Pasture research and technology transfer in two Latin American cattle development programs: Ecuador and Panama

Se presentan resultados de la investigacion en produccion y utilizacion de pastos y forrajes que indican que en condiciones relativamente buenas de fertilidad natural y de retencion de humedad de los suelos, representadas por la region del litoral ecuatoriano entre Quevedo y Santo Domingo, es posible obtener aumentos de peso diario en novillos de engorde del orden de 450 g/animal y, con cargas de hasta 3 animales, lograr producciones promedio de carne de hasta 1,5 kg/ha/dia, o sea mas de 500 kg/ha/ano, de modo que los animales alcanzan el peso de mercado antes de los 2,5 anos de edad; tambien se pueden obtener niveles adecuados de reproduccion de mas del 80 por ciento de destete efectivo tanto en vacas adultas como en novillos de primer parto con menos de 3 anos de edad. Por el contrario, los resultados de la investigacion en suelos acidos de baja fertilidad natural y baja retencion de humedad, representados por las condiciones prevalentes en el litoral Pacifico de Panama, no son muy halagadores por el momento, justificando la necesidad de realizar una investigacion mas amplia en estos suelos. Se sugiere ademas considerar las ventajas comparativas de los suelos fertiles para la produccion de cultivos alimenticios con una rentabilidad posiblemente mayor. En cuanto a transferencia de tegnologia al productor de ganado de carne, si bien es cierto que no existen modelos adecuados que puedan ser aplicados a todas las posibles situaciones de los paises de America Latina, la experiencia en Ecuador y Panama sugiere la necesidad de desarrollar una investigacion con metas practicas, definidas y relacionadas con programas de desarrollo ganadero apoyados por proyectos de credito. Por otro lado, se deberia integrar la investigacion con demostraciones a nivel del productor y adiestramiento de jovenes profesionales en aspectos de evaluacion, adaptacion y adopcion de tegnologias nuevas, asi como aspectos socioeconomicos de la industria ganadera. (RA

Distribution of Human Papillomavirus Genotypes among HIV-Positive and HIV-Negative Women in Cape Town, South Africa

Objective: HIV-positive women are known to be at high-risk of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and its associated cervical pathology. Here, we describe the prevalence and distribution of HPV genotypes among HIV-positive and -negative women in South Africa, with and without cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). Methods: We report data on 1,371 HIV-positive women and 8,050 HIV-negative women, aged 17–65 years, recruited into three sequential studies in Cape Town, South Africa, conducted among women who had no history of cervical cancer screening recruited from the general population. All women were tested for HIV. Cervical samples were tested for high-risk HPV DNA (Hybrid Capture 2) with positive samples tested to determine the specific genotype (Line Blot). CIN status was determined based on colposcopy and biopsy. Results: The HPV prevalence was higher among HIV-positive women (52.4%) than among HIV-negative women (20.8%) overall and in all age groups. Younger women, aged 17–19 years, had the highest HPV prevalence regardless of HIV status. HIV-positive women were more likely to have CIN 2 or 3 than HIV-negative women. HPV 16, 35, and 58 were the most common high-risk HPV types with no major differences in the type distribution by HIV status. HPV 18 was more common in older HIV-positive women (40–65 years) with no or low grade disease, but less common in younger women (17–29 years) with CIN 2 or 3 compared to HIV-negative counterparts (p < 0.03). Infections with multiple high-risk HPV types were more common in HIV-positive than HIV-negative women, controlling for age and cervical disease status. Conclusion: HIV-positive women were more likely to have high-risk HPV than HIV-negative women; but, among those with HPV, the distribution of HPV types was similar by HIV status. Screening strategies incorporating HPV genotyping and vaccination should be effective in preventing cervical cancer in both HIV-positive and -negative women living in sub-Saharan Africa

Distribution of Human Papillomavirus Genotypes among HIV-Positive and HIV-Negative Women in Cape Town, South Africa

OBJECTIVE: HIV-positive women are known to be at high-risk of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and its associated cervical pathology. Here, we describe the prevalence and distribution of HPV genotypes among HIV-positive and -negative women in South Africa, with and without cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). METHODS: We report data on 1,371 HIV-positive women and 8,050 HIV-negative women, aged 17-65 years, recruited into three sequential studies in Cape Town, South Africa, conducted among women who had no history of cervical cancer screening recruited from the general population. All women were tested for HIV. Cervical samples were tested for high-risk HPV DNA (Hybrid Capture 2) with positive samples tested to determine the specific genotype (Line Blot). CIN status was determined based on colposcopy and biopsy. RESULTS: The HPV prevalence was higher among HIV-positive women (52.4%) than among HIV-negative women (20.8%) overall and in all age groups. Younger women, aged 17-19 years, had the highest HPV prevalence regardless of HIV status. HIV-positive women were more likely to have CIN 2 or 3 than HIV-negative women. HPV 16, 35, and 58 were the most common high-risk HPV types with no major differences in the type distribution by HIV status. HPV 18 was more common in older HIV-positive women (40-65 years) with no or low grade disease, but less common in younger women (17-29 years) with CIN 2 or 3 compared to HIV-negative counterparts (p \u3c 0.03). Infections with multiple high-risk HPV types were more common in HIV-positive than HIV-negative women, controlling for age and cervical disease status. CONCLUSION: HIV-positive women were more likely to have high-risk HPV than HIV-negative women; but, among those with HPV, the distribution of HPV types was similar by HIV status. Screening strategies incorporating HPV genotyping and vaccination should be effective in preventing cervical cancer in both HIV-positive and -negative women living in sub-Saharan Africa

Geographic disparities in the distribution of the U.S. gynecologic oncology workforce: A Society of Gynecologic Oncology study

A recent ASCO workforce study projects a significant shortage of oncologists in the U.S. by 2020, especially in rural/underserved (R/US) areas. The current study aim was to determine the patterns of distribution of U.S. gynecologic oncologists (GO) and to identify provider-based attitudes and barriers that may prevent GOs from practicing in R/US regions. U.S. GOs (n = 743) were electronically solicited to participate in an on-line survey regarding geographic distribution and participation in outreach care. A total of 320 GOs (43%) responded; median age range was 35–45 years and 57% were male. Most practiced in an urban setting (72%) at a university hospital (43%). Only 13% of GOs practiced in an area with a population \u3c 50,000. A desire to remain in academics and exposure to senior-level mentorship were the factors most influencing initial practice location. Approximately 50% believed geographic disparities exist in GO workforce distribution that pose access barriers to care; however, 39% “strongly agreed” that cancer patients who live in R/US regions should travel to urban cancer centers to receive care within a center of excellence model. GOs who practice within 50 miles of only 0–5 other GOs were more likely to provide R/US care compared to those practicing within 50 miles of ≥ 10 GOs (p \u3c 0.0001). Most (39%) believed the major barriers to providing cancer care in R/US areas were volume and systems-based. Most also believed the best solution was a hybrid approach, with coordination of local and centralized cancer care services. Among GOs, a self-reported rural-urban disparity exists in the density of gynecologic oncologists. These study findings may help address barriers to providing cancer care in R/US practice environments

Efecto de la carga en el crecimiento y aparición de celos en novillas de levante en pastos Brachiaria humidicola, Melinis minutiflora y Desmodium ovalifolium.

En el presente trabajo se investigan los efectos de la disponibilidad de forraje y carga animal en las diferentes etapas del comportamiento reproductivo. Se estudió el efecto de la tasa de crecimiento sobre la edad del primer celo y la regularidad de los celos posteriores en novillas de levante en los pastos B. humidicola, M. minutiflora, D. oralifolium, con cargas ponderadas de 1.72, 2.35 y 3.23 animales/ha. Las cargas afectaron significativamente (P menor que 0.05) las ganancias de peso e interacturaon significativamente con la estación. La edad del primer celo estuvo relacionado con la edad y el peso de modo que las novillas de menor edad y mayor peso presentaron el primer celo antes que las demás. El estado de los ovarios dependió de la carga (P menor que 0.05) cuando las novillas se agruparon con la edad para el análisis de CHI2Pastos y forraje

South African women’s perspectives on self-sampling for cervical cancer screening: A mixed-methods study

Background. Self-sampling as a method of screening for cervical cancer and its precursors is an attractive option for low-resource settings. However, to allow successful integration of self-sampling into national screening programmes, it is necessary to understand women’s perceptions and beliefs surrounding this method of sampling the cervix.Objectives. To explore women’s attitudes to self-collection of samples for cervical screening in a low-resource setting in South Africa (SA).Methods. Mixed methods were used to meet the study objectives. We recruited women aged 30 - 65 years into a study in Cape Town, SA, to participate in a cross-sectional survey. All women collected a vaginal self-sample, and underwent visual inspection with acetic acid, colposcopy, and collection of cervical samples and appropriate histology specimens by a doctor. Women had a quantitative questionnairebased exit interview. A subset of these women participated in focus group discussions (FGDs).Results. A total of 822 women answered the exit survey questionnaire and 41 women participated in the FGDs. Most women from the survey had a positive perception of self-sampling, with 93.6% of the women reporting not feeling embarrassed and 89.4% reporting experiencing no discomfort at all when taking a self-sample. This was  corroborated by the FGD participants, who found self-sampling easier, more comfortable and less embarrassing than clinician sampling. However, many women (64.7%) felt more confident when the sample was taken by a clinician, despite having a positive attitude towards self-sampling. In most cases this was because they thought that the clinician would take a better sample, as explained by the FGD  participants. Although 93.9% of the women were  willing to collect a selfsample, the women in the FGDs expressed a preference for doing so at the health facility  rather than at home. There were many reasons for this, including the cost of returning to the clinic with the sample.Conclusions. Attitudes regarding self-sample collection were positive in this study population. Participants were willing to perform selfsampling, but expressed concerns regarding the quality of the specimen and the financial implications of returning to the clinic with it. Pilot implementation studies will be useful before this method of sampling is adopted and integrated into screening programmes

Case Report Buttock Necrosis after Uterine Artery Embolization for Delayed Hysterectomy in Placenta Percreta

Background. Morbidly adherent placenta (MAP) is increasing in incidence and is commonly associated with maternal hemorrhage and cesarean hysterectomy. Uterine artery embolization (UAE) may be utilized in the conservative management of placenta percreta to potentially reduce blood loss. The incidence of complications from UAE in the conservative management of placenta percreta is poorly described. To our knowledge, we present the first reported case of buttock necrosis in this setting. Case. A 39-year-old gravida nine para two with placenta percreta who underwent conservative management with UAE complicated by right buttock necrosis. Conclusion. While UAE may potentially decrease blood loss, it is not without risk. More studies must be performed in order to quantify those risks and determine the clinical utility of UAE

Signal Grass (Brachiaria decumbens) Toxicity in Grazing Ruminants

Signal grass (Brachiaria decumbens) is a highly productive tropical grass that is widespread through South America, Australia, Indonesia, Vanuatu and Malaysia due to its adaptation to a wide range of soil types and environments. Animal production from these B. decumbens pastures is highly variable due to sporadic outbreaks of photosensitisation associated with low growth rates of young animals, anorexia and wasting. The identification of B. decumbens toxicity through clinical signs may grossly underestimate the impact and severity of the disease. Affected animals without clinical signs have elevated serum liver enzyme concentrations resulting from blockage of the bile ducts by birefringent crystals, identified as calcium salts of steroidal saponins found in leaves and stems. The concentrations of the steroidal saponins vary through the year and within the plant. Young, green leaves contain 5–10 times the saponin concentration of mature leaves indicating that B. decumbens pastures are likely to be more toxic during sprouting and early growth. Previous exposure, selective grazing, and avoiding toxic leaves may partly explain apparent resistance of some animals to B. decumbens toxicity. Further research is needed to define growing conditions that produce elevated saponin levels and to investigate the impact of B. decumbens on rumen function