Mean Number Of Nodules Research Articles

Long-Term Outcomes of Balloon TACE for HCC: An European Multicentre Single-Arm Retrospective Study

PurposeTo report response rates (using mRECIST), overall survival (OS), progression-free survival and local tumour recurrence-free survival (LRFS) of balloon-occluded transarterial chemoembolisation (bTACE) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Materials and MethodsPatients from five European centres treated with conventional or drug-eluting microsphere bTACE for HCC were included, and patients already lost to follow-up before 12 months were excluded. Possible factors contributing to LRFS and OS were evaluated with Cox proportional hazards models.ResultsSeventy-three patients were enrolled. The mean number of nodules per patient was 2.07(± 1.68), and the average maximum diameter of the nodules was 37 ± 19.9 mm. The response of the target lesion at 6 months was complete response (CR) in 58.9%, partial response (PR) in 28.8%, stable disease (SD) in 6.8% and progressive disease (PD) in 5.5%. The median follow-up time was 31 months; at the last follow-up, target tumour response was CR in 49.3%, PR in 12.3%, SD in 5.5% and PD 32.9%. Overall response at the last follow-up was CR in 17.8%, PR in 9.6%, SD 2.7% and PD in 69.9% (for new lesions in 37% of patients). Median OS was not reached; mean overall survival was 50.0 months, while median LRFS was 31.0 months. At uni- and multivariable analysis, only tumour maximum diameter was related to LRFS (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.021; 95% CI 1.004–1.038, P = 0.015).ConclusionsbTACE demonstrated high efficacy for HCC, with a complete response in 58.9% of patients, a median local recurrence-free survival of 31.0 months and a mean overall survival of 50.0 months.Graphical

Agronomic characteristics of soybean as a function of inoculation, co-inoculation and N doses on eutrophic red latosol

The objective was to evaluate the agronomic traits of soybean as a function of inoculation, co-inoculation and N doses in Eutroferric RED OXSOL. The design was randomized blocks in a 4x4 factorial scheme, with four types of inoculation and four doses of N (0 = 0; 2 = 4.5; 4 = 9 and 8 % = 18 kg ha-1). No significant differences were found for plant height, number of pods per plant, number of grains per pod, nitrogen accumulation in the plant and grain yield. The mean number of nodules was higher at the dose of 2% N, equivalent to 46 nodules per plant inoculated with B. japonicum, and in the variables of dry mass of nodules, roots and shoots, inoculated with A. brasilense at the dose of 8% had higher averages with 486.94 mg plant-1, 11.91 g plant-1, 95.5 g plant-1, respectively. Nodulation efficiency had a linear increase for a dose of 8% N with a value of 72.32 g kg-1. For the number of nodules and nodulation efficiency, there was a significant increase when using the dose of 2% of N. Using the doses of 8%, the dry mass of nodules, root, aerial part and nodulation efficiency, obtained more satisfactory results than the other doses.

Collection, Isolation and Symbiotic Efficiency Test and Field Evaluation of Native Rhizobia for Soybean (<i>G. max</i>) in Acid-Prone Areas of South-West Ethiopia

Because of the rising costs of chemical fertilizers and the growing environmental concerns, there is a need in the use of bio-inoculants in crop production and soil fertility enhancement. A field study was therefore conducted at Jimma zone Kersa and Nadi gibe District during 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 main cropping season to evaluate soybean nodulating rhizobia isolates under field condition in order to select the best performing rhizobia strain for nodulation, yield and yield attributes of soybean. Eight treatments were arranged in RCBD with three replications. Nodule number, number of pods per plant, dry biomass and grain yield was responded significantly to the interaction effects of Tgp-3 inoculation. The maximum mean yield of 2506.5kg per hectare and mean dry biomass of 8.12 ton per hectare was obtained from Tgp-3 inoculation. Similarly the highest mean nodule number of 298.68 per plant was counted after inoculation with Tgp-3. Similarly the highest mean number of pods per plant was obtained by inoculation of Tgp-3. These results demonstrated that the dominance of Tgp-3 rhizobium isolate and could explain the effectiveness of the isolate in South west soil of Ethiopia. Inoculation of Tgp-3 isolate with Clark 63-K soybean variety was being considered effective symbionts for Clark 63-K soybean production in the area.

Thyroid Nodules in Patients with Acromegaly: Frequency According to the ACR TI-RADS Classification and its Relationship with Disease Activity.

In our study, we aimed to determine the frequency of thyroid nodules in patients with acromegaly according to the American College of Radiology (ACR) Thyroid Imaging, Reporting and Data System (TI-RADS) classification and its relationship with acromegaly disease activity. A total of 56 patients with acromegaly and age, sex, and body mass index matched with 56 healthy control subjects were included in our study. Thyroid-stimulating hormone, free thyroxine, and anti-thyroperoxidase antibody levels of patients and control subjects were measured. In addition, patients and healthy controls were evaluated by ultrasonography to determine thyroid structure, thyroid volume, and thyroid nodules and to make ACR TI-RADS classification. Thyroid nodules were present in 31 (55.4%) of 56 patients in the acromegaly group and 20 (35.7%) of 56 subjects in the control group, and the frequency of thyroid nodules was significantly higher in the acromegaly group (p=0.038). The mean number of nodules in the acromegaly group and control group was 1.27±1.43 and 0.48±0.73, respectively, and the mean number of nodules was significantly higher in the acromegaly group (p=0.003). The number of patients with TI-RADS 1, TI-RADS 2, and TI-RADS 4 nodules in the acromegaly group was higher than the control group (p=0.026, p=0.049, p=0.007, respectively). No difference was found in terms of cytological findings between those who have undergone FNAB in the acromegaly group and control group. In our study, we found that the frequency of thyroid nodules, the number of thyroid nodules, and the number of TI-RADS 1, TI-RADS 2, and TI-RADS 4 nodules increased in patients with acromegaly. There was no significant difference between acromegaly disease activity and thyroid nodule frequency, number of thyroid nodules, and TI-RADS classifications.

Response of Chickpea (Cicer aritienum L.) to Sulphur and Zinc Nutrients Application and Rhizobium Inoculation in North Western Ethiopia

In sub-Saharan Africa, multiple plant nutrients deficiency besides nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) is a major growth-limiting factor for crop production. As a result, some soils become non-responsive for Rhizobium inoculation besides P application. Based on the soil test result, the soil of Experimental sites had low organic matter (OM), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), sulphur (S) and zinc (Zn)[xy1]. Hence, an experiment was carried out on-farm at Gondar Zuria woreda in Tsion and Denzaz Kebeles to evaluate the effect of Rhizobium inoculation, S and Zn application on yield, nodulation, N and P uptake of chickpea. The experiment included twelve treatments developed via factorial combination of two level of inoculation (Rhizobium inoculated, un-inoculated), three level of S (0, 15, 30 kg Sulphur ha-1) and two levels of Zn (0, 1.5 kg Zinc ha-1). The treatment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. Results showed that the highest mean nodule number (15.3) and nodule volume (1.3 ml plant-1) over locations were obtained with Rhizobium inoculation integrated with 15 kg S and 1.5 kg Zn ha-1 which resulted in 37.8% and 116.7% increment over the control check, respectively. It was also observed that combined application of Rhizobium and 30 kg S ha-1 caused the highest (6.7) mean nodulation rating and seed yield (1775.5 kg ha-1) over locations which resulted in 86.1% and 28 % increase over the control check, respectively. Moreover, this treatment improved P use efficiency of chickpea. On the bases of observed result, it can be concluded that the response of chickpea to Rhizobium and P application can be improved by S application and Rhizobium inoculation with application of 30 kg S ha-1 with recommended rate of P and starter N is recommended for chickpea production at the experimental locations in Gonder Zuria Woreda.

Degradable starch microspheres transarterial chemoembolization (DSMs-TACE) in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC): long-term results from a single-center 137-patient cohort prospective study.

To evaluate safety and efficacy of degradable starch microspheres (DSMs) TACE in a large clinical cohort of patients with unresectable HCC. This is a single-center consecutive patients cohort study. The study was approved by local institutional ethics committee. Written informed consent was obtained. From December 2013 to March 2018, 137 cirrhotic patients with unresectable HCC were enrolled. For DSMs-TACE, a mixture of 4mL of DSMs, 6mL of non-ionic contrast and doxorubicin at a dose of 50mg/m2 were used. Primary end point was long-term outcome, in terms of time to progression (TTP) and overall survival (OS). Secondary endpoints were: safety, liver toxicity, 1-month percentage of tumor necrosis according to the modified RECIST criteria. Two hundred and sixty-seven DSMs-TACE were performed in 137 HCC patients (33 patients in BCLC stage A, 84 patients in BCLC stage B, and 20 in stage C). Patients had a mean nodule number of 3.5 ± 1.2 (SD). Major complications were observed in 6.8% of cases. Post-embolization syndrome was common (101 patients 73.7%). According to mRecist criteria, a high objective response rate was obtained even after just one treatment (84.3% of patients showed complete response or partial response). The median TTP and OS after DSMs-TACE were 12months and 36months, respectively. OS at 6months, 1year, 2 and 3years was 98%, 81.3%, 57.9%, 34.9%, respectively. DSMs-TACE is a safe and effective therapy for patients with HCC, allowing to obtain a good rate of OS with excellent local tumor control.

EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF PULMONARY NODULES: BIOMARKER PERFORMANCE IN PATIENTS WITH SOLITARY OR MULTIPLE NODULES IN THE PANOPTIC STUDY

SESSION TITLE: Lung Cancer SESSION TYPE: Original Investigation Posters PRESENTED ON: 10/10/2018 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM PURPOSE: Patients can present with a solitary pulmonary nodule, but, often they present with multiple nodules with a specific nodule of concern to the pulmonologist. Recently, a proteomic-based integrated classifier which uses clinical risk factors along with protein abundance from a patient’s blood sample has been shown to perform well as a predictor of the likelihood that a patient has cancer. The large prospective trial (PANOPTIC) done for clinical validation, provided an opportunity to assess the tests performance in solitary and multiple nodule patients. METHODS: The integrated classifier (Xpresys Lung, Integrated Diagnostics, Seattle, WA) is a blood test designed to evaluate patients 40 years old and older with an 8-30mm nodule, integrating the protein levels with 5 clinical factors in those with a pre-test probability of cancer (pCA) being ≤ 50%. One-year results were categorized using an adjudication algorithm that required tissue diagnosis for malignant nodules and included nodule resolution or stability over a defined period to be considered benign. The entire population and the subsets of patients with solitary and multiple nodules were evaluated for test performance. RESULTS: Total patients eligible for analyses were 392 and 178 were in the lower risk group (pCA≤50%) with a cancer prevalence of 16% and mean nodule size of 16.8 ± 0.6 mm. The performance of XL: sensitivity 97%, specificity 44%, NPV 98%. Clinical utility calculations were: reduction in invasive procedures ≥36%, 3% of malignant nodules to surveillance (compared to 45% actual). Nodules were solitary in 77 (43%) patients and 101 (57%) were recorded as having multiple nodules with a mean nodule number of 3.2 (range 1-10). The average age of patients with multiple nodules (67.69 +/- 1.91) was statistically higher than solitary nodule patients (62.68 +/- 2.45) with a p-value of 0.002. Otherwise, there were no statistically significant differences in terms of gender, smoking status, nodule size or cancer prevalence. Similarly, the integrated classifier performance showed no statistically significant difference between the multiple and solitary nodule patients.Table: Table of patients with multiple and solitary nodules All Patients Multiple Nodules Solitary Nodules p valuePatients 178 101 77 Age 65.52(+/- 1.55) 67.69(+/- 1.91) 62.68(+/- 2.45) 0.002Gender Male 95 (53%) 52 (51%) 43 (56%) 0.564 Female 83 (47%) 49 (49%) 34 (44%) Lung Nodule Size 13.95(+/- 0.76) 13.72(+/- 0.96) 14.26(+/- 1.24) 0.493Pathology Cancer 29 (16%) 16 (16%) 13 (17%) Benign 149 (84%) 85 (84%) 64 (83%) 0.852Test Performance Sensitivity 97% 100% 92% Specificity 44% 47% 39% PPV 25% 26% 24% NPV 98% 100% 96% 0.164 CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of PANOPTIC study data does not show any difference in classifier performance for the patients with multiple nodules compared to solitary nodules. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: An integrated classifier comprised of a patient's clinical factors and protein measurement may help in determining whether an incidental nodule is benign regardless of nodule count. DISCLOSURES: Employee relationship with Integrated Diagnostics Please note: >$100000 Added 03/05/2018 by Paul Kearney, source=Web Response, value=Salary Employee relationship with Integrated Diagnostics Please note: >$100000 Added 03/02/2018 by alexander porter, source=Web Response, value=Salary Employee relationship with Integrated Diagnostics Please note: >$100000 Added 03/02/2018 by Steven Springmeyer, source=Web Response, value=Salary

Thyroid nodule ultrasound reports in routine clinical practice provide insufficient information to estimate risk of malignancy.

Ultrasonographic characteristics of thyroid nodules play an important role in estimating the risk of malignancy (ROM). Guidelines mandate all thyroid nodules be characterized by six key ultrasonographic features to estimate the ROM. Our objective was to evaluate how frequently these characteristics were identified by radiologists and the ensuing utility to estimate ROM. We retrospectively reviewed 1930 consecutive diagnostic thyroid ultrasound reports from a large community radiology practice. A total of 1339 individual patients were found to have one or more thyroid nodules. Each report was analyzed for six key ultrasonographic features. A utility score (UtS) was calculated (range 0-6) with a single point given for a comment on each feature. Of the 1339 patients, 75% of the studies reported more than one nodule (mean number of nodules = 3.4). Mean maximal diameter of the largest nodule per patient = 1.8 cm. The mean UtS was 2.57. Nodule size did not influence the UtS.: Nodule <1 cm (UtS: 2.53), 1-2 cm (UtS: 2.68) and >2 cm (UtS: 2.49). We believe a UtS of four or greater is needed to confidently estimate ROM: we found this in 13.7% of reports. Our retrospective analysis of a large number of consecutive thyroid ultrasound reports in routine clinical practice suggests that the vast majority provide insufficient information to allow the clinician to risk stratify the nodules by estimating the ROM. This could lead to both over-diagnosis and over-treatment of benign/indolent thyroid lesions or under-diagnosis of clinically important thyroid cancers.

English

Faba bean (Vicia faba&nbsp;L.) is one of the most widely cultivated leguminous crops grown in the Highlands of Ethiopian. This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv.viciae isolates from other cross-inoculation hosts from field pea, grass pea, and lentil on faba bean varieties. Thus, 12 isolates were selected from faba bean, field pea, grass pea and lentil using host trap method on soil samples that was collected from North Shoa. All isolates were tolerated to pH (5 to 9), salt concentration&nbsp;(1 to 2%), and at a temperature of (15 to 35&deg;C). Cross-inoculation experiments were conducted in the greenhouse to test the effects of R. leguminosarum isolates from faba bean, field pea, grass pea and lentil hosts on Hachallu and Wolki varieties of faba bean. The mean nodule number, nodule dry weight and mean shoot dry weight of the inoculated plants showed variations among the different cross inoculants (p&lt;0.01). Symbiotic effectiveness varied from a minimum of 64% on Hachallu variety inoculated by isolate AUFBR5 (faba bean) and 52% on Wolki variety by isolate AUFPR1 (field pea) association to a maximum of 98% in Hachallu variety inoculated with isolate AUGPR13 (grass pea), and 117% in Wolki variety inoculated with isolate AUFBR5 (faba bean). The study showed physiological and symbiotic diversity of R. leguminosarum isolates of faba bean, field pea, grass pea and lentil. The effective isolates that have been tested with Hachallu and Wolki varities at green house level should be re-tested under field conditions to ascertain their performance in vivo. Key words: Field pea, grass pea, lentil, symbiotic effectiveness. &nbsp

The Influence of Patient Age on Thyroid Nodule Formation, Multinodularity, and Thyroid Cancer Risk.

Although advancing age is known to influence the formation of thyroid nodules, the precise relationship remains unclear. Furthermore, it is uncertain whether age influences the risk that any thyroid nodule may prove cancerous. The aim was to determine the impact of patient age on nodule formation, multinodularity, and risk of thyroid malignancy. We conducted a prospective cohort analysis of consecutive adults (ages 20-95 y) who presented for evaluation of nodular disease from 1995 to 2011. A total of 6391 patients underwent ultrasound and fine-needle aspiration of 12 115 nodules ≥ 1 cm. Patients were divided into six age groups and compared using sonographic, cytological, and histological endpoints. The prevalence of thyroid nodular disease increases with advancing age. The mean number of nodules at presentation increased from 1.5 in the youngest cohort (age, 20-30 y) to 2.2 in the oldest cohort (age, >70 y; P < .001), demonstrating a 1.6% annual increased risk for multinodularity (odds ratio, 1.02; P < .001). In contrast, the risk of malignancy in a newly identified nodule declined with advancing age. Thyroid cancer incidence per patient was 22.9% in the youngest cohort, but 12.6% in the oldest cohort (odds ratio, 0.972; P < .001), demonstrating a 2.2% decrease per year in the relative risk of malignancy between ages 20 and 60 years, which stabilized thereafter. Despite a lower likelihood of malignancy, identified cancers in older patients demonstrated higher risk histological phenotypes. Although nearly all malignancies in younger patients were well-differentiated, older patients were more likely to have higher risk papillary thyroid carcinoma variants, poorly differentiated cancer, or anaplastic carcinoma (P < .001). With advancing age, the prevalence of clinically relevant thyroid nodules increases, whereas the risk that such nodules are malignant decreases. Nonetheless, when thyroid cancer is detected in older individuals, a higher-risk histological phenotype is more likely. These data provide insight into the clinical paradox that confronts physicians managing this common illness.

5-Lipoxygenase contributes to the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma

5-Lipoxygenase (5-LOX) has been implicated in the development and progression of lung, pancreatic and esophageal cancers. However, its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the role of 5-LOX in the pathogenesis of HCC. The expression of 5-LOX was detected in human HCC, HepG2 cells and diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced rat HCC using immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining or reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Apoptosis in rat HCC was evaluated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay. Cell viability and apoptosis were determined in HepG2 cells by MTT assay and flow cytometry, respectively. IHC staining showed that the 5-LOX protein was highly expressed in human HCC, HepG2 cells and rat HCC, but not in the normal liver tissues. 5-LOX mRNA expression in human and rat HCC was also significantly increased compared to normal liver tissues. Zileuton, a 5-LOX inhibitor, reduced the nodule incidence and the mean number of nodules per nodule-bearing liver in DEN-induced rats. Further study using TUNEL assay showed that zileuton treatment induced apoptosis in the liver as the result of inhibition on 5-LOX levels. This result is consistent with our observation of significantly higher apoptotic indices in rats treated with DEN/zileuton, which were significantly higher compared to those from the control groups. In addition, zileuton reduced cell viability and induced apoptosis in a concentration- and time-dependent manner as detected using HepG2 cells in our in vitro analysis. In conclusion, 5-LOX is expressed in HCC, and the inhibition of 5-LOX blocks the development of HCC via the induction of apoptosis in tumor cells.

Reduced trigonelline accumulation due to rhizobial activity improves grain yield in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Crop improvement for drought tolerance is critical for the future of crop production. The objectives were to examine the relationship between trigonelline (TRG) accumulation and yield traits in 10 peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) genotypes inoculated with two commonly used nitrogen-fixing Rhizobium spp., and to evaluate a role of TRG on growth traits. TRG increased as a defensive metabolite in response to water deficit, but resulted in the reduction of the number of nodules and yield. Symbiotic rhizobial activity helped plants to improve yield particularly in a fully irrigated field rather than under reduced irrigation. TRG concentrations in genotypes (7 out of 10) increased under reduced irrigation as compared with those under full irrigation in two years. Mean number of nodules at maturity (120 days after planting) across genotypes under reduced irrigation were 89 in the control, 111 in Lift, and 161 in Histick treatments, among which Histick was significant (p < 0.05) for nodulation. Mean pod yields in the control, Histick, and Lift treatments were 1.69, 2.34 and 1.87 Mg ha-1, respectively, under reduced irrigation. Under full irrigation, pod yields were 3.35 in the control, 4.50 in Histick and 3.41 Mg ha-1 in Lift treatments, but were more significantly improved as treated with Histick than other treatments. Genotype ICGS-76 produced the highest pod yield (5.13 Mg ha-1) as treated with Histick. All genotypes treated with Histick and Lift biosynthesized less TRG (decreased from 5.8 to 65.3% relative to the control) but produced larger numbers of pods (increased from 9.2 to 80.4% relative to the control), which resulted in substantially higher pod yields.

Abstract 2426: Differential effects of liver metastatic and brain metastatic subset of murine breast carcinoma cells

Abstract Carcinomas are formed by heterogeneous group of cells which differ in their aggressiveness as well as metastatic potential. Understanding the characteristics of cells that form distant metastasis is crucial to design effective treatments. We previously isolated liver metastatic cells (4TLM) formed by 4THMpc murine breast carcinoma using an orthotopic model. Here we observed that 4THMpc cells also generated macroscopic brain metastasis. Cells from brain metastasis were cultured in-vitro and named as 4THM-BM in order to determine differential characteristics of brain metastatic cells from liver metastatic cells. Specifically following features were compared: 1. Metastatic characteristics after mammary pad (MP) injection; 2. The effects of conditioned medium (CM) prepared from ex-plants of primary tumors as well as cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) on tumor cell growth. 3. MIP-2 levels found in CM of ex-plants of primary tumors and associated fibroblasts. Methods: 4TLM and 4THM-BM cells (100000 cells /mouse) were inoculated into the right upper MP of 8-10 weeks old female Balb-c mice. Necropsies were performed 25-27 days after injection. CM of ex-plants from primary tumors and surrounding fibroblasts were prepared. Results: Cells that were previously metastasized to liver (4TLM) produced significantly more macroscopic (52.2± 8.5 vs. 16.3 ±2.84 as mean number of nodules per animal) as well as microscopic lung metastasis (12.75 ±4.26 vs. 3.17±1,1 as mean % area involved with metastatic cells per animal) compared to brain metastatic cells (4THM-BM). Similarly number of macroscopic liver metastases was significantly higher (3.4± 0,6 vs. 7,3 ±1,23 as mean number of nodules per animal) in 4TLM injected animals. CM from ex-plants of 4TLM and 4THM-BM primary tumors as well as from corresponding CAF significantly enhanced growth of 4TLM cells but not 4THM-BM cells. MIP-2 levels in CM from ex-plants of CAF were higher from CM of 4TLM and 4THM-BM primary tumors. These results not only demonstrate the heterogeneous nature of the carcinomas but also suggest that cells that metastasize to liver are more aggressive in nature and produce more visceral metastasis. MIP-2, murine equivalent to human IL-8, is involved in angiogenesis as well as inflammation and reported to be highly expressed in metastatic cells. Here we found that both primary tumors formed by metastatic cell lines and associated fibroblasts produce MIP-2 which may contribute to the metastatic behavior. Study was supported by The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBITAK Grant no:109S449). Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2426. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-2426

Nodulation and nitrogen fixation in promiscuous and non promiscuous soybean (&lt;i&gt;Glycine max&lt;/i&gt; (L.) Merrill) varieties in Eastern Kenya

Soil nitrogen deficiency is a major factor limiting soybean production. This problem can be alleviated by the use of nitrogen fertilizers which on the other hand adversely affect the environment, are expensive and unaffordable to most peasant farmers. Alternatively, attention is being paid to improving soil nitrogen through the use of environmental friendly biological nitrogen fixation of soybeans in an attempt to develop sustainable cropping systems. There is however inadequate knowledge on estimates of nitrogen fixation by soybean varieties in Kenya. In light of this, growth experiments were designed to investigate biological nitrogen fixation in promiscuous and non promiscuous soybeans. Results from the field experiment showed that the two promiscuous soybean varieties (TGx 1869 and TGx 1893) nodulated better than the non promiscuous Gazelle. Uninoculated Gazelle did not produce any nodule while uninoculated TGx 1869 and TGx 1893 nodulated with indigenous soil rhizobia. Inoculation affected nodulation since there was a significantly higher mean nodule number in inoculated soybeans (highest in TGx 1869 IN – 76) as compared to uninoculated (highest in TGx 1869 – UNC - 21) and(0.0) in nitrogen treated soybeans at podding. Inoculated soybeans had higher shoot dry weight (highest in TGx 1893 IN - 19.30 g) than uninoculated soybeans (highest in TGx 1869 UNC - 13.50 g) .Stover biomass was higher in inoculated soybeans (13.07 g) than in uninoculated treatments (6.91 g). Although there was no significant difference in seed dry weight of inoculated (14.10 g) and uninoculated (8.11 g), inoculated soybeans had higher seed dry weight. The inoculated TGx varieties had higher seed dry weight (TGx 1869 at 12.94 g and TGx 1893 at 14.10 g) than Gazelle (10.12 g). There is need to adopt growing of promiscuous TGx varieties and to exploit biological nitrogen fixation with the view of increasing soybean yields and decreasing overdependence on nitrogen fertilizers for sustainable agriculture. Key words: Bradyrhizobia, Soybean, Glycine cross, inoculation, nodulation, promiscuous, TGx, nitrogen fixation.

Long-Term Results of Hepatic Resection Combined with Intraoperative Local Ablation Therapy for Patients with Multinodular Hepatocellular Carcinomas

Recently, local ablation therapy has been widely used for treatment of small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The present study assessed the outcome of hepatic resection combined with intraoperative local ablation therapy in patients with multinodular HCCs. Forty-one patients with initial and multinodular HCCs underwent hepatic resection combined with intraoperative local ablation therapy. The mean maximum diameter of all tumors was 3.8 cm (range 2.1-16.0 cm), and the mean number of nodules was 3.2 (range 2-11). We evaluated the survival rates and assessed the prognostic factors associated with overall survival rates using Cox proportional hazard models. Intraoperative local ablation therapy was completed in all patients with no evidence of residual viable tumor on the first postoperative computed tomography (CT) scan. The 3-, 5- and 7-year overall survival rates were 84.3%, 61.2%, and 61.2%, respectively. Patients with preoperative des-gamma carboxyprothrombin (DCP) level >300 mAU/ml showed significantly worse overall survival than those with DCP level <or=300 mAU/ml (P < 0.01). Hepatic resection combined with intraoperative local ablation therapy is effective for multinodular HCCs. DCP >300 mAU/ml was a significant prognostic factor of long-term overall survival.

Impact of commonly used agrochemicals on bacterial diversity in cultivated soils

The effects of three selected agrochemicals on bacterial diversity in cultivated soil have been studied. The selected agrochemicals are Cerox (an insecticide), Ceresate and Paraquat (both herbicides). The effect on bacterial population was studied by looking at the total heterotrophic bacteria presence and the effect of the agrochemicals on some selected soil microbes. The soil type used was loamy with pH of 6.0-7.0. The soil was placed in opaque pots and bambara bean (Vigna subterranean) seeds cultivated in them. The agrochemicals were applied two weeks after germination of seeds at concentrations based on manufacturer's recommendation. Plant growth was assessed by weekly measurement of plant height, foliage appearance and number of nodules formed after one month. The results indicated that the diversity index (Di) among the bacteria populations in untreated soil and that of Cerox-treated soils were high with mean diversity index above 0.95. Mean Di for Ceresate-treated soil was 0.88, and that for Paraquattreated soil was 0.85 indicating low bacterial populations in these treatment-type soils. The study also showed that application of the agrochemicals caused reduction in the number of total heterotrophic bacteria population sizes in the soil. Ceresate caused 82.50% reduction in bacteria number from a mean of 40 × 10(5) cfu g(-1) of soil sample to 70 × 10(4) cfu g(-1). Paraquat-treated soil showed 92.86% reduction, from a mean of 56 × 10(5) cfu g(-1) to 40 × 10(4) cfu g(-1). Application of Cerox to the soil did not have any remarkable reduction in bacterial population number. Total viable cell count studies using Congo red yeast-extract mannitol agar indicated reduction in the number of Rhizobium spp. after application of the agrochemicals. Mean number of Rhizobium population numbers per gram of soil was 180 × 10(4) for the untreated soil. Cerox-treated soil recorded mean number of 138 × 10(4) rhizobial cfu g(-1) of soil, a 23.33% reduction. Ceresate- and Paraquat-treated soils recorded 20 × 10(4) and 12 × 10(4) cfu g(-1) of soil, respectively, representing 88.89% and 93.33% reduction in Rhizobium population numbers. Correspondingly, the mean number of nodules per plant was 44 for the growth in untreated soil, 30 for the plant in the Cerox-treated soil, 8 for the plant in Paraquat-treated soil and 3 for the plant in Ceresate-treated soil. The study has confirmed detrimental effect of insecticide on bacterial populations in the soil. Total heterotrophic counts, rhizobial counts as well as the number of nodules of all samples taken from the chemically treated soils were all low as compared to values obtained for the untreated soil. However, the effect of the insecticide was minimal in all cases as compared to the effects of the herbicides on the soil fauna. Indiscriminate use of agrochemicals on farms can therefore affect soil flora and subsequently food production.

Open Surgical is Superior to Percutaneous Access for Radiofrequency Ablation of Hepatic Metastases

This study was designed to determine the best approach to radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the liver. From a total of 41 procedures, 37 patients with 47 tumors were treated with RFA for metastatic disease. Indications included colorectal cancer (n=28, 68%), neuroendocrine tumors (n=2, 5%), gynecological primaries (n=4, 10%), pancreatic/duodenal cancer (n=2, 5%), and miscellaneous entities (n=5, 12%). Mean follow-up period was 18 (median, 18) months. All ways of approach to RFA were applied: percutaneous was chosen in 17 (41.5%), laparoscopic and hand-assisted laparoscopic in 5 (12.2%), and open surgical in 19 cases (46.3%), and in 10 cases, RFA was combined with hepatic resection. The average maximum tumor size was 2.3 (range, 0.8-6) cm, and the mean number of nodules treated per patient in a single session was 1.3 (range, 1-3). Overall survival was 59.5% at 2 years, recurrence-free 2-year survival was 12.6%, local tumor recurrence rate was 34%, and overall recurrence was 75.6%. Local tumor recurrence and disease-free survival were significantly improved in the open surgically treated patients compared with the percutaneous treatment group (15.8% [n=3] vs. 58.8% [n=10] and 11.5 vs. 7.9 months, p<0.01 [chi2 test] and p<0.05 [log-rank test], respectively). Open surgical approach is superior to percutaneous access for RFA in metastatic hepatic disease.

Comparison of the number of pre-, intra- and postoperative lung metastases☆

To compare the number of lung metastases seen preoperatively on computed tomography in patients with a previous history of malignant disease with the number of resected pulmonary nodules and the number of histologically proven lung metastases. Between 1998 and 2003, we operated on 281 patients with suspected lung metastases. The histology of the primary tumour, the number of preoperatively diagnosed nodules, the number of lesions removed during surgery and the number of histologically confirmed metastases of 276 patients are presented. Resection of lung metastases was performed in 276 patients. The median age was 62 years (21-86 years). The mean number of nodules seen on the CT scan was 1.9 (total: 515 nodules), 2.9 pulmonary lesions were removed (total: 835 nodules) and 2.1 nodules were confirmed as lung metastases (total: 560). In 39%, the number of lesions found and removed during the operation was higher than counted on the preoperative CT scan. These extra nodules found during the operation were confirmed as lung metastases in 16% of all patients. A benign solitary lesion was found in 15.2% of the patients and in 7.9% a primary carcinoma of the lung was diagnosed. In patients with a solitary nodule we found no metastasis in 16.4%, one lung metastasis in 76.7% and more than one lung metastasis in 6.9%. In patients with more than one nodule on the preoperative CT scan, an identical number of lung metastases were histologically confirmed in 35% of the patients, a larger number in 27.4% and a smaller number in 37.6%. In patients with a previous history of malignant disease, 15.2% of the pulmonary lesions are benign. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is a safe diagnostic and therapeutic method for solitary lesions, with little discomfort for the patient. In patients with more than one nodule on the CT scan, manual exploration of the lung is necessary to detect further lesions.

Improving lucerne nodulation at low pH: contribution of rhizobial and plant genotype to the nodulation of lucerne seedlings growing in solution culture at pH 5

The effect of rhizobial strain and lucerne genotype on the nodulation of lucerne seedlings growing in solution cultures maintained at pH 5 was measured in two greenhouse experiments. Sinorhizobium strain SRDI291 increased the percentage of plants nodulated when compared with the commercial inoculant strain RRI128 (89% cf. 45% and 86% cf. 23% in the two experiments, respectively). Similarly, the mean number of nodules per nodulated plant (NNP) was greatest in the SRDI291 treatments (3.5 cf. 1.7 and 3.1 cf. 1.8). Plant genotype had fewer, but still significant effects on nodulation. Overall, lucerne genotype CRCSA29 had the highest percentage of plants forming nodules and most NNP (63% and 2.9); genotype L97a had the lowest (46% and 1.9). Greater variation in NNP occurred when the lucerne genotypes were inoculated with RRI128. Most notable was the better nodulation of CRCSA29 with 2.8 NNP compared with only 1.2 NNP for the two unselected genotypes (SARDI Ten and L97a). The lucerne genotypes typically had variable NNP, as exemplified in CRCSA29 inoculated with RRI128 where it ranged from 0–14, providing the opportunity for further plant selection. The work demonstrates that there remains substantial opportunity to increase the potential of lucerne to nodulate at low pH. Gains would appear to be most easily made by changing the strain of rhizobia that is used for inoculation.

Effects of endogenous salicylic acid on nodulation in the model legumes Lotus japonicus and Medicago truncatula.

The exogenous addition of salicylic acid (SA) was previously shown to inhibit indeterminate but not determinate-type nodulation. We sought to extend these results by modulating endogenous levels of SA through the transgenic expression of salicylate hydroxylase (NahG) in both stably transformed Lotus japonicus and composite Medicago truncatula plants. NahG expression in L. japonicus resulted in a marked reduction of SA levels. This reduction correlated with an increase in the number of infections and mean nodule number when compared to controls. However, a complicating factor was that NahG-expressing plants had greater root growth. Spot inoculations of NahG-expressing L. japonicus plants confirmed increased nodulation in these plants. Consistent with the reported inhibitory effects of exogenous SA on indeterminate-type nodulation, NahG expression in M. truncatula plants led to enhanced nodulation and infection. These data point to an important role for SA-mediated plant defense pathways in controlling nodule formation on both determinate and indeterminate nodule-forming hosts.