Potassium Fertilization Guidelines in Iowa: Are They Working and Should Applications Be Adjusted with High Fertilizer Prices?

Iowa State University (ISU) researchers have conducted much research over time with help from Iowa farmers, crop consultants, and agribusiness to study potassium (K) fertilization of crops and use of soil-test K as a tool to determine crop K needs. Results of this research are reflected on current fertilizer recommendations, which are explained in the ISU Extension publications Pm-1688 and Pm-1310. The research continues to keep pace with changes of production practices, new hybrids and varieties, and new questions. This year Iowa farmers are looking very carefully at fertilization practices because recent sharp increases in fertilizer and fuel prices have not been matched by increases in grain prices. The ISU K recommendations were last updated for the 2003 crop year. The most significant changes were (1) to recommend maintenance of higher soil-test K levels for optimum crop production and (2) to suggest deep K fertilizer placement for grain crops managed with ridge-till and no-till systems. In this presentation we review the K recommendations and share highlights of recent on-farm research. Decisions about fertilization for any economic situation should be made based on knowledge of the probability and size of crop response to fertilization for different soil-test levels, fertilization rates, and prices

Salicylic Acid Diminishes Staphylococcus aureus Capsular Polysaccharide Type 5 Expression

Capsular polysaccharides (CP) of serotypes 5 (CP5) and 8 (CP8) are major Staphylococcus aureus virulence factors. Previous studies have shown that salicylic acid (SAL), the main aspirin metabolite, affects the expression of certain bacterial virulence factors. In the present study, we found that S. aureus strain Reynolds (CP5) cultured with SAL was internalized by MAC-T cells in larger numbers than strain Reynolds organisms not exposed to SAL. Furthermore, the internalization of the isogenic nonencapsulated Reynolds strain into MAC-T cells was not significantly affected by preexposure to SAL. Pretreatment of S. aureus strain Newman with SAL also enhanced internalization into MAC-T cells compared with that of untreated control strains. Using strain Newman organisms, we evaluated the activity of the major cap5 promoter, which was significantly decreased upon preexposure to SAL. Diminished transcription of mgrA and upregulation of the saeRS transcript, both global regulators of CP expression, were found in S. aureus cultured in the presence of SAL, as ascertained by real-time PCR analysis. In addition, CP5 production by S. aureus Newman was also decreased by treatment with SAL. Collectively, our data demonstrate that exposure of encapsulated S. aureus strains to low concentrations of SAL reduced CP production, thus unmasking surface adhesins and leading to an increased capacity of staphylococci to invade epithelial cells. The high capacity of internalization of the encapsulated S. aureus strains induced by SAL pretreatment may contribute to the persistence of bacteria in certain hosts

Gender differences in vaccine therapy: where are we in Covid-19 pandemic?

Vaccination is one of the greatest achievements of public health. Vaccination programs have contributed to the decline in mortality and morbidity of various infectious diseases. This review aims to investigate the impact of sex/gender on the vaccine acceptance, responses, and outcomes. The studies were identified by using PubMed, until 30th June 2020. The search was performed by using the following keywords: SARS-CoV-2, Covid-19, gender, sex, vaccine, adverse reaction. Clinical trials, retrospective and prospective studies were included. Studies written in languages other than English were excluded. Three authors (TC, EB and IA) reviewed all study abstracts. Studies were included if gender differences in response to vaccination trials were reported. All selected studies were qualitatively analyzed. Innate recognition and response to viruses, as well as, adaptive immune responses during viral infections, differ between females and males. Unfortunately, a majority of vaccine trials have focused on healthy people, with ages between 18 to 65 years, excluding the elderly, pregnant women, post-menopausal female and children. In conclusion, it is apparent that the design of vaccines and vaccine strategies should be sex-specific, to reduce adverse reactions in females and increase immunogenicity in males. It should be mandatory to examine sex-related variables in pre-clinical and clinical vaccine trials, such as their crucial role for successful prevention of pandemic Covid-19

Indigenous case of mycetoma by Actinomadura madurae in Paraná (Entre Ríos, Argentina): case report and literature review of the argentinian casuistry

El micetoma es una infección granulomatosa crónica que involucra tejidos cutáneos, subcutáneos y eventualmente músculo y hueso. Puede ser causada por bacterias Gram positivas filamentosas (actinomicetomas) o por hongos (eumicetomas). Es una infección endémica de zonas subtropicales con baja humedad relativa. El objetivo de este trabajo es el de presentar un caso de actinomicetoma causado por Actinomadura madurae autóctono de la ciudad de Paraná (Entre Ríos) con el fin de demostrar que pueden darse casos esporádicos por fuera de las zonas endémicas descritas. Además, se realizó una revisión bibliográfica de los casos de micetoma descritos en Argentina y se los comparó con el caso reportado.Mycetoma is a chronic granulomatous infection involving skin, subcutaneous tissue and eventualy muscle and bone. It can be caused by Gram positive filamentous bacteria (actinomycetomas) or fungi (eumicetomas). It is an endemic infection in subtropical areas with low relative humidity. The aim of this work is to present a case of actinomycetoma caused by Actinomadura madurae in a patient from Paraná city (Entre Rios) to demonstrate that sporadic mycetoma cases may occur outside the described endemic areas. In addition, a literature review of Argentinian mycetoma cases was performed.Fil: Dudiuk, Catiana Beatriz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Theill, L.. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Moyano, Susana. Laboratorio Privado Avenida. Paraná, Entre Ríos; ArgentinaFil: Barbagelata, María Sol. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Leonardelli, Florencia. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Unidad de Administración Territorial; ArgentinaFil: Macedo, Daiana. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Latorre Rapella, María Gabriela. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Acosta, A.. Laboratorio Privado Avenida. Paraná, Entre Ríos; ArgentinaFil: Gamarra, S.. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Garcia, Guillermo Manuel. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; Argentin

Predicting soil test phosphorus decrease in non-P-fertilized conditions

Monitoring the availability of phosphorus (P) in soil under continuous cropping facilitates finding deficiency in crops and contributes to improving crop growth and nutrient management models. Soil P availability for crops is usually estimated by soil test P (STP), such as Bray-1. This is widely used in the Americas. The relationship between the decrease of STP Bray-1 and cumulative removal of P was evaluated in non-P-fertilized areas in long-term studies. This removal was the sum of annual P removal over the study period as P exported in grains/crop outside the soil. The objectives were to: (a) quantify changes in STP as a function of cumulative P removal, (b) assess the relationship between relative decrease rate of STP and soil variables as well as annual removal of P by crops, and (c) develop a model to predict decrease of STP Bray-1. Exponential decay functions were used to describe annual cumulative removal of P and STP from soil over time for 12 long-term studies where no addition of P fertilizer was carried out. Changes in the relative rate of decrease of STP, relative to the initial STP Bray-1 value at the onset of the experiment, were predicted by the ratio of soil organic matter to clay and silt and the average annual P removal by exponential decay (R2adj = 0.64; RMSE = 3.2 mg kg−1). We propose this predictive model as suitable to provide estimates of the relative decrease rate of STP by Bray-1 and thereby improve management of P for optimizing crop yield. Highlights: STP Bray-1 decrease and cumulative P removal were related by exponential decay functions. Relative decrease rate of STP Bray-1 was related to SOM/(clay+silt) ratio and annual P removal. A predictive model of the relative decrease rate of STP Bray-1 was fitted and validate. Our model is a useful tool to help predict soil P availability and nutrient management.Fil: Appelhans, Stefania Carolina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Entre Ríos. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Paraná; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos; Argentina. Kansas State University; Estados Unidos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Carciochi, Walter Daniel. Kansas State University; Estados Unidos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Correndo, Adrian. Kansas State University; Estados UnidosFil: Gutiérrez Boem, Flavio Hernán. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biociencias Agrícolas y Ambientales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biociencias Agrícolas y Ambientales; ArgentinaFil: Salvagiotti, Fernando. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Santa Fe. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Oliveros; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Garcia, Fernando Oscar. International Plant Nutrition Institute; ArgentinaFil: Melchiori, Ricardo J.M.. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Entre Ríos. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Paraná; ArgentinaFil: Barbagelata, Pedro Aníbal. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Entre Ríos. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Paraná; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos; ArgentinaFil: Ventimiglia, Luis A.. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Buenos Aires Norte. Estacion Experimental Agropecuaria Pergamino. Agencia de Extension Rural 9 de Julio.; ArgentinaFil: Ferraris, Gustavo Nestor. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Buenos Aires Norte. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Pergamino; ArgentinaFil: Vivas, Hugo S.. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Santa Fe. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela; ArgentinaFil: Caviglia, Octavio Pedro. Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Ciampitti, Ignacio Antonio. Kansas State University; Estados Unido

Randomized elimination and prolongation of ACE inhibitors and ARBs in coronavirus 2019 (REPLACE COVID) Trial Protocol

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS- CoV- 2), the virus responsible for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID- 19), is associated with high incidence of multiorgan dysfunction and death. Angiotensin- converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which facilitates SARS- CoV- 2 host cell entry, may be impacted by angiotensin- converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), two commonly used antihypertensive classes. In a multicenter, international randomized controlled trial that began enrollment on March 31, 2020, participants are randomized to continuation vs withdrawal of their long- term outpatient ACEI or ARB upon hospitalization with COVID- 19. The primary outcome is a hierarchical global rank score incorporating time to death, duration of mechanical ventilation, duration of renal replacement or vasopressor therapy, and multiorgan dysfunction severity. Approval for the study has been obtained from the Institutional Review Board of each participating institution, and all participants will provide informed consent. A data safety monitoring board has been assembled to provide independent oversight of the project.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/163400/2/jch14011_am.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/163400/1/jch14011.pd

Awareness of sex and gender dimensions among physicians: the European federation of internal medicine assessment of gender differences in Europe (EFIM-IMAGINE) survey

Sociocultural gender is a complex construct encompassing different aspects of individuals' life, whereas sex refers to biological factors. These terms are often misused, although they impact differently on individuals' health. Recognizing the role of sex and gender on health status is fundamental in the pursuit of a personalized medicine. Aim of the current study was to investigate the awareness in approaching clinical and research questions on the impact of sex and gender on health among European internists. Clinicians affiliated with the European Federation of Internal Medicine from 33 countries participated to the study on a voluntary basis between January 1st, 2018 and July 31st, 2019. Internists' awareness and knowledge on sex and gender issues in clinical medicine were measured by an online anonymized 7-item survey. A total of 1323 European internists responded to the survey of which 57% were women, mostly young or middle-aged (78%), and practicing in public general medicine services (74.5%). The majority (79%) recognized that sex and gender are not interchangeable terms, though a wide discrepancy exists on what clinicians think sex and gender concepts incorporate. Biological sex and sociocultural gender were recognized as determinants of health mainly in cardiovascular and autoimmune/rheumatic diseases. Up to 80% of respondents acknowledged the low participation of female individuals in trials and more than 60% the lack of sex-specific clinical guidelines. Internists also express the willingness of getting more knowledge on the impact of sex and gender in cerebrovascular/cognitive and inflammatory bowel diseases. Biological sex and sociocultural gender are factors influencing health and disease. Although awareness and knowledge remain suboptimal across European internists, most acknowledge the underrepresentation of female subjects in trials, the lack of sex-specific guidelines and the need of being more informed on sex and gender-based differences in diseases

Baseline characteristics of patients in the reduction of events with darbepoetin alfa in heart failure trial (RED-HF)

<p>Aims: This report describes the baseline characteristics of patients in the Reduction of Events with Darbepoetin alfa in Heart Failure trial (RED-HF) which is testing the hypothesis that anaemia correction with darbepoetin alfa will reduce the composite endpoint of death from any cause or hospital admission for worsening heart failure, and improve other outcomes.</p> <p>Methods and results: Key demographic, clinical, and laboratory findings, along with baseline treatment, are reported and compared with those of patients in other recent clinical trials in heart failure. Compared with other recent trials, RED-HF enrolled more elderly [mean age 70 (SD 11.4) years], female (41%), and black (9%) patients. RED-HF patients more often had diabetes (46%) and renal impairment (72% had an estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m2). Patients in RED-HF had heart failure of longer duration [5.3 (5.4) years], worse NYHA class (35% II, 63% III, and 2% IV), and more signs of congestion. Mean EF was 30% (6.8%). RED-HF patients were well treated at randomization, and pharmacological therapy at baseline was broadly similar to that of other recent trials, taking account of study-specific inclusion/exclusion criteria. Median (interquartile range) haemoglobin at baseline was 112 (106–117) g/L.</p> <p>Conclusion: The anaemic patients enrolled in RED-HF were older, moderately to markedly symptomatic, and had extensive co-morbidity.</p&gt

Sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase mutations cause primary adrenal insufficiency and steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome

Primary adrenal insufficiency is life threatening and can present alone or in combination with other comorbidities. Here, we have described a primary adrenal insufficiency syndrome and steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome caused by loss-of-function mutations in sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase (SGPL1). SGPL1 executes the final decisive step of the sphingolipid breakdown pathway, mediating the irreversible cleavage of the lipid-signaling molecule sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P). Mutations in other upstream components of the pathway lead to harmful accumulation of lysosomal sphingolipid species, which are associated with a series of conditions known as the sphingolipidoses. In this work, we have identified 4 different homozygous mutations, c.665G>A (p.R222Q), c.1633_1635delTTC (p.F545del), c.261+1G>A (p.S65Rfs*6), and c.7dupA (p.S3Kfs*11), in 5 families with the condition. In total, 8 patients were investigated, some of whom also manifested other features, including ichthyosis, primary hypothyroidism, neurological symptoms, and cryptorchidism. Sgpl1-/- mice recapitulated the main characteristics of the human disease with abnormal adrenal and renal morphology. Sgpl1-/- mice displayed disrupted adrenocortical zonation and defective expression of steroidogenic enzymes as well as renal histology in keeping with a glomerular phenotype. In summary, we have identified SGPL1 mutations in humans that perhaps represent a distinct multisystemic disorder of sphingolipid metabolism