Genomic analysis of four strains of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis bv. Equi isolated from horses showing distinct signs of infection.

The genomes of four strains (MB11, MB14, MB30, and MB66) of the species Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis biovar equi were sequenced on the Ion Torrent PGM platform, completely assembled, and their gene content and structure were analyzed. The strains were isolated from horses with distinct signs of infection, including ulcerative lymphangitis, external abscesses on the chest, or internal abscesses on the liver, kidneys, and lungs. The average size of the genomes was 2.3 Mbp, with 2169 (Strain MB11) to 2235 (Strain MB14) predicted coding sequences (CDSs). An optical map of the MB11 strain generated using the KpnI restriction enzyme showed that the approach used to assemble the genome was satisfactory, producing good alignment between the sequence observed in vitro and that obtained in silico. In the resulting Neighbor-Joining dendrogram, the C. pseudotuberculosis strains sequenced in this study were clustered into a single clade supported by a high bootstrap value. The structural analysis showed that the genomes of the MB11 and MB14 strains were very similar, while the MB30 and MB66 strains had several inverted regions. The observed genomic characteristics were similar to those described for other strains of the same species, despite the number of inversions found. These genomes will serve as a basis for determining the relationship between the genotype of the pathogen and the type of infection that it causes

Jogos eletrônicos e o uso de software livre na escola: um relato de experiência

Este trabalho descreve a experiência do uso pedagógico de um jogo eletrônico na escola, relatando seu processo de inserção como conteúdo das aulas que foram realizadas na sala informatizada. A proposta da utilização do jogo, além de motivar aos alunos, contemplou os interesses da professora, que alcançou por meio dele os objetivos por ela propostos. Percebe-se que uma abordagem interdisciplinar ao jogo poderia contribuir para a problematização das diversas questões por ele levantadas

Efficacy of turmeric (Curcuma longa) to ameliorate the adverse effects of ochratoxin A in broiler chicks

Abstract only availableA 21-day feeding study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of turmeric (Curcuma longa) powder (TMP), containing a known level of curcumin to offset the adverse effects of ochratoxin A (OA) in broiler chicks. Five pen replicates of 5 chicks each were assigned to each of 6 dietary treatments. Dietary treatments evaluated include: 1) basal diet containing no OA or TMP; 2) basal diet supplemented with 0.67% TMP containing 220 mg/kg total curcuminoids (TCMN); 3) basal diet supplemented with 1 mg/kg OA; 4) basal diet supplemented with 1 mg/kg OA and 220 mg/kg TCMN; 5) basal diet supplemented with 2 mg/kg OA; 6) and basal diet supplemented with 2 mg/kg OA and 220 mg/kg TCMN. The addition of OA to the diet significantly reduced (P < 0.05) feed intake, body weight gain, and caused poor feed conversion . Similarly, there was a significant effect (P < 0.05) of OA on relative liver weight and relative kidney weight.. Results indicated that 220 mg/kg TCMN did not counteract any adverse effects in broiler chicks fed OA at levels of 1 mg/kg and 2 mg/kg. It remains to be seen if OA negatively affected antioxidant status and hepatic gene expression of chicks, and if TCMN will be beneficial in ameliorating any observed adverse effects. Samples are currently being analyzed for antioxidant activity and changes in gene expression.F.B. Miller Undergraduate Research Program in Animal Science

Genome Sequence of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis MB20 bv. equi Isolated from a Pectoral Abscess of an Oldenburg Horse in California.

The genome of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis MB20 bv. equi was sequenced using the Ion Personal Genome Machine (PGM) platform, and showed a size of 2,363,089 bp, with 2,365 coding sequences and a GC content of 52.1%. These results will serve as a basis for further studies on the pathogenicity of C. pseudotuberculosis bv. equi

Transferência de calor através de paineis aglomerados de bagaço de cana, pinus e eucalipto : Heat transfer through against panels of sugar cane, pinus and eucaliptus

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a transferência de calor, a temperatura de combustão e o calor específico de painéis de aglomerado feitos de bagaço de cana, pinus e eucalipto. Os painéis foram expostos a uma fonte de calor até a combustão e mantido por 30 minutos o fluxo de calor entre os materiais. Os resultados mostraram que a transferência de energia durante o aquecimento é maior para os painéis feitos de bagaço de cana-de-açúcar em comparação com os demais materiais

Monte carlo simulation strategies for predicting CO 2/CH 4 adsorption onto activated carbons from pure gas isotherms

The problem of predicting the adsorptive properties of activated carbon (AC) towards a mixture of gases from the simple knowledge of the adsorption properties of the pure components is addressed, with special reference to the CO2/CH4 mixture. The adsorption process for the pure gases and their mixtures was simulated using the Grand Canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) method and the calculations were then used to analyze experimental isotherms for the pure gases and for mixtures with different molar fractions in the gaseous phase. It was shown that the pore-size distributions (PSDs) “sensed” by each of the pure probe gases was different one from the other and also from the PSDs “seen” by the mixture. A mixing rule for combining the PSDs corresponding to the pure gases is proposed for obtaining predictions regarding the adsorption of the corresponding mixtures, which are then compared with those arising from the classical IAST approximation. For this purpose, selectivity curves for CO2 relative to CH4 have been calculated and compared with experimental values. It was concluded that, for the adsorbate/adsorbent system under study, the proposed GCMC mixed model was capable of predicting the binary adsorption equilibrium, and especially the selectivity, more accurately than the IAST.Fil: de Oliveira, José C. A.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico San Luis. Instituto de Física Aplicada; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Luis; ArgentinaFil: Rios, Rafael B.. Universidade Federal do Ceará; BrasilFil: López, Raúl Horacio. Universidad Nacional de San Luis; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico San Luis. Instituto de Física Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: Peixoto, Hugo R.. Universidade Federal do Ceará; BrasilFil: Cornette, Valeria Cecilia. Universidad Nacional de San Luis; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico San Luis. Instituto de Física Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: Torres, A. Eurico B.. Universidade Federal do Ceará; BrasilFil: Calvalcante Jr., Célio L.. Universidade Federal do Ceará; BrasilFil: Zgrablich, Jorge Andres. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico San Luis. Instituto de Física Aplicada; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Luis; Argentin

immune activation of canine hepatic spheroids exposed to leishmania infantum

The application of innovative three-dimensional (3D) spheroids cell culture strategy to Parasitology offers the opportunity to closely explore host–parasite interactions. Here we present a first report on the application of 3D hepatic spheroids to unravel the immune response of canine hepatocytes exposed to Leishmania infantum. The liver, usually considered a major metabolic organ, also performs several important immunological functions and constitutes a target organ for L. infantum infection, the etiological agent of canine leishmaniasis (CanL), and a parasitic disease of major veterinary and public health concern. 3D hepatic spheroids were able to sense and immunologically react to L. infantum parasites, generating an innate immune response by increasing nitric oxide (NO) production and enhancing toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 and interleukin-10 gene expression. The immune response orchestrated by canine hepatocytes also lead to the impairment of several cytochrome P450 (CYP450) with possible implications for liver natural xenobiotic metabolization capacity. The application of meglumine antimoniate (MgA) increased the inflammatory response of 3D hepatic spheroids by inducing the expression of Nucleotide oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptors 1 and NOD2 and TLR2, TLR4, and TLR9 and enhancing gene expression of tumour necrosis factor α. It is therefore suggested that hepatocytes are key effector cells and can activate and orchestrate the immune response to L. infantum parasites.publishersversionpublishe