Partial replacement of soybean meal with microalgae biomass on in vitro ruminal fermentation may reduce ruminal protein degradation.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of partially replacing soybean meal (SBM) with algal sources on in vitro ruminal fermentation. Using 6 fermenters in a 3 × 3 replicated Latin square with 3 periods of 10 d each, we tested 3 treatments: a control diet (CRT) with SBM at 17.8% of the diet dry matter (DM); and 50% SBM biomass replacement with either Chlorella pyrenoidosa (CHL); or Spirulina platensis (SPI). The basal diet was formulated to meet the requirements of a 680-kg Holstein dairy cow producing 45 kg/d of milk with 3.5% fat and 3% protein. All diets had a similar nutritional composition (16.0% CP; 34.9% NDF; 31.0% starch, DM basis) and fermenters were provided with 106 g DM/d split into 2 portions. After 7 d of adaptation, samples were collected for 3 d of each period for analyses of ruminal fermentation at 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 h after morning feeding for evaluation of the ruminal fermentation kinetics. For the evaluation of the daily production of total metabolites and for the evaluation of nutrient degradability, samples from the effluent containers were collected daily. Statistical analysis was performed with the MIXED procedure of SAS with treatment, time, and their interactions considered as fixed effects; day, square, and fermenter were considered as random effects. Orthogonal contrasts (CRT vs. algae; and CHL vs. SPI) were used to depict the treatment effect, and significance was declared when P ≤ 0.05. Fermenters that received algae-based diets had a greater propionate molar concentration and molar proportion when compared with the fermenters fed CRT diets. In addition, those algae-fed fermenters had lower branched short-chain fatty acids (BSCFA) and isoacids (IA), which are biomarkers of ruminal protein degradation, along with lower ammonia (NH3-N) concentration and greater nonammonia nitrogen (NAN). When contrasting with fermenters fed SPI-diets, fermenters fed based CHL-diets had a lower molar concentration of BSCFA and IA, along with lower NH3-N concentration and flow, and greater NAN, bacterial nitrogen flow, and efficiency of nitrogen utilization. Those results indicate that CHL protein may be more resistant to ruminal degradation, which would increase efficiency of nitrogen utilization. In summary, partially replacing SBM with algae biomass, especially with CHL, is a promising strategy to improve the efficiency of nitrogen utilization, due to the fact that fermenters fed CHL-based diets resulted in a reduction in BSCFA and IA, which are markers of protein degradation, and it would improve the efficiency of nitrogen utilization. However, further validation using in vivo models are required.

17α-Ethinylestradiol and 17ß-estradiol removal from a secondary urban wastewater using an RBC treatment system.

The presence of micropollutants that include endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDC) in aquatic environments is currently one of the most relevant aspects of water quality due to their adverse effects on aquatic organisms and human health. From the several categories of EDC, 17ß-estradiol (E2) is a natural hormone, which is prevalent in vertebrates, associated with the female reproductive system and maintenance of the sexual characters. 17α-Ethinylestradiol (EE2) is a synthetic hormone produced from the natural hormone E2 and is an essential component of oral contraceptives. These compounds are susceptible to bioconcentration and have high potential to bioaccumulation. Wastewater treatment plants are the main point source of E2 and EE2 into aquatic environments, but conventional wastewater treatment systems are not specifically designed for steroid removal. To overcome this problem, biological tertiary treatment may be a solution for the removal of emergent pollutants such as E2 and EE2. The main purpose of the present study is to provide a solution based on the optimization of a rotating biological contactor system to remove estrogens, specifically E2 and EE2, and to quantify their removal efficiency on different matrices, namely real wastewater and different synthetic wastewaters. All assays presented viable removal efficiencies for compound E2 with values always above 50%; real wastewater yielded the highest removal efficiencies. EE2 removal had better removal efficiencies with synthetic wastewater as feed solution, with removals above 15%, whereas the removal efficiency with real wastewater was inexistent.

Genetic diversity and population structure of Synthesium pontoporiae (Digenea, Brachycladiidae) linked to its definitive host stocks, the endangered Franciscana dolphin, Pontoporia blainvillei (Pontoporiidae) off the coast of Brazil and Argentina.

Pontoporia blainvillei (Gervais and d'Orbigny, 1844) is an endangered small cetacean endemic to South America with four Franciscana Management Areas (FMA) recognized as different population stocks. The role of the intestinal parasite Synthesium pontoporiae (Digenea: Brachycladiidae) as a possible biological marker to differentiate P. blainvillei stocks was evaluated using nuclear and mitochondrial DNA markers. Internal transcribed sequence 1 and 2 (ITS1 and ITS2) regions of S. pontoporiae did not show intraspecific variability. The mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 3 (ND3) and cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences suggested lack of population structure in S. pontoporiae and population expansion. The apparent panmixia of S. pontoporiae may be due to the high mobility of one or more of its intermediary hosts. Alternatively, it may be due to the small sample size. This result is incongruent with the previously proposed FMA.

Vibrio cholerae O1 from superficial water of the Tucunduba Stream, Brazilian Amazon.

Isolation and genetic characterization of an environmental Vibrio cholerae O1 from the Amazon is reported. This strain lacks two major virulence factors - CTX and TCP - but carries other genes related to virulence. Genetic similarity with epidemic strains is evaluated and the importance of V. cholerae surveillance in the Amazon is emphasized.

Democracia e dependência no Brasil: notas sobre um naufrágio anunciado / Democracy and dependence in Brazil: notes on an announced shipwreck

O artigo realiza uma reflexão sobre a democracia brasileira tendo em conta a situação de dependência do país, valendo-se, para tanto, de revisão bibliográfica e de análise de fontes primárias. A Teoria Marxista da Dependência foi a base teórica central eleita para a análise proposta. Na sociabilidade capitalista, a ideia da democracia revela uma contradição inescapável e sistêmica, pois os direitos não podem servir a desígnios diametralmente opostos. Esse quadro, que assume contornos cada vez mais dramáticos neste início de século XXI, mesmo no centro do sistema capitalista, é radicalizado no sul global empobrecido, evidenciando uma relação de unidade, mas, ao mesmo tempo, de antagonismo, estabelecida entre as economias dos países centrais e as dos países periféricos

The article reflects on Brazilian democracy taking into account the country's situation of economic dependence, using, for this purpose, a bibliographical review and analysis of primary sources. The Marxist Dependency Theory was the central theoretical basis chosen for the proposed analysis. In capitalist sociability, the idea of democracy reveals an inescapable and systemic contradiction, as rights cannot serve diametrically opposed purposes. This situation, which takes on increasingly dramatic contours at the beginning of the 21st century, even in the center of the capitalist system, is radicalized in situations where socalled economic dependence takes shape, in the impoverished global south

Sequence and phylogenetic analysis of glycoprotein 120 of an HIV type 1 variant (GWGR) prevalent in Brazil.

PIP: Findings are reported from a study conducted to fully sequence the gp120 gene from a Brazilian HIV-1 isolate containing the GWGR motif and compare it to the Brazilian B and F sequences already described. Genomic DNA isolated from six patients in an ongoing HIV cohort study was screened for the presence of the viral V3 loop GWGR motif. Sequence analysis revealed that BZ(GWGR)1 is closely related to the North American MN prototype strain, with 80.1% amino acid identity and 89.1% nucleic acid similarity, and with 6 deletions and 11 insertions. Large differences were, however, observed when the V1 and V2 regions of MN and BZ(GWGR)1 were compared. Tree analysis based upon amino acid sequences and the four Brazilian isolates introduced in the analysis indicate that BZ(GWGR)1 belongs to the HIV-1 B subtypes. Several features of BZ(GWGR)1 suggest that some biological advantage may be derived from the differences between that variant and the American/European prototype strain.^ieng

An analysis of the V1 and V2 regions of Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio mimicus 16S rRNA.

The V1 and V2 variable regions of the 16S rRNA gene of three strains of V. cholerae and one strain of V. mimicus were amplified by PCR. Fragments containing both regions were cloned into M13mp18 using Smal and sequenced by the dideoxy method. The 263-bp sequence from a strain isolated during the 1991 cholera outbreak in Brazil was deposited in Genbank under the accession number L05178. Except for an extra G in one of the strains, the three V. cholerae sequences were identical. The V. mimicus sequence was very similar, with only two substitutions. We compared these sequences with the Vibrio 16S rRNA sequences described by Dorsch et al. in 1992. It was noted that the V1 region, including helix 6 and its associated loop, comprised two different sizes and sequences in the various Vibrio species. While V. cholerae, V. mimicus, V. vulnificus, V. anguillarum and V. diazotrophicus had a 46-nucleotide V1, other species such as V. parahaemolyticus, V. proteolyticus, V. alginolyticus, V. campbellii and V. hollisae had longer 54- or 55-nucleotide regions, with a different consensus sequence. The phylogeny of Vibrio was analysed using the sequenced region and its equivalent in other species, by means of the "Phylip" software package. Species with a short helix 6 were grouped together, as were species with a long helix. Dorsh et al.'s analysis is discussed in relation to this "helix 6 split".

The distinction of pathogenic Vibrio cholerae groups using arbitrarily primed PCR fingerprints.

Pathogenic Vibrio cholerae strains were compared by fingerprinting with arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction (AP-PCR). They were O1 classical and El Tor strains and recent non-O1 Bengal strains. Ten oligonucleotides from a total of fifty-two tested gave distinctive patterns, and these strains were separated into four groups. A second technique, amplification of 16S/23S rRNA spacers with a pair of oligonucleotides, was also used. Various bands were obtained, and the result can be treated as an additional fingerprint with a different pattern for each of the groups. The method of AP-PCR fingerprinting is fast and sensitive. A test of the stability of the El Tor patterns was done with a set of strains isolated during the present Brazilian epidemics. Examples of AP-PCRs with non-O1 strains are given. A typing scheme is proposed in which oligo 1 is first used, and depending on the fingerprint obtained, additional oligonucleotides are used to confirm the classification of the strain. It is proposed that the AP-PCR technique be used for epidemiological studies, analysing strains reaching new locations or environmental isolates suspected of being pathogenic. It will be particularly helpful in cases in which traditional methods cannot clearly classify the strain.

Toxin-co-regulated pilus cluster in non-O1, non-toxigenic Vibrio cholerae: evidence of a third allele of pilin gene.

Polymerase chain reaction has been used to detect the presence of the virulence associated gene, tcpA and part of the promoter distal region of the toxin-co-regulated pilus cluster in non-O1, non-toxigenic, Vibrio cholerae. The amplified regions were characterised by restriction fragment length polymorphism and heteroduplex motility assay. We describe the nucleotide sequence of the tcpA gene fragment from non-toxigenic vibrios from clinical and environmental sources. The present study shows that there are at least three types of the tcpA gene among V. cholerae and the primers specific for the classical tcpA gene, amplify all biotypes. A sequence similarity in other regions of the toxin-co-regulated pilus cluster is suggested. The evidences for the presence of this cluster among non-toxigenic vibrios is, to our knowledge, reported for the first time. The use of restriction fragment length polymorphism for typing the tcpA and studying the alleles distribution is proposed.

Detection of Vibrio cholerae and V. mimicus heat-stable toxin gene sequence by PCR.

Previously the heat-stable enterotoxin in Vibrio cholerae and V. mimicus has been detected by suckling mouse assay, a non-specific approach, and by DNA probes, a time-consuming method. This report describes a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) procedure for the detection of the stn (NAG-ST) and sto (O1-ST) gene sequences that is rapid and specific, allowing toxin gene molecular characterisation. A total of 34 V. cholerae and V. mimicus isolates was examined for ST and CT genes. The NAG-ST gene sequence was amplified in 13 of 22 non-O1/non-O139 V. cholerae and three of five V. mimicus strains. A new enterotoxin gene sequence pattern was found with MseI and TaqI restriction endonuclease PCR fragment digestion of two V. cholerae isolates, in addition to the pattern anticipated from the Genbank sequence, and found with the other ST+. These results show that ST-PCR detection is useful for the characterisation of V. cholerae and V. mimicus.

Paleoparasitology: perspectives with new techniques.

Paleoparasitology is the study of parasites found in archaeological material. The development of this field of research began with histological identification of helminth eggs in mummy tissues, analysis of coprolites, and recently through molecular biology. An approach to the history of paleoparasitology is reviewed in this paper, with special reference to the studies of ancient DNA identified in archaeological material.

PCR-based identification of Mycobacterium murphy causing Canine Leproid Granuloma Syndrome in Niterói, southeast Brazil - case report / Identificação baseada em PCR de Mycobacterium murphy causando Síndrome do Granuloma Lepróide Canino em Niterói, sudeste do Brasil ˗ Relato de Caso

Canine Leproid Granuloma Syndrome (CLGS), also known as canine leprosy, is a cutaneous nodular infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium sp.. Despite being reported worldwide, it is still quite unknown and underdiagnosed. Diagnosis may be achieved by cytopathology or histopathology of skin lesions, but identification of the infectious agent is complex, since bacterial in vitro growth is not possible, relying upon molecular techniques such as PCR to confirm Mycobacterium DNA in the sample. We report a CLGS case in Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, diagnosed by cytopathology and submitted to molecular identification of the agent. PCR amplification of hsp65 gene was performed and revealed 100% genetic homology to M. murphy strain. This is the first CLGS report with molecular identification in Rio de Janeiro state, and this finding should raise awareness about CLGS as a differential diagnosis among granulomatous skin diseases in this region.(AU)

A síndrome de granuloma leproide canino (SGLC), também conhecida como lepra canina, é uma doença infecciosa cutânea nodular causada por Mycobacterium sp. Apesar de ser relatada mundialmente, ainda é bastante desconhecida e subdiagnosticada. O diagnóstico pode ser conseguido por citopatologia ou histopatologia de lesões cutâneas, mas a identificação do agente infeccioso é complexa, uma vez que o crescimento in vitro bacteriano não é possível, dependendo de técnicas moleculares como a PCR para confirmar o DNA de Mycobacterium na amostra. Relatou-se um caso da SGLC em Niterói, estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, diagnosticado por citopatologia e submetido à identificação molecular do agente. Foi realizada amplificação por PCR do gene hsp65, que revelou 100% de homologia genética com a cepa M. murphy. Este é o primeiro relato da SGLC com identificação molecular no estado do Rio de Janeiro, o que mostra a importância de se acrescentar a SGLC ao diagnóstico diferencial das doenças granulomatosas de pele nessa região.(AU)

Motor behavioral abnormalities and histopathological findings of Wistar rats inoculated with HTLV-1-infected MT2 cells.

The objective of the present study was to describe motor behavioral changes in association with histopathological and hematological findings in Wistar rats inoculated intravenously with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1)-infected MT2 cells. Twenty-five 4-month-old male rats were inoculated with HTLV-1-infected MT2 cells and 13 control rats were inoculated with normal human lymphocytes. The behavior of the rats was observed before and 5, 10, 15, and 20 months after inoculation during a 30-min/rat testing time for 5 consecutive days. During each of 4 periods, a subset of rats was randomly chosen to be sacrificed in order to harvest the spinal cord for histopathological analysis and to obtain blood for serological and molecular studies. Behavioral analyses of the HTLV-1-inoculated rats showed a significant decrease of climbing, walking and freezing, and an increase of scratching, sniffing, biting, licking, and resting/sleeping. Two of the 25 HTLV-1-inoculated rats (8%) developed spastic paraparesis as a major behavioral change. The histopathological changes were few and mild, but in some cases there was diffuse lymphocyte infiltration. The minor and major behavioral changes occurred after 10-20 months of evolution. The long-term observation of Wistar rats inoculated with HTLV-1-infected MT2 cells showed major (spastic paraparesis) and minor motor abnormalities in association with the degree of HTLV-1-induced myelopathy.

Vibrio cholerae O1 from superficial water of the Tucunduba Stream, Brazilian Amazon

Isolation and genetic characterization of an environmental Vibrio cholerae O1 from the Amazon is reported. This strain lacks two major virulence factors - CTX and TCP - but carries other genes related to virulence. Genetic similarity with epidemic strains is evaluated and the importance of V. cholerae surveillance in the Amazon is emphasized.

Vibrio cholerae O1 from superficial water of the Tucunduba Stream, Brazilian Amazon

Isolation and genetic characterization of an environmental Vibrio cholerae O1 from the Amazon is reported. This strain lacks two major virulence factors - CTX and TCP - but carries other genes related to virulence. Genetic similarity with epidemic strains is evaluated and the importance of V. cholerae surveillance in the Amazon is emphasized.

Molecular evidence for infection by HTLV-2 among individuals with negative serological screening tests for HTLV antibodies.

Previous serological studies on the Arara do Laranjal Indian group revealed extensive HTLV-2 infections. A collection of 97 new samples from the Arara were found repeatedly negative using three different commercial enzyme immunoassays. Eight samples that exhibited optical density readings close to the cut-off value were re-evaluated using Western blot (GeneLab 2.4, Singapore) assay. One sample was found to be non-reactive, five exhibited indeterminate patterns, one was classified as HTLV, and one was confirmed as HTLV-2. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell DNA of the eight samples were subjected to nested PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the pX and env regions, and nucleotide sequencing of the 5'-LTR region. All produced amplification products of pX, but env could be amplified in only one sample with the commonly used primers. RFLP analysis of the pX region using TaqI confirmed HTLV-2 infection. Nucleotide sequencing of the 5'-LTR region was performed in three samples (HTLV-2, HTLV and indeterminate based on Western blot pattern). Phylogenetic analysis of a 449-nt fragment using the Neighbour-Joining method clearly demonstrated that the three samples clustered within the HTLV-2c molecular subtype. The present study confirms the wide dissemination of the HTLV-2c subtype among linguistically and culturally distinct Amazonian Indian groups, and emphasizes the unique occurrence of infection by this subtype in Brazil. Moreover, it emphasizes the limitation of employing the present serological screening assays in blood banks, epidemiological studies, and the importance of molecular assays in the confirmatory procedures for the primary detection of HTLV-2 infections.

Neisseria meningitidis PorA variable regions: rapid detection of P1.7 and P1.19 variants by PCR.

AIM: Rapid characterization of variable region (VR)1 variants of the porA gene among invasive strains is crucial for outbreak management and epidemiology studies. Recent sequence analysis studies in Brazil showed that the VR1 P1.7 and P1.19 variants are highly prevalent, accounting for 68%, of the total number of VR1 variants characterized. The aim of this work is to develop a rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based method for genosubtyping Neisseria meningitidis by detection of porA variable regions P1.7 and P1.19. METHODS AND RESULTS: PCR primers for the detection of porA VR1 P1.7 and P1.19 were designed and tested using 198 clinical N. meningitidis isolates that had been previously evaluated by porA sequencing. All 50 strains with VR1 P1.7 and all 65 strains with VR1 P1.19 were positively identified by the respective VR-specific PCR and no false-positive reactions occurred. CONCLUSIONS: VR-specific PCR amplification accurately identified VR P1.7 and P1.19 strains. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: To overcome the disadvantages of serosubtyping and sequencing for typing the porA VR1 segment of N. meningitidis, we developed a PCR-based method to rapidly and accurately detect VR1 P1.7 and P1.19 variants. This approach is highly specific and sensitive; moreover it may allow for genotype determination of culture-negative samples.