Growth promotion in wheat seedlings altered by conditions in the culture medium of Azospirillum brasilense.

Agricultural management using technologies that help farmers increase productivity and reduce production costs must be promoted to ensure agricultural sustainability. The objective of the study was to achieve the pH effect of growth solution, chemical treatment, use of osmoprotector additive and mineral nitrate presence, on the activity of growth promoting bacteria, Azospirillum brasilense, and its effects on the physiological quality of seeds and wheat seedling growth. The first experiment evaluated the physiological quality of seeds and the second experiment was divided into four, evaluating the growth of wheat seedling in a hydroponic system. The experiments were prolonged in a very randomized design, with four replications. The physiological quality of the seeds was evaluated by germination tests, first germination count, length of the shoot and root and dry mass of the shoot and root. Initial growth was evaluated by quantifying the dry mass of the leaf shoot and root and the root system intervals. The pH of the solution and the presence of nitrogen did not influence the effects of inoculation of the A. brasilense bacteria. With the use of chemical treatment and osmoprotective additive, A. brasilense had no effect on the growth of wheat seedlings.

Transforaminal endoscopic lumbar decompression & foraminoplasty: a 10 year prospective survivability outcome study of the treatment of foraminal stenosis and failed back surgery.

BACKGROUND: Conventional diagnosis between axial and foraminal stenosis is suboptimal and long-term outcomes limited to posterior decompression. Aware state Transforaminal Endoscopic Lumbar Decompression and Foraminoplasty (TELDF) offers a direct aware state means of localizing and treating neuro-claudicant back pain, referred pain and weakness associated with stenosis failing to respond to conventional rehabilitation, pain management or surgery. This prospective survivability study examines the outcomes 10 years after TELDF in patients with foraminal stenosis arising from degeneration or failed back surgery. METHODS: For 10 years prospective data were collected on 114 consecutive patients with multilevel spondylosis and neuro-claudicant back pain, referred pain and weakness with or without failed back surgery whose symptoms had failed to respond to conventional rehabilitation and pain management and who underwent TELDF. The level responsible for the predominant presenting symptoms of foraminal stenosis, determined on clinical grounds, MRI and or CT scans, was confirmed by transforaminal probing and discography. Patients underwent TELDF at the spinal segment at which the predominant presenting symptoms were reproduced. Those that required treatment at an additional segment were excluded. Outcomes were assessed by postal questionnaire with failures being examined by the independent authors using the Visual Analogue Pain Scale (VAPS), the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and the Prolo Activity Score. RESULTS: Cohort integrity was 69%. 79 patients were available for evaluation after removal of the deceased (12), untraceable (17) and decliners (6) from the cohort. VAP scores improved from a pre-operative mean of 7.3 to 2.4 at year 10. The ODI improved from a mean of 58.5 at baseline to 17.5 at year 10. 72% of reviewed patients fulfilled the definition of an "Excellent" or "Good Clinical Impact" at review using the Spinal Foundation Outcome Score. Based on the Prolo scale, 61 patients (77%) were able to return and continue in full or part-time work or retirement activity post-TELDF. Complications of TELDF were limited to transient nerve irritation, which affected 19% of the cohort for 2 - 4 weeks. TELDF was equally beneficial in those with failed back surgery. CONCLUSIONS: TELDF is a beneficial intervention for the long-term treatment of severely disabled patients with neuro-claudicant symptoms arising from spinal or foraminal stenosis with a dural diameter of more than 3mm, who have failed to respond to conventional rehabilitation or chronic pain management. It results in considerable improvements in symptoms and function sustained 10 years later despite co-morbidity, ageing or the presence of failed back surgery. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The long term outcome of TELDF in severely disabled patients with neuro-claudicant symptoms arising from foraminal stenosis which had failed to respond to conventional rehabilitation, surgery or chronic pain management suggests that foraminal pathology is a major cause of lumbar axial and referred pain and that TELDF should be offered as primary treatment for these conditions even in the elderly and infirm. The application of TELDF at multiple levels may further widen the benefits of this technique.

Caracterização bromatológica e agronômica de genótipos de milho para produção de silagem / Chemical characterization and agronomic genotypes of maize for silage

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar as características bromatológicas e agronômicas dos genótipos de milho para a produção de silagem dos cultivares do Ensaio Centro Superprecoce da Rede Nacional de Genótipos de Milho, bem como avaliar se a base genética (híbridos simples, duplos, tripos, intervarietais e variedades cultivadas) ou a dureza dos grãos (duro, semiduro e dentado mole) alteram a indicação de cultivares de milho para silagem. O experimento foi realizado na área experimental da Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná (campus Dois Vizinhos). Os trinta e dois genótipos avaliados foram colhidos quando os grãos encontravam-se no estádio pastoso a farináceo, ensilados em microssilos de PVC e desensilados após 53 dias. Avaliou-se a relação entre as bases genéticas, a dureza do grão e as características individuais dos genótipos quanto à aptidão para a produção de silagem. Não se verificaram diferenças significativas entre os contrastes formados entre as bases genéticas, bem como a dureza dos grãos, para os caracteres estudados. Porém, foi possível identificar genótipos superiores para a produção de silagem pela produção de matéria seca pelos genótipos AS 1555 YG, AS 1572 YG, 30A37, 30A77, 20A78, Dx 908, Dx 603, 2A550, 2B433, AL2007A, Embrapa 1F640, PRE 22T10, PREXT0109, PRE 22D11, DKB330 YG (Test).

The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritive value and agronomic characteristics of maize genotypes for the silage production cultivars test center network of Super Early National Corn Genotypes; and to assess whether the genetic background (hybrids simple, doubles, triples, intervarieties and cultivated varieties) or the hardness of the grains (hard, soft flint and dent) may change the indication of maize cultivars for silage. The experiment was conducted at the experimental Federal Technological University of Paraná (Campus Dois Vizinhos). Thirty-two genotypes were harvested when the grains were in the dough soft dough stage, micro-ensiled in PVC silos, silage cutters and after 53 days after silage cutters. We evaluated the characteristics and chemical plant parameters of each genotype. We evaluated the relationship between genetic bases, hardness of the grain and individual characteristics of genotypes related to the production of corn silage. There was no significant difference between the contrast formed between the genetic and hardness of the grains for the characteristics studied. However, it was possible to identify superior genotypes for the production of silage whit bases in dry matter production by genotype YG AS 1555, AS 1572 YG, 30A37, 30A77, 20A78, DX 908, DX 603, 2A550, 2B433, AL2007A, EMBRAPA 1F640, PRE 22T10, PREXT0109, PRE 22D11, DKB330 YG (Test).

Cultivares de trigo duplo propósito submetidos ao manejo nitrogenado e a regimes de corte / Dual-purpose wheat cultivars submitted to nitrogen fertilization and cutting regimes

Avaliaram-se a produção e a qualidade da forragem em cultivares de trigo duplo propósito submetidos a doses de nitrogênio e a regimes de corte. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos ao acaso com três repetições. Os tratamentos constituíram-se de quatro cultivares de trigo duplo propósito - BRS Figueira, BRS Umbu, BRS Guatambu e BRS Tarumã -, cinco doses de nitrogênio - 0, 45, 90, 135 e 180kg ha-1 - e três manejos de corte - sem corte, um e dois cortes. As variáveis avaliadas foram: produção de forragem, relação de folhas, proteína bruta, digestibilidade in vitro da matéria orgânica e nutrientes digestíveis totais. A adubação nitrogenada apresentou comportamento linear crescente sobre a produção de massa e proteína da forragem e não houve efeito sobre as demais variáveis. A produção de forragem aumentou no segundo corte e sua qualidade decresceu. Os resultados quantitativos e qualitativos da forragem foram distintos entre os cultivares. Os cultivares de trigo duplo propósito de ciclo mais longo apresentaram maior qualidade forrageira e menor produção de forragem.

Production and quality of forage were evaluated in four dual-purpose wheat cultivars submitted to nitrogen fertilization and cutting regimes. The experimental design was randomized blocks with three replicates. The treatments consisted of four dual purpose wheat (BRS Figueira, BRS Umbu, BRS Guatambu, and BRS Tarumã), five nitrogen doses (0, 45, 90, 135, and 180kg ha-1 ), and three cutting managements (no cuts, one and two cuts). The studied variables were: forage production, leaf ratio, crude protein, in vitro digestibility of organic matter and total digestible nutrients. The nitrogen fertilizer showed a linear increase on the fodder yield and protein and there was no effect on other variables. Forage production increased in the second harvest and its quality decreased. The quantitative and qualitative results of the forage were different among cultivars. The longer cycle dual-purpose wheat had higher nutritional quality and lower forage production.

NT-proBNP can be used to detect right ventricular systolic dysfunction in pulmonary hypertension.

Right ventricular systolic dysfunction (RVSD) at baseline (pre-treatment) predicts early death in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). However, RVSD can only be detected reliably by prohibitively invasive or expensive techniques. N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide concentration ([NT-proBNP]) correlates with RV function in PH; however, an [NT-proBNP] threshold that indicates RVSD in individual patients has not previously been determined. Twenty-five patients with PH (pulmonary arterial hypertension (n = 19) or chronic thromboembolic PH (n = 6)) underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging and NT-proBNP measurement at baseline. [NT-proBNP] was correlated against RV dimensions and ejection fraction (RVEF) measured directly by CMR imaging. The ability of NT-proBNP to detect RVSD (defined as a CMR-derived RVEF >2 SDS below control values) was tested and predictors of [NT-proBNP] identified. [NT-proBNP] correlated negatively with RVEF. RVSD was present in nine out of 25 patients. An [NT-proBNP] threshold of 1,685 pg.mL(-1) was sensitive (100%) and specific (94%) in detecting RVSD. RVEF and RV mass index independently predicted [NT-proBNP]. In pulmonary hypertension, a baseline N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide concentration of >1,685 ng.L(-1) suggests right ventricular systolic dysfunction, and thus an increased risk of early death. N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide could prove useful as an objective, noninvasive means of identifying patients with pulmonary hypertension who have right ventricular systolic dysfunction at presentation.

Redefinition of uremic cardiomyopathy by contrast-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.

Patients with end stage renal failure (ESRF) have an increased risk of premature cardiovascular disease. Left ventricular (LV) abnormalities, so called 'uremic cardiomyopathy', are associated with poorer outcome. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) accurately defines LV dimensions and identifies underlying myocardial pathology. We studied the relationship between LV function and myocardial pathology in ESRF patients with CMR. A total of 134 patients with ESRF underwent CMR. LV function was assessed with further images acquired after gadolinium-diethylentriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA). The presence of myocardial fibrosis was indicated by late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). Two main myocardial pathologies were identified. A total of 19 patients (14.2%) displayed 'subendocardial LGE' representing myocardial infarction, which was associated with conventional cardiovascular risk factors including a history of ischemic heart disease (IHD) (P < 0.001), hypercholesterolemia (P < 0.05), and diabetes (P < 0.01). Patients with subendocardial LGE had greater LV mass (P < 0.05), LV dilation (P < 0.01), and LV systolic dysfunction (P < 0.001) compared to patients with no evidence of LGE. The second pattern, 'diffuse LGE', seen in 19 patients (14.2%) appeared to represent regional areas of diffuse myocardial fibrosis. Diffuse LGE was associated with greater LV mass compared to patients without LGE (P < 0.01) but not systolic dysfunction. In total, 28.4% of all patients exhibited evidence of myocardial fibrosis demonstrated by LGE. In contrast to published literature describing three forms of uremic cardiomyopathy - left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), dilation, and systolic dysfunction, we have shown that LVH is the predominant cardiomyopathy specific to uremia, while LV dilation and systolic dysfunction are due to underlying (possibly silent) ischemic heart disease.

Improving secondary prevention in coronary bypass patients: closing the audit loop.

OBJECTIVES: To complete the audit loop assessing secondary preventative care of patients who had had coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. DESIGN: Two separate surveys of 1000 patients who had had CABG at the regional centre between 1988 and 1997, selected in 1998 and 2001. A single page questionnaire was sent to the patient's general practitioner. INTERVENTIONS: A list was sent to each general practice in Lothian, Scotland, of their patients on the CABG database and the results of the original survey. Lothian Health organised a project to contact and recall patients with cardiac disease in each practice. Sixty five (of 128) practices participated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Blood pressure, smoking status, serum cholesterol concentrations, and prescription of lipid lowering drugs and aspirin. RESULTS: 918 questionnaires (92%) in the second survey were returned describing 875 patients: 151 (17%) patients smoked and 752 patients (86%) took aspirin. Mean (SD) systolic blood pressure was lower in the second survey (142.5 (19.2) mm Hg in the first survey v 139.4 (19.1) mm Hg, p < 0.005). In our first survey 34% of patients had cholesterol concentrations less than target (5.2 mmol/l). This increased from 12% of patients operated on in 1988 to 50% of patients operated on in 1997 (Spearman rank correlation 0.77, p < 0.01). In the second survey this proportion had risen to 65% and the correlation with year of operation was abolished. CONCLUSIONS: By closing the audit loop, substantial improvements were shown in the management of risk factors in patients who have had coronary artery surgery in Lothian.

The social organization of HIV/AIDS care in treatment programmes for adults with serious mental illness.

As the HIV epidemic expands within the mental health system, mental health professionals (MHPs) are under increased pressure to provide more HIV-related care to clients in treatment for serious mental illness. Scientific understanding of MHPs' readiness to provide these services, however, is limited. This paper examines the distribution of HIV care experience, HIV care-related knowledge, and related attitudes among 524 MHPs employed in three CMHCs and two state psychiatric hospitals in central Indiana. The results indicate that both clinical experience and subjective readiness to provide HIV care are concentrated among a few MHPs--primarily gay, lesbian, or bisexual (g/l/b) staff--within each facility. This informal system for organizing HIV care highlights the unique contributions g/l/b staff members make both in providing direct HIV care and in making sure that HIV-related issues are addressed in mental health settings. The implications of g/l/b staff members' "gate making" function for improving the provision of HIV-related mental health services are discussed.

Workforce cultural factors in TQM/CQI implementation in hospitals.

One of the major obstacles to successful implementation of TQM/CQI in hospitals has been management's failure to consider the workforce cultural situation. This quasi-qualitative study investigates eight workforce cultural factors in seven midwestern hospitals. Results reveal only one of the seven hospitals successfully implementing TQM/CQI.

Work and nonwork influences on health: a research agenda using inability to leave as a critical variable.

A basic path analytic model of stressor-health relationships is formulated from a multidisciplinary literature base. Work, nonwork, and individual difference variables act as exogenous stressors influencing endogenous job and life satisfaction variables, which are then posited to influence health variables. Inability to leave is added to the model as a means of more completely integrating a research framework investigating work and nonwork influences on health.

Commitment predictors of nursing personnel's intent of leave.

The simultaneous investigation of job, organizational, career, and community commitment on intent to leave is empirically tested in a study of 73 hospital personnel. Previous work on organizational commitment served as the proxy for definitional clarification and measurement development of a 44-item questionnaire for all commitment concepts. Three measures of the "importance" of correlated predictors are used to indicate the findings. Higher intent to leave was predicted by lower job commitment. Limitations of the study and implications of the results are discussed.