An insight into the sialome of Simulium guianense (DIPTERA:SIMulIIDAE), the main vector of River Blindness Disease in Brazil

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Little is known about the composition and function of the saliva in black flies such as <it>Simulium guianense</it>, the main vector of river blindness disease in Brazil. The complex salivary potion of hematophagous arthropods counteracts their host's hemostasis, inflammation, and immunity.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Transcriptome analysis revealed ubiquitous salivary protein families--such as the Antigen-5, Yellow, Kunitz domain, and serine proteases--in the <it>S. guianense </it>sialotranscriptome. Insect-specific families were also found. About 63.4% of all secreted products revealed protein families found only in <it>Simulium</it>. Additionally, we found a novel peptide similar to kunitoxin with a structure distantly related to serine protease inhibitors. This study revealed a relative increase of transcripts of the SVEP protein family when compared with <it>Simulium vittatum </it>and <it>S. nigrimanum </it>sialotranscriptomes. We were able to extract coding sequences from 164 proteins associated with blood and sugar feeding, the majority of which were confirmed by proteome analysis.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results contribute to understanding the role of <it>Simulium </it>saliva in transmission of <it>Onchocerca volvulus </it>and evolution of salivary proteins in black flies. It also consists of a platform for mining novel anti-hemostatic compounds, vaccine candidates against filariasis, and immuno-epidemiologic markers of vector exposure.</p

Notas sobre tabánidos argentinos (Dipt. insecta) : III. Los tabánidos de Patagonia y Tierra del Fuego.

Se hace una lista de las especies de tábanos patagónicos, figurando en primer término el material del Departamento de Entomología Sanitaria del Instituto Nacional de Microbiología, agregando como novedades una especie nueva para la ciencia —Dasybasis chubutensis—, una especie no citada anteriormente para el país —Dasybasis maculiuceps Kroeber— y varias localidades nuevas que amplían notablemente el área de distribución de varias especies

Notas sobre tabánidos argentinos (dipt. insecta) : II. Sobre dos especies nuevas de Dasybasis halladas en la zona de Lago Fontana.

Se describen dos especies nuevas, Dasybasis fontanensis y Dasybasis cume- lafquen basadas en hembras coleccionadas en Lago Fontana (Chubut) , con cebo humano. Se hace la descripción de la morfología externa v de la genitalia» acompañando figuras de las mismas

Notas sobre tabánidos argentinos (dipt. insecta) : II. Sobre dos especies nuevas de Dasybasis halladas en la zona de Lago Fontana.

Se describen dos especies nuevas, Dasybasis fontanensis y Dasybasis cume- lafquen basadas en hembras coleccionadas en Lago Fontana (Chubut) , con cebo humano. Se hace la descripción de la morfología externa v de la genitalia» acompañando figuras de las mismas

Notas sobre tabánidos argentinos (Dipt. insecta) : III. Los tabánidos de Patagonia y Tierra del Fuego.

Se hace una lista de las especies de tábanos patagónicos, figurando en primer término el material del Departamento de Entomología Sanitaria del Instituto Nacional de Microbiología, agregando como novedades una especie nueva para la ciencia —Dasybasis chubutensis—, una especie no citada anteriormente para el país —Dasybasis maculiuceps Kroeber— y varias localidades nuevas que amplían notablemente el área de distribución de varias especies

The immature stages of Myiotabanus barrettoi fairchild (tabanidae-diptera-insecta)

Larva and pupa of Myiotabanus barrettoi living between leaves of Pistia stratiotes in ponds of Formosa Province (Argentina) are described. As immature stages of Lepiselaga crassipes inhabit the same environment and have very a similar appearance, new information on ornamentation and morphology is added to differentiate both species. Larvae and pupae were maintained individually in moist vials at laboratory temperature until adults emerged

Prevalência do aleitamento materno no Distrito Federal, Brasil Prevalence of breast-feeding in Brasilia, Brazil

O artigo relata os resultados de um inquérito transversal, de base populacional, realizado em Dia Nacional de Vacinação. Um grupo de 3.305 mães, com filhos na faixa etária de 0 a 180 dias, selecionado por amostragem sistemática, foi entrevistado com questionário pré-testado. A prevalência do aleitamento materno exclusivo, na faixa etária de 0-15 dias, foi de 62% (intervalo de confiança de 95%: 58,5-65,3) e de 12,8% (11,0-14,7), na faixa etária de 151-180 dias. A duração mediana do aleitamento materno exclusivo correspondeu a 39,4 dias. O aleitamento predominante manteve-se constante ao longo dos intervalos etários, com uma prevalência média de 33,1% (31,4-34,7), enquanto o parcial variou de 4,5% (3,1-6,4) a 28,4% (25,8-31,0), nas idades mencionadas. Para o aleitamento materno (todas as modalidades), a prevalência foi de 96,8% (95,8-97,7) e 70,9% (67,7-73,9), respectivamente. Em conclusão, a prevalência do aleitamento materno no Distrito Federal é elevada, mas é curto o período em que as crianças são amamentadas exclusivamente ao seio.<br>This article presents the findings of a population-based cross-sectional survey carried out during a mass immunization campaign. A group of 3,305 mothers whose babies were 0 to 180 days old was selected by systematic sampling and interviewed with a pretested questionnaire. The prevalence of exclusive breast-feeding among 0-15 day-old children was 62% (IC 95%: 58.5-65.3) and 12.8% (11.0-14.7), among 151-180 day-old children. The average duration of exclusive breast-feeding was 39.4 days. The prevalence of predominant breast-feeding was invariable along the age intervals showing a mean of 33.1% (31.4-34.7). The prevalence of partial breast-feeding among 0-15 day-old children was 4.5% (3.1-6.4) and 28.4% (25.8-31.0) for the mentioned age groups. For maternal breast-feeding, the overall prevalence varied from 96.8% (95.8-97.7) to 70.9% (67.7-73.9). In conclusion, although the overall prevalence of breast-feeding in Brasilia is relatively high, the period that children are exclusively breast-fed is short