Self-GISH using three genomic DNA (gDNA) probes: <i>Triatoma delpontei</i> (TD) (male or female) and <i>Triatoma infestans</i> (TI) (Andean group) on own chromosomes.

<p>Bar  = 5 µm. (a-b-c) TD gDNA on TD chromosomes. Metaphase I (2n = 20A + XY). <b>(a)</b> DAPI staining. <b>(b)</b> FITC. <b>(c)</b> Merged. Hybridization signals appear scattered on all chromatin. Furthermore, strongest signals are preferably located at one chromosomal end on nine of the ten autosomal bivalents. Both sex chromosomes (X and Y) appear almost entirely labeled. The bivalent without signal is pointed out by arrowhead. <b>(d–e)</b> TD gDNA on TD. Early male meiotic prophase. <b>(d)</b> DAPI staining. <b>(e)</b> FITC. A large heteropycnotic chromocenter appear with a strong hybridization signal and the rest of the chromatin with weaker signals. <b>(f)</b> TD gDNA (female) on TD chromosomes. Metaphase II (2n = 20A + XY). Terminal regions of 9 autosomal pairs and both sex chromosomes, including the Y chromosome, appear strongly labeled. The autosomal pair without strong hybridization signals is pointed out by arrowhead. <b>(g)</b> TD. C-banding. Metaphase I. All autosomal bivalents (10) show C-blocks in only one chromosomal end. Both sex chromosomes (XY) appear almost entirely. C-heterochromatin distribution similar as observed with GISH in (c). <b>(h)</b> TI (Andean group) gDNA on TI (Andean group) chromosomes. Metaphase I (2n = 20A + XY). Six autosomal bivalents show hybridization signals with different intensity and size. The Y chromosome appears almost entirely labeled while that X chromosome shows a small hybridization region. <b>(i)</b> TI (Andean group). C-banding. Metaphase I. Seven to nine autosomal bivalents appear heterochromatic with C-blocks of different size in one or both chromosomal ends, while X and Y sex chromosomes are almost entirely C-heterochromatic.</p

Inter-specific GISH of triatomine species using three genomic DNA (gDNA) probes: <i>Triatoma delpontei</i> (TD) (male or female) and <i>Triatoma infestans</i> (TI) (Andean group).

<p>Bar  = 5 µm. (a–b) TI (Andean group) gDNA on TI (non-Andean group) chromosomes. Metaphase I (2n = 20A + XY). <b>(a)</b> FITC. <b>(b)</b> Merged. All chromatin appear labeled. Strong hybridization signals are restricted to the three largest autosomal pairs and the Y chromosome: in two largest bivalents (I and II) the signals are localized in both chromosomal ends while that in the third bivalent (III) the label in restricted to only one chromosomal end. The remaining seven autosomal bivalents and X chromosome did not display strong labeling. <b>(c)</b> TI (non-Andean group). C-banding. Metaphase I. Three bivalents present C-blocks: two of them in both chromosomal ends (I and II) and the third in only one end (III). The Y chromosome is C-positive, and seven autosomal bivalents and X chromosome are euchromatic. C-heterochromatin distribution similar as observed with GISH in (b). <b>(d)</b> TD gDNA on TI (non-Andean group) chromosomes. Spermatogonial mitotic prometaphase (2n = 22 chromosomes). Six autosomes appear with strong and telomeric hybridization signals: 4 of them in both chromosomal ends and the other 2 in only one telomeric region. The Y chromosome is entirely hybridized. Arrowheads pointed out subtelomeric regions (DAPI negative) without GISH label localized on the largest autosomes. <b>(e)</b> C-banding. TI (non-Andean group). Spermatogonial mitotic prometaphase (2n = 22). Six autosomes with C-blocks: 4 of them in both chromosomal ends, and the other 2 in only one end. The Y chromosome appears almost totally C-heterochromatic. Each autosomal C-block is subdivided into 2 regions: a darker subtelomeric region (arrowheads) and a clearer telomeric region. <b>(f)</b> TI (Andean group) gDNA on <i>T. platensis</i> chromosomes. Metaphase I (2n = 20A + XY). Hybridization signals are restricted to small regions of 3 autosomal bivalents. Both sex chromosomes (X and Y) appear almost entirely labeled. <b>(g-h-i)</b> TI (Andean group) gDNA on <i>M. spinolai</i> chromosomes. Metaphase II (2n = 20A + X₁X₂Y). <b>(g)</b> DAPI staining. <b>(h)</b> FITC. <b>(i)</b> Merged. All chromatin appear labeled. Autosomal telomeric regions present small and intense hybridization signals. The Y chromosome appears strongly and totally labeled. <b>(j–k)</b> TI (Andean group) gDNA on <i>Mepraia spinolai</i> chromosomes. Early male meiotic prophase. <b>(j)</b> FITC <b>(k)</b> Merged. All chromatin appear labeled but strong signals are restricted to telomeric regions and on the meiotic chromocenter constituted by the association of sex chromosomes with some autosomes. <b>(l)</b><i>M. spinolai</i>. C-banding. Metaphase II (2n = 20A + X₁X₂Y). C-heterochromatin distribution similar as observed with GISH in <b>(c)</b>.</p

Inter-specific GISH of triatomine species using three genomic DNA (gDNA) probes: <i>Triatoma delpontei</i> (TD) (male or female) and <i>Triatoma infestans</i> (TI) (Andean group).

<p>Bar  = 5 µm. (a–b) TD gDNA on <i>Triatoma dimidiata</i> chromosomes. Metaphase II (2n = 20A + X₁X₂Y). <b>(a)</b> FITC <b>(b)</b> Merged. All chromatin present dispersal hybridization signals but only the Y chromosome exhibits a very strong labeled. (c) TI (Andean group) gDNA on <i>T. carrioni</i> chromosomes. Metaphase I (2n = 20A + XY). Strong hybridization signals are restricted to the heterochromatic Y chromosome. <b>(d)</b> TD gDNA on <i>T. protracta</i> chromosomes. Metaphase II (2n = 20A + X₁X₂Y). Only the Y chromosome presents strong hybridization signal in spite of the autosomal C-bands in all autosomal pairs and in one X chromosome. <b>(e)</b><i>T. protracta</i>. C-banding. Metaphase II. All autosomal pairs, the Y chromosome and one X chromosome present C-blocks in one or both chromosomal ends. <b>(f)</b> TD gDNA on <i>Dipetalogaster maxima</i> chromosomes. Spermatogonial mitotic prometaphase with 22 chromosomes (2n = 20A + XY). Only the Y chromosome presents intense hybridization signal. <b>(g)</b> TI (Andean group) gDNA on <i>Eratyrus mucronatus</i> chromosomes. Metaphase I (2n = 20A + X₁X₂Y). Only the Y chromosome presents hybridization signal. <b>(h)</b> TI (Andean group) gDNA on <i>Panstrongylus geniculatus</i> chromosomes. Anaphase II (2n = 20A + X₁X₂Y) showing a post-reductional sex chromosomes segregation. Only the Y chromosome has strong hybridization signals. <b>(i)</b> TI (Andean group) gDNA on <i>Rhodnius prolixus</i> chromosomes. Metaphase I (2n = 20A + XY). The hybridization signals are scattered throughout all chromosomes. No chromosomal region was observed with intense labeled signals, including the heterochromatic Y chromosome.</p

Comparative repeatome analysis on <i>Triatoma infestans</i> Andean and Non-Andean lineages, main vector of Chagas disease

<div><p><i>Triatoma infestans</i> is the most important Chagas disease vector in South America. Two main evolutionary lineages, named Andean and non-Andean, have been recognized by geographical distribution, phenetic and genetic characteristics. One of the main differences is the genomic size, varying over 30% in their haploid DNA content. Here we realize a genome wide analysis to compare the repetitive genome fraction (repeatome) between both lineages in order to identify the main repetitive DNA changes occurred during <i>T</i>. <i>infestans</i> differentiation process. RepeatExplorer analysis using Illumina reads showed that both lineages exhibit the same amount of non-repeat sequences, and that satellite DNA is by far the major component of repetitive DNA and the main responsible for the genome size differentiation between both lineages. We characterize 42 satellite DNA families, which are virtually all present in both lineages but with different amount in each lineage. Furthermore, chromosomal location of satellite DNA by fluorescence <i>in situ</i> hybridization showed that genomic variations in <i>T</i>. <i>infestans</i> are mainly due to satellite DNA families located on the heterochromatic regions. The results also show that many satDNA families are located on the euchromatic regions of the chromosomes.</p></div

<i>T</i>. <i>infestans</i> from Andean and non-Andean lineages repeatomes.

<p>(a) Pie charts showing total percentages of each category in the genome, including repetitive and non repetitive DNA. (b) Comparative charts showing the amount of each category expressed in mega base pairs (Mbp) per haploid genome. Chi-square test significant differences are depicted with asterisks (p< 0.001).</p

<i>Triatoma infestans</i> satDNA families’ quantification in Andean and non-Andean lineages.

<p>: All data are expressed in relation to the haploid genome. Abbreviations: A = Autosomes, E = euchromatin, H = heterochromatin, X = euchromatic X chromosome, X* = heterochromatic X chromosome in Andean lineage, Y = Y chromosome. Nucleotide motifs of the 11 satDNA families are included in <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0181635#pone.0181635.s001" target="_blank">S1 Table</a>.</p

Zoonoses in Veterinary Students: A Systematic Review of the Literature

<div><p>Background</p><p>Veterinary students face diverse potential sources of zoonotic pathogens since the first years of their academic degree. Such sources include different animal species and pathologic materials which are used at university facilities as well as commercial clinics, farms and other external facilities.</p><p>Objectives</p><p>The present study utilizes a systematic review of the literature to identify zoonoses described in veterinary students.</p><p>Data sources</p><p>Web of Science and PubMed.</p><p>Results</p><p>Of the 1,254 titles produced by the bibliographic search, 62 were included in this review. Whereas 28 of these articles (45.2%) described individual cases or outbreaks, the remaining 34 (54.8%) reported serological results. The zoonotic etiological agents described were bacteria, in 39 studies (62.9%), parasites, in 12 works (19.4%), virus, in 9 studies (14.5%) and fungi, in 2 (3.2%) of the selected articles. The selected literature included references from 24 different countries and covered the time period of the last 55 years.</p><p>Limitations</p><p>The fact that common cases of disease or cases of little clinical importance without collective repercussions are not usually published in peer-reviewed journals limits the possibility to reach conclusions from a quantitative point of view. Furthermore, most of the selected works (66.1%) refer to European or North American countries, and thus, the number of cases due to pathogens which could appear more frequently in non-occidental countries might be underestimated.</p><p>Conclusions/implications</p><p>The results of the present systematic review highlight the need of including training in zoonotic diseases since the first years of Veterinary Science degrees, especially focusing on biosecurity measures (hygienic measures and the utilization of the personal protective equipment), as a way of protecting students, and on monitoring programs, so as to adequately advise affected students or students suspicious of enduring zoonoses.</p></div

C-banding patterns and satDNA families’ hybridization observed in <i>Triatoma infestans</i> in non-Andean (NA) and Andean (A) lineages (2n = 20 autosomes plus XY in males).

<p><b>Abbreviations: first meiotic metaphase (MI), anaphase I (AI) and second meiotic metaphase (MII).</b> (a) C-banding. NA lineage (spermatogonial mitotic metaphase): four autosomes and the Y chromosome present C-heterochromatic regions. (b) C-banding. A lineage (spermatogonial metaphase): almost all chromosomes present C-bands in addition to the Y chromosome. (c) C-banding. NA lineage (MI): only two bivalents and the Y chromosome present heterochromatic regions. The X chromosome is euchromatic. (d) C-banding. A lineage (MI): heterochromatic Y and almost all bivalents present C-bands. The X chromosome also shows a heterochromatic block. (e) TinfSat01-33. NA lineage (MI): hybridization signals on heterochromatic regions of two bivalents and the Y chromosome almost entirely. (f) TinfSat01-33. A lineage (MI): hybridization signals on nine bivalents, the Y chromosome and a region of the X chromosome. (g) TinfSat02-79. NA lineage (early AI): Hybridization signals are restricted to heterochromatic regions of three autosomal bivalents. The heterochromatic Y chromosome appears labeled free. (h) TinfSat02-79. A lineage (MI): Hybridization signals on four bivalents. X and Y chromosomes lack hybridization signals. (i) TinfSat03-4 (GATA)_n repeats. NA lineage (early AI): hybridization signals on heterochromatic regions of three bivalents and the Y chromosome. (j) TinfSat03-4 (GATA)_n repeats. A lineage (MI): hybridization signals on heterochromatic regions of nine bivalents and both sex chromosomes (X and Y). (k) TinfSat04-1000. NA lineage (MI): hybridization signals on euchromatic regions of all bivalents (10) and the X chromosome. The heterochromatic Y chromosome did not display labeling. (l) TinfSat04-1000. A lineage (MI): hybridization signals on euchromatic regions of all bivalents (10) and the euchromatic region of the X chromosome. The heterochromatic region of the autosomes, the X and the Y chromosome did not display labeling. (m) TinfSat05-4 (CATA)_n repeats. NA lineage (MI): hybridization signals on the heterochromatic regions of three bivalents. (n) TinfSat05-4 (CATA)_n repeats. A lineage (MI): hybridization signals on the heterochromatic regions of four bivalents and weak signals in other five bivalents.</p

INTERDISCIPLINARY INVESTIGATION ON SOIL-DAMAGE RELATION IN THE SUCRE STATE, EASTERN VENEZUELA – MACRO- TO MICRO-SCALE STUDIES REALIZED AFTER THE 1997 CARIACO EARTHQUAKE

The small town of Cariaco as well as Cumana, the capital of Sucre State, were the most affected towns by the July 9, 1997 Cariaco earthquake (Ms=6.8). In order to study the effect of the soil conditions on the damage distribution, microtremor observations were performed in and around Cariaco and Cumana. Principal periods of soils oscillate between 0.2 and 0.4 in Cariaco and 0.2 to 1 s in Cumana. Seismic refraction surveys were realized as well as geotechnical investigations. Low seismic velocities are observed down to 40-60 m in Cariaco and at various depths in Cumana. The high percentage of damage in the center of Cariaco, among other factors, can be attributed to the thickness of the soft soils in that area. The damage distribution in Cumana shows a good correlation with the distribution of river and coastal plain sediments and low predominant periods. For the determination of the thickness of the Quaternary sediments 5 seismic refraction profiles, between 10 and 20 km long, were measured in 1998 crossing the Cariaco valley. Quaternary sediments with seismic velocities ranging between 1.5 and 3 km/s overly bedrock with p-velocities of more than 4 km/s. Increasing thickness of unconsolidated, water saturated Quaternary sediments towards the Gulf of Cariaco in the west is observed. Aftershock recordings obtained by the international RESICA 97 (Red Sismológica de Cariaco 1997) temporary deployment of 43 seismological stations are used for the composition of seismic sections in order to know the basement structures and seismic velocities

Zoonoses reported in veterinary students identified by the systematic literature review according to the agent, country, year and main quantitative and qualitative information summarized from the selected studies.

<p>Zoonoses reported in veterinary students identified by the systematic literature review according to the agent, country, year and main quantitative and qualitative information summarized from the selected studies.</p