In Vitro Studies of Endophytic Bacteria Isolated from Ginger (Zingiber officinale) as Potential Plant-Growth-Promoting and Biocontrol Agents against Botrytis cinerea and Colletotrichum acutatum.

Agriculture currently confronts a multitude of challenges arising from the excessive utilization of chemical pesticides and the proliferation of phytopathogenic fungi strains that exhibit resistance to commonly employed active compounds in the field. Botrytis cinerea and Colletotrichum acutatum are phytopathogenic fungi that inflict substantial economic losses within agriculture and food due to their high impacts on crops both pre- and post-harvest. Furthermore, the emergence of fungal strains that are resistant to commercial fungicides has exacerbated this problem. To explore more environmentally sustainable alternatives for the control of these pathogens, an investigation into the endophytic bacteria associated with ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) was conducted. The primary focus of this study involved evaluating their inhibitory efficacy against the fungi and assessing their potential for promoting plant growth. The endophytic bacteria genera Lelliottia, Lysinibacillus, Kocuria, Agrococcus, Acinetobacter, Agrobacterium, Zymobacter, and Mycolicibacterium were identified. All isolates showed remarkable in vitro antagonistic ability against B. cinerea (>94%) and C. acutatum (>74%). Notably, the Lelliottia amnigena J29 strain exhibited a notable proficiency in producing extracellular enzymes and indole compounds (IAA), solubilizing phosphate and potassium, and forming biofilm. Furthermore, the Lysinibacillus capsici J26, Agrococcus citreus J28, and Mycolicibacterium sp. J5 strains displayed the capacity for atmospheric nitrogen fixation and siderophore production. These findings underscore the agricultural and biotechnological potential of endophytic bacteria derived from ginger plants and suggest the feasibility of developing alternative approaches to manage these two phytopathogenic fungi.

A Cost-Benefit Analysis of Soil Disinfestation Methods against Root-Knot Nematodes in Mediterranean Intensive Horticulture.

Losses caused by phytoparasitic nematodes in crops depend directly on their soil densities at the start of the crop, so reducing their populations before planting is the main aim of nematological management. Efficacies in reducing Meloidogyne soil populations of soil disinfestation methods, such as agrochemicals, botanicals, or biosolarization were estimated on multiple field trials conducted over fourteen years in intensive horticultural crops. Soil nematode populations were reduced by 87 to 78% after fumigation with 1,3-dichloropropene + chloropicrin and dimethyl-disulphide, respectively. Non-fumigant nematicides such as azadirachtin, dazomet, fenamiphos, fluopyram, fosthiazate, metam-sodium, and oxamyl showed efficacies ranging from 51 to 64%, whereas the efficacy of natural products, such as abamectin, garlic extracts, or essential oils was 41 to 48%. Biosolarization with chicken manure had an efficacy of 73%. An economic cost-benefit study of nematode management methods was performed for seven vegetable-M. incognita pathosystems. Fumigation with 1,3-dichloropropene + chloropicrin and biosolarization with chicken manure were the only treatments able to reduce RKN populations above 1000 and 750 J2 per 100 cm3 of soil, respectively, to levels below the nematode economic damage threshold, keeping profitability. Fumigation was able to manage RKN soil densities up to 350 J2 per 100 cm3 of soil in most susceptible crops as aubergine or cucumber and up to 1000 J2 per 100 cm3 of soil for more tolerant crops, such as other cucurbits, pepper, or tomato. Other nematicidal treatments were not able to reduce RKN populations above 200-300 J2/100 cm3 of soil below the economic thresholds but were profitable when RKN densities were below the limits of 200-300 J2/100 cm3 of soil.

Craniofacial and three-dimensional palatal analysis in cleft lip and palate patients treated in Spain.

Growth alterations have been described in patients operated on for oral clefts. The purpose of this work was to analyze the craniofacial and palate morphology and dimensions of young adults operated on for oral clefts in early childhood in Spain. Eighty-three patients from eight different hospitals were divided into four groups based on their type of cleft: cleft lip (CL, n = 6), unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP, n = 37), bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP, n = 16), and cleft palate only (CPO, n = 24). A control group was formed of 71 individuals. Three-dimensional (3D) digital models were obtained from all groups with an intraoral scanner, together with cephalometries and frontal, lateral, and submental facial photographs. Measurements were obtained and analyzed statistically. Our results showed craniofacial alterations in the BCLP, UCLP, and CPO groups with an influence on the palate, maxilla, and mandible and a direct impact on facial appearance. This effect was more severe in the BCLP group. Measurements in the CL group were similar to those in the control group. Cleft characteristics and cleft type seem to be the main determining factors of long-term craniofacial growth alterations in these patients. Prospective research is needed to clearly delineate the effects of different treatments on the craniofacial appearance of adult cleft patients.

Nematicidal Efficacy of Milbemectin against Root-Knot Nematodes.

The nematicidal efficacy of milbemectin and its commercial formulate Milbeknock® on (i) egg hatching, (ii) juvenile motility and (iii) infective capacity of root-knot nematodes was evaluated in vitro and in planta assays. Serial dilutions of pure milbemectin were tested against nematode eggs and juveniles and lethal concentrations LC50 and LC90 calculated. Exposure of egg masses to milbemectin at a concentration of 30 µg/mL for 72 h reduced egg hatching by 52%. The increase in exposure time to 240 h did not increase the egg hatching inhibition at the highest concentration 30 µg/mL (53%) but reduced egg hatching at 15 and 7 µg/mL by 35 and 24%, respectively, when compared to untreated controls. The inhibitory effect of milbemectin on juvenile motility ranged from 41 to 87% depending on its concentration, and this effect was persistent after rinsing the juveniles in water. The probabilistic dose-response model indicated that lethal concentrations of milbemectin for juvenile motility were LC50: 7.4 µg/mL and LC90: 29.9 µg/mL. The pre-plant application of Milbeknock® to soils infested with the nematode reduced its infective capacity by 98-99% compared to untreated soils in pot experiments. Milbeknock® reduced nematode soil population densities by 50-60% in natural infestations under field conditions. Milbemectin shows a high level of efficacy against root-knot nematodes as it reduces egg hatching, persistently immobilizes nematode juveniles, and reduces tomato root infection.

MYC Oncogene Contributions to Release of Cell Cycle Brakes.

Promotion of the cell cycle is a major oncogenic mechanism of the oncogene c-MYC (MYC). MYC promotes the cell cycle by not only activating or inducing cyclins and CDKs but also through the downregulation or the impairment of the activity of a set of proteins that act as cell-cycle brakes. This review is focused on the role of MYC as a cell-cycle brake releaser i.e., how MYC stimulates the cell cycle mainly through the functional inactivation of cell cycle inhibitors. MYC antagonizes the activities and/or the expression levels of p15, ARF, p21, and p27. The mechanism involved differs for each protein. p15 (encoded by CDKN2B) and p21 (CDKN1A) are repressed by MYC at the transcriptional level. In contrast, MYC activates ARF, which contributes to the apoptosis induced by high MYC levels. At least in some cells types, MYC inhibits the transcription of the p27 gene (CDKN1B) but also enhances p27's degradation through the upregulation of components of ubiquitin ligases complexes. The effect of MYC on cell-cycle brakes also opens the possibility of antitumoral therapies based on synthetic lethal interactions involving MYC and CDKs, for which a series of inhibitors are being developed and tested in clinical trials.

Management of the Sequelae of Severe Congenital Abdominal Wall Defects.

BACKGROUND: The survival rate of newborns with severe congenital abdominal wall defects has increased. After successfully addressing life-threatening complications, it is necessary to focus on the cosmetic and functional outcomes of the abdominal wall. METHODS: We performed a chart review of five cases treated in our institution. RESULTS: Five patients, ranging from seven to 18 years of age, underwent the following surgical approaches: simple approximation of the rectus abdominis fascia, the rectus abdominis sheath turnover flap, the placement of submuscular tissue expanders, mesh repair, or a combination of these techniques depending on the characteristics of each individual case. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with severe congenital abdominal wall defects require individualized surgical treatment to address both the aesthetic and functional issues related to the sequelae of their defects.

La gripe española en la ciudad de Murcia: cuidado e interpretación espiritual de la Iglesia diocesana / The Spanish flu in the city of Murcia: spiritual care and interpretation of the diocesan Church

OBJETIVO PRINCIPAL: Describir el desarrollo de la epidemia de gripe española en la ciudad de Murcia y el cuidado e interpretación espiritual de la Iglesia diocesana. METODOLOGÍA: Recurrimos a la metodología historiográfica acudiendo a fuentes primarias, siendo estas los periódicos de Murcia y los Archivos Diocesano y del Cabildo Catedralicio. RESULTADOS PRINCIPALES: Los diarios murcianos, desde abril, hicieron eco de la existencia de una nueva epidemia en Madrid, con ciertas dudas sobre su etiología. Sin embargo, esta llegó a la ciudad de Murcia en mayo, siendo de carácter benigno. Aun así, el movimiento de población durante los meses estivales hará que en septiembre vuelva la epidemia a la ciudad con una fuerte virulencia, entrando en crisis sanitaria. Será en noviembre cuando, terminada esta segunda ola, la epidemia abandone el municipio dejando atrás numerosas defunciones y una gran movilización ciudadana. CONCLUSIÓN PRINCIPAL: La epidemia dejó a la ciudad de Murcia al descubierto en sus deficiencias institucionales, especialmente el descuido de la población de la huerta murciana, la falta de personal sanitario, y la falta de higiene y alfabetización de la población. Ante la falta de recursos económicos, será el obispado quien movilizará a los fieles para la colaboración económica y humana, haciendo un llamamiento a la caridad, solidaridad y fraternidad, pues consideraban la epidemia un despertador de conciencias, a la vez que recomendaron la oración como herramienta para mejorar el afrontamiento

OBJECTIVE: To describe the development of the Spanish flu epidemic in the city of Murcia and the spiritual care and interpretation of the diocesan Church. METHODS: We resorted to the historiographic methodology resorting to primary sources, these being the Murcia newspapers and the Diocesan Archives and the Cathedral Council. RESULTS: Murcian newspapers, since April, echoed the existence of a new epidemic in Madrid, with certain doubts about its etiology. However, it arrived in the city of Murcia in May, being of a benign nature. Even so, the population movement during the summer months will make the epidemic return to the city in September with a strong virulence, entering a health crisis. It will be in November when, at the end of this second wave, the epidemic leaves the municipality, leaving behind numerous deaths and a great citizen mobilization. CONCLUSIONS: The epidemic left the city of Murcia exposed in its institutional deficiencies, especially the neglect of the population of the Murcian garden, the lack of health personnel, and the lack of hygiene and literacy of the population. Given the lack of financial resources, it will be the bishopric who will mobilize the faithful for economic and human collaboration, calling for charity, solidarity and fraternity, since they considered the epidemic an awakening of consciences, at the same time that they recommended prayer as tool to improve coping

Lichtheimia corymbifera subcutaneous infection successfully treated with amphotericin B, early debridement, and vacuum-assisted closure.

Lichtheimia corymbifera (syn. Absidia corymbifera, Mycocladus corymbifer) is an ubiquitous cosmopolitan mold that can cause primary cutaneous and deep tissue infection in healthy individuals. We report a subcutaneous L. corymbifera infection in a 13-year-old immune-competent child, with a severe traumatic injury, with a successful outcome after early diagnosis and treatment with lipid amphotericin B, early debridement, and vacuum-assisted closure (VAC).