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: Biology & Chemistry. The organization has 1153 authors who have published 1189 publications receiving 14442 citations.

Identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex based on amplification and sequencing of the oxyR pseudogene from stored Ziehl-Neelsen-stained sputum smears in Brazil.

Abstract: A cross-sectional analysis of stored Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN)-stained sputum smear slides (SSS) obtained from two public tuberculosis referral laboratories located in Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, was carried out to distinguish Mycobacterium bovis from other members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC). A two-step approach was used to distinguish M. bovis from other members of MTC: (i) oxyR pseudogene amplification to detect MTC and, subsequently, (ii) allele-specific sequencing based on the polymorphism at position 285 of this gene. The oxyR pseudogene was successfully amplified in 100 of 177 (56.5%) SSS available from 99 individuals. No molecular profile of M. bovis was found. Multivariate analysis indicated that acid-fast bacilli (AFB) results and the source laboratory were associated (p < 0.05) with oxyR pseudogene amplification. SSS that were AFB++ SSS showed more oxyR pseudogene amplification than those with AFB0, possibly due to the amount of DNA. One of the two source laboratories presented a greater chance of oxyR pseudogene amplification, suggesting that differences in sputum conservation between laboratories could have influenced the preservation of DNA. This study provides evidence that stored ZN-SSS can be used for the molecular detection of MTC.

Spot test detection of N-Cyano compounds

Abstract: A specific spot test for N-cyano compounds can be based on the fact that when they are treated with zinc and a mineral acid, hydrocyanic acid is split off. This volatile acid gives a blue color with filter paper moistened with copper acetate and benzidineacetate. The limits of identification are within the bounds of spot test analysis.

Bottle Teat and Cap for a Drinking Bottle

Abstract: The invention used for a drinking teat for a drinking bottle. The teat is made of soft elastic materials and especially used for infants. The teat comprises -a teat flange, -a hollow teat mouth, -a hollow suction part, -a dome-shaped maxilla contact region towards one side of the maxilla in the mouth part and -at least one drinking hole in the maxilla contact region and is characterized in that -an outwards arched protrusion face is arranged on the outer side of the maxilla contact region; and -the at least one drinking hole is arranged in the protrusion face to allow the suction part to be squeezed to an inwards arched sealing face on the inner side of the cap bottom of the cap in a way of sealing the protrusion face; and the cap is used for covering the teat. The invention also relates to a drinking teat set and the cap used for a drinking bottle.

Ornithonyssus sylviarum (Acari: Macronyssidae) parasitism among poultry farm workers in Minas Gerais state, Brazil

Abstract: portuguesOrnithonyssus sylviarum e um acaro hematofago de aves silvestres, domesticas e sinantropicas. No entanto, este acaro pode afetar varios hospedeiros vertebrados, incluindo humanos, levando a dermatites, prurido, reacoes alergicas e lesoes cutâneas papulosas. O presente estudo avaliou os aspectos epidemiologicos do ataque de O. sylviarum em trabalhadores de granjas avicolas e descreveu um relato de caso em uma granja de postura. Este estudo utilizou um banco de dados secundario com informacoes sobre as poedeiras, infraestrutura e manejo dos galinheiros e relatos de ataques por acaros hematofagos. Foi apresentado um caso de ataque de acaro a um trabalhador rural no Centro-Oeste em Minas Gerais. Houve uma frequencia de 60,7% de trabalhadores que relataram ter sido atacados por acaros hematofagos em fazendas. A analise de correspondencia mostrou uma associacao entre relatos de ataques de acaros em humanos com (1) presenca de O. sylviarum na fazenda, (2) remocao manual de esterco por funcionarios da fazenda e (3) historico de uso de acaricidas. Os especimes coletados do local foram identificados como O. sylviarum. Nao ha ataques de O. sylviarum, quando a remocaodo esterco e feita em menor intervalo de tempo, e nao se utiliza acaricida nos galpoes quando a remocao e feita por esteira transportadora de esterco. Conclui-se que o parasitismo por O. Sylviarum deve ser considerado como um risco ocupacional relevante, que afeta trabalhadores que trabalham diretamente com poedeiras comerciais em Minas Gerais. Ressaltamos a necessidade de monitorar as infestacoes de aves por esse acaro, a fim de melhorar o desenvolvimento de estrategias de controle. EnglishOrnithonyssus sylviarum is a hematophagous mite present in wild, domestic, and synanthropic birds. However, this mite can affect several vertebrate hosts, including humans, leading to dermatitis, pruritus, allergic reactions, and papular skin lesions. This study evaluated the epidemiological characteristics of O. sylviarum attacks on poultry workers, including data on laying hens, infrastructure and management of hen houses, and reports of attacks by hematophagous mites. In addition, a case of mite attack on a farm worker on a laying farm in the Midwest region in Minas Gerais is presented. It was found that 60.7% farm workers reported attacks by hematophagous mites. Correspondence analysis showed an association between reports of mite attacks in humans with (1) presence of O. sylviarum in the hen house, (2) manual removal of manure by employees, and (3) history of acaricide use. The specimens collected from the location were confirmatively identified as O. sylviarum. O. sylviarum attacks ave not been reported when manure was removed in a shorter time interval and did not use acaricide in the sheds when the removal was done by manure conveyor belt. Parasitism by O. sylviarum should be considered a relevant occupational hazard affecting employees working in direct contact with commercial egg-laying hens in Minas Gerais. We emphasized the need to monitor hen infestations by this mite to improve the development of mite control strategies.