Development of a Neuropeptide Y-Sensitive Implantable Microelectrode for Continuous Measurements.

In this work, we present the development of the first implantable aptamer-based platinum microelectrode for continuous measurement of a nonelectroactive molecule, neuropeptide Y (NPY). The aptamer immobilization was performed via conjugation chemistry and characterized using cyclic voltammetry before and after the surface modification. The redox label, methylene blue (MB), was attached at the end of the aptamer sequence and characterized using square wave voltammetry (SWV). NPY standard solutions in a three-electrode cell were used to test three aptamers in steady-state measurement using SWV for optimization. The aptamer with the best performance in the steady-state measurements was chosen, and continuous measurements were performed in a flow cell system using intermittent pulse amperometry. Dynamic measurements were compared against confounding and similar peptides such as pancreatic polypeptide and peptide YY, as well as somatostatin to determine the selectivity in the same modified microelectrode. Our Pt-microelectrode aptamer-based NPY biosensor provides signals 10 times higher for NPY compared to the confounding molecules. This proof-of-concept shows the first potential implantable microelectrode that is selectively sensitive to NPY concentration changes.

Global Health Education in Pathology Residency.

OBJECTIVES: Pathology and laboratory medicine (PALM) services in low- and middle-income countries are essential to combat the increasing prevalence of cancer in addition to providing documentation of cancer types and trends for future allocation of public health resources. There are many ways PALM as a whole can engage on the global health front. This study summarizes the efforts and results of a global health educational and clinical elective for pathology residents in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. METHODS: Pathology residents led and implemented the project, working alongside an in-country pathologist and project collaborator to instill project sustainability and allow for future capacity building. RESULTS: An educational elective was established between the pathology departments of the University of Virginia and Hospital Regional de Occidente in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. Two residents at a time engaged in a month-long educational elective assisting and learning from the in-country pathologist in anatomic pathology clinical work. CONCLUSIONS: The project is an example of a global health initiative centering on the enhancement of PALM services in a low-resource environment via a bidirectional, sustainable educational exchange.

A Case Study of a Point-of-Care Electronic Medical Record [SABER] in Totonicapán, Guatemala: Benefits, Challenges, and Future Directions.

Background: The adoption of electronic medical records (EMRs) in lower-income nations has progressed slowly due to the lack of adequate infrastructure, funding, and training. However, EMRs have been successfully implemented previously in resource-limited health systems in South Africa, Haiti, Cameroon, Kenya, and Peru. Detailed, organized, and easily accessible medical records are particularly important in emergency departments due to the volume and acuity of the patient population. Methods: In order to further study the plausibility of an EMR in a resource-limited emergency department, a web-based, Spanish-language EMR known as SABER was developed for use in Hospital Nacional José Felipe Flores in Totonicapán, Guatemala. The software collects patient data including demographics, triage, initial evaluation, review of systems, physical exam, and evaluation and plan. It then generates a .pdf file consistent with information requirements of the Guatemalan Ministry of Health. Local physicians, medical students, and nurses were trained in the use of the software, which debuted in July 2016. To assess the effectiveness of SABER as an EMR, focus groups and Likert scale surveys were conducted with six physicians and 31 medical students working in the Hospital Nacional emergency department. Results: Thirty of 32 medical students and six of six doctors would recommend SABER to another provider. Positive aspects identified by staff include ease of use, quick data entry, and the potential for large data set research. Discussion: Remaining challenges include incorporating electronic nursing orders and lab results, troubleshooting technology problems including printer difficulties, a lack of electronic signature capability, and lack of integration with the rest of the hospital. Our study is consistent with other studies that show use of an EMR may help to reduce health disparities through improved patient records, medical data collection, and organization.

Evaluación de fungicidas y productos vegetales en el combate de la sarna polvorienta de la papa / Fungicides and plant products evaluation for control of powdery scab of potato / Avaliação de fungicidas e productos vegetais no combate da sarna pulverulenta da batata

Spongospora subterranaea es el agente causal de la sarna polvorienta de la papa (Solanum tuberosum), enfermedad que afecta directamente el valor comercial y productividad del cultivo. En el estado Mérida, Venezuela, se ha observado recientemente un incremento en la incidencia de la enfermedad, causando pérdidas hasta del 100% del producto comercial. No existe un método de control efectivo, por lo que se requiere un control integral. Para evaluar el efecto de fungicidas comerciales y productos naturales sobre la incidencia y severidad de la enfermedad, se realizó un ensayo de campo bajo un diseño de bloques al azar. Se evaluaron cinco fungicidas (mancozeb, azoxystrobin, propamocarb, difenoconazol y PCNB) y dos especies vegetales (Lippia origanoides Kunth y Calotropis procera (Ait.) Ait. f.) en dos formas, extractos etanólicos y polvos. Las aplicaciones se realizaron 4 y 8 semanas luego de la siembra. La progenie fue clasificada como A, B o C según su tamaño y peso. Se logró la reducción de la severidad de la enfermedad (P= 0,0365) en tubérculos clase B. Los tratamientos mancozeb, extracto etanólico de L. origanoides, azoxystrobin y polvo de C. procera atenuaron la enfermedad en 2,47; 3,20; 3,82 y 4,08%, respectivamente. No se encontraron diferencias para incidencia (P>0,05). La disminución de la severidad permitió un aumento de los parámetros de producción del cultivo de tubérculos clase B. Se señala la potencialidad de los productos utilizados en el control de la enfermedad bajo las condiciones evaluadas.

Powdery scab of potato, caused by Spongospora subterranea, is a direct quality-limiting disease which can also reduce crop productivity. Recently, in Mérida state, Venezuela, an increase of disease incidence and severity has been observed, reaching up to 100% in crop losses. As there is not a unique effective method of control, integrated management practices must be developed. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of commercial fungicides and plant products on the incidence and severity control of the disease, a field trial was performed under a randomized complete block design. Five commercial fungicides were evaluated (mancozeb, azoxystrobin, propamocarb, difenoconazole and PCNB) as well as two plant species (Lippia origanoides Kunth and Calotropis procera (Ait.) Ait. f.) in two forms (ethanolic extracts and powder). Treatments were applied at 4 and 8 weeks after sowing. At harvest, potato tubers were classified according to their size and weight in A, B and C classes. Disease severity reduction (P=0,0365) was found on B class tubers. Mancozeb, L. origanoides (ethanolic extracts), azoxystrobin and C. procera (powder) reduced disease severity by 2.47, 3.20, 3.82 and 4.08%, respectively. There were no significant differences in disease incidence (P>0,05) among treatments. The decrease of the disease severity led to an increase in the yield of B class tubers. The results indicate a potential for the evaluated treatments in control of the potato powdery scab.

O fungo Spongospora subterranaea é o agente causal da sarna pulverulenta da batata (Solanum tuberosum), doença que afeta diretamente o valor comercial e produtividade do cultivo. No estado Mérida, Venezuela, tem se observado recentemente um incremento na incidência da doença causando perdas de até 100% do produto comercial. Não existe um método de controle efetivo, pelo que se requer um controle integral. Para avaliar o efeito de fungicidas comerciais e productos naturais sobre a incidência e severidade da doença, se realizou um ensaio de campo sob um desenho de blocos aleatórios. Avaliaram-se cinco fungicidas (mancozeb, azoxystrobin, propamocarb, difenoconazol e PCNB) e duas espécies vegetais (Lippia origanoides Kunth e Calotropis procera (Ait.) Ait. f.) em duas formas, extratos etanólicos e pós. As aplicações se realizaram 4 e 8 semanas após a plantação. A progenie foi classificada como A, B ou C segundo seu tamanho e peso. Alcanzou-se a redução da severidade da doença (P= 0,0365) em tubérculos classe B. Os tratamentos mancozeb, extrato etanólico de L. origanoides, azoxystrobin e pó de C. procera atenuaram a doença em 2,47; 3,20; 3,82 e 4,08%, respectivamente. Não se encontraram diferenças para incidência (P>0,05). A diminuição da severidade permitiu um aumento dos parâmetros de produção do cultivo de tubérculos clase B. Aponta-se a potencialidade dos productos utilizados no controle da doença sob as condições avaliadas.

Efecto del extracto de tres plantas silvestres sobre la rizoctonosis: la mancha sureña del maíz y los patógenos que las causan / Effect of the extract of three wild plants on rhizoctonia and southern corn leaf blight disease of corn and on their pathogens

Con el objeto de encontrar alternativas seguras de manejo de enfermedades se evaluaron los efectos de extractos etanólicos de Lippia origanoides, Phyllanthus niruri y Heliotropium indicum sobre Rhizoctonia solani y Bipolaris maydis, así como en las enfermedades causadas por ellos en maíz. El extracto obtenido de hojas secas se diluyó en papa-dextrosa-agar en concentraciones de 0 a 10 por ciento (v/v) y se vació en placas Petri. Se sembró un disco de cada hongo, se midió la colonia y se calculó el porcentaje de inhibición en relación al testigo (0 por ciento). Para la evaluación in vivo se instalaron tres ensayos con maíz: a) inoculación con R. solani y aplicación semanal de los extractos diluidos en agua al 2,5 por ciento; a los 18 y 26 días se evaluó el número y longitud de las lesiones; b) aplicación de los extractos 1h antes o después de la inoculación con B. maydis, evaluando las lesiones cada 3 ó 4 días; c) aplicación de los extractos 24h antes o después de inoculación. Se encontraron diferencias significativas (P<0,01) entre las concentraciones utilizadas in vitro. Los extractos de L. origanoides al 1 por ciento y P. niruri al 5 por ciento ocasionaron inhibiciones del 100 por ciento y 90 por ciento, respectivamente. Se observó un mayor efecto de P. niruri y L. origanoides en el control de la rizoctoniosis in vivo. En cuanto a la mancha sureña, P. niruri y L. origanoides resultaron mejores al ser aplicados 1h antes de inoculación. Estos resultados indican el potencial de los extractos de estas plantas en el control de ambas enfermedades en el maíz

Reducción del desarrollo de hongos fitopatógenos con extracto de cardón lefaria (cereus deficiens otto & diert) / Growth reduction of plant pathogenic fungi with extracts of (cereus deficiens otto & diert)

Con el objeto de buscar alternativas naturales para el control de enfermedades en plantas, se hicieron extracciones etanólicas desgrasadas (EED),etnólicas sin desgrasar (EESD) y acuosas (EA) de secciones medias del tallo de Cereus deficiens (Cactaceae) colectados en el Tocuyo, estado Lara, Venezuela. Se determinó cualitativamente la presencia de metabolitos secundarios en el EED y se evaluó el efecto de los extractos sobre el desarrollo in vitro de 10 hongos fitopatógenos crecidos en papa-dextrosa-agar con 0, 25, 50 y 75 por ciento de los extractos. Los resultados indicaron la presencia de aceites esenciales polifenoles, taninos y saponinas. Se encontró un efecto significativo (p<0,001) de los extractos sobre la reducción del crecimiento micelial de todos los hongos ensayados, especialmente de Phytophthora infestans y sclerotium rolsii, donde se obtuvieron reducciones de 70 a 94 por ciento en el crecimiento micelial. El mayor efecto mostraron EED y EESD. El efecto reductor de los extractos fue directamente proporcional a la concentración utilizada. Los resultados indican el potencial de C. deficiens como controlador de hongos fitopatógenos.