The role of afforestation species as a driver of Hg accumulation in organic horizons of forest soils from a Mediterranean mountain area in SW Europe.

Forest areas are a primary sink of atmospheric mercury (Hg) within terrestrial ecosystems, whereas forest vegetation plays a key role in atmospheric Hg transfer to soil horizons. This study assessed variations in total Hg contents (HgT) and accumulation (HgRes) in the soil organic horizons of a forest area in NE Portugal, where post-wildfire afforestation led to the substitution of the native deciduous species (Quercus pyrenaica) by fast-growing coniferous species (Pseudotsuga menziesii and Pinus nigra). The study also evaluated, for each species, the links between Hg contents and other biophilic elements of soil organic matter (C, N, S) present in organic subhorizons (OL, OF, OH). Mean HgT in the organic horizons of the different tree species follow the sequence: P. nigra (88 µg kg-1) < Q.pyrenaica (101 µg kg-1)

Effects of a 10-week dry-land strength and conditioning program in physical capacities and start of previously federated and regular swimming practitioners / Efecto de un programa de entrenamiento de fuerza y acondicionamiento en seco sobre las habilidades físicas en practicantes federados en natación / O efeito de um programa de treino de força e condicionamento em seco nas capacidades físicas e partida em praticantes regulares de natação previamente federados

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 10-week strength and conditioning (S&C) program in physical capacities and start in previously federated and regular swimming practitioners. 16 swimmers (9 male, 17.00±2.16 years of age, 179.14±5.76 cm of height and 69.79±3.11 kg of weight; 7 female, 15.86±2.34 years of age, 163.86±4.98 cm of height and 60.19±3.60 kg of weigh) were equality, but randomly separated in two groups (control group and experimental group, CG and EG, respectively). In the pre-test, swimmers performed three starts in two different models, grab start and track start, the best start was registered. Kinematic parameters of the swimming start and time at 15 m were determined. Flexibility, countermovement jump and 3 kg medicine ball throw were also assessed. In post-test, 10-weeks after a regular 2-sessions week specific dry-land S&C program of 60 min was performed by the EG, all tests were repeated. Flexibility, strength and muscular power gains were significant in EG, contrarily to CG. Swimming start flight phase variables improved more in EG compared to CG, with specificities observed in grab and track start but not a linear consequence with performance in 15-m mark in both groups. A 10-week dry-land S&C program can provide benefits in physical capacities in regular swimming practitioners, fact that may improve the initial phase of the swimming start, prior to the underwater moment, which should deserve attention by the coaches in daily training aiming performance enhancement at 15 m. (AU)

El propósito de esto estudio fue evaluar el efecto de un programa de fuerza y acondicionamiento (F&A) en seco de 10 semanas sobre las habilidades físicas y el salto en practicantes habituales de natación previamente federados. 16 nadadores (9 masculino, 17.00±2.16 años de edad, 179.14±5.76 cm de altura y 69.79±3.11 kg de peso and 7 mujer, 15.86±2.34 años de edad, 163.86±4.98 cm de altura y 60.19±3.60 kg de peso) fueron equitativamente, pero al azar divididos en dos grupos (control y experimental, respectivamente, GC e GE). En el pre-test realizaron tres saltos en dos modelos, grab start e track start, siendo el mejor registrado. Se han determinado parámetros cinemáticos del salto en natación y el tiempo a los 15 m. También se evaluaron la flexibilidad, el salto con contramovimiento y el lanzamiento de una pelota medicinal de 3 kg. En el post-test, 10 semanas después de un programa de F&A en seco con 2 sesiones semanales de 60 min interpretado por GE, las pruebas se repitieron. Las mejoras de flexibilidad, fuerza y potencia muscular fueron significativas en el GE, en contraste con el GC. Las variables de la fase de vuelo en el salto mejoraron más en el GE en comparación con el CG, con especificidades observadas en el grab start e track start, pero no una consecuencia lineal con el rendimiento a 15 m en ambos grupos. Un programa de F&A seco de 10 semanas puede promover beneficios en las habilidades físicas de nadadores habituales, hecho que puede mejorar la fase inicial del salto en la natación, previa al momento subacuático, que debe merecer la atención de los entrenadores en las sesiones diarias con el objetivo de a una mejora del rendimiento a 15 m. (AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito de um programa de força e condicionamento (F&C) em seco de 10 semanas nas capacidades físicas e salto em praticantes regulares de natação previamente federados. 16 nadadores (9 masculinos, 17.00±2.16 anos de idade, 179.14±5.76 cm de altura e 69.79±3.11 kg de peso; 7 femininos, 15.86±2.34 anos de idade, 163.86±4.98 cm de altura e 60.19±3.60 kg de peso) foram equitativamente, mas de forma aleatória divididos em dois grupos (controlo e experimental, respetivamente, GC e GE). No pré-teste, nadadores realizaram três saltos em dois modelos, grab start e track start, sendo registado o melhor. Foram determinados parâmetros do salto na natação e o tempo aos 15 m. Flexibilidade, salto em contramovimento e lançamento de bola medicinal de 3 kg foram também avaliados. No pós-teste, 10 semanas após programa de F&C em seco com 2 sessões semanais de 60 min realizado por GE, testes foram repetidos. As melhorias de flexibilidade, força e potência muscular foram significativas no GE, contrariamente ao GC. As variáveis da fase inicial do salto associadas ao voo melhoraram mais no GE comparativamente ao GC, com especificidades observadas no grab start e track start, mas não uma consequência linear com o desempenho aos 15 m em ambos os grupos. Um programa de F&C em seco de 10 semanas pode promover benefícios nas capacidades físicas de praticantes regulares de natação, facto que pode melhorar a fase inicial do salto na natação, anterior ao momento subaquático, que deve merecer atenção pelos treinadores nas sessões diárias visando uma melhoria de desempenho aos 15 m. (AU)

Research Note: Antimicrobial resistance profile of Enterococcus spp. isolated from the eggshell of laying hens submitted to pharmacological treatment.

The occurrence of antimicrobial resistance in microorganisms isolated from eggshells, especially Enterococcus, might serve as a parameter to assess the selection of bacteria due to the use of drugs in the diet of laying hens. In order to evaluate the frequency and the antimicrobial resistance profile of Enterococcus spp. isolated from the eggshells, 225 Hy-line laying hens were submitted to a 25-d long trial. The treatments were the following: hens fed ration without antimicrobials (control) and groups that received oxytetracycline (10 mg kg-1), doxycycline (20 mg kg-1), lincomycin (50 mg kg-1), and enrofloxacin (10 mg kg-1) in the ration for 5 d. Six replications were analyzed per treatment, composed of a pool of 5 eggs each. They were collected before treatment and on days 3, 6, 15, and 25, totaling 150 samples. Eggshells were submitted to counts of Enterococcus spp., which were identified by proteomic analyses. Antimicrobial resistance was determined by the disk-diffusion test. It was observed that 97.3% (n = 146) of the samples were contaminated with Enterococcus spp. There were no differences (P > 0.05) in the bacterial counts between treatments on the same day of evaluation. E. faecalis and E. faecium were the most frequent on the eggshells of all treatments. Multiresistance to the four classes of antimicrobials was also verified in the isolated bacteria. A total of 83% of the Enterococcus isolates showed resistance to neomycin, which was not administered to the hens, demonstrating an environmental problem. Thus, feeding laying hens with diets added with antimicrobials induces drug resistance in Enterococcus spp., isolated form the eggshells.

Effects of cryolipolysis with adiposity plates located with the Crioplace concept in women.

BACKGROUND: Cryolipolysis with plates is a method of applying cooling without a vacuum system, which can be used in regions with less chance of forming a "crease." OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of cryolipolysis using a plate-shaped applicator (Crioplac) in the treatment of fat. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is an experimental study in which women aged 25 to 45 years with adiposity located in the abdomen participated. Two applications of 75 min were made, using 04 plates in the abdomen regions, with -4 degree C being programmed as a temperature parameter. Anthropometric and ultrasound assessments were performed, and a satisfaction questionnaire on the validated treatment was conducted. The reassessments were performed 30 and 60 days after the first intervention. RESULTS: A reduction in adiposity was observed in the measurements of perimetry, plicometry and abdominal ultrasound (p<0.05). It was found that about 62.5% of the volunteers reported an improvement in water retention, about 62.5% reported the presence of loose clothing, and 31.3% reported satisfaction with the results obtained. It was observed that 18.5% of the volunteers reported that the treatment was excellent. CONCLUSION: The Crioplace method proved to be effective in reducing adiposity, with a high clinical satisfaction with the reduction in body measurements.

Prenatal exposure to betamethasone causes intergenerational impairment of epididymal development in the rat.

BACKGROUND: Studies on epididymal toxicology are scarce. Betamethasone (BM) is a glucocorticoid used in clinical practice for antenatal therapy. We previously reported changes to testicular morphology, altered sperm quality, and fertility in adult rats following intrauterine administration of BM. OBJECTIVES: Given that high levels of corticosteroids during gestation lead to fetal androgen depletion, and the essential role of testosterone during epididymal development, here we investigated epididymal morphology and physiology in the F1 and F2 male offspring of female rats treated with BM during gestation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pregnant rats were randomly divided into two experimental groups: control (saline vehicle, n = 11) and BM-treated group (0.1 mg/kg betamethasone 21-phosphate disodium, n = 13). Rats received an intramuscular injection of vehicle or BM on gestational days 12, 13, 18, and 19. This encompasses the beginning of the critical window of male rat reproductive tract development. A subset of three males from each litter (n = 5 litters/group) was used: One rat per litter was euthanized at puberty, one was euthanized at adulthood, while the others were mated with a non-treated female to obtain the F2 generation. The same protocol described for the F1 was applied for F2, except for the mating protocol. RESULTS: In both F1 and F2 generations, prenatal BM exposure resulted in delayed differentiation of the cauda epididymal epithelium, characterized by increased cribriform appearance on PND 45, and displayed weaker or non-detectable Cx43 immunostaining. Furthermore, in the F1 generation only, immunostaining of TP63, a transcription factor expressed in basal cells, appeared more intense with a greater number of TP63-positive cells observed in the cauda epididymis. In adults, the epithelial area was reduced in the F1 BM rats. The contractile activity of isolated epididymal ducts was comparable between groups. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Prenatal BM exposure leads to intergenerational impairment in the development and structure of the rat epididymis.

Individual variation is the key to the development of a vaccine against Staphylococcus aureus: a comparative study between mice lineages.

Bacterial infections occur worldwide and are a major public health problem. Among pathogens, Staphylococcus aureus is the main causative agent of bacterial diseases in the world. This study aimed to evaluate which components of the immune system could act protectively against a S. aureus infection in intradermally immunized mice. C57BL/6 and A/j mice were immunized intradermally with S. aureus inactivated by heat and then challenged with viable strains in an air pouch model. At 6, 12, and 24 h after the challenge, euthanasia was performed, and the cellular profile of the inflammatory infiltrate, cytokines, and the bacterial load were evaluated in the air pouch lavages. Immunized mice demonstrated that the intradermal immunization with S. aureus promoted protection in C57BL/6 mice by reducing the bacterial, which was correlated with increased serum concentration of IgG antibodies (IgG1 and IgG2a) against S. aureus. The increase in IgG2a antibody levels was correlated with a decrease of bacterial load in intradermally immunized C57BL/6 mice, along with production of IL-17A at the inflammation site, as well as IgG1consumption. Similar results were not found in the A/j lineage. In conclusion, a vaccine against S. aureus should focus more on the individual characteristics of the host because it is a determinant factor for the success of the immunization.

Caracterização microbiológica de carcaças de frangos de corte produzidas no estado de Minas Gerais / Microbiological characterization of broiler carcasses produced in the state of Minas Gerais

In order to evaluate the microbiological quality of broiler chickens produced in Minas Gerais State, 240 samples of broiler carcasses from the five regions of the Minas Gerais State were collected, by official inspection services, for one year. The samples were submitted to counts of total and thermotolerant coliforms, coagulase-positive and negative Staphylococcus, besides Campylobacter spp., Listeria monocytogenes, E.coli O157:H7, and Salmonella spp. resource. The results showed the presence of total and thermotolerant coliforms in 34.2% and 13.5% of broiler carcasses evaluated, respectively. All tested samples were positive for Staphylococcus spp., 9.1% for Salmonella spp., 15.5% for Listeria monocytogenes, and 2.1% for Campylobacter spp. E.coli O157:H7 was not isolated from the samples.(AU)

Ureaplasma urealyticum and U. parvum in sexually active women attending public health clinics in Brazil.

Ureaplasma urealyticum and U. parvum have been associated with genital infections. The purpose of this study was to detect the presence of ureaplasmas and other sexually transmitted infections in sexually active women from Brazil and relate these data to demographic and sexual health, and cytokines IL-6 and IL-1ß. Samples of cervical swab of 302 women were examined at the Family Health Units in Vitória da Conquista. The frequency of detection by conventional PCR was 76·2% for Mollicutes. In qPCR, the frequency found was 16·6% for U. urealyticum and 60·6% U. parvum and the bacterial load of these microorganisms was not significantly associated with signs and symptoms of genital infection. The frequency found for Trichomonas vaginalis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Gardnerella vaginalis and Chlamydia trachomatis was 3·0%, 21·5%, 42·4% and 1·7%, respectively. Higher levels of IL-1ß were associated with control women colonized by U. urealyticum and U. parvum. Increased levels of IL-6 were associated with women who exhibited U. parvum. Sexually active women, with more than one sexual partner in the last 3 months, living in a rural area were associated with increased odds of certain U. parvum serovar infection.

Influence of cutting room temperature on the microbiological quality of chicken breast meat / Influência da temperatura da sala de cortes sobre a qualidade microbiológica da carne de peito de frango

The temperature control in the processing room is one of the major factors associated with the production of safe food with a satisfactory microbiological quality. A total of 288 samples of skinless chicken breast meat were placed in a cutting room, subjected to four different temperatures (12ºC, 14ºC, 16ºC and 18ºC) and collected to evaluate the influence of the room temperature on the microbiological quality during the cutting and boning of chicken breasts. Aerobic mesophilic microorganisms were counted to evaluate the environmental contamination. In addition, coliforms at 35ºC and 45ºC and Staphylococcus spp. were counted, and an analysis for the presence of staphylococcal enterotoxins and Salmonella spp. was performed to determine the microbiological quality of the meat. The results showed an increase in environmental contamination (P=0.01) with an increase in room temperature. However, no significant differences (P˃0.05) were observed in the meat cuts regarding the counts of coliforms at 35ºC and 45ºC, the count of Staphylococcus spp. and the presence of Salmonella spp. Moreover, no staphylococcal enterotoxins were detected in the samples analyzed. Thus, despite increasing the environmental contamination, the increase in the cutting room temperature did not affect the microbiological quality of the final product.(AU)

O controle da temperatura do ambiente de processamento é um dos principais fatores relacionados à produção de alimentos seguros e com qualidade microbiológica. Com o objetivo de avaliar a influência da temperatura ambiente durante o corte e a desossa da carne de frangos sobre a qualidade microbiológica dos produtos finais, foram coletadas 288 amostras de carne de peito de frango sem pele, obtidas em uma sala de cortes climatizada submetida a quatro diferentes temperaturas ambientes (12ºC, 14ºC, 16ºC e 18ºC). Para avaliação da contaminação ambiental, foi realizada a contagem de microrganismos mesófilos aeróbios e, para a avaliação da qualidade microbiológica da carne, foram realizadas a contagem de coliformes totais e termotolerantes, a contagem de Staphylococcus spp., a pesquisa de enterotoxinas estafilocócicas e a pesquisa de Salmonella spp. Os resultados encontrados demonstraram um aumento da contaminação ambiental (P=0,01) à medida que a temperatura da sala foi aumentada. Porém, nos cortes cárneos, não foram observadas diferenças significativas (P˃0,05) na contagem de coliformes totais e termotolerantes, na contagem de Staphylococcus spp. e na pesquisa de Salmonella spp. Também não foi detectada a presença de enterotoxinas estafilocócicas nas amostras analisadas. Foi concluído que, apesar da elevação da contaminação ambiental, o aumento da temperatura ambiente da sala de cortes não comprometeu a qualidade microbiológica do produto final.(AU)

Validation of an HPLC-UV method for the identification and quantification of bioactive amines in chicken meat / Validação de metodologia por HPLC/UV para identificação e quantificação de aminas bioativas em carne de frango de corte

A high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV) method was validated for the study of bioactive amines in chicken meat. A gradient elution system with an ultraviolet detector was used after extraction with trichloroacetic acid and pre-column derivatization with dansyl chloride. Putrescine, cadaverine, histamine, tyramine, spermidine, and spermine standards were used for the evaluation of the following performance parameters: selectivity, linearity, precision, recovery, limits of detection, limits of quantification and ruggedness. The results indicated excellent selectivity, separation of all amines, a coefficient of determination greater than 0.99 and recovery from 92.25 to 102.25% at the concentration of 47.2mg.kg-1, with a limit of detection at 0.3mg.kg-1 and a limit of quantification at 0.9mg.kg-1 for all amines, with the exception of histamine, which exhibited the limit of quantification, of 1mg.kg-1. In conclusion, the performance parameters demonstrated adequacy of the method for the detection and quantification of bioactive amines in chicken meat.(AU)

Um método de cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (CLAE) para pesquisa de aminas bioativas em carne de frango foi validado. Foi utilizado um sistema de gradiente de eluição com detector ultravioleta, após extração com ácido tricloroacético e derivação pré-coluna com cloreto de dansila. Os padrões de putrescina, cadaverina, histamina, tiramina, espermidina e espermina foram utilizados para avaliação dos seguintes parâmetros de desempenho: seletividade, linearidade, precisão, recuperação, limites de detecção, limites de quantificação e robustez. Os resultados mostraram excelente seletividade e separação de todas as aminas, coeficiente de determinação superior a 0,99, recuperação entre 92,25 e 105,25% na concentração 47,2mg.kg-1, limites de detecção de 0,3mg.kg-1 e limite de quantificação de 0,9mg.kg-1 para todas as aminas, com exceção da histamina, que apresentou o limite de quantificação mais alto, de 1mg.kg-1. Foi concluído que os parâmetros de desempenho demonstraram adequação do método para detecção e quantificação de aminas bioativas em carne de frango.(AU)

Avaliação da qualidade interna de ovos de consumo pela pesquisa do teor de aminas bioativas / Evaluation of the internal quality of commercial eggs by searching of the bioactive levels

Com o objetivo de avaliar a qualidade dos ovos de consumo pela pesquisa dos níveis de aminas bioativas, foram coletados, pelos serviços de inspeção oficiais, 224 amostras de ovos provenientes de cinco regiões distintas do estado de Minas Gerais, durante o período de um ano. As aminas biogênicas (putrescina, cadaverina, feniletilamina, histamina e tiramina) e as poliaminas (espermidina e espermina) foram pesquisadas por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência e detecção ultravioleta (CLAE/UV) após derivação pré-coluna com cloreto de dansila. Os resultados demonstraram que a putrescina estava presente, em baixas concentrações, em todas as amostras de gema e de albúmen. As demais aminas também foram detectadas, porém em menor frequência, e a espermina somente foi encontrada em uma amostra de albúmen. Foi concluído que os ovos de consumo produzidos no estado de Minas Gerais não são uma fonte considerável de poliaminas, importantes para o crescimento e a proliferação celular, e os baixos teores de aminas biogênicas, formadas pela descarboxilação de aminoácidos por enzimas bacterianas, não representam riscos à saúde do consumidor, o que indica que o ovo apresenta boa qualidade, tomando por base o critério de aminas bioativas.

In order to evaluate the quality of commercial eggs by searching the bioactive amine levels, 224 samples of eggs from the five regions of Minas Gerais State were collected during one year by the official inspection service. The biogenic amines (putrescine, cadaverine, phenylethylamine, histamine and tyramine) and the polyamines (spermidine and spermine) were determined by high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (HPLC/UV) and pre-column derivatization with dansyl chloride. The results demonstrated the presence of putrescine in all samples of yolk and albumen, but in low concentrations. The other amines were also detected, however, with a lower frequency, and spermine was found only in one sample of albumen. It was concluded that the commercial eggs produced in Minas Gerais State are not a considerable source of polyamines, important for growth and cell proliferation; and low levels of biogenic amine, formed by decarboxylation of amino acids by bacterial enzymes, do not represent risks to consumer health, indicating that it has good quality, based on the bioactive amine criterion.

A homozygous loss-of-function mutation in inositol monophosphatase 1 (IMPA1) causes severe intellectual disability.

The genetic basis of intellectual disability (ID) is extremely heterogeneous and relatively little is known about the role of autosomal recessive traits. In a field study performed in a highly inbred area of Northeastern Brazil, we identified and investigated a large consanguineous family with nine adult members affected by severe ID associated with disruptive behavior. The Genome-Wide Human SNP Array 6.0 microarray was used to determine regions of homozygosity by descent from three affected and one normal family member. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed in one affected patient using the Nextera Rapid-Capture Exome kit and Illumina HiSeq2500 system to identify the causative mutation. Potentially deleterious variants detected in regions of homozygosity by descent and not present in either 59 723 unrelated individuals from the Exome Aggregation Consortium (Browser) or 1484 Brazilians were subject to further scrutiny and segregation analysis by Sanger sequencing. Homozygosity-by-descent analysis disclosed a 20.7-Mb candidate region at 8q12.3-q21.2 (lod score: 3.11). WES identified a homozygous deleterious variant in inositol monophosphatase 1 (IMPA1) (NM_005536), consisting of a 5-bp duplication (c.489_493dupGGGCT; chr8: 82,583,247; GRCh37/hg19) leading to a frameshift and a premature stop codon (p.Ser165Trpfs*10) that cosegregated with the disease in 26 genotyped family members. The IMPA1 gene product is responsible for the final step of biotransformation of inositol triphosphate and diacylglycerol, two second messengers. Despite its many physiological functions, no clinical phenotype has been assigned to this gene dysfunction to date. Additionally, IMPA1 is the main target of lithium, a drug that is at the forefront of treatment for bipolar disorder.

Aminas bioativas e qualidade da carne de frangos de corte / Bioactive amines and meat quality of broiler chickens

Com o objetivo de avaliar a qualidade da carne de frangos de corte mediante pesquisa dos níveis de aminas bioativas, foram coletadas, pelos serviços de inspeção oficiais, 160 amostras de carcaças provenientes de cinco regiões distintas do estado de Minas Gerais, durante o período de um ano. As poliaminas (espermidina e espermina) e as aminas biogênicas (putrescina, cadaverina, histamina, tiramina) foram pesquisadas por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência e detecção ultravioleta (CLAE/UV). Os resultados encontrados demonstraram a presença das poliaminas, espermidina e espermina, em todas as amostras, em concentrações médias de 3,56mg/100g e 5,72mg/100g, respectivamente. Em todas as amostras foram detectadas, em concentrações muito baixas, as aminas putrescina, cadaverina, histamina e tiramina. Foi concluído que a carne de frangos de corte produzida no estado de Minas Gerais é uma fonte de poliaminas, importantes para o crescimento e a proliferação celular, e que os baixos teores de aminas biogênicas encontrados não representam riscos à saúde do consumidor, indicando que esse tipo de carne apresenta boa qualidade, tomando por base o critério de aminas bioativas.

In order to evaluate the meat quality of broiler chickens by searching the bioactive amines level, 160 samples of carcass from the five regions of the Minas Gerais State, were collected during one year by the official inspection service. The poliamines (spermidine and spermine) and the biogenic amines (putrescine, cadaverine, histamine and tyramine) were determined by high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (HPLC/UV). The results demonstrated the presence of polyamines spermidine and spermine in all samples, at mean concentrations of 3.56mg/100g and 5.72mg/100g, respectively. The biogenic amines putrescine, cadaverine, histamine and tyramine were also found, but in low concentrations. It was concluded that the chicken broiler meat produced in Minas Gerais state is a source of polyamines, important for growth and cell proliferation; and that the biogenic amine levels found were low, and do not represent risks to consumer health, indicating that it has good quality, based on the criterion of bioactive amine.

Effects of packaging, mineral oil coating, and storage time on biogenic amine levels and internal quality of eggs.

This study was carried out with the aim of evaluating the effects of mineral oil application on eggshells and the use of plastic packages with lids on the physical-chemical and microbiological quality and biogenic amine contents of eggs stored under refrigeration for up to 125 d. A total of 1,920 eggs from 46-wk-old Hyline W36 laying hens were randomly distributed into 4 groups soon after classification: (i) 480 eggs were stored in pulp carton tray packages; (ii) 480 eggs were stored in plastic packages with lids; (iii) 480 eggs were stored in carton packages after the application of mineral oil; and (iv) 480 eggs were stored in plastic packages with lids after the application of mineral oil. The internal quality was measured by Haugh units, by the counts of mesophilic and psychrotrophic microorganisms, by the most probable number of total and thermal-tolerant coliforms, by the counts of molds and yeasts, by the analysis of Salmonella spp. and Staphylococcus spp., and by the levels of biogenic amines in the egg yolk and albumen. The application of mineral oil to the eggshell resulted in higher Haugh unit values throughout storage, and the use of plastic packages altered the internal quality. The application of mineral oil and the use of packaging had no effects on the microbiological and biogenic amine results. Microbiological analyses showed the absence of Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, thermal-tolerant coliforms, and fungi. However, the highest counts of mesophilic (1.1 × 10(7) cfu/g) and psychrotrophic (6.7 × 10(7) cfu/g) microorganisms were recorded. The highest values of biogenic amines detected and quantified were putrescine (2.38 mg/kg) and cadaverine (7.27 mg/kg) in the egg yolk and putrescine (1.95 mg/kg), cadaverine (2.83 mg/kg), and phenylethylamine (2.57 mg/kg) in the albumen. Despite these results, the biogenic amine levels recorded were considered low and would not be harmful to consumer health.

Bioactive amines and microbiological quality in pasteurized and refrigerated liquid whole egg.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the levels of bioactive amines and the microbiological quality of liquid pasteurized egg stored under refrigeration. Pasteurized whole egg liquid was obtained from 2 types of different raw materials, fresh eggs, and commercial fertile eggs. They were stored under refrigeration over a period of 21 d. The treatments were arranged in a completely randomized split plot, with the plots being the 2 types of liquid pasteurized egg, and the subplots being the 4 storage periods (1, 7, 14, and 21 d). The storage period did not contribute to the increase (P > 0.05) of contamination by mesophilic aerobic microorganisms and total coliforms in commercial liquid pasteurized egg. However, for fertile eggs, the storage period led to an increase (P < 0.05) in the numbers of microorganisms. Levels of the amines putrescine, cadaverine, and tyramine were detected only in fertile liquid pasteurized egg, and the storage period contributed to the increase (P < 0.05) in the levels of these amines. There was a high correlation between total coliform most probable number and cadaverine levels, and a moderate correlation between the numbers of aerobic mesophilic microorganisms and tyramine levels. It was concluded that the most contaminated liquid pasteurized eggs were the fertile liquid pasteurized eggs and this caused the highest levels of bioactive amines in them compared with all the eggs that had been subjected to pasteurization and refrigerated storage.

Bioactive amines and internal quality of commercial eggs.

The physicochemical and microbiological qualities of commercial eggs produced by layer hens of different ages (approximately 30 and 60 wk old) were submitted to storage under room temperature or refrigeration for 28 d. A total of 600 eggs were subjected to microbiological analyses of their inner contents and another 600 to a determination of Haugh units (HU) and bioactive amine content. A decrease in the quality of the inner contents of the eggs was observed during the experiment, mainly in the eggs from the 60-wk-old layers, which presented the worst HU values when stored at room temperature (P < 0.05). Microbiological analyses showed an absence of Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, and coliforms, either total or thermal-tolerant; however, low counts of other Staphylococcus species, Enterobacter spp., Pseudomonas spp., mesophilic aerobic bacteria, and fungi were also recorded. The chromatographic analysis of bioactive amines detected the presence of phenylethylamine in all albumens (38.0 mg/kg) and spermidine in the yolks (1.02 mg/kg). It was concluded that the age of the hens and the time and temperature of storage influenced the quality parameters of the eggs (P < 0.05). Furthermore, despite the low levels of microbial contamination found, phenylethylamine was detected in the albumen. It was not possible to establish index of quality of eggs using bioactive amines present in the yolk and albumen of eggs.

Understanding the relationship between Mycobacterium bovis spoligotypes from cattle in Latin American countries.

Spoligotyping is the most frequently used method for genotyping isolates of Mycobacterium bovis worldwide. In the current work, we compared spoligotypes from 1684 M. bovis isolates from Argentina (816), Brazil (412), Chile (66), Mexico (274) and Venezuela (116), obtained from cattle, humans, pigs, wild boars, farmed deer, goats, buffaloes, cats, and wild animals. A total of 269 different spoligotypes were found: 142 (8.4%) isolates presented orphan spoligotypes, whereas 1542 (91.6%) formed 113 different clusters. In cattle, SB0140 was the most representative spoligotype with 355 (24.6%) isolates, followed by SB0121 with 149 (10.3%) isolates. Clustering of spoligotypes ranged from 95.2% in Argentina to 85.3% in Mexico. Orphan spoligotypes were also variable, ranging from 23.7% in Mexico to 4.1% in Brazil. A large proportion of spoligotypes were common to the neighboring countries Argentina, Brazil and Chile. In conclusion, despite the diversity of spoligotypes found in the five countries studied, there are major patterns that predominate in these neighboring countries. These clusters may reflect a long-lasting active transmission of bovine tuberculosis or common historical origins of infection.

Presynaptic facilitation of glutamate release in the basolateral amygdala: a mechanism for the anxiogenic and seizurogenic function of GluK1 receptors.

Kainate receptors containing the GluK1 subunit (GluK1Rs; previously known as GluR5 kainate receptors) are concentrated in certain brain regions, where they play a prominent role in the regulation of neuronal excitability, by modulating GABAergic and/or glutamatergic synaptic transmission. In the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala (BLA), which plays a central role in anxiety as well as in seizure generation, GluK1Rs modulate GABAergic inhibition via postsynaptic and presynaptic mechanisms. However, the role of these receptors in the regulation of glutamate release, and the net effect of their activation on the excitability of the BLA network are not well understood. Here, we show that in amygdala slices from 35- to 50-day-old rats, the GluK1 agonist (RS)-2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-tert-butylisoxazol-4-yl) propanoic acid (ATPA) (300 nM) increased the frequency of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) and miniature EPSCs (mEPSCs) recorded from BLA principal neurons, and decreased the rate of failures of evoked EPSCs. The GluK1 antagonist (S)-1-(2-amino-2-carboxyethyl)-3-(2-carboxybenzyl) pyrimidine-2,4-dione (UBP302) (25 or 30 µM) decreased the frequency of mEPSCs, reduced evoked field potentials, and increased the "paired-pulse ratio" of the field potential amplitudes. Taken together, these results suggest that GluK1Rs in the rat BLA are present on presynaptic terminals of principal neurons, where they mediate facilitation of glutamate release. In vivo bilateral microinjections of ATPA (250 pmol) into the rat BLA increased anxiety-like behavior in the open field test, while 2 nmol ATPA induced seizures. Similar intra-BLA injections of UBP302 (20 nmol) had anxiolytic effects in the open field and the acoustic startle response tests, without affecting pre-pulse inhibition. These results suggest that although GluK1Rs in the rat BLA facilitate both GABA and glutamate release, the facilitation of glutamate release prevails, and these receptors can have an anxiogenic and seizurogenic net function. Presynaptic facilitation of glutamate release may, in part, underlie the hyperexcitability-promoting effects of GluK1R activation in the rat BLA.

Influência do período de armazenamento na qualidade do ovo integral pasteurizado refrigerado / Influence of storage period on refrigerated pasteurized whole egg quality

Avaliaram-se o pH e a qualidade microbiológica de ovos integrais pasteurizados refrigerados obtidos de dois tipos de matéria-prima: o ovo in natura (comercial ) e o ovo galado (ovo fértil). Os tratamentos foram dispostos no delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, em parcelas subdivididas, sendo na parcela dois tipos de ovos integrais pasteurizados, o comercial e o galado, e na subparcela quatro períodos de estocagem sob temperatura de refrigeração, um, sete, 14 e 21 dias. Não foi observada a presença de Salmonella spp. em nenhuma amostra analisada, e para os ovos comerciais, o período de estocagem não contribuiu para o aumento (P>0,05) da contaminação por mesófilos aeróbios, coliformes a 35ºC, Staphylococcus spp. e bolores e leveduras. Para as amostras de ovos galados, o período de armazenamento influenciou no aumento (P<0,05) da contagem de mesófilos aeróbios, coliformes a 35ºC, bolores e leveduras, e Staphylococcus spp. Os valores de pH aumentaram durante os primeiros dias do armazenamento e depois voltaram a diminuir. Concluiu-se que os ovos integrais galados pasteurizados apresentam pior qualidade em relação aos ovos integrais comerciais pasteurizados, e que o período de validade sob refrigeração desses tipos de ovos poderia ser de sete e 14 dias, respectivamente.

The pH and microbiological quality of refrigerated pasteurized whole eggs at 4ºC obtained from two types of raw materials, in nature (commercial) egg and the fertile egg were evaluated. The treatments were arranged in a completely randomized split plot design, the two types of pasteurized whole eggs (commercial and fertile) were alloted to the plots and four periods of storage under refrigeration (one, seven, 14 and 21 days) to the split plot. The presence of Salmonella spp. was not observed in the samples and the commercial pasteurized whole egg storage period did not contribute to the increase (P>0.05) in mesophilic aerobic coliforms at 35ºC, Staphylococcus spp and mold and yeast contamination. For samples of fertile pasteurized whole eggs, the storage period influenced the increased (P<0.05) count of mesophilic aerobic, coliforms at 35ºC, mold and yeast and Staphylococcus spp. The pH values rose during the first days of storage and then decreased again. It was concluded that fertile pasteurized whole eggs have lower quality than the commercial pasteurized whole eggs, and that the shelf life of these could be seven and 14 days, respectively.

Using ESTs database to predict and validate single polymorphisms at the HLA system.

We propose a bioinformatics pipeline in which we use an ESTs database to predict and validate single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) directly linked to gene-coding regions at the HLA class I genes (HLA-A, HLA-B and HLA-C). Annotation originated from our analysis revealed various classes of possible new variations that may indicate possible new alleles. Thus, bioinformatics pipelines seem to be useful approaches to help screening for novel genetic variations at the HLA panel, and further analysis will foster this aim to provide celerity at the massive analysis of data currently generated in large-scale high-throughput experiments.