Effect of Seed Dressing and Soil Chemical Properties on Communities of Microorganisms Associated with Pre-Emergence Damping-Off of Broad Bean Seedlings

Combating soil pathogens that disable plant emergence is among the most difficult challenges of global agriculture. Legumes, preferred in sustainable cultivation systems, are particularly sensitive to pre-emergence damping-off of seedlings. Seed dressing is therefore a very important element in the cultivation technology. The aim of this study was to compare the impact of biological (Pythium oligandrum) and chemical (carboxin + thiuram) seed dressing on the quantitative and qualitative composition of microorganisms participating in the epidemiology of this disease, under specific hydrothermal conditions and chemical properties of the soil (pH, humus, macro-, and micronutrient). Microorganism identification was done using the MALDI-TOF MS (Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry) technique. Species were assigned to frequency groups, and populations of pathogens, saprophytes, and antagonists were identified. The biodiversity of these communities was expressed with Simpson’s Reciprocal, Shannon–Wiener, and Evenness (Shannon) indices. In individual variants of seed pre-treatment, the correlations between individual edaphic factors and the suppression of pre-emergence damping-off, the number of isolates obtained from infected seedlings, and the share of individual trophic groups of fungi were assessed. The main causes of pre-emergence damping-off of broad bean seedlings are Ilyonectria destructans, Globisporangium irregulare, Fusarium equiseti, Rhizoctonia solani, and Fusarium solani. Eliminating seed treatment results in a seedling mortality rate of 33.5%–42.5%. The effectiveness of the chemical protection product is 44.2% and 25.9%. Carboxin and thiuram reduce the diversity of microorganisms involved in the pathogenesis of pre-emergence damping-off and limit the presence of antagonistic fungi. Under the influence of P. oligandrum, there was a five-fold increase in the population of antagonists. An increase in humus in the soil reduces the percentage of diseased broad bean seedlings.

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Role of the Fungicide Seed Dressing in Controlling Seed-Borne Fusarium spp. Infection and in Enhancing the Early Development and Grain Yield of Maize

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy10060784 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 784

Author(s):

Luca Capo ◽

Alessandro Zappino ◽

Amedeo Reyneri ◽

Massimo Blandino

Keyword(s):

Plant Growth ◽

Grain Yield ◽

Plant Density ◽

Field Trials ◽

Protective Effects ◽

Seedling Mortality ◽

Fusarium Spp ◽

Maize Seeds ◽

Seed Dressing ◽

The Impact

Fusarium spp. are key pathogens in maize seeds and seedlings. The aim of this study has been to evaluate the effects of applying fungicides to maize seeds to increase the survival of seedlings and to enhance the early vigor and grain yield of the plants. The protective effects of 2-way (fludioxonil, metalaxil-M) and four-way (fludioxonil, metalaxil-M, azoxystrobin, thiabendazole) fungicide seed treatments were compared with an F. verticillioides seed infected control in 11 field trials carried out in North Italy. A second study focused on the impact F. verticillioides and F. graminearum seed-borne infection on plant growth and on the possible advantages of applying the previously reported seed dressing. The seed dressing increased the plant density, vigor during the whole vegetative growth cycle for all the production situations, and grain yield. F. verticillioides led to a higher seedling mortality than F. graminearum, while both species reduced plant growth and delayed the flowering date. Seed-borne infection has an important impact on both the population and vigor of maize plants. The four-way fungicide enhanced both the defense of the seedlings and the vigor of F. verticillioides infected plants, which in turn resulted in a significant improvement in grain yield, compared to a conventional two-way fungicide.

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Novel Applications of Nanotechnology in Controlling HIV and HSV Infections

Current Drug Research Reviews ◽

10.2174/2589977512999201124121931 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Sai Akilesh M ◽

Ashish Wadhwani

Keyword(s):

Drug Delivery ◽

Viral Infections ◽

Polymeric Nanoparticles ◽

Volume Ratio ◽

Fold Increase ◽

Multi Drug Resistance ◽

Health Crisis ◽

Pharmaceutical Properties ◽

Simplex Virus ◽

The Impact

: Infectious diseases have been prevalent since many decades and viral pathogens have caused global health crisis and economic meltdown on a devastating scale. High occurrence of newer viral infections in the recent years, in spite of the progress achieved in the field of pharmaceutical sciences defines the critical need for newer and more effective antiviral therapies and diagnostics. The incidence of multi-drug resistance and adverse effects due to the prolonged use of anti-viral therapy is also a major concern. Nanotechnology offers a cutting edge platform for the development of novel compounds and formulations for biomedical applications. The unique properties of nano-based materials can be attributed to the multi-fold increase in the surface to volume ratio at the nano-scale, tunable surface properties of charge and chemical moieties. Idealistic pharmaceutical properties such as increased bioavailability and retention times, lower toxicity profiles, sustained release formulations, lower dosage forms and most importantly, targeted drug delivery can be achieved through the approach of nanotechnology. The extensively researched nano-based materials are metal and polymeric nanoparticles, dendrimers and micelles, nano-drug delivery vesicles, liposomes and lipid based nanoparticles. In this review article, the impact of nanotechnology on the treatment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) viral infections during the last decade are outlined.

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The Impact of Filler Geometry on Polylactic Acid-Based Sustainable Polymer Composites

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules26010149 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 26 (1) ◽

pp. 149

Author(s):

Karol Leluk ◽

Stanisław Frąckowiak ◽

Joanna Ludwiczak ◽

Tomasz Rydzkowski ◽

Vijay Kumar Thakur

Keyword(s):

Polymer Composites ◽

Polylactic Acid ◽

Matrix Material ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Precipitated Calcium Carbonate ◽

Cellulose Fibres ◽

Shape Factors ◽

Pure Cellulose ◽

Physico Chemical ◽

The Impact

Recently, biocomposites have emerged as materials of great interest to the scientists and industry around the globe. Among various polymers, polylactic acid (PLA) is a popular matrix material with high potential for advanced applications. Various particulate materials and nanoparticles have been used as the filler in PLA based matrix. One of the extensively studied filler is cellulose. However, cellulose fibres, due to their hydrophilic nature, are difficult to blend with a hydrophobic polymer matrix. This leads to agglomeration and creates voids, reducing the mechanical strength of the resulting composite. Moreover, the role of the various forms of pure cellulose and its particle shape factors has not been analyzed in most of the current literature. Therefore, in this work, materials of various shapes and shape factors were selected as fillers for the production of polymer composites using Polylactic acid as a matrix to fill this knowledge gap. In particular, pure cellulose fibres (three types with different elongation coefficient) and two mineral nanocomponents: precipitated calcium carbonate and montmorillonite were used. The composites were prepared by a melt blending process using two different levels of fillers: 5% and 30%. Then, the analysis of their thermomechanical and physico-chemical properties was carried out. The obtained results were presented graphically and discussed in terms of their shape and degree of filling.

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Administrative Coding Methods Impact Surgical Site Infection Rates

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology ◽

10.1017/ice.2020.616 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (S1) ◽

pp. s111-s112

Author(s):

Mohammed Alsuhaibani ◽

Mohammed Alzunitan ◽

Kyle Jenn ◽

Daniel Diekema ◽

Michael Edmond ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cesarean Section ◽

Surgical Procedures ◽

Hip Prosthesis ◽

Knee Prosthesis ◽

Surgical Site Infections ◽

Fold Increase ◽

Abdominal Hysterectomy ◽

Absolute Difference ◽

Coding Method ◽

The Impact

Background: Surveillance for surgical site infections (SSI) is recommended by the CDC. Currently, colon and abdominal hysterectomy SSI rates are publicly available and impact hospital reimbursement. However, the CDC NHSN allows surgical procedures to be abstracted based on International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) or current procedural terminology (CPT) codes. We assessed the impact of using ICD and/or CPT codes on the number of cases abstracted and SSI rates. Methods: We retrieved administrative codes (ICD and/or CPT) for procedures performed at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics over 1 year: October 2018–September 2019. We included 10 procedure types: colon, hysterectomy, cesarean section, breast, cardiac, craniotomy, spinal fusion, laminectomy, hip prosthesis, and knee prosthesis surgeries. We then calculated the number of procedures that would be abstracted if we used different permutations in administration codes: (1) ICD codes only, (2) CPT codes only, (3) both ICD and CPT codes, and (4) at least 1 code from either ICD or CPT. We then calculated the impact on SSI rates based on any of the 4 coding permutations. Results: In total, 9,583 surgical procedures and 180 SSIs were detected during the study period using the fourth method (ICD or CPT codes). Denominators varied according to procedure type and coding method used. The number of procedures abstracted for breast surgery had a >10-fold difference if reported based on ICD only versus ICD or CPT codes (104 vs 1,109). Hip prosthesis had the lowest variation (638 vs 767). For SSI rates, cesarean section showed almost a 3-fold increment (2.6% when using ICD only to 7.32% with both ICD & CPT), whereas abdominal hysterectomy showed nearly a 2-fold increase (1.14% when using CPT only to 2.22% with both ICD & CPT codes). However, SSI rates remained fairly similar for craniotomy (0.14% absolute difference), hip prosthesis (0.24% absolute difference), and colon (0.09% absolute difference) despite differences in the number of abstracted procedures and coding methods. Conclusions: Denominators and SSI rates vary depending on the coding method used. Variations in the number of procedures abstracted and their subsequent impact on SSI rates were not predictable. Variations in coding methods used by hospitals could impact interhospital comparisons and benchmarking, potentially leading to disparities in public reporting and hospital penalties.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None

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Combinations of Freeze-Dried Amorphous Vardenafil Hydrochloride with Saccharides as A Way to Enhance Dissolution Rate and Permeability

Pharmaceuticals ◽

10.3390/ph14050453 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (5) ◽

pp. 453

Author(s):

Gabriela Wiergowska ◽

Dominika Ludowicz ◽

Kamil Wdowiak ◽

Andrzej Miklaszewski ◽

Kornelia Lewandowska ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physicochemical Properties ◽

Density Functional ◽

Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose ◽

Fold Increase ◽

Crystalline Form ◽

Amorphous Form ◽

Freeze Dried ◽

Apparent Solubility ◽

Gastrointestinal Epithelium ◽

The Impact

To improve physicochemical properties of vardenafil hydrochloride (VAR), its amorphous form and combinations with excipients—hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and β-cyclodextrin (β-CD)—were prepared. The impact of the modification on physicochemical properties was estimated by comparing amorphous mixtures of VAR to their crystalline form. The amorphous form of VAR was obtained as a result of the freeze-drying process. Confirmation of the identity of the amorphous dispersion of VAR was obtained through the use of comprehensive analysis techniques—X-ray powder diffraction (PXRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), supported by FT-IR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy) coupled with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The amorphous mixtures of VAR increased its apparent solubility compared to the crystalline form. Moreover, a nearly 1.3-fold increase of amorphous VAR permeability through membranes simulating gastrointestinal epithelium as a consequence of the changes of apparent solubility (Papp crystalline VAR = 6.83 × 10−6 cm/s vs. Papp amorphous VAR = 8.75 × 10−6 cm/s) was observed, especially for its combinations with β-CD in the ratio of 1:5—more than 1.5-fold increase (Papp amorphous VAR = 8.75 × 10−6 cm/s vs. Papp amorphous VAR:β-CD 1:5 = 13.43 × 10−6 cm/s). The stability of the amorphous VAR was confirmed for 7 months. The HPMC and β-CD are effective modifiers of its apparent solubility and permeation through membranes simulating gastrointestinal epithelium, suggesting a possibility of a stronger pharmacological effect.

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Grill Workers Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons: Levels and Excretion Profiles of the Urinary Biomarkers

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18010230 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 230

Author(s):

Marta Oliveira ◽

Sílvia Capelas ◽

Cristina Delerue-Matos ◽

Simone Morais

Keyword(s):

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons ◽

Aromatic Hydrocarbons ◽

High Performance ◽

Principal Component ◽

Fold Increase ◽

Urinary Biomarkers ◽

Analysis Model ◽

Exposed Workers ◽

Polycyclic Aromatic ◽

The Impact

Grilling activities release large amounts of hazardous pollutants, but information on restaurant grill workers’ exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is almost inexistent. This study assessed the impact of grilling emissions on total workers’ exposure to PAHs by evaluating the concentrations of six urinary biomarkers of exposure (OHPAHs): naphthalene, acenaphthene, fluorene, phenanthrene, pyrene, and benzo(a)pyrene. Individual levels and excretion profiles of urinary OHPAHs were determined during working and nonworking periods. Urinary OHPAHs were quantified by high-performance liquid-chromatography with fluorescence detection. Levels of total OHPAHs (∑OHPAHs) were significantly increased (about nine times; p ≤ 0.001) during working comparatively with nonworking days. Urinary 1-hydroxynaphthalene + 1-hydroxyacenapthene and 2-hydroxyfluorene presented the highest increments (ca. 23- and 6-fold increase, respectively), followed by 1-hydroxyphenanthrene (ca. 2.3 times) and 1-hydroxypyrene (ca. 1.8 times). Additionally, 1-hydroxypyrene levels were higher than the benchmark, 0.5 µmol/mol creatinine, in 5% of exposed workers. Moreover, 3-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene, biomarker of exposure to carcinogenic PAHs, was detected in 13% of exposed workers. Individual excretion profiles showed a cumulative increase in ∑OHPAHs during consecutive working days. A principal component analysis model partially discriminated workers’ exposure during working and nonworking periods showing the impact of grilling activities. Urinary OHPAHs were increased in grill workers during working days.

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Assessment of Pellets from Three Forest Species: From Raw Material to End Use

Forests ◽

10.3390/f12040447 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (4) ◽

pp. 447

Author(s):

Miguel Alfonso Quiñones-Reveles ◽

Víctor Manuel Ruiz-García ◽

Sarai Ramos-Vargas ◽

Benedicto Vargas-Larreta ◽

Omar Masera-Cerutti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chemical Properties ◽

Ash Content ◽

Hot Water ◽

Raw Material ◽

Chemical Components ◽

Energy Yield ◽

Cellulose Content ◽

Fixed Carbon ◽

End Use ◽

The Impact

This study aimed to evaluate and compare the relationship between chemical properties, energy efficiency, and emissions of wood and pellets from madroño Arbutus xalapensis Kunth, tázcate Juniperus deppeana Steud, and encino colorado Quercus sideroxyla Humb. & Bonpl. in two gasifiers (top-lit-up-draft (T-LUD) and electricity generation wood camp stove (EGWCS)) in order to determine the reduction of footprint carbon. In accordance with conventional methodologies, we determined the extracts and chemical components (lignin, cellulose, holocellulose), and the immediate analyses were carried out (volatile materials, fixed carbon, ash content and microanalysis of said ash), as well as the evaluation of emission factors (total suspended particulate matter (PM2.5), CO, CO2, CH4, black carbon (BC), elemental carbon (EC), and organic carbon (OC)). The results were statistically analyzed to compare each variable among species and gasifiers. The raw material analyzed showed how the pH ranged from 5.01 to 5.57, and the ash content ranged between 0.39 and 0.53%. The content values of Cu, Zn, Fe, Mg, and Ca ranged from 0.08 to 0.22, 0.18 to 0.19, 0.38 to 0.84, 1.75 to 1.90, and 3.62 to 3.74 mg kg−1, respectively. The extractive ranges from cyclohexane were 2.48–4.79%, acetone 2.42–4.08%, methanol 3.17–7.99%, and hot water 2.12–4.83%. The range of lignin was 18.08–28.60%. The cellulose content ranged from 43.30 to 53.90%, and holocellulose from 53.50 to 64.02%. The volatile material range was 81.2–87.42%, while fixed carbon was 11.30–17.48%; the higher heating value (HHV) of raw material and pellets presented the ranges 17.68–20.21 and 19.72–21.81 MJ kg−1, respectively. Thermal efficiency showed statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) between pellets and gasifiers, with an average of 31% Tier 3 in ISO (International Organization for Standardization) for the T-LUD and 14% (ISO Tier 1) for EGWCS, with Arbutus xalapensis being the species with the highest energy yield. The use of improved combustion devices, as well as that of selected raw material species, can reduce the impact of global warming by up to 33% on a cooking task compared to the three-stone burner.

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Myco-Suppression Analysis of Soybean (Glycine max) Damping-Off Caused by Pythium aphanidermatum

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants10040788 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 788

Author(s):

Shaban R. M. Sayed ◽

Shaimaa A. M. Abdelmohsen ◽

Hani M. A. Abdelzaher ◽

Mohammed A. Elnaghy ◽

Ashraf A. Mostafa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Glycine Max ◽

Biocontrol Agent ◽

Lateral Roots ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Pythium Aphanidermatum ◽

Damping Off ◽

Pythium Oligandrum ◽

Rdna Its ◽

Half Strength

The role of Pythium oligandrum as a biocontrol agent against Pythium aphanidermatum was investigated to avoid the harmful impacts of fungicides. Three isolates of P. oligandrum (MS15, MS19, and MS31) were assessed facing the plant pathogenic P. aphanidermatum the causal agent of Glycine max damping-off. The tested Pythium species were recognized according to their cultural and microscopic characterizations. The identification was confirmed through sequencing of rDNA-ITS regions including the 5.8 S rDNA. The biocontrol agent, P. oligandrum, isolates decreased the mycelial growth of the pathogenic P. aphanidermatum with 71.3%, 67.1%, and 68.7% through mycoparasitism on CMA plates. While the half-strength millipore sterilized filtrates of P. oligandrum isolates degrade the pathogenic mycelial linear growth by 34.1%, 32.5%, and 31.7%, and reduce the mycelial dry weight of the pathogenic P. aphanidermatum by 40.1%, 37.4%, and 36.8%, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the most effective antagonistic P. oligandrum isolate (MS15) interaction showed coiling, haustorial parts of P. oligandrum to P. aphanidermatum hyphae. Furthermore, P. oligandrum isolates were proven to enhance the germination of Glycine max seedling to 93.3% in damping-off infection using agar pots and promote germination of up to 80% during soil pot assay. On the other hand, P. oligandrum isolates increase the shoot, root lengths, and the number of lateral roots.

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The impact of orally administered gadolinium orthovanadate GdVO4:Eu3+ nanoparticles on the state of phospholipid bilayer of erythrocytes

Turkish Journal of Biochemistry ◽

10.1515/tjb-2019-0427 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 45 (4) ◽

pp. 389-395

Author(s):

Anton Tkachenko ◽

Anatolii Onishchenko ◽

Vladimir Klochkov ◽

Nataliya Kavok ◽

Oksana Nakonechna ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fluorescent Probes ◽

Lipid Membranes ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Proton Donor ◽

The State ◽

Phospholipid Bilayer ◽

Erythrocyte Membranes ◽

Control Group ◽

Donor Ability ◽

The Impact

AbstractObjectivesTo assess the state of phospholipid bilayer of red blood cells (RBCs) in rats orally exposed to gadolinium orthovanadate GdVO4:Eu3+ nanoparticles (VNPs) during two weeks using fluorescent probes − ortho-hydroxy derivatives of 2,5-diaryl-1,3-oxazole.MethodsSteady-state fluorescence spectroscopy: a study by the environment-sensitive fluorescent probes − 2-(2′-OH-phenyl)-5-phenyl-1,3-oxazole (probe O1O) and 2-(2′-OH-phenyl)-phenanthro[9,10]-1,3-oxazole (probe PH7).ResultsNo significant changes are detected in the spectra of the fluorescent probes bound to the RBCs from the rats orally exposed to nanoparticles in comparison with the corresponding spectra of the probes bound to the cells from the control group of animals. This indicates that, in case of the rats orally exposed to nanoparticles, no noticeable changes in physico-chemical properties (i.e., in the polarity and the proton-donor ability) are observed in the lipid membranes of RBCs in the region, where the probes locate.ConclusionsNo changes in the physical and chemical properties of the erythrocyte membranes are detected in the region from glycerol backbones of phospholipids to the center of the phospholipid bilayer in the rats orally exposed to VNPs during 2 weeks.

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Impact of Carcinogenic Chromium on the Cellular Response to Proteotoxic Stress

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms20194901 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 20 (19) ◽

pp. 4901 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Leonardo M. R. Ferreira ◽

Teresa Cunha-Oliveira ◽

Margarida C. Sobral ◽

Patrícia L. Abreu ◽

Maria Carmen Alpoim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stress Response ◽

Health Effects ◽

Cellular Response ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Critical Role ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Adverse Health Effects ◽

Proteotoxic Stress ◽

Adverse Health ◽

The Impact

Worldwide, several million workers are employed in the various chromium (Cr) industries. These workers may suffer from a variety of adverse health effects produced by dusts, mists and fumes containing Cr in the hexavalent oxidation state, Cr(VI). Of major importance, occupational exposure to Cr(VI) compounds has been firmly associated with the development of lung cancer. Counterintuitively, Cr(VI) is mostly unreactive towards most biomolecules, including nucleic acids. However, its intracellular reduction produces several species that react extensively with biomolecules. The diversity and chemical versatility of these species add great complexity to the study of the molecular mechanisms underlying Cr(VI) toxicity and carcinogenicity. As a consequence, these mechanisms are still poorly understood, in spite of intensive research efforts. Here, we discuss the impact of Cr(VI) on the stress response—an intricate cellular system against proteotoxic stress which is increasingly viewed as playing a critical role in carcinogenesis. This discussion is preceded by information regarding applications, chemical properties and adverse health effects of Cr(VI). A summary of our current understanding of cancer initiation, promotion and progression is also provided, followed by a brief description of the stress response and its links to cancer and by an overview of potential molecular mechanisms of Cr(VI) carcinogenicity.

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