Diheteropeptin, a novel substance with TGF-beta-like activity, produced by a fungus, Diheterospora chlamydosporia. II. Physico-chemical properties and structure elucidation.
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The structure of diheteropeptin (1), a TGF-beta-like active substance from Diheterospora chlamydosporia Q58044, was determined to be a new cyclotetrapeptide, cyclo[2aminoisobutyryl-(S)-phenylalanyl-(R)-prolyl-(2S,8R,9R)-2-am ino-8,9-dihydroxydecanoyl-] by NMR, mass spectrometric and chemical studies. (+info)
Antimalarial activities of peptide antibiotics isolated from fungi.
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Malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum is a major public health problem in the developing countries of the world. Clinical treatment of malaria has become complicated due to the occurrence of infections caused by drug resistant parasites. Secondary metabolites from fungi are an attractive source of chemotherapeutic agents. This work reports the isolation and in vitro antiplasmodial activities of peptide antibiotics of fungal origin. The three peptide antibiotics used in this study were efrapeptins, zervamicins, and antiamoebin. The high-performance liquid chromatography-purified peptides were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectral analysis. All three fungal peptides kill P. falciparum in culture with 50% inhibitory concentrations in the micromolar range. A possible mode of action of these peptide antibiotics on P. falciparum is presented. (+info)
Toxicity and occurrence of Balansia on grasses from toxic fescue pastures.
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Balansia epichloe (Weese) and B. henningsiana (Moell.) were isolated from grasses in toxic fescue pastures. B. epichole, cultured in a synthetic medium, was toxic to chicken embryos. Thin-layer chromatography and ultraviolet absorption data indicated that in submerged culture the fungus produced compounds with the indole or ergoline nucleus. (+info)
Disseminated Neocosmospora vasinfecta infection in a patient with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia.
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We report Neocosmospora vasinfecta infection following chemotherapy for acute nonlymphocytic leukemia. N. vasinfecta, a plant pathogen, was identified by culture and genetic sequencing. Susceptibility testing revealed in vitro resistance for common antifungals. (+info)
Bioxanthracenes from the insect pathogenic fungus. Cordyceps pseudomilitaris BCC 1620. I. Taxonomy, fermentation, isolation and antimalarial activity.
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Eleven bioxanthracenes and two monomers, six novel in nature, were isolated from the insect pathogenic fungus Cordyceps pseudomilitaris BCC 1620. Growth optimization of the strain led to the improvement of bioxanthracenes production. The bioxanthracenes were evaluated for their antimalarial activity and cytotoxicity. (+info)
Bioxanthracenes from the insect pathogenic fungus Cordyceps pseudomilitaris BCC 1620. II. Structure elucidation.
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Structures of eleven bioxanthracenes (1 approximately 11) and two monomers (12 and 13), isolated from the insect pathogenic fungus Cordyceps pseudomilitaris BCC 1620, were elucidated. The structure, including the axial stereochemistry, of one of the major symmetrical dimers (1) was determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis, while the stereochemistries of the other isomers were deduced by chemical conversions and spectroscopic means. (+info)
Tasco-Forage: I. Influence of a seaweed extract on antioxidant activity in tall fescue and in ruminants.
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Seaweed (Ascophyllum nodosum) is a known source of plant growth regulators, and application to turfgrasses has increased activity of the antioxidant superoxide dismutase (SOD) and specific vitamin precursors. Increased antioxidant activity in both plants and animals diminishes oxidative stress. Two pasture experiments investigated effects of Tasco-Forage (a proprietary seaweed-based product) applied to tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) on antioxidant activity in plants and in ruminants that grazed the forage. In Exp. 1, fescue was 70 to 100% infected with the endophyte fungus Neotyphodium coenophialum ([Morgan-Jones and Gams] Glenn, Bacon, and Hanlin). Twenty-four wether lambs (initial BW 41 kg; SD = 5) grazed fescue treated with 0, 1.7, or 3.4 kg Tasco/ha applied in April and July, 1994, with four replications per treatment. Grazing occurred for 26 d beginning April 21 and for 22 d beginning July 19. In July, there was a linear increase in daily gains (P < 0.05), and serum vitamin A (P < 0.13) and whole-blood Se (P < 0.10) tended to increase in lambs grazing Tasco-treated fescue. In Exp. 2,48 Angus and Angus x Hereford steers (initial BW 245 kg; SD = 20) grazed infected or uninfected tall fescue in Virginia that was treated (3.4 kg/ ha) or untreated with Tasco in April and July, 1995. Steers that grazed infected tall fescue had lower (P < 0.02) serum vitamin A and E and tended (P < 0.07) to have lower whole-blood Se in September compared with steers that grazed uninfected tall fescue. Tasco decreased (P < 0.06) serum vitamin E but tended to increase whole-blood Se (P < 0.10) in September and serum vitamin A in July (P < 0.12). During 1996 and 1997, the experiment was repeated in Virginia with Angus steers and was replicated at Prairie, MS, where 1/4 Brahman x 3/4 Angus steers were used. Forty-eight steers were included at each location in each year (n = 192 total steers for 1996 and 1997). Steers that grazed infected tall fescue in Mississippi had lower (P < 0.05) serum vitamin E by the end of the grazing season. At both locations Tasco increased (P < 0.05) activity of superoxide dismutase in both infected and uninfected fescue. The endophyte in tall fescue seemed to decrease antioxidant activity in grazing steers, whereas Tasco seemed to increase antioxidant activity in both the forage and the grazing ruminant. Tasco may provide opportunities to reduce oxidative stress in plants and animals. (+info)
Tasco-Forage: II. Monocyte immune cell response and performance of beef steers grazing tall fescue treated with a seaweed extract.
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Effects of applying Tasco-Forage, an Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed-based product prepared by a proprietary process, to endophyte (Neotyphodium coenophialum [Morgan-Jones and Gams] Glenn, Bacon, and Hanlin)-infected and endophyte-free tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) were studied in each of 3 yr (1995, 1996, and 1997) in Virginia and in 1996 and 1997 in Mississippi. There were 48 steers at each location in each year (n = 240) in a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial arrangement with two replications at each location. Steers in Virginia were Angus and Angus x Hereford with initial weights of 245 kg (SD = 20), 234 kg (SD = 9), and 265 kg (SD = 5) in yr 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Steers in Mississippi were 3/4 Angus and 1/4 Brahman and weighed 230 kg (SD = 8) and 250 kg (SD = 2) in yr 2 and 3, respectively. Tasco (3.4 kg/ha) was dissolved in water and applied to pastures in April before grazing was begun and again in July at the same rate. The grazing period was from mid-April to late September or mid-October. Total gains were higher (P < 0.05) for steers grazing uninfected than for those grazing endophyte-infected tall fescue. Rectal temperatures were increased (P < 0.05) due to endophyte infection at both locations; Tasco application decreased temperature of steers grazing infected fescue in Virginia (interaction, P < 0.07) but increased temperatures of steers grazing infected fescue in Mississippi (interaction, P < 0.05). Presence of the endophyte resulted in rough hair coats and loss of hair color, but the effect was partially offset (P < 0.05) by Tasco application in Virginia in 1995. Both monocyte phagocytic activity (all years and locations) and major histocompatibility complex class II expression (1995 only) were decreased (P < 0.05) in steers due to endophyte infection, but this effect was reversed (P < 0.05) by application of Tasco to pastures. Application of the extract from A. nodosum seems to have use in alleviating adverse effects of endophyte on immune function and may improve hair coat condition in cattle grazing infected fescue, but effects on rectal temperature varied due to location. (+info)