BACKGROUND The gluten-free diet(GFD)has limitations,and there is intense research in the development of adjuvant therapies.AIM To examine the effects of orally administered Aspergillus niger prolyl endopeptidase prote...BACKGROUND The gluten-free diet(GFD)has limitations,and there is intense research in the development of adjuvant therapies.AIM To examine the effects of orally administered Aspergillus niger prolyl endopeptidase protease(AN-PEP)on inadvertent gluten exposure and symptom prevention in adult celiac disease(CeD)patients following their usual GFD.METHODS This was an exploratory,double-blind,randomized,placebo-controlled trial that enrolled CeD patients on a long-term GFD.After a 4-wk run-in period,patients were randomized to 4 wk of two AN-PEP capsules(GliadinX;AVI Research,LLC,United States)at each of three meals per day or placebo.Outcome endpoints were:(1)Average weekly stool gluten immunogenic peptides(GIP)between the run-in and end of treatments and between AN-PEP and placebo;(2)celiac symptom index(CSI);(3)CeD-specific serology;and(4)quality of life.Stool samples were collected for GIP testing by ELISA every Tuesday and Friday during run-ins and treatments.RESULTS Forty patients were randomized for the intention-to-treat analysis,and three were excluded from the per-protocol assessment.Overall,628/640(98.1%)stool samples were collected.GIP was undetectable(<0.08μg/g)in 65.6%of samples,and no differences between treatment arms were detected.Only 0.5%of samples had GIP concentrations sufficiently high(>0.32μg/g)to potentially cause mucosal damage.Median GIP concentration in the AN-PEP arm was 44.7%lower than in the run-in period.One-third of patients exhibiting GIP>0.08μg/g during run-in had lower or undetectable GIP after AN-PEP treatment.Compared with the run-in period,the proportion of symptomatic patients(CSI>38)in the AN-PEP arm was significantly lower(P<0.03).AN-PEP did not result in changes in specific serologies.CONCLUSION This exploratory study conducted in a real-life setting revealed high adherence to the GFD.The AN-PEP treatment did not significantly reduce the overall GIP stool concentration.However,given the observation of a significantly lower prevalence of patients with severe symptoms in the AN-PEP arm,further clinical research is warranted.展开更多
Pectinex XXL,a commercially prepared pectinase,was investigated for its potential application in the fruit juice industry.Polygalacturonic acid was used as the substrate for determining the enzymatic properties of Pec...Pectinex XXL,a commercially prepared pectinase,was investigated for its potential application in the fruit juice industry.Polygalacturonic acid was used as the substrate for determining the enzymatic properties of Pectinex XXL using the DNS method.According to the results,the optimal pH for Pectinex XXL activity was 4.5,and the enzyme was stable in the pH range of 3.0~4.5.The optimal pH and pH stability range are consistent with those of some tropical and subtropical fruits.The optimal temperature for Pectinex XXL activity was 60℃,and the enzyme remained stable after one hour in a water bath set at 40℃.Additionally,the enzymatic activity was not inhibited in the presence of 1 mmol/L of Na^(+),Mg^(2+),Ba^(2+),Co^(2+),Zn^(2+),and Fe^(2+),whereas it was slightly inhibited in the presence of 2 mmol/L of K^(+)and Fe^(2+)and partially inhibited in the presence of 1 and 2 mmol/L of Ca^(2+)and Mn^(2+),demonstrating its good stability in acids and excellent thermal catalytic performance.Based on the above experimental results,depectinization experiments were performed on plantain and cherry tomato juices using different amounts of Pectinex XXL.After one hour reaction with 16 U/mL of the enzyme,the yields of the plantain and cherry tomato juices were substantially increased by 119.03%and 15.97%,respectively,while their light transmittance was remarkably enhanced by 37.65%and 12.35%,respectively.Furthermore,the enzyme reduced the viscosity of the plantain and cherry tomato juices by 88.29%and 29.50%,respectively.The juice production experiments confirmed that this enzyme can significantly improve the yield and light transmittance of plantain juice,while effectively reducing its viscosity.These findings indicate the potential of Pectinex XXL in the industrial production of plantain juice.展开更多
We comment here on the article by Stefanolo et al entitled“Effect of Aspergillus niger prolyl endopeptidase in patients with celiac disease on a long-term gluten-free diet”,published in the World Journal of Gastroen...We comment here on the article by Stefanolo et al entitled“Effect of Aspergillus niger prolyl endopeptidase in patients with celiac disease on a long-term gluten-free diet”,published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology.Celiac disease is a well-recognized systemic autoimmune disorder.In genetically susceptible people,the most evident damage is located in the small intestine,and is caused and worsened by the ingestion of gluten.For that reason,celiac patients adopt a gluten-free diet(GFD),but it has some limitations,and it does not prevent re-exposure to gluten.Research aims to develop adjuvant therapies,and one of the most studied alternatives is supplementation with Aspergillus niger prolyl endopeptidase protease(AN-PEP),which is able to degrade gluten in the stomach,reducing its concentration in the small intestine.The study found a high adherence to the GFD,but did not address AN-PEP as a gluten immunogenic peptide reducer,as it was only tested in patients following a GFD and not in gluten-exposing conditions.This study opens up new research perspectives in this area and shows that further study is needed to clarify the points that are still in doubt.展开更多
BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)-associated invasive pulmonary aspergillosis presents a diagnostic challenge due to its non-specific clinical/imaging features,as well as the fact that the proposed clinica...BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)-associated invasive pulmonary aspergillosis presents a diagnostic challenge due to its non-specific clinical/imaging features,as well as the fact that the proposed clinically diagnostic algorithms do not necessarily apply to COVID-19 patients.In addition,Fusarium spp.is a rare cause of opportunistic life-threatening fungal infections.Disseminated Fusarium infection in an immunocompromised host is intractable,with a high likelihood of resulting mortality.To our knowledge,this is the first case of secondary pulmonary infection by Fusarium solani(F.solani)and Aspergillus niger(A.niger)during systemic steroid treatment for COVID-19.CASE SUMMARY A 62-year-old male was transported to our hospital by ambulance with a complaint of fever and dyspnea.We established a diagnosis of pneumococcal pneumonia,complicated with COVID-19 and septic shock,together with acute renal failure.He was admitted to the intensive care unit,to be treated with piperacillin/tazobactam,vancomycin,and 6.6 mg per day of dexamethasone sodium phosphate,along with noradrenaline as a vasopressor,ventilator management,and continuous hemodiafiltration.His condition improved,and we finished the vasopressor on the fifth hospital day.We administered dexamethasone for ten days,and finished the course of treatment.On the eleventh day,patient respiratory deterioration was observed,and a computed tomography scan showed an exacerbation of bilateral ground-glass-opacity-like consolidation,together with newly appeared cavitary lesions in the lung.we changed antibiotics to meropenem plus vancomycin.In addition,a fungal infection was considered as a possibility based on microscopic findings of sputum,and we began coadministration of voriconazole.However,the pneumonia worsened,and the patient died on the seventeenth day of illness.Later,F.solani and A.niger were identified from sputum collected on the twelfth day.It was believed that he developed a cell-mediated immune deficiency during COVID-19 treatment,which led to the complication of pneumonia caused by the above-mentioned fungi,contributing to his death.CONCLUSION Because early initiation of intense antifungal therapy offers the best chance for survival in pulmonary fusariosis,computed tomography scans and appropriate microbiologic investigations should be obtained for severely immunocompromised patients.展开更多
The comparative effectiveness of remediating water polluted with crude oil, using environment-friendly bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and fungi (Aspergillus niger) were investigated. The samples were separately tre...The comparative effectiveness of remediating water polluted with crude oil, using environment-friendly bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and fungi (Aspergillus niger) were investigated. The samples were separately treated with Aspergillus niger and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The bioremediation kinetic efficiency for these systems was studied. At the end of the bioremediation periods, the oil and grease content of the samples decreased from 47.0 mg/L in the untreated sample to 7.0 mg/L after 20 days when inoculated with bacteria while the sample inoculated with fungi decreased to 10.0 mg/L. Post analysis when inoculated with bacteria showed a fall in the value of the biological oxygen demand (BOD) from 73.84 mg/L to 33.28 mg/L after 20 days, while, the fungi inoculated sample showed a reduction from 73.84 mg/L to 38.48 mg/L. The biodegradation process with the bacteria was consistent with the pseudo-first-order model with a rate constant of 0.0891 day<sup>-1</sup>, while the biodegradation process with the fungi was consistent with the first order reaction model with a rate constant of 0.422 day<sup>-1</sup>. The degree of degradation after the 20<sup>th</sup> day of inoculation with Pseudomonas aeruginosa was 85.11%, while with Aspergillus niger was 78.72%. Thus, the results obtained showed that, Pseudomonas aeruginosa performed better than Aspergillus niger. The bioremediation data with fungi fitted the first-order model, while that of the bacteria fitted the pseudo-first-order model. Therefore, the data obtained in this study could be applied in the design of a bioremediation system for potential application to remediation of crude oil polluted water.展开更多
[Objective]The aim was to induce and screen the high producing pectinase Aspergillus niger Strain based on the original preservation strains.[Method]The original strain was induced by ultraviolet,and the highst enzyme...[Objective]The aim was to induce and screen the high producing pectinase Aspergillus niger Strain based on the original preservation strains.[Method]The original strain was induced by ultraviolet,and the highst enzyme activity and cultivated time were detected through the inspection of transparent circle and enzyme activity determination of flask fermentation.[Result] The enzyme activity of strain D1-4 achieved its highest after cultivated for 96 h in suitable conditions,which was 141.13 U/ml.[Conclusion] The induced strain D1-4 had the strong ability of producing pectinase.展开更多
基金Supported by the Asociación de Celíacos y Sensibles al Gluten de Madrid,No.ACM2020)and Research Committee Argentine Society of Gastroenterology,No.2020.
文摘BACKGROUND The gluten-free diet(GFD)has limitations,and there is intense research in the development of adjuvant therapies.AIM To examine the effects of orally administered Aspergillus niger prolyl endopeptidase protease(AN-PEP)on inadvertent gluten exposure and symptom prevention in adult celiac disease(CeD)patients following their usual GFD.METHODS This was an exploratory,double-blind,randomized,placebo-controlled trial that enrolled CeD patients on a long-term GFD.After a 4-wk run-in period,patients were randomized to 4 wk of two AN-PEP capsules(GliadinX;AVI Research,LLC,United States)at each of three meals per day or placebo.Outcome endpoints were:(1)Average weekly stool gluten immunogenic peptides(GIP)between the run-in and end of treatments and between AN-PEP and placebo;(2)celiac symptom index(CSI);(3)CeD-specific serology;and(4)quality of life.Stool samples were collected for GIP testing by ELISA every Tuesday and Friday during run-ins and treatments.RESULTS Forty patients were randomized for the intention-to-treat analysis,and three were excluded from the per-protocol assessment.Overall,628/640(98.1%)stool samples were collected.GIP was undetectable(<0.08μg/g)in 65.6%of samples,and no differences between treatment arms were detected.Only 0.5%of samples had GIP concentrations sufficiently high(>0.32μg/g)to potentially cause mucosal damage.Median GIP concentration in the AN-PEP arm was 44.7%lower than in the run-in period.One-third of patients exhibiting GIP>0.08μg/g during run-in had lower or undetectable GIP after AN-PEP treatment.Compared with the run-in period,the proportion of symptomatic patients(CSI>38)in the AN-PEP arm was significantly lower(P<0.03).AN-PEP did not result in changes in specific serologies.CONCLUSION This exploratory study conducted in a real-life setting revealed high adherence to the GFD.The AN-PEP treatment did not significantly reduce the overall GIP stool concentration.However,given the observation of a significantly lower prevalence of patients with severe symptoms in the AN-PEP arm,further clinical research is warranted.
文摘Pectinex XXL,a commercially prepared pectinase,was investigated for its potential application in the fruit juice industry.Polygalacturonic acid was used as the substrate for determining the enzymatic properties of Pectinex XXL using the DNS method.According to the results,the optimal pH for Pectinex XXL activity was 4.5,and the enzyme was stable in the pH range of 3.0~4.5.The optimal pH and pH stability range are consistent with those of some tropical and subtropical fruits.The optimal temperature for Pectinex XXL activity was 60℃,and the enzyme remained stable after one hour in a water bath set at 40℃.Additionally,the enzymatic activity was not inhibited in the presence of 1 mmol/L of Na^(+),Mg^(2+),Ba^(2+),Co^(2+),Zn^(2+),and Fe^(2+),whereas it was slightly inhibited in the presence of 2 mmol/L of K^(+)and Fe^(2+)and partially inhibited in the presence of 1 and 2 mmol/L of Ca^(2+)and Mn^(2+),demonstrating its good stability in acids and excellent thermal catalytic performance.Based on the above experimental results,depectinization experiments were performed on plantain and cherry tomato juices using different amounts of Pectinex XXL.After one hour reaction with 16 U/mL of the enzyme,the yields of the plantain and cherry tomato juices were substantially increased by 119.03%and 15.97%,respectively,while their light transmittance was remarkably enhanced by 37.65%and 12.35%,respectively.Furthermore,the enzyme reduced the viscosity of the plantain and cherry tomato juices by 88.29%and 29.50%,respectively.The juice production experiments confirmed that this enzyme can significantly improve the yield and light transmittance of plantain juice,while effectively reducing its viscosity.These findings indicate the potential of Pectinex XXL in the industrial production of plantain juice.
文摘We comment here on the article by Stefanolo et al entitled“Effect of Aspergillus niger prolyl endopeptidase in patients with celiac disease on a long-term gluten-free diet”,published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology.Celiac disease is a well-recognized systemic autoimmune disorder.In genetically susceptible people,the most evident damage is located in the small intestine,and is caused and worsened by the ingestion of gluten.For that reason,celiac patients adopt a gluten-free diet(GFD),but it has some limitations,and it does not prevent re-exposure to gluten.Research aims to develop adjuvant therapies,and one of the most studied alternatives is supplementation with Aspergillus niger prolyl endopeptidase protease(AN-PEP),which is able to degrade gluten in the stomach,reducing its concentration in the small intestine.The study found a high adherence to the GFD,but did not address AN-PEP as a gluten immunogenic peptide reducer,as it was only tested in patients following a GFD and not in gluten-exposing conditions.This study opens up new research perspectives in this area and shows that further study is needed to clarify the points that are still in doubt.
文摘BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)-associated invasive pulmonary aspergillosis presents a diagnostic challenge due to its non-specific clinical/imaging features,as well as the fact that the proposed clinically diagnostic algorithms do not necessarily apply to COVID-19 patients.In addition,Fusarium spp.is a rare cause of opportunistic life-threatening fungal infections.Disseminated Fusarium infection in an immunocompromised host is intractable,with a high likelihood of resulting mortality.To our knowledge,this is the first case of secondary pulmonary infection by Fusarium solani(F.solani)and Aspergillus niger(A.niger)during systemic steroid treatment for COVID-19.CASE SUMMARY A 62-year-old male was transported to our hospital by ambulance with a complaint of fever and dyspnea.We established a diagnosis of pneumococcal pneumonia,complicated with COVID-19 and septic shock,together with acute renal failure.He was admitted to the intensive care unit,to be treated with piperacillin/tazobactam,vancomycin,and 6.6 mg per day of dexamethasone sodium phosphate,along with noradrenaline as a vasopressor,ventilator management,and continuous hemodiafiltration.His condition improved,and we finished the vasopressor on the fifth hospital day.We administered dexamethasone for ten days,and finished the course of treatment.On the eleventh day,patient respiratory deterioration was observed,and a computed tomography scan showed an exacerbation of bilateral ground-glass-opacity-like consolidation,together with newly appeared cavitary lesions in the lung.we changed antibiotics to meropenem plus vancomycin.In addition,a fungal infection was considered as a possibility based on microscopic findings of sputum,and we began coadministration of voriconazole.However,the pneumonia worsened,and the patient died on the seventeenth day of illness.Later,F.solani and A.niger were identified from sputum collected on the twelfth day.It was believed that he developed a cell-mediated immune deficiency during COVID-19 treatment,which led to the complication of pneumonia caused by the above-mentioned fungi,contributing to his death.CONCLUSION Because early initiation of intense antifungal therapy offers the best chance for survival in pulmonary fusariosis,computed tomography scans and appropriate microbiologic investigations should be obtained for severely immunocompromised patients.
文摘The comparative effectiveness of remediating water polluted with crude oil, using environment-friendly bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and fungi (Aspergillus niger) were investigated. The samples were separately treated with Aspergillus niger and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The bioremediation kinetic efficiency for these systems was studied. At the end of the bioremediation periods, the oil and grease content of the samples decreased from 47.0 mg/L in the untreated sample to 7.0 mg/L after 20 days when inoculated with bacteria while the sample inoculated with fungi decreased to 10.0 mg/L. Post analysis when inoculated with bacteria showed a fall in the value of the biological oxygen demand (BOD) from 73.84 mg/L to 33.28 mg/L after 20 days, while, the fungi inoculated sample showed a reduction from 73.84 mg/L to 38.48 mg/L. The biodegradation process with the bacteria was consistent with the pseudo-first-order model with a rate constant of 0.0891 day<sup>-1</sup>, while the biodegradation process with the fungi was consistent with the first order reaction model with a rate constant of 0.422 day<sup>-1</sup>. The degree of degradation after the 20<sup>th</sup> day of inoculation with Pseudomonas aeruginosa was 85.11%, while with Aspergillus niger was 78.72%. Thus, the results obtained showed that, Pseudomonas aeruginosa performed better than Aspergillus niger. The bioremediation data with fungi fitted the first-order model, while that of the bacteria fitted the pseudo-first-order model. Therefore, the data obtained in this study could be applied in the design of a bioremediation system for potential application to remediation of crude oil polluted water.
文摘[Objective]The aim was to induce and screen the high producing pectinase Aspergillus niger Strain based on the original preservation strains.[Method]The original strain was induced by ultraviolet,and the highst enzyme activity and cultivated time were detected through the inspection of transparent circle and enzyme activity determination of flask fermentation.[Result] The enzyme activity of strain D1-4 achieved its highest after cultivated for 96 h in suitable conditions,which was 141.13 U/ml.[Conclusion] The induced strain D1-4 had the strong ability of producing pectinase.