Uptake Index Research Articles

Development of an algorithm for optimizing nitrogen fertilization in wheat using GreenSeeker proximal optical sensor

AbstractProximal plant sensing with active canopy sensors offers a leap in the non-destructive assessment of crop agronomic information. For managing fertilizer nitrogen (N), sensor readings must be translated using functional models or algorithms to fertilizer amounts. Six field experiments were conducted in three wheat seasons in the West Nile Delta in Egypt to develop and validate an algorithm based on GreenSeeker canopy reflectance sensor for field-specific fertilizer N management in wheat, which takes into account both spatial and temporal variability of N during the crop growth season. The proposed algorithm is based on the prediction of total N uptake and response index of N uptake determined from normalized difference vegetation index measured by the sensor from plots differing in yield potential as established by applying a range of fertilizer N levels in the four experiments conducted in the first two wheat seasons. The treatments in the two experiments conducted in the third wheat season were designed to define appropriate fertilizer N management prior to applying a sensor-based dose at Feekes 6 stage (jointing stage). The application of 40 and 60 kg N ha−1 at 10 and 30 days after sowing of wheat and a sensor-guided dose of N estimated by using the algorithm developed in this study resulted in yields similar to those obtained by following the general recommendation, but with an average of 66 kg N ha−1 less fertilizer N. These results were also reflected in a substantial increase in N recovery (21.9%) and agronomic (7.7 kg grain kg−1 N) efficiencies compared with the general recommendation, thereby proving the usefulness of the sensor-based algorithm in optimizing fertilizer N management in wheat.

Potential role of plant growth-promoting bacteria in Miscanthus x giganteus phytotechnology applied to the trace elements contaminated soils

The second-generation energy crop Miscanthus x giganteus (M. xgiganteus) is a perspective plant for phytoremediation of contaminated lands and the production of biomass. The excellent quality biomass can be ensured by adding soil amendments or inoculation of the plant by plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB). The main goal of the current study was to research the influence of PGPB Bacillus altitudinis strain KP-14 isolated from the post-mining aged contaminated soil in Všebořice dump, Ústí nad Labem to the phytoremediation parameters and biomass production of M. xgiganteus. The experiment was done in the greenhouse conditions using the initial aged soil contaminated by the following trace elements (TEs): V, Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sr, Pb and the same aged soil, additionally artificially contaminated by Pb. The results showed that PGPB treatment increased the growth process and leaves, stems, and roots biomass at harvest by 49%, 86%, and 76%, respectively. In the presence of B. altitudinis strain KP-14, the translocation factor decreased, the uptake index of TEs remained low and the process can be classified as phytostabilization. The finding showed that the application of PGPB strain could be used in the sustainable production of M. xgiganteus at the TEs contaminated soil.

Effects of electric fields on Cd accumulation and photosynthesis in Zea mays seedlings

Phytoremediation enhanced by electrokinetic has been considered as a potential technology for remediating contaminated soils. However, the effects of electric fields on Cd accumulation and photosynthesis in Zea mays (as a cathode) is still unclear. In the present study, Zea mays seedlings were exposed to various doses of Cd2+ (10, 50, 100 μM) to explore the impact of electric fields on Cd accumulation and photosynthesis of Zea mays. Results showed that upon exposure to a concentration of 100 μM Cd, electric fields significantly altered the Cd contents in maize shoots, whereas the concentration of 50 μM Cd increased the Cd contents in maize roots as well as affected the Cd transport from roots to shoots. Uptake index (UI) increased by 1.34%–66.16% with the application of electric fields. The variation of photosynthetic rates attributed to the open or closure of stoma was similar to the change of shoot fresh weight, particularly in maize exposed to high Cd stress. This study proposes a new technology in Cd phytoremediation and provides important information on physiological processes in maize when exposed to Cd stress and electric fields.

Assessment of SPECT-CT fusion images and semi-quantitative evaluation using SUV in 123I-IMP SPECT in patients with choroidal melanoma

The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic ability of N-isopropyl-p-[I-123] iodoamphetamine (IMP) SPECT semi-quantitative evaluation based on the standardized uptake value (SUV) in patients with choroidal melanoma. The secondary aim was to investigate the 6-h IMP SPECT imaging in comparison with 24-h imaging. Twenty-five patients (14 males and 11 females, mean age of 59.2-year-old) were analyzed in this retrospective study. Patients underwent 24-h IMP SPECT imaging with a gamma camera after intravenous injection of IMP. Twelve of 25 patients underwent 6-h SPECT imaging in addition to the 24-h imaging. All acquired SPECT images were fused with CT images using an image-analysis software. To assess the utility of semi-quantitative evaluation method, we introduced an image evaluation method using SUVmax comparing with conventional count-based uptake index (UI) evaluation of the lesion. Volumes-of-interest (VOIs) for SUVmax and regions-of-interest (ROIs) for UI were drawn referring to the SPECT-CT fusion image. Then the relationship between the 6- and 24-h images was examined both in SUV and UI evaluation. Furthermore, the relationship between the size category classification (SCC) by UICC/AJCC: 1-4 scales and each semi-quantitative value using SUVmax and UI was also assessed. SUVmax of the tumor was significantly higher than that of the normal side; 2.37 ± 0.88 and 1.77 ± 0.39 (P < 0.05) on 6-h image, 4.17 ± 1.73 and 2.04 ± 0.45 (P < 0.001) on 24-h image, respectively. UI of the tumor was also significantly higher than that of the normal side; 2.24 ± 0.67 and 1.53 ± 0.35 (P < 0.01) on 6-h image, 3.79 ± 1.24 and 1.67 ± 0.44 (P < 0.001) on 24-h image, respectively. There was a strong significant linear relationship in the evaluation with SUVmax between 6- and 24-h on the tumor side (R2 = 0.88, P < 0.0001), compared to that with Tumor-UI (R2 = 0.35, P < 0.05). In addition, SUVmax of the tumor clearly differentiated the SCC of the tumor category 4 from that of category 1, where SUVmax of the tumor for categories 1‒4 were 2.56 ± 0.59, 4.33 ± 1.92, 4.63 ± 1.45, and 5.73 ± 1.69, respectively (P < 0.05, for categories 1 and 4). The semi-quantitative evaluation by SUV of 123I-IMP SPECT images fused with CT images is useful for detecting choroidal melanoma. Moreover, 6-h imaging with SUV-based evaluation of 123I-IMP SPECT is promising compared to the conventional count-based UI evaluation method. Trial registration This study is registered in UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR) as UMIN study ID: UMIN000038174.

Prediction of post-hepatectomy liver failure using gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging for hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein invasion

PurposeAccurate prediction of post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) is important in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We aimed to retrospectively evaluate the utility of gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI for predicting PHLF in patients who underwent anatomic hepatectomy for HCC with portal vein invasion. MethodsForty-one patients (32 men, 9 women) were included. Hepatobiliary-phase MR images were acquired 20 min after injection of gadoxetic acid using a 3D fat-suppressed T1-weighted spoiled gradient-echo sequence. Liver-spleen ratio (LSR), remnant hepatocellular uptake index (rHUI), and HUI were calculated. The severity of PHLF was defined according to the International Study Group of Liver Surgery. Differences in LSR between the resected liver and the remnant liver, and HUI and rHUI/HUI between no/mild and severe PHLF were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Wilcoxon rank-sum test, respectively. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of severe PHLF. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) of rHUI and rHUI/HUI were calculated for predicting severe PHLF. ResultsNine patients developed severe PHLF. LSR of the remnant liver was significantly higher than that of the resected liver (P < 0.001). Severe PHLF demonstrated significantly lower rHUI (P < 0.001) and rHUI/HUI (P < 0.001) compared with no/mild PHLF. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that decreased rHUI (P = 0.012, AUC=0.885) and rHUI/HUI (P = 0.002, AUC=0.852) were independent predictors of severe PHLF. ConclusionGadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI can be a promising noninvasive examination for assessing global and regional liver function, allowing estimation of the functional liver remnant and accurate prediction of severe PHLF before hepatic resection.

The effects of soccer training in aerobic capacity between trained and untrained adolescent boys of the same biological age.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of soccer training on maximal oxygen uptake and anthropometric characteristics in different ages of soccer players and untrained adolescents of the same biological age. A total of one hundred and twenty-six (N.=126) young soccer players and untrained boys throughout the developmental ages of 12 (soccer players N.=22; untrained boys = 22) 14 (soccer players N.=20; untrained boys = 18) and 16 (soccer players N.=22; untrained boys = 22) volunteered to participate in the study. Sexual maturation was classified according to Tanner's stages. Soccer players participated both in their school's physical education program and in a soccer training program, while the untrained participated only in their school's physical education program. All participants underwent anthropometric measurements and performed a maximal exercise test on a motor driven treadmill to determine maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2<inf>max</inf>) and cardiorespiratory indices. Blood lactate (BL) concentration was determined in the 5th minute of recovery using a lactate photometer. The trained group showed significantly higher V̇O2<inf>max</inf>, in absolute and relative values (P<0.001), BL<inf>max</inf> (P<0.05) and maximal respiratory exchange ratio (RER<inf>max</inf>) (P<0.05) compared to the untrained group. Resting heart rate (HR) and systolic blood pressure were significantly lower (P<0.05) for the trained compared to untrained. The results of this study showed that systematic soccer training has a positive effect in the central cardiovascular system expressed as V̇O2<inf>max</inf>, HR and blood pressure.

Hepatic uptake index in the hepatobiliary phase of gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine penta acetic acid–enhanced magnetic resonance imaging estimates functional liver reserve and predicts post-hepatectomy liver failure

BackgroundRecent evidence suggests that gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine penta acetic acid–enhanced (Gd-EOB-DTPA) magnetic resonance imaging may be used to evaluate liver function. The aim of this study was to assess whether the signal intensity of Gd-EOB-DTPA magnetic resonance imaging may be used to predict functional liver reserve and posthepatectomy liver failure in patients undergoing hepatectomy for liver tumors. MethodsThis is an observational retrospective study on 137 preoperative Gd-EOB-DTPA magnetic resonance imaging of patients undergoing hepatectomy between 2015 and 2018. Mean signal intensity of liver (L20) and spleen (S20) were measured on T1-weighted single-breath-hold 3-dimensional fat-saturated gradient echo sequences acquired 20 minutes after Gd-EOB-DTPA administration. The hepatocellular uptake index of liver volume (VL) was calculated with the formula VL([L20/S20] – 1) and was tested with several score systems for liver diseases and to the occurrence of post-hepatectomy liver failure. ResultsPatients with diseased liver had significantly lower values of hepatic uptake index in comparison with those with normal function. This was found for a Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score ≤9 versus >9 (P = .04), combination of bilirubin and cholinesterases levels score ≤2 versus >2 (P = .02), albumin to bilirubin grades (P = .03), and Humanitas score ≤6 versus >6 (P = .03). Twenty-two patients (16%) developed posthepatectomy liver failure, and 2 (1.4%) died within 90 days. The hepatocellular uptake index was significantly lower in those patients with posthepatectomy liver failure (P < .01). Receiver operating characteristics curve analysis revealed valuable hepatocellular uptake index ability in predicting post-hepatectomy liver failure (area under the curve = 0.84; 95% confidence interval, 0.71−0.92; P < .01), with a cutoff value of 574.33 (98% sensitivity; 83% specificity). ConclusionThe hepatocellular uptake index hepatocellular uptake index measured on preoperative Gd-EOB-DTPA magnetic resonance imaging identifies patients with diseased liver and predicts posthepatectomy liver failure. This index could be used to discern those patients at higher risk of complications after hepatectomy.

Predictive value of gadoxetic acid enhanced magnetic resonance imaging for posthepatectomy liver failure after a major hepatectomy.

We assessed the usefulness of gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid enhanced magnetic resonance imaging for the prediction of posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) after a major hepatectomy. We reviewed 140 cases involving a hepatectomy of two or more sections between 2010 and 2016 (study cohort). We used the standardized remnant hepatocellular uptake index (SrHUI) which was calculated by: SrHUI=future remnant liver volume×[(signal intensity of remnant liver on hepatobiliary phase images/signal intensity of spleen on hepatobiliary phase images)-1]/body surface area. Validation of the SrHUI was performed in another cohort of 52 major hepatectomy cases between 2017 and 2018 (validation cohort). The SrHUI of patients with PHLF was significantly lower than that of non-PHLF cases. Receiver operating characteristic analysis and the Youden index revealed that the SrHUI cutoff value for the prediction of PHLF and PHLF grade≥B were 0.313L/m2 and 0.257L/m2 , respectively. In the validation cohort, the cutoff value of SrHUI for the prediction of PHLF or PHLF grade≥B had a sensitivity of 75.0% or 88.8%, and specificity of 78.1% or 91.6%, respectively. The SrHUI value is a predictor for PHLF after a major hepatectomy.

MRI-guided voxel-based automatic semi-quantification of dopamine transporter imaging

PurposeFunctional imaging with 123I-FP-CIT SPECT suffers from poor spatial resolution resulting in partial-volume effect, which affects the subsequent semi-quantification. Definition of regions of interest for semi-quantification is further subject to user's experience and inter-observer variability. The aim of this work has been to develop an automatic method for definition of volumes of interest and partial-volume correction using patient-specific MRI and providing complete contrast recovery in striatal region. MethodThe method consists of spatial pre-processing (image segmentation and multi-modality registration), partial-volume correction (performed by region-based voxel-wise technique), and calculation of uptake indices in striatal structures. Anthropomorphic striatal phantom was used to optimize the method and to assess linearity, accuracy, and reproducibility. The method was tested on 58 patient datasets and compared with clinical assessment and BasGan software. ResultsThe method works automatically. The output is highly linear regarding changing striatal uptake. Complete contrast recovery is achieved using 6.5 mm FWHM. Accuracy is better than 0.15 in terms of RMSE between measured and true uptake indices. Reproducibility is better than 5% for normal uptake ratio. The method outperformed clinical assessment in all measures. With patient data, it provided results closer to BasGan (RMSE 0.9) than to clinical assessment (RMSE 1.9) and fairly correlated with both. ConclusionThe proposed method provides complete recovery of striatal contrast under given acquisition and reconstruction conditions. It reduces intra- and inter-observer variability, accurately defines volumes of interest, and effectively suppresses partial-volume effect. It can be reproduced using publicly available software.

Testing of Commercial Inoculants to Enhance P Uptake and Grain Yield of Promiscuous Soybean in Kenya

The aim of this study was to assess the potential of commercial mycorrhizal inoculants and a rhizobial inoculant to improve soybean yield in Kenya. A promiscuous soybean variety was grown in a greenhouse pot study with two representative soils amended with either water-soluble mineral P or rock P to assess product performance. The performance of selected mycorrhizal inoculants combined with a rhizobial inoculant (Legumefix) was then assessed with farmer groups in three agroecological zones using a small-plot, randomized complete block design to assess soybean root colonization by mycorrhiza, nodulation, and plant biomass production in comparison to rhizobial inoculant alone or with water-soluble mineral P. Greenhouse results showed highly significant root colonization by commercial mycorrhizal inoculant alone (p &lt; 0.001) and in interaction with soil type (p &lt; 0.0001) and P source (p &lt; 0.0001). However, no significant effect was shown in plant P uptake, biomass production, or leaf chlorophyll index. In field conditions, the effects of mycorrhizal and rhizobial inoculants in combination or alone were highly context-specific and may induce either a significant increase or decrease in root mycorrhizal colonization and nodule formation. Mycorrhizal and rhizobial inoculants in combination or alone had limited effect on plant P uptake, biomass production, leaf chlorophyll index, and grain yield. Though some mycorrhizal inoculants induced significant root colonization by mycorrhizal inoculants, this did not lead to higher soybean yield, even in soils with limited P content. Our results are further evidence that inoculant type, soil type, and P source are critical factors to evaluate commercial inoculants on a context-specific basis. However, our results highlight the need for the identification of additional targeting criteria, as inoculant type, soil type, and P source alone were not enough to be predictive of the response. Without the identification of predictive criteria for improved targeting, the economic use of such inoculants will remain elusive.

Lime equivalence of organic manures and scope of their utilization as acid soil amendments

ABSTRACT The effectiveness of organic manures (pig, poultry and farmyard manure, compost and vermicompost) as acid soil amendment for addressing Al toxicity and P deficiency was investigated using groundnut (cv. ICGS-76 crop) in comparison with conventional liming agent (CaCO3). The organic manures’ ash alkalinity and calcium carbonate equivalent varied from 5876 to 9506 K mol H+ kg−1 × 10−6 and 236 to 476 kg tonne−1 product, respectively. The exchangeable acidity (27.5% and 22.5%, respectively) and readily soluble Al (by 45% and 56%, respectively) in soil decreased significantly; whereas soil pH, organic carbon and microbial biomass carbon increased under the application of poultry and pig manure. In contrast to dehydrogenase and β-glucosidase enzymes, the activity of acid phosphomonoesterase in soil amended with pig and poultry manures decreased markedly. Better physicochemical and yield attributing characters (chlorophyll content, leaf thickness, cell membrane integrity, stomatal frequency, root length, root to shoot ratio, shoot dry weight, NPK uptake, pod yield and harvest index) and yield (66% and 64%, respectively) under poultry and pig manure could be related to improvement in soil fertility. Incubation study further corroborated that pig and poultry manures are the potential sources of amendments for amelioration of acid soils.

Cardiovascular responses and perceived exertion of young adults to head and shoulder load carriage

Objective: To determine the cardiovascular responses and perceived exertion of young adults walking and carrying a load of 10 kg on shoulder and the head.Method: Healthy participants (n=50) between the ages of 21 and 27 were subjected to three testing sessions at self-selected normal pace without load, and carrying a 10 kg load on the shoulder and on the head for 10 minutes. Cardiovascular parameters and their ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured before and after testing at each session.Results: Higher pulse pressure (correlates of stroke volume) and rate pressure product (index of myocardial oxygen uptake) values were observed following load on shoulder testing compared to no load testing values and a higher RPE value was observed for load on shoulder testing when compared to load on head testing.Conclusion: It is conceivable that carrying load on the head can potentially be more economical than carrying load on the shoulder for this cohort of young adults.&#x0D; Keywords: Cardiovascular responses, perceived exertion, load carrying, rural communities

Heterogeneity in Insulin‐Stimulated Glucose Uptake Among Different Muscle Groups in People

Insulin‐stimulated glucose uptake in skeletal muscles is the major mechanism for postprandial glucose disposal. Insulin‐stimulated glucose uptake is greater in type I than in type II muscles in rats. The cellular capacity for glucose uptake and disposal (insulin receptor, GLUT4, hexokinase, and glycogen synthase expression) is also greater in isolated human type I compared with type II fibers. The goal of the present study was to test the hypothesis that insulin‐stimulated glucose uptake rate varies among different muscle groups and is greater in trunk (erector spinae, rectus abdominis, obliques) than leg (quadriceps, hamstrings) muscles and greater in the hamstrings than the quadriceps because trunk muscles generally have a greater percentage of type I fibers than leg muscles and the hamstrings have a greater percentage of type I fibers than quadriceps muscles. We determined abdominal and thigh muscle glucose uptake rates in 10 healthy lean women (age: 43±13 years, BMI: 23±2 kg/m2; mean±SD) by using a hyperinsulinemic‐euglycemic clamp procedure in conjunction with dynamic positron emission tomography imaging after bolus injection of 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose. In addition, [6,6‐2H2]glucose was infused to determine whole‐body glucose disposal rate per kg fat‐free mass, which is commonly used as an index of muscle glucose uptake, and a muscle biopsy from the vastus lateralis was obtained to determine myofiber composition. Glucose uptake rate in the erector spinae (128±30 μmol/kg/min) was nearly twice as great as in the rectus abdominis (66±14 μmol/kg/min; P&lt;0.01) and approximately 50% greater than in the obliques (88±23 μmol/kg/min; P&lt;0.05). Quadriceps and hamstring glucose uptake rates were not different from each other (85±42 and 91±37 μmol/kg/min, respectively; P&gt;0.05) and not different from glucose uptake rates in the rectus abdominis and obliques but less than in the erector spinae (P&lt;0.05). No significant correlation between fiber type composition and muscle glucose uptake rate in the quadriceps was detected. Whole body insulin stimulated glucose disposal rate was 93±28 μmol/kg fat‐free mass/min. We conclude that: i) insulin‐stimulated muscle glucose uptake is heterogeneous among muscle groups, ii) it is unlikely that differences in fiber type composition among muscles are responsible for the heterogeneity in glucose uptake rates, and iii) whole‐body glucose disposal rate per kg fat‐free mass does not accurately reflect glucose uptake rates in individual muscles.Support or Funding InformationNIH DK115400, DK56341 (Nutrition Obesity Research Center), DK020579 (Diabetes Research Center), and UL1TR000448 (Clinical Translational Science Award), and ADA 1‐18‐ICTS‐119.

Heeding the psychological concerns of young cancer survivors: a single-arm feasibility trial of CBT and a cognitive behavioral conceptualization of distress.

BackgroundA subgroup of adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivors of cancer during adolescence report high levels of psychological distress. To date, evidence-based psychological interventions tailored to the cancer-related concerns experienced by this population are lacking. The present study aimed to (1) examine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of an individualized cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention for AYA survivors of cancer during adolescence; and (2) identify and conceptualize cancer-related concerns as well as maintaining factors using cognitive-behavioral theory.MethodsA single-arm trial, whereby AYA survivors of cancer during adolescence (aged 17–25 years) were provided individualized face-to-face CBT at a maximum of 15 sessions. Clinical outcomes were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and three-month follow-up. Intervention uptake, retention, intervention delivery, and reliable change index scores were examined. An embedded qualitative study consisted of two unstructured interviews with each participant pre-intervention. Along with individual behavioral case formulations developed to guide the intervention, interview data was analyzed to identify and conceptualize cancer-related concerns and potential maintaining factors.ResultsTen out of 213 potential participants invited into the study were included, resulting in an overall participation rate of 4.7%. Nine participants completed the intervention, with respectively seven and eight participants completing the post-intervention and three month follow-up assessment. The majority of reported cancer-related concerns and maintaining factors were conceptualized into four themes: social avoidance, fear of emotions and bodily symptoms, imbalance in activity, and worry and rumination.ConclusionsGiven significant recruitment difficulties, further research is required to examine barriers to help-seeking in the AYA cancer survivor population. However, the conceptualization of cancer-related concerns and maintaining factors experienced by the population may represent an important first step in the development of psychological support tailored toward AYA cancer survivors’ unique needs.

Ancient and improved wheats are discrepant in nitrogen uptake, remobilization, and use efficiency yet comparable in nitrogen assimilating enzymes capabilities

Since clarity is lacking around nitrogen (N) acquiring and partitioning in ancient wheats of different ploidy levels, N uptake, remobilization, utilization, use efficiency, and assimilation of these wheats was assessed. A two-year field experiment and one pot experiment were conducted on some less-improved free-threshing durum and hulled einkorn, emmer, spelt, and macha wheats and improved free-threshing durum and bread wheats. This study compared di-, tetra-, and hexaploid wheats of modern and old types under a range of N fertilization levels. N fertilizer was applied to the examined wheats at the 0−120 kg ha−1 N rates to achieve various N supplies/deficiencies. Ancient wheats were unresponsive to N supply, as evidenced by smaller N uptake, utilization, remobilization, use efficiency, grain yield, and harvest index compared to the improved durum and bread wheats particularly in the presence of sufficient N supplies. Though, the N-deprived ancient wheats such as emmer wheats tended to indicate greater or comparable N uptake and utilization efficiencies, in comparison to the improved durum and bread wheats. The activity of nitrate reductase, nitrite reductase, and glutamine synthetase of the ancient wheats was not meaningfully different from the improved durum and bread ones. Some of these ancient wheats possessed a greater or at least comparable DM production under low N input conditions and their grain protein concentration was notably greater than the improved wheats across the wide range of N supplies attempted herein. Novel findings of this study define ancient wheats such as emmer, spelt, and macha low-yielding and unresponsive to N but capable of acquiring and utilizing N from N deficient medium and a potential alternative/specialty species for low-input production systems.

High-resolution digital phenotyping of water uptake and transpiration efficiency.

Despite innovations in phenotyping, dissecting impacts of water uptake, transpiration efficiency and harvest index on crop yield under defined drought stress scenarios remains challenging. Here, we highlight benefits of concepts enabling plant growth in extra-large containers accompanied by continuous tracking of transpiration, nondestructive plant growth monitoring, and subsequent yield evaluation.

Cultivars of biofortified cowpea and sweet potato: Bioavailability of iron and interaction with vitamin A in vivo and in vitro.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the interaction of pro-vitamin A-rich sweet potato on iron bioavailability of biofortified cowpeas, using in vitro Caco-2 cells and in vivo depletion-repletion rat model. Mixtures of conventional rice with cultivars of iron-biofortified (Aracê, Xiquexique, and Tumucumaque) or conventional (Guariba) cowpeas with or without sweet potato biofortified with pro-vitamin A carotenoids were evaluated. The ratio of ferritin/total protein in Caco-2 cells was used as the index of cellular Fe uptake in the in vitro assay. The animal study evaluated the hemoglobin gain, the relative biological value, and the gene expression of transferrin and ferritin proteins by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. In the in vitro study, Xiquexique cowpea presented higher bioavailability of iron in the absence of sweet potato, and no difference was observed between the other cultivars of cowpea with and without sweet potato. The in vivo bioavailability (relative biological value of hemoglobin regeneration efficiency) differed statistically only between Guariba groups added to sweet potato and Tumucumaque. Ferritin mRNA expression did not differ between the test and control (ferrous sulfate) groups. Regarding the transferrin mRNA expression, there was a difference between the test and control groups except for the Xiquexique group. The association of rice and beans with sweet potato rich in carotenoids favored the gene expression of proteins involved in the iron metabolism, as well as its bioavailability, corroborating beneficial effects of this mixture. Xiquexique cowpea was shown to be the most promising compared to the other cultivars, exhibiting higher iron content in the digestible fraction, better in vitro bioavailability of iron, and transferrin gene expression. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Data from the study indicated greater in vitro bioavailability of iron for Xiquexique cowpea and sweet potato mixtures, in addition to the greater regeneration efficiency of hemoglobin in vivo as the bioavailability of iron among biofortified beans, highlighting the promising benefits of biofortification.

Met-PET uptake index for total tumor resection: identification of 11C-methionine uptake index as a goal for total tumor resection including infiltrating tumor cells in glioblastoma.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is largely due to glioma stem cells (GSCs) that escape from total resection of gadolinium (Gd)-enhanced tumor on MRI. The aim of this study is to identify the imaging requirements for maximum resection of GBM with infiltrating GSCs. We investigated the relationship of tumor imaging volume between MRI and 11C-methionine (Met)-PET and also the relationship between Met uptake index and tumor activity. In ten patients, tumor-to-contralateral normal brain tissue ratio (TNR) was calculated to evaluate metabolic activity of Met uptake areas which were divided into five subareas by the degrees of TNR. In each GBM, tumor tissue was obtained from subareas showing the positive Met uptake. Immunohistochemistry was performed to examine the tumor proliferative activity and existence of GSCs. In all patients, the volume of Met uptake area at TNR ≦1.4 was larger than that of the Gd-enhanced area. The Met uptake area at TNR 1.4 beyond the Gd-enhanced tumor was much wider in high invasiveness-type GBMs than in those of low invasiveness type, and survival was much shorter in the former than the latter types. Immunohistochemistry revealed the existence of GSCs in the area showing Met uptake at TNR 1.4 and no Gd enhancement. Areas at TNR > 1.4 included active tumor cells with relatively high Ki-67 labeling index. In addition, it was demonstrated that GSCs could exist beyond the border of Gd-enhanced tumor. Therefore, to obtain maximum resection of GBMs, including infiltrating GSCs, aggressive surgical excision that includes the Met-positive area at TNR 1.4 should be considered.

Silver Nanoparticles Bioaccumulation by Aquatic Macrophyte Salvinia auriculata

This study evaluated the bioaccumulation capacity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by aquatic macrophyte Salvinia auriculata. These plants were cultivated for 64 days in a nutrient medium containing different silver nanoparticles (1.0, 5.0, and 10.0 mg L−1). Total concentrations of silver were monitored in the culture medium during the experiments to evaluate removal. Determination of total silver in plant root and leaf samples was performed to evaluate the effect of different concentrations on bioaccumulation. Macro and micronutrient levels in leaves and roots and photosynthetic pigments in the leaves were quantified before and after 64 days of cultivation. In the culture medium, the behavior of S. auriculata in presence of AgNPs was monitored by the following parameters: tolerance index, biomass production, silver removal, uptake index, bioconcentration factor, and translocation factor. S. auriculata could survive in high concentrations of AgNP (5.0 and 10.0 mg L−1) and was able to absorb silver. At the AgNPs concentration of 1.0 mg L−1 occurred higher silver removal (88%) by the plant, besides a higher biomass growth. Decreased silver uptake and S. auriculata biomass growth in the 5.0 and 10.0 mg L−1 samples may be associated not only with the presence of this metal but also its interference with nutrient uptake, especially the phosphorus. This study shows that aquatic macrophyte can bioaccumulate silver nanoparticles. These nanoparticles are present in several commercial products, such as footwear socks, in the manufacture of healing bandages, inside refrigerators, and food storage containers to retard spoilage, among other applications.

Agronomic assessment of phosphorus efficacy for potato (Solanum tuberosum L) under legume intercrops

Phosphorus (P) is an essential element and its efficient use is of global importance. This study evaluated the effect of growing potato under legume intercrops on P uptake and use efficiency indices: P harvest index (PHI), P uptake efficiency (PuPE), P partial factor productivity (PPFP) and P partial balance (PPB). The experiment was carried out for four consecutive seasons with treatments comprising potato cultivated under legume intercrops: none (T1), dolichos (Lablab purpureus L) (T2), peas (Pisum sativum L) (T3) and beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L) (T4). Across the seasons, the mean haulm P uptake for T2 (6.7 kg P ha−1), T4 (5.5) and T3 (4.5) were 6%, 23% and 36% lower than that observed in T1 (7.1 kg P ha−1), respectively. On the other hand, tuber P uptake was highest in T1 (21.8 kg P ha−1) and T2 (21.3 kg P ha−1) and were significantly higher than 13.2 kg P ha−1 in T3 and 15.1 kg P ha−1 in T4. This had a profound effect on PuPE, which was equally highest in T1 (0.26 kg total P uptake kg−1 P supply) and T2 (0.25) and lowest in T3 (0.16) and T4 (0.18). Similarly, PPFP, PHI and PPB followed a similar trend, with highest values in T1 (57 kg tuber dry matter yield kg−1 P supply, 76.4 kg tuber P uptake kg−1 total plant’s P uptake and 0.20 kg tuber P uptake kg−1 P supply, respectively). Among the tested legume intercrops, dolichos competed least for P with the main crop (potato) hence it can be integrated into potato-based cropping systems without compromising potato tuber yield.