Modeling the inactivation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus subtilis</Emphasis> spores by ethylene oxide processing

Ethylene oxide is currently a dominant agent in medical device sterilization. This work intends to study the main effects and interactions of temperature, ethylene oxide concentration, and relative humidity on commercial spore strips of Bacillus subtilis, var. niger (ATCC 9372) inactivation, the most common microorganism used in controlling the efficacy of the process. Experiments were carried out using a full factorial experimental design at two levels (2³ factorial design). Limit target exposure conditions for ethylene oxide concentration, temperature, and relative humidity were 250–1,000 mg EO/l, 40–60°C, and 50–90%, respectively. Adopting a different approach from the first-order kinetics, a Gompertz model was successfully applied in data fitting of the inactivation curves. Bacillus subtilis kinetic behavior presented a sigmoidal inactivation with an initial shoulder (λ), followed by a maximum inactivation rate (k_max), these being model parameters. It was concluded that temperature and ethylene oxide concentration were the most significant factors and consequently, additional experiments were carried out aiming at describing the parameters' dependence on these process factors. Mathematical relations describing such dependences were successfully developed and included in the Gompertz kinetic model. The predictive ability of this integrated model was assessed, and its adequacy in predicting B. subtilis inactivation was proven.     

Karyotype diversity of four species of the incertae sedis group (Characidae) from different hydrographic basins: analysis of AgNORs, CMA3 and 18S rDNA

A large number of genera in the tropical fish family Characidae are incertae sedis. Cytogenetic analysis was made of four of these species: Astyanax eigenmanniorum, Deuterodon stigmaturus, Hyphessobrycon luetkenii, and H. anisitsi, collected from various hydrographic basins: hydrographic system from Laguna dos Patos/RS, Tramandaí basin/RS and Tibagi River basin/PR. The first two species were collected in their type locality in the State of Rio Grande do Sul. The 2n = 48 karyotype was observed only in A. eigenmanniorum, while the other species had 2n = 50 chromosomes, with different karyotypic formulas. There was weak heterochromatin staining in the pericentromeric region of A. eigenmanniorum, D. stigmaturus and H. luetkenni chromosomes. In H. anisitsi, heterochromatin appeared to be more abundant and distributed in the pericentromeric and terminal regions of the chromosomes; three pairs showed more evident heterochromatic blocks. There were multiple Ag-NORs in all populations, visualized by FISH with an 18S rDNA probe. While D. stigmaturus and H. luetkenii had conserved AgNOR, CMA3 and 18S rDNA sites, the other two species showed intra- and interindividual variation at these sites. The karyotype variability was high, as is common in this group of fish. Different species arising from isolated hydrographic basins maintain an elevated level of karyotype differentiation, mainly with respect to chromosome structure, heterochromatin distribution and rDNA localization. This is the first report with cytogenetic data for D. stigmaturus and H. luetkenii.     

Single primer-based DNA amplification as a suitable and low-cost tool for assessing genetic diversity in mangrove crabs

We used single primer-based DNA markers to assess genetic variability of the mangrove crab, Ucides cordatus, collected from four different localities from Pará to Santa Catarina States in Brazil (almost 5000 km distant). Five primers were chosen based on the consistency of the amplified bands and the polymorphism of each locus. A total of 78 loci were amplified in 76 samples; high polymorphism rates were detected in the entire sample (80.8%) and within each locality (73.5-79.5%). Analysis of molecular variance demonstrates significant differences between localities (P < 0.001); however, the Φ(ST) value (0.078) indicates a low level of genetic differentiation, which suggests that U. cordatus larvae can spread over large distances. The variation was distributed among the samples, and most of it was attributed to differences among individuals within localities. Cluster analysis, based on the Jaccard similarity coefficient, and the Mantel test gave similar results to the analysis of molecular variance data. Despite the low level of population structuring, these markers could be used for studying U. cordatus diversity, due to the high level of polymorphism.     

Cryptosexuality and the genetic diversity paradox in coffee rust, Hemileia vastatrix

Background

Despite the fact that coffee rust was first investigated scientifically more than a century ago, and that the disease is one of the major constraints to coffee production - constantly changing the socio-economic and historical landscape of the crop - critical aspects of the life cycle of the pathogen, Hemileia vastatrix, remain unclear. The asexual urediniospores are regarded as the only functional propagule: theoretically, making H. vastatrix a clonal species. However, the well-documented emergence of new rust pathotypes and the breakdown in genetic resistance of coffee cultivars, present a paradox.

Methods and Results

Here, using computer-assisted DNA image cytometry, following a modified nuclear stoichiometric staining technique with Feulgen, we show that meiosis occurs within the urediniospores. Stages of spore development were categorised based on morphology, from the spore-mother cell through to the germinating spore, and the relative nuclear DNA content was quantified statistically at each stage.

Conclusions

Hidden sexual reproduction disguised within the asexual spore (cryptosexuality) could explain why new physiological races have arisen so often and so quickly in Hemileia vastatrix. This could have considerable implications for coffee breeding strategies and may be a common event in rust fungi, especially in related genera occupying the same basal phylogenetic lineages.     

Spreading patterns of the influenza A (H1N1) pandemic

We investigate the dynamics of the 2009 influenza A (H1N1/S-OIV) pandemic by analyzing data obtained from World Health Organization containing the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases of infections--by country--in a period of 69 days, from 26 April to 3 July, 2009. Specifically, we find evidence of exponential growth in the total number of confirmed cases and linear growth in the number of countries with confirmed cases. We also find that, i) at early stages, the cumulative distribution of cases among countries exhibits linear behavior on log-log scale, being well approximated by a power law decay; ii) for larger times, the cumulative distribution presents a systematic curvature on log-log scale, indicating a gradual change to lognormal behavior. Finally, we compare these empirical findings with the predictions of a simple stochastic model. Our results could help to select more realistic models of the dynamics of influenza-type pandemics.     

Timing of births in sympatric brown howler monkeys (Alouatta fusca clamitans) and northern muriquis (Brachyteles arachnoides hypoxanthus).

We monitored the birth patterns of sympatric brown howler monkeys (Alouatta fusca clamitans) and northern muriquis (Brachyteles arachnoides hypoxanthus) during a 4‐yr period from October 1996 to August 2000 at the Estação Biológica de Caratinga, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Brown howler monkey births (n = 34) occurred throughout the year, and birth frequencies did not differ between rainy and dry season months. The aseasonal birth patterns of the howler monkeys differed significantly from the dry season concentration and dry month peak in muriqui births (n = 23). We found no effects of infant sex or the number of females on interbirth intervals (IBIs) in our 10 howler monkey study troops. IBIs of brown howler monkeys averaged 21.2 ± 2.5 mo (n = 8, median = 21.0 mo), and were significantly shorter following dry season births than rainy season births. Their IBIs and yearling survivorship (74%) were similar to those reported for other species of howler monkeys, but yearling survivorship was much lower than that of muriquis (94%), whose IBIs were more than 12 mo longer than those of the howler monkeys. Our study extends comparative knowledge of birth patterns in Alouatta to a poorly known species, and provides insights into the different ways in which diet and life history may affect the timing of births in large‐bodied platyrrhines under the same seasonal ecological conditions. Am. J. Primatol. 55:87–100, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Additional evidence for the anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties of the sesquiterpene polygodial.

This study evaluates further the anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties of polygodial, a sesquiterpene extracted from the barks plant Drymis winteri (Winteraceae). Polygodial (12.8-128.1 micromol/kg, i.p.) 30 min prior, inhibited significantly the mouse paw oedema induced by prostaglandin E2, bradykinin (BK) substance P (SP), dextran, platelet activating factor (PAF) or carrageenan. Polygodial also inhibited arachidonic acid-, capsaicin- and croton oil-induced ear oedema in mice. Polygodial (42.7 micromol/kg, i.p.), significantly inhibited both exudation and cell influx when assessed in the pleurisy induced by SP and histamine, and to a less extent the inflammatory response caused by carrageenan, PAF, BK and des-Arg9-BK. Finally, polygodial (4.2-42.7 micromol/kg, i.p.) produced dose-related inhibition of paw oedema induced by ovalbumin, protecting in a time-dependent manner the anaphylactic shock induced by endovenous administration of ovalbumin in animals which had been actively sensitised by this antigen. These and our previous results indicate that the major component present in the bark of the plant D. winteri, the sesquiterpene polygodial exerts an interesting anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties when assessed in rats and mice.     

Structural and functional characterization of two novel peptide toxins isolated from the venom of the social wasp Polybia paulista

Two novel inflammatory peptides were isolated from the venom of the social wasp Polybia paulista. They had their molecular masses determined by ESI-MS and their primary sequences were elucidated by Edman degradation chemistry as: Polybia-MPI: I D W K K L L D A A K Q I L-NH2 (1654.09 Da), Polybia-CP: I L G T I L G L L K S L-NH2 (1239.73 Da). Both peptides were functionally characterized by using Wistar rat cells. Polybia-MPI is a mast cell lytic peptide, which causes no hemolysis to rat erythrocytes and presents chemotaxis for polymorphonucleated leukocytes (PMNL) and with potent antimicrobial action both against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Polybia-CP was characterized as a chemotactic peptide for PMNL cells, presenting antimicrobial action against Gram-positive bacteria, but causing no hemolysis to rat erythrocytes and no mast cell degranulation activity at physiological concentrations.     

Biological effects of extracts obtained from Stryphnodendron adstringens on Herpetomonas samuelpessoai

We report the effect of Stryphnodendron adstringens on the trypanosomatid Herpetomonas samuelpessoai. The parasites were grown at 28 degrees C in a chemically defined medium containing crude extract and fractions at concentrations from 100 to 5000 microg/ml obtained from S. adstringens. Concentrations of 500, 1000, 2500, and 5000 microg/ml both crude extract and semi-purified fraction progressively inhibited the protozoans' growth. At a concentration of 100 microg/ml, crude extract or a semi-purified (F3) fraction did not affect the growth of the protozoans. The F3-9 - F3-12 sub-fractions, at a concentration of 1000 microg/ml, also showed increased inhibitory activity on H. samuelpessoai. The IC50 of the crude extract and the F3 fraction were 538 and 634 microg/ml, respectively. Ultrastructural and enzymatic alterations in the trypanosomatids were also evaluated. H. samuelpessoai cultivated in the presence of IC50 crude extract showed considerable ultrastructural alterations, such as marked mitochondrial swelling with a large number of cristae and evident Golgi complex vesiculation, as observed by transmission electron microscopy. Cells exposed to 538 microg/ml of crude extract at 28 degrees C for 72 h, showed decreased activity of the enzyme succinate cytochrome c reductase, a typical mitochondrion marker, as compared to untreated cells.