chain have many different roles. They have evolved in a varied range of ecosystems in close association with plants and various habitats, affecting nearly all the cocoa chain steps. Reports of the isolation of 60 genera of fungi were found, of which only 19 were involved in several stages. Although endophytic fungi can help control some diseases caused by pathogenic fungi, climate change, with increased rain and temperatures, together with intensified exchanges, can favour most of these fungal infections, and the presence of highly aggressive new fungal genotypes increasing the concern of mycotoxin production. For this reason, mitigation strategies need to be determined to prevent the spread of disease-causing fungi and preserve beneficial ones.

scholarly journals Genomic Epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in Madrid, Spain, during the First Wave of the Pandemic: Fast Spread and Early Dominance by D614G Variants

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 454
Author(s):  
Esther Viedma ◽  
Elias Dahdouh ◽  
José González-Alba ◽  
Sara González-Bodi ◽  
Laura Martínez-García ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Transportation ◽  
European Population ◽  
Viral Population ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Viral Genomes ◽  
Genomic Epidemiology ◽  
International Transport ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Phylodynamic Analysis

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first detected in Madrid, Spain, on 25 February 2020. It increased in frequency very fast and by the end of May more than 70,000 cases had been confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). To study the lineages and the diversity of the viral population during this first epidemic wave in Madrid we sequenced 224 SARS-CoV-2 viral genomes collected from three hospitals from February to May 2020. All the known major lineages were found in this set of samples, though B.1 and B.1.5 were the most frequent ones, accounting for more than 60% of the sequences. In parallel with the B lineages and sublineages, the D614G mutation in the Spike protein sequence was detected soon after the detection of the first coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) case in Madrid and in two weeks became dominant, being found in 80% of the samples and remaining at this level during all the study periods. The lineage composition of the viral population found in Madrid was more similar to the European population than to the publicly available Spanish data, underlining the role of Madrid as a national and international transport hub. In agreement with this, phylodynamic analysis suggested multiple independent entries before the national lockdown and air transportation restrictions.

scholarly journals Chest CT texture-based radiomics analysis in differentiating COVID-19 from other interstitial pneumonia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damiano Caruso ◽  
Francesco Pucciarelli ◽  
Marta Zerunian ◽  
Balaji Ganeshan ◽  
Domenico De Santis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Interstitial Pneumonia ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Texture Features ◽  
Roc Curves ◽  
Chest Ct ◽  
Preliminary Evaluation ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Mean Intensity ◽  
Polymerase Chain

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the potential role of texture-based radiomics analysis in differentiating Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) pneumonia from pneumonia of other etiology on Chest CT. Materials and methods One hundred and twenty consecutive patients admitted to Emergency Department, from March 8, 2020, to April 25, 2020, with suspicious of COVID-19 that underwent Chest CT, were retrospectively analyzed. All patients presented CT findings indicative for interstitial pneumonia. Sixty patients with positive COVID-19 real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and 60 patients with negative COVID-19 RT-PCR were enrolled. CT texture analysis (CTTA) was manually performed using dedicated software by two radiologists in consensus and textural features on filtered and unfiltered images were extracted as follows: mean intensity, standard deviation (SD), entropy, mean of positive pixels (MPP), skewness, and kurtosis. Nonparametric Mann–Whitney test assessed CTTA ability to differentiate positive from negative COVID-19 patients. Diagnostic criteria were obtained from receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results Unfiltered CTTA showed lower values of mean intensity, MPP, and kurtosis in COVID-19 positive patients compared to negative patients (p = 0.041, 0.004, and 0.002, respectively). On filtered images, fine and medium texture scales were significant differentiators; fine texture scale being most significant where COVID-19 positive patients had lower SD (p = 0.004) and MPP (p = 0.004) compared to COVID-19 negative patients. A combination of the significant texture features could identify the patients with positive COVID-19 from negative COVID-19 with a sensitivity of 60% and specificity of 80% (p = 0.001). Conclusions Preliminary evaluation suggests potential role of CTTA in distinguishing COVID-19 pneumonia from other interstitial pneumonia on Chest CT.

Diagnostic Accuracy of a Direct Panfungal Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay Performed on Stained Cytology Slides

2021 ◽  
pp. 030098582199156
Author(s):  
Alexandra N. Myers ◽  
Unity Jeffery ◽  
Zachary G. Seyler ◽  
Sara D. Lawhon ◽  
Aline Rodrigues Hoffmann
Keyword(s):  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Diagnostic Accuracy ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Fungal Culture ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Identification Of Fungi ◽  
Fungal Dna ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Panfungal Pcr ◽  
Pcr Targeting

Molecular techniques are increasingly being applied to stained cytology slides for the diagnosis of neoplastic and infectious diseases. Such techniques for the identification of fungi from stained cytology slides have not yet been evaluated. This study aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of direct (without nucleic acid isolation) panfungal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by sequencing for identification of fungi and oomycetes on stained cytology slides from dogs, cats, horses, and other species. Thirty-six cases were identified with cytologically identifiable fungi/oomycetes and concurrent identification via fungal culture or immunoassay. Twenty-nine controls were identified with no cytologically or histologically visible organisms and a concurrent negative fungal culture. Direct PCR targeting the internal transcribed spacer region followed by sequencing was performed on one cytology slide from each case and control, and the sensitivity and specificity of the assay were calculated. The sensitivity of the panfungal PCR assay performed on stained cytology slides was 67% overall, 73% excluding cases with oomycetes, and 86% when considering only slides with abundant fungi. The specificity was 62%, which was attributed to amplification of fungal DNA from control slides with no visible fungus and negative culture results. Direct panfungal PCR is capable of providing genus- or species-level identification of fungi from stained cytology slides. Given the potential of panfungal PCR to amplify contaminant fungal DNA, this assay should be performed on slides with visible fungi and interpreted in conjunction with morphologic assessment by a clinical pathologist.

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