Abstract The transposable elements are known by their ability to move and integrate into the genome of the host organism. They are classified in retrotransposons class I, which has, as intermediate of the transposition, the RNA and retrotransposons class II, which is composed of the DNA transposons, whose DNA migrates directly or is copied and inserted into the genome. The retrotransposable element Rex1 is a non-LTR retrotransposon found in several types of organisms. Many studies indicate that the Rex retrotransposons have the capacity to respond to environmental stress. The results found in this study corroborate the hypothesis that this retrotransposon possesses a response to environmental stress, since the chromosomal mapping, obtained through FISH, showed a higher number of markings on animals that were submitted to stress in 48h by the copper sulfate action. Furthermore, we can identify an increase in heterochromatic regions in the chromosomes. In the absolute quantification by Real-Time PCR, we found the largest numbers of Rex1 copies in the samples that were submitted to environmental stress by copper sulfate. organism I has transposition II transposons nonLTR non LTR organisms mapping FISH h action Furthermore chromosomes RealTime Real Time PCR

We evaluated the biomass of twenty Amazonian fungal isolates as a potential source of mycelium-bound lipases with hydrolytic, synthetic or enantioselective activity for biocatalysis application. We compared the hydrolytic activity of three biomass treatments (delipidated, non-delipidated and cultivated in medium without inducer). Delipidated biomass showed better results in the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl palmitate compared to the other two treatments for fifteen isolates. Delipidated biomass of six Aspergillus strains and UEA_115 strain showed a high synthesis activity of ethyl palmitate by transesterification in organic medium. Results were confirmed by spectrophotometry (410 nm) and gas chromatography. In this reaction, the isolate DPUA_1539 A. flavo-furcatis reached a maximum value of 668.5 ± 23.5 mU g-1. Enantioselective activity assays indicated that biomass-bound lipases from UEA_115 isolate (E = 3.58; ees = 7 ± 0) and in particular from the DPUA_1539 A. flavo-furcatis isolate (E = 24.15; ees = 91 ± 1) have the ability to discriminate enantiomers of the drug ibuprofen by ester synthesis, preferably with (R)-enantiomer. These results encourage further investigations of these fungi as potential lipase suppliers for biocatalytic processes such as biodiesel production and enantiopure drugs.

Summary: Atmospheric effects in satellite imagery distort the available information and generate errors in the estimation of biophysical variables from spectral data. An atmospheric correction algorithm was developed based on the correlation between the reflectance of band 7 (medium infrared, 2.2 μm) and band 1 (Blue, 0.485 μm) of vegetation, for TM and ETM+ sensors. The intercept of the regression between band 7 and band 1 of Landsat imagery is an estimator of path reflectance in band 1. With this path reflectance and a defined atmosphere and aerosol model, it is possible to estimate the optical thickness of aerosols centered at 0.55 μm. The algorithm was based on coupling of several simulation models and spectral data libraries to represent the soil-vegetation-atmosphere optical system. Vegetation in an image is identified by a generic object classifier in four vegetation variants: dark dense, high, medium and low coverage. The algorithm was evaluated in two phases, the first was based on empirical analysis of the results of the simulation of the soil-vegetation-atmosphere optical system, in which controlled conditions were maintained. In the second phase, the algorithm was validated with 7 ETM + images whose scenes contained a site of the aerosol robotic network (AERONET), which accurately measures the optical thickness of aerosols in different wavelengths. The analysis of results showed that the corrector estimates the optical thickness of the scene with good adjustment: R2 = 0.97, Root Mean Squared Error of 0.059 (20.3%) and represents well the spatial variability of aerosol load in Landsat imagery.

Resumen: Los efectos atmosféricos en las imágenes satelitales distorsionan la información disponible y originan errores en la estimación de las variables biofísicas provenientes de los datos espectrales. En este trabajo se desarrolló un algoritmo de corrección atmosférica que se basó en la correlación existente entre la reflectancia de la banda 7 (infrarrojo medio, 2.2 μm) y la banda 1 (Azul, 0.485 μm) de la vegetación, para los sensores TM y ETM+. La ordenada al origen de la regresión entre la banda 7 y la banda 1 de imágenes Landsat es un estimador de la reflectancia de trayectoria en la banda 1. Con esta reflectancia de trayectoria y un modelo de atmósfera y aerosol definido, es posible estimar el espesor óptico de los aerosoles centrado en 0.55 μm. El algoritmo se apoyó en el acoplamiento de varios modelos de simulación y bibliotecas de datos espectrales para la representación del sistema óptico suelo-vegetación-atmósfera. La vegetación en una imagen se identifica mediante un clasificador genérico de objetos en cuatro variantes: oscura densa, cobertura alta, media y baja. El algoritmo se probó en dos fases, la primera se basó en un análisis empírico sobre los resultados de la simulación del sistema óptico suelo-vegetación-atmósfera, en el que se tenían condiciones controladas. En la segunda fase se validó el algoritmo con 7 imágenes ETM+ cuyas escenas contenían un sitio de la red robótica de aerosoles (AERONET), la cual mide con gran precisión el espesor óptico de los aerosoles en diferentes intervalos de longitud de onda. El análisis de los resultados mostró que el corrector estima el espesor óptico de la escena con un ajuste: R2 = 0.97, error típico de 0.059 (20.3%) y que representa bien la variabilidad espacial de carga de aerosoles en imágenes Landsat.

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: In the Brazilian Amazon, malaria infections are primarily caused by Plasmodium vivax. The only drug that kills the hypnozoite form of P. vivax is primaquine, thereby preventing relapse. However, treating glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)-deficient individuals with primaquine can lead to severe hemolysis. G6PD deficiency (G6PDd) affects approximately 400 million people worldwide, most of whom live in malaria-endemic areas. Therefore, clinicians need tools that can easily and reliably identify individuals with G6PDd. This study estimated the accuracy of the Carestart(tm) G6PD rapid test (Access Bio) in the diagnosis of G6PDd in male participants with and without P. vivax acute malaria. METHODS: Male participants were recruited in Manaus. Malaria diagnosis was determined by thick blood smear. G6PD quantitative analysis was performed spectro photometrically at a wave length of 340nm. The Carestart(tm) G6PD test was performed using venous blood. Genotyping was performed for individuals whose samples had an enzyme activity less than 70% of the normal value. RESULTS: Six hundred and seventy-four male participants were included in this study, of whom 320 had a diagnosis of P. vivax malaria. In individuals with enzyme activity lower than 30% (n=13), the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the Carestart(tm) G6PD test were as follows: 61.5% (95%CI: 35.5%-82.3%), 98.3% (95%CI: 97.0%-99.1%), 42.1% (95%CI: 23.1%-63.7%), and 99.2% (95%CI: 98.2%-82.3%), 98.3% (95%CI: 97.0%-99.1%), 42.1% (95%CI: 23.1%-63.7%), and 99.2% (95%CI: 98.2%-99.7%), respectively. Increases in sensitivity were observed when increasing the cut-off value. CONCLUSIONS: Despite low sensitivity, Carestart(tm) G6PD remains a good alternative for rapid diagnosis of G6PDd in malaria-endemic regions.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo identificar e analisar os riscos no ambiente de trabalho no setor de panificação em duas indústrias de fabricação de biscoitos de pequeno porte. O levantamento de dados foi feito de forma qualitativa, com identificação e avaliação dos fatores de riscos ambientais ocupacionais (físicos, químicos, biológicos, ergonômicos e de acidentes), observando as normas ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001, AS/NZS 4360, NBR 14009, NBR 14153 e as Normas Regulamentadoras (NR) do Ministério do Trabalho e Emprego. Também foram realizadas medições dos índices de exposição ao ruído e ao calor, conforme a NR 15 e do nível de iluminância nos ambientes, conforme a NR 17. As empresas (denominadas “A” e “B”) apresentaram níveis de riscos distintos, classificados como triviais, toleráveis, moderados e substanciais. Dos parâmetros de riscos avaliados, identificou-se que a empresa “B” foi a que apresentou maior exposição ao risco com potencial de causar danos à saúde e à integridade física dos seus trabalhadores, havendo necessidade imediata de intervenção. A partir das indústrias avaliadas, foi possível verificar que, mesmo em meio às exigências legais, as questões relacionadas à saúde e segurança no trabalho são muitas vezes consideradas como fator secundário. Os cuidados relacionados à qualidade, higiene e segurança dos seus produtos são sempre priorizados. Ressalta-se que os gastos efetuados com a prevenção de acidentes e doenças do trabalho devem ser vistos como investimentos, uma vez que poderão contribuir para melhor qualidade de vida dos profissionais, com possibilidades de maximização das atividades por eles desempenhadas.

This work aimed at identifying and analyzing the risks in the workplace of two small-sized cookie manufacturing industries. Data were qualitatively collected, with identification and assessment of occupational risks (physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic and of accidents), observing ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001, AS/NZS 4360, NBR 14009, NBR 14153 standards, and the regulatory standards (NR) of Ministry of Labor and Employment. Noise and heat exposition indexes were measured according to NR 15 protocols and the illuminance level was measured following the NR 17. Both “A” and “B” industries presented different risk levels, classified as trivial, tolerable, moderate and substantial. Industry “B” showed more activities with risk exposition potentially capable of causing damages to the health and physical integrity of its employees, thus demanding immediate need for intervention. It was possible to identify that despite legal exigencies related to health and safety at work, they are still considered as of secondary demand, while attention to the quality, hygiene and safety of foods is prioritized. Expenses with preventing occupational accidents and diseases should be faced as investments, because they may contribute to the quality of life of employees, maximizing the activities they perform.

A survey of Microsporum gypseum was conducted in soil samples in different geographical regions of Brazil. The isolation of dermatophyte from soil samples was performed by hair baiting technique and the species were identified by morphology studies. We analyzed 692 soil samples and the recuperating rate was 19.2%. The activities of keratinase and elastase were quantitatively performed in 138 samples. The sequencing of the ITS region of rDNA was performed in representatives samples. M. gypseum isolates showed significant quantitative differences in the expression of both keratinase and elastase, but no significant correlation was observed between these enzymes. The sequencing of the representative samples revealed the presence of two teleomorphic species of M. gypseum (Arthroderma gypseum and A. incurvatum). The enzymatic activities may play an important role in the pathogenicity and a probable adaptation of this fungus to the animal parasitism. Using the phenotypical and molecular analysis, the Microsporum identification and their teleomorphic states will provide a useful and reliable identification system.

Traditional phenotypic methods and commercial kits based on carbohydrate assimilation patterns are unable to consistently distinguish among isolates of Pichia guilliermondii, Debaryomyces hansenii and Candida palmioleophila. As result, these species are often misidentified. In this work, we established a reliable method for the identification/differentiation of these species. Our assay was validated by DNA sequencing of the polymorphic region used in a real-time PCR assay driven by species-specific probes targeted to the fungal ITS 1 region. This assay provides a new tool for pathogen identification and for epidemiological, drug resistance and virulence studies of these organisms.