Farm lease contracts

8 pages; includes drawing. This archival publication may not reflect current scientific knowledge or recommendations. Current information available from the University of Minnesota Extension: https://www.extension.umn.edu

Continuing Medical Education (CME): An exploration of method in teaching empathy to first year residents in a Singapore hospital

Knowledge and skills can be taught. What of character or personality – can desirable personality traits like empathy be taught? Studies show that there is a deterioration of medical students’ and residents’ self-perceived empathy during clinical training. The first stage of the study aimed to compare the levels of empathy of Post-Graduate Year 1 (PGY1) doctors in a public hospital pre- and post-teaching. In complement, we explored the empathy learning experience of doctors in an environment with their colleagues from all job groups present. Stage 1 - Initial small-scale data was gathered in a mixed method study with 21 PGY1s (using the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy (JSPE), whilst their patients were asked to fill the Jefferson Scale of Patient Perceived Physician Empathy (JSPPPE). Equal and randomised test and control groups were formed. The test group of PGY1s were asked to view a teaching video online, after which they filled a qualitative reflective feedback form. The survey exercise was repeated to obtain post-intervention empathy scores. Findings: a heightened awareness about the doctor-patient relationship in the PGY1s who viewed the video; PGY1s’ self-assessed empathy levels do not correlate with their patients’ assessments. In Stage 2, using the classroom as a laboratory for teaching empathy, we explored what actually occurs during the learning and post-learning (reflection, practice change) experiences for doctors and their colleagues. Data was collected from five focus group discussions. The teaching of empathy is necessary in sustaining empathetic care throughout doctors’ training and career. Although some patients may not want empathy, we need to explore ways of arousing awareness of self and others, of curiosity, of imagination, and to promote reflection in practice – these contribute to restoring hope in humanistic care. Leaders in medical education and clinical tutors should closely monitor the hidden curriculum (and other organizational and systemic challenges) as well as ensure physician wellbeing whilst enacting a curriculum change in order to incorporate the teaching of empathy to residents, their peers, and colleagues

Evaluación de aislamientos colombianos del virus de la tristeza de los cítricos (CTV)

Los cítricos en Colombia están afectados por virus y viroides que causan diversos efectos en la longevidad y productividad de los árboles. Una de las enfermedades virales importantes es la tristeza de los cítricos, de naturaleza endémica en Colombia, donde se ha encontrado una alta incidencia de cepas severas (Acosta et. al.,1994) Diversas condiciones, como la siembra de material de propagación contaminado y la presencia del vector Toxoptera citricida en todas las regiones productoras, han contribuido a la dispersión del patógeno. Los trabajos de investigación desarrollados en Colombia han permitido identificar la presencia de razas suaves y razas severas, que causan declinamiento y acanaladuras en la madera (Stem pitting), estos síntomas han sido identificados mediante observaciones y colectas de material en campo, análisis serológicos y análisis moleculares. Sin embargo no se han hecho estudios de transmisión del virus con áfidos y evaluación biológica en plantas indicadoras que permitan separar y caracterizar con mayor precisión los aislamientos de CTV en la búsqueda de una raza suave que pueda ser utilizada en un futuro programa de protección cruzada.Citricultur

Factors Associated with HIV-1 Proviral DNA Loads in Patients with Undetectable Plasma RNA Load

To evaluate factors associated with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) proviral DNA load, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 36 chronically HIV-1-infected individuals with undetectable plasma viral RNA. We used real-time polymerase chain reaction to determine the number of HIV-1 proviral DNA copies per 106 peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The mean level of plasma viral RNA when the CD4+ T cell count was above 500 cells/µL without highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) was significantly associated with proviral DNA load at the time of undetectable plasma HIV RNA with HAART. Strategies to reduce the level of plasma viral RNA when patients' CD4+ T cell counts are above 500 cells/µL without HAART could help reduce HIV-1 proviral DNA load

Phase I/II Trial of the Anti-HIV Activity of Mifepristone in HIV-Infected Subjects ACTG 5200

Mifepristone is a glucocorticoid receptor inhibitor shown in vitro to have anti-HIV activity and anti-simian immunodeficiency virus activity in a macaque model. A phase I/II trial was performed to assess the drug’s safety and anti-HIV activity

Rapid Turnover of 2-LTR HIV-1 DNA during Early Stage of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy

BACKGROUND: Despite prolonged treatment with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), the infectious HIV-1 continues to replicate and resides latently in the resting memory CD4+ T lymphocytes, which blocks the eradication of HIV-1. The viral persistence of HIV-1 is mainly caused by its proviral DNA being either linear nonintegrated, circular nonintegrated, or integrated. Previous reports have largely focused on the dynamics of HIV-1 DNA from the samples collected with relatively long time intervals during the process of disease and HAART treatment, which may have missed the intricate changes during the intervals in early treatment. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In this study, we investigated the dynamics of HIV-1 DNA in patients during the early phase of HARRT treatment. Using optimized real time PCR, we observed significant changes in 2-LTR during the first 12-week of treatment, while total and integrated HIV-1 DNA remained stable. The doubling time and half-life of 2-LTR were not correlated with the baseline and the rate of changes in plasma viral load and various CD4+ T-cell populations. Longitudinal analyses on 2-LTR sequences and plasma lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels did not reveal any significant changes in the same treatment period. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our study revealed the rapid changes in 2-LTR concentration in a relatively large number of patients during the early HAART treatment. The rapid changes indicate the rapid infusion and clearance of cells bearing 2-LTR in the peripheral blood. Those changes are not expected to be caused by the blocking of viral integration, as our study did not include the integrase inhibitor raltegravir. Our study helps better understand the dynamics of HIV-DNA and its potential role as a biomarker for the diseases and for the treatment efficacy of HAART