Elevated serum IL-6 levels predict treatment interruption in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis: a 6-year real-world cohort study

Abstract Background: Real-world, primary data on the treatment of psoriasis are scarce, especially concerning the role of soluble biomarkers as outcome predictors. Objective: The authors evaluated the utility of Th1/Th17 serum cytokines along with clinical characteristics as predictors of drug survival in the treatment of psoriasis. Methods: The authors consecutively included participants with moderate to severe psoriasis who were followed up for 6 years. Baseline interferon-α, tumor necrosis factor-α, and inter-leukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-17A were measured using a cytometric bead array; clinical data were assessed. The authors calculated hazard ratios (HRs) for drug survival using a Cox proportional hazards model. Results: The authors included 262 patients, most of whom used systemic immunosuppressants or biologics. In the multivariate model, poor quality of life measured by the Dermatology Life Quality Index (HR = 1.04; 95% CI 1.01-1.07; p = 0.012) and elevated baseline IL-6 (HR = 1.99; 95% CI 1.29-3.08; p = 0.002) were associated with treatment interruption. Study limitations: The main limitation of any cohort study is the presence of confounders that could not be detected in clinical evaluation. Conclusions: Poor quality of life and elevated baseline serum IL-6 level predicted treatment interruption in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. Although IL-6 is not the most important mediator of the inflammatory pathway in the skin environment, it is an interesting biomarker candidate for predicting psoriasis treatment response.

Elevated serum IL-6 levels predict treatment interruption in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis: a 6-year real-world cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Real-world, primary data on the treatment of psoriasis are scarce, especially concerning the role of soluble biomarkers as outcome predictors. OBJECTIVE: The authors evaluated the utility of Th1/Th17 serum cytokines along with clinical characteristics as predictors of drug survival in the treatment of psoriasis. METHODS: The authors consecutively included participants with moderate to severe psoriasis who were followed up for 6 years. Baseline interferon-α, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-17A were measured using a cytometric bead array; clinical data were assessed. The authors calculated hazard ratios (HRs) for drug survival using a Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: The authors included 262 patients, most of whom used systemic immunosuppressants or biologics. In the multivariate model, poor quality of life measured by the Dermatology Life Quality Index (HR = 1.04; 95% CI 1.01‒1.07; p = 0.012) and elevated baseline IL-6 (HR = 1.99; 95% CI 1.29‒3.08; p = 0.002) were associated with treatment interruption. STUDY LIMITATIONS: The main limitation of any cohort study is the presence of confounders that could not be detected in clinical evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: Poor quality of life and elevated baseline serum IL-6 level predicted treatment interruption in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. Although IL-6 is not the most important mediator of the inflammatory pathway in the skin environment, it is an interesting biomarker candidate for predicting psoriasis treatment response.

Insights into the microRNA landscape of Rhodnius prolixus, a vector of Chagas disease.

The growing interest in microRNAs (miRNAs) over recent years has led to their characterization in numerous organisms. However, there is currently a lack of data available on miRNAs from triatomine bugs (Reduviidae: Triatominae), which are the vectors of the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. A comprehensive understanding of the molecular biology of vectors provides new insights into insect-host interactions and insect control approaches, which are key methods to prevent disease incidence in endemic areas. In this work, we describe the miRNome profiles from gut, hemolymph, and salivary gland tissues of the Rhodnius prolixus triatomine. Small RNA sequencing data revealed abundant expression of miRNAs, along with tRNA- and rRNA-derived fragments. Fifty-two mature miRNAs, previously reported in Ecdysozoa, were identified, including 39 ubiquitously expressed in the three tissues. Additionally, 112, 73, and 78 novel miRNAs were predicted in the gut, hemolymph, and salivary glands, respectively. In silico prediction showed that the top eight most highly expressed miRNAs from salivary glands potentially target human blood-expressed genes, suggesting that R. prolixus may modulate the host's gene expression at the bite site. This study provides the first characterization of miRNAs in a Triatominae species, shedding light on the role of these crucial regulatory molecules.

Metacyclogenesis as the Starting Point of Chagas Disease.

Chagas disease is a neglected infectious disease caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, primarily transmitted by triatomine vectors, and it threatens approximately seventy-five million people worldwide. This parasite undergoes a complex life cycle, transitioning between hosts and shifting from extracellular to intracellular stages. To ensure its survival in these diverse environments, T. cruzi undergoes extreme morphological and molecular changes. The metacyclic trypomastigote (MT) form, which arises from the metacyclogenesis (MTG) process in the triatomine hindgut, serves as a crucial link between the insect and human hosts and can be considered the starting point of Chagas disease. This review provides an overview of the current knowledge regarding the parasite's life cycle, molecular pathways, and mechanisms involved in metabolic and morphological adaptations during MTG, enabling the MT to evade the immune system and successfully infect human cells.

The Presence of Leishmania braziliensis DNA in the Nasal Mucosa of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Patients and the Search for Possible Clinical and Immunological Patterns of Disease Progression: A Cross Sectional Study.

Leishmania braziliensis is the most important causal agent of American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL), and 3 to 5% of patients develop mucosal lesions. The mechanisms related to parasite and host immune interactions and the parasite life cycle that lead to dissemination to the mucosa are poorly understood. We aimed to detect L. braziliensis DNA in the nasal mucosa of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) patients with early mucous dissemination and to relate those findings to specific inflammatory responses. Nasal swabs were collected from patients with the cutaneous form of ATL. L. braziliensis DNA was investigated using TaqMan-based real-time PCR. The levels of serum cytokines (IL-12, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10, IL-1ß and IL-8) were measured by a multiplex cytometric array. A Poisson regression model was used to test prevalence ratios (PRs) and multivariate interactions of clinical and laboratory characteristics. Of the 79 CL patients, 24 (30%) had L. braziliensis DNA in the nasal mucosa. In the multivariate model, parasite DNA presence in mucosa was associated with a reduction in IL-12 levels (PR = 0.440; p=0.034), increased IL-6 levels (PR = 1.001; p=0.002) and a higher number of affected body segments (PR = 1.65; p<0.001). In this study, we observed a higher rate of early dissemination to the nasal mucosa than what was previously described. We suggest that an enhanced Th1 profile characterized by higher IL-12 is important for preventing dissemination of L. braziliensis to the mucosa. Further evaluation of parasite-related interactions with the host immunological response is necessary to elucidate the dissemination mechanisms of Leishmania.

[Memory of policies and practices in harm reduction: an interview with Fatima Machado]. / Memória das políticas e práticas em redução de danos: entrevista com Fátima Machado.

This interview addresses the trajectory of harm reduction policies and practices in Brazil, in the words of harm reducer Fatima Machado. Harm reduction emerged in the 1980s in Europe, it began in Brazil in 1989 as a strategy to prevent aids among injection drug users, and then diversified and expanded. This interview focuses on the early years of developing these innovative practices and questions their current developments. Fatima Machado was one of the precursors working in the field and in activism for harm reduction in Brazil, and one of the founders of the Brazilian Association of Harm Reducers.

A entrevista aborda a trajetória das políticas e práticas de redução de danos no Brasil por meio do depoimento da redutora de danos Fátima Machado. A perspectiva de redução de danos surgiu na Europa, na década de 1980, e no Brasil iniciou em 1989, como estratégia de prevenção à aids entre usuários de drogas injetáveis, e depois se diversificou e ampliou. A entrevista focaliza os anos iniciais de desenvolvimento dessas práticas inovadoras e problematiza seus desdobramentos atuais. Fátima Machado foi uma das precursoras no trabalho de campo e ativismo da redução de danos no Brasil e uma das fundadoras da Associação Brasileira de Redutores de Danos.

Memória das políticas e práticas em redução de danos: entrevista com Fátima Machado / Memory of policies and practices in harm reduction: an interview with Fatima Machado

Resumo A entrevista aborda a trajetória das políticas e práticas de redução de danos no Brasil por meio do depoimento da redutora de danos Fátima Machado. A perspectiva de redução de danos surgiu na Europa, na década de 1980, e no Brasil iniciou em 1989, como estratégia de prevenção à aids entre usuários de drogas injetáveis, e depois se diversificou e ampliou. A entrevista focaliza os anos iniciais de desenvolvimento dessas práticas inovadoras e problematiza seus desdobramentos atuais. Fátima Machado foi uma das precursoras no trabalho de campo e ativismo da redução de danos no Brasil e uma das fundadoras da Associação Brasileira de Redutores de Danos.

Abstract This interview addresses the trajectory of harm reduction policies and practices in Brazil, in the words of harm reducer Fatima Machado. Harm reduction emerged in the 1980s in Europe, it began in Brazil in 1989 as a strategy to prevent aids among injection drug users, and then diversified and expanded. This interview focuses on the early years of developing these innovative practices and questions their current developments. Fatima Machado was one of the precursors working in the field and in activism for harm reduction in Brazil, and one of the founders of the Brazilian Association of Harm Reducers.

An Integrative Sialomic Analysis Reveals Molecules From Triatoma sordida (Hemiptera: Reduviidae).

Triatomines have evolved salivary glands that produce versatile molecules with various biological functions, including those leading their interactions with vertebrate hosts' hemostatic and immunological systems. Here, using high-throughput transcriptomics and proteomics, we report the first sialome study on the synanthropic triatomine Triatoma sordida. As a result, 57,645,372 reads were assembled into 26,670 coding sequences (CDS). From these, a total of 16,683 were successfully annotated. The sialotranscriptomic profile shows Lipocalin as the most abundant protein family within putative secreted transcripts. Trialysins and Kazal-type protease inhibitors have high transcript levels followed by ubiquitous protein families and enzyme classes. Interestingly, abundant trialysin and Kazal-type members are highlighted in this triatomine sialotranscriptome. Furthermore, we identified 132 proteins in T. sordida salivary gland soluble extract through LC-MS/MS spectrometry. Lipocalins, Hemiptera specific families, CRISP/Antigen-5 and Kazal-type protein inhibitors proteins were identified. Our study provides a comprehensive description of the transcript and protein compositions of the salivary glands of T. sordida. It significantly enhances the information in the Triatominae sialome databanks reported so far, improving the understanding of the vector's biology, the hematophagous behaviour, and the Triatominae subfamily's evolution.

Proteomic Mapping of Multifunctional Complexes Within Triatomine Saliva.

Triatomines are hematophagous insects that transmit Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease. This neglected tropical disease represents a global health issue as it is spreading worldwide. The saliva of Triatominae contains miscellaneous proteins crucial for blood feeding acquisition, counteracting host's hemostasis while performing vasodilatory, anti-platelet and anti-coagulant activities, besides modulating inflammation and immune responses. Since a set of biological processes are mediated by protein complexes, here, the sialocomplexomes (salivary protein complexes) of five species of Triatominae were studied to explore the protein-protein interaction networks. Salivary multiprotein complexes from Triatoma infestans, Triatoma dimidiata, Dipetalogaster maxima, Rhodnius prolixus, and Rhodnius neglectus were investigated by Blue-Native- polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis coupled with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. More than 70 protein groups, uncovering the landscape of the Triatominae salivary interactome, were revealed. Triabin, actin, thioredoxin peroxidase and an uncharacterized protein were identified in sialocomplexes of the five species, while hexamerin, heat shock protein and histone were identified in sialocomplexes of four species. Salivary proteins related to triatomine immunity as well as those required during blood feeding process such as apyrases, antigen 5, procalins, and nitrophorins compose different complexes. Furthermore, unique proteins for each triatomine species were revealed. This study represents the first Triatominae sialocomplexome reference to date and shows that the approach used is a reliable tool for the analysis of Triatominae salivary proteins assembled into complexes.

COVID-19 :Determinants of Hospitalization, ICU and Death among 20,293 reported cases in Portugal

IntroductionDeterminants of hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission and death are still unclear for Covid-19 and only a few studies have adjusted for confounding for different clinical outcomes including all reported cases in a country. We used routine surveillance data from Portugal to identify risk factors for COVID-19 outcomes, in order to support risk stratification, clinical and public health interventions, and scenarios to plan health care resources. MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study including 20,293 laboratory confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Portugal extracted in April 28 2020, electronically through the National Epidemic Surveillance System of the Directorate-General of Health(DGS). We calculated absolute risks, relative risks (RR) and adjusted relative risks (aRR) to identify demographic and clinical factors associated with hospitalization, admission to ICU and death using Poisson regressions. ResultsIncreasing age after 60 years was the greatest determinant for all outcomes. Assuming 0-50 years as reference, being aged 80-89 years was the strongest determinant of hospital admission (aRR-5.7), 70-79 years for ICU(aRR-10.4) and > 90 years for death(aRR-226.8) with an aRR of 112.7 in those 70-79. Among comorbidities, Immunodeficiency, cardiac disease, kidney disease, and neurologic disease were independent risk factors for hospitalization (aRR 1.83,1.79,1.56, 1.82), for ICU these were cardiac, Immunodeficiency, kidney and lung disease (aRR 4.33, 2.76, 2.43, 2.04), and for death they were kidney, cardiac and chronic neurological disease (aRR: 2.9, 2.6, 2.0) Male gender was a risk factor for all outcomes. There were small statistically significant differences for the 3 outcomes between regions. Discussion and ConclusionsOlder age stands out as the strongest risk factor for all outcomes specially for death as absolute is risk was small for those younger than 50. These findings have implications in terms of risk stratified public health measures that should prioritize protecting older people although preventive behavior is needed in all ages. Epidemiologic scenarios and clinical guidelines may consider these estimated risks, even though under-ascertainment of mild and asymptomatic cases should be considered.

Falam de paz onde não há: representações da vida em comunidade entre jovens residentes em um Território de Paz / Speaking of peace where there is none: representations of community life among young people living in a peaceful territory / Ils parlent de paix lorsquil ny a pas: représentations de la vie communautaire chez les jeunes vivants dans un territoire de paix / Hablan de la paz donde no hay: representaciones de la vida comunitaria entre los jóvenes residentes en un territorio de paz

Resumo Estudo de cunho etnográfico que visou compreender os efeitos do projeto Território de Paz sobre o cotidiano, as vivências comunitárias e os projetos de vida de jovens do bairro Guajuviras, localizado em Canoas (RS), e marcado pelo tráfico de drogas, pela violência e pelo estigma. Serão focalizados os resultados da análise de conteúdo das entrevistas semiestruturadas feitas com 34 jovens (entre 18 e 29 anos) residentes no bairro sobre os temas relacionados a trabalho, estudo, lazer e percepções sobre o bairro e sobre o projeto Território de Paz. O estudo apontou para a importância do trabalho em políticas públicas de forma sensível aos modos de vida das juventudes ao assinalar que a maioria dos entrevistados teve sua vida afetada pela violência e não percebe como efetiva sua diminuição após a implantação do projeto que os tinha como principal público-alvo.

Abstract This ethnographic study verified the effects of the Território da Paz project on the daily life, community experiences and life projects of adolescents and young adults in the Guajuviras, Canoas, RS, marked by drug trafficking, violence and stigma. Content analysis was conducted on semi-structured interviews with 34 young individuals (18 and 29 years old) living in the region regarding topics related to work, study, leisure, and their perceptions about the neighborhood and the project. This study pointed to the importance of working in public policies while taking into account youths' ways of life, as the majority of respondents had their lives affected by violence and did not perceive the project's effectiveness after its implementation despite being the main target audience.

Résumé Étude ethnographique visant à comprendre les effets du projet Territoire de Paix sur la vie quotidienne, les expériences communautaires et les projets de vie des jeunes du quartier Guajuviras, situé à Canoas / RS et marqué par le trafic de drogue, la violence et la stigmatisation. Les résultats ont été recueilli de l'analyse du contenu des entretiens semi-structurés avec 34 jeunes (âgés de 18 à 29 ans) vivant dans le quartier. Les interviews ont porté sur des thèmes liés au travail, aux études, aux loisirs et aux perceptions du quartier et du projet Territoire de Paix. Les résultats souligne l'importance de construire les politiques publiques d'une manière qui soit sensible aux modes de vie des jeunes, soulignant que la plus part des répondants avaient été victimes de violence et ne percevaient pas l'efficacité des actions après la mise en œuvre du projet qui les avait comme leur principal public cible.

Resumen Este estudio etnográfico tuvo como objetivo comprender los efectos del proyecto Territorio de la Paz en la vida cotidiana, las experiencias comunitarias y los proyectos de vida juvenil en el barrio de Guajuviras, ubicado en Canoas (RS, Brasil), y marcado por el tráfico de drogas, la violencia y el estigma. El estudio se centrará en los resultados del análisis de contenido de las entrevistas semiestructuradas con 34 jóvenes (entre 18 y 29 años de edad) que viven en el barrio en cuanto a temas relacionados con el trabajo, el estudio, el ocio y las percepciones sobre el vecindario y el proyecto Territorio de la Paz. Se apunta la importancia del trabajo con políticas públicas de una manera que sea sensible a las formas de vida de los jóvenes al señalar que la mayoría de los encuestados tuvieron sus vidas afectadas por la violencia y no percibieron su efectividad después de la implementación del proyecto que los tuvo como público objetivo.

Oligopeptidase B, a missing enzyme in mammals and a potential drug target for trypanosomatid diseases.

Oligopeptidases B (OPB) belong to the S9 prolyl oligopeptidase family and are expressed in prokaryotes, some eukaryotes and in some higher plants. OPB is not found in any of the mammalian genomes available to date. Evidences indicate that OPB participates in the infections caused by trypanosomatids Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania spp. and Trypanosoma brucei spp and therefore it is considered an important virulence factor. Trypanosomatids from the genera Leishmania and Trypanosoma also present other OPB, named OPB2. A more accurate investigation of trypanosomatid OPB sequences brought attention to what could be a third OPB sequence (OPB3). This review aims to discuss biochemical, structural, phylogenetic and functional properties of OPB and its potential as target for the development of drugs against Chagas disease, leishmaniasis and African trypanosomiasis.

Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the Motor Behavior Checklist (MBC) into Brazilian Portuguese.

INTRODUCTION: There are only a few instruments available to assess behavioral problems in school-age children based on reports of physical education teachers. The Motor Behavior Checklist (MBC) was designed to be completed by this professional in free play-situations or during physical education classes to rate students' motor-related behavior using 5-point Likert scales. The MBC comprises 59 items distributed into two broadband factors (externalizing and internalizing) and seven behavior problem scales: rule breaking, hyperactivity/impulsivity, lack of attention, low energy, stereotyped behaviors, lack of social interaction, and lack of self-regulation. The objective of this study was to describe the translation and cross-cultural adaptation processes of the MBC into Brazilian Portuguese. METHOD: The following procedures were conducted: forward translation of the original instrument, production of a synthesized version, back-translation, literal and semantic comparison, back-translator's evaluation of divergent items, synthesized version with back-translator's suggestions, clarity assessment of the synthesized version by professionals (physical education teachers), focus group to assess clarity indicators of the instrument, evaluation of adjustments by the author of the instrument, and production of the final version. RESULTS: The results indicated a satisfactory level of agreement between the original and the back-translated versions, with 68% of exact equivalence between the translated items and 16% of terms requiring minor adjustments. In the draft version, 84% of the items were evaluated as clear by physical education teachers. CONCLUSION: The translated version has compatible content with the original version. Future studies should be conducted to assess the psychometric properties of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the MBC.

Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the Motor Behavior Checklist (MBC) into Brazilian Portuguese / Tradução e adaptação transcultural para o português do Brasil do Motor Behavior Checklist (MBC)

Abstract Introduction There are only a few instruments available to assess behavioral problems in school-age children based on reports of physical education teachers. The Motor Behavior Checklist (MBC) was designed to be completed by this professional in free play-situations or during physical education classes to rate students' motor-related behavior using 5-point Likert scales. The MBC comprises 59 items distributed into two broadband factors (externalizing and internalizing) and seven behavior problem scales: rule breaking, hyperactivity/impulsivity, lack of attention, low energy, stereotyped behaviors, lack of social interaction, and lack of self-regulation. The objective of this study was to describe the translation and cross-cultural adaptation processes of the MBC into Brazilian Portuguese. Method The following procedures were conducted: forward translation of the original instrument, production of a synthesized version, back-translation, literal and semantic comparison, back-translator's evaluation of divergent items, synthesized version with back-translator's suggestions, clarity assessment of the synthesized version by professionals (physical education teachers), focus group to assess clarity indicators of the instrument, evaluation of adjustments by the author of the instrument, and production of the final version. Results The results indicated a satisfactory level of agreement between the original and the back-translated versions, with 68% of exact equivalence between the translated items and 16% of terms requiring minor adjustments. In the draft version, 84% of the items were evaluated as clear by physical education teachers. Conclusion The translated version has compatible content with the original version. Future studies should be conducted to assess the psychometric properties of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the MBC.

Resumo Introdução Existem poucos instrumentos disponíveis para avaliar problemas de comportamento em crianças em idade escolar com base no relato de professores de educação física. O Motor Behavior Checklist (MBC) foi criado para ser usado por este profissional observando a criança em uma situação de brincadeira livre ou nas aulas de educação física utilizando escalas Likert de 5 pontos. O MBC compreende 59 itens distribuídos em duas categorias (externalizantes e internalizantes) e sete escalas de problemas de comportamento: quebra de regras, hiperatividade/impulsividade, falta de atenção, baixa energia, comportamentos estereotipados, falta de interação social e falta de autorregulação. O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever o processo de tradução e adaptação transcultural do MBC para o português do Brasil. Método Os procedimentos foram: tradução do instrumento original, produção de uma versão sintetizada, retrotradução, comparação literal e semântica, parecer do retrotradutor sobre itens divergentes, versão síntese com as sugestões do retrotradutor, avaliação da clareza da versão síntese por profissionais (professores de educação física), grupo focal para avaliar indicadores de clareza do instrumento, avaliação dos ajustes pelo autor do instrumento e produção da versão final. Resultados Os resultados indicaram um nível satisfatório de concordância entre as versões originais e retrotraduzidas, com 68% de itens iguais e 16% de itens com poucas alterações. A versão síntese teve 84% dos itens avaliados como claros por professores de educação física. Conclusão A versão traduzida possui conteúdo compatível com a versão original. Estudos futuros deverão ser conduzidos para a verificação das propriedades psicométricas da versão em português brasileiro do MBC.

Relationships between phagocytosis, mucoid phenotype, and genetic characteristics of Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates.

INTRODUCTION: The relationships between phagocytosis, and mucoid phenotype, plasmid profile and virulence, and resistance genetic characteristics of Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates were evaluated. METHODS: Thirty isolates were used to determine the mucoid aspect. Four were selected for analysis of phagocytosis by alveolar macrophages. RESULTS: Thirty percent of the samples presented the mucoid phenotype. The phagocytosis rate ranged from 21.5% to 43.43%. Phagocytosis was not correlated with the plasmid profile, but was apparently correlated with mucoid phenotype and antibiotic susceptibility. CONCLUSIONS: Several virulence factors act in parallel in K. pneumoniae to impair host defense.

Larvicidal and pupicidal activities of eco-friendly phenolic lipid products from Anacardium occidentale nutshell against arbovirus vectors.

Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus are vectors of diseases that constitute public health problems. The discovery of products capable of inhibiting their development which are less harmful to the environment would have a huge impact on vector control. Here, natural cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL), technical CNSL, anacardic acid, cardanol, and cardol were isolated from Anacardium occidentale and evaluated for larvicidal and pupicidal activity against Ae. aegypti and Cx. quinquefasciatus under laboratory and field conditions. The activities of phenol, resorcinol, salicylic acid, and pentadecane, commercial chemicals similar in structure to nut shell derivatives, were also evaluated. All of the fractions extracted from A. occidentale oil exerted larvicidal effects against both mosquito species (LC50 5.4-22.6 mg/L), and two of the aforementioned were effective against pupae (LC50 90.8-109.7 mg/L). Of all the fractions tested, cardol demonstrated the strongest larvicidal and pupicidal effects and presented the most prolonged residual activity against the larvae and pupae of Ae. aegypti and Cx. quinquefasciatus under field conditions. This study suggests that A. occidentale nut shell derivatives are sustainable and promising candidates for the development of novel insecticides to overcome the problem of harmful chemical insecticides.

Relationships between phagocytosis, mucoid phenotype, and genetic characteristics of Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates

Abstract INTRODUCTION The relationships between phagocytosis, and mucoid phenotype, plasmid profile and virulence, and resistance genetic characteristics of Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates were evaluated. METHODS Thirty isolates were used to determine the mucoid aspect. Four were selected for analysis of phagocytosis by alveolar macrophages. RESULTS Thirty percent of the samples presented the mucoid phenotype. The phagocytosis rate ranged from 21.5% to 43.43%. Phagocytosis was not correlated with the plasmid profile, but was apparently correlated with mucoid phenotype and antibiotic susceptibility. CONCLUSIONS: Several virulence factors act in parallel in K. pneumoniae to impair host defense.

Triatomines: Trypanosomatids, Bacteria, and Viruses Potential Vectors?

Triatominae bugs are the vectors of Chagas disease, a major concern to public health especially in Latin America, where vector-borne Chagas disease has undergone resurgence due mainly to diminished triatomine control in many endemic municipalities. Although the majority of Triatominae species occurs in the Americas, species belonging to the genus Linshcosteus occur in India, and species belonging to the Triatoma rubrofasciata complex have been also identified in Africa, the Middle East, South-East Asia, and in the Western Pacific. Not all of Triatominae species have been found to be infected with Trypanosoma cruzi, but the possibility of establishing vector transmission to areas where Chagas disease was previously non-endemic has increased with global population mobility. Additionally, the worldwide distribution of triatomines is concerning, as they are able to enter in contact and harbor other pathogens, leading us to wonder if they would have competence and capacity to transmit them to humans during the bite or after successful blood feeding, spreading other infectious diseases. In this review, we searched the literature for infectious agents transmitted to humans by Triatominae. There are reports suggesting that triatomines may be competent vectors for pathogens such as Serratia marcescens, Bartonella, and Mycobacterium leprae, and that triatomine infection with other microrganisms may interfere with triatomine-T. cruzi interactions, altering their competence and possibly their capacity to transmit Chagas disease.

Exploring the molecular complexity of Triatoma dimidiata sialome.

Triatoma dimidiata, a Chagas disease vector widely distributed along Central America, has great capability for domestic adaptation as the majority of specimens caught inside human dwellings or in peridomestic areas fed human blood. Exploring the salivary compounds that overcome host haemostatic and immune responses is of great scientific interest. Here, we provide a deeper insight into its salivary gland molecules. We used high-throughput RNA sequencing to examine in depth the T. dimidiata salivary gland transcriptome. From >51 million reads assembled, 92.21% are related to putative secreted proteins. Lipocalin is the most abundant gene family, confirming it is an expanded family in Triatoma genus salivary repertoire. Other putatively secreted members include phosphatases, odorant binding protein, hemolysin, proteases, protease inhibitors, antigen-5 and antimicrobial peptides. This work expands the previous set of functionally annotated sequences from T. dimidiata salivary glands available in NCBI from 388 to 3815. Additionally, we complemented the salivary analysis through proteomics (available data via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD008510), disclosing the set complexity of 119 secreted proteins and validating the transcriptomic results. Our large-scale approach enriches the pharmacologically active molecules database and improves our knowledge about the complexity of salivary compounds from haematophagous vectors and their biological interactions. SIGNIFICANCE: Several haematophagous triatomine species can transmit Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease. Due to the reemergence of this disease, new drugs for its prevention and treatment are considered priorities. For this reason, the knowledge of vector saliva emerges as relevant biological finding, contributing to the design of different strategies for vector control and disease transmission. Here we report the transcriptomic and proteomic compositions of the salivary glands (sialome) of the reduviid bug Triatoma dimidiata, a relevant Chagas disease vector in Central America. Our results are robust and disclosed unprecedented insights into the notable diversity of its salivary glands content, revealing relevant anti-haemostatic salivary gene families. Our work expands almost ten times the previous set of functionally annotated sequences from T. dimidiata salivary glands available in NCBI. Moreover, using an integrated transcriptomic and proteomic approach, we showed a correlation pattern of transcription and translation processes for the main gene families found, an important contribution to the research of triatomine sialomes. Furthermore, data generated here reinforces the secreted proteins encountered can greatly contribute for haematophagic habit, Trypanosoma cruzi transmission and development of therapeutic agent studies.