New segregates from the Neotropical genus Stryphnodendron (Leguminosae, Caesalpinioideae, mimosoid clade)

Non-monophyly is a prominent issue in mimosoid legumes, even in some of the less speciose genera such as the neotropical genus Stryphnodendron. This genus includes 35 species occurring from Nicaragua to Southern Brazil mostly in humid forests and savannas. Previous taxonomic studies of Stryphnodendron have highlighted morphologically distinct groups within the genus, recognized by differences on leaves (number of pinnae and size of leaflets), inflorescences (a simple or compound thyrse), and fruit types (legume, nucoid legume or follicle). Recent phylogenetic analyses have confirmed the non-monophyly of Stryphnodendron, supporting the recognition of three independent and morphologically well-delimited genera. Here we re-circumscribe Stryphnodendron and propose the two new genera Gwilymia and Naiadendron. In addition, we also provide an updated taxonomic account of the closely related genus Microlobius, including the proposal of a lectotype for the single species in the genus

Optimization of Laccase Production, and Characterization of Lignin Degradation Products by Fusarium oxysporum JUMAD-053

The objective of this work was to optimize the culture conditions for laccase production in the presence of Kraft lignin by Fusarium oxysporum JUMAD-053, and to evaluate the biodegradation products of lignin. The fungal isolate that presented highest laccase activity had its production optimized by a statistical factorial design 33 in 15 experimental runs. F. oxysporum presented the highest constitutive laccase titer (5.37 U/mL). Statistical factorial design demonstrated a maximum laccase titer of 9.8 U/mL when assayed against ABTS under the conditions optimized: 1.125% (w/v) yeast extract, 0.5% (w/v) Kraft lignin and 10 days of cultivation. The maximum laccase titer when assayed on DMP was 8.4 U/mL, following the conditions optimized: 1.125% yeast extract, 0.25% Kraft lignin and 7 days of cultivation. The analysis of cultures led to identification of metabolites; two being aromatic: 2,6-dimethoxy benzoic acid and sesamin; also, fumonisin and long-chain fatty acids. As a result of the study, the maximum laccase activities of 9.8 and 8.4 U/mL measured from ABTS and DMP substrates, respectively. The search shows new sources of fungal laccase for obtaining new metabolites of biodegradation from Kraft lignin in culture medium. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17807/orbital.v13i5.162

Encapsulation of the HSP-90 Chaperone Inhibitor 17-AAG in Stable Liposome Allow Increasing the Therapeutic Index as Assessed, in vitro, on Leishmania (L) amazonensis Amastigotes-Hosted in Mouse CBA Macrophages

The current long-term treatment for leishmaniasis causes severe side effects and resistance in some cases. An evaluation of the anti-leishmanial potential of an HSP90-inhibitor, 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG), demonstrated its potent effect against Leishmania spp. in vitro and in vivo. We have previously shown that 17-AAG can kill L. (L) amazonensis promastigotes with an IC50 of 65 nM and intracellular amastigote at concentrations as low as 125 nM. As this compound presents low solubility and high toxicity in human clinical trials, we prepared an inclusion complex containing hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin and 17-AAG (17-AAG:HPβCD) to improve its solubility. This complex was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Liposomes-containing 17-AAG:HPβCD was prepared and evaluated for encapsulation efficiency (EE%), particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), pH, and zeta potential, before and after accelerated and long-term stability testing. An evaluation of leishmanicidal activity against promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes of L. (L) amazonensis was also performed. The characterization techniques utilized confirmed the formation of the inclusion complex, HPβCD:17-AAG, with a resulting 33-fold-enhancement in compound water solubility. Stability studies revealed that 17-AAG:HPβCD-loaded liposomes were smaller than 200 nm, with 99% EE. Stability testing detected no alterations in PDI that was 0.295, pH 7.63, and zeta potential +22.6, suggesting liposome stability, and suitability for evaluating leishmanicidal activity. Treatment of infected macrophages with 0.006 nM of 17-AAG:HPβCD or 17-AAG:HPβCD-loaded liposomes resulted in almost complete amastigote clearance inside macrophages after 48 h. This reduction is similar to the one observed in infected macrophages treated with 2 μM amphotericin B. Our results showed that nanotechnology and drug delivery systems could be used to increase the antileishmanial efficacy and potency of 17-AAG in vitro, while also resulting in reduced toxicity that indicates these formulations may represent a potential therapeutic strategy against leishmaniasis

In vitro Antiplasmodial Activities of Alkaloids Isolated from Roots of Worsleya procera (Lem.) Traub (Amaryllidaceae)

A combined phytochemical, crystallographic and biological study of Worsleya procera roots was performed. Fifteen alkaloids were identified by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and seven of them were isolated. The structures of the alkaloids were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, and a detailed crystallographic study of tazettine was carried out. The isolated alkaloids and the obtained extracts were tested in vitro against Plasmodium falciparum (3D7 and K1 strains) and human hepatocarcinoma cells (HepG2) to assess their antiplasmodial and cytotoxic effects, respectively. One of the isolated alkaloid derivatives, lycorine, exhibited antiplasmodial activity against both sensitive (3D7) and resistant (K1) parasite strains in the low micromolar range (half-maximal sample inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 2.5 and 3.1 µM, respectively) and displayed a low cytotoxicity profile, with a selectivity index greater than 100. Our findings indicate that lycorine is a hit for antimalarial drug discovery. Keywords: isoquinolinic alkaloids; Amaryllidaceae; Plasmodium falciparum; lycorine; tazettin

Inoculation with the endophytic bacterium Herbaspirillum seropedicae promotes growth, nutrient uptake and photosynthetic efficiency in rice

Main conclusion: Higher vacuolar proton pump activity may increase plant energy and nutrient use efficiency and provide the nexus between plant inoculation with Herbaspirillum seropedicae and growth promotion. Abstract: Global change and growing human population are exhausting arable land and resources, including water and fertilizers. We present inoculation with the endophytic plant-growth promoting bacterium (PGPB) Herbaspirillum seropedicae as a strategy for promoting growth, nutrient uptake and photosynthetic efficiency in rice (Oryza sativa L.). Because plant nutrient acquisition is coordinated with photosynthesis and the plant carbon status, we hypothesize that inoculation with H. seropedicae will stimulate proton (H+) pumps, increasing plant growth nutrient uptake and photosynthetic efficiency at low nutrient levels. Plants were inoculated and grown in pots with sterile soil for 90 days. Herbaspirillum seropedicae endophytic colonization was successful and, as hypothesized, inoculation (1) stimulated root vacuolar H+ pumps (vacuolar H+-ATPase and vacuolar H+-PPase), and (2) increased plant growth, nutrient contents and photosynthetic efficiency. The results showed that inoculation with the endophytic bacterium H. seropedicae can promote plant growth, nutrient uptake and photosynthetic efficiency, which will likely result in a more efficient use of resources (nutrients and water) and higher production of nutrient-rich food at reduced economic and environmental costs.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

An unusual plank-shaped nematogen with a graphene nanoribbon core

A [12]phenacene exclusively decorated with four lateral hexylester substituents self-assembles into a nematic liquid crystal glass on cooling after melting at high temperature. This uniaxial nematic organization of a plank-shaped nanographene is unprecedented and in strong contrast to the common design rules for liquid crystals. Highly birefringent samples emitting polarized fluorescence can be obtained in homogeneously planar or twisted waveguiding configurations that are stable against crystallization at and below room temperature and up to 100 °C

Estudo da interação solo-estrutura em um edifício residencial na cidade de Itaperuna/RJ a partir do respectivo projeto estrutural / Study of soil-structure interaction in a residential building in the city of Itaperuna/RJ based on the respective structural project

O presente artigo explora a interação do solo e estrutura em um edifício residencial de 12 pavimentos projetado na cidade de Itaperuna-RJ por meio de seu respectivo projeto estrutural. Para análise foram utilizados laudos de sondagens fornecidos por empresa especializada, afim de julgar a relação da estrutura projetada com os solos disponíveis. É essencial que se obtenha os laudos de sondagem para posterior seleção da fundação a ser projetada e executada. A investigação qualitativa detalhada teve por início na apuração dos laudos de sondagem em distintos terrenos situados no município de Itaperuna-RJ, e posteriormente foi definido o projeto estrutural. A exploração se desenvolveu por intermédio da inserção das informações contidas nos laudos de sondagem e da mesclagem da mesma com a projeção estrutural, através do software de projeção estrutural, que demonstrou as interações gráficas, que a fundação definida teve com cada solo. Informações daí aferidas impulsionaram a análise comparativa da fundação para os diferentes solos. O programa utilizado para as representações estruturais e gráficas foi o Eberick em função dos laudos apresentados e trabalhados em planilha específica. Pode-se entender o laudo da região proveniente da menor capacidade de carga para a estaca, como modelo para a projeção da fundação profunda (estaca raiz) no software e aplicando assim a mesma linha de raciocínio para o estudo comparativo das demais regiões aplicadas a mesma fundação profunda. A interação foi considerada satisfatória, atendendo a resistência que cada pilar exerce em razão de cada capacidade de carga da estaca

Value priorities as predictors of organizational commitment

Foi objetivo desta pesquisa estudar se as prioridades axiológicas do empregado e o tempo de serviço influenciam o comprometimento afetivo com a organização. Esta relação foi estudada com uma amostra de 200 empregados. Os instrumentos utilizados foram o Inventário de Valores de Schwartz e a Escala de Mowday de comprometimento afetivo organizacional. A análise de regressão múltipla, utilizada para testar o poder preditivo dos dez tipos motivacionais de valores, revelou que Tradição, Poder, Estimulação e Universalismo foram os preditores axiológicos mais relevantes do comprometimento organizacional. A relação do comprometimento organizacional foi negativa com Estimulação (beta = - 0,26) e positiva com os outros três tipos motivacionais de valores. Quando foi verificado o poder preditivo dos quatros fatores de ordem superior somente Conservação surgiu como antecedente do comprometimento organizacional. Concluiu-se que, do ponto de vista das motivações axiológicas, o comprometimento é um comportamento complexo.The purpose of this research was to study if employee' values priorities and tenure influence the organizational commitment. This relationship was explored with a sample of 200 employees. The instruments used were the Schwartz Value Inventory and the Mowday Scale of affective organizational commitment. Multiple regression analysis testing the predictive power of the ten value types showed that Tradition, Power, Stimulation and Universalism were salient predictors of organizational commitment. The relation of organizational commitment was negative with Stimulation (beta = - 0,26) and positive with the other three motivational types. When the predictive power of the four higher order value types was verified, only Conservatism was identified as antecedent of organizational commitment. It was concluded that, from the values motivations point of view, the organizational commitment is a complex behavior