Artificial light impacts the physical and nutritional quality of lettuce plants

Daymi Camejo,Antonio Frutos,Teresa C. Mestre,María del Carmen Piñero,Rosa M. Rivero,Vicente Martínez 한국원예학회 2020 Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology Vol.61 No.1

Leafy vegetables, including lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), are considered to be healthy due to their high content of fiber, folate, carotenoids, phenolic and antioxidant compounds, minerals, and vitamins A, C, and K. Recently, LEDs are being used extensively as a supplementary light source in indoor agriculture due to the economical and physiological advantages that this artificial illumination offers compared to traditional fluorescence illumination. In this work, two commercially important lettuce varieties, Batavia Lettony (green leaves) and Batavia Diablotin (red leaves), were used to study the impact of LEDs (white and red–blue lights) and fluorescent illumination on their quality and health properties. Changes in the photosynthetic photon flux density from 250 to 400 µmol m−2 s−1 of fluorescent light increased growth parameters (leaf number, fresh and dry weight, and percentage of dry matter) of B. Lettony plants. We observed a positive impact of red–blue LED illumination on growth parameters analyzed in B. Diablotin plants compared to plants grown under fluorescent light at 250 µmol m−2 s−1. Leaf texture significantly increased in B. Lettony plants grown under 400 µmol m−2 s−1 fluorescent and LED illumination compared to that of plants grown under 250 µmol m−2 s−1 fluorescent light. This variable was only increased under red–blue LED illumination in B. Diablotin plants. Accumulation of bioactive compounds, such as anthocyanins and vitamin C, was higher in B. Diablotin plants grown under 250 µmol m−2 s−1 fluorescent light. Nutrient content in the foliar part was not modified under the light conditions used, except the Ca2+ content of B. Lettony plants grown under PPFD 400 µmol m−2 s−1 fluorescent light. Catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POX) activities were differentially modified by light conditions in B. Lettony plants. However, POX activity was only modified in response to light conditions in B. Diablotin plants. Thus, this study demonstrates that LEDs could be used as an alternative to produce food under sustainable conditions. In this sense, although several horticultural studies have been conducted to establish the effectiveness of LEDs in lettuce growth, additional investigations are necessary to determine the optimal conditions for the use of LEDs to promote lettuce production and the accumulation of beneficial components, such as vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidant compounds.

Mutation Detection of E6 and LCR Genes from HPV 16 Associated with Carcinogenesis

Mosmann, Jessica P.,Monetti, Marina S.,Frutos, Maria C.,Kiguen, Ana X.,Venezuela, Raul F.,Cuffini, Cecilia G. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.3

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is responsible for one of the most frequent sexually transmitted infections. The first phylogenetic analysis was based on a LCR region fragment. Nowadays, 4 variants are known: African (Af-1, Af-2), Asian-American (AA) and European (E). However the existence of sub-lineages of the European variant havs been proposed, specific mutations in the E6 and LCR sequences being possibly related to persistent viral infections. The aim of this study was a phylogenetic study of HPV16 sequences of endocervical samples from C${\acute{o}}$rdoba, in order to detect the circulating lineages and analyze the presence of mutations that could be correlated with malignant disease. The phylogenetic analysis determined that 86% of the samples belonged to the E variant, 7% to AF-1 and the remaining 7% to AF-2. The most frequent mutation in LCR sequences was G7521A, in 80% of the analyzed samples; it affects the binding site of a transcription factor that could contribute to carcinogenesis. In the E6 sequences, the most common mutation was T350G (L83V), detected in 67% of the samples, associated with increased risk of persistent infection. The high detection rate of the European lineage correlated with patterns of human migration. This study emphasizes the importance of recognizing circulating lineages, as well as the detection of mutations associated with high-grade neoplastic lesions that could be correlated to the development of carcinogenic lesions.

Susceptibility Distribution to Essential Oils of Salmonella enterica Strains Involved in Animal and Public Health and Comparison of the Typhimurium and Enteritidis Serotypes

Ana Lucıa Solarte,Rafael Jesus Astorga,Fabiana Carolina de Aguiar,Cristina De Frutos,Belen Barrero-Domınguez,Belen Huerta 한국식품영양과학회 2018 Journal of medicinal food Vol.21 No.9

To determine the distribution of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of essential oils (EOs) of cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), clove (Eugenia caryophyllata), oregano (Origanum vulgare), common thyme (Thymus vulgaris), and red thyme (Thymus zygis) against Salmonella enterica, double serial dilutions of each EO were challenged with 85 Salmonella strains belonging to 23 serotypes of animal origin. The results showed the bactericidal character of the EOs tested against S. enterica, highlighting the oregano with MIC50 and MBC50 of 3.12 × 10−4 g/mL, and MIC90 and MBC90 of 6.25 × 10−4 g/mL. When comparing the Salmonella Typhimurium and Salmonella Enteritidis serotypes susceptibility, we observed a significantly higher sensitivity of Typhimurium to clove and Enteritidis to cinnamon. In addition, Typhimurium isolates with significantly higher MIC and MBC values for all the EOs tested were found, suggesting the existence of a possible resistance profile. The results of this study provide relevant data for the potential of EOs as antibacterials, although they highlight the need to continue bacterial sensitivity distribution studies and consider the differences detected for future in vivo studies.

Knowledge of the General Community in Cordoba, Argentina, on Human Papilloma Virus Infection and its Prevention

Venezuela, Raul Fernando,Monetti, Marina Soledad,Kiguen, Ana Ximena,Frutos, Maria Celia,Mosmann, Jessica Paola,Cuffini, Cecilia Gabriela Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.5

Background: Most studies of human papilloma virus (HPV) are aimed at the natural history of the infection and its relation to cancer; however, there are few studies to assess knowledge of the general population. Our aim was analyze the degree of knowledge of Argentinians about HPV infection and its prevention. Materials and Methods: We conducted a voluntary, anonymous and non-binding survey with 27 multiple-choice items, in twelve private and public establishments, selected to include a broad population in terms of education, age and gender. The survey consisted of three sections: individual characteristics of the volunteer, HPV infection basic knowledge, its prevention and the virus relationship with other cancers. Results: One thousand two hundred ninety seven volunteers aged 18 to 80 participated. The total number of correct answers was 45.1%. The correct answers for relationship HPV and cervical cancer was 62.1%. Almost 55% did not know about types of HPV that the vaccines for protection. Statistical analysis showed that women, single people, workers, the better educated, those who have had a STDs or HPV and receiving information through medical or educational establishments had greater knowledge of the topic. Only 0.2% of participants answered all questions correctly. Conclusions: Knowledge plays an important role in health care and the deficiency found in our population could influence the success of the measures taken in the fight against cervical cancer. In this regard, we believe it would be appropriate, not only to emphasize early diagnosis and vaccine implementation, but also incorporate new communication strategies, facilitating reception of accurate and precise information by all strata of society.

Assessment of Persistence of Cry1ac Protein from BT Spray in Soil: Comparison of Field and Controlled Laboratory Applications

Hung Truong Phuc,Truong Le Van,Ngo Dinh Binh,Roger Frutos,Herve Quiquampoix,Siobhan Staunton 한국토양비료학회 2014 한국토양비료학회 학술발표회 초록집 Vol.2014 No.6