Characterization of Escherichia coli isolated from carcasses of beef cattle during their processing at an abattoir in Brazil

Beef carcass sponge samples collected between March 2003 and August 2005 at an abattoir in Brazil were surveyed for the presence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). Only one carcass among the 80 tested showed a STEC, stx2-encoding gene by PCR amplification. The frequency of carcass contamination by E. coli during processing was tested at three situations, respectively: preevisceration, postevisceration and postprocessing, during the rain and dry seasons. The prevalence of E. coli at the three points was of 30.0%, 70.0%, 27.5% in the rain season and of 22.5%, 55.0%, 17.5% during the dry season, respectively. The E. coli isolates exhibited a high level (45.0%) of multidrug resistance to two or more antimicrobial agents. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Haematological and gill responses in parasitized tilapia from valley of Tijucas River, SC, Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Produção e qualidade fisiológica de sementes de coentro em função de doses de nitrogênio

O objetivo dessa pesquisa foi avaliar o rendimento e a qualidade de sementes de coentro, cultivar Verdão, em função de doses de nitrogênio. Um experimento de campo foi instalado no Centro de Ciências Agrárias da Universidade Federal da Paraíba (CCA-UFPB), em Areia-PB, no período de abril a novembro de 2001, para avaliar a produção de sementes. Os tratamentos consistiram em cinco doses de nitrogênio (0, 20, 40, 60 e 80kg.ha-1) distribuídas em delineamento experimental de blocos casualizados, em quatro repetições. Após as colheitas, as sementes foram avaliadas quanto à qualidade fisiológica (germinação e índice de velocidade de germinação). O rendimento de sementes aumentou com a elevação das doses de nitrogênio, na ordem de 4,7kg.ha-1 a cada quilograma de nitrogênio adicionado ao solo, sendo o rendimento máximo de sementes (1900kg.ha-1), obtido na dose de 80kg.ha-1. A germinação máxima estimada (82%) foi obtida com a dose de 53kg.ha-1 de nitrogênio, enquanto o índice de velocidade de germinação aumentou com a elevação das doses de nitrogênio, sendo verificado um índice de 5,6 na dose máxima de nitrogênio.

Alterações nos atributos químicos de um Latossolo distroférrico decorrentes da granulometria e doses de calcário em sistemas plantio direto e convencional

Atualmente, percebe-se o interesse na calagem superficial, sem prévia incorporação, para instalação do sistema plantio direto (SPD). Dessa forma, objetivou-se determinar os efeitos de granulometria e doses de calcários no SPD, em fase de implantação, e no sistema de plantio convencional (SPC) sobre o pH, H + Al, Ca2+ e Mg2+. O experimento foi realizado no ano agrícola de 1998/99, na FCA/UNESP-Botucatu (SP), em Latossolo Vermelho. O delineamento experimental foi de blocos ao acaso, com parcelas subsubdivididas e quatro repetições. As parcelas representaram os sistemas de plantio (SPD e SPC); as subparcelas, a granulometria dos calcários [grosso (PRNT = 56 %) e fino (PRNT = 90 %)], e as subsubparcelas, as doses de 2, 4 e 6 t ha-1 (calcário grosso) e 1,2; 2,4 e 3,6 t ha-1 (fino). O solo foi amostrado, a 0-5, 5-10, 10-20 e 20-40 cm de profundidade, 1, 3 e 12 meses após a aplicação dos corretivos. A análise de variância não detectou interação tripla entre os fatores. A aplicação de calcário superficial no SPD, independentemente da granulometria e da dose, alterou positivamente os atributos químicos do solo (0-5 e 5-10 cm), 12 meses após a calagem. O corretivo continuou reagindo, independentemente do sistema de plantio, de forma intensa, mesmo após três meses. A aplicação de doses mais elevadas de calcário, com maior granulometria, sugeriu efeito residual prolongado.

Satellyptus: analysis and database of microsatellites from ESTs of Eucalyptus

The main goal of our research was to search for SSRs in the Eucalyptus EST FORESTs database (using a software for mining SSR-motifs). With this objective, we created a database for cataloging Eucalyptus EST-derived SSRs, and developed a bioinformatics tool, named Satellyptus, for finding and analyzing microsatellites in the Eucalyptus EST database. The search for microsatellites in the FORESTs database containing 71,115 Eucalyptus EST sequences (52.09 Mb) revealed 20,530 SSRs in 15,621 ESTs. The SSR abundance detected on the Eucalyptus ESTs database (29% or one microsatellite every four sequences) is considered very high for plants. Amongst the categories of SSR motifs, the dimeric (37%) and trimeric ones (33%) predominated. The AG/CT motif was the most frequent (35.15%) followed by the trimeric CCG/CGG (12.81%). From a random sample of 1,217 sequences, 343 microsatellites in 265 SSR-containing sequences were identified. Approximately 48% of these ESTs containing microsatellites were homologous to proteins with known biological function. Most of the microsatellites detected in Eucalyptus ESTs were positioned at either the 5 or 3 end. Our next priority involves the design of flanking primers for codominant SSR loci, which could lead to the development of a set of microsatellite-based markers suitable for marker-assisted Eucalyptus breeding programs.

Isolation of brucella spp from milk of brucellosis positive cows in São Paulo and Minas Gerais states

A brucelose é uma zoonose crônica de importância para a Saúde Pública. Considerando o pequeno número de dados brasileiros sobre a sua presença em leite cru e derivados não-pasteurizados, estudamos a presença de brucelas em leite de animais sorologicamente positivos. A soroaglutinação rápida (SAR), a soroaglutinação lenta (SAL) e a soroaglutinação lenta com tratamento do soro com 2-mercaptoetanol foram utilizados para identificar os animais positivos nas propriedades estudadas. Amostras diárias de 300 ml de leite foram colhidas por três dias de todos os quartos mamários produtivos (75 ml/teto). As amostras eram misturadas e centrifugadas. Parte do sedimento e do sobrenadante foi inoculada em meios de Farrel e Brodie-Sinton (BS) suplementados com agentes antimicrobianos. As placas e tubos foram cultivados por sete dias a 37ºC, em microaerofilia. As colônias suspeitas no meio BS foram imediatamente repicadas para ágar-Brucella, e cultivadas sob a mesma condição. Os microrganismos isolados foram submetidos a procedimentos de identificação, incluindo a coloração de Gram, requerimento de CO2, produção de H2S, atividade da urease e crescimento na presença de tionina e fucsina. Das 49 amostras examinadas, isolou-se Brucella abortus de 15 (30,61%). Os biótipos isolados foram: biótipo 1 em uma amostra (2,04%), biótipo 2 em oito (16,32%) e biótipo 3 em seis amostras (12,25%)

Survey for Foot-and-mouth Disease in the Endangered Marsh Deer (Blastocerus dichotomus) from Marshlands of the Parana River Basin, Brazil

Habitat fragmentation and diseases have resulted in a decline of the marsh deer (Blastocerus (dichotomus) throughout its South American range. Our objectives were to determine whether marsh deer intended for translocation from a region of the Rio Parana Basin had been infected previously by foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) and whether they were carrying virus We captured marsh deer from June to October 1998 and collected blood from 108 animals and esophageal-pharyngeal fluid from 53 Serum was tested for antibodies against three FMDV serotypes (O, A, and C) by liquid-phase-blocking sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) Esophageal-pharyngeal fluid was tested for FMDV RNA by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and inoculation into three successive baby hamster kidney (BHK-21) cell subcultures, followed by RT-PCR of cultures We detected low log(10) titers (range 1 0-1 5) to FM DV subtype A(24) Cruzeiro in 19 of 108 sampled marsh deer, but failed to isolate FMDV or detect FMDV RNA in any samples we conclude that marsh deer from our study site were unlikely to carry FMDV, however, as a preventive measure, the 19 animals with titers for FMDV were not sent to FMDV-free Brazilian states

A NEW SPECIES of AFRICANA (NEMATODA: HETERAKIDAE) FROM LIZARDS of SOUTHERN AMAZON, BRAZIL

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

Effect of surfactants and polyethylene glycol on the activity and stability of a lipase from oilseeds of Pachira aquatica

Lipases from oilseeds have a great potential for commercial exploration as industrial enzymes. Lipases are used mixed with surfactants in cleaning and other formulated products, and accordingly, both components must be compatible with each other. This work presents the results of the effects of anionic, cationic and nonionic surfactants, polyethylene glycol and urea on the activity and stability of a lipase extracted of oilseeds from Pachira aquatica. The enzyme was purified and the spectrophotometric assays were done using p-nitrophenyl acetate (p-NPA) as substrate pH 7.5 and 25 degrees C. The activity was significantly enhanced by the cationic surfactant CTAB. Bile salts increased the lipase activity in the tested concentration range, whereas anionic and nonionic surfactants showed an inhibitory effect. Aqueous solutions of PEG activated the lipase and maximum activation (161%) occurred in PEG 12,000. This effect on lipase that can be due to exposition of some hydrophobic residues located in the vicinity of the active site or aggregation.

Preliminary functional characterization, cloning and primary sequence of Fastuosain, a cysteine peptidase isolated from fruits of Bromelia fastuosa

The present work reports the characterization of Fastuosain, a novel cysteine protease of 25kDa, purified from the unripe fruits of Bromelia fastuosa, a wild South American Bromeliaceae. Proteolytic activity, measured using casein and synthetic substrates, was dependent on the presence of thiol reagents, having maximum activity at pH 7.0. The present work reports cDNA cloning of Fastuosain; cDNA was amplified by PCR using specific primers. The product was 1096pb long. Mature fastuosain has 217 residues, and with the proregion has a total length of 324 residues. Its primary sequence showed high homology with ananain(74%), stem bromelain (66%) and papain (44%).

Alkaloids from Stems of Esenbeckia leiocarpa Engl. (Rutaceae) as Potential Treatment for Alzheimer Disease

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

Composition and antifungal activity against Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis, Candida krusei and Cryptococcus neoformans of essential oils from leaves of Piper and Peperomia species

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Efeito de injúrias mecânicas na qualidade de abobrinhas armazenadas em condição ambiente

Foram avaliados os efeitos de diferentes injúrias mecânicas na qualidade de abobrinhas verdes cv. caipira, em três tipos de lesões: por impacto, compressão e corte. No impacto os frutos foram soltos em queda livre de uma altura de 1,60 m duas vezes (uma batida de cada lado do fruto), a compressão foi feito pela pressão de um peso de 58,8 N por 1 hora e o corte (6 cm de comprimento e 2 mm de profundidade, em triplicata em 2 lados dos frutos) efetuado com uma faca apropriada. Após esses tratamentos, os frutos injuriados e os do controle (intactos) foram armazenados em condições de ambiente (25°C, 65% UR). As avaliações foram feitas a cada 3 dias, determinando-se atividade respiratória, aparência, perda de massa, pH, teores de sólidos solúveis, acidez titulável, ácido ascórbico, amido e carboidratos solúveis. Durante o período de armazenamento, de 15 dias, as lesões mostraram-se prejudiciais à qualidade, afetando distintamente os parâmetros químicos, a aparência, e diminuindo os dias de possível comercialização dos frutos, em especial naqueles submetidos ao corte e ao impacto. Estas injúrias também ocasionaram maior atividade respiratória dos frutos. A perda de massa fresca foi agravada quando os frutos foram submetidos ao corte. A injúria por impacto e por corte foram as mais prejudiciais para a qualidade das abobrinhas 'Caipira'.

Production of fructooligosaccharides by the mycelia of Aspergillus japonicus immobilized in calcium alginate

This work describes fructose oligosaccharide (FOS) production by the immobilized mycelia (IM) of a strain of Aspergillus japonicus, isolated from soil. The microorganism was inoculated into 50 mi of medium composed of sugar cane molasses (5.0% of total sugars); yeast powder; 2.0%; K2HPO4, 0.5%; NaNO3, 0.2%; MgSO4. 7H(2)O, 0.05%; KCl, 0.05%, final pH 5.0, and the flasks were agitated in an orbital shaker at 200 rpm for 60 h, at 30 degrees C. The beta-fructofuranosidase activity (Uf), transfructosylating activity (Ut), hydrolyzing activity (Uh), and FOS production were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography. FOS production was performed in a batch process in a 2-l jar fermenter by IM in calcium alginate beads. The optimum pH and temperature were 5.0-5.6 and 55 degrees C, respectively No loss of activity was observed when the mycelium was maintaned at 60 degrees C for 60 min. Maximum production was obtained using 5.75% (cellular weight/volume) of mycelia (122.4 Ut g(-1)) and 65% sucrose solution (w:v) for 4 h of reaction when the final product reached 61.28% of fetal FOS containing GF(2) (30.56%), GF(3) (26.45%), GF(4) (4.27%), sucrose (9.6%) and glucose (29.10%). In the assay conditions, 23 batches were performed without loss of activity of the IM, showing that the microorganism and the process utilized have potential for industrial applications. (C) 1998 Elsevier B.V. Ltd. All rights reserved.

Ferroelectric and optical properties of Ba0.8Sr0.2TiO3 thin film

Barium strontium titanate (Ba0.8Sr0.2TiO3) thin films have been prepared on Pt/Ti/SiO2/Si substrates using a soft solution processing. X-ray diffraction and also micro-Raman spectroscopy showed that the Ba0.8Sr0.2TiO3 thin films exhibited a tetragonal structure at room temperature. The presence of Raman active modes was clearly shown at the 299 and 725 cm(-1) peaks. The tetragonal-to-cubic phase transition in the Ba0.8Sr0.2TiO3 thin films is broadened, and suppressed at about 35 degreesC, with a maximum dielectric constant of 948 (100 kHz). Electrical measurements for the prepared Ba0.8Sr0.2TiO3 thin films showed a remnant polarization (P-r) of 6.5 muC/cm(2), a coercive field (E-c) of 41 kV/cm, and good insulating properties. The dispersion of the refractive index is interpreted in terms of a single electronic oscillator at 6.97 eV. The direct band gap energy (E-g) and the refractive index (n) are estimated to be 3.3 eV and n = 2.27-2.10, respectively. (C) 2002 American Institute of Physics.