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Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum, Poaceae) is cultivated on a large scale in (sub)tropical regions such as Brazil and has considerable economic value for sugar and biofuel production. The plant is a rich substrate for endo- and epiphytic fungi. Black yeasts in the family Herpotrichiellaceae (Chaetothyriales) are colonizers of human-dominated habitats, particularly those rich in toxins and hydrocarbon pollutants, and may cause severe infections in susceptible human hosts. The present study assessed the diversity of Herpotrichiellaceae associated with sugarcane, using in silico identification and selective isolation. Using metagenomics, we identified 5833 fungal sequences, while 639 black yeast-like isolates were recovered in vitro. In both strategies, the latter fungi were identified as members of the genera Cladophialophora, Exophiala, and Rhinocladiella (Herpotrichiellaceae), Cyphellophora (Cyphellophoraceae), and Knufia (Trichomeriaceae). In addition, we discovered new species of Cladophialophora and Exophiala from sugarcane and its rhizosphere. The first environmental isolation of Cladophialophora bantiana is particularly noteworthy, because this species up to now is exclusively known from the human host where it mostly causes fatal brain disease in otherwise healthy patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sporotrichosis is an implantation mycosis caused by the dimorphic fungus Sporothrix and mostly involves cutaneous and subcutaneous tissues and the lymphatic vessels. Among more than 50 different species, only Sporothrix schenckii, Sporothrix globosa and Sporothrix brasiliensis are frequently reported to cause infections in humans. Sporothrix brasiliensis is remarkably virulent and has been spreading rapidly in Brazil and other Latin American countries. In this study, we aimed to determine the genetic relatedness and antifungal susceptibility of Sporothrix strains by analysing 89 isolates from humans and cats in Curitiba, Southern Brazil. Calmodulin sequencing identified 81 S. brasiliensis and seven S. schenckii isolates. Amplified fragment length polymorphism genotyping analysis showed feline and human isolates clustering together. In vitro susceptibility testing with seven antifungals demonstrated a broad activity against all tested S. brasiliensis isolates, with no significant differences in minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values between feline and human isolates. Resistance was solely observed in one human isolate against itraconazole and posaconazole, with MICs of ≥16 μg/mL against both antifungals. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) analysis on this isolate and two related susceptible isolates did not reveal any unique substitutions in resistance‐associated genes, including cyp51, hmg and erg6, when compared to two related susceptible isolates. The novel antifungal olorofim exhibited excellent activity against this large isolate collection, with all isolates considered as susceptible. Altogether, we indicate zoonotic transmission based on genotyping and revealed a broad activity of seven common antifungals, including olorofim, against a large S. brasiliensis isolate collection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/objectives: The identification of brown/beige adipose tissue in adult humans has motivated the search for methods aimed at increasing its thermogenic activity as an approach to treat obesity. In rodents, the brown adipose tissue is under the control of sympathetic signals originating in the hypothalamus. However, the putative connection between the depots of brown/beige adipocytes and the hypothalamus in humans has never been explored. The objective of this study was to evaluate the response of the hypothalamus and brown/beige adipose tissue to cold stimulus in obese subjects undergoing body mass reduction following gastric bypass.Subjects/methods: We evaluated twelve obese, non-diabetic subjects undergoing Roux-in-Y gastric bypass and 12 lean controls. Obese subjects were evaluated before and approximately 8 months after gastric bypass. Lean subjects were evaluated only at admission. Subjects were evaluated for hypothalamic activity in response to cold by functional magnetic resonance, whereas brown/beige adipose tissue activity was evaluated using a (F 18) fluorodeoxyglucose positron emisson tomography/computed tomography scan and real-time PCR measurement of signature genes.Results: Body mass reduction resulted in a significant increase in brown/beige adipose tissue activity in response to cold; however, no change in cold-induced hypothalamic activity was observed after body mass reduction. No correlation was found between brown/beige adipose tissue activation and hypothalamus activity in obese subjects or in lean controls.Conclusions: In humans, the increase in brown/beige adipose tissue activity related to body mass reduction occurs independently of changes in hypothalamic activity as determined by functional magnetic resonance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae varies worldwide, however, the incidence of ESBL-producing environmental Salmonella isolates is increasing. Salmonella is still one of the most important pathogens that occur in the poultry supply chain. Therefore, this study analyzed the susceptibility of Salmonella isolates collected from a poultry supply chain to β-lactam antibiotics, and examined the phenotypes of the isolates based on enzyme-inducible AmpC β-lactamase analysis. All analysis of the putative positive isolates in the current study confirmed that 27.02% (77/285 analysis) of all ESBL tests realized with the isolates produced a profile of resistance consistent with β-lactamase production. All isolates of S. Minnesota serotype had ESBL phenotype. Aztreonam resistance was the least common amongst the Salmonella isolates, followed by ceftazidime. The presence of inducible chromosomal ESBL was detected in 14 different isolates of the 19 serotypes investigated. These results are very indicatives of the presence of ESBL genes in Salmonella isolates from a broiler supply chain, reaffirming the growing global problem of ESBL resistance.