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To determine the levels and patterns of resistance to first- and second-line anti-tuberculosis (TB) drugs among new and previously treated sputum smear positive pulmonary TB (PTB) patients.We conducted a nationally representative cross-sectional facility-based survey in June 2017-July 2018 involving 45 clusters selected based on probability proportional to size. The survey aimed to determine the prevalence of anti-TB drug resistance and associated risk factors among smear positive PTB patients in Tanzania. Sputum samples were examined using smear microscopy, Xpert MTB/RIF, culture and drug susceptibility testing (DST). Logistic regression was used to account for missing data and sampling design effects on the estimates and their standard errors.We enrolled 1557 TB patients, including 1408 (90.4%) newly diagnosed and 149 (9.6%) previously treated patients. The prevalence of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) was 0.85% [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.4-1.3] among new cases and 4.6% (95% CI: 1.1-8.2) among previously treated cases. The prevalence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains resistant to any of the four first-line anti-TB drugs (isoniazid, rifampicin, streptomycin and ethambutol) was 1.7% among new TB patients and 6.5% among those previously treated. Drug resistance to all first-line drugs was similar (0.1%) in new and previously treated patients. None of the isolates displayed poly-resistance or extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB). The only risk factor for MDR-TB was history of previous TB treatment (odds ratio = 5.7, 95% CI: 1.9-17.2).The burden of MDR-TB in the country was relatively low with no evidence of XDR-TB. Given the overall small number of MDR-TB cases in this survey, it will be beneficial focusing efforts on intensified case detection including universal DST.

Currently, the pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has unprecedentedly captivated its human hosts by causing respiratory illnesses because of evolution of the genetic makeup of novel coronavirus (CoV) known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (SARS CoV‐2). As much as the researchers are inundated for the quest of effective treatments from available drugs, the discovery and trials of new experimental drugs are also at a threshold for clinical trials. There has been much concern regarding the new and targeted drugs considering the comprehensive ambiguity regarding the mechanism and pathway of the drug action with respect to the new and unpredictable structural and nonstructural proteins (NSPs) of SARS CoV‐2. This study was aimed to discuss functional pathways related to NSPs in CoVs with updated knowledge regarding SARS CoV‐2, mechanisms of action of certain approved and investigational drugs for correct orientation regarding the treatment strategies, including nucleotide analog mechanism, receptor analog mechanism, and peptide–peptide interactions, along with the impact of COVID‐19 on a global scale. Although there is a dire need for targeted drugs against SARS CoV‐2, the practical achievement of its cure is possible by only using effective drugs with appropriate mechanisms to eliminate the disease.

International audience; Background: Although novel hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA point‐of‐care technology has the potential to enhance the diagnosis in resource‐limited settings, very little real‐world validation of their utility exists. We evaluate the performance of HCV RNA quantification using the Xpert® HCV viral load Fingerstick assay (Xpert® HCV VL Fingerstick assay) as compared to the World Health Organisation pre‐qualified plasma Xpert® HCV VL assay among people who inject drugs (PWID) attending an opioid agonist therapy (OAT) clinic in Dar‐es‐Salaam, Tanzania.Methods: Between December 2018 and February 2019, consecutive HCV seropositive PWID attending the OAT clinic provided paired venous and Fingerstick samples for HCV RNA quantification. These were processed onsite using the GeneXpert® platform located at the Central tuberculosis reference laboratory.Results: A total of 208 out of 220 anti‐HCV‐positive participants recruited (94.5%) had a valid Xpert® HCV VL result available; 126 (61%; 95% CI 53.8‐67.0) had detectable and quantifiable HCV RNA. About 188 (85%) participants had paired plasma and Fingerstick whole blood samples; the sensitivity and specificity for the quantification of HCV RNA levels were 99.1% and 98.7% respectively. There was an excellent correlation (R2 = .95) and concordance (mean difference 0.13 IU/mL, (95% CI −0.9 to 0.16 IU/mL) in HCV RNA levels between plasma samples and Fingerstick samples.Conclusion: This study found excellent performance of the Xpert® HCV VL Fingerstick assay for HCV RNA detection and quantification in an African‐field setting. Its clinical utility represents an important watershed in overcoming existing challenges to HCV diagnosis, which should play a crucial role in HCV elimination in Africa

Quinoa is recently introduced to Pakistan as a salt‐tolerant crop of high nutritional value. Open field trials were conducted to evaluate its performance on normal and salinity/sodicity‐degraded lands at two locations of different salinity/sodicity levels, S₁ (UAF Farm, Normal Soil), S₂ (Paroka Farm UAF, saline sodic), S₃ (SSRI Farm, normal) and S₄ (SSRI Farm, saline sodic) during 2013–2014. Two genotypes (Q‐2 and Q‐7) were grown in lines and were allowed to grow till maturity under RCBD split‐plot arrangement. Maximum seed yield (3,062 kg/ha) was achieved by Q‐7 at normal field (S₁) soil which was statistically similar with yield of same genotype obtained from salt‐affected field S₂ (2,870 kg/ha). Furthermore, low yield was seen from both genotypes from both S₃ and S₄ as compared to S₁ and S₂. Q‐7 was best under all four conditions. Minimum yield was recorded from Q‐2 (1,587 kg/ha) at S₄. Q‐7 had higher SOD, proline, phenolic and K⁺ contents, and lower Na⁺ content in leaves as compared to Q‐2. High levels of antioxidants and K⁺/Na⁺ of Q‐7 helped to withstand salt stress and might be the cause of higher yields under both normal and salt‐affected soils. Seed quality (mineral and protein) did not decrease considerably under salt‐affected soils even improved seed K⁺, Mg²⁺ and Mn²⁺.

Kaposi sarcoma is an oligoclonal HHV-8-driven vascular proliferation that was first described by a Viennese dermatologist Dr Moritz Kaposi. The disease has been seen in different clinical-epidemiological settings with a wide morphologic spectrum. We report a 52-year-old Caucasian man with HIV/AIDS and Kaposi sarcoma who presented with dyspnea and pleural effusion. He reported numerous tender subcutaneous nodules developing over the past few months on his chest, back and abdomen. An excisional biopsy of one of the nodules was performed. Touch preps revealed malignant cells in clusters. Microscopically, the neoplasm appeared undifferentiated with an epithelioid morphology, and involved the dermis and subcutaneous fat. Despite the medical history, Kaposi sarcoma was not considered foremost in the differential diagnosis. The malignant cells were positive for vimentin and negative for S100 protein, keratin AE1/3, CK7, CK20, napsin A, TTF-1 and synaptophysin. Additional stains revealed positivity for HHV-8, CD31 and D2-40, supporting the diagnosis of Kaposi sarcoma. Kaposi sarcoma has been well described with many variants that may cause diagnostic difficulty. An epithelioid variant has not been reported and consequently, may cause misinterpretation of an otherwise well-known entity that may become life threatening if appropriate treatment is not initiated in a timely manner.

Background Acute illness, existing co‐morbidities and surgical stress response can all contribute to postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery. The aim of this study was prospectively to develop a pragmatic prognostic model to stratify patients according to risk of developing AKI after major gastrointestinal surgery. Methods This prospective multicentre cohort study included consecutive adults undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection, liver resection or stoma reversal in 2‐week blocks over a continuous 3‐month period. The primary outcome was the rate of AKI within 7 days of surgery. Bootstrap stability was used to select clinically plausible risk factors into the model. Internal model validation was carried out by bootstrap validation. Results A total of 4544 patients were included across 173 centres in the UK and Ireland. The overall rate of AKI was 14·2 per cent (646 of 4544) and the 30‐day mortality rate was 1·8 per cent (84 of 4544). Stage 1 AKI was significantly associated with 30‐day mortality (unadjusted odds ratio 7·61, 95 per cent c.i. 4·49 to 12·90; P < 0·001), with increasing odds of death with each AKI stage. Six variables were selected for inclusion in the prognostic model: age, sex, ASA grade, preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate, planned open surgery and preoperative use of either an angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor blocker. Internal validation demonstrated good model discrimination (c‐statistic 0·65). Discussion Following major gastrointestinal surgery, AKI occurred in one in seven patients. This preoperative prognostic model identified patients at high risk of postoperative AKI. Validation in an independent data set is required to ensure generalizability.

To examine patterns of strategy choice and discovery during problem-solving of a novel locomotor task, 13.5- and 18-month-old infants were placed at the top of a staircase and encouraged to descend. Spontaneous stair descent strategy choices were documented step by step and trial by trial to provide a microgenetic account of problem-solving in action. Younger infants tended to begin each trial walking, were more likely to choose walking with each successive step, and were more likely to lose their balance and have to be rescued by an experimenter. Conversely, older infants tended to begin each trial scooting, were more likely to choose scooting with each successive step, and were more likely to use a handrail to augment balance on stairs. Documenting problem-solving microgenetically across age groups revealed striking similarities between younger infants' strategy development and older children's behaviour on more traditionally cognitive tasks, including using alternative strategies, mapping prior experiences with strategies to a novel task, and strengthening new strategies. As cognitive resources are taxed during a challenging task, resources available for weighing alternatives or inhibiting a well-used strategy are reduced. With increased motor experience, infants can more easily consider alternative strategies and maintain those solutions over the course of the trial.

Aim: The present study aims to determine the association of periodontal disease (identified early in pregnancy) and adverse pregnancy outcomes in a North Indian population. Material and Methods: A total of 340 primigravida women, aged 20–35 years with single live pregnancy were recruited at 14–20 weeks period of gestation from the antenatal clinic. These women had undergone periodontal examination at time of recruitment. The pregnancy outcomes were recorded. Results: Out of 340 primigravida women, 147 (43.23%) women had gingivitis and 61 (17.94%) women had periodontitis. Periodontitis was found to be significantly associated with pre-eclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, preterm delivery, and low birthweight with odds ratios (95% confidence interval) of 7.48 (2.72–22.42), 3.35 (1.20–9.55), 2.72 (1.30–5.68) and 3.03 (1.53–5.97), respectively. Conclusions: The study shows a significant association between periodontitis (but not with gingivitis) and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Maternal periodontitis is associated with an increased risk of pre-eclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, preterm delivery and low birthweight infants.

Background The Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) is one of the most frequently used scales to evaluate theimpact of skin disease on patients’ quality of life (QoL). There has not been psychometric evaluation of the Chineseversion of DLQI in Chinese patients with psoriasis.Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of DLQI.Methods Patients with psoriasis (‡18 years old) visiting nine hospitals in various regions of China were enrolled inthe study. The DLQI, Psoriasis Disability Index (PDI) and Health Survey Short Form (SF-36) were completed. Severityof psoriasis was assessed by the Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI). Reliability was estimated by internalconsistency. Validity was assessed using known-groups comparison, convergent validity and construct validity.Results In all, 851 patients were included in the study. The internal consistency reliability of the DLQI was high(Cronbach’s alpha = 0.91). Known-groups comparison showed that the DLQI discriminated well among patients whodiffered in age, geographical region, duration of psoriasis and the PASI score. Evidence of convergent validity of theDLQI was proved by high correlations with the PDI and four subscales of SF-36 (role-physical, bodily pain, socialfunctioning and role-emotional): r = 0.52–0.78. Construct validity was proved by the presence of one-factor structurethat accounted for 55.9% of the variance and fitted well into the unidimensional model.Conclusion The Chinese version of DLQI is a reliable and valid measure to assess patient-reported impact of skindisease and could be used in QoL and health outcome studies on Chinese psoriasis patients.Received: 14 July 2011; Accepted: 7 November 2011

Salinity is one of a major threat in harvesting good wheat stand on sustained basis. In this study, potential of seed priming techniques to improve the performance of wheat varieties (SARC-1 and MH-97) in a saline field was tested. For priming, wheat seeds were soaked in aerated solution of ascorbate (50 mg l−1; ascorbate priming), salicylic acid (50 mg l−1; salicylicate priming), kinetin (50 mg l−1; kinetin priming) and CaCl2 (50 mg l−1; osmopriming) for 12 h. For comparison, seeds were also soaked in simple water (hydropriming); in addition, untreated seeds were also taken as control. Seed priming treatments substantially improved the stand establishment; osmopriming (with CaCl2) was at the top however. Likewise maximum fertile tillers, grains per spike, 1000-grain weight, grain yield and harvest index were observed in plants raised from seeds osmoprimed (with CaCl2) followed by ascorbate priming in both the varieties tested. As an index of salinity tolerance, seed priming treatments also improved the leaf K+ contents with simultaneous decrease in Na+ concentration, osmopriming being the best treatment. Similarly, maximum total phenolic contents, total soluble proteins (TSP), α-amylase and protease activities were observed in osmoprimed (with CaCl2) seeds followed by ascorbate priming. Economic analysis also indicated that osmopriming is more viable with maximum net return and benefit-to-cost ratio. In conclusion, different seed priming treatments in wheat seeds improved the salinity tolerance nonetheless osmopriming (with CaCl2) was the most effective treatments to get higher grain yield and net return in both wheat varieties whereas kinetin was the least effective.

Drought stress is a severe threat to the sustainable rice production, which causes oxidative damage and disturbs plant water relations, while exogenously applied nitric oxide (NO) may have the potential to alleviate these effects in rice plants. In this study, the role of NO to improve drought tolerance in fine grain aromatic rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. Basmati 2000) was evaluated. Sodium nitroprusside, a NO donor, was used at 50, 100 and 150 μmol l ―1 both as seed priming and foliar spray. To prime, the seeds were soaked in aerated NO solution of respective solution for 48 h and dried back to original weight. Primed and non-primed seeds were sown in plastic pots with normal irrigation in a greenhouse. At four leaf stage, plants were subjected to drought stress except the controls, which were kept at full field capacity. Drought was maintained at 50 % of field capacity by watering when needed. Two controls were maintained ; both receiving no NO treatments as foliar application or seed treatment, one under drought conditions and the other under well-watered conditions. Drought stress seriously reduced the rice growth, but both methods of NO application alleviated the stress effects. Drought tolerance in rice was strongly related to the maintenance of tissue water potential and enhanced capacity of antioxidants, improved stability of cellular membranes and enhanced photosynthetic capacity, plausibly by signalling action of NO. Foliar treatments proved more effective than the seed treatments. Among NO treatment, 100 μmol l ―1 foliar spray was more effective.

Drought stress is the most pervasive threat to sustainable rice production and mainly disrupts membrane structure and cell-water relations. Exogenously applied brassinosteroids (BRs) may produce profound changes that may improve drought tolerance in rice. In this study, we monitored some physiological basis of the exogenously applied BRs in improving drought tolerance in fine grain aromatic rice (Oryza sativa L.). Two BRs i.e. 28-homobrassinolide (HBL) and 24-epibrassinolide (EBL) were used both as seed priming and foliar spray. To prime, the seeds were soaked in 0.01 μM aerated solution each of HBL and EBL for 48 h and dried back to original weight. Treated and untreated seeds were sown in plastic pots with normal irrigation in a phytotron. At four-leaf stage (3 weeks after sowing), plants were subjected to drought stress at 50 % field capacity by cutting down the water supply. For foliar spray, 0.01 μM of HBL and EBL solutions were sprayed at five-leaf stage. Drought stress severely reduced fresh and dry weights, whilst exogenously applied BRs improved net CO 2 assimilation, water use efficiency, leaf water status, membrane properties, production of free proline, anthocyanins, soluble phenolics, but declined the malondialdehyde and H 2 O 2 production. In conclusion, BRs application improved the leaf water economy and CO 2 assimilation, and enabled rice to withstand drought. Moreover, foliar spray had better effect under drought than seed treatments and of the two BRs, EBL proved more effective.

Drought stress encumbers the rice growth predominantly by oxidative damage to biological membranes and disturbed tissue water status. In this study, the role of salicylic acid (SA) to induce drought tolerance in aromatic fine grain rice cultivar Basmati 2000 was evaluated. SA was applied as seed and foliar treatments. For seed treatment, rice seeds were soaked in 50, 100 and 150 mg 1- 1 aerated solution of SA for 48 h and then dried back. Treated and untreated seeds were sown in plastic pots in a phytotron. At four leaf stage, one set of plants was subjected to drought stress, while the other remained well watered. Drought was maintained at 50 % of field capacity by watering every alternate day. For exogenous application, SA was applied 50, 100 and 150 mg l ―1 at five leaf stage. In the control, SA was neither applied exogenously nor as seed treatment. Drought stress severely affected the seedling fresh and dry weight, photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, plant water relations and starch metabolism; however, SA application improved the performance of rice under both normal and stress conditions. Drought tolerance in rice was well associated with the accumulation of compatible solutes, maintenance of tissue water potential and enhanced potency of antioxidant system, which improved the integrity of cellular membranes and facilitated the rice plant to sustain photosynthesis and general metabolism. Foliar treatments were more effective than the seed treatments. Foliar application with 100 mg l ―1 (FA 100) was the best treatment to induce the drought tolerance and improve the performance under normal and stress conditions compared with the control or other treatments used in this study.

Abiotic stresses, including chilling, impede the plant growth and development mainly by oxidative damage. In this study, seed priming with CaCl 2 was employed to reduce the damage caused by chilling stress in hybrid maize. Maize hybrid (Hycorn 8288) seeds were soaked in 50, 100 and 150 mg l -1 (ppm) aerated solution of CaCl 2 for 24 h and dried. Treated and untreated seeds were sown at 27 °C (optimal temperature) and 15 °C (chilling stress) under controlled conditions. Seed priming with CaCl 2 significantly reduced the chilling damage and improved the germination rate, root and shoot length, and seedling fresh and dry weights. Activities of antioxidants, including catalase, superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase, were also improved. Soluble sugars and α-amylase concentrations determined as general metabolic indicators of stress were also increased by seed priming with CaCl 2 . Priming also improved the performance of maize at optimal temperature. Maintenance of tissue water contents, reduction in membrane leakage and increase in antioxidant activities, and carbohydrate metabolism seemed to induce chilling tolerance by CaCl 2 . Seed priming with 100 mg l -1 CaCl 2 was the optimal concentration in improving the performance of hybrid maize both under optimal and stress conditions.

Rice performance under drought stress is mainly impeded by oxidative damage and hampered plant water status, which may be improved by exogenous use of osmoprotectants. In this study, the role of glycinebetaine (GB) to improve drought tolerance in rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivar Super-basmati was evaluated. GB was used both as seed and foliar application. For priming, seeds were soaked in 50, 100 and 150 mg l -1 aerated solution of GB for 48 h. At four-leaf stage, one set of plants was subjected to drought stress, while the other set kept at full field capacity. Drought was maintained at 50 % of field capacity by watering when needed. For exogenous application, 50, 100 and 150 mg l -1 GB levels were applied at five-leaf stage. Drought stress greatly reduced the rice growth while GB application improved it both under well-watered and drought conditions. Drought tolerance in rice was strongly related to the maintenance of tissue water potential and antioxidant system, which improved the integrity of cellular membranes and enabled the plant to maintain high photosynthesis. Foliar treatments were more effective than the seed treatments, while among the GB treatment, foliar application with 100 mg l -1 was the most effective.

Aim: To adapt the Impact on Family scale (IOF), originally developed for families of children with chronic illnesses, for use in families of adult patients and to examine the convergent validity of the Family Dermatology Life Quality Index (FDLQI) by comparing it with the adapted version of the IOF scale. Methods: Adult family members of patients with different skin diseases attending the out-patients clinic of a secondary referral centre completed the FDLQI and the adapted version of the IOF scale, whereas patients completed the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Results: A total of 50 patients and 50 family members/partners participated in the study. The mean scores for the three instruments were as follows: FDLQI = 6.0 (SD = 6.4, median = 4); IOF scale = 27.9 (SD = 8.2, median = 29); DLQI = 5.4 (SD = 5.6, median = 3). There was no difference between male and female participants in the mean scores of any of the three instruments. The FDLQI demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.91). Factor analysis revealed the presence of one factor structure underlying the items of the FDLQI, which explained 55.8% of the total variance. The IOF scale also showed a high internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.89). The results of factor analysis revealed one dominant factor and three weaker factors, which together explained 72% of the total variance. The convergent validity of the FDLQI was demonstrated by a highly significant positive correlation between the mean FDLQI and the IOF scale scores (rs = 0.61, P < 0.0001). All the items of the FDLQI also had significant correlations with the mean total IOF scale scores (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The results of this study have demonstrated that with minor modifications IOF scale, which was originally developed for families of children suffering from chronic illnesses, can also be used in families of adult dermatology patients. The study has also provided further evidence of the validity of the newly developed FDLQI.

Background Behavioural changes associated with dementia in Down syndrome are well documented, yet little is known about the effect of such behaviours on carers and referral. By comparing the behavioural and cognitive profiles of individuals referred for a dementia assessment with those of individuals not referred, some insight can be gained into behavioural characteristics that initiate referral for specialist support or interventions. Method Forty-six adults with Down syndrome were divided into two groups dependent upon method of entry into the study; post-referral to a specialist service for older adults with intellectual disabilities and Down syndrome for a dementia assessment (n = 17) or after receiving information sent out to day centres and residential homes (n = 29). These groups were compared on established measures of dementia alongside two informant measures of behaviour. Results Those referred for a dementia assessment evidenced scores indicative of cognitive decline on both informant and direct Neuropsychological Assessments and showed more behavioural excesses, but not deficits, and lower socialisation and coping skills than those in the comparison group. Carers of those referred for a dementia assessment reported a greater impact of behavioural excesses on staff than on the individual showing the behaviour in contrast to the comparison group. Conclusion The behavioural differences between those referred and the comparison group suggest that two factors are involved in the instigation of a referral for a dementia assessment: the nature of the behavioural presentation (excesses rather than deficits) and the effect of that behavioural change upon the care staff.

The optimum temperature for maize germination is between 25 and 28 °C. Poor and erratic germination at suboptimal temperature is the most important hindrance in its early sowing. This study was conducted to induce chilling tolerance in hybrid maize (Zea mays L.) by seed priming with salicylic acid (SA) and to unravel the background biochemical basis. For seed priming, maize hybrid (Hycorn 8288) seeds were soaked in 50, 100 and 150 ppm (mg l -1 ) aerated solutions of SA for 24 h and were dried back. Treated and untreated seeds were sown at 27 °C (optimal temperature) and at 15 °C (chilling stress) under controlled conditions. Performance of maize seedlings was hampered under chilling stress. But seed priming with SA improved the seedling emergence, root and shoot length, seedling fresh and dry weights, and leaf and root score considerably compared with control both at optimal and chilling temperatures. However, priming in 50 mg l -1 SA solution was more effective, followed by priming in 100 mg l -1 SA solution. Seed priming with SA improved the chilling tolerance in hybrid maize mainly by the activation of antioxidants (including catalase, superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase). Moreover, maintenance of high tissue water contents and reduced membrane permeability also contributed towards chilling tolerance.

In rice-wheat systems, late sowing of wheat is the major reason of low yield. This yield reduction is principally due to lower and erratic germination, and poor crop establishment because of low temperature prevailing. The present study was conducted to explore the possibility of improving late sown wheat performance by seed priming techniques. Seed priming strategies were: on-farm seed priming, hydropriming for 24 h, seed hardening for 12 h and osmohardening with KCl or CaCl 2 for 12 h. Seed priming improved emergence, stand establishment, tiller numbers, allometry, grain and straw yield, and harvest index. However, seed priming techniques did not affect plant height, number of spikelets, number of grains and 1000 grain weight. Osmohardening with CaCl 2 gave more grain and straw yield and harvest index compared with control and other priming treatments, followed by osmohardening with KCl and on-farm seed priming. Improved yield was attributed principally to better stand establishment and improved number of fertile tillers. Seed priming techniques can be effectively used to improve the performance of late sown wheat.

Although neuropathies of the infrapatellar nerve (infrapatellar branch of the saphenous nerve, IPBSN) have been reported clinically, no electrophysiological method has been defined to evaluate IPBSN conduction. We therefore studied a total of 60 saphenous nerves and 60 IPBSNs from 36 volunteers. The IPBSN was stimulated medially with a surface electrode 2 cm below the patella. The response was recorded with a needle electrode located close to the nerve 1 cm lateral to the femoral artery in the inguinal region. Sensory nerve action potentials were obtained from each subject; mean latency of the first positive peak was 8.1 +/- 0.9 ms, conduction velocity was 54 +/- 4.4 m/s, and response amplitude was 1.3 +/- 1.1 microV. The method that we describe may be an easy and useful electrophysiological test for neuropathies of the IPBSN.

The authors describe and assess the experience of providing proactive screening for dementia in older adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) through a dedicated clinical psychology service within the National Health Service in England. Subjects were the first 18 participants who were referred to the clinical service or were identified as showing early signs of probable dementia in a proactive screening strategy. The screening process involved combining neuropsychological, behavioral, and health data with information from a clinical assessment of the presenting problem in a case series approach. The process of psychological assessment and formulation is illustrated together with an outline of the psychological interventions employed for early-, mid-, and late-stage dementia. An appraisal of the service strategy showed that a dedicated psychology service for dementia assessment can be effective when offering a defined and workable psychological response to the increasing presentation of dementia-associated behaviors among people with ID. Ancillary services included supporting carers in contributing to the assessment and intervention process so as to ensure appropriately responsive and respectful care management for the person with ID and dementia. The authors recommend that a multimodal stage model of intervention founded on direct performance and informant-based assessments (within a framework of differential diagnosis) be employed in supporting people with ID and dementia.

In a laboratory study, indica and japonica rice (Oryza sativa L.) seeds were exposed to thermal hardening (heating followed by chilling followed by heating; chilling followed by heating followed by chilling; heating followed by chilling or chilling followed by heating). In indica rice, heating followed by chilling followed by heating resulted in decreased mean germination time, time to start germination, electrical conductivity of seed leachates, and time to 50% germination, as well as increased germination index, energy of germination, radicle and plumule length, root length, root/shoot ratio, root fresh and dry weight, radicle and plumule growth rate, and shoot fresh weight. In japonica rice, chilling followed by heating followed by chilling performed better than all other treatments, including control. ( Managing editor: Ping HE)

A field study was conducted to investigate the influence of variable rates of application of N and P fertilizers in splits at various times on the growth and the seed and oil yields of canola (Brassica napus L.) during 1995–97. Rates of fertilizer application were 0 and 0 (F0), 60 and 0 (F1), 0 and 30 (F2), 60 and 30 (F3), 90 and 60 (F4) and 120 and 90 (F5) kg N ha−1 and kg P2O5 ha−1. All the P was applied at sowing while N was applied in splits, i.e. all at sowing, half at sowing and half with first irrigation, or half at sowing and half at flowering. The responses of growth, seed yield and components of yield were consistent in both years. Increasing the rate of fertilizer application from F4 (90/60 kg N/P2O5 ha−1) to F5 (120/90 kg N/P2O5 ha−1) increased the leaf area index (LAI) relative to the control and to lower rates of fertilizer application. For both crops, application of 90/60 kg N/P2O5 ha−1 significantly enhanced total dry matter (TDM) and seed yield. Seed yield increased mainly due to a greater number of pods per plant and seeds per seed-pod. The time of fertilizer application did not significantly affect seed yield or components of yield in either season. Oil yield generally followed seed yield, increasing with increasing rate of fertilizer application up to 90/60 kg N/P2O5 ha−1. The maximum oil contents were obtained from the control. The results show that seed and oil yields of canola were maximized at the F4 (90/60 kg N/P2O5 ha−1) rate of application under the agro-ecological conditions of Faisalabad, Pakistan. Reaktionen von Canola (Brassica napus L.) auf Zeit und Menge einer Stickstoff- und Phosphoranwendung hinsichtlich des Wachstums sowie des Samen- und Olertrags Es wurde eine Felduntersuchung durchgefuhrt, um den Einfluss unterschiedlicher Mengen von N- und P-Dungern in Teilanwendungen zu unterschiedlichen Zeiten auf das Wachstum sowie den Samen- und Olertrag von Canola (Brassica napus L.) wahrend der Jahre 1995 bis 1997 zu untersuchen. Es wurden Dungermengen von F0 (0–0), F1 (60–0), F2 (0–30), F3 (60–30), F4 (90–60) und F5 (120–90) kg NP2O5/ha angewendet. P wurde zum Zeitpunkt der Aussaat ausgebracht wahrend N in aufgeteilten Gaben: Gesamtgabe zur Saat, halbe Gabe zur Saat und halbe Gabe zur ersten Bewasserung sowie halbe Galbe zur Saat und halbe Gabe zur Blute ausgebracht wurden. Die Reaktion des Wachstums, des Samenertrages und der Ertragskomponenten waren fur beide Anbauzeitraume gleich. Eine Zunahme der Dungeranwendung von F4 (90–60 kg N P2O5/ha−1) auf F5 (120–90 kg N P2O5/ha−1) erhohte den Blattflachenindex (LAI) uber die Kontrolle bzw. geringere Dungeranwendungen. Fur beide Bestande erhohte eine Anwendung von 90–60 kg N P2O5 je ha signifikant die Gesamttrockenmasse (TDM) und den Samenertrag. Der Samenertrag erhohte sich im wesentlichen als Folge einer groseren Anzahl von Schoten je Pflanze und Anzahl Samen je Schote. Der Zeitpunkt der Dungeranwendung beeinflusste nichtsignifikant den Samenertrag oder die Ertragskomponenten in beiden Anbauzeitraumen. Der Olertrag folgte grundsatzlich dem Samenertrag und nahm mit einer Zunahme der Dungeranwendung von 90–60 kg N P2O5/ha−1 zu. Das Maximum des Olgehaltes wurde bei der Kontrolle festgestellt. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass Samen- und Olertrag von Canola von F4 (90–60 kg N P2O5/ha–1) unter den agro-okologischen Bedingungen von Faisalabad, Pakistan maximiert wird.

— The biodistribution of temoporfin (tetra[m-hydroxyphenyl]chlorin, m-THPC), a recently developed photosensitizer, was investigated in BALB/c mice. The drug was administered intravenously (0.35-0.75 μmol/kg) to tumor-free mice or to mice implanted with the Colo 26 colorectal carcinoma. Blood and tissue samples were collected for up to 96 h post-dose. Drug concentrations were determined by HPLC coupled to photometric detection at 423 nm. Concentrations in blood and liver fell relatively rapidly such that blood concentrations at later time points were below the limit of detection. Tumor concentrations rose at first and then remained constant from 24 h. Temoporfin concentrations in some tissues, notably heart and skeletal muscle, declined only slowly when compared to blood. The tumor: tissue ratios for those organs that showed a more rapid decline in temoporfin concentrations were higher at later times, whereas in tissues such as muscle the ratio remained relatively constant. The organs with the highest tumor: tissue ratios were small intestine (8.6), liver (6.9) and skeletal muscle (5.0).