Visible Injury Research Articles

Mental Health Intervention in the Workplace amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic

The purpose of this project is to examine why the mental health of employees should be prioritized in the workplace. Most employees have likely experienced a visible illness or injury at some point during their careers. It is easier to identify these physical ailments that may adversely affect an employee’s performance at work, such as a broken leg or the common cold. However, there are conditions that are much less visible that negatively impact employees every day, and mental health is one of them. A person’s mental health is a significant factor in their work life that should not be ignored. While it may be difficult to recognize when someone is struggling with depression, anxiety, or another form of mental illness on the surface, employers should not automatically assume their entire staff is okay. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic coupled with an increase in civil unrest in society, employers must reevaluate the way they conduct business, starting with the treatment of their employees. To aid employers with prioritizing mental health at work, this paper’s objectives are to address the stigma associated with mental health issues/illness, develop recommendations for inclusive work environments, increase an employer’s investment in mental health, reduce employee turnover, and normalize respect in the workplace. The findings are discussed, and recommendations are provided. Employers who intentionally prioritize and invest in their employees’ mental health will significantly reduce the costs associated with attracting and recruiting new staff due to high turnover rates. Additionally, their reputation as a preferred employer will increase.

Baseline composition, quantity, and condition of bycatch in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence spring and summer American lobster fisheries

The impact of the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence American lobster ( Homarus americanus) fishery on species bycatch is currently unknown. The composition of the incidental catch, both nonharvestable lobster (by fisheries regulations) and nonlobster species, was systematically collected over the 2015 spring and summer fishing seasons. A total of 51 948 (7147 were nonlobster taxa) individual organisms weighing 13 987.60 kg (1223.91 kg of nonlobster taxa) were captured as bycatch during 73 fishing trips. By weight per trip, the most common lobster bycatch were undersized male and females, and the highest nonlobster species catch were Atlantic rock crab ( Cancer irroratus). A semiquantitative assessment of injury and vitality was applied to bycatch as a proxy for discard mortality. The majority of the individuals assessed for visible injury were deemed uninjured (98% both fish and invertebrates); however, postrelease mortality was not measured. A smaller study in 2019 corroborated the 2015 catches and supported current assumptions that the passive gear type, the low diversity of bycatch, and the rapid hand-sorting of the trap minimize the impact of the lobster fishery on incidentally captured taxa. Further scientific monitoring is recommended to better account for all sources of mortality in stock assessments and rebuilding plans.

Организация оказания помощи раненым офтальмологического профиля в современных вооруженных конфликтах: состояние и перспективы

The main feature of modern armed conflicts is the use of new weapons and, as a result, changes in the nature and structure of eye injuries. This feature, on the one hand, and the rapid progress of medical science, on the other hand, require a rapid response to the changing operational situation using the resources of modern ophthalmology in order to provide care to wounded and injured ophthalmic patients efficiently and rationally. There are some differences in approaches to pre-hospital self- and mutual aid to the wounded with ophtalmic injuries on the battlefield in different schools of military medical training and tactical medicine. Some use a binocular bandage, while others use a rigid eye shield. The complexity and variety of visual injuries require good practical skills and experience in order to perform high-quality surgical treatment of perforated corneal and scleral wounds in open eye trauma. This necessitates a thorough training of specialists with practical skills. The issue of medical supply of units providing specialized care at the stages of medical evacuation, which includes a military ophthalmologist, is particularly significant. The problem of reasonable and rational update of the ophthalmological equipment at the stages of medical evacuation requires active discussion. There is still the question of the use of effective protective equipment for the eye during combat operations, which, without limiting visual function, could prevent combat eye injuries, most often caused by small fragments and secondary wounding projectiles.

Multiple resistance to primary pests of grain sorghum hybrids: Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Diatraea saccharalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), and Diceraeus melacanthus (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

Plant resistance is an important tactic within the precepts of Integrated Pest Management, and the existence of grain sorghum hybrids with multiple insect resistance could benefit crop management and sustainability. This study evaluated the susceptibility of 30 grain-sorghum hybrids to three major pests, namely, fall armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda, sugarcane borer (SCB) Diatraea saccharalis, and green-belly stink bug (GBS) Diceraeus melacanthus. The hybrids were cultivated and experiments with each insect species were conducted separately in a greenhouse. For FAW, visual injury assessments were performed on plants 7 and 14 days after infestation (DAI). For SCB, insect presence and injury were assessed 40 DAI. For GBS, the plants were evaluated using a damage rating scale 12, 19, and 26 DAI. Cluster analysis allowed separating the grain sorghum hybrids into groups regarding the levels of resistance to each pest. Hybrid BRS373 stood out as moderately resistant to FAW; AG1090, 80G20, BRAVO, BRS373, AG1615, and IG220 were the most promising for SCB; and for GBS, hybrids 50A40, A9735R, JADE, ENFORCER, BUSTER, 50A10, and IG244 were the most nominated. This information will significantly aid sorghum breeding programs focused on developing commercial hybrids that comprise both insect-resistance and high-yield characteristics. However, further research should evaluate potential chemical and morphological plant traits underlying the lower levels of susceptibility to FAW, SCB, and GBS found in the selected sorghum hybrids.

Two Years Retrospective of Trauma Incidents presented to Emergency Department, JDWNRH. (Jan 2014-Dec 2015)

Trauma is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in population worldwide. When the patient is received in trauma unit, first consideration always goes to life-threatening injuries, open wounds, and radiologically visible injuries. Emergency department in JDWNRH is the apex hospital in the capital (Thimphu) and had been functioning as one of the emergency medical centers and serves for all the emergencies of Bhutan. The study was about analysing all trauma and injured cases presented to emergency department of JDWNRH within 2 years (January 2014- December 2015) retrospectively. It is an observational and descriptive statistic on demographic profile, time of the presentation, types of injuries which will be useful in assessing the impact by various injuries in the population and the development of preventive measures. Beside fall injury, the road traffic accident had been increasing in the capital city. The numbers are not significantly high for other injuries but, the impact from individual injury is noticeably substantial as there were admission to the wards, ICU, OT, and several were even brought dead. Statistically, men were twice the number of women even though there are women who were injured. Frequent prevention and promotion are essential as it can potentially reduce the incidence of emergency visit. Through zero tolerance day, the number had reduced as presented in the chart, however, the prevalence of trauma remained high

Chemical synthesis, characterization, and dose optimization of chitosan-based nanoparticles of clodinofop propargyl and fenoxaprop-p-ethyl for management of Phalaris minor (little seed canary grass): First report

Abstract Phalaris minor is the main and troublesome weed of wheat all over the globe. Chemical weed control is a quick and effective method for weed management. However, herbicides are criticized for environmental pollution and the development of resistance in weeds. Therefore, the present study was planned for chemical synthesis, characterization, and dose optimization of chitosan-based nanoparticles of clodinofop propargyl and fenoxaprop-p-ethyl for the management of Phalaris minor grown in wheat. Chitosan-based nanoparticles of clodinofop propargyl and fenoxaprop-p-ethyl were prepared by the ionic gelification technique. The nanoparticles (NPs) of clodinofop propargyl and fenoxaprop-p-ethyl were sprayed at 3–4 leaf stage of the P. minor weed. Seven different doses (D0 = weedy check, D1 = normal herbicide at recommended dose, D2 = nano herbicide at the recommended dose of normal herbicide, D3 = 5-fold lower dose of nano herbicide, D4 = 10-fold lower dose of nano herbicide, D5 = 15-fold lower dose of nano herbicide, and D6 = 20-fold lower dose of nano herbicide) were used. Chitosan-based NPs of herbicides were characterized using UV absorbance, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies. SEM demonstrated particles in the cluster form with porous structure and the average size ranged from 30 to 60 nm. XRD results confirmed the existence of (2θ) peak at 29.79 related to 160 anatase form in the NPs of clodinofop propargyl and 24.65 related to 76 anatase form in the case of fenoxaprop-p-ethyl. The FT-IR analysis of chitosan-based NPs of both the herbicides perfectly matched the standard parameters. UV-visible spectra exhibited absorption peaks at 300 and 330 nm, for the NPs of fenoxaprop-p-ethyl and clodinofop, respectively. The chitosan-based particles of clodinofop propargyl and fenoxaprop-p-ethyl at the recommended dose of normal herbicide caused 100% mortality and visual injury. However, a 5-fold lower dose of chitosan-based NPs of clodinofop propargyl and fenoxaprop-p-ethyl caused the maximum visual injury (94.00%), mortality (93.75%), minimum chlorophyll contents (7.47%), plant height (cm), fresh biomass (0.27 g), and dry biomass (0.08 g) of P. minor. The chitosan-based NPs of clodinofop propargyl and fenoxaprop-p-ethyl at a 10-fold lower dose of normal herbicides and recommended dose produced a similar effect on the previously mentioned traits of P. minor.

Field performance of a red clover germplasm selected for increased tolerance to 2,4-D

AbstractThis study compared the field performance of red clover germplasm UK2014, selected for 2,4-D tolerance, to Kenland, a standard variety grown in the transition zone of the United States. UK2014 and Kenland were seeded in the spring of 2017 and 2018. Single applications of 0, 1.12, or 2.24 kg ae ha−1 2,4-D-amine were made in June, August, or October. One week after the treatments, yields were determined. Visible herbicide injury ratings were made prior to harvest and regrowth was visibly assessed 1 wk after harvest. Red clover stands were visibly assessed the following spring. Kenland, across all application timings, was injured by 2,4-D more than UK2014, with mean injury ratings of 39% and 63% compared with 26% and 37% at 1.12 and 2.24 kg 2,4-D ae ha−1, respectively. At equivalent rates, Kenland regrowth was less than UK2014 at all application timings. UK2014 regrowth after 2,4-D treatment ranged from 65% to 91%, whereas Kenland regrowth ranged from 12% to 72%. Applications of 2,4-D in October were the most damaging to stands of both UK2014 and Kenland the following spring, but Kenland stands were reduced much more than those of UK2014. Kenland and UK2014 had similar season total yields when not treated with 2,4-D (means of 7,550 and 7,880 dry matter kg ha−1, respectively in 2017 and 5,280 dry matter kg ha−1 for both in 2018). Kenland season total yield in 2017 was reduced by both 2,4-D rates applied in June or August and at all timings in 2018. UK2014 season total yield in 2017 was reduced only when 2.24 kg 2,4-D ae ha−1 was applied in August. In 2018, 2.24 kg ae ha−1 2,4-D resulted in reduced UK2014 season total yield across application timings. UK2014 has greater 2,4-D tolerance than Kenland, but additional selection might be beneficial.

Bridging experimental and monitoring research for visible foliar injury as bio-indicator of ozone impacts on forests

ABSTRACT Tropospheric ozone (O3) is a phytotoxic air pollutant and the O3-induced visible foliar injury (O3 VFI) is a biomarker. A recently developed Free-air O3 eXposure (FO3X) is a promising facility to verify field-observed “O3-like” VFIs and to establish a flux-based threshold for the O3 VFI onset. The present study compared O3-like VFI registered in the southern European forest sites with actual O3 VFI observed in a FO3X experiment. The O3-like VFIs were evaluated by eye in forests and thus it was subjective. According to the imaging analysis, we firstly demonstrated that major parts of the colors were similar in the field and the FO3X. The color pallets for O3 VFI was species-specific and considered a advanced tool for the O3 VFI diagnosis. In addition, we calculated a flux-based threshold for the O3 VFI onset at the FO3X based on a Phytotoxic Ozone Dose (POD1), which ranged from 4.9 to 18.1 mmol m−2 POD1. This FO3X-derived threshold partly explained but did not necessarily match with the observation for several tree species in actual forests. The multivariate analysis showed that O3 VFI was decreased by the presence of various species and suggested the importance of continuous monitoring activities in the field for the further analysis.

The association of subcortical brain injury and abusive head trauma

BackgroundAbusive head trauma (AHT) remains a major pediatric problem with diagnostic challenges. A small pilot study previously associated subcortical brain injury with AHT. ObjectivesTo investigate the association of subcortical injury on neuroimaging with the diagnosis of AHT. Participants and settingChildren <3 years with acute TBI admitted to 18 PICUs between 2011 and 2021. MethodsSecondary analysis of existing, combined, de-identified, cross-sectional dataset. ResultsDeepest location of visible injury was characterized as scalp/skull/epidural (n = 170), subarachnoid/subdural (n = 386), cortical brain (n = 170), or subcortical brain (n = 247) (total n = 973). Subcortical injury was significantly associated with AHT using both physicians' diagnostic impression (OR: 8.41 [95 % CI: 5.82–12.44]) and a priori definitional criteria (OR: 5.99 [95 % CI: 4.31–8.43]). Caregiver reports consistent with the child's gross motor skills and historically consistent with repetition decreased as deepest location of injury increased, p < 0.001. Patients with subcortical injuries were significantly more likely to have traumatic extracranial injuries such as rib fractures (OR 3.36, 95 % CI 2.30–4.92) or retinal hemorrhages (OR 5.97, 95 % CI 4.35–8.24), respiratory compromise (OR 12.12, 95 % CI 8.49–17.62), circulatory compromise (OR 6.71, 95 % CI 4.87–9.29), seizures (OR 3.18, 95 % CI 2.35–4.29), and acute encephalopathy (OR 12.44, 95 % CI 8.16–19.68). ConclusionsSubcortical injury is associated with a diagnosis of AHT, historical inaccuracies concerning for abuse, traumatic extracranial injuries, and increased severity of illness including respiratory and circulatory compromise, seizures, and prolonged loss of consciousness. Presence of subcortical injury should be considered as one component of the complex AHT diagnostic process.

Correlation of hearing outcome in otic capsule sparing temporal bone fractures using temporal bone sub-site classification: a cross-sectional descriptive study

BackgroundHead injury most commonly occur following road traffic accidents. Often hearing loss and other otological injuries are missed in view of serious head injury or other visible bodily injuries, leading to delayed recognition of problems. There is a need for early clinical and radiological indicators which can predict adverse outcome. Early diagnosis of otological injury during initial evaluation of the head injury has given some clues regarding the severity of hearing outcomes and such correlation has been attempted in this study. Two-year cross-sectional study involving head injury patients with radiological evidence of temporal bone fracture were assessed for hearing impairment.ResultsThirty-seven patients who satisfied the inclusion criteria were assessed. Fifty-one percent patients had conductive hearing loss. 35.14% of the patients had involvement of mastoid, external auditory canal, and middle ear involvement. A weakly positive correlation was noted between otic capsule sparing fracture and hearing loss. (R value + 0.2064).ConclusionWeak correlation was observed between temporal bone sub-site classification and severity of hearing loss in otic capsule sparing temporal bone fractures.

Mycorrhizal symbiosis and water condition affect ozone sensitivity of Medicago sativa L. by mediating stomatal conductance

Ground level ozone (O 3 ) pollution is a common environmental stress for plants in many regions of the world, while plant O 3 sensitivity is largely influenced by plant water status. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi can form symbiosis with most terrestrial plants and play important role in plant resistance to various environmental stresses. However, how AM symbiosis and water conditions affect plant O 3 sensitivity and the underlying mechanism remain unclear. In this study, alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.) was used as test plant, and the effects of AM inoculation and water conditions on plant growth and stress physiology under O 3 enrichment were investigated. The results showed that O 3 enrichment inhibited plant growth and caused visible injury on plant leaves. Water deficiency also caused significant decrease in plant biomass, while AM symbiosis promoted plant growth regardless of water condition and O 3 enrichment. In general, water deficiency decreased while AM symbiosis increased plant O 3 sensitivity. Nevertheless, under severe water deficiency, AM inoculation promoted plant growth without increasing plant O 3 sensitivity. Water deficiency increased antioxidant enzyme activities and decreased stomatal conductance, while AM symbiosis increased both antioxidant enzyme activities and stomatal conductance. A significant negative correlation between stomatal conductance and O 3 effect on plant total biomass supported that both water condition and AM symbiosis affect O 3 sensitivity mainly through mediating stomatal conductance. However, AM symbiosis and water condition may differ in regulation mechanisms for stomatal conductance, as AM colonization significantly increased stomatal density, while water deficiency decreased stomatal aperture. Our study suggested that AM inoculation in combination with proper water management could largely mitigate the negative effects of O 3 on plants. • Water deficiency decreases stomatal conductance and plant O 3 sensitivity. • AM symbiosis increases stomatal conductance and plant O 3 sensitivity. • AM fungi and water condition affect stomatal conductance through different pathways. • AM inoculation combined with water management could mitigate negative effects of O 3 on plants.

Critical analysis of the potential of Psidium guajava cv Paluma (guava tree) for ozone biomonitoring under seasonal subtropical climate

• Psidium guajava is an ozone subtropical bioindicator. • Air temperature and relative humidity are important variables for ozone bioindication. • Multivariate analysis is a useful tool for biomonitoring in marked seasonality environments. Psidium guajava cv. Paluma (guava) has been emphasized as good indicator of phytotoxic tropospheric O 3 levels in studies conducted under both controlled and field conditions. However, its performance as bioindicator was never critically evaluated under subtropical climate featured by well-defined wet and dry seasons. The current field study provided new contributions on this aspect. Guava cv. Paluma plants were exposed to ozone in several locations of a metropolitan region in SE Brazil - which is featured by well-defined climate seasonality - to collect data to be used to describe seasonal and spatial variations in leaf injury index and in other leaf traits. Multilinear biomonitoring model was also adjusted for different O 3 pollution descriptors (daily O 3 concentration, AOT40, SUM00 and SUM60), meteorological conditions (air temperature and relative humidity, solar radiation, and vapor pressure deficit) and morphological leaf traits (visible leaf injury, leaf area, leaf dry mass, and leaf mass per leaf area). Visible leaf injuries tended to be higher in locations near the industrial pole. Autumn was the season when guava plants recorded the highest leaf injury caused by O 3 . Linear regression analysis did not indicate significant association between different O 3 descriptors and mean leaf injury; however, multilinear regression analysis has shown that other independent variables increased the bioindicator model’s explicability (R 2 = 0.67). Mean leaf injury observed for the 3rd, 4th and 5th oldest guava cv. Paluma leaves were predicted based on combined effects of air temperature and relative humidity, as well as on O 3 expressed as AOT40. The other leaf traits were excluded from the multilinear model. The adjusted model was validated as significant tool for future studies about air quality in subtropical regions with seasonal climate.

Tolerance of peppermint to tiafenacil applied postharvest

AbstractTrials were conducted in two experimental runs at the Purdue University Horticulture Greenhouses, West Lafayette, IN, to determine ‘Redefined Murray Mitcham’ peppermint tolerance to tiafenacil. Established peppermint in 20-cm-diameter polyethylene pots was subjected to a simulated harvest by removing aboveground biomass at the substrate surface; then, tiafenacil was applied at 0, 25, 50, 100, and 200 g ai ha−1. Visible crop injury, height, and aboveground dry biomass data were subjected to regression analysis to generate predictive models. At 2 wk after treatment (WAT), peppermint injury increased from 63% to 86% and from 25% to 76% in Experimental Run 1 and 2, respectively, as tiafenacil rate increased from 25 to 200 g ha−1. At 4 WAT, injury increased from 0% to 63% and from 4% to 37% in Experimental Run 1 and 2, respectively, as tiafenacil rate increased from 25 to 200 g ha−1. By 7 WAT (both experimental runs), injury increased from 0% to 17% as tiafenacil rate increased from 25 to 200 g ha−1. At 4 WAT, height decreased from 23.0 to 8.6 cm and from 17.6 to 10.3 cm in Experimental Run 1 and 2, respectively, as tiafenacil rate increased from 0 to 200 g ha−1. At 7 WAT, height decreased from 28.1 to 21.4 cm as tiafenacil rate increased from 0 to 200 g ha−1. Aboveground dry weight of the nontreated check was 20.3 g pot−1 and decreased from 19.3 to 7.0 g pot−1 as tiafenacil rate increased from 25 to 200 g ha−1. Despite acute necrosis, injury from tiafenacil at lower rates was not persistent. The proposed 1X rate of tiafenacil for peppermint, 25 g ha−1, resulted in ≤4% injury 4 and 7 WAT and in only a 3% reduction in plant height and a 4.7% reduction in aboveground dry weight compared to the nontreated check.

A multidisciplinary approach to accidental inhalational ammonia injury: A case report

IntroductionAmmonia is a highly toxic irritant gas, and its toxicity usually occurs from occupational exposure. Most are unintentional toxicity. It causes tissue damage via exothermic reaction with body tissues causing liquefactive necrosis. Presentation depends on the level and duration of exposure. Management is supportive and its antidote is not available yet.Presentation of caseWe report a case of a 22-year-old male with accidental workplace exposure from coolant damage and leakage. He had altered mental status with visible injury to the nasal cavity, and ulcerated laryngeal mucosa with asymmetric vocal cords on bronchoscopy. Computed tomography showed right lower lobe consolidations. A muti-disciplinary approach and prompt management with respiratory support along with inhaled steroids and bronchodilators, antibiotics, electrolyte replacement, analgesics, and supportive eye and oral treatments were initiated. He had to be managed with a high-flow nasal cannula with subsequent tapering of the oxygen supplementation with titration.DiscussionInhalation injury due to ammonia toxicity can have varied presentations from mild to severe life-threatening respiratory distress and neurological deterioration. Complications can range from upper airway edema to pulmonary edema. Most of these are usual findings except for the presence of pneumothorax. It could be due to the pre-existing lung status or oxygen therapy but the literature is inadequate.ConclusionAmmonia inhalational injury may be associated with pneumothorax. It is important to have a multi-disciplinary approach and in-hospital management of ammonia toxicity as well as to raise awareness regarding the work environment and timely recognition of the possible occupational health hazards.

Low sensitivity of Pinus mugo to surface ozone pollution in the subalpine zone of continental Europe.

High altitudes have been exposed to enhanced levels of surface ozone (O3) concentrations over recent decades compared to the pre-industrial era. The responses of vegetation to this toxic pollutant are species-specific and depend on the climate conditions. In this paper, we explored the reaction of Pinus mugo (P. mugo) to O3-induced stress in the continental climate of an ozone-rich mountain area in the High Tatra Mountains (Western Carpathians). The effects of O3 doses modelled by a deposition model, O3 concentrations and other factors on P. mugo were identified from (a) satellite-based data via NDVI (normalised differenced vegetation index) over 2000-2020 and (b) visible injury on needle samples gathered from P. mugo individuals at ground-truth sites in 2019 and 2020. Analysing the NDVI trend, we observed non-significant changes (p > 0.05) in the greenness of P. mugo despite growing in an environment with the average seasonal O3 concentration around 51.6 ppbv, the maximum hourly concentrations more than 90 ppbv and increasing trend of O3 doses by 0.1mmolm-2 PLA (plant leaf area) year-1. The visible O3 injury of samples collected at study sites was low (mean injury observed on 1-10% of needles' surface), and the symptoms of injury caused by other biotic and abiotic factors prevailed over those caused by O3. In addition, the correlation analyses between NDVI and the climatic factors indicated a significant (p < 0.05) and positive relationship with photosynthetic active radiation (R = 0.45) in July, and with stomatal conductance (R = 0.52) and temperature factor (R = 0.43) in August. Therefore, we concluded that the positive effect of climate conditions, which support the growth processes of P. mugo, may suppress the negative effect of the mean O3 doses of 17.8mmolm-2 PLA accumulated over the growing season.

Control of Multiple-Herbicide-Resistant Green Pigweed (Amaranthus powellii) With Preemergence and Postemergence Herbicides in Ontario Corn Production

Green pigweed [Amaranthus powellii S.Wats.] is a prolific annual dicot weed that is a prominent weed of crop production in northeastern North America. Green pigweed interference has been documented to reduce corn yields up to 54% in the absence of control strategies. In 2021, a green pigweed biotype from a field near Dresden, Ontario, Canada was determined to be resistant to MCPA, mecoprop, dichlorprop-p, aminocyclopyrachlor (synthetic auxins), and imazethapyr (acetolactate synthase-(ALS)-inhibitor), further impacting control of this weed biotype. Two field studies, with herbicides applied preemergence (PRE) or postemergence (POST), were conducted in 2020 and repeated in 2021. The objective of the research was to determine the most effective PRE and POST herbicides for the control of multiple-herbicide-resistant (MHR) green pigweed in Ontario corn production. 18 PRE and 18 POST herbicide treatments were evaluated in separate studies. Visible crop injury, visible green pigweed control at specified timepoints after herbicide application, green pigweed density, green pigweed biomass, and corn yield at harvest maturity were collected. In the PRE study, rimsulfuron + mesotrione was identified as the most efficacious treatment providing 88% control at 8 WAA. In the POST study, atrazine was identified as the most efficacious treatment providing 94% control at 8 WAA. Control with all PRE herbicide treatments was impacted by rainfall following application. MCPA ester applied POST controlled green pigweed 30% at 8 WAA; reduced control is attributed to herbicide resistance in this biotype. When compared to similar studies, control of green pigweed was reduced with some of the POST herbicides tested. While MHR green pigweed represents an additional challenge for growers, there are efficacious herbicide treatments that would allow it to be managed in corn production.

Physiological genetic variation in tomato fruit chilling tolerance during postharvest storage.

Storage at low temperatures is a common practice to prolong postharvest life of fruit and vegetables with a minimal negative impact on human/environmental health. Storage at low temperatures, however, can be restricted due to produce susceptibility to non-freezing chilling temperatures, when injuries such as physiological disorders and decays may result in unmarketable produce. We have investigated tomato fruit response to postharvest chilling stress in a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population developed from a cross between a chilling-sensitive cultivated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) breeding line and a chilling-tolerant inbred accession of the tomato wild species S. pimpinellifolium L. Screening of the fruit of 148 RILs under cold storage (1.5°C) indicated presence of significant variations in chilling tolerance, manifested by varying degrees of fruit injury. Two extremely contrasting groups of RILs were identified, chilling-tolerant and chilling-sensitive RILs. The RILs in the two groups were further investigated under chilling stress conditions, and several physiological parameters, including weight loss, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters Fv/Fm, and Performance Index (PI), were determined to be efficient markers for identifying response to chilling stress in postharvest fruit. The Fv/Fm values reflected the physiological damages endured by the fruit after cold storage, and PI was a sensitive marker for early changes in photosystem II function. These two parameters were early indicators of chilling response before occurrence of visible chilling injuries. Antioxidant activities and ascorbic acid content were significantly higher in the chilling-tolerant than the chilling-sensitive lines. Further, the expression of C-repeat/DREB binding factors (CBFs) genes swiftly changed within 1-hr of fruit exposure to the chilling temperature, and the SlCBF1 transcript level was generally higher in the chilling-tolerant than chilling-sensitive lines after 2-hr exposure to the low temperature. This research demonstrates the presence of potential genetic variation in fruit chilling tolerance in the tomato RIL population. Further investigation of the RIL population is underway to better understand the genetic, physiological, and biochemical mechanisms involved in postharvest fruit chilling tolerance in tomato.

Control of Multiple-Herbicide-Resistant Green Pigweed (Amaranthus powellii) with Preemergence and Postemergence Herbicides in Ontario Soybean Production

Green pigweed [Amaranthus powellii S. Wats.] is a competitive, annual, broadleaf weed that can significantly reduce soybean yield due to rapid early growth and biomass production. As a consequence of green pigweed’s high competitiveness with crops, the weed species is generally managed with the use of herbicides; this may, however, lead to the selection of resistance. A green pigweed biotype with resistance to MCPA, mecoprop, dichlorprop-p, aminocyclopyrachlor (synthetic auxins), and imazethapyr (acetolactate synthase-(ALS)-inhibitor) was recently confirmed in Ontario, Canada. Research was conducted to identify alternative effective preemergence (PRE) and postemergence (POST) herbicides for the control of multiple-herbicide-resistant (MHR) green pigweed in Ontario soybean production. Four field trials, two with PRE and two with POST herbicides were conducted near Dresden, Ontario in 2019 and 2020. Visible soybean injury, green pigweed control, density, aboveground biomass, and soybean yield were evaluated following application with 19 PRE herbicide treatments and 12 POST herbicide treatments in separate studies. At 8 wk after application (WAA), pyroxasulfone/flumioxazin applied PRE controlled green pigweed 95% and was the most effective soil-applied herbicide. In the POST study, glyphosate was the most effective herbicide, controlling green pigweed 94% at 8 WAA. Imazethapyr, applied PRE or POST did not control this green pigweed biotype as it is also resistant to ALS-inhibitors. Control with other ALS-inhibiting herbicides as well as with PPO-inhibiting herbicides was variable, and further research is needed to determine the reason for variable control with these herbicides.

INTESTINAL DAMAGE AND IMMUNE RESPONSE AFTER EXPERIMENTAL BLUNT ABDOMINAL TRAUMA

Abdominal trauma (AT) is of major global importance, particularly because the civil, terroristic, and military traumatic potential of blast injuries has increased. The consequences of blunt abdominal injuries are highly variable and frequently underestimated or even overlooked. However, the underlying path mechanisms and subsequent innate immune response remain poorly understood. Therefore, we investigated the spatiotemporal local and systemic effects of a standardized blast-induced blunt AT on the intestine and innate immune response. In an established AT model, 66 male C57Bl6 mice were anesthetized and exposed to either a single blast wave centered on the epigastrium or control treatment (sham). At 2, 6, or 24 hours after trauma induction, animals were sacrificed. In 16 of 44 (36%) AT animals, one or more macroscopically visible injuries of the intestine were observed. Epithelial damage was detected by histological analysis of jejunum and ileum tissue samples, quantified by the Chiu score and by increased plasma concentrations of the intestinal fatty acid-binding protein, an enterocyte damage marker. Moreover, in the early posttraumatic period, elevated syndecan-1, claudin-5, and mucin-2 plasma levels also indicated alterations in the gut-blood barrier. Increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF and macrophage inflammatory protein 2 in tissue homogenates and plasma indicate a systemic immune activation after blunt AT. In conclusion, we detected early morphological intestinal damage associated with high, early detectable intestinal fatty acid-binding protein plasma levels, and a considerable time- and dose-dependent impairment of the gut-blood barrier in a newly established mouse model of blunt AT. It appears to be a sufficient model for further studies of the intestinal immunopathophysiological consequences of AT and the evaluation of novel therapeutic approaches.

Effect of Irrigation Regime and Fertilization on Recovery of Dicamba Injured Soybean

With the release of the dicamba-resistant crop technology and subsequent increase in dicamba off-target movement to non-dicamba-resistant crops, discovering means of mitigating yield loss through studying dicamba injury to soybean and interactions with factors such as irrigation regime and fertilization would prove beneficial. Field experiments were conducted in 2019 in Fayetteville and Colt, Arkansas, to evaluate the effect of irrigation regime to non-dicamba-resistant soybean that was injured by dicamba at a low dose at multiple timings. Another experiment was conducted in Fayetteville in 2019 and 2020 evaluating the impact of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) fertilization on soybean recovery following injury by dicamba at multiple reproductive stages. Visible injury in both experiments was affected by application timing. Soybean yield components were impacted by dicamba applications within the irrigation regime experiment, and yields were decreased by dicamba applications; however, soybean yield was higher from branches than from the mainstem in dicamba-treated compared to nontreated plants. In the fertilization experiment, soybean treated with a low dose of dicamba that received N fertilization tended to have reduced biomass compared to treatments receiving no fertilizer or K alone, with greatest biomass reduction tending to occur among treatments receiving both N and K. Total grain yield was not affected by either irrigation regime or fertilization. While an increase in yield due to neither irrigation nor fertilization was observed, these results may help improve understanding of the effect of low-dose dicamba on soybean and aid producers making management decisions.