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BACKGROUND: To analyse and compare the grading of diabetic retinopathy (DR) severity level using standard 35° ETDRS 7-fields photography and CLARUS™ 500 ultra-widefield imaging system. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis of retinal images of patients with type 2 diabetes (n = 160 eyes) was performed for this study. All patients underwent 7-fields colour fundus photography (CFP) at 35° on a standard Topcon TRC-50DX® camera, and ultra-widefield (UWF) imaging at 200° on a CLARUS™ 500 (ZEISS, Dublin, CA, USA) by an automatic montage of two 133° images (nasal and temporal). 35° 7-fields photographs were graded by two graders, according to the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS). For CLARUS UWF images, a prototype 7-fields grid was applied using the CLARUS review software, and the same ETDRS grading procedures were performed inside that area only. Grading of DR severity level was compared between these two methods to evaluate the agreement between both imaging techniques. RESULTS: Images of 160 eyes from 83 diabetic patients were considered for analysis. According to the 35° ETDRS 7-fields images, 22 eyes were evaluated as DR severity level 10-20, 64 eyes were evaluated as DR level 35, 41 eyes level 43, 21 eyes level 47, 7 eyes level 53, and 5 eyes level 61. The same DR severity level was achieved with CLARUS 500 UWF images in 92 eyes (57%), showing a perfect agreement (k > 0.80) with the 7-fields 35° technique. Fifty-seven eyes (36%) showed a higher DR level with CLARUS UWF images, mostly due to a better visualization of haemorrhages and a higher detection rate of intraretinal microvascular abnormalities (IRMA). Only 11 eyes (7%) showed a lower severity level with the CLARUS UWF system, due to the presence of artifacts or media opacities that precluded the correct evaluation of DR lesions. CONCLUSIONS: UWF CLARUS 500 device showed nearly perfect agreement with standard 35° 7-fields images in all ETDRS severity levels. Moreover, CLARUS images showed an increased ability to detect haemorrhages and IRMA helping with finer evaluation of lesions, thus demonstrating that a UWF photograph can be used to grade ETDRS severity level with a better visualization than the standard 7-fields images. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Approved by the AIBILI - Association for Innovation and Biomedical Research on Light and Image Ethics Committee for Health with number CEC/009/17- EYEMARKER.

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Dietary fiber metabolism by gut microorganisms plays important roles in host physiology and health. Alginate, the major dietary fiber of daily diet seaweeds, is drawing more attention because of multiple biological activities. To advance the understanding of alginate assimilation mechanism in the gut, we show the presence of unsaturated alginate oligosaccharides (uAOS)-specific alginate utilization loci (AUL) in human gut microbiome. As a representative example, a working model of the AUL from the gut microorganism Bacteroides clarus was reconstructed from biochemistry and transcriptome data. The fermentation of resulting monosaccharides through Entner-Doudoroff pathway tunes the metabolism of short-chain fatty acids and amino acids. Furthermore, we show that uAOS feeding protects the mice against dextran sulfate sodium-induced acute colitis probably by remodeling gut microbiota and metabolome. IMPORTANCE: Alginate has been included in traditional Chinese medicine and daily diet for centuries. Recently discovered biological activities suggested that alginate-derived alginate oligosaccharides (AOS) might be an active ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine, but how these AOS are metabolized in the gut and how it affects health need more information. The study on the working mechanism of alginate utilization loci (AUL) by the gut microorganism uncovers the role of unsaturated alginate oligosaccharides (uAOS) assimilation in tuning short-chain fatty acids and amino acids metabolism and demonstrates that uAOS metabolism by gut microorganisms results in a variation of cell metabolites, which potentially contributes to the physiology and health of gut.

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The aim of the present study was to compare the performance of the Opel Panorama 200 and Zeiss Clarus 500 (Carl Zeiss AG) systems in diagnosing retinal fractures. Human subjects were selected from 298 fundus examinations (531 eyes) in ophthalmology from February 2021 to June 2021, including 68 patients with retinal fissures (95 eyes). All fundus tests were performed with Opel Panoramic 200. Zeiss Clarus 500 (Carl Zeiss AG) fundus photography, slit-lamp full retinal lens (Ocular Mainster Wide Field; Ocular Instruments), and retinal laser photocoagulation was performed for all affected eyes. The diagnostic sensitivity of the two examination methods was compared, and their sensitivities for posterior retina, peripheral nose, crystal eye, cataract, positive experiment, and myopia testing were compared. In all, 68 patients (95 eyes) were clinically examined and treated 112 laser times. For retinal fractures, the Opel Panorama 200 used a check sensitivity of 89.5%, and the Clarus 500 check had a sensitivity of 94.7%, with the difference being non-significant (P=0.358). Moreover, Clarus 500 diagnosed the sensitivity of the temporal periphery significantly higher than that of Opel Panorama 200 (P=0.048). Opel Panorama 200 displayed statistically significant sensitivity compared with Clarus 500 diagnosis with crystalline and crystal fewer eyes (P>0.05); Clarus 500 sensitivity for cataract diagnosis (crystal turbidity level 3 and above) was significantly higher than that of Opel Panorama 200 (P=0.033). Opel Panoramic 200 displayed significant sensitivity to ocular myopia and medium to moderate myopia (P>0.05). Clarus 500 diagnosed high myopia with a significantly higher sensitivity than Opel Panorama 200 (P=0.045). Opel Panorama 200 and Zeiss Clarus 500 displayed the same level of sensitivity to retinal fissures, with improved sensitivity in refractive turbidity and for retinal fissures located in the far periphery of the temporal side.

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Organic fertilization and mycorrhization can increase the phytoremediation of copper-contaminated soils. The time of vermicomposting alters the properties of vermicompost, which can affect copper's availability and uptake. Therefore, this study sought to evaluate the effect of different organic fertilizers and mycorrhization on copper-contaminated soil phytoremediation. The soil was contaminated with 100 mg Cu kg-1 dry soil and received mineral fertilizer (MIN), bovine manure (CM), and vermicompost produced in 45 days (V45) or 120 days (V120), all in doses equivalent to 40 mg kg-1 dry soil of phosphorus. Half of the jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis) plants were inoculated with the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Rhizophagus clarus. At plant flowering, the dry mass and concentrations of Cu, Zn, Mn, Ca, Mg, P, and K in the soil, solution, and plant tissue were determined, in addition to mycorrhizal colonization, nodulation, photosynthetic pigments, and oxidative stress enzyme activity. Organic fertilization increased plant growth and copper accumulation in aerial tissues. These effects were more evident with the V120, making it suitable for use in copper phytoextraction. Mycorrhization increased root and nodule dry mass, making it recommended for phytostabilization. C. ensiformis nodulation in Cu-contaminated soils depends on vermicompost fertilization and mycorrhization. Hence, the copper phytoremediation by C. ensiformis is increased by using organic fertilization and mycorrhization.

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PURPOSE: To evaluate differences in acquisition time, peripheral extension, and chromaticity between 3 different commercialized ultra-wide-field (UWF) fundus cameras. METHODS: Patients were prospectively enrolled from 07/2021 to 11/2021. Patients underwent fundus photography with the following scanning protocols: (1) single shot with Silverstone (Optos, California), two-shot montage with Clarus 500 (Carl Zeiss, Dublin, CA), and three-shot montage with iCare EIDON FA with UWF module (CenterVue Spa, a company of iCare Finland Oy; Vantaa, Finland). Acquisition time was calculated as the interval between the beginning and the end of the acquisition. Peripheral extension was quantified as the average ratio between the total retinal pixel area and the optic nerve head (ONH) pixel area. The average chromaticity of all pixels in the red-green-blue (RGB) space was calculated. RESULTS: Twenty-three eyes of 13 prospectively enrolled healthy controls were included in the study. Optos Silverstone had a higher total retina area/ONH area ratio (509.1 [480.9;559.3]) compared to Zeiss Clarus (442.0 [431.9;510.5], p = 0.02) and iCare EIDON (369.7 [345.3;387.8], p < 0.0001). Silverstone demonstrated the shortest acquisition time (median [interquartile range]: 32 [20;58.5] s) compared to Zeiss Clarus (42 [28.5;53.5] s, p = 0.6733) and iCare EIDON (72 [68.5;78] s, p = 0.0003). iCare EIDON demonstrated the lowest variability of acquisition time (9.5 s), compared to Zeiss Clarus (25 s) and Optos Silverstone (38.5 s). A statistically significant difference was found in the RGB distribution between each of the 3 devices (p < 0.001). iCare EIDON demonstrated an average barycenter position (RGB = [0.412, 0.314, 0.275]) that represented the best color balance of the image. Zeiss Clarus had a noticeable red shift at the expense of the blue and green channels (RGB = [0.515, 0.294, 0.191]). Optos Silverstone showed an absence of the blue channel (RGB = [0.621, 0.372, 0.007]) which results in a distortion of the color of the image. CONCLUSION: Optos Silverstone and Zeiss Clarus required less time than iCare EIDON to acquire a comparable size image and captured larger areas of the retina than iCare EIDON. iCare EIDON provided more color-balanced retinal images with greater richness of color content than the other two devices.

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Over 1 million isotretinoin prescriptions are authorized in the United States per year. An insight into the frequency, dose dependency, timing, and reversibility of hair loss associated with isotretinoin treatment for acne vulgaris could help guide dosing regimens and patient counseling. The objective of this systematic review was to assess the frequency of hair loss in patients with acne vulgaris on <0.5 mg/kg/d daily doses of isotretinoin versus the frequency of hair loss in patients with acne vulgaris on ≥0.5 mg/kg/d daily doses of isotretinoin. An Embase and MEDLINE search was conducted on July 15, 2020, in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The review focused on acne vulgaris patients. The treatment of acne vulgaris is the most common use of isotretinoin, and the population is typically younger and with fewer comorbidities. Twenty-two studies reported hair loss with oral isotretinoin treatment. A frequency analysis suggested that patients with acne vulgaris on <0.5 mg/kg/d of isotretinoin experienced hair loss at a frequency of 3.2% (n = 18/565) compared with those on ≥0.5 mg/kg/d, who experienced hair loss at a frequency of 5.7% (n = 192/3375). Inferential statistics were not possible. Physicians should consider counseling patients about the risk of telogen effluvium prior to drug initiation, as is commonly done for other side effects. The potential trend of increased hair loss frequency at a higher daily dosing warrants further investigation using higher-quality research.

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PURPOSE: To explore whether the virtual retina clinic (VRC) has been a useful and safe platform for monitoring retinal diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic and assessing patient satisfaction. METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted for patients with stable retinal diseases in Donostia University Hospital's Ophthalmology Service during the pandemic. All patients were assessed in the VRC with optical coherence tomography of the macula and widefield retinography, plus visual field tests in hydroxychloroquine retinopathy screenings. The VRC´s effectiveness was evaluated with repeat blind assessments and patient satisfaction with an adapted SERVQUAL scale. RESULTS: The most common diseases were diabetic retinopathy (30.3%) and age-related macular degeneration (21.8%). Most patients (74%) were eligible to continue in the VRC, 19.3% were referred to face-to-face (F2F) appointments and 6.6% were discharged. Patients underwent repeat blind assessments in F2F appointments to monitor VRC performance in 23.7% of the cases. The sensitivity to detect disease progression was 100%. The specificity was 80.1%. The VRC took half the time. The patient overall satisfaction rating was 9.8/10. CONCLUSION: The VRC, as an additional platform, supports F2F appointments. Almost three-quarters of patients could continue being safely seen in the VRC. The virtual approach decreases SARS-CoV-2 exposure. Patient satisfaction is very good. TRANSLATIONAL RELEVANCE: The VRC enables us to attend patients safely with decreased SARS-CoV-2 exposure.

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Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass) is an important medicinal and aromatic plant containing citral-rich essential oil, of which the quality and quantity may be affected by nematode infection. Research has shown that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) may act as nematode biocontrol agents and improve the chemical composition of plants. Three experiments were conducted to assess the effects of AMF inoculation on vegetative growth, essential oil composition, induction of defense-related proteins, and control of Pratylenchus brachyurus in C. citratus. Seedlings were transplanted into pots inoculated with one of two AMF species (Rhizophagus clarus or Claroideoglomus etunicatum). At 30 days after AMF inoculation, plants were inoculated with P. brachyurus. Evaluations were performed at 75 days after nematode inoculation. Although both AMF treatments led to effective root colonization (> 84%), fungus inoculation was not effective in reducing P. brachyurus population density. Nevertheless, C. etunicatum promoted an increase in shoot weight, and AMF treatments contributed to preserving essential oil composition in nematode-infected plants. In addition, both AMF treatments enhanced polyphenol oxidase activity and R. clarus increased peroxidase activity after nematode inoculation.

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PURPOSE: To compare the relative number of retinal pixels and retinal area imaged using the Optos P200DTx (Optos PLC) and Zeiss Clarus 500 (Carl Zeiss Meditec AG) ultra-widefield (UWF) fundus cameras. DESIGN: Single-center retrospective cross-sectional analysis. PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-eight eyes of 46 patients. METHODS: Eyes were imaged with Optos P200DTx, single-capture, and Zeiss Clarus 500, 2 capture montages when possible, UWF fundus cameras. Relative number of pixels encompassing all foveal-centered retinal quadrants were measured. Retinal area was measured with Zeiss Clarus 500 images that were registered to the Optos P200DTx images. Patients and technicians were asked for preferences between the machines. Imaging session times were recorded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Relative number of retinal pixels and retina area captured by each fundus camera. RESULTS: Optos P200DTx consistently captured more relative pixels compared with Zeiss Clarus 500: 510.4 versus 355.6 (P < 0.001) in total with a similarly statistically significant trend in all 4 quadrants (P < 0.001 for each). For area calculation, 70 of the 78 images achieved successful registration. Optos captured a larger total retinal area: 765.6 versus 566.5 mm2 (P < 0.001) with a similarly statistically significant trend in all 4 quadrants. In the subset of 52 of 70 registered and montaged Zeiss Clarus 500 images, similar results were found. For peripheral pathologic features, Optos P200DTx captured unique findings in 28 images, and Zeiss Clarus 500 captured unique findings 1 image (P < 0.001). Among the 48 imaging sessions in which technicians preferred Optos P200DTx for 28 sessions (58%) and Zeiss Clarus 500 for 20 (42%; P = 0.15). Among patients who responded with a preference, 24 preferred Optos P200DTx and 20 preferred Zeiss Clarus 500 (P = 0.52). Average imaging session time was 4.6 minutes (standard deviation, 3.0 minutes) for Optos P200DTx and 5.2 minutes (standard deviation, 3.0 minutes) for Zeiss Clarus 500 (P = 0.17). CONCLUSIONS: In the current study, the Optos P200DTx captured statistically significantly more retinal area in all 4 quadrants compared with the Zeiss Clarus 500. No statistically significant difference was found in patient or technician preference or image acquisition time between devices.

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AIM: To compare the sensitivity of Optomap Panoramic 200 and Clarus 500 in detecting peripheral retinal breaks that required treatment. METHODS: This prospective study enrolled consecutive patients undergoing laser for treatment-requiring peripheral retinal breaks from May 2019 to July 2019. The patients first underwent indirect ophthalmoscopy examination with scleral indentation by a retinal consultant and then ultra-widefield imaging by a single trained technician on Optomap 200 and Clarus 500 in all nine ocular gazes. The images were analysed by two independent investigators to look for the number and location of the breaks. The sensitivity of each platform was calculated as the number of treatment-requiring breaks identified by the system divided by the number of breaks identified on clinical examination. RESULTS: Clinical examination of 49 eyes (41 patients) showed 116 treatment-requiring breaks. Overall sensitivity for identifying such breaks for Optomap and Clarus was 80.2% (n = 93) and 74.1% (n = 86) respectively (p = 0.274). The sensitivities in superior (p = 0.665), temporal (p = 0.146) and inferior (p = 0.889) quadrants were statistically similar for both the platforms. The sensitivity of Optomap was slightly higher than Clarus in emmetropic (p = 0.046) and phakic (p = 0.061) eyes, but similar in myopic (p = 0.448) and pseudophakic (p = 0.191) eyes. CONCLUSION: The ability to detect treatment-requiring retinal breaks is similar for both Optomap and Clarus systems.

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Terrestrial plants establish symbiosis with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) to exchange water and nutrients. However, the extent to which soil biodiversity influences such association remains still unclear. Here, we manipulated the soil microbial diversity using a "dilution-to-extinction" approach in a controlled pot microcosm system and quantified the root length colonization of maize plants by the AMF Rhizophagus clarus. The experiment was performed by manipulating the soil microbiome within a native and foreign soil having distinct physicochemical properties. Overall, our data revealed significant positive correlations between the soil microbial diversity and AMF colonization. Most importantly, this finding opposes the diversity-invasibility hypothesis and highlights for a potential overall helper effect of the soil biodiversity on plant-AMF symbiosis.

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Gram-positive, spore-forming members of the Bacillus cereus group species complex are widespread in natural environments and display various degrees of pathogenicity. Recently, B. cereus group strain Bacillus mycoides Flugge ATCC 21929 was found to represent a novel lineage within the species complex, sharing a relatively low degree of genomic similarity with all B. cereus group genomes (average nucleotide identity [ANI] < 88). ATCC 21929 has been previously associated with the production of a patented antibiotic, antibiotic 60-6 (i.e., cerexin A); however, the virulence potential and growth characteristics of this lineage have never been assessed. Here, we provide an extensive genomic and phenotypic characterization of ATCC 21929, and we assess its pathogenic potential in vitro. ATCC 21929 most closely resembles Bacillus paramycoides NH24A2T (ANI and in silico DNA-DNA hybridization values of 86.70 and 34.10%, respectively). Phenotypically, ATCC 21929 does not possess cytochrome c oxidase activity and is able to grow at a range of temperatures between 15 and 43°C and a range of pH between 6 and 9. At 32°C, ATCC 21929 shows weak production of diarrheal enterotoxin hemolysin BL (Hbl) but no production of nonhemolytic enterotoxin (Nhe); at 37°C, neither Hbl nor Nhe is produced. Additionally, at 37°C, ATCC 21929 does not exhibit cytotoxic effects toward HeLa cells. With regard to fatty acid composition, ATCC 21929 has iso-C17:0 present in highest abundance. Based on the characterization provided here, ATCC 21929T (= PS00077AT = PS00077BT = PSU-0922T = BHPT) represents a novel effective B. cereus group species, which we propose as effective species "Bacillus clarus"IMPORTANCE The B. cereus group comprises numerous closely related lineages with various degrees of pathogenic potential and industrial relevance. Species-level taxonomic classification of B. cereus group strains is important for risk evaluation and communication but remains challenging. Biochemical and phenotypic assays are often used to assign B. cereus group strains to species but are insufficient for accurate taxonomic classification on a genomic scale. Here, we show that antibiotic-producing ATCC 21929 represents a novel lineage within the B. cereus group that, by all metrics used to delineate prokaryotic species, exemplifies a novel effective species. Furthermore, we show that ATCC 21929 is incapable of producing enterotoxins Hbl and Nhe or exhibiting cytotoxic effects on HeLa cells at human body temperature in vitro These results provide greater insight into the genomic and phenotypic diversity of the B. cereus group and may be leveraged to inform future public health and food safety efforts.

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The purpose of study was to examine the residual effects of two types of biochar amendments, two phosphorus (P) fertilizer levels, phosphorus solubilizing bacteria (PSB) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungs (AMF) on plant growth, nutrients absorption and root architecture of Zea mays L. in texturally different soils. Biochar signficantly increased nutrients absorption and plant biomass production with P-fertilization and microbial inoculantion. Texturally different soils enhanced the plant biomass and nutrients absorption in their independent capacity on addition of biochar, microbial inoculants and P-fertilization. It was shown that mycorrhizal inoculation had positive influence on plant root and shoot biomass in both soils irrespective to the biochar type used. Root colonization was notably increased in biochar + mycorrhizae (B + M) inocultaed plants. It was shown that mycorrhizal inoculation had positive influence on nutrients absorption by plant roots and it had high content of P, potassium, calcium and magnesium in plants at all biochar and P levels. Without P fertilization, biochar amendments significantly promoted shoot P content and root colonization. The P application significantly influenced soil microbial activity in terms of nutrient concentration and plant growth. Root attributes were significantly inclined by microbial inoculation. Residual effects of biochar and P significantly enhanced the nutreints absorption and maize plant growth. Thus, we concluded that residual biochar and P fertilizer showed positive effects on nutrients absorption and maize plant growth promotion in differently textured soils. Microbial inoculants further stimulated the plant biomass production and nutrients absorption due to effective root colonization.

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Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have been used to promote numerous benefits to plants. In this study, we evaluated the symbiosis between AMF species (Rhizophagus clarus, Claroideoglomus etunicatum) and Piper nigrum L. 'Bragantina'. Volatile compounds, lipoxygenase (LOX) and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activities, and total phenolic content were monitored from 1 to 60 days post-inoculation (dpi). Hyphae, arbuscles, and vesicles were observed during the root colonization. In the leaves, AMF induced an increase of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (54.0%-79.0%) and a decrease of oxygenated sesquiterpenes (41.3%-14.5%) at 7 dpi and 60 dpi (41.8%-21.5%), respectively. Cubenol, the main volatile compound of leaves, showed a significant decrease at 7 dpi (21.5%-0.28%) and 45 dpi (20.4%-18.42%). ß-caryophyllene, the major volatile compound of the roots, displayed a significant reduction at 45 dpi (30.0%-20.0%). LOX increased in the roots at 21, 30, and 60 dpi. PAL was higher in leaves during all periods, except at 60 dpi, and increased at 21 and 45 dpi in the roots. The total phenolic content showed a significant increase only in the roots at 30 dpi. The results suggested that AMF provided changes in the secondary metabolism of P. nigrum, inducing its resistance.

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Cadmium (Cd) toxicity in agricultural crops is a widespread problem. Little is known about biochar and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) effect on Cd concentration in maize plant either applied separately or in combination. Current study was performed to demonstrate effects of biochar and Rhizophagus clarus on plant growth, photosynthesis activity, nutrients (P, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, and Mn), and Cd concentration in maize grown in Cd-spiked soil. The alkaline soil was spiked by Cd factor at three levels: 0 (Cd 0), 5 (Cd 5), and 10 (Cd 10) mg/kg; biochar factor at two levels: 0 and 1%; and mycorrhizal inoculum factor at two levels: MF0 and MF1 (R. clraus). Plants were harvested after 70 days of seed germination, and various morphological and physiological parameters, as well as elemental concentration and root colonization, were recorded. Addition of biochar increased plant biomass by 21% (Cd 5) and 93% (Cd 10), MF1 enhanced by 53% (Cd 0) and 69% (Cd 10), while biochar + MF1 enhanced dry plant biomass by 70% (Cd 0) and 94% (Cd 10). Results showed maximum increase of 94% (Cd 10) in plant biomass was observed in Cd-spiked soil. Root colonization decreased proportionally by increasing Cd concentration and at Cd 10, colonization was 36.7% and 31.7% for MF1 and biochar + MF1 treatments, respectively. Besides that, addition of biochar enhanced root attributes (root length, volume, and surface area) by 34-58% compared to control in Cd 10. The MF1 increased these attributes by 11-78% while biochar + MF1 enhanced by 32-61% in Cd-spiked soil. However, biochar + MF1 neutralized Cd stress in maize plant for gaseous attributes (assimilation rate, transpiration rate, intercellular CO2, and stomatal conductance). The MF1 enhanced Cd concentration in plant as it was 3.32 mg/kg in Cd 5 and 6.73 mg/kg in Cd 10 treatments while addition of biochar phytostabilized Cd and reduced its concentration in plants by 2.0 mg/kg in Cd 5 and 4.27 mg/kg in Cd 10. The biochar + MF1 had 2.9 mg/kg and 4.8 mg/kg Cd concentration in Cd 5 and Cd 10 plants, respectively. Phosphorus concentration was augmented in shoots (up to 26%) and roots (up to 20%) of maize plant in biochar-amended soil than control plants. In biochar + MF1, concentration of P was 1.01% and 0.73% in Cd 5 and Cd 10, respectively. It is concluded that biochar + MF1 treatment enhances plant biomass while addition of sole biochar reduced Cd uptake, slightly indifferent to earlier treatment.

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BACKGROUND: During an emergency endotracheal intubation, rapid sequence induction intubation (RSII) with cricoid pressure (CP) is frequently implemented to prevent aspiration pneumonia. We evaluated the CVS in endotracheal intubation in RSII with CP, in comparison with a direct laryngoscope (DL). METHODS: One hundred fifty patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups: the CVS as a video stylet (CVS-V) group, the CVS as a lightwand (CVS-L) group and DL group. Primary outcomes were to assess the power of the CVS, compared with DL, regarding the first attempt success rate and intubation time in simulated RSII with CP. Secondary outcomes were to examine hemodynamic stress response and the incidence of complications. RESULTS: The first attempt success rates within 30 s and within 60 s were higher in CVS-V and DL group than those in CVS-L group (p = 0.006 and 0.037, respectively). The intergroup difference for intubation success rate within 30 s was nonsignificant and almost all the patients were successfully intubated within 60 s (98% for CVS-L and DL group, 96% for CVS-L group). Kaplan-Meier estimator demonstrated the median intubation time was 10.6 s [95% CI, 7.5 to 13.7] in CVS-V group, 14.6 s [95% CI, 11.1 to 18.0] in CVS-L group and 16.5 s [95% CI, 15.7 to 17.3] in DL group (p = 0.023 by the log-rank test). However, the difference was nonsignificant after Sidak's adjustment. The intergroup differences for hemodynamic stress response, sore throat and mucosa injury incidence were also nonsignificant. CONCLUSIONS: The CVS-D and DL provide a higher first attempt intubation success rate within 30 and 60 s in intubation with CP; the intubation time for the CVS-V was nonsignificantly shorter than that for the other two intubation methods. Almost all the patients can be successfully intubated with any of the three intubation methods within 60 s. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03841890 , registered on February 15, 2019 (retrospectively registered).

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Land area planted with genetically modified (GM) crops has grown rapidly, and Brazil has the second largest area with those plants. There is, however, limited information on the possible effects of that technology on non-target organisms, especially root symbionts, such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). We evaluated AMF symbiosis development in five maize genotypes: one landrace, two conventional hybrids (DKB 240 and Formula), and two GM hybrids (DKB 240-VT Pro and Formula TL). We evaluated symbiosis response in two separate experiments: one in autumn and the other in summer. Plants were inoculated with Rhizophagus clarus (Rc) and Gigaspora margarita (Gm) and compared to plants without inoculation. We evaluated root colonization, spore number, and plant biomass and phosphorous accumulation 30 and 60 days after inoculation. There were no consistent effects of GM crops, but AMF species and maize genotype affected symbiosis development. Formula genotype (isoline and GM) had a negative response to inoculation, with a decrease of around 30% in biomass and P concentration in Rc-inoculated plants. The maize landrace had a positive response, with increases of 17% and 14% in the same variables. DKB genotype (isoline and GM) showed negative, positive, and neutral effects. The results show that plant genetic identity is a determinant factor in symbiosis performance, suggesting that plants selected in low P availability can make better use of mycorrhizal symbiosis. Given the role that AMF play in different ecosystem processes, use of landrace maize may contribute to agrobiodiversity conservation.

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BACKGROUND: Wide-field imaging plays an increasingly important role in ocular oncology clinics. The purpose of this review is to describe the commonly used wide-field imaging devices and review conditions seen in ocular oncology clinic that underwent wide-field imaging as part of the multimodal evaluation. SUMMARY OF REVIEW: Wide-field or wide-angle imaging is defined as greater than 50° field of view. Modern devices can reach far beyond this reporting fields of view up to 267°, when utilizing montage features, with increasingly impressive resolution. Wide-field imaging modalities include fundus photography, fluorescein angiography (FA), fundus autofluorescence (FAF), indocyanine angiography (ICG), spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), and recently wide-field OCT Angiography (OCTA). These imaging modalities are increasingly prevalent in practice. The wide-field systems include laser, optical, and lens based systems that are contact or non-contact lens systems each with its own benefits and drawbacks. The purpose of this review is to discuss commonly used wide-field imaging modalities for retinal and choroidal tumors and demonstrate the use of various widefield imaging modalities in select ocular oncology cases. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical examination remains the gold standard for the evaluation of choroidal and retinal tumors. Wide-field imaging plays an important role in ocular oncology for initial documentation, surgical planning, determining the relationship of the tumor to adjacent ocular structures, following tumor size after treatment, and monitoring for recurrence.

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Effect of silicon (Si) on the response of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa var. Parus) plants to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) was studied under growth chamber conditions. Plants were grown in perlite irrigated with nutrient solution without (- Si) or with (+ Si) 3 mmol L-1 Si (~ 84 mg L-1 Si as Na2SiO3) in the absence (- AMF) or presence (+ AMF) of fungus. Dry matter production, root colonization rate, photosynthesis rate and water relation parameters were all improved by both Si and AMF, and the highest amounts were achieved by + Si + AMF treatment. Mycorrhizal effectiveness increased by Si treatment associated with higher Si concentration in the + AMF plants. Leaf concentrations of total soluble and cell wall-bound phenolics were increased by Si accompanied by the enhanced activity of phenylalanine ammonia lyase, but not polyphenol oxidase. Profile of phenolics compound revealed that gallic acid, caffeic acid, epicatechin, chlorogenic acid, ellagic acid and kaempferol increased by both Si and AMF treatments, while p-coumaric acid decreased. In addition to vegetative growth, both treatments improved fruit yield and its quality parameters. Our results showed that Si and AMF acted in a synergistic manner and improved growth and biochemical parameters in strawberry plants. However, the mechanism for Si-mediated increase of mycorrhizal effectiveness is not known, thereby needing further elucidation.