A review on bioactive compounds isolated from plants active against phytopathogenic fungi.

Plant-derived compounds are regarded as a substantial source for novel lead structures to develop medicines and biocides natural products. Concurrent with greater awareness towards the use of synthetic chemicals in agricultural practice, the application of integrated pest management programs has also increased. In recent years, there has been considerable public pressure to reduce the use of synthetic fungicides in agriculture. Although, the use of synthetic fungicides in plant disease control has been successful in improving agricultural output, several of these have been found to exhibit side-effects in the form of carcinogenicity, detrimental effects and other residual toxicities. The alternative choice therefore would be the use of botanical fungicides, which are found to be largely non-phytotoxic, systematic and easily biodegradable in nature. The present study is a summary of review literature during past decades which focused on bioactive compounds isolated from plants against plant pathogenic fungi

Clinical standards for drug-susceptible TB in children and adolescents

BACKGROUND: These clinical standards aim to provide guidance for diagnosis, treatment, and management of drug-susceptible TB in children and adolescents. METHODS: Fifty-two global experts in paediatric TB participated in a Delphi consensus process. After eight rounds of revisions, 51/52 (98%) participants endorsed the final document. RESULTS: Eight standards were identified: Standard 1, Age and developmental stage are critical considerations in the assessment and management of TB; Standard 2, Children and adolescents with symptoms and signs of TB disease should undergo prompt evaluation, and diagnosis and treatment initiation should not depend on microbiological confirmation; Standard 3, Treatment initiation is particularly urgent in children and adolescents with presumptive TB meningitis and disseminated (miliary) TB; Standard 4, Children and adolescents should be treated with an appropriate weight-based regimen; Standard 5, Treating TB infection (TBI) is important to prevent disease; Standard 6, Children and adolescents should receive home-based/community-based treatment support whenever possible; Standard 7, Children, adolescents, and their families should be provided age-appropriate support to optimise engagement in care and clinical outcomes; and Standard 8, Case reporting and contact tracing should be conducted for each child and adolescent. CONCLUSION: These consensus-based clinical standards, which should be adapted to local contexts, will improve the care of children and adolescents affected by TB.National Institutes of HealthRevisión por pare

Clinical standards for drug-susceptible TB in children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND: These clinical standards aim to provide guidance for diagnosis, treatment, and management of drug-susceptible TB in children and adolescents.METHODS: Fifty-two global experts in paediatric TB participated in a Delphi consensus process. After eight rounds of revisions, 51/52 (98%) participants endorsed the final document.RESULTS: Eight standards were identified: Standard 1, Age and developmental stage are critical considerations in the assessment and management of TB; Standard 2, Children and adolescents with symptoms and signs of TB disease should undergo prompt evaluation, and diagnosis and treatment initiation should not depend on microbiological confirmation; Standard 3, Treatment initiation is particularly urgent in children and adolescents with presumptive TB meningitis and disseminated (miliary) TB; Standard 4, Children and adolescents should be treated with an appropriate weight-based regimen; Standard 5, Treating TB infection (TBI) is important to prevent disease; Standard 6, Children and adolescents should receive home-based/community-based treatment support whenever possible; Standard 7, Children, adolescents, and their families should be provided age-appropriate support to optimise engagement in care and clinical outcomes; and Standard 8, Case reporting and contact tracing should be conducted for each child and adolescent.CONCLUSION: These consensus-based clinical standards, which should be adapted to local contexts, will improve the care of children and adolescents affected by TB

Natural flavonoids as potential multifunctional agents in prevention of diabetic cataract

Cataract is one of the earliest secondary complications of diabetes mellitus. The lens is a closed system with limited capability to repair or regenerate itself. Current evidence supports the view that cataractogenesis is a multifactorial process. Mechanisms related to glucose toxicity, namely oxidative stress, processes of non-enzymatic glycation and enhanced polyol pathway significantly contribute to the development of eye lens opacity under conditions of diabetes. There is an urgent need for inexpensive, non-surgical approaches to the treatment of cataract. Recently, considerable attention has been devoted to the search for phytochemical therapeutics. Several pharmacological actions of natural flavonoids may operate in the prevention of cataract since flavonoids are capable of affecting multiple mechanisms or etiological factors responsible for the development of diabetic cataract. In the present paper, natural flavonoids are reviewed as potential agents that could reduce the risk of cataract formation via affecting multiple pathways pertinent to eye lens opacification. In addition, the bioavailability of flavonoids for the lens is considered

Efficacy studies on prebloom canopy applications of boron and/or urea to 'Hass' avocado.

Abstract Results of four bloom studies (two glasshouse and two field experiments) demonstrated the efficacy of applying boron or urea sprays to 'Hass' avocado inflorescences during early expansion (cauliflower stage) but prior to full panicle expansion and anthesis. Anatomical analysis of the flowers provided evidence that the boron prebloom spray increased the number of pollen tubes that reached the ovule (p<0.05) and also increased ovule viability, but to a lesser degree than urea. The urea prebloom spray increased ovule viability compared to boron-treated or untreated flowers (p<0.05). Urea also increased the number of pollen tubes that reached the ovule (p<0.05), but to a lesser degree than boron. However, combining boron and urea resulted in double pistils (p<0.05), even when the urea was applied 8 days after the boron. The efficacy of using boron and/or urea as a prebloom canopy spray to increase fruit set and yield is under continued testing in commercial 'Hass' avocado orchards in southern and coastal California with low, moderate, and high leaf boron concentrations, for years when anthesis, pollination, fertilization and fruit set occur under optimal versus less than optimal climatic conditions, and for both "on" and "off' years of the alternate bearing cycle. The objective of the research is to determine, on the basis of benefit to cost, under what conditions this management strategy should or should not be utilized in California