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The role of ascorbic acid on acute O3-induced inhibition of photosynthesis in solution-cultured paddy rice was evaluated. As pre-treatment, ascorbic acid (0, 5, and 10 mM) was added to the culture solution for 5 d before 5 h of O3 exposure (0, .1, and .3 cm3 m−3 O3) during daytime. O3 decreased photosynthesis-related parameters, total ascorbic acid content, and the redox state (RDS) of ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid treatment enhanced the total ascorbic acid contents and its RDS level of rice leaves, but scarcely ameliorated O3-induced inhibition of photosynthesis-related parameters. Inhibition of net photosynthetic rate (PN) by O3 was slightly ameliorated by exogenous ascorbic acid only at 1 d after O3 exposure. These results indicate that ascorbic acid is a component of protection from O3 injury but has a marginal role in the acute inhibition of PN by O3 in rice leaves.

Because edible canna is approximately 3-m tall in its latter growth stage, strong winds such as by typhoons can induce plant lodging and cause severe damage to it. To improve our previous estimations that the 1-m dwarfing of a plant mitigated 10–20% by strong wind (external force) and 50% by own weight (internal force), respectively, we re-examined these parameters in relation to rhizome yield for field-grown plants. From early middle growth stage (July–August) of edible canna, the perpendicularly projected area of above-ground biomass increased rapidly due to rapid shoot elongation. After the middle growth stage (September), the stock base radius increased and shoot inclination angle decreased until the latter growth stage (November) gradually, indicating a disturbed architecture and easy lodging. Throughout the growth period, we observed no radial, directional difference in the leaf area distribution. Increase in the distance between the ground surface and the center of gravity of shoot weight and decrease in the shoot inclination increased the components of the internal force. The easiness to fall down (percentage own-weight invasion moment) of plant became maximal in the latter growth stage. We conclude that approximately 50-cm dwarfing of the plant with minimal loss of rhizome yield (as low as approximately 20%) and the maintenance of lodging tolerance is optimal. In such a situation, both external and internal forces are mitigated by approximately 30%.

Introduction: Participation in work and employment is a milestone of adulthood. People returning to work after burn injury may have physical, psychological, social, and environmental barriers to overcome in order to resume their pre‐injury employment. The aim of this paper is to evaluate qualitative findings regarding return‐to‐employment after burn injury. Methods: A qualitative synthesis was conducted based on the qualitative findings of an earlier mixed methods review. A pre‐determined scoping review protocol was used in the earlier review to search MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, CCRCT, and CDSR databases between 2000 and Aug 2021. Any papers presenting qualitative data from previously employed adults with cutaneous burn injuries were included. Findings: A total of 20 papers with qualitative data on return‐to‐employment after burn injury were found. Only six included studies focused on return‐to‐employment outcomes and the remaining studies reporting on quality of life and life experiences after burn injury. Common themes included impairments that develop and change over time; occupational identity and meaning; temporal aspects of burn recovery; burn rehabilitation services and interventions; attitudes, knowledge and support of service providers; workplace environments supporting work re‐engagement after burn injury; usefulness of work accommodations; family and social supports, individuals attributes that influence re‐engaging in employment; and accepting and rebuilding. Conclusion: Resumption of work after burn injury is regarded as a key marker of recovery for working‐aged adults by burn survivors and burn care professionals. Support at transition points during the burn recovery process and peer‐led programmes were important. However, limited information currently exists regarding clinical practices, service gaps, and understanding of return‐to‐employment outcomes after burn injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a case of retroperitoneal laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN) in which the addition of a hand port was necessary and effective. A 52-year-old man with obesity (BMI 40.6 kg/m2) was diagnosed with a 52-mm left renal cell carcinoma (cT1bN0M0). To avoid thick subcutaneous and visceral fat in the abdomen, we selected LRN using a retroperitoneal approach with four ports in the kidney position. During surgery, a large amount of flank pad and perirenal fat prevented us from securing a sufficient surgical field through traction of the kidney with a retractor. A pure laparoscopic procedure was not feasible; therefore, we added a hand port. Subsequently, we removed the flank pad from the hand port and secured the surgical field by tracing the kidney manually. Finally, hand-assisted LRN was completed without an open conversion. In retroperitoneal LRN, we rarely encounter patients for whom a pure laparoscopic procedure is not feasible because of the large amount of flank pad or perirenal fat. It is important to preoperatively confirm not only the BMI but also the amount of flank pad and perirenal fat on imaging. Hand-assisted LRN via the retroperitoneal approach can be safely performed even in extremely obese patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mariko Morishita-Katsu,1,2 Koichi Nishimura,3 Hiroyuki Taniguchi,1 Tomoki Kimura,1 Yasuhiro Kondoh,1 Kensuke Kataoka,1 Tomoya Ogawa,4 Fumiko Watanabe,4 Shinichi Arizono,5 Osamu Nishiyama,6 Kazuhito Nakayasu,7 Kazuyoshi Imaizumi,8 Yoshinori Hasegawa2 1Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergy, Tosei General Hospital, Seto, Japan; 2Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan; 3Department of Pulmonary Medicine, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Japan; 4Department of Rehabilitation, Tosei General Hospital, Seto, Japan; 5School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Seirei Christopher University, Hamamatsu, Japan; 6Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Kinki University School of Medicine, Osakasayama, Japan; 7Data Research Section, Kondo P.P. Inc., Osaka, Japan; 8Department of Respiratory Medicine, Fujita Health University, Nagoya, Japan Background: The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) assessment test (CAT) is a short questionnaire that has facilitated health status measurements in subjects with COPD. However, it remains controversial as to whether the CAT can be used as a suitable substitute for the St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). This study investigated the reliability and score distributions of the CAT and SGRQ and evaluated which factors contributed to health status for each questionnaire.Methods: A total of 109 consecutive subjects with stable COPD from a single center were enrolled in this study. Each subject completed pulmonary function tests, exercise tests, and the following self-administered questionnaires: the Baseline Dyspnea Index, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the CAT, and SGRQ.Results: Internal consistencies of CAT and SGRQ total scores were both excellent (Cronbach’s α coefficients =0.890 and 0.933). Statistically significant correlations were observed between CAT and SGRQ total scores (R=0.668, P