Twelve-month observational study of children with cancer in 41 countries during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction Childhood cancer is a leading cause of death. It is unclear whether the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted childhood cancer mortality. In this study, we aimed to establish all-cause mortality rates for childhood cancers during the COVID-19 pandemic and determine the factors associated with mortality. Methods Prospective cohort study in 109 institutions in 41 countries. Inclusion criteria: children <18 years who were newly diagnosed with or undergoing active treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, retinoblastoma, Wilms tumour, glioma, osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, medulloblastoma and neuroblastoma. Of 2327 cases, 2118 patients were included in the study. The primary outcome measure was all-cause mortality at 30 days, 90 days and 12 months. Results All-cause mortality was 3.4% (n=71/2084) at 30-day follow-up, 5.7% (n=113/1969) at 90-day follow-up and 13.0% (n=206/1581) at 12-month follow-up. The median time from diagnosis to multidisciplinary team (MDT) plan was longest in low-income countries (7 days, IQR 3-11). Multivariable analysis revealed several factors associated with 12-month mortality, including low-income (OR 6.99 (95% CI 2.49 to 19.68); p<0.001), lower middle income (OR 3.32 (95% CI 1.96 to 5.61); p<0.001) and upper middle income (OR 3.49 (95% CI 2.02 to 6.03); p<0.001) country status and chemotherapy (OR 0.55 (95% CI 0.36 to 0.86); p=0.008) and immunotherapy (OR 0.27 (95% CI 0.08 to 0.91); p=0.035) within 30 days from MDT plan. Multivariable analysis revealed laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR 5.33 (95% CI 1.19 to 23.84); p=0.029) was associated with 30-day mortality. Conclusions Children with cancer are more likely to die within 30 days if infected with SARS-CoV-2. However, timely treatment reduced odds of death. This report provides crucial information to balance the benefits of providing anticancer therapy against the risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children with cancer

The Effect of Grog Sizing on the Performance of Ire Ekiti Fire Clay Refractory Bricks

The effect of grog addition and size on the mechanical properties of ire Ekiti fireclay refractory brick composition has been investigated. Grog addition in the range of 20-60wt% and grain size of is − 3 + 2.3 mm with DTA indicating the endothermic and exothermic temperature for ikere kaolin as 518.8 o C and 986.4 o C and ire ball clay as 513.5 o C and 956.8o C have been added into the brick body composition, wet mixed, shaped, dried, and fired at 1200o C. The results indicated that as percentage grog increased bulk density, compressive strength and thermal shock of fired bricks increased, while water absorption, porosity and volume shrinkage of fired bricks decreased. The firing temperature of 1200o C also influenced the better bonds between the particles which improve the performance of fire clay bricks

Comparative Performance Evaluation of the Agricultural Development Programmes of Abia and Enugu States, Nigeria

This study evaluated the performance of Agricultural Development Programmes (ADPs) of Abia and Enugu states, Nigeria; with particular focus on extension services delivery in the study areas. The specific objectives of the study included to identify and compare the performance of the project in the two states with respect to extension service delivery. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 200 respondents made up of 40 extension staff and 60 farmers from each state. Data were obtained from both primary and secondary sources and analyzed using percentages and mean. A hypothesis was postulated and tested in this study using Paired T-test analysis. The results revealed that despite inherent funding problems in ADPs in Nigeria, the two states ADPs were able to carry out some extension activities. These included visits to farmers, conduct of SPATs, and conduct of FNTs/MTs, establishment of MTPs and OFARs among others. Abia ADP had better staff disposition and media coverage than Enugu ADP, A little effort from Abia ADP field staff had a multiplying effect and yielded a higher result as more farm families were reached unlike Enugu ADP that had few field staff and thus achieved very little of their target coverage. Results of the analysis showed that out of the 11 extension performance indices measured in the two States ADPs, three showed significant difference at 5% significance level in the performance of Abia and Enugu states ADPs. They are number of extension agents (6.676**), farm visits (5.984**) and monthly review meetings (MTRM) (4.588**). In view of this result, the study therefore recommended that government should make haste to employ better trained extension staff to enhance extension service delivery in Enugu State. This will speedily revive and sustain grassroots’ agricultural production and rural development in the state.Key words: Evaluation of Extension programmes, Agricultural Development Programmes, Extension Service Delivery

Biological, environmental and socioeconomic threats to citrus lime production

Limes as a fruit crop are of great economic importance, key to Asian and South American cuisines and cultivated in nearlyall tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Demand for limes is increasing, driven by World Health Organizationrecommendations. Pests and pathogens have significantly reduced global productivity, while changes in agronomictechniques aim to alleviate this stress. We present here a holistic examination of the major biotic (pests and pathogens) andabiotic (environment and socioeconomic) factors that presently limit global production of lime. The major producers oflimes are India, China and Mexico, while loss of lime production in the United States from 2006 has led many countries inthe Western Hemisphere (Mexico, Costa Rica and Brazil) to export primarily to the USA. The most widespread inver-tebrate pests of lime areToxoptera citricidaandScirtothrips citri. Another insect,Diaphorina citri, vectors both Huan-glongbing (HLB) and Witches Broom of Lime, which are particularly destructive diseases. Developing agronomictechniques focus on production of resistant and pathogen-free planting materials and control of insect vectors. HLB infectscitrus in nearly all growing regions, and has been particularly devastating in Asian citrus. Meanwhile,Citrus tristeza virushas infected over 100 million citrus trees, mainly in the Americas and Mediterranean. Currently, Witches Broom Disease ofLime is localised to the Middle East, but recently it has been detected in South America. The range of its vectors (D. citriandHishimonus phycitis) further raises concerns about the potential spread of this disease. Abiotic threats to limeproduction are also a significant concern; key areas of lime production such as Mexico, India and the Middle East sufferfrom increasing water stress and high soil salinity, which combined with invasive pests and pathogens, may eliminate limeproduction in these areas. To ensure future security in lime production, policy makers, researchers and growers will need toexamine the potential of more resistant lime cultivars and establish novel areas of cultivation