Glycine rich proteins of ticks: more than a cement component.

Glycine-rich proteins (GRPs) are arbitrarily defined as those containing 20% or more glycine residues and constitute a superfamily divided into subfamilies based on their structure and/or function. GRPs have been identified in a diverse array of organisms and have been shown to possess a number of distinctive biological characteristics, including nucleic acid binding, adhesive glue-like properties, antimicrobial activity, involvement in the stress response and in the formation of cuticle components. In ticks, their expression has been described and studied mainly in the salivary glands, and their primary function is usually associated with cement formation and/or structure.

Losartan and enalapril maleate differently influence SARS-CoV-2-infected vero cells.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has posed significant challenges to global healthcare systems, particularly impacting individuals with pre-existing conditions like hypertension. This study sought to assess the impact of the antihypertensive medications, losartan and enalapril maleate on SARS-CoV-2 infected cells. Vero E6 cells were infected and treated in vitro, evaluating cell viability via the MTT colorimetric assay.

Effects of high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation combined with inspiratory muscle training for treating respiratory sequelae of long COVID: A case series.

Introduction: Long COVID occurs when numerous symptoms begin 3 weeks after acute infection and last for 12 months or more. High-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) has been tested in patients with COVID-19; however, previous studies did not investigate the HD-tDCS use combined with inspiratory muscle training (IMT) for respiratory sequelae of long COVID.

Case Presentation: Six individuals (four women and two men) aged between 29 and 71 years and presenting with respiratory sequelae of long COVID were included.

Increased ompW and ompA expression and higher virulence of Acinetobacter baumannii persister cells.

Background: Acinetobacter baumannii is one of the main causes of healthcare-associated infections that threaten public health, and carbapenems, such as meropenem, have been a therapeutic option for these infections. Therapeutic failure is mainly due to the antimicrobial resistance of A. baumannii, as well as the presence of persister cells.

Copper-coated hospital surfaces: reduction of total bacterial loads and resistant Acinetobacter spp.

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) represent a global challenge and an even more staggering concern when related to microorganisms capable of resisting and surviving for long periods in the environment, such as Acinetobacter spp. Strategies that allow a reduction of pathogens from hospital environments represent an additional barrier in infection control protocols, minimizing transmission to hospitalized patients. Considering the antimicrobial properties of copper, here, the bacterial load and the presence of Acinetobacter spp.

Molecular characterization of bacterial communities of two neotropical tick species (Amblyomma aureolatum and Ornithodoros brasiliensis) using rDNA 16S sequencing.

Ticks are one of the main vectors of pathogens for humans and animals worldwide. However, they harbor non-pathogenic microorganisms that are important for their survival, facilitating both their nutrition and immunity. We investigated the bacterial communities associated with two neotropical tick species of human and veterinary potential health importance from Brazil: Amblyomma aureolatum and Ornithodoros brasiliensis.

Genomic analysis on Brazilian strains of Anaplasma marginale.

Anaplasma marginale is a vector-borne pathogen that causes a disease known as anaplasmosis. No sequenced genomes of Brazilian strains are yet available. The aim of this work was to compare whole genomes of Brazilian strains of A.

Comparative Genome Analysis of with Its Closest Phylogenetic Neighbor, , and and Groups.

currently possesses one of the most highly heat-resistant spores (HRS), which can withstand ultra-high temperature (UHT) processing. Determination of multiple whole genome sequences of . provided an opportunity to perform the first comparative genome analysis between strains and with .

Clinical Findings Associated with Ornithodoros brasiliensis Tick Parasitism in Travelers, Southern Brazil.

We report a series of clinical cases associated with parasitism by the Ornithodoros brasiliensis tick in a group of travelers in the Caxias do Sul municipality, Southern Brazil. These cases draw attention to underdiagnosed noninfectious syndromes caused by ticks with restricted local distributions.

Genome Sequences of Bacillus sporothermodurans Strains Isolated from Ultra-High-Temperature Milk.

Here, we report the draft genome sequences of 3 strains isolated from ultra-high-temperature milk products in South Africa and Brazil and the type strain MB 581 (DSM 10599). The genomes will provide valuable information on the molecular dynamics of heat resistance in .

Salmonella enterica persister cells form unstable small colony variants after in vitro exposure to ciprofloxacin.

Persistence phenotype and small colony variants (SCVs) can be part of a bacterial bet-hedging strategy for survival under environmental stresses, such as antimicrobial exposure. These phenotypes are of particular concern in persistent and relapsing infections, since cells resume to normal growth after cessation of the stressful condition. In this context, we found persisters and unstable SCVs as phenotypic variants of Salmonella enterica that were able to survive ciprofloxacin exposure.

SALIVARY CORTISOL AND METABOLIC SYNDROME COMPONENT'S ASSOCIATION.

Background: Actually the lifestyle exposes the population to several risk factors related to alimentary habits and less physical activity that contributes to chronic diseases appearance worldwide.

Aim: To analyze the association between salivary cortisol and the components of metabolic syndrome.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study.

Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in Ixodes longiscutatus ticks from Brazilian Pampa.

Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) complex includes the agents of Lyme disease/borreliosis in North America, Europe, and Asia, such Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, Borrelia afzelii, Borrelia garinii, Borrelia bavariensis, Borrelia spielmanii, Borrelia bissettiae, and Borrelia mayonii.

Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii contamination in an intensive care unit.

Introduction:: Acinetobacter baumannii is a major pathogen causing infections in intensive care units (ICUs). In this study, we aimed to evaluate the presence of A. baumannii in an ICU environment and gloves from ICU workers and to characterize the antimicrobial resistance of the isolates in comparison with those isolated from ICU patients at the same hospital.

Effects of meropenem exposure in persister cells of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-baumannii.

Aim: To evaluate the influence of meropenem in the Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-baumannii (ACB) persister levels.

Methods: Persister levels in planktonic and biofilm cultures from ACB isolates were evaluated after exposure to different meropenem concentrations.

Results: A high variability of persister fractions was observed among the isolates cultured under planktonic and biofilm conditions.

Isolation and Characterization of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia Isolates from a Brazilian Hospital.

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is an emerging nosocomial pathogen responsible for several infections in immunocompromised patients. To characterize the antimicrobial resistance and virulence potential of this microorganism in a Brazilian hospital, a total of 936 samples were collected from a nosocomial environment and medical devices, and 100 isolates from clinical specimens were obtained in the same hospital. S.

Detection and quantification of viable Bacillus cereus group species in milk by propidium monoazide quantitative real-time PCR.

The Bacillus cereus group includes important spore-forming bacteria that present spoilage capability and may cause foodborne diseases. These microorganisms are traditionally evaluated in food using culturing methods, which can be laborious and time-consuming, and may also fail to detect bacteria in a viable but nonculturable state. The purpose of this study was to develop a quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) combined with a propidium monoazide (PMA) treatment to analyze the contamination of UHT milk by B.

Characterization of antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella enterica strains isolated from Brazilian poultry production.

Antimicrobial resistance profiles and presence of resistance determinants and integrons were evaluated in Salmonella enterica strains from Brazilian poultry. The analysis of 203 isolates showed that those from the poultry environment (88 isolates) were significantly more resistant to antimicrobials than isolates from other sources, particularly those isolated from poultry by-product meal (106 isolates). Thirty-seven isolates were resistant to at least three antimicrobial classes.

Heterogeneous persister cells formation in Acinetobacter baumannii.

Bacterial persistence is a feature that allows susceptible bacteria to survive extreme concentrations of antibiotics and it has been verified in a number of species, such as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus spp., Mycobacterium spp. However, even though Acinetobacter baumannii is an important nosocomial pathogen, data regarding its persistence phenotype are still lacking.

Tissue expression and the host's immunological recognition of a Rhipicephalus microplus paramyosin.

Rhipicephalus microplus is a parasite that causes economic losses in cattle herds, and immunological control is the most promising alternative to replace chemical control. The muscular protein paramyosin has been additionally found in non-muscle tissues and characterized as presenting activities that enable the evasion of the host's immune system in various parasites. This report investigated the recognition level of paramyosin by sera of infested bovines, its expression in tissues, organs and different life stages of R.

A specific polymerase chain reaction method to identify Stenotrophomonas maltophilia.

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is a multidrug-resistant nosocomial pathogen that is difficult to identify unequivocally using current methods. Accordingly, because the presence of this microorganism in a patient may directly determine the antimicrobial treatment, conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and real-time PCR assays targeting 23S rRNA were developed for the specific identification of S. maltophilia.

Sodium chloride affects propidium monoazide action to distinguish viable cells.

Propidium monoazide (PMA) is a DNA-intercalating agent used to selectively detect DNA from viable cells by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Here, we report that high concentrations (>5%) of sodium chloride (NaCl) prevents PMA from inhibiting DNA amplification from dead cells. Moreover, Halobacterium salinarum was unable to maintain cell integrity in solutions containing less than 15% NaCl, indicating that extreme halophilic microorganisms may not resist the concentration range in which PMA fully acts.