Bradyrhizobium and Pseudomonas strains obtained from coal-mining areas nodulate and promote the growth of Calopogonium muconoides plants used in the reclamation of degraded areas.

AIMS: The objective of this work was to isolate and characterize indigenous rhizobia from coal-mining areas able to efficiently nodulate and fix nitrogen in association with Calopogonium mucunoides (calopo). METHODS AND RESULTS: Isolation, authentication and morphological, biochemical and molecular characterization of the autochthonous rhizobia were performed and their symbiotic efficiency (SE) evaluated. Efficient rhizobial isolates suitable for the inoculation of calopo in coal-mining regions were obtained. A total of 30 isolates were obtained after nodulation authentication, of which five presented high SE with plant-growth promoting traits such as indole-3-acetic acid production, phosphate solubilization and biofilm formation. These isolates were identified as belonging to Bradyrhizobium, Pseudomonas and Rhizobium. CONCLUSIONS: Bradyrhizobium sp. A2-10 and Pseudomonas sp. A6-05 were able to promote calopo plant growth using soil obtained from coal-mining degraded areas, thus indicating their potential as inoculants aiming at land reclamation. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: To our knowledge, this is the first report of Pseudomonas nodule formation in calopo. Furthermore, the results demonstrated that autochthonous rhizobia obtained from degraded soils presented high SE in calopo and possess a wide range of plant-growth promoting traits. Ultimately, they may all contribute to an increased leguminous plant growth under stress conditions. The selected rhizobia strains may be used as inoculants and present a valuable role in the development of strategies aiming to recover coal-mining degraded areas. Bacterial inoculants would greatly reduce the use of often harmful nitrogen fertilizers vastly employed in revegetation programmes of degraded areas.

In vitro anthelmintic activity of Siparuna guianensis extract and essential oil against Strongyloides venezuelensis.

New therapeutic approaches are necessary to control strongyloidiasis due to the side effects of, and resistance to, currently available drugs thiabendazole, albendazole, and ivermectin. This study examined the anthelmintic properties of extracts and isolated compounds from Siparuna guianensis against Strongyloides venezuelensis eggs and larvae, using the egg hatching test (EHT) and larval motility test (LMT). Albendazole (0.025 mg/ml) and ivermectin (0.316 mg/ml) were used as the positive controls for the EHT and LMT assays, respectively. Strongyloides venezuelensis eggs or larvae (±50 specimens) were treated with ethanol extract (0.05-1.0 mg/ml), ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions (0.05-0.8 mg/ml), essential oil (0.2-1.0 mg/ml) and α-bisabolol (0.2-1.0 mg/ml) from S. guianensis, and analysed by optical microscopy after 48 h (EHT), or after 24, 48 and 72 h (LMT). All the tested compounds exhibited ovicidal activity equivalent to the positive control and changed the morphology of the eggs. The S. guianensis ethanol extract and aqueous fraction were as effective as the positive control. Phytochemical analysis of the ethanol extract and fractions revealed the presence of phenolic compounds, tannins and flavonoids. Therefore, S. guianensis is effective against S. venezuelensis eggs and larvae in vitro, and can be considered as a potential alternative treatment for strongyloidiasis.

Cytoskeletal and cellular adhesion proteins in zebrafish (Danio rerio) myogenesis.

The current myogenesis and myofibrillogenesis model has been based mostly on in vitro cell culture studies, and, to a lesser extent, on in situ studies in avian and mammalian embryos. While the more isolated artificial conditions of cells in culture permitted careful structural analysis, the actual in situ cellular structures have not been described in detail because the embryos are more difficult to section and manipulate. To overcome these difficulties, we used the optically clear and easy to handle embryos of the zebrafish Danio rerio. We monitored the expression of cytoskeletal and cell-adhesion proteins (actin, myosin, desmin, alpha-actinin, troponin, titin, vimentin and vinculin) using immunofluorescence microscopy and video-enhanced, background-subtracted, differential interference contrast of 24- to 48-h zebrafish embryos. In the mature myotome, the mononucleated myoblasts displayed periodic striations for all sarcomeric proteins tested. The changes in desmin distribution from aggregates to perinuclear and striated forms, although following the same sequence, occurred much faster than in other models. All desmin-positive cells were also positive for myofibrillar proteins and striated, in contrast to that which occurs in cell cultures. Vimentin appeared to be striated in mature cells, while it is developmentally down-regulated in vitro. The whole connective tissue septum between the somites was positive for adhesion proteins such as vinculin, instead of the isolated adhesion plaques observed in cell cultures. The differences in the myogenesis of zebrafish in situ and in cell culture in vitro suggest that some of the previously observed structures and protein distributions in cultures could be methodological artifacts.

[Use of MMPI (Minnesota multiphasic Personality Inventory) in the evaluation of patients with chronic pain syndrome]. / Uso do MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory) na avaliação de pacientes com síndrome de dor crônica.

The MMPI was performed in 25 patients with chronic pain syndrome to evaluate the personality trait. The results showed an elevation in scales 1, 2, 3 in 64% of the patients. The inventory was effective on the assessment of patients. It offered standardization and objective visualization of patients' psychical involvement. Also, it can serve as a prognostic factor for psychotherapy and surgery.

In-house validation of PremiTest, a microbiological screening test with solvent extraction, for the detection of antimicrobial residues in poultry muscles.

PremiTest, a microbial inhibition test for the screening of antimicrobial residues, was validated according to the criteria established by Decision 2002/657/EC. Sensitivity, detection capability (CCß), specificity, selectivity, robustness and applicability were evaluated. The methodology involves the technique of solvent extraction, which increases the detection capability of the test for a wider range of antibiotics. The following CCß values in poultry muscle were found: penicillin G ≤ 12.5 µg kg(-1), total sulfonamides ≤ 75 µg kg(-1), erythromycin 75 µg kg(-1) and lincomycin 50 µg kg(-1). The detection capability of chlortetracycline was equal to its maximum residue limit (100 µg kg(-1)) and the method did not detect gentamicin (1000 µg kg(-1)), for which no MRL is established in poultry muscle. Specificity evaluated in relation to different analytes and matrices did not detect any interferences in the tests results; whilst the robustness showed that the pH neutralisation point of the extract affects the analytical results and the kits' performance. Only the screening of tetracyclines requires the analysis of extracts without pH neutralisation. The results of the validation process showed that this method is acceptable for screening ß-lactam, sulfonamide and macrolide antimicrobial groups in the National Residues and Contaminants Control Programme (PNCRC), and that for this it is fit for purpose.

Haemoglobin J Rovigo 53 alpha (E-2) aspartic acid alanin.

The case under examination is an example of a family with Hb J Rovigo interacting with beta thalassemia. Such hemoglobin has the same mobility as J haemoglobin, and the analysis of amino acids showed it to be a variant of the alpha 53 (E2) Alanine-Aspartic chain. The percentage of haemoglobin ranged from around 22.7 to 30.5%.