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Fluorescent proteins (FPs) are reported to play an important role as photoprotectants and antioxidants in corals subjected to stressful conditions. Identifying the various FP genes expressed and FP gene expression patterns under stress in diverse coral species can provide insight into FP function. In this study, we identified 16 putative FP homologues from the transcriptomes of corals with varying susceptibility to elevated temperature, including Acropora digitifera, Favites colemani, Montipora digitata and Seriatopora caliendrum. Each coral expressed a different complement of FP transcripts, which were predicted to have distinct spectral properties. The most diverse and abundant repertoire of FP transcripts, including at least 6 green FPs, were expressed in the temperature-tolerant coral, F. colemani. In comparison, the other corals expressed fewer FP types. Specific FP transcripts exhibited variable expression profiles in coral fragments subjected to 32 ± 1 °C (treatment) or 28 ± 1 °C (control) for up to 72 h, suggesting that distinct FPs may have different roles. Further studies on the expression of the proteins encoded by these FP transcripts, their fluorescence activity, tissue localization, and possible antioxidant properties, are needed to reveal their contribution to thermal stress tolerance in certain species of corals.
The role of fire in the management of degraded areas remains strongly debated. Here we experimentally compare removal and infestation of popcorn kernels (Zea mays L. – Poaceae) and açaí fruits (Euterpe oleracea Mart. – Arecaceae) in one burned and two unburned savanna habitats in the eastern Brazilian Amazon. In each habitat, a total of ten experimental units (five per seed type) were installed, each with three treatments: (1) open access, (2) vertebrate access, and (3) invertebrate access. Generalized linear models showed significant differences in both seed removal (P < 0.0001) and infestation (P < 0.0001) among seed type, habitats and access treatments. Burned savanna had the highest overall seed infestation rate (24.3%) and invertebrate access increased açaí seed infestation levels to 100% in the burned savanna. Increased levels of invertebrate seed infestation in burned savanna suggest that preparation burning may be of limited use for the management and restoration of such habitats in tropical regions.
The aim of this study was to assess change in temperature, audiometric outcomes and post-operative complications following exposure to different light sources during endoscopic ear surgery.
Method
A total of 64 patients diagnosed with chronic otitis media with central perforation and pure conductive hearing loss underwent endoscopic type 1 tympanoplasty. The patients were randomised into two groups based on the light source used: xenon or light-emitting diode. Temperature was measured using a K type thermocouple at the promontory and round window niche. Mean temperature change with respect to operating time, mean audiometric change, incidence of vomiting in the first 24 hours, vertigo and tinnitus at the end of the first week were observed.
Results
Mean temperature change showed a statistically significant difference with increasing length of operating time with the xenon light source and when the two light sources were compared for a particular time interval. Mean audiometric change showed statistically significant deterioration at higher frequencies (4, 6 and 8 kHz) with the xenon light source but only at 8 kHz for the light emitting diode source. When the mean audiometric change was compared between light sources for a particular frequency, statistical significance was found at 4, 6 and 8 kHz. Post-operative complications were vomiting, vertigo and tinnitus (p-values of 0.042, 0.099 and 0.147, respectively, between two groups).
Conclusion
Light emitting diodes are associated with less significant middle-ear temperature rises and audiometric changes at higher frequencies when compared to xenon light sources. Hence, xenon should be replaced with cooler light sources.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in the metabolic profile and body composition of monozygotic (MZ) twins concordant and discordant for the practice of physical exercise. The sample consisted of 92 MZ twins (72.5% female and 27.5% male, mean age 25.4 ± 5.69 years), registered with the Brazilian Registry of Twins, residing in Natal, Brazil. Data collection was carried out between the years 2016 and 2018. On day 1, subjects underwent a whole-body fitness evaluation, including measures of weight, height, body composition by Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry and the Cardiorespiratory Exercise Test. On day 2, 10 ml blood samples were collected (overnight fasting) to determine the lipid profile and fasting glucose. The sample was separated into three groups: Active Concordant twins (Concordant A, n = 44 subjects), Inactive Concordant twins (Concordant I, n = 22 subjects) and Discordant pairs for Physical Exercise (Discordant PE, n = 26 subjects). The results demonstrated a difference between the discordant twins for exercise and also between the active versus sedentary groups, indicating a causal effect of exercise on the fat percentage, maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) and second ventilatory threshold variables. Between groups, a difference was also observed between the groups in ventilatory threshold, very low-density lipoprotein and triglycerides. We concluded that, regardless of genetics, the practice of physical exercise was sufficient to generate alterations in body composition and VO2max in MZ twins, but not in the lipid profile or fasting glucose.
This study aimed to examine the effects of re-ensiling time and Lactobacillus buchneri on the fermentation profile, chemical composition and aerobic stability of sugarcane silages. The experiment was set up as a repeated measure design consisting of four air-exposure periods (EP)(0, 6, 12, and 24 h) microbial additive (A) (L. buchneri; or lack of there), with five replicates. Sugarcane was ground through a stationary forage chopper and ensiled in four plastic drums of 200-L capacity. After 210 days of storage, the drums were opened and half of the silage mass was treated with L. buchneri at the concentration of 105 cfu/g of forage. Subsequently, the silages were divided into stacks. The re-ensiling process was started immediately, at 0, 6, 12 and 24-hour intervals, by transferring the material to PVC mini-silos. Silos were opened after 120 days of re-ensiling. The use of L. buchneri reduced butyrate concentration but did not change ethanol or acetic acid concentrations and aerobic stability. An interaction effect between L. buchneri and re-ensiling time was observed for dry matter (DM) losses and composition. Lactobacillus buchneri is not effective in improving aerobic stability in re-ensiled sugarcane silages. However, less DM is lost in silages treated with L. buchneri and exposed to air for 24 h. Re-ensiling sugar cane in up to 24 h of exposure to air does not change final product quality.
The co-infection between visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has increased in several countries in the world. The current serological tests are not suitable since they present low sensitivity to detect the most of VL/HIV cases, and a more precise diagnosis should be performed. In this context, in the present study, an immunoproteomics approach was performed using Leishmania infantum antigenic extracts and VL, HIV and VL/HIV patients sera, besides healthy subjects samples; aiming to identify antigenic markers for these clinical conditions. Results showed that 43 spots were recognized by antibodies in VL and VL/HIV sera, and 26 proteins were identified by mass spectrometry. Between them, β-tubulin was expressed, purified and tested in ELISA experiments as a proof of concept for validation of our immunoproteomics findings and results showed high sensitivity and specificity values to detect VL and VL/HIV patients. In conclusion, the identified proteins in the present work could be considered as candidates for future studies aiming to improvement of the diagnosis of VL and VL/HIV co-infection.
Dysfunctional impulsivity reflects ‘recklessness without deliberation and evaluation of consequences’ and has negative consequences whereas functional impulsivity reflects ‘rapid responding to situational demands in order to maximise one's circumstances’ and often has positive consequences (1).
Objective
To examine the functional brain basis of dysfunctional impulsivity in healthy people and in people with schizophrenia.
Methods
Thirteen healthy controls and 21 schizophrenia patients (10/21 with serious repetitive violence) underwent fMRI during a Go/ NoGo task. Dysfunctional impulsivity was indexed using the Impulsiveness subscale and functional impulsivity using the Venturesomeness subscale of the Impulsiveness-Venturesomeness-Empathy questionnaire (2).
Results
Violent patients had elevated Impulsiveness scores relative to non-violent patients and controls. Impulsiveness did not correlate significantly with task performance in healthy controls or patients. Impulsiveness, but not Venturesomeness, scores correlated during the NoGO condition with lower activity in the anterior cingulate (AC) in controls, and lower inferior temporal and hippocampal activity in patients.
Conclusions
These findings accord with previously reported associations between reduced hippocampal volume and dysfunctional impulsivity in schizophrenia (3) and, combined with our earlier observations of reduced AC activation during a working memory task in violent antisocial individuals (4), suggest that the influence of dysfunctional impulsivity in antisocial and criminal behaviour is mediated via deficient (inhibitory) functions of the AC and hippocampus.
Migration of mental health professionals is an important phenomenon influencing mental health services of host and donor countries. Data on medical migration in Europe is very limited, particularly in the field of young doctors and psychiatry. To research this hot topic, the European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees (EFPT) conducted the EFPT Brain Drain Survey.
Objectives
To identify the impact of previous short-term mobility on international migration and to understand characteristics, patterns and reasons of migration.
Methods
In this cross-sectional European multicentre study, data were collected from 2281 psychiatric trainees across 33 countries. All participants answered to the EFPT Brain Drain Survey reporting their attitudes and experiences on migration.
Results
Two-thirds of the trainees had not had a short-mobility experience in their lifetime, but those that went abroad were satisfied with their experiences, reporting that these influenced their attitude towards migration positively. However, the majority of the trainees had not had a migratory experience of more than 1 year. Flows showed that Switzerland and United Kingdom have the greatest number of immigrant trainees, whereas Germany and Greece have the greatest number of trainees leaving. ‘'Pull factors'’ were mostly academic and personal reasons, whereas ‘'push factors'’ were mainly: academic and financial reasons. Trainees that wanted to leave the country were significantly more dissatisfied with their income.
Conclusions
The majority of the trainees has considered leaving the country they currently lived in, but a lower percentage has taken steps towards migration.
The perception of individuals with low education about dietary assessments is not well explored and studying this may be beneficial to improve data collection. The study builds on previous quantitative studies by providing explanations for the observed lower performance of the 24-h recall method among low-educated individuals. A qualitative study was carried out in Brazil. First, trained interviewers attended a focus group via video conference. Next, individuals with low education, defined as less than 9 years of study, participated in semi-structured face-to-face interviews. Three main themes emerged from the focus groups and were contrasted with the interviews. Summarising, the establishment of adequate communication during the interview is of utmost importance among the low-educated population. Besides, the familiarity of individuals with food and nutrition favours the report of information. Lastly, the use of photographs for food portion quantification helps the dietary assessment although further investigations to improve their use are also needed.
Although psychoactive substance use disorders (PSUD) belong to the domain of mental health, their management varies greatly among European countries. Furthermore, both the role of psychiatrists and trainees in the treatment of PSUD is not the same for each European country.
Aims
Among the context of the European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees (EFPT), the PSUD Working Group has developed a survey that has been spread out between the 15th of august 2015 and 15th of October 2016, at the aim of gathering information about the training in PSUD in Europe, both from Child and Adolescent, and General Adult Psychiatric (CAP and GAP) trainees.
Objectives
The survey investigated, at European level, the organisation of the PSUD training, trainees satisfaction, attitudes towards people who use psychoactive substances, management of pharmacologic and involvement in common clinical situations.
Methods
A 70-items questionnaire regarding the aforementioned objectives was developed, and shared trough an online data-collecting system among European CAP and GAP trainees, with 40 trainees per country filling the survey in at least 25 countries. One national coordinator per country facilitated the delivering of the survey.
Results
A total of 1250 surveys were filled from more than 25 European countries.
Conclusions
Data from the survey will be promptly analysed.
The survey will be the first to explore European psychiatric trainees attitudes and practices about PSUD. Findings from this independent survey may serve in understanding the needs of trainees in the field of substance misuse psychiatry.
Disclosure of interest
The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
To determine trends and impact on outcomes of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with pre-existing major depressive disorder(MDD).
Background
While post-AF MDD has been extensively studied, contemporary studies including temporal trends on impact of pre-AF MDD on AF and post-AF outcomes are lacking.
Methods
We used Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) from Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) from 2002 to 2012. We identified AF and MDD as primary and secondary diagnosis respectively using validated International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, and Clinical Modification (ICD9CM) codes, and used Cochrane-Armitage trend test and multivariate regression to generate adjusted odds ratios (aOR).
Results
We analyzed total of 3,887,827 AF hospital admissions from 2002 to 2012 of which 6.78% had MDD. Proportion of hospitalizations with MDD increased from 4.93% to 14.19% (P-trend < 0.001). Utilization of atrial cardioversion was lower in patients with MDD (34.37% vs. 40.52%, P < 0.001). In-hospital mortality was significantly lower in patients with MDD (aOR0.749; 95% CI 0.664–0.846; P < 0.001) but discharge to specialty care was higher (aOR 1.695; 95%CI 1.650–1.741; P < 0.001). In addition, median length of hospitalization (2.5 vs. 2.13 days; P < 0.001) and median cost of hospitalization (28,246 vs. 22,663; P < 0.001) was higher in hospitalizations with MDD.
Conclusions
Our study displayed an increasing proportion of patients with MDD admitted due to AF in the last decade with lower mortality but higher morbidity post-AF. In addition, there was significantly less utilization of atrial cardioversion in this population along with higher median length and cost of hospitalization. There is a need to explore the reasons behind this disparity in outcomes and atrial cardioversion utilization in order to improve post-AF outcomes in this vulnerable population.
Disclosure of interest
The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Association between leptin and ghrelin plasma levels and alcohol craving have been found in few studies but they have failed to differentiate this correlation with alcohol withdrawal state.
Objectives
To research this correlation in a different population and to study this correlation with respect to hyper-excitable state of alcohol withdrawal.
Aim
To study levels of leptin and ghrelin in relation with alcohol withdrawal and craving.
Methods
Twenty-five indoor patients fulfilling the alcohol dependence criteria were assessed for alcohol withdrawal symptoms and craving. Leptin and ghrelin levels were measured on 1st day, @ the end of 1st week, @ the end of 3rd week of stopping alcohol. Withdrawal was assessed using CIWA-A at day 1 and day 7, craving was assessed using PENN's scale of craving at the end of week 1 and week 3. Control group consisted of 15 first-degree relatives not taking alcohol.
Results
It was found that leptin [t (38) = 2.95, P = 0.005] and ghrelin [t (38) = 2.56, P = 0.015] were significantly higher in alcohol-dependent patients. Levels of hormones had no significant correlation with alcohol withdrawal scores but had positive correlation with craving scores after abstinence.
Conclusions
Leptin and ghrelin, known for balancing the energy homeostasis of body, also seem to play a role in pathways of drug dependence and craving. This relation is independent of stress hormone axis as leptin and ghrelin levels are not correlated with withdrawal scores, which is an indicator of stress hormone axis activation during alcohol withdrawal.
Disclosure of interest
The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Bipolar disorder (BD) is a psychiatric disorder associated with increased rates of obesity and inflammation. Leptin is an adipokine that is mainly produced by the white adipose tissue in response to insulin. It stimulates the immune system, increasing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. There is currently uncertainty regarding possible alterations in peripheral leptin levels across the mood states in BD.
Methods
This study comprises a between-group meta-analysis comparing serum and plasma leptin levels in people with BD in mania, depression or euthymia and healthy controls. We conducted a systematic search for all possibly eligible-English and non-English peer-reviewed articles. We calculated the effect size (ES) utilizing Hedges’ adjusted g using random effects.
Results
Eleven studies were included in the meta-analyses, providing data on 1118 participants. Serum and plasma leptin levels were not altered in subjects with BD when compared to healthy controls in mania (g = −0.99, 95% CI −2.43 to 0.43, P = 0.171), in depression (g = 0.17, 95% CI −0.45 to 0.79, P = 0.584), or in euthymia (g = 0.03, 95% CI −0.39 to 0.46, P = 0.882). However, we did observe a stronger association between leptin levels and both age and BMI in patients with BD in euthymia compared to healthy controls, such that the greater the age of the individuals, the greater the difference in leptin levels between BD and controls; and the higher the BMI, the greater the difference in leptin levels between BD and controls.
Conclusions
Our meta-analysis provides evidence that leptin levels are not altered in BD across the mood spectrum compared to healthy controls. The disproportionate increase of leptin levels with increase in BMI in BD speaks in favour of a potential inflammatory role of white adipose tissue in BD and a disproportionate increase of leptin levels with increase in age.
To determine temporal trends, invasive treatment utilization and impact on outcomes of pre-infarction drug abuse (DA) on acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in adults.
Background
DA is important risk factor for AMI. However, temporal trends in drug abuse on AMI hospitalization outcomes in adults are lacking.
Methods
We used Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) from Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) from 2002 to 2012. We identified AMI and DA as primary and secondary diagnosis respectively using validated International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, and Clinical Modification (ICD9CM) codes, and used the CochraneArmitage trend test and multivariate regression to generate adjusted odds ratios (aOR).
Results
We analyzed total of 7,174,274 AMI hospital admissions from 2002 to 2012 of which 1.67% had DA. Proportion of hospitalizations with DA increased from 5.63% to 12.08% (P trend < 0.001). Utilization of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) was lower in patients with DA (7.83% vs. 9.18%, P < 0.001). In-hospital mortality was significantly lower in patients with DA (aOR 0.811; 95% CI 0.693–0.735; P < 0.001) but discharge to specialty care was higher (aOR 1.076; 95% CI 1.025–1.128; P < 0.001). The median cost of hospitalization (40,834 vs. 37,253; P < 0.001) was higher in hospitalizations with DA.
Conclusions
We demonstrate an increasing proportion of adults admitted with AMI have DA over the decade. However, DA has paradoxical association with mortality in adults. DA is associated with lower CABG utilization and higher discharge to specialty care, with a higher mean cost of hospitalization. The reasons for the paradoxical association of DA with mortality and worse morbidity outcomes need to be explored in greater detail.
Disclosure of interest
The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
To determine trends and impact on outcomes of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with pre-existing psychosis.
Background
While post-AF psychosis has been extensively studied, contemporary studies including temporal trends on the impact of pre-AF psychosis on AF and post-AF outcomes are largely lacking.
Methods
We used Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) from the healthcare cost and utilization project (HCUP) from year's 2002–2012. We identified AF and psychosis as primary and secondary diagnosis respectively using validated international classification of diseases, 9th revision, and Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes, and used Cochrane–Armitage trend test and multivariate regression to generate adjusted odds ratios (aOR).
Results
We analyzed total of 3.887.827AF hospital admissions from 2002–2012 of which 1.76% had psychosis. Proportion of hospitalizations with psychosis increased from 5.23% to 14.28% (P trend < 0.001). Utilization of atrial-cardioversion was lower in patients with psychosis (0.76%v vs. 5.79%, P < 0.001). In-hospital mortality was higher in patients with Psychosis (aOR 1.206; 95%CI 1.003–1.449; P < 0.001) and discharge to specialty care was significantly higher (aOR 4.173; 95%CI 3.934–4.427; P < 0.001). The median length of hospitalization (3.13 vs. 2.14 days; P < 0.001) and median cost of hospitalization (16.457 vs. 13.172; P < 0.001) was also higher in hospitalizations with psychosis.
Conclusions
Our study displayed an increasing proportion of patients with Psychosis admitted due to AF with higher mortality and extremely higher morbidity post-AF, and significantly less utilization of atrial-cardioversion. There is a need to explore reasons behind this disparity to improve post-AF outcomes in this vulnerable population.
Disclosure of interest
The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
The European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees (EFPT) is an independent Federation of Psychiatric Trainees and represents the consensus of psychiatric trainee's organizations across European countries and advocates for what training should look like, regardless of the country. Spain was one of the last countries to be part of the Association. Finally, and after months of hard work and networking, on September 2015 the Spanish Society of Psychiatry Trainees(SERP), was founded and Spain became a observer member of the EFPT.
Objectives
One of the main goals of the SERP, is creating a program of clerkships, in both directions, from other trainees to come to Spain, and for Spanish Trainees to go abroad.
Methods
Our idea in this poster is to explain a first look of which Hospitals/Units would be appropriate to make a rotation, and to explain the first steps in order to create a database with information about the nightshifts, possible accommodation and other aspects related to the organization. We want to use this poster to present to Europe our new Association.
Results
On September 25 at the National Congress of Psychiatry in Santiago de Compostela, a Group of Spanish trainees founded the SERP, organized the first Board and signed the Founding Amendments.
Conclusions
After two previous failed attempts, finally on 25th September 201; the Spanish Society of Psychiatry Residents (SERP) was founded, an important part of the activity of this company is promoting exchanges between residents of member countries in Spain.
Disclosure of interest
The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
To determine trends and impact on outcomes of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in patients with pre-existing psychosis.
Background
While post-AMI psychosis has been extensively studied, contemporary studies including temporal trends on impact of pre-AMI Psychosis on AMI and post-AMI outcomes are lacking.
Methods
We used Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) from Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project(HCUP) from 2002 to 2012. We identified AMI and psychosis as primary and secondary diagnosis respectively using validated International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, and Clinical Modification (ICD9CM) codes, and Cochrane-Armitage trend test and multivariate regression to generate adjusted odds ratios (aOR).
Results
We analyzed total of 7,174,274 AMI hospital admissions from 2002 to 2012 of which 1.77% had psychosis. Proportion of hospitalizations with psychosis increased from 6.94% to 11.85% (P-trend < 0.001). Utilization of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was lower in patients with psychosis (29.98% vs. 40.36%, P < 0.001). Utilization of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) was lower in patients with psychosis (8.01% vs. 9.18%, P < 0.001). In-hospital mortality was significantly lower in patients with psychosis (aOR 0.677; 95% CI 0.630–0.727; P < 0.001) but discharge to specialty care higher (aOR 1.870; 95%CI 1.786–1.958; P < 0.001). In addition, median length of hospitalization (3.77 vs. 2.90 days; P < 0.001) was higher in hospitalizations with psychosis.
Conclusions
Our study displayed increasing proportion of patients with psychosis admitted due to AMI in last decade with lower mortality but higher morbidity post-infarction, and significantly less utilization of PCI and CABG. There was also increased length of stay patients with MDD. There is need to explore reasons behind this disparity in outcomes and PCI and CABG utilization to improve post-AMI outcomes in this vulnerable population.
Disclosure of interest
The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Neuroimaging studies of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have revealed structural deviations of the corpus callosum in children and adolescents. However, little is known about the link between callosal morphology and symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity in adulthood, especially later in life.
Objective
We aimed to further expand this understudied field by analyzing a large population-based sample of 280 adults (150 males, 130 females) in their late sixties and early seventies.
Methods
We applied a well-validated approach capturing the thickness of the corpus callosum with a high regional specificity at 100 equidistant points. In addition to correlating point-wise callosal thickness with ADHD symptom measures within the whole sample, we tested for sex interactions.
Results
There were significant sex interactions with respect to measures of inattention and hyperactivity, with follow-up analyses revealing significant negative correlations in males (see Fig. 1 – Top). In contrast, there were positive correlations with respect to hyperactivity only in females (see Fig. 1 – Bottom).
Conclusion
A thinner corpus callosum may be associated with fewer fibers or less myelination. Thus, the negative correlations, as observed in males, suggest an impaired inter-hemispheric communication necessary to sustain motor control and attention, which may contribute to symptoms of hyperactivity, impulsivity and/or inattention. The functional relevance and underlying mechanisms of the positive correlations, as detected in females, remain to be resolved.
Disclosure of interest
The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
The effects of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) of dielectric barrier discharges on the wettability, imbibition and germination of Leucaena leucocephala were investigated. It was established that CAP treatment markedly hydrophilized the seed coat, especially at longer treatment times. From the profile of the imbibition curve and visual observation, it was possible to verify that there are two resistance barriers to water penetration: integument surface and region of the macrosclereid cell wall (light line). Although the plasma interacts only in the integument, increasing the density of hydrophilic sites increases the capacity of water absorption, producing enough driving force to overcome the second resistance barrier. The existence of these two barriers changes the three-phase pattern generally observed during seed germination. Despite an increase in imbibition, the plasma treatment conditions used in this work, were not enough to overcome completely the dormancy barrier.
Field experiments were carried out in order to investigate if brown manuring (BM) using Sesbania plants can be used to control weeds in maize, especially Cyperus rotundus (Experiment I), and further to optimize the BM technology through appropriate Sesbania seed rate (S), 2,4-D application time (T) and dose (D) (Experiment II). Each BM treatment received a pre-emergence application of pendimethalin 1.0 kg a.i./ha. Experiment I showed that the BM practice using 15 kg/ha Sesbania seed and 2,4-D 0.50 kg a.i./ha applied at 25 DAS led to better control of weeds, especially C. rotundus and higher maize grain yield. Further optimization studies (Experiment II) indicated that among the factors S, T and D, the BM combination S~25 kg/ha, D~0.50 kg a.i./ha and T~25 DAS (i.e. S25T25D0.50) resulted in lowest weed density (3.1/m2) and dry weight (3.8 g/m2) and highest weed control index (89.2%) at 60 days after sowing (DAS) which was at par with another BM practice S15T25D0.50. However, the later BM combination led to significantly higher maize productivity (5.25 t/ha) and profitability (net returns (NR) $878/ha), which were 103 and 280% higher, respectively, than the weedy check (WC). The Sesbania seed rate S~15 kg/ha gave 7% higher maize grain yield and 12% higher NR than its corresponding level S~25 kg/ha. Therefore, Sesbania BM with 15 kg seeds/ha and 2,4-D at 0.50 kg a.i/ha applied at 25 DAS can be recommended for effective and eco-friendly weed management in maize, which would provide higher maize grain yield and enhance farmers' profitability.