Resumo A infecção por micobactérias não tuberculosas é uma das doenças bacterianas crônicas mais comuns em peixes ornamentais de aquário e parece estar diretamente relacionada a práticas de manejo estressantes. Além disso, também representa potencial zoonótico. Aqui, apresentamos o isolamento e a caracterização de micobactérias não tuberculosas de peixes-anjo de água doce doentes (Pterophyllum scalare) em São Paulo, Brasil. Foram avaliadas nove fêmeas reprodutoras descartadas com sinais de doença. Os peixes exibiam letargia, perda de apetite, caquexia, úlceras cutâneas e exoftalmia. Na necropsia, quatro peixes apresentaram granulomas macroscópicos no baço. Mycobacterium chelonae, M. fortuitum, M. gordonae, M. intracellulare e M. peregrinum foram isolados e identificados por análise de restrição por PCR de hsp65. A análise histopatológica revelou lesões microscópicas compatíveis com micobacteriose, e o bacilo de Mycobacterium foi observado pela coloração de Ziehl-Neelsen. Notavelmente, todas as espécies de Mycobacterium identificadas neste estudo já foram relatadas em pacientes humanos; portanto, animais doentes podem ser uma fonte de infecção para pessoas que manipulam peixes e aquários.

Abstract Nontuberculous mycobacteria infection is one of the most common chronic bacterial diseases in ornamental aquarium fish and appears to be directly related to stressful husbandry practices. Furthermore, it also represents zoonotic potential. Here we present the isolation and characterization of non-tuberculous mycobacteria from diseased freshwater angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare) in São Paulo, Brazil. Nine discarded breeding females with signs of disease were evaluated. The fish exhibited lethargy, loss of appetite, cachexia, skin ulcers, and exophthalmia. At necropsy, four fishes presented macroscopic granulomas in the spleen. Mycobacterium chelonae, M. fortuitum, M. gordonae, M. intracellulare and M. peregrinum were isolated and identified by hsp65 PCR restriction analysis. Histopathological analysis revealed microscopic lesions compatible with mycobacteriosis, and Mycobacterium bacillus were observed by Ziehl-Neelsen stain. Notably, all Mycobacterium species identified in this study have already been reported in human patients; therefore, diseased animals may be a source of infection for people who handle fish and aquariums.

Resumo Estudos microbiológicos da sanidade de psitacídeos que serão reintroduzidos são importantes para avaliar se esses animais atuam como portadores de agentes patogênicos para outros animais e humanos. A espectrometria de massa por ionização/dessorção de matriz assistida por laser/tempo de vôo (MALDI-TOF MS) é um método mais rápido e preciso para identificar bactérias na comparação com métodos convencionais de microbiologia. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o estado de saúde de psitacídeos cativos, identificando bactérias Gram-negativas da microbiota fecal por MALDI -TOF MS. Os resultados indicaram alta frequência de bactérias Gram-negativas nas fezes (96,5%), principalmente da família Enterobacteriaceae (88,7%). As mais prevalentes foram Escherichia coli (39,0%), Proteus vulgaris (12,2%), Klebsiella spp. (12,1%) e Raoultella ornithinolytica (8,7%). Proteus hauseri, Citrobacter spp., Morganella morgannii, Providencia rettgeri, Enterobacter spp. e Escherichia hermannii foram isolados com menor frequência. Todos esses agentes são potencialmente patogênicos para os papagaios e podem causar infecções sistêmicas em outros animais e seres humanos. Esses achados reforçam que o MALDI- TOF MS é um método rápido e preciso de identificação do microrganismo e avaliação do estado de saúde dos psitacídeos, fornecendo dados relevantes para auxiliar na tomada de decisões sobre os protocolos sanitários em centros de triagem de animais selvagens e sobre a possibilidade de reintrodução futura.

Abstract Microbiological studies of the sanitary and health status of psittacine birds that will be reintroduced is important in evaluating whether these animals act as carriers of pathogenic agents to other animals and humans. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is a faster and more accurate method to identify bacteria than conventional microbiology methods. The aim of this study was to evaluate the health status of psittacines housed in captivity, by assessment of Gram-negative bacteria from fecal microbiota through MALDI- TOF MS identification. The results indicate high frequency of Gram-negative bacteria in feces (96.5%), especially from the Enterobacteriaceae family (88.7%). The most prevalent bacteria were Escherichia coli (39.0%), Proteus vulgaris (12.2%), Klebsiella spp. (12.1%) and Raoultella ornithinolytica (8.7%). Proteus hauseri, Citrobacter spp., Morganella morgannii, Providencia rettgeri, Enterobacter spp. and Escherichia hermannii were isolated with lower frequency. . All these agents are potentially pathogenic for parrots and can cause systemic infections in other animals and humans. These findings reinforce that MALDI- TOF MS proved to be a rapid and accurate method of identification of the microorganism and evaluation of the health status of psittacines, providing relevant data to assist decision-making regarding the sanitary protocols in wildlife centers, and possible future reintroduction of wild birds.

Abstract: Ruminal fermentation and methane production in a sheep silvopastoral system were quantified with the in vitro gas production technique. Evaluations were done of local energy sources (molasses, Zea mays L. and Musa paradisiaca L.), of the base forage (Panicum maximum cv. Tanzania), of forage tree foliage (Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) and Leucaena leucocephala cv. Cunningham), and diets combining these elements. Ruminal fluid was collected from five sheep (Pelibuey x Katahdin; 40 ± 3 kg). Five treatments (diets) containing different mixtures of forage tree foliage, energy sources and the base forage were analyzed in a completely random experimental design. Maximum gas volume production (V) was observed in M. paradisiaca (544 ml/g-1 DM) and Z. mays (467 ml/g-1 DM) (P≤0.05). The lowest V values were for the foliage of G. sepium (253 ml/g-1 DM) and L. leucocephala (180 ml/g-1 DM) (P≤0.05). Of the diets, D4GMP (48% P. maximum, 30% G. sepium, 7% Z. mays, 15% M. paradisiaca) had the highest V value. Methane production ranged from 6.31 to 9.60 L/Kg digested DM, and did not differ between treatments (P>0.05). Data were used to generate a potential fermentable gases emission index, which suggested that the diets containing slow fermenting carbohydrates resulted in higher gas emission rates. Inclusion of forage trees and local energy sources in sheep silvopastoral management systems can improve diet quality and contribute to reducing CH4 emissions.

Resumen: Se evaluaron mediante la técnica de producción de gas in vitro, fuentes energéticas locales (melaza, Zea mays L. y Musa paradisiaca L.) sobre la fermentación ruminal y producción de metano de diversos forrajes usados en un sistema silvopastoril con Panicum maximum cv. Tanzania, Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) y Leucaena leucocephala cv. Cunningham, con ovinos. Se usaron cinco borregos Pelibuey x Katahdin 40 ± 3 (µ±DE) kg como donantes de líquido ruminal. Se analizaron cinco tratamientos (dietas) con diferentes mezclas de follaje de arbóreas y fuentes energéticas en un diseño experimental completamente al azar. M. paradisiaca y Z. mays presentaron los mayores registros de volumen (V) máximo en producción de gas (544 y 467 ml/g-1 MS, respectivamente) (P≤0.05). El follaje de G. sepium y L. leucocephala tuvieron los menores valores de V (253 y 180 ml/g-1 MS, respectivamente) (P≤0.05). La dieta D4 GMP (48 % P. maximum, 30 % G. sepium, 7 % Zea mays, 15 % M. paradisiaca) registro el mayor valor de V. No hubo diferencia (P>0.05) en la producción de metano en las dietas usadas, teniendo un rango de 6.31 a 9.60 de LCH4/kg MSDIG. Se generó un índice de emisión potencial de gases fermentables (IPEGF), el cual sugirió que dietas con carbohidratos de lenta fermentación, contribuyen a un índice más alto de emisión de gases. Por su mejoramiento en la calidad de las dietas y en contribuir en una baja de emisiones de CH4, se sugiere el manejo de arbóreas forrajeras como G. sepium y L. leucocephala, incorporando fuentes energéticas locales.

Authors report a community school study about smoking adolescent behaviour, 8º, 9º, and 10 º year in Zaragoza (Spain). The study was implemented in the 2006-2007 and 20072008 courses respectively. The study's objectives were to asses the effectiveness of smoking counselling with the aid of a specifically designed leaflet. The study also included an evaluation of expired CO. The authors surveyed on smoking behaviour as well as on personal details of the students. The study includes 8 intervention schools and 7 control schools. Allocation wasn't randomized due to logistic reasons. The interventional group received advice against smoking by means of spoken counsel from a professional supported by a leaflet. The control group only received the spoken counsel. The expired CO was assessed in each group. The counsel was repeated in each group one year later to the same students. In all 1,720 students were assessed: 51.95% men and 48.5% women. The median age of the students was 14.6 years SD: 1.36. The authors found that 19.7% of the students were smokers. The distribution of smokers by sex was 24.7% of women versus 15.3% of men X2 = 24.1 p < 0.0001. Smoking behaviour between interventional or control group wasn't statistically different. Conclusions: There wasn't any evidence of effectiveness in using a leaflet added to the spoken counsel. Prevalence of smoking was very high: 19.7% among adolescents of Zaragoza. The study shows a increase of smoking between 8º and 10º.

Se realizó una intervención en el ámbito escolar para administrar consejo breve antitabaco a escolares de la Educación Secundaria Obligatoria (ESO) en Zaragoza durante los cursos 2006-2007 y 2007-2008. Los objetivos del estudio fueron medir la efectividad del consejo breve apoyado por material escrito y estudiar la progresión del tabaquismo. El estudio incluyó una encuesta autoadministrada y una coximetría, así como una reevaluación un año después. Se estudiaron 15 centros escolares, 8 del grupo intervención y 7 de control. Se administró consejo apoyado con un folleto frente al control en el que no se utilizaba el folleto. La asignación a los grupos no fue aleatoria. Se evaluaron 1.720 estudiantes entre los dos cursos 2006-07 y 2007-08 de los cuales 51,95% fueron hombres y 48,5% mujeres. La edad media fue 14,6 años (desviación están-dar [DE] = 1,36) y fueron fumadores el 19,7%. Entre las mujeres fueron fumadoras el 24,7% frente al 18,3% de los hombres (p < 0,0001). No hubo diferencias significativas para el tabaquismo según grupo de intervención o control. La progresión del tabaquismo creció un 8,8% en el grupo intervención frente a un 12% en el de control entre 2.º y 3.º. Las diferencias fueron 3% para el grupo intervención frente al 1,1% en el de control entre 3.º y 4.º, no siendo estas diferencias estadísticamente significativas. Conclusiones: el porcentaje de fumadores en escolares de ESO es del 19,7%. La escalada de consumo se produce entre 2.º y 3.º. No se demostró una mayor efectividad del consejo breve mediante el uso de un folleto.

O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar um levantamento malacológico na bacia do reservatório de Ibirité, na região metropolitana de Belo Horizonte (Minas Gerais), e avaliar a taxa de infestação natural de Biomphalaria straminea (Gastropoda: Planorbidae)por Schistosoma mansoni (Platyhelminthes: Trematoda) e Chaetogaster limnaei (Oligochaeta: Naididae). As amostragens foram realizadas de julho a agosto de 2002. Os espécimes de B. straminea coletados foram levados para o laboratório e as avaliações da taxa de infestação foram realizadas semanalmente. O levantamento malacológico identificou cinco espécies de moluscos presentes na bacia do reservatório: B. straminea, Physa marmorata, Lymnea sp., Melanoides tuberculatus e Pomacea austrum. As observações em laboratório mostraram que os espécimes de B. straminea estavam infectados somente por C. limnaei. Apesar de não ter sido encontrado S. mansoni, a presença desse planorbídeo deve ser vista com atenção, em decorrência da possibilidade de infecção com esquistossomose humana para a população local.

The objective of this study was to perform a malacological assessment at the Ibirité reservoir watershed in the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte (Minas Gerais) and to evaluate the natural infestation rate of Biomphalaria straminea (Gastropoda: Planorbidae)by Schistosoma mansoni (Platyhelminthes: Trematoda) and Chaetogaster limnaei (Oligochaeta: Naididae). The samples were collected from July to August 2002. The B. straminea individuals collected were kept in the laboratory; the natural infestation rate by S. mansoni and C. limnaei was assessed weekly. The malacological assessment identified fivemollusk species present in the Ibirité reservoir watershed: B. straminea, Physa marmorata, Lymnea sp., Melanoides tuberculatus,and Pomacea austrum. Laboratory observations showed that the B. straminea individuals were infected by C. limnaei rather than S. mansoni. Although there was no infection of B. straminea by S. mansoni,presence of B. straminea in itself merits close attention due to possible risk of human schistosomiasis by the local population.

Se estudió la producción de azúcares reductores (AR) a partir de la hidrólisis ácida del bagacillo de caña, ya que ellos representan una fuente fundamental de carbohidratos para procesos biotecnológicos, orientados a la producción de proteína unicelular y compuestos orgánicos. El bagacillo tratado (BT) y no-tratado (BNT) con inmersión en agua (TA) a temperatura ambiente, se hidrolizó, mediante ebullición a reflujo, con diferentes concentraciones (C) de ácido sulfúrico diluido (2%, 4%, 6% y 8 % v/v) a diferentes tiempos de reacción (TR) (4, 8 y 12 h.), en una relación líquido: sólido de 30/1. La determinación cuantitativa de AR se realizó por espectrofotometría UV-Vis por el método del ácido 3,5 dinitrosalisílico (DNS). El experimento involucró un diseño totalmente al azar con un arreglo factorial 2 x 3 x 4 con tres repeticiones. Se realizó un análisis de varianza con el paquete estadístico "Statistical Analysis System" (SAS); se utilizó la prueba HSD de Tukey para los efectos principales y el método de mínimos cuadrados para las interacciones. Los resultados demostraron que todos los factores en estudio y sus interacciones, excepto la interacción (TA x TR), afectaron significativamente (P<0,01) la concentración (g/L) de AR. La concentración de AR varió de 2,58 a 20, 45 g/L, con un promedio general de 10,53 g/L. La mayor producción de AR (16,76 ±1,71 g/L) se obtuvo en la hidrólisis de BNT con ácido sulfúrico al 6% y 4 horas de reacción.

The production of reductive sugars (AR) through acid hydrolysis of sugar cane bagasse was performed in order to study reducing sugar production, because they represent a basic carbohydrate source in biotechnological processes for single cell protein and organic compound production. The study involved hydrolysis of treated (BT) and non-treated (BNT) bagasse pith immersed in water at environmental temperatures through reflux boiling with different concentrations of diluted sulphuric acid (2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, v/v) with different reaction times (TR) (4, 8 and 12 hrs) in a liquid/solid ratio of 30/1. Reducing sugars concentrations (AR) were determined by UV-Vis spectrum-photometry using the 3.5 dinitrosalisilic acid method. The experiment utilized a factorial arrangement (2 x 3 x 4) in a completely random design with three replicates. Variance analysis was performed with Statistical Analysis System (SAS) using the Tukey HDS method for main effects and the minimum squares method for interactions . The results showed that all the factors significantly affected the AR concentration (P<0,01) except the interaction (TA x TR). The greatest AR concentration was (16.76 ± 1.71 g/L) when using bagasse pith without aqueous treatment, with a 6 % sulfuric acid solution and 4 hours of reaction time. AR concentration varied between 2.58 and 20.45 g/L, with an general average of 10.53 g/L.