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Carbon and nitrogen compounds in agroecosystems have attracted much attention in recent years due to their key roles in crop production and their impacts on environment quality and/or climate change. Since fertilization profoundly disrupted the C and N cycles, several mitigation and/or adaptation strategies, including the application of farmyard manure (FYM) and/or urease and nitrification inhibitors (UI and NI), have been developed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the contents of soil organic carbon and its fractions, the total and mineral forms of nitrogen, as well as CO2 and N2O emissions under mineral and organic fertilization with and without urease and nitrification inhibitors in a maize agroecosystem. A two-year field study was carried out on Cambisols (silt) in Poland. The experiment scheme included nine treatments: C (the control without fertilization), UAN (Urea Ammonium Nitrate), UAN+UI, UAN+NI, UAN+UI+NI, FYM with N mineral fertilizer base, FYM with N mineral fertilizer base+UI, FYM with N mineral fertilizer base+NI, and FYM with N mineral fertilizer base+UI+NI. It was found that treatments fertilized with cattle FYM were higher sinks and sources of C and N compounds in comparison to the UAN plots. The organic carbon, humic and humin acid, and total nitrogen concentrations, in contrast to ammonium and nitrate nitrogen, were not affected by the inhibitors added. Nitrification and urease inhibitors were effective in decreasing N2O emissions only in treatments that were exclusively applied with UAN and had no significant influence on CO2 emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To prepare a set of statements for randomised clinical trials (RCT) integrity through an international multi‐stakeholder consensus. Methods: The consensus was developed via: multi‐country multidisciplinary stakeholder group composition and engagement; evidence synthesis of 55 systematic reviews concerning RCT integrity; anonymised two‐round modified Delphi survey with consensus threshold based on the average percentage of majority opinions; and, a final consensus development meeting. Prospective registrations: (https://osf.io/bhncy, https://osf.io/3ursn). Results: There were 30 stakeholders representing 15 countries from five continents including triallists, ethicists, methodologists, statisticians, consumer representatives, industry representatives, systematic reviewers, funding body panel members, regulatory experts, authors, journal editors, peer‐reviewers and advisors for resolving integrity concerns. Delphi survey response rate was 86.7% (26/30 stakeholders). There were 111 statements (73 stakeholder‐provided, 46 systematic review‐generated, 8 supported by both) in the initial long list, with eight additional statements provided during the consensus rounds. Through consensus the final set consolidated 81 statements (49 stakeholder‐provided, 41 systematic review‐generated, 9 supported by both). The entire RCT life cycle was covered by the set of statements including general aspects (n = 6), design and approval (n = 11), conduct and monitoring (n = 19), reporting of protocols and findings (n = 20), post‐publication concerns (n = 12), and future research and development (n = 13). Conclusion: Implementation of this multi‐stakeholder consensus statement is expected to enhance RCT integrity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed the possibility of using iodine-containing fertilizers for agronomic biofortification of rye biomass used as fodder for cows, and establish the best application method and form and the optimal dose of iodine (I) under field conditions. The impact of iodine fertilization on grain iodine content was not studied. Results showed that agronomic biofortification of rye plants with iodine, influenced by its dose, form, and method of application was highly effective in increasing I shoot contents. Plant I-enrichment via foliar and soil application significantly affected I concentration in plant biomass even at a low dose (2.5 kg ha−1). Soil I application as KI appeared optimal for rye plants used as fodder for cows, especially cropped under the soil with a neutral reaction. Iodine application improved the biological quality of rye plants by increasing concentrations of sugar, chlorophylls, and at a low rate, protein and total antioxidant capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Teaching of evidence-based medicine (EBM) has become widespread in medical education. Teaching the teachers (TTT) courses address the increased teaching demand and the need to improve effectiveness of EBM teaching. We conducted a systematic review of assessment tools for EBM TTT courses. To summarise and appraise existing assessment methods for teaching the teachers courses in EBM by a systematic review. Methods We searched PubMed, BioMed, EmBase, Cochrane and Eric databases without language restrictions and included articles that assessed its participants. Study selection and data extraction were conducted independently by two reviewers. Results Of 1230 potentially relevant studies, five papers met the selection criteria. There were no specific assessment tools for evaluating effectiveness of EBM TTT courses. Some of the material available might be useful in initiating the development of such an assessment tool. Conclusion There is a need for the development of educationally sound assessment tools for teaching the teachers courses in EBM, without which it would be impossible to ascertain if such courses have the desired effect.

Abstract Background Evidence based medicine (EBM) is considered an integral part of medical training, but integration of teaching various EBM steps in everyday clinical practice is uncommon. Currently EBM is predominantly taught through theoretical courses, workshops and e-learning. However, clinical teachers lack confidence in teaching EBM in workplace and are often unsure of the existing opportunities for teaching EBM in the clinical setting. There is a need for continuing professional development (CPD) courses that train clinical trainers to teach EBM through on-the-job training by demonstration of applied EBM real time in clinical practice. We developed such a course to encourage clinically relevant teaching of EBM in post-graduate education in various clinical environments. Methods We devised an e-learning course targeting trainers with EBM knowledge to impart educational methods needed to teach application of EBM teaching in commonly used clinical settings. The curriculum development group comprised experienced EBM teachers, clinical epidemiologists, clinicians and educationalists from institutions in seven European countries. The e-learning sessions were designed to allow participants (teachers) to undertake the course in the workplace during short breaks within clinical activities. An independent European steering committee provided input into the process. Results The curriculum defined specific learning objectives for teaching EBM by exploiting educational opportunities in six different clinical settings. The e-modules incorporated video clips that demonstrate practical and effective methods of EBM teaching in everyday clinical practice. The course encouraged focussed teaching activities embedded within a trainer's personal learning plan and documentation in a CPD portfolio for reflection. Conclusion This curriculum will help senior clinicians to identify and make the best use of available opportunities in everyday practice in clinical situations to teach various steps of EBM and demonstrate their applicability to clinical practice. Once fully implemented, the ultimate outcome of this pilot project will be a European qualification in teaching EBM, which will be used by doctors, hospitals, professional bodies responsible for postgraduate qualifications and continuing medical education.

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A letter to the editor is presented discussing about improving the quality of teachers involved in teaching evidence-based medicine and includes an assessment of the various courses involved.

When generating guidelines, quality of evidence is frequently reported in tabulated form capturing several domains, for example, study design, risk of bias and heterogeneity. Increasingly, this is done using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. As assimilating large amount of tabulated data across several comparisons and outcomes spread over many pages (sometimes hundreds) is not easy, there is a need to present evidence summaries in a more effective way. A graphic display plotting the several domains used in evidence grading on equiangular spokes starting from the same point, the data length of each spoke proportional to the magnitude of the quality, succinctly captures tabulated information. These plots allow easy identification of deficiencies, outliers and similarities in evidence quality for individual and multiple comparisons and outcomes, paving the way for their routine use alongside tabulated information.

In this paper different operational techniques and results of hallux valgus treatment, using Kramer's and Keller's methods, are presented. The study was performed in 36 patients (35 women and 1 man, average age 43) in which 66 feet were operated by Kramer's method and 16 women (average age 53) with 28 feet were operated based on Keller's method. Radiological examination (intermetatarsal angle and valgity angle HVA before and after surgery) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) were used to evaluate both methods. Better radiological results were achieved in case of patients treated with Kramer's method. After surgery treatment the patient's average HVA angle was 18,1 degrees and average intermetatarsal angle was 11.9 degrees. After surgery treatment with Keller's method, the average HVA angle was 24.0 degrees and average intermetatarsal angle was 13.4 degrees. Radiological results correlates with VAS scale evaluation. The patients rated Kramer's method treatment on 9.4 out of 10 and Keller's method treatment - 8.1 out of 10.

The goal of the study was to analyse the results of 16 open Bankart reconstructions performed with Mitek GII anchors in recurrent anterior shoulder instability. Assessment of results was based on Constant and Rowe scales. Mean result in Constant scale was 93.82 and in Rowe scale 85.9 points. No instability was found after the operation in this group. Open Bankart procedure with Mitek GII anchors is effective in treatment of recurrent anterior shoulder instability while shoulder arthroscopy is very a useful preemptive diagnostic procedure.