Understanding the diversity and biogeography of Colombian edible plants.

Despite being the second most biodiverse country in the world, hosting more than 7000 useful species, Colombia is characterized by widespread poverty and food insecurity. Following the growing attention in Neglected and Underutilized Species, the present study will combine spatial and taxonomic analysis to unveil their diversity and distribution, as well as to advocate their potential as key resources for tackling food security in the country. The cataloguing of Colombian edible plants resulted in 3805 species. Among these, the most species-rich genera included Inga, Passiflora, Miconia, Solanum, Pouteria, Protium, Annona and Bactris. Biogeographic analysis revealed major diversity hotspots in the Andean humid forests by number of records, species, families, and genera. The departments of Antioquia, Boyacá, Meta, and Cundinamarca ranked first both in terms of number of unique georeferenced records and species of edible plants. Significant information gaps about species distribution were detected in the departments of Cesar, Sucre, Atlántico, Vichada, and Guainía, corresponding to the Caribe and Llanos bioregions, indicating the urgent need for focusing investigation in these areas. Furthermore, a significant level of geographic specificity was found in edible plant species' distributions between 13 different bioregions and 33 departments, hinting the adoption of tailorized prioritisation protocols for the conservation and revitalization of such resources at the local level.

Single and Combined Release of Trichopria drosophilae (Hymenoptera: Diapriidae) to Control Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae).

To further the use of local parasitoids to control the spotted wing drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) in Mexico, three treatments were implemented by sextuplicate in commercial berry fields of Colima and Jalisco from June 2017 to May 2018: single release of Trichopria drosophilae Perkins (pupal parasitoid), combined release of T. drosophilae + Leptopilina boulardi Barbotin, Carton & Kelner-Pillault (larval parasitoid), and a no release control. Compared with the no release sites, parasitism by T. drosophilae increased 4 and 4.1-fold at the single and combined release sites, respectively, and parasitism of L. boulardi increased 2.8-fold at the sites where it was evaluated. Additionally, it was registered a 50 and 55% reduction of D. suzukii at the sites with single and combined releases, respectively; in other words, supplementing T. drosophilae with L. boulardi provided little benefit compared with the release of T. drosophilae alone. These results indicate that single release of local T. drosophilae is a more cost-effective option to reduce D. suzukii populations, and that such activity can contribute significantly to the phytosanitary management of this invasive pest.

Haplotype characterization of Ceraeochrysa cubana (Hagen) and Ceraeochrysa valida (Banks) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) from the state of Colima, Mexico.

The larvae of Ceraeochrysa cubana and Ceraeochrysa valida, green lacewing species widely spread in Mexico, have been described as natural enemies of Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae), vector of the bacteria Candidatus Liberibacter spp. causing Huanglongbing disease. To develop an effective biological control program, the establishment of the genetic structure of the biocontrol agent species is mandatory. Consequently, the goal of this work was to obtain reliable DNA barcoding regions of the two species, and then by sequence analysis of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, evaluate the genetic structure of Mexican lime populations of C. cubana and C. valida from the state of Colima. This research produced the first barcode region of C. cubana and C. valida with morphological and molecular confirmation. The genetic parameters revealed the presence of 15 and 10 haplotypes, and haplotype diversity values of 0.889 and 0.838 for C. cubana and C. valida, respectively. The populations showed high diversity and gene flow, and AMOVA analysis demonstrated no genetic structure in the two populations. Consequently, these single populations of C. cubana and C. valida could be used as unique genetic source for mass production and release in the Mexican lime-producing state of Colima to control D. citri.

Effect of feed intake level on the body temperature of pigs exposed to heat stress conditions.

Feed intake (FI) level affects body heat production in thermo-neutral pigs; exposure of pigs to heat stress (HS) also increases body temperature (BT). However remains unclear whether the FI level affects the heat production of HS pigs. This study analyzed the effect of FI level on BT of 9 HS pigs (46.3 ±â€¯2.6 kg body weight) implanted with a thermometer set to register the BT at 5-min intervals into the ileum. Pigs were divided in two groups randomly allotted to two FI treatments: high FI (HFI, 1.20 kg/d), and low FI (LFI, 0.96 kg/d), according to a two-period crossover experimental design. Pigs were fed 3-times a day (0600, 1200, and 2200 h), same amount each time (400 g or 320 g). Ambient temperature (AT) ranged from 29.0 to 35.4 °C. The BT of both HFI and LFI pigs followed a similar pattern along a 24-h period, but the BT of HFI pigs was higher than that of LFI pigs (P < 0.05). Postprandial afternoon and evening BT was higher than that after the morning meal (P < 0.05). The postprandial BT increment differed between meal times and AT, but not between FI levels. The BT of HFI and LFI pigs increased up to 0.18 and 0.22 °C, 0.60 and 0.61 °C, and 0.24 and 0.35 °C after the morning, afternoon, and evening meal, respectively, compared with the preprandial BT (P < 0.05). Hence, the dissipation capacity of feeding-related body heat appears to depend on the thermal load of HS pigs before consuming their meals; presumably, the thermal load during 6-h before the morning meal (AT below 32 °C) was lower than before the evening meal (AT above 32 °C). In conclusion, FI level affects the postprandial BT of HS pigs and its magnitude is larger after the evening and afternoon meals. These data suggest that HS pigs may reduce the voluntary FI during the afternoon and evening hours.

Heat stress affects the apparent and standardized ileal digestibilities of amino acids in growing pigs.

Heat stress (HS) appears to impair the pig's small intestine digestive and absorptive capacities and, therefore, may affect the AA digestibilities. A crossover-designed experiment was conducted utilizing two 7-d periods with 8 pigs (30.8 kg initial BW) surgically fitted with T-type cannulas at the terminal ileum to analyze the effect of HS on both apparent (AID) and standardized (SID) ileal digestibility of AA in pigs fed a wheat-soybean meal diet. Subcutaneous skin and ileal lumen temperatures were continuously monitored in 15-min intervals during the entire experiment. After recovery from surgery, all pigs were adapted to the diet and trained to consume the same amount of feed twice a day for 5 d in thermal-neutral (TN) conditions (22°C ± 2°C). Following adaptation, pigs were divided into 2 groups (4 pigs each); 1 remained in TN conditions, and the other group was exposed to natural HS (24°C to 45°C) for 7 d (period 1). In period 2, the 2 groups switched environments. Ileal digesta were continuously collected for 12 h, starting at 0700 h, on d 6 and 7 of each period. Chromic oxide was used as an indicator of intestinal digesta flow. The subcutaneous and the ileal temperatures were increased between 1.3°C and 1.6°C in HS compared to TN pigs ( < 0.001). The AID of AA (%) for the TN and HS pigs were Arg, 90.6, 88.1; His, 88.7, 85.9; Ile, 84.8, 83.9; Leu, 86.9, 84.1; Lys, 86.8, 86.2; Met, 89.8, 89.1; Phe, 86.0, 84.8; Thr, 76.7, 74.3; and Val, 82.8, 81.7, respectively. The SID (%) of AA for the TN and HS pigs were Arg, 94.0, 92.0; His, 92.5, 90.2; Ile, 89.5, 88.1; Leu, 90.1, 88.6; Lys, 91.0, 90.1; Met, 94.4, 93.6; Phe, 90.4, 88.9; Thr, 86.0, 83.7; and Val, 88.1, 86.5, respectively. The AID of Arg, His, and Leu was lower ( < 0.01) in HS pigs, and the SID of Arg and His was also lower in HS pigs. Neither the AID nor the SID of the remaining essential AA was affected by HS. In summary, the digestibility of essential AA is differentially affected in pigs exposed to natural HS, and thus, special attention should be given to Arg and His when formulating diets for growing pigs under HS conditions.

Effect of heat stress on the endogenous intestinal loss of amino acids in growing pigs.

Heat stress (HS) increases the death of intestinal cells in pigs, which, in turn, may elevate the endogenous intestinal loss (EIL) of proteins and AA. An experiment was conducted to analyze the effect of HS on the AA composition of intestinal endogenous proteins and the EIL of AA in pigs. Eight pigs (25.2 ± 1.2 kg initial BW) were surgically implanted with T-type cannulas at the end of the small intestine. After surgery recovery, during the subsequent 7 d, all pigs were adapted to a protein- and AA-free diet and trained to consume the same amount of feed twice a day. All pigs were housed under thermoneutral (TN) conditions (22 ± 2°C) during this time. The following day, all pigs were still under TN conditions and ileal content was collected during 12 consecutive hours, at the end of which and for the following 8 d the pigs were exposed to natural HS conditions (31 to 37°C). Ileal content was collected again on d 2 (HS at d 2 [HSd2]) and 8 (HS at d 8 [HSd8]). Body temperature (BT) was measured in another group of 8 pigs every 15 min during the whole study. The average BT at HSd2 (39.6°C) was higher ( < 0.05) compared with both TN conditions (38.6°C) and HSd8 (38.8°C), but it did not differ between TN conditions and HSd8. The AA composition of endogenous intestinal protein was not affected by HS. The EIL of Arg and His were greater ( < 0.05) and the EIL of Thr and Phe tended to be greater ( ≤ 0.10) at HSd2 than in TN conditions; the EIL of Pro was greater ( = 0.01) at HSd8. The EIL of the remaining AA was not affected by HS. Although HS increased the EIL of Arg and His within the first 2 d, it appeared that normal EIL was shortly reestablished. These data show that acute HS does not affect the AA composition of intestinal endogenous proteins in growing pigs and that the EIL of AA may not be critical in growing pigs acclimated to high ambient temperature. Nevertheless, the increased EIL of Arg and Thr at HSd2 indicate that HS might affect the integrity of the intestinal epithelium of pigs during the first day of their exposure to high ambient temperature.

Effect of excess levels of lysine and leucine in wheat-based, amino acid-fortified diets on the mRNA expression of two selected cationic amino acid transporters in pigs.

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of excess levels of Leu and Lys on the expression of b(0,+) and CAT-1 mRNA in jejunum, liver and the muscles Longissimus dorsi (LDM) and Semitendinosus (STM). Twenty pigs with an average initial BW of 16.4 ± 1.7 kg were used in a Randomized Complete Block. Dietary treatments (T) were as follows: T1, basal diet; T2, basal plus 3.5 g l-Lys/kg diet; T3, basal plus 1.5 g l-Leu/kg diet; T4, basal plus 3.5 g l-Lys plus 1.5 g l-Leu/kg diet. Diets in T1 and T3 met 100% the requirement of Lys for pigs within the 10 to 20 kg body weight range; diets in T2 and T4 contained 35% excess of Lys. Also, diets in T1 and T2 supplied 104%, whereas diets in T3 and T4 supplied 116% the requirement of Leu. The expression of b(0,+) in jejunum was reduced (p = 0.002) because of the supplementation of l-Leu, but l-Lys supplementation had no effect (p = 0.738). In contrast, the expression of b(0,+) in STM (p = 0.012) and liver (p = 0.095) was reduced by the high level of Lys, but Leu had no effect (p > 0.100). CAT-1 expression in STM increased by high Lys (p = 0.023) and Leu (p = 0.007) levels. In liver, the expression of CAT-1 substantially increased (p = 0.001) because of Lys. In conclusion, excess levels of dietary Lys and Leu affect the expression of cationic amino acid transporters, and this effect varies depending on the studied tissue.

Correlates of self-efficacy in diabetes self-care among Hispanic adults with diabetes.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine factors associated with increased diabetes self-efficacy among insulin-requiring Hispanic adults with diabetes. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey design was used to obtain self-reported data on a nonrandom sample of 97 insulin-requiring Hispanic adults with diabetes. The Insulin Management Diabetes Self-Efficacy Scale (IMDSES) was translated into Spanish and administered with a demographic questionnaire by trained bilingual/bicultural interviewers in each respondent's own home. Factor analysis of the IMDSES revealed 4 subscales that corresponded with major diabetes self-care management behaviors. RESULTS: Respondents gave low to average self-efficacy ratings on their ability to manage all aspects of their disease. Behaviors that required problem solving in changing circumstances received the lowest scores. Attending diabetes classes and having home nursing visits were associated with an increased sense of self-efficacy, particularly as it related to diet and insulin. English-speaking ability was associated with a general sense of self-efficacy in managing diabetes care. CONCLUSIONS: The model tested was able to explain modest levels of self-efficacy, particularly in 2 of the most important diabetes management areas, insulin and diet management.

Plasma-electrolytes in natives to hypoxia after marathon races at different altitudes.

PURPOSE: It is well known that altitude natives differ from sea level natives in aspects of fluid and electrolyte homeostasis. METHODS: To evaluate exercise and environmental influences on the electrolyte and water status in hypoxia adapted subjects, we investigated 11 well-trained marathon runners (33.7 +/- 0.7 yr, 60.5 +/- 1.9 kg), native to an altitude above 2600 m, before and after two marathon races. One competition was held at moderate altitude (AM, 2650 m, 14 degrees C, 55% RH, running time 3 h 6 min +/- 22 min) and another under tropical conditions (HM, 470 m, 28 degrees C, 70% RH, running time 2 h 54 min +/- 30 min). Blood samples were taken 3 d before, immediately after, 1 h after, and 24 h after the races. RESULTS: The loss in body fluid was calculated to be 2.15 L during AM and 5.05 L during HM, respectively. It was compensated mostly by ingested fluids without electrolyte content and by metabolically produced water, which led to hyponatremia during AM (plasma [Na+] from 144.3 +/- 0.7 to 131.7 +/- 2.1 mmol x L(-1)). Severe dehydration without significant changes in plasma [Na+] could be detected after HM. Serum antidiuretic hormone concentrations and serum aldosterone concentrations significantly increased during both races and remained at a high level for at least 1h after both competitions. Serum atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) concentrations were at a high level at rest, increasing during HM, and decreasing during AM. CONCLUSION: Under tropical conditions, we found a severe state of dehydration characterized by an extended ANP-response, which was not prevented by water intake during the race. Under hypoxic conditions, however, we found that hyponatremia had developed. This can be partly explained by pure water intake and metabolically produced water, and also, possibly, by a special hypoxia-induced effect.

A model for delivering culture-relevant care in the community.

The increase in cultural diversity of the urban populations of the United States is presenting a challenge for the delivery of culturally relevant care by community health care nurses. We developed a model for delivering such care built on key theoretical concepts derived from community health nursing, transcultural nursing, self-efficacy, and social support theories.

Influences on the cultural self-efficacy of community health nurses.

This paper presents the results of factor and regression analyses conducted on the Cultural Self-Efficacy Scale to determine the underlying conceptual structure, and relationship to demographic variables. The Cultural Self-Efficacy Scale was first used with a sample of 190 community health nurses in Connecticut. It has an estimated total scale internal consistency of .97. In 1988, data were collected to examine cross-cultural self-efficacy of nurses working in a variety of settings, including health departments. The principal factor analysis revealed a four factor structure that is conceptually meaningful. Taken together, the four factors accounted for 90% of the total scale variance. Regression analyses showed significant relationships between perceptions of efficacy and demographic variables of race, education, and experience.

Diurnal pattern and behavior of oviposition of Toxorhynchites theobaldi in the field.

The diurnal pattern and oviposition behavior of Toxorhynchites theobaldi natural populations were studied in 25 artificial containers in the field. The mosquito exhibited a bimodal oviposition pattern with the lower peak at 1100 hr and a mean of 15.7 eggs per container. The higher peak was observed at 1900 hr with a mean of 80.9 eggs per container. Each female flew from 21 to 58 elliptic vertical circles before ejecting one egg upon the surface. In 270 oviposition events, the average was 31.4 ellipses, and the frequency distribution of flights number with different ellipse numbers was fitted to a Poisson distribution. There was a significant linear correlation (r = 0.70) between the oviposition rate and the container surface area.