Nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems for treatment of hyperproliferative skin diseases - a review

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

Anti-Candida properties of urauchimycins from actinobacteria associated with Trachymyrmex ants

After decades of intensive searching for antimicrobial compounds derived from actinobacteria, the frequency of isolation of new molecules has decreased. To cope with this concern, studies have focused on the exploitation of actinobacteria from unexplored environments and actinobacteria symbionts of plants and animals. In this study, twenty-four actinobacteria strains isolated from workers of Trachymyrmex ants were evaluated for antifungal activity towards a variety of Candida species. Results revealed that seven strains inhibited the tested Candida species. Streptomyces sp. TD025 presented potent and broad spectrum of inhibition of Candida and was selected for the isolation of bioactive molecules. From liquid shake culture of this bacterium, we isolated the rare antimycin urauchimycins A and B. For the first time, these molecules were evaluated for antifungal activity against medically important Candida species. Both antimycins showed antifungal activity, especially urauchimycin B. This compound inhibited the growth of all Candida species tested, with minimum inhibitory concentration values equivalent to the antifungal nystatin. Our results concur with the predictions that the attine ant-microbe symbiosis may be a source of bioactive metabolites for biotechnology and medical applications. © 2013 Thais D. Mendes et al.

Effect of reduced fungicide doses on control of soybean Asian rust and bean yield

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Aplicação do hipoclorito de sódio na nutrição da soja e do feijão

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Avaliação da mutagenicidade, antimutagenicidade e estrogenicidade de Byrsonima spp

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Standardized plant extract, method for preparing an extract from plants of the Sclerolobium Genus, cosmetic composition, pharmaceutical composition and use of said extract

Extracts of plants of the Sclerolobium genus are disclosed, as well as methods for preparing same and cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations containing these extracts. These extracts can be obtained by polar and/or apolar extraction, each fraction containing different anti-oxidants, all of which are useful for topical treatment. Also disclosed is the use of this extract in cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations for topical use.

Portable meters for nutritional assessment in plants of gerbera fertigated with electrical conductivity levels

Rapid tests to assess the nutritional status of plants gerbera can make easier the decision of any adjustments in the fertilization of the substrate. The study was conducted to evaluate nutritionally fertigated gerbera plants with increasing levels of electrical conductivity (EC), using portable meters nitrate and potassium, and chlorophyll. For this, two experiments were conducted. A randomized block design with five levels of EC (0.5, 2.0, 3.5, 5.0 and 6.5 dS m-1) and four replications was used. Cherry cultivar was used in the first experiment. In the second experiment, two cultivars (Cherry and Salmon Rose) were used. In the first experiment, the sap of the leaves was subjected to rapid testing of N-NO3- (equipment Cardy Horiba C -141). N-NO3- and K+ (C-131) were determined in the substrate solution. The intensity of the green leaf, in the second experiment was evaluated with portable Chlorophyll Meter. The N content in the indicator leaf in the first and N and K contents in the plant in the second experiment were determined. Rapid tests are presented as good indicators of the level of N-NO3- and K+ in plant tissue, with the advantages of convenience and speed of determination, facilitating monitoring of fertilization of the substrate by producers and technicians.

Insecticidal potential of the annonaceae family plants

The use of plants compounds for the control of insects has increased worldwide. This occurs because the vegetal insecticides contains biodegradable compounds, nontoxic products and potentially suitable for use in pest control. Plants of the family Annonaceae are standing out as biopesticides because they are bioactive naturally in addition to presenting cytotoxic activity, antitumor, vermifuge, antimicrobial, immunosuppressive, anti-emetic, inhibiting appetite, antimalarial and also insecticide. The insecticidal activity of Annonaceae is due to the presence of acetogenins, substances that act on mitochondria inhibiting the NADH -ubiquinone oxidoreductase, causing the death of insects. In this review we report the use of Annonaceae in insect control, showing that so far, only 42 species of Annonaceae have information insecticidal activity against just over 60 species of insect pests. This information shows that much research is still needed, especially to get to know the insecticidal activity of other Annonaceae species, in addition to its effects on insect pests not yet studied. So we will have as an alternative to sustainable development, new vegetal insecticides such as those obtained from different Annonaceae species, which can act as an additional tool to balance the excesses of agriculture chemical or conventional.

Metabolic profiling by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and parallel factor analysis for the determination of disease biomarkers in Eucalyptus

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

Evaluation of Fe uptake and translocation in transgenic and non-transgenic soybean plants using enriched stable Fe-57 as a tracer

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

Carvão (Sporisorium scitamineum) e podridão-abacaxi (Ceratocystis paradoxa) em cana-de-açúcar (Saccharum spp.): uma revisão

Sugarcane (Saccharum sp.) is an important grass cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, such as in Br, Ind, and Ch, and has its biomass being raw material for production of sugar, fuel ethanol, and some other derivatives. Fungal diseases infect sugarcane fields worldwide, damaging crops and thus, causing great economic losses. Fungal specialized structures act during all Pathogen-Host Relationship Cycle (PHRC) (survival, dissemination, infection, colonization, and reproduction of pathogen), maintaining fungal populations in cultivation soil, infecting plants in following crops and vegetative propagation of sugarcane by infected seeds may allow fungal transportation into regions where diseases haven’t occured before. Biotechnological methods and approaches have significantly contributed to understanding of the relationship among parasite and host, as to diseases management (control, detection, and prevention). Some techniques have daily applications in Agriculture, while others are only used in research and to breeding of host resistant varieties. Among notable diseases, smut (Sporisorium scitamineum) and pineapple disease (Ceratocystis paradoxa) are important because they cause damage and losses in sugarcane regions, although there are different periods for each one to occur. This work aims to review the PHRC for each patosystem, the biotechnological methods and approaches and its perspectives in the study and management of these diseases. As environment is an important factor to the effectiveness of PHRC, one chapter is dedicated to Global Climate Change (GCC) and its possible influences over these diseases in a longterm period

Screening test for antibiotics in medicinal plants (STAMP): using powdered plant materials instead of extracts

Coordenação de Aprefeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Syngonanthus nitens (Bong.) Ruhland: caracterização biológica e prospecção terapêutica do extrato metanólico incorporado ou não em sistema nanoestruturado para aplicação no tratamento da candidíase vulvovaginal

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

The length of the dry season may be associated with leaf scleromorphism in cerrado plants

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Knowledge and use of wild edible plants in rural communities along Paraguay River, Pantanal, Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)