Effects of seeding rate on forage yield and quality of vetch (Vicia sativa L.) - triticale (Triticosecale Wittm.) mixtures under east mediterranean rainfed conditions

This study was carried to determine the best seed mixture of vetch and triticale for East Mediterranean rainfed conditions of Turkey. The experiments were conducted in two locations, Adana and Kozan,during the years of 2003 - 2005. The field trials were arranged in a randomised block design with three replications. In the research, pure stands of vetch and triticale and their seed mixtures (80% vetch +20% triticale, 60% vetch + 40% triticale, 40% vetch + 60% triticale, 20% vetch + 80% triticale) were studied. Crude protein concentrations, hay and crude protein yields of pure stands and the mixtures and the percentage of vetch in the dry matter yield were determined. In addition to these, relative yield total (RYT) values were calculated for the mixtures. The study showed that the characters studied were significantly influenced by years, locations and mixtures. According to the averaged values of twoyears, the seed mixture containing 20% vetch and 80% triticale gave highest dry matter yield with an average vetch content of 23.5% under Adana conditions, while the seed mixture of 40% Vetch + 60%triticale gave the highest dry matter yield with an average vetch content of 10% under Kozan conditions. RYT values for the mentioned mixtures were 1.12 and 1.20, respectively. It was concluded that the above mixtures of vetch and triticale could be recommended for the locations in Adana and Kozan, respectively

Impact of malaria during pregnancy on pregnancy outcomes in a Ugandan prospective cohort with intensive malaria screening and prompt treatment

Malaria in pregnancy (MiP) is a major public health problem in endemic areas of sub-Saharan Africa and has important consequences on birth outcome. Because MiP is a complex phenomenon and malaria epidemiology is rapidly changing, additional evidence is still required to understand how best to control malaria. This study followed a prospective cohort of pregnant women who had access to intensive malaria screening and prompt treatment to identify factors associated with increased risk of MiP and to analyse how various characteristics of MiP affect delivery outcomes

Artemether-Lumefantrine to treat Malaria in pregnancy is associated with reduced placental Haemozoin deposition compared to Quinine in a randomized controlled trial

Data on efficacy of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) to treat Plasmodium falciparum during pregnancy in sub-Saharan Africa is scarce. A recent open label, randomized controlled trial in Mbarara, Uganda demonstrated that artemether-lumefantrine (AL) is not inferior to quinine to treat uncomplicated malaria in pregnancy. Haemozoin can persist in the placenta following clearance of parasites, however there is no data whether ACT can influence the amount of haemozoin or the dynamics of haemozoin clearance

Multidimensional prognostic indices for use in COPD patient care. A systematic review

Contains fulltext : 98117.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)BACKGROUND: A growing number of prognostic indices for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is developed for clinical use. Our aim is to identify, summarize and compare all published prognostic COPD indices, and to discuss their performance, usefulness and implementation in daily practice. METHODS: We performed a systematic literature search in both Pubmed and Embase up to September 2010. Selection criteria included primary publications of indices developed for stable COPD patients, that predict future outcome by a multidimensional scoring system, developed for and validated with COPD patients only. Two reviewers independently assessed the index quality using a structured screening form for systematically scoring prognostic studies. RESULTS: Of 7,028 articles screened, 13 studies comprising 15 indices were included. Only 1 index had been explored for its application in daily practice. We observed 21 different predictors and 7 prognostic outcomes, the latter reflecting mortality, hospitalization and exacerbation. Consistent strong predictors were FEV1 percentage predicted, age and dyspnoea. The quality of the studies underlying the indices varied between fairly poor and good. Statistical methods to assess the predictive abilities of the indices were heterogenic. They generally revealed moderate to good discrimination, when measured. Limitations: We focused on prognostic indices for stable disease only and, inevitably, quality judgment was prone to subjectivity. CONCLUSIONS: We identified 15 prognostic COPD indices. Although the prognostic performance of some of the indices has been validated, they all lack sufficient evidence for implementation. Whether or not the use of prognostic indices improves COPD disease management or patients' health is currently unknown; impact studies are required to establish this

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Effects of seeding rate on forage yield and quality of vetch (Vicia sativa L.) - triticale (Triticosecale Wittm.) mixtures under east mediterranean rainfed conditions

This study was carried to determine the best seed mixture of vetch and triticale for East Mediterranean rainfed conditions of Turkey. The experiments were conducted in two locations, Adana and Kozan, during the years of 2003 - 2005. The field trials were arranged in a randomised block design with three replications. In the research, pure stands of vetch and triticale and their seed mixtures (80% vetch + 20% triticale, 60% vetch + 40% triticale, 40% vetch + 60% triticale, 20% vetch + 80% triticale) were studied. Crude protein concentrations, hay and crude protein yields of pure stands and the mixtures and the percentage of vetch in the dry matter yield were determined. In addition to these, relative yield total (RYT) values were calculated for the mixtures. The study showed that the characters studied were significantly influenced by years, locations and mixtures. According to the averaged values of two years, the seed mixture containing 20% vetch and 80% triticale gave highest dry matter yield with an average vetch content of 23.5% under Adana conditions, while the seed mixture of 40% Vetch + 60% triticale gave the highest dry matter yield with an average vetch content of 10% under Kozan conditions. RYT values for the mentioned mixtures were 1.12 and 1.20, respectively. It was concluded that the above mixtures of vetch and triticale could be recommended for the locations in Adana and Kozan, respectively. © 2009 Academic Journals

Effects of genotype and 2,4,5-T concentrations on callus induction, shoot formation and plant regeneration from young inflorescences in orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.)

This study was carried out to determine the effects of MS medium supplemented with 2, 4, 6 and 8 mg l-1 of 2,4,5-T (2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid) on young inflorescences of five ecotypes of orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.). The results showed that there was a significant interaction between ecotypes and 2,4,5-T concentrations in all characteristics studied. Depending on the ecotypes, rate of callus induction (%), rate of shoot formation (%), callus weight (mg/per Petri dish) and number of regenerates per inflorescence segment varied and ranged 6.3-37.5%, 7.8-51.6%, 13.1- 115.4 mg and 0.3-1.1, respectively. Rates of callus induction and shoot formation as well as callus weight were also significantly influenced by the 2,4,5-T concentrations. The explants cultured on MS medium containing 4 mg-1 of 2,4,5-T showed highest callus induction rate of 53.8 % with callus weight of 170.4 mg/Petri dish and 1.6 shoots per explant. It was concluded that best regeneration from young inflorescence explant of orchardgrass (D. glomerata) could be obtained on MS medium containing 4 mg 1-1 of 2,4,5-T and the developed protocol will help in easy multiplication of orchard grass in future breeding studies