Classes Ia Research Articles

Rhythm vs Rate Control Strategy for Atrial Fibrillation: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

BackgroundRhythm control, either with antiarrhythmic drugs or catheter ablation, and rate control strategies are the cornerstones of atrial fibrillation (AF) management. Despite the increasing role of rhythm control over the past few years, it remains inconclusive which strategy is superior in improving clinical outcomes. ObjectivesThis study summarizes the total and time-varying evidence regarding the efficacy of rhythm- vs rate-control strategies in the management of AF. MethodsWe systematically perused the MEDLINE, CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials), and Web of Science databases for randomized controlled trials from inception to November 2023. We included studies that compared the efficacy of rhythm control (ie, antiarrhythmic drugs classes Ia, Ic, or III, AF catheter ablation, and electrical cardioversion) and rate control (ie, beta-blocker, digitalis, or calcium antagonist) strategies among patients with nonvalvular AF. The primary outcome was cardiovascular (CV) death, whereas secondary outcomes included all-cause death, stroke, hospitalization for heart failure (HF), sinus rhythm at the end of the follow-up, and rhythm control–related adverse events. A cumulative meta-analysis to assess temporal trends and a meta-regression analysis using the percentage of ablation use was performed. ResultsWe identified 18 studies with a total of 17,536 patients (mean age: 68.6 ± 9.7 years, 37.9% females) and a mean follow-up of 28.5 months. Of those, 31.9% had paroxysmal AF. A rhythm control strategy reduced CV death (HR: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.62-0.96), stroke (HR: 0.801; 95% CI: 0.643-0.998), and hospitalization for HF (HR: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.69-0.94) but not all-cause death (HR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.73-1.02) compared with a rate control strategy. This benefit was driven by contemporary studies, whereas more ablation use within the rhythm control arm was associated with improved outcomes, except stroke. ConclusionsIn patients with AF, a contemporary rhythm control strategy leads to reduced CV mortality, HF events, and stroke compared with a rate control strategy.

PERAN GURU DALAM PELAKSANAAN PEMBELAJARAN IPAS MELALUI IMPLEMENTASI KURIKULUM MERDEKA DI SD NEGERI 01 NAMROLE

The curriculum functions to regulate and serve as a guide for teachers, as well as efforts to realize educational goals. The emergence of a new curriculum, namely the independent learning curriculum. One implementation is that science and social studies subjects are combined into one under the name IPAS. This is based on the fact that elementary school age children see everything in an integrated manner, even though not in detail. This research uses a qualitative approach with descriptive research type. The research subjects were school principals, science and science teachers for classes IA, IB and IVA, IVB. Data collection was carried out by observation, interviews and documentation. The data analysis techniques are carried out by data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions. The results of the research show that: First, at SD Negeri 01 Namrole, the Independent Curriculum has been implemented by implementing project-based learning, diagnostic, formative and summative assessments, subject-based learning, science, report cards, ATP and Teaching Modules carried out in groups. Second, the role of teachers in implementing the Independent Curriculum. There are 13 teacher roles, namely corrector, inspirer, informator, organizer, motivator, initiator, facilitator, guide, demonstrator, class manager, mediator, supervisor and evaluator. in planning, implementing and assessing learning are difficulties in analyzing CP, formulating TP and compiling ATP and Teaching Modules, determining learning methods and strategies, lack of ability to use technology, limited student books, lack of ability and readiness to use learning methods and media, teaching materials are too broad , determining class I and IV projects, lack of time allocation for project-based learning, determining the form of assessment and form of assessment in project-based learning. Third, the efforts applied by teachers in overcoming problems in implementing the Independent Learning Curriculum are regular meetings with KKG, PMO assistance and specifically coaching school principals, using alphabet books, writing on the board, typing, making worksheets, and creating formats for their own projects, continuing the project. at home, make notes, and take part in training to implement the Merdeka Curriculum.

Clinical Outcomes of Patients with Benign Peptic Ulcer Bleeding After an Emergency Endoscopy Based on Patient Location.

In the efforts toward reducing bleeding-related mortality, it is crucial to determine the risk factors for rebleeding after endoscopic hemostasis in benign peptic ulcer (BPU). Between 2013 and 2017, the medical records of 864 BPU patients were selected from 5076 who had undergone emergency endoscopy for suspected upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Patients who visited the emergency room or were hospitalized for other illnesses were selected. The primary end point was rebleeding within 30days after initial endoscopy. The risk factors of rebleeding and subgroup analyses according to patient location were evaluated. Among 864 BPU bleeding patients, rebleeding after completion of BPU bleeding occurred in 140 (16.2%). Initial indicators of hypotension (OR 1.878, p = 0.005) and Forrest classes Ia (OR 25.53, p < 0.001), Ib (OR 27.91, p = 0.005), IIa (OR 21.41, p < 0.001), and IIb (OR 23.74, p < 0.001) were independent risk factors of rebleeding compared to Forrest class III, and being inpatients (OR 1.75, p = 0.01). Compared to the outpatients, the inpatients showed significantly higher rebleeding rates (25.6% vs 13.8%, p < 0.001), predictive bleeding scores, red blood transfusion counts, proportion of Forrest classes Ia, Ib, and IIb (p < 0.001), and overall mortality rates (68.8% vs 34.0%, p < 0.001). Patient location was a novel predictive factor of BPU rebleeding. Particularly, being an inpatient correlated with increased rebleeding. Furthermore, Forrest classes Ia, Ib, IIa, and IIb were predictive of rebleeding not only the included BPUs, but also in the inpatient or outpatient groups.

The The Incidence of Mandibular Angle Fractures Accompanied by Impacted Third Molar at Oral Surgery Clinic of Hasan Sadikin Hospital, Bandung - West Java

Mandibular fracture is a discontinuity of mandible bone that usually leads to trauma. The fractured area is mostly the mandibular angle located in the third molar area. Therefore, this study aims to examine the incidence of mandibular angle fractures accompanied by impacted teeth in the oral surgery clinic of Hasan Sadikin Hospital. This is a retrospective observational study and the data used were collected from the medical records of patients with mandibular angle fractures accompanied by impacted third molars at the Oral Surgery Clinic of Dr. Hasan Sadikin Bandung from January 2017 to December 2019. Panoramic radiographs were obtained for confirmation and the data collected were age, gender, fracture aetiology and location, impacted tooth type and classification, as well as treatment. The number of mandibular angle fractures with impacted third molars in male patients (92.8%) was more than in females (7.2%). Fractures caused by traffic accidents and fights were 85.8% and 14.2%, respectively, while all patients were treated with ORIF. The percentage of cases according to the classification of third molars in angle fractures are classes IA (20%), IB (6.7%), IIA (20%), IIB (20%), IIC (13.3%), IIIC (6.7%), and unerupted tooth seeds (13.3%).The incidence of mandibular angle fracture with impacted third molars at the Oral Surgery Clinic, Dr. Hasan Sadikin over the last three years has increased. This case is more common in males due to traffic accidents and is treated with surgery (ORIF).

Eligibility for minithoracotomy aortic valve replacement: from Van Praet classification to complex scanner measurements

Van Praet proposed a classification to predict the ease of minithoracotomy aortic valve replacement (MT-AVR) based on the position of the aorta in the thorax. We have evaluated the relevance of complex computed tomography (CT) scan measurements to predict the ease of performing a MT-AVR. The first 57 patients who underwent MT-AVR from February 2018 to June 2020 were selected prior to surgery using Van Praet's IA and IB classes. We made additional measurements on aorta position related to the chest and the incision on the preoperative CT scan. The main objective was to correlate complex CT measurements with different operating durations. Van Praet criteria were significantly related to the distance from the center of the aorta to the midline (p value < 0.001), the distance from the center of the aortic ring to the midline (p value = 0.013) and aorto-sternal angle (p < 0.001). We did not find a correlation between CT criteria and the different surgical steps durations in patients belonging to Van Praet classes IA and IB. Our cohort of Van Praet class Ia and Ib patients were able to benefit from a MT-AVR without the need for conversion. Complex CT measurements do not provide additional information to predict surgical difficulties. This classification appears to be sufficient to determine a patient's eligibility for MT-AVR, even for a surgeon experienced in sternotomy in his first MT-AVR.

Comparison of the performance of risk scoring systems for tumor bleeding in patients with inoperable gastric cancer.

The Glasgow - Blatchford bleeding score (GBS) and admission and full Rockall scores are widely used risk scoring systems to stratify risk and determine the need for intervention in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding. We evaluated the performance of these risk scoring systems in patients with gastric cancer and tumor bleeding. This retrospective study included patients with inoperable gastric cancer who presented with tumor bleeding at the National Cancer Center, Korea, between 2001 and 2015. The GBS, and admission and full Rockall scores were calculated. Primary outcome was the performance of the risk scoring systems in predicting the need for urgent interventions (endoscopic therapy, transarterial embolization, and surgery). The risk factors associated with urgent intervention were analyzed. Of 357 patients with tumor bleeding, 118 (33.1 %; 116 endoscopic therapy, 2 trans-arterial embolization) required urgent intervention. The full Rockall score was better at predicting the need for urgent intervention (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.78; P < 0.001) than the GBS (0.56) and admission Rockall score (0.56). Hemostatic intervention was not performed in patients with a full Rockall score ≤ 6 (103 patients, 28.9 %). On multivariate analysis, endoscopic stigmata of recent hemorrhage of Forrest classes Ia - IIb were significant factors associated with urgent intervention. The full Rockall score was superior to the GBS and admission Rockall score in predicting the need for urgent intervention for tumor bleeding. Thus, endoscopic evaluation is required to determine the need for urgent intervention in patients with gastric cancer and tumor bleeding.

Epithelial PI3K-δ Promotes House Dust Mite-Induced Allergic Asthma in NLRP3 Inflammasome-Dependent and -Independent Manners.

PurposePhosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-δ-dependent Akt activation is known to play critical roles in various immune responses of white blood cells in which PI3K-δ isoform is mostly expressed in contrast to the classes IA PI3Ks p110α and p110β. However, the immunological role of PI3K-δ isoform is still controversial in airway epithelium under house dust mite (HDM)-induced allergic response. This study aimed to evaluate the role of PI3K-δ isoform in HDM-induced allergic responses, focusing on NLRP3 inflammasome activation in airway epithelium.MethodsWe used wild-type mice and PI3K-δ knock-out (KO) mice for HDM-induced asthma animal model and also performed in vitro experiments using primary cultured murine tracheal epithelial cells and human airway epithelial cells.ResultsPI3K-δ activated HDM-induced NLRP3 inflammasome and epithelial cell-derived cytokines in the lung including airway epithelial cells. PI3K-δ KO mice or knock-down of PI3K-δ using siRNA exhibited the significant reduction in allergic asthmatic features and the suppression of NLRP3 inflammasome assembly as well as epithelial cell-derived cytokines. Interestingly, significantly increased expression of PI3K-δ isoform was observed in stimulated airway epithelial cells and the increases in epithelial cell-derived cytokines were markedly suppressed by blocking PI3K-δ, while these cytokine levels were independent of NLRP3 inflammasome activation.ConclusionsThe results of this study suggest that PI3K-δ-isoform can promote HDM-induced allergic airway inflammation via NLRP3 inflammasome-dependent response as well as via NLRP3 inflammasome-independent epithelial cell activation.

Instability Classes of Interfacial Waves of Gravity-Capillary Infinite Depth

The instability of interfacial gravity-capillary waves is investigated. The main wave was generated by oblique reflection of a uniform wave train on a vertical wall. Fixing the density ratio at μ = 0.9, the depths: d1 = 0.1, d2 = 2, and the capillary at κ = 0.01, we have plotted the resonance curves of the four instability classes Ia, Ib, IIa, IIb , for all of the three configurations: Θ = 10: waves close to the stationary interfacial waves. Θ = 40: fully three-dimensional interfacial waves. Θ = 80: waves close to progressive interfacial waves.

Is merely surviving childbirth enough?: The importance of respectful maternity care

Focal Cortical Dysplasias (FCDs) represent a common architectural cortical disorder underlying drug-resistant focal epilepsy. So far, studies aimed at evaluating whether age at surgery is a factor influencing surgical outcome are lacking, so that data on the comparison between patients harboring Type II FCD operated at younger age and those operated at adult age are still scarce. We compared presurgical clinical features and surgical outcomes of patients with histopathologically diagnosed Type II FCD undergoing surgery at an earlier age with those operated after 20 years of age.We retrospectively analyzed 1660 consecutive patients operated at the “Claudio Munari” Epilepsy Surgery Centre. There were 289 patients (17.4%) with a neuropathological diagnosis of Type II FCD. We included two different groups of patients, the first one including patients operated on at less than 6 years, the second sharing the same seizure onset age but with delayed surgery, carried out after the age of 20. Seizure characteristics and, neuropsychological and postoperative seizure outcomes were evaluated by study group.Forty patients underwent surgery before the age of 6 and 66 patients after the age of 20. Surgical outcome was favorable in the whole population (72.6% were classified in Engel's Class Ia + Ic), independently from age at surgery. In the children group, 32 patients were classified in Class I, including 30 (75%) children in classes Ia and Ic. In the adult group, 53 belonged to Class I of whom 47 (71%) were in classes Ia and Ic.The percentage of permanent complications, the surgical outcomes, and AED withdrawal did not significantly differ by study group.Our results indicate that there is no difference between the groups, suggesting that outcome depends mainly on the histological findings and not on timing of surgery.

Color-Color Diagrams in Near Infrared: (J-H)/(H-K). I.

In the paper are presented the color-color diagrams (J-H)/(H-K) for all stars with visible values B&lt;11, for which in the known catalogs the values of J, H, K, and also spectral classes and luminosity classes of these stars are given. The diagrams are constructed for luminosity classes Ia, Ib, II, III, IV, V. The similarity of diagrams for classes Ia and Ib (super giants) and II (giants), is obvious from these diagrams. The diagrams obtained by us can be used for discovering of new young stars and also for determining of color excesses of investigating stars. Maximal amounts of stars are registered in the classes V and III. There is a tendency of increasing of J-H and H-K along the sequence of spectral classes O – M, which is correct for all luminosity classes.

Psychosocial factors associated with in postsurgical prognosis of temporal lobe epilepsy related to hippocampal sclerosis.

We examined the long-term psychosocial trajectory in a consecutive and homogeneous series of 120 patients followed up for five years after corticoamygdalohippocampectomy (CAH). Evaluation of psychosocial variables at baseline and at five-year follow-up were compared. After five years of CAH, a significant improvement in educational level (p=0.004) and employment status (p<0.001) was observed, although retirement (p<0.001) and divorce (p=0.021) rates increased. In a long-term follow-up, a tendency to have similar QOL profile was observed between Engel classes IA and IB (p>0.05). A more favorable surgical outcome (Engel IA) was related to better psychiatric status (p=0.012). Poor psychosocial adjustment before surgery was the most important predictor of QOL outcome (p<0.05). Patients' trajectory after surgical treatment showed positive effects mainly in those with better seizure outcome. Our results emphasized the influence regarding baseline psychosocial functioning on postoperative psychosocial adjustment. Furthermore, many psychosocial gains and difficulties after surgery may be similar in developing and developed countries.

Influence of protected areas on malaria prevalence in Sub-Saharan Africa

IntroductionDespite exponential growth in the number and extent of protected areas globally, their role within disease dynamics remains unclear. Protected areas shape many biophysical and social factors related to malaria prevalence such as land use-land cover, biodiversity, socioeconomic conditions, and human behavior. This work examines the extent to which protected areas influence Plasmodium falciparum malaria prevalence within surrounding human populations throughout Sub-Saharan Africa.. MethodsUsing malaria prevalence data from 2008 to 2012, we tested for differences in mean malaria prevalence at survey locations according to the IUCN classification of the nearest protected area. We also used dual logistic regression and Random Forest approaches to model malaria burdens at survey locations using a variety of known biophysical determinants of malaria in addition to protected area related covariates. ResultsWe found that malaria prevalence differed by IUCN class, with survey locations near IUCN classes Ia and III exhibiting significantly higher prevalence values than all other classes. Additionally, distance to the nearest protected area emerged as an important predictor of malaria prevalence in the logistic regression model, with lower malaria prevalence at locations closer to protected areas (OR: 1.14; 95% CI: 1.10–1.17). Distance was of moderate importance in the Random Forest models; however, the relationship between distance and prevalence was nonlinear.. ConclusionsWe show that, at a continental scale, malaria prevalence was lower for populations closer to protected areas in Africa, compared to farther away. However, we also found evidence of spatially complex relationships, both around individual protected areas, and across protected areas at this geographic extent, reinforcing the need for additional, small-scale case studies. Ultimately, by showing a link between protected areas and disease presence, this work helps improve understanding of the complex, multiscalar drivers of malaria..

Epilepsy surgery in children: Evaluation of seizure outcome and predictive elements

To analyze the clinical outcome of epilepsy surgery in children, and to identify the factors related with a favorable seizure control among several presurgical, surgical and postsurgical variables. One-hundred twenty children, younger than 16 years (69 male and 51 female), operated on for medically refractory focal epilepsy at the "C.Munari" Epilepsy Surgery Center of the Niguarda Hospital in Milan from 1998 to 2009, were identified. Seizure outcome was assessed according to the Engel's classification. Statistical analysis was performed to identify predictive elements of seizure outcome among several presurgical, surgical, and postsurgical variables. There were 84 (70%) seizure-free patients (Engel's classes Ia and Ic), 93 (77.5%) in class I, 8 (6.7%) in class II, 9 in class III (7.5%), and 10 (8.3%) in class IV. Our study confirms that epilepsy surgery is an established and effective treatment for partial epilepsy in children and suggest criteria to help identify early potential surgical candidates.

Left ventricular geometrical differences in dogs with various stages of myxomatous mitral valve disease

To evaluate left ventricular geometry in dogs with various stages of myxomatous mitral valve disease. Ninety-seven dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease classified by the International Small Animal Cardiac Health Council system and 20 weight- and age-matched healthy dogs. Left ventricular long-axis to short-axis ratio, sphericity index in end-diastole and end-systole, left ventricular wall thickness to internal dimension ratio and relative wall thickness were assessed. The diastolic sphericity index was lower in classes Ib, II and III than in healthy dogs (P=0·003, P<0·001 and P<0·001) and was also lower in class III than in classes Ia, Ib and class II dogs (P<0·001, P<0·001 and P=0·002). The relative wall thickness was lower in classes II and III than in class Ia (P=0·003 and P<0·001), class Ib (P=0·004 and P<0·001), and healthy dogs (P<0·001 and P<0·001) and was also lower in class III than in class II (P=0·005). Sphericity index and relative wall thickness are simple methods for assessing left ventricular geometry using two-dimensional echocardiography that may be useful in myxomatous mitral valve disease dogs as part of risk stratification.

Predictive Factors of Rebleeding and Mortality Following Endoscopic Hemostasis in Bleeding Peptic Ulcers

To identify predictive factors of rebleeding and mortality after endoscopic therapy in patients with high risk peptic ulcers. Patients hospitalized due to bleeding from high-risk peptic ulcers (Forrest classes Ia, Ib, IIa and IIb) during a five-year study, received endoscopic hemostatic therapy (diluted epinephrine injection, clipping or both) in addition to proton pump inhibitors. We looked for clinical, endoscopic and laboratory parameters that had influenced rebleeding and mortality in these patients. Among all patients (804) with peptic ulcer bleeding, 251 high-risk ulcer pateints received endoscopic hemostasis treatment. Thirty-four of them (13.5%) experienced in-hospital rebleeding. Majority of these achieved permanent hemostasis after second endoscopic treatment, while 14 (5.6%) needed surgery. Eighteen patients died (7.2%). Among parameters studied, severe anaemia, systolic and diastolic hypotension, shock presence, low Rockall score, ulcer size and time to hemostasis were factors which predicted rebleeding. Mortality predictive factors were: severe anaemia, hypotension, shock presence, lower Rockall and physical status scores, ulcer size and Forrest class. Conclusions: Early assesment of clinical and endoscopic predictive factors of rebleeding and mortality in patients with high-risk peptic ulcer bleeding could provide optimal therapeutical measures and follow-up. It could further reduce rebleeding and mortality rates in these patients.-16 months vs. 59.5 months, IQR=37.5-68.5 months, p<0.001) and the rate of death was lower (16.7% [2/12] vs. 83.3% [5/6], p=0.006). Logistic regression showed that a shorter duration of endoscopic interval increased the rate of resectability of gastric cancer (p<0.001) and a higher rate of unresectable gastric cancer and longer duration of endoscopic interval increased death (p=0.029 and p=0.004, respectively). After treatment of esophageal cancer, endoscopic examination at 12-month intervals is important to lower the rate of death due to metachronous gastric cancer.

Identification and characterization of gushing‐active hydrophobins from Fusarium graminearum and related species

Fungal infection of barley and malt, particularly by the Fusarium species, is a direct cause of spontaneous overfoaming of beer, referred to as gushing. We have shown previously that small fungal proteins, hydrophobins, act as gushing-inducing factors in beer. The aim of our present study was to isolate and characterize hydrophobins from a gushing-active fungus, Fusarium graminearum (teleomorph Gibberella zeae) and related species. We generated profile hidden Markov models (profile HMMs) for the hydrophobin classes Ia, Ib and II from the multiple sequence alignments of their known members available in public domain databases. We searched the published Fusarium graminearum genome with the Markov models. The best matching sequences and the corresponding genes were isolated from F. graminearum and the related species F. culmorum and F. poae by PCR and characterized. One each of the putative F. graminearum and F. poae hydrophobin genes were expressed in the heterologous host Trichoderma reesei. The proteins corresponding to the genes were purified and identified as hydrophobins and named GzHYD5 and FpHYD5, respectively. Concentrations of 0.003 ppm of these hydrophobins were observed to induce vigorous beer gushing.

Inhibition of Cardiac Ca 2+ Release Channels by Class I Anti Arrhythmic Drugs as Therapy for Arrhythmia

Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is an arrhythmia resulting from mutations in either the cardiac Ca2+ release channel (RyR2) or calsequestrin. Flecainide is a class-Ic compound that is highly effective in suppressing arrhythmia in CPVT patients and a calsequestrin-null mouse model of CPVT. Its efficacy is a combination of reduced membrane excitability via its known Na+ channel block and stabilisation of SR Ca2+ release by a recently discovered RyR2 block. Here we report RyR2 blocking kinetics of other class I anti arrhythmic drugs.RyR2 was isolated from sheep and human hearts, incorporated in lipid bilayers and investigated by single-channel recordings in presence of diastolic Ca2+ (100 nM cytoplasmic, 0.1 mM luminal). The class 1c drugs, propafenone, flecainide and encainide decreased RyR open times (IC50 = 17.3 ± 1.6, 16.7 ± 4 and 22.5 ± 1.2 iM respectively) whereas classes Ia and Ib had no significant effect up to 50 µM.Blocking kinetics was also measured in fully activated RyR2 (1 mM Ca2+, 2 mM ATP). All class I drugs tested caused voltage-dependent induction of subconductance states with similar actions from luminal and cytoplasmic sides. However, class Ic drugs produced subconductances with longer duration and lower conductance than classes 1a and 1b. These differences may explain the different efficacy of these drugs to curb Ca2+ release in diastole and prevent arrhythmia.Our results suggest that the efficacy of class I drugs in preventing CPVT depends on a reduction in RyR2 open time with a short blocking duration; kinetics typical of low affinity binding. This may lead to a paradigm shift in drug development process by directing strategies away from discovering high affinity compounds.

Farmers' management of cabbage and cauliflower pests in India and their approaches to crop protection

Cabbage ( Brassica olearaceae var. capitata) and cauliflower ( Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) are two major vegetables produced and consumed in India. Over the years, they have been cultivated more intensively. This has resulted in higher rates of pest infestation, especially by the diamondback moth ( Plutella xylostella) and higher pesticide use. This, in turn, has contributed to insecticide resistance, environmental degradation, and human health impacts, which have triggered a growing interest in alternative management techniques. There is a dearth of knowledge on current pest management practices in cabbage and crucifer. Knowledge about pest management practices is necessary to develop appropriate strategies such as Integrated Pest Management. The main purpose of this study was to obtain comprehensive information on pest management practices among farmers growing cabbage and cauliflower in India. A survey was conducted in the states of Gujarat, West Bengal, and Karnataka from October 2006 through January 2007. Three hundred farmers were interviewed to obtain information on pesticide use in cabbage and cauliflower production, the cost of pesticide use, and socioeconomic characters that influence cabbage and cauliflower production. Farmers relied on pesticides as the major and often exclusive crop protection strategy. Ten of the active ingredients (16.4% of all pesticides reported by all farmers in this survey) were listed as extremely or highly hazardous (classes Ia and Ib) by the World Health Organization. The results confirmed that pesticide use differs between states of India, but that location alone does not determine pesticide spraying pattern. A regression model was used to identify determinants of pesticide application frequency and pesticide cost per hectare. After controlling for location, individual level variables, such as age, education and experience, had significant effects on how often farmers sprayed. Farmers also spent more for pesticides, and sprayed more frequently on cauliflower than on cabbage and on open-pollinated varieties than on hybrid varieties. Our findings highlight the excessive use of pesticides in cabbage and cauliflower, and the reliance on pesticides as the only pest management strategy. The results confirm the need for alternative management strategies. Bt vegetables may be one of these alternative strategies. However, it is questionable whether cultivation of Bt vegetables will reduce the strong reliance on pesticides. Small-scale farmers will need training in the identification of pests, natural enemies, basic ecology, and integrated pest management strategies to ensure sustainable and safe vegetable production.

Semi-analytical formulas for the fundamental parameters of galactic early B supergiants

The publication of new tables of calibration of some fundamental parameters of Galactic B0-B5 supergiants in the two classes Ia and Ib allows to particularize the eight parameters conjecture that model five fundamental parameters. The numerical expressions for visual magnitude, radius, mass, luminosity and surface gravity are derived for supergiants in the range of temperature between 29700 K and 15200 K. The availability of accurate tables of calibration allows us to estimate the efficiency of the derived formulas in reproducing the observed values. The average efficiency of the new formulas, expressed in percent, is 94 for the visual magnitude, 81 for the mass, 96 for the radius, 99 for the logarithm of the luminosity and 97 for the logarithm of the surface gravity.

Traitement chirurgical de l’épilepsie : avenir et conclusions

Focal Cortical Dysplasias (FCDs) represent a common architectural cortical disorder underlying drug-resistant focal epilepsy. So far, studies aimed at evaluating whether age at surgery is a factor influencing surgical outcome are lacking, so that data on the comparison between patients harboring Type II FCD operated at younger age and those operated at adult age are still scarce. We compared presurgical clinical features and surgical outcomes of patients with histopathologically diagnosed Type II FCD undergoing surgery at an earlier age with those operated after 20 years of age.We retrospectively analyzed 1660 consecutive patients operated at the “Claudio Munari” Epilepsy Surgery Centre. There were 289 patients (17.4%) with a neuropathological diagnosis of Type II FCD. We included two different groups of patients, the first one including patients operated on at less than 6 years, the second sharing the same seizure onset age but with delayed surgery, carried out after the age of 20. Seizure characteristics and, neuropsychological and postoperative seizure outcomes were evaluated by study group.Forty patients underwent surgery before the age of 6 and 66 patients after the age of 20. Surgical outcome was favorable in the whole population (72.6% were classified in Engel's Class Ia + Ic), independently from age at surgery. In the children group, 32 patients were classified in Class I, including 30 (75%) children in classes Ia and Ic. In the adult group, 53 belonged to Class I of whom 47 (71%) were in classes Ia and Ic.The percentage of permanent complications, the surgical outcomes, and AED withdrawal did not significantly differ by study group.Our results indicate that there is no difference between the groups, suggesting that outcome depends mainly on the histological findings and not on timing of surgery.