Selection of antagonistic actinomycete isolates as biocontrol agents against root-rot fungi

In this study, actinomycetes isolates, isolated from rhizosphere of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), were screened for antagonistic activities on certain root rot fungi (Fusarium culmorum, Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium verticilloides and Bipolaris sorokiniana). The  in vitro antagonistic effects of actinomycetes isolates were determined on solid media against fungal pathogens. The inhibition mechanism, effect of application time and pH on inhibition was investigated. The actinomycete isolate 129.01 exhibited a high inhibition ratio of more than 60 % against all fungi. The activity of the isolate 129.01 against root rot fungi was tested under greenhouse conditions. The root rot score (1-10), mean plant height (cm) and mean weight of green part of plant (g) were determined after an incubation period. The root rot score of the infected plants was decreased significantly by this isolate, even if the plants were inoculated with all of the pathogen fungi together (P<0.05). The results indicate that isolate 129.01 could be useful as a biocontrol agent. The assignment of the isolate 129.01 to the genus Streptomyces was supported by 16S rRNA analysis.Fil: Erginbas, Gul. Centro Internacional de Mejoramiento de Maíz y Trigo; TurquíaFil: Yamac, Mustafa. Eskisehir Osmangazi University; TurquíaFil: Amoroso, Maria Julia del R.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiológicos; ArgentinaFil: Cuozzo, Sergio Antonio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiológicos; Argentin

Evaluation of estimated glomerular filtration rate and clinical variables in systemic sclerosis patients

Objectives: The most important renal complication of systemic sclerosis (SSc) is scleroderma renal crisis (SRC). Many patients demonstrate less severe renal complications, most likely associated with reduced renal blood flow and a consequent reduction in glomerular filtration rate (GFR). The mechanism of this slowly progressive form of chronic renal disease is unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate GFR by the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) and the 7-variable Modification of Diet and Renal Disease (MDRD) equations in SSc patients and to correlate estimated GFR (eGFR) with clinical variables of the disease. Methods: 105 unselected and consecutive patients with SSc were enrolled. Serum creatinine was measured in all patients and GFR was estimated by 7-variable MDRD and CKD-EPI equations. Nailfold videocapillaroscopy was performed in all patients. Results: The mean value of eGFR evaluated by both 7-variable MDRD and CKD-EPI was significantly different (p < 0.0001) in the three capillaroscopic groups and correlated negatively with the severity of capillaroscopic damage (early: 95 ± 16 mL/min and 101 ± 12 mL/min, active: 86 ± 25 mL/min and 95 ± 17 mL/min, late: 76 ± 21 mL/min and 82 ± 21 mL/min). The mean value of eGFR evaluated by 7-variable MDRD (97 ± 23 mL/min vs. 74 ± 15 mL/min, p < 0.0001) and CKD-EPI (0.83 ± 0.20 mL/min vs. 0.68 ± 0.10 mL/min, p < 0.0001) was significantly higher in SSc patients without history of digital ulcers than in those with. Conclusion: We can conclude that in SSc patients without renal involvement, eGFR decreases with the progression of digital vascular damag

Gut Microbiota as a Target for Food Allergy

Purpose of review: The purpose of this review is to present an overview on the potential role of gut microbiota as target of intervention against food allergy. Recent findings: Many studies suggest a key pathogenetic role for gut microbiota modifications (dysbiosis) in food allergy development. Several factors responsible for dysbiosis have been associated with the occurrence of food allergy, such as caesarean delivery, lack of breast milk, drugs use (mainly antibiotics and gastric acidity inhibitors), antiseptic agents use, and low fibers/hight fat diet. No specific bacterial taxa have been consistently associated with food allergy, but evidence suggests that gut dysbiosis occurs even before food allergy signs and symptoms presentation. Data from animal and human studies highlight the ability of particular bacterial taxa to ferment dietary fibers for the production of short chain fatty acids that affect host immunity and help to explain their health-promoting role. Summary: Modulation of gut microbiota composition and/or function represents a promising strategy for treatment and prevention of food allergy in childhood. Key Words: butyrate, dysbiosis, oral tolerance, probiotics, short chain fatty acids Abbreviations: BLG, beta-lactoglobulin, CMA, cow’s milk allergy, EHCF, extensively hydrolyzed casein formula, FA, food allergy, HDAC, histone deacetylase, LGG, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, PBMCs, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, SCFAs, short chain fatty ac

Angiogenic and angiostatic factors in renal scleroderma-associated vasculopathy

BACKGROUND: The angiogenesis in systemic sclerosis (SSc) is impaired. An imbalance of pro-angiogenic factors and angiogenesis inhibitors has been implicated in the progression of peripheral microvascular damage, defective vascular repair and fibrosis. Intrarenal resistance index are considered markers of renal vasculopathy. The aim of the study is to evaluate angiogenic and angiostatic factors (VEGF and endostatin) in SSc patients and to correlate with intrarenal hemodynamic parameters. METHODS: 91 SSc patients were enrolled in this study. Serum VEGF and endostatin levels were determined. All patients underwent a renal Doppler ultrasound RESULTS: A significant positive correlation was observed between endostatin and renal Doppler parameters (p<0.0001). A negative correlation was observed between serum levels of endostatin and eGFR (p<0.01). In SSc patients with high resistive index, serum levels of endostatin were significantly (p<0.01) higher than in SSc patients with normal resistive index. The serum levels of endostatin significantly increased with progression of nailfold videocapillaroscopy damage (p<0.01) and were significantly (p<0.05) higher in SSc patients with digital ulcers than in SSc patients without digital ulcers. CONCLUSION: This is the first study that assess in SSc patients intrarenal hemodynamic parameters and endostatin. In SSc patients, endostatin represents a marker of renal scleroderma-associated vasculopathy