Potential of Fungal Endophytes Isolated from Pasture Species in Spanish Dehesas to Produce Enzymes under Salt Conditions.

Endophytic fungi have been found to produce a wide range of extracellular enzymes, which are increasingly in demand for their industrial applications. Different by-products from the agrifood industry could be used as fungal growth substrates for the massive production of these enzymes, specifically as a way to revalorize them. However, such by-products often present unfavorable conditions for the microorganism's growth, such as high salt concentrations. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the potential of eleven endophytic fungi-which were isolated from plants growing in a harsh environment, specifically, from the Spanish dehesas-for the purposes of the in vitro production of six enzymes (i.e., amylase, lipase, protease, cellulase, pectinase and laccase) under both standard and salt-amended conditions. Under standard conditions, the studied endophytes produced between two and four of the six enzymes evaluated. In most of the producer fungal species, this enzymatic activity was relatively maintained when NaCl was added to the medium. Among the isolates evaluated, Sarocladium terricola (E025), Acremonium implicatum (E178), Microdiplodia hawaiiensis (E198), and an unidentified species (E586) were the most suitable candidates for the massive production of enzymes by using growth substrates with saline properties (such as those found in the many by-products from the agrifood industry). This study should be considered an initial approach by which to further study the identification of these compounds as well as to develop the optimization of their production by directly using those residues.

Health self-perception is associated with life-styles and comorbidities and its effect on mortality is confounded by age. A population based study.

Background: Health self-perception (HSP) is the individual and subjective concept that a person has of their state of health. Despite its simplicity, HSP is considered a valid and relevant indicator employed in epidemiological research and in professional practice as an overall measure of health. Objectives: (1) To describe and analyze the associations between HSP and demographic variables, lifestyle and diseases prevalent in a population and (2) to investigate the relationship between HSP and mortality. Materials and methods: In a primary care setting, we conducted a longitudinal study of a random populational sample of a Galician municipality, stratified by decade of life. A total of 1,516 adults older than 18 years, recruited by the 2013-2015 AEGIS study, were followed-up for more than 5 years. During the clinical interview, data were collected on lifestyle and prevalent diseases. The HSP was grouped into 2 categories (good/poor). The statistical analysis consisted of a logistic regression, Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression. Results: A total of 540 (35.6%) participants reported poor HSP. At the end of the follow-up, 78 participants had died (5.1%). The participants with increased age and body mass index and chronic diseases (anxiety, depression, ischemic heart disease, diabetes, and cancer) presented a poorer subjective health. A high level of physical activity and moderate alcohol consumption were associated with better HSP. A poorer HSP was associated with increased mortality, an association that disappeared after adjusting for the rest of the covariates (HR, 0.82; 95% CI 0.50-1.33). Conclusion: (1) Health self-perception is associated with age, lifestyle, and certain prevalent diseases. (2) A poorer HSP is associated with increased mortality, but this predictive capacity disappeared after adjusting for potential confounders such as age, lifestyle, and prevalent diseases.

Protective Effects of Filtrates and Extracts from Fungal Endophytes on Phytophthora cinnamomi in Lupinus luteus.

Fungal endophytes have been found to protect their hosts against multiple fungal pathogens. Frequently, the secondary metabolites produced by the endophyte are responsible for antifungal activity. To develop new bio-products that are more environmentally friendly than synthetic pesticides against Phytophthora cinnamomi, a serious pathogen of many plant species, the antifungal activity of filtrates or extracts from four endophytes was evaluated in different in vitro tests and in plants of Lupinus luteus. In the dual culture assays, the filtrate of one of the endophytes (Drechslera biseptata) completely inhibited the mycelial growth of the pathogen. Moreover, it showed a very low minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). Epicoccum nigrum, an endophyte that also showed high inhibitory activity and a low MIC against P. cinnamomi in those two experiments, provided a clear growth promotion effect when the extracts were applied to L. luteus seedlings. The extract of Fusarium avenaceum also manifested such a promotion effect and was the most effective in reducing the disease severity caused by the pathogen in lupine plants (73% reduction). Results demonstrated the inhibitory activity of the filtrates or extracts of these endophytes against P. cinnamomi. A better insight into the mechanisms involved may be gained by isolating and identifying the metabolites conferring this inhibitory effect against this oomycete pathogen.

Combined Selenium and Zinc Biofortification of Bread-Making Wheat under Mediterranean Conditions.

Millions of people worldwide have an inadequate intake of selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn), and agronomic biofortification may minimise these problems. To evaluate the efficacy of combined foliar Se and Zn fertilisation in bread making wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), a two-year field experiment was established in southern Spain under semi-arid Mediterranean conditions, by following a split-split-plot design. The study year (2017/2018, 2018/2019) was considered as the main-plot factor, soil Zn application (50 kg Zn ha-1, nor Zn) as a subplot factor and foliar application (nor Se, 10 g Se ha-1, 8 kg Zn ha-1, 10 g Se ha-1 + 8 kg Zn ha-1) as a sub-subplot factor. The best treatment to increase both Zn and Se concentration in both straw, 12.3- and 2.7-fold respectively, and grain, 1.3- and 4.3-fold respectively, was the combined foliar application of Zn and Se. This combined Zn and Se application also increased on average the yield of grain, main product of this crop, by almost 7%. Therefore, bread-making wheat seems to be a very suitable crop to be used in biofortification programs with Zn and Se to alleviate their deficiency in both, people when using its grain and livestock when using its straw.

Metabolites Produced by Fungi against Fungal Phytopathogens: Review, Implementation and Perspectives.

Many fungi, especially endophytes, have been found to produce multiple benefits in their plant hosts, with many of these benefits associated with the protection of plants against fungal diseases. This fact could be used in the development of new bio-products that could gradually reduce the need for chemical fungicides, which have been associated with multiple health and environmental problems. However, the utilization of the living organism may present several issues, such as an inconsistency in the results obtained and more complicated management and application, as fungal species are highly influenced by environmental conditions, the type of relationship with the plant host and interaction with other microorganisms. These issues could be addressed by using the bioactive compounds produced by the fungus, in cases where they were responsible for positive effects, instead of the living organism. Multiple bioactive compounds produced by fungal species, especially endophytes, with antifungal properties have been previously reported in the literature. However, despite the large amount of these metabolites and their potential, extensive in-field application on a large scale has not yet been implemented. In the present review, the main aspects explaining this limited implementation are analyzed, and the present and future perspectives for its development are discussed.

Relación entre consumo de oxígeno, porcentaje de grasa e índice de masa corporal en universitarios / Relationship between oxygen consumption, percentage of body fat and body mass index in university students / Relação entre conssumo de oxígeno, porcentagem de obesidade corporal e índice de massa corporal em universitarios

El VO2max es indicador de capacidad de trabajo e integridad del sistema cardiovascular. Objetivo: Correlacionar VO2max, porcentaje de grasa corporal, suma de pliegues cutáneos e IMC en estudiantes universitarios de Villavicencio, Colombia. Materiales y métodos: Estudio prospectivo, observacional, con alcance descriptivo y relacional, de corte transversal. Fue evaluada una muestra no probabilística, ni estrati cada de 390 estudiantes (186 hombres, 204 mujeres) con edad media 21,34 D.E. 4,49 años, matriculados en cuatro universidades. El VO2max fue calculado a partir del Queens College Step Test y sus resultados analizados con las tablas del ACSM, el porcentaje de grasa mediante adipometría siguió los procedimientos estandarizados por la ISAK. Con el programa SPSS se evaluó la normalidad de la distribución (KS) y fueron calculadas media, desviación típica y correlación. Los participantes rmaron un consentimiento informado según Resolución 8430 de 1994. Resultados: Para toda la población evaluada se encontraron correlaciones negativas débiles entre el VO2max y la suma de pliegues de tríceps y subescapular (r=-0,198**, P=0,000), porcentaje de grasa (r=-0,216**, P=0,000). La correlación entre el VO2max y el IMC no fue signi cativa (P > 0,05). En hombres hubo correlaciones signi cativas negativas entre VO2max y suma de pliegues de tríceps y subescapular (r=-0,264**, p=0,000), tríceps y pierna media (r=-0,294, p=0,000), porcentaje de grasa (r=-0,286, p=0,000). En mujeres no se encontraron correlaciones signi cativas (p>0,05) entre VO2max y composición corporal. Conclusiones: Se encontraron correlaciones negativas débiles entre VO2max, suma de pliegues cutáneos y porcentaje de grasa corporal solamente en hombres; no se halló relación entre VO2max e IMC.

VO2max is an indicator of work capacity and integrity of the cardiovascular system. Objective: To Correlate VO2max, body fat percentage, sum of skinfolds and BMI in university students of Villavicencio, Colombia. Materials and methods: Prospective, observational cross-sectional study, with a descriptive and relational scope. A non-probabilistic or strati ed sample of 390 students (186 men, 204 women) with average age 21.34 D.E. 4.49 years, enrolled in four universities, was evaluated. The VO2max was calculated from the Queens College Step Test and its results were evaluated with the ACSM tables, the percentage of body fat by skinfold thickness measurement followed the procedures standardized by ISAK. The normality of the distribution (KS) was evaluated with the SPSS program and mean, standard deviation, and correlation were calculated. The participants signed an informed consent following Resolution 8430 of 1994. Results. Weak negative correlations were found between VO2max and the sum of triceps and subscapular folds (r = -0.198 **, P = 0.000), body fat percentage (r = -0.216 **, P = 0.000). The correlation between VO2max and BMI was not signi cant (P > 0.05) for all the population evaluated. In men, there were signi cant negative correlations between VO2max and sum of triceps and subscapular folds (r = -0.264 **, p = 0.000), triceps and middle leg (r = -0.294, p = 0.000), percentage of fat (r = -0.286, p = 0.000). In women, no signi cant correlations were found (p >0.05) between VO2max and body composition. Conclusions: Weak negative correlations were found between VO2max, sum of skinfolds and percentage of body fat only in men. No relationship was found between VO2max and BMI.

O VO2max é indicador de capacidade de trabalho e integridade do sistema cardiovascular. Objetivo: Correlacionar VO2max, porcentagem de gordura corporal, soma de pregues cutâneos e IMC em estudantes universitários de Villavicencio, Colômbia. Materiais e métodos: Estudo prospectivo, observacional, com alcance descritivo e relacional, de corte transversal. Foi avaliada uma amostra não probabilística, nem estrati cada de 390 estudantes (186 homens, 204 mulheres) com idade média 21,34 D.E. 4,49 anos, matriculados em quatro universidades. O VO2max foi calculado a partir do Queens College Step Test e seus resultados analisados com as tabelas do ACSM, a porcentagem de obesidade mediante adipometria seguiu os procedimentos estandardizados pela ISAK. Com o programa SPSS se avaliou a normalidade da distribuição (KS) e foram calculadas meias, desvio típico e correlação. Os participantes assinaram um consentimento informado segundo Resolução 8430 de 1994. Resultados: Para toda a povoação avaliada se encontraram correlações negativas fracas entre o VO2max e a soma de pregues de tríceps e subescapular (r=-0,198**, P=0,000), porcentagem de obesidade (r=-0,216**, P=0,000). A correlação entre o VO2max e o IMC não foi signi cativa (P > 0,05). Em homens houve correlações signi cativas negativas entre VO2max e soma de pregues de tríceps e subescapular (r=-0,264**, p=0,000), tríceps e perna meia (r=-0,294, p=0,000), porcentagem de obesidade (r=-0,286, p=0,000). Em mulheres não se encontraram correlações signi cativas (p>0,05) entre VO2max e composição corporal. Conclusões: Encontram se correlações negativas fracas entre VO2max, soma de pregues cutâneos e porcentagem de obesidade corporal somente em homens; não se encontrou relação entre VO2max e IMC.

Effect of Fungal Endophytes on Biomass Yield, Nutritive Value and Accumulation of Minerals in Ornithopus compressus.

Yellow serradella (Ornithopus compressus), a valuable pasture species in Mediterranean areas, presents a high diversity of endophytic mycoflora. In the present work, the hypothesis of a significant effect of fungal endophytic species on the parameters of forage production, nutritive value and mineral status of herbage was tested. O. compressus plants were inoculated with each of seven endophytes (four in 2012/2013 and three in 2013/2014). After inoculation, two experiments (under greenhouse and field conditions) were established. Results evidenced a certain influence of several endophytes on herbage yield, nutritive value and mineral status of O. compressus forage. Byssochlamys spectabilis increased herbage biomass yield by around 42% in the field experiment. Stemphylium sp. improved the nutritive value of forage either by increasing crude protein, digestibility and the concentration of essential minerals (such as B, Mo, P or S) or by reducing the concentration of toxic elements such as Al or Pb. In conclusion, the results presented here provide evidence that plant inoculation with endophytes could be a suitable strategy to increase forage yield and its nutritive value or to deal with potential nutrient deficiencies or potential mineral toxicity in forage.

Selenium speciation in malt, wort, and beer made from selenium-biofortified two-rowed barley grain.

Selenium (Se) biofortification of barley is a suitable strategy to increase the Se concentration in grain. In the present paper, the suitability of this Se-biofortified grain for making Se-enriched beer is analyzed. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of different Se fertilizer doses (0, 10, and 20 g of Se ha(-1)) and forms (sodium selenate or sodium selenite) on the Se loss during the malting and brewing processes and Se speciation in grain, malt, wort, and beer. Samples were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-ICP-MS for total Se and speciation. Mashing-lautering was the process with the greatest Se loss (83.8%). After malting and brewing, only 7.3% of the initial Se was retained in beer, mainly in selenite form. Even so, the fertilizer application of sodium selenate at 20 g ha(-1) increased the total Se concentration almost 6-fold in the final beer in comparison to the use of grain derived from unfertilized barley. The present paper provides evidence that the use of Se-biofortified barley grain as a raw material to produce Se-enriched beer is possible, and the results are comparable to other methods in terms of efficiency.

Selenium accumulation and speciation in biofortified chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under Mediterranean conditions.

BACKGROUND: Millions of people have Se-deficient diets and Se-biofortified crops could prevent such deficiency. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential of chickpea for use in Se fertilization programs in order to increase available Se. Two foliar Se fertilizers (sodium selenate and sodium selenite) at four rates (0, 10, 20, 40 g ha(-1)) were tested in the 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 growing seasons in a field experiment conducted under semiarid Mediterranean conditions. RESULTS: Sodium selenate was much more effectively taken by plants than sodium selenite, and there was a strong and linear relationship between total Se content and Se rate for both. For each gram of Se fertilizer, applied either as sodium selenate or sodium selenite, the increases of total Se concentration in grain were 126 and 87, and 25 and 19 µg Se kg(-1) dry weight, in 2010/2011 and 2011/2012, respectively. Se was found to be incorporated into chickpea grains mainly (>70%) as selenomethionine. CONCLUSION: Se-enriched chickpeas would be a good candidate for inclusion in biofortification programs under semiarid Mediterranean conditions and for promotion as a 'functional food'.

Evaluation of the potential of peas (Pisum sativum L.) to be used in selenium biofortification programs under Mediterranean conditions.

Selenium (Se), which has antioxidant, anticancer, and antiviral properties, is an essential micronutrient for humans and animals. This micronutrient is found in high quantity in legumes. Peas have an ever-increasing importance in Spain, and to increase their nutritional value, two foliar Se fertilizers: sodium selenate and sodium selenite, at five different rates: 0, 10, 20, 40, 80 g ha(-1), were studied during the 2010/2011 crop season on semiarid Mediterranean conditions. Sodium selenate was much more effectively taken up by plants compared to sodium selenite. There was a strong linear relationship between the total Se content and Se rate in both sodium selenate and selenite. For each gram of Se fertilization as either sodium selenate or sodium selenite, the increase of total Se concentration in the grain was 148 and 19 µg Se kg(-1) dry weight, respectively. Ingestion of 100 g of peas previously fertilized with 10 g of sodium selenate per hectare would result in an intake of 179 µg of Se. This is almost 90 % of the daily recommended dose needed to reduce the chance of some cancers and about 179 % of the minimum concentration required to prevent Se deficiency diseases in animals. The pea has shown to have a strong ability to uptake and accumulate Se under Mediterranean conditions; therefore, this would make it a very strong candidate for inclusion in biofortification programs aiming to increase Se in the food chain.

Perfil de complejidad y abordaje del trauma abdominal quirúrgico atendido en le Hospital Escuela "Antoni Lenin Fonseca" de la ciudad de Managua en el período comprendido de enero de 1997 a diciembre del 2002 / Profile of complexity and boarding of the abdominal injuries surgical assisted in the Hospital School Antonio Lenin Fonseca of the city of Managua in the period understood of january of 1997 to december of the 2002

El documento presenta un estudio descriptivo, longitudinal, observacional y retrospectivo, de los pacientes con trauma abdominal atendidos en le Hospital "Antonio Lenin Fonseca, durante el período de enero de 1997 a diciembre 2002, de los pacientes atendidos en el Servicio de Emergencia y Cirugía del Hospital "Antonio Lenin Fonseca y que presentaban trauma abdominal quirúrgico penetrante o no penetrante. El universo de estudio estuvo constituido por 108 casos. En la investigación se encontró que de los pacientes intervenidos se afectaron con mayor frecuencia los grupos de edad más jóvenes de 15 a 25 años con un 57 porciento y de 26 a 35 años con 28 porciento. El sexo que predominó fue la masculina con un 94 porciento, y 6 porciento solamente del sexo femenino, en su mayoría procedían de Managua. El grupo ocupacional más afectado fue el obrero con un 23 porciento, siguiendole los estudiantes con un 21 porciento y luego profesionales con un 14 porciento. El tipo de trauma más frecuente fue el pentrante con 73.1 porciento de los casos seguido del no penetrante con un 26.9 porciento de los casos, la totalidad de los primero fue producto de la violencia social, y los accidentes de circulación vial fueron la causa de casi la totalidad de los traumas no penetrantes