No abstract

Feeding during the insect immature phase is extremely important for an adequate performance in adult life. The nutritional value of the ingested diet during the immature phase directly affects the percentage of emergence, the duration of the immature phase, and the size of the emerging adults. The objectives of this study were to compare the performance of adult Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart) (Diptera: Tephritidae) females, the pupae per kg of fruit, and the percentage of emergence of flies that spent the larval phase in three fruit species (Mangifera indica L., Spondias lutea L., and S. venulosa L.), taking into account the amount of nutrients in the fruit. Weekly collections were carried out during the fructification period of the hosts. Adult size, longevity, egg production, ingestion of artificial diets by adult females, number of pupae per fruit and pupae per kg of fruit, and percentage of adult emergence were determined. The results showed that S. venulosa was the main A. obliqua host and the most infested among the studied fruit. The adult performance did not vary among the studied hosts; however, the percentage of emergence did. The amount of nutrients in the fruit did not affect the parameters that were analyzed. It is possible that the physical characteristics of the fruit were more important to wild A. obliqua females in their choice for an oviposition site than the amount of nutrients per se. Furthermore, the fruit surface/volume ratio also was involved in the infestation index.

No abstract

Adult Anastrepha obliqua fruit-flies need protein sources to promote sexual maturation and egg production. Learning can be a mechanism to improve the foraging behavior to acquire this nutrient. Learning could be defined as the acquisition of a new representation of neuronal information, and it can only be indirectly observed through its potential effect on behavior. In the present study, the occurrence or not of associative learning in A. obliqua females and males of different ages and nutritional states concerning sucrose (carbohydrate) and brewer´s yeast (protein source) was observed. Associative learning for sucrose was demonstrated in young and old females and males only when deprived of food for 2 days after the experience period. As concerns yeast, the associative learning was demonstrated in deprived young and old females only.

Nasopharyngeal swabs are the most used in sample collecting for covid-19 tests in SARS-CoV-2 molecular diagnosis. However, this sampling method presents some disadvantages, since, in addition to being dependent on imported materials, it is invasive, causes discomfort in patients, and, presents the risk of contamination for the medical collection team. This study aimed at validating saliva samples to obtain viral RNA to be used in the molecular diagnostic test for SARS-CoV-2 using the RT-qPCR technique. Results presented 93,44% concordance in in comparison to nasopharyngeal swabs sampling. Therefore, saliva samples used in SARS-CoV-2 RT-qPCR detection tests presented consistent results.

Nasopharyngeal swabs are the most used in sample collecting for covid-19 tests in SARS-CoV-2 molecular diagnosis. However, this sampling method presents some disadvantages, since, in addition to being dependent on imported materials, it is invasive, causes discomfort in patients, and presents the risk of contamination for the medical collection team. This study aimed at validating saliva samples to obtain viral RNA to be used in the molecular diagnostic test for SARS-CoV-2 using the RT-qPCR technique. Results presented 93, 44% concordance in comparison to nasopharyngeal swabs sampling. Therefore, saliva samples used in SARS-CoV-2 RT-qPCR detection tests presented consistent results.

No abstract

Diagnosis by RT-LAMP (Reverse Transcription–Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification) is relatively simple, fast and requires inexpensive equipment. The result is visualized with the naked eye, and therefore, has the potential to become popular among molecular tests for viral detection. This work aimed to test and validate different RT-LAMP protocols for diagnostics of SARS-CoV-2. To this end, we used 20 samples that had been tested at the Laboratory of Molecular Diagnostics for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR, with results ranging from “detected to undetected”. The colorimetric RT-LAMP results were compatible with those obtained by RT-PCR in 95% of the cases. The results show good sensitivity and fidelity of the test. Its applicability detecting SARS-CoV-2 can be important for massive testing.