EFFECT OF SEVERITY OF PRUNING ON GROWTH, YIELD AND SURVIVABILITY OF PIGEON PEA (Cajanus cajan) IN PIGEON PEA/PEPPER ALLEY CROPPING

A study was conducted at the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria to determine the effect ofseverity of pruning on performance and survival of pigeon pea and fruit yield of pepper in a pigeonpea/pepper alley cropping. Six treatments arranged in randomized complete block design include pigeonpea pruned to 25 cm, 50 cm, 75 cm and 100 cm above the soil, un-pruned (check) and solepepper plot. In 2007, pruning of pigeon pea was done on 6th of August- at 12 WAP (weeks after planting)across all pruned treatments. This was repeated in pigeon pea pruned to 75 cm and 100 cm at 19WAP (27th September), and partially on treatment cut to 50 cm at 22 WAP (18thOctober) in 2007. In2008 pruning across all treatments was carried out once at 17 WAP on 6th October. The total prunings,days to 50% flowering, height at flowering, grain yield percentage survival of pigeon pea were significantlydifferent (p<0.05). Pigeon pea flowering was 6 -21 days and 25-46 days earlier (p<0.05) in theun–pruned plot relative to other treatments in the two years. Pigeon pea pruned to 25 cm had the least(p<0.05) percentage survival. Grain yield was highest in un-pruned plot and least in plot pruned to 25cm. Pruning pigeon pea to 50 cm above the soil was the best in terms of combining fresh fruit yield ofpepper, with optimum pruning biomass, early flowering, grain yield and survivability of pigeon pea

Lateral grating DFB AlGaInN laser diodes for optical communications and atomic clocks

AlGaInN laser diode technology is of considerable interest for telecom applications and next generation atomic optical clocks based on Sr (by using 422nm & 461nm) and Rb at 420.2nm.Very narrow linewidths (<1MHz) are required for such applications. We report lateral gratings on AlGaInN ridge waveguide laser diodes to achieve a single wavelength device with a good side mode suppression ratio (SMSR) that is suitable for atomic clock and telecom applications

Feasibility of familial PSA screening: psychosocial issues and screening adherence

This study examined factors that predict psychological morbidity and screening adherence in first-degree relatives (FDRs) taking part in a familial PSA screening study. Prostate cancer patients (index cases – ICs) who gave consent for their FDRs to be contacted for a familial PSA screening study to contact their FDRs were also asked permission to invite these FDRs into a linked psychosocial study. Participants were assessed on measures of psychological morbidity (including the General Health Questionnaire; Cancer Worry Scale; Health Anxiety Questionnaire; Impact of Events Scale); and perceived benefits and barriers, knowledge; perceived risk/susceptibility; family history; and socio-demographics. Of 255 ICs, 155 (61%) consented to their FDRs being contacted. Of 207 FDRs approached, 128 (62%) consented and completed questionnaires. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that health anxiety, perceived risk and subjective stress predicted higher cancer worry (P=0.05). Measures of psychological morbidity did not predict screening adherence. Only past screening behaviour reliably predicted adherence to familial screening (P=0.05). First-degree relatives entering the linked familial PSA screening programme do not, in general, have high levels of psychological morbidity. However, a small number of men exhibited psychological distress

Post-diagnosis physical activity and sedentary behaviour and colorectal cancer prognosis: A Global Cancer Update Programme (CUP Global) systematic literature review and meta-analysis

\ua9 2024 The Authors. International Journal of Cancer published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of UICC. Low physical activity and high sedentary behaviour have been clearly linked with colorectal cancer development, yet data on their potential role in colorectal cancer survival is limited. Better characterisation of these relationships is needed for the development of post-diagnosis physical activity and sedentary behaviour guidance for colorectal cancer survivors. We searched PubMed and Embase through 28 February 2022 for studies assessing post-diagnosis physical activity, and/or sedentary behaviour in relation to all-cause and cause-specific mortality and recurrence after colorectal cancer diagnosis. Total and recreational physical activity were assessed overall and by frequency, duration, intensity, and volume using categorical, linear, and non-linear dose–response random-effects meta-analyses. The Global Cancer Update Programme (CUP Global) independent Expert Committee on Cancer Survivorship and Expert Panel interpreted and graded the likelihood of causality. We identified 16 observational studies on 82,220 non-overlapping patients from six countries. Physical activity was consistently inversely associated with colorectal cancer morbidity and mortality outcomes, with 13%–60% estimated reductions in risk. Sedentary behaviour was positively associated with all-cause mortality. The evidence had methodological limitations including potential confounding, selection bias and reverse causation, coupled with a limited number of studies for most associations. The CUP Global Expert panel concluded limited-suggestive evidence for recreational physical activity with all-cause mortality and cancer recurrence. Total physical activity and its specific domains and dimensions, and sedentary behaviour were all graded as limited-no conclusion for all outcomes. Future research should focus on randomised trials, while observational studies should obtain objective and repeated physical activity measures and better adjustment for confounders

Post‐diagnosis dietary factors, supplement use and colorectal cancer prognosis: A Global Cancer Update Programme ( CUP Global) systematic literature review and meta‐analysis

The role of diet in colorectal cancer prognosis is not well understood and specific lifestyle recommendations are lacking. We searched for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and longitudinal observational studies on post‐diagnosis dietary factors, supplement use and colorectal cancer survival outcomes in PubMed and Embase from inception until 28th February 2022. Random‐effects dose–response meta‐analyses were conducted when at least three studies had sufficient information. The evidence was interpreted and graded by the CUP Global independent Expert Committee on Cancer Survivorship and Expert Panel. Five RCTs and 35 observational studies were included (30,242 cases, over 8700 all‐cause and 2100 colorectal cancer deaths, 3700 progression, recurrence, or disease‐free events). Meta‐analyses, including 3–10 observational studies each, were conducted for: whole grains, nuts/peanuts, red and processed meat, dairy products, sugary drinks, artificially sweetened beverages, coffee, alcohol, dietary glycaemic load/index, insulin load/index, marine omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, supplemental calcium, circulating 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) and all‐cause mortality; for alcohol, supplemental calcium, circulating 25(OH)D and colorectal cancer‐specific mortality; and for circulating 25(OH)D and recurrence/disease‐free survival. The overall evidence was graded as ‘limited’. The inverse associations between healthy dietary and/or lifestyle patterns (including diets that comprised plant‐based foods), whole grains, total, caffeinated, or decaffeinated coffee and all‐cause mortality and the positive associations between unhealthy dietary patterns, sugary drinks and all‐cause mortality provided ‘limited—suggestive’ evidence. All other exposure‐outcome associations provided ‘limited—no conclusion’ evidence. Additional, well‐conducted cohort studies and carefully designed RCTs are needed to develop specific lifestyle recommendations for colorectal cancer survivors

Post-diagnosis adiposity and colorectal cancer prognosis: A Global Cancer Update Programme (CUP Global) systematic literature review and meta-analysis

\ua9 2024 The Authors. International Journal of Cancer published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of UICC. The adiposity influence on colorectal cancer prognosis remains poorly characterised. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis on post-diagnosis adiposity measures (body mass index [BMI], waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, weight) or their changes and colorectal cancer outcomes. PubMed and Embase were searched through 28 February 2022. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted when at least three studies had sufficient information. The quality of evidence was interpreted and graded by the Global Cancer Update Programme (CUP Global) independent Expert Committee on Cancer Survivorship and Expert Panel. We reviewed 124 observational studies (85 publications). Meta-analyses were possible for BMI and all-cause mortality, colorectal cancer-specific mortality, and cancer recurrence/disease-free survival. Non-linear meta-analysis indicated a reverse J-shaped association between BMI and colorectal cancer outcomes (nadir at BMI 28 kg/m2). The highest risk, relative to the nadir, was observed at both ends of the BMI distribution (18 and 38 kg/m2), namely 60% and 23% higher risk for all-cause mortality; 95% and 26% for colorectal cancer-specific mortality; and 37% and 24% for cancer recurrence/disease-free survival, respectively. The higher risk with low BMI was attenuated in secondary analyses of RCTs (compared to cohort studies), among studies with longer follow-up, and in women suggesting potential methodological limitations and/or altered physiological state. Descriptively synthesised studies on other adiposity-outcome associations of interest were limited in number and methodological quality. All the associations were graded as limited (likelihood of causality: no conclusion) due to potential methodological limitations (reverse causation, confounding, selection bias). Additional well-designed observational studies and interventional trials are needed to provide further clarification

No Association of Xenotropic Murine Leukemia Virus-Related Viruses with Prostate Cancer

BACKGROUND: The association of the xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus (XMRV) with prostate cancer continues to receive heightened attention as studies report discrepant XMRV prevalences ranging from zero up to 23%. It is unclear if differences in the diagnostic testing, disease severity, geography, or other factors account for the discordant results. We report here the prevalence of XMRV in a population with well-defined prostate cancers and RNase L polymorphism. We used broadly reactive PCR and Western blot (WB) assays to detect infection with XMRV and related murine leukemia viruses (MLV). METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We studied specimens from 162 US patients diagnosed with prostate cancer with a intermediate to advanced stage (Gleason Scores of 5-10; moderate (46%) poorly differentiated tumors (54%)). Prostate tissue DNA was tested by PCR assays that detect XMRV and MLV variants. To exclude contamination with mouse DNA, we also designed and used a mouse-specific DNA PCR test. Detailed phylogenetic analysis was used to infer evolutionary relationships. RNase L typing showed that 9.3% were homozygous (QQ) for the R462Q RNase L mutation, while 45.6% and 45.1% were homozygous or heterozygous, respectively. Serologic testing was performed by a WB test. Three of 162 (1.9%) prostate tissue DNA were PCR-positive for XMRV and had undetectable mouse DNA. None was homozygous for the QQ mutation. Plasma from all three persons was negative for viral RNA by RT-PCR. All 162 patients were WB negative. Phylogenetic analysis inferred a distinct XMRV. CONCLUSIONS AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE: We found a very low prevalence of XMRV in prostate cancer patients. Infection was confirmed by phylogenetic analysis and absence of contaminating mouse DNA. The finding of undetectable antibodies and viremia in all three patients may reflect latent infection. Our results do not support an association of XMRV or MLV variants with prostate cancer