The first report in Brazil of severe infection caused by community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA)

Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) is an emergent pathogen in Brazil. However, there are no data on the prevalence of CA-MRSA. We report here the first well-characterized case of severe life-threatening CA-MRSA infection in a child living in Rio de Janeiro city. The patient had many complications including hematogenous osteomyelitis and involvement of multiple sites requiring drainage of soft-tissue abscess, and pleural and pericardial empyema. The MRSA isolates recovered were genotyped using PFGE, SCCmec typing and multilocus sequence typing. Disk diffusion tests were performed following Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute recommendations. In addition, the presence of Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) was assessed by PCR amplification, using specific primers for lukF-pv (encoding for the F subunit of the PVL). The bacterial isolates were related to the ST30-SCCmecIV lineage (Oceania Southwest Pacific clone), a PVL producer CA-MRSA previously detected in Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. Also, the isolates analyzed were susceptible to all non-β-lactam antibiotics tested. The present report demonstrates that disseminated CA-MRSA disease is also occurring in Rio de Janeiro. Thus, the empirical treatment of moderate or severe infections suspected of being associated with CA-MRSA needs to be reviewed in order to allow prompt initiation of an effective therapy that also covers these microorganisms.

Molecular battles between plant and pathogenic bacteria in the phyllosphere

The phyllosphere, i.e., the aerial parts of the plant, provides one of the most important niches for microbial colonization. This niche supports the survival and, often, proliferation of microbes such as fungi and bacteria with diverse lifestyles including epiphytes, saprophytes, and pathogens. Although most microbes may complete the life cycle on the leaf surface, pathogens must enter the leaf and multiply aggressively in the leaf interior. Natural surface openings, such as stomata, are important entry sites for bacteria. Stomata are known for their vital role in water transpiration and gas exchange between the plant and the environment that is essential for plant growth. Recent studies have shown that stomata can also play an active role in limiting bacterial invasion of both human and plant pathogenic bacteria as part of the plant innate immune system. As counter-defense, plant pathogens such as Pseudomonas syringae pv tomato (Pst) DC3000 use the virulence factor coronatine to suppress stomate-based defense. A novel and crucial early battleground in host-pathogen interaction in the phyllosphere has been discovered with broad implications in the study of bacterial pathogenesis, host immunity, and molecular ecology of bacterial diseases.

Formulação de meios de cultivo à base de soro de leite para a produção de goma xantana por X. Campestris C7L

A goma xantana é um polissacarídeo microbiano de grande significado comercial especialmente para a indústria de alimentos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a produção de xantana em diferentes meios de cultura à base de soro de leite utilizando o isolado Xanthomonas campestris C7L. Dentre as formulações testadas o meio de soro de leite integral produziu maior viscosidade e concentração final de xantana. Um sistema combinando soro integral (0,35% de proteína) e soro filtrado (0,18%de proteína) foi proposto. Na primeira fase em soro integral a produção de xantana foi de 13g/L e 45% de rendimento,enquanto que na segunda fase utilizando-se soro filtrado obteve-se um total de 28g/L de xantana e 75% de rendimento. O rendimento geral do processo foi de 55% e a viscosidade final do meio atingiu 18000cP. As soluções de xantana produzidas em soro de leite apresentaram comportamento pseudoplástico e tixotrópico característicos deste tipo de polímero. O isolado C7L demonstrou capacidade de produzir gomas de alta viscosidade e qualidade em soro de leite, constituindo uma alternativa promissora para a produção industrial de goma xantana a partir deste subproduto.

Produção de goma xantana obtida a partir do caldo de cana

Goma xantana é um heteroexopolissacarídeo sintetizado por Xanthomonas utilizando glicose ou sacarose como fontes de carbono, além de outros micronutrientes. É de grande aplicação industrial, devido às suas propriedades reológicas. O caldo de cana é rico em nutrientes, podendo ser utilizado como substrato para obtenção de xantana, viabilizando a produção no País pela redução dos custos. O objetivo deste estudo foi testar a produção da xantana obtida com diferentes cepas nativas de Xanthomonas em meio de cultivo composto de caldo de cana (XCC) e compará-la com os valores obtidos com a sacarose (XS). Foram preparados meios com o mínimo dos requerimentos nutricionais, contendo sacarose ou caldo de cana, suplementados apenas com uréia (0,01%) e fosfato (0,1%), fermentados em shaker (28 °C, 250 rpm, 120 horas). A maior produção de xantana foi obtida com a Xanthomonas campestris manihotis e caldo de cana (33,54 g.L-1), valor aproximadamente dez vezes maior que o obtido com a sacarose (3,45 g.L-1). A viscosidade aparente a 25 s-1, 2,0% de goma e 25 °C foi de 99,36 mPa.s para XCC e de 500,43 mPa.s para XS. A biossíntese da xantana a partir do caldo de cana merece peculiar atenção, constituindo-se numa possibilidade promissora para sua produção em larga escala.

Effect of sugar and water contents on non-expanded cassava flour extrudates

The effects of sucrose and water contents on cassava flour processed by extrusion at varied concentrations of sucrose (0-20% w/w) and water (28-42% w/w) were studied by applying response surface methodology. The extrusion of the mixtures was performed in a twin screw extruder fitted to a torque rheometer. The specific mechanical energy (SME) dissipated inside a conical twin-screw extruder was measured. Water absorption index (WAI), water solubility index (WSI) and paste viscosity readings (cold viscosity (CV), peak viscosity (PV), breakdown (BD) and set back (SB)) during a gelatinization-retrogradation cycle measured in a Rapid Visco Analyzer were determined on non-directly extruded products. The results indicated that SME and WSI decreased as a function of water and sucrose contents. WAI and pasting properties were influenced by water content. A non antiplasticizing effect of the sucrose content was observed on pasting properties, suggesting that sucrose did not reduce the availability of water available for gelatinizing cassava flour during the extrusion process. The nature of the optimum point was characterized as a saddle point for WAI, WSI, PV and BD, whereas SME showed a maximum and CV and SB a minimum. The results indicated to be valuable for the production of non-expanded cassava flour extrudates with desirable functional properties for specific end users.

Atividade antimicrobiana e antioxidante do óleo essencial de ho-sho (Cinnamomum camphora Ness e Eberm Var. Linaloolifera fujita)

Este trabalho teve como objetivo determinar a atividade antimicrobiana e antioxidante do óleo essencial de Ho-Sho. O principal componente do óleo essencial obtido a partir de folhas da planta submetidas ao processo de hidrodestilação foi o linalol (80 a 95% m/m). O óleo essencial mostrou atividade antimicrobiana para todos os microrganismos testados, com exceção de Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A maior atividade antimicrobiana do óleo essencial sobre as bactérias testadas foi observada sobre Xanthomonas campestris (33,0 mm) e a menor sobre Yersinia enterocolitica (10,5 mm). Para a concentração inibitória mínima (CIM), observou-se que todos os microrganismos apresentaram-se susceptíveis ao óleo essencial de Ho-Sho. A variação das CIM para as bactérias Gram-positivas foi de 1,00 mg.mL-1 (Streptococcus mutans) a 1,75 mg.mL-1 (Staphylococcus epidermidis). Já a variação das CIM para as bactérias Gram-negativas foi de 0,625 mg.mL-1 (Citrobacter freundii) a 2,50 mg.mL-1 (Shigella flexneri). Os resultados obtidos na determinação da atividade antioxidante do óleo essencial demonstram que o percentual antioxidante aumenta proporcionalmente à concentração de óleo essencial adicionado, atingindo o valor máximo de 97,49% de atividade antioxidante para a concentração de 50000 μg.mL-1.

Influence of harvest year in the physicochemical properties and antioxidant activity of flaxseed hull oils from Tunisia

The objective of this research was to determine the effect of five years on physico-chemical characteristics and antioxidant activity of flaxseed hull oils. Oil and protein on flaxseed hull varied between 20.15 and 22.56 and 17.45 and 19.14, respectively. The albumin fraction dominated the seed hull protein composition (44 - 47%). Flaxseed hull oils showed significantly high unsaturated to saturated fatty acid ratios (6.61 - 8.36) and calculated oxidizability (Cox) values (10.88 - 12.30). The physiochemical parameters determined included saponification value (SV) (174 -182 mg KOH/g), unsaponifiable matter (UM) (1.32 - 1.64%), peroxide value (PV) (1.70 - 2.20 mequiv/kg), Oxidation value (OV) (4.40 - 5.90) and oil stability (1.10 - 1.42 h). The highest content of total phenolic acids and total tocopherols were recorded on hull sample collected in 2008. Flavanoid content ranged from 11 to 19 mg/100 g oil. Antioxidant activity differed significantly; the greatest inhibition (61.38%) was for the hull sample collected in 2008.

Effect of previous chilling storage on quality loss in frozen (–20 °C) sierra (Scomberomorus sierra) muscle packed with a low-density polyethylene film containing butylated hydroxytoluene

Rancidity development during frozen storage (–20 °C) of sierra fish (Scomberomorus sierra) was studied. Fillets were packed in low-density polyethylene films with and without butylated hydroxytoluene added (BHT-LDPE and LDPE respectively). Fillets stored with no package were used as control. Special attention was given to the effect of previous ice storage (0, 3, 6, 9 and 15 days) on the quality of the frozen fish. Physical (pH and texture) and chemical (peroxide value, PV and thiobarbituric acid index, TBA-i) analyses were carried out. Lipid oxidation increased with ice storage time in fish muscle without film packing, being greater than the film packed muscle (with and without antioxidant). An effect of previous ice storage time was observed on the frozen product (in all treatments). However, fish muscle with film packing containing antioxidant showed less lipid deterioration. Under the conditions applied in this study, the plastic films with antioxidant prevented the lipids oxidation during the cold handling of the sierra muscle.

Heating effects on physicochemical characteristics and antioxidant activity of flaxseed hull oil (Linum usitatissimum L)

The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of heating on some quality characteristics and antioxidant activity of flaxseed hull oil. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and Cox value decreased during heating. Heating process led to considerable increase in saponification value (SV), peroxide value (PV), p-anisidine value (p-AnV), oxidative value (OV) and specific extinction at 232 and 270 nm. There was a significant decrease in oil stability during heating process (1.4-1.0 h). Fuel properties of flaxseed hull oil were also changed after heating treatment. Heating process caused loss of total phenolic acids, total flavanoids, carotenoids and chlorophyll pigments. Phospholipids (PL) content were less changed compared to other bioactive compounds. Antioxidant activity of flaxseed hull oil decreased during heating process.

Anemia crônica no pós-transplante renal: parvovirose B19

A anemia é frequente em pacientes após o transplante renal (TxR) e sua prevalência varia conforme o tempo pós-transplante e os critérios diagnósticos empregados. A infecção pelo Parvovírus B19 (PV B19) é causa subdiagnosticada de anemia nesta população. Para ilustrar a epidemiologia e espectro clínico, apresentamos caso de PV B19 que evoluiu com aplasia pura de série vermelha (APSV), ressaltando as dificuldades do diagnóstico e tratamento. O emprego da detecção do DNA viral pela reação em cadeia da polimerase e do diagnóstico das alterações da morfologia da medula óssea são particularmente úteis para o diagnóstico no paciente transplantado imunossuprimido que falha na produção da resposta humoral contra o PV B19.