In this study, we employed a combination of genome mining and heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC)-based small molecule accurate recognition technology (SMART) technology to search for fernane-type triterpenoids. Initially, potential endophytic fungi were identified through genome mining. Subsequently, fine fractions containing various fernane-type triterpenoids were selected using HSQC data collection and SMART prediction. These triterpenoids were then obtained through targeted isolation and identification. Finally, their antifungal activity was evaluated. As a result, three fernane-type triterpenoids, including two novel compounds, along with two new sesquiterpenes and four known compounds were isolated from one potential strain, Diaporthe discoidispora. Their structures were elucidated through analysis of high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic data. The absolute configurations were determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and electron capture detector (ECD) analysis. Compound 3 exhibited moderate antifungal activity against Candida albicans CMCC 98001 and Aspergillus niger.
Triterpenes/isolation & purification* ; Antifungal Agents/isolation & purification* ; Molecular Structure ; Candida albicans/drug effects* ; Ascomycota/genetics* ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Aspergillus niger/drug effects* ; Genome, Fungal ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the global epidemic status of the Ebola virus disease (EVD) and assess the importation risk into China. METHODS: Data from World Health Organization reports were used. We described the global epidemic status of EVD from 1976-2021, and assessed and ranked the importation risk of EVD from the disease-outbreaking countries into China using the risk matrix and Borda count methods, respectively. RESULTS: From 1976-2021, EVD mainly occurred in western and central Africa, with the highest cumulative number of cases (14,124 cases) in Sierra Leone, and the highest cumulative fatality rate (85%) in the Congo. Outbreaks of EVD have occurred in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Guinea since 2018. The importation risk into China varies across countries with outbreaks of disease. The Democratic Republic of the Congo had an extremely high risk (23 Borda points), followed by Guinea and Liberia. Countries with a moderate importation risk were Nigeria, Uganda, Congo, Sierra Leone, Mali, and Gabon, while countries with a low importation risk included Sudan, Senegal, and Co^te d'Ivoire. CONCLUSION China is under the risk of EVD importation with the globalization and severe epidemic status of EVD. Key attention need to be paid to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guinea, and Liberia. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent and prepare in advance for importation risk in China.
Humans ; Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola/prevention & control* ; Epidemics ; Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control* ; Guinea/epidemiology* ; Sierra Leone/epidemiology* ; China/epidemiology*

Scopoletin is a coumarin compound with various biological activities including detumescence and analgesic, insecticidal, antibacterial and acaricidal effects. However, interference with scopolin and other components often leads to difficulties in purification of scopoletin with low extraction rates from plant resource. In this paper, heterologous expression of the gene encoding β-glucosidase An-bgl3 derived from Aspergillus niger were carried out. The expression product was purified and characterized with further structure-activity relationship between it and β-glucosidase analyzed. Subsequently, its ability for transforming scopolin from plant extract was studied. The results showed that the specific activity of the purified β-glucosidase An-bgl3 was 15.22 IU/mg, the apparent molecular weight was about 120 kDa. The optimum reaction temperature and pH were 55 ℃ and 4.0, respectively. Moreover, 10 mmol/L metal ions Fe²⁺ and Mn²⁺ increased the enzyme activity by 1.74-fold and 1.20-fold, respectively. A 10 mmol/L solution containing Tween-20, Tween-80 and Triton X-100 all inhibited the enzyme activity by 30%. The enzyme showed affinity towards scopolin and tolerated 10% methanol and 10% ethanol solution, respectively. The enzyme specifically hydrolyzed scopolin into scopoletin from the extract of Erycibe obtusifolia Benth with a 47.8% increase of scopoletin. This demonstrated that the β-glucosidase An-bgl3 from A. niger shows specificity on scopolin with good activities, thus providing an alternative method for increasing the extraction efficiency of scopoletin from plant material.
Aspergillus niger/genetics* ; beta-Glucosidase/chemistry* ; Scopoletin ; Polysorbates ; Coumarins

OBJECTIVE: To explore the underlying mechanism of inhibition by Jinkui Shenqi Pills (JKSQP) on glucocorticoid-enhanced axial length elongation in experimental lens-induced myopia (LIM) guinea pigs. METHODS: Sixty 2-week old male guinea pigs were randomly divided into 4 groups with 15 guinea pigs in each group, according to the random numbers generated by SPSS software: control, LIM, saline and JKSQP groups. The control group includes animals with no treatment, while the guinea pigs in the other 3 groups received lens-induced myopization on the right eyes throughout the experiment (for 8 weeks). The saline and JKSQP groups were given daily intraperitoneal injections of 10 mg/kg hydrocortisone for 2 consecutive weeks at the same time, and then orally administered either saline or JKSQP [13.5 g/(kg•d) for 6 consecutive weeks. Body weight, anal temperature and animal appearance were observed and recorded to evaluate the GC-associated symptoms. The ocular parameters, including refraction and axial length, were measured by streak retinoscopy and A-scan ultrasonography, respectively. The levels of plasma hormones associated with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA), including free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine, estradiol and testosterone, were measured by radioimmunoassay, and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In addition, the mRNA and protein expressions of retinal amphiregulin (AREG) was measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting, respectively. RESULTS: JKSQP effectively increased body weight and anal temperature, improved animal appearance and suppressed axial length elongation in glucocorticoid-enhanced myopic guinea pigs with normalization of 4 HPAA-associated plasma hormones (all P<0.05). The plasma level of cAMP was significantly increased, whereas the plasma level of cGMP and the mRNA and protein expressions of retinal AREG were decreased after treatment with JKSQP (all P<0.05). CONCLUSION JKSQP exhibited a significant inhibitory effect on axial length elongation with decreased expression of AREG in the retina, and normalized 4 HPAA-associated plasma hormones and the expression of cAMP and cGMP in GC-enhanced myopic guinea pigs.
Guinea Pigs ; Male ; Animals ; Glucocorticoids ; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System ; Pituitary-Adrenal System ; Myopia/metabolism* ; Body Weight ; RNA, Messenger ; Disease Models, Animal

This research assessed the experience of stakeholders and the efficacy of integrating traditional medicine into the Ghanaian health system using the Ashanti Region as the focal point. Elements of an integrative healthcare delivery model including philosophies/values, structure, process and outcome were used to conduct a quality assessment of the integrated health system in Ghana. Each element clearly showed that Ghana is currently not running a coordinated health practice model, thus making it a tolerant, rather than an inclusive, health system. Therefore, the primary purpose of this research is to discuss the development of a new and appropriately customised model that could enhance the practice of integrated healthcare in Ghana. The model we present has flexibility and far-reaching applicability in other African countries because such countries share similar socio-cultural and economic characteristics. As such, governments and health practitioners could adapt this model to improve the practice of integrated healthcare in their specific settings. Hospital administrators and health system researchers could also adapt the model to investigate or to monitor the progress and efficacy of integrated healthcare practices within their settings. This might help to understand the relationships between the integration of traditional medicine and health outcomes for a given population. Please cite this article as: Ampomah IG, Malau-Aduli BS, Malau-Aduli AEO, Emeto TI. From talk to action: Developing a model to foster effective integration of traditional medicine into the Ghanaian healthcare system. J Integr Med. 2023; 21(5): 423-429.
Ghana ; Medicine, Traditional ; Delivery of Health Care, Integrated

The hydrolysis of xylo-oligosaccharides catalyzed by β-xylosidase plays an important role in the degradation of lignocellulose. However, the enzyme is easily inhibited by its catalytic product xylose, which severely limits its application. Based on molecular docking, this paper studied the xylose affinity of Aspergillus niger β-xylosidase An-xyl, which was significantly differentially expressed in the fermentation medium of tea stalks, through cloning, expression and characterization. The synergistic degradation effect of this enzyme and cellulase on lignocellulose in tea stems was investigated. Molecular docking showed that the affinity of An-xyl to xylose was lower than that of Aspergillus oryzae β-xylosidase with poor xylose tolerance. The K_i value of xylose inhibition constant of recombinant-expressed An-xyl was 433.2 mmol/L, higher than that of most β-xylosidases of the GH3 family. The K_m and V_max towards pNPX were 3.6 mmol/L and 10 000 μmol/(min·mL), respectively. The optimum temperature of An-xyl was 65 ℃, the optimum pH was 4.0, 61% of the An-xyl activity could be retained upon treatment at 65 ℃ for 300 min, and 80% of the An-xyl activity could be retained upon treatment at pH 2.0-8.0 for 24 h. The hydrolysis of tea stem by An-xyl and cellulase produced 19.3% and 38.6% higher reducing sugar content at 2 h and 4 h, respectively, than that of using cellulase alone. This study showed that the An-xyl mined from differential expression exhibited high xylose tolerance and higher catalytic activity and stability, and could hydrolyze tea stem lignocellulose synergistically, which enriched the resource of β-xylosidase with high xylose tolerance, thus may facilitate the advanced experimental research and its application.
Aspergillus niger/genetics* ; Xylose/metabolism* ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Xylosidases/genetics* ; Cellulases ; Tea ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Substrate Specificity

INTRODUCTION: Nurses' expertise and recommendations from nurses are essential sources of opinions and recommendations for policy development. Nurses must be actively involved in politics, and nursing could play an essential role in shaping health policy. However, the influence of political efficacy, political astuteness, and health policy advocacy exposes a gap in the current knowledge. DESIGN AND METHODS: The study utilized descriptive correlational design and mediating analysis. Purposive sampling was used to select six hospitals in Ghana, and simple random sampling was used to select five hundred and seventy-nine nurses. The study used the Political Efficacy Scale, Social Justice Advocacy Scale, and the Political Astuteness Inventory. The data were analyzed by mean and Standard deviation, Pearson coefficient, ANOVA, and GLS mediation. RESULTS: Nurses in Ghana had a low political efficacy and health policy advocacy. Moreover, political astuteness had moderate astuteness. A Pearson Correlation coefficient showed a moderately significant positive relationship between political efficacy and health policy advocacy. Furthermore, political astuteness and health policy advocacy showed a statistically significant low positive relationship. There was no significant difference in political efficacy and health policy advocacy when age, academic qualification, nurses' rank, and years of professional experience were considered. Political astuteness partially mediated the relationship between political efficacy and health policy advocacy. CONCLUSION Nurses in Ghana have limited belief in their ability to understand and affect politics and have limited participation in healthcare advocacy initiatives. Furthermore, nurse respondents have the adequate ability of a nurse to understand political knowledge, political participation, and legislative understanding to advocate health policies.
Nurses ; Ghana

Aims: The main aim of the study was to evaluate some methods of application of Aspergillus niger AD1 and Trichoderma hamatum T-113 for enhancing the growth and yield of wheat var. Ibaa99 in pots and field conditions. Methodology and results: Plant growth-promoting fungi (PGPF) loaded with peat moss were used at a rate of 100, 150 and 200 mL pot-1 or m-2 in filed soil; seed treatment (coating) with fungi suspension 19 × 107, soil treatment and combination of all the three methods was employed in the study. Wheat seeds were sown in pots and field plots during 2018-2019, and data regarding various growth and yield attributes were recorded. In both pot and field trials, the results revealed that the best treatments for the desired plant growth and yield attributes were peat moss 150 mL alone or in combination with soil and seed treatments. The soil physicochemical parameters were also improved after inoculation with selected fungal isolates in different application methods compared with un-inoculated control treatment in both pot and field conditions. Conclusion, significance and impact of study The PGPF play a vital role represented phytoremediation, phytostimulation and bio-fertilization. The isolates of PGPF, which were applied with peat moss at 150 mL to the pot and in the field alone or combined with seed treatment and soil application, were significantly the best effective method for improving wheat attributes.
Aspergillus niger ; Trichoderma ; Plant Growth Regulators

Aims: This study was aimed to isolate and characterize biosurfactant producing bacteria from Mile 2 and Ologe Lagoon which are sinks for domestic and industrial waste waters and potential source of value added bioresources such as biosurfactants, hydrocarbon degraders and organisms with potential for biotechnological applications. Methodology and results: Physicochemical parameters of the two lagoon waters were analyzed using standard procedures. Bacteria were isolated using enrichment techniques on 1% Escravos light crude oil, palm oil and groundnut oil on mineral salt medium (MSM). Biosurfactant production by the isolates was assayed by hemolytic activity, oil spread test, blue agar test and emulsification activity. Isolates were identified using their colony morphologies and biochemical characteristics, while the antibiotic susceptibility of the isolates was determined using multidisc. The physicochemistry of the lagoon water showed high nitrate content of 15.7 mg/L and 19.6 mg/L for Mile 2 and Ologe Lagoon, respectively. Total hydrocarbon content (THC) of both lagoon waters was low, with values 0.53 mg/L for Mile 2 Lagoon and 0.44 mg/L for Ologe Lagoon. The predominant genera of bacteria identified include Micrococcus, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Stomatococcus and Moraxella. A total of 23 bacterial isolates were tested for hemolytic activity, of which 13 showed β-hemolysis which is presumptive for biosurfactant production, 5 showed α-hemolysis and the remaining 5 exhibited γ-hemolysis. Majority of the isolates were positive for oil spread assay and blue agar test (19) indicating production of anionic biosurfactant. The isolates showed good emulsification activity; AGG3 (67.7%), AGG1 (62.3%), AGG2 (60%), AGG4 (60%), MTP2 (56%), AGC4 (54%) and the least emulsification value of 23.3% for strain AGP1. Most of the isolates were susceptible to ciprofloxacin, perfloxacin and showed resistance to septrin and erythromycin. Conclusion, significance and impact of study This study showed that Mile 2 and Ologe Lagoon are a potential source of biosurfactant producers with diverse emulsification properties and prospective industrial applications. This would have implication for economic empowerment, as well as sustainable and environmentally friendly clean-up technology in both locally and globally.
Surface-Active Agents ; Nigeria

Aspergillus niger is an important industrial strain which has been widely used for production of enzymes and organic acids. Genome modification of A. niger is required to further improve its potential for industrial production. CRISPR/Cas9 is a widely used genome editing technique for A. niger, but its application in industrial strains modification is hampered by the need for integration of a selection marker into the genome or low gene editing efficiency. Here we report a highly efficient marker-free genome editing method for A. niger based on CRISPR/Cas9 technique. Firstly, we constructed a co-expression plasmid of sgRNA and Cas9 with a replication initiation region fragment AMA1 (autonomously maintained in Aspergillus) by using 5S rRNA promoter which improved sgRNA expression. Meanwhile, a strain deficient in non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) was developed by knocking out the kusA gene. Finally, we took advantage of the instability of plasmid containing AMA1 fragment to cure the co-expression plasmid containing sgRNA and Cas9 through passaging on non-selective plate. With this method, the efficiency of gene editing reached 100% when using maker-free donor DNA with a short homologous arm of 20 bp. This method may facilitate investigation of gene functions and construction of cell factories for A. niger.
Gene Editing ; Aspergillus niger/genetics* ; CRISPR-Cas Systems/genetics* ; Plasmids/genetics*