Repeated co-option of HMG-box genes for sex determination in brown algae and animals.

In many eukaryotes, genetic sex determination is not governed by XX/XY or ZW/ZZ systems but by a specialized region on the poorly studied U (female) or V (male) sex chromosomes. Previous studies have hinted at the existence of a dominant male-sex factor on the V chromosome in brown algae, a group of multicellular eukaryotes distantly related to animals and plants. The nature of this factor has remained elusive.

Distance learning in antimicrobial stewardship: innovation in medical education.

Background: This study aimed to analyse the impact that web-based distance learning has on knowledge gain in medical students, as well as student perceptions of the methodology.

Methods: This was an educational intervention study conducted at a tertiary teaching hospital in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. From 2008 to 2014, we offered a free web-based distance learning course, covering antimicrobial use and microbial resistance, to fifth-year medical students.

Nosocomial bloodstream infections in Brazilian hospitals: analysis of 2,563 cases from a prospective nationwide surveillance study.

Nosocomial bloodstream infections (nBSIs) are an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Data from a nationwide, concurrent surveillance study, Brazilian SCOPE (Surveillance and Control of Pathogens of Epidemiological Importance), were used to examine the epidemiology and microbiology of nBSIs at 16 Brazilian hospitals. In our study 2,563 patients with nBSIs were included from 12 June 2007 to 31 March 2010.

How to educate health care professionals in developing countries? A Brazilian experience.

E-learning is an important tool to bring health care professionals updated information, especially in a large, developing country like Brazil, where teaching resources are limited. It allows the exchange of experiences between professionals, promotes simultaneous knowledge acquisition by a large number of participants, and reaches some remote areas.

Infections in heart transplant recipients in Brazil: the challenge of Chagas' disease.

Background: Despite the high incidence of infections after heart transplantation, there is limited information about its epidemiology in patients from countries where Chagas' disease is endemic.

Methods: We analyzed the occurrence of infections in 126 patients aged older than 18 years who underwent transplantation from 1986 through 2007 at a Brazilian University Hospital and who survived at least 48 hours.

Results: Heart failure diagnoses before transplantation were idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (38.

Perceptions and attitudes of the professional staff concerning infection surveillance and control programs in Brazilian hospitals.

Background: Several countries have conducted studies to assess the status of their infection control programs (ICP) with the objective of improving quality of infection control practices.

Methods: To assess the perceptions and attitudes of the health care workers (HCW) concerning ICP in Brazilian hospitals, we conducted a cross-sectional survey using a self-administered online questionnaire during a Web-based course (WBC) on infection control (IC) and antimicrobial resistance (AR).

Results: Of 6256 Brazilian HCW registered for the WBC, 1998 were members of infection control committees (ICC) and answered the survey.

Physicians' perceptions, beliefs, attitudes, and knowledge concerning antimicrobial resistance in a Brazilian teaching hospital.

This cross-sectional survey assessed physicians' perceptions, knowledge and practices concerning antimicrobial resistance. Ninety-nine percent of participants reported that they perceived antimicrobial resistance as an important problem, and 86.7% agreed that antimicrobials are overprescribed, but only 2.