Microbiological quality of water and dialysate in a haemodialysis unit in Ponta Grossa-PR, Brazil

AIMS: The objective of the study was to determine the microbiological quality of samples of water and dialysate in a haemodialysis unit. METHODS AND RESULTS: Seventy-two samples each of water and dialysate were collected during November 2003 to April 2004. The following microbiological analyses were performed: test for total and faecal coliforms, which produced negative results for all the samples; counts of total heterotrophic bacteria, where three samples of water and two of dialysate showed levels higher than those permitted by national standards; and endotoxin assay, which revealed high quantities only in samples of water that preceded reverse osmosis. Nonfermenting Gram-negative bacteria were identified in 54 samples of dialysate and in 26 samples of water. The test for adhesion to an inert surface showed that various bacteria were capable of forming biofilms. Twenty-seven per cent of the bacteria were resistant to sodium hypochlorite at 500 ppm for 10-min contact time. Sixty per cent of the isolates were resistant to three or more antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS: Water and dialysate can be a source of infection for patients who need haemodialysis. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: An adequate system for water treatment, disinfection of the haemodialysis system and microbiological monitoring of the water and dialysate are necessary to reduce bacteraemia and pyrogenia outbreaks.     

Cloning and Biochemical Characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">ToFZY</Emphasis>, a Tomato Gene Encoding a Flavin Monooxygenase Involved in a Tryptophan-dependent Auxin Biosynthesis Pathway

Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), the main endogenous auxin, has been known for decades to be a key regulator for plant growth and development. Multiple routes have been proposed for IAA biosynthesis but physiologic roles or relevance of the different routes are still unclear. Recently, four members of the Arabidopsis thaliana YUC gene family have been implicated in an additional requirement of IAA involved in floral organ and vascular tissue formation. The loss-of-function yuc1yuc4 double mutants in Arabidopsis displayed phenotypes similar to the previously described loss-of-function floozy mutants in petunia (fzy). Moreover, it has been demonstrated that YUC1 encodes a flavin monooxygenase (FMO) that catalyzes a rate-limiting step of a tryptophan-dependent auxin biosynthesis pathway: the conversion of tryptamine to N-hydroxyl-tryptamine. Here we report on the genetic study of ToFZY, the putative tomato ortholog of YUC4 and FZY, including gene and cDNA sequence comparison and a preliminary expression analysis. In addition, we describe a novel conserved amino acid motif that may be considered a hallmark potentially useful for the identification of new YUC-like FMOs. We also demonstrate that ToFZY encodes a protein with the same enzymatic activity as YUC1. Finally, we provide evidence suggesting that the ToFZY gene belongs to a multigenic family whose members may exhibit a temporal and spatial specialization similar to that described in A. thaliana.     

Higher frequency of legitimate pollinators and fruit set of autotetraploid trees of Libidibia ferrea (Leguminosae) compared to diploids in a mixed tropical urban population

Journal of Plant Research - In mixed-ploidy populations, newly formed polyploids initially occur at low frequencies when compared to diploids. However, polyploidy may lead to morphological and...     

Effects of Ethanolic Extract of Cynara cardunculus (Artichoke) Leaves on Neuroinflammatory and Neurochemical Parameters in a Diet-Induced Mice Obesity Model

Neurochemical Research - This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Cynara cardunculus leaf ethanol extract on inflammatory and oxidative stress parameters in the hypothalamus, prefrontal cortex,...     

Foliar Extrafloral Nectar of Humboldtia brunonis (Fabaceae), a Paleotropic Ant‐plant,is Richer than Phloem Sap and More Attractive than Honeydew

The ant‐plant Humboldtia brunonis secretes extrafloral nectar (EFN) despite the lack of antiherbivore protection from most ants. EFN was richer in composition than phloem sap and honeydew from untended Hemiptera on the plant, suggesting that EFN could potentially distract ants from honeydew, since ants rarely tended Hemiptera on this plant.