Efficacy of Purpureocillium lilacinum AUMC 10149 as biocontrol agent against root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita infecting tomato plant

Abstract Root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita is among the biotic factors which has greatly affected both the yield and the quality of the tomato crop. The egg parasitic nematode, Purpureocillium lilacinum (Pl) is considered as one of the most promising agents in controlling and overcoming this plant pathogen. The nematicidal effect of the native isolate Pl AUMC 10149 on second stage juveniles survival and egg hatching of M. incognita at different times of exposure was tested in vitro. The obtained data showed that Pl gave a maximum percentage of J2 mortality (97.6%) and egg hatching inhibition (79.8%) after 72 hours of exposure. The potentiality of Pl as well as Bio-Nematon to control M. incognita infecting tomato was conducted using different times of application in vivo. Nine treatments with five replicates were used for such bioagents compared with the nematicide Oxamyl. Each seedling was inoculated with 1000 J2s of nematode/pot and 10 mL of Pl (1x1010 CFU/mL) or Bio-Nematon spore suspension (1x108 CFU/mL) 10mL/pot. The results indicated that the most effective treatments in reducing nematode population, number of galls and egg masses of M. incognita in plant roots was performed with treatment by Pl pre-planting and post-infection with Pl (Rf 1.9) giving a significant enhancement in plant length (64.9%), fresh weight (72.52%) and shoot dry weight (163.41%) without negatively impacting environment. Therefore, the present study confirmed that using P. lilacinum AUMC 10149 can be used as a practical supplement to environmentally friendly disease management of root-knot nematodes in Egypt.

Resumo O nematoide-das-galhas Meloidogyne incognita está entre os fatores bióticos que afetaram enormemente a produção e a qualidade da cultura do tomate. O nematoide parasita de ovos, Purpureocillium lilacinum (Pl), é considerado um dos mais promissores agentes no controle e superação desse fitopatógeno. O efeito nematicida do isolado nativo Pl AUMC 10149 na sobrevivência de juvenis de segundo estágio e na eclosão dos ovos de M. incognita em diferentes momentos de exposição foi testado in vitro. Os dados obtidos mostraram que o Pl deu um percentual máximo de mortalidade de J2 (97.6%) e inibição da eclosão dos ovos (79.8%) após 72 horas de exposição. A potencialidade de Pl e de Bio-Nematon para controlar M. incognita infectando tomate foi conduzida em diferentes tempos de aplicação in vivo. Nove tratamentos com cinco repetições foram usados para tais bioagentes em comparação com o nematicida Oxamyl. Cada muda foi inoculada com 1.000 J2s de nematoide / vaso e 10 mL de Pl (1×1010 CFU/mL). Ou suspensão de esporos Bio-Nematon (1×108 CFU/mL) 10mL/pot. Os resultados indicaram que os tratamentos mais eficazes na redução da população de nematoides, número de galhas e desovas de M. incognita nas raízes das plantas foram realizados com Pl pré-plantio e pós-infecção com Pl (Rf 1.9), dando um aumento significativo no comprimento da planta (64.9%), massa fresca (72.52%) e massa seca da parte aérea (163.41%) sem impactar negativamente o meio ambiente. Portanto, o presente estudo confirmou que o uso de P. lilacinum AUMC 10149 pode ser usado como um suplemento prático para o manejo ecologicamente correto de nematoides-das-galhas no Egito.

Efficacy of Purpureocillium lilacinum AUMC 10149 as biocontrol agent against root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita infecting tomato plant / Eficácia de Purpureocillium lilacinum AUMC 10149 como agente de biocontrole contra o nematoide Meloidogyne incógnita que infecta plantas de tomate

Abstract Root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita is among the biotic factors which has greatly affected both the yield and the quality of the tomato crop. The egg parasitic nematode, Purpureocillium lilacinum (Pl) is considered as one of the most promising agents in controlling and overcoming this plant pathogen. The nematicidal effect of the native isolate Pl AUMC 10149 on second stage juvenile's survival and egg hatching of M. incognita at different times of exposure was tested in vitro. The obtained data showed that Pl gave a maximum percentage of J2 mortality (97.6%) and egg hatching inhibition (79.8%) after 72 hours of exposure. The potentiality of Pl as well as Bio-Nematon to control M. incognita infecting tomato was conducted using different times of application in vivo. Nine treatments with five replicates were used for such bioagents compared with the nematicide Oxamyl. Each seedling was inoculated with 1000 J2s of nematode/pot and 10 mL of Pl (1x1010 CFU/mL) or Bio-Nematon spore suspension (1x108 CFU/mL) 10mL/pot. The results indicated that the most effective treatments in reducing nematode population, number of galls and egg masses of M. incognita in plant roots was performed with treatment by Pl pre-planting and post-infection with Pl (Rf 1.9) giving a significant enhancement in plant length (64.9%), fresh weight (72.52%) and shoot dry weight (163.41%) without negatively impacting environment. Therefore, the present study confirmed that using P. lilacinum AUMC 10149 can be used as a practical supplement to environmentally friendly disease management of root-knot nematodes in Egypt.

Resumo O nematoide-das-galhas Meloidogyne incognita está entre os fatores bióticos que afetaram enormemente a produção e a qualidade da cultura do tomate. O nematoide parasita de ovos, Purpureocillium lilacinum (Pl), é considerado um dos mais promissores agentes no controle e superação desse fitopatógeno. O efeito nematicida do isolado nativo Pl AUMC 10149 na sobrevivência de juvenis de segundo estágio e na eclosão dos ovos de M. incognita em diferentes momentos de exposição foi testado in vitro. Os dados obtidos mostraram que o Pl deu um percentual máximo de mortalidade de J2 (97.6%) e inibição da eclosão dos ovos (79.8%) após 72 horas de exposição. A potencialidade de Pl e de Bio-Nematon para controlar M. incognita infectando tomate foi conduzida em diferentes tempos de aplicação in vivo. Nove tratamentos com cinco repetições foram usados ​​para tais bioagentes em comparação com o nematicida Oxamyl. Cada muda foi inoculada com 1.000 J2s de nematoide / vaso e 10 mL de Pl (1×1010 CFU/mL). Ou suspensão de esporos Bio-Nematon (1×108 CFU/mL) 10mL/pot. Os resultados indicaram que os tratamentos mais eficazes na redução da população de nematoides, número de galhas e desovas de M. incognita nas raízes das plantas foram realizados com Pl pré-plantio e pós-infecção com Pl (Rf 1.9), dando um aumento significativo no comprimento da planta (64.9%), massa fresca (72.52%) e massa seca da parte aérea (163.41%) sem impactar negativamente o meio ambiente. Portanto, o presente estudo confirmou que o uso de P. lilacinum AUMC 10149 pode ser usado como um suplemento prático para o manejo ecologicamente correto de nematoides-das-galhas no Egito.

Use of cannabis in the improvement in the unified Parkinson’s disease rating scale score of Parkinson’s disease: A meta analysis

BACKGROUND@#Cannabis, the source of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychotropic compound, and cannabidiol (CBD), a nonpsychoactive chemical with potential therapeutic properties, has been widely used as a psychoactive drug, medicinal drug, or industrial hemp. Cannabinoids exert their effect in the brain mainly by interacting with two types of receptors: CB1 and CB2 receptors, which are currently being studied for its possible therapeutic effects for the symptomatic treatment of Parkinson’s Disease.@*METHODOLOGY@#Databases searched were PubMed via National Center for biotechnology Information, CINAHL, Medline, Academic Search, Biomedical Reference collection, via EBSCOhost, and Cochrane Library. Queries were sent to local institutions for unpublished studies compatible with the criteria for study eligibility. Participants’ characteristics, study design, intervention features, outcome variables, reported effects, and study quality were retrieved. Random effects model was used because heterogeneity was significant.@*RESULTS@#The analysis of the four clinical trials included in the study showed that Cannabis and its derivatives’ effects on the mean motor UPDRS showed statistically significant decrease.@*CONCLUSION@#Cannabis and its derivatives may have an effect in the short-term symptomatic treatment of Parkinson’s Disease, although controlled studies with larger samples must be done before any conclusions may be made.

Prevalencia de tiroideopatías en pacientes con diabetes tipo 2 / Prevalence of Thyroid Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Objetivo: Determinar la frecuencia de bocio, disfunción y autoinmunidad tiroidea en una muestra poblacional de pacientes con diabetes tipo 2. Material y métodos: Se analizaron pacientes con diagnóstico de diabetes tipo 2, según los criterios de la American Diabetes Association 2007, asistidos en forma consecutiva en consultorios de endocrinología, desde el 1 de julio al 31 de octubre de 2011. Resultados: Se recabaron datos de 190 pacientes, promedio de edad de 61,7 años (rango 27-85), 103 eran mujeres (54,2 %). Se determinaron anticuerpos antitiroideos en 139 pacientes. Ciento tres (54,2 %) pacientes presentaban disfunción tiroidea, 84 (44,2 %) ya tenían diagnóstico previo y se detectaron 19 (10,0 %) nuevos casos a partir del estudio. El hipotiroidismo clínico fue la disfunción tiroidea más frecuente (68 pacientes [35,8 %]). Cincuenta y dos pacientes presentaban bocio (27,4 %), la mayoría multinodular (36 pacientes [18,9 %]). Treinta y dos pacientes tenían autoinmunidad positiva (23,0 %). No se observaron diferencias significativas al dividir los pacientes en mayores y menores de 65 años respecto a la frecuencia de disfunción tiroidea (57,8 % contra 51,0 %) ni respecto a la de bocio (25,6 % contra 29 %). En cambio, fue significativa la diferencia en la proporción de autoinmunidad positiva entre ambos grupos (13,1 % y 30,8 %) (P < 0,05). Se halló un porcen­taje en mujeres y varones de disfunción tiroidea de 70,8 % y 34,5 % (P <0,0001), de bocio en 41,7 % y 10,3 % (P < 0,0001) y de anticuerpos antitiroideos positivos de 27,9 % y 15,1 % (P no significativa), respectivamente. Conclusiones: Se observó una frecuencia de disfunción tiroidea de 54,2 %, mayor que en todos los estudios revisados. La importancia de detectar tiroideopatías en los diabéticos tipo 2 radica en el diagnóstico de una patología tratable y que puede contribuir al aumento del riesgo cardiovascular de estos pacientes. Rev Argent Endocrinol Metab 51:123-129, 2014 Los autores declaran no poseer conflictos de interés.

Aim: To assess the frequency of goiter, thyroid dysfunction and autoimmunity in a group of patients with type 2 diabetes. Material and Methods: We evaluated a group of patients with diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, who presented at the Endocrinology department from July 1st to October 31st, 2011. The diagnosis of diabetes was based on the American Diabetes Association criteria. Results: Data from 190 patients were analyzed. The mean age was 61.7 years (range 27-85); 103 were women (54.2%). Thyroid autoantibody measurements were available in 139 patients. The total frequency of thyroid dysfunction was 54.2 % (103 patients), 84 patients (44.2 %) with previous diagnosis and 19 patients (10.0 %) with new diagnosis. The most frequent thyroid dysfunction was overt hypothyroidism (68 patients [35.8 %]). Goiter was present in 52 patients (27.4 %), most of them had multinodular goiter (36 patients [18.9 %]). Thy­roid autoantibodies were positive in 32 patients (23.0 %). We classified patients into two groups according to age: patients over 65 (group 1) and patients under 65 (group 2). No significant difference in the frequency of thyroid dysfunction (57.8 % versus 51.0 %) and goiter (25.6 % versus 29.0 %) were found between these groups. However, there was a significant difference in the proportion of thyroid autoimmunity according to age (13.1 % and 30.8 %, P <0.05, respectively). When separating patients into women and men, the percentage of thyroid dysfunction was 70.8 % and 34.0 % (P <0.0001), the percentage of goiter was 41.7 % and 10.3 % (P <0.0001) and the percentage of thyroid autoimmunity was 27.9 % and 15.1 % (not statistically significant), respectively. Conclusions: The frequency of thyroid dysfunction was 54.2 %, which was the highest rate according to the studies reviewed. Detection of thyroid dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes is clinically important since it is a treatable disease that may contribute to an increased cardiovascular risk in these patients. Rev Argent Endocrinol Metab 51:123-129, 2014 No financial conflicts of interest exist.

Tumores hipofisarios en la tercera edad / Pituitary tumors in the elderly

La prevalencia de los tumores hipofisarios en la tercera edad se encuentra en aumento en relación a la mayor expectativa de vida de la población general. Nosotros evaluamos retrospectivamente, 36 pacientes de la tercera edad, con media de 71 años, (65 -85), 20 de ellos varones, con tumores hipofisarios. El adenoma hipofisario no funcionante (ANF) se observó en el 64% de los casos, seguido por la acromegalia, el prolactinoma, y por un caso de enfermedad de Cushing. Se suman 3 casos de hipofisitis linfocitiaria, craneofaringioma y quiste de la bolsa de Rathke respectivamente. El 89% de los tumores fueron macroadenomas y la forma de presentación más frecuente, los trastornos visuales, seguidos por el hallazgo incidental y la hipersecreción hormonal. En la evaluación bioquímica la mayoría presentaba diferentes grados de hipopituitarismo, y los pacientes con macroprolactinoma tenían PRL > 800 ng/ml. Se operaron 21 pacientes (58%), 9 recibieron radioterapia. En 3 pacientes que no recibieron ningún tipo de tratamiento hubo modificación del tamaño del adenoma (2 aumentaron y 1 disminuyó) durante el seguimiento de 3.6 años. Se indicó tratamiento médico en aquellos que persistieron con la enfermedad o como tratamiento primario si las comorbilidades imposibilitaban la cirugía. No hubo mejoría de la función hipofisaria luego de la cirugía y el 62% agregaron uno o más déficit, el campo visual mejoró en el 67%. La diabetes insípida definitiva como complicación sólo se observó en dos pacientes y hubo un caso de fístula y meningitis. En conclusión, nosotros reportamos una tasa menor a la bibliografía mundial en la prevalencia de adenomas hipofisarios no funcionantes y similar para el resto, con una mayor tasa de presentación incidental. La cirugía no tuvo más complicaciones por la edad de los pacientes, el seguimiento clínico y con imágenes de aquellos que no se operan y/o el tratamiento médico puede ser una opción en este grupo etario.

World population has been growing and aging; and pituitary tumors prevalence among the elderly has also increased, summing up to 10-15% of all pituitary tumors. Thirty six elderly patients with pituitary tumors, 20 of them male, were evaluated restrospectively (average age 71 years, range 65-85). A non-functioning adenoma (NFA) prevalence was reported in 64% of the cases, followed by acromegaly, prolactinoma and one each of Cushing´s disease, lymphocytic hypophysitis, craniopharyngioma, and Rathke's pouch cyst. Macroadenomas accounted for 89% of tumors and the most frequent presentation was through visual disorders symptoms followed by incidental finding and hormone hypersecretion. During biochemical evaluation, most patients presented different degrees of hypopituitarism, and patients with macroprolactinoma had PRL levels>800ng/ml. Twenty one patients (58%) underwent surgery, while 9 underwent radiotherapy. During the 3.6 years follow-up, changes in adenoma size were reported in 3 patients who received no treatment (in 2 cases size increased, whereas in another it decreased). Medical treatment was indicated for those whose pathology persisted or as primary treatment if comorbilities prevented from performing a surgery. No pituitary function improvement was detected after surgery and the appearance of one or more deficiency was noticed in 62% of patients, though visual field did improve in 67%. Definitive diabetes insipidus as a complication was only detected in two patients, and a case of fistula and meningitis was observed. As a conclusion, we reported a NFA prevalence rate smaller than that reported in the world literature, though similar for the other pituitary tumors, and a higher rate of incidental presentation. No complications attributable to patients' age group were detected during surgery. For elderly patients who do not undergo surgery, clinical and imaging follow-up and/or medical treatment could be an option of choice.

Diatomeas de las lagunas de Unare y Píritu, estado Anzoategui Venezuela: subclases thalassiosirophycidae y coscinodiscophycidae round & crawford / Diatoms from unare and piritu lagoons, Anzoayegui state Venezuela: subclasses thalassiosirophycidae and coscinodiscophycidae round & crawford

Se describen 9 especies de diatomeas (Bacillariophyta) pertenecientes a las Subclase Thalassiosirophycidae y Coscinodiscophycidae. Las muestras de agua de las lagunas de Unare y Píritu (Venezuela) fueron colectadas entre Noviembre 1988 y Julio 1989. Los especimenes fijados con formol neutralizado y montados con Bálsamo de Canadá, se examinaron mediante microscopia de contraste de fase. Las especies estudiadas fueron: Thalassiosira eccentrica (Ehrenberg) Lange et al., T. leptopus (Grun) Hasle & Fryxell, Cyclotella menenghianiana (Kützing) Wood, C. striata (Kützing) Grunow in Cleve et Grunow, Coscinodiscus asteromphallus (Ehrenberg) Makarova, C. janischi (Schmidt) Wood, C. marginatus (Ehrenberg) Navarro, C. subtilis (Ehrenberg) var. normanii (Gregory) Van Heurck, Actinocyclus octonarius (Ehrenberg) Navarro.

Biovolumen de algunas diatomeas céntricas de la plataforma nororiental de Venezuela / Biovolume of some centric diatoms from the northeastern continental shelf of Venezuela

Biovolume variation of twelve centric diatom species from eight natural habitats of the northeastem continental shelf of Venezuela were analyzed. Also, the morphometric variable that exerts the greatest influence on the biovolume was determined. Samples were collected with a net (mesh 36 microns), or with a Niskin bottle (5 l) and fixed with neutralized formaldehyde (4 per cent). Water temperature and salinity were measured. The species studied were: Detonula sp., Skeletonema costatum, Lauderia annulata, Pseudoguinardia recta, Cerataulina pelagica, Helicotheca tamesis, Rhizosolenia styliformis, Proboscia alata, Guinardia flaccida, G. striata, Dactyliosolen fragilissimus y Leptocylindrus danicus. Forty individuals of each species from each locality were isolated and measured with a Leitz Wetzlar binocular microscope with an ocular micrometer, magnified 400X. A one-way ANOVA showed the existence of highly significant differences (p < 0.001) in the biovolume of the species regarded with its locality. These differences could be due to: (a) temporal differences in sample collection: (b) the existence of populations in different phases of their vital cycles; (c) genetic differences; (d) and differences in the physical-chemical environment at each locality. The diameter was the morphometric variable exhibiting the largest positive correlation (r > or = 0.77, p < 0.001) with biovolume for all species, except for H. tamesis. In the latter, the apical axis (or side) exhibited the best correlation with biovolume (r = 0.94, p < 0.001). The high correlation between the diameter and/or the apical axis with the biovolumen suggests that the latter could be predicted from these morphometric variables with great reliability in these species.

Diatomeas de las lagunas de Unare y Piritú, estado Anzoátegui, Venezuela. Subclase Bacillariophycidae D. G. Mann / Diatoms from Unare and Píritu Lagoons, Anzoátegui state, Venezuela. Subclass Bacillariophycidae D. G. Mann

RESUMEN: La flora diatomológica de las Lagunas de Unare y Píritu, Venezuela, comprende organismos dulceacuícolas, estuarinos y marinos. En este trabajo se describen quince (15) especies de diatomeas (Bacillariophyta) pertenecientes a la subclase Bacillariophycidae. Las muestras de agua de las lagunas de Unare y Píritu (Venezuela), fueron colectadas entre noviembre 1988 y julio 1989. Estas fueron fijadas con formol neutro (10 %) y se examinaron mediante microscopía de contraste de fase. Las especies estudiadas fueron: Dictyoneis marginata (Lewis) Cleve, Cymbella affinis (Kützing) Cleve, Cymbella sp., Achnanthes brevipes var. intermedia (Kützing) Cleve, Lyrella irroratoides (Hustedt) Mann, Navicula carinifera (Grunow) Peragallo, Navicula liber (W. Smith) Peragallo, Navicula vacillans (Schmidt) Peragallo, Navicula sp., Amphora crassa var. campechiana Grunow, Amphora decussata Grunow, Caloneis powelli (Lewis) Cholnoky, Tryblionella acuta (Cleve) Mann in Round et al., Tryblionella apiculata Gregory, Surirella febigerii Lewis.

Maternal reproductive history and the occurrence of Down's syndrome.

Reproductive history of mothers of 115 Down's syndrome children was studied and compared with 200 control mothers who gave birth to normal children. The frequency of spontaneous abortions in mothers of Down's syndrome babies was found to be elevated significantly (p < 0.05). The data suggest that the maternal health and reproductive potential have a prominent aetiological significance in the occurrence of Down's syndrome.

Evaluación longitudinal del sistema complemento e inmunocomplejos circulantes en la leucemia mieloide crónica / Longitudinal evaluation of complement and circulating immunocomplexes system in chronic myeloid leukemia

Se evaluó longitudinalmente la actividad hemolítica del sistema complemento por la vía clásica, vía alternativa, actividad funcional del factor B, C3 y C4, así como la detección de inmunocomplejos circulantes (ICC) mediante la prueba de desviación del C1q y el método de precipitación con polietilenglicol 6 000 al 3,75 % en un grupo de pacientes con leucemia mieloide crónica (LMC) en diferentes fases clínicas. Se observó un aumento en la actividad de la via alternativa, factor B y C3 en las fases activas de la enfermedad; la vía clásica y el C4 estaban incrementados solamente en los enfermos con crisis blástica. Se demostraron niveles elevados de ICC en las fases más activas de la enfermedad

Estandarización de un método para determinar la capacidad del suero humano en la inbición de la precipitación de inmunocomplejos / Standardization of a method to determine human serum capacity in the inhibition of immune complex precipitation

Se informa que se estandarizó un método que permite evaluar la capacidad del suero humano para inhibir la precipitación de inmunocomplejos, con la utilización del sistema 125. T-toxoide tetánico-antitoxoide tetánico. Se determina el valor promedio (90,71%) y el rango normal de inhibición (de 83,95 a 97,47%) en una muestra de 70 sueros normales, así como los coeficientes de variación interno (2,69%) y externo (2,98%). Se observa una correlación significativa entre la inhibición de la precipitación y la actividad hemolítica de la vía (r=0,626; p < 0.05)