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.

Morphometric analysis of treatment effects of the Balters bionator in growing Class II patients

Objective: To investigate the effects of the standard (Class II) Balters bionator in growing patients with Class II malocclusion with mandibular retrusion by using morphometrics (thin-plate spline [TPS] analysis). Materials and Methods: Thirty-one Class II patients (17 male and 14 female) were treated with the Balters bionator (bionator group). Mean age at the start of treatment (T0) was 10.3 years, while it was 13 years at the end of treatment (T1). Mean treatment time was 2 years and 2 months. The control group consisted of 22 subjects (14 male and 8 female) with untreated Class II malocclusion. Mean age at T0 was 10.2 years, while it was 12.2 years at T1. The observation period lasted 2 years on average. TPS analysis evaluated statistical (permutation tests) differences in the craniofacial shape and size between the bionator and control groups. Results: Through TPS analysis (deformation grids) the bionator group showed significant shape changes in the mandible that could be described as a mandibular forward and downward displacement. The control group showed no statistically significant differences in the correction of Class II malocclusion. Conclusions: Bionator appliance is able to induce significant mandibular shape changes that lead to the correction of Class II dentoskeletal disharmony. © 2013 by The EH Angle Education and Research Foundation, Inc.

Resistência de genótipos de eucalipto a ceratocystis spp

Eucalyptus is the most important plantation forest species in Brazil. Wilt and canker caused by Ceratocystis fimbriata on eucalyptus were first reported in 1998 in plantations of an E. grandis × E. urophylla hybrid in southern Bahia, Brazil. This work aimed at studying the reaction of different eucalyptus genotypes after inoculation with C. fimbriata isolates, in order to find a possible source of resistance. The study included four isolates of Ceratocystis collected from eucalyptus in different regions. One disc of fungal mycelium with 1-cm-diameter (from colonies growing for 10 days on malt extract agar medium-MEA) was inoculated on the stem of thus injured eucalyptus plants (six months old). A cotton wool moistened with sterile distilled water was wrapped with plastic film. Control plants were inoculated with discs of MEA without fungal colonies. The inoculated plants were kept in a greenhouse. Wilt symptoms were observed 90 days after inoculation. The seedlings were cut in the longitudinal direction of the stem in order to observe the colonization of fungus in the plant xylem. We tested twenty eucalyptus genotypes, but only five showed resistance to all isolates of Ceratocystis, belonging to different species of Eucalyptus: E. urophylla (C2 and C9), E. grandis (C3), E. saligna (C6 and C13) Most E. gramdis genotypes were more susceptible to all four fungal isolates. These results support future studies related to eucalyptus resistance to Ceratocystis.

Nitrogen and potassium concentrations in the nutrients solution for melon plants growing in coconut fiber without drainage

With the objective of evaluating the effects of N and K concentrations for melon plants, an experiment was carried out from July 1, 2011 to January 3, 2012 in Muzambinho city, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The Bonus no. 2 was cultivated at the spacing of 1.1 × 0.4. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with three replications in a 4 × 4 factorial scheme with four N concentrations (8, 12, 16, and 20 mmol L-1) and four K concentrations (4, 6, 8, and 10 mmol L-1). The experimental plot constituted of eight plants. It was observed that the leaf levels of N and K, of N-NO3 and of K, and the electrical conductivity (CE) of the substrate increased with the increment of N and K in the nutrients' solution. Substratum pH, in general, was reduced with increments in N concentration and increased with increasing K concentrations in the nutrients' solution. Leaf area increased with increments in N concentration in the nutrients solution. Fertigation with solutions stronger in N (20 mmol L-1) and K (10 mmol L-1) resulted in higher masses for the first (968 g) and the second (951 g) fruits and crop yield (4,425 gm-2). © 2013 Luiz Augusto Gratieri et al.

Purificação e caracterização bioquímica da invertase extracelular produzida pelo fungo filamentoso Aspergillus terreus

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Características reológicas do exopolissacarídeo botiosferana produzido pelo Botryosphaeria rhodina MAMB-05 em três fontes de carbono: glucose, frutose e sacarose

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Comportamento de cuidado da prole da saúva-limão Atta sexdens rubropilosa Forel, 1908 (Hymenoptera, formicidae)

Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Zoologia) - IBRC

Comportamento agronômico e caracterização bioquímica de linhagens de Ganoderma lucidum cultivadas em serragem

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Energia na Agricultura) - FCA

Fermentação, purificação e caracterização da protease produzida pelo fungo Aspergillus fumigatus Fresenius

Pós-graduação em Microbiologia - IBILCE

Produção de celulases fúngicas por fermentação em estado sólido e submersa utilizando biomassa lignocelulósica

Pós-graduação em Microbiologia - IBILCE

Leveduras isoladas de ninhos de formigas da tribo Attini (Hymeniptera: Formicidae)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Identificação de inibidores de pectinase fúngica para o controle de formigas cortadeiras

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Atividade antimicrobiana de actinobactérias isoladas de formigas Attini (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Fungos negros derivados de Atta spp: diversidade e fatores de virulência

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