Could the Urease of the Gut Bacterium Proteus mirabilis Play a Role in the Altered Gut-Brain Talk Associated with Parkinson's Disease?

Intestinal dysbiosis seems to play a role in neurodegenerative pathologies. Parkinson's disease (PD) patients have an altered gut microbiota. Moreover, mice treated orally with the gut microbe Proteus mirabilis developed Parkinson's-like symptoms. Here, the possible involvement of P. mirabilis urease (PMU) and its B subunit (PmUreß) in the pathogenesis of PD was assessed. Purified proteins were given to mice intraperitoneally (20 µg/animal/day) for one week. Behavioral tests were conducted, and brain homogenates of the treated animals were subjected to immunoassays. After treatment with PMU, the levels of TNF-α and IL-1ß were measured in Caco2 cells and cellular permeability was assayed in Hek 293. The proteins were incubated in vitro with α-synuclein and examined via transmission electron microscopy. Our results showed that PMU treatment induced depressive-like behavior in mice. No motor deficits were observed. The brain homogenates had an increased content of caspase-9, while the levels of α-synuclein and tyrosine hydroxylase decreased. PMU increased the pro-inflammatory cytokines and altered the cellular permeability in cultured cells. The urease, but not the PmUreß, altered the morphology of α-synuclein aggregates in vitro, forming fragmented aggregates. We concluded that PMU promotes pro-inflammatory effects in cultured cells. In vivo, PMU induces neuroinflammation and a depressive-like phenotype compatible with the first stages of PD development.

Intra-hemocoel injection of pseurotin A from Metarhizium anisopliae, induces dose-dependent reversible paralysis in the Greater Wax Moth (Galleria mellonella).

Species from the Metarhizium genus are the causal agents of the green muscardine disease of insects. These fungi have been successfully employed for the biological control of pests over decades. Besides the biocontrol applications, recent efforts for genome sequencing of species in this genus have revealed a great diversity of biosynthetic gene clusters potentially associated with secondary metabolite synthesis. Amongst such molecules are the pseurotins, compounds with several activities, as chitin synthase inhibitors, and immunoglobulin E suppressors. Here, we report, for the first time, the isolation of pseurotin A from the culture broth of M. anisopliae, as well as the characterization of the effects of this compound over the model-arthropod Galleria mellonella. Pseurotin A displayed dose-dependent reversible paralysis effects when injected into the larvae hemocoel. However, the posterior challenge of the treated insects with M. anisopliae conidia did not lead to increased mortality, suggesting that pseurotin A treatment did not increase larvae susceptibility to the green muscardine disease. Although apparent insecticidal effects were not observed for pseurotin A, the paralysis effect observed can be important in M. anisopliae infection development.

Evaluation of drug repositioning by molecular docking of pharmaceutical resources available in the Brazilian healthcare system against SARS-CoV-2.

In 2020 SARS-CoV-2 reached pandemic status, reaching Brazil in mid-February. As of now, no specific drugs for treating the disease are available. In this work, the possibility of interaction between SARS-CoV-2 viral proteins (open and closed spike protein, isolate spike protein RBD, NSP 10, NSP 16, main protease, and RdRp polymerase) and multiple molecules is addressed through the repositioning of drugs available for the treatment of other diseases that are approved by the FDA and covered by SUS, the Brazilian Public Health System. Three different docking software were used, followed by a unification of the results by independent evaluation. Afterwards, the chemical interactions of the compounds with the targets were inspected via molecular dynamics and analyzed. The results point to a potential effectiveness of Penciclovir, Ribavirin, and Zanamivir, from a set of 48 potential candidates. They may also be multi-target drugs, showing high affinity with more than one viral protein. Further in vitro and in vivo validation is required to assess the suitability of repositioning the proposed drugs for COVID-19.

The role of extracellular nucleic acids in the immune system modulation of Rhodnius prolixus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae).

Extracellular traps (ETs) are extracellular nucleic acids associated with cytoplasmic proteins that may aid in the capture and killing of pathogens. To date, only a few insects were shown to display this kind of immune response. Jaburetox, a peptide derived from jack bean urease, showed toxic effects in Rhodnius prolixus, affecting its immune response. The present study aims to evaluate the role of extracellular nucleic acids in R. prolixus' immune response, using Jaburetox as a model entomotoxin. The insects were treated with extracellular nucleic acids and/or Jaburetox, and the cellular and humoral responses were assessed. We also evaluated the release of extracellular nucleic acids induced by toxins, and performed immunocompetence assays using pathogenic bacteria. Our results demonstrated that extracellular nucleic acids can modulate the insect immune responses, either alone or associated with the toxin. Although RNA and DNA induced a cellular immune response, only DNA was able to neutralize the Jaburetox-induced aggregation of hemocytes. Likewise, the activation of the humoral response was different for RNA and DNA. Nevertheless, it was observed that both, extracellular DNA and RNA, immunocompensated the Jaburetox effects on insect defenses upon the challenge of a pathogenic bacterium. The toxin was not able to alter cellular viability, in spite of inducing an increase in the reactive species of oxygen formation. In conclusion, we have demonstrated a protective role for extracellular nucleic acids in R. prolixus´ immune response to toxins and pathogenic bacteria.

Occurrence, quantification, pulse types, and antimicrobial susceptibility of Salmonella sp. isolated from chicken meat in the state of Paraná, Brazil.

The aim of this work was to verify the occurrence, quantification, pulse types, and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of Salmonella sp. isolated from chicken meat produced and marketed in the state of Paraná, considered to be the state with the highest production of poultry meat in Brazil. Ninety-five of 300 (31.5%) frozen cuts of chicken were found to contain Salmonella sp., and 98 different isolates of Salmonella sp. were cultured from the positive samples. Quantification showed low Salmonella sp. loading, ranging from 0.12 to 6.4 MPN/g. The antimicrobial resistance test was performed against 16 agents from 6 different classes. All isolates were sensitive to meropenem, imipenem, chloramphenicol, and amikacin. The highest resistance rates were observed for nalidixic acid (95%), tetracycline (94%), doxycycline (94%), ampicillin (87%), amoxicillin with clavulanic acid (84%), ceftriaxone (79%), and ciprofloxacin (76%). A total of 84 (85.7%) of the isolates were identified with a multidrug resistant profile, 13 of which were found to have encoding genes extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL), especially blaCTX-M-2 e blaTEM-1. The major serovars identified were S. Typhimurium (43%) and S. Heidelberg (39%). The third most isolated serovar was S. Ndolo (6%), without previous reports of its presence in poultry meat in Brazil. Molecular characterization of S. Typhimurium and S. Heidelberg isolates by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) showed a clonal relationship between all isolates of the same serovar (genetic similarity greater than 80%). Isolates of S. Typhimurium and S. Heidelberg with 100% similarity were found in up to five different geographic regions of the state, showing the potential for the spread of this pathogen in the Paraná poultry chain. Epidemiological surveys like this are important to understand the dynamics of dissemination and to monitor the prevalence of pathogens in the final products of poultry chains. In addition, to know the resistance profile of strains of Salmonella sp. present in food that contributes to the adoption of faster and more effective therapeutic measures, when necessary.

Occurrence of Salmonella sp. in poultry carcasses evaluated from the retail trade between 2007 and 2013 in Paraná state, Brazil / Ocorrência de Salmonella sp. em carcaças de frango avaliadas a partir do comércio varejista entre 2007 e 2013 no estado do Paraná, Brasil

Poultry meat is often involved as a vehicle for microorganisms that cause food-borne diseases. Salmonella sp. is a major pathogen involved in outbreaks around the world. Based on its importance, the objective of this study was to determine the occurrence of Salmonella sp. in frozen and chilled poultry carcasses slaughtered and marketed in the western region of Paraná state, Brazil. A total of 340 samples were collected between January 2007 and April 2013, with 66 (19.41%) carcasses positive for Salmonella sp. It can be concluded from the results obtained that the occurrence of Salmonella sp. in poultry carcasses remains high, even though it is a product marketed refrigerated or frozen, methods considered appropriate for food preservation. A lower occurrence result was expected due to the 14-year implementation of the national pathogen reduction program established by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply aimed at a gradual reduction in the occurrence of Salmonella sp. in these products through constant monitoring of carcasses immediately after slaughter.(AU)

A carne de aves é um alimento que frequentemente encontra-se envolvido como veículo de micro-organismos causadores de enfermidades, sendo Salmonella sp. um desses agentes comumente envolvidos nessas enfermidades em todo o mundo. Com isso, o objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a ocorrência de Salmonella sp. em carcaças de frango congeladas e refrigeradas, abatidas e comercializadas na região oeste do estado do Paraná. Um total de 340 amostras foram coletadas entre janeiro de 2007 e abril de 2013. Das amostras analisadas, 66 (19,41%) das carcaças foram positivas para Salmonella sp. De acordo com os resultados obtidos pode-se concluir que a ocorrência de Salmonella sp. em carcaças de frangos permanece alta, mesmo sendo produtos comercializados refrigerados ou congelados, métodos considerados adequados para conservação de alimentos. Um resultado de menor ocorrência era esperado devido à implementação de 14 anos do Programa Nacional de Redução de Patógenos estabelecido pelo Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento visando uma redução gradual na ocorrência de Salmonella sp. nestes produtos através de monitoramento constante de carcaças imediatamente após o abate.(AU)

Revision rhinoplasty: physician-patient aesthetic and functional evaluation / Revision rhinoplasty: physician-patient aesthetic and functional evaluation

Abstract Introduction: Approximately 5-15% of patients submitted to rhinoplasty operations undergo revision surgery. Those patients have varied functional and aesthetic complaints that should receive a detailed assessment that includes all the expectations the patient had before the previous procedure. Objective: To draw the profile of the main aesthetic-functional complaints reported by patients to be submitted to revision rhinoplasty and to correlate them with the internal and external objective nasal evaluation performed by the surgeon. Methods: A prospective study was conducted with 43 patients to be submitted to revision rhinoplasty and their respective surgeons, by applying a questionnaire about the patients' epidemiological questions and subjective aesthetic-functional complaints as well as the respective functional deformities observed by the surgeons. Subsequently, these data were correlated with the purpose of observing the frequency of congruent reports between physicians and patients. Results: The presence of drooping tip and residual bridge hump were the patients' main complaints, confirmed by the surgeons. The correlation between subjective obstructive symptoms and the intranasal evaluation performed by surgeons was shown to be present in 87.5% of the cases. Among the patients with respiratory symptoms, the main deformity identified was residual septal deviation in 56.25% of the cases. Conclusion: The drooping tip followed by residual hump were the main complaints reported by the patients and confirmed by the objective examination by the physicians. The presence of nasal obstructive complaints in 37.2% of the patients shows that greater attention needs to be paid to functional deformities during the first surgical procedure. The differences observed between patients' complaints and surgeons' evaluations confirm the need for detailed assessment and clarification to the patients regarding their expectations and actual surgical possibilities.

Resumo: Introdução: As rinoplastias possuem índice de revisão em torno de 5% a 15% dos pacientes operados. Tais pacientes possuem queixas funcionais e estéticas variadas e a avaliação detalhada é de extrema importância, tendo em vista todas as expectativas em torno de um procedimento já anteriormente realizado. Objetivo: Traçar o perfil das principais queixas estético-funcionais referidas pelo paciente a ser submetido à rinoplastia revisional e correlacioná-las a avaliação nasal objetiva interna e externa realizada pelo cirurgião. Método: Foi realizado um estudo prospectivo com 43 pacientes a serem submetidos à rinoplastia revisional e com seus respectivos cirurgiões, através da aplicação de questionário acerca de questões epidemiológicas e queixas estético-funcionais subjetivas dos pacientes e as respectivas deformidades funcionais observadas pelos cirurgiões. Após, esses dados foram correlacionados com a finalidade de observar a frequência de relatos concomitantes entre os médicos e pacientes. Resultados: A presença de ponta caída e giba óssea residual foram as principais queixas dos pacientes confirmadas pelos cirurgiões. Já a correlação entre sintomas subjetivos obstrutivos e a avaliação intranasal realizada pelos cirurgiões demonstrou estar presente em 87,5% dos casos. Dentre os pacientes com sintomas respiratórios, a principal deformidade encontrada foi o desvio septal residual em 56,25% dos casos. Conclusão: A ponta caída seguida de giba óssea residual foram as principais queixas relatadas pelos pacientes e confirmadas ao exame objetivo pelos médicos. A presença de 37,2% dos pacientes com queixas obstrutivas nasais demonstra que maior atenção deve ser dada a deformidades funcionais já durante o primeiro procedimento cirúrgico. As diferenças observadas entre as queixas dos pacientes e avaliações dos cirurgiões comprovam a necessidade da avaliação pormenorizada e esclarecimento ao paciente com relação as suas expectativas e reais possibilidades cirúrgicas.

Entomotoxic activity of Rhinella icterica (Spix, 1824) toad skin secretion in Nauphoeta cinerea cockroaches: An octopamine-like modulation.

Rhinella icterica is a poisonous toad whose toxic secretion has never been studied against entomotoxic potential. Sublethal doses of Rhinella icterica toxic secretion (RITS) were assayed in Nauphoeta cinerea cockroaches, in order to understand the physiological and behavioral parameters, over the insect central and peripheral nervous system. RITS (10 µg/g) injections, induced behavioral impairment as evidenced by a significant decrease (38 ±â€¯14%) in the distance traveled (p < .05), followed by an increase (90 ±â€¯6%) of immobile episodes (p < .001, n = 28, respectively). In cockroaches semi-isolated heart preparations, RITS (16 µg/200 µl) induced a significant irreversible dose-dependent negative chronotropism, reaching ~40% decrease in heart rate in 20 min incubation. In in vivo cockroach neuromuscular preparations, RITS (20, 50 and 100 µg/g of animal weight) induced a time-dependent inhibition of twitch tension that was complete for 20 µg/g, in 120 min recordings. RITS (10 µg/g) also induced a significant increase in the insect leg grooming activity (128 ±â€¯10%, n = 29, p < .01), but not in the antennae counterparts. The RITS increase in leg grooming activity was prevented in 90% by the pretreatment of cockroaches with phentolamine (0.1 µg/g). The electrophysiological recordings of spontaneous neural compound action potentials showed that RITS (20 µg/g) induced a significant increase in the number of events, as well as in the rise time and duration of the potentials. In conclusion, RITS showed to be entomotoxic, being the neuromuscular failure and cardiotoxic activity considered the main deleterious effects. The disturbance of the cockroaches' behavior together with the electrophysiological alterations, may unveil the presence of some toxic components present in the poison with inherent biotechnological potentials.

Characterization of Tifton 85 bermudagrass haylage with different layers of polyethylene film and storage time.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to characterize the fermentative and microbiological profile of Tifton 85 bermudagrass haylage with different layers of polyethylene film and storage time. METHODS: The experimental design consisted of a randomized block design with four and six wrapping layers (100 and 150 microns in total. respectively) allocated in the main plots, through repeated measures analysis (30, 60, and 90 days of storage) with four replicates. RESULTS: The storage time and number of wrapping layers did not show changes in the population of Clostridium and lactic acid bacteria. A decrease was observed in the enterobacteria population with an increase in the storage period in the two wrapping layers studied. Upon opening of the haylage at 30 days, the population of Bacillus was lower in haylages made with six layers of wrapping (3.63 log colony forming units/g). No growth of Listeria sp. or Salmonella sp. was observed during the experimental period. The fungal genera with a greater occurrence were Penicillium sp. and Fusarium sp. The following mycotoxins were not detected: ochratoxin A, fumonisins, and zearalenone. Relative to the organic butyric, propionic, and acetic acids, the haylages presented a low concentration of lactic acid; this may have prevented a drop in the pH, which was high when the silos were opened (5.4). The levels of ammoniacal nitrogen and soluble carbohydrates presented no variation among the number of wrapping layers, with an overall average of 35.55 and 38.04 g/kg. CONCLUSION: Tifton 85 bermudagrass haylage wrapped with four and six layers presented adequate fermentation and microbiological characteristics in the evaluated periods.

Revision rhinoplasty: physician-patient aesthetic and functional evaluation.

INTRODUCTION: Approximately 5-15% of patients submitted to rhinoplasty operations undergo revision surgery. Those patients have varied functional and aesthetic complaints that should receive a detailed assessment that includes all the expectations the patient had before the previous procedure. OBJECTIVE: To draw the profile of the main aesthetic-functional complaints reported by patients to be submitted to revision rhinoplasty and to correlate them with the internal and external objective nasal evaluation performed by the surgeon. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted with 43 patients to be submitted to revision rhinoplasty and their respective surgeons, by applying a questionnaire about the patients' epidemiological questions and subjective aesthetic-functional complaints as well as the respective functional deformities observed by the surgeons. Subsequently, these data were correlated with the purpose of observing the frequency of congruent reports between physicians and patients. RESULTS: The presence of drooping tip and residual bridge hump were the patients' main complaints, confirmed by the surgeons. The correlation between subjective obstructive symptoms and the intranasal evaluation performed by surgeons was shown to be present in 87.5% of the cases. Among the patients with respiratory symptoms, the main deformity identified was residual septal deviation in 56.25% of the cases. CONCLUSION: The drooping tip followed by residual hump were the main complaints reported by the patients and confirmed by the objective examination by the physicians. The presence of nasal obstructive complaints in 37.2% of the patients shows that greater attention needs to be paid to functional deformities during the first surgical procedure. The differences observed between patients' complaints and surgeons' evaluations confirm the need for detailed assessment and clarification to the patients regarding their expectations and actual surgical possibilities.

Jaburetox-induced toxic effects on the hemocytes of Rhodnius prolixus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae).

Jaburetox is a recombinant peptide derived from a Canavalia ensiformis urease that presents toxic effects upon several species of insects, phytopathogenic fungi and yeasts of medical importance. So far, no toxicity of Jaburetox to mammals has been shown. Previous reports have identified biochemical targets of this toxic peptide in insect models, although its mechanism of action is not completely understood. In this work, we aimed to characterize the effects of Jaburetox in hemolymphatic insect cells. For this purpose, the model insect and Chagas' disease vector Rhodnius prolixus was used. In vivo and in vitro experiments indicated that Jaburetox interacts with a subset of hemocytes and it can be found in various subcellular compartments. In insects injected with Jaburetox there was an increase in the gene expression of the enzymes UDP-N-acetylglucosamine pyrophosphorylase (UAP), chitin synthase and nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Nevertheless, the expression of NOS protein, the enzyme activities of UAP and acid phosphatase (a possible link between UAP and NOS) as well as the phosphorylation state of proteins remained unchanged upon the in vivo Jaburetox treatment. Nitric oxide (NO) imaging using fluorescent probes showed that Jaburetox augmented NO production in the hemocyte aggregates when compared to controls. Even though Jaburetox activated the hemocytes, as demonstrated by wheat germ agglutinin binding assays, the peptide did not lead to an increase of their phagocytic behavior. Taken together, these findings contribute to our understanding of toxic effects of Jaburetox, a peptide with biotechnological applications and a prospective tool for rational insect control.

Central and peripheral neurotoxicity induced by the Jack Bean Urease (JBU) in Nauphoeta cinerea cockroaches.

BACKGROUND: Ureases of Canavalia ensiformis are natural insecticides with a still elusive entomotoxic mode of action. We have investigated the mechanisms involved in the neurotoxicity induced by Jack Bean Urease (JBU) in Nauphoeta cinerea (Olivier). METHODS: To carry out this study we have employed biochemical and neurophysiological analysis of different cockroach organ systems. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The injection of the insects with JBU (0.75-6µg/g animal), although not lethal within 24h, caused significant inhibition of the brain acetylcholinesterase activity (60±5%, p<0.05, n=6). JBU (1.5µg/200µL), acetylcholine (0.3µg/200µL) or neostigmine (0.22µg/200µL), induced a positive cardiac chronotropism (∼25%) in the cockroaches (p<0.05, n=9). JBU (6µg/g) increased the insects' grooming activity (137±7%), similarly to octopamine (15µg/g) (p<0.05, n=30, respectively). Pretreating the insects with phentolamine (0.1µg/g) prevented the JBU- or octopamine-induced increase of grooming activity. JBU (6µg/g) caused 65±9% neuromuscular blockade in the cockroaches, an effect prevented by bicuculline (5µg/g) (p<0.05, n=6). JBU (6µg/g) decreased the frequency whilst increasing the amplitude of the spontaneous neural compound action potentials (1425±52.60min-1, controls 1.102±0.032mV, p<0.05, n=6, respectively). Altogether the results indicate that JBU induces behavioral alterations in Nauphoeta cinerea cockroaches probably by interfering with the cholinergic neurotransmission. The neuromuscular blocking activity of JBU suggests an interplay between acetylcholine and GABA signaling. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: The search for novel natural molecules with insecticide potential has become a necessity more than an alternative. Understanding the mode of action of candidate molecules is a crucial step towards the development of new bioinsecticides. The present study focused on the neurotoxicity of Canavalia ensiformis urease, a natural insecticide, in cockroaches and revealed interferences on the cholinergic, octopaminergic and GABA-ergic pathways as part of its entomotoxic mode of action.

Multidrug resistance and ESBL-producing Salmonella spp. isolated from broiler processing plants

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of multidrug-resistant, extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Salmonella spp. isolated from conveyor belts of broiler cutting rooms in Brazilian broiler processing plants. Ninety-eight strains of Salmonella spp. were analyzed. Multidrug resistance was determined by the disk diffusion test and the susceptibility of the isolated bacteria was evaluated against 18 antimicrobials from seven different classes. The double disk diffusion test was used to evaluate ESBL production. Of the 98 strains tested, 84 were multidrug resistant. The highest rates of resistance were against nalidixic acid (95%), tetracycline (91%), and the beta-lactams: ampicillin and cefachlor (45%), followed by streptomycin and gentamicin with 19% and 15% of strain resistance, respectively. By contrast, 97% of the strains were sensitive to chloramphenicol. 45% of the strains were positive for the presence of ESBL activity. In this study, high rates of multidrug resistance and ESBL production were observed in Salmonella spp.

Multidrug resistance and ESBL-producing Salmonella spp. isolated from broiler processing plants.

The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of multidrug-resistant, extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Salmonella spp. isolated from conveyor belts of broiler cutting rooms in Brazilian broiler processing plants. Ninety-eight strains of Salmonella spp. were analyzed. Multidrug resistance was determined by the disk diffusion test and the susceptibility of the isolated bacteria was evaluated against 18 antimicrobials from seven different classes. The double disk diffusion test was used to evaluate ESBL production. Of the 98 strains tested, 84 were multidrug resistant. The highest rates of resistance were against nalidixic acid (95%), tetracycline (91%), and the beta-lactams: ampicillin and cefachlor (45%), followed by streptomycin and gentamicin with 19% and 15% of strain resistance, respectively. By contrast, 97% of the strains were sensitive to chloramphenicol. 45% of the strains were positive for the presence of ESBL activity. In this study, high rates of multidrug resistance and ESBL production were observed in Salmonella spp.

Condições de comercialização de produtos de origem animal em feiras livres de municípios da região oeste do Paraná

O objetivo deste trabalho foi constatar a situação higienicossanitária de barracas de feiras livres localizadas em cinco municípios da região oeste do Paraná e a qualidade microbiológica e físico-química dos produtos nelas comercializados. Entre fevereiro e maio de 2013, foram realizadas avaliações, por meio do uso de checklist em 52 barracas onde foram adquiridas 71 amostras sendo estas submetidas à análise microbiológica e/ou físico-química. Foi constatado que em 47,9% das barracas o armazenamento dos alimentos era realizado de forma inadequada, que 86% dos produtos de origem animal estavam acondicionados em embalagens impróprias e que em 65% das mesmas, a condição higiênica dos manipuladores foi classificada como "Regular". Foram encontradas não conformidades em 36,6% das amostras submetidas às análises microbiológicas e/ou físico-químicas, sendo detectada a presença de Salmonella sp. em uma amostra de linguiça colonial. Sendo assim, é necessário que haja um controle sanitário na produção e comércio dos produtos nestas feiras por parte dos órgãos públicos responsáveis, garantindo assim, a segurança alimentar do consumidor.

The objective of this study was to determine the hygiene conditions of street market stands that sell products of animal origin in five cities in western Parana, Brazil, as well as the microbiological and physical-chemical quality of the products that are sold there. Between February and May, 2013, a total of 52 street market stands were analyzed based on a checklist. 71 samples were collected in these stands and submitted to microbiological and/or physical-chemical analyses. It was observed that in 47.9% of the stands, food products were inadequately stored; 86% of the products of animal origin were kept in improper containers; and in 65% of the stands, handler hygiene was classified as regular. 36.6% samples did not comply with microbiological and/or physical-chemical standards, with one sample of colonial sausage showing the presence of Salmonella sp. Therefore, public organisms control of hygiene in the production and commercialization of products in street markets is highly necessary to ensure food safety.

Glutathione and iron at the crossroad of redox metabolism in rats infected by Trypanosoma evansi.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in hematological and biochemical parameters of blood during acute Trypanosoma evansi infection in Wistar rats. The end points studied were hematologic parameters, red blood cell fragility, iron content, and glutathione and lipid peroxidation levels. Forty-eight animals were infected with trypomastigotes and distributed into five groups according to the level of parasitemia. Twelve non-inoculated animals were used as control. Parasitemia increased progressively, reaching highest scores at 15 days post-inoculation. At this point, several deleterious effects were observed such as an increase in iron content, in osmotic fragility, and in lipid peroxidation index, while glutathione decreased drastically. These changes were highly correlated to parasitemia (p < 0.0001) and among each other (p ≤ 0.001). Hematological indices (Hb, packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cells (RBC), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration) were also correlated to parasitemia (p ≤ 0.0003) but failed to correlate to the other variables. Along with increase in iron, RBC fragility produced a decrease in RBC, PCV, and Hb, but not in mean corpuscular volume. Decrease in glutathione was negatively correlated to the end products of lipid peroxidation, clearly indicating the establishment of a pro-oxidant condition. The results show that the infection causes hematological impairments, increases iron and osmotic fragility, along with marked oxidative stress in red blood cells of rats inoculated with T. evansi.