Evaluation of appendicitis risk prediction models in adults with suspected appendicitis

Background Appendicitis is the most common general surgical emergency worldwide, but its diagnosis remains challenging. The aim of this study was to determine whether existing risk prediction models can reliably identify patients presenting to hospital in the UK with acute right iliac fossa (RIF) pain who are at low risk of appendicitis. Methods A systematic search was completed to identify all existing appendicitis risk prediction models. Models were validated using UK data from an international prospective cohort study that captured consecutive patients aged 16–45 years presenting to hospital with acute RIF in March to June 2017. The main outcome was best achievable model specificity (proportion of patients who did not have appendicitis correctly classified as low risk) whilst maintaining a failure rate below 5 per cent (proportion of patients identified as low risk who actually had appendicitis). Results Some 5345 patients across 154 UK hospitals were identified, of which two‐thirds (3613 of 5345, 67·6 per cent) were women. Women were more than twice as likely to undergo surgery with removal of a histologically normal appendix (272 of 964, 28·2 per cent) than men (120 of 993, 12·1 per cent) (relative risk 2·33, 95 per cent c.i. 1·92 to 2·84; P < 0·001). Of 15 validated risk prediction models, the Adult Appendicitis Score performed best (cut‐off score 8 or less, specificity 63·1 per cent, failure rate 3·7 per cent). The Appendicitis Inflammatory Response Score performed best for men (cut‐off score 2 or less, specificity 24·7 per cent, failure rate 2·4 per cent). Conclusion Women in the UK had a disproportionate risk of admission without surgical intervention and had high rates of normal appendicectomy. Risk prediction models to support shared decision‐making by identifying adults in the UK at low risk of appendicitis were identified

Genus Salsola: its benefits, uses, environmental perspectives and future aspects - a review [جنس گونه گیاهی سالسولا، فواید، کابردها، خصوصیات محیطی و مروری بر آینده آن]

Genus Salsola, a genus of annual semi-dwarf to dwarf shrubs and woody tree species, is widely distributed across the arid and semi-arid areas of the world. Several features like high fodder value, abundant seed production, tolerance to extreme climatic conditions like high temperature and prolonged drought conditions contributed significantly towards its success as a potential forage species in semi-arid to arid environments. Species of this genus are of significant importance and species like Salsola soda are cultivated and consumed as vegetables in Italy, while others (S. tragus and S. baryosoma) are utilized as livestock fodder in arid and dry areas. The species of genus Salsola are grouped as halophytes, which are also useful for rehabilitation and reclamation of degraded saline lands and saline soils, respectively. Many plants of this genus are used in medicines and cosmetics as they are cure for human heart, skin diseases, cough and influenza. This paper comprises a comprehensive review on the important species of Salsola, along with its medicinal uses and other useful properties that will aid the researcher in determining the need of future research. We focus on the adaptive features of genus Salsola plants for their effective utilization in drought prone semi-arid to arid conditions and also to remediate degraded saline soils.چکیده. جنس سالسولا گیاهی است با گونههای مختلف از یکساله گرفته تا بوتهای و درختی چوبی بصورت وسیعی در مناطق خشک و نیمه خشک دنیا پراکنده شده است. خصوصیات متعدد آن از جمله ارزش غذایی بالا، تولید بذر زیاد، مقاوم به تغییرات شدید محیطی به لحاظ درجه حرارت بالا و خشکی شدید باعث شده است که از آن به عنوان منبع علوفه در مناطق مختلف خشک و نیمه خشک دنیا برای در کشور Salsola soda دامها نام برده شود. گونههای مختلف این جنس بسیار مهم هستند مانند گونه S. tragus and ایتالیا کشت شده و مانند سبزی به مصرف میرسد، در حالی که دیگر گونههای آن نظیر برای علوفه دامهای اهلی در مناطق خشک بکار میروند. گونههای سالسولا به عنوان S. baryosoma هالوفیت و یا گیاهان نمک دوست شناخته میشوند که برای بازسازی و احیاء اراضی شور تخریب شده و نیز خاکهای شور مفید میباشند. گونههای زیادی از این جنس به عنوان گیاه دارویی بکار برده میشوند چرا که برای سلامتی قلب و بیماریهای پوستی و سرماخوردگی مفید میباشند. این مقاله مروری با دیدی تفسیری و مقایسهای به اهمیت گونههای این جنس به لحاظ کاربردهای دارویی و دیگر خواص مفید میپردازد که برای تحقیقات آینده محققین مناسب است. همچنین این مقاله بر روی سازگاری این جنس برای بهرهبرداری موثر در مناطق با وضعیت خشکی و خاکهای شور تخریب یافته تاکید دارد

Row spacing is more important than seeding rate for increasing Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) control and grain yield in soybean (Glycine max)

In Australia, soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) is planted at a low density in wide rows, and weeds substantially reduce yield because of opportunities for their growth in the wide rows. Field studies were conducted over 2 years at the University of Queensland farm, Gatton, Australia, to assess the effect of row spacing and seeding rate on the competitiveness of soybeans with a model weed, Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana Kunth). The experiment was conducted in a split-split plot design, replicated three times. Main plots comprised two seeding rates (40 and 80kg ha-1), subplots two row spacings (25 and 75cm), and sub-subplots four Rhodes grass infestation periods (weedy from planting to maturity, weedy from 3 weeks after planting (WAP) to maturity, weedy from 6 WAP to maturity, and weed-free from planting to maturity). The results showed that seed rate did not influence Rhodes grass biomass or soybean yield. Soybean yield was greater and Rhodes grass biomass was less in the 25-cm rows than the 75-cm rows. For the 25-cm rows, Rhodes grass biomass in the plots infested beyond 3 WAP was 81-89% less than in the season-long weedy plots, whereas for the wider row crop, this reduction was only 60-75%. For the 25-cm rows, soybean yield in the plots infested with Rhodes grass beyond 3 WAP was 30-36% less than under weed-free condition. However, for the 75-cm rows, this reduction was 56-65%. The results suggest that planting soybean in wider rows caused greater reduction in yield and required an earlier weed management program than planting in narrow rows. The study also suggested that narrowing row spacing was more important than increasing seeding rates for improving weed control and soybean grain yield

Weed management using crop competition in Pakistan: a review

Agriculture occupies an important place in improving the living standards of farmers in Pakistan. About 90% of farm earnings rely on the cultivation of sugar, fibre, cereals and legumes. Due to lack of essential resources and technical expertise, every year thousands of farmers fail to reach maximum yield potential. Over 70% of farmers own less than 5 ha in Pakistan; therefore, it is uneconomic to employ costly mechanical and chemical strategies for the control of pests in their crops. Among these pests, we eds are considered to be the major obstacle to crop production, and can ultimately result in crop failure. Traditionally, manipulation of cropping techniques was employed for the control of weeds; later on, development of synthetic chemical herbicides made it easier to control weeds in a very short time period. However, over time the increased use of herbicides has led to the development of herbicide resistant weeds. Furthermore, increasing environmental concerns, weed population shifts, and increased managerial costs have made it difficult for farmers to control these weed species within their limited economic resources. Nowadays, scientists and research organizations are being urged to provide innovative weed management solutions, with minimal ecological impacts. Studies have revealed the importance of cultural strategies for the management of weeds in different cropping systems. Research has proved that alternation of cultural practices, and selection of competitive crop cultivars, could be a possible strategy to minimize the competitiveness of weeds. Increased crop densities, narrower row spacing, intercropping and alternation in row directions are among the weed control strategies gaining rapid attention in many countries. Unfortunately, limited information is available about weed management using crop competition in Pakistan. This review article focusses on the importance of these agronomic practices in reducing the competitive potential of weeds, for their effective and appropriate management in major crops of Pakistan. It is intended to assist researchers in the design of economically viable and eco-friendly weed management strategies, which will aid in eliminating the burden of herbicides and mechanical cultivation from farmer’s production costs

Biology and management of Avena fatua and Avena ludoviciana: two noxious weed species of agro-ecosystems

Avena fatua and Avena ludoviciana are closely related grass weed species infesting a large number of crops around the world. These species are widely distributed in diverse agro-ecosystems from temperate to sub-tropical regions due to their unique seed traits, successful germination ecology, high competitive ability, and allelopathic potential. A. fatua is more widespread, adaptable, and problematic than A. ludoviciana. Both these species infest major winter and spring crops, including wheat, oat, barley, canola, maize, alfalfa, and sunflower, causing up to 70% yield losses depending on crop species and weed density. Chemical control has been challenged by large-scale herbicide resistance evolution in these weed species. A. fatua is the most widespread herbicide-resistant weed in the world, infesting about 5 million hectares in 13 countries. The use of alternative herbicides with different modes of action has proved effective. Several cultural practices, including diverse crop rotations, cover crops, improved crop competition (using competitive cultivars, high seed rates, narrow row spacing, altered crop geometry), and allelopathic suppression, have shown promise for controlling A. fatua and A. ludoviciana. The integrated use of these cultural methods can reduce the herbicide dose required, and lower dependency on herbicides to control these grasses. Moreover, integrated management may successfully control herbicide-resistant populations of these weed species. The use of integrated approaches based on the knowledge of biology and ecology of A. fatua and A. ludoviciana may help to manage them sustainably in the future

Eco-biology, impact, and management of Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers

Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. is ranked among the worst and extensively disseminated weed species. It is emerging as a potential menace for agroecosystems in 53 different countries across the world. This weed is adapted to warmer regions and is native to Mediterranean areas of Africa, Asia, and Europe. In the mid-1900s, cultivation of this weed species as a potential forage crop resulted in its escape from crop fields and invasion of agricultural and natural areas, but in some European countries, it has been introduced deliberately (e.g., as contamination of seeds and soil). S. halepense interferes with economically important agronomic and horticultural crops and cause 57–88% yield losses. Herbicide tolerance, diverse propagation mechanisms, rapid development, and strong competitiveness are key attributes in its invasion. Conventional management approaches are limited in their scope to control this weed due to its rapid vegetative growth and increasing herbicidal tolerance. Integration of chemical methods with cultural or mechanical approaches is important for restricting its future spread to non-infested areas. This review provides insights into the invasion mechanisms of S. halepense, which will help in its management. A better understanding of ecobiological aspects, survival mechanisms, and genetic variabilities of S. halepense, within a wide range of environmental conditions, will assist in designing more effective management strategies for this serious invasive weed. Collaborative research between the various countries impacted by this weed will assist in developing efficient, sustainable, and economical approaches to restrict its invasion in new areas

Eco-biology, impact, and management of Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers

Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. is ranked among the worst and extensively disseminated weed species. It is emerging as a potential menace for agroecosystems in 53 different countries across the world. This weed is adapted to warmer regions and is native to Mediterranean areas of Africa, Asia, and Europe. In the mid-1900s, cultivation of this weed species as a potential forage crop resulted in its escape from crop fields and invasion of agricultural and natural areas, but in some European countries, it has been introduced deliberately (e.g., as contamination of seeds and soil). S. halepense interferes with economically important agronomic and horticultural crops and cause 57–88% yield losses. Herbicide tolerance, diverse propagation mechanisms, rapid development, and strong competitiveness are key attributes in its invasion. Conventional management approaches are limited in their scope to control this weed due to its rapid vegetative growth and increasing herbicidal tolerance. Integration of chemical methods with cultural or mechanical approaches is important for restricting its future spread to non-infested areas. This review provides insights into the invasion mechanisms of S. halepense, which will help in its management. A better understanding of ecobiological aspects, survival mechanisms, and genetic variabilities of S. halepense, within a wide range of environmental conditions, will assist in designing more effective management strategies for this serious invasive weed. Collaborative research between the various countries impacted by this weed will assist in developing efficient, sustainable, and economical approaches to restrict its invasion in new areas