Pre- and post-harvest aflatoxin contamination and management strategies of Aspergillus spoilage in East African Community maize: review of etiology and climatic susceptibility.

Globally, maize (Zea mays L.) is deemed an important cereal that serves as a staple food and feed for humans and animals, respectively. Across the East African Community, maize is the staple food responsible for providing over one-third of calories in diets.

Insights into Wheat Genotype‒ Interaction to Improve Crop Yield and Defence against : An Integration of FHB Biocontrol in Canadian Wheat Breeding Programmes.

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a major threat to wheat crop production and food security worldwide. The creation of resistant wheat cultivars is an essential component of an integrated strategy against , the primary aetiological agent that causes FHB. The results of this study show that the deployment of proto-cooperative interactions between wheat genotypes and mycoparasitic biocontrol agents (BCAs) can improve crop yield and plant resistance in controlling the devastating effects of FHB on wheat agronomic traits.

Dynamics of Capillary Lactate Levels in Patients with Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest.

: An effective strategy for cardiopulmonary resuscitation should be based on tissue perfusion. Our primary aim was to determine the association between capillary lactate values and initial rhythm as well as the probability of the return of spontaneous circulation in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients. : This prospective observational cohort study included all patients with non-traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, older than 18 years, resuscitated by a prehospital emergency medical team between April 2020 and June 2021.

Protocooperative Effect of Biocontrol and Crop Genotypes on FHB Mycotoxin Reduction in Bread and Durum Wheat Grains Intended for Human and Animal Consumption.

The occurrence of Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) mycotoxins in wheat grains is a major threat to global food safety and security. Humans and animals are continuously being exposed to mycotoxins such as deoxynivalenol (DON) and its acetylated derivatives 3ADON and 15ADON through the ingestion of contaminated food or grain-based diet. In this study, a host-specific mycoparasite biocontrol agent (BCA), , significantly reduced FHB mycotoxin occurrence in harvested wheat grains from 3ADON chemotype infected plants in greenhouse.

Microbiome-Driven Proline Biogenesis in Plants under Stress: Perspectives for Balanced Diet to Minimize Depression Disorders in Humans.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide and a major contributor to the overall global burden of mental disorders. An increasing number of studies have revealed that among 20 different amino acids, high proline consumption is a dietary factor with the strongest impact on depression in humans and animals, including insects. Recent studies acknowledged that gut microbiota play a key role in proline-related pathophysiology of depression.

Early transcriptomic response of the mycoparasite to the mycotoxigenic 3-ADON, the cause of Fusarium head blight.

Mycoparasites are an assemblage of biotrophic and necrotrophic fungi that occur on plant pathogenic fungal hosts. Biotrophic mycoparasites are often overlooked in transcriptomic-based biocontrol studies. () is a specific biotrophic mycoparasite of plant pathogenic , a devastating Fusarium head blight (FHB) disease in small-grain cereals.

Scaling-up production of plant endophytes in bioreactors: concepts, challenges and perspectives.

The benefit of microorganisms to humans, animals, insects and plants is increasingly recognized, with intensified microbial endophytes research indicative of this realization. In the agriculture industry, the benefits are tremendous to move towards sustainable crop production and minimize or circumvent the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The research leading to the identification of potential plant endophytes is long and arduous and for many researchers the challenge is ultimately in scale-up production.

Tremellomycetes Yeasts in Kernel Ecological Niche: Early Indicators of Enhanced Competitiveness of Endophytic and Mycoparasitic Symbionts against Wheat Pathobiota.

Tremellomycetes rDNA sequences previously detected in wheat kernels by MiSeq were not reliably assigned to a genus or clade. From comparisons of ribosomal internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) and subsequent phylogenetic analyses, the following three basidiomycetous yeasts were resolved and identified: , and an undescribed rDNA variant. The variant's clade is evolutionarily close to, but phylogenetically distinct from, the clade.

Specific Mycoparasite- Molecular Signatures in Germinating Seeds Disabled Fusarium Head Blight Pathogen's Infection.

Advances in Infrared (IR) spectroscopies have entered a new era of research with applications in phytobiome, plant microbiome and health. 3-ADON is the most aggressive mycotoxigenic chemotype causing Fusarium head blight (FHB) in cereals; while is the specific mycoparasite with biotrophic lifestyle discovered in cereal seeds and roots. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analyses depicted shifts in the spectral peaks related to mycoparasitism mainly within the region of proteins, lipids, also indicating a link between carbohydrates and protein regions, involving potential phenolic compounds.

Natural Fungicolous Regulators of sp. nov. That Causes Beech Bark Tarcrust in Southern European () Forests.

Mycoparasites are a collection of fungicolous eukaryotic organisms that occur on and are antagonistic to a wide range of plant pathogenic fungi. To date, this fungal group has largely been neglected by biodiversity studies. However, this fungal group is of interest, as it may contain potential biocontrol agents of pathogenic fungi that cause beech Tarcrust disease (BTC), which has contributed to the devastation of European beech () forests.

Biocontrol and Plant-Growth-Promoting Traits of and Consortium against Ganoderma Basal Stem Rot Disease of Oil Palm.

Basal stem rot (BSR) disease caused by basidiomycetous fungus is the most economically important disease in oil palms in South East Asia. Unfortunately, there is no single most effective control measure available. Tremendous efforts have been directed in incorporation of environmentally friendly biocontrol approaches in minimizing BSR disease.

Scientific Prospects for Cannabis-Microbiome Research to Ensure Quality and Safety of Products.

legalization has occurred in several countries worldwide. Along with steadily growing research in healthcare science, there is an increasing interest for scientific-based knowledge in plant microbiology and food science, with work connecting the plant microbiome and plant health to product quality across the value chain of cannabis. This review paper provides an overview of the state of knowledge and challenges in science, and thereby identifies critical risk management and safety issues in order to capitalize on innovations while ensuring product quality control.

Transgenerational role of seed mycobiome - an endosymbiotic fungal composition as a prerequisite to stress resilience and adaptive phenotypes in Triticum.

Illumina-MiSeq next-generation sequencing of ITS 5.8S rRNA gene demonstrated the transgenerational transmission of fungal seed-endophytes (mycobiome) across three consecutive wheat host generations under standard-control and drought conditions in the greenhouse. Drought-stressed plants experienced a positive shift in the seed mycobiome's composition, moderated by the external acquisition of endophytic Penicillium (E+) at the seed level.

Spectroscopy and SEM imaging reveal endosymbiont-dependent components changes in germinating kernel through direct and indirect coleorhiza-fungus interactions under stress.

In the present study, FTIR spectroscopy and hyperspectral imaging was introduced as a non-destructive, sensitive-reliable tool for assessing the tripartite kernel-fungal endophyte environment interaction. Composition of coleorhizae of Triticum durum was studied under ambient and drought stress conditions. The OH-stretch IR absorption spectrum suggests that the water-deficit was possibly improved or moderated by kernel's endophytic partner.

Adaptability of mitosporic stage in Sphaerodes mycoparasitica towards its mycoparasitic-polyphagous lifestyle.

Sphaerodes mycoparasitica Vuj. is a Fusarium-specific mycoparasite. Some recent discoveries recognize its biotrophic polyphagous lifestyle as an interesting biocontrol property against a broad spectrum of mycotoxigenic Fusarium hosts.

Importance of the RpoE Regulon in Maintaining the Lipid Bilayer during Antimicrobial Treatment with the Polycationic Agent, Chlorhexidine.

The emergence of multidrug resistance in bacteria has reached alarming levels. To solve this growing problem, discovery of novel cellular targets or pathways important for antimicrobial resistance is urgently needed. In this study, we explored how the alternative sigma factor, RpoE, protects Escherichia coli O157 against the toxic effects of the polycationic antimicrobial agent, chlorhexidine (CHX).

Biodegradation and biodetoxification of Fusarium mycotoxins by Sphaerodes mycoparasitica.

A fungus Sphaerodes mycoparasitica SMCD 2220-01 is a host specific mycoparasite against plant pathogenic Fusarium species. Fusarium spp. are producing a plethora of mycotoxins including zearalenone (ZEN), deoxynivalenol (DON) and its acetylated derivatives, 3-acetyl-deoxynivalenol (3-ADON) and 15-acetyl-deoxynivalenol (15-ADON).

Relationship between mycoparasites lifestyles and biocontrol behaviors against Fusarium spp. and mycotoxins production.

Global food security research is seeking eco-friendly solutions to control mycotoxins in grain infected by fungi (molds). In particular, mycotoxigenic Fusarium spp. outbreak is a chronic threat for cereal grain production, human, and animal health.

Predictors of mortality in patients with isolated severe traumatic brain injury.

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Many prognostic models predicting mortality in patients with TBI were developed, which also include patients with mild or moderate TBI and patients who suffered major extracranial injuries.

Methods: From a prospective database, we conducted a retrospective medical chart review covering the period between January 2000 and December 2012 of patients with isolated severe TBI (Abbreviated Injury Score for head, AIS ≥ 3) without extracranial injuries, who were intubated in the field using the rapid sequence intubation method and were of age 16 or more.

Optic neuropathy in a herd of beef cattle in Alberta associated with consumption of moldy corn.

A group of beef cattle in eastern Alberta was investigated due to sudden onset of blindness after grazing on standing corn in mid-winter. Fumonisin-producing Fusarium spp. were isolated from the corn.

Predictors of mortality and prehospital monitoring limitations in blunt trauma patients.

This study aimed at determining predictors of in-hospital mortality and prehospital monitoring limitations in severely injured intubated blunt trauma patients. We retrospectively reviewed patients' charts. Prehospital vital signs, Injury Severity Score (ISS), initial Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), Revised Trauma Score (RTS), arterial blood gases, and lactate were compared in two study groups: survivors (n = 40) and nonsurvivors (n = 30).

Gene expression patterns in wheat coleorhiza under cold- and biological stratification.

This study assessed germination of wheat seeds under cold and biological stratification and determined the expression level of gibberellins (GA) and abscisic acid (ABA) genes in coleorhiza. Both cold and biological stratification significantly (P<0.05) enhanced the rate and efficacy of germination.

Fungal endophytes enhance wheat heat and drought tolerance in terms of grain yield and second-generation seed viability.

Aims: We evaluated the impact of fungal endophyte symbiosis on the growth, ecophysiological and reproductive success of wheat exposed to heat and drought.

Methods And Results: The resistance of pot-grown wheat to heat or drought stress was measured by quantifying efficiency of photosystem II (Fv /Fm), plant height, average seed weight (ASW), total seed weight (TSW), water-use efficiency (WUE) as well as time to 50% germination and percentage germination of second-generation seeds produced under heat stress, drought stress or well-watered conditions. The endophytic fungi tested increased wheat tolerance for drought and heat.

Wetting properties of fungi mycelium alter soil infiltration and soil water repellency in a γ-sterilized wettable and repellent soil.

Soil water repellency (SWR) has a drastic impact on soil quality resulting in reduced infiltration, increased runoff, increased leaching, reduced plant growth, and increased soil erosion. One of the causes of SWR is hydrophobic fungal structures and exudates that change the soil-water relationship. The objective of this study was to determine whether SWR and infiltration could be manipulated through inoculation with fungi.

Bacterial endophytes mediate positive feedback effects of early legume termination times on the yield of subsequent durum wheat crops.

Field crops influence the biotic properties of the soil, impacting the health and productivity of subsequent crops. Polymerase chain reaction and 454 GS FLX pyrosequencing of amplicons were used to clarify the legacy of chickpea and pea crops on the quality of the bacterial community colonizing the root endosphere of subsequent crops of wheat, in a replicated field study. Similar communities of root endosphere bacteria were formed in durum wheat grown after pea and chickpea crops when chickpea crops were terminated as early as pea (July).