Influence of social cognition as a mediator between cognitive reserve and psychosocial functioning in patients with first episode psychosis.

BACKGROUND: Social cognition has been associated with functional outcome in patients with first episode psychosis (FEP). Social cognition has also been associated with neurocognition and cognitive reserve. Although cognitive reserve, neurocognitive functioning, social cognition, and functional outcome are related, the direction of their associations is not clear. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to analyze the influence of social cognition as a mediator between cognitive reserve and cognitive domains on functioning in FEP both at baseline and at 2 years. METHODS: The sample of the study was composed of 282 FEP patients followed up for 2 years. To analyze whether social cognition mediates the influence of cognitive reserve and cognitive domains on functioning, a path analysis was performed. The statistical significance of any mediation effects was evaluated by bootstrap analysis. RESULTS: At baseline, as neither cognitive reserve nor the cognitive domains studied were related to functioning, the conditions for mediation were not satisfied. Nevertheless, at 2 years of follow-up, social cognition acted as a mediator between cognitive reserve and functioning. Likewise, social cognition was a mediator between verbal memory and functional outcome. The results of the bootstrap analysis confirmed these significant mediations (95% bootstrapped CI (-10.215 to -0.337) and (-4.731 to -0.605) respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive reserve and neurocognition are related to functioning, and social cognition mediates in this relationship.

Personalized medicine begins with the phenotype: identifying antipsychotic response phenotypes in a first-episode psychosis cohort.

AIMS: Here, we present a clustering strategy to identify phenotypes of antipsychotic (AP) response by using longitudinal data from patients presenting first-episode psychosis (FEP). METHOD: One hundred and ninety FEP with complete data were selected from the PEPs project. The efficacy was assessed using total PANSS, and adverse effects using total UKU, during one-year follow-up. We used the Klm3D method to cluster longitudinal data. RESULTS: We identified four clusters: cluster A, drug not toxic and beneficial; cluster B, drug beneficial but toxic; cluster C, drug neither toxic nor beneficial; and cluster D, drug toxic and not beneficial. These groups significantly differ in baseline demographics, clinical, and neuropsychological characteristics (PAS, total PANSS, DUP, insight, pIQ, age of onset, cocaine use and family history of mental illness). CONCLUSIONS: The results presented here allow the identification of phenotypes of AP response that differ in well-known simple and classic clinical variables opening the door to clinical prediction and application of personalized medicine.

Impact of climate change environmental conditions on the resilience of different formulations of the biocontrol agent Candida sake CPA-1 on grapes.

Biocontrol agents have become components of integrated crop protection systems for controlling economically important fungal pathogens. Candida sake CPA-1 is a biocontrol agent of fungal pathogens of fruits, both pre- and post-harvest. While the efficacy of different formulations have been examined previously, few studies have considered the resilience of different formulations under changing climatic conditions of elevated temperature, drought stress and increased atmospheric CO2 . This study examined the effect of (a) temperature × RH × elevated CO2 (400 vs 1000 ppm) on the temporal establishment and viability of two dry and one liquid C. sake CPA-1 formulations on grape berry surfaces; (b) temperature stress (25 vs 35°C); and (c) elevated CO2 levels. Results indicated that temperature, RH and CO2 concentration influenced the establishment and viability of the formulations but there was no significant difference between formulations. For the combined three-component factors, increased temperature (35°C) and lower RH (40%) reduced the viable populations on grapes. The interaction with elevated CO2 improved the establishment of viable populations of the formulations tested. Viable populations greater than Log 4 CFUs per g were recovered from the grape surfaces suggesting that these had conserved resilience for control of Botrytis rot in grapes. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The interaction between environmental factors that are expected to occur in response to climate change (CC) will have a significant impact on food security and availability. Little information exists on how elevated temperature, drought stress and increased CO2 will have on the efficacy of biocontrol agents. The impact of these factors on the viability of different formulations of the biocontrol yeast Candida sake on the surface of grapes berries was evaluated for the first time. Such knowledge is critical for projecting the efficacy of biocontrol under climate change conditions and to identify formulations that have the necessary resilience to perform under CC conditions.

Influence of temperature on decay, mycelium development and sporodochia production caused by Monilinia fructicola and M. laxa on stone fruits.

Brown rot on peaches and nectarines caused by Monilinia spp. results in significant economic losses in Europe. Experiments were conducted to study the effects of temperature (0-33 °C) on the temporal dynamics of decay and mycelium development and the subsequent sporulation on peaches and nectarine fruit infected by M. laxa and M. fructicola. The rates of decay and mycelium development increased with temperature from 0 °C to 25 °C for both Monilinia species. At 0 °C, decay was faster for M. laxa (0.20 cm2 days-1) than for M. fructicola (0.07 cm2 days-1); indeed, M. laxa was able to develop mycelia and sporodochia, but M. fructicola was not. At 4 and 20 °C, there were no differences in decay and mycelia development between the two Monilinia species. When temperature increased from 25 to 33 °C, the rates of fungal decay and mycelium development decreased. At 30 and 33 °C, M. fructicola decayed faster (0.94 and 1.2 cm2 days-1, respectively) than M. laxa (0.78 and 0.74 cm2 days-1, respectively) and could develop mycelia and produce sporodochia, whereas M. laxa failed at 33 °C. These results indicated that M. fructicola is better adapted to high temperatures, whereas M. laxa is better adapted to low temperatures. These results can be used to predict the relative importance of the two species during the season at a given site and to improve management strategies for brown rot in areas where both species are present.

Antifungal effect of volatile organic compounds produced by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CPA-8 against fruit pathogen decays of cherry.

The present work focuses on the antifungal effect of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CPA-8 against Monilinia laxa, M. fructicola and Botrytis cinera, three postharvest fruit pathogens of sweet cherry fruit. VOCs were evaluated with a double petri dish assay against mycelial and colony growth of target pathogens. For this purpose, CPA-8 was grown on different media and cultured for 24 and 48 h at 30 °C before assays. Data showed that mycelial growth inhibition was higher when CPA-8 was grown on Tryptone Soya Agar (TSA) while no differences were generally observed when CPA-8 was cultured for either, 24 and 48 h. Moreover, no effects were observed on colony growth. The main volatile compounds emitted by CPA-8 were identified by solid-phase microextraction (SPME)-gas chromatography as 1,3 pentadiene, acetoin (3-hydroxy-2-butanone) and thiophene. Pure compounds were also tested in vitro on mycelial growth inhibition and their EC50 values against the three pathogens were estimated. Thiophene was the most effective VOC, showing more than 82% suppression of mycelial growth at the highest concentration (1.35 µL/mL headspace) and EC50 values ranging from 0.06 to 6.67 µL/mL headspace. Finally, the effectiveness of thiophene and CPA-8 VOCs was evaluated against artificially inoculated cherry fruits. Among the target pathogens, M. fructicola was clearly controlled by CPA-8 with less than 25% of rotten fruits compared to the control (65% disease incidence) and for all pathogens, less than 37.5% of CPA-8 treated decayed fruits produced spores (disease sporulation). Otherwise, pure thiophene showed no effect against any pathogen on disease incidence and disease sporulation. The results indicated that VOCs produced by B. amyloliquefaciens CPA-8 could develop an additive antifungal effect against postharvest fruit pathogens on stone fruit.

Optimization of packaging and storage conditions of a freeze-dried Pantoea agglomerans formulation for controlling postharvest diseases in fruit.

AIMS: This study aimed to evaluate different packaging strategies to extend the shelf life of a freeze-dried formulation of the biocontrol agent Pantoea agglomerans strain CPA-2. METHODS AND RESULTS: Different materials and atmosphere packaging conditions (vacuum and air) were analysed on formulated P. agglomerans cells stored at 25, 5 and -20°C. Results showed the viability of CPA-2 cells stored at 5 or -20°C was significantly higher than when stored at 25°C. The highest viabilities were observed with the plastic material designated as Bottle 1, in nonvacuum packaging in all storage temperatures: 50% after 3 months at 25°C, 100% after 8 months at 5°C and 100 and 74% after 12 and 18 months, respectively, at -20°C; the final concentration was 10(12) CFU g(-1), a good concentration for a commercial product. The efficacy to control blue and green mould on apples and oranges, respectively, of these packed and stored cells was similar to fresh CPA-2 cells. CONCLUSIONS: This work showed a suitable packaging strategy for a freeze-dried formulation of the CPA-2, providing a good shelf life and efficacy against the major postharvest diseases of apples and citrus based on a plastic bottle stored at cold or frozen storage conditions. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The last phase of the commercial development process for biocontrol agents is presented in this work. A bacterium-based product that ensures the efficacy, stability and easy application of the antagonist to control postharvest fungal diseases on fruit was successfully obtained.

Survival of the biological control agent Candida sake CPA-1 on grapes under the influence of abiotic factors.

AIMS: As reliability of preharvest applications of biological control agents (BCAs) to control fruit pathogens is highly dependent on the survival of the selected organism, this study aimed to describe the population dynamics of the yeast-BCA Candida sake (Saito & Ota) CPA-1 on grape berries under the effect of abiotic factors such as temperature, relative humidity, sunlight and rainfall. METHODS AND RESULTS: Candida sake (5 × 10(7) CFU ml(-1)), combined with different concentrations of the food additive Fungicover(®), was applied on grape berry clusters. Treated clusters were then exposed to abiotic factors in field or laboratory conditions, recovering populations to describe C. sake population dynamics. The addition of Fungicover significantly increased C. sake multiplication under optimal growth conditions and improved survival under fluctuating abiotic factors. After field applications, significant differences in populations on grape bunches exposed or covered by fine foliage were detected. Simulated rainfall washed off C. sake populations by 0·6-0·9 log units after 20 mm of rain volume. Allowing populations to establish for 24 h or more, prior to a rain event, persistence on grape berries significantly increased and the effect of rain intensity was not observable. CONCLUSIONS: Candida sake demonstrated high survival ability under unfavourable environmental conditions and persistence under intense rain. The study evidenced the importance of the first period just after application for C. sake survival on grape tissues and also the protective effect of the additive Fungicover. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This research provides new information on the survival of C. sake under field conditions and its practical implications for recommending timing of spray with this antagonist. Our results could be useful for other yeast antagonists applied before harvest. This work, for the first time, defines population dynamics of a yeast BCA using simulated rainfall.

Mode of action of a fatty acid-based natural product to control Botrytis cinerea in grapes.

AIMS: To investigate the efficacy and mode of action of the fatty acid-based product Foodcoat(®) (FC) against Botrytis cinerea. METHODS AND RESULTS: In vitro, in vivo and field experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of different concentrations of FC on B. cinerea germination and infection of grape leaves and berries, using three selected isolates and comparing results with those achieved by the commercialized product Protector(HML) (PRT). Furthermore, the effect of field applications of FC on the grape berry microbiota was investigated. FC reduced B. cinerea germination and grape berry severity by up to 54 and 96%, respectively, compared with the untreated controls. CONCLUSIONS: Foodcoat demonstrated efficacy that was equal or greater than the registered product, PRT. A multiple mode of action was hypothesized for FC suppression of B. cinerea, including: inhibition of germination and germ tube alteration, protection of host green tissues and enhancement of the natural yeast populations on the berry surface. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The efficacy of both products has been quantified and their modes of action described, suggesting them for field applications against B. cinerea, alone or in combined strategies. This is also the first report of a fatty acid-based product stimulating natural yeast populations on grape berries.

Effectiveness of a bacteriophage in reducing Listeria monocytogenes on fresh-cut fruits and fruit juices.

Listeria monocytogenes is a serious foodborne pathogen and new strategies to control it in food are needed. Among them, bacteriophages hold attributes that appear to be attractive. The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of the bacteriophage Listex P100 to control L. monocytogenes growth on melon, pear and apple products (juices and slices) stored at 10 °C. L. monocytogenes grew well in untreated fruit slices. In juices, the pathogen grew in untreated melon, survived in untreated pear and decreased in untreated apple. Phage treatment was more effective on melon followed by pear, but no effect on apple products was observed. Reductions of about 1.50 and 1.00 log cfu plug(-1) for melon and pear slices were found, respectively. In juices, higher reductions were obtained in melon (8.00 log cfu mL(-1)) followed by pear (2.10 log cfu mL(-1)) after 8 days of storage. L. monocytogenes in apple juice was unaffected by phage treatment in which the phage decreased to almost undetectable numbers. These results highlight that Listex P100 could avoid pathogen growth on fresh-cut and in fruit juices with high pH during storage at 10 °C. The combination with other technologies may be required to improve the phage application on high acidity fruits.

Candida sake CPA-1 and other biologically based products as potential control strategies to reduce sour rot of grapes.

UNLABELLED: Sour rot of grapes is becoming increasingly important disease in many wine-growing regions, while consistent chemical or biological control has not been reported. Authors evaluated relative incidence and severity of sour rot in untreated grapevines and the effect of different biologically based treatments on sour rot at harvest. Applications of Candida sake CPA-1 plus Fungicover® , Ulocladium oudemansii and chitosan were carried out in an organic vineyard in Lleida area, Spain, during the 2009 and 2010 growing seasons. At harvest, incidence and severity of sour rot were assessed. Significantly higher incidence and severity of sour rot were observed in untreated plots in 2009, when meteorological conditions after veraison were warmer. All treatments including C. sake CPA-1 significantly reduced (P < 0·05) severity of sour rot in both seasons, ranging from 40 to 67% compared with the untreated control. Incidence of sour rot was not significantly reduced by any treatment. This study helps to characterize development of sour rot in the dry Mediterranean climate conditions of the experiment, whereas also represents the first report of biological control of sour rot. Treatments with the tested biologically based products are a promising strategy to control sour rot. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Studies on sour rot of grapes are scarce in literature, and this is the first work specifically evaluating sour rot in Spanish vineyards. Sour rot control in field conditions through applications of antagonistic micro-organisms is reported for first time in this study, showing elevated severity reductions (40-67% compared with control). As there are no options available for sour rot control in vineyards, results point Candida sake CPA-1 as an interesting control strategy against grape bunch rots.

Relationship between obsessive compulsive symptomatology and severity of psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia: Meta-analysis and meta-regression analysis.

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia patients often show obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and their presence has been associated with poorer prognosis. However, the impact of OCS/OCD on psychotic severity remains unclear. The aim of this study is twofold: 1) to investigate the effect of OCS/OCD on the severity of positive, negative, and global psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia patients and 2) to analyze the effect of patient and study-related covariates on moderating this relationship. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis (SRMA) of studies comparing the severity of psychotic symptoms among schizophrenia patients with and without OCS/OCD was performed. Standardized mean difference (SMD) was calculated for positive, negative, and global psychotic symptoms. The difference of SMD (Diff SMD) was calculated to analyze the effect of covariates on study outcomes using meta-regression. RESULTS: Sixty-seven studies involving 7740 patients were included. Patients with schizophrenia and OCS/OCD showed a slightly higher severity of positive (SMD = 0.17, p value = 0.0089) and global psychotic symptoms (SMD = 0.24, p value = 0.0104) than patients without OCS/OCD but no differences in negative symptoms were found between groups (SMD = 0.11, p value = 0.0367). Only one covariate "proportion of patients without antipsychotics (AP)" was found to modify the effect on psychotic severity (Diff SMD = -0.008, p value = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Comorbid OCS/OCD in schizophrenia has, at most, a minor impact on psychotic severity. Variability in this effect was considerable and was poorly explained by the covariates analyzed.

Negative symptoms in drug-naive patients with a first-episode psychosis (FEP).

INTRODUCTION: Negative symptoms are nuclear features of schizophrenia that may be present from the onset of the disease. In recent years, it has been described 2 subdomains of negative symptoms: experiential and expressive deficits. The aim of the study is to examine the relationship between negative symptoms and demographic and clinical variables in patients with first-episode psychosis. Also, to explore whether there are differences in the association among these variables and negative symptoms when divided into both subdomains. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in 160 patients (52 females and 108 males) with a diagnosis of a first episode psychosis. A questionnaire was administered to collect demographic and clinical variables. RESULTS: A backward stepwise linear regressions analysis was performed in order to observe potential associations between demographic and clinical variables and the presence of negative symptoms. All three models are predicted by worse PSP score, a higher CDSS, a higher disorganized factor score and a lower excited factor score. A longer duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) is associated to a higher score in the experiential deficit subdomain only. CONCLUSIONS: Our work highlights some clinical and phenomenological differences between experiential and expressive deficits. We think that taking into account both subdomains in future studies may lead to more accurate clinical assessment and interventions.

Formulation development of the biocontrol agent Bacillus subtilis strain CPA-8 by spray-drying.

AIMS: To prepare commercially acceptable formulations of Bacillus subtilis CPA-8 by spray-drying with long storage life and retained efficacy to control peach and nectarine brown rot caused by Monilinia spp. METHODS AND RESULTS: CPA-8 24-h- and 72-h-old cultures were spray dried using 10% skimmed milk, 10% skimmed milk plus 10% MgSO(4) , 10% MgSO(4) and 20% MgSO(4) as carriers/protectants. All carriers/protectants gave good percentages of powder recovery (28-38%) and moisture content (7-13%). CPA-8 survival varied considerably among spray-dried 24-h- and 72-h-old cultures. Seventy-two hours culture spray dried formulations showed the highest survival (28-32%) with final concentration products of 1·6-3·3 × 10(9) CFU g(-1) , while viability of 24-h-old formulations was lower than 1%. Spray-dried 72-h-old formulations were selected to subsequent evaluation. Rehydration of cells with water provided a good recovery of CPA-8 dried cells, similar to other complex rehydration media tested. Spray-dried formulations stored at 4 ± 1 and 20 ± 1°C showed good shelf life during 6 months, and viability was maintained or slightly decreased by 0·2-0·3-log. CPA-8 formulations after 4- and 6 months storage were effective in controlling brown rot caused by Monilinia spp. on nectarines and peaches resulting in a 90-100% reduction in disease incidence. CONCLUSIONS: Stable and effective formulations of biocontrol agent B. subtilis CPA-8 could be obtained by spray-drying. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: New shelf-stable and effective formulations of a biocontrol agent have been obtained by spray-drying to control brown rot on peach.

Endospore production allows using spray-drying as a possible formulation system of the biocontrol agent Bacillus subtilis CPA-8.

The role of endospore production by Bacillus subtilis CPA-8 on survival during spray-drying was investigated by comparison with a non-spore-forming biocontrol agent Pantoea agglomerans CPA-2. Endospore formation promoted heat resistance in CPA-8 depending on growth time (72 h cultures were more resistant than 24 h ones). The survival of CPA-8 and CPA-2 after spray-drying was determined after being grown in optimised media for 24 and 72 h. Spray-dried 72 h CPA-8 had the best survival (32%), while CPA-2 viability was less than 2%. CPA-8 survival directly related with its ability to produce endospores. Spray-dried CPA-8 reduced Monilinia fructicola conidia germination similarly to fresh cells, demonstrating that spray-drying did not adversely affect biocontrol efficacy. Endospore production thus improves CPA-8 resistance to spray-drying. These results can provide a reliable basis for optimising of the spray-drying formulation process for CPA-8 and other microorganisms.

Infection capacities in the orange-pathogen relationship: compatible (Penicillium digitatum) and incompatible (Penicillium expansum) interactions.

Penicillium digitatum and Penicillium expansum are the most devastating pathogens of citrus and pome fruits, respectively. Whereas P. digitatum is a very specific pathogen that only infects Citrus fruits, P. expansum has a broader host range but has not been reported to be infectious in Citrus. To determine the responses of fruits and the infection capacities of both moulds, two varieties of oranges at different maturity stages, different inoculum concentrations and two different storage temperatures were studied. In compatible interactions, no significant differences in rot dynamics among harvests were found with a 10(7) conidia mL(-1) inoculum concentration at both temperatures tested (20 °C and 4 °C). However, at other inoculum concentrations, significant differences in rot dynamics were found, especially in immature fruits. Incompatible interactions showed that P. expansum could infect oranges at commercial maturity in both tested varieties. Decay incidence and severity were higher at 4 °C than at 20 °C. In addition to infection capacity studies, histochemical tests were performed to detect wound-healing compounds for both pathogens. A positive reaction for lignin was detected for both pathogens in immature oranges over a short period (48 h). In all cases, no reactions were found in control samples. Our results indicate that pathogen concentration, host maturity and storage temperature can play important roles in the defence mechanisms of fruit. Furthermore, to our knowledge, this is the first work that demonstrates that P. expansum can infect oranges under favourable conditions.

Transfer of Listeria innocua from contaminated compost and irrigation water to lettuce leaves.

Many foodborne outbreaks of some pathogens such as Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella or Listeria have been associated with the consumption of contaminated vegetables. Contaminated manure and polluted irrigation water are probable vehicles for the pathogens. The aim of this study was to determine the potential transfer of Listeria innocua from soil fertilized with contaminated compost or irrigated with contaminated water to the edible parts of lettuce grown on these soils together with its survival in lettuce and in soil under field conditions during two different seasons. Moreover, its survival on lettuce sprinkled with contaminated irrigation water was evaluated. L. innocua survived in soil samples for 9 weeks at high concentrations, 10(5) cfu gdw(-1) in fall and 10(3) cfu gdw(-1) in spring. Pathogen survived better in fall, indicating an important influence of temperature and humidity. L. innocua population in lettuce leaves was very high on lettuce leaves after sprinkling, but decreased to undetectable levels at field conditions. There was also transfer of L. innocua from soil contaminated with compost or irrigated with contaminated water to lettuce leaves, mainly to the outer ones. Survival profiles of L. innocua on lettuce and soil samples contaminated either by application of contaminated compost or surface irrigation water was similar. Our results indicated that contaminated compost and contaminated irrigation water can play an important role in the presence of foodborne pathogens on vegetables.

Complex interaction between symptoms, social factors, and gender in social functioning in a community-dwelling sample of schizophrenia.

Social functioning (SF) is the ultimate target aimed in treatment plans in schizophrenia, thus it is critical to know what are the factors that determine SF. Gender is a well-established variable influencing SF, yet it is not known how social variables and symptoms interact in schizophrenia patients. Furthermore, it remains unclear whether the interaction between social variables and symptoms is different in men compared to women. Our aim is to test whether social variables are better predictors of SF in community-dwelled individuals with schizophrenia, and whether men and women differ in how symptoms and social variables interact to impact SF. Community-dwelling individuals with schizophrenia (N = 231) were randomly selected from a register. Participants were assessed with symptom measures (PANSS), performance-based social scale (LSP), objective social and demographic variables. Stratification by gender and stepwise multivariate regression analyses by gender were used to find the best-fitting models that predict SF in both gender. Men had poorer SF than women in spite of showing similar symptom scores. On stepwise regression analyses, gender was the main variable explaining SF, with a significant contribution by disorganized and excitatory symptoms. Age of onset made a less marked, yet significant, contribution to explain SF. When the sample was stratified by gender, disorganized symptoms and 'Income' variable entered the model and accounted for a 30.8% of the SF variance in women. On the other hand, positive and disorganized symptoms entered the model and accounted for a 36.1% of the SF variance in men. Community-dwelling men and women with schizophrenia differ in the constellation of variables associated with SF. Symptom scores still account for most of the variance in SF in both genders.

A longitudinal study of gene expression in first-episode schizophrenia; exploring relapse mechanisms by co-expression analysis in peripheral blood.

Little is known about the pathophysiological mechanisms of relapse in first-episode schizophrenia, which limits the study of potential biomarkers. To explore relapse mechanisms and identify potential biomarkers for relapse prediction, we analyzed gene expression in peripheral blood in a cohort of first-episode schizophrenia patients with less than 5 years of evolution who had been evaluated over a 3-year follow-up period. A total of 91 participants of the 2EPs project formed the sample for baseline gene expression analysis. Of these, 67 provided biological samples at follow-up (36 after 3 years and 31 at relapse). Gene expression was assessed using the Clariom S Human Array. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis was applied to identify modules of co-expressed genes and to analyze their preservation after 3 years of follow-up or at relapse. Among the 25 modules identified, one module was semi-conserved at relapse (DarkTurquoise) and was enriched with risk genes for schizophrenia, showing a dysregulation of the TCF4 gene network in the module. Two modules were semi-conserved both at relapse and after 3 years of follow-up (DarkRed and DarkGrey) and were found to be biologically associated with protein modification and protein location processes. Higher expression of DarkRed genes was associated with higher risk of suffering a relapse and early appearance of relapse (p = 0.045). Our findings suggest that a dysregulation of the TCF4 network could be an important step in the biological process that leads to relapse and suggest that genes related to the ubiquitin proteosome system could be potential biomarkers of relapse.

Effect of temperature and water activity on in vitro germination of Monilinia spp.

AIMS: This study evaluated the effect of temperature (0-38 degrees C) and water activity (a(w): 0.87-0.99) on the lag phase prior to germination and the percentage of germination over time for Monilinia laxa, Monilinia fructicola and Monilinia fructigena. METHODS AND RESULTS: More than 80% of viable conidia germinated at 25 degrees C and 0.99 a(w) within 2 h for M. fructicola and M. fructigena and 4 h for M. laxa. There was no germination at 38 degrees C, and all three Monilinia spp. germinated at 0 degrees C. At the lowest a(w) (0.87), none of the Monilinia spp. was able to germinate at any of the incubation temperatures studied. Whereas at 0.90 a(w), conidia were only able to germinate at 15, 25 and 30 degrees C for the three species studied, except for M. fructicola at 15 degrees C. In contrast, at 0.95, 0.97 and 0.99 a(w), germination occurred at all studied temperatures less 38 degrees C. Generally, the lag phase was longer at low levels of a(w) (0.90-095), and differences were more evident as temperatures were far from the optimum (0-5 degrees C). CONCLUSIONS: Germination and lag phase period were markedly influenced by temperature and a(w), and in general when conditions of temperature and a(w) were suboptimal, the lag phase was longer and the percentage of germination was lower. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Knowledge of the germination requirements of this fungus is important in order to understand their behaviour in natural situations and to provide baseline data required for the construction of new prediction models. Our study might be used to develop a predictive model to understand and control the disease caused by Monilinia spp.

Microbiological quality of fresh lettuce from organic and conventional production.

Previously there was no available information on the levels of indicator bacteria and the prevalence of pathogens in fresh lettuce grown in organic and conventional farms in Spain. A total of 72 lettuce samples (18 farms for 4 repetitions each) for each type of the agriculture were examined in order to assess the bacteriological quality of the lettuces, in particular the prevalence of selected pathogens. The lettuce samples were analyzed for the presence of aerobic mesophilic, psychrotrophic microorganisms, yeasts and moulds, Enterobacteriaceae, mesophilic lactic acid bacteria, Pseudomonas spp. and presumptive Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes. The mean aerobic mesophilic counts (AM) were 6.35 +/- 0.69 log(10) cfu g(-1) and 5.67 +/- 0.80 log(10) cfu g(-1) from organic and conventional lettuce, respectively. The mean counts of psychrotrophic microorganisms were 5.82 +/- 1.01 log(10) cfu g(-1) and 5.41 +/- 0.92 log(10) cfu g(-1) from organic and conventional lettuce, respectively. Yeasts and moulds (YM) mean counts were 4.74 +/- 0.83 log(10) cfu g(-1) and 4.21 +/- 0.96 log(10) cfu g(-1) from organic and conventional lettuce, respectively. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were present in low numbers and the mean counts were 2.41 +/- 1.10 log(10) cfu g(-1) and 1.99 +/- 0.91 log(10) cfu g(-1) from organic and conventional lettuce, respectively. Pseudomonas spp. mean counts were 5.49 +/- 1.37 log(10) cfu g(-1) and 4.98 +/- 1.26 log(10) cfu g(-1) in organic and conventional lettuce, respectively. The mean counts for Enterobacteriaceae were 5.16 +/- 1.01 log(10) cfu g(-1) and 3.80 +/- 1.53 log(10) cfu g(-1) in organic and conventional lettuce, respectively. E. coli was detected in 22.2% (16 samples) of organic lettuce and in 12.5% (9 samples) of conventional lettuce. None of the lettuce samples was positive for E. coli O157:H7, L. monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. From the samples analyzed by principal component analysis (PCA) a pattern with two different groups (conventional and organic) can be observed, being the highest difference between both kinds of samples the Enterobacteriaceae count.