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1.
Int J Biol Macromol ; : 133774, 2024 Jul 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39004244

ABSTRACT

Bacterial cellulose (BC), produced by bacterial fermentation, is a high-purity material. BC can be oxidized (BCOXI), providing aldehyde groups for covalent bonds with drugs. Frutalin (FTL) is a lectin capable of modulating cell proliferation and remodeling, which accelerates wound healing. This study aimed to develop an FTL-incorporated dressing based on BC, and to evaluate its physicochemical properties and biological activity in vitro. An experimental design was employed to maximize FTL loading yield onto the BC and BCOXI, where independent variables were FTL concentration, temperature and immobilization time. BCOXI-FTL 1 (44.96 % ±â€¯1.34) had the highest incorporation yield (IY) at the experimental conditions: 6 h, 5 °C, 20 µg mL-1. The second highest yield was BCOXI-FTL 6 (23.28 % ±â€¯1.43) using 24 h, 5 °C, 100 µg mL-1. Similarly, the same reaction parameters provided higher immobilization yields for native bacterial cellulose: BC-FTL 6 (16.91 % ±â€¯1.05) and BC-FTL 1 (21.71 % ±â€¯1.57). Purified FTL displayed no cytotoxicity to fibroblast cells (<50 µg mL-1 concentration) during 24 h. Furthermore, BCOXI-FTL and BC-FTL were non-cytotoxic during 24 h and stimulated fibroblast migration. BCOXI-FTL demonstrated neutrophil activation in vitro similar to FTL. These promising results indicate that the bacterial cellulose matrices containing FTL at low concentrations, could be used as an innovative biomaterial for developing wound dressings.

2.
bioRxiv ; 2024 Jun 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38895389

ABSTRACT

Aedes transmitted arboviral human cases are increasing worldwide and spreading to new areas of the United States of America (USA). These diseases continue to re-emerge likely due to changes in vector ecology, urbanization, human migration, and larger range of climatic suitability. Recent shifts in landscape and weather variables are predicted to impact the habitat patterns of urban mosquitoes such as Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Miami (FL) is in the tropical zone and an established hotspot for arboviruses, while Charleston (SC) is in the humid subtropical zone and newly vulnerable. Although these coastal cities have distinct climates, both have hot summers. To understand mosquito infestation in both cities and potentiate our surveillance effort, we performed egg collections in the warmest season. We applied remote sensing with land-use cover and weather variation to identify mosquito infestation patterns. Our study found predominant occurrence of Ae. aegypti and, to a lesser extent, Ae. albopictus in both cities. We detected statistically significant positive and negative associations between entomological indicators and most weather variables in combined data from both cities. For all entomological indices, weekly wind speed and relative humidity were significantly positively associated, while precipitation and maximum temperature were significantly negatively associated. Aedes egg abundance was significantly positively associated with open land in Charleston but was negatively associated with vegetation cover in combined data. There is a clear need for further observational studies to determine the impact of climate change on Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus infestation in the Southeastern region of the USA.

3.
bioRxiv ; 2024 Jun 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38895463

ABSTRACT

The mosquito Aedes aegypti is a prominent vector for arboviruses, but the breadth of mosquito viruses that infects this specie is not fully understood. In the broadest global survey to date of over 200 Ae. aegypti small RNA samples, we detected viral small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and Piwi interacting RNAs (piRNAs) arising from mosquito viruses. We confirmed that most academic laboratory colonies of Ae. aegypti lack persisting viruses, yet two commercial strains were infected by a novel tombus-like virus. Ae. aegypti from North to South American locations were also teeming with multiple insect viruses, with Anphevirus and a bunyavirus displaying geographical boundaries from the viral small RNA patterns. Asian Ae. aegypti small RNA patterns indicate infections by similar mosquito viruses from the Americas and reveal the first wild example of dengue virus infection generating viral small RNAs. African Ae. aegypti also contained various viral small RNAs including novel viruses only found in these African substrains. Intriguingly, viral long RNA patterns can differ from small RNA patterns, indicative of viral transcripts evading the mosquitoes' RNA interference (RNAi) machinery. To determine whether the viruses we discovered via small RNA sequencing were replicating and transmissible, we infected C6/36 and Aag2 cells with Ae. aegypti homogenates. Through blind passaging, we generated cell lines stably infected by these mosquito viruses which then generated abundant viral siRNAs and piRNAs that resemble the native mosquito viral small RNA patterns. This mosquito small RNA genomics approach augments surveillance approaches for emerging infectious diseases.

4.
J Med Entomol ; 61(4): 1064-1070, 2024 Jul 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38757780

ABSTRACT

Female mosquitoes undergo multiple rounds of reproduction known as gonotrophic cycles (GC). A gonotrophic cycle spans the period from blood meal intake to egg laying. Nutrients from vertebrate host blood are necessary for completing egg development. During oogenesis, a female prepackages mRNA into her oocytes, and these maternal transcripts drive the first 2 h of embryonic development prior to zygotic genome activation. In this study, we profiled transcriptional changes in 1-2 h of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) embryos across 2 GC. We found that homeotic genes which are regulators of embryogenesis are downregulated in embryos from the second gonotrophic cycle. Interestingly, embryos produced by Ae. aegypti females progressively reduced their ability to hatch as the number of GC increased. We show that this fertility decline is due to increased reproductive output and not the mosquitoes' age. Moreover, we found a similar decline in fertility and fecundity across 3 GC in Aedes albopictus. Our results are useful for predicting mosquito population dynamics to inform vector control efforts.


Subject(s)
Aedes , Fertility , Animals , Aedes/genetics , Aedes/physiology , Female , Age Factors , Reproduction
5.
J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater ; 112(4): e35399, 2024 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38533823

ABSTRACT

Deep skin burn represents a global morbidity and mortality problem, and the limitation of topical treatment agents has motivated research to development new formulations capable of preventing infections and accelerating healing. The aim of this work was to develop and characterize an emulgel based on collagen (COL) and gelatin (GEL) extracted from fish skin associated with Chlorella vulgaris extract (CE) and silver nitrate (AgNO3). COL and GEL were characterized by physicochemical and thermal analyses; and CE by electrophoresis and its antioxidant capacity. Three emulgels formulations were developed: COL (0.5%) + GEL (2.5%) (E1), COL+GEL+CE (1%) (E2), and COL+GEL+CE + AgNO3 (0.1%) (E3). All formulations were characterized by physicochemical, rheology assays, and preclinical analyses: cytotoxicity (in vitro) and healing potential using a burn model in rats. COL and GEL showed typical physicochemical characteristics, and CE presented 1.3 mg/mL of proteins and antioxidant activity of 76%. Emulgels presented a coherent physicochemical profile and pseudoplastic behavior. Preclinical analysis showed concentration-dependent cytotoxicity against fibroblast and keratinocytes. In addition, all emulgels induced similar percentages of wound contraction and complete wound closure in 28 days. The histopathological analysis showed higher scores for polymorphonuclear cells to E1 and greater neovascularization and re-epithelialization to E3. Then, E3 formulation has potential to improve burn healing, although its use in a clinical setting requires further studies.


Subject(s)
Burns , Chlorella vulgaris , Microalgae , Animals , Rats , Antioxidants , Burns/therapy , Collagen/therapeutic use , Re-Epithelialization , Skin/metabolism
6.
BMC Biol ; 22(1): 63, 2024 Mar 13.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38481317

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Obligate blood-feeding insects obtain the nutrients and water necessary to ensure survival from the vertebrate blood. The internal taste sensilla, situated in the pharynx, evaluate the suitability of the ingested food. Here, through multiple approaches, we characterized the pharyngeal organ (PO) of the hematophagous kissing bug Rhodnius prolixus to determine its role in food assessment. The PO, located antero-dorsally in the pharynx, comprises eight taste sensilla that become bathed with the incoming blood. RESULTS: We showed that these taste sensilla house gustatory receptor neurons projecting their axons through the labral nerves to reach the subesophageal zone in the brain. We found that these neurons are electrically activated by relevant appetitive and aversive gustatory stimuli such as NaCl, ATP, and caffeine. Using RNA-Seq, we examined the expression of sensory-related gene families in the PO. We identified gustatory receptors, ionotropic receptors, transient receptor potential channels, pickpocket channels, opsins, takeouts, neuropeptide precursors, neuropeptide receptors, and biogenic amine receptors. RNA interference assays demonstrated that the salt-related pickpocket channel Rproppk014276 is required during feeding of an appetitive solution of NaCl and ATP. CONCLUSIONS: We provide evidence of the role of the pharyngeal organ in food evaluation. This work shows a comprehensive characterization of a pharyngeal taste organ in a hematophagous insect.


Subject(s)
Sodium Chloride , Taste , Animals , Taste/physiology , Sodium Chloride/pharmacology , Pharynx , Insecta , Adenosine Triphosphate
7.
Commun Biol ; 7(1): 143, 2024 01 31.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38297108

ABSTRACT

Where a female mosquito lays her eggs creates the conditions for reproductive success. Here we identify a communal behavior among ovipositing female mosquitoes. When choosing equal breeding sites, gravid Aedes aegypti aggregate more often than expected. This aggregation occurs when water contact is restricted and does not require the presence of eggs. Instead, the aggregation is regulated by the number of females present at the breeding site. Using assays with both occupied and empty oviposition sites, we show that the Orco olfactory co-receptor and a carbon dioxide receptor, Gr3, detect the presence of mosquitoes. orco mutants aggregate more often in empty sites, suggesting attractive olfactory cues influence females to associate with one another. Gr3 mutant females do not prefer either site, suggesting that the CO2 receptor is necessary to evaluate mosquito population density at breeding sites. Further, raising CO2 levels is sufficient to cause wild-type mosquitoes to avoid empty oviposition sites. Our results demonstrate that female mosquitoes can regulate their own population density at breeding sites using attractive and repellent communal cues.


Subject(s)
Aedes , Receptors, Odorant , Animals , Female , Aedes/genetics , Cues , Population Density , Carbon Dioxide , Smell
8.
Int J Biol Macromol ; 254(Pt 1): 127768, 2024 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38287577

ABSTRACT

Galectins, which correspond to a group of proteins capable of recognizing and reversibly binding to ß-galactoside carbohydrates, have been the subject of innovation and development of technological products. Galectins play biological roles, such as cell proliferation and apoptosis, and some studies showed differences in the concentrations of galectins dispersed in serum of patients with cancer. For this reason, different studies have evaluated the biotechnological potential of these proteins as biomarkers for the prognosis and/or diagnosis of physiological disorders. Thus, this review discusses recent technological advancements in targeting galectins for the treatment of cancer and using galectins for cancer prognosis and diagnosis. Data mining was performed using the search descriptors "Galectin 9* and cancer*" and the ESPACENET and Cortellis Drug Discovery Intelligence (CDDI) databases. PRISMA guidelines were followed as a basis for literature review which aimed to conduct a systematic study of galectin-9 patents related to cancer prognosis, diagnosis and treatment. Results showed the importance of galectin-9 protein patents in furthering biomedical advancements in the global fight against cancer.


Subject(s)
Galectins , Neoplasms , Humans , Galectins/metabolism , Neoplasms/diagnosis , Neoplasms/drug therapy , Carbohydrates
9.
Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz ; 118: e220143, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37466532

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Culex quinquefasciatus, a cosmopolitan, domestic, and highly anthropophilic mosquito, is a vector of pathogenic arboviruses such as West Nile virus and Rift Valley virus, as well as lymphatic filariasis. The current knowledge on its reproductive physiology regarding vitellogenin expression in different tissues is still limited. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we analysed the transcriptional profiles of vitellogenin genes in the fat body and ovaries of C. quinquefasciatus females during the first gonotrophic cycle. METHODS: C. quinquefasciatus ovaries and/or fat bodies were dissected in different times during the first gonotrophic cycle and total RNA was extracted and used for reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, quantitative real time-PCR, and in situ hybridisation. FINDINGS: We confirmed the classical descriptions of the vitellogenic process in mosquitoes by verifying that vitellogenin genes are transcribed in the fat bodies of C. quinquefasciatus females. Using RNA in situ hybridisation approach, we showed that vitellogenin genes are also transcribed in developing ovaries, specifically by the follicle cells. MAIN CONCLUSIONS: This is the first time that vitellogenin transcripts are observed in mosquito ovaries. Studies to determine if Vg transcripts are translated into proteins and their contribution to the reproductive success of the mosquito need to be further investigated.


Subject(s)
Culex , Culicidae , Animals , Female , Culex/genetics , Vitellogenins/genetics , Vitellogenins/metabolism , Ovary/metabolism , Mosquito Vectors/genetics , RNA/metabolism
10.
iScience ; 26(6): 106883, 2023 Jun 16.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37275523

ABSTRACT

Female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes undergo multiple rounds of reproduction, known as gonotrophic cycles. These cycles span the period from blood meal intake to oviposition. Understanding how reproductive success is maintained across gonotrophic cycles allows for the identification of molecular targets to reduce mosquito population growth. Odorant receptor co-receptor (orco) encodes a conserved insect-specific transmembrane ion channel that complexes with tuning odorant receptors (ORs) to form a functional olfactory receptor. orco expression has been identified in the male and female mosquito germline, but its role is unclear. We report an orco-dependent, maternal effect reduction in fertility after the first gonotrophic cycle. This phenotype was removed by CRISPR-Cas9 reversion of the orco mutant locus. Eggs deposited by orco mutant females are fertilized but the embryos reveal developmental defects, reduced hatching, and changes in ion channel signaling gene transcription. We present an unexpected role for an olfactory receptor pathway in mosquito reproduction.

11.
J Med Econ ; 26(1): 731-741, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37139828

ABSTRACT

AIMS: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a severe condition with poor prognosis that places a significant burden on patients, caregivers, and healthcare systems. Selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) is a treatment available to patients with HCC which addresses some of the limitations of alternative treatment options. A cost-effectiveness analysis was undertaken into the use of SIRT using Y-90 resin microspheres for the treatment of unresectable intermediate- and late-stage HCC in Brazil. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A partitioned-survival model was developed, including a tunnel state for patients downstaged to receive treatments with curative intent. Sorafenib was the selected comparator, a common systemic treatment in Brazil and for which comparative evidence exists. Clinical data were extracted from published sources of pivotal trials, and effectiveness was measured in quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and life-years (LYs). The analysis was conducted from the Brazilian private payer perspective and a lifetime horizon was implemented. Comprehensive sensitivity analyses were conducted. RESULTS: LYs and QALYs were higher for SIRT with Y-90 resin microspheres versus sorafenib (0.27 and 0.20 incremental LYs and QALYs, respectively) and costs were slightly higher for SIRT (R$15,864). The base case incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was R$77,602 per QALY. The ICER was mostly influenced by parameters defining the sorafenib overall survival curve and SIRT had a 73% probability of being cost-effective at a willingness-to-pay threshold of R$135,761 per QALY (3-times the per-capita gross domestic product in Brazil). Overall, sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the results indicating that SIRT with Y-90 resin microspheres is cost-effective compared with sorafenib. LIMITATIONS: A rapidly evolving treatment landscape in Brazil and worldwide, and the lack of local data for some variables were the main limitations. CONCLUSIONS: SIRT with Y-90 resin microspheres is a cost-effective option compared with sorafenib in Brazil.


Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular , Liver Neoplasms , Humans , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/drug therapy , Sorafenib/therapeutic use , Cost-Benefit Analysis , Yttrium Radioisotopes , Brazil , Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy , Microspheres
12.
Infect Genet Evol ; 107: 105390, 2023 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36473637

ABSTRACT

Zika virus (ZIKV) may cause febrile illness and neurological damage, such as microcephaly in fetuses. ZIKV is transmitted to humans by Aedes aegypti, a nearly cosmopolitan mosquito. Understanding the virus-vector molecular interactions has been promising to enhance the knowledge towards disease mitigation. Since ZIKV infection alters gene physiology of mosquitoes, we examined the expression profile of ZIKV-infected Ae. aegypti by several approaches to identify genes altered by viral infection. Transcriptomics were performed by comparing between ZIKV-infected and uninfected Ae. aegypti females, which revealed some differentially expressed genes. Most of these genes appear to be involved with immune response as evidenced by an interactome analysis, and a prominent finding was a calreticulin-like (CRT) gene, which was upregulated during the infection. Expression of CRT was also experimentally quantified by qPCR, however, it revealed no significant differences between infected and uninfected females. Instead, expression levels were highly variable among individuals and negatively correlated to viral load. We also tested the possibility of this gene to be silenced, but the double-stranded RNA did not reduce CRT expression, and actually increased the inter-individuals' expressional variability. Present results differed from our original hypothesis of upregulation by infection. They also diverged between them (comparing qPCR to Transcriptomics) and from the literature which reported augmented CRT levels in Aedes species during viral infection. Present case probably underlies a more complex virus-host interaction system than we expected. Regulation of this gene seems not to be a linear correlation between expression and viremy. As infection takes place, a complex homeostatic mechanism may act to prevent expression and other cellular tasks from drifting. It is also possible that CRT expression is simply randomly disturbed by viral infection. Taken together, results show that CRT expression profile during ZIKV infection is complex and requires different investigative approaches to be understood. Studies focused on the biochemical function of CRT protein and on its role in the native mosquito metabolic network could unravel how it is actually influenced by ZIKV. Current work contributes more by getting incidental findings and by posing new hypotheses than by answering the original questions.


Subject(s)
Aedes , Calreticulin , Zika Virus Infection , Animals , Female , Aedes/genetics , Aedes/virology , Calreticulin/genetics , Gene Expression Profiling , Zika Virus Infection/genetics
13.
Int J Biol Macromol ; 226: 172-183, 2023 Jan 31.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36495987

ABSTRACT

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a biopolymer of enormous value aggregation for in general industry. The vitreous humor of the eyeball from Nile tilapia contains appreciable amounts of hyaluronic acid. In this sense, the aim of this work was to extract and characterize hyaluronic acid from the eyeball of the Nile tilapia for biomedical applications, adding value to fish industry residues. The characterization by infra-red (FTIR), 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) confirmed that hyaluronic acid was obtained. The gel permeation chromatography (GPC) showed that the obtained material presents a low molecular mass (37 KDa). Thermogravimetry (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed that the materials present a thermal stability superior to the commercial hyaluronic acid from Streptococcus equi, with a partially crystalline character. The cytotoxicity assay (MTT method) with fibroblast cells (L929) demonstrated that the extracted biopolymer besides not being cytotoxic, was able to stimulate cell proliferation. Therefore, the hyaluronic acid extracted from this source of residue constitutes a product with biotechnological potential, which has adequate quality for wide biomedical applications.


Subject(s)
Cichlids , Fish Diseases , Animals , Hyaluronic Acid
14.
Cold Spring Harb Protoc ; 2023(3): 108013-pdb.prot, 2023 03 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36223987

ABSTRACT

Artificial membrane feeders are devices that replace vertebrate hosts when blood feeding mosquitoes. Created using readily available materials found in mosquito laboratories, Glytube is one of the simplest artificial membrane feeders that scientists can use to provide a blood meal to female mosquitoes in the laboratory. Glytube was optimized for blood feeding the main epidemiologically important species, such as Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, Culex quinquefasciatus, and Anopheles aquasalis Although the Glytube can be used without modifications to blood feed mosquito females, some researchers have modified the device to improve its assembly and to adapt it to different feeding assays that do not involve a basic blood meal, broadening its utility. Here, I describe how to transform a 50-mL conical centrifuge tube into a convenient, versatile, and cost-effective artificial membrane blood feeder.


Subject(s)
Aedes , Culex , Animals , Female , Membranes, Artificial , Laboratories , Adaptation, Physiological
15.
Cold Spring Harb Protoc ; 2023(3): 107655-pdb.top, 2023 03 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36223989

ABSTRACT

Husbandry protocols for medically important mosquito species in the laboratory have the blood feeding procedure as an inherent step in the maintenance routine for egg production. Artificial feeders have become the main solution for delivering blood meals to these hematophagous insects, circumventing the need for vertebrate hosts. Mimicking the skin, these devices both heat the blood and hold a membrane through which the blood can be ingested by mosquitoes. Several commercial and noncommercial artificial mosquito feeders are available, but obstacles like high cost and complex assembly can restrict their routine use. To address this issue, a number of feeders have been designed that can be built with common materials found in the laboratory. They are cheaper and more accessible, but the absence of built-in temperature control and heating units can limit their efficacy. One of the most accessible mosquito feeders is the Glytube. It consists of a 50-mL conical centrifuge tube with heated glycerol that delivers blood through a membrane. The Glytube has been used successfully to model mosquito blood feeding. Recently, 3D printing has emerged as an alternative method to create customized artificial feeders. This technology is expected to facilitate access to and reduce the cost of these devices with open-source 3D model files that can be shared among laboratories maintaining mosquitoes worldwide.


Subject(s)
Culicidae , Animals , Laboratories , Feeding Behavior , Printing, Three-Dimensional
16.
Infect Genet Evol, v. 107, 105390, jan. 2023
Article in English | Sec. Est. Saúde SP, SESSP-IBPROD, Sec. Est. Saúde SP | ID: bud-4758

ABSTRACT

Zika virus (ZIKV) may cause febrile illness and neurological damage, such as microcephaly in fetuses. ZIKV is transmitted to humans by Aedes aegypti, a nearly cosmopolitan mosquito. Understanding the virus-vector molecular interactions has been promising to enhance the knowledge towards disease mitigation. Since ZIKV infection alters gene physiology of mosquitoes, we examined the expression profile of ZIKV-infected Ae. aegypti by several approaches to identify genes altered by viral infection. Transcriptomics were performed by comparing between ZIKV-infected and uninfected Ae. aegypti females, which revealed some differentially expressed genes. Most of these genes appear to be involved with immune response as evidenced by an interactome analysis, and a prominent finding was a calreticulin-like (CRT) gene, which was upregulated during the infection. Expression of CRT was also experimentally quantified by qPCR, however, it revealed no significant differences between infected and uninfected females. Instead, expression levels were highly variable among individuals and negatively correlated to viral load. We also tested the possibility of this gene to be silenced, but the double-stranded RNA did not reduce CRT expression, and actually increased the inter-individuals' expressional variability. Present results differed from our original hypothesis of upregulation by infection. They also diverged between them (comparing qPCR to Transcriptomics) and from the literature which reported augmented CRT levels in Aedes species during viral infection. Present case probably underlies a more complex virus-host interaction system than we expected. Regulation of this gene seems not to be a linear correlation between expression and viremy. As infection takes place, a complex homeostatic mechanism may act to prevent expression and other cellular tasks from drifting. It is also possible that CRT expression is simply randomly disturbed by viral infection. Taken together, results show that CRT expression profile during ZIKV infection is complex and requires different investigative approaches to be understood. Studies focused on the biochemical function of CRT protein and on its role in the native mosquito metabolic network could unravel how it is actually influenced by ZIKV. Current work contributes more by getting incidental findings and by posing new hypotheses than by answering the original questions.

17.
Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz ; 118: e220143, 2023. tab, graf
Article in English | LILACS-Express | LILACS | ID: biblio-1448704

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND Culex quinquefasciatus, a cosmopolitan, domestic, and highly anthropophilic mosquito, is a vector of pathogenic arboviruses such as West Nile virus and Rift Valley virus, as well as lymphatic filariasis. The current knowledge on its reproductive physiology regarding vitellogenin expression in different tissues is still limited. OBJECTIVES In this study, we analysed the transcriptional profiles of vitellogenin genes in the fat body and ovaries of C. quinquefasciatus females during the first gonotrophic cycle. METHODS C. quinquefasciatus ovaries and/or fat bodies were dissected in different times during the first gonotrophic cycle and total RNA was extracted and used for reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, quantitative real time-PCR, and in situ hybridisation. FINDINGS We confirmed the classical descriptions of the vitellogenic process in mosquitoes by verifying that vitellogenin genes are transcribed in the fat bodies of C. quinquefasciatus females. Using RNA in situ hybridisation approach, we showed that vitellogenin genes are also transcribed in developing ovaries, specifically by the follicle cells. MAIN CONCLUSIONS This is the first time that vitellogenin transcripts are observed in mosquito ovaries. Studies to determine if Vg transcripts are translated into proteins and their contribution to the reproductive success of the mosquito need to be further investigated.

18.
Value Health Reg Issues ; 31: 74-80, 2022 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35568011

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of a remotely operated referral management system (RORMS) compared with a conventional referral management system (CRMS) in Brazil. METHODS: This is a model-based cost-effectiveness analysis under the perspective of the Unified Healthcare System (Sistema Único de Saúde [SUS]) in Brazil. A Markov microsimulation model was developed to compare costs and referral outcomes of the RORMS and the CRMS. Model consisted of 4 states representative of sequential stepwise assessments of referral suitability, 3 states representative of referral outcomes, and 1 exit model state. Target population represented cases being referred from primary healthcare units to specialized care in SUS. Model inputs related to costs and effectiveness in the RORMS arm were obtained from the data set of a RORMS between July and December 2019. Model inputs for the CRMS model arm were obtained from administrative data sets of 2 Brazilian localities for the year 2019. Relative effect size of RORMS in comparison with CRMS in SUS was obtained from published studies. Effectiveness outcome was unnecessary referrals averted. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was calculated for the base case. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis was conducted. RESULTS: In the base-case analyses, RORMS dominated CRMS, with expected cost-savings from $50.42 to $80.62 per unnecessary referral averted. RORMS was the dominant strategy in 83.7% of 100 000 simulations in the probabilistic sensitivity analysis. In 16.2% of simulations, incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was between $0 and $222 per unnecessary referral averted. CONCLUSIONS: Model-based simulations indicate that the RORMS is likely to be cost saving in comparison with the CRMS.


Subject(s)
Secondary Care , Telemedicine , Brazil , Cost-Benefit Analysis , Humans , Referral and Consultation
19.
Motrivivência (Florianópolis) ; 34(65): 1-25, 20220316.
Article in Portuguese | LILACS-Express | LILACS | ID: biblio-1379193

ABSTRACT

Este estudo objetiva analisar a caracterização das práticas de saúde de campo comum dos profissionais de Educação Física no Núcleo Ampliado à Saúde da Família ­ Atenção Básica/NASF-AB da cidade de Vitória/ES. A construção coletiva dos dados ocorreu por meio de observação participante, de diário de campo e de entrevista coletiva. Tal produção de dados permitiu análises coletivas com o grupo participante e mapeamento das práticas de saúde desenvolvidas por oito profissionais de Educação Física. A sistematização e o tratamento analítico dos dados possibilitaram a elaboração de duas temáticas: a participação do profissional de Educação Física nas reuniões de Equipe de Saúde da Família; e NASF-AB e práticas e intervenções de campo comum pelo/a PEF do NASFAB. Concluímos que os/as PEF do NASF-AB de Vitória/ES vêm desenhando suas práticas e saberes nos tensionamentos e encontros com os problemas nos territórios e com as equipes multiprofissionais de saúde.


This study aims to analyze the characterization of common field health practices of Physical Education professionals in the Extended Family Health Center - Primary Care/NASF-AB of the city of Vitória/ES. The collective construction of the data occurred through participant observation, field diary and collective interview. This data production allowed collective analyses with the participating group and mapping of health practices developed by eight Physical Education professionals. The systematization and analytical treatment of the data made it possible to develop two themes: the participation of the Physical Education professional in the meetings of the Family Health Team and NASF-AB; and common field practices and interventions by the NASF-AB PEF. We conclude that the PEF of the NASF-AB of Vitória/ES have been designing their practices and knowledge in tensionings and encounters with problems in the territories and with multidisciplinary health teams.


Este estudio tiene como objetivo analizar la caracterización de las prácticas de salud en el campo común de los profesionales de educación física en el Centro Ampliado de Salud de la Familia ­ Atención Básica-NASF-AB en la ciudad de Vitória/ES. La construcción colectiva de los datos se realizó a través de la observación participante, diario de campo y entrevista colectiva. Tal producción de datos permitió análisis colectivos con el grupo participante y mapeo de las prácticas de salud desajolladas por ocho profesionales de Educación Física. La sistematización y tratamiento analítico de los datos hizo posible la elaboración de dos temas: la participación del profesional de Educación Física en los encuentros del Equipo de Salud de la Familia y NASF-AB y; prácticas e intervenciones de campo comunes por parte del PEF de lo NASF-AB. Concluimos que los PEF de lo NASF-AB de Vitória/ES vienen diseñando sus prácticas y saberes en las tensiones y encuentros con los problemas en los territorios y con los equipos multiprofesionales de salud.

20.
Ann Maxillofac Surg ; 11(2): 325-328, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35265508

ABSTRACT

Rationale: Ameloblastoma often requires complex facial treatments such as resection and reconstruction, which can be aided using three-dimensional resources towards improved surgical planning, reduction of surgical time, and customization. Patient Concerns: A 51-year-old patient, concerned about submandibular volumetric increase discovered performing imaging exams to install dental implants. Diagnosis and Treatment: Diagnosed with ameloblastoma, he underwent uneventful partial mandibular resection and placement of prebent mandibular reconstruction plate. Four months later, following a motorcycle accident, a deflection of the plate and mandibular fracture was observed. Using the initial prototyping, a new reconstruction plate was customized and surgically placed to reduce the mandibular fracture, with adequate titanium plate adaptation to the remaining bone and maintenance of aesthetic mandibular contour. Outcomes and Take-away Lessons: The current digital dentistry resources, such as computed tomography and intraoral scan, can be recovered and used as a backup of recorded anatomy anytime in future, providing a long-lasting facial digital biobank.

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