Influence of preharvest spraying with the chemical salts on grey mold disease and keeping quality of table grapes during storage

The efficacy of calcium chloride, calcium nitrate, potassium metabisulfate, calcium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate to protect grape bunches during harvesting was studied under storage conditions. This experiment was carried out in a private vineyard, El-Khatatba region, Alexandria desert road, Egypt during 2014 and 2015 growing seasons on Thompson seedless variety. The chemical used at 0.1 and 0.2% g /liter water. The healthy grape bunches of all treatments were harvested at proper ripeness, packed in perforated plastic bags, put inside carton boxes and stored at 0oC under 90-95% R.H. for 36 days. Other grape bunches either treated or untreated with the salts were artificially inoculated with spore suspension of Botrytis cinerea at a concentration of 3x106 spores/ml before packing and cold storage. Disease severity of grape bunches with B. cinerea was estimated after 36 days of cold storage. All treatments exhibited disease reduction under field conditions of Thompson seedless grape variety. The field applications of salts gave a significant reduction of botrytis rot during storage. In this respect, the grape rots were significantly reduced when sprayed by the salts three times

Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Newcastle disease in backyard chickens in West Kordofan State, Sudan

Background and Aim: Newcastle disease (ND), a major constraint to poultry production worldwide, is a highly contagious disease of many species of domestic, exotic, and wild birds caused by ND virus (NDV). Epidemiological studies are lacking regarding ND in village chickens, including the traditional and intensive production systems used in Sudan. However, it is necessary to develop appropriate strategies to control the disease. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the flock- and bird-level seroprevalence of NDV in backyard chickens in West Kordofan State, Sudan, and to identify the risk factors associated with ND in the study area. Materials and Methods: The seroprevalence of the circulating NDV and bird-level risk factors associated with ND was determined in backyard chickens from March to October 2017, in six villages (Alnowara, Alleait, Geibaish, Baiad, Sougoh, and Alnuhoud) in the Geibaish and Elnuhoud localities of West Kordofan State. Results: Using the hemagglutination-inhibition test, the bird- and flock-level seroprevalences of antibodies to NDV were estimated as 20.6% (78/378) and 45% (18/40), respectively. Bird-level NDV seropositivity in backyard chickens was significantly associated with the reason for raising chickens, type of housing, contact with neighboring poultry, contact with wild birds, and chicken mortality caused by infectious diseases (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusion: This study indicated that NDV is circulating in backyard chickens and may act as a potential source of infection for other birds and thus persistence of ND among local traditionally managed chickens in the areas of West Kordofan State. Risk factors contributing to ND occurrence are important for designing appropriate prevention and control strategies

Management of coriander stem rot caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum using certain biocontrol agents and chemical inducers

The aim of the present study was to evaluate certain of bioagents (Trichoderma harzianum, T. hamatum, T. viride and ESRU bioformulation) and chemical inducers (salicylic acid and potassium silicate) on suppression of coriander stem rot disease caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. The highest antagonistic bioagent was T. viride which reduced the mycelial growth to 3.9 cm in relation to control, being (9.0 cm). Moreover, five concentrations of each of salicylic acid and potassium silicate (0, 100, 250, 500 and 750 ppm) were evaluated against the growth and formation of sclerotia of the causal fungus in vitro and in a greenhouse. Salicylic acid completely inhibited both parameters at 250 and 500 ppm., respectively. Meanwhile, potassium silicates gave the same effect at 750 ppm. Under greenhouse conditions, spraying of coriander plants challenged with the causal fungus with any of the tested inducers and the bioagents lead to a critical reduction in the disease severity in relation to the control. Potassium silicate and salicylic acid as well as T. viride and ESRU formulation were the most efficient treatments, being 18.52, 22.22, 29.63 and 33.33%, respectively. Moreover, the effect of the tested inducers as a soil drench integrated with the bioagents as foliar spray was performed. Potassium silicate integrated with T. viride was the most effective treatment. Two season field experiments (2015-2016 and 2016-2017) showed that potassium silicate as soil drench integrated with T. viride as foliar spray was highly effective in reducing the percentage of dead plants and the area under the disease progress curve as well as increasing the weight of 100 seeds during the two seasons. An increase in the activity of polyphenoloxidase, peroxidase and phenylalanine ammonia lyase was recorded in the leaves sprayed with potassium silicate followed by those sprayed with salicylic acid then T. viride and the ESRU formulation.

Volume guarantee ventilation in the weaning phase of preterm infants

Background: Weaning from mechanical ventilation is a dynamic process influenced by many factors. Volume guarantee is a new option within the patient-triggered modes of ventilation and it can be best described as pressure-limited, continuous flow ventilation with tidal volume guidance or tidal volume targeting. Objectives: The aim was to assess whether volume guarantee (VG) added before presumed window time of 48 h pre-extubation can help to significantly shorten this window in infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Patients and methods: This study was conducted at Al-Azhar University (Damietta, NICU of Pediatric Department) in collaboration with Mansoura Faculty of Medicine, Egypt, between January 2012 and January 2013. Forty ventilated babies were randomly assigned during weaning phase to either VG (group 1) (10 SIMV + VG & 10 PSV + VG); or no VG group 2 (10 SIMV & 10 PSV). All babies were ventilated by Drager Babylog 8000 ventilator due to respiratory distress syndrome (AC or SIMV as initial mode). Results: Infants randomized to VG group achieved weaning success criteria faster than those randomized to no VG group. Adding VG at the weaning phase resulted in more stable TV, a significant decrease in the mean airway pressure (MAP), oxygenation index, weaning duration, post extubation NCPAP duration and extubation failure. No statistically significant differences were observed in the incidence of pneumothorax, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), weight gain and neonatal sepsis. Conclusion: Volume guarantee seems to be both safe and effective in this group of patients

Metabolic and biotransformation effects on dietary glucosinolates, their bioavailability, catabolism and biological effects in different organisms

Glucosinolate-producing plants have long been recognized for both their distinctive benefits to human nutrition and their resistance traits against pathogens and herbivores. Despite the accumulation of glucosinolates (GLS) in plants is associated with their resistance to various biotic and abiotic stresses, the defensive and biological activities of GLS are commonly conveyed by their metabolic products. In view of this, metabolism is considered the driving factor upon the interactions of GLS-producing plants with other organisms, also influenced by plant and plant attacking or digesting organism characteristics. Several microbial pathogens and insects have evolved the capacity to detoxify GLS-hydrolysis products or inhibit their formation via different means, highlighting the relevance of their metabolic abilities for the plants\u27 defense system activation and target organism detoxification. Strikingly, some bacteria, fungi and insects can likewise produce their own myrosinase (MYR)-like enzymes in one of the most important adaptation strategies against the GLS-MYR plant defense system. Knowledge of GLS metabolic pathways in herbivores and pathogens can impact plant protection efforts and may be harnessed upon for genetically modified plants that are more resistant to predators. In humans, the interest in the implementation of GLS in diets for the prevention of chronic diseases has grown substantially. However, the efficiency of such approaches is dependent on GLS bioavailability and metabolism, which largely involves the human gut microbiome. Among GLS-hydrolytic products, isothiocyanates (ITC) have shown exceptional properties as chemical plant defense agents against herbivores and pathogens, along with their health-promoting benefits in humans, at least if consumed in reasonable amounts. Deciphering GLS metabolic pathways provides critical information for catalyzing all types of GLS towards the generation of ITCs as the biologically most active metabolites. This review provides an overview on contrasting metabolic pathways in plants, bacteria, fungi, insects and humans towards GLS activation or detoxification. Further, suggestions for the preparation of GLS containing plants with improved health benefits are presented

Monitoring Bacterial Diversity of the Marine Sponge Ircinia strobilina upon Transfer into Aquaculture▿ †‡

Marine sponges in the genus Ircinia are known to be good sources of secondary metabolites with biological activities. A major obstacle in the development of sponge-derived metabolites is the difficulty in ensuring an economic, sustainable supply of the metabolites. A promising strategy is the ex situ culture of sponges in closed or semiclosed aquaculture systems. In this study, the marine sponge Ircinia strobilina (order Dictyoceratida: family Irciniidae) was collected from the wild and maintained for a year in a recirculating aquaculture system. Microbiological and molecular community analyses were performed on freshly collected sponges and sponges maintained in aquaculture for 3 months and 9 months. Chemical analyses were performed on wild collected sponges and individuals maintained in aquaculture for 3 months and 1 year. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis was used to assess the complexity of and to monitor changes in the microbial communities associated with I. strobilina. Culture-based and molecular techniques showed an increase in the Bacteroidetes and Alpha- and Gammaproteobacteria components of the bacterial community in aquaculture. Populations affiliated with Beta- and Deltaproteobacteria, Clostridia, and Planctomycetes emerged in sponges maintained in aquaculture. The diversity of bacterial communities increased upon transfer into aquaculture

Changes in Bacterial Communities of the Marine Sponge Mycale laxissima on Transfer into Aquaculture▿ †‡

The changes in bacterial communities associated with the marine sponge Mycale laxissima on transfer to aquaculture were studied using culture-based and molecular techniques. M. laxissima was maintained alive in flowthrough and closed recirculating aquaculture systems for 2 years and 1 year, respectively. The bacterial communities associated with wild and aquacultured sponges, as well as the surrounding water, were assessed using 16S rRNA gene clone library analysis and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Bacterial richness and diversity were measured using DOTUR computer software, and clone libraries were compared using S-LIBSHUFF. DGGE analysis revealed that the diversity of the bacterial community of M. laxissima increased when sponges were maintained in aquaculture and that bacterial communities associated with wild and aquacultured M. laxissima were markedly different than those of the corresponding surrounding water. Clone libraries of bacterial 16S rRNA from sponges confirmed that the bacterial communities changed during aquaculture. These communities were significantly different than those of seawater and aquarium water. The diversity of bacterial communities associated with M. laxissima increased significantly in aquaculture. Our work shows that it is important to monitor changes in bacterial communities when examining the feasibility of growing sponges in aquaculture systems because these communities may change. This could have implications for the health of sponges or for the production of bioactive compounds by sponges in cases where these compounds are produced by symbiotic bacteria rather than by the sponges themselves

Pan-genomic perspective on the evolution of the <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> USA300 epidemic

Staphylococcus aureus USA300 represents the dominant community-associated methicillin-resistant S. aureus lineage in the USA, where it is a major cause of skin and soft tissue infections. Previous comparative genomic studies have described the population structure and evolution of USA300 based on geographically restricted isolate collections. Here, we investigated the USA300 population by sequencing genomes of a geographically distributed panel of 191 clinical S. aureus isolates belonging to clonal complex 8 (CC8), derived from the Tigecycline Evaluation and Surveillance Trial program. Isolates were collected at 12 healthcare centres across nine USA states in 2004, 2009 or 2010. Reconstruction of evolutionary relationships revealed that CC8 was dominated by USA300 isolates (154/191, 81 %), which were heterogeneous and demonstrated limited phylogeographic clustering. Analysis of the USA300 core genomes revealed an increase in median pairwise SNP distance from 62 to 98 between 2004 and 2010, with a stable pattern of above average dN/dS ratios. The phylogeny of the USA300 population indicated that early diversification events led to the formation of nested clades, which arose through cumulative acquisition of predominantly non-synonymous SNPs in various coding sequences. The accessory genome of USA300 was largely homogenous and consisted of elements previously associated with this lineage. We observed an emergence of SCCmec negative and ACME negative USA300 isolates amongst more recent samples, and an increase in the prevalence of ϕSa5 prophage. Together, the analysed S. aureus USA300 collection revealed an evolving pan-genome through increased core genome heterogeneity and temporal variation in the frequency of certain accessory elements

Protective role of humoral immune responses during an outbreak of hepatitis E in Egypt

Although the seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) is approximately 80% in adult Egyp- tians living in rural areas, symptomatic HEV-caused acute viral hepatitis (AVH) is sporadic and relatively uncommon. To investigate the dichotomy between HEV infection and clini- cal AVH, HEV-specific immune responses in patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic HEV infection during a waterborne outbreak in Egypt were examined. Of 235 acute hepati- tis patients in Assiut hospitals screened for HEV infection, 42 (17.9%) were hepatitis acute hepatitis patients confirmed as HEV-caused AVH; 37 (88%) of the 42 patients were residents of rural areas, and 14 (33%) were from one village (Kom El-Mansoura). Another 200 AVH contacts of AVH cases in this village were screened for HEV and 14 (7.0%), all of whom were family members of AVH cases, were asymptomatic HEV IgM-positive. HEV infections in this village peaked during the summer. Asymptomatic HEV seroconverters had significantly higher levels of epitope-specific neutralising (p=0.006) and high avidity (p=0.04) anti-HEV antibodies than the corresponding AVH cases. In conclusion, naturally acquired humoral immune responses appear to protect HEV-exposed subjects from AVH during an HEV outbreak in Egypt

Can Grafting Manage Fusarium Wilt Disease of Cucumber and Increase Productivity under Heat Stress?

Cucumber production is considered a crucial problem under biotic and abiotic stress, particularly in arid and semi-arid zones. The current study investigated the impact of grafted cucumber plants on five cucurbit rootstocks under infection with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum alone and in combination with heat stress in two different locations (i.e., Kafr El-Sheikh and Sidi Salem) during the year of 2021. The rootstock of VSS-61 F1 displayed the highest level of resistance with values 20.8 and 16.6% for wilt incidence and 79.2 and 83.4% for the wilt reduction, respectively for both locations. This rootstock showed the lowest disease severity of fusarium wilt (15.3 and 12%), and high grafting efficiency (85 and 88%), respectively in both locations. Grafting also improved plant vigor and cucumber production under heat stress (40–43 °C). The rootstocks VSS-61 F1, Ferro and Super Shintoza significantly increased the total yield of cucumber plants compared to non-grafted cucumber and the rootstock Bottle gourd in both locations. Further studies are needed on grafted plants under multiple stresses in terms of plant biological levels, including physiological, biochemical and genetic attributes