scholarly journals Comparison of Fenugreek Crop Evapotranspiration Measured by a Micro-lysimeter, Field Water Balance Method and Automatic Closed Canopy Chamber

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Deepak Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Field Testing ◽  
Sensor Data ◽  
Crop Evapotranspiration ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Measurement Mode ◽  
Closed Canopy ◽  
Data Pair ◽  
Canopy Chamber

The attempt was to design and develop an automatic closed canopy chamber (ACCC) having dimension of 1.2 m×1.2 m× 1.2 m for crop evapotranspiration measurement by using transparent acrylic sheet of 4 mm thickness. Between two small fans a temperature and relative humidity sensor was used to measure vapor density. The intermediate circuit was developed for making automation system in ACCC. The arduino based coding was developed as per desired logic operation. The top lead of chamber was automatically closed for 2 minutes when inside and outside temperature and relative humidity of ambient air were similar. During measurement mode of ACCC, the two fans were started automatically. After measurement mode, fans were automatically stopped and top lead was opened. The ACCC was calibrated by evaporating mass of water from water filled tray which was placed inside the automatic closed canopy chamber. The validation of the developed ACCC were made using micro-lysimeters (MLS) having size of 0.2 m × 0.2 m × 0.2 m by growing shallow rooted crop like fenugreek. The depth of irrigation was computed based on soil moisture content before irrigation and field capacity. The field testing of ACCC was made by placing chamber in plots of fenugreek crop. The irrigation was applied by drip irrigation as per crop water consumption. The sensor sensed and recorded the instantaneous temperature and relative humidity at 1 second interval for 24 hours. Two sample t-tests were done to compare the data pair of crop evapotranspiration obtained by the MLS inside the ACCC with that of outside the ACCC to ascertain whether there is any effect of the change in micro-climate for a short period of 2 minute on the crop growth physiological processes. Also, the data pair of crop evapotranspiration measured by the MLs, ACCC using the sensor data of temperature-relative humidity were compared and statistically analyzed through t-test. Similarly, the data pair of ETC measured by the FWB (Field Water Balance Method) and ACCC using the sensor data of temperature-relative humidity were also compared and statistically analyzed through t-test. The calibration factor of the ACCC was found as 1.666. The results revealed that there was no significant difference in the crop evapotranspiration measured by the MLs inside and outside ACCC. Also in case of validation and field testing of ACCC, there were no significant difference between the ETC measured by the ACCC, MLs and FWB at 95 percent confidence level. This implies that there are no effects of the change in micro-climate for a short period of 2 minutes in the chamber, on the plant physiological processes. The ETc rate of fenugreek increases as sun rises and reaches the peak after one to two hour from mid-day and then continuously decreases with time. During validation and field testing of ACCC, the fenugreek crop coefficients varied from 0.72 to 1.04 and 0.69 to 1.02 respectively. The developed ACCC is portable as well as more comfortable and cost effective compared to the lysimeter for the measurement of the actual crop evapotranspiration and the crop coefficient.

SUSCEPTIBILITY OF THE MIGRATORY GRASSHOPPER, MELANOPLUS SANGUINIPES (FAB.) (ORTHOPTERA: ACRIDIDAE), TO BEAUVERIA BASSIANA (BALS.) VUILLEMIN (HYPHOMYCETE): INFLUENCE OF RELATIVE HUMIDITY

1987 ◽  
Vol 119 (10) ◽  
pp. 901-907 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Marcandier ◽  
G.G. Khachatourians
Keyword(s):  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Beauveria Bassiana ◽  
Mycelial Growth ◽  
Field Testing ◽  
Natural Mortality ◽  
Melanoplus Sanguinipes ◽  
Body Coloration ◽  
Daily Rate ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Semi Arid

AbstractIn laboratory tests, Melanoplus sanguinipes (Fab.) was susceptible to infection by Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuillemin conidia. Infection occurred independently of the relative humidity (RH) (12, 33, 76, 100% RH). No significant difference was observed in the final percentage mortality of the treated grasshoppers and in the lethal times (LT50)(P > 0.05) under the RH conditions studied. However, the daily rate of mortality after treatment was higher at 76% RH than at 33% RH. High natural mortality occurred at 100% RH.At 100% RH, treatment with B. bassiana was associated with an outgrowth of microorganism that created septicemic conditions in the absence of the characteristic symptoms of mycosis. Below 100% RH, mycelial growth on cadavers was never observed, even though partial or total insect mummification occurred, and a pink body coloration on approximately 80% of the insects indicated Beauveria as the killing agent. Once transferred to 100% RH, no more than 5% of the treated grasshoppers exhibited external mycelial growth.The microenvironment at the cuticular level of the grasshopper allows expression of conidial pathogenicity regardless of ambient RH. Hence, together, these observations suggest the feasibility of field testing with B. bassiana as a bioinsecticide against M. sanguinipes in semi-arid climatic areas.

Supercooling Points of Adult Dermacentor variabilis (Acari: Ixodidae) From a Population Near the Northern Distribution Limit

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew E M Yunik ◽  
Neil B Chilton
Keyword(s):  
Cold Hardiness ◽  
Dermacentor Variabilis ◽  
Subzero Temperatures ◽  
Host Seeking ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Northern Distribution ◽  
Dog Tick ◽  
Provincial Park ◽  
Established Population

Abstract The northern distributional limit of Dermacentor variabilis Say, the American dog tick, is expanding in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (western Canada). The ability of D. variabilis to continue to expand its range northwards will depend upon the ability of individuals within populations at the species distributional edge to withstand very low temperatures during winter. One component of cold hardiness is the supercooling point (SCP), the temperature below 0°C at which an individual freezes. In this study, the SCP was determined for 94 questing D. variabilis adults (44 females and 50 males) from an established population near Blackstrap Provincial Park in Saskatchewan. SCP values ranged from −18.2 to −6.7°C, with a median of −13.3°C. This suggests that host-seeking D. variabilis adults differ in their ability to survive exposure to subzero temperatures, for at least a short period of time, without freezing. The distribution of SCPs was bimodal, but there was no significant difference in SCP values between female and male ticks, and no relationship between SCP and tick body weight. It remains to be determined what factors contribute to the variation in SCP values among questing D. variabilis adults.

scholarly journals Heterogeneity and effectiveness analysis of COVID-19 prevention and control in major cities in China through time-varying reproduction number estimation

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qing Cheng ◽  
Zeyi Liu ◽  
Guangquan Cheng ◽  
Jincai Huang
Keyword(s):  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Reproduction Number ◽  
Correlation Method ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Time Varying ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Prevention And Control Measures ◽  
And Control

AbstractBeginning on December 31, 2019, the large-scale novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emerged in China. Tracking and analysing the heterogeneity and effectiveness of cities’ prevention and control of the COVID-19 epidemic is essential to design and adjust epidemic prevention and control measures. The number of newly confirmed cases in 25 of China’s most-affected cities for the COVID-19 epidemic from January 11 to February 10 was collected. The heterogeneity and effectiveness of these 25 cities’ prevention and control measures for COVID-19 were analysed by using an estimated time-varying reproduction number method and a serial correlation method. The results showed that the effective reproduction number (R) in 25 cities showed a downward trend overall, but there was a significant difference in the R change trends among cities, indicating that there was heterogeneity in the spread and control of COVID-19 in cities. Moreover, the COVID-19 control in 21 of 25 cities was effective, and the risk of infection decreased because their R had dropped below 1 by February 10, 2020. In contrast, the cities of Wuhan, Tianmen, Ezhou and Enshi still had difficulty effectively controlling the COVID-19 epidemic in a short period of time because their R was greater than 1.

Growth performance of Acheta domesticus and Gryllus bimaculatus production reared under improvised cage system for increased returns and food security

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
C.A. Ngonga ◽  
C.O. Gor ◽  
E.A. Okuto ◽  
M.A. Ayieko
Keyword(s):  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Additive Model ◽  
Acheta Domesticus ◽  
Cotton Wool ◽  
Conventional System ◽  
Gryllus Bimaculatus ◽  
Generalised Additive Model ◽  
Cage System ◽  
Significant Difference

Cricket farming is emerging as a new venture in Kenya poised to help alleviate protein deficiency and improve household living standards. However, competing, limited and unaffordable rearing systems constrain productivity and optimisation of this new enterprise. This study sought to evaluate the growth performance of Acheta domesticus and Gryllus bimaculatus reared in improvised cage system to assess its technical effectiveness. Twenty-day old of both species of crickets were separately reared in improvised and conventional cage systems for comparison purposes. Whereas an improvised cage system is a set of structure devised using locally available materials especially where the standard materials are limited, a conventional cage system is a set of structure made of standard and ordinary materials. The improvised system comprised of bamboo hideouts, clean scrap blankets for drinking and laying, cut bamboo stem as drinking platter and the plywood-based cages while conventional system comprised of egg carton hideouts, cotton-wool for drinking and laying, plastic petri-dishes, and plastic buckets. Each group of crickets (100 live crickets) was daily provided with equal amount of feed and water. Average weekly temperature and relative humidity profiles were recorded using HOBO data loggers. Further, 49 live crickets per treatment were randomly sampled and weighed weekly. Generalised additive model and analysis of variance were adopted to model the data therefrom using R. The cage system had a significant effect on the growth performance of the crickets. The mean weight of the cricket species differed, but not the interaction with the cage system. Similarly, species, temperature and relative humidity also influenced the growth performance. Compared to the conventional system, improvised cage system showed better results in realising high cricket productivity though there was no significant difference in growth performance between the two systems. The focus therefore should be to evaluate the egg productivity in scrap blanket in relation to cotton wool and cost effectiveness in improvised system to inform future farm decisions.

scholarly journals Detection of Hydroxychloroquine Retinal Toxicity by Automated Perimetry in 60 Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients with Normal Fundoscopic Findings

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qader Motarjemizadeh ◽  
Naser Samadi Aidenloo ◽  
Mohammad Abbaszadeh
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Early Detection ◽  
Anterior Segment ◽  
Field Testing ◽  
Retinal Toxicity ◽  
Screening Tests ◽  
Automated Perimetry ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Dry Eyes ◽  
Significant Difference

<p>Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is an antimalarial drug used extensively in treatment of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Retinal toxicity is the most important side effects of this drug. Even after the drug is discontinued, retinal degeneration from HCQ can continue to progress. Consequently, multiple ophthalmic screening tests have been developed to detect early retinopathy. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the value of central 2-10 perimetry method in early detection of retinal toxicity. This prospective cross-sectional investigation was carried out on 60 rheumatoid arthritis patients, who had been receiving HCQ for at least 6 months and still were on their medication (HCQ intake) at the time of enrollment. An ophthalmologist examined participants using direct and indirect ophthalmoscopy. Visual field testing with automated perimetry technique (central 2-10 perimetry with red target) was performed on all included subjects twice in 6 months interval: The first one at the time of enrollment and the second one 6 months later. Males and females did not show any significant difference in terms of age, duration of therapy, daily and cumulative HCQ dose, anterior or posterior segment abnormalities, hypertension, body mass index, and best corrected visual acuity. Anterior segment was abnormal in 9 individuals including 3 subjects with macular pigmentary changes, 4 individuals with cataract and 2 cases with dry eyes. Moreover, 12 subjects had retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) in their posterior segments. After 6 months, depressive changes appeared in 12 subjects. Additionally, HCQ therapy worsened significantly the perimetric results of 5 (55.6%) patients with abnormal anterior segment. A same trend was observed in perimetric results of 6 (50.0%) subjects with abnormal posterior segments (P=0.009). The daily dose of HCQ (P=0.035) as well as the cumulative dose of hydroxychloroquine (P=0.021) displayed statistically significant associations with perimetric results. Central 2-10 perimetry is a useful method for early detection of HCQ retinal toxicity, but more comprehensive studies, with larger sample size, longer-term follow-up and more precise techniques are mandatory to confirm HCQ retinal toxicity.</p>

scholarly journals Brood stock formation of the hermaphrodite finfish species Pagellus erythrinus (common Pandora) from fish reared in captivity

2004 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 187 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.D. KLAOUDATOS ◽  
D.S. KLAOUDATOS
Keyword(s):  
Hormonal Treatment ◽  
Sex Reversal ◽  
Reproductive Period ◽  
Brood Stock ◽  
Pagellus Erythrinus ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Fish Group ◽  
Common Pandora

Formation of brood stock is considered to be one of the most important operations in order to acquire eggs and fry from any promising candidate finfish species for aquaculture production. The sex reversal observed in hermaphrodite species adds to confusion and creates additional complications in forming a brood stock. The present study describes the efforts and the results of the brood stock formation of the hermaphrodite finfish species Pagellus erythrinus (common Pandora) from individuals aged between 4 and 5 years (TL>300mm) reared in floating cages. Six groups were formed (50 fish/group) in all of which females were present comprising 20 to 40% of the population. The presence of females was in contrast to the literature, which reported that sex reversal of the common Pandora is complete in naturally occurring populations with the absence of females in sizes of a total length greater than 220mm, indicating that in captivity sex reversal is not complete for this species. Four of the groups formed spawned under natural environmental conditions without hormonal treatment and the other two groups were administered a different dosage (250 and 500 IU/kg) of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) to induce spawning. The reproductive period started in the middle of May and ended at the beginning of July and spontaneous spawning occurred in all groups. Egg release lasted for a mean period of one month for the groups that spawned without hormonal treatment with no significant difference in the number of viable eggs between groups. The groups that spawned under hormonal treatment released eggs for a period of six and seven days, for the group that spawned under the high and low hormonal treatment, respectively, with no significant difference in the number of viable eggs between them. The hormonal induced spawning resulted in egg release within a short period of time ideal for a hatchery. However, the number of viable eggs produced was significantly lower compared to the number of viable eggs produced from groups that spawned without hormonal treatment.

scholarly journals Seasonal Influence on the Performance of Low-Cost NO2 Sensor Calibrations

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (23) ◽  
pp. 7919
Author(s):  
Sjoerd van Ratingen ◽  
Jan Vonk ◽  
Christa Blokhuis ◽  
Joost Wesseling ◽  
Erik Tielemans ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Sensor Data ◽  
Sensor Technology ◽  
Monitoring Networks ◽  
Technical Problems ◽  
Eu Directive ◽  
Short Period ◽  
No2 Sensor ◽  
One Year

Low-cost sensor technology has been available for several years and has the potential to complement official monitoring networks. The current generation of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) sensors suffers from various technical problems. This study explores the added value of calibration models based on (multiple) linear regression including cross terms on the performance of an electrochemical NO2 sensor, the B43F manufactured by Alphasense. Sensor data were collected in duplicate at four reference sites in the Netherlands over a period of one year. It is shown that a calibration, using O3 and temperature in addition to a reference NO2 measurement, improves the prediction in terms of R2 from less than 0.5 to 0.69–0.84. The uncertainty of the calibrated sensors meets the Data Quality Objective for indicative methods specified by the EU directive in some cases and it was verified that the sensor signal itself remains an important predictor in the multilinear regressions. In practice, these sensors are likely to be calibrated over a period (much) shorter than one year. This study shows the dependence of the quality of the calibrated signal on the choice of these short (monthly) calibration and validation periods. This information will be valuable for determining short-period calibration strategies.

scholarly journals Development of Maquette to Promote Primary School Students’ Critical Thinking Ability in Social Sciences

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rindang Hayom Sasami ◽  
Sujarwo Sujarwo
Keyword(s):  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Field Testing ◽  
T Test ◽  
Research Subjects ◽  
Main Field ◽  
School Students ◽  
Gain Score ◽  
Critical Thinking Ability ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Thinking Ability

This research aimed to analyse the feasibility of the use of maquette and the effectiveness of maquette in improving students’ critical thinking ability. The research model employed was the development research model developed by Borg & Gall. The research subjects were third graders. The testing was divided into preliminary field testing, main field testing, and operational field testing. The analysis of the medium feasibility was based on the assessment by media experts, the assessment by subject matter experts, students’ response, and teacher’s response. The analysis of maquette effectiveness was carried out using a t-test (two independent samples) to figure out the difference and gain score of the experimental class for the purpose of identifying the improvement after the use of maquette. In the feasibility analysis, a score of 88 in the category “feasible” was gained from the assessment by a media expert and a score of 85 in the category “highly feasible” was gained from the assessment by a subject matter expert. From the preliminary field testing, scores of 60.5 and 65 in the category “highly feasible” were gained for the students’ response and teacher’s response, respectively. Meanwhile, from the main field testing, scores of 56.1 and 66.5 in the category “highly feasible” were gained for the students’ response and teacher’s response to the maquette use, respectively. The t-test results show a significant value in the critical thinking, namely.000 <.05, indicating a significant difference between the control class and the experimental class. The gain score was 0.5 and fell into the “moderate” category. Thus, it can be concluded that maquette is effective in improving critical thinking ability.

scholarly journals DESENVOLVIMENTO DE MUDAS DE CAFEEIRO PRODUZIDAS EM TUBETES SOB MALHAS TERMO-REFLETORAS E MALHA NEGRA

Irriga ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vinícios Maia Costa ◽  
Marcos Vinícios Folegatti ◽  
Roberto Terumi Atarassi ◽  
Sérgio Nascimento Duarte ◽  
Nildo Da Silva Dias ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Solar Radiation ◽  
Leaf Area ◽  
Coffea Arabica ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Stalk Diameter ◽  
E Mail ◽  
Coffea Arabica L

DESENVOLVIMENTO DE MUDAS DE CAFEEIRO PRODUZIDAS EM TUBETES SOB MALHAS TERMO-REFLETORAS E MALHA NEGRA VINÍCIUS MAIA COSTA1; MARCOS VINÍCIUS FOLEGATTI2; ROBERTO TERUMI ATARASSI3; SÉRGIO NASCIMENTO DUARTE4; NILDO DA SILVA DIAS5 E CLAUDIO RICARDO DA SILVA6.  [1] Mestre em Agronomia, Depto. de Engenharia de Biossistemas, ESALQ-USP, Piracicaba – SP. E-mail: [email protected]. Titular, Depto. de Engenharia de Biossistemas, ESALQ-USP, Piracicaba – SP. E-mail: [email protected] de Ciências Agrárias, UFU, Av. Amazonas, s/n, Bloco 2E, Campus Umuarama, 38400-902, Uberlândia-MG. E-mail: [email protected]. Associado, Depto. de Engenharia de Biossistemas, ESALQ-USP, Piracicaba – SP. E-mail: [email protected] Associado 2, Departamento de Ciências Ambientais e Tecnológicas, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Mossoró, RN. E-mail: [email protected] de Ciências Agrárias, UFU, Av. Amazonas, s/n, Bloco 2E, Campus Umuarama, 38400-902, Uberlândia-MG. E-mail: [email protected].  1 RESUMO Este experimento avaliou, em casa de vegetação, o desenvolvimento de mudas de cafeeiro produzidas em tubetes, sob o efeito de malhas utilizadas para sombreamento. Os tratamentos foram a tradicional malha negra 50% e as malhas termo-refletoras com atenuação da radiação solar de 40, 50, 60 e 70%. O delineamento experimental adotado foi em blocos casualizados contendo os 5 tratamentos, com 4 repetições, totalizando-se assim 20 parcelas. Os resultados mostram que temperatura do ar pouco variou no microclima protegido das parcelas, assim como a umidade relativa do ar e a transmissividade global (TRG) e fotossinteticamente ativa (TRFA). Verificou-se que malhas com menor atenuação da radiação solar apresentaram em geral maior transmissividade. A área foliar não apresentou diferença significativa entre os tratamentos; já para altura da planta e diâmetro do caule, verificou-se que as mudas produzidas sob as malhas termo-refletoras 40 e 50% foram superiores àquelas produzidas sob malha negra 50% e malhas termo-refletoras 60 e 70%, respectivamente. Nas avaliações de matéria seca, verificou-se que as mudas produzidas sob as malhas termo-refletoras 40% e 50% e malha negra 50% acumularam mais matéria seca comparativamente àquelas produzidas sob malhas termo-refletoras 60 e 70%. Assim, concluiu-se que as malhas termo-refletoras 40 e 50% e negra 50% apresentaram melhores resultados que as malhas termo-refletoras 60 e 70%. Palavras-chave: Coffea arábica L., sombreamento, ambiente protegido.  COSTA, V.M.; FOLEGATTI, M.V.; ATARASSI, R.T.; DUARTE, S.N.; DIAS, N.S.; SILVA, C.R. DEVELOPMENT OF COFFEE SEEDLINGS PRODUCED IN PLASTIC TUBESUNDER TERMO-REFLECTIVE AND BLACK SCREENS   2 ABSTRACT This experiment evaluated, in greenhouse conditions, the development of coffee seedlings produced in plastic tubes, under the effect of screens used for shading. The treatments were the traditional black screen 50% and the thermo reflective screens with attenuation of the solar radiation of 40, 50, 60 and 70%. The adopted experimental delineation was randomized blocks with 5 treatments and 4 replicates, making up 20 parcels. The result showed that the temperature of air gently varied in the parcels, as well as the air relative humidity.  Relating to global transmissivity (TRG) and photosynthetically active transmissivity (TRFA), it was verified that screens with less attenuation of the solar radiation presented higher transmissivity in general. The leaf area did not present significant difference among the treatments and seedlings height and stalk diameter, the seedlings produced under thermo-reflective screens 40% and 50% were superior to those produced under black screen 50% and thermo-reflective screen 60% and 70%. In the evaluations of dry matter, the seedlings produced under thermo-reflective screens 40% and 50%, and black screen 50% comparatively accumulated more dry matter than those produced under thermo-reflective screens 60% and 70%. Thus, it can be concluded that the thermo-reflective screens 40% and 50% and black screen 50% presented better results than the thermo-reflective screens 60% and 70%. Keywords: Coffea arábica L., shading, greenhouse.

scholarly journals Therapeutical aspect of trichomoniasis

2003 ◽  
Vol 131 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 156-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jelica Vukicevic ◽  
Jasmina Jankicevic
Keyword(s):  
Trichomonas Vaginalis ◽  
Communicable Disease ◽  
Repeated Administration ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Microbiological Test ◽  
Clinical Forms ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Significant Difference

Trichomoniasis is frequent, parasitic and sexually transmitted infection of genitourinary tract. It is treated by metronidazole (5-nitroimidazole) according to protocol recommended by Center for Disease Control (CDC formerly called: Communicable Disease Center) [19]. The resistance of Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) strains to metronidazole (MND) was described in USA in 1960, and later on in many European countries [8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13]. In these cases, due to persistent trichomonas infection, it is necessary to repeat MND treatment with moderate modification of dose and/or length of its application. Nevertheless, oncogenic and toxic effects of MND have to be taken into consideration. OBJECT The aim of this study was to investigate and analyze the incidence of TV in STD and lower susceptibility of certain TV strains to MND were analyzed. MATERIAL AND METHODS In three-year period (1999-2001) 612 patients (244 females and 368 males) suspected of STD were examined clinically and microbiologically at the Institute of Dermatovenereology in Belgrade. The patients detected for TV were treated according to CDC protocol. The affected were considered cured if there was no manifest clinical infection, and no TV verified by microbiological test. Results TV was isolated in 216 patients (35.29 % of all subjects). Trichomonas infection was found in 90 (36.88 %) out of 244 tested females and in 126 (32.34 %) of 368 males. Clinically manifested infection, with extensive urethral and vaginal secretion, was recorded in 161 patients, while the asymptomatic form was found in 55 subjects. This result indicates the predominance of manifested trichomonas infections (75.54 % of cases). The difference of distribution of clinical forms of trichomoniasis, in relation to sex, was not statistically significant (c2=0.854; p>0.05). The patients with verified trichomonas infection were treated by metronidazole according to CDC protocol. The recommended therapeutical scheme consisted of three phases proceeding in succession, in so far TV had not been eliminated by previous one. The number of cured patients, according to therapeutical phases, was shown in Table 4. Three patients (1.39 %, 2 males and 1 female) were not cured in spite of all three completed phases of therapeutical protocol. In all three cases, TV was eliminated by MND application in dose of 3 g/daily, during two days. The failure of minute MND treatment was analyzed in relation to clinical forms of the infection (manifested or asymptomatic), as well as in relation to types of infection (single- or associated infection). The incidence of refractory trichomoniasis treated by a single metronidazole dose of 2 g was significantly higher in the group of patients with polyinfection (c2=18.270 p<0.01). There was no significant difference of resistance to a single MND dose between the groups with manifested and asymptomatic trichomoniasis (c2=0.321; p<0.01). The prevalence of TV in vaginal and urethral smears indicates the significant incidence of trichomoniasis in STD. TV was more frequently isolated in patients with clinically manifested infection. TV susceptibility to MND was tested in vitro in aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The resistance of strains under in vitro conditions did not correlate with refractory feature of trichomoniasis to MND application [7 17, 18]. The success of trichomoniasis treatment depends upon multiple factors, including: a) TV susceptibility to drug, b) intravaginal redox potential, c) drug concentration in situ, d) associated microorganisms that may modify the amount of the drug available in situ [7, 18, 21]. The results of our investigation argue for the latter item, verifying that TV resistance to MND is higher in patients with polyinfection in relation to those with monoinfection (significant difference, c2=18.270; p<0.01). Repeated administration of low metronidazole doses may prolong the therapy of trichomonas infections, while application of high doses (over 3 g/day) may result in undesired complications. Given the well-known fact that repeated sublethal doses induce the resistance, would it be more beneficial to begin with slightly higher metronidazole dose (3 g/day) during short period of time (3-5 days)? This will be the subject of our further investigation.

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