Chemical, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxic Properties of Native Blue Corn Extract

In recent years, natural products such as dietary phytoconstituents have been the focus of scientific studies for cancer prevention. Among these are polyphenols, which have shown anticancer properties. Pigmented cereals such as blue maize are a rich source of polyphenols such as anthocyanins. Therefore, the aim of this work is to determine the chemical composition and cytotoxic activity of blue maize extract in several cancer cell lines. The total polyphenol content, total anthocyanins, and antioxidant activity of 16 blue corn samples from the Mixteco race were analyzed. From these, the sample with the highest content of polyphenols, anthocyanins, and antioxidant activity was selected and its anthocyanin fraction was isolated using an amberlite column and analyzed by means of HPLC‐ESI‐MS. The total polyphenol content ranged from 142.8 to 203.2 mg GAE/100g. The total anthocyanin contents varied between 19.02 and 66.92 mg C3G/100g. The antioxidant activity ranged from 18.5 to 27.8 µmol TE/g. The anthocyanin profile showed eight different compounds, mainly acylated anthocyanins. Cytotoxicity of blue corn extract on cancer cell lines was determined at concentrations of 100 and 500 µg/mL using the SRB assay. A cytotoxic effect was mainly observed on SKLU‐1 and HTC‐15 cell lines

Characterization of the antifungal activity of three rhizobacterial strains against Rhizoctonia solani

 In this study, three rhizobacterial strains were characterized by their ability to inhibit Rhizoctonia solani and tested in chili (Capsicum annuum L.) seedlings. Strains A46 and P61 were identified as Pseudomonas tolaasii, and S108 as Rhanella aquatilis. In the dual culture tests, all the strains inhibited the radial growth of R. solani. None of the three strains produced chitinases or volatile compounds, but they were found to produce siderophores. However, this last characteristic was not responsible for the rhizobacterial inhibitory effect on the growth of R. solani, other bacterial metabolites were possibly involved. The bacterial filtrates added to the potato dextrose agar medium (PDA) in a 3:7 ratio had significant antifungal activity, being the filtrate from strain S108 the one that showed the highest effect, with 56% fungal inhibition. The co-culture of strain A46 with the phytopathogenic fungi in potato dextrose broth (PDB) increased the antifungal activity of the rhizobacterial filtrate. The application of the rhizobacterial strains to Serrano chili decreased the R. solani-related mortality rate in seedlings; particularly, S108 had the greatest effect, which was similar to the fungicide effect. This study showed that the S108 strain has potential as a biofungicide to control R. solani in chili seedlings

Prospective Latin American cohort evaluating outcomes of patients with COVID-19 and abnormal liver tests on admission

Introduction & objectives: The independent effect of liver biochemistries as a prognostic factor in patients with COVID-19 has not been completely addressed. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of abnormal liver tests on admission of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Materials & methods: We performed a prospective cohort study including 1611 hospitalized patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection from April 15, 2020 through July 31, 2020 in 38 different Hospitals from 11 Latin American countries. We registered clinical and laboratory parameters, including liver function tests, on admission and during hospitalization. All patients were followed until discharge or death. We fit multivariable logistic regression models, further post-estimation effect through margins and inverse probability weighting. Results: Overall, 57.8% of the patients were male with a mean age of 52.3 years, 8.5% had chronic liver disease and 3.4% had cirrhosis. Abnormal liver tests on admission were present on 45.2% (CI 42.7–47.7) of the cohort (n = 726). Overall, 15.1% (CI 13.4–16.9) of patients died (n = 244). Patients with abnormal liver tests on admission presented higher mortality 18.7% (CI 15.9–21.7), compared to those with normal liver biochemistries 12.2% (CI 10.1–14.6); P 30. Conclusions: The presence of abnormal liver tests on admission is independently associated with mortality and severe COVID-19 in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 infection and may be used as surrogate marker of inflammation.Fil: Mendizabal, Manuel. Universidad Austral. Hospital Universitario Austral; ArgentinaFil: Piñero, Federico. Universidad Austral. Hospital Universitario Austral; ArgentinaFil: Ridruejo, Ezequiel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. CEMIC-CONICET. Centro de Educaciones Médicas e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno". CEMIC-CONICET; ArgentinaFil: Anders, Margarita. Hospital Aleman; ArgentinaFil: Silveyra, María Dolores. Sanatorio Anchorena; ArgentinaFil: Torre, Aldo. Centro Médico ABC; MéxicoFil: Montes, Pedro. Hospital Nacional Daniel A. Carrión; PerúFil: Urzúa, Alvaro. Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile; ChileFil: Pages, Josefina. Universidad Austral. Hospital Universitario Austral; ArgentinaFil: Toro, Luis G.. Hospitales de San Vicente Fundación de Medellín y Rionegro; ColombiaFil: Díaz, Javier. Hospital Nacional Edgardo Rebagliati Martins; PerúFil: Gonzalez Ballerga, Esteban. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín; ArgentinaFil: Miranda Zazueta, Godolfino. Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición; MéxicoFil: Peralta, Mirta. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital de Infecciosas "Dr. Francisco Javier Muñiz"; ArgentinaFil: Gutiérrez, Isabel. Centro Médico ABC; MéxicoFil: Michelato, Douglas. Hospital Especializado en Enfermedades Infecciosas Instituto Couto Maia; BrasilFil: Venturelli, Maria Grazia. Hospital Nacional Guillermo Almenara Irigoyen; PerúFil: Varón, Adriana. Fundación Cardio-Infantil; ColombiaFil: Vera Pozo, Emilia. Hospital Regional Dr. Teodoro Maldonado Carbo; EcuadorFil: Tagle, Martín. Clínica Anglo-Americana; PerúFil: García, Matías. Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno"; ArgentinaFil: Tassara, Alfredo. Hospital Aleman; ArgentinaFil: Brutti, Julia. Sanatorio Anchorena; ArgentinaFil: Ruiz García, Sandro. Hospital de Víctor Lazarte Echegaray; PerúFil: Bustios, Carla. Clínica Delgado; PerúFil: Escajadillo, Nataly. Hospital Nacional Almanzor Aguinaga Asenjo; PerúFil: Macias, Yuridia. No especifíca;Fil: Higuera de la Tijera, Fátima. Hospital General de México “Dr. Eduardo Liceaga"; MéxicoFil: Gómez, Andrés J.. Hospital Universitario Fundación Santa Fé de Bogotá; ColombiaFil: Dominguez, Alejandra. Hospital Padre Hurtado; ChileFil: Castillo Barradas, Mauricio. Hospital de Especialidades del Centro Médico Nacional La Raza; MéxicoFil: Contreras, Fernando. No especifíca;Fil: Scarpin, Aldana. Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno"; ArgentinaFil: Schinoni, Maria Isabel. Hospital Alianza; BrasilFil: Toledo, Claudio. Universidad Austral de Chile; ChileFil: Girala, Marcos. Universidad Nacional de Asunción; ParaguayFil: Mainardi, Victoria. Hospital Central De las Fuerzas Armadas; UruguayFil: Sanchez, Abel. Hospital Roosevelt; GuatemalaFil: Bessone, Fernando. Provincia de Santa Fe. Ministerio de Salud y Medio Ambiente - Rosario. Hospital Provincial del Centenario; ArgentinaFil: Rubinstein, Fernando Adrian. Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Silva, Marcelo Oscar. Universidad Austral. Hospital Universitario Austral; Argentin

Cambios fisicoquímicos y antioxidantes de zapote negro (Diospyros digyna, Ebenaceae) durante el desarrollo de frutos en el árbol

Background and Aims: The fruit of Diospyros digyna, known as black sapote, is an exotic fruit which is consumed and marketed in southern Mexico. It has been little studied and the changes in the profiles of its physicochemical and antioxidant properties during its development stage on the tree are unknown. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to 1) evaluate the physicochemical properties and antioxidant activity during development and ripening of D. digyna fruits, in order to know the changes of the fruit, and 2) establish the appropriate time of harvest of this climacteric fruit. Methods: Physical properties of the fruit D. digyna, including firmness, color, respiration rate of the whole fruit, as well as proximal composition, maturity index, and bioactive compounds including antioxidant activity of the pulp, were evaluated every two weeks during 14 weeks of fruit development on the tree. Key results: During this 14-week period of analysis, the weight and dimensions of the fruit of D. digyna increased by about 90%. Vitamin C content raised from 60 to 369 mg/100 g of fresh fruit. However, the concentration of total carotenoids, tannins, polyphenols, and the acidity and respiration rate decreased. The antioxidant activity determined by the percentage of DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging was 30%, together with a high reducing power (2.40 O.D.) at the end of the study. The fracture strength of the fruit peel and pulp was 1.40 N and 5.35 N, respectively. Conclusions: This study monitors the physical changes, in respiration, composition and antioxidant activity during the development of the D. digyna fruit on the tree, demonstrating that week 10 is the best harvest time, since there are no important changes from that moment. Likewise, it is confirmed that the black sapote can be an important source of vitamin C.Antecedentes y Objetivos: El fruto de Diospyros digyna, conocido como zapote negro, es un fruto exótico, consumido y comercializado en el sur de México. Ha sido poco estudiado y se desconocen los cambios en los perfiles de sus propiedades fisicoquímicas y antioxidantes durante su etapa de desarrollo en el árbol. Por lo tanto, los objetivos de este estudio fueron 1) evaluar las propiedades fisicoquímicas y la actividad antioxidante durante el desarrollo y maduración de frutos de D. digyna, con el fin de conocer los cambios del fruto, y 2) establecer el momento adecuado de cosecha de este fruto climatérico. Métodos: Se evaluaron las propiedades físicas del fruto D. digyna, tales como, firmeza, color, velocidad de respiración del fruto completo, así como la composición proximal, el índice de madurez y compuestos bioactivos incluyendo actividad antioxidante de la pulpa del fruto, esto cada dos semanas durante 14 semanas de desarrollo del fruto en el árbol.Resultados clave: Durante el período de análisis de 14 semanas, el peso y las dimensiones del fruto de D. digyna aumentaron en aproximadamente 90%. El contenido de vitamina C incrementó de 60 a 369 mg/100 g de fruta fresca. Sin embargo, la concentración de carotenoides totales, taninos, polifenoles, acidez y tasa de respiración disminuyeron. La actividad antioxidante determinada por el porcentaje de captación de radicales DPPH (2, 2-difenil-1-picrilhidrazilo) fue de 30%, junto con un alto poder reductor (2.4 D.O.) al final del estudio. La resistencia a la fractura de la cáscara y la pulpa de la fruta fue de 1.4 N y 5.35 N, respectivamente. Conclusiones: Este estudio realiza un seguimiento de los cambios físicos, en la respiración, composición y actividad antioxidante ocurridos durante el desarrollo del fruto D. digyna en el árbol, demostrando que la semana 10 es el mejor momento de cosecha, ya que no hay cambios importantes a partir de ese momento. Así mismo, se confirma que el zapote negro puede ser una fuente importante de vitamina C

Casuarina equisetifolia (Casuarinaceae) growth in soil with diesel and application of biostimulation and bioaugmentation

La fitorremediación es una biotecnología ecológicamente racional que está dirigida a la limpieza de suelos contaminados; sin embargo, el estudio de especies arbóreas para la fitorremediación de suelos con hidrocarburos del petróleo es limitado. Más aún, la combinación de la fitorremediación con procesos de bioaumentación y bioestimulación es también limitada. Por lo anterior, este estudio evaluó el efecto de la inoculación de Glomus intraradices, un consorcio bacteriano (M2BOS1-R2 y M2BOSI-F4) y Trichoderma viride en el crecimiento de plantas de Casuarina equisetifolia L. fertilizadas con Floranid® o Triple 17, en suelo contaminado con diésel (7 500mg/kg). El experimento factorial 2x5x3 incluyó 30 tratamientos y 10 repeticiones, distribuidos completamente al azar en invernadero, durante 120 días. El diésel disminuyó significativamente la altura, la biomasa total y el índice de calidad (ICP) de planta. Glomus o las bacterias aumentaron significativamente la altura, la biomasa seca total y el ICP con respecto al tratamiento sin inocular o con la triple inoculación. El Floranid redujo el crecimiento vegetal y el ICP, en presencia de diésel. El Triple 17 combinado con los tres microorganismos produjo mayor crecimiento vegetal en ausencia de contaminación, pero en presencia de diésel, el Triple 17 combinado con bacterias o con Trichoderma, estimuló la biomasa seca total y el ICP. La colonización micorrízica fue inhibida por el diesel, especialmente con la fertilización del Floranid. El Triple 17 (bioestimulación) combinado con los microorganismos (bioaumentación), favoreció el crecimiento de Casuarina en suelo contaminado con diésel.Phytoremediation is an ecologically sound biotechnology directed to cleaning up contaminated soils. The study of tree species to treat petroleum contaminated soils is scarce; moreover, the combination of phytoremediation with bioaugmentation and biostimulation processes is also limited. Thus, this work evaluated the effects of the inoculation of Glomus intraradices, a bacterial consortium (M2BOS1-R2 and M2BOSI-F4) and Trichoderma viride, on the growth of Casuarina equisetifolia, fertilized with Floranid® or Triple 17, when sown in a diesel-contaminated soil (7 500mg/kg). The factorial experiment 2x5x3 included 30 treatments with 10 replicates in a completely randomized design under greenhouse conditions for 120 days. Diesel significantly diminished plant height, total biomass, and plant index quality (PIQ). Glomus or bacterial consortium significantly increased plant height, total biomass and PIQ when compared to the inoculation of the three microorganisms or to the control. Floranid had negative effects on plant growth and PIQ at diesel contamination. Fertilization with Triple 17 combined with the three microorganisms stimulated plant growth in the absence of diesel, whereas in the presence of this contaminant the treatments combining Triple 17 with the bacterial consortium or with Trichoderma had better plant growth and PIQ. Mycorrhizal colonization was inhibited due to diesel contamination, and especially when Floranid was applied. The fertilizer Triple 17 (biostimulation) combined with the beneficial microorganisms (bioaugmentation) improved growth responses of C. equisetifolia in diesel-contaminated soil