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PubMed2004

[Effect of sodium phytate on alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in intraradical hyphae of AM fungi and development of its extraradical hyphae].

In this paper, a pot experiment with three compartments was installed to study the effect of Na-phytate on the development and metabolic activity of AM fungi. Maize was selected as host plant and inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (Glomus intraradices), and different amounts of Na-phytate were applied into hyphal compartments. The results showed that the absorbed P in the shoots and roots of maize inoculated with AM fungi was 1-2 times higher than that of non-inoculated maize. The ALP activity in intraradical hyphae of AM fungi was significantly decreased, and the total hyphal density of AM fungi increased with applied Na-phytate. Observations suggested that the ALP activity in intraradical hyphae of AM fungi and the development of its extraradical hyphae could be regulated by Na-phytate. Additionally, AM fungi could enhance the plant's P absorption and utilization from native soil P and additive Na-phytate.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed2004

[Application of molecular biology techniques in the identification of pathogenic fungi and the diagnosis of fungal infection].

With the increasing incidence and mortality of fungal infection, the requirements for strict diagnostic approaches became a very urgent issue. Because of the traditional detective techniques, such as culture, gave poor diagnostic outcomes, the molecular biological techniques are expected to develop the potential diagnostic approaches. During the past decades, we have carried out serial studies on the molecular properties of pathogenic fungi, and we would like to review as following. Firstly, we applied several molecular tools in classification and identification of pathogenic fungi. We performed random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD), restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and other techniques in studying the typing, to classify and identify the properties of Dermatophytes, Candida spp., Cryptococcus neoformans, Dematiaceous fungi, and Aspergillus spp. Interestingly, we found the same T. rubrum strain might infect different sites of the host, while a site-specificity displayed in T. mentagrophytes. This finding indicated the genetic discrepancies among the fungi. Beside, we also found that the E. dermatitis strains with different virulences possessed some discrepancies at gene level. We then developed a PCR-based molecular procedure to identify the novel species in Exophiala spp. As the applicable strategy, we also investigated the rDNA sequence properties in several fungi. And as a result, we submitted for the first time to GenBank the complete sequence of Aspergillus fumigatus rDNA/ITSI/ITSII, which provided the basis for designing the species-specific probes and for its further clinical applications. Secondly, we have tried to develop the molecular diagnostic approaches based on our DNA sequence data which were used for identification studies previously. By analyzing the DNA sequence of Aspergillus fumigatus rDNA/ITSI/ITSII, we developed a nested PCR method to detect Aspergillus fumigatus genes. Our preliminary results indicated that this PCR-based molecular approach has great importance in the diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis. We also designed the species-specific probes and then established several in situ hybridization procedures. We found these hybridization methods could get the positive rate up to 81% (13/16), which suggests that these methods have potential diagnostic value for invasive candidiasis and aspergillosis. Based on our experiences, we would conclude that the molecular biological techniques possess great value to investigate the biological properties of pathogenic fungi, and we are looking forward to see more and more molecular tools will be used in the pathogenic mechanisms of fungal infections and antifungal activity studies.

Aspergillosis↗
PubMed2005

Indoor air studies of fungi contamination of social welfare home in Czerewki in north-east part of Poland.

PURPOSE: The contamination of the indoor environment with yeast-like fungi and moulds in social welfare home in Czerewki was evaluated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The concentration of airborne fungi (in front of the building and in the corridors, patient rooms, study rooms, recreation rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, toilets) was determined using SAS-Super 100 (Pbi International). The fungal concentration on walls was assessed using the Count-Tact applicator and the plate Count-Tact irradiated (BioMerieux). Swabs were taken from the skin of the interdigital spaces of feet and hands, nails and the oral cavity of the residents. The fungi from the swabs were cultured on Sabouraud medium. Fungi were identified using standard microbial procedures. RESULTS: Tests of air and walls revealed significant differences in mycological flora in depending on the place isolation (e.g. corridor, rooms, reading room, nurse, room, kitchen, dining room, bathroom) and season (summer, autumn, winter, spring). A significant increase in the fungi isolated from the air and walls in the social welfare home was found, depending on the season. CONCLUSION: An increase in the fungi isolated from residents was found in relation to the season.

Air Pollution, Indoor↗
PubMed2005

[The process of Chinese medicine by submerged fermentation of pharmaceutical fungi].

The progress of Chinese medicine modernization is slow in china, and one of the reason is the dated process method. The fermentation technology of pharmaceutical fungi is more and more perfect. To process Chinese medicine by pharmaceutical fungi could enhance the effective density of active ingredient in Chinese medicine, and the fungi could produce a variety of active secondary metabolite, moreover, some compounds in Chinese medicine could be bio-transformed to produce new compound by pharmaceutical fungi in the fermentation. So process Chinese medicine by pharmaceutical fungi could produce de novo Chinese medicine preparations which include a variety of bioactive compounds, and it is suitable to produce in a large scale and convenient to control the quality. To process Chinese medicine by submerged fermentation of pharmaceutical fungi provides a new process method for Chinese medicine.

Biotransformation↗
PubMed2006

Exposure to airborne fungi during conservative dental treatment.

The aim of the study was a mycological assessment of bioaerosol forming during conservative dental treatment, taking into account concentration and type of fungal microflora, and evaluation of the influence of DUWL disinfecting protocol on the fungal contamination of the bioaerosol. The research was conducted on 25 operative sites located in public dental clinics. The air contained in the space between a patient and a dentist during conservative dental treatment with the use of a high-speed handpiece was examined. Air samples were taken using the portable RCS PLUS Air Sampler (BIOTEST AG, Dreieich, Germany) and ready-to-use agar YM Strips for yeast and mould fungi culture. The volume of the sampled air was 100 litres. Before disinfection, the concentration of fungi in the collected air samples at individual operative sites ranged from 4 x 10(1) cfu/m3 to 34 x 10(1) cfu/m3. The most common species was Penicillium herquei (62.17% of the total count), followed by other fungi: Alternaria alternata - 12.68%, Penicillium roseopurpureum - 9.41%, Rhizopus nigricans - 5.93%, Aspergillus terreus - 3.89%, Geotrichum candidum - 2.25%, Aspergillus glaucus group - 2.04%, Cladosporium cladosporoides - 1.23% and Penicillium diversum - 0.41%. The concentration of Penicillium herquei at individual operative sites ranged from 0 to 34 x 10(1) cfu/m3, mean 121.6 cfu/m3, Penicillium roseopurpureum - from 0 to 11 x 10(1) cfu/m3, mean 18.4 cfu/m3 and Alternaria alternata - from 0 to 18 x 10(1) cfu/m3, mean 24.8 cfu/m3. After disinfection, like before disinfection procedures, the prevailing species of fungi were: Penicillium herquei, Penicillium reseopurpureum and Alternaria alternata, which amounted to 62.6%, 18.28% and 11.36% of the isolated fungi, respectively. The recorded levels of total airborne fungi were lower after DUWL disinfection compared to those before disinfection.

Air Microbiology↗
PubMed2006

[Distribution of airborne fungi, particulate matter and carbon dioxide in Seoul metropolitan subway stations].

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to examine the level of airborne fungi and environmental factors in Seoul metropolitan subway stations and to provide fundamental data to protect the health of subway workers and passengers. METHODS: The field survey was performed from November in 2004 to February in 2005. A total 22 subway stations located at Seoul subway lines 1-4 were randomly selected. The measurement points were subway workers' activity areas (station office, bedroom, ticket office and driver's seat) and the passengers' activity areas (station precincts, inside train and platform). Air sampling for collecting airborne fungi was carried out using a one-stage cascade impactor. The PM and CO2 were measured using an electronic direct recorder and detecting tube, respectively. RESULTS: In the activity areas of the subway workers and passengers, the mean concentrations of airborne fungi were relatively higher in the workers' bedroom and station precinct whereas the concentration of particulate matter, PM10 and PM2.5, were relatively higher in the platform, inside the train and driver's seat than in the other activity areas. There was no significant difference in the concentration of airborne fungi between the underground and ground activity areas of the subway. The mean PM10 and PM2.5 concentration in the platform located at underground was significantly higher than that of the ground (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The levels of airborne fungi in the Seoul subway line 1-4 were not serious enough to cause respiratory disease in subway workers and passengers. This indicates that there is little correlation between airborne fungi and particulate matter.

Air Microbiology↗
PubMed1991

[Effect of prosthesis cleansing agent on the prosthetic base fungi].

Candida albicans and other fungi are frequently found in subjects wearing prostheses, especially in prostheses with poor hygiene, i.e. with accumulations of food, plaques and calculi. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of Corega extradent relative to fungi adhering to the prosthetic base. Results of the study showed the prosthesis hygiene to be substantially related to inflammation of palatal mucosa. The mean number of fungi per sq.cm of prosthetic base was 64 x 10(5). The number of fungi was redetermined after a two-day treatment with Corega extradent, with unchanged other habits of the prosthesis wearing and cleansing. The number of fungi decreased in all study subjects, the mean value of individual differences being 2238 times. In prostheses with a great number of fungi and extremely poor hygiene, the effect of Corega extradent was poorer, indicating the need of additional mechanical cleansing with a brush.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Dimorphism in fungi--a gray zone for taxonomy?].

Dimorphic fungi can grow as mycelial phase and as yeast phase. The change of growth form is effected by an altered programme in gene expression, which is induced either in certain stages of ontogenesis or by environmental factors. Therefore it is necessary to distinguish ontogenetically conditioned (irreversible) and environment conditioned (reversible) dimorphism. The first is characteristic for dimorphic Ustomycetes, Basidiomycetes and related anamorphs as well as for Taphrinales; the second for the majority of dimorphic Ascomycetes, Endomycetes, and related anamorphs. The integration of dimorphic fungi in the systems of filamentous fungi and of yeasts--which originally have been elaborated rather independently--was difficult in many cases. In recent times, the study of certain ultrastructural and biochemical-physiological characters has much facilitated the taxonomic arrangement of dimorphic fungi and has allowed to demonstrate some phylogenetic relations among filamentous, dimorphic, and yeast fungi. The authors hold the concept that yeasts have evolved from filamentous resp. dimorphic fungi by neotenic simplification.

Fungi↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Fungi inside and outside the homes of subjects with immediate hypersensitivity in Zaragosa (Spain)].

In the study of patients with hypersensitivity to atmospheric fungi, the determination of species distribution in the personal environment of the patient is important. This distribution depends on climate variations, especially temperature and percent (%) humidity which favor the development of one or other genera. In the domiciliary surroundings, the technological advances in comfort (wetness, dryness, with refrigeration and heating systems) favor the establishment of a closed ecosystem which can sometimes contain fungi different from that found exteriorly; at times true colonization. Our objective is to compare the incidence of the different groups of intra and extra-domiciliary fungi in our environment (Zaragoza, Spain) and to verify their presence in the domiciles with their exterior surroundings, of 23 atopic patients, of which 8 had clinical asthma and/or rhinitis and demonstrable allergy to fungi, by PRICK and RAST. The other 15 patients were diagnosed as having asthma and/or rhinitis with a positive PRICK and RAST to house dust and Dermatophagoides or pollen allergens (non-allergic to fungi). Five Petri dishes were given to each patient; one dish contained 5 mm. of Agar-Sabourad following Lumpkins' formula, and was used for extra-domiciliary exposure. The rest contained the same medium to which was added a 0.33% solution of Rose Bengal (an inhibitor) for internal exposure. This medium allows the development of a large number of genera of fungi. These 5 dishes were situated and remained in place for 60 minutes; the 4 interior ones were placed in different locations and always included the dormitory and living room.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Air Microbiology↗
PubMed1984

Cellulolytic activity of white, brown and gray wood rot fungi.

Culture fluids obtained from submerged cultures of white, brown and gray wood rot fungi were assayed for the presence of cellulolytic activity complexes against the model substrated carboxymethylcellulose-Na and Standard Whatman cellulose and natural substrates, i.e. celluloses isolated from pine bark and sawdust. The cellulolytic activity of the examined fungal species was highly differentiated. The use of model and natural substrates allowed determination of the high substrate specificity of the cellulase complexes produced by the fungi. Not all the fungi were found to produce EC 3.2.1.4. endo-1, 4-beta-glucanase under the culture conditions employed. All the fungi were, however, able to produce a complex of EC 3.2.1.4. exo-1, 4-beta-glucanases. All the examined fungi were also able to degrade, although to a varied extent, such higher forms of cellulose as Standard Whatman cellulose or natural celluloses isolated from pine bark and sawdust. Determination of the cellulolytic activity of fungi against the above-mentioned specific natural substrates affords the possibility of their practical use.

Cellulase↗
PubMed2006

Wood stimulates the demethoxylation of [O14CH3]-labeled lignin model compounds by the white-rot fungi Phanerochaete chrysosporium and Phlebia radiata.

Mineralization of polymeric wood lignin and its substructures is a result of complex reactions involving oxidizing and reducing enzymes and radicals. The degradation of methoxyl groups is an essential part of this process. The presence of wood greatly stimulates the demethoxylation of a non-phenolic lignin model compound (a [O(14)CH(3)]-labeled beta-O-4 dimer) by the lignin-degrading white-rot fungi Phlebia radiata and Phanerochaete chrysosporium. When grown on wood, both fungi produced up to 47 and 40% (14)CO(2) of the applied (14)C activity, respectively, under air and oxygen in 8 weeks. Without wood, the demethoxylation of the dimer by both fungi was lower, varying between 0.5 and 35%. Addition of nutrient nitrogen together with glucose decreased demethoxylation when the fungi were grown on spruce wood under air. Because the evolution of (14)CO(2) in the absence of wood was poor, the fungi may have preferably used wood as a carbon and nitrogen source. The amount of fungal mycelium, as determined by the ergosterol assay, did not show connection to demethoxylation. P. radiata also showed a high demethoxylation of [O(14)CH(3)]-labeled vanillic acid in the presence of birch wood. The degradation of lignin and lignin-related substances should be studied in the presence of wood, the natural substrate for white-rot fungi.

Basidiomycota↗
PubMed2001

The Influence of Competition between Tropical Fungi on wood colonization in Streams.

Wood blocks inoculated with fungi were placed in a stream in order to investigate their interactions with the native mycota. Wood blocks were inoculated with single or paired isolates of tropical fungi, whereas no fungi were inoculated onto controls. After 3 months, the wood blocks were collected and the number of newly colonizing fungi were identified. More fungi were found on uninoculated than on wood blocks pre-inoculated with Chaetosphaeria sp. Neither Nais aquatica or Annulatascus velatisporus inhibited colonization when inoculated singly. However, in combination, they inhibited colonization by other fungi, indicating an interaction between the two species. Inoculated wood blocks were generally first colonized by hyphomycetes, with a low occurrence of ascomycetes. The study also showed that autoclaving wood for use in experiments affects the outcome of the experiments, i.e., affects the structure of the fungal community.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Utilisation of carbon substrates by orchid and ericoid mycorrhizal fungi from Australian dry sclerophyll forests.

The utilisation of a range of cell-wall-related and aromatic carbon substrates by multiple genotypes of three ericoid mycorrhizal fungal taxa was compared with two orchid mycorrhizal fungal taxa. Both groups of fungi catabolised most common substrates, though significant inter- and intraspecific variability was observed in the use of a few carbon substrates. Orchid mycorrhizal fungi had limited access to tannic acid as a carbon source and did not use phenylalanine, while the ericoid mycorrhizal fungi used both. Utilisation of tryptophan was limited to single genotypes of each of the orchid mycorrhizal fungi, and to only two of the three ericoid mycorrhizal fungi examined. Although broadly similar, some significant differences apparently exist in carbon catabolism of ericoid and orchid mycorrhizal fungi from the same habitat. Functional and ecological implications of these observations are discussed.

Australia↗
PubMed2005

Lead and cadmium uptake in the marine fungi Corollospora lacera and Monodictys pelagica.

This study provides observations on the effects of lead and cadmium ions on the growth of two species of marine fungi, Corollospora lacera and Monodictys pelagica. On solid media lead appeared to have no effect on the radial rate of growth of fungi. Exposure to increasing cadmium concentrations on solid media resulted in significant reduction (p < 0.05) in the radial mycelial growth rates of both fungi, especially in M. pelagica. These results reveal significant difference in species sensitivity toward cadmium and, essentially, insensitivity toward lead exposure. In liquid cultures, the metal content of mycelia (metal mass found in mycelium, in mg), and the concentration of metal in dry mycelium (metal mass in 1g of mycelium, in mg g(-1)) were both found to increase (p < 0.05) with the increase in the metal cation concentration, while mycelium dry mass decreased. As it was observed on solid media, cadmium cation affected more severely (p < 0.05) the growth of M. pelagica in liquid cultures. Ergosterol content of mycelia of C. lacera exposed to increasing cadmium cation concentration decreased, similarly to the trend observed for dry mycelial mass. It was found that ca. 93% of all lead sequestered by C. lacera is located extracellularly. M. pelagica was found to bioaccumulate over 60 mg of cadmium and over 6 mg of lead per 1 g of mycelium, while C. lacera bioaccumulated over 7 mg of cadmium and up to 250 mg of lead per 1 g of mycelium. Overall, the results indicate that both metal ions affect the growth of marine fungi with lead being accumulated extracellularly in the mycelia. Both metals accumulated by fungi may then enter the marine ecosystem food web, of which marine fungi are integral members.

Ascomycota↗
PubMed2006

Xyloglucanases in the interaction between saprobe fungi and the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus mosseae.

We studied the production of xyloglucanase enzymes of pea and lettuce roots in the presence of saprobe and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. The AM fungus Glomus mosseae and the saprobe fungi Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium oxysporum-126, Trichoderma harzianum, Penicillium chrysogenum, Pleurotus ostreatus and Aspergillus niger were used. G. mosseae increased the shoot and root dry weight of pea but not of lettuce. Most of the saprobe fungi increased the level of mycorrhization of pea and lettuce, but only P. chrysogenum and T. harzianum inoculated together with G. mosseae increased the dry weight of pea and lettuce respectively. The AM and saprobe fungi increased the production of xyloglucanases by plant roots. The level of xyloglucanase activities and the number of xyloglucanolytic isozymes in plants inoculated with G. mosseae and most of the saprobe fungi tested were higher than when both microorganisms were inoculated separately. The possible relationship between xylogucanase activities and the ability of AM and saprobe fungi to improve the dry weight and AM root colonization of plants was discussed.

Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel↗
PubMed2006

Diversity and community structure of ectomycorrhizal fungi in a wooded meadow.

Wooded meadows are seminatural plant communities that support high diversity of various taxa. Due to changes in land use, wooded meadows have severely declined during the last century. The dominant trees in wooded meadows acquire mineral nutrients via ectomycorrhizal fungi. Using anatomotyping and sequencing of root tips, interpolation and extrapolation methods, we studied the diversity and community structure of ectomycorrhizal fungi in two soil horizons of both managed and forested parts of a wooded meadow in Estonia. Species of Thelephoraceae, Sebacinaceae and the genus Inocybe dominated the whole ectomycorrhizal fungal community of 172 observed species. Forested and managed parts of the wooded meadow harboured different communities of ectomycorrhizal fungi, whereas soil horizon had a negligible effect on the fungal community composition. Diverse soil conditions and host trees likely support the high richness of ectomycorrhizal fungi in the wooded meadow ecosystem. Direct sequencing integrated with interpolation and extrapolation methods are promising to identify the fungi at the species level and to compare species richness between communities of ectomycorrhizal fungi.

Agaricales↗
PubMed2004

Molecular identification of mycorrhizal fungi in Neuwiedia veratrifolia (Orchidaceae).

We here apply a previously described method for identification of single peloton orchid mycorrhiza to a key orchid group and extend the usefulness in the heterobasidiomycetes of an existing fungal database for identification of mycorrhizal fungi. We amplified and sequenced mitochondrial ribosomal large subunit DNA from fungi in roots of Neuwiedia veratrifolia (Orchidaceae), a member of the small subfamily Apostasioideae that is sister to the remainder of Orchidaceae, and used the extended database to identify the mycorrhizal fungi. Sequences from fungi cultured from Neuwiedia roots and from direct peloton amplifications were analyzed cladistically with sequences determined from reference fungal collections and published sequences. The fungi from Neuwiedia are referred to the heterobasidiomycetous orders Tulasnellales and Ceratobasidiales, indicating that apostasioids utilize the same fungi as other photosynthetic orchids. The majority of Neuwiedia mycobionts came together in a clade with Tulasnella species, but some were most closely related to Thanatephorus. In some cases members of these two clades were isolated from the same orchid plant, providing another example of multiple mycobionts occurring in a single plant.

Basidiomycota↗
PubMed2004

Distribution and estimation of anaerobic zoosporic fungi along the digestive tracts of sheep.

The status of anaerobic zoosporic (Chytridiomycota) fungi along the entire digestive tract of sheep was assessed both analytically and microscopically. Digest samples were taken from different segments of the digestive tracts of three newly killed sheep that previously had been used in experimental dietary studies. These digest samples were tested for the presence of rumen fungi by assessing the recovery of live fungi from the samples, direct observation of digested plant remains under the scanning electron microscope (SEM), and using a chitin assay as an estimation of fungal biomass. Live anaerobic fungi were recovered from the abomasum, small and large intestine, caecum and faeces of sheep, but not from the digest samples of rumen and omasum. However, SEM examination of the samples confirmed the presence of fungal structures from all of these organs. In the large intestine and caecum samples the observed sporangial structures were rounded and showed conspicuous surface pitting. Results of the chitin assay indicated that the anaerobic fungi might account for up to 20% of the total microbial biomass in the rumen of sheep. The results of this study support the view that anaerobic fungi may be present as a resistant stage in the lower reaches of the digestive tract.

Animals↗