bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pharmacist-patient medication communication during admission and discharge in specialty hospital settings: implications for person centered healthcare
Authors: Braaf Sandra , Rixon Sascha , Williams Allison , Lieu Danny , Manias Elizabeth
Published: July 2021

Background Hospital admission and discharge are critical transition points for patients’ medication management. Effective communication between pharmacists and patients at these transition points has the potential to mitigate medication incidents. Previous research has examined communication among community pharmacists and patients. Limited research has explored the complexities of communication between hospital pharmacists and patients during admission and discharge interactions.Objective To explore the complexities of pharmacist-patient medication communication during medication admission and discharge in specialty hospital settings.Methods The study was conducted at a metropolitan Australian public hospital. An exploratory qualitative design was used involving the methods of semi-structured interviews and participant observation. Interviews and observations were undertaken in five specialty settings: cardiothoracic care, intensive care, emergency care, oncology care and perioperative care. A comprehensive thematic analysis of the data was performed.Results Twelve pharmacists and 69 patients participated in interviews and observations for the study. Over 200 hours of observational data were collected. In total, 26 medication admissions and 35 medication discharges were observed. Pharmacists regulated communication with patients by using structured communication tools. When providing or gathering information, pharmacists controlled the level of patient engagement. Words used in pharmacist-patient communication were sometimes ambiguous and occasionally miscommunication resulted. Patients sought minimal information from pharmacists.Conclusions Pharmacists need to apply patient-centered principles, and encourage active patient involvement, in admission and discharge conversations.
A pilot study to explore if reading fictional works of medical writers can be used as a formative assessment tool in the learning of Humanism and Bioethics: A narrative report
Authors: Nalliah Sivalingam , Thuraisingham Chandramani , Ong Su Ping
Published: July 2021

In a pilot study conducted to explore if reading fictional works of medical writers could be used as a tool to formatively assess learning of Humanism and Bioethics, a medical student in her elective rotation at International Medical University (IMU) was assigned to read a story-book relating to daily life and suffering authored by a medical-writer, and subsequently write a reflective narrative report which was assessed with guided reflection by her mentor. It was perceived that reading of fictional works of medical writers during medical students’ leisure time may prove to be a worthwhile and enjoyable way for students to learn higher levels of clinical competence, in the realm of humanism and bioethics. From the student’s report in this pilot study it was evident that she had gained experiential learning in three areas, namely, self-reflection and self-awareness, empathy, and ethical reasoning skills. Although Bioethics and Professionalism delivered through formal face to face teaching in classrooms and the clinical setting is taught in all ten semesters of the medical program, reading fiction of medical writers as an innovative tool to formatively assess the learning of Humanism and Bioethics could be explored further from the observations noted in this pilot study.
European Experience with Shared Decision Making
Authors: Coulter Angela , Härter Martin Härter , Moumjid-Ferdjaoui Nora , Perestelo-Perez Lilisbeth , Van der Weijden Trudy
Published: July 2021

Background: Shared decision making (SDM) is frequently advocated but not yet widely implemented in European countries. Experience suggests that various incentives must be in alignment to encourage wider uptake.  Objectives: To assess readiness for mainstream implementation of SDM in five European countries. Methods: Qualitative assessment of clinical policies and the availability of various SDM support services in Germany, France, Spain, the Netherlands and the UK. Results: All five countries have research groups working on SDM, patient groups calling for its wider use, and ethical and professional standards indicating its desirability, but apart from a small number of demonstration projects, there is no evidence of a systematic approach to implementation in any of the countries as yet.  Conclusions: Greater attention will need to be given to the provision of effective leadership, training and practical support if SDM is to become a regular feature of clinical practice in these countries.
Person-centered and Integrated Care for Ageing Populations
Authors: Araujo de Carvalho Islene
Published: July 2021

Background: Disintegrated and uncoordinated services and those neglecting the concerns of users tend to be associated to negative health outcomes for older people. Objectives: This paper is aimed at exploring how the concept of person centred care can be relevant for ageing populations and its implications for health systems.Methods: These involved a critical review of the literature, both standard scientific data banks as well as internet-based sources. Results: It was found that the best way to reorient health systems towards the goal of healthy ageing is by placing older people at the centre of service delivery. While people-centered and integrated services are fundamental for all including ageing people, the strategy mix may be optimized by attending to the goals of healthy ageing and the older person’s values. Discussion and Conclusions: An older person-centred integrated health care delivery model that focuses on prevention and care coordination seems to be the best approach to reorienting health systems. Successful older-people-centred health services are organized around the needs of older people, acknowledging their intrinsic value and contribution to society, and enabling their functional abilities.
Decision Aids in the United States: the Patient Response
Authors: Wexler Richard , Gerstein Bethany S. , Brackett Charles , Fagnan Lyle J. (LJ) , Fairfield Kathleen M. , Frosch Dominick L. , Lewis Carmen L. , Morrissey Lawrence , Simmons Leigh H. , Swieskowski David , Chang Yuchiao , Fowler Floyd J. , Barry Michael J.
Published: July 2021

Background:  In the United States and elsewhere, a growing chorus of voices is calling for the routine use of patient decision aids (DAs) and shared decision making (SDM) in day-to-day care.  A frequently cited barrier to this approach is the belief that many patients will not be able to understand key clinical information and/or prefer to delegate decision making to providers.  These beliefs, often held by providers, are thought to be particularly applicable to elderly and less educated patients.Objectives: To test the perception that older and less educated patients will not value or benefit from DAs.Research design: Self-administered questionnaires completed by patients after viewing DAs.Subjects: 3001 patients in six primary care practice sites facing one of sixteen common medical decisions.Measures: Amount of DA viewed, knowledge about medical tests or treatments, DA rating, and importance of receiving DAs from providers.Results: Across age and education level, higher self-reported exposure to the DAs was associated with higher knowledge scores. Those over 65 and those who had not attended college had knowledge gains at least has high as those in other groups. There were no statistically significant differences by age or education in patient assessment of the importance of using DAs.Conclusions: Patients in primary care settings in the U.S. learn from DAs, rate them highly, and believe that providers should make them available in ways that are mainly independent of patient age or formal education.
Review Dialogues as an Opportunity to Develop a Person-related Overall Diagnosis
Authors: Bahrs Ottomar , Henze Karl-Heinz , Lowenstein Franziska , Abholz Heinz-Harald , Ilse Katharina , Wilm Stefan , Bureick Gertrud , Heim Susanne
Published: July 2021

Background: In the long-term care of patients with chronic conditions, the process aspect of treatment is rarely in the focus of general practitioner(GP)-patient interactions. A specific interaction tool, the Review Dialogue (RD), has been developed to integrate patients’ health-related problems/risks as well as coping strategies/resources and to agree upon shared treatment objectives.  Research question: Do periodical RDs contribute to a better achievement of treatment objectives and do they arrive at an overall diagnosis (Balint)? Methods: GPs were randomized either into an intervention group (extra training and regular RD with 20 patients with chronic conditions) or into a control group (usual care). Videos of a sub-sample of patients (5 per practice) were taken at four points in time.This paper focuses on a sub-sample of 125 video-recorded GP-patient interactions, analysed using a semi-standardised procedure (RLI). An in-depth analysis of a maximum variation sample of eight GPs’ videotapes across four points in time was made to identify professional interaction strategies. Results: Implementing the RD and creating an overall holistic diagnosis is case-specific with respect to both, the GPs and the patients. Fostering individualised care RDs might contribute to a better achievement of treatment objectives. Conclusions: Review Dialogues facilitate the GP-patient communication process about diagnostics and therapy helping to make the implied overall diagnosis explicit. Further research is needed.
Person-centered Yoga Therapeutic Approach for Adult Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder
Authors: Salloum Ihsan M. , Cichon Jamie Lee
Published: July 2021

Background: ADHD affects 2.5% to 5% of the adult population, is often under-diagnosed and poorly managed with few treatment options.  Limited pharmacotherapeutic options are available, and many patients and clinicians are reluctant to use them for fear of side effects or concerns about substance abuse liability. Very limited psychotherapeutic options are available for ADHD. Cognitive behavioral group therapy (CBTg) is the only approach with some preliminary promising results, however there is no individual CBT option for this population.Objectives: There is a growing popularity of yoga as a therapeutic technique in psychiatric disorders and it may offer distinct advantages for adult ADHD. The objectives of this paper is to discuss the benefit of yoga as a person-centered individualized intervention for adults with ADHD. Methods: We discuss the therapeutic utility of a more encompassing and systematic application of yoga practices, including their physical and philosophical, meditative and spiritual aspects to address the symptoms of ADHD and to enhance wellness through lifelong growth and skill building yoga for adults with ADHD. We also present a systematic comparison between yoga practices and the standard CBTg therapy to demonstrate that the proposed yoga intervention is able to address ADHD symptoms areas targeted by CBTg.  Results: Intervention based on a systematic application of yoga practices may offer targeted interventions to match ADHD patients’ symptoms and needs and compares positively with CBTg. Furthermore, yoga therapy may be superior to CBTg in terms of convenience, person-centeredness and individualized care. Conclusions: Yoga may offer a valuable option to meet patients’ needs by integrating both physical and philosophical aspects to dynamically targeting specific areas of emotional, behavioral and cognitive dysfunctions as well as the hyperactivity symptoms.
Historical analysis of personal autonomy for prospective healthcare
Authors: Moeke Dennis , Van Andel Jeroen
Published: July 2021

Background: Today most healthcare providers have embraced the principle of personal autonomy as central to their strategic aims and objectives. However, amongst healthcare providers there exist many different views on what personal autonomy is and how it should be facilitated. Objectives: This study aims to explore how personal autonomy and related concepts such as individual liberty and individualism have been interpreted over theages, what this means for our current understanding of personal autonomy in healthcare and how this may aid current policy discussions.Methods: Qualitative investigation of historical views related to this topic. Results: Three major traditions can be identified, each of which defines preconditions for autonomous behavior. These preconditions are: (1) rationality and rational faculties, (2) individual rights and legislation and (3) free property rights, free market and free trade. It was found that the three historical traditions still play a key role in current discussions on personal autonomy in healthcare. Conclusions: A thorough understanding of these traditions may be quite helpful for health stakeholders in planning health services and policies.
“No One Left Behind”: Learning From A Multidimensional Ethic of Care in a Women’s Prison in the US South
Authors: Curtis Cara ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: July 2021

Drawing on qualitative research in a theological studies program at a women’s prison, this paper describes a multidimensional ethic of care practiced by the program’s students. Analyzing this ethic, the paper distills three virtues that the students’ practice offers to non-incarcerated persons seeking to advance care and justice in the world: attention, outward-looking self-care, and steadfastness. Through this analysis, the paper makes two main contributions, building on multiple strands of work in everyday ethics and the ethics of care: 1) it explores the moral and pedagogic value of incarcerated women’s ethical practices, and in doing so aims to unsettle assumptions about “where ethics happens,” particularly virtue ethics, and who are qualified ethical teachers; 2) in discussing a care ethic embedded in a carceral context, it furthers the case for ethics of care that are robustly and explicitly tied to the pursuit of justice.
From Quandary Cases to Ordinary Life: New Opportunities to Connect Social Ethics and Health Care Ethics
Authors: Kelly Conor M. ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: July 2021

In Christian bioethics, the call for a greater integration of social ethics and medical ethics is a popular refrain, yet lasting progress toward this goal has been elusive, in part due to the traditional emphasis on quandary cases in medical ethics. This article develops an alternative approach to moral discernment in health care, employing a theological interpretation of solidarity to promote greater social consciousness in ordinary health care decision making. This shifts the ethical analysis from abstract scenarios to everyday choices, elevating the moral significance of seemingly mundane concerns like antibiotic use and diet and exercise.
The Karl Rahner Society in the Twenty-First Century (1998–2019)
Authors: Fischer Mark F. ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: July 2021

This essay traces the history of the Karl Rahner Society between the years 1998 and 2019. It lists the achievements of the society’s coordinators, many of the books and articles about Rahner published by members of the society, and the role played in the society by Presidents of the Catholic Theological Society of America. The essay also identifies three persistent themes of the society: Rahner and his contemporaries, Rahner and the Catholic Church, and Rahner and ecumenism.
Future of Education or Present Reality?
Authors: Lyapichev Kirill A. , Loghavi Sanam , El Hussein Siba , Al-Maghrabi Haneen , Xu Jie , Konoplev Sergej , Medeiros L. Jeffrey , Khoury Joseph D.
Published: July 2021

Context.—

The main focus of education in most pathology residency and subspecialty pathology fellowships is the light microscopic examination of pathology specimens. Classes with multiheaded scopes are the most popular among pathology trainees. Until recently, it was difficult to imagine that this educational approach could change. In the beginning of March 2020, our country faced a serious challenge, which all of us now know as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The rules of social distancing and work from home were applied. These types of restrictions were implemented in almost all parts of our life, including work and pathology education.

Objective.—

To share our experience in the Department of Hematopathology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center during the COVID-19 pandemic. We describe our experience in modifying our approaches to education. We show how we overcame many obstacles to learning by building one of the largest virtual hematopathology educational platforms via Cisco WebEx and using social media, in particular Twitter. These tools facilitated the learning of hematopathology by medical students, pathology trainees, and practicing pathologists from all over the world.

Data Sources.—

During the first 3 months of the pandemic (April, May, and June, 2020), we evaluated the visitor attendance to the MD Anderson Cancer Center Hematopathology Virtual Educational Platform using data collected by the Cisco WebEx Web site. To determine the impact that the platform had on medical education for the hematopathology community on Twitter, the analytic metrics obtained from Symplur LLC (www.symplur.com, April 27, 2020) were used via its Symplur Signals program.

Conclusions.—

Our experience using the MD Anderson Hematopathology Virtual Platform showed that there is substantial global interest and desire for virtual hematopathology education, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Predictors of the challenges faced by beginning teachers: Pre-service teacher education competency and professional commitment
Authors: Kozikoglu Ishak , Senemoglu Nuray
Published: July 2021

The purpose of this study is to determine to what level beginning teachers' perceptions concerning the competency of pre-service teacher education and their professional commitment predict the challenges they face. This study was conducted with 942 beginning teachers working at İstanbul, Konya, Gaziantep and Van provinces in Turkey. The data were collected with the scale of challenges faced by beginning teachers, teachers' perceptions scale concerning the competency of preservice teacher education and teachers' professional commitment scale developed by the researchers. Descriptive statistics, MANOVA, Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient and stepwise regression analysis were used for data analysis. As a result of the study, it was found that beginning teachers face challenges at moderate level in their first year. Furthermore, it was found that three variables ("relations with students, colleagues, administrators, parents and society", "teaching planning and implementation " and "commitment to the profession") are significant predictors explaining approximately one third (%30.4) of the variance concerning the challenges faced by beginning teachers.
The effect of Montessori education on the development of phonological awareness and print awareness
Authors: Buldur Aycan , İclal Gokkus
Published: July 2021

Montessori education program offers an alternative education opportunity for children, and it supports the development of children in early childhood period as well. In the study, it was aimed to examine the effect of Montessori education on the development of phonological awareness and print awareness, which are among the early childhood literacy skills. This study was conducted in a longitudinal research design. As the data were collected from the same participants, panel design was taken as the basis of the study. The study group was composed of a total of 50 children, 24 boys and 26 girls, in the" 4-6 age" group with normal development who received education in the Montessori class of a state nursery located in Sivas province of Turkey in the 2019-2020 academic year. As data collection tool, the "Scale for Evaluating Early Literacy Skills" (SEELS), which was developed by Karaman Benli (2013) and whose validity and reliability studies were carried out by the same author, was used. In the study, in order to examine whether there was a significant difference between the pretest and posttest scores in the phonological awareness and print awareness of children attending the Montessori Education program, dependent samples t-test was performed. In addition, in order to investigate whether there was a difference between the pretest and posttest scores regarding the participants' phonological awareness and print awareness in terms of gender, two-factor ANOVA test was employed. As a result of the study, it was determined that there was a difference in favor of posttest scores between the pretest and posttest mean scores of children with normal development in the "4-6" age group who were attending the Montessori Education program in terms of general phonological awareness, matching words starting with the same initial sounds, matching rhyming words, noticing the initial sounds of words, omitting sounds and syllables, connecting sounds, and general print awareness skills, and that this difference did not vary according to gender.
The process of transformation in the squatting fact: Examples of Sanayi and Yesilce quarters in Istanbul
Authors: Gökgür Pelin
Published: July 2021

The aim of this study is to present the process by means of which squatter settlements emerged parallel to the process of industrialization, analyze the way the squatter settlements were gradually transformed pursuant to the laws, and to discuss squatter settlements that became as areas that have recently been included in the agenda of "urban transformation projects" of the recent Istanbul's Strategic Plan. The squatter settlement selected for discussion in this study was the one that originally developed around an industrial area and later changed considerably as a result of "Urban Improvement Plans". Today, the same area has become one of the most important Central Business Areas of Istanbul, thus occupying high-priced real estate.
The theory and practice of urban and spatial planning in Romania
Authors: Petrişor Alexandru-Ionuţ
Published: July 2021

Different theoreticians place urbanism among sciences, arts, activities, or regulations, also accounting for its final product. The methods of urbanism include strategic planning, urban compositions, participative, managerial, and communication urbanism. All these conceptual and methodological sides are found in the Romanian approach to urbanism, making it representative as a case study. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to analyze the theoretical and practical approaches to urban and spatial planning in Romania from a historical perspective. The conclusions of the analysis indicate that territorial planning in Romania has two levels - urbanism and spatial planning, both resulting into urban/spatial planning documents. The elaboration and approval of these documents is subject to numerous laws changing rapidly, controlled by local and central authorities, and involves a long and complicated bureaucratic process. The accession of Romania to the European Union determined changes of this process, as well as a set of changes in the education system preparing the future professionals. The relevance of the results could be extended to formerly Communist countries joining the European Union.
Cytosolic aggregation of mitochondrial proteins disrupts cellular homeostasis by stimulating the aggregation of other proteins
Authors: Nowicka Urszula , Chroscicki Piotr , Stroobants Karen , Sladowska Maria , Turek Michal , Uszczynska-Ratajczak Barbara , Kundra Rishika , Goral Tomasz , Perni Michele , Dobson Christopher M , Vendruscolo Michele , Chacinska Agnieszka
Published: July 2021

Mitochondria are organelles with their own genomes, but they rely on the import of nuclear-encoded proteins that are translated by cytosolic ribosomes. Therefore, it is important to understand whether failures in the mitochondrial uptake of these nuclear-encoded proteins can cause proteotoxic stress and identify response mechanisms that may counteract it. Here, we report that upon impairments in mitochondrial protein import, high-risk precursor and immature forms of mitochondrial proteins form aberrant deposits in the cytosol. These deposits then cause further cytosolic accumulation and consequently aggregation of other mitochondrial proteins and disease-related proteins, including α-synuclein and amyloid β. This aggregation triggers a cytosolic protein homeostasis imbalance that is accompanied by specific molecular chaperone responses at both the transcriptomic and protein levels. Altogether, our results provide evidence that mitochondrial dysfunction, specifically protein import defects, contributes to impairments in protein homeostasis, thus revealing a possible molecular mechanism by which mitochondria are involved in neurodegenerative diseases.
Linking plasmid-based beta-lactamases to their bacterial hosts using single-cell fusion PCR
Authors: Diebold Peter J , New Felicia N , Hovan Michael , Satlin Michael J , Brito Ilana L
Published: July 2021

The horizonal transfer of plasmid-encoded genes allows bacteria to adapt to constantly shifting environmental pressures, bestowing functional advantages to their bacterial hosts such as antibiotic resistance, metal resistance, virulence factors, and polysaccharide utilization. However, common molecular methods such as short- and long-read sequencing of microbiomes cannot associate extrachromosomal plasmids with the genome of the host bacterium. Alternative methods to link plasmids to host bacteria are either laborious, expensive, or prone to contamination. Here we present the One-step Isolation and Lysis PCR (OIL-PCR) method, which molecularly links plasmid-encoded genes with the bacterial 16S rRNA gene via fusion PCR performed within an emulsion. After validating this method, we apply it to identify the bacterial hosts of three clinically relevant beta-lactamases within the gut microbiomes of neutropenic patients, as they are particularly vulnerable multidrug-resistant infections. We successfully detect the known association of a multi-drug resistant plasmid with Klebsiella pneumoniae, as well as the novel associations of two low-abundance genera, Romboutsia and Agathobacter. Further investigation with OIL-PCR confirmed that our detection of Romboutsia is due to its physical association with Klebsiella as opposed to directly harboring the beta-lactamase genes. Here we put forth a robust, accessible, and high-throughput platform for sensitively surveying the bacterial hosts of mobile genes, as well as detecting physical bacterial associations such as those occurring within biofilms and complex microbial communities.
Effects of fertilizer and biochar applications on the relationship among soil moisture, temperature, and N2O emissions in farmland
Authors: Wang Xiao , Lu Ping , Yang Peiling , Ren Shumei
Published: July 2021

Background

Di-nitrogen oxide (N2O) emissions from soil may lead to nonpoint-source pollution in farmland. Improving the C and N content in the soil is an excellent strategy to reduce N2O emission and mitigate soil N loss. However, this method lacks a unified mathematical index or standard to evaluate its effect.

Methods

To quantify the impact of soil improvement (C and N) on N2O emissions, we conducted a 2-year field experiment using biochar as carbon source and fertilizer as nitrogen source, setting three treatments (fertilization (300 kg N ha−1), fertilization + biochar (30 t ha−1), control).

Results

Results indicate that after biochar application, the average soil water content above 20 cm increased by ∼26% and 26.92% in 2019, and ∼10% and 12.49% in 2020. The average soil temperature above 20 cm also increased by ∼2% and 3.41% in 2019. Fertigation significantly promotes the soil N2O emissions, and biochar application indeed inhibited the cumulation by approximately 52.4% in 2019 and 33.9% in 2020, respectively. N2O emissions strongly depend on the deep soil moisture and temperature (20–80 cm), in addition to the surface soil moisture and temperature (0–20 cm). Therefore, we established an exponential model between the soil moisture and N2O emissions based on theoretical analysis. We find that the N2O emissions exponentially increase with increasing soil moisture regardless of fertilization or biochar application. Furthermore, the coefficient a < 0 means that N2O emissions initially increase and then decrease. The aRU < aCK indicates that fertilization does promote the rate of N2O emissions, and the aBRU > aRU indicates that biochar application mitigates this rate induced by fertilization. This conclusion can be verified by the sensitivity coefficient (SCB of 1.02 and 14.74; SCU of 19.18 and 20.83). Thus, we believe the model can quantify the impact of soil C and N changes on N2O emissions. We can conclude that biochar does significantly reduce N2O emissions from farmland.
Lots of movement, little progress: a review of reptile home range literature
Authors: Crane Matthew , Silva Inês , Marshall Benjamin M. , Strine Colin T.
Published: July 2021

Reptiles are the most species-rich terrestrial vertebrate group with a broad diversity of life history traits. Biotelemetry is an essential methodology for studying reptiles as it compensates for several limitations when studying their natural history. We evaluated trends in terrestrial reptile spatial ecology studies focusing upon quantifying home ranges for the past twenty years. We assessed 290 English-language reptile home range studies published from 2000–2019 via a structured literature review investigating publications’ study location, taxonomic group, methodology, reporting, and analytical techniques. Substantial biases remain in both location and taxonomic groups in the literature, with nearly half of all studies (45%) originating from the USA. Snakes were most often studied, and crocodiles were least often studied, while testudines tended to have the greatest within study sample sizes. More than half of all studies lacked critical methodological details, limiting the number of studies for inclusion in future meta-analyses (55% of studies lacked information on individual tracking durations, and 51% lacked sufficient information on the number of times researchers recorded positions). Studies continue to rely on outdated methods to quantify space-use (including Minimum Convex Polygons and Kernel Density Estimators), often failing to report subtleties regarding decisions that have substantial impact on home range area estimates. Moving forward researchers can select a suite of appropriate analytical techniques tailored to their research question (dynamic Brownian Bridge Movement Models for within sample interpolation, and autocorrelated Kernel Density Estimators for beyond sample extrapolation). Only 1.4% of all evaluated studies linked to available and usable telemetry data, further hindering scientific consensus. We ultimately implore herpetologists to adopt transparent reporting practices and make liberal use of open data platforms to maximize progress in the field of reptile spatial ecology.
Inheritance of heat tolerance in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne, Poaceae): evidence from progeny array analysis
Authors: Soliman Wagdi S. , Abbas Ahmed M. , Novak Stephen J. , Fujimori Masahiro , Tase Kazuhiro , Sugiyama Shu-ichi
Published: July 2021

Background

Heat stress is considered one of the most important environmental factors influencing plant physiology, growth, development, and reproductive output. The occurrence and damage caused by heat stress will likely increase with global climate change. Thus, there is an urgent need to better understand the genetic basis of heat tolerance, especially in cool season plants.

Materials and Methods

In this study, we assessed the inheritance of heat tolerance in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenneL. subspeciesperenne), a cool season grass, through a comparison of two parental cultivars with their offspring. We crossed plants of a heat tolerant cultivar (Kangaroo Valley) with plants of a heat sensitive cultivar (Norlea), to generate 72 F1 hybrid progeny arrays. Both parents and their progeny were then exposed to heat stress for 40 days, and their photosynthetic performance (Fv/Fm values) and leaf H2O2content were measured.

Results

As expected, Kangaroo Valley had significantly higher Fv/Fm values and significantly lower H2O2concentrations than Norlea. For the F1 progeny arrays, values of Fv/Fm decreased gradually with increasing exposure to heat stress, while the content of H2O2increased. The progeny had a wide distribution of Fv/Fm and H2O2values at 40 days of heat stress. Approximately 95% of the 72 F1 progeny arrays had Fv/Fm values that were equal to or intermediate to the values of the two parental cultivars and 68% of the progeny arrays had H2O2concentrations equal to or intermediate to their two parents.

Conclusion

Results of this study indicate considerable additive genetic variation for heat tolerance among the 72 progeny arrays generated from these crosses, and such diversity can be used to improve heat tolerance in perennial ryegrass cultivars. Our findings point to the benefits of combining physiological measurements within a genetic framework to assess the inheritance of heat tolerance, a complex plant response.
Pesticide Use Practices and Effects on the Wetland Biodiversity of Ndop, North West Region of Cameroon
Authors: Ncheuveu Nkwatoh Therese , Fai Patricia Bi Asanga , Tchamba Martin Ngankam , Ngealekeloeh Francis
Published: July 2021

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate farmer’s pesticide use practices and their effects in the wetland of Ndop.

Study Design: A cross sectional study was carried out from January to August 2019 in Ndop, North West Region of Cameroon.

Methodology: Questionnaires were administered separately to 382 rice and 100 vegetable farmers, and descriptive statistics was used in analyzing the results. Specifically, the Chi-squared statistic was used to determine the nature of the relationship between the variables.

Results: The results showed that most of the crop fields (95.6%) lack a buffer zone since most farms were adjacent to water bodies (0 ≥farm ≥1 m). Farmers (100%) washed and rinsed knapsack sprayers in nearby water bodies. A majority of the farmers (71.3%) burnt or threw empty pesticide containers in open fields, water bodies, or nearby bushes. Both rice farmers (83.5%) and vegetable farmers (100%) reported that pesticides kill non-target organisms (fish, frogs, toad, snakes, birds, etc.) resulting into a drastic population decline in the wetland. A majority of the farmers (85.2%) no longer do fishing in the paddy fields because of the frequent fish decline caused by pesticide usage. Clarias gariepinus constituted 56% of the fish species harvested from the paddy fields and a drastic population decline was observed by the farmers. The average fish catch per month was low (12.22 kg ± 7.47 SD) relative to the past when pesticides were not used during cultivation.  There was a significant difference between training and environmental awareness of pesticides (X2 = 28.98, p = 0.001).

Conclusion: These results indicate an urgent need for a post-pesticide registration management strategy to ensure a sustainable management and conservation of the wetland resources of Ndop.
Effect of Invigoration Treatment of Different Soaking Periods on Germination Performance of Bottle Gourd Seeds
Authors: Pawar Kranti M. , Rai Prashant Kumar
Published: July 2021

This present experiment was conducted in a Seed Testing laboratory, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding SHUATS, Allahabad, UP during 2021 with bottle gourd, in order to standardize the best method of invigoration of priming specific to bottle gourd. method of priming viz., halopriming were evaluated by screening a different range of durations and chemical concentrations viz., T0 – Unprimed seeds (control), T₁ - 50 ppm KNO3 (Potassium Nitrate) for 12 hrs, T₂ - 50 ppm KNO3 for 18 hrs, T₃-100 ppm KNO3 for 12 hrs, T₄- 100 ppm KNO3 for 18 hrs, T₅-125 ppm KNO3 for 12 hrs, T₆- 125 ppm KNO3 for 18 hrs. Treated seeds were placed in between germination paper and in sand at control condition where data was subjected to factorial experiment laid out in completely randomised design (CRD). In which it was found that 6th treatment 125 ppm KNO3 for 18 hrs., has the significant result as compared to all the treatments with the control, the highest germination %, seedling length, weight and vigor index I & II. This study showed that Seed priming with KNO3 found to increase the seed quality parameters. In the present study proved market price- effective and most economical method. This study helps to improve the quality and performance of seeds with the help of seed priming treatments which have effect on market price and economic, non-toxic, eco-friendly sources.
Effect on Yield and Rhizosphere Biota by use of Recommended Dose of Fertilizers in Combination with Biofertilizer Consortium on Rice Fallow Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. moench)
Authors: Reddy Kadapa Sreenivasa , Rao Ch. Pulla , Luther M. Martin , Prasad P. R. K.
Published: July 2021

Aims: To evaluate the effect of manures in combination with biofertilizers consortium on  yield and rhizosphere biota in rice fallow sorghum

Study Design: The experiment was laid in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with seven treatments and replicated thrice.

Place and Duration of Study: At Agricultural college farm, Agricultural college, Bapatla during Rabi, 2018-19.

Methodology: After the preliminary layout, Bio-fertilizer consortium contains 500ml each of Azospirillum, PSB and KRB in liquid form had been applied per acre along with Vermicompost @ 1 t ha-1 is used as carrier. A high yielding hybrid CSH-16 with a yield potential of 5 to 8 t ha-1 and matures in 110-120 days. Sowing was done manually by using a seed rate of 12 kg ha­­-1 and adopting a spacing of 45 cm x 15 cm raised well in advance in their respective treatments.

Results: Yield attributes, Grain yield and stover yields were obtained maximum with 125% RDF+ Biofertilizers consortium which was on par with 100% RDF+ Biofertilizers consortium. In case of Bacterial, fungal and actinomycetes population were also influenced significantly at harvest compared to initial population of the observed soil and recorded the highest population with 125% RDF+ Biofertilizers consortium treatment.

Conclusion: The fertilizer requirement with application of 125% RDF+ Biofertilizer can be recommended for coastal region of A.P under rice fallow rabi sorghum in no till conditions. As it resulted in high yield attributes, yields and significant improvement in rhizosphere biota for soil health enhancement.
Effect of Biofumigation on Fusarium wilt of Eggplant caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melongenae
Authors: Rao V. Govardhan , Dhutraj D. N. , Navgire K. D. , Apet K. T. , Ambadkar C. V.
Published: July 2021

Eggplant is the most traditional vegetable crop in India and susceptible to a number of diseases, among which Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. melongenae (FOM) that reduce yield and quality. The present study on effect of biofumigation on Fusarium wilt of eggplant caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. melongenae under natural field conditions showed that the biocidal volatiles released by Brassica tissue incorporation decreased the wilt incidence greatly from 14.57(Radish) to 50.88(Mustard) per cent reduction over control and significantly enhanced the Yield 30.43 (Radish) to 51.95 (Mustard) per cent increase over control and also enhanced the yield parameters viz., leaf area (10.15 to 35.87), plant height(13.01 to 26.39), root length(23.10 to 49.29) per cent increase over control respective.
Health Related Quality of Life and its Determinants in Cancer Patients in a Low-resource Setting
Authors: Onyeka Tonia C. , Ijoma Uchenna N. , Nwatu Chidimma B. , Onyekonwu Chinwe L. , Unaogu Ngozichukwu N. , Onu Uchenna , Nwutobo Chidimma R. , Nwachukwu Chioma V. , Ugwumba Fred , Onwuekwe Ikenna O.
Published: July 2021

Objectives: This study investigated the health-related quality of life (QoL) in patients with various cancers attending cancer clinics at a tertiary hospital in South-East Nigeria and also determined the predictors of the various domain of QoL in these patients.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study conducted among 104 participants. The WHO QoL questionnaire–short version was administered to patients with various cancer types. Analysis of Variance was used to compare the domains of quality of life among the various cancer types. The Independent t-test was used to compare socio-demographic variables of gender and quality of life across the domains and multiple linear regression analysis was used to further test if identified socio-demographic and clinical characteristics significantly predicted quality of life in all four domains.

Results: Of the 104 participants analysed, there was no significant association between individual cancers and overall quality of life (p = 0.67), and with individual cancers and satisfaction with health (p = 0.13). Occupation (p = 0.019), and the number of hospitalizations (p = 0.016) in the psychological domain; occupation (p = 0.032) and co-morbidities (p = 0.004) in the physical domain; age (p = 0.003) in the social domain, and level of education (p = 0.002) in the environmental domain predicted QoL in these patients.

Conclusion: Socio-demographic variables of age, number of hospitalizations, presence of comorbidities, education and occupation were significant predictors of QoL among cancer patients in this study. However, there was no association between cancer types and quality of life.
A Comparison of Spirometric Parameters and Serum Malondialdehyde Level in Actively Smoking Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients and Non- Smoking Apparently Normals- A Crosssectional Comparative Study
Authors: Ranjana . , Sushil Mishra Indira , Prasad Rajiv Ranjan
Published: July 2021

Introduction: The antioxidants requirement depend on one’s exposure to endogenous and exogenous reactive oxygen species.Cigarette smoking leads to increased exposure to reactive oxygen species,hence they require more antioxidant nutrients In this study, we aimed to study the serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) as a marker of oxidative stress and pulmonary function tests (PFT) and to study if there is any correlation between PFTand MDA levels in, smokers,chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients.

Aim: To compare the pulmonary function tests (PFT) and serum malondialdehyde (MDA) level in smokers, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with non-smoker controls.

Methods and Materials: N=30, 35-50 years age group smokers, COPD patients were enrolled as cases.N=30 age and sex matched were enrolled as control group. Serum MDA and PFT parameters like forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in first second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC ratio, Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) were measured.

Result: PFT parameters like forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in first second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC ratio, peak expiratory flow rate(PEFR) were decreased and found statistically significant in smokers, COPD group.MDA level were increase and found statistically highly significant in smokers, COPD group.

Conclusion: MDA is negatively correlated with FEV1% predicted, FEV1/FVC % predicted ratio and FVC in smokers, COPD patients
Elimination of Non-stick on Leads Defect through Re-designed WCTP
Authors: Mariano Richard G. , Gablan Alyssa Grace S. , Gomez Frederick Ray I.
Published: July 2021

This paper presents the reformation and fabrication resolved on the wire clamp and top plate (WCTP) design to eliminate the presence of lead finger bouncing resulting to high rejection of non-stick on leads (NSOL). Problem experienced was that the hollow or half-etched portion of the leadframe at the top and bottom units caused its bouncing effect. With the aim to improve localized massive NSOL defect, WCTP has been modified to provide positive bias to support its hollow part or the half-etched part of the leadframe at the top and bottom of the units. The re-designed WCTP was fabricated, extending its clamping with enhanced vacuum on top and bottom rows. The implementation of the improved WCTP design reduced the defect with 88 % improvement with the defect reduction during the lot runs.
Comparative Study of Malondialdehyde, Superoxide Dismutase and Glutathione Peroxidase in Urolithiasis Patients: A Case Control Study
Authors: Jha Rakesh Kumar , Ambad Ranjit , Kamble Ajonish , Lamture Yashwant
Published: July 2021

Background: Urolithiasis i.e. stone firming disease in the urinary passages is one of the frequently encountered diseases in man. Perhaps the disease is as ancient as the man himself as has been revealed by the archaeological excavation done in different parts of the world such as in Egypt.

Aim: Comparative Study of Malondialdehyde, Superoxide Dismutase and Glutathione Peroxidase in Urolithiasis Patients: A Case Control Study

Materials and Methods: The study was carried out in the Department of Biochemistry, Datta Meghe Medical College Nagpur in collaboration with Department of Surgery, Division of Urology and Department of Pharmacology.

Results: The urolithiasis patients have shown a marked increase in plasma MDA levels. There was a significant increase in the values of superoxide dismutase in patients suffering from urolithiasis (6.26 ± 0.86 µmol/l RBC lysate) as compared to the normal control values (3.40 ± 1.09 µmol/l RBC lysate) in human volunteers (p<0.01).A significantly decreased value of glutathione peroxidase has been observed in patients suffering from urolithiasis as compared to the control group.

Conclusion: Enhanced SOD can reduce the formation of Calcium Oxalate crystals and reduce the damage of renal tubular epithelial cell.
Awareness, Practice, Knowledge and Attitude toward the COVID-19 among Antenatal Patients at Tertiary Care Hospital
Authors: Parveen Fahmida , Aijaz Samia , Memon Sakeena Ahmed , Akmal Hina
Published: July 2021

Objective: To determine the awareness, practice, knowledge and attitude toward the Covid 19 among antenatal patients at tertiary care Hospital.

Methodology: This was a cross sectional survey which was conducted at Gynae and obstetrics department at Liaquat University Hospital Hyderabad. Study duration was six months from March 2020 to August 2020. All the pregnant women visited antenatal clinic age 18 to 40 years and either of parity were included. All the pregnant females were interviewed by using a questioner regarding awareness, attitude and practice toward the Covid19 after taking informed consent. All the data was recorded via study proforma. Data was analyzed by using SPSS version 20.

Results: Total 173 pregnant women were interview regarding COVID-19, their mean age was 29.34+13.12 years. Most of the women were presented with age between 18 to 37 years. 70.5% were multigravida and majority of women were uneducated. Mostly women 75.1% had heard regarding. 72.8% women said, they should stay at home and 25.4% said should wear the face mask, while 38.7% said the women should inform the health care provider in advance before visit to Hospital if developed any symptom. Most of the women had good knowledge and attitude, while preventive practice was found to be unsatisfactory.

Conclusion: knowledge and awareness were found to adequate; while preventive practice has been observed unsatisfactory among pregnant women during antenatal clinic. Clinicians should provide appropriate counseling to reassure and elucidate doubts of pregnancy females regarding COVID-19 during antenatal visits.