Conventional Research Articles

Short Crop Rotation under No-Till Improves Crop Productivity and Soil Quality in Salt Affected Areas

Soil productivity and crop yield were examined in response to legume-based short crop rotation under conventional (CT) and no-till (NT) tillage practices in saline meadow-alluvial soils of the arid region in Bukhara, Uzbekistan. Compared with the CT treatment, crop yield was consistently higher under NT, i.e., winter wheat 9.63%, millet 9.9%, chickpea 3.8%, and maize 10.7% at the first experiment cycle during 2019–2021. A further crop productivity increase was observed at the second experiment cycle during 2021–2023 under NT when compared to CT, i.e., winter wheat 17.7%, millet 31.2%, chickpea 19.6%, and maize 19.1%. An increase in total phyto residue by 20.9% and root residue by 25% under NT compared to CT contributed to the improvement in soil structure and played a vital role in the sustained improvement of crop yields. In turn, the increased residue retention under NT facilitated soil porosity, structural stability, and water retention, thereby improving soil quality and organic matter content. Soil salinity more significantly decreased under NT than in CT, reducing salinity buildup by 18.9% at the 0–25 cm and 32.9% at the 75–100 cm soil profiles compared to CT. The total forms N and P were significantly increased under NT when compared to CT, while the efficiency of the applied crop rotation was essential. This study showed the essential role of the NT method with legume-based intensive cropping in the maintenance of soil health and crop yield, thereby touching on recent advances in agro-biotechnology and the sustainable land management of drylands.

Nutritional compilation of commonly consumed organic and conventional fruits and vegetables from India

In recent years, the interest for organic foods has been increased drastically due to their production without any synthetic chemicals. More emphasis for organic foods was focused towards the analysis of chemicals used during the cultivation which are known to have toxic effects. Very limited literature is available for the comparison of nutritional components in organic (OR) and conventional (CO) foods of Indian origin. The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the nutritional components in the commonly cultivated organic and conventional fruits and vegetables of India. The different foods analyzed in the study were Moringa leaf, green amaranthus leaf, tomato, bitter gourd, sweet potato, carrot, sweet orange and papaya. The results of the study revealed that the highest protein content was found in Moringa leaf (OR – 7.15 g/100 g, CO – 8.61 g/100 g) followed with green amaranthus leaves and sweet potato tuber. Similarly, dietary fiber was found with higher content in Moringa leaf (OR −8.09 g/100 g, CO – 9.01 g/100 g). Among the food groups analyzed for minerals, irrespective of the cultivation method, both organic and conventional green leafy vegetables (GLVs) were found to have higher contents of vitals minerals including Fe, Zn, Ca and Mn with the values ranging between 2.10 and 6.49, 0.54 – 0.92, and 1.22 – 1.32 mg/100 g, respectively. Vitamin B9 (μg/100 g) among the analyzed samples was found to be highest in green amaranthus (OR – 71.9, CO – 68.38), bitter gourd (OR – 65.38, CO – 62.27) and papaya (OR – 65.08, CO – 63.44). GLVs were recorded with high content of vitamin B5 (mg/100 g) in Moringa (OR – 0.53, CO – 0.45) and green amaranthus (OR – 0.47, CO – 0.42). Similarly, vitamin C (mg/100 g) was highest in GLVs which ranged between 109.82 and 120.11 and 83.23–88.75 mg/100 g for Moringa and green amaranthus samples, respectively. The carotenoids were found in all the analyzed samples with GLVs having the highest total carotenoids (19,590 – 41,856 μg/100 g) with OR samples having higher content in comparison to CO samples. It can be concluded from the study that, with few exceptional parameters there was no significant variation observed for the nutritional parameters between organic and conventional foods.

Microbial exposure during early life regulates development of bile duct inflammation

Objectives The early life microbiome has been linked to inflammatory diseases in adulthood and a role for the microbiome in bile duct inflammation is supported by both human and murine studies. We utilized the NOD.c3c4 mouse model that develops a spontaneous immune-driven biliary disease with a known contribution of the microbiome to evaluate the temporal effects of the early life microbiome. Materials and methods Germ-free (GF) NOD.c3c4 mice were conventionalized into a specific pathogen free environment at birth (conventionally raised, CONV-R) or at weaning (germ-free raised, GF-R) and compared with age and gender-matched GF and conventional (CONV) NOD.c3c4 mice. At 9 weeks of age, liver pathology was assessed by conventional histology and flow cytometry immunophenotyping. Results Neonatal exposure to microbes (CONV-R) increased biliary inflammation to similar levels as regular conventional NOD.c3c4 mice, while delayed exposure to microbes (GF-R) restrained the biliary inflammation. Neutrophil infiltration was increased in all conventionalized mice compared to GF. An immunophenotype in the liver similar to CONV was restored in both CONV-R and GF-R compared to GF mice displaying a proportional increase of B cells and reduction of T cells in the liver. Conclusions Microbial exposure during early life has a temporal impact on biliary tract inflammation in the NOD.c3c4 mouse model suggesting that age-sensitive interaction with commensal microbes have long-lasting effects on biliary immunity that can be of importance for human cholangiopathies.

Texture and color enhancement imaging improves the visibility of gastric neoplasms: clinical trial with image catalogue assessment using conventional and newly developed endoscopes

BackgroundTexture and color enhancement imaging (TXI) enhances the changes in endoscopic features caused by gastric neoplasms, such as redness/whiteness and elevation/depression. This study aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness of TXI in improving the visibility of gastric neoplasms compared with white light imaging (WLI) using conventional (CE) and newly developed endoscopes (NE).MethodsWe recruited patients who were histologically diagnosed with gastric neoplasms; endoscopy was performed, and gastric neoplasms photographed using three imaging modalities, including WLI, TXI mode 1 (TXI-1) and TXI mode 2 (TXI-2). Two different endoscopes (CE and NE) were used for the same patients. Six endoscopists provided the visibility scale scores ranging from 1 (poor) to 4 (excellent) for gastric neoplasms. The primary outcome was the visibility scale scores based on each modality and endoscope. The secondary outcome was the identification of factors including H. pylori infection, atrophy, location, size, morphology, histological diagnosis and intestinal metaplasia that affect the differences in visibility scale scores between TXI-1/TXI-2 and WLI.ResultsFifty-two gastric neoplasms were analyzed. The mean visibility scale scores with the NE were 2.79 ± 1.07, 3.23 ± 0.96 and 3.14 ± 0.92 for WLI, TXI-1 and TXI-2, respectively. The mean visibility scales with the CE were 2.53 ± 1.10, 3.04 ± 1.05 and 2.96 ± 1.92 for WLI, TXI-1 and TXI-2, respectively. For both endoscopes, significant differences were observed in visibility scale scores between WLI and TXI-1 (p < 0.001) and between WLI and TXI-2 (p < 0.001). The visibility scale scores of NE were superior to those of CE in all modalities. In the secondary outcome, there was no factor affected the differences of visibility scale scores between TXI-1/TXI-2 and WLI.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that TXI-1 and TXI-2 enhanced the visibility scale scores of gastric neoplasms compared with that of WLI. Moreover, newly developed endoscope has the potential to improve visibility compared to conventional endoscope.Trial RegistrationThis study was registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN000042429, 16/11/2020).

Synergic Action of Systemic Risedronate and Local Rutherpy in Peri-implantar Repair of Ovariectomized Rats: Biomechanical and Molecular Analysis.

Postmenopausal osteoporosis and poor dietary habits can lead to overweightness and obesity. Bisphosphonates are the first-line treatment for osteoporosis. However, some studies show that they may increase the risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw. Considering the antimicrobial, angiogenic and vasodilatory potential of nitric oxide, this study aims to evaluate the local activity of this substance during the placement of surface-treated implants. Seventy-two Wistar rats were divided into three groups: SHAM (SHAM surgery), OVX + HD (ovariectomy + cafeteria diet), and OVX + HD + RIS (ovariectomy + cafeteria diet + sodium risedronate treatment), which were further subdivided according to the surface treatment of the future implant: CONV (conventional), TE10, or TE100 (TERPY at 10 or 100 μM concentration); n = 8 per subgroup. The animals underwent surgery for implant installation in the proximal tibia metaphysis and were euthanized after 28 days. Data obtained from removal torque and RT-PCR (OPG, RANKL, ALP, IBSP and VEGF expression) were subjected to statistical analysis at 5% significance level. For biomechanical analysis, TE10 produced better results in the OVX + HD group (7.4 N/cm, SD = 0.6819). Molecular analysis showed: (1) significant increase in OPG gene expression in OVX groups with TE10; (2) decreased RANKL expression in OVX + HD + RIS compared to OVX + HD; (3) significantly increased expressions of IBSP and VEGF for OVX + HD + RIS TE10. At its lowest concentration, TERPY has the potential to improve peri-implant conditions.

Eliminating the benzos: A benzodiazepine-sparing approach to preventing and treating alcohol withdrawal syndrome.

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) represents significant cost to the hospitalized trauma population from a clinical and financial perspective. Historically, AWS has been managed with benzodiazepines. Despite their efficacy, benzodiazepines carry a heavy adverse effect profile. Recently, benzodiazepine-sparing protocols for the prophylaxis and treatment of AWS have been used in medical patient populations. Most existing benzodiazepine-sparing protocols use phenobarbital, while ours primarily uses gabapentin and clonidine, and no such protocol has been developed and examined for safety and efficacy specifically within a trauma population. In December of 2019, we implemented our benzodiazepine-sparing protocol for trauma patients identified at risk for alcohol withdrawal on admission. Trauma patients at risk for AWS admitted to an academic Level 1 trauma center before (conventional) and after (benzodiazepine-sparing [BS]) protocol implementation were compared. Outcomes examined include morphine milligram equivalent dosing rates and lorazepam equivalent dosing rates as well as the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol, revised (CIWA-Ar) scores, hospital length of stay, intensive care unit length of stay, and ventilator days. A total of 387 conventional and 134 benzodiazepine sparing patients were compared. Injury Severity Score (13 vs. 16, p = 0.10) and admission alcohol levels (99 vs. 149, p = 0.06) were similar. Patients in the BS pathway had a lower maximum daily CIWA-Ar (2.7 vs. 1.5, p = 0.04). While mean morphine milligram equivalent per day was not different between groups (31.5 vs. 33.6, p = 0.49), mean lorazepam equivalents per day was significantly lower in the BS group (1.1 vs. 0.2, p < 0.01). Length of stay and vent days were not different between the groups. Implementation of a benzodiazepine-sparing pathway that uses primarily clonidine and gabapentin to prevent and treat alcohol withdrawal syndrome in trauma patients is safe, reduces the daily maximum CIWA-Ar, and significantly decreases the need for benzodiazepines. Future studies will focus on outcomes affected by avoiding AWS and benzodiazepines in the trauma population. Therapeutic/Care Management; Level IV.

Deep learning-based k-space-to-image reconstruction and super resolution for diffusion-weighted imaging in whole-spine MRI

PurposeTo assess the feasibility of deep learning (DL)-based k-space-to-image reconstruction and super resolution for whole-spine diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). MethodThis retrospective study included 97 consecutive patients with hematologic and/or oncologic diseases who underwent DL-processed whole-spine MRI from July 2022 to March 2023. For each patient, conventional (CONV) axial single-shot echo-planar DWI (b = 50, 800 s/mm2) was performed, followed by DL reconstruction and super resolution processing. The presence of malignant lesions and qualitative (overall image quality and diagnostic confidence) and quantitative (nonuniformity [NU], lesion contrast, signal-to-noise ratio [SNR], contrast-to-noise ratio [CNR], and ADC values) parameters were assessed for DL and CONV DWI. ResultsUltimately, 67 patients (mean age, 63.0 years; 35 females) were analyzed. The proportions of vertebrae with malignant lesions for both protocols were not significantly different (P: [0.55–0.99]). The overall image quality and diagnostic confidence scores were higher for DL DWI (all P ≤ 0.002) than CONV DWI. The NU, lesion contrast, SNR, and CNR of each vertebral segment (P ≤ 0.04) but not the NU of the sacral segment (P = 0.51) showed significant differences between protocols. For DL DWI, the NU was lower, and lesion contrast, SNR, and CNR were higher than those of CONV DWI (median values of all segments; 19.8 vs. 22.2, 5.4 vs. 4.3, 7.3 vs. 5.5, and 0.8 vs. 0.7). Mean ADC values of the lesions did not significantly differ between the protocols (P: [0.16–0.89]). ConclusionsDL reconstruction can improve the image quality of whole-spine diffusion imaging.

Gut microbiota absence and transplantation affect diarrhea: an investigation in the germ-free piglet model

This experiment was conducted to explore the effects of gut microbiota on neonatal diarrhea in a germ-free (GF) pig model. Twelve hysterectomy-derived GF piglets were housed in six sterile isolators. Among them, six piglets were treated as the GF group, and the other six piglets were orally introduced with healthy sow fecal suspension and regarded as the fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) group. Another six piglets from natural birth were considered as the conventional (CV) group. The GF and FMT piglets were hand-fed with sterile milk powder for 21 days, and the CV piglets were suckled for the same days. Then, all piglets were fed with sterile feed for another 21 days. Results exhibited that the GF group’s fecal score and moisture level were higher than those in the CV and FMT groups (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the abundances of colonic AQP1 and AQP8 in the GF group were the greatest among these treatments (p < 0.05). However, FMT piglets had a lower fecal score in d 22–28 and d 29–35 than that in the CV piglets (p < 0.05). Collectively, the absence of gut microbiota may cause diarrhea in the piglet model, and transplantation of maternal fecal microbiota may reverse it.

Optimizing Cotton-Wheat System Productivity Through Resource Conserving Techniques

ABSTRACT Cotton-wheat cropping system contributes significantly to Pakistan’s food security and economy. However, the system productivity is low because of soil degrading tillage, irrational use of irrigation, and potassium which delay cotton maturity and affect succeeding wheat crop. Conservation tillage (MT) with appropriate irrigation and potassium may improve the system’s productivity and stability. Experiments were conducted at Gomal University, Pakistan. Treatments included tillage (conventional (CT) and conservation tillage (MT)) and three irrigation intervals viz. 5, 4, and 3 weeks for cotton in first year, while in second year tillage was same and best irrigation interval observed in first year was kept constant. In second year besides tillage, potassium (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 kg K ha−1) was included in cotton. For succeeding wheat, treatments were tillage (MT & CT) and six irrigations applied at crown root initiation, tillering, jointing, booting, 50% spike emergence, milk and dough stage. Results revealed that MT was better than CT regarding yield and net economic return. Five-week irrigation interval increased yield, improved fiber quality, and caused earlier cotton maturity. 150 kg K ha−1 produced higher net return and benefit–cost ratio (BCR) for cotton under MT than CT. Wheat grown with MT produced higher yield, net return, and BCR when irrigated 4 times at jointing, booting, 50% spike emergence, milk and dough stage. MT accumulated more soil organic matter and total soil N than CT. The results suggest that MT with appropriate irrigation and potassium can improve cotton-wheat system productivity and economics besides conservation of resources.

FRI009 Microbiome Affects Host Metabolic Homeostasis Via Differential Regulation Of Gene Expression In The Endocrine System

Abstract Disclosure: W. Milhouse: None. H. Ren: None. Dysbiosis has been implicated in many metabolic disorders, but the exact role of microbiota is not completely understood. To address this question, we used germ-free (GF) and conventional (CON) mouse models to examine the expression of genes critical for endocrine regulation of metabolic homeostasis. Samples of the mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH) were obtained from 18 germ-free and 18 conventional C57BL/6 mice (n=9 males, 9 females). Each gene transcript was quantified using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). We also collected the serum from both cohorts and measured ad libitum insulin and leptin concentrations by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Our results showed that, in the MBH, GF mice had increased expression of neuropeptides involved in feeding regulation, i.e., Neuropeptide Y (Npy) and Proopiomelanocortin (Pomc), compared to CON mice (p &amp;lt; 0.0001). Furthermore, CON mice had increased expression of a negative regulator of leptin signaling, Suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (Socs3), in the MBH. Consistently, serum leptin in CON male mice was higher than that of male GF mice (p &amp;lt; 0.001). In the gut samples, the GF cohort demonstrated increased expression of gut hormones that promote satiety, such as Peptide yy (Pyy) and Cholecystokinin (Cck), respectively (p &amp;lt; 0.05 and p &amp;lt; 0.0001). The absence of a microbiome had differing effects on the expression of incretin hormones and the G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that stimulate their secretion. In the jejunum, ileum, and colon of CON mice, expression of Glucagon-like peptide 1 (Glp-1) was increased compared to that of GF mice (p &amp;lt; 0.001, p &amp;lt; 0.05, and p &amp;lt; 0.0001, respectively). Conversely, Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (Gip) showed increased expression in the duodenum of male and female GF mice (p &amp;lt; 0.0001). G protein-coupled receptor 119 (Gpr119) and G protein-coupled receptor 120 (Gpr120) showed increased expression only in the colon of female GF mice (p &amp;lt; 0.0001 and p &amp;lt; 0.01, respectively). Germ-free and conventional mice demonstrated comparable ad libitum insulin concentrations. We conclude that the increased expression of Pomc, Gip, Cck, and Pyy and the increased leptin sensitivity in GF mice contribute to the lean phenotype observed in these mice. The additional increase in Npy and decrease in Glp-1 likely play a compensatory role in regulating energy consumption and expenditure. Thus, the microbiome may impinge upon diverse effectors of the neuroendocrine and enteroendocrine systems to regulate host metabolism, influencing energy consumption and expenditure in the development of obesity. Presentation: Friday, June 16, 2023

Equivalent Dose Estimation in FLASH Irradiation with a Deep Learning Approach

Ultra-high dose rate (FLASH) irradiation has been reported to provide decreased normal tissue toxicity without compromising tumor control compared with conventional (CONV) irradiation. However, a comprehensive understanding of the FLASH biological effect requires precise quantification of radiobiology. The study is to explore whether deep learning (DL) can tackle the task. As a proof of concept, we investigate a DL model for estimating FLASH dose to its equivalent CONV dose. Healthy C57Bl/6 female mice underwent FLASH (200Gy/s; n = 43) or CONV (0.12Gy/s; n = 41) whole abdominal irradiation using ∼16 MeV electron beams with a dose escalation scheme of 5 groups (n = 8 or 9) at 1Gy increments: 12-16Gy FLASH, 11-15Gy CONV. 4 days post-irradiation, 9 jejunum cross-sections per mouse were H&E stained for histological analysis. Each cross-section image was processed to remove lumen background and oversampled into multiple large-scale and small-scale patches along jejunal circumference. In CONV dataset, we randomly selected the data of 32 mice (80%) for model training and the rest (20%) for model validation. A ResNet101-based DL model, pre-trained with an unsupervised contrastive learning scheme, was retrained with only CONV training set to estimate corresponding CONV dose. For comparison, a crypt counting (CC) approach was implemented by manually counting the number of regenerating crypts on each cross-section image. An exponential function of dose vs crypt number was fitted with the CONV training set and used for dose estimation on the testing set. Mean squared error (MSE) was used to assess the accuracy of DL and CC approaches in estimating dose levels in CONV irradiation. The validated DL model was applied to the FLASH set to project FLASH dose into corresponding CONV dose that results in equivalent biological response. The CONV dose estimated by DL and CC approaches and DL-estimated FLASH equivalent dose were summarized in Table 1. The DL model achieved an MSE of 0.21 Gy2 on CONV testing set compared with 0.32 Gy2 of the CC approach. FLASH equivalent dose estimated by DL model for 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16Gy were 12.16±0.40, 12.53±0.32, 12.72±0.24, 12.85±0.20 and 13.04±0.27 Sv, respectively. Our proposed DL model can accurately estimate the CONV dose based on histological images. The DL predictions of FLASH dataset demonstrate that FLASH may reduce normal tissue toxicity with a lower equivalent dose, especially at high irradiated dose levels. Our study indicates that deep learning can be potentially used to assess the equivalent dose of FLASH irradiation to normal tissue.

Characterization of Radiographic and Molecular Changes in Mouse Brain after FLASH Irradiation

Despite refinements in treatment platforms such as incorporation of high-resolution imaging and real time motion tracking, the amount of radiation dose delivered safely to a particular tissue type is limited by both tissue intrinsic and extrinsic factors. FLASH radiotherapy (RT), delivery of relatively high radiation dose at dose rates several orders of magnitude higher than that of conventional (CONV) dose-rates, may change that paradigm due to normal tissue sparing characteristics of FLASH RT. Our Radiation Oncology Physics division developed a novel FLASH kV x-ray cabinet system for preclinical laboratory research. Here we utilize this technology to establish optimal radiation parameters for FLASH effect in brain tissue of a murine model. A range of total radiation dose and dose rates that are considered to be within the window for FLASH effect are being investigated. We have identified several measurable and clinically meaningful toxicity outcomes, including radiation necrosis and blood brain barrier integrity, to assess FLASH effects in brain tissue. A high-capacity rotating anode x-ray tube was implemented for FLASH irradiation, operating at 150 kVp with 0.025 mm Cu added filtration. A custom 3D printed immobilization tool was designed to reproducibly position animals for stereotactic irradiation of the brain. Dose and dose rate measurements were performed with calibrated radiographic film in kV solid water. Conventional dose rate irradiations were delivered using a standard laboratory irradiator (SARRP) operating at the same kVp and filtration. The depth-dose gradients in solid water were compared between the irradiators. Healthy 8-week-old C57BL6J mice were then irradiated with graded doses of FLASH and CONV x-rays (10- 60 Gy) using a single 1-cm wide AP field. Dose was prescribed to the center of the brain, at a depth of 3.25 mm. RT-induced necrosis is being monitored by serial biweekly MR imaging using a 7-T preclinical MRI machine. Histopathological changes will be assessed through H&E staining of harvested brain at 3-months post-irradiation (n = 5 per arm). FITC-Dextran infusion will be performed prior to necropsy to assess blood-brain barrier integrity. Animal setup for stereotactic FLASH brain irradiation was reproducible to within 0.5mm. Measured dose rates were 75.6 Gy/s for FLASH and 3.8 Gy/min for conventional irradiations. At 5-mm depth in solid water, the PDDs agreed to within 4% between SARRP and FLASH Irradiator. Biweekly T1 post and T2 weighted image acquisition is currently underway. Histology and FITC-Dextran data will be presented when available. We have successfully designed a high-precision platform to study x-ray FLASH effects in mice brain model. Evaluation of dose window for brain FLASH effect and molecular mechanisms of this phenomenon is an important step in the potential translation of FLASH RT for brain irradiation.

Effect of Exercise in a Vector-Protected Arena for Preventing African Horse Sickness Transmission on Physiological, Biochemical, and Behavioral Variables of Horses

During an African horse sickness (AHS) outbreak, horses were able to exercise daily in a net-covered arena, yet the physiological responses to exercise in a netted arena was unknown. In a cross-over study design, eight horses performed a 39-minute aerobic exercise in conventional (CA) and vector-protected arenas (VPA). Horses were slower in some gaits and covered less distance in the VPA arena (P < .01). Cortisol release, hematology, and heart rate variability (HRV) were also examined. An interaction between the riding arena and time was observed in hematocrit (P = .0013), hemoglobin (P = .0012), and red blood cell count (P = .0027) and HRV variables, including mean beat-to-beat (RR) intervals (P < .0001), mean heart rate (P < .0001), sympathetic nervous system (SNS) index (P = .0038) and parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) index (P < .0001). Cortisol concentrations increased during exercise and 30 minutes postexercise in both arenas. Hematocrit, hemoglobin, and red blood cell count increased immediately postexercise in horses in VPA while remaining high from immediate post-exercise to 60 minutes postexercise in horses in CA. HRV decreased during exercise and was not different between horses in both arenas, but a higher RR interval and PNS index, corresponding to lower heart rate and SNS index, were detected during 30 to 60 minutes postexercise in horses in the VPA compared to the CA. Riding horses in different arenas impacted hematological and HRV variables. The greater RR intervals and PNS index, coinciding with the lower SNS index and heart rate, indicated parasympathetic dominance post-exercise in horses in VPA compared to CA.

Weed dynamics under diverse nutrient management and crop rotation practices in the dry zone of Sri Lanka

Integrated weed control strategies are essential for organic and integrated nutrient management, where both systems are progressing with a fundamental of zero or minimum synthetic chemical cultivations. For optimizing the outcome of weed management, a better understanding of the weed dynamic is needed. Especially, with the absence of herbicides, weeds are expected to be controlled by the system itself, during the transition period under rice-based crop rotation systems. This study was conducted to estimate the weed abundance, growth, and composition during the transitional period with conventional (CONV), integrated (INT), and organic (ORG) nutrient management under four crop diversification intensities in a dry zone of Sri Lanka. Monocrop rice and a rice-maize rotation were the starting point. After 1 year, the diversification intensity was increased by adding interseason sunnhemp (rice-sunnhemp-rice and rice-sunnhemp-maize). Weed density and weed biomass were measured at 20 DAS and 60 DAS intervals. Weed density was higher in ORG during the early growth stages of monocrop rice rotation in the 1st cycle, and monocrop rice and rice-sunnhemp-rice rotation in the 2nd cycle while didn’t show any changes during the later growth stage of all systems in both cycles. The total weed biomass in ORG increased with increasing crop diversification. Overall, crop rotation in INT reported the lowest weed density and biomass after two cycles. In the CONV with rice-sunnhemp-maize rotation, weed biomass had declined, while in ORG grass biomass decreased only in sunnhemp cultivated rotations. Overall, INT was the best for weed suppression irrespective of crop rotation intensities. Monoculture with rice in the INT was able to suppress weed more effectively than rice-maize rotation.

Direct Measurements of FLASH-Induced Changes in Intracellular Oxygenation

The goal of our study was to characterize the dynamics of intracellular oxygen during application of radiation at conventional (CONV) and FLASH dose rates and obtain evidence for or against the oxygen depletion hypothesis as a mechanism of the FLASH effect. The measurements were performed by the phosphorescence quenching method using probe Oxyphor PtG4, which was delivered into the cellular cytosol by electroporation. Intracellular radiochemical oxygen depletion (ROD) g-value for a dose rate of 100 Gy/s in the normoxic range was found to be 0.58 ± 0.03 μM/Gy. Intracellular ROD g-values for FLASH and CONV dose rates in the normoxic range were found to be nearly equal. As in solution-based studies, intracellular ROD was found to exhibit strong dependence on oxygen concentration in the range of 0 to ∼40 μM [O2]. Depletion of oxygen in cells in vitro by a clinical dose of proton radiation delivered as FLASH is unable to produce a transient state of hypoxia and, therefore, unable to induce radioprotection. The difference between ROD g-values for FLASH and CONV dose rates, detected previously in solutions-based experiments, disappears when measurements are conducted inside cells. Understanding this phenomenon should provide additional insight into the role of oxygen in FLASH radiation therapy and help to decipher the mechanism of the FLASH effect.

Characterization and estimation of the bioaccessibility of essential elements in organic milk by INFOGEST protocol

The study estimated the bioaccessibility of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium in organic milk (ORG), compared to conventional (CNV) by the INFOGEST in vitro protocol. Total proteins, lipids and lactose were evaluated, the determination of essential minerals was performed by FAAS and phosphorus by colorimetric method. All ORG samples showed protein content equivalent to CNV and lower lactose and lipid content. Within different brands and batches, two batches of ORG presented higher levels of Na and lower levels of K and P, while all batches showed higher values for Ca and no differences for Mg. The bioaccessibility of magnesium was greater than 60%. ORG showed the highest values of bioaccessible calcium (12–65%) against CNV (11–27%). Phosphorus showed bioaccessibility higher than 74% in CNV. The variability of the results was related to different factors inherent to the matrices, such as casein and fatty-acids content and electrolytes standardized in the protocol.

Evaluation of pregnancy per artificial insemination of dairy animals detected in estrus during the synchronization protocol and assigned to conventional or sexed semen

Three experiments were designed to evaluate the effects of conventional and sexed-semen on reproductive performance of dairy females detected in estrus. In Exp. 1, 978 lactating Holstein cows and 116 Holstein heifers were used. Cows or heifers were randomly assigned to receive conventional (CONV) or sexed (SEXD) semen on day 0 of a TAI protocol. The TAI was performed using commercial CONV or SEXD frozen-thawed semen from the same 6 Holstein bulls, and SEXD semen was sexed through fluorescence cytometry. In Exp. 2, 390 lactating Holstein × Gir dairy cows and 344 Holstein × Gir heifers were used. Cows and heifers were randomly assigned to receive CONV or SEXD semen on day 0 with frozen-thawed semen from 5 Holstein × Gir bulls. The SEXD was sorted through the Sexcel™ methodology. In Exp. 3, 789 primiparous lactating Holstein cows were enrolled. Cows were randomly assigned to receive CONV or SEXD semen from 5 Holstein bulls, and the SEXD semen was sexed using the same semen allocation methodology described in Exp. 2. All data were analyzed using SAS. Regardless of the experiment, no treatment × bull interaction was observed for any of the variables analyzed herein (P ≥ 0.20). In Exp. 1, multiparous cows assigned to CONV had a greater P/AI vs. cohorts assigned to SEXD (P < 0.01) and a similar response tended to be observed for secundiparous cows (P = 0.10). No treatment effects were further observed when the effects of semen on day 60 P/AI were stratified by heat stress, milk yield, and CL at the beginning of the protocol. In Exp. 2, no P/AI differences between treatment were detected either on days 32 (P = 0.32) or 60 of pregnancy (P = 0.20). In Exp. 3, cows assigned to SEXD had reduced P/AI on day 32 (P = 0.03) and tended to have a reduced P/AI on day 60 of pregnancy (P = 0.06). No further treatment effects or interactions were observed herein (P ≥ 0.13). Overall P/AI of SEXD semen was 78% of the CONV (P < 0.01), but the variation of these results requires some attention. Moreover, an additional analysis was performed considering the median value of P/AI in bulls assigned to CONV and SEXD, and bulls that had a greater P/AI in CONV also had a greater P/AI in SEXD (P = 0.03). In summary, although not directly comparable, the sexing technologies herein provided similar results in heifers, but not in other categories (primiparous, secundiparous, and multiparous cows). Additionally, the P/AI of a sexed semen is associated to its performance on the conventional semen counterpart. Moreover, in the present experiment, no other parameters were shown to impact fertility of dairy females assigned to conventional or sexed-semen.

Immediate versus conventional loading of mandibular implant-retained overdentures: a 3-year follow-up of a randomized controlled trial.

There is a scarcity of randomized clinical trials (RCT) that report medium- and long-term results and a lack of consensus in the literature on the predictability of immediately loaded unsplinted narrow diameter implants supporting mandibular overdentures. This RCT compared the performance of conventional (CL) and immediate loading (IL) of mandibular overdentures retained by two narrow-diameter implants for 3years. Patients from an RCT treated with CL or IL were invited to attend to 2- and 3-year follow-ups. Clinical, radiographic, functional, and oral health-related quality of life parameters were evaluated. Prosthetic maintenance events, biological complications, and success and survival rates were also recorded. The data were tested by multilevel mixed-effects linear regression analysis and chi-squared tests. The 1-year survival rates of 90% in the CL group and 85% in the IL group were maintained as no implants were lost between 1 and 3years. The marginal bone loss (MBL) in the IL group was significantly lower after year 3 (-0.04; p < 0.01). Significant changes were found only for the intra-group comparisons in the third year of function: (i) CL and IL presented similar progression of implant stability, MBL, and posterior bone area resorption; (ii) while CL started deteriorating of masticatory function, IL still exhibited functional evolution and (iii) oral comfort domain in the CL and pain domain in the IL were improved. Although IL experienced the lowest MBL after 3years, the outcomes showed that both loading protocols result in predictable medium-term rehabilitation when monitored annually. It can be expected that in the third year of function, patients with immediate loading may present more complaints related to general performance even with acceptable masticatory function and self-reported improvements in oral comfort.

In-Field Rainwater Harvesting Tillage in Semi-Arid Ecosystems: I Maize-Bean Intercrop Performance and Productivity.

The purpose of this study was to monitor and compare the growth and productivity of maize/beans sole and inter-cropping systems under conventional (CON) and in-field rainwater harvesting (IRWH) tillage practices. During the typical drought conditions of the 2018/19 growing season, seven homestead gardens of smallholder farmers (four in Paradys and three in Morago villages) in the Thaba Nchu rural communities of South Africa were selected for on-farm demonstration trials. Two tillage systems CON and IRWH as the main plot and three cropping systems as sub-treatment (sole maize and beans and intercropping) were used to measure crop growth and productivity parameters. The results showed that IRWH tillage had significantly higher above-ground dry matter for both sole maize (29%) and intercropped maize (27%) compared to CON treatments. The grain yield under both tillage systems showed that IRWH-Sole >> IRWH-Ic >> CON-Sole >> CON-Ic, with values ranging from 878.2 kg ha-1 to 618 kg ha-1 (p ≤ 0.05). The low harvest index values (0.21-0.38) could have been due to the effect of the drought during the growing season. The results of precipitation use efficiency (PUE) showed that the IRWH tillage was more effective at converting rainwater into maize biomass and grain yield compared to CON tillage. However, the different cropping systems did not show a consistent trend in PUE. During the growing season, the PUE for AGDM varied for different tillage and cropping system treatments in Morago and Paradys. For maize, it ranged between 10.01-6.07 and 9.93-7.67 kg ha-1, while for beans, it ranged between 7.36-3.95 and 7.07-3.89 kg ha-1 mm-1. The PUE for grain yield showed similar trends with the significantly highest values of PUE under IRWH tillage systems for the Morago sites, but there were no significant differences at the Paradys site in both tillage and cropping systems. There is a critical need, therefore, to devise alternative techniques to promote an increase in smallholders' productivity based on an improved ability to capture and use resources more efficiently.

In-Field Rainwater Harvesting Tillage in Semi-Arid Ecosystems: II Maize-Bean Intercrop Water and Radiation Use Efficiency.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate alternative management practices such as in-field rainwater harvesting (IRWH) and intercropping techniques through conducting on-farm demonstrations. Seven homestead gardens in Thaba Nchu rural communities in the central part of South Africa were selected as demonstration trials. Two tillage systems, conventional (CON) and IRWH, as the main plot, and three cropping systems as sub-plot (sole maize and beans and intercropping) were used to measure water use and radiation use parameters. The water productivity (WP) of various treatments was positively related to the radiation use efficiency (RUE), and the degree of associations varied for different tillage systems. The water use in IRWH was higher by 15.1%, 8.3%, and 10.1% over the CON for sole maize and beans and intercropping, respectively. Similarly, the intercropping system showed water use advantages over the solely growing crops by 5% and 8% for maize and by 16% and 12% for beans under IRWH and CON tillage, respectively. Maximum RUE was found for sole maize and beans under IRWH, higher by 13% and 55% compared to the CON tillage, respectively. The RUE under IRWH tillage was estimated to be 0.65 and 0.39 g DM MJ-1 in sole maize and intercropping, respectively. However, in sole and intercropped beans, the RUE showed higher values of 1.02 g DM MJ-1 and 0.73 g DM MJ-1, respectively. WP and RUE were associated with water deficits and proportional to lower radiation use. This relationship indicates that the intercepted radiation by plants for photosynthesis is directly related to the transpiration rate until radiation saturation occurs. Therefore, the higher water deficit and lesser efficiency in using the radiation available during the season can be improved by practicing IRWH techniques. Furthermore, in semi-arid areas, to enhance the efficiency of water and radiation usage in intercropping management, it is crucial to adjust plant population and sowing dates based on water availability and the onset of rainfall.