First report of Fusarium falciforme causing root rot and wilt on strawberry in Sinaloa, Mexico.

In Mexico strawberry production has great economic importance for the local and export markets as the country is the main strawberry supplier to the United States (SIAP, 2020). In 2022, strawberry plants with yellowing and wilting leaves, root rot and wilting, necrosis of vascular bundles and small fruits symptoms were observed in different commercial fields in the north-central Mexican state of Sinaloa, causing yield losses of about 10%. Typical Fusarium spp. colonies were recovered from all samples. They produced abundant white aerial mycelium with cream to orange pigment and branched septate hyphae (Fig. 1) (Leslie and Summerell, 2006). A total of 18 monosporic isolates were obtained by serial dilutions. The 18 isolates grown for 10 days on carnation leaf agar (CLA) produced hyaline microconidia with 0-2 septa, measuring 9.2 - 15.4 by 4.5 - 6.5 µm (n = 40) and hyaline macroconidia with three septa that measured 28.4 - 53.5 by 4.5 - 9 µm (n = 40). Chlamydospores were not observed. A fragment of the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (EF1-alpha) gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the primer pair EF-1/EF-2 (O'Donnell et al. 1998) from two monosporic isolates. The sequences were registered in the NCBI GenBank under accession numbers OR878541 and OR878543 (FRESIN178 and FRESIN194). BLASTn queries of NCBI GenBank identified the sequences as F. falciforme with 98% and 100% similarity to accession numbers OQ262968 and DQ246941 respectively. Fusarium ID database also identified the sequences as F. falciforme, is a member of the F. solani species complex (FSSC). Phylogenetic analysis revealed the partial EF1 sequences grouped with F. falciforme (Fig. 2). A pathogenicity test was performed on thirty strawberry plants (cv. Cabrillo) grown in sterile vermiculite. The plants were inoculated by immersing roots in 20 mL of a conidial suspension (1 × 105 conidia/mL) of isolate FRESIN194. Twelve uninoculated plants served as the control. All plants were grown for 60 days under greenhouse conditions (28 to 35°C). The assay was repeated twice. After 50 days, symptoms of root rot and wilting leaves like those observed in the field were observed. Uninoculated control plants did not develop symptoms. The fungus was reisolated from necrotic tissues of the inoculated plants and identified as F. falciforme by sequencing the EF1-alpha gene and morphological characteristics, completing Koch's postulates. Fusarium falciforme has been reported as the causal agent of root rot, stem rot, and wilt of tomato, papaya, chickpea, onion, common bean, and maize in Mexico (Díaz-Najera et al. 2021, Douriet-Angulo et al. 2021, Felix et al 2022, Tirado-Ramírez et al 2018, Vega-Gutiérrez et al. 2019a, Vega-Gutiérrez et al. 2019b). To our knowledge this is the first report of F. falciforme causing root rot and wilt on strawberry in Sinaloa, Mexico. This result provides useful information for the development and implementation of disease control strategies to mitigate damage caused by F. falciforme.

Muscle mass loss measured with portable ultrasound in hospitalized older adults: The ECOSARC study.

OBJECTIVES: The main objective was to analyze the evolution of muscle of the Quadriceps Rectus Femoris (QRF) between admission and discharge, in older adults hospitalized with an acute medical disease in Acute Geriatric Units (AGUs). DESIGN: Prospective multicentric observational cohort study. SETTING: Seven AGUs from University Hospitals in Spain. PARTICIPANTS: Hospitalized adults ≥ 70 years old, able to ambulate and without severe dementia. MEASUREMENTS: Ultrasound measurements of QRF were acquired at 2/3 distal between anterior-superior iliac spine and patella in both legs by trained Geriatricians. Ultrasound Chison model ECO2 was used. QRF area, thickness, edema, echogenicity, and fasciculations were measured. RESULTS: From the complete sample (n = 143), in 45 (31.5%) participants, ultrasound images were classified as non-valid by an expert radiologist. Mean age was 87.8 (SD 5.4). Mean hospital stay 7.6 days (SD 4.3). From those with valid images, 36 (49.3%), 2 (2.7%), and 35 (47.9%) presented a decrease, equal values, or an increase in QRF area from baseline to discharge, respectively, and 37 (50.0%), 2 (2.7%), and 35 (47.3%) presented a decrease, equal values, or an increase in QRF thickness, respectively. 26 (35.6%) presented a decrease in more than 0.2 cm2 of QRF area, and 23 (31.1%) a decrease in more than 0.1 cm of QRF thickness. Only 4 (5.4%) patients presented new edema, while 13 (17.6%) worsened echogenicity. CONCLUSION: One third of older adults develop significant muscle loss during a hospitalization for acute medical diseases. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05113758.

Impulsivity, decision-making, and risk behavior in bipolar disorder and major depression from bipolar multiplex families.

OBJECTIVES: Bipolar disorder (BD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) are characterized by specific alterations of mood. In both disorders, alterations in cognitive domains such as impulsivity, decision-making, and risk-taking have been reported. Identification of similarities and differences of these domains in BD and MDD could give further insight into their etiology. The present study assessed impulsivity, decision-making, and risk-taking behavior in BD and MDD patients from bipolar multiplex families. METHODS: Eighty-two participants (BD type I, n = 25; MDD, n = 26; healthy relatives (HR), n = 17; and healthy controls (HC), n = 14) underwent diagnostic interviews and selected tests of a cognitive battery assessing neurocognitive performance across multiple subdomains including impulsivity (response inhibition and delay aversion), decision-making, and risk behavior. Generalized estimating equations (GEEs) were used to analyze whether the groups differed in the respective cognitive domains. RESULTS: Participants with BD and MDD showed higher impulsivity levels compared to HC; this difference was more pronounced in BD participants. BD participants also showed lower inhibitory control than MDD participants. Overall, suboptimal decision-making was associated with both mood disorders (BD and MDD). In risk-taking behavior, no significant impairment was found in any group. LIMITATIONS: As sample size was limited, it is possible that differences between BD and MDD may have escaped detection due to lack of statistical power. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that alterations of cognitive domains-while present in both disorders-are differently associated with BD and MDD. This underscores the importance of assessing such domains in addition to mere diagnosis of mood disorders.

Sustainable Recovery of Platinum Group Metals from Spent Automotive Three-Way Catalysts through a Biogenic Thiosulfate-Copper-Ammonia System.

This study explores an eco-friendly method for recovering platinum group metals from a synthetic automotive three-way catalyst (TWC). Bioleaching of palladium (Pd) using the thiosulfate-copper-ammonia leaching processes, with biogenic thiosulfate sourced from a bioreactor used for biogas biodesulfurization, is proposed as a sustainable alternative to conventional methods. Biogenic thiosulfate production was optimized in a gas-lift bioreactor by studying the pH (8-10) and operation modes (batch and continuous) under anoxic and microaerobic conditions for 35 d. The maximum concentration of 4.9 g S2O32- L-1 of biogenic thiosulfate was reached under optimal conditions (batch mode, pH = 10, and airflow rate 0.033 vvm). To optimize Pd bioleaching from a ground TWC, screening through a Plackett-Burman design determined that oxygen and temperature significantly affected the leaching yield negatively and positively, respectively. Based on these results, an optimization through an experimental design was performed, indicating the optimal conditions to be Na2S2O3 1.2 M, CuSO4 0.03 M, (NH4)2SO4 1.5 M, Na2SO3 0.2 M, pH 8, and 60 °C. A remarkable 96.2 and 93.2% of the total Pd was successfully extracted from the solid at 5% pulp density using both commercially available and biogenic thiosulfate, highlighting the method's versatility for Pd bioleaching from both thiosulfate sources.

Systemic changes induced by autologous stem cell ovarian transplant in plasma proteome of women with impaired ovarian reserves.

Patients with poor ovarian response (POR) and premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) are challenging to treat, with oocyte donation remaining as the only feasible option to achieve pregnancy in some cases. The Autologous stem cell ovarian transplantation (ASCOT) technique allows follicle development, enabling pregnancies and births of healthy babies in these patients. Previous results suggest that growth factors and cytokines secreted by stem cells are partially responsible for their regenerative properties. Indeed, ASCOT beneficial effects associate with the presence of different bone marrow derived stem cell- secreted factors in plasma. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess whether ASCOT induce any modifications in the plasma proteomic profile of patients with impaired ovarian reserves. Discriminant analysis highlighted clear distinctions between the plasma proteome before (PRE), during stem cell mobilization and collection (APHERESIS) and three months after ASCOT (POST) in patients with POR and POI. Both the stem cell mobilization and ASCOT technique induced statistically significant modifications in the plasma composition, reversing some age-related protein expression changes. In the POR group, functional analysis revealed an enrichment in processes related to the complement cascade, immune system, and platelet degranulation, while in the POI group, enriched processes were also associated with responses to oxygen-containing compounds and growth hormones, and blood vessel maturation. In conclusion, our findings highlight the potential proteins and biological processes that may promote the follicle activation and growth observed after ASCOT. Identifying plasma proteins that regenerate aged or damaged ovaries could lead to more effective, targeted and/or preventive therapies for patients.

Copulatory mechanics of ghost spiders reveals a new self-bracing mechanism in entelegyne spiders.

Spiders evolved a distinctive sperm transfer system, with the male copulatory organs located on the tarsus of the pedipalps. In entelegyne spiders, these organs are usually very complex and consist of various sclerites that not only allow the transfer of the sperm themselves but also provide a mechanical interlock between the male and female genitalia. This interlocking can also involve elements that are not part of the copulatory organ such as the retrolateral tibial apophysis (RTA)-a characteristic of the most diverse group of spiders (RTA clade). The RTA is frequently used for primary locking i.e., the first mechanical engagement between male and female genitalia. Despite its functional importance, some diverse spider lineages have lost the RTA, but evolved an apophysis on the femur instead. It can be hypothesized that this femoral apophysis is a functional surrogate of the RTA during primary locking or possibly serves another function, such as self-bracing, which involves mechanical interaction between male genital structures themselves to stabilize the inserted pedipalp. We tested these hypotheses using ghost spiders of the genus Josa (Anyphaenidae). Our micro-computed tomography data of cryofixed mating pairs show that the primary locking occurs through elements of the copulatory organ itself and that the femoral apophysis does not contact the female genitalia, but hooks to a projection of the copulatory bulb, representing a newly documented self-bracing mechanism for entelegyne spiders. Additionally, we show that the femoral self-bracing apophysis is rather uniform within the genus Josa. This is in contrast to the male genital structures that interact with the female, indicating that the male genital structures of Josa are subject to different selective regimes.

Deciphering reproductive aging in women using a NOD/SCID mouse model for distinct physiological ovarian phenotypes.

Female fertility is negatively correlated with age, with noticeable declines in oocyte quantity and quality until menopause. To understand this physiological process and evaluate human approaches for treating age-related infertility, preclinical studies in appropriate animal models are needed. Thus, we aimed to characterize an immunodeficient physiological aging mouse model displaying ovarian characteristics of different stages during women's reproductive life. NOD/SCID mice of different ages (8-, 28-, and 36-40-week-old) were employed to mimic ovarian phenotypes of young, Advanced Maternal Age (AMA), and old women (~18-20-, ~36-38-, and >45-years-old, respectively). Mice were stimulated, mated, and sacrificed to recover oocytes and embryos. Then, ovarian reserve, follicular growth, ovarian stroma, mitochondrial dysfunction, and proteomic profiles were assessed. Age-matched C57BL/6 mice were employed to cross-validate the reproductive outcomes. The quantity and quality of oocytes were decreased in AMA and Old mice. These age-related effects associated spindle and chromosome abnormalities, along with decreased developmental competence to blastocyst stage. Old mice had less follicles, impaired follicle activation and growth, an ovarian stroma inconducive to growth, and increased mitochondrial dysfunctions. Proteomic analysis corroborated these histological findings. Based on that, NOD/SCID mice can be used to model different ovarian aging phenotypes and potentially test human anti-aging treatments.

Bioleaching of the α-alumina layer of spent three-way catalysts as a pretreatment for the recovery of platinum group metals.

Acid bioleaching of Al by Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans has been explored as an environmentally friendly pretreatment to facilitate the extraction of platinum group metals from spent three-way catalysts (TWC). Biogenic sulfur obtained from desulfurization bioreactors improved the production of acid by A. thiooxidans compared to commercially available elemental sulfur. The lixiviation abilities of bacteria-free biogenic acid and biogenic acid with exponential or stationary phase bacteria were compared against a control batch produced by commercial H2SO4. The maximum Al leaching percentage (54.5%) was achieved using biogenic acids with stationary-phase bacteria at a TWC pulp density of 5% w/v whereas bacteria-free biogenic acid (23.4%), biogenic acid with exponential phase bacteria (21.7%) and commercial H2SO4 (24.7%) showed lower leaching abilities. The effect of different pulp densities of ground TWC (5, 30, and 60% w/v) on Al leaching and bacterial growth was determined. While greater Al leaching yields were obtained at lower TWC pulp density solutions (54.5% at 5% w/v and 2.5% at 60% w/v), higher pulp densities enhanced microbial growth (2.3 × 109 cells/mL at 5% w/v and 9.5 × 1010 cells/mL at 60% w/v). The dissolution of the metal from the solid into the liquid phase triggered the production of biological polymeric substances that were able to absorb traces of both Al (up to 24.80% at 5% w/v) and Pt (up to 0.40% at 60% w/v).

ATCUN-like Copper Site in ßB2-Crystallin Plays a Protective Role in Cataract-Associated Aggregation.

Cataract is the leading cause of blindness worldwide, and it is caused by crystallin damage and aggregation. Senile cataractous lenses have relatively high levels of metals, while some metal ions can directly induce the aggregation of human γ-crystallins. Here, we evaluated the impact of divalent metal ions in the aggregation of human ßB2-crystallin, one of the most abundant crystallins in the lens. Turbidity assays showed that Pb2+, Hg2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+ ions induce the aggregation of ßB2-crystallin. Metal-induced aggregation is partially reverted by a chelating agent, indicating the formation of metal-bridged species. Our study focused on the mechanism of copper-induced aggregation of ßB2-crystallin, finding that it involves metal-bridging, disulfide-bridging, and loss of protein stability. Circular dichroism and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) revealed the presence of at least three Cu2+ binding sites in ßB2-crystallin, one of them with spectroscopic features typical for Cu2+ bound to an amino-terminal copper and nickel (ATCUN) binding motif, which is found in Cu transport proteins. The ATCUN-like Cu binding site is located at the unstructured N-terminus of ßB2-crystallin, and it could be modeled by a peptide with the first six residues in the protein sequence (NH2-ASDHQF-). Isothermal titration calorimetry indicates a nanomolar Cu2+ binding affinity for the ATCUN-like site. An N-truncated form of ßB2-crystallin is more susceptible to Cu-induced aggregation and is less thermally stable, indicating a protective role for the ATCUN-like site. EPR and X-ray absorption spectroscopy studies reveal the presence of a copper redox active site in ßB2-crystallin that is associated with metal-induced aggregation and formation of disulfide-bridged oligomers. Our study demonstrates metal-induced aggregation of ßB2-crystallin and the presence of putative copper binding sites in the protein. Whether the copper-transport ATCUN-like site in ßB2-crystallin plays a functional/protective role or constitutes a vestige from its evolution as a lens structural protein remains to be elucidated.

First report of Fusarium verticillioides causing safflower root rot in Sinaloa, Mexico.

Safflower cultivation is of great socioeconomic importance worldwide. Production is intended for the extraction of oil from the seeds. In 2021 Mexico ranked fifth in world production with approximately 52,553.28 tons (SIAP, 2021). In April 2022, in the north-central zone of Sinaloa, Mexico, diseased plants were reported in fields planted with safflower. Symptoms included chlorotic plants, necrosis and rot in vascular bundles, dwarfed plants and reflexed plants bent towards the ground. The disease caused estimated losses of 15% of seed production, with respect to the production obtained from the previous year in the safflower fields surveyed. Twenty-five plants with symptoms were sampled to isolate the pathogen. Plants were cut at the base of the stem near the roots and roots cut into 5 mm2 pieces. Tissue samples were superficially disinfected by immersing in 70% alcohol for 10 sec, 2% sodium hypochlorite for 1 min, washed in sterile water, and placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA) at 28 ºC for 7 days in the dark. Twelve monosporic isolates derived from the PDA culture were morphologically characterized. Abundant white aerial mycelium and small pink to dark violet pigments in the center of the culture were observed. From 10-day-old cultures grown on carnation leaf agar medium microconidia and macroconidia were produced. Microconidia were hyaline, had zero to two septa, and were oval or ellipsoidal, 4.6 to 14 x 1.8 to 4.2 µm (n = 40). The macroconidia were hyaline, were slightly curved with three to five septa, and measured from 26 to 69 x 3 to 6.1 µm (n = 40). No chlamydospores were observed. According to the morphological characteristics, the isolates were identified as Fusarium verticillioides (Leslie and Summerell, 2006). DNA was extracted from one isolate and the Translation Elongation Factor 1-α (EF1) gene was amplified and sequenced (O'Donnell et al. 2010). The sequence obtained from isolate FV3CARCULSIN with 645 base pairs was submitted to NCBI GenBank with accession number OQ262963. The BLAST search revealed 100% similarity with F. verticillioides isolate 13 (KM598773) (Lizárraga et al. 2015). Identification in FUSARIUM ID resulted in a 99.85% similarity with isolate F. verticillioides CBS 131389 (MN534047) (Yilmaz et al. 2021). A phylogenetic tree, made with sequences of the EF1 gene, revealed that FV3CARCULSIN was most closely related to F. verticillioides (100% bootstrap). Pathogenicity tests were carried out on safflower plants (cv. Oleico) grown in sterile vermiculite. Plants were inoculated with a conidial suspension (1 × 105 conidia/ml) obtained from FV3CARCULSIN grown on PDA for 7 days. A total of 45 plants were inoculated by drenching the roots with 20 ml of inoculum when the plants were 20 days old. Fifteen plants served as negative controls without inoculation. Plants were kept for 60 days in greenhouse conditions; however, after 45 days the plants began to die. The assay was conducted twice. Rotting and necrosis was observed in the roots of the plants. The pathogen was reisolated from the tissue of all the plants with symptoms and identified as F. verticillioides using morphological characteristics and EF1 sequences, completing Koch's postulates. No symptoms were observed in control plants after 60 days. This is the first report of root rot in safflower caused by F. verticillioides in Mexico. The fungus has been reported in maize (Figueroa et al. 2010), but it is unknown if it could be the same pathogen of safflower. Identification of the pathogen is important for implementing management methods to reduce yield losses and for additional studies on the impact of the disease on oil quality extracted from safflower seeds.

Fusarium verticillioides Causing Root and Stem Rot in Papaya (Carica papaya) in Mexico.

Mexico is the fifth largest producer of papaya in the world with an estimated production of 1, 134, 753 metric tons per year (FAOSTAT 2022). In February 2022, in the center zone of Sinaloa State (Mexico), in a seedling-producing greenhouse, papaya seedlings were observed with an incidence (20%) of root and stem rot and necrotic tissue. Symptomatic tissues were collected from 10 papaya plants, which were cut into small pieces and surface sterilized sequentially with 70% alcohol for 20 s and 1% sodium hypochlorite for 2 min, dried, placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA), and incubated at 26°C in darkness for 5 days. Typical Fusarium spp. colonies were obtained from all root samples. Ten pure cultures were obtained by single-spore culturing and morphologically characterized on PDA and carnation leaf agar (CLA) media. On PDA, the colonies produced abundant white aerial mycelium, and the center of old cultures was yellow pigmentation (Leslie and Summerell 2006). From 10-day-old cultures grown on CLA medium, macroconidia were slightly curved, which showed zero to three septa, with some slightly sharp apices, and basal cells with notches, the measurements were from 22.53 to 48.94 x 6.9 to 13.73 µm (n= 50). The microconidia were presented in abundant chains of microconidia. The microconidia presented thin walls, oval and hyaline in shape, forming long chains, measuring 10.4 to 14.25 x 2.4 to 6.8 µm (n= 50). Chlamydospores were not observed. The translation elongation factor 1 alpha (EF1-α) gene (O'Donnell et al. 1998) was amplified by polymerase chain reaction and sequenced from isolate FVTPPYCULSIN (GenBank accession no. OM966892). Maximum likelihood analysis was carried out using the EF1-α sequence (OM966892) and other species from the genus Fusarium. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the isolate was Fusarium verticillioides (100% bootstrap). Furthermore, the isolate FVTPPYCULSIN was 100 % similar with other reported Fusarium verticillioides sequence (GenBank accession nos. MN657268) (Dharanendra et al. 2019). Pathogenicity tests were performed on 60-day-old papaya plants (cultivar Maradol) grown on autoclaved sandy loam soil mix. Ten plants per isolate (n = 10) were inoculated by drenching with 20 ml of a conidial suspension (1 × 105 CFU/ml) of each isolate per plant. The suspension was obtained by collecting the spores of each isolate grown on PDA with 10 ml of an isotonic saline solution. Ten noninoculated plants served as controls. Plants were maintained for 60 days under greenhouse conditions (25 to 30°C). The assay was conducted twice. Root and stem rot similar to that observed on the infected plants in the greenhouse was observed on the papaya plants. No symptoms were observed on noninoculated control plants after 60 days. The pathogen was reisolated from the necrotic tissue from all inoculated plants and was identified again as Fusarium verticillioides by sequencing the partial EF1-α gene again and based on its morphological characteristics, genetic analysis, and pathogenicity test, fulfilling Koch's postulates. The molecular identification was confirmed via BLAST on the Fusarium ID and Fusarium MLST databases. The isolate FVTPPYCULSIN was deposited in the fungal collection of the Faculty of Agronomy of the Autonomous University of Sinaloa. To our knowledge, this is the first report of root and stem rot of papaya caused by F. verticillioides. Papaya is an important fruit crop in Mexico, and the occurrence of this disease needs to be taken into account in papaya production.

MicroCT analysis unveils the role of inflatable female genitalia and male tibial complex in the genital coupling in the spider genus Aysha (Anyphaenidae, Araneae).

Sperm transfer in spiders is achieved by copulatory organs on the male pedipalps (i.e., copulatory bulbs), which can be simple or a complex set of sclerites and membranes. During copulation, these sclerites can be used to anchor in corresponding structures in the female genitalia by means of hydraulic pressure. In the most diverse group of Entelegynae spiders, the retrolateral tibial apophysis clade, the female role in the coupling of genitalia is considered rather passive, as conformational changes of the female genital plate (i.e., the epigyne) during copulation are scarce. Here, we reconstruct the genital mechanics of two closely related species belonging to the Aysha prospera group (Anyphaenidae) that bear a membranous, wrinkled epigyne and male pedipalps with complex tibial structures. By using microcomputed tomography data of a cryofixed mating pair, we reveal that most of the epigyne remains greatly inflated during genital coupling, and that the male tibial structures are coupled to the epigyne by the inflation of a tibial hematodocha. We propose that a turgent female vulva is a prerequisite for the genital coupling, which could implicate a female control device, and that the structures from the male copulatory bulb have been functionally replaced by tibial structures in these species. Furthermore, we show that the conspicuous median apophysis is maintained in spite of being functionally redundant, posing a puzzling situation.

Geometric regularity in webs of non-orb-weaving spiders.

Geometric regularity of spider webs has been intensively studied in orb-weaving spiders, although it is not exclusive of orb weavers. Here, we document the geometrically regular, repetitive elements in the webs of the non-orb-weaving groups Leptonetidae and Telemidae for the first time. Similar to orb weavers, we found areas with regularly spaced parallel lines in the webs of Calileptoneta helferi, Sulcia sp., and cf. Pinelema sp. Furthermore, we provide a detailed account of the regular webs of Ochyrocera (Ochyroceratidae). The sections of the web with regularly disposed parallel lines are built as U-shaped modules reminiscent of orb webs. It has been suggested that the regularly spaced parallel lines in the webs of Ochyroceratidae and Psilodercidae may be produced in a single sweep of their posterior lateral spinnerets, which have regularly spaced aciniform gland spigots, perhaps involving expansion of the spinnerets. To test this hypothesis, we compared the spacing between parallel lines with the spacing between spigots, searched for expansible membranes in the spinnerets, and examined the junctions of regularly spaced lines. The distance between parallel lines was 10-20 times the distance between spigots, and we found no expansible membranes, and the intersection of parallel lines are cemented, which opposes the single sweep hypothesis. Furthermore, we found cues of viscid silk in the parallel lines of the psilodercid Althepus and broadened piriform gland spigots that may be responsible of its production. Finally, we evaluated the presence or absence of geometrically regular web elements across the spider tree of life. We found reports of regular webs in 31 spider families, including 20 families that are not orb weavers and hypothesize that the two basic aspects of regularity (parallel lines spaced at regular intervals, and radial lines spaced at regular angles) probably appeared many times in the evolution of spiders.

"SARCOPENIA MEASURED BY ULTRASOUND IN HOSPITALIZED OLDER ADULTS" (ECOSARC): multi-centre, prospective observational study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Measurement of muscle mass and function, and thereafter, screening and diagnosis of sarcopenia, is a challenge and a need in hospitalized older adults. However, it is difficult in complex real-world old patients, because usually they are unable to collaborate with clinical, functional, and imaging testing. Ultrasound measurement of quadriceps rectus femoris (QRF) provides a non-invasive, real-time assessment of muscle quantity and quality, and is highly acceptable to participants with excellent inter-rater and intra-rater variability. However, normative data, protocol standardization, and association with longitudinal outcomes, needs further research and consensus. METHODS: Prospective exploratory multicenter study in older adults admitted to Acute Geriatric Units (AGUs) for medical reasons. 157 subjects from 7 AGUs of Spain were recruited between May 2019 and January 2022. Muscle ultrasound measurements of the anterior vastus of the QRF were acquired on admission and on discharge, using a previously validated protocol, using a Chieson model ECO2 ultrasound system (Chieson Medical Technologies, Co. Ltd, Wimxu District Wuxi, Jiangsu, China). Measurements included the cross-sectional area, muscle thickness in longitudinal view, intramuscular central tendon thickness, echogenicity, and the presence or absence of edema and fasciculations. Functional, nutritional, and DXA measurements were provided. Clinical follow-up was completed at discharge, and 30 and 90 days after discharge. Variations between hospital admission and discharge ultrasound values, and the relationship with clinical variables, will be analyzed using paired t-tests, Wilcoxon tests, or Mc Nemar chi-square tests when necessary. Prevalence of sarcopenia will be calculated, as well as sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound measurements to determine sarcopenia. Kappa analysis will be used to analyze the concordance between measurements, and sensitivity analysis will be conducted for each participating center. DISCUSSION: The results obtained will be of great interest to the scientific geriatric community to assess the utility and validity of ultrasound measurements for the detection and follow-up of sarcopenia in hospitalized older adults, and its association with adverse outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT05113758. Registration date: November 9th 2021. Retrospectively registered.

First report of Fusarium keratoplasticum causing strawberry root rot in Sinaloa, Mexico.

Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) is a fruit of economic importance for Mexico, occupying the third place in world production, with an approximate production of 861, 337 t (SIAP, 2021). In January 2021, in Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico (24°46'46″N; 107°27'04″ W), wilting symptoms (stunted growth, leaf yellowing and wilting, necrosis in vascular bundles, root rot and wilting) were observed on commercial strawberry crops, with an incidence of 5 to 10 %. Tissue samples from symptomatic roots were cut and disinfected with alcohol, sodium hypochlorite and sterile water, to later be plated on potato dextrose agar (PDA). Fifteen monosporic isolates were obtained by single-spore culturing (Hansen and Smith, 1932). Typical Fusarium spp. colonies were obtained from all root samples. On PDA the colonies were abundant with white aerial mycelium, hyphae were branched and septate, and light-yellow pigmentation was observed in the center of old cultures (Leslie and Summerell 2006). From 10-day-old cultures grown on carnation leaf agar medium, macroconidia were slightly curved, showing three marked septa, broad central cells, slightly tapered apices, foot-shaped basal cells and measured 59.6 - 73.4 (x̄ = 68.7) x 10.4 - 14.9 µm (x̄ = 13.6) (n = 40). The microconidia (n = 40) were thin-walled, hyaline, ovoid unicellular that measured 19.7 - 32.2 (x̄ = 26.6) x 8.8 - 11.8 µm (x̄ = 10.2). The translation elongation factor 1 alpha (EF1-α) gene (O'Donnell et al. 1998) was amplified by polymerase chain reaction and sequenced. Maximum likelihood analysis was carried out using the EF1-α sequence from the isolate FKTFRESCULSIN (GenBank accession no. OK491929) and other Neocosmospora and Fusarium species. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the isolate was Fusarium keratoplasticum (currently named Neocosmospora keratoplastica) belonging to the Fusarium solani species complex (FSSC). Pathogenicity tests were performed on strawberry plants (cultivar Camarosa) grown on autoclaved sandy loam soil mix. Twenty plants were inoculated by drenching with 20 ml of a conidial suspension (1 × 105 CFU/ml) in an isotonic saline solution of FKTFRESCULSIN grown on PDA. Ten uninoculated plants served as controls. Plants were maintained for 60 days under greenhouse conditions (25 to 30°C). The assay was conducted twice. Root and stem rot similar to that observed on the infected plants in the field was observed. No symptoms were observed on uninoculated control plants after 60 days. The pathogen was reisolated from necrotic tissue from all inoculated plants and identified as F. keratoplasticum by sequencing the partial EF1-α gene and based on its morphological characteristics, thus fulfilling Koch's postulates. To our knowledge, this is the first report of root rot and wilt of strawberry caused by F. keratoplasticum in Mexico; it also contributes knowledge to the scientific community, since there is little information about this pathogen causing damage to plants in the world. Strawberry is an important crop in Mexico, and the occurrence of this disease could threaten strawberry production.

Implementation of a Pilot-Scale Biotrickling Filtration Process for Biogas Desulfurization under Anoxic Conditions Using Agricultural Digestate as Trickling Liquid.

A pilot-scale biotrickling filter (BTF) was operated in counter-current flow mode under anoxic conditions, using diluted agricultural digestate as inoculum and as the recirculation medium for the nutrient source. The process was tested on-site at an agricultural fermentation plant, where real biogas was used. The pilot plant was therefore exposed to real process-related fluctuations. The purpose of this research was to attest the validity of the filtration process for use at an industrial-scale by operating the pilot plant under realistic conditions. Neither the use of agricultural digestate as trickling liquid and nor a BTF of this scale have previously been reported in the literature. The pilot plant was operated for 149 days. The highest inlet load was 8.5 gS-H2Sm-3h-1 with a corresponding removal efficiency of 99.2%. The pH remained between 7.5 and 4.6 without any regulation throughout the complete experimental phase. The analysis of the microbial community showed that both anaerobic and anoxic bacteria can adapt to the fluctuating operating conditions and coexist simultaneously, thus contributing to the robustness of the process. The operation of an anoxic BTF with agricultural digestate as the trickling liquid proved to be viable for industrial-scale use.

Correlation with a limited set of behavioral niches explains the convergence of somatic morphology in mygalomorph spiders.

Understanding the drivers of morphological convergence requires investigation into its relationship with behavior and niche space, and such investigations in turn provide insights into evolutionary dynamics, functional morphology, and life history. Mygalomorph spiders (trapdoor spiders and their kin) have long been associated with high levels of morphological homoplasy, and many convergent features can be intuitively associated with different behavioral niches. Using genus-level phylogenies based on recent genomic studies and a newly assembled matrix of discrete behavioral and somatic morphological characters, we reconstruct the evolution of burrowing behavior in the Mygalomorphae, compare the influence of behavior and evolutionary history on somatic morphology, and test hypotheses of correlated evolution between specific morphological features and behavior. Our results reveal the simplicity of the mygalomorph adaptive landscape, with opportunistic, web-building taxa at one end, and burrowing/nesting taxa with structurally modified burrow entrances (e.g., a trapdoor) at the other. Shifts in behavioral niche, in both directions, are common across the evolutionary history of the Mygalomorphae, and several major clades include taxa inhabiting both behavioral extremes. Somatic morphology is heavily influenced by behavior, with taxa inhabiting the same behavioral niche often more similar morphologically than more closely related but behaviorally divergent taxa, and we were able to identify a suite of 11 somatic features that show significant correlation with particular behaviors. We discuss these findings in light of the function of particular morphological features, niche dynamics within the Mygalomorphae, and constraints on the mygalomorph adaptive landscape relative to other spiders.