Two-year Study Research Articles

Linking in with advice and supports for men impacted by metastatic cancer: The LIAM Mc trial (NCT05946993).

TPS1646 Background: Multidisciplinary supportive care interventions are key to preventing and managing adverse effects of cancer and its treatment for patients, reducing symptom and psychological burdens and enhancing quality of life (QoL). However, the optimal composition of these interventions for men with genitourinary (GU) cancers is poorly understood. The LIAM Mc Trial is an enhanced supportive care programme, funded by the Irish Cancer Society and designed with the input of patient representatives who highlighted the unmet needs of cancer survivors. An important aspect of the trial is to demonstrate how to improve the survivorship supports and services for underserved communities of men who experience disparities in cancer incidence, prognosis, outcome and QoL, and have not traditionally been the focus of such initiatives. Methods: Using an embedded mixed-method process evaluation this prospective trial aims to assess the feasibility and impact of a holistic 12-week survivorship programme amongst men with advanced GU cancers at an Irish Cancer Centre. The programme involves twice-weekly sessions with input from a dedicated physiotherapist, dietitian, and nurse specialist, along with education sessions from medical social worker and psycho-oncology specialists, and programme oversight provided by medical oncologists. Outcomes are measured at three timepoints; pre-intervention, immediately post-intervention and at 6 months post intervention, and will include EORTC QoL; muscle strength; body composition through bioelectrical impedance analysis and ultrasound; diet quality; cancer related symptom control; cancer related fatigue scores; feasibility outcomes, qualitative interviews and a process evaluation. Any man with a locally advanced or metastatic GU cancer who has recently completed a course of treatment or is stable on active anti-cancer treatment is eligible for the programme. Over the two-year study period the sample size target is 72 participants. The primary endpoint of the study is to evaluate the feasibility of introducing an enhanced supportive care programme as part of routine management for male cancer patients with metastatic disease. Acceptability, satisfaction with the programme and QoL changes are key secondary endpoints. Barriers to participation are also a key outcome under investigation. The study was activated in May 2023 with the first participants enrolled in June 2023. To date 17 men have enrolled with accrual completion anticipated in June 2025. Clinical trial information: NCT05946993 .

Enhancing Wheat Growth, Physiology, Yield, and Water Use Efficiency under Deficit Irrigation by Integrating Foliar Application of Salicylic Acid and Nutrients at Critical Growth Stages.

Transitioning from full to deficit irrigation (DI) has become a key strategy in arid regions to combat water scarcity and enhance irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE). However, implementing DI requires additional approaches to counter its negative effects on wheat production. One effective approach is the foliar application of salicylic acid (SA), micronutrients (Mic; zinc and manganese), and macronutrients (Mac; nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium). However, there is a lack of knowledge on the optimal combinations and timing of foliar application for these components to maximize their benefits under arid conditions, which is the primary focus of this study. A two-year field study was conducted to assess the impact of the foliar application of SA alone and in combination with Mic (SA + Mic) or Mic and Mac (SA + Mic + Mac) at various critical growth stages on wheat growth, physiology, productivity, and IWUE under DI conditions. Our result demonstrated that the foliar application of different components, the timing of application, and their interaction had significant effects on all investigated wheat parameters with few exceptions. Applying different components through foliar application at multiple growth stages, such as tillering and heading or tillering, heading, and grain filling, led to significant enhancements in various wheat parameters. The improvements ranged from 7.7% to 23.2% for growth parameters, 8.7% to 24.0% for physiological traits, 1.4% to 21.0% for yield and yield components, and 14.8% to 19.0% for IWUE compared to applying the components only at the tillering stage. Plants treated with different components (SA, Mic, Mac) exhibited enhanced growth, production, and IWUE in wheat compared to untreated plants. The most effective treatment was SA + Mic, followed by SA alone and SA + Mic + Mac. The foliar application of SA, SA + Mic, and SA + Mic + Mac improved growth parameters by 1.2-50.8%, 2.7-54.6%, and 2.5-43.9%, respectively. Yield parameters were also enhanced by 1.3-33.0%, 2.4-37.2%, and 3.0-26.6% while IWUE increased by 28.6%, 33.0%, and 18.5% compared to untreated plants. A heatmap analysis revealed that the foliar application of SA + Mic at multiple growth stages resulted in the highest values for all parameters, followed by SA alone and SA + Mic + Mac applications at multiple growth stages. The lowest values were observed in untreated plants and with the foliar application of different components only at the tillering stage. Thus, this study suggested that the foliar application of SA + Mic at various growth stages can help sustain wheat production in arid regions with limited water resources.

Respiratory viral coinfections in pediatric patients in the primary care setting: a multicenter prospective study within the COPEDICAT network.

Acute respiratory viral infections pose a significant healthcare burden on the pediatric population globally, but data on the dissemination pattern in the community due to the COVID-19 pandemic are scarce. We conducted a two-year prospective multicenter study in Catalonia (Spain) that examined the prevalence and coinfection dynamics of respiratory viruses among 1276 pediatric patients from different age groups attending primary care. Coinfection analysis demonstrated complex patterns and revealed a coinfection rate of 23.8% for SARS-CoV-2, often in association with rhinovirus or influenza A. This study provides valuable data to understand post-pandemic viral interactions, which is imperative for public health interventions.

Two-year post-distraction cartilage-related structural improvement is accompanied by increased serum full-length SIRT1

BackgroundPreviously, fragments from Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) were identified in preclinical and clinical samples to display an increase in serum levels for N-terminal (NT) SIRT1 vs. C-terminal (CT) SIRT1, indicative of early signs of OA. Here we tested NT/CT SIRT1 levels as well as a novel formulated sandwich assay to simultaneously detect both domains of SIRT1 in a manner that may inform us about the levels of full-length SIRT1 in the circulation (flSIRT1) of clinical cohorts undergoing knee joint distraction (KJD).MethodsWe employed an indirect ELISA assay to test NT- and CT-SIRT1 levels and calculated their ratio. Further, to test flSIRT1 we utilized novel antibodies (Ab), which were validated for site specificity and used in a sandwich ELISA method, wherein the CT-reactive served as capture Ab, and its NT-reactive served as primary detection Ab. This method was employed in human serum samples derived from a two-year longitudinal study of KJD patients. Two-year clinical and structural outcomes were correlated with serum levels of flSIRT1 compared to baseline.ResultsAssessing the cohort, exhibited a significant increase of NT/CT SIRT1 serum levels with increased osteophytes and PIIANP/CTX-II at baseline, while a contradictory increase in NT/CT SIRT1 was associated with less denuded bone, post-KJD. On the other hand, flSIRT1 exhibited an upward trend in serum level, accompanied by reduced denuded bone for 2-year adjusted values. Moreover, 2 year-adjusted flSIRT1 levels displayed a steeper linear regression for cartilage and bone-related structural improvement than those observed for NT/CT SIRT1.ConclusionsOur data support that increased flSIRT1 serum levels are a potential molecular endotype for cartilage-related structural improvement post-KJD, while NT/CT SIRT1 appears to correlate with osteophyte and PIIANP/CTX-II reduction at baseline, to potentially indicate baseline OA severity.

Optimizing the leaf-to-bunch ratio in ‘Mazafati’ date trees by considering source-sink limitation and physiological-molecular responses

The balance between carbon production and consumption is regulated by source and sink, which can limit plant performance. When there is an imbalance between source and sink, the plant's performance is affected. Thus, source and sink are interdependent. We conducted a two-year study (220–221) to investigate how different leaf-to–bunch ratios (LBR) (7–12) affect source–sink balance and yield in ’Mazafati’ date trees. We also determined the optimal number of bunches per tree as the main carbon sinks competing with other organs. Trehalose is a non-reducing sugar that protects cellular structure and function under stress. We found that 9–10 LBR-trees had no biotic stress due to carbon deficiency or excess, as indicated by minimal expression of the trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (TPS) gene and synthesis of trehalose. This alleviated source-sink limitation and resulted in the highest yield, bunch weight, fruit weight and flavor, water use efficiency, and reduced abscised fruit. Hormones gibberellic acid (GA3) and abscisic acid (ABA), gene expression of sucrose phosphate synthase 1 (SPS1), enzyme activities of sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) and sucrose synthase (SuSy) related to sucrose synthesis, reducing and non-reducing sugars, and starch increased with increasing LBR in date palm fruit. Based on our findings, we concluded that a LBR of 9–10 optimizes fruit quality in date palm.

Promising Practices for Leadership Development: Exploring a Collaborative Professional Learning and Coaching Program

<p>Given the substantial impact school leaders have on school improvement, the imperative for continuous professional learning for leaders is evident. In this two-year action research study, researchers collaborated with a school division, forming a research-practice partnership, to design and explore a collaborative professional learning and coaching program. The primary objective of this program was to align with local leadership standards and foster leadership development. The central research question was: How does implementation of a collaborative professional learning and coaching program contribute to leadership development? Data were collected from district and school leaders and included pre and post surveys, interviews, and focus groups. The findings of this study indicate that district leadership practices show promising potential in fostering inservice opportunities for leadership development. These practices include the following: (a) ensure programs are sustained with a consistent focus, (b) utilize collaborative learning approaches, (c) assess growth through reflection and feedback, and (d) use action research to support continual improvement. This study aims to provide valuable insights to school districts and researchers regarding the implementation of sustained and job-embedded professional development for school leaders, with a specific focus on leadership development.</p>

Trap or Opportunity: Impact of the Fishing Ban Compensation Policy on the Income of Returning Fishermen in China

The conflict between biodiversity conservation and economic development is intense in developing countries. With the decline in biodiversity, the Chinese government imposed a 10-year fishing ban in the priority waters of the Yangtze River Basin, which resulted in many fishermen losing their livelihood. However, a compensation policy was subsequently introduced. To investigate the impact of the ban, we conducted a two-year study using balanced panel data and the PSM-DID model for 365 households in the Poyang Lake area and introduced fixed effects to discuss the impact of the Yangtze River fishing ban compensation policy on the income of returning fishermen and their choices for alternative income. We also explored the interactive effects of fishing ban compensation and other biodiversity conservation policies on their income. The results showed that the fishing ban negatively impacted the agricultural income of households but not the total household income, and the compensation somewhat subsidized the fishermen’s loss of income. Moreover, this was an opportunity for farmers to adjust their livelihood strategies. These findings improve our understanding of the impact of this fishing ban and compensation policy on the household incomes of returning fishermen and their adaptive strategies for alternative income.

Microvascular Density Analysis of Patients with Inactive Systemic Lupus Erythematosus-A Two-Year Follow-Up Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Study.

Background/Objectives: This study aims to investigate the long-term effect of inactive systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) on the retinal microcirculation measured via optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A). Methods: Twenty-four eyes of 24 patients with inactive SLE under hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) therapy were included. The OCT-A data (mainly vessel density (VD) and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) data of the superficial and of the deep capillary plexus (SCP, DCP) and the choriocapillaris (CC)) were analyzed and compared between the baseline examination (t0) and 2 years later (t1). Results: At t1, VD in the whole en face SCP and in the CC was notably reduced compared to t0 (SCP: p = 0.001, CC: p = 0.013). VD in the DCP, CRT and FAZ area showed no difference at t1 compared to t0 (DCP: p = 0.128, FAZ: p = 0.332, CRT fovea: p = 0.296). Correlation analysis between the increase in cumulative doses of HCQ between t0 and t1 and the VD of the whole en face SCP did not show any correlation (Spearman r = 0.062 (95% CI -0.367; 0.477). Conclusions: SLE patients demonstrated a decrease in the retinal VD of the SCP and CC over a 2-year period. There was no correlation with the change in cumulative doses of HCQ. These results suggest an ongoing effect of the disease on the retinal and choriocapillary microcirculation.

A Two-Year Observational Study to Evaluate Conversion Rates from High- and Low-Risk Patients with Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment to Probable Alzheimer's Disease in a Real-World Setting.

Predicting conversion to probable Alzheimer&s disease (AD) from amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) is difficult but important. A nomogram was developed previously for determining the risk of 3-year probable AD conversion in aMCI. To compare the probable AD conversion rates with cognitive and neurodegenerative changes for 2 years from high- and low risk aMCI groups classified using the nomogram. This prospective, multicenter, observational study was conducted in Korea. A total of patients were classified as high- or low-risk aMCI according to the nomogram and followed-up for 2 years to compare the annual conversion rate to probable AD and brain structure changes between the two groups. In total, 176 (high-risk, 85; low-risk, 91) and 160 (high-risk, 77; low-risk, 83) patients completed the 1-year and 2-year follow-up, respectively. The probable AD conversion rate was significantly higher in the high-risk (Year 1, 28.9%; Year 2, 46.1%) versus low-risk group (Year 1, 0.0%; Year 2, 4.9%, both p < 0.0001). Mean changes from baseline in Seoul Neuropsychological Screening Battery-Dementia Version, Clinical Dementia Rating-Sum of Box, and Korean version of the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scores and cortical atrophy index at Years 1 and 2 were significantly greater in the high-risk group (p < 0.0001). The high-risk aMCI group, as determined by the nomogram, had a higher conversion rate to probable AD and faster cognitive decline and neurodegeneration change than the low-risk group. These real-world results have clinical implications that help clinicians in accurately predicting patient outcomes and facilitating early decision-making.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03448445).

The role of contextual and individual factors in successful e-learning experiences during and after the pandemic – a two-year study

AbstractThe main aim of this study is to examine university students’ satisfaction with remote learning, analysing their socio-demographic and personal factors, the perception of online interactivity and of the online means used by academics considering two important moments: one academic year from the pandemic period (2020–2021) and one from the post-pandemic period (2022–2023). The sample included 1493 university students in a cross-sectional correlation research design. We found significant direct effects of techno-creators and techno-inhibitors on satisfaction, and of e-learning use on satisfaction. Technostress inhibitors have significant positive effects on e-learning use, learning engagement and negative effects on technostress creators. The relationship between technostress creators and satisfaction is partially mediated by learning engagement and e-learning use. Uncertainty has mediated effects on e-learning satisfaction. The results show that students expected almost all the features of the platforms to be used more in 2022–2023, when classes became preponderantly face-to-face. The results are slightly different during the two years of the analysis.

Plant growth promoters boost the photosynthesis related mechanisms and secondary metabolism of late-sown wheat under contrasting saline regimes

There is an imminent risk of higher crop failures owing to weather vagaries for agriculture-based livelihood systems, which are already fragile due to several challenges. The most important challenge is the encounter of crops against multiple environmental stresses under natural field conditions, the combination of these stresses poses complex effects on plant physiological and metabolic activities. To date, the combined effects of salt stress (SS) and late-sown (LS) on physiological and biochemical attributes have not been studied on wheat. A two-year field study was designed to evaluate the effect of plant growth promoters (PGRPs) to alleviate the individual SS, LS and combinations on wheat. The experiment was conducted for three factors, a) late sown and timely sown, b) saline and non-saline conditions and c) PGRPs treatments (thiourea (TU @ 1000 mg L−1), salicylic acid (SA @ 100 mg L−1), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2 @ 100 µM), water spray (H2O) and control). Data revealed that under stress conditions, especially under SS+LS stress plants increased the synthesis of secondary metabolites, enhanced heat dissipation, and showed strict control over the stomatal regulation and gas exchange attributes, all these mechanisms were tweaked to deal with all the stresses. In addition, SS+LS stress followed by SS and LS stress severely reduced the flag leaf area (FLA), chlorophyll pigment contents and chlorophyll fluorescence and carboxylation capacity. However, foliar treatments of PGRPs TU, followed by SA, H2O2, H2O and control improved the chlorophyll fluorescence, pigments contents, gas exchange indicators, and relative water content (RWC). Moreover, PGRPs application improved the FLA, pigment biosynthesis and carboxylation capacity that improved the synthesis of metabolites such as anthocyanin, niacin, flavonoids, phenolics, alkaloids, saponin and riboflavin, which acted as defensive compounds to preserve the photosynthetic capacity irrespective of stress treatments.

Associated factors of mortality and morbidity in emergency and elective abdominal surgery: a two-year prospective cohort study at lacor hospital, Uganda

BackgroundThe mortality rate associated with open abdominal surgery is a significant concern for patients and healthcare providers. This is particularly worrisome in Africa due to scarce workforce resources and poor early warning systems for detecting physiological deterioration in patients who develop complications.MethodsThis prospective cohort study aimed to follow patients who underwent emergency or elective abdominal surgery at Lacor Hospital in Uganda. The participants were patients who underwent abdominal surgery at the hospital between April 27th, 2019 and July 07th, 2021. Trained research staff collected data using standardized forms, which included demographic information (age, gender, telephone contact, and location), surgical indications, surgical procedures, preoperative health status, postoperative morbidity and mortality, and length of hospital stay.ResultsThe present study involved 124 patients, mostly male, with an average age of 35 years, who presented with abdominal pain and varying underlying comorbidities. Elective cases constituted 60.2% of the total. The common reasons for emergency and elective surgery were gastroduodenal perforation and cholelithiasis respectively. The complication rate was 17.7%, with surgical site infections being the most frequent. The mortality rate was 7.3%, and several factors such as preoperative hypotension, deranged renal function, postoperative use of vasopressors, and postoperative assisted ventilation were associated with it. Elective and emergency-operated patients showed no significant difference in survival (P-value = 0.41) or length of hospital stay (P-value = 0.17). However, there was a significant difference in morbidity (p < 0.001).ConclusionCholelithiasis and gastroduodenal perforation were key surgical indications, with factors like postoperative ventilation and adrenaline infusion linked to mortality. Emergency surgeries had higher complication rates, particularly surgical site infections, despite similar hospital stay and mortality rates compared to elective surgeries.

Invasive Fungal Infections Among Patients with Hematological Malignancies: A Two-Year Multicentric Study from Tehran, Iran

Background: Invasive fungal infection (IFI) is a life-threatening condition, particularly in individuals with compromised immune systems. Objectives: Our study aims to evaluate IFI in hospitalized patients with hematological malignancies. Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, we evaluated patients with hematological malignancies admitted to two university hospitals in Tehran, Iran, from 2020 to 2021 for IFI. We selected only those patients who had been hospitalized for at least four days for antimicrobial treatment. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS-26 software, employing Mann-Whitney U, chi-square, and Fisher exact tests. Results: During the study period, 60 out of 213 patients with hematological malignancies were admitted for antimicrobial treatment. The average age of the patients was 57.1 years, with fever being the most common symptom, reported in 63.3% of cases. We identified 24 cases of IFI, including three proven cases (Candida spp.) and 21 probable cases. Statistical analysis showed a lower mean neutrophil count in the IFI group compared to the non-IFI group (3862 versus 12881, P = 0.001) and a higher mortality rate (58.3% versus 27.8%, P = 0.031). Conclusions: Our study revealed that severe neutropenia is a significant risk factor for IFI, and the mortality rate associated with IFI remains high despite advances in the treatment of hematological malignancies.

Cultivar-specific regulation of antioxidant enzyme activity and stomatal closure confer tolerance of wheat to elevated ozone: A two-year open-field study with five cultivars

Elevated concentrations of tropospheric ozone (O3) pose a significant threat to food production in many regions of the world. We conducted a two-year experiment with five winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars, Yangmai16 (Y16), Yangmai23 (Y23), Zhenmai12 (Z12), Yangmai29 (Y29), and Yangmai30 (Y30), to assess photosynthetic traits, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant systems under ambient (A-O3) or elevated (E-O3; 1.5 times A-O3) O3 in a Free-Air O3Concentration Enrichment system (FACE). E-O3 accelerated leaf senescence, manifested by marked reductions in photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, total antioxidant capacity, and photosynthetic pigment content, accompanied by altered antioxidant enzyme activity and a significant increase in malondialdehyde content (an indicator of lipid peroxidation). Most parameters showed significant inter-cultivar differences, as well as interactions between O3 and cultivar. The response of the antioxidant system in wheat flag leaves was influenced by O3 exposure levels. The response of antioxidant enzymes at the grain filling stage and the timely closure of stomata conferred tolerance to O3. This tolerance was associated with higher antioxidant enzyme activity at the anthesis stage but was not related to the size of stomata. This study provides a crucial theoretical foundation for further breeding O3-tolerant cultivars.

Effects of pethoxamid treatment on the disposition of thyroxine in rats

Pethoxamid (PXA) is a chloroacetamide herbicide that works by inhibiting the germination of target weeds in crops. PXA is not a genotoxic agent, however, in a two-year chronic toxicity study, incidence of thyroid follicular cell hyperplasia was observed in male rats treated at a high dose. Many non-mutagenic chemicals, including agrochemicals are known to produce thyroid hyperplasia in rodents through a hepatic metabolizing enzyme induction mode of action (MoA). In this study, the effects of oral gavage PXA treatment at 300 mg/kg for 7 days on the disposition of intravenously (iv) administered radio-labeled thyroxine ([125I]-T4) was assessed in bile-duct cannulated (BDC) rats. Another group of animals were treated with phenobarbital (PB, 100 mg/kg), a known enzyme inducer, serving as a positive control. The results showed significant increase (p < 0.01) in the mean liver weights in the PB and PXA-treated groups relative to the control group. The serum total T4 radioactivity Cmax and AUC0–4 values for PB and PXA-treated groups were lower than for the control group, suggesting increased clearance from serum. The mean percentages of administered radioactivity excreted in bile were 7.96 ± 0.38%, 16.13 ± 5.46%, and 11.99 ± 2.80% for the control, PB and PXA groups, respectively, indicating increased clearance via the bile in the treated animals. These data indicate that PXA can perturb the thyroid hormone homeostasis in rats by increasing T4 elimination in bile, possibly through enzyme induction mechanism similar to PB. In contrast to humans, the lack of high affinity thyroid binding globulin (TBG) in rats perhaps results in enhanced metabolism of T4 by uridine diphosphate glucuronosyl transferase (UGT). Since this liver enzyme induction MoA for thyroid hyperplasia by PB is known to be rodent specific, PXA effects on thyroid can also be considered not relevant to humans. The data from this study also suggest that incorporating a BDC rat model to determine thyroid hormone disposition using [125I]-T4 is valuable in a thyroid mode of action analysis.

Long-Term Efficacy and Safety of Guselkumab in Psoriasis Patients Who Failed Anti-IL17: A Two-Year Real-Life Study.

Guselkumab is the first approved human IgG1λ monoclonal antibody selectively targeting the p19 subunit of interleukin (IL)-23. Despite its effectiveness and safety, which have been widely reported by clinical trials and real-life experiences, data regarding its use on patients who previously failed anti-IL17 are limited or characterized by a reduced follow-up period. These data are essential to guide clinicians in biologic switching, considering that anti-IL23 and anti-IL17 partially share their therapeutic targets, as well as some patients who may have to interrupt treatment with anti-IL17 for loss of efficacy over time or the development of adverse events (AEs). In this context, we performed a retrospective study with the aim of evaluating the long-term use (2 years) of guselkumab in psoriasis patients who previously failed at least one anti-IL17 in a real-life setting, also focusing attention on psoriasis located in difficult-to-treat areas (the scalp, palms or soles, fingernails, genitals). A total of 61 patients (35 male, 57.4%; mean age 57.6 ± 8.8 years) were enrolled. Of these, 30 (49.2%) patients failed secukinumab, 21 (34.4%) failed ixekizumab, 7 (11.5%) failed brodalumab, and 3 (4.9%) failed both secukinumab and ixekizumab. At the baseline, the mean PASI and BSA were 12.8 ± 8.4 and 24.5 ± 26.6, respectively. During week 16, PASI90 and PASI100 responses were achieved by 60.7% and 37.7% of patients, respectively, which continued to improve up to week 104 (PASI90: 73.8%, PASI100: 59.0%). Clinical improvement in difficult-to-treat areas was detected as well. In particular, a slower improvement for fingernails and the palmoplantar region was reported compared to scalp and genital psoriasis at week 16. However, no differences were found following 28 weeks of therapy. Primary and secondary inefficacy were reported by 1 (1.6%) and 5 (8.2%) patients. As regards safety, no severe AEs were collected.

Causal Relationships Between Physical Activity and Arthrokinematic Integrity of the Ankle Joint-Foot Complex Across Normal and Pathological Phenomena: A Case-Control Analysis.

Introduction Muscles, ligaments, tendons, bones, and cartilage undergo age-related changes, affecting the foot-ankle joint complex biomechanics in both genders. While international studies have extensively researched these dynamics, Indian studies are limited. Our study aims to fill this gap by analyzing the anthropometric and biomechanical function of the foot-ankle joint complex in normal individuals and those with painful pathologies at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Rajkot's OPD. Methods In a two-year case-control study of the cross-sectional type conducted at AIIMS Rajkot's OPD, 158 patients with similar pain intensity on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale were examined. Anthropometric and biomechanical measurements were taken for both affected and non-affected foot and ankle joints. Cases comprised patients with foot and ankle joint pain, while controls were selected based on predefined criteria and were without such pain. Ethical approval was acquired from the Institutional Ethical Committee of AIIMS Rajkot. Results The sprain of the ankle joint and foot was the most common musculoskeletal pathology (65 out of 158 cases, i.e., 41.13%) affecting the ankle joint-foot complex. Patients involved in occupations requiring higher physical inactivity suffer more commonly from ankle joint-foot pathologies. The mean difference in the range of motion, i.e., dorsiflexion, plantar flexion, inversion, and eversion, between affected and non-affected feet was found to be lower in the patients who belonged to occupations involving low physical activity compared to those patients having occupations with high physical activity. Conclusion Reduced physical activity increases the stiffness and reduces the flexibility of the tendons, muscles, and ligaments of any joint (the ankle joint-foot complex in this study) and is associated with a higher incidence of musculoskeletal pathologies.

A Two-Year Prospective Longitudinal Study of the Dynamics of Cognitive Functions at Different Poststroke Time Points

A Two-Year Prospective Longitudinal Study of the Dynamics of Cognitive Functions at Different Poststroke Time Points

Conservation agriculture and weed management effects on weed community and crop productivity of a rice-maize rotation

In recent years, an increase in weed infestation, which is adversely affecting crop growth and productivity has been a major challenge facing the farmers of South Asia. The adoption of a permanent bed in combination with residue retention-based crop management practices may reduce weed abundance and increase crop productivity. In a two-year field study, we evaluated the responses of different organic weed management practices with contrasting tillage and residue (R) management strategies to weed dynamics and crop productivity under rice-maize rotation. The main plot treatments consisted of zero-tillage direct seeded rice and zero-tillage maize (ZTR fb ZTM); ZTDSR and maize both on permanent raised beds with residue (PBDSR + R fb PBDSM + R); PBDSR and PBM without residue (PBDSR-R fb PBDSM-R) and conventional tillage puddled transplanted rice and conventional tillage maize (CTR fb CTM). The subplots comprised unweeded control; vermicompost mulch; P- enriched vermicompost mulch; live mulch with Sesbania spp. in rice and Pisum sativum in maize and weed-free. Total weed density and biomass in rice and maize at 30 days after sowing (DAS) were minimum for PBDSR + R fb PBDSM + R compared to remaining tillage and residue management practices in both years. Apart from weed-free treatment, the highest weed control index was found with live mulch. Yield of rice and maize were found higher in permanent beds along with residue retention-based practices. In rice, the weed-free treatment showed the highest grain yield and live mulch reported 9.8 and 6.8 % higher grain yield than vermicompost mulch and P-enriched vermicompost mulch respectively. Our study shows that conservation agriculture practices under rice-maize rotation is one of the ways to reduce weed density and improve crop productivity in South Asia and other similar agro-ecologies.

Differential predictors of early- and delayed-onset post-traumatic stress disorder following physical injury: a two-year longitudinal study.

This study aimed to investigate the predictors of both early- and delayed-onset PTSD over a 2-year period following physical injuries. Patients were recruited from a trauma center at a university hospital in South Korea (June 2015 ~ January 2021). At baseline, 1142 patients underwent comprehensive assessments including socio-demographic, pre-trauma, trauma-related, and peri-trauma evaluations. Diagnoses of acute stress disorder (ASD) and subthreshold ASD were also determined using the Clinician-administered PTSD Scale (CAPS). Follow-up assessments at three months included diagnoses of PTSD and subthreshold PTSD using CAPS, and stressful life events (SLEs), with additional evaluations at 6, 12, and 24 months. The analyzed sample comprised 1014 patients followed up at least once after the baseline and 3-month evaluations. PTSD diagnoses were categorized into early-onset (within the first six months after trauma) and delayed-onset (more than six months after trauma). Logistic regression models identified predictors for each group. Early-onset and delayed-onset PTSD were diagnosed in 79 and 35 patients, respectively. Early-onset PTSD was predicted by previous psychiatric disorders, previous traumatic events, ASD and subthreshold ASD diagnoses, and higher anxiety levels. In contrast, delayed-onset PTSD was linked to higher education, higher injury severity, and subthreshold PTSD and SLEs at 3-month follow-up. Distinct predictors were found for early-onset and delayed-onset PTSD. The findings underscore the heterogeneous factors influencing the temporal development of PTSD post-trauma, and may provide valuable guidance for more targeted interventions and improved patient outcomes.