immunosuppression – Page 3

Inhibitive effect of Urginea epigea methanolic extract and silver/zinc oxide nanoparticles on Aspergillus and aflatoxin production

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Scientists tested a plant called Urginea epigea and special tiny particles made of silver and zinc to stop a dangerous fungus called Aspergillus flavus from growing and producing aflatoxins, which are harmful poisons found in food. When used at the right concentration, the plant extract completely stopped the fungus from growing. The treatment worked by turning off the fungus’s ability to make the poison by reducing the activity of specific genes. This natural approach could offer a safer alternative to chemical fungicides for protecting our food supply.

Structure and Bioactivity of Intracellular and Extracellular Polysaccharides of Trametes lactinea Mycelium

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Researchers extracted and studied polysaccharides from Trametes lactinea mushroom mycelium grown in liquid culture. They found that these polysaccharides have strong antioxidant properties and can boost immune cell function, with the intracellular polysaccharide IP-3 showing the most promising results. These findings suggest that polysaccharides from mushroom fermentation could have potential health benefits and could be developed into medicinal supplements.

The palmitoyl-CoA ligase Fum16 is part of a Fusarium verticillioides fumonisin subcluster involved in self-protection

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This research reveals how corn fungi protect themselves from their own toxic products by employing specialized defense enzymes. Scientists discovered that five genes work together in a protective cluster, with some enzymes strengthening the fungal cell’s natural defenses while others actively break down the toxin. This discovery helps explain how dangerous fungi survive and could lead to better strategies for preventing mycotoxin contamination in crops and developing disease-resistant plants.

Evaluation of Antifungal Activity Against Candida albicans Isolates From HIV-Positive Patients with Oral Candidiasis in a Major Referral Hospital, West Java, Indonesia

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This study examined fungal infections of the mouth in HIV-positive patients in Indonesia. Researchers identified different types of Candida fungi and tested how well common antifungal medications worked against them. While most medications were effective, they found some cases of drug resistance, suggesting the importance of proper testing to choose the best treatment for each patient.

Evaluation of Antifungal Activity Against Candida albicans Isolates From HIV-Positive Patients with Oral Candidiasis in a Major Referral Hospital, West Java, Indonesia

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Researchers in West Java, Indonesia studied fungal infections in the mouths of HIV-positive patients to understand which antifungals work best. They found that a common fungal species called Candida albicans was present in all patients tested, though some resistant strains were discovered. The study showed that certain antifungal medications like voriconazole worked better than others, highlighting the importance of testing which specific medications will be effective for each patient rather than guessing.

Insights into microbiome-triterpenoid correlation in Poria cocos via comparative analysis of sclerotial and soil microenvironments

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This study explores how the medicinal mushroom Poria cocos creates its own special microbial environment inside its sclerotium (the part used in medicine). Researchers found that the mushroom selectively enriches certain bacteria and fungi while maintaining lower overall microbial diversity compared to surrounding soil. The study reveals that specific microbes like Burkholderia and Scytalidium are positively associated with the production of pachymic acid, the mushroom’s key medicinal compound with anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory properties.

Isolation and Identification of Aspergillus spp. from Rotted Walnuts and Inhibition Mechanism of Aspergillus flavus via Cinnamon Essential Oil

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Researchers collected rotted walnuts from storage in Shanxi, China and identified five types of Aspergillus fungi contaminating them, with Aspergillus flavus being the most common. They tested cinnamon essential oil as a natural antifungal treatment and found it effectively stopped fungal growth by damaging the fungi’s cell membranes and causing oxidative stress. This research suggests cinnamon essential oil could be used as a safe, natural alternative to chemical fungicides for preserving walnuts and other foods from fungal spoilage.

Pleurotus eryngii Culture Filtrate and Aqueous Extracts Alleviate Aflatoxin B1 Synthesis

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This research demonstrates that extracts from oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus eryngii) can effectively reduce dangerous aflatoxin contamination in food and feed by up to 94%. Aflatoxins are toxic compounds produced by mold fungi that can cause serious health problems including cancer. The study shows that mushroom compounds work through multiple mechanisms including antioxidant activity and enzyme production, offering a natural and environmentally friendly alternative to harmful synthetic chemicals for protecting our food supply.

Mycotoxin contamination in Malawi: A systematic review of progress and trends in contamination, knowledge, attitude, and practices

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This review examines mycotoxin (toxic mold) contamination in Malawi and found that most people—farmers, traders, and health workers—don’t know about these dangerous substances or how to prevent them. Although groundnuts and maize are well-studied, other commonly eaten foods like dried fish and mushrooms have been largely ignored in research. Despite years of efforts to educate communities, awareness remains critically low at about 24.5%, and poverty often forces people to eat contaminated food because it’s cheaper.

Effect of Popcorn (Zea mays var. everta) Popping Mode (Microwave, Hot Oil, and Hot Air) on Fumonisins and Deoxynivalenol Contamination Levels

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This study examined how different popping methods affect harmful toxins (called mycotoxins) in popcorn. Researchers tested 39 popcorn samples using three cooking methods: hot air, hot oil, and microwave, measuring how much the dangerous toxins fumonisins and deoxynivalenol decreased. They found that all three methods reduced toxin levels, with hot oil popping being the most effective, reducing fumonisins by 98% and deoxynivalenol by 58%. These findings suggest that eating properly prepared popcorn can significantly reduce exposure to naturally occurring toxins in corn.

Disease: immunosuppression