Analytical strategy to assess the microbial degradation of poly(butylene-adipate-co-terephthalate)/poly(lactic acid) films.

Plastic is widely used in agricultural applications, but its waste has an adverse environmental impact and a long-term detrimental effect. The development of biodegradable plastics for agricultural use is increasing to mitigate plastic waste. The most commonly used biodegradable plastic is poly(butylene adipate co-terephthalate)/poly(lactic acid) (PBAT/PLA) polymer. In this study, an analytical procedure based on dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in combination with chemometrics has been optimized to assess the degradation level of PBAT/PLA films by monitoring their characteristic degradation products. Carboxylic acids (benzoic, phthalic, adipic, heptanoic, and octadecanoic acids) and 1,4-butanediol have been found to be potential markers of PBAT/PLA degradation. The DLLME-GC-MS analytical approach has been applied for the first time to assess the degradation efficiency of several microorganisms used as degradation accelerators of PBAT/PLA based on the assigned potential markers. This analytical strategy has shown higher sensitivity and precision than standard techniques, such as elemental analysis, allowing us to detect low degradation levels.

Combined effect of an agro-industrial compost and light spectra composition on yield and phytochemical profile in mizuna and pak choi microgreens.

This work aimed to evaluate the growth of two species of microgreens (mizuna and pak choi), using agro-industrial compost as growing media in two different mixes versus one hundred percent peat, under two different LED illumination spectra (LED 1 and LED 2) in a 14 h photoperiod. The experiment was carried-out for two times. Biomass yield, glucosinolates, and phenolic compounds, and nitrate (NO3-) content were analysed in leaf tissues. In both species, the highest fresh and dry biomass production was in compost:peat (50:50%) and LED 2 (Blue/Red/Far Red). In general, compost had a greater influence on nitrate content than light, but in the microgreen pak choi, the anthocyanin content was inhibited by the compost treatment. In the other hand both LED illumination had a positive effect on mizuna for glucosinolates and anthocyanins, and LED 2 also showed a positive effect on pak choi for anthocyanin. Therefore, the use of agri-food compost: peat (50:50%) with LED 2 (blue/red) lighting treatment to obtain microgreens in indoor crops is a plausible technology that provides nutritionally and phytochemically rich crops.

How binomial (traditional rainfed olive grove-Crocus sativus) crops impact the soil bacterial community and enhance microbial capacities.

Intercropping can favour the yield of the main crop. However, because of the potential competition among woody crops, this system is rarely used by farmers. To increase knowledge about the intercropping system, we have explored three different combinations of alley cropping in rainfed olive groves compared to conventional management (CP): (i) Crocus sativus (D-S); (ii) Vicia sativa/Avena sativa in annual rotation (D-O); and (iii) Lavandula x intermedia (D-L). Different soil chemical properties were analyzed to evaluate the effects of alley cropping, while 16S rRNA amplification and enzymatic activities were determined to study the changes that occurred in soil microbial communities and activity. In addition, the influence of intercropping on the potential functionality of the soil microbial community was measured. Data revealed that the intercropping systems highly affected the microbial community and soil properties. The D-S cropping system increased soil total organic carbon and total nitrogen that were correlated with the bacterial community, indicating that both parameters were the main drivers shaping the structure of the bacterial community. The D-S soil cropping system had significantly higher relative abundances of the phyla Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, and Patescibacteria compared to the other systems and the genera Adhaeribacter, Arthrobacter, Rubellimicrobium, and Ramlibacter, related to C and N functions. D-S soil was also related to the highest relative abundances of Pseudoarthrobacter and Haliangium, associated with the plant growth-promoting effect, antifungal activity, and a potential P solubilizer. A potentially increase of C fixation and N fixation in soils was also observed in the D-S cropping system. These positive changes were related to the cessation of tillage and the development of a spontaneous cover crop, which increased soil protection. Thus, management practices that contribute to increasing soil cover should be encouraged to improve soil functionality.

Effects of inorganic and compost tea fertilizers application on the taxonomic and functional microbial diversity of the purslane rhizosphere.

Introduction: Soil fertility is a major determinant of plant-microbial interactions, thus, directly and indirectly affecting crop productivity and ecosystem functions. In this study, we analysed for the first time the effects of fertilizer addition on the cropping of purslane (Portulaca oleracea) with particular attention to the taxonomic and functional characteristics of their associated soil microbiota. Methods: We tested the effects of different doses of inorganic fertilization differing in the amount of N:P:K namely IT1 (300:100:100); IT2 (300:200:100); IT3 (300:200:200); and IT4 (600:100:100) (ppm N:P:K ratio) and organic fertilization (compost tea) which reached at the end of the assay the dose of 300 ppm N. Results and discussion: Purslane growth and soil quality parameters and their microbial community structure, abundance of fungal functional groups and prevailing bacterial metabolic functions were monitored. The application of compost tea and inorganic fertilizers significantly increased the purslane shoot biomass, and some soil chemical properties such as pH and soil enzymatic activities related to C, N and P biogeochemical cycles. The bacterial and fungal community compositions were significantly affected by the organic and chemical fertilizers input. The majority of inorganic fertilization treatments decreased the fungal and bacterial diversity as well as some predictive bacterial functional pathways. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the inorganic fertilization might lead to a change of microbial functioning. However, in order to get stronger evidence that supports the found pattern, longer time-frame experiments that ideally include sampling across different seasons are needed. Thus, further research is still needed to investigate the effects of fertilizations on purslane productivity under commercial field conditions.

Agronomical Practices and Management for Commercial Cultivation of Portulaca oleracea as a Crop: A Review.

Soil is an essential resource, and its degradation is challenging modern agriculture, while its impact is expected to increase in the near future. One of the strategies to address this issue is to incorporate new alternative crops able to tolerate arduous conditions, as well as for the use of sustainable agricultural practices in order to recover and/or improve soil health. Additionally, the increasing market for new functional/healthy natural foods promotes the search for potential alternative crop species with promising bioactive compounds content. For this purpose, wild edible plants are a key option because they have already been consumed for hundreds of years in traditional gastronomy and there is well-established evidence of their health-promoting effects. Moreover, since they are not a cultivated species, they are able to grow under natural conditions without human intervention. Among them, common purslane is an interesting wild edible species and a good candidate for integration in commercial farming systems. With worldwide spread, it is able to tolerate drought, salinity and heat stress and is already used in traditional dishes, while it is highly appreciated for its high nutritional value due to its bioactive compound content, especially omega-3 fatty acids. In this review, we aim to present the breeding and cultivation practices of purslane, as well as the effects of abiotic stressors on yield and chemical composition of the edible parts. Finally, we present information that helps to optimize purslane cultivation and facilitate its management in degraded soils for their exploitation in the existing farming systems.

Melon/cowpea intercropping pattern influenced the N and C soil cycling and the abundance of soil rare bacterial taxa.

The high use of pesticides, herbicides, and unsustainable farming practices resulted in losses of soil quality. Sustainable farming practices such as intercropping could be a good alternative to traditional monocrop, especially using legumes such as cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp). In this study, different melon and cowpea intercropping patterns (melon mixed with cowpea in the same row (MC1); alternating one melon row and one cowpea row (MC2); alternating two melon rows and one cowpea row (MC3)) were assayed to study the intercropping effect on soil bacterial community through 16S rRNA region in a 3-year experiment. The results indicated that intercropping showed high content of total organic carbon, total nitrogen and ammonium, melon yield, and bacterial diversity as well as higher levels of beneficial soil microorganisms such a Pseudomonas, Aeromicrobium, Niastella, or Sphingomonas which can promote plant growth and plant defense against pathogens. Furthermore, intercropping showed a higher rare taxa diversity in two (MC1 and MC2) out of the three intercropping systems. In addition, N-cycling genes such as nirB, nosZ, and amoA were more abundant in MC1 and MC2 whereas the narG predicted gene was far more abundant in the intercropping systems than in the monocrop at the end of the 3-year experiment. This research fills a gap in knowledge about the importance of soil bacteria in an intercropping melon/cowpea pattern, showing the benefits to yield and soil quality with a decrease in N fertilization.

Thermogravimetry coupled with mass spectrometry successfully used to quantify polyethylene and polystyrene microplastics in organic amendments.

The global consumption of plastic is growing year by year, producing small plastic pieces known as microplastics (MPs) that adversely affect ecosystems. The use of organic amendments (compost and manure) polluted with MPs affects the quality of agricultural soils, and these MPs can be incorporated into the food chain and negatively impact human health. Current European legislation only considers large plastic particles in organic amendments. There is no information regarding MP pollution. Thus, the development of a methodology to support future legislation ensuring the quality of agricultural soils and food safety is necessary. This proposed methodology is based on thermogravimetry coupled with mass spectrometry to quantify polyethylene and polystyrene (PE and PS) MPs through their mass spectrometry signal intensity of characteristic PE (m/z 41, 43 and 56) and PS (m/z 78 and 104) ions. This method has been validated with several organic amendments where the MP content ranged from 52.6 to 4365.7 mg kg-1 for PE-MPs and from 1.1 to 64.3 mg kg-1 for PS-MPs. The proposed methodology is a quick and robust analytical method to quantify MPs in organic amendments that could support new legislation.

[Infantile hepatic cholestatis: An unusual case of Langerhans cells histiocytosis associated with advanced fibrosis]. / Colestasis hepática infantil: presentación de un caso inusual de histiocitosis de células de Langerhans asociado a fibrosis avanzada.

Neonatal cholestasis is a clinical metabolic alteration requiring investigation of its eitiology. It is characterized by elevation of liver enzymes with cholestasis pattern and, in some cases, with acute liver failure. Its etiology is variable although the most frequent cause is atresia of extrahepatic bile ducts. We present a case of a 23-month-old boy who presented with cholestasis and was finally diagnosed with systemic Langerhans cell histiocytosis.

Colestasis hepática infantil: presentación de un caso inusual de histiocitosis de células de Langerhans asociado a fibrosis avanzada / Infantile hepatic cholestatis: An unusual case of Langerhans cells histiocytosis associated with advanced fibrosis

La colestasis neonatal es una situación clinicoanalítica que requiere una determinación urgente de su etiología. Se caracteriza por elevación de enzimas hepáticas con patrón de colestasis y en algunos casos con situación de fallo hepático agudo. Su etiología es variable aunque la causa más frecuente es la atresia de vías biliares extrahepáticas. En el presente caso describimos el caso de un niño de 23 meses de vida que presentó comienzo colestásico y que finalmente fue diagnosticado de histiocitosis de células de Langerhans sistémica.(AU)

Neonatal cholestasis is a clinical metabolic alteration requiring investigation of its eitiology. It is characterized by elevation of liver enzymes with cholestasis pattern and, in some cases, with acute liver failure. Its etiology is variable although the most frequent cause is atresia of extrahepatic bile ducts. We present a case of a 23-month-old boy who presented with cholestasis and was finally diagnosed with systemic Langerhans cell histiocytosis.(AU)

Bacterial and fungal community dynamics during different stages of agro-industrial waste composting and its relationship with compost suppressiveness.

Composting is an advantageous and efficient process for recycling organic waste and producing organic fertilizers, and many kinds of microorganisms are involved in obtaining quality compost with suppressive activity against soil-borne pathogens. The aim of this work was to evaluate the main differences in the effects of three composting piles on the whole bacterial and fungal communities of baby-leaf lettuce crops and to determine the specific communities by high-throughput sequencing related to suppressiveness against the soil-borne plant pathogen Pythium irregulare- (P. irregulare). Compost pile A was composed of 47% vineyard pruning waste, 34% tomato waste and 19% leek waste; pile B was composed of 54% vineyard pruning waste and 46% tomato waste; and pile C was composed of 42% vineyard pruning waste, 25% tomato waste and 33% olive mill cake. The temperature and the chemical properties of the piles were monitored throughout the composting process. In addition, the potential suppressive capacity of the three composts (C_A, C_B and C_C) against P. irregulare in baby-leaf lettuce was assessed. We found that the bacterial community changed according to the composting phases and composting pile and was sensitive to chemical changes throughout the composting process. The fungal community, on the other hand, did not change between the composting piles and proved to be less influenced by chemical properties, but it did change, principally, according to the composting phases. All composts obtained were considered stable and mature, while compost C_C showed higher maturity than composts C_A and C_B. During composting, the three piles contained a greater relative abundance of Bacterioidetes, Proteobacterias and Actinobacterias related to the suppression of soil-borne pathogens such as Pythium irregulare. Composts C_A and C_B, however, showed higher suppressiveness against P. irregulare than compost C_C. Deeper study showed that this observed suppressiveness was favored by a higher abundance of genera that have been described as potential suppressive against P. irregulare, such as Aspergillus, Penicillium, Truepera and Luteimonas.

Polyurethane Foam Residue Biodegradation through the Tenebrio molitor Digestive Tract: Microbial Communities and Enzymatic Activity.

Polyurethane (PU) is a widely used polymer with a highly complex recycling process due to its chemical structure. Eliminating polyurethane is limited to incineration or accumulation in landfills. Biodegradation by enzymes and microorganisms has been studied for decades as an effective method of biological decomposition. In this study, Tenebrio molitor larvae (T. molitor) were fed polyurethane foam. They degraded the polymer by 35% in 17 days, resulting in a 14% weight loss in the mealworms. Changes in the T. molitor gut bacterial community and diversity were observed, which may be due to the colonization of the species associated with PU degradation. The physical and structural biodegradation of the PU, as achieved by T. molitor, was observed and compared to the characteristics of the original PU (PU-virgin) using Fourier Transform InfraRed spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), and Scanning Electron Microphotography (SEM).

Gangliogliomas in the pediatric population.

BACKGROUND: Gangliogliomas are neoplastic lesions composed by a mixed population of neoplastic glial and dysplastic neural cells. They represent around 5% of all CNS tumors in the pediatric population. These usually are well-differentiated, slow-growing tumors, meaning that complete resection could cure most of these patients. Although most lesions remain stable over time after incomplete resection, some patients develop progression of the residual lesions: the optimal approach to treat these tumors is still to be defined. METHODS: This is a retrospective study in which we obtained data from medical records of pediatric patients who had a histological diagnosis of ganglioglioma following surgical treatment at a single center between 2001 and 2020. RESULTS: We included 17 pediatric subjects with gangliogliomas. The median age at diagnosis was 6.7 years, and the median follow-up duration was 60 months. The most common clinical presentation was epileptic seizures (41.1%). Hydrocephalus was present in 29.4% of cases. 52.9% of tumors involved exclusively the cerebral hemispheres, with the temporal lobe being the most affected location. Gross total tumor resection (GTR) was accomplished in 47% of all cases and in 75% of hemispheric tumors. Of patients, 33% in whom GTR could not be achieved showed progression of the residual tumor. BRAF V600E mutation was present in 44.4% of cases. CONCLUSION: Gangliogliomas are typically grade I tumors that occasionally affect children. They classically localize in the cerebral hemisphere but may involve deep structures like the basal ganglia, brain stem, and cerebellum, which seems to be particularly frequent in the pediatric population, implying further challenge to achieve adequate oncological control with surgery as the only treatment modality. Although most cases in which GTR could not be performed remained stable over the follow-up, significant progression of the tumor remains was observed in some patients. BRAF inhibitors should be considered as a feasible treatment option in this setting.

The influence of feedstocks and additives in 23 added-value composts as a growing media component on Pythium irregulare suppressivity.

Alternative materials with added-value functions, such as phytopathogen suppression and biostimulant and/or biofertilising activity, have been proposed as peat substitutes in growing media. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of 23 agro-industrial composts as components of growing media for baby-leaf lettuce transplant production and their activity against the plant pathogen Pythium irregulare. The composts were produced by mixing different starting feedstocks-tomato waste, leek waste, olive mill cake and vineyard pruning waste-with different additives (coffee, thyme, lavender and rockrose waste), which were incorporated at the beginning of the maturation phase. The results obtained indicated that the composts were mature enough to be used as growing media. The fresh weight of the lettuce plants grown with the different composts was significantly higher than in plants obtained with peat. Composts with the coffee additive produced higher lettuce fresh weight, while those with thyme yielded a lower fresh weight. Moreover, composts as components of growing media showed significantly higher P. irregulare suppressiveness than peat. The composts with additives produced lower lettuce fresh weight than composts without additives, but showed higher suppressiveness. Composts with additives showed opposite results depending on whether they were exposed to pathogens or not. Composts with additives showed opposite results according to pathogen pressure or not. Out of all the composts studied, the compost with tomato waste and leek waste as the initial feedstock, and lavender as an additive, showed the highest suppressive capacity. After lettuce harvesting, the growing media with composts showed significantly lower concentrations of P. irregulare than peat. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed that the growing media with compost can be grouped together according to the additive type.

MicroRNAs expression associated with aggressive clinicopathological features and poor prognosis in primary cutaneous melanomas.

Several studies have focused on identifying microRNAs involved in the pathogenesis of melanoma. However, its association with clinicopathological features has been scarcely addressed. The aim of this study is to identify microRNAs expression profiles related to aggressive clinicopathological and molecular features, and to analyze the association with melanoma survival. A retrospective and observational study was performed in a series of 179 formalin-fixed paraffin embedded primary cutaneous melanomas. First, a screening analysis on a discovery set (n = 22) using miRNA gene chip array (Affymetrix, Santa Clara, California, USA) was performed. Differentially expressed microRNAs were detected employing the software Partek Genomic Suite. Validation of four microRNAs was subsequently performed in the entire series (n = 179) by quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR). MicroRNAs expression screening analysis identified 101 microRNAs differentially expressed according to Breslow thickness (≤1 mm vs. >1 mm), 79 according to the presence or absence of ulceration, 78 according to mitosis/mm2 (<1 mitosis vs. ≥1 mitosis) and 97 according to the TERT promoter status (wt vs. mutated). Six microRNAs (miR-138-5p, miR-130b-3p, miR-30b-5p, miR-34a-5p, miR-500a-5p, miR-339-5p) were selected for being validated by qRT-PCR in the discovery set (n = 22). Of those, miR-138-5p, miR-130b-3p, miR-30b-5p, miR-34a-5p were selected for further analysis in the entire series (n = 179). Overexpression of miR-138-5p and miR-130b-3p was significantly associated with greater Breslow thickness, ulceration, and mitosis. TERT mutated melanomas overexpressed miR-138-5p. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed poorer survival in melanomas with miR-130b-3p overexpression. Our findings provide support for the existence of a microRNA expression profile in melanomas with aggressive clinicopathological features and poor prognosis.

Folliculocystic and collagenous hamartoma of tuberous sclerosis complex, not always a single cutaneous lesion.

Folliculocystic and collagenous hamartoma (FCCH) is a rare cutaneous manifestation characterized by the presence of single plaques studded with comedo-like openings and cysts. Although its pathophysiology is still unknown, it has generally been described in men with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). We report a case of a one-year-old child with two FCCH in the abdominal wall associated with TSC. In our case, a TSC2 mutation was identified.

Methylobacterium symbioticum sp. nov., a new species isolated from spores of Glomus iranicum var. tenuihypharum.

Strain SB0023/3 T, isolated from spores of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus iranicum var. tenuihypharum, was analysed to determine whether it represents a new species. It was studied for its applicability in the field of agriculture to reduce the input of nitrogen fertilizers. Comparative analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence shows the strain to be affiliated to the genus Methylobacterium, the closest similarities (98.7%) being shared with Methylobacterium dankookense. Further phylogenomic analysis through Up-to-date Bacterial Core Gene (UBCG) confirmed Methylobacterium dankookense as its closest relative. Average Nucleotide Identity (ANI) and in silico DNA-DNA hybridization (DDH) were lower than 92% and 44%, respectively, of the values shown by its phylogenetic relatives. Its genome had an approximate length of 6.05 Mb and the G + C content of the genome was 70.1 mol%. The main cellular fatty acid was Summed Feature 8 (C18:1ω7c and/or C18:1ω6c). It is a Gram-staining-negative, pink-pigmented, strictly aerobic and facultative methylotroph; it grows at 28 ºC and can grow at up to 3% salinity in the presence of sodium chloride. All the data collected support the naming of a novel species to accommodate the strain SB0023/3 T, for which the name Methylobacterium symbioticum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SB0023/3 T (=CECT 9862 T =PYCC 8351 T).