Characterisation of Soil Bacterial Communities That Exhibit Chemotaxis to Root Exudates from Phosphorus-Limited Plants.

The ability to sense and direct movement along chemical gradients is known as 'chemotaxis' and is a common trait among rhizosphere microorganisms, which are attracted to organic compounds released from plant roots. In response to stress, the compounds released from roots can change and may recruit symbionts that enhance host stress tolerance. Decoding this language of attraction could support the development of microbiome management strategies that would enhance agricultural production and sustainability. In this study, we employ a culture-independent bait-trap chemotaxis assay to capture microbial communities attracted to root exudates from phosphorus (P)-sufficient and P-deficient Arabidopsis thaliana Col-0 plants. The captured populations were then enumerated and characterised using flow cytometry and phylogenetic marker gene sequencing, respectively. Exudates attracted significantly more cells than the control but did not differ between P treatments. Relative to exudates from P-sufficient plants, those collected from P-deficient plants attracted a significantly less diverse bacterial community that was dominated by members of the Paenibacillus, which is a genus known to include powerful phosphate solubilisers and plant growth promoters. These results suggest that in response to P deficiency, Arabidopsis exudates attract organisms that could help to alleviate nutrient stress.

Planned home births in Joinville: epidemiological profile of women and maternal and neonatal outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the epidemiological profile of women who opted for planned home birth in a city in the north of Santa Catarina and to present the main maternal and neonatal outcomes. METHOD: Quantitative, cross-sectional research, with retrospective and documentary data collection carried out in 66 medical records of women who had planned home births from January 2012 to March 2020, in Joinville. The data were organized in tables and analyzed in a descriptive way. RESULTS: The women who opted for planned home birth have a mean age of 31 years, are mostly white, married, with higher education, multiparous, planned pregnancy and performed prenatal care properly. Maternal and neonatal outcomes were positive, with low transfer rates, none being neonatal, and no cases of maternal morbidity. CONCLUSION: The evidence found proved to be satisfactory for the implementation of a new model of health care for women and children.

The key role of indole-3-acetic acid biosynthesis by Bacillus thuringiensis RZ2MS9 in promoting maize growth revealed by the ipdC gene knockout mediated by the CRISPR-Cas9 system.

The bacterial biosynthesis of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) is often related to the beneficial effects of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on plant development. In PGPR belonging to the Bacillus genus, the synthesis of IAA may occur through different metabolic pathways that are still poorly understood. B. thuringiensis (Bt) is well known for its insecticidal properties; however, its beneficial features are not limited to pest control. Our group has been studed the beneficial effects of Bt strain RZ2MS9 as growth promoter in a range of plant crops, including soybean, tomato, and maize. We recently demonstrated that bacterial IAA biosynthesis plays an important role in the ability of RZ2MS9 to benefit plant development. However, the molecular involved mechanisms in the IAA biosynthesis by this bacterium in the beneficial interaction with plants remain unclear. Here, we investigated the genetic basis of IAA biosynthesis by RZ2MS9. We knocked out the ipdC gene, involved in IAA biosynthesis via the tryptophan-dependent IPyA pathway, using the CRISPR-Cas9 system. Our results showed that, by disrupting the IPyA pathway, the amount of IAA synthesized by the mutant RZ2MS9 (ΔipdC) in the presence of tryptophan drops 57%. The gene knockout did not affect the bacterial growth, but it did affect its ability to colonize maize. Moreover, deactivating the ipdC gene in RZ2MS9 significantly reduces its ability to promote maize growth. ΔipdC performed worse than RZ2MS9 in almost all evaluated plant parameters, including total root length, projected root area, lateral roots, aerial part dry matter, and germination speed index. Therefore, we demonstrated that tryptophan-dependent IAA biosynthesis via the IPyA pathway by RZ2MS9 is strongly influenced by the ipdC gene. Furthermore, IAA biosynthesis by RZ2MS9 is a major mechanism used by this PGPR to promote maize growth.

Planned home births in Joinville: epidemiological profile of women and maternal and neonatal outcomes / Partos domiciliarios planificados ocurridos en Joinville: perfil epidemiológico de la mujer y resultados maternos y neonatales / Partos domiciliares planejados ocorridos em Joinville: perfil epidemiológico das mulheres e desfechos maternos e neonatais

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify the epidemiological profile of women who opted for planned home birth in a city in the north of Santa Catarina and to present the main maternal and neonatal outcomes. Method: Quantitative, cross-sectional research, with retrospective and documentary data collection carried out in 66 medical records of women who had planned home births from January 2012 to March 2020, in Joinville. The data were organized in tables and analyzed in a descriptive way. Results: The women who opted for planned home birth have a mean age of 31 years, are mostly white, married, with higher education, multiparous, planned pregnancy and performed prenatal care properly. Maternal and neonatal outcomes were positive, with low transfer rates, none being neonatal, and no cases of maternal morbidity. Conclusion: The evidence found proved to be satisfactory for the implementation of a new model of health care for women and children.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Identificar el perfil epidemiológico de las mujeres que optaron por el parto domiciliario planificado en un municipio del norte de Santa Catarina y presentar los principales desenlaces maternos y neonatales. Método: Investigación cuantitativa, de corte transversal, con recolección de datos retrospectiva y documental, realizada en 66 historias clínicas de mujeres que tenían parto domiciliario planeado de enero de 2012 a marzo de 2020, en Joinville. Los datos fueron organizados en tablas y analizados de forma descriptiva. Resultados: Las mujeres que optaron por el parto domiciliario planificado tienen una edad promedio de 31 años, son en su mayoría blancas, casadas, con estudios superiores, multiparidad, embarazo planificado y realizaron el control prenatal adecuadamente. Los resultados maternos y neonatales fueron positivos, con bajas tasas de transferencia, ninguna neonatal y ningún caso de morbilidad materna. Conclusión: La evidencia encontrada resultó satisfactoria para la implementación de un nuevo modelo de atención a la salud de la mujer y el niño.

RESUMO Objetivo: Identificar o perfil epidemiológico de mulheres que optaram pelo parto domiciliar planejado em um município localizado no norte de Santa Catarina e apresentar os principais desfechos maternos e neonatais. Método: Pesquisa quantitativa, transversal, com coleta de dados retrospectiva e documental, realizada em 66 prontuários de mulheres que tiveram parto domiciliar planejado de janeiro de 2012 a março de 2020, em Joinville. Os dados foram organizados em tabelas e analisados de maneira descritiva. Resultados: As mulheres que optaram pelo parto domiciliar planejado têm média de 31 anos de idade, são, majoritariamente, brancas, casadas, com ensino superior completo, multigestas, planejaram a gestação e realizaram o pré-natal adequadamente. Os desfechos maternos e neonatais foram positivos, com baixa taxa de transferência, sendo nenhuma neonatal, e nenhum caso de morbidade materna. Conclusão: As evidências constatadas demonstraram-se satisfatórias para a implementação de um novo modelo de atenção à saúde da mulher e da criança.

Response of the plant core microbiome to Fusarium oxysporum infection and identification of the pathobiome.

Plant core microbiomes consist of persistent key members that provide critical host functions, but their assemblages can be interrupted by biotic and abiotic stresses. The pathobiome is comprised of dynamic microbial interactions in response to disease status of the host. Hence, identifying variation in the core microbiome and pathobiome can significantly advance our understanding of microbial-microbial interactions and consequences for disease progression and host functions. In this study, we combined glasshouse and field studies to analyse the soil and plant rhizosphere microbiome of cotton plants (Gossypium hirsutum) in the presence of a cotton-specific fungal pathogen, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum (FOV). We found that FOV directly and consistently altered the rhizosphere microbiome, but the biocontrol agents enabled microbial assemblages to resist pathogenic stress. Using co-occurrence network analysis of the core microbiome, we identified the pathobiome comprised of the pathogen and key associate phylotypes in the cotton microbiome. Isolation and application of some negatively correlated pathobiome members provided protection against plant infection. Importantly, our field survey from multiple cotton fields validated the pattern and responses of core microbiomes under FOV infection. This study advances key understanding of core microbiome responses and existence of plant pathobiomes, which provides a novel framework to better manage plant diseases in agriculture and natural settings.

Plant-microbiome interactions under a changing world: responses, consequences and perspectives.

Climate change is increasing global temperatures and the frequency and severity of droughts in many regions. These anthropogenic stresses pose a significant threat to plant performance and crop production. The plant-associated microbiome modulates the impacts of biotic and abiotic stresses on plant fitness. However, climate change-induced alteration in composition and activities of plant microbiomes can affect host functions. Here, we highlight recent advancements in our understanding of the impact of climate change (warming and drought) on plant-microbiome interactions and on their ecological functions from genome to ecosystem scales. We identify knowledge gaps, propose new concepts and make recommendations for future research directions. It is proposed that in the short term (years to decades), the adaptation of plants to climate change is mainly driven by the plant microbiome, whereas in the long term (century to millennia), the adaptation of plants will be driven equally by eco-evolutionary interactions between the plant microbiome and its host. A better understanding of the response of the plant and its microbiome interactions to climate change and the ways in which microbiomes can mitigate the negative impacts will better inform predictions of climate change impacts on primary productivity and aid in developing management and policy tools to improve the resilience of plant systems.

Bacillus thuringiensis RZ2MS9, a tropical plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium, colonizes maize endophytically and alters the plant's production of volatile organic compounds during co-inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense Ab-V5.

The beneficial features of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are not limited to its role as an insecticide; it is also able to promote plant growth interacting with plants and other plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR). The PGPR Bt strain RZ2MS9 is a multi-trait maize growth promoter. We obtained a stable mutant of RZ2MS9 labelled with green fluorescent protein (RZ2MS9-GFP). We demonstrated that the Bt RZ2MS9-GFP successfully colonizes maize's roots and leaves endophytically. We evaluated whether RZ2MS9 has an additive effect on plant growth promotion when co-inoculated with Azospirillum brasilense Ab-V5. The two strains combined enhanced maize's roots and shoots dry weight around 50% and 80%, respectively, when compared to the non-inoculated control. However, non-differences were observed comparing RZ2MS9 alone and when co-inoculated with Ab-V5, In addition, we used co-inoculation experiments in glass chambers to analyse the plant's volatile organic compounds (VOCs) production during the maize-RZ2MS9 and maize-RZ2MS9-Ab-V5 interaction. We found that the single and co-inoculation altered maize's VOCs emission profile, with an increase in the production of indoles in the co-inoculation. Collectively, these results increase our knowledge about the interaction between the Bt and maize, and provide a new possibility of combined application with the commercial inoculant A. brasilense Ab-V5.

Adesão ao protocolo de controle glicêmico e dupla checagem de medicamentos em terapia intensiva / Glycemic control protocol and double checking of drugs in intensive care / Adhesión al protocolo de control glucémico y doble control de fármaco en cuidados intensivos

Introdução: O protocolo de dupla checagem de medicações potencialmente perigosas é um método utilizado para assegurar qualidade assistencial, por meio da conferência da medicação por dois profissionais antes da sua administração, reduzindo a ocorrência eventos adversos ou circunstâncias que tragam dano desnecessário ao paciente. Objetivo: Verificar a adesão da equipe de enfermagem ao protocolo de controle glicêmico e a rotina de dupla checagem de medicações potencialmente perigosas em Unidades de Terapia Intensiva. Método: Estudo transversal de abordagem quantitativa e delineamento descritivo, cuja coleta de dados ocorreu em sete unidades. A amostra foi constituída pela análise de prontuários por meio de auditoria de enfermagem de acordo com a avaliação diária de segurança do paciente, entre 2018 e 2019. O instrumento de coleta de dados foi embasado na conformidade de preenchimento do protocolo de controle glicêmico e a rotina de dupla checagem de medicações potencialmente perigosas. Foi realizada análise descritiva das variáveis paramétricas e não paramétricas dos dados. Resultados: A amostra total foi de 2610 prontuários, sendo 1290 referentes ao ano de 2018 e 1320 ao ano de 2019. No ano de 2018, as conformidades no protocolo de controle glicêmico prevaleceram em 853 registros, e a rotina de dupla checagem de medicamentos potencialmente perigosos em 877 registros, equivalentes a 66,12% e 67,98%, respectivamente. Em 2019 obteve-se 941 registros de conformidades para controle glicêmico e 915 para dupla checagem, correspondentes a 71,29% e 69,32%, respectivamente. Conclusão: O ano de 2019 se mostrou com percentuais melhores do que 2018, demonstrando maior adesão e aumento da cultura de segurança do paciente. A auditoria da assistência de enfermagem se configura como estratégia necessária para avaliar registros e a qualidade das ações nos ambientes de trabalho.(AU)

Introduction: The protocol of double checking of potentially dangerous medications is a method used to ensure quality care, by checking the medication by two professionals before its administration, reducing the occurrence of adverse events or circumstances that bring unnecessary harm to the patient. Objective: To verify the adherence of the nursing team to the glycemic control protocol and the double checking routine of potentially dangerous medications in Intensive Care Units. Method: Cross-sectional study of quantitative approach and descriptive design, whose data collection occurred in seven units. The sample was constituted by the analysis of medical records by means of nursing audit according to the daily evaluation of patient safety, between 2018 and 2019. The data collection instrument was based on compliance in the completion of the glycemic control protocol and the double checking routine of potentially dangerous medications. A descriptive analysis of the parametric and non-parametric variables of the data was performed. Results: The total sample was 2610 medical records, being 1290 for the year 2018 and 1320 for the year 2019. In 2018, compliance with the glycemic control protocol prevailed in 853 records, and the routine double checking of potentially dangerous medicines in 877 records, equivalent to 66.12% and 67.98%, respectively. In 2019, 941 records of compliance for glycemic control and 915 for double checking were obtained, corresponding to 71.29% and 69.32%, respectively. Conclusion: 2019 showed better percentages than 2018, showing greater adherence and increased patient safety culture. The audit of nursing care is configured as a necessary strategy to evaluate records and the quality of actions in work environments.(AU)

Introducción: El protocolo de doble control de medicamentos potencialmente peligrosos es un método que se utiliza para asegurar la calidad de la atención, mediante el control del medicamento por dos profesionales antes de su administración, reduciendo la ocurrencia de eventos adversos o circunstancias que traen un daño innecesario al paciente. Objetivo: Verificar la adherencia del equipo de enfermería al protocolo de control glucémico y la rutina de doble control de medicamentos potencialmente peligrosos en Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos. Métodos: Estudio transversal con enfoque cuantitativo y diseño descriptivo, cuya recolección de datos se realizó en siete unidades. La muestra consistió en el análisis de historias clínicas a través de una auditoría de enfermería de acuerdo con la evaluación diaria de la seguridad del paciente, entre 2018 y 2019. El instrumento de recolección de datos se basó en el cumplimiento de la cumplimentación del protocolo de control glucémico y el doble control de rutina. de medicamentos potencialmente peligrosos. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo de variables de datos paramétricas y no paramétricas. Resultados: La muestra total estuvo conformada por 2610 registros médicos, siendo 1290 referidos al año 2018 y 1320 al año 2019. En 2018, el cumplimiento del protocolo de control glucémico predominó en 853 registros, y la rutina de doble control de medicamentos potencialmente peligrosos en 877 registros, equivalentes a 66,12% y 67,98%, respectivamente. En 2019 se obtuvieron 941 registros de cumplimiento para el control glucémico y 915 para el doble control, correspondientes al 71,29% y 69,32%, respectivamente. Conclusión: El año 2019 mostró mejores porcentajes que el 2018, demostrando una mayor adherencia y una mayor cultura de seguridad del paciente. La auditoría de los cuidados de enfermería se configura como una estrategia necesaria para evaluar los registros y la calidad de las acciones en los entornos laborales.(AU)

Realities and hopes in the application of microbial tools in agriculture.

The use of microbial tools to sustainably increase agricultural production has received significant attention from researchers, industries and policymakers. Over the past decade, the market access and development of microbial products have been accelerated by (i) the recent advances in plant-associated microbiome science, (ii) the pressure from consumers and policymakers for increasing crop productivity and reducing the use of agrochemicals, (iii) the rising threats of biotic and abiotic stresses, (iv) the loss of efficacy of some agrochemicals and plant breeding programs and (v) the calls for agriculture to contribute towards mitigating climate change. Although the sector is still in its infancy, the path towards effective microbial products is taking shape and the global market of these products has increased faster than that of agrochemicals. Promising results from using microbes either as biofertilizers or biopesticides have been continually reported, fuelling optimism and high expectations for the sector. However, some limitations, often related to low efficacy and inconsistent performance in field conditions, urgently need to be addressed to promote a wider use of microbial tools. We propose that advances in in situ microbiome manipulation approaches, such as the use of products containing synthetic microbial communities and novel prebiotics, have great potential to overcome some of these current constraints. Much more progress is expected in the development of microbial inoculants as areas such as synthetic biology and nano-biotechnology advance. If key technical, translational and regulatory issues are addressed, microbial tools will not only play an important role in sustainably boosting agricultural production over the next few decades but also contribute towards other sustainable development goals, including job creation and mitigation of the impacts of climate change.

The auxin-producing Bacillus thuringiensis RZ2MS9 promotes the growth and modifies the root architecture of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum cv. Micro-Tom).

Strains of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are commonly commercialized as bioinoculants for insect pest control, but their benefits go beyond their insecticidal property: they can act as plant growth-promoters. Auxins play a major role in the plant growth promotion. However, the mechanism of auxin production by the Bacilli group, and more specifically by Bt strains, is unclear. In previous work, the plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR) B. thuringiensis strain RZ2MS9 increased the corn roots. This drew our attention to the strain's auxin production trait, earlier detected in vitro. Here, we demonstrate that in its genome, RZ2MS9 harbours the complete set of genes required in two pathways that are used for Indole acetic acid (IAA) production. We also detected that the strain produces almost five times more IAA during the stationary phase. The bacterial application increased the shoot dry weight of the Micro-Tom (MT) tomato by 24%. The application also modified MT root architecture, with an increase of 26% in the average lateral root length and inhibition of the axial root. At the cellular level, RZ2MS9-treated MT plants presented elongated root cortical cells with intensified mitotic activity. Altogether, these are the best characterized auxin-associated phenotypes. Besides that, no growth alteration was detected in the auxin-insensitive diageotropic (dgt) plants either with or without the RZ2MS9 inoculation. Our results suggest that auxins play an important role in the ability of B. thuringiensis RZ2MS9 to promote MT growth and provide a better understanding of the auxin production mechanism by a Bt strain.

Predicting Maximal Lactate Steady State from Carminatti's Shuttle Run Test in Soccer Players.

The objective of the present study was to determine the validity of Carminatti's shuttle run incremental test-T-Car derived parameters in estimating the maximal lactate steady state determined in shuttle run format. Eighteen soccer players performed a T-Car test, and several trials to determine the maximal lactate steady state. From T-Car were derived the heart rate deflection point, peak speed, maximal heart rate and parameters resulting from percentage of peak measures. The validity was accessed by Bland-Altman plots, linear regressions, and two one-sided tests of equivalence analysis. The results showed the speed at 80.4% of T-Car peak speed, the heart rate deflection point and the 91.4% of maximal heart rate were equivalent to maximal lactate steady state (Mean difference; ±90% compatibility interval; -0.8; ±1.5%, -0.4; ±1.1%, and 0.0; ±2.7%, respectively). Additionally, peak speed during the T-Car test was a stronger predictor of maximal lactate steady state (MLSS [km/h]=2.57+0.65 × sPeak; r=0.82 [90% CI; 0.62-0.92], standard error of the estimate=3.6%; 90% CI ×/÷1.4). Therefore, soccer players can use the T-Car derived parameters as a noninvasive and practical alternative to estimate the specific maximal lactate steady state for soccer.

Fast Screening of Bacteria for Plant Growth Promoting Traits.

Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria (PGPB) are a group of beneficial microorganisms that can positively influence plant fitness and development by improving nutrient acquisition, influencing global plant hormone levels (direct effect), or by reducing the detrimental effects of various pathogens on plant development (indirect effect). The use of PGPB in agriculture as formulated bioinoculants is a potential approach to reduce the negative environmental impacts caused by the continuous application of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The evaluation of a great number of bacteria in the laboratory for key traits involved in the improvement of plant fitness is a suitable strategy to find prospective candidates for bioinoculants. This chapter presents the main methods described in the literature to quickly screen potential candidates from a bacterial collection to directly and indirectly promote the plant growth.

A Bait-Trap Assay to Characterize Soil Microbes that Exhibit Chemotaxis to Root Exudates.

Here, we describe a novel "bait-trap" assay, which facilitates capture of soil microorganisms that exhibit chemotaxis to chemical attractants, such as root exudates. These multi-population assemblages represent potential guilds and can be characterized using a wide-range of culture-dependent and culture-independent methods. While in this example, we use root exudates as bait, any water-soluble compound(s) could be used. Hence, the potential applications for the assay are diverse.

Human fusariosis: An emerging infection that is difficult to treat.

Fusarium spp. has been associated with a broad spectrum of emerging infections collectively termed fusariosis. This review includes articles published between 2005 and 2018 that describe the characteristics, clinical management, incidence, and emergence of these fungal infections. Fusarium solani and F. oxysporum are globally distributed and represent the most common complexes. Few therapeutic options exist due to intrinsic resistance, especially for the treatment of invasive fusariosis. Therefore, the use of drug combinations could be an important alternative for systemic antifungal resistance. Increase in the number of case reports on invasive fusariosis between 2005 and 2018 is evidence of the emergence of this fungal infection.

Selenium and thyroid cancer: a systematic review.

The aim of the study was to investigate the association between blood and tissue levels of selenium and thyroid cancer through a systematic review. We searched for observational studies written in English, Spanish, and Portuguese indexed in PubMed, LILACS, and Scielo without date restriction, that evaluated the association between selenium levels in whole-blood, serum, or plasma and/or thyroid tissue and thyroid cancer, both in individuals with cancer of thyroid as in healthy individuals. Then data were extracted and analyzed. Of the 570 articles identified, five cross-sectional studies were included in the review. In one study, lower concentrations of selenium were found in whole-blood (0.543 µg/ml) and in the thyroid (0.88 µg/g) of thyroid cancer patients compared to controls. Another study showed a decrease in serum selenium concentrations in patients with follicular carcinoma and papillary types (0.077 ± 0.021 µg/ml and 0.080 ± 0.020 µg/ml, respectively). On the other hand, other studies showed no difference in plasma selenium content or glutathione peroxidase activity among patients and healthy volunteers. The available evidence on this issue is inconclusive. Additional studies are needed to elucidate the association between serum and/or tissue levels of selenium and the development of thyroid cancer.

Human fusariosis: An emerging infection that is difficult to treat

Abstract Fusarium spp. has been associated with a broad spectrum of emerging infections collectively termed fusariosis. This review includes articles published between 2005 and 2018 that describe the characteristics, clinical management, incidence, and emergence of these fungal infections. Fusarium solani and F. oxysporum are globally distributed and represent the most common complexes. Few therapeutic options exist due to intrinsic resistance, especially for the treatment of invasive fusariosis. Therefore, the use of drug combinations could be an important alternative for systemic antifungal resistance. Increase in the number of case reports on invasive fusariosis between 2005 and 2018 is evidence of the emergence of this fungal infection.

Design, synthesis, and evaluation of novel 2-substituted 1,4-benzenediol library as antimicrobial agents against clinically relevant pathogens.

Development of new antimicrobial agents, capable of combating resistant and multidrug-resistant fungal and bacterial clinical strains, is necessary. This study presents the synthesis and antimicrobial screening of 42 2-substituted-1,4-benzenediols, being 10 novel compounds. In total, 23 compounds showed activity against fungi and/or bacteria. Benzenediol compounds 2, 5, 6, 8, 11, and 12 demonstrated broad spectrum antimicrobial actions, including resistant and multidrug-resistant species of dermatophytes (Trichophyton mentagrophytes), Candida spp. and the ESKAPE panel of bacteria. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of these compounds for fungi and bacterial strains ranged from 25 to 50 µg/ml and 8-128 µg/ml, respectively. The antifungal mechanism of action is related to the fungal cell wall of dermatophytes and membrane disruption to dermatophytes and yeasts, in the presence of compound 8. Specific structural changes, such as widespread thinning along the hyphae and yeast lysis, were observed by scanning electron microscopy. The effects of compound 8 on cell viability are dose-dependent; however they did not cause genotoxicity and mutagenicity in human leukocyte cells nor haemolysis. Moreover, the compounds were identified as nonirritant by the ex-vivo Hen's egg test-chorioallantoic membrane (HET-CAM). The furan-1,4-benzenediol compound 5 showed in vivo efficacy to combat S. aureus infection using embryonated chicken eggs. Therefore, the compounds 8, and 5 are promising as hits for the development of new antimicrobial drugs with reduced toxicity.

Análise eletromiográfica dos músculos tibial anterior e sóleo em pacientes hemiparéticos nos ambientes aquático e terrestre / Electromyographic analysis of the anterior tibialis and soleus muscle in hemiparetic patients in the aquatic and land environment

O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a ativação dos músculos tibial anterior e sóleo em pacientes hemiparéticos e indivíduos hígidos, em bipedestação no ambiente aquático em comparação ao solo e verificar se há correlação entre ativação muscular e medidas funcionais. Trata-se de um estudo transversal, no qual foram incluídos 6 indivíduos hígidos no grupo controle (GC) e 6 hemiparéticos no grupo estudo (GE). Os participantes foram caracterizados por meio dos instrumentos Mini-Exame do Estado Mental (MEEM), Escala de Equilíbrio de Berg (EEB), Medida da Independência Funcional (MIF) e eletromiografia (EMG) de superfície dos músculos tibial anterior e sóleo em diferentes posturas de bipedestação, nos ambientes terrestre e aquático em dois níveis de imersão, sendo eles processo xifoide (PX) e crista ilíaca ântero superior (CIAS). Como resultados, o GE obteve pontuação média de 24±6,7 no MEEM, sem perdas cognitivas, 80,8±2,7 na MIF, com dependência modificada e independência completa e 48,5±7,1 na EEB, sem riscos de quedas. A EMG evidenciou maior ativação do músculo sóleo no GE quando comparado ao GC, bem como maior ativação no lado hemiparético quando comparado ao lado não afetado. Constatou-se uma correlação inversamente proporcional entre a EMG e a EEB no GE. Com esse estudo foi possível compreender o comportamento dos músculos tibial anterior e sóleo de indivíduos hemiparéticos no ambiente aquático quando comparado ao solo, em posturas comumente utilizadas na reabilitação aquática. Esse melhor entendimento pode possibilitar uma intervenção mais adequada, com repercussões na prática clínica e de atividade física realizadas no ambiente aquático com indivíduos hemiparéticos....(AU)

The purpose of this present trial was to evaluate the activation of the tibialis anterior and soleus muscles in hemiparetics and health individuals, in a standing position performed in aquatic environment and compared to activation of this muscles on the land and verify if there is correlation between muscular activation and functional measures. In this cross-sectional study were included six health individuals in the control group (CG) and six hemiparetics individuals in the experimental group (EG). Participants were characterized by Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and surface electromyography (EMG) of the tibialis anterior and soleus muscles in different stand positions in aquatic environment and on the land in a two-step immersion to the xiphoid process and anterior superior iliac spine. As a result, the EG obtained a mean score of 24 ± 6.7 in the MMSE, without cognitive losses, 80.8 ± 2.7 in the FIM, with modified dependence and complete independence, and 48.5 ± 7.1 in BBE, without risks of falls. The surface EMG showed greater activation of the soleus muscle in the EG when compared to the CG, as well as greater activation on the hemiparetic side when compared to the unaffected side. An inverse proportional relationship between surface EMG and BBE in the EG was found. With this study it was possible to understand the behavior of the tibialis anterior and soleus muscles in hemiparetic individuals in the aquatic environment when compared to land, in postures commonly used in aquatic rehabilitation. This better understanding may allow a more adequate intervention, with repercussions in clinical practice and physical activity performed in the aquatic environment with hemiparetic individuals....(AU)

Bacterial communities associated with anthracnose symptomatic and asymptomatic leaves of guarana, an endogenous tropical crop, and their pathogen antagonistic effects.

Plants are colonized by diverse microorganisms that can substantially impact their health and growth. Understanding bacterial diversity and the relationships between bacteria and phytopathogens may be key to finding effective biocontrol agents. We evaluated the bacterial community associated with anthracnose symptomatic and asymptomatic leaves of guarana, a typical tropical crop. Bacterial communities were assessed through culture-independent techniques based on extensive 16S rRNA sequencing, and cultured bacterial strains were evaluated for their ability to inhibit the growth of Colletotrichum sp. as well as for enzyme and siderophore production. The culture-independent method revealed that Proteobacteria was the most abundant phylum, but many sequences were unclassified. The emergence of anthracnose disease did not significantly affect the bacterial community, but the abundance of the genera Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas and Klebsiella were significantly higher in the symptomatic leaves. In vitro growth of Colletotrichum sp. was inhibited by 11.38% of the cultured bacterial strains, and bacteria with the highest inhibition rates were isolated from symptomatic leaves, while asymptomatic leaves hosted significantly more bacteria that produced amylase and polygalacturonase. The bacterial isolate Bacillus sp. EpD2-5 demonstrated the highest inhibition rate against Colletotrichum sp., whereas the isolates EpD2-12 and FD5-12 from the same genus also had high inhibition rates. These isolates were also able to produce several hydrolytic enzymes and siderophores, indicating that they may be good candidates for the biocontrol of anthracnose. Our work demonstrated the importance of using a polyphasic approach to study microbial communities from plant diseases, and future work should focus on elucidating the roles of culture-independent bacterial communities in guarana anthracnose disease.