RESUMO
Paenibacillus larvae is the causative agent of American Foulbrood (AFB), the most severe bacterial disease affecting honey bee (Apis mellifera) larvae. It was first reported in Uruguay in 1999. Here, we summarize the monitoring strategy carried out from 2001 to date, based on nationwide surveys sampling honey from colonies (2001/2002, 2011, 2021) or from honey storage tanks (2014-2019). We also discuss the actions carried out for the prevention of AFB outbreaks. Uruguay's experience in managing AFB for nearly 25 years without antibiotic use, might provide some helpful ideas for other countries working on AFB control programs.
RESUMO
The basidiomycete fungus Leucoagaricus gongylophorus is able to grow in the fungus garden of leaf-cutter ants. This mutualistic interaction has driven the evolutionary adaptation of L. gongylophorus, shaping its metabolism to produce enzymes adept at lignocellulosic biomass degradation. In this study, we undertook the comprehensive sequencing, assembly, and functional annotation of the genome of L. gongylophorus strain LEU18496, mutualistic fungus of the Atta mexicana. Our genomic analyses revealed a distinctive bimodal nature to the genome: a predominant region characterized by AT enrichment and low genetic density, alongside a smaller region exhibiting higher GC content and higher genetic density. The presence of transposable elements (TEs) within the AT-enriched region suggests genomic compartmentalization, facilitating differential evolutionary rates. With a gene count of 6748, the assembled genome of L. gongylophorus LEU18496 surpasses previous reports for this fungal species. Inspection of genes associated with central metabolism unveiled a remarkable abundance of carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) and fungal oxidative lignin enzymes (FOLymes), underscoring their pivotal roles in the life cycle of this fungus.
Assuntos
Genoma Fúngico , Anotação de Sequência Molecular , Simbiose , Simbiose/genética , Animais , Genômica/métodos , Elementos de DNA Transponíveis/genética , Agaricales/genética , Composição de Bases , Filogenia , Formigas/genética , Formigas/microbiologia , Basidiomycota/genéticaRESUMO
Abstract Introduction: The research question is the genesis of knowledge; it represents the need to answer something unknown or at least suspected about reality. This article aims to show the fundamental elements of a research question for its adequate formulation. Methods: A literature review was conducted in search of articles that presented the most valuable and practical steps for formulating a research question. Emphasis was placed on essential words such as feasible, interesting, novel, ethical, and relevant, summarized in the acronym FINER. Results: To adequately structure the question, the following aspects were included: population, patients or problem; intervention or indicator being studied; comparison group; outcome of interest; and time frame of the study, summarized in the acronym PICOT. Conclusions: Research questions can be phrased to address essential elements of the study, including the population to be studied, the expected outcomes, and the time it will take to achieve them.
Resumen Introducción: La pregunta de investigación es la génesis del conocimiento, representa el planteamiento de la necesidad de responder algo que se ignora o al menos se sospecha sobre su realidad. El objetivo de este artículo es mostrar cuales son los elementos fundamentales de una pregunta de investigación para su adecuada formulación. Métodos: Se realizó una revisión de la literatura en búsqueda de artículos que presentaran los pasos prácticos y de mayor utilidad para la formulación de una pregunta de investigación. Se hizo énfasis en algunas palabras esenciales como factible, interesante, novedosa, ética y relevante, resumidas en la sigla FINER. Resultados: Para estructurar adecuadamente la pregunta, se incluyeron los siguientes aspectos: población, pacientes o problema; intervención o indicador que está siendo estudiado; grupo de comparación; resultado (outcome) de interés, y marco de tiempo del estudio, resumidas en la sigla PICOT. Conclusiones: Las preguntas de investigación pueden ser construidas para abordar elementos importantes del estudio, incluidos la población que será estudiada, los resultados esperados y el tiempo que tomará lograr el resultado.
RESUMO
Amaranth is a dicotyledonous plant, now considered a health-promoting food. It has been rediscovered by the worldwide food industry, which is increasingly becoming aware of the many uses and benefits provided by amaranth in various food preparations. Amaranth dietary fibers, soluble and insoluble fractions, obtained from flour, protein isolate, and beverage were physicochemically characterized and their potential bile acid binding capacity was evaluated. Primary bile acids binding to fiber might contribute to a hypocholesterolemic effect, while the binding of secondary bile acids could minimize the cytotoxic effect that these metabolites exert on the colon. Amaranth fiber fractions were capable of sequestering cholate, taurocholate, deoxycholate, and bovine bile, with a percentage depending not only on the origin and the type of amaranth fiber evaluated but also on the bile acid studied. Flour fiber and the protein isolate insoluble fractions were the most efficient for binding bile and bile acids with uptake values between 29 and 100% relative to cholestyramine. Moreover, deoxycholate, a hydrophobic secondary bile acid, was the most captured by all the fractions, reaching 100% uptake with total and insoluble fibers of the three amaranth products. These results would suggest that the main effect through which amaranth fiber binds bile acids corresponds to an adsorptive effect mediated by hydrophobic interactions.