Corneal Biomechanics in Ectatic Diseases: Refractive Surgery Implications.

BACKGROUND: Ectasia development occurs due to a chronic corneal biomechanical decompensation or weakness, resulting in stromal thinning and corneal protrusion. This leads to corneal steepening, increase in astigmatism, and irregularity. In corneal refractive surgery, the detection of mild forms of ectasia pre-operatively is essential to avoid post-operative progressive ectasia, which also depends on the impact of the procedure on the cornea. METHOD: The advent of 3D tomography is proven as a significant advancement to further characterize corneal shape beyond front surface topography, which is still relevant. While screening tests for ectasia had been limited to corneal shape (geometry) assessment, clinical biomechanical assessment has been possible since the introduction of the Ocular Response Analyzer (Reichert Ophthalmic Instruments, Buffalo, USA) in 2005 and the Corvis ST (Oculus Optikgerate GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany) in 2010. Direct clinical biomechanical evaluation is recognized as paramount, especially in detection of mild ectatic cases and characterization of the susceptibility for ectasia progression for any cornea. CONCLUSIONS: The purpose of this review is to describe the current state of clinical evaluation of corneal biomechanics, focusing on the most recent advances of commercially available instruments and also on future developments, such as Brillouin microscopy.(undefined)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Effect of plasma and heat treatments on orange juice quality

Abstract Heat treatment is used in the orange juice industry to neutralize the action of pathogenic microorganisms. However, it can reduce the nutritional value of the juice. Thus, our study assessed the cold plasma treatment as an alternative method against Escherichia coli and Candida albicans in 'Lima' orange juice. Both, plasma and heat treatments, reduced the amount of E. coli in the juice, inactivating 16.72 and 100%, respectively. Plasma did not inactivate C. albicans, but heat treatment inactivated 100%. Plasma and heat treatment increased Hue angle and luminosity (more yellowish juice). Plasma reduced vitamin C, carotenoids, and polyphenols content, while increased flavonoids. Heat treatment reduced the carotenoid content. However, neither heat nor plasma treatment altered the antioxidant activity. The plasma treatment reduced the intensity of color (chroma), the soluble solids content and the acidity ratio, total sugars, and the vitamin C content of juice compared to the heat-treated and control juices. Plasma-treated juice showed increased levels of yellow flavonoids, total phenolics and antioxidant activity until the 12th day of storage

PATOGENICIDADE DE ESPÉCIES DE Macrophomina COLETADAS DE PLANTAS DANINHAS EM FEIJÃO-CAUPI

[PT] A podridão de carvão causada por Macrophomina phaseolina é uma das principais doenças do feijão-caupi, causando perdas substanciais para os produtores. Na região semiárida do Brasil, o feijão-caupi é uma das alternativas utilizadas para rotação de culturas durante a entressafra do melão. Isso favorece a multiplicação de Macrophomina, uma vez que ambas as culturas são hospedeiras desse patógeno. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a patogenicidade em caupi de Macrophomina phaseolina e M. pseudophaseolina em caupi. Isolados de Macrophomina spp. obtidos das raízes de Trianthema portulacastrum e Boerhavia diffusa, espécies de plantas daninhas prevalentes em áreas de produção de melão no Nordeste brasileiro foram utilizadas neste estudo. O experimento foi realizado em casa de vegetação. Plantas de feijão-caupi 'Paulistinha' foram inoculados com 30 isolados de M. phaseolina, 30 isolados de M. pseudophaseolina e um isolado de referência de M. phaseolina obtido de raízes de feijão-caupi. Todos os isolados de Macrophomina foram patogênicos ao feijão-caupi, não havendo diferenças estatísticas entre as duas espécies de Macrophomina em relação à incidência e severidade da doença. Além disso, 65,2 e 100,0% dos isolados de M. phaseolina, e 56,2 e 92,8% dos isolados de M. pseudophaseolina, obtidos de T. portulacastrum e B. diffusa, respectivamente, foram tão severos ao feijão-caupi quanto o isolado de referência. Esses resultados enfatizam a necessidade de estabelecer práticas de manejo visando o controle de T. portucalastrum e B. diffusa nas áreas de produção de feijão-caupi, pois podem atuar como fontes de inóculo e sobrevivência para Macrophomina spp.[EN] Charcoal rot caused by Macrophomina phaseolina is a major cowpea disease causing substantial losses to growers. In the semi-arid region of Brazil, cowpea is one of the most widely used alternatives for crop rotation during the off-season of melon. This favors Macrophomina multiplication because both crops are hosts of this pathogen. The objective of this study was to verify the pathogenicity of Macrophomina phaseolina and M. pseudophaseolina on cowpea. The Macrophomina spp. isolates used were obtained from the roots of Trianthema portulacastrum and Boerhavia diffusa, weed species prevalent in melon production areas in North-east Brazilian The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse. Cowpea plants cv. Paulistinha' were inoculated with 30 M. phaseolina isolates, 30 M. pseudophaseolina isolates and a reference isolate of H. phaseolina obtained from cowpea roots. All Macrophomina isolates were able to cause disease on cowpea and there were no statistical differences between both Macrophomina species regarding disease incidence and severity. Moreover, 65.2 and 100.0% of the M. phaseolina isolates, and 56.2 and 92.8% of the M. pseudophaseolina isolates, obtained from T. portulacastrum and B. diffusa, respectively, were as severe to cowpea as the M. phaseolina reference isolate from cowpea. These results emphasize the need to establish management practices aiming to control T. portucalastrum and B. diffusa from cowpea production areas, as they can act as potential sources of inoculum and survival for Macrophomina spp.This study was partially financed by the Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior -Brazil (CAPES) -Finance Code 001 and by the Conselho Nacional de desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq).Sales Jr., R.; Nogueira, A.; Mitsa Paiva Negreiros, A.; Rodrigues, T.; De Queiroz, M.; Armengol Fortí, J. (2020). PATHOGENICITY OF Macrophomina SPECIES COLLECTED FROM WEEDS IN COWPEA. Revista Caatinga. 33(2):395-401. https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-21252020v33n212rcS395401332Ambrósio, M. M. Q., Dantas, A. C. A., Martínez-Perez, E., Medeiros, A. C., Nunes, G. H. S., & Picó, M. B. (2015). Screening a variable germplasm collection of Cucumis melo L. for seedling resistance to Macrophomina phaseolina. Euphytica, 206(2), 287-300. doi:10.1007/s10681-015-1452-xFreitas, F. C. L., Medeiros, V. F. L. P., Grangeiro, L. C., Silva, M. G. O., Nascimento, P. G. M. L., & Nunes, G. H. (2009). Interferência de plantas daninhas na cultura do feijão-caupi. Planta Daninha, 27(2), 241-247. doi:10.1590/s0100-83582009000200005Gomes-Silva, F., Almeida, C. M. A., Silva, A. G., Leão, M. P. C., Silva, K. P., Oliveira, L. G., … Lima, V. L. M. (2017). Genetic Diversity of Isolates of Macrophomina phaseolina Associated with Cowpea from Brazil Semi-Arid Region. Journal of Agricultural Science, 9(11), 112. doi:10.5539/jas.v9n11p112Gupta, G. K., Sharma, S. K., & Ramteke, R. (2012). Biology, Epidemiology and Management of the Pathogenic Fungus Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid with Special Reference to Charcoal Rot of Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill). Journal of Phytopathology, 160(4), 167-180. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0434.2012.01884.xKaur, S., Dhillon, G. S., Brar, S. K., Vallad, G. E., Chand, R., & Chauhan, V. B. (2012). Emerging phytopathogenMacrophomina phaseolina: biology, economic importance and current diagnostic trends. Critical Reviews in Microbiology, 38(2), 136-151. doi:10.3109/1040841x.2011.640977Machado, A. R., Pinho, D. B., Soares, D. J., Gomes, A. A. M., & Pereira, O. L. (2018). Bayesian analyses of five gene regions reveal a new phylogenetic species of Macrophomina associated with charcoal rot on oilseed crops in Brazil. European Journal of Plant Pathology, 153(1), 89-100. doi:10.1007/s10658-018-1545-1Mbaye, N., Mame, P. S., Ndiaga, C., & Ibrahima, N. (2015). Is the recently described Macrophomina pseudophaseolina pathogenically different from Macrophomina phaseolina? African Journal of Microbiology Research, 9(45), 2232-2238. doi:10.5897/ajmr2015.7742Negreiros, A. M. P., Sales Júnior, R., León, M., Melo, N. J., Michereff, S. J., Ambrósio, M. M., … Armengol, J. (2019). Identification and pathogenicity of Macrophomina species collected from weeds in melon fields in Northeastern Brazil. Journal of Phytopathology, 167(6), 326-337. doi:10.1111/jph.12801Negreiros, A. M. P., Júnior, R. S., Rodrigues, A. P. M. S., León, M., & Armengol, J. (2019). Prevalent weeds collected from cucurbit fields in Northeastern Brazil reveal new species diversity in the genusMonosporascus. Annals of Applied Biology, 174(3), 349-363. doi:10.1111/aab.12493Ramos, H. M. M., Bastos, E. A., Andrade Júnior, A. S. de, & Marouelli, W. A. (2012). Estratégias ótimas de irrigação do feijão‑caupi para produção de grãos verdes. Pesquisa Agropecuária Brasileira, 47(4), 576-583. doi:10.1590/s0100-204x2012000400014Reis, E. M., Boaretto, C., & Danelli, A. L. D. (2014). Macrophomina phaseolina: density and longevity of microsclerotia in soybean root tissues and free on the soil, and competitive saprophytic ability. Summa Phytopathologica, 40(2), 128-133. doi:10.1590/0100-5405/1921Rocha, M. de M., Carvalho, K. J. M. de, Freire Filho, F. R., Lopes, Â. C. de A., Gomes, R. L. F., & Sousa, I. da S. (2009). Controle genético do comprimento do pedúnculo em feijão-caupi. Pesquisa Agropecuária Brasileira, 44(3), 270-275. doi:10.1590/s0100-204x2009000300008Sales Junior, R., Oliveira, O. F. de, Medeiros, É. V. de, Guimarães, I. M., Correia, K. C., & Michereff, S. J. (2012). Ervas daninhas como hospedeiras alternativas de patógenos causadores do colapso do meloeiro. Revista Ciência Agronômica, 43(1), 195-198. doi:10.1590/s1806-66902012000100024Sales Júnior, R., Rodrigues, A. P. M. dos S., Negreiros, A. M. P., Ambrósio, M. M. de Q., Barboza, H. da S., & Beltrán, R. (2019). WEEDS AS POTENTIAL HOSTS FOR FUNGAL ROOT PATHOGENS OF WATERMELON. Revista Caatinga, 32(1), 1-6. doi:10.1590/1983-21252019v32n101rcFrancisco, de A. S. e S., & Carlos, A. V. de A. (2016). The Assistat Software Version 7.7 and its use in the analysis of experimental data. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 11(39), 3733-3740. doi:10.5897/ajar2016.11522Silva, M. G. O. da, Freitas, F. C. L. de, Negreiros, M. Z. de, Mesquita, H. C. de, Santana, F. A. O. de, & Lima, M. F. P. de. (2013). Manejo de plantas daninhas na cultura da melancia nos sistemas de plantio direto e convencional. Horticultura Brasileira, 31(3), 494-499. doi:10.1590/s0102-05362013000300025Zhao, L., Cai, J., He, W., & Zhang, Y. (2019). Macrophomina vaccinii sp. nov. causing blueberry stem blight in China. MycoKeys, 55, 1-14. doi:10.3897/mycokeys.55.3501

Preservação de fungos fitopatogênicos habitantes do solo

A preservação de fungos fitopatogênicos por longos períodos de tempo é importante para que pesquisas possam ser realizadas a qualquer momento. Os fungos habitantes do solo são organismos que podem produzir estruturas de resistência em face de situações adversas, tais como ausência de hospedeiros e ou condições climáticas desfavoráveis para a sua sobrevivência. O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver metodologias de preservação de estruturas de resistência para os fungos Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici raça 2, Macrophomina phaseolina, Rhizoctonia solani AG4 HGI, Sclerotium rolfsii, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum e Verticillium dahliae. O delineamento foi inteiramente casualizado, com um método de produção de estruturas para cada fungo, submetido a três tratamentos [temperatura ambiente de laboratório (28±2ºC), de geladeira (5ºC) e de freezer (-20ºC)] e com dois frascos por temperatura. Mensalmente, e por um período de um ano, a sobrevivência e o vigor das colônias de cada patógeno foram avaliadas em meios de cultura específicos. Testes de patogenicidade foram realizados após um ano de preservação, com as estruturas que sobreviveram aos melhores tratamentos (temperatura) para todos os fungos. As melhores temperaturas (tratamentos) para preservar os fungos foram: a) F. oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici em temperatura de refrigeração e de freezer (5,2 e 2,9 x 10³ufc.g-1 de talco, respectivamente); b) M. phaseolina em temperatura de refrigeração [100% de sobrevivência (S) e índice 3 de vigor (V)] e S. rolfsii em temperatura ambiente (74,4% S e 1 V) e c) S. sclerotiorum e V. dahliae, ambos em temperatura de freezer (100% S e 3 V). Após um ano de preservação, somente V. dahliae perdeu a patogenicidade na metodologia desenvolvida.Preservation of soilborne phytopathogenic fungi for long periods of time is important so that researches can be followed up at any moment. Soilborne phytopathogenic fungi are organisms that can produce resistance structures in face of adverse situations, such as absence of hosts and unfavorable climatic conditions for their survival. The objective of this work was to develop preservation methodologies for resistance structures of the fungi Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici race 2, Macrophomina phaseolina, Rhizoctonia solani AG4 HGI, Sclerotium rolfsii, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, and Verticillium dahliae. The experiment was carried out in a randomized plots design and the method of resistance structures production was specific for each pathogen. Three treatments [room temperature (28±2ºC), of refrigerator (5ºC) and of freezer (-20ºC)] with two flasks (reps) each were assessed for each fungus. During the period of one year, survival and vigor of the pathogens were evaluated in a monthly basis. Pathogenicity tests were performed with the structures of resistance of each fungus that survived in the best treatment: a) F. oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici at refrigerator and freezer temperatures (5.2 and 2.9 x 10³ ufc.g-1 of talc, respectively); b) M. phaseolina at refrigerator temperature [100% of survival (S) and index 3 of vigor (V)] and S. rolfsii at room temperature (74.4% S and 1 V) and c) S. sclerotiorum and V. dahliae both at freezer temperature (100% S and 3 V). All, but V. dahliae resistance structure, remained pathogenic after one year of storage

Incidence of root rot of muskmelon in different soil management practices

The objective of this study was to estimate the effects of tillage systems and cover crops on the incidence of root rot in melon and to identify the fungal pathogens associated with the disease. Two consecutive trials were carried out in a randomized complete block design with four replications in each trial. The treatments were arranged in split-plots. Two tillage systems (no-tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT)) were assigned in the main plots and in the subplot the six types of ground cover crops were tested (sunn hemp, pearl millet, sunn hemp + pearl millet, corn + brachiaria, spontaneous vegetation, spontaneous vegetation + polyethylene film) or bare soil. At the end of the trials all melon plants were collected and assessed for disease incidence, isolations from symptomatic plants were made for fungal identification. Root rot incidence was lower in the NT treatments with sunn hemp, pearl millet, and spontaneous vegetation. The main fungi isolated from symptomatic roots were Fusarium solani, Macrophomina phaseolina, Monosporascus cannonballus and Rhizoctonia solani, but F. solani was the most frequently isolated fungus in both tillage systems. The results suggest that the NT system has the potential to control incidence of root rot of muskmelon, but is necessary to realize crop rotation between the planting cycles

Selenium sources in the diet of dairy cows and their effects on milk production and quality, on udder health and on physiological indicators of heat stress

Twenty-four dairy cows, with daily average milk production of 18.1 kg, were fed diets containing different selenium (Se) sources. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effects of such diets on milk production and quality, on the occurrence of mastitis, and on physiological variables. During the experimental period (124 days), all the cows received the same diet: a total mixed feed with 0.278 mg.kg- 1 DM of selenium. In the inorganic Se treatment, the selenium source was sodium selenite and in the organic Se treatment the source was selenium yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-3060). There were no significant differences in milk yield or in Se concentration in the milk. No significant differences between the treatments were observed in protein, lactose, solids-not-fat andpercentage of total solids. The animals subjected to the organic Se treatment presented higher (P=0.013) percentage of milk fat and lower (P=0.014) somatic cell count (SCC) than those subjected to the inorganic Se treatment. There was no significant difference in subclinical mastitisas determined by the California Mastitis Test (CMT) between the treatments. However, both Se sources reduced the incidence of mastitis (subclinical positive mastitis and strongly positive mastitis) between the pre-experimental and experimental phases. There was no significant difference in rectal temperature (RT) between the treatments. Respiratory frequency (RF) was lower (P=0.027) in the inorganic treatment than in the organic one, whereas haircoat temperature (HT) was lower (P=0.007) in the organic treatment than in the inorganic one