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AbstractMerino wool is the predominant type of wool in the apparel industry, originating in Spain but now deriving mainly from Australia and New Zealand. However, there are several diverse, naturally colored wools that can support slow fashion efforts for local production. The “Shave ’em to Save ’em” (SE2SE) initiative emerged in the United States to highlight and help conserve sheep that are threatened to be endangered and support farmers’ economic development. Approximately 310 small and mid-sized farmers throughout the US participated in the initiative during 2019. Farmers highlighted their sheep and wool for a fiber artisan target market. The primary research objectives of this study were to assess the feasibility of rare wool fiber sourcing and accessory product development, as well as the marketing potential for a unique, slow fashion product to align with the US SE2SE initiative. This study involved (1) sourcing rare wool from US SE2SE farms in lower income areas, (2) analyzing rare wool characteristics to develop slow fashion accessories, (3) evaluating digital marketing strategies of heritage sheep farms, and (4) evaluating consumer perceptions. Slow fashion aspects such as authenticity, exclusivity, and localism were achieved with this project during yarn sourcing, macramé product development, and in the digital marketing created. Equity during the sourcing process was a goal, but not fully achieved. A small sample of consumer participants expressed neutral sentiments toward slow fashion and slightly higher sense of empowerment in relation to community activism and autonomy. This study can be useful to fiber artisans and textile practitioners who are interested in supporting slow fashion, sheep and wool conservation, as well as economic development.

Cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) is one of the world’s most important crops grown in the Philippines and is affected by many fungal diseases. This study was conducted to identify apparent fungal infection attacking cacao clones and determine the disease severity as affected by prevailing weather conditions at the University of Southern Mindanao, Kabacan, Cotabato, Philippines. Disease symptoms observed were grayish to brown, irregular lesions that turn dark brown to black. Morpho-cultural and molecular characterization identified the causal pathogen as Nigrospora sphaericaand pathogenicity was confirmed through Koch’s postulates. This is the first report of N. sphaericacausing cacao leaf blight in the Philippines. Highest severity of infection was observed in UF 18, while the lowest was in W10 clones. The degree of infection was influenced by temperature and rainfall with respective R2values of 0.12–0.37 and 0.14–0.25. The warm and wet environment favors disease infection on cacao clones.

ABSTRACTTwo cyanobacterial strains, one collected from an epidermal mat present on a dead bottlenose dolphin and the other as a bioaerosol 457 m (1500 ft) above the river, were recently analysed from the St. Johns River, Jacksonville, Florida, USA. Both samples had major phenotypic plasticity which confused morphological identification. Amplicon sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene from the isolates revealed that both samples were closely aligned (branch bootstrap support = 100%) with the recently erected genus Komarekiella. Whole genome sequencing and phylogenetic construction also supported the isolation of a new species of cyanobacteria branching from the Nostocclade. A total evidence approach of molecular, genetic, and ecological examination of these strains supported the erection of a new species, Komarekiella delphini-convector. A prior study determined that the dolphin with the epidermal mat had low levels of microcystins/nodularins (MCs/NODs) in the hepatic tissue. To investigate whether these toxins originated from the epidermal mat, immunoassay (ELISA) and 2-methyl-3-methoxy-4-phenylbutyric acid (MMPB) techniques were conducted on the original mat and subsequent culture samples. The results from both analyses were not conclusive. Genome mining was conducted and revealed diverse biosynthetic capabilities of this species but could not support toxin-producing potential. Further analytical work is required to determine the pathogenic capacity of this epizoic species.

ABSTRACTCoral populations continue to decline in many regions because of natural and anthropogenic disturbances; and the persistence of coral populations mainly relies on natural recruitment through coral reproduction. However, studies on the reproduction of many important reef-building coral species in one of the most biodiverse region, the Coral Triangle, are very limited. Here, we investigated the reproductive biology of the coral Acropora milleporain Bolinao-Anda Reef Complex, northwestern Philippines from February 2014 to March 2015, through in situassessment of gamete maturity, histological examination of gamete development and ex situspawning observations. Results showed that A. milleporaexhibited an annual gametogenic cycle. Formation of oocytes took place within 8 months, whereas spermatocytes developed in 3 months before the gamete release. Abundance and size of eggs in A. milleporawere greatest during the months nearest to the spawning period, which coincides with the rapid increase in sea surface temperature. Ex situbroadcast spawning occurred around the months of February–March, which suggests an extended spawning pattern. Results provide additional information on coral reproduction in the region and reveal the potential of A. milleporain providing coral propagules for the replenishment and recovery of degraded coral populations.

Diseñar un minihemocultivo usando de 200 a 300μl de sangre y comparar con el hemocultivo de referencia BACTEC peds plus/F™ BD.

This study investigated the effects of reduced salinity on the heterotrophic capabilities of juvenile giant clams Tridacna gigas under hatchery conditions. Juvenile T. gigas were selected randomly and exposed to salinity levels of 18, 25, and 35 (control) for 14 days. Clearance rate (CR) and absorption efficiency (AE) were determined on days 1,4, 7,10, 12, and 14. The CR seems to be highly dependent on salinity--highest in the control, followed by salinity 25, and it was considerably reduced at salinity 18. There were significant differences in CR between treatments, except on day 14. Absorption efficiency was generally high, and was significantly different only on day 4. There was a weak negative correlation between AE and salinity, but no correlation between CR and AE. The exposure to reduced salinity resulted in epithelial hyperplasia and hypertrophy in the clam's ctenidial lamellae. Cells were closely packed and exhibited highly granulated nuclei with ruptured nuclear membrane. There were fusions and elongations of the branchial filaments with eroded frontal cilia. These structural changes could reduce feeding. However, an acclimatization response was observed in which increased CR was noted at the end of the exposure, indicating that, to some extent, giant clam juveniles are capable of acclimating to prolonged exposure to reduced salinity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective.To analyze the impact of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) multidimensional infection control approach to reduce central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) rates.Setting.Four neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) of INICC member hospitals from El Salvador, Mexico, Philippines, and Tunisia.Patients.A total of 2,241 patients hospitalized in 4 NICUs for 40,045 bed-days.Methods.We conducted a before-after prospective surveillance study. During Phase 1 we performed active surveillance, and during phase 2 the INICC multidimensional infection control approach was implemented, including the following practices: (1) central line care bundle, (2) education, (3) outcome surveillance, (4) process surveillance, (5) feedback of CLABSI rates, and (6) performance feedback of infection control practices. We compared CLABSI rates obtained during the 2 phases. We calculated crude stratified rates, and, using random-effects Poisson regression to allow for clustering by ICU, we calculated the incidence rate ratio (IRR) for each follow-up time period compared with the 3-month baseline.Results.During phase 1 we recorded 2,105 CL-days, and during phase 2 we recorded 17,117 CL-days. After implementation of the multidimensional approach, the CLABSI rate decreased by 55%, from 21.4 per 1,000 CL-days during phase 1 to 9.7 per 1,000 CL-days during phase 2 (rate ratio, 0.45 [95% confidence interval, 0.33–0.63]). The IRR was 0.53 during the 4–12-month period and 0.07 during the final period of the study (more than 45 months).Conclusions.Implementation of a multidimensional infection control approach was associated with a significant reduction in CLABSI rates in NICUs.

Design.A before-after prospective surveillance study to assess the impact of a multidimensional infection control approach for the reduction of catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) rates.Setting.Pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) of hospital members of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) from 10 cities of the following 6 developing countries: Colombia, El Salvador, India, Mexico, Philippines, and Turkey.Patients.PICU inpatients.Methods.We performed a prospective active surveillance to determine rates of CAUTI among 3,877 patients hospitalized in 10 PICUs for a total of 27,345 bed-days. The study was divided into a baseline period (phase 1) and an intervention period (phase 2). In phase 1, surveillance was performed without the implementation of the multidimensional approach. In phase 2, we implemented a multidimensional infection control approach that included outcome surveillance, process surveillance, feedback on CAUTI rates, feedback on performance, education, and a bundle of preventive measures. The rates of CAUTI obtained in phase 1 were compared with the rates obtained in phase 2, after interventions were implemented.Results.During the study period, we recorded 8,513 urinary catheter (UC) days, including 1,513 UC-days in phase 1 and 7,000 UC-days in phase 2. In phase 1, the CAUTI rate was 5.9 cases per 1,000 UC-days, and in phase 2, after implementing the multidimensional infection control approach for CAUTI prevention, the rate of CAUTI decreased to 2.6 cases per 1,000 UC-days (relative risk, 0.43 [95% confidence interval, 0.21–1.0]), indicating a rate reduction of 57%.Conclusions.Our findings demonstrated that implementing a multidimensional infection control approach is associated with a significant reduction in the CAUTI rate of PICUs in developing countries.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the use of chlorine or ozone as sanitizing agents in the water of chicken immersion chilling, using the residual levels usually applied in Brazil (1.5 ppm), comparing the effects of these treatments on the microbiological, physicochemical, and sensory characteristics of carcasses. Chicken carcasses were chilled in water (4°C) with similar residual levels of ozone and chlorine until reaching temperatures below 7°C (around 45 min). The stability of carcasses was assessed during 15 days of storage at 2 ± 1°C. Microbiological, surface color (L*, a*, b* parameters), pH value, lipid oxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances index), and sensory evaluation (on a 9-point hedonic scale for odor and appearance) analyses were carried out. The presence of Salmonellawas not detected, coagulase-positive staphylococci counts were below 102CFU/ml of rinse fluid, and Escherichia coliand total coliform counts were below 105CFU/ml of rinse fluid until the end of the storage period for both treatments. Psychrotrophic microorganism counts did not differ (P> 0.05) between chlorine and ozone treatments, and both values were near 109CFU/ml of rinse fluid after 15 days at 4 ± 1°C. pH values did not differ between treatments (P> 0.05) or during the storage period (P> 0.05). In addition, neither chlorine nor ozone treatment showed differences (P> 0.05) in the lipid oxidation of carcasses; however, the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances index of both treatments increased (P≤ 0.05) during the storage period, reaching values of approximately 0.68 mg of malonaldehyde per kg. Samples from both treatments did not differ (P> 0.05) in their acceptance scores for odor and overall appearance, but in the evaluation of color, ozone showed an acceptance score significantly higher (P≤ 0.05) than that for the chlorine treatment. In general, under the conditions tested, ozone showed results similar to the results for chlorine in the disinfection of chicken carcasses in the immersion chilling, which may indicate its use as a substitute for chlorine in poultry slaughterhouses.