Biotechnological application of endophytic filamentous bipolaris and curvularia: a review on bioeconomy impact.

The filamentous Bipolaris and Curvularia genera consist of species known to cause severe diseases in plants and animals amounting to an estimated annual loss of USD $10 billion worldwide. Despite the harmful effect of Bipolaris and Curvularia species, scarce attention is paid on beneficial areas where the fungi are used in industrial processes to generate biotechnological products. Catalytic potential of Bipolaris and Curvularia species in the production of biodiesel, bioflucculant, biosorbent, and mycoherbicide are promising for the bioeconomy. It is herein demonstrated that knowledge-based application of some endophytic Bipolaris and Curvularia species are indispensable vectors of sustainable economic development. In the twenty-first century, India, China, and the USA have taken progress in the biotechnological application of these fungi to generate wealth. As such, some Bipolaris and Curvularia species significantly impact on global crop improvement, act as catalyst in batch-reactors for biosynthesis of industrial enzymes and medicines, bioengineer of green-nanoparticle, agent of biofertilizer, bioremediation and bio-hydrometallurgy. For the first time, this study discusses the current advances in biotechnological application of Bipolaris and Curvularia species and provide new insights into the prospects of optimizing their bioengineering potential for developing bioeconomy.

Cochliobolus lunatus down-regulates proteome at late stage of colonization and transiently alters StNPR1 expression in Solanum tuberosum L.

Cochliobolus lunatus abundantly produces four-celled conidia at high temperatures (>30 °C) and under suitable conditions; the fungus colonizes potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars by adopting different invasion strategies at the microscopic level. Long-lasting defence during infection requires an upsurge in proteome changes particularly pathogenesis-related proteins chiefly under the control of nonexpresser of pathogenesis-related proteins. In order to gain molecular insights, we profiled the changes in proteome and potato nonexpresser of pathogenesis-related proteins (StNPR1) during the infection process. It is found that C. lunatus significantly (P < 0.05) suppressed the host functional proteome by 96 h after infection (hai), principally, affecting the expression of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase enzyme, plastidic aldolase enzyme, alcohol dehydrogenase 2 and photosystem II protein prior to the formation of brown-to-black leaf spot disease. Strongest host response was observed at 24 hai hallmarked by 307 differentially expressed peptide spots concurring with the active phase of production of penetrating hyphae. Additionally, C. lunatus differentially down-regulated StNPR1 transcript by 8.19 fold by 24 hai. This study is the first to elucidate that C. lunatus transiently down-regulates the expression of StNPR1 at the onset of infection, and as a whole, infection negatively affects the expression of proteome components involved in photosynthesis, carbon fixation and light assimilation. This study contributes towards better understanding of the mechanism underlining the invasion strategies of C. lunatus.

Malignant transformation of mature cystic teratoma of the ovary: 30-year experience of a single tertiary care center.

OBJECTIVE: To review the authors' experience with this rare disease and describe their management modality and the outcome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From January 1983 to December 2013, 13 patients with malignant transformation arising in ovarian MCT were treated at the Division of Gynecologic Oncology in the University of Manitoba. Demographic characteristics, symptoms, signs, stage, mode of therapy, and results of follow-up were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Median age at diagnosis was 53 years (range 25-65). The most common presenting symptom was a palpable mass in nine cases. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was found in 38% (five cases), adenocarcinoma in 15% (two cases), anaplastic carcinoma in 8% (one case), and papillary thyroid carcinoma in 38% (five cases). Eight cases were Stage I, two cases were Stage II, and three cases were Stage III. All patients underwent surgery. Five patients received adjuvant treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy + pelvic radiation. Four patients had recurrent disease (two SCC and two adenocarcinoma). Three patients died of disease after recurrence. The median follow up period of the entire patient population was 60 months, with a three-year overall survival of 76%. CONCLUSION: Malignant transformation of MCT is large ovarian tumors that mainly occur in patients in their fifth and sixth decades of life. They often present as incidental pathologic findings after surgery for MCT. SCC has traditionally been the most common pathology, however in the present series, the authors found that papillary thyroid carcinoma was equally common. Platinum-based chemotherapy with pelvic radiation in early stage (including Stage IA) and locally recurrent dis- ease should be offered. Advanced stages and mucinous adenocarcinoma represent a poorer prognosis despite adjuvant treatment. In patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma, conservative surveillance in early stage and adjuvant total thyroidectomy with radioactive iodine treatment in advanced stage disease appears to be an effective treatment.

Cochliobolus lunatus colonizes potato by adopting different invasion strategies on cultivars: New insights on temperature dependent-virulence.

Extreme temperature fluctuations affect the interaction dynamics of Cochliobolus lunatus through temperature-dependent virulence, virulence differentiation and induced-virulence which poses a major threat to global food security. The relationship between higher temperature and pathogenicity of C. lunatus on reported hosts are poorly understood. In this study, temperature stress was applied on C. lunatus to investigate the correlation among the different types of conidia. Additionally, a comparative dissection of the invasion process, infection structures and conidial germination pattern on four different Solanum tuberosum L. (potato) cultivars were performed. Based on microscopic examination, it was found that C. lunatus adopts different hyphae morphology and septation pattern at different temperature regimes and produce different types of conidia. The study showed that four-celled conidia are overproduced at elevated temperature (>30 °C) than one, two, three and five-celled conidia. Our finding revealed that C. lunatus conidia exhibit bipolar germination (>14.67%, P<0.05), unipolar germination (>35.33%, P<0.05), penetrate subcutaneously via epidermal anticlinal cell wall (>0.33%, P < 0.05) and differentially form appressoria-like structures during colonization of four different potato cultivars. Importantly, it is shown that unipolar germination and bipolar germination in C. lunatus are independently occurring phenomenon irrespective of the host. It is confirmed that C. lunatus adopt different but highly successful strategies on four different potato cultivars to incite brown-to-black leaf spot disease. Altogether, our data showed that increase in temperature enhances C. lunatus virulence on different potato cultivars irrespective of their inherent thermotolerant traits.

25-hydroxy vitamin D levels are associated with childhood asthma in a population-based study in Peru.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D deficiency may be associated with an increased risk of asthma. OBJECTIVE: We studied the association between 25-hydroxy (25-OH) vitamin D deficiency and asthma prevalence in two Peruvian populations close to the equator but with disparate degrees of urbanization. METHODS: We conducted a population-based study in 1441 children in two communities in Peru, of which 1134 (79%) provided a blood sample for 25-OH vitamin D analysis. RESULTS: In these 1134 children, mean age was 14.8 years; 52% were boys; asthma and atopy prevalence was 12% in Lima vs. 3% in Tumbes (P < 0.001) and 59% in Lima vs. 41% in Tumbes (P < 0.001), respectively; and, mean 25-OH vitamin D level was 20.8 ng/mL in Lima vs. 30.1 ng/mL in Tumbes (P < 0.001). Prevalence of 25-OH vitamin D deficiency (< 20 ng/mL) was 47% in Lima vs. 7% in Tumbes (P < 0.001). In multi-variable logistic regression, we found that lower 25-OH vitamin D levels were associated with an increased odds of asthma (OR = 1.7 per each 10 ng/mL decrease in 25-OH vitamin D levels, 95% CI 1.2-2.6; P < 0.01). In stratified analyses, the association between lower 25-OH vitamin D levels and asthma was limited to children with atopy (OR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.3-3.6) and not in those without atopy (OR = 0.9, 95% CI 0.5-2.0). We did not find associations between 25-OH vitamin D levels and other clinical biomarkers for asthma, including exhaled nitric oxide, total serum IgE and pulmonary function. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Both asthma and 25-OH vitamin D deficiency were common among children living in Lima (latitude = 12.0 °S) but not among those in Tumbes (3.6 °S). The relationship between 25-OH vitamin D deficiency and asthma was similar in both sites and was limited among children with atopy. Future supplementation trials may need to consider stratification by atopy at the time of design.

Long-term follow-up for mortality and cancer in a randomized placebo-controlled trial of vitamin D(3) and/or calcium (RECORD trial).

CONTEXT: Vitamin D or calcium supplementation may have effects on vascular disease and cancer. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to investigate whether vitamin D or calcium supplementation affects mortality, vascular disease, and cancer in older people. DESIGN AND SETTING: The study included long-term follow-up of participants in a two by two factorial, randomized controlled trial from 21 orthopedic centers in the United Kingdom. PARTICIPANTS: Participants were 5292 people (85% women) aged at least 70 yr with previous low-trauma fracture. INTERVENTIONS: Participants were randomly allocated to daily vitamin D(3) (800 IU), calcium (1000 mg), both, or placebo for 24-62 months, with a follow-up of 3 yr after intervention. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: All-cause mortality, vascular disease mortality, cancer mortality, and cancer incidence were evaluated. RESULTS: In intention-to-treat analyses, mortality [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.93; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.85-1.02], vascular disease mortality (HR = 0.91; 95% CI = 0.79-1.05), cancer mortality (HR = 0.85; 95% CI = 0.68-1.06), and cancer incidence (HR = 1.07; 95% CI = 0.92-1.25) did not differ significantly between participants allocated vitamin D and those not. All-cause mortality (HR = 1.03; 95% CI = 0.94-1.13), vascular disease mortality (HR = 1.07; 95% CI = 0.92-1.24), cancer mortality (HR = 1.13; 95% CI = 0.91-1.40), and cancer incidence (HR = 1.06; 95% CI = 0.91-1.23) also did not differ significantly between participants allocated calcium and those not. In a post hoc statistical analysis adjusting for compliance, thus with fewer participants, trends for reduced mortality with vitamin D and increased mortality with calcium were accentuated, although all results remain nonsignificant. CONCLUSIONS: Daily vitamin D or calcium supplementation did not affect mortality, vascular disease, cancer mortality, or cancer incidence.

Patient beliefs and sense of control among Spanish-speaking patients with diabetes in northeast Colorado.

PURPOSE: Latinos have higher diabetes prevalence and complication rates with lower use of self-management compared to other populations. This study evaluated perceived barriers to diabetes control among Spanish-speaking only patients in rural Colorado. METHODS: Thirty-five Spanish-speaking patients with diabetes were randomly sampled and interviewed about their attitudes and beliefs concerning diabetes, self-management activities, and the care they received. RESULTS: Patients perceived a high level of control over their diabetes. A minority of patients were adherent to recommended dietary changes or levels of exercise. Use of herbal home remedies to maintain glycemic control was common. Almost half of respondents felt that susto played a role in the development of their diabetes. Three fourths of those testing their glucose felt their physician was not interested in reviewing their blood sugar log. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes management programs should recognize the barriers patients may have to self-management and help patients incorporate traditional beliefs into a workable treatment regimen.

Oral vitamin D3 and calcium for secondary prevention of low-trauma fractures in elderly people (Randomised Evaluation of Calcium Or vitamin D, RECORD): a randomised placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Elderly people who have a fracture are at high risk of another. Vitamin D and calcium supplements are often recommended for fracture prevention. We aimed to assess whether vitamin D3 and calcium, either alone or in combination, were effective in prevention of secondary fractures. METHODS: In a factorial-design trial, 5292 people aged 70 years or older (4481 [85%] of whom were women) who were mobile before developing a low-trauma fracture were randomly assigned 800 IU daily oral vitamin D3, 1000 mg calcium, oral vitamin D3 (800 IU per day) combined with calcium (1000 mg per day), or placebo. Participants who were recruited in 21 UK hospitals were followed up for between 24 months and 62 months. Analysis was by intention-to-treat and the primary outcome was new low-energy fractures. FINDINGS: 698 (13%) of 5292 participants had a new low-trauma fracture, 183 (26%) of which were of the hip. The incidence of new, low-trauma fractures did not differ significantly between participants allocated calcium and those who were not (331 [12.6%] of 2617 vs 367 [13.7%] of 2675; hazard ratio (HR) 0.94 [95% CI 0.81-1.09]); between participants allocated vitamin D3 and those who were not (353 [13.3%] of 2649 vs 345 [13.1%] of 2643; 1.02 [0.88-1.19]); or between those allocated combination treatment and those assigned placebo (165 [12.6%] of 1306 vs 179 [13.4%] of 1332; HR for interaction term 1.01 [0.75-1.36]). The groups did not differ in the incidence of all-new fractures, fractures confirmed by radiography, hip fractures, death, number of falls, or quality of life. By 24 months, 2886 (54.5%) of 5292 were still taking tablets, 451 (8.5%) had died, 58 (1.1%) had withdrawn, and 1897 (35.8%) had stopped taking tablets but were still providing data for at least the main outcomes. Compliance with tablets containing calcium was significantly lower (difference: 9.4% [95% CI 6.6-12.2]), partly because of gastrointestinal symptoms. However, potentially serious adverse events were rare and did not differ between groups. INTERPRETATION: The findings do not support routine oral supplementation with calcium and vitamin D3, either alone or in combination, for the prevention of further fractures in previously mobile elderly people.

Organic material and the optical properties of the dark zone in caries lesions of enamel.

Sections of uncavitated natural caries lesions of human enamel were extracted with various solvents and examined by polarizing microscopy. After lipid extraction, the dark zone enlarged by 19-162% and its birefringence increased, while after protein extraction it shrank by 37-92% and became less birefringent. It is concluded that occlusion of submicroscopic pores by organic material largely accounts for the optical properties of the dark zone. The results are not consistent with occlusion of pores by reprecipitation of mineral. On the basis of previous work, organic material in this location could influence demineralization and remineralization.

Bioactivity of [6R]-5-formyltetrahydrofolate, an unusual isomer, in humans and Enterococcus hirae, and cytochrome c oxidation of 10-formytetrahydrofolate to 10-formyldihydrofolate.

The bio-inactive C-6 isomer, [6R]-5-formyl-tetrahydrofolate (5-HCO-H(4)F), is not found in Nature. An oral dose of 13.5 micromol of [6R]-5-HCO-H(4)F in humans results in the appearance of the naturally occurring [6S]-5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate and relatively large amounts of other bioactive folates in plasma. The removal of the asymmetry at C-6 could account for these results. Two oxidized cytochrome c [cyt c (Fe3+)] molecules oxidize one 10-formyl-tetrahydrofolate (10-HCO-H(4)F) with second-order kinetics and a rate constant of 1.3 x 10(4) M(-1) x s(-1). The folate product of this oxidation reaction is 10-formyl-dihydrofolate (10-HCO-H(2)F), which has no C-6 asymmetric centre and is therefore bioactive. The folate-requiring bacterium, Enterococcus hirae, does not normally biosynthesize cytochromes but does so when given an exogenous source of haem (e.g. haemin). E. hirae grown in haemin-supplemented media for 3 days utilizes both [6R]- and [6S]-5-HCO-H(4)F in contrast to that grown in control medium, which utilizes only the [6S] isomer. Since known chemical reactions form 10-HCO-H(4)F from 5-HCO-H(4)F, the unusually large rate constant for the oxidation of 10-HCO-H(4)F by cyt c (Fe3+) may account for the unexpected bioactivity of [6R]-5-HCO-H(4)F in humans and in E. hirae grown in haemin-containing media. We used an unnatural C-6 folate isomer as a tool to reveal the possible in vivo oxidation of 10-HCO-H(4)F to 10-HCO-H(2)F; however, nothing precludes this oxidation from occurring in vivo with the natural C-6 isomer.

Multimicroelectrode stimulation within the cat L6 spinal cord: influences of electrode combinations and stimulus interleave time on knee joint extension torque.

During multimicroelectrode stimulation within the cat L6 spinal cord, the number of electrodes activated, their separation distance, and the stimulus interleave time all influenced isometric knee joint extension torque. The torque evoked by stimulation with a three electrode combination could be enhanced or suppressed when compared with that evoked by single or paired electrode stimulation. A similar difference was noted when comparing two electrode combination versus single electrode stimulation. Relative fatigue was not improved significantly by interleaving the stimuli from two or three microelectrodes. Compared with the extension torque response evoked by noninterleaved stimulation, torque evoked by interleaved stimulation with the two microelectrode combination was decreased when the electrode distance was 2.0 mm or less and increased when the electrode distance was 3.0 mm. Designing an optimal stimulation strategy for multimicroelectrode spinal cord stimulation will be challenging and complex if a suppression effect among these electrodes is to be avoided. To reduce muscle fatigue, an asynchronous, interleaved strategy of stimulation may be required.

Rapid collapse and slow structural reorganisation during the refolding of bovine alpha-lactalbumin.

The refolding of bovine alpha-lactalbumin (BLA) from its chemically denatured state in 6 M GuHCl has been investigated by a variety of complementary biophysical approaches. CD experiments indicate that the species formed in the early stages of refolding of the apo-protein have at least 85 % of the alpha-helical content of the native state, and kinetic NMR experiments show that they possess near-native compactness. Hydrogen exchange measurements using mass spectrometry and NMR indicate that persistent structure in these transient species is located predominantly in the alpha-domain of the native protein and is similar to that present in the partially folded A-state formed by the protein at low pH. The extent of the exchange protection is, however, small, and there is no evidence for the existence of well-defined discrete kinetic intermediates of the type populated in the refolding of the structurally homologous c-type lysozymes. Rather, both mass spectrometric and NMR data indicate that the rate-determining transition from the compact partially structured (molten globule) species to the native state is highly cooperative. The data show that folding in the presence of Ca2+ is similar to that in its absence, although the rate is increased by more than two orders of magnitude. Sequential mixing experiments monitored by fluorescence spectroscopy indicate that this slower folding is not the result of the accumulation of kinetically trapped species. Rather, the data are consistent with a model in which binding of Ca2+ stabilizes native-like contacts in the partially folded species and reduces the barriers for the conversion of the protein to its native state. Taken together the results indicate that folding of BLA, in the presence of its four disulphide bonds, corresponds to one of the limiting cases of protein folding in which rapid collapse to a globule with a native-like fold is followed by a search for native-like side-chain contacts that enable efficient conversion to the close packed native structure.

Isometric torque about the knee joint generated by microstimulation of the cat L6 spinal cord.

Isometric torque was generated about the knee joint by microstimulation of the cat L6 spinal cord using a single microelectrode. The torque responses varied with microstimulation location. Appreciable extension torque was generated by microstimulation in ventrolateral locations of the L6 spinal cord. Stimulation parameters (intensity, frequency and pulse-width) also influenced the extension torque. Specific stimulation parameters (100 microA intensity, 40 Hz frequency and 0.20 ms pulse-width) appear best suited for mapping the spinal cord based on knee joint torque responses. Low levels of cocontraction of the extensor and flexor could be achieved when extension torque was produced, but also varied with the stimulation locations. There are locations in the L6 ventral horn where microstimulation could evoke sustained extension for at least 4 min with only a slight change in torque. This study suggests the possibility of restoring lower limb function in patients with spinal cord injury above the lumbar level.

Lower lipid peroxide levels in practitioners of the Transcendental Meditation program.

OBJECTIVE: Oxidative stress or free radical activity may contribute to the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis and other chronic diseases associated with aging. Because psychosocial stress has been shown to increase oxidative stress, we conducted an exploratory study to investigate the effects of stress reduction with the Transcendental Meditation program on serum lipid peroxide levels in elderly subjects. METHOD: Forty-one normally healthy subjects (aged 56 to 74 years, average 67 years) were recruited from the same Midwest city. Eighteen were long-term practitioners of the TM program (average 16.5 years). Twenty-three controls were not practicing a formal stress management technique. Venous blood samples were analyzed for lipid peroxides by the TBARS assay. A dietary questionnaire was used to assess fat intake, red meat consumption, antioxidant vitamin supplementation, and smoking. Differences between groups and subgroups were analyzed by t test, and correlations. RESULTS: Significantly lower serum levels of lipid peroxides were found in the TM practitioners compared with controls (-15%, p = .026). No significant differences were found between groups on smoking, fat intake, or vitamin supplementation. TM practitioners also had lower red meat consumption but matched subgroup analysis and partial correlations did not confirm a relationship between red meat intake and lipid peroxide levels. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary findings suggest that lower serum lipid peroxide levels may be associated with stress reduction using the Transcendental Meditation technique. Prospective controlled trials are needed to confirm that this effect is because of TM practice rather than other lifestyle factors, such as diet.