E. Assunção

Swine and Poultry Pathogens: the Complete Genome Sequences of Two Strains of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and a Strain of Mycoplasma synoviae

This work reports the results of analyses of three complete mycoplasma genomes, a pathogenic (7448) and a nonpathogenic (J) strain of the swine pathogen Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and a strain of the avian pathogen Mycoplasma synoviae; the genome sizes of the three strains were 920,079 bp, 897,405 bp, and 799,476 bp, respectively. These genomes were compared with other sequenced mycoplasma genomes reported in the literature to examine several aspects of mycoplasma evolution. Strain-specific regions, including integrative and conjugal elements, and genome rearrangements and alterations in adhesin sequences were observed in the M. hyopneumoniae strains, and all of these were potentially related to pathogenicity. Genomic comparisons revealed that reduction in genome size implied loss of redundant metabolic pathways, with maintenance of alternative routes in different species. Horizontal gene transfer was consistently observed between M. synoviae and Mycoplasma gallisepticum. Our analyses indicated a likely transfer event of hemagglutinin-coding DNA sequences from M. gallisepticum to M. synoviae.

Guarana (Paullinia cupana var. sorbilis), an anciently consumed stimulant from the Amazon rain forest: the seeded-fruit transcriptome

Guarana (Paullinia cupana var. sorbilis) is a plant native to the central Amazon basin. Roasted seed extracts have been used as medicinal beverages since pre-Colombian times, due to their reputation as stimulants, aphrodisiacs, tonics, as well as protectors of the gastrointestinal tract. Guarana plants are commercially cultivated exclusively in Brazil to supply the national carbonated soft-drink industry and natural product stores around the world. In this report, we describe and discuss the annotation of 15,387 ESTs from guarana seeded-fruits, highlighting sequences from the flavonoid and purine alkaloid pathways, and those related to biotic stress avoidance. This is the largest set of sequences registered for the Sapindaceae family.

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers for the ornamental discus fish Symphysodon discus and cross‐species amplification in other Heroini cichlid species

The discus fishes (Symphysodon spp.) are economically important ornamental species. Thirteen microsatellite markers were developed from a CT12‐ and CA12‐enriched whole genomic DNA library of Symphysodon discus. Allelic variability was tested on 44 individuals of two species (S. discus and S. aequifasciatus). Allelic richness ranged from two to 11 alleles per locus and observed heterozygosities from 0.083 to 0.998. All loci were at Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, and no pair of loci showed linkage disequilibrium within a species. Cross‐species amplification was also successfully performed in the Neotropical cichlids Uaru amphiacanthoides, Hoplarchus psittacus, Hypselecara coryphaenoides, Pterophyllum sp., Mesonauta sp. and Heros sp.

De novo SNP markers development for the Neotropical gilded catfish Brachyplatystoma rousseauxii using next-generation sequencing-based genotyping

We generated for the first time nuclear SNP loci for the commercially exploited gilded catfish Brachyplatystoma rousseauxii using next-generation sequencing. We implemented double-digest-Restriction-Associated-DNA-based de novo SNP genotyping for 30 individuals (Orinoco and Amazon basins) using the IonTorrent PGM. It was analyzed the sequence reads using the Stacks pipeline. We detected 18,772 tags with 6170 polymorphic sites and 91 SNPs recovered for both basins. A significant divergence in the allele frequencies was observed between basins for some of those SNPs. Information about diversity and other statistics index are presented for these SNPs. Some of them (23) could be useful for population and conservation genetics of this species using traditional PCR-based genotyping methods.

Development of microsatellite markers for the near threatened eagles Harpia harpyja and Morphnus guianensis using next-generation sequencing

We isolated and characterized 11 microsatellite loci for Harpia harpyja using the IonTorrent PGM. The loci were validated in 22 Harpia harpyja and 16 Morphnus guianensis individuals. Ten of the loci were variable in H. harpyja, ranging from two to six alleles per locus. Seven of the loci were variable in M. guianensis ranging from two to six alleles per locus. Genotypes did not deviate from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium expectation, and no linkage disequilibrium was observed. These markers have a promise to provide an important resource for genetic population studies, conservation and monitoring of these two near threatened accipitrid species.

Isolation and Characterization of Yeasts Able to Assimilate Sugarcane Bagasse Hemicellulosic Hydrolysate and Produce Xylitol Associated with Veturius transversus (Passalidae, Coleoptera, and Insecta)

Yeasts are an important component of insect gut microbial content, playing roles such as degradation of polymers and toxic compounds, biological control, and hormone, vitamin, and digestive enzyme production. The xylophagous beetle gut is a hyperdiverse habitat and a potential source of new species with industrial abilities such as enzyme production, pentose fermentation, and biodetoxification. In this work, samples of Veturius transversus (Passalidae, Coleoptera, and Insecta) were collected from the Central Amazon Rainforest. Their guts were dissected and a total of 20 microbial colonies were isolated using sugarcane bagasse hemicellulosic hydrolysate. They were identified as having 10 distinct biochemical profiles, and genetic analysis allowed identification as three clades in the genera Candida, Williopsis, and Geotrichum. All colonies were able to assimilate D-xylose and 18 were able to produce xylitol, especially a strain of Geotrichum, with a maximum yield of 0.502 g·g−1. These results agree with a previous prediction that the microbial community associated with xylophagous insects is a promising source of species of biotechnological interest.

Recombinant human proinsulin expression in Pichiapastoris using PGK promoter

Background There are indications, according to WHO, that diabetes will reach 333 million people in 2025, and already is among one of the main death causes in the world. In 2030 in Latin America, diabetes mellitus will be the second cause of deaths [1]. The actions to increase the production of insulin are strategic to respond the high demands for what we have to face in the near future [2]. P. pastoris methylotrophic yeast is being very used in the last decades to express heterologous genes to biotech uses [3]. The main expression vectors to Pichia pastoris are based in the strong promoter from AOX1 gene which codifies alcohol oxidize enzyme. However there is a search for new promoters than AOX1 due to certain disadvantages as the use of methanol as inducer that is toxic and originates undesirable subproducts during its metabolism [4]. This work has the main objective in to express in high levels the human proinsulin in Pichia pastoris using PGK promoter.

L’expression de la cytokératine 19 (CK 19) dans les goitres soumis à thyroïdectomie

immédiat était décidé lorsque l’extemporané a révélé des lésions malignes (parotidectomie totale, curage homolatérale) dans 24 %% des cas. L’études histologique finale avait conclu a un adénome pléomorphe chez 32 patients (44 % des cas), une tumeur de Whartin chez six patient (8 % des cas), un carcinome adénoide kystique chez six patients (8 % des cas). La sensibilité de l’examen extemporané a diagnostiqué correctement les tumeurs bénignes est de 87 % avec un taux de faux négatif de 12,5 %. La sensibilité de l’examen extemporané a diagnostiqué correctement les tumeurs malignes est de 83 % avec un taux de faux négatif de 16,6 %. Conclusion.— Conformément a la littérature notre expérience montre que l’examen histologique extemporané était fiable dans la majorité des cas. Ainsi, cet examen reste un outil incontournable puisqu’il permet au chirurgien d’être orienté sur la nature bénigne ou maligne du tissu parotidien et d’établir un diagnostic pouvant modifier l’acte opératoire (sacrifice du nerf facial, évidement ganglionnaire). À noter que certaines équipes utilisent également la cytoponction en préopératoire comme outil diagnostique pour différencier le caractère bénin ou malin de ces tumeurs.