Objectives: To evaluates carbon dioxide(CO_2) production from yeast/sugar mixtures and its efficiency as an attractant in BG-Sentinel traps.Methods: The rate of CO_2 production was optimized for different yeast/sugar ...Objectives: To evaluates carbon dioxide(CO_2) production from yeast/sugar mixtures and its efficiency as an attractant in BG-Sentinel traps.Methods: The rate of CO_2 production was optimized for different yeast/sugar mixtures.The optimized mixture was then used as bait in BG-Sentinel traps. The efficiency of this bait was then compared to octenol baited traps.Results: The yeast/sugar(5g: 280g) in 300 m L water generated the highest volume of CO_2. The CO_2 baited traps caught significantly more mosquitoes than octenol baited traps.Conclusions: Yeast-produced CO_2 can effectively replace octenol baits in BG traps.This will significantly reduce costs and allow sustainable mass-application of the CO_2 baited traps in large scale surveillance programs.展开更多
Respiratory diseases such as asthma and rhinitis are multifaceted disorders which are exacerbated by various factors including: gender, age, diet, genetic background, biological materials, allergens (pollen and spores...Respiratory diseases such as asthma and rhinitis are multifaceted disorders which are exacerbated by various factors including: gender, age, diet, genetic background, biological materials, allergens (pollen and spores), pollutants, meteorological conditions and dust particles. It is hypothesized that, the number of valid physician diagnosed cases of paediatric asthma, which has resulted in emergency room visits in Trinidad can be expressed as a function of the magnitude of pollen counts, particulate matter (PM10), and selected meteorological parameters. These parameters were used to develop a 7-day predictive model for paediatric asthma admittance. The data showed no obvious, strong correlations between paediatric asthma admissions and dust concentrations, and paediatric asthma admissions and pollen concentrations, when considered in isolation or in a linear fashion. However, using polynomial regression analysis, which looked at combinations of interactions, a strong 7-day predictive model for paediatric asthma admissions, was developed. The model was tested against actual data collated during the study period and showed a strong correlation (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.85) between the regression model and the actual admissions data.展开更多
Invasive species are often characterised by the introduction of low numbers of individuals and a small genetic pool which could give rise to a population with a lower genetic diversity than the original population. Pe...Invasive species are often characterised by the introduction of low numbers of individuals and a small genetic pool which could give rise to a population with a lower genetic diversity than the original population. Perna viridis was first reported on the west coast of Trinidadin1990 inthe Point Lisas Industrial estate. They may have been first introduced either as juvenile free floating mussels (spat) or as adults attached to the hulls of ships. This gregarious species spread rapidly throughout the Caribbean toVenezuela,KingstonHarbor(Jamaica) and by 1999 was reported inTampaBay(Florida). Genetic analysis was done on tissue samples fromTrinidadto determine the genetic similarity of newly collected specimens (2009) with archived specimens (collected 1994). Results suggest that there may not be any genetic variation in the population of Perna viridis, even approximately 20 years after initial colonization. These results suggest that there was no evidence of genetic bottlenecks in the population of P. viridis fromTrinidad.展开更多
To characterize extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and extra-intestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) associated virulence genes in E. coli isolates from chickens and humans in Trinidad and Tobago. This cro...To characterize extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and extra-intestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) associated virulence genes in E. coli isolates from chickens and humans in Trinidad and Tobago. This cross sectional study was conducted over a three-month period. A total of 471 E. coli isolates;160 from humans treated at a regional tertiary hospital and 311 from chicken caecal samples from “pluck shops” in Trinidad & Tobago were identified using both conventional and molecular microbiological methods. Phenotypic confirmation of ESBL producing E. coli isolates from humans was by Microscan system (Siemens, USA) while the double disk diffusion method was used for the chicken isolates. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis was used to determine the ESBL and ExPEC-associated virulence genes in representative human isolates and all chicken isolates. From the 311 chicken E. coli isolates, 49.2% (153/311) produced ESBL, while 56.3% (90/160) from humans were ESBL positive. All human and chicken ESBL isolates were 100% susceptible to carbapenems and aminoglycosides antimicrobials. PCR detected 21.1% bla<sub>CTX-M</sub>, 13.3% bla<sub>TEM</sub> and 7.8% bla<sub>SHV</sub> genes among E coli isolates from humans compared to 0.6% bla<sub>CTX-M</sub> and 48.6% bla<sub>TEM</sub> genes in chickens. PCR analysis revealed diverse virulence profiles among the isolates. There was a high occurrence rate of ExPEC-asso- ciated virulence genes in E. coli isolates from both humans and chickens. However, the CTX-M-1 genes were most predominant in humans while TEM occurred in chic- ken isolates. The diverse ESBL and virulence associated gene profiles encountered in E. coli isolates from humans and chickens on the surface depicts no similarity or relationships despite occurrence in both cohort groups. Therefore E. coli strains from chickens and humans require further investigation to determine their clonal relatedness or transmission in the country.展开更多
Background: Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is well established in Trinidad and serves as an indispensable modality in the rehabilitation of alcoholics. This study investigates the gender differences in socio-demographic ch...Background: Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is well established in Trinidad and serves as an indispensable modality in the rehabilitation of alcoholics. This study investigates the gender differences in socio-demographic characteristics and clinical presentation of AA members in Trinidad. Method: Data were collected along the following variables: age, gender, ethnicity, religion, age of onset of alcohol use, psychiatric diagnoses and intentions for seeking treatment. An investigation of 107 members attending AA groups in Trinidad was conducted and analyzed utilizing a demographic questionnaire and the Michigan Alcohol Screening Test (MAST). The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS, Version 16) was used to conduct all statistical analyses. Results: The age of the sample ranged from 22 to 78 with a mean age of 48.01 Males dominated the sample, accounting for 68% (n = 73), while females were 32% (n = 34). In terms of Ethnicity, East Indians accounted for 62% (n = 65) of the sample, Africans 14% (n = 15), Mixed 16% (n = 17) and other 7% (n = 7). Religious constitution was dominated by Hindus 36% (n = 38), Roman Catholics 21% (n = 22), other 14% (n = 15), Presbyterian 10% (n = 11), Pentecostal 9% (n =10), Muslim 5% (n = 6) and Anglican 4% (n = 5). Results utilizing the t-test showed that mean scores for males versus females differed significantly from each other (t (1,105) = 2.11, p = 0.036) with males having a higher score on the MAST compared to females. Overall 14% of individu?als indicated to having a co-morbid psychiatric disorder of which 10.5% were depression. Conclusion: Significant dif?ferences existed between genders in the clinical presentation of alcohol dependence. The composition and structure of AA groups in Trinidad is fashioned on a male gender bias. There is a need to address specific gender issues in the treatment of female alcoholics.展开更多
文摘Objectives: To evaluates carbon dioxide(CO_2) production from yeast/sugar mixtures and its efficiency as an attractant in BG-Sentinel traps.Methods: The rate of CO_2 production was optimized for different yeast/sugar mixtures.The optimized mixture was then used as bait in BG-Sentinel traps. The efficiency of this bait was then compared to octenol baited traps.Results: The yeast/sugar(5g: 280g) in 300 m L water generated the highest volume of CO_2. The CO_2 baited traps caught significantly more mosquitoes than octenol baited traps.Conclusions: Yeast-produced CO_2 can effectively replace octenol baits in BG traps.This will significantly reduce costs and allow sustainable mass-application of the CO_2 baited traps in large scale surveillance programs.
文摘Respiratory diseases such as asthma and rhinitis are multifaceted disorders which are exacerbated by various factors including: gender, age, diet, genetic background, biological materials, allergens (pollen and spores), pollutants, meteorological conditions and dust particles. It is hypothesized that, the number of valid physician diagnosed cases of paediatric asthma, which has resulted in emergency room visits in Trinidad can be expressed as a function of the magnitude of pollen counts, particulate matter (PM10), and selected meteorological parameters. These parameters were used to develop a 7-day predictive model for paediatric asthma admittance. The data showed no obvious, strong correlations between paediatric asthma admissions and dust concentrations, and paediatric asthma admissions and pollen concentrations, when considered in isolation or in a linear fashion. However, using polynomial regression analysis, which looked at combinations of interactions, a strong 7-day predictive model for paediatric asthma admissions, was developed. The model was tested against actual data collated during the study period and showed a strong correlation (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.85) between the regression model and the actual admissions data.
文摘Invasive species are often characterised by the introduction of low numbers of individuals and a small genetic pool which could give rise to a population with a lower genetic diversity than the original population. Perna viridis was first reported on the west coast of Trinidadin1990 inthe Point Lisas Industrial estate. They may have been first introduced either as juvenile free floating mussels (spat) or as adults attached to the hulls of ships. This gregarious species spread rapidly throughout the Caribbean toVenezuela,KingstonHarbor(Jamaica) and by 1999 was reported inTampaBay(Florida). Genetic analysis was done on tissue samples fromTrinidadto determine the genetic similarity of newly collected specimens (2009) with archived specimens (collected 1994). Results suggest that there may not be any genetic variation in the population of Perna viridis, even approximately 20 years after initial colonization. These results suggest that there was no evidence of genetic bottlenecks in the population of P. viridis fromTrinidad.
文摘To characterize extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and extra-intestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) associated virulence genes in E. coli isolates from chickens and humans in Trinidad and Tobago. This cross sectional study was conducted over a three-month period. A total of 471 E. coli isolates;160 from humans treated at a regional tertiary hospital and 311 from chicken caecal samples from “pluck shops” in Trinidad & Tobago were identified using both conventional and molecular microbiological methods. Phenotypic confirmation of ESBL producing E. coli isolates from humans was by Microscan system (Siemens, USA) while the double disk diffusion method was used for the chicken isolates. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis was used to determine the ESBL and ExPEC-associated virulence genes in representative human isolates and all chicken isolates. From the 311 chicken E. coli isolates, 49.2% (153/311) produced ESBL, while 56.3% (90/160) from humans were ESBL positive. All human and chicken ESBL isolates were 100% susceptible to carbapenems and aminoglycosides antimicrobials. PCR detected 21.1% bla<sub>CTX-M</sub>, 13.3% bla<sub>TEM</sub> and 7.8% bla<sub>SHV</sub> genes among E coli isolates from humans compared to 0.6% bla<sub>CTX-M</sub> and 48.6% bla<sub>TEM</sub> genes in chickens. PCR analysis revealed diverse virulence profiles among the isolates. There was a high occurrence rate of ExPEC-asso- ciated virulence genes in E. coli isolates from both humans and chickens. However, the CTX-M-1 genes were most predominant in humans while TEM occurred in chic- ken isolates. The diverse ESBL and virulence associated gene profiles encountered in E. coli isolates from humans and chickens on the surface depicts no similarity or relationships despite occurrence in both cohort groups. Therefore E. coli strains from chickens and humans require further investigation to determine their clonal relatedness or transmission in the country.
文摘Background: Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is well established in Trinidad and serves as an indispensable modality in the rehabilitation of alcoholics. This study investigates the gender differences in socio-demographic characteristics and clinical presentation of AA members in Trinidad. Method: Data were collected along the following variables: age, gender, ethnicity, religion, age of onset of alcohol use, psychiatric diagnoses and intentions for seeking treatment. An investigation of 107 members attending AA groups in Trinidad was conducted and analyzed utilizing a demographic questionnaire and the Michigan Alcohol Screening Test (MAST). The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS, Version 16) was used to conduct all statistical analyses. Results: The age of the sample ranged from 22 to 78 with a mean age of 48.01 Males dominated the sample, accounting for 68% (n = 73), while females were 32% (n = 34). In terms of Ethnicity, East Indians accounted for 62% (n = 65) of the sample, Africans 14% (n = 15), Mixed 16% (n = 17) and other 7% (n = 7). Religious constitution was dominated by Hindus 36% (n = 38), Roman Catholics 21% (n = 22), other 14% (n = 15), Presbyterian 10% (n = 11), Pentecostal 9% (n =10), Muslim 5% (n = 6) and Anglican 4% (n = 5). Results utilizing the t-test showed that mean scores for males versus females differed significantly from each other (t (1,105) = 2.11, p = 0.036) with males having a higher score on the MAST compared to females. Overall 14% of individu?als indicated to having a co-morbid psychiatric disorder of which 10.5% were depression. Conclusion: Significant dif?ferences existed between genders in the clinical presentation of alcohol dependence. The composition and structure of AA groups in Trinidad is fashioned on a male gender bias. There is a need to address specific gender issues in the treatment of female alcoholics.
