Twenty endophytic bacteria were isolated from the meristematic tissues of three varieties of strawberry cultivated in vitro, and further identified, by FAME profile, into the genera Bacillus and Sphingopyxis. The strains were also characterized according to indole acetic acid production, phosphate solubilization and potential for plant growth promotion. Results showed that 15 strains produced high levels of IAA and all 20 showed potential for solubilizing inorganic phosphate. Plant growth promotion evaluated under greenhouse conditions revealed the ability of the strains to enhance the root number, length and dry weight and also the leaf number, petiole length and dry weight of the aerial portion. Seven Bacillus spp. strains promoted root development and one strain of Sphingopyxis sp. promoted the development of plant shoots. The plant growth promotion showed to be correlated to IAA production and phosphate solubilization. The data also suggested that bacterial effects could potentially be harnessed to promote plant growth during seedling acclimatization in strawberry.

Resumo -O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar um levantamento da diversidade de microrganismos endofíticos, em plantas de mandioca (Manihot esculenta Crantz) coletadas de áreas comerciais, no Estado de São Paulo, e de etnovariedades dos estados do Amazonas e Bahia e, também, avaliar seu potencial para fixar N atmosférico e para produzir ácido indolacético. Nos três estados, foram identificadas 47 espécies de microrganismos pertencentes a 27 gêneros. Bacillus spp. foi o mais freqüente em todas as regiões. O maior número de gêneros foi encontrado em plantas provenientes do Estado do Amazonas, que apresenta a maior diversidade de microrganismos endofíticos. Amplificações por PCR do gene nifH foram avaliadas em espécies bacterianas pertencentes às γ-Proteobacteria. Isolados AIA positivos foram obtidos de material coletado em todos os estados, e foram representados por microrganismos pertencentes aos subgrupos γ-Proteobacteria, β-Proteobacteria, Bacilli e Actinobacteria. A ocorrência de bactérias endofíticas em plantas de mandioca, com capacidade para fixar N atmosférico e produzir AIA in vitro, indica potencial para promover o crescimento da planta.Termos para indexação: Manihot esculenta, Bacillus, Actinobacteria, fixação de nitrogênio, ácido indolacético. Cassava endophytic microorganisms of commercial plantings and ethnovarieties in three Brazilian statesAbstract -The aim of this work was to perform a survey of the diversity of endophytic microorganisms in cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) collected from commercial plantings, in the State of São Paulo, and in ethnovarieties collected in the States of Amazonas and Bahia, and also, to evaluate its potential of biological nitrogen fixation, and to produce indolacetic acid. In those States, 47 species of 27 genera were identified. Bacillus spp. was the most frequently found in all sampled regions. In Amazonas State, it was found the higher diversity of endophytic microorganisms. PCR amplifications of the nifH gene were evaluated in species of γ-Proteobacteria subgroup. IAA production was found in microorganisms isolated in cassava grown in all sampled States and belonged to the following subgroups: γ-Proteobacteria, β-Proteobacteria, Bacilli and Actinobacteria. In cassava, the occurrence of endophytic bacteria, with N-fixing and in vitro IAA-producing abilities, indicates potential for plant growth promotion.Index terms: Manihot esculenta, Bacillus, Actinobacteria, nitrogen fixation, indol-acetic acid. IntroduçãoOs microrganismos associados às plantas são considerados endofíticos, quando habitam o interior da planta sem causar danos aparentes ao hospedeiro (Hallmann et al., 1997

PURPOSE:To evaluate metabolic effects in experimental model of glucocorticoid-induced insulin resistance. METHODS:Twenty Wistar male rats were randomly divided into two groups, which were treated with intraperitoneally injected dexamethasone 1mg/Kg/day for ten days consecutively (Group D; n=10) and placebo (Group C; n=10). The variables analyzed were:from the first to the 10th day -body weight (before and after treatment); food and water daily consumption; on the 10th day -glycemia, insulinemia, HOMA-beta and HOMA-IR. The blood samples for laboratory analysis were obtained by intracardiac puncture. Also on the 10 th day liver fragments were taken for analyzing glycogen and fattty.

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PURPOSE:To extract the Melaleuca sp. oil and to assess its in vitro inhibitory effect against Staphylococcus aureus isolates obtained from lower limb wounds and resistant to several antibiotics. METHODS:A total of 14 test-tubes containing Mueller-Hinton broth were used to determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC). The following concentrations of the Melaleuca sp. oil were added to the first 11 tubes: 8; 4; 2; 1; 0.5; 0.2; 0.1; 0.05; 0.025; 0,0125 and 0.00625%. The 12 th and 13 th tubes, with and without oil, were used as the positive and negative controls, respectively. The experimental study was carried out in triplicate at 37ºC for 18 hours. The Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC), able of killing all the microorganisms, was also determined. Two S. aureus isolates were obtained from lower limb wounds of female patients and the identification of the microorganisms (Staphylococcus aureus) and the test for susceptibility to the antimicrobial agents were carried out by automation using the apparatus MicroScan ® . After identification, the isolates were preserved in liquid Trypticase Soy medium, and inoculated for determination of the MIC and MBC. RESULTS:The MIC was 0.2% and the MBC was 0.4%. CONCLUSION:The Melaleuca sp. oil showed antimicrobial properties in vitro against strains isolated from lower limb wounds which were resistant to multiple antibiotics.