Native rhizobacteria as sustainable tools to produce quality seedlings that increase tomato and pepper yields

Existe un grupo de rizobacterias que promueven el desarrollo del vegetal que se denominan (PGPR). Las PGPR presentan mecanismos que son aditivos, afectando el metabolismo de la planta, mejorando el desarrollo radical, incrementando la incorporación de agua y minerales, y en muchos casos, la producción y calidad de los cultivos. El estudio de estas bacterias posibilita desarrollar bioinoculantes que incrementan la concentración de bacterias en la rizósfera, aumentando de este modo la probabilidad de obtener un efecto benéfico sobre el cultivo lo cual se manifestaría en mayores rindes. Además, incrementan la tolerancia de la planta frente a estrés abiótico. Otros mecanismos que pueden presentar son la capacidad de inhibir el crecimiento de patógeno mediante la producción de metabolitos, sideróforos, enzimas líticas de la pared celular, producción de antibióticos entre otros. Hemos aislado, caracterizado e identificado cepas PGPR nativas de la región de Cuyo que son promisorias para desarrollar un bioinoculante. Por otra parte, en la agricultura intensiva, la aplicación de fertilizantes es necesaria para evitar carencias que conlleven a una disminución del vigor o incidencias negativas sobre la producción. Sin embargo, el uso indiscriminado tiene impactos negativos sobre los recursos naturales y el medio ambiente. En los últimos años existe una concientización sobre los efectos negativos que éstos producen y se impulsa la agricultura sostenible, tratando de utilizar nuevas prácticas agrícolas menos agresivas del ecosistema y que a su vez sean capaces de alimentar a la creciente población mundial. Una alternativa al uso de fertilizantes químicos es utilizar bioinoculantes que están formulados con PGPR que se aplican a las semillas o a los plantines, para mejorar la productividad agronómica sin necesidad de depender de los agroquímicos. Debido al auge del empleo de estas bacterias como bioinoculantes, y a la importancia para la provincia del cultivo de tomate y pimiento para uso industrial, el proyecto propone una serie de ensayos en invernáculo y en el vivero de la empresa Tecnosiembra con plantines inoculados con rizobacterias nativas de la región para producir plantines de calidad. Posteriormente los plantines serán trasplantados al campo para evaluar la productividad. Se evaluará la respuesta tanto en condiciones favorables como de estrés biótico y abiótico. Las cepas más efectivas se seleccionarán para generar un bioinoculante.There is a group of rhizobacteria that promote plant development called (PGPR). The PGPR present mechanisms that are additives, affecting the metabolism of the plant, improving the radical development, increasing the incorporation of water and minerals, and in many cases, the production and quality of the crops. The study of these bacteria makes it possible to develop bioinoculants that increase the concentration of bacteria in the rhizosphere, thus increasing the probability of obtaining a beneficial effect on the crop which would manifest in higher yields. In addition, they increase the tolerance of the plant against abiotic stress. Other mechanisms that may present are the ability to inhibit the growth of pathogen through the production of metabolites, siderophores, lytic enzymes of the cell wall, production of antibiotics among others. We have isolated, characterized and identified PGPR strains native to the region of Cuyo that are promising to develop a bioinoculant.On the other hand, in intensive agriculture, the application of fertilizers is necessary to avoid deficiencies that lead to a decrease of the vigor or negative incidences on the production. However, indiscriminate use has negative impacts on natural resources and the environment. In recent years there has been an awareness of the negative effects that these produce and sustainable agriculture is promoted, trying to use new agricultural practices less aggressive of the ecosystem and which in turn are able to feed the growing world population. An alternative to the use of chemical fertilizers is to use bioinoculants that are formulated with PGPR that are applied to seeds or seedlings, to improve agronomic productivity without the need to depend on agrochemicals. Due to the increasing use of these bacteria as bioinoculants, and the importance for the province of tomato and pepper cultivation for industrial use, the project proposes a series of greenhouse and nursery trials with seedlings inoculated with rhizobacteria native to the region to produce quality seedlings. Later the seedlings will be transplanted to the field to evaluate productivity. The response will be evaluated in favorable conditions as well as in conditions of biotic and abiotic stress. The most effective strains will be selected to generate a bioinoculant

Halotolerant native bacteria Enterobacter 64S1 and Pseudomonas 42P4 alleviate saline stress in tomato plants

Salinity is one of the principal abiotic stresses that limit the growth and productivity of crops. The use of halotolerant plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) that increase the growth of salt-stressed crops is an environmentally friendly alternative to promote plant yield under salinity. The aim of this study was to test native PGPR, isolated according to their tolerance to NaCl, and to evaluate their influence on morphological, physiological, and biochemical traits promoted by salt stress in tomato plants. Enterobacter 64S1 and Pseudomonas 42P4 were selected as the most efficient strains in terms of salt tolerance. Both strains were classified as moderately resistant to salinity (NaCl) and maintained their plant growth-promoting activities, such as nitrogen fixation and phosphate solubilization, even in the presence of high levels of salt. The results of a greenhouse experiment demonstrated that PGPR inoculation increased root and shoot dry weight, stem diameter, plant height, and leaf area compared to control non-inoculated plants under non-saline stress conditions, reversing the effects of salinity. Inoculated plants showed increased tolerance to salt conditions by reducing electrolyte leakage (improved membrane stability) and lipid peroxidation and increasing chlorophyll quantum efficiency (Fv/Fm) and the performance index. Also, inoculation increased the accumulation of proline and antioxidant non-enzymatic compounds, such as carotenes and total phenolic compounds. The catalase and peroxidase activities increased with salinity, but the effect was reversed by Enterobacter 64S1. In conclusion, Enterobacter 64S1 and Pseudomonas 42P4 isolated from salt-affected regions have the potential to alleviate the deleterious effects of salt stress in tomato crops.EEA La ConsultaFil: Pérez Rodriguez, María Micaela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Biología Agrícola de Mendoza; ArgentinaFil: Pérez Rodriguez, María Micaela. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto de Biología Agrícola de Mendoza; ArgentinaFil: Pontin, Mariela Ana. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria La Consulta; ArgentinaFil: Piccoli, Patricia Noemí. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Biología Agrícola de Mendoza; ArgentinaFil: Piccoli, Patricia Noemí. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto de Biología Agrícola de Mendoza; ArgentinaFil: Lobato Ureche, Miguel Andrés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Biología Agrícola de Mendoza; ArgentinaFil: Lobato Ureche, Miguel Andrés. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto de Biología Agrícola de Mendoza; ArgentinaFil: Gordillo, María Gabriela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Biología Agrícola de Mendoza; ArgentinaFil: Gordillo, María Gabriela. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto de Biología Agrícola de Mendoza; ArgentinaFil: Funes Pinter, Mariano Ivan. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Mendoza; Argentina.Fil: Cohen, Ana Carmen. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Biología Agrícola de Mendoza; ArgentinaFil: Cohen, Ana Carmen. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto de Biología Agrícola de Mendoza; Argentin

Native bacteria isolated from roots and rhizosphere of Solanum lycopersicum L. increase tomato seedling growth under a reduced fertilization regime

In semiarid regions is important to use native strains best adapted to these environments to optimize plant-PGPR interaction. We aimed to isolate and characterize PGPR from roots and rhizosphere of a tomato crop, as well as studying the effect of its inoculation on tomato seedlings growth. We selected four strains considering their effectiveness of fixing nitrogen, solubilizing phosphate, producing siderophores and indole acetic acid. They belong to the genera Enterobacter, Pseudomonas, Cellulosimicrobium, and Ochrobactrum. In addition, we also analyzed the ability to solubilize Ca3(PO4)2, FePO4 and AlPO4 and the presence of one of the genes encoding the cofactor PQQ in their genome. Enterobacter 64S1 and Pseudomonas 42P4 showed the highest phosphorus solubilizing activity and presence of pqqE gene. Furthermore, in a tomato-based bioassay in speed-bed demonstrated that a sole inoculation at seedling stage with the strains increased dry weight of roots (49–88%) and shoots (39–55%), stem height (8–13%) and diameter (5–8%) and leaf area (22–31%) and were equal or even higher than fertilization treatment. Leaf nitrogen and chlorophyll levels were also increased (50–80% and 26–33%) compared to control. These results suggest that Enterobacter 64S1 and Pseudomonas 42P4 can be used as bio-inoculant in order to realize a nutrient integrated management.Fil: Pérez Rodriguez, María Micaela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Biología Agrícola de Mendoza. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto de Biología Agrícola de Mendoza; ArgentinaFil: Piccoli, Patricia Noemí. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Biología Agrícola de Mendoza. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto de Biología Agrícola de Mendoza; ArgentinaFil: Anzuay, María Soledad. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Baraldi, Rita. Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche; ItaliaFil: Neri, Luisa. Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche; ItaliaFil: Taurian, Tania. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto; ArgentinaFil: Lobato Ureche, Miguel Andrés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Biología Agrícola de Mendoza. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto de Biología Agrícola de Mendoza; ArgentinaFil: Segura, Diana María. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Biología Agrícola de Mendoza. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto de Biología Agrícola de Mendoza; ArgentinaFil: Cohen, Ana Carmen. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Biología Agrícola de Mendoza. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto de Biología Agrícola de Mendoza; Argentin

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Ambient Particulate Air Pollution and Daily Mortality in 652 Cities.

BACKGROUND: The systematic evaluation of the results of time-series studies of air pollution is challenged by differences in model specification and publication bias. METHODS: We evaluated the associations of inhalable particulate matter (PM) with an aerodynamic diameter of 10 μm or less (PM10) and fine PM with an aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 μm or less (PM2.5) with daily all-cause, cardiovascular, and respiratory mortality across multiple countries or regions. Daily data on mortality and air pollution were collected from 652 cities in 24 countries or regions. We used overdispersed generalized additive models with random-effects meta-analysis to investigate the associations. Two-pollutant models were fitted to test the robustness of the associations. Concentration-response curves from each city were pooled to allow global estimates to be derived. RESULTS: On average, an increase of 10 μg per cubic meter in the 2-day moving average of PM10 concentration, which represents the average over the current and previous day, was associated with increases of 0.44% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.39 to 0.50) in daily all-cause mortality, 0.36% (95% CI, 0.30 to 0.43) in daily cardiovascular mortality, and 0.47% (95% CI, 0.35 to 0.58) in daily respiratory mortality. The corresponding increases in daily mortality for the same change in PM2.5 concentration were 0.68% (95% CI, 0.59 to 0.77), 0.55% (95% CI, 0.45 to 0.66), and 0.74% (95% CI, 0.53 to 0.95). These associations remained significant after adjustment for gaseous pollutants. Associations were stronger in locations with lower annual mean PM concentrations and higher annual mean temperatures. The pooled concentration-response curves showed a consistent increase in daily mortality with increasing PM concentration, with steeper slopes at lower PM concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show independent associations between short-term exposure to PM10 and PM2.5 and daily all-cause, cardiovascular, and respiratory mortality in more than 600 cities across the globe. These data reinforce the evidence of a link between mortality and PM concentration established in regional and local studies. (Funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and others.)

RyRCa2+ Leak Limits Cardiac Ca2+ Window Current Overcoming the Tonic Effect of Calmodulin in Mice

Ca2+ mediates the functional coupling between L-type Ca2+ channel (LTCC) and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ release channel (ryanodine receptor, RyR), participating in key pathophysiological processes. This crosstalk manifests as the orthograde Ca2+-induced Ca2+-release (CICR) mechanism triggered by Ca2+ influx, but also as the retrograde Ca2+-dependent inactivation (CDI) of LTCC, which depends on both Ca2+ permeating through the LTCC itself and on SR Ca2+ release through the RyR. This latter effect has been suggested to rely on local rather than global Ca2+ signaling, which might parallel the nanodomain control of CDI carried out through calmodulin (CaM). Analyzing the CICR in catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) mice as a model of RyR-generated Ca2+ leak, we evidence here that increased occurrence of the discrete local SR Ca2+ releases through the RyRs (Ca2+ sparks) causea depolarizing shift in activation and a hyperpolarizing shift inisochronic inactivation of cardiac LTCC current resulting in the reduction of window current. Both increasing fast [Ca2+]i buffer capacity or depleting SR Ca2+ store blunted these changes, which could be reproduced in WT cells by RyRCa2+ leak induced with Ryanodol and CaM inhibition.Our results unveiled a new paradigm for CaM-dependent effect on LTCC gating and further the nanodomain Ca2+ control of LTCC, emphasizing the importance of spatio-temporal relationships between Ca2+ signals and CaM function

Comprehensive dissection of prevalence rates, sex differences, and blood level-dependencies of clozapine-associated adverse drug reactions

Clozapine is often underused due to concerns about adverse drug reactions (ADRs) but studies into their prevalences are inconclusive. We therefore comprehensively examined prevalences of clozapineassociated ADRs in individuals with schizophrenia and demographic and clinical factors associated with their occurrence. Data from a multi-center study (n=698 participants) were collected. The mean number of ADRs during clozapine treatment was 4.8, with 2.4% of participants reporting no ADRs. The most common ADRs were hypersalivation (74.6%), weight gain (69.3%), and increased sleep necessity (65.9%), all of which were more common in younger participants. Participants with lower BMI prior to treatment were more likely to experience significant weight gain (>10%). Constipation occurred more frequently with higher clozapine blood levels and doses. There were no differences in ADR prevalence rates between participants receiving clozapine monotherapy and polytherapy. These findings emphasize the high prevalence of clozapine-associated ADRs and highlight several demographic and clinical factors contributing to their occurrence. By understanding these factors, clinicians can better anticipate and manage clozapine-associated ADRs, leading to improved treatment outcomes and patient well-being