Higher Number Of Days Research Articles

Study of Different Aged Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus L.) Rootstocks on Softwood Grafting Success under Different Environmental Conditions

An investigation was conducted to find out the optimum Jackfruit rootstock age for softwood grafting and to find out the suitable environmental condition for the success of Jackfruit grafts was conducted at Department of Biotechnology and Crop Improvement, College of Horticulture, Kolar, Karnataka during the year 2023. Six different aged Jackfruit rootstocks (15, 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 days old) were softwood grafted and evaluated under three environmental conditions (Shadenet, Polytunnel and Polyhouse) in a factorial completely randomised design with four replications. The morpho-physiological results revealed that, 15 days old rootstock grown under shadenet took highest number of days for sprout initiation (24.02 days) compared to others. Significantly highest graft success (50.20 %) was recorded in 90 days old rootstock grafts grown under polyhouse condition 30 days after grafting. Maximum number of leaves per graft (4.95, 6.95 and 9.15) and maximum RWC % (83.63, 86.98, and 90.61 %) was recorded in 90 days old rootstock grown under polyhouse at 30, 60 & 90 days after grafting respectively. Similarly, significantly highest chlorophyll (4.70 mg/g FW), root length (18.52 cm), root fresh weight (9.43 g/plant), root dry weight (1.35 g/plant) and root biomass (3.64 g/plant) found in 90 days old rootstock grafts grown under polyhouse conditions. The maximum root-to-shoot ratio was recorded on fresh weight (0.73 g) and dry weight (0.56 g) in 90 days old rootstock grown under polyhouse condition. Significant maximum graft survival (44.71 %) recorded in 90 days old rootstock grafts grown under polyhouse. Significantly highest graft dry matter (3.95 g/plant) was recorded in 90 days old rootstocks grafts grown under polyhouse whereas least in shadenet (2.99 g/plant). In conclusion, it is found that grafting of 90 days old Jackfruit rootstocks performed better under polyhouse conditions for most of the traits.

Design and implementation of a multicenter protocol to obtain impulse oscillometry data in preterm children

ABSTRACTImportanceObjective measures of lung function are critical for assessing respiratory outcomes of prematurity. Among extremely low gestational age neonates (ELGANs) (< 29 weeks gestational age), high rates of neurodevelopmental impairment may interfere with lung function testing. Impulse oscillometry (IOS) is a noninvasive test of respiratory system mechanics not requiring forced expiration.ObjectiveTo describe a multicenter study design for respiratory follow‐up testing in a cohort with a high rate of extreme prematurity.MethodsSchool‐age children enrolled in two prior trials of ELGANs and term controls were assessed by IOS at five centers. Groups consisted of children with prematurity with a high incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, children with prematurity with no or minimal lung disease, and healthy term children. A rigorous centralized review process reviewed IOS studies for technical acceptability. Approach to design and implementation, rates of feasibility and success, and characteristics of participants are described.ResultsA total of 243 children were recruited, of whom 239 (98%) attempted oscillometry. There were high rates of technical acceptability across all three cohorts (85%–90% of attempted tests), and across all five centers (80%–94% of attempted tests). Respiratory and neuromotor clinical factors associated with testing failure included a higher number of days on ventilation during neonatal intensive care, a history of intraventricular hemorrhage grade 3 or 4, and gross motor functional impairment.InterpretationWe report high rates of feasibility and success of oscillometry in a large multicenter ELGAN population, in whom neurological and developmental comorbidities likely play a confounding role.

Grafting Effect of Different Olive Cultivars on “Barnea” Olive (K18) at Al-Karak Area

The experiment was conducted at Al-Rabba Agricultural Research Station (31°27′57.34″N, 35°740′984.0″E), North to Karak city. It was designed to study the impact of time of grafting of different olive cultivars using K18 olive as rootstock for them. Seven olive cultivars were selected (Nabali Baladi, Frontoio, Grosadi, Rassei, Manzanillo, Nasohi and K18). The K18 cultivar was used as the control, at which scion of K18 grafted on the K18 rootstock. Two factors, olive cultivars in addition to two different grafting times, late January and mid-March, were arranged in randomized complete block design replicated three times. Results showed that, different times of grafting significantly affected all parameters studied, except number of leaves. Significant differences were observed among cultivars for all variables studied, except for number of sprouts per grafting. The time of grafting Results showed that maximum sprouting percentage (73.8%), number of sprouts (4.1), shoot length (12.23 cm), shoot diameter (2.56 mm), leaves per shoot (17.05) and minimum days to sprouting (26.6) were recorded in olive trees grafted in mid-March. While trees grafted on late January take higher number of days to sprout (32.7), minimum sprouting percentage (67.7%) and shoot diameter (2.19 mm). The cultivars performance results showed that maximum sprouting percentage (71.8%), shoot length (11.48 cm), leaves per shoot (17.43), lower days to sprouting (28.5) and shoot diameter (2.06 mm) were attained by the cultivar Nabali Baladi, while Rassei showed lower sprouting percentage (62.7%), leaves per shoot (12.80) and maximum days to sprouting (30.1). It was concluded that mid-March is the optimum time for grafting of olive cultivars, specifically Nabali Baladi in this area.

Hyperbilirubinemia and retinopathy of prematurity: a retrospective cohort study.

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a vasoproliferative retinal disease in preterm infants. Oxidative stress plays a key role in the pathogenesis of ROP. Due to its antioxidant effects, bilirubin has been proposed to be protective against ROP. This study explored the association between hyperbilirubinemia and ROP. We analyzed a 10-year cohort from a neonatal intensive care unit in Milan, Italy, including 1606 infants born under 32 weeks and/or < 1500 g. Data from 1606 infants meeting specific inclusion criteria were reviewed. Eighty infants were excluded due to lack of data, 1526 were deemed eligible for analysis, and 1269 had hyperbilirubinemia requiring phototherapy. There was a higher incidence of ROP among infants with hyperbilirubinemia (13.8%) versus those without (7.8%, p<0.01). Infants with any ROP, non-severe or severe ROP, were exposed to hyperbilirubinemia for a significantly higher number of days compared with those without ROP. Each additional day of exposure increases the risk of developing any ROP by 5%, non-severe ROP by 4%, and severe ROP by 6%. However, this correlation was not observed in infants with gestational age less than 27 weeks and/or body weight less than 1000 g. Conclusion: Our data show that hyperbilirubinemia requiring phototherapy is associated with an increased risk of developing ROP. However, severe hyperbilirubinemia and ROP share many of their risk factors. Therefore, rather than being a risk factor itself, hyperbilirubinemia may be a surrogate for other risk factors for ROP. Clinical Trial Registration: NCT05806684. What is Known: • The development of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is influenced by several critical risk factors, including low gestational age, low birth weight, supplemental oxygen use, and increased oxidative stress. • In vitro, unconjugated bilirubin is an effective scavenger of harmful oxygen species and a reducing agent, highlighting its potential protective role against oxidative stress. What is New: • Hyperbilirubinemia requiring phototherapy was associated with an increased risk of developing ROP, but this association was not observed in the most vulnerable population of extremely preterm infants. • Every additional day of phototherapy for hyperbilirubinemia increases the risk of ROP by 5% for any ROP, 4% for non-severe ROP, and 6% for severe ROP.

Causes of Death After Bariatric Surgery: Long-Term Study of 10 Years.

There is a lack of up-to-date research addressing the causes of death and predictors of long-term mortality after bariatric surgery. This was a single-centre retrospective study. Trust records were used to identify deceased patients and their medical history. The demographic data, comorbidities, cause of death, and time since surgery were retrieved and tabulated. Data was recoded to allow for use in IBM SPSS. There were 39 deaths amongst 891 patients who underwent bariatric surgery between 15th June 2010 to 18th September 2022. The main cause of death was pneumonia and respiratory causes with 15.4% of the cohort. A history of asthma/COPD had an association with the cause of death (p = 0.021). A history of hypertension, ischaemic heart disease (IHD), and smoking were all associated with a higher age at death, whilst a history of IHD was associated with a higher number of days from operation to death. Age at operation and number of comorbidities both correlated with age at death, and multiple linear regression of age at death with age at operation and number of comorbidities as predictors was significant (p < 0.001). A Cox regression found age at operation to have a significant effect on survival, with a hazard ratio of 1.063 (95% CI:1.027 to 1.100, p < 0.001). Pneumonia and respiratory causes are the largest causes of long-term mortality after bariatric surgery. The only factor found to have a detrimental effect on all-cause mortality was age at operation which reduced survival. Hypertension, IHD, and smoking are indirect factors that are associated with mortality.

The Association between Exposure to Fine Particulate Air Pollution and the Trajectory of Internalizing and Externalizing Behaviors during Late Childhood and Early Adolescence: Evidence from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study.

Exposure to high levels of fine particulate matter (PM) with aerodynamic diameter () via air pollution may be a risk factor for psychiatric disorders during adulthood. Yet few studies have examined associations between exposure and the trajectory of symptoms across late childhood and early adolescence. The current study evaluated whether exposure at 9-11 y of age affects both concurrent symptoms as well as the longitudinal trajectory of internalizing and externalizing behaviors across the following 3 y. This issue was examined using multiple measures of exposure and separate measures of symptoms of internalizing disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety) and externalizing disorders (e.g., conduct disorder), respectively. In a sample of more than 10,000 youth from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study, we used a dataset of historical levels and growth curve modeling to evaluate associations of exposure with internalizing and externalizing symptom trajectories, as assessed by the Child Behavioral Check List. Three distinct measures of exposure were investigated: annual average concentration during 2016, number of days in 2016 above the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) 24-h standards, and maximum 24-h concentration during 2016. At baseline, higher number of days with levels above US EPA standards was associated with higher parent-reported internalizing symptoms in the same year. This association remained significant up to a year following exposure and after controlling for annual average, maximum 24-h level, and informant psychopathology. There was also evidence of an association between annual average and externalizing symptom levels at baseline in females only. Results suggested exposure during childhood is associated with higher symptoms of internalizing and externalizing disorders at the time of exposure and 1 y later. In addition, effects of exposure on youth internalizing symptoms may be most impacted by the number of days of exposure above US EPA standards in comparison with annual average and maximum daily exposure. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP13427.

Yield and Heat Unit Requirements for Several Citrus Cultivars over Several Seasons in Egypt

Citrus cultivars have various temperature needs for development and output at different times from flowering to harvesting, making climate one of the numerous factors that affect citrus’ productivity and quality. In this study, the yield and heat unit requirements for several commercial citrus species over several seasons from 2010/2011 to 2021/2022 in Egypt were investigated. For this investigation, the time of flowering and the time of fruit harvesting were recorded. However, the required heat units from flowering to fruit harvesting were calculated based on daily records of air temperature, taking into account that all results below zero (negative results) are not used and all maximum air temperatures above 35.0 °C (≥35.1) are changed to 35.0 °C. In addition, the base air temperature of 13.0 °C was utilized for determining the required heat units. The results showed that in the experimental area, the overall mean of minimum air temperature, maximum air temperature, air relative humidity, and precipitation during the experimental periods had values of 15.2 °C, 28.70 °C, 59.3%, and 0.3 mm/day, respectively. Moreover, the lowest number of days required from flowering to fruit harvesting was observed to be 290.0 days for Fremont mandarin. Furthermore, the highest number of days required from flowering to fruit harvesting was observed to be 482 and 440 days, respectively, for Bearss Seedless lime and Valencia orange. Our study has highlighted a notable diversity among the investigated citrus cultivars, particularly highlighting specific cultivars that possess high yield. The cultivar that shows the greatest yield over the investigated seasons of the study was Valencia orange with 147.6 kg/tree. Moreover, the average values of the heat unit requirements for Washington Navel orange, Valencia orange, Murcott mandarin, Fremont mandarin, and Bearss Seedless lime were 3112.7, 3628.3, 3221.9, 3027.6, and 4398.4 °C day, respectively. This is the first report regarding the heat unit’s determination for several citrus cultivars grown in Egypt, and we expect this research will provide a new awareness in accepting and discovering novel locations where citrus cultivars can be positively developed in Egypt. It will also prove to be a source of basic information for the development of the citrus crop model.

Poor housing quality and the health of newborns and young children

This study uses linked administrative data on live births, hospital stays, and census records for children born in Hungary between 2006 and 2011 to examine the relationship between poor housing quality and the health of newborns and children aged 1–2 years. We show that poor housing quality, defined as lack of access to basic sanitation and exposure to polluting heating, is not a negligible problem even in a high-income EU country like Hungary. This is particularly the case for disadvantaged children, 20–25% of whom live in extremely poor-quality homes. Next, we provide evidence that poor housing quality is strongly associated with lower health at birth and a higher number of days spent in inpatient care at the age of 1–2 years. These results indicate that lack of access to basic sanitation, hygiene, and non-polluting heating and their health impacts cannot be considered as the exclusive problem for low- and middle-income countries. In high-income countries, there is also a need for public policy programs that identify those affected by poor housing quality and offer them potential solutions to reduce the adverse effects on their health.

Opioid prescription patterns among commercially insured children with and without cerebral palsy.

This study aimed to describe opioid prescription patterns for children with vs. without cerebral palsy (CP). This cohort study used commercial claims from 01/01/2015-12/31/2016 and included children aged 2-18 years old with and without CP. Opioid prescription patterns (proportion exposed, number of days supplied) were described. A zero-inflated generalized linear model compared the proportion exposed to opioids in the follow-up year (2016) and, among those exposed, the number of days supplied opioids between cohorts before and after adjusting for age, gender, race, U.S. region of residence, and the number of co-occurring neurological/neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDDs). A higher proportion of children with (n = 1,966) vs. without (n = 1,219,399) CP were exposed to opioids (12.1% vs. 5.3%), even among the youngest age group (2-4 years: 9.6% vs. 1.8%), and had a greater number of days supplied (median [interquartile range], 8 [5-13] vs. 6 [4-9] days; P < 0.05). Comparing children with opioid exposure with vs. without CP, a greater number of days supplied was identified for older age, Asian race/ethnicity, and without co-occurring NDDs, and a lower number of days supplied was observed for Black race/ethnicity and with ≥1 co-occurring NDDs. Children with CP are more likely to be exposed to opioids and have a higher number of days supplied.

Medication-based treatment among rural, primary care patients diagnosed with opioid use disorder and alcohol use disorder

IntroductionOpioid and alcohol use disorders are increasingly being addressed in primary care, yet how medications to treat these disorders are prescribed in rural regions is unknown. MethodsWe determined prevalence, types, and duration of medication prescription for opioid and/or alcohol use disorder among adult patients in rural primary clinics. The sample included 1874 adult patients who visited one of six rural primary care sites in the Northeastern and Northwestern United States at least once from October 2019 to January 2021 and had a diagnosis code for opioid use disorder (OUD), alcohol use disorder (AUD), or co-occurring opioid and alcohol use disorder (OUD + AUD) during that time. ResultsPatients with OUD + AUD were more likely to be prescribed medication for at least one of these disorders (85.3 %) than patients with OUD only (63.7 %) or AUD only (10.3 %). Further, the OUD + AUD group had the highest number of days on medication (M = 264.7), followed by OUD only (M = 220.5), then the AUD only group (M = 62.5). Only 8.8 % of patients with OUD + AUD were prescribed naltrexone or medication for OUD + AUD to treat both substance use disorders. ConclusionsMedications for treating AUD as well as OUD are available, but few patients with OUD + AUD and even fewer with AUD received pharmacological treatment for AUD. The current work highlights the need for rural clinicians to consider medications for AUD as an important treatment method for patients with AUD only or OUD + AUD.

Overreporting of adherence to hepatitis C direct-acting antiviral therapy and sustained virologic response among people who inject drugs in the HERO study

BackgroundSelf-reported adherence to direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) to treat hepatitis C virus (HCV) among persons who inject drugs (PWID) is often an overreport of objectively measured adherence. The association of such overreporting with sustained virologic response (SVR) is understudied. This study among PWID aimed to determine a threshold of overreporting adherence that optimally predicts lower SVR rates, and to explore correlates of the optimal overreporting threshold.MethodsThis study analyzed per-protocol data of participants with adherence data (N = 493) from the HERO (Hepatitis C Real Options) study. Self-reported and objective adherence to a 12-week DAA regimen were measured using visual analogue scales and electronic blister packs, respectively. The difference (Δ) between self-reported and objectively measured adherence was calculated. We used the Youden index based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to identify an optimal threshold of overreporting for predicting lower SVR rates. Factors associated with the optimal threshold of overreporting were identified by comparing baseline characteristics between participants at/above versus those below the threshold.ResultsThe self-reported, objective, and Δ adherence averages were 95.1% (SD = 8.9), 75.9% (SD = 16.3), and 19.2% (SD = 15.2), respectively. The ≥ 25% overreporting threshold was determined to be optimal. The SVR rate was lower for ≥ 25% vs. < 25% overreporting (86.7% vs. 95.8%, p <.001). The factors associated with ≥ 25% Δ adherence were unemployment; higher number of days and times/day of injecting drugs; higher proportion of positive urine drug screening for amphetamine, methamphetamine, and oxycodone, and negative urine screening for THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)/cannabis.ConclusionsSelf-reported DAA adherence was significantly greater than objectively measured adherence among PWID by 19.2%. Having ≥ 25% overreported adherence was associated with optimal prediction of lower SVR rates. PWID with risk factors for high overreporting may need to be more intensively managed to promote actual adherence.

Speed and Cumulative Responses According to Body Regions in Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Plaque Psoriasis Treated with Ixekizumab (Interleukin-17A Antagonist) versus Guselkumab (Interleukin-23p19 Inhibitor).

When assessing the effect of a therapy for psoriasis (PsO), it is important to consider speed of response and cumulative response. However, responses among biologics may differ by body regions. This post hoc analysis compares speed of response and cumulative response for ixekizumab (IXE), an interleukin-17A antagonist, and guselkumab (GUS), an interleukin-23p19 inhibitor, in different body regions of patients with moderate-to-severe plaque PsO participating in the IXORA-R study, up to week 24. The IXORA-R design has been previously described. Patients received the respective on-label dosing of IXE or GUS. The median time to first Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) 50, 75, 90, and 100 response (50%, 75%, 90%, and 100% improvement from baseline, respectively) and the cumulative days with clear skin for PASI 50, 75, 90, and 100 responses were assessed in four body regions: head, trunk, upper extremities, and lower extremities. A total of 1027 patients were enrolled and received IXE (N = 520) or GUS (N = 507). Median time to first PASI 50, 75, 90, and 100 response was shortest in the head region, followed by the remaining body regions in both IXE and GUS cohorts. In each body region, IXE was significantly faster than GUS (p < 0.001) in achieving PASI 50, 75, 90, and 100. Through 24 weeks, the number of days with clear skin for PASI 90 and 100 was greater in the head region, followed by trunk, upper extremities, and lastly lower extremities in both IXE and GUS cohorts. In each body region, through 24 weeks, patients on IXE experienced a significantly higher number of days with clear skin for PASI 50, 75, 90, and 100 than patients on GUS (p < 0.01). As compared to GUS, IXE provided a faster skin clearance and more days with clear skin in all body regions of patients with moderate-to-severe plaque PsO through 24 weeks. https://www. gov/ : NCT03573323 (IXORA-R).

Thinner bats to face hibernation as response to climate warming

One of the principal consequences of climate warming on hibernating mammals could be the loss of optimal conditions for hibernation. Although hibernating mammals, like bats, may be particularly vulnerable to climate warming due to a potential reduction of energy saving during the hibernation, there is a lack of knowledge regarding how they will be affected and how they will respond to this impact. Here, we examine the variation in the body condition of Schreiber’s bent-winged bat (Miniopterus schreibersii) to investigate changes in the optimization energy demand. Using a 20-year dataset (1998–2017), we analyse the temporal trends of body condition in three key stages of the hibernation period: onset and end of hibernation and early activity. Our results indicate that body condition at the onset and end of hibernation have decreased significantly over these 20 years. However, despite this lower body condition, the decrease of mass loss rate in the last decade (although not significant) indicate a greater saving of fat reserves. The significant increase in winter temperatures did not affect body condition or reserve depletion, instead, lower body condition was observed with a higher number of days below 0 °C. Unlike other hibernating bat species, the females had lower fat reserves than males in all three periods considered. This study indicates that hibernation energy requirements could be changing as an adaptation to a warmer climate and that hibernating bats can survive the winter by optimizing their lower accumulation of reserves.

ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN HEARING LOSS AND HEALTH CARE UTILIZATION: EVIDENCE FROM NHATS

Abstract We investigated the association between self-reported hearing loss and healthcare utilization among community dwelling older Medicare beneficiaries (age ≥65) who were enrolled in the 2011 cycle of the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS). Participants’ survey data were linked to fee-for-service Medicare claims data during the 2011-2016 period. Hearing loss was ascertained using based on participants’ hearing aid use, and difficulty hearing in various noisy situations. Those who reported any difficulty hearing or reported hearing aid use were categorized as having hearing loss. Healthcare utilization included: (1) number of inpatient hospitalizations, (2) number of Emergency Department visits, and (3) total number of days spent during hospitalizations per calendar year. Each participant with hearing loss was matched to a participant without hearing loss using a one-to-one propensity score matching to minimize confounding bias. Using generalized estimating equations, we found that among our matched sample those with hearing loss had 21% (Incidence Rate [IR]=1.21; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]= 1.06,1.37) higher rates of emergency department visits, and 48% (IR = 1.48; 95% CI: 1.20,1.82) higher number of days spent in a hospital over the 6-year period from 2011-2016. No association was found between hearing loss and the number of hospitalizations. These finding suggest that older adults with hearing loss may be at risk for increased healthcare utilization. Interventions for hearing loss, such as the use of hearing aids, might reduce healthcare utilization and associated expenditures among older adults in the U.S. Medicare program.

County‐level cumulative effect of ambient PM2.5 exposure on the Alzheimer’s disease mortality rate in the west coast regions of the United States

AbstractBackgroundSeveral studies have investigated the relationship between long‐term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and the risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), yet studies on the cumulative effect of PM2.5 exposure are limited. This study assesses the association between the county‐level cumulative PM2.5 exposure at a level above 35 ug/m3, the safe threshold recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), on Alzheimer’s mortality in the west coast population of the United States.MethodAnnual county‐level Alzheimer’s disease mortality rates from 2010 to 2019 were obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention WONDER database, and the cumulative county‐level PM2.5 exposure greater than 35 ug/m3 were derived from publicly accessible data at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Analysis focused on 76 counties for about 48 million people in the states of Washington, Oregon, and California of the US.Analysis was conducted using a Bayesian spatiotemporal linear mixed effects model with the Markov Chain Monte Carlo Simulations. For each county, the log transformed county‐level annual AD mortality rates were regressed against the total number of days with concentration levels of PM2.5 over 35 ug/m3 in the year and its past t years, where t = 1, 2, …, 10 (Figure 1 for t = 10). Each of the 10 regression models was adjusted for thirteen potentially confounding variables including the rate of poverty, percent rural land area, median household income, percent unemployed, percent uninsured, percent obesity, percent smokers, percent excessive drinking, percent African American, percent Asian, percent Hispanic, percent ages under 18, and percent ages 65 and older.ResultResults showed that in periods of three calendar years or longer, having a higher number of days of PM2.5 exceeding the safe level is associated with a higher rate of AD mortality (Figure 2). The results also showed an increasing trend between AD mortality and years of cumulative PM2.5 exposure.ConclusionCumulative PM2.5 exposure at a level above the WHO recommended safe threshold is associated with AD mortality rate in three west coast states of the US.

Clinical characteristics and risk factors of IgA vasculitis with intussusception and intestinal perforation.

Intussusception is the most common surgical complication of IgA vasculitis (IgAV), and intestinal perforation is usually associated with intussusception. If they are not recognised and treated in a timely manner, serious consequences may occur. The objective is to summarise the clinical features of IgAV complicated by intussusception and intestinal perforation and explore its risk factors. The clinical data of 32 patients with IgAV complicated by surgical complications (25 cases of intussusception and 7 cases of intestinal perforation) were retrospectively analysed. A total of 160 IgAV children with gastrointestinal (GI) involvement but without surgical complications were randomly selected as a control group. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the risk factors for IgAV with intussusception and intestinal perforation. Compared with the intussusception group, the intestinal perforation group had a significantly higher number of patients with GI symptoms prior to skin purpura and GI bleeding, a significantly higher number of days of abdominal pain, a significantly higher Wong-Baker score, and a significantly higher white blood cell count. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that age ≤7 years, GI symptoms prior to skin purpura, abdominal pain intensity (Wong-Baker scale) and timing of glucocorticoid treatment were independent risk factors of IgAV with intussusception and intestinal perforation. Age less than 7 years, severe abdominal pain, and GI symptoms prior to skin purpura were risk factors for IgAV with intussusception and intestinal perforation. Early use of glucocorticoids may prevent intussusception and intestinal perforation.

Pilot study to develop and validate a questionnaire based on HIV symptoms index

ObjectiveThe primary endpoint is to validate the HIV Symptoms Index Questionnaire in a Spanish population, in terms of comprehension and acceptability. The secondary endpoints are to describe symptoms reported by patients, tolerance, and quality of life. MethodThe pilot trial of an observational and multicenter non-comparative study, for the validation of the HIV Symptoms Index Questionnaire in a Spanish population. Patients over the age of 18 diagnosed with HIV infection and receiving treatment were included. The symptoms index, treatment adherence based on pharmacy dispensing records, and quality of life with MOS-HIV questionnaire were calculated. Statistical analyses were conducted with the SAP System V9.2. ResultsBetween 2013 and 2014, the HIV Symptoms Index Questionnaire was applied to 75 patients; 95% of these patients considered the questionnaire was easy to apply and understand. The total median score of the questionnaire was nine symptoms (IQR 1-18); and the most frequent symptoms were nerves or anxiety (45%), stomach swelling, pain or gas (40%), sleep problems (39%), and fatigue or lack of energy (37%). Presence of symptoms was associated with a worse outcome in the MOS-HIV questionnaire. According to the Visual Analogue Scale, the higher the score in the questionnaire, the lower the tolerance level (R = –0.51; p < 0.0001), and the higher number of days with symptoms (R = 0.51; p < 0.0001). ConclusionsThe questionnaire was easy to apply. A high tolerance level was confirmed, as well as a consistent and significant correlation with the MOS-HIV and the Visual Analogue Scale.

Phenology and yield response of wheat varieties as influenced by sowing dates at gonde and ardayita seed production farm, Ethiopia

Wheat is one of Ethiopia's main foods, contributing to daily caloric consumption. Due to environmental conditions such as distribution and length of the rainy season shifting from time to time elsewhere, particularly at Gode and Ardayita seed production farm, sowing timing and varietal selection are key factors for low yield of wheat crop. This Experiment was designed in a randomized complete block design with three-replications which contain four sowing dates, ranging from June 17 to July 18 at ten-day intervals, and four wheat varieties namely Kingbird, Hidase, Picaflor, and Ogolcho combined to form 16 treatments. According to the result, on days to heading, there was a significant interaction effect of variety and location and the highest number of days (70.42) was obtained at the Ardayita location on Kingbird variety. On the day of heading, there is also a substantial interaction effect of location and sowing date, the maximum days (72.00) were observed at Ardayita on the early sowing date (June-17). The maturity dates of the two locations varied significantly, the longer (116.17) days were recorded at Ardayita. The effect of variations on days to maturity of varieties also significant, Ogolcho variety had the highest maturity (120.04) days. Date of sowing also has a significant effect on maturity date; the highest number of days (116.96) was recorded on June 17 sowing date. The grain filling period significantly vary among the varieties, the Ogolcho variety had the highest number of days (53.25). Grain filling period also had significant variation on date of sowing; the earliest sowing date (June 17) has the longest date (49.96). On the other hand, location had no effect on the grain-filling period, plant height and seed yield. Sowing date and location significantly interact on grain yield of wheat. The maximum (6.38 ton ha-1) seed yield was recorded at Gonde location on second (June 28) sowing date and Ardayita place obtained highest yield at first sowing date (June 17). There was a significant interaction between sowing date and varieties on yield of wheat. From the result Hidasse variety obtained highest yield (6.58 ton ha-1) on the second sowing date (June 28) whereas the Ogolch variety recorded highest (6.28 ton ha-1) at the first sowing date (June 17). Res. Agric. Livest. Fish. Vol. 10, No. 2, August 2023: 133-145

Effect of bioregulator on germination and early seedling growth of African star apple (&lt;i&gt;Chrysophyllum albidum&lt;/i&gt; G. Don)

An experiment was conducted at Imo State University farm, Owerri to evaluate the effect of bioregulator on germination and early seedling growth of African star apple which serves as fruit, food, feed and environmental pollution control against climate change. Completely Randomized Design was used with four treatments and sixteen replicates. Different levels of coconut water served as treatments; 0 cl, 5 cl, 10 cl and 15 cl. They were sown after soaking in the solution for 24 hours in 64 polythene bags each containing 6 kg top soil. Data on germination and early seedling growth parameters were collected. Seedling height, number of leaves and leaf area were also collected 10 weeks after germination. Results showed that the highest germination percentage of 91 %, significantly (P&lt;0.05) different from control was obtained from the solution containing 15 cl coconut water. Highest number of days to 50% germination was 56 days obtained from solution containing 0 cl coconut water and differed significantly (P&lt;0.05) from others. Solution containing 15 cl, 10 cl, and 5 cl coconut water gave the largest mean seedling leaf area of 56.70 cm2, 32.99 cm2, and 26.38 cm2 respectively significantly (P&lt;0.05) different from control at 10 weeks after planting. 15 cl coconut water gave the best result for germination and seedling growth of African star apple seed and therefore recommended.

Health care use and cost of treatment for adolescents and young adults with opioid use disorder

BackgroundFew studies have examined the cost of medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) with counseling for the adolescent and young adult population. This study calculated the health care utilization and cost of MOUD treatment, other substance use disorder treatment, and general health care for adolescents and young adults receiving treatment for opioid use disorder. MethodsThe study randomized youth ages 15 to 21 (N = 288) equally into the two study conditions: extended-release naltrexone (XR-NTX) or treatment as usual (TAU). While participants committed to treatment based on randomization the study observed considerable nonadherence to both randomized conditions. Instead of using the randomly assigned study conditions, we present descriptive costs by the type of MOUD treatment received: XR-NTX only, buprenorphine only, any other combination of MOUD treatments, and no MOUD.Health care use was aggregated over the 6-month period for each participant, and we calculated average/participant utilization for each treatment group. To determine participant costs, we multiplied the unit costs of health care services obtained from the literature by the reported amount of health care utilization for each participant. We then calculated the mean, standard error, median and IQR for MOUD costs, other substance use disorder treatment costs and general healthcare cost from the health care sector perspective. ResultsOn average, participants in the XR-NTX only group received 2.6 doses of XR-NTX (equivalent to approximately 78 days of treatment). The buprenorphine only group had an average of 97 days of buprenorphine treatment. The XR-NTX only group had higher/patient costs compared to participants in the buprenorphine only group ($10,491 vs. $8765) and higher XR-NTX utilization would further increase costs. Participants in the any other MOUD combination group had the highest total costs ($14,627) while participants in the no MOUD group at the lowest ($3453). DiscussionOur cost analysis calculates the real-world cost of MOUD treatment and, while not generalizable, provides policy makers an estimate of costs for adolescents and young adults. We found that participants in the XR-NTX only group received fewer days of medication compared to the buprenorphine only group, but their medication costs were higher due to the cost of XR-NTX injections. While the buprenorphine only group had the highest number of days of medication utilization of all the groups, the average number of days of medication utilization was considerably shorter than the six-month treatment period.