Complexity of the Ruminococcus flavefaciens cellulosome reflects an expansion in glycan recognition.

The breakdown of plant cell wall (PCW) glycans is an important biological and industrial process. Noncatalytic carbohydrate binding modules (CBMs) fulfill a critical targeting function in PCW depolymerization. Defining the portfolio of CBMs, the CBMome, of a PCW degrading system is central to understanding the mechanisms by which microbes depolymerize their target substrates. Ruminococcus flavefaciens, a major PCW degrading bacterium, assembles its catalytic apparatus into a large multienzyme complex, the cellulosome. Significantly, bioinformatic analyses of the R. flavefaciens cellulosome failed to identify a CBM predicted to bind to crystalline cellulose, a key feature of the CBMome of other PCW degrading systems. Here, high throughput screening of 177 protein modules of unknown function was used to determine the complete CBMome of R. flavefaciens The data identified six previously unidentified CBM families that targeted ß-glucans, ß-mannans, and the pectic polysaccharide homogalacturonan. The crystal structures of four CBMs, in conjunction with site-directed mutagenesis, provide insight into the mechanism of ligand recognition. In the CBMs that recognize ß-glucans and ß-mannans, differences in the conformation of conserved aromatic residues had a significant impact on the topology of the ligand binding cleft and thus ligand specificity. A cluster of basic residues in CBM77 confers calcium-independent recognition of homogalacturonan, indicating that the carboxylates of galacturonic acid are key specificity determinants. This report shows that the extended repertoire of proteins in the cellulosome of R. flavefaciens contributes to an extended CBMome that supports efficient PCW degradation in the absence of CBMs that specifically target crystalline cellulose.

Small bait traps as accurate predictors of dipteran early colonizers in forensic studies.

Insect carrion communities vary among habitats and over time. Concerning the dipteran early colonizers of carrion, the use of small bait traps should be accurate because the odors emitted from meat baits should contain many of the volatile organic compounds emitted from the freshly dead mammals. In addition, this kind of trap is easy to replicate and set in position in a given habitat. In the present study, small bait preferences of early Diptera carrion colonizers were examined in an urban biotope. Specifically, three baits were compared (pork muscle, pork liver, and fish flavored cat food) in respect to the number of specimens and species captured and the presence or absence of oviposition at high and low environmental temperatures. A total of 2371 specimens were trapped, primarily belonging to three insect orders, Diptera, Coleoptera, and Hymenoptera. Diptera was the predominant order, with blowflies (Calliphoridae) being the most representative family, followed by filth flies (Muscidae). The pork muscle bait was responsible for the highest number of captures and the highest diversity. The community of Diptera collected with the most efficient bait, pork muscle, was compared with the carrion communities reported in the literature from the Iberian Peninsula. Similar taxonomic species composition was found regarding Calliphoridae species. A specimen from all species morphologically identified were also identified at a molecular level using the cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) barcode region, and the sequences were submitted to online databases.

The influence of customized abutments and custom metal abutments on the presence of the interproximal papilla at implants inserted in single-unit gaps: a 1-year prospective clinical study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess and compare the papilla presence mesially and distally to dental implants restored with customized abutments and custom metal abutments in the anterior maxilla. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-eight patients receiving 38 single-tooth implants, restored with 26 customized abutments and 12 custom metal abutments in the anterior maxillary region were enrolled in this study. The cases where did not existed contact point were excluded. Presence/absence of the interproximal papilla, inter-tooth-implant distance (ITD) and distance from the base of the contact point to dental crest bone of adjacent tooth (CPB) were accessed. Global P-values were determined for changes in CPB and papilla score over time (P < 0.05). RESULTS: Thirty-six patients with 36 implants were available for the 12-month follow-up. The abutments and reconstruction survival rate was 100% with no fracture or crown loss. A mean mesial CPB of 5.71 ± 1.54 mm and distal CPB of 4.01 ± 1.73 mm were assessed in the customized abutment group for an overall mean papilla presence of 1.69 ± 0.46. A mean mesial CPB of 5.41 ± 1.31 mm and distal CPB of 4.77 ± 1.21 mm were assessed in the control group for an overall mean papilla presence of 1.08 ± 0.65. CONCLUSIONS: The restoration of single-implants using computer-assisted design/computer-assisted manufacturing abutments appears to help maintaining a regular papillary filling although the variations of the implant positioning or the restoration/teeth relation.

Identification of sarcosaprophagous Diptera species through DNA barcoding in wildlife forensics.

In recent years, forensic entomology has been applied in wildlife crimes, such as neglect cases, animal cruelty and illegal poaching. Likewise in human death investigations, in which insects can help to provide information about postmortem interval (PMI) and corpse transfer, entomology may be an important source of information in animal murder suspicion. The use of insects in forensic context relies primarily on its identification at the species level. To overcome some problems of morphological determination, molecular identification has gained relevance and has been applied frequently in forensic areas. Cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene was adopted in DNA barcoding approach. This methodology intends to unify the DNA-based identification using a specific region of mitochondrial DNA. COI sequences have been collected into the BOLD online database, allowing the molecular identification of sequences from unknown specimens. Nonetheless, to achieve a correct identification of an unknown sample, it is necessary that sequences from species under study exist, for comparison, in online databases. Due to the geographic differences, it is of huge importance to have samples from a certain species from its distribution range. In that sense, the aim of this research is to contribute to the potential and accuracy improvement of such databases in identification of species commonly found in wildlife carcasses. A portion of COI was sequenced from 95 specimens of seven species belonging to two families of Diptera (Calliphoridae and Muscidae) found in wildlife carcasses-baited traps in Serra da Estrela (Portugal). All specimens were identified at species level with a high specimen similarity and maximum identity percentage (through BOLD Systems and GenBank online databases, respectively). We also demonstrate the correct discrimination of all species through phylogenic and sequence divergence analyses proposed in DNA barcoding studies, reinforcing the suitability of this marker.

Consulta de enfermagem no pré-natal: a voz das gestantes / Nursing consultation in the pre-natal: women’s voice / Consulta de enfermería en el pre-natal: la voz de las mujeres

Objetivo: analisar a percepção das gestantes a respeito do cuidado pré-natal prestado por enfermeiros em uma Unidade Básica de Saúde. Metodologia: trata-se de um estudo exploratório, descritivo com abordagem qualitativa, no qual participaram nove gestantes provenientes de consultas subsequentes, no último trimestre da gravidez, cadastradas em uma unidade de saúde de Petrolina-PE. Utilizou-se um roteiro de entrevista semi-estruturada, cujos resultados foram analisados por meio da Análise de Conteúdo de Bardin. O estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa da Associação Caruaruense de Ensino Superior, sob o nº 267/09. Resultados: o pré-natal representou um momento de ensino aprendizagem e acompanhamento do binômio. A realização pelo enfermeiro é associada à humanização e qualificação técnica. Quanto aos sentimentos vivenciados, identificou-se a existência de segurança e familiaridade. O enfermeiro apresenta respaldo perante a comunidade, porém o pré-natal foi considerado uma assistência para mulheres de baixo poder aquisitivo. Os obstáculos perante a consulta mostraram para o longo tempo de espera, grande quantidade de estagiários no momento da consulta, dificuldades para acesso as consultas médicas. Conclusão: o cuidado pré-natal se destacou, sobretudo devido à humanização e resolutividade das ações do enfermeiro.(AU)

Objective: to analyze the perception of women about the prenatal care provided by nurses in a Basic Health Unit. Methodology: this is about a descriptive and exploratory study from qualitative approach. Nine pregnant women were participants to visits subsequents in the last trimester of pregnancy enrolled in a health unit in Petrolina-PE. It was used a structured interview and results were analyzed according to Bardin's content analysis. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Association of Higher Education Caruaruense, under number 267/09. Results: prenatal care was a period of teaching and learning and monitoring of the binomial. The performance by nurses is associated with humanization and technical qualifications. As to the feelings experienced, we identified the existence of security and familiarity. The nurse provides support to the community, but the pre-natal care was considered a women's low purchasing power. The obstacles before the consultation pointed to large waiting time, a lot of trainees at the time of consultation, difficulties in access to medical appointments. Conclusion: prenatal care is emphasized, mainly due to the humanization and resolution of nursing actions.(AU)

Objetivo: analizar la percepción de las mujeres acerca de la atención prenatal por personal de enfermería en una Unidad Básica de Salud de Petrolina-PE. Metodología: es estudio de tipo cualitativo, descriptivo e abordaje qualitativa. Los participantes fueron de nueve mujeres embarazadas las subsiguientes visitas en el último trimestre del embarazo que se inscribieron en una unidad de salud en Petrolina-PE. Se utilizó una entrevista semi-estructurada y los resultados fueron analizados utilizando el análisis de contenido de Bardin. El stúdio fue aprobado por el Comité de Ética de la Asociación de Educación Superior Caruaruense, bajo n. 267/09. Resultados: la atención prenatal fue un período de enseñanza y el aprendizaje y el seguimiento del binomio. La actuación de los enfermeros está relacionado con las cualificaciones técnicas y de humanización. En cuanto a los sentimientos experimentados, hemos identificado la existencia de la seguridad y la familiaridad. La enfermera proporciona apoyo a la comunidad, pero la atención prenatal se consideró un poder adquisitivo de las mujeres. Los obstáculos antes de la consulta señaló al tiempo de espera grande, una gran cantidad de alumnos en el momento de la consulta, las dificultades en el acceso a las citas médicas. Conclusión: la atención prenatal se destaca, principalmente debido a la humanización y resolución de las acciones de enfermería. (AU)