Probing the Use of Homemade Carbon Fiber Microsensor for Quantifying Caffeine in Soft Beverages.

In the development of electrochemical sensors, carbon micro-structured or micro-materials have been widely used as supports/modifiers to improve the performance of bare electrodes. In the case of carbon fibers (CFs), these carbonaceous materials have received extensive attention and their use has been proposed in a variety of fields. However, to the best of our knowledge, no attempts for electroanalytical determination of caffeine with CF microelectrode (µE) have been reported in the literature. Therefore, a homemade CF-µE was fabricated, characterized, and used to determine caffeine in soft beverage samples. From the electrochemical characterization of the CF-µE in K3Fe(CN)6 10 mmol L-1 plus KCl 100 mmol L-1, a radius of about 6 µm was estimated, registering a sigmoidal voltammetric profile that distinguishes a µE indicating that the mass-transport conditions were improved. Voltammetric analysis of the electrochemical response of caffeine at the CF-µE clearly showed that no effects were attained due to the mass transport in solution. Differential pulse voltammetric analysis using the CF-µE was able to determine the detection sensitivity, concentration range (0.3 to 4.5 µmol L-1), limit of detection (0.13 µmol L-1) and linear relationship (I (µA) = (11.6 ± 0.09) × 10-3 [caffeine, µmol L-1] - (0.37 ± 0.24) × 10-3), aiming at the quantification applicability in concentration quality-control for the beverages industry. When the homemade CF-µE was used to quantify the caffeine concentration in the soft beverage samples, the values obtained were satisfactory in comparison with the concentrations reported in the literature. Additionally, the concentrations were analytically determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). These results show that these electrodes may be an alternative to the development of new and portable reliable analytical tools at low cost with high efficiency.

Metabolite Signature and Differential Expression of Genes in Washington Navel Oranges (Citrus sinensis) Infected by Spiroplasma citri.

Spiroplasma citri is the pathogen that causes citrus stubborn disease (CSD). Infection of citrus with S. citri has been shown to cause leaf mottling, reduce fruit yield, and stunt tree growth. Fruit from trees exhibiting symptoms of CSD are misshapen and discolored. The symptoms of CSD are easily confused with nutrient deficiencies or symptoms of citrus greening disease. In this study, young Washington navel oranges (Citrus sinensis) were graft-inoculated with budwood originating from trees confirmed to be infected with S. citri. Leaf samples were collected monthly for 10 months for metabolomics and differential gene expression analyses. Significant differences in the concentration of metabolites and expressed genes were observed between control and S. citri-infected trees throughout the experiment. Metabolites and genes associated with important defense and stress pathways, including jasmonic acid signaling, cell wall modification, amino acid biosynthesis, and the production of antioxidant and antimicrobial secondary metabolites, were impacted by S. citri throughout the study, and even prior to symptom development. This work fills a current gap in knowledge surrounding the pathogenicity of S. citri and provides an updated mechanistic explanation for the development of CSD symptoms in S. citri-infected plants.

Environmental application of a cost-effective smartphone-based method for COD analysis: Applicability in the electrochemical treatment of real wastewater.

This study aims to develop a cheap method for the evaluation of quality of water or the assessment of the treatment of water by chemical oxygen demand (COD) measurements throughout the use of the HSV color model in digital devices. A free application installed on a smartphone was used for analyzing the images in which the colors were acquired before to be quantified. The proposed method was also validated by the standard and spectrophotometric methods, demonstrating that no significant statistical differences were attained (average accuracy of 97 %). With these results, the utilization of this smartphone-based method for COD analysis was used/evaluated, for first time, by treating electrochemically a real water matrix with substantial organic and salts content using BDD and Pt/Ti anodes. Aiming to understand the performance of both anodes, bulk experiments were performed under real pH by applying current densities (j) of 15, 30, and 60 mA cm-2. COD abatement results (which were achieved with this novel smart water security solution) clearly showed that different organic matter removal efficiencies were achieved, depending on the electrocatalytic material used as well as the applied current density (42 %, 45 %, and 85 % for Ti/Pt while 93 %, 97 % and total degradation for BDD by applying 15, 30, and 60 mA cm-2, respectively). However, when the persulfate-mediated oxidation approach was used, with the addition of 2 or 4 g Na2SO4 L-1, COD removal efficiencies were enhanced, obtaining total degradation with 4 g Na2SO4 L-1 and by applying 15 mA cm-2. Finally, this smartphone imaging-based method provides a simple and rapid method for the evaluation of COD during the use of electrochemical remediation technology, developing and decentralizing analytics technologies for smart water solutions which play a key role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG6).

The Impact of Diaphorina citri-Vectored 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' on Citrus Metabolism.

'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' is associated with the devastating citrus disease Huanglongbing (HLB). It is transmitted by grafting infected material to healthy plants and by the feeding of the Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri). Previously, we demonstrated that a metabolomics approach using proton-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy discriminates healthy from diseased plants via grafting. This work assessed the capability of this technology in discriminating healthy and diseased plants when the bacterium is vectored by psyllids. One-year-old greenhouse-grown 'Lisbon' lemon trees were exposed to either carrier psyllids (exposed, n = 10), or psyllids that were free of 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' (control, n = 6). Leaf metabolites were tracked for 1 year and disease diagnosis was made using quantitative PCR. Overall, 31 water-soluble metabolites were quantified in leaves, including four sugars and 12 amino acids. Analysis via nonmetric multidimensional scaling and principal component analysis revealed significant differences between the leaf metabolome of control versus infected trees beginning at 8 weeks postexposure, including alterations in glucose and quinic acid concentrations. These findings provide a longitudinal overview of the metabolic effects of HLB during the early phases of disease, and confirm previous experimental work demonstrating that infection elicits changes in the leaf metabolome that enables discrimination between healthy and infected plants. Here we demonstrate that the mode of inoculation (i.e., graft versus psyllid) results in a similar pathology.

A stable antimicrobial peptide with dual functions of treating and preventing citrus Huanglongbing.

Citrus Huanglongbing (HLB), caused by a vector-transmitted phloem-limited bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), is the most devastating citrus disease worldwide. Currently, there are no effective strategies to prevent infection or to cure HLB-positive trees. Here, using comparative analysis between HLB-sensitive citrus cultivars and HLB-tolerant citrus hybrids and relatives, we identified a novel class of stable antimicrobial peptides (SAMPs). The SAMP from Microcitrusaustraliasica can rapidly kill Liberibacter crescens (Lcr), a culturable Liberibacter strain, and inhibit infections of CLas and CL. solanacearum in plants. In controlled greenhouse trials, SAMP not only effectively reduced CLas titer and disease symptoms in HLB-positive trees but also induced innate immunity to prevent and inhibit infections. Importantly, unlike antibiotics, SAMP is heat stable, making it better suited for field applications. Spray-applied SAMP was taken up by citrus leaves, stayed stable inside the plants for at least a week, and moved systemically through the vascular system where CLas is located. We further demonstrate that SAMP is most effective on α-proteobacteria and causes rapid cytosol leakage and cell lysis. The α-helix-2 domain of SAMP is sufficient to kill Lcr Future field trials will help determine the efficacy of SAMP in controlling HLB and the ideal mode of application.

Evidências científicas da prática da violência contra a pessoa idosa: revisão integrativa / Evidencias científicas de la práctica de violencia contra personas mayores: revisión integradora / Scientific evidence of the violence against the older adult: an integrative review

Resumo Objetivo: Analisar as evidências científicas da violência praticada contra a pessoa idosa, com destaque para a prevalência, o perfil da vítima e os fatores de risco. Métodos: Revisão integrativa de artigos disponíveis nas bases de dados da PubMed®, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Banco de Dados em Enfermagem (BDENF), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) e Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (LILACS), publicados entre 2015 a 2019, a partir dos descritores: "idoso", " elderly ", " older person " , " aged ", " old ", " exposure to violence ", "exposição à violência", " aging ", envelhecimento", " elder abuse " , " domestic violence " , " violence ", "violência", "maus-tratos ao idoso" e "violência doméstica". Para refinamento, foram utilizadas as quatro fases do diagrama de fluxo de seleção de artigos do PRISMA. Resultados: Foram identificados 17 artigos que apresentaram como fatores de risco aumentados para a violência contra a pessoa idosa idade avançada, disfuncionalidade familiar, falta de acesso a direitos sociais e condições crônicas de incapacidade. Conclusão: O estudo traz contribuições diretas para os profissionais e setores interessados no enfrentamento da violência contra a pessoa idosa, a qual possui alta prevalência na sociedade atual.

Resumen Objetivo: Analizar las evidencias científicas de la violencia practicada contra personas mayores, con énfasis en la prevalencia, el perfil de la víctima y los factores de riesgo. Métodos: Revisión integradora de artículos disponibles en las bases de datos de PubMed®, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Banco de Dados em Enfermagem (BDENF), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) y Literatura Latinoamericana y del Caribe en Ciencias de la Salud (LILACS), publicados entre 2015 y 2019, a partir de los descriptores: "anciano", " elderly ", " older person " , " aged ", " old ", " exposure to violence ", "exposición a la violencia", " aging ", "envejecimiento", " elder abuse " , " domestic violence " , " violence ", "violencia", "malos tratos al anciano" y "violencia doméstica". Para refinar la búsqueda, se utilizaron las cuatro fases del diagrama de flujo de selección de artículos PRISMA. Resultados: Se identificaron 17 artículos que presentaron los siguientes factores de riesgo aumentados en la violencia contra personas mayores: edad avanzada, disfuncionalidad familiar, falta de acceso a derechos sociales y condiciones crónicas de incapacidad. Conclusión: El estudio contribuye directamente para los profesionales y sectores interesados en el enfrentamiento a la violencia contra personas mayores, que tiene una alta prevalencia en la sociedad actual.

Abstract Objective: To analyze the scientific evidence of violence against the older adult, with emphasis on the prevalence, the profile of the victim, and the risk factors. Methods: An integrative review of articles available in the PubMed® databases, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Nursing Database (BDENF), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) and Latin American and Caribbean Research on Health Sciences (LILACS), published between 2015 and 2019, using the descriptors: "idoso" , "older adult", "older person", "aged", "old", "exposure to violence", " exposição à violência ", "aging", envelhecimento" , "elder abuse", "domestic violence", "violence", " violência", "maus-tratos ao idoso" and "violência doméstica" . As to refine it, the four phases of the PRISMA study selection flow diagram were used. Results: 17 articles were identified which presented as increased risk factors for violence against the older adult, family dysfunction, lack of access to social rights and chronic conditions of disability. Conclusion: The study brings direct contributions to professionals and sectors interested in facing violence against the older adult, which has a high prevalence in today's society.

Identificando elementos do cuidado centrado na pessoa: estudo qualitativo a partir da perspectiva de pacientes hospitalizados / Identifying elements of person-centred care: qualitative study from the perspective of hospitalized patients

Os objetivos deste estudo foram analisar as percepções de doentes internados em enfermarias de clínica médica de um hospital universitário em relação aos médicos que os atendiam, assim como se tais percepções se enquadravam nos conceitos do método clínico centrado na pessoa ou no modelo biomédico. Um estudo descritivo, de abordagem qualitativa, baseada na técnica de análise de conteúdo foi desenvolvido. Realizaram-se entrevistas individuais com 11 pacientes através de guia com perguntas abertas. Foram observadas narrativas relacionadas ao exame clínico e exames complementares. Os discursos revelam gratidão, satisfação com a atenção do médico e com a descoberta do diagnóstico. Observaram-se discursos que mostraram uma comunicação sobre o diagnóstico e a terapêutica entre o médico e o paciente, com discussão do que seria necessário para o melhor tratamento, conforme preconiza o método clínico centrado na pessoa, embora não tenha havido menção ao compartilhamento de tomadas de decisão. Observou-se que o saber médico teve uma posição de superioridade com relação ao dos pacientes, que assumiram atitude passiva, alguns deles não identificando qual era seu principal médico e com pouco entendimento sobre seus diagnósticos pela ausência de linguagem acessível, características que se enquadram no modelo biomédico. Como conclusão, as falas dos entrevistados mostraram que grande parte se sentiu bem atendida e revelou confiança e satisfação, havendo alocuções compatíveis com o método clínico centrado na pessoa. Contudo, não houve narrativas sugestivas de sua participação ativa nas decisões tomadas, observando-se, nesse aspecto, uma relação centrada no médico e/ou na doença.(AU)

The aims of this study were to analyze the perceptions of patients hospitalized in medical clinic wards of a university hospital regarding the physicians who attended them, as well as whether such perceptions fit the concepts of the person-centered clinical method or the biomedical model. A descriptive, qualitative approach based on the technique of content analysis was developed. Individual interviews with 11 patients were conducted through an open question guide. Narratives related to clinical examination and complementary tests were observed. The speeches show gratitude, satisfaction with the physician's attention and the discovery of the diagnosis. The researchers observed speeches which showed a communication about the diagnosis and therapy between the doctor and the patient, discussing what would be necessary for the best treatment, as recommended by the personcentered clinical method, although there was no mention of a shared decision-making. It was observed that medical knowledge had a position of supremacy regarding the patients, who assumed a passive attitude, some of them not identifying who was their main doctor and with little understanding about their diagnoses due to the absence of accessible language, features that fit the biomedical model. As a conclusion, the interviewees' statements show that a great part of them felt well attended and revealed confidence and satisfaction, having speeches compatible with the person-centered clinical method. However, there were no suggestive narratives of their active participation in the decisions made, so, it was observed, in this regard, a relationship centered on the doctor and / or the disease.(AU)

Improving the performance of IOTA simple rules: sonographic assessment of adnexal masses with resource-effective use of a magnetic resonance scoring (ADNEX MR scoring system).

PURPOSE: To compare the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis (IOTA) simple rules, simple rules risk ultrasound models, alone or in combination with magnetic resonance (MR) score to predict malignancy in women with adnexal masses. METHODS: 171 women with adnexal masses were included from February 2014 to February 2016. 120 women had histopathological diagnosis obtained from surgery or percutaneous biopsy. The other 51 women were submitted to surveillance with ultrasound (US) for at least 1 year. Patients were examined with US and MR. US reports were rendered using IOTA systems. We compared five diagnostic approaches, aimed at diagnosing women with malignant tumors among those with adnexal masses: We calculated the performance and net benefits (decision curve analysis) for five distinct diagnostic approaches: (1) US simple rules (SR), (2) simple rules risk score (SRRisk), (3) US SR followed by subjective assessment (SA) of indeterminate cases, (4) SR followed by MR score for the indeterminate cases, and (5) MR score for all women. RESULTS: The MR score for all patients was the approach that yielded the best-standardized net benefit regardless of the risk threshold. However, referring women with indeterminate masses on SR to MR score yielded the second-best net benefit. CONCLUSION: Although this study leaves no doubt about the superiority of MR score over US-based methods for the discrimination of malignant tumors in women with adnexal masses, restricting the use of MR score only to women with indeterminate masses on US SR is a safe, appropriate way to triage women with adnexal masses.

Dark septate endophytic fungi increase the activity of proton pumps, efficiency of 15N recovery from ammonium sulphate, N content, and micronutrient levels in rice plants.

Plants colonised by dark septate endophytic (DSE) fungi show increased uptake of nutrients available in the environment. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the impact of DSE fungi on the activity of proton pumps, nitrogen (N) recovery from ammonium sulphate, and nutrient accumulation in rice plants. Treatments consisted of non-inoculated plants and plants inoculated with two isolates of DSE fungi, A101 and A103. To determine N recovery from the soil, ammonium sulphate enriched with 15N was added to a non-sterile substrate while parameters associated with the activity of proton pumps and with NO3- uptake were determined in a sterile environment. The A101 and A103 fungal isolates colonised the roots of rice plants, promoting 15N uptake, growth, and accumulation of nutrients as compared with the mock control. A103 induced the expression of the plasma membrane H+-ATPase (PM H+-ATPase) isoforms OsA5 and OsA8, the activity of the PM H+-ATPase and H+-pyrophosphatase. Our results suggest that the inoculation of rice plants with DSE fungi represents a strategy to improve the N recovery from ammonium sulphate and rice plant growth through the induction of OsA5 and OsA8 isoforms and stimulation of the PM H+-ATPase and H+-pyrophosphatase.

PANCREATIC NEUROENDOCRINE TUMORS: SURGICAL RESECTION.

INTRODUCTION: Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNET) correspond to about 3% of all tumors in pancreas and could be presented as a difficult diagnosis and management. OBJECTIVE: To review the diagnosis and treatment of the pNET available in scientific literature. METHOD: A bibliographic survey was performed by means of an online survey of MeSH terms in the Pubmed database. A total of 104 articles were published in the last 15 years, of which 23 were selected as the basis for the writing of this article. RESULTS: pNET is an infrequent neoplasia and their incidence, in USA, is about 1:100.000 inhabitants/year. Thereabout 30% of them produce hormones presenting as a symptomatic disease and others 70% of the cases could be silent disease. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and/or Computed Tomography (CT) have similar sensitivy to detect pNET. They are very important when associated to nuclear medicine mainly Positron Emission Tomography (PET-CT) Gallium-68 to find primary tumor and its staging. The appropriate treatment should be chosen based on characteristics of the tumor, its staging and associated comorbidities. CONCLUSION: The surgical resection is still the best treatment for patients with ressectable pancreatic NETs. However, the size, grade, tumor functionality, stage and association with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN-1) are important to define who will be eligible for surgical treatment. In general, tumors bigger than 2 cm are eligible for surgical treatment, except insulinomas whose surgical resection is recommended no matter the size.

Electrochemical production and use of free chlorine for pollutant removal: an experimental design approach.

The present paper presents the study of (1) the optimization of electrochemical-free chlorine production using an experimental design approach, and (2) the application of the optimum conditions obtained for the application in photo-assisted electrochemical degradation of simulated textile effluent. In the experimental design the influence of inter-electrode gap, pH, NaCl concentration and current was considered. It was observed that the four variables studied are significant for the process, with NaCl concentration and current being the most significant variables for free chlorine production. The maximum free chlorine production was obtained at a current of 2.33 A and NaCl concentrations in 0.96 mol dm-3. The application of the optimized conditions with simultaneous UV irradiation resulted in up to 83.1% Total Organic Carbon removal and 100% of colour removal over 180 min of electrolysis. The results indicate that a systematic (statistical) approach to the electrochemical treatment of pollutants can save time and reagents.

Experimental-design-guided approach for the removal of atrazine by sono-electrochemical-UV-chlorine techniques.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the electrochemical formation of free chlorine species (HOCl/ClO-) and their subsequent use for the degradation of the pesticide atrazine. Initially, the process of electrochemical-free chlorine production was investigated using a bench-scale electrochemical flow-cell. The most significant variables (electrolyte concentration ([NaCl]) and inter-electrode gap) of the process were obtained using a 23 factorial design and the optimum process conditions (1.73 mol L-1 and 0.56 cm) were determined by a central composite design. Following optimization of free chlorine production, three degradation techniques were investigated, individually and in combination, for atrazine degradation: electrochemical, photochemical and sonochemical. The method using the techniques in combination was denominated sono-photo-assisted electrochemical degradation. Constant current assays were performed and the sono-photo-assisted electrochemical process promoted more efficient removal of atrazine, achieving total organic carbon removal of ∼98% and removal of atrazine to levels below the detection limit (>99%) in under 30 min of treatment. Furthermore, the combination of three techniques displayed lower energy consumption, and phytotoxicity tests (Lactuca sativa) showed that there was no increase in toxicity.

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: surgical resection / Tumores neuroendócrinos ressecáveis do pâncreas: abordagem cirúrgica

ABSTRACT Introduction: Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNET) correspond to about 3% of all tumors in pancreas and could be presented as a difficult diagnosis and management. Objective: To review the diagnosis and treatment of the pNET available in scientific literature. Method: A bibliographic survey was performed by means of an online survey of MeSH terms in the Pubmed database. A total of 104 articles were published in the last 15 years, of which 23 were selected as the basis for the writing of this article. Results: pNET is an infrequent neoplasia and their incidence, in USA, is about 1:100.000 inhabitants/year. Thereabout 30% of them produce hormones presenting as a symptomatic disease and others 70% of the cases could be silent disease. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and/or Computed Tomography (CT) have similar sensitivy to detect pNET. They are very important when associated to nuclear medicine mainly Positron Emission Tomography (PET-CT) Gallium-68 to find primary tumor and its staging. The appropriate treatment should be chosen based on characteristics of the tumor, its staging and associated comorbidities. Conclusion: The surgical resection is still the best treatment for patients with ressectable pancreatic NETs. However, the size, grade, tumor functionality, stage and association with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN-1) are important to define who will be eligible for surgical treatment. In general, tumors bigger than 2 cm are eligible for surgical treatment, except insulinomas whose surgical resection is recommended no matter the size.

RESUMO Introdução: Os tumores neuroendócrinos pancreáticos (TNE-P) correspondem a cerca de 3% de todas as neoplasias no pâncreas e são de diagnóstico e manejo difíceis. Objetivo: Revisar o diagnóstico e tratamento desses tumores disponíveis na literatura científica atual. Método: Foi realizado levantamento bibliográfico por meio de pesquisa online de MeSH terms na base de dados do Pubmed. Ao todo foram analisados 104 artigos publicados nos últimos 15 anos, dos quais 23 foram selecionados como base para a redação deste artigo. Resultados: TNE-P é neoplasia pouco frequente com incidência estimada em 1: 100.000 habitantes/ano. Cerca de 30% produzem hormônios, ditos funcionantes, que se apresentam como doença sintomática e outros 70% podem se apresentar como doença silenciosa. Como recurso diagnóstico o uso de tomografia computadorizada ou ressonância nuclear magnética apresentam níveis de sensibilidade parecidas. Sua associação à recursos da medicina nuclear são de grande valia para localização de tumores primários e estadiamento, destacando-se o uso da tomografia por emissão de pósitrons (PET-CT) com Gálio-68. A decisão terapêutica deve ser baseada nas características tumorais, estadiamento e comorbidades associadas. Conclusão: A abordagem cirúrgica permanece como a terapia de escolha para pacientes com TNE-P ressecáveis. No entanto, a seleção de pacientes para tratamento cirúrgico deve seguir critérios baseados em funcionalidade do tumor, grau, estágio e associação com neoplasia múltipla tipo 1. De forma geral, tumores maiores de 2 cm têm indicação cirúrgica, excetuando-se os insulinomas, cuja proposta cirúrgica independe de seu tamanho.

Dark Septate Endophytic Fungi Increase Green Manure-15N Recovery Efficiency, N Contents, and Micronutrients in Rice Grains.

An understanding of the interaction between rice and dark septate endophytic (DSE) fungi, under green fertilization, may lead to sustainable agricultural practices. Nevertheless, this interaction is still poorly understood. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to evaluate the accumulation of macro- and micronutrients, dry matter, and protein and N recovery efficiency from Canavalia ensiformis (L.)-15N in rice inoculated with DSE fungi. An experiment under greenhouse conditions was conducted in a randomized complete block design comprising split-plots, with five replicates of rice plants potted in non-sterilized soil. Rice (Piauí variety) seedlings were inoculated with DSE fungi, A101 and A103, or left uninoculated (control) and transplanted into pots containing 12 kg of soil, which had previously been supplemented with dry, finely ground shoot biomass of C. ensiformis enriched with 2.15 atom % 15N. Two collections were performed in the experiment: one at 54 days after transplanting (DAT) and one at 130 DAT (at maturation). Growth indicators (at 54 DAT), grain yield, nutrient content, recovery efficiency, and the amount of N derived from C. ensiformis were quantified. At 54 DAT, the N content, chlorophyll content, and plant height of inoculated plants had increased significantly compared with the control, and these plants were more proficient in the use of N derived from C. ensiformis. At maturation, plants inoculated with A103 were distinguished by the recovery efficiency and amount of N derived from C. ensiformis and N content in the grain and shoot being equal to that in A101 inoculation and higher than that in the control, resulting in a higher accumulation of crude protein and dry matter in the full grain and panicle of DSE-rice interaction. In addition, Fe and Ni contents in the grains of rice inoculated with these fungi doubled with respect to the control, and in A103 inoculation, we observed Mn accumulation that was three times higher than in the other treatments. Our results suggest that the inoculation of rice with DSE fungi represents a strategy to improve green manure-N recovery, grain yield per plant, and grain quality in terms of micronutrients contents in cropping systems with a low N input.

Contribution of dark septate fungi to the nutrient uptake and growth of rice plants

ABSTRACT The use of dark septate fungi (DSE) to promote plant growth can be beneficial to agriculture, and these organisms are important allies in the search for sustainable agriculture practices. This study investigates the contribution of dark septate fungi to the absorption of nutrients by rice plants and their ensuing growth. Four dark septate fungi isolates that were identified by Internal transcribed spacer phylogeny were inoculated in rice seeds (Cv. Piauí). The resulting root colonization was estimated and the kinetic parameters Vmax and Km were calculated from the nitrate contents of the nutrient solution. The macronutrient levels in the shoots, and the NO3--N, NH4+-N, free amino-N and soluble sugars in the roots, sheathes and leaves were measured. The rice roots were significantly colonized by all of the fungi, but in particular, isolate A103 increased the fresh and dry biomass of the shoots and the number of tillers per plant, amino-N, and soluble sugars as well as the N, P, K, Mg and S contents in comparison with the control treatment. When inoculated with isolates A103 and A101, the plants presented lower Km values, indicating affinity increases for NO3--N absorption. Therefore, the A103 Pleosporales fungus presented the highest potential for the promotion of rice plant growth, increasing the tillering and nutrients uptake, especially N (due to an enhanced affinity for N uptake) and P.

Evaluation of molluscicidal activity of three mangrove species (Avicennia schaueriana, Laguncularia racemosa and Rhizophora mangle) and their effects on the bioactivity of Biomphalaria glabrata Say, 1818.

Schistosomiasis is a disease of global extent reaching populations in social vulnerability. One of the control measures of this parasitosis is the use of molluscicidal substances that can fight snails of the genus Biomphalaria, intermediate hosts of Schistosoma mansoni. The aim of this work was to study the toxic activity of three mangrove species (Avicennia schaueriana Stapf. & Leech, ex Moldenke, 1939, Laguncularia racemosa (L.) CF Gaertn, 1807 and Rhizophora mangle L. 1753) on the biological activities of snails Biomphalaria glabrata. Hydroalcoholic extracts were prepared from the stem and leaves of each of the three plant species to which mollusks were exposed. The phytochemical analysis of plants showed the presence of important metabolites in the leaves and stems of L. racemosa and R. mangle, such as tannins and saponins, but the absence of these metabolites in A. schaueriana. Leaf and stem extracts of the three plant species showed low molluscicidal activity, not reaching the standards determined by the World Health Organization (WHO, 1983). L. racemosa and R. mangle has interfered with motility, feeding and oviposition of snails, unlike the extracts of A. schaueriana, which had no effect on these activities.

Accuracy of the ADNEX MR scoring system based on a simplified MRI protocol for the assessment of adnexal masses.

PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate the ADNEX MR scoring system for the prediction of adnexal mass malignancy, using a simplified magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol. METHODS: In this prospective study, 200 patients with 237 adnexal masses underwent MRI between February 2014 and February 2016 and were followed until February 2017. Two radiologists calculated ADNEX MR scores using an MRI protocol with a simplified dynamic study, not a high temporal resolution study, as originally proposed. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, likelihood ratios, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve were calculated (cutoff for malignancy, score ≥ 4). The reference standard was histopathologic diagnosis or imaging findings during >12 months of follow-up. RESULTS: Of 237 lesions, 79 (33.3%) were malignant. The ADNEX MR scoring system, using a simplified MRI protocol, showed 94.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 87.5%-98.6%) sensitivity and 97.5% (95% CI, 93.6%-99.3%) specificity in malignancy prediction; it was thus highly accurate, like the original system. The level of interobserver agreement on simplified scoring was high (κ = 0.91). CONCLUSION: In a tertiary cancer center, the ADNEX MR scoring system, even based on a simplified MRI protocol, performed well in the prediction of malignant adnexal masses. This scoring system may enable the standardization of MRI reporting on adnexal masses, thereby improving communication between radiologists and gynecologists.

Contribution of dark septate fungi to the nutrient uptake and growth of rice plants.

The use of dark septate fungi (DSE) to promote plant growth can be beneficial to agriculture, and these organisms are important allies in the search for sustainable agriculture practices. This study investigates the contribution of dark septate fungi to the absorption of nutrients by rice plants and their ensuing growth. Four dark septate fungi isolates that were identified by Internal transcribed spacer phylogeny were inoculated in rice seeds (Cv. Piauí). The resulting root colonization was estimated and the kinetic parameters Vmax and Km were calculated from the nitrate contents of the nutrient solution. The macronutrient levels in the shoots, and the NO3--N, NH4+-N, free amino-N and soluble sugars in the roots, sheathes and leaves were measured. The rice roots were significantly colonized by all of the fungi, but in particular, isolate A103 increased the fresh and dry biomass of the shoots and the number of tillers per plant, amino-N, and soluble sugars as well as the N, P, K, Mg and S contents in comparison with the control treatment. When inoculated with isolates A103 and A101, the plants presented lower Km values, indicating affinity increases for NO3--N absorption. Therefore, the A103 Pleosporales fungus presented the highest potential for the promotion of rice plant growth, increasing the tillering and nutrients uptake, especially N (due to an enhanced affinity for N uptake) and P.

Dark Septate Endophytic Fungi Help Tomato to Acquire Nutrients from Ground Plant Material.

Dark septate endophytic (DSE) fungi are facultative biotrophs that associate with hundreds of plant species, contributing to their growth. These fungi may therefore aid in the search for sustainable agricultural practices. However, several ecological functions of DSE fungi need further clarification. The present study investigated the effects of DSE fungi inoculation on nutrient recovery efficiency, nutrient accumulation, and growth of tomato plants fertilized with organic and inorganic N sources. Two experiments were carried out under greenhouse conditions in a randomized blocks design, with five replicates of tomato seedlings grown in pots filled with non-sterile sandy soil. Tomato seedlings (cv. Santa Clara I-5300) inoculated with DSE fungi (isolates A101, A104, and A105) and without DSE fungi (control) were transplanted to pots filled with 12 kg of soil which had previously received finely ground plant material [Canavalia ensiformis (L.)] that was shoot enriched with 0.7 atom % 15N (organic N source experiment) or ammonium sulfate-15N enriched with 1 atom % 15N (mineral N source experiment). Growth indicators, nutrient content, amount of nitrogen (N) in the plant derived from ammonium sulfate-15N or C. ensiformis-15N, and recovery efficiency of 15N, P, and K by plants were quantified 50 days after transplanting. The treatment inoculated with DSE fungi and supplied with an organic N source showed significantly higher recovery efficiency of 15N, P, and K. In addition, the 15N, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, and Zn content, plant height, leaf number, leaf area (only for the A104 inoculation), and shoot dry matter increased. In contrast, the only positive effects observed in the presence of an inorganic N source were fertilizer-K recovery efficiency, content of K, and leaf area when inoculated with the fungus A104. Inoculation with A101, A104, and A105 promoted the growth of tomato using organic N source (finely ground C. ensiformis-15N plant material).