Midstream Urine Culture Had a Higher Predictive Value of Post-PNL SIRS in Patients Without Upper Urinary Tract Obstruction

Introduction: Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is a common complication of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL). Midstream urine culture (MUC) is reported to be associated with postoperative SIRS, but this correlation is uncertain, as MUC may not represent infection of obstructed urine in patients with upper urinary tract obstruction (UUTO). Instead, for patients without UUTO, positive MUC may be an indicator of intrarenal infection. The aim of this study was to investigate whether MUC had a higher predictive value in patients without UUTO. Materials and Methods The data of 175 patients who underwent PNL between September 2015 and June 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Preoperative and intraoperative factors including MUC were collected and analyzed. The primary endpoint was development of SIRS. Subgroup analysis according to the presence of UUTO was conducted. Results Generally, patients who suffered SIRS had a higher incidence of positive MUC (56%[25/45] vs. 32%[41/130], p=0.005). Subgroup analysis showed that among patients without UUTO, positive MUC (75%[13/17] vs. 33%[13/39], p=0.003) was still associated with development of SIRS. Among patients with UUTO, however, there was no obvious correlation between positive MUC and SIRS. Multivariate analysis controlling for age, previous ipsilateral kidney surgery, multiple tracts, and blood creatinine conducted in patients without UUTO demonstrated that positive MUC (odds ratio [OR] = 6.419, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.424-28.942, p=0.016) was still associated with development of SIRS. The rate of positive urine culture was 37.7% (66/72), 72 isolates of 24 species were reported, including 6 patients with mixed infection and 2 patients with fungi infection. Gram-negative bacteria accounted for a large proportion of all isolates (68.1%), and Escherichia coli was the most common bacteria (34.7%). Conclusions MUC had a higher predictive value of post-PNL SIRS in patients without UUTO.

A secreted catalase contributes to Puccinia striiformis resistance to host-derived oxidative stress

Plants can produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) to counteract pathogen invasion, and pathogens have also evolved corresponding ROS scavenging strategies to promote infection and pathogenicity. Catalases (CATs) have been found to play pivotal roles in detoxifying H2O2 formed by superoxide anion catalyzed by superoxide dismutases (SODs). However, few studies have addressed H2O2 removing during rust fungi infection of wheat. In this study, we cloned a CAT gene PsCAT1 from Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), which encodes a monofunctional heme-containing catalase. PsCAT1 exhibited a high degree of tolerance to pH and temperature, and forms high homopolymers.Heterologous complementation assays in Saccharomyces cerevisiae reveal that the signal peptide of PsCAT1 is functional. Overexpression of PsCAT1 enhanced S. cerevisiae resistance to H2O2. Transient expression of PsCAT1 in Nicotiana benthamiana suppressed Bax-induced cell death. Knockdown of PsCAT1 using a host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) system led to the reduced virulence of Pst, which was correlated to H2O2 accumulation in HIGS plants. These results indicate that PsCAT1 acts as an important pathogenicity factor that facilitates Pst infection by scavenging host-derived H2O2.

Complex Spectroscopic Study for Fusarium Genus Fungi Infection Diagnostics of “Zalp” Cultivar Oat

At present, one of the critical problems in agriculture is the identification of cereals, including oats, infected by Fusarium spp. genus fungi. Timely diagnostics can prevent the further disease spread and help to identify the already stored infected grains. In this regard, the aim of this work is to develop the spectroscopic approaches that determine the infected grains. As an object of the investigation the “Zalp” cultivar oat, both healthy and infected grains of the 2020 harvest were chosen. The spectroscopic diagnostics included FTIR in the mid-IR region, Raman, and luminescence methods. Combination of chemometric tools with FTIR and Raman spectroscopy allowed obtaining approaches based on identified characteristic spectral features which may be used as infection markers. These approaches make it possible to detect the infection on the grain husk. The carotenoid type fungi pigment was identified within the resonance conditions of Raman scattering excitation. The luminescence study of infected oat husk revealed the presence of characteristic chlorophyll α peak which is absent in healthy grain husk.

Effect of chitosan and silicon oxide treatments on postharvest Valencia Late (Citrus × sinensis) fruits

The efficacy of chitosan and silicon oxide to prevent postharvest weight loss and fungi infection in 'Valencia Late' oranges was tested. Three silicon oxide concentrations (0.1%, 0.2%, 1%) were applied as preharvest treatments. Chitosan treatments were performed at the same concentrations in postharvest fruit. Preharvest applications were carried out by tractor spraying, while fruit were submerged for 30 seconds in baths with the chitosan concentrations in the postharvest applications. In both cases, a positive control (water treatment) and negative control (fungicide) were included. Treated fruit were stored in a chamber to simulate commercial storage conditions (4 ºC, 90% RH) for 9 weeks. After this time, the weight loss and damage caused by fungi due to natural infection were evaluated. Both silicon oxide and chitosan applications were effective in controlling natural infection by Penicillium species but had no positive effect on weight loss.

The effect of crown pruning and induction of Acremonium sp. on agarwood formation in Gyrinops caudata in West Papua, Indonesia

Auri A, Faridah E, Sumardi, Hardiwinoto S. 2021. The effect of crown pruning and induction of Acremonium sp. on agarwood formation in Gyrinops caudata in West Papua, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 2604-2611. Agarwood-producing trees have been planted by the community, but have currently not produced agarwood resin. This research examines the crown pruning effect and fungi inoculation effectivity on the formation of agarwood resin in Gyrinops caudata. The environmental modification was also ascertained based on the real environmental situation in natural forests. Furthermore, it was assumed that environmental conditions significantly influenced the growth, G. caudata tree association, and fungi infection. This method involved the tree crown cover modification. Tree crown was categorized into three different classes, i.e. dense crown (no pruning); moderate (pruning 25%), and sparse (pruning 50%). The results showed that inoculating fungi of Acremonium sp. to infection coverage area after three months produced the best results, due to Fcount 79.671. However, crown prunings obtained through heavy, moderate and non-pruning did not show any effect on stem infection spread. In the sixth month, it was observed that the fungi inoculation factor of Acremonium sp. had a significant effect on infection spread formation by Fcount of 168.894. The change in wood internal tissue also had a highly significant effect as depicted by Fcount 461.516. The fragrance level treatment also showed a considerable effect with Fcount 290.385.

Paediatric Fungal Keratitis：A Case Series of 45 Children Presenting to a Tertiary Referral Centre

Purpose：To analyze the etiology, characteristics, and treatment outcomes of paediatric fungal keratitis in northern China.Methods：The medical records of children (< 18 years old) diagnosed with fungal keratitis at the Shandong Eye Institute from 1996 to 2017 were reviewed for demographic features, risk factors, seasonal variation, clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, and treatment strategies.Results：Forty-five children (46 eyes) were included. Fungal keratitis in children accounted for 16.4% of all of the children with infectious keratitis, which was lower than that in adults (59.4%, p < 0.001). Unexplained fungal keratitis accounted for 26.1%. Plant trauma (23.9%) and wind and sand into the eyes (21.7%) ranked second and third, respectively. Fusarium fungi infection was found in 69.9%, and 31.0% were infected by Aspergillus fungi. The corneal ulcer area was positively correlated with a peripheral blood neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) at the first visit (r = 0.310, p = 0.036). Voriconazole had the highest drug sensitivity rate. A total of 67.4% (31 eyes) underwent therapeutic keratoplasty (PKP 21 eyes; LKP 10 eyes). The recurrence rate was 3.2% (due to an Aspergillus infection). The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) after treatment in children ≤ 8 years (median 20/60) was lower than the BCVA in children > 8 years (median 20/50, p = 0.035).Conclusions：Fungal keratitis are less common in children than in adults. The main infection was due to Fusarium fungi. The preferred antifungal drug was voriconazole. LKP treatment is preferred for Fusarium infection keratitis.

Okra Production Constraints and Awareness of Seed-Borne Fungi Infection in Ten Major Okra Growing Communities of the Ashanti Region of Ghana

Okra production is one of the major sources of livelihood for the majority of farmers in the Ashanti region of Ghana. In view of this a survey was conducted among okra farmers in 10 major okra growing communities in Ashanti region of Ghana namely Mankranso, Mfensi-Adankwame, Beposo, Abompe, Kotokuom, Nkwanta-Kesse, Atwima Mim, Abaesua, Offinso and Nerebehi between October, 2017 and March, 2018 to assess their production constraints and awareness of seed-borne fungi infection menace and it management in okra. Data were obtained from 100 okra farmers selected using multi-stage sampling procedure through the use of structured questionnaire and interviews. Data obtained were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) for Windows. Descriptive statistics were used and means were presented using tables and graphs. There was a clear dominance of male (75 %) as against female (25 %). Ninety-one percent (91%) of the farmers were married. Fifty four percent (54%) had basic education and 43% had no formal education. Approximately, 42 % of the farmers have been in okra production for over 10 years. Fifty three percent of the farmers intercropped okra with other vegetables. Majority (38%) of the farmers cultivated okra from two to three hectares. Most of the farmers (34 %) ranked pest infestation followed by diseases (24 %) as the major constraints of okra production. Majority (77 %) of the farmers were not aware of seed-borne fungi of okra and therefore most (73 %) of them did not manage the infection. Farmers should therefore be educated by extension officers on seed-borne fungi to create their awareness of the seed-borne infection in the study areas for effective management.

Occurrence and distribution of ochratoxin A-producing fungi during post-harvest process of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.)

The occurrence of ochratoxin A (OTA) and OTA-producing fungi in cocoa beans has been previously reported to be linked to harvest and post-harvest treatment conditions. The aim of this study was to identify OTA-producing fungi during harvest, fermentation, drying and storage of cocoa beans from two farms located in the most important cocoa-producing region in Mexico, and their relationship with OTA levels of contamination. A high contamination of ochratoxigenic fungi was observed in drying (78.4 % ± 13.6) and storage (70.3 % ± 3.2) steps of cocoa samples from farm A. In farm B, the wash step of cocoa beans after fermentation reduced pulp residues and consequently the OTA-producing fungi infection during drying (12.7 % ± 5.8) and storage (37 % ± 10.4) steps were diminished. The main OTA-producing strain isolated from Malt Extract Agar (MEA) growth medium was Aspergillus carbonarius (14307.5 µg/kg). The presence of ochratoxigenic species was correlated to high levels of OTA measured in cocoa beans during storage in both farm A and B (304.6 ± 15.3 and 11.3 ± 0.5 µg/kg, respectively), and in fresh cocoa beans from farm B (22.2 ± 3.5 µg/kg). This study reports for the first time OTA content and ochratoxigenic species during cocoa process in Mexico. This allowed the identification and evaluation of the sanitary risks linked to Mexican cocoa production.

Natural Pathogenic Fungi Infection Attributes of Malarial Vectors Anopheles Maculipennis S. L. and Anopheles Superpictus S. L. in Central Iran

Background: Due to the effect of synthetic and commercial insecticides on non-target organisms and the resistance of mosquitoes, in recent years non-chemical and environmentally friendly methods have become prevalent. In this research, we aimed to isolate entomopathogenic fungi with toxic effects on mosquitoes in natural larval habitats.Methods: Larval mosquitos were collected from Central, Qamsar, Niasar and Barzok Districts in Kashan County, Central Iran by standard dipping method, from April to late December 2019. Dead larvae and larvae with signs of infection to fungal mycelium detectable on the outer surface of its body were isolated from the rest of the larvae and were sterilized with 10% sodium hypochlorite for two minutes, then washed twice with distilled water and transferred to PDA (potato-dextrose-agar) and WA (water-agar) media and incubated at a temperature of 25 ± 2° C for 3 - 4 days. Larvae and fungi were identified morphologically based on identification keys.Results: A total of 9789 larvae were collected from urban and rural areas in Kashan County. The genera i.e. Anopheles (7.89%), Culiseta (17.42%), and Culex (74.69%) including 13 species were identified. A total of 105 larvae including Anopheles superpictus s. l., An. maculipennis s. l., Culex deserticola, Cx. perexiguus, and Culiseta longiareolata were found to be infected by Nattrassia mangiferae, Aspergillus niger, A. fumigatus, Trichoderma spp. and Penicillium spp. Fungi. Penicillium spp. was the most abundant fungus isolated and identified from the larval habitats while An. superpictus s.l. was the most infected mosquito species. Conclusions: Based on the observations and results obtained from our study, isolated fungi had the potential for pathogenicity on mosquito larvae. Therefore, it is suggested that their effects on mosquito larvae be investigated in the laboratory. The most important point, however, is the proper way of exploiting these biocontrol agents to maximize their effect on reducing the population of vector mosquito larvae without any negative effect on non-target organisms.

Identification of Disease and Efforts to Protect Natural Orchid Plants Against Fungi Infection in the Liwa Botanical Garden

Liwa Botanical Garden is located in West Lampung Regency which has an area of 86.6 hectares and is one of the conservation of ornamental plants that presents the flora of the Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park. One of the flagship collections of this botanical garden is a native orchid. Disease infection is still a major obstacle in the cultivation and development of native orchid potential at Liwa Botanical Garden. Based on the results of previous studies, it is known that several individual natural orchid collections from Liwa Botanical Garden showed symptoms of fungal disease infections. Disease infections can inhibit plant growth and resistance and reduce the aesthetic value periodically. Symptoms of infection include necrotic patches on the upper surface of the leaf. This research was conducted to determine the identification of diseases and efforts to protect native orchids against fungal infections at Liwa Botanical Garden through a collection of samples that showed symptoms of infection, analysis of disease symptoms, and analysis of disease resistance levels. The results showed that the response of the native orchid at Liwa Botanical Garden to fungal infections was showed symptoms of wilting in the leaves, namely in the orchids Eria sp., Dendrobium sp., and Cymbidium sp. turns black on the edge of the leaf, Thrixspermum sp. The type of orchid most commonly infected with fungus is Cymbidium sp. a total of 8 samples, and Thrixspermum sp. 3 samples, Eria sp. as many as 4 samples, Dendrobium sp. and Calanthe triplicata as many as 6 samples. The type of native orchid that is most susceptible to fungal infections is Dendrobium sp. and Eria sp. with disease intensity of 74.11% and 22.3%. The results of this activity are expected to be basic information in efforts to protect plants against diseases to support the application of conservation of native orchids on Liwa Botanical Garden.