Greater Volume Research Articles

Global Positioning System Analysis Of Positional Locomotive Training Demands In Women’s Varsity Rugby Union

Rugby union is a full contact, intermittent-intensity sport that requires a combination of power, agility, speed and endurance. In positional gameplay, forwards compete in high force-plays (scrums, rucks, mauls), while backs typically execute sprint and agility focused activities. PURPOSE: To determine the locomotive demands of female varsity rugby union athletes in regular season training, and to assess positional dissimilarities in these demands, using global positioning system (GPS) technology. METHODS: Wearable GPS technology was used to collect spatial and temporal data of female varsity rugby athletes (20.2 ± 2.4 yr) during three regular season training sessions, each ~2 hr in length. Sessions were categorized as endurance training (ET), skill training (ST) or game-based training (GBT). Movements were catalogued into 5 speed zones. Player positions were classified as forward (n=14) or back (n=15). RESULTS: Backs traveled greater total distances on all practice days than forwards, and in ET backs traveled greater distances per minute than forwards (50.07 ± 6.67 m; 47.95 ± 16.64 m, p < 0.01). Positional work-to-rest ratio was higher in forwards vs. backs in ET only (0.244 ± 0.158; 0.230 ± 0.051, p < 0.05). Backs traveled greater total distances in high-intensity zones than forwards (7.23 ± 4.34 %; 4.32 ± 2.50 %, p < 0.05) during GBT. In all practice sessions, significant differences between positions were observed in time spent and distance traveled within the 5 speed zones. CONCLUSION: Locomotive training demands for back positions are of higher intensity in GBT, and greater volume on all practice days, compared to forward positions. ET was the only session that exhibited a significantly higher work-to-rest ratio for forwards. Though GPS technology is effective for quantifying linear movements, it is not capable of quantifying athlete exertion in low-speed, high-power movements, performed by forwards in rugby union. Research funded by a grant from NSERC, Canada.

Loading To Optimize Patellar Tendon Repair After Injury

PURPOSE: Tendinopathy is one of the most common musculoskeletal issues in jumping sports. In sports like basketball and volleyball, tendinopathy rates reach greater than 45%. Interventions to prevent or treat tendinopathies would improve an athlete’s quality of life and team performance. The goal of any intervention to treat tendinopathy is to increase the content of directionally oriented collagen, decrease pain, and increase the tensile strength of the tendon. This study is designed to determine the molecular changes that promote tendon repair. METHODS: Patellar tendon injury was induced in male Wistar Rats with a 2mm biopsy punch. Rats then recovered with normal cage activity for 15 days to allow a mature scar to form. Following scar formation, groups received either an isometric load (4 x 30 second contraction, 2 min rest) or an equivalent time under tension using dynamic loads (360 contractions lasting 333ms each). The injured region of the tendon was collected 18 hrs after loading and immediately frozen. RNA was isolated from the tendon for RT-qPCR determination of genes involved in tendon (collagen I, III, lysyl oxidase, and scleraxis) and fibrocartilage (collagen II, aggrecan, tenascin C, and Sox9) formation. RESULTS: Tendon scar formation was confirmed by visual inspection. The injured region showed increased vascularity and greater volume. Our preliminary findings suggest that RNA within the tendon increases from 154.4±20.5μg at baseline to 497.9±128.1μg two weeks after injury. Acute isometric exercise of the scarred tendon decreased RNA in the injured region slightly to 341.1±16.8μg. At the time of submission the gene expression studies are being completed. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study confirms that following injury there is an increase in cell mass (greater RNA) in the scar. Further work on the expression of tendon and cartilaginous genes within the scar will help with the development of a loading program to repair patellar tendinopathy.

Hippocampal and parahippocampal volumes vary by sex and traumatic life events in children

Childhood trauma is reliably associated with smaller hippocampal volume in adults; however, this finding has not been shown in children, and even less is known about how sex and trauma interact to affect limbic structural development in children. Typically developing children aged 9 to 15 years who completed a trauma history questionnaire and structural T1-weighted MRI were included in this study (n = 172; 85 female, 87 male). All children who reported 4 or more traumas (n = 36) composed the high trauma group, and all children who reported 3 or fewer traumas (n = 136) composed the low trauma group. Using multivariate analysis of covariance, we compared FreeSurfer-derived structural MRI volumes (normalized by total intracranial volume) of the amygdalar, hippocampal and parahippocampal regions by sex and trauma level, controlling for age and study site. We found a significant sex × trauma interaction, such that girls with high trauma had greater volumes than boys with high trauma. Follow-up analyses indicated significantly increased volumes for girls and generally decreased volumes for boys, specifically in the hippocampal and parahippocampalregions for the high trauma group; we observed no sex differences in the low trauma group. We noted no interaction effect for the amygdalae. We assessed a community sample and did not include a clinical sample. We did not collect data about the ages at which children experienced trauma. Results revealed that psychological trauma affects brain development differently in girls and boys. These findings need to be followed longitudinally to elucidate how structural differences progress and contribute to well-known sex disparities in psychopathology.

Use of Baidu Index to Track Chinese Online Behavior and Interest in Kidney Stones.

Background and AimBaidu, currently the top online search tool in China, has developed an internet search trends gathering and analysis tool called the Baidu Index. The aim of this study was to explore the value of the Baidu Index for monitoring online kidney stones-related information-seeking behavior and understanding of population features and priorities in China.Materials and MethodsThe Baidu Index was queried using the term “kidney stones” for the period 2014–2018. The search volume was recorded as well as a demand graph, with a geographic and demographic distribution. For surgical treatment modalities, the medical term “extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL)” was analyzed and then compared to the term “kidney stone surgery” to assess changes.ResultsThe search trend for the term “kidney stones” remained sustained growth over time. Searches were mostly presented by the age 20–49, in males in the south of China. The demand graph indicated that the diagnosis, followed by the treatment, and dietary control of kidney stones had received the most attention. The search volume related to ESWL showed a similar increasing trend, but was searched with a greater volume than the term “kidney stone surgery” for most of the last 5 years.ConclusionThe Baidu Index is a useful tool to track online health information-seeking behavior of internet users in China. The geographic and demographic characteristics in kidney stones seem to be reflected in online search trend data to some extent.

Newspaper Coverage of Issue-based Political Statements and Campaigns in Nigeria’s Electoral Process (November 2018 – February 2019)

The electoral process in Nigeria is now more dynamic than in earlier years because of the nature of competitions among politicians. In a bid to sell candidates and woo voters, political parties engage in election campaigns during which statements are made. Campaigns ought to address issues of public importance, but in some instances the comments are mere expressions of personal sentiments. The press is not just the fourth estate of the realm but also the voice of the people to report issues for voters’ enlightenment. This paper examined newspaper coverage of issue-based political statements and campaigns in Nigeria’s 2019 electoral process. Two theoretical frameworks for the study were Agenda Setting Theory and Development Media Theory. The study was both quantitative and qualitative, covering newspaper reports from two national dailies, Vanguard and The Punch. A total of 76 editions were studied using the content analysis research design, with quoted statements buttressing the argument. The data were presented with frequency tables and analysed through simple percentages. There were 116 reports on the subject in the dailies. The paper found out that while there were coverage over some national issues like restructuring, security, corruption, economy, and electricity, the greater volume of political statements were not issue-based. There is the need for the press to pay less attention on matters that would not serve to educate voters adequately. The study recommends that the press use the editorials to canvass for issue-based comments. The study also contributed to knowledge as the seminal analysis of political statements in 2019 general elections.

Volumetric analysis of bilateral spinal canal decompression via hemilaminectomy versus laminoplasty in cervical spondylotic myelopathy

BackgroundCervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is a degenerative process of the cervical spine requiring surgical decompression to prevent neurological deterioration. While both anterior and posterior approaches yield satisfactory results, posterior decompression is preferred in cases of the multilevel disease. In 2015, we described a muscle-sparing, novel technique of bilateral osteoligamentous decompression via hemilaminectomy (OLD) for CSM. In this study, we investigate whether this technique offers comparable volumetric results to laminoplasty in terms of spinal canal enlargement and whether this technique can yield significant clinical improvement.MethodsPatients undergoing OLD due to CSM were prospectively enrolled in this study and then matched to and compared with a historic cohort of patients with CSM treated by laminoplasty. An independent sample t test was performed to analyze whether the volumetric gain in the two separate groups was statistically significant. Patients in the OLD cohort were clinically evaluated with the mJOA score preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively. To assess clinical improvement, a paired sample t test was performed.ResultsA total of 38 patients were included in the analysis: 19 underwent OLD and 19 underwent laminoplasty. Both groups were well matched in terms of sex, age, preoperative spinal canal volume, and involved levels. Both surgical methods yielded statistically significant volumetric gain in the cervical spinal canal, but a trend towards a greater volume gain was seen in the OLD group. In the OLD group, a statistically significant clinical improvement was also demonstrated.ConclusionsOur study reveals that OLD can yield a comparable extent of decompression to laminoplasty in CSM while also delivering statistically significant clinical improvement.

How well does Malaysia achieve value for money in public sector purchasing of medicines? Evidence from medicines procurement prices from 2010 to 2014

BackgroundMalaysia’s public healthcare sector provides a greater volume of medicines at lower overall cost compared to the private sector, indicating its importance in providing access to medicines for Malaysians. However, the Ministry of Health (MOH) has concerns about the continuous increase in the public sector medicines budget, and achieving efficiencies in medicines procurement is an important goal. The objectives of this study were to assess the overall trend in public sector pharmaceutical procurement efficiency from 2010 to 2014, and determine if the three different ways in which MOH procures medicines influence efficiency.MethodsWe matched medicines from the public sector procurement report by medicine formulation to medicines with a Management Sciences for Health (MSH) International Reference Price (IRP) for each year. Price ratios were calculated, and utilizing the information on quantity and expenditure for each product, summary measures of procurement efficiency were reported as quantity- and expenditure-weighted average price ratios (WAPRs) for each year. Utilizing MOH procurement data to obtain information on procurement type, a multiple regression analysis, controlling for factors that can influence prices, assessed whether procured efficiency (relative to IRPs) differed by MOH procurement type.ResultsMalaysia’s public sector purchased medicines at two to three times the IRP throughout the study period. However, procurement prices were relatively stable in terms of WAPRs each year (2.2 and 3.2 in 2010 to 1.9 and 2.9 in 2014 for quantity and expenditure WAPRs, respectively). Procurement efficiency did not vary between the three different methods of MOH procurement. Procurement efficiency of both imported originators and imported generics were significantly lower (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01) than local generic products, and medicine source and category influenced the procurement efficiency of each MOH procurement mechanism.ConclusionThe design of different medicines procurement mechanisms, along with the balance between ensuring competitive procurement prices and adhering to national industry and procurement policies, have not been able to achieve lower public sector medicines procurement prices (relative to IRP). Introducing pooled procurement options along with continuous monitoring of procurement efficiency and exploring ways to improve price competition among local and foreign suppliers is recommended.

Letter to a New Nurse

Letter to a New Nurse

0080 Daytime Sleepiness Correlates with Increased Gray Matter Volume in the Right Middle Temporal Gyrus in Healthy Young Individuals

Abstract Introduction Daytime sleepiness has been associated with some neuroimaging metrics, including altered functional connectivity within the default mode network and decreased gray matter volume (GMV) of the medial prefrontal cortex. Most prior studies, however, have focused on patients with sleep disorders or other pathologies. Here we examined the association between GMV and self-reported daytime sleepiness among a healthy group of young adults who reported no sleep-related problems. Methods Forty-five healthy adults (22 female; Mean Age=25.4, SD=5.6), who self-reported no history of sleep-related disorders or major medical conditions, completed the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), the Repeatable Battery for Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) and underwent high-resolution structural neuroimaging at 3T. Gray matter volumes were processed using standard procedures in SPM12. After controlling for age, sex, and intracranial volume, GMV was regressed against ESS scores. Results Greater ESS was associated with larger GMV within a cluster of voxels in the right middle temporal gyrus (MNI coordinates: 57, -9, -22; k=1344 voxels, p=.003, FWE cluster corrected). After controlling for ESS scores, larger GMV in this region was associated with poorer delayed memory performance (r=-.345, p=.022) and total neurocognitive performance on the RBANS (r=-.303, p=.046). Conclusion Greater daytime sleepiness in healthy normal sleepers was associated with greater GMV within a region of the right middle temporal gyrus. Greater volume of this region was also associated with poorer neuropsychological performance. Decreased GMV of this same region has previously been reported in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and insomnia, suggesting that it may be particularly sensitive to sleep disruption or may play a role in the etiology of sleep disorders, even among young individuals who deny any history of sleep-related dysfunction. Longitudinal work should focus on the potential of this region as a biomarker of vulnerability to sleep problems. Support

Striatal and white matter volumes in chronic ketamine users with or without recent regular stimulant use

BackgroundPrevious studies found enlarged striatum and white matter in those with stimulants use disorders. Whether primarily ketamine users (Primarily-K) and ketamine users who co-used stimulants and other substances (K+PolyS) have abnormal brain volumes is unknown. This study aims to evaluate possible brain structural abnormalities, cognitive function and depressive symptoms, between Primarily-K and K+PolyS users. MethodsStriatal and white matter volumes were automatically segmented in 39 Primarily-K users, 41 K+PolyS users and 46 non-drug users (ND). Cognitive performance in 7 neurocognitive domains and depressive symptoms were also evaluated. ResultsKetamine users had larger caudates than ND-controls (Right: 1-way-ANCOVA-p=0.035; K+PolyS vs. ND, p=0.030; Linear trend for K+PolyS>Primarily-K>ND, p=0.011; Left: 1-way-ANCOVA-p=0.047, Primarily-K vs. ND p=0.051) and larger total white matter (1-way ANCOVA-p=0.009, Poly+K vs. Primarily-K, p=0.05; Poly+K vs. ND p=0.011; Linear trend for K+PolyS>Primarily-K >ND, p=0.004). Across all ketamine users, they performed poorer on Arithmetic, learning and memory tasks, and were more depressed than Non-users (p<0.001 to p=0.001). Greater lifetime ketamine usage correlated with more depressive symptoms (r=0.27, p=0.008). Larger white matter correlated with better learning across all participants (r=0.21, p=0.019), while larger right caudate correlated with lower depression scores in ketamine users (r=-0.28, p=0.013). ConclusionKetamine users had larger caudates and total white matter than ND-controls. The even larger white matter in K+PolyS users suggests additive effects from co-use of ketamine and stimulants. However, across the ketamine users, since greater volumes were associated with better learning and less depressive symptom, the enlarged caudates and white matter might represent a compensatory response.

Shape and Dimension Estimations of Landslide Rupture Zones via Correlations of Characteristic Parameters

For many geotechnical purposes, the proper estimation of shapes and dimensions of landslide rupture zones is of significant importance. Very often, this exact delineation is difficult due to the lack of information on rupture zone extents in 3D. Based on a global landslide inventory, this work presents statistical analyses correlating dimension-related and shape-related parameters characterizing a rupture zone in 3D to its volume. Dimension-related parameters are approximated by linear regressions increasing with greater volumes, whereas shape-related parameters appear stable throughout the entire range of volumes. Revealing themselves as very stable, these correlations can be used, hence, to extrapolate from a distinct parameter to the volume of a landslide rupture zone. In a second stage, ratios of dimension-related parameters are correlated with rupture zone volumes. Furthermore, this type of correlation delivers very stable results showing that ratios are constant throughout the entire range of volumes. Making use of this ratio consistency, it is possible to deduce one of the two parameters when the other one is given. This latter aspect seems to be promising for remote sensing surveys when initial rupture areas or rupture volumes should be delineated or for numerical modeling of landslides in 3D.

Effects of seed passage by sheep on germination of the invasive Prosopis juliflora tree

Abstract Prosopis juliflora is a small mesquite tree native to Central and South America, with invasive populations in many tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, including North Africa and the Arab Gulf region where it has been introduced for livestock forage. In Egypt, the geographical pattern of its spread suggests that domestic sheep are important seed vectors. We assessed the effect of seed passage through the sheep digestive system on germination. Only 7 % of seeds passed through the digestive system intact, and these seeds had greater volume and weight. Excreted seeds had higher germination rates and germinated more quickly than untreated control seeds under laboratory conditions. Our results further strengthen evidence for the importance of domesticated animals as vectors of this invasive species and suggest that sheep must be considered in management strategies to prevent further spread into protected areas.

Results of Arthroscopic Talar Osteochondral Lesions Treatment with BST-CarGel

Osteochondral lesions (OCLs) are a diverse group of articular cartilage lesions with or without a subchondral component. They often result from ankle injuries in the young population. Lateral talar dome lesions are encountered more frequently in trauma. Bone marrow stimulation with microfracture is an established form of treatment for symptomatic OCL in the literature; however, reparative fibrocartilaginous tissue has inferior wear characteristics to hyaline cartilage, and clinical symptoms have been found to recur in 2 years. Recalcitrant OCL already treated with microfracture presents a considerable challenge to clinicians. Results of microfracture combined with chitosan-based biomaterial have been reported favorably in hip and knee. Chitosan glycerol phosphate has cationic properties that enhance clot adhesiveness within the space of an OCL and prevent blood clot retraction. Greater volume and better quality of reparative tissue using chitosan have been demonstrated in randomized controlled trials and in vivo studies. We prospectively report chitosan blood implant with microfracture results in patients with recalcitrant talar OCLs who were previously treated with microfracture alone in a single-surgeon study. We found a statistically significant improvement in Foot and Ankle outcome score (FAOS) and EQ-5D, with an average follow-up of >2 years.

Hypergiant spin polarons photogenerated in ferromagnetic europium chalcogenides

We find that in the ferromagnetic semiconductor EuS, near its Curie temperature, a single band edge photon generates a spin polaron (SP), whose magnetic moment approaches 20 000 Bohr magnetons. This is much larger than the supergiant photoinduced SPs in antiferromagnetic europium chalcogenides, reported previously. The larger SP in ferromagnetic EuS, and still larger expected for EuO, is explained by a larger Bohr radius of the photoexcited electron state, which encircles and polarizes a greater number of lattice spins. However, because the wave function of the photoexcited electron spreads over a greater volume, the photoexcited electron's exchange interaction with individual lattice spins weakens, which makes the SP more easily quenched thermally.

Actigraphic Measures of Sleep and White Matter Volume in a Bi‐Racial Cohort

ObjectivesAbout 50% of adults report some form of sleep disturbance with deleterious impact on cerebral white matter (WM). Here, we investigated interactive relations of sleep duration or quality and race on cerebral WM volumes in a largely middle‐aged, bi‐racial cohort.MethodsThe cross‐sectional Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span (HANDLS) Scan study yielded 119 stroke and dementia‐free participants (mean age ~51y; 37% African American; ~48% women) with complete actigraphy, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and covariate data. A triaxial accelerometer (ActiGraph GT3X+, ActiGraph Corp) worn on the wrists for up to seven consecutive days, provided measures of total sleep time (TST), sleep efficiency (SE), and wake after sleep onset (WASO). Self‐rated sleep quality was assessed via the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Brain MRI, acquired by 3.0 Tesla scanner, yielded quantitative measures of average WM volumes for total brain, total lesion, frontal, occipital, temporal, and parietal lobes. Multivariable linear regression analyzed interactive relations of each sleep variable and race to WM outcomes: model 1‐adjusted for age, sex, and race; model 2‐model 1+ body mass index, smoking, alcohol use, and depressive symptoms. Results are expressed as regression coefficients (β), p‐value.ResultsFollowing adjustments, TST*race interactions were noted for total (17.15, &lt;0.05), frontal (13.17, &lt;0.05), and parietal (7.77, &lt;0.05) WM volumes. Shorter sleep duration was related to lower volumes in African Americans but greater volumes in Whites. PSQI*race interactions for total (59.62, &lt;0.01), frontal (40.07, &lt;0.01) and parietal (17.84, &lt;0.05) WM showed relations of poorer sleep quality to lesser WM volumes in African Americans only.ConclusionShorter sleep duration and lesser self‐reported sleep quality were related to lower total and regional WM volumes among African Americans. The mechanisms underlying these racial differences warrant further investigation and may help explain neuropsychological health disparities.Support or Funding InformationSupported by National Institutes of Health grants ZIA‐AG000195 (MKE), R01‐AG034161 (SRW), and the University of Maryland Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center (P30 AG028747).

Effects of pretreatments and different types of microbial starter on biogas production from food waste

The problem with the slow process of anaerobic biodegradation, especially in food waste, is that the rate of biogas production cannot keep up with market’s high demands for fuel. Several studies have tried out to optimize the rate of biogas formation, such as the addition of microbial starters and pretreatments. The objective of this research is to examine the production and characteristics of biogas made of vegetable market waste added by EM-4 and GP-7 microbial starter using a single batch biodigester system. The specific target is to determine the performance of biogas production process by combining the two techniques. The methods used consists of the design and manufacture of batch system biodigesters, determination of raw material characteristics, preparation of raw materials by pretreatment and addition of starters, namely EM-4 and GP-7. By combining the two techniques, biogas production with greater volumes and concentrations of methane gas can be obtained in a relatively short period. Pretreatment with NaOH 3% solution and the addition of cow dung starter and GP-7 can increase biogas production with the largest methane content on the 45th day and reached 38.32% of CH4 while pretreatment with NaOH with starter EM-4 and cow dung only reached 22.5%.

Molecular Dynamics Simulations on Polymeric Nanocomposite Membranes Designed to Deliver Pipobromane Anticancer Drug

Three chitosan (CS), polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polylactic acid (PLA) nanocomposite systems containing SiO2 nanoparticles and water molecules were designed by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to deliver pipobromane (PIP) anticancer drug in order to discover the most appropriate drug delivery system (DDS) in aqueous medium which was analogous to the human body. The density for the CS matrix was 1.25 g/cm3 but it was decreased to 1.16 g/cm3 in PLA and 1.02 g/cm3 in PEG. The potential energies of the CS, PLA and PEG DDSs were near 195000, 3700 and –4600 kcal/mol while their related non-bond energies were around 14000, –150 and –6150 kcal/mol, respectively, indicating the PEG composite had the most negative energies whereas the most positive values belonged to the CS system. The CS system revealed the greatest fractional free volume (FFV) of 77.232% but PLA offered the smallest FFV (65.804%). The radial distribution function (RDF) data displayed that the PIP molecules had strongest H-bond interactions with the CS chains which reflected the drug molecules would diffuse the slowest inside the CS nanocomposite. The diffusion coefficients for the PLA, PEG and CS systems were equal to 0.0183×10–4, 0.0163×10–4 and 0.0154×10–4 cm2/s, respectively approving the slowest drug diffusion was happened in the CS cell which certified the most controlled and sustained drug delivery.

Analisa Pengaruh Diameter Impeller Terhadap Kapasitas Dan Penurunan Tekanan Blower Sentrifugal

Blower is a device used to increase or increase the pressure of air or gas that will be flowed in a particular room as well as suctioning certain air or gas where the Blower produces a relatively high pressure ratio with a greater volume of gas flow. At present the role of the Blower has begun to be widely used, especially in the engineering field, where the Blower role was created to facilitate the process of air exhaust. The blower itself is a producer of air movement which is generally used for ventilation. Blowers consist of several types, namely Axial Blowers and Centrifugal Blowers. Blowers have one component, namely Impeller. To determine the right diameter of the impeller, a performance test on centrifugal blowers with different variations in the size of the impeller diameter is needed, such as an anemometer, wattmeter and tachometer, and the impeller diameters are 180 mm, 190 mm and 200 mm with a rotational speed of 1500 rpm. The results obtained from testing on the diameter of the 200 mm impeller obtained the highest efficiency with a value of 0.0086%. The maximum air velocity is found in the diameter of the impeller with a size of 200 mm which is equal to 19.82 km / h. Then, the maximum pressure drop (∆p) is found at the diameter of the impeller with a size of 200 mm and 190 mm with the same result which is 136,206954 Pa. Then followed by the largest capacity value (Q) found in the variation of the diameter of the impeller with a size of 200 mm that is equal to 118.92 m3 / h. And the largest motor power is found in variations in the diameter of the impeller with a size of 200 mm that is equal to 62.85 W.

Is prospective MRI mapping of the changes in the volume of the prostate gland in prostate cancer patients undergoing 6months of neo-adjuvant androgen deprivation therapy a step towards a trial to determine those who may benefit from treatment intensification or extended duration?

Neo-adjuvant androgen deprivation therapy prior to radiotherapy (RT) causes shrinkage of the prostate gland, but the changes in volume have never been mapped over time in detail, nor have the associations between volume reduction and testosterone escape or prostate-specific antigen (PSA) kinetics been determined. Fifty consecutive patients with prostate cancer were treated with 6months of triptorelin prior to definitive RT. The volume of the prostate gland was measured at the outset and every 6-7weeks thereafter using MRI scans. The volumes were calculated using a planimetric method, and inter-rater reliability was checked. Factors associated with a large initial volume and greater reductions in it were assessed. The median volume at the outset was 45cc, and the median reductions every 6weeks thereafter were 23, 18, 9 and 5%. The inter-rater agreement was high (r>0.9, P<0.001). There were no baseline clinical factors associated with a high initial prostate volume, but the initial volume was associated with greater volume reduction. Testosterone escape had no effect on the reduction, and changes in volume were not reflected in PSA response kinetics. Reductions in volume continue throughout a 6-month course of neo-adjuvant therapy but are greatest during the first 6weeks. Although individualisation of the duration or intensity of the hormone treatment warrants further investigation, the role of prostate gland volume reduction remains uncertain. More detailed studies of tumour volume might be possible if the imaging required was acceptable and accessible to patients.

Root growth and crop performance of soybean under chemical, physical, and biological changes after subsoiling

AbstractChemical, physical and biological soil attributes can facilitate soybean root growth in greater volume and depth in the soil, which can minimize yield reduction caused by water deficit. Soil management can contribute positively or negatively to these soil attributes. The aim of this work was to evaluate the root growth and crop performance of soybean, in response to chemical, physical and biological changes after subsoiling at different depths. At the R5 phenological stage, trenches were made for sampling and soil collection for chemical, physical and biological analysis and root growth was carried out. At V5, V7, R2 and R5 stages, plants were collected to evaluate height, leaf area and dry mass. At V5, stage number and dry mass of the nodules were evaluated. Subsoiling increased pH and Ca, and decreased Al in the soil, resulted in higher relative density and did not affect in mechanical penetration resistance compared to non‐subsoiled soil. Basal respiration and soybean nodulation were higher in the subsoiled soil. Up to 15 cm depth, there were 87.91% of the total root dry mass and 78.79% of the total root volume. Initial and final plant growth were the same in subsoiled and non‐subsoiled soil. Number of nodules in the subsoiled soil was 28% higher than in the non‐subsoiled soil. Under these study conditions, subsoiling provides lower root growth but benefits grain yield.