A rhamnose-binding lectin from Rhodnius prolixus and the impact of its silencing on gut bacterial microbiota and Trypanosoma cruzi.

Lectins are ubiquitous proteins involved in the immune defenses of different organisms and mainly responsible for non-self-recognition and agglutination reactions. This work describes molecular and biological characterization of a rhamnose-binding lectin (RBL) from Rhodnius prolixus, which possesses a 21 amino acid signal peptide and a mature protein of 34.6 kDa. The in-silico analysis of the primary and secondary structures of RpLec revealed a lectin domain fully conserved among previous insects studied. The three-dimensional homology model of RpLec was similar to other RBL-lectins. Docking predictions with the monosaccharides showed rhamnose and galactose-binding sites comparable to Latrophilin-1 and N-Acetylgalactosamine-binding in a different site. The effects of RpLec gene silencing on levels of infecting Trypanosoma cruzi Dm 28c and intestinal bacterial populations in the R. prolixus midgut were studied by injecting RpLec dsRNA into the R. prolixus hemocoel. Whereas T. cruzi numbers remained unchanged compared with the controls, numbers of bacteria increased significantly. The silencing also induced the up regulation of the R. prolixus defC (defensin) expression gene. These results with RpLec reveal the potential importance of this little studied molecule in the insect vector immune response and homeostasis of the gut bacterial microbiota.

Intellectual, adaptive and behavioural characteristics in four patients with 18p deletion syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The association of behavioural phenotype assessment with cytogenomic characterisation may provide a better comprehension of genotype-phenotype correlations in syndromes caused by chromosomal abnormalities, such as 18p deletion syndrome. METHOD: We report on four Brazilian patients with 18p deletion syndrome characterised by cytogenomic techniques and detailed neuropsychological evaluation. Intellectual, adaptive and behavioural characteristics were assessed through the Wechsler's Scales, the Vineland-II Scale and the Child Behaviour Checklist, respectively. Socio-economic measures including main caretaker educational level and family income as defined by Brazilian criteria for social class classification were also collected to evaluate a possible contribution of environmental factors in neurocognitive variability. RESULTS: Two out of four patients showed intellectual disability (IQ < 70). Wechsler's scale results suggest that in our sample, interpretation of social situations based on observation of non-verbal behaviour constitute a cognitive strength while judgement of social rules and language skills associated with word knowledge and verbal fluency may be a cognitive weakness. Concerning adaptive behaviour, motor and socialisation domains showed to better develop than communication and daily living skills on the Vineland-II Scale. Only one patient presented internalising behavioural problems based on the Child Behaviour Checklist. Our results also suggested that socio-economic status may contribute to overall patient development. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that some 18p deletion syndrome patients may present average intellectual performance and that the segment deletion size and some families' socio-economic conditions may influence cognitive development.

Latent class analysis of attention and white matter correlation in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

This study aimed to explore attentional patterns among children with inattentive attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD-I) and children with typical development (TD), using a latent class analysis (LCA). Patterns of brain connectivity were also explored. The sample comprised 29 ADHD-I and 29 TD matched children. An LCA was conducted to reclassify subjects according to their attentional performance, considering cognitive measures of attention and behavioral symptoms, regardless of group of origin. The new clusters were then compared in respect to brain white matter measurements (extracted from diffusion tensor imaging). Participants were rearranged in 2 new latent classes, according to their performance in an attention task and the results of behavioral scales, resulting in groups with more homogeneous attentional profiles. A comparison of the 2 new classes using the white matter measurements revealed increased fractional anisotropy in the left inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus and left inferior longitudinal fasciculus for the class composed by participants with a higher risk of attentional problems. The findings indicated that it was possible to observe variability regarding neuropsychological profile, accompanied by underpinning neurobiological differences, even among individuals with the same disorder subtype - inattentive ADHD. This specific data-driven clustering analysis may help to enhance understanding of the pathophysiology of the disorder's phenotypes.

Cri du Chat syndrome: Characteristics of 73 Brazilian patients.

BACKGROUND: Cri du Chat syndrome (CdCS) is a genetic syndrome caused by deletions in the short arm of chromosome 5. Although the main clinical features of CdCS are well known, the neurocognitive and behavioural characteristics of the phenotype are rarely described in detail in the literature. In this study, we analysed the main phenotypic features of CdCS from a parental perspective. METHOD: A questionnaire was sent to 700 Brazilian families that were registered in the Brazilian Association of CdCS. The questions involved specific domains of CdCS, such as pregnancy and birth conditions, recurrence of the disease in the family, current major health problems, and aspects of cognitive development. RESULTS: In total, 73 questionnaires were completed: 44 females and 29 males, ranging from 9.5 months old to 40 years old (mean = 13.8 years; median = 12 years). Most of the parents noticed the typical cat-like cry at birth (94.4%). The age at diagnosis of CdCS ranged from the time of birth to 180 months (mean = 14 months; median = 6 months), while one case was diagnosed during pregnancy. In all of the cases, the diagnosis of CdCS was made by G-banding karyotype analysis. In 66.2% of the cases, the parents underwent cytogenetic investigation. A total of 52.1% of the parents answered that they did not remember what the recurrence risk of CdCS was in their family. The main health problems that were reported were as follows: swallowing problems (80.3%), feeding problems (80.3%), congenital heart disease (31.5%), spine abnormalities (28.8%), and neurological symptoms (20.5%), including seizures (11%). The behavioural problems that were reported were as follows: aggressive behaviour, stereotypies, anxiety, phobias, and genital manipulation/masturbation. Neurodevelopmental delay was reported in all of the cases. Independent walking was achieved in 72.2% of the patients. Approximately 50% of the patients never presented expressive language, and most of the patients are dependent on others for their daily activities. CONCLUSIONS: The questionnaire was a pioneer initiative in the CdCS support group, and the answers used in this study can improve the health care assistance to these patients because they focus attention on the demands from a parental perspective. In addition, nearly half of the families stated that they did not remember information regarding recurrence risk, which reinforces the importance of genetic counselling follow-up and the need for the expansion of genetic services in Brazil.

Latent class analysis of attention and white matter correlation in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

This study aimed to explore attentional patterns among children with inattentive attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD-I) and children with typical development (TD), using a latent class analysis (LCA). Patterns of brain connectivity were also explored. The sample comprised 29 ADHD-I and 29 TD matched children. An LCA was conducted to reclassify subjects according to their attentional performance, considering cognitive measures of attention and behavioral symptoms, regardless of group of origin. The new clusters were then compared in respect to brain white matter measurements (extracted from diffusion tensor imaging). Participants were rearranged in 2 new latent classes, according to their performance in an attention task and the results of behavioral scales, resulting in groups with more homogeneous attentional profiles. A comparison of the 2 new classes using the white matter measurements revealed increased fractional anisotropy in the left inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus and left inferior longitudinal fasciculus for the class composed by participants with a higher risk of attentional problems. The findings indicated that it was possible to observe variability regarding neuropsychological profile, accompanied by underpinning neurobiological differences, even among individuals with the same disorder subtype - inattentive ADHD. This specific data-driven clustering analysis may help to enhance understanding of the pathophysiology of the disorder's phenotypes.

Zanthoxylum caribaeum (Rutaceae) essential oil: chemical investigation and biological effects on Rhodnius prolixus nymph.

A chemical investigation and bioassays against fifth-instar nymphae of the hematophagous insect Rhodnius prolixus, vector of Chagas disease, were conducted with the essential oil from Zanthoxylum caribaeum. The main results may be summarized as follows: (i) 54 components were identified, corresponding to 90.4% of the relative composition; sesquiterpenes (47.3%) and monoterpenes (41.2%) are the major constituents; (ii) muurola-4,5-trans-diene and isodaucene are described for the first time as chemical constituents of the essential oil from leaves of this species; (iii) topical treatment with the crude essential oil induced high levels of paralysis (from 18.88 to 33.33%) and mortality (from 80 to 98.9%) depending on the dose applied (0.5 to 5.0 µl per insect); (iv) feeding treatment with the crude essential oil also induced high levels of mortality (from 48.8 to 100%) but low levels of paralysis (from 2.22 to 7.77%) depending on the dose applied (0.5 to 5.0 µl/ml of blood); (v) in the continuous treatment, only the dose of 5.0 µl/cm(2) was able to promote statistical significant levels of mortality (63.3%) but no paralysis were detected. However in this group, occasionally, only few insects displayed malformations of legs and wings after treatment; and (vi) any treatment was able to disrupt the metamorphosis process since the low adult stage emergence observed to all groups was due the high insect mortality. These observations suggest the interference of Z. caribaeum compounds on the triatomine neuroendocrine system. The significance of these results in relation to the relevant biological events in R. prolixus as well as the possible use of insect growth regulators present in Z. caribaeum oil in integrated vector control programs against hematophagous triatomine species is herein discussed.

Trypanosoma cruzi: effects of azadirachtin and ecdysone on the dynamic development in Rhodnius prolixus larvae.

The effects of azadirachtin and ecdysone on the Trypanosoma cruzi population in the Rhodnius prolixus gut were investigated. T. cruzi were rarely found in the gut compartments of azadirachtin-treated larvae. High parasite numbers were observed in the stomach of the control and ecdysone groups until 10 days after treatment and in the small intestine and rectum until 25 days after treatment. High percentages of round forms developed in the stomachs of all groups, whereas azadirachtin blocked the development of protozoan intermediate forms. This effect was counteracted by ecdysone therapy. In the small intestine and rectum, epimastigotes predominated for all groups, but more of their intermediates developed in the control and ecdysone groups. Azadirachtin supported the development of round forms and their intermediates into trypomastigotes. In the rectum, trypomastigotes did not develop in the azadirachtin group and developed much later after ecdysone therapy. The parallel between the effects of azadirachtin and ecdysone on the host and parasite development is discussed on the basis of the present results because ecdysone appears to act directly or indirectly in determining the synchronic development of T. cruzi forms from round to epimastigotes, but not metacyclic trypomastigotes, in the invertebrate vector.

Laboratory evaluation of the effects of triflumuron on the development of Rhodnius prolixus nymph

Studies were carried out to evaluate the efficacy of the growth regulator, triflumuron (TFM) (Starycide® sc 480 Bayer), for disrupting the development of Rhodnius prolixus fifth-instar nymph by oral, topical or continuous treatment. All treatments were able to induce high levels of mortality, delay development and molt inhibition. Oral treatment induced molt inhibition in all insects that survived at doses of 0.25, 0.50 and 5.0 mg/mL of a blood meal. The highest levels of both mortality in 24 h and molt inhibition were always observed after topical treatment. The lowest doses needed to obtain considerable biological effects were always observed after continuous treatment. In this way, the highest levels of mortality within 30 days were detected after continuous treatment, which also induced an extended inter-molting period, a lower number of over-aged nymphs and the highest level of molting in nymphs that survived. Moreover, the effects of TFM on insects were often displayed in a dose response manner. These results indicate that TFM acts as a potent growth inhibitor of R. prolixus nymphs and has the potential to be used in integrated vector control programs against hematophagous triatomine species.

Laboratory evaluation of the effects of triflumuron on the development of Rhodnius prolixus nymph.

Studies were carried out to evaluate the efficacy of the growth regulator, triflumuron (TFM) (Starycide sc 480 Bayer), for disrupting the development of Rhodnius prolixus fifth-instar nymph by oral, topical or continuous treatment. All treatments were able to induce high levels of mortality, delay development and molt inhibition. Oral treatment induced molt inhibition in all insects that survived at doses of 0.25, 0.50 and 5.0 mg/mL of a blood meal. The highest levels of both mortality in 24 h and molt inhibition were always observed after topical treatment. The lowest doses needed to obtain considerable biological effects were always observed after continuous treatment. In this way, the highest levels of mortality within 30 days were detected after continuous treatment, which also induced an extended inter-molting period, a lower number of over-aged nymphs and the highest level of molting in nymphs that survived. Moreover, the effects of TFM on insects were often displayed in a dose response manner. These results indicate that TFM acts as a potent growth inhibitor of R. prolixus nymphs and has the potential to be used in integrated vector control programs against hematophagous triatomine species.

Trypanosoma cruzi: attachment to perimicrovillar membrane glycoproteins of Rhodnius prolixus.

Studies were carried out to identify proteins involved in the interface of Trypanosoma cruzi with the perimicrovillar membranes (PMM) of Rhodnius prolixus. Video microscopy experiments demonstrated high level of adhesion of T. cruzi Dm 28c epimastigotes to the surface of posterior midgut cells of non-treated R. prolixus. The parasites however were unable to attach to gut cells obtained from decapitated or azadirachtin-treated insects. The influence of carbohydrates on the adhesion to insect midgut was confirmed by inhibition of parasite attachment after midgut incubation with N-acetylgalactosamine, N-acetylmannosamine, N-acetylglucosamine, D-galactose, D-mannose or sialic acid. We observed that hydrophobic proteins in the surface of epimastigotes bind to polypeptides with 47.7, 45.5, 44, 43, 40.5, 36, 31 and 13kDa from R. prolixus PMM and that pre-incubation of lectins specifically inhibited binding to 31, 40.5, 44 and 45.5kDa proteins. We suggest that glycoproteins from PMM and hydrophobic proteins from epimastigotes are important for the adhesion of the parasite to the posterior midgut cells of the vector.

Antiserum against perimicrovillar membranes and midgut tissue reduces the development of Trypanosoma cruzi in the insect vector, Rhodnius prolixus.

Antiserum raised against Rhodnius prolixus perimicrovillar membranes (PMM) and midgut tissue interfered with the midgut structural organization and reduced the development of Trypanosoma cruzi in the R. prolixus insect vector. SDS-PAGE and Western blot analyses confirmed the specific recognition of midgut proteins by the antibody. Feeding, mortality, molt, and oviposition of the insects were unaffected by feeding with the antiserum. However, the eclosion of the eggs were reduced from R. prolixus females treated with antiserum. Additionally, in vivo evaluation showed that after oral treatment with the antiserum, the intensity of infection with the Dm-28c clone of T. cruzi decreased in the digestive tract of fifth-instar nymphs and in the excretions of R. prolixus adults. These results suggest that the changes observed in the PMM organization in the posterior midgut of R. prolixus may not be important for triatomine survival but the antiserum acts as a transmission-reduction vaccine able to induce significant decreases in T. cruzi infection in the vector.

A combined method for evaluating radon and progeny in waters and its use at Guarani aquifer, São Paulo State, Brazil.

A combined method for evaluating radon (222Rn) and progeny (214Pb and 214Bi) in water was developed by using inexpensive alpha scintillation counting and gamma ray spectrometry through NaI(Tl) scintillation detectors. A groundwater sample collected at the Poços de Caldas alkaline massif in Brazil was submitted to the technique in order to assure its applicability by comparing the volumetric activities by different methods. Similar volumetric activity was determined for 214Pb and 214Bi in the sample analyzed that is compatible with the expected condition of radioactive equilibrium between these nuclides. The combined method was successfully used to analyze groundwater samples from Guarani aquifer in São Paulo State, Brazil, and the results of the measurements indicated that 214Pb and 214Bi provide useful information concerning the evaluation of the drinking water quality in terms of radiological aspects. This is because they are directly identified in the water samples, without the need of requiring the assumption of the establishment of the transient equilibrium condition with its parent 222Rn.

Cross-cultural differences for three visual memory tasks in Brazilian children.

Norms for three visual memory tasks, including Corsi's block tapping test and the BEM 144 complex figures and visual recognition, were developed for neuropsychological assessment in Brazilian children. The tasks were measured in 127 children ages 7 to 10 years from rural and urban areas of the States of São Paulo and Minas Gerais. Analysis indicated age-related but not sex-related differences. A cross-cultural effect was observed in relation to copying and recall of Complex pictures. Different performances between rural and urban children were noted.

Effect of blood components, abdominal distension, and ecdysone therapy on the ultrastructural organization of posterior midgut epithelial cells and perimicrovillar membranes in Rhodnius prolixus

The effects of blood components, nerve-cord severance, and ecdysone therapy on the posterior midgut epithelial cells of 5th-instar Rhodnius prolixus nymphs 10 days after feeding were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy. Cutting the nerve-cord of the blood-fed insects partially reduced the development of microvilli and perimicrovillar membranes (PMM), and produced large vacuoles and small electrondense granules; insects fed on Ringer's saline diet exhibited well developed microvilli and low PMM production; swolled rough endoplasmatic reticulum and electrondense granules; Ringer's saline meal with ecdysone led to PMM development, glycogen particles, and several mitochondria in the cytoplasm; epithelial cells of the insects fed on Ringer's saline meal whose nerve-cord was severed showed heterogeneously distributed microvilli with reduced PMM production and a great quantity of mitochondria and glycogen in the cytoplasm; well developed microvilli and PMM were observed in nerve-cord severed insects fed on Ringer's saline meal with ecdysone; Ringer's saline diet containing hemoglobin recovered the release of PMM; and insects fed on human plasma showed slightly reduced PMM production, although the addition of ecdysone in the plasma led to a normal midgut ultrastructural organization. We suggest that the full development of microvilli and PMM in the epithelial cells depends on the abdominal distension in addition to ingestion of hemoglobin, and the release of ecdysone.

Effect of blood components, abdominal distension, and ecdysone therapy on the ultrastructural organization of posterior midgut epithelial cells and perimicrovillar membranes in Rhodnius prolixus.

The effects of blood components, nerve-cord severance, and ecdysone therapy on the posterior midgut epithelial cells of 5th-instar Rhodnius prolixus nymphs 10 days after feeding were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy. Cutting the nerve-cord of the blood-fed insects partially reduced the development of microvilli and perimicrovillar membranes (PMM), and produced large vacuoles and small electrondense granules; insects fed on Ringer's saline diet exhibited well developed microvilli and low PMM production; swolled rough endoplasmatic reticulum and electrondense granules; Ringer's saline meal with ecdysone led to PMM development, glycogen particles, and several mitochondria in the cytoplasm; epithelial cells of the insects fed on Ringer's saline meal whose nerve-cord was severed showed heterogeneously distributed microvilli with reduced PMM production and a great quantity of mitochondria and glycogen in the cytoplasm; well developed microvilli and PMM were observed in nerve-cord severed insects fed on Ringer's saline meal with ecdysone; Ringer's saline diet containing hemoglobin recovered the release of PMM; and insects fed on human plasma showed slightly reduced PMM production, although the addition of ecdysone in the plasma led to a normal midgut ultrastructural organization. We suggest that the full development of microvilli and PMM in the epithelial cells depends on the abdominal distension in addition to ingestion of hemoglobin, and the release of ecdysone.

In vivo and in vitro metacyclogenesis tests of two strains of Trypanosoma cruzi in the triatomine vectors Triatoma pseudomaculata and Rhodnius neglectus: short/long-term and comparative study.

Metacyclogenesis of Trypanosoma cruzi of the Y and Berenice strains was studied in Triatoma pseudomaculata and Rhodnius neglectus. Results in vivo showed a higher production of metacyclic trypomastigotes in R. neglectus' digestive tube than in T. pseudomaculata. In vitro experiments were also carried out in order to compare the behavior of culture forms of T. cruzi incubated in extracts of different compartments (stomach, intestine, and rectum) of the digestive tract of both species of triatomines. A higher percentage of metacyclic trypomastigotes for both parasite strains, Y and Berenice, was detected in the rectum extract of R. neglectus in comparison to that from T. pseudomaculata. The same results were obtained with in vitro experiments, using parasites incubated in urine from each of those vectors. The adhesion of parasites to the incubated rectum epithelial cells was also compared. In incubations with the Y strain no significant differences were detected between the two triatomine species but, however, with the Berenice strain the mean percentage of cells with adhered parasites was higher in R. neglectus than in T. pseudomaculata.

Trypanosoma cruzi I and Trypanosoma cruzi II: recognition of sugar structures by Arachis hypogaea (peanut agglutinin) lectin.

Epimastigote culture forms of different isolates of Trypanosoma cruzi from different mammal hosts, humans, and vectors were tested with FITC-conjugated peanut agglutinin lectin (PNA-FITC). The parasites maintained in axenic medium, liver infusion tryptose. were evaluated by flow cytometric analyses; whereas T. cruzi I (Tcl), which is associated with the sylvatic transmission cycle, was labeled in high percentages with PNA (88-99.2%), T. cruzi II (TcII) (parasites associated with domiciliar cycle) and T. cruzi, zymodeme 3 (Tc/Z3) (also associated with the sylvatic cycle) were labeled in low percentages (TcII, 0-26% and Tc/Z3, 0-12.6%). It was demonstrated that it is possible to differentiate the 2 main T. cruzi subpopulations, TcI and TcII, using Arachis hypogaea. These results also showed a higher variability in TcII in terms of PNA binding.

Novas atividades biológicas em antigos metabólitos: ácido oleanólico e eugenol de Eugenia caryophyllata

Ácido oleanólico apresenta no barbeiro Rhodnius prolixus, vetor da doença de Chagas, toxicidade dosedependente e drástica inibição da muda nas doses de 1, 10 e 100 mg/ml. Eugenol induz uma letargia que persiste por vários dias, apresenta forte fagorrepelência, toxicidade média e inibição total da muda nas doses de 10 e 100 mg/ml.

Influence of brain and azadirachtin on Trypanosoma cruzi development in the vector, Rhodnius prolixus.

Studies on the effects of decapitation, head transplantation, azadirachtin, and ecdysone therapy on the ultrastructural organization of the midgut of Rhodnius prolixus, a vector of the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, show a distinct effect on the organization of the epithelial cells. When insects are decapitated or treated with azadirachtin, the ultrastructural organiza tion of these compartments changed significantly and drastically blocked the development of T. cruzi infection. In converse experiments, head transplantation or oral therapy with ecdysone significantly re versed the T. cruzi infectivity and reestablished the organization of the stomach and intestine in decapitated or azadirachtin-treated insects. These results indicat that a brain factor, possibly the prothoracicotropic hormone which stimulates ecdysteroid production on the prothoracic glands, may act directly or indirectly on both the midgut cell organiza tion and the intestinal microenvironment, interfering in the trypanosome survival and infection of the vector R. prolixus.