Use of Ozone as a Substrate Treatment for the Control of Trichoderma in the Production of Pleurotus ostreatus.

Pleurotus ostreatus is one of the most widely cultivated species in the world. It can be produced in many lignocellulosic substrates after carrying out a treatment to eliminate competing microorganisms. The most commonly used is pasteurization by steam or by immersion in hot water. The aim of this work is to evaluate if ozone can be employed as treatment for decontamination of the substrate used for the production of the edible mushroom P. ostreatus to control of green mold Trichoderma. Wheat straw was employed as a substrate. We used two different methodologies: bubbling ozone into a tank with water and the substrate, and injecting ozone into a closed tank with the substrate inside. Ten treatments were carried out including two treatments with inoculation by a spray of conidia of Trichoderma. The effect of ozone on the conidia was also evaluated. We found that the treatment of the substrate with ozone in immersed water resulted more effective (lower growth of Trichoderma) than injecting ozone into a closed tank. Anyway, we found that the contaminant fungi could grow on the substrate in both treatments with ozone. We observed that although ozone affected the conidia when it was bubbled into water, some of them still managed to survive and could germinate 72 h later. P. ostreatus could grow and produce fruiting bodies on a substrate that was previously treated with ozone and yields were not affected. Based on the results obtained, we conclude that ozone may not be an effective agent to control Trichoderma in highly contaminated substrates, at least in the experimental conditions that we used, for the production of P. ostreatus.

The Normative and Cultural Dimension of Work: Technological Unemployment as a Cultural Threat to a Meaningful Life.

The scholarship on meaningful work has approached the topic mostly from the perspective of the subjective experience of the individual worker. This has led the literature to under-theorize, if not outright ignore, the cultural and normative dimension of meaningful work. In particular, it has obscured that a person's ability to find meaning in her life in general, and her work in particular, is typically anchored and dependent on shared institutions and cultural aspirations. Reflecting on the future of work, particularly on the dangers posed by the threat of technological unemployment, helps us recognize this cultural and normative dimension of meaningful work. I argue that a world with few work opportunities is a world devoid of a core structuring ideal around which our society has organized itself and, as such, will strain our ability to make sense of what it means to find life meaningful. To make this case I show that work operates as a central organizing telos around which our contemporary lives gravitate. Work touches everyone and everything, defining the rhythms of our days and weeks and providing a center of gravity around which our lives are structured. Work constitutes a central dimension of human flourishing. Through work we provide for our material needs, develop our skills and virtues, build community, and contribute to the common good. As such, work constitutes a central organizing ideal in contemporary Western societies, a fact has significant normative force and plays an important role in our finding work meaningful.

Small ruminant urinary obstruction: decision trees for treatment.

Urolithiasis is the most common cause of urinary tract disease in small ruminants and has significant economic and production impacts worldwide. Urolithiasis is multifactorial in origin and generally begins with the formation of cystoliths followed by urethral obstruction. The condition is most common in males. Clinical signs are variable depending on the severity of the obstruction. Uroliths can be calcium, struvite, or silicate based; however, struvite and amorphous magnesium calcium phosphate are the most common urolith types observed in small ruminants. Although urethral process (vermiform appendage) amputation is widely considered the first line of treatment, reobstruction is common within the first 36 hours. Surgical interventions such as temporary tube cystostomy, perineal urethrostomy (PU), modified proximal perineal urethrostomy, vesico-preputial anastomosis (VPA), and urinary bladder marsupialization (BM) are reported to carry an improved prognosis for long-term survival. PU carries a lower proportion of long-term success (> 12-month survival time) when compared with VPA and BM. Stoma stricture and urine scald are the most commonly observed surgical complications. Currently, the literature provides minimal direction for clinician decision-making in managing these cases while accounting for patient history, client financial ability, composition of calculi, and potential treatment complications. Small ruminant urinary obstructions are challenging and complicated conditions to treat, due to their multifactorial etiology, ruminant urogenital anatomy, and the variety of imperfect treatment options available. The purpose of this article this article is to provide veterinary practitioners with decision trees to guide management and treatment of urolithiasis in small ruminants.

Cortical complexity in world trade center responders with chronic posttraumatic stress disorder.

Approximately 23% of World Trade Center (WTC) responders are experiencing chronic posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) associated with their exposures at the WTC following the terrorist attacks of 9/11/2001, which has been demonstrated to be a risk factor for cognitive impairment raising concerns regarding their brain health. Cortical complexity, as measured by analyzing Fractal Dimension (FD) from T1 MRI brain images, has been reported to be reduced in a variety of psychiatric and neurological conditions. In this report, we hypothesized that FD would be also reduced in a case-control sample of 99 WTC responders as a result of WTC-related PTSD. The results of our surface-based morphometry cluster analysis found alterations in vertex clusters of complexity in WTC responders with PTSD, with marked reductions in regions within the frontal, parietal, and temporal cortices, in addition to whole-brain absolute bilateral and unilateral complexity. Furthermore, region of interest analysis identified that the magnitude of changes in regional FD severity was associated with increased PTSD symptoms (reexperiencing, avoidance, hyperarousal, negative affect) severity. This study confirms prior findings on FD and psychiatric disorders and extends our understanding of FD associations with posttraumatic symptom severity. The complex and traumatic experiences that led to WTC-related PTSD were associated with reductions in cortical complexity. Future work is needed to determine whether reduced cortical complexity arose prior to, or concurrently with, onset of PTSD.

Biotransformation of 1,8-cineole by solid-state fermentation of Eucalyptus waste from the essential oil industry using Pleurotus ostreatus and Favolus tenuiculus.

Biotechnological conversion of low-cost agro-industrial by-products, such as industrial waste or terpenes from the distillation of essential oils from plants into more valuable oxygenated derivatives, can be achieved by using microbial cells or enzymes. In Argentina, the essential oil industry produces several tons of waste each year that could be used as raw materials in the production of industrially relevant and value-added compounds. In this study, 1,8-cineole, one of the components remaining in the spent leaves of the Eucalyptus cinerea waste, was transformed by solid-state fermentation (SSF) using the two edible mushrooms Pleurotus ostreatus and Favolus tenuiculus. As a result, two new oxygenated derivatives of 1,8-cineole were identified: 1,3,3-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo [2.2.2]octan-6-ol and 1,3,3-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo [2.2.2]octan-6-one. Additionally, changes in the relative percentages of other aroma compounds present in the substrate were observed during SSF. Both fungal strains have the ability to produce aroma compounds with potential applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Efficiency of treatments for controlling Trichoderma spp during spawning in cultivation of lignicolous mushrooms

Trichoderma spp is the cause of the green mold disease in mushroom cultivation production. Many disinfection treatments are commonly applied to lignocellulose substrates to prevent contamination. Mushroom growers are usually worried about the contaminations that may occur after these treatments during handling or spawning. The aim of this paper is to estimate the growth of the green mold Trichoderma sp on lignocellulose substrates after different disinfection treatments to know which of them is more effective to avoid contamination during spawning phase. Three different treatments were assayed: sterilization (121 ºC), immersion in hot water (60 and 80 ºC), and immersion in alkalinized water. Wheat straw, wheat seeds and Eucalyptus or Populus sawdust were used separately as substrates. After the disinfection treatments, bagged substrates were sprayed with 3 mL of suspension of conidia of Trichoderma sp (10(5) conidia/mL) and then separately spawned with Pleurotus ostreatus or Gymnopilus pampeanus. The growth of Trichoderma sp was evaluated based on a qualitative scale. Trichoderma sp could not grow on non-sterilized substrates. Immersions in hot water treatments and immersion in alkalinized water were also unfavorable treatments for its growth. Co- cultivation with mushrooms favored Trichoderma sp growth. Mushroom cultivation disinfection treatments of lignocellulose substrates influence on the growth of Trichoderma sp when contaminations occur during spawning phase. The immersion in hot water at 60 ºC for 30 min or in alkalinized water for 36 h, are treatments which better reduced the contaminations with Trichoderma sp during spawning phase for the cultivation of lignicolous species.

Efficiency of treatments for controlling Trichoderma spp during spawning in cultivation of lignicolous mushrooms.

Trichoderma spp is the cause of the green mold disease in mushroom cultivation production. Many disinfection treatments are commonly applied to lignocellulose substrates to prevent contamination. Mushroom growers are usually worried about the contaminations that may occur after these treatments during handling or spawning. The aim of this paper is to estimate the growth of the green mold Trichoderma sp on lignocellulose substrates after different disinfection treatments to know which of them is more effective to avoid contamination during spawning phase. Three different treatments were assayed: sterilization (121 °C), immersion in hot water (60 and 80 °C), and immersion in alkalinized water. Wheat straw, wheat seeds and Eucalyptus or Populus sawdust were used separately as substrates. After the disinfection treatments, bagged substrates were sprayed with 3 mL of suspension of conidia of Trichoderma sp (10(5) conidia/mL) and then separately spawned with Pleurotus ostreatus or Gymnopilus pampeanus. The growth of Trichoderma sp was evaluated based on a qualitative scale. Trichoderma sp could not grow on non-sterilized substrates. Immersions in hot water treatments and immersion in alkalinized water were also unfavorable treatments for its growth. Co- cultivation with mushrooms favored Trichoderma sp growth. Mushroom cultivation disinfection treatments of lignocellulose substrates influence on the growth of Trichoderma sp when contaminations occur during spawning phase. The immersion in hot water at 60 °C for 30 min or in alkalinized water for 36 h, are treatments which better reduced the contaminations with Trichoderma sp during spawning phase for the cultivation of lignicolous species.

La inmersión en agua caliente de la paja del trigo como sustrato para la producción de Pleurotus ostreatus disminuye la producción de esta seta / Heat treatment of wheat straw by immersion in hot water decreases mushroom yield in Pleurotus ostreatus

Fundamento. La seta de ostra, Pleurotus ostreatus, se cultiva en todo el mundo y es una de las especies más apreciadas debido a su alto valor nutricional. El método de inmersión del sustrato en agua caliente es uno de los más empleados en todo el mundo por los cultivadores. Su implementación es conveniente y sus costes son bajos. Es importante someter el sustrato a un tratamiento térmico que destruya semillas, insectos parásitos y hongos que podrían aparecer en el cultivo. Objetivos. Comparar la producción obtenida de P. ostreatus durante el cultivo usando diferentes métodos de tratamiento del sustrato: inmersión en agua caliente, esterilización con vapor y uso de un fungicida para determinar si influyen en la cosecha de la seta. Métodos. Se llevaron a cabo 4 tratamientos diferentes del sustrato (paja de trigo): a) inmersión en agua caliente; b) esterilización con vapor; c) químico, y d) sin tratamiento. El agua residual del tratamiento de inmersión en agua caliente se usó para evaluar el crecimiento del micelio y la producción de P. ostreatus. Resultados. El tratamiento con carbendacima dio lugar a la mayor producción (eficiencia biológica [EB]: 106,93%), mientras que, mediante inmersión en agua caliente, se obtuvo la más baja (EB: 75,83%). En el agua residual del método de inmersión en agua caliente se detectaron azúcares, N, P, K y Ca. El agua residual aumentó el crecimiento del micelio, pero no incrementó el rendimiento. Conclusiones. Hemos demostrado que la inmersión en agua caliente del sustrato reduce la producción en hasta un 20% cuando se compara con otros tratamientos como el vapor, químicos, o la paja de trigo sin tratar. En el extracto de agua residual se detectaron nutrientes, como azúcares, proteínas y minerales. La pérdida de esos nutrientes sería la causante de la disminución de la producción. Para reducir las pérdidas económicas es preciso considerar el uso de otros métodos alternativos al de la inmersión en agua caliente del sustrato(AU)

Background. The oyster mushroom, Pleurotus ostreatus, is cultivated worldwide. It is one of the most appreciated mushrooms due to its high nutritional value. Immersion of the substrate in hot water is one of the most popular and worldwide treatment used for mushroom farmers. It is cheap and easy to implement. Aims. To compare the yields obtained during mushroom production of P. ostreatus using different pre-treatments (immersion in hot water, sterilization by steam and the use of fungicide) to determine if they influence mushroom crop. Methods. Four different treatments of substrate (wheat straw) were carried out: (i) immersion in hot water (IHW); (ii) steam sterilization; (iii) chemical; and (iv) untreated. The residual water from the IHW treatment was used to evaluate the mycelium growth and the production of P. ostreatus. Results. Carbendazim treatment produced highest yields (BE: 106.93%) while IHW produced the lowest BE with 75.83%. Sugars, N, P, K and Ca were found in residual water of IHW treatment. The residual water increased the mycelium growth but did not increase yields. Conclusions. We have proved that IHW treatment of substrate reduced yields at least 20% when compared with other straw treatments such as steam, chemical or untreated wheat straw. Nutrients like sugars, proteins and minerals were found in the residual water extract which is the resultant water where the immersion treatment is carried out. The loss of these nutrients would be the cause of yield decrease. Alternative methods to the use of IHW as treatment of the substrate should be considered to reduce economical loss(AU)

Heat treatment of wheat straw by immersion in hot water decreases mushroom yield in Pleurotus ostreatus.

BACKGROUND: The oyster mushroom, Pleurotus ostreatus, is cultivated worldwide. It is one of the most appreciated mushrooms due to its high nutritional value. Immersion of the substrate in hot water is one of the most popular and worldwide treatment used for mushroom farmers. It is cheap and easy to implement. AIMS: To compare the yields obtained during mushroom production of P. ostreatus using different pre-treatments (immersion in hot water, sterilization by steam and the use of fungicide) to determine if they influence mushroom crop. METHODS: Four different treatments of substrate (wheat straw) were carried out: (i) immersion in hot water (IHW); (ii) steam sterilization; (iii) chemical; and (iv) untreated. The residual water from the IHW treatment was used to evaluate the mycelium growth and the production of P. ostreatus. RESULTS: Carbendazim treatment produced highest yields (BE: 106.93%) while IHW produced the lowest BE with 75.83%. Sugars, N, P, K and Ca were found in residual water of IHW treatment. The residual water increased the mycelium growth but did not increase yields. CONCLUSIONS: We have proved that IHW treatment of substrate reduced yields at least 20% when compared with other straw treatments such as steam, chemical or untreated wheat straw. Nutrients like sugars, proteins and minerals were found in the residual water extract which is the resultant water where the immersion treatment is carried out. The loss of these nutrients would be the cause of yield decrease. Alternative methods to the use of IHW as treatment of the substrate should be considered to reduce economical loss.

The impact of rheumatoid foot on disability in Colombian patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND: Alterations in the feet of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are a cause of disability in this population. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the impact that foot impairment has on the patients' global quality of life (QOL) based on validated scales and its relationship to disease activity. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study in which 95 patients with RA were enrolled. A complete physical examination, including a full foot assessment, was done. The Spanish versions of the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) Disability Index and of the Disease Activity Score (DAS 28) were administered. A logistic regression model was used to analyze data and obtain adjusted odds ratios (AORs). RESULTS: Foot deformities were observed in 78 (82%) of the patients; hallux valgus (65%), medial longitudinal arch flattening (42%), claw toe (lesser toes) (39%), dorsiflexion restriction (tibiotalar) (34%), cock-up toe (lesser toes) (25%), and transverse arch flattening (25%) were the most frequent. In the logistic regression analysis (adjusted for age, gender and duration of disease), forefoot movement pain, subtalar movement pain, tibiotalar movement pain and plantarflexion restriction (tibiotalar) were strongly associated with disease activity and disability. The positive squeeze test was significantly associated with disability risk (AOR = 6,3; 95% CI, 1.28-30.96; P = 0,02); hallux valgus, and dorsiflexion restriction (tibiotalar) were associated with disease activity. CONCLUSION: Foot abnormalities are associated with active joint disease and disability in RA. Foot examinations provide complementary information related to the disability as an indirect measurement of quality of life and activity of disease in daily practice.

Resultados de artrodesis de tobillo por miniartrotomia con fijación percutánea con tornillos canulados / Results of ankle artrodesis by miniarthrotomy with percutaneous fixation with canulate screw

Este es un estudio observacional descriptivo retrospectivo tipo serie de casos, donde los autores recogen 10 pacientes con artrosis de tobillo secundaria a trauma (9 casos) y a hemofilia (1 caso), sin deformidad de la articulación comprometida, quiene al momento de la consulta presentaban dolor y limitación funcional que afectaba las actividades de la vida diaria. Se practicó una artrodesis tibiotalar por miniartrotomía, segun la técnica Myerson con algunas variaciones de la misma, a través de 2 incisiciones verticales de 3 cm: una anterolateral y una anteromedial sobre la articulación del tobillo y fijando con tornillos canulados de esponjosa de 6,5 mm, cruzados de medial y lateral, desde la tibia al talo respetando la articulación subtalar. El periodo de inmovilización, con un yeso sin apoyo, osciló entre seis y ocho semanas, al cabo de las cuales se verificó radiológicamene la consolidación de la artrodesis a los rayos X. Todos los pacientes excepto uno reasumieron la marcha sin dolor a las ocho semanas. Este es un método de fusión que permite una rápida consolidación de la artrodesis tibiotalar, en ausencia de deformidad a la altura del tobillo artrósico, por la escasa desperiostización de los tejidos blandos periarticulares, con escaso número de complicaciones.

Inmunoterapia en el tratamiento de la conjuntivitis alérgica crónica / Inmunotherapy in the treatment of chronic allergic conjuntivitis

Con el objeto de evaluar la respuesta a dos esquemas de Inmunoterapia alergénica para el tratamiento de la conjuntivitis alérgica crónica (CAC) en Individuos sensibles a Dermatophagoides farinae (ácaro del polvo) y refractarios a los tratamientos convencionales, se realizó un ensayo clínico controlado y ciego en el Hospital Universitario San Vicente de Paúl de Medellín, Colombia, entre agosto de 1990 y junio de 1993. Se estudiaron 18 hombres (82 por ciento) y 4 (18 por ciento) mujeres con edades entre los 5 y 25 anos pero en su mayoría menores de 11 años (63.6 por ciento); la evolución de su enfermedad era mayor de 5 meses. Se excluyeron los pacientes que habían recibido previamente algún esquema de Inmunoterapia o que eran sensibles a otros aeroalergenos. En 14 pacientes (63.6 por ciento) se administró el esquema agrupado (tipo cluster) y en ocho (36.4 por ciento) el convencional. No se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre las dos modalidades; en 16 pacientes (72.7 por ciento) hubo mejoría subjetiva parcial, demostrada por el interrogatorio, y en 15 (68.2 por ciento) mejoría objetiva parcial evidenciada por el examen oftalmológico. En tres pacientes de tratamiento agrupado no se obtuvo mejoría. Los síntomas que más disminuyeron al finalizar el seguimiento fueron el prurito en 16 casos (72.7 por ciento) y el lagrimeo (15 casos; 68.2 por ciento); sólo en 4 de los 11 pacientes (36.4 por ciento) que al Inicio del estudio tenían papilas se observó la desaparición de éstas, a pesar de una buena respuesta clínica. Se concluyó que la inmunoterapia es útil en el manejo de la CAC refractaria a tratamientos convencionales y no se encontraron diferencias significativas entre los dos esquemas utilizados

Between August 1990 and June 1993, a blind clinic assay was carried out at Hospital Universitario San Vicente de Paúl, in Mede1lín, Colombia, with the purpose of evaluating the response to two Immunotherapy schemes (cluster and conventional), for treatment of Chronic Allergic Conjunctivitis (CAC) refractory to conventional pharmacological treatments. In patients sensitized to Dermatophagoides farinae. The study was performed on 22 patients aged 5-25 years. The evolution of the disease had been 6 months or longer. Patients who had previously received an Im. munotherapy scheme or showed sensitivity to other aeroallergens were excluded. Fourteen patients (63.6%) received the cluster scheme and eight (36.4%) the conventional one. No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups. In 16 patientes (72.7%) partial subjective Improvement and in 15 (68.2%) partial objective improvement were observed. Most notoriously Improved were scratching (16 cases; 72.7%) and tearing (15 cases 68.2%). Papillary hyper. trophy persisted In 7 (63.6%) of the 11 patients that presented it at the begining of the study, regardless of good clinical response. It is concluded that immunotherapy is useful for the treatment of refractory CAC and that there are no significant differences between cluster and conventional schemes