New molecular markers for phlebotomine sand flies.

Using degenerate-primers PCR we isolated and sequenced fragments from the sand fly Lutzomyia longipalpis homologous to two behavioural genes in Drosophila, cacophony and period. In addition we identified a number of other gene fragments that show homology to genes previously cloned in Drosophila. A codon usage table for L. longipalpis based on these and other genes was calculated. These new molecular markers will be useful in population genetics and evolutionary studies in phlebotomine sand flies and in establishing a preliminary genetic map in these important leishmaniasis vectors.

Copulation songs in three siblings of Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae).

We present the results of recording male courtship songs of the sandfly Lutzomyia longipalpis. The striking differences in the songs from 3 Brazilian populations of this sandfly with 3 distinct male pheromones support the 3 sibling species previously proposed based on this characteristic.

[Nursing: the integrated curriculum in the evaluation and perception of the nursing faculty]. / Enfermagem: o currículo integrado na avaliação e percepção dos docentes.

The following study aims at determining the perspectives and difficulties experienced by the teaching staff of the Nursing Department at the Health Sciences Center in Londrina State University during the development and implementation of Module I of their integrated curriculum. The research was constituted by a case study and data were obtained from a set of questions posed to 13 (thirteen) teachers who designed and implemented the Module I of the integrated curriculum at the nursing school in Londrina State University, during the year of 2000. The analysis of the data allowed the authors to determine those factors which either made it difficult or facilitated the process implementation, as well as to raise teachers' perception about the process of curricular change. The study, by supplying indicatives of change, contributes to the improvement of the quality of nursing education as the new curriculum is implemented at Londrina State University.

[Natural infection of Lutzomyia intermedia Lutz & Neiva, 1912, in an endemic area of visceral leishmaniasis of Rio de Janeiro]. / Infeccão natural de Lutzomyia intermedia Lutz & Neiva, 1912, em área endemica de leishmaniose tegumentar no Estado do Rio de Janeiro.

In a focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Jacarepaguá, Rio de Janeiro, one specimen of Lutzomyia intermedia was found naturally infected with Leishmania braziliensis.

[Establishment of a colony, in laboratory, of Lutzomyia intermedia Lutz & Neiva, 1912 (Diptera, Psychodidae, Phlebotominae)]. / Estabelecimento de colônia, em laboratório, de Lutzomyia intermedia Lutz & Neiva, 1912 (Diptera, Psychodidae), Phlebotominae).

A laboratory colony of the sandfly Lutzomyia intermedia was established (at present in its seventh generation) in order to provide specimens for experimental infection and for experimental xenodiagnosis of natural infections due to cutaneous leishmanias in Rio de Janeiro. Date are presented on the methodology and on the yield and duration of each stage of development, during the first four generations.

Flagellates in the malpighian tubules of laboratory-bred Lutzomyia longipalpis fed on a hamster experimentally infected with Leishmania mexicana amazonensis.

As a preparatory stage for a study aiming at identifying the species and subspecies of local Leishmania in naturally infected sandflies through immunoradiometric assay with monoclonal antibodies, we tried to obtain experimental infections of phlebotomines with well characterized stocks of parasites, in order to test the effectiveness of the method.