ケニアにおける野菜類遺伝資源の探索収集

Exploration for collecting genetic resources of vegetable plants focused on Cucurbitaceous and Solanaceous plants in Kenya was undertaken from 9 th September to 2 nd October. This exploration was carried out as collaborative research with KARI (Kenya Agricultural Research Institute). The exploration trip route and itinerary are shown in Fig. 1 and Table 1, respectively. The area explored was comprises five distinguished regions, Rift valley, the Southwest, the South, central region, and coastal region facing the Indian Ocean. Flora and vegetation varied among regions according to differences in geography and climate. The vegetation in Rift Valley and the South was generally poor because of drought. In the southwest around Lake Victoria, and the central region around Mt. Kenya had higher precipitation, the vegetation was rich, and many kinds of crop were grown. The total number of collected samples was 249, and seed samples of 239 accessions were introduced into Japan. The collected accessions consisted of 140 of Cucurbitaceae, 59 of Solanaceae, 3 of Cruciferae, 6 of Amaranthaceae, 14 of Leguminosae, 2 of Malvaceae and others (Table 2). Of the Cucurbitaceous species, broad diversity in Lagenaria siceraria and Cucurbita moschata were found, and some wild species belonged to genus Cucumis were collected. Of the Solanaceous species, tomato and sweet pepper were commonly cultivated, but the number of cultivar was a few. Solanum gilo and S. macrocarpon were field grown, and some wild species belonged to genus Solanum were also collected. In leafy vegetable, skuma (probably Brassica oleracea), amaranthus (Amaranthus mangostanus), Solanum nigram and spinach (chard, Beta vulgaris) were found, but seed sample of skuma and spinach could not collected because it was not the season for seed maturing. The great diversity was observed among Leguminosae crops

The role of hemodialysis machines dedication in reducing Hepatitis C transmission in the dialysis setting in Iran: A multicenter prospective interventional study

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a significant problem among patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (HD). We conducted a prospective multi-center study to evaluate the effect of dialysis machine separation on the spread of HCV infection. METHODS: Twelve randomly selected dialysis centers in Tehran, Iran were randomly divided into two groups; those using dedicated machines (D) for HCV infected individuals and those using non-dedicated HD machines (ND). 593 HD cases including 51 HCV positive (RT-PCR) cases and 542 HCV negative patients were enrolled in this study. The prevalence of HCV infection in the D group was 10.1% (range: 4.6%– 13.2%) and it was 7.1% (range: 4.2%–16.8%) in the ND group. During the study conduction 5 new HCV positive cases and 169 new HCV negative cases were added. In the D group, PCR positive patients were dialyzed on dedicated machines. In the ND group all patients shared the same machines. RESULTS: In the first follow-up period, the incidence of HCV infection was 1.6% and 4.7% in the D and ND group respectively (p = 0.05). In the second follow-up period, the incidence of HCV infection was 1.3% in the D group and 5.7% in the ND group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In this study the incidence of HCV in HD patients decreased by the use of dedicated HD machines for HCV infected patients. Additional studies may help to clarify the role of machine dedication in conjunction with application of universal precautions in reducing HCV transmission

Substance use and its predictors among undergraduate medical students of Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Substance use remains high among Ethiopian youth and young adolescents particularly in high schools and colleges. The use of alcohol, <it>khat </it>and tobacco by college and university students can be harmful; leading to decreased academic performance, increased risk of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. However, the magnitude of substance use and the factors associated with it has not been investigated among medical students in the country. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of substance use and identify factors that influenced the behavior among undergraduate medical students of Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cross-sectional study using a pre-tested structured self-administered quantitative questionnaire was conducted in June 2009 among 622 medical students (Year I to Internship program) at the School of Medicine. The data were entered into Epi Info version 6.04d and analyzed using SPSS version 15 software program. Descriptive statistics were used for data summarization and presentation. Differences in proportions were compared for significance using Chi Square test, with significance level set at p < 0.05. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess the magnitude of associations between substance use and socio-demographic and behavioral correlates.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In the last 12 months, alcohol was consumed by 22% (25% males vs. 14% females, p = 0.002) and <it>khat </it>use was reported by 7% (9% males vs. 1.5% females, p < 0.001) of the students. About 9% of the respondents (10.6% males vs. 4.6% females, p = 0.014) reported ever use of cigarette smoking, and 1.8% were found to be current smokers. Using multiple logistic regression models, being male was strongly associated with alcohol use in the last 12 months (adjusted OR = 2.14, 95% CI = 1.22-3.76). Students whose friends currently consume alcohol were more likely to consume alcohol (adjusted OR = 2.47, 95% CI = 1.50-4.08) and whose friends' use tobacco more likely to smoke (adjusted OR = 3.89, 95% CI = 1.83-8.30). <it>Khat </it>use within the past 12 months was strongly and positively associated with alcohol consumption (adjusted OR = 15.11, 95% CI = 4.24-53.91). Similarly, ever use of cigarette was also significantly associated with alcohol consumption (adjusted OR = 8.65, 95% CI = 3.48-21.50).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Concordant use of alcohol, <it>khat </it>and tobacco is observed and exposure to friends' use of substances is often implicated. Alcohol consumption or <it>khat </it>use has been significantly associated with tobacco use. While the findings of this study suggest that substance use among the medical students was not alarming, but its trend increased among students from Year I to Internship program. The university must be vigilant in monitoring and educating the students about the consequences of substance use.</p

Abattage des femelles gravides et production des petits ruminants au Togo: Pregnant females slaughter and the small ruminant production in Togo

Les pertes de jeunes petits ruminants avant naissance par l’abattage de femelles gravides ont été évaluées en 5 mois à l’abattoir de Togblékopé à Lomé. Sur des effectifs respectifs de 7866 brebis et 3367 chèvres abattues, 3175 brebis soit 40,4% et 1169 chèvres soit 34,7% ont été en état de gestation visible. La perte globale est évaluée à plus de 13 000 foetus physiques par an. Des mesures comportant l’aspect socioéconomiquedoivent être prises sur le plan national pour limiter ce désastre. Loss of small ruminant through slaughtering of pegnant females was evaluated during 5 months in the abattoir of Togblekope at Lomé. Out of 7866 ewes and 3367 goats slaughtered, there were 3175 ewes (40.4%) and 1167 goats (34.7%) which were pregnant. The global loss was evaluated over 13 000 foetus by year. Therefore, national measures including socio-economic aspect should be considered to reduce the magnitude of the proble