Impact of some herbicides on the growth and the yield of common vetch (Vicia sativa L.)

Received: January 23rd, 2023 ; Accepted: April 2nd, 2023 ; Published: April 27th, 2023 ; Correspondence: [email protected] production and use of common vetch has great potential, but the lack of approved pesticides makes the success of cultivation difficult and unpredictable. The research was carried out on sandy soil at the Nyíregyháza Research Institute of the University of Debrecen in Hungary in April 2022. Five different herbicides, pendimethalin, metolachlor, flumioxazin, bentazon in doses 5 L ha-1 , 1.4 L ha-1 , 0.06 kg ha-1 , 2 L ha-1 , respectively, and imazamox in four different doses (0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 1.2 L ha-1 ) were applied with the consideration of the ranges specified in the Hungarian legislation. The results showed that the highest NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) values were obtained with flumioxazin compared to the other treatments. The maximum harvested seed yield (194.1 kg ha-1 ) was obtained with the application of flumioxazin compared to the control treatment (132.5 kg ha-1 ). Flumioxazin was also the best as it had the fewest weeds per plot and the lowest phytotoxicity score. Although pendimethalin approached the cleaned and harvested average seed yield of the control plots with 121.3 kg ha-1 , it did not feature prominently in the other indicators. With regard to plant trash after cleaning of vetch seed, the highest plant trash (179.4 kg ha-1 ) was obtained with bentazon. Pendimethalin had the highest percentage ratio between seed yield ha-1 and plant trash ha-1 (61.8%), followed by flumioxazin (60.7%). The results also showed that there was a positive correlation between NDVI values and seed yield and a positive correlation between NDVI values and plant trash, while there was a negative correlation at the 0.01 level between NDVI values and phytotoxicity

Assessing the quality of reports of randomized trials in pediatric complementary and alternative medicine

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the quality of reports of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in the pediatric population. We also examined whether there was a change in the quality of reporting over time. METHODS: We used a systematic sample of 251 reports of RCTs that used a CAM intervention. The quality of each report was assessed using the number of CONSORT checklist items included, the frequency of unclear allocation concealment, and a 5-point quality assessment instrument. RESULTS: Nearly half (40%) of the CONSORT checklist items were included in the reports, with an increase in the number of items included. The majority (81.3%) of RCTs reported unclear allocation concealment with no significant change over time. The quality of reports achieved approximately 40% of their maximum possible total score as assessed with the Jadad scale with no change over time. Information regarding adverse events was reported in less than one quarter of the RCTs (22%) and information regarding costs was mentioned in only a minority of reports (4%). CONCLUSIONS: RCTs are an important tool for evidence based health care decisions. If these studies are to be relevant in the evaluation of CAM interventions it is important that they are conducted and reported with the highest possible standards. There is a need to redouble efforts to ensure that children and their families are participating in RCTs that are conducted and reported with minimal bias. Such studies will increase their usefulness to a board spectrum of interested stakeholders

Assessing the quality of reports of systematic reviews in pediatric complementary and alternative medicine

OBJECTIVE: To examine the quality of reports of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) systematic reviews in the pediatric population. We also examined whether there were differences in the quality of reports of a subset of CAM reviews compared to reviews using conventional interventions. METHODS: We assessed the quality of reports of 47 CAM systematic reviews and 19 reviews evaluating a conventional intervention. The quality of each report was assessed using a validated 10-point scale. RESULTS: Authors were particularly good at reporting: eligibility criteria for including primary studies, combining the primary studies for quantitative analysis appropriately, and basing their conclusions on the data included in the review. Reviewers were weak in reporting: how they avoided bias in the selection of primary studies, and how they evaluated the validity of the primary studies. Overall the reports achieved 43% (median = 3) of their maximum possible total score. The overall quality of reporting was similar for CAM reviews and conventional therapy ones. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence based health care continues to make important contributions to the well being of children. To ensure the pediatric community can maximize the potential use of these interventions, it is important to ensure that systematic reviews are conducted and reported at the highest possible quality. Such reviews will be of benefit to a broad spectrum of interested stakeholders

Acupuncture for osteoarthritis of the knee: A systematic review

Objective. To evaluate trials of acupuncture for osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee, to assess the methodologic quality of the trials and determine whether low-quality trials are associated with positive outcomes, to document adverse effects, to identify patient or treatment characteristics associated with positive response, and to identify areas of future research. Methods. Eight databases and 62 conference abstract series were searched. Randomized or quasi-randomized trials of all languages were included and evaluated for methodologic quality using the Jadad scale. Outcomes were pain, function, global improvement, and imaging. Data could not be pooled; therefore, a best-evidence synthesis was performed to determine the strength of evidence by control group. The adequacy of the acupuncture procedure was assessed by 2 acupuncturists trained in treating OA and blinded to study results. Results. Seven trials representing 393 patients with knee OA were identified. For pain and function, there was limited evidence that acupuncture is more effective than being on a waiting list for treatment or having treatment as usual. For pain, there was strong evidence that real acupuncture is more effective than sham acupuncture; however, for function, there was inconclusive evidence that real acupuncture is more effective than sham acupuncture. There was insufficient evidence to determine whether the efficacy of acupuncture is similar to that of other treatments. Conclusion. The existing evidence suggests that acupuncture may play a role in the treatment of knee OA. Future research should define an optimal acupuncture treatment, measure quality of life, and assess acupuncture combined with other modalities.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Clinical decisions in the use of acupuncture as an adjunctive therapy for osteoarthritis of the knee

Objective • To determine whether demographic, medical history, or arthritis assessment data may influence outcome and rate of decay for patients with osteoarthritis treated with acupuncture. Design • Seventy-three persons with symptomatic osteoarthritis of the knee were recruited for this randomized controlled trial. Both treatment and crossover control groups received acupuncture treatments twice weekly for 8 weeks. Patients self-scored on the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and the Lequesne Algofunctional Index at baseline and 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Sample size for this outcomes analysis was 60 patients at 4 weeks, 58 at 8 weeks, and 52 at 12 weeks. Results • Patients' scores on both indexes improved at 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Scores were stable regardless of the baseline severity of the osteoarthritis. Despite some decay in outcomes at week 12, measures were significantly improved over baseline. With WOMAC scores partitioned into equal quartiles, a strong effect on outcome was apparent at 12 weeks (4 weeks after treatment) related to initial WOMAC scores. The group with the least disability and pain rebounded to original levels to a greater degree than did those who initially were more disabled. The more disabled groups retained the benefits of acupuncture treatment through the 12-week period. Conclusion • Acupuncture for patients with osteoarthritis of the knee may best be used early in the treatment plan, with a methodical decrease in frequency in treatment once the acute treatment period is completed to avoid a rebound effect. Demographic and medical history data were not mediating variables.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Quality of Cochrane reviews: assessment of sample from 1998

Objective: To assess the quality of Cochrane reviews. Design: Ten methodologists affiliated with the Cochrane Collaboration independently examined, in a semistructured way, the quality of reviews first published in 1998. Each review was assessed by two people; if one of them noted any major problems, they agreed on a common assessment. Predominant types of problem were categorised. Setting: Cyberspace collaboration coordinated from the Nordic Cochrane Centre. Studies: All 53 reviews first published in issue 4 of the Cochrane Library in 1998. Main outcome measure: Proportion of reviews with various types of major problem. Results: No problems or only minor ones were found in most reviews. Major problems were identified in 15 reviews (29%). The evidence did not fully support the conclusion in nine reviews (17%), the conduct or reporting was unsatisfactory in 12 reviews (23%), and stylistic problems were identified in 12 reviews (23%). The problematic conclusions all gave too favourable a picture of the experimental intervention. Conclusions: Cochrane reviews have previously been shown to be of higher quality and less biased on average than other systematic reviews, but improvement is always possible. The Cochrane Collaboration has taken steps to improve editorial processes and the quality of its reviews. Meanwhile, the Cochrane Library remains a key source of evidence about the effects of healthcare interventions. Its users should interpret reviews cautiously, particularly those with conclusions favouring experimental interventions and those with many typographical errors

A randomized trial of acupuncture as an adjunctive therapy in osteoarthritis of the knee

Objective. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of acupuncture as an adjunctive therapy to standard care for the relief of pain and dysfunction in elderly patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. Methods. Seventy-three patients with symptomatic OA of the knee were randomly assigned to treatment (acupuncture) or standard care (control). Analysis was performed on last score carried forward to account for patients who dropped out before completion. Patients self-scored Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and Lequesne indices at baseline and at 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Patients in the control group were offered acupuncture treatment after 12 weeks. The data for these patients are pooled with those from the original acupuncture group for within-group analysis. Results. Patients randomized to acupuncture improved on both WOMAC and Lequesne indices compared to those who received standard treatment alone. Significant differences on total WOMAC Scale were seen at 4 and 8 weeks. There appears to be a slight decline in effect at 4 weeks after cessation of treatment (12 weeks after first treatment). No adverse effects of acupuncture were reported. Conclusion. These data suggest that acupuncture is an effective and safe adjunctive therapy to conventional care for patients with OA of the knee.link_to_subscribed_fulltex