Revealing Stachybotrys-like fungal growth in buildings - Possible exposure highlighted through three case studies.

Genus Stachybotrys (Stachybotryaceae, Hypocreales) requires high humidity to grow and represents one of the most notorious fungi associated with suspected illness in moist buildings. If Stachybotrys conidia are found in settled indoor dusts, their presence may indicate water intrusion and mold infestation revealed after dismantling the building structures. This study describes detection of Stachybotrys growth hidden inside the structures of three buildings in Finland.

Corrigendum to "Structure-activity correlations for peptaibols obtained from clade Longibrachiatum of : A combined experimental and computational approach" [Comput Struct Biotechnol J, 21, 2023, 1860-1873].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.

Toxicity Screening of Fungal Extracts and Metabolites, Xenobiotic Chemicals, and Indoor Dusts with In Vitro and Ex Vivo Bioassay Methods.

It is controversial how useful bioassays are for identifying the in vivo toxicity of hazardous environmental exposures. In this study, fruiting bodies of forest mushrooms (n = 46), indoor mold colonies (n = 412), fungal secondary metabolites (n = 18), xenobiotic chemicals such as biocides and detergents (n = 6), and methanol extracts of indoor dusts from urban buildings (n = 26) were screened with two different bioactivity assays: boar sperm motility inhibition (BSMI) and inhibition of cell proliferation (ICP) tests. For the forest mushrooms, the toxicity testing result was positive for 100% of poisonous-classified species, 69% of non-edible-classified species, and 18% of edible-classified species.

Modeling the Effect on a Novel Fungal Peptaibol Placed in an All-Atom Bacterial Membrane Mimicking System via Accelerated Molecular Dynamics Simulations.

We previously reported on a novel peptaibol, named Tripleurin XIIc (TPN), an 18-residue long sequence produced by the fungus . We elucidated its 3D structure via classical and accelerated molecular dynamics simulation (aMD) methods and reported the folding dynamics of TPN in water and chloroform solvents. Peptaibols, in general, are insoluble in water, as they are amphipathic and may prefer hydrophobic environments like transmembrane regions.

Structure-activity correlations for peptaibols obtained from clade Longibrachiatum of : A combined experimental and computational approach.

Integrated disease management and plant protection have been discussed with much fervor in the past decade due to the rising environmental concerns of using industrially produced pesticides. Members of the genus are a subject of considerable research today due to their several properties as biocontrol agents. In our study, the peptaibol production of SZMC 1775, f.

Characterization of the antagonistic potential of the glyphosate-tolerant SZMC 25872 strain against the plant pathogenic bacterium .

The utilization of microorganisms with biocontrol activity against fungal and bacterial pathogens of plants is recognized as a promising, effective, and environment-friendly strategy to protect agricultural crops. We report the glyphosate-tolerant SZMC 25872 isolate as a novel strain with antagonistic potential towards the plant pathogenic bacterium . In our studies, the growth of the SZMC 25872 and SZMC 14557 isolates in the presence of 74 different carbon sources, and the effect of 11 carbon sources utilized by both strains on the biocontrol efficacy was examined.

Melinacidin-Producing , a Major Constituent of Mixed Mycobiota Contaminating Insulation Material in an Outdoor Wall.

Occupants may complain about indoor air quality in closed spaces where the officially approved standard methods for indoor air quality risk assessment fail to reveal the cause of the problem. This study describes a rare genus not previously detected in Finnish buildings, , and its species as the major constituents of the mixed microbiota in the wet cork liner from an outdoor wall. Representatives of the genus were also present in the settled dust in offices where occupants suffered from symptoms related to the indoor air.

Correction: Tyagi, C., et al. Accelerated Molecular Dynamics Applied to the Peptaibol Folding Problem. , 2019, , 4268.

The authors wish to make the following corrections to this paper [...

Corrigendum: Structural Diversity and Bioactivities of Peptaibol Compounds From the Longibrachiatum Clade of the Filamentous Fungal Genus .

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.

Changes in Peptaibol Production of Species during In Vitro Antagonistic Interactions with Fungal Plant Pathogens.

species are widely used as biofungicides for the control of fungal plant pathogens. Several studies have been performed to identify the main genes and compounds involved in -plant-microbial pathogen cross-talks. However, there is not much information about the exact mechanism of this profitable interaction.

Screening Mold Colonies by Using Two Toxicity Assays Revealed Indoor Strains of Producing Ophiobolins G and K.

The occurrence and toxin production of the opportunistic pathogen in Finnish buildings is not well documented in the literature. We tracked and identified four colonies cultivated from indoor settled dusts and revealed the biological activities of crude biomass extracts. The toxic substances were identified as 6-epi-ophiobolin K, ophiobolin K, and ophiobolin G by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) based on chromatographic and mass spectrometry data (MS and MS/MS) on the crude extract of strain MH34.

Accelerated Molecular Dynamics Applied to the Peptaibol Folding Problem.

The use of enhanced sampling molecular dynamics simulations to facilitate the folding of proteins is a relatively new approach which has quickly gained momentum in recent years. Accelerated molecular dynamics (aMD) can elucidate the dynamic path from the unfolded state to the near-native state, "flattened" by introducing a non-negative boost to the potential. Alamethicin F30/3 (Alm F30/3), chosen in this study, belongs to the class of peptaibols that are 7-20 residue long, non-ribosomally synthesized, amphipathic molecules that show interesting membrane perturbing activity.

Environmental characteristics and taxonomy of microscopic fungi isolated from washing machines.

Washing machines (WMs) are convenient places for fungal colonization. This study is focused on fungal diversity of WMs, and investigates relationships between habits of WM users and colonising species. Housekeeping conditions and habits were assessed in Hungary with a questionnaire.

Structural Diversity and Bioactivities of Peptaibol Compounds From the Longibrachiatum Clade of the Filamentous Fungal Genus .

This study examined the structural diversity and bioactivity of peptaibol compounds produced by species from the phylogenetically separated Longibrachiatum Clade of the filamentous fungal genus , which contains several biotechnologically, agriculturally and clinically important species. HPLC-ESI-MS investigations of crude extracts from 17 species of the Longibrachiatum Clade (. , and ) revealed several new and recurrent 20-residue peptaibols related to trichobrachins, paracelsins, suzukacillins, saturnisporins, trichoaureocins, trichocellins, longibrachins, hyporientalins, trichokonins, trilongins, metanicins, trichosporins, gliodeliquescins, alamethicins and hypophellins, as well as eight 19-residue sequences from a new subfamily of peptaibols named brevicelsins.

Penicillium expansum strain isolated from indoor building material was able to grow on gypsum board and emitted guttation droplets containing chaetoglobosins and communesins A, B and D.

Aims: Emission of toxic metabolites in guttation droplets of common indoor fungi is not well documented. The aims of this study were (i) to compare mycotoxins in biomass and guttation droplets from indoor fungi from a building following health complaints among occupants, (ii) to identify the most toxic strain and to test if mycotoxins in guttation liquids migrated trough air and (iii) to test if toxigenic Penicillium expansum strains grew on gypsum board.

Methods And Results: Biomass suspensions and guttation droplets from individual fungal colonies representing Aspergillus, Chaetomium, Penicillium, Stachybotrys and Paecilomyces were screened toxic to mammalian cells.

Tripleurin XIIc: Peptide Folding Dynamics in Aqueous and Hydrophobic Environment Mimic Using Accelerated Molecular Dynamics.

Peptaibols are a special class of fungal peptides with an acetylated -terminus and a C-terminal 1,2-amino alcohol along with non-standard amino acid residues. New peptaibols named tripleurins were recently identified from a strain of the filamentous fungal species , which is known to cause green mould disease on cultivated oyster mushrooms. To understand the mode of action of these peptaibols, the three-dimensional structure of tripleurin (TPN) XIIc, an 18-mer peptide, was elucidated using an enhanced sampling method, accelerated MD, in water and chloroform solvents.

An Evaluation of Boar Spermatozoa as a Biosensor for the Detection of Sublethal and Lethal Toxicity.

A novel, objective, and rapid computed motility inhibition (CMI) assay was developed to identify and assess sublethal injury in toxin-exposed boar spermatozoa and compared with a subjective visual motility inhibition (VMI) assay. The CMI values were calculated from digital micrographic videos using a custom MATLAB script by contrasting the motility index values of each experiment with those of the background and control experiments. Following a comparison of the CMI and VMI assays results, it was determined that their agreement depended on the shape of the dose-response curve.

New 19-Residue Peptaibols from Clade Viride.

and belong to clade of , the largest and most diverse group of this genus. They produce a wide range of bioactive secondary metabolites, including peptaibols with antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. The unusual amino acid residues of peptaibols, i.

Effects of Ventilation Improvement on Measured and Perceived Indoor Air Quality in a School Building with a Hybrid Ventilation System.

Ventilation system design and operation may significantly affect indoor air quality (IAQ). The aims of this case study were to investigate the functionality of a supply air fan-assisted hybrid ventilation system in a newly built school building with reported IAQ problems and to determine the effects of ventilation improvement on measured and perceived IAQ. The ventilation system function was researched simultaneously with IAQ measurements, with an analysis of total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), single volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and indoor mycobiota, and with questionnaires about perceived IAQ.

Indoor Trichoderma strains emitting peptaibols in guttation droplets.

Aims: The production of peptaibols, toxic secondary metabolites of Trichoderma, in the indoor environment is not well-documented. Here, we investigated the toxicity of peptaibols in the guttation droplets and biomass of Trichoderma strains isolated from problematic buildings.

Methods And Results: Seven indoor-isolated strains of T.

Ventilation Positive Pressure Intervention Effect on Indoor Air Quality in a School Building with Moisture Problems.

This case study investigates the effects of ventilation intervention on measured and perceived indoor air quality (IAQ) in a repaired school where occupants reported IAQ problems. Occupants' symptoms were suspected to be related to the impurities leaked indoors through the building envelope. The study's aim was to determine whether a positive pressure of 5-7 Pa prevents the infiltration of harmful chemical and microbiological agents from structures, thus decreasing symptoms and discomfort.

Diversity Profile and Dynamics of Peptaibols Produced by Green Mould Trichoderma Species in Interactions with Their Hosts Agaricus bisporus and Pleurotus ostreatus.

Certain Trichoderma species are causing serious losses in mushroom production worldwide. Trichoderma aggressivum and Trichoderma pleuroti are among the major causal agents of the green mould diseases affecting Agaricus bisporus and Pleurotus ostreatus, respectively. The genus Trichoderma is well-known for the production of bioactive secondary metabolites, including peptaibols, which are short, linear peptides containing unusual amino acid residues and being synthesised via non-ribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs).

Effectiveness of Occupational Therapy Interventions for Musculoskeletal Shoulder Conditions: A Systematic Review.

People with musculoskeletal disorders of the shoulder commonly experience pain, decreased strength, and restricted range of motion (ROM) that limit participation in meaningful occupational activities. The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the current evidence for interventions within the occupational therapy scope of practice that address pain reduction and increase participation in functional activities. Seventy-six studies were reviewed for this study-67 of Level I evidence, 7 of Level II evidence, and 2 of Level III evidence.

Peptaibol profiles of Iranian Trichoderma isolates.

Five Iranian Trichoderma isolates from species T. viride, T. viridescens, T.