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Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and diabetes are the primary causes of death in the Philippines. This manuscript reviewed previous studies on the use of predictive analytics for CVD and diabetes risk scoring. This paper also discussed barriers and strategies on how to access/generate available data sets for CVDs and diabetes in the country. CVD and diabetes risk scoring requires the availability of data sets related to such diseases. Although the Philippines has taken strides to implement the Philippine National eHealth solution, such a program does not include strategies toward the use of predictive analytics for CVD and diabetes risk scoring. CVD and diabetes risk scoring research is particularly limited in the Philippines due to challenges related to costs, gaps in policies, and stakeholder involvement. A possible theoretical framework for the analysis and utilization of data sets as well as recommendations and research directions were discussed in this manuscript.

Phenome-wide association studies (PheWASs), a powerful approach that examines phenotypes associated with a genetic marker, have been used extensively in highly developed countries. Although there may be a clear need for PheWAS in a developing country such as the Philippines, limitations related to resources and practicality would make conducting them a challenge.

Purpose: Levetiracetam is an antiepileptic medication commonly used in critical care areas for seizure treatment or prophylaxis. Compatibility data of levetiracetam with other critical care medications are limited, which can make administration challenging. This study aims to assess the physical Y-site compatibility of intravenous levetiracetam with some other commonly used critical care medications. Methods: Y-site administration was simulated by independently mixing levetiracetam with each of 11 selected medications in a 4-dram, colorless, screw-cap, glass vial, at a 1:1 ratio. Clinically used concentrations of each medication were compounded in 0.9% sodium chloride following United States Pharmacopeia chapter 797 standards. Physical compatibility was observed and assessed at 0, 15, and 30 minutes after mixing. Medication mixtures were considered physically incompatible if there was visual evidence of color change, gas evolution, haze, or particulate formation, pH change >10%, or if they had an absorbance value >0.010 A. Results: No evidence of physical incompatibility was observed during simulated Y-site testing with cisatracurium 1 mg/mL, dexmedetomidine 4 µg/mL, fosphenytoin 15 mg PE/mL, norepinephrine 16 mg/mL, norepinephrine 32 mg/mL, norepinephrine 64 mg/mL, piperacillin-tazobactam 33.75 mg/mL, propofol 10 mg/mL, vancomycin 5 mg/mL, or vasopressin 1 unit/mL when tested in 0.9% sodium chloride. Levetiracetam was incompatible with piperacillin-tazobactam 45 mg/mL. Conclusion: Levetiracetam 5 mg/mL in 0.9% sodium chloride was found to be physically compatible for 30 minutes with 10 of the 11 medications tested during simulated Y-site administration.

Background: Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is an aggressive form of breast cancer with poor response rates to current chemotherapy regimens. With recent successes of immune targeted therapies in other solid tumors and a growing understanding of how the immune tumor microenvironment (TME) affects non-IBC outcomes, we sought to characterize the immune TME in IBC to identify biomarkers of treatment response and potential targets for drug development. Methods: Pre-treatment core biopsy samples were identified from the MD Anderson Cancer Center IBC tissue bank from patients with stage III and de novo stage IV (with T4d) disease who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) with intent to take to mastectomy. Lymphocytes were characterized by stromal tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (sTIL) quantification, CD8 T cell quantification, and T cell receptor sequencing. PD-L1 expression was assessed using DAKO 22C3 clone on tumor and immune cells. Myeloid cells were characterized using a multiplex immunohistochemistry approach, using CD68 and CD163 for macrophage markers, tryptase for mast cell marker, HLA-DR for class II antigen presentation marker, and cytokeratin as tumor marker. Spatial analyses were performed by determining probabilities of finding cell 1 of interest within 20 uM of cell 2 of interest and computing area under the curve for statistical comparison. Results: 91 patients with stage III (N=62) or de novo stage IV (n=29) disease were identified. Breast cancer subtype included 25 triple negative, 34 HER2+ and 32 HER2-HR+. 86 patients received a mastectomy, of whom 33 (38.4%) patients experienced a pathologic complete response (pCR). sTIL was higher in stage III tumors (11.9 vs 4.8%, p Conclusions: Higher TIL and CD8 T cell density are correlated with improved responses to NAC in IBC. Mast cell infiltration and HLA-DR expression on tumor cells are inversely correlated to response and suggest possible mechanisms of resistance. Mast cells could present potential therapeutic target in IBC. Citation Format: Reddy SM, Reuben A, Jiang H, Roszik J, Tetzlaff MT, Reuben J, Wang L, Tsujikawa T, Barua S, Rao A, Villareal L, Wood A, Woodward W, Ueno NT, Krishnamurthy S, Wargo JA, Mittendorf EA. Lymphoid and myeloid cell characterization of inflammatory breast cancer tumor microenvironment and correlation to pathological complete response [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-05-08.

Background It is difficult to make a differential diagnosis between seronegative RA and other inflammatory arthropathies. Many patients could be wrong diagnosed followed of expensives treatments. Objectives To assess the usefulness of X-rays of hands and feet (X-rays), Ultrasound (US) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to discard false positive diagnosis of seronegative RA from real-world evidence. Methods An analysis from medical records of patients with presumptive seronegative RA diagnosis reportedly seronegative for both rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies and clinical criteria of RA, in the period between July 2016 and ; June of 2017 who were assesed by imagenology (X-rays, US or MRI) in a centre of rheumatoid arthritis to confirm diagnosis or discard it. Laboratory, and imagenology data was retrospectively analysed and multivariate analysis was performed to determinate the usefulness of imagenology. Results 360 patients were received in the centre with presumptive diagnosis of RA in the period, mean of age was 58 years, 80,9% females and 19,1% males. X-rays shows only 3,59% of patients with erosions, 38,6% were positive for Ostheoarthritis (OA), and 58,6% of patients without erosions. From patients without erosions, 36% were confirmed for RA and 13,4% for OA by US; on the other hand 37% was confirmed for RA and 20% for OA by MRI. A total of 94 patients (26,1%) had a final diagnosis of seronegative RA, while (261) patients 72,5% were confirmed for Osteoarthrosis,5 1,4% were classified in other arthropaties. Conclusions According with our findings the screening by imagenology is a useful tool with low cost to make a differential diagnosis of seronegative RA and other arthropaties. In order to improves outcomes through well-defined treatments and to save high cost treatments for pathologies with more precise diagnoses. Disclosure of Interest None declared

We report the implementation of a fiber optic sensor capable to detect saltwater concentrations using MMI mismatched structure. The experimental results show that it is possible to detect concentrations from 0%–5% w/w and other blends.

Objective: To review literature on amantadine therapy in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Data Sources: MEDLINE (1966–March 2006), EMBASE (1974–March 2006), BIOSIS (1969–March 2006), and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1970–March 2006) were searched to identify papers on the clinical outcomes of patients with TBI treated with amantadine. A bibliographic search was also performed. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Papers were excluded if they were not published in English, if they included patients less than 16 years old, or if they included patients in whom the effects of multiple medications, rather than amantadine alone, were studied. Reports were categorized according to the time of initiation of amantadine following the injury. Data Synthesis: Reports examining early initiation of amantadine suggest a possible benefit for treatment of decreased responsiveness and functional recovery. One report examining late initiation of amantadine failed to demonstrate benefit in the treatment of motor impairment, while 2 reports suggested possible improvement of functional recovery. Finally, reports examining late initiation of amantadine in the treatment of cognitive and behavioral therapy demonstrated possible benefit. Conclusions: Further investigation is needed before either early or late initiation of amantadine can be recommended for treatment of decreased responsiveness and functional recovery. However, while additional research is conducted, late initiation of amantadine can be considered an option for the treatment of cognitive and behavioral impairments in patients with TBI.

PURPOSE To investigate the effects of topical epinastine and olopatadine on tear volume by using a mouse model. METHODS Eighty-five C57BL6 mice (170 eyes) were treated twice daily with topical ophthalmic epinastine 0.05%, olopatadine 0.1%, or atropine 1% or served as untreated controls. A thread-wetting assay was used to measure tear volume at baseline and 15, 45, 90, 120, and 240 minutes after the last instillation of the drug on days 2 and 4 of treatment. RESULTS After 2 days of treatment, epinastine-treated mice showed greater mean tear volumes than olopatadine-treated mice did at 15, 45, 90, and 240 minutes, with statistical significance at 15 and 45 minutes (P

Different wheat relatives have contributed greatly towards economic improvement of hexaploid bread wheats. Since its discovery by Aaronsohn in 1906, wild emmer has been widely described and phenotyped for many useful traits such as stripe-rust resistance and high protein. A cultivated emmer landrace, Yaroslav emmer, has contributed durable stem-rust resistance to variety ‘Hope’, which has become a paramount germplasm for improving resistance to stem rust in bread wheats. Other lines of cultivated emmer, Triticum dicoccum, are being used for improved protein percentage. Recently, following the examples of Yaroslav emmer, the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, CIMMYT (Centro Internacional De Mejoramiento De Maiz Y Trigo) has embarked on utilization of Aegilops tauschii (DD genome) for resistance to Septoria tritici leaf blotch and Fusarium head scab, drought tolerance, and good bread-making quality traits. Some wild perennial members of the Triticeae genera Leymus and Thinopyrum are additiona...

The potential of somaclonal variation to contribute genetic variation for wheat improvement has been widely recognized. Thirty selected lines derived from tissue culture of spring bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar Pavon were grown in replicated trials at CAEVY, Sonora, northwest Mexico, during two production seasons to assess their agronomic performance and quality traits. Field evaluation indicated that the tissue culture-derived lines (TCDL) possessed more grains/m2, spikes/m2, grains/spike, earlier flowering date, longer grain-filling period and shorter height than the original breeder line Pavon. Laboratory results revealed that 20% of the TCDLs had improved flour protein. In contrast, 1000-grain weight and test weight of the regenerants were inferior to the Pavon parent. No significant difference was observed between the mean grain yield of TCDLs and the breeder line. In conclusion, it appears that the variations observed in the study could have direct implications in a wheat germplasm enhancement program.

The T1BL.1RS wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) - rye (Secale cereale L.) translocations have been of particular interest and are widely used in bread wheat breeding programs. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of the T1BL.1RS chromosome on grain yield and its components using 20 near-isolines of spring bread wheat cultivar ‘Seri M82’ (10 homozygous for chromosome 1B substitution and 10 homozygous for T1BL.1RS). The test lines have been produced by substituting the 1B chromosome in Seri M82 (T1BL.1RS, T1BL.1RS) through backrossing. Two field experiments were evaluated under optimum (five irrigations) and reduced (one irrigation) moisture conditions for two consecutive production cycles at the Mexican National Agricultural Research Institute, Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico. The presence of T1BL.1RS had a significant effect on grain yield, harvest index, grains/m2, grains/spike, 1000-grain weight, test weight, flowering date and physiological maturity in both moisture conditions. The agronomic advantage of the 1B substitution lines on above-ground biomass yield at maturity, spikes/m2and grain-filling duration was expressed only under the optimum moisture condition. The presence of T1BL.1RS increased grain yield 1.6% and 11.3% for optimum and reduced moisture conditions, respectively. These results encourage further use of T1BL.1RS wheats in improving agronomic traits, especially for reduced irrigation or rainfed environments.

Comparisons of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) germplasms provided evidence that the T1BL.1RS chromosome substitution enhances agronomic performance and, particularly, grain yield. There are no known reports of the effect of this translocation in durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L.), however. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of the T1BL.1RS chromosome on grain yield, yield components, and other agronomic traits using 22 related durum lines (11 homozygous for chromosome 1B, and 11 homozygous for T1BL.1RS). The test lines were produced by substituting the T1BL.1RS chromosome in T. turgidum cultivar Altar 84 (1B, 1B) through backcrossing. Two field trials were evaluated under optimum (five irrigations) and reduced (one irrigation) moisture conditions at the Mexican National Institute of Forestry, Agriculture and Livestock, Campo Agricola Experimental Valle del Yaqui (CAEVY) Research Center, Sonora, Mexico, during the 1993-1994 and 1994-1995 crop production cycles. The results indicated that the T1BL.1RS genotypes have increased above-ground biomass at maturity, increased 1000-kernel weight, and increased test weight in both irrigation treatments. The T1BL.1RS lines also possessed longer spikes and headed and matured later. The 1B lines produced more kernel m -2 than the T1BL.1RS lines in all tests, however. The yield superiority and longer grainfilling period of the T1BL.1RS translocation group were detected only under reduced irrigation conditions. The average effect of T1BL.1RS across years and irrigation treatments was to increase grain yield and aerial biomass by 3.5 and 3.3%, respectively. The yield advantage was attributed to increased kernel weight, test weight, and spike length.

The effect of the 1AL/1RS chromosome translocation on grain yield and other agronomic characteristics of 85 random F2-derived F6 bulks from three 1AL 1RS × 1A bread wheat crosses was determined under optimum and reduced irrigation conditions at CIANO, Yaqui Valley, Sonora, Mexico, during the 1991–1992 and 1992–1993 crop production cycles. Harvest plots of 5.0 m2 were arranged in an alpha lattice design with three replications. The 1AL/1RS translocation increased grain yield, above-ground biomass, spikes/m2, and test weight under both irrigated and dryland conditions. Homozygous chromosome 1A lines, on the other hand, possessed longer spikes with more grains. The 1AL/1RS cultivars had an advantage in 1000-grain weight, which was detected only under optimum irrigation. The translocation lines showed later maturity and longer grainfilling period than the 1A genotypes under one irrigation treatment. A significant relationship between grain yield and test weight was detected only among the 1AL/1RS genotypes, indicating that they possess heavier and plumper grains than the 1A genotypes. These results encourage the continued use of the 1AL/1RS translocation in wheat improvement.

Comparisons involving 28 random F 2 -derived F 6 wheat (Triticum aestirum L.) lines from the cross, 'Nacozari'/'Seri 82', suggested that advanced derivatives with the 1BL/1RS chromosome translocation possess superior agronomic performance in both full and reduced irrigation conditions when compared with 1B derivatives. This performance advantage was attributed to high grain yield, above-ground biomass at maturity, grains/spike, 1000-grain weight and test weight. The 1BL/1RS lines were shorter with delayed flowering and maturity. The superiority of the 1BL/1RS translocation group on grains/m 2 was expressed only under the full irrigation environment. Higher harvest index, longer spike-length and grain-filling period were detected only under reduced irrigation conditions. A significant grain yield relationship with test weight was detected only among the 1BL/1RS genotypes, indicating that they possess heavier and plumper grains than the 1B genotypes.

Two trials were conducted to determine the effect of IB/1R chromosome translocation on selected agronomic characteristics of spring bread wheats(Triticum aestivum L.)developed at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center(CIMMYT). Five bread wheat genotypes with a chromosome IB/1R translocation and five without representing a sample of high yielding germplasm were identified for the experiment. NonIimiting levels of fertility and moisture with a preventive pest and disease program were used. Plant height, days to heading, grain yield, aboveground biomass at maturity, harvest index, yield components and test weights were determined. Genotypes with the IB/1R chromosome translocation had 2.2% higher aboveground biomass yield, 2.1 Vo more spikes m2, 1.12 g higher 1, 000-grain weight and 0.8 kg/ha1 higher test weight. The non-1B/1R genotypes had 0.8% higher harvest index and 0.6 cm longer spikes. Cultivar comparisons indicated that the IB/1R group headed 2.5 days later than the IB group.

Synthetic hexaploids (SH) developed at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), involving four Triticum turgidum and nine T. tauschii parents, were evaluated for resistance to Karnal bunt (KB) (Tilletia indica Mitra) during three crop seasons over three years at Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico. Ten tillers of each SH at boot stage, taken at random, were injected with a suspension of sporidia in water (10,000 spores/ml of water). At maturity the inoculated spikes were threshed individually and evaluated for the percentage KB-infected grains. Based on the mean KB score of each entry for three seasons, 49 % of the SH were immune (0 % infection) to KB. Highly resistant expressions characterized the SH which appeared to be influenced by the resistance of their T. turgidum and/or T. tauschii parents. The overall mean infection of the SH wheats was 0.24 % compared to 56.14 % in the susceptible bread wheat check cultivat ‘WL711’. Transfer of KB resistance genes from SH wheats into bread wheat is currently underway at CIMMYT.

The goal of The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) improvement training course is to produce competent wheat improvement specialists who are able to act as effective agents of research in their national wheat research programs. The course is evaluated annually to monitor changes in training needs, modify course curriculum, and to document training program impact. The objective of the study is to assess the usefulness and/or efficiency of three evaluation methods to measure the competence of course participants: (i) self-assessment, (ii) theoretical, and (iii) practical assessment. Preand postcourse evaluation scores of 112 program alumni from 37 countries from the 1986 to 1990 period were examined. A comparison of results obtained from theoretical and practical examinations and selfassessments seemed to provide reasonable measurement of group competence and change. Based on the correlation made between assessment methods, there exists an agreement between competence assessments measured by instructors and self ratings by trainees. Differences in ratings observed across years serve to alert trainers about changes that can be made to improve the course; course organization can then be adjusted accordingly. CONTINUAL of skills of IMPROVEMENT agricultural researchers, production specialists, and farmers in developing countries who are concerned with food production is vital to the future progress and well-being in developing countries. Since its establishment in 1966, the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) has maintained and kept its firm commitment to collaborate with national research institutions to improve their research and human resource capabilities to better address the needs of their client farmers. In this context, CIMMYT has offered a range of educational and training opportunities to agricultural scientists in national research and production programs. CIMMYT’s training philosophy emphasizes the practical application of skills on "learning by doing." The CIMMYT Wheat Improvement Training Program (CWITP) is one of the largest educational activities CIMMYT intended to produce competent wheat improvement specialists who can take leadership roles in their national crop breeding research program. The basic focus of the course is on the identification of farmer and market needs in relation to plant and grain type and biotic and abiotic constraints that limit production in vatR.L. Villareal and E. del Toro, Wheat Program, CIMMYT, Lisboa 27, Apartado Postal 6-641, Delegacion Cuauhtemoc 06600 Mexico, D.F., Mexico. Contribution from the Wheat Program of the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT). Received 20 Mar. 1992. *Corresponding author. Published in J. Nat. Resour. Life Sci. Educ. 22:44-48 (1993). iOUS geographic areas. Participants learn to identify germplasm sources and the most efficient technologies to be used in a breeding program. They learn how to characterize varieties and lines, maintain improved germplasm, and produce basic seed and commercial germplasm. Although the course emphasizes germplasm improvement research, crop management as well as other important topics are included (CIMMYT, 1990). Through 1991, this program has provided training to more than 550 young breeders and plant pathologists from more than 80 developing countries. In attempts to better teach skills needed to conduct a wheat improvement program, the course is evaluated annually to monitor changes in training needs and modify course curriculum and to document training program impact. Importance of topics taught in the course is assessed annually to keep up with changing needs of our diverse clients. Similarly, participants’ opinions are solicited to tailor the course to their individual or group needs. This provides valuable information for topic prioritization and other modifications in the course curriculum. Finally, CIMMYT staff based in the developing countries provide feed-back on skills they consider essential for scientists doing wheat breeding/pathology research. Consequently, this information is used to improve our course. Among the many methods used to evaluate the participants’ competence in the CIMMYT training programs, graded homework, laboratory exercises, written and practical tests, informal observation, and self-assessment are the most commonly used. Raab and Bell (1990) reviewed some advantages and disadvantages of these methods in assessing and documenting immediate impact of a crop management training program at CIMMYT. The principal objective of the study is to assess the usefulness and/or efficiency of three evaluation methods to measure the competence of participants in the CWITP: (i) self assessment, (ii) theoretical, and (iii) practical sessment. The study also presents results of efforts by CWITP instructors to modify course content in response to participants’ needs and to document and assess the competence of its trainees. MATERIALS AND METHODS From 1986 through 1990, 112 CWITP trainees’ competence in wheat improvement work was assessed routinely by instructors at the beginning and end of the training course. Participants originated from 37 developing countries. Participants’ competence was measured Abbreviations: CIMMYT, The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center; CWITP, CIMMYT Wheat Improvement Training Program. 44 J. Nat. Resour. Life Sci. Educ., Vol. 22, no. 1, 1993 using the self assessment (trainee-assessed), theoretical, and practical assessments (trainer-assessed).

Two trials were conducted at the Mexican National Institute of Agricultural Research (INIFAP) experimental station, Yaqui Valley, Sonora, Mexico, to compare the yield and agronomic traits of 21 Norin 10-derived, high yielding bread wheats (Triticum aestivum L.) adapted in northwestern Mexico. The dwarfing gene composition of each cultivar was determined by test crossing and seedling responsiveness to gibberellic acid. There was no lodging during the 2 years of yield testing. Grain yield levels were appropriately high (mean 7.05 t/ha). Genotypes with Rht1 gave highest yields while the Rht1 + Rht2 group yielded 1.4 % lower and Rht2 3.8 % lower. Similarly, the Rht1 lines had the highest biomass yield, while the Rht1 group and the double-gene dwarfs yielded on the average 5.4 and 9.1 % lower, respectively. However, the double-gene dwarfs had the highest harvest index, while the Rht2 and Rht1 genotypes had 2.5 and 3.2 % lower harvest indexes, respectively. Regarding yield components, the Rht1 genotypes averaged 9.3 % more grains/m2 than the Rht2 and Rht1 + Rht2 groups. Rht1 lines also produced 4.6 and 11.7 % more grains/spike as compared to Rht2 group and the double-gene dwarfs, respectively. However, Rht1+Rht2 and Rht1 genotypes had 37.4 and 22.3 more spikes/m2 than the Rht2 materials. The 1000-grain weight was heaviest in the Rht1+Rht2 group followed by the Rht2 and the Rht1 groups. The Rht2 lines had 0.5-cm longer spikes than the Rht1 lines. Phenotypic correlations calculated based on height gene classification showed a strong negative plant height-grain yield relationship in the single-gene dwarfs. Grain yield's relationship to biomass, grains/m2 and rate of biomass production were all positive and significant.

Nearly 50 percent of the 1988 advanced breeding lines of the CIMMYT bread wheat breeding program possess the 1B/1R homozygous translocation. Hence, a trial was conducted to estimate the effect of 1B/1R chromosome translocation on the yield potential of some of our high-yielding spring wheats, where non-limiting levels of fertility, moisture, preventive pest and disease programs were used. In conclusing the 1B/1R lines seemed to have increased their above-ground biomass yield, number of spikes per meter2, 1000-grain weight and test weight. They also exhibited a slight advantage over the 1B homozygous lines on grain yield. The observed difference, however, was non-significant, as was the plant height difference observed among the two groups. Varietal comparisons indicated that the 1B/1R group headed later than the 1B group.

Triticum tauschii provides breeders with a valuable source of resistance and tolerance genes. Elucidation of the inheritance of traits in this species that hinder its use in breeding programmes is therefore of interest to wheat breeders. Inheritance of threshability was investigated in the crosses of four non-free-threshing (NFT) synthetic hexaploids (Triticum turgidum x T. tauschii) and two free-threshing (FT) T. aestivum cultivars during four crop seasons over 3 years at El Batan and Ciudad Obregon, Mexico. The parents, their F 1 hybrids and individual F2 plant-derived F 3 progenies of the crosses revealed that 'Altar 84'/T. tauschii (219), 'Chen'/T. tauschii (205), 'Chen'/T. tauschii (224), and 'Duergand'/T. tauschii (214) have independently segregating loci with two dominant alleles controlling threshability. Intercrosses among the synthetics, except 'Altar 84'/T. tauschii(219), showed the genes to be allelic to each other. The cross between the FT cultivars showed no segregation in the F 3 generation, indicating common recessive genes. Based on these findings, population sizes of the synthetic-derived breeding materials should be increased to improve the chances of selecting FT desirable plants in the programme.

Background: The plant species Bursera copallifera (DC) bullock is used in traditional medicine to treat inflammation.The leaves of this plant can be prepared as an infusion to treat migraines, bronchitis, and dental pain. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities of organic extracts from the stems, stem bark, and leaves of B. copallifera, which was selected based on the knowledge of its traditional use. Materials and Methods: We evaluated the ability of extracts to inhibit mouse ear inflammation in response to topical application of 12-O tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate. The extracts with anti-inflammatory activity were evaluated for their inhibition of pro-inflammatory enzymes. In addition, the in vitro cytotoxic activities of the organic extracts were evaluated using the sulforhodamine B assay. Results: The hydroalcoholic extract of the stems (HAS) exhibited an anti-infl ammatory activity of 54.3% (0.5 mg/ear), whereas the anti-infl ammatory activity of the dichloromethane-methanol extract from the leaves (DMeL) was 55.4% at a dose of 0.1 mg/ear. Methanol extract from the leaves (MeL) showed the highest anti-inflammatory activity (IC50 = 4.4 μg/mL), hydroalcoholic extract of leaves, and DMeL also reduce the enzyme activity, (IC50 = 6.5 μg/mL, IC50 = 5.7 μg/mL), respectively, from stems HAS exhibit activity at the evaluated concentrations (IC50 =6.4 μg/mL). The hydroalcoholic extract of the stems exhibited the highest cytotoxic activity against a breast adenocarcinoma cell line (MCF7, IC50 = 0.90 μg/mL), whereas DMeL exhibited an IC50 value of 19.9 μg/mL. Conclusion: In conclusion, extracts from leaves and stems inhibited cyclooxygenase-1, which is the target enzyme for nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs, and some of these extracts demonstrated substantial antiproliferative effects against the MCF7 cell line. These results validate the traditional use of B. copallifera.

Background . Thoracic ectopia cordis and other midline defects are rare congenital anomalies that often occur with other intracardiac defects. Despite significant improvements in neonatal and infant cardiac surgeries, operations for thoracoabdominal ectopia cordis carry an extremely high mortality with only a few reported survivors of thoracic ectopia cordis. Methods . The clinical charts of 4 patients with ectopia cordis over a 6-year period were reviewed. Three of the patients showed varying degrees of Cantrell's Pentalogy; thoracic ectopia cordis was found in 1. We have reviewed our surgical strategies and reported the patients' clinical outcomes. Results . All 4 patients are alive at follow-up. Two infants with double-outlet right ventricle have been fully corrected, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was necessary in 1 infant for cardiac failure following the cardiac repair. A newborn with thoracoabdominal ectopia cordis underwent primary repair of his diaphragmatic defect, and a silo was used to progressively reduce the omphalocele. He is currently awaiting elective repair of tetralogy of Fallot. Lastly, the patient with thoracic ectopia cordis underwent successful soft tissue coverage, and she is being followed in the clinic with restrictive muscular ventricular septal defects and a left ventricular diverticulum. Conclusions . Our experience along with other reports in the literature demonstrates that patients with thoracic and thoracoabdominal ectopia cordis can undergo and survive full cardiac, neurologic, and abdominal repair during infancy. Furthermore we advocate different approaches determined by the severity of the presentation and the presence of other complicating factors.

Alien introgression methodologies have elucidated the usage of distantly or closely related species through intergeneric and interspecific hybridization strategies. Of the various annual and perennial Triticeae species, Secale cereale (2n=2x=14, RR) is one that expresses a well demonstrated potential for cereal improvement with over five million hectares being cultivated to the rye translocation wheats possessing the 1AL/1RS or 1BL/1RS chromosome translocations. We now attribute a 4.3 percent yield advantage to the 1BL/1RS translocation as observed for present analyses of random F2-derived F6 lines emerging from the Triticum aestivum cvs. Nacozari/Seri 82 combination. Stringent evaluation of the contribution of 1BIJ1RS translocation is anticipated from yield analyses of bread wheat (Seri 82, 1BL/1RS) and dumm wheat (Altar 84, 1B) germplasm in which chromosomes 1B or 1BL/1RS respectively have been substituted by eight backcrosses. We have initially inferred that the adverse bread-making quality is not an exclusive function of the 1BL/1RS translocation. The evaluation of the critical genetic substitution stocks produced by backcrossing to Seri 82 will shed further light upon the contribution of 1BL/1RS translocation towards bread making. Additional utilization of rye comes from germplasm exhibiting improved copper efficiency (5AS/5RL or 4BL/5RL), cereal cyst nematode (6BS/6RL) and Karnal bunt resistance (disomic additions 4R and 6R). Transfers and introgressions from these rye sources are being made into some CIMMYT spring wheats. Advanced derivatives from triticale x T aestivum; with a translocation homozygote; are a source of Septoria tritici resistance. Detection of rye presence has utilized fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) as a diagnostic.

This article describes the Women's Population and Development (WPD) program among rural women in 35 poor counties in 10 provinces in China in 1988. The provinces included Xinjiang, Gansu, Qinghai, Ningxia, Inner Mongolia, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Guizhou, Hubei, and Anhui, which are mostly located in the arid northwest or pastoral northeast China. The study area is inclined to have harsh agro-ecological conditions and environmental degradation. Women's income ranges from RMB 350 to 650 Yuan. About 35% were literate. 40-50% of the rural agricultural labor force and about 60% of all farm labor were women. Out migration of men was increasing. This WPD program was supported by the Ministry of Foreign Technical and Economic Cooperation, the UNFPA, and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. The program aim is to use alternative family planning strategies, alleviate poverty, and improve rural women's status. Initial discussions revealed different goals among rural women and county leaders. Women wanted direct access and control over resources. County leaders desired increased productivity among a selected number of small scale enterprises. The project stipulated that 80% of funding was to be allocated as credit for rural women, that a revolving fund would give women direct access and control of resources, and that women would be recognized for their dual roles. Partnerships were formed between women's voluntary groups and project management. Prospective members of women's self-help groups received a 60-70 hour workshop. This workshop helped to identity the root causes of low status and feasible approaches to improving the status and to developed program activities. Counties were gradually included during 1990-93. This program evaluation pertains to analysis of 1994-95 data among 1300 respondents at four points in time. Impact indicators include 18 measures. The most important measure is that women gained control over their own lives and a partnership with husbands. The program was successful due to increased productivity, rational childbearing and rearing practices, and the expansion and diversification of the village economy. One of the lessons learned was that poor women need not be a burden and can be a precious resource.

Inheritance of resistance to Karnal bunt was investigated in the crosses of four resistant synthetic hexaploid wheats (SH; Triticum turgidum x T. tauschii) and two susceptible T. aestivum cultivars. The resistance was dominant or partly dominant over susceptibility. The SH cultivars Chen/T. tauschii (205) and Chen/T. tauschii (224) have single dominant resistance genes which could be allelic to each other. 'Altar 84'/T. tauschii(219) appeared to have two dominant genes for resistance. 'Duergand' T. tauschii (214) possessed two complementary dominant genes for resistance. The work is being extended to involve diverse Karnal bunt-resistant SH and bread wheat cultivars.

Chromatoid bodies are typical citoplasmic structures found in ameba of genusEntamoebathey are arrays of helical ribonucleoproteic structures formed by the aggregation of ribosomes. Chromatoid bodies are found only in cystic forms ofEntamoeba, in trophozoites cultured in slow growing conditions, or in the presence of protein synthesis inhibitors. This paper reports the formation of chromatoid bodies in trophozoites ofEntamoeba histolyticaHM-1-IMSS in active growing phase with high CO2tension.Trophozoites ofE. histolyticaHM-1-IMSS strain were cultured with 103cell/ml in 16 × 150 nm screw - capped tubes, each containing 10 ml of TYI-S-33 medium without vitamine (3), and gassed with CO2- - - (0.2 L/Min/2 Min). The cultures were incubated at 37°C and sampled every 24 h for counting and morpho logic observations. For electron microscopy study, the specimens were fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehide in 0.2 M phosphate buffer, pH 7.2; postfixed in 1% osmium tetroxide in 0.2 M phosphate buffer, pH 7.2; — dehydrated in ethyl alcohol, and embedded in epoxy resin (Medcast).