Efficient production of polysaccharide by Chaetomium globosum CGMCC 6882 through co-culture with host plant Gynostemma pentaphyllum.

Endophytic fungus, as a new kind of microbial resources and separated from plants, has attracted increasing attention due to its ability to synthesize the same or similar bioactive secondary metabolites as the host plants. Nevertheless, the effects of the symbiotic relationship between microorganisms and elicitors existed in host plant on metabolite production are not adequately understood. In the present work, the impacts of elicitors (ginseng saponin and puerarin) and symbiotic microorganisms on endophytic fungus Chaetomium globosum CGMCC 6882 synthesizing polysaccharide were evaluated. Results show that the polysaccharide titers increased from 2.36 to 3.88 g/L and 3.67 g/L with the addition of 16 µg/L ginseng saponin and puerarin, respectively. Moreover, the maximum polysaccharide titer reached 4.55 g/L when C. globosum CGMCC 6882 was co-cultured with UV-irradiated G. pentaphyllum. This work brings a significant contribution to the research and interpretation of the relationship between endophytic fungus and its host plant.

Short peripheral intravenous cannula and straight-tip guide wire in ultrasound-guided neonatal central venous catheterization.

BACKGROUND: Inserting a J-tip guide-wire into a vein's lumen is often difficult when using the Seldinger or modified Seldinger technique for central venous catheterization (CVC) in newborns. This study was designed to compare the efficacy and safety of guide-wire insertion using the combination of a short peripheral intravenous cannula with a straight-tip guide-wire vs. a needle with a J-tip guide-wire for ultrasound-guided (USG) cannulation of the internal jugular vein (IJV) in newborns using an in-plane technique. METHODS: One hundred and thirty newborn patients (weight, 1.4-5.2 kg) scheduled for selective or emergency surgery, were randomly assigned to either the needle group (combined with a J-tip guide-wire) or cannula group (combined with a straight-tip guide-wire). The primary outcome was the rate of successful guide-wire insertion on the first attempt. The puncture attempts, catheter placement attempts, and mechanical complications were also compared between the groups. RESULTS: The rate of successful guide-wire insertion on the first attempt was higher in the cannula group (97%) than in the needle group (76%) (p < 0.05, χ2 = 11.233). Moreover, fewer insertion attempts were needed in the cannula group (1.0 ± 0.2) than in the needle group (1.7 ± 1.1) (p < 0.05, 95% CI [0.449, 1.028]). The time to successful guide-wire insertion was shorter in the cannula group (63 ± 32 s) than in the needle group (92±50 s) (p < 0.05, 95% CI [14.024, 43.063]). No differences were found about other catheterization parameters and complications between the groups. CONCLUSION: The short peripheral cannula combined with a straight-tip guide-wire was superior to the needle combined with a J-tip guide-wire for USG newborn IJV catheterization in terms of successful guide-wire insertion on the first attempt and overall number of insertion attempts.

Anticancer Activity of Polysaccharides Produced from Glycerol and Crude Glycerol by an Endophytic Fungus Chaetomium globosum CGMCC 6882 on Human Lung Cancer A549 Cells.

Two polysaccharides were produced by Chaetomiumglobosum CGMCC 6882 from glycerol (GCP-1) and crude glycerol (GCP-2). Chemical characteristics results showed GCP-1 and GCP-2 were similar polysaccharides, but the molecular weights of GCP-1 and GCP-2 were 5.340 × 104 Da and 3.105 × 104 Da, respectively. Viabilities of A549 cells after treatment with GCP-1 and GCP-2 were 49% and 39% compared to the control group. Meanwhile, flow cytometry results indicated that GCP-1 and GCP-2 could induce 17.79% and 24.28% of A549 cells to apoptosis with 200 µg/mL concentration treated for 24 h. RT-PCR results suggested that GCP-1 and GCP-2 could be used as potential and effective apoptosis inducers on A549 cells by increasing BAX, CASPASE-3, CASPASE-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2 expression and decreasing BCL-2 expression. This research provided an innovative approach to using a byproduct of biodiesel production (crude glycerol) to produce polysaccharides of potential medicinal benefit.