This work aims to explore the capacity of a Bacillus methylotrophicus (later heterotypic synonym of Bacillus velezensis) strain named XT1 CECT 8661 against the necrotrophic plant pathogen Botrytis cinerea and to identify the compounds responsible for its activity. Q_TOF electrospray mass spectrometry analysis allows us to detect several lipopeptides – surfactin, bacillomycin, and fengycin – in XT1 cultures. In vitro antibiosis studies demonstrated the efficiency of the lipopeptide fraction for the inhibition of fungal growth. In fact, microscopy studies (SEM/TEM) revealed, an alteration of the morphology of the phytopathogen in interaction with lipopeptides, with resistance structures appearing in the early stages of growth of the fungus. Our studies, carried out with tomatoes, grapes, and strawberries have demonstrated the efficiency of Bacillus XT1 CECT 8661 lipopeptides against B. cinerea infection and it capability to trigger the antioxidant activity in fruit. Overall, the results of this study highlight the potential of lipopeptides of this strain as an effective biological control agent against the colonisation of B. cinerea.

Given the major threat of phytopathogenic bacteria to food production and ecosystem stability worldwide, novel alternatives to conventional chemicals-based agricultural practices are needed to combat these bacteria. the objective of this study is to evaluate the ability of Pseudomonas segetis strain P6, which was isolated from the Salicornia europaea rhizosphere, to act as a potential biocontrol agent given its plant growth-promoting (pGp) and quorum quenching (QQ) activities. Seed biopriming and in vivo assays of tomato plants inoculated with strain P6 resulted in an increase in seedling height and weight. We detected QQ activity, involving enzymatic degradation of signal molecules in quorum sensing communication systems, against a broad range of N-acylhomoserine lactones (AHLs). HpLc-MRM data and phylogenetic analysis indicated that the QQ enzyme was an acylase. the QQ activity of strain P6 reduced soft rot symptoms caused by Dickeya solani, Pectobacterium atrosepticum and P. carotovorum on potato and carrot. In vivo assays showed that the PGP and QQ activities of strain P6 protect tomato plants against Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato, indicating that strain P6 could have biotechnological applications. To our knowledge, this is the first report to show PGP and QQ activities in an indigenous Pseudomonas strain from Salicornia plants. Plant bacterial pathogens cause diseases in a wide range of crops worldwide and considerable economic losses in agriculture 1,2. Antibiotics and chemical pesticides have been used for many decades to combat plant bacterial infections 3,4. However, stricter legislation has been introduced in recent years regarding the use of chemical-based treatments which have caused serious problems such as reduced productivity due to resistance to treatment, soil salinization and environmental pollution 5. As a consequence, alternative strategies to combat plant diseases and to promote plant growth are required in order to replace current procedures with more sustainable eco-friendly approaches 6. Currently, one of the most promising tools used in the agricultural industry is the use of formulations containing plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB), also known as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). These are beneficial microorganisms that act as biofertilizers and can fight plant pathogens 7,8. They counteract pathogens through physical displacement, siderophore production, as well as the synthesis of antibiotics, bacteriocins and hydrolytic enzymes which inhibit pathogen growth 8,9. They also boost plant resistance to infections, which is also called induced systemic resistance (ISR) 10 , through mechanisms such as callose deposition 11. PGPB, which promote processes such as plant growth and stress tolerance, and can fight phytopathogens, are considered to be an effective, sustainable and environmentally-friendly alternative to be used in agriculture 8,12. Although several members of the genus Pseudomonas have been identified as PGPB, only a few have been isolated from

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A person’s physical and social environment is considered as an influencing factor in terms of rates of engagement in physical activity. This study analyses the influence of socio-demographic, physical and social environmental factors on physical activity reported in the adult population in Andalusia. This is a cross-sectional study using data collected in the Andalusia Health Survey in 1999 and 2003. In addition to the influence of the individual’s characteristics, if there are no green spaces in the neighbourhood it is less likely that men and women will take exercise (OR = 1.26; 95% CI = 1.13, 1.41). Likewise, a higher local illiteracy rate also has a negative influence on exercise habits in men (OR = 1.39; 95% CI = 1.21, 1.59) and in women (OR = 1.22; 95% CI = 1.07, 1.40). Physical activity is influenced by individuals’ characteristics as well as by their social and physical environment, the most disadvantaged groups are less likely to engage in physical activity.

BackgroundThe use of hospital discharge administrative data (HDAD) has been recommended for automating, improving, even substituting, population-based cancer registries. The frequency of false positive and false negative cases recommends local validation.MethodsThe aim of this study was to detect newly diagnosed, false positive and false negative cases of cancer from hospital discharge claims, using four Spanish population-based cancer registries as the gold standard. Prostate cancer was used as a case study.ResultsA total of 2286 incident cases of prostate cancer registered in 2000 were used for validation. In the most sensitive algorithm (that using five diagnostic codes), estimates for Sensitivity ranged from 14.5% (CI95% 10.3-19.6) to 45.7% (CI95% 41.4-50.1). In the most predictive algorithm (that using five diagnostic and five surgical codes) Positive Predictive Value estimates ranged from 55.9% (CI95% 42.4-68.8) to 74.3% (CI95% 67.0-80.6). The most frequent reason for false positive cases was the number of prevalent cases inadequately considered as newly diagnosed cancers, ranging from 61.1% to 82.3% of false positive cases. The most frequent reason for false negative cases was related to the number of cases not attended in hospital settings. In this case, figures ranged from 34.4% to 69.7% of false negative cases, in the most predictive algorithm.ConclusionsHDAD might be a helpful tool for cancer registries to reach their goals. The findings suggest that, for automating cancer registries, algorithms combining diagnoses and procedures are the best option. However, for cancer surveillance purposes, in those cancers like prostate cancer in which care is not only hospital-based, combining inpatient and outpatient information will be required.

At present, the majority of patients with breast cancer are diagnosed at early stages of disease development. However, a considerable number of such cases develop secondary malignancies after a relatively short period of time. The presence of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) has been proposed as a strong biomarker to predict disease recurrence in metastatic breast cancer. However, the prognostic significance is not clear in early breast cancer. We present results on CTC determination in peripheral blood in non-metastatic breast cancer patients in the context of neoadjuvant treatment. Twenty-six breast cancer patients, scheduled for neoadjuvant therapy, were enrolled in a prospective study, of which 24 were able to complete therapy. CTC assessment was performed by sorting out cytokeratin-positive cells from 10 ml of peripheral blood using immunomagnetic separation, followed by immunocytochemical characterization of cells. Seventeen blood samples out of 24 patients were CTC-positive when collected prior to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. No significant correlations were found between the presence of CTCs and lymph node status (p=0.1), histological type (p=0.802), stage (p=0.43) or overall survival (OS) (p=0.599). Thirteen CTC-positive samples were observed in blood samples collected after treatment. Univariate analyses revealed that the presence of CTCs was related to OS when the detection was positive both before and after treatment (p=0.023). CTCs can be a strong prognostic marker in early breast cancer. The persistence of CTCs before and after treatment can identify a subpopulation of patients with an increased risk of recurrence.

The biosurfactants produced by Bacillus atrophaeus L193 was examined by their use in the control of the aphid Rhopalosiphum padi in order to suggest a friendly alternative to chemical pesticides. A screening of different culture media demonstrated the highest biosurfactant production by L193 in TSB supplemented with colloidal chitin. Surfactants, which are produced in large quantities (2.04 g/L), reduce surface tension to 33 mN/m. Electrospray Q-TOFS MS analysis demonstrated that lipopeptides, such as surfactins, fengycins, bacillomycins and iturins, are the predominant metabolites present in biosurfactants produced by strain L193. Treatment with L193 surfactants led to an aphid mortality rate of 59.8% within 24 h. Microscopy analysis showed that these compounds caused insect death by affecting cuticle membranes. An evaluation of aphid feeding activity also demonstrated that aphid feeding capacity is affected by treatment with surfactants. Moreover, microbial cultures of strain L193 and their supernatants also showed high levels of activity against R. padi, which is probably due to the presence of surfactants and hydrolytic enzymes such as proteases and glucanases. This study demonstrates that B. atrophaeus L193 is an effective treatment for plants affected by aphids.

The University stage gives rise to social and personal changes as the independence of the nuclear family and the increased responsibilities that are related to the acquisition and/or consolidation of life styles and habits that may determine the future health status. Inadequate nutrition, a high level of inactivity, risky sexual behavior, abuse of new technologies or starting consumption of legal and illegal drugs, are among the most significant risk behaviors in this phase. In order to know how to set and / or consolidate the habits and lifestyles in the university stage and health effects in the future, to born the uniHcos project. It is a dynamic cohort of university students who join the project during the first academic year and will be followed during their stay at college and working life. The follow-up will be biennially and for the capture and the information collection will be used on-line technologies. This paper aims to show the uniHcos project to the scientific community as well as present preliminary results found so far in the two cohorts established since 2011.