Biological Control of the Chagas Disease Vector Triatoma infestans with the Entomopathogenic Fungus Beauveria bassiana Combined with an Aggregation Cue: Field, Laboratory and Mathematical Modeling Assessment

Background: Current Chagas disease vector control strategies, based on chemical insecticide spraying, are growingly threatened by the emergence of pyrethroid-resistant Triatoma infestans populations in the Gran Chaco region of South America. Methodology and findings: We have already shown that the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana has the ability to breach the insect cuticle and is effective both against pyrethroid-susceptible and pyrethroid-resistant T. infestans, in laboratory as well as field assays. It is also known that T. infestans cuticle lipids play a major role as contact aggregation pheromones. We estimated the effectiveness of pheromonebased infection boxes containing B. bassiana spores to kill indoor bugs, and its effect on the vector population dynamics. Laboratory assays were performed to estimate the effect of fungal infection on female reproductive parameters. The effect of insect exuviae as an aggregation signal in the performance of the infection boxes was estimated both in the laboratory and in the field. We developed a stage-specific matrix model of T. infestans to describe the fungal infection effects on insect population dynamics, and to analyze the performance of the biopesticide device in vector biological control. Conclusions: The pheromone-containing infective box is a promising new tool against indoor populations of this Chagas disease vector, with the number of boxes per house being the main driver of the reduction of the total domestic bug population. This ecologically safe approach is the first proven alternative to chemical insecticides in the control of T. infestans. The advantageous reduction in vector population by delayedaction fungal biopesticides in a contained environment is here shown supported by mathematical modeling.Fil: Forlani, Lucas. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata ; ArgentinaFil: Pedrini, Nicolás. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata ; ArgentinaFil: Girotti, Juan Roberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata ; ArgentinaFil: Mijailovsky, Sergio Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata ; ArgentinaFil: Cardozo, Rubén Marino. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta. Instituto de Patología Experimental. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud. Instituto de Patología Experimental; Argentina. Provincia de Salta. Ministerio de Salud Pública. Coordinación de Gestión Epidemiológica; ArgentinaFil: Gentile, Alberto G.. Provincia de Salta. Ministerio de Salud Pública. Coordinación de Gestión Epidemiológica; ArgentinaFil: Hernández Suárez, Carlos. Universidad de Colima. Facultad de Ciencias; MéxicoFil: Rabinovich, Jorge Eduardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores; ArgentinaFil: Juarez, Marta Patricia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata ; Argentin

Biological Control of the Chagas Disease Vector <i>Triatoma infestans</i> with the Entomopathogenic Fungus <i>Beauveria bassiana</i> Combined with an Aggregation Cue: Field, Laboratory and Mathematical Modeling Assessment

Current Chagas disease vector control strategies, based on chemical insecticide spraying, are growingly threatened by the emergence of pyrethroid-resistant Triatoma infestans populations in the Gran Chaco region of South America. We have already shown that the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana has the ability to breach the insect cuticle and is effective both against pyrethroid-susceptible and pyrethroid-resistant T. infestans, in laboratory as well as field assays. It is also known that T. infestans cuticle lipids play a major role as contact aggregation pheromones. We estimated the effectiveness of pheromone-based infection boxes containing B. bassiana spores to kill indoor bugs, and its effect on the vector population dynamics. Laboratory assays were performed to estimate the effect of fungal infection on female reproductive parameters. The effect of insect exuviae as an aggregation signal in the performance of the infection boxes was estimated both in the laboratory and in the field. We developed a stage-specific matrix model of T. infestans to describe the fungal infection effects on insect population dynamics, and to analyze the performance of the biopesticide device in vector biological control. The pheromone-containing infective box is a promising new tool against indoor populations of this Chagas disease vector, with the number of boxes per house being the main driver of the reduction of the total domestic bug population. This ecologically safe approach is the first proven alternative to chemical insecticides in the control of T. infestans. The advantageous reduction in vector population by delayed-action fungal biopesticides in a contained environment is here shown supported by mathematical modeling.Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La PlataFacultad de Ciencias MédicasCentro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectore

Biological Control of the Chagas Disease Vector <i>Triatoma infestans</i> with the Entomopathogenic Fungus <i>Beauveria bassiana</i> Combined with an Aggregation Cue: Field, Laboratory and Mathematical Modeling Assessment

Current Chagas disease vector control strategies, based on chemical insecticide spraying, are growingly threatened by the emergence of pyrethroid-resistant Triatoma infestans populations in the Gran Chaco region of South America. We have already shown that the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana has the ability to breach the insect cuticle and is effective both against pyrethroid-susceptible and pyrethroid-resistant T. infestans, in laboratory as well as field assays. It is also known that T. infestans cuticle lipids play a major role as contact aggregation pheromones. We estimated the effectiveness of pheromone-based infection boxes containing B. bassiana spores to kill indoor bugs, and its effect on the vector population dynamics. Laboratory assays were performed to estimate the effect of fungal infection on female reproductive parameters. The effect of insect exuviae as an aggregation signal in the performance of the infection boxes was estimated both in the laboratory and in the field. We developed a stage-specific matrix model of T. infestans to describe the fungal infection effects on insect population dynamics, and to analyze the performance of the biopesticide device in vector biological control. The pheromone-containing infective box is a promising new tool against indoor populations of this Chagas disease vector, with the number of boxes per house being the main driver of the reduction of the total domestic bug population. This ecologically safe approach is the first proven alternative to chemical insecticides in the control of T. infestans. The advantageous reduction in vector population by delayed-action fungal biopesticides in a contained environment is here shown supported by mathematical modeling.Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La PlataFacultad de Ciencias MédicasCentro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectore

Biological Control of the Chagas Disease Vector <i>Triatoma infestans</i> with the Entomopathogenic Fungus <i>Beauveria bassiana</i> Combined with an Aggregation Cue: Field, Laboratory and Mathematical Modeling Assessment

Current Chagas disease vector control strategies, based on chemical insecticide spraying, are growingly threatened by the emergence of pyrethroid-resistant Triatoma infestans populations in the Gran Chaco region of South America. We have already shown that the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana has the ability to breach the insect cuticle and is effective both against pyrethroid-susceptible and pyrethroid-resistant T. infestans, in laboratory as well as field assays. It is also known that T. infestans cuticle lipids play a major role as contact aggregation pheromones. We estimated the effectiveness of pheromone-based infection boxes containing B. bassiana spores to kill indoor bugs, and its effect on the vector population dynamics. Laboratory assays were performed to estimate the effect of fungal infection on female reproductive parameters. The effect of insect exuviae as an aggregation signal in the performance of the infection boxes was estimated both in the laboratory and in the field. We developed a stage-specific matrix model of T. infestans to describe the fungal infection effects on insect population dynamics, and to analyze the performance of the biopesticide device in vector biological control. The pheromone-containing infective box is a promising new tool against indoor populations of this Chagas disease vector, with the number of boxes per house being the main driver of the reduction of the total domestic bug population. This ecologically safe approach is the first proven alternative to chemical insecticides in the control of T. infestans. The advantageous reduction in vector population by delayed-action fungal biopesticides in a contained environment is here shown supported by mathematical modeling.Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La PlataFacultad de Ciencias MédicasCentro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectore

Professional socialization among minority and nonminority medical students: An exploratory study.

Professional socialization among minority and nonminority medical students: An exploratory study

LHS+ medical student history and heritage of the U.S. midwest region

The objective of this chapter is to highlight the path towards the empowerment of Latinos in the U.S. Midwest—both in general and in medicine—through reviews of published literature, statistics, and oral history. Through migration, education, and self-determination, Latinos grew from being an impermanent fixture of the Midwestern labor force in the mid-1800s to a driver of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts regionally and nationally in the late 1900s and early 2000s. This chapter recounts the key sociopolitical and cultural factors that brought Latinos to the Midwest, shaped this community’s presence within the region, and catalyzed activism within this community for increased representation in the physician workforce and improved health outcomes. Lastly, this chapter chronicles the trainee-driven grassroots efforts that culminated in the formation of official medical student organizations. The Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) that exists as of this chapter’s writing reflects the hard work of Midwest students and physicians and will rely on continuation of these efforts in order to promote a healthier LHS+ community and a stronger healthcare system for all

Differences in patient-reported experiences of care by race and acculturation status

Patient-reported experiences of care are an important focus in health disparities research. This study explored the association of patient-reported experiences of care with race and acculturation status in a primary care setting. 881 adult patients (African-American 34 %; Hispanic-classified as unacculturated or biculturated-31 %; Caucasian 33 %; missing race 2 %), in outpatient Family Medicine clinics, completed a written survey in Spanish or English. Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) Clinician & Group (CAG) Survey Adult Primary Care instrument was used for experiences of care and Short Form-12 survey for health status. Controlling for other variables, race and acculturation were significantly associated with several CAG subscales. Hispanic patients gave significantly higher ratings for care experiences and expressed greater interest in shared decision making. Selected patient-reported measures of care are associated with patients' race and acculturation status (for Hispanic patients). We discuss implications for both provision and measurement of quality care

Improving health care career pipeline programs for underrepresented students: Program design that makes a difference

Background: Health care career pipeline training programs are one solution to increasing the number of minority and underrepresented health care providers. The Chicago Cancer Health Equity Collaborative (ChicagoCHEC) Research Fellows Program, a tri-institutional effort between the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU), and Northwestern University (NU), provides a holistic, 8-week summer research fellowship that facilitates self-reflection, professional development, and exposes and guides the novice undergraduate and postbac-calaureate student toward a health care career inclusive of research and scientific discovery. Objectives: The number of underrepresented students achieving health care careers is minimal. We outline curriculum development, innovation, lessons learned, and selected outcomes from the first three cohorts of the ChicagoCHEC Research Fellows program. Methods: A tri-institutional, collaborative curricular team was formed consisting of research faculty and staff at NEIU, UIC and NU. Once accepted, fellows experience a cohort model curriculum with particular emphasis to mindful inclusion of nontraditional students. The ChicagoCHEC Research Fellows Program uses evidence-based mentorship models, group reflection, and extensive program evaluation to continuously improve its program model. Conclusions: The 48 fellow alumni from the first 3 years reported high satisfaction with the program and will continued to be tracked for academic success. The ChicagoCHEC Research Fellows program will continue to provide academic and professional tools, sponsorship, and mentorship opportunities to underrepresented students as they progress toward health care careers. A program such as the ChicagoCHEC Fellows Program can serve as a useful model for increasing the number of minority researchers in health care careers