Data quantifying interseeded cover crops effects on soil water and corn productivity in corn-soybean-wheat no-till cropping systems

The data described support the research article entitled "Interseeded cover crop mixtures influence soil water storage during the corn phase of corn-soybean-wheat no-till cropping systems". Data were collected during the corn (Zea mays L.) phase from rotations with four different cover crop (CC) treatments. The study was conducted at the USDA research facility in Beltsville, MD from 2017 through 2020. The data are available from a repository at Ag Data Commons. Descriptions of crop rotations, soil water and temperature sensors, placement, and frequency of measurements are provided in the manuscript and repository. Hourly volumetric soil water content (m3 m-3) (VWC) and soil temperature (°C) data for each soil depth (0-12, 25-35, 50-60, 75-85 cm) are available from the repository. In the manuscript, daily values of soil water storage were used to estimate daily evapotranspiration (ET) and infiltration. A text file of meta information is provided in the repository describing data collection procedures, estimation of ET and infiltration, and methods used to replace sensor data having errors. Daily precipitation, maximum and minimum temperatures, net solar radiation, and windspeed collected at a nearby weather station are provided for estimating growing degree days and potential ET. Cover crop biomass (kg ha-1) prior to corn planting and corn yields are provided by replication and cover crop system treatment for the four years.

αv integrins on mesenchymal cells regulate skeletal and cardiac muscle fibrosis

Mesenchymal cells expressing platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFRβ) are known to be important in fibrosis of organs such as the liver and kidney. Here we show that PDGFRβ+ cells contribute to skeletal muscle and cardiac fibrosis via a mechanism that depends on αv integrins. Mice in which αv integrin is depleted in PDGFRβ+ cells are protected from cardiotoxin and laceration-induced skeletal muscle fibrosis and angiotensin II-induced cardiac fibrosis. In addition, a small-molecule inhibitor of αv integrins attenuates fibrosis, even when pre-established, in both skeletal and cardiac muscle, and improves skeletal muscle function. αv integrin blockade also reduces TGFβ activation in primary human skeletal muscle and cardiac PDGFRβ+ cells, suggesting that αv integrin inhibitors may be effective for the treatment and prevention of a broad range of muscle fibroses.

The safety profile of anti-tumour necrosis factor therapy in inflammatory bowel disease in clinical practice: analysis of 620 patient-years follow-up

BACKGROUND

Anti-TNF agents are now widely used in Crohn's disease (CD), and in ulcerative colitis (UC).

AIM

To review the safety profile of anti-TNF agents in all patients treated with infliximab in Edinburgh from 1999 to 2007.

METHODS

Complete data were available on 202/207 patients comprising 157 CD, 42 UC and three coeliac disease. Median follow-up was 2.4 years (1.0-4.9) with a total of 620 patient-years follow-up. About 19.1% of CD patients were subsequently treated with adalimumab.

RESULTS

Seven deaths (3.3%) occurred in follow-up; only one death was <1 year post-infliximab (at day 72, from lung cancer). A total of six malignancies (three haematological, three bronchogenic) and six cases of suspected demyelination (three with confirmed neurological disease) were reported. In the 90 days following infliximab, 95 adverse events (36 serious) occurred in 58/202 (28.7%) patients. In all, 42/202 (20.8%) had an infectious event (22 serious) and 27/202 (13.4%) of patients had an infusion reaction: 19 acute (four serious) and eight delayed (three serious).

CONCLUSIONS

Serious infections, malignancies and neurological disease complicate anti-TNF use in clinical practice. Although evidence for causality is unclear, potential mechanisms and predisposing factors need to be explored. In individual patients, the risk/benefit analysis needs to be carefully assessed and discussed prior to commencement of therapy.

Diffusion tensor imaging in early relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

Diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DTI) indices are abnormal in patients with established multiple sclerosis (MS). The objective of this study was to examine the diffusion characteristics of MS lesions, normal appearing white matter (NAWM) and normal appearing grey matter (NAGM) in MS patients with early relapsing-remitting disease. A further objective was to investigate the relationship between three DTI parameters (fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD) and volume ratio (VR)) and clinical outcome measures (Kurtzke expanded disability status scale (EDSS) and MS Functional Composite Measure) in early disease. DTI was performed in 28 patients and 27 controls. Analysis was carried out using a region of interest (ROI) approach. ROIs were placed in 12 NAWM and nine NAGM regions. Significant differences were found in FA, MD and VR between lesions and NAWM (P< 0.001 for all three DTI parameters). No significant differences were found between patients and controls when examining NAWM or NAGM, although there was a trend for abnormal NAWM FA and VR in some regions. No correlation was found between DTI parameters in lesions, NAWM or NAGM and the clinical outcome measures. The lack of significant DTI abnormality in the NAWM and NAGM may reflect a lack of pathological change or a limited sensitivity of DTI using ROI methodology. Previous studies have shown abnormalities in TI relaxation time, magnetisation transfer ratio (MTR) and N-Acetyl aspartate (NM) in this cohort of patients, and as such, DTI using a region of interest (ROI) approach may not be as sensitive as other MR techniques in detecting subtle changes in normal appearing brain

Contextualizing family risk factors for alcoholism and alcohol abuse

OBJECTIVE

Studies of alcohol and the family should represent the full range of family types in the U.S. population. Developments from studies of family systems in other research contexts may be usefully applied to the alcohol field.

METHOD

This commentary highlights important methodological and conceptual issues relevant for the design and conduct of family research.

RESULTS

Data indicate major changes in the composition of the American family over the past quarter century. Some recent conceptual developments in the field of family research are relevant for studies of alcohol and the family and for intervention development.

CONCLUSION

Family-based alcohol research should acknowledge and address the heterogeneity that exists among modern American families. Studies of family risk and resiliency should distinguish between threats to the family's ability to function as a whole, and threats to the well-being of individual members. Additional research is needed on the role of race and ethnicity in family processes.