An indirect ELISA for detecting anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in human sera using a baculovirus-expressed recombinant nucleocapsid antigen.

This study focuses on the development and initial assessment of an indirect IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) specifically designed to detect of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. The unique aspect of this ELISA method lies in its utilization of a recombinant nucleocapsid (N) antigen, produced through baculovirus expression in insect cells. Our analysis involved 292 RT-qPCR confirmed positive serum samples and 54 pre-pandemic healthy controls.

The multispecies stinkbug iflavirus Halyomorpha halys virus detected in the multispecies stinkbug egg parasitoid microwasp, Telenomus podisi (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae).

Wasps are important parasitoids of stinkbugs and frequently exposed to various types of microorganisms through environmental contact and fecal-oral transmission route. Many parasitize stinkbug eggs and are commercially used in the field to control insect population. The parasitoid T.

Expression profiling of Clostridium thermocellum B8 during the deconstruction of sugarcane bagasse and straw.

The gram-positive bacterium Clostridium thermocellum contains a set of carbohydrate-active enzymes that can potentially be employed to generate high-value-added products from lignocellulose. In this study, the gene expression profiling of C. thermocellum B8 was provided during growth in the presence of sugarcane bagasse and straw as a carbon source in comparison to growth using microcrystalline cellulose.

A novel picorna-like virus identified in the cotton boll weevil Anthonomus grandis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).

The cotton boll weevil (CBW; Anthonomus grandis; Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is considered the major insect pest of cotton, causing considerable losses in yield and fiber quality. An increase in the boll weevil population due to increasingly inefficient chemical control measures is of great concernamong cotton producers. The absence of conventional or transgenic cultivars with minimal resistance to CBW has stimulated the search for new molecular and biological tools for efficient control of this insect pest.

Effect of combining Zingiber officinale and Juglans regia extracts on Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis: antibiofilm action and low toxicity.

Objective was evaluated the therapeutic effect of Juglans regia (J) and Zingiber officinale (Z) extracts, alone or associated (Z75% + J25%, Z50% + J50% and Z25% + J75%) applied on planktonic cultures and biofilms of Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus, as well as analyzing the cytotoxic effects of plant extracts on mouse macrophages (Raw 264-7). Broth microdilution assay was performed (M7-A6 - CLSI). Anti-biofilm activities and cytotoxicity on Raw 264-7 were studied using MTT assay and scanning electron microscopy.

Penicillium polonicum a new isolate obtained from Cerrado soil as a source of carbohydrate-active enzymes produced in response to sugarcane bagasse.

Unlabelled: species have been studied as producers of plant cell wall degrading enzymes to deconstruct agricultural residues and to be applied in industrial processes. Natural environments containing decaying plant matter are ideal places for isolating fungal strains with cellulolytic and xylanolytic activities. In the present study, Cerrado soil samples were used as source of filamentous fungi able to degrade xylan and cellulose.

Chikungunya virus produced by a persistently infected mosquito cell line comprises a shorter genome and is non-infectious to mammalian cells.

Although RNA viruses have high mutation rates, host cells and organisms work as selective environments, maintaining the viability of virus populations by eliminating deleterious genotypes. In serial passages of RNA viruses in a single cell line, most of these selective bottlenecks are absent, with no virus circulation and replication in different tissues or host alternation. In this work, Aag-2 cells were accidentally infected with Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and Mayaro virus (MAYV).

An easy pipeline for one-step purification of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein from insect cell suspension culture.

The COVID-19 pandemic has demanded a range of biotechnological products for detection of SARS-CoV-2 variants and evaluation of human seroconversion after infection or vaccination. In this work, we describe an easy pipeline for expression of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N) protein in insect cells followed by its purification via affinity chromatography. The N gene was cloned into the genome of Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) via transposition and the resulting recombinant baculovirus was used for infection of lepidopteran Sf9 cells adapted to high-density suspension.

Nursing diagnosis neonatal hyperbilirubinemia: A survival analysis.

Purpose: To analyze the short-term survival of the nursing diagnosis of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in hospitalized neonates within the first 24 h of life and over a maximum of 7 days.

Methods: A prospective open cohort study with a longitudinal design was developed with 120 newborns during the first 24 h of life. The survival rate after a nursing diagnosis of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia was analyzed for 7 days.

Molecular characterization and sequence analysis of four Brazilian rice stripe necrosis virus isolates.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is an important food crop for humanity, being cultivated in tropical and temperate regions of the world. This study reports the nearly complete genome sequences of four Brazilian rice stripe necrosis virus (RSNV) isolates.

In-depth quantitative proteomic characterization of organotypic hippocampal slice culture reveals sex-specific differences in biochemical pathways.

Sex differences in the brain of mammals range from neuroarchitecture through cognition to cellular metabolism. The hippocampus, a structure mostly associated with learning and memory, presents high vulnerability to neurodegeneration and aging. Therefore, we explored basal sex-related differences in the proteome of organotypic hippocampal slice culture, a major in vitro model for studying the cellular and molecular mechanisms related to neurodegenerative disorders.

Dengue and Zika virus multi-epitope antigen expression in insect cells.

Dengue virus and Zika virus are arthropod-borne flaviviruses that cause millions of infections worldwide. The co-circulation of both viruses makes serological diagnosis difficult as they share high amino acid similarities in viral proteins. Antigens are one of the key reagents in the differential diagnosis of these viruses through the detection of IgG antibodies in serological assays during the convalescent-phase of infections.

A novel cypovirus found in a betabaculovirus co-infection context contains a poxvirus immune nuclease (poxin)-related gene.

The cassava hornworm (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) is an important pest in Brazil. This insect feeds on host plants of several species, especially (cassava) and (rubber tree). Cassava hornworm outbreaks are quite common in Brazil and can cause great impact over crop production.

A Nymphalid-Infecting Group I Alphabaculovirus Isolated from the Major Passion Fruit Caterpillar Pest (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae).

Baculoviruses are capable of infecting a wide diversity of insect pests. In the 1990s, the Dione juno nucleopolyhedrovirus (DijuNPV) was isolated from larvae of the major passionfruit defoliator pest (Nymphalidae) and described at ultrastructural and pathological levels. In this study, the complete genome sequence of DijuNPV was determined and analyzed.

Assembly of tomato blistering mosaic virus-like particles using a baculovirus expression vector system.

The expression of several structural proteins from a wide variety of viruses in heterologous cell culture systems results in the formation of virus-like particles (VLPs). These VLPs structurally resemble the wild-type virus particles and have been used to study viral assembly process and as antigens for diagnosis and/or vaccine development. Tomato blistering mosaic virus (ToBMV) is a tymovirus that has a 6.

Exploring the nonlinear impact of critical incidents on users' satisfaction with healthcare services.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the nonlinear impact of users' memories on their general evaluation of outpatient healthcare services by the integration of two methodologies: critical incidents technique (CIT) and penalty-reward contrast analysis (PRCA).

Design/methodology/approach: The authors carried out a survey with 356 respondents, users of seven outpatient clinics located in the city of Blumenau/SC, Brazil, during 2016. The participants were asked about their perceptions of positive and negative aspects of the service; and, using CIT, the answers were categorized according to the following dimensions: empathy, communication, facilities, access, promptness, medicines availability, complementary services, safety/confidentiality and service performance.

A new virus found in garlic virus complex is a member of possible novel genus of the family (order ).

Plant vegetative propagation strategies for agricultural crops cause the accumulation of viruses, resulting in the formation of virus complexes or communities. The cultivation of garlic is based on vegetative propagation and more than 13 virus species from the genera , and have been reported. Aiming for an unbiased identification of viruses from a garlic germplasm collection in Brazil, total RNA from eight garlic cultivars was sequenced by high-throughput sequencing (HTS) technology.

Viola phlebovirus is a novel Phlebotomus fever serogroup member identified in Lutzomyia (Lutzomyia) longipalpis from Brazilian Pantanal.

Background: High throughput sequencing (HTS) boosted the discovery of novel viruses and new variants of known viruses. Here we investigated the presence of viruses in 12 pools of sand flies captured in three climatic periods in RAPELD grids at Rio Claro, Chapada dos Guimarães and at Pirizal, North Pantanal, Mato Grosso State, Midwestern Brazil by HTS, viral isolation of a putative Phlebovirus positive pool in Vero cells, RT-PCR and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Results: One pool containing three Lutzomyia (Lutzomyia) longipalpis sand flies captured in the transitional climatic period in North Pantanal showed a tripartite genomic sequence of a putative novel Phlebovirus belonging to the phlebotomus fever serogroup.

Genomic analysis of a cypovirus isolated from the eucalyptus brown looper, Thyrinteina arnobia (Stoll, 1782) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae).

The eucalyptus brown looper, Thyrinteina arnobia (Stoll, 1782) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), is the main lepidopteran defoliator of eucalyptus plantations in Brazil. Outbreaks of this insect pest are common in Brazil and can affect the productivity of planted forests severely. T.

Survey of aphid population in a yellow passion fruit crop and its relationship on the spread Cowpea aphid-borne mosaic virus in a subtropical region of Brazil.

Background: Passion fruit woodiness may be caused by Cowpea aphid-borne mosaic virus (CABMV) and is currently the major passion fruit disease in Brazil. To assess the virus-vector-host interactions, a newly introduced golden passion fruit plantation located in eastern region of São Paulo State, Brazil, was monitored.

Methods: Dissemination of CABMV was determined analyzing golden passion fruit plants monthly for 18 months by PTA-ELISA.

Sequence analysis and PCR-RFLP profiling of the hsp70 gene as a valuable tool for identifying Leishmania species associated with human leishmaniasis in Brazil.

Since the first report of the genus Leishmania, many species have been described. In Brazil, human leishmaniasis has been associated with eight Leishmania species, of which seven are responsible for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). In some endemic areas, CL is associated with only one species; however, in other areas, such as the Amazon, the etiology of CL can be assigned to many species.