Rock art: the body culture of movement before Brazil / Arte rupestre: a cultura corporal do movimento antes do Brasil / Arte rupestre: la cultura del cuerpo del movimiento antes de Brasil

This investigation discusses the relationship between the body culture of movement and two rock art scenes located in the Parque Nacional Serra da Capivara, (Serra da Capivara National Park) - PNSC, in the state of Piauí, Brazil. The scenes depict a flic flac and a human pyramid, which have been accepted in contemporaneity as gymnastics and acrobatics. An interdisciplinary theoretical apparatus based on Physical Education and its relationships with Archeology and Anthropology was used in the analysis. The analysis is based on inferences, as nothing guarantees that the hands that portrayed the scenes had the same intentions as the authors of the research. One of the findings understands that motor skills helped the daily demands of adversity for the survival of the group. In another point of view, based on the Ilinx concept, flic flac satisfies the search for a trance/vertigo vital to ritualistic liturgy, and the human pyramid serves the imperative task of consolidating cooperative bonds and trust between its members in a hostile environment. (AU)

A investigação discute as relações entre duas artes rupestres - flic flac e a pirâmide humana -, admitidas na contemporaneidade como ginástica e acrobacia, localizadas no Parque Nacional Serra da Capivara - PNSC, no Estado do Piauí, Brasil, e a cultura corporal do movimento. Utilizou-se de um aparato teórico interdisciplinar fundamentado na Educação Física e suas relações com a Arqueologia e Antropologia na análise. Trata-se de inferências, pois nada garante que as mãos que retrataram as cenas tinham a intencionalidade dos autores da pesquisa. Uma das ilações entende que as habilidades motoras auxiliavam as demandas do cotidiano de adversidades para sobrevivência do grupo. Por outro prisma, a partir do conceito de Ilinx, o flic flac atende a busca de um transe/vertigem vital a liturgia ritualística, e, a pirâmide humana serve a imperiosa tarefa de consolidar os laços cooperativos e de confiança entre os seus membros em um ambiente hostil. (AU)

Esta investigación discute la relación entre la cultura corporal del movimiento y dos escenas de arte rupestre ubicadas en el Parque Nacional Serra da Capivara/PNSC, en el estado de Piauí, Brasil. Las escenas representan flic flac y pirámide humana, que han sido aceptadas en la contemporaneidad como gimnasia y acrobacia. Se utilizó en el análisis un aparato teórico interdisciplinario basado en la Educación Física y sus relaciones con la Arqueología y la Antropología. El análisis se basa en inferencias, nada garantiza que las manos que retrataron las escenas tuvieran las mismas intenciones que los autores de la investigación. Uno de los hallazgos comprende que la motricidad ayudó a las exigencias diarias de la adversidad para la supervivencia del grupo. En otro punto de vista, basado en el concepto Ilinx, flic flac satisface la búsqueda de trance/vértigo vital para la liturgia ritualista, y la pirámide humana cumple la tarea imperativa de consolidar lazos de cooperación y confianza entre sus miembros en un ambiente hostil. (AU)

A temperature-inducible Targetron system for efficient gene inactivation in Escherichia coli / 生物工程学报

To construct TeI3c/4c-based and temperature-inducible gene inactivation system (Thermotargetron) and to apply it to gene inactivation of mesophilic bacteria. The subunit of flagellum (fliC) and C4 dicarboxylate orotate:H⁺ symporter (dctA) genes were chosen as targets in the genome of Escherichia coli HMS174 (DE3) strain. According to recognition roles of TeI3c/4c intron, the fliC489a, fliC828s, fliC1038s and dctA2a sites were chosen as target sites. Gene-targeting plasmids were constructed based on pHK-TT1A by using overlap PCR method and transformed into HMS174 cells. An aliquot mid-log phase cultures of the transformants were shocked at 48 °C and plated on LB plate (containing chloramphenicol). Afterwards, gene mutants were screened by using colony PCR and DNA sequencing. After the mutants were obtained, the phenotypes of ΔfliC and ΔdctA gene mutants were characterized by using agar puncture and carbon metabolism experiments. Colony PCR and sequencing results show that TeI3c/4c intron was inserted in the designed sites of fliC and dctA genes. The gene-targeting efficiency of Thermotargetron system was 100%. Phenotype verification experiments of the mutants demonstrated that the cell motility of all ΔfliC mutants was damaged and the malate assimilation ability of ΔdctA mutant was deprived comparing to wild-type HMS174 strain. In our study, a temperature-inducible and high-efficiency gene inactivation system was established for mesophilic bacteria. This system could achieve high efficiency and precise gene inactivation by modulation of the incubation duration of the transformants at 48 °C.

Enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC)-PCR analysis as a reliable evidence for suspected Shigella spp. outbreaks

Abstract Background Shigellosis remains a serious public health problem and an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The aim of this study was to characterize fliC and the genetic relatedness of Shigella spp. isolated during a one-year period from children in a suspected outbreak in Tehran, Iran. Methods and results Fifty Shigella spp. were isolated from 3779 stool samples of children with diarrhea (prevalence rate: 1.32%). Among the isolates, 92% were characterized as Shigella sonnei, while 6% and 2% were identified as S. flexneri and S. boydii, respectively. S. dysenteriae was not recovered from the patients. All isolates were negative for fliC except for Shigella standard strains. The enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus-polymerase chain reaction (ERIC-PCR) profiles allowed differentiating the 50 isolates into 5 ERIC types, which were grouped into five clusters (ET1-ET5). Computer-assisted clustering of the strains showed a high degree of similarity among the isolates. Conclusion In conclusion, given the clonal correlation of the Shigella strains isolated in this study and the lack of fliC among them, we propose that probably a single or limited fliC-defected Shigella clone spread and caused the outbreak.

Induction of immune response in broiler chickens immunized with recombinant FliC and challenged by Salmonella Typhimurium / Indução de resposta imune em frangos de corte imunizados com FliC recombinante e desafiados por Salmonella Typhimurium

The study examined (1) the immune response in broiler chickens after oral immunization with recombinant flagellin (rFliC) from Salmonella Typhimurium conjugated with sodium alginate microparticles, and the immune response enhancement in association with recombinant cholera toxin B subunit protein (rCTB) and pool of Lactobacillus spp. (PL). The immune responses were evaluated by dosage of IgY serum and IgA from intestinal fluid and immunostaining of CD8+ T lymphocytes in the cecum. The immunized animals were challenged with Salmonella Typhimurium (ST) 21 days after treatment. In all immunized groups, a significant increase (p<0.05) was observed in IgA levels (μg/mL), especially three weeks after immunization. The serum IgY levels (μg/mL) were little affected by the treatments and differed significantly among groups only in the second post-immunization week (p<0.05). After the challenge, the number of CD8+ T cells differed significantly between the treatments and negative control. Retrieval of Salmonella Typhimurium was not detected at 48 hours after the challenge in T2 (rFliC+rCTb), T3 (rFliC+PL) and T4 (rFliC+rCTB PL). The rFliC administered orally with or without rCTB and Lactobacillus spp. produces significant induction of humoral immune response, and the immunized chickens were more effective in eliminating Salmonella after challenge.

Este estudo investigou a resposta imunitária de frangos de corte após a imunização oral com flagelina recombinante (rFliC) de Salmonella Typhimurium conjugada com micropartículas de alginato de sódio, e como intensificador de resposta imune foi associada a proteína subunidade B da toxina colérica (rCTB) e pool de Lactobacillus spp. (PL). As respostas imunes foram avaliadas por dosagem de IgY sérica e IgA do fluído intestinal e imunomarcação de linfócitos T CD8+ presentes no ceco. Os animais imunizados foram desafiados aos 21 dias após tratamento com Salmonella Typhimurium (ST). Foi observado em todos os grupos imunizados um aumento significativo (p<0,05) nos níveis de IgA (μg/mL) principalmente três semanas após as imunizações. Os níveis de IgY sérica (μg/mL) foram pouco influenciados pelos tratamentos, apenas na segunda semana após imunização observou-se diferenças significativas (p<0,05) entre os grupos. Observou-se que o número de linfócitos T CD8+ apresentou diferença significativa entre os tratamentos e o controle negativo após o desafio. Quanto a recuperação de Salmonella Typhimurium, observou-se que 48 horas após o desafio já não havia detecção do agente nos grupos T2 (rFliC+rCTb), T3 (rFliC+PL) e T4 (rFliC+rCTB+PL). Concluí-se que rFliC administrada, via oral, associada ou não a Lactobacillus spp e rCTB, demonstrou induzir significativamente a resposta imune humoral e que as aves imunizadas foram mais eficientes na eliminação de Salmonella após desafio.

Cinemática de variáveis de técnica-chave nos flic flacs de ginastas de elite / Kinematics of key technique variables in the backward handsprings of elite gymnasts

INTRODUÇÃO: A ginástica é o esporte de habilidades fechadas mais antigo e espetacular. Contudo, parâmetros técnicos de execução geralmente são somente ensinados por treinadores experientes. Desta maneira, existe uma lacuna de informações objetivas sobre o desempenho de ginastas (referências cinemáticas). OBJETIVO: No presente estudo, tentamos quantificar movimentos de inversão linear e de hiperextensão durante a execução de flic flacs. MÉTODOS: Foi efetuada uma detecção não invasiva de flic flacs com o auxílio de um instrumento óptico eletrônico 3D. Treze marcadores esféricos retrorreflexivos (1 cm de diâmetro) foram posicionados no corpo de 9 ginastas experientes: maléolos laterais direito e esquerdo, cabeça da fíbula, trocanter maior, acrômio, olecrano, processo estiloide da ulna e vértex. Na mesma sessão e após um período de aquecimento, cada participante executou 15 repetições de flic flacs. Dez repetições forma analisadas, e os trajetos 3D das 13 manobras medidos. RESULTADOS: Em média, os homens obtiveram altura vertical maior (mulheres, 62% da altura; homens, 58%). O alinhamento dos membros inferiores foi homogêneo entre os ginastas: ângulos posteriores de joelho variaram entre 80° e 118°. Nenhuma abdução de membro inferior foi observada: a largura de joelho foi 7 cm menor do que a largura intertrocanter; a largura de tornozelo foi 8 cm menor do que a largura de joelho. Na saída do movimento, o ângulo tronco-coxa apresentou excelente alinhamento corporal, com valores bem próximos de 180°. As mulheres executaram a fase de apoio das mãos com pulsos mais próximos do que os homens (homens, 134% de largura de ombro; mulheres, 121%). CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados podem fornecer informações para melhor conhecimento, definindo assim, a execução de padrão-ouro obtida de ginastas de elite com poucas lesões.

INTRODUCTION: Gymnastics is the most ancient and spectacular closed skills sport. Nonetheless, technical parameters of performance are often taught only by experienced trainers. Thus, there is a lack of objective data about gymnastics performance (kinematics references). OBJECTIVE: In the current study, we tried to quantify linear and hyperextension back movements during performance of backward handsprings. METHODS: A noninvasive detection of backward handsprings was made using a 3D optoelectronic instrument. Thirteen spherical retro-reflective markers (1-cm diameter) were positioned on the body of 9 experienced gymnasts: right and left lateral malleolus, fibular head, greater trochanter, acromion, olecranon, styloid process of the ulna; vertex. In the same session and after a warm-up period, each participant performed 15 repetitions of backward handsprings. Ten repetitions were analyzed, and the 3D tracks of the 13 landmarks measured. RESULTS: On average, men performed longer backward handsprings than women (men, 122% of height; women, 98%); women attained larger vertical height (women, 62% of height; men, 58%). Lower limb arrangement was homogenous among the gymnasts: posterior knee angles ranged between 80° and 118°. No lower limb abduction was observed: knee width was 7 cm smaller than intertrochanter width; ankle width was 8 cm smaller than knee width. At take-off, the trunk-thigh angle presented excellent body alignment, with values very close to 180°. Women performed the handstand phase with closer wrists than men (men, 134% of shoulder width; women, 121%). CONCLUSION: The results may offer data to improve understanding, defining gold-standard execution taken from high level gymnasts with few injuries.

Further Evaluation of Multiplex PCR for Rapid Detection of Salmonella Typhi

Typhoid fever is a class I legally designated communicable disease in Korea; and if remains as an important public health problem in many developing countries. It takes at least 3-5 days to detect and identify Salmonella Typhi (S. Typhi) by classical diagnostic method. For this reason, multiplex PCR (mPCR) was evaluated in detecting and identifying S. Typhi. In this study, forty-three bacterial strains, which consisted of 42 Salmonella enterica serovars and one Citrobacter freundii. were used to evaluate the promptness of mPCR in detecting and identifying S. Typhi. mPCR was performed with four genes which were known for representing Salmonella spp and/or S. Typhi: invA, fliC-d, viaB and prt. invA and prt gene was amplified in all strains and viaB gene was in only S. Typhi. fliC-d gene was amplified in three serovars: S. Typhi, S. Schwarzengrund and S. Livingstone. After specificity test, mPCR was modified as triplex PCR with three genes (invA, fliC-d, and viaB) and the sensitivity test was performed against S. Typhi-inoculated stool samples. mPCR was able to detect S. Typhi cell suspension of 1x105 cfu/mL. We found that modified multiplex PCR was useful to detect S. Typhi from stool samples within 24h whereas it takes 3-5days to detect by classic diagnosis method.

Clonal study of avian Escherichia coli strains by fliC conserved-DNA-sequence regions analysis / Estudo clonal de Escherichia coli aviário por análise de seqüências de DNA conservadas do gene fliC

The clonal relationship among avian Escherichia coli strains and their genetic proximity with human pathogenic E. coli, Salmonela enterica, Yersinia enterocolitica and Proteus mirabilis, was determined by the DNA sequencing of the conserved 5' and 3'regions fliC gene (flagellin encoded gene). Among 30 commensal avian E. coli strains and 49 pathogenic avian E. coli strains (APEC), 24 commensal and 39 APEC strains harbored fliC gene with fragments size varying from 670bp to 1,900bp. The comparative analysis of these regions allowed the construction of a dendrogram of similarity possessing two main clusters: one compounded mainly by APEC strains and by H-antigens from human E. coli, and another one compounded by commensal avian E. coli strains, S. enterica, and by other H-antigens from human E. coli. Overall, this work demonstrated that fliC conserved regions may be associated with pathogenic clones of APEC strains, and also shows a great similarity among APEC and H-antigens of E. coli strains isolated from humans. These data, can add evidence that APEC strains can exhibit a zoonotic risk.(AU)

A relação clonal entre linhagens de Escherichia coli de origem aviária e sua proximidade genética com E. coli patogênica para humanos, Salmonella enterica, Yersinia enterocolitica e Proteus mirabilis foi determinada através da utilização das seqüências conservadas 5' e 3' do gene fliC (responsável pela codificação da flagelina). Entre as 30 linhagens comensais de E. coli aviária e as 49 linhagens patogênicas de E. coli para aves (APEC), 24 linhagens comensais e 39 APEC apresentaram o gene fliC, que foi encontrado em tamanhos que variam de 670pb a 1900pb. Um dendrograma representando similaridade genética foi obtido a partir do seqüenciamento das regiões 5' e 3' conservadas do gene fliC das linhagens de E. coli de origem aviária, das seqüências dos antígenos H de E. coli de origem humana, de S. enterica, Y. enterocolitica e de P. mirabilis. A análise do dendrograma demonstrou que este apresenta dois grupos principais: um composto principalmente por isolados APEC e por antígenos H de E. coli de origem humana e outro formado por isolados comensais de E. coli aviária, S. enterica e por antígenos H de E. coli. No geral, o presente trabalho demonstrou que as regiões conservadas do gene fliC podem estar associadas à diferenciação clonal de linhagens de E. coli aviária, e que existe uma grande similaridade genética entre estas linhagens e antígenos H de E. coli humana. Estes dados podem adicionar evidências de que linhagens APEC podem apresentar riscos zoonóticos.(AU)

Sequencing of Flic genes of Salmonella typhi, S. paratyphi A, S. paratyphi B, S. paratyphi C, and S. typhimurium and application for PCR to differentiate them

All Flic genes of Salmonella typhi, S. paratyphi A, S. paratyphi B, S. paratyphi C, and S. typhimurium code for phase 1 of H antigen (H:1) (d, a, b, c and i antigen respectively). The genes were sequenced on Sanger's principle by automatic sequenser (ABI, 3100 Avant, Genetic Analyser). The primer pairs for the Salmonella species were designed on the basis of the collected sequences. The results showed that PCR with these primers can clearly differentiate the five Salmonella strains, especially between S. paratyphi B and S. typhimurium.