Genetic inherence of the response to human kairomones by two allopatric members of the Lutzomyia longipalpis complex

The sandfly Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva) is the main vector of Leishmania infantum in the New World. Several studies show that Lu. longipalpis is a species complex of at least three members. The feeding habits among the members of the complex vary from one geographical location to another. These differences in feeding habits may be related to differences between different members of the complex. The present study investigates differences in the response to human kairomones by two members of the complex, as well as the possibility that differences in the response have a genetic basis. One of the members used in this study is from Jacobina Bahia State, Brazil. Males from this population are known to produce a sex pheromone characterized by a C16 molecule identified as 3-methyl-α-himachelene. The other member is from a population originating in Marajó Island, Pará State, Brazil. Males from this location secrete a sex pheromone characterized by a C20 molecule whose structure remains to be elucidated, but is known to be a diterpene type. Our findings indicate that Jacobina females are significantly more responsive to human odours than Marajo females. When Jacobina and Marajó populations of Lu. longipalpis complex are cross-mated, the response of F1 females to the human odours is found to be genetically controlled

Suicidality and associated risk factors in outpatients attending a general medical facility in rural Kenya

Background Low-and-Middle-Income-Countries (LMICs) account for 75% of global suicides. While primary care populations in high-income countries (HIC) typically have higher prevalence of suicidal behavior relative to general populations, few studies have explored suicidal behavior among general medical outpatients in LMICs. This study addresses the research gap by characterizing potential risk factors for suicidal ideation in a large general medical outpatient setting in rural Kenya. Methods A cross-sectional study of adult general medical outpatients attending a rural sub-county hospital in Kaloleni, Kenya. Primary outcomes included major depressive disorder (MDD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and suicidal behavior measured by the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI 5.0). We use binary logistic regression to model suicidality, mental disorders, intimate partner violence, and lifetime abuse. Results 394 outpatients completed the assessment. The prevalence of SI over the past month was 20%. 18% of those with suicidal ideation over the past month also attempted suicide in the past month. Participants who met criteria for MDD (suicidality item removed) were 19 times [CI: 4.56, 79.05] more likely to report suicidal ideation compared to those without MDD (adjusted odds ratio 12.15 [CI: 2.66, 55.49]). Limitations This was a cross sectional study design with convenience sampling and hence vulnerable to selection and recall bias. Conclusion The prevalence of SI and its strong association with actual suicide attempt in this population, make an urgent public health case for intervention. These data identify MDD as a highly significant correlate of SI

The ACOS CO[subscript 2] retrieval algorithm - Part II: Global X[subscript CO2] data characterization

Here, we report preliminary estimates of the column averaged carbon dioxide (CO[subscript 2]) dry air mole fraction, X[subscript CO2], retrieved from spectra recorded over land by the Greenhouse gases Observing Satellite, GOSAT (nicknamed "Ibuki"), using retrieval methods originally developed for the NASA Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO) mission. After screening for clouds and other known error sources, these retrievals reproduce much of the expected structure in the global X[subscript CO2] field, including its variation with latitude and season. However, low yields of retrieved X[subscript CO2] over persistently cloudy areas and ice covered surfaces at high latitudes limit the coverage of some geographic regions, even on seasonal time scales. Comparisons of early GOSAT X[subscript CO2] retrievals with X[subscript CO2] estimates from the Total Carbon Column Observing Network (TCCON) revealed a global, −2% (7–8 parts per million, ppm, with respect to dry air) X[subscript CO2] bias and 2 to 3 times more variance in the GOSAT retrievals. About half of the global X[subscript CO2] bias is associated with a systematic, 1% overestimate in the retrieved air mass, first identified as a global +10 hPa bias in the retrieved surface pressure. This error has been attributed to errors in the O[subscript 2] A-band absorption cross sections. Much of the remaining bias and spurious variance in the GOSAT X[subscript CO2] retrievals has been traced to uncertainties in the instrument's calibration, oversimplified methods for generating O[subscript 2] and CO[subscript 2] absorption cross sections, and other subtle errors in the implementation of the retrieval algorithm. Many of these deficiencies have been addressed in the most recent version (Build 2.9) of the retrieval algorithm, which produces negligible bias in X[subscript CO2] on global scales as well as a ~30% reduction in variance. Comparisons with TCCON measurements indicate that regional scale biases remain, but these could be reduced by applying empirical corrections like those described by Wunch et al. (2011b). We recommend that such corrections be applied before these data are used in source sink inversion studies to minimize spurious fluxes associated with known biases. These and other lessons learned from the analysis of GOSAT data are expected to accelerate the delivery of high quality data products from the Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2), once that satellite is successfully launched and inserted into orbit