New Families of Diptera (Insecta) from the Azores Islands: Opomyzidade and Aulacigastridae.

Geomyza tripuntacta Fallén, 1820 (Opomyzidade) and Aulacigaster falcata Papp, 1997 (Aulacigastridae) are quoted for the first time for the Azores adding two new families to the Diptera fauna of the Azorean Archipelago

Penglibatan dan sumbangan bantuan Covid-19 Hidayah Centre Foundation (HCF) kepada saudara baru

Makalah ini membincangkan penglibatan Hidayah Centre Foundation (HCF) dan sumbangan bantuan Covid19 kepada saudara baru di Sabah khususnya di kawasan pedalaman. HCF merupakan antara NGO (Non-Governmental Organisation) yang ditubuhkan sebagai pusat sokongan untuk menjalankan aktiviti kesukarelawanan dan menjaga kebajikan saudara baru. Sebagai salah satu NGO berasaskan agama [NGO(A)], HCF telah sekian lama terlibat dalam memberi agihan bantuan keperluan asas, dan penglibatan mereka semakin aktif sepanjang Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan (PKP) kesan pandemik Covid-19. Makalah ini memfokuskan penglibatan dan sumbangan HCF dalam meningkatkan kebajikan, ekonomi dan tarbiah saudara baru serta program menjernihkan kesalahfahaman bukan Muslim terhadap Islam. Usaha ini dilakukan melalui program Ziarah Saudara baru, Kupi-Kupi dan bantuan modal ekonomi kepada saudara baru di beberapa kawasan dan daerah di Sabah. Pengumpulan data melibatkan temu bual bersama wakil kepimpinan HCF di tujuh cawangan HCF di Sabah bagi menjelaskan penglibatan mereka dalam aktiviti yang dijalankan dan kawasan tumpuan yang menjadi sasaran bantuan kepada saudara baru. Kajian ini diolah berdasarkan analisis deskriptif daripada maklumat temu bual dan penelitian laporan tahunan HCF (tahun 2014-2019) serta aktiviti atas talian di media sosial bagi menjelaskan kegiatan dan sumbangan bantuan HCF kepada saudara baru di Sabah. Kajian mendapati usaha yang dilakukan oleh HCF yang terlibat dalam misi “Sampaikan Islam, Santuni Saudara baru” telah memberi kesan positif kepada individu dan keluarga saudara baru dalam menghadapi kesukaran mendapatkan makanan asas dan masalah kewangan sepanjang PKP. Impak kajian mendapati program menyantuni saudara baru akibat pandemik Covid-19 merupakan satu keperluan mendesak dan wajar diteruskan melalui penglibatan pelbagai pihak. Melalui usaha murni HCF yang terlibat secara langsung dengan saudara baru, maka penglibatan mereka dalam melaksanakan tanggungjawab sosial ini dapat meningkatkan kesejahteraan sosial golongan saudara baru di pedalaman Sabah

The Binding of Plasmodium falciparum Adhesins and Erythrocyte Invasion Proteins to Aldolase Is Enhanced by Phosphorylation.

Aldolase has been implicated as a protein coupling the actomyosin motor and cell surface adhesins involved in motility and host cell invasion in the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. It binds to the cytoplasmic domain (CTD) of type 1 membrane proteins of the thrombospondin-related anonymous protein (TRAP) family. Other type 1 membrane proteins located in the apical organelles of merozoites, the form of the parasite that invades red blood cells, including apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA1) and members of the erythrocyte binding ligand (EBL) and reticulocyte binding homologue (RH) protein families have been implicated in host cell binding and invasion. Using a direct binding method we confirm that TRAP and merozoite TRAP (MTRAP) bind aldolase and show that the interaction is mediated by more than just the C-terminal six amino acid residues identified previously. Single amino acid substitutions in the MTRAP CTD abolished binding to aldolase. The CTDs of AMA1 and members of the EBL and RH protein families also bound to aldolase. MTRAP competed with AMA1 and RH4 for binding to aldolase, indicating overlapping binding sites. MTRAP CTD was phosphorylated in vitro by both calcium dependent kinase 1 (CDPK1) and protein kinase A, and this modification increased the affinity of binding to aldolase by ten-fold. Phosphorylation of the CTD of members of the EBL and RH protein families also increased their affinity for aldolase in some cases. To examine whether or not MTRAP expressed in asexual blood stage parasites is phosphorylated, it was tagged with GFP, purified and analysed, however no phosphorylation was detected. We propose that CTD binding to aldolase may be dynamically modulated by phosphorylation, and there may be competition for aldolase binding between different CTDs. The use and efficiency of alternate invasion pathways may be determined by the affinity of adhesins and cell invasion proteins for aldolase, in addition to their host ligand specificity

First Report of 13 Species of Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in Mainland Portugal and Azores by Morphological and Molecular Characterization

The genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) contains important vectors of animal and human diseases, including bluetongue, African horse sickness and filariosis. A major outbreak of bluetongue occurred in mainland Portugal in 2004, forty eight years after the last recorded case. A national Entomological Surveillance Plan was initiated in mainland Portugal, Azores and the Madeira archipelagos in 2005 in order to better understand the disease and facilitate policy decisions. During the survey, the most prevalent Culicoides species in mainland Portugal was C. imicola (75.3%) and species belonging to the Obsoletus group (6.5%). The latter were the most prevalent in Azores archipelago, accounting for 96.7% of the total species identified. The Obsoletus group was further characterized by multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction to species level showing that only two species of this group were present: C. obsoletus sensu strictu (69.6%) and C. scoticus (30.4%). Nine species of Culicoides were detected for the first time in mainland Portugal: C. alazanicus, C. bahrainensis, C. deltus, C. lupicaris, C. picturatus, C. santonicus, C. semimaculatus, C. simulator and C. subfagineus. In the Azores, C. newsteadi and C. circumscriptus were identified for the first time from some islands, and bluetongue vectors belonging to the Obsoletus group (C. obsoletus and C. scoticus) were found to be widespread

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Modulation of macrophage/lymphocyte interactions during Leishmania infection

Tese de mestrado, Microbiologia Clínica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 2009Leishmania is an obligate intracellular protozoan that causes a variety of diseases in mammals including humans in tropics and subtropics areas. The parasite alternates between sand fly and mammalian hosts in two developmental forms, the promastigote and the amastigote respectively. The diverse clinical manifestations depend upon the Leishmania species, Leishmania strain virulence and on the immune response of the host. This disease ranges from a self healing cutaneous Leishmaniosis to a lethal visceral form. Infected dogs are the main domestic reservoir of these parasites and represent an epidemiological risk for the transmission to humans. The strategies used to prevent Leishmaniosis are not totally effective thus Leishmaniosis control remains a partially unsolved problem. In this way preventing zoonotic visceral Leishmaniosis could be achieved through dog vaccination. When Leishmania parasite is inoculated within the vertebrate host dermis, it could be lysed by complement or destructed by phagocytes. Although Leishmania successfully evade and resist to non-specific defence mechanisms such as complement mediated lysis, to ultimately enhance the binding and entering into mononuclear phagocytes, the host cells in which it replicates. Leishmania amastigotes reside and proliferate in macrophage phagolysosomes. Monocyte/macrophages if activated by IFN-γ are able to present parasite antigens via MHC class II molecules, playing an important role as effector cells for the destruction of intracellular Leishmania parasites. In addition, the balance between IL-10 and IL-12, the associated level of IFN-γ production and macrophage activation is likely to play a critical role in the parasite burden levels. The murine model of L. major infection indicates that the outcome of the infection is largely determined by expansion of the different subsets of CD4+ Th cells. In resistant mice the development of protective immunity and an expansion of CD4+ T cells producing IFN-γ are observed whereas in susceptible mice the immune response is characterised by the expansion of CD4+ T cells producing IL-4 and IL-10 which downregulate Th1-associated activities. The understanding of the immunological mechanisms involved in resistance/susceptibility to infection by Leishmania is fundamental for the development of immunoprophylatic tools. Therefore the aim of this study is to evaluate in vitro modulation of macrophage/lymphocyte activation by quantification of the expression of MHC class II at macrophage surface with flow cytometry and quantification of CD80, CD86, IL-12, CD28, CTLA-4 and IFN-γ with real time PCR. The results showed a upregulation of MHC class II during in vitro L. infantum infection. Also, a possible lack of coordinate costimulator expression was found, which may lead to subsequent loss of T cell function. These results are in agreement with bibliography and constitute a new contribution for canine host and Leishmania parasite interaction understanding

ATPase activity of human binding immunoglobulin protein (BiP) variants is enhanced by signal sequence and physiological concentrations of Mn2+

B-cell immunoglobulin binding protein (BiP) is an essential endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperone normally found in the ER lumen. However, BiP also has other extracellular and intracellular functions. As it is unclear whether peripheral BiP has a signal and/or ER retention sequence, here we produced and biochemically characterised four variants of BiP. The variants differed depending on the presence or the absence of signal and ER retention peptides. Proteins were purified using nickel affinity chromatography, and variant size and quality were confirmed using SDS/PAGE gels. The thermal denaturing temperature of these proteins was found to be 46-47 degrees C. In addition, we characterised nucleotide binding properties in the absence and the presence of divalent cations. Interestingly, in the absence of cations, ADP has a higher binding affinity to BiP than ATP. The presence of divalent cations results in a decrease of the K-d values of both ADP and ATP, indicating higher affinities of both nucleotides for BiP. ATPase assays were carried out to study the enzyme activity of these variants and to characterise the kinetic parameters of BiP variants. Variants with the signal sequence had higher specific activities than those without. Both Mg2+ and Mn2+ efficiently stimulated the ATPase activity of these variants at low micromolar concentrations, whereas calcium failed to stimulate BiP ATPase. Our novel findings indicate the potential functionality of BiP variants that retain a signal sequence, and also reveal the effect of physiological concentrations of cations on the nucleotide binding properties and enzyme activities of all variants.Funding: SB was funded by a Hardiman scholarship of NUI Galway, and SB and UF are supported by the NUIG Foundation Office. SD was funded by the Else Kröner‐Fresenius‐Stiftung (Bad Homburg, Germany) grant no. 2013_A215 to HPN