Cell wall-related genes and lignin accumulation contribute to the root resistance in different maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes to Fusarium verticillioides (Sacc.) Nirenberg infection.

Introduction: The fungal pathogen Fusarium verticillioides (Sacc.) Nirenberg (Fv) causes considerable agricultural and economic losses and is harmful to animal and human health. Fv can infect maize throughout its long agricultural cycle, and root infection drastically affects maize growth and yield. Methods: The root cell wall is the first physical and defensive barrier against soilborne pathogens such as Fv. This study compares two contrasting genotypes of maize (Zea mays L.) roots that are resistant (RES) or susceptible (SUS) to Fv infection by using transcriptomics, fluorescence, scanning electron microscopy analyses, and ddPCR. Results: Seeds were infected with a highly virulent local Fv isolate. Although Fv infected both the RES and SUS genotypes, infection occurred faster in SUS, notably showing a difference of three to four days. In addition, root infections in RES were less severe in comparison to SUS infections. Comparative transcriptomics (rate +Fv/control) were performed seven days after inoculation (DAI). The analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in each rate revealed 733 and 559 unique transcripts that were significantly (P ≤0.05) up and downregulated in RES (+Fv/C) and SUS (+Fv/C), respectively. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis identified coumarin and furanocoumarin biosynthesis, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and plant-pathogen interaction pathways as being highly enriched with specific genes involved in cell wall modifications in the RES genotype, whereas the SUS genotype mainly displayed a repressed plant-pathogen interaction pathway and did not show any enriched cell wall genes. In particular, cell wall-related gene expression showed a higher level in RES than in SUS under Fv infection. Analysis of DEG abundance made it possible to identify transcripts involved in response to abiotic and biotic stresses, biosynthetic and catabolic processes, pectin biosynthesis, phenylpropanoid metabolism, and cell wall biosynthesis and organization. Root histological analysis in RES showed an increase in lignified cells in the sclerenchymatous hypodermis zone during Fv infection. Discussion: These differences in the cell wall and lignification could be related to an enhanced degradation of the root hairs and the epidermis cell wall in SUS, as was visualized by SEM. These findings reveal that components of the root cell wall are important against Fv infection and possibly other soilborne phytopathogens.

Autoevaluación de competencias profesionales de enfermería, en un hospital público de tercer nivel en Guanajuato, México / Self-assessment of nursing professional competencies in a tertiary level public hospital in Guanajuato, Mexico

Resumen: Objetivo: Analizar la autoevaluación de las competencias profesionales de enfermería, en un hospital público de tercer nivel de atención, relacionadas con sus características laborales. Material y Métodos: Estudio cuantitativo, descriptivo correlacional, en 162 profesionales de enfermería de los servicios de hospitalización de un hospital público de tercer nivel de atención, se utilizó el instrumento validado "Competencias profesionales para licenciados en enfermería", con una confiabilidad de Alfa de Cronbach de 0.97, el estudio se apegó a lo estipulado en el Reglamento de la Ley General de Salud en Materia de Investigación. Resultados: De los profesionales de enfermería evaluados el 77.2% corresponde al sexo femenino; el rango de edad que predominó fue de 41- 45 años con 50.6%, en su mayoría casados (44.4 %). Destaca la antigüedad laboral de 11 a 14 años (48.1%) y el grado académico de Licenciatura (49.4%). El nivel global de competencias profesionales se ubicó en 164.8 (DE=11.4) de una puntuación máxima de 200, el indicador de ética destaca con una media de 33.85 (DE=2.88), seguido del indicador de atención integral con una media de 33.33 (DE=3.22). No se encontró relación estadísticamente significativa, entre las competencias profesionales del personal de enfermería y las características laborales. Conclusiones: El personal de enfermería, se percibe competente para brindar atención integral con apego ético; no obstante, se demanda fortalecer dimensiones como la educación, investigación y gestión, que contribuyan a la mejora continua de la calidad y seguridad en la atención.

Abstract: Objective: Analyze the self-assessment of the professional competencies of nurses in a tertiary care public hospital related to their work characteristics. Material and Methods: Quantitative, descriptive correlational study of 162 nursing professionals in the hospitalization services of a tertiary care public hospital, using the validated instrument "Professional competencies for nursing graduates", with a Cronbach's Alpha reliability of 0.97, the study complied with the stipulations of the Regulations of the General Law of Health on Research. Results: Of the nursing professionals evaluated, 77.2% were female; the predominant age range was 41-45 years with 50.6%, mostly married (44.4%). The most outstanding characteristics were seniority of 11 to 14 years (48.1 %) and a bachelor's degree (49.4 %). The overall level of professional competencies was 164.8 (SD=11.4) out of a maximum score of 200, the ethics indicator stands out with a mean of 33.85 (SD=2.88), followed by the comprehensive care indicator with a mean of 33.33 (SD=3.22). No statistically significant relationship was found between the professional competencies of the nursing staff and the work characteristics. Conclusions: The nursing staff is perceived as competent to provide comprehensive care with ethical attachment; however, there is a demand to strengthen dimensions such as education, research and management that contribute to the continuous improvement of quality and safety in care.

First Demonstration of Clinical Fusarium Strains Causing Cross-Kingdom Infections from Humans to Plants.

Mycotoxins from the Fusarium genus are widely known to cause economic losses in crops, as well as high mortalities rates among immunocompromised humans. However, to date, no correlation has been established for the ability of Fusarium to cause cross-kingdom infection between plants and humans. The present investigation aims to fill this gap in the literature by examining cross-kingdom infection caused by Furasium strains isolated from non-immunocompromised or non-immunosuppressed humans, which were subsequently reinfected in plants and on human tissue. The findings document for the first time cross-kingdom infective events in Fusarium species, thus enhancing our existing knowledge of how mycopathogens continue to thrive in different hosts.

IAA-producing rhizobacteria from chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) induce changes in root architecture and increase root biomass.

Rhizobacteria promote and have beneficial effects on plant growth, making them useful to agriculture. Nevertheless, the rhizosphere of the chickpea plant has not been extensively examined. The aim of the present study was to select indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) producing rhizobacteria from the rhizosphere of chickpea plants for their potential use as biofertilizers. After obtaining a collection of 864 bacterial isolates, we performed a screen using the Salkowski reaction for the presence of auxin compounds (such as IAA) in bacterial Luria-Bertani supernatant (BLBS). Our results demonstrate that the Salkowski reaction has a greater specificity for detecting IAA than other tested auxins. Ten bacterial isolates displaying a wide range of auxin accumulation were selected, producing IAA levels of 5 to 90 µmol/L (according to the Salkowski reaction). Bacterial isolates were identified on the basis of 16S rDNA partial sequences: 9 isolates belonged to Enterobacter, and 1 isolate was classified as Serratia. The effect of BLBS on root morphology was evaluated in Arabidopsis thaliana. IAA production by rhizobacteria was confirmed by means of a DR5::GFP construct that is responsive to IAA, and also by HPLC-GC/MS. Finally, we observed that IAA secreted by rhizobacteria (i) modified the root architecture of A. thaliana, (ii) caused an increase in chickpea root biomass, and (iii) activated the green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter gene driven by the DR5 promoter. These findings provide evidence that these novel bacterial isolates may be considered as putative plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria modifying root architecture and increasing root biomass.

Biological control of Rhizoctonia solani in tomatoes with Trichoderma harzianum mutants

Biocontrol of Rhizoctonia solani in tomatoes cultivated under greenhouse and field conditions was analyzed using the Trichoderma harzianum mutants Th650-NG7, Th11A80.1, Th12A40.1, Th12C40.1 and Th12A10.1 and ThF2-1, respectively. Their innocuousness on tomato cultivars 92.95 and Gondola (greenhouse assays), and on cultivar Fortaleza (field assays) was established. Alginate pellets (1.7 g pellets/L soil) containing c.a1 x 10(5) colony forming units (cfu)/g pellet were applied to a soil previously inoculated with R. solani at transplant (greenhouse) or to a naturally infected soil (field). Controls considered parental wild strains, a chemical fungicide and no additions. Th11A 80.1, Th12A10.1 and Th650-NG7 prevented the 100% mortality of tomato plants cv. 92.95 caused by R. solani, and the 40% mortality in tomato plants cv. Gondola (greenhouse assays). Mortality reduction was reflected in canker level lessening and in plant parameters increases (development, fresh and dry weights). A different degree of susceptibility of tomato plants was observed, being Gondola cv. more resistant than 92.95 cv. to infection in a soil previously inoculated with R. solani. Tomato plants of cv. Fortaleza did not show mortality in naturally infected soils (field assays), where the mutant ThF2-1 reduced significantly the canker level caused by R. solani.

New strains obtained after UV treatment and protoplast fusion of native Trichoderma harzianum: their biocontrol activity on Pyrenochaeta lycopersici

The obtainment of 30 new strains from native Trichoderma harzianum after UV light irradiation (UV-A and UV-C), and of 82 strains resulted from protoplast fusion were accomplished. The new strains, initially selected for their growing rate under low temperature and high pH conditions, as well as for their innocuousness on tomato plants, were tested for in vitro inhibition of Pyrenochaeta lycopersici in dual cultures and due to secretion of volatile and diffusible metabolites. All the UV-A and UV-C selected candidate mutants were innocuous to tomato plants, but none of them showed improvement in their biocontrol activity on P. lycopersici. Th12A20.1 increased 1.3 and 1.9 fold the total fresh weight of Fortaleza tomato plants when compared to its parental strains Th12 and Th11, respectively. The selected candidate mutants obtained through protoplast fusion were also innocuous to tomato plants, but only ThF1-2 and ThF4-4 inhibited 1.3 fold (in dual cultures) and 5 fold (due to secretion of volatile metabolites) the growth of P. lycopersici, respectively, in relation to the mean inhibitory effect of both parents. Therefore, these candidate mutants could be included in experiments under field conditions.

Biocontrol of root and crown rot in tomatoes under greenhouse conditions using Trichoderma harzianum and Paenibacillus lentimorbus: additional effect of solarization

Trichoderma harzianum 650 (Th650) and Paenebacillus lentimorbus 629 (Pl629) selected earlier for their ability to control Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium solani and F. oxysporum in vitro, were applied alone or combined with solarization (summer assay) and/or with methyl bromide (MeBr) (summer and winter assays) to a soil with a high inoculum level, for the control of tomato root rot caused by the complex F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici - Pyrenochaeta lycopersici - Rhizoctonia solani. Evaluations were also performed independently for root damage caused by P. lycopersici, and also for R. solani in the summer assay. MeBr decreased tomato root damage caused by the complex from 88.7 percent to 21.2 percent and from 78.4 percent to 35.7 percent in the summer and in the winter assay, respectively. None of the bio-controllers could replace MeBr in the winter assay, but Th650 and Pl629 reduced root damage caused by this complex in the summer assay. Treatments with bio-controllers were improved by their combination with solarization in this season. Independent evaluations showed that the positive control of Th650 towards R. solani and the lack of effect on P. lycopersici correlates well with the endochitinase pattern expressed by Th650 in response to these phytopathogens. Root damage caused by R. solani can be controlled at a similar level as it does MeBr in summer assays, thus representing an alternative to the use of this chemical fungicide for the control of this phytopathogen.

The expression of extracellular fungal cell wall hydrolytic enzymes in different Trichoderma harzianum isolates correlates with their ability to control Pyrenochaeta lycopersici.

Four isolates of Trichoderma harzianum (ThN3, Th11, Th12 and Th16) were selected for their ability to control the in vitro development of the tomato root pathogen Pyrenochaeta lycopersici. Analysis of the mechanisms involved in biocontrol showed that the formation of non-volatile metabolites appears to be one of those involved in biocontrol of P. lycopersici by all T. harzianum isolates tested. Nevertheless, the higher secretion of chitinases, both in number of isoenzymes and activity by the Th11 strain, correlated well with its higher ability to control this agent in laboratory and greenhouse experiments as compared to the other T. harzianum isolates tested. The secretion of beta-1,3-endoglucanases and/or proteases appeared to have less significance than endochitinases in the biological control of P. lycopersici.

The expression of extracellular fungal cell wall hydrolytic enzymes in different Trichoderma harzianum isolates correlates with their ability to control Pyrenochaeta lycopersici

Four isolates of Trichoderma harzianum (ThN3, Th11, Th12 and Th16) were selected for their ability to control the in vitro development of the tomato root pathogen Pyrenochaeta lycopersici. Analysis of the mechanisms involved in biocontrol showed that the formation of non-volatile metabolites appears to be one of those involved in biocontrol of P. lycopersici by all T. harzianum isolates tested. Nevertheless, the higher secretion of chitinases, both in number of isoenzymes and activity by the Th11 strain, correlated well with its higher ability to control this agent in laboratory and greenhouse experiments as compared to the other T. harzianum isolates tested. The secretion of ß -1,3-endoglucanases and/or proteases appeared to have less significance than endochitinases in the biological control of P. lycopersici

Caracterización funcional y bioquímica de la carne del manto de jibia (dosidicus gigas) / Biochemistry and functional characterization of squid mantle meat (dosidicus gigas)

En el presente trabajo se realizó la caracterización funcional y bioquímica de la carne del manto de jibia (dosidicus gigas) almacenada a -25ºC por 6 meses. Se estudiaron la capacidad emulsionante, capacidad de retención de agua y la capacidad de gelificación. Además se buscaron las condiciones óptimas para la separación y diferenciación de las proteínas miofibrilares de las sarcoplasmáticas. Dentro de las propiedades funcionales se encontró que la carne descongelada del manto de jibia es capaz de emulsionar 2.817,4 g aceite/g proteína, de retener 3,64 g agua/g proteína. La capacidad de formar geles fue nula, lo cual se atribuyó al tiempo de almacenamiento. Respecto a la obtención de proteínas miofibrilares de carne del manto de jibia, se concluyó que con dos lavados a baja fuerza iónica (I=0,05), las proteínas sarcoplasmáticas son eliminadas de la matriz proteica. Mediante la realización de PAGESDS, de los extractos de carne de manto de jibia obtenidos a dos fuerzas iónicas diferentes (I=0,5 y I=0,05), se logró diferenciar las proteínas miofibrilares de las sarcoplasmáticas. Del estudio realizado se deduce que las proteínas del manto jibia poseen una buena capacidad de emulsionar y retener agua, por lo que se puede considerar una muy buena materia prima para el desarrollo de productos para untar. En el caso de productos gelificados, es necesario realizar estudios complementarios en la carne fresca para poder inferir en relación a esta propiedad funcional

Análisis de algunos indicadores biológicos disponibles comercialmente en México / Analysis of some biological markers available in Mexico

El objetivo de esta investigación fue comparar, mediante las pruebas descriptas en la farmacopea de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos, diversos indicadores biológicos (IB) contra las cepas de Bacillus subtilis 9372 y B. stearothermophilus 7953 del catálogo de la ATCC. Se observó que las cepas ATCC y los IB provenientes de fabricantes extranjeros cumplen con las características morfológicas, bioquímicas y de cultivo estipuladas por la FEUM. De hecho, los fabricantes extranjeros establecen que sus productos están elaborados con las cepas ATCC. Por el contrario, algunos IB de fabricación nacional no son elaborados con las cepas ATCC. El aislado de B. subtilis, para verificar la esterilización por calor seco, se comporta como la cepa ATCC-9372, mientras que los indicadores para vapor a presión, supuestamente B. stearothermophilus, se comportan como B. subtilis sin pigmento. El fabricante de IB deberá documentar la veracidad de sus afirmaciones y proporcionar información que permita al usuario la selección de productos adecuados. Las instrucciones de uso deberán ser precisas

Determinación de la composición químico-proximal y la formulación de un producto tipo gel jibia (dosidicus gigas) / Determination of proximal chemical composition of squid (Dosidicus gigas) and development of gel product

Se realizó un estudio de la carne del manto de jibia (dosidicus gigas), cefalópodo que habita casi la totalidad de la costa chilena. Se determinó la caracterización químico-proximal determinándose que la jibia presenta buenas características nutricionales, por el alto contenido de proteínas y bajo contenido de grasa. Los resultados de la caracterización química fueron los siguientes; calorías/100g de carne: 70. (por cálculo); humedad: 82.23 ñ 0,98 por ciento; proteínas: 15,32 ñ 0,93 por ciento; cenizas: 1,3 ñ 0,12 por ciento; grasa: 0,87 ñ 0,18 por ciento; ENN: 0,27 por ciento ( por diferencia). Por otra parte, se elaboró un producto tipo gel con carne de jibia, en estudios previos se definió el contenido de NaCI y tripolifosfato de sodio; además de otros aditivos que confieren características de gel. Finalmente se seleccionaron formulaciones que contenían carragenina, alginato de sodio y albúmina de huevo, cada una en tres concentraciones diferentes. A estas formulaciones se les midió la fuerza de gel. Los valores más altos de la fuerza de gel, obtuvieron con la adición de albúmina de huevo, seguida de carragenina y de alginato que dio baja fuerza de gel, los resultados indicaron que la carne de jibia, no presentó buenas propiedades de gelificación