Pulmonary Aspergillosis in People with Cystic Fibrosis.

In the last decade, fungal respiratory diseases have been increasingly investigated for their impact on the clinical course of people with cystic fibrosis (CF), with a particular focus on infections caused by Aspergillus spp. The most common organisms from this genus detected from respiratory cultures are Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus terreus, followed by Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, and Aspergillus nidulans. These species have been identified to be both chronic colonizers and sources of active infection and may negatively impact lung function in people with CF. This review article discusses definitions of aspergillosis, challenges in clinical practice, and current literature available for laboratory findings, clinical diagnosis, and treatment options for pulmonary diseases caused by Aspergillus spp. in people with CF.

Effect of lead accumulation in maize leaves on their chemical images created by a flow-through electronic tongue.

A flow-through electronic tongue based on miniaturized ion-selective electrode array was used for the classification of the maize leaf samples (Zea mays) exposed to media containing Pb(II) ions. The system provided a good recognition of the extracts from the plant leaves treated with solutions of varying concentrations of Pb(NO(3))(2). Additionally, samples derived from specific segments of the maize leaf, representing different developmental stages of cells, were also discriminated. The presented results showed that the developed sensor array combined with Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) technique allowed to recognize the plant samples on the basis of the changes in the ionic composition of the leaf homogenates.

Limitation of C3-CAM shift in the common ice plant under high irradiance.

In the halophytic plant Mesembryanthemum crystallinum salinity or drought can change the mode of photosynthesis from C(3) to crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM). These two stress factors are linked to oxidative stress, however, the induction of CAM by oxidative stress per se is not straightforward. Treatment with high light (HL) did not lead to the induction of CAM, as documented by a low night/day difference in malate level and a low expression of the CAM-related form of phosphoenolcarboxylase (Ppc1), despite causing some oxidative damage (elevated MDA level, malondialdehyde). In contrast to the action of high salinity (0.4M NaCl), HL treatment did not activate neither the cytosolic NADP-malic enzyme nor the chloroplastic form of NADP-dependent malate dehydrogenase (NADP-MDH). In plastids of HL-treated plants a huge amount of starch was accumulated. This was associated with a weak stimulation of hydrolytic and phosphorolytic starch-degrading enzymes, in contrast to their strong up-regulation under high salinity. It is concluded that HL alone is not able to activate starch degradation necessary for CAM performance. Moreover, in the absence of salinity in C(3)M. crystallinum plants an age-dependent increase in energy dissipation from PSII was documented under high irradiance, as illustrated by non-photochemical quenching (NPQ). Obtained data suggest that in this halophytic species several photoprotective strategies are strictly salinity-dependent.

High light intensity protects photosynthetic apparatus of pea plants against exposure to lead.

The electron transport rates and coupling factor activity in the chloroplasts; adenylate contents, rates of photosynthesis and respiration in the leaves as well as activity of isolated mitochondria were investigated in Pisum sativum L. leaves of plants grown under low or high light intensity and exposed after detachment to 5 mM Pb(NO(3))(2). The presence of Pb(2+) reduced rate of photosynthesis in the leaves from plants grown under the high light (HL) and low light (LL) conditions, whereas the respiration was enhanced in the leaves from HL plants. Mitochondria from Pb(2+) treated HL-leaves oxidized glycine at a higher rate than those isolated from LL leaves. ATP content in the Pb-treated leaves increased to a greater extend in the HL than LL grown plants. Similarly ATP synthase activity increased markedly when chloroplasts isolated from control and Pb-treated leaves of HL and LL grown plants were subjected to high intensity light. The presence of Pb ions was found inhibit ATP synthase activity only in chloroplasts from LL grown plants or those illuminated with low intensity light. Low light intensity during growth also lowered PSI electron transport rates and the Pb(2+) induced changes in photochemical activity of this photosystem were visible only in the chloroplasts isolated from LL grown plants. The activity of PSII was influenced by Pb ions on similar manner in both light conditions. This study demonstrates that leaves from plants grown under HL conditions were more resistant to lead toxicity than those obtained from the LL grown plants. The data indicate that light conditions during growth might play a role in regulation of photosynthetic and respiratory energy conservation in heavy metal stressed plants by increasing the flexibility of the stoichiometry of ATP to ADP production.

Structural and serological studies on Hafnia alvei O-specific polysaccharide of alpha-D-mannan type isolated from the lipopolysaccharide of strain PCM 1223.

On the basis of chemical and methylation analyses, one- and two-dimensional (1)H- and (13)C-NMR spectroscopy, including COSY, TOCSY, NOESY and (1)H, (13)C HSQC experiments, a neutral O-specific polysaccharide isolated from Hafnia alvei strain PCM 1223 lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was found to be an alpha-mannan composed of pentasaccharide repeating units having the following structure:-->3)-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->3)-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->2)-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->2)-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->2)-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->. Immunoblotting showed a strong cross-reactivity between anti-H. alvei PCM 1223 serum and LPSs of Escherichia coli O9 and Klebsiella pneumoniae O3. The serological relationship of the LPSs of these bacteria is due to the structural identity of their O-specific polysaccharides, though the LPSs differ in their core regions.

Structure of the O-specific polysaccharide of Hafnia alvei PCM 1196.

An acidic O-specific polysaccharide was isolated from Hafnia alvei PCM 1196 lipopolysaccharide and studied by sugar and methylation analyses along with one- and two-dimensional 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, including NOESY and HMBC experiments. The following structure of the pentasaccharide repeating unit was established: -->4)-alpha-D-GalpA-(1-->3)-beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1-->2)-beta-D-Galp-(1-->6)-alpha-D-Glcp-(1-->6)-alpha-D-GlcpNAc-(1-->.

Structure of the lipopolysaccharide core region of Hafnia alvei strains 1185 and 1204.

Sugar and methylation analyses using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy proved that the core oligosaccharides of Hafnia alvei strains 1185 and 1204 have the following formula: carbohydrate sequence [see text] where Kdo = 3-deoxy-oct-2-ulosonic acid and P-PEtN = diphosphorylethanolamine. The structure shown above is a slight modification of the typical core region of H. alvei lipopolysaccharides. The difference refers to one sugar only: terminal galactose is present in the core of strains of 1185 and 1204, while terminal glucose in the typical core.

Immunochemical aspects of Hafnia alvei O antigens.

In the article the composition and structure of the O-specific polysaccharide chains and core region of the O antigens isolated from over 20 H. alvei strains is overviewed. Moreover, the correlation between the structure and immunospecificity of the O antigens is presented and discussed.

Non-typical lipopolysaccharide core regions of some Hafnia alvei strains: structural and serological studies.

The lipopolysaccharides of Hafnia alvei strains 23, 1222 and 39 were found to have non-typical core region. On the basis of sugar and methylation analyses, 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance spectra and matrix-assisted laser-desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry, it was concluded that the core oligosaccharide of strains 23 and 1222 has the same structure as Escherichia coli R4 core region, and the core oligosaccharide of strain 39 has the structure of Salmonella Ra core. Using the serological methods (passive hemagglutination, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunoblotting) and the anti-conjugate sera directed against E. coli R4 and Salmonella Ra core oligosaccharides we have confirmed the structural results presented above.

Reinvestigation of the O-specific polysaccharides of Hafnia alvei lipopolysaccharides isolated from strains ATCC 13337 and 1187.

The structure of the O-specific polysaccharides of the lipopolysaccharides produced by Hafnia alvei strains ATCC 13337 and 1187 was reinvestigated. The position of phosphate group in the repeating units of the polysaccharides was established with the aid of 1H detected, 31P edited NMR spectra. According to the results obtained, the polysaccharides are teichoic acid-like polymers with the repeating units of the following structure: [formula: see text] where Acyl = D-3-hydroxylbutyryl, and 3-O-acetylation was approximately 30%.

Immunochemical studies of the lipopolysaccharide O-specific polysaccharide of Hafnia alvei PCM 1199 related to H. alvei PCM 1205.

On the basis of chemical analyses and NMR spectroscopic studies, it was found that the O-specific polysaccharide (O-PS) isolated from the Hafnia alvei PCM 1199 lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a glycerol teichoic-acid-like polymer having a repeating unit of the following structure: [structure in text] where Qui4NAc is 4-acetamido-4,6-dideoxyglucose and O-acetylation at both positions is non-stoichiometric. The glycosidic linkage of the lateral beta-D-GlcpNAc residue is acid-labile and cleaved from the O-PS during mild acid hydrolysis or dephosphorylation with 48% hydrofluoric acid. Comparative analysis revealed that the structure of the H. alvei PCM 1199 O-PS is similar to that of H. alvei PCM 1205, which differs in the presence of an additional lateral alpha-D-Glcp residue and the position of one of the O-acetyl groups only. Accordingly, serological tests revealed a high degree of serological similarity between LPSs and O-PSs of the two H. alvei strains.

Structural heterogeneity of the sialic-acid-containing oligosaccharides from the lipopolysaccharide of Hafnia alvei strain 2 as detected by FABMS studies.

The structure of four oligosaccharide fractions from the Hafnia alvei strain 2 lipopolysaccharide (LPS) have been assigned by FABMS. This approach corroborates data previously established by NMR spectroscopy for the major oligosaccharides in these fractions [A. Gamian, E. Romanowska, U. Dabrowski, J. Dabrowski, Biochemistry 30 (1991) 5032-5038; E. Katzenellenbogen, A. Gamian, E. Romanowska, U. Dabrowski, J. Dabrowski, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 194 (1993) 1058-1064; N. Ravenscroft, A. Gamian, E. Romanowska, Eur. J. Biochem. 227 (1995) 889-896]. In addition, the MS/MS with B/E linked scan technique allowed the detection of an additional oligosaccharide with the structure: [formula: see text] lacking the branched O-6 linked glucopyranose residue at the 3-linked Gal unit, which indicates a structural heterogeneity for the major oligosaccharide fraction.

Structure of the O-specific polysaccharide of Hafnia alvei PCM 1222 containing 2-aminoethyl phosphate.

The O-specific polysaccharide of H. alvei strain PCM 1222 has a branched hexasaccharide repeating unit containing D-galactose, L-rhamnose, D-ribose, D-galacturonic acid, and 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose in the ratios 1:2:1:1:1, as well as 2-aminoethyl phosphate (EtNP) and O-acetyl groups in nonstoichiometric amounts. The polysaccharide was modified by carboxyl reduction, O-deacetylation, and dephosphorylation with 48% hydrofluoric acid, the last reaction being accompanied by removal of the lateral residue of beta-galactofuranose. The modified polysaccharides were studied by methylation analysis and 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, including 2D correlation spectroscopy (COSY), H-detected 1H,13C and 1H,31P heteronuclear multiple-quantum coherence (HMQC), 1D NOE, 2D rotating-frame NOE spectroscopy (ROESY), and 2D combined total correlation spectroscopy (TOCSY) and ROESY (TORO). The following structure of the O-deacetylated polysaccharide was established: [formula: see text] In different batches of the polysaccharide, the content of EtNP varied from 0.35 to 0.55 and that of the O-acetyl groups from 0.05 to 0.4 per repeating unit. It was tentatively suggested that the O-acetyl group is located at position 4 of a rhamnosyl residue.

Structural study and serological characterisation of the O-specific polysaccharide of Hafnia alvei PCM 1185, another Hafnia O-antigen that contains 3,6-dideoxy-3-[(R)-3-hydroxybutyramido]-D-glucose.

The O-specific polysaccharide of H. alvei strain PCM 1185 contains D-glucose, D-glucuronic acid, 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose, and 3,6-dideoxy-3-[(R)-3-hydroxybutyramido]-D-glucose (Qui3NAcyl) in the ratios 2:1:1:1 as well as O-acetyl groups. On the basis of sugar and methylation analyses of the polysaccharide before and after chemical modifications (O-deacetylation, carboxyl reduction, Smith degradation), as well as 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, including 1D sequential, selective spin-decoupling, 2D homonuclear and 13C,1H heteronuclear correlation spectroscopy (COSY), and 2D rotating-frame NOE spectroscopy, it was found that the polysaccharide has a pentasaccharide repeating unit with the following structure: [formula: see text] with O-acetyl groups present in nonstoichiometric amounts, mainly at position 2 of GlcA and position 6 of GlcNAc or lateral Glc. Serological study showed that H. alvei strain PCM 1185 can be placed in a new serotype D and that an O-acetyl group can be a part of its epitope.

Structure of the O-specific polysaccharide, containing a glycerol phosphate substituent, of Hafnia alvei strain 1220 lipopolysaccharide.

The O-specific polysaccharide of the lipopolysaccharide produced by Hafnia alvei strain 1220 contained D-glucose, D-galactose, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, N-acetyl-L-fucosamine (2-acetamido-2,6-dideoxy-L-galactose), glycerol, and phosphate. It was proved by composition and methylation analyses, Smith degradation, dephosphorylation, and one- and two-dimensional 1H NMR spectroscopy to be a teichoic acid-like polymer with a branched hexasaccharide repeating unit of the following structure. [sequence: see text]

The occurrence of glycine in bacterial lipopolysaccharides.

The aminoacyl analysis of endotoxic lipopolysaccharides (LPS) isolated from several bacteria revealed essential amounts of glycine, among the inherent LPS components. Significant amounts of the glycine was detected in lipopolysaccharides isolated from over 30 strains of Escherichia, Salmonella, Hafnia, Citrobacter and Shigella species. Glycine as a single amino acid was found only in a core part of LPS. Molar ratio of glycine in core oligosaccharide fraction ranged from 0.2 to 0.6 per 3 heptoses. The oligosaccharide enriched in glycine was isolated using the HPLC. The amino acid appeared to be terminally located in a core oligosaccharide. The labelling of the lipopolysaccharide cores was achieved when the bacteria were cultivated in the presence of radioactive [14C]glycine. The labelled core oligosaccharide released the radioactivity during treatment with mild alkali or acid (0.1 M NaOH or HCl, 100 degrees C, 4 h). The radioactivity in SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis migrated exclusively with LPS. The results indicate that amino acid is an integral constituent of core oligosaccharide in lipopolysaccharide.

[Structural and serologic characteristics of O-specific polysaccharides of Hafnia alvei PCM 1185 and 1199]. / Charakterystyka strukturalna i serologiczna polisacharydów O-swoistych Hafnia alvei PCM 1185 I 1199.

This work describes results of studies of O-specific oligosaccharide repeating units from lipopolysaccharides of two related Hafnia alvei serotypes. The linkage between O-antigen and the core region in PCM 1199 LPS has been also established. The O-acetyl residues present in the polysaccharides are involved in formation of epitopes.

Structural and serological studies of lipopolysaccharides of Citrobacter O35 and O38 antigenically related to Salmonella.

Structural analysis using 13C NMR spectroscopy and methylation showed that lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) of Citrobacter freundii O35 and Salmonella arizonae O59 have structurally identical O-specific polysaccharide chains, and those of C. freundii O38 and Salmonella kentucky differ only in the presence of O-acetyl groups in the former. Serological relationships between the structurally similar LPSs were demonstrated using inhibition of ELISA, rocket immunoelectrophoresis, double gel diffusion, and immunoblotting. The O-acetyl groups present in C. freundii O38 LPS are of little importance for its serological specificity. A cross-reaction was observed in immunoblotting between O-antisera to C. freundii O35 and S. arizonae O59 and a structurally related LPS of Pseudomonas aeruginosa O11a, 11b (Lányi-Bergan classification).

Structure of the Hafnia alvei strain PCM 1188 O-specific polysaccharide.

The lipopolysaccharide was extracted from cells of Hafnia alvei PCM 1188 strain and, after mild acid hydrolysis, the O-specific polysaccharide isolated and characterized. On the basis of sugar and methylation analysis, FAB mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy of the polysaccharide and oligosaccharides obtained after Smith degradation, or solvolysis with anhydrous hydrogen fluoride, the repeating unit of the O-specific polysaccharide was shown to be the pentasaccharide: [formula: see text]