Detection of arboviruses in Aedes aegypti through transovarian analysis: A study in Goiânia, Goiás

Abstract Background: Arboviral diseases are a group of infectious diseases caused by viruses transmitted by arthropods, mainly mosquitoes. These diseases, such as those caused by the dengue (DENV), Zika (ZIKV), chikungunya (CHIKV), and yellow fever (YFV) viruses, have a significant impact worldwide. In this context, entomological surveillance plays a crucial role in the control and prevention of arboviruses by providing essential information on the presence, distribution, and activity of vector mosquitoes. Based on entomological surveillance, transovarian transmission provides information regarding the maintenance and dissemination of arboviruses. The objective of this study was to detect these arboviruses in Goiânia, Goiás, and analyze the occurrence of transovarian transmission. Methods: Aedes aegypti eggs were collected from different regions of Goiânia and cultivated under controlled laboratory conditions until the emergence of adult mosquitoes. Adult females were grouped into pools containing their heads and thoraxes. These pools were subsequently evaluated using reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assay. Results: A total of 157 pools (N=1570) were analyzed, with two pools testing positive for CHIKV and one pool testing positive for ZIKV, indicating that the offspring resulting from transovarian transmission are potentially infectious. Conclusions: In summary, the demonstration of the vertical transmission mechanisms of CHIKV and ZIKV in A. aegypti serves as an alert to health authorities, as these diseases are still underreported, and their primary urban vector has likely acquired this capacity, contributing to the dissemination of these infections.

Cytotoxic, clastogenic and genotoxic effects of cis-tetraammine(oxalato)ruthenium(III) dithionate on human peripheral blood lymphocytes

There is a concern about stablishing the clinical risk of drugs used for cancer treatment. In this study, the cytotoxic, clastogenic and genotoxic properties of cis-tetraammine(oxalato)ruthenium(III) dithionite - cis-[Ru(C2O4)(NH3)4]2(S2O6), were evaluated in vitro in human lymphocytes. The mitotic index (MI), chromosomal aberrations (CA) and DNA damage by comet assay were also analyzed. The MTT test revealed that the ruthenium compound showed a slight cytotoxic effect at the highest concentration tested. The IC50 value for the compound after 24 hours of exposure was 185.4 µM. The MI values of human peripheral blood lymphocytes treated with 0.015, 0.15, 1.5 and 150 µM of cis-[Ru(C2O4)(NH3)4]2(S2O6) were 6.1, 3.9, 3.2 and 0.2%, respectively. The lowest concentration, 0.015 µM, did not show any cytotoxic activity. The CA values for the 0.015, 0.15 and 1.5 µM concentrations presented low frequency (1.5, 1.6 and 2.3%, respectively), and did not express clastogenic activity when compared to the negative control, although it was observed clastogenic activity in the highest concentration tested (150 µM). The results obtained by the comet assay suggest that this compound does not present genotoxic activity at lower concentrations. The results show that cis-[Ru(C2O4)(NH3)4]2(S2O6) has no cytotoxic, clastogenic or genotoxic in vitro effects at concentrations less than or equal to 0.015 µM. This information proves as promising in the treatment of cancer and is crucial for future trials.

Genetic counseling for individuals with hemoglobin disorders and for their relatives: a systematic literature review / Asesoramiento genético para individuos con alteraciones de las hemoglobinas y sus familiares: revisión sistemática de literatura / Aconselhamento genético para indivíduos com alterações das hemoglobinas e seus familiares: revisão sistemática de literatura

Objective: To identify genetic counseling programs that do not encourage therapeutic abortion for individuals with hemoglobin disorders and/or for their relatives. Method: Systematic literature review of articles published from 2001 to 2012 that are located in the PubMed, LILACS, SciELO and SCOPUS databases using keywords in Portuguese, English and Spanish and that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria described on a standardized form. Results: A total of 409 articles were located, but only eight (1.9%) were selected for analysis. Conclusion: Although seldom mentioned in the literature, educational/preventive programs targeting hemoglobinopathies are feasible and allow the affected individuals to acquire knowledge on the consequences of this condition and their odds of transmitting it.

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Objetivo: Identificar programas de asesoramiento genético sin incentivo al aborto terapéutico para individuos con alteraciones de las hemoglobinas y/o sus familiares. Método: Revisión sistemática de literatura realizada en las bases de datos PubMed, LILACS, SciELO y SCOPUS por artículos publicados de 2001 a 2012, utilizando descriptores en portugués, inglés y español, según formularios estandarizados que abarcaban criterios de inclusión y exclusión. Resultados: De los 409 estudios encontrados solo ocho (1,9%) fueron seleccionados. Conclusión: Los programas de educación/prevención para hemoglobinopatías, aunque rara vez encontrados en la literatura, son posibles y permiten que los individuos adquieran conocimiento acerca de las consecuencias de su disturbio y la probabilidad de trasmitirlo.

Objetivo Identificar programas de aconselhamento genético sem incentivo ao aborto terapêutico para indivíduos com alterações das hemoglobinas e/ou seus familiares. Método Revisão sistemática de literatura realizada nas bases de dados PubMed, LILACS, SciELO e SCOPUS por artigos publicados de 2001 a 2012, utilizando descritores em português, inglês e espanhol, de acordo com formulários padronizados contendo critérios de inclusão e exclusão. Resultados Dos 409 estudos encontrados somente oito (1,9%) foram selecionados. Conclusão Os programas de educação/prevenção para hemoglobinopatias, embora raramente encontrados na literatura, são possíveis e permitem que indivíduos adquiram conhecimento sobre as consequências de seu distúrbio e a probabilidade de transmití-lo.
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A model of genetic guidance for hemoglobinopathy patients and laboratory diagnosis of family members as educational and preventive measures

BACKGROUND: The high frequency of hemoglobinopathies in Brazil constitutes a public health problem and thus educational and preventive measures are necessary to reduce the incidence. Genetic guidance, a modality of genetic counseling, and family screening are measures that can assist in reproductive decisions and mitigate clinical, psychological and social problems of families with these disorders. OBJETIVE: The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effectiveness of educational and preventive measures for hemoglobinopathies using genetic guidance and laboratory screening of families. METHODS: The diagnoses of patients with hemoglobinopathies were confirmed and then the level of knowledge about their disease was evaluated and genetic guidance was provided. Three months later, the level of assimilated information of these patients was evaluated. In addition, laboratory diagnosis of family members was carried out. RESULTS: Diagnosis of sickle cell anemia was confirmed for most patients. Moreover, the majority of the patients who had a low level of knowledge before genetic guidance (68.8%) demonstrated a higher level of assimilated information after the process (81.8%). Almost 70% of the family members had hemoglobin changes and some had hemoglobinopathies (2.6%). They were duly informed about the results of the examinations, which made it possible to investigate further. CONCLUSION: Genetic guidance and family screening were effective preventive and educational measures that improved the quality of life of patients, preventing complications and sequels and allowed the referral of those who may transmit altered genes for clinical diagnosis and to genetic counseling services.

Siolmatra brasiliensis (Cogn.) Baill., Cucurbitaceae, acute toxicity in mice / Toxicidade aguda de Siolmatra brasiliensis (Cogn.) Baill., Cucurbitaceae, em camundongos

Siolmatra brasiliensis (Cogn.) Baill., Cucurbitaceae, commonly known as "pluméria" or "taiuiá", is widely used in different ways in Brazilian popular medicine to treat several diseases. Acute toxicity of Siolmatra brasiliensis crude ethanolic extract (CEE) was investigated in mice. No mortality or signs of CEE toxicity were observed at the doses of 10 and 100 mg/kg bw, but the administration of 1000 and 2000 mg/kg bw caused several adverse behavioral effects and mortality. Macroscopic inspection of the organs showed morphologic alterations in the heart of animals treated with doses of 1000 and 2000 mg/kg bw. According to our results, S. brasiliensis CEE has an LD50 of 1000 mg/kg bw. We conclude that S. brasiliensis CEE was safe at the doses of 10 and 100 mg/kg bw and presented toxicity at the doses of 1000 and 2000 mg/kg bw.

Siolmatra brasiliensis (Cogn.) Baill., Cucurbitaceae, popularmente conhecida como "pluméria" ou "taiuiá" é utilizada na medicina popular brasileira para diversos fins terapêuticos. O estudo de toxicidade aguda do extrato bruto etanólico (EBE) de Siolmatra brasiliensis foi investigado em camundongos. Nenhuma mortalidade ou sinais de toxicidade foram observados nas doses de 10 e 100 mg/kg, entretanto em doses administradas de 1000 e 2000 mg/kg levou as diversas alterações comportamentais e mortalidade. A DL50 para o EBE foi de 1000 mg/kg. Análise macroscópica dos órgãos demonstrou alterações morfológicas no coração dos animais tratados com 1000 e 2000 mg/kg. Por meios destes resultados conclui-se que o EBE de Siolmatra brasiliensis é seguro em doses de 10 and 100 mg/kg e apresentou toxicidade nas doses de 1000 e 2000 mg/kg.

The ruthenium complex cis-(dichloro)tetrammineruthenium(III) chloride induces apoptosis and damages DNA in murine sarcoma 180 cells.

Ruthenium(III) complexes are increasingly attracting the interest of researchers due to their promising pharmacological properties. Recently, we reported that the cis-(dichloro)tetrammineruthenium(III) chloride compound has cytotoxic effects on murine sarcoma 180 (S-180) cells. In an effort to understand the mechanism responsible for their cytotoxicity, study we investigated the genotoxicity, cell cycle distribution and induction of apoptosis caused by cis- (dichloro)tetrammineruthenium(III) chloride in S-180 tumour cells. cis-(dichloro)tetrammineruthenium(III) chloride treatment induced signifi cant DNA damage in S-180 cells, as detected by the alkaline comet assay. In the cell cycle analysis, cis-(dichloro)tetrammineruthenium(III) chloride caused an increase in the number of cells in G1 phase, accompanied by a decrease in the S and G2 phases after 24 h of treatment. In contrast, the cell cycle distribution of S-180 cells treated with cis-(dichloro)tetrammineruthenium(III) chloride for 48 h showed a concentration-dependent increase in the sub-G1 phase (indicating apoptosis), with a corresponding decrease in cells in the G1, S and G2 phases. In addition, cis-(dichloro)tetrammineruthenium(III) chloride treatment induced apoptosis in a time-dependent manner, as observed by the increased numbers of annexin V-positive cells. Taken together, these fi ndings strongly demonstrate that DNA damage, cell cycle changes and apoptosis may correlate with the cytotoxic effects of cis-(dichloro)tetrammineruthenium( III) chloride on S-180 cells.

Immunoblotting analyses using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of Trypanosoma cruzi excreted-secreted antigens

Formas tripomastigotas de Trypanosoma cruzi excretam/secretam uma complexa mistura de moléculas antigênicas. Essa mistura é chamada trypomastigote excreted-secreted antigens e contém uma banda de massa molecular em torno de 150-160kDa que possui excelente performance para diagnóstico de doença de Chagas em immunoblotting. No presente estudo foi caracterizado parcialmente, por gel bidimensional, a proteína de 150-160kDa pela análise da reatividade de anticorpos de pacientes chagásicos nas diversas fases da doença. Proteínas do trypomastigote excreted-secreted antigens foram separadas por eletroforese de alta resolução em duas dimensões (2D) e submetidas a immunoblotting com soros de pacientes chagásicos e não chagásicos. A proteína de 150-160kDa foi identificada em quatro isoformas com pontos isoelétricos variando entre 6,2 a 6,7. As quatro isoformas foram reconhecidas por anticorpos IgM na fase aguda e por anticorpos IgG na fase crônica da doença de Chagas. A isoforma de 150-160kDa, com ponto isoelétrico de aproximadamente 6,4 tornou-se imunodominante dentre as demais com a progressão da doença. Não foi detectada reatividade cruzada com os soros de pacientes não chagásicos ou pacientes infectados com Leishmania sp. Os dados obtidos nesse trabalho, reforçam a importância da utilização do trypomastigote excreted-secreted antigens para o diagnóstico sorológico da doença de Chagas.

Anti-Taenia solium metacestodes antibodies in serum from blood donors from four cities of Triângulo Mineiro area, Minas Gerais, Brazil, 1995

Serological survey was performed to detect IgG antibodies anti-Taenia solium metacestodes in blood donors of Hemocentro Regional de Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil. A total of 1133 sera from blood donors coming from four cities of Triângulo Mineiro area were analyzed by the indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT) and the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Specific IgG antibodies were found in 5.6 percent of the studied population, showing differences in the positive rates according to their origin: Araguari (13.5 percent), Tupaciguara (5.0 percent), Monte Alegre de Minas (4.8 percent) and Uberlândia (4.7 percent). The results indicate the probable endemicity of cysticercosis in this population