Utilisation of an operative difficulty grading scale for laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Background A reliable system for grading operative difficulty of laparoscopic cholecystectomy would standardise description of findings and reporting of outcomes. The aim of this study was to validate a difficulty grading system (Nassar scale), testing its applicability and consistency in two large prospective datasets. Methods Patient and disease-related variables and 30-day outcomes were identified in two prospective cholecystectomy databases: the multi-centre prospective cohort of 8820 patients from the recent CholeS Study and the single-surgeon series containing 4089 patients. Operative data and patient outcomes were correlated with Nassar operative difficultly scale, using Kendall’s tau for dichotomous variables, or Jonckheere–Terpstra tests for continuous variables. A ROC curve analysis was performed, to quantify the predictive accuracy of the scale for each outcome, with continuous outcomes dichotomised, prior to analysis. Results A higher operative difficulty grade was consistently associated with worse outcomes for the patients in both the reference and CholeS cohorts. The median length of stay increased from 0 to 4 days, and the 30-day complication rate from 7.6 to 24.4% as the difficulty grade increased from 1 to 4/5 (both p < 0.001). In the CholeS cohort, a higher difficulty grade was found to be most strongly associated with conversion to open and 30-day mortality (AUROC = 0.903, 0.822, respectively). On multivariable analysis, the Nassar operative difficultly scale was found to be a significant independent predictor of operative duration, conversion to open surgery, 30-day complications and 30-day reintervention (all p < 0.001). Conclusion We have shown that an operative difficulty scale can standardise the description of operative findings by multiple grades of surgeons to facilitate audit, training assessment and research. It provides a tool for reporting operative findings, disease severity and technical difficulty and can be utilised in future research to reliably compare outcomes according to case mix and intra-operative difficulty

Population‐based cohort study of outcomes following cholecystectomy for benign gallbladder diseases

Background The aim was to describe the management of benign gallbladder disease and identify characteristics associated with all‐cause 30‐day readmissions and complications in a prospective population‐based cohort. Methods Data were collected on consecutive patients undergoing cholecystectomy in acute UK and Irish hospitals between 1 March and 1 May 2014. Potential explanatory variables influencing all‐cause 30‐day readmissions and complications were analysed by means of multilevel, multivariable logistic regression modelling using a two‐level hierarchical structure with patients (level 1) nested within hospitals (level 2). Results Data were collected on 8909 patients undergoing cholecystectomy from 167 hospitals. Some 1451 cholecystectomies (16·3 per cent) were performed as an emergency, 4165 (46·8 per cent) as elective operations, and 3293 patients (37·0 per cent) had had at least one previous emergency admission, but had surgery on a delayed basis. The readmission and complication rates at 30 days were 7·1 per cent (633 of 8909) and 10·8 per cent (962 of 8909) respectively. Both readmissions and complications were independently associated with increasing ASA fitness grade, duration of surgery, and increasing numbers of emergency admissions with gallbladder disease before cholecystectomy. No identifiable hospital characteristics were linked to readmissions and complications. Conclusion Readmissions and complications following cholecystectomy are common and associated with patient and disease characteristics

Influence of height of maize variety on the productivity of intercropped maize (Zea mays L.) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp)

A 2-year field study was conducted to compare the productivity of intercropped and monoculture maize and cowpea as influenced by the height of maize in the intercrop. During the 1994 and 1995 cropping seasons, IT 84E-124, a semi-erect, early-maturing, and photoperiod-insensitive cowpea cultivar, was planted with “Afo”, a short (1.2 m), early maturing, less vegetative, and AMRSR-Y, a tall (1.5 m), improved open-pollinated and of medium maturity group maize cultivars in a row intercropping. Yield components and grain yield of maize and cowpea were lower under intercropping than in monoculture systems. Intercropped cowpea yields were decreased by 29 and 26 per cent, respectively, under the short and tall maize varieties, while the yields of intercropped maize were reduced by 11 and 33 per cent for the short and tall varieties, respectively, across the two seasons. Land equivalent ration (LER) was, however, greater with the shorter maize variety than with the taller variety (1.60 vs 1.41), and was greater with the intercrops than with the monocultures (1.51 vs 1.00) across the two seasons. The results of this study indicate that although intercropping may result in decreases in the yield of one or both of the component crops in a maize-cowpea mixture, the productivity of a unit land area is higher with intercropping than with monoculture. The higher LER with the shorter maize variety in this study suggests that intercropping may be more remunerative when short and less vegetative cereal varieties are used in mixtures with legume crops. Influence de la taille de variété de maïs sur la productivité de maïs (Zea mays L.) semé en lignes alternantes de dolique (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) Résumé Une étude de 2 années sur le champ s'est déroulée pour comparer la productivité de deux cultures et monoculture de maïs et dolique comme influencée par la taille de maïs semé en lignes alternantes de l'autre culture. Pendant les saisons des semailles de 1994 et 1995 IT 84E-124, une variété de dolique, de semi-debout, de maturation tôt et de photopériode insensitive était semé avec "Afo" une variété courte (1.2 m) de maïs, de maturation tôt et moins végétatif et avec DMRSR-Y une variété haute (1.5 m) de maïs amélioré de pollinisation libre et de groupe de maturation moyenne, en lignes alternantes. Les composants de rendement et le rendement de grain de maïs et de dolique tous deux étaient plus basses sous les semailles en lignes alternantes que dans les systèmes de monoculture. Les rendements de dolique semé entre les lignes d'une autre culture diminuaient par 29 et 26 pour cent respectivement sous la variété courte et haute de maïs, alors que les rendements de maïs semé entre les lignes d'une autre culture réduisaient par 11 et 33 pour cent respectivement pour les variétés courtes et hautes au cours des deux saisons. La proportion de l'iquivalent de terre (PET) était, cependant, plus grande avec la variété courte de maïs qu' avec la variété haute (1.60 vs 1.41) et plus grande avec les deux cultures en lignes alternantes qu' avec les monocultures (1.51 vs 1.00) au cours des deux saisons. Les résultats de cette étude indiquent que malgré le fait que les semailles en lignes alternantes puissent mener aux diminutions en rendement de l'une ou de toutes deux cultures composantes dans le mélange de maïs-dolique, la productivité d'une unité de superficie de terre est plus élevée avec les deux cultures alternantes qu' avec les monocultures. PET plus élevée avec la variété plus courte de maïs comme obtenue dans l'étude en question suggérait que les semailles en lignes alternantes pourraient être plus rémunératrices lorsque les variétés de céréale moins végétatives et courtes sont utilisées dans les mélanges avec les cultures légumineuses. Ghana Jnl agric. Sci. Vol.33(2) 2000: 199-20

Effects of soil moisture stress on floral and pods abortion, reproductive efficiency and grain yield in soybean genotypes (Glycine max (L) Merrill)

Experiments were conducted at Ilorin, Nigeria to evaluate the effects of soil moisture stress at different growth stages (vegetative, flowering and pod filling) on floral and pods abortion, reproductive efficiency and grain yields of ten soybean genotypes (TGX 923-2E, TGX 1440-1E, Samsoy- 2, TGX 536 02D, TGX 1019-2E, TGX 1448-2E, TGX 1844-18E, TGX 1830-2DE, TGX 1740-2F and TGX 1817-12E). A regularly watered (control) treatment was included in all the replicates. There were significant variations (p < 0.001) in flower and pods abortions, yield components and grain yields of the genotypes, as well as in the moisture stress treatments. Reproductive efficiency was, however, not significantly affected by any of the two factors. Grain yield was highest with TGX 1844-18E due to high number of flowers and pods produced. Similarly moderate floral and pods abortions, as well as high pod and biomass yields were recorded in the variety. Grain yield was lowest in TGX 1817-12E resulting from lower number of flowers and pods produced, high floral and pods abortions and low pod and biomass yields. Soil moisture stress, especially when it occurred at the vegetative and flowering stages significantly reduced flower and pods production, biomass yield, and slightly increased floral and pods abortions. Conclusively, reductions in grain yields as a result of moisture stress at any growth stage was due to reduction in sink sites where dry matter is to be stored. This occurs because of reduction in the ability to translocate more photosynthates to the sites during pod filling. Results of this study showed Samsoy-2 and TGX 1817-12EN to be the most tolerant genotypes to soil moisture stress, while TGX 1019-2EN and TGX 536-02D, the least tolerant. Keywords: Floral and pod abortion; reproductive efficiency; soybean genotype; moisture stressMoor Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 7 (1&2) 2006 pp. 9-1

Performance of Thevetia peruviana (PERS.) Schum. Under two agronomic management practices (irrigation and application of in-organic fertilizers) in Edidi southern Nigeria.

Most studies on T. peruviana have revolved around its clinical, toxicological and pharmacological aspects, while studydy on its agronomy is scanty. Field experiments were conducted during the 2011 and 2012 growing seasons, at the Research Farms of the Bio-fuel Alternative and Renewable Energy Ltd, Edidi, Kwara State, Nigeria. The study evaluated the effects of supplementary irrigation during the dry season and different rates of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers on the growth and yield of the oil crop. The experiment was a 2 x 3 x 3 factorial arranged in split-split plot design. Two levels of irrigation (irrigated and non irrigated) constituted the main plots, three levels of nitrogen fertilizer (0, 30 and 60 kg N ha-1) the sub-plots, and three levels of phosphorous fertilizer (0, 30 and 60 kg P2O5 ha-1), the sub-sub-plots. The results showed that irrigating T. peruviana plants significantly improved the vegetative growth parameters, kernel size, number and weight of harvested kernels, but delayed number of days to the first and 50% flower appearance. Nitrogen fertilizer rate of 60 kg N ha-1 produced highest values of growth and yield parameters which were significantly better than those of the control, but similar to those of 30 kg N ha-1; and application of 60 kg P2O5 ha-1 resulted in early flower appearance and increased the yield parameters, even though the values were statistically similar to those with the application of 30 kg P2O5 ha-1. Thus, it can be recommended that T. Peruviana should be irrigated and given fertilizer at a factorial combination of 30 kg N ha-1 and 30 kg P2O5 ha-1 for optimum yield.Keywords: T. peruviana, Irrigation, Fertilizers, Growth and Yield

Effects of Planting Dates and Nitrogen Fertilizer Application on Growth and Yield of Contrasting Genotypes of Maize (Zea Mays L.)I: Leaf Growth and Its Relationship with Grain Yield

Field experiments were conducted at the University of Ilorin Teaching and Research Farm, Bolorunduro, to evaluate the effects of different levels of N application on leaf growth and its relationship with grain yield of contrasting maize genotypes planted at three planting dates. Leaf extension growth at three leaf insertions (nodes 4, 8, and12) was measured from emergence until two consecutive measurements were the same. Thereafter, leaf growth parameters including leaf extension rate, leaf extension duration and final leaf length were calculated by fitting a linear regression of leaf length against time (days after planting DAP). Leaf area index was also calculated at weekly intervals from 21 to 63 DAP. Increasing N application increased leaf extension rate (LER) in both genotypes and at all planting dates, but had no significant effect on leaf extension duration (LED). These results indicate that LER was the most important factor influencing the final leaf area production. Leaf area index was consistently higher with maize planted in May and least with those planted in June. Positive relationships were obtained between grain yield, LER and final leaf area (FLA), while LED showed inverse relationship with grain yield. These results suggested that N application increased grain yield through improved leaf area production resulting from faster LER and shorter LED. The determination of the contribution of leaf growth parameters to grain yield through regression analyses showed that the combined effects of LER, LED, and FLA made significant contribution to grain yield ranging from 33.3%with June planting to 53.4% with July planting. The results further showed that the combined effects of the leaf growth parameters were similar for both the hybrids (R2=47.5%) maize genotypes. Overall, application of 90kg N/ha gave the best leaf area production and hence the highest grain yield thereby indicating the rate to be the optimum for maize production in the study area. JARD Vol. 3 2004: pp. 83-9

Effect of water stress on growth and biomass yield of contrasting genotypes of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum)

Effect of water stress on expansive growth measured as leaf extension rate (LER) and plant height of five Selected lines of sugarcane (BD 83/019, BD 83/035, IB 85/43, USRI 86/4, and USRI 86/25) was investigated in a screenhouse trial at Unilorin Sugar Research Institute farm. The effect of water stress on biomass yield was also evaluated. Water stress was induced by differential watering intervals of daily, 4, and 10 days corresponding to 100 (no stress), 60 (moderate stress), and 25 per cent (severe stress) soil available water (determined gravimetrically). LER, hence leaf length and plant height, showed significant responses to water stress, decreasing when water is limiting. The results of this study also showed ontogenetic variations in the responses of leaves at different positions to water stress. Similarly, there were genotypic differences in leaf and plant height responses of the investigated lines to water stress, which were found to be related to the effect of water stress on biomass yields of the lines. Consequently, it was concluded that measurement of expansive growth could be very useful for distinguishing between genotypes in their responses to water stress; hence, a promising technique for screening for drought tolerance in sugarcane. The advantages of the techniques are also discussed. Ghana Jnl agric. Sci. Vol.31(1) 1998: 73-8

Comparative growth and grain yield responses of soybean genotypes to phosphorous fertilizer application

A two-year field study was conducted in 2003 and 2004 at the Teaching and Research Farm, Bolorunduro (8o 29’ N, 4o 35’E ) of the University of Ilorin, Nigeria, to evaluate the growth and grain yieldresponses of soybean genotypes to P fertilizer application. The trial was designed as 12 x 2 factorial experiments in randomized complete block and laid out in split-plots arrangements with four replications. The main plots were twelve soybean genotypes, while two P fertilizer levels constituted the sub-plots. Plant height, leaf area and number of branches per plant, crop growth rate, relative growth rate, net assimilation rate and leaf area ratio were measured at full flowering, while number of pods per plant and grain yield were obtained at harvest. Plant height, leaf area, number of branches, crop growth rate, relative growth rate varied significantly (p < 0.001) among genotypes and increased significantly (p < 0.01) with P fertilizer application in both years of study. Similarly, number of pods per plant and grainyield differed significantly among genotypes and increased with P application in the two years of study, but the differences were significant only in 2003. The results also showed appreciable variations ingrain yields of the genotypes at 0 kg P ha-1, suggesting variations in P use efficiency of the genotypes at low level of P. In conclusion, results of this study showed significant positive responses to P application

Grain yield potential and associated traits in maize (Zea mays L.) varieties in the forest zone of Nigeria

Grain yield and 15 associated traits were studied in 10 maize varieties (DMR-L-SR-W, SUWAN 1, EV 9043-DMR, TZPB-SR, TZSR-Y, 8321-18, 8535-23, 8644-27, 8644-31 and 8805-4) from 1995 to 1997 at Ibadan, Nigeria. Varietal differences and the relationship between grain yield and associated traits were determined. Variety 8321-18 with the highest grain yield had a 27 per cent yield advantage over the lowest-yielding variety TZSR-Y. Crop growth rates at vegetative and reproductive stages were highest in TZSR-Y whilst its harvest index was lowest when compared to other varieties. 8321-18 had longer ear and kernel growth duration than most varieties evaluated, and its harvest index was higher than TZSR-Y. Kernels per plant were more in 8321-18, 8805-4, and EV 9043-DMR than in the other varieties. Positive correlations were found between grain yield and Kernels per ear (r=0.70***), kernel rows (r=0.30***) and kernels per row (r=0.63***), harvest index (r= 0.53**), total dry matter (r=0.50***), ear growth duration (r=0.36***), kernel growth duration (r=0.30***), and crop growth rate at reproductive stage (r=0.17**), except days to 50 per silking (r=0.19*). To improve grain yield, the biological traits that are significantly associated with grain yield could be incorporated into a model for developing improved maize genotypes for the forest zone in Nigeria. Potentialité de rendement de grain et les traits associés dans les variétés de maïs (Zea mays L.) dans la zone forestière du Nigiria Résumé Le rendement de grain et 15 traits associés étaient étudiés en 10 variétés de maïs (DMR-L-SR-W, SUWAN 1, EV 9043-DMR, TZPB-SR, TZSR-Y, 8321-18, 8535-23, 8644-27, 8644-31 et 8805-4) de 1995 à 1997 à Ibadan, au Nigéria. Les différences variétales et le rapport entre le rendement de grain et les traits associés étaient déterminés. La variété 8321-18 avec le rendement de grain le plus élevé avait un avantage de rendement de 27 pour cent par rapport à la variété TZSR-Y ayant de rendement le plus bas. Les proportions de la croissance de culture aux stades végétatifs et reproductifs étaient les plus élevées en TZSR-Y alors que son indice de moisson était le plus bas lorsqu'il est comparé aux autres variétés. 8321-18 avait une durée de croissance d'épi et de grain plus long que les autres variétés évaluées et son indice de moisson était plus élevé que celui de TZSR-Y. Les grains par plante étaient plus nombreux en 8321-18, 8805-4 et EV 9043-DMR que dans les autres variétés. Des corrélations positives étaient découvertes entre le rendement de grain et les grains par épi (r = 0.70 ***), les rayons de grain (r = 0.30 ***) et les grains par rayon (r = 0.63 ***), indice de moisson (r = 0.53 **), le total de matière sèche (r = 0.50 ***), la durée de croissance d' épi (r = 0.36 ***), la durée de croissance de grain (r = 0.30 ***), la proportion de croissance au stade reproductif (r = 0. 17 **) excepté les jour à 50 pour cent de l'apparition des soies (r = -0.19 *). Pour améliorer le rendement de grain les traits biologiques qui sont considérablement associés au rendement de grain pourraient être incorporé dans un modèle pour le développement des génotypes de maïs amélioré pour la zone forestière au Nigéria. Ghana Jnl agric. Sci. Vol.33(2) 2000: 191-19