Plant growth-promoting traits of yeasts isolated from Spanish vineyards: benefits for seedling development.

It is known that some microorganisms can enhance plant development. However, the use of yeasts as growth-promoting agents has been poorly investigated. The aim of this study was the characterisation of a collection of 69 yeast strains isolated from Spanish vineyards. Phytobeneficial attributes such as solubilisation of nutrients, synthesis of active biomolecules and cell wall-degrading enzyme production were analysed. Strains that revealed multiple growth-promoting characteristics were identified. The in vitro co-culture of Nicotiana benthamiana with yeast isolates showed enhancement of plant growth in 10 strains (up to 5-fold higher shoot dry weight in the case of Hyphopichia pseudoburtonii Hp-54), indicating a beneficial direct yeast-plant interaction. In addition, 18 out of the 69 strains increased dry weight and the number of roots per seedling when tobacco seeds were inoculated. Two of these, Pichia dianae Pd-2 and Meyerozyma guilliermondii Mg-11, also increased the chlorophyll content. The results in tobacco were mostly reproduced in lettuce with these two strains, which demonstrates that the effect of the yeast-plant interaction is not species-specific. In addition, the yeast collection was evaluated in maize seedlings grown in soil in a phytotron. Three isolates (Debaryomyces hansenii Dh-67, Lachancea thermotolerans Lt-69 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae Sc-6) promoted seedling development (increases of 10 % in dry weight and chlorophyll content). In conclusion, our data confirm that several yeast strains can promote plant growth and could be considered for the development of biological fertiliser treatments.

Grupo de consensosobre toxoplasmosis / Consensus group on toxoplasmosis

El objetivo de este grupo de trabajo ha sido conseguir un consenso sobre qué debe o no debe hacerse frente a la toxoplasmosis congénita. Según los conocimientos actuales, que a continuación se resumen, se ha podido llegar a las siguientes conclusiones: -- Las medidas higiénicas y los hábitos culinarios que forman parte de la prevención primaria de la toxoplasmosis están recomendados en todo embarazo, son de aplicación muy simple y su beneficio es indudable.-- Los programas de prevención secundaria de la toxoplasmosis congénita (cribado sistemático en la población gestante y prevención, diagnóstico y tratamiento de la infección fetal) no cumplen, en el momento actual, los criterios fundamentales para que se realicen como medida de salud pública en España. Se desconoce el impacto poblacional de este tipo de programas.-- Debe considerarse la oportunidad de implantar programas de prevención terciaria mediante cribado neonatal de la toxoplasmosis. (AU)

Early amniocentesis with the filtration technique: neonatal outcome in 123 singleton pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate results of a prospective study of pregnancies in which early amniocentesis with the filtration technique was performed at 10-13 weeks' gestation (mean 12.3 weeks' gestation). METHODS: 123 singleton pregnancies in which early amniocentesis with the modified filtration technique was performed at 10-13 weeks' gestation (mean 12.3 weeks' gestation). The amniotic fluid was aspirated into the syringe and reinjected through the filter. RESULTS: All the procedures were performed successfully by a single needle insertion. Neither dry taps nor filtration failures occurred. The mean time of amniocentesis was 4.02 min (95% confidence interval, 3 min and 36 s to 4 min and 18 s). The karyotyping success rate was 99.2%. Temporary amniotic fluid leakage occurred in three women (2.4%). There were 110 (89.4%) live births. Two cases of stillbirth occurred at week 38 and week 40. Two unintended losses occurred within three weeks after sampling (1.62%). Another additional unintended fetal death was notified at the 20-week screening ultrasonography. The total fetal-loss rate was 10.6%. In one case, talipes equinovarus was detected at the 20-week screening ultrasound study. CONCLUSIONS: Further studies are needed to determine the risk of amniotic leakage and its relation to duration of the procedure in patients undergoing early amnifiltration.

Biopsia fetal / Fetal biopsy

No disponible

Trisomy (12p) with telocentric and pseudoisodicentric chromosome formation in a fetus.

We report an 18-week-old fetus with at 47, XY, -12, +12q, +psu idic(12p) karyotype, mild dysmorphic features and absence of the brachiocephalic truncus.

Probable pancreatic cancer in a pre-eclamptic patient.

We report a patient in the third trimester of pregnancy, suffering from pre-eclampsia with HELP syndrome criteria as well as from a pancreatic neoplasm.

Persistence and distribution of pollution indicator bacteria on land used for disposal of piggery effluent.

Numbers of pollution indicator bacteria (fecal coliforms and fecal streptococci) were assessed on land to which effluent from intensively housed pigs had been applied. Topsoil (to a 30-mm depth) was found to provide a more favorable environment for fecal coliform persistence than was pasture or subsoil. Times required for a 90% reduction in number (T90) in topsoil (calculated by linear regression of log counts obtained in a 6-week period after effluent application) ranged from 7 to 20 days (mean T90, 11 days). T90 values for fecal coliforms fell within this range irrespective of the season of application and for a number of soil types and climatic conditions. The range in die-off times was encountered irrespective of the fecal coliform count in the applied effluent or the application regimen (125 to 1,000 kg of elemental nitrogen in the form of effluent per ha; return periods, 3 to 12 months). Autumn and winter conditions were conducive to the persistence of a survivor tail of these bacteria at 10(1) to 10(3) cells per g of topsoil. Fecal streptococci survived similarly on soil and pasture (T90, ca. 14 days) and appeared slightly more suited to survival in the environment than did fecal coliforms. Contamination of subsoils after effluent applications occurred at a rate well in excess of the infiltration capacity of the soil, presumably by percolation of the effluent through soil cracks. Contamination levels of subsoils in the experimental area generally remained low.