Phytoextraction of phosphorus for ecological restoration: application of soil additives

The European Habitats Directive urges the European member states to take measures for maintaining and restoring natural habitats. In Flanders (Belgium) and the Netherlands, the surface area of nature reserves is intended to be enlarged with 38 000 ha and 150 000 ha, respectively, what is mainly to be realised on former agricultural land. In order to restore species rich nature habitats on former agricultural land, it is crucial to decrease the availability of nutrients and a limitation for plant growth by at least one nutrient should be ensured. The former fertilization of P in the agricultural context results in an immense P pool fixated to the soil and this is one of the main problems hindering the ecological restoration. We focus on an alternative restoration method, the phytoextraction of P, also P-mining. This is the deprivation of soil P with a crop with high P-use efficiency and non-P fertilization. This method allows the gradual transition from agricultural land use towards nature management. Up until now there have only been estimations of the P-mining duration time from the initial phase of the mining-process. In order to estimate the P-extraction over time the experiments take place on a soil-P-chronosequence. A controlled pot experiment was set up with soil from three former agricultural sites with different soil-P-levels, Lolium perenne was sown and chemical and biological compounds were added to enhance the bioavailability of P for plant-uptake. The additives used were two concentrations of humic acids, phosphorus solubilising bacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Largest effects of the soil additions on the biomass production were measured in the lowest soil-P-level. Limitation by P in the Mid and Low P soils was very pronounced. The phytoextraction of P will slow down with soil P level decreasing in time. The effect of the soil additions is discussed

Neurological Symptom Improvement After Re-Irradiation in Patients With Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma: A Retrospective Analysis of the SIOP-E-HGG/DIPG Project

Adolescent; Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma; RadiotherapyAdolescente; Glioma pontino intrínseco difuso; RadioterapiaAdolescent; Glioma pontí intrínsec difús; RadioteràpiaPurpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the spectrum of neurological triad improvement in patients with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) treated by re-irradiation (re-RT) at first progression. Methods: We carried out a re-analysis of the SIOP-E retrospective DIPG cohort by investigating the clinical benefits after re-RT with a focus on the neurological triad (cranial nerve deficits, ataxia, and long tract signs). Patients were categorized as “responding” or “non-responding” to re-RT. To assess the interdependence between patients’ characteristics and clinical benefits, we used a chi-square or Fisher’s exact test. Survival according to clinical response to re-RT was calculated by the Kaplan–Meier method. Results: As earlier reported, 77% (n = 24/31) of patients had any clinical benefit after re-RT. Among 25/31 well-documented patients, 44% (n = 11/25) had improvement in cranial nerve palsies, 40% (n = 10/25) had improvement in long-tract signs, and 44% (11/25) had improvement in cerebellar signs. Clinical benefits were observed in at least 1, 2, or 3 out of 3 symptoms of the DIPG triad, in 64%, 40%, and 24%, respectively. Patients irradiated with a dose ≥20 Gy versus <20 Gy may improve slightly better with regard to ataxia (67% versus 23%; p-value = 0.028). The survival from the start of re-RT to death was not different between responding and non-responding DIPG patients (p-value = 0.871). Conclusion: A median re-irradiation dose of 20 Gy provides a neurological benefit in two-thirds of patients with an improvement of at least one symptom of the triad. DIPG patients receiving ≥20 Gy appear to improve slightly better with regard to ataxia; however, we need more data to determine whether dose escalation up to 30 Gy provides additional benefits.This work was supported in part by Deutsche Kinderkrebsstiftung

A Longitudinal Study of Individual Radiation Responses in Pediatric Patients Treated with Proton and Photon Radiotherapy, and Interventional Cardiology: Rationale and Research Protocol of the HARMONIC Project

The Health Effects of Cardiac Fluoroscopy and Modern Radiotherapy (photon and proton) in Pediatrics (HARMONIC) is a five-year project funded by the European Commission that aimed to improve the understanding of the long-term ionizing radiation (IR) risks for pediatric patients. In this paper, we provide a detailed overview of the rationale, design, and methods for the biological aspect of the project with objectives to provide a mechanistic understanding of the molecular pathways involved in the IR response and to identify potential predictive biomarkers of individual response involved in long-term health risks. Biological samples will be collected at three time points: before the first exposure, at the end of the exposure, and one year after the exposure. The average whole-body dose, the dose to the target organ, and the dose to some important out-of-field organs will be estimated. State-of-the-art analytical methods will be used to assess the levels of a set of known biomarkers and also explore high-resolution approaches of proteomics and miRNA transcriptomes to provide an integrated assessment. By using bioinformatics and systems biology, biological pathways and novel pathways involved in the response to IR exposure will be deciphered.The HARMONIC project (Health effects of cArdiac fluoRoscopy and MOderN radIotherapy in paediatriCs) has received funding from the Euratom research and training program 2014–2018 under grant agreement No 847707.Peer reviewe

Surface guided radiotherapy practice in paediatric oncology: a survey on behalf of the SIOPE radiation oncology working group

INTRODUCTION: Surface guided radiotherapy (SGRT) is increasingly being implemented to track patient's surface movement and position during radiation therapy. However, limited information is available on the SGRT use in paediatrics. The aim of this double survey was to map SIOPE (European Society for Paediatric Oncology)-affiliated centres using SGRT and to gain information on potential indications, observed, or expected benefits. METHODS: A double online survey was distributed to 246 SIOPE-affiliated radiotherapy (RT) centres. Multiple choices, yes/no, and open answers were included. The first survey (41 questions) was active from February to March 2021. A shortened version (13 questions) was repeated in March 2023 to detect trends in SGRT use within the same community. RESULTS: Respectively, 76/142 (54%) and 28/142 (20%) responding centres used and planned to use SGRT clinically, including 4/34 (12%) new centres since 2021. Among the SGRT users, 33/76 (43%) already applied this technology to paediatric treatments. The main benefits of improved patient comfort, better monitoring of intrafraction motion, and more accurate initial patient set-up expected by future users did not differ from current SGRT-users (P = .893). Among non-SGRT users, the main hurdles to implement SGRT were costs and time for installation. In paediatrics, SGRT is applied to all anatomical sites. CONCLUSION: This work provides information on the practice of SGRT in paediatrics across SIOPE-affiliated RT centres which can serve as a basis for departments when considering the purchase of SGRT systems. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: Since little information is available in the literature on the use of SGRT in paediatrics, the results of this double survey can serve as a basis for departments treating children when considering the purchase of an SGRT system

Radical radiotherapy for paediatric solid tumour metastases:An overview of current European protocols and outcomes of a SIOPE multicenter survey

Purpose/objective: About 20% of children with solid tumours (ST) present with distant metastases (DM). Evidence regarding the use of radical radiotherapy of these DM is sparse and open for personal interpretation. The aim of this survey was to review European protocols and to map current practice regarding the irradiation of DM across SIOPE-affiliated countries. Materials/methods: Radiotherapy guidelines for metastatic sites (bone, brain, distant lymph nodes, lung and liver) in eight European protocols for rhabdomyosarcoma, non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft-tissue sarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, neuroblastoma and renal tumours were reviewed. SIOPE centres irradiating >= 50 children annually were invited to participate in an online survey. Results: Radiotherapy to at least one metastatic site was recommended in all protocols, except for high-risk neuroblastoma. Per protocol, dose prescription varied per site, and information on delineation and treatment planning/delivery was generally missing. Between July and September 2019, 20/27 centres completed the survey. Around 14% of patients were deemed to have DM from ST at diagnosis, of which half were treated with curative intent. A clear cut-off for a maximum number of DM was not used in half of the centres. Regardless of the tumour type and site, conventional radiotherapy regimens were most commonly used to treat DM. When stereotactic radiotherapy was used, a wide range of fractionation regimens were applied. Conclusion: Current radiotherapy guidelines for DM do not allow a consistent approach in a multicentre setting. Prospective (randomised) trials are needed to define the role of radical irradiation of DM from paediatric ST. (C) 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd

Management of the vertebrae as an organ at risk in paediatric radiotherapy clinical trials: Initial QUARTET experience

Irradiation of the vertebrae in prepubertal patients, if non-homogenous, can result in future growth deformities including kyphoscoliosis. Vertebral delineation and dosimetry were assessed for 101 paediatric cases reviewed within QUARTET-affiliated trials. Despite the availability of published consensus guidelines, a high variability in vertebral delineation was observed, with impact on dosimetry

Relationships between Regional Radiation Doses and Cognitive Decline in Children Treated with Cranio-Spinal Irradiation for Posterior Fossa Tumors

Pediatric posterior fossa tumor (PFT) survivors who have been treated with cranial radiation therapy often suffer from cognitive impairments that might relate to IQ decline. Radiotherapy (RT) distinctly affects brain regions involved in different cognitive functions. However, the relative contribution of regional irradiation to the different cognitive impairments still remains unclear. We investigated the relationships between the changes in different cognitive scores and radiation dose distribution in 30 children treated for a PFT. Our exploratory analysis was based on a principal component analysis (PCA) and an ordinary least square regression approach. The use of a PCA was an innovative way to cluster correlated irradiated regions due to similar radiation therapy protocols across patients. Our results suggest an association between working memory decline and a high dose (equivalent uniform dose, EUD) delivered to the orbitofrontal regions, whereas the decline of processing speed seemed more related to EUD in the temporal lobes and posterior fossa. To identify regional effects of RT on cognitive functions may help to propose a rehabilitation program adapted to the risk of cognitive impairment

Generation of the Brucella melitensis ORFeome version 1.1.

The bacteria of the Brucella genus are responsible for a worldwide zoonosis called brucellosis. They belong to the alpha-proteobacteria group, as many other bacteria that live in close association with a eukaryotic host. Importantly, the Brucellae are mainly intracellular pathogens, and the molecular mechanisms of their virulence are still poorly understood. Using the complete genome sequence of Brucella melitensis, we generated a database of protein-coding open reading frames (ORFs) and constructed an ORFeome library of 3091 Gateway Entry clones, each containing a defined ORF. This first version of the Brucella ORFeome (v1.1) provides the coding sequences in a user-friendly format amenable to high-throughput functional genomic and proteomic experiments, as the ORFs are conveniently transferable from the Entry clones to various Expression vectors by recombinational cloning. The cloning of the Brucella ORFeome v1.1 should help to provide a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of virulence, including the identification of bacterial protein-protein interactions, but also interactions between bacterial effectors and their host's targets

Merkel cell carcinoma.

Merkel cell carcinoma is a neuroendocrine tumor of the skin, originating from neuroendocrine cells. A case report of Merkel cell carcinoma, discovered in a 77-Year-old woman, was diagnosed and confirmed on a biopsy. Diagnostic and therapeutic orientations of this unusual but malignant tumor are described