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AimsStigma can have a negative impact on help-seeking behaviour, treatment adherence and recovery of people with mental disorders. This study aimed to determine the feasibility of the WHO Mental Health Treatment Gap Interventions Guidelines (mhGAP-IG) to reduce stigma in face-to-face contacts during interventions for specific DSM-IV/ICD 10 diagnoses over a 6-month period.MethodsThis study was conducted in 20 health facilities across Makueni County in southeast Kenya which has one of the poorest economies in the country and has no psychiatrist or clinical psychologist. We recruited 2305 participants from the health facilities catchment areas that had already been exposed to community mental health services. We measured stigma using DISC-12 at baseline, followed by training to the health professionals on intervention using the WHO mhGAP-IG and then conducted a follow-up DISC-12 assessment after 6 months. Proper management of the patients by the trained professionals would contribute to the reduction of stigma in the patients.ResultsThere was 59.5% follow-up at 6 months. Overall, there was a significant decline in ‘reported/experienced discrimination’ following the interventions. A multivariate linear mixed model regression indicated that better outcomes of ‘unfair treatment’ scores were associated with: being married, low education, being young, being self-employed, higher wealth index and being diagnosed with depression. For ‘stopping self’ domain, better outcomes were associated with being female, married, employed, young, lower wealth index and a depression diagnosis. In regards to ‘overcoming stigma’ domain; being male, being educated, employed, higher wealth index and being diagnosed with depression was associated with better outcomes.ConclusionsThe statistically significant (p< 0.05) reduction of discrimination following the interventions by trained health professionals suggest that the mhGAP-IG may be a useful tool for reduction of discrimination in rural settings in low-income countries.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of early weaning followed by a period of high-grain feeding on plasma acetate kinetics and signaling protein phosphorylation in LM tissue of growing steers. We hypothesized that early grain feeding would result in altered cell signaling and acetate use to support observed improvements in carcass gain and marbling. Fall-born Angus × Simmental steers were weaned at 106 ± 4 d of age (early weaned [EW]; n= 6) and fed a high-grain diet for 148 d or remained with their dams (normal weaned [NW]; n= 6) on pasture until weaning at 251 ± 5 d of age. Both treatments were subsequently combined and grazed on mixed summer pasture to 394 ± 5 d of age followed by a feedlot ration until harvest at 513 ± 5 d of age. Longissimus muscle tissue biopsies were collected at 253 ± 5 and 394 ± 5 d of age and at harvest. Total and phosphorylated forms of 5' adenosine monophosphate–activated protein kinase (AMPK) and downstream proteins of the mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway were determined by western blotting. Eight steers were used to assess acetate clearance at different age points via a bolus infusion of acetate (4 mmol/kg of BW). Early weaned steers had greater (P< 0.05) ADG than NW steers during the early grain feeding period. Phosphorylated to total ratios of ribosomal protein S6 (rpS6) and ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 (S6K1) were significantly different during the early grain feeding period. Phosphorylated to total ratios of S6K1, rpS6, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, and 4E binding protein 1 and the absolute amount of phosphorylated AMPK were correlated with ADG, explaining 46% of the variance. Acetate clearance rates were less (P< 0.05) and synthesis rates were greater (P= 0.06) in EW steers during early grain feeding. Acetate synthesis rates were also greater (P< 0.05) in NW steers at harvest, suggesting a permanent shift in the gut microflora or gut function in response to the treatment. Neither treatment nor acetate infusion significantly affected plasma glucose or insulin concentrations. Plasma β-hydroxybutyric acid concentrations increased with acetate infusion (P< 0.05). Based on these results, altered cell signaling during the early grain feeding period likely mediated increased protein deposition, leading to increased carcass weights, but observed changes in acetate appearance and clearance rates do not appear to explain the observed differences in intramuscular fat deposition during the terminal feeding period.

To investigate whether global and regional -amyloid (A) burden as measured with 11C Pittsburgh compound B (PIB) PET is associated with hippocampal atrophy characterized using MRI in healthy controls and patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) or Alzheimer disease (AD).

To compare brain β-amyloid (Aβ) burden measured with 11CPittsburgh Compound B (PIB) PET in normal aging, Alzheimer disease (AD), and other dementias.

The interactions of synthetic chalcocite surfaces with diethyldithiophosphate, potassium salt, K[S2P(OC2H5)2], were studied by means of ³¹P cross-polarization/magic angle spinning (CP/MAS) NMR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). To identify the species formed on the Cu2S surfaces, a polycrystalline {Cu^I6[S2P(OC2H5)2]6} cluster was synthesized and analyzed by SEM, powder X-ray diffraction techniques and solid-state ³¹P CP/MAS NMR and static ⁶⁵Cu NMR spectroscopy. ³¹P chemical shift anisotropy (CSA) parameters, ΔCS and ηCS, were estimated and used for assigning the bridging type of diethyldithiophosphate ligands in the {Cu^I6[S2P(OC2H5)2]6} cluster. The latter data were compared to ³¹P CSA parameters estimated from the spinning sideband patterns in ³¹P NMR spectra of the collector-treated mineral surfaces:  formation of polycrystalline {Cu^I6[S2P(OC2H5)2]6} on the Cu2S surfaces is suggested. The second-order quadrupolar line shape of ⁶⁵Cu was simulated, and the NMR interaction parameters, CQ and ηQ, for the copper(I) diethyldithiophosphate cluster were obtained.

Proliferative and ulcerative typhlitis, colitis, and proctitis were found incidentally in a breeding colony of male athymic nude (Cr:NIH-rnu) rats. Within the crypts of the large intestine, modified Steiner's silver stain revealed spiral organisms that were identified by culture, polymerase chain reaction, and sequencing to be Helicobacter bilis. The large bowel disease was reproduced in H. bilis-free male athymic nude rats that were injected intraperitoneally with a culture of H. bilis from the affected colony. The organism was isolated from the feces and cecum of the experimentally infected rats. H. bilis should be considered a potential pathogen in immunocompromised rats. The infection in immunocompromised rats may serve as an animal model for inflammatory large bowel disease.

The present report deals with the parasitic infections detected on examination of fresh faecal samples of 48 mammals and 4 birds at the Zoological Gardens, Dublin during 1978–79. 1,822 faecal samples were received over the two year period and 1,1 of these samples contained helminth eggs. Ninety-five percent of these positive findings were confined to the Carnivore and Herbivore groups with the Primates, Marsupials and Avians showing a low level of intestinal parasites.

Conserved primers were used to PCR amplify 95% of the Helicobacter hepaticus 16S rRNA gene. Its sequence was determined and aligned to those of related bacteria, enabling the selection of primers to highly diverged regions of the 16S rRNA gene and an oligonucleotide probe for the development of a PCR-liquid hybridization assay. This assay was shown to be both sensitive and specific for H. hepaticus 16S rRNA gene sequences.

AimsChildren with well-controlled asthma can exercise safely and asthma management guidelines recommend physical activity (PA), yet many children with asthma fail to achieve recommended levels of PA. Some barriers to PA might specifically affect children and young people with asthma, so tailored interventions are likely needed to improve this patient group’s access to the benefits associated with PA. To inform future interventions, we systematically reviewed studies exploring barriers and facilitators to PA for children and young people with asthma.MethodsMultiple databases were searched for ‘asthma’, ‘children’, ‘exercise’, ‘physical activity’ and their derivatives. All study designs were considered. Studies focused on athletes, published before 1995 or without an English translation were excluded. Two researchers independently selected studies, extracted data and appraised quality (EPPI-Centre weight of evidence frame-work). A third researcher reviewed disagreements. This review is PROSPERO registered, number CRD42015030067.ResultsThe search returned 5161 results. 166 abstracts and 33 studies satisfied the inclusion criteria. Subjects of included studies were children and young people aged 6–20 years, parents/caregivers and teachers. Twenty studies used quantitative methods, including three intervention studies; ten studies used qualitative methods and three used mixed methods. Qualitative interviews revealed that children with asthma identify positive benefits of PA and feel they should be physically active. Identified barriers and facilitators to PA included patient, family, healthcare professional (HCPs), environmental, psychosocial, school and medication factors. Five qualitative studies discussed HCPs. These suggested that doctors often do not provide specific advice for PA, contributing to children not participating in PA. One quantitative study provided supporting data; 58.7% of students undertaking high levels of PA had a doctor who approved their activity, compared with only 33.8% of students with low levels of PA. Four quantitative studies examined the effect of parental activity restrictions. Restrictions had no influence on children’s activity levels in two studies and were associated with lower PA levels in the other two.ConclusionPA barriers and facilitators were identified within medical, home and school domains. HCPs might influence children with asthma’s PA participation by promoting good asthma control and by educating and supporting parents and school staff.

IntroductionSome guidelines advocate using FEV1and/or fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) in the management of childhood asthma, but evidence supporting these recommendations is generally unsupportive. Our hypothesis was that reduced FEV1and/or elevated FeNO measurements were associated with increased risk of future asthma attacks and loss of asthma control.MethodsData were obtained from six trials where FeNO was used to guide asthma treatment. Baseline% FEV1and FeNO were linked to exacerbation and loss of control between baseline and three months. Change in% FEV1and% change in FeNO between baseline and 3 months were also linked to exacerbation and loss of control between three and six months after baseline. A one-stage individual patient data meta-analysis was conducted using a random effect for study. Baseline confounders included in the model were age, sex, LABA, LTRA, ICS dose, trial arm, control and FeNO or FEV1as appropriate.ResultsData were available in 1049 children (58% male, mean age 12.7 years) from six trials. Each unit reduction in baseline% FEV1was associated with increased risk for future exacerbation (OR 1.02 [1.00, 1.03] n=935, p=0.034) and with increased risk for loss of control (1.01 [1.00, 1.02], n=940, p=0.026) after three months. Similar associations were present between change in%FEV1and outcomes after six months. Baseline FeNO was not related to asthma outcomes but each 10% increase in FeNO between baseline and three months was associated with increased risk for loss of asthma control by six months (OR 1.02 [1.01, 1.03], n=725, p=0.009) but not with asthma exacerbation. Falling% FEV1and rising% FeNO between baseline and three months were independently associated with loss of control at six months.ConclusionsBaseline% FEV1is rather weakly associated with future asthma outcomes, and change in%FEV1between visits does not strengthen this association. In contrast, baseline FeNO is not related to future outcomes but% change in FeNO has some precision for future asthma control. The utility of%FEV1and FeNO in childhood asthma management needs to be rigorously evaluated in a clinical trial.

The ORACLE II study published in 2001 compared use of amoxicillin–clavulanate (co-amoxiclav) and/or erythromycin, with placebo in women with spontaneous preterm labor (SPL) and intact membranes who had no clinical signs of infection, to determine whether these antibiotics could prevent or eliminate perinatal infections presumed to have a causative role in SPL. Neither drug produced any improvement in neonatal mortality or morbidity. The present study, the ORACLE Children Study II (OCS II), assessed long-term outcomes for 4473 children age 7 years, born in the United Kingdom to 4221 women enrolled in the original ORACLE II trial. The mothers completed a detailed structured questionnaire to assess the health status of the children. The primary outcome was the overall level of functional impairment (mild, moderate, or severe). Results from national curriculum tests assessed the education outcome. Follow-up data was obtained for 3196 of the 4473 children (71%).

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.

Host aphids of the parasitoid Diaeretiella rapae (M’Intosh,) are defined for Washington State, together with a listing of world findings. Specifics are given on host habitats frequented by the parasitoid, comparative population abundance, associated parasitoid species, and host switching. D. rapae is a common parasitoid of Brachycorynella asparagi (Mordvilko), Hayhurstia atriplicis (L.), Brevicoryne brassicae (L.), Diuraphis noxia (Kurdjumov), and sometimes Myzus persicae (Sulzer). In total, 19 species of aphids were positively linked with D. rapae and 6 are reported as hosts for the first time—Acyrthosiphon lactucae (Passerini), Phorodon humuli (Schrank), Dysaphis plantaginea (Passerini), Brachycaudus tragopogonis (Kaltenbach), Uroleucon ivae Robinson, and Braggia sp. D. rapae was shown to switch or alternate successfully between hosts, which suggests that certain host habitats might be used in conjunction with farmlands to enhance host opportunities for the parasitoid and improve its population stability. Two of its primary aphid hosts, B. asparagi and D. noxia, reached pest status shortly after their arrival in Washington but are less problematic today, in part at least because of host switching and acceptance by D. rapae.

The behavior and performance of the Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko), on fungal endophyte-infected and endophyte-free perennial ryegrass, Lolium perenne L., was investigated in the laboratory and field. Aphids did not select endophyte-free over endophyte-infected leaf sheaths and stem segments in petri dish preference tests. Similarly, the probing behavior of D. noxia on endophyte-free and infected L. perenne did not vary in laboratory tests. However, compared with aphid counts on endophyte-free plants, counts on infected plants were significantly lower on the first day and thereafter in laboratory population growth tests. Numbers of D. noxia were higher on endophyte-free plants than on infected plants of L. perenne in replicated field plots. The results are discussed in relation to the possible mechanisms of resistance involved, our knowledge of the performance of other cereal aphids on endophyte-infected grasses, and the use of endophytic fungi as aphid biocontrol agents.

Imidacloprid insecticide, applied as a seed treatment, singly or in combination with fungicides (carboxin-thiram, triadimenol-captan, and tebuconazole-thiram), protected growing plants of wheat and barley from developing infestations of Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko) for 27-85 d after planting based on four greenhouse and four field trials. There were no compatibility problems in insecticide performance by combining imidacloprid with fungicides on the seed. Imidacloprid significantly reduced plant damage by D. noxia in all trials and increased yields in three of three field trials where plots were entirely infested. As a seed treatment, imidacloprid offers an environmentally safer approach to the control of D. noxia than is possible with wide-spectrum aerial or in-furrow granular insecticide treatments.

Keys are provided to the apterous viviparae and immatures of six species of small grain aphids: Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko), Metopolophium dirhodum (Walker), Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch), R. padi (L.), Schizaphis graminum (Rondani), and Sitobion avenae (F.). Illustrations and selected morphometric measurements are included to characterize the distinguishing features used in the keys.

Permethrin, a pyrethroid insecticide, was evaluated over a 3-year period (1979–1981) on sweet corn to determine its effects on honey bee mortality and field foraging behavior. Treatments were applied by helicopter between 5:30 and 7:30 a.m. at a rate of 0.22 kg (AI)/ha, repeated every 3 to 6 days for up to six applications per season. Permethrin did not cause abnormal bee kills; highest mortalities per colony averaged less than 70 dead bees per day. Up to 100 dead bees per colony was considered normal die-off. Permethrin repelled most honey bees from entering treated fields. Based on the results of these studies, permethrin can be used on sweet corn as a foliar spray without harm to honey bees, if applied at a time when bees are not foraging.

Field and greenhouse experiments were conducted in 1975 and 1976 to evaluate several insecticides as potential controls of larvae of Phyllophaga anxia (LeConte). None of the insecticide treatments in the field tests provided significant white grub control. In the greenhouse studies CGA 12223 15G (0-[5-chloro-1-(1-methylethyl)-1H-l,2,4-triazol-3-yl]O, O-diethyl phosphorothioate) treatments resulted in the highest levels of control. The influence of conventional vs. minimum tillage corn production procedures on white grub populations was compared by planting corn into a grub infested sod field. There were significantly more (P < 0.005) white grubs found in the soil around plants in the conventional tillage as compared to the minimum tillage areas. This probably was due to the grubs preferring to feed on the grass left between the rows in the minimum tillage areas rather than on corn when both were available.

Sixteen systemic insecticides applied to winter wheat as seed treatments were evaluated for phytotoxicity and efficacy in control of Schizaphis graminum (Rondani), biotype C. Disulfoton at 1.25, carbofuran at 3–5, and UC 21865 [=2-methyl-2-(methylsulfonyl) propional-dehyde 0-(methyl-carbamoyl) oxime)] at 20–40 g AI/kg of seed, protected fall-planted wheat for upwards of 60 days postplanting by preventing prolonged feeding, development, and reproduction of greenbugs. The ca. 60-day protection period insured good tillering and establishment of a vigorous stand, tolerant of aphid colonization in late fall after seed treatment was no longer effective. Phytotoxicity was not significant for the named chemicals at the aforementioned rates.

New information is provided on the small-grain aphid parasitoids of eastern Washington—species population diversity, relative abundance, hosts, and spatial and temporal distribution across differing precipitation and cropping zones. In total 13 species of primary parasitoids were discovered attacking grain aphids: Aphelinus albipodus Hayat & Fatima, A. asychis Walker, A. varipes (Foerster), Aphidius avenaphis (Fitch), A. ervi Haliday, A. matricariae Haliday, Diaeretiella rapae (M'Intosh), Ephedrus sp., Lysiphlebus testaceipes (Cresson), Monoctonus washingtonensis Pike & Star'y, Praon unicum Smith, P. occidentale Baker, and P. yakimanum Pike & Starý. The predominant parasitoids were D. rapae on Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia (Kurdjumov); L. testaceipes on bird cherry-oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) and corn leaf aphid, R. maidis (Fitch); and A. avenaphis, A. ervi, and D. rapae on English grain aphid, Sitobion avenae (F.). This study provides baseline information essential for assessing future changes in aphid parasitoid species dynamics for eastern Washington. A comprehensive key to the known primary and secondary parasitoids associated with grain aphids in North America also is provided.

Seven hyperparasites were discovered in Wyoming in 1972. Four species were widely distributed and abundant in the state. Three of the 4 species, Eupteromalus albopilosus Graham, Sceptrothelys grandiclava (Walker), and Sceptrothelys intermedia Graham, were apparently recent European introductions. E. albopilosus was a new species for North America, first collected in March 1972 at Pine Bluffs, Wyo. The 3 species were extremely prolific, adapted well to Wyoming ecology with little environmental resistance, and showed greater biotic potential than their host, Bathyplectes curculionis. These factors point to the possibility of greater detrimental impact on B. curculionis in the future. The data also indicated that the 3 species plus Mesochorus agilis Cresson (a native species) are presently affecting the parasitic efficiency of B. curculionis.

Disulfoton and carbofuran insecticides when applied to wheat seed protect new seedlings from developing infestations of Schizaphis graminum (Rondani). These insecticides were assayed for compatibility with 7 seed-applied fungicides (hexachlorobenzene, thiabendazole, pentachloronitrobenzene, carboxin, carboxin:thiram, mephfuroxam, and triadimenol) to determine the effects on germination, seedling emergence, and control of greenbug. All combination treatments affected germination adversely, and in some cases (disulfotonthiabendazole, carbofuran-thiabendazole, carbofuran-pentachloronitrobenzene) reduced the seedling stand significantly as compared to the untreated check and individual fungicide and insecticide treatments. In contrast, the efficacy of disulfoton and carbofuran in controlling greenbug was not significantly affected by combining the fungicides with them on the seed.

Planting winter wheat in early September is a common practice in much of eastern Washington. A number of agronomic benefits are associated with planting early, but there is also a higher risk of cereal aphids infesting the crop with early planting. Caged experiments were conducted in the field during two crop seasons (1979–1980, 1981–1982) to assess population development and direct feeding effects of two cereal aphids, Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) and Schizaphis graminum (Rondani), on winter wheat planted in early September and infested during the two-leaf, four-leaf, and two-tiller stages of development. Aphids were introduced at a rate of two to four per plant per species and allowed to feed uninterrupted until cold weather ended their activity in November. Data taken were: plant height, heads per plant, root and foliage weights, test weight, and grain yield. R. padi, singly or in combination with S. graminum, was generally more prolific than S. graminum. The largest aphid populations encountered were on wheats infested initially at the two-leaf stage. Injury to wheat was highest where aphid infestations started at the two-leaf stage, intermediate to none at the four-leaf stage, and none at the two-tiller stage. Mixed populations on two-leaf wheats caused the greatest damage, followed by pure populations of R. padi. S. graminum generally caused the least damage.

The chemical persistence and vertical movement of chloropyrifos 4EC in a loam soil were compared with respect to time of posttreatment sprinkler irrigation. Irrigation intervals of 0, 2, and 6 days posttreatment, together with a nonirrigated control, were assessed. Sprinkler irrigation (2 ha-cm of water) immediately after insecticide treatment reduced the dissipation rate of chlorpyrifos compared with delayed irrigation or no irrigation. Chemical persistence was least in nonirrigated plots. Chlorpyrifos dissipation rates were rapid during the 2 weeks after treatment. Thereafter, chlorpyrifos dissipation proceeded more slowly in all plots but relative rates were greater in nonirrigated plots. Vertical movement of the insecticide in the soil after sprinkler irrigation was minimal; greater than 99% of the total chlorpyrifos residue were found in the top 2.5-cm layer.

Research was conducted in 4 states (Colorado, Montana, Texas, and Washington) to determine the economic injury level for the Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia (Kurdjumov), as affected by climate zone and wheat growth stage. Fall infestations were established on winter wheat at the 2-leaf and 2-tiller growth stages. Russian wheat aphid infestations did not develop well on the 2-tiller stage wheat because late fall temperatures became too cold before the infestation period was complete. In the coldest climate zones, where winter kill of wheat becomes a factor, the loss value for 2-leaf wheat will be 1% per percentage infested or damaged tillers and 1.1% per infestation or damage day. This was 3 times greater than the loss in the southern climate of Texas and 1.6 times greater than the loss in the Pacific Northwest (Washington). Therefore, different fall infestation economic injury levels will be used in different climate zones in the United States. Russian wheat aphid infestations on winter wheat were initiated in the spring at spring regrowth, one node, and boot growth stages. Losses from Russian wheat aphid infestations in Colorado in the spring were similar to those reported in earlier research in Texas, 0.5% loss in bulk seed weight per percentage of infested or damaged tillers.

Second and 3rd stage white grubs, Phyllophaga anxia (LeConte), were collected from timothy grass hay meadows in north central Nebraska and assayed for susceptibility to selected insecticides in the laboratory. The results are presented in terms of lethal dosage values (LD30, LD50, LD70 and LD90) and expressed in µg insecticide/g of insect tissue. Insects treated with carbamate and phosphate insecticides showed higher susceptibility levels than those treated with 2 chlorinated hydrocarbons, aldrin and chlordane, or a new experimental synthetic pyrethrin, FMC 33297 (3-phenoxybenzyl (±) cis-trans-3-2-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethyl cyclopropane carboxylate). Carbofuran was the most toxic of the insecticides tested, whereas aldrin, chlordane, and FMC 33297 were either not lethal or notably less toxic than all other insecticides evaluated. The best time to determine dosagemortality relationships was 3–4 days posttreatment.

Wheat, Triticum aestivum (L.), plant response to Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis lwxia (Mordvilko), infestation varies at different plant growth stages. Also, the range of climatic zones is great over the distribution of the Russian wheat aphid in the United States. Therefore, the effects of wheat growth stage and climate on Russian wheat aphid damage potential were determined. Experiments were conducted in 4 states (Texas, Colorado, Montana, and Washington) encompassing the Great Plains and Pacific Northwest to determine the damage potential and economic injury level for the Russian wheat aphid. The growth stages included 2 leaves (Zadoks growth stage 12),2 tillers (stage 22), beginning of spring regrowth (˜stage 29), 1st node (stage 31), and preboot (stage 45). Three levels of Russian wheat aphid infestation were used: 5, 10, and 20 aphids per plant for stage 12 plants and 20, 40, and 80 aphids at all other growth stages. Also, there was a no Russian wheat aphid check treatment. This paper reports on damage potential data. Russian wheat aphid densities and percentage of the tillers that were infested or damaged were lower in the fan than in the spring. Infestations in the fan reduced bulk grain weight and number of spikes per plant. These losses were higher in the northern states than in Texas. We suspect that this difference was due to a reduction in winter hardiness in the northern states. In the spring, Russian wheat aphid damage resulted in a reduction in number of seeds per spike, 200-seed weight, and foliage dry weight. Plants damaged in the spring produced as many spikes as uninfested plants. However, the quantity and quality of seed were reduced by spring infestations.