Implementation of the artificial feeders in hematophagous arthropod research cooperates to the vertebrate animal use replacement, reduction and refinement (3Rs) principle

Vector-borne diseases are transmitted to humans by hematophagous arthropods and these blood-sucking organisms are target to researches worldwide. The laboratory colonization of these species is an important factor in the development of innovative strategies to control these vectors. However, this maintenance requires blood to make these invertebrates able to complete their life cycle. Although live vertebrate animals are frequently used for this feeding procedure, artificial feeders are available as potential alternatives to replace the use of live animals in some situations, especially in vector colony maintenance. The aim of this commentary is to discuss the use of artificial feeding methods concerning the 3Rs principle application. The scientific community focused on vector-borne diseases studies needs to strongly consider these artificial feeding options as a bioethical alternative to maintain blood-feeding arthropods in laboratory

Expression and accumulation of the two-domain odorant-binding protein AaegOBP45 in the ovaries of blood-fed Aedes aegypti

BACKGROUND: \ud Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are the main vectors of dengue viruses. Despite global efforts to reduce the prevalence of dengue using integrated vector management strategies, innovative alternatives are necessary to help prevent virus transmission. Detailed characterizations of Ae. aegypti genes and their products provide information about the biology of mosquitoes and may serve as foundations for the design of new vector control methods.\ud FINDINGS: \ud We studied the Ae. aegypti gene, AAEL010714, that encodes a two-domain odorant-binding protein, AaegOBP45. The predicted gene structure and sequence were validated, although single nucleotide polymorphisms were observed. Transcriptional and translational products accumulate in the ovaries of blood fed females and are not detected or are at low abundance in other tissues.\ud CONCLUSIONS: \ud We validated the Ae. aegypti AAEL010714 gene sequence and characterized the expression profile of a two-domain OBP expressed in ovaries. We propose that AaegOBP45 function as a component of the mosquito eggshell.São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) 2006/00331-3CNPq 143113/2006-2NIH NIAID (AI29746

Atelier Convívio - um espaço comunitário para pessoas idosas

Este estudo procura analisar o impacto de um Atelier Convívio para pessoas idosas, com base em informações recolhidas em focus group. A amostra foi constituída pelos dinamizadores, estagiários da licenciatura em Educação Social, e pelos participantes nas atividades. As informações recolhidas foram objeto de análise de conteúdo categorial e realçam benefícios a nível psicológico e social. Este tipo de intervenção permite a construção simultaneamente de prazer, compromisso e significado. Ao apelar ao convívio em grupo, potencia a interação social, comunicação e suporte mútuo, que constituem importantes recursos na fase avançada de vida.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Mass production of genetically modified Aedes aegypti for field releases in Brazil

New techniques and methods are being sought to try to win the battle against mosquitoes. Recent advances in molecular techniques have led to the development of new and innovative methods of mosquito control based around the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT)(1-3). A control method known as RIDL (Release of Insects carrying a Dominant Lethal)(4), is based around SIT, but uses genetic methods to remove the need for radiation-sterilization(5-8). A RIDL strain of Ae. aegypti was successfully tested in the field in Grand Cayman(9,10); further field use is planned or in progress in other countries around the world. Mass rearing of insects has been established in several insect species and to levels of billions a week. However, in mosquitoes, rearing has generally been performed on a much smaller scale, with most large scale rearing being performed in the 1970s and 80s. For a RIDL program it is desirable to release as few females as possible as they bite and transmit disease. In a mass rearing program there are several stages to produce the males to be released: egg production, rearing eggs until pupation, and then sorting males from females before release. These males are then used for a RIDL control program, released as either pupae or adults(11,12). To suppress a mosquito population using RIDL a large number of high quality male adults need to be reared(13,14). The following describes the methods for the mass rearing of OX513A, a RIDL strain of Ae. aegypti (8), for release and covers the techniques required for the production of eggs and mass rearing RIDL males for a control program.Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnologia (CNPq

A study of the anti-plasmodium activity of angiotensin II analogs

Controlling the dissemination of malaria requires the development of new drugs against its etiological agent, a protozoan of the Plasmodium genus. Angiotensin II and its analog peptides exhibit activity against the development of immature and mature sporozoites of Plasmodium gallinaceum. In this study, we report the synthesis and characterization of angiotensin II linear and cyclic analogs with anti-plasmodium activity. The peptides were synthesized by a conventional solid-phase method on Merrifield's resin using the t-Boc strategy, purified by RP-HPLC and characterized by liquid chromatography/ESI (+) MS (LC-ESI(+)/MS), amino acid analysis, and capillary electrophoresis. Anti-plasmodium activity was measured in vitro by fluorescence microscopy using propidium iodine uptake as an indicator of cellular damage. The activities of the linear and cyclic peptides are not significantly different (p < 0.05). Kinetics studies indicate that the effects of these peptides on plasmodium viability overtime exhibit a sigmoidal profile and that the system stabilizes after a period of 1 h for all peptides examined. The results were rationalized by partial least-square analysis, assessing the position-wise contribution of each amino acid. The highest contribution of polar amino acids and a Lys residue proximal to the C-terminus, as well as that of hydrophobic amino acids in the N-terminus, suggests that the mechanism underlying the anti-malarial activity of these peptides is attributed to its amphiphilic character.FAPESP, Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (VXO #2008/51869-9)FAPESP, Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (VXO #2007/00684-6)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES

Effects of Aedes aegypti salivary components on dendritic cell and lymphocyte biology

BACKGROUND: \ud Saliva is a key element of interaction between hematophagous mosquitoes and their vertebrate hosts. In addition to allowing a successful blood meal by neutralizing or delaying hemostatic responses, the salivary cocktail is also able to modulate the effector mechanisms of host immune responses facilitating, in turn, the transmission of several types of microorganisms. Understanding how the mosquito uses its salivary components to circumvent host immunity might help to clarify the mechanisms of transmission of such pathogens and disease establishment.\ud METHODS: \ud Flow cytometry was used to evaluate if increasing concentrations of A. aegypti salivary gland extract (SGE) affects bone marrow-derived DC differentiation and maturation. Lymphocyte proliferation in the presence of SGE was estimated by a colorimetric assay. Western blot and Annexin V staining assays were used to assess apoptosis in these cells. Naïve and memory cells from mosquito-bite exposed mice or OVA-immunized mice and their respective controls were analyzed by flow cytometry.\ud RESULTS: \ud Concentration-response curves were employed to evaluate A. aegypti SGE effects on DC and lymphocyte biology. DCs differentiation from bone marrow precursors, their maturation and function were not directly affected by A. aegypti SGE (concentrations ranging from 2.5 to 40 μg/mL). On the other hand, lymphocytes were very sensitive to the salivary components and died in the presence of A. aegypti SGE, even at concentrations as low as 0.1 μg/mL. In addition, A. aegypti SGE was shown to induce apoptosis in all lymphocyte populations evaluated (CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and B cells) through a mechanism involving caspase-3 and caspase-8, but not Bim. By using different approaches to generate memory cells, we were able to verify that these cells are resistant to SGE effects.\ud CONCLUSION: \ud Our results show that lymphocytes, and not DCs, are the primary target of A. aegypti salivary components. In the presence of A. aegypti SGE, naïve lymphocyte populations die by apoptosis in a caspase-3- and caspase-8-dependent pathway, while memory cells are selectively more resistant to its effects. The present work contributes to elucidate the activities of A. aegypti salivary molecules on the antigen presenting cell-lymphocyte axis and in the biology of these cells.FAPESP, 2009/12247-5CNPq 134660/2010-2FAPESP, 2010/18216-1FAPESP, 2011/06626-3FAPESP, 2011/15569-3FAPESP, 2009/09892-6FAPESP, 2009/53637-0CNPq 302194/2009-6CAPES 552258/2011-3MCT / CNPq / MS / SCTIE / DECIT / PRONEX 555648/2009-5Rede de Pesquisa em Bioactive Moléculas de Artrópodes Vetore