Environmental isolation, biochemical identification, and antifungal drug susceptibility of Cryptococcus species

Introduction The incidence of opportunistic fungal infections has increased in recent years and is considered an important public health problem. Among systemic and opportunistic mycoses, cryptococcosis is distinguished by its clinical importance due to the increased risk of infection in individuals infected by human immunodeficiency virus. Methods To determine the occurrence of pathogenic Cryptococcus in pigeon excrement in the City of Araraquara, samples were collected from nine environments, including state and municipal schools, abandoned buildings, parks, and a hospital. The isolates were identified using classical tests, and susceptibility testing for the antifungal drugs (fluconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, and amphotericin B) independently was also performed. After collection, the excrement samples were plated on Niger agar and incubated at room temperature. Results A total of 87 bird dropping samples were collected, and 66.6% were positive for the genus Cryptococcus. The following species were identified: Cryptococcus neoformans (17.2%), Cryptococcus gattii (5.2%), Cryptococcus ater (3.5%), Cryptococcus laurentti (1.7%), and Cryptococcus luteolus (1.7%). A total of 70.7% of the isolates were not identified to the species level and are referred to as Cryptococcus spp. throughout the manuscript. Conclusions Although none of the isolates demonstrated resistance to antifungal drugs, the identification of infested areas, the proper control of birds, and the disinfection of these environments are essential for the epidemiological control of cryptococcosis.

Influence of the sample area in the variability of losses in the mechanical harvesting of soybeans

The mechanical harvesting is an important stage in the production process of soybeans and, in this process; the loss of a significant number of grains is common. Despite the existence of mechanisms to monitor these losses, it is still essential to use sampling methods to quantify them. Assuming that the size of the sample area affects the reliability and variability between samples in quantifying losses, this paper aimed to analyze the variability and feasibility of using different sizes of sample area (1, 2 and 3 m²) in quantifying losses in the mechanical harvesting of soybeans. Were sampled 36 sites and the cutting losses, losses by other mechanisms of the combine and total losses were evaluated, as well as the water content in seeds, straw distribution and crop productivity. Data were subjected to statistical analysis (descriptive statistics and analysis of variance) and Statistical Control Process (SCP). The coefficients of variation were similar for the three frames available. Combine losses showed stable behavior, whereas cutting losses and total losses showed unstable behavior. The frame size did not affect the quantification and variability of losses in the mechanical harvesting of soybeans, thus a frame of 1 m² can be used for determining losses.

Desgaste das facas do corte basal na qualidade da colheita mecanizada de cana-de-açúcar

During the sugarcane mechanized harvester process, the wear of base cutting knives is directly correlated to the quality of the cut made by the machines, and the use of quality control tools important in monitoring this process. Thus, the present study in Ribeirão Preto region aimed to assess the knives cut baseline and damage caused to wear brass knuckles in mechanized harvesting of cane raw sugar, from the viewpoint of statistical quality control (SQC). The wear of the knives was quantified by mass loss and its dimensions, while cutting quality was assessed by cutting height and damage to stumps visually classified according to the level of damage caused. The results showed that the wear of the knives was more pronounced in certain periods of use, but still within control standards. The cutting height was not affected by the wear of the knives, keeping within the limits of desirable quality for operation. Eventually damage the stumps ranged among themselves depending on each face of the cutting knives evaluated, and the predominance of certain classes of damage in each cutting face, but always remained in statistical control.

Plantas medicinais abortivas utilizadas por mulheres de UBS: etnofarmacologia e análises cromatográficas por CCD e CLAE

The use of medicinal plants corresponds to an ancient practice, either as an alternative medicine for the cure of several diseases, or as a method of abortion. Nevertheless, the population in general does not know the risks involved in the use of medicinal plants. In this sense, the purpose of the study was to evaluate the consumption rate of medicinal plants by women in a Basic Health Unit (BHU), on order to identify which plant species have been most frequently consumed by them, including during the pregnancy. Through an exploratory questionnaire with 48 women, it was observed that most part of the interviewees had children and the most of them cited Peumus boldus, Baccharis trimera and Cassia angustifolia, which were mainly used for stomach aches or digestives (53%), for colds (23%), menstrual cramps (4%) or to menstruate (2%). The remaining part of the study consisted in the visual and chemical analysis of the plant species cited by the interviewees, including other species that have been popularly used as a method of abortion. Comparative visual analysis of medicinal plants (Group A-C) from four different shops showed the absence of quality control concerning packing specifications and the separation of the plant material to be consumed. The analysis of the chemical profiles of these samples by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) indicated that those species belonging to the Group C were significantly different from those plants having the same identification, except for Peumus boldus, whose samples were similar in terms of chemical composition.

Produtividade de arroz de terras altas em função de reguladores de crescimento

The use of sprinkler-irrigation and/or high levels of fertilization in upland rice can increase plant height and hence plant lodging. Lodging can be controlled by using growth regulators, in order to reduce plant height. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of plant growth regulators applied at the stage of panicle primordium differentiation on the reduction of plant height and the impact on grain yield and its components of upland rice cultivar Primavera, under sprinkler irrigation. The experiment was arranged in a 3x4 factorial randomized blocks design with four replications. Treatments consisted of: mepiquat chloride and trinexapac-ethil applied at doses 9, 50, 100, and 200 mg a.i. ha-1, and paclobutrazol at doses of 0, 25, 50, and 100 mg a.i. ha-1. Plant growth regulators reduced rice plant height; increasing doses of regulators reduced upland rice grain yield and its components; trinexapac-ethyl was the most harmful to rice grain yield.In this study, it was not identified the dose of growth regulator that allied reduction in plant height and did not cause decrease in rice yield.

Avaliação longitudinal do crescimento craniofacial de indivíduos classe II tratados e não tratados

Pós-graduação em Ciências Odontológicas - FOAR

Isolamento e seleção de fungos filamentosos termofílicos/termotolerantes produtores de celulases e xilanases e aplicação dos extratos enzimáticos na sacarificação do bagaço de cana-de-açúcar

Pós-graduação em Microbiologia - IBILCE

Scale morphology of Prochilodus lineatus with emphasis on the scale epithelium

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Espacialização do banco de sementes de plantas daninhas sob diferentes manejos de cana-de-açúcar em Rio Brilhante, Mato Grosso do Sul

The State of Mato Grosso do Sul is in full growth of this sector, thus the concern about harvesting systems are being studied, and these systems may influence the weed community interference of weeds in the cane sugar. The integrated management tool attached to geostatistics is to avoid productivity losses due to weed interference. The objective of this work was to study the spatial variability of the seed bank of weeds depending on the system for collecting cane sugar (raw and burning). The experiment was conducted in the area of commercial cultivation of the plant ETH Bioenergy S/A Eldorado Unity. Soil samples were taken with auger layer from 0.00 to 0.40 m depth in both cropping systems. The experimental plot was composed by a mesh consisting of 50 points georeferenced with irregular distances. Soil samples were taken to the greenhouse for germination. The number of weed species was analyzed using descriptive statistics and geostatistical techniques. The seeds of B. pilosa, dicots, bitter grass, nutsedge, dayflower monocots and spatial dependence of the seed bank in the collection system with burning of cane sugar. For the system of harvest only the raw sedge species present spatial dependence of distribution in the seed bank. In the harvest green cane enable the mapping of these species through the kriging maps produced, spot applications of herbicides in integrated management of Cyperus rotundus.

Leaching potential and residual effect of amicarbazone in soils of contrasting texture

The infestation of weeds is a major biotic factor in the agroecosystem of cane sugar that may interfere in development and crop productivity. This study aimed to evaluate the potential for leaching and residual effects of the herbicide amicarbazone in contrasting soils. Samples were Quartzarenic Neosol (NR - sandy texture) and Red Latosol (LR - clay texture). For the leaching potential, after application of herbicide amicarbazone (NR 1.05 kg ha(-1) and LR 1.40 kg ha(-1)), layers of 0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 mm of water were applied to soil columns. We evaluated the residual effect after the permanence of the herbicide in soil of clay texture and sandy for periods of 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 days after application (DAA) of amicarbazone (0, 1.05, 1.40 kg ha(-1)) treatments. The amicarbazone started showing high leaching from the 60 mm layer of water in sandy texture soils, evidencing a shorter residual effect. In clay soil, slides from 20 to 80 mm of water reduced the biomass until a depth of 5-10 cm, with the use of this herbicide. Based on these results, we conclude that the amicarbazone showed higher leaching and lower residual effects in sandy soil. The residual effect of amicarbazone was prolonged as the content of clay and organic matter present in the soil increased.

microRNA156-targeted SPL/ SBP box transcription factors regulate tomato ovary and fruit development

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Highlights in pathogenic fungal biofilms

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Adubação com KCl revestido na cultura do milho no Cerrado

The use of coated potassium chloride can provide greater absorption of potassium resulting in the alteration of leaf contents, production components and grain yield. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of potassium doses using potassium chloride conventional or coated by polymer, in the corn crop under conditions of brazilian Savanna with low altitude. The experiment was conducted in Selviria, MS, Brazil, in a clayey Oxisol. The treatments consisted of four doses of K2O (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg ha(-1)), applied at sowing, and two sources: potassium chloride and potassium chloride coated by polymers. A randomized block design with eight treatments and four replications was used. The coated KCl is not efficient under the soil and climatic conditions studied, because it provided results similar to the conventional KCl for the K foliar content, crop components and grain yield of irrigated corn. The increment of K2O doses influenced positively the K and chlorophyll leaf contents, plant and spike insertion height and the number of rows and grains per spike. The maximum mean yield obtained was with 83.5 kg ha(-1) of K2O.

Vitamin D Induces Increased Systolic Arterial Pressure via Vascular Reactivity and Mechanical Properties

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Hypothermia and Early Neonatal Mortality in Preterm Infants

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)