Warm Season Turfgrass Equine Sports Surfaces: An Experimental Comparison of the Independence of Simple Measurements Used for Surface Characterization.

Turfgrass in equine sports has clear advantages over other types of reinforcement but adds complexity to the management. This study investigates factors that influence the turfgrass' surface performance and how the use of a drainage package and a geotextile reinforcement affect quantitative measurements of turfgrass. The measurements are made using affordable, lightweight testing tools that are readily available or easily constructed. Eight boxes with turfgrass over a mix of the arena with peat at a consistent depth were tested for volumetric moisture content (VMC %) with time-domain reflectometry (TDR), the rotational peak shear device (RPS), the impact test device (ITD), soil cone penetrometer (SCP), and the Going Stick (GS). Results obtained using TDR, RPS, ITD, SCP, and GS indicate that the presence of the geotextile and drainage package was mainly detected by VMC (%), SCP detected geotextile addition, and GS detected the interaction of geotextile × drainage package. Linear regression showed SCP and GS are related to geotextile and was positively correlated between them and negatively with VMC (%). The testing showed some limitations of these devices, mainly related to moisture content and sod composition, but the potential exists to utilize these devices for quality control as well as for the monitoring of maintenance of the surfaces when controlling the range of both VMC (%) and sod constitution.

Prevalence and genotypes of Giardia duodenalis from dogs in Spain: possible zoonotic transmission and public health importance.

The prevalence of Giardia duodenalis was determinate in faecal samples from dogs and cats in Madrid, Spain and molecular characterisation of isolates. A total of 604 and 144 faecal samples from dogs and cats, respectively, were analysed by routine coprological methods. The prevalence of G. duodenalis was 16.4 % (99/604) in dogs and 4.2 % (6/144) in cats. Sixty-four G. duodenalis isolates (63 from dogs and 1 from a cat) were characterised using glutamate dehydrogenase and ß-giardin genes by PCR-RFLP. The single cat sample showed a mixed infection by assemblages A + F. The assemblages found in the dog samples were A, B, C, D and E, both as single and as mixed infections. The zoonotic assemblages A and B were found in 56 (88.8 %) G. duodenalis-positive samples with 15.9 % of samples having assemblage A (10/63) and 73 % of samples with assemblage B (46/63), indicating high potential zoonotic risk and public health significance.

Detection of Cryptosporidium parvum and Cryptosporidium hominis in human patients in Cairo, Egypt.

Cryptosporidium is a significant cause of diarrheal disease in developing and industrialized nations. Cryptosporidium hominis and Cryptosporidium parvum are the main agents of cryptosporidiosis in humans. In Egypt, very little is known about genetic structure of Cryptosporidium spp. Therefore, this study was designed to examine samples from sporadic cases of cryptosporidiosis in Egyptians in order to identify the species involved in infection as well as the transmission dynamics and distribution of the parasite in the Great Cairo area. A total of 391 human faecal samples were collected, between May 2008 and March 2009, from ten public hospitals in Great Cairo. Initial screening by immunochromatographic detection kit "the Stick Crypto-Giardia; Operon" showed 23 possible positive cases. Twenty of them were confirmed by microscopic examination. PCR was performed by amplification of the oocyst wall protein (COWP) gene where 18 out of 23 samples were positive, one not detected by microscopy. Cryptosporidium genotyping was performed by RFLP analysis of PCR products of the diagnosis PCR. Only 15 samples rendered a digestion pattern. The genotyping distribution was nine cases showing C. hominis genotype, three showing C. parvum genotype and three showing mixed infection by C. hominis and C. parvum. The data showed an elevated prevalence of C. hominis (80.0%), the most anthroponotic species, suggesting a human-human transmission. Furthermore, the presence of up to 40% of samples infected with C. parvum shows that further investigations are required to determine the subgenotypes of C. parvum to clarify the mode of transmission in order to improve the control measures.

An Experimental Comparison of Simple Measurements Used for the Characterization of Sand Equestrian Surfaces.

Quantitative measurements of performance parameters have the potential to increase consistency and enhance performance of the surfaces as well as to contribute to the safety of horses and riders. This study investigates how factors known to influence the performance of the surface, incorporation of a drainage package, control of the moisture control, and introduction of a geotextile reinforcement, affect quantitative measurements of arena materials. The measurements are made by using affordable lightweight testing tools which are readily available or easily constructed. Sixteen boxes with arena materials at a consistent depth were tested with the Going Stick (GS), both penetration resistance and shear, the impact test device (ITD), and the rotational peak shear device (RPS). Volumetric moisture content (VMC %) was also tested with time-domain reflectometry (TDR). Results obtained using GS, RPS, ITD, and TDR indicate that the presence of the drainage package, moisture content, and geotextile addition were detected. Alterations due to combinations of treatments could also be detected by GS, ITD, and TDR. While the testing showed some limitations of these devices, the potential exists to utilize them for quality control of new installations as well as for the monitoring of maintenance of the surfaces.

Competencias en salud ambiental y cambio climático en estudiantes universitarios / Competences in environmental health and climate change in university students

El deterioro del medio ambiente ha acelerado el cambio climático (CC) afectando mútiples escenarios, el aumento de la temperatura ha conllevado a la proliferación de diversas enfermedades trasmitidas por vectores de importancia a nivel de salud pública. Como objetivo, se propuso determinar la cultura ecosaludable ante el cambio climático en estudiantes del Área Ciencias de la Educación, Universidad Nacional Experimental Rómulo Gallegos (UNERG), Calabozo, Venezuela 2022. El estudio fue cuantitativo exploratorio no experimental de corte transversal con una muestra de 180 estudiantes. Para la recolección de datos se aplicó el Cuestionario de Dimensiones Ambientales (CDA) compuesto de 75 ítems distribuidos en tres dimensiones; conocimientos, actitudes, emociones y comportamientos. El análisis de los datos fue por estadística descriptiva con porcentajes a través del programa Epidat 3.0. Como resultado, 63% indicó la importancia atribuida de los elementos de ecosalud afectados sobre el agua y 55% al calentamiento global. No obstante, solo 12% indicó la educación como un elemento de ecosalud afectado por el cambio climático, así mismo, en la dimensión de conocimientos se encontró 54,50% a CSN, 6,50% a CPR y 39,50% a CEA, en la dimensión de actitudes y emociones se encontró 55,50% a la subcategoria TD, 44,00% a CVA y 36,50% a E, finalmente, en la dimensión de comportamiento, se evidenció 36,50% a la subategoria de PC, 29,00% a IC y 20,00% a PI. Se debe evitar el daño ambiental a través del cambio de comportamiento individual que debe ser enseñado desde los recintos universitarios(AU)

The deterioration of the environment has accelerated climate change (CC) affecting multiple scenarios, the increase in temperature has led to the proliferation of various diseases transmitted by vectors of importance at the public health level. As an objective, it was proposed to determine the eco-healthy culture in the face of climate change in students of the Educational Sciences Area, Rómulo Gallegos National Experimental University (UNERG), Calabozo, Venezuela 2022. The study was quantitative, exploratory, non-experimental, cross-sectional with a sample of 180 students. For data collection, the Environmental Dimensions Questionnaire (CDA) was applied, consisting of 75 items distributed in three dimensions; knowledge, attitudes and emotions and behaviors. Data analysis was by descriptive statistics with percentages through the Epidat 3.0 program. As a result, 63% indicated the importance attributed to the affected ecohealth elements on water and 55% on global warming. However, only 12% indicated education as an element of ecohealth affected by climate change, likewise, in the knowledge dimension, 54.50% were found to CSN, 6.50% to CPR and 39.50% to CEA, in the dimension of attitudes and emotions, 55.50% were found in the TD subcategory, 44.00% in CVA and 36.50% in E, finally, in the behavior dimension, 36.50% were found in the subcategory of PC, 29.00% to IC and 20.00% to PI. Environmental damage must be avoided through individual behavior change that must be taught from university campuses(AU)

Gestión ambiental universitaria y actitud frente al cambio climático en docentes / University environmental management and attitude towards climate change in teachers

La gestión ambiental universitaria es un proceso que comprende un conjunto de elementos para el manejo y solución de los problemas ambientales dentro de la instalación educativa. El objetivo del estudio fue identificar la relación existente entre la gestión ambiental universitaria y la actitud frente al cambio climático en docentes. La investigación se enmarcó dentro del enfoque cuantitativo, de tipo descriptivo correlacional, diseño no experimental de corte trasversal. Se tomó como muestra 58 docentes de las carreras educación integral y educación mención computación, de una universidad pública venezolana, a quienes se les aplicó dos cuestionarios administrados vía online. En los resultados se encontró que existe una moderada y baja gestión ambiental universitaria, asimismo, una moderada y baja actitud frente al cambio climático en los docentes de ambas carreras, siendo la actitud predominante la conductual, seguida de la afectiva y por última la cognitiva. Se identificó la relación de las variables, gestión ambiental universitaria y actitud frente al cambio climático debido a que estadísticamente se encuentran relacionadas. Se concluye que existe la necesidad generar una gestión ambiental universitaria para cambiar actitudes y responder de manera oportuna a los cambios climáticos presentes, generando una nueva cultura ambiental en los actores educativos(AU)

University environmental management is a process that includes a set of elements for the management and solution of environmental problems within the educational facility. The objective of the study was to identify the relationship between university environmental management and the attitude towards climate change in teachers. The research was framed within the quantitative approach, correlational descriptive type, non-experimental cross-sectional design. A sample was taken of 58 teachers from the comprehensive education and computer education majors, from a Venezuelan public university, to whom two questionnaires administered online were applied. In the results, it was found that there is a moderate and low university environmental management, as well as a moderate and low attitude towards climate change in the teachers of both careers, the predominant attitude being behavioral, followed by affective and finally cognitive. The relationship of the variables, university environmental management and attitude towards climate change was identified because they are statistically related. It is concluded that there is a need to generate university environmental management to change attitudes and respond in a timely manner to current climate changes, generating a new environmental culture in educational actors(AU)

Agencia de autocuidado, conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas de riesgo biológico en estudiantes de enfermería / Self-care agency, nursing knowledge, attitudes and practices involving biological hazard in nursing students / Agência de autocuidado, conhecimentos, atitudes e práticas de risco biológico em estudantes de enfermagem

Resumen Introducción El abordaje de esta investigación está relacionado con la agencia de autocuidado que demuestran los estudiantes de enfermería al momento de realizar la práctica formativa en el área asistencial. Objetivo Analizar la relación que existe entre la agencia de autocuidado y los conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas de riesgo biológico en estudiantes de enfermería de la institución de educación superior en la ciudad de Bucaramanga. Materiales y Métodos Estudio cuantitativo de tipo analítico correlacional, de corte transversal; con una muestra de 187 estudiantes de IV a VIII nivel del programa de enfermería de una institución de educación superior en la ciudad de Bucaramanga, a los cuales se les aplicó la escala de agencia de autocuidado, escala para medir los conocimientos, actitud y prácticas frente al riesgo biológico. Resultados Existe una relación significativa entre la agencia de autocuidado y las actitudes p (<0,05). Por otro lado, se presenta una regular agencia de autocuidado en el 79,1% de los estudiantes. No hay relación estadísticamente significativa entre las variables sociodemográficas y la agencia de autocuidado, a través de la prueba de Chi cuadrado. Discusión Los resultados encontrados en el presente estudio coinciden con lo hallado por otros investigadores, los cuales afirman que; la agencia de autocuidado en la mayoría de la población se mantiene en un nivel regular. Conclusiones Se evidencia relación entre la agencia de autocuidado y las actitudes frente al riesgo biológico en los estudiantes, hecho que ratifica la importancia del trabajo de enfermería en el fortalecimiento de comportamientos favorables hacia su propio autocuidado.

Abstract Introduction The approach of this research is related to self-care agency showed by nursing students when having their training practice in the health-related area. Purpose To analyze the relation between self-care agency and nursing knowledge, attitudes and practices involving biological hazard in nursing students from a higher education institution in Bucaramanga. Materials and Methods A quantitative cross-sectional study of correlational-analytical type was conducted with a sample of 187 students from IV to VIII level of a nursing degree in a higher education institution in Bucaramanga, to whom the self-care agency scale was applied. This scale is used to measure nursing knowledge, attitude and practice involving biological hazards. Results There is a significant relationship between self-care agency and attitudes (p<0.05). On the other hand, regular self-care agency is shown in 79.1% of the students. There is no statistically significant relationship between sociodemographic variables and the self-care agency through the chi-squared test. Discussion The results found in this study coincide with those found by other researchers who state that self-care agency is kept at a regular level in most of the population. Conclusions A relationship was demonstrated between self-care agency and attitudes regarding biological hazards in students, which confirms the importance of nursing work to strengthen favorable behavior towards their self-care.

Resumo Introdução A abordagem desta pesquisa está relacionada com a agência de autocuidado que demonstram os estudantes de enfermagem na hora da prática formativa na área assistencial. Objetivo Analisar a relação que existe entre a agência de autocuidado e os conhecimentos, atitudes e práticas de risco biológico em estudantes de enfermagem da instituição de educação superior na cidade de Bucaramanga. Materiais e Métodos Estudo quantitativo de tipo analítico correlacional, de corte transversal; com uma amostra de 187 estudantes de IV a VIII nível do programa de enfermagem de uma instituição de educação superior na cidade de Bucaramanga, que foram submetidos à escala de agência de autocuidado para medir os conhecimentos, atitude e práticas frente ao risco biológico. Resultados Existe uma relação significativa entre a agência de autocuidado e as atitudes p (<0,05). Por outro lado, verifica-se uma regular agência de autocuidado em 79,1% dos estudantes. Não existe relação estatisticamente significativa entre as variáveis sociodemográficas e a agência de autocuidado, através da prova de Chi quadrado. Discussão Os resultados encontrados no presente estudo conferem com os achados de outros investigadores que afirmam que a agência de autocuidado na maioria da população se mantém em um nível regular. Conclusões Verifica-se a relação entre a agência de autocuidado e as atitudes frente ao risco biológico nos estudantes, um fato que ratifica a importância do trabalho de enfermagem no fortalecimento de comportamentos favoráveis para seu próprio autocuidado.

Cryptosporidium ubiquitum in Venezuela: First report in a paediatric patient with acute diarrhea / Cryptosporidium ubiquitum en Venezuela: primer informe en un paciente pediátrico con diarrea aguda

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Comparison of nested PCR and real-time PCR for the detection of Toxoplasma gondii in biological samples from naturally infected cats.

There are different protocols of molecular diagnosis methods available including DNA extraction methods to diagnose of Toxoplasma gondii, being necessary to perform comparative studies in biological samples. The aim of this study is to compare real-time PCR (rtPCR) and nested PCR (nPCR) to evaluate the detection of T. gondii in naturally infected cats. Biological samples of Toxoplasma-seropositive cats were assayed for detection of T. gondii DNA--extracted by both the lysis buffer and proteinase K (LB proteinase K) method and the acid guanidinium thiocyanate (GuSCN) method--using rtPCR and nPCR. T. gondii DNA was detected by nPCR in 43.6% and 40.8% of the samples from which it was extracted by the LB proteinase K and the GuSCN method, respectively. With rtPCR these figures fell significantly to 33.8% and 14.1%. Despite of nPCR showed higher sensitivity, the agreement observed between two PCRs was good; this agreement, however, was affected by the DNA extraction method used, LB proteinase K method showed better results.

Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium isolates from humans in Equatorial Guinea.

The aim of the study was to perform a molecular characterization of clinical isolates of Cryptosporidium species from Equatorial Guinea. Standard laboratory methods were used to identify 35 cryptosporidiosis cases among 185 patients. PCR-RFLP successfully identified 34 Cryptosporidium species from these 35 cases, comprising C. parvum (52.9%), C. hominis (44.1%) and C. meleagridis (2.9%); over 90% of the species were isolated from HIV-positive patients. This is the first report of the molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium species isolated from humans in Equatorial Guinea and shows that zoonotic and anthroponotic transmission is present in this country.

Identificación y sensibilidad de bacilos gram-negativos: Evaluación del uso de un sistema automatizado directamente de los frascos de hemocultivo / Identification and antimicrobial susceptibility of gram-negative bacilli: Evaluation of the use of automatic system directly from blood culture bottles

La rapidez en el informe de los hemocultivos es esencial en el manejo clínico-infectológico de pacientes con bacteriemia. En el presente estudio se evaluó la utilidad del sistema Vitek para la identificación y sensibilidad antimicrobiana partiendo de las botellas de hemocultivo. También se evaluó el método de sensibilidad antibiótica de difusión con discos partiendo directamente de las botellas de hemocultivo. En un período de un año se procesaron 101 botellas de hemocultivo que resultaron positivas con bacilos gram-negativos (71 aislamientos de enterobacterias y 26 de bacilos gram-negativos no fermentadores). Los resultados de identificación obtenidos partiendo de las botellas de hemocultivo se compararon con las pruebas manuales convencionales realizadas a partir de colonia aislada y los resultados de sensibilidad antibiótica, con el método de dilución en agar. El 86% de las enterobacterias fueron identificadas correctamente a nivel de especie y el 14% no fueron identificadas. El 92,3% de los bacilos gram-negativos no fermentadores fue identificado correctamente a nivel de especie, 3,8% fueron mal identificados y otros 3,8% no fueron identificados. La concordancia global en la sensibilidad fue del 92,7% para el sistema Vitek y del 89,9% para el método de difusión con discos. Se encontraron errores very major (0,1% y 0,4%), major (2,4% y 1,3%) y minor (7,6% y 5,5%) para difusión con discos y sistema Vitek respectivamente. La inoculación de las tarjetas Vitek a partir de las botellas de hemocultivo que contenían bacilos gram-negativos, otorgó resultados satisfactorios tanto de identificación como de sensibilidad antibiótica. El método de difusión con discos realizado a partir de las botellas de hemoculivos también resultó confiable, pero el sistema Vitek tiene la ventaja adicional de proveer resultados similares en tiempos menores.

Reducing the turnaround time of laboratory diagnosis of bacteremia by means of blood cultures is of paramount importance to perform an appropriate clinical management of septic patients. In the present study, the performance of Vitek system for identification and antimicrobial susceptibility and disk diffusion antibiotic susceptibility method, directly from positive blood culture bottles, were evaluated. During one year, 101 positive bottles with gram-negative bacilli (71 Enterobacteriaceae and 26 non-fermenting gram-negative rods) were selected at random, and identification and antimicrobial susceptibility were studied. Identification obtained using Vitek system directly from the bottles has been compared to conventional biochemical tests with previously isolated bacteria. In a similar way, results of antimicrobial susceptibility have been compared to those obtained by agar dilution method. A good identification at species level was obtained for 86% of Enterobacteriaceae while 14% could not be identified. Almost ninety three percent of non-fermenting gram-negative rods were correctly identified with 3.8% badly identified, and 3.8% not identified. Global concordance with the reference method in susceptibility was 92.7% for Vitek system and 89.9 for disk diffusion method. very major (0.1% and 0.4%), major (2.4% and 1.3%) and minor (7.6% and 5.5%) errors were found for the disk diffusion method and Vitek system respectively. Vitek results obtained from direct inoculation of blood culture bottles containing gram-negative bacilli were satisfactory for identification as well as for antimicrobial susceptibility. The disk diffusion method directly performed from the bottles also showed acceptable results. However the advantage of Vitek system was its ability to significantly reduce the turnaround time.