Molecular and biological characterization of a putative new sobemovirus infecting Physalis peruviana.

Physalis peruviana is a perennial solanaceous plant that has recently been established as a commercial crop in Brazil. This work reports the near-complete genome sequence, particle morphology, and plant host responses to a putative new sobemovirus, named "physalis rugose mosaic virus". The virus, characterized by isometric particles of ca. 30 nm in diameter, causes foliar symptoms of mosaic, malformation and blistering, accompanied by stunting. The near-complete genome sequence comprises 4175 nucleotides and contains five open reading frames that are similar to those of other sobemoviruses. In addition to P. peruviana, the new virus systemically infected Capsicum annuum, Nicotiana tabacum and Solanum lycopersicum by mechanical inoculation. Thus, this virus may cause disease in these crops in the field.

Modulation of the antibiotic activity by extracts from Amburana cearensis A. C. Smith and Anadenanthera macrocarpa (Benth.) Brenan.

The aim of this study was to verify the possible interactions between ethanol extracts of Amburana cearensis A. C. Smith and Anadenanthera macrocarpa (Benth.) Brenan, combined with six antimicrobial drugs against multiresistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli isolated from humans. The antibacterial activity of the extracts was determined using the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The microdilution assay was performed to verify the interactions between the natural products and the antibiotics using a subinhibitory concentration. The activity of amikacin associated with the extract of Anadenanthera macrocarpa against EC 27 was enhanced, demonstrating an MIC reduction from 128 to 4 µg/mL. Among the ß-lactams, no potentiation on its activity was observed, with exception to the antagonism of the natural products with ampicillin against S. aureus 358.