Leaf area and its impact in yield and quality of greenhouse tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

This study aimed to estimate the tomato leaf area index (LAI) by comparing two methods (destructive and interception of photosynthetically active radiation) and the consequent relationship to fruit yield and quality. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse with tezontle (red volcanic scoria) as the substrate and a drip irrigation system. The experiment consisted of three treatments: T1, T2 and T3, with one, two and three stems per plant, respectively. The LAI was measured with a ceptometer that estimates the intercepted radiation above and below the canopy. Maximum LAI was found at 1413 cumulative growing degree days (CGDD). Those indexes were 3.69, 5.27 and 6.16 for T1, T2 and T3, respectively. Individual correlation models were fitted linearly between the two methods. The R2 values were 0.98, 0.99 and 0.99 with yields of 20, 18 and 17 kg m-2 for T1, T2 and T3, respectively. In addition, T1 produced better fruit size quality with approximately 69, 23 and 8% classified as first, second and third class, respectively. Only 1% was classified as a small fruit. Increasing the number of stems per plant increased the LAI and fruit number but decreased fruit size. Highlights: The leaf area index (LAI) is a very important variable for growth and development of crops. The ceptometer proved to be a fast, useful and statistically reliable method to estimate LAI. The increase of photosynthetically active radiation favors the photosynthetic efficiency per unit area. The number of stems per plant increase the LAI, dry matter accumulation, plant height and the number of fruits. However, the size of fruit decreases.This study aimed to estimate the tomato leaf area index (LAI) by comparing two methods (destructive and interception of photosynthetically active radiation) and the consequent relationship to fruit yield and quality. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse with tezontle (red volcanic scoria) as the substrate and a drip irrigation system. The experiment consisted of three treatments: T1, T2 and T3, with one, two and three stems per plant, respectively. The LAI was measured with a ceptometer that estimates the intercepted radiation above and below the canopy. Maximum LAI was found at 1413 cumulative growing degree days (CGDD). Those indexes were 3.69, 5.27 and 6.16 for T1, T2 and T3, respectively. Individual correlation models were fitted linearly between the two methods. The R2 values were 0.98, 0.99 and 0.99 with yields of 20, 18 and 17 kg m-2 for T1, T2 and T3, respectively. In addition, T1 produced better fruit size quality with approximately 69, 23 and 8% classified as first, second and third class, respectively. Only 1% was classified as a small fruit. Increasing the number of stems per plant increased the LAI and fruit number but decreased fruit size. Highlights: The leaf area index (LAI) is a very important variable for growth and development of crops. The ceptometer proved to be a fast, useful and statistically reliable method to estimate LAI. The increase of photosynthetically active radiation favors the photosynthetic efficiency per unit area. The number of stems per plant increase the LAI, dry matter accumulation, plant height and the number of fruits. However, the size of fruit decreases

Nutrient removal and yield of different maize hybrids

Objective: to determine the macro and micronutrient removal values and potential yield of different hybrids, and, also to determine the relationship between grain nutrient removal and grain yield. Design/methodology/approach: to assess correlations and determine the association degree between the nutrient removal values and grain yield. Results: the total nutrient removal values were in N> K> Ca> Mg> P, and Mn> Fe> Zn> B> Cu order, which are higher values when compared to another research. Also, these provide the mineral content in grains, which is a nutritional quality-related parameter. Limitations on study/implications: increasing the number of hybrids, different fertilization rates, different soil conditions, and crop management practices should be evaluated to assess whether these influence/inhibit the final nutrient concentration and total removal in grain. Findings/conclusions: The total grain nutrient removal values varied as a function of hybrids, yield goal, and nutrient concentration in tissues. These values allow the adjustment of current fertilization rates. The same hybrids under different management practices (fertilization dose), or soil types, substantially influence the grain nutrient concentration and therefore total nutrient removal

Outcomes from elective colorectal cancer surgery during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

This study aimed to describe the change in surgical practice and the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on mortality after surgical resection of colorectal cancer during the initial phases of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Nutrient removal and yield of different maize hybrids

Objective: to determine the macro and micronutrient removal values and yield of different hybrids, and, also to determine the relationship between grain nutrient removal and grain yield. Design/methodology/approach: to assess correlations and determine the association degree between the nutrient removal values and grain yield. Results: total nutrient removal values were NKCaMgP, and MnFeZnBCu, which were also higher when compared to other findings. Also, these values provide the mineral content in grains, which are nutritional quality parameters. Limitations on study/implications: more hybrids, different fertilization rates, different soil conditions and crop management practices should be evaluated to assess whether or not they influence/inhibit grain nutrient concentration and total removal. Findings/conclusions: The total grain nutrient removal values varied as a function of hybrids, yield goal, and nutrient concentration in tissues. These values allow the adjustment of current fertilization rates. The same hybrids under different management practices (fertilization rate), or soil types, substantially influence the grain nutrient concentration and therefore total nutrient removal

Delaying surgery for patients with a previous SARS-CoV-2 infection

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Global variation in postoperative mortality and complications after cancer surgery: a multicentre, prospective cohort study in 82 countries

© 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 licenseBackground: 80% of individuals with cancer will require a surgical procedure, yet little comparative data exist on early outcomes in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared postoperative outcomes in breast, colorectal, and gastric cancer surgery in hospitals worldwide, focusing on the effect of disease stage and complications on postoperative mortality. Methods: This was a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of consecutive adult patients undergoing surgery for primary breast, colorectal, or gastric cancer requiring a skin incision done under general or neuraxial anaesthesia. The primary outcome was death or major complication within 30 days of surgery. Multilevel logistic regression determined relationships within three-level nested models of patients within hospitals and countries. Hospital-level infrastructure effects were explored with three-way mediation analyses. This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03471494. Findings: Between April 1, 2018, and Jan 31, 2019, we enrolled 15 958 patients from 428 hospitals in 82 countries (high income 9106 patients, 31 countries; upper-middle income 2721 patients, 23 countries; or lower-middle income 4131 patients, 28 countries). Patients in LMICs presented with more advanced disease compared with patients in high-income countries. 30-day mortality was higher for gastric cancer in low-income or lower-middle-income countries (adjusted odds ratio 3·72, 95% CI 1·70–8·16) and for colorectal cancer in low-income or lower-middle-income countries (4·59, 2·39–8·80) and upper-middle-income countries (2·06, 1·11–3·83). No difference in 30-day mortality was seen in breast cancer. The proportion of patients who died after a major complication was greatest in low-income or lower-middle-income countries (6·15, 3·26–11·59) and upper-middle-income countries (3·89, 2·08–7·29). Postoperative death after complications was partly explained by patient factors (60%) and partly by hospital or country (40%). The absence of consistently available postoperative care facilities was associated with seven to 10 more deaths per 100 major complications in LMICs. Cancer stage alone explained little of the early variation in mortality or postoperative complications. Interpretation: Higher levels of mortality after cancer surgery in LMICs was not fully explained by later presentation of disease. The capacity to rescue patients from surgical complications is a tangible opportunity for meaningful intervention. Early death after cancer surgery might be reduced by policies focusing on strengthening perioperative care systems to detect and intervene in common complications. Funding: National Institute for Health Research Global Health Research Unit

Effects of hospital facilities on patient outcomes after cancer surgery: an international, prospective, observational study

© 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 licenseBackground: Early death after cancer surgery is higher in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) compared with in high-income countries, yet the impact of facility characteristics on early postoperative outcomes is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the association between hospital infrastructure, resource availability, and processes on early outcomes after cancer surgery worldwide. Methods: A multimethods analysis was performed as part of the GlobalSurg 3 study—a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study of patients who had surgery for breast, colorectal, or gastric cancer. The primary outcomes were 30-day mortality and 30-day major complication rates. Potentially beneficial hospital facilities were identified by variable selection to select those associated with 30-day mortality. Adjusted outcomes were determined using generalised estimating equations to account for patient characteristics and country-income group, with population stratification by hospital. Findings: Between April 1, 2018, and April 23, 2019, facility-level data were collected for 9685 patients across 238 hospitals in 66 countries (91 hospitals in 20 high-income countries; 57 hospitals in 19 upper-middle-income countries; and 90 hospitals in 27 low-income to lower-middle-income countries). The availability of five hospital facilities was inversely associated with mortality: ultrasound, CT scanner, critical care unit, opioid analgesia, and oncologist. After adjustment for case-mix and country income group, hospitals with three or fewer of these facilities (62 hospitals, 1294 patients) had higher mortality compared with those with four or five (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3·85 [95% CI 2·58–5·75]; p<0·0001), with excess mortality predominantly explained by a limited capacity to rescue following the development of major complications (63·0% vs 82·7%; OR 0·35 [0·23–0·53]; p<0·0001). Across LMICs, improvements in hospital facilities would prevent one to three deaths for every 100 patients undergoing surgery for cancer. Interpretation: Hospitals with higher levels of infrastructure and resources have better outcomes after cancer surgery, independent of country income. Without urgent strengthening of hospital infrastructure and resources, the reductions in cancer-associated mortality associated with improved access will not be realised. Funding: National Institute for Health and Care Research