Preliminary report on placental scanning by the use of human serum albumin labelled with 99th TC

No Abstract

The value of using patient-reported outcomes for health screening during long-term follow-up after paediatric stem cell transplantation for nonmalignant diseases

Introduction: The assessment of using patient-reported outcomes (PROs) within comprehensive care follow-up programmes, specifically focused on health screening, remains largely unexplored. PROs were implemented in our late effects and comprehensive care programme after paediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for nonmalignant diseases. The programme focuses solely on screening of physical and mental health and on discussing PROs during the consultation. Methods: The primary method of this study was semistructured interviews to explore the perspective of both patients and healthcare providers' (HCP) on the use of PROs, which were thematically analyzed. Additionally, an explorative quantitative approach with patient-reported experience measures (PREMS) was used, with a pretest–posttest design, to assess whether the use of PROs was accompanied by more patient-centred care. Results: From the patient-interviews (N = 15) four themes were extracted: use of PROs (1) help to discuss topics; (2) make the patients feel understood; (3) create a moment of self-reflection; and (4) make consultations more efficient. Pre- and postimplementation analysis of PREMs (N = 40) did not show significant differences in terms of patient-centeredness. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate the added value of integrating PROs for health screening purposes within the long-term follow-up programme after paediatric HSCT, as perceived by both patient and HCP. With the active use of PROs, patients are stimulated to consciously assess their health status. Patient Contribution: This study included patients as participants. Caregivers were approached if patients were below a certain age. Additionally, preliminary results were shared with all patients (including nonparticipants) during a patient conference day.</p

Safety and efficacy of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine (AZD1222) against SARS-CoV-2: an interim analysis of four randomised controlled trials in Brazil, South Africa, and the UK.

BACKGROUND: A safe and efficacious vaccine against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), if deployed with high coverage, could contribute to the control of the COVID-19 pandemic. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine in a pooled interim analysis of four trials. METHODS: This analysis includes data from four ongoing blinded, randomised, controlled trials done across the UK, Brazil, and South Africa. Participants aged 18 years and older were randomly assigned (1:1) to ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine or control (meningococcal group A, C, W, and Y conjugate vaccine or saline). Participants in the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 group received two doses containing 5 × 1010 viral particles (standard dose; SD/SD cohort); a subset in the UK trial received a half dose as their first dose (low dose) and a standard dose as their second dose (LD/SD cohort). The primary efficacy analysis included symptomatic COVID-19 in seronegative participants with a nucleic acid amplification test-positive swab more than 14 days after a second dose of vaccine. Participants were analysed according to treatment received, with data cutoff on Nov 4, 2020. Vaccine efficacy was calculated as 1 - relative risk derived from a robust Poisson regression model adjusted for age. Studies are registered at ISRCTN89951424 and ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04324606, NCT04400838, and NCT04444674. FINDINGS: Between April 23 and Nov 4, 2020, 23 848 participants were enrolled and 11 636 participants (7548 in the UK, 4088 in Brazil) were included in the interim primary efficacy analysis. In participants who received two standard doses, vaccine efficacy was 62·1% (95% CI 41·0-75·7; 27 [0·6%] of 4440 in the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 group vs71 [1·6%] of 4455 in the control group) and in participants who received a low dose followed by a standard dose, efficacy was 90·0% (67·4-97·0; three [0·2%] of 1367 vs 30 [2·2%] of 1374; pinteraction=0·010). Overall vaccine efficacy across both groups was 70·4% (95·8% CI 54·8-80·6; 30 [0·5%] of 5807 vs 101 [1·7%] of 5829). From 21 days after the first dose, there were ten cases hospitalised for COVID-19, all in the control arm; two were classified as severe COVID-19, including one death. There were 74 341 person-months of safety follow-up (median 3·4 months, IQR 1·3-4·8): 175 severe adverse events occurred in 168 participants, 84 events in the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 group and 91 in the control group. Three events were classified as possibly related to a vaccine: one in the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 group, one in the control group, and one in a participant who remains masked to group allocation. INTERPRETATION: ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 has an acceptable safety profile and has been found to be efficacious against symptomatic COVID-19 in this interim analysis of ongoing clinical trials. FUNDING: UK Research and Innovation, National Institutes for Health Research (NIHR), Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Lemann Foundation, Rede D'Or, Brava and Telles Foundation, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Thames Valley and South Midland's NIHR Clinical Research Network, and AstraZeneca

Safety and efficacy of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine (AZD1222) against SARS-CoV-2: an interim analysis of four randomised controlled trials in Brazil, South Africa, and the UK

Background A safe and efficacious vaccine against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), if deployed with high coverage, could contribute to the control of the COVID-19 pandemic. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine in a pooled interim analysis of four trials. Methods This analysis includes data from four ongoing blinded, randomised, controlled trials done across the UK, Brazil, and South Africa. Participants aged 18 years and older were randomly assigned (1:1) to ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine or control (meningococcal group A, C, W, and Y conjugate vaccine or saline). Participants in the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 group received two doses containing 5 × 1010 viral particles (standard dose; SD/SD cohort); a subset in the UK trial received a half dose as their first dose (low dose) and a standard dose as their second dose (LD/SD cohort). The primary efficacy analysis included symptomatic COVID-19 in seronegative participants with a nucleic acid amplification test-positive swab more than 14 days after a second dose of vaccine. Participants were analysed according to treatment received, with data cutoff on Nov 4, 2020. Vaccine efficacy was calculated as 1 - relative risk derived from a robust Poisson regression model adjusted for age. Studies are registered at ISRCTN89951424 and ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04324606, NCT04400838, and NCT04444674. Findings Between April 23 and Nov 4, 2020, 23 848 participants were enrolled and 11 636 participants (7548 in the UK, 4088 in Brazil) were included in the interim primary efficacy analysis. In participants who received two standard doses, vaccine efficacy was 62·1% (95% CI 41·0–75·7; 27 [0·6%] of 4440 in the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 group vs71 [1·6%] of 4455 in the control group) and in participants who received a low dose followed by a standard dose, efficacy was 90·0% (67·4–97·0; three [0·2%] of 1367 vs 30 [2·2%] of 1374; pinteraction=0·010). Overall vaccine efficacy across both groups was 70·4% (95·8% CI 54·8–80·6; 30 [0·5%] of 5807 vs 101 [1·7%] of 5829). From 21 days after the first dose, there were ten cases hospitalised for COVID-19, all in the control arm; two were classified as severe COVID-19, including one death. There were 74 341 person-months of safety follow-up (median 3·4 months, IQR 1·3–4·8): 175 severe adverse events occurred in 168 participants, 84 events in the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 group and 91 in the control group. Three events were classified as possibly related to a vaccine: one in the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 group, one in the control group, and one in a participant who remains masked to group allocation. Interpretation ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 has an acceptable safety profile and has been found to be efficacious against symptomatic COVID-19 in this interim analysis of ongoing clinical trials

Herbicide resistance in weeds - A threat to effective chemical weed control in South Africa

Apart from the last 40 to 50 years, weed control In crops has always been a labour-intensive and time-consuming mechanical practice. Relief came in the form of chemical compounds that could control weeds, In particular selective herbicides. The development of highly effective selective herbicides has resulted in farmers becoming increasingly reliant on chemical weed control. Continuous application of herbicides with the same mode of action, however, selected for resistant mutations within weed populations to become dominant, rendering the herbicides less effective. Herbicide resistant weeds currently occur in 187 weed species distributed over 60 countries worldwide. South Africa is no exception and resistance in 15 weed species to herbicides in seven modes of action groups has been verified. This situation Is compelling farmers to consider alternative weed control strategies and cropping systems. The most effective strategy to manage resistant weeds would most probably be an integrated weed management program that does not rely on any one type of weed control method alone. Farmers will therefore have to adapt weed management systems and cropping systems to delay the onset of herbicide resistance or, if it is already present, to manage it effectively in order to keep future crop production profitable and sustainable.Articl

A.C.A.C.I.A. (A Case Against Controlling Introduced Acacias) - 19 years later

In 1977, Stubbings presented a paper titled 'A.C.A.C.I.A. (A Case Against Controlling Introduced Acacias)' at the Second National Weeds Conference. The paper dealt with the merits of introducing biological control agents against introduced acacias, but concentrated mainly on Acacia mearnsii and the conflict of interest caused by the intended release of biological control agents against it. In the same year Luckhoff commented on the paper and challenged some of the statements made by Stubbings. In this paper the arguments of both Stubbings and Luckhoff are reviewed in the context of developments in this field since 1977. Points that are considered include classification of plants as weeds, luxurious water consumption by invaders, necessary actions to be executed before introducing biological control agents, effectiveness of seed-eating insects and integrated control including alternative control measures. Acacia mearnsii and A. saligna are used as case studies to illustrate some of the points made in the paper. Finally an attempt is made to propose some measures to be implemented that can possibly prevent time consuming confrontations when conflicts of interest arise.Revie

The effect of mulching and fertilising on growth of over-sown grass species in degraded rangeland in north-eastern Ethiopia

A study to investigate oversowing of grass species as a restoration strategy in severely degraded rangeland was carried out in the Allaidege rangeland in north-eastern Ethiopia. Locally collected seeds of three grass species (Enteropogon rupestris, Ischaemum afrum and Tragus berteronianus) and imported seeds of three additional species (Cenchrus ciliaris, Chloris gayana and Panicum coloratum) were oversown in a severely degraded area of the rangeland to improve cover and grazing capacity of the rangeland. The effect of combinations of inorganic fertiliser, manure and grass mulch on the dry matter production of the grass species sown at 4 kg ha-1 in strips in a 10 m x 10 m plot was determined. The experiment was a randomised complete block design with eight factorially combined treatment combinations randomly applied and replicated three times. All the sown species showed significant positive responses to the mulch treatment, but not to the other treatments or treatment combinations. Ischaemum afrum and T. berteronianus produced significantly more dry matter (900 kg ha-1 and 800 kg ha-1, respectively) than the other species. The results emphasised the importance of mulching to restore degraded patches in arid and semi-arid environmental conditions. Copyright © NISC Pty Ltd.Articl

Effects of Artemisia afra leaf extracts on seed germination of selected crop and weed species

Herbicide resistance in weeds is a phenomenon threatening sustainable cereal production in the winter rainfall region of South Africa. Every possible weed control measure that may be used to complement chemical weed control measures should be investigated. The effect of aqueous leaf extracts of the aromatic shrub African wormwood (Artemisia afra) on germination of selected crop and weed species were investigated. The selected plant species included wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), herbicide resistant and non-resistant ryegrass (Lolium spp.), canola (Brassica napus) and lucerne (Medicago sativa). Various dilutions were investigated and the original extract was the most effective in inhibiting seed germination as compared to the inconclusive results from further dilutions. The original extract that completely inhibited seed germination in canola, had no significant negative effect on seed germination of wheat and lucerne. The reduction in seed germination of both the resistant and non-resistant ryegrass was highly significant, although there was no significant reduction in rate of germination. The different seed germination responses of the test species to an aqueous leaf extract of African wormwood raises the possibility of developing a bioherbicide from the extract.Articl