Secondary Head Research Articles

Identifying latent subgroups of primary head injury: an explorative latent class analysis on neuropathologically examined medico-legal autopsy cases.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant global health concern and frequently encountered in medico-legal autopsies. Previous studies suggest that certain TBI subtypes are more likely to co-occur than others. Therefore, we aimed to explore the potential of latent class analysis (LCA) to identify and characterize primary head injury combinations in neuropathologically examined medico-legal autopsy cases. The dataset comprised 78 cases from the Forensic Medicine Unit of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare over the period of 2016-2022. Data on background and circumstantial characteristics as well as primary and secondary head and brain injuries were collected from police documents, medical records, general autopsy reports and neuropathology reports. Latent class solutions with two to five classes were explored to identify clustering of primary head injuries among the sample. The dataset comprised 69.2% males and the median age was 49 years. In LCA, the solutions appeared reasonable, and each class appeared to represent a distinct TBI profile. The two-class solution was found to fit the present dataset best. Class 1 was characterized by older age, presence of an underlying CNS disease, and less diverse primary head injuries; these were interpreted as suggestive of lower traumatic forces. Class 2 was characterized by male sex and assaults as a prominent injury circumstance; subarachnoid and intracerebral/ventricular haemorrhages and contusions were classified exclusively into this class. In conclusion, this study identified two distinct subgroups of primary head injuries. Understanding typical injury combinations related to distinct circumstances could assist not only forensic pathologists but also clinicians treating TBI patients. However, the present latent class solution should not be interpreted as "ground truth", but instead further research is needed.

Association of Definitive Radiotherapy for Esophageal Cancer and the Incidence of Secondary Head and Neck Cancers: A SEER Population-Based Study.

Impact of radiotherapy (RT) for esophageal cancer (EC) patients on the development of secondary head and neck cancer (SHNC) remains equivocal. The objective of this study was to investigate the link between definitive RT used for EC treatment and subsequent SHNC. This study was conducted using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database to collect the data of primary EC patients. Fine-Gray competing risk regression and standardized incidence ratio (SIR) and propensity score matching (PSM) method were used to match SHNC patients with only primary head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. Overall survival (OS) rates were applied by Kaplan-Meier analysis. In total, 14,158 EC patients from the SEER database were included, of which 9,239 patients (65.3%) received RT and 4,919 patients (34.7%) received no radiation therapy (NRT). After a 12-month latency period, 110 patients (1.2%) in the RT group and 36 patients (0.7%) in the NRT group experienced the development of SHNC. In individuals with primary EC, there was an increased incidence of SHNC compared to the general US population (SIR = 5.95, 95% confidence interval (CI): 5.15 - 6.84). Specifically, the SIR for SHNC was 8.04 (95% CI: 6.78 - 9.47) in the RT group and 3.51 (95% CI: 2.64 - 4.58) in the NRT group. Patients who developed SHNC after RT exhibited significantly lower OS compared to those after NRT. Following PSM, the OS of patients who developed SHNC after RT remained significantly lower than that of matched patients with only primary HNC. An association was discovered between RT for EC and increased long-term risk of SHNC. This work enables radiation oncologists to implement mitigation strategies to reduce the long-term risk of SHNC in patients who have received RT following primary EC.

The Effect of Oleuropein in AIF and MMP-9 in Traumatic Brain Injury Rat Model.

Traumatic brain injury is a significant public problem with an incidence of 10 million people per year, causing the largest deaths and disabilities worldwide. Head injuries can be classified into primary and secondary head injuries. Secondary head injuries can be caused by several factors such as ischemia, cerebral edema, and neuroinflammation. AIF and MMP-9 are two parameters that can be indicators in measuring the effect of Oleuropein on traumatic brain injury in rats. Oleuropein itself has many activities such as antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (250-350 grams) were exposed to head injury, with or without intraperitoneal administration of Oleuropein. Within 24-72 hours brain tissue was isolated for immunohistochemical analysis, ELISA, and TUNEL. AIF, GFAP, MMP-9, and HMGB-1 levels were determined using immunohistochemistry in both the control and treatment groups. Statistical analysis was made using the One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and paired t-test. The results showed that Oleuropein was able to reduce AIF and MMP-9 levels in rats with traumatic brain injury. This indicates that Oleuropein has a neuroprotective effect by reducing inflammation and apoptosis. Oleuropein has a potential neuroprotective effect in traumatic brain injury by reducing inflammation and apoptosis. Therefore, Oleuropein can be considered as a potential therapeutic agent for traumatic brain injury in the future.

Timeframe for lymphedema therapy for head and neck cancer survivors.

e13535 Background: More than 90% of head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors experience secondary head and neck lymphedema. Prompt identification and treatment are essential given the progressive nature of lymphedema and potential complications. Usual care includes complete decongestive therapy performed by a lymphedema therapist followed by lifelong home self-care. The ability to participate in lymphedema therapy (LT) is deleteriously impacted by numerous barriers. We are conducting a phase 3 multisite randomized trial involving HNC survivors with treatment-naïve lymphedema which compares usual lymphedema care to the use of an advanced pneumatic compression device (APCD). For patients treated on the usual care arm, data pertaining to LT delivery was collected prospectively. Herein we report the preliminary analysis from this dataset. Methods: Eligible patients were age ≥18 years, had pathologically confirmed HNC, completed curative intent cancer therapy with no evidence of active cancer, were diagnosed with internal or external head and neck lymphedema with at least one core lymphedema associated symptom and had not previously received treatment for lymphedema. Participants were randomized to either usual care with complete decongestive therapy directed by a lymphedema therapist followed by home self-care or daily self-directed use of APCD. Anatomic measurements and patient reported outcome measures were obtained at 2-, 4- and 6-month endpoints. The intervention phase lasted 6 months and therapy records were received for analysis. Key outcome measures included the time from referral to LT evaluation consultation, time from LT evaluation to treatment session and time from referral to treatment session. Results: At the time of this analysis, 87 participants randomized to usual care arm were eligible for inclusion in this assessment. Of the 87 patients, we were unable to document completion of LT consultation or therapy for 39 patients. Among the 48 participants who were referred for LT and received therapy, 72% were male and 28% were female, with 91% identifying as white, 7% as black, and 2% as other. The average age was 62. The mean time from referral by a health care provider to initial lymphedema consultation was 19.6 (σ 18.1) days. Of note, there was a wide-ranging timeframe from referral to LT treatment, varying from 0 to 93 days. The mean time from consultation to treatment was 1.7 days (σ 5.1) and referral to treatment was 21.3 (σ 17.8). Conclusions: A key finding of this study is the high rate (45%) of those referred for LT were not documented to complete a therapy consultation or to receive therapy. Of those patients who receive therapy, consultation and treatment were delay significantly in a high percentage of patients. These finding highlight the need for additional investigation into barriers to timely implementation of LT for head and neck cancer survivors. Guidelines and standards of care should be developed to guide practitioners. Clinical trial information: NCT04797390 .

Effect of Mushroom Residues, Date Residues and Bacterial Inoculum (A. Chroococcum, P. Putida) on the Growth and Yield of Broccoli.

An experiment was conducted in sandy clay loam textured soil at the research station of the College of Agriculture / University of Anbar to find out the effect of adding white Spent mushroom residues Agaricus bisporus, date residues and bacterial inoculum on the growth and yield of broccoli. A three-level factorial experiment was designed for this purpose: the first is white mushroom residues with three levels [0, 10, and 20 tons ha−1] and symbolized by symbols [M0, M1, and M2], and the second date residues with three levels [0, 10 and 20 tons.ha−1] and symbolized by symbols [D0, D1, and D2] and the third factor is bacterial inoculum [Azotobacter chroococcum+Pseudomonas putida] which included two levels; No addition [B0] and inoculum addition [B1], added with all the mentioned treatments half of the fertilizer recommendation. The experiment was designed with a randomized completely blocks design [RCBD] and three replications. The results showed that the triple interaction of the treatments at the highest levels [B1D2M2] gave the best results and significantly for Plant height [PHA], Leaf Area [LA], number of leaves [NOL], number of secondary heads [NOSH], weight of the main flower disc [NOMF] and diameter of the main flower disc [DOMFD] ]75.30 cm, 1182.70 cm2 plant−1, 70.22 leaf−1, 13.53 plant heads−1, 1515.50 g and 26.49 cm] respectively. The control treatment with no residues and no bacterial inoculum [B0D0M0] was added reveal the lowest rates for all the mentioned properties.

Disease Control and Toxicity Outcomes after Intraoperative HDR Brachytherapy for Neck Recurrences in Patients Previously Irradiated Head and Neck Cancer

Despite recent advances in local and systemic therapies for head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC), the most common types of treatment failure remain local and regional. Patients with HNSCC also have a higher risk of developing secondary head and neck tumors due to a field cancerization phenomenon. Treatment of these recurrences poses a challenge, particularly in patients having previously received full dose external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) to the head and neck region. This study evaluates the clinical outcomes of intraoperative Harrison-Anderson-Mick applicator (HAM) HDR brachytherapy (BT) after salvage neck dissection for neck recurrences in patients previously irradiated for HNSCC. All patients having received HAM BT for HNSCC neck recurrences at a single institution were identified. Demographic, treatment, disease control and toxicity data were collected retrospectively. Toxicity was graded as per Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse events version 5. The Kaplan Meier method was used to assess overall survival (OS) and ipsilateral regional control (IRC) from the time of HAM BT. Nineteen patients with regional recurrence of HNSCC were treated with HAM BT Ir-192 between July 2006 and June 2022, with a median follow-up for survival of 51.4 months (range: 2.5-186.7). The median BT dose was 12.5 Gy delivered intraoperatively at 5 mm tissue depth/1 cm from source. Fifteen patients (78.9%) also received postoperative EBRT to a median dose of 46 Gy in 23 fractions and 13 (68.4%) received systemic therapy. Six patients (31.6%) developed ipsilateral neck recurrences (4 who had adjuvant EBRT and 2 who did not), 2 patients had primary site recurrences and 5 patients developed distant metastases. In terms of acute toxicity, 4 patients had grade 3 dysphagia requiring feeding tube (FT) placement and one patient required surgical intervention for wound necrosis. In terms of late toxicity, 2 additional patients required FT placement and 1 was able to have it removed. No grade 4+ late toxicities were noted. The IRC at the site of HAM BT at 1 year was 71.5% and 63.6% at 5 years. The 1-year OS was 81.3% and 5-year OS was 40.9%. Intraoperative HAM BT resulted in favorable rates of IRC with acceptable toxicity in the reirradiation setting for HNSCC.

Long-Term Care and Follow-Up in Laryngeal Cancer Patients: A Multicenter Retrospective Analysis.

We conducted an outcome analysis on surgically treated laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) patients. A multicenter retrospective study with 352 patients was analyzed. A new nomogram that incorporates age, T- and N-classification, and treatment was created. Recurrence was observed in 65 (18.5%) patients after a mean time of 16.5 months. After 60 months, 91 (25.9%) of patients developed secondary primary tumors (SPT), most commonly in the lungs (n = 29; 8.2%) followed by other head and neck cancers (n = 21; 6.0%). Notably, the mean time to occurrence of secondary head and neck cancers was twice that of lung cancer (101.1 vs. 47.5 months). Recurrent disease is less common in LSCC patients and appears much earlier than SPT. Because one in every four laryngeal cancer patients develops SPTs within 5-10 years, long-term care and follow-up, including imaging studies, are highly recommended. The nomogram was useful for estimating survival.

Vegetative Growth, Yield and Quality of Broccoli As Influenced by Application of Gibberellic Acid

Field experiments on broccoli cv. ‘BARI Broccoli-1’ was carried out during two consecutive rabi seasons of 2014-15 and 2015-16 at the field of Plant Physiology Section of HRC, BARI. 30 days old seedlings were treated before transplanting by dipping their roots for 24 h in different concentrations of GA3 (Gibberellic acid) viz., 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 ppm along with control (distilled water). The experiment was laid out in a Randomized complete block Design with three replications. GA3 concentrations significantly influenced the growth parameters, yield and yield attributes and quality parameters of broccoli. In regard to the average data of two years, GA3 @ 60 ppm gave the maximum leaf length (46.58 cm), spread diameter (52.38 cm), head circumference (38.2cm cm), head length (16.60 cm), head diameter (15.45 cm), primary and secondary head weight/plant (289.85 g and 192.80 g). The maximum head yield (18.82 t/ha in 2014-15 and 21.39 t/ha in 2015-16) with an average of 20.11 t/ha was recorded at GA3 @ 60 ppm followed by GA3 @ 40 ppm. Application of GA3 @ 60 ppm also produced the highest head compactness index (18.77 g/cm), maximum vitamin C (82.88 mg/100 g FW), vitamin A (601.90 IU/100 g FW) contents and the highest total soluble solid (10.10%). From the investigation it was also observed that application of more than 60 ppm GA3 reduced the yield attributes and yield of broccoli.
 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 45(3): 247-259, September 2020

The Artichoke “Bianco di Pertosa”: The Enhancement of Crop Residues through Environmentally Friendly Uses

The cultivation of the artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) is widespread all over the world, but the largest area of cultivation is in the Mediterranean basin. It is a plant of Mediterranean origin with countless uses, whose cultivation should be preserved as agrobiodiversity, on which food safety and environmental sustainability depend. Moreover, there is the need to increase the sustainability of food systems also by recovering food loss across the supply chain and identifying ways to best utilise discharged food biomass. Effective waste management is critical to increase the environmental performance of the food system to reduce emissions, energy consumption, and waste disposal. The aims of the research were the quantification of the cultivation and processing residues of the artichoke “Bianco di Pertosa” (Salerno, Southern Italy), a plant resource that has become a driving force for the territory and their recovery, and the evaluation of the possible use in different sectors for the development of highly eco-compatible alternative products and processes. To this end, different types of determinations were carried out on heads and senescent leaves: physical measurements (diameter, height, gross and net weight of the heads, number of leaves per stem, and biomass); chemical determinations (nutritional value, humidity, ashes, proteins, crude fibres, crude fats, fatty acids, total carbohydrates, sugars, metals, and calories); and determination of the dyeing power. Results showed that the incidence of residues on the total fresh biomass was very high with values between 58.5% and 69%, confirming the high availability of biomass deriving from artichoke processing residues that can be used in various ways. In particular, the quantity of leaves was equal to 2.8 tons ha−1 in dry weight, while the residues of primary and secondary heads amounted to 1.4 tons ha−1 in dry weight. The determination of the nutritional label has highlighted a high presence of minerals, in particular, calcium, potassium, and iron; a low Na/K ratio; a high fibre content; and a favourable composition in unsaturated fatty acids. Good results were also obtained in the dyeing determination, thus making crop residues of artichoke a sought-after material for dyeing fabrics and more. These results are important to enhance territories and their resources through the development of eco-compatible processes based on the principles of a circular economy, with a low impact on the environment and safeguarding biodiversity.

Exploratory Factor Analysis of the Perceptions of Secondary School Heads of Departments on Teacher Trainees’ Pedagogical Practices in Three Districts of Zambia

Preparing a 21st-century classroom teacher has become necessary in teacher training and practice if considerable retains in education could be realized. While some content knowledge awareness efforts have materialized in the teachers’ movement, the pedagogical aspect of training needs much to be desired. This study aimed to establish the secondary school heads of departments’ perceptions of teacher trainees’ pedagogical Practices. The study design used was a quantitative exploratory factor analysis to examine an eight-factor structure of the instrument and analyze the association between variables. The study population constituted of all secondary schools’ heads of departments in three districts of Zambia. A total sample of (n=120) participants comprising heads of departments from 20 secondary schools participated in the study. The sampling technique used was purposive sampling to identify respondents since the study depended on researchers’ sense of judgment in selecting participants from the population. The 20 schools provided all the standard criteria for the choice of participants needed for the study. The instrument used in the study was a survey questionnaire adapted from Barron (2015). A pilot study on (n=43) heads of departments conducted on heads of departments who were not part of the study. The reliability of the instrument was deemed reliable after subjecting it to SPSS and gave reliability of .930. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS 26. The study’s significant findings showed evidence of acquisition of content knowledge among trainee teachers, implying the emphasis on training, and showed a severe lack of professional ethics among trainee teachers. However, the findings showed that the various factors extracted are near related; hence, there is a close relationship between teacher training curriculum and the pedagogical skills that trainee teachers use in classrooms. Given the nature of the 21st-century learners that teachers come in contact with, the pedagogical predicament becomes paramount for emphasis in teacher training institutions.

Knowing How It Works: Voices of Secondary School Heads on Local Government Special Education Fund for Technological Support in the New Normal

Structured with qualitative-transcendental phenomenology, the study aimed at understanding the lived experiences of secondary school heads on the local government Special Education Fund for technological support in the new normal in the Division of Santa Rosa, Laguna, Philippines. The researcher utilized the framework of Moustakas (1994), which involved bracketing, horizonalization, theme clustering, textural description, structural description, and essence. From the verbatim transcriptions, 14 themes surfaced, which were intensively analyzed. The participants' lived experiences of receiving local government fund-derived technological support to match the demands of distance learning and implementation of basic education learning continuity were relative to intricate experiences, retorts on transitional education, knowledge of local government fund, perceived support and downsides, realization of fund accessibility and decision-making, meeting the demands of distance learning, and usefulness and impacts on school outcomes. Consequently, the participants' coping mechanisms in facing challenges and issues are manifested through prioritizing health and security, provision of sufficient and equitable technological support, congruency of actual needs, operative management schemes, strategic fund allocation, dynamism in training, workshops, and technical assistance, and collaboration towards positive support. The findings imply that in the new normal, the provision of local government for technological support in schools aided the successful implementation of distance learning via the virtual learning modality. The technological devices, such as laptops for teachers and tablets for students, helped a lot in complying with the required tasks while ensuring health and safety precautions.

EFFECT OF OZONE ENRICHMENT AND SPRAYING WITH COCONUT WATER AND MORINGA EXTRACT ON VEGETATIVE GROWTH AND YIELD OF BROCCOLI PLANT UNDER HYDROPONIC SYSTEM WITH MODIFIED NFT TECHNOLOGY

This study was carried out at University of Baghdad - College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences - Research Station B during the autumn season 2019-2020, in order to evaluate the effect of Ozone and the foliar application of coconut water and moringa extract on the growth of broccoli plant grown in modified NFT film technology. A factorial experiment (2*5) was carried out within Nested Design with three replicates. The ozone treatment was distributed into the main plots which consisted of oxygen (O2) and ozone (O3). The foliar application of organic nutrients were distributed randomly within each replicate including five treatments, which were the control treatment (T0), Coconut water with two concentrations of 50 (T1) and 100 ml. L-1 (T2), and Moringa leaves extract at two concentrations 2% (T3) and 4% T4. Results revealed a significant effect of interaction between the ozone and the foliar application of coconut water 100 ml. L-1 (O3T2) on the leaves content of Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu, B, Chlorophyll, plant height, leaves number, leaves area, root length, roots dry weight, number and weight of secondary heads (24.09 ,33.16, 55.00, 56.01, 102.85, 72.01, 13.88, 9.39, 90.56, 96.56, 28.07, 24.52, 120.0, 77.48% respectively) compared to the control treatment (O2T0). Interaction between ozone enrichment and the foliar application of 4% Moringa leaves extract (O3T4) were recorded a significant increment in the main tablet weight, reached 687.33 gm.Plant-1 compared to the control treatment (O2T0). Interaction between ozone and Moringa leaves extract at 2% (O3T3) or, and coconut water 100 ml. L-1 (O3T2) had a significant increment in the total yield reached 51.07 and 50.94 tons.ha-1, respectively, compared to the control treatment (O2T0).

Unilateral isolated fracture of the pterygoid plate: a case report

Pterygoid plate fractures are often associated with Le Fort fractures and accompanied by other facial fractures such as frontal sinus and naso-orbital-ethmoid fractures; isolated pterygoid plate fractures are extremely rare.
 Le Fort fractures must be surgically treated with fixation of unstable fracture segments to re-establish bone form and function, and the pterygoid process must be surgically stabilized; however, surgical treatment is unnecessary in isolated pterygoid plate fractures.
 Here, we report a rare case of isolated unilateral fracture of the pterygoid process in a 71-year-old female patient who had a syncopal episode with secondary head injury and a hematoma at the base of the right orbit.
 A computed tomography scan showed unilateral right pterygoid plate fracture with signs of emphysema in the ipsilateral masticatory space. The patient also had a fracture of the medial wall of the right maxillary sinus with hemosine, but no fractures of the skull base or theca. She was treated conservatively.

School Leadership Development Program on the Performance of Secondary School Heads

The research was conducted to find out the effect of school leadership development programs on the performance of secondary school heads. The major objectives of this study were to investigate the effectiveness of the school leadership development program on the professional and administrative development of secondary school heads. The study was qualitative in nature. The population of this study comprised all the heads of secondary schools in Pak pattan. Thus, all the headteachers of male and female public secondary schools were selected as a sample from each selected tehsil. For the purpose of qualitative data collection, ten senior teachers of secondary schools who were acting as the vice of the heads were taken as the sample. A structured interview was developed for data collection. The research recommended expanding the circle of the school leadership development program to the other school heads particularly the newly upgraded schools for the betterment of the whole public education sector.The study recommended planning and designing further training for those having less expertise and skill in the disciplines of service rules and information technology.

Pipkin-Frakturen

Femoral head fractures a very rare emergency situation and occur in 4-17% of hip joint dislocations. Of femoral head dislocation fractures 3.7% occur in combination with acetabular fractures. Reduction of the dislocation should be immediately performed. Decisive for whether treatment should be conservative or surgical by resection of the fragments, reconstruction of the femoral head or prosthetic joint replacement, is the grading of the fracture type using the Pipkin classification. Surgical treatment appears to give a better outcome in Pipkin type 1 and Pipkin type 2 fractures than conservative treatment. The in-house cohort of patients showed a good long-term outcome after surgical reconstruction. The follow-up treatment is carried out with 6 weeks of floor contact and pharmaceutical ossification prophylaxis. The danger of secondary femoral head necrosis needs to be considered at all times. In patients aged > 65years a primary endoprosthetic joint replacement is indicated.

The curriculum tracker: A tool to improve curriculum coverage or just a tick-box exercise?

Research on teacher professional development generally states that teachers do not take new innovations on board easily. The study reported on here focused on the uptake of a curriculum tracker tool designed to improve curriculum coverage by mathematics teachers. The tool formed part of the Jika iMfundo (JiM) programme launched by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education and a partner organisation. The purpose of this study was to explore the extent to which secondary mathematics teachers and heads of department (HoDs) used the tools for their intended purposes. The study was carried out with teachers and department heads from 14 schools located in 2 districts of KwaZulu-Natal. Data were generated by 21 interviews, supplemented by secondary data sourced from responses to previous surveys conducted by JiM. The findings show that most teachers considered the tool as a tick-box activity, instead of using it to guide their planning in a meaningful manner. Furthermore, there was misalignment between planning undertaken by the provincial education department and JiM. It is crucial that teachers on the ground are consulted first in order to jointly identify how certain problems can be addressed before any professional development activity is implemented.

Preliminary results regarding the seed yield of pot marigold (Calendula officinalis L.) plants harvested at different stages of seed maturity

Abstract During the study, the characteristics of flower heads and seed yield of marigold (Calendula officinalis L.) plants harvested at different stages of seed maturity (achenes from different types of heads – primary, secondary, and tertiary ramifications) were measured. The number of total flower heads (inflorescences), heads with mature seeds, and the diameter of heads with mature seeds and weight of seeds of the above mentioned fractions per plant were calculated. The results show that there are significant differences among treatments regarding several parameters. The plants were harvested when 90% of the heads formed on the primary ramifications and 75% of the heads formed on the secondary ramifications, having mature seeds superior to plants with 50% of the secondary heads with mature seeds.

Advanced training in industry education

The experience of the Federal Agency for Railway Transport (Roszheldor) conducting annual training courses for the heads of educational institutions of secondary vocational education and heads of state universities of railways supervising their work, organized by the Training and Methodological Center for Education in Railway Transport, considered. The main issues and problems that were discussed from September 13 to 16, 2021 at the courses “Improving the quality of secondary vocational education in the field of railway transport: prospects and ways of development”, held on the basis of the Emperor Alexander I St. Petersburg State Transport University.The topical issues, the study of which is devoted to the event: the results of the work of educational institutions of secondary vocational education of Roszheldor; interaction of educational organizations of Roszheldor with the main employer — JSC Russian Railways; educational and methodological support of basic professional educational programs of secondary vocational education; new organizational and methodological mechanisms in the system of secondary vocational education through Federal educational and methodological association; introduction of technological innovations into secondary vocational education in railway transport through professional skill con-tests; WorldSkills championships; informational, organizational, scientific and methodological resources for solving problems of training mid-level specialists for railway transport.

Head and neck lymphoedema-research challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Management of secondary head and neck lymphoedema has undergone little research investigation. Its treatment is time and labour intensive and involves multiple therapeutic modalities without a clear understanding of which is most effective. This study aimed to determine the feasibility of a randomised controlled trial comparing two therapeutic modalities to manage head and neck lymphoedema. The secondary objective was to evaluate the clinical effects of these treatments. Participants were randomised to receive treatment with manual lymphatic drainage or compression over 6 weeks, with the primary outcome-percentage tissue water-measured 12 weeks after treatment. Six participants were recruited until the study was ceased due to restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Some 86% of required attendances were completed. Percentage tissue water increased in all participants at 12 weeks. No consistent trends were identified between internal and external lymphoedema. The small number of people recruited to this study informs its feasibility outcomes but limits any conclusions about clinical implications.

Head Teachers' supervisory practices and teachers’ motivation in teaching

The study examined the relationship between Government Secondary head teachers’ instructional supervisory practices and teachers’ motivation in teaching. Quantitative research approach and survey technique was used in the study. The main objective of the study was to determine the relationship between head teachers’ instructional supervisory practices and teachers’ motivation. The population of the study was all the male and female head teachers and teachers working in the Government high schools of District Sargodha. Multistage sampling technique was used to select the research participants from 75 randomly selected Government high schools of tehsil Sargodha, 75 head teachers and 225 teachers were selected on availability basis. Two self-developed questionnaires; one for head teachers and one for teachers were used as research instruments. Descriptive statistics, frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation and Pearson r correlation were used in analyzing data and reporting the study findings. The conclusion of the study was that there was positive and moderate relationship between head teachers’ supervisory practices and teachers’ motivation. On the basis of conclusion, it was recommended that DSD should arrange trainings for the head teachers to improve their inspection skills.