The microbiota of the Brazilian Minas artisanal cheese, made from raw milk, is not well known and may include probiotic bacteria. This study aimed to assess the in vitro and in vivo probiotic properties of the lactic acid bacteria isolated from these cheeses. Thirty‐six samples of the Lactobacillus/Pediococcus group were selected for in vitro investigation. Pediococcus acidilactici (PA2) and Lactobacillus plantarum (LP4) showed the best results and were tested for their ability to protect Salmonella Typhimurium orally infected mice. LP4 showed better probiotic potential than PA2 and allowed higher values of weight gain (P < 0.05). Thus, Lb. plantarumLP4 may have potential use as a probiotic in foods after future technological screening.

Background Fundamental knowledge of cellular and molecular mechanisms in developing testicular tissues is critical to better understand gonadal biology and responses to non-physiological conditions. The objective of our study was to (1) analyze transcriptome dynamics in developing testis of the domestic cat and (2) characterize age effects on the initial response of the tissue to vitrification. Tissues from adult and juvenile cats were processed for histology, DNA integrity, and RNA sequencing analyses before and after vitrification. Results Transcriptomic findings enabled to further characterize juvenile period, distinguishing between early and late juvenile tissues. Changes in gene expression and functional pathways were extensive from early to late juvenile to adult development stages. Additionally, tissues from juvenile animals were more resilient to vitrification compared to adult counterparts, with early juvenile sample responding the least to vitrification and late juvenile sample response being closest to adult tissues. Conclusions This is the first study reporting comprehensive datasets on transcriptomic dynamic coupled with structural analysis of the cat testis according to the age and exposure to cryopreservation. It provides a comprehensive network of functional terms and pathways that are affected by age in the domestic cat and are either enriched in adult or juvenile testicular tissues.

To study the influence of normal associated microbiota on systemic immunological responses during experimental Chagas' disease, germ-free and conventional NIH Swiss mice were infected with Y strain of Trypanosoma cruzi. Although no statistical differences in mortality and parasitaemia were found, conventional mice showed IFN-ª, TNF-AE and NO production (P , 0 . 05) by spleen cell cultures and higher blood levels of immunoglobulins of the IgG2a isotype (P , 0 . 05) when compared to their germ-free counterparts. Moreover, higher levels of IgG1 were also found in conventional animals. On the other hand, no differences in IL10 production were found between germ-free and conventional mice after infection (P , 0 . 05). Interestingly, spleen cell cultures from non-infected germ-free mice spontaneously produced higher levels of IL10 than cultures from conventional mice. Moreover, cultures from non-infected germ-free mice responded to T. cruzi antigens with IFN-ª production, contrary to cultures from conventional animals. In conclusion, the presence of the normal microbiota skews the immune response towards production of inflammatory cytokines during experimental infection with T. cruzi in mice. However, the increase in production of cytokines that is linked to resistance to this parasite did not alter the outcome of infection significantly, probably due to high virulence of the Y strain.

Cepas de Staphylococcus spp. molecularmente identificadas foram submetidas à Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase (PCR), utilizando-se iniciadores específicos para a detecção de genes codificadores de enterotoxinas clássicas (SEA, SEB, SEC, SED, SEE) e da Toxina-1 da Síndrome do Choque Tóxico (TSST-1). Foi realizada PCR-Multiplex para detecção dos genes sea, sec, sed e see. Para seb e tst, foram realizadas PCR-Uniplex. Além disso, foi analisado o perfil de susceptibilidade das cepas a antimicrobianos de diferentes classes e foi verificado antagonismo in vitro entre Lactobacillus spp. e as cepas estudadas. Genes codificadores de enteroxinas clássicas, assim como de TSST-1, não foram encontrados. Em relação ao antibiograma, Sulfonamida, Penicilina, Ceftazidima e Oxacilina apresentaram os maiores percentuais de resistência (100, 80, 60 e 40%, respectivamente). Os demais antimicrobianos foram eficientes em percentuais acima de 70%. Lactobacillus spp. foram capazes de inibir o desenvolvimento in vitro de Staphylococcus spp. Conclui-se que as cepas estudadas não possuem genes codificadores da produção de enterotoxinas clássicas e TSST-1, são sensíveis à maioria dos antimicrobianos e são inibidos por bactérias do gênero Lactobacillus.

Honey for human consumption must be processed under satisfactory conditions of Good Manufacturing Practices and not contain extraneous matters or microbiological contamination. However, several studies have shown that a high percentage of honey samples from different regions of Brazil are not adequate in terms of food safety. In this sense, this work aimed to evaluate the microbiological, microscopic, and physicochemical quality of uninspected honey samples marketed in the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Thirty honey samples (n= 30) were collected, and total coliforms, total fungi, extraneous matter and filth, moisture content, Aw, pH, total titratable acidity, Lugol test, and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) were analyzed. Filamentous fungi were also isolated and identified at the gender level. Rodent hair and ants were found in the samples, indicating health risk for consumers. The data obtained demonstrated that 56.7% of the samples were adulterated. All positive samples in the Lugol test also presented starch granules in the microscopic evaluation, suggesting adulteration by the addition of sugar cane or corn starch syrup. No sample showed the presence of coliforms, and the total fungal count can be considered low. Cladosporium spp., Penicillium spp., and Aspergillus spp. were the principal genera of filamentous fungi isolated. High 5-HMF values were found, mainly in the adulterated samples. The data obtained will be reported to the competent authorities, since such products of unknown composition are being commercialized, offering risks to consumers' health.

Market of functional foods grows intensely, such as of fruit juice containing probiotics. However, the survival of the microorganism can be compromised by the low pH of such matrix, and the way of minimizing this acid stress is the use of microencapsulation techniques such as by spray drying. In this study, three formulations were tested for the encapsulation of Bifidobacterium longum 5 1A , and the viability was evaluated during storage after the atomization process and after addition in acerola pulp powder. All formulations offered equivalent protection of the bifidobacteria just after microencapsulation. When microencapsulated cells were incorporated to acerola pulp powder, a higher protection for B. longum 5 1A viability was observed when cellulose acetate phthalate was used after 30 days of storage both at room temperature and refrigeration. Concluding, acerola pulp matrix can be used as an alternative vehicle for probiotic administration, even when stored at room temperature.

The aim of the study was to perform the first in-depth analysis of miRNAs in ovarian and testicular tissues of the domestic cat, a critical biomedical model. Specifically, potential miRNA involvement was explored in gonadal function, testis development, and cellular stress response to preservation protocols. We performed miRNA-sequencing on 20 ovarian and 20 testicular samples from 15 cats, including different ages and tissue treatments. Using fresh tissues (n = 15), we confirmed gonadal expression of 183 miRNA precursors and discovered additional 52 novel feline candidate precursors. We integrated the mRNA data from our previous study on the same age and treatment groups to create in-silico miRNA-mRNA networks and their functional enrichment, which allows comprehensive exploration into possible miRNA functions in cat gonads. Clusters of miRNAs united by shared differentially expressed mRNA targets are potentially involved in testicular development and spermatogenesis. MicroRNAs could play a significant role in ovarian tissue response to stress from microwave-assisted dehydration, with smaller roles in cellular response to vitrification in both ovary and testis. This new list of miRNAs with potential function in cat gonads is a major step towards understanding the gonadal biology, as well as optimizing fertility preservation protocols.

O caldo-de-cana é uma bebida obtida do esmagamento da cana-de-açúcar através de moendas, geralmente acrescido de gelo e frutas cítricas, muito apreciado pelos consumidores e, geralmente, comercializada em feiras livres e por ambulantes em vias públicas. Para que a obtenção do caldo-de-cana seja feita de forma segura é fundamental a adoção de Boas Práticas relacionada com o beneficiamento, preparo, armazenamento e distribuição da bebida. Esse trabalho teve como objetivo quantificar matérias estranhas e sujidades totais em amostras de caldo-de-cana comercializadas em Sete Lagoas-MG. Foram coletadas 21 amostras da bebida e analisadas pelo método de filtração direta, seguido de observações em microscópio estereoscópio e microscópio ótico acoplados com câmera digital. Do total de amostras analisadas, 61,9% apresentaram matérias estranhas indicativas de falhas de boas práticas e 14,3% apresentaram matérias  estranhas indicativas de riscos à saúde humana. Com relação às análises físico-químicas, verificou-se que a acidez expressa em ácido cítrico variou de 0,05 a 0,18%, o pH de 5,5 a 6,17 e o teor de sólidos solúveis de 16,4 a 28,6° Brix. Pode-se concluir que apenas 23,8% estavam adequadas para consumo. As principais falhas verificadas no momento da coleta que podem explicar tal contaminação foram a exposição da cana-de-açúcar no ambiente com presença de vetores, falta de proteção para cabelos dos manipuladores, bem como o contato das roupas do manipulador com a matéria-prima e o descarte incorreto dos resíduos sólidos gerados no processamento.