Anopheles darlingi polytene chromosomes: Revised maps including newly described inversions and evidence for population structure in Manaus

Salivary gland polytene chromosomes of 4th instar Anopheles darlingi Root were examined from multiple locations in the Brazilian Amazon. Minor modifications were made to existing polytene photomaps. These included changes to the breakpoint positions of several previously described paracentric inversions and descriptions of four new paracentric inversions, two on the right arm of chromosome 3 and two on the left arm of chromosome 3 that were found in multiple locations. A total of 18 inversions on the X (n = 1) chromosome, chromosome 2 (n = 7) and 3 (n = 11) were scored for 83 individuals from Manaus, Macapá and Porto Velho municipalities. The frequency of 2Ra inversion karyotypes in Manaus shows significant deficiency of heterozygotes (p < 0.0009). No significant linkage disequilibrium was found between inversions on chromosome 2 and 3. We hypothesize that at least two sympatric subpopulations exist within the An. darlingi population at Manaus based on inversion frequencies. © Instituto Oswaldo Cruz - Fundação Oswaldo Cruz - Ministério da Saúde 2016

The JAK-STAT Pathway Controls Plasmodium vivax Load in Early Stages of Anopheles aquasalis Infection

Malaria affects 300 million people worldwide every year and 450,000 in Brazil. In coastal areas of Brazil, the main malaria vector is Anopheles aquasalis, and Plasmodium vivax is responsible for the majority of malaria cases in the Americas. Insects possess a powerful immune system to combat infections. Three pathways control the insect immune response: Toll, IMD, and JAK-STAT. Here we analyze the immune role of the A. aquasalis JAK-STAT pathway after P. vivax infection. Three genes, the transcription factor Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription (STAT), the regulatory Protein Inhibitors of Activated STAT (PIAS) and the Nitric Oxide Synthase enzyme (NOS) were characterized. Expression of STAT and PIAS was higher in males than females and in eggs and first instar larvae when compared to larvae and pupae. RNA levels for STAT and PIAS increased 24 and 36 hours (h) after P. vivax challenge. NOS transcription increased 36 h post infection (hpi) while this protein was already detected in some midgut epithelial cells 24 hpi. Imunocytochemistry experiments using specific antibodies showed that in non-infected insects STAT and PIAS were found mostly in the fat body, while in infected mosquitoes the proteins were found in other body tissues. The knockdown of STAT by RNAi increased the number of oocysts in the midgut of A. aquasalis. This is the first clear evidence for the involvement of a specific immune pathway in the interaction of the Brazilian malaria vector A. aquasalis with P. vivax, delineating a potential target for the future development of disease controlling strategies

Anopheles darlingi polytene chromosomes: revised maps including newly described inversions and evidence for population structure in Manaus

Salivary gland polytene chromosomes of 4th instar Anopheles darlingi Root were examined from multiple locations in the Brazilian Amazon. Minor modifications were made to existing polytene photomaps. These included changes to the breakpoint positions of several previously described paracentric inversions and descriptions of four new paracentric inversions, two on the right arm of chromosome 3 and two on the left arm of chromosome 3 that were found in multiple locations. A total of 18 inversions on the X (n = 1) chromosome, chromosome 2 (n = 7) and 3 (n = 11) were scored for 83 individuals from Manaus, Macapá and Porto Velho municipalities. The frequency of 2Ra inversion karyotypes in Manaus shows significant deficiency of heterozygotes (p < 0.0009). No significant linkage disequilibrium was found between inversions on chromosome 2 and 3. We hypothesize that at least two sympatric subpopulations exist within the An. darlingi population at Manaus based on inversion frequencies

Viabilidade de ovos de Aedes aegypti (Diptera, Culicidae) em diferentes condições de armazenamento em Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil

The viability of Aedes aegypti eggs was assessed in the Amazon region. The eggs were maintained under different conditions: indoors (insectarium) and outdoors (natural environment), as well as in different storage types (plastic cup, paper envelope, plastic bag) for different days. Egg viability was measured as the mean of hatchings observed from egg-bearing sheets of filter paper immersed in water, using three sheets randomly selected from each storage type and at both sites. There were significant differences in the viability of Ae. aegypti eggs with respect to the location (F=30.40; DF=1; P<0.0001), storage type (F=17.66; DF=2; P<0.0001), and time of storage (F=49.56; DF=9; P<0.0001). The interaction between storage site versus storage type was also significant (F=15.96; DF=2; P<0.0001). A higher hatching mean was observed for the eggs kept in the insectarium than for those outdoors (32.38 versus 7.46). Hatching rates of egg batches stored for 12 to 61 days ranged between 84 and 90%. A reduction was observed between 89 and 118 days, with values of 63 and 48%, respectively. With respect to type of storage, mean egg hatching was higher for the eggs in plastic cups (44.46). It was concluded that the viability of the eggs of Ae. aegypti in the Amazon region remains high up to 4 months, after which it declines drastically, although in this study hatching occurred for up to 8 months in very low percentages. © 2017, Instituto Internacional de Ecologia. All rights reserved

Ethnic group inequalities in coverage with reproductive, maternal and child health interventions:cross-sectional analyses of national surveys in 16 Latin American and Caribbean countries

Background Latin American and Caribbean populations include three main ethnic groups: indigenous people, people of African descent, and people of European descent. We investigated ethnic inequalities among these groups in population coverage with reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health interventions. Methods We analysed 16 standardised, nationally representative surveys carried out from 2004 to 2015 in Latin America and the Caribbean that provided information on ethnicity or a proxy indicator (household language or skin colour) and on coverage of reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health interventions. We selected four outcomes: coverage with modern contraception, antenatal care coverage (defined as four or more antenatal visits), and skilled attendants at birth for women aged 15-49 years; and coverage with three doses of diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus (DPT3) vaccine among children aged 12-23 months. We classified women and children as indigenous, of African descent, or other ancestry (reference group) on the basis of their self-reported ethnicity or language. Mediating variables included wealth quintiles (based on household asset indices), woman's education, and urban-rural residence. We calculated crude and adjusted coverage ratios using Poisson regression. Findings Ethnic gaps in coverage varied substantially from country to country. In most countries, coverage with modern contraception (median coverage ratio 0.82, IQR 0.66-0.92), antenatal care (0.86, 0.75-0.94), and skilled birth attendants (0.75, 0.68-0.92) was lower among indigenous women than in the reference group. Only three countries (Nicaragua, Panama, and Paraguay) showed significant gaps in DPT3 coverage between the indigenous and the reference groups. The differences were attenuated but persisted after adjustment for wealth, education, and residence. Women and children of African descent showed similar coverage to the reference group in most countries. Interpretation The lower coverage levels for indigenous women are pervasive, and cannot be explained solely by differences in wealth, education, or residence. Interventions delivered at community level-such as vaccines-show less inequality than those requiring access to services, such as birth attendance. Regular monitoring of ethnic inequalities is essential to evaluate existing initiatives aimed at the inclusion of minorities and to plan effective multisectoral policies and programmes.Entidad financiadora: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; Wellcome Trus

Cytotaxonomy of Simulium cauchense Floch & Abonnenc and Simulium quadrifidum Lutz (Diptera: Simuliidae) in Brazilian Amazonia

Simulium cauchense Floch & Abonnenc and Simulium quadrifidum Lutz are widely distributed in the Amazon region and are morphologically similar at the larval and pupal stages. Chromosomally, these species are readily distinguished by the position of the nucleolar organizer, which is in the short arm of chromosome I in S. cauchense and in the long arm of chromosomes III in S. quadrifidum. They also differ by three fixed inversions. Sex chromosomes are undifferentiated in both species. Chromosomal resolution of the two species allowed us to evaluate four structural features previously used as diagnostic aids at the larval stage. Characters that distinguish larvae of the two species are the number of branches and branching patterns of the dorsal abdominal setae and the dark band on each primary fan. Branching patterns of the gill histoblasts were often diagnostic, with S. quadrifidum exhibiting more proximal branching and S. cauchense more distal branching. Sites where both species occurred sometimes had larvae with one petiole branching proximally and the other distally; in these cases examination of the chromosomes permitted assignment of the specimen to species. Pigmentation patterns of larvae, on the other hand, are highly variable. Color typically is sex linked in both species

Gestión del conocimiento. Perspectiva multidisciplinaria. Volumen 10

El libro “Gestión del Conocimiento. Perspectiva Multidisciplinaria”, Volumen 10, de la Colección Unión Global, es resultado de investigaciones. Los capítulos del libro, son resultados de investigaciones desarrolladas por sus autores. El libro es una publicación internacional, seriada, continua, arbitrada de acceso abierto a todas las áreas del conocimiento, que cuenta con el esfuerzo de investigadores de varios países del mundo, orientada a contribuir con procesos de gestión del conocimiento científico, tecnológico y humanístico que consoliden la transformación del conocimiento en diferentes escenarios, tanto organizacionales como universitarios, para el desarrollo de habilidades cognitivas del quehacer diario. La gestión del conocimiento es un camino para consolidar una plataforma en las empresas públicas o privadas, entidades educativas, organizaciones no gubernamentales, ya sea generando políticas para todas las jerarquías o un modelo de gestión para la administración, donde es fundamental articular el conocimiento, los trabajadores, directivos, el espacio de trabajo, hacia la creación de ambientes propicios para el desarrollo integral de las instituciones

Relación de medidas de composición corporal evaluadas in vivo con ultrasonido con el peso de la canal en vacas Cebú de descarte Relação das medidas de composição corporal avaliadas em vivo com ultra-som com o peso da carcaça em vaca zebu de descarte Relationship of body composition measures assessed in vivo ultrasound with carcass weight in Zebu culling cows

Veinte vacas cebú comerciales de descarte con edades entre 42 y 72 meses, procedentes del Piedemonte Llanero se utilizaron para realizar un estudio de predicción del peso de la canal utilizando ultrasonido en tiempo real (UTR). Las vacas cebadas en pastoreo, fueron pesadas y enviadas al frigorífico para su faenado. Doce horas pre-sacrificio, a cada vaca se tomaron por ecografía las medidas de: área de ojo de lomo (AOL), espesor de grasa dorsal (EGD) a nivel de la 12-13 costilla, espesor de glúteo medio (EGM) y espesor de grasa a nivel del anca (GA). Además, se tomaron, el puntaje de condición corporal (PC) y el puntaje de temperamento (PT). Posterior al sacrificio, se recolectó la información de peso de la canal caliente y fría (PCC y PCF). El análisis estadístico incluyó: estadística descriptiva, correlaciones de Pearson, análisis de regresión múltiple entre medidas in vivo, posmortem y para la predicción del peso de la canal. Las vacas tuvieron un promedio de peso vivo (PV) de 408.70 kg. Los promedios de AOL, EGD, EGM, GA, de las vacas fueron 48.87 cm², 4.16 mm, 69.86 mm y 7.60 mm, respectivamente. El PC promedio fue de 5.5. Las medidas de PCC y PCF promediaron 208.19 kg y 198.55 kg, respectivamente. Se encontraron correlaciones moderadas (pVinte vacas Zebu comercial de descarte com idade entre 42 e 72 meses, provenientes do &ldquo;Piedemonte Llanero&rdquo; foram utilizadas para um estudo de predição do peso da carcaça com ultra-som em tempo real (RTU). Doze horas de pré-abate, foram tomadas as mensurações por ultra-som: área de olho de lombo (LOA), espessura de gordura dorsal (EGD) na costela 12/13, profundidade de glúteo medius (PGM) e espessura gordura na garupa (EGG). Também foram tomadas as mensurações: escore de condição corporal (ECC) e temperamento (PT). Pós-abate, a informação foi recolhida a partir da peso de carcaça quente e fria (PCQ e PCF). A análise estatística incluiu: estatística descritiva, correlações Pearson, análise de regressão múltipla entre as medições in vivo e depois da morte para a predição de peso de carcaça. As vacas apresentaram uma média de peso vivo (PV) de 408.70 kg. A média de LOA, EGD, PGM, EGG foram 48.87 cm2, 4.16 mm, 69.86 mm e 7.60 mm, respectivamente. A média foi de 5.5 ECC. As medidas do PCQ e PCF média 208.19 kg e 198.55 kg, respectivamente. Encontro-se correlações moderada (p Twenty Zebu culling commercial cows aged between 42 and 72 months, from Piedemonte Llanero used for a study of prediction of carcass weight using realtime ultrasound (RTU). Cows fattened on pasture, were weighed and sent to the slaugtherhouse for dressing. Twelve hours of pre-slaughter each cow were taken by ultrasound measures: rib eye area (REA), back fat thickness (BFT) at the 12-13 rib site, depth of gluteus medius (DGM) and thickness fat at the rump (TFR). Furthermore, it was the body condition score (BCS) and temperament scores (TS). Post-slaughter, the information was collected from the weight of hot and cold carcasses (WHC and WCC). Statistical analysis included: descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, multiple regression analysis between measurements in vivo and postmortem for the prediction of carcass weight. The cows had an average weight live (WL) of 408.70 kg. REA, BFT, DGM and TFR averages for the cows were 48.87 cm2, 4.16 mm, 69.86 mm and 7.60 mm, respectively. BCS average was 5.5. WHC and WCC averages were 208.19 kg and 198.55 kg, respectively. We found moderate correlations (p<0.05) between REA with BCS and REA with PCC postmortem, which could be quantitative indicator for production. REA and EG measures at the rib site showed no correlation with the carcass weight. We also found a moderate correlation (p <0.05) between the BSC and WHC, which could be a useful visual tool to estimate the fat thickness in cows before dressing. Measures such as REA and WL could be used to reasonably predict the WHC Zebu cows culling

Relación de medidas de composición corporal evaluadas in vivo con ultrasonido con el peso de la canal en vacas Cebú de descarte

Twenty Zebu culling commercial cows aged between 42 and 72 months, from Piedemonte Llanero used for a study of prediction of carcass weight using realtime ultrasound (RTU). Cows fattened on pasture, were weighed and sent to the slaugtherhouse for dressing. Twelve hours of pre-slaughter each cow were taken by ultrasound measures: rib eye area (REA), back fat thickness (BFT) at the 12-13 rib site, depth of gluteus medius (DGM) and thickness fat at the rump (TFR). Furthermore, it was the body condition score (BCS) and temperament scores (TS). Post-slaughter, the information was collected from the weight of hot and cold carcasses (WHC and WCC). Statistical analysis included: descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, multiple regression analysis between measurements in vivo and postmortem for the prediction of carcass weight. The cows had an average weight live (WL) of 408.70 kg. REA, BFT, DGM and TFR averages for the cows were 48.87 cm2, 4.16 mm, 69.86 mm and 7.60 mm, respectively. BCS average was 5.5. WHC and WCC averages were 208.19 kg and 198.55 kg, respectively. We found moderate correlations (p<0.05) between REA with BCS and REA with PCC postmortem, which could be quantitative indicator for production. REA and EG measures at the rib site showed no correlation with the carcass weight. We also found a moderate correlation (p <0.05) between the BSC and WHC, which could be a useful visual tool to estimate the fat thickness in cows before dressing. Measures such as REA and WL could be used to reasonably predict the WHC Zebu cows culling.Veinte vacas cebú comerciales de descarte con edades entre 42 y 72 meses, procedentes del Piedemonte Llanero se utilizaron para realizar un estudio de predicción del peso de la canal utilizando ultrasonido en tiempo real (UTR). Las vacas cebadas en pastoreo, fueron pesadas y enviadas al frigorífico para su faenado. Doce horas pre-sacrificio, a cada vaca se tomaron por ecografía las medidas de: área de ojo de lomo (AOL), espesor de grasa dorsal (EGD) a nivel de la 12-13 costilla, espesor de glúteo medio (EGM) y espesor de grasa a nivel del anca (GA). Además, se tomaron, el puntaje de condición corporal (PC) y el puntaje de temperamento (PT). Posterior al sacrificio, se recolectó la información de peso de la canal caliente y fría (PCC y PCF). El análisis estadístico incluyó: estadística descriptiva, correlaciones de Pearson, análisis de regresión múltiple entre medidas in vivo, posmortem y para la predicción del peso de la canal. Las vacas tuvieron un promedio de peso vivo (PV) de 408.70 kg. Los promedios de AOL, EGD, EGM, GA, de las vacas fueron 48.87 cm2, 4.16 mm, 69.86 mm y 7.60 mm, respectivamente. El PC promedio fue de 5.5. Las medidas de PCC y PCF promediaron 208.19 kg y 198.55 kg, respectivamente. Se encontraron correlaciones moderadas (p<0.05) entre AOL y PC y postmortem entre AOL y PCC, lo cual podría ser indicador cuantitativo para producción. Las medidas de AOL y EG a nivel de la costilla no presentaron correlación con el peso de la canal. También se encontró una correlación moderada (p<0.05) entre el PC y PCC, que podría ser una herramienta visual útil para estimar el espesor de grasa en vacas antes del faenado. Medidas como AOL y el PV podrían ser usados para predecir aceptablemente el PCC en vacas Cebú de descarte.Vinte vacas Zebu comercial de descarte com idade entre 42 e 72 meses, provenientes do �Piedemonte Llanero� foram utilizadas para um estudo de predição do peso da carcaça com ultra-som em tempo real (RTU). Doze horas de pré-abate, foram tomadas as mensurações por ultra-som: área de olho de lombo (LOA), espessura de gordura dorsal (EGD) na costela 12/13, profundidade de glúteo medius (PGM) e espessura gordura na garupa (EGG). Também foram tomadas as mensurações: escore de condição corporal (ECC) e temperamento (PT). Pós-abate, a informação foi recolhida a partir da peso de carcaça quente e fria (PCQ e PCF). A análise estatística incluiu: estatística descritiva, correlações Pearson, análise de regressão múltipla entre as medições in vivo e depois da morte para a predição de peso de carcaça. As vacas apresentaram uma média de peso vivo (PV) de 408.70 kg. A média de LOA, EGD, PGM, EGG foram 48.87 cm2, 4.16 mm, 69.86 mm e 7.60 mm, respectivamente. A média foi de 5.5 ECC. As medidas do PCQ e PCF média 208.19 kg e 198.55 kg, respectivamente. Encontro-se correlações moderada (p <0.05) entre LOA e ECC postmortem e entre LOA e PCQ, o que poderia ser indicador quantitativo para a produção. As medidas de LOA e EGD na costela mostrou nenhuma correlação com o peso da carcaça. Encontramos também uma correlação moderada (p <0.05) entre o ECC e o PCQ, o que poderia ser uma útil ferramenta visual para estimar a espessura de gordura de vacas antes do abate. Medidas como LOA e PV poderiam ser usadas para prever razoavelmente o PCQ vacas Zebu