Yellow Capsule Research Articles

Quality Status of Wild Simsim (Sesamum Calycinum) Seeds Harvested from Croplands in Khwisero, Kakamega County

Wild simsim is among the indigenous vegetables still gathered during scarcity by some communities in Kakamega County. Domestication of such vegetables is important as they are adaptable to adverse climatic conditions and high in nutritional value. Seed quality is paramount in crop establishment, growth and yield. Being wild, the seeds have not undergone any certification process to come up with the required standard specifications. The objective of the study was to assess the quality of wild simsim seeds by evaluating the influence of the harvesting stage on germination and vigor. The seeds were harvested at yellow and brown capsule stages from croplands in Khwisero. Seed germination and vigor tests were conducted in the seed laboratory at the University of Eldoret. The data was subjected to ANOVA using a Genstat statistical package and means separated by LSD at a 5% significance level. Results indicated that the seeds were of low quality having a germination percentage of 68.50 and 49.75 for seeds harvested at yellow and brown capsule stages respectively. Consequently, Seed vigor was also low recording 8% and 6.25 % at yellow and brown capsule stages respectively. Wild simsim Seeds are of low quality below the 70% recommendation by KEPHIS for indigenous vegetables although those harvested at yellow capsule stage are of a better quality in terms of germination. Wild simsim seeds should be harvested at the yellow capsule stage for a higher germination percentage.

Manipulating expectancies in optometry practice: Ocular accommodation and stereoacuity are sensitive to placebo and nocebo effects.

There is scientific evidence that an individual's beliefs and/or expectations play a role in the behavioural and physiological response to a given treatment. This study aimed to assess whether the dynamics of the accommodative response and stereoacuity are sensitive to experimentally induced placebo and nocebo effects. Nineteen healthy university students performed three experimental sessions (placebo, nocebo and control) in randomised order, with the dynamics of the accommodative response (magnitude and variability), stereoacuity and subjective measures being assessed in all sessions. For the experimental manipulation, participants ingested an inert capsule that was alleged to have positive (white capsule, placebo condition) or negative (yellow capsule, nocebo conditions) effects on the human physiology. In the control condition, participants did not ingest a capsule. The data revealed that the variability of accommodation was sensitive to experimentally induced placebo and nocebo effects, showing a more stable accommodative response for the placebo compared with the nocebo condition (corrected p-value=0.04, Cohen's d= 0.60). In addition, better stereoacuity was found with the placebo, compared with the nocebo (corrected p-value=0.01, Cohen's d= 0.69) and control (corrected p-value=0.03, Cohen's d= 0.59) conditions. Successful experimental manipulation was confirmed by the analysis of subjective perceptions. These findings provide evidence that manipulating expectations about the efficacy of an inert treatment affect the dynamics of the accommodative response (variability of accommodation) and stereoacuity. The results have important applications in both clinical and research outcomes, where individuals´ beliefs/expectations could modulate the visual function.

Community knowledge and practices regarding antibiotic use in rural Mozambique: where is the starting point for prevention of antibiotic resistance?

BackgroundAntibiotic misuse and other types of unnecessary use of antibiotics can contribute to accelerate the process of antibiotic resistance, which is considered a global concern, mostly affecting low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). In Mozambique there is limited evidence on community knowledge and practices regarding antibiotics and antibiotic resistance. As part of the ABACUS project, this paper describes knowledge and practices of antibiotic use among the general population in the semi-rural district of Manhiça to inform evidence-based communication intervention strategies for safer antibiotic use.MethodsThe study was conducted in Manhiça, a semi-rural district of Southern Mozambique. Sixteen in-depth interviews and four focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with community members to explore lay knowledge and practices regarding antibiotics and awareness of antibiotic resistance. The qualitative data was analysed using a combination of content and thematic analysis. The SRQR guidelines for reporting qualitative studies was performed.ResultsAlthough participants did not hold any consistent knowledge of antibiotics, their visual recognition of amoxicillin (distinct red yellow capsule) was acceptable, but less so for different types and brands of antibiotics. The majority of participants were aware of the term ‘antibiotic’, yet the definition they gave was rarely backed by biomedical knowledge. Participants associated antibiotics with certain colours, shapes and health conditions. Participants reported common habits that may contribute to resistance: not buying the full course, self-medication, sharing medicines and interruption of treatment. Most had never heard of the term ‘antibiotic resistance’ but were familiar with the phenomenon. They often understood the term ‘resistance’ as treatment failure and likened ‘resistance’ to non-compliance, ineffective medication, disease resistance or to an inability of the physical body to respond to it.ConclusionThere is a broad understanding of the importance of medication compliance but not specifically of antibiotic resistance. In addition, there is a recognized gap between knowledge of responsible drug compliance and actual behaviour. Future qualitative research is required to further explore what determines this behaviour. The existing ability to visually identify amoxicillin by its distinct red and yellow appearance is informative for future awareness and behavioural change campaigns that may incorporate visual aids of antibiotics.

Patients' Preferences and Willingness to Pay for Solid Forms of Oral Medications-Results of the Discrete Choice Experiment in Polish Outpatients.

Purpose: Personal preferences play an important role in the patients’ decision process whether to adhere to treatment, or not. The purpose of this study is to assess Polish outpatients’ preferences for solid forms of oral medications across various scenarios. Methods: The convenience sample of 200 outpatients took part in this study. According to the discrete choice experiment (DCE) design, participants were provided with selection of tablets and capsules, in different shapes, sizes, colors, and copayment levels and were asked to state their preferences. DCE results were analyzed using mixed logit (MXL) models. Results: MXL models revealed patients’ willingness to pay for various solid forms of medications. The most preferred combination of drug parameters were: small yellow capsule for chronic treatment, and small yellow long tablet for short-term treatment. Study participants were happy to pay extra 6.52 PLN (≈1.63 EUR) for this drug formulation per month of antihypertensive treatment, and 14.44 PLN (≈3.61 EUR) for this drug formulation per 7-days’ long course of antibiotic treatment, respectively. Conclusion: Results suggest that color, shape, and size of solid form of oral medications are important predictors of patients’ acceptance. It can not only be expressed in monetary value, but also may serve as an important hint for companies designing new drugs, or policymakers who are happy to improve patient adherence with better prescribing, or dispensing. However, our findings are probably country-specific, and further research is necessary to better understand the relationship between solid drug characteristics, and patient’s preferences across countries.

Physiological Changes in the Seeds of Jatropha curcas L. at Different Stages of Fruit Maturity

The objective of present study was to determine appropriate fruit harvesting stage for Jatropha curcas L. for getting seeds with good oil content and better germination. The seeds separated from the fruits harvested at yellow capsule stage (C2) showed maximum germination efficiency, both under laboratory and nursery conditions whereas seeds separated from the fruits harvested at brownish black stage (C3) yielded highest oil content. Yellow capsule stage (C2) was physiologically mature fruit stage, which should be harvested to obtain the seeds with higher oil content besides showing maximum germination efficiency.

Fruit maturity indices as criteria for optimization of seed germination inJatropha curcasL.

The seeds of Jatropha curcas were harvested from three maturity stages termed as greenish-yellow (40–45 days after anthesis, DAA), yellow (5560 DAA) and brownish-black (65–70 DAA) at fortnightly interval from July to December to assess the effects of collection time and capsule maturity on seed germination. It was observed that seed germination varied significantly with the advancement of collection period and capsule maturity. Maximum germination was recorded in the seeds extracted from yellow capsules both under laboratory (85.8%) and nursery conditions (59.1%). Similarly, the seeds harvested during July, August and September collections showed higher germination percentage. Therefore, harvesting of fruits at yellow stage during rainy season appearsbetterforthecollection of abundantsuperiorqualityseeds.

Phylogenetic relationships in thePterygiellacomplex (Orobanchaceae) inferred from molecular and morphological evidence

The Pterygiella complex, i.e. Pterygiella, Phtheirospermum, Pseudobartsia and Xizangia, is controversial in terms of both its relationships and taxonomic status. The genera of the complex are all species-poor and endemic to eastern Asia. In this study, we sampled all taxa in the complex for seven genic regions [atpB-rbcL, atpH-I, psbA-trnH, rpl16 intron, trnL-F, trnS-G and internal transcribed spacer (ITS)], which were analysed separately and in combination. We examined capsule and seed morphology of these genera using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Our results indicate that the complex is polyphyletic and comprises two clades. The first, designated Pterygiella complex I', includes only Phtheirospermum japonicum. This clade is uniquely diagnosed by its papery yellow capsule and reticulate secondary thickening on the seed coat. The second clade, Pterygiella complex II', includes Phtheirospermum tenuisectum, P.parishii, P.muliense, Pseudobartsia, Xizangia and Pterygiella. These taxa share a coriaceous capsule. Pterygiella is monophyletic and is characterized by eglandular, unicellular, pilose hairs on the capsule and hook-like protuberances on the horizontal ridges of the striate or reticulate seed coat. Excluding P.japonicum, the remaining taxa of Phtheirospermum cluster together and are sister to Pterygiella. Xizangia bartschioides and Pseudobartsia yunnanensis are separated from Pterygiella and Phtheirospermum, respectively, and are supported as genera by molecular and morphological evidence.(c) 2013 The Linnean Society of London

Selective Guest Exchange in Encapsulation Complexes Using Light of Different Wavelenghts

A matter of light: Selective control over the assembly of two distinct encapsulation complexes in solution is achieved by using light of two wavelengths and heat. Guest exchange can be triggered in a sequential or parallel fashion, depending on the wavelength applied, and three combinations of encapsulation complexes (see scheme) are accessible. Photoisomerization of azobenzene (red capsule) and hemithioindigo guests (yellow capsule) are used as triggers. Detailed facts of importance to specialist readers are published as ”Supporting Information”. Such documents are peer-reviewed, but not copy-edited or typeset. They are made available as submitted by the authors. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.

Query

Medication. I hate taking it. Never mind for what; it doesn't matter. What I hate is taking it. Why? Embodied in a small, yellow capsule is the summa of my infirmity. In that capsule is the entirety of what I cannot accomplish on my own, my inability to cope with the world on its terms, my

Population differentiation of the Stellaria longipes complex within Saskatchewan's Athabasca sand dunes

Stellaria arenicola, a recent derivative within the S. longipes complex, is an endemic of the Athabasca sand dunes. Analysis of 11 morphological characters on 40 genets showed that both the endemic and parental (S. longipes) species are present within the Thomson Bay dune field and that the two forms are distinct. Individuals of S. arenicola were distinguished by only a few characters, typically, large yellow capsules with reflexed teeth and yellowish leaf and stem pigmentation. The endemic also exhibited a higher sexual reproductive output. Many characteristics of vegetative morphology showed plasticity in both species, but the two remained distinct when grown in a common garden. On the sand dunes S. longipes is restricted to beach dunes bordering Lake Athabasca while S. arenicola is predominant on the active dune field inland. The two dune systems represented environmentally distinct microhabitats. The active inner dunes were characterized by an unstable, fine sand substrate and intense insolation. Field reciprocal transplants showed S. longipes was selected against in the inner dune habitat, while S. arenicola performed relatively well on the beach. Stellaria arenicola possibly arose in the active sand dune habitat as a result of selection pressure and genetic isolation.

Notes on Sarcosporidia of Birds in Panama

in the present study. These infected birds were found in a lot of 36 specimens, representing 21 species, examined for Sarcocystis. They were collected in 1952-53 from areas of Panama near the Canal Zone, while the writer was at the Gorgas Hospital Laboratory. Each bird was examined for intestinal and blood parasites. Blocks of tissue routinely were cut from the vital organs and muscle and preserved in 10% formalin for the later preparation of sections which were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Generally, Sarcocystis infection was noted only during the microscopic examination of striated muscle sections. However, the sarcocysts in the collared aricari were seen while the bird was being skinned. In the one infected aricari of the 4 examined, the back, breast, thigh, and neck nmuscles of the bird contained numerous elongated yellow capsules which were 1 to 1.5 mm long and about half as wide. Some of the capsules were removed, ruptured, and the contents stained with Giemsa's stain after heat fixation. Bananashaped sporozoites, 3 to 4.5 microns long and about 1 micron wide, with subterminal nuclei were demonstrated. In longitudinal sections, the largest sarcocyst was 1.23 mm long and 0.339 mm wide at the point of greatest diameter. The cysts were oval in shape and bounded by a thin membranous wall. Many sarcocysts were measured which ranged from 0.462 to 0.678 mm long and 0.123 to 0.354 mm wide. There was also a large number of very much smaller cysts ranging from 0.046 to 0.154 mm in length and 0.031 to 0.092 mm in width. The large cysts, those over 0.3 mm in diameter, were divided into numerous honeycomb-like chambers at the central portion of the cyst, the Kammerung of Miescher. The central chambers were free of sporozoites and contained only a few scattered ovoid bodies, 2.2 to 4.5 microns in diameter which stained pale pink with eosin. Sporozoites were densely packed into similar chambers in the peripheral portions of the sarcocysts. The Sarcocystis parasitizing the aricari produced marked distortion of the infected muscle fibers. There was no evidence of tissue reaction to the parasites in