Genetic characterization, micropropagation, and potential use for arsenic phytoremediation of Dittrichia viscosa (L.) Greuter.

In the last decade, many scientists have focused their attention on the search for new plant species that can offer improved capacities to reclaim polluted soils and waters via phytoremediation. In this study, seed batches from three natural populations of Dittrichia viscosa, harvested in rural, urban, and industrial areas of central and southern Italy, were used to: (i) evaluate the genetic and morphological diversity of the populations; (ii) develop an efficient protocol for in-vitro propagation from seedling microcuttings; (iii) achieve optimal acclimatization of micropropagated plants to greenhouse conditions; (iv) test the response to arsenic (As) soil contamination of micropropagated plants. The genetic biodiversity study, based on Random Amplification of Polymorphic DNA (RAPD), as well as the morphometric analysis of 20 seedlings from each population revealed some degree of differentiation among populations. Based on these data, the most biodiverse plants from the three populations (10 lines each) were clonally multiplied by micropropagation using microcuttings of in-vitro grown seedlings. Three culture media were tested and Mureshige and Skoog medium was chosen for both seedling growth and micropropagation. The micropropagated plants responded well to greenhouse conditions and over 95% survived the acclimatization phase. Four clones were tested for their capacity to grow on soil spiked with NaAsO2 and to absorb and accumulate the metalloid. All clones tolerated up to 1.0mg As. At the end of the trial (five weeks), As was detectable only in leaves of As-treated plants and concentration varied significantly among clones. The amount of As present in plants (leaves) corresponded to ca. 0.10-1.7% of the amount supplied. However, As was no longer detectable in soil suggesting that the metalloid was taken up, translocated and probably phytovolatilized.

Antiproliferative, antibacterial and antifungal activity of the lichen Xanthoria parietina and its secondary metabolite parietin.

Lichens are valuable natural resources used for centuries throughout the world as medicine, food, fodder, perfume, spices and dyes, as well as for other miscellaneous purposes. This study investigates the antiproliferative, antibacterial and antifungal activity of the acetone extract of the lichen Xanthoria parietina (Linnaeus) Theodor Fries and its major secondary metabolite, parietin. The extract and parietin were tested for antimicrobial activity against nine American Type Culture Collection standard and clinically isolated bacterial strains, and three fungal strains. Both showed strong antibacterial activity against all bacterial strains and matched clinical isolates, particularly against Staphylococcus aureus from standard and clinical sources. Among the fungi tested, Rhizoctonia solani was the most sensitive. The antiproliferative effects of the extract and parietin were also investigated in human breast cancer cells. The extract inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis, both effects being accompanied by modulation of expression of cell cycle regulating genes such as p16, p27, cyclin D1 and cyclin A. It also mediated apoptosis by activating extrinsic and intrinsic cell death pathways, modulating Tumor Necrosis Factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), and inducing Bcl-2-associated agonist of cell death (BAD) phosphorylation. Our results indicate that Xanthoria parietina is a major potential source of antimicrobial and anticancer substances.

Proteomic analysis of eucalyptus leaves unveils putative mechanisms involved in the plant response to a real condition of soil contamination by multiple heavy metals in the presence or absence of mycorrhizal/rhizobacterial additives.

Here we report on the growth, accumulation performances of, and leaf proteomic changes in Eucalyptus camaldulensis plants harvested for different periods of time in an industrial, heavy metals (HMs)-contaminated site in the presence or absence of soil microorganism (AMs/PGPRs) additives. Data were compared to those of control counterparts grown in a neighboring nonpolluted district. Plants harvested in the contaminated areas grew well and accumulated HMs in their leaves. The addition of AMs/PGPRs to the polluted soil determined plant growth and metal accumulation performances that surpassed those observed in the control. Comparative proteomics suggested molecular mechanisms underlying plant adaptation to the HMs challenge. Similarly to what was observed in laboratory-scale investigations on other metal hyperaccumulators but not on HMs-sensitive plants, eucalyptus grown in the contaminated areas showed an over-representation of enzymes involved in photosynthesis and the Calvin cycle. AMs/PGPRs addition to the soil increased the activation of these energetic pathways, suggesting the existence of signaling mechanisms that address the energy/reductive power requirement associated with augmented growth performances. HMs-exposed plants presented an over-representation of antioxidant enzymes, chaperones, and proteins involved in glutathione metabolism. While some antioxidant enzymes/chaperones returned to almost normal expression values in the presence of AMs/PGPRs or in plants exposed to HMs for prolonged periods, proteins guaranteeing elevated glutathione levels were constantly over-represented. These data suggest that glutathione (and related phytochelatins) could act as key molecules for ensuring the effective formation of HMs-chelating complexes that are possibly responsible for the observed plant tolerance to metal stresses. Overall, these results suggest potential genetic traits for further selection of phytoremediating plants based on dedicated cloning or breeding programs.

Investigation and Assessment for an effective approach to the reclamation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAHs) contaminated site: SIN Bagnoli, Italy.

Native plant species were screened for their remediation potential for the removal of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) contaminated soil of Bagnoli brownfield site (Southern Italy). Soils at this site contain all of the PAHs congeners at concentration levels well above the contamination threshold limits established by Italian environmental legislation for residential/recreational land use, which represent the remediation target. The concentration of 13 High Molecular Weight Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in soil rhizosphere, plants roots and plants leaves was assessed in order to evaluate native plants suitability for a gentle remediation of the study area. Analysis of soil microorganisms are provides important knowledge about bioremediation approach. Alphaproteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria are the main phyla of bacteria observed in polluted soil. Functional metagenomics showed changes in dioxygenases, laccase, protocatechuate, and benzoate-degrading enzyme genes. Indolacetic acid production, siderophores release, exopolysaccharides production and ammonia production are the key for the selection of the rhizosphere bacterial population. Our data demonstrated that the natural plant-bacteria partnership is the best strategy for the remediation of a PAHs-contaminated soil.

Toxicity assessment within the application of in situ contaminated sediment remediation technologies: A review.

Polluted sediment represents a great problem for aquantic environments with potential direct acute and chronic effects for the biota and can be tackled with both in situ and ex situ treatments. Once dredging activities are not compulsory, sediment can be kept in place and managed with techniques involving the use of amendment and/or capping. Before their application, the assessment of their potential impact to the target environment cannot ignore the safe-by-design approach. The role of toxicity in in situ sediment remediation was reviewed discussing about how it can be used for the selection of amendments and the monitoring of treatment technologies. Results evidenced that capping technology coupled to activated carbon (AC) is the most frequently applied approach with effects varying according to the rate of contamination in treated sediment, the amount of AC used (% v/v), and target biological models considered. Little data are available for zerovalent iron as well as other minor amending agents such as hematite, natural zeolite, biopolymers and organoclays. Current (eco-)toxicological information for in situ sediment remediation technologies is fragmentary and incomplete or entirely missing, making also the interpretation of existing data quite challenging. In situ sediment remediation represents an interesting potentially effective approach for polluted sediment recovering. As its application in some lab-based and field studies reported to induce negative effects for target organisms, amendments and capping agents must be attentively evaluated for short- and long-term environmental effects, also in the perspective of the remediated site monitoring and maintenance.

In-field and in-vitro study of the moss Leptodictyum riparium as bioindicator of toxic metal pollution in the aquatic environment: Ultrastructural damage, oxidative stress and HSP70 induction.

This study evaluates the effects of toxic metal pollution in the highly contaminated Sarno River (South Italy), by using the aquatic moss Leptodictyum riparium in bags at 3 representative sites of the river. Biological effects were assessed by metal bioaccumulation, ultrastructural changes, oxidative stress, as Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) production and Glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity, as well as Heat Shock Proteins 70 (HSP70s) induction. The results showed that L. riparium is a valuable bioindicator for toxic metal pollution of water ecosystem, accumulating different amounts of toxic metals from the aquatic environment. Toxic metal pollution caused severe ultrastructural damage, as well as increased ROS production and induction of GST and HSP70s, in the samples exposed at the polluted sites. To assess the role and the effect of toxic metals on L. riparium, were also cultured in vitro with Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Zn at the same concentrations as measured at the 3 sites. Ultrastructure, ROS, GST, and HSP70s resulted severely affected by toxic metals. Based on our findings, we confirm L. riparium as a model organism in freshwater biomonitoring surveys, and GST and HSP70s as promising biomarkers of metal toxicity.

Water pollution causes ultrastructural and functional damages in Pellia neesiana (Gottsche) Limpr.

The aim of this work is to evaluate the effects of freshwater pollution in the heavily contaminated Sarno River (Campania, South Italy), using Pellia neesiana (Pelliaceae Metzgeriales) in order to propose this liverwort as a potential bioindicator, able to record the effects of water pollution, particularly the one related to metal (loid) contamination. Samples of P. neesiana in nylon bags were disposed floating for one week on the waters of Sarno River in three sites characterised by an increasing pollution. As control, some specimens were cultured in vitro in Cd- and Pb-added media, at the same pollutants' levels as measured in the most polluted site. P. neesiana cell ultrastructure was modified and severe alterations were observed in chloroplasts from samples exposed in the most polluted site, and Cd- and Pb-cultured samples. Concurrently, a strong increase in the occurrence of Heat shock proteins 70 (HSP70) was detected in gametophytes following the pollution gradient. In conclusion, ultrastructural damages can be directly related to HSP 70 occurrence in liverwort tissues, and proportional to the degree of pollution present in the river; thus our study suggests P. neesiana as an affordable bioindicator of freshwaters pollution.

Fatores Associados ao Atraso entre o Diagnóstico e o Início do Tratamento de Câncer de Mama: um Estudo de Coorte com 204130 Casos no Brasil / Factors Associated with Delay between Diagnosis and Initiation of Breast Cancer Treatment: a Cohort Study with 204130 Cases in Brazil / Factores Asociados con el Retardo entre el Diagnóstico y el Inicio del Tratamiento del Cáncer de Mama: un Estudio de Cohorte con 204130 Casos en Brasil

Introdução: O câncer de mama é considerado um problema de saúde pública, tendo crescente incidência mundial. Diversos fatores contribuem para o diagnóstico tardio e dificultam o início do tratamento, repercutindo em um pior prognóstico. Objetivos: Analisar o intervalo de tempo entre o diagnóstico e o início do primeiro tratamento oncológico na população brasileira, além de avaliar os fatores associados aos maiores intervalos. Método: Trata-se de um estudo de coorte retrospectivo com 540.529 pacientes cadastrados no Sistema de Registros Hospitalares de Câncer (SisRHC)no período de 2000 a 2017. Utilizou-se como desfecho o intervalo de tempo entre o diagnóstico e o início do primeiro tratamento oncológico, considerando-se como atraso o intervalo maior do que 60 dias. Para análise das variáveis, foram realizadas análise descritiva e regressão logística simples (IC95%; p<0,05). Resultados: Foram analisados 204.130 casos que apresentaram média de idade de 55,8 anos (±13,24), sendo predominantemente do sexo feminino (99,1%), 55,1% eram da Região Sudeste e 71,4% residiam em cidades não capitais. A mediana do intervalo de tempo entre o diagnóstico e o início do primeiro tratamento oncológico foi de 63 dias (variação interquartil = 36-109). As variáveis sociodemográficas, clínicas e relacionadas ao tratamento mostraram impacto no intervalo de tempo, com exceção da variável sexo. Conclusão: O tempo entre o diagnóstico e o início do primeiro tratamento oncológico foi elevado. Fatores sociodemográficos, clínicos e relacionados ao tratamento influenciam nos intervalos de tempo. Identificá-los precocemente pode contribuir para o direcionamento de ações a esses grupos mais vulneráveis ao atraso.

Breast cancer is considered a public health problem with an increasing incidence worldwide. Several factors contribute to late diagnosis and hinder the initiation of the treatment, resulting in a worse prognosis. Objectives:To analyze the time interval between diagnosis and the beginning of the first oncologic treatment in the Brazilian population, in addition to assessing the factors associated with the longest time intervals. Method: Retrospective cohort study with 540,529 patients registered in the Hospital Cancer Registry System (SisRHC) from 2000 to 2017. The outcome was the time between diagnosis and the beginning of the first oncologic treatment, considering the interval greater than 60 days as delay. Descriptive analysis and simple logistic regression were performed (95% CI; p <0.05) to analyze the variables. Results: 204,130 cases were analyzed, mean age of 55.8 years (± 13.24), predominantly females (99.1%), 55.1% were from the southeast region and 71% lived in non-capital cities. The median of the time interval between diagnosis and the beginning of the first oncologic treatment was 63 days (interquartile range = 36-109). Sociodemographic, clinical and treatment-related variables affect the time interval, except the gender variable. Conclusion: The time between diagnosis and the beginning of the first oncologic treatment was high. Sociodemographic, clinical and treatment-related factors influence time intervals. Their early identification can contribute to guide the actions toward these most vulnerable groups to delay.

Introducción: El cáncer de mama se considera un problema de salud pública con una incidencia mundial creciente. Varios factores contribuyen al diagnóstico tardío y dificultan el inicio del tratamiento, resultando en un peor pronóstico. Objetivos:Analizar el intervalo de tiempo entre el diagnóstico y el comienzo del primer tratamiento oncologico en la población brasileña, además de evaluar los factores asociados con los intervalos de tiempo más largos. Método: Este es un estudio de cohorte retrospectivo con 540.529 pacientes registrados en el Hospital Cancer Registry System (SisRHC) desde 2000 hasta 2017. El resultado fue el intervalo de tiempo entre el diagnóstico y el comienzo del primer tratamiento oncologico, considerando como retraso el intervalo superior a 60 días. Para el análisis de las variables, se realizó un análisis descriptivo y una regresión logística simple (IC 95%; p <0,05). Resultados: Se analizaron 204,130 casos, con una edad media de 55,8 años (±13,24), predominantemente mujeres (99,1%), 55,1% de la región sureste y 71,4% residentes en ciudades no capitales.La mediana del intervalo de tiempo entre el diagnóstico y el comienzo del primer tratamiento contra el cáncer fue de 63 días (rango intercuartil = 36-109). Las variables sociodemográficas, clínicas y relacionadas con el tratamiento tuvieron un impacto en el intervalo de tiempo, con la excepción de la variable de género. Conclusión: El intervalo de tiempo promedio entre el diagnóstico y el comienzo del primer tratamiento oncologico fue alto. Además, se observó que los factores sociodemográficos, clínicos y relacionados con el tratamiento influyen en los intervalos de tiempo, por lo que identificarlos temprano puede contribuir a acciones directas para estos grupos más vulnerables al retraso.

Psicanálise e história: um olhar sobre a desigualdade no Brasil / Psychoanalysis and history: a look at inequality in Brazil / Psicoanálisis e historia: una mirada a la desigualdad en Brasil

O trabalho aborda a experiência desenvolvida há 9 anos na Sigmund Freud Associação Psicanalítica, denominada SIG Intervenções Psicanalíticas, que promove intervenções clínico-políticas nos locais onde pessoas em sofrimento solicitam escuta. Os grupos de escuta e de testemunho constituem modalidades grupais do trabalho, agindo junto a sujeitos que sofrem violência com efeitos traumáticos e que vivem em situações de exclusão e vulnerabilidade. Tais grupos oferecem espaços de fala, onde a circulação da palavra transforma o sofrimento individualizado em coletivo, assim como o encontro com o outro promove a ressignificação da experiência e reinscrição social. Discute a maneira através da qual os mecanismos de silenciamento e desmentido que mantem o não dito levam à repetição que obstaculiza a ação ética e a mudança. O racismo é discutido como pano de fundo da desigualdade no Brasil e como fator determinante para a reprodução de políticas de violência de Estado (AU)

The work addresses the experience being developed from 9 years in the Sigmund Freud Psychoanalytic Association, called SIG Psychoanalytic Interventions, which promotes clinical-political interventions in places where people in distress request listening. The listening and witnessing groups constitutes group work modalities for subjects who suffer violence, with traumatic effects and live in situations of exclusion and vulnerability. They offer speech spaces, where the word circulation transforms individualized suffering into collective, and the encounter with the other promotes the re-signification of the experience and its social reinscription. It discusses how the silencing and denial mechanisms that hold the unsaid lead to repetition that hinders ethical action and change. Racism is discussed as the background of inequality in Brazil and a factor that supports the reproduction of State violence policies

El trabajo aborda la experiencia que se desarrolla hace 9 años en la Sigmund Freud Asociación Psicoanalítica, que se denomina SIG Intervenciones Psicoanalíticas y promociona las intervenciones clínico-políticas en lugares en los que las personas en sufrimiento solicitan la escucha. Los grupos de escucha y testimonio constituyen modalidades grupales de trabajo actuando con sujetos que sufren violencia, con efectos traumáticos y viven en situaciones de exclusión y vulnerabilidad. Ofrecen espacios de habla, donde la circulación de la palabra transforma el sufrimiento individualizado en colectivo, y el encuentro con el otro, la resignificación de la experiencia y la reinscripción social. Discute, además, cómo los mecanismos de silenciamiento y desmentida que sostienen lo no dicho llevan a la repetición que dificulta la acción ética y el cambio. El racismo se discute como el trasfondo de la desigualdad en Brasil y factor determinante para la reproducción de las políticas de violencia

Ultrastructural changes and Heat Shock Proteins 70 induced by atmospheric pollution are similar to the effects observed under in vitro heavy metals stress in Conocephalum conicum (Marchantiales--Bryophyta).

Changes in ultrastructure and induction of Heat Shock Proteins 70 have been studied in Conocephalum conicum (Marchantiales) collected in different urban and country sites in Italy. These results were compared to the effects in vitro of exposition to different heavy metals for several days. At urban sites, cellular ultrastructure was modified, and heavy metals could be observed accumulating in cell walls. Simultaneously, a strong increment in Hsp70 was detected, compared with results observed on control specimens. When C. conicum was exposed to heavy metals in vitro, comparable effects as in polluted sites were observed: Cd and Pb accumulated mostly within parenchyma and, within cells, were absorbed to cell walls or concentrated in vacuoles. Moreover, severe alterations were observed in organelles. Concomitantly, a progressive accumulation of Hsp70 was detected following heavy metals exposition. These effects are discussed in order to describe the dose and time-dependent response to heavy metal stress in C. conicum.

Antibacterial and antifungal activities of Otanthus maritimus (L.) Hoffmanns. & Link essential oil from Sicily.

The chemical composition of the essential oil obtained from the flowers of Otanthus maritimus L., a perennial plant growing wild in maritime sands in the Mediterranean region, was investigated by GC and GC-MS analyses. Totally 66 were identified. The oil was dominated by the high content of monoterpene compounds, especially oxygenated monoterpenes which accounted for 73.1%. The most abundant components were yomogi alcohol (20.8%), camphor (15.8%), artemisyl acetate (15.3%) and artemisia alcohol (13.7%). The oil was tested against two Gram (+) and six Gram (-) bacterial strains, both American Type Culture Collection standard strains and clinically isolated (CI), one potentially pathogenic yeast (Candida albicans CI) and two filamentous phytopathogenic fungi (Botrytis cinerea and Rhizoctonia solani). The results show that the oil from O. maritimus exerts strong antibacterial and antifungal activities.

Antibacterial and antifungal activities of acetonic extract from Paullinia cupana Mart. seeds.

The antibacterial and antifungal activities of the acetone extract from Paullinia cupana var. sorbilis Mart. (Sapindaceae) seeds, commonly called guarana, were assessed against selected bacterial and fungal strains. We tested the extract against both standard American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) and clinically isolated (CI) bacterial strains and three fungal strains. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values for bacteria and MIC and minimum fungicidal concentration for fungi were determined. The extract showed an activity against the nine bacterial strains tested, both CI and ATCC strains (MIC comprised between 32 and 128 µm/mL and MBC between 128 and 512 µm/mL), showing a significant antibacterial effect against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Also, the tested fungi were sensitive to the extract (MIC between 125 and 250 µm/mL). The contemporaneous presence of different bioactivities in the extract from guarana suggests this plant as a source of bioactive substances.

Reparação Psíquica e Testemunho / Psychic Reparation and Testimony / Reparación Psíquica y Testimonio

Resumo: O presente artigo propõe-se a pensar a implementação do Projeto Clínicas do Testemunho, enquanto política pública pioneira no campo da reparação psíquica aos afetados pela ditadura civil-militar brasileira. Inicialmente, procuramos justificar a pertinência da metodologia clínico e política empregada ao longo do projeto, a partir de uma revisão crítica sobre os efeitos sintomáticos da reconciliação extorquida, veiculada através da noção de anistia no Brasil. Para tanto, apostamos que, para além da terapêutica oferecida, uma política de reparação psíquica pressupõe um contexto sociopolítico desde o qual são moduladas as próprias bases normativas e os sentidos do que significa ser vítima da violência de Estado. Desta feita, realizaremos uma revisão de operadores psicanalíticos e seus usos políticos em dois contextos diferentes: a política de reparação alemã da Shoah e dos veteranos norte-americanos da guerra do Vietnã. Por fim, debruçaremo-nos sobre a experiência do dispositivo clínico Grupo do Testemunho, enquanto uma via clínico-política na esfera das políticas de reparação....(AU)

Abstract: This article proposes to think the implementation of the Clinic of Testimony project as a pioneering public policy in the field of psychic reparation to those affected by the Brazilian civil-military dictatorship. Initially, we sought to justify the pertinence of the clinical / political methodology employed throughout the project, based on a critical review of the symptomatic effects of the extorted reconciliation, conveyed through the notion of amnesty in Brazil. To that end, we propose that, in addition to the therapy offered, a policy of psychic reparation presupposes a socio-political context from which the normative bases themselves and the meanings of what it means to be a victim of State violence are modulated. In this sense, we will perform a review of psychoanalytic operators and their political uses in two different contexts: the German reparation policy of the Shoah and the American veterans of the Vietnam War. Finally, we will look at the experience of the clinical device witness group as a clinical-political pathway in the sphere of reparation policies....(AU)

Resumen: El presente artículo se propone pensar en la implementación del Proyecto Clínicas del Testimonio, como política pública pionera en el campo de la reparación psíquica a los afectados por la dictadura civil-militar brasileña. Inicialmente, procuramos justificar la pertinencia de la metodología clínica / política empleada a lo largo del proyecto, a partir de una revisión crítica sobre los efectos sintomáticos de la reconciliación extorsionada, transmitida a través de la noción de amnistía en Brasil. Para tanto, apostamos que, además de la terapéutica ofrecida, una política de reparación psíquica presupone un contexto socio-político desde el cual se modulan las propias bases normativas y los sentidos de lo que significa ser víctima de la violencia de Estado. De esta manera, realizaremos una revisión de operadores psicoanalíticos y sus usos políticos en dos contextos diferentes: la política de reparación alemana de la Shoah y de los veteranos norteamericanos de la guerra de Vietnam. Por último, nos referimos a la experiencia del dispositivo clínico Grupo de testimonio, como una vía clínico-política en la esfera de las políticas de reparación....(AU)

Trabalho psíquico do exílio: o corpo à prova da transição / Psychic work of exile: the body of the resistant transition

O artigo apresenta considerações sobre a intervenção terapêutica de indivíduos refugiados no Brasil junto ao Alto Comissariado das Nações Unidas para Refugiados. Frente a situações de reassentamento solidário dos refugiados de diferentes culturas, observamos que a especificidade do trauma do exílio convoca o sujeito a exprimir no corpo o conflito decorrente de sua situação de deslocamento. O trabalho analítico entra em jogo quando outra linguagem é necessária para fazer falar o sofrimento destes indivíduos. Nossa hipótese de investigação reside em compreender como as manifestações somáticas apresentadas por tais sujeitos estão imbricadas no sintoma de desenraizamento identitário do exílio.

Psychic work of exile: the body of the resistant transition. The following paper presents considerations on therapeutic interventions with refugees in Brazil through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. In face of situations of solidarity resettlement of refugees from different cultures, we have observed that the specificity of exile trauma requests one to express in the body the conflicts originating from a displacement situation. The analytical work begins when the use of a different language is necessary to have those individuals express their suffering. Our main hypothesis relines on analyzing how the somatic manifestations presented by those individuals are attached to the identity destabilization symptoms of exile.

Antibacterial and antifungal properties of acetonic extract of Feijoa sellowiana fruits and its effect on Helicobacter pylori growth.

Feijoa sellowiana Berg. fruit, widely used for human consumption, is well appreciated for its good nutritional characteristics and for its pleasant flavor and aroma. In a prior study we showed that the acetonic extract of F. sellowiana fruit exerts a potent antibacterial activity against some Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. To confirm and deepen the study on antimicrobial activities of the fruit, in this article we analyze the same extract for its effectiveness against different kind of bacteria both as American Type Culture Collection standard strains and clinically isolates, the Gram-negative Helicobacter pylori, and three fungal strains (one human pathogen and two phytopathogens). Our aim was also to isolate and define the active component(s) involved in the antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-H. pylori activity of the extract through activity-guided fractionation procedures. This allowed us to identify flavone as the active compound of F. sellowiana fruit. Flavone showed a high antibacterial activity against the nine standard bacterial strains tested and the matched clinically isolated bacterial strains and was significantly more active against H. pylori than metronidazole. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, and Proteus vulgaris from both standard and clinical sources showed a very high sensitivity to flavone (minimal inhibitory concentration [MIC] = 1.95 microg/mL for standard strains and 3.9 microg/mL for clinical isolates of the three bacteria), showing also good minimal bactericidal concentration values. Among fungi tested, Rhyzoctonia solani was the most sensitive strain to the action of flavone (MIC = 62.5 microg/mL).