Entomopathogenic Fungi-Mediated Solubilization and Induction of Fe Related Genes in Melon and Cucumber Plants

Endophytic insect pathogenic fungi have a multifunctional lifestyle; in addition to its well-known function as biocontrol agents, it may also help plants respond to other biotic and abiotic stresses, such as iron (Fe) deficiency. This study explores M. brunneum EAMa 01/58-Su strain attributes for Fe acquisition. Firstly, direct attributes include siderophore exudation (in vitro assay) and Fe content in shoots and in the substrate (in vivo assay) were evaluated for three strains of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium bruneum. The M. brunneum EAMa 01/58-Su strain showed a great ability to exudate iron siderophores (58.4% surface siderophores exudation) and provided higher Fe content in both dry matter and substrate compared to the control and was therefore selected for further research to unravel the possible induction of Fe deficiency responses, Ferric Reductase Activity (FRA), and relative expression of Fe acquisition genes by qRT-PCR in melon and cucumber plants.. In addition, root priming by M. brunneum EAMa 01/58-Su strain elicited Fe deficiency responses at transcriptional level. Our results show an early up-regulation (24, 48 or 72 h post inoculation) of the Fe acquisition genes FRO1, FRO2, IRT1, HA1, and FIT as well as the FRA. These results highlight the mechanisms involved in the Fe acquisition as mediated by IPF M. brunneum EAMa 01/58-Su strain

Cognitive Accessibility in Rural Heritage: a New Proposal for the Archaeological Landscape of Castulo

The long-lost Ibero-Roman citadel of Cast˘ ul¯o, or Castulo as it is known today, has been revealed to be one of the most important centers of the southern Iberian Peninsula due to its size and its geographical position. The ancient walled holdfast occupies an area of about 50 hectares, with overlapping vestiges from different historical stages. During the last intervention in the northwest city walls, a set of important findings was revealed, notably a Roman high-quality relief depicting a lion which holds a human head between its paws. This article, in addition to contextualizing and presenting the archaeological site, focuses on the latest work carried out in the northern area of the city’s Punic wall. Based on the data obtained, an urban interpretation is also provided on the use and function of this walled city area and how it was attuned to the surroundings to configure a new kind of landscape project. Relevant endeavours have been undertaken by the authors in order to render the restoration feasible, and prominently to introduce a more innovative issue of cognitive accessibility for the visitors who are allowed to enjoy this significant piece of heritage despite the hindrances of the terrain. This is the fundamental objective of a former research project by the authors, and it was extended to offer a key to sustainable archaeology, establishing design criteria for the planning of spaces that fulfil the experience of visiting heritage for groups of people with cognitive problems: among them, those with Alzheimer’s disease. By addressing these pending requirements, the sustainable qualities of the archaeological sites would be significantly enhanced.Consejería de Transformación Económica, Industria, Conocimiento y Universidades de la Junta de Andalucía, Programa Operativo FEDER 2014-2020; y Universidad de Sevill

Recovery of Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. savastanoi from symptomless shoots of naturally infected olive trees

Seasonal dynamics of Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. savastanoi (Psv) on stems and leaves from symptomless shoots of naturally infected olive trees was monitored in Spanish olive orchards. Data inferred from the comparison between washing of leaves and dilution-plating versus leaf printing of individual leaves suggested that Psv population sizes varied by over several orders of magnitude, among leaves sampled concurrently from the same shoot. We did not find significant differences between leaves and stems, in respect to the number of samples where Psv was isolated or detected by PCR, showing that Psv colonizes both leaves and stems. The frequencies of Psv isolation and average populations were highly variable among field plots. No correlation between Psv populations and those of non-Psv bacteria in any plant material or field plot was observed. However, where both Psv and yellow Pantoea agglomerans colonies were isolated a positive correlation was found. In a selected field plot, dynamics of Psv over three years showed significant differences between summer and the rest of seasons. The highest Psv population occurred in warm, rainy months, while low numbers were generally found in hot and dry months. [Int Microbiol 2007; 10(2):77-84

GC gene polymorphism and unbound serum retinol-binding protein 4 are related to the risk of insulin resistance in patients with chronic hepatitis c: A prospective cross-sectional study

Insulin resistance (IR) is found in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) more frequently than in other chronic liver diseases. Prospective cross-sectional study to evaluate a wide multitest panel to identify factors related with IR in CHC and their possible interactions. In 76 patients with CHC we performed a series of routine laboratory analysis as well as specifically designed serum biochemical tests [retinol, retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4), 25-OH vitamin D, Vitamin E, lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and cystatin C]. The single nucleotide polymorphisms rs7041 and rs4588 GC-DBP (group-specific component-Vitamin D-binding protein), rs738409 PNPLA3 (patatin-like phospholipase domain containing 3), and rs12979860 IL28B (interleukin-28 B) genes were determined. Insulin sensitivity was established with the HOMA-IR and IR was diagnosed when HOMA-IR>3. Fibrosis staging was assessed with liver biopsy or transient elastography. After backward logistic regression analysis, independent variables associated with IR were Gc1s/Gc1s DBP phenotype, that results from the homozygous carriage of the rs7041G/rs4588Chaplotype (P¼0.033); low retinol/RBP4 ratio, reflecting a greater rate of unboundRBP4 (P¼0.005); older age (P¼0.01); high serum tryglicerides (P¼0.026); and advanced (F3–F4) fibrosis stage. The AUROC provided by the multivariate model was 0.950 (95% CI¼0.906–0.993). In addition to previously known ones, the Gc1s/Gc1s phenotype variant of DBP and the unbound fraction of plasma RBP4 may be considered as factors related with the incidence, and possibly the risk, of IR in CHC patients.• Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Fondo de Investigación Sanitari: Ayudas PI12/00241 y PI12/00324 • Junta de Extremadura: Ayuda GR15026 • Fondos FEDERpeerReviewe

Danthron, an Anthraquinone Isolated from a Marine Fungus, Is a New Inhibitor of Angiogenesis Exhibiting Interesting Antitumor and Antioxidant Properties

The role played by a sustained angiogenesis in cancer and other diseases stimulates the interest in the search for new antiangiogenic drugs. In this manuscript, we provide evidence that 1,8- dihydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone (danthron), isolated from the fermentation broth of the marine fungus Chromolaenicola sp. (HL-114-33-R04), is a new inhibitor of angiogenesis. The results obtained with the in vivo CAM assay indicate that danthron is a potent antiangiogenic compound. In vitro studies with human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVEC) reveal that this anthraquinone inhibits certain key functions of activated endothelial cells, including proliferation, proteolytic and invasive capabilities and tube formation. In vitro studies with human breast carcinoma MDA-MB231 and fibrosarcoma HT1080 cell lines suggest a moderate antitumor and antimetastatic activity of this compound. Antioxidant properties of danthron are evidenced by the observation that it reduces the intracellular reactive oxygen species production and increases the amount of intracellular sulfhydryl groups in endothelial and tumor cells. These results support a putative role of danthron as a new antiangiogenic drug with potential application in the treatment and angioprevention of cancer and other angiogenesis-dependent diseases.Partial funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málag

Antiangiogenic potential of an anthraquinone metabolite isolated from a marine fungus.

This is a communication in the format of a posterThe potential of marine organisms to yield bioactive molecules is vast and largely unexplored. Significantly, certain bioactive compounds derived from the marine environment have already received approval as anticancer drugs1. Among the multitude of bioactive compounds found in marine organisms, anthraquinones represent a notable class of molecules, with over 200 structurally related compounds having been isolated from diverse species of marine fungi2. Danthron (1,8-dihydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone) serves as an exemplary member of anthraquinones, possessing anti-tumoral and anti-angiogenic properties that have yet to be fully elucidated. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to comprehensively investigate and understand these specific properties.Funding: Funding: Projects PID2019-105010RB-I00 (Ministry of Science and Innovation, Government of Spain), UMA18-FEDERJA-220 and P20_00257 (Junta de Andalucía-FEDER) The assistance to the congress has an help from the Plan Propio de Investigación (UMA). Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Antioxidant potential of an anthraquinone metabolite isolated from a marine fungus.

Marine ecosystem is a fruitful source of many pharmacologically active. In particular, a number of marine anthraquinones and their derivatives, have been studied for their potential as anticancer and antimetastatic agents, although little is known about their antiangiogenic activities. In addition, there is some controversy regarding the poor antioxidant effect of these marine secondary metabolites. In this study, we describe for the first time the antiangiogenic activity of an anthraquinone, isolated from a marine fungus, which was evidenced in vitro by the inhibition of the activated endothelial cells survival, proliferation, and differentiation into tubelike structures. Furthermore, we have demonstrated its protective effect against reactive oxygen species (ROS), especially in presence of hydrogen peroxide, a potent prooxidant agent. These results were evidenced by a reduced ROS production and an increased redox capacity of cells after treatment with this anthraquinone, evidenced through the staining with DCFHDA and the sulfhydryl groups determination, respectively. The observation that this compound appears to present a more potent effect in tumor than in endothelial cells, suggests a putative selectivity. All these results highlight the need for further study of this molecule as a potential therapeutic agent for cancer and other angiogenesisdependent diseases.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Improving the lipid profile of beef burgers added with chia oil (Salvia hispanica L.) or hemp oil (Cannabis sativa L.) gelled emulsions as partial animal fat replacers

New gelled emulsions (GE) based on amaranth flour mixed with chia or hemp oil were developed and used as partial pork back-fat replacer (25 and 50%) in beef burgers. The addition of GE decreased the fat content in the burgers between 12% and 33%. The use of GE decreased the amount of palmitic, stearic, and oleic fatty acids and increased the amount of linolenic (higher in amaranth-hemp GE) and α-linolenic (higher in amaranth-chia GE) fatty acids. Both GE improved the n-6/n-3 and PUFA/SFA nutritional ratios in burgers and the AI, TI, h/H indices related to healthy properties of lipid fractions. Color, water activity, pH, and texture were not affected by the addition of GE but cooking loss, shrinkage, and thickness changes were increased (higher in amaranth-hemp GE). Burgers containing amaranth-chia GE (both raw and cooked) resulted in more susceptibility to lipid oxidation than the others and also resulted in lower sensorial acceptability. As a general conclusion, the use of amaranthhemp GE as pork backfat substitute improve nutritional characteristics of the burgers without affecting technological or sensory properties