Assessment of Population Density and Disparity of Village Weaverbirds (Ploceus cucullatus) Along Three Selected Road Axis in Ogun State, Nigeria

Study of Village weaverbirds Ploceus cucullatus along the roads was necessary in order to provide prospect of their population, density and platform for monitoring their distribution. Data were collected through on-site observations and pointcount method at thirty-four (34) point-count stations. Collected data were subjected to descriptive statistics and one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). 58.8% of the point-count stations were recorded along Abeokuta/Ibadan road axis, 26.5% along Abeokuta/Shagamu road axis and 14.7% along Ijebu-Ode/Ibadan road axis. Twelve different tree species representing ten families were found colonized by the bird but Cassia spp, Mangifera indica and Terminalia catappa were most preferred for habitation. Habitat use classifications indicated that Village weaverbirds predominantly nested in human settlements (94.2%). Total population of 1269 Village weaverbirds were recorded along the three road axis and highest population of it was from Abeokuta-Ibadan road axis. Overall, population density for the three road axis was 18 Village weaverbirds per kilometre and among the roads; Abeokuta-Ibadan road axis recorded the highest density. The total population mean Village weaverbirds was 223±13 Village weaverbirds while the total nest population was 129±nest. Total elevation value was 141±6 asl and the mean total of the tree species was 5±1 tree species. Maximum and minimum values of Village weaverbirds population, nest counts, elevation and tree species were recorded along Abeokuta/Ibadan road axis than other road axis. Elevation of point-count station was significantly different (P< 0.05). Elevation of the study locations contributed to Village weaverbirds population, density and population disparity along the road axis. ©JASE

Comparative Analysis Of Antibiotic Resistance And R-Plasmids Of Staphylococcus aureus Isolates From Human And Dog Samples

Bacterial resistance to antibiotics constitutes a major cause of failure in the treatment of bacterial infections. The genetic exchange of plasmids containing antibiotic resistant determinants between bacteria is believed to play a critical role in the evolution of antibiotics resistant bacteria and this has been shown in S. aureus. This study was therefore carried out to investigate the nature of plasmids that determine antibiotic resistance in Staphylococcus aureus isolates from man and animal. Thirty multiply drug resistant S. aureus isolates from a total of 147 apparently healthy humans and dogs, as well as from clinical cases were determined by antibiotic susceptibility test using the standard disc agar diffusion method. Plasmid isolation was carried out by the alkaline lysis method of Birnboim and Dolly. Electrophoresis as well as the transformation experiment was done.The result showed that no particular sensitivity pattern or plasmid profile  can be ascribed to either human or animal sources of isolates. Two isolates from a domestic dog and its owner (human) were observed to have identical plasmid profile and almost the same antibiogram. 23.130 kbp and 25.119 kbp plasmids that were responsible for amoxycilin resistance were transferred. In conclusion, the genetic basis of antibiotic resistance by S. aureus in our locality was found to be partly plasmid mediated. Plasmid analysis, in conjunction with the antibiogram is valuable in differentiating multiple resistant S. aureus.Furthermore, domestic pet animals were found to be reservoirs and potential risk factors in the transfer of multiply antibiotic resistant S. aureus and their R-plasmids to antibiotic susceptible S. aureus and other bacteria

Occupational noise exposure and hearing loss: A study on knowledge, attitude and practice among Tanzanian iron and steel workers

We assessed Knowledge Attitude and Practice (KAP) regarding occupational noise exposure, Noise-induced hearing loss, audiometry and use of hearing protection devices among iron and steel factory workers exposed to high noise level. A modified, validated, structured questionnaire was used to collect information from 253 male workers randomly selected from the four factories. The sum scores for each domain of KAP were computed. Scores above 75% were defined as good knowledge and positive attitude. For practice, scores of >50% were defined as good. Independent samples t-test and Chi-squared test were used to analyze association between KAP and continuous/categorical variables respectively. Majority of workers displayed poor knowledge and poor practice (94%), but 76% displayed a positive attitude. Most of the workers (86%) had never been provided with hearing protection devices. The mean scores for attitude and practice differed significantly between the four factories (one-way ANOVA, p < 0.001). Implementation of hearing conservation program with provision of hearing protection devices are suggested.publishedVersio

Comparative Chromosome Maps of Neotropical Rodents Necromys lasiurus and Thaptomys nigrita (Cricetidae) Established by ZOO-FISH

This work presents chromosome homology maps between Mus musculus (MMU) and 2 South American rodent species from the Cricetidae group: Necromys lasiurus (NLA, 2n = 34) and Thaptomys nigrita (TNI, 2n = 52), established by ZOO-FISH using mouse chromosome-specific painting probes. Extending previous molecular cytogenetic studies in Neotropical rodents, the purpose of this work was to delineate evolutionary chromosomal rearrangements in Cricetidae rodents and to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships among the Akodontini species. Our phylogenetic reconstruction by maximum parsimony analysis of chromosomal characters confirmed one consistent clade of all Neotropical rodents studied so far. In both species analyzed here, we observed the syntenic association of chromosome segments homologous to MMU 8/13, suggesting that this chromosome form is a synapomorphic trait exclusive to Neotropical rodents. Further, the previously described Akodontini-specific syntenic associations MMU 3/18 and MMU 6/12 were observed in N. lasiurus but not in T. nigrita, although the latter species is considered a member of the Akodontini tribe by some authors. Finally, and in agreement with this finding, N. lasiurus and Akodon serrensis share the derived fission of MMU 13, which places them as basal sister clades within Akodontini. Copyright (C) 2011 S. Karger AG, Base

The usefulness of twenty-four molecular markers in predicting treatment outcome with combination therapy of amodiaquine plus sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine against falciparum malaria in Papua New Guinea

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In Papua New Guinea (PNG), combination therapy with amodiaquine (AQ) or chloroquine (CQ) plus sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) was introduced as first-line treatment against uncomplicated malaria in 2000.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We assessed <it>in vivo </it>treatment failure rates with AQ+SP in two different areas in PNG and twenty-four molecular drug resistance markers of <it>Plasmodium falciparum </it>were characterized in pre-treatment samples. The aim of the study was to investigate the association between infecting genotype and treatment response in order to identify useful predictors of treatment failure with AQ+SP.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In 2004, Day-28 treatment failure rates for AQ+SP were 29% in the Karimui and 19% in the South Wosera area, respectively. The strongest independent predictors for treatment failure with AQ+SP were <it>pfmdr1 </it>N86Y (OR = 7.87, <it>p </it>< 0.01) and <it>pfdhps </it>A437G (OR = 3.44, <it>p </it>< 0.01). Mutations found in CQ/AQ related markers <it>pfcrt </it>K76T, A220S, N326D, and I356L did not help to increase the predictive value, the most likely reason being that these mutations reached almost fixed levels. Though mutations in SP related markers <it>pfdhfr </it>S108N and C59R were not associated with treatment failure, they increased the predictive value of <it>pfdhps </it>A437G. The difference in treatment failure rate in the two sites was reflected in the corresponding genetic profile of the parasite populations, with significant differences seen in the allele frequencies of mutant <it>pfmdr1 </it>N86Y, <it>pfmdr1 </it>Y184F, <it>pfcrt </it>A220S, and <it>pfdhps </it>A437G.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The study provides evidence for high levels of resistance to the combination regimen of AQ+SP in PNG and indicates which of the many molecular markers analysed are useful for the monitoring of parasite resistance to combinations with AQ+SP.</p

General practitioners' evaluation of community psychiatric services: responsiveness to change of the General Practitioner Experiences Questionnaire (GPEQ)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Instruments have been developed to assess professional views of the quality of care but have rarely been tested for responsiveness to change. The objective of this study was to test the responsiveness of the General Practitioner Experiences Questionnaire (GPEQ) for the measurement of Community Mental Health Centres in Norway.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>National surveys were conducted in Norway in 2006 (n = 2,415) and 2008 (n = 2,209) to measure general practitioners' evaluation of community mental health centres. GPs evaluated the centres by means of a postal questionnaire, consisting of questions focused on centre quality and cooperation with GPs. As part of the national surveys 75 GPs in 2006 and 66 GPs in 2008 evaluated Hamar community mental health centre. Between the surveys, several quality improvement initiatives were implemented which were directed at cooperation with and guidance for GPs in Stange municipality, one of eight municipalities in Hamar centre catchment area. The main outcome measures were changes in GPEQ scores from 2006 to 2008 for GPs evaluating Hamar community mental health centre from Stange municipality, and changes in scores for GPs in the other seven municipalities and nationally which were assessed for statistical significance.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>GPs in Stange municipality rated Hamar community mental health centre significantly better on the guidance scale in 2008 than in 2006; on a 0-100 scale where 100 represents the best possible experiences the score was 26.5 in 2006 and 58.3 in 2008 (p < 0.001). Apart from one item about workforce situation, none of the other scales and items showed significant changes. The control group from the other seven municipalities gave significantly poorer rating for the emergency situation scale, the workforce situation scale and seven items in 2008 than in 2006. The national results showed small differences between 2006 and 2008, even though several scales and items were significantly different. A question about changes in centre performance over the last 2-3 years showed that 82% of GPs from Stange municipality reported that Hamar community mental health centre had improved, compared to only 36% from the other seven municipalities and 40% nationally which was statistically significant.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Following the implementation of an initiative designed to enhance service quality, the GPEQ identified expected changes in the guidance scale for the intervention group, indicating that the instrument is responsive to change. The worsening of services for GPs in the control group evaluating Hamar centre warrants further study.</p

Plasmodium falciparum resistance to anti-malarial drugs in Papua New Guinea: evaluation of a community-based approach for the molecular monitoring of resistance

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Molecular monitoring of parasite resistance has become an important complementary tool in establishing rational anti-malarial drug policies. Community surveys provide a representative sample of the parasite population and can be carried out more rapidly than accrual of samples from clinical cases, but it is not known whether the frequencies of genetic resistance markers in clinical cases differ from those in the overall population, or whether such community surveys can provide good predictions of treatment failure rates. METHODS: Between 2003 and 2005, in vivo drug efficacy of amodiaquine or chloroquine plus sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine was determined at three sites in Papua New Guinea. The genetic drug resistance profile (i.e., 33 single nucleotide polymorphisms in Plasmodium falciparum crt, mdr1, dhfr, dhps, and ATPase6) was concurrently assessed in 639 community samples collected in the catchment areas of the respective health facilities by using a DNA microarray-based method. Mutant allele and haplotype frequencies were determined and their relationship with treatment failure rates at each site in each year was investigated. RESULTS: PCR-corrected in vivo treatment failure rates were between 12% and 28% and varied by site and year with variable longitudinal trends. In the community samples, the frequencies of mutations in pfcrt and pfmdr1 were high and did not show significant changes over time. Mutant allele frequencies in pfdhfr were moderate and those in pfdhps were low. No mutations were detected in pfATPase6. There was much more variation between sites than temporal, within-site, variation in allele and haplotype frequencies. This variation did not correlate well with treatment failure rates. Allele and haplotype frequencies were very similar in clinical and community samples from the same site. CONCLUSIONS: The relationship between parasite genetics and in vivo treatment failure rate is not straightforward. The frequencies of genetic anti-malarial resistance markers appear to be very similar in community and clinical samples, but cannot be used to make precise predictions of clinical outcome. Thus, indicators based on molecular data have to be considered with caution and interpreted in the local context, especially with regard to prior drug usage and level of pre-existing immunity. Testing community samples for molecular drug resistance markers is a complementary tool that should help decision-making for the best treatment options and appropriate potential alternative

Comparison of governance approaches for the control of antimicrobial resistance: Analysis of three European countries

Policy makers and governments are calling for coordination to address the crisis emerging from the ineffectiveness of current antibiotics and stagnated pipe-line of new ones – antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Wider contextual drivers and mechanisms are contributing to shifts in governance strategies in health care, but are national health system approaches aligned with strategies required to tackle antimicrobial resistance? This article provides an analysis of governance approaches within healthcare systems including: priority setting, performance monitoring and accountability for AMR prevention in three European countries: England, France and Germany. Advantages and unresolved issues from these different experiences are reported, concluding that mechanisms are needed to support partnerships between healthcare professionals and patients with democratized decision-making and accountability via collaboration. But along with this multi-stakeholder approach to governance, a balance between regulation and persuasion is needed

Distribution, Population Biology, and Trophic Ecology of the Deepwater Demersal Fish Halosauropsis macrochir (Pisces: Halosauridae) on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Halosauropsis macrochir ranked amongst the most abundant and widespread demersal fishes on the mid-Atlantic Ridge of the North Atlantic (Iceland-Azores) with greatest abundance at 1700–3500 m. All sizes, ranging from 10–76 cm total length, occurred in the area without any apparent spatial pattern or depth trend. Using otolith sections displaying growth increments assumed to represent annuli, the age range recorded was 2–36 years, but most individuals were <20 years. Length and weight at age data were used to fit growth models. No differences between sexes in length and weight at age were observed. The majority of samples had a surplus of males. Diet analysis showed that H. macrochir feeds on Crustacea, Teleostei, Polychaeta, and Cephalopoda, but few prey could be identified to lower taxonomical levels. The mid-Atlantic Ridge constitutes a major portion of the North Atlantic living space of the abyssal halosaur where it completes its full life cycle, primarily as an actively foraging euryophagous micronekton/epibenthos and infauna feeder, becoming a partial piscivore with increasing size

Mobility promotes and jeopardizes biodiversity in rock-paper-scissors games

Biodiversity is essential to the viability of ecological systems. Species diversity in ecosystems is promoted by cyclic, non-hierarchical interactions among competing populations. Such non-transitive relations lead to an evolution with central features represented by the `rock-paper-scissors' game, where rock crushes scissors, scissors cut paper, and paper wraps rock. In combination with spatial dispersal of static populations, this type of competition results in the stable coexistence of all species and the long-term maintenance of biodiversity. However, population mobility is a central feature of real ecosystems: animals migrate, bacteria run and tumble. Here, we observe a critical influence of mobility on species diversity. When mobility exceeds a certain value, biodiversity is jeopardized and lost. In contrast, below this critical threshold all subpopulations coexist and an entanglement of travelling spiral waves forms in the course of temporal evolution. We establish that this phenomenon is robust, it does not depend on the details of cyclic competition or spatial environment. These findings have important implications for maintenance and evolution of ecological systems and are relevant for the formation and propagation of patterns in excitable media, such as chemical kinetics or epidemic outbreaks.Comment: Final submitted version; the printed version can be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nature06095 Supplementary movies are available at http://www.theorie.physik.uni-muenchen.de/lsfrey/images_content/movie1.AVI and http://www.theorie.physik.uni-muenchen.de/lsfrey/images_content/movie2.AV