Regrowth Rate Research Articles

Uncertainties in the adaptation of alpine pastures to climate change based on remote sensing products and modelling

Over the last century, the management of pastoral systems has undergone major changes to meet the livelihood needs of alpine communities. Faced with the changes induced by recent global warming, the ecological status of many pastoral systems has seriously deteriorated in the western alpine region. We assessed changes in pasture dynamics by integrating information from remote-sensing products and two process-based models, i.e. the grassland-specific, biogeochemical growth model PaSim and the generic crop-growth model DayCent. Meteorological observations and satellite-derived Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) trajectories of three pasture macro-types (high, medium and low productivity classes) in two study areas - Parc National des Écrins (PNE) in France and Parco Nazionale Gran Paradiso (PNGP) in Italy - were used as a basis for the model calibration work. The performance of the models was satisfactory in reproducing pasture production dynamics (R2 = 0.52 to 0.83). Projected changes in alpine pastures due to climate-change impacts and adaptation strategies indicate that: i) the length of the growing season is expected to increase between 15 and 40 days, resulting in changes in the timing and amount of biomass production, ii) summer water stress could limit pasture productivity; iii) earlier onset of grazing could enhance pasture productivity; iv) higher livestock densities could increase the rate of biomass regrowth, but major uncertainties in modelling processes need to be considered; and v) the carbon sequestration potential of pastures could decrease under limited water availability and warming.

Integrated transcriptome and physiological analysis reveal the molecular mechanism of the osmotic-responses induced by cryoprotectants in Norway spruce embryogenic tissue

Cryoprotectants, such as sorbitol and dimethyl sulfoxide, are widely used to stabilize the culture solution in cryopreservation, which is necessary for the application of somatic embryogenesis technique in conifer vegetative propagation. However, limited information is available about the molecular mechanism of the osmotic-responses induced by cryoprotectants in conifer species. Use Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) embryogenic tissues (ETs), cryoprotectant pretreatment (CPT) methods T3 and T6 (T3 with low regrowth rate; T6 with high regrowth rate) were selected out of eight CPTs for further analyses based on their similar solution thermal stability but distinct survival rate after cryopreservation. High dose of initial sorbitol (>=0.3 M) induced G1 to G2 cell cycle shift. While, extensive necrosis was detected after low dose of initial sorbitol (=<0.2 M) CPT. 27 RNA-seq libraries (untreated control, T3 or T6 pretreated 4 h, 24 h, 48 h and before freezing) were sequenced using Illumina sequencing platform. The RNA-seq data emphasized the importance of the early molecular responses induced by cryoprotectants. Differently expressed (DE) genes (DEGs) were enriched in cell wall modification, cell cycle regulation and oxidation reaction categories. DE transcription factors (TFs) in T3 vs T6 were enriched in MYB, AP2/ERF, NAC and WRKY families. PaMYB11, one of the hub genes in the early stage, was knockdown by RNA interference (RNAi) to verify our RNA-seq data. The PaMYB11 up-regulation was shown to be necessary for the survival of the ETs under CPT. Our study provides novel knowledge of the stimulus molecular responses to CPT in spruce ETs, which could guide the development of more efficient procedure for cryopreservation in conifers and further expand their industrial applications.

Chemical management of aquatic macrophytes under simulated floodplain condition in mesocosms

Floating natives (Eichhornia crassipes and Pistia stratiotes) and emergent exotic invasives (Hedychium coronarium and Urochloa arrecta) macrophytes grow as aquatic weeds in both natural and artificial floodplain areas in Brazil, where the chemical control should be researched. The herbicides glyphosate and saflufenacil, alone or mixed, were tested for weed control under simulated floodplain condition in mesocosms. Glyphosate (1,440 g ha−1), saflufenacil (120 g ha−1), or glyphosate (1,440 g ha−1) + saflufenacil (42, 84, and 168 g ha−1) were applied firstly; and 75 days after treatment (DAT), glyphosate (1,680 g ha−1) was applied as a follow-up treatment to control plant regrowth. An herbicide-free check was also used. Echhinornia crassipes was the species most susceptible to the different herbicides. Saflufenacil alone presented the lowest control on the macrophytes (≤45%) from 7 to 75 DAT, and in most cases they presented high regrowth rates, i.e., this herbicide was the least effective treatment in reducing the dry mass production of the macrophyte community. Glyphosate alone presented low efficacy to control H. coronarium (30–65%), but for the other macrophytes, it presented control peaks ≥90%, maintaining control levels ≥50% until 75 DAT. Glyphosate + saflufenacil, regardless rate of saflufenacil, caused similar damage to glyphosate in E. crassipes and P. stratiotes; however, in U. arrecta it caused 20–30% less injury. In contrast, these treatments provided the best control of H. coronarium. The complementary application of glyphosate was essential to improve the level of control of the first application, after plant regrowth.

Positive effects of projected climate change on post-disturbance forest regrowth rates in northeastern North American boreal forests

Forest anthropogenic and natural stand-replacing disturbances are increasing worldwide due to global change. Many uncertainties regarding the regeneration and growth of these young forests remain within the context of changing climate. In this study, we investigate the effects of climate, tree species composition, and other landscape-scale environmental variables upon boreal forest regrowth following clearcut logging in eastern Canada. Our main objective was to predict the effects of future climate changes upon post-logging forest height regrowth at a subcontinental scale using high spatial resolution remote sensing data. We modeled forest canopy height (estimated from airborne laser scanning [LiDAR] data over 20 m resolution virtual plots) as a function of time elapsed since the last clearcut along with climate (i.e. temperature and moisture), tree species composition, and other environmental variables (e.g. topography and soil hydrology). Once trained and validated with ∼240 000 plots, the model that was developed in this study was used to predict potential post-logging canopy height regrowth at 20 m resolution across a 240 000 km2 area following scenarios depicting a range of projected changes in temperature and moisture across the region for 2041–2070. Our results predict an overall beneficial, but limited effect of projected climate changes upon forest regrowth rates in our study area. Stimulatory effects of projected climate change were more pronounced for conifer forests, with growth rates increasing between +5% and +50% over the study area, while mixed and broadleaved forests recorded changes that mostly ranged from −5% to +35%. Predicted increased regrowth rates were mainly associated with increased temperature, while changes in climate moisture had a minor effect. We conclude that such growth gains could partially compensate for the inevitable increase in natural disturbances but should not allow any increase in harvested volumes.

Organ preservation and total neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer: Investigating long-course chemoradiation versus short-course radiation therapy.

10 Background: Interest in organ preservation (OP) strategies for rectal cancer (RC) patients persists. The efficacy of long course chemoradiation (LCRT) vs. short course radiation therapy (SCRT) relative to OP is unknown. We compared OP rates between SCRT and LCRT total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) strategies. Methods: During the COVID-19 pandemic we established an institutional SCRT mandate with no exceptions. For comparison, we identified RC patients treated with LCRT immediately before and after the mandate period. After completion of TNT, patients were restaged by clinical exam, endoscopy, and MRI. A watch and wait (WW) approach was recommended for patients with a clinical complete response (cCR), defined by the MSK regression schema. Total mesorectal excision (TME) was recommended for non-cCR patients. OP was defined as alive, TME-free, and with no evidence of disease in the pelvis. We performed survival analysis for: local regrowth rate, OP, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS). Results: We identified 563 consecutive patients with RC treated with TNT, of whom 231 were excluded due to either metastatic disease, synchronous/metachronous malignancies, or non-adenocarcinoma histology (Jan. 2018-Jan. 2021). Patient and tumor characteristics were similar in the LCRT (n = 256) and SCRT (n = 76) cohorts. No significant differences in high-risk features were noted. Most patients had clinical stage III disease (82% in LCRT vs. 83% in SCRT). Induction chemotherapy followed by consolidative radiation was the most common treatment order (78% (LCRT) vs. 70% (SCRT)). The median interval from end of TNT to clinical restaging was 8 weeks (LCRT) and 9 weeks (SCRT). The cCR rate was 46% in both cohorts. The cCR rate was numerically higher in patients treated with radiation first, as compared to chemotherapy first (53% vs. 44% (LCRT) and 52% vs. 43% (SCRT)). Among patients with a cCR, the likelihood of WW management was similar (98% (LCRT) vs. 94% (SCRT)). From start of TNT, the median follow-up was 32 and 28 months respectively for LCRT and SCRT. The 2-year OS (95% vs. 92%), DFS (78% vs 70%), and distant recurrence (20% vs. 21%) rates were similar. Among all patients, the 2-year OP rate was 40% (95% CI 35-47%) for LCRT and 29% (95% CI 20-42%) with SCRT. In those patients managed by WW, the 2-year local regrowth rate was 20% (95% CI 12-27%) with LCRT vs. 36% (95% CI 16-52%) with SCRT. Conclusions: In this nonrandomized comparison, while cCR rates were similar, we observed a numerically higher OP rate with LCRT-TNT than with SCRT-TNT. The ongoing ACO/ARO/AIO-18.1 trial, hypothesizing that LCRT-TNT will increase OP rates relative to SCRT-TNT, should definitively answer this question.

Tropical forests post-logging are a persistent net carbon source to the atmosphere

Logged and structurally degraded tropical forests are fast becoming one of the most prevalent land-use types throughout the tropics and are routinely assumed to be a net carbon sink because they experience rapid rates of tree regrowth. Yet this assumption is based on forest biomass inventories that record carbon stock recovery but fail to account for the simultaneous losses of carbon from soil and necromass. Here, we used forest plots and an eddy covariance tower to quantify and partition net ecosystem CO2 exchange in Malaysian Borneo, a region that is a hot spot for deforestation and forest degradation. Our data represent the complete carbon budget for tropical forests measured throughout a logging event and subsequent recovery and found that they constitute a substantial and persistent net carbon source. Consistent with existing literature, our study showed a significantly greater woody biomass gain across moderately and heavily logged forests compared with unlogged forests, but this was counteracted by much larger carbon losses from soil organic matter and deadwood in logged forests. We estimate an average carbon source of 1.75 ± 0.94 Mg C ha-1 yr-1 within moderately logged plots and 5.23 ± 1.23 Mg C ha-1 yr-1 in unsustainably logged and severely degraded plots, with emissions continuing at these rates for at least one-decade post-logging. Our data directly contradict the default assumption that recovering logged and degraded tropical forests are net carbon sinks, implying the amount of carbon being sequestered across the world's tropical forests may be considerably lower than currently estimated.

Highly Si‐Doped GaN Regrown by Metal–Organic Vapor‐Phase Epitaxy for Ohmic Contact Applied to Quaternary Barrier‐Based High‐Electron‐Mobility Transistors

The quaternary barrier InAlGaN is suitable for GaN high‐electron‐mobility transistors (HEMT) power microwave applications. High doping of the semiconductor under the drain and source is a known suitable solution to achieve low ohmic contact resistance. However, InAlGaN quaternary alloys require a low thermal budget to avoid indium desorption from the active layer during regrowth and thus deteriorating the barrier. Herein, a selective‐area growth technique at 850 °C by metal–organic vapor‐phase epitaxy (MOVPE) to achieve low contact resistance with respect to temperature constraint is presented. Regrowth temperature and mask geometry are investigated to achieve selectivity and control of the regrowth rate. The use of H2 as carrier gas decomposes the GaN buffer layer and damages the surface, creating material cluster during regrowth. Growth with N2 carrier gas shows nonselective epitaxy, as there are deposits on the entire surface of the dielectric mask. Switching from one carrier gas to another depending on the step in the MOVPE reactor helps to control both the morphology and selectivity. The resulting high doping levels of 8 × 1019 cm−3 lead to a low contact resistance of 0.26 Ω mm.

The Efficacy, Safety, and Recurrence Rate of Diphenylcyclopropenone Topical Immunotherapy for Alopecia Areata: A Systemic Review and Meta‐Analysis

Background and Objective. Diphenylcyclopropenone topical immunotherapy is widely used in the treatment of alopecia areata. However, previous studies have shown significant differences in its efficacy. We conducted this systemic review and meta‐analysis to investigate the efficacy, safety, and recurrence rate of diphenylcyclopropenone topical immunotherapy for alopecia areata. Methods. Literatures related to diphenylcyclopropenone topical immunotherapy for alopecia areata between January 1st, 2002, and July 2nd, 2022, were searched in the following databases: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Sinomed, WanFang Data, and Chinese Medical Journal Network. Results. This meta‐analysis included a total of 40 moderate to high quality studies involving 3,002 patients. The overall rate of any hair regrowth was 69%, and the overall rate of complete hair regrowth was 23%. The rate of any hair regrowth in patients with alopecia totalis or alopecia universalis was 42%, and the rate of any hair regrowth in patients with other types of alopecia areata was 75%. Common side effects were mild contact dermatitis (36%), severe contact dermatitis (31%), regional lymphadenopathy (22%), hyperpigmentation (22%), and hypopigmentation (7%). The recurrence rate was 37%. Conclusion. Diphenylcyclopropenone topical immunotherapy is an effective treatment for various types of alopecia areata, and most of its common side effects are acceptable.

Growth Responses of the Perennial Grass, Phalaris Aquatica L., to Cutting Frequency and Influence on Secondary Metabolites and Antioxidant Activity

Highlights Defoliation initiates physiological recovery and chemical defense mechanisms in Phalaris aquatica. Under infrequent defoliation treatment, P. aquatica has high DM production. Defoliation severity on herbage regrowth was associated with variation of secondary metabolite content and antioxidant activity. Phalaris may be suited to conservation pasture systems; the interval between cuts is about six weeks to maximize rates of regrowth. Results indicate that Phalaris may be used as fodder crop to sustained production and food security. Abstract. Perennial grasses are the key to the economic and environmental sustainability of pastures for livestock, and in arid and semi-arid environments, they can provide multiple ecosystem services more effectively than production systems based on annual crops. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different defoliation frequencies on forage production and nutritive value of the Phalaris aquatica L. variety Soukra under field conditions in Tunis, Tunisia, over a period of 12 weeks. We tested four defoliation frequencies: (1) severe, (2) moderate, (3) infrequent, and (4) control. The growth responses measured were plant tiller number (NT), dry matter production (DM), and relative leaf regrowth rate (RLR). DM under the severe and moderate defoliation frequencies was 7% and 41% less than under control defoliation, respectively. However, DM production under infrequent defoliation was 91% and 43% higher than under severe and moderate defoliation. The relative leaf regrowth rate was affected by defoliation frequency; the highest regrowth rate was under severe treatment. However, tillering of P. aquatica was reduced under the severe and moderate frequencies of defoliation. Under increased defoliation frequencies, concentrations of secondary metabolites significantly decreased; total polyphenol content, flavonoid content, and tannin contents were higher in control and infrequent than in moderate and severe treatments. Antioxidant activity also decreased significantly with defoliation compared to the control treatment. There were no significant differences (P &amp;gt; 0.05) in ABTS (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) among the defoliation frequencies. Pearson's r correlation and PCA (Principal component analysis) data revealed that growth parameters, secondary metabolites, and antioxidant activity have positive and negative correlations in distinguishing the control and defoliation treatments. Results indicate that P. aquatica management should target moderate harvest rates in the adoption of perennial grass forage production systems in Tunisia. Use of perennial grasses for forage production can contribute to sustained production, food security, and rural livelihoods, and move farming systems towards providing multiple economic, environmental, and social benefits. Keywords: ABTS, Defoliation frequency, DPPH, Flavonoids, Growth responses, Matter production, Perennial grasses, Phalaris, Polyphenols.

Long-term outcomes in a retrospective cohort of patients with rectal cancer with complete response after total neoadjuvant therapy: a propensity-score weighted analysis.

The watch-and-wait (W&W) strategy is a novel treatment option for patients with rectal cancer who have a strong desire for organ preservation. The study aimed to explore the long-term outcomes of the W&W strategy in a large cohort of rectal cancer patients who achieved a clinical complete response (cCR) after consolidation total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT), and to compare with patients who achieved a pathological complete response (pCR) after radical surgery. The W&W group comprised patients who were assessed as having a cCR after consolidation TNT and adopted the W&W strategy. Patients who underwent standard resection and achieved a pCR were compared as a reference. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW)-adjusted Kaplan-Meier analysis with log-rank test was used to compare survival outcomes. We included 89 and 171 patients in the W&W and pCR groups, respectively. The median follow-up period was 45 and 58 months for the W&W and pCR groups, respectively. After IPTW adjustment, the 2-year local regrowth/recurrence rate for the W&W and pCR groups were 9.9% and 2.0%, respectively (p < 0.001). The W&W and pCR groups had similar 5-year outcomes, including overall survival, disease-free survival, and distant metastasis-free survival (all p > 0.05). No significant difference was observed in the rates of distant metastasis between patients in the W&W group with local regrowth and those without local regrowth (25% versus 6.2%, p = 0.119). Patients who were managed with a W&W strategy after consolidation TNT had favorable survival outcomes, which were similar to those of patients with a pCR. The rate of local regrowth in W&W patients was lower in our study than in other studies as a result of the implementation of consolidation TNT.

Bimatoprost versus Clobetasol Propionate in Scalp Alopecia Areata: A Prospective Non-Randomized Open-Label Clinical Trial.

Alopecia areata (AA) is one of the most common forms of alopecia presenting to the dermatology out patient department (OPD) worldwide as well as in Nepal. It is mostly diagnosed clinically. Treatment depends on the extent, location, and severity of the condition. Various treatment options available are topical, intralesional, and oral medications. Bimatoprost is a relatively newer treatment modality in AA. To compare the efficacy and safety of topical bimatoprost 0.01% solution versus clobetasol propionate 0.05% cream in scalp AA. A total of 50 patients attending the dermatology OPD of a tertiary hospital between March 2018 and February 2019 were included in this prospective non-randomized open-label clinical trial. Patients were divided into two groups i.e., Group A- topical bimatoprost solution 0.01% and Group B- topical clobetasol propionate cream 0.05%, and followed up at weeks 4, 8, and 12. The improvement was analyzed subjectively by hair regrowth and objectively by Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) score. Side effects, nature of terminal hair and onset of initial response were also recorded. Out of 50 patients, 27 were males and 23 were females with a mean age of 28.5 ± 9.34 years and mean duration of disease of 18.67 ± 46.1 weeks. Hair regrowth rate and reduction in SALT score from baseline were seen more in clobetasol group compared to bimatoprost (p = 0.282 and P = 0.246, respectively). Side effects were seen more in the clobetasol group compared to bimatoprost group (p = 0.002). Onset of cosmetically acceptable hair regrowth was seen earlier in the bimatoprost group (p = 0.017) and also the nature of regrown hairs was more pigmented in bimatoprost group (p = 0.024). There is no significant difference in hair regrowth between clobetasol and bimatoprost in the treatment of AA on scalp at the end of 12 weeks, although bimatoprost has an advantage of lesser side effects, more rapid response and growth of more pigmented hairs.

Study of Mechanical-Chemical Synergistic Weeding on Characterization of Weed–Soil Complex and Weed Control Efficacy

Mechanical-chemical synergy has been proven efficient in weed control. However, characterizing the state of the weed–soil complex after mechanical weeding and revealing its effects on subsequent herbicide application is still challenging, which restricts the implementation of this technology. This paper first presents a method to characterize the state of the weed–soil complex from the perspectives of the fragmentation and composite characteristics. The regrowth of the weed–soil complex and the effects of complemented herbicide-reduced spraying on weed control efficacy and crop yield were then investigated. The results showed that the typical diameters of the weed–soil complexes were 10.67 cm and 2.82 cm after inter-row hoe shovel and intra-row finger weeding, respectively. There were mainly two and four weed–soil complex states after inter-row and intra-row weeding, respectively. The regrowth rate corresponding to the weed–soil complex state with the largest component proportion after inter-row and intra-row weeding was 76.91% and 18.37%, respectively. The additional chemical herbicide sprayed on the weed–soil complex significantly improved the fresh weight control efficacy of 95.12% for the preposed inter-row mechanical weeding and 138.07% for the preposed intra-row mechanical weeding in the maize silking stage. The maize yield of inter-row mechanical–75% chemical application treatment was 9.27% higher than that of chemical treatment. Mechanical weeding creates a suitable weed–soil complex state for subsequent chemical application and improves the synergistic weeding effect.

Value of CEUS combined with feeding artery ablation in the microwave ablation of large solid benign thyroid nodules.

To investigate the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) combined with feeding artery ablation in the microwave ablation (MWA) of large solid benign thyroid nodules (LSBTNs) with a diameter ≥ 4 cm. We retrospectively analyzed 122 patients with LSBTN ≥ 4 cm in diameter treated with MWA. During evaluations before and after MWA, 53 patients who underwent conventional ultrasound examination were classified as the routine group, and 69 patients who underwent CEUS combined with feeding artery ablation were classified as the union group. The differences in ablation energy required per milliliter (AERPM), complication rate, regrowth rate, and volume reduction rate (VRR) were compared between the two groups. The AERPM of the union group was significantly less than that of the routine group (956.3 ± 38.5 J/mL vs. 1025.9 ± 121.5 J/mL, p < 0.001). The complication rate of the routine group was significantly higher than that of the union group (13.2% vs. 2.9%, p = 0.031). The regrowth rate of the routine group (22.6%, 12/53) was significantly higher than that of the union group (7.2%, 5/69) (p = 0.015). At the 1st, 3rd, 6th, 12th, 18th, and 24th month after ablation, the mean VRRs of the routine group were significantly less than those of the union group, with p values of < 0.001, < 0.001, 0.002, 0.007, 0.013, and < 0.001, respectively. The application of CEUS combined with feeding artery ablation in the MWA of LSBTNs is helpful to reduce the regrowth rate, improve the ablation efficiency, and reduce bleeding. • CEUS combined with feeding artery ablation in MWA of LSBTNs is helpful to reduce regrowth rate. • CEUS combined with feeding artery ablation can help improve ablation efficiency than conventional ultrasound in LSBTNs. • CEUS combined with feeding artery ablation helps reduce the incidence of bleeding during MWA.

Modelling of Lemna minor L. growth as influenced by nutrient supply, supplemental light, CO2 and harvest intervals for a continuous indoor cultivation

Given the proper conditions, Lemna spp. rapidly produce a high amount of valuable biomass which is considered as an alternative source for feed and food. For a continuous and long-term indoor production under controlled conditions, environmental and harvest parameters have to be optimized to suppress algal growth and constantly yield a high-quality product. Experimentally assessing the effect of a larger number of parameters on the growth rate ri is impossible due to the theoretically high number of parameter combinations. Thus, a SIMILE® - based model has been developed. This enables production parameters to be assessed individually for its effect on the growth rate ri by a differential equation. Start values for numerical integration were taken from measured data and analytical solutions of the differential growth equation. At 400 ppm CO2, the regrowth rate ri in an optimized laboratory set-up amounted to 216 g FM·m−2d−1, harvesting one third of the biomass at intervals of 5 days. In up-scaled set-ups, lower regrowth rates ri of about 173 g FM·m−2d−1 (Kalkar) and 190 g FM·m−2d−1 (Berlin) were obtained, because temperature and light conditions were below optimum. At 3,500 ppm CO2, the regrowth rate ri in laboratory set-up increased to 323 g FM·m−2d−1 by shortening the harvest interval to three days. Maximum growth rates ri were obtained with an NH4+/NO3- ratio of 1/9 at 1.14 mM total N concentration. The results indicate how to optimize culture conditions and harvest intervals. Model runs closely match the experimental data taken from the three different approaches and thus confirm the validity of the model.

Effect of dissolved organic matter property on the regrowth of Escherichia coli after ultraviolet disinfection

Ultraviolet (UV) disinfection is effective in bacterial disinfection without yielding by-products. After UV disinfection, however, bacteria can regrow depending on water quality although there is a paucity of knowledge about the relation of water quality to bacterial regrowth. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the effect of dissolved organic matter (DOM) property on the regrowth process of Escherichia coli (E. coli) under dark and light conditions. The changes in survival ratio of UV disinfected E. coli were observed under dark and light conditions in the presence of one of four DOMs, namely sodium pyruvate, tryptone, starch, and fulvic acid. After UV disinfection (265 nm), the survival ratio of E. coli was well described by the second-order regrowth model. Under dark condition, the maximum survival ratio (Sm) of E. coli during seven-day storage ranged from 8.6 % to 169.1 % while the maximum regrowth rate (Kmax) ranged from 0.020 % h−1 to 4.03 % h−1. In light condition, Sm ranged from 2.4 % to 348.5 %, Kmax ranged from 0.029 % h−1 to 31.1 % h−1. Two-way ANOVA indicates the significant effects of DOM type on those model parameters, which was possibly owing to their roles as a source of amino acids and as a scavenger of reactive oxygen species. Overall, DOM weakened visible light disinfection after UV disinfection while promoting bacterial dark repair and photoreactivation. This study revealed that DOM property largely influences regrowth after UV disinfection, highlighting the importance for considering such effect in UV disinfection.

Lactobacillus paracasei HY7015 and Lycopus lucidus Turcz. Extract Promotes Human Dermal Papilla Cell Cytoprotective Effect and Hair Regrowth Rate in C57BL/6 Mice

Hair loss is a disease that requires accurate diagnosis and type-specific medical treatment. Many hair loss treatments have some side effects, such as hormone-related effects, so there is a need for safe and effective hair loss treatment. In this study, we investigated the effects of Lactobacillus paracasei HY7015 (HY7015) and Lycopus lucidus Turcz. (LT) extract on hair regrowth and protection. In vitro experiments were conducted to assess the effects of HY7015 and/or LT extract on human follicle dermal papilla cells (HFDPC) of cytoprotective functions such as proliferations, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and growth factor expressions. In animal experiments, we investigated hair regrowth rate, hair follicle formation and secretion of growth factors in telogenic C57BL/6 mice. We confirmed the cytoprotective effects of HY7015 and LT through regulations of proliferation, SOD and IL-1β in HFDPC. In mouse experiments, oral administration of HY7015 and LT promoted hair regrowth as well as hair follicle maturation in the dermal skin of C57BL/6 mice, and upregulated VEGF and IGF-1 growth factor levels in mouse serum. In summary, our data demonstrate that ingestions of HY7015 and LT can promote hair regrowth by enhancing cytoprotective effects and expressions of growth factors.

Cannabis Synthetic Seeds: An Alternative Approach for Commercial Scale of Clonal Propagation and Germplasm Conservation

Indoor cannabis (Cannabis sativa) cultivation has been rapidly increasing in many countries after legalization. Besides conventional propagation through cuttings, synthetic seed production provides a competent system for mass propagation, germplasm conservation and international exchange of genetic materials. The present study developed a reliable protocol for cannabis synthetic seed production using encapsulation of nodal segments derived from in vitro or in vivo sources. Synthetic seeds were produced in 3% sodium alginate and 75 mM calcium chloride in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium and stored under various environmental conditions for up to 150 days. The plantlets regrowth efficiency was monitored on culture media up to 30 days after the storage period. Regrowth rates of 70% and 90% were observed in synthetic seeds from in vitro and in vivo-derived sources, respectively, when stored in 6 °C under 50 μmol s-1 m-2 light for 150 days. Furthermore, addition of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) to the encapsulation matrix not only postponed precocious germination of synthetic seeds at 22 °C, but also improved the regrowth rate of in vivo-derived synthetic seeds to 100% when they were stored in 6 °C under light. Exposure to light during storage significantly increased shoot length of regrown synseeds when compared to those stored in darkness. This difference in shoot growth disappeared when synseeds were treated with 25 µM ASA. All regenerated plantlets were rooted and acclimatized in sterile rockwool plugs without morphological changes.

Nitrogen Application Alleviates the Adverse Effects of Defoliation Stress on Lolium perenne L. by Enhancing the Antioxidant System and Promoting Photosynthesis

Perennial grasses undergo compensatory growth after defoliation. Nitrate is the main nitrogen source for the growth of perennial ryegrass and plays a significant role in plant resistance to stress. The aim of the study was to understand the physiological mechanism of ryegrass in response to defoliation stress under different nitrate supplies and to explore possible ways to alleviate defoliation stress. We performed pot experiments where 12-week-old ryegrass plants grown in low (0.05 mM KNO3) or moderate nitrate (5 mM KNO3) conditions were defoliated and subsequently supplied with different concentrations of nitrate following defoliation treatments. During the regrowth stage, the regrowth rate, biomass, photosynthetic parameters, and the response of the antioxidant system to low or moderate nitrate supply of ryegrass were investigated. The results showed that moderate nitrate supply after defoliation increased the content of photosynthetic pigments in ryegrass and improved its photosynthetic efficiency. In addition, adding moderate nitrate after defoliation increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes and the accumulation of osmotic regulating substances, thereby enhancing plant resistance, effectively reducing the damage to plants caused by defoliation stress, and promoting plant regrowth, especially for plants grown in a low nitrate environment before defoliation. Therefore, this study showed that the addition of exogenous nitrate could counteract some of the adverse effects of defoliation stress on the growth and development of ryegrass.

Watch and Wait in Rectal Cancer After a Complete Response to Chemoradiotherapy – Is It Safe and Are We Doing Enough?

AimsTo summarise current understanding and the associated outcomes of the watch and wait approach after a clinical complete response (cCR) of rectal cancer to chemoradiotherapy. Materials and methodsA contemporary and comprehensive literature review was carried out using focused searches of the MEDLINE and Google Scholar databases. ResultsThe watch and wait approach is now an established and oncologically safe option for patients who develop a cCR. Long-term survival is equivalent to primary rectal resection and quality of life outcomes are demonstrably superior. The tumour regrowth rate of 25–33% is higher than local recurrence rates after total mesenteric excision. Therefore, intensive surveillance protocols are required to enable early salvage surgery. Salvage is feasible in more than 84% of cases, with equivalent survival outcomes to primary resection. DiscussionCurrent evidence focuses on patients with locally advanced disease, but there are superior rates of cCR and organ preservation in earlier stages of rectal cancer. A shift towards planning for cCR and maximising cCR rates is the logical next step for rectal preservation. Emerging evidence attempts to predict those who will achieve a complete response and allow more tailored management plans, and earlier cancers may represent the optimal targets.

Evolution of open aneurysmorrhaphy for management of sac expansion after endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms

ObjectiveWe evaluated the perioperative and mid-term clinical outcomes of open aneurysmorrhaphy (OA) for the treatment of sac expansion after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) of abdominal aortic aneurysms. MethodsOA involves sac exposure without dissection of the proximal or distal neck, sacotomy and ligation of back-bleeding vessels, preservation of the prior stent graft, and tight closure of the sac around the stent graft. We performed a retrospective review of all patients who had undergone OA for nonruptured sac expansion after standard EVAR at our institution between January 2015 and June 2021. The primary end points were 30-day mortality and aneurysm-related death. The secondary end points were postoperative complications, overall survival, freedom from reintervention, and sac regrowth rate. ResultsA total of 28 patients had undergone OA. Their mean age was 76.9 ± 6.7 years. The median sac diameter at OA was 79 mm (interquartile range [IQR], 76-92 mm). The median duration from the index EVAR to OA was 82 months (IQR, 72-104 months). Preoperative computed tomography angiography confirmed a type II endoleak (EL) in 20 patients, 1 of whom had had a coexisting type Ia EL; a type IIIb EL was identified in 1 patient. Concomitant endovascular procedures had been performed in six patients to treat a type I or III EL or reinforce the proximal and distal seals. The OA technique has been modified since 2017, with the addition of more aggressive dissection of the sac and complete removal of the mural thrombus to further decrease the sac diameter. Postoperative complications occurred in two patients and included abdominal lymphorrhea and failed hemostasis of the common femoral artery requiring surgical repair in one patient each. The 30-day mortality was 0%. During the median follow-up of 36 months (IQR, 14-51 months), the overall survival was 92.7% and 86.9% at 12 and 36 months, respectively, without any aneurysm-related death. In the late (2017-2021) treatment group, the median sac diameter immediately after OA was smaller than that in the early (2015-2016) treatment group (early group: median, 50 mm; IQR, 39-57 mm; vs later group: median, 41 mm; IQR, 32-47 mm; P = .083). Furthermore, in the late group, the sac regrowth rate was lower (early group: median, 0.36 mm/mo; IQR, 0.23-0.83 mm/mo; vs late group: median, 0 mm/mo; IQR, 0-0.11 mm/mo; P = .0075) and the freedom from reintervention rate was higher (late group: 94.7% at both 12 and 36 months, respectively; early group: 71.4% and 53.6% at 12 and 36 months, respectively; log-rank P = .070). ConclusionsOur results have shown that OA for the management of post-EVAR sac expansion is feasible with acceptable mid-term outcomes. Aggressive dissection and tight plication of the sac might be imperative for better mid-term outcomes after OA.