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Background: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a new risk category for pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) with a high mortality rate. The definite diagnostic criteria of PCP in ILD patients have not been established until now. The aims of this study were to identify potential risk factors of PCP in patients with ILD, and to evaluate the performance of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS), CD4 + T cell count, (1–3)-β-d-Glucan (BG) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the diagnosis of PCP in ILD patients. Methods: This is a retrospective, single-center, case–control study. ILD patients who underwent mNGS from December 2018 to December 2022 were included in the study. Based on the diagnosis criteria of PCP, these patients were divided into PCP-ILD and non-PCP-ILD groups. The potential risk factors for PCP occurrence in ILD patients were analysed via logistic regression. The diagnostic efficacy of mNGS was compared with serological biomarkers. Results: 92 patients with ILD were enrolled, 31 of which had a definite PCP and were assigned to the PCP-ILD group while 61 were to the non-PCP-ILD group. The infection rate of PJ in ILD patients was 33.7% (31/92). The history of glucocorticoid therapy, CD4 + T cell count, BG level and traction bronchiectasis on HRCT were associated with PCP occurrence in ILD patients. LDH level did not reach statistical significance in the logistic regression analysis. mNGS was confirmed as the most accurate test for PCP diagnosis in ILD patients. Conclusion: ILD is a new risk group of PCP with high PCP prevalence. Clinicians should pay close attention to the occurrence of PCP in ILD patients who possess the risk factors of previous glucocorticoid therapy, decreased CD4 + T cell count, increased BG level and absence of traction bronchiectasis on HRCT. mNGS showed the most excellent performance for PCP diagnosis in ILD patients. Peripheral blood CD4 + T cell count and BG level are alternative diagnostic methods for PCP in ILD patients. However, the diagnostic value of serum LDH level was limited in ILD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: With the rapid development of shrimp aquaculture, freshwater aquaculture production in China accounted for 35% of the total aquaculture production for Litopenaeus vannamei. However, the negative effects of low salinity stress also limit the production of shrimp. Therefore, the use of prebiotics is an effective strategy to alleviate these adverse effects. This study investigated the effects of different dietary β-glucan application frequencies on the growth performance, physiological response, and gut microbiota of Pacific white shrimp under low salinity conditions. The results indicated that the feeding pattern of dietary 0.1% β-glucan for 2 days and basic feed for 5 days per week could improve the antioxidant capacity, immune response, and intestinal health of L. vannamei. An eight-week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of a dietary β-glucan application strategy on the growth performance, physiological response, and gut microbiota of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) (0.49 ± 0.17 g) under low salinity. Six feeding strategies were established, including a continuous β-glucan-free diet group (control), a continuously fed group with a 0.1% β-glucan diet (T1), and groups with the following intermittent feeding patterns: 1 day of β-glucan diet and 6 days of β-glucan-free diet (T2), 2 days of β-glucan diet and 5 days of β-glucan-free diet (T3), 3 days of β-glucan diet and 4 days of β-glucan-free diet (T4), and 4 days of β-glucan diet and 3 days of β-glucan-free diet (T5) each week. No significant differences in growth performance among all the groups were found, although the condition factor was significantly higher in the T3 group than in the T1 and T5 groups (p < 0.05). The T-AOC and GPX activities were significantly lower in the T3 group than in the control group (p < 0.05). The MDA content was also significantly lower in the T2 group than in the T3 and T4 groups (p < 0.05). Additionally, the mRNA expression of the Pen3a gene was significantly upregulated in the hepatopancreas of the T4 group compared to the control and T5 groups (p < 0.05), and the Toll gene was also significantly upregulated in the T3 group compared to the T1 and T2 groups (p < 0.05). Dietary β-glucan induced changes in the alpha diversity and composition of the gut microbiota in different feeding strategies. The beta diversity of the gut microbiota in the T2 group was significantly different from that in the control group. The results of a KEGG analysis showed that gut function in the carbohydrate metabolism, immune system, and environmental adaptation pathways was significantly enhanced in the T3 group. These findings provide evidence that the intermittent feeding strategy of β-glucan could alleviate immune fatigue, impact antioxidant ability, and change gut microbiota composition of L. vannamei under low salinity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolase (XTH), belonging to glycoside hydrolase family 16, is one of the key enzymes in plant cell wall remodeling. Schima superba is an important timber and fireproof tree species in southern China. However, little is known about XTHs in S. superba. In the present study, a total of 34 SsuXTHs were obtained, which were classified into three subfamilies based on the phylogenetic relationship and unevenly distributed on 18 chromosomes. Furthermore, the intron–exon structure and conserved motif composition of them supported the classification and the members belonging to the same subfamily shared similar gene structures. Segmental and tandem duplication events did not lead to SsuXTH gene family expansion, and strong purifying selection pressures during evolution led to similar structure and function of SsuXTH gene family. The interaction network and cis -acting regulatory elements analysis revealed the SsuXTH expression might be regulated by multiple hormones, abiotic stresses and transcription factors. Finally, expression profiles and GO enrichment analysis showed most of the tandem repeat genes were mainly expressed in the phloem and xylem and they mainly participated in glycoside metabolic processes through the transfer and hydrolysis of xyloglucan in the cell wall and then regulated fiber elongation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To investigate the clinical value of lentinan combined with (125)I brachytherapy in the treatment of recurrent ovarian cancer. Methods. A total of 160 patients with recurrent ovarian cancer admitted at Jiaozhou Central Hospital from June 2009 to October 2015 were enrolled in this study and randomly divided into observation group (80 cases) and control group (80 cases). The control group received chemotherapy. Observation group (80 cases) was treated with lentinan combined with (125)I brachytherapy on the basis of control group, and the efficacy, adverse reactions, and Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) and quality of life scale (QOL) scores of the two groups were analyzed and compared. Results. After treatment, the levels of CA125, CA199, and CA724 in the 2 groups were markedly lower than those before treatment, and the observation group was lower than the control group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the proportion of CD4+/CD8+ cells and helper T cells and NK cells in the control group remarkably depleted, while the proportion of CD4+/CD8+ cells, NK cells, and B cells in the observation group increased significantly compared to that before treatment, and the level of IgA, IgG, and IgM in the control group decreased, while that in the observation group showed no conspicuous difference compared with that before chemotherapy (P > 0.05). The effective rate of observation group (85%) was higher than that of control group (75%) (P < 0.05). The overall survival of patients in the control group was (16.2 ± 2.04) months and that of the observation group was (24.8 ± 1.8) months. KPS and QOL scores in both groups were enormously higher than those before treatment, and the observation group was higher than the control group (P < 0.05). The incidence of hemoglobin reduction, leukopenia, aglobulia, granulocytopenia, nausea and vomiting, hepatorenal toxicity, and neurovirulence in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group. Conclusion. Lentinan combined with (125)I brachytherapy is effective in treating recurrent ovarian cancer, with mild adverse reactions and good tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yuanmo [ Sarcomyxa edulis (Y.C. Dai, Niemelä & G.F. Qin) T. Saito, Tonouchi & T. Harada] is an important edible and medicinal mushroom endemic to Northeastern China. Here we report the de novo sequencing and assembly of the S. edulis genome using single-molecule real-time sequencing technology. The whole genome was approximately 35.65 Mb, with a G + C content of 48.31%. Genome assembly generated 41 contigs with an N50 length of 1,772,559 bp. The genome comprised 9,364 annotated protein-coding genes, many of which encoded enzymes involved in the modification, biosynthesis, and degradation of glycoconjugates and carbohydrates or enzymes predicted to be involved in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites such as terpene, type I polyketide, siderophore, and fatty acids, which are responsible for the pharmacodynamic activities of S. edulis. We also identified genes encoding 1,3-β-glucan synthase and endo-1,3(4)-β-glucanase, which are involved in polysaccharide and uridine diphosphate glucose biosynthesis. Phylogenetic and comparative analyses of Basidiomycota fungi based on a single-copy orthologous protein indicated that the Sarcomyxa genus is an independent group that evolved from the Pleurotaceae family. The annotated whole-genome sequence of S. edulis can serve as a reference for investigations of bioactive compounds with medicinal value and the development and commercial production of superior S. edulis varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Crataegus pinnatifida is widely used as functional food and traditional medicine in China for various applications. Polysaccharides may contribute to health benefits, such as modulating human gut microbiota (HGM). To investigate structure features of polysaccharides from this plant, fruits of C. pinnatifida were extracted with boiling water, yielding crude polysaccharides HAW. A novel polysaccharide, named HAW1-1, was pooled by DEAE Sepharose™ Fast Flow column and further purified by Sephacryl S-100 HR column. The molecular weight of HAW1-1 was 42.35 kDa. The carbohydrate content of HAW1-1 was 99.42% and no protein was detected. The monosaccharide analysis showed this polysaccharide was only composed of glucose. According to the partial acid hydrolysis, methylation analysis and NMR spectra, the backbone of HAW1-1 was consisted of 1,4-linked α-D-glucan and 1,4,6-linked α-D-glucan. The side chains were composed of 1,6-linked α-D-glucan and terminal-linked α-D-glucan. The bioactivity tests showed that HAW1-1 could promote the growth of three species of intestinal Bacteroides and produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). The results suggested that HAW1-1 might be a potential prebiotic candidate to maintain intestinal homeostasis and improve human gut health. Highlights • A novel glucan, HAW1-1 was extracted from the fruit of Crataegus pinnatifida. • The backbone of the polysaccharide was 1,4-linked and 1,4,6-linked α-D-glucan. • The branches had 1,6-linked α-D-glucan and terminal-linked α-D-glucan. • HAW1-1 could promote growth of intestinal Bacteroides. • HAW1-1 could also be used by the Bacteroides to produce short-chain fatty acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schizophyllan (SPG), a β -glucan produced by the fungus Schizophyllum commune , possesses a β -(1 → 3)-linked backbone with single β -(1 → 6)-linked glucose side chains at approximately every third residue. In this study, we screened SPG-producing strains of S. commune from different provinces in China. A candidate strain (NTU-1) with a high SPG yield was chosen, and the fermentation conditions were optimized. The optimal carbon and nitrogen sources were sucrose (40 g/L) and yeast extract (20 g/L), respectively. The optimal conditions for pH and temperature were 5.0 and 28 °C, respectively. Inclusion of 0.2 mg/L of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid in the medium further increased the SPG concentration. In a 5-L bioreactor, the fermentation cycle was reduced from the initial seven days to five days, and the concentration of SPG obtained was 21.3 g/L, which is the highest reported to date. In addition, we evaluated the bioactivity of the SPG prepared using strain NTU-1. The results showed that SPG had certain characteristics of anti-oxidation, anti-photoaging, and inhibition of melanin production, making it a promising reagent for skin care. • A strain S. commune NTU-1 with high SPG yield potential was screened. • The highest SPG concentration of 21.95 g/L was obtained by fermentation optimization. • SPG treatment improved the anti-photoaging ability of L929 cells. • SPG can inhibit melanin synthesis of B16F10 cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salecan, a natural β-glucan and one of the novel food ingredients approved in China, has been shown a variety of positive health effects, yet the mechanism of liver injury remains poorly understood. In addition, β-glucan could induce the shifts in gut microbiota, however, whether modulation of gut microbiota by β-glucan is associated with their positive health effects remain elusive. Here, the anti-inflammatory effects and the underlying mechanism of Salecan supplementation in CCl 4 -induced liver injury were investigated. After 8 weeks of treatment, we observed that Salecan alleviated liver injury by regulating inflammatory response and M2 macrophage polarization. In addition, Salecan treatment modulated the composition of gut microbiota and antibiotic cocktail treatment indicated that the hepatoprotective effect of Salecan was dependent on the gut microbiota. Fecal microbiota transplantation was used to further verify the mechanism, and we confirmed that microbial colonization partially alleviated liver injury. Besides, microbiota-derived metabolites of Salecan also contributed to the hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory effect of Salecan against liver injury. These findings supported that Salecan intervention attenuated liver injury by regulating gut microbiota and its metabolites. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hulless barley planted in Tibetan area, China (also called highland barley) is well known for their high β-glucan content. This study investigated the proteomics of three highland barley cultivars differing in grain β-glucan content (high, BH; middle, BM and low, BL) to identify the proteins involved in β-glucan synthesis and accumulation and understand the mechanisms underlying the difference of β-glucan content among these cultivars. Totally 38, 167 and 177 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were detected from BH VS BM, BH VS BL and BM VS BL comparisons, respectively. These DEPs are mainly enriched in the categories related to β-glucan biosynthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, glucose and sucrose dissimilation. Many glycosidases and glycosyltransferases proteins involved in polysaccharide catabolism were significantly down-regulated in BH and BM cultivars in comparison with BL. The expression of some glycosidases proteins was further confirmed by Parallel Reaction Monitoring (PRM)-MS analysis. These results provide new insights into the proteins that might influence β-glucan levels in highland barley cultivars, which could be helpful for genetic improvement of β-glucan content in barley. • A proteomics approach was used to investigate the high β-glucan content of highland barley grains. • Higher β-glucan content consistent with the reduction of glycosidases and glycosyltransferases proteins. • Parallel Reaction Monitoring (PRM)-MS analysis validated the glycosidases proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Beta-glucan is currently under consideration as an alternative to in-feed antibiotics for the sustainable pig production industry in China. Modulating intestinal function by β-glucan treatment in young pigs is one potential way of decreasing disease susceptibility and presumably increasing growth performance. In the present study, as a newly developed commercial product, β-glucans have proved to modulate gut function, and have improved growth performance in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-challenged piglets. The present study aimed to determine the mechanisms involved inβ-glucan of low and high molecular weight mediated growth alterations in weaned piglets. The results confirmed that β-glucans isolated from Agrobacterium sp. ZX09 could improve growth performance in weaned piglets and they showed intestinal modulatory properties via different mechanisms in regulating the mucosal barrier function and microbial populations between two different molecular weight β-glucans. This study investigated β-glucan derived from Agrobacterium sp. ZX09 with high (2000 kDa) and low (300 kDa) molecular weight (MW) to compare their effects on growth performance and gut function in LPS-induced weaned piglets. Changes in jejunal morphology, mucosal barrier function, microbial populations, and fermentation in the piglets were determined. Data showed that β-glucan prevented body weight loss in LPS challenged piglets. Supplementation with both β-glucan fractions improved jejunal morphology. Compared to low MW, β-glucan of high MW generally up-regulated transcripts of ZO-1, MUC1, and MUC2 in jejunal mucosa to a lesser extent. Mucosal D-lactate, diamine oxidase, and anti-oxidation index were effectively resumed in β-glucan treatment. Both β-glucan diets provoked the emergence of a balanced microbiota and a richer concentration of volatile fatty acids in the colon. The richest community of bifidobacterium and concentration of butyrate emerged after feeding β-glucan with high MW. Results suggested that the effect of Agrobacterium sp. ZX09 β-glucans on the gut-modulatory function is largely linked to their MW. Low MW β-glucan mainly improved the mucosal barrier function in the jejunum, while high MW β-glucan had profound effects on the microbial community and fermentation in the hindgut of piglets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microwave treatment was applied for tamarind seed decortication and the decorticated seeds were milled and used for xyloglucan extraction. The aims were: (1) to determine a treatment for efficiently decorticating tamarind seeds with the specified moisture content and color of decorticated seeds and (2) to develop extraction and purification techniques for producing high‐purity xyloglucan component powder from tamarind seeds. The results revealed that the application of microwave treatment produced high decortication yield and satisfactory color of decorticated seeds. Defatting tamarind kernel powder (TKP) using TKP:hexane ratio of 1:10 (wt/vol) was preferable for reducing fat to 0.5%. The xyloglucan component powder extracted from defatted TKP using 95% ethanol in precipitation process with protease enzyme application for 3 hr had comparable glucose, xylose, and galactose contents to the commercial xyloglucan standard. Overall production yields were 45.6%, 40.2%, and 25.8% for TKP, defatted TKP, and xyloglucan component powder with high purity, respectively. Practical applications: The xyloglucan in tamarind seeds is a natural, nontoxic, and edible polysaccharide. Xyloglucan normally forms a gel in the presence of alcohol, sugar, and polyphenols. It is an interesting gelling agent for use in the food industry because it can form a gel over a wide pH range and is rather heat stable. Although a number of companies in some countries such as Japan and China have manufactured and exported xyloglucan powder extracted from tamarind seeds for many years, their processing techniques have not been disseminated. In this study, a microwave treatment was applied for tamarind seed decortication. The decorticated seeds were milled and used for xyloglucan extraction. The processes for xyloglucan extraction and purification were investigated. The xyloglucan component powder produced in this study had comparable glucose, xylose, and galactose contents to the commercial xyloglucan standard. The xyloglucan component powder produced in this study could be sold as a food additive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]