Pathogenicity of psychrotolerant strains of Antarctic Pseudogmynoascus fungi reveals potential opportunistic profiles

Recent studies have demonstrated the presence of fungal taxa in the extreme ecosystems of Antarctica that are known to opportunistically infect humans and animals. Among these are members of the genus Pseudogymnoascus, including some that are genetically similar to P. destructans, known to be pathogenic to bats. We evaluated the in vitro and in vivo pathogenic potential of 11 Pseudogymnoascus spp. strains recovered from Antarctica. All strains were able to grow at temperatures up to 28 °C and displayed in vitro pathogenicity through hemolytic activity, growth at different pH levels, production of hydrolytic enzymes, spore diameters, tolerance to oxidative stress, hypoxia, and halotolerance. Among them, Pseudogymnoascus sp. UFMG 8532 exhibited strong in vitro pathogenicity and in preliminary in vivo assay killed 100 % of Tenebrio molitor larvae within one day. The pathogenicity of the same strain was also tested using immunosuppressed BALB/c mouse models. Survival of BALB/c mice was affected, with oscillations between weight gain and loss, and impacts on sensory function, reflexes and autonomic function. Histopathological data from the organs of infected mice showed evidence of inflammatory processes, with numerous neutrophils, a small number of macrophages, fluid accumulation inside the lungs and intense hyperemia. Our results indicate that Antarctic Pseudogymnoascus spp. strains obtained from various substrates/habitats in maritime Antarctica may possess intrinsic virulence factors and pathogenic potential for immunosuppressed animals and humans in the region. Given that the Antarctic environment is an important reservoir for Pseudogymnoascus species, which display growth performance across a range of temperatures, it is possible that increasing temperatures in the maritime Antarctic could activate dormant genes or biochemical pathways, select virulent species and/or strains, and facilitate their spread within and beyond the region. The ability of Pseudogymnoascus species to grow slowly even at 28°C, coupled with their potential in vitro and in vivo virulence factors, suggests that these fungi might be undergoing an opportunistic transition due to the effects of climate change on the Antarctic Peninsula

Dynamics and determinants of SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR testing on symptomatic individuals attending healthcare centers during 2020 in Bahia, Brazil

RT-PCR testing data provides opportunities to explore regional and individual determinants of test positivity and surveillance infrastructure. Using Generalized Additive Models, we explored 222,515 tests of a random sample of individuals with COVID-19 compatible symptoms in the Brazilian state of Bahia during 2020. We found that age and male gender were the most significant determinants of test positivity. There was evidence of an unequal impact among socio-demographic strata, with higher positivity among those living in areas with low education levels during the first epidemic wave, followed by those living in areas with higher education levels in the second wave. Our estimated probability of testing positive after symptom onset corroborates previous reports that the probability decreases with time, more than halving by about two weeks and converging to zero by three weeks. Test positivity rates generally followed state-level reported cases, and while a single laboratory performed ~90% of tests covering ~99% of the state's area, test turn-around time generally remained below four days. This testing effort is a testimony to the Bahian surveillance capacity during public health emergencies, as previously witnessed during the recent Zika and Yellow Fever outbreaks

The complete genome sequence of Chromobacterium violaceum reveals remarkable and exploitable bacterial adaptability

Chromobacterium violaceum is one of millions of species of free-living microorganisms that populate the soil and water in the extant areas of tropical biodiversity around the world. Its complete genome sequence reveals (i) extensive alternative pathways for energy generation, (ii) ≈500 ORFs for transport-related proteins, (iii) complex and extensive systems for stress adaptation and motility, and (iv) wide-spread utilization of quorum sensing for control of inducible systems, all of which underpin the versatility and adaptability of the organism. The genome also contains extensive but incomplete arrays of ORFs coding for proteins associated with mammalian pathogenicity, possibly involved in the occasional but often fatal cases of human C. violaceum infection. There is, in addition, a series of previously unknown but important enzymes and secondary metabolites including paraquat-inducible proteins, drug and heavy-metal-resistance proteins, multiple chitinases, and proteins for the detoxification of xenobiotics that may have biotechnological applications

Effect of homeopathic preparation on yellow nutsege (Cyperus rotundus L.) plants

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos dos preparados homeopáticos das folhas de tiririca sobre plantas de tiririca. O experimento foi conduzido em delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos, sendo quatro preparados homeopáticos das folhas da tiririca, nas dinamizações 3CH, 6CH, 7CH e 11CH e o controle água destilada e quatro repetições. Foi preparada solução com 6 mL de homeopatia/ L de água e aplicados 20mL/ planta, no procedimento duplo cego , semanalmente, durante 12 semanas. As características avaliadas quanto ao acúmulo de massa foram: massa da parte aérea fresca (MFA), massa da parte aérea seca (MSA), da parte subterrânea fresca (MFS), massa total fresca (MFT), massa da parte subterrânea seca (MSS) e massa total seca (MST). Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância. Foi feita a comparação dos preparados homeopáticos com a testemunha pelo de Dunnett (p<0,05). As variáveis MFS, MFT, MSS e MST não foram alteradas pelos tratamentos e tendo médias gerais 77,80g, 115,18g, 24,29g e 32,49g, respectivamente. Plantas tratadas com dinamizações 3CH, 6CH e 7CH apresentaram MFA menor que a testemunha em 30%, 21% e 22%, respectivamente; plantas tratadas com dinamizações 3CH e 6CH apresentaram menor MSA que a testemunha em 26,6% e 27,5%, respectivamente. Os estudos anatômicos foram realizados no Laboratório de Anatomia Vegetal DBV/UFV. Parte dos amostras foram incluídas em metacrilato (Historesin), seccionado transversalmente (espessura 5µm) e corado com azul de toluidina. Imagens dos cortes foram obtidas em fotomicroscópio (Olympus AX70) acoplado a câmera digital e microcomputador. Outra parte foi diafanizada e corada com violeta cristal. Na contagem dos estômatos utilizou-se câmara clara. As medidas foram obtidas via programa Image pro-plus. Quanto à anatomia, as características analisadas foram: área total da folha na região intervenal (ATI) área das epidermes adaxial (EAD), abaxial (EAB) e total (EP), espessura do limbo foliar (EL), área dos feixes vasculares com (FB) e sem a bainha (F), distância entre feixes (DF), número de feixes (NF), área do parênquima clorofiliano (PC) e densidade estomática (DE). Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância. Foi feita a comparação dos preparados homeopáticos com a testemunha pelo teste de Dunnett (p<0,05). Os preparados homeopáticos aumentaram as variáveis AIT, EAD, EAB, EP, DF e DE. Não houve efeito dos tratamentos sobre as variáveis FB, F, FT, PC e EL. As respectivas médias gerais foram: 1327.68 µm², 403.64 µm², 2947.75 µm², 36783.58 µm² e 128.15 µm. Os preparados homeopáticos causaram interferência no crescimento e na plasticidade anatômica em folhas de tiririca.The objective of the present work was to evaluate the effect of homeopathic preparations of yellow nutsege leaves on yellow nutsege plants. The experiment was carried out in a randomized block design with 5 treatments, consisting of 4 homeopathic preparations of yellow nutsege leaves at dynamizations 3CH, 6CH, 7CH and 11CH, distilled water as control and 4 repetitions. A solution with 6 ml of homeopathic preparation/ L of water was prepared and 20mL/ plant was applied, using the blind double procedure weekly during 1weeks. The mass accumulation characteristics evaluated were fresh aerial part mass (MFA), dry aerial part mass (MSA) fresh root mass (MFS), fresh total mass (MFT), dry root mass (MSS)and dry total mass(MST). The data were submitted to analysis of variance. The homeopathic preparations were compared to the control by the Dunnett test (p<0.05). The variables MFS, MFT, MSS and MST (TROCAR SIGLAS PARA O CORRESPONDENTE EM INGLES) were not altered by the treatments, with the following general means 77.80g, 115.18g, 24.29g and 32.49g, respectively. Plants treated with dynamizations 3CH, 6CH and 7CH presented MFA smaller than the control at 30%, 21% and 22%, respectively; plants treated with dynamizations 3CH and 6CH presented MSA smaller than the control at 26.6% and 27.5%, respectively. The anatomical studies were carried out at the Laboratory of Plant Anatomy, DBV/UFV. Some samples were included in methacrylate (Historesin), transversally cut (5µm thickness) and stained with toluidine blue Images of the cuts were obtained via microcomputer (Olympus AX70) coupled to a digital camera and microcomputer. The other samples were diaphanized and stained in crystal violet. A clear chamber was used to count the stomata. The measurements were obtained via the Image pro plus program The anatomic characteristics evaluated were: total leaf area in the interveinal region (ATI) adaxial (AEA), abaxial (EAB) and total (EP) epidermis areas, leaf blade thickness (EL), vascular bundle area with (FB) and without sheath (F), distance between bundles (DF), number of bundles (NF), chlorophyll parenchyma area (PC) and stomata density (SD). The data were submitted to analysis of variance. The homeopathic preparations were compared with the control using the Dunnett test (p<0.05). The homeopathic preparations increased the variables AIT, EAD, EAB, EP, DF and DE. The treatments had no effect on the variables FB, F, FT, PC and EL. The respective general means were: 1327.68 µm², 403.64 µm², 2947.75 µm², 36783.58 µm² and 128.15 µm. The homeopathic preparations caused interference in the growth and anatomical plasticity in the yellow nutsege leaves

IMPACTO DO MANEJO CONVENCIONAL SOBRE PROPRIEDADES FÍSICAS E SUBSTÂNCIAS HÚMICAS DE SOLOS SOB CERRADO IMPACT OF CONVENTIONAL MANAGEMENT UPON BOTH PHYSICAL PROPERTIES AND HUMIC SUBSTANCES OF SOILS UNDER CERRADO

A utilização do manejo convencional em solos sob cerrado tem acarretado modificações nas suas propriedades, bem como no comportamento e qualidade da sua matéria orgânica. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi investigar o impacto do manejo convencional nas propriedades físicas e no conteúdo e qualidade de substâncias húmicas de um Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo, originalmente sob cerrado. O estudo foi realizado em uma propriedade agrícola no município de São Desidério-BA. Foram avaliadas quatro áreas sob diferentes períodos de uso e uma sob cerrado nativo. Os tempos de uso foram de um, dois, três e seis anos, sendo que a área estudada após seis anos passou por um período de três anos de pousio. O sistema de preparo do solo utilizado foi o tradicional da região, que consiste no uso de duas passadas de grade pesada aradora e duas de grade niveladora. Também foram realizadas, na ocasião de cada plantio, uma adubação com N-P-K + micronutrientes e calagens com base em resultados de análise de solo. As áreas foram cultivadas com milho e soja em sistema de rotação. Verificou-se que o manejo adotado não foi sustentável, pois já nos primeiros três anos de uso agrícola, ocorreu grande deterioração das propriedades físicas do solo, como densidade, porosidade e conteúdo de água disponível. O processo de humificação e a qualidade da matéria orgânica foram influenciados pela aplicação de calcário e pela rotação de culturas (milho/soja) e, ainda, que o sistema de manejo utilizado mostrou-se mais benéfico para o processo de estabilização das substâncias húmicas do que para as propriedades físicas dos solos estudados.The utilization of intensive conventional management system on soils under cerrado biome has caused modification in their properties, as well as, in the behavior and quality of the organic matter. The objective of this research was to evaluate the impact of conventional soil management practices upon physical properties, contents and qualities of humic substances of a Red-Yellow Oxisol, formerly, under cerrado (savana-like) natural vegetation. The study was accomplished on an private agricultural property in the municipal district of São Desidério-BA. They were appraised four areas under different length of times of agricultural use and one area under native cerrado (savana-like). The length of time under agriculture use was one, two, three and six years, and after six years the studied area was left uncultivated for a period of three years. The soil has been prepared under traditional systems which consists of plowing the land twice with heavy disks followed by twice grading. It was also applied, during the seedling time, N-P-K fertilizer plus micronutrients and lime according to soil analysis. The areas have been cultivated with corn and soybeans in a rotation system. It was observed that the adopted management system was not sustainable, because, at the first three years under cultivation occurred a great deterioration of physical properties such as soil density, porosity and available water contents. The humification process and the quality of the organic matter were influenced by both utilization of lime and by the rotation system (corn/soybeans). The used system was more benefic for the process of stabilization of the humic substances than for the physical properties of the studied soils

Comparação entre as técnicas Gordon & Whitlock modificada e Centrífugo Flutuação para diagnóstico de helmintose em bovinos

O presente estudo objetivou verificar o grau de correlação existente entre as técnicas Gordon & Whitlock modificada (GW) e Centrifugo Flutuação (CF) no diagnóstico de endoparasitoses gastrintestinais em bovinos, e elaborar uma tabela com o grau de infecção de helmintos da Superfamília Strongyloidea, medido pelo número de ovos por grama de fezes (OPG) através das duas técnicas. Foram coletadas amostras de fezes, diretamente da ampola retal, de 12 fêmeas, ¾ holandês/zebu, a partir de seis meses de idade, pesando entre 100 a 150 kg, naturalmente parasitadas por nematóides gastrointestinais, na Fazenda Santa Mônica, da Embrapa Gado de Leite, em Valença, RJ, Brasil. As amostras foram coletadas a cada 21 dias, no período de 28 meses. As contagens de OPG foram realizadas no Laboratório de Parasitologia da Embrapa, em Juiz de Fora, MG. A técnica CF detectou 80.81% de amostras positivas, contra 15.17% da técnica GW, demonstrando que a técnica CF é mais sensível que a GW para contagem de OPG, em bovinos. A técnica GW apresentou maior Coeficiente de Variação (CV = 237%) que a CF (CV = 68%). Entretanto, verificou-se concordância significativa entre elas (rho = 0,118), confirmando a existência de uma correlação entre as mesmas. Esta confirmação permitiu a elaboração de uma tabela do grau de infecção por helmintos da Superfamília Strongyloidea baseada nas duas técnicas, que auxiliará na determinação do limiar de tratamento. Dessa forma, a ausência de parâmetros na tomada de decisão para tratamento de helmintose em bovinos, a partir do grau de infecção, considerada a grande desvantagem da técnica CF, foi eliminada

Comenta&#769;rios a uma sentenc&#807;a anunciada : o processo Lula

“Comentários a uma sentença: o Caso Lula” é talvez o mais importante documento jurídico publicado no Brasil em décadas. A presente coletânea de artigos nasceu de um movimento espontâneo e bastante significativo de juristas brasileiros e estrangeiros que examinaram cuidadosamente a sentença proferida no âmbito do processo que tramitou na 13ª Vara Federal de Curitiba, no caso que ficou conhecido na mídia como o do “tríplex do Guarujá”. <br>De la presentación de Geraldo Prad

Comentarios a una sentencia anunciada : el proceso Lula

El centenar de textos que conforman este libro -escritos por un movimiento de prestigiosos/as juristas y abogados- desgranan el procedimiento al que fue sometido Lula. En la opinión de las y los autores de los artículos las normas no fueron observadas, y su inobservancia llevó a que se dictaminase una decisión injusta. Frases del estilo "Voy a tomar una decisión revolucionaria, dejando de lado la ley, porque por la ley no se puede condenarlo de ninguna manera”, dichas en los juicios por las más altas autoridades judiciales militares y civiles, hoy son conocidas gracias a quienes se abocaron al trabajo de escuchar los audios de aquellas sesiones, nutriendo las reflexiones que argumentan sobre el imperativo de la hora: restablecer el estado de derecho y absolver al presidente Lula Da Silva

NEOTROPICAL ALIEN MAMMALS: a data set of occurrence and abundance of alien mammals in the Neotropics

Biological invasion is one of the main threats to native biodiversity. For a species to become invasive, it must be voluntarily or involuntarily introduced by humans into a nonnative habitat. Mammals were among first taxa to be introduced worldwide for game, meat, and labor, yet the number of species introduced in the Neotropics remains unknown. In this data set, we make available occurrence and abundance data on mammal species that (1) transposed a geographical barrier and (2) were voluntarily or involuntarily introduced by humans into the Neotropics. Our data set is composed of 73,738 historical and current georeferenced records on alien mammal species of which around 96% correspond to occurrence data on 77 species belonging to eight orders and 26 families. Data cover 26 continental countries in the Neotropics, ranging from Mexico and its frontier regions (southern Florida and coastal-central Florida in the southeast United States) to Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay, and the 13 countries of Caribbean islands. Our data set also includes neotropical species (e.g., Callithrix sp., Myocastor coypus, Nasua nasua) considered alien in particular areas of Neotropics. The most numerous species in terms of records are from Bos sp. (n = 37,782), Sus scrofa (n = 6,730), and Canis familiaris (n = 10,084); 17 species were represented by only one record (e.g., Syncerus caffer, Cervus timorensis, Cervus unicolor, Canis latrans). Primates have the highest number of species in the data set (n = 20 species), partly because of uncertainties regarding taxonomic identification of the genera Callithrix, which includes the species Callithrix aurita, Callithrix flaviceps, Callithrix geoffroyi, Callithrix jacchus, Callithrix kuhlii, Callithrix penicillata, and their hybrids. This unique data set will be a valuable source of information on invasion risk assessments, biodiversity redistribution and conservation-related research. There are no copyright restrictions. Please cite this data paper when using the data in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us on how they are using the data