Pyramiding the disease resistant genes to southern rust and stalk rot in maize(Zea mays L.) with marker-assisted selection

Southern corn rust(SCR) caused by Puccinia polysora Underw and maize stalk rot caused by Pythium inflatum Matthews(MSR-2) are two destructive diseases of maize(Zea mays L.) in China.Our previous studies indicated that maize inbred line Qi319 is highly resistant to SCR but susceptible to MSR-2,while inbred line 1145 is highly resistant to MSR-2 but susceptible to SCR.The SCR resistant gene(RppQ) in Qi319 and MSR-2 resistant gene(Rpi1) in 1145 have been mapped on chromosome 10 and 4 respectively.In this research,through marker-assisted selection(MAS) with the molecular markers,bnlg1937 tightly linked to Rpi1 and phi041 tightly linked to RppQ,pyramid breeding of the two kinds of disease resistant genes were carried out from the year of 2003 to 2007.Two homozygotic inbred lines of F5 generation,DR94-1-1-1 and DR36-1-1-1 were identified.MAS result suggested DR94-1-1-1 and DR36-1-1-1 contained the two resistance genes RppQ and Rpi1.Field inoculation tests confirmed their high resistance to the two diseases.In addition,field investigation indicated that the two selected inbred lines,particularly DR94-1-1-1,had excellent agronomic traits such as plant height,ear height and yield-relating traits including ear length,ear diameter,ear weight,kernels per ear,kernels per row and kernel weight per ear.The two selected inbred lines DR94-1-1-1 and DR36-1-1-1 can either be directly developed into commercial variety or used as immediate donors of SCR and MSR resistance breeding programs in maize.

Influence of transitional nursing on the compliance behavior and disease knowledge of children with purpura nephritis

BACKGROUND Purpura nephritis,also called Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis,is a systemic disease with small dead vasculitis as the main pathological change.AIM To observe the influence of transitional nursing activities on the compliance behaviors and disease knowledge of children with purpura nephritis.METHODS A total of 82 children with purpura nephritis were included and divided into a general nursing group(41 children)and transitional nursing group(41 children)using the envelope method.The general nursing group received routine nursing care,while the transitional nursing group received transitional nursing care.The behaviors,knowledge of the disease,and self-management ability of the two groups were evaluated after nursing care was provided.RESULTS The scores of four items(self-care ability,self-responsibility,health knowledge level,and self-concept)in the transitional nursing group were significantly higher than those in the general nursing group.CONCLUSION Transitional nursing can directly improve the disease knowledge level and selfmanagement ability of children with purpura nephritis and effectively reduce complications.

Adherence to Radiation Therapy among Cervical Cancer Patients at Cancer Diseases Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia

Background: Radiation therapy has the potential to improve cure rates and provide palliative relief for cervical cancer patients. Despite adherence to radiation therapy being a key treatment modality, patients rarely follow prescriptions. Poor adherence to radiation therapy is associated with low survival and high mortality rates. This study therefore sought to investigate the levels of adherence and factors influencing adherence to radiation therapy among cervical cancer patients being treated at Cancer Diseases Hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study design was used, 142 patients were selected from the outpatient department using a fishbowl sampling method. A structured interview schedule was used to collect data. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS, the binary logistic regression analysis was used to predict levels of adherence to treatment and to identify factors associated with adherence to RT among cervical cancer patients. Results: The findings showed that 93% of the participants adhered to radiation therapy while 7% did not adhere to treatment. Majority of the patients 77.1% had experienced side effects of radiation therapy. About 28% of patients had severe psychological distress. By using binary logistic regression, there was a statistically significant association between adherence and perceived quality of health care services (p = 0.001). The analysis showed that patients who perceived poor quality of health care services were 0.005 (99.5%) times less likely to adhere to radiation therapy. The other independent variables were not statistically significant despite being associated with adherence among cervical cancer patients. Conclusions and Recommendations: The findings showed that patients who perceived good quality of health care services had higher chances of adherence compared to those who perceived poor quality of health care services. There is therefore a need for quality service provision which could include good maintenance of radiation machines. Furthermore, there is a need to develop guidelines for follow-up in case of any disease outbreak to avoid interference with patients’ treatment schedules and appointments for reviews.

Chronic hepatitis B in children with or without malignancies:A 13-year follow-up

AIM:To evaluate the outcome of chronic hepatitis B(CHB)in children with or without malignancies.METHODS:Twenty four children(15 boys and 9 girls)with malignancies,followed up by the pediatric gastroenterology outpatient clinic for CHB between January 2000 and December 2013,were enrolled in the study(Group 1).Group 2 was formed with twenty five children(11 girls and14 boys)diagnosed with CHB without malignancies.The data from the patients’records were compared between the two groups.RESULTS:Hepatitis B e antigen(HBe Ag)/anti HBe seroconversion was observed in 3 patients(12.5%)in group 1 and 15 patients(60%)in group 2,with annual seroconversion rates of 1.61%and 16.6%,respectively,and the difference was significant(P<0.01).One patient(6.6%)in Group 1 and 9 patients(53%)in Group 2 showed HBe Ag/anti HBe seroconversion after treatment and the difference between the two groups was significant(P<0.06)Loss of hepatitis B surface antigen was observed in one patient in each of group1 and 2.No clinical,laboratory and imaging findings of liver disease were observed in any of the patients at the end of the study.CONCLUSION:HBe Ag/anti HBe seroconversion rate was lower in patients who had recovered from cancer.