Entomopathogenic fungi are gaining acceptance in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) systems as effective and environmental safety biological control agents to protect a great variety of crops against ...pest insects. Many of these insect-pathogenic fungi can establish themselves as endophytes and thereby may induce the plant immune system. The activation of plant defenses by the fungal endophytic colonization can have a direct impact on herbivores and plant pathogens. An integral component of many plant defense responses is also the release of volatile organic compounds, which may serve as an indirect defense by attracting the natural enemies of herbivores. Here we investigated the effect of endophytic colonization by the entomopathogenic fungus
Beauveria bassiana
on the volatile emission by melon and cotton plants, either unharmed or after being damaged by sap-sucking aphids or leaf chewing caterpillars. We found that when the plants are colonized by
B. bassiana
they emit a different blend of volatile compounds compared to uncolonized control plants. Some of the emitted compounds have been reported previously to be released in response to herbivory and have been implicated in natural enemy attraction. Several of the compounds are also known to have antimicrobial properties. Therefore, endophytic colonization by
B. bassiana
might help to not only direct control insect pests but also increase the resistance of plants against agronomically important pests and phytopathogens.
•The problem of remote weed mapping via machine learning is considered.•Unmanned aerial vehicles are used to capture maize and sunflower field images.•The proposed method considers pattern and ...feature selection techniques.•The final model requires few user information to generalise to new areas.•There are features of great influence for the classification of both crops.
This paper approaches the problem of weed mapping for precision agriculture, using imagery provided by Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) from sunflower and maize crops. Precision agriculture referred to weed control is mainly based on the design of early post-emergence site-specific control treatments according to weed coverage, where one of the most important challenges is the spectral similarity of crop and weed pixels in early growth stages. Our work tackles this problem in the context of object-based image analysis (OBIA) by means of supervised machine learning methods combined with pattern and feature selection techniques, devising a strategy for alleviating the user intervention in the system while not compromising the accuracy. This work firstly proposes a method for choosing a set of training patterns via clustering techniques so as to consider a representative set of the whole field data spectrum for the classification method. Furthermore, a feature selection method is used to obtain the best discriminating features from a set of several statistics and measures of different nature. Results from this research show that the proposed method for pattern selection is suitable and leads to the construction of robust sets of data. The exploitation of different statistical, spatial and texture metrics represents a new avenue with huge potential for between and within crop-row weed mapping via UAV-imagery and shows good synergy when complemented with OBIA. Finally, there are some measures (specially those linked to vegetation indexes) that are of great influence for weed mapping in both sunflower and maize crops.
Imaging of subclinical atherosclerosis improves cardiovascular risk prediction on top of traditional risk factors. However, cardiovascular imaging is not universally available. This work aims to ...identify circulating proteins that could predict subclinical atherosclerosis.
Hypothesis-free proteomics was used to analyze plasma from 444 subjects from PESA cohort study (222 with extensive atherosclerosis on imaging, and 222 matched controls) at two timepoints (three years apart) for discovery, and from 350 subjects from AWHS cohort study (175 subjects with extensive atherosclerosis on imaging and 175 matched controls) for external validation. A selected three-protein panel was further validated by immunoturbidimetry in the AWHS population and in 2999 subjects from ILERVAS cohort study.
PIGR, IGHA2, APOA, HPT and HEP2 were associated with subclinical atherosclerosis independently from traditional risk factors at both timepoints in the discovery and validation cohorts. Multivariate analysis rendered a potential three-protein biomarker panel, including IGHA2, APOA and HPT. Immunoturbidimetry confirmed the independent associations of these three proteins with subclinical atherosclerosis in AWHS and ILERVAS. A machine-learning model with these three proteins was able to predict subclinical atherosclerosis in ILERVAS (AUC 95%CI:0.73 0.70–0.74, p < 1 × 10−99), and also in the subpopulation of individuals with low cardiovascular risk according to FHS 10-year score (0.71 0.69–0.73, p < 1 × 10−69).
Plasma levels of IGHA2, APOA and HPT are associated with subclinical atherosclerosis independently of traditional risk factors and offers potential to predict this disease. The panel could improve primary prevention strategies in areas where imaging is not available.
This study was supported by competitive grants from the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (BIO2015-67580-P, PGC2018-097019-B-I00, PID2019-106814RB-I00 and SAF2016-80843-R), through the Carlos III Institute of Health-Fondo de Investigacion Sanitaria grant PRB3 (IPT17/0019 - ISCIII-SGEFI / ERDF, ProteoRed), CIBERCV and CIBERDEM, the Fundacio MaratoTV3 (grant 122/C/2015) and “la Caixa” Banking Foundation (project HR17-00247). The PESA study is co-funded equally by the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain, and Banco Santander, Madrid, Spain. The ILERVAS study was funded by the Diputacio de Lleida. The study also receives funding from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (PI15/02019; PI18/00610; RD16/0009) and the FEDER funds. The CNIC is supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovacion y Universidades (MCNU) and the Pro CNIC Foundation.
In this research work, a series of 16 quinazoline derivatives bearing ibuprofen and an amino acid were designed as inhibitors of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase domain (EGFR‐TKD) and ...cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) with the intention of presenting dual action in their biological behavior. The designed compounds were synthesized and assessed for cytotoxicity on epithelial cancer cells lines (AGS, A‐431, MCF‐7, MDA‐MB‐231) and epithelial non‐tumorigenic cell line (HaCaT). From this evaluation, derivative 6 was observed to exhibit higher cytotoxic potency (IC50) than gefitinib (reference drug) on three cancer cell lines (0.034 μM in A‐431, 2.67 μM in MCF‐7, and 3.64 μM in AGS) without showing activity on the non‐tumorigenic cell line (>100 μM). Furthermore, assessment of EGFR‐TKD inhibition by 6 showed a discreet difference compared to gefitinib. Additionally, 6 was used to conduct an in vivo anti‐inflammatory assay using the 12‐O‐tetradecanoylphorbol‐3‐acetate (TPA) method, and it was shown to be 5 times more potent than ibuprofen. Molecular dynamics studies of EGFR‐TKD revealed interactions between compound 6 and M793. On the other hand, one significant interaction was observed for COX‐2, involving S531. The RMSD graph indicated that the ligand remained stable in 50 ns.
In this work, the design, synthesis, biological evaluation, and molecular dynamics studies of compounds consisting of quinazoline, ibuprofen, and amino acids were carried out, showing cytotoxic effects in vitro and anti‐inflammatory effects in vivo. Molecule 6 emerged as a candidate for an antineoplastic drug.
A global epidemic of allergic contact dermatitis to (meth)acrylates has been described in relation to the widespread use of manicure products.
To evaluate the frequency of sensitization to ...2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (2-HEMA) among consecutively patch tested patients with eczema in Spain; the percentage of current relevance; the MOAHLFA index; and, the potential sources of exposure to (meth)acrylates.
From January 2019 to December 2022, 2-HEMA 2% pet. was prospectively patch tested in 24 REIDAC (Spanish Allergic Contact Dermatitis Registry) centres.
Six thousand one hundred thirty-four patients were consecutively patch tested with 2-HEMA 2% pet. 265/6134 (4.3%) were positive. Positive reactions of current relevance were identified to involve 184/265 (69%). The efficiency (number of patch tests needed to detect relevant positive patch test reactions) was 34 (6134/184). The variable 'occupational' was found to be significantly associated with a higher risk for relevant positive reactions to 2-HEMA (OR: 10.9; 95% CI: 8.1-14.9).
(Meth)acrylate sensitization is a prevalent health issue in Spain. 2-HEMA 2% pet. has been identified to be a highly effective (meth)acrylate allergy marker in the GEIDAC baseline series. The responsible authorities should implement policies guaranteeing accurate labelling of industrial, medical, and consumer materials while ensuring the enforcement of said labelling through appropriate legal means.
Lam, commonly known as moringa, is a plant widely used both as a human food and for medicinal purposes around the world. This research aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the aqueous extract of
leaves ...(MoAE) and benzyl isothiocyanate (BIT) in rats with induced breast cancer. Cancer was induced with 7,12-dimethylbenzaanthracene (DMBA) at a dose of 60 mg/kg by orogastric gavage once only. Forty-eight rats were randomly assigned to eight groups, each consisting of six individuals. The control group (healthy) was called Group I. Group II received DMBA plus saline. In addition to DMBA, Groups III, IV, and V received MoAE at 100, 250, and 500 mg/kg/day, respectively, while Groups VI, VII, and VIII received BIT at 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg/day, respectively. Treatment was carried out for 13 weeks. Secondary metabolite analysis results identified predominantly quercetin, caffeoylquinic acid, neochlorogenic acid, vitexin, and kaempferol, as well as tropone, betaine, loliolide, and vitexin. The administration of MoAE at a dose of 500 mg/kg and BIT at 20 mg/kg exhibited a notable decrease in both the total tumor count and the cumulative tumor weight, along with a delay in their onset. Furthermore, they improved the histological grade. A significant decrease in serum levels of VEGF and IL-1β levels was observed (
< 0.001) with a better effect demonstrated with MoAE at 500 mg/kg and BIT at 20 mg/kg. In conclusion, this study suggests that both the aqueous extract of
leaves and the benzyl isothiocyanate possess antitumor properties against mammary carcinogenesis, and this effect could be due, at least in part, to the flavonoids and isothiocyanates present in the extract.
essential oil and carvacrol have shown an antitumor effect on breast tumor cell lines; the main objective of this research was to evaluate the antitumor effect of the essential oil of
(EOCc) and ...carvacrol on 7,12-dimethylbenz a anthracene (DMBA)-induced breast cancer in female rats. Cancer was induced by a single administration of DMBA at dose of 80 mg/kg body weight (BW). A total of 54 female Holtzman rats were randomly assigned into 9 groups (n = 6). Group I: PS (Physiological saline); Group II: DMBA; Groups III, IV, and V: DMBA + EOCc at doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg/day BW, respectively; Groups VI, VII, and VIII: DMBA + carvacrol at doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg/day BW, respectively; and group IX: DMBA + EOCc + carvacrol at doses of 100 mg/kg/day BW. The treatment lasted 14 weeks. As results, EOCc showed a reduction in tumors as well as necrosis and mitosis. Animals treated with carvacrol did not show necrosis, mitosis, or infiltration. Carvacrol at dose of 100 mg/kg/day BW revealed a significant decrease in the cumulative tumor volume down to 0.11 ± 0.05 cm
compared to 0.38 ± 0.04 cm
of the DMBA group (
< 0.01). It is concluded that EOCc and carvacrol had an antitumor effect on DMBA-induced breast cancer in female rats.
Introduction: Mental disorders, smoking, or alcoholism and benign prostate disease are highly prevalent in men. Aims: To identify the relationship between mental disorders, smoking, or alcoholism and ...benign prostate disease. Methodology: A prospective multicenter study that evaluated prostate health status in 558 men from the community. Groups: GP—men who request a prostate health examination and whose medical history includes a mental disorder, smoking, or alcoholism prior to a diagnosis of benign prostate disease; GU—men who request a prostate health examination and whose medical history includes a benign prostate disease prior to a diagnosis of mental disorder, smoking, or alcoholism. Variables: age, body mass index (BMI), prostate specific antigen (PSA), follow-up of the mental disorder, smoking or alcoholism, time elapsed between urological diagnosis and the mental disorder, smoking or alcoholism diagnosis, status of the urological disease (cured or not cured), concomitant diseases, surgical history, and concomitant treatments. Descriptive statistics, Student’s t-test, Chi2, multivariate analysis. Results: There were no mental disorders, smoking, or alcoholism in 51.97% of men. Anxiety, smoking, major depressive disorder, pathological insomnia, psychosis, and alcoholism were identified in 19.71%, 13.26%, 5.73%, 4.30%, 2.87%, and 2.15% of individuals, respectively. Nonbacterial prostatitis (31.54%), urinary tract infection (other than prostatitis, 24.37%), prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (13.98%), and prostatodynia (1.43%) were prostate diseases. Unresolved symptomatic benign prostate disease was associated with anxiety, depression, and psychosis (p = 0.002). Smoking was the disorder that men managed to eliminate most frequently. The dominant disorder in patients with symptomatic benign prostatic disease was alcoholism (p = 0.006). Conclusions: Unresolved symptomatic benign prostatic disease is associated with anxiety, depression, and psychosis. Alcoholism is associated with a worse prognosis in the follow-up of symptomatic benign prostatic disease.
Background
SARS‐CoV‐2 virus requires host proteases to cleave its spike protein to bind to its ACE2 target through a two‐step furin‐mediated entry mechanism. Aprotinin is a broad‐spectrum protease ...inhibitor that has been employed as antiviral drug for other human respiratory viruses. Also, it has important anti‐inflammatory properties for inhibiting the innate immunity contact system.
Methods
This was a multicentre, double‐blind, randomized trial performed in four Spanish hospitals comparing standard treatment versus standard treatment + aprotinin for patients with COVID‐19 between 20 May 2020 and 20 October 2021. The primary efficacy outcomes were length of hospital stay and ICU admission. The secondary endpoints were each of the primary efficacy outcomes and a composite of oxygen therapy, analytical parameters and death. Safety outcomes included adverse reactions to treatment during a 30‐day follow‐up period. Treatment was given for 11 days or till discharge.
Results
With almost identical analytical profiles, significant differences were observed in treatment time, which was 2 days lower in the aprotinin group (p = .002), and length of hospital admission, which was 5 days shorter in the aprotinin group (p = .003). The incidence of discharge was 2.19 times higher (HR: 2.188 1.182–4.047) in the aprotinin group than in the placebo group (p = .013). In addition, the aprotinin‐treated group required less oxygen therapy and had no adverse reactions or side effects.
Conclusion
Inhaled aprotinin may improve standard treatment and clinical outcomes in hospitalized patients with COVID‐19, resulting in a shorter treatment time and hospitalization compared with the placebo group. The administration of aprotinin was safe.
To describe two cases of herpetic anterior uveitis after inoculation of the first dose of Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus disease 2019 vaccine.
Case 1: a healthy 92-year-old Caucasian woman developed ...symptomatic unilateral anterior uveitis for 3 days after Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination (Pfizer Inc.). The episode fully resolved with topical and oral antiviral treatment. Case 2: a previously healthy 85-year-old Caucasian woman with left hemicranial signs of herpes zoster infection, associated with herpetic keratouveitis for 3 days after Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination. Treatment with topical antibiotics and both oral and topical antiherpetic medication was administered, and she recovered successfully in 5 weeks.
Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of eye inflammation in the form of herpetic reactivation after coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination.
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