Ocorrência e determinação do perfil de sensibilidade às drogas das cepas de Staphylococcus aureus isoladas de fossas nasais e orofaringe dos servidores hospitalares

Staphylococcus aureus is a very important hospital and community pathogen. This species is related to supurative disease, systemic and widespread metastatic lesions. The ability of S. aureus to develop resistance to antibiotics, more recently to methicillin, associates this bacteria with epidemic outbreaks of severe nosocomial infection. The source of staphylococcal infection is a patient with a staphylococcal lesion or a career member of the hospital staff. We aimed to detect the frequency of S. aureus isolated from anterior nares and oral cavities among the hospital staff in Bauru - SP, and to determine the antibiotic susceptibility of the isolates. Within 213 of the staff members analyzed. S. aureus was found in 94 (44.13%) of careers, with 47 (50%) of nasal carriers, 23 (24.4%) of oral carriers and 24 (25.5%) of both carriers. The biochemical characteristics analyzed for the species identification were similar to S. aureus ATCC 29213. All strains identified as S. aureus showed varied sensibility to the antimicrobial agents tested. No vancomicin resistant strains and only 8 (8.5%) strains with oxacilin resistance were found.

Histochemical and ultrastructural evidence of lipid secretion by the silk gland of the sugarcane borer Diatraea saccharalis (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

The silk gland in Lepidoptera larvae is responsible for the silk production used for shelter or cocoon construction. The secretion of fibroin and sericin by the different silk gland regions are well established. There are few attempts to detect lipid components in the insect silk secretion, although the presence of such element may contribute to the resistance of the shelter to wet environment. This study characterizes the glandular region and detects the presence of lipid components in the secretion of the silk gland of Diatraea saccharalis (Fabricius). The silk gland was submitted to histochemical procedure for lipid detection or conventionally prepared for ultrastructural analyses. Lipid droplets were histochemically detected in both the apical cytoplasm of cell of the anterior region and in the lumen among the microvilli. Ultrastructural analyses of the anterior region showed lipid material, visualized as myelin-like structures within the vesicular Golgi complex and in the apical secretory globules, mixed up with the sericin; similar material was observed into the lumen, adjacent to the microvilli. Lipids were not detected in the cells neither in the lumen of the posterior region. Our results suggest that the silk produced by D. saccharalis has a minor lipid content that is secreted by the anterior region together with the sericin.

Propriedades tensiométricas comparadas entre fragmentos do centro tendíneo do diafragma, pericárdio fibroso e peritônio parietal de bovinos não conservados e conservados em glicerina

The behaviour of the non conserved and 98% glycerin conserved specimens for periods of 30, 60 and 90 days of bovine diaphragma's tendinous center, fibrous pericardium and parietal peritoneum submitted to mechanical tests of traction, was observed in ten bovines between 30 months and 36 months of age, crossbreeds, males and females, collecting fragments of these aforesaid membranes in each animal. The diaphragma's tendinous center and parietal peritoneum did not suffered significant modification (p>0.05) in the values of tension when compared to the resistance tests of traction of non conserved and 98% glycerin conserved membranes. However, all the evaluated tissues showed significant increase (p£0.05) of the elongation values when conserved in 98% glycerin for until 90 days. It was also observed that fibrous pericardium is the one which supports greaters tensions. So, it to was concluded, that glycerin is efficient to the conservation of biological membranes besides modifying its mechanical properties.

Sugarcane (Saccharum X officinarum): A Reference Study for the Regulation of Genetically Modified Cultivars in Brazil

Global interest in sugarcane has increased significantly in recent years due to its economic impact on sustainable energy production. Sugarcane breeding and better agronomic practices have contributed to a huge increase in sugarcane yield in the last 30 years. Additional increases in sugarcane yield are expected to result from the use of biotechnology tools in the near future. Genetically modified (GM) sugarcane that incorporates genes to increase resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses could play a major role in achieving this goal. However, to bring GM sugarcane to the market, it is necessary to follow a regulatory process that will evaluate the environmental and health impacts of this crop. The regulatory review process is usually accomplished through a comparison of the biology and composition of the GM cultivar and a non-GM counterpart. This review intends to provide information on non-GM sugarcane biology, genetics, breeding, agronomic management, processing, products and byproducts, as well as the current technologies used to develop GM sugarcane, with the aim of assisting regulators in the decision-making process regarding the commercial release of GM sugarcane cultivars. © 2011 The Author(s).

Study of ITO@PMMA composites by transmission electron microscopy

ITO nanowires were synthesized by carbothermal reduction process, using a co-evaporation method, and have controlled size, shape, and chemical composition. The electrical measurements of nanowires showed they have a resistance of about 102 Ω. In order to produce nanocomposites films, nanowires were dispersed in toluene using an ultrasonic cleaner, so the PMMA polymer was added, and the system was kept under agitation up to obtain a clear suspension. The PMMA polymer was filled with 1, 2, 5 and 10% in weight of nanowires, and the films were done by tape casting. The results showed that the electrical resistance of nanocomposites changed by over 7 orders of magnitude by increasing the amount of filler, and using 5 wt% of filler the composite resistance decreased from 1010 Ω to about 104 Ω, which means that percolation threshold of wires occurred at this concentration. This is an interesting result once for nanocomposites filled with ITO nanoparticles is necessary about 18% in weight to obtain percolation. The addition of filler up to 10 wt% decreased the resistance of the composite to 103 Ω, which is a value close to the resistance of wires. The composites were also analyzed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and the TEM results are in agreement with the electrical ones about percolation of nanowires. These results are promising once indicates that is possible to produce conductive and transparent in the visible range films by the addition of ITO nanowires in a polymeric matrix using a simple route. © 2011 Materials Research Society.

Influência da raça do touro (Bos indicus x Bos taurus) na tolerância ao estresse térmico calórico de embriões bovinos produzidos in vitro

To better understand the differences related to HS resistance between Bos indicus and Bos taurus, we aim to verify if the HS tolerance is due mostly to the genetic contribution from the oocyte, spermatozoa or both. Oocytes from Nelore and crossbreed Holstein cows (cHST) were collected, matured and fertilized with semen from Nelore (N), Angus (An), Brahman (Bra) and Gir (Gir) bulls. Nine six hours post insemination (hpi), ≥ 16 cells embryos were separated in two groups: control and HS. In control group, embryos were cultured at 39°C, whereas in the HS group, embryos were subjected to 41°C for 12 h, and then returned to 39°C. There was no effect of HS on blastocyst and hatched blastocyst rates in all breeds analyzed. The percentage of oocytes that cleaved and reached morula stage was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in cHST x Gir as compared to the other breeds. Additionally, blastocyst rates was higher in cHST x N than in cHST x An and cHST x Gir (p < 0.05). It was concluded that the oocyte is more important than the spermatozoa for the development of thermotolerance, since the breed of the bull did not influence embryo development after HS.

Genetic correlations between mature cow weight and productive and reproductive traits in Nellore cattle

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Classification of crucifer cultivars based on the life-history of diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella)

We compared different cultivars and hybrids of crucifers in relation to development and life-history of diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) to classify the plants according to their resistance to the pest. The plants used were Manteiga da Geórgia kale, Bola de Neve cauliflower, Ramoso Piracicaba Precoce broccoli, Chato-de-quintal cabbage, and the hybrid cabbages Midori, TPC668, TPC308, and TPC681. We evaluated performance daily until the pupal stage. Pupae were assessed individually to determine the pupal weight, performance, and pupal period. We determined the sex ratio, fecundity, fertility, and longevity of the emerged adults and calculated their reproductive potential. Cabbage hybrids TPC668, TPC308, and TPC681 do not support the development and reproduction of the diamondback moth. These hybrids show a level of resistance that is similar to that found the commercially available hybrid Midori and cultivar Chato de Quintal, which are known to be resistant to the diamondback moth. This finding implies that the capitata (cabbage) cultivars are the most suitable for planting because they are more resistant to pest than the cultivar's moth, acephala (kale). © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.

Methods for obtaining reliable and reproducible results in studies of Candida biofilms formed in vitro

Biofilm formation is one of the most important attributes for virulence in Candida species and contributes to increased resistance to antifungal drugs and host immune mechanisms. These features have led to the development of several methodologies to reproduce a sessile community in vitro that can be used to study the development of a biofilm, its interaction with other microorganisms and the environment, and its susceptibility to available antifungal agents and also to search for new therapy strategies. The purpose of this review is to describe the most commonly used methods to study Candida biofilms in vitro, to discuss the benefits and limitations of the different methods to induce biofilm formation, and to analyse the architecture, viability and growth kinetics of Candida biofilms. © 2013 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

Resistência de genótipos de eucalipto a ceratocystis spp

Eucalyptus is the most important plantation forest species in Brazil. Wilt and canker caused by Ceratocystis fimbriata on eucalyptus were first reported in 1998 in plantations of an E. grandis × E. urophylla hybrid in southern Bahia, Brazil. This work aimed at studying the reaction of different eucalyptus genotypes after inoculation with C. fimbriata isolates, in order to find a possible source of resistance. The study included four isolates of Ceratocystis collected from eucalyptus in different regions. One disc of fungal mycelium with 1-cm-diameter (from colonies growing for 10 days on malt extract agar medium-MEA) was inoculated on the stem of thus injured eucalyptus plants (six months old). A cotton wool moistened with sterile distilled water was wrapped with plastic film. Control plants were inoculated with discs of MEA without fungal colonies. The inoculated plants were kept in a greenhouse. Wilt symptoms were observed 90 days after inoculation. The seedlings were cut in the longitudinal direction of the stem in order to observe the colonization of fungus in the plant xylem. We tested twenty eucalyptus genotypes, but only five showed resistance to all isolates of Ceratocystis, belonging to different species of Eucalyptus: E. urophylla (C2 and C9), E. grandis (C3), E. saligna (C6 and C13) Most E. gramdis genotypes were more susceptible to all four fungal isolates. These results support future studies related to eucalyptus resistance to Ceratocystis.

A corda elástica como instrumento de treinamento resistido em paciêntes com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Efeito do tabagismo passivo e do exercício físico associado sobre a expressão de transportador de glicose GLUT4 em músculos de ratos

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Participação da ORF XAC3629 na regulação do operon de resistência a cobre copAB em Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Avaliação da resistência primária aos inibidores de integrase em pacientes soropositivos para o HIV-1

Pós-graduação em Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento (Biotecnologia Médica) - FMB

Suco de laranja reduz colesterol e insulina no sangue de indivíduos saudáveis

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)