Novel insights on the population genetic structure of the Coffee Leaf Rust pathogen Hemileia vastatrix

Comunicação OralN/

Religious habits of patients submitted to amputation

Background. Religious habits constitute an important component in many people's lives, and this importance seems to increase with the onset of middle age. The aim of this study was to identify the existence of religious habits, before and after surgery, of patients who underwent amputation of lower limbs. Material and methods. Twelve patients, eleven men and one woman, were included in the study, with ages ranging from 24 to 73 years (mean age 61.5 years). The method of evaluation was by means of an individual questionnaire, especially elaborated for this research, regarding some religious customs classified as either institutional or non-institutional. The patients were requested to complete the questionnaire before the surgery, immediately after the surgery before being released from hospital, and when they returned for a check-up. Normal ethical considerations were complied with including approval of the local Ethics Research Committee. For statistical analysis, percentages were utilized. Results. A total of 83.33% said they were Catholics, 8.33% said they were spiritualists, and 8.33% reported to be protestants. The majority (91.66%) reported that religion was an important factor in the process of accepting the illness. Before the amputation, their religious habits included praying (91.66%), frequenting church (83.33%), watching or listening to religious services (25%), contact with friends from the church (83.33%), and participating in religious events (41.66%). Conclusions. Religious habits help patients deal with the stress caused by amputation. Even if some of the habits are reduced due to with the purpose of providing some acceptance of the act of surgery and to reduce the symptoms of stress caused

Enhancement of Escherichia coli cellulolytic activity by co-production of beta-glucosidase and endoglucanase enzymes

Cellulase is a group of enzymes (endoglucanase, exoglucanase and beta-glucosidase) required for cellulosic feedstock hydrolysis during bioethanol production. The use of recombinant cellulase is a strategy to reduce the enzyme cost. In this context, the present work describes the construction of a cellulase expression vector (pEglABglA), which allowed constitutive co-expression of endoglucanase A (EglA) from an endophytic Bacillus pumilus and the hyperthermophilic \u3b2-glucosidase A (BglA) from Fervidobacterium sp. in Escherichia coli . When compared to the non-modified strain DH5\u3b1, the recombinant Escherichia coli DH5\u3b1 (pEglABglA) reduced fivefold the viscosity of the carboxymethylcellulose medium (CMC-M). Also, it presented almost 30-fold increase in reducing sugar released from CMC-M, enabling the recombinant strain to grow using CMC as the sole carbon and energy source. When cultivated in rich media, specific growth rates of recombinant E. coli strains BL21, JM101 and Top10 were higher than those of DH5\u3b1 and DH10B strains. The constructed plasmid (pEglABglA) can be used as backbone for further cellulase gene addition, which may enhance even more E. coli cellulolytic capacity and growth rate

Whole genome analysis of a schistosomiasis-transmitting freshwater snail

Biomphalaria snails are instrumental in transmission of the human blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni. With the World Health Organization's goal to eliminate schistosomiasis as a global health problem by 2025, there is now renewed emphasis on snail control. Here, we characterize the genome of Biomphalaria glabrata, a lophotrochozoan protostome, and provide timely and important information on snail biology. We describe aspects of phero-perception, stress responses, immune function and regulation of gene expression that support the persistence of B. glabrata in the field and may define this species as a suitable snail host for S. mansoni. We identify several potential targets for developing novel control measures aimed at reducing snail-mediated transmission of schistosomiasis