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In southern Brazil, Eucalyptus saligna is one of the most cultivated species within the Eucalyptus genus for forest plantations, thanks to genetic improvement programs. Among the primary vegetative propagation methods for recalcitrant genotypes is micropropagation. This study aimed to investigate the effects of two variables in the culture medium on the micropropagation of E. saligna. Nodal segments of 2 cm were introduced into a Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 0, 15, 30, and 45 g L-1 of sucrose, considering two different medium consistencies: semi-solid (7.5 g L-1 of agar), and liquid with a spherical solid support. The experiment followed a completely randomized design, with eight treatments in a factorial scheme and four replicates, each containing 10 explants. After 30 days, several parameters were measured, including the mortality rate, number of shoots per explant, average shoot length, chlorophyll a, b, and total chlorophyll content. The results indicated that the survival and multiplication rates of explants were higher in the semi-solid medium. In contrast, the liquid medium with solid support proved inefficient, as it failed to establish adequate contact between the explants and the culture medium, compromising the nutrient supply. Generally, survival rates were higher in treatments with increased sucrose concentrations, as higher sucrose levels provide metabolic energy and carbon skeletons essential for the biosynthesis of amino acids, proteins, polysaccharides, and other organic compounds required for growth. Furthermore, the higher sucrose concentration promoted shoot formation, although there was no statistically significant difference among the treatments supplemented with sucrose concentrations of 15, 30, and 45 g L-1. The higher sucrose concentration resulted in a significantly reduced chlorophyll content in the semi-solid medium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Staphylococcus argenteus is a new specie positive coagulase staphylococci. We investigate the presence of S. argenteus in isolates previously classified as S. aureus, obtained from the milk of cows with mastitis in Brazil. Results: Among 856 S. aureus tested in chocolate agar, tryptone soya agar and salt egg yolk agar, white or colorless colonies were observed in 185 (21.6%) isolates. Regarding the ctrOPQMN operon, 111 (60%) presented the complete cluster. Despite some missing genes in this cluster, the remaining strains (74) were confirmed as S. aureus using the nrps gene. Conclusions: As far as we know, this is the first review of S. aureus collection in Brazil and S. argenteus does not appear to be a significant problem in Brazilian herds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chicken is a leading source of thermotolerant Campylobacter, which triggers human foodborne enteritis. This study evaluated thermotolerant Campylobacter contamination of retail chicken in southern Brazil, using qualitative and quantitative analyses. Selective enrichment in Bolton broth for 24 and 48 h after plating onto modified charcoal–cefoperazone– deoxycholate (mCCD) agar and Preston agar was assessed. The combined results of the detection and enumeration methods revealed a frequency of 70% occurrence of thermotolerant Campylobacter in chicken samples. Campylobacter was enumerated in 60% of the samples, whereas 46% of the samples were positive in the qualitative analysis. Quantitative analysis showed average counts of 3.10 6 0.15 log10 CFU/sample. Higher numbers of Campylobacter-positive samples were found using 24-h enrichment before plating onto Preston agar (46%) than onto mCCD agar (2%). The majority of isolated strains were identified as Campylobacter jejuni, and Campylobacter coli was also found but to a lesser extent. Subtyping revealed a clear distinction between strains isolated from different chicken sources. The enriched samples plated onto mCCD agar showed extensive spreading of nonproducing extended-spectrum b-lactamases Proteus mirabilis that hampered the identification of Campylobacter colonies. P. mirabilis strains showed resistance to cefoperazone, trimethoprim, and polymyxin B present in broth and plate media used and were inhibited by rifampicin present in Preston agar. The results underline the effect of the spread of contaminant strains on Campylobacter cultures, which might be prevented using a recently revised International Organization for Standardization method for qualitative analysis of chicken. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a qualidade microbiológica do leite de cabra cru e pasteurizado produzido no estado de Alagoas, Brasil. Foram realizadas três coletas intervaladas de amostras de leite de cabra cru e pasteurizado que foram levadas ao laboratório. Todas as amostras foram submetidas a contagem de microrganismos aeróbios mesófilos, microorganismos psicrotróficos, determinação do número mais provável (MPN) de coliformes totais e microorganismos termotolerantes. Para análise, as amostras foram plaqueadas em meio específico (Baird- Parker Agar Base himedia M043) e incubadas a 37 ° C durante 24h. Para Salmonella sp. A detecção foi utilizada plaqueando o meio Agar Salmonella Shigella. A presença de coliformes a 35 ° C foi detectada em todas as amostras, bem como em 45 ° C, excepto na primeira amostra. Ao leite pasteurizado verificou-se coliformes a 35 ° C e 45 ° C na segunda e terceira amostras. Apenas no segundo teste foi verificada a presença de bactérias mesofílicas. Não foram encontradas amostras contaminadas com microorganismos psicrotróficos, Salmonella sp. E Staphylococcus sp. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, a qualidade do leite coletado apresenta condições de consumo inaceitáveis em relação às contagens de coliformes, de acordo com os parâmetros estabelecidos pela lei. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six Nowakowskiella species from Brazil were identified and purified on corn meal agar (CMA) plus glucose and Peptonized Milk-Tryptone-Glucose (PmTG) media and placed into a phylogenetic framework for the genus. New sequence data are presented for four species: N. elongata, N. multispora, and N. ramosa and the new species N. crenulata. Our maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses of combined 18S, 5.8S, and 28S subunits of nuc rDNA showed that Nowakowskiella is not a monophyletic clade because of the position of Nowakowskiella elongata, which is more related to Cladochytrium. We reclassify N. elongata as the type of a new genus, Karlingiella. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Gonorrhoea and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Neisseria gonorrhoeae are major public health concerns globally. Enhanced AMR surveillance for gonococci is essential worldwide; however, recent quality-assured gonococcal AMR surveillance in Latin America, including Brazil, has been limited. Our aims were to (i) establish the first nationwide gonococcal AMR surveillance, quality assured according to WHO standards, in Brazil, and (ii) describe the antimicrobial susceptibility of clinical gonococcal isolates collected from 2015 to 2016 in all five main regions (seven sentinel sites) of Brazil.Methods: Gonococcal isolates from 550 men with urethral discharge were examined for susceptibility to ceftriaxone, cefixime, azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, benzylpenicillin and tetracycline using the agar dilution method, according to CLSI recommendations and quality assured according to WHO standards.Results: The levels of resistance (intermediate susceptibility) to tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, benzylpenicillin and azithromycin were 61.6% (34.2%), 55.6% (0.5%), 37.1% (60.4%) and 6.9% (8.9%), respectively. All isolates were susceptible to ceftriaxone and cefixime using the US CLSI breakpoints. However, according to the European EUCAST cefixime breakpoints, 0.2% (n = 1) of isolates were cefixime resistant and 6.9% (n = 38) of isolates had a cefixime MIC bordering on resistance.Conclusions: This study describes the first national surveillance of gonococcal AMR in Brazil, which was quality assured according to WHO standards. The high resistance to ciprofloxacin (which promptly informed a revision of the Brazilian sexually transmitted infection treatment guideline), emerging resistance to azithromycin and decreasing susceptibility to extended-spectrum cephalosporins necessitate continuous surveillance of gonococcal AMR and ideally treatment failures, and increased awareness when prescribing treatment in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peltophorum dubium (Spreng.) Taub is a forest species native to Brazil endowed with promising forestry features for the purposes of afforestation. However, production of seedlings of high quality through micropropagation is limited by the reduced root formation. As a result, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of alternative substrates to the agar and the culture period in the in vitro formation of roots. It was tested at 30 and 60 days of in vitro culture, culture media composed of combinations of substrates vermiculite (V), Plantmax® (P) or fine sand (FS) to MS nutritive medium containing 10 µM of 3-indole butyric acid (IBA), with agar or not (A). Was obtained a high survival rate of shoots both the 30 (92.3%) and 60 (82.6%) days of culture. Most culture media yielded high survival (91.1 to 100%) but those containing (P) constituted exceptions. Intense calli formation was observed only after 60 days of culture, in the control, which contained MS and (A), and in those other two treatments containing (V). The best result of root formation as much quantitatively (36.78%) as for the quality were obtained on treatment that included (V) and (A), in addition to MS at 60 days of culture. With the use of (V) in the culture medium there is intense calli formation after 60 days of culture but also there is higher root formation and improvement in the quality when this substrate is combined with nutritive medium MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractCynara scolymusL. (Asteraceae), popularly known as artichoke, has been widely used in herbal medicine for the treatment of hepatic diseases. The genotoxicity of C. scolymusL. leaf extract (LE) and the ability to modulate the genetic toxicity of the alkylating agent ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) were assessed using the comet assay on Chinese hamster ovary cells. Genotoxicity was evaluated after 1- and 24-h treatments using four different LE concentrations: 0.62, 1.25, 2.5, and 5.0 mg/mL. Antigenotoxicity was assessed for pretreatment, simultaneous treatment, and post-treatment. All doses used led to a significant increase in the frequency of DNA damage, after exposure for 1 and 24 h. In the antigenotoxicity experiments, LE reduced the frequency of DNA damage induced by EMS in the simultaneous treatment only. However, the lowest dose was more protective than higher concentrations. Flavonoids and phenolic compounds are, probably, the C. scolymusconstituents responsible for its genotoxic and antigenotoxic effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the protein profile of children with different levels of protein–energy undernutrition (PEU) through a proteomic approach of human whole saliva. Methods: Initially, saliva samples of children with mild, moderate, and severe PEU were collected and lyophilized. Saliva samples of healthy children were used as controls. Samples were analyzed for total protein using the Bradford method. Saliva samples were analyzed by two-dimensional electrophoresis according to their isoelectric point (pI) and their molecular weights (MWs). Results: Comparisons of protein bands among the healthy and mildly, moderately, and severely undernourished children showed significant differences in the MWs (P = 0.001) and pI values (P = 0.03). In total 159 spots were identified in the healthy children; 156, 168, and 221 spots were observed in mildly, moderately, and severely undernourished children, respectively. Mildly undernourished children presented with the spot with the highest MW of 293 kDa (pI = 7.77) and the lowest MW of 5 kDa (pI = 4.83). Moderately undernourished children were the only ones who did not present with a protein band with an MW of 30 kDa. The presence of a protein band with an MW of 123 kDa (pI = 516), possibly a cyclin-dependent protein kinase, was also observed only in this group. Conclusion: The protein profile in saliva varies according to the presence or absence of PEU, and these variations are specifically expressed in different grades of undernutrition. Thus, saliva may be an important diagnostic tool for the assessment of PEU. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The exploitation of macroalgae of the genus Gracilaria for agar extraction has increased significantly in recent decades. In Brazil, Gracilaria birdiae is one of the species exploited commercially by fishing communities and the excess harvesting of seaweeds of this genus has had negative consequences on the sustainability of this natural resource. Thus, the aim of this study was to gather basic information about the growth rates of G. birdiae required for the development of mariculture in this region. Throughout the study period salinity and temperature remained relatively constant, with a mean of 35 PSU and 28 °C, respectively. Biomass values did not vary significantly between the periods studied (p > 0.05). The mean biomass recorded during the entire experimental period was approximately 1900 g Fw m−1. The highest relative growth rate (RGR) was recorded in the dry season (7.45% d−1) but there was no significant difference between the periods (p > 0.05). Mean RGR for the two periods were 4.4% d−1 and 4.3% d−1 for the rainy and dry seasons, respectively. Positive correlations were found between biomass (r = 0.39; p < 0.001) and RGR (r = 0.41; p < 0.001) and NH4 +. Agar yield ranged from 22% to 15%. The highest mean was obtained in the rainy season (∼20%). Gel strength varied between 850 and 650 g cm2. The mean obtained for the two periods was approximately 750 g cm2. These results demonstrate the great potential of G. birdiae for mariculture and its possible economic use by coastal communities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The aim of the present work is to identify the presence of Helicobacter pylori bacterium in samples of gastric mucosa fragments, obtained by gastric biopsy, from Brazilian patients with peptic ulcer and chronic gastritis and also to determine differences among the prevalent strains in these two diseases by urease C and urease B genes amplification utilizing nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and PCR. We encountered 17 genotyping patterns for urease C and 7 for urease B and, although no significant differences were found among the patterns encountered for both diseases, we found predominant groups for each disease. Typing methods of the products obtained by nested PCR and PCR show a functional scheme and are of great importance for epidemiologic studies and H. pylori strain characterization, in addition to allowing correlation among the several strains and their role in the diseases caused by this microorganism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of antibodies against Bluetongue virus in rams of the Sertão and Borborema mesoregions, semi-arid of the Paraíba state, Northeastern Brazil, was determined, and risk factors for the infection were identified. The sampling was delineated for the determination of the prevalence of positive herds and seropositive animals for each mesoregion. Herds (primary units) were randomly selected in the Sertão mesoregion (n = 189) and in the Borborema mesoregion (n = 100). Within the primary units, all rams (secondary units) were sampled, resulting in 321 animals of the Sertão mesoregion and in 185 animals of the Borborema mesoregion. During collection, an epidemiological questionnaire was applied to each herd. For serological diagnosis, the agar gel immunodiffusion test (AGID) with antigen produced in the School of Veterinary Medicine of the Federal University of Minas Gerais was carried out. Herds with at least one positive animal were considered positive. In Sertão mesoregion, the prevalence of positive herds and seropositive animals were 11.6% [7.8% - 17.1%] and 8.4% [5.7% - 12.3%], respectively. In Borborema mesoregion, the prevalence of positive herds was 0.0% [0.0% - 3.6%] and the prevalence of seropositive animals was 0.0% [0.0% - 2.0%]. The risk factors associated with Bluetongue were lack of cleaning and disinfection of facilities (OR = 5.51), and administration of anti-parasitic treatment twice to four times per year (OR = 4.44). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Enterobacteriaceae is the main pathogens of UTI. It is important to be aware the local epidemiological data for an appropriate initial treatment. Resistance to antimicrobial agents has increased, especially to first-choice antibiotics in the treatment of cystitis. Our objective is to asses the antimicrobial susceptibility profile from uropathogens isolated in community and evaluated the dissemination of extended-spectrum ß lactamase (ESBL), in E. coli and K. pneumoniae in south of Brazil. Methods From June 2016 to June 2017, all urine samples collected in the Basic Health Units and Emergency Departments were sent to a Central Laboratory. Identification and susceptibility tests were performed on the VITEK® 2 (bioMérieux, France) system. Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) breakpoints were used for the interpretation of susceptibility. Positive cultures were defined as those demonstrating ≥105 CFU / mL (colony-forming units). The presence of ESBL was also subjected to the Chrom ID BLEE® agar plate test (bioMérieux- Marcyl'Etoile, France). PCR technique uses specific primers for genes bla TEM and bla SHV. Detection of the bla CTX-M genes was performed by multiplex PCR. Results A total of 56,555 microbiologic tests were performed, 8189 were positive. Women were responsible for 89.4%, and 10% were pregnant. Table 1 shows uropathogens isolated. Graphic 1 shows antimicrobial susceptibility. Extended-spectrum ß lactamase production was present in 6.7% (n = 489). People older than 60 years had ESBL more frequent (P < 0.05) as well as being pregnant is not related to ESBL (P < 0.05). Table 2 shows the distribution of the bla genotypes. Table 3: Distribution of blaCTX-M. Among bla CTX-M1 genotype, bla CTX-M15 was the most frequent. Conclusion In this study, the most frequent uropathogen isolated was E. coli followed by K. pneumoniae. Cotrimoxazol had high rates of resistance and nitrofurantoin the lowest. Quinolone resistance is more than 10%. Sensitivity to aminoglycosides and carbapenems remains high.We found relevant frequency of ESBL, CTX-M-1-group most commonly found. Among CTX-M-1, bla CTX-M15 was the most isolated. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

l.h. travassos, m.n. pinheiro, f.s. coelho, j.l.m. sampaio, v.l.c. merquior and e.a. marques. 2004. To investigate phenotypic aspects including biotyping, drug susceptibility and production of extracellular enzymes and genetic diversity of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia clinical strains obtained from seven hospitals in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Thirty-nine S. maltophilia strains were investigated by biotying, susceptibility testing, extracellular enzymes detection and by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR. Biotyping distinguished 13 biotypes among 39, and one of them was prevalent. The majority of the strains produced DNase, gelatinase and haemolysin. Protease, lipases and phospholipase C activities were observed in highly variable amounts. None of the strains was elastase producer. The percentage of full susceptibility, by agar dilution, was 100, 94·8, 81·6 and 26·3% for trimethoprim/sulphametoxazole, ticarcillin/clavulanate, ciprofloxacin and ceftazidime, respectively. Thirty-three RAPD-PCR profiles were obtained suggesting multiple sources of acquisition. The results pointed out the necessity of monitoring S. maltophilia especially in critical hospital wards, to assure effective control measures. Despite of the genetic diversity among the strains, in two situations it was observed indistinguishable RAPD-PCR profiles among strains isolated from different patients who had been hospitalized in the same hospital ward, suggesting the possibility of nosocomial transmission that until now has been rarely related. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) is a transboundary disease affecting a large number of equines worldwide. In this study, we assessed the transmission risk of EIAV in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Serum samples from 1010 animals from 341 farms were initially analyzed using agar gel immunodiffusion to detect viral antibodies, and no antibody-positive animals were found. A risk assessment stochastic model was applied to generate the expected number of potential infections per month and to estimate the time to new infections. Our results estimated 6.5 months as the interval for new infections in the worst-case scenario. Among the variables evaluated, the number of transported animals and the test sensitivity influenced the model the most. These results were then used to revisit the impact of EIAV control regulations, which triggered a change in the diagnostic testing required for animal movement, in which the validity of a negative test for EIAV was extended from 60 to 180 days. Finally, revisiting the annual average of infected farms before and after the new regulation, the number of infected farms increased pre-implementation, and then, the number of culled animals increased, which should impact future EIAV incidence in this region. Our results demonstrated the importance of constant reviews of disease control programs and provided quantitative-based knowledge for decision-makers in official veterinary services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: H19 is a strong candidate gene for influencing birth weight variation and is exclusively imprinted maternally. In an attempt to understand the relationship of this gene polymorphism with low birth weight children, we investigated association of H19/RsaI polymorphism with low birth weight and normal birth weight in children and their mothers. Objectives: The aim of our study was to establish the association between H19 gene polymorphism and LW in children born in Pernambuco, state of Brazil. Patients and Methods: It were selected 89 children, 40 low birth weight (LW) and 49 normal birth weight (NW) and 71 mothers (40 mothers of newborns NW and 31 mothers of newborns LW) attended at Dom Malan Hospital, Petrolina, Pernambuco - Brazil. Peripheral blood samples were collected from patients and genomic DNA was extracted and detected by electrophoresis agarose gel, stained by Blue Green Loading Dye. DNA PCR amplification was done using the primers H1 (sense) and H3 (antisense). PCR products were digested with RsaI and electrophoresed on agarose gel stained by ethidium bromide. Statistical analyses were performed using the program BioEstat version 5.0. Results: The RsaI polymorphism in the H19 gene showed that genotype frequencies did not differ statistically between low birth weight (AA = 12.5%, AB = 45%, BB = 42.5%) and control (AA = 8.6% AB = 36.73%, BB= 55.10% groups) and the allele frequencies were not significantly different (P = 0.2897). We also did not observe any association between maternal H19 allele polymorphism and low birth weight newborns (P =0.7799) or normal birth weight children (P = 0.8976). Conclusions: The small size of sample may be the explanation for these results; future studies with more patients are needed to confirm the effect of H19/RsaI polymorphism on birth weight of LW newborns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]