title: Economic implications of herbicide resistance and high labour costs for management of annual barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli) in Philippine rice farming systems

authors: Beltran, Jesusa C.

subjects: barnyardgrass

abstract: Implications of increasing labour costs and the development of herbicide resistance for profitable weed management in Philippine rice farming systems are investigated. The study employs RIMPhil (Resistance and Integrated Management in the Philippines), a bioeconomic simulation model developed to provide a comprehensive assessment of integrated weed management programmes for the control of annual barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli) in rice crops. Results indicate that herbicide application will become increasingly economically attractive, relative to manual weeding, as labour cost increases. This is important since urban migration in the Philippines continues to increase the scarcity of rural labour. Results also show that the onset of herbicide resistance results in substantial losses in farm profit. It is worthwhile for farmers to take management actions to prevent or delay the onset of herbicide resistance, provided that these changes are effective and not too costly. The study highlights the complexity of decision making about integrated weed management on rice farms in the Philippines.

text: Economic implications of herbicide resistance and high labour costs for management of annual barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli) in Philippine rice farming systems Implications of increasing labour costs and the development of herbicide resistance for profitable weed management in Philippine rice farming systems are investigated. The study employs RIMPhil (Resistance and Integrated Management in the Philippines), a bioeconomic simulation model developed to provide a comprehensive assessment of integrated weed management programmes for the control of annual barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli) in rice crops. Results indicate that herbicide application will become increasingly economically attractive, relative to manual weeding, as labour cost increases. This is important since urban migration in the Philippines continues to increase the scarcity of rural labour. Results also show that the onset of herbicide resistance results in substantial losses in farm profit. It is worthwhile for farmers to take management actions to prevent or delay the onset of herbicide resistance, provided that these changes are effective and not too costly. The study highlights the complexity of decision making about integrated weed management on rice farms in the Philippines.

year: 2010

title: Mutations of p53 gene can be detected in the plasma of patients with large bowel carcinoma

authors: Mayall, Frederick G.

subjects: tumour markers

abstract: Aims—To attempt to detect p53 gene mutations in the plasma of patients with large bowel carcinoma.
Methods—Plasma was collected from 20control patients with no history of cancer and from 17 patients with large bowel carcinoma. Corresponding tumour and benign lymph node (control) samples for each of the carcinoma patients were obtained from paraYn blocks. A Dukes’ stage was determined for each tumour. DNA was extracted from the plasma samples and the paraYn embedded tissue using previously described methods. A nested primer polymerase chain reaction protocol was used for the ampliﬁcation of exons 5 to 8 of the p53 gene. “Cold” single strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) was performed on mini gels and silver stained. Abnormal bands were excised, the DNA eluted, and reampliﬁed for automated dye termination sequencing. Any sample showing an apparent mutation was rechecked from the original extracted DNA sample at least three
times.
Results—p53 gene mutations were not found in the control specimens. They were found in both the primary tumour and the plasma in three cases, in the primary tumour alone in one case, and in the plasma alone in two cases. One of the latter two cases also had metastatic transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder and the other had widespread metastatic deposits. One of the cases with mutant DNA in both the plasma and the primary was a Dukes’ stage B tumour. The others were Dukes’ C and Dukes’ D.
Conclusions—p53 gene mutations can be detected in the plasma of some patients with large bowel carcinoma and these are concordant with those in the primary carcinomas.

text: Mutations of p53 gene can be detected in the plasma of patients with large bowel carcinoma Aims—To attempt to detect p53 gene mutations in the plasma of patients with large bowel carcinoma.
Methods—Plasma was collected from 20control patients with no history of cancer and from 17 patients with large bowel carcinoma. Corresponding tumour and benign lymph node (control) samples for each of the carcinoma patients were obtained from paraYn blocks. A Dukes’ stage was determined for each tumour. DNA was extracted from the plasma samples and the paraYn embedded tissue using previously described methods. A nested primer polymerase chain reaction protocol was used for the ampliﬁcation of exons 5 to 8 of the p53 gene. “Cold” single strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) was performed on mini gels and silver stained. Abnormal bands were excised, the DNA eluted, and reampliﬁed for automated dye termination sequencing. Any sample showing an apparent mutation was rechecked from the original extracted DNA sample at least three
times.
Results—p53 gene mutations were not found in the control specimens. They were found in both the primary tumour and the plasma in three cases, in the primary tumour alone in one case, and in the plasma alone in two cases. One of the latter two cases also had metastatic transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder and the other had widespread metastatic deposits. One of the cases with mutant DNA in both the plasma and the primary was a Dukes’ stage B tumour. The others were Dukes’ C and Dukes’ D.
Conclusions—p53 gene mutations can be detected in the plasma of some patients with large bowel carcinoma and these are concordant with those in the primary carcinomas.

year: 2013

title: "More than bloods and obs" - Whānau Māori discuss health and hospital care

authors: Masters-Awatere, Bridgette

abstract: The impact of colonisation on Māori, the Indigenous people of Aotearoa New Zealand, combined with negative interactions with health workers, has contributed to insufficient resources and reduced access to primary health care. The purpose of this report is to share narratives of whānau Māori who have experienced a child’s hospital admission in order to highlight the common aspects (good and bad) of their stay at Waikato Hospital. The overarching aim of the Harti Hauora Tamariki (HHT) tool trial, within which this report is located, is to demonstrate the measurable impact of a developed screening tool (referred to throughout as the Harti tool). The Harti tool is a comprehensive approach to assessing and addressing holistic health needs for hospitalised children and their whānau. Our recruitment strategy gave priority to those whose kōrero would capture the realities of those living in situations of few resources. This report presents findings from conversational interviews with whānau of tamariki Māori admitted to the paediatrics ward of Waikato Hospital. We have purposefully presented the interview findings as narratives to allow the reader to engage in their own interpretation of commonalities of experiences. Each case study follows the same format: an overview, their hospital experience, and their description of everyday health. Across all the cases, similarities of experience emerge; financial stressors and strain; hunger and isolation; concern for their child(ren); and families that are actively engaged in caring for their children’s health and well-being. The Harti tool, when administered by a culturally competent Harti Research Assistant (Harti RA), appears to work to counteract previous alienating experiences. Being treated with dignity, respect and value had a positive impact. Participants spoke at length regarding how wonderful it was to be able to engage with the Harti RA’s as Māori and in a culturally appropriate way.

text: "More than bloods and obs" - Whānau Māori discuss health and hospital care The impact of colonisation on Māori, the Indigenous people of Aotearoa New Zealand, combined with negative interactions with health workers, has contributed to insufficient resources and reduced access to primary health care. The purpose of this report is to share narratives of whānau Māori who have experienced a child’s hospital admission in order to highlight the common aspects (good and bad) of their stay at Waikato Hospital. The overarching aim of the Harti Hauora Tamariki (HHT) tool trial, within which this report is located, is to demonstrate the measurable impact of a developed screening tool (referred to throughout as the Harti tool). The Harti tool is a comprehensive approach to assessing and addressing holistic health needs for hospitalised children and their whānau. Our recruitment strategy gave priority to those whose kōrero would capture the realities of those living in situations of few resources. This report presents findings from conversational interviews with whānau of tamariki Māori admitted to the paediatrics ward of Waikato Hospital. We have purposefully presented the interview findings as narratives to allow the reader to engage in their own interpretation of commonalities of experiences. Each case study follows the same format: an overview, their hospital experience, and their description of everyday health. Across all the cases, similarities of experience emerge; financial stressors and strain; hunger and isolation; concern for their child(ren); and families that are actively engaged in caring for their children’s health and well-being. The Harti tool, when administered by a culturally competent Harti Research Assistant (Harti RA), appears to work to counteract previous alienating experiences. Being treated with dignity, respect and value had a positive impact. Participants spoke at length regarding how wonderful it was to be able to engage with the Harti RA’s as Māori and in a culturally appropriate way.

year: 2019