Dynamics of Deoxynivalenol and Nivalenol Glucosylation in Wheat Cultivars Infected with Fusarium culmorum in Field Conditions─A 3 Year Study (2018-2020).

Fusarium head blight (FHB) caused by pathogenic species of Fusarium fungi is one of the most important diseases of cereal plants and a factor contributing to losses in plant production. The growth of FHB-associated species is often accompanied by biosynthesis of secondary metabolites─mycotoxins, which serve as a virulence factor. The aim of the study was to evaluate the ratios between deoxynivalenol (DON) and nivalenol (NIV) and their derivatives in the ears of six cultivars of winter wheat with varying resistance to FHB, taking into account a range of factors (weather conditions, location, cultivar, and year) after inoculation with Fusarium culmorum, during a 3 year field experiment, 2018-2020. The presence of toxins in the ears was measured within 21 days of inoculation. The toxins were found in the ears as soon as on the third day from the start of the experiment, whereas relative humidity higher than 80% was a decisive factor for FHB incidence. All wheat cultivars showed the ability to biotransform DON and NIV present in the ears to glucosides, that is, deoxynivalenol-3-glucoside (DON-3G) and nivalenol-3-glucoside (NIV-3G). The levels of these metabolites showed significant correlation with the levels of their basic analogues. In most cases, higher levels of DON and NIV in wheat ears and higher levels of their metabolites were observed, but the relative levels of DON-3G/DON and NIV-3G/NIV at relatively high levels of toxins were lower compared to the ear samples with relatively low toxin levels. The presented results are the first studies, which systematically correlate a variety of wheat cultivars with their extent to glucosylate trichothecenes.

Assessment of the Starch-Amylolytic Complex of Rye Flours by Traditional Methods and Modern One.

The properties of the starch-amylolytic complex of commercial low-extract rye flour were determined based on the traditional method, such as falling number and amylograph test as well as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The starch, pentosans and protein had a significant effect on the thermal properties of the tested rye flours. Based on the falling number, it was revealed that rye flours were characterized by medium and low alpha-amylase activity. The falling number and amylograph test are not sufficient methods to determine the suitability of currently produced rye flours for bread making. The gelatinization process of the rye flour starch could be evaluated by the DSC test, which, together with the falling number and amylograph test, may allow a better way to evaluate the usefulness of rye flours for bread making. Many significant correlations between parameters determined by DSC endotherm and quality parameters of rye bread, such as volume and crumb hardness, were reported. Breads made from flour with higher enthalpy in DSC were characterized by higher volume and softer crumb.

Procedures for Breadmaking Quality Assessment of Rye Wholemeal Flour.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the baking value of rye flours from industrial mills and to indicate which rye flour quality parameters are the most important predictors of wholemeal rye bread quality for commercially milled rye grains. Ten wholemeal rye flours, which were characterized by ash content ranging from 1.43% to 2.42% d.m. (dry mass), were used for the study. The parameters that characterize the flour properties and the baking test were assessed. The study revealed that for the analyzed commercial rye flours, the falling number test and the amylograph properties are insufficient parameters for predicting the quality of wholemeal rye bread. The manufacture of good quality wholemeal bread requires the use of rye flour with superior quality, such as fine granulation, low protein content, low total and insoluble pentosans content, and, in particular, a high percentage of water-soluble pentosans content. Breads with a higher volume were obtained from rye flours that were generally characterized by lower protein content, lower total and insoluble pentosans content, and higher water-soluble pentosans content. Flour granulation and the percentage of water-soluble pentosans content especially, had a significant impact on bread's hardness of crumb and the hardness of crumb's increase during bread storage.

Physical activity long-term after liver transplantation yields better quality of life.

BACKGROUND: Transplantation is the only effective method of treatment for end-stage and acute liver failure. Increased average survival time has been observed, and results from improved surgical technique and amended immunosuppression protocols. However, longer survival of patients after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) results in higher rate of various complications and ailments (eg, chronic fatigue, anxiousness, social isolation). Hence, gradual deterioration of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is likely. The goal of this study was to examine the relation between physical activity and quality of life in patients 5 years after OLT. MATERIAL/METHODS: Twenty-six randomly selected patients who survived more than 5 years after orthotopic liver transplantation were included into the study. An SF-36 questionnaire was used for assessment of quality of life. Physical activity was measured subjectively by characterizing its type, duration and frequency per week during the previous 12 months. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the results of physical activity assessment. Group A consisted of patients who had indicated they had a sedentary life style, and group B of those regularly engaging in physical exercise. RESULTS: Results of the SF-36 questionnaire in 10 categories were compared between the 2 groups. The majority of aspects of health-related quality of life (physical function, body problems, general health, social function, and emotional reaction) were significantly improved in patients who indicated they regularly engaged in physical exercise. CONCLUSIONS: Better quality of life was observed in patients who were physically active after OLT. Improving life quality with regular physical activity could be a valuable supplementation of complex management of OLT recipients.

An attempt to assess the influence of primary disease on the results of therapeutic rehabilitation in an early post-operative period in orthotopic liver transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: A retrospective analysis of the effects of early postoperative rehabilitation in patients undergoing orthotropic liver transplantation in correlation to the primary liver disease leading to transplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In between 2000 and 2003 in the Department of General, Transplant and Liver Surgery of the Medical University of Warsaw Central Teaching Hospital, 213 orthotropic liver transplants (OLT) were performed. Full rehabilitation records were available for 136 patients. For statistical analysis, patients were divided into 5 different groups representing different causes of primary liver insufficiency. RESULTS: Achieved early rehabilitation results show that there was a strong correlation between the time at which physiotherapy was introduced and the ability to achieve a fully upright position in correlation to the primary cause of liver disease necessitating transplantation. The shown relationship is probably a direct effect of the time of disease progression before transplantation is required. The worst results were observed in group no. 4 where patients with acute and subacute liver insufficiencies were included, even though these patients had the lowest mean age. CONCLUSIONS: 1. The achieved results confirm the general compensation rule which states that the process of healing strongly depends on the time of disease development. 2. An analysis of the time, when rehabilitation was initiated and the ability of the patient to achieve a fully upright position in relation to the cause of liver insufficiency suggests that the reason for most delays is the inability to develop adequate compensational mechanisms as a result of rapid disease progression in cases of acute liver insufficiency.