Ethnobotanical knowledge on non-conventional food plants and medicinal plants in Extractivist Reserve in the Brazilian Amazon / Conocimiento etnobotánico sobre plantas alimenticias no convencionales y plantas medicinales en una Reserva Extractivista en la Amazonía Brasileña

Information on the knowledge and ways of using food and medicinal plants by traditional populations, family farmers and Brazilian native population in the Amazon is essential to guarantee the food sovereignty of these groups. This study was conducted using semi-structured interviews applied to local respondents. A total of 269 species of both non-conventional food plants and medicinal plants were identified, distributed in 83 botanical families and 198 genera. The Arecaceae and Lamiaceae families had the highest species richness (11 and 7, respectively). The Shannon-Wiener (H') and Pielou (J') diversity indices were considered high (5.02 and 0.9, respectively) when compared to other ethnobotanical works. In the environment in which these families are found, these species become the only food and medicinal resources available.

La información sobre los saberes y formas de uso de las plantas alimenticias y medicinales por parte de las poblaciones tradicionales, agricultores familiares e indígenas brasileños en la Amazonía es fundamental para garantizar la soberanía alimentaria de estos grupos. Este estudio se realizó utilizando entrevistas semiestructuradas aplicadas a encuestados locales. Se identificaron un total de 269 especies tanto de plantas alimenticiasno convencionales como de plantas medicinales, distribuidas en 83 familias botánicas y 198 géneros. Las familias Arecaceae y Lamiaceae tuvieron la mayor riqueza de especies (11 y 7, respectivamente). Los índices de diversidad de Shannon-Wiener (H') y Pielou (J') fueron considerados altos (5,02 y 0,9, respectivamente) en comparación con otros trabajos etnobotánicos. En el ambiente en que se encuentran estas familias, estas especies se convierten en los únicos recursos alimenticios y medicinales disponibles.

Discurso de Giovana Cruz Mandulão na oficina do Projeto BVS Saúde Indígena 2024

Durante a Oficina do Projeto BVS Saúde Indígena (TA4/TC93), realizada pela BIREME/OPAS/OMS com SESAI/MS no Dia Nacional dos Povos Indígenas, Giovana Cruz Mandulão, Coordenadora-Geral de Gestão do Conhecimento, da Informação, da Avaliação e do Monitoramento da Secretaria de Saúde Indígena, realiza intervenção em homenagem e defesa dos povos indígenas do Brasil.

Brasil reúne 26 países em defesa de regulação dos substitutivos do leite materno

Ministério da Saúde brasileiro lidera iniciativa de regulamentar a comercialização digital dos produtos, buscando incorporação internacional. Durante a programação da 77ª Assembleia Mundial da Saúde, o Brasil fez uma declaração conjunta em nome de 27 países, defendendo uma resolução para regulamentar a comercialização digital de substitutivos do leite materno e sua incorporação no Código Internacional. “É poderosa a influência da comercialização de substitutivos do leite materno como uma barreira à amamentação. Estamos enfrentando um desafio emergente”, disse o secretário Carlos Gadelha, representante brasileiro no evento da Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS).

Dia Mundial da Doação de Leite Humano: campanha busca ampliar recém-nascidos beneficiados no Brasil

Dados consolidados de 2023 mostram que o Ministério da Saúde registrou a doação de 253 mil litros de leite humano a partir da ação de 198 mil mulheres. Com isso, 225,7 mil recém-nascidos foram diretamente beneficiados.

Congresso sobre bancos de leite reúne mais de 200 profissionais em Angola

Mais de 200 profissionais de saúde de 15 diferentes estados de Angola participaram do Congresso de Bancos de Leite Humano da Comunidade dos Países de Língua Portuguesa (CPLP), em Luanda, no país africano. O evento, teve como tema "Segurança alimentar e nutricional para recém-nascidos de risco e lactentes" e foi uma iniciativa conjunta dos governos do Brasil e de Angola, em colaboração com a direção da comunidade.

Ministério da Saúde lança campanha anual de doação de leite humano

Em 2023, o Ministério da Saúde registrou a doação de 253 mil litros de leite humano a partir da ação de 198 mil mulheres. Com isso, 225.762 recém-nascidos foram diretamente beneficiados. O número é 8% maior do que o registrado em 2022 e representa 55% da real necessidade por leite humano no Brasil. Com o objetivo de ampliar ainda mais esse quantitativo, a pasta lançou, nesta segunda-feira (6), a campanha ‘Doe leite materno: vida em cada gota recebida’. A meta para 2024 é ampliar mais 5% a oferta de leite materno a recém-nascidos internados nas unidades neonatais do país.

Contaminação ambiental de uma agroindústria familiar de queijo colonial no sudoeste paranaense / Environmental contamination of a family colonial cheese agroindustry in the southwest of Parana

As falhas na higienização em um estabelecimento de alimentos podem refletir em problemas causando a contaminação ou deterioração do produto produzido. Esta pesquisa foi motivada por reclamações de consumidores informando que os queijos apresentaram fungos, mesmo estando dentro do prazo de validade e por solicitação do Serviço de Inspeção Municipal. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar a contaminação ambiental em uma agroindústria da agricultura familiar produtora de queijo colonial no Sudoeste Paranaense. Foram realizadas a contagem para aeróbios mesófilos em equipamentos e superfícies que entram em contato com o alimento e análise microbiológica ambiental de bolores e leveduras na sala de secagem dos queijos. A coleta foi realizada com método de esfregaço de suabe estéril para aeróbios mesófilos e semeadas em placas de Petri com Ágar Padrão de Contagem. Para a coleta ambiental foram expostas placas de Petri com ágar Saboraund durante 15 minutos. Os resultados demonstraram ausência de contaminação nas superfícies, mas foram encontrados bolores e leveduras de forma acentuada na sala de secagem dos queijos, o que pode contribuir para a deterioração do produto, diminuindo sua validade. Para minimizar as perdas por contaminação é necessário que o processo de higienização dos ambientes seja realizado de forma eficiente.

Failures in hygiene in a food establishment can result in problems causing contamination or deterioration of the product produced. This research was motivated by complaints from consumers reporting that the cheeses had mold, even though they were within their expiration date and at the request of the Municipal Inspection Service. This research was to evaluate environmental contamination in an agroindustry in the family farm producing colonial cheese in Southwest Paraná. For the microbiological assessment of environmental contamination, counting for mesophilic aerobes was carried out on equipment and surfaces that come into contact with food and, environmental microbiological analysis of molds and yeast in the cheese drying room. The collection was carried out using the sterile swab smear for mesophilic aerobes and seeded in Petri dishes with Counting Standard Agar. For environmental collection, sheets of Petri with Saboraund agar for 15 minutes. The results demonstrated absence of contamination on surfaces. But the presence of molds and yeasts in the drying room cheeses, which can contribute to the deterioration of the product and thus reduce the validity. To minimize losses due to contamination, it is It is necessary that the process of cleaning and disinfecting environments is carried out efficiently.

Higienização de ambiente em agroindústria familiar de embutidos cárneos / Environmental hygienization in family meat product

A higienização é um procedimento importante na indústria de alimentos e sua realização deve ocorrer rotineiramente para evitar que os alimentos sejam contaminados. Além disso, todos os manipuladores de alimentos devem receber treinamentos de modo a entender como ocorrem as contaminações e como evitá-las, para que não ocorra deterioração antecipada dos alimentos e para que não exponham os consumidores ao risco de doenças transmitidas por alimentos em caso de contaminação. Esta pesquisa avaliou o processo de higienização e sua eficiência em superfícies presentes em uma agroindústria da agricultura familiar produtora de embutidos cárneos. Apesar de ter instalações adequadas a agroindústria apresentava inadequações quanto aos produtos utilizados e a frequência inadequada para uma higienização eficiente. Foi realizada análise microbiológica das superfícies dos equipamentos para contagem de aeróbios mesófilos e notou-se uma elevada carga microbiana que indicou uma baixa eficiência no processo de higienização. Sugeriu-se melhorias na higiene ambiental associado à instrução dos colaboradores, para contribuir na promoção da qualidade dos produtos, aumento dos lucros e salvaguardando a saúde do consumidor.

Hygiene is an important procedure in the food industry, and its performance must occur routinely to prevent food from being contaminated. In addition, all food handlers must receive training in order to understand how contamination occurs and how to avoid it, so that there is no anticipated deterioration of food and that consumers are not exposed to the risk of foodborne diseases. in case of contamination by pathogenic microorganisms. Thus, this research evaluated the cleaning process and its efficiency on surfaces present in a family farming agroindustry that produces meat products, which despite having adequate facilities, had some difficulties such as product use and inadequate frequency for eficiente cleaning. After performing a microbiological analysis to count surface mesophilic aerobes, a high level of contamination was noted, relating to low efficiency in the cleaning process. Improvements in environmental hygiene are suggested, associated with the instruction of employees for the implementation of the Standard Operating Hygiene Procedure, promoting improvements in product quality, increasing profits and safeguarding consumer health.

Avaliação das boas práticas de fabricação e da contaminação de preparações cárneas de restaurantes institucionais e comerciais na cidade de Americana, SP / Evaluation of good manufacturing practices and contamination in meat preparations from institutional and commercial restaurants in the city of Americana/SP

Diante do ritmo acelerado da vida contemporânea, observa-se um aumento na tendência dos indivíduos em optar por realizar suas refeições fora de casa. A carne, reconhecida como um componente essencial na alimentação dos brasileiros, está suscetível à contaminação pois apresenta ambiente favorável à proliferação de microrganismos patogênicos. Fazendo-se necessária uma análise de contaminação pós-produção afim de evitar Doenças Transmitidas por Alimentos. No presente estudo objetivouse avaliar as boas práticas de fabricação e contaminação de preparações de carne bovina assada, de restaurantes particulares e institucionalizados no município de Americana-SP. Amostras de carne prontas para o consumo foram obtidas de seis estabelecimentos comerciais e seis institucionais. Durante a coleta, foram verificadas as temperaturas e realizadas análises de conformidades com a RDC n° 275, de 2002. As amostras foram examinadas para detectar a presença ou ausência de E. coli e coliformes termotolerantes a 45° C. Para a análise foi realizada a técnica de tubos múltiplos para quantificar a totalidade dos coliformes. Observou-se que, conforme estipulado pela Resolução n°43 de 2015, nenhuma das amostras oriundas de restaurantes comerciais, e a maioria das provenientes de restaurantes institucionais, atingiram as temperaturas requeridas. No que concerne à identificação de E. coli através de testes microbiológicos, foi constatado que seis amostras de restaurantes comerciais e quatro de restaurantes institucionais testaram positivo para a presença deste microrganismo. Conclui-se que as amostras de restaurantes comerciais apresentaram níveis de contaminação superiores em comparação com as amostras de restaurantes institucionais.

Given the fast-paced rhythm of contemporary life, there is an increase in individuals choosing to have their meals outside the home. Meat, recognized as an essential component in the Brazilian diet, is susceptible to contamination as it provides a favorable environment for the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms. It is necessary to conduct post-production contamination analysis to prevent Foodborne Diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the good manufacturing practices and contamination of roasted beef preparations from private and institutional restaurants in the city of Americana-SP. Samples of ready-to-eat meat were obtained from six commercial establishments and six institutional ones. During collection, temperatures were checked, and conformity analyses were conducted according to RDC No. 275, 2002. The samples were examined for the presence or absence of E. coli and thermotolerant coliforms at 45°C using the multiple tube technique to quantify the total coliforms. It was observed that, as stipulated by Resolution No. 43, 2015, none of the samples from commercial restaurants and the majority from institutional restaurants reached the required temperatures. Regarding the identification of E. coli through microbiological tests, it was found that six samples from commercial restaurants and four from institutional ones tested positive for the presence of this microorganism. It is concluded that samples from commercial restaurants showed higher contamination levels compared to institutional restaurant samples.

Labor of a free-living buffy-tufted marmoset (Callithrix aurita) at a Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in southeastern Brazil.

Callithrix aurita is an endangered small primate endemic to the Atlantic Forest. The present work reports the labor of a free-living C. aurita, through observation of its length and offspring viability. A conservative treatment was used to maintain fetal viability, in view of the species conservation importance.

Schistosoma mansoni infection in residents of a riverside community in Eastern Amazon.

Schistosoma mansoni worms cause a waterborne parasitic disease called schistosomiasis. It commonly affects individuals in lack of sanitation structure. In Brazil, Pará state has Belém as one of the worst sanitation-ranking places in 2023, where schistosomiasis transmission was already documented. This study reports the occurrence of schistosomiasis in residents of Ilha das Onças, an island next to Belém. Stool samples were obtained from participants over 2 years old, all residents from Furo do Rio Grande, one of the rivers on the island. The Kato-Katz technique was performed for parasite investigation in the stool samples. Each participant responded to a sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire. The residences were georeferenced for map designing. Three out of 263 participants were S. mansoni positive, all men, ages ranging from 19 to 41 years old, with low parasitic load. Malacological surveys were carried out, but no Biomphalaria snails were found. Risk factors for schistosomiasis establishment are present on the island, and the lack of sanitation makes it a potential risk area. Malacological surveys are highly encouraged as preventive measures, as well as health surveillance for riverside populations, generating data that will help health authorities in the management and planning of preventive control actions.

Mini-Open Dumps in the Paraná River Floodplain: Local Problems with Global Effects.

The growing production of urban solid waste is a structural problem faced by most cities around the world. The proliferation of mini-open dumps (MOD; small spontaneous open-air waste dumps formed in urban and peri-urban areas) on the banks of the Paraná River is particularly evident. During the historical drought (June-December 2021), we carried out sampling campaigns identifying MODs of the Santa Fe River, a secondary channel of the Paraná River. MOD were geolocated, measured, described and classified by origin. The distance to the river and other sensitive places was considered (houses-schools-health facilities). Our results suggested a serious environmental issue associated with poor waste management. MOD were extremely abundant in the study area, being mostly composed of domestic litter. Plastics clearly dominated the MOD composition. Burning was frequently observed as a method to reduce the volume of MOD. We concluded that the proliferation of MOD is a multi-causal problem associated with a failure of public policies and a lack of environmental education.

Quality of Arabica coffee grown in Brazilian Savannah and impact of potassium sources.

Located in Brazil's Central Plateau, the Cerrado Savannah is an emerging coffee-growing region with significant potential for the national coffee market. This study investigated the impact of potassium fertilization on Arabica coffee quality in the Cerrado, using three potassium sources (K2SO4, KCl, and KNO3) and five cultivars (Arara, Aranãs, IPR103, Catiguá and Topázio) across two consecutive harvests. We focused on productivity, granulometry, chemical composition, and sensory characteristics. No significant difference in productivity across the cultivars studied or potassium sources as isolated factors were observed. Regarding chemical parameters, potassium sources only affected NO3- and SO42- levels in the grains. Cultivar-specific differences were noted in caffeine (CAF), citric acid (CA), and sucrose (SUC), highlighting a strong genetic influence. K2SO4 improved productivity in Arara (15 %) and IPR103 (11 %), while KNO3 reduced flat grain percentage to 70 % in Catiguá. Sensory evaluation showed that all potassium sources and cultivars produced specialty coffees, with the Arara cultivar treated with K2SO4 achieving the highest SCA score (83.3) while IPR 103 treated with KCl scored the lowest at 78. Only three treatments were below but very close to the threshold (80). Multivariate analysis indicated a trend where specific treatments correlated with higher productivity and quality. Despite the subtle differences in productivity and quality among potassium sources, a cost-benefit analysis may favor KCl due to its affordability, suggesting its viability as a potassium fertilization option in coffee cultivation. Future research is needed to confirm these trends and optimize potassium source selection to enhance coffee quality in the Cerrado.

Operational indicators for pulmonary tuberculosis diagnosis in people living with HIV before and after Xpert MTB/RIF implementation in the state of São Paulo, Brazil.

Tuberculosis (TB) in people living with HIV (PLHIV) is usually paucibacillary and the smear microscopy has limitations and may lead to high proportions of non-confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis (NC-PTB). Despite culture being the reference method, it usually takes 6 to 8 weeks to produce the results. This study aimed to analyze the effect of a rapid molecular test (Xpert) in the confirmatory rate of PTB among PLHIV, from 2010 to 2020, in São Paulo state, Brazil. This is an ecological study with time series analysis of the trend and the NC-PTB rates before and after Xpert implementation in 21 municipalities. The use of Xpert started and gradually increased after 2014, while the rate of NC-PTB in PLHIV decreased over this time, being more significant between late 2015 and mid-2017. The city of Ribeirão Preto stands out for having the highest percentage (75.0%) of Xpert testing among PLHIV and for showing two reductions in the NC-PTB rate. The cities with low Xpert coverage had a slower and smaller decrease in the NC-PTB rate. Despite being available since 2014, a significant proportion of PLHIV suspected of PTB in the state of São Paulo did not have an Xpert ordered by the doctors. The implementation of Xpert reduced the NC-PTB rates with growing effect as the coverage increased in the municipality.

Complete genome sequence of Bacillus velezensis strain Ag109, a biocontrol agent against plant-parasitic nematodes and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum.

Soybean is the main oilseed cultivated worldwide. Even though Brazil is the world's largest producer and exporter of soybean, its production is severely limited by biotic factors. Soil borne diseases are the most damaging biotic stressors since they significantly reduce yield and are challenging to manage. In this context, the present study aimed to evaluate the potential of a bacterial strain (Ag109) as a biocontrol agent for different soil pathogens (nematodes and fungi) of soybean. In addition, the genome of Ag109 was wholly sequenced and genes related to secondary metabolite production and plant growth promotion were mined. Ag109 showed nematode control in soybean and controlled 69 and 45% of the populations of Meloidogyne javanica and Pratylenchus brachyurus, respectively. Regarding antifungal activity, these strains showed activity against Macrophomia phaseolina, Rhizoctonia solani, and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. For S. sclerotiorum, this strain increased the number of healthy plants and root dry mass compared to the control (with inoculation). Based on the average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization, this strain was identified as Bacillus velezensis. Diverse clusters of specific genes related to secondary metabolite biosynthesis and root growth promotion were identified, highlighting the potential of this strain to be used as a multifunctional microbial inoculant that acts as a biological control agent while promoting plant growth in soybean.

Padrão temporal, distribuição espacial e fatores associados a incidência de HIV/AIDS entre jovens no Brasil / Temporal pattern, spatial distribution, and factors associated with the incidence of HIV/AIDS among young people in Brazil / Patrón temporal, distribución espacial y factores asociados a la incidencia de la infección por el VIH/sida en jóvenes en Brasil

[RESUMO]. Objetivo. Descrever o padrão temporal e espacial e identificar os fatores associados a incidência de HIV/ AIDS entre jovens no Brasil. Método. Estudo ecológico que incluiu jovens brasileiros de 15 a 24 anos notificados com HIV/AIDS de 2001 a 2021. Utilizou-se o método joinpoint para a análise temporal. Aglomerados espaciais foram detectados pelos métodos Bayesiano, autocorrelação espacial, Getis-Ord Gi* e Varredura Scan. Quatro modelos de regressão não espacial e espacial foram usados para identificar fatores associados ao desfecho. Todas as análises estatísticas consideraram p < 0,05. Resultados. No Brasil, a incidência média foi de 12,29 por 100 000 habitantes, com aumento de 7,3% ao ano no período 2007-2014 e posterior decréscimo de 3,4% em 2014-2021. Observou-se padrão Alto/Alto e hots- pots, principalmente em municípios do Sul, Sudeste, Centro-Oeste e Norte. O cluster primário localizou-se em 572 municípios do Rio Grande do Sul e Santa Catarina e os maiores riscos relativos em Manaus (Amazonas) e Rondonópolis (Mato Grosso). A taxa de analfabetismo (β = -0,08), Índice de GINI (β = -3,74) e Cobertura da Estratégia de Saúde da Família (β = -0,70) apresentaram relação negativa com o desfecho. Em contrapar- tida, o Índice Firjan de Desenvolvimento Municipal (β = 2,37), o Índice de Vulnerabilidade Social (β = 6,30), o percentual de pessoas que recebem o Bolsa Família (β = 0,04) e renda per capita (β = 0,008) apresentaram associação positiva. Conclusão. Houve tendência de aumento da incidência de HIV/AIDS até 2014 com posterior declínio até 2021. Aglomerados de altas taxas concentraram-se, especialmente, em municípios das regiões Norte, Sul, Sudeste e Centro-Oeste. Indicadores de vulnerabilidade socioeconômica influenciam o desfecho positiva- mente ou negativamente, dependendo do território investigado.

[ABSTRACT]. Objective. To describe temporal and spatial patterns and identify the factors associated with the incidence of HIV/AIDS among young people in Brazil. Method. Ecological study of young Brazilians aged 15-24 years with reported HIV/AIDS, from 2001 to 2021. The Joinpoint method was used for the temporal analysis. Spatial clusters were detected using Bayesian methods, spatial autocorrelation, Getis-Ord Gi*, and scan techniques. Four non-spatial and spatial regression models were used to identify factors associated with the result. All statistical analyses considered p < 0.05. Results. In Brazil, the average incidence was 12.29 per 100 000 inhabitants, with an annual increase of 7.3% in the period 2007-2014 and a subsequent 3.4% decrease in 2014-2021. A high-high pattern and hotspots were observed, mainly in municipalities in the South, Southeast, Central-West, and North regions. The primary cluster was located in 572 municipalities in Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina, with the highest relative risks in Manaus (Amazonas) and Rondonópolis (Mato Grosso). The illiteracy rate (β = -0.08), GINI Index (β = -3.74) and Family Health Strategy coverage (β = -0.70) were negatively associated with the result. In contrast, the Firjan Municipal Development Index (β = 2.37), Social Vulnerability Index (β = 6.30), percentage of Bolsa Família recipients (β = 0.04), and per capita income (β = 0.008) showed a positive association. Conclusion. There was an upward trend in the incidence of HIV/AIDS until 2014, followed by a decline until 2021. High-rate clusters were concentrated in municipalities in the North, South, Southeast and Central-West regions in particular. Indicators of socioeconomic vulnerability had positive or negative effects on the result, depending on the territory investigated.

[RESUMEN]. Objetivo. Describir el patrón temporal y espacial, y determinar los factores asociados a la incidencia de infec- ción por el VIH/sida en jóvenes en Brasil. Método. Estudio ecológico en jóvenes brasileños de 15 a 24 años con diagnóstico de infección por el VIH/ sida en el período 2001-2021. Para el análisis temporal se utilizó el método de regresión de puntos de infle- xión (joinpoint). Los conglomerados espaciales se detectaron con métodos Bayesianos y de autocorrelación espacial, Gi* de Getis-Ord y escaneo. Se utilizaron cuatro modelos de regresión espacial y no espacial para detectar los factores asociados al resultado. En todos los análisis estadísticos se estableció un valor de p < 0,05 como umbral de significación. Resultados. En Brasil, la incidencia media fue de 12,29 por 100 000 habitantes, con un aumento del 7,3% anual en el período 2007-2014 y una reducción posterior del 3,4% en el período 2014-2021. Se observó un patrón alto/alto y la presencia de puntos calientes, principalmente en municipios del Sur, Sudeste, Centro- Oeste y Norte. El principal conglomerado se localizó en 572 municipios de Rio Grande do Sul y Santa Catarina, y los riesgos relativos más altos se observaron en Manaus (Amazonas) y Rondonópolis (Mato Grosso). La tasa de analfabetismo (β = -0,08), el índice de Gini (β = -3,74) y la cobertura de la estrategia de salud familiar (β = -0,70) mostraron una asociación negativa con el resultado. En cambio, el índice de Firjan de desarrollo muni- cipal (β = 2,37), el índice de vulnerabilidad social (β = 6,30), el porcentaje de personas que reciben ayuda del programa de bienestar social Bolsa Família (β = 0,04) y los ingresos per cápita (β = 0,008) mostraron una asociación positiva. Conclusión. Hubo una tendencia al aumento de la incidencia de infección por el VIH/sida hasta el 2014, con una reducción posterior hasta el 2021. Los conglomerados de tasas elevadas se concentraron especialmente en los municipios de las regiones Norte, Sur, Sudeste y Centro-Oeste. Los indicadores de vulnerabilidad socioeconómica tienen una influencia positiva o negativa en el resultado, según el territorio investigado.

Occurrence, genetic characterization, and antibiotic susceptibility of Cronobacter spp. isolated from low water activity functional foods in Brazil.

Cronobacter spp. are bacterial pathogens isolated from a wide variety of foods. This study aims at evaluating the occurrence of Cronobacter spp. in low water activity functional food samples, detect the presence of virulence genes, and determine the antibiotic susceptibility of strains. From 105 samples, 38 (36.2%) were contaminated with Cronobacter spp. The species identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing analyses (rpoB and fusA genes, respectively) were C. sakazakii (60.3%), C. dublinensis (25.4%), C. turincensis (9.5%), and C. malonaticus (4.8%). Nineteen fusA alleles were identified, including four new alleles. The virulence genes were identified by PCR and all isolates were positive for ompX and sodA genes, 60.3% to cpa gene, and 58.7% to hly gene. Using the disk diffusion method, antibiotic susceptibility to twelve antibiotics was assessed twice, separated by a 19-month period. In the first test, the isolates showed diverse antibiotic susceptibility profiles, with nineteen isolates (30.2%) being multi-drug resistant (resistant to three or more antibiotic classes), in the second, the isolates were susceptible to all antibiotics. Cronobacter spp. in functional foods demonstrates the need for continued investigation of this pathogen in foods, and further research is needed to clarify the loss of resistance of Cronobacter strains.

A new species of Diolcogaster (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) from Brazil of potential use in the biological control of the pest Hypercompe brasiliensis (Stoll) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae).

Species of Diolcogaster parasitize Lepidoptera pests of commercial plants. The diversity of this genus is high, but few species of Diolcogaster have been described. The description of a new Diolcogaster species provides information for the biological control using this insect. This study presents the description and key notes on the biology of a new Diolcogaster parasitoid wasp. This species was reared from a caterpillar of Hypercompe brasiliensis collected after feeding on a Gloxinia perennis plant important to floriculture. Two complementary identification analyzes were performed on Diolcogaster adult bodies. The first was the analyses of its external morphology and the second its molecular analysis (mitochondrial DNA). The morphological analysis defined the insect as a new species of Diolcogaster, named Diolcogaster joanesi sp. nov. A maximum-likelihood (ML) analysis partially confirmed the morphological analysis, placing D. joanesi within a cluster including a previously identified species (Diolcogaster choi) and seven other morphospecies. The proximity of D. joanesi to D. choi is discussed and an updated key for all New World species of the xanthaspis group is provided. Twenty-eight adult wasps were obtained (22 females and six males) out of 50 cocoons which larvae emerged from the caterpillar host. The findings contribute to the broader understanding of Diolcogaster in the Neotropics and its potential for the biological control of lepidopteran defoliators.

A digital study on predictive factors for Instagram users' engagement with amber necklace-related posts.

AIM: This study aimed to assess the engagement of Instagram users with Brazilian Portuguese posts related to amber necklaces for teething symptoms relief, identifying predictive factors that can increase users' engagement with information and misinformation. METHODS: This digital study analysed Brazilian Portuguese amber necklace-related posts on Instagram. The posts were collected using specific search strategies on CrowdTangleTM. Subsequently, two independent investigators were trained and calibrated to categorise the posts concerning the proposed outcomes. The posts were categorised according to their facticity (information or misinformation), type of media (album/photo or video/Instagram TV), sentiment (positive, neutral, or negative), author's occupation (dentist or non-dentist), and type of profile (commercial or personal). Additionally, investigators compiled information about the time of publication (days) and interaction metrics (total interaction and overperforming score). The statistical analysis assessed the inter-examiner reliability, group comparisons, and the factors associated with interaction and misinformation. P values <0.05 were considered significant. CONCLUSION: Videos and personal profiles were predictive factors for higher user engagement with amber necklace posts on teething symptoms relief on Instagram, even with the warnings of health organisations and the lack of scientific evidence to confirm its efficacy.

Probiotic Potential and Application of Indigenous Non-Starter Lactic Acid Bacteria in Ripened Short-Aged Cheese.

There are massive sources of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in traditional dairy products. Some of these indigenous strains could be novel probiotics with applications in human health and supply the growing needs of the probiotic industry. In this work, were analyzed the probiotic and technological properties of three Lactobacilli strains isolated from traditional Brazilian cheeses. In vitro tests showed that the three strains are safe and have probiotic features. They presented antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria, auto-aggregation values around 60%, high biofilm formation properties, and a survivor of more than 65% to simulated acid conditions and more than 100% to bile salts. The three strains were used as adjunct cultures separately in a pilot-scale production of Prato cheese. After 45 days of ripening, the lactobacilli counts in the cheeses were close to 8 Log CFU/g, and was observed a reduction in the lactococci counts (around -3 Log CFU/g) in a strain-dependent manner. Cheese primary and secondary proteolysis were unaffected by the probiotic candidates during the ripening, and the strains showed no lipolytic effect, as no changes in the fatty acid profile of cheeses were observed. Thus, our findings suggest that the three strains evaluated have probiotic properties and have potential as adjunct non-starter lactic acid bacteria (NSLAB) to improve the quality and functionality of short-aged cheeses.