How do we perceive advertising? Antecedents of attitudes on advertising and implications in purchase intentions

Con el presente trabajo pretendemos realizar un análisis empírico de las dimensiones que explican el modo en que los consumidores perciben la publicidad y las consecuencias de este proceso. Mediante la administración de un cuestionario fue posible obtener las respuestas de 220 individuos portugueses sobre la publicidad de la marca líder de telecomunicaciones en Portugal. El análisis de datos permitió identificar cuatro dimensiones que están presentes en la percepción de la publicidad: entretenimiento, relevancia, empatía y rechazo. Concluimos que el entretenimiento y la relevancia (positivamente) y el rechazo (negativamente), permiten predecir la "actitud frente a la publicidad de la marca" y que esta última explica parcialmente la "intención de compra".An empirical analysis of the dimensions that explain how consumers perceive advertising and the consequences of this process is presented. By means of a questionnaire, it was possible to question 220 Portuguese consumers on the advertising of the leading telecommunications brand in Portugal. Data analysis revealed four dimensions as present in the perception of advertising: entertainment, relevance, empathy and repulsion. It was concluded that entertainment and relevance (both positively) and repulsion (negatively) predict the "attitudes on brand publicity" and that the latter partially explains the "purchase intention"

In-Depth Genomic Characterization of a Meropenem-nonsusceptible Pseudomonas otitidis Strain Contaminating Chicken Carcass

Background: The indiscriminate use of antibiotics in food-animal production has a major impact on public health, particularly in terms of contributing to the emergence and dissemination of antimicrobial resistant bacteria in the food-animal production chain. Although Pseudomonas species are recognized as important spoilage organisms in foodstuff, they are also known as opportunistic pathogens associated with hospital-acquired infections. Furthermore, Pseudomonas can play a role as potential reservoirs of antimicrobial resistance genes, which may be horizontally transferred to other bacteria. Considering that cephalosporins (3rd and higher generations) and carbapenems are critically important beta-lactam antimicrobials in human medicine, this study reports the occurrence and genomic characterization of a meropenem-nonsusceptible Pseudomonas otitidis strain recovered from a chicken carcass in Brazil.Materials, Methods & Results: During the years 2018-2019, 72 frozen chicken carcasses were purchased on the retail market from different regions in Brazil. Aliquots from individual carcass rinses were screened for Extended Spectrum Beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria in MacConkey agar supplemented with 1mg.L-1 cefotaxime. Phenotypically resistant isolates were further tested for resistance to other antimicrobials and confirmed as ESBL-producers by means of disk-diffusion method using Müller-Hinton agar. Only one meropenen-nonsusceptible isolate was detected and submitted to whole genome sequencing (WGS) in Illumina Miseq. The strain was identified as Pseudomonas otitidis by local alignment of the 16S rRNA sequence using BLASTn and confirmed by Average Nucleotide Identity (ANI) analysis using JspeciesWS database. Genes encoding for antimicrobial resistance were detected by means of Resfinder and Comprehensive Antibiotic Resistance Database (CARD) databases. The phenotypic non-susceptibility to meropenen was attributed to the gene blaPOM-1. A total of 192 different genes encoding for quorum sensing system, antiphagocytosis, iron uptake, efflux pump, endotoxin and toxin, adherence, and secretion systems were detected by means of Virulence Factor Database (VFDB). Pseudomonas otitidis-pan genome was built using Roary-rapid large-scale prokaryote pan genome analysis using the present strain (K_25) and other two P. otitidis genomes (PAM-1, DSM 17224) publicly available at the NCBI. The core genome analysis of the two human strains resulted in similar percentages.Discussion: Carbapenems are critically important drugs for human health and bacterial strains resistant to these antimicrobials pose a public health problem. The blaPOM-1 gene harbored by the Pseudomonas otitidis K_25 strain encodes a metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) conferring resistance to carbapenems. Pseudomonas otitidis was the first confirmed pathogenic Pseudomonas species expressing MBL constitutively in the absence of inducible beta-lactamase genes. Furthermore, the several virulence genes associated with the capacity of the P. otitidis K_25 to colonize, evade the immune system and cause lesions in the human host confirm this strain as a potential opportunistic pathogen contaminating foodstuff. These reinforce the need to address antimicrobial resistance in a One Health perspective, in which resistant bacteria and resistance determinants circulate among environment, animals and humans

In-depth genomic characterization of a meropenem-nonsusceptible Pseudomonas otitidis strain contaminating chicken carcass

Background: The indiscriminate use of antibiotics in food-animal production has a major impact on public health, particularly in terms of contributing to the emergence and dissemination of antimicrobial resistant bacteria in the food-animal production chain. Although Pseudomonas species are recognized as important spoilage organisms in foodstuff, they are also known as opportunistic pathogens associated with hospital-acquired infections. Furthermore, Pseudomonas can play a role as potential reservoirs of antimicrobial resistance genes, which may be horizontally transferred to other bacteria. Considering that cephalosporins (3rd and higher generations) and carbapenems are critically important beta-lactam antimicrobials in human medicine, this study reports the occurrence and genomic characterization of a meropenem-nonsusceptible Pseudomonas otitidis strain recovered from a chicken carcass in Brazil. Materials, Methods & Results: During the years 2018-2019, 72 frozen chicken carcasses were purchased on the retail market from different regions in Brazil. Aliquots from individual carcass rinses were screened for Extended Spectrum Beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria in MacConkey agar supplemented with 1mg.L-1 cefotaxime. Phenotypically resistant isolates were further tested for resistance to other antimicrobials and confirmed as ESBL-producers by means of disk-diffusion method using Müller-Hinton agar. Only one meropenen-nonsusceptible isolate was detected and submitted to whole genome sequencing (WGS) in Illumina Miseq. The strain was identified as Pseudomonas otitidis by local alignment of the 16S rRNA sequence using BLASTn and confirmed by Average Nucleotide Identity (ANI) analysis using JspeciesWS database. Genes encoding for antimicrobial resistance were detected by means of Resfinder and Comprehensive Antibiotic Resistance Database (CARD) databases. The phenotypic non-susceptibility to meropenen was attributed to the gene blaPOM-1. A total of 192 different genes encoding for quorum sensing system, antiphagocytosis, iron uptake, efflux pump, endotoxin and toxin, adherence, and secretion systems were detected by means of Virulence Factor Database (VFDB). Pseudomonas otitidis-pan genome was built using Roary-rapid large-scale prokaryote pan genome analysis using the present strain (K_25) and other two P. otitidis genomes (PAM-1, DSM 17224) publicly available at the NCBI. The core genome analysis of the two human strains resulted in similar percentages. Discussion: Carbapenems are critically important drugs for human health and bacterial strains resistant to these antimicrobials pose a public health problem. The blaPOM-1 gene harbored by the Pseudomonas otitidis K_25 strain encodes a metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) conferring resistance to carbapenems. Pseudomonas otitidis was the first confirmed pathogenic Pseudomonas species expressing MBL constitutively in the absence of inducible beta-lactamase genes. Furthermore, the several virulence genes associated with the capacity of the P. otitidis K_25 to colonize, evade the immune system and cause lesions in the human host confirm this strain as a potential opportunistic pathogen contaminating foodstuff. These reinforce the need to address antimicrobial resistance in a One Health perspective, in which resistant bacteria and resistance determinants circulate among environment, animals and humans

Effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on arterial stiffness and blood pressure in resistant hypertensive individuals: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background: Resistant hypertension (RH) treatment requires an adequate and intense therapeutic approach. However, the results are not always satisfactory despite intensive treatment. Of the different pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of RH, sympathetic overstimulation and therapies that block the sympathetic system have been widely studied. These approaches, however, are invasive and expensive. Another possible approach is by transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), a noninvasive method that modulates activity by using low-frequency transcutaneous electrical stimulation to inhibit primary afferent pathways. Thus, the current study will evaluate the effect of applying TENS in the cervicothoracic region of subjects with RH and will seek to develop a new low-cost and readily available therapy to treat this group of hypertensive individuals. Methods/design: This is a randomized, single blind (subject), parallel-assignment study controlled with a sham group and including participants aged 40 to 70 years with resistant hypertension. The trial has two arms: the treatment and control (sham group). The treatment group will be submitted to the stimulation procedure (TENS). The sham group will not be submitted to stimulation. The primary outcomes will be a reduction in the peripheral blood pressure and adverse events. The secondary outcomes will be a reduction the central blood pressure. The study will last 30 days. The sample size was calculated assuming an alpha error of 5 % to reject the null hypothesis with a statistical power of 80 %, thereby resulting in 28 participants per group (intervention versus sham). Discussion: In recent decades, RH has become very common and costly. Adequate control requires several drugs, and in many cases, treatment is not successful. Sympathetic nervous system inhibition by renal denervation and central inhibition have significant effects in reducing BP; however, these treatments are costly and invasive. Another type of sympathetic nervous system inhibition can also be noninvasively achieved by electric current. Therefore, the application of TENS may be a new therapeutic option for treating resistant hypertensive individuals. Trial Registration: Clinical Trials NCT0236597

First reported genome of an mcr-9-mediated colistin-resistant Salmonella Typhimurium isolate from Brazilian livestock

Objectives: To investigate the genetic context of colistin resistance in anmcr-9-harbouring Salmonella Typhimurium ST19 strain from swine in Brazil. Methods: Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) to colistin were determined by broth microdilution. Whole-genome sequencing was performed on an Illumina MiSeq system, followed by de novo genome assembly using SPAdes 1.13.1. The draft genome sequence was annotated in Prokka using KBase online server. Downstream analyses for resistome and plasmid detection were performed using online tools available at the Center for Genomic Epidemiology. The strain was typed in silico using MLST 2.0. Phylogenetic analysis involving 24 other genomes of Salmonella Typhimurium ST19 and mcr-9-harbouring Salmonella Typhimurium isolated from humans, livestock and foodstuff in different regions was also performed. Results: Assembly of the draft genome resulted in 5245 protein-coding sequences, 14 rRNAs, 83 tRNAs and a GC content of 51.81%. The strain was identified as Salmonella Typhimurium ST19 harbouring a 265.5-kb pN1566-2 plasmid carrying genes encoding resistance to colistin (mcr-9.1), aminoglycosides (aadA1), tetracycline [tet(C)] and sulfonamides (sul1). Our findings indicate that the Salmonella Typhimurium ST19 strain in this study showed low genetic variability compared with Salmonella Typhimurium ST19 isolated from swine and poultry in Brazil, and was less related to those reported in other countries. Conclusions: This is the first reported genome of a phenotypically colistin-resistant Salmonella Typhimurium harbouring the mcr-9 variant in Brazilian livestock. This genome will aid global investigations on epidemiological and evolutionary aspects of plasmid-mediated colistin resistance and the role of colistin-resistant Salmonella Typhimurium ST19 lineage as a zoonotic pathogen

Aplicação da Análise Geoestatística para Modelagem Espacial do Mercúrio e Matéria Orgânica em Solos Florestais na Amazônia Ocidental

This study was conducted in the Western Amazon, in an area located on the campus of the Federal University of Rondônia in Porto Velho, Rondônia. Were analyzed in soil samples of mercury (Hg) and organic matter (OM) concentrations in a stretch of open rain forest. The average Hg concentration was 150 ± 28g.kg-1, whereas the concentration of OM was approximately 21.87 ± 5.87%. The method used to obtain the spatial distribution patterns of Hg and OM concentrations was the indicator kriging (KI), which showed that the occurrence of Hg distribution patterns obeys controlled by geological factors in the region, rich in granitic rocks, and the morphological parameters such as soil texture clay, which has a high degree of adsorption of heavy metals. The distribution of OM in turn, is related to the large amount of litter accumulated on the soil surface, together with the presence of microorganisms, fungi and small invertebrates. The conversion of this material into humus favors vegetation growth and its high concentration influences the amount of heavy metals in soil. The model set variography showed spatial dependence among the mercury levels in the soil of the area studied in relation to the use of the bygone area. The OM and Hg determination was approximately of 0.173 and significant (p = 0.0001).Keywords: Geostatistics; Indicative Kriging; Organic Matter; Western Amazonia.O presente estudo foi realizado, na Amazônia Ocidental, em uma área situada no campus universitário da Universidade Federal de Rondônia em Porto Velho, Rondônia. Foram analisadas em amostras de solos as concentrações de mercúrio (Hg) e matéria orgânica (MO) em um trecho de floresta ombrófila aberta. A concentração média de Hg foi de 150 ± 28g.kg-1, enquanto que a concentração de MO foi da ordem de 21,87 ± 5,87%. O método utilizado para obtenção dos padrões de distribuição espacial das concentrações de Hg e MO foi a krigagem indicativa (KI), que demonstrou que a ocorrência de Hg obedece a padrões de distribuição controlada por fatores geológicos da região, rica em rochas graníticas, e pelos parâmetros morfológicos do solo, como textura argilosa, que apresenta alto grau de adsorção de elementos-traço. A distribuição da MO por sua vez, está relacionada pela grande quantidade de serrapilheira acumulada na superfície do solo, aliada à presença dos microorganismos, fungos e, pequenos invertebrados. A conversão deste material em húmus favorece o crescimento vegetacional e sua concentração elevada influencia na quantidade de elementos-traço no solo. O modelo variográfico ajustado demonstrou a dependência espacial, entre os teores de mercúrio contidos no solo da área estudada em relação à utilização pretérita da área. A determinação entre a MO e Hg foi da ordem de 0,173 e significativa (p=0,0001).Palavras chave: Geoestatística; Krigagem Indicativa; Matéria Orgânica; Amazônia Ocidental

Updated Checklist of Arthropods from Azores (Portugal)

The data we present consists in an updated checklist of the Azorean arthropods. The checklist compile known records based on published literature, unpublished data, and new records at archipelago and island levels. This publication represents the most recent information about distribution of introduced, native and endemic arthropods in the Azores archipelago. Currently the total number of terrestrial arthropod taxa (species and subspecies) in the Azores is estimated of about 2417 belonging to 14 classes, 53 orders, 438 families, 1554 genera and 2397 species and 149 individual subspecies. The most diverse orders of Azorean arthropods are: Coleoptera (585 taxa), Diptera (422 taxa), Hemiptera (338 taxa), Hymenoptera (162 taxa), Lepidoptera (159 taxa) and Araneae (132 taxa). A total of 275 endemic taxa are currently known (231 species and 44 subspecies), belonging to 8 classes and 22 orders. São Miguel, Terceira and Pico are the islands with higher number of endemic species and subspecies. Compared to the other nearest Macaronesian archipelagos (Madeira and Canaries), the Azorean arthropod fauna is characterized by a lower percentage of endemism and a high proportion of exotic introduced species.FUNDING: This work was financed by two main projects: FEDER - AZORESBIOPORTAL –PORBIOTA (ACORES-01-0145-FEDER-000072) and Portal da Biodiversidade dos Açores (2022-2023) - PO Azores Project - M1.1.A/INFRAEST CIENT/001/2022. Open access was funded by the project FCT-UIDB/00329/2020-2024 (Thematic Line 1 – integrated ecological assessment of environmental change on biodiversity).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

An Updated Checklist of Azorean Arthropods (Arthropoda)

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