Biofilm containing the Thymus serpyllum essential oil for rice and cherry tomato conservation.

Introduction: Fungal pathogens cause major yield losses in agriculture and reduce food quality and production worldwide. Purpose: To evaluate new safer alternatives to chemicals for disease management and preserve the shelf life of food, this research was conducted to: determine the chemical composition of the essential oils (EOs) of Thymus serpyllum and Thymus piperella chemotypes 1 and 2; investigate the antifungal potential of EOs in vitro against: Alternaria alternata, Bipolaris spicifera, Curvularia hawaiiensis, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici, Penicillium italicum, Botryotinia fuckeliana; evaluate a natural T. serpyllum extract biofilm to conserve rice grain and cherry tomatoes. Method: EOs were analyzed by GC-MS+GC-FID. EOs' antifungal activity was evaluated by dissolving Thymus extracts in PDA. Petri dishes were inoculated with disks of each fungus and incubated at 25°C for 7 days. Results: The T. serpyllum EO displayed the best Mycelial Growth Inhibition. The antifungal effect of the T. serpyllum EO biofilm was evaluated on rice caryopsis. Disinfected grains were dipped in a conidial suspension of each fungus and sprayed with EO (300 and 600 µg/mL) prepared in Tween 20. Grains were stored. The percentage of infected grains was recorded for 30 days. The T. serpyllum EO effect on cherry tomato conservation was evaluated in vivo. Wounded fruit were immersed in the T. serpyllum EO (300 and 400 µg/mL) and inoculated with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici. Fruit were evaluated for 7 and 14 days. Chemical profiles thymol/carvacrol for T. serpyllum, carvacrol for T. piperella Tp1 and thymol for T. piperella Tp2 were defined. The three evaluated EOs reduced all the studied phytopathogens' fungal growth. The T. serpyllum biofilm was effective with rice storage and against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici for extending the shelf life of tomatoes in warehouses and storing postharvest cherry tomatoes. Conclusion: We suggest applying these EOs as biofilms for safe food conservation to replace synthetic products.

Eating Disorder Attitudes and Body Self-Image of Urban Mediterranean Adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Early detection tools for eating disorders play an essential role in their prevention. The aim of this study was to analyze different variables associated with the risk of eating disorders and their relation to anthropometric parameters, nutritional status and body self-image. METHODS: The Eating Disorder Invetory-3 Referral Form (EDI-3 RF) and the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) were administered to 809 adolescents (413 boys and 396 girls), aged 11 to 17 years, from three randomly chosen schools in a big Mediterranean city. Anthropometric measurements were taken following standardized methods. Overweight and obesity were determined according to the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF). RESULTS: Overweight (23%) prevailed over obesity (9.37%). Girls registered a higher score in the Obsession for Thinness EDI-3 RF subscale and in the body dissatisfaction section of the BSQ. The only statistically significant differences in the Obsession for Thinness and Body Dissatisfaction levels among the different ages were seen in boys. In this series, body dissatisfaction assessed by the EDI-3 RF was not correlated with BSQ body dissatisfaction. Sex and age in adolescence determine the relationship between eating disorder attitudes and body shape dissatisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary to look for other parameters to investigate to determine body dissatisfaction.

Evaluating the Antifungal Potential of Botanical Compounds to Control Botryotinia fuckeliana and Rhizoctonia solani.

The European Union is promoting regulatory changes to ban fungicides because of the impact their use has on the ecosystem and the adverse effects they can pose for humans. An ecofriendly alternative to these chemicals to fight against fungal species with low toxicity is essential oils and their compounds extracted from aromatic plants. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antifungal capacity of the botanical compounds eugenol, carvacrol, thymol, and cinnamaldehyde, and the synergy or antagonism of their mixtures, against Botryotinia fuckeliana and Rhizoctonia solani. Different bioassays were performed at doses of 300, 200, 150, and 100 µg/mL using pure commercial compounds and their combination in potato dextrose agar culture medium. Growth rate and the mycelium growth inhibition parameters were calculated. Phenolic compounds and their combination inhibited the development of species at the different concentrations, with fungicidal or fungistatic activity shown under almost all the tested conditions. When comparing the growth rates of the species in the control plates and treatments, the statistical analysis showed that there were statistically significant differences. The mixture of compounds improved fungicidal activity against the studied species and at a lower concentration of monoterpenes.

[Prevalence of the Phelan-McDermid Syndrome in Spain.] / Prevalencia del síndrome de Phelan-McDermid en España.

OBJECTIVE: Phelan-McDermid syndrome is a rare genetic condition caused by a deletion of the terminal end of chromosome 22 in the 13.3 region, as well as, by point mutations within SHANK3 gene. The aims of this research were to determine the prevalence of the disease in the Spanish population, to establish the geographical distribution of the syndrome among the different autonomous communities, to elucidate the age range that affects more patients, to study the disease-sex relationship, as well as the age at diagnosis. METHODS: For the research, patients diagnosed with the disease for twelve years were recruited throughout the Spanish territory. The clinical patient information was obtained from the referral doctors using two standardized questionnaires completed with data from the medical reports and the interview with the parents. The molecular diagnosis of the disease was carried out using different formats of microarrays. Data were processed using Microsoft Excel and Statgraphics Centurion XVII. RESULTS: Currently in Spain there are 201 people diagnosed with the disease. Currently in Spain there are 201 people diagnosed with the disease, its prevalence being 4x10-4/10,000 inhabitants. The community with the most diagnosed patients was Madrid and there were no significant differences in terms of sex and disease, the mean age at diagnosis was around 6.67 years. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of the disease in Spain is very low, and it can be stated that it is very likely that there are more people with this syndrome in the population.

OBJETIVO: El Síndrome de Phelan-McDermid es una enfermedad poco frecuente de origen genético causada por la deleción del extremo terminal del cromosoma 22 región q13.3 o por mutaciones puntuales que afectan al gen SHANK3. Los objetivos de este trabajo fueron determinar la prevalencia de la enfermedad en la población española, establecer la distribución geográfica del síndrome entre las distintas comunidades autónomas, dilucidar el rango de edad en el que existen más pacientes y estudiar la relación enfermedad-sexo así como la edad media al diagnóstico. METODOS: Para la investigación se reclutaron pacientes diagnósticados con la enfermedad durante doce años en todo el territorio español. La información clínica de los pacientes se obtuvo de los médicos de referencia mediante dos cuestionarios estandarizados completados con datos de los informes médicos y la entrevista a los padres. El diagnóstico molecular de la enfermedad se realizó utilizando diferentes formatos de microarrays. Los datos se trataron utilizando Microsoft Excel y Statgraphics Centurion XVII. RESULTADOS: Actualmente en España existen 201 personas diagnosticadas con la enfermedad siendo su prevalencia de 4x10-4/10.000 habitantes. La comunidad con más pacientes diagnosticados fue Madrid y no hubo diferencias significativas en cuanto al sexo y la enfermedad, la edad media al diagnóstico se sitúa en torno a los 6,67 años. CONCLUSIONES: La prevalencia de la enfermedad en España es muy baja pudiéndose afirmar que es muy probable que en la población existan más personas con este síndrome.

Prevalencia del Síndrome de Phelan-Mcdermid en España / Prevalence of the Phelan-McDermid Syndrome in Spain

OBJETIVO: El Síndrome de Phelan-McDermid es una enfermedad poco frecuente de origen genético causada por la deleción del extremo terminal del cromosoma 22 región q13.3 o por mutaciones puntuales que afectan al gen SHANK3. Los objetivos de este trabajo fueron determinar la prevalencia de la enfermedad en la población española, establecer la distribución geográfica del síndrome entre las distintas comunidades autónomas, dilucidar el rango de edad en el que existen más pacientes y estudiar la relación enfermedad-sexo así como la edad media al diagnóstico. MÉTODOS: Para la investigación se reclutaron pacientes diagnósticados con la enfermedad durante doce años en todo el territorio español. La información clínica de los pacientes se obtuvo de los médicos de referencia mediante dos cuestionarios estandarizados completados con datos de los informes médicos y la entrevista a los padres. El diagnóstico molecular de la enfermedad se realizó utilizando diferentes formatos de microarrays. Los datos se trataron utilizando Microsoft Excel y Statgraphics Centurion XVII. RESULTADOS: Actualmente en España existen 201 personas diagnosticadas con la enfermedad siendo su prevalencia de 4x10-4/10.000 habitantes. La comunidad con más pacientes diagnosticados fue Madrid y no hubo diferencias significativas en cuanto al sexo y la enfermedad, la edad media al diagnóstico se sitúa en torno a los 6,67 años. CONCLUSIONES: La prevalencia de la enfermedad en España es muy baja pudiéndose afirmar que es muy probable que en la población existan más personas con este síndrome

OBJECTIVE: Phelan-McDermid syndrome is a rare genetic condition caused by a deletion of the terminal end of chromosome 22 in the 13.3 region, as well as, by point mutations within SHANK3 gene. The aims of this research were to determine the prevalence of the disease in the Spanish population, to establish the geographical distribution of the syndrome among the different autonomous communities, to elucidate the age range that affects more patients, to study the disease-sex relationship, as well as the age at diagnosis. METHODS: For the research, patients diagnosed with the disease for twelve years were recruited throughout the Spanish territory. The clinical patient information was obtained from the referral doctors using two standardized questionnaires completed with data from the medical reports and the interview with the parents. The molecular diagnosis of the disease was carried out using different formats of microarrays. Data were processed using Microsoft Excel and Statgraphics Centurion XVII. RESULTS: Currently in Spain there are 201 people diagnosed with the disease. Currently in Spain there are 201 people diagnosed with the disease, its prevalence being 4x10-4/10,000 inhabitants. The community with the most diagnosed patients was Madrid and there were no significant differences in terms of sex and disease, the mean age at diagnosis was around 6.67 years. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of the disease in Spain is very low, and it can be stated that it is very likely that there are more people with this syndrome in the population

[Competitive interactions between Fusarium sambucinum Fuckel and Phoma glomerata (Corda) Wollenweber & Hochapfel under in vitro conditions]. / Interacciones competitivas entre Fusarium sambucinum Fuckel y Phoma glomerata (Corda) Wollenweber & Hochapfel en condiciones in vitro.

The effects of temperature (15 and 25 degrees C), water activity (0.85, 0.90, 0.95, 0.98 y 0.995) and the interaction between Fusarium sambucinum and Phoma glomerata in rice extract agar on fungus growth were investigated. Fungi interactions were given a numerical score to obtain an Index of Dominance (ID) and to observe possible variations under different conditions of temperature and water activity (aw) changed. F. sambucinum and P. glomerata grew most rapidly -both individually and paired- at 0.995 aw and 25 degrees C. On the other hand, F. sambucinum presented higher growth rates than P. glomerata and it was dominant over P. glomerata under all the tested conditions. Water activity and temperature showed a significant effect on fungus growth.

Interacciones competitivas entre Fusarium sambucinum Fuckel y Phoma glomerata (Corda) Wollenweber & Hochapfel en condiciones in vitro / Competitive interactions between Fusarium sambucinum Fuckel and Phoma glomerata (Corda) Wollenweber & Hochapfel under in vitro conditions

Se estudió el efecto de la temperatura (15 y 25 ºC), la actividad de agua(0,85; 0,90; 0,95; 0,98 y 0,995) y la interacción entre Fusarium sambucinumy Phoma glomerata sobre el crecimiento de estas especies en agar extractode arroz. Además, a las interacciones se les asignó un valor numérico paraobtener el índice de dominancia (ID), analizando su posible variación alcambiar las condiciones de temperatura y actividad de agua (aw).Ambas especies presentaron un máximo crecimiento –tanto individualmentecomo combinadas– a 0,995 aw y 25 ºC. Por otra parte, F. sambucinum tuvoratios de crecimiento mayores que P. glomerata en todas las condicionesensayadas, dominando sobre este cuando interaccionaron. La actividad deagua y la temperatura tuvieron un efecto significativo sobre el crecimiento(AU)

The effects of temperature (15 and 25 ºC), water activity (0.85, 0.90, 0.95, 0.98y 0.995) and the interaction between Fusarium sambucinum and Phomaglomerata in rice extract agar on fungus growth were investigated.Fungi interactions were given a numerical score to obtain an Index ofDominance (ID) and to observe possible variations under different conditions oftemperature and water activity (aw) changed. F. sambucinum and P. glomeratagrew most rapidly -both individually and paired- at 0.995 aw and 25 ºC.On the other hand, F. sambucinum presented higher growth rates thanP. glomerata and it was dominant over P. glomerata under all the testedconditions. Water activity and temperature showed a significant effect onfungus growth(AU)