Phytotoxicity of Fusarium, other fungal isolates, and of the phytotoxins fumonisin, fusaric acid, and moniliformin to jimsonweed

Dix isolats fongiques isolés de la stramoine commune (Datura stramonium) et 7 isolats provenant d'espèces cultivées ont été examinés pour la production de phytotoxines et pour leur pouvoir pathogène sur des plantules de stramoine commune cultivées en serre. Quatre isolats de Fusarium moniliforme, trois isolatsde F. semitectum, un isolatde F. oxysporum, un isolatde Cephalosporium spp. et un isolât d'Alternaria crassa prélevés sur des plantules de stramoine commune infectées, et sept isolats supplémentaires de F. moniliforme obtenus de grains et de plantules d'espèces cultivées ont été mis en culture sur du riz (Oryza sativa) autoclave. Les mélanges champignon-riz ont été moulus et leur phytotoxicite sur des plantules de stramoine commune âgées de 1 et 2 semaines a été testée par des applications foliaires. Tous les extraits de riz infestés par un champignon (5 g de mélange riz-champignon 50 ml-1 d'eau) ont causé des dommages ou la mort des plantules, sauf les extraits d'isolats de F. semitectum, Cephalosporium spp. et A. crassa. Les mélanges champignon-riz ont été analysés de façon quantitative pour la présence de phytotoxines du fusarium[fumosinine B1 (FB1), acide fusarique et moniliformine]. Aucun isolât n'a produit plus d'une de ces phytotoxines dans les extraits de champignon-riz. La FB1 était produite par tous les isolats de F. moniliforme isolés selon une échelle de concentration de ≤ 5 à 850 μg mL-1 de mélange champignon-riz. L'isolât de F. oxysporum a produit 3,5 g m L-1 de moniliformine et aucune phytotoxine n'a été détectée dans les extraits de F. semitectum, Cephalosporium spp. ou A. crassa. La fumonisine, l'acide fusarique et la moniliformine appliqués à l'état pur à du feuillage de stramoine commune à 6-50,25-800 et 50-800 μg mL-1 ont causé des symptômes similaires à ceux des isolats fongiques qui avaient produit ces composés. Des tests sur le pouvoir pathogène des spores de tous les isolats sur la stramoine ont indiqué que les isolats étaient avirulents, sauf A. crassa qui a causé des infections seulement après une durée d'humectation ≥ 12 h.Ten fungal isolates from jimsonweed (Datura stramonium L.) and 7 from crop species were examined for phytotoxin production and pathogenicity on jimsonweed seedlings in the greenhouse. Four isolates of Fusarium moniliforme, three F. semitectum isolates, a F. oxysporum isolate, a Cephalosporium spp. isolate, and an Alternaria crassa isolate from diseased jimsonweed seedlings, plus seven additional F. moniliforme isolates from seeds and seedlings of crop species were grown on autoclaved rice (Oryza sativa). The fungus-rice mixtures were ground and tested for phytotoxicity on 1- and 2-wk-old jimsonweed seedlings via foliar application. All fungus-infested rice extracts (5 g fungus-rice mixture 50 mL-1 water) caused injury or mortality to the seedlings except the extracts from isolates of F. semitectum, Cephalosporium spp., and A. crassa. Fungus-rice mixtures were quantitatively analyzed for the presence of Fusarium phytotoxins [fumonisin B1 (FB1 fusaric acid, and moniliformin]. No isolate produced more thanoneof these phytotoxins in the fungus-rice extract. FB1 was produced by ail F. moniliforme isoletes in a concentration range of ≤ 5 to 850 μg mL-1 of fungus-rice extract. The F. oxysporum isolate produced moniliformin at 3.5 g mL-1, and no phytotoxins were detected in extracts of F. semitectum, Cephalosporium spp., or A. crassa. Pure fumonisin, fusaric acid, and moniliformin applied to jimsonweed foliage at 6-50, 25-800, and 50-800 (μg mL-1, respectively, caused symptoms similar to that of the fungal isolates that produced these compounds. Pathogenicity tests of spores of all isolates on jimsonweed indicated that the isolates were avirulent, except for A crassa which infected only after a dew period ≥ 12 h

CovidCTNet: an open-source deep learning approach to diagnose covid-19 using small cohort of CT images

Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is highly contagious with limited treatment options. Early and accurate diagnosis of Covid-19 is crucial in reducing the spread of the disease and its accompanied mortality. Currently, detection by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is the gold standard of outpatient and inpatient detection of Covid-19. RT-PCR is a rapid method; however, its accuracy in detection is only ~70�75. Another approved strategy is computed tomography (CT) imaging. CT imaging has a much higher sensitivity of ~80�98, but similar accuracy of 70. To enhance the accuracy of CT imaging detection, we developed an open-source framework, CovidCTNet, composed of a set of deep learning algorithms that accurately differentiates Covid-19 from community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and other lung diseases. CovidCTNet increases the accuracy of CT imaging detection to 95 compared to radiologists (70). CovidCTNet is designed to work with heterogeneous and small sample sizes independent of the CT imaging hardware. To facilitate the detection of Covid-19 globally and assist radiologists and physicians in the screening process, we are releasing all algorithms and model parameter details as open-source. Open-source sharing of CovidCTNet enables developers to rapidly improve and optimize services while preserving user privacy and data ownership. © 2021, The Author(s)

Forestry for a low carbon future. Integrating forests and wood products in climate change strategies

Following the introduction, Chapter 2 provides an overview of mitigation in the forest sector, addressing the handling of forests under UNFCCC. Chapters 3 to 5 focus on forest-based mitigation options – afforestation, reforestation, REDD+ and forest management – and Chapters 6 and 7 focus on wood-product based options – wood energy and green building and furnishing. The publication describes these activities in the context of UNFCCC rules, assessing their mitigation potential and economic attrac tiveness as well as opportunities and challenges for implementation. Chapter 8 discusses the different considerations involved in choosing the right mix of options as well as some of the instruments and means for implementation. Chapter 8 also highlights the co-benefits generated by forest-based mitigation and emphasizes that economic assessment of mitigation options needs to take these benefits into account. The concluding chapter assesses national commitments under UNFCCC involving forest miti gation and summarizes the challenges and opportunities

Corrigendum to "European contribution to the study of ROS:A summary of the findings and prospects for the future from the COST action BM1203 (EU-ROS)" [Redox Biol. 13 (2017) 94-162]

The European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) provides an ideal framework to establish multi-disciplinary research networks. COST Action BM1203 (EU-ROS) represents a consortium of researchers from different disciplines who are dedicated to providing new insights and tools for better understanding redox biology and medicine and, in the long run, to finding new therapeutic strategies to target dysregulated redox processes in various diseases. This report highlights the major achievements of EU-ROS as well as research updates and new perspectives arising from its members. The EU-ROS consortium comprised more than 140 active members who worked together for four years on the topics briefly described below. The formation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) is an established hallmark of our aerobic environment and metabolism but RONS also act as messengers via redox regulation of essential cellular processes. The fact that many diseases have been found to be associated with oxidative stress established the theory of oxidative stress as a trigger of diseases that can be corrected by antioxidant therapy. However, while experimental studies support this thesis, clinical studies still generate controversial results, due to complex pathophysiology of oxidative stress in humans. For future improvement of antioxidant therapy and better understanding of redox-associated disease progression detailed knowledge on the sources and targets of RONS formation and discrimination of their detrimental or beneficial roles is required. In order to advance this important area of biology and medicine, highly synergistic approaches combining a variety of diverse and contrasting disciplines are needed

European contribution to the study of ROS: A summary of the findings and prospects for the future from the COST action BM1203 (EU-ROS).

The European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) provides an ideal framework to establish multi-disciplinary research networks. COST Action BM1203 (EU-ROS) represents a consortium of researchers from different disciplines who are dedicated to providing new insights and tools for better understanding redox biology and medicine and, in the long run, to finding new therapeutic strategies to target dysregulated redox processes in various diseases. This report highlights the major achievements of EU-ROS as well as research updates and new perspectives arising from its members. The EU-ROS consortium comprised more than 140 active members who worked together for four years on the topics briefly described below. The formation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) is an established hallmark of our aerobic environment and metabolism but RONS also act as messengers via redox regulation of essential cellular processes. The fact that many diseases have been found to be associated with oxidative stress established the theory of oxidative stress as a trigger of diseases that can be corrected by antioxidant therapy. However, while experimental studies support this thesis, clinical studies still generate controversial results, due to complex pathophysiology of oxidative stress in humans. For future improvement of antioxidant therapy and better understanding of redox-associated disease progression detailed knowledge on the sources and targets of RONS formation and discrimination of their detrimental or beneficial roles is required. In order to advance this important area of biology and medicine, highly synergistic approaches combining a variety of diverse and contrasting disciplines are needed.The EU-ROS consortium (COST Action BM1203) was supported by the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST). The present overview represents the final Action dissemination summarizing the major achievements of COST Action BM1203 (EU-ROS) as well as research news and personal views of its members. Some authors were also supported by COST Actions BM1005 (ENOG) and BM1307 (PROTEOSTASIS), as well as funding from the European Commission FP7 and H2020 programmes, and several national funding agencies

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

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Aspergillus flavus occurence and expression of biosynthesis genes in soil

The carcinogen, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) produced by Aspergillus flavus, is a major food safety concern in crops. However, information on AFB1 occurrence in soil and crop residue is scarce. A series of experiments investigated the occurrence of AFB1 in soil and corn residues, and ascertained the ecology of A. flavus in a Dundee silt loam soil. Samples of untilled soil (0 to 2 cm) and residues were collected in March 2007 from plots previously planted with a corn isoline containing the Bacillus thurengiensis endotoxin gene (Bt) or the parental non-Bt isoline. Aflatoxin B1 levels were significantly different in various corn residues. The highest AFB1 levels were observed in cobs containing grain, with 145 and 275 ng g-1, in Bt and non-Bt, respectively (Pr ≥ F = 0.001). Aflatoxin levels averaged 3.3 and 9.6 ng g-1 in leaves/stalks and cobs without grain, respectively. All soils had AFB1 ranging from 0.6 to 5.5 ng g-1 with similar levels in plots from Bt and non-Bt corn. Based on cultural methods, soil contained from log (10) 3.1 to 4.5 A. flavus CFU g-1 with about 60% of isolates producing aflatoxin. Laboratory experiments demonstrated that AFB1 is rapidly degraded in soil at 28oC (half-life ≤ 5 days). The potential of the soil A. flavus to produce aflatoxins was confirmed by molecular methods. Transcription of five aflatoxin biosynthesis genes including afllD, aflG, aflP, aflR and aflS were detected by RT-PCR analysis in soil. Although AFB1 appears to be transient in soils, it is clear that AFB1 is produced in surface soil in the presence of corn residues as indicated by A. flavus CFU levels, AFB1 detection, and expression of aflatoxin biosynthetic genes

Extending the Use of Bioplastic Granules for the Application of Trichoderma Biocontrol Isolates in Flori/Horticulture and Turfgrass

Bioplastic materials are gaining increasing interest in a variety of different industrial and 13 domestic applications. Beside its usage as mulching films and plant clips in horticulture, no other 14 agricultural applications have been proposed. In 2009 we demonstrated that granules made of the 15 bioplastic Mater-Bi are an efficient and practical solution for field applications of biocontrol 16 isolates of the fungus Aspergillus flavus. Here, we investigated the feasibility to extend this 17 approach for delivering propagules of two biocontrol Trichoderma isolates with the final objective 18 to control damping-off of selected bedding, horticultural and turfgrass species. Bioplastic granules 19 entrapping conidia of Trichoderma virens Gv29-8 or T. harzianum ATCC 20847 were applied to a 20 potting mix infested with the fungal pathogen Rhizoctonia solani. Both isolates showed a positive 21 effect in reducing damping-off disease of impatiens and tomato seedlings. In the case of potting mix 22 infested with the lowest level of pathogen propagules causing 30% of damping-off, application of 23 1% (w/w) of inoculated granules resulted in 5 and 3% of impatiens and tomato seedlings, 24 respectively, affected by damping-off. With a more severe infestation (50% of damping-off), 25 amending the potting mixture with 10% bioplastic granules produced an average of 91% 26 suppression of damping-off in both species. Granules entrapping conidia of the biocontrol isolate 27 ATCC 20847 were significantly more effective in protecting impatiens and tomato seedlings. The 28 experiment was repeated with potting mix infested with Pythium ultimum and planted with annual 29 bluegrass. Bioplastic granules inoculated with the T. harzianum isolate significantly reduced (~ 30 90%) the impact of damping-off caused by this pathogen. Results from this study indicated that the 31 usage of this bioplastic-based formulation has the potential to be extended for the biocontrol of 32 damping-off in flori/horticulture crops and turfgrass