Interactive effects of drought, organic fertilizer, and zinc oxide nanoscale and bulk particles on wheat performance and grain nutrient accumulation.

Drought (40% field moisture capacity), organic fertilizer (O-F; 10%), and nano vs. bulk-ZnO particles (1.7 vs. 3.5 mg Zn/kg) were assessed in soil to determine their interactive effects on wheat performance and nutrient acquisition. Drought significantly reduced (6%) chlorophyll levels, whereas nano and bulk-ZnO alleviated some stress, thereby increasing (14-16%) chlorophyll levels, compared to the control. O-F increased (29%) chlorophyll levels and counteracted Zn's effect. Drought delayed (3-days) panicle emergence; O-F, nano and bulk-ZnO each accelerated (5-days) panicle emergence under drought, relative to the control and absence of O-F. Drought reduced (51%) grain yield, while O-F increased (130%) yield under drought. Grain yield was unaffected by Zn treatment under drought but increased (88%) under non-drought condition with bulk-ZnO, relative to the control. Drought lowered (43%) shoot Zn uptake. Compared to the control, nano and bulk-ZnO increased (39 and 23%, respectively) shoot Zn in the absence of O-F, whereas O-F amendment enhanced (94%) shoot Zn. Drought increased (48%) grain Zn concentration; nano and bulk-ZnO increased (29 and 18%, respectively) grain Zn, relative to the control, and O-F increased (85%) grain Zn. Zn recovery efficiency was in the order O-F > nano-ZnO > bulk-ZnO, regardless of the water status. Grain Fe concentration was unaffected by drought, under which O-F significantly reduced grain Fe, and nano-ZnO significantly reduced grain Fe, in the absence of O-F. Nano and bulk-ZnO also significantly reduced grain Fe, with O-F amendment under drought. Drought can have dire consequences for food and nutrition security, with implications for human health. This study demonstrated that drought-induced effects in food crops can be partially or wholly alleviated by ZnO particles and Zn-rich O-F. Understanding the interactions of drought and potential mitigation strategies such as fertilization with Zn-rich organic manure and ZnO can increase options for sustaining food production and quality under adverse conditions.

Quantifying nitric oxide emissions under rice-wheat cropping systems.

Urea deep placement (UDP) increases nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and crop yields while reducing nitrogen (N) losses to the environment. However, studies on its environmental impacts on nitric oxide (NO) emissions are still limited. Therefore, we conducted a greenhouse experiment to quantify the NO emissions from a rice-wheat system. NO emissions were measured from three N fertilizer treatments - control (no N), UDP, and broadcast prilled urea (PU) - using an automated gas sampling and analysis system continuously for a rice-wheat cropping cycle. In rice, UDP was tested under two water regimes - continuous flooding (CF) and alternate wetting and drying (AWD). Fertilizer treatments had significant effects (p < 0.05) on NO emissions. UDP with AWD irrigation increased NO emissions (3.41 g N ha-1) (p < 0.05) by 2.5-times compared to UDP with CF (1.35 g N ha-1). But emissions were similar between UDP and broadcast PU under the CF water regime. In wheat, the application of N fertilizer - regardless of application methods - increased NO emissions (615 g N ha-1, average across application methods) by 10-times over control (62.52 g N ha-1). However, emissions were not significantly (P > 0.05) different among the treatments. Fertilizer induced emission factors (EFs) were not affected by N placement methods in either rice or wheat. On average, EFs in the rice were very low (<0.002%) compared to the wheat (0.5%). This study reveals that (regardless of treatments), the contribution of rice (<4 g N ha-1) on total annual NO emissions (433 g N ha-1) was very small (<0.5%) compared to emissions from wheat.

Nitrous oxide and nitric oxide emissions from lowland rice cultivation with urea deep placement and alternate wetting and drying irrigation.

Urea deep placement (UDP) and the alternate wetting and drying (AWD) irrigation method are two promising rice production technologies. However, studies on the impact of UDP under AWD irrigation on nitrous oxide (N2O) and nitric oxide (NO) emissions are limited. In this study, the effects of UDP with AWD irrigation on these emissions, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), and rice yields are investigated, compared to conventional broadcast application. N2O and NO emissions from three fertilizer treatments - no nitrogen, UDP, and broadcast application of prilled urea (PU) - were measured. Measurements were taken using an automated gas sampling and analysis system continuously for two consecutive Boro (dry) rice seasons. N2O emission peaks were observed after broadcast application of PU but not after UDP. In contrast, large spikes in N2O emission were observed after UDP, compared to broadcast application, during dry periods. Despite differences in emission peaks, seasonal cumulative N2O emissions from UDP and broadcast treatments were similar. However, NO emissions were minimal and unaffected by UDP or AWD. UDP increased rice yields by 28% and N recovery efficiency by 167%, compared to broadcast urea. This study demonstrates that UDP with AWD irrigation can increase yields and NUE without increasing N2O and NO emissions.

[Anomalous origin of the right pulmonary artery from the ascending aorta associated with aortopulmonary window]. / Origen anómalo de la rama derecha de la arteria pulmonar de la aorta ascendente asociado con ventana aortopulmonar.

Anomalous origin of one pulmonary artery from the aorta is rare. We report a case of a three-month-old infant with aortopulmonary window and anomalous origin of the right pulmonary artery from the ascending aorta. He underwent surgery with anastomosis of the right pulmonary artery, ligation of the aortopulmonary window and the patent duct. He was released under medical treatment and had no signs of pulmonary hypertension or heart failure.

Variables predictoras de mortalidad en pacientes ancianos hospitalizados por insuficiencia cardiaca con fracción de eyección preservada / Predictive variables for mortality in elderly patients hospitalized due to heart failure with preserved ejection fractio

Fundamento y objetivos: La prevalencia de la insuficiencia cardiaca (IC) aumenta con la edad. Aunque la mortalidad de los enfermos ≥ 80 años con IC y fracción de eyección del ventrículo izquierdo (FEVI) preservada es muy elevada, no son bien conocidas las variables predictoras. El objetivo principal fue evaluar los factores predictores de mortalidad en este subgrupo de población anciana. Pacientes y métodos: Estudio observacional y prospectivo de pacientes hospitalizados por IC con FEVI preservada. Se evaluaron factores demográficos, clínicos, funcionales y analíticos en el momento del ingreso, con especial atención a las comorbilidades. El suceso evaluado fue la mortalidad total en el subgrupo de pacientes ≥ 80 años al año de seguimiento. Se estudiaron las variables predictoras mediante una regresión multivariante de Cox. Resultados: De un total de 218 pacientes, con una edad media (DE) de 75,6 (8,7) años, 75 pacientes (34,4%) tenían ≥ 80 años. La mortalidad en los pacientes de ≥ 80 años alcanzó el 42,7%, respecto al 26,6% para el grupo de menor edad (p < 0,001). Tras un análisis multivariante mediante regresión de Cox en los pacientes ≥ 80 años, la urea por encima de la mediana (hazard ratio [HR] 3,93; intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC 95%] 1,58-9,75; p = 0,003), la edad (HR 1,17; IC 95% 1,07-1,28; p < 0,001), la hiponatremia (HR 3,19; IC 95% 1,51-6,74; p = 0,002) y una menor puntuación en el índice de Barthel (IB) (HR 1.016; IC 95% 1.002-1.031; p = 0,034) fueron predictores independientes de mortalidad al año. Conclusiones: La urea, la edad, la hiponatremia y una menor puntuación en el IB podrían proponerse como predictores independientes de mortalidad en pacientes ≥ 80 años hospitalizados por IC con FEVI preservada (AU)

Background and objectives: The prevalence of heart failure (HF) increases with age. Even though the mortality of patients 80 years of age with HF and preserved left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) is very high, the predictor variables are not well-known. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the mortality predictor factors in this subgroup of the elderly population. Patients and methods: An observational and prospective study of patients hospitalized due to HF with preserved LVEF has been conducted. The demographic, clinical, functional and analytic factors were evaluated when the patients were admitted with special attention to the co-morbidities. The primary endpoint was the total mortality in the subgroup of patients 80 years of age after a year of follow-up. The predictor variables were studied by means of a multivariate Cox regression model. Results: From a total of 218 patients with an average age of 75.6 ( 8.7) years of age, 75 patients (34.4%) were 80 years. The mortality rate of patients 80 years of age totaled 42.7%, in relation to 26.6% for the lower age group (log-rank < .001). After a multivariate analysis using the Cox regression model in patients 80, the serum urea levels above the average (hazard ratio [HR] 3.93; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.58-9.75; P = .003), the age (HR 1.17; 95% CI 1.07-1.28; P < .001), the hyponatremia (HR 3.19; 95% CI 1.51-6.74; P = .002) and a lower score on the Barthel index (BI) (HR 1.016; 95% CI 1.002-1.031; P = .034) were independent mortality predictors after an one-year follow-up. Conclusions: Serum urea levels, age, hyponatremia and a low BI score could be proposed as independent mortality predictors in patients 80 of age hospitalized for HF with preserved LVEF (AU)

[Predictive variables for mortality in elderly patients hospitalized due to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction]. / Variables predictoras de mortalidad en pacientes ancianos hospitalizados por insuficiencia cardiaca con fracción de eyección preservada.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of heart failure (HF) increases with age. Even though the mortality of patients ≥ 80 years of age with HF and preserved left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) is very high, the predictor variables are not well-known. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the mortality predictor factors in this subgroup of the elderly population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An observational and prospective study of patients hospitalized due to HF with preserved LVEF has been conducted. The demographic, clinical, functional and analytic factors were evaluated when the patients were admitted with special attention to the co-morbidities. The primary endpoint was the total mortality in the subgroup of patients ≥ 80 years of age after a year of follow-up. The predictor variables were studied by means of a multivariate Cox regression model. RESULTS: From a total of 218 patients with an average age of 75.6 (±8.7) years of age, 75 patients (34.4%) were ≥ 80 years. The mortality rate of patients ≥ 80 years of age totaled 42.7%, in relation to 26.6% for the lower age group (log-rank<.001). After a multivariate analysis using the Cox regression model in patients ≥ 80, the serum urea levels above the average (hazard ratio [HR] 3.93; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.58-9.75; P = .003), the age (HR 1.17; 95% CI 1.07-1.28; P<.001), the hyponatremia (HR 3.19; 95% CI 1.51-6.74; P = .002) and a lower score on the Barthel index (BI) (HR 1.016; 95% CI 1.002-1.031; P = .034) were independent mortality predictors after an one-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Serum urea levels, age, hyponatremia and a low BI score could be proposed as independent mortality predictors in patients ≥ 80 of age hospitalized for HF with preserved LVEF.

[Withdrawal of chest tubes without water seal vs. negative continuous suction after closed cardiovascular surgery procedures in children]. / Retiro de la sonda de pleurostomia con succión negativa continua versus instalación de sonda con sello de agua, en cirugía cardiovascular cerrada en niños.

BACKGROUND: We undertook this study to compare the frequency and type of complications, as well as the length of hospital stay, in children who underwent closed cardiovascular surgery with chest tube drainage during the postsurgical period with children in whom the drainage was withdrawn with continuous suction, once thoracotomy was completed. METHODS: A retrospective, descriptive and analytic study was performed at the IMSS Hospital de Pediatria, located at the XXI Century National Medical Center in Mexico City. Eighty eight children who underwent closed cardiovascular surgery (Group I) without chest tubes and 42 with chest tubes (Group II) were studied. RESULTS: In Group I the frequency of complications was 27.3% and in group II 59.5%. Complications were as follows: subcutaneous emphysema was seen in 13.6% (n=12) of group I and in 45.2% (n=19) of group II (p=0.0001); pneumothorax in 13.6% (n=12) vs. 28.6% (n=12), p=0.04; and chylothorax in 2.3% (n=2) vs. 2.4% (n=1), p=1.0, respectively. The median time of hospital stay in group I was 3 days and in group II was 6 days (p=0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In children, in some closed cardiovascular surgeries, withdrawal of chest tube drainage with negative suction when thoracotomy is completed may decrease the frequency of pneumothorax, subcutaneous emphysema and length of hospital stay, in comparison with patients in whom chest tube drainage is left during the postoperative period.

Retiro de la sonda de pleurostomia con succión negativa continua versus instalación de sonda con sello de agua, en cirugía cardiovascular cerrada en niños / Withdrawal of chest tubes without water seal vs. negative continuous suction after closed cardiovascular surgery procedures in children

Objetivo: identificar la frecuencia y tipo de complicaciones, así como tiempo de estancia hospitalaria, en niños con cirugía cardiovascular a quienes se les dejó sonda de pleurostomía con sello de agua en el posoperatorio y a quienes se les retiró bajo succión continua al término de la toracotomía. Material y métodos: se realizó estudio descriptivo, comparativo y retrospectivo en el Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI. Se estudiaron 88 niños sin sonda (grupo I) y 42 con sonda de pleurostomía (grupo II), sometidos a cirugía cardiovascular cerrada. Resultados: la frecuencia de complicaciones fue de 27.3 y 59.5 % en los grupos I y II. El enfisema subcutáneo tuvo una frecuencia de 13.6 % en el grupo I y de 45.2 % en el II (p = 0.0001); el neumotórax de 13.6 versus 28.6 % (p = 0.04) y el quilotórax de 2.3 versus 2.4 % (p = 1.0). La mediana del tiempo de estancia hospitalaria fue de tres y seis días en los grupos I y II, respectivamente (p = 0.0001). Conclusiones: en algunos tipos de cirugía cardiovascular cerrada en niños, el retiro de la sonda al término de la pleurostomía previa succión negativa continua, puede disminuir la frecuencia de neumotórax y enfisema subcutáneo y la estancia intrahospitalaria, en comparación cuando se deja la sonda con sello de agua en el posoperatorio.

BACKGROUND: We undertook this study to compare the frequency and type of complications, as well as the length of hospital stay, in children who underwent closed cardiovascular surgery with chest tube drainage during the postsurgical period with children in whom the drainage was withdrawn with continuous suction, once thoracotomy was completed. METHODS: A retrospective, descriptive and analytic study was performed at the IMSS Hospital de Pediatria, located at the XXI Century National Medical Center in Mexico City. Eighty eight children who underwent closed cardiovascular surgery (Group I) without chest tubes and 42 with chest tubes (Group II) were studied. RESULTS: In Group I the frequency of complications was 27.3% and in group II 59.5%. Complications were as follows: subcutaneous emphysema was seen in 13.6% (n=12) of group I and in 45.2% (n=19) of group II (p=0.0001); pneumothorax in 13.6% (n=12) vs. 28.6% (n=12), p=0.04; and chylothorax in 2.3% (n=2) vs. 2.4% (n=1), p=1.0, respectively. The median time of hospital stay in group I was 3 days and in group II was 6 days (p=0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In children, in some closed cardiovascular surgeries, withdrawal of chest tube drainage with negative suction when thoracotomy is completed may decrease the frequency of pneumothorax, subcutaneous emphysema and length of hospital stay, in comparison with patients in whom chest tube drainage is left during the postoperative period.