Abstract Bacteria of the genus Bacillus sp. present the potential for inhibiting various pathogens, making them a promising starting point in the search for new antimicrobial substances. In this study, bacteria were isolated from sediment samples from humid areas of a Natural Conservation Unit in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The isolate Bacillus sp. sed 1.4 was selected for production of antimicrobial activity, and was characterized by MALDI-TOF and 16S rDNA sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Bacillus sed 1.4 was closely related to Bacillus altitudinis and Bacillus pumilus. The cell-free supernatant was partially purified using ammonium sulfate precipitation, gel filtration chromatography (Sephadex G-200) and an ultrafiltration membrane. Partial purification resulted in specific activity of 769.23 AU/mg, with a molecular mass of approximately 148 kDa. This antimicrobial substance showed stability at 100°C for 5 min, and was inactivated by proteolytic enzymes. An antimicrobial effect against Listeria species was observed. Considering the importance of the Listeria genus in the area of food safety, this antimicrobial activity should be further explored, specifically in the field of dairy products and with a focus on food biopreservation studies.

Abstract Wetlands are ecosystems rich in biodiversity and their ecological importance is recognized worldwide. Sediment samples were subjected to physical-chemical analysis and organic carbon content varied from 3.0% to 4.8%, the clay between 32 and 40%, silt with 41% and 43%, sand coarse varied between 6 and 11% and fine sand between 7 and 16%. The nitrogen values varied from 0.25% to 0.48%, the pH from 5.4 to 7.5 and the humidity varied from 44 to 56%. The selected isolates were evaluated for enzymatic properties and 64% showed positive results for amylase, 16% for gelatinase, 37% for lipase, 91% for protease and 2.7% for inulinase. Six bacterial isolates were selected for the overlapping assay and Bacillus sp. sed 2.2 showed inhibitory activity against Corynebacterium fimi NCTC 7547, and the antimicrobial substance was partially purified. The characterization of the substance was carried and the substance was stable at 100° C for up to 10 minutes and sensitive to the enzymes papain and trypsin. This substance was active against some species of Listeria, including Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 7644. The microorganims obtained from sediment samples were important sources of bioactive compounds, including enzymes and peptides, being a source of bioactive compounds to be studied.

Resumo Introdução: Na última década, a inclusão de indicadores de funcionalidade na atenção à saúde tem sido discutida na agenda internacional. As estratégias relacionadas à implementação de indicadores de funcionalidade são uma questão que envolve educação, gestão e assistência à saúde. Objetivo: Este ensaio teórico tem como objetivo discutir o potencial da Classificação Internacional de Funcionalidade, Incapacidade e Saúde (CIF) como ferramenta útil na produção de informação para os serviços de saúde. Método: Utilizamos como pressupostos teóricos o modelo universal, a CIF. Nosso pressuposto baseia-se no modelo biopsicossocial do binômio saúde-doença. Resultados: Indicadores de funcionalidade podem medir o real impacto das condições de saúde em diferentes domínios da vida. A partir das reflexões realizadas e alicerces teóricos acessados, percebe-se que a implementação de indicadores de funcionalidade nos inquéritos populacionais periódicos em saúde e protocolos de registro para informação clínica, independentemente do nível de serviço de saúde, seria de grande interesse. Vale ressaltar que o grupo de indicadores de funcionalidade deve ser proposto em uma linguagem universal e, portanto, a CIF representa o modelo mais abrangente. Conclusão: O indicador de funcionalidade pode ser útil para o gerenciamento da saúde. As informações sobre funcionalidade são essenciais para melhorar o planejamento e a qualidade dos serviços de saúde e podem ser usadas no planejamento e monitoramento dos cuidados de saúde; podem ser coletadas em pesquisas de saúde da população por ferramentas específicas; e poderiam ser produzidas usando a CIF como uma estrutura na coleta diária de informações sobre saúde.

Abstract Introduction: In the last decade, the inclusion of a functioning indicator in health care has been discussed on the international agenda. The strategies related to the implementation of these indicators are issues that involve health education, governance, and medical records. Objective: study aims to discuss the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) potential as a useful tool to produce information on health care services. Method: As theoretical assumptions, the universal model of the ICF based on the biopsychosocial model was used. Results: When used as a health indicator, functioning data can measure the real effect of some health conditions in different life domains. Based on the reflections carried out and theoretical foundations accessed, the study shows that the implementation of functioning indicators in periodical population health surveys and protocols of clinical documentation regardless the level of health service would be relevant for Patient Care Planning. Note that the group of functioning indicators should be proposed in a universal language and, therefore, ICF represents the most comprehensive model. Conclusion: Information regarding health status can be useful to enable health care management. Furthermore, ICF are essential to improve the documentation service of the health system and also can be used in planning and monitoring health care. It can also be used to collect disability data in surveys ensuring comparison among different surveys.

Resumen Introducción: En la última década, la inclusión de indicadores de funcionamiento en la atención de salud se ha discutido en la agenda internacional. Las estrategias relacionadas con la implementación de los indicadores de funcionamiento son un tema que involucra educación, gestión y atención médica. Objetivo: Este ensayo teórico tiene como objetivo discutir el potencial de Clasificación Internacional del Funcionamiento, de la Discapacidad y de la Salud (CIF) como una herramienta útil para producir información en los servicios de atención médica. Método: Utilizamos como suposiciones teóricas el modelo universal de la CIF con base en el modelo biopsicosocial del binomio salud-enfermedad. Resultados: Los indicadores de funcionamiento pueden medir el impacto real de las condiciones de salud en diferentes dominios de la vida. Con base en las reflexiones realizadas y los fundamentos teóricos, se observa que sería esencial la implementación de indicadores de funcionamiento en las encuestas periódicas de salud de la población y en los protocolos de registro para la información clínica, independiente del nivel del servicio de salud. Vale la pena mencionar que el grupo de indicadores de funcionamiento debe proponerse en un lenguaje universal y, por lo tanto, CIF representa el modelo más completo. Conclusión: El indicador de funcionamiento puede ser útil para la gestión de la salud. Las informaciones sobre funcionamiento son esenciales para mejorar la planificación y la calidad de los servicios de salud y se puede utilizarlas para planificar y monitorear los cuidados en salud; y se puede recopilarlas en encuestas de salud de la población mediante herramientas específicas; y podría recopilarse utilizando la CIF como herramienta en la recopilación diaria de información sobre salud.

Abstract Introduction Cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMPs) are biphasic, short latency potentials, which represent the inhibition of the contraction of the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) mediated by the saccule, the inferior vestibular nerve, the vestibular nuclei and the medial vestibular spinal tract. Objective To evaluate the response of cVEMPs in individuals with profound prelingual bilateral cochlear hearing loss. Methods A prospective case-control study. A total of 64 volunteers, divided into a study group (31 patients with profound prelingual sensorineural hearing loss) and a control group (33 subjectsmatched for age and gender with psychoacoustic thresholds of ≤ 25 dB HL between 500 and 8,000 Hz) were submitted to the cVEMP exam. The causes of hearing loss were grouped by etiology and the involved period. Results The subjects of the study group aremore likely to present changes in cVEMPs compared to the control group (35.5% versus 6.1% respectively; p = 0.003), with an odds ratio (OR) of 8.52 (p = 0.009). Itmeans that they had 8.52-fold higher propensity of presenting altered cVEMP results. There were no statistically significant differences between the latencies, the interamplitude and the asymmetry index. Regarding the etiology, there was a statistically significant difference when the cause was infectious, with an OR of 15.50 (p = 0.005), and when the impairment occurred in the prenatal period, with an OR of 9.86 (p = 0.009). Conclusion The present study showed abnormalities in the sacculocolic pathway in a considerable portion of individuals with profound prelingual sensorineural hearing loss due to infectious and congenital causes, as revealed by the cVEMP results.

ABSTRACT The adhesion ability of bacteria to abiotic surfaces has important implications in food industries, because these organisms can survive for long periods through the biofilm formation. They can be transferred from one place to another in the industry causing contamination of the food processing environment. In this study, the antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of the antimicrobial peptide P34, characterized as a bacteriocin-like substance (BLS P34) were tested against planktonic and sessile cells of Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis isolated from foods. The BLS P34 showed inhibitory effect against all planktonic cells of E. faecalis. The inhibition of biofilm formation and the eradication of pre-formed biofilm were evaluated with the crystal violet assay and with the reduction of 3-bromide [4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium. The BLS P34 promoted a reduction of percentage of adhered microbial cells on the surface, not being able to perform the complete elimination of biofilm formation. The metabolic activity of S. aureus biofilms decreased considerably between 41-95%. However, E. faecalis cells showed up metabolically stimulated. The BLS P34 has the potential antibiofilm for the species S. aureus. Studies suggest more detailed approaches to a better understanding of the interactions between the antimicrobial and bacterial cells within the biofilm structure.

ABSTRACT Purpose To describe the speech of a patient with Pierre Robin Sequence (PRS) and severe speech disorders before and after participating in an Intensive Speech Therapy Program (ISTP). Methods The ISTP consisted of two daily sessions of therapy over a 36-week period, resulting in a total of 360 therapy sessions. The sessions included the phases of establishment, generalization, and maintenance. A combination of strategies, such as modified contrast therapy and speech sound perception training, were used to elicit adequate place of articulation. The ISTP addressed correction of place of production of oral consonants and maximization of movement of the pharyngeal walls with a speech bulb reduction program. Therapy targets were addressed at the phonetic level with a gradual increase in the complexity of the productions hierarchically (e.g., syllables, words, phrases, conversation) while simultaneously addressing the velopharyngeal hypodynamism with speech bulb reductions. Results Re-evaluation after the ISTP revealed normal speech resonance and articulation with the speech bulb. Nasoendoscopic assessment indicated consistent velopharyngeal closure for all oral sounds with the speech bulb in place. Conclusion Intensive speech therapy, combined with the use of the speech bulb, yielded positive outcomes in the rehabilitation of a clinical case with severe speech disorders associated with velopharyngeal dysfunction in Pierre Robin Sequence.

Abstract Background The interest in commercial use of wild animals is increasing, especially regarding raising of capybaras. Although this wild species is potentially lucrative for the production of meat, oil and leather, it is suggested as a probable reservoir of leptospires. Methods Due to the economic importance of this species and the lack of studies concerning leptospirosis, the presence of anti-leptospirosis agglutinins was assayed in 55 serum samples of capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) from commercial and experimental breeding flocks located in São Paulo state, Paraná state, and Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. Samples were obtained through cephalic or femoral venipunction (5 to 10 mL). Microscopic agglutination test was used according to the Brazilian Health Ministry considering as cut-off titer of 100. Results Out of the 55 samples analyzed, 23 (41.82 %) tested positive. The most prevalent serovar was Icterohaemorrhagiae (56.52 %) in 13 samples, followed by Copenhageni in nine samples (39.13 %), Pomona in four samples (17.39 %), Djasiman and Castellonis in three samples each (13.04 %), Grippotyphosa, Hardjo, Canicola, and Cynopteri in two samples each (8.7 %), and Andamana and Bratislava in one sample each (4.34 %). Conclusions These results suggest the evidence of exposure toLeptospira spp. and the need of new studies to evaluate a higher number of capybaras from different regions to better understand the importance of leptospirosis infection in these animals and verify the zoonotic role of this species as a possible source of infection to humans and other animals.

RESUMO Bletia catenulata é uma orquídea nativa do Brasil, cujas populações têm sofrido coleta predatória. Objetivando conhecer aspectos da biologia reprodutiva e sua relação com a germinação de sementes, diferentes tipos de polinização foram realizados em flores de plantas cultivadas em estufa agrícola. A polinização cruzada e a autopolinização manuais resultaram em altos percentuais de frutificação (76,7-86,7 %), sendo de apenas 26,7 % na polinização natural, na qual a ausência de polinizadores, por isolamento das flores, resultou na ausência de frutos. A germinação in vitro de sementes de todos os frutos resultantes das diferentes polinizações foi baixa, sendo 8,6 % o maior valor percentual de protocormos obtidos. Portanto,B. catenulata é autocompatível, gerando sementes viáveis, mas dependente de polinizador para reprodução sexuada.

ABSTRACT Bletia catenulata is a native Brazilian orchid whose populations have suffered from predatory collection. Aiming at elucidating aspects of its reproductive biology and the relation with seed germination, pollination tests were carried out in flowers of plants cultivated in a greenhouse. Manual cross and self-pollination resulted in high percentage of fructification (76.7-86.7 %), being only 26.7 % for natural pollination, in which the absence of pollinators, due to flower isolation, resulted in absence of fruits. In vitro seed germination for all fruits from the different pollination processes was low, being 8.6 % the highest percentage for protocorms. Thus, B. catenulata is selfcompatible, resulting in viable seeds, but pollinator-dependent for sexual reproduction.

Prolonged culturing of many microorganisms leads to the loss of virulence and a reduction of their infective capacity. However, little is known about the changes in the pathogenic strains of Acanthamoeba after long culture periods. Our study evaluated the effect of prolonged culturing on the invasiveness of different isolates of Acanthamoeba in an in vivo rat model. ATCC strains of Acanthamoeba, isolates from the environment and clinical cases were evaluated. The in vivo model was effective in establishing the infection and differentiating the pathogenicity of the isolates and re-isolates. The amoebae cultured in the laboratory for long periods were less virulent than those that were recently isolated, confirming the importance of passing Acanthamoeba strains in animal models.

Um ensaio de imunoadsorção enzimática para detecção de anticorpos contra Leishmania chagasi, utilizando antígeno total de formas promastigotas lisados foi desenvolvido. Cinqüenta cães com sintomas clínicos de leishmaniose visceral foram examinados. Esta técnica utilizou anti-IgG de cão conjugado a peroxidase ou proteína A conjugado a peroxidase. Foi verificado que nos animais positivos diagnosticados por exame parasitológico direto o ensaio ELISA utilizando proteína A conjugada a peroxidase (média da densidade óptica ± desvio padrão 2,078 ± 0,631) detecta mais anticorpos do que o sistema utilizando anti-IgG de cão conjugado a peroxidase (média da densidade óptica ± desvio padrão 1,008 ± 0,437), enquanto para os animais negativos o resultado obtido nos dois sistemas de detecção são similares. Esse resultado sugere que o sistema de ELISA utilizando proteína A conjugado a peroxidase pode ser útil na detecção de animais na fase aguda da infecção e desta forma auxiliar na identificação dos animais positivos e no controle desta importante zoonose.

A rapid indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for measuring antibodies against Leishmania chagasi using total antigen from lysed promastigotes. Fifty symptomatic mixed breed dogs from a region of high incidence of visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil were examined. The results showed that in the positive animals, diagnosed by cytological examination, the ELISA using protein A assay system (mean optical density ± SD / 2.078 ± 0.631) detected more antibodies than the anti-IgG assay (mean optical density ± SD / 1.008 ± 0.437), while in the negative animals, the results by both systems were similar. These results suggest that the ELISA assay using protein A peroxidase conjugated could be useful to detect early infected animals in endemic areas, and thus help to control the spread of the infection.