Unnecessary Application Research Articles

Presence of a Non-Pest Mite Tarsonemus confusus Ewing (Acari: Tarsonemidae), in Florida Strawberry Fields

This publication aims to benefit growers and Extension agents by increasing awareness of a fungus-feeding mite, Tarsonemus confusus, commonly found in strawberry fields. Tarsonemus confusus may be misidentified as other pest mites. In fact, without help from an expert mite taxonomist, incorrect species identification can be a major concern. Although this mite species typically does not achieve pest status on most crops, an incorrect pest identification may lead to unnecessary application of miticides, triggering a secondary pest outbreak.

Latest advances in adsorptive decontamination of antibiotics remnants from wastewater by physiochemically fabricated phytowaste materials

Antibiotics, posing a major threat to life on earth and water causing propagation of antibiotic resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistant mutant genes. Traces of these antibiotic toxins are found both in aquatic as well as terrestrial ecosystem. Various techniques, that is, ozonation, membrane filtration, Fenton process, etc., are applied for their removal but have many shortcomings, so adsorption is picked as efficient, simple and relatively safe removal technique. This review article discusses the classification of antibiotics, effect of their unnecessary application and removal methods of their remnants from water sources. Also, compares adsorptive removal of antibiotics remnant with other primitive and advance techniques, suggesting adsorption as one of the effective techniques.

Efficacy of functional substrate map-guide approach for wide circumferential pulmonary vein isolation

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) with anatomical approach targeting closer interlesion distance (ILD) would be effective, but not efficient. A functional substrate map (FSM) can reveal the unnecessary application site including physiological block and the critical ablation site including direct epicardial connections. Purpose We investigated the efficacy of FSM-guide approach for wide circumferential PVI. Methods We enrolled 55 consecutive patients underwent radiofrequency PVI for atrial fibrillation. In earlier 27 patients were ablated by anatomical approach with closer ILD (<5mm) (control group), in latter 28 patients were by real time PV electrogram and high density electro-anatomical map guide (FSM-guide group). In FSM-guide group, characteristics of electrical conduction including voltage, direction , velocity and barrier between PV and left atrium and epicardial connection were assessed by local activation, coherent and ripple map before ablation. Distributions of the segments required or unnecessary ablation for PVI completion were examined. Results The success rate of first-pass isolation was higher in FSM-guide group than in control (96.4% vs. 74.1%). The number of required ablation tags for PVI were significantly lesser in FSM-guide group than control group (left-sided PV (LPV); 23.2±1.6 vs. 29.2±1.6, p=0.0112, right-sided PV (RPV); 22.6±1.7 vs. 32.4±1.8, p=0.0124, respectively). The time for PVI completion was significantly shorter in FSM-guide group than control group (RPV; 17.0±2.2 min vs. 25.2±2.8 min, p=0.0124, LPV; 18.7±1.5 min vs. 20.5±1.5 min, p=0.042, respectively). In FSM-guide group, unnecessary application sites were frequently located at posterior of RIPV (46%), anterior of LIPV (43%) and anterior of RSPV (35.7%). Frequently required segments for PVI completion were roof and carina of LPV and roof and posterior of RPV. In most cases of control group, full circumferential ablation was required (LPV 22/27(81%) and RPV 24/27(89%)). Acute reconnections during procedure were similar in FSM-guide group and control group (LPV; 6/28 (21.4%) vs. 4/27 (14.8%), p=0.7287, RPV; 9/28 (32.1%) vs. 4/27 (14.8%), p=0.2047, respectively). All of reconnection sites in FSM-guide group were ablated site. Conclusions FSM-guide approach for extensive PVI could reveal unnecessary application sites and result in shorter procedure with comparable ablation quality.

Rapid and precise identification of bloodstream infections using a pre-treatment protocol combined with high-throughput multiplex genetic detection system

BackgroundBloodstream infection (BSI) is a life-threatening condition with high morbidity and mortality rates worldwide. Early diagnosis of BSI is critical to avoid the unnecessary application of antimicrobial agents and for proper treatment. However, the current standard methods based on blood culture are time-consuming, thus failing to provide a timely etiological diagnosis of BSI, and common PCR-based detection might be inhibited by matrix components.MethodsThe current study explored an integrated pre-analytical treatment protocol for whole blood samples, wherein pathogens are enriched and purified by incubation and concentration, and inhibitors are inactivated and removed. Further, this study developed and evaluated a novel high-throughput multiplex genetic detection system (HMGS) to detect 24 of the most clinically prevalent BSI pathogens in blood culture samples and pre-treated whole blood samples. The specificity and sensitivity were evaluated using related reference strains and quantified bacterial/fungal suspensions. The clinical utility of BSI-HMGS combined with the pre-analytical treatment protocol was verified using blood cultures and whole blood samples.ResultsThe combined pre-treatment protocol and BSI-HMGS was highly specific for target pathogens and possessed a low detection limit for clinical whole blood samples. The pre-treatment protocol could deplete the PCR inhibitors effectively. For blood culture samples, the current method showed 100.0% negative percent agreements and > 87.5% positive percent agreements compared to the reference results based on blood culture findings. For whole blood samples, the current method showed 100.0% negative percent agreements and > 80.0% positive percent agreements compared to the reference results for most pathogens. The turnaround time was ≤ 8 h, and all the procedures could be conducted in a general clinical laboratory.ConclusionThe BSI-HMGS combined with the pre-treatment protocol was a practical and promising method for early and precise detection of BSIs, especially for areas without access to advanced medical facilities.

15N tracer-based analysis of fertiliser nitrogen accumulation, utilisation and distribution in processing tomato at different growth stages

ABSTRACT The unnecessary application of nitrogen could negatively impact both the yield and quality of crops, and could also lead to nitrate leaching and soil pollution. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the optimized nitrogen application on 15N accumulation, utilization and distribution of processing tomato in China. Through field experiments with 15N and consisted two treatments: optimized nitrogen application (NY) and no nitrogen application (N0). The results showed that the absorption efficiency of applied fertilizer nitrogen was 46%. In processing tomato plants, 128.9 kg ha−1 of nitrogen came from applied fertilizer, while the remainder of the nitrogen (177.6 kg ha−1) came from the soil. The processing tomato fully absorbed the soil nitrogen, which reduced the nitrogen loss rate and resulted in higher production of dry matter. In the harvest stage. The residual percentage in soil of applied fertilizer nitrogen was 34%, which was mainly distributed in the 0-40 cm soil layer. This reduced the leaching of nitrogen and was conducive to the reuse of crops in the next year. This study provides a reference for the development of precise nitrogen management techniques using drip irrigation methods in arid areas..

Can a PCR assay of aphids caught in‐crop on yellow sticky traps inform field level barley yellow dwarf virus risk assessment?

AbstractInfection with barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV), caused by strains of virus belonging to the family Luteovirideae including BYDV‐PAV, can result in significant yield losses in autumn sown cereals following transmission by aphid vectors such as Rhopalosiphum padi (Homoptera: Aphididae) and Sitobion avenae (Homoptera: Aphididae). Spatial and temporal variance in the infectivity of alate populations influences risk to crops from the disease, which is greatest on infection at early crop growth stages. A decision support system (DSS) to guide optimised integration of crop protection strategies through risk assessment would help avoid unnecessary application of synthetic insecticides. This study contributes to the development of a DSS by exploring the viability and relevance of a methodology to detect virus levels in individual aphids trapped in‐crop using yellow sticky traps. Using a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assay, the detectability of virus from a BYDV‐PAV‐positive control colony was found not to be reduced by the process of trapping, extraction and cold storage, but did drop significantly after between 3 and 7 days of exposure on trap. This method has potential to contribute to localised risk assessment and guide optimisation of crop protection strategies.

Editorial and News

Editorial and News

Instrumental Rationality and General Deterrence

The Supreme Court of Canada concluded in R. v. Nur that the use of general deterrence in sentencing is not “rationally connected”to its objective of lowering crime levels. Although this conclusion was drawn in the Charter section 1 context, its logic applies with equal force at the section 7 stage of analysis. As a law bearing no rational connection to its purpose is arbitrary, the author contends that judicial reliance on general deterrence in sentencing runs afoul of section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This conclusion is significant not only because it would forestall judicial use of general deterrence, but also for what it reveals about the relationship between the instrumental rationality principles. Commentators maintain that the Supreme Court’s “individualistic” approach to instrumental rationality resulted in the arbitrariness principle becoming subsumed by overbreadth. Yet, challenging the general deterrence provisions with overbreadth is not possible given the discretion given to judges to avoid its unnecessary application. The fact that a law can be arbitrary but not overbroad provides support for the Supreme Court’s insistence upon keeping the principles distinct. It also, however, requires that the Supreme Court adjust its position with respect to its method for proving arbitrariness.

Detection of Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann (Diptera: Tephritidae) using trimedlure versus enriched ginger oil in citrus orchards

Successful fruit fly control requires effective monitoring to make pest management decisions. Ceratitis capitata (Medfly) is typically monitored in Tunisia with parapheromone commercialised as trimedlure (TM). Chemical treatment is applied when the economic threshold (3 flies/trap/day) is reached. In this study, C. capitata populations in a commercial citrus orchard captured in McPhail traps baited with TM or enriched ginger oil (EGO) were compared over two seasons (2011 and 2012). Females of C. capitata were not attracted to TM or EGO. Trimedlure was significantly more attractive to C. capitata males than EGO under low and high population densities over sampling dates. The TM used in McPhail traps was adequate to attract male medflies in citrus orchards under a wide range of Medfly population levels. The use of the best attractant can help to make control decisions when population levels of flies are low, thus preventing unnecessary application of insecticides and/or other control methods.

English

Application of pesticides are made to control those insects and pest that approach the crops and damage them. From centuries, for the protection of crops, different sorts of pesticides are in practice. On the one hand pesticide benefits the crops, meanwhile it injurious for environment and & human health. Because it’s unnecessary application poses negative effects on biodiversity and all living organism i.e. birds, animals and human etc. faces threats for their survival. Study objectives were (i) to find out the effects of pesticides on farmer’s health and (ii) to suggest some recommendations for future policy to improve farmer’s health. For this study, a sample of 160 respondents (male farmers) were selected through multistage sampling technique. At first stage, 4 union councils from total 111 UCs, at second stage, 8 localities/ Basties /urban areas (2 from each union council) were selected randomly and at third stage, 20 respondents from each locality were selected by convenient sampling technique. Results showed that majority respondents were young illiterate married persons who were living in joint family system (62.5%); had family income Rs. 12,001-25,000 (63.1%); land tendency status of majority (91.3%) was own cultivator and 1-4 acres cultivate per year (45.0%). Majority (86.9%) of the respondents said that through inhalation source pesticides enter the human body and they prepared the pesticides stuff in field (94.3%). Data also showed about pesticides usage in crops and its different effects on farmer’s health i.e. heard about illness caused by pesticides (87.5%); is cause of air pollution (65.6%); pesticides particularly harmful for farm workers health (88.8%); after the application of pesticides, farmers faced health problems (83.8%); family members felt sick (71.9%) while after handling pesticides they faced shortness of breath (75.6%); experienced redness of skin (69.4%), nervous disorder (77.5%), headache (56.9%), excessive sweating (51.2%), diarrhea (75.0%); abdominal pain (73.1%); eyes burning (85.0%); respiratory disorder (76.3%); dry cough (80.0%); fever (81.2%); dry throat (84.4%); sleeplessness and laziness (76.9%); vomiting (78.8%); vision disturbance (86.9%) and pesticides usage is the risk of cancer (81.9%). Data showed that during pesticides spray respondents used the different personal protective equipment i.e. ordinary clothes to apply pesticides (98.1%); long-sleeved shirt (81.9%); spray coat with hoods (80.0%); gumboots (85.0%); nose masks (89.4%); goggles (66.2%) and hand gloves (66.9%) as well as take a shower immediately after mixing/ spraying (86.9%). Bi-variate analysis showed significant relationship between more the use of improper goggles vs. more the burning of eyes and more the use of improper nose mask vs. more the respiratory disorder problems among farmers. Govt. need to take strict action & measures against producers of hazardous & injurious pesticides and through intensive trainings, & short term courses guide farmers regarding safe & harmless application of pesticides to protect themselves

Development and evaluation of a low-cost and smart technology for precision weed management utilizing artificial intelligence

Most conventional sprayers apply agrochemicals uniformly, despite the fact that distribution of weeds is typically patchy, resulting in wastage of valuable compounds, increased costs, crop damage risk, pest resistance to chemicals, environmental pollution and contamination of products. To reduce these negative impacts, a smart sprayer was designed and developed utilizing machine vision and artificial intelligence to distinguish target weeds from non-target objects (e.g. vegetable crops) and precisely spray on the desired target/location. Two different experimental scenarios were designed to simulate a vegetable field and to evaluate the smart sprayer’s performance. The first scenario contained artificial weeds (targets) and artificial plants (non-targets). The second and most challenging scenario contained real plants; portulaca weeds as targets, and sedge weeds and pepper plants as non-targets. Two different embedded graphics processing unit (GPU) were evaluated as the smart sprayer processing unit (for image processing and target detection). The more powerful GPU (NVIDIA GTX 1070 Ti) achieved an overall precision of 71% and recall of 78% (for plant detection and target spraying accuracy) on the most challenging scenario with real plants, and 91% accuracy and recall for the first scenario with artificial plants. The less powerful GPU (NVIDIA Jetson TX2) achieved an overall precision and recall of 90% and 89% respectively on the first scenario with artificial plants, and 59% and 44% respectively on the second scenario with real plants. Finally, an RTK GPS was connected to the smart sprayer and an algorithm was developed to automatically generate weed maps and visualize the collected data (after every application). This smart technology integrates a state of the art (AI-based) weed detection system, a novel fast and precision spraying system, and a weed mapping system. It can significantly reduce the quantity of agrochemicals required, especially compared with traditional broadcast sprayers that usually treat the entire field, resulting in unnecessary application to areas that do not require treatment. It could also reduce costs, risk of crop damage and excess herbicide residue, as well as potentially reduce environmental impact.

The unnecessary application of central venous catheterization in surgical patients

Perioperative physicians occasionally encounter situations where central venous catheters placed preoperatively turn out to be unnecessary. The purpose of this retrospective study is to identify the unnecessary application of central venous catheter placement and determine the factors associated with the unnecessary application of central venous catheter placement. Using data from institutional perioperative central venous catheter surveillance, we analysed data from 1,141 patients who underwent central venous catheter placement. We reviewed the central venous catheter registry and medical charts and allocated registered patients into those with the proper or with unnecessary application of central venous catheter according to standard indications. Multivariate analysis was used to identify factors associated with the unnecessary application of central venous catheter placement. In 107 patients, representing 9.38% of the overall population, we identified the unnecessary application of central venous catheter placement. Multivariate analysis identified emergencies at night or on holidays (odds ratio [OR] 2.109, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.021-4.359), low surgical risk (OR=1.729, 95% CI 1.038-2.881), short duration of anesthesia (OR=0.961/10min increase, 95% CI 0.945-0.979), and postoperative care outside of the intensive care unit (OR=2.197, 95% CI 1.402-3.441) all to be independently associated with the unnecessary application of catheterization. Complications related to central venous catheter placement when the procedure consequently turned out to be unnecessary were frequently observed (9/107) compared with when the procedure was necessary (40/1034) (p=0.032, OR=2.282, 95% CI 1.076-4.842). However, the subsequent multivariate logistic model did not hold this significant difference (p=0.0536, OR=2.115, 95% CI 0.988-4.526). More careful consideration for the application of central venous catheter is required in cases of emergency surgery at night or on holidays, during low risk surgery, with a short duration of anesthesia, or in cases that do not require postoperative intensive care.

Single-Centered; Social Media Sharing After Cast and Splint Application of Orthopedic Patients

Objective: Using orthopedic splint and cast is a basic orthopedic treatment method after orthopedic fracture, dislocation and soft tissue injury. We want to examine the sharing of these orthopedic practices in social media areas and their results. Method: in a single-centered study; we asked about face-to-face questions at the controls of the patients who suffered from cast and splint. Patients were asked questions before we prepared. Results: 105 patients who participated in the study 61 were male (58.1%) and 44 were female (41.9%). The mean age of patients was 14.5 ± 42.2 years.35 patients had distal radius fracture and had short arm cast,42 patient had ankle soft tissue injury and had short leg splint,6 patient had ankle fracture and had short leg cast,20 patient had boxer fracture and had short arm splint,2 patient had humerus shaft fracture and had long arm cast.56(53.3%) patients had social media account. Thirty-two (57.1%) of the 56 patients shared cast and splint in the official social media. Conclusion: increasing use of social media and orthopedic treatments such as cast, and splint are shared in social media, unnecessary splint application is requested from patients. Some of the patients comes in control in a later date late due to social media sharing.

The unnecessary application of central venous catheterization in surgical patients

Background and objectivesPerioperative physicians occasionally encounter situations where central venous catheters placed preoperatively turn out to be unnecessary. The purpose of this retrospective study is to identify the unnecessary application of central venous catheter placement and determine the factors associated with the unnecessary application of central venous catheter placement. MethodsUsing data from institutional perioperative central venous catheter surveillance, we analysed data from 1,141 patients who underwent central venous catheter placement. We reviewed the central venous catheter registry and medical charts and allocated registered patients into those with the proper or with unnecessary application of central venous catheter according to standard indications. Multivariate analysis was used to identify factors associated with the unnecessary application of central venous catheter placement. ResultsIn 107 patients, representing 9.38% of the overall population, we identified the unnecessary application of central venous catheter placement. Multivariate analysis identified emergencies at night or on holidays (odds ratio [OR] 2.109, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.021–4.359), low surgical risk (OR=1.729, 95% CI 1.038–2.881), short duration of anesthesia (OR=0.961/10min increase, 95% CI 0.945–0.979), and postoperative care outside of the intensive care unit (OR=2.197, 95% CI 1.402–3.441) all to be independently associated with the unnecessary application of catheterization. Complications related to central venous catheter placement when the procedure consequently turned out to be unnecessary were frequently observed (9/107) compared with when the procedure was necessary (40/1034) (p=0.032, OR=2.282, 95% CI 1.076–4.842). However, the subsequent multivariate logistic model did not hold this significant difference (p=0.0536, OR=2.115, 95% CI 0.988–4.526). ConclusionsMore careful consideration for the application of central venous catheter is required in cases of emergency surgery at night or on holidays, during low risk surgery, with a short duration of anesthesia, or in cases that do not require postoperative intensive care.

Radiographic features of Ollier\u2019s disease \u2013 two case reports

BackgroundOllier’s disease is a non-hereditary, benign bone tumor which is usually characterized by presence of multiple radiolucent lesions (enchondromas) in the metaphysis of long bones with unilateral predominance. The disease is a rare clinical entity with 1/100000 occurrence in early childhood. Patients mostly present with multiple hard swellings and deformity of the tubular bones specially hands and feet with leg discrepancy and pathologic fractures.Case presentationWe present two cases of Ollier’s disease in a 13 years old female and 8 years old boy which had no specific symptoms. The girl had multiple hard swellings and deformity in the fingers of both hands and left toes with left leg deformity and discrepancy. Her plain radiographs demonstrated multiple expansile enchondromas in the phalanges of hands, left toes and metaphyses of upper humeri as well as left leg bones. The enchondromas were also noted in the left iliac bone and anterior end of ribs. The boy had bowing deformity and shortage of left leg with multiple enchondromas in the metaphyses of left femur, left tibia and fibula as well as left iliac bone in his radiographic images.ConclusionOllier’s disease is usually diagnosed by clinical signs and typical location of enchondromas across skeleton in conventional radiography. It usually does not need specific treatment. Well understanding of the clinical manifestation and radiographic features can prevent unnecessary application of other imaging modalities; while other diagnostic imaging modalities like MRI, ultrasound and scintigraphy can be used in complicated and painful conditions.

Instructions to Authors

To compare the curative effect of single-stage and two-stage Fowler–Stephens (F–S) laparoscopic orchidopexy for intraabdominal high testis and explore the appropriate surgical approach.We performed a prospective analysis of the clinical data of 28 patients who underwent F-S laparoscopic orchidopexy for intraabdominal high testis in our department from May 2012 to April 2015, including 15 cases of the single-stage F-S operation and 13 cases of the two-stage F-S operation. By comparing the two groups preoperative and postoperative (6 months) clinical data of testicular position, testicular volume, and sex hormone levels [testosterone (T), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and estradiol (E2)], we analyzed the difference in efficacy between the two procedures.Twenty-eight patients completed laparoscopic surgery, no case was converted, and no testis was excised. All patients were followed up for 9–25 months after the operation, with an average follow-up of 16.2 months. The postoperative testicular volume of the single-stage and two-stage F-S groups was not significantly reduced (p > 0.05). In both groups, the postoperative T levels were significantly increased compared to the preoperative levels (p < 0.05), while the FSH and E2 levels were significantly decreased (p < 0.05). The differences in testicular volume and T, FSH, and E2 levels between the two surgical procedures were not significant (p > 0.05). In the single-stage F-S group, the testes were located in the scrotum in 13 cases and retracted to the lower groin in two cases. In the two-stage F-S group, the testes were located in the scrotum in 12 cases and retracted to the lower groin in one case. The difference in postoperative testicular position between the two groups was not significant (p > 0.05).In the case of testis with good collateral circulation, single-stage F-S laparoscopic orchidopexy had the same safety and efficacy as the two-stage F-S procedure. Surgical options should be based on comprehensive consideration of intraoperative testicular location, testicular ischemia test, and collateral circumstances surrounding the testes. Under the appropriate conditions, we propose single-stage F-S laparoscopic orchidopexy be preferred. It may be appropriate to avoid unnecessary application of the two-stage procedure that has a higher cost and causes more pain for patients.

Allergic reactions to antibiotics – two sides of the same coin: clearly diagnose or reliably rule out

Antibiotics cause allergic reactions with a disproportionate frequency compared with other drugs. Skin symptoms such as exanthema usually result but systemic anaphylactic responses may also occur. An up-to-date review of the scientific literature on allergies to antibiotics was conducted, based on searches in MEDLINE and PubMed, as well as national and international guideline registers and Cochrane. Allergic reactions are observed primarily in response to antibiotics from the group of β‑lactams, but also to clindamycin, sulfonamide antibiotics, fluorochinolones, macrolides, and tetracyclines. In many cases, detailed diagnostic procedures are not carried out. However, claims made in the medical history alone are often insufficient to diagnose antibiotics allergy and may lead to false-positive assessments. Effective antibiotics are, therefore, frequently withheld from patients – or patients refuse to take them – without justification. For example, up to 10% of the whole population claim to be allergic to penicillin, but in only 2% of cases can this be verified by skin tests and challenge testing. Thorough diagnostic investigation of possible allergy to antibiotics both allows antibiotic allergy to be reliably diagnosed (in the event of a positive outcome) and, if the results are negative, enables the further use of major groups of antibiotics. It also helps to reduce the unnecessary application of reserve antibiotics.

Efficacy of single-stage and two-stage Fowler–Stephens laparoscopic orchidopexy in the treatment of intraabdominal high testis

To compare the curative effect of single-stage and two-stage Fowler-Stephens (F-S) laparoscopic orchidopexy for intraabdominal high testis and explore the appropriate surgical approach. We performed a prospective analysis of the clinical data of 28 patients who underwent F-S laparoscopic orchidopexy for intraabdominal high testis in our department from May 2012 to April 2015, including 15 cases of the single-stage F-S operation and 13 cases of the two-stage F-S operation. By comparing the two groups preoperative and postoperative (6 months) clinical data of testicular position, testicular volume, and sex hormone levels [testosterone (T), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and estradiol (E2)], we analyzed the difference in efficacy between the two procedures. Twenty-eight patients completed laparoscopic surgery, no case was converted, and no testis was excised. All patients were followed up for 9-25 months after the operation, with an average follow-up of 16.2 months. The postoperative testicular volume of the single-stage and two-stage F-S groups was not significantly reduced (p>0.05). In both groups, the postoperative T levels were significantly increased compared to the preoperative levels (p<0.05), while the FSH and E2 levels were significantly decreased (p<0.05). The differences in testicular volume and T, FSH, and E2 levels between the two surgical procedures were not significant (p>0.05). In the single-stage F-S group, the testes were located in the scrotum in 13 cases and retracted to the lower groin in two cases. In the two-stage F-S group, the testes were located in the scrotum in 12 cases and retracted to the lower groin in one case. The difference in postoperative testicular position between the two groups was not significant (p>0.05). In the case of testis with good collateral circulation, single-stage F-S laparoscopic orchidopexy had the same safety and efficacy as the two-stage F-S procedure. Surgical options should be based on comprehensive consideration of intraoperative testicular location, testicular ischemia test, and collateral circumstances surrounding the testes. Under the appropriate conditions, we propose single-stage F-S laparoscopic orchidopexy be preferred. It may be appropriate to avoid unnecessary application of the two-stage procedure that has a higher cost and causes more pain for patients.

Meta‐analysis of grass ley response to phosphorus fertilization in Finland

AbstractStudies have shown that yield responses of grass leys to phosphorus (P) fertilization vary considerably and initial soil test P (STP) does not always predict such variation. To identify the sources of variation in dry‐matter (DM) yield responses to P, we used a meta‐analysis to review quantitatively 38 Finnish field experiments on various soil types and growth conditions and to develop yield‐response models. The major sources of variation in the yield responses to annually applied P were soil type, soil acidity (for organic soils), initial STP and control yields fertilized with nitrogen (N) and potassium (K). According to Mitscherlich‐type exponential models, the maximum yield increases due to P fertilization in the low‐STP class were 18% over the control on mineral soils and 28% on organic soils. However, only about 40% of the variation in yield could be attributed to annual fertilizer P applications. Control yields explained about 25% of variation in yield responses to P fertilization, and P addition became less efficient with increasing control yields, which were associated with rising N rates. While applied P leads to infrequent or small yield responses on mineral soils, other practices to increase grass yields should be prioritized, including optimal N fertilization. On moderately acidic organic soils that show clearly lower P responses than do similar but less acidic soils, liming should be the first step to increase yields. Moreover, the models derived in this work indicate that revising P fertilizer recommendations in Finland would avoid unnecessary application at non‐responsive STP levels.

Manganese application increases winter hardiness in barley

Manganese (Mn) deficiency is commonly connected with soil properties, and application of Mn is frequently performed to winter barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) in fields with a history of deficiency. Since the availability of Mn also is affected by seasonal variations, there is a risk of excessive application in some seasons while the application is not sufficient in other seasons in such fields. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of foliar application of Mn in autumn and early spring on barley winter hardiness, in combination with or without N application in autumn. We also evaluated a commercially available Mn-scanner as a tool to identify the need for Mn application. Two field experiments per growing season were performed in south Sweden in 2010–2011 and 2011–2012 in fields where Mn deficiency often occurs. Foliar applications of various Mn products were made once (in October) or twice (in October and in March the following year). A single dose of 0 or 30kgha−1 N was applied, as NNO3, in October. Barley leaves were collected and Mn status determined with the NN-Easy55 Mn-scanner. Yield was determined in the field experiments in 2011–2012. Our results showed that the requirement of Mn application varied between sites and seasons and was affected by N supply. Mn application increased the winter survival by 33% and the grain yield by 36% in the barley plants with the lowest Mn status in autumn. The risk of Mn deficiency increased when N (NO3N) was applied in autumn. In one of the harvested field experiments, yield was suppressed by N application in autumn and was recovered by Mn application. Repeated Mn applications might be required to increase winter survival and grain yield, especially when N has been applied in the autumn. To reach an optimal Mn application, tools such as the NN-Easy55 Mn-scanner can be used to monitor the Mn status of the plants. Thereby unnecessary application of Mn is prevented and sufficient amounts are applied during deficiency.