bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Halosulfuron Resistance in Smooth Pigweed (Amaranthus hybridus) Populations
Authors: Trader Brian W. , Wilson Henry P. , Hagood E. Scott , Hines Thomas E.
Published: September 2009

Greenhouse experiments were conducted to evaluate the response to halosulfuron of several smooth pigweed populations that had been shown to be resistant to acetolactate synthase (ALS, EC 2.2.1.6)-inihibiting herbicides. Five ALS-resistant smooth pigweed populations (R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5) and one susceptible (S) population were treated with halosulfuron POST at 0.27, 2.7, 27, 270, and 2,700 g ai/ha. Percentage injury and dry weight were used to determine resistance of smooth pigweed populations to halosulfuron. Populations of smooth pigweed with previous reports of resistance to ALS-inhibiting herbicides showed varying degrees of resistance to halosulfuron compared with the susceptible population. Concentrations of halosulfuron required to reduce ALS-resistant smooth pigweed dry weights 50% were 2 to 12-fold higher than that of the susceptible population. One population, designated R2, had increased resistance to halosulfuron applications, requiring 97 g/ha halosulfuron to reduce shoot dry weight 50% compared with only 8 g/ha for S. Our results show that populations of smooth pigweed with a history of ALS-inhibiting resistance can have differing degrees of resistance to halosulfuron.
Vegetable Response to Herbicides Applied to Low-Density Polyethylene Mulch Prior to Transplant
Authors: Culpepper A. Stanley , Grey Timothy L. , Webster Theodore M.
Published: September 2009

Few herbicides are available for weed control in vegetable production systems using low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic mulch. With the elimination of methyl bromide for pest management and subsequent use of various alternative fumigants, the need for herbicides in vegetable production systems has increased. An experiment was conducted to evaluate tolerance of transplant summer squash and tomato to carfentrazone, flumioxazin, glyphosate, halosulfuron, or paraquat applied to the mulch prior to transplanting. After applying herbicides overtop of the mulch but prior to vegetable transplant, the mulch was either irrigated with 1.0 cm of water or not irrigated. Carfentrazone did not affect either crop regardless of irrigation. Irrigation readily removed glyphosate and paraquat from the mulch, as there was no adverse crop injury in these treatments. In the absence of irrigation, glyphosate and paraquat reduced squash diameter and tomato heights 18 to 34% at 3 wk after transplanting (WAT). Squash and tomato fruit numbers and fruit biomass (yield) were reduced 17 to 37%, and 25 to 33%, respectively. Halosulfuron reduced squash diameter and yield 71 to 74% and tomato heights and yields 16 to 37% when mulch was not irrigated prior to transplanting. After irrigating, halosulfuron had no affect on tomato, but reduced squash growth and yield 40 to 44%. Flumioxazin killed both crops when the mulch was not irrigated; and reduced squash yield 56% when irrigated. With irrigation, flumioxazin did not impact tomato fruit number, but did reduce tomato weight by 25%. These studies demonstrate the safety of carfentrazone, applied on mulch prior to transplanting either squash or tomato, regardless of irrigation, and also demonstrate the safety of glyphosate and paraquat if irrigated prior to transplanting. Conversely, flumioxazin should not be applied over mulch before transplanting either crop, regardless of irrigation. Halosulfuron application over mulch should be avoided before transplanting squash, regardless of irrigation, but can be applied prior to transplanting tomato if irrigated.
Weed Community Emergence Time Affects Accuracy of Predicted Corn Yield Loss by WeedSOFT
Authors: Jeschke Mark R. , Stoltenberg David E. , Kegode George O. , Dille J. Anita , Johnson Gregg A.
Published: September 2009

WeedSOFT is a state-of-the-art decision support system for weed management in the north central region of the United States, but its accuracy to predict corn yield loss associated with later-emerging weed communities has not been adequately assessed. We conducted experiments in 2004 and 2005 to compare observed and predicted corn yield related to four establishment times of mixed-species weed communities for validation of competitive index modifier (CIM) values in WeedSOFT. Weed communities were established at VE, V2, V4, and V6 corn (emergence, second-leaf, fourth-leaf, and sixth-leaf stages, respectively), and consisted largely of annual grass and moderately competitive annual broadleaf species. Compared to weed-free corn, yield loss occurred in each of seven site-years for weed communities established at VE corn, but in only one site-year for communities established at V2 corn. No corn yield loss was associated with weed communities established at V4 or V6 corn. For communities established at VE corn, predicted corn yield differed from observed yield in all but one site year, with predicted yield less than observed yield in three site-years, and greater than observed yield in two site-years; however, nonlinear regression analyses of yield data pooled over site-years showed that fitted values were similar between predicted and observed yield. For communities established at V2 and V4 corn, predicted yield was less than observed yield in six and five site-years, respectively. For communities established at V6 corn, predicted yield was less than observed yield in three of six site-years, but was similar to observed yield in three of six site-years. These results indicated that the CIM values in WeedSOFT tended to overestimate the competitiveness of late-emerging weed communities. Corn yield data from a pooled analysis of all site-years were used to generate a revised set of growth stage CIM values, which improved the accuracy of predicted corn yield. These results should improve weed management decisions and reduce the need for herbicide applications to late-emerging weeds.
Time of Day Impacts Postemergence Weed Control in Corn
Authors: Stewart Christie L. , Nurse Robert E. , Sikkema Peter H.
Published: September 2009

Field trials were conducted from 2005 to 2007 at two locations in southwestern Ontario to investigate how weed control in corn was affected by the time of day that herbicides were applied. Weed control following the application of six POST herbicides (atrazine, bromoxynil, dicamba/diflufenzopyr, glyphosate, glufosinate, and nicosulfuron) at 06:00, 09:00, 12:00, 15:00, 18:00, 21:00, and 24:00 h was assessed. For many weed species herbicide efficacy was reduced when applications were made at 06:00, 21:00, and 24:00 h. Velvetleaf was the most sensitive to the time of day effect, followed by common ragweed, common lambsquarters, and redroot pigweed. Annual grasses were not as sensitive to application timing; however, control of barnyardgrass and green foxtail was reduced in some environments at 06:00 h and after 21:00 h. Only in the most severe cases was the grain yield of corn reduced due to decreased weed control. Daily changes in air temperature, relative humidity, and light intensity that cause species-specific physiological changes may account for the variation in weed control throughout the day. The results of this research suggest that there is a strong species-specific influence of ambient air temperature, light intensity, and leaf orientation on the efficacy of POST herbicides. These results should aid growers in applying herbicides when they are most efficacious, thus reducing costs associated with reduced efficacy.
A Survey in the Southern Grain Belt of Western Australia Did Not Find Conyza Spp. Resistant to Glyphosate
Authors: Owen Mechelle J. , Owen Roslyn K. , Powles Stephen B.
Published: September 2009

Glyphosate-resistant crops will be grown for the first time in Western Australia in 2009. A survey was conducted across 150,000 km2 of the southeastern part of the Western Australian grain belt in 2007 to determine whether glyphosate-resistant Conyza populations were present. Sixty-eight Conyza populations were collected from various fields and roadside locations. These populations were collected from areas where Conyza was known to exist. Populations were screened with glyphosate and all populations were found to be glyphosate-susceptible. While no glyphosate-resistant Conyza populations were found in the southeastern grain belt of Western Australia, it provides baseline data prior to the introduction of glyphosate-resistant crops in this region. It is important to monitor the efficacy of glyphosate as resistance becomes more prevalent in weeds of various cropping systems worldwide.
Weed Control and Crop Response to Glufosinate Applied to ‘PHY 485 WRF’ Cotton
Authors: Culpepper A. Stanley , York Alan C. , Roberts Phillip , Whitaker Jared R.
Published: September 2009

Field experiments were conducted in Georgia to evaluate weed control and crop tolerance with glufosinate applied to ‘PHY 485 WRF®’ cotton. This glyphosate-resistant cotton also contains a gene, used as a selectable marker, for glufosinate resistance. Three experiments were maintained weed-free and focused on crop tolerance; a fourth experiment focused on control of pitted morningglory and glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth. In two experiments, PHY 485 WRF cotton was visibly injured 15 and 20% or less by glufosinate ammonium salt at 430 and 860 g ae/ha, respectively, applied POST two or three times. In a third experiment, glufosinate at 550 g/ha injured cotton up to 36%. Pyrithiobac or glyphosate mixed with glufosinate did not increase injury compared to glufosinate applied alone;S-metolachlor mixed with glufosinate increased injury by six to seven percentage points. Cotton injury was not detectable 14 to 21 d after glufosinate application, and cotton yields were not reduced by glufosinate or glufosinate mixtures. A program of pendimethalin PRE, glyphosate applied POST twice, and diuron plus MSMA POST-directed controlled glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth only 17% late in the season.S-metolachlor included with the initial glyphosate application did not increase control, and pyrithiobac increased late-season control by only 13 percentage points. Palmer amaranth was controlled 90% or more when glufosinate replaced glyphosate in the aforementioned system. Pitted morningglory was controlled 99% by all glufosinate programs and mixtures of glyphosate plus pyrithiobac. Seed cotton yields with glufosinate-based systems were at least 3.3 times greater than yields with glyphosate-based systems because of differences in control of glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth.
Adjuvants Influenced Saflufenacil Efficacy on Fall-Emerging Weeds
Authors: Knezevic Stevan Z. , Datta Avishek , Scott Jon , Charvat Leo D.
Published: September 2009

Saflufenacil is a new herbicide being developed for preplant burndown and PRE broadleaf weed control in field crops, including corn, soybean, sorghum, and wheat. Field experiments were conducted in 2006 and 2007 at Concord, in northeast Nebraska, with the objective to describe dose–response curves of saflufenacil applied with several adjuvants for broadleaf weed control. Dose–response curves based on log-logistic model were used to determine the effective dose that provides 90% weed control (ED90) values for six broadleaf weeds (field bindweed, prickly lettuce, henbit, shepherd's-purse, dandelion, and field pennycress). Addition of adjuvants greatly improved efficacy of saflufenacil. For example, the ED90values for field bindweed control at 28 d after treatment were 71, 20, 11, and 7 g/ha for saflufenacil applied alone, or with nonionic surfactant (NIS), crop oil concentrate (COC), or methylated seed oil (MSO), respectively. MSO was the adjuvant that provided the greatest enhancement of saflufenacil across all species tested. COC was the second-best adjuvant and provided control similar to MSO on many weed species. NIS provided the least enhancement of saflufenacil. These results are very similar to the proposed label dose of saflufenacil for burndown weed control, which will range from 25 to 100 g/ha with MSO or COC. We believe that such a dose would provide excellent burndown control of most broadleaf weed species that emerge in the fall in Nebraska.
Swamp Dodder (Cuscuta gronovii) Management in Carrot Production
Authors: Konieczka Christopher M. , Colquhoun Jed B. , Rittmeyer Richard A.
Published: September 2009

Field research was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of herbicides and carrot mowing for swamp dodder control. Herbicide evaluation indicated the highest carrot yield and lowest crop injury with pendimethalin compared to the industry standard linuron. Swamp dodder control with pendimethalin was greater than 80% at 56 and 70 d after planting (DAP). Other herbicides controlled swamp dodder, but crop injury was unacceptable. Carrot yield was greater where pendimethalin ors-metolachlor was applied compared to all other herbicides. Carrot mowing once 72, 86, or 100 DAP and mowing twice (72 plus 100 DAP) reduced the percentage of carrots infected with swamp dodder. Carrot infection level was least when mowed 100 DAP, and mowing did not increase yield compared to the non-treated check. These results suggest that the integration of pendimethalin for early-season swamp dodder control, followed by mowing 100 DAP, could reduce the impact of swamp dodder on carrots.
Influence of Diflufenzopyr Addition to Picolinic Acid Herbicides for Russian Knapweed (Acroptilon repens) Control
Authors: Enloe Stephen F. , Kniss Andrew R.
Published: September 2009

Diflufenzopyr is a synergist that has improved the efficacy of certain auxin-type herbicides such as dicamba on many broadleaf weed species. However, little is known regarding the activity of diflufenzopyr with other auxin-type herbicides. Russian knapweed is an invasive creeping perennial that is susceptible to certain pyridine carboxylic acids, which are auxin-type herbicides. The objective of this research was to determine if the addition of diflufenzopyr to three pyridine carboxylic acid herbicides enhances long-term control of Russian knapweed in Wyoming. All treatments were applied in the fall. Treatments included aminopyralid (0, 0.05, 0.09, and 0.12 kg ae/ha), clopyralid (0, 0.16, 0.21, 0.31, and 0.42 kg ae/ha) and picloram (0, 0.14, 0.28, 0.42, and 0.56 kg ae/ha), applied with and without diflufenzopyr (0.06 and 0.11 kg ae/ha). Twelve mo after treatment (MAT), diflufenzopyr had no significant impact on Russian knapweed control with either aminopyralid or picloram, and had significant but inconsistent impacts on knapweed control with clopyralid. At 24 MAT, diflufenzopyr did not enhance Russian knapweed control with either aminopyralid or clopyralid and was slightly antagonistic with picloram. These results indicate that the addition of diflufenzopyr does not improve Russian knapweed control with fall applications of either aminopyralid, clopyralid, or picloram.
Efficacy Comparison of Some New Natural-Product Herbicides for Weed Control at Two Growth Stages
Authors: Abouziena Hussein F. H. , Omar Ahmad A. M. , Sharma Shiv D. , Singh Megh
Published: September 2009

There is an urgent need to accelerate the development and implementation of effective organic-compliant herbicides that are environmentally safe and that help the producer meet increasing consumer demand for organic products. Therefore, greenhouse experiments were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of acetic acid (5%), acetic acid (30%), citric acid (10%), citric acid (5%) + garlic (0.2%), citric acid (10%) + garlic (0.2%), clove oil (45.6%), and corn gluten meal (CGM) compounds as natural-product herbicides for weed control. The herbicides were applied to the broadleaf weeds stranglervine, wild mustard, black nightshade, sicklepod, velvetleaf, and redroot pigweed and to narrowleaf weeds crowfootgrass, Johnsongrass, annual ryegrass, goosegrass, green foxtail, and yellow nutsedge. The herbicides were applied POST at two weed growth stages, namely, two to four and four to six true-leaf stages. CGM was applied PPI in two soil types. Citric acid (5%) + garlic (0.2%) had the greatest control (98%) of younger broadleaf weeds, followed by acetic acid (30%) > CGM > citric acid (10%) > acetic acid (5%) > citric acid (10%) + garlic (0.2%), and clove oil. Wild mustard was most sensitive to these herbicides, whereas redroot pigweed was the least sensitive. Herbicides did not control narrowleaf weeds except for acetic acid (30%) when applied early POST (EPOST) and CGM. Acetic acid (30%) was phytotoxic to all broadleaf weeds and most narrowleaf weeds when applied EPOST. Delayed application until the four- to six-leaf stage significantly reduced efficacy; acetic acid was less sensitive to growth stage than other herbicides. These results will help to determine effective natural herbicides for controlling weeds in organic farming.
Weed Control and Yield with Flumioxazin, Fomesafen, andS-Metolachlor Systems for Glufosinate-Resistant Cotton Residual Weed Management
Authors: Everman Wesley J. , Clewis Scott B. , York Alan C. , Wilcut John W.
Published: September 2009

Field studies were conducted near Clayton, Lewiston, and Rocky Mount, NC in 2005 to evaluate weed control and cotton response to preemergence treatments of pendimethalin alone or in a tank mixture with fomesafen, postemergence treatments of glufosinate applied alone or in a tank mixture withS-metolachlor, and POST-directed treatments of glufosinate in a tank mixture with flumioxazin or prometryn. Excellent weed control (> 91%) was observed where at least two applications were made in addition to glufosinate early postemergence (EPOST). A reduction in control of common lambsquarters (8%), goosegrass (20%), large crabgrass (18%), Palmer amaranth (13%), and pitted morningglory (9%) was observed when residual herbicides were not included in PRE or mid-POST programs. No differences in weed control or cotton lint yield were observed between POST-directed applications of glufosinate with flumioxazin compared to prometryn. Weed control programs containing three or more herbicide applications resulted in similar cotton lint yields at Clayton and Lewiston, and Rocky Mount showed the greatest variability with up to 590 kg/ha greater lint yield where fomesafen was included PRE compared to pendimethalin applied alone. Similarly, an increase in cotton lint yields of up to 200 kg/ha was observed whereS-metolachlor was included mid-POST when compared to glufosinate applied alone, showing the importance of residual herbicides to help maintain optimal yields. Including additional modes of action with residual activity preemergence and postemergence provides a longer period of weed control, which helps maintain cotton lint yields.
In-Crop and Autumn-Applied Glyphosate Reduced Purple Nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus) Density in No-Till Glyphosate-Resistant Corn and Soybean
Authors: Reddy Krishna N. , Bryson Charles T.
Published: September 2009

A 3-yr field study was conducted from 2005 to 2007 at Stoneville, MS, to determine efficacy of in-crop and autumn-applied glyphosate on purple nutsedge density and yield of no-till glyphosate-resistant (GR) corn and GR soybean. Separate experiments were conducted in GR corn and GR soybean in areas maintained under a no-tillage system after the autumn of 2004. Each experiment was conducted in a split-plot arrangement of treatments in a randomized complete-block design with and without autumn application of glyphosate at 1.68 kg ae/ha as main plots and in-crop herbicide application (glyphosate- and nonglyphosate-based programs) as subplots with three replications. In GR corn, glyphosate applied in the autumn reduced purple nutsedge density by 40 to 67% compared with no glyphosate during 3 yr. In GR corn, glyphosate applied in-crop reduced purple nutsedge shoot density by 48% in 2005, 92% in 2006, and 100% in 2007 compared with no herbicide. However, GR corn yields were unaffected by either in-crop or autumn-applied glyphosate. In GR soybean, glyphosate applied in the autumn reduced purple nutsedge shoot density by 64 to 83% compared with no glyphosate during 3 yr. Glyphosate applied in-crop in GR soybean reduced purple nutsedge density by 81% in 2005 and by 100% in 2006 and 2007 compared with no herbicide. GR soybean yields were similar in 2005, but yields were 34 and 18% higher in 2006 and 2007, respectively, with autumn-applied glyphosate compared with no glyphosate. GR soybean yields were higher with glyphosate applied in-crop compared with no herbicide in 2 of 3 yr. These results indicate that purple nutsedge density could be reduced with glyphosate applied in-crop in no-till GR corn and GR soybean. In addition, autumn-applied glyphosate was effective in reducing purple nutsedge populations following harvest of crops and could be an effective purple nutsedge management strategy regardless of GR trait.
A 2-Year Small Grain Interval Reduces Need for Herbicides in No-Till Soybean
Authors: Anderson Randy L.
Published: September 2009

This study measured weed interference in soybean and corn as affected by residue management tactics following a sequence of oat and winter wheat. Residue management tactics compared were conventional tillage, no-till, and no-till plus cover crops. Treatments were split into weed-free and weed-infested conditions; prominent weeds were green and yellow foxtail and common lambsquarters. Grain yield of soybean did not differ between weed-free and weed-infested conditions with no-till, whereas weeds reduced yield 25% in the tilled system. Corn responded inconsistently to treatments, with more than 40% yield loss due to weed interference in 1 yr with all treatments. Cover crops did not improve weed management compared with no-till in either crop. Seedling emergence of the weed community differed between tillage and no-till; density of weed seedlings was fivefold higher with tillage, whereas seedling emergence was delayed in no-till. The initial flush of seedlings occurred 2 to 3 wk later in no-till compared with the tilled system. Designing rotations to include cool-season crops in a no-till system may eliminate the need for herbicides in soybean to manage weeds.
Pharmacokinetics of Gemcitabine and Metabolites in a Patient with Double-Sided Nephrectomy: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Koolen Stijn L.W. , Huitema Alwin D.R. , Jansen Robert S. , van Voorthuizen Theo , Beijnen Jos H. , Smit Willem M. , Schellens Jan H.M.
Published: September 2009

Case.

A patient with complete renal failure as a result of urothelial cell carcinoma–related nephrectomy of both kidneys received palliative chemotherapy with carboplatin and gemcitabine.

Treatment.

The patient received gemcitabine at 1,000 mg/m2 followed by carboplatin at 100 mg. Shortly after, he underwent hemodialysis. The pharmacokinetics of gemcitabine and metabolites in plasma and in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were monitored.

Results.

Double-sided nephrectomy and hemodialysis had no influence on gemcitabine pharmacokinetics; however, a high exposure was seen for the main metabolite, difluordeoxyuridine (dFdU) (area under the concentration–time curve, 0–51 hours, 844 μg/ml·hour). During hemodialysis, plasma concentrations of dFdU were reduced by 50%. High concentrations of intracellular phosphorylated metabolites (gemcitabine triphosphate and dFdU triphosphate) were observed: 228 pmol/106 cells and 47 pmol/106 cells, respectively. The patient tolerated the regimen poorly; adverse events included grade 4 thrombocytopenia.

Conclusion.

Hemodialysis effectively reduced plasma concentrations of dFdU. Furthermore, high concentrations of intracellular phosphorylated metabolites may be related to double-sided nephrectomy, resulting in poor tolerability of gemcitabine.
Hormone receptor-positive early breast cancer: controversies in the use of adjuvant chemotherapy
Authors: Montemurro Filippo , Aglietta Massimo
Published: September 2009

Current adjuvant treatments for operable breast cancer include chemotherapy, endocrine therapy in hormone receptor-positive tumors, and trastuzumab for HER2-positive tumors. Metanalyses of randomized trials show that in patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, the effects of endocrine therapy and chemotherapy on survival are non-mutually exclusive. Most of these patients are therefore considered candidates to combined treatment. Recently, however, the endocrine responsiveness of tumors has been redefined on clinical, histopathological, and molecular bases. An emerging concept is that as endocrine responsiveness increases, chemoresponsiveness decreases. In the adjuvant setting, therapeutic choices are often based on small projected improvements in clinical outcomes. As a consequence, the role of chemotherapy and traditional management algorithms in patients with hormone receptor positive is being challenged. This review will address the current controversy regarding the role of adjuvant chemotherapy, including the newer anthracycline and taxane-based programs, in these patients.
Curcumin acts as anti-tumorigenic and hormone-suppressive agent in murine and human pituitary tumour cells in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Schaaf C , Shan B , Buchfelder M , Losa M , Kreutzer J , Rachinger W , Stalla G K , Schilling T , Arzt E , Perone M J , Renner U
Published: September 2009

Curcumin (diferuloylmethane) is the active ingredient of the spice plant Curcuma longa and has been shown to act anti-tumorigenic in different types of tumours. Therefore, we have studied its effect in pituitary tumour cell lines and adenomas. Proliferation of lactosomatotroph GH3 and somatotroph MtT/S rat pituitary cells as well as of corticotroph AtT20 mouse pituitary cells was inhibited by curcumin in monolayer cell culture and in colony formation assay in soft agar. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis demonstrated curcumin-induced cell cycle arrest at G2/M. Analysis of cell cycle proteins by immunoblotting showed reduction in cyclin D1, cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and no change in p27kip. FACS analysis with Annexin V-FITC/7-aminoactinomycin D staining demonstrated curcumin-induced early apoptosis after 3, 6, 12 and 24 h treatment and nearly no necrosis. Induction of DNA fragmentation, reduction of Bcl-2 and enhancement of cleaved caspase-3 further confirmed induction of apoptosis by curcumin. Growth of GH3 tumours in athymic nude mice was suppressed by curcumin in vivo. In endocrine pituitary tumour cell lines, GH, ACTH and prolactin production were inhibited by curcumin. Studies in 25 human pituitary adenoma cell cultures have confirmed the anti-tumorigenic and hormone-suppressive effects of curcumin. Altogether, the results described in this report suggest this natural compound as a good candidate for therapeutic use on pituitary tumours.
Importance of gender-specific calcitonin thresholds in screening for occult sporadic medullary thyroid cancer
Authors: Machens Andreas , Hoffmann Florian , Sekulla Carsten , Dralle Henning
Published: September 2009

Men and women differ in thyroidal C-cell mass and calcitonin secretion. This difference may have implications for the definition of calcitonin thresholds to distinguish sporadic C-cell hyperplasia from occult medullary thyroid cancer. This retrospective study examined the hypothesis that gender-specific calcitonin thresholds predict occult medullary thyroid cancer more accurately among patients with increased basal calcitonin levels than unisex thresholds. A total of 100 consecutive patients were evaluated with occult sporadic C-cell disease no larger than 10 mm who were referred for increased basal calcitonin levels and underwent pentagastrin stimulation preoperatively at this institution. Altogether, gender-specific calcitonin thresholds predicted medullary thyroid cancer better than unisex thresholds. At lower (≤50 pg/ml basally; ≤500 pg/ml after stimulation), but not higher, calcitonin serum levels, women revealed medullary thyroid cancer four to eight times more often than men. Most discriminatory between C-cell hyperplasia and medullary thyroid cancer was a basal calcitonin threshold of 15 pg/ml (corrected 20 pg/ml) for women and 80 pg/ml (corrected 100 pg/ml) for men, based on the greatest accuracy at the lowest possible calcitonin level. The respective gender-specific stimulated peak calcitonin thresholds were 80 pg/ml (corrected 100 pg/ml) and 500 pg/ml. Corresponding positive predictive values for medullary thyroid cancer at these calcitonin thresholds were 89 and 90% for women, as opposed to 100% for men. To increase the positive predictive value for women to 100%, the respective calcitonin thresholds would have to be raised to 40 pg/ml (corrected 50 pg/ml) and 250 pg/ml. These findings indicate that gender-specific calcitonin thresholds predict sporadic occult medullary thyroid cancer better than unisex thresholds.
Androgen-mediated improvement of body composition and muscle function involves a novel early transcriptional program including IGF1, mechano growth factor, and induction of β-catenin
Authors: Gentile Michael A , Nantermet Pascale V , Vogel Robert L , Phillips Robert , Holder Daniel , Hodor Paul , Cheng Chun , Dai Hongyue , Freedman Leonard P , Ray William J
Published: September 2009

Androgens promote anabolism in the musculoskeletal system while generally repressing adiposity, leading to lean body composition. Circulating androgens decline with age, contributing to frailty, osteoporosis, and obesity; however, the mechanisms by which androgens modulate body composition are largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that aged castrated rats develop increased fat mass, reduced muscle mass and strength, and lower bone mass. Treatment with testosterone or 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) reverses the effects on muscle and adipose tissues while only aromatizable testosterone increased bone mass. During the first week, DHT transiently increased soleus muscle nuclear density and induced expression of IGF1 and its splice variant mechano growth factor (MGF) without early regulation of the myogenic factors MyoD, myogenin, monocyte nuclear factor, or myostatin. A genome-wide microarray screen was also performed to identify potential pro-myogenic genes that respond to androgen receptor activation in vivo within 24 h. Of 24 000 genes examined, 70 candidate genes were identified whose functions suggest initiation of remodeling and regeneration, including the type II muscle genes for myosin heavy chain type II and parvalbumin and the chemokine monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. Interestingly, Axin and Axin2, negative regulators of β-catenin, were repressed, indicating modulation of the β-catenin pathway. DHT increased total levels of β-catenin protein, which accumulated in nuclei in vivo. Likewise, treatment of C2C12 myoblasts with both IGF1Ea and MGF C-terminal peptide increased nuclear β-catenin in vitro. Thus, we propose that androgenic anabolism involves early downregulation of Axin and induction of IGF1, leading to nuclear accumulation of β-catenin, a pro-myogenic, anti-adipogenic stem cell regulatory factor.
Efficient and Accurate Measurement of Physical Restraint Use in Acute Care
Authors: Fogel Joyce F. , Berkman Cathy S. , Merkel Cindy
Published: September 2009

Objectives: Describe and evaluate a method for assessing whether physical restraint prevalence differs by timing and frequency of data collection and to determine the minimum period of observation necessary to provide accurate prevalence estimates on both Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and medical–surgical units. Design: Two-period, cross-sectional design with repeated observations in year 1 for 18 consecutive days and in year 2 for 21 consecutive days with method modifications. Setting: 400-bed urban teaching hospital. Participants: All beds on general medical, surgical, and intensive care units. Measurement: Direct observation of patients, nurse interview, and medical record review conducted by trained observers. Results: There were no significant differences in mean restraint use prevalence rates comparing: (a) morning and evening periods; (b) weekdays and weekend days; and (c) observation periods of 7, 14, or 21 consecutive days or for 7 days using every 3rd day on either medical–surgical units or ICUs. Analyses using data from an increasing number of days of observation indicates that the mean prevalence rate stabilizes after 16 days. There were larger mean differences for comparisons on ICU–ventilator units and lack of significant differences may be due to low statistical power. Conclusion: Direct observation by trained observers, supplemented by nurse report and medical record documentation over brief monitoring periods, results in accurate, nonintrusive, cost-efficient estimates of physical restraint prevalence. As few as seven consecutive or nonconsecutive days in measuring restraint prevalence is sufficient to obtain accurate estimates, although the number of days may vary depending on patient mix and unit type.
Development of an Individualized Service Plan Tool and Rules for Case Management in Québec
Authors: Somme Dominique , Bonin Lucie , Lebel Paule , Hébert Réjean , Blanchard François
Published: September 2009

From past experience with integrated service delivery, there appears to be a need for a clinical tool to help case managers plan, monitor, and coordinate services. In this context the Québec Ministry of Health and Social Services created a task force to suggest improvements to the Individualized Service Plan tool included in the Multiclientele Assessment Tool. This article reports the findings of this multidisciplinary task force working with various clienteles (older, with physical or mental disabilities, mental diseases). Based on a literature review and recent results from the Program of Research on the Integration of Services for the Maintenance of Autonomy, the task force proposed a dynamic, concise, user-friendly tool and a clear definition of how it should be used. The Individualized Service Plan must list the patient’s needs, with an orientation regarding the action plan for each, and a list of services allocated in response to these needs that work in the defined direction. The tool must also contain a section for analyzing variations between the services needed and allocated. This tool was presented to case managers for validation and received an enthusiastic response. It should be implemented in the coming years in the provincial Multiclientele Assessment Tool.
Numerical Investigation of Gravitational Compositional Grading in Hydrocarbon Reservoirs Using Centrifuge Data
Authors: Ting P. D. , Dindoruk B. , Ratulowski J.
Published: September 2009

Fluid properties descriptions are required for the design and implementation of petroleum production processes. Increasing numbers of deep water and subsea production systems and high-temperature/high-pressure (HTHP) reservoir fluids have elevated the importance of fluid properties in which well-count and initial rate estimates are quite crucial for development decisions. Similar to rock properties, fluid properties can vary significantly both aerially and vertically even within well-connected reservoirs.

In this paper, we have studied the effects of gravitational fluid segregation using experimental data available for five live-oil and condensate systems (at pressures between 6,000 and 9,000 psi and temperatures from 68 to 200°F) considering the impact of fluid composition and phase behavior. Under isothermal conditions and in the absence of recharge, gravitational segregation will dominate. However, gravitational effects are not always significant for practical purposes. Since the predictive modeling of gravitational grading is sensitive to characterization methodology (i.e., how component properties are assigned and adjusted to match the available data and component grouping) for some reservoir-fluid systems, experimental data from a specially designed centrifuge system and analysis of such data are essential for calibration and quantification of these forces. Generally, we expect a higher degree of gravitational grading for volatile and/or near-saturated reservoir-fluid systems.

Numerical studies were performed using a calibrated equation-of-state (EOS) description on the basis of fluid samples taken at selected points from each reservoir. Comparisons of measured data and calibrated model show that the EOS model qualitatively and, in many cases, quantitatively described the observed equilibrium fluid grading behavior of the fluids tested. First, equipment was calibrated using synthetic fluid systems as shown in Ratulowski et al. (2003). Then real reservoir fluids were used ranging from black oils to condensates [properties ranging from 27° API and 1,000 scf/stb gas/oil ratio (GOR) to 57°API and 27,000 scf/stb GOR]. Diagnostic plots on the basis of bulk fluid properties for reservoir fluid equilibrium grading tendencies have been constructed on the basis of interpreted results, and sensitivities to model parameters estimated. The use of centrifuge data was investigated as an additional fluid characterization tool (in addition to composition and bulk phase behavior properties) to construct more realistic reservoir fluid models for graded reservoirs (or reservoirs with high grading potential) have also been investigated.
Sludge drying reed beds: full- and pilot-scale study for activated sludge treatment
Authors: Troesch S. , Liénard A. , Molle P. , Merlin G. , Esser D.
Published: September 2009

Sludge drying reed beds have been used for dewatering and mineralization of sludge since the beginning of the 90s, but their insufficient performances in terms of Dry Matter [DM] content and mineralization of the sludge have made necessary new studies. Therefore, 8 pilots of 2 m2 each and a full-scale plant (13,000 p.e, 8 beds of 470 m2 in operation for 4 years) have been monitored to examine the influence of the sludge loading rate, the sludge quality and the loading frequency on the dewatering and mineralization efficiencies. Two filtration layers and two loading rhythms were tested on pilots which were fed at a loading rate of 25–30 kg DM m−2 yr−1 during the first year of operation (commissioning period). Hydraulic behaviour (infiltration rate, outflow), O2 and CO2 relative concentrations in the filtration media, redox potential, pollutants removal and dry matter content were assessed during all the study. The rheological quality of the extracted sludge from full scale beds was assessed and showed that its mechanical behaviour exceed those of sludge of comparable dry matter content, making its spreading easier. Therefore, this sludge could easily claim the status of solid and stabilized sludge according to the French regulation. Design and management recommendations (number of beds, loading rates, feeding/rest period) gained from the experiments results are suggested.
Treatment of cane sugar mill wastewater in an upflow anaerobic sludge bed reactor
Authors: Nacheva P. Mijaylova , Chávez G. Moeller , Chacón J. Matías , Chuil A. Canul
Published: September 2009

The performance of a mesophilic UASB reactor was studied for the treatment of sugar cane mill wastewater previously pre-treated for solid separation. The experimental work was carried out in a reactor with 80 L total volume. Four organic loads were applied and the process performance was evaluated during two months for each experimental stage. Removal efficiencies higher than 90% were obtained with organic loads up to 16 kg COD m−3 d−1. Stable process performance and high biogas production were obtained. The COD removal rate increased substantially with the load increase to 24 kg COD m−3 d−1. However, the obtained removal was of only 78–82%, which can be attributed to the accumulation of volatile organic acids. The kinetic coefficients were obtained using first order model for the substrate removal rate and Monod's equation for bacteria specific growth rate. The UASB reactor is a good option for the biological treatment of pre-treated sugar cane mill wastewaters. The discharge requirements for COD concentration can be accomplished if the reactor is operated at a low organic load of 4 kg COD m−3 d−1. At higher loads, an additional biological treatment stage is needed.
Evaluation of six aerator modules built on venturi air injectors using clean water test
Authors: Dong C. , Zhu J. , Miller C. F.
Published: September 2009

Six aerator modules constructed using venturi air injectors connected in either series or parallel were evaluated and compared for their oxygen transfer coefficients (OTC), standard oxygen transfer rate (SOTR), and standard oxygenation efficiency (SOE) determined by clean water tests. Modules in series (module a, b, c) included one, two, and three venturi injectors, respectively. The aerator module with two (module d) and three (module e, f) venturi injectors in parallel were used, while module f had less friction and more even flow rate in each line compared with module e. The results showed that the OTC, SOTR, and SOE for the six different module configurations (module a, b, c, d, e, f) were 4.54, 3.79, 3.58, 8.37, 5.93 and 11.87 h−1; 0.10, 0.09, 0.09, 0.18, 0.15, and 0.31 kgO2/h; and 0.07, 0.06, 0.06, 0.12, 0.10, and 0.21 kgO2/kWh, respectively. The observations indicate that a 3-fold increase in SOTR and 3.5-fold increase in SOE can be obtained by simply changing the way that venturi air injectors are connected, which suggests that it is possible to improve the aeration efficiency of a venturi type aeration system by innovative aerator module designs. In view of the situation that the venturi aeration systems currently used for swine manure lagoons need significant improvement in their performance in order to match the cost-effective requirement, more research in aerator module development is needed so that effective control of odor from liquid swine manure lagoons can be achieved at an affordable cost. The technology such developed can also be applied to other livestock species.
Effects of applied voltages and dissolved oxygen on sustained power generation by microbial fuel cells
Authors: Oh S. E. , Kim J. R. , Joo J.-H. , Logan B. E.
Published: September 2009

Oxygen intrusion into the anode chamber through proton exchange membrane can result in positive redox conditions in fed-batch, two chamber MFCs at the end of a cycle when the substrate is depleted. A slight increase in dissolved oxygen to 0.3 mg/L during MFC operation was not found to adversely affect power generation over subsequent cycles if sufficient substrate (acetate) was provided. Purging the anode chamber with air or pure oxygen for up to 10 days and 10 hrs also did not affect power generation, as power rapidly returned to previous levels when the chamber was sparged with nitrogen gas. When MFCs are connected in series, voltage reversal can occur resulting in a positive voltage applied to the anode biofilm. To investigate if this adversely affected the bacteria, voltages of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 9 V, were applied for 1 hr to the MFC before reconnecting it back to a fixed external load (1,000 Ω). A voltage of <2 V did not affect power generation. However, applying 3 V resulted in a 15 h lag phase before recovery, and 9 V produced a 60 h lag phase suggesting substantial damage to the bacteria that required re-growth of bacteria in the biofilm. These results indicate that charge reversal will be a more serious problem than oxygen intrusion into the anode chamber for sustained performance of MFCs.
Cu(II) removal by Rhodotorula mucilaginosa RCL-11 in sequential batch cultures
Authors: Villegas Liliana B. , Amoroso María J. , de Figueroa Lucía I. C. , Siñeriz Faustino
Published: September 2009

The present study explored the ability of the yeast Rhodotorula mucilaginosa RCL-11 to adapt to increasing Cu(II) concentrations, measuring oxidative stress through superoxide dismutase and catalase activity in two parallel sequential batch assays. One assay was performed in Erlenmeyer flasks without aeration and a second in a fermentor in which the dissolved oxygen was maintained at 30% saturation. Both assays were carried out by increasing Cu(II) concentrations in five sequential steps: 0; 0.1; 0.2; 0.5 and 1 mM. Each assay was incubated at 30°C, 250 rpm and pH 5.5. While growth parameters of R. mucilaginosa RCL-11 decreased 90–95% with increasing Cu(II) concentration in the culture medium, the oxidative stress level increased from 30 to 55% in both assays. Cells grown under controlled oxygen conditions showed 30% more copper bioaccumulation and 10% glucose consumption when compared with cells grown without aeration. SOD activity was higher under controlled than whitout areation, whereas CAT activity was similar under both test conditions. Cu(II) bioaccumulation by R. mucilaginosa RCL-11 and a possible increase in this capacity by adaptation of the strain under controlled aeration represent a potential valuable tool for treatment of effluents or water bioremediation with high copper contents.
Expert control for a stable operation of a partial nitrification system to treat highly concentrated ammonium wastewater
Authors: Jubany Irene , Carrera Julián , Lafuente Javier , Baeza Juan Antonio
Published: September 2009

This work presents the application of expert control strategies for a successful and stable operation of partial nitrification. A high-strength ammonium wastewater was treated in a continuous pilot plant with a configuration of three reactors in series plus a settler. The system was operated at mild temperature (around 25°C) and at high sludge retention time to obtain a significant nitrifying biomass concentration. The implemented control system with expert supervisory rules provided a stable and robust operation of the partial nitrification system even when the pilot plant was subjected to several disturbances as change in influent concentration, failure of aeration in one reactor and operation with variable biomass concentration. The control system was based on local feedback control loops for dissolved oxygen and pH with proper setpoints for nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB) inhibition and an inflow control loop based on Oxygen Uptake Rate (OUR) measurements, which allowed working at the current maximum ammonium oxidation capacity. Two additional expert rules were implemented for automatically determine the required OUR setpoint in accordance with the biomass activity and to produce a fast load decrease when a system overload was detected.
Special automation and regulation strategies for enhancing sequencing batch reactor (SBR) performances
Authors: Rönner-Holm S. G. E. , Holm N. C.
Published: September 2009

Dynamic simulation analyses of five different sequencing batch reactor (SBR) wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) were used in order to optimise developed regulation strategies and to develop new strategies. The results were applied directly to 15 full-scale SBR plants. To do this, the cycle strategies were extended through the use of appropriate aggregates, or were anchored in the programmable logic controller (PLC) and process control system (PCS) with the help of online sensors. This enabled all regulation strategies to be introduced and automated without problems.