Evaluation of late vegetative and reproductive stage soybeans for resistance to soybean aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae).

The soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura, has become the most significant soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] insect pest in the north central soybean production region of North America. The objectives of this research were to measure selected genotypes for resistance to the soybean aphid in the later vegetative and reproductive stages under field conditions, and confirm the presence of tolerance in KS4202. The results from 2007 to 2011 indicate that KS4202 can support aphid populations with minimal yield loss at levels where significant yield loss would be expected in most other genotypes. The common Nebraska cultivar, 'Asgrow 2703', appears to show signs of tolerance as well. None of the yield parameters were significantly different between the aphid infested and noninfested treatments. Based on our results, genotypes may compensate for aphid feeding in different ways. Asgrow 2703 appears to produce a similar number of seeds as its noninfested counterpart, although the seeds produced are slightly smaller. Field evaluation of tolerance in KS4202 indicated a yield loss of only 13% at 34,585-53,508 cumulative aphid-days, when 24-36% yield loss would have been expected.

Categorizing the resistance of soybean genotypes to the soybean aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae).

We evaluated selected soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr., genotypes during their reproductive stages for resistance to the soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura (Hemiptera: Aphididae), under greenhouse conditions and documented the categories of aphid-resistant soybean. Two screening studies were performed to assess the level of resistance to the soybean aphid on six soybean genotypes during the reproductive stages of development. Significant differences in aphid damage ratings were detected among the soybean evaluated in the screening studies. Three genotypes (KS4202, K-1639-2, and K1621) were considered moderately resistant based on the assessed damage ratings. Two of these genotypes (K-1639-2 and KS4202), along with a commercial variety ('Asgrow 2703') were used in a follow-up greenhouse study to test for antibiosis and tolerance. For the antibiosis evaluation, KS4202 had significantly more nymphs than Asgrow 2703 and K-1639-2. In fact, KS4202 had a threefold difference in the number of nymphs compared with Asgrow 2703 (81.8 +/- 14.7 and 26.2 +/- 13.9 nymphs, respectively) and a fivefold difference compared with K-1639-2 (15.6 +/- 13.9). Although not significant, Asgrow 2703 had more nymphs than K-1639-2. The lower aphid numbers on infested K-1639-2 plants compared with aphid numbers on Asgrow 2703 and KS4202 plants indicates antibiosis for this genotype. No significant differences in average seed weight, number of seeds per pod, or plant damage were observed between infested and control KS4202 plants; however, significant differences in biomass, total seed weight, number of pods per plant, and number of seeds per plant were detected.

The influence of patient strength, aerobic capacity and body composition upon outcomes after coronary artery bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity, physical fitness and body habitus of patients may be important predictors of outcomes after cardiac surgery. This study sought to quantify physical fitness and determine whether components of fitness enhance the prediction of outcomes in a group of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. METHODS: A group of 200 patients were evaluated prior to coronary artery bypass surgery. A Veterans Specific Activity Questionnaire (VSAQ) measured aerobic capacity. A grip dynamometer assessed strength. Skin-fold thickness was used to calculate percent body fat and lean body mass index. Patients were divided into low risk (0-2.5%) and high risk (>2.5%) groups based on the STS National Cardiac Surgery Database prediction of operative mortality. RESULTS: Patients with both a high percent body fat and a low VSAQ were at higher risk for at least one serious complication (p<0.05) and a longer postoperative length of stay (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: This study suggests: 1) An index of physical fitness can be obtained preoperatively in cardiac surgical patients; 2) This information aids in the prediction of operative risk.

Effects of combined aerobic and resistance training versus aerobic training alone in cardiac rehabilitation.

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of performing combined resistance and aerobic training, versus aerobic training alone, in patients with coronary artery disease. METHODS: Thirty-six patients with coronary artery disease were randomized to either an aerobic-only training group (AE) or a combined aerobic and resistance training group (AE + R). Both groups performed 30 minutes of aerobic exercise 3 days/week for 6 months. In addition, AE + R group performed two sets of resistance exercise on seven different Nautilus machines after completion of aerobic training each day. Twenty patients (AE: n = 10; AE + R: n = 10) completed the training protocol with > 70% attendance. RESULTS: Strength gains for AE + R group were greater than for AE group on six of seven resistance machines (P < 0.05). VO2peak increased after training for both AE and AE + R (P < 0.01) with no difference in improvement between the groups. Resting and submaximal exercise heart rates and rate-pressure product were lower after training in the AE + R group (P < 0.01), but not in the AE group. AE + R increased lean mass in arm, trunk, and total body regions (P < 0.01), while AE increased lean mass in trunk region only (P < 0.01). Percent body fat was reduced for AE + R after training (P < 0.05) with a between group trend toward reduced body fat (P = 0.09). Lean mass gain significantly correlated with strength increase in five of seven resistance exercises for AE + R. CONCLUSIONS: Resistance training adds to the effects of aerobic training in cardiac rehabilitation patients by improving muscular strength, increasing lean body mass, and reducing body fat.

Measurement precision of body composition variables using the lunar DPX-L densitometer.

The objective of the study was to determine the precision of total- and regional-body composition measurements from a total-body scan using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). This is critical information necessary to determine the smallest change from baseline that could be detected with statistical significance when conducting longitudinal measurements of body composition variables in an individual. Twenty volunteers were scanned once each day for 4 consecutive days using a Lunar DPX-L densitometer and manufacturer-supplied software (version 1.3z). Coefficients of variation (CV, %) derived from data using the (preferred) extended research mode of analysis were 0.62, 1.89, 0.63, 2.0, 1.11, 1.10, and 1.09% for total-body bone mineral density (BMD), total percentage fat, total body tissue mass, fat mass, lean mass, bone mineral content (BMC), and total bone calcium, respectively. Regional measurements (arm, leg, trunk, pelvis, and spine) were less precise than total body measurements, with CVs in the range of 1% to 3% (but fat mass for arms was 4.26%, trunk 3.08%, BMC 3.65%). Small but statistically significant differences in mean values for most body composition variables were found when data were compared between extended and standard modes of analysis. Inconsistent use of analysis mode in a cohort or when following a patient longitudinally may negatively affect precision. We conclude that the measurement precision of total and regional body composition variables was generally comparable to the precision limits typically associated with lumbar spine and proximal femur BMD data.

Invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b disease in children less than 5 years of age in Minnesota and in Dallas County, Texas, 1983-1984.

During 1983 and 1984, 733 cases of invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b disease in children less than 5 years of age were identified in Minnesota and in Dallas County, Texas. The overall incidence of disease was lower in Minnesota than in Dallas County. However, among urban residents, the rates of disease for whites were similar in the two areas. A higher rate of disease among whites in urban Minnesota compared with rural Minnesota resulted from an increased rate of cases for diagnoses other than meningitis. Local practices might have affected the rate of certain diagnoses, since ascertainment of Hib disease other than meningitis is more dependent on diagnostic practices than is diagnosis of meningitis. These data suggest that the incidence of invasive H. influenzae type b disease is influenced by the racial composition of the population, the rates of disease in specific subgroups, and possibly by local medical practices. Understanding the factors that contribute to the incidence of disease is necessary to interpret variations in different populations and changes over time.

Lack of efficacy of Haemophilus b polysaccharide vaccine in Minnesota.

We evaluated the efficacy of Haemophilus b polysaccharide vaccine in children in Minnesota using a case-control study. The vaccine became available in Minnesota in August 1985. During the subsequent 28 months, 88 cases of invasive H influenzae type b disease were identified in children 24 to 71 months of age, the group targeted for vaccination. Of the 88 cases, 36 (41%) occurred in vaccinated children. Fifty-eight (33%) of 176 controls were vaccinated during a similar period. The vaccine's protective efficacy for children with any history of vaccination was -58% (95% confidence interval = -204% to 18%). The vaccine's protective efficacy for children who were most likely to be protected by vaccination was -55% (95% confidence interval = -238% to 29%). Our results indicate that vaccination with Haemophilus b polysaccharide vaccine had no effect in preventing H influenzae type b disease in Minnesota children.

Prospective surveillance of Haemophilus influenzae type b disease in Dallas County, Texas, and in Minnesota.

Among children less than 12 years of age residing in Dallas County, Texas, and in the state of Minnesota we conducted prospective, active surveillance of invasive Haemophilus influenzae disease. During 18 months, 616 cases were identified, of which 600 were caused by type b organisms. The annual incidence of disease was significantly greater in Dallas than in Minnesota (109 v 68/100,000 children younger than 5 years of age, P less than .001) and was greater in Dallas, even when rates for white children in the two regions were compared (P less than .001). Other regional differences were observed. In Dallas, a larger proportion of cases were in children attending day-care centers (27% compared with 12% in Minnesota, P less than .001) and more patients attended day care for greater than 40 h/wk (56% compared with 30% in Minnesota, P less than .001). Outer membrane protein subtyping of isolates revealed that in Dallas 6U isolates were associated significantly with cases in black children who attended day care. In Minnesota, but not in Dallas, isolates with subtype 1H were associated significantly with cases in children in day care. These data indicate that there are regional differences in the epidemiology of type b Haemophilus disease that may relate to differences in strains, day-care practices, or other unknown cultural or environmental factors. Finally, because only 15% of systemic Haemophilus disease in these regions occurred in children in the age groups recommended for vaccination (24 to 59 months), the new Haemophilus type b polysaccharide vaccine is expected to have a limited impact on the overall incidence of disease.

The risk of subsequent transmission of Hemophilus influenzae type B disease among children in day care. Results of a two-year statewide prospective surveillance and contact survey.

To determine the risk of Hemophilus influenzae type b disease among children attending day-care facilities who were exposed to a primary case of invasive hemophilus disease, we conducted a two-year (August 1982 through July 1984) statewide prospective study involving active surveillance for H. influenzae disease and a 60-day follow-up of the children's day-care contacts. We identified 185 patients with primary invasive hemophilus type b disease who were under six years of age and who attended a total of 195 day-care facilities (centers or private homes). There were 4102 children in attendance at these day-care facilities when the primary cases occurred; 4034 (98 percent) were followed for 60 days or more after the onset of illness in the patients with primary disease. A total of 2612 children were considered classroom contacts of the patients with primary disease, because they were cared for in the same home or the same room in a larger facility, but they were not siblings of the index patients. Of these classroom contacts, 370 from 0 to 23 months of age and 716 from 24 to 47 months of age did not receive rifampin chemoprophylaxis. We could confirm no subsequent H. influenzae disease among contacts. Our results suggest that the risk of subsequent hemophilus disease in contacts of patients in day-care facilities is significantly lower than that previously reported for siblings and day-care contacts.