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Phenolic compounds are natural substances that are produced through the secondary metabolism of plants, fungi, and bacteria, in addition to being produced by chemical synthesis. These compounds have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties, among others. In this way, Brazil represents one of the most promising countries regarding phenolic compounds since it has a heterogeneous flora, with the presence of six distinct biomes (Cerrado, Amazon, Atlantic Forest, Caatinga, Pantanal, and Pampa). Recently, several studies have pointed to an era of antimicrobial resistance due to the unrestricted and large-scale use of antibiotics, which led to the emergence of some survival mechanisms of bacteria to these compounds. Therefore, the use of natural substances with antimicrobial action can help combat these resistant pathogens and represent a natural alternative that may be useful in animal nutrition for direct application in food and can be used in human nutrition to promote health. Therefore, this study aimed to (i) evaluate the phenolic compounds with antimicrobial properties isolated from plants present in Brazil, (ii) discuss the compounds across different classes (flavonoids, xanthones, coumarins, phenolic acids, and others), and (iii) address the structure–activity relationship of phenolic compounds that lead to antimicrobial action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A cytorhabdovirus, tentatively named "patchouli chlorosis-associated cytorhabdovirus" (PCaCV), was identified in a patchouli plant, using high-throughput sequencing, and its genome sequence was confirmed by Sanger sequencing. The PCaCV genome consists of 12,913 nucleotides and contains six open reading frames in the order 3'-N-P'-P-P3-M-(G)-L-5'. The glycoprotein gene was found to contain stop codons in the coding frame; hence, this gene is considered defective. PCaCV is most closely related to tomato yellow mottle-associated virus, sharing 61.1% nucleotide sequence identity in the complete genome and 73.9% amino acid sequence identity in the L protein. These data suggest that PCaCV should be considered a new member of the genus Cytorhabdovirus, and the binomial species name "Cytorhabdovirus patchoulii" is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Watermelon crinkle leaf-associated virus 1 (WCLaV-1) and WCLaV-2, both belonging to the genus Coguvirus (family Phenuiviridae), have been identified in watermelon plants in Brazil. To study tissue tropism and the potential for seed transmission of these viruses, we initially planned to produce specific antibodies. However, difficulties in isolating and propagating the virus in host plants hindered the purified virus preparations. To overcome this problem, the nucleocapsid (N) proteins of WCLaV-1 and −2 were produced using the pepper ringspot virus vector. The N protein genes and the vector backbone were prepared by (RT-)PCR and ligated by Gibson assembly. The constructs were agro-infiltrated in Nicotiana benthamiana plants. The expressed N proteins were purified and used for polyclonal antibody production. The specificity of both antibodies was confirmed by antigen-coating ELISA, tissue-blot immunobinding assay and Western blot. By antigen-coating ELISA demonstrated that WCLaV-1 showed 93.1% of seed-transmission, while WCLaV-2 showed only 17.8%. The N protein of WCLaV-1 was detected in the cytoplasm of the seed tissues. It was also found in the nuclei of the radicle, as confirmed by confocal microscopy. We concluded that the antibodies exhibited both a high titer and sufficient specificity for use in ELISA-based diagnostics and for subcellular localization study. • WCLaV nucleocapsid antigens were produced using new tobravirus vector in plants • Antibodies produced with these antigens were highly reactive and specific • WCLaV antigens were distributed in whole plants and localized in cytoplasm or nuclei. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During March 2016, leaf blight, followed by death, was observed on yard-long bean plants (Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis) in Brazil. Based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis, the pathogen was identified as Rhizoctonia solani AG-1 IA. Koch's postulates were fulfilled. All accessions studied were classified as susceptible. This is the first report of Rhizoctonia solani AG1-IA infecting yard-long bean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the end of 2019, the first cases of COVID-19 were registered. As the disease spread across continents culminating in a pandemic, countries suffered from a shortage of personal protective equipment. In Brazil, the first case was recorded on February 2020. This study aims to describe the experience of creating an interinstitutional network to meet the pandemic's demands and the experience of transforming an academic design laboratory into space for the production of personal protective equipment using 3D printing and laser cutting techniques. The actions described in this study, made it possible to meet the high emergency demand for PPE in the city of Rio de Janeiro, as well as the construction of knowledge both within the scope of building networks to solve complex social problems and about the possibilities of production in an academic environment. The work also addresses the importance of the divulgation obtained by the project-specially on national TV broadcast and social media - as a way to raise society's awareness of design professionals work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In Brazil, grassland ecosystems of the Pampa are restricted to Rio Grande do Sul State (RS) and constitute the largest temperate natural grassland in the world. There are no recent data to indicate how much of these fields was lost in the state, but excursions made in recent years have pointed to a high conversion of native fields into crops. This situation has alerted to the intensification of biodiversity loss and the biological impoverishment of these fields. In view of the above, this study characterizes plant diversity in fields of the southern and western portion of RS. The study was based on publications of recent years that indicate the problems that effectively threaten this diversity. Pampa fields are natural and have a great diversity, constituting a considerable genetic heritage, ensuring the provision of ecosystem services to human populations. The few bioprospecting studies on species from these fields suggest that much remains to be discovered and that actions need to be taken to inhibit field destruction. These fields have never been treated as priority areas for conservation, but it is our commitment to reverse this transformation and destruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on the slow implementation of the 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity's plan for the exploitation of the Amazon basin as a common heritage. Rights given to individual Amazonian nations; Future of bioprospecting; Favorable position of Brazil' scientists; Collaborative academic efforts.