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Response of the wood-decay fungus Schizophyllum commune to co-occurring microorganisms
Microorganisms are constantly interacting in a given environment by a constant exchange of signaling molecules. In timber, wood-decay fungi will come into contact with other fungi and bacteria. In naturally bleached wood, dark, pigmented lines arising from confrontation of two fungi often hint at such interactions. The metabolites (and pigment) exchange was investigated using the lignicolous basidiomycete Schizophyllum commune, and co-occurring fungi and bacteria inoculated directly on sterilized wood, or on media. In interactions with competitive wood degrading fungi, yeasts or bacteria, different competition strategies and communication types were observed, and stress reactions, as well as competitor-induced enzymes or pigments were analyzed. Melanin, indole, flavonoids and carotenoids were shown to be induced in S. commune interactions. The induced genes included multi-copper oxidases lcc1, lcc2, mco1, mco2, mco3 and mco4, possibly involved in both pigment production and lignin degradation typical for wood bleaching by wood-decay fungi.
In vivo detection of changes in cutaneous carotenoids after chemotherapy using shifted excitation resonance Raman difference and fluorescence spectroscopy
Background: Various cutaneous toxicities under chemotherapy indicate a local effect of chemotherapy by secretion after systemic application. Here, changes in the fluorescence and Raman spectral properties of the stratum corneum subsequent to intravenous chemotherapy were assessed. Methods: Twenty healthy subjects and 20 cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy were included. Measurement time points in cancer patients were before the first cycle of chemotherapy (Tbase) and immediately after intravenous application of the chemotherapy (T1). Healthy subjects were measured once without any further intervention. Measurements were conducted using an individually manufactured system consisting of a handheld probe and a wavelength-tunable diode laser-based 488 nm SHG light source. Hereby, changes in both skin fluorescence and shifted excitation resonance Raman difference spectroscopy (SERRDS) carotenoid signals were assessed. Results: Healthy subjects showed significantly (P <.001) higher mean concentrations of carotenoids compared to cancer subjects at Tbase. An increase in fluorescence intensity was detected in almost all patients after chemotherapy, especially after doxorubicin infusion. Furthermore, a decrease in the carotenoid concentration in the skin after chemotherapy was found. Conclusion: The SERRDS based noninvasive detection can be used as an indirect quantitative assessment of fluorescent chemotherapeutics. The lower carotenoid SERRDS intensities at Tbase might be due to cancerous diseases and co-medication. © 2020 The Authors. Skin Research and Technology Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.