Elucidating the impact of environmental factors on the growth of Colletotrichum coccodes strains isolated from potato tubers in Great Britain

Black dot and silver scurf caused by Colletotrichum coccodes and Helminthosporium solani, respectively, are tuber blemish diseases affecting quality in the fresh and pre-pack potato industry. In the last 20 years, the importance of high-quality tuber appearance has increased considerably due to the growing demand for washed and pre-packed potatoes in the UK. Changing climate characterised by rising temperatures and wetter summers is a threat as this will favour the development of pathogens such as C. coccodes in the soil increasing the risk of food spoilage. Moreover, both diseases can develop not only in the field but also after harvest, with postharvest storage temperatures being a crucial factor in controlling fungal growth. Furthermore, anecdotal evidence showed differences on the aggressiveness of black dot depending on its origin (i.e. England and Scotland) on potato tubers. Silver scurf and black dot are difficult to differentiate as they present similar phenotypes characterised by silvery lesions making it challenging for managers to take the necessary corrective action during storage. Hence, the aim of this study was to give a general insight into the ecological conditions affecting the establishment of the causal agent of potato black dot in the field, and black dot and silver scurf during the supply chain. Therefore, in vitro experiments were designed to study the growth rate and lag times simulating both scenarios respectively: on soil extract agar (SEA) media at different temperatures (4, 11, 15 °C) and matric potentials (control [unmodified] and − 1.4 MPa [modified]); and on natural potato dextrose agar (NPDA) for different temperatures (4, 11, 15 and 20 °C) at 99 % relative humidity (RH) for 25 days. When simulating the field environment, drier conditions (matric potential = −1.4 MPa) reduced fungal growth for both isolates by 0.1 cm day−1 at the temperature of 15 °C, suggesting temperature as the main limiting factor for the growth of C. coccodes in the soil. The causal agent of black dot exhibited a faster growth rate under retailer-like conditions (i.e., 15 °C) compared to H. solani. Understanding the environmental influence on both the pathogen and the crop is vital for proper disease management to help reduce food loss and waste.International Journal of Food Microbiolog

Trisomy 8, A Cytogenetic Abnormality In Myelodysplastic Syndromes, Is Constitutional Or Not?

Isolated trisomy 8 is not considered presumptive evidence of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) in cases without minimal morphological criteria. One reason given is that trisomy 8 (+8) can be found as a constitutional mosaicism (cT8M). We tried to clarify the incidence of cT8M in myeloid neoplasms, specifically in MDS, and the diagnostic value of isolated +8 in MDS. Twenty-two MDS and 10 other myeloid neoplasms carrying +8 were studied. Trisomy 8 was determined in peripheral blood by conventional cytogenetics (CC) and on granulocytes, CD3+ lymphocytes and oral mucosa cells by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). In peripheral blood CC, +8 was seen in 4/32 patients. By FISH, only one patient with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia showed +8 in all cell samples and was interpreted as a cT8M. In our series +8 was acquired in all MDS. Probably, once discarded cT8M by FISH from CD3+ lymphocytes and non-hematological cells, +8 should be considered with enough evidence to MDS

An integrated approach to control and manage potato black dot disease: a review

Potato black dot is a foliar and tuber blemish disease that has become an increasingly economic problem in recent years. Black dot is caused by the fungus Colletotrichum coccodes and is characterised by silver/brown lesions on the tuber skin leading to lower aesthetic quality of potatoes destined for the pre-pack market. Given the consumers’ growing demand for washed and pre-packed potatoes, skin blemish diseases (such as black dot and silver scurf), once considered of minor importance, are now serious challenges for the fresh potato industry. The management of C. coccodes is far from satisfactory at either pre- or postharvest stages: firstly, the disease symptoms have not been consistently described on potato plant foliage; and secondly, black dot disease is often confounded with other tuber blemishes during postharvest storage. Good field managing practices in combination with improved postharvest strategies and an accurate detection support tool can be a useful integrated approach to manage potato black dot disease. This review aims to evaluate and critically discuss different novel approaches for better management and detection of potato black dot disease

Elucidating the impact of environmental factors on the ecological performance of Colletotrichum coccodes isolated from Scottish and English potato tubers: data

The data support a manuscript which provides new insights on the behaviour of the causal agent of potato black dot disease, Colletotrichum coccodes. The research article highlights the importance of understanding the environmental influence on the pathogen, both at pre- and postharvest stages, for a proper potato disease management to help reducing food loss and waste throughout the supply chain.   The data set incudes the maximum growth rate and lag time for Colletotricum coccodes and Helminthosporium solani grown under in-vitro conditions.</div

“Por mí y por todos mis compañeros”

[ES] UNICEF es una agencia de la Organización de las Naciones Unidas que promueve ayuda humanitaria y desarrollo a niños y madres de países en desarrollo. Esta organización ha estado protegiendo los derechos de los niños y niñas durante más de 70 años, y en especial el derecho de la salud. Su lucha se basa en conseguir que todos los niños y niñas tengan una vida saludable, una educación de calidad y una protección ante cualquier tipo de violencia. Con la campaña “Por mí y por todos mis compañeros”, UNICEF utiliza la típica frase que todos los niños utilizan de pequeños jugando al escondite con el fin de concienciar a la sociedad, empresas e instituciones sobre la situación de la infancia en muchos lugares del mundo y para reclamar los mismos derechos.[EN] UNICEF is an agency of the United Nations Organization that promotes humanitarian aid and development for children and mothers in developing countries. This organization has been protecting children's rights for more than 70 years, and especially the right to health. Their fight is based on ensuring that all boys and girls have a healthy life, quality education and protection against any type of violence. With the campaign "For me and for all my colleagues", UNICEF uses the typical phrase that all children use as children playing “hide and seek” to raise awareness in society, companies and institutions about the situation of children in many parts of the world and to claim the same rights

COETEST: Corrección óptica de exámenes test en papel automática, rápida y económica

La realización frecuente de evaluaciones de tipo test en papel a grandes grupos se ve restringida por el esfuerzo necesario para su corrección. COETEST es una herramienta que permite minimizar este esfuerzo reduciendo el trabajo del profesor a la preparación de las preguntas. Con escáneres multihoja económicos, las hojas se digitalizan y las respuestas marcadas se reconocen usando técnicas de visión artificial, reduciendo el tiempo de corrección de varias horas a unos minutos. La herramienta elimina el coste, el retraso y la dependencia de un servicio central especializado, se acelera la publicación de resultados y se reduce el tiempo invertido por el profesor en la realización de estos exámenes