Identification of the oosporein biosynthesis gene cluster in an entomopathogenic fungus .

(≡ ) is an entomopathogenic fungus that hosts lepidopteran insect larvae. Oosporein, produced by , is a red secondary metabolite that is also produced by other entomopathogens and is known to contribute to entomopathogenic activity. In this study, a homologous region of the oosporein biosynthesis gene cluster ( cluster) was found from the genome sequence of strain NBRC 103832.

Construction of L-type lectin displaying Saccharomyces cerevisiae for Vibrio parahaemolyticus agglutination.

The utilization of Aga1P anchor protein in the display system for expressing heterologous proteins on the surface of Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been shown to be an ideal approach. This system has the ability to improve the expression of target proteins beyond the cell surface, resulting in increased activity and stability of the expression system. Recent studies have demonstrated that a new L-type lectin from Litopenaeus vannamei (LvLTLC1) has been found to possess the capability of agglutinating Vibrio parahaemolyticus, a pathogen responsible for causing acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) in shrimp.

Biodiversity of Basidiomycetous Yeasts Associated with Lichen in Japan, with a Description of sp. nov.

For more than a century, lichens have been used as an example of dual-partner symbiosis. Recently, this has been challenged by the discovery of various basidiomycetous yeasts that coexist in multiple lichen species, among which lichens from Europe and the United States were discovered to be highly specifically associated with the basidiomycetous yeast of the family . To verify this highly specific relationship, we investigated the diversity of basidiomycetous yeasts associated with , a widely distributed lichen in Japan, by applying two approaches: yeast isolation from the lichen thalli and meta-barcoding analysis.

Microfibers in laundry wastewater: Problem and solution.

Data corroborated in this study highlights laundry wastewater as a primary source of microfibers (MFs) in the aquatic environment. MFs can negatively impact the aquatic ecosystem via five possible pathways, namely, acting as carriers of other contaminats, physical damage to digestive systems of aquatic organisms, blocking the digestive tract, releasing toxic chemicals, and harbouring invasive and noxious plankton and bacteria. This review shows that small devices to capture MFs during household laundry activities are simple to use and affordable at household level in developed countries.

Cryptococcus neoformans MET5 Gene is not Essential for Virulence in the Silkworm Infection Model.

The involvement of the MET5 gene in virulence of Cryptococcus neoformans was examined using the silkworm Bombyx mori infection model. In the virulence assay, the met5Δ mutant showed virulence not significantly different from the wild-type strain, suggesting that the MET5 gene is not essential for full virulence of C. neoformans.

Current application of algae derivatives for bioplastic production: A review.

Improper use of conventional plastics poses challenges for sustainable energy and environmental protection. Algal derivatives have been considered as a potential renewable biomass source for bioplastic production. Algae derivatives include a multitude of valuable substances, especially starch from microalgae, short-chain length polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) from cyanobacteria, polysaccharides from marine and freshwater macroalgae.

Submerged membrane filtration process coupled with powdered activated carbon for nonylphenol ethoxylates removal.

A combination of a submerged membrane filtration system and powdered activated carbon (PAC) was investigated for nonylphenol ethoxylates removal. Both filtration flux and initial powdered activated carbon dosage had significant effects on the micropollutants removal efficiency. The best performance was achieved under the filtration flux of 20 L/m.

Clinical outcomes of concomitant use of enteral and intravenous sedatives and analgesics in mechanically ventilated patients with COVID-19.

Purpose: To evaluate potential differences in days on mechanical ventilation for patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) based on route of administration of analgesic and sedative medications: intravenous (IV) alone vs IV + enteral (EN).

Summary: This institutional review board-approved study evaluated ventilation time and fentanyl or midazolam requirements with or without concurrent EN hydromorphone and lorazepam. Patients were included in the study if they were 18 to 89 years old and were admitted to the intensive care unit with a positive severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction or antigen test and respiratory failure requiring invasive mechanical ventilation for more than 72 hours.

Identification and characterization of a sulfite reductase gene and new insights regarding the sulfur-containing amino acid metabolism in the basidiomycetous yeast Cryptococcus neoformans.

The amino acid biosynthetic pathway of invasive pathogenic fungi has been studied as a potential antifungal drug target. Studies of the disruption of genes involved in amino acid biosynthesis have demonstrated the importance of this pathway in the virulence of Cryptococcus neoformans. Here, we identified the MET5 (CNL05500) and MET10 (CNG03990) genes in this pathway, both encoding sulfite reductase, which catalyzes the reduction of sulfite to sulfide.

Role of i.v. allopurinol and rasburicase in tumor lysis syndrome.

The role of i.v. allopurinol and rasburicase in tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is described.