Publications

spectrum of maternofetal outcomes during dengue infection in pregnancy: an insight.	dengue is a vector transmitted viral infection; tropical and subtropical countries see outbreaks of dengue each year. there is a paucity of literature on effects of dengue infection on pregnancy outcome and this prompted us to undertake a study for better understanding of pregnancy implications with dengue infection. pregnant women admitted during the seasonal outbreak of dengue between september 2015 and october 2015 were studied and maternal and fetal outcomes in sixteen ns1ag positive women w ...	2016	27069349
the hitchhiker's guide to europe: the infection dynamics of an ongoing wolbachia invasion and mitochondrial selective sweep in rhagoletis cerasi.	wolbachia is a maternally inherited and ubiquitous endosymbiont of insects. it can hijack host reproduction by manipulations such as cytoplasmic incompatibility (ci) to enhance vertical transmission. horizontal transmission of wolbachia can also result in the colonization of new mitochondrial lineages. in this study, we present a 15-year-long survey of wolbachia in the cherry fruit fly rhagoletis cerasi across europe and the spatiotemporal distribution of two prevalent strains, wcer1 and wcer2, ...	2016	26846713
sfdredd, a novel initiator caspase possessing activity on effector caspase substrates in spodoptera frugiperda.	sf9, a cell line derived from spodoptera frugiperda, is an ideal model organism for studying insect apoptosis. the first notable study that attempted to identify the apoptotic pathway in sf9 was performed in 1997 and included the discovery of sf-caspase-1, an effector caspase of sf9. however, it was not until 2013 that the first initiator caspase in sf9, sfdronc, was discovered, and the apoptotic pathway in sf9 became clearer. in this study, we report another caspase of sf9, sfdredd. sfdredd is ...	2016	26977926
identification of a tsal152-75 salivary synthetic peptide to monitor cattle exposure to tsetse flies.	the saliva of tsetse flies contains a cocktail of bioactive molecules inducing specific antibody responses in hosts exposed to bites. we have previously shown that an indirect-elisa test using whole salivary extracts from glossina morsitans submorsitans was able to discriminate between (i) cattle from tsetse infested and tsetse free areas and (ii) animals experimentally exposed to low or high numbers of tsetse flies. in the present study, our aim was to identify specific salivary synthetic pepti ...	2016	26979518
ambivalent outcomes of cell apoptosis: a barrier or blessing in malaria progression.	the life cycle of plasmodium in two evolutionary distant hosts, mosquito, and human, is a complex process. it is regulated at various stages of developments by a number of diverged mechanisms that ultimately determine the outcome of the disease. during the development processes, plasmodium invades a variety of cells in two hosts. the invaded cells tend to undergo apoptosis and are subsequently removed from the system. this process also eliminates numerous parasites along with these apoptotic cel ...	2016	27014225
factors associated with correct and consistent insecticide treated curtain use in iquitos, peru.	dengue is an arthropod-borne virus of great public health importance, and control of its mosquito vectors is currently the only available method for prevention. previous research has suggested that insecticide treated curtains (itcs) can lower dengue vector infestations in houses. this observational study investigated individual and household-level socio-demographic factors associated with correct and consistent use of itcs in iquitos, peru. a baseline knowledge, attitudes, and practices (kap) s ...	2016	26967157
integrating transgenic vector manipulation with clinical interventions to manage vector-borne diseases.	many vector-borne diseases lack effective vaccines and medications, and the limitations of traditional vector control have inspired novel approaches based on using genetic engineering to manipulate vector populations and thereby reduce transmission. yet both the short- and long-term epidemiological effects of these transgenic strategies are highly uncertain. if neither vaccines, medications, nor transgenic strategies can by themselves suffice for managing vector-borne diseases, integrating these ...	2016	26962871
rnai trigger delivery into anopheles gambiae pupae.	rna interference (rnai), a naturally occurring phenomenon in eukaryotic organisms, is an extremely valuable tool that can be utilized in the laboratory for functional genomic studies. the ability to knockdown individual genes selectively via this reverse genetic technique has allowed many researchers to rapidly uncover the biological roles of numerous genes within many organisms, by evaluation of loss-of-function phenotypes. in the major human malaria vector anopheles gambiae, the predominant me ...	2016	27023367
methanolic extract of agerantum conyzoides exhibited toxicity and growth disruption activities against anopheles gambiae sensu stricto and anopheles arabiensis larvae.	vector control remains the mainstay to effective malaria management. the negative implications following persistent application of synthetic insecticides geared towards regulation of mosquito populations have necessitated prospection for ecofriendly effective chemistries. plant-derived compounds have the potential to control malaria-transmitting mosquito populations. previously, agerantum conyzoides extracts have demonstrated toxicity effects on disease-transmitting mosquitoes. however, their ef ...	2016	27876055
identification of genes for engineering the male germline of aedes aegypti and ceratitis capitata.	synthetic biology approaches are promising new strategies for control of pest insects that transmit disease and cause agricultural damage. these strategies require characterised modular components that can direct appropriate expression of effector sequences, with components conserved across species being particularly useful. the goal of this study was to identify genes from which new potential components could be derived for manipulation of the male germline in two major pest species, the mosqui ...	2016	27871244
does fluoride influence oviposition of anopheles stephensi in stored water habitats in an urban setting?	the physico-chemical characteristics of lentic aquatic habitats greatly influence mosquito species in selecting suitable oviposition sites; immature development, pupation and adult emergence, therefore are considerations for their preferred ecological niche. correlating water quality parameters with mosquito breeding, as well as immature vector density, are useful for vector control operations in identifying and targeting potential breeding habitats.	2016	27829419
identification and characterization of micrornas expressed in the african malaria vector anopheles funestus life stages using high throughput sequencing.	over the past several years, thousands of micrornas (mirnas) have been identified in the genomes of various insects through cloning and sequencing or even by computational prediction. however, the number of mirnas identified in anopheline species is low and little is known about their role. the mosquito anopheles funestus is one of the dominant malaria vectors in africa, which infects and kills millions of people every year. therefore, small rna molecules isolated from the four life stages (eggs ...	2016	27825380
vorticella sp: prospective mosquito biocontrol agent.	considering the disadvantages of chemical insecticides, we aimed to evaluate vorticella parasites for control of mosquito larvae of anopheles stephensi and aedes aegypti at different larval stages.	2016	28032113
laboratory evaluation of temephos against anopheles stephensi and culex pipiens larvae in iran.	malaria is still a health problem in iran. there are several vector control activities, including indoor residual spraying, using insecticide treated nets and larviciding including temephos. in addition nuisance mosquitos are prevalent in the urban areas. so that evaluation of this species to larvicide will provide a clue for management of vector control activities.	2016	28032103
guy1 confers complete female lethality and is a strong candidate for a male-determining factor in anopheles stephensi.	despite their importance in sexual differentiation and reproduction, y chromosome genes are rarely described because they reside in repeat-rich regions that are difficult to study. here, we show that guy1, a unique y chromosome gene of a major urban malaria mosquito anopheles stephensi, confers 100% female lethality when placed on the autosomes. we show that the small guy1 protein (56 amino acids in length) causes female lethality and that males carrying the transgene are reproductively more com ...	2016	27644420
effects of environment, dietary regime and ageing on the dengue vector microbiota: evidence of a core microbiota throughout aedes aegypti lifespan.	mosquito midgut microbiota is a key component of vector competence, as gut bacteria can disturb pathogen development. in this study, we addressed the microbiota composition of aedes aegypti during its lifespan, under field conditions. we also investigated the possible effects of environment, dietary regime and ageing on the gut community composition. we employed culture independent and dependent approaches to characterise vector microbiota. there was evidence of a lifelong stable core microbiota ...	2016	27580348
seminal fluid protein genes of the brown planthopper, nilaparvata lugens.	seminal fluid proteins (sfps) are produced mainly in the accessory gland of male insects and transferred to females during mating, in which they induce numerous physiological and post-mating behavioral changes. the brown plant hopper (bph), nilaparvata lugens, is an economically important hemipterous pest of rice. the behavior and physiology of the female of this species is significantly altered by mating. sfps in hemipteran species are still unclear.	2016	27538518
mosquitocidal effect of glycosmis pentaphylla leaf extracts against three mosquito species (diptera: culicidae).	the resistance status of malaria vectors to different classes of insecticides used for public health has raised concern for vector control programmes. alternative compounds to supplement the existing tools are important to be searched to overcome the existing resistance and persistence of pesticides in vectors and the environment respectively. the mosquitocidal effects of glycosmis pentaphylla using different solvents of acetone, methanol, chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts against three medi ...	2016	27391146
leucokinin mimetic elicits aversive behavior in mosquito aedes aegypti (l.) and inhibits the sugar taste neuron.	insect kinins (leucokinins) are multifunctional peptides acting as neurohormones and neurotransmitters. in females of the mosquito vector aedes aegypti (l.), aedeskinins are known to stimulate fluid secretion from the renal organs (malpighian tubules) and hindgut contractions by activating a g protein-coupled kinin receptor designated "aedae-kr." we used protease-resistant kinin analogs 1728, 1729, and 1460 to evaluate their effects on sucrose perception and feeding behavior. in no-choice feedin ...	2016	27274056
evaluation of sublethal effects of ipomoea cairica linn. extract on life history traits of dengue vectors.	plant derived insecticides have considerable potential for mosquito control because these products are safer than conventional insecticides. this study aimed to investigate sublethal activities of ipomoea carica or railway creeper crude acethonilic extract against life history trait of dengue vectors, aedes albopictus and aedes aegypti. the late third instar larvae of ae. albopictus and ae. aegypti were exposed to a sublethal dose at lc50 and larvae that survived were further cultured. overall, ...	2016	27253746
a novel xenomonitoring technique using mosquito excreta/feces for the detection of filarial parasites and malaria.	given the continued successes of the world's lymphatic filariasis (lf) elimination programs and the growing successes of many malaria elimination efforts, the necessity of low cost tools and methodologies applicable to long-term disease surveillance is greater than ever before. as many countries reach the end of their lf mass drug administration programs and a growing number of countries realize unprecedented successes in their malaria intervention efforts, the need for practical molecular xenom ...	2016	27096156
insect transformation with piggybac: getting the number of injections just right.	the insertion of exogenous genetic cargo into insects using transposable elements is a powerful research tool with potential applications in meeting food security and public health challenges facing humanity. piggybac is the transposable element most commonly utilized for insect germline transformation. the described efficiency of this process is variable in the published literature, and a comprehensive review of transformation efficiency in insects is lacking. this study compared and contrasted ...	2016	27027400
fabrication of metal nanoparticles from fungi and metal salts: scope and application.	fungi secrete enzymes and proteins as reducing agents which can be used for the synthesis of metal nanoparticles from metal salts. large-scale production of nanoparticles from diverse fungal strains has great potential since they can be grown even in vitro. in recent years, various approaches have been made to maximize the yield of nanoparticles of varying shape, size, and stability. they have been characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, x-ray diffractometry, sem/tem, zeta potential measure ...	2016	26909778
development of non-defective recombinant densovirus vectors for microrna delivery in the invasive vector mosquito, aedes albopictus.	we previously reported that mosquito densoviruses (mdvs) are potential vectors for delivering foreign nucleic acids into mosquito cells. however, considering existing expression strategies, recombinant viruses would inevitably become replication-defective viruses and lose their ability for secondary transmission. the packaging limitations of the virion represent a barrier for the development of mdvs for viral paratransgenesis or as high-efficiency bioinsecticides. herein, we report the developme ...	2016	26879823
an evidence-based review on medicinal plants used as insecticide and insect repellent in traditional iranian medicine.	insects can be the cause of major ecological problems; they can transmit microbes and parasites that affect humans, and damage food crops, trees, and homes. the total economic cost of insect-related damage and disease is immeasurable. in traditional iranian medicine (tim), several medicinal plants have been identified as insecticides or insect repellents, but many of them are still unknown. therefore, the aim of this study was to review the insecticidal or insect repellent activity of certain me ...	2016	27186389
large-scale anopheles arabiensis egg quantification methods for mass-rearing operations.	the success of the sterile insect technique relies, among other things, on the continuous release of over flooding numbers of sexually competitive sterile males into the target area. to produce sufficiently large quantities of sterile males, rearing protocols need to be optimized including the development and validation of a standardized egg quantification method.	2016	26852018
identification of male- and female-specific olfaction genes in antennae of the oriental fruit fly (bactrocera dorsalis).	the oriental fruit fly (bactrocera dorsalis) is a species of tephritid fruit fly, endemic to southeast asia but also introduced to many regions of the us, and it is one of the major pest species with a broad host range of cultivated and wild fruits. although males of b. dorsalis respond strongly to methyl eugenol and this is used for monitoring and estimating populations, the molecular mechanism of the oriental fruit fly olfaction has not been elucidated yet. therefore, in this project, using ne ...	2016	26845547
aphicidal activity of illicium verum fruit extracts and their effects on the acetylcholinesterase and glutathione s-transferases activities in myzus persicae (hemiptera: aphididae).	this study aims to explore the aphicidal activity and underlying mechanism of illicium verum hook. f. that is used as both food and medicine. the contact toxicity of the extracts from i. verum fruit with methyl alcohol (ma), ethyl acetate (ea), and petroleum ether (pe) against myzus persicae (sulzer), and the activities of acetylcholinesterase (ache) and glutathione s-transferases (gsts) of m. persicae after contact treatment were tested. the results showed that ma, ea, and pe extracts of 1.000 ...	2016	26826651
identification of the temperature induced larvicidal efficacy of agave angustifolia against aedes, culex, and anopheles larvae.	synthetic insecticides are generally employed to control the mosquito population. however, their injudicious over usage and non-biodegradability are associated with many adverse effects on the environment and mosquitoes. the application of environment-friendly mosquitocidals might be an alternate to overcome these issues. in this study, we found that organic or aqueous extracts of agave angustifolia leaves exhibited a strong larvicidal activity (ld50 28.27 μg/ml) against aedes aegypti, culex qui ...	2016	26793700
a crossover study to evaluate the diversion of malaria vectors in a community with incomplete coverage of spatial repellents in the kilombero valley, tanzania.	malaria elimination is unlikely to occur if vector control efforts focus entirely on transmission occurring indoors without addressing vectors that bite outdoors and outside sleeping hours. additional control tools such as spatial repellents may provide the personal protection required to fill this gap. however, since repellents do not kill mosquitoes it is unclear if vectors will be diverted from households that use spatial repellents to those that do not.	2016	27527601
rapid and high throughput molecular identification of diverse mosquito species by high resolution melting analysis.	mosquitoes are a diverse group of invertebrates, with members that are among the most important vectors of diseases. the correct identification of mosquitoes is paramount to the control of the diseases that they transmit. however, morphological techniques depend on the quality of the specimen and often unavailable taxonomic expertise, which may still not be able to distinguish mosquitoes among species complexes (sibling and cryptic species). high resolution melting (hrm) analyses, a closed-tube, ...	2016	27703667
mevalonate-farnesal biosynthesis in ticks: comparative synganglion transcriptomics and a new perspective.	juvenile hormone (jh) controls the growth, development, metamorphosis, and reproduction of insects. for many years, the general assumption has been that jh regulates tick and other acarine development and reproduction the same as in insects. although researchers have not been able to find the common insect jhs in hard and soft tick species and jh applications appear to have no effect on tick development, it is difficult to prove the negative or to determine whether precursors to jh are made in t ...	2016	26959814
effect of the saliva from different triatomine species on the biology and immunity of tlr-4 ligand and trypanosoma cruzi-stimulated dendritic cells.	triatomines are blood-sucking vectors of trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of chagas disease. during feeding, triatomines surpass the skin host response through biomolecules present in their saliva. dendritic cells (dcs) play a crucial role in the induction of the protection to aggressive agents, including blood-sucking arthropods. here, we evaluated if salivary components of triatomines from different genera evade the host immunity by modulating the biology and the function of lps- or t. c ...	2016	27938380
the genome of the crustacean parhyale hawaiensis, a model for animal development, regeneration, immunity and lignocellulose digestion.	the amphipod crustacean parhyale hawaiensis is a blossoming model system for studies of developmental mechanisms and more recently regeneration. we have sequenced the genome allowing annotation of all key signaling pathways, transcription factors, and non-coding rnas that will enhance ongoing functional studies. parhyale is a member of the malacostraca clade, which includes crustacean food crop species. we analysed the immunity related genes of parhyale as an important comparative system for the ...	2016	27849518
in vitro effect of seven essential oils on the reproduction of the cattle tick rhipicephalus microplus.	the acaricidal effect of seven essential oils was examined in vitro against the cattle tick (rhipicephalus microplus). engorged female ticks were manually collected in farms of southern brazil and placed into petri dishes (n = 10) in order to test the following oils: juniper (juniperus communis), palmarosa (cymbopogon martinii), cedar (cedrus atlantica), lemon grass (cymbopogon citratus), ginger (zingiber officinale), geranium (pelargonium graveolens) and bergamot (citrus aurantium var bergamia) ...	2016	27857849
acquisition of exogenous haem is essential for tick reproduction.	haem and iron homeostasis in most eukaryotic cells is based on a balanced flux between haem biosynthesis and haem oxygenase-mediated degradation. unlike most eukaryotes, ticks possess an incomplete haem biosynthetic pathway and, together with other (non-haematophagous) mites, lack a gene encoding haem oxygenase. we demonstrated, by membrane feeding, that ticks do not acquire bioavailable iron from haemoglobin-derived haem. however, ticks require dietary haemoglobin as an exogenous source of haem ...	2016	26949258
sarcoptes scabiei: genomics to proteomics to biology.	the common scabies mite, sarcoptes scabiei is a cosmopolitan parasite of humans and other mammals. an annotated genome of sarcoptes scabiei var. canis has been deposited in the national center for biotechnology information (ncbi) and vectorbase and a proteomic analysis of proteins in extracts of mite bodies and eggs from this strain has been reported. here we mined the data to identify predicted proteins that are known to be involved in specific biological processes in other animals.	2016	27371026
artisanal extraction and traditional knowledge associated with medicinal use of crabwood oil (carapa guianensis aublet.) in a peri-urban várzea environment in the amazon estuary.	várzea forests of the amazon estuary contain species of importance to riverine communities. for example, the oil extracted from the seeds of crabwood trees is traditionally used to combat various illnesses and as such artisanal extraction processes have been maintained. the objectives of this study were to (1) describe the process involved in artisanal extraction of crabwood oil in the fazendinha protected area, in the state of amapá; (2) characterise the processes of knowledge transfer associat ...	2016	27478479
population genetic structure and potential incursion pathways of the bluetongue virus vector culicoides brevitarsis (diptera: ceratopogonidae) in australia.	culicoides brevitarsis is a vector of the bluetongue virus (btv), which infects sheep and cattle. it is an invasive species in australia with an assumed asian/south east asian origin. using one mitochondrial marker (i.e., part of the cytochrome oxidase subunit i gene) and six nuclear markers, we inferred population genetic structure and possible incursion pathways for australian c. brevitarsis. nine mitochondrial haplotypes, with low nucleotide sequence diversity (0.0-0.7%) among these, were ide ...	2016	26771743
application of copper-based ovitraps in local houses in west sumatra, indonesia: a field test of a simple and affordable larvicide for mosquito control.	the application of oviposition traps (ovitraps) is one of the currently available rational methods used in mosquito control campaigns because it eliminates the larval stage. however, the use of current larvicides is hampered by their cost and applicability. therefore, a more economical and practical alternative is urgently needed. we previously reported that copper in liquid form is a promising candidate due to its potent larvicide properties in a laboratory setting, affordability, and availabil ...	2016	27433130
global risk model for vector-borne transmission of zika virus reveals the role of el niño 2015.	zika, a mosquito-borne viral disease that emerged in south america in 2015, was declared a public health emergency of international concern by the who in february of 2016. we developed a climate-driven r0 mathematical model for the transmission risk of zika virus (zikv) that explicitly includes two key mosquito vector species: aedes aegypti and aedes albopictus the model was parameterized and calibrated using the most up to date information from the available literature. it was then driven by ob ...	2016	27994145
deep sequencing-based transcriptome analysis reveals the regulatory mechanism of bemisia tabaci (hemiptera: aleyrodidae) nymph parasitized by encarsia sophia (hymenoptera: aphelinidae).	the whitefly bemisia tabaci is a genetically diverse complex with multiple cryptic species, and some are the most destructive invasive pests of many ornamentals and crops worldwide. encarsia sophia is an autoparasitoid wasp that demonstrated high efficiency as bio-control agent of whiteflies. however, the immune mechanism of b. tabaci parasitization by e. sophia is unknown. in order to investigate immune response of b. tabaci to e. sophia parasitization, the transcriptome of e. sophia parasitize ...	2016	27332546
functional analysis of orco and odorant receptors in odor recognition in aedes albopictus.	aedes albopictus is a globally invasive mosquito and a major vector of arboviruses, including dengue, zika and chikungunya. olfactory-related behaviors, particularly host-seeking, offer opportunities to disrupt the disease-transmission process. a better understanding of odorant receptors (ors) may assist in explaining host selection and location, and contribute to novel strategy of vector control.	2016	27350348
genetic variations in bionomics of culex quinquefasciatus (diptera: culicidae) mosquito population in minna, north central nigeria.	the need to have an improved knowledge on the bioecology of culex quinquefasciatus, a prerequisite in the development of cost-effective control strategies, has informed the present preliminary investigation to put in better perspective variations that exist in the egg rafts of the species. freshly laid egg rafts were collected and incubated at ambient temperature in well-labeled plastic trays. the results showed overall inconsistency in all indices monitored for the egg rafts. generally, survivo ...	2016	27013900
preliminary results on the control of aedes spp. in a remote guatemalan community vulnerable to dengue, chikungunya and zika virus: community participation and use of low-cost ecological ovillantas for mosquito control.	objective: to study the effectiveness of an integrated intervention of health worker training, a low-cost ecological mosquito ovitrap, and community engagement on aedes spp. mosquito control over 10 months in 2015 in an urban remote community in guatemala at risk of dengue, chikungunya and zika virus transmission. methods: we implemented a three-component integrated intervention consisting of: web-based training of local health personnel in vector control, cluster-randomized assignment of an eco ...	2016	28105304
expression patterns, mutation detection and rna interference of rhopalosiphum padi voltage-gated sodium channel genes.	the voltage-gated sodium channel (vgsc) is the target of sodium-channel-blocking insecticides. traditionally, animals were thought to have only one vgsc gene comprising a α-subunit with four homologous domains (di-div). the present study showed that rhopalosiphum padi, an economically important crop pest, owned a unique heterodimeric vgsc (h1 and h2 subunits) encoded by two genes (rpvgsc1 and rpvgsc2), which is unusual in insects and other animals. the open reading frame (orf) of rpvgsc1 consist ...	2016	27439594
identification of protease m1 zinc metalloprotease conferring resistance to deltamethrin by characterization of an aflp marker in culex pipiens pallens.	continuous and excessive application of deltamethrin (dm) has resulted in the rapid development of insecticide resistance in culex pipiens pallens. the quantitative trait loci (qtl) responsible for resistance to dm had previously been detected in cx. pipiens pallens. but locating the qtls on the chromosomes remained difficult. an available approach is to first characterize dna molecular markers linked with the phenotype, and then identify candidate genes.	2016	27007119
species-specific escape of plasmodium sporozoites from oocysts of avian, rodent, and human malarial parasites.	malaria is transmitted when an infected mosquito delivers plasmodium sporozoites into a vertebrate host. there are many species of plasmodium and, in general, the infection is host-specific. for example, plasmodium gallinaceum is an avian parasite, while plasmodium berghei infects mice. these two parasites have been extensively used as experimental models of malaria transmission. plasmodium falciparum and plasmodium vivax are the most important agents of human malaria, a life-threatening disease ...	2016	27480269
scavenger receptor c mediates phagocytosis of white spot syndrome virus and restricts virus proliferation in shrimp.	scavenger receptors are an important class of pattern recognition receptors that play several important roles in host defense against pathogens. the class c scavenger receptors (srcs) have only been identified in a few invertebrates, and their role in the immune response against viruses is seldom studied. in this study, we firstly identified an src from kuruma shrimp, marsupenaeus japonicus, designated mjsrc, which was significantly upregulated after white spot syndrome virus (wssv) challenge at ...	2016	28027319
an antibody against an anopheles albimanus midgut myosin reduces plasmodium berghei oocyst development.	malaria parasites are transmitted by anopheles mosquitoes. although several studies have identified mosquito midgut surface proteins that are putatively important for plasmodium ookinete invasion, only a few have characterized these protein targets and demonstrated transmission-blocking activity. molecular information about these proteins is essential for the development of transmission-blocking vaccines (tbv). the aim of the present study was to test three monoclonal antibodies (mabs), a-140, a ...	2016	27165123
daily rhythms in mosquitoes and their consequences for malaria transmission.	the 24-h day involves cycles in environmental factors that impact organismal fitness. this is thought to select for organisms to regulate their temporal biology accordingly, through circadian and diel rhythms. in addition to rhythms in abiotic factors (such as light and temperature), biotic factors, including ecological interactions, also follow daily cycles. how daily rhythms shape, and are shaped by, interactions between organisms is poorly understood. here, we review an emerging area, namely ...	2016	27089370
comparative performance of transcriptome assembly methods for non-model organisms.	the technological revolution in next-generation sequencing has brought unprecedented opportunities to study any organism of interest at the genomic or transcriptomic level. transcriptome assembly is a crucial first step for studying the molecular basis of phenotypes of interest using rna-sequencing (rna-seq). however, the optimal strategy for assembling vast amounts of short rna-seq reads remains unresolved, especially for organisms without a sequenced genome. this study compared four transcript ...	2016	27464550
characterization of a midgut mucin-like glycoconjugate of lutzomyia longipalpis with a potential role in leishmania attachment.	leishmania parasites are transmitted by phlebotomine sand flies and a crucial step in their life-cycle is the binding to the sand fly midgut. laboratory studies on sand fly competence to leishmania parasites suggest that the sand flies fall into two groups: several species are termed "specific/restricted" vectors that support the development of one leishmania species only, while the others belong to so-called "permissive" vectors susceptible to a wide range of leishmania species. in a previous s ...	2016	27457627
purification and characterization of a novel kazal-type trypsin inhibitor from the leech of hirudinaria manillensis.	kazal-type serine proteinase inhibitors are found in a large number of living organisms and play crucial roles in various biological and physiological processes. although some kazal-type serine protease inhibitors have been identified in leeches, none has been reported from hirudinaria manillensis, which is a medically important leech. in this study, a novel kazal-type trypsin inhibitor was isolated from leech h. manillensis, purified and named as bdellin-hm based on the sequence similarity with ...	2016	27455325
an improved mosquito electrocuting trap that safely reproduces epidemiologically relevant metrics of mosquito human-feeding behaviours as determined by human landing catch.	reliable quantification of mosquito host-seeking behaviours is required to determine the efficacy of vector control methods. for malaria, the gold standard approach remains the risky human landing catch (hlc). here compare the performance of an improved prototype of the mosquito electrocuting grid trap (met) as a safer alternative with hlc for measuring malaria vector behaviour in dar es salaam, tanzania.	2016	27618941
molecular diversity between salivary proteins from new world and old world sand flies with emphasis on bichromomyia olmeca, the sand fly vector of leishmania mexicana in mesoamerica.	sand fly saliva has been shown to have proteins with potent biological activities, salivary proteins that can be used as biomarkers of vector exposure, and salivary proteins that are candidate vaccines against different forms of leishmaniasis. sand fly salivary gland transcriptomic approach has contributed significantly to the identification and characterization of many of these salivary proteins from important leishmania vectors; however, sand fly vectors in some regions of the world are still ...	2016	27409591
genetic diversity and phylogeny of aedes aegypti, the main arbovirus vector in the pacific.	the pacific region is an area unique in the world, composed of thousands of islands with differing climates and environments. the spreading and establishment of the mosquito aedes aegypti in these islands might be linked to human migration. ae. aegypti is the major vector of arboviruses (dengue, chikungunya and zika viruses) in the region. the intense circulation of these viruses in the pacific during the last decade led to an increase of vector control measures by local health authorities. the ...	2016	26799213
sexual differences in prevalence of a new species of trypanosome infecting túngara frogs.	trypanosomes are a diverse group of protozoan parasites of vertebrates transmitted by a variety of hematophagous invertebrate vectors. anuran trypanosomes and their vectors have received relatively little attention even though these parasites have been reported from frog and toad species worldwide. blood samples collected from túngara frogs (engystomops pustulosus), a neotropical anuran species heavily preyed upon by eavesdropping frog-biting midges (corethrella spp.), were examined for trypanos ...	2016	26977404
identification and genomic analysis of a novel group c orthobunyavirus isolated from a mosquito captured near iquitos, peru.	group c orthobunyaviruses are single-stranded rna viruses found in both south and north america. until very recently, and despite their status as important vector-borne human pathogens, no group c whole genome sequences containing all three segments were available in public databases. here we report a group c orthobunyavirus, named el huayo virus, isolated from a pool of culex portesi mosquitoes captured near iquitos, peru. although initial metagenomic analysis yielded only a handful of reads be ...	2016	27074162
culex quinquefasciatus larval microbiomes vary with instar and exposure to common wastewater contaminants.	like many insects, mosquitoes, rely on endosymbionts to grow and develop. these can be acquired from the environment. we used next generation 454 pyrosequencing to discern the whole-body microbiome of the mosquito species culex quinquefasciatus in various larval stadia and following exposure to common pharmaceutical and personal care products (ppcps) found in wastewater. ppcp treatments included environmentally-relevant concentrations; 1) a combination of common antibiotics, 2) a combination of ...	2016	26912375
mating-induced transcriptome changes in the reproductive tract of female aedes aegypti.	the aedes aegypti mosquito is a significant public health threat, as it is the main vector of dengue and chikungunya viruses. disease control efforts could be enhanced through reproductive manipulation of these vectors. previous work has revealed a relationship between male seminal fluid proteins transferred to females during mating and female post-mating physiology and behavior. to better understand this interplay, we used short-read rna sequencing to identify gene expression changes in the low ...	2016	26901677
pyrosequencing the midgut transcriptome of the banana weevil cosmopolites sordidus (germar) (coleoptera: curculionidae) reveals multiple protease-like transcripts.	the banana weevil cosmopolites sordidus is an important and serious insect pest in most banana and plantain-growing areas of the world. in spite of the economic importance of this insect pest very little genomic and transcriptomic information exists for this species. in the present study, we characterized the midgut transcriptome of c. sordidus using massive 454-pyrosequencing. we generated over 590,000 sequencing reads that assembled into 30,840 contigs with more than 400 bp, representing a sig ...	2016	26949943
proteomic profile of the bradysia odoriphaga in response to the microbial secondary metabolite benzothiazole.	benzothiazole, a microbial secondary metabolite, has been demonstrated to possess fumigant activity against sclerotinia sclerotiorum, ditylenchus destructor and bradysia odoriphaga. however, to facilitate the development of novel microbial pesticides, the mode of action of benzothiazole needs to be elucidated. here, we employed itraq-based quantitative proteomics analysis to investigate the effects of benzothiazole on the proteomic expression of b. odoriphaga. in response to benzothiazole, 92 of ...	2016	27883048
declining prevalence of disease vectors under climate change.	more than half of the world population is at risk of vector-borne diseases including dengue fever, chikungunya, zika, yellow fever, leishmaniasis, chagas disease, and malaria, with highest incidences in tropical regions. in ecuador, vector-borne diseases are present from coastal and amazonian regions to the andes mountains; however, a detailed characterization of the distribution of their vectors has never been carried out. we estimate the distribution of 14 vectors of the above vector-borne dis ...	2016	27982119
bacterial diversity of the american sand fly lutzomyia intermedia using high-throughput metagenomic sequencing.	parasites of the genus leishmania cause a broad spectrum of diseases, collectively known as leishmaniasis, in humans worldwide. american cutaneous leishmaniasis is a neglected disease transmitted by sand fly vectors including lutzomyia intermedia, a proven vector. the female sand fly can acquire or deliver leishmania spp. parasites while feeding on a blood meal, which is required for nutrition, egg development and survival. the microbiota composition and abundance varies by food source, life sta ...	2016	27581188
"the environment is everything that isn't me": molecular mechanisms and evolutionary dynamics of insect clocks in variable surroundings.	circadian rhythms are oscillations in behavior, metabolism and physiology that have a period close to 24 h. these rhythms are controlled by an internal pacemaker that evolved under strong selective pressures imposed by environmental cyclical changes, mainly of light and temperature. the molecular nature of the circadian pacemaker was extensively studied in a number of organisms under controlled laboratory conditions. but although these studies were fundamental to our understanding of the circadi ...	2016	26793115
piwis go viral: arbovirus-derived pirnas in vector mosquitoes.	vector mosquitoes are responsible for transmission of the majority of arthropod-borne (arbo-) viruses. virus replication in these vectors needs to be sufficiently high to permit efficient virus transfer to vertebrate hosts. the mosquito immune response therefore is a key determinant for arbovirus transmission. mosquito antiviral immunity is primarily mediated by the small interfering rna pathway. besides this well-established antiviral machinery, the piwi-interacting rna (pirna) pathway processe ...	2016	28033427
viral rna silencing suppression: the enigma of bunyavirus nss proteins.	the bunyaviridae is a family of arboviruses including both plant- and vertebrate-infecting representatives. the tospovirus genus accommodates plant-infecting bunyaviruses, which not only replicate in their plant host, but also in their insect thrips vector during persistent propagative transmission. for this reason, they are generally assumed to encounter antiviral rna silencing in plants and insects. here we present an overview on how tospovirus nonstructural nss protein counteracts antiviral r ...	2016	27455310
biotype characterization, developmental profiling, insecticide response and binding property of bemisia tabaci chemosensory proteins: role of csp in insect defense.	chemosensory proteins (csps) are believed to play a key role in the chemosensory process in insects. sequencing genomic dna and rna encoding csp1, csp2 and csp3 in the sweet potato whitefly bemisia tabaci showed strong variation between b and q biotypes. analyzing csp-rna levels showed not only biotype, but also age and developmental stage-specific expression. interestingly, applying neonicotinoid thiamethoxam insecticide using twenty-five different dose/time treatments in b and q young adults s ...	2016	27167733
reproductive incompatibility involving senegalese aedes aegypti (l) is associated with chromosome rearrangements.	aedes aegypti, the primary vector of dengue, yellow fever and zika flaviviruses, consists of at least two subspecies. aedes aegypti (aaa) is light in color, has pale scales on the first abdominal tergite, oviposits in artificial containers, and preferentially feeds on humans. aedes aegypti formosus (aaf), has a dark cuticle, is restricted to sub-saharan africa, has no pale scales on the first abdominal tergite and frequently oviposits in natural containers. scale patterns correlate with cuticle ...	2016	27105225
the queenslandensis and the type form of the dengue fever mosquito (aedes aegypti l.) are genomically indistinguishable.	the mosquito aedes aegypti (l.) is a major vector of viral diseases like dengue fever, zika and chikungunya. aedes aegypti exhibits high morphological and behavioral variation, some of which is thought to be of epidemiological significance. globally distributed domestic ae. aegypti have often been grouped into (i) the very pale variety queenslandensis and (ii) the type form. because the two color forms co-occur across most of their range, there is interest in understanding how freely they interb ...	2016	27806047
discovery of point mutations in the voltage-gated sodium channel from african aedes aegypti populations: potential phylogenetic reasons for gene introgression.	yellow fever is endemic in some countries in africa, and aedes aegpyti is one of the most important vectors implicated in the outbreak. the mapping of the nation-wide distribution and the detection of insecticide resistance of vector mosquitoes will provide the beneficial information for forecasting of dengue and yellow fever outbreaks and effective control measures.	2016	27304430
detection and perception of generic host volatiles by mosquitoes modulate host preference: context dependence of (r)-1-octen-3-ol.	natural selection favours a restricted host breadth in disease vector mosquitoes, indicating that there is an adaptive value associated with maintaining plasticity in host preference. one mechanism to maintain such plasticity is via the detection of generic cues by conserved peripheral olfactory pathways, which when perceived in different host odour contexts enable the identification of and discrimination among potential host species. here, we show that the context of an odour cue shapes host pe ...	2016	28018630
larval nutritional stress affects vector life history traits and human malaria transmission.	exposure to stress during an insect's larval development can have carry-over effects on adult life history traits and susceptibility to pathogens. we investigated the effects of larval nutritional stress for the first time using field mosquito vectors and malaria parasites. in contrast to previous studies, we show that larval nutritional stress may affect human to mosquito transmission antagonistically: nutritionally deprived larvae showed lower parasite prevalence for only one gametocyte carrie ...	2016	27827429
multiple insecticide resistance in the malaria vector anopheles funestus from northern cameroon is mediated by metabolic resistance alongside potential target site insensitivity mutations.	despite the recent progress in establishing the patterns of insecticide resistance in the major malaria vector anopheles funestus, central african populations of this species remain largely uncharacterised. to bridge this important gap and facilitate the implementation of suitable control strategies against this vector, we characterised the resistance patterns of an. funestus population from northern cameroon.	2016	27723825
tyrosine hydroxylase is crucial for maintaining pupal tanning and immunity in anopheles sinensis.	tyrosine hydroxylase (th), the initial enzyme in the melanin pathway, catalyzes tyrosine conversion into dopa. although expression and regulation of th have been shown to affect cuticle pigmentation in insects, no direct functional studies to date have focused on the specific physiological processes involving the enzyme during mosquito development. in the current study, silencing of asth during the time period of continuous high expression in anopheles sinensis pupae led to significant impairmen ...	2016	27416870
seeing is believing: the nocturnal malarial mosquito anopheles coluzzii responds to visual host-cues when odour indicates a host is nearby.	the immediate aim of our study was to analyse the behaviour of the malarial mosquito anopheles coluzzii (an. gambiae species complex) near a human host with the ultimate aim of contributing to our fundamental understanding of mosquito host-seeking behaviour and the overall aim of identifying behaviours that could be exploited to enhance sampling and control strategies.	2016	27260254
attractiveness of volatiles from different body parts to the malaria mosquito anopheles coluzzii is affected by deodorant compounds.	mosquitoes display biting preferences among different sites of the human body. in addition to height or convection currents, body odour may play a role in the selection of these biting sites. previous studies have shown that skin emanations are important host-finding cues for mosquitoes. in this study, skin emanations were collected from armpits, hands and feet; the volatile profiles were analysed and tested for their attractiveness to the malaria mosquito anopheles coluzzii. skin emanations col ...	2016	27251017
wolbachia infections in natural anopheles populations affect egg laying and negatively correlate with plasmodium development.	the maternally inherited alpha-proteobacterium wolbachia has been proposed as a tool to block transmission of devastating mosquito-borne infectious diseases like dengue and malaria. here we study the reproductive manipulations induced by a recently identified wolbachia strain that stably infects natural mosquito populations of a major malaria vector, anopheles coluzzii, in burkina faso. we determine that these infections significantly accelerate egg laying but do not induce cytoplasmic incompati ...	2016	27243367
the larvicidal effects of black pepper (piper nigrum l.) and piperine against insecticide resistant and susceptible strains of anopheles malaria vector mosquitoes.	insecticide resistance carries the potential to undermine the efficacy of insecticide based malaria vector control strategies. therefore, there is an urgent need for new insecticidal compounds. black pepper (dried fruit from the vine, piper nigrum), used as a food additive and spice, and its principal alkaloid piperine, have previously been shown to have larvicidal properties. the aim of this study was to investigate the larvicidal effects of ground black pepper and piperine against third and fo ...	2016	27117913
comparison of irradiation and wolbachia based approaches for sterile-male strategies targeting aedes albopictus.	the global expansion of aedes albopictus together with the absence of vaccines for most of the arboviruses transmitted by this mosquito has stimulated the development of sterile-male strategies aiming at controlling disease transmission through the suppression of natural vector populations. in this context, two environmentally friendly control strategies, namely the sterile insect technique (sit) and the wolbachia-based incompatible insect technique (iit) are currently being developed in several ...	2016	26765951
mosquito host choices on livestock amplifiers of rift valley fever virus in kenya.	animal hosts may vary in their attraction and acceptability as components of the host location process for assessing preference, and biting rates of vectors and risk of exposure to pathogens. however, these parameters remain poorly understood for mosquito vectors of the rift valley fever (rvf), an arboviral disease, and for a community of mosquitoes.	2016	27036889
towards a proteomic catalogue and differential annotation of salivary gland proteins in blood fed malaria vector anopheles culicifacies by mass spectrometry.	in order to understand the importance of functional proteins in mosquito behavior, following blood meal, a baseline proteomic dataset is essential for providing insights into the physiology of blood feeding. therefore, in this study as first step, in solution and 1-d electrophoresis digestion approach combined with tandem mass spectrometry (nano lc-ms/ms) and computational bioinformatics for data mining was used to prepare a baseline proteomic catalogue of salivary gland proteins of sugar fed an ...	2016	27602567
genome-wide identification and characterization of carboxypeptidase genes in silkworm (bombyx mori).	the silkworm (bombyx mori) is an economically-important insect that can secrete silk. carboxypeptidases have been found in various metazoan species and play important roles in physiological and biochemical reactions. here, we analyzed the silkworm genome database and characterized 48 carboxypeptidases, including 34 metal carboxypeptidases (bmmcp1-bmmcp34) and 14 serine carboxypeptidases (bmscp1-bmscp14), to better understand their diverse functions. compared to other insects, our results indicat ...	2016	27483237
malaria vector anopheles culicifacies sibling species differentiation using egg morphometry and morphology.	the malaria vector anopheles culicifacies (sensu lato) is an important malaria vector in southeast asia which comprises of five sibling species namely a, b, c, d and e. however, only a few forms have been identified as malaria vectors in various endemic countries. currently, for the first time egg morphometry and morphology has been used to differentiate the three known vector sibling species of anopheles culicifacies collected from malaria endemic madhya pradesh state of central india.	2016	27075571
entomological aspects and the role of human behaviour in malaria transmission in a highland region of the republic of yemen.	the republic of yemen has the highest incidence of malaria in the arabian peninsula, yet little is known of its vectors or transmission dynamics.	2016	26932794
comparative mt genomics of the tipuloidea (diptera: nematocera: tipulomorpha) and its implications for the phylogeny of the tipulomorpha.	a traditionally controversial taxon, the tipulomorpha has been frequently discussed with respect to both its familial composition and relationships with other nematocera. the interpretation of internal relationships within the tipuloidea, which include the tipulidae sensu stricto, cylindrotomidae, pediciidae and limoniidae, is also problematic. we sequenced the first complete mitochondrial (mt) genome of symplecta hybrida (meigen, 1804), which belongs to the subfamily chioneinae of family limoni ...	2016	27341029
mosquito oviposition behavior and vector control.	the burden of gene transfer from one mosquito generation to the next falls on the female and her eggs. the selection of an oviposition site that guarantees egg and larval survival is a critical step in the reproductive process. the dangers associated with ephemeral aquatic habitats, lengthy droughts, freezing winters, and the absence of larval nutrition makes careful oviposition site selection by a female mosquito extremely important. mosquito species exhibit a remarkable diversity of ovipositio ...	2016	27869724
identification of immunity-related genes in dialeurodes citri against entomopathogenic fungus lecanicillium attenuatum by rna-seq analysis.	dialeurodes citri is a major pest in citrus producing areas, and large-scale outbreaks have occurred increasingly often in recent years. lecanicillium attenuatum is an important entomopathogenic fungus that can parasitize and kill d. citri. we separated the fungus from corpses of d. citri larvae. however, the sound immune defense system of pests makes infection by an entomopathogenic fungus difficult. here we used rna sequencing technology (rna-seq) to build a transcriptome database for d. citri ...	2016	27644092
wolbachia blocks currently circulating zika virus isolates in brazilian aedes aegypti mosquitoes.	the recent association of zika virus with cases of microcephaly has sparked a global health crisis and highlighted the need for mechanisms to combat the zika vector, aedes aegypti mosquitoes. wolbachia pipientis, a bacterial endosymbiont of insect, has recently garnered attention as a mechanism for arbovirus control. here we report that aedes aegypti harboring wolbachia are highly resistant to infection with two currently circulating zika virus isolates from the recent brazilian epidemic. wolbac ...	2016	27156023
restriction to gene flow is associated with changes in the molecular basis of pyrethroid resistance in the malaria vector anopheles funestus.	resistance to pyrethroids, the sole insecticide class recommended for treating bed nets, threatens the control of major malaria vectors, including anopheles funestus effective management of resistance requires an understanding of the dynamics and mechanisms driving resistance. here, using genome-wide transcription and genetic diversity analyses, we show that a shift in the molecular basis of pyrethroid resistance in southern african populations of this species is associated with a restricted gen ...	2016	28003461
salivary gland proteome during adult development and after blood feeding of female anopheles dissidens mosquitoes (diptera: culicidae).	understanding changes in mosquito salivary proteins during the time that sporozoite maturation occurs and after blood feeding may give information regarding the roles of salivary proteins during the malarial transmission. anopheles dissidens (formerly anopheles barbirostris species a1) is a potential vector of plasmodium vivax in thailand. in this study, analyses of the proteomic profiles of female an. dissidens salivary glands during adult development and after blood feeding were carried out us ...	2016	27669021
proceedings of the ix international symposium on phlebotomine sandflies (isops ix), reims, france, june 28th-july 1st, 2016.		2016	27677701
molecular identification of mosquitoes (diptera: culicidae) in southeastern australia.	dna barcoding is a modern species identification technique that can be used to distinguish morphologically similar species, and is particularly useful when using small amounts of starting material from partial specimens or from immature stages. in order to use dna barcoding in a surveillance program, a database containing mosquito barcode sequences is required. this study obtained cytochrome oxidase i (coi) sequences for 113 morphologically identified specimens, representing 29 species, six trib ...	2016	27217948
consolidating tactical planning and implementation frameworks for integrated vector management in uganda.	integrated vector management (ivm) is the recommended approach for controlling some vector-borne diseases (vbd). in the face of current challenges to disease vector control, ivm is vital to achieve national targets set for vbd control. though global efforts, especially for combating malaria, now focus on elimination and eradication, ivm remains useful for uganda which is principally still in the control phase of the malaria continuum. this paper outlines the processes undertaken to consolidate t ...	2016	27074809
a review of bioinsecticidal activity of solanaceae alkaloids.	only a small percentage of insect species are pests. however, pest species cause significant losses in agricultural and forest crops, and many are vectors of diseases. currently, many scientists are focused on developing new tools to control insect populations, including secondary plant metabolites, e.g., alkaloids, glycoalkaloids, terpenoids, organic acids and alcohols, which show promise for use in plant protection. these compounds can affect insects at all levels of biological organization, b ...	2016	26938561
contraceptive sales in the setting of the zika virus epidemic.	has there been any influence of the zika virus (zikv) outbreak on the sales of contraceptive methods in brazil?	2016	27932442
perspectives on the role of mobility, behavior, and time scales in the spread of diseases.	the dynamics, control, and evolution of communicable and vector-borne diseases are intimately connected to the joint dynamics of epidemiological, behavioral, and mobility processes that operate across multiple spatial, temporal, and organizational scales. the identification of a theoretical explanatory framework that accounts for the pattern regularity exhibited by a large number of host-parasite systems, including those sustained by host-vector epidemiological dynamics, is but one of the challe ...	2016	27965394
a historic report of zika in mozambique: implications for assessing current risk.		2016	27930650
public health interventions for aedes control in the time of zikavirus- a meta-review on effectiveness of vector control strategies.	there is renewed interest in effective measures to control zika and dengue vectors. a synthesis of published literature with a focus on the quality of evidence is warranted to determine the effectiveness of vector control strategies.	2016	27926934