Sterile Forms Research Articles

Endophytic fungi from <i>Dichrocephala integrifolia</i>: Diversity, antifungal properties, enzymatic activities, and plant growth promotion

Dichrocephala integrifolia is a wild medicinal plant utilised in traditional healing and Ayurveda to cope up with several health issues by various groups of people around the world. Medicinal plants are associated with diverse fungal endophytes with potential bioactive properties. In this investigation, 26 fungal endophytes were isolated from D. integrifolia and three sterile forms using the Petri plate culture method. The endophytic isolation rate was highest for inflorescence (35.97%) and lowest for stem (15.61%). The highest colonization frequency was shown by F. solani (8.37%) and the lowest by Sterile morphotype 3 (1.36%). Out of the four plant parts, inflorescence was found to be highly infected, displaying an infection rate of 93.43% and the least infection occurred in the stem with 45%. The maximum number of isolated endophytic fungi belongs to the class Sordariomycetes, with a relative occurrence (%) of 71.72%. The Simpson’s diversity index reveals that the leaf endophytes were more diverse (0.94). Qualitative antifungal activity of the sporulating isolates against Curvularia lunata has shown that the maximum number of endophytes possessed Class 3 antagonism. Four isolates were selected based on screening of their antagonistic activity and their antifungal inhibition was calculated against nine fungal phytopathogens. Maximum inhibition (100%) was shown by Trichoderma sp. 2 (S2B2) against Alternaria alternata, A. brassicicola, Colletotrichum capsici, C. lunata, and Ustilaginoidea virens and least inhibition by Gliocladium sp. 1 (19.78%) against C. lunata. The four isolates were found to produce protease, lipase, amylase and cellulase enzymes. The isolates produced ammonia and hydrogen cyanide, but none of the isolates could solubilize phosphate. Potent biocontrol agents are much needed to replace synthetic chemicals and restore soil microflora.

A Minimal Hybrid Sterility Genome Assembled by Chromosome Swapping Between Mouse Subspecies (Mus musculus).

Hybrid sterility is a reproductive isolation barrier between diverging taxa securing the early steps of speciation. Hybrid sterility is ubiquitous in the animal and plant kingdoms, but its genetic control is poorly understood. In our previous studies, we have uncovered the sterility of hybrids between musculus and domesticus subspecies of the house mouse, which is controlled by the Prdm9 gene, the X-linked Hstx2 locus, and subspecific heterozygosity for genetic background. To further investigate this form of genic-driven chromosomal sterility, we constructed a simplified hybrid sterility model within the genome of the domesticus subspecies by swapping domesticus autosomes with their homologous partners from the musculus subspecies. We show that the "sterility" allelic combination of Prdm9 and Hstx2 can be activated by a musculus/domesticus heterozygosity of as few as two autosomes, Chromosome 17 (Chr 17) and Chr 18 and is further enhanced when another heterosubspecific autosomal pair is present, whereas it has no effect on meiotic progression in the pure domesticus genome. In addition, we identify a new X-linked hybrid sterility locus, Hstx3, at the centromeric end of Chr X, which modulates the incompatibility between Prdm9 and Hstx2. These results further support our concept of chromosomal hybrid sterility based on evolutionarily accumulated divergence between homologous sequences. Based on these and previous results, we believe that future studies should include more information on the mutual recognition of homologous chromosomes at or before the first meiotic prophase in interspecific hybrids, as this may serve as a general reproductive isolation checkpoint in mice and other species.

Soil-Inhabiting microscopic fungi of the foothill forests of Bu Gia Map National Park (Vietnam)

The information about species composition and conformation characteristics of microfungi’s complexes in the soil and leaf litter of specially protected natural areas of Vietnam. The mycological examinations of the Bu Zia Map National Park were carried out for the first time. List of species that was found by dilution plate method from 60 samples includes 88 species of microscopic fungi belonging to 42 genera and 15 types of sterile forms. 13 species of them were not observed previously for Vietnam. Mucoromycota was represented by only two species that related to the order Mucorales. Basisiomycota was represented by only one species. The most of identified fungi belongs to Ascomycota, domitant part of them is anamorphic. The leading orders are Eurotiales (42 species) and Hypocreales (17 species). Among the anamorphic forms there is a lot of different species Aspergillus and Penicillium. In soil from dipterocarp forest were identified 36 species microscopic fungi from 19 genera and eight sterile forms were isolated. There are three species were included in the group of dominants: Aspergillus tubingensis, Penicillium ochrochloron, Trichoderma harzianum. On a forest with Lagerstroemia sp. (Lythraceae) was found 47 species from 24 genera and 4 sterile forms were isolated. In the palm tropical forest area with Arenga westerhoutii (Arecaceae) 44 species of micromycetes from 27 genera and 5 sterile forms were isolated. The number of typical (dominant and frequent) species is very large, especially for the complex of micromycetes of the soil. Purpureocillium lilacinum and Trichoderma harzianum were also present. Rare tropical fungi have been found, such as Heterocephalum taiense, Chaetomella circinoseta and C. raphigera – soil fungi that are usually isolated from tropical soils and plants. Endocalyx melanoxanthus that has a tropical distribution and is associated with palm trees was found in Vietnam for the first time. The micromycete Thielaviopsis radicicola which is a rather serious pathogen of palm was found in the soil in a forest area with a predominance of Lagerstroemia sp. Complexes of micromycetes of the studied forest areas are divided into groups according to the types of habitats studied and by the types of different substrates. The complexes of micromycetes that were found in the soil and on the litter of the Lagerstroemia forest are very different. The degree of study of the species composition for all habitats is not very high: from 56 to 78%. Further studies of this group are promising and may lead to the identification of new species.

Transformation of meiotic drive into hybrid sterility in Drosophila.

Hybrid male sterility is one of the fastest evolving intrinsic reproductive barriers between recently isolated populations. A leading explanation for the evolution of hybrid male sterility involves genomic conflicts with meiotic drivers in the male germline. There are, however, few examples directly linking meiotic drive to hybrid sterility. In this study, we report that the Sex-Ratio chromosome of Drosophila pseudoobscura, which causes X-chromosome drive within the USA subspecies, causes near-complete male sterility when it is moved into the genetic background of the Bogota subspecies. In addition, we show that this new form of sterility is genetically distinct from the sterility of F1 hybrid males in crosses between USA males and Bogota females. Our observations provide a tractable study system where noncryptic drive within species is transformed into strong hybrid sterility between very young subspecies.

New alternatives to holder pasteurization in processing donor milk in human milk banks.

Infectious and toxicological risks are the main potential hazards that operators of Human Milk Banks (HMBs) encounter and must eliminate. HMBs are trying to implement procedures that allow to manage and sanitize human milk without altering significantly its nutritional and biologically protective components, obtaining a product characterized by a valid balance between safety and biological quality. The history of human milk processing is linked to the origins of HMBs themselves. And although other forms of sterilization were used originally, pasteurization soon became the recognized most effective means for sanitizing milk: all the milk that arrives at the HMB must be pasteurized. Holder pasteurization (HoP) is the most used methodology, and it is performed using low temperature and long time (+62.5°C for 30 min). With HoP some bioactive milk components are lost to varying degrees, but many other precious bioactive compounds are completely or partially preserved. To improve the quality of human milk processed by HMBs, maintaining in the meantime the same microbiological safety offered by HoP, new technologies are under evaluation. At present, High-Temperature Short-Time pasteurization (HTST) and High-Pressure Processing are the most studied methodologies. HTST is already utilized in some HMBs for daily practical activity and for research purposes. They seem to be superior to HoP for a better preservation of some nutritional and biologically protective components. Freeze-drying or lyophilization may have advantages for room temperature storage and transportation. The aim of this study is to evaluate the advancement regarding the processing of DHM with a literature search from 2019 to 2022. The effects of the new technologies on safety and quality of human milk are presented and discussed. The new technologies should assure microbiological safety of the final product at least at the same level as optimized HoP, with an improved preservation of the nutritional and bioactive components of raw human milk.

Distribution, Diversity and Biochemical Analysis of Endophytic Fungi Associated with Chromolaena odorata

Chromolaena odorata is a medicinal plant that possesses several properties, including antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antioxidant, etc., and has been used in traditional medicine in various parts of the world. Medicinal plants are associated with endophytic fungi that have potential biological activities as well as protect the plant from biotic and abiotic agents. In this study, endophytic fungi were isolated from the leaves, stems, roots, and inflorescence of C. odorata and identified morphologically. Nineteen sporulating endophytic fungi belonging to 9 genera, 8 families and 4 classes, and three sterile forms were obtained. The isolation data recorded were used to calculate Isolation rate, Colonization frequency, Infection rate and Relative occurrence of different groups of fungi. The highest Isolation rate was found in the stem part (34.75%); the highest overall Colonization frequency (%) was shown by Chaetomium globosum (8.51%); the maximum Infection rate was found in root segments (77.86%); and the maximum isolate belongs to Sordariomycetes, showing 43.50%. Simpson’s dominance index, Simpson’s diversity index, Species richness, Shannon-Wiener index and Evenness (E) index were calculated to reveal diversity indices. The maximum diversity was recorded in the leaf part (0.99), and the maximum number of endophytic fungal species was observed in stem segments. The production of biochemicals was analyzed qualitatively, and it was observed that all the isolates produce flavonoids and phenols. This indicates that endophytic fungi are a storehouse of natural compounds and can be applied in agriculture, medicine, and pharmaceutical industries.

Evaluation of the productivity of male sterile forms of sugar beet depending of different structure and genetic origin

The article summarizes the experimental data of three-year research on the creation of new pollen-sterile forms for heterosis sugar beet hybrids. The breeding process of creating high-performance hybrids requires new components with improved characteristics. It was found out that the initial CMS forms of different genetic nature, when crossed with sterility maintainers of other ecological and genetic origin, differ significantly in terms of yield with fluctuating indicators in the range of 47.9–62.5 t/ha and sugar content ranging from 16.01 to 19.93%, combining the manifestation of these signs in different ways, which significantly expands the range of variability in terms of productivity componrnts. The average productivity indicators of monogerm CMS lines in the form of simple sterile hybrids, regardless of the origin of their sterility maintainers, had higher sugar yield performance compared to pollen-sterile linear-type forms obtained by backcrossing. Variation of the quantitative traits in simple sterile hybrids had a significantly greater amplitude of oscillations compared to CMS lines. The best simple sterile hybrids in terms of yield were 720/Ot4 and 730/Ot4 with the yield of 63.6 and 62.1 t/ha, respectively, and in terms of sugar content — 730/Ot4 (19.3%) and 730/Ot5 (19.5%). They will be introduced in the breeding process for hybridization with multigerm pollinators.

Functional modelling with study and research paths: a theoretical proposal

The notion of function is central in all of the secondary curriculum, and indeed functional models appear in almost all higher education that is based on mathematics. However, in secondary education, functions usually appear in restricted and somewhat sterile forms. In this (mostly theoretical) paper, we present a proposal – exemplified by a concrete problem – to go beyond the usual one-variable teaching of functions, based on the idea of ‘study and research paths’ from the anthropological theory of the didactic. In particular, we illustrate the relevance and didactical feasibility of reparametrisation of functions and real work on the fluctuation of variables and parameters in specific intervals.

Prospects of using chemical and physical methods of raw material protection in sugar beet seed-growing

Necessity to provide beet-growing farms with high-quality planting material determines the main vector of domestic sugar beet seed-growing development. And a special role in the crop seed-growing is assigned to improvement of the main methods including development of promising raw material storage technique. Aim of the investigations is to reveal influence of physical and chemical methods of raw material storage, both separately and in combination, on planting material safety as well as productivity of sugar beet seed-bearing plants. The investigations have been carried out by Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution «The A. L. Mazlumov All- Russian Research Institute of Sugar Beet and Sugar» in 2019-2021. Objects of the studies are beet mother roots and seed-bearing plants of the domestic hybrid (RMS-127) male sterile form. The experiments have been performed in a beet root storehouse and isolated plots according to methodological recommendations and instructions for sugar beet seed-growing. The experiment scheme is: 1) control (without treatment); 2) treatment of beet roots mother with infra-red radiation (30 sec.) using the Minin reflector (blue lamp); 3) spraying of beet mother roots with the fungicide of «Kagatnik, VRK» (0.10 l/t); treatment with «Kagatnik, VRK» (0.10 l/t) + infra-red radiation (30 sec.); 5) treatment with «Kagatnik, VRK» (0.10 l/t) + the surfactant of «Allure, Zh» (0.003 l/t). As a result, treatment of sugar beet mother roots with the fungicide of «Kagatnik, VRK» together with infrared radiation as well as in a tank mixture with the surfactant of «Allure, Zh» makes it possible to reduce mass losses by 1.6-2.3 absolute % and proliferation by 21.4-23.3 absolute % during storage, and to increase the yield of suitable for planting beet roots by 6-7 absolute %. Positive dynamics of beet mother roots’ storage technique aftereffect on development and productivity of sugar beet seed-bearing plants has been determined. The yield increase of the obtained sugar beet seeds is 0.5 t / ha, and high quality of seed sowing fractions (3.5-4.5 mm and 4.5-5.5 mm) is 96-98 %.

Cell type-specific roles of NLRP3, inflammasome-dependent and -independent, in host defense, sterile necroinflammation, tissue repair, and fibrosis.

The NLRP3 inflammasome transforms a wide variety of infectious and non-infectious danger signals that activate pro-inflammatory caspases, which promote the secretion of IL-1β and IL-18, and pyroptosis, a pro-inflammatory form of cell necrosis. Most published evidence documents the presence and importance of the NLRP3 inflammasome in monocytes, macrophages, and neutrophils during host defense and sterile forms of inflammation. In contrast, in numerous unbiased data sets, NLRP3 inflammasome-related transcripts are absent in non-immune cells. However, an increasing number of studies report the presence and functionality of the NLRP3 inflammasome in almost every cell type. Here, we take a closer look at the reported cell type-specific expression of the NLRP3 inflammasome components, review the reported inflammasome-dependent and -independent functions, and discuss possible explanations for this discrepancy.

Laparoscopic removal of Essure device techniques, perioperative findings and evaluation of patient's satisfaction: A case series

To evaluate perioperative outcomes and symptom resolution in women undergoing Essure removal. Single centre cohort study at a large University Teaching Hospital in the UK. Symptoms and Quality of life (QoL) were assessed using a standardised questionnaire administered at 6-months and up to 10-years following removal of Essure® devices. 61 women underwent surgical removal of Essure® devices representing 61/1087 (5.6%) of all women undergoing this hysteroscopic form of sterilization. Patients who had Essure® removal were more likely to have a previous caesarean section [38% vs 18%; OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.2-0.6; P <0.001]. The main indication for removal was pelvic pain (49/61, 80%). Removal was achieved by laparoscopic bilateral salpingectomy/cornuectomy (44/61,71%) or hysterectomy (17/61, 28%). At surgery, perforated device was seen in 4/61 (7%) cases. 26/61 (43%) of patients had concomitant pelvic pathology; 12/26 (46%) had fibrous adhesions, 8/26 (31%) endometriosis, 4/26 (15%) adenomyosis, and 2/26 (8%) had endometriosis and adenomyosis. 10 patients underwent further procedure following removal for ongoing symptoms. 55/61 women (90%) responded to the post removal symptom questionnaire. Most respondents to the quality of life survey 42/55 (76%) reported total or some improvement. 42/53 (79%) had total or some improvement in pelvic pain, 9/13 (69%) in mental health and 10/12 (83%) in bleeding. Surgical removal of Essure® devices appears to improve symptoms thought to be attributable to the presence of these uterine implants in most women. However, patients should be counselled that one in five women may experience persistent or even worsening symptoms.

Protocol for in vitro regeneration and rapid mass multiplication of apetalous male sterile lines of marigold

The apetalous form of male sterility, controlled by a single recessive gene (msms), is widely used for F1 hybridseed production in marigold (Tagetes spp.). Maintenance of this form of male sterility through conventionalmethods is a highly labour-intensive and costly task. Hence, we have developed a viable in vitro regenerationprotocol for rapid multiplication in three apetalous male sterile lines of marigold, MS-5, MS-7, and MS-8. Theeffect of Thidiazuron (TDZ) was assessed on in vitro establishment of apetalous male sterile lines using shoottipexplants. The modified MSm medium supplemented with 1.5 mg/l TDZ and 0.2 mg/l NAA was found suitablefor culture establishment from shoot tip explants. We have also assessed the efficiency of two cytokinins,TDZ and Kinetin (KIN), for rapid multiplication of male sterile lines of marigold. The culture media, genotypesand their interactions significantly influenced the shoot proliferation of marigold. Our findings have revealedthe superiority of kinetin over TDZ in inducing quality shoots during in vitro proliferation phase. The highestproliferation of quality shoots was obtained on modified MSm medium enriched with 0.5 mg/l kinetin and 0.1mg/l NAA. Half-strength MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/l of IBA was found effective for the inductionof quality roots in all the tested genotypes of marigold. Among the three male sterile lines of marigold, MS-5exhibited better in vitro establishment, proliferation and rooting abilities over the MS-7 and MS-8 lines. Thedeveloped protocol can be efficiently utilized for rapid in vitro mass multiplication of apetalous male sterilelines of marigold.

Breeding sugar-fodder beet hybrids for biofuel production

Topicality. The development of biofuel engineering in Ukraine demands to cultivate the agrofuel crops as renewable energy sources. The sugar-fodder hybrids created using high-value sterile forms of sugar beet and fertile forms of fodder beet may hold promise for biofuel feedstock production. Purpose. Develop experimental sugar-fodder beet hybrids with high energy yield, suitable for alternative biofuels production, and select the best ones. Materials and Methods. 6 pollen-sterile breeding lines of sugar beet and 23 selection numbers of fertile fodder beet were used to create the sugar-fodder hybrids. The breeding process comprised the following steps: selection of initial parental lines, evaluation them by combining ability, and, based on the best, formation of the hybrids. Method of multi-tester top crossing was applied and field trials of the experimental hybrids held. Results. The parent components varied significantly in energy yield, which ranged within 53.5–61.5 GJ/ha (for the MS-samples) and from 80.0 to 87.8 GJ/ha for the top 4 pollinators. On completion of the tester crosses, the following have been selected: MS-samples of the sugar beet lines MS Iv. 24869 and MS Iv. 2484 with proven significant effects of general combining ability at 6.7 GJ/ha and 4.0 GJ/ha; and pollinators of the fodder beet varieties Halytskyi and Lvivskyi zhovtyi – at 8.0 GJ/ha and 6.5 GJ/ha, respectively. In the genotypic structure of variability of the “energy output” trait, the total share of the influence of valuable additive gene complexes of parental samples (51 %) was almost equivalent to the share of non-additive interaction of components (49 %). Conclusions. By the method of combinative selection, three new genotypes of sugar-fodder hybrids have been developed, with energy output rate higher than 120 GJ/ha, suitable for the biofuel production from renewable sources. These are the genotypes MS Iv. 24869/k 41/42; MS Iv. 24869/k 13/14; and MS Iv. 24869/s. Lvivskyi zhovtyi, with indicators exceeding the standard by 14.3 %, 15.4 % and 8.5 %, respectively. Keywords: bioenergy, pollen-sterile forms, pollinators, sugar-fodder hybrids, combining ability, energy yield

Neural Correlates of the DEEPP (Anti-suicidal Response to Ketamine in Treatment-Resistant Bipolar Depression) Study: Protocol for a Pilot, Open-Label Clinical Trial.

Suicide is among the top 10 leading causes of death worldwide. Of people who died by suicide, the majority are diagnosed with depression. It is estimated that 25%-60% of people with bipolar depression (BD) will attempt suicide at least once, and 10%-15% will die by suicide. Several treatments, such as lithium, clozapine, electroconvulsive therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy, have been shown to be effective in treating suicidality. However, these treatments can be difficult to tolerate or may take months to take effect. Ketamine, a glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist, has been shown to have rapid antisuicidal effect and antidepressant qualities, and is thus a promising intervention to target acute suicidality in patients with BD. However, the biological mechanism underlying its therapeutic action remains poorly understood. Enhancing our understanding of underlying mechanisms of action for ketamine's effectiveness in reducing suicidality is critical to establishing biological markers of treatment response and developing tailored, personalized interventions for patients with BD. This is an open-label clinical trial to test the safety and feasibility of repeated ketamine infusions to treat acute suicidality. The primary objective is to test the safety and feasibility of ketamine intervention. The secondary objective is to examine ketamine's potential neurophysiological mechanisms of action by assessing cortical excitation and inhibition to determine potential biomarkers of clinical response. Other objectives are to evaluate the effect of ketamine on acute suicidality and other clinical outcomes, such as depressive symptoms and quality of life, to inform a future larger trial. This open-label clinical trial aims to test the safety and feasibility of repeated ketamine infusions in patients with BD for suicidality and to assess ketamine's neurophysiological effects. A sterile form of racemic ketamine hydrochloride will be administered over a 40-minute intravenous infusion 2 times per week on nonconsecutive days for 4 weeks (8 sessions). We will recruit 30 adults (24-65 year olds) over 2 years from an academic psychiatric hospital in Toronto, Canada. This study is currently ongoing and actively recruiting participants. So far, 5 participants have completed the trial, 1 is currently in active treatment, and 8 participants are on the waitlist to be screened. We anticipate initial results being available in the fall of 2023. This proposal was presented as a poster presentation at the Research to Reality Global Summit on Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies and Medicine, held in May 2022 in Toronto, Canada. Developing effective interventions for acute suicidality in high-risk populations such as those with BD remains a major therapeutic challenge. Ketamine is a promising treatment due to its rapid antidepressant and antisuicidal effects, but its underlying neurophysiological mechanisms of action remain unknown. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05177146; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05177146. DERR1-10.2196/41013.

Breeding of sugar beet hybrids suitable for the production of biofuel

The development of bioenergy in Ukraine requires the cultivation of energy crops as renewable sources of energy. Sugar beet hybrids created using valuable sterile and fertile forms can have a breeding perspective as a raw material for the production of biofuel. Therefore, the goal is to create experimental hybrids of sugar beets with high energy output, suitable for obtaining alternative types of biofuel, and to select the best of them. When creating sugar beet hybrids, 6 pollensterile and fertile samples of different ecological and genetic origins were used. The stages of the breeding process were the breeding of the original parental components, their evaluation by combining ability, and the formation of sugar beet hybrids based on the best of them. The method of multi-tester top-crosses and field tests of experimental sugar beet hybrids were applied. It was found that the parental components of sugar beet significantly differed among themselves in terms of bioethanol yield, the indicators of which ranged from 2.06 to 2.43 t/ha (TCS lines) and 2.23 to 2.73 t/ha (pollinators). The highest energy yield in topcross hybrids of sugar beets was noted in combinations created with the participation of polliniferous samples Iv.24869 (61.5 GJ/ha) and Iv.24845 (58.4 GJ/ha). Their effects of ZKZ were reliably positive and amounted to 6.7 and 4.0 GJ/ha, respectively. Numbers 1233-Jan.3 (2x) and 1183 02024 (2x) were recognized as the best pollinators of sugar beets. In the genotypic structure of variability of the "sugar yield" trait, the total share of the influence of valuable additive gene complexes of sugar beet parental forms (51 %) was almost equal to the share of non-additive interaction of components (49 %). By the method of combinatorial breeding, two new hybrid genotypes of sugar beets, suitable for the production of biofuel from renewable sources, were created, in which the energy yield exceeded the group standard by 10.6 and 12.6 %. Key words: bioenergy, sterile forms, pollinators, sugar beet hybrids, combining ability, energy output.

Diversity of bryophilous fungi in desiccation-tolerance bryophyte plants

Bryophilous fungi associated with two bryophyte species in the region of delta in Tamil Nadu that is, the mosses of Polytrichum commune and Bryum capillare (Ptychostomum capillare) mosses were studied during the winter season. These bryophytes were Desiccation-Tolerance Bryophytes plant (DTB), the ability to lose virtually all free intracellular water and then recover normal function upon rehydration is one of the most remarkable features of bryophytes. Our aims were to identify bryophilous fungi/ endophytic fungi using morphological taxonomy, to explore richness and estimate species frequency in two bryophytes, Polytrichum and Bryum in delta region of Tamil Nadu. We collected two bryophyte samples at old building wall, bricks localities on delta region. We thus identified 32 endophytic fungi species were isolated from these bryophyte plants tissues. In total, 32 endophytic fungal strains belonging to Ascomycetes (04), Coeleomycetes (02), Hyphomycetes (20), sterile forms (02), Yeast like strains (02) and Zygomycetes (02) taxa were obtained. Thus species RPO and diversity index suggest that our study still underestimate endophytes diversity because it does not provide complete samples. These results recommend the presence of a diverse range of fungal species even in a very limited area, and those bryophytes fungal diversity in this Desiccation-Tolerance environment. To our knowledge, this is the first report of endophytic fungi from DT Bryophytes in tropical region.

Soil microbiome disruption reveals specific and general plant-bacterial relationships in three agroecosystem soils.

Soil microbiome disruption methods are regularly used to reduce populations of microbial pathogens, often resulting in increased crop growth. However, little is known about the effect of soil microbiome disruption on non-pathogenic members of the soil microbiome. Here, we applied soil microbiome disruption in the form of moist-heat sterilization (autoclaving) to reduce populations of naturally occurring soil microbiota. The disruption was applied to analyze bacterial community rearrangement mediated by four crops (corn, beet, lettuce, and tomato) grown in three historically distinct agroecosystem soils (conventional, organic, and diseased). Applying the soil disruption enhanced plant influence on rhizosphere bacterial colonization, and significantly different bacterial communities were detected between the tested crops. Furthermore, bacterial genera showed significant abundance increases in ways both unique-to and shared-by each tested crop. As an example, corn uniquely promoted abundances of Pseudomonas and Sporocytophaga, regardless of the disrupted soil in which it was grown. Whereas the promotion of Bosea, Dyadobacter and Luteoliobacter was shared by all four crops when grown in disrupted soils. In summary, soil disruption followed by crop introduction amplified the plant colonization of potential beneficial bacterial genera in the rhizosphere.

Recent advances in sterilization and disinfection technology: A review

Sterilization and disinfection of pollutants and microorganisms have been extensively studied in order to address the problem of environmental contamination, which is a crucial issue for public health and economics. Various form of hazardous materials/pollutants including microorganisms and harmful gases are released into the environment that enter into the human body either through inhalation, adsorption or ingestion. The human death rate rises due to various respiratory ailments, strokes, lung cancer, and heart disorders related with these pollutants. Hence, it is essential to control the environmental pollution by applying economical and effective sterilization and disinfections techniques to save life. In general, numerous forms of traditional physical and chemical sterilization and disinfection treatments, such as dry and moist heat, radiation, filtration, ethylene oxide, ozone, hydrogen peroxide, etc. are known along with advanced techniques. In this review we summarized both advanced and conventional techniques of sterilization and disinfection along with their uses and mode of action. This review gives the knowledge about the advantages, disadvantages of both the methods comparatively. Despite, the effective solution given by the advanced sterilization and disinfection technology, joint technologies of sterilization and disinfection has proven to be more effective innovation to protect the indoor and outdoor environments.

Electron Beam Radiation as a Safe Method for the Sterilization of Aceclofenac and Diclofenac—The Usefulness of EPR and 1H-NMR Methods in Determination of Molecular Structure and Dynamics

Diclofenac (DC) [2-(2,6-Dichloroanilino)phenyl]acetic acid,) and aceclofenac (AC) 2-[2-[2-[(2,6-dichlorophenyl)amino]phenyl]acetyl]oxyacetic acid in substantia were subjected to ionizing radiation in the form of a beam of high-energy electrons from an accelerator in a standard sterilization dose of 25 kGy and higher radiation doses (50–400 kGy). We characterized non-irradiated and irradiated samples of DC and AC by using the following methods: organoleptic analysis (color, form), spectroscopic (IR, NMR, EPR), chromatographic (HPLC), and others (microscopic analysis, capillary melting point measurement, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)). It was found that a absorbed dose of 50 kGy causes a change in the color of AC and DC from white to cream-like, which deepens with increasing radiation dose. No significant changes in the FT-IR spectra were observed, while no additional peaks were observed in the chromatograms, indicating emerging radio-degradation products (25 kGy). The melting point determined by the capillary method was 153.0 °C for AC and 291.0 °C for DC. After irradiation with the dose of 25 kGy for AC, it did not change, for DC it decreased by 0.5 °C, while for the dose of 400 kGy it was 151.0 °C and 286.0 °C for AC and DC, respectively. Both NSAIDs exhibit high radiation stability for typical sterilization doses of 25–50 kGy and are likely to be sterilized with radiation at a dose of 25 kGy. The influence of irradiation on changes in molecular dynamics and structure has been observed by 1H-NMR and EPR studies. This study aimed to determine the radiation stability of DC and AC by spectrophotometric, thermal and chromatographic methods. A standard dose of irradiation (25 kGy) was used to confirm the possibility of using this dose to obtain a sterile form of both NSAIDs. Higher doses of radiation (50–400 kGy) have been performed to explain the changes in DC and AC after sterilization.

Flower Forms and Ploidy Levels Impact Fertility in Althea

Althea (Hibiscus syriacus) is a popular shrub known for its vibrant summer blooms and winterhardiness; however, althea produces capsules with numerous seeds that germinate and cause a nuisance in production and the home landscape. Breeding for sterile forms has long been a goal of Hibiscus breeders, yet many popular “sterile” cultivars have been reported as weedy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate female and male fertility of tetraploid and hexaploid cultivars, and to evaluate the female fertility of pentaploid progeny resulting from 4x × 6x and 6x × 4x crosses. More than 600 self-pollinations were performed on 21 cultivars, yet only 24% of self-pollinations resulted in filled capsules, for an overall rate of four seeds per pollination. Significant differences were observed among taxa for seeds per capsule and seeds per pollination. Highest capsule set was observed on self-pollinated White Chiffon® and Pink Chiffon®. Anecdotally, we observed reduced vigor in the S1 generation of most taxa. However, ‘Woodbridge’ produced vigorous seedlings through the S2 generation. More than 2000 cross-pollinations were also performed, resulting in more than 15,000 seeds. To evaluate female fertility, 28 taxa were pollinated with a variety of male parents. Fertility was measured as seeds per capsule and seeds per pollination. Significant differences were found among taxa within and among flower forms (single, semidouble, and double) for seeds per capsule and seeds per pollination. Double-flowered forms had reduced female fertility. Taxa previously reported to be sterile were found to be fertile, including ‘Aphrodite’, ‘Diana’, ‘Helene’, and ‘Minerva’. Two hexaploids, ‘Pink Giant’ and Raspberry Smoothie™, had reduced female fertility compared with tetraploids. Male fertility was estimated for 20 cultivars by pollinating between one and 23 cultivars. For male fertility, significant differences were found among taxa for seeds per capsule and seeds per pollination; however, no significant differences in male fertility were observed among flower forms. Four taxa had relatively high fertility with more than 10 seeds per capsule and seeds per pollination, including Blue Satin®, Lil’ Kim™, Bali™, and Tahiti™. In addition to the significant differences among female and male fertility of each taxon, capsule set varied widely among individual cross combinations. Significant differences of female fertility were found in pairwise comparisons between almost all pentaploid taxa and the mean of tetraploid control cultivars. No difference in percent seed germination was observed between 4x × 6x and 6x × 4x crosses (45% and 45%, respectively) but both were significantly lower than seeds from open-pollinated tetraploids (89%). The reduced fertility of pentaploids will likely lead to new reduced fertility or sterile cultivars for the nursery industry, especially if combined with double flowers.