A study on dynamic state information (DSI) around users for safe urban life

To select each node by devices and by contexts in urban computing, users have to put their plan information and their requests into a computing environment (ex. PDA, Smart Devices, Laptops, etc.) in advance and they will try to keep the optimized states between users and the computing environment. However, because of bad contexts, users may get the wrong decision, so, one of the users’ demands may be requesting the good server which has higher security. To take this issue, we define the structure of Dynamic State Information (DSI) which takes a process about security including the relevant factors in sending/receiving contexts, which select the best during user movement with server quality and security states from DSI. Finally, whenever some information changes, users and devices get the notices including security factors, then an automatic reaction can be possible; therefore all users can safely use all devices in urban computing

An insight into the sialotranscriptome of the brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Rhipicephalus sanguineus</it>, known as the brown dog tick, is a common ectoparasite of domestic dogs and can be found worldwide. <it>R.</it><it>sanguineus </it>is recognized as the primary vector of the etiological agent of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis and canine babesiosis. Here we present the first description of a <it>R. sanguineus </it>salivary gland transcriptome by the production and analysis of 2,034 expressed sequence tags (EST) from two cDNA libraries, one consctructed using mRNA from dissected salivary glands from female ticks fed for 3-5 days (early to mid library, RsSGL1) and the another from ticks fed for 5 days (mid library, RsSGL2), identifying 1,024 clusters of related sequences.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Based on sequence similarities to nine different databases, we identified transcripts of genes that were further categorized according to function. The category of putative housekeeping genes contained ~56% of the sequences and had on average 2.49 ESTs per cluster, the secreted protein category contained 26.6% of the ESTs and had 2.47 EST's/clusters, while 15.3% of the ESTs, mostly singletons, were not classifiable, and were annotated as "unknown function". The secreted category included genes that coded for lipocalins, proteases inhibitors, disintegrins, metalloproteases, immunomodulatory and antiinflammatory proteins, as Evasins and Da-p36, as well as basic-tail and 18.3 kDa proteins, cement proteins, mucins, defensins and antimicrobial peptides. Comparison of the abundance of ESTs from similar contigs of the two salivary gland cDNA libraries allowed the identification of differentially expressed genes, such as genes coding for Evasins and a thrombin inhibitor, which were over expressed in the RsSGL1 (early to mid library) versus RsSGL2 (mid library), indicating their role in inhibition of inflammation at the tick feeding site from the very beginning of the blood meal. Conversely, sequences related to cement (64P), which function has been correlated with tick attachment, was largely expressed in the mid library.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our survey provided an insight into the <it>R. sanguineus </it>sialotranscriptome, which can assist the discovery of new targets for anti-tick vaccines, as well as help to identify pharmacologically active proteins.</p

The expression of genes coding for distinct types of glycine-rich proteins varies according to the biology of three metastriate ticks, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Amblyomma cajennense

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Ticks secrete a cement cone composed of many salivary proteins, some of which are rich in the amino acid glycine in order to attach to their hosts' skin. Glycine-rich proteins (GRPs) are a large family of heterogeneous proteins that have different functions and features; noteworthy are their adhesive and tensile characteristics. These properties may be essential for successful attachment of the metastriate ticks to the host and the prolonged feeding necessary for engorgement. In this work, we analyzed Expressed Sequence Tags (ESTs) similar to GRPs from cDNA libraries constructed from salivary glands of adult female ticks representing three hard, metastriate species in order to verify if their expression correlated with biological differences such as the numbers of hosts ticks feed on during their parasitic life cycle, whether one (monoxenous parasite) or two or more (heteroxenous parasite), and the anatomy of their mouthparts, whether short (Brevirostrata) or long (Longirostrata). These ticks were the monoxenous Brevirostrata tick, <it>Rhipicephalus </it>(Boophilus) <it>microplus</it>, a heteroxenous Brevirostrata tick, <it>Rhipicephalus sanguineus</it>, and a heteroxenous Longirostrata tick, <it>Amblyomma cajennense</it>. To further investigate this relationship, we conducted phylogenetic analyses using sequences of GRPs from these ticks as well as from other species of Brevirostrata and Longirostrata ticks.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>cDNA libraries from salivary glands of the monoxenous tick, <it>R. microplus</it>, contained more contigs of glycine-rich proteins than the two representatives of heteroxenous ticks, <it>R. sanguineus </it>and <it>A. cajennense </it>(33 versus, respectively, 16 and 11). Transcripts of ESTs encoding GRPs were significantly more numerous in the salivary glands of the two Brevirostrata species when compared to the number of transcripts in the Longirostrata tick. The salivary gland libraries from Brevirostrata ticks contained numerous contigs significantly similar to silks of true spiders (17 and 8 in, respectively, <it>R. microplus </it>and <it>R. sanguineus</it>), whereas the Longirostrata tick contained only 4 contigs. The phylogenetic analyses of GRPs from various species of ticks showed that distinct clades encoding proteins with different biochemical properties are represented among species according to their biology.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We found that different species of ticks rely on different types and amounts of GRPs in order to attach and feed on their hosts. Metastriate ticks with short mouthparts express more transcripts of GRPs than a tick with long mouthparts and the tick that feeds on a single host during its life cycle contain a greater variety of these proteins than ticks that feed on several hosts.</p

A multicomponent DNA vaccine based on genes encoding proteins of Rhipicephalus microplus salivary proteins induces cross-protective immunity against Rhipicephalus sanguineus infestations in mice and dogs

Os carrapatos são artrópodes hematófagos, vetores de doenças. Vacinas são uma alternativa para o seu controle, já que esses parasitas durante a infestação, estimulam as respostas imunes do hospedeiro, as quais são implicadas em sua rejeição. As glândulas salivares do parasita são importantes para permitir a alimentação e para mediar os mecanismos de escape às defesas do hospedeiro. Diversas evidências indicam que ocorre reatividade cruzada entre espécies de carrapatos e que reações de hipersensibilidade cutânea tardia (DTH) são correlacionadas com resistência ao carrapato. A possibilidade de vacinar cachorros que são parasitados pelo R. sanguineus com antígenos do carrapato do boi, o R microplus, foi investigada por meio da análise in silico de 45 GIs de R microplus clonados em vetor plasmidial (TOPO VR2001), dentre os quais 14 Gls de R microplus se revelaram mais similares a sequências do R sanguineus, e foram empregados para avaliar: 1) A capacidade em elicitar reações cutâneas tardias em cobaias imunes a carrapatos por meio de infestações prévias com R sanguineus. 2) A capacidade de vacinas contendo GIs individuais em afetar infestações de camundongos com adultos de R sanguineus. 3) a capacidade do GI induzir anticorpos específicos após vacinação em camundongos. Dos 14 GIs testados, apenas dois não induziram reações cutâneas, quatro não afetaram nenhum parâmetro parasitológico da infestação, e três não induziram a produção de anticorpos nesses animais. Dentre os GIs, sete foram escolhidos para compor uma vacina multigênica contra o carrapato do cão R sanguineus. A vacina foi capaz de induzir resistência á infestação por R sanguineus em camundongos e em cachorros vacinados evidenciadoa pela diminuição do número de fêmeas que conseguiram colocar ovos, do peso médio da massa de ovos produzidos por essas fêmeas, do índice reprodutivo dessas fêmeas, e da taxa de eclosão das larvas, demonstrando que GIs de R microplus podem ser alvos para formulação de uma vacina contra o carrapato R sanguineus.Ticks are arthropod vectors of disease. Vaccines are an alternative to chemicals for controlling ticks because during infestations these parasites stimulate host immune responses such as delayed hypersensitivity skin reactions (DTH), which are involved in their rejection and are correlated with resistance to ticks. Tick salivary glands are important for the parasite to acquire blood meals because their products mediate escape mechanisms from host defenses. The possibility of vaccinating dogs against infestations with the brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, with antigens derived from salivary glands of the cattle tick, R. microplus, was investigated by in silica analysis of 45 genes from R. microplus. These genes were targeted because of their putative biological function and had been cloned into the plasmid vector TOPO VR2001. Of them, 14 were chosen to be evaluated in a vaccine because their sequences were the most similar to several genes expressed in salivary glands of R. sanguineus. The plasmids containing the genes of interest (GIs) were used to assess: 1) The ability of the product of the genes to elicit delayed skin reactions in guinea pigs immune to ticks by previous infestations with R sanguineus. 2) The ability of individual GIs delivered as DNA vaccines to affect infestations of mice with adult R sanguineus. 3) The ability of the genes to induce specific antibodies after vaccination in mice. Only two of the 14 genes delivered to guinea pigs via intradermal injection of DNA did not elicit delayed skin reaction, four used in a vaccine did not affect any parameter of tick infestations, and three did not induce production of antibodies in these animals after DNA vaccination. Of the 14 genes, seven were chosen to formulate a multigene vaccine against the dog tick R. sanguineus. The vaccine was able to significantly affect several parameters of infestations by R sanguineus in vaccinated dogs and mice. This was reflected in the reduction of the number of females that were able to lay eggs, of the average weight of the egg mass produced by these females, of the reproductive rate of these females, and of hatching rate of larvae, demonstrating that GIs from R microplus may be targets for development of a vaccine against the tick R sanguineus

A multicomponent DNA vaccine based on genes encoding proteins of Rhipicephalus microplus salivary proteins induces cross-protective immunity against Rhipicephalus sanguineus infestations in mice and dogs

Os carrapatos são artrópodes hematófagos, vetores de doenças. Vacinas são uma alternativa para o seu controle, já que esses parasitas durante a infestação, estimulam as respostas imunes do hospedeiro, as quais são implicadas em sua rejeição. As glândulas salivares do parasita são importantes para permitir a alimentação e para mediar os mecanismos de escape às defesas do hospedeiro. Diversas evidências indicam que ocorre reatividade cruzada entre espécies de carrapatos e que reações de hipersensibilidade cutânea tardia (DTH) são correlacionadas com resistência ao carrapato. A possibilidade de vacinar cachorros que são parasitados pelo R. sanguineus com antígenos do carrapato do boi, o R microplus, foi investigada por meio da análise in silico de 45 GIs de R microplus clonados em vetor plasmidial (TOPO VR2001), dentre os quais 14 Gls de R microplus se revelaram mais similares a sequências do R sanguineus, e foram empregados para avaliar: 1) A capacidade em elicitar reações cutâneas tardias em cobaias imunes a carrapatos por meio de infestações prévias com R sanguineus. 2) A capacidade de vacinas contendo GIs individuais em afetar infestações de camundongos com adultos de R sanguineus. 3) a capacidade do GI induzir anticorpos específicos após vacinação em camundongos. Dos 14 GIs testados, apenas dois não induziram reações cutâneas, quatro não afetaram nenhum parâmetro parasitológico da infestação, e três não induziram a produção de anticorpos nesses animais. Dentre os GIs, sete foram escolhidos para compor uma vacina multigênica contra o carrapato do cão R sanguineus. A vacina foi capaz de induzir resistência á infestação por R sanguineus em camundongos e em cachorros vacinados evidenciadoa pela diminuição do número de fêmeas que conseguiram colocar ovos, do peso médio da massa de ovos produzidos por essas fêmeas, do índice reprodutivo dessas fêmeas, e da taxa de eclosão das larvas, demonstrando que GIs de R microplus podem ser alvos para formulação de uma vacina contra o carrapato R sanguineus.Ticks are arthropod vectors of disease. Vaccines are an alternative to chemicals for controlling ticks because during infestations these parasites stimulate host immune responses such as delayed hypersensitivity skin reactions (DTH), which are involved in their rejection and are correlated with resistance to ticks. Tick salivary glands are important for the parasite to acquire blood meals because their products mediate escape mechanisms from host defenses. The possibility of vaccinating dogs against infestations with the brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, with antigens derived from salivary glands of the cattle tick, R. microplus, was investigated by in silica analysis of 45 genes from R. microplus. These genes were targeted because of their putative biological function and had been cloned into the plasmid vector TOPO VR2001. Of them, 14 were chosen to be evaluated in a vaccine because their sequences were the most similar to several genes expressed in salivary glands of R. sanguineus. The plasmids containing the genes of interest (GIs) were used to assess: 1) The ability of the product of the genes to elicit delayed skin reactions in guinea pigs immune to ticks by previous infestations with R sanguineus. 2) The ability of individual GIs delivered as DNA vaccines to affect infestations of mice with adult R sanguineus. 3) The ability of the genes to induce specific antibodies after vaccination in mice. Only two of the 14 genes delivered to guinea pigs via intradermal injection of DNA did not elicit delayed skin reaction, four used in a vaccine did not affect any parameter of tick infestations, and three did not induce production of antibodies in these animals after DNA vaccination. Of the 14 genes, seven were chosen to formulate a multigene vaccine against the dog tick R. sanguineus. The vaccine was able to significantly affect several parameters of infestations by R sanguineus in vaccinated dogs and mice. This was reflected in the reduction of the number of females that were able to lay eggs, of the average weight of the egg mass produced by these females, of the reproductive rate of these females, and of hatching rate of larvae, demonstrating that GIs from R microplus may be targets for development of a vaccine against the tick R sanguineus

Interaction between saliva’s adenosine and tick parasitism: effects on feeding and reproduction

Abstract Background It has recently been demonstrated that saliva from Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks contains adenosine (ADO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), two non-protein molecules that have significant immunomodulatory properties. These molecules can inhibit cytokine production by dendritic cells (DCs), while also reducing the expression of CD40 in these cells. However, more studies are needed for a better understanding of their participation in the feeding of ticks in vivo. This work, therefore, evaluated the importance of ADO during tick infestations. Mice were infested with adult ticks (3 couples/mouse), and their skin was collected at the tick-infested site (3rd and 7th day), and mRNA for receptors of ADO was quantified by real-time PCR. Results Tick infestation increased by four and two times the expression of the A2b and A3v1 receptors on day 3, respectively, while expression of other ADO receptors was unaltered. In addition, we treated mice (n = 10/group) daily with 8-(p-Sulfophenyl)theophylline, 8-pSPT, 20 mg/kg, i.p.), a non-selective antagonist of ADO receptors, and evaluated the performance of ticks during infestations. Female ticks fed on 8-pSPT-treated mice presented a reduction in their engorgement, weight and hatching rates of egg masses, and survival times of larvae compared to the same parameters presented by ticks in the control group. To investigate if these 8-pSPT-treated mice presented altered immune responses, we performed three tick infestations and collected their lymph node cells to determine the percentages and activation state of DCs and cytokine production by lymphocytes by flow cytometry (Cytometric Bead Array technique, CBA). Our data showed that 8-pSPT-treated mice presented an increase in the percentage of DCs as well as of their stimulatory and co-stimulatory molecules (CD40, CD80 and MHCII). Regarding production of T cell cytokines, we observed a significant increase in the levels of IL-2 and a significant decrease in IL-10, IL-17, TNF-α and IFN-γ cytokines. Conclusions These results suggest that ADO produced by ticks helps them feed and reproduce and that this effect may be due to modulation of host DCs and T cells