Ministry of Agriculture

About: Ministry of Agriculture is a government organization based out in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Chemistry & Salmonella. The organization has 1153 authors who have published 1189 publications receiving 14442 citations.

Draft Genome Sequence of Mycobacterium bovis Strain AN5, Used for Production of Purified Protein Derivative

Abstract: Mycobacterium bovis strain AN5 has been used to produce purified protein derivative (PPD) for the intradermal test for bovine tuberculosis since it was introduced in 1948. This work reports the draft genome sequence of M. bovis AN5, which is used for the production of bovine PPD in Brazil, as well as comparisons to other strains of M. bovis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Different Approaches for Digestion, Performance Assessment and Measurement Uncertainty for the Analysis of Cadmium and Lead in Feeds

Abstract: Certain feedingstuffs are sources of contamination for animals with cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb). Different approaches for sample digestion, performance assessment, and measurement uncertainty for the analysis of Pb and Cd by flame atomic absorption spectrometry were compared. Full method validation, including matrix effect and analytical limits, were assessed. Despite having a lower performance compared to the microwave digestion, dry ashing was a viable alternative for sample digestion, leading to lower operating costs. Interlaboratory validation proved to be a cheaper alternative, instead of the long traditional in-house approach. The method was suitable for routine analysis of several feed samples. There was a greater amount of quantifiable results for Pb, ranging from traces up to high concentrations (7430 ± 930 mg kg-1). Cd was also quantified in some samples, ranging from 0.11 ± 0.01 to 8.71 ± 0.90 mg kg−1. The higher concentrations of both metals were found in mineral mixtures and fish meal.

Prostaglandin A1 triggers Mayaro virus inhibition and heat shock protein 70 expression in an epithelial cell model

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: The Mayaro virus (MAYV), which is an arbovirus closely related to the Chikungunya virus, causes a dengue-like acute illness that is endemic to Central and South America. We investigated the anti-MAYV activity of prostaglandin A1 (PGA1), a hormone which exhibits antiviral activity against both ribonucleic acid (RNA) and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) viruses. Further, we examined the effects of inducting the stress protein HSP70 following PGA1 treatment. METHODS: Hep-2 cells infected with MAYV were treated with PGA1 (0.1-6μg/ml) 12h before infection and for different periods post-infection. Inhibition of viral replication inhibition was analyzed via viral titer determination, whereas the effect of PGA1 on viral morphogenesis was examined via transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Autoradiography (with 35S methionine labeling) and western blotting were used to assess the effect of PGA1 treatment on viral and cellular protein synthesis, and on HSP70 induction, respectively. RESULTS: PGA1 strongly reduced viral replication in Hep-2 cells, particularly when added during the early stages of viral replication. Although PGA1 treatment inhibited viral replication by 95% at 24 hours post-infection (hpi), viral structural protein synthesis was inhibited only by 15%. TEM analysis suggested that PGA1 inhibited replication before viral morphogenesis. Western blot and densitometry analyses showed that PGA1 treatment increased HSP70 protein levels, although this was not detectable via autoradiography. CONCLUSIONS: PGA1 inhibits MAYV replication in Hep-2 cells at early stages of viral replication, prior to production of viral structural proteins, possibly via HSP70 induction.

Anticorpos contra o herpesvírus bovino tipo 1 (BoHV-1) nas dez regiões de planejamento do estado de Goiás, Brasil

Abstract: This study investigated the presence of antibodies and antibodies titers against bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BoHV-1) in bovines at slaughter age in the ten planning regions of Goias State. Blood samples (660) were collected in slaughterhouses under federal inspection and they were tested for neutralizing antibody by virus neutralization test. The results showed that 84.5% of serum samples were positive for BoHV-1, while the regionalized analysis found rates varying from 63.4% to 100%. This study revealed 36.3% of animals with high titers of neutralizing antibodies. The region surrounding Brasilia presented the highest percentage of animals with high titers (65.8%) and the Southeast Region of Goias, the lowest (13.6%). The occurrence of high percentage of reagents with high antibody levels suggests the course of BoHV-1 active or reactivated infections among these animals. KEYWORDS: Antibodies, bovine herpesvirus type 1, BoHV-1, virus neutralization.