Development of miRNA-Based Approaches to Explore the Interruption of Mosquito-Borne Disease Transmission.

MicroRNA (miRNA or miR)-based approaches to interrupt the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases have been explored since 2005. A review of these studies and areas in which to proceed is needed. In this review, significant progress is reviewed at the level of individual miRNAs, and miRNA diversification and relevant confounders are described in detail. Current miRNA studies in mosquitoes include four steps, namely, identifying miRNAs, validating miRNA-pathogen interactions, exploring action mechanisms, and performing preapplication investigations. Notably, regarding the Plasmodium parasite, mosquito miRNAs generally bind to mosquito immunity- or development-related mRNAs, indirectly regulating Plasmodium infection; However, regarding arboviruses, mosquito miRNAs can bind to the viral genome, directly modifying viral replication. Thus, during explorations of miRNA-based approaches, researchers need select an ideal miRNA for investigation based on the mosquito species, tissue, and mosquito-borne pathogen of interest. Additionally, strategies for miRNA-based approaches differ for arboviruses and protozoan parasites.

Complete mitochondrial genome of Penthimia melanocephala Motschulsky, 1863 (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae).

Penthimia is the largest genus in the tribe Penthimiini of the subfamily Deltocephalinae. To date, there are no available mitogenome sequences from Penthimia. In this study, we have sequenced and annotated the complete mitogenome of Penthimia melanocephala (Motschulsky 1863), the mitogenome is 15,308 bp in length, which including 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 ribosomal RNA genes (rRNAs), 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs) and a long non-coding region (control Region), base composition of whole sequences are A (50.4%), C (15.3%), G (10.0%), and T (24.3%). All PCGs started with the typical ATN codon and stopped with the typical TAN codon except for COII and COIII stopped with single T. Within phylogenetic tree, Deltocephalinae members were clustered into a clade. The complete mitogenome of P. melanocephala can provide essential DNA molecular data for further evolutionary and phylogenetic analysis.

China's practice to prevent and control COVID-19 in the context of large population movement.

BACKGROUND: The emerging infectious disease, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), poses a serious threat in China and worldwide. Challenged by this serious situation, China has taken many measures to contain its transmission. This study aims to systematically review and record these special and effective practices, in hope of benefiting for fighting against the ongoing worldwide pandemic. METHODS: The measures taken by the governments was tracked and sorted on a daily basis from the websites of governmental authorities (e.g. National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China). And the measures were reviewed and summarized by categorizations, figures and tables, showing an ever-changing process of combating with an emerging infectious disease. The population shift levels, daily local new diagnosed cases, daily mortality and daily local new cured cases were used for measuring the effect of the measures. RESULTS: The practices could be categorized into active case surveillance, rapid case diagnosis and management, strict follow-up and quarantine of persons with close contacts, and issuance of guidance to help the public understand and adhere to control measures, plus prompt and effective high-level policy decision, complete activation of the public health system, and full involvement of the society. Along with the measures, the population shift levels, daily local new diagnosed cases, and mortality were decreased, and the daily local new cured cases were increased in China. CONCLUSIONS: China's practices are effective in controlling transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Considering newly occurred situations (e.g. imported cases, work resumption), the control measures may be adjusted.

Antivirus effectiveness of ivermectin on dengue virus type 2 in Aedes albopictus.

BACKGROUND: Dengue fever is the most rapidly spreading mosquito-borne viral disease over the past 50 years, with a 30-fold increase in global incidence. Dengue vector control is a key component for the dengue control strategy, since no absolutely effective vaccine or drug is available yet. However, the rapid rise and spread of mosquito insecticide resistance have become major threats to the efficiency of insecticide-based vector control activities. Thus, innovative vector control tools are badly needed. This study aims to confirm the antivirus effectiveness of ivermectin on dengue virus type 2 (DENV-2) in Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1894), then to explore its potential use in the combating to the dengue epidemics. METHODS: Aedes albopictus were first infected with DENV-2 in human whole blood, and at the fourth day after infectious blood feeding, they were divided into eight groups. Seven of them were held for six days with access to 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 and 64 ng/ml ivermectin, respectively, and the last one was set as a historical control group, which was stored at -80°C until being detected at the same time with the other groups. Each mosquito was detected using real-time fluorescent RT-PCR kit. DENV-2 RNA concentration (copies/ml) and infection rate in each group were compared. RESULTS: Both of quantitatively and qualitatively inhibiting effects of ivermectin have been detected in this study. Generally, DENV-2 replicated well in Aedes albopictus without ivermectin intervention, whose virus loads exhibited significantly higher when the mosquitoes were holding from 4 days to 10 days after infectious blood feeding. In contrast, with the treatment of ivermectin, the infection rate was reduced by as much as 49.63%. The regression equation between infection rates (Y2) and ivermectin concentration log2 values (X2) was obtained as Y2 = 91.41-7.21*X2 with R2 = 0.89. CONCLUSION: Ivermectin can directly or indirectly inhibit DENV-2 multiplication in Aedes albopictus. Moreover, the actual concentration for application in zooprophylaxis needs to be confirmed in the further field trials.

[Changes of pyrethroid resistance and P450 monooxygenase activity with age in Anopheles sinensis in Huainan City, Anhui Province, China].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of mosquito age on the pyrethroid resistance and P450 monooxygenase activity in Anopheles sinensis in Huainan City, Anhui Province, China, as well as the molecular mechanism of pyrethroid resistance. METHODS: Anopheles mosquito larvae were collected in fields, and were emerged to adults. Then the pyrethroid resistance and P450 monooxygenase activity of female mosquitoes were detected 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 d and 20 d after emergence. Meanwhile, the resistance level and P450 monooxygenase activity of the sensitive mosquitoes in lab were detected as the control group. RESULTS: curves of pyrethroid resistance and P450 monooxygenase activity changes with the mosquito age presented unsymmetrically reversed "U" type. At 1 d after emergence, the resistance level and P450 monooxygenase activity were lower, and then they increased quickly. When 3-9 d after emergence, the resistance level and P450 monooxygenase activity rose to the highest level, and entered into plateau, then declined gradually. Compared to the sensitive mosquitoes in lab, the P450 monooxygenase activity of those in the field was higher at 3-12 d after emergence, but lower at 1 d after emergence, and at 15 and 20 d after emergence, they were almost equal to each other. CONCLUSION: The mosquito age is a confounding factor in the detection of resistance level and enzyme activity. The promotion of activity of P450 monooxygenase may be one of the reasons of the resistance. Using female adults with different ages in the field as study subjects may underestimate the real resistance level of mosquitoes, and mislead the use of insecticides.