Domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) may serve as a reservoir or a sentinel for infectious disease pathogens that can affect human and wildlife health. To understand the role of tick-borne diseases in rural and lesser developed regions, we investigated the prevalence of several tick-borne pathogens in communal dogs of Zimbabwe. Blood samples from 225 dogs in northwest Zimbabwe were assessed by serology for Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia burgdorferi, and 241 samples were assessed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for Ehrlichia. There was a high seroprevalence (73%) of E. canis-specific antibodies in domestic dogs in northwest Zimbabwe, but follow up analyses via PCR and genetic sequencing indicated only 7.5% of the canines were actively infected with the organism. Whilst indicating that an organism serologically related to E. canis is likely present in the region, this data also shows that the organism is currently present in a relative minority of the domestic dogs in the region. Its presence as evidenced by both serologic and PCR analysis is significant because of the 'one health' paradigm, where humans and wildlife may be affected by the exposure to this pathogen in domestic dogs.

Abstract: Background. Phenological descriptions of plant species are used to understand cycles of foliation, flowering and fruiting. These studies provide useful means for understanding the relationships between plants and their environment. Question. What are the the foliar and reproductive strategies of four species of Annona living in the Deciduous Forest of Chiapas, Mexico? Species studied. Annona lutescens, A. macroprophyllata, A. reticulata and A. purpurea. Study sites. Three areas of deciduous forest were studied (16°31’36’’ N, 92°58’25’’ W, 16°28’82’’ N, 92°57’48’’ W, and 16°21’47’’ N, 92°58’32’’ W), located between the towns of Parral and Chiapa de Corzo, Chiapas, Mexico. Method. Stages of foliation, flowering, fruiting and senescence of 20 individuals per species were documented by written and photographic records during the course of a year. Variable time periods were adapted to the extended BBCH scale. The phenology was correlated with the stages of rain and drought by Spearman’s correlations Results. Phenological characteristics distinguish A. reticulata and A. lutescens as species with a reproductive strategy (flowering and fruiting) synchronized with the dry months, in contrast to A. purpurea and A. macroprophyllata, which show a reproductive strategy associated with the rainy season. The foliation of the four species is phenologically related to the rainy season. Conclusions. The species studied could be grouped according to their leaf pattern as brevideciduous or deciduous and according to their reproductive pattern as having long-term or short-term strategies.

Resumen Antecedentes. Las descripciones fenológicas de las especies vegetales son usadas para conocer los ciclos de foliación, floración y fructificación de las plantas cultivadas, estos estudios proveen herramientas útiles para comprender las relaciones entre las plantas y su ambiente. Preguntas. ¿Cuáles serían las estrategias foliares y reproductivas de cuatro especies del género Annona que habitan en la Selva Baja Caducifolia de Chiapas, México? Especies en estudio. Annona lutescens, A. macroprophyllata, A. reticulata y A. purpurea Sitio de estudio. Se estudiaron tres áreas de la selva baja caducifolia, localizada entre los municipios de Chiapas de Corzo y Parral, en Chiapas, México (16° 31’ 36’’ N, 92° 58’ 25’’ W; 16° 28’ 82’ ‘N, 92° 57’ 48’’ W, and 16° 21’ 47’’ N, 92° 58’ 32’’ W). Métodos. Las etapas de foliación, floración, fructificación y senescencia de 20 individuos por especie se documentaron mediante registros fotográficos y escritos durante un año y en periodos de tiempo variable y se adecuaron a la escala BBCH extendida. La fenología y las etapas de lluvia y sequía se asociaron a través de correlaciones de Spearman. Resultados. Las características fenológicas distinguen a A. reticulata y A. lutescens como especies con estrategia de reproducción (floración y fructificación) sincronizadas con los meses de secas, contrastando con las de A. purpurea y A. macroprophyllata que están asociadas a la época de lluvias. La fenología de foliación de las cuatro especies está relacionada con la época de lluvias. Conclusiones. Las especies estudiadas pudieran agruparse de acuerdo a su patrón foliar en brevideciduas y deciduas y de acuerdo a su patrón reproductivo en especies con estrategias largas y cortas

ABSTRACT Objective To assess cervical cancer prevalence and associated mortality in Grenada, West Indies during 2000–2010. Methods Records of visits to hospital and clinical facilities were obtained from the histopathology laboratory of the Grenada General Hospital. Records were de-identified and electronically compiled. Cervical cancer prevalence was assessed via cross-sectional analysis of this secondary data. Of a total 12 012 records, 2 527 were selected for analysis using sampling without replacement. Cases were matched to corresponding patient data from death registries, where possible, and used to calculate associated mortality rates. Results The observed prevalence of cervical cancer was 52.4 per 100 000 women (ages 15 and above). The highest rates of cervical cancer occurred in the 35–44 age group, with the second highest among 45–64-year-olds. A total of 65 deaths were attributable to cervical cancer during 2000–2010, more than 50% of which were among women > 65 years old. The observed mortality rate was 16.7 per 100 000, almost twice the rate estimated by WHO for the region. Conclusions This study demonstrates the need for a comprehensive cervical cancer-screening program in Grenada. Results should contribute to informing future studies on how to appropriately generate and execute public health policy for education, screening, prevention, and control of cervical cancer in Grenada.

RESUMEN Objetivo Evaluar la prevalencia del cáncer cervicouterino y la mortalidad asociada en Granada, Antillas Menores, entre el 2000 y el 2010. Métodos Se obtuvieron los registros de las visitas al hospital y a consultorios clínicos a partir del laboratorio de histopatología del Hospital General de Granada. Se borraron los datos personales de los registros y se los compiló electrónicamente. La prevalencia de cáncer cervicouterino se evaluó por medio del análisis transversal de estos datos secundarios. De un total de 12 012 registros, fueron seleccionados para el análisis 2 527 mediante un método de muestreo sin reemplazo. Los casos se compararon con los datos correspondientes de pacientes en los registros de defunciones, cuando fue posible, y se usaron para calcular las tasas de mortalidad asociadas. Resultados La prevalencia observada de cáncer cervicouterino fue 52,4 por 100 000 mujeres (de 15 años o más). Las tasas más elevadas de cáncer cervicouterino se observaron en el grupo de edad de 35 a 44 años, seguido por el grupo de 45 a 64 años. Del 2000 al 2010, 65 defunciones fueron atribuibles al cáncer cervicouterino, más del 50% en mujeres mayores de 65 años. La tasa de mortalidad observada fue 16,7 por 100 000, casi el doble de la calculada por la Organización Mundial de la Salud para la región. Conclusiones Este estudio indica la necesidad de establecer un programa integral de detección del cáncer cervicouterino en Granada. Los resultados deben servir como base para estudios futuros sobre cómo generar y ejecutar apropiadamente políticas de salud pública para la educación en la materia, la detección, la prevención y el control del cáncer cervicouterino en Granada.

This paper describes the development of a new practical curriculum for third-year organic chemistry to replace the recipe-based approach typically used in undergraduate teaching laboratories. The new curriculum consists of an inquiry-based project set in a simulated industrial context preceded by two scaffolding experiments to prepare students for the task. The industrial project requires students to evaluate experimentally three multi-step synthetic routes to a given target based on cost, technical challenge and environmental impact in order to make a recommendation as to which route the 'company' should use to synthesize the compound. The project equips students with technical skills suitable for both postgraduate research and industry, and develops metacognition and understanding through the use of the jig-saw cooperative learning strategy and reflection. The students were found to engage with the practical work at a deep intellectual level, demonstrating that contextualized inquiry-based laboratory teaching afforded an improved quality of learning. In addition, the reported practical curriculum made a difficult subject accessible and even popular, to some measure grew the students' ability in all desired graduate attributes and resulted in the establishment of a professional identity for individual students.

The objectives of this study were to 1) compare four models for breeding value prediction using genomic or pedigree information and 2) evaluate the impact of fixed effects that account for family structure. Comparisons were made in a Nellore-Angus population comprising F2, F3 and half-siblings to embryo transfer F2 calves with records for overall temperament at weaning (TEMP; n = 769) and Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF; n = 387). After quality control, there were 34,913 whole genome SNP markers remaining. Bayesian methods employed were BayesB ( π = 0.995 or 0.997 for WBSF or TEMP, respectively) and BayesC (π = 0 and π), where π is the ideal proportion of markers not included. Direct genomic values (DGV) from single trait Bayesian analyses were compared to conventional pedigree-based animal model breeding values. Numerically, BayesC procedures (using π) had the highest accuracy of all models for WBSF and TEMP ( ρgg = 0.843 and 0.923, respectively), but BayesB had the least bias (regression of performance on prediction closest to 1, βy,x = 2.886 and 1.755, respectively). Accounting for family structure decreased accuracy and increased bias in prediction of DGV indicating a detrimental impact when used in these prediction methods that simultaneously fit many markers.

Gestation length, birth weight, and weaning weight of F2 Nelore-Angus calves (n = 737) with designed extensive full-sibling and half-sibling relatedness were evaluated for association with 34,957 SNP markers. In analyses of birth weight, random relatedness was modeled three ways: 1) none, 2) random animal, pedigree-based relationship matrix, or 3) random animal, genomic relationship matrix. Detected birth weight-SNP associations were 1,200, 735, and 31 for those parameterizations respectively; each additional model refinement removed associations that apparently were a result of the built-in stratification by relatedness. Subsequent analyses of gestation length and weaning weight modeled genomic relatedness; there were 40 and 26 trait-marker associations detected for those traits, respectively. Birth weight associations were on BTA14 except for a single marker on BTA5. Gestation length associations included 37 SNP on BTA21, 2 on BTA27 and one on BTA3. Weaning weight associations were on BTA14 except for a single marker on BTA10. Twenty-one SNP markers on BTA14 were detected in both birth and weaning weight analyses.

The objective was to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) associated to fertility in cows raised under a subtropical environment. Re-sequencing of nine genes associated to GH-IGF endocrine pathway, which are located in bovine chromosomes 5, 16 and 20, identified 73 SNP useful for associative genetic studies; however, only seven resulted as polymorphic and unique to the Romosinuano breed. Then, DNA samples were extracted from 129 beef heifers and used to determine genotypes corresponding to each SNP. Mixed model analysis identified one SNP from the PAPP-A2 gene (C/T, rs110490898) as predictor (P<0.05) of reproductive performance. The allele T was the most favorable allele (P<0.05), because it was associated with lower age at first calving (-37.1 ± 14.4 d) and age at second calving (-65.43 ± 30.8 d). In the contrast analysis, the linear term resulted as significant and quadratic term as non significant, which suggested an additive effect of the alleles. These results provide evidence to support the PAPP-A2 gene as a candidate gene associated to reproductive performance in heifers and first-calf cows from the Romosinuano breed, raised under a subtropical environment.

El objetivo fue identificar polimorfismos de un solo nucleótido (SNP) asociados a la fertilidad en hembras bovinas criadas en subtropico. La re-secuenciación de nueve genes relacionados al eje endocrino GH-IGF, localizados en los cromosomas 5, 16 y 20 del bovino, identificó 73 SNP útiles para estudios genéticos asociativos; sin embargo, sólo siete resultaron polimórficos y exclusivos de la raza Romosinuano. Muestras de ADN se extrajeron de 129 vaquillas Romosinuano y usadas para determinar los genotipos correspondientes a cada SNP. Un análisis de modelos mixtos identificó únicamente a un polimorfismo del gen PAPP-A2 (C/T, rs110490898) como predictor (P<0.05) del comportamiento reproductivo. El alelo T fue el más favorable (P<0.05) ya que éste se asoció a una reducción tanto en la edad al primer parto (-37.1 ± 14.4 días), como en la edad al segundo parto (-65.43 ± 30.8 días). En el análisis de contrastes el término lineal resultó significativo (P<0.05), pero no el quadrático, lo cual sugiere un efecto aditivo de los alelos. Los resultados proporcionan evidencia para proponer al gen PAPP-A2, como candidato asociado al comportamiento reproductivo en vaquillas y vacas primerizas de la raza Romosinuano.

Os estudos sobre enzimas têm mostrado que existe uma relação clara entre a evolução enzimática e a propriedade de promiscuidade catalítica que elas podem apresentar. Com isto, o desenvolvimento de sistemas biomiméticos capazes de atuar de modo promíscuo, de forma similar a algumas enzimas, mostrou-se um novo desafio para os químicos bioinorgânicos. Neste trabalho, reportamos a estrutura de raios X e os estudos em solução e de promiscuidade catalítica do complexo [(bpbpmp)FeIII(µ-OAc)2FeII](ClO4), (1), contendo o ligante binucleante não-simétrico 2-{[(2-hidroxibenzil)(2-piridilmetil)aminometil]-4-metil-6-[bis(2-piridilmetil)aminometil]}fenol (H2bpbpmp). Estudos de titulações potenciométrica e espectrofotométrica e cinéticos mostraram que esse composto de coordenação gera espécies ativas capazes de clivar o dsDNA (DNA de fita dupla) hidroliticamente, com um aumento de 1,9×10(8) na taxa de reação em comparação com a reação não catalisada, e capazes de oxidar o 3,5-di-terc-butilcatecol (3,5-dtbc), com k cat = 1,16 × 10-2 s-1 e K M = 7,1×10-4 mol L-1. Assim, o complexo 1 apresenta atividades de hidrolase e oxidoredutase, sendo um interessante modelo sintético para estudos de promiscuidade catalítica.

Catalytic promiscuity has emerged as an important property of many enzymes since the relationship of this property to enzymatic evolution became clear. Simultaneously, the development of suitable biomimetic catalytic systems capable of mimicking the promiscuous catalytic properties of such enzymes represents a new challenge for bioinorganic chemists. In this paper we report on the X-ray structure, the solution studies and the promiscuous catalytic activity of the mixed-valence complex [(bpbpmp)FeIII(µ-OAc)2FeII](ClO4), (1), containing the unsymmetrical dinucleating ligand 2-{[(2-hydroxybenzyl)(2-pyridylmethyl)aminomethyl]-4-methyl-6-[bis(2-pyridylmethyl)aminomethyl]}phenol (H2bpbpmp). Potentiometric and spectrophotometric titrations and kinetics studies showed that this coordination compound generates active species that promote hydrolytic cleavage of double strand DNA (dsDNA), with a rate enhancement of 1.9×10(8) over the non-catalyzed reaction, as well as promote oxidation of 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol (3,5-dtbc), with k cat = 1.16 × 10-2 s-1 and K M = 7.1×10-4 mol L-1. Thus, complex 1 shows both hydrolase and oxidoreductase activities and can be regarded as a man-made model for studying catalytic promiscuity.

This report describes the sequencing in the Escherichia coli B genome of 36 randomly chosen regions that are present in most or all of the fully sequenced E. coli genomes. The phylogenetic relationships among E. coli strains were examined, and evidence for the horizontal gene transfer and variation in mutation rates was determined. The overall phylogenetic tree indicated that E. coli B and K-12 are the most closely related strains, with E. coli O157:H7 being more distantly related, Shigella flexneri 2a even more, and E. coli CFT073 the most distant strain. Within the B, K-12, and O157:H7 clusters, several regions supported alternative topologies. While horizontal transfer may explain these phylogenetic incongruities, faster evolution at synonymous sites along the O157:H7 lineage was also identified. Further interpretation of these results is confounded by an association among genes showing more rapid evolution and results supporting horizontal transfer. Using genes supporting the B and K-12 clusters, an estimate of the genomic mutation rate from a long-term experiment with E. coli B, and an estimate of 200 generations per year, it was estimated that B and K-12 diverged several hundred thousand years ago, while O157:H7 split off from their common ancestor about 1.5-2 million years ago.

Se seqüenciaram 36 regiões do genoma de Escherichia coli B escolhidas ao acaso que estão presentes na maioria ou em todos os genomas de E. coli seqüenciados. Se examinaram as relações filogenéticas entre as cepas de E. coli e se buscaram provas da transferência horizontal de genes e se calculou a variação na freqüência de mutação. A árvore filoge nético completo indica que E. coli B e K-12 são as cepas com mais um parentesco estreito, enquanto E. coli ou157:h7 se encontra mais afastada e mais ainda o estão Shigella flexneri 2a e E. coli CFT073, sendo esta última a mais distante de todas. No grupo B, K-12 e O157:H7, várias regiões apóiam topologias alternativas. A transferência horizontal pode explicar essas incongruências filogenéticas. No entanto, também achamos provas de mais uma evolução rápida em lugares sinônimos na linhagem O157:H7. Uma ulterior interpretação destes resultados se confunde por uma associação entre genes que mostram uma evolução mais rápida e os que são transferidos horizontalmente. Mediante o uso de genes do grupo formado por B e K-1, e calculando a velocidade de mutação em um experimento a longo termo com E. coli B e um cálculo de 200 gerações por ano, se estimou que as cepas B e K-12 se separaram há várias centenas de milhares de anos, enquanto Ou157:H7 se separou de seu ancestral comum há entre 1,5 e 2 milhões de anos.

Se secuenciaron 36 regiones del genoma de Escherichia coli B elegidas al azar y que están presentes en la mayoría o en todos los genomas de E. coli secuenciados. Se examinaron las relaciones filogenéticas entre cepas de E. coli y se buscaron pruebas de transferencia génica horizontal y de variación en la tasa de mutación. El árbol filogenético conjunto de genes indica que E. coli B y K-12 son las cepas con un parentesco más estrecho, mientras que E. coli O157:H7 se encuentra más alejada y aún más lo están Shigella flexneri 2a y E. coli CFT073, siendo esta última la más distante de todas. En el grupo B, K-12 y O157:H7, varias regiones indican que hay topologías alternativas. La transferencia génica horizontal es una explicación plausible de estas incongruencias filogenéticas, pero también hemos hallado pruebas de una evolución más rápida en sitios sinónimos en el linaje O157:H7. Así pues, una interpretación más profunda de estos resultados queda confundida por una asociación entre unos genes que muestran una evolución más rápida y otros que son transferidos horizontalmente. Usando genes que apoyan los grupos B y K-1, y empleando una estima de la tasa de mutación obtenida a partir de un experimento de evolución a largo plazo con E. coli B y suponiendo 200 generaciones por año, se estimó que las cepas B y K-12 divergieron hace varios cientos de miles de años, mientras que O157:H7 se separó de su ancestro común hace entre 1,5 y 2 millones de años.

We have run electron optics simulations and determined the tolerance in the control voltages of all elements (retarding input lens, analyzer, accelerating exit lens) of the La Trobe University photoelectron analyzer, recently redesigned to reach a spectral resolution of 5000, and which will be installed at LNLS (Campinas Brasil) and BESSY II (Berlin, Germany).

Aim: The Child Health and Illness Profile (CHIP-AE) is a generic health status instrument for adolescents aged 12-19 years adapted for use in Spain. The aim of this study was to obtain reference population values of the Spanish version of the CHIP-AE. Methods: The CHIP-AE was administered to a representative sample of adolescents from schools in Barcelona. The sample was selected by using cluster-sampling, stratified by type of school (public or private) and an ecological socioeconomic index (Índice de Capacidad Familiar: low, middle, and high). The CHIP-AE scores were standardized to a mean of 20 and a standard deviation (SD) of 5. Means and percentiles were computed. Means were compared by age, gender, and socioeconomic status using analysis of variance. Results: The response rate was 81% (n = 902). The distribution of the CHIP-AE scores presented a wide range with scores generally skewed toward positive health status. Nevertheless, the results suggest that the sample selected from a general population was not free of health problems. Twenty-five percent of adolescents presented scores below 17.2 in the domain of discomfort, indicating an effect size of 0.56 standardized SD units. The distribution of scores in the reference samples from Barcelona was similar to the original results in Baltimore (USA), with some marginal differences in individual risks. Conclusions: The CHIP-AE systematically gathers information on health domains in adolescents. The results from this reference sample will allow comparisons with adolescents from other regions, and/or with different health problems, as well as description of inequalities in health during adolescence.

Objetivo: El perfil de salud CHIP-AE (Child Health and Illness Profile, Adolescent Edition) es un instrumento genérico para adolescentes de 12 a 19 años que ha sido adaptado para uso en España. El objetivo del estudio fue obtener los valores poblacionales de referencia de la versión española del CHIP-AE. Métodos: Se administró el CHIP-AE a una muestra representativa de adolescentes escolarizados de Barcelona, mediante muestreo por conglomerados, estratificado según la titularidad del centro (público o concertado) y el índice de capacidad económica familiar (bajo, medio y alto). Se estandarizaron las puntuaciones a una media de 20 y desviación estándar (DE) de 5. Se calcularon las medias y los percentiles. Las medias se compararon por edad, género y nivel socioeconómico mediante análisis de la varianza. Resultados: Las proporción de respuesta fue del 81% (n = 902). Las puntuaciones presentaron un amplio rango de distribución, y aunque en general fueron algo sesgadas hacia las puntuaciones de buena salud, sugieren que la muestra de población general no está exenta de problemas de salud. El 25% presentó puntuaciones por debajo de 17,2 en la dimensión de bienestar, lo que indica un tamaño de efecto de 0,56 unidades estandarizadas de DE. La distribución de las puntuaciones de las muestras de referencia de Barcelona fueron muy similares a las originales de Baltimore (Estados Unidos), con diferencias mínimas en riesgo individual. Conclusiones: El CHIP-AE recoge de manera sistemática las dimensiones propias de la salud de los adolescentes. Los resultados permitirán establecer comparaciones con adolescentes de otras regiones, y/o con diferentes problemas de salud y analizar las desigualdades en salud durante la adolescencia.

Aim: The Child Health and Illness Profile (CHIP-AE) is a generic health status instrument for adolescents aged 12-19 years adapted for use in Spain. The aim of this study was to obtain reference population values of the Spanish version of the CHIP-AE. Methods: The CHIP-AE was administered to a representative sample of adolescents from schools in Barcelona. The sample was selected by using cluster-sampling, stratified by type of school (public or private) and an ecological socioeconomic index (Índice de Capacidad Familiar: low, middle, and high). The CHIP-AE scores were standardized to a mean of 20 and a standard deviation (SD) of 5. Means and percentiles were computed. Means were compared by age, gender, and socioeconomic status using analysis of variance. Results: The response rate was 81% (n = 902). The distribution of the CHIP-AE scores presented a wide range with scores generally skewed toward positive health status. Nevertheless, the results suggest that the sample selected from a general population was not free of health problems. Twenty-five percent of adolescents presented scores below 17.2 in the domain of discomfort, indicating an effect size of 0.56 standardized SD units. The distribution of scores in the reference samples from Barcelona was similar to the original results in Baltimore (USA), with some marginal differences in individual risks. Conclusions: The CHIP-AE systematically gathers information on health domains in adolescents. The results from this reference sample will allow comparisons with adolescents from other regions, and/or with different health problems, as well as description of inequalities in health during adolescence.

Objetivo: El perfil de salud CHIP-AE (Child Health and Illness Profile, Adolescent Edition) es un instrumento genérico para adolescentes de 12 a 19 años que ha sido adaptado para uso en España. El objetivo del estudio fue obtener los valores poblacionales de referencia de la versión española del CHIP-AE. Métodos: Se administró el CHIP-AE a una muestra representativa de adolescentes escolarizados de Barcelona, mediante muestreo por conglomerados, estratificado según la titularidad del centro (público o concertado) y el índice de capacidad económica familiar (bajo, medio y alto). Se estandarizaron las puntuaciones a una media de 20 y desviación estándar (DE) de 5. Se calcularon las medias y los percentiles. Las medias se compararon por edad, género y nivel socioeconómico mediante análisis de la varianza. Resultados: Las proporción de respuesta fue del 81% (n = 902). Las puntuaciones presentaron un amplio rango de distribución, y aunque en general fueron algo sesgadas hacia las puntuaciones de buena salud, sugieren que la muestra de población general no está exenta de problemas de salud. El 25% presentó puntuaciones por debajo de 17,2 en la dimensión de bienestar, lo que indica un tamaño de efecto de 0,56 unidades estandarizadas de DE. La distribución de las puntuaciones de las muestras de referencia de Barcelona fueron muy similares a las originales de Baltimore (Estados Unidos), con diferencias mínimas en riesgo individual. Conclusiones: El CHIP-AE recoge de manera sistemática las dimensiones propias de la salud de los adolescentes. Los resultados permitirán establecer comparaciones con adolescentes de otras regiones, y/o con diferentes problemas de salud y analizar las desigualdades en salud durante la adolescencia.