Road-killed wild animals: a preservation problem useful for eco-epidemiological studies of pathogens

Road-killed wild animals have been for years used for surveillance of vectors of zoonotic pathogens and may offer new opportunities for eco-epidemiological studies. In the current study, fungal infection was evaluated by PCR and nested-PCR in tissue samples collected from 19 road-killed wild animals. The necropsies were carried out and samples were collected for DNA extraction. Results, using PCR with a panfungal primer and nested PCR with specific primers, indicated that some animals are naturally infected with Amauroascus aureus, Metarhizium anisopliae, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus oryzae, Emmonsia parva, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis or Pichia stipitis. The approach employed herein proved useful for detecting the environmental occurrence of several fungi, as well as determining natural reservoirs in wild animals and facilitating the understanding of host-pathogen relationships.(FAPESP) São Paulo Research Foundatio

Functional plasticity in the type IV secretion system of Helicobacter pylori.

Helicobacter pylori causes clinical disease primarily in those individuals infected with a strain that carries the cytotoxin associated gene pathogenicity island (cagPAI). The cagPAI encodes a type IV secretion system (T4SS) that injects the CagA oncoprotein into epithelial cells and is required for induction of the pro-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin-8 (IL-8). CagY is an essential component of the H. pylori T4SS that has an unusual sequence structure, in which an extraordinary number of direct DNA repeats is predicted to cause rearrangements that invariably yield in-frame insertions or deletions. Here we demonstrate in murine and non-human primate models that immune-driven host selection of rearrangements in CagY is sufficient to cause gain or loss of function in the H. pylori T4SS. We propose that CagY functions as a sort of molecular switch or perhaps a rheostat that alters the function of the T4SS and "tunes" the host inflammatory response so as to maximize persistent infection

Fatal meningitis in a previously healthy young adult caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 38: an emerging serotype?

BACKGROUND: In December 2001, a fatal case of pneumococcal meningitis in a Marine Corps recruit was identified. As pneumococcal vaccine usage in recruit populations is being considered, an investigation was initiated into the causative serotype. CASE PRESENTATION: Traditional and molecular methods were utilized to determine the serotype of the infecting pneumococcus. The pneumococcal isolate was identified as serotype 38 (PS38), a serotype not covered by current vaccine formulations. The global significance of this serotype was explored in the medical literature, and found to be a rare but recognized cause of carriage and invasive disease. CONCLUSION: The potential of PS38 to cause severe disease is documented in this report. Current literature does not support the hypothesis that this serotype is increasing in incidence. However, as we monitor the changing epidemiology of pneumococcal illness in the US in this conjugate era, PS38 might find a more prominent and concerning niche as a replacement serotype

Proposta de atividade sobre magnetismo utilizando cenas de filmes

O uso de filmes no ensino de física pode ser uma alternativa para introduzir um determinado conceito de física ou incrementar a aula expositiva. O uso deste tipo de mídias pode ser capaz de mudanças significativas no processo de ensino-aprendizado (XAVIER et. al., 2010). Representa uma opção que pode ser usada juntamente com as aulas expositivas. Para isso, o uso de tal recurso não deve ser algo aleatório, pelo contrário, deve ser pertinente ao conteúdo e aos objetivos que o educador busca alcançar (CHASSOT, 2002). Os alunos possuem amplo acesso a filmes, séries, histórias em quadrinho, livros com ficção científica, entre outros. Filmes como “Star Wars”, “Vingadores”, “Aquaman”, “X Men” e séries como “Flash”, “The Gifted”, “Arrow”; abordam de forma descontraída fatos possíveis, ou não, do ponto de vista da ciência. Em tais mídias a ciência é abordada de forma fantasiosa, porém gera questionamentos sobre a veracidade dos fatos ali apresentados. Muitas teorias e leis físicas são desrespeitadas para que uma cena de ação funcione. Por exemplo, como explicar super velocidade do “Flash” ou o voo do “Superman”, e até mesmo o controle da eletricidade pelo “Thor” (CAMARGO; SILVA, 2017). Neste sentido, o trabalho tem por objetivo propor uma sequência didática sobre magnetismo para o ensino médio com a utilização de cenas de filmes de ação, usando especificamente cenas do filme “X- Men”

Spatial distribution of elderly individuals in a medium-sized city in Sao Paulo State, Brazil, according to key socio-demographic and morbidity characteristics

Geographic Information Systems serve as important public health tools for analyzing population disease distribution and thus for identifying individuals with chronic non-communicable diseases. The current study performed a spatial analysis of the distribution of the population 60 years and older in the city of Botucatu, Sao Paulo State, Brazil, studying the socio-demographic profile and the presence of diabetes mellitus and arterial hypertension. Data were analyzed from 468 elderly individuals from a population survey conducted in 2001-2002. Elders with the highest socioeconomic status live in the census tracts with the highest social strata, as proven statistically by spatial analysis techniques for income and schooling. No spatial distribution pattern was found for elderly individuals with hypertension and diabetes, who were located heterogeneously on the map. The study suggests the use of geoprocessing techniques for digital mapping of areas covered by primary health care units, aimed at better monitoring of the distribution of elderly individuals with chronic diseases and their care by health professionals.251778

Seleção de primers RAPD em germoplasma de abóbora e bucha.

Suplemento. Resumo 531. Trabalho apresentado no 47. Congresso Brasileiro de Olericultura, 4. Simpósio Brasileiro sobre Cucurbitáceas, 2007. Porto Seguro