Several species of nematodes are known to cause losses to cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) throughout the world. In Brazil, Aphelenchoides besseyi was recently described causing damages on soybean, cotton, and common bean, but no report was found about the parasitism of this nematode in cowpea. The present study aimed to verify the host reaction of cowpea cultivars to A. besseyi. The experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions, using as inoculum two A. besseyi populations, obtained from symptomatic soybean and cotton plants collected in naturally infested fields. Cultivars ‘Imponente’, ‘Aracê’, ‘Guariba’, ‘Tumucumaque’, ‘Nova Era’, and ‘Tracuateua’ were inoculated with 500 A. besseyi of each population, separately, into soil and after 30 days from the inoculation nematodes were extracted from shoot systems. Both populations were able to parasitize all the cowpea cultivars. Independently of the cultivar, cowpea plants exhibited symptoms of leaf deformation similar to those described for soybean, cotton, and common bean and, in addition, severe brooming was observed and the interior of the stems was porous and necrotic. To our knowledge, this is the first report of parasitism by A. besseyi of cowpea in Brazil, under greenhouse conditions, increasing the list of hosts of this nematode.
Background: The global effort to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 has prompted various initiatives. A student-led public health campaign was conducted by Brazilian medical students from Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Campinas (PUC Campinas) in 2015, 2018, and 2023. The campaign inspired local leadership, innovation, and partnership in the fight against HIV/AIDS. This study evaluates the impact of the campaign on raising awareness about HIV/AIDS and assesses its effectiveness as a model for similar initiatives worldwide. Methods: The campaign was organized by medical students from PUC Campinas who were members of the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA). It was developed iteratively over the years, with data collection and evaluation informing subsequent program modifications. The students received specialized training on HIV/AIDS prior to distributing relevant educational materials. On the final day of the campaign, students wore red ribbons or shirts and engaged in conversations with individuals in public settings such as parks, bus stations, and malls. Participants in the conversations were ultimately provided information on HIV/AIDS prevention, disease, and treatment, and their knowledge was assessed through pre- and post-campaign questionnaires. Results: Among the 3150 individuals approached during the campaigns, 78% had limited knowledge about HIV testing and AIDS symptoms. Following the campaign, 88% of participants considered their knowledge about rapid tests and AIDS symptoms to be satisfactory. These findings demonstrate the campaign's positive impact on improving awareness and understanding among participants. Conclusion: This study highlights the impact of a student-led public health campaign on HIV knowledge and awareness. The campaign effectively addressed the lack of information among both students and participants, resulting in improved knowledge about topics including rapid tests and AIDS symptoms. These findings underscore the importance of educational initiatives in healthcare training and provide insights for future curriculum development to enhance public health awareness and education.
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