Genetic variant in the AGT gene (rs699-GG) is associated with severe COVID-19 in Brazilian patients.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been the largest pandemic of the past century, and various genetic factors have played a significant role in this context. This study aimed to analyze the frequency and association between specific SNPs rs3806268 (NLRP3), rs4925543 (NLRP3), rs12150220 (NLRP1), rs455060 (NLRC4), rs699 (AGT), rs1137101 (LEPR), and rs1801133 (MTHFR) and severe/critical outcomes in Brazilian patients with COVID-19. A total of 100 patients were included in the study, comprising 66 cases and 34 controls.

Fungal community diversity of heavy metal contaminated soils revealed by metagenomics.

The inappropriate disposal of toxic compounds generated by industrial activity has been impacting the environment considerably. Microbial communities inhabiting contaminated sites may represent interesting ecological alternatives for the decontamination of environments. The present work aimed to investigate the fungal diversity and its functionality contained in stream sediments with industrial waste contaminated with heavy metals by using metagenomic approach.

First Report of subsp. causing Citrus Canker on lime in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.

Citrus canker caused by subsp. is one of the most important citrus diseases in the world (Gottwald et al. 2002), mainly for citrus-producing countries with humid sub-tropical regions such as United States, Argentina, and Brazil, where losses may be significant (Behlau et al.

Application of next generation sequencing (NGS) for descriptive analysis of 30 genomes of Leishmania infantum isolates in Middle-North Brazil.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a life-threatening disease caused by the protozoa Leishmania donovani and L. infantum. Likely, L.

Effect of Vitamin K Inhibiting the Function of NorA Efflux Pump and Its Gene Expression on .

Resistance to antibiotics has made diseases that previously healed easily become more difficult to treat. is an important cause of hospital-acquired infections and multi-drug resistant. NorA efflux pump, present in bacteria , is synthesized by the expression of the gene.

Evaluation of the Antibacterial Activity and Efflux Pump Reversal of Thymol and Carvacrol against and Their Toxicity in .

The antibacterial activity and efflux pump reversal of thymol and carvacrol were investigated against the IS-58 strain in this study, as well as their toxicity against . The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined using the broth microdilution method, while efflux pump inhibition was assessed by reduction of the antibiotic and ethidium bromide (EtBr) MICs. toxicity was tested using the fumigation method.

Inhibition of the essential oil from Chenopodium ambrosioides L. and α-terpinene on the NorA efflux-pump of Staphylococcus aureus.

This study was carried out to test the essential oil from C. ambrosioides leaves and its main constituent, α-Terpinene, in an antibacterial activity assay. As well, it was evaluated ability reduce resistance to norfloxacin and ethidium bromide was compared the Staphylococcus aureus 1199B whith 1199 wild type strain.

Complete Genome Sequence of pv. Strain IBSBF2579 from Brazil.

The bacterium pv. is the agent of angular leaf spot of the cashew tree ( L.).

Complete Genome Sequence of pv. Strain CCRMXCV 80 from Brazil.

Here, we report the complete 5.3-Mb genome sequence of pv. (CCRMXCV 80), which causes grapevine ( L.

Tannic acid affects the phenotype of Staphylococcus aureus resistant to tetracycline and erythromycin by inhibition of efflux pumps.

The widespread use of antibiotics created selective pressure for the emergence of strains that would persist despite antibiotic toxicity. The bacterial resistance mechanisms are several, with efflux pumps being one of the main ones. These pumps are membrane proteins with the function of removing antibiotics from the cell cytoplasm.

Inhibition of the TetK efflux-pump by the essential oil of Chenopodium ambrosioides L. and α-terpinene against Staphylococcus aureus IS-58.

The use of natural products is crucial to suppress the development of these micro-organisms and to reduce the concentration necessary to inhibit these microrganisms, reducing the toxicity risks also. In this study, the essential oil from Chenopodium ambrosioides Leaves and its main constituent α-Terpinene were used in the antibacterial and potentiating activity of antibiotics and ethidium bromide assays, against the bacterial strains Staphylococcus aureus IS-58, carriers of efflux pumps. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was determined using a microdilution method.

Action of cholecalciferol and alpha-tocopherol on Staphylococcus aureus efflux pumps.

Alpha-tocopherol is one the most abundant and biologically active isoforms of vitamin E. This compound is a potent antioxidant and one of most studied isoforms of vitamin E. Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is an important nutrient for calcium homeostasis and bone health, that has also been recognized as a potent modulator of the immune response.

Evaluation of the tannic acid inhibitory effect against the NorA efflux pump of Staphylococcus aureus.

During the early periods of antibiotic usage, bacterial infections were considered tamed. However, widespread antibiotic use has promoted the emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens, including multidrug resistant strains. Active efflux is a mechanism for bacterial resistance to inhibitory substances, known simply as drug efflux pumps.

Status of pyrethroid resistance and mechanisms in Brazilian populations of Tuta absoluta.

The tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta, is a major pest of tomato crops worldwide. This study surveyed the resistance of T. absoluta populations from four regions in Brazil to pyrethroid insecticides, the frequencies of L1014F, T929I and M918T Na channel mutations, and the role of detoxification metabolism in the resistance.

Phlebotomus papatasi SP15: mRNA expression variability and amino acid sequence polymorphisms of field populations.

Background: The Phlebotomus papatasi salivary protein PpSP15 was shown to protect mice against Leishmania major, suggesting that incorporation of salivary molecules in multi-component vaccines may be a viable strategy for anti-Leishmania vaccines.

Methods: Here, we investigated PpSP15 predicted amino acid sequence variability and mRNA profile of P. papatasi field populations from the Middle East.

Dynamics of CRISPR loci in microevolutionary process of Yersinia pestis strains.

The potential use of CRISPR loci genotyping to elucidate population dynamics and microevolution of 146 Yersinia pestis strains from different biovars and locations was investigated in this work. The majority of strains from the Orientalis biovar presented specific spacer arrays, allowing for the establishment of a CRISPR signature for their respective isolates. Twenty-one new spacers were found in the Y.

MDM2 polymorphism associated with the development of cervical lesions in women infected with Human papillomavirus and using of oral contraceptives.

Background: The MDM2 gene is the major negative regulator of p53, a tumor suppressor protein. Single nucleotide polymorphism in promoter region of MDM2 gene leads to increased expression resulting in higher levels of MDM2 protein. This event increases the attenuation of the p53 pathway.

Novel E6 and E7 oncogenes variants of human papillomavirus type 31 in Brazilian women with abnormal cervical cytology.

HPV-31 has been widely described as an important oncogenic type, showing high incidence in worldwide and especially in Northeastern Brazil. We sought to identify the presence of specific mutations in HPV-31 E6 and E7 oncogenes in women with abnormal cervical smear. We enrolled 150 gynecological patients from Sergipe State, Northeastern Brazil.

An entropy-based approach for the identification of phylogenetically informative genomic regions of Papillomavirus.

The papillomaviruses form a highly diverse group that infect mammals, birds and reptiles. We know little about their genetic diversity and therefore the evolutionary mechanisms that drive the diversity of these viruses. Genomic sequences of papillomaviruses are highly divergent and so it is important to develop methods that select the most phylogenetic informative sites.

New variants of E6 and E7 oncogenes of human papillomavirus type 31 identified in Northeastern Brazil.

Objective: We sought to characterize E6 and E7 oncogenes genetic variability of HPV-31 isolated from cervical scraping samples of Northeastern Brazilian women.

Methods: E6 and E7 were amplified with specific primers, cloned and sequenced. The sequences obtained were aligned with the GenBank reference sequences with the aim of evaluating the possible genetic variants.

A list of mosquito species of the Brazilian State of Pernambuco, including the first report of Haemagogus janthinomys (Diptera: Culicidae), yellow fever vector and 14 other species (Diptera: Culicidae).

Introduction: Besides mosquito species adapted to urban environments (Culex quinquefasciatus, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus), only 15 species of Anopheles had been recorded in the State of Pernambuco.

Methods: Human-landing mosquitoes were collected in Dois Irmãos Park, in Recife.

Results: The first report for the state of Haemagogus janthinomys, an important vector of yellow fever virus, and 14 other species, including Trichoprosopon lampropus, a first reported for Brazil.

Should reproductively isolated populations of Lutzomyia longipalpis sensu lato receive taxonomically valid names?

A group of 18 research workers involved in different aspects of the biology of Lutzomyia longipalpis discussed whether or not it is important to give taxonomically valid names to populations that have been defined by biological, biochemical and molecular methods to be reproductively isolated. The type material of this medically important species has been lost and because of this it was recommended that a colony should be established from insects captured in the region of the type area and that their description should serve as the basis for future descriptions. It was pointed out that there is a lack of uniformity in the naming of closely related American sand flies and that some of the differences between populations of Lu.

Lutzomyia longipalpis s.l. in Brazil and the impact of the Sao Francisco River in the speciation of this sand fly vector.

In our recently published article "Lutzomyia longipalpis s.l. in Brazil and the impact of the Sao Francisco River in the speciation of this sand fly vector" by Iliano V.

Lutzomyia longipalpis s.l. in Brazil and the impact of the Sao Francisco River in the speciation of this sand fly vector.

Lutzomyia longipalpis s.l. (Diptera: Psychodidae) is the principal vector of Leishmania infantum chagasi in the Americas, and constitutes a complex of species.