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Among mammals, bats harbour the greatest taxonomic diversity of ectoparasitic arthropods. This is mainly due to their high mobility, wide distribution range and gregarious social behaviour. In Chile, 17 species of bats have been reported; however, their ectoparasitic arthropofauna has been little studied. There are currently 12 taxa recorded, belonging to two classes and associated with only four species of bats. This study aimed to investigate the diversity of parasitic flies associated with bats in three ecoregions: Atacama Desert, Chilean Matorral and Valdivian temperate forest. During 2021, using mist nets, bats were captured in Anzota caves (Atacama Desert ecoregion), Huelquén and Alto Jahuel (Chilean Matorral ecoregion), Cherquenco and San Patricio (Valdivian temperate forest). Each bat was carefully checked during a 15-min interval for the collection of ectoparasites. The arthropods were deposited in vials with 96% ethanol. A total of 26 bats corresponding to three species (Vespertilionidae: Histiotus magellanicus Philippi, 1866, Myotis arescens (Osgood, 1943); Phyllostomidae: Desmodus rotundus (Geoffroy, 1810)) were captured from which a total of 142 ectoparasitic arthropods were collected. Bat flies were separated/identified under a stereomicroscope. Additionally, from the fieldwork, we report the presence of other ectoparasites associated with Chilean bats. In our study, we report new host-parasite associations between Trichobius parasiticus Gervais, 1844 (Diptera: Streblidae) on D. rotundus, and Basilia silvae (Brèthes, 1913) (Diptera: Nycteribiidae) in M. arescens in Chile. Our study extended the latitudinal range of distribution for B. silvae to Araucanía region, and we report for first time T. parasiticus in the country. Additionally, partial sequences of the cytochrome c oxidase I gene were obtained from these specimens. Although there is slight morphological variation in the specimens of T. parasiticus, phylogenetic analyses suggest that they correspond to the same species. The sequences generated for B. silvae represent the first for the species. Authors recommend the use of an integrative approach in the identification of ectoparasites in poorly studied ecoregions and hosts. The integration of different markers is necessary to determine more precisely the phylogenetic relationships between South American populations and species of the genera Basilia and Trichobius.
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ABSTRACT The present study was conducted to investigate the spatiotemporal prevalence of bovine babesiosis in cattle population (n=376) of Layyah, Pakistan as affected by location, age, breed, gender, and seasons. Blood samples were collected aseptically and assessed for babesiosis through microscopy and PCR, and through automated analyzer for hematological attributes. Overall results of prevalence through PCR in cattle population showed significantly (P≤0.05) lower prevalence of 19.4% (n=72/376) as compared to 37.2% (n=140/276) through microscopy. None of the studied cattle from Cholistani breed were Babesia-positive. However, significantly (P≤0.05) higher prevalence was noticed for crossbred cattle (46.7%, n= 50/107) followed by that in Friesian (16.1%, n= 10/62), Jersey (7%, n= 5/71) and Sahiwal (6.9%, n= 7/101) cattle breeds. Female cattle (19.5%, n= 55/281) and age group 1 (Up to 2 years) (40%, n= 42/105) had higher prevalence of Babesia as ascertained through PCR in comparison to their counterpart groups. Significantly (P≤0.05) higher prevalence of 35.9% (n=60/167) was shown in summer as compared to that in winter season (5.7%, n= 12/209). All the positive samples produced the 490bp amplicons specific and typical for Babesia bigemina. Hemoglobin concentration, erythrocytic count, hematocrit and mean corpuscular volume were significantly (P≤0.05) lower in babesia-positive cattle as compared to healthy ones.
RESUMO O presente estudo foi realizado para investigar a prevalência espaço-temporal da babesiose bovina na população bovina (n=376) de Layyah, Paquistão, conforme afetada por localização, idade, raça, gênero e estações. As amostras de sangue foram coletadas assepticamente e avaliadas quanto à babesiose por meio de microscopia e PCR, e por meio de um analisador automatizado para atributos hematológicos. Os resultados gerais da prevalência por PCR na população bovina mostraram uma prevalência significativamente (P≤0,05) menor de 19,4% (n=72/376) em comparação com 37,2% (n=140/276) por microscopia. Nenhum dos bovinos estudados da raça Cholistani foi positivo para Babesia. No entanto, uma prevalência significativamente maior (P≤0,05) foi observada em bovinos mestiços (46,7%, n= 50/107), seguida por bovinos das raças Friesian (16,1%, n= 10/62), Jersey (7%, n= 5/71) e Sahiwal (6,9%, n= 7/101). O gado fêmea (19,5%, n= 55/281) e a faixa etária 1 (até 2 anos) (40%, n= 42/105) apresentaram maior prevalência de Babesia, conforme verificado por PCR, em comparação com seus grupos homólogos. Uma prevalência significativamente maior (P≤0,05) de 35,9% (n=60/167) foi mostrada no verão em comparação com a do inverno (5,7%, n=12/209). Todas as amostras positivas produziram os amplicons de 490 pb específicos e típicos de Babesia bigemina. A concentração de hemoglobina, a contagem de eritrócitos, o hematócrito e o volume corpuscular médio foram significativamente (P≤0,05) menores nos bovinos positivos para babesia em comparação com os saudáveis.
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BACKGROUND: For youth in geopolitically at-risk environments, such as Palestine, the issues related to Internet overuse and addictions are complex. Youth residing in the occupied territories of Palestine as in other highly militarized zones have high levels of environmental stressors (e.g., militarization, poverty, lack of employment opportunities, cultural pressures, etc.) and few chemical or social outlets such as alcohol, intoxicants, and leisure activities. As such, the easily accessible and unrestricted opportunities for stress-reducing social contact of social media can lead easily to excessive and maladaptive Internet use. Therefore, interventions directly aimed at awareness and education on how to manage Internet use are critical for addressing these issues in high risk populations. AIMS: The purpose of the current study was to test the efficacy of a time-limited group training program aimed at improving social skills and reducing addictive Internet behaviors among university students. METHODS AND RESULTS: The sample consisted of 30 university students who self-reported high scores on an Internet addiction scale. Participants were randomly assigned to either wait list or treatment group (15 in each condition). Results demonstrated that using a social skills training program over an 8-week period improved the level of social skills and reduced addictive Internet behaviors significantly in those who experienced the intervention when compared with a wait list control group. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the implementation of time limited training programs targeting social skills and addictive patterns of Internet use with university students identified with high levels of Internet addictive behaviors.
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Abstract Background: For youth in geopolitically at-risk environments, such as Palestine, the issues related to Internet overuse and addictions are complex. Youth residing in the occupied territories of Palestine as in other highly militarized zones have high levels of environmental stressors (e.g., militarization, poverty, lack of employment opportunities, cultural pressures, etc.) and few chemical or social outlets such as alcohol, intoxicants, and leisure activities. As such, the easily accessible and unrestricted opportunities for stress-reducing social contact of social media can lead easily to excessive and maladaptive Internet use. Therefore, interventions directly aimed at awareness and education on how to manage Internet use are critical for addressing these issues in high risk populations. Aims: The purpose of the current study was to test the efficacy of a time-limited group training program aimed at improving social skills and reducing addictive Internet behaviors among university students. Methods and results: The sample consisted of 30 university students who self-reported high scores on an Internet addiction scale. Participants were randomly assigned to either wait list or treatment group (15 in each condition). Results demonstrated that using a social skills training program over an 8-week period improved the level of social skills and reduced addictive Internet behaviors significantly in those who experienced the intervention when compared with a wait list control group. Conclusions: These findings support the implementation of time limited training programs targeting social skills and addictive patterns of Internet use with university students identified with high levels of Internet addictive behaviors.
Assuntos
Humanos , Masculino , Feminino , Educação/métodos , Habilidades Sociais , Transtorno de Adição à Internet/prevenção & controle , Estudantes , Terapia Cognitivo-Comportamental , Oriente MédioRESUMO
We studied dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis, an indicator of oxidative stress, to investigate the effects of newly initiated exercise training on sedentary obese adults. Seventeen sedentary obese adults and 15 normal-weight controls were included in the sample for this study. The obese adults were given a physical exercise training program that lasted twelve weeks. Before and after the exercise training program, blood samples were collected, and serum thiol/disulphide parameters were measured by using a novel technique. Before the start of the exercise training, it was observed that thiol/disulphide homeostasis was impaired, and this impairment was positively correlated with body mass index in sedentary obese adults because of the higher reactive oxygen species production in adipose tissue. However, while the obese participants' body mass index significantly decreased, the thiol/disulphide homeostasis parameters in the obese adults did not change over time as calculated at the baseline and compared to the calculation after the twelve weeks of exercise training. Despite a decrease in body mass index that occurred after the twelve weeks of exercise training, there was a lack of improvement in the obesity-induced impairment of thiol/disulphide homeostasis, which suggests that a newly initiated exercise training program may lead to oxidative stress.
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Dissulfetos/metabolismo , Exercício Físico , Homeostase , Obesidade/reabilitação , Estresse Oxidativo , Compostos de Sulfidrila/metabolismo , Adulto , Índice de Massa Corporal , Peso Corporal , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Obesidade/metabolismo , Comportamento SedentárioRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of the expansion of access to the UWI Diploma in the Management of HIV Infection by converting it from fully in-person to a blended model. DESIGN AND METHODS: A proposal to convert the Diploma at the St. Augustine Campus to a blended model was developed for the class of 2014/15. Collaborative approaches were used to design and develop interactive materials in The UWIs Learning Management System (LMS) myeLearning and 2 courses were delivered online to the 2013-2014 cohort. Post-delivery, an assessment was conducted using online surveys and virtual debrief discussions with students and faculty to assess effectiveness of the content design. RESULTS: Students felt that course content was clear, appropriate, interesting, and applicable to their work. They reported a preference for recorded lectures and relevant videos, anytime/anywhere access and interactions with instructors and peers. Faculty enjoyed building new skills and teaching online. Areas for improvement included: reducing workload, better time estimations for activities and grading guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: The online development and delivery of the two courses were implemented. This will increase access to the programme by health care professionals anytime and anywhere.
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Intervenção Baseada em Internet/análise , Avaliação de Programas e Projetos de SaúdeRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To analyze perceptions of the care by cancer patients towards improved oncology service delivery at outpatient clinics. DESIGN AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study collected and analyzed data on perception of care using a self-administered questionnaire from a convenience sample of cancer patients attending 6 public and private hospitals between June and December 2013 in Trinidad and Tobago. RESULTS: Over a third of the outpatients (720/2018), including 30 children participated. M:F was 1:2.1. Most (91%) were >40 years old with peak age between 61-70 years. More than one half waited >1 month to seek medical attention and one fifth started treatment >3 months after diagnosis. About 75% rated their overall care as very good and attributed this to the warm and friendly staff, and 90% would recommend the institution to others. Respondents complained about long waiting times, late receipt of blood results, delayed treatment because of equipment breakdown and no drugs, being seen by a different doctor at each visit and cramped waiting room space. CONCLUSION: The authorities should address the complaints of respondents and maintain the friendliness and warmth of the staff. A public awareness communication strategy should be implemented to promote early detection of cancer and early referral for specialist medical attention.
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Assistência ao Paciente , Ambulatório Hospitalar , Serviço Hospitalar de Oncologia , Trinidad e TobagoRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To determine normal ranges for interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in umbilical cord blood from healthy term neonates at the Mount Hope Women's Hospital (MHWH), Trinidad. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted on healthy pregnant women admitted to the MHWH during the period October 1 to December 31, 2010. Women who were term with no signs of or risk factors for sepsis were recruited into the study after informed consent was obtained. Data were collected including maternal age, antenatal and perinatal history. Umbilical cord blood samples were collected and analysed for IL-6, TNF-α and CRP. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-two samples from healthy term neonates were analysed for IL-6 and TNF-α. One hundred and thirty-one samples were analysed for CRP due to one faulty kit. There were almost equal numbers of males (55%) and females (45%). Ninety per cent were > 2500 g at birth and 10% had low birthweight. Reference ranges of 0-16.4 pg/ml, 0-29.4 pg/ml and 0-12.4 mg/L were found for IL-6, TNF-α and CRP, respectively with 95% confidence intervals (11.6, 21.5 pg/ml; 24.0, 33.1 and 8.4, 15.1, respectively). CONCLUSION: The normal ranges for IL-6, TNF-α and CRP in umbilical cord blood for healthy term Trinidadian neonates were 0-16.4 pg/ml, 0-29.4 pg/ml and 0-12.4 mg/L, respectively.
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Verticillium dahliae is a fungal pathogen that causes wilt disease in a wide range of host plants. Characterization of virulence, morphological, and molecular variations among V. dahliae isolates from different geographic origins is essential for any breeding program aimed at producing plant cultivars resistant to this disease. We characterized virulence variation among V. dahliae isolates from Chinese cultivated eggplant grown in Northeast China by pathogenicity testing on susceptible, moderately resistant, and resistant eggplant accessions in a glasshouse using a root-dipping method of infection. These isolates were also characterized for morphological features based on growth on potato dextrose agar media and for genetic variation based on ISSR markers. All 12 isolates were divided into three pathotypes based on the virulence, i.e., strong, moderate, or weak type. Three isolates were categorized as defoliating pathotypes, with strong virulence, and the rest of the isolates were categorized as non-defoliating pathotypes, with moderate to weak virulence. The eggplant isolates were classified into three morphological types or morphotypes, hypha, hypha-sclerotia, and sclerotia; no significant correlations were detected between pathotypes and morphotypes or geographic origins. ISSR fingerprinting indicated genetic diversity among isolates, ranging from 0.26 to 0.69. Specific fingerprint types were not correlated with either pathotype or morphotype. However, ISSR analyses did reveal two clusters in which the isolates in each share the same or neighboring geographic origins.
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Doenças das Plantas/genética , Doenças das Plantas/microbiologia , Solanum melongena/microbiologia , Verticillium/genética , China , Impressões Digitais de DNA/métodos , Variação Genética , Geografia , Raízes de Plantas/microbiologia , Virulência/genéticaRESUMO
Autophagy, a complex and conserved mechanism, serving as a defense response in all eukaryotic organisms, is regulated by several proteins, among which ATG proteins are the most important due to their involvement in autophagosome formation. ATG6/Beclin-1 proteins, reported to be essential for autophagosome formation and assigned as a conserved domain, were subjected to database searches. We found three homologs in the rice (Oryza sativa) genome. A phylogeny tree was constructed to establish their across species relationship, which divided them into three distinct groups; two for plants, i.e., monocots and dicots, and one for animals. Evolutionary study of this family by critical amino acid conservation analysis revealed significant functional divergence. The finding of important stress-related cis-acting elements in the promoter region of rice ATG6 genes demonstrated their involvement in abiotic stress responses. Furthermore, expression profiling of rice ATG6 genes based on microarray data, as well as by semi-quantitative RT-PCR showed differential expression when subjected to different stresses suggesting the involvement of OsATG6 genes in abiotic stresses (heat, cold and drought) and hormone (abscisic acid) responses. Analysis of co-expressed genes showed that most of them annotated to DNA repair pathways and proteolysis, etc. Collectively, these results suggest the involvement of OsATG6 genes in different stresses, and provide a basis for further functional studies to investigate the biological mechanism of action of these genes under abiotic stresses.
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Proteínas Adaptadoras de Transporte Vesicular/química , Proteínas de Arabidopsis/química , Oryza/efeitos dos fármacos , Oryza/fisiologia , Reguladores de Crescimento de Plantas/farmacologia , Proteínas de Plantas/metabolismo , Homologia de Sequência de Aminoácidos , Estresse Fisiológico/efeitos dos fármacos , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Proteína Beclina-1 , Evolução Molecular , Perfilação da Expressão Gênica , Regulação da Expressão Gênica de Plantas/efeitos dos fármacos , Genes de Plantas/genética , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Análise de Sequência com Séries de Oligonucleotídeos , Oryza/genética , Filogenia , Proteínas de Plantas/química , Proteínas de Plantas/genética , Estrutura Terciária de Proteína , Transporte Proteico/efeitos dos fármacos , Sequências Reguladoras de Ácido Nucleico/genética , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase Via Transcriptase Reversa , Alinhamento de Sequência , Estresse Fisiológico/genética , Frações Subcelulares/efeitos dos fármacos , Frações Subcelulares/metabolismoRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To assess the perceptions of parents of children with cancer and to determine level of satisfaction with the paediatric oncology services at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC). DESIGN AND METHODS: Parents of children with cancer were surveyed during the period 12-27 October 2009 as part of a wider needs assessment project using a questionnaire designed to obtain information on their perception of medical, physical and psychosocial resources during the family encounter at the EWMSC. RESULTS: Overall, parents expressed a high level of satisfaction with the quality of delivery of medical and pharmaceutical services which were at no direct cost to the patient. Issues of concern included a lack of a structured clinic appointment system, inadequate patient care assistance on the ward for very young patients and the housing of non-oncology patients in the oncology specialty unit. Apart from their child's illness, fear of job and income loss was a major stressor for parents. CONCLUSION: Medical needs of patients were perceived to be well met, but there was need to address the psychosocial, physical and educational needs of parents.
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Atenção à Saúde/normas , Avaliação das Necessidades , Pais/psicologia , Satisfação do Paciente , Qualidade da Assistência à Saúde , Adolescente , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Feminino , Humanos , Lactente , Masculino , Oncologia , Pediatria , Trinidad e TobagoRESUMO
Crown rot is one of the main important fungal diseases affecting wheat in many areas of the world, including Australia, USA, and Iran. Until now, there had been no report of this pathogen in Iraq. Plants displaying crown rot symptoms were observed in Shaat Alarab (Basra, Iraq); we investigated the causal agent of the disease. Samples were surface-sterilized in bleach (1% available chlorine) and cultured on quarter-strength potato dextrose agar plates. DNA was extracted from fungal mycelia, using a modified CTAB protocol. The ITS/5.8S regions were amplified using primer pair ITS1 and ITS4. PCR products purified using a gel extraction kit were sequenced. The sequence that was detected was used to BLAST against NCBI data. The most similar sequence was the ITS/5.8S rDNA region of Fusarium pseudograminearum (strain NRRL28062), showing 97.95% identity. This species normally causes crown rot, resulting in severe damage under dry spring conditions. A pathogenicity test employed to assess the disease-causing ability of the strain showed significant disease symptoms up to 57% infected spikelets. The results confirmed the presence of F. pseudograminearum as a causal agent of wheat crown rot in Iraq. The presence of this pathogen demands further investigations to develop resistant cultivars and/or mechanical control.
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Fusarium/patogenicidade , Doenças das Plantas/microbiologia , Triticum/microbiologia , DNA Fúngico/genética , Filogenia , Reação em Cadeia da PolimeraseRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To assess the needs of the departments at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Comlpex (EWMSC) which provide critical support to the paediatric oncology service. DESIGN and METHODS: Key members of staff actively involved in the delivery of paediatric oncology services at the EWMSC were surveyed using self-administered questionaries. Information sought was related to medical, operational, human resource, financial, administrative, infrastructural and psychosocial challenges in providing the service. RESULTS: Twenty members of staff from six departments participated and reported priority challenges in human resources, operational and infrastructural areas in all six departments, Medical diagnostic, administrative and financial issues were high priority in four departments and social/psychological issues in the social work department. CONCLUSION: Human resources, infrastructural support of services and data management needs were identified as key challenges. Using a combination of basic and novel approaches to overcome these challenges would lead to improved patient outcome.
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Serviço Hospitalar de Oncologia/estatística & dados numéricosRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To assess the perceptions of parents of children with cancer and to determine level of satisfaction with the paediatric oncology services at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC). DESIGN AND METHODS : Parents of children with cancer were surveyed during the period 12-27 October 2009 as part of a wider needs assessment project using a questionnaire designed to obtain information on their perception of medical, physical and psychosocial resources during the family encounter at the EWMSC. RESULTS: Overall, parents expressed a high level of satisfaction with the quality of delivery of medical and pharmaceutical services which were at no direct cost to the patient. Issues of concern included a lack of a structured clinic appointment system, inadequate patient care assistance on the ward for very young patients and the housing of non-oncology patients in the oncology specialty unit. Apart from their child's illness, fear of job and income loss was a major stressor for parents. CONCLUSION: Medical needs of patients were perceived to be well met, but there was need to address the psychosocial, physical and educational needs of parents.
OBJETIVO: Evaluar las percepciones de madres y padres de niños con cáncer, y determinar el nivel de satisfacción con los servicios de oncología pediátrica del Complejo Eric Williams de Ciencias Médicas (EWMSC). DISEÑO Y MÉTODOS: Se hicieron encuestas a los padres y madres de niños con cáncer, durante el periodo del 12-27 de octubre de 2009, como parte de un proyecto de evaluación de las necesidades. Se diseñó un cuestionario para obtener información acerca de su percepción de los recursos médicos, físicos y psicosociales durante el encuentro de familias en el Complejo Eric Williams de Ciencias Médicas Complejo (EWMSC). RESULTADOS: En general, padres y madres manifestaron un alto nivel de satisfacción con la calidad de los servicios médicos y farmacéuticos sin costo alguno para los pacientes. Los problemas de mayor preocupación incluían la falta de un sistema bien estructurado de citas médicas, atención inadecuada en relación con la asistencia en la sala de los pacientes muy jóvenes, y el alojamiento de los pacientes no oncológicos en la unidad de especialidad de oncología. Aparte de la enfermedad de sus niños, el miedo a perder el trabajo y los ingresos, era una de las causas principales de stress en los padres. CONCLUSIÓN: Las percepciones daban por bien satisfechas las necesidades de los pacientes, pero apuntaban al imperativo de atender las necesidades psicosociales, físicas y educativas de padres y madres.
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Adolescente , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Feminino , Humanos , Lactente , Masculino , Atenção à Saúde/normas , Avaliação das Necessidades , Pais/psicologia , Satisfação do Paciente , Qualidade da Assistência à Saúde , Oncologia , Pediatria , Trinidad e TobagoRESUMO
Salicornia spp is one of the most salt-tolerant vascular plants and is native to salt marshes and estuaries. We developed expressed sequence tag derived-simple sequence repeat (EST-SSR) markers for estimating genetic diversity and marker-assisted Salicornia breeding. Six polymorphic EST-SSRs of 40 detected 27 alleles, ranging from three to five alleles per locus. The average number of alleles per locus was 4.33 and 4.17, and the major allele frequency at locus DY529765 was high, being 0.859 and 0.857 in S. bigelovii and S. europea, respectively. Gene diversity, heterozygosity and polymorphism information content were highest at locus DY529950 and similar in these two species. Gene diversity increased with increase in the number of alleles that had a low major allele frequency at a locus. Six polymorphic loci effectively discriminated 46 taxa into three clusters via different analyses. Significant deviation of F(ST) from zero in three suggested populations for six loci indicated population differentiation and limited gene flow among them. A reduced median network established that taxon SB65 is primitive. SMART (simple modular architecture research tool) analysis of peptide sequences of six EST-SSRs showed that loci DY529765, DY529950 and EC906203 contained transmembrane, TLC, AgrB and NTR domains and might be involved in salinity stress tolerance. These EST-SSRs are a valuable resource for marker development and may be useful in marker-assisted Salicornia breeding.
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Amaranthaceae/genética , Etiquetas de Sequências Expressas , Variação Genética , Alelos , Eletroforese em Gel de Poliacrilamida , Genes de Plantas , Heterozigoto , Reação em Cadeia da PolimeraseRESUMO
Eggplant (Solanum melongena), a vegetable that is cultivated worldwide, is of considerable importance to agriculture in China. We analyzed the diversity of this plant using inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) and RAPD procedures to subdivide 143 Chinese-cultivated eggplants based on coefficient of parentage, genetic diversity index (GDI) and canonical discriminant analysis. ISSR markers were more effective than RAPD markers for detecting genetic diversity, which ranged from 0.10-0.51, slightly lower than what is known from other crops. Our ISSR/RAPD data provide molecular evidence that coincides with morphological-based classification into three varieties and further subdivision into eight groups, except for two groups. Intensive use of elite parents and extensive crossing within groups have resulted in increased coefficient of parentage and proportional contribution but decreased GDI during the past decades. The mean coefficient of parentage and proportional contribution increased from 0.05 to 0.10% and from 3.22 to 6.46% during 1980-1991 and 1992-2003, respectively. The GDI of landraces was 0.21, higher than the 0.09 and 0.08 calculated for the hybrid cultivars released during the two periods. The recent introduction of alien genotypes into eggplant breeding programs may broaden the genetic base.
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Produtos Agrícolas/genética , Solanum/genética , Sequência de Bases , DNA de Plantas/genética , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase , Técnica de Amplificação ao Acaso de DNA PolimórficoRESUMO
Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) is an important cash crop, but high temperature during its growing season is one of the major factors that limit its productivity. This problem compels plant breeders to breed for heat tolerance, which can help to overcome this challenge. It is very important to make a comprehensive screening of heat-tolerant genotypes so that only the best are chosen. Here we report the combined use of several techniques that can help breeders to screen their germplasm. Twelve cultivated cotton genotypes were evaluated for thermotolerance, using assays that included electrolyte leakage, chlorophyll accumulation and protein profiling, as well as RAPDs to assess genetic diversity. Two genotypes (B-557 and NIAB-78) showed tolerant behavior in three thermotolerance assays. RAPD analysis results showed maximum similarity in a range of 86.7-66.7% between the genotypes MNH-554 and CIM-443. We conclude that combined use should be made of relative electrolyte leakage, chlorophyll stability and differential display with SDS-PAGE to aid in screening for stress tolerance. RAPD-based diversity analysis will further help to improve the efficiency of breeding programs.
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Adaptação Fisiológica , Gossypium/fisiologia , Temperatura , Genes de Plantas , Gossypium/genética , Técnica de Amplificação ao Acaso de DNA PolimórficoRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To compare the performance of medical students in the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) of thefinal MBBS Examination across the four campuses of The University of the West Indies, over a two-year period DESIGN AND METHODS: All final examination results of the Medicine and Therapeutics OSCE were collectedfrom the Faculty of Medical Science at the four campuses of The University of the West Indies and analyzed using both parametric (t-tests and ANOVAs) and non-parametric tests (chi-squared tests). RESULTS: Results indicated that students achieved significantly higher mean scores in the 2002 examination than in 2001 (t = 3.85, df = 415, p = 0.000). There were no significant differences between campuses with regards to the mean corrected score in 2001. Also in 2001, in adult stations, all campuses achieved significantly higher scores than Jamaica. However, in Jamaica, mean child health station scores were significantly higher than all other campuses and, the mean score in Trinidad and Tobago was higher than the Bahamas and Barbados. In 2002, all other campuses achieved significantly higher scores than Trinidad and Tobago and females performed significantly better than males with regards to overall mean scores (t = 2.814, df = 189, p = 0.005). Also in 2002, Barbados achieved significantly higher mean corrected scores than Trinidad and Tobago (F = 4.649, df = 3191; p = 0.004) and Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago both obtained significantly higher mean child health station scores than Jamaica. CONCLUSIONS: The important conclusion from this study is that the OSCE scores in Medicine and Therapeutics are generally uniform across the four campuses of the University, thereby confirming the consistency of the approach to teaching and helping to validate the efficacy and veracity of the medical graduate being produced by The University of the West Indies.
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Estágio Clínico/normas , Competência Clínica , Avaliação Educacional/normas , Medicina Interna/educação , Estudantes de Medicina/psicologia , Universidades , Adulto , Atitude do Pessoal de Saúde , Estágio Clínico/tendências , Retroalimentação , Feminino , Seguimentos , Humanos , Masculino , Avaliação de Programas e Projetos de Saúde , Psicometria , Reprodutibilidade dos Testes , Estudos Retrospectivos , Inquéritos e Questionários , Universidades/normas , Índias OcidentaisRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To compare the performance of medical students in the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) of thefinal MBBS Examination across the four campuses of The University of the West Indies, over a two-year period DESIGN AND METHODS: All final examination results of the Medicine and Therapeutics OSCE were collectedfrom the Faculty of Medical Science at the four campuses of The University of the West Indies and analyzed using both parametric (t-tests and ANOVAs) and non-parametric tests (chi-squared tests). RESULTS: Results indicated that students achieved significantly higher mean scores in the 2002 examination than in 2001 (t = 3.85, df = 415, p = 0.000). There were no significant differences between campuses with regards to the mean corrected score in 2001. Also in 2001, in adult stations, all campuses achieved significantly higher scores than Jamaica. However, in Jamaica, mean child health station scores were significantly higher than all other campuses and, the mean score in Trinidad and Tobago was higher than the Bahamas and Barbados. In 2002, all other campuses achieved significantly higher scores than Trinidad and Tobago and females performed significantly better than males with regards to overall mean scores (t = 2.814, df = 189, p = 0.005). Also in 2002, Barbados achieved significantly higher mean corrected scores than Trinidad and Tobago (F = 4.649, df = 3191; p = 0.004) and Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago both obtained significantly higher mean child health station scores than Jamaica. CONCLUSIONS: The important conclusion from this study is that the OSCE scores in Medicine and Therapeutics are generally uniform across the four campuses of the University, thereby confirming the consistency of the approach to teaching and helping to validate the efficacy and veracity of the medical graduate being produced by The University of the West Indies
Objetivo: Comparar el rendimiento académico de los estudiantes de medicina en el examen clínico objetivo estructurado del examen final de MBBS, en los cuatro campus de La Universidad de West Indies, en un período de dos años. Diseño y métodos: Se recopilaron todos los resultados del examen final de ECOE de Medicina y Terapéutica de la Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, en los cuatro campus de la Universidad de West Indies. Los datos fueron analizados usando tanto tests paramétricos (tests t y ANOVAs) como tests no paramétricos (tests de chi-quadrado). Resultados: Los resultados indicaron que los estudiantes alcanzaron puntuaciones significativamente más altas en el examen del 2001 que en el del 2002 (t = 3.85, df = 415, p = .000). No hubo diferencias significativas entre los distintos campus con respecto a los resultados corregidos promedios 2001. También en 2001, en las unidades asistenciales de adultos, todos los campus lograron resultados significativamente más altos que Jamaica. Sin embargo, en Jamaica, los resultados promedios de las unidades pediátricas fueron significativamente más altos que en todos los otros campus, y el resultado promedio en Trinidad y Tobago fue más alto que en Bahamas y Barbados. En 2002, todos los otros campus lograron resultados significativamente más altos que Trinidad y Tobago, y las mujeres obtuvieron rendimientos significativamente mejores que los de los hombres, con respecto a los resultados promedios generales (t = 2.814, df = 189, p = .005). También en 2002, Barbados alcanzó resultados corregidos promedios significativamente más altos que Trinidad y Tobago (F = 4.649, df = 3,191; p = .004), mientras que Barbados así como Trinidad y Tobago, obtuvieron resultados significativamente más altos en la unidades pediátricas, en comparación con Jamaica. Conclusiones: La conclusión principal de este estudio es que los resultados del OSCE en Medicina y Terapéutica son generalmente uniformes en los cuatro campus de la Universidad, confirmando de ese modo la solidez del enfoque de la enseñanza, y contribuyendo a validar la eficacia y calidad del graduado de medicina egresado de la Universidad de West Indies.
Assuntos
Humanos , Masculino , Feminino , Adulto , Avaliação Educacional/normas , Competência Clínica , Estudantes de Medicina/psicologia , Estágio Clínico/normas , Medicina Interna/educação , Universidades , Reprodutibilidade dos Testes , Atitude do Pessoal de Saúde , Avaliação de Programas e Projetos de Saúde , Estudos Retrospectivos , Estágio Clínico/tendências , Psicometria , Inquéritos e Questionários , Retroalimentação , Seguimentos , Universidades/normas , Índias OcidentaisRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of early onset Group B streptococcal (GBS) infection in neonates at the Mount Hope Women's Hospital, Trinidad over the period 199697. DESIGN and METHODS: This retrospective study included all babies with a positive blood culture for GBS during the study period. RESULTS: There were 9866 live births (LB) of whom 29 were diagnosed as early onset GBS disease. The incidence was 2.9/1000 LB. 37.9% of babies were preterm and 65.5% were delivered to primiparous women. Rupture of amniotic membranes occurred within 12 h of delivery in 55% of infected babies. Four of the 29 infected babies died and all were preterm. CONCLUSION: The incidence of early onset neonatal GBS sepsis was five to six times higher in this series than that reported in the USA and UK. An intervention policy to control this preventable disease is urgently needed.