Melanin pigments are substances produced by a broad variety of pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and helminths. Microbes predominantly produce melanin pigment via tyrosinases, laccases, catecholases, and the polyketide synthase pathway. In fungi, melanin is deposited in the cell wall and cytoplasm, and melanin particles (''ghosts'') can be isolated from these fungi that have the same size and shape of the original cells. Melanin has been reported in several human pathogenic dimorphic fungi including Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, Sporothrix schenckii, Histoplasma capsulatum, Blastomyces dermatitidis, and Coccidioides posadasii. Melanization appears to contribute to virulence by reducing the susceptibility of melanized fungi to host defense mechanisms and antifungal drugs.

-The objective of this work was to evaluate the root system distribution and the yield of 'Conilon' coffee (Coffea canephora) propagated by seeds or cuttings. The experiment was carried out with 2x1 m spacing, in an Oxisol with sandy clay loam texture. A randomized complete block design was used, following a 2x9x6 factorial arrangement, with two propagation methods (seeds and cuttings), nine sampling spacings (0.15, 0.30, 0.45, 0.60, 0.75, and 0.90 m between rows, and 0.15, 0.30, and 0.45 between plants within rows), six soil depths (0.10-0.20, 0.20-0.30, 0.30-0.40, 0.40-0.50, and 0.50-0.60 m), and six replicates. Soil cores (27 cm 3 ) with roots were taken from 12 experimental units, 146 months after planting. The surface area of the root system and root diameter, length, and volume were assessed for 13 years and, then, correlated with grain yield. The highest fine root concentration occurred at the superficial soil layers. The variables used to characterize the root system did not differ between propagation methods. Moreover, no differences were observed for net photosynthetic CO 2 assimilation rate, stomatal conductance, internal CO 2 concentrations, and instantaneous water-use efficiency in the leaves. Cutting-propagated plants were more productive than seed-propagated ones.Index terms: Coffea canephora, root diameter, root length, root volume, vegetative propagation. Distribuição do sistema radicular e produtividade do café 'Conilon' propagado por sementes ou estaquiaResumo -O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a produtividade e a distribuição do sistema radicular do café 'Conilon' (Coffea canephora) propagado por sementes ou estaquia. O experimento foi realizado no espaçamento 2x1 m, em Latossolo com textura franco-argilo-arenosa. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, em arranjo fatorial 2x9x6, com dois métodos de propagação (semente e estaca), nove espaçamentos (0,15, 0,30, 0,45, 0,60, 0,75 e 0,90 m, nas entrelinhas, e 0,15, 0,30 e 0,45 entre plantas), seis profundidades (0,20, 0,30, 0,40, 0,,50 e 0,50-0,60 m) e seis repetições. Foram retirados monólitos (27 cm 3 ) de solo com raízes de 12 unidades experimentais, 146 meses após o plantio. A área superficial do sistema radicular bem como o diâmetro, o comprimento e o volume das raízes foram avaliados por 13 anos e correlacionados à produtividade de grãos. A maior concentração de raízes mais finas ocorreu nas camadas superficiais do solo. As variáveis utilizadas para caracterizar o sistema radicular não diferiram entre os métodos de propagação. Além disso, não se observaram diferenças quanto à taxa de assimilação fotossintética líquida de CO 2 , nem quanto à condutância estomática, às concentrações internas de CO 2 e à eficiência do uso da água nas folhas. Plantas propagadas por estaquia foram mais produtivas do que as propagadas por sementes.Termos para indexação: Coffea canephora, diâmetro de raízes, comprimento de raízes, volume de raízes, propagação vegetativa.

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-Context -The cabbage (Brassica oleraceae var. capitata) is an herbaceous and leafy plant which belongs to the Brassicaceae family, native to coastal southern and Western Europe. Used in cooking for its nutritional value also has known anti-inflammatory activity. Objective -We studied the antiulcerogenic activity of aqueous extract of Brassica oleracea var. capitata (AEB) in order to validate ethnobotanical claims regarding the plant use in the gastric disorders. Method -Acute gastric ulcers were induced in rats by the oral administration of acetylsalicylic acid. The gastroprotective potential of the AEB (0.250, 0.500 and 1.000 mg.kg

Wound healing is a complex process that aims to restore damaged tissue. Phytotherapeutics, such as cabbage, Brassica oleracea var. capitata (Brassicaceae), and sunflower, Helianthus annuus L. (Asteraceae) oil, are used as wound healers. Five circular wounds, each 12 mm in diameter, were made in the dorsolateral region of each rat. The animals were divided into four groups: balsam (B. oleracea); ointment (B. oleracea); sunflower oil (Helianthus annuus); control (saline solution 0.9%). These products were applied daily for 20 days and every four days the tissues of different wounds were removed. The wound contraction area, total collagen, types I and III collagen, glycosaminoglycans, and tissue cellularity were analyzed. In the groups that received ointment and balsam there was reduction in the wound area on days 4, 8, 12, and 20. Throughout the trial period, the balsam and ointment groups showed a higher amount of total collagen, type I collagen, and glycosaminoglycan compared to the others groups. The rats in the groups treated with B. oleracea var. capitata showed a higher number of cells on days 8, 16, and 20. B. oleracea was effective in stimulating the maturation of collagen and increasing the cellularity, as also in improving the mechanical resistance of the newly formed tissue.