Streptococcus canis Are a Single Population Infecting Multiple Animal Hosts Despite the Diversity of the Universally Present M-Like Protein SCM

Streptococcus canis is an animal pathogen which occasionally causes infections in humans. The S. canis M-like protein (SCM) encoded by the scm gene, is its best characterized virulence factor but previous studies suggested it could be absent in a substantial fraction of isolates. We studied the distribution and variability of the scm gene in 188 S. canis isolates recovered from companion animals (n = 152), wild animal species (n = 20), and humans (n = 14). Multilocus sequence typing, including the first characterization of wildlife isolates, showed that the same lineages are present in all animal hosts, raising the possibility of extensive circulation between species. Whole-genome analysis revealed that emm-like genes found previously in S. canis correspond to divergent scm genes, indicating that what was previously believed to correspond to two genes is in fact the same scm locus. We designed primers allowing for the first time the successful amplification of the scm gene in all isolates. Analysis of the scm sequences identified 12 distinct types, which could be divided into two clusters: group I (76%, n = 142) and group II (24%, n = 46) sharing little sequence similarity. The predicted group I SCM showed extensive similarity with each other outside of the N-terminal hypervariable region and a conserved IgG binding domain. This domain was absent from group II SCM variants found in isolates previously thought to lack the scm gene, which also showed greater amino acid variability. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the possible host interacting partners of the group II SCM variants and their role in virulence

ATLANTIC-PRIMATES: a dataset of communities and occurrences of primates in the Atlantic Forests of South America

Primates play an important role in ecosystem functioning and offer critical insights into human evolution, biology, behavior, and emerging infectious diseases. There are 26 primate species in the Atlantic Forests of South America, 19 of them endemic. We compiled a dataset of 5,472 georeferenced locations of 26 native and 1 introduced primate species, as hybrids in the genera Callithrix and Alouatta. The dataset includes 700 primate communities, 8,121 single species occurrences and 714 estimates of primate population sizes, covering most natural forest types of the tropical and subtropical Atlantic Forest of Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina and some other biomes. On average, primate communities of the Atlantic Forest harbor 2 ± 1 species (range = 1–6). However, about 40% of primate communities contain only one species. Alouatta guariba (N = 2,188 records) and Sapajus nigritus (N = 1,127) were the species with the most records. Callicebus barbarabrownae (N = 35), Leontopithecus caissara (N = 38), and Sapajus libidinosus (N = 41) were the species with the least records. Recorded primate densities varied from 0.004 individuals/km 2 (Alouatta guariba at Fragmento do Bugre, Paraná, Brazil) to 400 individuals/km 2 (Alouatta caraya in Santiago, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil). Our dataset reflects disparity between the numerous primate census conducted in the Atlantic Forest, in contrast to the scarcity of estimates of population sizes and densities. With these data, researchers can develop different macroecological and regional level studies, focusing on communities, populations, species co-occurrence and distribution patterns. Moreover, the data can also be used to assess the consequences of fragmentation, defaunation, and disease outbreaks on different ecological processes, such as trophic cascades, species invasion or extinction, and community dynamics. There are no copyright restrictions. Please cite this Data Paper when the data are used in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us of how they are using the data. © 2018 by the The Authors. Ecology © 2018 The Ecological Society of Americ

COVID-19 symptoms at hospital admission vary with age and sex: results from the ISARIC prospective multinational observational study

Background: The ISARIC prospective multinational observational study is the largest cohort of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. We present relationships of age, sex, and nationality to presenting symptoms. Methods: International, prospective observational study of 60 109 hospitalized symptomatic patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 recruited from 43 countries between 30 January and 3 August 2020. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate relationships of age and sex to published COVID-19 case definitions and the most commonly reported symptoms. Results: ‘Typical’ symptoms of fever (69%), cough (68%) and shortness of breath (66%) were the most commonly reported. 92% of patients experienced at least one of these. Prevalence of typical symptoms was greatest in 30- to 60-year-olds (respectively 80, 79, 69%; at least one 95%). They were reported less frequently in children (≤ 18 years: 69, 48, 23; 85%), older adults (≥ 70 years: 61, 62, 65; 90%), and women (66, 66, 64; 90%; vs. men 71, 70, 67; 93%, each P < 0.001). The most common atypical presentations under 60 years of age were nausea and vomiting and abdominal pain, and over 60 years was confusion. Regression models showed significant differences in symptoms with sex, age and country. Interpretation: This international collaboration has allowed us to report reliable symptom data from the largest cohort of patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19. Adults over 60 and children admitted to hospital with COVID-19 are less likely to present with typical symptoms. Nausea and vomiting are common atypical presentations under 30 years. Confusion is a frequent atypical presentation of COVID-19 in adults over 60 years. Women are less likely to experience typical symptoms than men

Theoretical and experimental spectroscopic studies of the first highly luminescent binuclear hydrocinnamate of Eu(III), Tb(III) and Gd(III) with bidentate 2,2 '-bipyridine ligand

In this paper, the synthesis of three new binuclear lanthanide (III) complexes [Ln(2)(cin)(6)(bpy)(2)] (Ln=Eu (1), Tb (2), Gd (3), cin=hydrocinnamate anion; bpy=2,2'-bipyridine), and their complete characterization, including single crystal X-ray diffraction, FTIR spectroscopy and thermal analysis (TGA/DTA) are reported. In especial, photophysical properties of Eu(III) complex have been studied in detail via both theoretical and experimental approaches. Crystal structures of 1-3 reveal that all compounds are isostructural and that each lanthanide ion is nine-coordinated by oxygen and nitrogen atoms in an overall distorted tricapped trigonal-prismatic geometry. Eu(III) complex structure was also calculated using the Sparkle model for lanthanide complexes and the intensity parameters (Omega(2), Omega(4), and Omega(6)), calculated from the experimental data and from Sparkle/PM3 model. The theoretical emission quantum efficiencies obtained for Sparkle/PM3 structures are in excellent agreement with the experimental values, clearly attesting to the efficacy of the theoretical models. The theoretical procedure applied here shows that the europium binuclear compound displays a quantum yield about 65% suggesting that the system can be excellent for the development of efficient luminescent devices. (C) 2013 Elsevier By. All rights reserved.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Ações extensionistas do Projeto Rondon no município de Rondon do Pará: um olhar sobre as ciências dos alimentos

Com o objetivo de despertar a cultura do não desperdício e elucidar conceitos relacionados às Ciências dos Alimentos na população de Rondon do Pará, foram realizadas duas ações. A “Oficina de Aproveitamento Integral de Alimentos”, de caráter teórico-prático, teve carga horária de 4 horas por edição, contou com quatro edições e distribuição de apostilas referentes ao tema e elaboração de diferentes receitas. A ação “Conceitos Alimentares”, de caráter teórico, teve carga horária de 1 hora, contou com 6 palestras e distribuição de folhetos informativos com temas acadêmicos referentes às Ciências dos Alimentos. As ações ocorreram durante os dias 20 a 31 de julho de 2015, impactando um total de 360 habitantes do município. Concluiu-se que as ações foram efetivas no tocante ao empoderamento e capacitação de agentes multiplicadores e lideranças locais, conceitos-chave do Projeto Rondon. Entretanto, uma maior participação da Prefeitura do município na divulgação do Projeto seria de grande relevância

Ações extensionistas do Projeto Rondon no município de Rondon do Pará:: Um olhar sobre as ciências dos alimentos

In order to awaken the non-culture of waste and elucidate concepts related to Food Sciences in Rondon do Pará population, there were two actions. The "Workshop on Integral Food Utilization" of theoretical and practical character, had a workload of four hours per issue, had four editions and distribution of handouts on the topic and preparation of different recipes. The action "Food Concepts", theoretical character, had a workload of 1 hour, featured six lectures and distribution of leaflets with academic issues related to Food Sciences. The actions took place during the 20th to 31 July 2015, affecting a total of 360 inhabitants of the municipality. It was concluded that the actions were effective with regard to the empowerment and training of multipliers and local leaders, key concepts of Rondon Project. However, the city's Town Hall could have aided the rondonistas team more effectivelyCom o objetivo de despertar a cultura do não desperdício e elucidar conceitos relacionados às Ciências dos Alimentos na população de Rondon do Pará, foram realizadas duas ações. A “Oficina de Aproveitamento Integral de Alimentos”, de caráter teórico-prático, teve carga horária de 4 horas por edição, contou com quatro edições e distribuição de apostilas referentes ao tema e elaboração de diferentes receitas. A ação “Conceitos Alimentares”, de caráter teórico, teve carga horária de 1 hora, contou com 6 palestras e distribuição de folhetos informativos com temas acadêmicos referentes às Ciências dos Alimentos. As ações ocorreram durante os dias 20 a 31 de julho de 2015, impactando um total de 360 habitantes do município. Concluiu-se que as ações foram efetivas no tocante ao empoderamento e capacitação de agentes multiplicadores e lideranças locais, conceitos-chave do Projeto Rondon. Entretanto, uma maior participação da Prefeitura do município na divulgação do Projeto seria de grande relevânciaCon el fin de despertar la no-cultura de los residuos y aclarar conceptos relacionados con Ciencias de la Alimentación en Rondon do Pará población, hubo dos acciones. El "Taller sobre Utilización Integral de Alimentos" de carácter teórico y práctico, tenía una carga de trabajo de cuatro horas por tema, tuvo cuatro ediciones y distribución de folletos sobre el tema y la preparación de diferentes recetas. Los de acción "Conceptos de alimentos", el carácter teórico, tenían una carga de trabajo de 1 hora, ofreció seis conferencias y distribución de folletos con temas académicos relacionados con Ciencias de la Alimentación. Las acciones se llevaron a cabo durante el 20 y el 31 de julio de 2015, que afecta a un total de 360 habitantes del municipio. Se concluyó que las acciones fueron eficaces en relación con el empoderamiento y la formación de multiplicadores y líderes locales, los conceptos clave de Rondon Proyecto. Sin embargo, el Ayuntamiento de la ciudad podría haber ayudado al equipo rondonistas con mayor eficaci

Rapidly Progressive Disseminated Sporotrichosis as the First Presentation of HIV Infection in a Patient with a Very Low CD4 Cell Count

Sporotrichosis is a human and animal disease caused by species of the Sporothrix schenckii complex. It is classically acquired through traumatic inoculation of fungal elements. Most frequently, sporotrichosis presents as a fixed cutaneous or as a lymphocutaneous form. A much smaller number of cases occur as cutaneous disseminated and disseminated forms. These cases require immediate diagnosis and management to reduce morbidity and mortality. We present the case of a 34-year-old male patient in whom the first presentation of HIV infection was a rapidly progressive sporotrichosis with multiple cutaneous lesions, a high fungal burden in tissues, and pulmonary involvement. He had an extremely low CD4 cell count (06/mm3). Treatment with amphotericin B deoxycholate led to complete clinical resolution. Sporotrichosis remains a neglected opportunistic infection among HIV-infected patients in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, and awareness of this potentially fatal infection is of utmost importance if treatment is not to be delayed and if potentially devastating complications are to be avoided