Endogenous Bacteria of Tuber aestivum Ascocarps are Potential Biocontrol Agents of Microbial Post-harvest Deterioration of Truffles

Most previous investigations of microbial interactions with truffle have been conducted within the soil environment and have not considered effects on post-harvested truffles. After harvest, truffles spoil easily and quickly within 4 days.nbsp This study evaluated the efficacy of bacteria isolated from fresh Tuber aestivum fruits ascocarps as biocontrol agents against the bacteria and fungi responsible for spoiling truffle fruit. Effects of acetic acid (12 %-v/v) and citric acid (10%-w/v) as inhibitors of isolated spoilage bacteria were also tested. An antagonism test between microbes extracted from unspoiled truffle microorganisms was performed against microbes responsible for spoilage of truffle fruits. Spoilage bacteria were identified.nbspTruffle fruits immersed in a supernatant from antagonistic bacteria culture medium contributed to non-spoilage and resulting in storage of fruit at room temperature for more than two weeks without spoilage development. In addition, acetic acid (12 %-v/v) inhibited all tested spoilage bacteria. However citric acid (10%-w/v) had no inhibitory effect on spoilage bacteria.nbspThe results showed a high rate of antifungal activity among the bacterial isolates, indicating that truffle may be a common source for selection of microorganisms with important biotechnological potential, and may be useful for further biocontrol of food, plant, and soil-borne pathogenic bacteria and fungi

Improving health-related quality of life in glaucoma during 11 years and its association with vision loss and treatment of the disease

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of glaucoma on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and mental health in the ageing population of Finland. Methods: Altogether 7380 and 5774 Finnish individuals aged 30 years and older with known eye disease status were studied in 2000 and 2011, respectively, in two population-based surveys, including an 11-year follow-up of 4683 participants. Data on HRQoL (EQ-5D-3L, 15D), depression (BDI), psychological distress (GHQ-12) and eye disease diagnoses were obtained from self-reported assessments. Information on glaucoma was complemented with the medication, diagnosis and eye surgery data obtained from the Finnish Health Registries. Distance visual acuity was assessed using the Snellen eye chart test. In logistic regression analyses, data were corrected for age, gender and the most common comorbidities. Results: Glaucoma patients with verified diagnosis (n = 192 in 2000, n = 202 in 2011) and individuals with self-suspected glaucoma (n = 100 in 2000, n = 41 in 2011) showed a significant decrease in their HRQoL. Glaucoma was also associated with worsened overall mental health based on BDI and GHQ-12 results. Visual impairment associated with glaucoma is the major determinant of the reduced HRQoL and mental health. Neither glaucoma medication nor glaucoma surgery affected these parameters. The impact of glaucoma on HRQoL and mental health diminished between 2000 and 2011 in a cross-sectional setting. The newly diagnosed glaucoma during the 11-year follow-up had a minimal effect on them. Conclusion: Glaucoma patients show reduced HRQoL and mental health, which is associated with vision loss regardless of the awareness or treatment of the disease. However, this effect seems to be diminishing over time, and the newly diagnosed glaucoma did not show a significant effect on either HRQoL or mental health.publishedVersionPeer reviewe