Interactions between Penicillium brevicompactum/Penicillium expansum and Acinetobacter calcoaceticus isolated from drinking water in biofilm development and control

Available online 13 October 2022Bacteria and filamentous fungi (ff) are commonly encountered in biofilms developed in drinking water (DW) distribution systems (DWDS). Despite their intimate ecological relationships, researchers tend to study bacteria and ff separately. This work assesses the impact of bacteria-ff association in biofilm formation and tolerance to chlorination. One strain of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus isolated from DW was used as a model bacterium. Penicillium brevicompactum and P. expansum isolated from DW were the ff selected. Single species and inter-kingdom adhesion and biofilm formation occurred under two shear stress () conditions (0.05 and 1.6 Pa). The sessile structures were further characterized in terms of biomass production, respiratory activity and structure. The results showed that 1.6 Pa of shear stress and A. calcoaceticus-ff association favoured biofilm production. Inter-kingdom biofilms produced more biomass than A. calcoaceticus single species and reduced A. calcoaceticus susceptibility to disinfection, particularly to high sodium hypochlorite (SHC) concentrations. In addition, P. brevicompactum formed single species biofilms highly resistant to removal and inactivation by SHC. The presence of P. brevicompactum or P. expansum in inter-kingdom biofilms significantly decreased SHC removal and inactivation effects in comparison to the bacterial biofilms alone, proposing that using bacteria to form biofilms representative of DWDS can provide inaccurate conclusions, particularly in terms of biofilm production and susceptibility to disinfection.This work was financially supported by LA/P/0045/2020 (ALiCE), UIDB/00511/2020 and UIDP/00511/2020 (LEPABE) - funded by national funds through the FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC); Projects Germirrad - POCI-01-0247-FEDER-072237; PRESAGE - Aquatic/0007/2020, funded by FEDER funds through COMPETE2020 – Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalizaçao ˜ (POCI) and by national funds (PIDDAC) through FCT/MCTES; Project “HealthyWaters – Identification, Elimination, Social Awareness and Education of Water Chemical and Biological Micropollutants with Health and Environmental Implications”, with reference NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000069, supported by Norte Portugal Regional Operational Programme (NORTE 2020), under the PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). This study was further supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UIDB/04469/2020 unit and by LABBELS – Associate Laboratory in Biotechnology, Bioengineering and Microelectromechnaical Systems, LA/P/0029/2020.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Avanços na transformação genética de plantas mediada por Agrobacterium com ênfase em soja

Soybean is one of humanity's major sources of plant protein. It is also very important for animal feed and as industrial raw material. Great advances have recently been achieved in its genetic transformation. This review provides a comprehensive discussion of important factors affecting Agrobacterium-mediated soybean transformation including target tissues, plant tissue health, wounding methods, regeneration systems, selectable markers and reporter genes.A soja é uma das maiores fontes de proteína vegetal da humanidade. É também muito importante na alimentação animal e como matéria-prima industrial. Grandes avanços foram recentemente alcançados em sua transformação genética. O objetivo desta revisão é fornecer uma discussão acerca de importantes fatores que influenciam a transformação de soja mediada por Agrobaterium, incluindo tecidos alvo, condições do tecido vegetal, métodos de injúria, sistemas de regeneração, marcadores de seleção e genes repórter

Biostimulants and Their Role in Improving Plant Growth under Abiotic Stresses

Biostimulants are products that reduce the need for fertilizers and increase plant growth, resistance to water and abiotic stresses. In small concentrations, these substances are efficient, favoring the good performance of the plant’s vital processes, and allowing high yields and good quality products. In addition, biostimulants applied to plants enhance nutrition efficiency, abiotic stress tolerance and/or plant quality traits, regardless of its nutrient contents. Several researches have been developed in order to evaluate the biostimulants in improving plant development subjected to stresses, saline environment, and development of seedlings, among others. Furthermore, various raw materials have been used in biostimulant compositions, such as humic acids, hormones, algae extracts, and plant growth-promoting bacteria. In this sense, this chapter aims to approach the use of biostimulants in plant growth according to the raw material used in their compositions as well as their effects on plants subjected to abiotic stresses

The effects of sodium hypochlorite on the control of inter-kingdom biofilm formation by drinking water-isolated microorganisms

Biofilms in drinking water distribution systems (DWDS) are responsible for several undesirable effects in water. One of the main drawbacks is their potential to protect pathogens from stress conditions. Microbial interactions in biofilms can benefit the survival of co existing microorganisms, including the increased resistance to antimicrobials. Chlorine disinfection is the main widespread strategy used in DWDS for microbial control. Even if new and alternative strategies are being developed, it is conceivable that the future strategies still persist with chlorine due to economic and safety aspects. Therefore, the understanding on the efficacy of chlorine against biofilms is of utmost importance in order to improve the current strategies. The purpose of this work was to assess the effects of sodium hypochlorite (SHC) on the control of single and dual species biofilm formation by selected filamentous fungi (Penicillium expansum and Penicillium brevicompactum) and bacterium (Acinetobacter calcoaceticus) isolated from DWDS. Biofilms were developed during 48 h in 96 wells microtiter plates under two hydrodynamic conditions (25 and 150 rpm). The effects of SHC at several concentrations (0.1, 0.5, 1, 10 and 100 mg/L) was tested. The biofilm control was evaluated using crystal violet (removal) and resazurin (inactivation) dyes. The results shown that, P.brevicompactum biofilms were extremely resistant to disinfection when compared with single species biofilms of P.expansum and dual species biofilms of P.brevicompactum A.calcoaceticus. The association of A.calcoaceticus with both fungi seems beneficial, since the dual species biofilms were more resistant to disinfection. The inactivation and removal occurred for high SHC concentrations. However, total biofilm control was not achieved

Stress coping strategies and depressive symptoms among ulcerative colitis patients

Neste estudo se investigou as formas de enfrentamento do estresse e a presença dos sintomas depressivos em 100 indivíduos portadores de retocolite ulcerativa idiopática (RCUI), usuários do Ambulatório de Doenças Inflamatórias do HCFMUSP, que foram comparados com 100 indivíduos acompanhantes de pacientes de outra unidade da mesma instituição, isentos da doença. A metodologia consistiu de aplicar aos dois grupos o Inventário de Estratégias de Enfrentamento de Folkman e Lazarus e o Inventário de Depressão de Beck. As estratégias de enfrentamento mais utilizadas pelo grupo de doentes foram Suporte Social (47%) e Reavaliação Positiva (40%), e no grupo controle ocorreu predomínio da estratégia Reavaliação Positiva (52%). Quanto ao transtorno de humor, 71% dos portadores de RCUI não apresentavam sintomas depressivos (contra 78% do grupo controle), 9% apresentavam disforia (contra 9% do grupo controle) e 20% sintomas depressivos (contra 13% do grupo controle).En este estudio se investigó las formas de enfrentamiento del estrés y la presencia de los síntomas depresivos en 100 individuos portadores de rectocolitis ulcerosa idiopática (RCUI), usuarios del Consultorio Externo de Enfermedades Inflamatorias del HCFMUSP, que fueron comparados con 100 individuos acompañantes de pacientes de otra unidad de la misma institución, libres de la enfermedad. A metodología consistió en aplicar a los dos grupos el Inventario de Estrategias de Enfrentamiento de Folkman y Lazarus y el Inventario de Depresión de Beck. Las estrategias de enfrentamiento más utilizadas por el grupo de enfermos fueron Soporte Social (47%) y Reevaluación Positiva (40%), y en el grupo control predominó la estrategia Reevaluación Positiva (52%).En cuanto al trastorno del humor, 71% de los portadores de RCUI no presentaron síntomas depresivos (contra el 78% del grupo control), 9% presentaron disforia (contra el 9% del grupo control) y el 20% síntomas depresivos (contra el 13% del grupo control).This study investigated associations between the ways for coping with stress and the presence of depressive symptoms in a sample of 100 ulcerative colitis (UC) outpatients who are treated at the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinic at the School of Medicine of the University of São Paulo's Hospital das Clínicas, in the city of São Paulo. Patients were compared to a control group made up of 100 healthy subjects who kept company to other patients at another unit of the same hospital. To both groups were applied the Folkman and Lazarus's Coping Strategies Questionnaire and the Beck Depression Inventory. Coping strategies most referred to by patients were social support (47%) and positive reappraisal (40%); in the control group, the most reported coping strategy was positive reappraisal (52%). As to humor disorders, 71% of the UC patients were found to show no depressive symptoms (control group's: 78), 9% presented dysphoria (control group: 9%), and 20% showed depressive symptoms (control group: 13%)

Biofilm control by ionic liquids

Ionic liquids (ILs) are remarkable chemical compounds with applications in many areas of modern science. They are increasingly recognized as promising compounds to fight microorganisms in both planktonic and biofilm states, contributing to reinvent the antimicrobial pipeline. Biofilm-related infections are particularly challenging given that the scientific community has not yet identified a reliable control strategy. Understanding of the action of ILs in biofilm control is lacking. However, given the highly tunable nature and exceptional properties of ILs, they are excellent candidates for biofilm control. Here, we review the major advances in, and challenges to, the use of ILs for effective biofilm control.Base Funding - UIDB/00511/2020 of LEPABE, UIDB/00081/2020 of CIQUP, and UIDB/04469/2020 of CEB funded by national funds through the FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC); Project Biocide_for_Biofilm - PTDC/BII-BTI/30219/2017 - POCI-01-0145-FEDER-030219, ABFISH – PTDC/ASP-PES/28397/2017 - POCI-01-0145-FEDER-028397, funded by FEDER funds through COMPETE2020 – Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização (POCI) and by national funds (PIDDAC) through FCT/MCTES, and BioTecNorte operation (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000004) funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the scope of Norte2020 - Programa Operacional Regional do Norteinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Drinking-water isolated Delftia acidovorans selectively coaggregates with partner bacteria and facilitates multispecies biofilm development

Coaggregation plays an important role in the development of multispecies biofilms in different environments, often serving as an active bridge between biofilm members and other organisms that, in their absence, would not integrate the sessile structure. The ability of bacteria to coaggregate has been reported for a limited number of species and strains. In this study, 38 bacterial strains isolated from drinking water (DW) were investigated for their ability to coaggregate, in a total of 115 pairs of combinations. Among these isolates, only Delftia acidovorans (strain 005P) showed coaggregating ability. Coaggregation inhibition studies have shown that the interactions mediating D. acidovorans 005P coaggregation were both polysaccharide-protein and protein-protein, depending on the interacting partner bacteria. Dual-species biofilms of D. acidovorans 005P and other DW bacteria were developed to understand the role of coaggregation on biofilm formation. Biofilm formation by Citrobacter freundii and Pseudomonas putida strains highly benefited from the presence of D. acidovorans 005P, apparently due to the production of extracellular molecules/public goods favouring microbial cooperation. This was the first time that the coaggregation capacity of D. acidovorans was demonstrated, highlighting its role in providing a metabolic opportunity for partner bacteria.This work was financially supported by LA/P/0045/2020 (ALiCE), UIDB/00511/2020 and UIDP/00511/2020 (LEPABE), funded by national funds through FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC); UIDB/04469/2020 (CEB) and by LABBELS – Associate Laboratory in Biotechnology, Bioengineering and Microelectromechnaical Systems, LA/P/0029/2020; UIDB/04033/2020 (CITAB); Project Biocide_for_Biofilm-PTDC/BII-BTI/30219/2017-POCI-01-0145-FEDER-030219, ABFISH–PTDC/ASP-PES/28397/2017-POCI-01-0145-FEDER- 028397 and Germirrad-POCI-01-0247-FEDER-072237, funded by FEDER funds through COMPETE2020–Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização (POCI) and by national funds (PIDDAC) through FCT/MCTES; project HealthyWaters (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000069)- NORTE 2020/ERDF; and the FCT grant (2020.04773.BD).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Trabalho em equipe em Unidade Coronariana: facilidades e dificuldades

OBJETIVO Identificar junto al equipo multiprofesional los aspectos facilitadores y dificultadores del trabajo en equipo en Unidad Coronaria. MÉTODO Estudio descriptivo, con datos cualitativos y cuantitativos, llevado a cabo en Unidad Coronaria/Hospital público. Población constituida de profesionales actuantes en la Unidad desde hace por lo menos un año. Excluidos los retirados del trabajo y los que no fueron ubicados. Para la recolección de informaciones, se utilizó la Técnica del Incidente Crítico mediante entrevista semiestructurada. Para el análisis de los datos, se utilizó el Análisis de Contenido y la Técnica del Incidente Crítico. RESULTADOS Participaron 45 profesionales: 29 profesionales de enfermería; 11 médicos; cuatro fisioterapeutas y un psicólogo. Surgieron 49 situaciones (77,6% con referencias negativas); 385 comportamientos (54,2% con referencias positivas); y 182 consecuencias (71,9% con referencias negativas). Las referencias positivas facilitan el trabajo en equipo y las negativas lo dificultan. La relación interprofesional colaborativa/comunicativa fue evidenciada como facilitadora; la baja colaboración entre agentes/gestión inadecuada como dificultadora. CONCLUSIÓN A pesar de predominar las situaciones y consecuencias negativas, el énfasis en comportamientos positivos desvela el esfuerzo de los agentes por vences obstáculos y realizar trabajo en equipo.OBJETIVO Identificar, junto à equipe multiprofissional, aspectos facilitadores e dificultadores do trabalho em equipe em Unidade Coronariana. MÉTODO Estudo descritivo, com dados qualitativos e quantitativos, realizado em Unidade Coronariana/Hospital público. População constituída de profissionais atuantes na Unidade há, pelo menos, um ano. Excluídos os afastados do trabalho e os que não foram não localizados. Para a coleta de informações, utilizou-se da Técnica do Incidente Crítico por meio de entrevista semiestruturada. Para a análise dos dados, utilizaram-se da Análise de Conteúdo e Técnica do Incidente Crítico. RESULTADOS Participaram 45 profissionais: 29 profissionais de enfermagem; 11 médicos; quatro fisioterapeutas e um psicólogo. Emergiram 49 situações (77,6% com referências negativas); 385 comportamentos (54,2% com referências positivas); e 182 consequências (71,9% com referências negativas). Referências positivas facilitam o trabalho em equipe, e as negativas o dificultam. Relacionamento interprofissional colaborativo/comunicativo foi evidenciado como facilitador; baixa colaboração entre agentes/gerenciamento inadequado como dificultador. CONCLUSÃO Apesar de predominarem situações e consequências negativas, ênfase em comportamentos positivos revela esforço dos agentes para vencer obstáculos e realizar trabalho em equipe.OBJECTIVE To identify, within a multidisciplinary team, the facilitating and hindering aspects for teamwork in a coronary care unit. METHOD A descriptive study, with qualitative and quantitative data, was carried out in the coronary care unit of a public hospital. The study population consisted of professionals working in the unit for at least one year. Those who were on leave or who were not located were excluded. The critical incident technique was used for data collection, by means of semi-structured interviews. For data analysis, content analysis and the critical incident technique were applied. RESULTS Participants were 45 professionals: 29 nursing professionals; 11 physicians; 4 physical therapists; and 1 psychologist. A total of 49 situations (77.6% with negative references); 385 behaviors (54.2% with positive references); and 182 consequences emerged (71.9% with negative references). Positive references facilitate teamwork, whereas negative references hinder it. A collaborative/communicative interprofessional relationship was evidenced as a facilitator; whereas poor collaboration among agents/inadequate management was a hindering aspect. CONCLUSION Despite the prevalence of negative situations and consequences, the emphasis on positive behaviors reveals the efforts the agents make in order to overcome obstacles and carry out teamwork

LABORATÓRIO DE TURISMO & HOSPITALIDADE: aprimorando competências em ensino, pesquisa e extensão

O Laboratório de Turismo e Hospitalidade é um espaço de aprendizagem voltado para docentes e discentes dos cursos do Eixo Tecnológico de Turismo, Hospitalidade e Lazer do Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Rio Grande do Sul (IFRS) – Campus Osório. Tem como finalidade ser um núcleo de referência educacional para atendimento às demandas da instituição e da comunidade externa. A proposta é desenvolver atividades práticas voltadas ao ensino, pesquisa e extensão, nas formas de organização e/ou apoio para que os alunos possam desenvolver competências, conhecimentos, habilidades e atitudes, contemplando uma formação teórico-prática que amplie as aptidões para atuação profissional. O artigo se propõe a relatar a experiência da instalação do Laboratório de Turismo e Hospitalidade, demonstrando a importância do planejamento das atividades pedagógicas, sem dissociação entre teoria e prática na Educação Profissional. Como primeiros resultados da sua instalação, menciona-se a realização de cursos de extensão demandados tanto pela comunidade interna como pela comunidade externa e o desenvolvimento de um projeto de pesquisa, corroborando para o desenvolvimento de conhecimentos, de saberes e de competências profissionais e pessoais requeridas pela natureza do trabalho em Turismo e Hospitalidade