Distribution and biological role of the oligopeptide-binding protein (OppA) in Xanthomonas species

In this study we investigated the prevalence of the oppA gene, encoding the oligopeptide binding protein (OppA) of the major bacterial oligopeptide uptake system (Opp), in different species of the genus Xanthomonas. The oppA gene was detected in two Xanthomonas axonopodis strains among eight tested Xanthomonas species. The generation of an isogenic oppA-knockout derivative of the Xac 306 strain, showed that the OppA protein neither plays a relevant role in oligopeptide uptake nor contributes to the infectivity and multiplication of the bacterial strain in leaves of sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) and Rangpur lime (Citrus limonia). Taken together these results suggest that the oppA gene has a recent evolutionary history in the genus and does not contribute in the physiology or pathogenesis of X. axonopodis

Influence of GB virus C on IFN-γ and IL-2 production and CD38 expression in T lymphocytes from chronically HIV-infected and HIV-HCV-co-infected patients

This study was designed to assess the effect of GB virus (GBV)-C on the immune response to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in chronically HIV-infected and HIV- hepatitis C virus (HCV)-co-infected patients undergoing antiretroviral therapy. A cohort of 159 HIV-seropositive patients, of whom 52 were HCV-co-infected, was included. Epidemiological data were collected and virological and immunological markers, including the production of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin (IL)-2 by CD4, CD8 and Tγδ cells and the expression of the activation marker, CD38, were assessed. A total of 65 patients (40.8%) presented markers of GBV-C infection. The presence of GBV-C did not influence HIV and HCV replication or TCD4 and TCD8 cell counts. Immune responses, defined by IFN-γ and IL-2 production and CD38 expression did not differ among the groups. Our results suggest that neither GBV-C viremia nor the presence of E2 antibodies influence HIV and HCV viral replication or CD4 T cell counts in chronically infected patients. Furthermore, GBV-C did not influence cytokine production or CD38-driven immune activation among these patients. Although our results do not exclude a protective effect of GBV-C in early HIV disease, they demonstrate that this effect may not be present in chronically infected patients, who represent the majority of patients in outpatient clinics.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Laboratório de Virologia e Imunologia Disciplina de InfectologiaFleury Medicina DiagnósticaUNIFESP, Laboratório de Virologia e Imunologia Disciplina de InfectologiaSciEL

Vampires in the village Žrnovo on the island of Korčula: following an archival document from the 18th century

Središnja tema rada usmjerena je na raščlambu spisa pohranjenog u Državnom arhivu u Mlecima (fond: Capi del Consiglio de’ Dieci: Lettere di Rettori e di altre cariche) koji se odnosi na događaj iz 1748. godine u korčulanskom selu Žrnovo, kada su mještani – vjerujući da su se pojavili vampiri – oskvrnuli nekoliko mjesnih grobova. U radu se podrobno iznose osnovni podaci iz spisa te rečeni događaj analizira u širem društvenom kontekstu i prate se lokalna vjerovanja.The main interest of this essay is the analysis of the document from the State Archive in Venice (file: Capi del Consiglio de’ Dieci: Lettere di Rettori e di altre cariche) which is connected with the episode from 1748 when the inhabitants of the village Žrnove on the island of Korčula in Croatia opened tombs on the local cemetery in the fear of the vampires treating. This essay try to show some social circumstances connected with this event as well as a local vernacular tradition concerning superstitions

Heterogeneous run-and-tumble motion accounts for transient non-Gaussian super-diffusion in haematopoietic multi-potent progenitor cells

Multi-potent progenitor (MPP) cells act as a key intermediary step between haematopoietic stem cells and the entirety of the mature blood cell system. Their eventual fate determination is thought to be achieved through migration in and out of spatially distinct niches. Here we first analyze statistically MPP cell trajectory data obtained from a series of long time-course 3D in vivo imaging experiments on irradiated mouse calvaria, and report that MPPs display transient super-diffusion with apparent non-Gaussian displacement distributions. Second, we explain these experimental findings using a run-and-tumble model of cell motion which incorporates the observed dynamical heterogeneity of the MPPs. Third, we use our model to extrapolate the dynamics to time-periods currently inaccessible experimentally, which enables us to quantitatively estimate the time and length scales at which super-diffusion transitions to Fickian diffusion. Our work sheds light on the potential importance of motility in early haematopoietic progenitor function

Vulnerabilidade no manejo dos resíduos de serviços de saúde de João Pessoa (PB, Brasil) Vulnerability of management of waste from health services in João Pessoa, State of Paraíba (Brazil)

Observa-se na academia a discussão sobre os resíduos sólidos urbanos (RSU), sendo os oriundos de serviços de saúde (RSS) parte integrante dos RSU, não necessariamente pela quantidade gerada, mas pelo potencial de risco que afeta à saúde coletiva e ambiental. Objetivou-se verificar a vulnerabilidade do manejo dos RSS, nos estabelecimentos de atenção primária, secundária e terciária de João Pessoa - PB. Foi uma pesquisa quantitativa, exploratória e descritiva do manejo dos RSS, tendo como instrumentos de coleta de dados checklist e avaliação analítica da vulnerabilidade do manejo dos RSS. Percebeu-se que 21,05% dos estabelecimentos não realizam segregação, 26,34% não padronizam os sacos plásticos e 47,37% dos trabalhadores responsáveis pela coleta não possuem treinamento para o manuseio dos RSS. Conclui-se que a vulnerabilidade do manejo dos RSS de João Pessoa - PB foi significativo 48,02%, podendo contribuir para a deterioração da saúde ambiental e coletiva, acarretando problema de saúde pública.<br>The discussion in the academy on solid urban waste residues (UWR) is analyzed, with health service waste (HSW) being an integral part of UWR, not necessarily in terms of the amount generated, but due to the risk potential to collective and environmental health. The scope of the study was to verify the vulnerability of UWR handling in primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare units in João Pessoa in the state of Paraíba. This involved a quantitative, exploratory and descriptive investigation of the handling of UWR, using a checklist and analytical evaluation of the vulnerability of HSW handling for data collection. It was detected that 21.05% of the establishments failed to separate hazardous waste, 26.34% did not standardize plastic disposal bags, and 47.37% of the workers responsible for collection were not trained to handle HSW. It was concluded that the vulnerability of HSW handling in João Pessoa in the order of 48.02%, was significant, potentially contributing to the deterioration of environmental and collective health and leading to a public health problem

A política pública de saúde brasileira: representação e memória social de profissionais Brazilian National Health Policy: health professionals' social representations

A política pública brasileira de saúde, conhecida como Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), foi criada há 15 anos, objetivando prover o acesso universal aos cuidados de saúde. Este trabalho objetiva caracterizar o conteúdo das representações sociais construídas pelos profissionais de saúde sobre a implantação do SUS, na cidade do Rio de Janeiro. Ele foi embasado na Teoria de Representação e Memória Social. O estudo foi desenvolvido em cinco instituições de saúde com cem profissionais. Os dados foram coletados através de entrevistas em profundidade e analisados através da análise lexical com o uso do programa Alceste, versão 4.7. Os resultados apontaram dois blocos temáticos, o SUS formal e o real. O primeiro compreende as temáticas relacionadas à política de recursos humanos, às definições e princípios do sistema de saúde e à participação social. O segundo abarca a relação profissional-cliente e a estrutura do atendimento, a hierarquização e a regionalização da assistência e a estrutura do atendimento e o perfil da clientela. Os resultados refletem as principais características do sistema e permitem identificar representações e memórias que o diferencia do anterior.<br>The Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) was created 15 years ago with the aim of promoting universal access to health care. This study analyzes the content of social representations by health professionals from Rio de Janeiro concerning the system's implementation. The study was based on social representation and social memory theory and was conducted in five health care institutions with 100 professionals. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and analyzed through lexical analysis using the Alceste 4.7 software. The results showed two thematic blocks, namely the formal and real SUS. The formal representation discusses themes related to human resources policy, health system definitions and principles, and social participation. The real representation discusses the health professional-client relationship and health care structure, hierarchical and regional organization of care, and client profile. The results reflect the main characteristics of the SUS and allow the identification of representations and memories that differentiate it from the previous system

Screening of some plants used in the Brazilian folk medicine for the treatment of infectious diseases

Extracts of 13 Brazilian medicinal plants were screened for their antimicrobial activity against bacteria and yeasts. Of these, 10 plant extracts showed varied levels of antibacterial activity. Piper regnellii presented a good activity against Staphylococus aureus and Bacillus subtilis, a moderate activity on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and a weak activity against Escherichia coli. Punica granatum showed good activity on S. aureus and was inactive against the other standard strains. Eugenia uniflora presented moderate activity on both S. aureus and E. coli. Psidium guajava,Tanacetum vulgare, Arctium lappa, Mikania glomerata, Sambucus canadensis, Plantago major and Erythrina speciosa presented some degree of antibacterial activity. Spilanthes acmella, Lippia alba, and Achillea millefolium were considered inactive. Five of the plant extracts presented compounds with Rf values similar to the antibacterial compounds visible on bioautogram. Of these, three plants belong to the Asteraceae family. This may mean that the same compounds are responsible for the antibacterial activity in these plants. Anticandidal activity was detected in nine plant extracts (P. guajava, E. uniflora, P. granatum, A. lappa, T. vulgare, M. glomerata, L. alba, P. regnellii, and P. major). The results might explain the ethnobotanical use of the studied species for the treatment of various infectious diseases