Abstract This study aimed to search parasites in 333 ornamental fish from five Brazilian states (Ceará, Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Paraná and Santa Catarina). Fish were sent from eight farms located in the municipalities of Fortaleza, Patrocínio do Muriaé, São Francisco do Glória, Cascavel, Timbó, Iguape, Jacareí and Mairinque. All fish received anesthesia earlier to euthanasia procedures. After the search for parasites, it was verified that 70.6% (235/333) of fishes were infected by at least one type of parasite, being 12 types of parasites identified: monogeneans, digenean metacercariae, cestodes, nematodes, Lernaea cyprinacea, trichodinids, Piscinoodinium pillulare, Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, diplomonad flagellates, Ichthyobodo sp., Chilodonella sp., and Tetrahymena sp. The proportion of infected fishes among the farms is compared through statistical tests, besides, animal handling adopted in each farm is also discussed. The importance of ensuring fish health in order to make the ornamental freshwater fish industry economically viable and reduce losses in production is highlighted.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi pesquisar parasitas presentes em 333 peixes ornamentais de cinco estados brasileiros (Ceará, Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Paraná e Santa Catarina). Os peixes eram oriundos de oito pisciculturas localizadas nos municípios de Fortaleza, Patrocínio do Muriaé, São Francisco do Glória, Cascavel, Timbó, Iguape, Jacareí e Mairinque. Todos os peixes foram anestesiados e eutanasiados para a pesquisa de parasitas. Após análise microscópica, foi verificado que 70.6% (235/333) dos peixes estavam infectados por ao menos uma espécie de parasita, sendo identificados 12 tipos: monogenoides, metacercárias, cestoides, nematoides, Lernaea cyprinacea, tricodinídeos, Piscinoodinium pillulare, Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, flagelados diplomonados, Ichthyobodo sp., Chilodonella sp., e Tetrahymena sp. A proporção de peixes infectados entre cada piscicultura é comparada através de testes estatísticos, além disso, o manejo adotado pelas diferentes pisciculturas também é discutido. A importância de assegurar a sanidade de peixes ornamentais, de forma a tornar a atividade economicamente viável e reduzir perdas na produção é enfatizada.

Abstract Integrated nutrient management is a promising way to avoid plant nutrient shortages because of the positive relationship between the bioavailability of nutrients and greater economic interest in their application through organic amendments and microbial application. To examine how compost, charcoal, and rhizobium influence maize development, an experiment was set up in a container. In addition to the appropriate amounts of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium, the soil in the allotted pots was treated with 50 ml of rhizobium, 5 tonnes of compost, and 2.5 tonnes of biochar before maize seeds were planted. A total of nine treatments (with three replicates each) were arranged in a completely randomized design for this experiment. Various agronomic, chemical, and physiological data were measured and recorded after the crop was harvested 110 days after sowing. The results showed that when biochar, compost, and rhizobium were applied together, the root fresh biomass rose by 43.4%, the root dry biomass increased by 38.3%, and the shoot length increased by 61.7%, compared to the control treatment. Chlorophyll content (41.3% higher), photosynthetic rate (58.5% higher), transpiration rate (64.4% higher), quantum yield (32.6% higher), and stomatal conductivity (25.3% higher) were all significantly improved compared to the control. Soil levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium were also improved with this treatment compared to the control. The combined use of biochar, compost, and rhizobium was more successful than any of the components used individually in boosting maize yields. Based on the findings of our study, the integration of rhizobium, biochar, and compost within a unified treatment shown a substantial enhancement in both the growth and yield of maize.

Resumo A gestão integrada de nutrientes é uma forma promissora de evitar a escassez de nutrientes nas plantas devido à relação positiva entre a biodisponibilidade de nutrientes e o maior interesse econômico na sua aplicação, por meio de corretivos orgânicos e aplicação microbiana. Para examinar como o composto, o carvão e o rizóbio, influenciam o desenvolvimento do milho, foi montada uma experiência num recipiente. Além das quantidades adequadas de azoto, fósforo e potássio, o solo nos vasos atribuídos foi tratado com 50 ml de rizóbio, 5 toneladas de composto e 2,5 toneladas de biocarvão antes de as sementes de milho serem plantadas. Um total de 9 tratamentos (com 3 repetições cada) foram dispostos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado para este experimento. Vários dados agronômicos, químicos e fisiológicos foram medidos e registrados após a colheita da cultura, 110 dias após a semeadura. Os resultados mostraram que quando biochar, composto e rizóbio foram aplicados juntos, a biomassa fresca da raiz aumentou 43,4%, a biomassa seca da raiz aumentou 38,3% e o comprimento da parte aérea aumentou 61,7%, em comparação com o tratamento controle. O conteúdo de clorofila (41,3% maior), a taxa fotossintética (58,5% maior), a taxa de transpiração (64,4% maior), o rendimento quântico (32,6% maior) e a condutividade estomática (25,3% maior) foram todos significativamente melhorados em comparação com o controle. Os níveis de nitrogênio, fósforo e potássio no solo também melhoraram com este tratamento em comparação com o controle. O uso combinado de biocarvão, composto e rizóbio foi mais bem sucedido do que qualquer um dos componentes utilizados individualmente no aumento da produtividade do milho. Com base nas descobertas do nosso estudo, a integração de rizóbio, biocarvão e composto num tratamento unificado mostrou uma melhoria substancial tanto no crescimento como no rendimento do milho.

Abstract The yerba-mate industry is one of the most important economic activities in Misiones, a province in the northeast of Argentina that is the world’s leading producer and exporter of this crop. White thread blight disease caused by Ceratobasidium niltonzousanum affects the cultivation reducing its quality and productivity. Due to the lack of a standardized visual method to quantify the severity of this disease in yerba mate, a diagrammatic scale was developed and validated. Yerba-mate branches were collected in a field in the north of Misiones province, and the actual severity was determined digitally. A six-level scale was developed using the DOSLOG software, based on the Weber-Fechner law. The validation was carried out by twenty raters. One evaluation without the diagrammatic scale and two evaluations with the scale were carried out in 14-day intervals. Accuracy, precision, and reproducibility of the scale were evaluated through linear regressions and correlation analysis, obtaining R2 values ranged between 0.70 and 0.94. Using the diagrammatic scale developed in this work, raters enhanced the accuracy and precision of the estimates, and the repeatability of the scale improved by 94.74%. The scale was appropriate to assess the damage of white thread blight in yerba mate.

ABSTRACT Objective The objective of the current study was to evaluate critical nutrients of industrialized foods and compare them with the technical parameters established in the Peruvian regulations, in its two stages of implementation, referring to front-of-package labeling before the beginning of its validity in June 2019. Methods Cross-sectional study in which the critical nutrients of sodium, total sugar, saturated fat and transfat were analyzed from data declared in the nutritional labels of 511 processed and ultra-processed foods that were part of the products purchased for the consumption of 88 families of students from one private university in Lima. The technical parameters used to evaluate the critical nutrients are those established in the Regulation of Law 30021. All analyses were carried out with Excel and SPSS version 21, Student’s t-statistics and McNemar’s test were used. Results 79 processed foods and 432 ultra-processed foods were analyzed. Of the total processed and ultra-processed products evaluated, it was found that for sodium 14.3% and 37.2% respectively exceeded the parameters in the first and second stages established in the regulations; for sugar 54.2% and 62.6%; while for saturated fats 52.8% and 59.5%, respectively. Solid foods are those that will have the greatest changes in front labeling between the first and second stages of implementation, unlike liquids that without changing the composition of their products, their front labeling would not vary significantly. Conclusions The saturated fat present in solid products (processed and ultra-processed), exceeds the parameters in both stages of implementation in most products. Of the foods compared, regardless of type and category, the critical nutrient sugar was the one that was highly present in most of the products evaluated for the first and second stages of implementation.

RESUMEN Objetivo Evaluar los nutrientes críticos de alimentos industrializados y compararlos con los parámetros técnicos establecidos en la normatividad peruana, en sus dos etapas de implementación del etiquetado frontal en los empaques antes del inicio de su vigencia en junio de 2019. Métodos Estudio transversal en el que se analizaron los nutrientes críticos sodio, azúcar total, grasas saturadas y grasas trans de datos declarados en los etiquetados nutricionales de 511 alimentos procesados y ultraprocesados que formaron parte de los productos comprados para el consumo de 88 familias de estudiantes de una Universidad Privada de Lima. Los parámetros técnicos utilizados para evaluar los nutrientes críticos son los establecidos en el Reglamento de la Ley 30021. Todos los análisis se realizaron con Excel y SPSS versión 21, se utilizaron los estadísticos t de Student y Prueba de McNemar. Resultados Se analizaron 79 alimentos procesados y 432 alimentos ultraprocesados. Del total de los productos procesados y ultraprocesados evaluados, se encontró para el sodio que el 14.3% y 37.2% respectivamente superaran los parámetros en la primera y segunda etapa establecida en la normatividad; para el azúcar el 54.2% y el 62.6%; mientras que para las grasas saturadas el 52.8% y 59.5% respectivamente. Los alimentos tipo solidos son los que tendrán mayores cambios en el etiquetado frontal entre la primera y segunda etapa de implementación, a diferencia de los líquidos que sin cambiar la composición de sus productos su etiquetado frontal no variaría significativamente. Conclusiones La grasa saturada presente en los productos sólidos (procesados y ultraprocesados), sobrepasa los parámetros en ambas etapas de implementación en la mayoría de productos; del total de alimentos comparados independiente de su tipo y categoría, para la primera y segunda etapa de implementación, el nutriente crítico azúcar fue aquel que estuvo presente de manera elevada en la mayoría de los productos evaluados.

Abstract For human/SARS-CoV-2 interactome genes ACE2, TMPRSS2 and BSG, there is a convincing evidence of association in Asians with influenza-induced SARS for TMPRSS2-rs2070788, tag-SNP of the eQTL rs383510. This case illustrates the importance of population genetics and of sequencing data in the design of genetic association studies in different human populations: the high linkage disequilibrium (LD) between rs2070788 and rs383510 is Asian-specific. Leveraging on a combination of genotyping and sequencing data for Native Americans (neglected in genetic studies), we show that while their frequencies of the Asian tag-SNP rs2070788 is, surprisingly, the highest worldwide, it is not in LD with the eQTL rs383510, that therefore, should be directly genotyped in genetic association studies of SARS in populations with Native American ancestry.

Abstract We compute the gluon polarization tensor in a thermo-magnetic environment in the strong magnetic field limit at zero and high temperature. The magnetic field effects are introduced using Schwinger’s proper time method. Thermal effects are computed in the HTL approximation. At zero temperature, we reproduce the well-known result whereby for a non-vanishing quark mass, the polarization tensor reduces to the parallel structure and its coefficient develops an imaginary part corresponding to the threshold for quark-antiquark pair production. This coefficient is infrared finite and simplifies considerably when the quark mass vanishes. Keeping always the field strength as the largest energy scale, in the high temperature regime we analyze two complementary hierarchies of scales: q 2 ≪ m f 2 ≪ T 2 and m f 2 ≪ q 2 ≪ T 2. In the latter, we show that the polarization tensor is infrared finite as m f goes to zero. In the former, we discuss the thermal corrections to the magnetic Debye mass.

Abstract Background: Nasal asymmetry is one of the most frequent characteristics of patients with cleft lip and palate. The anthropometric measurement (AM) is an accessible and reliable method that can be used by specialists to evaluate nasal asymmetry in patients with cleft lip and palate. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational intervention applied to cleft lip and palate specialists to increase the accuracy of AM in the evaluation of nasal asymmetry. Methods: Quasi-experimental study. Results: In the first phase of the study, five of the 13 AM reported a mean difference (MD) > 1.5 mm, and 12 of the 13 AM showed results greater than 2 SD (standard deviations). In the second phase, the results showed 11 of the 13 AM with MD < 1 mm, and 9 of the 13 AM were less than 2 SD. Conclusions: The intervention carried out with the manual of AMs increased the knowledge of the specialists on the anatomy points and AM that can be used to evaluate the nasal asymmetry in patients with cleft lip and palate. Educational intervention help to increase the agreement between examiners to perform a reliable evaluation of nasal asymmetry in patients with these conditions.

Resumen Introducción: La asimetría nasal es una de las características más frecuentes de los pacientes con labio y paladar hendido; la medición antropométrica (MA) es un método accesible y confiable que puede ser utilizado por los especialistas para evaluarlo. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la efectividad de una intervención educativa aplicada a especialistas que tratan pacientes con labio y paladar hendido para incrementar la precisión en las MA en la evaluación de la asimetría nasal. Métodos: Estudio cuasiexperimental. Resultados: En la primera fase del estudio, 5 de las 13 medidas antropométricas reportaron una diferencia de medias (DM) > 1.5 mm, y 12 de las 13 MA mostraron resultados mayores a dos desviaciones estándar (DE). Los resultados en la segunda fase evidenciaron 11 de las 13 MA con DM < 1 mm, y 9 de las 13 MA fueron menores a dos DE. Conclusiones: La intervención realizada con el Manual de medidas antropométricas aumentó los conocimientos de los especialistas sobre la anatomía, puntos y MA que se pueden utilizar para evaluar la asimetría nasal en pacientes con labio y paladar hendido. La intervención educativa ayuda a aumentar el acuerdo entre los evaluadores para realizar una evaluación confiable de la asimetría nasal en pacientes con estos padecimientos.

Abstract Two years ago, we held an exciting event entitled the São Paulo School of Advanced Sciences on Vaccines (SPSASV). Sixty-eight Ph.D. students, postdoctoral fellows and independent researchers from 37 different countries met at the Mendes Plaza Hotel located in the city of Santos, SP - Brazil to discuss the challenges and the new frontiers of vaccinology. The SPSASV provided a critical and comprehensive view of vaccine research from basics to the current state-of-the-art techniques performed worldwide. For 10 days, we discussed all the aspects of vaccine development in 36 lectures, 53 oral presentations and 2 poster sessions. At the end of the course, participants were further encouraged to present a model of a grant proposal related to vaccine development against individual pathogens. Among the targeted pathogens were viruses (Chikungunya, HIV, RSV, and Influenza), bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Streptococcus pyogenes), parasites (Plasmodium falciparum or Plasmodium vivax), and the worm Strongyloides stercoralis. This report highlights some of the knowledge shared at the SPSASV.

Abstract Microbial quality and the prevalence of foodborne pathogens (E. coli 0157:H7, Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes and Campylobacter jejuni) of cheeses sold at three retail points (supermarkets [SM], street markets [ST], and convenience grocery stores [CGS]) in Chihuahua, Mexico, were evaluated (n=90). The most commonly found cheeses in the retail points were Chihuahua (60%) and Ranchero (28.8%). According to Mexican standards, three SM, two CGS, and none of the ST cheeses complied with the regulations. Two cheeses (cheddar and Ranchero) from SM (2.22%) were positive for L. monocytogenes. Eight cheeses (8.88%) were positive for Salmonella spp. (5 from ST and 3 from CGS). E.coli 0157:H7 and Campylobacter jejuni were negative in all samples. In the Ranchero cheese, total coliforms (TC), faecal coliforms (FC), and yeast and moulds (Y&M) showed no significant differences (P > 0.05) among retail points. Nevertheless, in Chihuahua cheese, the numbers of total coliforms, faecal coliforms, and yeast and moulds were statistically different (P < 0.05) among retail points. PSM Chihuahua cheese had the lowest numbers of total (0.99 ± 1.0 Log10CFU/g) and faecal coliforms (166 ± 154 Log10CFU/g). CGS cheeses had the lowest counts in terms of yeast and moulds (3.1 ± 2.2 Log10CFU/g). The results revealed that most cheeses, regardless of the retail point, did not conform to Mexican standards. The number of total and faecal coliforms indicates either flaws during the production and commercialization processes or the ill-handling of raw materials.

Abstract The aim of this work is to characterize the natural microflora of artisanal Ranchero cheese and to identify Lactococcus isolates. Ten artisanal Ranchero cheese samples made with raw milk were obtained from local producers located in different geographical areas. Aerobic mesophilic, Staphylococci, Psychrophilic , total coliforms, molds, yeast and, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) (Lactococcus , Streptococcus mesophilic and thermophilic, Lactobacillus , Enterococcus, Leuconostoc) were numbered through agar plating. LAB isolates were classified by genus. Then, nineteen randomly selected presumptive Lactococcus isolates were assigned to specie by PCR amplification and DNA sequence. A high number of aerobic mesophilic Staphylococci, Psychrophilic, total coliforms, molds, and yeast were found. Lactococci, mesophilic and thermophilic Streptococci and Lactobacilli were the dominant LAB. Enterococci and Leuconostoc were also present. The isolates were identified as L. lactis subsp. lactis and L. garvieae . And both were found to be the dominant Lactococcus species that could be selected and used in a starter culture. Sanitation deficiencies in the production of artisanal Ranchero cheese were evident, which may translate into being a potential consumers health risk factor.

Abstract The current study aimed to determine the functional propriety of fresh beets under different cooking methods through the quantification of bioactives compounds. Beets were chosen for uniformity of size, color and absence of defects. They were thoroughly washed in running water to remove dirt, manually peeled with a knife, sliced through a stainless-steel food processor (5 mm slicing disc) and submitted to four different cooking methods: steaming, pressure, oven-baked and hot-water immersion. Analysis were performed in both uncooked and cooked beets to evaluate antioxidant activity, total phenolic content, carotenoids, flavonoids and betalains. The experiment was completely randomized design (CRD). Data were subjected to analysis of variance (F test) and means were compared by Tukey test (p < 0.05). Oven-baked beets preserve most of the bioactive coumpouds, maintaining better levels of carotenoids, flavonoids, betacyanin and betaxanthin than the other cooking methods. The antioxidant activity was similar between the treatments, except in the pressure. Moreover, different cooking methods did not affect phenolic compounds concentration in beets.

Resumen Introducción: en los últimos años, la satisfacción con la vida ha despertado el interés de la investigación gerontológica, siendo uno de los conceptos más utilizados para medir el bienestar subjetivo, además de constituir un indicador del envejecimiento exitoso. Materiales y métodos: se evaluaron las propiedades psicométricas de la Escala de Satisfacción con la Vida de Diener en adultos mayores peruanos. Participaron 236 personas (78.40 % mujeres; 21.60 % hombres). La edad promedio fue de 72.8 años y su desviación estándar = 6.90 (desviación standard). Para obtener evidencia de validez convergente y discriminante se aplicaron la prueba de Ítem Único de Satisfacción con la Vida, la Brief Resilient Coping Scale y la Escala de Depresión Geriátrica. Resultados: se encuentra que la Escala de Satisfacción con la Vida muestra una estructura unidimensional (χ2 = 10.960, df = 5, p = .05, x2/df = 2.192, GFI = .983, CFI = .994, NFI = .988; RMSEA = .071 [IC 90 % .000, .129]; y SRMR = .013), se relaciona positivamente con la resiliencia y negativamente con la depresión. Además, presenta altos índices de consistencia interna (alfa = .93; ic 95 %: .90-.94; omega = .93; ic 95 %: .92-.95 y GLB =.94). Conclusión: cuando menos, para propósitos de investigación se recomienda uso de la Escala de Satisfacción con la Vida en adultos mayores peruanos.

Abstract Introduction: In recent years, satisfaction with life has aroused the interest of gerontological research, thus being one of the most used concepts to measure subjective well-being, in addition to being an indicator of successful aging. Materials and methods: The psychometric properties of the Diener's Satisfaction with Life Scale were assessed in Peruvian elderly individuals. The instrument was applied to 236 elderly from the city of Trujillo (78.4 % female and 21.6 % male), with an average age of 72.8 years old, and their standard deviation = 6.90. In order to obtain convergent and discriminant validity, the tests Single Item of Satisfaction with Life Scale, Brief Resilient Coping Scale and the Geriatric Depression Scale were conducted. Results: Diener's Satisfaction with Life Scale shows a one-dimensional structure (χ2 = 10.960, df = 5, p = .05, χ2/ά/ = 2.192, GFI = .983, CFI = .994, NFI = .988; RMSEA = .071 [ci 90 % .000, .129]; and SRMR = .013), presenting positive correlations with resilience and negative correlations with depression. Moreover, it presents a high reliability index estimated by the method of internal consistency with the Cronbach's Alpha Test (α = .93), Omega coefficient (ω = .93; ci 95 %: .92 -.95) and GLB = .94. Conclusion: For purposes of research -among other-, we recommend the use of the Diener's Satisfaction with Life Scale for Peruvian elderly persons.

Resumo Introdução: nos últimos anos, a satisfação com a vida tem despertado o interesse da investigação gerontológica, sendo um dos conceitos mais utilizados para medir o bem-estar subjetivo, para além de construir um indicador do envelhecimento bem-sucedido. Materiais e métodos: avaliaram-se as propriedades psicométricas da Escala de Satisfação com a Vida de Diener em idosos peruanos. Participaram 236 pessoas (78.40% mulheres; 21.60% homens). A idade média foi de 72.8 anos e Desvio padrão = 6.90. para obter evidência de validez convergente e discriminante, se aplicaram a prova de Item Único de Satisfação com a Vida, o Brief Resilient Coping Scale e a Escala de Depressão Geriátrica. Resultados: encontra-se que a Escala de Satisfação com a Vida mostra uma estrutura unidimensional (χ2 = 10.960, df = 5, p = .05, x2/df = 2.192, GFI = .983, CFI = .994, NFI = .988; RMSEA = .071 [ic90 2% .000, .129]; e SRMR = .013), se relaciona positivamente com a resiliência e negativamente com a depressão. Para além disso, apresenta altos índices de consistência interna (alfa = .93; ic 95 %:.90-.94; omega=.93; ic 95 %: .92-.95 e GLB = .94). Conclusão: pelo menos para propósitos de pesquisa, recomenda-se o uso da Escala de Satisfação com a Vida em idosos peruanos.

RESUMO Objetivou-se determinar as possíveis fontes de contaminação de Yersinia enterocolitica em diferentes pontos do processo de ordenha de vacas leiteiras em oito propriedades da região de Pelotas, RS, ao longo de um ano. Foram analisadas amostras de leite cru de conjunto logo após a ordenha, água de estábulo leiteiro, mão de ordenhador, balde de recolhimento do leite e insuflador de teteiras. As amostras de leite cru e água foram coletadas em frascos estéreis, e as amostras de mão, balde e teteiras com zaragatoas estéreis. As amostras de leite cru foram submetidas a um pré-enriquecimento em água peptonada, sendo posteriormente incubadas em caldo PSTA, adicionado de ampicilina. As amostras de água foram filtradas em membrana de éster de celulose e incubadas em caldo TSB. As amostras de leite após incubação em PSTA, as membranas utilizadas na filtragem da água incubadas em TSB, bem como o material de mãos, balde e teteiras coletadas nas zaragatoas, foram semeados em ágar MacConkey e incubados para a obtenção de colônias. Colônias características foram analisadas por meio de duplex PCR para confirmação da espécie. Os perfis moleculares dos isolados de Y. enterocolitica foram comparados utilizando-se a técnica de rep-PCR. Y. enterocolitica foi isolada de 9,37% das amostras de leite, 6,25% das amostras de água e 12,5% das amostras de mão. Não houve similaridade no perfil de bandas dos isolados encontrados, entretanto foi identificada a presença de cepas diferentes na mesma amostra, demonstrando uma variedade grande de cepas distribuídas no ambiente. A presença de Y. enterocolitica em leite cru no Brasil é preocupante, já que uma quantidade considerável do produto ainda é comercializada de forma clandestina, expondo o consumidor ao risco de infecção pela bactéria, ao consumi-lo sem tratamento térmico adequado.

ABSTRACT This work was performed in order to determine the possible Yersinia enterocolitica contamination sources at different points of the dairy cows milking process in eight properties of Pelotas, RS, in a year. Raw milk samples were analyzed immediately after milking, as well as water from milking parlor, milkers' hands, milk collection bucket, and inflator liners. The samples of raw milk and water were collected in sterile bottles and hand samples, and sterile swabs were used for the buckets and liners. The raw milk samples were subjected to a pre-enrichment peptone water buffered and subsequently incubated in PSTA broth with added ampicillin. Water samples were filtered through cellulose ester membrane and incubated in TSB medium. The milk samples after incubation in PSTA, the membranes used in water filtration were incubated in TSB and the material of the hands material, bucket and liners collected in the swabs were plated on MacConkey agar to obtain colonies. Characteristics of colonies were analyzed by duplex PCR to confirm the species. The molecular profiles of Y. enterocolitica isolates were compared using rep-PCR. Y. enterocolitica was isolated from 9,37% of milk samples, 6,25% of water samples and 12,5% of hand samples. There weren't similarities in the band profile of the isolates found; however, the presence of different strains was found in the same sample, demonstrating a variety of strains distributed in the environment. The presence of Y. enterocolitica in raw milk in Brazil is dangerous, considering that the product is sold clandestinely, exposing consumers to the risk of infection by the bacterium, when consuming it without proper heat treatment.

ABSTRACT The effect of plant growth-promoting bacteria inoculation on plant growth and the sugar content in Agave americana was assessed. The bacterial strains ACO-34A, ACO-40, and ACO-140, isolated from the A. americana rhizosphere, were selected for this study to evaluate their phenotypic and genotypic characteristics. The three bacterial strains were evaluated via plant inoculation assays, and Azospirillum brasilense Cd served as a control strain. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene showed that strains ACO-34A, ACO-40 and ACO-140 were Rhizobium daejeonense, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and Pseudomonas mosselii, respectively. All of the strains were able to synthesize indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), solubilize phosphate, and had nitrogenase activity. Inoculation using the plant growth-promoting bacteria strains had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on plant growth and the sugar content of A. americana, showing that these native plant growth-promoting bacteria are a practical, simple, and efficient alternative to promote the growth of agave plants with proper biological characteristics for agroindustrial and biotechnological use and to increase the sugar content in this agave species.