Adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.): A Case Study from Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh

An Integrated Pest Management (IPM) project was implemented in the cropping season 2006-07 in six villages of Guntur District. Survey was conducted in the six villages and all 150 chilli farmers participating in Crop Life India (CLI) sponsored IPM project were treated as a sample for the study. In the case of sucking pests, 56% of the farmers expressed that mites were an important pest. Among the fruit borers, a majority (83.33%) felt that Spodoptera litura was a serious problem and; among diseases, 56% opined die-back to be the major problem. More than twothirds of the respondents adopted all components of IPM, with the exception of bioagents where adoption was just 46%. 44% felt leaf spot was a major disease. Over 80% adopted border crops, trap crops, scouting techniques and mechanical-control measures. All the respondents followed 10-15 day pre-harvest interval of pesticide application as a measure for obtaining quality produce and better price. Problems of post-harvest pests and diseases were not observed in the case of well-dried chillies

Comparative study on functional outcome, complication and readmission rate in bilateral simultaneous versus staggered versus staged total knee replacement: a retrospective study

Background: An important source of debate in orthopaedic practices is the choice of performing simultaneously, staggered or staged bilateral total knee arthroplasty (BTKA). Many studies are available which compare bilateral simultaneous vs staged TKA in terms of functional outcome. But still there are no studies which include staggered BTKA (done in a single hospital stay) and compared their functional outcome, associated complication with a 90 days readmission rate.Methods: A retrospective review of 300 TKAs patients who underwent bilateral TKA. Patients were divided into three groups with 100 patients each in simultaneous, staggered, staged group. We use hospital electronic health records database to compare the complication and readmission rates in all three groups. Functional outcome was evaluated pre-operatively using knee society score (KSS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC), Oxford knee score, Kujala score and range of motion.Results: The study consists of 234 females and 66 males, among which maximum females were in a simultaneous group while male where more in staggered group. Mean age group in our study was 62.25%. ASA score of 3 was significantly more in staged group. Patient in the staggered group had a better KSS and Kujala score with better range of motion and less readmission and complication rate. Simultaneous BTKA had slightly higher complication rate.Conclusions: This study demonstrates that there is not big significant in functional outcome when comparing simultaneous, staged and staggered bilateral TKA, but still staggered group shows better postoperative functional outcome

Detection of total hip arthroplasty at airport securities

Background: In era of increased air travel, airport security screening measures has been increased. A lot of anxiety to the patient, that may trigger an alarm at airport securities post-surgery. The purpose of this study is to find out experiences of patients after total hip arthroplasty (THA) passing through airport security.  Methods: A retrospective case series of 269 THA patients in a single high-volume center from January 2016 to June 2018, who had passed through airport security and met inclusion criteria. Patient were contacted during their regular follow ups or via phone. The patients were asked for alarm trigger, perceived inconvenience, whether security officials asked to show documentation regarding prosthesis, and any extra screening procedures check measures.Results: Out of 269 patients, 52 patients met inclusion criteria travelling by airplane. 27 patients reported alarm trigger. 7 patients had to undergo additional security check measures. 43% of the patients believed that having their THA increased the inconvenience while traveling.  Conclusions: This study provides information to surgeons regarding airport travel post THA. Patients can be counselled regarding the inconvenience and to be prepared for delays in airport and to be prepared to present documentation of their prosthesis

Prevalence of cricket-related musculoskeletal pain among Indian junior club cricketers

Background: Cricket is the most commonly played sport in India. The number of children playing cricket are increasing. There is growing evidence that injury rates in junior cricketers are higher than professional cricketers. In India at the community level, there are no standardized specific cricket injury prevention programmes (CIPP) which reduce injury risk. Minimal data is available from Asian countries, especially on junior cricketers. Our study is an attempt to focus on junior club cricketer injuries, plan safety precautions and emphasize role of CIPP.Methods: It was an observational study conducted on male junior club cricketers in the age group of 8-16 years. Based on a self-reported questionnaire, player’s physical status, training, injuries and their nature are assessed over a period of 12 months.Results: Over the study period 36 of 50 cricketers were symptomatic. The lower limb is the most frequently injured. Most common etiology is overuse. We found that the players are not following pre-training warm-up and post-training cool-down.Conclusions: CIPP should be implemented and strictly followed from the early stages of sports life. Pre-training warm-up and post-training cool-down should be included in their routine training. Overuse i.e. playing overtime and ignoring the pain during practice or match should be avoided. A supervised training and regular screening of players by orthopaedician or sports physician will keep them fit to play with full potential

Bilateral symmetrical periprosthetic (mirror) fractures of knee fixed with dual plating technique

AbstractIntroductionPeriprosthetic fracture following total knee arthroplasty is a potentially serious condition. Here we report a case of bilaterally symmetrical (mirror) fracture of supracondylar area following trivial trauma.Presentation of caseBoth fractures were OTA 33A2 and according to Rorabeck classification they were type II. Both fractures were fixed by dual plating technique using non locking plates. Intra operative fracture site biopsy revealed marked osteopenia and hence the patient was treated for osteoporosis.DiscussionBoth fractures united well at 14 weeks. At final follow up of 6 years there were no radiological signs of implant loosening and the patient was able to walk without any aids and had a range of 80° and 60° flexion in the right and left knees respectively.ConclusionWe conclude that in the pre locking plate's era such difficult case has been successfully managed by dual plating technique

Salvage of infected total knee arthroplasty with Ilizarov external fixator

Background: Knee arthrodesis may be the only option of treatment in cases of chronic infected total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with concomitant irreparable extensor mechanism disruption, extensive bone loss or severe systemic morbidities. Circular external fixation offers possible progressive adjustment to stimulate the bony fusion and to make corrections in alignment. We evaluated the results of knee arthrodesis with one or two stage circular external fixator for infected TKA. Materials and Methods: 16 cases of femoro-tibial fusion were retrospectively evaluated. Male-to-female ratio was 10:6. Mean age of the patients was 62.2 years. Cierney-Mader classification was used for anatomical and physiological evaluation while the bone stock deficiency was classified into mild, moderate and severe. Surgical technique involved either single or two stage arthrodesis using circular external fixator. Results: Union was achieved in 15 patients (93.75%). The mean duration for union (frame application time) in these patients was 28.33 weeks (range 22 to 36 weeks). Analysis showed that in the group with frame application time of less than 28 weeks, the incidence of mild to moderate bone deficiency was 83.33%, while in the frame application time more than 28 weeks group the incidence was 20% (P-value 0.034). Similarly the incidence of Cierney-Mader 4B (Bl, Bs, Bls) was found to be 33.33% in the group of frame application time of less than 28 weeks, while it was 90% in the group with frame application time more than 28 weeks (P-value 0.035). Conclusion: Circular external fixator is a safe and reliable method to achieve knee arthrodesis in cases of deep infection following TKA. Severe bone stock deficiency and Cierney- Mader type B host are likely risk factors for prolonged frame application time. We recommend a two-stage procedure especially when there is compromised host or severe bone loss