Impact of fungal contamination of wheat on grain quality criteria

peer-reviewedThe aim of this study was to investigate the spread of minimal, field born Fusarium infections in wheat during storage and the resulting impact on grain quality. Therefore, Fusarium culmorum was chosen as the representative strain. Wheat grains were artificially infected and stored for 6 weeks in a model system. To estimate the fungal growth, the ergosterol content was determined as this correlates with the fungal biomass. Ergosterol levels revealed a rapid spread of the infection during storage conditions. Furthermore, analysis of nine mycotoxins showed that Deoxynivalenol and Zearalenone occurred in concentrations exceeding the maximum residue limits. Scanning electron microscopy illustrated the penetration of the fungus into the endosperm and showed the degradation of important seed constituents, such as starch and storage proteins. This is mainly due to the increased activity of proteases and amylases by the fungal metabolism. The results of this study show how small levels of field contamination can easily spread during storage and so lead to significant losses in grain quality and present a potential consumer health hazard. Thus, it demonstrates the need to develop efficient methods for crop protection during storage, without compromising the quality

Vitamin D and prognostic factors in patients with severe Covid-19 in the amazon region

Vitamin D refers to a group of fat-soluble compounds involved in essential biological functions in the human body, besides playing a role in immunomodulation, lung and muscle function, cardiovascular health and in the prevention of infectious diseases. Evidence shows high prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency worldwide, which is considered a public health problem. In the context of Covid-19, a correlation between low vitamin D levels and cases/mortality was identified and that vitamin D deficiency increased hospitalization and total mortality, verifying a strong association between disease severity and vitamin D3 deficiency. To evaluate data on vitamin D3 dosage in patients with severe Covid-19 in the Amazon region, correlating it with prognostic variables (nosographic and anthropometric data) arising from the disease. The medical records of patients of both sexes, belonging to age groups equal to or greater than 18 years old, with the diagnosis of severe Covid-19 were evaluated. This was a cross-sectional epidemiological study between October and November 2021 involving patients with severe Covid-19 that presented in their medical records anthropometric data, seen at urgent and emergency healthcare units in the city of Manaus-AM, Northern region of Brazil. The sample consisted of 68 patients with a mean age of 56.8 ± 20.0 years, 50% female and 50% male, with a mean BMI of 28.5 ± 6.2 kg/m2 and most of them overweight or obese (69.8%). Hypertension (57.1%) and Diabetes Mellitus (44.6%) were the most frequent comorbidities among the evaluated patients. Body mass index showed weak inverse correlation with vitamin D3 (P=0.044) and overweight/obese patients had lower vitamin D3 serum levels than eutrophic participants (P=0.004). Classification of serum vitamin D3 levels indicated that most patients were deficient. Significant relationships were found between vitamin D levels and the number of cases of Covid-19 and, especially, the mortality caused by this infection. The population group most vulnerable to the disease, the aging population, is also the one with the most deficient vitamin D levels

A New PqsR Inverse Agonist Potentiates Tobramycin Efficacy to Eradicate Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilms

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) infections can be notoriously difficult to treat and are often accompanied by the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Quorum sensing inhibitors (QSI) acting on PqsR (MvfR) – a crucial transcriptional regulator serving major functions in PA virulence – can enhance antibiotic efficacy and eventually prevent the AMR. An integrated drug discovery campaign including design, medicinal chemistry-driven hit-to-lead optimization and in-depth biological profiling of a new QSI generation is reported. The QSI possess excellent activity in inhibiting pyocyanin production and PqsR reporter-gene with IC50 values as low as 200 and 11 × 10−9 m, respectively. Drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (DMPK) as well as safety pharmacology studies especially highlight the promising translational properties of the lead QSI for pulmonary applications. Moreover, target engagement of the lead QSI is shown in a PA mucoid lung infection mouse model. Beyond that, a significant synergistic effect of a QSI-tobramycin (Tob) combination against PA biofilms using a tailor-made squalene-derived nanoparticle (NP) formulation, which enhance the minimum biofilm eradicating concentration (MBEC) of Tob more than 32-fold is demonstrated. The novel lead QSI and the accompanying NP formulation highlight the potential of adjunctive pathoblocker-mediated therapy against PA infections opening up avenues for preclinical development

Analysis of Ratios in Multivariate Morphometry

The analysis of ratios of body measurements is deeply ingrained in the taxonomic literature. Whether for plants or animals, certain ratios are commonly indicated in identification keys, diagnoses, and descriptions. They often provide the only means for separation of cryptic species that mostly lack distinguishing qualitative characters. Additionally, they provide an obvious way to study differences in body proportions, as ratios reflect geometric shape differences. However, when it comes to multivariate analysis of body measurements, for instance, with linear discriminant analysis (LDA) or principal component analysis (PCA), interpretation using body ratios is difficult. Both techniques are commonly applied for separating similar taxa or for exploring the structure of variation, respectively, and require standardized raw or log-transformed variables as input. Here, we develop statistical procedures for the analysis of body ratios in a consistent multivariate statistical framework. In particular, we present algorithms adapted to LDA and PCA that allow the interpretation of numerical results in terms of body proportions. We first introduce a method called the “LDA ratio extractor,” which reveals the best ratios for separation of two or more groups with the help of discriminant analysis. We also provide measures for deciding how much of the total differences between individuals or groups of individuals is due to size and how much is due to shape. The second method, a graphical tool called the “PCA ratio spectrum,” aims at the interpretation of principal components in terms of body ratios. Based on a similar idea, the “allometry ratio spectrum” is developed which can be used for studying the allometric behavior of ratios. Because size can be defined in different ways, we discuss several concepts of size. Central to this discussion is Jolicoeur's multivariate generalization of the allometry equation, a concept that was derived only with a heuristic argument. Here we present a statistical derivation of the allometric size vector using the method of least squares. The application of the above methods is extensively demonstrated using published data sets from parasitic wasps and rock crabs

Eddy Study to Understand Physical-Chemical-Biological Coupling and the Biological Carbon Pump as a Function of Eddy Type off West Africa, Cruise No. M160, 23.11.2019 - 20.12.2019, Mindelo (Cabo Verde) - Mindelo (Cabo Verde)

Cruise M160 is part of concerted MOSES/REEBUS Eddy Study featuring three major research expeditions (M156, M160, MSM104). It aims to develop both a qualitative and quantitative understanding of the role of physical-chemical-biological coupling in eddies for the biological pump. The study is part of the MOSES “Ocean Eddies” event chain, which follows three major hypotheses to be addressed by the MOSES/REEBUS field campaigns: (1) Mesoscale and sub-mesoscale eddies play an important role in transferring energy along the energy cascade from the large-scale circulation to dissipation at the molecular level. (2) Mesoscale and sub-mesoscale eddies are important drivers in determining onset, magnitude and characteristics of biological productivity in the ocean and contribute significantly to global primary production and particle export and transfer to the deep ocean. (3) Mesoscale and sub-mesoscale eddies are important for shaping extreme biogeochemical environments (e.g., pH, oxygen) in the oceans, thus acting as a source/sink function for greenhouse gases. In contrast to the other two legs, MOSES Eddy Study II during M160 did not include any benthic work but focused entirely on the pelagic dynamics within eddies. It accomplished a multi-disciplinary, multi-parameter and multi-platform study of two discrete cyclonic eddies in an unprecedented complexity. The pre-cruise search for discrete eddies suitable for detailed study during M160 had already started a few months prior to the cruise. Remote sensing data products (sea surface height, sea surface temperature, ocean color/chlorophyll a) were used in combination with eddy detection algorithms and numerical modelling to identify and track eddies in the entire eddy field off West Africa. In addition, 2 gliders and 1 waveglider had been set out from Mindelo/Cabo Verde for pre-cruise mapping of the potential working area north of the Cabo Verdean archipelago. At the start of M160, a few suitable eddies – mostly of cyclonic type – had been identified, some of which were outside the safe operation range of the motorglider plane. As technical problems delayed the flight operations, the first eddy (center at 14.5°N/25°W) for detailed study was chosen to the southwest of the island of Fogo. It was decided to carry out a first hydrographic survey there followed by the deployment of a suite of instruments (gliders, waveglider, floats, drifter short-term mooring). Such instrumented, we left this first eddy and transited – via a strong anticyclonic feature southwest of the island of Santiago – to the region northeast of the island of Sal, i.e. in the working range of the glider plane. During the transit, a full suite of underway measurements as well as CTD/RO section along 22°W (16°-18.5°N) were carried in search for sub-surface expressions of anticyclonic eddy features. In the northeast, we had identified the second strong cyclonic eddy (center at 18°N/22.5°W) which was chosen for detailed study starting with a complete hydrographic survey (ADCP, CTD/RO, other routine station work). After completion of the mesoscale work program, we identified a strong frontal region at the southwestern rim of the cyclonic eddy, which was chosen for the first sub-mesoscale study with aerial observation component. There, the first dye release experiment was carried out which consisted of the dye release itself followed by an intense multi-platforms study of the vertical and horizontal spreading of the initial dye streak. This work was METEOR-Berichte, Cruise M160, Mindelo – Mindelo, 23.11.2019 4 – 20.12.2019 supported and partly guided by aerial observation of the research motorglider Stemme, which was still somewhat compromised by technical issues and meteorological conditions (high cloud cover, Saharan dust event). Nevertheless, this first dye release experiment was successful and showed rapid movement of the dynamic meandering front. After completion of work on this second eddy and execution of a focused sampling program at the Cape Verde Ocean Observation, RV METEOR returned to the first eddy for continuation of the work started there in the beginning of the cruise. This was accompanied by a relocation of the airbase of Stemme from the international airport of Sal to the domestic airport of Fogo. The further execution of the eddy study at this first eddy, which again included a complete hydrographic survey followed by a mesoscale eddy study with dye release, was therefore possible with aerial observations providing important guidance for work on RV METEOR. Overall, M160 accomplished an extremely intense and complex work program with 212 instrument deployments during station work, 137 h of observation with towed instruments and a wide range of underway measurements throughout the cruise. Up to about 30 individually tracked platforms (Seadrones, glider, wavegliders, drifters, floats) were in the water at the same time providing unprecedented and orchestrated observation capabilities in an eddy. All planned work components were achieved and all working groups acquired the expected numbers of instrument deployments and sampling opportunities

Gigantic Suprapubic Lymphedema: A Case Study

We present the first case study of idiopathic gigantic suprapubic lymphedema and buried penis treated with puboscrotal reconstruction in a patient with initial extreme obesity after an extensive weight reduction (120 kg). Massive localized lymphedema of the suprapubic region should be differentiated from the scrotal type. Severe lymphedema could not resolve on its own and weight reduction does not seem to be helpful in such cases

High-grade Carcinoma of the Proximal Ureter With Negative Nephroureteroscopy Detected by a Positive FISH Test: A Rare Case Report

Upper tract urothelial carcinomas in the proximal ureter are an uncommon disease. We present a case in which it was firstly detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization and not by endoscopy and radiologic imaging. Consequently, a radical nephroureterectomy with excision of the bladder cuff was performed as the gold standard treatment