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Scorpions are of particular interest in cytogenomic studies, as they can present a high incidence of chromosomal rearrangements heterozygous in natural populations. In this study, we cytogenetically analyzed four species of Chactidae. In Brotheas , 2n = 40 was observed in Brotheas silvestris , 2n = 48 in Brotheas paraensis , and 2n = 50 (cytotype A) or 2n = 52 (cytotype B) among populations of Brotheas amazonicus . Our results showed a bimodal karyotype in Neochactas parvulus , 2n = 54, with microchromosomes and a concentration of constitutive heterochromatin in macrochromosomes. The 45S rDNA is located in only one pair of the karyotype, with different heteromorphisms of clusters of this rDNA in the cytotype B of B. amazonicus , with NOR-bearing chromosomes involved in multi-chromosomal associations during meiosis I. The U2 snDNA was mapped in the interstitial region of distinct karyotype pairs of three Chactidae species. Our results indicate the possible formation of cryptic species in B. amazonicus ; the different 45S rDNA configurations in the genome of this species may result from amplification and degeneration. We suggest that the bimodal karyotype in N. parvulus results from fusion/fission events and that the unequal distribution of repetitive DNAs between macro and microchromosomes contributes to the maintenance of its asymmetry.

Visceral organ 'cross talk' is suspected to contribute to multiorgan symptomatology found in conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome and interstitial cystitis. The goal of the present study was to investigate the short- and long-term effects of acute colitis on bladder detrusor muscle contractility. We hypothesized that inflammation of the colon leads to changes in bladder function via direct changes in detrusor smooth muscle contractility. In this study, colonic inflammation was induced in male rats via an enema of trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) (50 mg/kg, 0.5 ml, 25% ethanol). Colitis was confirmed using gross morphology, histology, and measurements of myeloperoxidase activity. Saline enema-treated rats served as controls. Three, 15, and 30 days post-enema treatment, bladder detrusor muscle contractility was investigated in response to electrical field stimulation (EFS), cholinergic agonism with carbachol (CCh), and KCl. During active colonic inflammation (day 3 post-TNBS enema), the bladder detrusor muscle appeared normal and showed no significant inflammation. However, abnormalities in bladder detrusor muscle contractility occurred in response to EFS and CCh but not KCl. During and after recovery from colonic inflammation (days 15 and 30 post-TNBS enema), changes in bladder detrusor muscle contractility in response to EFS and CCh returned to control levels. We found that a transient colonic inflammatory insult significantly attenuates the amplitude of bladder detrusor muscle contractions in vitro, at least in part, through changes in cholinergic innervation, which are reversible after recovery from the colitis. trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid; colon; detrusor muscle; rat

While it is recognized that research priorities should reflect and integrate the perspectives and needs of patients along with those of health professionals and researchers, it remains challenging to actualize such priorities into tangible research projects. Targeted dissemination is required to catalyze research on these priorities. To create awareness of and inspire action toward actualizing the top 10 retinoblastoma research priorities in Canada, Canadian Retinoblastoma Research Advisory Board (CRRAB) members developed a wide range of dissemination tools and processes. These resources, co-produced with patients, were instrumental to CRRAB sharing the top 10 priorities internationally to mobilize action toward solving them., (Copyright © 2022 Longwoods Publishing.)

Peer-to-peer recruitment efforts are important in generating interest and participation of patients as partners in research but difficult to sustain when face-to-face interactions are limited. The Retinoblastoma Research and You! booklet, co-developed by patients, researchers and health professionals, serves as a guide for patient engagement in research while retaining an element of personalization. The Retinoblastoma Research and You! booklet was developed through two virtual workshops to iterate and finalize the booklet design and content. The booklet outlines how individual patients' lived experiences and skills can influence retinoblastoma research and highlights real-world examples of patient-partnered research activities at different stages of the research process., (Copyright © 2022 Longwoods Publishing.)

In Tanzania, 27.1% of all women of reproductive age are currently using modern contraception and 16.8% have an unmet need for family planning. We therefore examined factors associated with family planning uptake after giving birth in two regions of Tanzania. The survey, which collected information beyond that collected in the Tanzania Demographic Health Survey, used a two-stage, stratified-cluster sampling design, conducted in April 2016 in Mara and Kagera regions in Tanzania. A total of 1184 women aged 15-49 years, who had given birth less than two years prior to the survey were included. Logistic regression mixed effect modelling was used to examine factors associated with family planning uptake. A total of 393 (33.2%) women used family planning methods and 929 (79%) required prior approval from their partners. Participation of men in utilization of maternal health care was low, where 680 (57.8%) women responded that their partners accompanied them to at least one antenatal care (ANC) counselling visit and 120 (10%) responded that their partners participated in family planning counselling. Women who did not want to disclose whether they had discussed family planning with their partners, strikingly had the highest percentage of using family planning methods after birth. Factors independently associated with family planning uptake included: having discussed family planning with the partner (aOR 3.22; 95% CI 1.99-5.21), having been counselled on family planning during antenatal care (aOR 2.68; 95% CI 1.78-4.05), having discussed family planning with a community health worker (CHW) (aOR 4.59; 95% CI 2.53-8.33) and with a facility health care worker (aOR 1.93; 95% CI 1.29-2.90), having primary or higher educational level (aOR 1.66; 95% CI 1.01-2.273), and being in union (aOR 1.86; 95% CI 1.02-3.42). Educational interaction with community and facility health workers, as well as having a supportive partner as facilitator increased uptake of family planning. This needs to be prioritized in regions with similar socio-cultural norms in Tanzania and beyond.

Organic pollutants have been monitored in the atmosphere of the Great Lake Basin (GLB) since the 1990s in support of the Canada-US Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement and to determine the effectiveness of source reduction measures and factors influencing air concentrations. Air samples were collected between 2005 and 2014 at three sites with different geographical characteristics (Burnt Island, Egbert and Point Petre) in the Canadian GLB using high-volume air samplers and the air samples were analyzed for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and several other non-PBDE halogenated flame retardants (HFRs). Spatial and temporal trends of total concentrations of HFRs were examined. BDE-47, BDE-99, and BDE-209 were the dominant PBDE congeners found at the three sites. For the non-PBDE HFRs, allyl 2,4,6-tribromophenyl ether (TBP-AE), hexabromobenzene (HBBz), pentabromotoluene (PBT), anti-dechlorane plus (anti-DDC-CO) and syn-dechlorane plus (syn-DDC-CO) were frequently detected. High atmospheric concentrations of PBDEs were found at the Egbert site with a larger population, while lower levels of PBDEs were detected at Point Petre, which is close to urban centers where control measures are in place. The strong temperature dependence of air concentrations indicates that volatilization from local sources influences atmospheric concentrations of BDE-28 and BDE-47 at Point Petre and Burnt Island, while long-range atmospheric transport (LRAT) was important for BDE-99. However, a weaker correlation was observed between air concentrations and ambient temperature for non-PBDE HFRs such as TBP-AE and HBBz. Atmospheric PBDE concentrations are decreasing slowly, with half-lives in the range of 2-16 years. Faster declining trends of PBDEs were observed at Point Petre rather than at Burnt Island. As Point Petre is closer to urban centers, faster declining trends may reflect the phase out of technical BDE mixtures in urban centers while LRAT influences the air concentrations at Burnt Island. The levels of syn-DDC-CO and anti-DDC-CO are decreasing at Point Petre and the levels of other non-PBDE HFRs such as TBP-AE, PBT and HBBz are increasing. Long-term declining trends of PBDEs suggest that regulatory efforts to reduce emissions to the GLB environment have been effective but that continuous measurements are required to gain a better understanding of the trends of emerging chemicals in the atmosphere of the GLB.

Introduction: Community health workers (CHWs) are lay workers who have the potential to enhance services to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) and improve the health of women living with HIV infection. We conducted a cluster-randomized trial of an intervention to integrate CHWs with 'Option B+' PMTCT services in Shinyanga Region, Tanzania., Methods: The intervention was implemented for 11 months and included four integrated components: 1) formal linkage of CHWs to health facilities; 2) CHW-led antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence counseling; 3) loss to follow-up tracing by CHWs; and 4) distribution of Action Birth Cards (ABCs), a birth planning tool. We cluster-randomized 32 facilities offering PMTCT services, within strata of size, to the intervention (n = 15) or comparison (standard of care, n = 17) groups. Intervention effectiveness was determined with a difference-in-differences strategy based on clinical and pharmacy data from HIV-infected postpartum women at baseline (births in 2014) and endline (births April-Oct 2015). The primary outcome was retention in care between 60 and 120 days postpartum. Secondary outcomes included ART initiation, timing of ART initiation (as measured by week of gestation), and ART adherence 90 days postpartum, measured using the medication possession ratio (MPR≥95%)., Results: Intervention and comparison facilities were similar at baseline. Data were collected from 1,152 and 678 mother-infant pairs at baseline and endline, respectively. There were no significant differences in retention in care, ART initiation, or timing of ART initiation between the intervention and control groups. Adherence (MPR≥95%) at 90 days postpartum was 11.3 percentage points higher in the intervention group in ITT analyses (95% CI: -0.7, 23.3, p = 0.06), though this effect was attenuated after adjusting for baseline imbalance (9.5 percentage points, 95% CI: -2.9, 22.0, p = 0.13). Among only sites that had the greatest fidelity to the intervention, however, we found a stronger effect on adherence (13.6 percentage points, 95% CI: 2.5, 24.6)., Conclusions: Despite being feasible and acceptable, the CHW-based intervention did not have strong effects on most PMTCT indicators. CHW involvement in PMTCT programs may improve ART adherence among HIV-infected postpartum women, however, and success appears heavily dependent on program implementation., Trial Registration: Registry for International Development Impact Evaluations (RIDIE, ID 552553838b402) and ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03058484).

Introduction: Access to information, education and services is central in the promotion of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) among young people. It enables young people make informed choices on sexuality matters, hence reduce teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This study assessed accessibility of SRH rights' information among marginalized young people in three municipalities of Iringa, Ilala and Kinondoni in Tanzania., Methods: A cross-sectional study design using mixed methods was conducted in 2013 in three selected districts of Tanzania. We randomly selected 398 young people including those with disabilities to partake in quantitative survey while 48 community members were purposely selected for qualitative part. Quantitative data analysis was done using descriptive statistics and chi square test with the assistance of the Statistical Package for Social Science(SPSS) version 20, while qualitative data was thematically analyzed., Results: There were 396 (99%) participants (144 Males and 251 females), with a mean age of 20.1years. The majority were out of school female, cohabiting and had completed secondary education. Overall, 317 (79.6%) had SRH rights knowledge. The leading sources of SRH rights information were peer educators (36.7%) and radio (22.8%). Awareness regarding laws and policies related to SRH right was 55.1%. However, young people living with HIV and school truants had more access to SRHR education and services than the other youth groups(χ2 30.69, p< 0.0001). The qualitative study revealed that parents and teachers perceived themselves to be incompetent in providing SRH information to their youngsters despite of being mostly trusted., Conclusion: Access to SRH rights information is high but decreases when it is disaggregated across different age groups. There is a need for diversified approach for reaching specific groups of young people depending on their needs and circumstances., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interest.

Long-term air monitoring data for POPs are required to determine the effectiveness of source reduction measures and factors controlling air concentrations. Air samples were collected between 1992 and 2012 at three sites with different geographical characteristics (Burnt Island, Egbert and Point Petre) in the Canadian Great Lakes Basin (GLB) using high-volume samplers and analyzed for organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Spatial and temporal trends of gas-phase concentrations of OCPs, selected PCB congeners and ƩPCBs (84 congeners) were assessed. Egbert had the highest concentrations of some OCPs due to historical [dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs), dieldrin, γ-hexachlorocyclohexane (γ-HCH)] and current (endosulfan) applications of these pesticides in the surrounding agricultural cropland. This shows that agricultural areas are a source of OCPs to the GLB. High o,p'-/p,p'-DDT ratios were determined and an increasing trend was observed at Point Petre and Burnt Island up to 2004; indicating that the GLB is influenced by dicofol-type DDT sources, which have higher o,p'-/p,p'-DDT ratios than technical DDT. Atmospheric PCB concentrations at Egbert and Point Petre are higher than those measured at Burnt Island, likely due to urban influence and greater populations. Loadings calculations suggest that the atmosphere is a source of α-endosulfan and p,p'-DDT to the lakes and the opposite is true for p,p'-DDE. Long-term decreasing trends were observed for both OCPs and PCBs; consistent with control measures implemented in North America. Atmospheric PCB concentrations are decreasing relatively slowly, with halflives in the range of 9-39 years. Chlordane, α-endosulfan, β-endosulfan, dieldrin, and DDT-related substances showed halflives in the range of 7-13 years. α-HCH and γ-HCH were decreasing rapidly in air, with halflives of 5 years. Long-term declining trends of PCBs and OCPs suggest that regulatory efforts to reduce emissions to the GLB environment have been effective, but emissions from primary and secondary sources might limit future declines., (Crown Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Malaria and iron-deficient anemia during pregnancy pose considerable risks for the mother and newborn. Intermittent Preventive Treatment during pregnancy with sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP) and iron supplement to prevent anemia to all pregnant women receiving antenatal care (ANC) services is highly recommended. However, their compliance remains low. This study aimed at identifying factors influencing non-compliance of medications among pregnant women. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Simiyu region in northwest Tanzania using a structured questionnaire to collect data from 430 women who were pregnant or gave birth 12 months prior to data collection. Data were analyzed using non-parametric statistical analysis with STATA 10. Overall, 284 (66%) and 195 (45%) of interviewed women received IPTp-SP and iron supplementation during their ANC visits, respectively. The majority (85%) of women whom received medications were aware if they had received IPTp-SP or iron supplementation. Of those received IPTp-SP, only 11% took all the three doses, while the remaining 89% took only two doses or one dose. For women who received iron supplementation, 29% reported that they did not take any dose at all. Reasons given for not complying with regiments included not liking the medications and disapproval from male partners. Our findings suggest that IPTp-SP and iron supplement compliance among pregnant women in Simiyu region is low. Intensification of community education, further qualitative research and administration of medication through directly-observed therapy (DOT) are recommended to address the problem.

Aim 18Fluorodeoxyglucose (18FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is an established part of staging in a wide variety of malignancies. Incidental abnormal uptake of 18FDG of unknown significance is frequently encountered. Therefore, we investigated patients with abnormal colonic uptake of 18FDG, determined by PET/CT images, using colonoscopy. Method The radiology reports of all patients referred to a tertiary referral centre for a PET/CT scan were reviewed retrospectively. Patients with abnormal colonic uptake of 18FDG were identified and the PET/CT findings were correlated with colonoscopic findings. Results Of 555 consecutive patients identified over a 26-month period, 53 had abnormal colonic uptake of 18FDG, as determined by PET/CT images. Twenty-nine were not investigated following discussion in a specialist multidisciplinary (MDT) meeting, according to local protocol. Twenty out of 24 patients investigated by endoscopy had a colonic lesion correlating to the site identified on the PET/CT image: 16 patients had tubulovillous adenomas (nine of which were > 10 mm), two had invasive adenocarcinomas, two had diverticular disease and one had collagenous colitis; no colonic lesion was detected in three. These findings were incidental and not related to the primary diagnosis for which the scan was being performed. Accordingly, a positive predictive value of 83% is associated with the finding of abnormal uptake of 18FDG on PET/CT images. Conclusion Incidental abnormal colonic uptake of 18FDG, determined by a PET/CT scan requires definitive colonic investigation in patients suitable for further treatment because significant colonic pathology is frequently identified. The benefit of this approach should be discussed in specialist MDT meetings and tailored to each patient; however, national guidelines for management are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Classical and molecular cytogenetic analyses of mitotic and meiotic cells were performed on two species of Carollia from the family Phyllostomidae (Chiroptera), which have an XX/XY1Y2 sex determination system. Our results show that the species Carollia perspicillata and Carollia brevicauda have the same Xq-autosome translocation (neo-X). Using multicolor FISH we observed different levels of condensation of the original X and Y chromosomes when compared to the translocated autosomal segment, a likely consequence of the nucleolar organizer region blocking spreading of inactivation to the autosomal region of the neo-X. The use of chromosome painting showed the behavior of the sex chromosome trivalent – here called the ‘neo-XY body’ – in meiosis. We compared the variation between the condensation of the original X and Y and the autosome-sex chromosome axis and described the pairing between the original X-Y segments (pseudoautosomal region) and the XY2 homologous segments, suggesting genetic activity of the latter during meiosis. Copyright © 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reliable access to analysis-ready Earth observation data and infrastructures for processing them has been a challenge with the increasing volumes and variety of data being generated daily through various Earth observation programmes. Recently, concepts centered around building cloud-native infrastructures that provide access to Earth observation data in efficient manners such as data cubes which facilitate rapid querying, filtering and retrieval have been garnering popularity. Moreover, efficient means of processing such vast volumes of data stored in data cubes through cloud computing frameworks such as Kubernetes are becoming more popular. This paper investigates the current state-of-the-art techniques, methods and technologies used in cloudnative environments with a particular focus on the data cube initiative and "bring the user to the data" paradigm, highlighting the usefulness of such approaches and their current limitations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]