Antimicrobial activity of phosphites against different potato pathogens

Phosphites have low-toxicity on the environment and show high efficacy in controlling oomycete diseases in plants, both by a direct and an indirect mechanism. We have shown that they are also effective in reducing disease symptoms produced byPhytophthora infestans, Fusarium solaniandRhizoctonia solaniwhen applied to potato seed tubers. To gain better insight into the direct mode of action of phosphites on different potato pathogens, and to ascertain chemical determinants in their direct antimicrobial activity, four potato pathogens were assayed with respect to sensitivity toward calcium, potassium and copper phosphites (CaPhi, KPhi and CuPhi, respectively). The influence of acidification and ionic strength changes after Phi addition on the antimicrobial activity, and the fungicidal or fungistatic activity, were evaluated. Results showed that phosphites were able to inhibit growth of all pathogens.Phytophthora infestanswas the most inhibited pathogen by all phosphites, followed byStreptomyces scabies, whileRhizoctonia solaniandFusarium solaniwere less inhibited. CuPhi had the highest antimicrobial activity against the four pathogens analysed, and CaPhi and KPhi showed similar antimicrobial activities. Inhibitions by CuPhi and CaPhi could be partially explained by acidification of the media. However, results obtained with KPhi demonstrated that the phosphite anion has antimicrobial activity itself. The increase in ionic strength after Phi addition was not important in the antimicrobial activity of Phi. The activity of phosphites on germination ofF. solanispores showed to be fungistatic rather than fungicidal.Phosphite besitzen eine geringe Umwelttoxizität sowie eine gute direkte und indirekte Wirkung gegenüber Oomyceten- Pathogenen von Pflanzen. Wir zeigen hier, dass sie ebenfalls die durchPhytophthora infestans,Fusarium solaniandRhizoctonia solaniverursachten Symptome an Kartoffeln nach einer Knollenbehandlung vermindern. Vier Kartoffelpathogene wurden mit dem Ziel untersucht, die direkte Wirkungsweise von Calcium-, Kalium- und Kupfer-Phosphiten (CaPhi, KPhi und CuPhi) auf die Erreger sowie die chemischen Determinanten ihrer direkten antimikrobiellen Aktivität zu ermitteln. Weiterhin wurde die Wirkung von Azidifizierung und Ionenstärke nach Zugabe von Phosphiten auf antimikrobielle, fungizide und fungistatische Aktivität untersucht. Die Phosphite beeinträchtigten das Wachstum aller untersuchten Erreger.Phytophthora infestanswurde durch alle verwendeten Phosphite am stärksten inhibiert, gefolgt vonStreptomyces scabies, während die Wirkung aufRhizoctonia solaniundFusarium solanigeringer war. CuPhi besaß die höchste antimikrobielle Aktivität gegenüber den vier untersuchten Pathogene, gefolgt von den ähnlich wirksamen CaPhi und KPhi. Die Wirkung von CuPhi und CaPhi kann zum Teil durch die Ansäuerung der verwendeten Medien erklärt werden. Die mit KPhi erhaltenen Ergebnisse zeigen dagegen, dass das Phosphit-Anion selbst antimikrobiell wirksam ist. Die Zunahme der Ionenstärke nach Phosphit-Applikation war nicht für die antimikrobielle Wirkung verantwortlich. Die Beeinträchtigung der Sporenkeimung vonF. solanizeigte, dass die Wirkung der Phosphite eher fungistatisch als fungizid ist

Effect of foliar applications of phosphite on post-harvest potato tubers

The utilization of phosphites (Phi) could be considered as another strategy to be included in integrated disease management programmes to reduce the intensive use of fungicides and production costs. The aim of the present work was to analyze whether the beneficial effects of phosphite treatment previously observed in potato plants grown under greenhouse conditions, were reflected after harvest of field grown potatoes, both in disease protection and in yield. In addition, biochemical compounds possibly involved in induced defence responses by Phi, like phytoalexins, pathogenesis related proteins and oxidative stress enzymes were measured. Foliar applications of KPhi to field grown crops resulted in post-harvest tubers with a reduced susceptibility to Phytophthora infestans, Fusarium solani and Erwinia carotovora infections, suggesting that this compound induced a systemic defence response. An increase in phytoalexin content in P. infestans inoculated tubers obtained from Phi-treated plants suggests their participation in the defence response. Chitinase content increased 72h after wounding or inoculation with P. infestans in tubers from KPhi-treated plants compared to wounded or infected tubers from non-treated plants. Contrary to this, the isoforms of β-1,3-glucanases analyzed did not increase in the tubers of Phi-treated plants. The increment in peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase activities indicated that these enzymes could be part of the Phi defence mechanism. No negative effects were observed in potato yield at harvest, measured as total tuber weight and dry matter, after foliar KPhi treatment. This suggests that the energetic cost involved in the defence response activation would not be detrimental to plant growth

The role of nutraceutical medications in men with non bacterial chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome: A prospective non blinded study utilizing flower pollen extracts versus bioflavonoids

Introduction: Chronic prostatitis (CP)/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) represents a challenge for the urologist, since the therapeutic efficacy does not always result in a satisfactory quality of life for the patients. Often the side effects of the medications used (antiinflammatories, antibiotics, alpha blockers) far outweighs the benefits gained with their admission. The choice of nutraceutical medications is preferred for their effectiveness, that has been accepted and proven by the scientific community, and for the low incidence of side effects. The objective of this study to compare the therapeutic efficacy of the flower pollen extracts (Deprox®) versus Bioflavonoids in terms of reduction of symptoms, and in the average waiting time of the variation of the National Institute of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI), and to evaluate the quality of life improvement of the patients affected by CP/CPPS. Methods: Among the 68 patients presented with prostatic symptoms to the Hospital “Umberto I” in Rome, Italy between March 2016 and June 2016, 54 patients met the clinical diagnosis of CP/CPPS (class IIIa or IIIb according to the NIH classification). The patients were assigned to either treatment with Deprox® or quercetin based on a randomization scheme previously determined.The NIH- CPSI, IPSS, QoL questionnaires were administered. Every patient underwent bacterial cultures and trans-rectal ultrasound. Results: There was a statistically significant improvement of the NIH-CPSI score and QoL in the Deprox® group (p = < 0.0001 and p = 0.003 respectively). The average waiting time of the variation of the National Institute of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) was statistically significant (p = 0.0019). In the absence of efficacy of the “conventional” medications, which also carries significant side effects, the dietary supplements may represent a valid alternative. Conclusions: DEPROX® has demonstrated a significant improvement of the symptoms and quality of life of patients diagnosed with by CP/CPPS. Furthermore, there was a statistical difference in the average waiting time of the variation of the NIH-CPSI) score without side effects as compared to the bioflavonoids complex with quercetin

Caratteristiche del dolore in pazienti italiani con artrosi: Risultati preliminari dello Studio MI.D.A. (Misurazione del Dolore nell&apos;Artrosi) = Pain patterns in Italian patients with osteoarthritis: preliminary results of the MI.D.A. Study (Misurazione del Dolore nell&apos;Artrosi)

Objectives. To evaluate the characteristics of pain in a cohort of Italian patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip and knee. Methods. The 657 general practitioners participating in the study were asked to enroll 10 consecutive patients with OA diagnosed according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) clinical criteria. A questionnaire evaluating demographic data, clinical characteristics of OA, including the \u201cQuestionario Semantico Reumatologico\u201d (QSR) pain questionnaire, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and the Lequesne indices, and information on previous diagnostic and therapeutic interventions was administered. Results. A total of 4,109 patients were enrolled. Of them, 2356 were affected by knee OA and 1817 by hip OA. There were 2863 (69.7%) women and 1246 (30.3%) men. Median age was 68.2 years (range 50-103 years). Of the 4109 enrolled subjects, 3128 (76.1%) reported one or more medical comorbidities, mostly cardiovascular (52.7%), endocrinological (14.7%), gastrointestinal (13.4%), and respiratory (11.2%) disorders. The median pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 58.1\ub122.6 mm, higher in women (60.2\ub122.3 mm) than in men ( 53.3\ub122.6mm) (p&lt;0.00001). OA pain was also higher in patients from Southern Italy (p&lt;0.00001). NSAIDs were administered to nearly 70% of patients, COX-2 inhibitors to 55%, disease-modifying anti OA drugs to 19% and analgesics to 28.2%. Differences in drugs utilization were associated with OA localization and patient\u2019s geographical origin. Results of the WOMAC index were similar throughout groups. Responses to the QSR pain questionnaire showed differences, which are related to OA localization and geographical origin of the patients. Conclusions. The MI.D.A. study can help to better understand the patterns of pain in osteoarthritis and the associated treatment

Pain patterns in italian patients with osteoarthritis: preliminary results of the MI.D.A. Study (Misurazione del Dolore nell’Artrosi)

Objectives. To evaluate the characteristics of pain in a cohort of Italian patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip and knee. Methods. The 657 general practitioners participating in the study were asked to enroll 10 consecutive patients with OA diagnosed according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) clinical criteria. A questionnaire evaluating demographic data, clinical characteristics of OA, including the “Questionario Semantico Reumatologico” (QSR) pain questionnaire, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and the Lequesne indices, and information on previous diagnostic and therapeutic interventions was administered. Results. A total of 4,109 patients were enrolled. Of them, 2356 were affected by knee OA and 1817 by hip OA. There were 2863 (69.7%) women and 1246 (30.3%) men. Median age was 68.2 years (range 50-103 years). Of the 4109 enrolled subjects, 3128 (76.1%) reported one or more medical comorbidities, mostly cardiovascular (52.7%), endocrinological (14.7%), gastrointestinal (13.4%), and respiratory (11.2%) disorders. The median pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 58.1±22.6 mm, higher in women (60.2±22.3 mm) than in men ( 53.3±22.6mm) (p<0.00001). OA pain was also higher in patients from Southern Italy (p<0.00001). NSAIDs were administered to nearly 70% of patients, COX-2 inhibitors to 55%, disease-modifying anti OA drugs to 19% and analgesics to 28.2%. Differences in drugs utilization were associated with OA localization and patient’s geographical origin. Results of the WOMAC index were similar throughout groups. Responses to the QSR pain questionnaire showed differences, which are related to OA localization and geographical origin of the patients. Conclusions. The MI.D.A. study can help to better understand the patterns of pain in osteoarthritis and the associated treatment

Molecular modifications in tuber periderm and cortex associated to pathogen resistance induced by phosphite treatment

Phosphite (Phi) compounds are salts derived from phosphorous acid. These compounds have the ability to protect plants against different pathogens. The aim of the present research was to assess the effect of Phi compounds on components of potato tuber periderm and cortex and to assess their effects on pathogen resistance in the postharvest stage. In a series of field experiments, potassium phosphite (KPhi) was applied to seed potato tubers and foliage. After harvest, several variables were analyzed in tubers obtained from these plants. An increase in pectin content was observed in both periderm and cortex tissue in tubers originating from KPhi-treated plants. After wounding and infection with Fusarium solani, a higher amount of pectin accumulation in cortical tissues was observed in tubers following treatment with KPhi. The content and/or activity of polygalacturonase and proteinase inhibitor also increased in tubers from KPhi-treated plants. A new isoform of chitinase was detected in the tuber periderm of treated plants. These results suggest that KPhi applied to seed tuber and foliage induces defense responses in tuber periderm and cortex and that these reactions are associated with structural and biochemical changes in these tissues

BABA effects on the behaviour of potato cultivars infected by Phytophthora infestans and Fusarium solani

Since most plants possess resistance mechanisms which can be induced upon pre-treatment with a variety of chemical compounds, the use of β-aminobutyric acid (BABA) as a defence inducer without reported toxic effect on the environment was studied. The aim of this work was to analyse the effectiveness of BABA to induce resistance against<em>Phytophthora infestans</em>and<em>Fusarium solani</em>in potato cultivars differing in their level of resistance to late blight. The behaviour of some components of biochemical mechanisms by which BABA increases resistance against<em>P. infestans</em>, as well as the effect of BABA on the activity of a potential pathogenic factor of<em>F. solani</em>, were studied. Plants with four applications of BABA throughout the crop cycle produced tubers more resistant to<em>P. infestans</em>and<em>F. solani</em>than non-treated plants. In addition, tuber slices from treated plants, inoculated with<em>P. infestans,</em>showed an increase in phenol and phytoalexin content. The aspartyl protease<em>St</em>AP1 accumulation was also higher in tubers obtained from treated plants and inoculated with<em>P. infestans</em>. This result was observed only in the more resistant potato cv. Pampeana, early after infection. In the potato–<em>F. solani</em>interaction, infected tubers coming from BABA-treated plants showed minor fungal proteolytic activity than infected, non-treated ones. For potato cvs Pampeana and Bintje, the BABA treatment improved the yield of harvested tubers. The number of tubers per plant and total weight of harvested tubers was greater for those obtained from treated plants with two early or four applications of BABA. The results show that the BABA treatment increases the resistance of potatoes but the degree of increase depends on the original level of resistance present in each cultivar

TRANSLATION AND CROSS-CULTURAL ADAPTATION OF THE ASAS HEALTH INDEX AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL ITEM SET INTO 15 LANGUAGES

Pathophysiology and treatment of rheumatic disease