ABSTRACT
Viral metagenomics has contributed enormously to the characterization of a wide range of viruses infecting animals of all phyla in the last decades. Among Neotropical primates, especially those introduced, knowledge about viral diversity remains poorly studied. Therefore, using metagenomics based on virus enrichment, we explored the viral microbiota present in the feces of introduced common marmosets (Callithrix sp.) in three locations from the Silva Jardim region in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Fecal samples were collected from nine marmosets, pooled into three sample pools, and sequenced on Illumina MiSeq platform. Sequence reads were analyzed using a viral metagenomic analysis pipeline and two novel insect viruses belonging to the Parvoviridae and Baculoviridae families were identified. The complete genome of a densovirus (Parvoviridae family) of 5,309 nucleotides (nt) was obtained. The NS1 and VP1 proteins share lower than 32% sequence identity with the corresponding proteins of known members of the subfamily Densovirinae. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that this virus represents a new genus, provisionally named Afoambidensovirus due to its discovery in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. The novel species received the name Afoambidensovirus incertum 1. The complete circular genome of a baculovirus of 107,191 nt was also obtained, showing 60.8% sequence identity with the most closely related member of the Baculoviridae family. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that this virus represents a new species in the Betabaculovirus genus, provisionally named Betabaculovirus incertum 1. In addition, sequences from several families of arthropods in the three pools evaluated were characterized (contigs ranging from 244 to 6,750 nt), corroborating the presence of possible insect hosts with which these new viruses may be associated. Our study expands the knowledge about two viral families known to infect insects, an important component of the marmosets' diet. This identification in hosts' feces samples demonstrates one of the many uses of this type of data and could serve as a basis for future research characterizing viruses in wildlife using noninvasive samples.
Subject(s)
Callithrix , Viruses , Animals , Callithrix/genetics , Brazil , Phylogeny , Virome , Metagenomics , Viruses/genetics , Diet , Genome, ViralABSTRACT
Salmonella spp. are known to persist in the environment. Wild animals are believed to act as important reservoirs, with antimicrobial resistance frequently occurring in the environment. However, little is known about the role of the wildlife in Bahia as a reservoir for Salmonella in Brazil. This study aimed to isolate and characterize Salmonella spp. from wildlife in the Atlantic Forest and Caatinga biomes considering indicators such as the animal species, degree of anthropization, sampling area, and feeding habits. Convenience wildlife sampling and characterization were conducted, followed by microbiological and molecular identification of Salmonella isolates, serotyping, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. A total of 674 fecal samples were collected from 12 municipalities during 2015-2021, and 4 were positive for the following Salmonella species: Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serovar Agona (n = 1), Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serogroup O:16 (n = 2), and Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Muenchen (n = 1). Antimicrobial susceptibility analysis revealed that one isolate was resistant to six antibiotics, including extended-spectrum penicillins and beta-lactamase inhibitors. These results indicated a low frequency of Salmonella spp. in the sampled forest fragments. The presence of Salmonella in wild animals increases the risk to public health and biodiversity and indicates that they can act as sentinels of environmental contamination or indicators of preservation.
ABSTRACT
Amblyomma varium is a neotropical tick popularly known as the sloth's giant tick, during the adult stage is found almost exclusively on mammals of the Bradypodidae and Megalonychidae families of the superorder Xenarthra. The maned sloth (Bradypus torquatus) is the only sloth species in danger of extinction in Brazil. This species is arboreal and descends to the ground only to perform defecation behavior. This behavior can be the determining factor for infestation and infection by different parasitic agents, including A. varium. This study reported the occurrence of A. varium found parasitizing free-living maned sloths (B. torquatus) in the Atlantic Forest biome of Northeast and Southeast Brazil. A total of 36 individuals were evaluated and more than 50% of the individuals were parasitized by ticks of the species A. varium. This study confirmed the importance of B. torquatus as a host for adults and nymphs of A. varium and reported the variation in length of the spurs on coxa IV of A. varium males.
O Amblyomma varium é um carrapato neotropical popularmente conhecido como carrapato gigante da preguiça, durante a fase adulta é encontrado quase que exclusivamente em mamíferos das famílias Bradypodidae e Megalonychidae da superordem Xenarthra. A preguiça-de-coleira (Bradypus torquatus) é a única espécie de preguiça ameaçada de extinção no Brasil. Esta espécie é arbórea e desce ao solo apenas para realizar comportamentos de defecação. Esse comportamento pode ser o fator determinante para infestação e infecção por diferentes agentes parasitários, incluindo A. varium. Este estudo relatou a ocorrência de A. varium encontrado parasitando preguiças-de-coleira (B. torquatus) de vida livre no bioma Mata Atlântica do Nordeste e Sudeste do Brasil. Foram avaliados 36 indivíduos e mais de 50% dos indivíduos estavam parasitados por carrapatos da espécie A. varium. Este estudo confirmou a importância de B. torquatus como hospedeiro para adultos e ninfas de A. varium e relatou a variação no comprimento dos espinhos da coxa IV de machos de A. varium.
ABSTRACT
RESUMO Após um acidente vascular encefálico (AVE), 75% das pessoas tem o membro superior acometido, permanecendo com sequelas nessa extremidade. Resultados de ensaios clínicos recentes são contraditórios quanto à eficácia da terapia de realidade virtual (RV) na reabilitação da coordenação motora dos membros superiores dessa população. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar uma revisão sistemática da literatura, com meta-análise, a fim de investigar os efeitos do treinamento com RV na coordenação motora dos membros superiores em pacientes pós-AVE. Para isso, foram feitas buscas nas bases de dados PubMed, LILACS, SciELO, PEDro e buscas manuais. Esse processo foi realizado por dois avaliadores independentes, e a qualidade metodológica dos estudos foi avaliada pela escala PEDro. Foram selecionados 18 estudos, sendo que apenas 13 foram incluídos na meta-análise. De forma geral, o treino de RV se mostrou eficaz na melhora da coordenação motora dos membros superiores da população (SMD 0,32; IC95% 0,08 a 0,56; I2=42%; p<0,01). Após uma análise de subgrupos, o treino de RV demonstrou ser superior quando comparado a nenhuma intervenção (SMD 0,36; IC95% 0,06 a 0,66; p<0,05). No entanto, quando comparado a outras intervenções, não houve diferença significativa (SMD 0,26; IC95% −0,12 a 0,64; p=0,18). De forma geral, o treino de RV é eficaz na melhora da coordenação motora dos membros superiores de indivíduos pós-AVE em comparação a nenhuma intervenção. No entanto, não é superior quando comparado a outros tipos de intervenção utilizados na reabilitação da coordenação motora dos membros superiores dos pacientes.
RESUMEN El 75% de las personas que son acometidas por un accidente cerebrovascular (ACV) presentan secuelas en el miembro superior acometido. Los resultados de ensayos clínicos recientes son contradictorios con respecto a la efectividad de la terapia de realidad virtual (RV) en la rehabilitación de la coordinación motora de los miembros superiores en esta población. Por lo tanto, el objetivo de este trabajo fue realizar una revisión sistemática de la literatura, con metaanálisis, para investigar los efectos del entrenamiento con RV en la coordinación motora de los miembros superiores en pacientes post-ACV. Para ello, se realizaron búsquedas en las bases de datos PubMed, LILACS, SciELO, PEDro y búsquedas manuales. Este proceso fue realizado por dos evaluadores independientes, y la calidad metodológica de los estudios se evaluó mediante la escala PEDro. Se seleccionaron 18 estudios, de los cuales solo 13 se incluyeron en el metaanálisis. En general, el entrenamiento con RV demostró ser efectivo para mejorar la coordinación motora de los miembros superiores de la población (SMD 0,32; IC95% 0,08 a 0,56; I2=42%; p<0,01). Después de un análisis de subgrupos, el entrenamiento de RV fue superior cuando no estuvo comparado con otras intervenciones (SMD 0,36; IC95% 0,06 a 0,66; p<0,05). Sin embargo, no hubo diferencias significativas en la comparación con otras intervenciones (SMD 0,26; IC95% −0,12 a 0,64; p=0,18). En general, el entrenamiento con RV es eficaz para mejorar la coordinación motora de los miembros superiores en personas post-ACV cuando esta intervención no estuvo comparada con otras. Sin embargo, no es superior en comparación con otros tipos de intervención que se aplican en la rehabilitación de la coordinación motora de los miembros superiores de los pacientes.
ABSTRACT After a stroke, 75% of people are affected in their upper limbs, remaining with sequelae at these limbs. Results from recent clinical trials have been contradictory regarding the effectiveness of Virtual Reality (VR) therapy in rehabilitating upper limb motor coordination in this population. This study aimed to perform a systematic literature review with meta-analysis to investigate the effects of VR training on upper limb motor coordination in patients post-stroke. Searches were performed in the electronic databases PubMed, LILACS, SciELO, PEDro, in addition to manual searches. The whole process was performed by two independent raters. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed by the PEDro scale. In total, we selected 18 studies, out of which only 13 were included in the meta-analysis. In general, VR training was effective in improving upper limb motor coordination (SMD 0.32; 95% CI 0.08-0.56; I2=42%; p<0.01). When subgroup analysis assessed control group type, VR training was superior than no intervention (SMD 0.36; 95% CI: 0.06-0.66; p<0.05). However, when compared to other interventions, we found no significant difference (SMD 0.26; 95% CI: −0.12-0.64; p=0.18). Overall, VR training is effective in improving upper limb motor coordination in post-stroke individuals compared to no intervention. However, it shows no superiority when compared to other types of intervention used in the rehabilitation of upper limb motor coordination in these patients.
ABSTRACT
The use of Y-chromosomal genetic markers in forensic investigations demands the establishment of reliable and representative DNA databases of different reference populations. The genetic characterization of the Y chromosome variation in human populations requires the analyses of haplotype frequencies allied to haplogroup determination. The present study aimed to contribute to the Brazilian database by providing 1,382 Yfiler Plus individual profiles, from 11 Brazilian states. The Yfiler Plus markers showed high haplotype diversities in all Brazilian populations (>0.9970), allowing high intra-population discrimination in forensic investigations. Pairwise genetic distances showed a homogeneity between Brazilian populations (FST ≤ 0.0043; non-differentiation p-values ≥ 0.0212), indicating that admixed populations from Brazil can be represented in a single Yfiler Plus haplotype database, for forensic purposes. The performance of Haplogroup Predictor and NevGen software in haplogroup prediction based on Yfiler Plus and Yfiler haplotypes was evaluated in a subset of 416 Brazilian samples that were also genotyped for 51 Y-SNPs. In 25% of the samples, no classification or errors were found for at least one of the prediction tools or marker sets. NevGen presented lower error rates (5.52% and 8.65% with Yfiler Plus and Yfiler, respectively) than Haplogroup Predictor (16.11% with Yfiler Plus and 13.70% with Yfiler). In conclusion, both haplogroup prediction tools can be useful to direct the SNP typing, but present large error rates to be used in forensic analysis, especially in predicting African haplogroups in admixed South American populations.
Subject(s)
Chromosomes, Human, Y , DNA Fingerprinting , Haplotypes , Microsatellite Repeats , Software , Brazil , Gene Frequency , Genetics, Population , Humans , MaleSubject(s)
Genetics, Population , Microsatellite Repeats , Female , Haplotypes , Humans , Male , SpainABSTRACT
The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of broiler breeders' age and yeast wall (YW) levels on broilers' performance and macrophage activitys. The experiment consisted in a completely randomized design and a 2 X 5 factorial arrangement and two controls of two broiler breeders age (34 and 57 weeks of age) and five YW levels (zero, one, two, three or four kg of YW/ton of diet). They received sorghum diet compared to a control corn/soybean meal diet. The age of the broiler breeders influenced the performance, but did not affect macrophage activity. At 34 weeks age broiler breeders' progeny, all diets were similar considering the average weight. For 57 weeks age broiler breeders' progeny, at 21 days, only average weight of sorghum diet supplemented with 4 kg/ton was similar to corn diet results. The optimum level of YW for maximal macrophage activity was 2.06 kg/ton of meal.
ABSTRACT
Um experimento foi conduzido para avaliar o efeito de níveis crescentes de parede de levedura e idade das matrizes reprodutoras sobre o peso dos órgãos linfóides, a resposta imune celular e o perfil hematológico de frangos de corte. Foram utilizados 3.360 pintos de corte da linhagem Cobb, distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualisado, em esquema fatorial 2x5, mais dois controles, sendo duas idades de matrizes (34 e 57 semanas de idade) e cinco níveis de suplementação de parede de levedura (zero, um, dois, três e quatro kg de parede de levedura/tonelada de ração). A idade das matrizes influenciou a resposta de todas as variáveis. A inclusão de 3kg de parede de levedura/tonelada de ração promoveu, na progênie de reprodutoras de 57 semanas, reação inflamatória mais intensa quando comparada a dieta controle, no entanto não houve aumento significativo no número de heterófilos e linfócitos circulantes. Conclui-se que a utilização da parede de levedura associada ao sorgo ou não em rações de frangos de corte ainda necessita de estudos complementares, que incluam, por exemplo, os componentes purificados da parede de levedura (MOS e ß-glucano).
An experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect increasing levels of yeast wall and broiler breeders' age levels on lymphoid organs weight, cellular immune response and hematological parameters in broilers. A total of 3,360 Cobb broilers were allotted, in a completely randomized design and a 2x5 factorial arrangement, and two controls, compound of two broiler breeders age (34 and 57 weeks of age) and five yeast wall levels (zero, one, two, three and four kg of yeast wall/ton of diet). Broiler breeders' age affected all studied variables. The inclusion of 3kg of yeast wall/ton of meal increased, at 57 weeks age broiler breeders, more intense inflammatory reaction when compared to control diet; however the circulated heterophils and lymphocytes numbers were not increased. In conclusion, the use of yeast wall, associated or not to sorghum on broilers diet still needs complementary studies, for example, purified components of yeast wall (MOS and ß-glucano).
