FL Treatment Research Articles

Fms-like tyrosine kinase-3 ligand increases resistance to burn wound infection through effects on plasmacytoid dendritic cells

BackgroundPatients experiencing large thermal injuries are susceptible to opportunistic infections that can delay recovery and lead to sepsis. Dendritic cells (DC) are important for the detection of pathogens and activation of the innate and acquired immune responses. DCs are significantly decreased in burn patients early after injury, and the development of sepsis is associated with persistent DC depletion. In a murine model of burn wound infection, the enhancement of DCs after injury by treatment with the DC growth factor Fms-like tyrosine kinase-3 ligand (FL) enhances neutrophil migration to infection, improves bacterial clearance, and increases survival in a DC-dependent manner. FL expands the production of both conventional DCs (cDC) and plasmacytoid DCs (pDC). It has been established that cDCs are required for some of the protective effects of FL after burn injury. This study was designed to determine the contribution of the pDC subset.MethodsMice were subjected to full-thickness scald burns under deep anesthesia and were provided analgesia. pDCs were depleted by injection of anti-plasmacytoid dendritic cell antigen-1 antibodies. Survival, bacterial clearance, and neutrophil responses in vivo and in vitro were measured.ResultsDepletion of preexisting pDCs, but not FL-expanded pDCs, abrogated the beneficial effects of FL on survival, bacterial clearance, and neutrophil migration in response to burn wound infection. This requisite role of pDCs for FL-mediated enhancement of neutrophil migratory capacity is not due to direct effects of pDCs on neutrophils. cDCs, but not pDCs, directly increased neutrophil migratory capacity after co-culture.ConclusionsThe protective effects of FL treatment after burn injury are mediated by both pDCs and cDCs. Pharmacological enhancement of both DC subtypes by FL is a potential therapeutic intervention to enhance immune responses to infection and improve outcome after burn injury.

Recurrent somatic mutations affecting B-cell receptor signaling pathway genes in follicular lymphoma

AbstractFollicular lymphoma (FL) is the most common form of indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma, yet it remains only partially characterized at the genomic level. To improve our understanding of the genetic underpinnings of this incurable and clinically heterogeneous disease, whole-exome sequencing was performed on tumor/normal pairs from a discovery cohort of 24 patients with FL. Using these data and mutations identified in other B-cell malignancies, 1716 genes were sequenced in 113 FL tumor samples from 105 primarily treatment-naive individuals. We identified 39 genes that were mutated significantly above background mutation rates. CREBBP mutations were associated with inferior PFS. In contrast, mutations in previously unreported HVCN1, a voltage-gated proton channel-encoding gene and B-cell receptor signaling modulator, were associated with improved PFS. In total, 47 (44.8%) patients harbor mutations in the interconnected B-cell receptor (BCR) and CXCR4 signaling pathways. Histone gene mutations were more frequent than previously reported (identified in 43.8% of patients) and often co-occurred (17.1% of patients). A novel, recurrent hotspot was identified at a posttranslationally modified residue in the histone H2B family. This study expands the number of mutated genes described in several known signaling pathways and complexes involved in lymphoma pathogenesis (BCR, Notch, SWitch/sucrose nonfermentable (SWI/SNF), vacuolar ATPases) and identified novel recurrent mutations (EGR1/2, POU2AF1, BTK, ZNF608, HVCN1) that require further investigation in the context of FL biology, prognosis, and treatment.

不同水淹下狗牙根-牛鞭草混作对植株生物量的影响

PDF HTML阅读 XML下载 导出引用 引用提醒 不同水淹下狗牙根-牛鞭草混作对植株生物量的影响 DOI: 10.5846/stxb201606211206 作者: 作者单位: 三峡库区生态环境教育部重点实验室，重庆市三峡库区植物生态与资源重点实验室，西南大学生命科学学院，广西农业科学院农业资源与环境研究所,三峡库区生态环境教育部重点实验室，重庆市三峡库区植物生态与资源重点实验室，西南大学生命科学学院,三峡库区生态环境教育部重点实验室，重庆市三峡库区植物生态与资源重点实验室，西南大学生命科学学院,三峡库区生态环境教育部重点实验室，重庆市三峡库区植物生态与资源重点实验室，西南大学生命科学学院,三峡库区生态环境教育部重点实验室，重庆市三峡库区植物生态与资源重点实验室，西南大学生命科学学院,三峡库区生态环境教育部重点实验室，重庆市三峡库区植物生态与资源重点实验室，西南大学生命科学学院 重庆市地质矿产勘查开发局川东南地质大队 作者简介: 通讯作者: 中图分类号: 基金项目: 国家国际科技合作专项（2015DFA90900）；三峡后续工作库区生态与生物多样性保护专项项目（5000002013BB5200002）；重庆市林业重点科技攻关项目（渝林科研2015-6）；中央财政林业科技推广示范项目（渝林科推[2014-10]） Effects of mixed intercropping of Cynodon dactylon and Hemarthria altissima on their biomass under different flooding conditions Author: Affiliation: Key Laboratory of Eco-environment in the Three Gorges Reservoir Region ( Ministry of Education), Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Ecology and Resources Research in Three Gorges Reservoir Region,School of Life Sciences,Southwest University, Agricultural Resources and Environment Research Institute, Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences,,Key Laboratory of Eco-environments in Three Gorges Reservoir Region (Ministry of Education), Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Ecology and Resources Research in Three Gorges Reservoir Region,School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China,,,Key Laboratory of Eco-environments in Three Gorges Reservoir Region (Ministry of Education), School of Life Sciences, Southwest University 2Southeast Sichuan Geological Group，Chongqing Bureau of Geology and Minerals Exploration Fund Project: 摘要 | 图/表 | 访问统计 | 参考文献 | 相似文献 | 引证文献 | 资源附件 | 文章评论 摘要:了解狗牙根（Cynodon dactylon）和牛鞭草（Hemarthria altissima）在不同水淹地区较优的种植方式对退化湿地的植被修复具有重要意义。设置4种不同水分条件，即对照组（CK）、水淹与干旱交替组（FD）、土壤表面水淹组（FL）和全淹组（SM），4种不同的植株密度（每盆分别种植1，2，4株或12株）和2种不同的种植方式（单作和混作），研究两物种在不同水淹条件下以不同方式和密度种植时的生物量变化。结果表明，水分、种植密度和种植方式均显著影响两物种的地上生物量和总生物量（P < 0.05）。CK和FD条件下，以中、高密度混作的狗牙根地上生物量和总生物量与单作相比显著下降（P < 0.05），牛鞭草在混作方式下的生物量与单作相比有了一定提高，其中在高密度混作情况下其生物量得到显著提高（P < 0.05）。在FL条件下，与单作相比，中、低密度混作的狗牙根和牛鞭草生物量均具有一定的上升。全淹条件下以中、低密度混作对狗牙根地上生物量和总生物量具有显著的促进作用（P < 0.05），对牛鞭草无显著差异（P > 0.05），高密度混作方式则对两物种生物量均无显著影响（P > 0.05）。随着水淹程度的增加，混作对狗牙根产生的生长抑制影响逐渐减弱。在长期浅水淹的地区，采取中、低密度混作将更有利于牛鞭草和狗牙根的长期共存。在较低海拔的全淹地区，采取高密度的牛鞭草-狗牙根混作方式将是更为理想的选择。 Abstract:The water level fluctuation zone of the Three Gorges Reservoir has been affected by a number of ecological problems, most importantly, the loss of previous vegetation. The revegetation of this region is just one example of a potential solution to this issue, and revegetation projects have been carried out in the region over recent years in an attempt to restore the riparian ecosystem within the Three Gorges Reservoir region. The riparian species Hemarthria altissima and Cynodon dactylon have been commonly used in this revegetation effort. Knowledge of the growth responses of plant species to different flood regimes and identifying a suitable planting pattern will lead to improvements in the design of wetland management strategies. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the optimal planting pattern for these two species under different flood conditions. Four flooding conditions were designed using an independent-group design and their results were evaluated. These groups were the Control Group (CK), the Flooding-Dry Alternating Group (FD), the Soil-Flooding Group (FL), and the Submergence Group (SM). These groups had four different planting densities, which were 1, 2, 4, or 12 plants per experimental pot. Single cropping strategies were applied to the pot with one plant, while both single and mixed cropping strategies were applied to the pots with, 2, 4, and 12 plants. The ratio of H. altissima to C. dactylon in the mixed intercropping groups was 1:1 in the pots with 2, 4, and 12 plants. The results indicated that the total and aboveground biomasses of H. altissima and C. dactylon were significantly influenced by water treatment, planting density, and planting pattern (P < 0.05). The total and aboveground biomasses of C. dactylon significantly decreased in the mixed intercropping pots with medium and high planting densities under the CK and FD conditions (P < 0.05). In contrast, the total and aboveground biomasses of H. altissima increased in the mixed intercropping pots for all planting densities, and increased significantly at the high planting density under the CK and FD conditions (P < 0.05). The total H. altissima and C. Dactylon biomasses increased in the mixed intercropping pots with low and medium planting density under the FL treatment. The total and aboveground C. dactylon biomasses also significantly increased in the mixed intercropping pots with low and medium planting density under the SM treatment (P < 0.05). However, the mixed intercropping pattern with low and medium planting density did not influence the H. altissima biomass under the SM treatment (P > 0.05). Furthermore, the mixed intercropping pattern with high planting density did not influence the H. altissima and C. Dactylon biomasses under the SM treatment (P > 0.05). The inhibition influence of the mixed intercropping pattern to C. Dactylon declined as flooding stress increased. The results suggested that the long-term coexistence of H. altissima and C. Dactylon would improve if a mixed intercropping pattern with low and medium planting densities was adopted in areas where flooding lasted for a long period. Therefore, in order to strengthen the soil retention functions of H. altissima and C. dactylon, and improve the species diversity and community stability of the vegetation restoration, mixed intercropping with a high H. altissima-to-C. dactylon planting density is the optimal choice in low-altitude areas that are completely flooded. 参考文献 相似文献 引证文献

Effects of dietary rhubarb, Bacillus cereus, yeast polysaccharide, and florfenicol supplementation on growth, intestinal morphology, and immune responses of sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus)

A 60-day feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary Chinese herbal medicine (rhubarb, Rheum officinale Bail), probiotic (Bacillus cereus BC-01), prebiotic (yeast polysaccharide), and antibiotic (florfenicol) supplementation on the growth, intestinal morphology, and immune responses of juvenile sea cucumbers (Apostichopus japonicus Selenka; initial weight, 4.67 ± 0.06 g). The control treatment was fed only the basal diet (CT treatment), whereas four other treatments were fed the basal diet supplemented with rhubarb (RH treatment), B. cereus BC-01 (BC treatment), yeast polysaccharide (PO treatment), or florfenicol (FL treatment). Groups of ten sea cucumbers were housed in separate tanks, and each diet was fed to five randomly selected groups. The specific growth rates of the individuals in the RH and BC treatments were significantly higher than those in the CT, PO, and FL treatments. The apparent digestibility coefficient of crude protein in the RH and BC treatments was significantly higher than that of crude protein in the CT and PO treatments. The alkaline phosphatase activity of the coelomocytes in the RH and BC treatments was significantly higher than that in the CT and FL treatments. Coelomocytes in the PO treatment had the highest acid phosphatase activity. Higher than average lysozyme activity was observed in the PO and FL treatments. Fold and enterocyte heights in the mid-intestinal tract of sea cucumbers in the CT and RH treatments were lower than those in the BC, PO, and FL treatments. Microvillus height was greatest in the RH treatment and lowest in the FL treatment. Scanning electron microscopy revealed remarkable atrophy of microvilli and apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells in the FL treatment. These results suggest that dietary rhubarb, B. cereus, and yeast polysaccharide supplementation can improve the health of sea cucumbers, whereas long-term florfenicol supplementation may have a negative impact on their intestinal healthy and immune response of sea cucumbers.

Comparação da contenção farmacológica com cetamina e xilazina, administradas pela via intramuscular no membro torácico ou pélvico, em jacarés-do-papo-amarelo juvenis

Os répteis possuem um sistema porta-renal, o qual pode desviar parte do sangue proveniente das porções caudais do corpo aos rins antes que a mesma atinja a circulação sistêmica. Em vista disto, vem sendo aconselhada a administração de medicamentos injetáveis nos membros torácicos, para que se evite a filtração imediata pelo parênquima renal, causando redução do efeito esperado. O objetivo do presente estudo foi comparar aspectos qualitativos e quantitativos da associação de cetamina (30 mg/kg) e xilazina (1 mg/kg), injetada no membro torácico ou pélvico, em jacarés-do-papo-amarelo (Caiman latirostris) juvenis. Oito animais machos com peso médio (±DP) de 1,3 (±0,3) kg e, aproximadamente, dois anos de idade foram anestesiados em duas ocasiões distintas com intervalo de sete dias. Em cada ocasião, os animais receberam, de forma aleatória, a associação anestésica por via intramuscular em membro torácico (tratamento MT) ou pélvico (tratamento MP). Foram avaliados os intervalos de tempo entre a administração do tratamento e a perda do reflexo de endireitamento (período de indução), entre a perda e o retorno desse reflexo (duração do efeito clínico importante) e entre o retorno do reflexo de endireitamento e os primeiros movimentos de deambulação (duração do efeito residual), as frequências cardíaca e respiratória e as temperaturas ambiental e cloacal. Os escores de sedação/anestesia foram avaliados através de uma escala com variação de 0 (alerta/consciente) a 10 (anestesia profunda/sobredosagem). No tratamento MP, dois animais não apresentaram perda de reflexo de endireitamento. Considerando somente aqueles que apresentaram a perda desse reflexo, o tempo de indução (21±9 e 17±5 minutos) e a duração do efeito clínico importante (35±19 e 43±21 minutos) e residual (28±31 e 12±11 minutos) foram similares entre os tratamentos MT e MP (média±desvio padrão). O escore de sedação foi significativamente maior que o basal de 20 a 50 minutos nos dois tratamentos e, aos 30 minutos (pico de efeito), o escore mediano (interquartil) foi 3,5(2,3-4,0) no tratamento MT e 3,0(2,0-4,0) no tratamento MP. Assim como nos escores de sedação, diferenças entre tratamentos nas variáveis fisiológicas não foram observadas. Em ambos os tratamentos, o reflexo de retirada de membro ao pinçamento digital não foi abolido. A administração da associação de xilazina e cetamina em membro pélvico ou torácico de jacarés-do-papo-amarelo juvenis promove efeitos similares, sugerindo que a influência do sistema porta-renal não é clinicamente relevante. Nas doses empregadas, tal protocolo não promove anestesia cirúrgica e a imobilidade/contenção farmacológica é imprevisível e de curta duração.

The cost of adverse events in metastatic breast cancer in taxane- and capecitabine-based regimens.

261 Background: Over 155,000 women are living with metastatic breast cancer (mBC) in the US. Chemotherapies can prolong survival for women with mBC, but adverse events (AEs) stemming from their use are common and costly to manage. We compared the healthcare costs for taxane- (TAX) and capecitabine-based (CAP) treatments for mBCpatients as either first- or second-line (FL or SL) therapy in the US. Methods: Using the Marketscan Commercial Database, a nationally representative database of over 52 million people, we selected mBC patients diagnosed from 2008-2011. Patients were categorized into FL and SL chemotherapy including either a TAX (paclitaxel or docetaxel) or CAP using an algorithm based on pharmacy and medical claims data. Chemotherapy-related AEs were identified by ICD-9 codes. Costs were tabulated from a payer perspective. Average monthly costs were stratified by treatment and the presence/absence of AEs. Results: Among 15,535 mBCpatients we identified 15,472 FL and 6,809 SL cases treated with TAX or CAP. The mean age of patients was 51 years (SD 8). At least one AE was experienced during FL treatment by 74% (SD 44%) and 68% (SD 46%) of TAX and CAP users and during SL treatment 60% (SD 49%) and 59% (SD 49%), respectively. Average monthly total costs during the FL period were $2,385 higher (p &lt;0.0001) and $1,679 higher (p=0.28) for TAX- and CAP-treated patients who experienced at least one AE. In SL, costs for patients with at least one AE had were $2,995 (p&lt;0.0001) higher for TAX-treated patients and $4,870 (p=0.0026) higher for CAP-treated patients. Conclusions: Among community-treated patients, AEs are common in women with mBC receiving TAX- and CAP-based chemotherapy regimens. These AEs are associated with higher costs in FL and SL. When possible, prevention or earlier management of AEs may represent an opportunity to reduce costs and improve outcomes for women with mBC. [Table: see text]

Treatment of HIV-associated facial lipoatrophy: impact on infection progression assessed by viral load and CD4 count

BACKGROUND HIV/AIDS-Associated Lipodystrophy Syndrome includes changes in body fat distribution, with or without metabolic changes. The loss of fat from the face, called facial lipoatrophy, is one of the most stigmatizing signs of the syndrome. OBJECTIVESTo evaluate the effect of FL treatment using polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) implants on disease progression, assessed by viral load and CD4 cell count. METHODS This was a prospective study of 44 patients treated from July 2009 to December 2010. Male and female patients, aged over 18 years, with clinically detectable FL and who had never been treated were included in the study. PMMA implantation was done to fill atrophic areas. Laboratory tests were conducted to measure viral load and CD4 count before and after treatment. RESULTS Of the 44 patients, 72.72% were male and 27.27% female, mean age of 44.38 years. Before treatment, 82% of patients had undetectable viral load, which increased to 88.6% after treatment, but without statistical significance (p = 0.67). CD4 count before treatment ranged from 209 to 1293, averaging 493.97. After treatment, the average increased to 548.61. The increase in CD4 count after treatment was statistically significant with p = 0.02. CONCLUSION The treatment of FL with PMMA implants showed a statistically significant increase in CD4 count after treatment, revealing the impact of FL treatment on disease progression. Viral load before and after treatment did not vary significantly.

Metabolism in orange fruits is driven by photooxidative stress in the leaves

In plants, stress signals propagate to trigger distant responses and thus stress acclimation in non-exposed organs. We tested here the hypothesis that leaves submitted to photooxidative stress may influence the metabolism of nearby fruits and thus quality criteria. Leaves of orange trees (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck cv. 'Navelate') were acclimated to shade for 1 week and then submitted to full (FL) and medium light (ML) conditions. As expected, photoinhibition was detected in leaves of both FL and ML treatments as revealed by stress indicators (Fv /Fm , Performance Index) for at least 99 h after treatments. In the fruits near the stressed leaves, we then determined the activities of enzymes related to oxidative stress, superoxide dismutase, catalase and the enzymes of the ascorbate (AA)/glutathione cycle, as well as the contents in sugars, organic acids and carotenoids. Ascorbate peroxidase and monodehydroascorbate reductase activities in the pulp of fruits were dramatically higher in both treatments when compared to the control. AA and total sugars were not affected by the photooxidative stress. However, the FL treatment resulted in a 16% increase in total organic acids, with succinic acid being the major contributor, a shift towards less glucose + fructose and more sucrose, and a 15% increase in total carotenoids, with cis-violaxanthin being the major contributor. Our observations strongly suggest the existence of a signal generated in leaves in consequence of photooxidative stress, transmitted to nearby fruits. Exploiting such a signal by agronomic means promises exciting perspectives in managing quality criteria in fruits accumulating carotenoids.

Pharmacologic Management of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome in a Community Hospital

Neonatal abstinence syndrome has become a growing concern in infants born to substance-abusing mothers in the State of Florida. At Sarasota Memorial Hospital in Sarasota, FL, methadone and morphine treatment strategies have been formulated to manage symptomatic neonates after birth. We report our findings over a 5-year period utilizing each of these protocols in a community hospital setting.

Simulated research on anti-predation reaction of &lt;i&gt;Daphnia similis&lt;/i&gt; to &lt;i&gt;Chaoborus&lt;/i&gt; larvae

枝角类溞会由于捕食者的存在而发生形态、行为、生活史等的变化.通过为期10 d对太湖春、夏季优势种同形溞(Daphnia similis)在有幽蚊幼虫(CL)、无幽蚊幼虫(CK)及培养过幽蚊幼虫的过滤水(FL)3个环境水平的模拟实验,发现同形溞在有幽蚊幼虫和培养过幽蚊幼虫的过滤水处理下平均体长、累积产仔数及平均产仔数均显著大于无幽蚊幼虫组,表明幽蚊幼虫释放的信息素能改变同形溞的体长、产仔数等生活史参数,这种改变会降低同形溞被捕食的风险.说明在自然环境下,幽蚊幼虫等无脊椎捕食者能通过直接捕食和信息素的间接作用共同影响枝角类种群.;Daphnia exhibits diverse morphological,behavioral and life-history responses to the kairomones of predators.A 10-day simulated experiment was conducted on anti-predation reaction of Daphnia similis,a dominant species in Lake Taihu,to invertebrate predator Chaoborus larvae.The experiment had three treatments: the presence of Chaoborus larvae (CL),control without Chaoborus larvae or filtered water (CK) and no Chaoborus larvae but with the filtered water that had cultured Chaoborus larvae the day before (FL).The results showed that the average body length,average number of offspring and cumulative number of offspring of D.similis in the CL and FL treatments were significantly higher than those in the CK treatment,which suggested that the release of kairomones from Chaoborus larvae can alter the life history traits of D.similis.These alterations can reduce the predation risk of D.similis.Our results indicate that invertebrate predator can affect the cladoceran population through both direct predation and release of the kairomones in the field.

밀폐형 식물생산시스템에서 인공광원과 광조사 시간에 따른 상추의 생장 및 안토시아닌 함량

This study was conducted to examine the effect of artificial light source and photoperiod on the growth of leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) 'Seonhong Jeokchukmyeon' in a closed-type plant production system. Seedlings were grown under 3 light sources, fluorescent lamp (FL, Philips Co. Ltd., the Netherlands), WL #1 (Hepas Co. Ltd., Korea), and WL #2 (FC Poibe Co., Ltd., Korea), each with 3 photoperiods, 12/12, 18/6, and 24/0 (Light/Dark). An irradiance spectrum analysis showed that FL has various peaks in the 400-700 nm range, while WL #1 and WL #2 have only one monochromatic peak at 450 and 550 nm, respectively. The greatest plant height, fresh and dry weights were obtained in the 24/0 (Light/Dark) photoperiod. The 24/0 (Light/Dark) photoperiod treatment promoted vegetative growth of the leaf area. Length of the longest root, number of leaves, fresh weight, and total anthocyanin contents were greater in FL than in either WL #1 or #2. The greatest chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm) was found in the 12/12 (Light/Dark) photoperiod with FL treatment. The energy use efficiency of the LED increased by about 35-46% as compared to FL. Results suggest a possibility of LED being used as a substitute light source for fluorescent lamp for lettuce cultivation in a plant factory system.

Remediation of PAH-contaminated soils by magnetite catalyzed Fenton-like oxidation

This is the premier study reporting the degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) through Fenton-like oxidation catalyzed by magnetite. Kinetic degradation of PAHs was studied at circumneutral pH by treatments: (i) H2O2+soluble FeII (F), (ii) H2O2+magnetite as iron source (FL) and (iii) H2O2 alone without catalyst (HP). Results show that oxidation of a model PAH compound (fluorenone) spiked on sand resulted in its complete removal by FL treatment but degradation did not exceed 20% in HP or F systems. However, in two PAHs polluted soils (sampled from coking plant sites), negligible oxidation of 16 PAHs was observed regardless of the catalyst used: soluble FeII or magnetite. Then organic extract separated from these soils was added to sand and after evaporation of the solvent, oxidation was performed which resulted in more than 90% of PAHs removal by FL as compared to 15% by F or HP systems. These removal extents decreased by a factor of two when the organic extracts were oxidized in the presence of original soil. PAHs degradation extent was improved in soils pre-treated with availability-enhancement agents such as ethanol or cyclodextrin. Degradation was non-selective and no by-products were observed by GC–MS and μFTIR. Treatment efficiency was highly limited by PAHs availability in soils and the soil matrix effect. This study points out the promising efficiency of magnetite for PAHs oxidation at circumneutral pH over soluble FeII in contaminated soils, and has important implications in the remediation of contaminated soils.

Soil properties under different orchard floor management systems for organic apple production

Orchard floor management impacts soil conditions and thus tree performance. This research was initiated to investigate the effects of alternative orchard floor management systems compatible with organic production on soil parameters using the "Pacific Gala" apple cultivar (Malus × domestica Borkh.) onthreerootstocksofvaryingvigor.Alfalfahay mulch, propane flame burner, and Swiss sandwich sys- tem(combinationofresidentvegetationandtilledstrips) were compared from 2001 to 2005. These treatments were applied to tree rows which provided different vegetation-free areas. Contrasting additions of organic matter were evaluated for their effect on soil organic matter (SOM), C content, nitrate and ammonium availability, moisture, and soil food web through nema- tode populations. Laboratory incubations to determine C and N mineralization potentials were performed. Dur- ing this time period, SOM increased under the mulched soil and slightly less under the Swiss sandwich system (SSS) but in this last case without external inputs. Carbon and N pools were not impacted by flame burn- ing (FL) but were enhanced by alfalfa hay mulch (MU) and to a lesser extent by SSS. Nitrate-N content in soil under MU increased between five and ten times com- pared to SSS and FL. Total number of nematodes was higher for SSS and MU compared with FL treatment; however, SSS had the most structured soil food web, an important sustainability trait, while MU had the least.

WHAT'S NEW IN SHOCK, OCTOBER 2009?

WHAT'S NEW IN SHOCK, OCTOBER 2009?

FMS-LIKE TYROSINE KINASE-3 LIGAND ALTERS ANTIGEN-SPECIFIC RESPONSES TO INFECTIONS AFTER SEVERE BURN INJURY

Burn patients are susceptible to opportunistic infections partly because of decreased immune functions, especially TH1-driven antigen-specific responses, which are regulated by dendritic cells. The dendritic cell growth factor, fms-like tyrosine kinase-3 ligand (FL), has been shown to increase resistance to Pseudomonas aeruginosa, in a dendritic cell-dependent manner, in a mouse model of burn wound infection. The specific mechanisms of protection are not known. This study tested the hypothesis that FL can enhance production of P. aeruginosa-specific antibodies after burn wound infection. Mice that had been previously exposed to P. aeruginosa were infected after burn injury by wound inoculation or challenged by intraperitoneal injection of heat-killed P. aeruginosa. In response to wound infection, FL treatments enhanced bacterial clearance and induced a shift from immunoglobulin (Ig) M toward IgG and IgA. However, serum levels of neither P. aeruginosa-specific antibodies nor interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) were significantly increased by FL, possibly because of decreased systemic exposure to bacteria. After challenge with heat-killed bacteria, which ensured equal exposures, FL-treated mice produced significantly greater levels of P. aeruginosa-specific IgG2a, which correlated with an increase in serum levels of interferon gamma and enhanced opsonization capacity. IL-12, IL-10, and transforming growth factor beta were significantly increased in FL-treated mice, regardless of the type of challenge. These findings indicate that FL treatments after burn injury enhance cytokine responses to recall antigens and increase bacterial clearance. In addition, through its ability to promote TH1-associated antigen-specific responses, FL may have potential as an immunotherapy to enhance adaptive immunity after severe burn injury.

Outcomes of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients treated with second-line chemotherapy (SL): A retrospective analysis of 166 patients

e19093 Background: Patients with SCLC progressed after first-line chemotherapy (FL) have a poor prognosis and the evidence of a benefit of SL is still limited.This retrospective analysis evaluates the clinical outcomes of patients who received a SL treatment after failure of a FL for SCLC Methods: Retrospectively we reviewed 166 consecutive patients who failed a FL and received a second or third-line treatment, between 1993 and 2008 in 17 institutions. We divided patients for analysis in four subgroups, according to the type of SL administered: 1) Platinum-based (P) rechallenge 2) Non-platinum-based polichemotherapy 3) Non-topotecan monochemotherapy 4) topotecan monochemotherapy. Our endpoints were Overall survival (OS), Progression free survival (PFS) and Response Rate. Survival curves were designed with Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazard model was used for investigating factors which influence survival Results: Median age was 63 (range 25–86). Median OS from the SL was 6.2 months and PFS 2.9. 163 patients received a platinum based chemotherapy as FL, among them 67% obtained a response (CR=14%, PR=53.7%) and 19% had a progressive disease. 74% of patients had a PS 0–1 when started on SL. Moreover, 50 patients underwent also a third-line chemotherapy. Of the 23 CR at FL, 7 patients achieved a response in SL(30%), of the 85 PR only 19 (22%) and of the PD+SD only 6 (16%) (test for trend p=.03). No statistical differences among regimens groups were found; however, patients rechallenged with P went better then others when a long PFS in FL was demonstrated (p=.02) Conclusions: The clinical benefit of SL therapy for SCLC is poor and strictly dependent on response and on duration of response with FL treatment. Our retrospective analysis confirms that median OS for patients receiving SL is about 6 months and median PFS 2.9 months. A rechallenge with platinum should be the best options in patients with a long PFS in FL. Single agent topotecan, the most investigated agent in the literature, did not show evidence of superiority against other chemotherapy regimens No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Normal and Flush Irrigation Effects on Nitrogen Leaching from Simulated Golf Greens in the Greenhouse

Nitrogen (N) can leach in porous golf greens, especially when they are flushed with high rates of irrigation. Drain water often discharges to the surface, possibly endangering surface waters with eutrophic concentrations of nitrogen. A greenhouse study was initiated to study the effects of fertilizer source and rate and irrigation schemes on leaching of nitrate and ammonium nitrogen. Simulated golf green columns were sodded with bermudagrass. Treatments were 3 fertilizer sources (20‐20‐20, ammonium nitrate, and a sulfur‐coated urea), 3 rates (zero control, 12, and 24 kg ha−1), and 2 irrigation schemes. The first was a daily rate of 0.6 mm (N.I.), and the second was the same daily rate with several flushes of 11.5 cm each (FL). Essentially no nitrogen leached for the N.I. scheme, whereas the FL treatment resulted in significant leaching of nitrate‐N. Ammonium‐N leached to a much less extent than nitrate‐N. The nitrate‐N concentration “break through” occurred earlier, the peaks were higher, and the flushes were more prominent for 20‐20‐20 and ammonium nitrate than for the sulfur‐coated urea. The sulfur‐coated urea had a gradual nitrate‐N concentration peak that tapered off slowly. The percent N leached of that applied was higher for the flushes, and all sources were the same for flushes and the high N rate (about 20%). At the low N rate and flushes, the percent leached was highest for ammonium nitrate (10.2%), 20‐20‐20 was intermediate (4.3%), and sulfur‐coated urea was the lowest (0.14%). These data show that fertilizer sources and rates can make a difference in nitrate‐nitrogen leaching but only when significant leaching is taking place as with flushing.

Fertilizer effect on the yield and terpene components from the flowerheads of Chrysanthemum boreale M. (Compositae)

Chrysanthemum boreale M. is an important medicinal plant that has been historically used in natural medicine and in the food industry throughout East Asia. Most flowerheads used for food are taken from the wild. However, natural sources are limited and there is not enough to meet current demand. To fulfill current and future increasing demand, cultivation systems that produce a greater amount of flowerheads with good quality and yield are required. A field experiment was conducted during the growing seasons of 2000 and 2001 to determine the effects of fertilization treatments [without fertilizer (WF), NPK fertilizer (F), NPK plus lime (FL) and NPK plus swine manure (FS)] on flowerhead yield and the content of essential oils. Fertilizer application increased both flowerheads and essential oil yields in both growing seasons. In addition, the contents of terpene, monoterpenoids and sesquiterpenoids were improved only in FL as compared with WF or F treatments. Yield ha -1 of cumambrin A, a sesquiterpene compound exhibiting blood-pressure regulating activity, was increased by all fertilization treatments, but its concentration in the flowerheads was only increased by FL treatment. Cumambrin A and calcium contents were correlated in flower parts of C. boreale M. This suggests adding calcium could increase the yields and quality of C. boreale M. In general, the correct fertility regime could increase both flowerhead production and concentration of health-promoting substances.

A Forced Ventilation Micropropagation System for Photoautotrophic Production of Sweetpotato Plug Plantlets in a Scaled-up Culture Vessel: II. Carbohydrate Status

Sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam., `Beniazuma'] plantlets were grown photoautotrophically (without sugar) for 12 days in an improved forced ventilation system designed with air distribution pipes for uniform spatial distributions of carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration. Enriched CO2 conditions and photosynthetic photon flux (PPF) were provided at 1500 μmol·mol-1 and 150 μmol·m-2·s-1, respectively. The forced (F) ventilation treatments were designated high (FH), medium (FM), and low (FL), corresponding to ventilation rates of 23 mL·s-1 (1.40 inch3/s), 17 mL·s-1 (1.04 inch3/s), and 10 mL·s-1 (0.61 inch3/s), respectively, on day 12. The natural (N) ventilation treatment was extremely low (NE) at 0.4 mL·s-1 (0.02 inch3/s), relative to the forced ventilation treatments. Total soluble sugar (TSS) and starch content were determined on day 12. Total soluble sugars (sucrose, glucose, fructose) of FH plantlets were lowest in leaf tissue and highest in stem tissue as compared to other ventilation treatments. Starch concentration was higher in leaf tissue of FH or FM plantlets as compared to that of FL or NE plantlets. Plantlets subjected to FH or FM treatments exhibited significantly higher net photosynthetic rates (NPR) than those of the other treatments; and on day 12, NPR was almost five times higher in the FH or FM treatment than the FL or NE treatments. Carbohydrate concentration of plantlets was also influenced by the position of the plantlets in the vessel. Within the forced ventilation vessels, leaf TSS of FH and FM plantlets was similar regardless of whether plantlets were located near the inlet or outlet of CO2 enriched air. However, under FH or FM conditions, leaf starch concentration was higher in plantlets located closest to the CO2 inlet as compared to the outlet.

Timing of Prenatal Androgen Exposure: Anatomical and Endocrine Effects on Juvenile Male and Female Rhesus Monkeys

Prenatal androgen shapes genital differentiation. In humans, genital anatomy determines sex of rearing and subsequent behavioral development. Rhesus monkey genital anatomy and neuroendocrine function are sexually differentiated, and behavioral development occurs in a complex social environment. We investigated prenatal hormonal influences on sexual differentiation by suppressing or increasing androgens in male and female rhesus monkeys. Pregnant multiparous female rhesus monkeys received 35–40 days of testosterone enanthate (TE) treatment, androgen antagonist (flutamide, FL) treatment, or vehicle starting on gestation day (GD) 35 or 40 (early) or GD 110 or 115 (late). Exogenous androgen increased neonatal LH secretion in females when given early and altered female genital differentiation when administered either early or late. TE treatment, early or late in gestation, had no measurable effects on male genital differentiation or neuroendocrine function. Early FL treatment, however, radically altered male genital differentiation, producing in two cases males with a urethral opening separate from the glans. In females, early FL treatment produced detectable alterations in genitalia consistent with a reduced exposure to prenatal androgen, suggesting that female rhesus monkeys are naturally exposed prenatally to meaningful levels of T. Late FL treatment reduced male penis size and increased neonatal T secretion, but had no effect in females. This is the first study to block endogenous prenatal testosterone in rhesus monkeys, thereby altering sexual differentiation. These findings illustrate the complexity of prenatal influences on anatomical and neuroendocrine development. The relationship between the anatomical changes reported here and sex differences in behavior is currently under investigation.