Comprehensive Proteomics Analysis of the Hemolymph Composition of Sugar-Fed Aedes aegypti Female and Male Mosquitoes.

In arthropods, hemolymph carries immune cells and solubilizes and transports nutrients, hormones, and other molecules that are involved in diverse physiological processes including immunity, metabolism, and reproduction. However, despite such physiological importance, little is known about its composition. We applied mass spectrometry-based label-free quantification approaches to study the proteome of hemolymph perfused from sugar-fed female and male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. A total of 1403 proteins were identified, out of which 447 of them were predicted to be extracellular. In both sexes, almost half of these extracellular proteins were predicted to be involved in defense/immune response, and their relative abundances (based on their intensity-based absolute quantification, iBAQ) were 37.9 and 33.2%, respectively. Interestingly, among them, 102 serine proteases/serine protease-homologues were identified, with almost half of them containing CLIP regulatory domains. Moreover, proteins belonging to families classically described as chemoreceptors, such as odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) and chemosensory proteins (CSPs), were also highly abundant in the hemolymph of both sexes. Our data provide a comprehensive catalogue of A. aegypti hemolymph basal protein content, revealing numerous unexplored targets for future research on mosquito physiology and disease transmission. It also provides a reference for future studies on the effect of blood meal and infection on hemolymph composition.

The heat shock protein Hsc70-3 mediates an anti-apoptotic response critical for Plasmodium evasion of Anopheles gambiae immunity.

IMPORTANCE: Malaria transmission by Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes is very effective, in part because the parasite expresses a surface protein called Pfs47 that allows it to evade the mosquito immune system. Here we investigate how this protein changes the response of mosquito midgut epithelial cells to invasion by the parasite. Pfs47 is known to interact with P47Rec, a mosquito midgut receptor. We found that Pf47Rec inhibits caspase-mediated apoptosis by interacting with the Hsc70-3. This disrupts nitration of midgut epithelial cells invaded by the parasite and the release of hemocyte-derived microvesicles, which are critical for effective activation of the mosquito complement system that eliminates the parasite.

Optimizing tick artificial membrane feeding for Ixodes scapularis.

Artificial membrane feeding (AMF) is a powerful and versatile technique with a wide range of applications in the study of disease vectors species. Since its first description, AMF has been under constant optimization and standardization for different tick species and life stages. In the USA, Ixodes scapularis is the main vector of tick-borne zoonoses including the pathogens causing Lyme disease in humans and animals. Seeking to improve the overall fitness of I. scapularis adult females fed artificially, here, we have optimized the AMF technique, considerably enhancing attachment rate, engorgement success, egg laying, and egg hatching compared to those described in previous studies. Parameters such as the membrane thickness and the light/dark cycle to which the ticks were exposed were refined to more closely reflect the tick's natural behavior and life cycle. Additionally, ticks were fed on blood only, blood + ATP or blood + ATP + gentamicin. The artificial feeding of ticks on blood only was successful and generated a progeny capable of feeding naturally on a host, i.e., mice. Adding ATP as a feeding stimulant did not improve tick attachment or engorgement. Notably, the administration of gentamicin, an antibiotic commonly used in tick AMF to prevent microbial contamination, negatively impacted Rickettsia buchneri endosymbiont levels in the progeny of artificially fed ticks. In addition, gentamicin-fed ticks showed a reduction in oviposition success compared to ticks artificially fed on blood only, discouraging the use of antibiotics in AMF. Overall, our data suggest that the AMF of adult females on blood only, in association with the natural feeding of their progeny on mice, might be used as an integrated approach in tick rearing, eliminating the use of protected species under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). Of note, although optimized for I. scapularis adult ticks, I. scapularis nymphs, other tick species, and sand flies could also be fed using the membrane described in this study, indicating that it might be a suitable alternative for the artificial feeding of a variety of hematophagous species.

Efeitos de uma intervenção com foco na socialização emocional infantil / Efectos de una intervención centrada en la socialización emocional infantil / Effects of an intervention focused on child emotion socialization

Punishing, minimizing, ignoring, or becoming distressed when dealing with children's negative emotions may favor the emergence or worsen behavior problems during childhood. This study examined the effects of the intervention program Vivendo Emoções [Experiencing Emotions] on maternal reactions to children's emotions and children's internalizing and externalizing problems. Thirty-two mothers of children aged between three and eight participated and were assigned to an intervention (n = 16) or a comparison (n = 16) group. The intervention was implemented in eight sessions intended to promote the mothers' strategies to identify and regulate their children's negative emotions and enable the children to improve emotional competence. The mothers completed the CCNES to report their reactions to children's emotional expressions and the CBCL to report internalizing and externalizing problems on pretest and posttest. The results reveal that mothers in the intervention group reported fewer unsupportive reactions on posttest than mothers in the comparison group. This finding shows the potential of such interventions to decrease unsupportive maternal reactions. Additionally, children in the intervention group presented more frequent somatic complaints than those in the comparison group on posttest. A potential explanation is that the mothers were more prepared to encourage their children to report negative emotions associated with bodily sensations.

Castigar, minimizar, ignorar o manifestar malestar ante la expresión de emociones negativas de los niños puede favorecer la aparición o el empeoramiento de problemas de comportamiento en la infancia. Este estudio examinó los efectos del programa de intervención Viviendo Emociones, focado en la socialización emocional de los niños, en las reacciones maternas a las emociones y en los problemas internalizantes y externalizantes de los niños. Participaron 32 madres de niños entre tres y ocho años, divididas en los grupos intervención (n = 16) y comparación (n = 16). El Viviendo Emociones se realizó en ocho sesiones y busca promover estrategias para identificar y regular las emociones negativas expresadas por los niños para que ellos amplíen su competencia emocional. En el pre-test y post-test, las madres respondieron el CCNES para reportar sus reacciones ante las expresiones emocionales de sus hijos y el CBCL para reportar problemas internalizantes y externalizantes. Los resultados revelaron que las madres en el grupo de intervención reportaron menos reacciones de no apoyo que las madres en el grupo comparación en el post-test. Ese hallazgo resalta el potencial de intervenciones de esta naturaleza para reducir las reacciones maternas de no apoyo. Adicionalmente, los niños del grupo intervención presentaron más quejas somáticas que los niños del grupo comparación en el post-test. Una explicación potencial es que las madres estaban más preparadas para alentar a los niños a reportar emociones negativas asociadas a sensaciones corporales.

Punir, minimizar, ignorar ou manifestar desconforto diante da expressão de emoções negativas dos filhos pode favorecer o surgimento ou agravamento dos problemas de comportamento na infância. Este estudo examinou os efeitos do programa de intervenção, Vivendo Emoções, com foco na socialização emocional infantil, sobre as reações maternas às emoções dos filhos e os problemas internalizantes e externalizantes das crianças. Participaram 32 mães de crianças entre três e oito anos, divididas em grupo intervenção (n = 16) e comparação (n = 16). O Vivendo Emoções foi realizado em oito sessões e busca promover estratégias para identificação e regulação das emoções negativas expressas pelos filhos de forma que a criança amplie sua competência emocional. No pré-teste e no pós-teste, as mães responderam a CCNES para informar suas reações às expressões emocionais nos filhos e o CBCL para relatar problemas internalizantes e externalizantes. Os resultados revelaram que as mães do grupo intervenção relataram menos reações não apoiadoras do que as mães do grupo comparação no pós-teste. Esse achado evidencia o potencial de intervenções dessa natureza para reduzir reações maternas não apoiadoras. Adicionalmente, as crianças do grupo intervenção apresentaram mais queixas somáticas do que as crianças do grupo comparação no pós-teste. Uma explicação potencial é que as mães estivessem mais preparadas para encorajar as crianças a relatar emoções negativas associadas a sensações corporais.

A bispecific inhibitor of complement and coagulation blocks activation in complementopathy models via a novel mechanism.

Inhibitors of complement and coagulation are present in the saliva of a variety of blood-feeding arthropods that transmit parasitic and viral pathogens. Here, we describe the structure and mechanism of action of the sand fly salivary protein lufaxin, which inhibits the formation of the central alternative C3 convertase (C3bBb) and inhibits coagulation factor Xa (fXa). Surface plasmon resonance experiments show that lufaxin stabilizes the binding of serine protease factor B (FB) to C3b but does not detectably bind either C3b or FB alone. The crystal structure of the inhibitor reveals a novel all ß-sheet fold containing 2 domains. A structure of the lufaxin-C3bB complex obtained via cryo-electron microscopy (EM) shows that lufaxin binds via its N-terminal domain at an interface containing elements of both C3b and FB. By occupying this spot, the inhibitor locks FB into a closed conformation in which proteolytic activation of FB by FD cannot occur. C3bB-bound lufaxin binds fXa at a separate site in its C-terminal domain. In the cryo-EM structure of a C3bB-lufaxin-fXa complex, the inhibitor binds to both targets simultaneously, and lufaxin inhibits fXa through substrate-like binding of a C-terminal peptide at the active site as well as other interactions in this region. Lufaxin inhibits complement activation in ex vivo models of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) as well as thrombin generation in plasma, providing a rationale for the development of a bispecific inhibitor to treat complement-related diseases in which thrombosis is a prominent manifestation.

The Aedes aegypti peritrophic matrix controls arbovirus vector competence through HPx1, a heme-induced peroxidase.

Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are the main vectors of arboviruses. The peritrophic matrix (PM) is an extracellular layer that surrounds the blood bolus. It acts as an immune barrier that prevents direct contact of bacteria with midgut epithelial cells during blood digestion. Here, we describe a heme-dependent peroxidase, hereafter referred to as heme peroxidase 1 (HPx1). HPx1 promotes PM assembly and antioxidant ability, modulating vector competence. Mechanistically, the heme presence in a blood meal induces HPx1 transcriptional activation mediated by the E75 transcription factor. HPx1 knockdown increases midgut reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by the DUOX NADPH oxidase. Elevated ROS levels reduce microbiota growth while enhancing epithelial mitosis, a response to tissue damage. However, simultaneous HPx1 and DUOX silencing was not able to rescue bacterial population growth, as explained by increased expression of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which occurred only after double knockdown. This result revealed hierarchical activation of ROS and AMPs to control microbiota. HPx1 knockdown produced a 100-fold decrease in Zika and dengue 2 midgut infection, demonstrating the essential role of the mosquito PM in the modulation of arbovirus vector competence. Our data show that the PM connects blood digestion to midgut immunological sensing of the microbiota and viral infections.

Revisão sistemática de intervenções com pais na transição para parentalidade / Systematic review of interventions with parents in the transition to parenthood / Revisión sistemática de intervenciones con padres en la transición a la parentalidad

This study analyzed the effects of intervention programs aimed at mothers and fathers who were expecting their first child on the individual, marital, and parental domains of the transition to parenthood. We selected research articles published between 2008 and 2019 from the PsycINFO, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Data collection was carried out between November and December 2019 by two independent judges, according to the recommendations of PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyzes). After applying the inclusion criteria, we classified the results of 30 articles and 6782 participants into three themes corresponding to each assessed domain. Positive effects on each domain of the transition to parenthood were obtained, mostly from interventions on couple communication, problem-solving, and co-parenting. Enhancements in the couple's relationship improve parents' mental health and marital satisfaction, which may promote parental emotional availability and responsiveness.

Este estudo analisou os efeitos de programas de intervenção com mães e pais à espera do primeiro filho sobre os domínios individual, conjugal e parental da transição para a parentalidade. Foram selecionados artigos empíricos publicados entre 2008 e 2019 nas bases de dados PsycINFO, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, e Web of Science. A coleta de dados foi realizada por dois juízes independentes, conforme as recomendações do PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review e Meta-Analyzes). Após a aplicação dos critérios de inclusão, os resultados de 30 artigos e 6782 participantes foram classificados em três temas correspondentes a cada domínio avaliado. Foram verificados efeitos positivos em cada domínio da transição para a parentalidade, principalmente com intervenções sobre a comunicação de casal, solução de problemas e coparentalidade. Os benefícios para o relacionamento do casal favoreceram a saúde mental e a satisfação conjugal dos pais, o que pode promover maior disponibilidade emocional e capacidade de resposta dos pais.

Este estudio analizó los efectos de programas de intervención con madres y padres en los dominios individual, matrimonial y parental de la transición a la parentalidad. Se seleccionaron artículos publicados entre 2008 y 2019 de las bases de datos PsycINFO, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus y Web of Science. La recolección se realizó por dos jueces independientes, según las recomendaciones de PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyzes). Después de aplicar los criterios de inclusión, se clasificaron los resultados de 30 artículos y 6782 participantes en tres temas correspondientes a cada dominio. Se obtuvieron efectos positivos en cada dominio de la transición, principalmente con intervenciones sobre la comunicación de la pareja, la resolución de problemas y la coparentalidad. Los beneficios en la relación de pareja mejoran la salud mental de los padres y la satisfacción marital, lo que puede promover la disponibilidad emocional y la capacidad de respuesta de los padres.

Orientação a pais por chamadas de áudio durante a pandemia de covid-19 / Support for parents via audio calls during the covid-19 pandemic / Orientación de los padres mediante llamadas de audio durante la pandemia de covid-19

O distanciamento social ocasionado pela pandemia de Covid-19 levou a profundas mudanças na rotina das famílias com crianças pequenas, aumentando o estresse no ambiente doméstico. Este estudo analisou a experiência de planejamento e implementação de um projeto de extensão universitária que ofereceu orientação a pais com filhos de 0 a 11 anos por meio de chamadas de áudio durante a pandemia. O protocolo de atendimento foi desenvolvido para atender às necessidades de famílias de baixa renda e listava problemas específicos relacionados ao confinamento em casa e ao fechamento das escolas seguidos por uma variedade de estratégias de enfrentamento. A análise de 223 queixas relatadas pelos usuários em 130 ligações revelou que 94% dos problemas referidos pelos pais foram contemplados pelo protocolo de atendimento e estavam relacionados aos problemas externalizantes (39%) ou internalizantes (26%) das crianças ou ao declínio do bem-estar subjetivo dos pais (29%). Serviços de apoio devem orientar os pais quanto ao uso de práticas responsivas e assertivas que promovam o bem-estar emocional da criança e estabeleçam expectativas comportamentais em contextos estressantes. A diminuição dos conflitos entre pais e filhos resultante do uso dessas estratégias tende a reduzir o sofrimento dos pais, aumentando sua sensação de bem-estar subjetivo. Recomenda-se ampla divulgação dessas iniciativas e seguimento dos casos.(AU)

The social distancing the COVID-19 pandemic entailed has led to profound changes in the routine of families with young children, increasing stress in the home environment. This study analyzed the experience of planning and implementing a university extension program that offered support to parents with children from 0 to 11 years old via audio calls during the COVID-19 pandemic. The service protocol was developed to meet the needs of low-income families and listed specific problems related to home confinement and school closure followed by a variety of coping strategies. The analysis of 223 complaints reported by users in 130 calls revealed that 94% of the problems reported by parents were addressed by the protocol and were related to children's externalizing (39%) or internalizing (26%) problems or to the decline in parents' subjective well-being (29%). Support services should guide parents on the use of responsive and assertive practices that promote the child's emotional well-being and set behavioral expectations in stressful contexts. The reduction in conflicts between parents and children resulting from the use of these strategies tends to reduce parents' suffering, increasing their sense of subjective well-being. Wide dissemination of these initiatives and case follow-up are recommended.(AU)

La distancia social causada por la pandemia de COVID-19 condujo a cambios profundos en la rutina de las familias con niños pequeños, aumentando el estrés en el entorno del hogar. Este estudio analizó la experiencia de planificar e implementar un proyecto de extensión universitaria que ofreció orientación a los padres con niños de cero a 11 años a través de llamadas de audio durante la pandemia COVID-19. El protocolo de atención se desarrolló para satisfacer las necesidades de las familias de bajos ingresos y enumeró problemas específicos relacionados con el confinamiento en el hogar y el cierre de la escuela, seguido de una variedad de estrategias de afrontamiento. El análisis de 223 quejas informadas por los usuarios en 130 llamadas reveló que el 94% de los problemas informados por los padres fueron abordados por el protocolo de atención y estaban relacionados con los problemas de externalización (39%) o internalización (26%) de los niños o la disminución del bienestar subjetivo de los padres (29%). Los servicios de apoyo deberían aconsejar a los padres sobre el uso de prácticas receptivas y asertivas que promuevan el bienestar emocional del niño y establezcan expectativas de comportamiento en contextos estresantes. La reducción de los conflictos entre padres e hijos como resultado del uso de estas estrategias tiende a reducir el sufrimiento de los padres, aumentando su sensación de bienestar subjetivo. Se recomienda una amplia difusión de estas iniciativas y seguimiento de casos.(AU)

The Aedes aegypti peritrophic matrix controls arbovirus vector competence through HPx1, a heme–induced peroxidase

Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are the main vectors of arboviruses. The peritrophic matrix (PM) is an extracellular layer that surrounds the blood bolus. It acts as an immune barrier that prevents direct contact of bacteria with midgut epithelial cells during blood digestion. Here, we describe a heme-dependent peroxidase, hereafter referred to as heme peroxidase 1 (HPx1). HPx1 promotes PM assembly and antioxidant ability, modulating vector competence. Mechanistically, the heme presence in a blood meal induces HPx1 transcriptional activation mediated by the E75 transcription factor. HPx1 knockdown increases midgut reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by the DUOX NADPH oxidase. Elevated ROS levels reduce microbiota growth while enhancing epithelial mitosis, a response to tissue damage. However, simultaneous HPx1 and DUOX silencing was not able to rescue bacterial population growth, as explained by increased expression of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which occurred only after double knockdown. This result revealed hierarchical activation of ROS and AMPs to control microbiota. HPx1 knockdown produced a 100-fold decrease in Zika and dengue 2 midgut infection, demonstrating the essential role of the mosquito PM in the modulation of arbovirus vector competence. Our data show that the PM connects blood digestion to midgut immunological sensing of the microbiota and viral infections.

Intervenção breve sobre a responsividade de mães aos recém-nascidos hospitalizados / Brief intervention on the responsiveness of mothers to hospitalized newborns

Este estudo adaptou uma intervenção breve sobre a responsividade materna e avaliou seus efeitos em mães de recém-nascidos hospitalizados para tratamento de sífilis congênita. Participaram 20 díades mãe-bebê recrutadas em um hospital público, que foram distribuídas entre os grupos intervenção e comparação. Na avaliação pré-intervenção foram coletadas informações sociodemográficas e clínicas e a saúde mental materna foi avaliada com o SRQ-20. As díades do grupo intervenção participaram do Programa Doses de Afeto, implementado em uma sala reservada no próprio hospital em seis encontros. Na pós-intervenção, a responsividade materna foi avaliada em uma observação da interação da díade. Os resultados indicaram que as mães do grupo intervenção interpretaram os comportamentos de seus bebês com mais frequência do que as mães do grupo comparação, que, por sua vez, acariciaram e embalaram mais os seus bebês. Discute-se o potencial do programa para aplicações no contexto hospitalar e a necessidade de aprimorá-lo.

Relações entre crenças e reações maternas às emoções negativas dos filhos / RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN MATERNAL BELIEFS AND REACTIONS TO CHILDREN'S NEGATIVE EMOTIONS / RELACIONES ENTRE CREENCIAS Y REACCIONES MATERNAS A EMOCIONES NEGATIVAS DE NIÑOS

This study investigated relationships between maternal beliefs and responses to children's negative emo-tions. Thirty-three mothers with children aged between 6 and 7 years completed the Parents' Beliefs about Children's Emotions Questionnaire and the Coping with Children's Negative Emotions Scale. The analyses revealed that beliefs in the cost of positivity concerning the potential harm of positive emotions explained 18% of the variance in non-supportive reactions to children's expressions of negative emotions. Beliefs in the value of anger, regarding the recognition of its importance, explained 9% of the variance in supportive reactions to children's emotional expressions. Maternal cognitions regarding the value of pos-itive and negative emotions help explain the mothers' behaviors toward children's emotional expressions. Therefore, encouraging parents to understand the role of emotions in child development is essential to promote effective parenting practices.

Este estudo investigou relações entre crenças e reações maternas às emoções negativas dos filhos. Trinta e três mães com crianças entre 6 e 7 anos de idade preencheram o Questionário de Crenças Parentais sobre as Emoções das Crianças e a Escala de Reações Parentais às Emoções Negativas dos Filhos. As análises mostraram que as crenças no custo da positividade, referentes ao potencial prejuízo que emoções positivas podem causar, explicaram 18% da variância nas reações não apoiadoras da expressão de emoções negati-vas dos filhos. As crenças no valor da raiva, relacionadas ao reconhecimento da importância dessa emoção, explicaram 9% da variância nas reações que apoiam a manifestação emocional infantil. As cognições maternas acerca do valor de emoções positivas e negativas ajudam a explicar o comportamento materno diante da expressão emocional dos filhos. Incentivar nos pais a compreensão das funções das emoções no desenvolvimento infantil é crucial para promover práticas parentais eficazes.

Este estudio investigó las relaciones entre creencias y reacciones maternas a las emociones negativas de los niños. Treinta y tres madres con hijos de 6-7 años respondieron el Cuestionario de Creencias sobre las Emociones de los Niños y la Escala de Reacciones Parentales a las Emociones Negativas de los Hijos. Los análisis mostraron que las creencias sobre el costo de la positividad, que se refieren al daño potencial que pueden causar las emociones positivas, explicaron el 18% de la varianza en las reacciones que no apoyan la expresión de emociones negativas de los niños. Las creencias sobre el valor de la ira, relacionadas al reconocimiento de la importancia de esta emoción, explicaron el 9% de la varianza en las reacciones que apoyan la expresión emocional de los niños. Las cogniciones maternas sobre el valor de las emociones positivas y negativas ayudan a explicar la conducta de las madres hacia la expresión emocional de los ni-ños. Estimular los padres a comprender el papel de las emociones en el desarrollo infantil es fundamental para promover prácticas parentales eficaces.

Functional aspects of evolution in a cluster of salivary protein genes from mosquitoes.

The D7 proteins are highly expressed in the saliva of hematophagous Nematocera and bind biogenic amines and eicosanoid compounds produced by the host during blood feeding. These proteins are encoded by gene clusters expressing forms having one or two odorant-binding protein-like domains. Here we examine functional diversity within the D7 group in the genus Anopheles and make structural comparisons with D7 proteins from culicine mosquitoes in order to understand aspects of D7 functional evolution. Two domain long form (D7L) and one domain short form (D7S) proteins from anopheline and culicine mosquitoes were characterized to determine their ligand selectivity and binding pocket structures. We previously showed that a D7L protein from Anopheles stephensi, of the subgenus Cellia, could bind eicosanoids at a site in its N-terminal domain but could not bind biogenic amines in its C-terminal domain as does a D7L1 ortholog from the culicine species Aedes aegypti, raising the question of whether anopheline D7L proteins had lost their ability to bind biogenic amines. Here we find that D7L from anopheline species belonging to two other subgenera, Nyssorhynchus and Anopheles, can bind biogenic amines and have a structure much like the Ae. aegypti ortholog. The unusual D7L, D7L3, can also bind serotonin in the Cellia species An. gambiae. We also show through structural comparisons with culicine forms that the biogenic amine binding function of single domain D7S proteins in the genus Anopheles may have evolved through gene conversion of structurally similar proteins, which did not have biogenic amine binding capability. Collectively, the data indicate that D7L proteins had a biogenic amine and eicosanoid binding function in the common ancestor of anopheline and culicine mosquitoes, and that the D7S proteins may have acquired a biogenic amine binding function in anophelines through a gene conversion process.

An Overview of D7 Protein Structure and Physiological Roles in Blood-Feeding Nematocera.

Each time an insect bites a vertebrate host, skin and vascular injury caused by piercing triggers a series of responses including hemostasis, inflammation and immunity. In place, this set of redundant and interconnected responses would ultimately cause blood coagulation, itching and pain leading to host awareness, resulting in feeding interruption in the best-case scenario. Nevertheless, hematophagous arthropod saliva contains a complex cocktail of molecules that are crucial to the success of blood-feeding. Among important protein families described so far in the saliva of blood sucking arthropods, is the D7, abundantly expressed in blood feeding Nematocera. D7 proteins are distantly related to insect Odorant-Binding Proteins (OBP), and despite low sequence identity, observation of structural similarity led to the suggestion that like OBPs, they should bind/sequester small hydrophobic compounds. Members belonging to this family are divided in short forms and long forms, containing one or two OBP-like domains, respectively. Here, we provide a review of D7 proteins structure and function, discussing how gene duplication and some modifications in their OBP-like domains during the course of evolution lead to gain and loss of function among different hematophagous Diptera species.

Relações entre a saúde mental e a conjugalidade de gestantes primíparas / Relationship between mental health and conjugality of primiparous pregnant / Relación entre salud mental y la conyugalidad de embarazadas primíparas

Este estudo avaliou as relações entre variáveis sociodemográficas, saúde mental da mulher e conjugalidade durante a gestação. Participaram desta pesquisa correlacional 50 mulheres primíparas, que coabitavam com o genitor do bebê e que estavam no segundo ou terceiro trimestre de gestação do primeiro filho. Os sintomas de transtornos mentais comuns foram avaliados pelo Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) e os sintomas depressivos pelo Inventário Beck de Depressão (BDI-I). A conjugalidade foi avaliada com a Escala de Ajustamento Diádico. Os resultados de testes de correlação e de comparação de grupos mostraram que a presença de sintomas de transtornos mentais comuns e de depressão esteve associada a menor nível de ajustamento diádico. Discute-se a importância de identificar problemas na saúde mental da mulher e no ajustamento diádico durante a gestação, para favorecer o bem-estar da tríade mãe-pai-bebê na transição para a parentalidade.

This study evaluated the relation between sociodemographic variables and women's mental health and conjugality during pregnancy. Participated in this correlational research 50 primiparous women, who cohabited with the baby's father and were in the second or third trimester of their first child pregnancy. The symptoms of common mental disorders were evaluated by the Self-Report Questionnaire (SRQ-20) and the depressive symptoms by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-I). Conjugality was evaluated with the Dyadic Adjustment Scale. Results from correlations and group comparison tests showed that the presence of depressive symptoms and symptoms of common mental disorders were associated with lower levels of dyadic adjustment. The importance of identifying problems in women's mental health and dyadic adjustment during pregnancy is discussed in order to promote the well-being of the mother-father-baby triad at the transition to parenthood.

Este estudio evaluó las relaciones entre variables sociodemográficas, salud mental y conyugalidad de mujeres durante el embarazo. Participaron en este investigación correlacional 50 mujeres primíparas, viviendo con los padres del los bebés y estando en el segundo o tercer trimestre de embarazo del primer hijo. Los síntomas de trastornos mentales comunes fueron evaluados por el Cuestionario de Autoinforme (SRQ-20) y los síntomas de depresión por el Inventario de Depresión de Beck (IDB-I). La conyugalidad fue evaluada por la Escala de Ajuste Diádico. Los resultados de los testes de correlación y comparación de grupos muestraron que la presencia de síntomas depressivos y de trastornos mentales comunes se asoció a un menor nivel de ajuste diádico. Se discute la importancia de identificar problemas en la salud mental de las mujeres y en el ajuste diádico durante el embarazo para favorecer la tríada madre-padre-bebé en la transición para la parentalidad.

Reações maternas às emoções negativas dos filhos e autorregulação emocional infantil / Maternal reactions to children's negative emotions and children's emotional self-regulation

O desenvolvimento da autorregulação emocional acontece na relação com cuidadores primários. Este estudo investigou as relações entre as reações maternas às emoções negativas dos filhos e a autorregulação emocional infantil. Participaram 33 mães e 30 filhos com idade entre seis e sete anos. As reações maternas às emoções negativas dos filhos foram avaliadas por uma escala (CCNES). A autorregulação emocional infantil foi avaliada por uma escala (ERC) e por uma entrevista respondida pelas crianças. O agrupamento de reações maternas não apoiadoras das expressões emocionais infantis correlacionou-se negativamente com a autorregulação infantil informada pela mãe e positivamente com as estratégias de fuga relatadas pela criança. Os achados apoiam a hipótese sobre relações bidirecionais entre as duas variáveis. Reações não apoiadoras estimulam na criança o uso de estratégias de fuga consistentes com o modelo materno, gerando um ciclo interativo em que mãe e criança reforçam reciprocamente a evitação do contato com emoções negativas e prejudicam o desenvolvimento da autorregulação emocional infantil.

The development of emotional self-regulation occurs in the relationship with primary caregivers. This study investigated relations between maternal reactions to children's negative emotions and children's emotional self-regulation. Thirty-three mothers of children aged 6 to 7 years old and thirty children participated in the study. Mothers' reactions to children's negative emotions were evaluated with a scale (CCNES). Children's emotional self-regulation was evaluated with a scale (ERC) and an interview answered by children. The grouping of unsupportive reactions to children's emotional expression was negatively correlated with children's emotional self-regulation informed by the mother and positively correlated with scape strategies reported by children. The findings support the hypothesis about bidirectional relations between the two variables. Unsupportive reactions stimulate the child to use scape strategies which are consistent with the maternal model, generating an interactive cycle in which mother and child mutually reinforce the avoidance of contact with negative emotions and impair the development of children's emotional self-regulation.

The fibrinolytic system enables the onset of Plasmodium infection in the mosquito vector and the mammalian host.

Plasmodium parasites must migrate across proteinaceous matrices to infect the mosquito and vertebrate hosts. Plasmin, a mammalian serine protease, degrades extracellular matrix proteins allowing cell migration through tissues. We report that Plasmodium gametes recruit human plasminogen to their surface where it is processed into plasmin by corecruited plasminogen activators. Inhibition of plasminogen activation arrests parasite development early during sexual reproduction, before ookinete formation. We show that increased fibrinogen and fibrin in the blood bolus, which are natural substrates of plasmin, inversely correlate with parasite infectivity of the mosquito. Furthermore, we show that sporozoites, the parasite form transmitted by the mosquito to humans, also bind plasminogen and plasminogen activators on their surface, where plasminogen is activated into plasmin. Surface-bound plasmin promotes sporozoite transmission by facilitating parasite migration across the extracellular matrices of the dermis and of the liver. The fibrinolytic system is a potential target to hamper Plasmodium transmission.

A physiologic overview of the organ-specific transcriptome of the cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus.

To further obtain insights into the Rhipicephalus microplus transcriptome, we used RNA-seq to carry out a study of expression in (i) embryos; (ii) ovaries from partially and fully engorged females; (iii) salivary glands from partially engorged females; (iv) fat body from partially and fully engorged females; and (v) digestive cells from partially, and (vi) fully engorged females. We obtained > 500 million Illumina reads which were assembled de novo, producing > 190,000 contigs, identifying 18,857 coding sequences (CDS). Reads from each library were mapped back into the assembled transcriptome giving a view of gene expression in different tissues. Transcriptomic expression and pathway analysis showed that several genes related in blood digestion and host-parasite interaction were overexpressed in digestive cells compared with other tissues. Furthermore, essential genes for the cell development and embryogenesis were overexpressed in ovaries. Taken altogether, these data offer novel insights into the physiology of production and role of saliva, blood digestion, energy metabolism, and development with submission of 10,932 novel tissue/cell specific CDS to the NCBI database for this important tick species.

Effects of a short video feedback intervention on enhancing maternal sensitivity and infant development in low-income families.

This study evaluated the effects of a short video feedback intervention aimed at enhancing maternal sensitivity and the development of infants from low-income families in a randomized controlled trial. Forty-four mother-infant dyads living in low-income communities from Salvador, Brazil were randomly assigned between intervention and control groups. Maternal sensitivity was assessed during free-play and infant development was evaluated with a standardized scale. Intervention took place in eight home visits between the infant's third and tenth month. Results showed mothers in the intervention group interpreted the meaning of their infants' behavior more often (r = 0.33), asked babies more questions (r = 0.39), and were less intrusive (r = 0.47) when compared to controls on posttest. The absence of significant intervention effects on infant development suggests the need for additional intervention strategies and a greater time lag between maternal sensitivity and infant development assessments to detect possible delayed effects.

Escolaridade materna e indicadores desenvolvimentais na criança: mediação do conhecimento materno sobre o desenvolvimento infantil / Maternal education and developmental indicators in children: mediation of maternal knowledge on child development / Escolaridad materna e indicadores de desarrollo em niños: mediación del conocimiento de la madre sobre el desarrollo infantil

Este estudo investigou o efeito mediador do conhecimento materno sobre o desenvolvimento infantil na relação entre escolaridade materna e indicadores desenvolvimentais no primeiro ano de vida. Participaram do estudo 28 mães de bebês com 11 meses de vida, selecionadas em duas Unidades Básicas de Saúde da cidade de Salvador/Brasil. O conhecimento materno sobre desenvolvimento foi avaliado com o Inventário do Conhecimento do Desenvolvimento Infantil (KIDI) e o desenvolvimento dos bebês foi medido pela Escala de Desenvolvimento do Comportamento da Criança (EDCC). As análises de regressão mostraram que o conhecimento materno sobre o desenvolvimento infantil é uma variável mediadora pura da relação entre a escolaridade materna e os indicadores desenvolvimentais do bebê. Discute-se o suporte fornecido pela educação formal para que os pais possam se beneficiar de informações sobre o desenvolvimento e recomenda-se o investimento na educação básica e na divulgação de informações sobre o desenvolvimento infantil em serviços públicos de saúde.

This study investigated the mediating effect of maternal knowledge on child development in the relationship between maternal education level and developmental indicators in the first year. Twenty-eight mothers of 11-month-old infants, selected at two Basic Health Units in the city of Salvador/Brazil, participated in the study. Maternal developmental knowledge was assessed with the KIDI and infant development was measured by the EDCC. The regression analyses showed that maternal knowledge about child development is a pure mediating variable of the relationship between maternal schooling and developmental indicators of the baby. Support provided by formal education so that parents can benefit from developmental information is discussed, and investment in basic education and dissemination of information on child development in public health services is recommended.

Este estudio investigo el efecto mediador del conocimiento materno sobre el desarrollo infantil en la relación entre escolaridad materna e indicadores del desarrollo en el primer año de vida. Participaron 28 madres de bebes con 11 meses de vida, seleccionadas en dos Unidades Básicas de Salud de Salvador/Brasil. El conocimiento materno sobre el desarrollo fue evaluado con el Inventario de Conocimiento del Desarrollo Infantil y el desarrollo de los bebes fue medido por la Escala de Desarrollo del Comportamiento del Niño. Los análisis de regresión mostraron que el conocimiento materno sobre el desarrollo infantil es una variable mediadora de la relación entre escolaridad materna y los indicadores de desarrollo del bebe. Se discute el soporte otorgado por la educación formal para que los padres puedan beneficiarse de informaciones sobre desarrollo y se recomienda inversión en educación básica y en divulgación de informaciones sobre desarrollo infantil en servicios públicos de salud.