Variabilidad genética del ADN mitocondrial de Vultur gryphus (cóndor andino) en Cusco y Apurímac a partir de plumas de muda

The intrapopulation genetic variability of Vultur gryphus (Andean condors) from Cusco and Apurimac regions was evaluated by amplification and sequencing of mitochondrial DNA corresponding to the control region and 12S ribosomal subunit (D-Loop-RNAr12S), Cytochrome Oxidase subunit I (COI) genes and NADH dehydrogenase subunit II (ND2) gene. DNA was extracted from the calamus of feathers recollected from captive and wild specimens. The main indices of genetic diversity such as the haplotype diversity, the nucleotide diversity, the average number of nucleotide differences and the number of polymorphic sites were analyzed. The PCR amplification success rate was 100% for the three mitochondrial amplified sequences. Four haplotypes were identified from the 600 bp sequenced of D-Loop-RNAr12S region; six haplotypes from the 704 bp sequenced of the COI gene; five haplotypes from the 1090 bp sequenced of the ND2 gene. The COI gene presented the highest haplotype diversity (Hd = 0.468), the D-Loop-RNAr12S region presented the highest index of nucleotide diversity (π = 0.00086), while the COI gene presented the highest average number of nucleotide differences (K = 0.52615). The results show low levels of genetic variability in the mitochondrial genes of the Andean Condor in the study area, indicating a population with a homogeneous genetic structure.La variabilidad genética intrapoblacional de Vultur gryphus (cóndores andinos) de las regiones de Cusco y Apurímac fue evaluada mediante amplificación y secuenciación del ADN mitocondrial correspondientes a la región control y subunidad ribosomal 12S (D-Loop-ARNr12S), y a los genes Citocromo Oxidasa subunidad I (COI) y NADH deshidrogenasa subunidad II (ND2). El ADN se extrajo a partir de cálamos de plumas de muda de ejemplares en cautiverio y silvestres. Se analizaron los principales índices de diversidad genética como son: la diversidad haplotípica, la diversidad nucleotídica, el número promedio de diferencias nucleotídicas y el número de sitios polimórficos. La tasa de éxito de amplificación mediante PCR fue de 100% para las tres regiones de ADN analizadas. Se secuenció 600 pb de la región D-Loop-ARNr12S caracterizándose cuatro haplotipos, 704 pb del gen COI caracterizándose seis haplotipos y 1090 pb del gen ND2 caracterizándose cinco haplotipos. El gen COI presentó el mayor valor de diversidad haplotípica (Hd = 0.468), la región del gen D-Loop-ARNr12S presentó el mayor índice de diversidad nucleotídica (π = 0.00086), mientras que el gen COI presentó el mayor número promedio de diferencias nucleotídicas (K = 0.52615). Los resultados muestran bajos niveles de variabilidad genética en los genes mitocondriales de los cóndores andinos de la zona de estudio, que indicarían una población con estructura genética homogénea

Interdisciplinary postdoctoral training in global health through a novel joint project for trainees from diverse disciplines: Benefits, risks, and observations

Postdoctoral training programs are usually highly individualized arrangements between trainees and a limited number of senior mentors in their field, an approach that contrasts with current trends in public health education that promote interdisciplinary training to spur innovation. Herein, we describe an alternative model for postdoctoral training for a group of fellows from distinct disciplines. Fellows work with mentors from diverse fields to create a joint research project or a group of complementary projects, with the goal of developing a new device, intervention, or innovation to address a global health problem. The perceived benefits, challenges, and limitations of this team approach to interdisciplinary postdoctoral training are presented.Fil: Oberhelman, Richard A.. University of Tulane; Estados UnidosFil: Huaynate, Cynthia Anticona. Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia; Perú. University of Tulane; Estados UnidosFil: Correa, Malena. Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia; Perú. University of Tulane; Estados UnidosFil: Malpartida, Holger Mayta. Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia; Perú. University of Tulane; Estados UnidosFil: Pajuelo, Monica. Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia; Perú. University of Tulane; Estados UnidosFil: Paz Soldan, Valerie A.. University of Tulane; Estados UnidosFil: Gilman, Robert H.. Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia; Perú. University Johns Hopkins; Estados UnidosFil: Zimic, Mirko. Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia; PerúFil: Murphy, Laura. University of Tulane; Estados UnidosFil: Belizan, Jose. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Centro de Investigaciones en Epidemiología y Salud Pública. Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria. Centro de Investigaciones en Epidemiología y Salud Pública; Argentin

Delays in seeking and receiving health care services for pneumonia in children under five in the Peruvian Amazon: a mixed-methods study on caregivers’ perceptions

Abstract Background Delays in receiving adequate care for children suffering from pneumonia can be life threatening and have been described associated with parents’ limited education and their difficulties in recognizing the severity of the illness. The “three delays” was a model originally proposed to describe the most common determinants of maternal mortality, but has been adapted to describe delays in the health seeking process for caregivers of children under five. This study aims to explore the caregivers’ perceived barriers for seeking and receiving health care services in children under five years old admitted to a referral hospital for community-acquired pneumonia in the Peruvian Amazon Region using the three-delays model framework. Methods There were two parts to this mixed-method, cross-sectional, hospital-based study. First, medical charts of 61 children (1 to 60 months old) admitted for pneumonia were reviewed, and clinical characteristics were noted. Second, to examine health care-seeking decisions and actions, as well as associated delays in the process of obtaining health care services, we interviewed 10 of the children’s caregivers. Results Half of the children in our study were 9 months old or less. Main reasons for seeking care at the hospital were cough (93%) and fever (92%). Difficulty breathing and fast breathing were also reported in more than 60% of cases. In the interviews, caregivers reported delays of 1 to 14 days to go to the closest health facility. Factors perceived as causes for delays in deciding to seek care were apparent lack of skills to recognize signs and symptoms and of confidence in the health system, and practicing self-medication. No delays in reaching a health facility were reported. Once the caregivers reached a health facility, they perceived lack of competence of medical staff and inadequate treatment provided by the primary care physicians. Conclusion According to caregivers, the main delays to get health care services for pneumonia among young children were identified in the initial decision of caregivers to seek healthcare and in the health system to provide it. Specific interventions targeted to main barriers may be useful for reducing delays in providing appropriate health care for children with pneumonia