Restoration of Key Middle Age Demographic Can Save the African Methodist Episcopal Church

St. Luke faced years of struggles resulting in a dwindling ministry and membership with specific impacts resulting in missing generations within the church. The missing generations include Generation X who were born between 1965-1980, Generation Y who were born between 1981-1996, and generation Z who were born between 1997-2012. There are many methods used to combat church decline and incentivize membership growth including evangelism, mega facilities, appealing ministry, and church legacy attracting the community. This research sought to prove that if ministries were developed specifically targeting the wants and needs of the missing generations souls would be won for Christ and the St. Luke membership would grow. To identify the needs and desires of potential members, a survey was conducted to understand the current spiritual state, any existing church hurt, and ministry topics. Using the information gathered the St. Luke ministry was revamped and participants were invited to participate in the ministry classes and activities. Interviews of the participants were executed to gauge the success and execution of the new ministry approach as well as understand more about the answers provided on the surveys

Sexuality Generates Diversity in the Aflatoxin Gene Cluster: Evidence on a Global Scale

Aflatoxins are produced by Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus in oil-rich seed and grain crops and are a serious problem in agriculture, with aflatoxin B₁ being the most carcinogenic natural compound known. Sexual reproduction in these species occurs between individuals belonging to different vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs). We examined natural genetic variation in 758 isolates of A. flavus, A. parasiticus and A. minisclerotigenes sampled from single peanut fields in the United States (Georgia), Africa (Benin), Argentina (Córdoba), Australia (Queensland) and India (Karnataka). Analysis of DNA sequence variation across multiple intergenic regions in the aflatoxin gene clusters of A. flavus, A. parasiticus and A. minisclerotigenes revealed significant linkage disequilibrium (LD) organized into distinct blocks that are conserved across different localities, suggesting that genetic recombination is nonrandom and a global occurrence. To assess the contributions of asexual and sexual reproduction to fixation and maintenance of toxin chemotype diversity in populations from each locality/species, we tested the null hypothesis of an equal number of MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 mating-type individuals, which is indicative of a sexually recombining population. All samples were clone-corrected using multi-locus sequence typing which associates closely with VCG. For both A. flavus and A. parasiticus, when the proportions of MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 were significantly different, there was more extensive LD in the aflatoxin cluster and populations were fixed for specific toxin chemotype classes, either the non-aflatoxigenic class in A. flavus or the B₁-dominant and G₁-dominant classes in A. parasiticus. A mating type ratio close to 1∶1 in A. flavus, A. parasiticus and A. minisclerotigenes was associated with higher recombination rates in the aflatoxin cluster and less pronounced chemotype differences in populations. This work shows that the reproductive nature of the population (more sexual versus more asexual) is predictive of aflatoxin chemotype diversity in these agriculturally important fungi

Unravelling the Diversity of the Cyclopiazonic Acid Family of Mycotoxins in Aspergillus flavus by UHPLC Triple-TOF HRMS

Cyclopiazonic acid (α-cyclopiazonic acid, α-CPA) is an indole-hydrindane-tetramic acid neurotoxin produced by various fungal species, including the notorious food and feed contaminant Aspergillus flavus. Despite its discovery in A. flavus cultures approximately 40 years ago, its contribution to the A. flavus mycotoxin burden is consistently minimized by our focus on the more potent carcinogenic aflatoxins also produced by this fungus. Here, we report the screening and identification of several CPA-type alkaloids not previously found in A. flavus cultures. Our identifications of these CPA-type alkaloids are based on a dereplication strategy involving accurate mass high resolution mass spectrometry data and a careful study of the α-CPA fragmentation pattern. In total, 22 CPA-type alkaloids were identified in extracts from the A. flavus strains examined. Of these metabolites, 13 have been previously reported in other fungi, though this is the first report of their existence in A. flavus. Two of our metabolite discoveries, 11,12-dehydro α-CPA and 3-hydroxy-2-oxo CPA, have never been reported for any organism. The conspicuous presence of CPA and its numerous derivatives in A. flavus cultures raises concerns about the long-term and cumulative toxicological effects of these fungal secondary metabolites and their contributions to the entire A. flavus mycotoxin problem.Valdet Uka was financially supported by Project Basileus V (Erasmus Mundus Action 2) funding from the European Commission

Microbiota of maize kernels as influenced by Aspergillus flavus infection in susceptible and resistant inbreds

BackgroundNearly everything on Earth harbors a microbiome. A microbiome is a community of microbes (bacteria, fungi, and viruses) with potential to form complex networks that involve mutualistic and antagonistic interactions. Resident microbiota on/in an organism are determined by the external environment, both biotic and abiotic, and the intrinsic adaptability of each organism. Although the maize microbiome has been characterized, community changes that result from the application of fungal biocontrol strains, such as non-aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus, have not.MethodsWe silk channel inoculated field-grown maize separately with a non-aflatoxigenic biocontrol strain (K49), a highly toxigenic strain (Tox4), and a combination of both A. flavus strains. Two maize inbreds were treated, A. flavus-susceptible B73 and A. flavus-resistant CML322. We then assessed the impacts of A. flavus introduction on the epibiota and endobiota of their maize kernels.ResultsWe found that the native microbial communities were significantly affected, irrespective of genotype or sampled tissue. Overall, bacteriomes exhibited greater diversity of genera than mycobiomes. The abundance of certain genera was unchanged by treatment, including genera of bacteria (e.g., Enterobacter, Pantoea) and fungi (e.g., Sarocladium, Meyerozyma) that are known to be beneficial, antagonistic, or both on plant growth and health.ConclusionBeneficial microbes like Sarocladium that responded well to A. flavus biocontrol strains are expected to enhance biocontrol efficacy, while also displacing/antagonizing harmful microbes

Sexuality generates diversity in the Aflatoxin Gene cluster: evidence on a global scale

Aflatoxins are produced by Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus in oil-rich seed and grain crops and are a serious problem in agriculture, with aflatoxin B1 being the most carcinogenic natural compound known. Sexual reproduction in these species occurs between individuals belonging to different vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs). We examined natural genetic variation in 758 isolates of A. flavus, A. parasiticus and A. minisclerotigenes sampled from single peanut fields in the United States (Georgia), Africa (Benin), Argentina (Co´rdoba), Australia (Queensland) and India (Karnataka). Analysis of DNA sequence variation across multiple intergenic regions in the aflatoxin gene clusters of A. flavus, A. parasiticus and A. minisclerotigenes revealed significant linkage disequilibrium (LD) organized into distinct blocks that are conserved across different localities, suggesting that genetic recombination is nonrandom and a global occurrence. To assess the contributions of asexual and sexual reproduction to fixation and maintenance of toxin chemotype diversity in populations from each locality/species, we tested the null hypothesis of an equal number of MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 mating-type individuals, which is indicative of a sexually recombining population. All samples were clone-corrected using multi-locus sequence typing which associates closely with VCG. For both A. flavus and A. parasiticus, when the proportions of MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 were significantly different, there was more extensive LD in the aflatoxin cluster and populations were fixed for specific toxin chemotype classes, either the non-aflatoxigenic class in A. flavus or the B1-dominant and G1-dominant classes in A. parasiticus. A mating type ratio close to 1:1 in A. flavus, A. parasiticus and A. minisclerotigenes was associated with higher recombination rates in the aflatoxin cluster and less pronounced chemotype differences in populations. This work shows that the reproductive nature of the population (more sexual versus more asexual) is predictive of aflatoxin chemotype diversity in these agriculturally important fungi.Fil: Moore, Geromy G.. United States Department of Agriculture; Estados UnidosFil: Elliott, Jacalyn L.. University Of North Carolina; Estados UnidosFil: Singh, Rakhi. University Of North Carolina; Estados UnidosFil: Horn, Bruce W.. United States Department Of Agriculture; Estados UnidosFil: Dorner, Jeo W.. United States Department Of Agriculture; Estados UnidosFil: Stone, Eric A.. University Of North Carolina; Estados UnidosFil: Chulze, Sofia Noemi. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Fisicoquímicas y Naturales. Departamento de Microbiología E Inmunología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Barros, Germán Gustavo. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Fisicoquímicas y Naturales. Departamento de Microbiología E Inmunología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Naik, Manjunath K.. College of Agriculture. Department of Plant Pathology; IndiaFil: Wright, Graeme C.. Department of Primary Industries; AustraliaFil: Hell, Kerstin. International Institute of Tropical Agriculture; BenínFil: Carbone, Ignazio. University Of North Carolina; Estados Unido

Portland Challenger-September 9, 1952

Publisher William A. Hilliard Editor William A. Hilliard Address 3300 N. Williams Avehttps://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/portlandchallenger/1003/thumbnail.jp

Evaluation of Services Provided to Pregnant African Refugees by Catholic Social Services Refugee Resettlement Agency in Dayton Ohio

In 2016 Public Health - Dayton and Montgomery County declared birth outcomes the number one priority in their Community Health Improvement Plan. To improve the infant mortality rate (IMR), racial disparities must be address and considerations should be given to Dayton’s newest and most vulnerable neighbors. Dayton receives between 200 and 250 refugees each year, 70% of whom are from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. African refugees have higher infant mortally and poorer birth outcomes than native populations in the U.S. Early and regular prenatal care is protective against infant mortality, and African refugees consistently report delayed and infrequent prenatal care. Five categories affect utilization of prenatal services by African refugees; migration factors, cultural factors, treatment and communication factors, socioeconomic and accessibility factors, and social and psychological factors. This paper describes the services that Catholic Social Services (CSS) Refugee Resettlement Agency provides to newly-arrived pregnant refugees and compares these services to published guidelines and best practice models. When compared, CSS provide adequate services to address socioeconomic and accessibility factors through funding provided by the Department of State. While CSS provided some services towards the other four categories, none of them are comprehensive. The acculturation process provides an opportunity for CSS to address migration and cultural factors. But it is through strong community partnerships with local stakeholders that CSS can provide comprehensive services to address all the factors that affect prenatal care utilization in African refugees

Secondary Metabolite Dereplication and Phylogenetic Analysis Identify Various Emerging Mycotoxins and Reveal the High Intra-Species Diversity in Aspergillus flavus

Aspergillus flavus is one of the most important mycotoxigenic species from the genus Aspergillus, due to its ability to synthesize the potent hepatocarcinogen, aflatoxin B1. Moreover, this fungus is capable of producing several other toxic metabolites from the class of indole-tetramates, non-ribosomal peptides, and indole-diterpenoids. Populations of A. flavus are characterized by considerable diversity in terms of morphological, functional and genetic features. Although for many years A. flavus was considered an asexual fungus, researchers have shown evidence that at best these fungi can exhibit a predominantly asexual existence. We now know that A. flavus contains functional genes for mating, uncovering sexuality as potential contributor for its diversification. Based on our results, we reconfirm that A. flavus is a predominant producer of B-type aflatoxins. Moreover, this fungus can decisively produce AFM1 and AFM2. We did not observe any clear relationship between mating-type genes and particular class of metabolites, probably other parameters such as sexual/asexual ratio should be investigated. A dynamic secondary metabolism was found also in strains intended to be used as biocontrol agents. In addition we succeeded to provide mass spectrometry fragmentation spectra for the most important classes of A. flavus metabolites, which will serve as identification cards for future studies. Both, metabolic and phylogenetic analysis proved a high intra-species diversity for A. flavus. These findings contribute to our understanding about the diversity of Aspergillus section Flavi species, raising the necessity for polyphasic approaches (morphological, metabolic, genetic, etc.) when dealing with this type of complex group of species

Molecular diversity of seed-borne Fusarium species associated with maize in India

A total of 106 maize seed samples were collected from different agro-climatic regions ofIndia. Sixty-two Fusarium isolates were recovered, 90% of which were identified as Fusarium verticillioidesbased on morphological and molecular characters. Use of the tef-1alpha gene corrected/refinedthe morphological species identifications of 11 isolates, and confirmed those of the remaining isolates. Genetic diversityamong the Fusarium isolates involved multilocus fingerprinting profiles by Inter Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSR) UPGMAand tef-1 alpha gene phenetic analyses; for which, we observed no significant differences among the isolates based ongeographic origin or fumonisin production; most of the subdivision related to species. Genotyping was performed on theF. verticillioides isolates, using 12 primer sets from the fumonisin pathway, to elucidate the molecular basis of fumonisinproduction or non-production. One fumonisin-negative isolate, UOMMF-16, was unable to amplify nine of the 12 fumonisincluster genes tested. We also used the CD-ELISA method to confirm fumonisin production for our 62 Fusariumisolates. Only 15 isolates were found to be fumonisin-negative. Interestingly, genotypic characterization revealed six isolateswith various gene deletion patterns that also tested positive for the production of fumonisins via CD-ELISA. Ourfindings confirm the importance of molecular studies for species delimitation, and for observing genetic and phenotypicdiversity, among the Fusaria.</p