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Introduction: Acinetobacter baumannii contributes significantly to the global issue of multidrug-resistant (MDR) nosocomial infections. Often, these strains demonstrate resistance to carbapenems (MDR-CRAB), the first-line treatment for infections instigated by MDR A. baumannii . Our study focused on the antimicrobial susceptibility and genomic sequences related to plasmids from 12 clinical isolates of A. baumannii that carry both the blaOXA-58 and bla NDM-1 carbapenemase genes., Methods: Whole-genome sequencing with long-read technology was employed for the characterization of an A. baumannii plasmid that harbors the bla OXA-58 and blaNDM-1 genes. The location of the bla OXA-58 and bla NDM-1 genes was confirmed through Southern blot hybridization assays. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests were conducted, and molecular characterization was performed using PCR and PFGE., Results: Multilocus Sequence Typing analysis revealed considerable genetic diversity among bla OXA-58 and bla NDM-1 positive strains in Brazil. It was confirmed that these genes were located on a plasmid larger than 300 kb in isolates from the same hospital, which also carry other antimicrobial resistance genes. Different genetic contexts were observed for the co-occurrence of these carbapenemase-encoding genes in Brazilian strains., Discussion: The propagation of bla OXA-58 and bla NDM-1 genes on the same plasmid, which also carries other resistance determinants, could potentially lead to the emergence of bacterial strains resistant to multiple classes of antimicrobials. Therefore, the characterization of these strains is of paramount importance for monitoring resistance evolution, curbing their rapid global dissemination, averting outbreaks, and optimizing therapy., Competing Interests: AS was employed by Laboratório Reunidos Ltda. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Rodrigues, Silveira, Pribul, Karam, Picão, Kraychete, Pereira, de Lima, de Souza, Leão, Marques, Rocha-de-Souza and Carvalho-Assef.)

The current sweeteners available are very efficient in providing sweet taste. However, they are associated with several chronic diseases. Some glycoproteins, such as miraculins, are extremely interesting from a biotechnological point of view because they perform the bitter into sweet taste modifying function excellently, in addition to being safer as food. In contrast, purifying and synthesizing these proteins represents a major challenge for the food industry, as these proteins are large and complex molecules, which would make the final product expensive and economically unviable. In this context, emerging techniques from computational biology and molecular modelling have been promoting a remarkable revolution in protein bioengineering. Bioinspired peptides can provide many possibilities in sweeteners development through rational design. Once these peptides are smaller molecules than an entire protein, its synthesis on a large scale tends to be much easier and more economical, besides presenting a potential for better bioavailability in the organism. The techniques discussed here allow, through sophisticated pipelines and algorithms, to perform the rational design of mimetic peptides and with smaller size, which can carry out the activation of sweet taste of miraculins and to be more viable for industrial production. In this review, the premises and tools for the elaboration of synthetic peptides bioinspired in proteins with sweetening activity that mimic this action will be emphasized.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

In human and nonhuman primates, deep brain stimulation applied at or near the internal medullary lamina of the thalamus [a region referred to as "central thalamus," (CT)], but not at nearby thalamic sites, elicits major changes in the level of consciousness, even in some minimally conscious brain-damaged patients. The mechanisms behind these effects remain mysterious, as the connections of CT had not been specifically mapped in primates. In marmoset monkeys ( Callithrix jacchus ) of both sexes, we labeled the axons originating from each of the various CT neuronal populations and analyzed their arborization patterns in the cerebral cortex and striatum. We report that, together, these CT populations innervate an array of high-level frontal, posterior parietal, and cingulate cortical areas. Some populations simultaneously target the frontal, parietal, and cingulate cortices, while others predominantly target the dorsal striatum. Our data indicate that CT stimulation can simultaneously engage a heterogeneous set of projection systems that, together, target the key nodes of the attention, executive control, and working-memory networks of the brain. Increased functional connectivity in these networks has been previously described as a signature of consciousness. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT In human and nonhuman primates, deep brain stimulation at a specific site near the internal medullary lamina of the thalamus ["central thalamus," (CT)] had been shown to restore arousal and awareness in anesthetized animals, as well as in some brain-damaged patients. The mechanisms behind these effects remain mysterious, as CT connections remain poorly defined in primates. In marmoset monkeys, we mapped with sensitive axon-labeling methods the pathways originated from CT. Our data indicate that stimulation applied in CT can simultaneously engage a heterogeneous set of projection systems that, together, target several key nodes of the attention, executive control, and working-memory networks of the brain. Increased functional connectivity in these networks has been previously described as a signature of consciousness., (Copyright © 2023 the authors.)

Diabetic patients often develop Diabetic Nephropathy (DN) despite severe long-lasting hyperglycemia, while others develop DN even under intensive insulin therapy. This indicates that factors other than chronic hyperglycemia may also contribute to the susceptibility to the development of DN. The purpose of this case-control study was to investigate the possible role of GSTM1 and GSTT1 deletion polymorphisms, and Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP), GSTP1 313 A > G (Ile105Val), in DN susceptibility. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the occurrence of GST polymorphisms in the Central Brazilian population was not associated with increased risk of DN. However, the presence GSTT1 null genotype suggest an increase trend in systolic blood pressure and opposite inference was observed for the GSTP1 genotype (Ile⁄Val or Val⁄Val). On the order hand, other studies may clarify the relationship of these polymorphisms with DN and help in the prevention of this disease., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β has been implicated in regulation of the immune system, including autoimmunity. We have found that TGF-β is readily produced by T cells following immunization with self-peptide epitopes that downregulate autoimmune responses in type 1 diabetes (T1D) prone nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice. These include multiple peptide epitopes derived from the islet β-cell antigens GAD65 (GAD65 p202-221, GAD65 p217-236), GAD67 (GAD67 p210-229, GAD67 p225-244), IGRP (IGRP p123-145, IGRP p195-214) and insulin B-chain (Ins. B:9-23) that protected NOD mice from T1D. Immunization of NOD mice with the self-MHC class II I-A g7 β-chain-derived peptide, I-Aβ g7 p54-76 also induced large amounts of TGF-β and also protected these mice from diabetes development. These results indicate that peptides derived from disease related self-antigens and MHC class II molecules primarily induce TGF-β producing regulatory Th3 and Tr1-like cells. TGF-β produced by these cells could enhance the differentiation of induced regulatory iTreg and iTreg17 cells to prevent induction and progression of autoimmune diseases. We therefore suggest that peripheral immune tolerance could be induced and maintained by immunization with self-peptides that induce TGF-β producing T cells.

The SDME-GC/MS method was applied to residual determination of anesthetic menthol in fish. The extractions took place from the headspace of the sample using 1.8µL of octane as the extraction solvent. To obtain the ideal extraction condition, was used Response Surface Methodology, defining: extraction time 15min, temperature 30°C and salt 3g. The method showed LOD and LOQ of 0.021 and 1.56µgL -1 respectively, recovery of 94% and R 2 of 0.9997. The analyzes were performed on tilapia fillets anesthetized in five concentrations between 5 and 15×10 4 µgL -1 and with times of slaughter after anesthesia of 0, 12, 24 and 48h. It was determined that 48h is the required residual period for total metabolization of menthol in the fishes' organisms. This methodology becomes promising regarding the establishment of protocols to regulatory the use of menthol as an anesthetic in aquaculture., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The water for human consumption is the main vehicle for the transmission of pathogens that are capable of causing enteric parasitic diseases; therefore, its microbiological control is vital. This work had the purpose of evaluating the bacteriological quality of drinking water, in terms of the presence of total and thermotolerant coliforms, in different Feeding Units in the city of Recife, Pernambuco State, according to the potableness standards established by Ordinance No. 518 of 2004 of the Brazilian Ministry of Health/ANVISA. Forty water samples were collected in the Feeding Units located near the UFPE and UFRPE. The bacteriological tests for research on total and thermotolerant coliforms were carried out in accordance with the protocol of APHA (1995). Of the analyzed samples, 62.5% presented total coliforms and 42.5% thermotolerant coliforms. According to the results obtained, 62.5% of the samples are not in compliance with the law in force.

This work describes a batch single-stage electrochemical process to remove quantitatively the ammonium ion from produced waters from petroleum exploration of the Campos' Basin, seeking to fulfil the directories of the National Brazilian Environmental Council. The anode was made out of titanium covered by a layer of RuO(2)+TiO(2) oxides (Dimensionally Stable Anode), whereas the cathode was made out of pure titanium. Anodic and cathodic compartments were separated by a membrane. The applied current varied from 0.3 to 1.5A. As the current increased NH(4)(+) removal was faster and pH was rapidly decreased to 3. The pH of the anodic compartment increased to approximately 10. When the current was 0.92 A chlorine evolution was observed after 40 min or only 15 min when that current was 1.50 A. In this voltage a deposit containing alkali-earth metal hydroxides/sulphates was formed on the membrane surface of the cathode side, thus suggesting a diffusion process from the anodic to the cathodic compartment. The maximum current applied to the cell must not exceed approximately 0.70 A in order to avoid chlorine evolution. Ammonia removal was over 99.9 wt% at 0.68 A in about 75 min.