To explore longitudinal trajectories of health literacy and identify the associated factors throughout nursing education. A prospective longitudinal design with a four-year follow-up. The present study was performed at a state university's nursing department in the capital city of Türkiye. The population consisted of 240 nursing students who studied in the selected faculty between 2015 and 2019. Overall, 191 nursing students were included in the final analysis (n = 191). The data were collected via a questionnaire and the Adult Health Literacy Scale. The first follow-up was performed between September and December 2015. The other three follow-ups were applied 12 months after each participant's enrollment date, every year from September to December. The data were analysed via the IBM SPSS 25.0 program. Descriptive statistics, Repeated Measures ANOVA, and Linear Mixed Model were used to present the data. The mean age was 18.49 ± 0.99, and 86.4% were women. Of the students, 50.8% lived in an urban area, 97.9% were internet users, 38.7% had visual impairment, and 38.2% had glasses. A statistically significant difference existed between the health literacy mean scores over time. Nursing students' health literacy levels decreased among rural area residents and increased among students who had no vision problems and were internet users. This study suggests that the health literacy levels of nursing students increased during the education period. Internet use, place of residence, and having a visual problem affected the alterations in health literacy levels over time. Findings can be a valuable resource for nurse educators and faculty managers to produce effective strategies to increase the health literacy level of prospective nurses. It was not appropriate or possible to involve patients or the public in the design, conduct, reporting, or dissemination plans of our research.
Translating global climate targets into national decarbonization roadmaps is profoundly uncertain. To navigate this uncertainty for China, we employ a national-scale energy system model developed in the MESSAGEix framework─calibrated to China's energy balances─that uniquely combines provincial-level resolution for key sectors with a high-granularity representation of intra-annual (48 time slices) power system dynamics. Across three temperature targets (1.5, 1.6, 2.0 °C) and six allocation principles, our analysis reveals that wind and solar consistently emerge as "no-regret" pillars, CCS is essential for heavy-industry abatement, and hydrogen's sourcing shifts with budget stringency. A critical systemic codependency exists across scenarios with stringent emissions constraints: the power sector must transform into a net carbon sink to enable the decarbonization of heavy industry, creating stark path dependencies across technology choices. The 1.6 °C pathway under the Grandfathering principle presents a pragmatic alignment with China's 2060 neutrality pledge and offers a detailed blueprint for this transition. Our provincial-level analysis distinguishes high-stakes decisions from robust "no-regret" investments, offering a framework to guide China's journey to carbon neutrality.
Xenorhabdus nematophila produces a wealth of specialized metabolites with promising agricultural and medical applications, among which Xenocoumacin 1 (Xcn1) is a key antifungal secondary metabolite. The transcriptional regulatory mechanisms governing Xcn1 biosynthesis, however, remain incompletely characterized, particularly the direct regulatory links between the two-component system response regulator CpxR and the LysR-type transcriptional regulator LrhA. Here, we combined in vitro protein-DNA binding assays, mutant construction, and transcriptomic analysis to dissect the coordinated regulatory roles of CpxR and LrhA in X. nematophila YL001. Recombinant LrhA and CpxR were heterologously expressed and purified; electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrated that LrhA directly binds to the promoters of xcnA, lrhA, leuO, and ompR, whereas CpxR targets the promoters of xcnA, lrhA, and opnP. Notably, the position of His-tag modification critically impacts LrhA's DNA-binding activity-C-terminal tagging abrogated binding capacity, while N-terminal tagging preserved it. Deletion mutants were constructed via homologous recombination, and RNA sequencing coupled with bioinformatics analysis revealed that LrhA and CpxR exert opposing regulatory effects on overlapping core pathways: LrhA positively regulates flagellar assembly and bacterial chemotaxis, whereas CpxR negatively modulates these processes. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses further uncovered distinct regulatory roles of the two regulators in carbohydrate transport and amino acid metabolism. Collectively, our findings establish that CpxR directly activates lrhA transcription, and LrhA directly represses xcnA expression, forming a regulatory cascade that fine-tunes Xcn1 biosynthesis. This study elucidates the sophisticated transcriptional regulatory network mediated by CpxR and LrhA in X. nematophila, providing a theoretical basis for exploiting this bacterium and its bioactive metabolites for biotechnological applications.
Enteral nutrition (EN) is essential for Inflammatory Bowel Disease treatment. This applies mainly to Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. The study evaluated the impact of EN treatment on clinical, nutritional, inflammatory, and quality of life outcomes in IBD patients. This study aimed to examine the association between EN therapy's clinical, nutritional, inflammatory, and Quality of Life (QoL) effects on Inflammatory Bowel Disease patients. A retrospective study investigated 750 Chinese IBD patients. These patients had 400 CD and 350 UC diagnoses. Medical records provided data. EN formula, administration, calorie density, and duration were studied along with disease activity, nutritional markers including hemoglobin, albumin, and body mass index, and inflammatory indices like erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Validated IBDQ measures quality of life. Clinical remission was defined as a Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI) score < 150 for CD patients and a Mayo score ≤ 2 (with no individual subscore > 1) for UC patients, assessed after completion of EN therapy. Chi-square and t-tests were used for statistical analysis, with a significance level of p < 0.05. Baseline characteristics of 750 patients are comparable between groups. Elemental and semi-elemental formulas were more frequently prescribed in CD patients and were associated with higher caloric and protein intake (p < 0.05). Approximately 60% of patients achieved clinical remission after 6 ± 2 weeks of EN therapy (62.5% CD vs. 57.1% UC). Improvements in BMI, albumin, hemoglobin, and CRP were observed in patients receiving EN, along with increased IBDQ scores. Adverse effects were minor (8%). Full adherence (OR = 2.15, p < 0.001) and longer EN duration (>6 weeks) were independently associated with higher odds of remission and QoL improvement. EN therapy corresponded with clinical remission, improved nutritional markers, and reduced inflammation in IBD patients, particularly those with CD. These findings support the potential role of EN as a complementary strategy in IBD management; however, prospective randomized trials are further confirming these associations and standardize therapeutic protocols.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are essential for evaluating project success and establishing control mechanisms to monitor development, performance, and user acceptance of services in joint projects. However, the absence of standardized frameworks and effective monitoring tools, combined with service providers' reluctance due to fears of comparability, has limited their adoption in scientific contexts. To address this gap, we developed Scorpion, a flexible tool for KPI monitoring in project management. Scorpion enables service providers to retain control over their metrics while supporting centralized reporting. It offers both web-based and programmatic access, with features for KPI submission, visualization, and user and service management. Initially created for bioinformatics and biodiversity projects, Scorpion is applicable across diverse domains. It is particularly valuable for initiatives like the German National Research Data Infrastructure (NFDI), where funding agencies require KPI reporting for evaluation. We present the Scorpion framework, highlighting its design principles, features, and potential to improve project management practices. Use cases illustrate how Scorpion enhances KPI monitoring efficiency and accuracy, contributing to better impact evaluation, quality assurance, and informed decision-making in project and service management.
The COVID-19 pandemic led to major disruptions in healthcare services, resulting in increased pain and co-occurring mental health issues among youth with chronic pain. However, heterogeneity in these symptoms has not been explored, overlooking the possibility of distinct subgroups. This study aimed to: (1) identify latent profiles of youth based on pain and mental health symptoms; and (2) examine whether sociodemographic and pandemic-related factors were associated with profile membership. A cross-sectional study of 357 youth aged 8-18 years with chronic pain was conducted during the first three waves of the COVID-19 pandemic (August 2020-April 2021) in Canada. Data on pain, mental health (anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, insomnia), and COVID-19 impact were collected using validated questionnaires, alongside self-reported age, sex, and ethnic identity. Latent profile analysis was used to identify unobserved subgroups based on pain and mental health symptoms, and the optimal model was selected based on statistical fit and clinical interpretability. Multinomial logistic regression examined associations between profile membership and covariates. Five distinct subgroups of youth with chronic pain based on co-occurring mental health symptoms were found. The largest group (42.2%) reported sub-clinical mental health symptoms with the lowest pain, while 12.5% fell into a "sub-clinical mental health symptoms/high pain" group. About one-third (34.6%) were in a "moderate mental health symptoms/moderate pain" profile. Two smaller but clinically concerning groups emerged: "high mental health symptoms/high pain without clinical PTSD" (6.6%) and "high mental health symptoms/high pain" (4.1%). Multinomial logistic regression showed that older youth, female youth and higher perceived COVID-19 impact were associated with membership in nearly all elevated mental health symptom/pain profiles. Youth with chronic pain showed heterogeneous experiences of mental health during the first three pandemic waves, shaped by sociodemographic and contextual factors. Findings underscore the need for person-centered approaches to pain management, particularly in periods of acute stress, that address both individual vulnerabilities and broader contextual stressors.
This study evaluated the effectiveness of a one-year smoking cessation intervention for people with severe mental illness compared with treatment as usual (TAU) in outpatient mental healthcare. The KISMET study is a pragmatic cluster-randomized controlled trial conducted in 21 outpatient mental healthcare teams in the Netherlands. Eleven teams delivered the KISMET intervention comprising cognitive-behavioral and peer support, combined with optional pharmacological reatment. Ten teams participated in the TAU condition. We collected data between October 2022 and July 2024. The primary outcome was self-reported smoking cessation at 12 months, verified through exhaled carbon monoxide levels below 10 parts per million. Secondary outcomes included depression and anxiety (HADS), severity of psychotic symptoms (PANSS-6), quality of life (SF-12), disease self-management (PAM-13), lipid profile, blood pressure, body mass index, glucose level, and physical fitness. Crude and adjusted linear and multivariable logistic regression and mixed model analyses were performed. Eighty-nine participants were included in the KISMET intervention and 44 in TAU. Smoking cessation rates were significantly higher in the KISMET group at 3 months (OR 12.1, 95% CI 1.4 to 103.7) and at 12 months (OR 4.2, 95% CI 1.0 to 17.2) but not at 6 months (OR 1.9, 95% CI 0.5 to 6.9). No significant differences between groups were found for secondary outcomes. Dropout rates were 58% in the intervention and 32% in the TAU group. The KISMET intervention shows potential without signs of physical or psychopathological complications. However, results must be interpreted with the high dropout rates in mind.
To examine whether different caregiving arrangements influence hospitalization risk and frequency among older adults with functional limitations. This longitudinal study used linear probability and Poisson regression models with individual and wave fixed effects, lagged predictors, and household-clustered standard errors to assess associations between different caregiving arrangements and hospitalization outcomes among community-dwelling older adults in the United States. Caregiving was categorized as no help, family help, formal help, or combined help. Outcomes included any hospitalization and the number of hospital stays over a two-year period. Data came from eight waves of the Health and Retirement Study (2004-2018). The samples included adults aged 65 and older who reported difficulty with at least one activity of daily living and participated in at least two survey waves. The final analytic sample comprised 2926 individuals contributing 5595 person-wave observations. While the overall hospitalization risk did not differ significantly by caregiving type, receiving combined support was associated with a reduced number of hospital stays among those hospitalized (IRR = 0.712, p < 0.01), compared to receiving no support. Cognitive functioning modified these relationships, with formal help linked to fewer hospitalizations among those with impairment but more among those without. Differences also emerged across racial and ethnic groups, where formal help was linked to lower hospitalization rates for Black individuals, and combined help was associated with increased hospitalizations among Hispanic older adults. Policies that expand access to both formal and family caregiving support may help reduce hospitalizations among older adults with functional limitations, particularly when tailored to care recipient characteristics.
Hypoglycemia is a common metabolic problem in newborns, often asymptomatic but can lead to cognitive impairment and neuromotor delays. This study assesses the practicality and accuracy of whole blood capillary bedside glucose measurements using a point-of-care (POC) glucometer compared to serum glucose levels obtained via laboratory methods. The objective of this article was to evaluate the reliability of POC glucose levels in the NICU and compare them with central laboratory glucose measurements. A retrospective cross-sectional comparative study was conducted on 108 newborns admitted to the NICU at the Health Science Center, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, between September 2022 and August 2024. Hypoglycemic POC glucose results from the Nova Stat Strip glucose meter were compared to confirmatory central laboratory serum glucose results produced on the Roche cobas c501 analyzer. A significant correlation was observed between serum glucose levels and glucometer readings, with a correlation coefficient of 0.825. Regression analyses showed a slope of 1.223 (Deming) and 1.200 (Passing-Bablok), with intercepts of -0.75 and -0.70, respectively. Accurate blood glucose measurement is critical for early detection and management of neonatal hypoglycemia. Given the reliability of current glucometers and their close correlation to serum samples, this study questions the need for confirmatory serum samples in the presence of bedside hypoglycemic results.
Coexistence of interstitial lung disease (ILD), particularly idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and lung cancer poses major diagnostic and therapeutic challenges, yet clinical management remains heterogeneous. The project aims to describe current Italian practices for integrated management of ILD with concomitant lung cancer.  Methods: ICARO (Interstiziopatia e Cancro del polmone: AppRoccio al management clinico integratO) is a national cross-sectional clinician survey conducted in Italy on behalf of the Italian Respiratory Society from  November 2024 to March 2025. A 12-item multiple-choice questionnaire assessed diagnostic strategies, treatment preferences, and perceived toxicity risks. Invitations were sent to X physicians, among which 38 ansewered (35 specialists and senior 3 registrars (age range: 28-68 years).  Results: An ILD multidisciplinary team was available in 26/38 (71.1%) centres. Diagnostic procedures for lung cancer in ILD patients were reported as performed "always/often" by 14/38 (36.8%), with the main concern being ILD progression after procedures (31/38 - 81.6%). Most respondents continued antifibrotic therapy during systemic cancer treatment (28/38- 73.7%). Combined chemotherapy plus immune checkpoint inhibitors was perceived as the highest-risk regimen by 19/38 physicians (50%), and 20/38 (52.6%) were hesitant to offer neoadjuvant immunotherapy in stage II-IIIa NSCLC. Severe toxicity from radiotherapy was reported as frequent by 8/38 (21.1%).  Conclusions: Italian clinicians report substantial variability in diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for lung cancer in ILDs, driven mainly by concern for ILD progression and treatment-related pulmonary toxicity. Although limited, this study unveils an urgent need for further prospective studies to better define the safety and efficacy of combined therapeutic approaches and to establish evidence-based guidelines to support clinical decision-making.
Psoriasis vulgaris is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disease with substantial clinical, psychosocial, and public health impact. Despite advances in therapeutic options, disease management continues to rely predominantly on clinical assessment, which remains limited in its ability to detect early disease, quantify subclinical inflammation, monitor disease progression, and anticipate long-term outcomes. These limitations are further compounded by marked interindividual heterogeneity in disease course, systemic inflammatory burden, comorbidity risk, and treatment response. Although a growing body of research has identified numerous candidate biomarkers related to genetic susceptibility, epidermal pathology, immune activation, and systemic inflammation, their clinical relevance and integration into routine practice remain unclear. A comprehensive synthesis that bridges molecular biomarkers with clinically meaningful applications is therefore needed. This review critically examines the current landscape of biomarkers in psoriasis vulgaris and explores their potential roles in diagnosis, assessment of disease progression, and prediction of therapeutic response. This review discusses genetic biomarkers associated with disease susceptibility and immune pathway regulation, tissue- associated biomarkers reflecting epidermal dysfunction and local inflammatory activity, and soluble biomarkers indicative of systemic inflammation and metabolic dysregulation. By organizing existing evidence across these biomarker domains, this review seeks to highlight conceptual frameworks, unresolved challenges, and future directions for biomarker-informed psoriasis management.
Treatment adherence among geriatric population remains a challenge due to multimorbidity, polypharmacy, and communication barriers. Although patient experience and satisfaction are major predictors of treatment adherence, the mediating pathways involving communication and perceived outcome quality, patients' perceptions of the effectiveness of treatment, including symptom relief, functional improvement, and overall quality of life, have not been explored, particularly in healthcare systems of developing countries. This study aimed to examine the effects of patient experience and satisfaction on treatment adherence, with service communication and perceived outcome quality serving as mediating variables. A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Geriatric Outpatient Clinic of RSUPN Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital between June and September 2025. A total of 221 geriatric patients aged ≥60 years completed validated questionnaires on five constructs using six-point Likert scales. Data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling, with model validity and reliability confirmed through average variance extracted, composite reliability, and variance inflation factor indicators. Patient experience (β=0.260, p < 0.001) and satisfaction (β=0.158, p < 0.001) significantly improved adherence. Service communication (β=0.352, p < 0.001) and outcome quality (β=0.249, p < 0.001) partially mediated these effects, explaining 74% of adherence variance (R2 = 0.740). Communication showed stronger mediation, underscoring the importance of empathy, clarity, responsiveness, and shared decision-making in fostering adherence. Enhancing patient experience and satisfaction through effective communication, collaborative care, and perceived positive outcomes may strengthen adherence and optimize service quality in geriatrics, particularly in resource-limited health systems.
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health problem in Indonesia, and strengthening active case finding (ACF) is essential to improve early detection and interrupt transmission in high-burden settings. This study aimed to analyze the implementation of TB ACF at Depok II Primary Health Center, Sleman, Indonesia, using the Donabedian framework consisting of input, process and output components, with a focus on implementation processes, challenges, and strategies from a health promotion perspective. A qualitative case study design was employed. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, field observations, and document reviews involving 14 informants, including primary health center staff, district health office representatives, community health cadres, TB patients, a community leader, and a representative from a non-governmental organization. Data were analyzed thematically using the Miles and Huberman framework with support from NVivo version 12. The findings showed that the input component was generally well established, supported by policy commitment, multidisciplinary human resources, adequate basic logistics, program financing, and strong multisectoral partnerships, although challenges remained in village-level budget execution, limited cadre incentives, and dependence on external diagnostic services such as mobile chest X-ray. The process component was generally effective, characterized by structured service delivery, adaptive outreach strategies, strong health education, and patient-centered implementation. However, variation in community responsiveness, internalized stigma, and referral delays remained important barriers. The outcome component was reflected not only in case detection, but also in improved community awareness, acceptance of diagnosis, treatment adherence, and recognition of TB symptoms. Overall, TB ACF at Depok II Primary Health Center was generally effective and supported by strong system readiness and community engagement; however, its sustainability requires strengthened financing, referral access, and health promotion capacity to address remaining operational, behavioral, and social challenges.
Many nitrogen-fixing bacteria (NFB) can synthesize siderophores. However, the contribution of NFB siderophore synthesis to plant growth has not been evaluated, and its impact on NFB's antifungal activity remains unclear. The type of siderophore synthesized by the nitrogen-fixing bacterium (NFB) Kosakonia radicincitans GXGL-4A was determined. The effects of NFB siderophore production on plant growth were examined by inoculating cucumber with GXGL-4A and the mutant ΔguaA (which does not produce siderophores). The antifungal activities of NFB cell-free fermentation broth on the mycelial growth of Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium proliferatum, Rhizoctonia solani, and Botrytis cinerea were evaluated. Recovery of the siderophore synthesis ability of ΔguaA upon the addition of exogenous guanylate was measured. The strain GXGL-4A produces carboxylate-type siderophores. The antifungal ability of ΔguaA was significantly reduced compared to that of GXGL-4A (P < 0.05). Compared with the group without NFB inoculation, GXGL-4A treatment significantly increased cucumber seedling height and plant dry weight (P < 0.05), but had no significant effect on root length and root dry weight (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in seedling height between the experimental groups (P > 0.05). The siderophore production capability of ΔguaA could be partially restored via the addition of 2% (w/v) guanosine monophosphate to LB medium. NFB inoculation maintained a relatively stable, weakly alkaline rhizosphere (7.35-7.71), whereas the pH of the control group fluctuated more significantly (7.49-6.45). On the 3rd day after inoculation, the rhizosphere electrical conductivity of the ΔguaA treatment group (1,461 μs/cm) was significantly lower than that of the GXGL-4A treatment group (1,707 μs/cm) and the control group (2,973 μs/cm, P < 0.001). Compared with the GXGL-4A treatment group, the leaf chlorophyll content of the ΔguaA treatment group was significantly decreased on the 9th day after inoculation (P < 0.05), whereas there were no significant differences in root activity, soil dehydrogenase activity, and alkaline protease activity (P > 0.05). The loss of siderophore synthesis ability in NFB leads to a significant decrease in their ability to promote plant growth and their own antifungal capacity. By utilizing NFB with high siderophore production capability, it is expected to play a greater role in sustainable agricultural production.
Bacteriophages (phages) are abundant and ecologically significant, yet their diversity and roles in plant-associated ecosystems remain poorly understood, limiting their application in sustainable disease management. To address this gap, we characterized 15 phages infecting Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni, the causal agent of bacterial spot on peach, has been isolated for over four decades from North Carolina orchards. Comparative genomic and phylogenetic analyses revealed two temporally distinct clades with >95% nucleotide identity and 63 conserved core genes, forming a new genus and species, Duraznoxanthovirus arenicola. These findings challenge assumptions of pervasive genomic mosaicism, highlighting remarkable genomic stability alongside localized variability in accessory loci. Beyond genus-level characterization, our analyses support a broader taxonomic restructuring within the family Anamaviridae, introducing a new subfamily (Terravirinae) and two new genera (Duraznoxanthovirus and Ralstopathovirus). This work provides the a family-level framework for phages exclusively infecting plant-associated bacteria, offering evolutionary insights and a foundation for ecological studies and management strategies.
Depression in cancer patients is a common condition that poses significant challenges for prognosis, treatment adherence, and quality of life. Its onset reflects the interplay of diverse biological, psychological, and social factors, which has been the focus of numerous studies. We identified both systematic and non-systematic reviews examining cross-sectional or prospective studies reporting associations between DAFs and depression. We extracted data relative to DAFs, as well as the direction and statistical significance of the reported association. Consistency of findings was assessed by estimating the proportion of concordant studies (PCS) for each DAF. Methodological quality and risk of bias were assessed using a standardized tool. We identified 73 reviews (26 systematic and/or meta-analyses, 47 narrative) encompassing 514 unique primary studies, reporting the associations between depression and 198 distinct DAFs. DAFs were grouped into six domains (sociodemographic, cancer-related, somatic, psychological, biological-genetic, and other). The strongest associations (PCS ≥ 75% and ≥5 studies) were observed for sociodemographic factors (e.g., high social support, being unmarried), inflammatory markers (IL-6, TNF-α, CRP), psychological factors (e.g., history of depression, distress, anxiety), and somatic factors (e.g., fatigue, low functional status, malnutrition). When restricting analyses to prospective studies, consistent associations emerged for cancer-related physical symptoms and time dedicated to patient communication. Depression in cancer is multifactorial, with physical and psychosocial factors likely iteracting dynamically. Prospective studies are still greatly needed. Further research on risk and protective factors may facilitate risk stratification, early diagnosis and patient management.
Biological AI tools for protein design and structure prediction are advancing rapidly, creating dual-use risks that existing safeguards cannot adequately address. Current model-level restrictions, including keyword filtering, output screening, and content-based access denials, are fundamentally ill-suited to biology, where reliable function prediction remains beyond reach and novel threats evade detection by design. Because the full spectrum of risks cannot be managed by any single actor, effective oversight requires shared responsibility between research institutions and model hosts. Hence, we propose a three-tier Know Your Customer (KYC) framework, inspired by anti-money laundering (AML) practices in the financial sector, that augments existing approaches, supplementing content inspection with complementary layers of user verification and monitoring. Tier I leverages research institutions as trust anchors to vouch for affiliated researchers and assume responsibility for vetting. Tier II applies output screening through sequence homology searches and functional annotation. Tier III monitors behavioral patterns to detect anomalies inconsistent with declared research purposes. This layered approach preserves access for legitimate researchers while raising the cost of misuse through institutional accountability and traceability. The framework can be implemented immediately using existing institutional infrastructure, requiring no new legislation or regulatory mandates.
Reverse bony Bankart lesions are a rare cause of posterior shoulder instability following traumatic dislocation. Optimal management remains controversial, especially in cases with significant glenoid bone loss. Arthroscopic fixation offers a minimally invasive alternative to open procedures. A 50-year-old male presented with pain and instability of the right shoulder following a road traffic accident. Imaging revealed an acute reverse bony Bankart lesion involving approximately 38% of the glenoid surface. The patient was managed with arthroscopic reduction and internal fixation using cannulated cancellous screws. Post-operative rehabilitation was initiated early, with gradual restoration of range of motion and strengthening. Arthroscopic fixation of reverse bony Bankart lesions is a safe and effective technique in acute cases with moderate bone loss, providing stable fixation, restoration of joint congruity, and good functional outcomes while avoiding the morbidity of open surgery.
The inclusion of plant-parasitic nematode (Meloidogyne species) non-host crops in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) -based cropping systems can sustainably manage the pest and reduce the application of greenhouse gas-emitting agro-chemicals. Nevertheless, there exists a research gap on how these cropping systems interact with soil microbiome. A 2-year field study was conducted at the University of Limpopo and the Agricultural Research Council to investigate the effects of potato monoculture, Cucumis africanus-potato, sorghum-potato and potato (Velum)-potato cropping sequences on soil health and tuber yield. The treatment crops, namely, sweet stem sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) cv. 'Ndendane-X1', C. africanus, potato cv. 'Mondial G3' and potato cv. 'Mondial G3'-velum (control), were assigned to 4 m2 subplots in Sequence 1, in a randomized complete block design, with six replicates. The successor potato crop was planted in Sequence 2. Crop arrangement in Sequences 3 and 4 was as in Sequences 1 and 2, respectively. Soil organic carbon content, enzyme activity, nematode and bacterial functional diversity data were collected from Sequences 1 to 4. Final potato tuber yield was recorded in Sequence 4. Based on the results, nematode indices revealed disturbed agroecosystems dominated with bacterial decomposition pathways, which is a common occurrence in intensively managed soils. High soil organic carbon content, microbial diversity and enzyme activity were observed in sorghum-potato and C. africanus-potato compared to potato monoculture (with or without velum), at both locations. In addition, sorghum-potato improved soil structure over time based on the nematode faunal results, thereby depicting its ability to promote soil health compared to other cropping systems. Tuber yield mass significantly varied (p ≤ 0.05) among cropping sequences at both locations with potato (Velum)-potato and C. africanus-potato sequences recording higher yields than potato monoculture or sorghum-potato. Crop diversification increased soil organic carbon content, microbial diversity and enzyme activity. Overall, sorghum-potato effectively improved soil health and soil structure over time, better than the other cropping systems.
Black soils in Northeast China are among the most fertile globally, but have experienced significant degradation due to long-term intensive use of chemical fertilizers. Although organic amendments such as biogas slurry are considered promising alternatives, their effects on black soils in this region remain underexplored. In this study, a controlled pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of biogas slurry on soil health, soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), soil acidification, and soybean yield. In our study, biogas slurry was derived from cow dung. Four treatments were applied: no fertilizer (CK), chemical fertilizer (N), biogas slurry (BS), and mixed fertilizer (BS + N). Our study revealed that fertilizer application showed a significant (P < 0.05) impact on soil organic carbon (SOC) and total phosphorus (TP). The highest SOC (8.97 g/kg) and TN (1.30 g/kg) were observed under BS treatment. The soil pH was significantly (P < 0.05) higher under BS (6.69) and BS+N (6.64) than under N (6.40), indicating a buffering effect. Microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and nitrogen (MBN) were significantly enhanced under BS and BS+N, while N alone reduced MBN (P < 0.05). BS significantly increased soil Cu (38.66mg/kg) and Cd (0.13mg/kg) concentrations, whereas Zn and Pb remained unchanged. Soybean yield was significantly affected by fertilization, with the highest yield observed under the BS+N treatment (1.65 Mg/ha), followed by chemical fertilizer (1.35 Mg/ha). Overall, biogas slurry improved soil fertility indicators and mitigated soil acidification under the experimental conditions, while mixed fertilizer provided the greatest yield benefits. However, these findings are based on short-term pot conditions, and long-term field studies are still required to confirm the potential environmental risks of biogas slurry application.