Nearly Complete Genome Sequences of Enterovirus 96 and Enterovirus 99 Strains Isolated in the Northern Region of Brazil.

In this study, we report the nearly complete genome sequences of one enterovirus 96 (EV-C96) isolate (strain 3499/BRA-PA/2010) and two enterovirus 99 (EV-C99) isolates (strains 3291/BRA-PA/2010 and 3944/BRA-PA/2011). The genetic characterization of different enterovirus strains allows for a better understanding of their molecular epidemiology and viral evolution.

Effects of coenzyme Q10 on semen cryopreservation of stallions classified as having good or bad semen freezing ability.

This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant properties of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) during cryopreservation of semen obtained from stallions having good and bad semen freezing ability (GFA vs. BFA, respectively). Forty ejaculates (n = 20 stallions) were split into five centrifugation and five freezing extenders containing different concentrations of CoQ10 (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 µmols/L). If CoQ10 was added to the centrifugation extender, the freezing extender had no CoQ10 added; similarly, if CoQ10 was added to the freezing extender, the centrifugation extender had no CoQ10. Semen cryopreserved on extenders containing no CoQ10 served as the control. After post-thaw total sperm motility (TM) assessments, the stallions were classified as GFA (i.e., decrease of ≤25% in TM, n = 7) or BFA (i.e., decrease of ≥40% in TM, n = 5). Stallions not fitting (n = 8) this enrollment criteria had samples discarded. After that, two straws for each extender were thawed at 37 °C for 30 s; one straw was immediately used for evaluation of sperm kinetics, plasma membrane integrity, non-capacitated spermatozoa, reactive oxygen species production, mitochondrial activity and lipid peroxidation. The second straw was kept at 37 °C for 30 min and subjected to the same assessments. Expectedly, sperm motility parameters were significantly lower for stallions with BFA. There were no effects of CoQ10 concentration or time for all parameters evaluated in the group with GFA when compared with the control extender (p > 0.05), except lipid peroxidation (p < 0.05). However, stallions with BFA had improved sperm parameters for samples processed with extenders containing CoQ10 (particularly 75 µmols/L) (p < 0.05), except for the reactive oxygen species production and mitochondrial potential (T0) in which there were no differences between the groups (p > 0.05). In summary, 75 µmols/L appears to be the optimal dose of Co-Q10, particularly, when added to the centrifugation extender.

Investigation of enteric viruses in the feces of neotropical migratory birds captured on the coast of the State of Pará, Brazil

Migratory birds can become long-distance vectors for a wide range of microorganisms and can cause human disease, being the Brazilian coast a gateway for northern migratory birds. These animals are considered natural reservoirs of different viruses that cause important diseases, being relevant research of viral pathogens in migratory birds to epidemiology surveillance. The objective of the study was to investigate the presence of avian rotavirus (AvRV), avian reovirus (ARV) and picobirnavirus (PBV) in Neotropical migratory birds captured on the coast of Brazil. A total of 23 individual fecal samples of the migratory birds species Calidris pusilla (20 birds), Numenius phaeopus (1 bird) and Charadrius semipalmatus (2 birds) were collected. Fecal suspensions were prepared from the collected samples for subsequent extraction of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), which was subjected to polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The electrophoretic profiles were not detected by PAGE, and the amplification for the studied viruses PBV, ARV and AvRV (specie D, gene VP6 and NSP4) were negative. Positivity for AvRVD, VP7 gene was of 4.35% (1/23) for the migratory bird Calidris pusilla. After sequencing and building the tree of phylogenetic relationships avian Rotavirus Group D identified in this study was phylogenetically related and grouped into one branch, together to previously reported AvRVD from Brazil in chicken flocks with 99.8% nucleotide and 100% amino acid similarities.

Investigation of enteric viruses in the feces of neotropical migratory birds captured on the coast of the State of Pará, Brazil

Migratory birds can become long-distance vectors for a wide range of microorganisms and can cause human disease, being the Brazilian coast a gateway for northern migratory birds. These animals are considered natural reservoirs of different viruses that cause important diseases, being relevant research of viral pathogens in migratory birds to epidemiology surveillance. The objective of the study was to investigate the presence of avian rotavirus (AvRV), avian reovirus (ARV) and picobirnavirus (PBV) in Neotropical migratory birds captured on the coast of Brazil. A total of 23 individual fecal samples of the migratory birds species Calidris pusilla (20 birds), Numenius phaeopus (1 bird) and Charadrius semipalmatus (2 birds) were collected. Fecal suspensions were prepared from the collected samples for subsequent extraction of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), which was subjected to polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The electrophoretic profiles were not detected by PAGE, and the amplification for the studied viruses PBV, ARV and AvRV (specie D, gene VP6 and NSP4) were negative. Positivity for AvRVD, VP7 gene was of 4.35% (1/23) for the migratory bird Calidris pusilla. After sequencing and building the tree of phylogenetic relationships avian Rotavirus Group D identified in this study was phylogenetically related and grouped into one branch, together to previously reported AvRVD from Brazil in chicken flocks with 99.8% nucleotide and 100% amino acid similarities.(AU)

Proficiency testing for the determination of pesticides in mango pulp: a view of the employed chromatographic techniques and the evaluation of laboratories' performance.

The proficiency testing for determination of pesticides residues in mango pulp was the third work of the partnership established by INMETRO and INCQS/Fiocruz. Three mango pulp samples were sent to each participant laboratory, two being spiked with the pesticides and one exempt of pesticides. The added pesticides were: deltamethrin, ethion, fenitrothion, malathion, and permethrin. The evaluation of the results of the homogeneity and the stability tests, as well as the determination of the assigned value was made in agreement with ISO GUIDE 35 and ISO 13528, assuming the samples were considered homogeneous and stable for the studied period. The assigned values and the standard deviation for proficiency evaluation was calculated using the robust algorithm, according to ISO 13528, and the evaluation of the results was carried through in accordance with ABNT ISO/IEC Guide 43-1. The z-score graphs and confidence ellipse was also used in the evaluation of the results. In the evaluation carried through from the values of the z-scores, 71% of the reported results were considered satisfactory based on the results found for this index. The evaluation of the analytical viability for the determination of each pesticide and of the analytical capacity of the participant laboratories was carried through. A summarized view of the chromatographic techniques and of preparation of sample used by the participant laboratories was also carried through in this work.