Disease Management Practices Research Articles

Mpact of KVK Interventions in Enhancing Knowledge Level of Pulse Growers on Yield Maximizing Technologies in Tiruchirappalli District of Tamil Nadu

In India, Pulses are considered as poor man’s protein. Pulses contain higher levels of protein compared to any other grains and vegetables. The net availability of pulses has come down from 60 gm/day/person in 1951 to 53 gm/day/person in 2017. Therefore, the present study was attempted to assess the knowledge level of farmers in Tiruchirappalli district with regard to yield maximising pulse technologies which in turn enhance the production and productivity of pulses. A total of 200 farmers @ 50 farmers per category of pulse crop were surveyed for the study using simple random sampling technique and purposive sampling. Percentage analysis and knowledge gap index was used to compute the data. It is clearly evident that through KVK interventions like Trainings have resulted in a horizontal spread of 108 ha area under various pulses cultivation followed by farmer participatory seed production through NFSM seed hub (92 ha) and On Farm Trials, Frontline demonstrations and Field days (76 ha). The pulse growing farmers gained knowledge on recommended TNAU newly released short duration, drought tolerant varieties of red gram (CO (Rg) 7), green gram (CO (Gg) 8), black gram (VBN 6, VBN 8 & MDU 1) and horse gram (Paiyur 2) varieties, seed rate, seed treatment with bio fertilizers, mechanized sowing behind seed drill, pre and post emergence application of weedicides, TNAU pulse wonder foliar spray, DAP foliar spray and seed treatment for storage through various KVK interventions. There existed a medium knowledge gap index irrespective of pulses grown among the farmers of Tiruchirappalli district of Tamil Nadu mainly due to interventions of KVK like OFT, FLDs, CFLDs, trainings and mass awareness programmes. There is a need to enhance the knowledge of pulse growers on pest and disease management practices and other yield maximising technologies, through joint efforts with State Department of Agriculture, NGOs and through FPO linkages.

COVID-19 and celiac disease: a review.

The aim of this review is to broadly cover how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected individuals with celiac disease, including perceived risk, risk of contraction or severe infection, considerations regarding vaccination, access to gluten-free food during the pandemic, and possible long-term changes to the practice of celiac disease management spurred by the pandemic. While initially there was increased perceived risk about COVID-19 in the celiac disease population, studies have found that individuals with celiac disease are not at an increased risk of contracting or having a severe course compared to the general population. There is not yet evidence that COVID-19 infection will lead to an increase in celiac disease incidence, though more research on this topic with longer-term follow-up is necessary to make this determination. Limited access to in-person visits led to an increase in telemedicine, which was adopted swiftly by this patient population and may offer improved access in the long term. In summary, individuals with celiac disease do not appear to be at an increased risk of contracting COVID-19 or having a more severe disease course.

Assessment of knowledge, attitude, and practice of oral disease management among doctors practicing the ayurveda system of medicine: A questionnaire-based study guide to unconventional dentistry

Assessment of knowledge, attitude, and practice of oral disease management among doctors practicing the ayurveda system of medicine: A questionnaire-based study guide to unconventional dentistry

BILATERAL CRYPTORCHIDISM IN PEDIATRIC SURGEON'S PRACTICE: CURRENT TACTICS OF PATIENT MANAGEMENT.

The aim: To provide best practices of disease management to improve treatment outcomes for this group of patients. Materials and methods: The paper is based on first-hand experience in observing and treating 117 children aged from 6 months to 13 years with bilateral congenital cryptorchidism during a ten-year follow-up period, who were referred for surgical treatment, and 3 newborn boys with undescended testicles and testicular torsion. A complex of clinical and laboratory, instrumental, endocrinological, and genetic research methods was used for the survey of all patients. Results: Recognizing the action of a common causative factor for bilateral cryptorchidism, which is a consequence of primary endocrine disorders, makes it possible to predict bilateral identity of the location of testicles in this pathology, which we observed in 81 patients: bilateral inguinal cryptorchidism was registered in 49 (41.88%) children, bilateral abdominal cryptorchidism - in 32 (27.35%) children, a combination of inguinal and abdominal cryptorchidism - in 24 (20.51%) children. The following types of treatment were used in the studied group of children: 1 - primary surgical intervention - 4 children, representing 3.42%. 2 - observation and non-surgical treatment by an endocrinologist - 113 (96.58%) children. 3 - comprehensive treatment (surgical correction after hormone treatment) - 67 (59.29%) children. According to the research, hormone therapy had a positive effect on descent of the testicles in 89 (78.76%) patients: the testicles descended into the scrotum - in 22 (24.72%) children; the testicles descended in the inguinal canal - in 32 (35.95%) children; the testicles descended to the level of the opening to the inguinal canal - in 35 (39.33%) children. Conclusions: 1. All doctors, starting from the maternity hospital, polyclinic, children's unit, should identify children with bilateral cryptorchidism. All children diagnosed with bilateral cryptorchidism are referred to a surgeon or endocrinologist. The parents of a child with bilateral cryptorchidism should immediately consult a doctor. The study of the reasons for late admission of children to the surgical hospital revealed that 76.92% of patients sought medical advice late, after 1 year of life. 2. At the stage of diagnosis and determination of treatment tactics, an examination by an endocrinologist and a geneticist is necessary; ignoring them is considered an error in diagnostic and therapeutic tactics, since the process of descent of the testicles into the scrotum is hormone-dependent. 3. The indications for primary surgical treatment of a child with bilateral cryptorchidism involve a combination of cryptorchidism with inguinal hernia and pain syndrome, which might be caused by testicular torsion. 4. Hormone therapy provides better results of surgical intervention in bilateral cryptorchidism. The ineffectiveness of two courses of hormone therapy necessitates surgical treatment. 5. Comprehensive treatment of children with bilateral cryptorchidism (non-surgical hormone therapy and surgical correction) has led to good postoperative results in 71.64% of patients, satisfactory results - in 22.39% of children, recurrences - in 5.97% of patients. 7. A long-term follow-up observation should be carried out by a surgeon and endocrinologist until patients reach their reproductive years.

Spread, damage and control measures of powdery mildew disease of grain crops

This article presents the outcomes of comprehensive experiments carried out within the environments of Samarkand and Kashkadarya regions. These investigations were conducted at scientific experimental stations dedicated to grain and leguminous crops, as well as on farms cultivating corn. The primary focus of this research revolves around the study of the propagation and progression of powdery mildew diseases affecting both barley and wheat plants. Additionally, the article highlights the evaluation of chemical agents’ efficacy in combating these diseases. The research outcomes, culled from these trials, constitute a significant portion of the article’s content. These findings provide valuable insights into the nuanced dynamics of powdery mildew diseases in the context of the local regions. Furthermore, the assessment of chemical interventions and their effectiveness in mitigating these diseases is a crucial aspect of the research. By examining the data generated from these experiments, the article contributes to the understanding of disease dynamics and potential mitigation strategies within these specific agricultural settings. This research could potentially lead to improved disease management practices, which are pivotal in safeguarding crop yields and ensuring food security within the regions under scrutiny.

Effects of Nitrogen Application Rate and Plant Density on Severity of Tar Spot of Corn

Tar spot of corn, caused by the fungus Phyllachora maydis, is an economically important foliar disease recently reported in the United States and Canada. Due to the recent introduction of Phyllachora maydis, the impacts of cultural management practices on disease development are still unknown. Separate field studies were conducted to determine the effects of nitrogen (N) application rate and plant density on disease development. Field trials were conducted across six site years in Michigan with two corn hybrids of differing disease susceptibility. The relative area under the disease progress curve was used to compare disease development between N application rates and plant densities. Nitrogen application rate had no significant effect on disease at any location. Plant density and disease had a significant ( P < 0.05) inverse relationship at five of six site years, with an average 41% decrease in the relative area under the disease progress curve for every 1,000 plants per hectare increase. The economically optimal planting density ranged from 73 to 77 thousand plants per hectare for US$150 to 300 per metric ton corn prices, demonstrating that relatively low planting densities were more profitable despite greater disease. Therefore, other disease management practices including hybrid selection may be more effective at protecting yield than increasing plant density.

Usage of Agromet Advisory Services among the Farmers of Y.S.R District of Andhra Pradesh, India

Weather is one of the most important factors determining the success or failure of agricultural production. It affects every phase of the growth and development of a plant. Extreme weather events like heavy rains, cyclones, heat waves, cold waves, drought, etc cause considerable loss in crop production every year. Because of the above, Agrometeorological Advisory Services (AAS) are being rendered by India Meteorological Department (IMD), Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) under Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS). Under this scheme weather information-based, crop/livestock management strategies and operations are dedicated to enhancing crop production and food security. To understand the response of the farmers about weather based weather-based advisories disseminated through mobile phones a survey was conducted by the District Agromet Unit (DAMU) by the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Utukur, Andhra Pradesh. A sample size of 200 respondents was selected by employing a proportionate random sampling method. Among the farmers surveyed, the majority of the farmers fully adopted harvesting practices (87.5 %) followed by pest, disease management, and irrigation management practices. Nearly half of the farmers followed nursery management, selection of varieties, and post-harvest management practices. Farmers had a medium level of information processing (47.0 %), storage (60.0 %), and sharing (52.5 %) behaviour.

Genetic Diversity and Fungicide Sensitivity of Cytospora plurivora on Peach.

Cytospora plurivora D.P. Lawr., L.A. Holland & Trouillas has been associated with recent premature peach tree decline in South Carolina, but very little is known about the pathogen or chemical control options. Ninety-three C. plurivora isolates were collected in 2016 and 2017 from 1-year-old peach wood and symptomatic scaffold limbs, respectively, from orchards in six towns in South Carolina. Six unique genotypes were identified based on substantial ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 sequence variability and classified G1 to G6. Three of the genotypes (G2, G3, and G6) were isolated in high frequency in multiple locations of both years. In addition to the genotypic variation, multiple phenotypes were observed between and within genotype groups. Species identity was determined using additional gene loci: ACT, TUB, and EF, and isolates were found to belong to C. plurivora for all genotype groups. All tested genotypes were sensitive to thiophanate-methyl (FRAC 1) but exhibited slightly lower sensitivity to propiconazole and difenoconazole (both FRAC 3). Boscalid, fluopyram (both FRAC 7s), azoxystrobin, and pyraclostrobin (both FRAC 11s) were ineffective in vitro at inhibiting mycelial growth of C. plurivora genotypes. Field inoculation of peach and nectarine trees revealed that all genotypes developed twig cankers with differences in virulence. G1 was most virulent, and G6 was least virulent. This study provides a link between the C. plurivora genetic variability and virulence and provides fungicide sensitivity information that could be used to improve disease management practices.

ANALYSIS OF FACTORS INFLUENCING THE ADOPTION OF POTATO PLANTING MATERIAL TECHNOLOGIES IN PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA

The study examined the factors influencing the adoption of potato planting material technologies in the central agricultural zone of Plateau State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling procedure was employed to select 306 potato farmers randomly from the study area. Primary data was collected through structured questionnaire. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, adoption index, logit regression and factor analysis. The result revealed that 74.8% of the potato farmers were males, with a mean age of 40 years. The study further revealed that majority (91.2%) of the respondents had a form formal education with a mean household size of 6 persons. The results from the adoption index showed that seed tuber technology was highly adopted with an adoption score of 5.96, cutting seed technology with 2.52 and true potato seed technology with adoption score of 1.81. The results of logit regression revealed that household, labour and other occupations other than potato farming all significantly influenced adoption of potato planting technologies. The result of factor analysis revealed the major constraints faced by farmers to include poor technical information, economic problem, inadequate resources, environmental problem, pathological problem and technological problem. The study concluded that seed tuber potato planting technology was the most highly adopted in the study area. The study recommended that the dissemination of technical information should be increased by ensuring more contacts with farmers by extension agents; and proper soil, water, pest and disease management practices should be intensified among farmers.

Evidence of Resistance to QoI Fungicides in Contemporary Populations of Mycosphaerella fijiensis, M. musicola and M. thailandica from Banana Plantations in Southeastern Brazil

Yellow and black Sigatoka, caused by Mycosphaerella fijiensis and M. musicola, respectively, are the most important worldwide foliar diseases of bananas. Disease control is heavily dependent on intensive fungicide sprays, which increase selection pressure for fungicide resistance in pathogen populations. The primary objective of this study was to assess the level and spread of resistance to quinone-outside inhibitors (QoI—strobilurin) fungicides in populations of both pathogens sampled from banana fields under different fungicide spray regimes in Southeastern Brazil. Secondly, we aimed to investigate when QoI resistance was confirmed if this was associated with the target-site alteration G143A caused by a mutation in the mitochondrial encoded cytochrome b gene. QoI resistance was detected in fungicide treated banana fields, while no resistance was detected in the organic banana field. A total of 18.5% of the isolates sampled from the pathogens’ populations were resistant to QoI. The newly described M. thailandica was also found. It was the second most abundant Mycosphaerella species associated with Sigatoka-like leaf spot symptoms in the Ribeira Valley and the highest level of QoI resistance was found for this pathogen. The G143A cytochrome b alteration was associated with the resistance to the QoI fungicides azoxystrobin and trifloxystrobin in M. fijiensis, M. musicola and M. thailandica strains. In order to reduce resistance development and maintain the efficacy of QoI fungicides, anti-resistance management strategies based on integrated disease management practices should be implemented to control the Sigatoka disease complex.

Disease management during bloom affects the floral microbiome but not pollination in a mass‐flowering crop

Abstract Flowering crops are heavily managed during bloom to both promote pollination and prevent disease. Disease management practices can alter the floral microbiome, including pathogens and nontarget microbes. However, whether agrochemical presence or altered microbiome composition affect pollinator foraging and pollination services is unclear. We assessed effects of orchard management tactics and landscape context on the flower microbiome in almond, Prunus dulcis. Fourteen orchards (five conventional, four organic and five conventional with habitat augmentation) were sampled at early and peak bloom to characterize bacterial and fungal communities associated with floral tissues. The surveys were complemented by an artificial flower experiment to assess effects of fungicides and microbes on honey bee foraging. Finally, a field trial was conducted to test effects of fungicides and microbes on pollination. As bloom progressed, bacterial and fungal abundance and diversity increased across all floral tissue types and management strategies. The magnitude by which microbial abundance and diversity were affected varied, with proximity to apiaries and orchard management having notable effects on bacteria and fungi respectively. Experiments revealed that fungicides reduced nectar removal by honey bees; however, neither fungicide nor microbe treatments affected pollination, as measured through pollen tube initiation and growth. Synthesis and applications. Our results reveal that microbiota associated with flowers of a pollinator‐dependent crop are temporally dynamic and sensitive to management practices. However, pollination services in almond may be resilient to both agrochemical disturbance and microbial augmentation of flowers, the latter of which may become more prominent as microbial solutions to disease management are embraced in agroecosystems.

RETRACTED ARTICLE Fuzzy multicriteria analysis of “Better Cotton” farmers’ adoption and experts’ recommendation on cotton pest and disease management practices

RETRACTATION The SJAR Editorial Board, following the Guide to Good Practices of Editorial CSIC and the international recommendations of editorial ethics, due to a conflict of duplicity, has agreed to formally retract the following article: Fuzzy multicriteria analysis of “Better Cotton” farmers’ adoption and experts’ recommendation on cotton pest and disease management practices (2022), by Absar M. Jiskani, Manzoor A. Abro, M. Ibrahim Khaskheli and Khadim H. Wagan. Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research, Volume 20, Issue 4, e1006. https://doi.org/10.5424/sjar/2022204-18953. The retractation is based on the following: in addition to authorship and funding disputes that we cannot arbitrate, the article was submitted to two journals at the same time: Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research (SJAR) and Academia Journal of Agricultural Research (AJAR). This evidence came to light once the article was published in SJAR. The article was also published in AJAR 10(3), 042-053, March 2022: Fuzzy multi-critaria analysis of better Cotton farmers' adoption and experts' recommendation on Cotton pest and disease management practices, by Absar Mithal Jiskani, Noor Nabi Bhutto and Abdul Rehman, https://www.academiapublishing.org/journals/ajar/content/2022/Mar.htm, DOI: 10.15413/ajar.2021.0128. Currently there is neither access to the pdf nor there is any information. Only the author Absar M. Jiskani is common to both articles. Both journals indicate in their instructions the same. In the case of AJAR (https://www.academiapublishing.org/journals/ajar/policy.htm), “Authors must not submit the same work, in whole or in part, to two places of publication at the same time, or at any time while the manuscript is under review at ACADEMIA PUBLISHING”. In the case of SJAR (https://revistas.inia.es/index.php/sjar/about/submissions): “Submission of a manuscript implies the work described has not been published previously in any language (except in a book of abstracts, in the proceedings of a scientific meeting or as part of a thesis); the work is not under consideration for publication elsewhere, etc. “. When comparing the submitted version to SJAR to the article published in AJAR (pdf file supplied by the claimant), both articles present more than 80% similarity, with the abstract, tables and figures being identical. This similarity is unacceptable.

Severe Aplastic Anemia: A Systematic Literature Review on Costs of Illness

Introduction: Aplastic anemia (AA) is a rare and potentially life-threatening disorder of inherited or acquired bone marrow failure, progressively leading to pancytopenia. AA has an annual incidence estimated at 2 cases per million in Europe and US/Canada, which tends to be significantly higher in East Asia. Severe clinical presentations of the disease constitute hematological emergencies and incur a substantial economic burden to health systems, patients, and caregivers. Our systematic literature review (SLR) of costs of illness of severe AA (SAA) globally describes the economic implications of the disease. Methods: This SLR was conducted using MEDLINE (through PubMed), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Scopus, Web of Science, National Health Service Economic Evaluation Database, and the National Health Service Health Technology Assessment Database. The objective was to identify records of studies published from inception up until 31 May 2022, reporting estimates of direct, indirect, and total costs of illness of SAA in any currency. No eligibility criteria concerning study type, language, geography, or time limits were employed. Retrieved records were screened for eligibility by two reviewers independently and any disagreements were resolved by a third investigator. Extracted data were then quality checked. Costs were adjusted and converted to 2021 US dollars. Results: The search identified 768 publications, of which 28 were selected for full-text review and 11 were included in the final analysis. Four studies were from the USA and one each from Sweden, Germany, France, South Africa, Mexico, Brazil, and China. Five studies presented retrospective analyses of real-world data, five reported cost-effectiveness treatment data and one estimated the budget impact of treatment for SAA. Two studies presented cost estimates by age strata and one evaluated SAA treatment-related costs in children. The mean per patient monthly direct cost ranged from $430 (immunosuppressive therapy (IST), China) to $40,107 (IST, USA). The mean direct cost in children treated for SAA amounted to $18,029 and for patients ≤21 years of age the total cost of illness was estimated between $979 and $23,351 per patient. SAA-related costs were lower among older patients. None of the studies reported informal care or indirect costs. Overall, the cost key driver were prescription medications. However, the associated costs to prescription medicines were counterbalanced by reduced hospitalizations, outpatient costs and rescue medication used. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, no study has systematically reviewed the literature for estimates pertaining to the economic impact of SAA. Available evidence on the costs of illness of the disease is extremely limited and considerably heterogenous in terms of geographical territories. Further research is needed to identify excess costs and cost variations so as to improve disease management practices in purpose of attaining better patient outcomes and disease prognosis at lower cost.

Descriptive analysis of the changes in Johne's disease management practices on Ontario dairy farms through repeat risk assessment.

Johne's disease (JD) control is often based on the culling of positive animals and the adoption of management practices that minimize exposure of calves to the pathogen Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis (MAP). From 2010 to 2013, Ontario, Canada, instituted a voluntary Johne's control program consisting of whole-herd testing and a Risk Assessment and Management Plan (RAMP). The RAMP consisted of 38 questions that evaluated 5 different management areas to characterize herd risk for MAP introduction and within-herd spread. The RAMP produced a numerical score for each area, with higher scores associated with higher risk. The RAMP focused on animal purchases, calving management, calf management, and heifer and cow cleanliness and management. In the summer of 2019, the RAMP was repeated on 180 farms that had participated in the JD program of 2010 to 2013 and had bulk tank milk ELISA results from 2013 and 2017. This cross-sectional study demonstrated that many producers changed management practices over the 4- to 7-year period. Producers changed their cattle buying practices, with a reduction in purchasing from multiple sources and more herds refraining from buying in animals. However, overall scores were higher in 2019 than in 2013. The 2019 RAMP indicated that fewer farms were utilizing individual calving pens in 2019 than in 2013 (13% vs. 26%), yet more farms had policies in place to deal with sick or suspect JD cows entering the maternity area (92% vs. 74%). Management changes occurred over time, some of which represent increased risk (crowded maternity pens) and others decreased risk (closed herd, protocols in place for JD-positive cows) for MAP introduction and transmission. These results highlight the importance of frequent risk assessments and the documentation of changes to management practices on-farm as a means to assess herd disease risk more accurately.

Physician practices in the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases in home care settings: A questionnaire study.

To elucidate the current practices of infectious disease management in home care settings in Japan, we sent a questionnaire to 36 physicians working at 13 clinics that specialize in providing care to patients in their homes or residential care facilities. The questionnaire described three hypothetical scenarios (aspiration pneumonia, pyelonephritis, and neoplastic fever) in older patients with terminal cancer, and 25 respondents answered questions on testing and treatment strategies. Most respondents chose to obtain cultures for aspiration pneumonia (sputum) and for pyelonephritis (urine), although fewer respondents chose to obtain blood cultures. For neoplastic fever, most of respondents elected to continue observation without antibiotic treatment. The most frequently selected antibiotics were cephalosporins and quinolones. The results indicated that most respondents would perform bacterial culture tests before prescribing antibiotics and observe patients when bacterial infections are not suspected. Standardized guidelines are needed to optimize infectious disease management in home care.

Understanding the Dynamic of POMS Infection and the Role of Microbiota Composition in the Survival of Pacific Oysters, Crassostrea gigas.

For over a decade, Pacific oyster mortality syndrome (POMS), a polymicrobial disease, induced recurring episodes of massive mortality affecting Crassostrea gigas oysters worldwide. Recent studies evidenced a combined infection of the ostreid herpesvirus (OsHV-1 μVar) and opportunistic bacteria in affected oysters. However, the role of the oyster microbiota in POMS is not fully understood. While some bacteria can protect hosts from infection, even minor changes to the microbial communities may also facilitate infection and worsen disease severity. Using a laboratory-based experimental infection model, we challenged juveniles from 10 biparental oyster families with previously established contrasted genetically based ability to survive POMS in the field. Combining molecular analyses and 16S rRNA gene sequencing with histopathological observations, we described the temporal kinetics of POMS and characterized the changes in microbiota during infection. By associating the microbiota composition with oyster mortality rate, viral load, and viral gene expression, we were able to identify both potentially harmful and beneficial bacterial amplicon sequence variants (ASVs). We also observed a delay in viral infection resulting in a later onset of mortality in oysters compared to previous observations and a lack of evidence of fatal dysbiosis in infected oysters. Overall, these results provide new insights into how the oyster microbiome may influence POMS disease outcomes and open new perspectives on the use of microbiome composition as a complementary screening tool to determine shellfish health and potentially predict oyster vulnerability to POMS. IMPORTANCE For more than a decade, Pacific oyster mortality syndrome (POMS) has severely impacted the Crassostrea gigas aquaculture industry, at times killing up to 100% of young farmed Pacific oysters, a key commercial species that is cultivated globally. These disease outbreaks have caused major financial losses for the oyster aquaculture industry. Selective breeding has improved disease resistance in oysters, but some levels of mortality persist, and additional knowledge of the disease progression and pathogenicity is needed to develop complementary mitigation strategies. In this holistic study, we identified some potentially harmful and beneficial bacteria that can influence the outcome of the disease. These results will contribute to advance disease management and aquaculture practices by improving our understanding of the mechanisms behind genetic resistance to POMS and assisting in predicting oyster vulnerability to POMS.

Socio-economic determinants of adoption of good cashew production practices in Benin Republic

This study analysed factors that drive producers’ decision to adopt good production practices in cashew production. Data were collected from 395 randomly selected producers from 23 top favourable municipalities (based on criteria such as climate, soil, and disease management) for cashew production in Benin. A multivariate probit regression model was used to estimate the determinants of the adoption of good practices. Findings showed that 70.38% of the cashew producers use firebreaks, 58.23% carried out thinning and 18.48% employed good pest and disease management practices. Overall, the adoption of good agricultural practices in cashew production was negatively influenced by the farm-to-market distance, the sex of the cashew producer and positively correlated with the cashew land size owned; the income from cashew production, membership of a cooperative group, contact with a research agency, participation in agricultural training and perception of good cashew production practices. The pace of adoption of pest and disease management practices is still low yet pests and diseases are one of the major constraints to cashew production. Policies and programs that support cashew production to focus on strengthening the capacities of producers through adequate extension services delivery, and by considering their access to productive resources.

Status, challenges and opportunities for apple production in Eastern Algeria

Apples (Malus domestica) are one of the most important temperate fruit crops in the world. Apple production provides, directly or indirectly, employment and improvement in the living standards to millions of people, playing a key role in rural economies. We have conducted an interview-based survey to assess the current status and challenges faced by apple production in the Batna and Khenchela provinces, the two most important apple producing regions of Eastern Algeria. The survey was conducted between March and November 2019. A total of 50 apple growers answered 40 questions, including 13 direct and 20 qualitative questions. A scale ranging from 1 (very low) to 5 (very high) was used as a quantitative measurement for 12 questions. The reliability index of the questionnaire was 0.827. The results identified the main challenges faced by apple growers in Eastern Algeria as: limited access to certified and clean planting material, limited knowledge of disease and pest identification, inadequate access to appropriate disease management, lack of storage facilities and transportation of harvested fruit, and insufficient knowledge of marketing and access to markets. The study also identified a need for the development of cost-effective plant multiplication, horticultural and disease management practices and educational programmes suitable for local conditions to enhance the productivity and economic benefits of apple orchards.

Model Integrated Disease Management to facilitate effective translatable solutions for wildlife disease issues

Abstract There are multiple demands for the development of effective and sustainable disease management practices in wildlife, but solutions are widely lacking. In this perspective, we focus on the need to structure research to support advancement toward enhanced wildlife disease control solutions. We concentrate on the need for improved integration between wildlife disease management undertaken in situ with modelling to guide and assess disease management actions. We recognise that many disease management attempts in wildlife are made in isolation, are not supported by modelling and are not used as a stepping stone to advancement. However, we emphasise that the development of disease control practices in wildlife is greater than any one management attempt, and should be seen and undertaken as a set of systematic steps towards well‐articulated management goals. We describe modelling of disease management and in situ disease management as two complementary phases of investigation, viewed as a feedback loop to support advancements, and highlight established and less established pathways in this loop. We describe how stakeholders engaged in practical management actions can better engage with modellers, and also the need for more fit‐for‐purpose modelling that captures the on‐ground realities of in situ practice to support advancements. The concepts and approaches described in this perspective are captured within a Model Integrated Disease Management for wildlife framework. We illustrate the framework, concepts and challenges proposed in this perspective using a case study for which we have experience: sarcoptic mange (etiologic agent Sarcoptes scabiei) in bare‐nosed wombats (Vombatus ursinus). Synthesis and applications: Effective and sustainable solutions to critical wildlife diseases are needed. Progress can be improved when disease management is guided through iterative and fit‐for‐purpose integration between modelling and in situ practice. We describe and illustrate a Model Integrated Disease Management for wildlife framework. Moving beyond isolated disease management attempts into a structured process of advancement can help overcome barriers to tackling pathogens threatening wildlife.

Organizational Factors Associated with Guideline Concordance of Chronic Disease Care and Management Practices.

Guidelines for managing and preventing chronic disease tend to be well-known. Yet, translation of this evidence into practice is inconsistent. We identify a combination of factors that are connected to guideline concordant delivery of evidence-informed chronic disease care in primary care. Cross-sectional observational study; purposively selected 22 practices to vary on size, ownership and geographic location, using National Quality Forum metrics to ensure practices had a ≥ 70% quality level for at least 2 of the following: aspirin use in high-risk individuals, blood pressure control, cholesterol and diabetes management. Interviewed 2 professionals (eg, medical director, practice manager) per practice (n = 44) to understand staffing and clinical operations. Analyzed data using an iterative and inductive approach. Community Health Centers (CHCs) employed interdisciplinary clinical teams that included a variety of professionals as compared with hospital-health systems (HHS) and clinician-owned practices. Despite this difference, practice members consistently reported a number of functions that may be connected to clinical chronic care quality, including: having engaged leadership; a culture of teamwork; engaging in team-based care; using data to inform quality improvement; empaneling patients; and managing the care of patient panels, with a focus on continuity and comprehensiveness, as well as having a commitment to the community. There are mutable organizational attributes connected-guideline concordant chronic disease care in primary care. Research and policy reform are needed to promote and study how to achieve widespread adoption of these functions and organizational attributes that may be central to achieving equity and improving chronic disease prevention.