Is Helping Really Helping? Health-Related Quality of Life after TBI Predicting Caregiver Depression Longitudinally in Latin America

Objective: Studies have shown that functional and psychosocial sequelae of traumatic brain injury (TBI) predict emotional well-being of caregivers (Harris, 2000). Previous research examining the mental health of caregivers and the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of people with TBI have primarily been in the US (Sander, 2012). Very little research has been conducted to uncover the unique relationships between HRQoL of people with TBI and caregiver mental health longitudinally, or in low-middle income Latin American countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate how HRQoL after TBI predict caregiver depression longitudinally in two countries and three data collection sites in Latin America. Design: Multi-site, multinational longitudinal study. Setting: Three hospitals in Neiva and Cali, Colombia, and Mexico City, Mexico (before hospital discharge), as well as in the homes of individuals with TBI and caregivers in these regions (before discharge, at 2 and 4 months after discharge). Participants: A sample of 109 TBI caregiver-patient dyads (n = 218) was included in the study. Main Outcome Measure(s): Caregiver depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) and HRQoL in the person with TBI (Short Form-36). Results: Three multiple regressions were conducted to examine which aspects of patient HRQoL at baseline predicted caregiver depression at baseline, 2 months, and 4 months post-discharge. Eight aspects of patient HRQoL were simultaneously entered into each model as predictors: physical functioning, role limitations (physical and emotional), vitality, mental health, social functioning, pain, and general health. At baseline, the overall model significantly predicted caregiver depression, F(8, 105) = 2.62, p = .012, R 2 = .18. Patient mental health was the only significant unique predictor of caregiver depression at baseline, p = .021, β = -.34. The overall model predicting 2-month caregiver depression was significant, F(8, 101) = 3.21, p = .003, R 2 = .22. Only mental health, p = .016, β = -.36, was a significant unique predictor. The overall model predicting 4-month caregiver depression was significant, F(8, 98) = 2.70, p = .010, R 2 = .19, and no factors uniquely predicted caregiver depression, all ps\u3e.05. Conclusions: Results suggest that TBI patient HRQoL can predict caregiver depression among Latin American caregivers before and during the first 4 months after hospital discharge. Across all three time points (baseline, 2 months, and 4 months), caregiver depression was significantly predicted by patient HRQoL. At baseline, patient mental health was the only domain that uniquely predicted caregiver depression. At 2 months, only physical role limitations uniquely predicted caregiver depression, and no unique predictors were detected at 4 months. These findings suggest that within the cultural framework in Latin America, there is a strong relationship between functional and psychological impairments after TBI and depression outcomes in Latin American caregivers. The results highlight the importance of uncovering these relational distinctions and may infer early detection of mental health needs and psychological intervention considerations for Latin American caregivers.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/gradposters/1052/thumbnail.jp

Influence of genotype and age of explant source on the capacity for somatic embryogenesis of two Cavendish banana cultivars (Musa acuminata Colla, AAA)

The embryogenic capacities of flower explants from one- and two-week-old male inflorescence buds from Musa acuminata Cavendish, AAA, genotypes ‘Williams’ and ‘Grand Naine’ were investigated. Explants of hands with immature flowers were excised and induced for embryogenesis. Highlysignificant differences were found in the embryogenic response, depending on the genotype and the developmental stage of the buds from which the explants were excised. After four months of induction, the total percentage of callus formed ranged from 97.81% in explants of two-week-old ‘Williams’ buds to 52.11% in explants of two-week-old ‘Grand Naine’ buds. Embryogenic callus formation was, on average, higher in the two-week-old ‘Williams’ explants (10.01%) than in the one-week-old explants (0.78%). The opposite was true for ‘Grand Naine’, with 7.51% embryogenic callus produced in explants of one-week-old buds compared to 2.49% in two-week-old buds. Selected embryogenic calluses that were successfully established on proliferation medium led to embryogenic cell suspensions with good regeneration capacities. Fifteen to thirty-five percent of the embryos germinated, demonstrated high plant-conversion capacity (99%). The effect of the interaction between the developmental age ofexplant and the genotype on the embryogenesis response is discussed

Predicting Caregiver Burden Over the First 4 Months After TBI in Latin America: A Multi-site, Multi-Country Study

Disparities in TBI exist between developed and developing regions, and this neurological condition typically requires caregivers to provide aid and functional support for those with TBI (Hyder, Wunderlich, Puvanachandra, Gururaj, & Kobusingye, 2007). Latin America, among these global regions, has elevated risks of both sustaining TBI and poorer post-TBI functioning (Bonow et al., 2018). Previous literature has shown the poor cognitive, mental health, and social functional outcomes following the injury (Deloche, Dellatolas, & Christensen, 2000), but research has minimally explored both longitudinal trends of these outcomes, and if functional outcomes of the injury differentially predict caregiver burden. The aim of the current study was to examine if deficits in cognitive/executive functioning, depression, and social disadaptation among individuals with TBI in Latin America predict longitudinal trajectories of caregiver burden. A sample of 109 Latin American caregivers of individuals with a newly sustained TBI, from three hospitals were included in the study. In order to evaluate this series of relationships, Hierarchal Linear Modeling (HLM) assessed whether key features of TBI (e.g, depression, cognitive dysfunction, and social disadaptation), at baseline, predicted longitudinal outcomes of caregiver burden. Study findings showed that social disadaptation significantly predicted caregiver burden trajectory. Further, results showed that caregiver burden trajectories generally decreased over time, and men reported greater caregiver burden compared to women. These findings highlight unique trends among post-TBI caregivers in Latin America and suggest that future research should assess mechanisms that influence these trends.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/gradposters/1090/thumbnail.jp

Soil carbon stocks and nitrous oxide emissions of pasture systems in Orinoquía region of Colombia: Potential for developing land-based greenhouse gas removal projects

Improving grassland conditions under grazing has the potential not only to accumulate carbon in soils, but also to reduce nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from animal urine deposition. However, measurements in developing countries are still scarce. In the Orinoquia region, permanent grasslands (PG; this unimproved, native pasture is considered as at some state of degradation) based on unimproved grasses are found due to extensive, inefficient grazing combined with annual burning of pastures. We hypothesized that, compared to PG, improved grasslands (IG) managed through rotational grazing of introduced, productive and deep-rooted pasture grass species promote soil organic carbon (SOC) accumulation and reduce N2O emission from urine deposited by grazing cattle. We determined SOC and N2O emissions from urine deposited on soils in an area of PG and in a 6.5 year-old IG area of Urochloa (Syn. Brachiaria) humidicola grass pasture in a beef cattle ranch in Orinoquía region (Colombia). In both areas, we sampled soil for chemical/physical analysis, and measured N2O emissions by simulating urine deposition over 21 days. We applied two-way analysis of variance considering pasture type and soil depth as fixed factors. Estimated SOC stocks (0–100 cm) were in the range of 224.8 Mg C ha−1 for the PG and 259.0 Mg C ha−1 for the IG, with a significant (p < 0.05) average accumulation of 2.0 Mg C ha−1 y−1 (0–20 cm) in the IG area. N2O emissions were 10 times lower in the IG compared to the PG. The introduction of U. humidicola grass influenced SOC accumulation probably through its more abundant root system and greater turnover together with higher (14%) forage dry matter production compared to PG. The reduced N2O emissions observed from urine patches in IG were attributed to biological nitrification inhibition ability and greater nitrogen uptake of U. humidicola grass. Compared to the reference default value of IPCC for, the SOC stock found in PG was almost 40% higher, whereas the N2O emission factor (5%) was within the uncertainty range (0.7–6%). The Orinoquía region shows significant potential for SOC storage and reduced N2O emissions in improved pastures with deep root systems. Thus, scaling the implementation of land-based SOC storage practices/projects could significantly contribute to reducing net emissions from beef production from this region

Hacia una ganadería neutra en carbono en la Orinoquía Colombiana

La ganadería ha estado asociada a altas emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero (GEI). Investigaciones recientes de la iniciativa de Ganadería y Clima del OneCGIAR, demuestran que prácticas de mejoramiento genético y pastoreo rotacional tienen un potencial considerable para reducir la huella de carbono (HC) de la producción de carne, especialmente en regiones con baja productividad animal como América Latina. Estudios anteriores se han enfocado típicamente en las emisiones de GEI, omitiendo la capacidad del sistema de producción de remover carbono. Para abordar esta brecha, calculamos la HC de 1 kg de peso vivo (PV) producido en una finca de genética y cría de ganado vacuno en la región de la Orinoquia colombiana, utilizando datos de actividad de alta resolución y mediciones del suelo. Modelamos un escenario de referencia de una finca hipotética de cría de ganado bajo prácticas de manejo tradicionales en la región, incluyendo pastoreo extensivo con quemas anuales de pastizales, baja carga animal y dietas basadas en pastos nativos. Nuestros resultados muestran que una intensificación sostenible basada en una combinación de ganado de alto mérito genético, pastos adaptados a la región con raíces profundas y un pastoreo rotacional puede reducir la HC de la producción de carne. Encontramos que la raza regional dominante, Brahman, tenía intensidades de GEI hasta tres veces más altas que la raza mejorada Nelore ciclo corto. Calculamos una HC de -17 kg CO2eq kg-1 PV, principalmente inducida por la acumulación de carbono orgánico en suelo (COS), lo que sugiere un impacto positivo de la renovación de raíces en los suelos arcillosos de la región. El excedente de remoción de carbono abre la posibilidad para que los agricultores generen créditos de carbono y participen en mercados voluntarios, diversificando así sus ingresos. El monitoreo continuo de futuras emisiones de GEI y los niveles de COS es fundamental para validar estos hallazgos y comprender mejor los beneficios netos de mitigación de los sistemas ganaderos en la región. Nuestro estudio proporciona evidencia de los efectos sinérgicos de prácticas de intensificación sostenible en los beneficios climáticos y el mejoramiento de los medios de vida para los agricultores

Using Genetic Diversity in Deep Root Systems of Perennial Forage Grasses and Rice to Capture Carbon in Tropical Soils

Agricultural soils have the potential not only to be sinks of carbon dioxide (CO2) but also to mitigate the emissions of this gas to the atmosphere, thus, alleviating global warming. Perennial tropical grasses and rice upland and lowland varieties exhibit a large untapped genetic diversity in their root systems (e.g., deep rooting ability, exudation rates and chemical composition) that, if unlocked, could contribute to increased food production in crop-livestock systems while enhancing soil organic carbon (SOC) in tropical regions. Naturebased solutions that improve crop adaptation and SOC storage in tropical soils could help to remove CO2 from the atmosphere and thereby benefit the global climate system. With the launch of Future Seeds, one of the world’s largest repositories of tropical crop varieties, the Bezos Earth Fund (BEF) granted a major project within the Program of Future of Food. The focus of this BEF funded project is to: (i) develop novel high-throughput phenotyping methods to evaluate genetic diversity of root systems of tropical grasses and rice; (ii) unravel the potential of root systems in crop-livestock systems to replenish soil organic carbon (SOC) in human-intervened areas in tropical soils; (iii) identify and target hotspots/agroecological niches for SOC storage in tropical soils; and (iv) build capacity in conducting research on root systems and SOC storage towards carbon farming in tropical regions. Implementation of land-based SOC storage practices/projects (through carbon markets) based on deep rooting ability of perennial tropical forage grasses and rice cultivars in crop-pasture rotational systems could significantly reduce net emissions from tropical soils

Soil carbon stocks in tropical pasture systems in Colombia’s Orinoquía region: supporting readiness for climate finance

Key messages: ■ Using field measurements, it was found that pastures in clay soils in the Orinoquía region can store as more than 200 tCha-1 (0-100 cm). Results are 40% higher than the IPCC default values (0-30cm). ■ Close to 30% of the total SOC stock were found in the top 0-20 cm soil layer, highlighting the importance of evaluating deeper soil layers in SOC assessments. ■ Improving pasture systems have the potential to accumulate SOC, especially in the topsoil layer. This may be a consequence of higher forage production in improved pastures and cattle waste depositions. ■ Clay soils in Orinoquía shows a large potential for SOC sequestration through pasture improvement (~2.0 tCha-1y-1; 0-20 cm). This rate should be reduced overtime once SOC stocks approach a new steady-state. Therefore, future monitoring is critical to validating findings and better understanding SOC changes in the region. ■ This info note reports high sequestration potential for grassland in Colombia's Orinoquía region, which can be attractive for climate finance. Information is also provided to improve SOC estimation and implement SOC monitoring systems

An Examination of Morphometric Variations in a Neotropical Toad Population (Proceratophrys cristiceps, Amphibia, Anura, Cycloramphidae)

The species Proceratophrys cristiceps belongs to the genus Proceratophrys within the family Cycloramphidae. These amphibians are found exclusively in South America in the morphoclimatic domain of the semi-arid depression zones in northeastern Brazil known as the Caatinga. We examined intrapopulational variation using univariate and multivariate statistics with traditional and geometric morphometrics, which supported the existence of two morphotypes of this species. Our results indicated significant degrees of variation in skeletal characteristics between some natural populations of this species. Careful analyses of variability levels are fundamental to avoid taxonomic errors, principally in populations that demonstrate characteristics intimately associated with their area of occurrence, as is the case of Proceratophrys cristiceps