A novel xyloglucan-specific endo-(1-->4)-beta-D-glucanase, involved in the post-germinative mobilization of xyloglucan storage reserves, has previously been isolated from nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus L.) seed. Its mode of action has been shown, in vitro, to be one of transglycosylation except at low substrate (glycosylacceptor) concentrations when hydrolysis predominates. Here it is shown that this nasturtium seed xyloglucan endo-transglycosylase is encoded by a single gene which is transcribed and processed to a 1.5 kb mRNA. The isolation and DNA sequence analysis of a cDNA copy of the nasturtium xyloglucan endo-transglycosylase transcript is described. The cDNA encodes a 33.5 kDa precursor polypeptide which is subsequently processed to a 31 kDa mature protein. The precursor incorporates an N-terminal signal sequence which probably contains information relevant to the targeting of the enzyme to the cell wall. The computer-predicted isoelectric point (5.14) and low (approximately 0%) alpha-helix content of the deduced mature protein are in excellent agreement with the experimental data obtained using the purified enzyme. The deduced protein sequence lacks homology with known plant endo-(1-->4)-beta-D-glucanases, consistent with the unique properties of the enzyme. Database searches have revealed that a Brassica protein (meri-5) of previously unknown function, but abundantly expressed in expanding tissue, shares structural identity with the nasturtium xyloglucan endo-transglycosylase. The expression of a xyloglucan endo-transglycosylase in expanding tissue would be consistent with the contention that enzymes of this type are involved in cell wall loosening.

The aim of the present study was to detect DNA of Toxoplasma gondii in Crassostrea spp. oysters cultured in the state of Pará, Brazil. A total of 400 oysters were directly collected from a fixed rack system. Gills, gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and intervalvular liquid were separated and grouped into pool samples of 10 animals, resulting in 40 samples each of gills, GIT and intervalvular liquid. DNA extraction was performed using a commercial kit, and T. gondii DNA was detected by nested PCR using the primers Toxo3 and Toxo4, which produced an amplification product of 155 bp of the T. gondii gene B1. Nucleotide sequencing was performed for positive samples, and the obtained sequences were identified by comparison with sequences in GenBank. The DNA of T. gondii was detected in 5.8% (7/120) of the pool samples, of which 7.5% (3/40) was in the GIT, 5% (2/40) in the gills, and 5% (2/40) was in the intervalvular liquid. The obtained sequences presented 100% identity and overlap with T. gondii DNA sequences. This is the report of detection of T. gondii DNA in oysters from genus Crassostrea spp. originating from the state of Pará, eastern Amazon.

RESUMO.-[Brucella abortus em queijos na região amazônica: diferenciação em cepa vacinal (B19) ou de infecção a campo nos estados do Pará, Amapá e Rondô-nia.] A brucelose é uma enfermidade infecto-contagiosa que causa grandes perdas econômicas à cadeia produtiva da carne e do leite, como consequência dos distúrbios reprodutivos nos animais, além de ser uma antropozoonose crônica. O objetivo deste estudo foi detectar DNA de Brucella spp. e fazer a distinção da cepa vacinal (B19) da cepa de infecção de campo. Foram adquiridas 66 amostras de diferentes queijos produzidos e comercializados em três Brucellosis is an infectious-contagious disease responsible for significant economic losses to the meat and milk supply chain, because it causes reproductive disorders in animals and is a chronic anthropozoonosis. This study was designed to detect the DNA of Brucella spp. in cheese and to differentiate between a vaccine strain (B19) and the field strain. Sixty-six samples of different cheeses which are produced and marketed in three states of the Brazilian Amazon region (Amapá [5 samples], Pará [55 samples] and Rondônia [6 samples]) were evaluated. Thirty-nine of these samples were from cheeses made from cow's milk, and 27 were from cheeses made from buffalo milk. Four of the 66 samples were from cheeses produced in milk processing plants regulated by the Federal Inspection Service (Serviço de Inspeção Federal); nine of the samples were from cheeses produced in processing plants regulated by the State Inspection Service (Serviço de Inspeção Estadual); five of the samples were from artisanal cheeses; and the remaining 48 samples were from informally produced cheese. DNA was obtained from the samples following a DNA extraction protocol, and PCR was conducted using primers B4 and B5 to detect Brucella spp. Primers eri1 and eri2 were used to differentiate the field strain from the B19 vaccine strain. The results showed that 21.21% (14/66) of the samples were positive for Brucella spp., of which 21.43% (3/14) were positive for the B. abortus field strain, and 7.14% (1/14) were identified as harboring vaccine strain B19. These results demonstrate that it is possible to identify Brucella spp. in cheese from the Amazon region using the PCR technique and to differentiate the B. abortus field strain from the B19 vaccine strain.INDEX TERMS: Brucella abortus, cheese, cattle, vaccine (B19), PCR.

The aim of this study was to detect Toxoplasma gondii DNA in oysters (Crassostrea spp.) sold on seven beaches in the State of Pará, Brazil. According to the National Program for Hygiene and Sanitary Control of Bivalve Mollusks, 100 g of the edible part of mollusks is required to analyze contaminating microorganisms. In this study, 12 oysters were assumed to be equivalent to 100 g of edible parts when preparing each pooled sample. In total, 360 oysters were purchased from 30 vendors. From groups of 12 oysters purchased per vendor, 60 pooled samples were obtained, comprising 30 gill tissues and 30 gastrointestinal tracts. For molecular analysis, nested-PCR was conducted to amplify a 155-base-pair product of the B1 gene from T. gondii. All analyzed samples were negative for T. gondii. Our findings indicate that the oyster samples sold on the beaches in the State of Pará were not contaminated by T. gondii.

RESUMO: O estudo sobre "A formação técnico-profissional no Brasil" desenvolveu-se a partir do Projeto de Pesquisa "Educação Profissional e perspectivas de formação no mundo globalizado", no Núcleo de Estudos do Curso de Direito, da Uniandrade, interligado aos estudos na Faculdade CNEC Campo Largo, instituições do Paraná. O estudo procurou traçar a trajetória da formação técnico-profissional na sociedade brasileira e compreender os propósitos e os desafios frente ao mercado de trabalho, considerando dois pontos, a destinação da formação para camadas sociais de baixa renda e os interesses da produção, com base nos investimentos e na lucratividade, provenientes da aplicação do capital. A metodologia fundamentou-se no levantamento bibliográfico de autores, como Eraldo Leme Batista, Meire Terezinha Müller e outros que abordam direta ou indiretamente a temática. O estudo possibilitou se debruçar sobre as questões que envolvem a formação técnico-profissional, levando à análise e à reflexão das relações entre a formação e a realidade do mercado de trabalho na sociedade brasileira. PALAVRAS-chave:Formação técnico-profissional. Formação técnica e o mercado de trabalho. As escolas técnico-profissionais. Formação profissional superior. ABSTRACT:The article about "Technical and professional formation in Brazil" was developed after the Research Project "Professional education and prospects of graduation in a globalized world", at Study Center of Law course of Uniandrade, interconnected to studies at CNEC College Campo Largo and institutions of Paraná. The article tried to draw the trajectory of technical and professional formation in Brazilian society and understand the purposes and challenges facing the labor market, considering two points, allocation of training for low-income social strata and interests of production, based on investments and profitability, coming from the application of capital. The methodology was based on bibliographic collection of authors, such as Eraldo Leme Batista, Meire Terezinha Müller and others that approach the theme direct or indirectly. The article allowed to look into the issues involving technical and professional formation, leading to analyses and reflections of relationship between the formation and the reality of labor market in Brazilian society.