Citrus Research International

Surgical procedures can lead to various postoperative clinical problems such as pain, anxiety, nausea and vomiting, sleep disturbances, and fatigue, all of which require comprehensive management. Reflexology, as a non-pharmacological complementary therapy, has the potential to support postoperative management through stimulation of reflex points on the soles of the feet, hands, and ears. This study aims to synthesize scientific evidence regarding the effectiveness of reflexology as a complementary intervention in postoperative patient management. A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Literature searches were performed in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, EBSCOhost, and the Cochrane Library for publications from January 2010 to December 2024. The inclusion criteria were determined using the PICO framework, and methodological quality was assessed using the JBI Critical Appraisal Tools. Out of 1,032 identified articles, 15 studies met the inclusion criteria (13 randomized controlled trials, 1 clinical trial, and 1 randomized study). The synthesis results indicate that reflexology significantly: (1) reduces postoperative pain intensity, (2) decreases anxiety levels, (3) stabilizes physiological/hemodynamic parameters, (4) improves sleep quality, and (5) reduces fatigue. These effects were consistently observed across various surgical procedures, including coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), abdominal surgery, hysterectomy, and cesarean section. Reflexology has the potential to serve as a safe, effective, and practical complementary intervention to support postoperative patient management. Further studies with multicenter designs, larger sample sizes, and more standardized protocols are recommended.

‘Greening’ urban areas is a key strategy to counteract rising urban temperatures and their negative impacts on human health and well-being. Efficient green space management is needed for optimizing ecosystem benefits in urban areas with limited space availability. Existing research often overlooks the spatial configuration of urban green infrastructure (UGI) and focuses on single scales, limiting its application. Our study evaluates how the composition and configuration of UGI impacts the supply of cooling services at two spatial scales. We also assess the equity of access to these cooling services in Montreal, considering socioeconomic factors. Using a statistical model based on three key predictors, percent cover of both high and low vegetation and the largest patch index of high vegetation, we predict the cooling supply of UGI during summer daytime with a moderately high accuracy (R 2 = 0.80). Our results showed that during the day, an increase of 10 % in the percent cover of high vegetation, percent cover of low vegetation, or largest patch index of high vegetation would lead to a decrease in average land surface temperature of 1.41 °C, 0.76 °C, or 0.20 °C, respectively. To assess social equity, we developed a cooling demand index based on the proportion of vulnerable groups, focusing on older adults and young children. Mapping mismatches in cooling supply and demand revealed that neighborhoods with higher proportions of visible minorities and low-income residents had significantly lower access to cooling services. Conversely, access was significantly positively correlated with income and post-secondary education levels. Overall, our results offer practical guidance for designing UGI layouts that maximize cooling supply and emphasize the need to prioritize underserved communities in urban greening efforts. • Percent cover and largest patch index of trees are key factors explaining vegetation cooling. • The importance of configuration of urban greening is larger at finer spatial scales. • Planting trees in more concentrated clusters can enhance daytime cooling. • Vulnerable populations in marginalized communities receive less cooling service.

Even though South Africa is a signatory to international declarations that aim to eliminate violence against women, intimate partner violence (IPV) remains a significant problem. While many women eventually leave IPV relationships after enduring violence for a long period, the matter of why women leave IPV relationships is not adequately researched in South Africa. This study explored the turning points that trigger the decision to leave IPV relationships and examined the process of leaving in a sample of women who left their abusive partners. In-depth interviews with 11 women living in shelters of safety for women in Gauteng Province, South Africa, were analyzed using Giorgi's phenomenological analysis method. Leaving IPV relationships was a complex process that involved multiple decisions and actions over time; thus, most women endured many years of abuse. Leaving was triggered by various turning points, resulting in the leaving process being either planned or unplanned. For some of the women, the turning point was a specific violent event, while, for others, it was a culmination of violent events. Severe or escalating violence and the desire to protect their children from the impact of violence were key turning points for most of the women, such that they feared for their lives and that of their children. Overall, turning points played a crucial role in the decisions to leave abusive partners, and the leaving process for women was characterized to a great extent by fear. Understanding the complexities of the process of leaving and the relevance of turning points is essential to informing the development of appropriate interventions to respond more appropriately to women experiencing IPV.

A survey of the coconut bug, Pseudotheraptus wayi damage on litchi fruits was conducted on eight farms in the Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces to assess infestation levels. Ten Mauritius litchi trees per study site/farm were randomly selected and monitored in November and December 2023. Fallen/aborted immature fruits were collected from the mature litchi trees. A total of 11 083 fruits were collected and inspected for coconut bug damage. A total of 5 262 fruits were found to be damaged by coconut bugs. The results of the predicted percentage means from the GLMM modelling of the damage caused by the coconut bugs ranged from 19.71% to 62.41% on aborted fruit from farms, with 33.77% and 57.53% in Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces, respectively. An indication that the coconut bug caused an average annual loss of 45.65% on immature fruit that were subsequently aborted in production from the two provinces. These findings point towards the fact that there is a considerable presence of coconut bug on the farms and also that litchi is a very good host of the coconut bug. The coconut bug damage increased when other host plants are cultivated in close proximity. Further research to evaluate economic impact of this pest is therefore needed.

The current study determined if a combination of biotic and abiotic parameters could differentiate Citrus sinensis trees (three categories based on visual tree canopy status) with root disease-related decline symptoms in two citrus orchards. Two experimental sites, containing a range of healthy and different stages of decline trees, were randomly selected. Three decline category trees were selected with abiotic and biotic parameters associated with decline measured. Principal component analyses of 41 soil, leaf, root and trunk associated parameters ordered the category 1 to 3 trees chronologically on the factorial plan for both orchards. However, the parameters only described a low level of the variability. Only the healthy (category 1) and more diseased (category 3) trees were studied further. Soil electrical conductivity and leaf %N, were the only parameters differing significantly between the two categories in both orchards, but both parameters were significantly higher in category 3 trees in orchard 1 whereas the opposite was true for orchard 2 with significantly higher values in category 1 trees. In the more severely declining MP1 orchard, parameters differing significantly between the two categories included soil Na, cation exchange capacity and leaf Fe, B, Mo and Zn. In orchard MP2, parameters were soil %C, soil citrus nematodes, leaf size and leaf %Na and %Mg. Discriminant analysis indicated that leaf parameters were more specifically associated with decline. Leaf nutrient status can possible be an additional process to indicate decline.

Agriculture, an essential pillar of South Africa’s economy, has evolved through a century of scientific
\nadvancements. This Perspective highlights the significant research contributions to the improvement of
\ncitrus and maize production, addressing historical challenges and emphasising ongoing issues such as
\nclimate change, water scarcity and soil quality. The introduction of modern agricultural practices, including
\nhybrid seeds, genetic modification, and advanced irrigation techniques, has transformed these crops,
\nenabling increased productivity and global competitiveness. However, the sector faces persistent challenges,
\nincluding the impacts of climate change and food security concerns, particularly in rural communities. We
\nalso explore future prospects, underscoring the importance of technology adoption and sustainable practices
\nto enhance food security. South Africa’s agricultural research, although underfunded compared to developed
\nnations, remains crucial for sustaining the agricultural landscape and ensuring the sector’s resilience and
\ngrowth in an increasingly challenging global environment.

Yeasts associated with lepidopteran pests have been shown to play a role in their survival, development, and oviposition preference. It has been demonstrated that combining these yeasts with existing biological control agents can enhance their efficacy. The tortricid Thaumatotibia leucotreta is a phytosanitary pest in the South African citrus industry, with the baculovirus Cryptophlebia leucotreta granulovirus (CrleGV) being one of the components that can control this pest. Several yeast species were shown to be associated with T. leucotreta larvae, which affected their behaviour and development. A series of detached fruit bioassays were performed to determine whether the combination of yeast with CrleGV enhances its efficacy. These assays included determining the optimal yeast/virus ratio, testing all isolated yeast species in combination with CrleGV, and further improving yeast/virus formulation by adding an adjuvant. The optimal yeast concentration to use alongside CrleGV was determined to be 106 cells·mL-1. Pichia kluyveri, P. kudriavzevii, Kluyveromyces marxianus, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae in combination with CrleGV reduced larval survival compared to CrleGV alone. The addition of molasses and BREAK-THRU® S 240 to P. kudriavzevii and S. cerevisiae in combination with CrleGV did not notably improve their effectiveness; however, there was an observed decrease in larval survival. In future studies, field trials will be conducted with combinations of CrleGV and P. kudriavzevii or S. cerevisiae to investigate whether these laboratory findings can be replicated in orchard conditions.

Abstract Invasive alien pests have caused a considerable negative impact on socio-economic growth and development in the South African agricultural sector. An effective strategy called horizon scanning has recently gained momentum in assessing the preparedness level for prospective changes or threats by invasive alien pests. The study was conducted to identify and prioritize pests already occurring elsewhere in Africa that are likely to be introduced in the Republic of South Africa as well as to develop pest risk analysis reports, pest risk management measures, surveillance procedures, regulatory framework and pest response strategies. The current study revealed that out of 97 known alien invasive arthropods, only 22 invasive pests are considered to have the highest potential risk of being introduced to South Africa. Among these, 8 were Hemiptera, 6 Coleoptera, 5 Diptera, 2 Lepidoptera, one Thysanoptera. Most arthropods (80%) were likely to arrive as contaminants on plant commodities. The pests with the highest scores were Maconellicoccus hirsutus, and Thrips palmi. Both M. hirsutus, and T. palmi have higher potential for entering and establishing in the country as they are important pests of plants. Zygodacus cucurbitae, Bactrocera latifrons, B. zonata, Paracocus marginatus, and Pectinophora gossypiella were the second most economic pests in terms of likelihood of entry and establishment in the country. Complete pest risk assessments and surveillance for the presence or introduction of pests in the country were the most frequently recommended phytosanitary measures against highly prioritised pests with the highest scores. Plants and plant products are the primary pathways for these prioritised pests.