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.

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.

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.

Sexual dysfunction in drug- naïve first episode nonaffective psychosis patients. Relationship with prolactin and psychotic symptoms. Gender differences.

BACKGROUND: Our aim is to examine differences in sexual functioning (SF) between patients with drug-naïve first episode psychosis (FEP) and healthy controls (HC). We will also examine correlations between prolactin levels, testosterone levels and psychotic symptomatology with SF from a gender perspective. METHODS: Cross-sectional study. We included 68 FEP patients and 50 HC. A blood sample was extracted. We used the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale to assess symptom severity, using the five factor structure according to Emsley. The Changes in Sexual Function Questionnaire (CSFQ) was administered. RESULTS: We found significantly better SF in HC than in patients (in CSFQ total score (p = 0.032) and in CSFQ Desire (p = 0.032)). A significant correlation between prolactin or testosterone and SF was not observed. We found a negative significant correlation between the disorganised subscale of the EMSLEY and total CSFQ (p = 0.027; r = -0.329), CSFQ Desire (p = 0.028; r = -0.329) and CSFQ Arousal (p = 0.026; r = -0.332) in the patient sample. In a regression model, we found sex (p = 0.003) and disorganized symptoms (p = 0.034) as significant predictors. CONCLUSIONS: We found evidence for better SF in HC than in FEP patients. We could not confirm an association between prolactin or testosterone and SF. Disorganized symptomatology could be a relevant factor in SF.

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.

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.

Facial emotion recognition in neurological disorders: a narrative review. / Reconocimiento facial de emociones en trastornos neurologicos: una revision narrativa.

Facial emotion recognition refers to a person's interpretation of facial features of another to identify a particular emotional state. It is essential in human evolution and encompasses distinct neural networks. Facial emotion recognition is altered in most neurodegenerative diseases, but literature just focus on single neurological pathologies or limited comparison with psychiatric pathologies. It is unknown if a common pattern of affection through pathologies exists or if facial emotion recognition changes according to the underlying pathology. This review discusses its development in healthy population, synthesizes facial emotion recognition studies regarding most common neurological diseases, as well as most relevant findings in neuroimaging and current treatments. Facial emotion recognition, especially negative emotions, is altered in all described neurodegenerative diseases and could constitutes an early marker of cognitive deterioration.

TITLE: Reconocimiento facial de emociones en trastornos neurologicos: una revision narrativa.El reconocimiento facial de emociones hace referencia a la interpretacion de una persona sobre los rasgos faciales de otra para identificar un determinado estado emocional. Es esencial en la evolucion humana y abarca distintas redes neuronales. A pesar de que el reconocimiento facial de emociones se ve alterado en la mayoria de las enfermedades neurodegenerativas, la bibliografia solo se centra en patologias neurologicas individuales o en limitadas comparaciones con patologias psiquiatricas. Se desconoce si existe un patron comun de alteracion entre las patologias o si el reconocimiento facial de emociones cambia segun el trastorno subyacente. Esta revision describe su desarrollo en poblacion sana y sintetiza los estudios de reconocimiento facial de emociones en relacion con las enfermedades neurologicas mas comunes, asi como los hallazgos mas relevantes de neuroimagen y los tratamientos actuales. El reconocimiento facial de emociones, especialmente en emociones negativas, esta alterado en todas las enfermedades neurodegenerativas descritas y podria constituir en algunos casos un marcador temprano de deterioro cognitivo.

Prolactin levels in drug-naïve first episode nonaffective psychosis patients compared with healthy controls. Sex differences.

Recent studies have found hyperprolactinemia in first episode psychotic patients that had not previously received antipsychotic treatment (drug-naïve). Our goal was to learn whether there were differences in baseline prolactin concentrations between drug-naïve psychotic patients and healthy controls, as well as to study possible gender differences in the prolactin elevation. A cross-sectional study was conducted that included 61 drug-naïve psychosis patients and 45 healthy controls (aged between 14-55 years old). A blood sample was extracted between 8 and 10 a.m. Prolactin levels and TSH were determined. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) was conducted across the sample. This study showed significantly higher levels of prolactin in drug-naïve patients compared to healthy controls. These results were maintained after controlling prolactin levels for sex, age, THC consumption, baseline TSH, and PSS. A significant correlation between prolactin and PSS was not observed. Significant differences in prolactin levels between men and women were not observed. These results are clinically important because if elevated baseline prolactin levels are detected in these patients, it will be necessary to initiate neuroleptics that do not increase this hormone. There was no evidence that stress was related to an increase in prolactin at the onset of psychosis.

Efficacy of environmental friendly disinfectants against the major postharvest pathogens of stone fruits on plastic and wood surfaces.

Disinfection of surface facilities during postharvest handling operation is an important practice to avoid secondary fruit infections at stone fruit packinghouses. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of six environmental friendly disinfectants against Monilinia fructicola, Penicillium expansum, Rhizopus spp., and Alternaria spp. on plastic and wood surfaces. Hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, sodium hypochlorite, Mico-E-pro®, Proallium FRD-N®, and DMC Clean-CNS® were used as the disinfectants. Untreated and surfaces treated with water were used as controls. Plastic and wood surfaces were sampled with Rodac plates at 2 and 24 h after treatments and the number of colonies were counted. In general, all disinfectants reduce the number of viable conidia from all studied surfaces. Hydrogen peroxide used in a concentration of 150 mg L-1 was the less effective disinfectant in all studied pathogens. The commercial product Mico-E-pro® composed of oregano, onion, and orange extract at a dose of 10 mg L-1 was the most effective disinfectant. Rhizopus spp. was the pathogen more resistant to the disinfectants followed by P. expansum, M. fructicola, and Alternaria spp. Water decreased the number of conidia adhered to the surface. In addition, the untreated control showed substantial conidia reduction after 24 h of artificial inoculation.

Enhanced shelf-life of the formulated biocontrol agent Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CPA-8 combining diverse packaging strategies and storage conditions.

Two effective biocontrol products (named as BA3 and BA4) based on Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CPA-8 have been reported as a potential alternative to chemical applications against brown rot caused by Monilinia spp. on stone fruit. To have practical use, this study aimed to describe the best packaging strategies (bags or flasks, atmosphere, and temperature of storage) to not only guarantee efficacy but also stability and ease of application of the products to be handled through the normal channels of distribution and storage. In terms of the viability neither the BA3 nor the BA4 product has been compromised after twelve months of storage. However, storage at 4 °C affected the stability and visual aspect of both CPA-8 formulations, mainly associated not only to the increase of RH but also aw. Moreover, it should be pointed out that flasks did not conserve refrigerated BA3 samples in a suitable way, since RH and aw increased noticeably making their visual properties unsightly after 10 months of cold storage. At that time, the BA4 products were better preserved at 4 °C when packaged in flasks. Finally, this study also demonstrated that the most suitable packaging conditions for long-term storability (stored at 22 °C) did not show any negative effect in the biocontrol efficacy of CPA-8 in nectarines artificially infected with M. fructicola and provide suitable product delivery and field application. In conclusion, these results contribute to the final stage of development of these two CPA-8 products, practically ready for registration, thus contributing to the environmental-friendly management of postharvest diseases in stone fruit.

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.

Biopreservative methods to control the growth of foodborne pathogens on fresh-cut lettuce.

Fruits and vegetables can become contaminated by foodborne pathogens such as Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes, and it has been demonstrated that current industrial sanitizing treatments do not eliminate the pathogens when present. Chemical control is widely used, but biological control appears to be a better solution, mainly using the native microbiota present on fresh produce. The first objective of this study was to isolate native microbiota from whole and fresh-cut produce and to determine whether these bacteria were antagonistic toward foodborne pathogens. A total of 112 putative antagonist isolates were screened for their ability to inhibit the growth of Salmonella enterica on lettuce disks. Five different genera reduced S. enterica growth more than 1-log unit at 20°C at the end of 3 days. When tested against L. monocytogenes 230/3, only Pseudomonas sp. strain M309 (M309) was able to reduce pathogen counts by more than 1-log unit. Therefore, M309 strain was selected to be tested on lettuce disks at 10°C against S. enterica, E. coli O157:H7 and L. monocytogenes. M309 strain was only able to reduce S. enterica and E. coli O157:H7 populations. The second objective was to test different biopreservative methods including M309 strain, Pseudomonas graminis CPA-7 (CPA-7), bacteriophages (Listex P100 and Salmonelex) and nisin at conditions simulating commercial applications against Salmonella and L. monocytogenes on fresh-cut lettuce. The addition of the biopreservative agents did not result in a significant reduction of Salmonella population. However, CPA-7 strain together with nisin reduced L. monocytogenes numbers after 6 days of storage at 10°C. The cocktail of Salmonella and L. monocytogenes was not markedly inactivated by their respective bacteriophage solutions. This study highlighted the potential of biocontrol, but the combination with other technologies may be required to improve their application on fresh-cut lettuce.

Birth weight and obstetric complications determine age at onset in first episode of psychosis.

BACKGROUND: Earlier age at onset of psychosis (AOP) has been associated with poor social adjustment and clinical outcome. Genetic and environmental factors such as obstetric complications, parental history of psychosis, advanced paternal age at time of birth, low birth weight and gestational age, and use of drugs have been described as bringing AOP forward. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between AOP and these factors in a sample of first episode of psychosis (FEP) patients. METHODS: Clinical and sociodemographic data, age at FEP, age of parents at birth, parental history of psychosis, drug-use habits of the mother during pregnancy and of the patient before psychotic onset, and Lewis and Murray obstetric complication scale were obtained from 90 patients with FEP. Statistical analysis was performed by means of Pearson correlations, Chi-square tests, Student T-test analyses and a linear regression model using SPSS version 22. RESULTS: Pre-eclampsia, need for incubator at birth, use of forceps, parental history of psychosis, and low birth weight were associated with an earlier AOP. Use of forceps and birth weight are the variables which best predict AOP in FEP. Stimulant drugs, which were mostly used together with cannabis and cocaine, were the only substances associated with an earlier AOP. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings are consistent with previous study results and underline the role of the prenatal period in the development of psychosis and the importance of careful monitoring of pregnancy and delivery, especially in cases with familial history.

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.

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.

Decreased processing speed might account for working memory span deficit in schizophrenia, and might mediate the associations between working memory span and clinical symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: Verbal working memory span is decreased in patients with schizophrenia, and this might contribute to impairment in higher cognitive functions as well as to the formation of certain clinical symptoms. Processing speed has been identified as a crucial factor in cognitive efficiency in this population. We tested the hypothesis that decreased processing speed underlies the verbal working memory deficit in patients and mediates the associations between working memory span and clinical symptoms. METHOD: Forty-nine schizophrenia inpatients recruited from units for chronic and acute patients, and forty-five healthy participants, were involved in the study. Verbal working memory span was assessed by means of the letter-number span. The Digit Copy test was used to assess motor speed, and the Digit Symbol Substitution Test to assess cognitive speed. RESULTS: The working memory span was significantly impaired in patients (F(1,90)=4.6, P<0.05). However, the group difference was eliminated when either the motor or the cognitive speed measure was controlled (F(1,89)=0.03, P=0.86, and F(1,89)=0.03, P=0.88). In the patient group, working memory span was significantly correlated with negative symptoms (r=-0.52, P<0.0001) and thought disorganisation (r=-0.34, P<0.025) scores. Regression analyses showed that the association with negative symptoms was no longer significant when the motor speed measure was controlled (ß=-0.12, P=0.20), while the association with thought disorganisation was no longer significant when the cognitive speed measure was controlled (ß=-0.10, P=0.26). CONCLUSIONS: Decrement in motor and cognitive speed plays a significant role in both the verbal working memory impairment observed in patients and the associations between verbal working memory impairment and clinical symptoms.

Acidification of apple and orange hosts by Penicillium digitatum and Penicillium expansum.

New information about virulence mechanisms of Penicillium digitatum and Penicillium expansum could be an important avenue to control fungal diseases. In this study, the ability of P. digitatum and P. expansum to enhance their virulence by locally modulating the pH of oranges and apples was evaluated. For each host, pH changes with a compatible pathogen and a non-host pathogen were recorded, and the levels of different organic acids were evaluated to establish possible relationships with host pH modifications. Moreover, fruits were harvested at three maturity stages to determine whether fruit maturity could affect the pathogens' virulence. The pH of oranges and apples decreased when the compatible pathogens (P. digitatum and P. expansum, respectively) decayed the fruit. The main organic acid detected in P. digitatum-decayed oranges was galacturonic acid produced as a consequence of host maceration in the rot development process. However, the obtained results showed that this acid was not responsible for the pH decrease in decayed orange tissue. The mixture of malic and citric acids could at least contribute to the acidification of P. digitatum-decayed oranges. The pH decrease in P. expansum decayed apples is related to the accumulation of gluconic and fumaric acids. The pH of oranges and apples was not affected when the non-host pathogen was not able to macerate the tissues. However, different organic acid contents were detected in comparison to healthy tissues. The main organic acids detected in P. expansum-oranges were oxalic and gluconic and in P. digitatum-apples were citric, gluconic and galacturonic. Further research is needed to identify the pathogenicity factors of both fungi because the contribution of organic acids has profound implications.