Wood Coloration and Decay Capabilities of Mycoparasite Scytalidium ganodermophthorum.

Scytalidium ganodermophthorum (telomorph: Xylogone ganodermopthora) Kang, Sigler, Lee & Yun is a destructive fungal pathogen that produces a yellow pigment that is used in sustainable product development. Similar pigmenting ascomycetes cause soft rot in woody substrates, however, the decay capabilities of S. ganodermophthorum have not been assessed or related to pigment production. A wood block decay test showed highly variable production of the expected bright yellow pigment and a secondary darker pigment when tested against multiple wood species and nutrient conditions. Microscopic examination showed cell wall erosion typical of type-2 soft rot in wood, although enzymatic analysis did not show detectible levels of endocellulase. Chitinase was detected in plate cultures but not wood cultures, indicating adaption of the fungus to a variety of environmental growth conditions. The high variability of pigmentation in wood cultures suggests that growth of S. ganodermophthorum on liquid media and use of extracted pigment is a superior method for obtaining consistent yellow coloration.

Between visit variability of thermal imaging of feet in people attending podiatric clinics with diabetic neuropathy at high risk of developing foot ulcers.

OBJECTIVE: People with diabetic neuropathy who have previously ulcerated are at high risk of re-ulceration. They should regularly attend podiatry clinics for surveillance and routine protective podiatric treatment. It has been suggested that inflammation prior to skin breakdown shows up as a hotspot on a thermal image even in the absence of clinical signs. The aim of this study is to quantify inter-patient and intra-patient thermal variations presented by diabetic feet at high risk of ulceration. APPROACH: Whole foot and spot temperatures were recorded for 96 patients who attended two successive podiatry appointments without ulceration 28 [28, 31] days apart, median [interquartile range]. This was a part of a longer study into whether thermal imaging in clinic can reduce the rate of re-ulceration. MAIN RESULTS: The variation in spot temperature right/left differences for single patients between visits was comparable to the variation observed between patients (0.8 [0.3, 1.5] °C compared with 0.9 [0.4, 1.7] °C). Similarly, whole foot temperature variation for a single patient between visits was comparable to the variation observed between patients (0.6 [0.2, 1.1] °C compared with 0.8 [0.2, 1.3] °C). SIGNIFICANCE: Thresholds which depend on thermal differences from visit to visit are unlikely to have sufficient specificity to effectively target treatment designed to prevent the development of foot ulcers.

Thermal symmetry of healthy feet: a precursor to a thermal study of diabetic feet prior to skin breakdown.

Early identification of areas of inflammation may aid prevention of diabetic foot ulcers. A new bespoke thermal camera system has been developed to thermally image feet at risk. Hotspots (areas at least 2.2 °C hotter than the contralateral site) may indicate areas of inflammation prior to any apparent visual signs. This article describes the thermal pattern and symmetry of 103 healthy pairs of feet. 68% of participants were thermally symmetric at the 33 foot sites measured. 32% of participants had at least one hotspot, but hotspots overall only accounted for 5% of the measurements made. Refinements to the definition of hotspots are proposed when considering feet at risk of ulceration.