Assessment of plant availability and environmental risk of biosolids-phosphorus in a U.S. Midwest Corn-Belt Soil

A field experiment was conducted from 2005 to 2008 in Fulton County, Western Illinois with biosolids from conventional wastewater treatment applied as corn fertilizer in a series of P rates (0, 163, 325, 488, 650 kg P ha(-1)) along with commercial P fertilizer - triple superphosphate P (TSP) as reference to assess biosolids-P plant availability and potential loss to waterbodies through runoff. Air-dried biosolids and TSP were incorporated into surface soil at end of 2005, and corn (Zea mays) was planted for three consecutive years (2006-2008). Concentrations of soil extractable P except for Mehlich-3 P were always lower in the biosolids than TSP treatments at the same P rates. The soil potentially available P in water extractable P (WEP) and Olsen P derived from biosolids-P estimated by the exponential depletion model was 2-4% and 15-24% of total P in the applied biosolids, respectively. The residence time of biosolids-induced WEP and Olsen P in Midwest soil under annual corn cropping was 5 and 2 years, respectively. Corn tissue analysis showed lower increase in P concentration by biosolids-P than TSP. The elevation rate of soluble reactive P (SRP) concentration in simulated runoff was less by biosolids than TSP. Based on the data in this study, the plant availability and environmental risk of biosolids-P are lower than those of TSP in the Midwest soil, thus use of biosolids as P nutrient for corn would not cause a major impairment to water sources even P applied through biosolids was not completely used by annual crop.

Diversity of Ralstonia solanacearum Strains on the Andaman Islands in India

Fourteen Ralstonia solanacearum strains from solanaceous vegetables on the Andaman Islands, India, were characterized using a polyphasic approach. The strains wilted their respective hosts within 1 to 3 weeks postinoculation. Virulence assays on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), brinjal (eggplant; S. melongena), and chili pepper (Capsicum annuum) revealed that all strains were infective on all three hosts. However, tomato was more susceptible than eggplant and chili pepper. Strains were identified as R. solanacearum based on carbon substrate utilization profiling with Biolog similarity coefficients >0.82. Species identity was further confirmed by 16S ribosomal RNA and recN gene sequence analysis. Intraspecific identification of strains revealed the presence of race 1 biovar 3 and race 1 biovar 4. Both biovars wilted plants with similar aggressiveness. All strains were identified as phylotype I, and multilocus sequence typing revealed that the strains belong to a small number of clonal complexes that also comprise strains from mainland India, especially West Bengal state and Kerala.

Restoring Ecosystem Function in Degraded Urban Soil Using Biosolids, Biosolids Blend, and Compost

Many soils at former industrial sites are degraded. The objective of this research was to determine the ability of compost, biosolids, and biosolids blends to improve soil ecosystem function with minimal potential impact to surface water. Treatments rototilled into the top 12.5 cm of soil were biosolids at 202 Mg ha; biosolids at 404 Mg ha; compost at 137 Mg ha; or a blend consisting of biosolids applied at 202 Mg ha, drinking water treatment residual, and biochar. Rainfall runoff from experimental plots was collected for 3 yr. One year after soil amendments were incorporated, a native seed mix containing grasses, legumes, and forbs was planted. Soil amendments improved soil quality and nutrient pools, established a dense and high-quality vegetative cover, and improved earthworm reproductive measures. Amendments increased soil enzymatic activities that support soil function. Biosolids treatments increased the Shannon-Weaver Diversity Index for grasses. For the forbs group, control plots had the lowest diversity index and the biosolids blend had the highest diversity index. Biosolids and compost increased the number of earthworm juveniles. In general, biosolids outperformed compost. Biosolids increased N and P in rainfall runoff more than compost before vegetation was established. Several microconstituents (i.e., pharmaceutical and personal care products) were detected in runoff water but at concentrations below the probable no-effect levels and therefore should pose little impact to the aquatic environment. Future restoration design should ensure that runoff control measures are used to control sediment loss from the restored sites at least until vegetation is established.

Drug-induced acute interstitial nephritis: A clinicopathological study and comparative trial of steroid regimens

Steroids are used in the management of drug-induced acute interstitial nephritis (AIN). The present study was undertaken to compare the efficacy of pulse methyl prednisolone with oral prednisolone in the treatment of drug-induced AIN. Patients with biopsy-proven AIN with a history of drug intake were randomized to oral prednisolone (Group 1) 1 mg/kg for 3 weeks or a pulse methyl prednisolone (Group II) 30 mg/kg for 3 days followed by oral prednisolone 1 mg/kg for 2 weeks, tapered over 3 weeks. Kidney biopsy scoring was done for interstitial edema, infiltration and tubular damage. The response was reported as complete remission (CR) (improvement in estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] to ≥60 ml/min/1.73 m(2)), partial remission (PR) (improvement but eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m(2)) or resistance (no CR/PR). A total of 29 patients, Group I: 16 and Group II: 13 were studied. Offending drugs included nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, herbal drugs, antibiotics, diuretic, rifampicin and omeprazole. There was no difference in the baseline parameters between the two groups. The biopsy score in Groups I and II was 5.9 ± 1.1 and 5.1 ± 1.2, respectively. At 3 months in Group I, eight patients each (50%) achieved CR and PR. In Group II, 8 (61%) achieved CR and 5 (39%) PR. This was not significantly different. Percentage fall in serum creatinine at 1 week (56%) was higher in CR as compared to (42%) those with PR. (P = 0.14). Patients with neutrophil infiltration had higher CR compared to patients with no neutrophil infiltration (P = 0.01). Early steroid therapy, both oral and pulse steroid, is equally effective in achieving remission in drug-induced AIN.

Enhanced temperature sensing response of upconversion luminescence in ZnO-CaTiO3: Er(3+)/Yb(3+) nano-composite phosphor

Upconversion emission and temperature sensing of the Er(3+)/Yb(3+) doped ZnO-CaTiO3 nano-composite phosphor is studied by varying the ZnO concentration. The XRD and EDX studies reveal the formation of composite phase when ZnO doping exceeds above 10 mw%. Five prominent upconversion emission bands at 410, 492, 524, 545 and 662 nm corresponding to (2)H9/2→(4)I15/2, (4)F3/2→(4)I15/2, (2)H11/2→(4)I15/2, (4)S3/2→(4)I15/2 and (4)F9/2→(4)I15/2 transitions, respectively are found under 980 nm excitation from a diode laser. On the basis of rise time analysis it was found that energy transfer process is responsible for the intense upconversion emission. Large reduction in decay time of (4)S3/2 level is observed on the ZnO incorporation in host matrix. Moreover, the absolute sensor sensitivity, relative sensor sensitivity and calculated color coordinates of the samples are also determined. These results indicate the potentiality of this composite phosphor for various applications.

Efficacy and safety of extended dosing schedules of CC-486 (oral azacitidine) in patients with lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes

CC-486, the oral formulation of azacitidine (AZA), is an epigenetic modifier and DNA methyltransferase inhibitor in clinical development for treatment of hematologic malignancies. CC-486 administered for 7 days per 28-day treatment cycle was evaluated in a phase 1 dose-finding study. AZA has a short plasma half-life and DNA incorporation is S-phase-restricted; extending CC-486 exposure may increase the number of AZA-affected diseased target cells and maximize therapeutic effects. Patients with lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) received 300 mg CC-486 once daily for 14 days (n=28) or 21 days (n=27) of repeated 28-day cycles. Median patient age was 72 years (range 31–87) and 75% of patients had International Prognostic Scoring System Intermediate-1 risk MDS. Median number of CC-486 treatment cycles was 7 (range 2–24) for the 14-day dosing schedule and 6 (1–24) for the 21-day schedule. Overall response (complete or partial remission, red blood cell (RBC) or platelet transfusion independence (TI), or hematologic improvement) (International Working Group 2006) was attained by 36% of patients receiving 14-day dosing and 41% receiving 21-day dosing. RBC TI rates were similar with both dosing schedules (31% and 38%, respectively). CC-486 was generally well-tolerated. Extended dosing schedules of oral CC-486 may provide effective long-term treatment for patients with lower-risk MDS.

Descriptive analysis of diabetes-related amputations at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital, Fiji, 2010-2012

SETTING

The Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWMH) in Fiji.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the characteristics of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) who underwent lower limb amputations at the CWMH from 2010 to 2012.

DESIGN

This was a retrospective review of data contained in operating theatre registers and clinical records of DM patients who had undergone amputations during the study period.

RESULT

Of the 938 amputations performed at the CWMH during the study period, significantly more patients were male than female (54.1% vs. 45.9%) and more i-Taukei (indigenous Fijian) than Indo-Fijian (71% vs. 26.2%); 15.9% of patients had not previously been diagnosed as having DM when they presented with foot sepsis. The rate of smoking was highest in male i-Taukei patients. A large proportion of patients (76.8%) had poor glycaemic control.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that male i-Taukeis are most at risk, and that uncontrolled DM is a significant factor associated with amputations. There is a need to strengthen DM screening and improve glycaemic control. Foot care education needs to be implemented at diagnosis and re-enforced with regular clinic visits and complication screening sessions.

Classic Tower of Hanoi, Planning Skills, and the Indian Elderly

OBJECTIVE

Elderly populations are vulnerable to age-related cognitive decline. Planning, a frontal lobe function, is reported to be affected in the elderly population. There is a paucity of studies which assessed planning skills in the elderly Indian population. The present study aimed to examine the utility of the classic Tower of Hanoi in the assessment of planning skills of elderly Indian subjects.

METHODS

A total of 215 (60 of whom were females, all aged 55-80 years) cognitively normal elders and 24 patients with mild Alzheimer's disease were recruited. All subjects provided informed consent and their planning skills were assessed using the classic Tower of Hanoi. Performance at each level was measured by the total time taken to solve, number of moves to solve, and the number of rule violations. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was exploratively performed to test the utility of the Tower of Hanoi in differentiating patients with mild Alzheimer's disease from those who were cognitively normal.

RESULTS

Performance measures of cognitively normal group steeply worsened with increasing complexity. With receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, patients with mild Alzheimer's disease were poorly differentiated from cognitively normal group according to their Tower of Hanoi performance.

CONCLUSION

The Tower of Hanoi test is of limited value for the assessment of planning skills in the Indian elderly population. There is a need to modify and develop a suitable neuropsychology tool to assess the planning skills of elderly Indian subjects and further validate it.

Host interactions of Chandipura virus matrix protein

The rhabdovirus matrix (M) protein is a multifunctional virion protein that plays major role in virus assembly and budding, virus-induced inhibition of host gene expression and cytopathic effects observed in infected cells. The myriad roles played by this protein in the virus biology make it a critical player in viral pathogenesis. Therefore, discerning the interactions of this protein with host can greatly facilitate our understanding of virus infections, ultimately leading to both improved therapeutics and insight into cellular processes. Chandipura virus (CHPV; Family Rhabdoviridae, Genus Vesiculovirus) is an emerging rhabdovirus responsible for several outbreaks of fatal encephalitis among children in India. The present study aims to screen the human fetal brain cDNA library for interactors of CHPV M protein using yeast two-hybrid system. Ten host protein interactors were identified, three of which were further validated by affinity pull down and protein interaction ELISA. The study identified novel human host interactors for CHPV which concurred with previously described associations in other human viruses.

Doctor, what are my options? A prospective cohort study of an individualized care plan for patients with gastrointestinal cancer

BACKGROUND

For cancer patients, information about their disease and its treatment is often delivered within a short time period, potentially leading to patient misunderstanding, which can impede optimal patient care. In this 3-part clinical study, we investigated the utility of an individualized care plan for patients with gastrointestinal (gi) cancer starting a new treatment.

METHODS

In part 1, a comprehensive literature search identified items for potential inclusion in the care plan. Those items were formatted into a questionnaire. The questionnaire was then administered to patients as a structured interview. In part 2, health care professionals involved in the care of patients with gi cancer evaluated the resulting care plan for content and relevancy. In part 3, a 20-week prospective cohort study (10 weeks using standard of care, 10 weeks using individualized care plans) was conducted. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and at 2-4 weeks after administration of the care plan.

RESULTS

In part 1, a 73-item questionnaire was developed and completed by 20 patients in semi-structured interviews. In part 2, long and short versions of the care plan were created. Most health care professionals preferred the long version. Based on their comments, a final version of the care plan was created. The part 3 study enrolled 104 patients. Overall satisfaction scores were significantly higher in the intervention group at baseline (p = 0.010) and follow-up (p = 0.005). Compared with control patients, the intervention cohort also reported significantly higher overall quality of life (p = 0.044) and fewer symptoms of anxiety (p = 0.048) at follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Provision of an individualized care plan resulted in improvements in outcome measures at both baseline and follow-up. Future studies are needed to confirm these findings.