Assessment of laparoscopic skills of Gynecology and Obstetrics residents after a training program

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate laparoscopic skills of third-year Gynecology and Obstetrics residents after training at a training and surgical experimentation center. Methods Use of a prospective questionnaire analyzing demographic data, medical residency, skills, competences, and training in a box trainer and in pigs. Results After the training, there was significant improvement in laparoscopic skills according to the residents (before 1.3/after 2.7; p=0.000) and preceptors (before 2.1/after 4.8; p=0.000). There was also significant improvement in the feeling of competence in surgeries with level 1 and 2 of difficulty. All residents approved the training. Conclusion The training was distributed into 12 hours in the box trainer and 20 hours in animals, and led to better laparoscopic skills and a feeling of more surgical competence in laparoscopic surgery levels 1 and 2

A review of the major biological approaches to control the worldwide pest Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) with special reference to natural pesticides

The two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, is a phytophagous pest that can cause significant yield losses in many agricultural crops, including fruits, cotton, vegetables, and ornamentals. To date, 3877 host species have been reported around the world in both outdoor crops and greenhouses. In this paper, we present the common methods to control this pest including chemical and biological practices. While synthetic acaricides have been widely used to manage T. urticae, in recent years, interest in pesticides derived from plants has increased considerably as a result of environmental concerns and pest population resistance to conventional pesticides. Some botanical pesticides can be easily produced,are relatively efficient against pests, and with few exceptions, their mammalian toxicity and persistence in the environment is low. Thus, the use of plant extracts appears to be a promising alternative strategy for pest management. The present paper reviews studies on the biocidal activities of plant extracts, including essential oils, against T. urticae, a plant-feeding mite found worldwide and a serious agricultural and home garden pest

Diabetes mellitus and severe mental illness: mechanism and clinical implications

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is twofold to threefold higher in people with severe mental illness (SMI) than in the general population, with diabetes mellitus affecting ~12% of people receiving antipsychotics. The consequences of diabetes mellitus are more severe and frequent in people with SMI than in those without these conditions, with increased rates of microvascular and macrovascular complications, acute metabolic dysregulation and deaths related to diabetes mellitus. Multiple complex mechanisms underlie the association between diabetes mellitus and SMI; these mechanisms include genetic, environmental and disease-specific factors, and treatment-specific factors. Although antipsychotics are the mainstay of treatment in SMI, a causative link, albeit of uncertain magnitude, seems to exist between antipsychotics and diabetes mellitus. The principles of managing diabetes mellitus in people with SMI are similar to those for the general population and should follow currently established treatment algorithms. Lifestyle interventions are needed to reduce incident diabetes mellitus. In addition, improved uptake of opportunities to screen for this disease will reduce the high prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes mellitus. Currently, people with SMI receive poorer treatment for diabetes mellitus than the general population. Thus, health-care professionals in primary care, diabetes mellitus services and mental health teams have a responsibility to ensure that patients with SMI are not disadvantage