Streptomyces ansochromogenes Tur-10 produces a substance with antifungal bioactivity.

The increased incidence of fungal infections and the development of drug resistance have led to the search for microorganisms capable of producing bioactive metabolites with antifungal activity. Among these microorganisms, Streptomyces spp are distinguished mainly owing to their potential to secrete bioactive molecules. The aim of this study was to evaluate the production of secondary metabolites by Streptomyces sp TUR-10 against 12 fungal clinical isolates (yeast and filamentous fungi). In the preliminary screening, Streptomyces sp TUR-10 showed activity against 75% of the clinical isolates, and was selected for fermentation. In this assay, we tested three different media (MPE, M1, and ISP-4) for 96 h at pH 7.0 and 30°C for the production of bioactive metabolites. Increased production of bioactive compounds was observed when using the MPE medium for 48 h, with good activity against Candida pelliculosa. The minimum inhibitory concentration showed significant antifungal activity values ranging from 15.6 to 250 µg/mL. The actinobacterium was characterized by 16S rRNA analysis and the pattern suggested that the isolate studied belonged to the species Streptomyces ansochromogenes. The biotechnological potential of this strain was also demonstrated by the detection of the nrps and pks genes. These results indicate the production of secondary metabolites of biotechnological interest by actinobacteria from the rhizosphere, suggesting great potential for further research.

[Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. Maternofetal implications]. / Colestasis gravídica intrahepática. Implicaciones maternofetales.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze a group of pregnancies complicated by intrahepatic cholestasis in order to favour an early recognition and to decrease maternal and fetal morbid-mortality. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective study of 46 pregnancies with intrahepatic gravidic cholestasis between 1990-94. We review the most relevant epidemiologic, clinical and biological features and the obstetric and perinatal results. The study group was compared with 1652 non complicated pregnancies (control group) from the same period of time. The statistic evaluation was made with t Student and chi 2. RESULTS: The incidence was 0.18% (mean age of 27.8 +/- 6.7 years) similar to the control group, and a greater rate of primiparity (p < 0.05) and twin pregnancies (p < 0.001). The most frequent symptom was pruritus, followed by choluria (23.9%) and signs of cutaneous scratching (17.3%). Only 5 patients (10.8%) had jaundice. The GPT was greater than 100 U/1 in 29 cases (63.1%) and the GOT in 17 (37%). In 25 pregnancies (54.3%) the alkaline phosphatase exceeded 600 U/L and 28 (60.8%) had bilirubin normal values. Urinary tract infections (26%) and preterm labor (17.3%) were significantly more frequent (p < 0.001) in patients with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, as well as induced labor rate and cesarean section percentages (p < 0.001). The neonatal prognosis was significantly worse, with 10 preterm babies, 6 with 5 minutes Apgar score lower than 7, and 3 perinatal deaths. All the patients recovered their normal status after delivery. CONCLUSIONS: In intrahepatic gravidic cholestasis moderate cytolysis, infrequent jaundice and cholestasis can be important. The pregnancies should be considered of high risk, and should be managed aggressively as soon as fetal maturity allows it.

[Reorganization of the graduate course in pediatric nursing at the nursing school at the Federal University at Minas Gerais. Evaluation of the process]. / Reestruturação da disciplina enfermagem pediátrica do curso de graduação da escola de enfermagem da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais: avaliação do processo.

In this paper, the faculty from the Pediatric Nursing Subject (Undergraduate Course) at the Nursing School of Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais evaluate a teaching project. Its main purpose was to reorganize the Subject based on ABATT; MCMAHON's approach to the teaching-learning process. The authours evaluate the results and highlight the positive aspects occurred due to the reorganization and confirm the need to continue the process.

Effects of previous REM sleep deprivation on the acquisition of different topographies of discriminated avoidance in the rat.

The effects of REM sleep deprivation (REMSD) for 96 h on discriminated avoidance learning were tested in rats using three different task topographies:in a jumping-box, in a shuttle-box and bar-pressing. The same stimulus relationship and the same methodological controls with regard to the avoidance schedules and to the platform technique were employed. REMSD facilitated the acquisition of the jumping-box response, which was detectable at the end of the third session. REMSD did not interfere in the acquisition of the shuttle-box response since both the experimental and control groups met the criterion by concluding the eighth session without any observable difference in the analyzed parameters. With bar-pressing, neither group reached the learning criterion (80% of avoidance responses throughout two consecutive sessions). We have related these results to the existing hypothesis that REM sleep stimulates the coding of all complex sequences of motor behavior which are necessary for innate behaviors and concluded that the reimbursement of the REM sleep debt after testing facilitated only the acquisition of the jumping-box response through a reprogramming of the motor organization of this innate behavior.

Doenca de Chagas congenita. Apresentacao de um caso com paralisia cerebral. / Congenital Chagas' disease.Report of a case with cerebral palsy

E apresentado um caso de doenca de Chagas congenita agudo, com predominante envolvimento do sistema nervoso central, que evoluiu em poucos meses para um quadro de paralisia cerebral. Nesta crianca, foram realizados varios testes sorologicos de imunofluorescencia IgM anti-T. cruzi que foram negativos. Tratamento com nifurtimox levou a remissao do quadro clinico e a netou-se novo tratamento com benzonidazol.Aos 20 meses de idade, a crianca persistia com reacoes sorologicas e exame direto positivos. Sao feitos comentarios sobre a etiopatogenia da lesao do sistema nervoso central, na forma cronica da doenca de Chagas