Integrative approach reveals the identity of Brazilian specimens previously recognized as Anastrepha dissimilis Stone, 1942 (Diptera: Tephritidae).

Anastrepha dissimilis is currently considered to be widely distributed in Brazil, occurring in 20 of 27 states. However, morphological differences between the holotype (from Plaisance, Haiti) and a paratype (from Pernambuco, Brazil) suggest that the Brazilian specimens are not A. dissimilis, because their aculeus tip is similar to the paratype not to the holotype. Therefore, considering the importance of integrative taxonomy for species delimitation, we used geometric and linear morphometrics and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I sequences integrated with the morphology of the aculeus tip to clarify the identity of populations previously identified as A. dissimilis from multiple Brazilian localities. Morphological data show a uniform pattern among the Brazilian populations, with some variation among specimens from the south and northeast. In addition, the geometric and linear morphometrics suggest considerable geographic variation among these populations, suggesting the existence of at least two morphs. The molecular analysis revealed that specimens from Brazil previously identified as A. dissimilis belong to Anastrepha chiclayae Greene, with a genetic distance ranging from 0.00 to 0.015%. According to our integrative analyses, specimens from Brazil formerly identified as A. dissimilis actually are A. chiclayae. Therefore, this is the first record of A. chiclayae in Brazil, and we also report that A. dissimilis does not occur in Brazil

Schistosoma mansoni Coinfection Attenuates Murine Toxoplasma gondii-Induced Crohn's-Like Ileitis by Preserving the Epithelial Barrier and Downregulating the Inflammatory Response

Background and aims: Mice orally infected with T. gondii develop Crohn's disease (CD)-like enteritis associated with severe mucosal damage and a systemic inflammatory response, resulting in high morbidity and mortality. Previously, helminthic infections have shown therapeutic potential in experimental colitis. However, the role of S. mansoni in T. gondii-induced CD-like enteritis has not been elucidated. Our study investigated the mechanisms underlying T. gondii-induced ileitis and the potential therapeutic effect of S. mansoni coinfection.Methods: C57BL/6 mice were infected by subcutaneous injection of cercariae of the BH strain of S. mansoni, and 7–9 weeks later, they were orally infected with cysts of the ME49 strain of T. gondii. After euthanasia, the ileum was removed for histopathological analysis; staining for goblet cells; immunohistochemistry characterizing mononuclear cells, lysozyme expression, apoptotic cells, and intracellular pathway activation; and measuring gene expression levels by real-time PCR. Cytokine concentrations were measured in the serial serum samples and culture supernatants of the ileal explants, in addition to myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity.Results:T. gondii-monoinfected mice presented dense inflammatory cell infiltrates and ulcerations in the terminal ileum, with abundant cell extrusion, apoptotic bodies, and necrosis; these effects were absent in S. mansoni-infected or coinfected animals. Coinfection preserved goblet cells and Paneth cells, remarkably depleted in T. gondii-infected mice. Densities of CD4- and CD11b-positive cells were increased in T. gondii- compared to S. mansoni-infected mice and controls. MPO was significantly increased among T. gondii-mice, while attenuated in coinfected animals. In T. gondii-infected mice, the culture supernatants of the explants showed increased concentrations of TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, and IL-17, and the ileal tissue revealed increased expression of the mRNA transcripts for IL-1 beta, NOS2, HMOX1, MMP3, and MMP9 and activation of NF-kappa B and p38 MAPK signaling, all of which were counterregulated by S. mansoni coinfection.Conclusion:S. mansoni coinfection attenuates T. gondii-induced ileitis by preserving mucosal integrity and downregulating the local inflammatory response based on the activation of NF-kappa B and MAPK. The protective function of prior S. mansoni infection suggests the involvement of innate immune mechanisms and supports a conceptually new approach to the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases, including CD

Dicopper(ii) Complex of the Large Polyazacycloalkane 1,4,7,10,13,16,19,22-octaazacyclotetracosane (bistrien) - Synthesis, Crystal-structure, Electrochemistry, and Thermodynamics of Formation

The large macrocycle 1,4,7,10,13,16,19,22-octaazacyclotetracosan(eb istrien) was synthesized. The eight basicity constants and the stability constants of the dinuclear complexes [CuZ(bistrien)l4+[, C~~(bistrien)H~a]n~d' , [C~~(bistrien)OHw]~er+e determined by potentiometry at 25 OC in 0.5 mol dm-3 NaC10,. The formation enthalpy of [CuZ(bistrien)l4' was determined by batch microcalorimetry. The most important species, [Cu2(bistrien)14', is extremely stable (log k = 36.63) and exothermic (-AHo = 39.0 kcal mol-'), indicating that all nitrogen atoms are involved in the coordination to the metal ions. The stability of the hydroxo species [C~~(bistrien)OH]i~s 'h igh, and its magnetic susceptibility in solution shows metal-metal interaction. Crystals of the com und [Cuz(bistrien)C12](C104a)rez monoclinic, space group P2 , /m, with a = 11.811 (3) A, b = 11.352 ( 3 ) A, c = 11.385 (3) r@ = 99.1 1 (4)O, and 2 = 2. Refinement of the atomic parameters by least squares gave a final R factor of 0.080 (R, = 0.070) for 1340 unique reflections with F,, > 20(F,). The structure consists of centrosymmetric binuclear Cu2(bistrien) units held together by chlorine bridges forming pairs of polymeric ..-Cu-Cl-Cu-CI.-Cu zigzag chains parallel to the b axis. The copper atoms are coordinated by four nitrogen atoms of the macrocyclic ligand (average Cu-N = 2.04 (1) A) and one chloride ion (CuCl = 2.48 (2) A), forming a distorted square pyramid. One further chloride ion at 3.31 (2) A completes a distorted elongated octahedron. The electrochemical behavior of the dinuclear complex [CuZ(bistrien)l4' was investigated in aqueous solution by cyclic voltammetry. The complex undergoes a two-electron reversible reduction into the dinuclear Cu(1) species, by two independent monoelectronic steps. The reduced species is unstable with respect to the demetalation and reduction to metal

Attitudes towards the sexual rights of LGB people: Factors involved in recognition and denial

Sexual rights (SR) are grounded in universal human rights, however, despite recent gains in equality, many lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) individuals and couples still face discrimination. The aim of this study was to analyze the level of agreement of the Italian general population with the sexual rights of LGB people and couples. A further aim was to better understand the sociodemographic characteristics associated with the different level of recognition of the LGB SR. An online anonymous questionnaire was carried out to collect demographic data and information about the level of agreement/disagreement, coded on a 6-point likert scale, with statements regarding the rights of heterosexual and LGB people. One thousand and seven out people who had access to the questionnaire met the inclusion criteria. The sample showed overall moderate-high levels of agreement with SR of LGB men and women in high percentages, and more than 85.0% declared themselves in favor of the right, for the LGB people, to have a satisfactory sexuality. The participants showed a lower degree of agreement in relation to the adoption of children by LGB couples. The most discriminated against are bisexuals of both sexes. With respect to sociodemographic variables, being female, graduated, was observed as related to a greater recognition of the rights considered. Being a believer and to a greater extent being a believer churchgoer has been observed as a predictor of lesser recognition of such LGB rights. Data shows how focusing efforts where possible on the knowledge of sexual orientation to overcome stereotypes based on ignorance is crucial for LGB sexual and general health

Two new species of Nealiolus Mason (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Brachistinae) reared from pest weevils (Coleoptera, Curculionidae)

Shimbori, Eduardo M., Wengrat, Ana P. G. S., Savaris, Marcoandre, Galvão, William B., Nanini, Frederico, Garcia, Sarah S. P., Corrêa, Alberto S. (2020): Two new species of Nealiolus Mason (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Brachistinae) reared from pest weevils (Coleoptera, Curculionidae). Zootaxa 4729 (1): 116-126, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4729.1.

FIGURE 18 in Two new species of Nealiolus Mason (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Brachistinae) reared from pest weevils (Coleoptera, Curculionidae)

FIGURE 18. Bayesian phylogenetic tree of COI gene fragment of Nealiolus specimens. Branch lengths are drawn to scale; nodal support values below 0.50 were not recorded in the tree; and nodal support values are given as posterior probabilities above the branches in cases with values higher than 0.90. The scale bar corresponds to the expected number of substitutions per site.Published as part of Shimbori, Eduardo M., Wengrat, Ana P. G. S., Savaris, Marcoandre, Galvão, William B., Nanini, Frederico, Garcia, Sarah S. P. & Corrêa, Alberto S., 2020, Two new species of Nealiolus Mason (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Brachistinae) reared from pest weevils (Coleoptera, Curculionidae), pp. 116-126 in Zootaxa 4729 (1) on page 125, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4729.1.8, http://zenodo.org/record/362907

FIGURE 17 in Two new species of Nealiolus Mason (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Brachistinae) reared from pest weevils (Coleoptera, Curculionidae)

FIGURE 17. Distribution map for new species of Nealiolus from Brazil: (★) Type locality of N. chayohtli Wengrat & Shimbori sp. n., Amparo, São Paulo. (■) Type locality N. jaboticaba Shimbori & Wengrat sp. n., Piracicaba, São Paulo.Published as part of Shimbori, Eduardo M., Wengrat, Ana P. G. S., Savaris, Marcoandre, Galvão, William B., Nanini, Frederico, Garcia, Sarah S. P. & Corrêa, Alberto S., 2020, Two new species of Nealiolus Mason (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Brachistinae) reared from pest weevils (Coleoptera, Curculionidae), pp. 116-126 in Zootaxa 4729 (1) on page 124, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4729.1.8, http://zenodo.org/record/362907

FIGURES 9‒16 in Two new species of Nealiolus Mason (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Brachistinae) reared from pest weevils (Coleoptera, Curculionidae)

FIGURES 9‒16. Nealiolus jaboticaba Shimbori & Wengrat sp. n., ♀: 9‒10, habitus, lateral; 11, head, frontal. 12, propodeum, dorsal; 13, fore wing; 14, metasoma, dorsal; 15‒16, pupal chamber of Conothrachelus sp. constructed in the soil: 15, parasitoid pupae within silk cocoon; 16, empty parasitoid cocoon with the exit opening.Published as part of <i>Shimbori, Eduardo M., Wengrat, Ana P. G. S., Savaris, Marcoandre, Galvão, William B., Nanini, Frederico, Garcia, Sarah S. P. & Corrêa, Alberto S., 2020, Two new species of Nealiolus Mason (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Brachistinae) reared from pest weevils (Coleoptera, Curculionidae), pp. 116-126 in Zootaxa 4729 (1)</i> on page 123, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4729.1.8, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/3629072">http://zenodo.org/record/3629072</a&gt