ABSTRACT This study was conducted as a first step in exploiting endophytic bacteria to improve yam production. Little information is available on population densities and genetic diversity of endophytic bacteria in yam cultivated in tropical regions. This study demonstrated that higher densities of total endophytic bacteria and Bacillus occur in the interior of roots and decrease as the sampled plant organ departs from soil. Bacillus represents approximately 1% of the total bacterial endophytic population. Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analyses performed with 88 randomly-selected Bacillus isolates resulted in 28 groups, and sequence analyses of the 16S region of the ribosomal DNA of 24 isolates representing all major RAPD groups revealed that they could be clustered in 2 clades: Bacillus cereus and B. pumilus. While B. cereus was able to colonize the entire plant, B. pumilus remained confined to the rhizophores. Further research should concentrate on the application of these isolates in biotechnological processes, such as biocontrol and yam growth promotion.

Resumo O Brasil possui uma grande diversidade de aves exóticas que foram trazidas para o país durante a colonização europeia. Estes animais são mantidos em cativeiros, os quais muitas vezes são inadequados, proporcionando o surgimento de doenças provocadas por parasitas gastrointestinais. Objetivou-se neste estudo, realizar avaliação coproparasitológica de fezes de aves ornamentais mantidas em cativeiros no estado de Sergipe, região Nordeste do Brasil. Amostras fecais (n= 362) de aves exóticas foram analisadas através do exame direto a fresco e técnica de Willis-Mollay. Ovos de Amidostomum sp., Ascaridia sp., Capillarinae, Heterakis sp., Trichostrongylidae, e oocistos de coccídeos foram encontrados em nove diferentes espécies de aves. Aqui, destacamos, os primeiros registros no Brasil de Ascaridia sp. e Heterakis sp., parasitando Nymphicus hollandicus; Trichostrongilidae em Serinus canaria e Streptopelia risoria.

Abstract Brazil has a wide diversity of exotic birds that were brought to this country during the European colonization. These animals are kept in captivity and, in some cases, in inadequate facilities, which may facilitate the introduction of pathogens, including gastrointestinal parasites. The purpose of this study was to identify the main gastrointestinal parasites that affect exotic birds living in captivity in the state of Sergipe, Northeastern Brazil. Fecal samples (n = 362) from exotic birds were analyzed by direct examination and by the Willis-Mollay technique. Eggs of Amidostomum sp., Ascaridia sp., Capillarinae, Heterakis sp., Trichostrongylidae, and oocysts of coccidians were identified in nine different bird species. This is the first report in Brazil of infection by Ascaridia sp. and Heterakis sp. in Nymphicus hollandicus; by Trichostrongylidae in Serinus canaria and Streptopelia risoria.

The production of sisal in Bahia, Brazil, has been declining due to the occurrence of a disease know as bole rot. Aspergillus niger was regarded as the only causal agent. In this study A. brasiliensis and A. tubingensis, in addition to Aspergillus niger, identified on the basis of morphological and molecular analyses, were shown to cause bole rot of sisal. Their pathogenicity was confirmed but their significance for the epidemiology of the disease in the field remains unclear.

Domestic dogs are considered to be the main reservoirs of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis. In this work, we evaluated a protocol to induce Leishmania infantum/Leishmania chagasi-specific cellular and humoral immune responses in dogs, which consisted of two injections of Leishmania promastigote lysate followed by a subcutaneous inoculation of viable promastigotes. The primary objective was to establish a canine experimental model to provide positive controls for testing immune responses to Leishmania in laboratory conditions. After inoculation of viable promastigotes, specific proliferative responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to either Leishmania lysate or recombinant proteins, the in vitro production of interferon-γ by antigen-stimulated PBMCs and a significant increase in circulating levels of anti-Leishmania antibodies were observed. The immunized dogs also displayed positive delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions to Leishmania crude antigens and to purified recombinant proteins. An important finding that supports the suitability of the dogs as positive controls is that they remained healthy for the entire observation period, i.e., more than seven years after infection. Following the Leishmania antigen lysate injections, the infection of dogs by the subcutaneous route appears to induce a sustained cellular immune response, leading to an asymptomatic infection. This provides a useful model for both the selection of immunogenic Leishmania antigens and for immunobiological studies on their possible immunoprotective activities.

As leveduras são essenciais na fabricação de bebidas alcoólicas devido a sua alta capacidade de fermentação. Dessa forma, o objetivo deste trabalho foi selecionar linhagens de leveduras fermentadoras e testá-las na produção de vinho semi-artesanal. Os frutos foram coletados em Nossa Senhora da Glória - SE, Brasil. A polpa foi diluída e alíquotas foram inoculadas em placas contendo YMA. Após essa etapa foi realizadas a seleção, purificação e identificação dos morfotipos. As leveduras foram posteriormente submetidas ao teste de fermentação, excetuando-se aquelas relacionadas a processos patológicos, As leveduras testadas produziram vinhos com teor alcoólico que os caracterizaram entre seco e suave, sabor e aparência agradáveis, translúcidos, e cor intermediária entre o verde e o amarelo claro.

The goal of this work was to select strains of fermentation yeasts and test them in a small-scale production of " umbu" fruit wine. The fruits were collected in N. Sra da Glória city in Sergipe, Brazil. The fruit pulp was diluted and aliquots were inoculated on YMA plates. The yeasts strains were submitted to fermentation using "umbu" fruit juice as substrate, exception with to those strains of species related to pathological processes. The yeasts tested produced a beverage characterized between dry to light due to its alcoholic content with very nice taste, translucent appearance, of green to light yellow color.

O presente estudo teve como objetivo conhecer as concepções dos professores da EJA - Educação de Jovens e Adultos - no aspecto referente à interface ensino Ciências Naturais e cidadania. Serviu ainda para identificar as principais dificuldades encontradas na prática desses docentes para a formação de alunos-cidadãos, assim como revelar a atual situação do ensino de Ciências Naturais no referido programa. Para tanto, foram entrevistados 19 professores que lecionam a disciplina Ciências Naturais nas turmas de 5ª a 8ª série, inseridas no Programa de Aceleração de Aprendizagem da EJA, em escolas públicas municipais de Aracaju, SE. Como instrumentos de coleta de dados, utilizou-se a técnica de entrevista semi-estruturada e a análise de documentos, com enfoque qualitativo.

The objective of this study was to know the conceptions of teachers from EYA- Education of Youths and Adults on the teaching of Natural Sciences and Citizenship. It was also used to identify the main difficulties found by the teachers concerning citizenship formation in students, as well as to reveal today's situation for the teaching of Natural Sciences on such program. Therefore, 19 Natural Science teachers from the 5th and 6th grades inserted in EYA's Fast Learning Program were interviewed in public schools of Aracaju, SE. As a data collecting tool, the technique of the semi-structured interview was used, as well as document analysis focusing on quality.