Lactobacillus curvatus UFV-NPAC1 and other lactic acid bacteria isolated from calabresa, a fermented meat product, present high bacteriocinogenic activity against Listeria monocytogenes

Bacteriocins produced by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) can be considered as viable alternatives for food safety and quality, once these peptides present antimicrobial activity against foodborne pathogens and spoilage bacteria. Fermented foods, such as artisanal sausages and cured meats, are relevant sources of LAB strains capable of producing novel bacteriocins, with particular interest by the food industry.Three LAB strains (firstly named as Lactobacillus curvatus 12, L. curvatus 36 and Weissella viridescens 23) were obtained from calabresa by presenting promising bacteriocinogenic activity, distinct genetic profiles (rep-PCR, RAPD, bacteriocin-related genes) and wide inhibitory spectrum. Among these strains, L. curvatus 12 presented higher bacteriocin production, reaching 25,000 AU/mL after incubation at 25, 30 and 37 °C and 6, 9 and 12 h. Partially purified bacteriocins from L. curvatus 12 kept their inhibitory activity after elution with isopropanol at 60% (v/v). Bacteriocins produced by this strain were purified by HPLC and sequenced, resulting in four peptides with 3102.79, 2631.40, 1967.06 and 2588.31 Da, without homology to known bacteriocins.LAB isolates obtained from calabresa presented high inhibitory activity. Among these isolates, bacteriocins produced by L. curvatus 12, now named as L. curvatus UFV-NPAC1, presented the highest inhibitory performance and the purification procedures revealed four peptides with sequences not described for bacteriocins to date

Dermal lip protuberances associated with aquatic surface respiration in juveniles of the piscivorous characid Salminus brasiliensis (Actinopterygii: Characidae)

Some South American freshwater fishes can improve their capability of aquatic surface respiration (ASR) by developing dermal lip protuberances in the lower jaw. This adaptation was thought to be limited to omnivorous or herbivorous fishes. The present work provides the first evidence that juveniles of a piscivorous characid, Salminus brasiliensis, develop dermal lip protuberances during periods of hypoxia in floodplain ponds of the Salado River, in Argentina. The protuberance of S. brasiliensis involves dermal portions of both jaws exhibiting lateral lobes on the sides of the mouth arranged in the vertical plane. Water dissolved oxygen concentrations less than or equal to 1.05 mgl-1 were associated with a remarkable increase in lip protuberance. The lateral lobes of the protuberance in this species may limit the access of water to the anterior portion of the mouth which is positioned nearer to the oxygenated surface water during ASR. Finally, ASR, complemented with the development of dermal lip protuberances, can be considered a valuable strategy to survive in hypoxic environments, even for carnivorous fishes with elevated oxygen requirementsFil: Scarabotti, Pablo Augusto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto Nacional de Limnología. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto Nacional de Limnología; ArgentinaFil: Parma, Maria Julieta E.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto Nacional de Limnología. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto Nacional de Limnología; ArgentinaFil: Lopez, Javier Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto Nacional de Limnología. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto Nacional de Limnología; ArgentinaFil: Ghirardi, Romina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto Nacional de Limnología. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto Nacional de Limnología; Argentin

Multiple biomarkers responses in Prochilodus lineatus allowed assessing changes in the water quality of Salado River basin (Santa Fe, Argentina)

This field study assessed water quality of Salado River basin by using a set of 2 biomarkers in the fish Prochilodus lineatus. Multiple biomarkers were measured, 3 including morphological indexes (condition factor, liver somatic index), hematological 4 (red and white blood cells) and biochemical (glucose, total protein and cholinesterase 5 activity) parameters. Besides, detoxication and oxidative stress markers (antioxidant 6 enzymes, lipid peroxidation) were measured in liver, gills and kidney. Despite water 7 quality assessment did not show marked differences among sites, biomarkers responses 8 indicate that fish are living under stressful environmental conditions. According to 9 multivariate analysis glucose, glutathione S-transferase activity, lipid peroxidation 10 levels and the count of white blood cells are key biomarkers to contribute to 11 discrimination of sites. So, we suggest use those biomarkers in future monitoring of 12 freshwater aquatic systems. 1 This field study assessed water quality of Salado River basin by using a set of 2 biomarkers in the fish Prochilodus lineatus. Multiple biomarkers were measured, 3 including morphological indexes (condition factor, liver somatic index), hematological 4 (red and white blood cells) and biochemical (glucose, total protein and cholinesterase 5 activity) parameters. Besides, detoxication and oxidative stress markers (antioxidant 6 enzymes, lipid peroxidation) were measured in liver, gills and kidney. Despite water 7 quality assessment did not show marked differences among sites, biomarkers responses 8 indicate that fish are living under stressful environmental conditions. According to 9 multivariate analysis glucose, glutathione S-transferase activity, lipid peroxidation 10 levels and the count of white blood cells are key biomarkers to contribute to 11 discrimination of sites. So, we suggest use those biomarkers in future monitoring of 12 freshwater aquatic systems.Fil: Cazenave, Jimena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto Nacional de Limnología. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto Nacional de Limnología; ArgentinaFil: Bacchetta, Carla. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto Nacional de Limnología. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto Nacional de Limnología; ArgentinaFil: Parma, Maria Julieta E.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto Nacional de Limnología. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto Nacional de Limnología; ArgentinaFil: Scarabotti, Pablo Augusto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto Nacional de Limnología. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto Nacional de Limnología; ArgentinaFil: Wunderlin, Daniel Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología; Argentin

QUALIDADE DE LEITES FERMENTADOS BRASILEIROS E ATIVIDADE ANTAGONISTA IN VITRO DE SUAS BACTÉRIAS ÁCIDO LÁTICAS

Avaliou-se a qualidade de cinco leites fermentados brasileiros, coletados em pontos de vendas de Viçosa (MG), assim como a atividade antagonista in vitro de suas bactérias ácido láticas para micro-organismos indicadores desejáveis e patogênicos. Todos os lotes avaliados estavam em conformidade com a legislação brasileira quanto ao teor de gordura e contagem de bolores e leveduras. Alguns lotes evidenciaram acidez titulável (20 %) e teor de proteína (52 %) abaixo do limite permitido pela legislação nacional. Quanto à concentração de bactérias ácido láticas, 32 e 96 % dos lotes não apresentaram contagens mínimas em conformidade com os limites estabelecidos pelo MAPA e pela ANVISA, respectivamente, o que implica na necessidade de fiscalização do produto. As bactérias ácido láticas demonstraram maior antagonismo para Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli e Staphylococcus aureus que para a bactéria ácido lática utilizada como indicadora. Alguns lotes de leites fermentados não estavam em conformidade com a legislação, ainda que as bactérias ácido láticas avaliadas tenham importância para a preservação de produtos e controle de patógenos

Computing Distances between Probabilistic Automata

We present relaxed notions of simulation and bisimulation on Probabilistic Automata (PA), that allow some error epsilon. When epsilon is zero we retrieve the usual notions of bisimulation and simulation on PAs. We give logical characterisations of these notions by choosing suitable logics which differ from the elementary ones, L with negation and L without negation, by the modal operator. Using flow networks, we show how to compute the relations in PTIME. This allows the definition of an efficiently computable non-discounted distance between the states of a PA. A natural modification of this distance is introduced, to obtain a discounted distance, which weakens the influence of long term transitions. We compare our notions of distance to others previously defined and illustrate our approach on various examples. We also show that our distance is not expansive with respect to process algebra operators. Although L without negation is a suitable logic to characterise epsilon-(bi)simulation on deterministic PAs, it is not for general PAs; interestingly, we prove that it does characterise weaker notions, called a priori epsilon-(bi)simulation, which we prove to be NP-difficult to decide.Comment: In Proceedings QAPL 2011, arXiv:1107.074

Ionized nebulae surrounding brightest cluster galaxies

We present IFU observations of six emission-line nebulae that surround the central galaxy of cool core clusters. Qualitatively similar nebulae are observed in cool core clusters even when the dynamics and possibly formation and excitation source are different. Evidence for a nearby secondary galaxy disturbing a nebula, as well as AGN and starburst driven outflows are presented as possible formation mechanisms. One nebula has a rotation velocity of the same amplitude as the underlying molecular reservoir, which implies that the excitation or formation of a nebula does not require any disturbance of the molecular reservoir within the central galaxy. Bulk flows and velocity shears of a few hundred km/s are seen across all nebulae. The majority lack any ordered rotation, their configurations are not stable so the nebulae must be constantly reshaping, dispersing and reforming. The dimmer nebulae are co-spatial with dust features whilst the more luminous are not. Significant variation in the ionization state of the gas is seen in all nebulae through the non-uniform [NII]/H_alpha ratio. There is no correlation between the line ratio and H_alpha surface brightness, but regions with excess blue or UV light have lower line ratios. This implies that UV from massive, young stars act in combination with an underlying heating source that produces the observed low-ionization spectra.Comment: 12 pages, accepted for publication in MNRA

Parsec-scale Properties of Brightest Cluster Galaxies

We present new VLBI observations at 5 GHz of a complete sample of Brightest Cluster Galaxies (BCGs) in nearby Abell Clusters (distance class <3). Combined with data from the literature, this provides parsec-scale information for 34 BCGs. Our analysis of their parsec scale radio emission and cluster X-ray properties shows a possible dichotomy between BCGs in cool core clusters and those in non cool core clusters. Among resolved sources, those in cool core clusters tend to have two-sided parsec-scale jets, while those in less relaxed clusters have predominantly one-sided parsec-scale jets. We suggest that this difference could be the result of interplay between the jets and the surrounding medium. The one-sided structure in non cool core clusters could be due to Doppler boosting effects in relativistic, intrinsically symmetric jets; two-sided morphology in cool core clusters is likely related to the presence of heavy and mildly relativistic jets slowed down on the parsec-scale. Evidence of recurrent activity are also found in BCGs in cool core clusters.Comment: 20 pages, 10 figures, accepted for publication in A&

Tendência temporal e distribuição espacial dos casos de transmissão vertical do HIV em Santa Catarina entre 2007 e 2017: um estudo ecológico

Objective: To analyze the temporal trend and spatial distribution of HIV mother-to-children transmission in Santa Catarina, 2007-2017. Methods: Mixed ecological study with data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System. Linear regression was performed for time series analysis and the mean rates in the period and annual mean percentage changes in the rates of HIV-infected pregnant women were calculated; of children exposed to HIV during pregnancy; and seroconversion of children exposed to HIV/AIDS during pregnancy, in addition to data geoprocessing. Results: There were 5,554 pregnant women living with HIV, with a rate of 5.6 pregnant infected. The mean seroconversion rate was 13.5/100,000 live births (95%CI 6.8;20.1) and showed a decreasing trend (APC=-99.4%; 95%CI-99.9;-93.1). The seroconversion rate was more expressive in small towns. Conclusion: The rate of HIV-infected pregnant women was stable in the period, whereas the number of children infected with HIV by vertical transmission decreased.Objetivo: Estimar la tendencia temporal y distribución de casos de VIH por transmisión vertical en Santa Catarina, 2007-2017. Métodos: Estudio ecológico mixto con datos del Sistema de Información de Enfermedades de Declaración Obligatoria. Se utilizó regresión lineal para análisis de series de tiempo y se calcularon las tasas medias en período y los cambios porcentuales medios anuales en las tasas de mujeres embarazadas infectadas por el VIH; de niños expuestos al VIH; y seroconversión de niños expuestos al VIH/SIDA durante el embarazo, además geoprocesamiento de datos. Resultados: Había 5.554 gestantes infectadas por el VIH, con tasa de 5,6 gestantes/1.000 nacidos vivos. La tasa media de seroconversión fue 13,5/100.000 nacidos vivos (IC95% 6,8;20,1) y mostró tendencia decreciente (APC=-99,4%; IC95%-99,9;-93,1). La tasa de seroconversión fue más expresiva en los municipios pequeños. Conclusión: Hubo una estable tasa de mujeres embarazadas infectadas por el VIH, mientras que el número de niños infectados por el VIH disminuyó.Objetivo: Analisar a tendência temporal e distribuição espacial dos casos de transmissão vertical do HIV em Santa Catarina, de 2007-2017. Métodos: Estudo ecológico misto com dados do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação. Realizou-se regressão linear para análise de série temporal e calcularam-se as taxas médias no período e variações percentuais médias anuais das taxas de gestantes infectadas pelo HIV; de crianças expostas ao HIV na gestação; e de soroconversão das crianças expostas ao HIV/aids na gestação, além do geoprocessamento dos dados. Resultados: Foram registradas 5.554 gestantes infectadas com HIV, com taxa de 5,6 gestantes/1.000 nascidos vivos. A taxa média de soroconversão foi de 13,5/100.000 nascidos vivos (IC95% 6,8;20,1) e apresentou tendência decrescente (APC=-99,4%; IC95% -99,9;-93,1). A taxa de soroconversão foi mais elevada em municípios de pequeno porte. Conclusão: A taxa de gestantes infectadas pelo HIV foi estável e houve diminuição de crianças infectadas pelo HIV por via vertical