Antibiotic susceptibility profile of bacilli isolated from the skin of healthy humans

Abstract In the present work, twelve bacilli were isolated from four different regions of human skin from Bela population of Nagpur district, India. The isolated bacilli were identified by their morphological, cultural and biochemical characteristics. Seven isolates were Gram negative rods, out of which five were belong to genus Pseudomonas. Three among the five Gram positive isolates were identified as Dermabactor and the remaining two Bacillus. Their antimicrobial susceptibility profile was determined by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. The isolates showed resistance to several currently used broad-spectrum antibiotics. The Dermabactor genus was resistant to vancomycin, although it was earlier reported to be susceptible. Imipenem was found to be the most effective antibiotic for Pseudomonas while nalidixic acid, ampicillin and tetracycline were ineffective. Isolates of Bacillus displayed resistance to the extended spectrum antibiotics cephalosporin and ceftazidime. Imipenem, carbenicillin and ticarcillin were found to be the most effective antibiotics as all the investigated isolates were susceptible to them. Antibiotic resistance may be due to the overuse or misuse of antibiotics during the treatment, or following constant exposure to antibiotic-containing cosmetic formulations.

Transumanismo e o futuro (pós-)humano / Transhumanism and the (post)human future

O transumanismo é uma controversa perspectiva de investimento na transformação da condição humana. Visando ao melhoramento biotecnológico da natureza humana, ele protagoniza o debate acerca do futuro (pós-)humano. Na base da concepção transumanista está o investimento na biotecnociência como um modo de Iluminismo humanista de raízes biológicas. O objetivo do artigo é analisar o debate sobre o futuro da humanidade. Para tanto, apresentamos a perspectiva transumanista, ressaltando definições, características, valores e principais argumentos, analisando o conceito de natureza humana, pois ele é fundamental na polarizada discussão travada entre os transumanistas e bioconservadores. Nossas principais conclusões apontam para a impertinência dessa polarização, bem como do uso do conceito de natureza humana e pós-humano para esclarecer o tema do melhoramento humano. Assim, cumpre despolarizar o debate e apostar otimista e prudentemente no futuro biotecnológico...

Transhumanism is a controversial perspective of the investment in transformation of the human condition. Targeting at biotechnological human nature enhancement, it emerges as one of the protagonists in the debate about the (post)human future. At the base transhumanist conception is the investment on the biotechnoscience as a humanistic iluminism of biological roots. This paper aims to analyze the debate about the future of humanity. To this end, we present the transhumanist perspective, highlighting definitions, characteristics, values, and main arguments, analyzing the concept of human nature, for it is fundamental in the polarized discussion between the transhumanists and bioconservatives. Our main conclusions indicate the impertinence of the polarization, as well as the use of the concept of human nature and post-human to clarify the theme of human enhancement. Thus, we must depolarize the debate and bet optimistically and prudently in the biotechnological future...

Ocorrência de Campylobacter em carne de frango, fezes de frango e humanas e pesquisa dos genes cdt / Occurrence of Campylobacter in poultry, meat chicken and human feces, and cdt GENES research

Foram coletadas 100 amostras de conteúdo fecal de aves de corte, 100 de produtos de frango (coxa, sobrecoxa, asa, dorso, carne moída e fígado) e 100 de fezes de humanos, e analisadas para pesquisa de Campylobacter. Realizou-se a determinação da espécie e da presença dos genes cdt, responsáveis pela codificação da toxina citoletal distensiva (CDT), através da técnica da PCR. A bactéria foi isolada de 61% das amostras de fezes de frango, 20% de produtos de frango e 3% de fezes de humanos. A maioria dos isolados foi determinada como C. jejuni . Destes, 93,5% apresentaram os genes para a toxina CDT. Apesar de a ocorrência de Campylobacter em fezes de humanos ter sido baixa, a prevalência em frangos de corte e produtos de frango foi elevada, fato que, aliado à presença dos genes cdt na maioria dos isolados, representa risco potencial para os consumidores. Esses resultados são indicativos da necessidade de medidas preventivas no sistema de produção e de boas práticas de fabricação na indústria, de forma a minimizar a contaminação dos produtos e diminuir o risco para os consumidores.(AU)

A hundred chicken fecal samples, a hundred samples of retail poultry products and a hundred samples of human feces were collected and tested for the presence of Campylobacter. The species identification and the analysis for the presence of cdt genes, responsible for encoding the cytolethal distending toxin, were performed by PCR. Campylobacter was found in 61% of the chicken fecal samples, in 20% of the poultry products and in 3% of the human feces. Most isolates were identified as C. jejuni. In 93.5% of these isolates, the cdt genes have been detected. Despite the occurrence of Campylobacter in feces of humans has been low, the prevalence in broilers and poultry products was high, which, combined with the presence of cdt genes in most isolates, represents a potential risk to consumers. These results suggest there is a need for preventive measures in the production system and good manufacturing practices in the industry so as to minimize contamination of products and reduce the risk to consumers.(AU)

Ocorrência de Campylobacter em carne de frango, fezes de frango e humanas e pesquisa dos genes cdt / Occurrence of Campylobacter in poultry, meat chicken and human feces, and cdt GENES research

Foram coletadas 100 amostras de conteúdo fecal de aves de corte, 100 de produtos de frango (coxa, sobrecoxa, asa, dorso, carne moída e fígado) e 100 de fezes de humanos, e analisadas para pesquisa de Campylobacter. Realizou-se a determinação da espécie e da presença dos genes cdt, responsáveis pela codificação da toxina citoletal distensiva (CDT), através da técnica da PCR. A bactéria foi isolada de 61% das amostras de fezes de frango, 20% de produtos de frango e 3% de fezes de humanos. A maioria dos isolados foi determinada como C. jejuni . Destes, 93,5% apresentaram os genes para a toxina CDT. Apesar de a ocorrência de Campylobacter em fezes de humanos ter sido baixa, a prevalência em frangos de corte e produtos de frango foi elevada, fato que, aliado à presença dos genes cdt na maioria dos isolados, representa risco potencial para os consumidores. Esses resultados são indicativos da necessidade de medidas preventivas no sistema de produção e de boas práticas de fabricação na indústria, de forma a minimizar a contaminação dos produtos e diminuir o risco para os consumidores.

A hundred chicken fecal samples, a hundred samples of retail poultry products and a hundred samples of human feces were collected and tested for the presence of Campylobacter. The species identification and the analysis for the presence of cdt genes, responsible for encoding the cytolethal distending toxin, were performed by PCR. Campylobacter was found in 61% of the chicken fecal samples, in 20% of the poultry products and in 3% of the human feces. Most isolates were identified as C. jejuni. In 93.5% of these isolates, the cdt genes have been detected. Despite the occurrence of Campylobacter in feces of humans has been low, the prevalence in broilers and poultry products was high, which, combined with the presence of cdt genes in most isolates, represents a potential risk to consumers. These results suggest there is a need for preventive measures in the production system and good manufacturing practices in the industry so as to minimize contamination of products and reduce the risk to consumers.

Paracrine and autocrine factors in the differentiation of the cumulus-oocyte complex

A better understanding of the paracrine and autocrine regulatory loops within the cumulus-oocyte complex (COC) is fundamental for the improvement of in vitro maturation (IVM) outcomes in humans and domestic species. This review presents the most important local regulators identified in the COC to date with special attention to th ose secreted by the oocyte and acting on cumulus cells, as well as their roles in different processes crucial for the successful maturation of the COC. An autocrine re gulatory loop mediated by epidermal growth factor-lik e (EGF-like) peptides in cumulus cells triggers COC maturation. During COC differentiation, oocyte s ecreted factors (OSFs), particularly members of the transforming growth factor-  (TGF  ) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) families, regulate meiotic resumption, cumulus expansion, cumulus metabolism, apoptosis and steroidogenesis.(AU)

Paracrine and autocrine factors in the differentiation of the cumulus-oocyte complex

A better understanding of the paracrine and autocrine regulatory loops within the cumulus-oocyte complex (COC) is fundamental for the improvement of in vitro maturation (IVM) outcomes in humans and domestic species. This review presents the most important local regulators identified in the COC to date with special attention to th ose secreted by the oocyte and acting on cumulus cells, as well as their roles in different processes crucial for the successful maturation of the COC. An autocrine re gulatory loop mediated by epidermal growth factor-lik e (EGF-like) peptides in cumulus cells triggers COC maturation. During COC differentiation, oocyte s ecreted factors (OSFs), particularly members of the transforming growth factor-  (TGF  ) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) families, regulate meiotic resumption, cumulus expansion, cumulus metabolism, apoptosis and steroidogenesis.

Revisão das pesquisas brasileiras em avaliação psicológica de habilidades e inteligência de condutores / A review of Brazilian research on psychological assessment of drivers' abilities and intelligence

O campo da avaliação psicológica de motoristas é caracterizado por dificuldades e limitações em sua fundamentação e exercício profissional, necessitando de estudos que sistematizem os conhecimentos produzidos e ofereçam sugestões de pesquisas futuras para o seu desenvolvimento. Nesse sentido, o objetivo deste trabalho foi revisar os estudos empíricos brasileiros sobre instrumentos de avaliação psicológica de habilidades e inteligência utilizados nos processos de habilitação para conduzir veículos. Identificaram-se as publicações nestas temáticas no país, seus principais temas e métodos, bem como listaram-se os resultados obtidos. Apenas 15 publicações foram encontradas. Concluiu-se que, em cinqüenta anos, as pesquisas sobre habilidades e inteligência de motoristas trouxeram limitadas contribuições à questão da validade do processo, não sendo constatado um campo de conhecimentos sólidos em relação aos construtos e critérios da avaliação do comportamento.(AU)

The field of psychological assessment of drivers is characterized by difficulties and limitations in both its fundamentals and professional practice, calling for studies which systematize its developments. In this sense, the object of this study is to review the Brazilian empirical studies on the instruments for psychological assessment of the abilities and intelligences adopted in the evaluation processes of drivers. Publications dealing with this topic in the country, as well as their main themes and methods were identified, and the results obtained were listed. Only 15 publications were found. It is concluded that, in fifty years, the research on the abilities and intelligences of drivers have brought limited contributions to the issue of validity of the process, not having been found a solid field of knowledge in relation to the constructs and assessment criteria of their behavior.(AU)

Revisão das pesquisas brasileiras em avaliação psicológica de habilidades e inteligência de condutores / A review of Brazilian research on psychological assessment of drivers' abilities and intelligence

O campo da avaliação psicológica de motoristas é caracterizado por dificuldades e limitações em sua fundamentação e exercício profissional, necessitando de estudos que sistematizem os conhecimentos produzidos e ofereçam sugestões de pesquisas futuras para o seu desenvolvimento. Nesse sentido, o objetivo deste trabalho foi revisar os estudos empíricos brasileiros sobre instrumentos de avaliação psicológica de habilidades e inteligência utilizados nos processos de habilitação para conduzir veículos. Identificaram-se as publicações nestas temáticas no país, seus principais temas e métodos, bem como listaram-se os resultados obtidos. Apenas 15 publicações foram encontradas. Concluiu-se que, em cinqüenta anos, as pesquisas sobre habilidades e inteligência de motoristas trouxeram limitadas contribuições à questão da validade do processo, não sendo constatado um campo de conhecimentos sólidos em relação aos construtos e critérios da avaliação do comportamento.

The field of psychological assessment of drivers is characterized by difficulties and limitations in both its fundamentals and professional practice, calling for studies which systematize its developments. In this sense, the object of this study is to review the Brazilian empirical studies on the instruments for psychological assessment of the abilities and intelligences adopted in the evaluation processes of drivers. Publications dealing with this topic in the country, as well as their main themes and methods were identified, and the results obtained were listed. Only 15 publications were found. It is concluded that, in fifty years, the research on the abilities and intelligences of drivers have brought limited contributions to the issue of validity of the process, not having been found a solid field of knowledge in relation to the constructs and assessment criteria of their behavior.