Isolation, identification and characterization of regional indigenous Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains

Abstract In the present work we isolated and identified various indigenous Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains and screened them for the selected oenological properties. These S. cerevisiae strains were isolated from berries and spontaneously fermented musts. The grape berries (Sauvignon blanc and Pinot noir) were grown under the integrated and organic mode of farming in the South Moravia (Czech Republic) wine region. Modern genotyping techniques such as PCR-fingerprinting and interdelta PCR typing were employed to differentiate among indigenous S. cerevisiae strains. This combination of the methods provides a rapid and relatively simple approach for identification of yeast of S. cerevisiae at strain level. In total, 120 isolates were identified and grouped by molecular approaches and 45 of the representative strains were tested for selected important oenological properties including ethanol, sulfur dioxide and osmotic stress tolerance, intensity of flocculation and desirable enzymatic activities. Their ability to produce and utilize acetic/malic acid was examined as well; in addition, H2S production as an undesirable property was screened. The oenological characteristics of indigenous isolates were compared to a commercially available S. cerevisiae BS6 strain, which is commonly used as the starter culture. Finally, some indigenous strains coming from organically treated grape berries were chosen for their promising oenological properties and these strains will be used as the starter culture, because application of a selected indigenous S. cerevisiae strain can enhance the regional character of the wines.

Re-emergence of Chorioptes bovis (Acari: Psoroptidae) in cattle in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil / Reemergência de Chorioptes bovis (Acari: Psoroptidae) em bovinos no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

Here we describe an outbreak of chorioptic mange in cattle, 56 years after its first identification in Brazil. Between the months of June and July 2011, dermatitis characterized by alopecia and crusted and thickened skin at the insertion of the tail and in the ischiorectal fossa was recognized in 40 (35.7%) out of 112 Holstein cows on a farm in the northeastern mesoregion of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. After diagnosing mange caused by Chorioptes bovis, the cows were weighed and treated with 0.5% ivermectin, as a pour-on single dose, and were separated into two groups: cows in early lactation and those in late lactation. The survival rate of C. bovis and the healing rate in the two groups of infested cows were monitored every seven days through skin scrapings. After 28 days of evaluation, the cure rate through treatment was greater among cows in early lactation (p <0.0001). The survival rate of C. bovis was higher in cows in late lactation.

O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever um surto de sarna corióptica em bovinos, 56 anos após a sua primeira identificação no Brasil. Entre os meses de junho a julho de 2011, a dermatite caracterizada por alopecia, com crosta e espessamento da pele na inserção da cauda e na fossa isquiorretal, foi observada em 40 (35,7%) de 112 vacas holandesas de uma propriedade rural pertencente à Mesorregião do Nordeste do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Após o diagnóstico da sarna causada por Chorioptes bovis, as vacas foram pesadas, tratadas com 0,5% de ivermectina pour on em dose única e separadas em dois grupos: vacas no início da lactação e no final da lactação. A taxa de sobrevivência de C. bovis e a taxa de cura dos dois grupos de vacas infestadas foram monitoradas a cada sete dias por meio de raspas de pele. Após 28 dias do estudo, a taxa de cura com o tratamento foi maior em vacas no início da lactação (p <0,0001). A taxa de sobrevivência de C. bovis foi maior em vacas no final da lactação.

Estimating the average length of hospitalization due to pneumonia: a fuzzy approach

Exposure to air pollutants is associated with hospitalizations due to pneumonia in children. We hypothesized the length of hospitalization due to pneumonia may be dependent on air pollutant concentrations. Therefore, we built a computational model using fuzzy logic tools to predict the mean time of hospitalization due to pneumonia in children living in São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil. The model was built with four inputs related to pollutant concentrations and effective temperature, and the output was related to the mean length of hospitalization. Each input had two membership functions and the output had four membership functions, generating 16 rules. The model was validated against real data, and a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed to evaluate model performance. The values predicted by the model were significantly correlated with real data. Sulfur dioxide and particulate matter significantly predicted the mean length of hospitalization in lags 0, 1, and 2. This model can contribute to the care provided to children with pneumonia.

Particulate matter and hospital admission due to arterial hypertension in a medium-sized Brazilian city / Material particulado e internação hospitalar por hipertensão arterial em uma cidade brasileira de porte médio / Material particulado e internamiento hospitalario por hipertensión arterial en una ciudad brasileña de porte medio

This study aims to assess the effects air pollution on hospitalization due to hypertension. An ecological study was conducted using data regarding hospitalizations due to hypertension in São José dos Campos, State of São Paulo, Brazil between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2010. The pollutants analyzed by this study were particulate matter, sulfur dioxide and ozone. A significant association between exposure to particulate matter and hospitalization due to hypertension was identified using Poisson regression with lags of up to four days. Relative risk of hospital admission ranged between 1,009 and 1,019. A 10μg/m³ increase in concentration of particulate matter was associated with a 13% increase in risk of hospitalization.

Alguns dos efeitos da poluição ambiental na saúde humana são conhecidos, destacando aqueles no sistema cardiovascular. Este trabalho tem por objetivo estimar esses efeitos nas internações por hipertensão arterial. Foi um estudo ecológico realizado com dados de internações da cidade de São José dos Campos, São Paulo, Brasil, relativos aos diagnósticos de hipertensão arterial, entre 1o de janeiro de 2007 e 31 de dezembro de 2010. Os poluentes estudados foram material particulado, dióxido de enxofre e ozônio. Utilizando-se de modelo linear generalizado da regressão de Poisson e defasagens de até quatro dias, foi possível identificar associação significativa entre a exposição ao material particulado e a internação por hipertensão, com os riscos variando entre 1.009 e 1.019; aumento de 10μg/m³ desse poluente aumenta o risco de internação em até 13%. Assim, foi possível identificar o material particulado, no modelo multipoluente, como associado à internação por hipertensão arterial numa cidade de porte médio, como São José dos Campos.

Algunos de los efectos de la contaminación ambiental en la salud humana son conocidos, destacando aquellos en nuestro sistema cardiovascular. Este trabajo tiene por objetivo estimar esos efectos en los internamientos por hipertensión arterial. Se trató de un estudio ecológico, realizado con datos de internamientos de la ciudad de São José dos Campos, São Paulo, Brasil, relativos a los diagnósticos de hipertensión arterial, entre el 1o de enero de 2007 y el 31 de diciembre de 2010. Los contaminantes estudiados fueron material particulado, dióxido de azufre y ozono. Se utilizó un modelo lineal generalizado de regresión de Poisson y desfases de hasta cuatro días; fue posible identificar una asociación significativa entre la exposición al material particulado y el internamiento por hipertensión con los riesgos, variando entre 1.009 y 1.019; el aumento de 10µg/m3 de ese contaminante aumenta el riesgo de internamiento en hasta un 13%. Así, fue posible identificar el material particulado, en el modelo multicontaminante, como asociado al internamiento por hipertensión arterial en una ciudad de porte medio, como São José dos Campos.

Are environmental pollutants risk factors for low birth weight? / Os poluentes ambientais são fatores de risco para o baixo peso ao nascer?

The aim of this study was to assess the association between prenatal exposure to air pollutants and low birth weight in a medium-sized city. An ecological study was performed, using live birth data from São José dos Campos, São Paulo State, Brazil. The environmental data were obtained from the São Paul State Environmental Agency. The study included full-term newborns whose mothers were 20 to 34 years of age and had at least a complete high school education, seven or more prenatal visits, singleton pregnancy, and vaginal delivery, in order to minimize potential confounding from these variables. Logistic regression was used to estimate the effect of each pollutant. Low birth weight was defined as less than 2,500g. The sample included a total of 2,529 data from 2001 that met the inclusion criteria (25.6 percent of the total). We identified 99 newborns (3.95 percent of the sample) with low birth weight, and the pollutants sulfur dioxide and ozone were associated with low birth weight. The final model was À(x) = -1.79 + 1.30 (SO2) + 1.26 (O3). Thus, sulfur dioxide and ozone were identified as risk factors for low birth weight in a medium-sized city in Southeast Brazil.

O objetivo foi estimar o papel de poluentes no baixo peso ao nascer numa cidade de porte médio. Foi um estudo ecológico com dados obtidos da Declaração de Nascido Vivo relativos a São José dos Campos, São Paulo, Brasil. Os dados ambientais foram fornecidos pela Companhia de Tecnologia de Saneamento Ambiental (CETESB). Foram incluídos no estudo recém-nascidos a termo, com mães entre 20 e 34 anos de idade, segundo grau completo, sete ou mais consultas realizadas no pré-natal, gravidez única e parto normal, para minimizar o efeito de confusão destas variáveis. Utilizou-se regressão logística para estimar o efeito de cada poluente. Baixo peso ao nascer foi considerado aquele inferior a 2.500g. Foram incluídos 2.529 dados de 2001 que atenderam aos critérios de inclusão (25,6 por cento do total). Identificamos 99 recém-nascidos (3,95 por cento dessa amostra) com baixo peso e os poluentes dióxido de enxofre e ozônio como associados ao baixo peso ao nascer. O modelo final foi À(x) = -1,79 + 1,30 (SO2) + 1,26 (O3). Assim, identificou-se o dióxido de enxofre e ozônio como responsáveis pelo baixo peso ao nascer numa cidade de porte médio do Sudeste brasileiro.

Effect of ambient air sulphur dioxide on sulphate accumulation in plants.

Present study deals with the relationship between ambient air sulphurdioxide and sulphate content in leaf of selected tropical plant species, Ficus religiosa. The study reveals a positive correlation between ambient air sulphur dioxide and sulphate in the leaves. Two way ANOVA finds the obtained values to be highly significant (p < 0.001). Amount of sulphate in leaves shows positive correlation with sulphur dioxide in air (p < 0.001) during most part of the study A marked reduction of sulphate content in leaf was found during October when reduction in ambient air sulphur dioxide was recorded.

Aplicações do dióxido de enxofre na manutenção da qualidade de sucos de frutas tropicais / Use of sulphur dioxide for quality preservation of tropical fruit juices

A qualidade dos sucos de frutas tropicais é influenciada por fatores microbiológicos, enzimáticos e químicos, que podem comprometer suas características sensoriais, nutricionais e a saúde do consumidor. Para a conservação de sucos de frutas a legislação brasileira permite o uso do dióxido de enxofre como um aditivo alimentar. O presente trabalho apresenta uma revisão sobre o uso do dióxido de enxofre e seus respectivos sais na manutenção da qualidade de sucos de frutas tropicais industrializados, com ênfase em seu modo de ação e aspectos toxicológicos.

Effect of sulphur dioxide inhalation on serum Na and K+ ion concentration in albino rat.

A study was carried out to assess the effect of 60 ppm and 120 ppm exposure of sulphur dioxide gas for one hour daily for 2 and 4 week on serum sodium(Na+) and potassium (K+) ion concentration in albino rat, Rattus norvegicus (Berkenhout). The present findings reveal that serum sodium (Na+) ion concentration increased significantly after 4 week exposure to 120 ppm of sulphur dioxide, while serum potassium ion (K+) concentration decreased significantly after 4 week exposure to 120 ppm of sulphur dioxide.

A Study on the Isozymic Alterations of Lactic Dehydrogenase in the Tissues ofRats Following Sulfur Dioxide Exposure

Lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) isozyme pattens were examined in rats after exposing the animal to 250 ppm of sulfur dioxide gas. The isozymes of the respective tissues were separated on cellulose-acetate strips from the brain, lung, heart, liver, kidneys, and muscle, and visualized as the isozyme bands by the formazan reaction and analyzed by densitometry. As well as the above experiment, room-air and room-air+SO2 were aerated through tissue homoenates in-vitro, accompanied by pure oxygen aeration in order to see the in vitro effect of the gases on the LDH activity in the tissues mentioned with the following conclusions. (1) The H-type of LDH activity dominated in the normal heart tissue of rats, M-type in the normal lung, liver, and muscle tissues of the animal. (2) The kidney tissue of normal rats exhibited preponderance of LDH-1 and-5 isozymes, brain tissue in LDH-1 and-4 isozymes. (3) When rats inhaled sulfur dioxide gas in the concentration of 250 ppm, it appeared that the M-type tended to predominate in the anaerobic tissues and the H-type in the aerobic tissue. (4) The degree of oxygen tension seemed to be correlated with the low level of LDH activity in the anaerobic tissues such as liver and muscle and with the increased activity in the aerobic tissues, such as heart and lung. (5) The low oxygen tension seems to favor syn-thesis of M-type LDH and high oxygen tesnion H-type LDH in the tissues of rats.