Polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) are particles within the size range from 1 to 1000 nm and can be loaded with active compounds entrapped within or surface-adsorbed onto the polymeric core. The term “nanoparticle” stands for both nanocapsules and nanospheres, which are distinguished by the morphological structure. Polymeric NPs have shown great potential for targeted delivery of drugs for the treatment of several diseases. In this review, we discuss the most commonly used methods for the production and characterization of polymeric NPs, the association efficiency of the active compound to the polymeric core, and the in vitro release mechanisms. As the safety of nanoparticles is a high priority, we also discuss the toxicology and ecotoxicology of nanoparticles to humans and to the environment.

BACKGROUND: Moniliophthora perniciosa (Stahel) Aime & Phillips-Mora is the causal agent of witches' broom disease (WBD) of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) and a threat to the chocolate industry. The membrane-bound enzyme alternative oxidase (AOX) is critical for M. perniciosa virulence and resistance to fungicides, which has also been observed in other phytopathogens. Notably AOX is an escape mechanism from strobilurins and other respiration inhibitors, making AOX a promising target for controlling WBD and other fungal diseases. RESULTS:We present the first study aimed at developing novel fungal AOX inhibitors. N-Phenylbenzamide (NPD) derivatives were screened in the model yeast Pichia pastoris through oxygen consumption and growth measurements. The most promising AOX inhibitor (NPD 7j-41) was further characterized and displayed better activity than the classical AOX inhibitor SHAM in vitro against filamentous fugal phytopathogens, such as M. perniciosa, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Venturia pirina. We demonstrate that 7j-41 inhibits M. perniciosa spore germination and prevents WBD symptom appearance in infected plants. Finally, a structural model of P. pastoris AOX was created and used in ligand structure-activity relationships analyses. CONCLUSION: We present novel fungal AOX inhibitors with antifungal activity against relevant phytopathogens. We envisage the development of novel antifungal agents to secure food production.

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Some passerines incorporate aromatic plants in their nest cups, and several hypotheses have been formulated to explain this behaviour. One of those, the Drug Hypothesis, states that aromatic plants present in nests have positive effects on nestlings’ development through increased immune function. In this study, we aimed to examine if experimental addition of aromatic plants had positive effects on reproductive performance (the number of fledglings produced and nestling survival rate) and nestling development (weight and tarsus length). In addition, we study whether those potential effects were more noticeable in different brood sizes–small and large–through an observational approach. We expect that large broods, due to increased resource competition between nestlings, will benefit more from aromatic plant incorporation, as compared to small broods. Nestlings were significantly heavier in 2015 as compared to 2016 and 2017 and in small broods. No effect of treatment was observed in nestling weight. Although there was no overall effect of treatment on nestling tarsus length, nestlings from aromatic nests had significantly longer tarsi as compared to nestlings from control nests, in large broods.

Yersiniosis is a zoonotic bacterial disease that affects humans and animals, including primates. The aim of the study was to report one case of fatal Yersinia enterocolitica infection and two cases of co-infection with Escherichia coli in captive black tufted marmosets (Callithrix penicillata) in Apucarana, Paraná, south Brazil. The affected animals presented severe diarrhea and progressed to death. Gross examination showed multifocal to coalescing necrosis in the liver, mild diffuse hepatomegaly, mild diffuse necrotizing enteritis, moderate splenomegaly and focally extensive hyperemia of the leptomeninges. Microscopically, the liver lesions comprised multifocal areas of lytic necrosis with intralesional colonies of gram-negative coccobacilli, characterizing a severe, random, multifocal to coalescing necrotizing hepatitis. A moderate multifocal lymphocytic cholangiohepatitis, severe focally extensive mucosal necrosis in the small intestine, and mild multifocal lymphoplasmacytic leptomeningitis in the brain were observed. Two cases of co-infection by Y. enterocolitica and E. coli, and one case by Y. enterocolitica were confirmed through bacterial culture, biochemical characteristics and 16S rRNA. To the best of the author’s knowledge, it is the first report of an infection of Y. enterocolitica and co-infection with E. coli in black-tufted marmosets resulting in diarrhea, septicemia and death.