Self‐Efficacy as a Predictor of Weight Change in African‐American Women

Objective: Although self‐efficacy has received increasing attention for its role in weight loss, there is less research examining this relationship in minority samples. The purpose of this study was to determine whether self‐efficacy for weight loss was predictive of weight change in a sample of African‐American women. Research Methods and Procedures: Subjects were 106 overweight or obese, low‐income African‐American women participating in a weight management intervention that involved either personalized monthly sessions with their primary care physician or standard care. Weight and self‐efficacy for weight loss were assessed at baseline and at the end of the 6‐month treatment. Results: For subjects in the personalized intervention, baseline self‐efficacy was predictive of subsequent weight change, such that higher levels of self‐efficacy before treatment were associated with less weight loss. In contrast, improvements in self‐efficacy during treatment were associated with greater weight loss for the personalized intervention group. Discussion: Results suggest high self‐efficacy for weight loss before treatment may be detrimental to success, whereas treatments that improve participants’ self‐efficacy may result in greater weight loss. High pretreatment self‐efficacy may be indicative of overconfidence or lack of experience with the difficulties associated with weight loss efforts. Whereas replication is needed, our results suggest that self‐efficacy is an important variable to consider when implementing weight loss interventions.     

田间应用拮抗酵母菌对甜樱桃果实采后病害的防治效果

研究了应用拮抗酵母菌丝孢酵母(Trichosporon pullulans(Lindner.)Diddens et Lodder)、罗伦隐球酵母(Cryptococcus laurentii(Kuffer.)Skinner)和粘红酵母(Rhodotorula glutinis(Fresenius)Harrison)后拮抗菌在果实表面的繁殖能力以及对不同贮藏条件下甜樱桃(Pranus avivum L.cv.Hongdeng)果实采后病害的防治效果。酵母菌的使用浓度为1×10~8CFU/mL。结果表明,田间3种拮抗菌都能够在果实表面增值,但是只有C.laurentii和R.glutinis能够持续稳定地生长。C.laurentii的抑病效果最好,它对田间环境和采后低温低氧及高CO_2都具有很强的适应能力。     

蕲蛇酶治疗急性脑梗死临床疗效观察

目的：观察蕲蛇酶治疗急性脑梗死的临床疗效和安全性。方法：治疗组100例,用蕲蛇酶治疗,对照组50例,用常规药物治疗,观察两组临床疗效及副作用。结果：蕲蛇酶治疗组治疗14天后疗效明显优于对照组,蕲蛇酶组纤维蛋白原明显下降,有2例有出血现象,结论：蕲蛇酶是治疗急性脑梗死疗效确切,安全性高的蛇毒酶药物。     

Relationship Between Crop Losses and Initial Population Densities of Meloidogyne arenaria in Winter-Grown Oriental Melon in Korea

To determine the economic threshold level, oriental melon (Cucumis melo L. cv. Geumssaragi-euncheon) grafted on Shintozoa (Cucurbita maxima × Cu. moschata) was planted in plots (2 × 3 m) under a plastic film in February with a range of initial population densities (Pi) of Meloidogyne arenaria. The relationships of early, late, and total yield to Pi measured in September and January were adequately described by both linear regression and the Seinhorst damage model. Initial nematode densities in September in excess of 14 second-stage juveniles (J2)/100 cm³ soil caused losses in total yields that exceeded the economic threshold and indicate the need for fosthiazate nematicide treatment at current costs. Differences in yield-loss relationships to Pi between early- and late-season harvests enhance the resolution of the management decision and suggest approaches for optimizing returns. Determination of population levels for advisory purposes can be based on assay samples taken several months before planting, which allows time for implementation of management procedures. We introduce (i) an amendment of the economic threshold definition to reflect efficacy of the nematode management procedure under consideration, and (ii) the concept of profit limit as the nematode population at which net returns from the system will become negative.     

Host responses to AMF from plots differing in plant diversity

Increased plant species richness in a plant community leads to changes in the composition of the associated arbuscular-mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) community. We tested whether AMF from plots with increased plant diversity cause significant differences in the growth of Lespedeza capitata, Schizachyrium scoparium or Liatris aspera. Seedlings of each were transplanted into pasteurized soil inoculated with soil from their own monocultures, or from plots with one, seven, or 15 additional plant species. In addition, inocula from S. scoparium and L. capitata monocultures were tested for reciprocal growth effects. Inocula from plots containing the native tallgrass prairie species Lespedeza capitata showed increasing AMF species richness and spore density with increasing plant diversity; this was not true with plots containing Schizachyrium scopariumor Liatris aspera. All three species responded to AMF inoculation with increased growth and Cu concentrations, and lowered Mn concentrations compared to non-inoculated control plants. Increasing the plant diversity of the inoculum source-plots significantly affected plant weights of L. capitata, but not of the other two host plants. Both S. scoparium and L. capitata showed increases in growth with inoculum from S. scoparium monocultures compared to that from L. capitata monocultures. Spore density of inoculum source plots was associated with subsequent plant growth or nutrient content only in Lespedeza plots, which contained considerably fewer spores, plant cover, and root biomass in plots with lower plant diversity.     

阿维菌素、伊维菌素和芽孢杆菌对美洲斑潜蝇的防治效果

田间试验结果表明 ,阿维菌素对美洲斑潜Liriomyzasativae蝇幼虫防效较好 ,优于伊维菌素对美洲斑潜蝇的防效 ,可较好地控制美洲斑潜蝇幼虫的危害 ,而Btg,Bti,Bs不宜单独用于防治美洲斑潜蝇幼虫。阿维菌素用量为 0 2 7,0 3 6,0 45g (a .i.) 667m2 时 ,对美洲斑潜蝇幼虫防效第 7d校正防效为 65 %左右 ,施药后第 1 1d校正防效为 85 48%～ 99 0 5 % ,施药后第 1 5d校正防效为 90 94%～ 99 89%。伊维菌素 0 5g (a .i.) 667m2 施药后第 3 ,7,1 1d校正防效分别为 61 67% ,90 5 3 % ,90 93 % ,伊维菌素 0 2 5g(a i ) 667m2 相应防效为 5 7.71 % ,84 68% ,85 83 %。Btg ,Bti,Bs施药后第 3 ,7,1 1d校正防效为 3 3 88%～ 5 5 5 4%。     

Breeding systems and genome evolution

The profound effects of inbreeding and other non-recombining breeding systems on genetic variability and molecular evolution are now beginning to be understood. Theoretical models predict how such populations are expected to differ from outcrossed populations, and DNA sequence data are being collected and used to test the predictions.     

Transforming scientific evidence into better consumer choices

Translational research using evidence-based and comparative effectiveness research continues to evolve, becoming a useful tool in improving informed consent and decision-making in the clinical setting. While in development, emerging technologies, including cellular and molecular biology, are leading to establishing evidence-based dental practices. One emerging technology, which conjoins bench proteomic findings to clinical decision-making for treatment intervention, is the Translational Evidence Mechanism. This mechanism was developed to be a foundation for a compact between researcher, translational researcher, clinician, and patient. The output of such a mechanism is the clinical practice guideline (CPG), an interactive tool for dentists and patients to game evidence in reaching optimum clinical decisions that correspond to individual patient preferences and values. As such, the clinical practice guideline requires the vesting of decision, utility, and cost best evidence. Evidence-based research provides decision data, a first attempt at supporting decision-making by providing best outcome data. Since then comparative effectiveness research has emerged, using systematic review analysis to compare similar treatments or procedures in maximizing the choice of the most effective cost/benefit option within the context of best evidence. With innovation in the clinical practice guideline for optimizing efficacy and comparative effectiveness research, evidence-based practices will shape a new approach to health-based systems that adhere to shared decision-making between bench scientists, healthcare providers and patients.