Abstract Traditional post-fire forest management can influence future vegetation composition and recovery of a burned area. The present study, integrated in SUDOE-REMAS project (SOE3/P4/E0954) and Curricular Unit Silviculture II (Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa), evaluated the effect of forest management on the diversity of post-fire vegetation in the cork oak forest from Serra do Caldeirão (Algarve, Portugal). Climate is classified as Csa and most of soils are Leptosols. We selected three types of cork oak plots: unburned (A), burned with post-fire management (B) and burned with post-fire abandonment (C). Floristic inventories were carried out through transects (15 transects per group and each one with 10 m of length ) to determine species abundance and diversity. Hill series diversity indices were estimated for the individuals inventoried. The results indicated that plots C present greater diversity in all Hill Series indices. Plots A presented greater diversity when compared to B. The species Lavandula stoechas ssp. luisieri Rozeira was the dominant in the 3 groups (19% in plots A, 17% in B and 19% in C). In the burned plots (B+C), Cistus ladanifer L. represented 14% of the total individuals, with or without management. In the unburned plots (A), Ulex argenteus Welw. ex Webb representes 17% of the individuals present. There’s a greater presence of pyrophytic species (genera Cistus and Ulex) in burned plots, with or without management. Fire is favourable to species diversity but not to their resistance to new fires. Nevertheless, management of herbaceous flora in burned plots seems to positively influence vegetation composition and diversity.

Resumo A gestão florestal tradicional pós-fogo pode influenciar a vegetação futura do local e a recuperação da área ardida. O presente estudo, integrado no projeto SUDOE-REMAS (SOE3/P4/E0954) e na Unidade Curricular de Silvicultura II ministrada no Instituto Superior de Agronomia da Universidade de Lisboa, avaliou o efeito da gestão florestal na diversidade da vegetação pós-fogo no sobreiral da Serra do Caldeirão (Algarve, S de Portugal). A maioria dos solos são classificados como Leptossolos e o clima é do tipo Cs. Selecionaram-se parcelas de 3 tipos: não ardidas com gestão pós-fogo (A), ardidas com gestão pós-fogo (B) e ardidas sem gestão pós-fogo (C). Efetuaram-se inventários florísticos através de transeptos (15 transeptos por tipologia), com 10 m de comprimento cada, para avaliação da abundância e diversidade de espécies. Estimaram-se os índices de diversidade da série de Hill para os indivíduos inventariados. Os resultados indicaram que as parcelas do tipo C apresentam maior diversidade em todos os índices da Série de Hill. As parcelas A apresentaram maior diversidade quando comparadas com as parcelas B. A espécie Lavandula stoechas ssp. luisieri Rozeira é a espécie dominante nos 3 grupos (19% in plots A, 17% in B and 19% in C). Nas parcelas ardidas (B+C), Cistus ladanifer L. representa 14% dos indivíduos presentes, com ou sem gestão. Verificou-se maior presença de espécies pirófitas (géneros Cistus e Ulex) nas parcelas ardidas, com ou sem gestão. Este estudo aponta que o fogo pode favorecer a diversidade de espécies mas não a resistência das mesmas a novos fogos. Ainda assim, a gestão da flora herbácea nas parcelas ardidas parece influenciar positivamente a composição e diversidade.

Resumo Enterococcus faecalis, causa comum de infecções nosocomiais, é frequentemente associado a infecções endodônticas. Entretanto, há poucos estudos de caracterização genética das linhagens mais associadas aos canais radiculares. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a relação genética entre isolados de E. faecalis de infecções endodônticas primárias no sudeste do Brasil para testar a hipótese de clones infectando indivíduos não relacionados e examinar o perfil de resistência antimicrobiana. A relação genética de 32 E. faecalis endodônticos foi obtida pela técnica de tipagem de sequências multilocus (MLST). Esses isolados foram coletados de pacientes não relacionados com infeção endodôntica primária tratados no Brasil entre 2010 e 2023. Teste de suscetibilidade antimicrobiana foi realizado utilizando a técnica de difusão em disco de acordo com o Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI). Foram detectados 12 tipos de sequência (STs), dos quais 8 STs continham apenas um isolado. Clones de ST 30, ST 40, ST 97 e ST 397 foram encontrados, com uma elevada frequência deste último (15/32). A suscetibilidade aos agentes antimicrobianos testados variou, com a maior percentagem de resistência observada para a clindamicina (100%), tetraciclina (34,4%), azitromicina (31,2%) e ciprofloxacina (19,2%). Um isolado era multirresistente. O MLST de E. faecalis endodônticos revelou clones infectando diferentes indivíduos em diferentes cidades, com até 10 anos de intervalo, com alta ocorrência do ST 397. Portanto, existe uma linhagem predominante de E. faecalis associada a infecções endodônticas no sudeste do Brasil. Estes dados, juntamente com a literatura, levantam a preocupação de que possam existir linhagens especializadas em infecções endodônticas. nosocomiais Entretanto radiculares E 3 MLST. . (MLST) 201 2023 CLSI. CLSI (CLSI) 1 STs, , (STs) 30 40 9 39 encontrados 15/32. 1532 15/32 15 (15/32) variou 100%, 100 100% (100%) 34,4%, 344 34,4% 34 4 (34,4%) 31,2% 312 31 2 (31,2% 19,2%. 192 19,2% 19 (19,2%) multirresistente cidades intervalo Portanto dados literatura (MLST 20 202 (CLSI (STs 153 15/3 (15/32 (100% 34,4 (34,4% 31,2 (31,2 19,2 (19,2% 15/ (15/3 (100 34, (34,4 31, (31, 19, (19,2 (15/ (10 (34, (31 (19, (15 (1 (34 (3 (19 (

Abstract Enterococcus faecalis is a common cause of nosocomial infections and is frequently associated with endodontic infections. However, there is a scarcity of studies addressing the genetic characterization of E. faecalis lineages most commonly associated with root canals. The aim of this study was to assess the genetic relatedness of E. faecalis strains from primary endodontic infections in Southeast Brazil, test the hypothesis of clones infecting unrelated individuals, and examine the antimicrobial resistance profile. The genetic relationship of 32 endodontic E. faecalis isolates was investigated using multilocus sequence typing (MLST). These isolates were collected from unrelated patients with primary endodontic infections treated in Brazil between 2010 and 2023. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the disk diffusion method in accordance with the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Twelve sequence types (STs) were detected, of which eight STs contained only a single strain. Clones of ST 30, ST 40, ST 97, and ST 397 were identified, with a notably high frequency of ST 397 (15/32). Susceptibility to the antimicrobial agents tested varied, with the highest resistance rates observed for clindamycin (100%), tetracycline (34.4%), azithromycin (31.2%), and ciprofloxacin (19.2%). One isolate was found to be multidrug-resistant. MLST analysis of endodontic E. faecalis revealed clones infecting different individuals in various cities over a span of up to 10 years, with a high occurrence of ST 397. Therefore, there appears to be a predominant E. faecalis lineage associated with endodontic infections in Southeast Brazil. These findings, together with existing literature, raise concerns that certain lineages may be specialized in causing endodontic infections. However E canals profile 3 MLST. . (MLST) 201 2023 guidelines (STs detected strain 30 40 97 39 identified 15/32. 1532 15/32 15 (15/32) varied 100%, 100 100% , (100%) 34.4%, 344 34.4% 34 4 (34.4%) 31.2%, 312 31.2% 31 2 (31.2%) 19.2%. 192 19.2% 19 (19.2%) multidrugresistant. multidrugresistant multidrug resistant. resistant multidrug-resistant 1 years Therefore findings literature (MLST 20 202 9 153 15/3 (15/32 (100% 34.4 (34.4% 31.2 (31.2% 19.2 (19.2% 15/ (15/3 (100 34. (34.4 31. (31.2 19. (19.2 (15/ (10 (34. (31. (19. (15 (1 (34 (31 (19 ( (3

RESUMO Os primatas que habitam a floresta tropical ao redor da cidade de Manaus (Amazonas, Brasil) há muito são reconhecidos como reservatórios potencialmente importantes de doenças infecciosas emergentes e reemergentes. Sequências de DNA de parasitas filariais detectadas por PCR em amostras de Simulium oyapockense foram usadas para demonstrar que eles haviam se alimentado anteriormente de primatas não humanos e, dessa maneira, incriminar vetores-ponte da região amazônica. O uso mais amplo de detecção de parasitas filariais para a incriminação de vetores-ponte é limitado por uma escassez de sequências referência de parasitas filarias obtidas de hospedeiros. Aqui nós usamos o sequenciamento tipo shotgun para obter dados de referência de um parasita adulto Dipetalonema gracile encontrado infectando um sauim-de-coleira, Saguinus bicolor no entorno de Manaus. Relatamos o genoma mitocondrial completo do parasita (que tem 13.647 pares de bases de comprimento), 894.846 pares de bases de seu genoma de Wolbachia e 6.426 pares de bases de seu locus de DNA ribossômico (desde o início de sua subunidade 18S até o final de sua subunidade 28S). Apesar de criticamente ameaçado, S. bicolor é comumente encontrado no entorno de Manaus e em fragmentos florestais urbanos. As sequências relatadas podem ser uma ferramenta de referência útil para identificar vetores ponte e potencialmente fornecer algumas informações sobre o contato entre reservatórios de patógenos de primatas e os moradores de Manaus. Amazonas, Amazonas (Amazonas Brasil reemergentes maneira vetoresponte amazônica hospedeiros sauimdecoleira, sauimdecoleira sauim coleira, coleira sauim-de-coleira 13647 13 647 13.64 comprimento, comprimento , comprimento) 894846 894 846 894.84 6426 6 426 6.42 desde S 28S. 28S . 28S) ameaçado urbanos 1364 1 64 13.6 89484 89 84 894.8 642 42 6.4 136 13. 8948 8 894. 4 6.

ABSTRACT The primates that inhabit the rainforest surrounding the city of Manaus (Amazonas, Brazil) have long been recognised as potentially important reservoirs of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases (ERIDs). PCR amplification of filarial sequences from wild-caught Simulium oyapockense has been used to incriminate potentially important Amazon-region ERID bridge vectors by showing they had previously fed on non-human primates. The broader use of filarial parasite sequences for the incrimination of biting insects as potentially important zoonotic disease vectors is limited by a paucity of primate-derived filarial parasite reference sequences which can be matched to the PCR amplified sequences obtained from insect-vector vectors. Here we have used shotgun sequencing to obtain reference data from an adult Dipetalonema gracile parasite which was found infecting a wild pied tamarin (Saguinus bicolor) in a peripheral region of Manaus. We report the parasite´s complete mitochondrial genome (which is 13,647 base pairs in length), 894,846 base pairs of its Wolbachia genome and 6,426 base pairs of its ribosomal DNA locus (spanning from the start of its 18S subunit to the end of its 28S subunit). Despite being critically endangered, S. bicolor is commonly encountered around the periphery of Manaus and in urban forest fragments. The reported sequences may be a useful reference tool for identifying ERID bridge vectors and potentially provide some insights into the amount and the nature of contact between primate pathogen reservoirs and the residents of Manaus. Amazonas, Amazonas (Amazonas Brazil reemerging re ERIDs. ERIDs . (ERIDs) wildcaught caught Amazonregion Amazon nonhuman non human primatederived derived insectvector insect vector Saguinus parasites s 13647 13 647 13,64 length, length , length) 894846 894 846 894,84 6426 6 426 6,42 spanning S subunit. subunit) endangered fragments (ERIDs 1364 1 64 13,6 89484 89 84 894,8 642 42 6,4 136 13, 8948 8 894, 4 6,

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar o desempenho zootécnico de cordeiros mestiços Dorper x Santa Inês terminados em sistemas de pastejo sobre pastagem de Megathyrsus maximus cultivar Aruana, com e sem sombreamento, e em confinamento. Utilizaram-se 24 cordeiros não castrados em delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com os três seguintes tratamentos, com oito repetições cada um: pastagem de 'Aruana' sem sombreamento + suplemento; pastagem de 'Aruana' com sombreamento + suplemento; e confinamento, com dieta contendo feno de azevém e concentrado na proporção de 20:80. Os tratamentos não influenciaram a idade dos cordeiros até ao abate, o peso ao nascer, a compacidade da perna, o rendimento verdadeiro e o rendimento dos cortes principais, exceto o da ponta do peito + flanco que foi menor na pastagem com sombreamento. Entretanto, o ganho médio diário, o escore de condição corporal, o peso vivo ao abate, o índice de compacidade da carcaça, os pesos da carcaça fria e do corpo vazio, e o rendimento de carcaça fria diferiram entre os tratamentos, com valores superiores no confinamento. A terminação em confinamento aumenta o desempenho zootécnico de ovinos Dorper x Santa Inês e favorece a menor idade ao abate, bem como o maior peso dos principais cortes comerciais, mas não o seu rendimento. Aruana Utilizaramse Utilizaram se 2 casualizado um 'Aruana suplemento 2080. 2080 20 80. 80 20:80 abate nascer perna Entretanto diário corporal vazio comerciais 208 8 20:8 20:

Abstract The objective of this work was to compare the zootechnical performance of Dorper x Santa Inês crossbred lambs finished in grazing systems on Megathyrsus maximus Aruana cultivar pasture, with and without shading, and in a feedlot. Twenty-four non-castrated lambs were used in a completely randomized experimental design, with the three following treatments with eight replicates each: 'Aruana' pasture without shading + supplement; 'Aruana' pasture with shading + supplement; and feedlot, with diet containing ryegrass hay and concentrate at a 20:80 ratio. The treatments did not influence lamb age at slaughter, birth weight, leg compactness, true yield, and main cut yield, except that of breast tip + flank that was lower for the pasture with shading. However, average daily gain, body condition score, live weight at slaughter, carcass compactness index, cold carcass and empty body weights, and cold carcass yield differed between treatments, showing higher values in the feedlot. Termination in the feedlot increases the zootechnical performance of Dorper x Santa Inês sheep and favors a lower age at slaughter, as well as a greater weight of the main commercial cuts, but not their yield. Twentyfour Twenty four noncastrated non castrated design each 'Aruana supplement 2080 20 80 20:8 ratio slaughter However gain score index weights cuts 208 2 8 20:

BACKGROUND Pandrug-resistant (PDR) Klebsiella pneumoniae has been reported sporadically in many countries and remains rare in Brazil. OBJECTIVES This study unravelled the genetic determinants involved with the PDR background of a clinical ST11 K. pneumoniae recovered in the Brazilian Amazon Region, where K. pneumoniae genomic and epidemiological information is scarce. METHODS Kp196 was submitted to the antimicrobial susceptibility test by the disk-diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination. The whole genome sequencing was obtained and the sequence type was determined by core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST). Its intrinsic and acquired resistome was assessed by Comprehensive Antibiotic Resistance Database (CARD) and comparison with wild-type genes. FINDINGS The analyses revealed that Kp196 belonged to the pandemic ST11 and presented the PDR phenotype. Its acquired resistome was composed of a huge set of clinically relevant resistance determinants, including bla CTX-M-15 and bla NDM-1, all found in the vicinity of mobile platforms. Considering its intrinsic resistome, the multidrug resistance, especially to colistin, tigecycline and fluoroquinolones, was multifactorial and attributed to modifications (indels, missense mutations, and gene disruption) in several housekeeping genes (arnT/phoQ/mgrB/ramR/acrB/gyrA/parC/ompK35-36-37). The Kp196 intrinsic resistome was also observed in a ST11 environmental strain, although harbouring distinct acquired resistomes. CONCLUSIONS An accumulation of different resistance mechanisms regarding the intrinsic resistome accounts for a more stable resistome, strongly contributing to the Kp196 PDR phenotype. Pandrugresistant Pandrug resistant (PDR Brazil ST ST1 K Region scarce Kp Kp19 diskdiffusion disk diffusion MIC (MIC determination cgMLST. cgMLST . (cgMLST) CARD (CARD wildtype wild phenotype CTXM15 CTXM CTX M 15 CTX-M-1 NDM1, NDM1 NDM 1, 1 NDM-1 platforms colistin fluoroquinolones indels, indels (indels mutations disruption arnT/phoQ/mgrB/ramR/acrB/gyrA/parC/ompK353637. arnTphoQmgrBramRacrBgyrAparCompK353637 arnTphoQmgrBramRacrBgyrAparCompK arnT/phoQ/mgrB/ramR/acrB/gyrA/parC/ompK35 36 37 arnT phoQ mgrB ramR acrB gyrA parC ompK35 ompK (arnT/phoQ/mgrB/ramR/acrB/gyrA/parC/ompK35-36-37) strain resistomes Kp1 (cgMLST CTXM1 CTX-M- NDM- ompK353637 arnT/phoQ/mgrB/ramR/acrB/gyrA/parC/ompK353637 arnTphoQmgrBramRacrBgyrAparCompK35363 arnTphoQmgrBramRacrBgyrAparCompK35 arnT/phoQ/mgrB/ramR/acrB/gyrA/parC/ompK3 3 ompK3 (arnT/phoQ/mgrB/ramR/acrB/gyrA/parC/ompK35-36-37 CTX-M ompK35363 arnT/phoQ/mgrB/ramR/acrB/gyrA/parC/ompK35363 arnTphoQmgrBramRacrBgyrAparCompK3536 arnTphoQmgrBramRacrBgyrAparCompK3 arnT/phoQ/mgrB/ramR/acrB/gyrA/parC/ompK (arnT/phoQ/mgrB/ramR/acrB/gyrA/parC/ompK35-36-3 ompK3536 arnT/phoQ/mgrB/ramR/acrB/gyrA/parC/ompK3536 arnTphoQmgrBramRacrBgyrAparCompK353 (arnT/phoQ/mgrB/ramR/acrB/gyrA/parC/ompK35-36- ompK353 arnT/phoQ/mgrB/ramR/acrB/gyrA/parC/ompK353 (arnT/phoQ/mgrB/ramR/acrB/gyrA/parC/ompK35-36 (arnT/phoQ/mgrB/ramR/acrB/gyrA/parC/ompK35-3 (arnT/phoQ/mgrB/ramR/acrB/gyrA/parC/ompK35- (arnT/phoQ/mgrB/ramR/acrB/gyrA/parC/ompK35 (arnT/phoQ/mgrB/ramR/acrB/gyrA/parC/ompK3 (arnT/phoQ/mgrB/ramR/acrB/gyrA/parC/ompK

BACKGROUND The parasite Giardia duodenalis infects a wide range of vertebrate hosts, including domestic and wild animals as well as humans. Giardia is genotyped into eight assemblages (A-H). Zoonotic assemblages A and B have already been identified in humans and wild and domestic animals (non-human primates and cats) from Brazilian Amazon and in the world. Due to its zoonotic/zooanthroponotic nature, surveillance initiatives and the definition of Giardia assemblages are important in order to characterise the epidemiological scenario and to implement further control measures. OBJECTIVES Determine assemblages of G. duodenalis in sloths from the Brazilian Amazon Region. METHODS Faecal parasitological examination of sloths from Amazonas State. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the beta giardin (BG), and genes from multilocus sequence typing (MLST) scheme, amplicon sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. FINDINGS Here, we identified, by microscopy, Giardia in two northern sloths (Bradypus tridactylus). These two samples were submitted to molecular assays and it was revealed that both were infected by G. duodenalis assemblage A. Phylogenetic analysis showed that they belong to assemblage A within sequences from humans and wild and domestic animals. CONCLUSION Therefore, besides showing, by the first time, the current presence of this parasite in sloths, our findings reveals that this wild animal species would be part of the zoonotic/zooanthroponotic scenario of this parasite in the Brazilian Amazon. hosts AH. AH H . (A-H) nonhuman non human cats world zoonoticzooanthroponotic zoonotic zooanthroponotic nature measures G Region State PCR (PCR BG, BG , (BG) MLST (MLST scheme Here microscopy Bradypus tridactylus. tridactylus tridactylus) Therefore showing time (A-H (BG

RESUMO: O presente estudo avaliou a suplementação de bicarbonato de sódio (BS) em dietas sem forragem à base de milho moído sobre o consumo e a digestibilidade aparente dos nutrientes, os parâmetros ruminais e o balanço de N. Foram utilizados quatro cordeiros Dorper × Santa Inês, com um peso corporal inicial de 43,4 ± 0,85 kg (média ± desvio padrão). O delineamento experimental foi quadrado latino 4×4. Cada período experimental durou 21 dias. As dietas experimentais foram: controle positivo, sem BS, contendo 400 g/kg de MS de casca de soja (CONT) e três dietas à base de milho moído, sem casca de soja, contendo 10 (10BS), 20 (20BS) ou 30 (30BS) g/kg de MS de BS. O consumo de fibra em detergente neutro e ácido foi maior (P < 0,01)para o CONT quando comparado com BS. O consumo e a digestibilidade aparente da matéria seca, matéria orgânica, extrato etéreo e proteína bruta não diferiram entre os tratamentos. O consumo (P = 0,01) e digestibilidade (P < 0,01) dos carboidratos não fibrosos foram superiores para as dietas contendo BS e a digestibilidade da fibra em detergente neutro foi maior para o CONT. Os teores de nutrientes digestivos totais e energia metabolizável foram superiores para as dietas contendo BS (P = 0,04). A concentração ruminal de acetato (P < 0,01), isobutirato (P < 0,01), butirato (P < 0,01), isovalerato (P < 0,01) e ácidos graxos totais de cadeia curta (P < 0,01) foram mais elevadas para o CONT. O pHruminal apresentou resposta quadrática (P = 0,05) em relação aos níveis de BS, sendo observado maior pH para os animais alimentados com a dieta 20BS. O BS foi eficiente em aumentar o pHruminal no teor de 20 g/kg MS sem interferir no consumo e na digestibilidade aparente dos nutrientes. Portanto, 20 g/kg de MS é a dose indicada de BS em dietas sem forragem para terminação de cordeiros em confinamento. RESUMO (BS N Inês 434 43 4 43, 085 0 85 0,8 média padrão. padrão . padrão) 44 4×4 2 dias positivo 40 gkg g (CONT 1 10BS, 10BS , (10BS) 20BS (20BS 3 30BS (30BS P 0,01para 001para 0,01 01 seca orgânica tratamentos 001 0,04. 004 0,04 04 0,04) 0,01, 0,05 005 05 Portanto confinamento 08 8 0, 4× (10BS 01para 0,0 00

ABSTRACT: This study evaluated forage-free diets supplemented with sodium bicarbonate (SB) based on ground flint corn on intake, apparent nutrient digestibility, ruminal parameters, and N balance. Four rumen-cannulatedDorper × Santa Inês lambs, with a body weight of 43.4 ± 0.85 kg (mean ± standard deviation) were used. The experimental design was a 4×4 Latin square. Each experimental period lasted 21 days. Experimental diets were: positive control, a diet without SB containing 400 g/kg DM of soybean hulls (CONT), and three diets based on ground flint corn, containing 10 (10SB), 20 (20SB) or 30 (30SB) g/kg DM of SB. Intake of neutral and acid detergent fiber was greater for CONT (P < 0.01) when compared to SB. Intake and apparent nutrient digestibility of dry and organic matter, ether extract, and crude protein did not differ. Intake (P = 0.01) and digestibility (P < 0.01) of non-fiber carbohydrates were greater for SB diets and neutral detergent fiber digestibility was greater (P = 0.03) for CONT. The total digestible nutrients and metabolizable energy were greater for SB (P = 0.04). Rumen concentrations of acetate (P < 0.01), isobutyrate (P < 0.01), butyrate (P < 0.01), isovalerate (P < 0.01), and total short-chain fatty acids (P < 0.01) were greater for CONT. Ruminal pH showed a quadratic (P = 0.05) response to SB levels, with greater values for 20SB. Sodium bicarbonate was efficient in increasing ruminal pH at the level of 20 g/kg DM without interfering with the intake and apparent nutrient digestibility characteristics. ABSTRACT foragefree forage free (SB parameters balance rumencannulatedDorper rumen cannulatedDorper lambs 434 43 4 43. 085 0 85 0.8 mean deviation used 44 4× square 2 days control 40 gkg g CONT, , (CONT) 1 10SB, 10SB (10SB) 20SB (20SB 3 30SB (30SB P 0.01 001 01 matter extract differ nonfiber non 0.03 003 03 0.04. 004 0.04 . 04 0.04) 0.01, shortchain short chain 0.05 005 05 levels characteristics 08 8 0. (CONT (10SB 0.0 00

BACKGROUND Giardia duodenalis is a protozoan parasite that infects humans and other mammals and causes giardiasis worldwide. Giardia is genotyped into eight assemblages (A-H), with assemblages A and B considered zoonotic. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to determine the assemblages of G. duodenalis from individuals living in rural and urban areas of the Amazonas State. METHODS 103 human faecal specimens microscopically positive for the presence of Giardia obtained from four municipalities in Amazonas and four animal faecal specimens were genotyped based on the sequences of two genes, triosephosphate isomerase (TPI) and β-giardin (BG). FINDINGS In humans, assemblage A was the most represented with the identification of sub-assemblages AI, AII and AIII based on BG and sub-assemblages AI and AII based on TPI. Similarly, there is a diversity of sub-assemblage B considering BG (B and BIII) and TPI (B, BIII and BIV). In addition, we characterised homogeneous and heterogeneous genotypes comprising assemblages/sub-assemblages A and B in individuals from urban and rural areas. Here, for the first time, it was genotyped Giardia that infects animals from the Brazilian Amazon region. We identified sub-assemblage AI in one Ateles paniscus and two Felis catus and sub-assemblage BIV in one Lagothrix cana. MAIN CONCLUSIONS Therefore, humans and animals from the urban and rural Amazon share Giardia genotypes belonging to assemblages A and B, which are found in cosmopolitan regions around the world.

The presence of tRNA array, a region with high tRNA gene number and density, has been demonstrated in Mycobacterium genus. However, a recent phylogenomic study revealed the existence of five distinct monophyletic groups (genera) within this genus. Considering this new scenario, and based on in-silico analyses, we have identified and characterised the abundance and diversity of tRNA array units within Mycobacterium, Mycolicibacterium gen. nov., Mycolicibacillus gen. nov., and Mycobacteroides gen. nov. The occurrence and prevalence of tRNA arrays among the genera belonging to Actinobacteria indicate their possible role in the organismal fitness.

Abstract Objective This study aims to evaluate the effect of sonochemical treatment on the surface of yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia (Y-TZP) before and after the final sintering. Material and Methods Twenty-eight Y-TZP discs were divided into four groups (n=7), according to surface treatment: PRE: pre-sintering sonication with 30% nominal power for 15 min; POS: post-sintering sonication with 30% nominal power for 15 min; JAT: air abrasion with 50-μm alumina particles; and CON: control group with no treatment. The POS and JAT groups were sintered before sonication and the PRE group after sonication. Surface roughness was analyzed using confocal microscopy, after which resin cement cylinders were placed on the surface of the Y-TZP discs and subjected to mechanical microshear bond strength test until fracture. Surface roughness and microshear bond strength values underwent ANOVA and the Tukey tests. Results The surface roughness values for the PRE group (299.91 nm) and the POS group (291.23 nm) were not significantly different (p≥0.05), statistically, and the surface roughness value of the JAT group (925.21 nm) was higher than those of PRE and POS (p=0.007) groups. The mechanical microshear bond strength test showed that there was no statistically significant difference between the groups (p=0.08). Conclusions Therefore, the results showed that sonochemical treatment modifies the Y-TZP surface and is similar to the well-established sandblasting surface treatment regarding the strength of the bond with the resin cement.

BACKGROUND Shared traits between prokaryotes and eukaryotes are helpful in the understanding of the tree of life evolution. In bacteria and eukaryotes, it has been shown a particular organisation of tRNA genes as clusters, but this trait has not been explored in the archaea domain. OBJECTIVE Explore the occurrence of tRNA gene clusters in archaea. METHODS In-silico analyses of complete and draft archaeal genomes based on tRNA gene isotype and synteny, tRNA gene cluster content and mobilome elements. FINDINGS We demonstrated the prevalence of tRNA gene clusters in archaea. tRNA gene clusters, composed of archaeal-type tRNAs, were identified in two Archaea class, Halobacteria and Methanobacteria from Euryarchaeota supergroup. Genomic analyses also revealed evidence of the association between tRNA gene clusters to mobile genetic elements and intra-domain horizontal gene transfer. MAIN CONCLUSIONS tRNA gene cluster occurs in the three domains of life, suggesting a role of this type of tRNA gene organisation in the biology of the living organisms.

ABSTRACT Human T cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) was the first retrovirus discovered in humans and is endemic in several parts of the world. Because of risk behaviors, mainly sexual, men who have sex with men (MSM) are at high risk of acquiring HTLV-1 infection. A cross-sectional study was performed to estimate the prevalence of HTLV-1 infection, to characterize genetically HTLV-1 sequences and to identify risk behaviors associated with this infection among MSM in Central Brazil. A total of 430 MSM were enrolled in this study and three were shown to be HTLV-1 infected, prevalence of 0.7% (95% confidence interval: 0.4-0.9). Phylogenetic analysis showed that all HTLV-1 positive samples belonged to Cosmopolitan subtype Transcontinental subgroup A. Although the prevalence rate of HTLV-1 infection found in this study was similar to that observed among Brazilian blood donors, additional HTLV-1 preventive interventions need to be further implemented because this population is engaged in high-risk sexual behavior.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: This study identified and summarized all Cochrane systematic reviews (SRs) on the effects of ten integrative practices that were recently added to the Brazilian public healthcare system (SUS). DESIGN AND SETTING: Review of systematic reviews, conducted in the Discipline of Evidence-Based Medicine, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (Unifesp). METHODS: Review of Cochrane SRs on the following interventions were identified, summarized and critically assessed: apitherapy, aromatherapy, bioenergetics, family constellation, flower therapy, chromotherapy, geotherapy, hypnotherapy, hand imposition or ozone therapy. RESULTS: We included a total of 16 SRs: 4 on apitherapy, 4 on aromatherapy, 6 on hypnotherapy and 2 on ozone therapy. No Cochrane SR was found regarding bioenergetics, family constellation, chromotherapy, clay therapy, flower therapy or hand imposition. The only high-quality evidence was in relation to the potential benefit of apitherapy, specifically regarding some benefits from honey dressings for partial healing of burn wounds, for reduction of coughing among children with acute coughs and for preventing allergic reactions to insect stings. CONCLUSION: Except for some specific uses of apitherapy (honey for burn wounds and for acute coughs and bee venom for allergic reactions to insect stings), the use of ten integrative practices that have recently been incorporated into SUS does not seem to be supported by evidence from Cochrane SRs.

Resumo Este estudo analisou a qualidade dos sedimentos de três Áreas Marinhas Protegidas (AMP) situadas na porção central do litoral paulista (Parque Estadual Marinho da Laje de Santos - PEMLS; Parque Estadual Xixová-Japuí- PEXJ; Área de Proteção Ambiental Marinha do Litoral Centro - APAMLC). Quatro campanhas de coleta foram organizadas (Setembro/Outobro-2013; Janeiro-2014; Julho-2014; Janeiro-2015). Amostras de sedimento foram coletadas em 10 pontos ao longo das 3 AMP. As amostras foram analisadas para granulometria, carbono orgânico total, CaCO3, metais, hidrocarbonetos alifáticos e policíclico aromáticos, e toxicidade de sedimento integral e interface sedimento-água. Análise de Componentes Principais foi utilizada na integração dos dados. A maioria das amostras exibiu baixa contaminação, exceto a amostra de P2 (APAMLC) onde níveis moderados de contaminantes foram detectados. Sedimentos de P7 e P9 (PEMLS) eventualmente apresentaram sinais de hidrocarbonetos de petróleo. As demais amostras não apresentaram contaminação relevante, mas tiveram toxicidades variáveis, especialmente os sedimentos predominantemente bioclásticos. A PCA indicou forte contribuição das propriedades do sedimento, principalmente CaCO3 e amônia, na geração da toxicidade, indicando que fatores naturais e/ou antrópicos podem estar induzindo a toxicidade nas AMP estudadas.

Abstract In this study, the quality of sediments from three Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) located on the coast of São Paulo (Laje de Santos Marine State Park - PEMLS; Xixova-Japui State Park - XJSP; and Central Coast Marine Protection Area - APAMLC) was assessed. Four sampling surveys were conducted (September/October 2013; January 2014; July 2014; January 2015). Sediment samples were collected at10 sites, distributed along the 3 MPAs. Samples were analyzed for sediment texture, total organic carbon, CaCO3, metals, aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and for whole-sediment and sediment-water interface toxicities. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to integrate data. Most of the sediments exhibited low concentrations of chemicals, with the exception of those from P2 (APAMLC) where moderate levels of contaminants were detected. Sediments from P7 and P9 (PEMLS) occasionally showed signs of petroleum hydrocarbons. The other sediments showed no relevant contamination but presented variable toxicity, especially those of bioclastic composition. The PCA indicated a contribution of the sediment properties to the toxicities, especially the CaCO3. In bioclastic sediments, toxicity might be due to physical causes by or any indirect factor such as the presence of ammonia. It was concluded that both natural and anthropic factors are causing toxicity in sediments from the MPAs studied.