The monthly distribution and abundance of sand flies are influenced by both biotic and abiotic factors. The present study aimed to evaluate the seasonal distribution of sand flies and the relation between their abundance and environmental parameters, including vegetation and climate. This study was conducted over a 2-year period (April 2012 to March 2014). Monthly distribution was evaluated through the weekly deployment of CDC light traps in the peridomicile area of 5 residences in an urban area of the municipality of Corumbá in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Meteorological data were obtained from the Mato Grosso do Sul Center for Weather, Climate, and Water Resources. The spectral indices were calculated based on spatial resolution images (GeoEye) and the percentage of vegetal coverage. Differences in the abundance of sand flies among the collection sites were assessed using the Kruskal-Wallis test, and the strength of correlations between environmental variables was determined by calculating Spearman’s correlation coefficients. Lutzomyia cruzi, Lu. forattinii, and Evandromyia corumbaensis were the most frequently found species. Although no significant association was found among these sand fly species and the tested environmental variables (vegetation and climate), high population peaks were found during the rainy season, whereas low peaks were observed in the dry season. The monthly distribution of sand flies was primarily determined by Lu. cruzi, which accounted for 93.94% of the specimens collected each month throughout the experimental period. The fact that sand flies were detected year-round indicates a continuous risk of infection to humans, demonstrating the need for targeted management and education programs.

Corumbá city is one of the oldest visceral leishmaniasis-endemic foci in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, where the transmission of Leishmania infantum has been attributed to Lutzomyia cruzi Aiming at investigating the parameters of the vectorial capacity of Lu. cruzi for L. infantum, a project was undertaken in this city. Among these parameters, vector competence was investigated and the results obtained are reported herein. Of the 12 hamsters exposed to feed wild-caught female sandflies, two developed infection with L. infantum and surprisingly, one with Leishmania amazonensis In addition, hamsters with L. infantum infection were bitten only by females of Lu. cruzi, whereas the hamster infected with L. amazonensis was bitten by 124 Lu. cruzi females and one of Evandromyia corumbaensis Although there is a strong suspicion regarding the competence of Lu. cruzi in transmitting L. amazonensis naturally, it was not demonstrated.

ABSTRACT. Rupture of the Achilles tendon diminishes quality of life. The gold-standard therapy is a surgical suture, but this presents complications, including wound formation and inflammation. These complications spurred evaluation of the therapeutic potential of 10435 ©FUNPEC-RP www.funpecrp.com.br Genetics and Molecular Research 13 (4): 10434-10449 (2014) Stem cells for tendon injury treatment mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from adipose tissue. New Zealand rabbits were divided into 6 groups (three treatments with two time points each) evaluated at either 14 or 28 days after surgery: cross section of the Achilles tendon (CSAT); CSAT + Suture; and CSAT + MSC. A comparison between all groups at both time points showed a statistically significant increase in capillaries and in the structural organization of collagen in the healed tendon in the CSAT + Suture and CSAT + MSC groups at the 14-day assessment. Comparison between the two time points within the same group showed a statistically significant decrease in the inflammatory process and an increase in the structural organization of collagen in the CSAT and CSAT + MSC groups. A study of the genomic integrity of the cells suggested a linear correlation between an increase of injuries and culture time. Thus, MSC transplantation is a good alternative for treatment of Achilles tendon ruptures because it may be conducted without surgery and tendon suture and, therefore, has no risk of adverse effects resulting from the surgical wound or inflammation caused by nonabsorbable sutures. Furthermore, this alternative treatment exhibits a better capacity for wound healing and maintaining the original tendon architecture, depending on the arrangement of the collagen fibers, and has important therapeutic potential.

Studies on natural infection by Leishmania spp of sandflies collected in endemic and nonendemic areas can provide important information on the distribution and intensity of the transmission of these parasites. This study sought to investigate the natural infection by Leishmaniain wild female sandflies. The specimens were caught in the city of Corumbá, state of Mato Grosso do Sul (Brazil) between October 2012-March 2014, and dissected to investigate flagellates and/or submitted to molecular analysis to detect Leishmania DNA. A total of 1,164 females (77.56% of which were Lutzomyia cruzi) representing 11 species were investigated using molecular analysis; 126 specimens of Lu. cruziwere dissected and also submitted to molecular analysis. The infection rate based on the presence of Leishmania DNA considering all the sandfly species analysed was 0.69%; only Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis was identified in Lu. cruzi by the molecular analysis. The dissections were negative for flagellates. This is the first record of the presence of L. (L.) amazonensis DNA in Lu. cruzi, and the first record of this parasite in this area. These findings point to the need for further investigation into the possible role of this sandfly as vector of this parasite.

Lutzomyia longipalpis and Lutzomyia cruzi are the main sandflies species involved in the transmission of Leishmania infantum protozoan in Brazil. The morphological characteristics can be used for species identification of males specimens, while females are indistinguishable. Although, sandflies identification is essential to understand vectorial capacity, and susceptibility to infectious agents or insecticides, there is a lack of new strategies for specimen identification. In this study, Fourier transform infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy combined with multivariate analysis identified intraspecific differences between Lutzomyia populations. Successfully group clustering was achieved by principal component analysis. The main differences observed can be related to the protein content of the specimens. A classification with 100% accuracy was obtained using machine learning approach, allowing the identification of sandflies specimens.