Phytopathogenic fungi associated with blueberry dieback (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) pruning and sealing management

Objective: Identify the phytopathogenic fungi related to the downward death of blueberry, verify their pathogenicity, their incidence after pruning and the type of sealing. Design/methodology/approach: For this, samples of symptomatic stems and branches were collected in eight commercial blueberry lots in the municipalities of Ahome, El Fuerte and Guasave in the state of Sinaloa, of which 196 fungal isolates were obtained, which were morphologically identified; to subsequently perform pathogenicity tests on detached leaf and bilox rods; Likewise, 2 pruning angles and three sealants were evaluated compared to an absolute control with a completely random arrangement. Results: Based on morphological analysis, the genera were determined: Alternaria, Fusarium, Lasiodiplodia, Pestalotia and Curvularia, however, only the isolates of Lasiodiplodia were pathogenic in leaves and rods, while the best result is achieved with the angle of pruning 45º and sealing with vinyl paint type washable plastic plus copper oxychloride. Limitations on study/implications: There were no limitations. Findings/conclusions: The results achieved open new lines of research related to the molecular identification and impact of the disease on performanc

Reducción de la fertilización sintética con composta y optimización del riego sobre la pudrición del tallo (Fusarium spp) del maíz

Maize is the most important grain crop in Mexico due to the largest area grown and as the main source of feeding nationwide; being Sinaloa de major producer. The same crop over repeated seasons has favored disease proliferation of stem and ear rot mainly attributed to Fusarium spp which represents a risk potential so that growers are warned top pay close attention to crop management. With the purpose of evaluating the effect of synthetic fertilization with compost and irrigation on maize stem and ear rot at Valle del Fuerte. Field experiments were conducted in the growing season of 2009 at INIFAP. The experiments were arranged under a split plot in randomized complete block design with three replicates. At the end of the season, it was found that fertilization or irrigation by themselves did not have any significant effect in yield and phenology variables evaluated. However, incidence on stem rot which was evaluated at 53 days after planting was that of 100%. Moreover, there were significant differences regarding severity of rotten ears when less irrigation was applied. Finally, morphological study showed that the main agent associated in maize stem rot was Fusarium verticilliodes. In contrast to that of ear rot that the main agents involved were Apergillus spp, Penicillum pinophilum, and with a higher incidence was Fusarium verticilliodes.El maíz es el cultivo agrícola de grano más importante de México por ser sembrado con mayor superficie y ser la base de la alimentación en toda la nación siendo Sinaloa el principal productor. La siembra repetitiva del cultivo efectuada a través de los años, ha favorecido la proliferación de enfermedades como la pudrición de tallos y la pudrición de mazorcas, atribuidas principalmente a Fusarium spp, las cuales representan un potencial de riesgo y han alertado al productor a poner mucha atención en el manejo del cultivo. Con el objetivo de evaluar el efecto de la fertilización sintética con composta y riego sobre la pudrición de tallos y mazorcas de maíz en el Valle del Fuerte; experimentos de campo se condujeron en el ciclo agrícola primavera-verano 2009 en el INIFAP. El experimento fue diseñado en parcelas divididas en bloques completos al azar con tres repeticiones; al final del ciclo se encontró que no hubo diferencias significativas del factor fertilización y riego respecto al rendimiento así como las variables fenológicas evaluadas. La incidencia de pudrición de tallos evaluada a los 53 días después de la siembra fue de 100%. Sin embargo, se encontraron diferencias significativas en cuanto a la severidad de mazorcas podridas donde se aplicaron menos riegos. Finalmente, el estudio morfológico mostro que el principal agente asociado en pudrición de tallos fue Fusarium verticilliodes y en cuanto a pudrición de mazorcas se detectó una mayor diversidad de agentes asociados tales como Apergillus spp, Penicillum pinophilum, y con mayor incidencia Fusarium verticilliodes

Nutrient removal and yield of different maize hybrids

Objective: to determine the macro and micronutrient removal values and potential yield of different hybrids, and, also to determine the relationship between grain nutrient removal and grain yield. Design/methodology/approach: to assess correlations and determine the association degree between the nutrient removal values and grain yield. Results: the total nutrient removal values were in N> K> Ca> Mg> P, and Mn> Fe> Zn> B> Cu order, which are higher values when compared to another research. Also, these provide the mineral content in grains, which is a nutritional quality-related parameter. Limitations on study/implications: increasing the number of hybrids, different fertilization rates, different soil conditions, and crop management practices should be evaluated to assess whether these influence/inhibit the final nutrient concentration and total removal in grain. Findings/conclusions: The total grain nutrient removal values varied as a function of hybrids, yield goal, and nutrient concentration in tissues. These values allow the adjustment of current fertilization rates. The same hybrids under different management practices (fertilization dose), or soil types, substantially influence the grain nutrient concentration and therefore total nutrient removal

ESR1 gene promoter region methylation in free circulating DNA and its correlation with estrogen receptor protein expression in tumor tissue in breast cancer patients

[Background] Tumor expression of estrogen receptor (ER) is an important marker of prognosis, and is predictive of response to endocrine therapy in breast cancer. Several studies have observed that epigenetic events, such methylation of cytosines and deacetylation of histones, are involved in the complex mechanisms that regulate promoter transcription. However, the exact interplay of these factors in transcription activity is not well understood. In this study, we explored the relationship between ER expression status in tumor tissue samples and the methylation of the 5′ CpG promoter region of the estrogen receptor gene (ESR1) isolated from free circulating DNA (fcDNA) in plasma samples from breast cancer patients. [Methods] Patients (n = 110) with non-metastatic breast cancer had analyses performed of ER expression (luminal phenotype in tumor tissue, by immunohistochemistry method), and the ESR1-DNA methylation status (fcDNA in plasma, by quantitative methylation specific PCR technique). [Results] Our results showed a significant association between presence of methylated ESR1 in patients with breast cancer and ER negative status in the tumor tissue (p = 0.0179). There was a trend towards a higher probability of ESR1-methylation in those phenotypes with poor prognosis i.e. 80% of triple negative patients, 60% of HER2 patients, compared to 28% and 5.9% of patients with better prognosis such as luminal A and luminal B, respectively. [Conclusion] Silencing, by methylation, of the promoter region of the ESR1 affects the expression of the estrogen receptor protein in tumors of breast cancer patients; high methylation of ESR1-DNA is associated with estrogen receptor negative status which, in turn, may be implicated in the patient’s resistance to hormonal treatment in breast cancer. As such, epigenetic markers in plasma may be of interest as new targets for anticancer therapy, especially with respect to endocrine treatment.The study was funded, in part, by a grant from the Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (CICYT: SAF 2004–00889)

Role of age and comorbidities in mortality of patients with infective endocarditis

[Purpose]: The aim of this study was to analyse the characteristics of patients with IE in three groups of age and to assess the ability of age and the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) to predict mortality. [Methods]: Prospective cohort study of all patients with IE included in the GAMES Spanish database between 2008 and 2015.Patients were stratified into three age groups:<65 years,65 to 80 years,and ≥ 80 years.The area under the receiver-operating characteristic (AUROC) curve was calculated to quantify the diagnostic accuracy of the CCI to predict mortality risk. [Results]: A total of 3120 patients with IE (1327 < 65 years;1291 65-80 years;502 ≥ 80 years) were enrolled.Fever and heart failure were the most common presentations of IE, with no differences among age groups.Patients ≥80 years who underwent surgery were significantly lower compared with other age groups (14.3%,65 years; 20.5%,65-79 years; 31.3%,≥80 years). In-hospital mortality was lower in the <65-year group (20.3%,<65 years;30.1%,65-79 years;34.7%,≥80 years;p < 0.001) as well as 1-year mortality (3.2%, <65 years; 5.5%, 65-80 years;7.6%,≥80 years; p = 0.003).Independent predictors of mortality were age ≥ 80 years (hazard ratio [HR]:2.78;95% confidence interval [CI]:2.32–3.34), CCI ≥ 3 (HR:1.62; 95% CI:1.39–1.88),and non-performed surgery (HR:1.64;95% CI:11.16–1.58).When the three age groups were compared,the AUROC curve for CCI was significantly larger for patients aged <65 years(p < 0.001) for both in-hospital and 1-year mortality. [Conclusion]: There were no differences in the clinical presentation of IE between the groups. Age ≥ 80 years, high comorbidity (measured by CCI),and non-performance of surgery were independent predictors of mortality in patients with IE.CCI could help to identify those patients with IE and surgical indication who present a lower risk of in-hospital and 1-year mortality after surgery, especially in the <65-year group

Reducción de la fertilización sintética con composta y optimización del riego sobre la pudrición del tallo (Fusarium spp) del maíz

Maize is the most important grain crop in Mexico due to the largest area grown and as the main source of feeding nationwide; being Sinaloa de major producer. The same crop over repeated seasons has favored disease proliferation of stem and ear rot mainly attributed to Fusarium spp which represents a risk potential so that growers are warned top pay close attention to crop management. With the purpose of evaluating the effect of synthetic fertilization with compost and irrigation on maize stem and ear rot at Valle del Fuerte. Field experiments were conducted in the growing season of 2009 at INIFAP. The experiments were arranged under a split plot in randomized complete block design with three replicates. At the end of the season, it was found that fertilization or irrigation by themselves did not have any significant effect in yield and phenology variables evaluated. However, incidence on stem rot which was evaluated at 53 days after planting was that of 100%. Moreover, there were significant differences regarding severity of rotten ears when less irrigation was applied. Finally, morphological study showed that the main agent associated in maize stem rot was Fusarium verticilliodes. In contrast to that of ear rot that the main agents involved were Apergillus spp, Penicillum pinophilum, and with a higher incidence was Fusarium verticilliodes.El maíz es el cultivo agrícola de grano más importante de México por ser sembrado con mayor superficie y ser la base de la alimentación en toda la nación siendo Sinaloa el principal productor. La siembra repetitiva del cultivo efectuada a través de los años, ha favorecido la proliferación de enfermedades como la pudrición de tallos y la pudrición de mazorcas, atribuidas principalmente a Fusarium spp, las cuales representan un potencial de riesgo y han alertado al productor a poner mucha atención en el manejo del cultivo. Con el objetivo de evaluar el efecto de la fertilización sintética con composta y riego sobre la pudrición de tallos y mazorcas de maíz en el Valle del Fuerte; experimentos de campo se condujeron en el ciclo agrícola primavera-verano 2009 en el INIFAP. El experimento fue diseñado en parcelas divididas en bloques completos al azar con tres repeticiones; al final del ciclo se encontró que no hubo diferencias significativas del factor fertilización y riego respecto al rendimiento así como las variables fenológicas evaluadas. La incidencia de pudrición de tallos evaluada a los 53 días después de la siembra fue de 100%. Sin embargo, se encontraron diferencias significativas en cuanto a la severidad de mazorcas podridas donde se aplicaron menos riegos. Finalmente, el estudio morfológico mostro que el principal agente asociado en pudrición de tallos fue Fusarium verticilliodes y en cuanto a pudrición de mazorcas se detectó una mayor diversidad de agentes asociados tales como Apergillus spp, Penicillum pinophilum, y con mayor incidencia Fusarium verticilliodes

Synthetic fertilization reduction with compost and irrigation optimization on maize stem rot (Fusarium spp)

Maize is the most important grain crop in Mexico due to the largest area grown and as the main source of feeding nationwide; being Sinaloa de major producer. The same crop over repeated seasons has favored disease proliferation of stem and ear rot mainly attributed to Fusarium spp which represents a risk potential so that growers are warned top pay close attention to crop management. With the purpose of evaluating the effect of synthetic fertilization with compost and irrigation on maize stem and ear rot at Valle del Fuerte. Field experiments were conducted in the growing season of 2009 at INIFAP. The experiments were arranged under a split plot in randomized complete block design with three replicates. At the end of the season, it was found that fertilization or irrigation by themselves did not have any significant effect in yield and phenology variables evaluated. However, incidence on stem rot which was evaluated at 53 days after planting was that of 100%. Moreover, there were significant differences regarding severity of rotten ears when less irrigation was applied. Finally, morphological study showed that the main agent associated in maize stem rot was Fusarium verticilliodes. In contrast to that of ear rot that the main agents involved were Apergillus spp, Penicillum pinophilum, and with a higher incidence was Fusarium verticilliodes