A relationship between fungi (Basidiomycota, Agaricomycetes, Agaricales) and nutrient content in riparian area of reforestation with Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden (Myrtaceae) in southern Brazil

ABSTRACT Due the tolerance in soil degraded, Eucalyptus is widely used in reforestation area. This study aims to evaluate the fungi that use Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden as substrate in reforestation area in southern Brazil. Fungi were identified and macronutrient and micronutrient contents were evaluated in order to understand the relationship between the fungi and the substrate. There were 200 specimens found, categorized into 25 species belonging to 10 families of Agaricales (Basidiomycota, Fungi). Substrates used by fungi were branches, roots, stems, humus, and soil. Macronutrients mean level found in fungi followed the order Ca>K>P>Mg, and micronutrients S>Fe>Mn>Cu/B>Zn. C:N ratio mean was 13:1, associated with substrate degradation potential, since the enzymatic production of fungi is affected by disposition of these nutrients. The data obtained in this study allowed a better understanding of fungi associated with the exotic arboreal substrate, and their nutritional significance in reforestation area

Mycophagy of Attini Ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Myrmicinae) with Agaricales Mushrooms (Basidiomycota, Agaricomycetes) at Riparian Zone in Southern Brazil: Micofagia de Formigas Attini (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Myrmicinae) com Cogumelos Agaricales (Basidiomycota, Agaricomycetes) em Zonas Ripárias no Sul do Brasil

Attini ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Myrmicinae) have great diversity in exploiting food resources. However, little is known about the mycophagy involving Agaricales fungi (Basidiomycota, Agaricomycetes). Moreover, these associations are of paramount importance in riparian zones, as the interaction among soil, fauna and flora is fundamental to the maintenance of these environments. Thus, the aim of this study was to describe cases of mycophagy between ants and fungi in order to understand how these associations occur in riparian zones. To this, collections were made between 2021-2022 in the valleys of the Rio Vacacaí, Rio dos Sinos and Rio Pardo in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The samples were analyzed for characters macro and microscopic and identified taxonomically. Mycophagy activities of six species of ants worker were cataloged, among them Acromyrmex niger, Acromyrmex versicolor, Tranopelta gilva, Tranopelta subterranea, Pheidole flavens and Mycetosoritis hartmanni, which included in their diet the mushrooms Agaricus rufoaurantiacus, Macrocybe titans, Agrocybe underwoodii, Dactylosporina steffenii, Lepiota micropholis and Neopaxillus echinospermus, respectively. The observed interactions demonstrate the dispersal of fungal spores through ant body structures, such as legs, antennae, thorax and abdomen; basidiomata as aliment source, such as pileus, lamellae and stipe; and generalized and specialized levels of predation on various fungi structures. Our results demonstrate unprecedented mycophagous relationships and show that Agaricales fungi can be considered a food source for Attini in riparian zones in Brazil south

Bryophilous Agaricomycetes (Fungi, Basidiomycota): A Review to Brazil

Bryophilous fungi have at least one stage of its life cycle linked to Bryophytes. There are few studies in relation to their taxonomy and ecology all around the world, including Brazil. The Agaricomycetes (Basidiomycota) have gained prominence worldwide and contained several species of economic interest. Based on a bibliographic review and discussion about identification methods and experimental models on this association a species list of bryophilous/Agaricomycetes found in Brazil was elaborated. In the works found among the techniques used to identify effective fungi/Bryophytes associations it can be cited: phylogenetics analysis, optical and electron microscopy, and cultivation experiments. In Brazil, four orders of Agaricomycetes (Basidiomycota), belonging to Agaricales, Boletales, Hymenochaetales, and Polyporales, with 33 species were found associated to Bryophytes in the literature. Information of the worldwide distribution of Brazilian muscicolous species and application of these groups were realized associating edibility, toxicity, and others. It was noted that in this country there is a scarcity of scientific knowledge of this subject, that needs to be better understood in terms of ecology and taxonomy

Occurrence of filamentous fungi in yerba mate discarded in the environment

Yerba mate, Ilex paraguariensis A. St. Hil. (Aquifoliaceae), waste is one of the most common byproducts generated in households in southern Brazil due to the traditional consumption of mate. However, the decomposition of this waste by fungi has not been thoroughly evaluated. In order to study the fungal succession in mate residue, 450 samples were evaluated during the autumn, winter, and spring, and kept for two months in a humid chamber (aerobic medium) for the growth of associated filamentous fungi. We morphologically identified the fungi by means of a microscopy device and taking into consideration only the surface-developed mycelia. Twenty-two genera of filamentous fungi were found, of which the Zygomycota (Rhizopus spp. and Mucor spp.) microflora deserve special attention since they were the only fungi growing in the first 19 days. After this period, the fungi Deuteromycota (mainly Aspergillus spp.) and Oomycota (Pythium spp.) develop more vigorously, supplanting the previous ones. The species of Curvularia, Fusarium, Verticillium, and Pythium are phytopathogens and end up having their inoculum source increased with the irregular disposal of this residue in nature. The presence of numerous fungal genera, which are known to be pathogenic according to the literature, highlights the importance of implementing proper waste disposal practices in the environment. Improper disposal of the yerba mate waste can result in contamination not only of yerba mate itself but also of other commercial crops. Therefore, it is imperative that greater attention be paid to the disposal of this waste

The surgical safety checklist and patient outcomes after surgery: a prospective observational cohort study, systematic review and meta-analysis

© 2017 British Journal of Anaesthesia Background: The surgical safety checklist is widely used to improve the quality of perioperative care. However, clinicians continue to debate the clinical effectiveness of this tool. Methods: Prospective analysis of data from the International Surgical Outcomes Study (ISOS), an international observational study of elective in-patient surgery, accompanied by a systematic review and meta-analysis of published literature. The exposure was surgical safety checklist use. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality and the secondary outcome was postoperative complications. In the ISOS cohort, a multivariable multi-level generalized linear model was used to test associations. To further contextualise these findings, we included the results from the ISOS cohort in a meta-analysis. Results are reported as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals. Results: We included 44 814 patients from 497 hospitals in 27 countries in the ISOS analysis. There were 40 245 (89.8%) patients exposed to the checklist, whilst 7508 (16.8%) sustained ≥1 postoperative complications and 207 (0.5%) died before hospital discharge. Checklist exposure was associated with reduced mortality [odds ratio (OR) 0.49 (0.32–0.77); P\u3c0.01], but no difference in complication rates [OR 1.02 (0.88–1.19); P=0.75]. In a systematic review, we screened 3732 records and identified 11 eligible studies of 453 292 patients including the ISOS cohort. Checklist exposure was associated with both reduced postoperative mortality [OR 0.75 (0.62–0.92); P\u3c0.01; I2=87%] and reduced complication rates [OR 0.73 (0.61–0.88); P\u3c0.01; I2=89%). Conclusions: Patients exposed to a surgical safety checklist experience better postoperative outcomes, but this could simply reflect wider quality of care in hospitals where checklist use is routine