Morphological-metric, ultrastructural and immunohistochemical effects of gossypol on cultured granulosa cells and oocytes of ewes using MOEPF.

Manipulation of oocytes enclosed in preantral follicles (MOEPF) allows for analyzing follicular development and use of this biotechnology in the pre-analysis of the beneficial or toxic effects of bio-products on granulosa cells and oocytes at different developmental stages. In this study, there was evaluation of the effects of gossypol by culturing granulosa cells and oocytes in ewe ovarian tissues. Ovarian tissues were cultured with gossypol at 37 °C, in humidified air and 5% CO2. Variables that were evaluated were morphology, morphometry, ultrastructure and abundance of estradiol receptor α (α-ER). There were no differences in developmental characteristics when there was treatment with any of the gossypol doses that were evaluated. Immunostaining indicated that when the gossypol dose increases, the abundance of α-ER also increases in the cytoplasm, nucleus, and granulosa cells. Findings with the ultrastructural analysis indicated that for granulosa cells there was fewer cells and greater disorganization and a lack of structural integrity of follicular cell layers as a result of all gossypol treatments. The culture of oocytes in preantral ovarian follicles in presence of gossypol did not affect the morphological-metric structure at the doses evaluated. The findings with evaluation of ultrastructural and immunohistochemical structures indicated granulosa cells and α-ER were affected by the treatments with gossypol indicating there were effects of this compound on ovarian function in sheep. This study indicated there is a toxic action of gossypol when using the biotechnology, MOEPF. Thus, gossypol negatively affects granulosa cell development and structural integrity of preantral follicles in sheep.

Genome-wide characterization of the NRAMP gene family in Phaseolus vulgaris provides insights into functional implications during common bean development.

Transporter proteins play an essential role in the uptake, trafficking and storage of metals in plant tissues. The Natural Resistance-Associated Macrophage Protein (NRAMP) family plays an essential role in divalent metal transport. We conducted bioinformatics approaches to identify seven NRAMP genes in the Phaseolus vulgaris genome, investigated their phylogenetic relation, and performed transmembrane domain and gene/protein structure analyses. We found that the NRAMP gene family forms two distinct groups. One group included the PvNRAMP1, -6, and -7 genes that share a fragmented structure with a numerous exon/intron organization and encode proteins with mitochondrial or plastidial localization. The other group is characterized by few exons that encode cytoplasmic proteins. In addition, our data indicated that PvNRAMP6 and -7 may be involved in mineral uptake and mobilization in nodule tissues, while the genes PvNRAMP1, -2, -3, -4 and -5 are potentially recruited during plant development. This data provided a more comprehensive understanding of the role of NRAMP transporters in metal homeostasis in P. vulgaris.

Molecular characterization and antibiotic resistance of Staphylococcus spp. isolated from cheese processing plants.

The aim of this research paper was to characterize coagulase-positive and coagulase-negative staphylococci from raw milk, Minas cheese, and production lines of Minas cheese processing. One hundred isolates from 3 different cheese producers were characterized using molecular approaches, such as PCR, molecular typing, and DNA sequencing. Staphylococcus aureus (88% of the isolates) was the most abundant followed by Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus hyicus, and Staphylococcus warneri. Among the 22 enterotoxin genes tested, the most frequent was seh (62% of the isolates), followed by selx and ser. Hemolysin genes were widely distributed across isolates, and Panton-Valentine leukocidin and toxic shock syndrome toxin genes were also identified. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus were staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec III, IVa, IVd, and others nontypeable. In the phenotypic antibiotic resistance, multiresistant isolates were detected and resistance to penicillin was the most observed. Using spa typing, we identified several types and described a new one, t14969, isolated from cheese. These findings suggest that antibiotic resistance and potentially virulent strains from different sources can be found in the Brazilian dairy processing environment. Further research should be conducted with collaboration from regulatory agencies to develop programs of prevention of virulent and resistant strain dissemination in dairy products and the processing environment.

Metagenome sequencing of the microbial community of two Brazilian anthropogenic Amazon dark earth sites, Brazil.

The Anthropogenic Amazon Dark Earth soil is considered one of the world's most fertile soils. These soils differs from conventional Amazon soils because its higher organic content concentration. Here we describe the metagenome sequencing of microbial communities of two sites of Anthropogenic Amazon Dark Earth soils from Amazon Rainforest, Brazil. The raw sequence data are stored under Short Read Accession number: PRJNA344917.

Assessment of the effect of silicon on antioxidant enzymes in cotton plants by multivariate analysis.

Silicon has been extensively researched in relation to the response of plants to biotic and abiotic stress, as an element triggering defense mechanisms which activate the antioxidant system. Furthermore, in some species, adding silicon to unstressed plants modifies the activity of certain antioxidant enzymes participating in detoxifying processes. Thus, in this study, we analyzed the activity of antioxidant enzymes in leaves and roots of unstressed cotton plants fertilized with silicon (Si). Cotton plants were grown in hydroponic culture and added with increasing doses of potassium silicate; then, the enzymatic activity of catalase (CAT), guaiacol peroxidase (GPOX), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and lipid peroxidation were determined. Using multivariate analysis, we found that silicon altered the activity of GPOX, APX, and CAT in roots and leaves of unstressed cotton plants, whereas lipid peroxidation was not affected. The analysis of these four variables in concert showed a clear differentiation among Si treatments. We observed that enzymatic activities in leaves and roots changed as silicon concentration increased, to stabilize at 100 and 200 mg Si L(-1) treatments in leaves and roots, respectively. Those alterations would allow a new biochemical status that could be partially responsible for the beneficial effects of silicon. This study might contribute to adjust the silicon application doses for optimal fertilization, preventing potential toxic effects and unnecessary cost.