Effect of head decapitation and planting density on quality seed production of sprouting broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica L.)

A study was carried out to evaluate the effect of head decapitation and planting density on plant growth, seed yield and quality of sprouting broccoli, Brassica oleracea var. italica L. using cultivar ‘Green Head’. The twenty treatments comprised of combinations of four head decapitation methods viz., D1 (decapitation of primary head at appearance and harvesting seeds from secondary heads), D2 (decapitation of primary head at marketable stage and harvesting seeds from secondary heads), D3 (removal of secondary heads at appearance and harvesting seeds primary head) and ‘D4’ (No decapitation- control) and five planting densities viz., S1 (60x60 cm), S2 (60x45 cm), S3(45x45 cm), S4 (60x30 cm), and S5 (45x30 cm). Decapitation of primary head at appearance and harvesting seeds from secondary heads (D1) and planting density S3 (45x45 cm) independently as well as in combination gave highest seed yield per plot and per hectare. This combination was also found comparable to other combinations for other characters like days to 50% flowering, days to seed harvesting, plant height at harvesting (cm), number of branches per plant, number of siliqua per plant, siliqua length (cm), number of seeds per siliqua and seed quality parameters. Therefore, it is suggested that decapitation of primary head at appearance and harvesting seeds from secondary heads (D1) in combination with plant spacing of 45x45 cm i.e. D1S3 can be recommended for commercial seed production of sprouting broccoli

Diet and physical activity behaviors associated with weight maintenance in bariatric surgery patients

BACKGROUND: One of the most common long-term problems after bariatric surgery is weight regain, occurring between 18 and 24 months after surgery in 30% of patients.1 Weight regain after bariatric surgery supports the concept that obesity is a chronic, progressive disease that needs constant follow-up.2 To ensure long-term post-operative success, patients are recommended to adopt comprehensive lifestyle changes, which include adhering to a diet of at least 60-120 g/day of protein and engaging in mild exercise 20 min/day 3-4 days/week.3–7 Based on the current literature there is growing evidence that patients' health behaviors, including physical activity and protein intake, may play a significant role in weight loss and other postoperative outcomes.8–11 However, there is little long-term evidence for behaviors important for sustained weight loss following bariatric surgery. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our research initiative was to determine whether protein intake and physical activity have an effect on maintaining weight loss in patients who underwent bariatric surgery 1-2 years earlier. METHODS: Our study included 368 patients who underwent bariatric surgery at Boston Medical Center from 06/01/2016-05/31/2017. We extracted baseline clinical data from electronic medical records (EMR), including gender, self-identified race, weight, height, date of birth, date of enrollment in the bariatric surgery program, and surgery date. We also collected self-reported physical activity (calculated as active metabolic equivalent [MET]-hours) and 24-hour dietary recall information from patients who had this data available in their EMR at least 1-year post surgery (n=121, 80.2% female), and assessed weight status through 06/01/2019. We conducted a retrospective analysis to observe the association of lifestyle factors with weight maintenance post-bariatric surgery. Prevalence and odds ratio (OR) were calculated for % weight regain (<2% vs. ≥2%) by active MET-hours & percent protein in diet, with adjustment for age, gender, race, and time to nadir weight. We ran additional analysis to test the combined effect of physical activity and high protein diet by comparing percent weight regain in those consuming a low protein diet (with any activity level) to those consuming moderate-high protein & lower active METS-hour vs. moderate-high protein & higher active METS-hour. RESULTS: Our study implemented two novel ways to examine physical activity and dietary recalls in the context of bariatric surgery patients, and how they influenced percent weight regain of nadir weight. Our results show that patients had an average of 84.4 pounds of weight loss at 1-year post operation, the average nadir weight was 179.0 pounds. However, many participants experienced weight regain after achieving their nadir weight. In fact, the average weight regain was 5.8 pounds. Patients who had active MET-hours <1.5 (n=78) had an average of 5.77 pounds regained after reaching nadir weight, compared to patients who had an active MET-hour ≥1.5 (n=43) who had an average of 5.89 pounds regained. But after adjusting for age, gender, and race, those who were less active (active MET-hours <1.5) did not have significantly higher odds of gaining more that 2% of their nadir weight back during out follow-up period (OR = 0.71 [CI 0.32-1.60]). Protein intake was defined as either a low protein intake (<26.7% protein of total diet) or moderate-high protein intake (≥26.7% protein of total diet). A patient consuming a low protein diet had 2.71 (CI 1.16 – 5.29) times the odds gaining ≥ 2% of their weight back from nadir compared to patients who consumed a moderate-high protein diet, after adjusting for age, sex, and race (p-value <0.05). After adjustments, those with moderate-high protein and low activity had 1.84 (CI 0.69-4.94) times the odds of ≥2% weight regain of nadir weight compared to patients who were moderate-high protein and higher activity, which, although not statistically significant, may be an important relationship to explore further. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that consuming a moderate-high protein diet while engaging in physical activity tend to gain less weight after bariatric surgery in comparison to consuming less protein. There is also some evidence that those achieving moderate-high protein levels see an added benefit on weight maintenance if they are physically active. Future prospective longitudinal studies and strategies are needed to investigate implications further and define the magnitude of the association between protein intake, physical activity and bariatric surgery, as well as targeting various demographic subpopulations who might stand to benefit more from certain lifestyle interventions post-bariatric surgery

Successful Percutaneous Management of LVAD Outflow Graft Stenosis: Role of Invasive Hemodynamics in Decision Making

Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) outflow graft stenosis (OGS) is a rare but lethal complication. We present a case of a 79-year-old male with pertinent past medical history of an LVAD implanted as destination therapy, stage III chronic kidney disease, and hypertension. He was admitted for low-flow alarms, and the echocardiogram showed stable right ventricle function and no pericardial effusion. Invasive hemodynamic assessments demonstrated a peak-to-peak gradient of 90 mm Hg in the outflow graft between the mid and distal ends of the graft on pullback. Contrast angiography confirmed OGS. The OGS was successfully treated with a VBX-covered stent (Gore). OGS should be considered when low flow alarms are found in patients with LVADs

Mapping India's Energy Policy 2022

Carefully designed energy support measures—subsidies, public utilities' investments, and public finance institutions' lending—and government's energy revenues play a key role in India's transition to clean energy and reaching net-zero emissions by 2070. Looking at how the Government of India has supported different types of energy from FY 2014 to FY 2021, the study aims to improve transparency, create accountability, and encourage a responsible shift in support away from fossil fuels and toward clean energy.Mapping India's Energy Subsidies 2022 covers India's subsidies to fossil fuels, electricity transmission and distribution, renewable energy, and electric vehicles between fiscal year (FY) 2014 and FY 2021.We found that fossil fuels continue to receive far more subsidies than clean energy in India. This disparity became even more pronounced from FY 2020 to FY 2021, going from 7.3 times to 9 times the amount of subsidies to renewables

Comparative Prospective Study Reporting Intraoperative Parameters, Pedicle Screw Perforation, and Radiation Exposure in Navigation-Guided versus Non-navigated Fluoroscopy-Assisted Minimal Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion

Study DesignProspective cohort study.PurposeTo compare intraoperative parameters, radiation exposure, and pedicle screw perforation rate in navigation-guided versus non-navigated fluoroscopy-assisted minimal invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS TLIF).Overview of LiteratureThe poor reliability of fluoroscopy-guided instrumentation and growing concerns about radiation exposure have led to the development of navigation-guided instrumentation techniques in MIS TLIF. The literature evaluating the efficacy of navigation-guided MIS TLIF is scant.MethodsEighty-seven patients underwent navigation- or fluoroscopy-guided MIS TLIF for symptomatic lumbar/lumbosacral spondylolisthesis. Demographics, intraoperative parameters (surgical time, blood loss), and radiation exposure (sec/mGy/Gy.cm2 noted from C-arm for comparison only) were recorded. Computed tomography was performed in patients in the navigation and non-navigation groups at postoperative 12 months and reviewed by an independent observer to assess the accuracy of screw placement, perforation incidence, location, grade (Mirza), and critical versus non-critical neurological implications.ResultsTwenty-seven patients (male/female, 11/16; L4–L5/L5–S1, 9/18) were operated with navigation-guided MIS TLIF, whereas 60 (male/female, 25/35; L4–L5/L5–S1, 26/34) with conventional fluoroscopy-guided MIS TILF. The use of navigation resulted in reduced fluoroscopy usage (dose area product, 0.47 Gy.cm2 versus 2.93 Gy.cm2), radiation exposure (1.68 mGy versus 10.97 mGy), and fluoroscopy time (46.5 seconds versus 119.08 seconds), with p-values of <0.001. Furthermore, 96.29% (104/108) of pedicle screws in the navigation group were accurately placed (grade 0) (4 breaches, all grade I) compared with 91.67% (220/240) in the non-navigation group (20 breaches, 16 grade I+4 grade II; p=0.114). None of the breaches resulted in a corresponding neurological deficit or required revision.ConclusionsNavigation guidance in MIS TLIF reduced radiation exposure, but the perforation status was not statistically different than that for the fluoroscopy-based technique. Thus, navigation in nondeformity cases is useful for significantly reducing the radiation exposure, but its ability to reduce pedicle screw perforation in nondeformity cases remains to be proven

Minimally Invasive Microscope-Assisted Stand-Alone Transarticular Screw Fixation without Gallie Supplementation in the Management of Mobile Atlantoaxial Instability

Study Design Retrospective study. Purpose To evaluate the clinico-radiological efficacy of stand-alone minimally invasive transarticular screw (MIS-TAS) fixation without supplemental Gallie fixation in the management of mobile C1–C2 instability. Overview of Literature Data evaluating the efficacy and feasibility of MIS-TAS in the literature is scanty. Methods Patients with mobile atlantoaxial instability and >2 years follow-up were included and managed by stand-alone TAS fixation using the Magerl technique and morselized allograft without additional fixation. Patient demographics and intra-operative parameters were noted. Clinical parameters (Visual Analog Scale [VAS] and Oswestry Disability Index [ODI]), neurology (modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association [mJOA]), and radiological factors (anterior atlanto-dens interval and space available for cord) were evaluated pre and postoperatively. Computed tomography (CT) was performed in patients who did not show interspinous fusion on X-ray at 1 year, to verify intra-articular fusion. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS ver. 20.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA); the Student t-test and analysis of variance were used to assess statistical significance (p <0.05). Results A total of 82 consecutive cases (three males, one female; mean age, 36.26±5.78 years) were evaluated. In total, 163 TASs were placed. Significant improvement was noticed in clinical (mean preoperative VAS=7.2±2.19, postoperative VAS=3.3±1.12; mean preoperative ODI=78.3±4.83, postoperative ODI=34.05±3.26) and neurological features (mean preoperative mJOA=14.73±2.68, postoperative mJOA=17.5±2.21). Radiological evidence of fusion was noted in 97.5% cases at final follow-up. Seventeen patients were found to have no interspinous fusions upon X-rays, but CT revealed facet fusion in all patients except in two. Inadvertent vertebral artery injury was noted in three cases. Conclusions Stand-alone TAS fixation with morselized allograft provides excellent radiological and clinical outcomes. The addition of a supplementary tension band and structural graft are not essential. This provides the opportunity to avoid the complications associated with graft harvesting and wiring

iSupport : a WHO global online intervention for informal caregivers of people with dementia

In 2015, it was estimated that worldwide 47 million people had dementia, increasing to 75 million in 2030 and 132 million by 2050. Nearly 9.9 million people are expected to develop dementia each year, which translates to one new case every three seconds. While dementia occurs across all levels of socioeconomic status, nearly 60% of people with dementia currently live in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) and most new cases (71%) are expected to occur in those countries. The majority of people with dementia in those countries do not have access to care and support