Epicoccum nigrum P16, a Sugarcane Endophyte, Produces Antifungal Compounds and Induces Root Growth

Background: Sugarcane is one of the most important crops in Brazil, mainly because of its use in biofuel production. Recent studies have sought to determine the role of sugarcane endophytic microbial diversity in microorganism-plant interactions, and their biotechnological potential. Epicoccum nigrum is an important sugarcane endophytic fungus that has been associated with the biological control of phytopathogens, and the production of secondary metabolites. In spite of several studies carried out to define the better conditions to use E. nigrum in different crops, little is known about the establishment of an endophytic interaction, and its potential effects on plant physiology. Methodology/Principal Findings: We report an approach based on inoculation followed by re-isolation, molecular monitoring, microscopic analysis, plant growth responses to fungal colonization, and antimicrobial activity tests to study the basic aspects of the E. nigrum endophytic interaction with sugarcane, and the effects of colonization on plant physiology. The results indicate that E. nigrum was capable of increasing the root system biomass and producing compounds that inhibit the in vitro growth of sugarcane pathogens Fusarium verticillioides, Colletotrichum falcatum, Ceratocystis paradoxa, and Xanthomomas albilineans. In addition, E. nigrum preferentially colonizes the sugarcane surface and, occasionally, the endophytic environment. Conclusions/Significance: Our work demonstrates that E. nigrum has great potential for sugarcane crop application because it is capable of increasing the root system biomass and controlling pathogens. The study of the basic aspects of the interaction of E. nigrum with sugarcane demonstrated the facultative endophytism of E. nigrum and its preference for the phylloplane environment, which should be considered in future studies of biocontrol using this species. In addition, this work contributes to the knowledge of the interaction of this ubiquitous endophyte with the host plant, and also to a better use of microbial endophytes in agriculture.State of Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP)FAPESP (State of Sao Paulo Research Foundation) [02/14143-3, 10/08286-2]Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq

Levels of carcinoembryonic antigen and CA 19-9 in the sera and peritoneal washing of patients undergoing surgical treatment for gastric carcinoma Níveis do antígeno carcinoembriônico e do CA 19-9 no soro e no lavado peritonial em doentes submetidos ao tratamento cirúrgico do carcinoma gástrico

BACKGROUND: Early peritoneal recurrence of gastric carcinoma following curative resection remains a great challenge in the treatment and prevention of this disease. AIM: To analyze the relationship between levels of tumor markers, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and CA 19-9 in the sera and peritoneal washing, and anatomopathological aspects of the gastric carcinoma. METHODS: Of the 46 patients in the study, 29 (63.0%) were males and 17 (37.0%) females. Mean age was 63.6 ± 11.7 years (31 to 91 years). Peripheral venous blood samples were collected from the upper limb vein from both patient groups after anesthetic induction, in order to determine serum levels of CEA and CA 19-9. After the end of the procedure, 50 mL of physiologic solution was introduced into the bottom of the Douglas sack and a portion aspirated to determine CEA and CA 19-9 levels in the peritoneal washing. Levels of CEA and CA 19-9 in the sera and peritoneal washing were compared to the following variables: lesion diameter &#8804;4 cm or >4 cm, lymph node involvement, angiolymphatic invasion, depth of invasion into gastric wall, and initial or late stage. RESULTS: Sera CEA levels were significantly higher in patients with lesions >5 cm. CEA levels in the sera and peritoneal washing were significantly greater in patients with signet ring cell gastric carcinoma. In addition, levels of CEA in peripheral blood and peritoneal washing showed significant association with the degree of carcinoma penetration into the gastric wall, while sera CEA was significantly higher in patients at more advanced stages. There was no significant difference between sera and peritoneal CEA values regarding grade of differentiation. Patients with gastric lesions measuring > 5cm and more differentiated lesions had significantly higher sera CA 19-9 values. In patients with lymph nodes invasion by gastric carcinoma, CA 19-9 levels in peritoneal washing were significantly higher than in peripheral blood. Levels of CA 19-9 in peritoneal washing were significantly greater at advanced stages than the initial stage of the gastric carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated levels of CA 19-9 in peritoneal washing were significantly associated with more advance stages of gastric carcinoma and was more reliable predictive factor for staging than sera CA 19-9 levels. CEA levels in the sera more accurately reflected neoplasia stage than levels in peritoneal washing.<br>RACIONAL: A recidiva peritonial precoce do carcinoma gástrico operado com intenção curativa continua sendo um grande desafio do seu tratamento e prevenção. OBJETIVO: Analisar a relação entre os níveis do marcador tumoral antígeno carcinoembriônico (CEA) e CA 19-9 no sangue e no lavado peritonial e os aspectos anatomopatológicos do carcinoma gástrico. MÉTODO: Dos 46 doentes do estudo, 29 (63,0%) eram do sexo masculino e 17 (37,0%) do feminino. A média de idade foi de 63,6 ± 11,7 anos (31 a 91 anos). Após a indução anestésica, o sangue venoso periférico foi coletado de veia do membro superior para a determinação do nível sérico do CEA e CA 19-9. Após o término do procedimento operatório foram derramados 50 mL de solução fisiológica no fundo de saco de Douglas, aspirada alíquota que foi encaminhada para a determinação do nível no lavado peritonial do CEA e CA 19-9. O nível do CEA e do CA 19-9 sérico e no lavado peritonial foram relacionados às seguintes variáveis: diâmetro da lesão &#8804;4 cm ou >4 cm, comprometimento linfonodal, invasão angiolifática, profundidade de invasão na parede gástrica e estádio inicial ou tardio. RESULTADOS: Em relação ao CEA, o nível sérico foi significantemente maior nos doentes com o diâmetro da lesão >5 cm. O nível de CEA sérico e no lavado peritonial foi significantemente maior nos doentes com carcinoma gástrico com células em anel de sinete. O nível de CEA no sangue periférico e no lavado peritonial mostrou relação significante com o nível de penetração do carcinoma na parede gástrica, e o CEA sérico foi significantemente mais elevado nos doentes com estádio mais avançados. Não houve diferença significante entre os valores do CEA sérico e peritonial nos carcinomas mais diferenciados em relação aos menos diferenciados. No tocante ao CA 19-9, os enfermos com lesões gástricas com diâmetro >5 cm e mais diferenciadas exibiram valores séricos de CA 19-9 significantemente maiores. Nos doentes com linfonodos comprometidos pelo carcinoma gástrico, os níveis de CA 19-9 no lavado peritonial foram significantemente maiores do que os no sangue periférico. Níveis do CA 19-9 no lavado peritonial foram significantemente maiores no estádio avançado em relação ao estádio inicial do carcinoma gástrico. CONCLUSÕES: Níveis elevados do CA 19-9 no lavado peritonial foi significantemente associado com estádios mais avançados do carcinoma gástrico e foi fator preditivo mais fidedigno para o estádio do que os níveis séricos do CA 19-9. Os níveis séricos do CEA refletiram mais acuradamente o estádio da neoplasia do que os níveis no lavado peritonial