Severe Dengue Prognosis Using Human Genome Data and Machine Learning.

Dengue has become one of the most important worldwide arthropod-borne diseases. Dengue phenotypes are based on laboratorial and clinical exams, which are known to be inaccurate. OBJECTIVE: We present a machine learning approach for the prediction of dengue fever severity based solely on human genome data. METHODS: One hundred and two Brazilian dengue patients and controls were genotyped for 322 innate immunity single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Our model uses a support vector machine algorithm to find the optimal loci classification subset and then an artificial neural network (ANN) is used to classify patients into dengue fever or severe dengue. RESULTS: The ANN trained on 13 key immune SNPs selected under dominant or recessive models produced median values of accuracy greater than 86%, and sensitivity and specificity over 98% and 51%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The proposed classification method, using only genome markers, can be used to identify individuals at high risk for developing the severe dengue phenotype even in uninfected conditions. SIGNIFICANCE: Our results suggest that the genetic context is a key element in phenotype definition in dengue. The methodology proposed here is extendable to other Mendelian based and genetically influenced diseases.

Ação repelente, inseticida e fagoinibidora de extratos de pimenta dedo-de-moça sobre o gorgulho do milho / Pepper extracts as a repellent, insecticide and anti-feeding activity on the maize weevil

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito repelente, inseticida e fagoinibidor de extratos de pimenta dedo-de-moça Capsicum baccatum (Willd.) Eshb. (Solanaceae) sobre o gorgulho do milho Sitophillus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). O efeito repelente/atraente foi avaliado utilizando quatro arenas/repetições, nas quais foram adicionados os extratos vegetais nas concentrações 0; 2,5; 5; 10 e 20% e 140 insetos e, após 24 horas, efetuou-se a contagem de insetos. Para a atividade inseticida, em recipientes plásticos, aplicou-se 1 mL do extrato nas mesmas concentrações já descritas sobre insetos adultos e, após agitação de 10 segundos, foram transferidos para placas de Petri, utilizando 4 repetições, com 20 insetos cada. A mortalidade foi avaliada diariamente durante 10 dias. Para o teste de fagoinibição, os insetos avaliados na atividade inseticida foram pesados em balança analítica, sendo utilizados quatro insetos de cada repetição. Verificaram-se que os extratos aquosos de sementes de pimenta apresentaram atividade repelente na concentração de 20% e apresentaram atividade inseticida independente da concentração. Efeito correlato foi obtido com extratos alcoólicos de frutos, que apresentaram atividade inseticida e fagoinibidora na concentração de 20%. A utilização de extratos vegetais de pimenta dedo-de-moça constitui alternativa de controle sobre o gorgulho do milho.(AU)

The objective of this study was to evaluate thee repellent, insecticide and anti-feeding effect of red pepper Capsicum baccatum (Willd.) Eshb. (Solanaceae) extracts on the maize weevil Sitophillus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). The determination of the repellent effect of plant extracts was assessed using four arenas/replicates in which the extracts were added at concentrations of 0, 2.5, 5, 10 and 20% and 140 insects; and 24 hours after, we performed the counting of insects. For the insecticidal activity, in plastic containers, 1 mL of the extract was applied, at the concentrations previously mentioned, on adult insects; and after stirring for 10 seconds they were transferred to Petri dishes, using four replicates of 20 insects each. Assessment of mortality was performed daily for ten days. To test the anti-feeding activity, insects evaluated for insecticidal activity were weighed on an analytical balance, four insects per replicate. It was found that the aqueous extracts of seeds of pepper had repellent activity at a concentration of 20%; and the insecticide activity was independent of concentration. The correlative effect was obtained with fruit alcoholic extracts, which showed insecticidal and anti-feeding activity at a concentration of 20%. The use of red pepper plant extracts could be an alternative to control the maize weevil.(AU)

Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner e Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) sob ação de extratos vegetais / Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner and Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) under the action of plant extracts

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de extratos vegetais aquosos de jambolão, Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels (Myrtaceae), mamona, Ricinus communis (L.) (Euphorbiaceae), uva-do-japão, Hovenia dulcis (Thumberg) (Rhamnaceae) e urucum (Bixa orellana (L.) (Bixaceae), na concentração de 10%, sobre Bacillus thuringiensis subesp. kurstaki(Btk) e sobre Anticarsia gemmatalis (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) e a associação destes sobre A. gemmatalis, em condições de laboratório. Os tratamentos constaram dos extratos aquosos e Btk isoladamente e a mistura de cada extrato com Btk. Estes foram incubados em agitador horizontal (30 ± 2°C, 150 rpm por 2 h) e, em seguida, aplicados sobre cubos de dieta artificial para A. gemmatalis, em placas de Petri. Como testemunha utilizou-se água destilada esterilizada. Cada tratamento constou de 4 placas de Petri (repetição), com 25 lagartas de segundo ínstar cada. Estas foram acondicionadas em câmara climatizada (27 ± 2°C umidade relativa 70 ± 10% e fotofase 14 h), avaliando-se a mortalidade após 24, 48 e 72 h. Também foram avaliados o percentual de empupamento e o peso das pupas dos insetos sobreviventes. Nenhum dos extratos apresentou efeito inseticida para A. gemmatalis e efeito negativo para os cristais de Btk. A mortalidade acumulada causada pelos extratos de uva-do-japão, jambolão, urucum e mamona foram, respectivamente, de 54,73; 46,09; 47,19 e 65,73%; diferindo significativamente da testemunha (95,74%). O peso médio das pupas não diferiu significativamente entre os tratamentos. A associação dos extratos de uva-do-japão, colorau e mamona com Btk provocou mortalidade acumulada de 100% em A. gemmatalis.(AU)

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of aqueous plant extracts of jambolan, Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels (Myrtaceae), castor bean, Ricinus communis (L.) (Euphorbiaceae), grape japan, Hovenia dulcis (Thumberg) (Rhamnaceae) and urucum, Bixa orellana (L.) (Bixaceae) at a concentration of 10% on Bacillus thuringiensis subsp kurstaki(Btk) and on Anticarsia gemmatalis (Lepidoptera: Erebidae), and the association of these on A. gemmatalis. The treatments consisted of aqueous extracts and Btk alone and the mixture of extract with Btk. These were incubated in a horizontal shaker (30 ± 2°C, 150 rpm for 2 h) and then applied to artificial diet cubes for A. gemmatalis in Petri dishes. As a control it was used sterile distilled water. Each treatment consisted of 4 Petri dishes (repetition) with 25 second instar larvae each. The disches were placed in a climatic chamber (27 ± 2°C, relative humidity 70 ± 10% and 14 h photoperiod), assessing the mortality after 24, 48 and 72 h. The percentage pupal and pupae weight of surviving insect were also assessed. None of the extracts showed insecticidal eff for A. gemmatalis and negative eff for crystals Btk. The cumulative mortality caused by extracts of grape japan, jambolan, urucum and castor bean were respectively 54.73; 46.09; 47.19 and 65.73%, diff significantly from the control (95.74%). The average weight of pupae did not diff significantly among treatments. The association of extracts of grape japan, urucun and castor bean with Btk caused 100% cumulative mortality in A. gemmatalis.(AU)