A combined approach for comparative exoproteome analysis of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis

Background: Bacterial exported proteins represent key components of the host-pathogen interplay. Hence, we sought to implement a combined approach for characterizing the entire exoproteome of the pathogenic bacterium Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, the etiological agent of caseous lymphadenitis (CLA) in sheep and goats. Results: An optimized protocol of three-phase partitioning (TPP) was used to obtain the C. pseudotuberculosis exoproteins, and a newly introduced method of data-independent MS acquisition (LC-MSE) was employed for protein identification and label-free quantification. Additionally, the recently developed tool SurfG+ was used for in silico prediction of sub-cellular localization of the identified proteins. In total, 93 different extracellular proteins of C. pseudotuberculosis were identified with high confidence by this strategy; 44 proteins were commonly identified in two different strains, isolated from distinct hosts, then composing a core C. pseudotuberculosis exoproteome. Analysis with the SurfG+ tool showed that more than 75% (70/93) of the identified proteins could be predicted as containing signals for active exportation. Moreover, evidence could be found for probable non-classical export of most of the remaining proteins. Conclusions: Comparative analyses of the exoproteomes of two C. pseudotuberculosis strains, in addition to comparison with other experimentally determined corynebacterial exoproteomes, were helpful to gain novel insights into the contribution of the exported proteins in the virulence of this bacterium. The results presented here compose the most comprehensive coverage of the exoproteome of a corynebacterial species so far

Sources of pro-cyclicality in east Asian financial systems

Procyclicality is a normal feature of economic systems, but financial sector weaknesses can exacerbate it sufficiently to pose a threat to macroeconomic and financial stability. These include shortcomings in bank risk management and governance, in supervision and in terms of dependence on volatile sources of funds. The paper tests econometrically for the importance of such features leading to pro-cyclicality in the financial systems of 11 East Asian countries. This analysis makes it possible to identify specific policy measures for East Asian countries that could limit the extent to which financial systems exacerbate pro-cyclicality

Development of a manometric monitoring method for early detection of air microbiological contamination in the bloodstream

Atmospheric air is a microbial habitat of pathogenic bioaerosols that may pose serious risks to humans. A commonly laboratory-based approach for the diagnosis of such infections in the bloodstream is the blood culture analysis. Its clinical relevance is attributed to the fact that these infections are characterized by high rates of morbidity and mortality, requiring the need for efficient methods for rapid diagnosis. For this reason, our study aimed to develop a method of manometric monitoring for the rapid detection of viable microorganisms in blood culture vials. A methodology was developed to detect pressure variation in intra-vials through a manometric instrument that was coupled to vials of blood culture containing culture broth that allowed microbial growth. This device allowed the early detection of microbial activity based on the production or use of intra-flask gases as a result of microbial metabolic activity. The analyzed variables were the pressure as a function of time, microbial species, and culture medium. The highest pressure found in the flasks without microorganisms was 40 mmHg between 2 and 6 h, and the lowest pressure was 42 mmHg between 21 and 24 h. The variation of the internal pressure in blood culture flasks according to different groups of microorganisms as a function of time demonstrated that the fermentative gram-negative bacilli and gram-positive cocci exhibited a significant increase in relation to their respective control groups (p < 0.001). The non-fermenting gram-negative bacilli showed expected results in relation to the pressure variation in which the production of negative pressures was noticed during the period of analysis, with a significant difference with respect to their control groups (p < 0.001). The developed methodology for the early detection of microorganisms responsible for bloodstream infection was demonstrated to be effective.e Fundação de Apoio à Pesquisa e à Inovação Tecnológica do Estado de Sergipe-Program Centelha (FAPITEC/SE) and by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), and Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation (FCT) through the project UIDB/04469/2020 (strategic fund) funded by national funds, and co-financed Education (FCT/MEC) from national funds and FEDER, under the Partnership Agreement PT2020info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

PRIVATE SAVINGS IN TRANSITION ECONOMIES: ARE THERE TERMS OF TRADE SHOCKS?

The paper examines the impact of terms of trade shocks on private savings in the transition economies after accounting for the effect of other determinants. Economic agents in the transition economies are subject to tight credit constraints which are more pronounced during bad state of nature. Thus, adverse shocks to commodity prices in the world market can force them to reduce savings by a larger amount than they would otherwise have. Empirical analysis using a dynamic panel model and data from twenty one transition economies confirm that most of the determinants of savings identified in the literature also apply to the transition economies. Favorable movements in both the permanent and transitory components of the terms of trade have a significant positive impact on private savings with transitory movements having a larger impact than the permanent component. This reflects the lack of access to foreign borrowing that many of the transition economies have faced during the last decade. Although the impact of terms of trade shocks are found to be asymmetric, the magnitude of the impact appears to be small. The results are robust for alternative estimators, determinants, and country groupings.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/39958/3/wp572.pd

Floral Origin and Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Honey from Africanized Bees in Apiaries of Ubiratã and Nova Aurora, State of Paraná

Physical and chemical characteristics of honey may vary due to the diversity of flora and soil characteristics, or seasonal factors. This study was carried out in two counties, Nova Aurora and Ubiratã, located in the West and Center-West regions of the State of Paraná. The objective of the study was to verify if the physical and chemical parameters of Apis mellifera (L.) honey are in accordance with the national standard, as well as to verify how the 21 samples collected in the two localities are grouped, based on the physical, chemical and pollen characteristics. Honey was analyzed for sugar, ash, protein, moisture, color, electrical conductivity, formaldehyde index, diastase and viscosity. Samples of honey containing the dominant pollen types Glycine max (L.) Merr. and Eucalyptus sp. formed groupings similar to those based on physical and chemical characteristics, however, the multivariate classification of honey samples in groups based on pollen types was not an efficient method to group samples of polyfloral honey

Freqüência dos antígenos de histocompatibilidade na população normal da região nordeste do estado de são Paulo Brasil

Modelo de estudo: estudo de prevalência. Objetivos:&nbsp;avaliação das freqüências dos antígenos de histocompatibilidade de classe I (HLA-A, -B e -C) e de classe II (HLA-DR e -DQ) na população de indivíduos saudáveis da região nordeste do Estado de São Paulo.&nbsp;Metodologia: foram estudados três grupos de indivíduos saudáveis, o de funcionários do Hospital de Clínicas e da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, o de doadores do Banco de Sangue local e o de doadores cadáveres de órgãos sólidos do São Paulo Interior Transplante. Os antígenos HLA foram tipificados, utilizando-se método de microlinfocitotoxicidade-dependente de complemento.&nbsp;Resultados:&nbsp;as freqüências dos antígenos de histocompatibilidade de classe I ou II, usualmente detectados entre os três grupos estudados, foram semelhantes. Conclusões:&nbsp;as populações de indivíduos saudáveis estudadas refletem adequadamente o perfil imunogenético da população da região nordeste do Estado de São Paulo, podendo esses dados ser utilizados para estudos de seleção de doadores em transplantes, e, também, naqueles de associação com doenças.Type of study&nbsp;: prevalence study.&nbsp;Objectives: to evaluate the frequency of class I and class II histocompatibity antigens in the normal population of the Northeast region of the State of São Paulo, Brazil.&nbsp;Methods:&nbsp;three groups of healthy individuals were studied: the staff personnel of the University Hospital and School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto; local blood donors, and the cadaveric donors for solid organ transplantation. HLA antigens were typed by a complement-dependent microlymphocytotoxicity assay.&nbsp;Results:&nbsp;HLA frequencies among individulas from the 3 groups sutudied here were similar.&nbsp;Conclusions:&nbsp;HLA frequency observed in any of these populations may be used for donor selection purposes and for HLA and disease association studies

Oxidonitrergic and antioxidant effects of a low molecular weight peptide fraction from hardened bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) on endothelium

About 3000 tons of beans are not used in human food due to hardening. Several studies on bean-derived bioactive peptides have shown potential to treat some diseases, including those relying on oxidative dysfunctions. We assessed the effects of peptides extracted from hardened bean Phaseolus vulgaris (PV) on reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) production, cytotoxic and cytoprotective effects in endothelial cells, and oxidonitrergic-dependent vasodilating effects. Extract was composed by peptide fraction <3 kDa (PV3) from hardened common bean residue. PV3 sequences were obtained and analyzed with bioinformatics. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were treated with 10, 20, 30, and 250 µg/mL PV3. Oxidative stress was provoked by 3% H2O2. Cytotoxicity and cytoprotective effects were evaluated by MTT assay, whereas, ROS and NO were quantified using DHE and DAF-FM fluorescent probes by confocal microscopy. NO- and endothelium-dependent vasodilating effects of PV3 were assessed in isolated aortic rings. We found 35 peptides with an average mass of 1.14 kDa. There were no cell deaths with 10 and 20 μg/mL PV3. PV3 at 30 μg/mL increased cell viability, while cytotoxicity was observed only with 250 μg/mL PV3. PV3 at 10 μg/mL was able to protect cells from oxidative stress. PV3 also increased NO release without causing cell death. It also reduced relative ROS production induced by H2O2. PV3 vasodilating effects relied on endothelium-dependent NO release. PV3 obtained from low-commercial-value bean displays little cytotoxicity and exerts antioxidant effects, whereas it increases endothelial NO release