Decentralized composting: gated communities as ecologically promising environments.

The global need to strengthen circular economic chains highlights the importance of composting, since the organic fraction corresponds, on average, to 50% of the municipal solid waste. As centralized composting programs have been showing slow advances, especially in low and middle-income countries, the decentralized scale is a promising tool. Gated communities stand out as potential targets for decentralized composting programs, as they generally have organization, tools, employees, space, and a high density of gardens.

Cell-free supernatant of probiotic bacteria exerted antibiofilm and antibacterial activities against : A novel biotic therapy.

This study aims to verify the antibacterial and antibiofilm action of cell-free spent medium (CFSM) from four lactic acid bacteria with potential probiotic characteristics (, , , and ) against two strains. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the CFSM, antibacterial activity by analysing the formation of inhibition zones, and inhibition of planktonic cultures were determined. Whether an increase in the concentration of CFSM influenced the growth of pathogenic strains and the anti-adhesive activity of the CFSM in biofilm formation (crystal violet and MTT assays) were determined, which were all corroborated by using scanning electron microscopy.

Synergistic synbiotic containing fructooligosaccharides and Lactobacillus delbrueckii CIDCA 133 alleviates chemotherapy-induced intestinal mucositis in mice.

Intestinal mucositis is a commonly reported side effect in oncology patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics have been investigated as alternative therapeutic approaches against intestinal mucositis due to their well-known anti-inflammatory properties and health benefits to the host. Previous studies showed that the potential probiotic Lactobacillus delbrueckii CIDCA 133 and the prebiotic Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) alleviated the 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) chemotherapy-induced intestinal mucosa damage.

Diets Supplemented with Probiotics Improve the Performance of Broilers Exposed to Heat Stress from 15 Days of Age.

The poultry sector demands alternative additives to antibiotics that can be used as performance enhancers. Therefore, this experiment was conducted to evaluate the probiotics effects on performance, intestinal health, and redox status of 720 broilers exposed to heat stress from 15 days of age. Eight dietary treatments were evaluated: basal diet (BD) without antibiotic and probiotic (T1); BD supplemented with antibiotic zinc bacitracin (T2), BD supplemented with commercial probiotic of Bacillus subtilis DSM 17,299 (T3), BD supplemented with non-commercial probiotic of Lactococcus lactis NCDO 2118, Lactobacillus delbrueckii CNRZ 327, Escherichia coli CEC15, or Saccharomyces boulardii (T4 to T7), and BD simultaneously supplemented with the four non-commercial probiotics (T8).

Paraprobiotics and Postbiotics of CIDCA 133 Mitigate 5-FU-Induced Intestinal Inflammation.

Intestinal mucositis is a commonly reported side effect in oncology practice. Probiotics are considered an excellent alternative therapeutic approach to this debilitating condition; however, there are safety questions regarding the viable consumption of probiotics in clinical practice due to the risks of systemic infections, especially in immune-compromised patients. The use of heat-killed or cell-free supernatants derived from probiotic strains has been evaluated to minimize these adverse effects.

CIDCA 133 Ameliorates Chemotherapy-Induced Mucositis by Modulating Epithelial Barrier and TLR2/4/Myd88/NF-κB Signaling Pathway.

Intestinal mucositis promoted by the use of anticancer drugs is characterized by ulcerative inflammation of the intestinal mucosa, a debilitating side effect in cancer patients undergoing treatment. Probiotics are a potential therapeutic option to alleviate intestinal mucositis due to their effects on epithelial barrier integrity and anti-inflammatory modulation. This study investigated the health-promoting impact of CIDCA 133 in modulating inflammatory and epithelial barrier markers to protect the intestinal mucosa from 5-fluorouracil-induced epithelial damage.

Safety Evaluation of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis CIDCA 133: a Health-Promoting Bacteria.

Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis CIDCA is a new potential probiotic strain whose molecular basis attributed to the host's benefit has been reported. This study investigated the safety aspects of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp.

Probiogenomics of subsp. CIDCA 133: In Silico, In Vitro, and In Vivo Approaches.

subsp. CIDCA 133 (CIDCA 133) has been reported as a potential probiotic strain, presenting immunomodulatory properties. This study investigated the possible genes and molecular mechanism involved with a probiotic profile of CIDCA 133 through a genomic approach associated with in vitro and in vivo analysis.

Intake of (pExu:) Prevents the Inflammation and the Disorganization of the Intestinal Mucosa in a Mouse Model of Mucositis.

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is an antineoplastic drug that causes, as a side effect, intestinal mucositis, acute inflammation in the small bowel. The Heat Shock Protein (Hsp) are highly expressed in inflammatory conditions, developing an important role in immune modulation. Thus, they are potential candidates for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Environmental diagnoses and effective planning of Protected Areas in Brazil: Is there any connection?

Protected Areas (PAs) are essential to maintaining biodiversity, while effective management plans (MPs) are essential for the management of these areas. Thus, MPs must have relevant data analyses and diagnoses to evaluate ecological conditions of PAs. We evaluated the environmental diagnoses of 126 Brazilian federal PAs, the methods used to collect data and defined the diagnostic level of PMs according to the type and number of analyzes performed for each PA category.

Novel Strategies for Efficient Production and Delivery of Live Biotherapeutics and Biotechnological Uses of : The Lactic Acid Bacterium Model.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are traditionally used in fermentation and food preservation processes and are recognized as safe for consumption. Recently, they have attracted attention due to their health-promoting properties; many species are already widely used as probiotics for treatment or prevention of various medical conditions, including inflammatory bowel diseases, infections, and autoimmune disorders. Some LAB, especially , have been engineered as live vehicles for delivery of DNA vaccines and for production of therapeutic biomolecules.

Probiotics, Prebiotics, Synbiotics, and Paraprobiotics as a Therapeutic Alternative for Intestinal Mucositis.

Intestinal mucositis, a cytotoxic side effect of the antineoplastic drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), is characterized by ulceration, inflammation, diarrhea, and intense abdominal pain, making it an important issue for clinical medicine. Given the seriousness of the problem, therapeutic alternatives have been sought as a means to ameliorate, prevent, and treat this condition. Among the alternatives available to address this side effect of treatment with 5-FU, the most promising has been the use of probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and paraprobiotics.

Lactic Acid Bacteria as Delivery Vehicle for Therapeutics Applications.

Lactic acid bacteria comprise a large group of Gram-positive organisms capable of converting sugar into lactic acid. They have been studied due to their therapeutic potential on the mucosal surface. Among the species, Lactococcus lactis is considered the model bacterium and it has been explored as an important vehicle for providing therapeutic molecules and antigens in the mucosa.

Neuroprotective effects of p62(SQSTM1)-engineered lactic acid bacteria in Alzheimer's disease: a pre-clinical study.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegeneration characterized by neuron death ending in memory and cognitive decline. A major concern in AD research is the identification of new therapeutics that could prevent or delay the onset of the disorder, with current treatments being effective only in reducing symptoms. In this perspective, the use of engineered probiotics as therapeutic tools for the delivery of molecules to eukaryotic cells is finding application in several disorders.

Main Features of DNA-Based Vectors for Use in Lactic Acid Bacteria and Update Protocols.

DNA vaccines have been used as a promising strategy for delivery of immunogenic and immunomodulatory molecules into the host cells. Although, there are some obstacles involving the capability of the plasmid vector to reach the cell nucleus in great number to promote the expected benefits. In order to improve the delivery and, consequently, increase the expression levels of the target proteins carried by DNA vaccines, alternative methodologies have been explored, including the use of non-pathogenic bacteria as delivery vectors to carry, deliver, and protect the DNA from degradation, enhancing plasmid expression.

Preliminary findings on the possible role of B-lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) on diabetes-related periodontitis.

The possible role of B-cell growth and differentiation-related cytokines on the pathogenesis of diabetes-related periodontitis has not been addressed so far. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of diabetes mellitus (DM) on the gene expression of proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) and B-lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS), two major cytokines associated to survival, differentiation and maturation of B cells in biopsies from gingival tissue with periodontitis. Gingival biopsies were obtained from subjects with periodontitis (n = 17), with periodontitis and DM (n = 19) as well as from periodontally and systemically healthy controls (n = 10).

Damming Amazon Rivers: Environmental impacts of hydroelectric dams on Brazil's Madeira River according to local fishers' perception.

This study aimed to investigate the environmental impacts generated by the hydroelectric complex in the Madeira River, Brazilian Amazon, based on the perceptions of local fishers and fishery database, it focus attention on three main impacts: (i) on local fishery stocks; (ii) in fish fauna and (iii) on the aquatic ecosystems. The local fishers were selected through the "snowball" approach for the application of semi-structured interviews. All the local fishers confirmed having perceived a decline in fishery productivity following the impounding of the Madeira River.

Anticipating the response of the Brazilian giant earthworm (Rhinodrilus alatus) to climate change: implications for its traditional use.

Our understanding of the impacts of ongoing global warming on terrestrial species has increased significantly during the last several years, but how climatic change has affected, and will affect, the distribution of earthworms remains largely unknown. We used climate niche modeling to model the current distribution of the giant earthworm Rhinodrilus alatus - an endemic species of the Cerrado Domain in Brazil, which is traditionally harvested and commercialized for fishing bait. R.

Microencapsulation of Lactic Acid Bacteria Improves the Gastrointestinal Delivery and Expression of Recombinant Fluorescent Protein.

The microencapsulation process of bacteria has been used for many years, mainly in the food industry and, among the different matrixes used, sodium alginate stands out. This matrix forms a protective wall around the encapsulated bacterial culture, increasing its viability and protecting against environmental adversities, such as low pH, for example. The aim of the present study was to evaluate both and , the capacity of the encapsulation process to maintain viable lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains for a longer period of time and to verify if they are able to reach further regions of mouse intestine.

Vector Development Timeline for Mucosal Vaccination and Treatment of Disease Using and Design Approaches of Next Generation Food Grade Plasmids.

has been used historically in fermentation and food preservation processes as it is considered safe for human consumption (GRAS-). Nowadays, in addition to its wide use in the food industry, has been used as a bioreactor for the production of molecules of medical interest, as well as vectors for DNA delivery. These applications are possible due to the development of promising genetic tools over the past few decades, such as gene expression, protein targeting systems, and vaccine plasmids.

A New Broad Range Plasmid for DNA Delivery in Eukaryotic Cells Using Lactic Acid Bacteria: In Vitro and In Vivo Assays.

is well documented as a promising candidate for development of novel oral live vaccines. It has been broadly engineered for heterologous expression, as well as for plasmid expression vector delivery, directly inside eukaryotic cells, for DNA vaccine, or as therapeutic vehicle. This work describes the characteristics of a new plasmid, pExu (extra chromosomal unit), for DNA delivery using and evaluates its functionality both by in vitro and in vivo assays.

Traditional knowledge and uses of the Caryocar brasiliense Cambess. (Pequi) by "quilombolas" of Minas Gerais, Brazil: subsidies for sustainable management.

Local knowledge of biodiversity has been applied in support of research focused on utilizing and management of natural resources and promotion of conservation. Among these resources, Pequi (Caryocar brasiliense Cambess.) is important as a source of income and food for communities living in the Cerrado biome.

The role of local knowledge and traditional extraction practices in the management of giant earthworms in Brazil.

The giant earthworm, Rhinodrilus alatus (Righi 1971), has been captured in the southeastern Brazilian Cerrado biome for approximately 80 years and used as bait for amateur fishing throughout Brazil. Local knowledge and traditional extraction practices are crucial for the establishment of management strategies for the species because, although its extraction involves conflicts and social and environmental impacts, the species is one of the major sources of income for approximately 3,000 people, especially for members of an Afro-descendant community that has approximately 2,000 inhabitants. Participatory tools, such as seasonal calendar, transect walks and participatory maps, were individually or collectively used with extractors and traders (former extractors), and 129 semi-structured and unstructured interviews were conducted with the same individuals between 2005 and 2012.

Effects crude protein levels on female Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) reproductive performance parameters.

The goal of the present work was to study the reproductive performance of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) female broodstock fed diets containing different levels of crude protein (CP). Two hundred and forty Nile tilapia (O. niloticus) were used at an average age of 30 months, with 180 females and 60 males.

Life history, distribution and abundance of the giant earthworm Rhinodrilus alatus RIGHI 1971: conservation and management implications.

Rhinodrilus alatus is an endemic giant earthworm of the Brazilian Cerrado hotspot used as live bait for about 80 years. The goal of this study was to gather ecological data about this species, which will support the establishment of management strategies. The life history, distribution and abundance of R.