The Influence of Fusarium Ear Infection on the Maize Yield and Mycotoxin Content (Transylvania-Romania)

Maize is the host for a large number of pathogens, which invade all of its organs from the germination until being harvest, ear and grain infection often persistent even during storage. Diseases, through their symptoms reduce significantly the quantity and the quality of yield, estimated between 7-17% but, in the favorable years for this disease, they can be much greater. Fusarium diseases reduce yield value and quality by massive accumulation of Fusarium mycelium biomass (about 85%) on grain and ears and by mycotoxin contamination such as deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEA) and fumonisins (FUM). In this paper are presented aspects regarding the reaction of some maize hybrids under Fusarium  spp. natural and artificial infections; the effect of Fusarium  ear infection on yield, grain chemical composition, and mycotoxin content; the correlation between ear rot disease degree and yield ability, starch, protein and fat content. ANOVA evidenced the significant influence of experimental factors: infection conditions with Fusarium spp., maize genotypes, and their interaction on expression of the disease degree, yield capacity, protein, starch, fat and DON content. Average yield losses ranged between 7,0-9,3% during the experimental period. The hybrids Turda Star and Turda Favorit were more resistant to Fusarium ear rot, and Turda 165 was the most susceptible one. The artificial infection of ear with Fusarium spp. determined significantly decrease of starch and fat content and increases the protein and DON content for the most part of maize hybrids. Between rot diseased kernels and DON content a positive correlation was determined

Challenging diagnoses of tetraploidy/diploidy and trisomy 12: utility of first-tier prenatal testing methods

Introduction: Chromosome mosaicism and low-grade mosaicism present a challenge for diagnosis in the era of SNP array and NGS. Tetraploidy is a rare numerical chromosomal abnormality characterized by the presence of four copies of each chromosome. The prevalence of tetraploidy/diploidy mosaicism cases is extremely rare in the human population. Accurate estimates of the frequency of this chromosomal anomaly are lacking due to its classification as an extremely rare and difficult-to-detect condition.Methods: In this report, we describe two cases involving challenging diagnoses of tetraploidy/diploidy and trisomy 12. We utilized advanced genetic testing techniques, including SNP array, to examine the chromosomal abnormalities in these cases. We compared the results from SNP array to conventional G band karyotyping to assess the utility of first-tier prenatal testing methods.Results:Our analysis revealed two cases of tetraploidy/diploidy and trisomy 12 with atypical presentations. SNP array analysis provided higher resolution and more precise information about the chromosomal anomalies in these cases compared to conventional G band karyotyping. Additionally, the prevalence of tetraploidy/diploidy mosaicism was confirmed to be extremely rare in the population.Discussion: Low-level mosaicism is difficult to diagnose, and in many cases, it has traditionally been identified through techniques such as G band karyotype or FISH. Microarray has become an invaluable diagnostic tool for detecting chromosomal abnormalities, offering high-resolution insights. However, it may not always be able to detect rare occurrences of tetraploidy or tetraploidy/diploidy mosaicism. As a result, it is recommended to perform a G band karyotype analysis after obtaining a negative microarray result before considering other diagnostic methods with a potentially higher yield of diagnosis. For the detection of low-level mosaicism, combined diagnostic methods should be considered. The diagnosis of mosaicism is a multistep process that can be time-consuming, often requiring the application of more than one diagnostic technique. This approach is crucial for accurate diagnosis and comprehensive patient care. Further research is warranted to better understand the underlying mechanisms of these rare chromosomal anomalies and to develop more effective diagnostic strategies for challenging cases

Identification of Lynch syndrome risk variants in the Romanian population.

To access publisher's full text version of this article, please click on the hyperlink in Additional Links field or click on the hyperlink at the top of the page marked DownloadTwo familial forms of colorectal cancer (CRC), Lynch syndrome (LS) and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), are caused by rare mutations in DNA mismatch repair genes (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2) and the genes APC and MUTYH, respectively. No information is available on the presence of high-risk CRC mutations in the Romanian population. We performed whole-genome sequencing of 61 Romanian CRC cases with a family history of cancer and/or early onset of disease, focusing the analysis on candidate variants in the LS and FAP genes. The frequencies of all candidate variants were assessed in a cohort of 688 CRC cases and 4567 controls. Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2 was performed on tumour tissue. We identified 11 candidate variants in 11 cases; six variants in MLH1, one in MSH6, one in PMS2, and three in APC. Combining information on the predicted impact of the variants on the proteins, IHC results and previous reports, we found three novel pathogenic variants (MLH1:p.Lys84ThrfsTer4, MLH1:p.Ala586CysfsTer7, PMS2:p.Arg211ThrfsTer38), and two novel variants that are unlikely to be pathogenic. Also, we confirmed three previously published pathogenic LS variants and suggest to reclassify a previously reported variant of uncertain significance to pathogenic (MLH1:c.1559-1G>C).European Union EE

Studies Regarding the Elaboration of the Manganese Austenitic Steel in the Induction Electric Furnace with Acid Coating

The paper forwards a method of elaborating the manganese austenitic steel in induction electric furnaces with a capacity of 250 Kg having an acid furnace coating. Considering the fact that when elaborating the manganese austenitic steel sulphur can be obtained under 0.02% constitutes an additional reason to attempt the elaboration of this steel in the electric furnaces through induction with acid coating, even if the load has over 0.02% S

Determining the Temperature Variation of the on the Wall of the Casting Mould during the casting of the Hadfield Steel

The present paper approaches the analysis of the metal temperature variation during the filling and solidification of steel in the casting mould. Furthermore we made determinations upon the heat transfer through the wall of the casting mould. The casting temperature, the casting speed and the heat transfer through the walls of the mould have a remarkable impact upon the shrinkage process for the prevention of casting defects (heat cavities and cracks). These cavities are also development cores for the heat cracks and the concentration of strains, which reduce the chemical, physical and mechanical properties of the cast parts. The shrinkage cavities represent one of the main defects of the cast product, and their reduction should be made up to the limits of technical possibilities

Inflammatory Status Assessment by Machine Learning Techniques to Predict Outcomes in Patients with Symptomatic Aortic Stenosis Treated by Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

(1) Background: Although transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) significantly improves long-term outcomes of symptomatic severe aortic stenosis (AS) patients, long-term mortality rates are still high. The aim of our study was to identify potential inflammatory biomarkers with predictive capacity for post-TAVR adverse events from a wide panel of routine biomarkers by employing ML techniques. (2) Methods: All patients diagnosed with symptomatic severe AS and treated by TAVR since January 2016 in a tertiary center were included in the present study. Three separate analyses were performed: (a) using only inflammatory biomarkers, (b) using inflammatory biomarkers, age, creatinine, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and (c) using all collected parameters. (3) Results: A total of 338 patients were included in the study, of which 56 (16.5%) patients died during follow-up. Inflammatory biomarkers assessed using ML techniques have predictive value for adverse events post-TAVR with an AUC-ROC of 0.743 and an AUC-PR of 0.329; most important variables were CRP, WBC count and Neu/Lym ratio. When adding age, creatinine and LVEF to inflammatory panel, the ML performance increased to an AUC-ROC of 0.860 and an AUC-PR of 0.574; even though LVEF was the most important predictor, inflammatory parameters retained their value. When using the entire dataset (inflammatory parameters and complete patient characteristics), the ML performance was the highest with an AUC-ROC of 0.916 and an AUC-PR of 0.676; in this setting, the CRP and Neu/Lym ratio were also among the most important predictors of events. (4) Conclusions: ML models identified the CRP, Neu/Lym ratio, WBC count and fibrinogen as important variables for adverse events post-TAVR