Modification of the physicochemical, functional, biochemical and structural properties of a soursop seed (Annona muricata L.) protein isolate treated with high-intensity ultrasound.

The obtained seeds from fruit processing are considered by-products containing proteins that could be utilized as ingredients in food manufacturing. However, in the specific case of soursop seeds, their usage for the preparation of protein isolates is limited. In this investigation a protein isolate from soursop seeds (SSPI) was obtained by alkaline extraction and isoelectric precipitation methods.

Influence of high-intensity ultrasound on physicochemical and functional properties of a guamuchil Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) seed protein isolate.

In this study, the influence of ultrasound on the physicochemical and functional properties of guamuchil seed protein isolate (GSPI) was investigated. The GSPI was prepared by alkaline extraction and isoelectric precipitation method followed by treating with ethanol (95%), from defatted guamuchil seed flour. GSPI suspensions (10%) were sonicated with a probe (20 kHz) at 3 power levels (200 W, 400 W, 600 W) for 15 and 30 min, in addition, to control treatment without ultrasound.

Historical inability to control Aedes aegypti as a main contributor of fast dispersal of chikungunya outbreaks in Latin America.

The arrival of chikungunya fever (CHIKF) in Latin American countries has been expected to trigger epidemics and challenge health systems. Historically considered as dengue-endemic countries, abundant Aedes aegypti populations make this region highly vulnerable to chikungunya virus (CHIKV) circulation. This review describes the current dengue and CHIKF epidemiological situations, as well as the role of uncontrolled Ae.

Comparative sequence analyses of La Crosse virus strain isolated from patient with fatal encephalitis, Tennessee, USA.

We characterized a La Crosse virus (LACV) isolate from the brain of a child who died of encephalitis-associated complications in eastern Tennessee, USA, during summer 2012. We compared the isolate with LACV sequences from mosquitoes collected near the child's home just after his postmortem diagnosis. In addition, we conducted phylogenetic analyses of these and other sequences derived from LACV strains representing varied temporal, geographic, and ecologic origins.

Cemeteries are effective sites for monitoring la crosse virus (LACv) and these environments may play a role in LACv infection.

La Crosse encephalitis (LAC) is the leading arboviral disease among children, and was previously limited to the upper Midwest. In 2012 nine pediatric cases of LAC occurred in eastern Tennessee, including one fatal case. In an attempt to identify sites near an active LACv infection and describe the abundance and distribution of potential LACv vectors near a fatal LAC case in the Appalachian region, we initiated an end of season study using a combination of questing and oviposition mosquito traps placed at forty-nine sites consisting of cemeteries and houses within 16 radial kilometers of two pediatric infections.

Diversity of mosquitoes and the aquatic insects associated with their oviposition sites along the Pacific coast of Mexico.

Background: The abundance, richness and diversity of mosquitoes and aquatic insects associated with their oviposition sites were surveyed along eight states of the Pacific coast of Mexico. Diversity was estimated using the Shannon index (H'), similarity measures and cluster analysis.

Methods: Oviposition sites were sampled during 2-3 months per year, over a three year period.

Antibodies to West Nile virus in wild and farmed crocodiles in southeastern Mexico.

Surveillance for evidence of West Nile virus (WNV) infection in Morelet's crocodiles (Crocodylus moreletii) was conducted in Campeche State, Mexico, in 2007. Sera from 62 crocodiles (32 free-ranging and 30 captive) were assayed for antibodies to WNV by epitope-blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Antibodies to WNV were detected in 13 (41%) wild and nine (30%) captive crocodiles, and the overall antibody prevalence was 35%.

Serologic evidence of flavivirus infection in bats in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico.

We captured 140 bats of seven species in Merida City in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico in 2010. Serum was collected from each bat and assayed by plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) using six flaviviruses: West Nile virus, St. Louis encephalitis virus, and dengue viruses 1-4.

West Nile virus activity in mosquitoes and domestic animals in Chiapas, México.

Prior to 2006, West Nile virus (WNV) had not been definitively detected in Chiapas, the southernmost state of Mexico, although it circulates elsewhere in Mexico and Central America. We collected over 30,000 mosquitoes and blood-sampled 351 domestic animals in Chiapas in search for evidence of current or recent transmission of WNV. Two mosquito pools tested positive for WNV RNA and 17 domestic animals tested positive for specific WNV-neutralizing antibodies, including young animals (<1 year old) in four of five sampled locations.

Gonotrophic cycle estimate for Culex quinquefasciatus in Mérida, Yucatán, México.

West Nile virus (WNV) has been present in the Yucatán State, México, since 2002. Culex quinquefasciatus, one of the main vectors of WNV transmission in the United States, is also common in Mexico and may be a key vector of WNV transmission t o humans in t he Yucatán. The aim of this study was to determine the length of the gonotrophic cycle and the survival rates of Cx.

Vector competence of eastern and western forms of Psorophora columbiae (Diptera: Culicidae) mosquitoes for enzootic and epizootic Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus.

Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) continues to circulate enzootically in Mexico with the potential to re-emerge and cause disease in equines and humans in North America. We infected two geographically distinct mosquito populations of eastern Psorophora columbiae form columbiae (Chiapas, Mexico and Texas, United States) and one mosquito population of western Psorophora columbiae form toltecum (California, United States) with epizootic and enzootic IE VEEV and epizootic IAB VEEV. We detected no differences between epizootic and enzootic IE viruses in their ability to infect any of the mosquito populations analyzed, which suggested that neither species selects for epizootic IE viruses.

Host selection and gonotrophic cycle length of Anopheles punctimacula in southern Mexico.

The host preference, survival rates, and length of the gonotrophic cycle of Anopheles punctimacula was investigated in southern México. Mosquitoes were collected in 15-day separate experiments during the rainy and dry seasons. Daily changes in the parous-nulliparous ratio were recorded and the gonotrophic cycle length was estimated by a time series analysis.

Biological variation in two Anopheles vestitipennis populations with different feeding preferences in southern Mexico.

The lengths of gonotrophic cycle and egg development and survival rate were studied in Anopheles vestitipennis collected in horse and human-baited traps in southern Mexico. The gonotrophic cycle duration was estimated using cross-correlation analysis, whereas the survival rate was assessed using a vertical method. Daily changes of parity rates gave significant correlation indices at 3 and 4 days in the zoophilic and anthropophilic populations, respectively.

Serologic survey of domestic animals for zoonotic arbovirus infections in the Lacandón Forest region of Chiapas, Mexico.

A serologic survey in domestic animals (birds and mammals) was conducted in four communities located in the Lacandón Forest region of northeastern Chiapas, Mexico, during June 29 to July 1, 2001, with the objective to identify zoonotic arboviruses circulating in this area. We collected 202 serum samples from healthy domestic chickens, geese, ducks, turkeys, horses and cattle. The samples were tested by plaque-reduction neutralization test for antibodies to selected mosquito-borne flaviviruses (family Flaviviridae), including St.

Mark-recapture studies of host selection by Anopheles (Anopheles) vestitipennis.

We present herein the results of a series of mark-recapture experiments with female Anopheles vestitipennis. Theses experiments used human and animal hosts to assess the degree of anthropophily of field-caught specimens, originally collected on either host, and of their offspring. Fidelity of mosquitoes to particular hosts was estimated by recapturing marked host-seeking mosquitoes returning for a 2nd blood meal.

Fine structure of the eggs of Anopheles (Anopheles) punctimacula.

The egg of Anopheles (Anopheles) punctimacula is described from scanning electron micrographs. Eggs of An. punctimacula are boat shaped, with lateral floats extending 70% of the length of the egg.