Sphaerostilbellins, New Antimicrobial Aminolipopeptide Peptaibiotics from Sphaerostilbella toxica

Sphaerostilbella toxica is a mycoparasitic fungus that can be found parasitizing wood-decay basidiomycetes in the southern USA. Organic solvent extracts of fermented strains of S. toxica exhibited potent antimicrobial activity, including potent growth inhibition of human pathogenic yeasts Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans, the respiratory pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus, and the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. Bioassay-guided separations led to the purification and structure elucidation of new peptaibiotics designated as sphaerostilbellins A and B. Their structures were established mainly by analysis of NMR and HRMS data, verification of amino acid composition by Marfey’s method, and by comparison with published data of known compounds. They incorporate intriguing structural features, including an N-terminal 2-methyl-3-oxo-tetradecanoyl (MOTDA) residue and a C-terminal putrescine residue. The minimal inhibitory concentrations for sphaerostilbellins A and B were measured as 2 μM each for C. neoformans, 1 μM each for A. fumigatus, and 4 and 2 μM, respectively, for C. albicans. Murine macrophage cells were unaffected at these concentrations

Antibiosis Levels Of Common Bean Genotypes Toward Zabrotes Subfasciatus (boheman) (coleoptera: Bruchidae) And Its Correlation With Flavonoids

Expression of the antibiosis-resistance category to weevils has been evaluated in several bean genotypes with very promising results. Among the several causes responsible for this resistance category the arcelin protein and trypsin inhibitors stand out. Other mechanisms may be associated with plant resistance to the attack of weevils; however, few studies seek to discover these possible causes. Thus, our research aimed at identifying bean genotypes resistant to Zabrotes subfasciatus, classify them into resistance levels, quantify the content of flavonoids, and correlate it with data obtained from the genotypes. An antibiosis test was performed with beans of 43 genotypes and 40 replications (bean grains) under a completely randomized design. The biological parameters recorded from Z. subfasciatus were the periods from egg to larvae, larvae to adult, egg to adult, longevity and life cycle, in addition to egg viability, adults emerged, susceptibility relative index, adult weight, sex ratio, and the dry mass consumed by larvae. The chemical profile of flavonoids from each genotype was assessed by means of LC-MS. Based on the results of the weevil biological parameters and dry mass consumed provided by univariate and multivariate statistical analyses, the bean genotypes were classified into four levels of resistance (antibiosis): highly resistant, moderately resistant, susceptible and highly susceptible. Among the evaluated flavonoids, we could identify isoquercitrin; however, it has no correlation with the expression of resistance. From the results obtained in this work, more studies will be conducted with the genotypes that stood out as resistant, evaluating other resistance categories and defense mechanisms of these materials against the attack of Z. subfasciatus and other pests, as well as studies of other important agronomic characteristics aiming at future commercialization of the bean genotypes. © 2016 Elsevier Ltd.67637

Effectiveness of immediate bonding of etch-and-rinse adhesives to simplified ethanol-saturated dentin

This study examined the immediate bond strength of etch-and-rinse adhesives to demineralized dentin saturated with either water or absolute ethanol. The research hypothesis was that there would be no difference in bond strength to dentin between water or ethanol wet-bonding techniques. The medium dentin of 20 third molars was exposed (n = 5). The dentin surface was then acid-etched, left moist and randomly assigned to be saturated via either water wet-bonding (WBT) or absolute ethanol wet-bonding (EBT). The specimens were then treated with one of the following etch-and-rinse adhesive systems: a 3-step, water-based system (Adper Scotchbond Multipurpose, or SBMP) or a 2-step, ethanol/water-based system (Adper Single Bond 2, or SB). Resin composite build-ups were then incrementally constructed. After water storage for 24 h at 37°C, the tensile strength of the specimens was tested in a universal testing machine (0.5 mm/min). Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (a = 5%). The failure modes were verified using a stereomicroscope (40'). For both adhesives, no significant difference in bond strength was observed between WBT and EBT (p > 0.05). The highest bond strength was observed for SB, regardless of the bonding technique (p < 0.05). No significant interaction between adhesives and bonding techniques was noticed (p = 0.597). There was a predominance of adhesive failures for all tested groups. The EBT and WBT displayed similar immediate bond strength means for both adhesives. The SB adhesive exhibited higher means for all conditions tested. Further investigations are needed to evaluate long-term bonding to dentin mediated by commercial etch-and-rinse adhesives using the EBT approach

Evaluation of the roughness and mass loss of the flowable composites after simulated toothbrushing abrasion Avaliação da rugosidade e da perda de massa de resinas compostas "flow" após escovação simulada

The purpose of this study was to measure mass loss and surface roughness changes of different brands of flowable resin composites after a simulated toothbrushing test. The null hypotheses were that there would be no differences in mass loss and no significant changes in surface roughness after this test and that there would be no correlation between the two variables. The tested materials were Aeliteflo (Bisco), Flow-It (Pentron), Flow-It LF (Pentron), Natural Flow (DFL) and Wave (SDI). Z100 (3M/ESPE) microhybrid and Silux Plus (3M/ESPE) microfilled resin composites were used as control materials. Twelve specimens (5 mm in diameter, 3 mm thick) of each material were prepared according to manufacturers' instructions. Toothbrushing abrasion was performed on all specimens from each of the materials using a simulator. The percentage mass loss and surface roughness were assessed before and after 100,000 brushstrokes, using a Sartorius analytical balance of 0.0001 g accuracy and a Hommel Tester T1000, respectively. The measurements of both properties were statistically compared by paired t-test and Tukey's test (p < 0.05). All materials presented a statistically significant mass loss comparing initial and final values, with the exception of Flow-It LF. However, no difference was revealed when comparing the mass loss of the different tested materials. All materials became rougher and Wave presented statistically higher roughness compared to the other resin composites. Flowable resin composites did not seem to be superior to the control groups, and they can be expected to wear by mass loss and to have an increased roughness of surface after toothbrushing action. The anticipated null hypotheses were partially accepted.<br>O objetivo deste estudo foi mensurar a perda de massa e as alterações de rugosidade superficial de diferentes marcas de resinas compostas "flow" após teste de escovação simulada. A hipótese nula testada foi de que não haveria diferença de massa e rugosidade de superfície após o teste e de que não haveria correlação entre essas variáveis. Os materiais testados foram: Aeliteflo (Bisco), Flow-It (Pentron), Flow-It LF (Pentron), Natural Flow (DFL) e Wave (SDI). As resinas compostas Z100 (3M/ESPE) e Silux Plus (3M/ESPE) foram utilizadas como controle. Doze espécimes (5 mm de diâmetro, 3 mm de espessura) de cada material foram confeccionados de acordo com as instruções do fabricante. O teste foi conduzido em uma máquina de escovação simulada, em todos os espécimes de todos os materiais, totalizando 100.000 ciclos. Antes e depois do teste, a massa e a rugosidade de cada material foram aferidas por uma balança analítica Sartorius de 0,0001 g de precisão e pelo equipamento Hommel Tester T1000, respectivamente. Os valores obtidos foram comparados pelos testes t-pareado e Tukey (p < 0,05). Todos os materiais apresentaram diferenças estatísticas de perda de massa entre os valores iniciais e finais, com exceção da resina Flow-It LF. Entretanto, nenhuma diferença foi observada quando se comparou a porcentagem de perda de massa entre os diferentes materiais testados. Todos os materiais tornaram-se mais rugosos, sendo Wave, estatisticamente, o mais rugoso. As resinas compostas "flow" não demonstraram superioridade em relação aos materiais de controle, devendo-se esperar o desgaste por perda de massa do material e maior rugosidade após a ação da escovação. A hipótese nula antecipada foi parcialmente aceita