Perfil nutricional y antioxidante post-cosecha de Beta vulgaris L. cultivada en microhuerto sin suelo de baja emisión con nutrientes orgánicos e inorgánicos

Beetroot was grown in an open soilless cultivation system with nutrition supplied by organic and inorganic sources. This low emission system was tested for microgardening high quality red beets with high water use efficiency and less pollutant emission in the environs. For this purpose, a pot experiment was planned according to completely randomized design. For inorganically grown red beets, peat moss was combined with 150, 200 and 250 ppm NH4NO3, whereas for organic red beets, peat moss was amended with compost having nitrogen equivalent to the mentioned NH4NO3 concentrations. Rosette and roots were analysed for fresh and dry biomass. Nitrate content, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, ripening index, ascorbic acid, betacyanins, flavonols and antioxidant capacity were assessed as beetroot quality attributes. Combination of peat moss with NH4NO3 showed comparatively lower fresh plant biomass, fresh and dry biomasses of rosette and root, and root to rosette ratio. However, enhanced antioxidant activity and bioaccumulation of ascorbic acid, total soluble solids, betacyanins, flavonols and reduced titratable acids, resulting in higher ripening index and good quality were observed in peat moss combined NH4NO3 treated beetroots. Overall, combination of peat moss with NH4NO3 led to higher nutritional and antioxidant quality of red beet plants.La remolacha se cultivó en un sistema de cultivo abierto sin suelo con nutrición suministrada por fuentes orgánicas e inorgánicas. Este sistema de baja emisión fue probado para la microhorticultura de remolachas rojas de alta calidad con una eficiencia alta de uso de agua y menor emisión de contaminantes a los alrededores. Con esta finalidad se planificó un experimento en macetas de acuerdo con un diseño completamente al azar. Para las remolachas rojas cultivadas inorgánicamente se combinó musgo de turbera con 150, 200 y 250 ppm de NH4NO3, mientras que para las orgánicas se adecuó el musgo de turbera con compost con un contenido de nitrógeno equivalente a las concentraciones de NH4NO3 mencionadas. Se analizó el contenido de biomasa fresca y seca de la roseta y de la raíz. El contenido de nitratos, los sólidos solubles totales, la acidez titulable, el índice de maduración, el ácido ascórbico, las betacianinas, los flavonoles y la capacidad antioxidante se evaluaron como atributos de calidad de la remolacha. La combinación de musgo de turbera con NH4NO3 mostró valores comparativamente más bajos de biomasa fresca de planta, de biomasa fresca y seca de roseta y raíz, y de relación raíz‑roseta. Sin embargo, también se observaron valores más altos de actividad antioxidante y bioacumulación de ácido ascórbico, sólidos solubles totales, betacianinas, flavonoles y menos ácidos titulables, lo que resultó en un mayor índice de maduración y buena calidad. En general, la combinación de musgo de turbera con NH4NO3 condujo a una mayor calidad nutricional y antioxidante de las plantas de remolacha roja.Fil: Ejaz, Shaghef.Fil: Jezik, Karoline Maria.Fil: Anjum, Muhammad Akbar.Fil: Gosch, Christian.Fil: Halbwirth, Heidrun.Fil: Stich, Karl

Framework for Context-Sensitive Dashbords Enabling Decision Support on Production Shop Floor

The advancing digitalization of production means that a large amount of data and information is being collected. Used correctly, these represent a significant competitive advantage. Decision support systems (DSS) can help to provide employees with the right information at the right time. Context-sensitive dashboards in the sense of decision support have the potential to provide employees on the shopfloor with information according to their needs. Within the scope of this work, a framework for the determination of the context-sensitive information needs of the staff on the shopfloor was developed. The goal was to reduce the development and adaptation effort of a context-sensitive application by classifying activities with similar information needs in advance. According to the methodology, the information needs of the employees are first analyzed and activities are summarized in terms of their general information needs. Subsequently, the information needs are weighted in order to prioritize them with regard to the processing and selection of information. The context-sensitive dashboard was then implemented using a user-centric approach to achieve a high level of user acceptance. The developed prototype, including architecture and design, was then tested and evaluated by experts. Three scenarios were compared in which experts were asked to assess the information requirements for employees in production. These results were then compared with the results of the framework. The comparison showed that for two of the three scenarios, the weighting determined in the framework matched the experts' assessments to a high degree. These general scenarios show that it is possible to generate context-sensitive dashboards based on demand using the developed framework. If the activities become more specific, it became apparent that further developments of the framework are necessary to cover the corresponding information needs. For this purpose, an iterative application to further scenarios and subsequent implementation in the framework seems to be purposeful

Does rating the operation videos with a checklist score improve the effect of E-learning for bariatric surgical training? Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background: Laparoscopic training has become an important part of surgical education. Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is the most common bariatric procedure performed. Surgeons must be well trained prior to operating on a patient. Multimodality training is vital for bariatric surgery. E-learning with videos is a standard approach for training. The present study investigates whether scoring the operation videos with performance checklists improves learning effects and transfer to a simulated operation. Methods/design: This is a monocentric, two-arm, randomized controlled trial. The trainees are medical students from the University of Heidelberg in their clinical years with no prior laparoscopic experience. After a laparoscopic basic virtual reality (VR) training, 80 students are randomized into one of two arms in a 1:1 ratio to the checklist group (group A) and control group without a checklist (group B). After all students are given an introduction of the training center, VR trainer and laparoscopic instruments, they start with E-learning while watching explanations and videos of RYGB. Only group A will perform ratings with a modified Bariatric Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skill (BOSATS) scale checklist for all videos watched. Group B watches the same videos without rating. Both groups will then perform an RYGB in the VR trainer as a primary endpoint and small bowel suturing as an additional test in the box trainer for evaluation. Discussion: This study aims to assess if E-learning and rating bariatric surgical videos with a modified BOSATS checklist will improve the learning curve for medical students in an RYGB VR performance. This study may help in future laparoscopic and bariatric training courses. Trial registration: German Clinical Trials Register, DRKS00010493. Registered on 20 May 2016

Association genetics in Solanum tuberosum provides new insights into potato tuber bruising and enzymatic tissue discoloration

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Most agronomic plant traits result from complex molecular networks involving multiple genes and from environmental factors. One such trait is the enzymatic discoloration of fruit and tuber tissues initiated by mechanical impact (bruising). Tuber susceptibility to bruising is a complex trait of the cultivated potato (<it>Solanum tuberosum</it>) that is crucial for crop quality. As phenotypic evaluation of bruising is cumbersome, the application of diagnostic molecular markers would empower the selection of low bruising potato varieties. The genetic factors and molecular networks underlying enzymatic tissue discoloration are sparsely known. Hitherto there is no association study dealing with tuber bruising and diagnostic markers for enzymatic discoloration are rare.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The natural genetic diversity for bruising susceptibility was evaluated in elite middle European potato germplasm in order to elucidate its molecular basis. Association genetics using a candidate gene approach identified allelic variants in genes that function in tuber bruising and enzymatic browning. Two hundred and five tetraploid potato varieties and breeding clones related by descent were evaluated for two years in six environments for tuber bruising susceptibility, specific gravity, yield, shape and plant maturity. Correlations were found between different traits. In total 362 polymorphic DNA fragments, derived from 33 candidate genes and 29 SSR loci, were scored in the population and tested for association with the traits using a mixed model approach, which takes into account population structure and kinship. Twenty one highly significant (p < 0.001) and robust marker-trait associations were identified.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The observed trait correlations and associated marker fragments provide new insight in the molecular basis of bruising susceptibility and its natural variation. The markers diagnostic for increased or decreased bruising susceptibility will facilitate the combination of superior alleles in breeding programs. In addition, this study presents novel candidates that might control enzymatic tissue discoloration and tuber bruising. Their validation and characterization will increase the knowledge about the underlying biological processes.</p

Knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and serological status related to Chagas disease among Latin American migrants in Germany: A cross-sectional study in six German cities

BackgroundLittle is known about knowledge, attitudes and behaviors concerning Chagas disease (CD) among Latin American migrants in Germany to inform public health decision making.MethodsA cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted between March 2014 and October 2019 among Latin American migrants in six cities in Germany to obtain information on migration history, socioeconomic and insurance status, knowledge about CD, potential risk factors for Trypanosoma cruzi infection, and willingness to donate blood or organs.Results168 participants completed the questionnaire. The four countries with the highest proportion of participants contributing to the study population were Colombia, Mexico, Peru and Ecuador. Before migrating to Europe, the majority of the study population resided in an urban setting in houses made of stone or concrete, had higher academic education and was integrated into the German healthcare and healthcare insurance system. The majority of all study participants were also willing to donate blood and organs and a quarter of them had donated blood previously. However, many participants lacked basic knowledge about symptoms and modes of transmission of Chagas disease. One out of 56 serologic tests (1.8%) performed was positive. The seropositive female participant born in Argentina had a negative PCR test and no signs of cardiac or other organ involvement.ConclusionsThe study population does not reflect the population structure at risk for T. cruzi infection in endemic countries. Most participants had a low risk profile for infection with T. cruzi. Although the sample size was small and sampling was not representative of all persons at risk in Germany, the seroprevalence found was similar to studies previously conducted in Europe. As no systematic screening for T. cruzi in Latin American blood and organ donors as well as in women of child-bearing age of Latin American origin is implemented in Germany, a risk of occasional transmission of T. cruzi remains

Transgenic apple plants overexpressing the chalcone 3-hydroxylase gene of Cosmos sulphureus show increased levels of 3-hydroxyphloridzin and reduced susceptibility to apple scab and fire blight

Main conclusionOverexpression of chalcone-3-hydroxylase provokes increased accumulation of 3-hydroxyphloridzin inMalus. Decreased flavonoid concentrations but unchanged flavonoid class composition were observed. The increased 3-hydroxyphlorizin contents correlate well with reduced susceptibility to fire blight and scab.The involvement of dihydrochalcones in the apple defence mechanism against pathogens is discussed but unknown biosynthetic steps in their formation hamper studies on their physiological relevance. The formation of 3-hydroxyphloretin is one of the gaps in the pathway. Polyphenol oxidases and cytochrome P450 dependent enzymes could be involved. Hydroxylation of phloretin in position 3 has high similarity to the B-ring hydroxylation of flavonoids catalysed by the well-known flavonoid 3′-hydroxylase (F3′H). Using recombinant F3′H and chalcone 3-hydroxylase (CH3H) from Cosmos sulphureus we show that F3′H and CH3H accept phloretin to some extent but higher conversion rates are obtained with CH3H. To test whether CH3H catalyzes the hydroxylation of dihydrochalcones in planta and if this could be of physiological relevance, we created transgenic apple trees harbouring CH3H from C. sulphureus. The three transgenic lines obtained showed lower polyphenol concentrations but no shift between the main polyphenol classes dihydrochalcones, flavonols, hydroxycinnamic acids and flavan 3-ols. Increase of 3-hydroxyphloridzin within the dihydrochalcones and of epicatechin/catechin within soluble flavan 3-ols were observed. Decreased activity of dihydroflavonol 4-reductase and chalcone synthase/chalcone isomerase could partially explain the lower polyphenol concentrations. In comparison to the parent line, the transgenic CH3H-lines showed a lower disease susceptibility to fire blight and apple scab that correlated with the increased 3-hydroxyphlorizin contents.Austrian Sci-ence Fund (FWF