Nematodes Affecting Potato and Sustainable Practices for Their Management

Plant-parasitic nematodes are a significant factor limiting potato production and tuber quality in several regions where potato is produced. Overall, parasitic nematodes alone cause an estimated annual crop loss of $ 78 billion worldwide and an average crop yield loss of 10–15%. As a result, sustainable food production and food security are directly impacted by pests and diseases. Degrading land use with monocultures and unsustainable cropping practices have intensified problems associated with plant pathogens. Proper identification of nematode species and isolates is crucial to choose effective and sustainable management strategies for nematode infection. Several nematode species have been reported associated with potato. Among those, the potato cyst nematodes Globodera rostochiensis and G. pallida, the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne spp., the root lesion nematode Pratylenchus spp., the potato rot nematode Ditylenchus destructor and the false root-knot nematode Nacobbus aberrans are major species limiting potato yield and leading to poor tuber quality. Here, we report a literature review on the biology, symptoms, damage and control methods used for these nematode species

Antibacterial activity of a new monocarbonyl analog of curcumin MAC 4 is associated with divisome disruption

Curcumin (CUR) is a symmetrical dicarbonyl compound with antibacterial activity. On the other hand, pharmacokinetic and chemical stability limitations hinder its therapeutic application. Monocarbonyl analogs of curcumin (MACs) have been shown to overcome these barriers. We synthesized and investigated the antibacterial activity of a series of unsymmetrical MACs derived from acetone against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Gram-negative and Gram-positive species. Phenolic MACs 4, 6 and 8 showed a broad spectrum and potent activity, mainly against M. tuberculosis, Acinetobacter baumannii and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), with MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) values ranging from 0.9 to 15.6 µg/mL. The investigation regarding toxicity on human lung cells (MRC-5 and A549 lines) revealed MAC 4 was more selective than MACs 6 and 8, with SI (selectivity index) values ranging from 5.4 to 15.6. In addition, MAC 4 did not demonstrate genotoxic effects on A549 cells and it was more stable than CUR in phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) for 24 h at 37 °C. Fluorescence and phase contrast microscopies indicated that MAC 4 has the ability to disrupt the divisome of Bacillus subtilis without damaging its cytoplasmic membrane. However, biochemical investigations demonstrated that MAC 4 did not affect the GTPase activity of B. subtilis FtsZ, which is the main constituent of the bacterial divisome. These results corroborated that MAC 4 is a promising antitubercular and antibacterial agent

Metabolic consequences of the water we drink: a study based on field evidence and animal model experimentation

The effect of the chronic consumption of water contaminated with residual concentrations of DDT’s metabolites (DDD—dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane and DDE—dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene) found in the environment were evaluated on the biometric, hematological and antioxidant system parameters of the hepatic, muscular, renal and nervous tissues of Wistar rats. The results showed that the studied concentrations (0.002 mg.L−1 of DDD plus 0.005 mg.L−1 of DDE) could not cause significant changes in the hematological parameters. However, the tissues showed significant alteration in the activity of the antioxidant system represented by the increase in the activity of the enzymes gluthathione S-transferases in the liver, superoxide dismutase in the kidney, gluthathione peroxidase in the brain, and several changes in enzymatic activity in muscle (SOD, GPx and LPO). The enzymes alanine aminotransaminase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransaminase (AST) were also evaluated for the amino acids’ metabolism in the liver, with ALT showing a significant increase in the exposed animals. In the integrative analysis of biomarkers (Permanova and PCOA), the studied concentrations showed possible metabolic changes and damage to cellular structures evidenced by increased oxidative stress and body weight gain among the treated animals. This study highlights the need for further studies on the impact of banned pesticides still present in soils that may induce adverse effects in organisms that may prevail in future generations and the environment

Physicochemical and phytochemical control of Arrabidaea chica (H. & B.) Verlot leaf powder and standardized tincture

The quality control of herbal drugs and their intermediates is essential, especially when they are used as feedstock for medicine development. This study aimed at applying the methodologies established by Brazilian legislation for the development of parameters concerning the characterization and quality control of leaf powder and tincture of Arrabidaea chica (H & B) Verlot. Known as cipó-pau (vinestick), carajeru, pariri, among others, it presents antifungal activity and is used in several diseases such as mycosis and ringworm. The physico-chemical characteristics of the plant drug. The phytochemical screening of the t inc tur e indi cat ed the pr e s enc e of r educ ing sugar s , anthocyanidins , anthocyanins , anthraquinones, steroids, triterpenoids, phenols, flavanonols, flavanols, flavanones, saponins and tannins catechists. HPLC chromatograms showed peaks at 275 nm and 290 nm, with Rt of 8.91 and 13.57 min, whose corresponding spectra showed absorption maxima which is characteristic of flavones and biflavonols -283 nm and 334 nm. Some metabolites found in the phytochemical screening and detected by HPLC may justify the popular use of A. chica as antimicrobial and antifungal medicine.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Rabdomiólise em militares: uma missão de reconhecimento para prevenção.

O treinamento físico regular faz parte do cotidiano militar, com intuito de aprimorar competências físicas essenciais para tarefas de combate. No entanto, quando executado de forma extenuante ou desenvolvido em condições climáticas adversas pode ocasionar o desenvolvimento da rabdomiólise por esforço físico. A rabdomiólise por esforço físico é definida como uma síndrome decorrente da necrose das células musculares, com sintomas variáveis, como dor muscular, fraqueza e aumento plasmático de enzimas musculares. A severidade da rabdomiólise por esforço físico varia individualmente, porém, pode se tornar clinicamente relevante, contribuindo para a hospitalização, insuficiência renal aguda, incapacidade permanente ou óbito. Sendo assim, o objetivo desta revisão narrativa é apresentar possíveis causas e fatores de risco para rabdomiólise, discutir sua fisiopatologia, seus possíveis diagnósticos e suas principais complicações, enfatizando o contexto militar