In vitro tolerance of Fusarium semitectum and Fusarium solani (anamorphic, Ascomycota) exposed to surface disinfectant commonly used in aquaculture

Se evaluó in vitro el efecto del: acido acético (AcH), ácido acético tamponado (AcH+AcNa), ioduro de potasio (IK) y Iodopovidona (IP) sobre la tasa de crecimiento (TC) de Fusarium solani (Mart.) Sacc. 1881 y Fusarium semitectum Berk. & Ravenel, 1875. Ambas especies fueron aisladas de ovas de Odontesthes bonariensis (Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1835). Las sustancias estudiadas son comúnmente utilizadas en acuicultura como desinfectantes de superficie. Las concentraciones ensayadas con actividad fungicida para ambas cepas fueron mucho más elevadas que las correspondientes concentraciones letales medias a 96 horas (CL50-96h) para ovas de pejerrey. Concentraciones inferiores a la CL50 - 96h exhibieron un efecto fungistático escaso o nulo.An in vitro evaluation of the antifungal effect of acetic acid (AcH), buffered acetic acid (AcH+AcNa), potassium iodide (KI) and Iodopovidone (IP); on the growth rate (GR) of Fusarium solani (Mart.) Sacc. 1881 and Fusarium semitectum Berk. & Ravenel, 1875 was performed. Both fungal species were isolated from eggs of the Argentinian silverside Odontesthes bonariensis (Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1835). The studied substances are commonly used in fish farming as surface disinfectants. The tested concentrations of this substances exhibited antifungal activity for both strains at concentrations higher than their 96h median lethal concentrations (LC50-96h) for the treated eggs; concentrations below the (LC50-96h) exhibited little or no effect.Fil: Pacheco Marino, Suani Giovanna. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Instituto de Botánica Spegazzini; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Cabello, Marta N.. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Instituto de Botánica Spegazzini; Argentina. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas; ArgentinaFil: Salibián, Alfredo. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Luján; Argentin

Contribución de hongos micorrícicos nativos a la nutrición fosforada y su impacto en la partición de fotoasimilados de soja.

Estrategias de asociaciones entre plantas con hongos micorrícicos arbusculares (HMA) podrían ser utilizadas para garantizar una eficiente nutrición de fósforo (P). Sin embargo, se desconoce si prácticas usuales de largo plazo destinadas a la producción de soja en nuestro país, han deprimido el potencial de colonización y de promoción de crecimiento vegetal por las comunidades de HMA nativos. Nuestro objetivo fue cuantificar el aporte en crecimiento, absorción de P y partición de fotoasimilados en soja aportados por HMA nativos de monocultivo de soja de larga duración ante oferta diferencial de P. Se instaló un ensayo en invernáculo durante 60 días con 4 tratamientos (con “+“ y sin “-“ HMA nativos de un monocultivo de soja de larga duración instalado en Córdoba; con “+“ y sin “–“ fertilización con P por aplicación semanal de 15,5 mgP maceta-1). Los HMA nativos colonizaron las raíces de soja y favorecieron su crecimiento aun cuando la oferta de P no fue limitante. La colonización micorrícica intra y extra-radical, así como la oferta de P, favorecieron el crecimiento, la acumulación de P y el contenido y la partición de azúcares en las plantas de soja. Las plantas crecidas en presencia de micorrizas (+HMA) sin oferta de P (-P) mostraron mayor acumulación de materia seca y P. Aunque no se evidenció incremento significativo en la absorción de P por las micorrizas, las plantas en la condición +HMA y +P mostraron respuesta positiva a la micorrización en el crecimiento aéreo. Las plantas que crecieron ante +P y -HMA no fueron las de mayor crecimiento. Esto resalta la importancia de favorecer prácticas de manejo que, combinadas con la fertilización moderada destinada a la reposición de nutrientes, favorezca el mantenimiento de poblaciones de HMA nativas que pueden contribuir a un uso más eficiente de la fertilidad del suelo y favorecer el crecimiento del cultivo de soja.Association strategies between plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) could be used to ensure an efficient phosphorus (P) nutrition. However, it is unknown if current long-term practices of soybean crop production depressed potential for indigenous AMF colonization and growth promotion. Our objective was to assess the contribution on growth, P uptake and photo-assimilate partitioning in soybean. A greenhouse trial (60 days) was installed with 4 treatments (with “+“ and without “-“ AMF indigenous from a long-term soybean crop from Cordoba; with “+“ and without “-“ P fertilization by weekly application of 15.5 mg P pot-1). Indigenous AMF colonized soybean roots and favored plants growth even when the P supply was not limiting. The intra and extra-radical presence of AMF as well as the supply of P, favored the growth, the accumulation of P and the content and the partition of sugars in the soybean plants. Plants that grew in the presence of mycorrhizae (+AMF) without P supply (-P) showed increases in dry matter and accumulated P. Although there was no significant increase in the P uptake by mycorrhizae, plants in the +AMF and +P condition showed a positive response to mycorrhizal colonization in their aerial growth. Plants that grew in the -AMF and +P condition did not show higher growth. This highlights the importance of management practices for soybean crop that, in combination with moderate P fertilization aimed for nutrient replenishment; favor the maintenance of indigenous AMF activities

Compatibility between entomopathogenic fungi and biorational insecticides in toxicity against Ronderosia bergi under laboratory conditions

Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy of combinations between two biorational insecticides (luphenuron, methoxyfenozide), a new synthetic chemical pesticide (rynaxypyr), and three entomopathogenic fungi strains (Beauveria bassianaLPSc 1067, LPSc1082), and Metarhizium anisopliae (LPSc 907) in the biocontrol of the pest grasshopper Ronderosia bergi (Stål) under laboratory conditions. The insecticides were tested at three concentrations: the average concentration recommended for application in the field (100%) and 50% and finally 25% of that level. The fungal strains used were adjusted to 1×108, 1×106, and 1×104conidia ml-1. The combinations of those insecticides with B. bassiana (LPSc 1067, LPSc 1082) and M. anisopliae (LPSc 907) caused higher mortality to R. bergi nymphs than any of the individual agents used alone. The three insecticides tested did not affect the isolates of the two species of entomopathogenic fungi employed. In conclusion, the use of these biorational insecticides in an IPM program aimed at control of the grasshopper R. bergicould be of value

A new order, Entrophosporales, and three new Entrophospora species in Glomeromycota

As a result of phylogenomic, phylogenetic, and morphological analyses of members of the genus Claroideoglomus, four potential new glomoid spore-producing species and Entrophospora infrequens, a new order, Entrophosporales, with one family, Entrophosporaceae (=Claroideoglomeraceae), was erected in the phylum Glomeromycota. The phylogenomic analyses recovered the Entrophosporales as sister to a clade formed by Diversisporales and Glomeraceae. The strongly conserved entrophosporoid morph of E. infrequens, provided with a newly designated epitype, was shown to represent a group of cryptic species with the potential to produce different glomoid morphs. Of the four potential new species, three enriched the Entrophosporales as new Entrophospora species, E. argentinensis, E. glacialis, and E. furrazolae, which originated from Argentina, Sweden, Oman, and Poland. The fourth fungus appeared to be a glomoid morph of the E. infrequens epitype. The physical association of the E. infrequens entrophosporoid and glomoid morphs was reported and illustrated here for the first time. The phylogenetic analyses, using nuc rDNA and rpb1 concatenated sequences, confirmed the previous conclusion that the genus Albahypha in the family Entrophosporaceae sensu Oehl et al. is an unsupported taxon. Finally, the descriptions of the Glomerales, Entrophosporaceae, and Entrophospora were emended and new nomenclatural combinations were introduced

Report of the 2006 ICCAT workshop for bluefin tuna direct ageing

This report provides the presentations, discussions and conclusions from the ICCAT bluefin tuna workshop for direct ageing held in Santander, Spain, in April 2006. The report summarizes the ageing criteria used in the past and the agreements on future age determination based on otoliths, vertebrae and spines. Advantages and disadvantages of each calcified structure for ageing and border interpretation were discussed. It was considered that bluefin tuna age interpretation becomes very difficult from age ten onwards using the whole vertebra and the spine sections methods, but this last technique continues to be useful for older ages. Otolith sections can be used for the whole age range. Participants agreed that none of these three structures could be excluded from routine ageing because otoliths are not easily available. Age estimations within the same structure and between different structures of the same specimen were compared for several readers. Better precision was found between spine readers compared to vertebra and otolith readers. Good age agreement was also achieved between readers of spines and vertebrae from the same bluefin for ages less than 12 years. Preliminary results from radiocarbon assays on otoliths were presented at the workshop and gave promising outcomes for bluefin tuna age validation. Also, these suggested that bluefin tuna can live longer than had previously been established and that a review is needed of the currently used asymptotic size and growth rate for both stocks. Another important contribution of the workshop was a manual for age interpretation.Le présent rapport recueille les présentations, discussions et conclusions de l’Atelier de l’ICCAT chargé de la détermination directe de l’âge du thon rouge, tenu à Santander (Espagne) au mois d’avril 2006. Le rapport résume les critères employés par le passé pour interpréter l’âge et les accords pour la détermination future de l’âge à partir des otolithes, vertèbres et épines. L’Atelier a discuté des avantages et des inconvénients de chaque structure calcifiée pour déterminer l’âge et l’interprétation du type de bord. On a abordé la difficulté de l’interprétation de l’âge des thons de plus de 10 ans au moyen de la vertèbre entière et des sections des épines, bien que cette dernière méthode continue d’être utile pour les âges avancés. Les sections d’otolithes peuvent être employées pour toute la gamme d’âges. Les participants ont convenu qu’aucune de ces trois structures ne doit être exclue pour l’interprétation de l’âge parce qu’il n’est pas toujours possible d’obtenir des otolithes. On a comparé les lectures de l’âge à l’intérieur de la même structure et entre différentes structures du même exemplaire pour divers lecteurs. On a obtenu une plus grande précision parmi les lecteurs d’épines que parmi les lecteurs de vertèbres et d’otolithes. On a également obtenu un bon accord entre les lecteurs d’épines et de vertèbres originaires du même exemplaire pour les âges inférieurs à 12 ans. Les résultats préliminaires des essais de radiocarbone dans les otolithes ont été présentés à l’Atelier, offrant de bonnes perspectives pour son utilisation dans la validation de l’âge. Ces résultats indiquent aussi que le thon rouge a une plus grande longévité que ce qui avait été auparavant établi et qu’il est nécessaire de réviser la longueur asymptotique et le taux de croissance actuellement utilisés. L’élaboration d’un manuel aux fins de l’interprétation de l’âge a constitué une autre contribution importante de l’Atelier.Este informe recoge las presentaciones, discusiones y conclusiones del congreso de ICCAT para la determinación directa de la edad de atún rojo, celebrado en Santander, España, en abril de 2006. El informe resume los criterios empleados en el pasado para interpretar la edad y los acuerdos para la determinación futura de la edad a partir de otolitos, vértebras y espinas. Se discutieron las ventajas y los inconvenientes de cada estructura calcificada para determinar la edad y la interpretación del tipo borde. Se planteó la dificultad en la interpretación de la edad de atunes mayores de 10 años utilizando la vértebra entera y las secciones de espinas, no obstante este último método continúa siendo útil para edades mayores. Las secciones de otolitos pueden ser empleadas para todo el rango de edades. Los participantes acordaron que ninguna de estas tres estructuras deben excluirse para la interpretación de la edad porque no siempre es posible obtener los otolitos. Se compararon las lecturas de edad dentro de la misma estructura y entre diferentes estructuras del mismo ejemplar para varios lectores. Se obtuvo una mayor precisión entre lectores de espinas comparada con las obtenidas por los lectores de vértebras y otolitos. También se obtuvo un buen acuerdo entre lectores de espinas y vértebras procedentes del mismo ejemplar para edades menores de 12 años. Los resultados preliminares de las pruebas de radiocarbono en otolitos fueron presentados en el congreso, proporcionando buenas expectativas para su uso en la validación de la edad. Estos resultados también indican que el atún rojo es más longevo de lo que se consideraba y que es necesaria una revisión de la longitud asintótica y de la tasa de crecimiento empleadas actualmente. Otra importante contribución del congreso fue la elaboración de un manual para la interpretación de la edad

A new order, Entrophosporales, and three new Entrophospora species in Glomeromycota

As a result of phylogenomic, phylogenetic, and morphological analyses of members of the genus Claroideoglomus, four potential new glomoid spore-producing species and Entrophospora infrequens, a new order, Entrophosporales, with one family, Entrophosporaceae (=Claroideoglomeraceae), was erected in the phylum Glomeromycota. The phylogenomic analyses recovered the Entrophosporales as sister to a clade formed by Diversisporales and Glomeraceae. The strongly conserved entrophosporoid morph of E. infrequens, provided with a newly designated epitype, was shown to represent a group of cryptic species with the potential to produce different glomoid morphs. Of the four potential new species, three enriched the Entrophosporales as new Entrophospora species, E. argentinensis, E. glacialis, and E. furrazolae, which originated from Argentina, Sweden, Oman, and Poland. The fourth fungus appeared to be a glomoid morph of the E. infrequens epitype. The physical association of the E. infrequens entrophosporoid and glomoid morphs was reported and illustrated here for the first time. The phylogenetic analyses, using nuc rDNA and rpb1 concatenated sequences, confirmed the previous conclusion that the genus Albahypha in the family Entrophosporaceae sensu Oehl et al. is an unsupported taxon. Finally, the descriptions of the Glomerales, Entrophosporaceae, and Entrophospora were emended and new nomenclatural combinations were introduced

Clonal chromosomal mosaicism and loss of chromosome Y in elderly men increase vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, individuals with clonal mosaic events (clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations and/or loss of chromosome Y) showed an increased risk of COVID-19 lethality

Mitochondrial physiology

As the knowledge base and importance of mitochondrial physiology to evolution, health and disease expands, the necessity for harmonizing the terminology concerning mitochondrial respiratory states and rates has become increasingly apparent. The chemiosmotic theory establishes the mechanism of energy transformation and coupling in oxidative phosphorylation. The unifying concept of the protonmotive force provides the framework for developing a consistent theoretical foundation of mitochondrial physiology and bioenergetics. We follow the latest SI guidelines and those of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) on terminology in physical chemistry, extended by considerations of open systems and thermodynamics of irreversible processes. The concept-driven constructive terminology incorporates the meaning of each quantity and aligns concepts and symbols with the nomenclature of classical bioenergetics. We endeavour to provide a balanced view of mitochondrial respiratory control and a critical discussion on reporting data of mitochondrial respiration in terms of metabolic flows and fluxes. Uniform standards for evaluation of respiratory states and rates will ultimately contribute to reproducibility between laboratories and thus support the development of data repositories of mitochondrial respiratory function in species, tissues, and cells. Clarity of concept and consistency of nomenclature facilitate effective transdisciplinary communication, education, and ultimately further discovery

The role of unhealthy lifestyles in the incidence and persistence of depression: a longitudinal general population study in four emerging countries

BACKGROUND: Unhealthy lifestyles and depression are highly interrelated: depression might elicit and exacerbate unhealthy lifestyles and people with unhealthy lifestyles are more likely to become depressed over time. However, few longitudinal evidence of these relationships has been collected in emerging countries. The present study aims i) to analyse whether people with unhealthy lifestyles are more likely to develop depression, and ii) to examine whether depressed people with unhealthy lifestyles are more likely to remain depressed. A total of 7908 participants from Ghana, India, Mexico and Russia were firstly evaluated in the World Health Organization’s Study on Global AGEing and Adult Health (SAGE) Wave 0 (2002–2004) and re-evaluated in 2007–2010 (Wave 1). Data on tobacco use, alcohol drinking and physical activity, were collected. Logistic regressions models were employed to assess whether baseline unhealthy lifestyles were related to depression in Wave 1, among people without 12-month depression in Wave 0 and any previous lifetime diagnosis of depression, and to 12-month depression at both study waves (persistent depression). RESULTS: Baseline daily and non-daily smoking was associated with depression in Wave 1. Low physical activity and heavy alcohol drinking were associated with persistent depression. CONCLUSIONS: Unhealthy lifestyles and depression are also positively related in emerging countries. Smoking on a daily and non-daily basis was longitudinally related to depression. Depressed people with low physical activity and with heavy drinking patterns were more likely to become depressed over time. Several interpretations of these results are given. Further studies should check whether a reduction of these unhealthy lifestyles leads to lower depression rates and/or to a better clinical prognosis of depressed people