Trifolium mutabile as new species of annual legume for mediterranean climate zone: First evidences on forage biomass, nitrogen fixation and nutritional characteristics of different accessions

The present study evaluated the forage production, nitrogen fixation and the qualitative characteristics of different accessions of Trifolium mutabile, a new species of annual clover, collected in southern Italy. Forage traits were assessed by harvesting plants at the vegetative stage (stem elongation) and the subsequent regrowth at the flowering stage (inflorescence emergence-main shoot). From results, significant differences were found among the accessions of T. mutabile in terms of forage biomass production (from 5.1 to 8.2 t ha−1 dry matter), capacity of nitrogen fixation (58.2–76.8% Ndfa) and forage nutritional characteristics. Besides the high forage yield, the investigated accessions showed favourable values of production and quality, representing also worthy germplasm for selection programs as well as the application for possible plant cultivar registration. Moreover, it is interesting to underline that T. mutabile may represent a valuable alternative to commonly cultivated annual clover species due to its prolonged vegetative cycle. However, further investigations are needed to assess the self-reseeding capacity of T. mutabile when utilized as pasture species

Identification of subgroups of early breast cancer patients at high risk of nonadherence to adjuvant hormone therapy: results of an italian survey.

The aim of this study was the identification of subgroups of patients at higher risk of nonadherence to adjuvant hormone therapy for breast cancer. Using recursive partitioning and amalgamation (RECPAM) analysis, the highest risk was observed in the group of unmarried, employed women, or housewives. This result might be functional in designing tailored intervention studies aimed at improvement of adherence. Background: Adherence to adjuvant endocrine therapy (HT) is suboptimal among breast cancer patients. A high rate of nonadherence might explain differences in survival between clinical trial and clinical practice. Tailored interventions aimed at improving adherence can only be implemented if subgroups of patients at higher risk of poor adherence are identified. Because no data are available for Italy, we undertook a large survey on adherence among women taking adjuvant HT for breast cancer. Patients and Methods: Patients were recruited from 10 cancer clinics in central Italy. All patients taking HT for at least 1 year were invited, during one of their follow-up visit, to fill a confidential questionnaire. The association of sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of participants with adherence was assessed using logistic regression. The RECPAM method was used to evaluate interactions among variables and to identify subgroups of patients at different risk of nonadherence. Results: A total of 939 patients joined the study and 18.6% of them were classified as nonadherers. Among possible predictors, only age, working status, and switching from tamoxifen to an aromatase inhibitor were predictive of nonadherence in multivariate analysis. RECPAM analysis led to the identification of 4 classes of patients with a different likelihood of nonadherence to therapy, the lowest being observed in retired women with a low level of education, the highest in the group of unmarried, employed women, or housewives. Conclusion: The identification of these subgroups of “real life” patients with a high prevalence of nonadherers might be functional in designing intervention studies aimed at improving adherenc

Effects of Dietary Extruded Linseed (Linum usitatissimum) and Oregano (Origanum vulgare) on Growth Traits, Carcass Composition and Meat Quality of Grigia di Potenza Suckling Kids

The aim of this trial was to compare the influence of supplementing diets with extruded linseed and oregano on growth parameters and meat qualitative traits in Grigia di Potenza breed suckling kids. Twenty-four male kids, exclusively fed milk from their dams, were assigned to the following diets: C) group control fed without any supplement; L) group fed control feed containing 3% extruded linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.); and LO) group fed control diet with 0.6% dried oregano (Origanum vulgare) and 3% extruded linseed. Growth performance as well as slaughtering traits and meat cuts of kids were not significantly influenced (P > 0.05) by dietary treatments. Conversely, kids in linseed group reported the lower (P < 0.05) percentage of dissectible fat in leg and loin. The meat from Longissimus lumborum and Semimembranosus muscles of kids in linseed diet had the lowest (P < 0.05) cooking loss percentage, whereas the proximate chemical composition of both meat muscles did not vary among treatments (P > 0.05). The experimental diets partially modulated the kid meat fatty acid composition in both muscles, where feeding linseed and oregano improved (P < 0.05) the content of DPA and reduced MUFA. Based on the current findings, it can be concluded that linseed and oregano supplementation can be used in goat diet as no significant detrimental effects on productive performance and meat quality of suckling kids were observed

Аналіз стійкості вибійних компоновок на проектній траєкторії

Рассмотрены основные причины, оказывающие дестабилизирующее влияние на роботу компоновок низа бурильной колонны. Проведён анализ процесса износа опорноцентрирующих элементов забойной компоновки и его влияния на изменение её конструктивных параметров. Получены графические зависимости, позволяющие оценить степень стойкости различных типов забойных компоновок на проектной траектории. Сделаны основные выводы, касающиеся поведения различных типов компоновок при воздействии на них дестабилизирующих факторовThe basic reasons, causing destabilizing influence on the work of drilling string assembly are reviewed. The analysis of wear out process of strong centralizing elements bottom drilling string assembly and its influence to change of its constructive properties is done. The graphic dependences, giving an opportunity to value the stage of firmness of different types of bottom drilling string assemblies on projected trajectory are given. The conclusion about conduct of different types of drilling string assemblies during influence on it destabilizing factors is draw

Accelerated and Scalable C(sp³)-H Amination via Decatungstate Photocatalysis Using a Flow Photoreactor Equipped with High-Intensity LEDs

[Image: see text] Carbon–nitrogen bonds are ubiquitous in biologically active compounds, prompting synthetic chemists to design various methodologies for their preparation. Arguably, the ideal synthetic approach is to be able to directly convert omnipresent C–H bonds in organic molecules, enabling even late-stage functionalization of complex organic scaffolds. While this approach has been thoroughly investigated for C(sp(2))–H bonds, only few examples have been reported for the direct amination of aliphatic C(sp(3))–H bonds. Herein, we report the use of a newly developed flow photoreactor equipped with high intensity chip-on-board LED technology (144 W optical power) to trigger the regioselective and scalable C(sp(3))–H amination via decatungstate photocatalysis. This high-intensity reactor platform enables simultaneously fast results gathering and scalability in a single device, thus bridging the gap between academic discovery (mmol scale) and industrial production (>2 kg/day productivity). The photocatalytic transformation is amenable to the conversion of both activated and nonactivated hydrocarbons, leading to protected hydrazine products by reaction with azodicarboxylates. We further validated the robustness of our manifold by designing telescoped flow approaches for the synthesis of pyrazoles, phthalazinones and free amines

Paralytic ileus, a new rare toxicity of capecitabine: Two case reports

Paralytic ileus (or adynamic ileus) refers to a lack of passage of intestinal contents due to disturbances of normal intestinal motility, in absense of mechanical obstruction. The most common causes are intra-abdominal surgery, severe metabolic problems, drugs. We present two clinical cases related to patients with breast cancer and admitted with paralytic ileus following treatment with capacitabine in local Lanciano Hospital. Naranjo, Jones algoritms suggest a direct causal relationship. Our two cases, to our knowledge, represent the first published report of this particular intestinal toxicity of capecitabine. Pathophisiological explanation is difficult because no data are known about fluoropyrimidines effects on enteric motor functions (motor system, neural influences, hormonal factors): Tegafur (UFT) also, another oral fluoropyrimidine, induces paralytic ileus. We hypothesize that some 5-flourouracil metabolites (5-fluorocitrate; fluoro-beta-alanine), seldom responsible for central and peripherical neurotoxicity from fluoropyrimidines, can sometimes cause a neuropathy, and so a paralytic ileus. Paralytic ileus is probably a rare complication of capecitabine, but the oncologist should take it into careful consideration, because of his possible seriousness and because a suitable management of early signs of abdominal distension (with nasogastric suction and/or rectal tube, i.v. infusion of fluids and electrolytes, etc.) can avoid a unnecessary operative treatment

Outcome after supracricoid laryngectomies in the material of ENT Department, Poznan University of Medical Sciences

All patients with T1 and T2 laryngeal cancer should be treated with the intent to preserve the larynx. In T3 glottic low-volume tumors, larynx preservation is an appropriate standard treatment option. Supracricoid partial laryngectomy remains a reasonable alternative to radiotherapy for patients with T2–T3 glottic cancer. Prospective clinical study aims to evaluate the oncological results of supracricoid partial laryngectomy as a treatment for selected glottic and supraglottic carcinoma, and to determine the different prognostic factors that may influence local control and survival. In the period of 2000–2007, 145 patients were treated at the academic tertiary referral medical center: ENT Department, University of Medical Sciences, Poznán, Poland. The ages of the analyzed group of patients ranged from 23 to 79, with mean 56.5 age for men and 25 for women. All of the patients had biopsy proven squamous cell carcinoma. Of the 145 patients 82 had glottic cancer and 63 had supraglottic cancer. The patients were staged according to the 2003 edition of the TNM classification established by the AJCC. The pathological TNM classification was additionally taken into consideration. All patients were treated by means of supracricoid and transglottic partial laryngectomy. The type of supracricoid partial laryngectomy was based on tumor localization and extension. Four patients underwent cricohyoidopexy, 57 cricohyoidoepiglottopexy, 65 reconstruction modo Calearo, and 19 modo Sedlacek-Tucker. We performed 21 unilateral selective neck dissections and none bilateral. A nasogastric feeding tube was inserted in all patients, and removed in patients that regained proper swallowing. As a result, we took into consideration the oncological and functional results. Histopathological examination of the operating specimen revealed the presence of dysplasia or invasive carcinoma at the margins, or a close margin of less than 5 mm from the edge of the resection (16 cases). The metastases were found on the neck in three cases, predominantly in the level II (2 cases) and III (1 case). Metastasis was found in one patient that had undergone CHP, Sedlacek-Tucker, and Calearo, respectively. Five patients received postoperative radiotherapy. The decision to use adjuvant radiotherapy was based on the presence of invasive carcinoma at the resection margin and on the presence of multiple positive neck nodes or extracapsular spread of the disease. The Kaplan–Meier estimated 3- and 5-year overall survival rates in the group of 122 because 23 patients did not report for medical check-ups

Onecut-dependent Nkx6.2 transcription factor expression is required for proper formation and activity of spinal locomotor circuits.

In the developing spinal cord, Onecut transcription factors control the diversification of motor neurons into distinct neuronal subsets by ensuring the maintenance of Isl1 expression during differentiation. However, other genes downstream of the Onecut proteins and involved in motor neuron diversification have remained unidentified. In the present study, we generated conditional mutant embryos carrying specific inactivation of Onecut genes in the developing motor neurons, performed RNA-sequencing to identify factors downstream of Onecut proteins in this neuron population, and employed additional transgenic mouse models to assess the role of one specific Onecut-downstream target, the transcription factor Nkx6.2. Nkx6.2 expression was up-regulated in Onecut-deficient motor neurons, but strongly downregulated in Onecut-deficient V2a interneurons, indicating an opposite regulation of Nkx6.2 by Onecut factors in distinct spinal neuron populations. Nkx6.2-null embryos, neonates and adult mice exhibited alterations of locomotor pattern and spinal locomotor network activity, likely resulting from defective survival of a subset of limb-innervating motor neurons and abnormal migration of V2a interneurons. Taken together, our results indicate that Nkx6.2 regulates the development of spinal neuronal populations and the formation of the spinal locomotor circuits downstream of the Onecut transcription factors

Sulfonamide Synthesis through Electrochemical Oxidative Coupling of Amines and Thiols

Sulfonamides are key motifs in pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals, spurring the continuous development of novel and efficient synthetic methods to access these functional groups. Herein, we report an environmentally benign electrochemical method which enables the oxidative coupling between thiols and amines, two readily available and inexpensive commodity chemicals. The transformation is completely driven by electricity, does not require any sacrificial reagent or additional catalysts and can be carried out in only 5 min. Hydrogen is formed as a benign byproduct at the counter electrode. Owing to the mild reaction conditions, the reaction displays a broad substrate scope and functional group compatibility

Genetic characterization of Markhoz goat breed using microsatellite markers

The use of molecular markers can support the management of endangered populations and should be combined with appropriate breeding strategies to improve productive traits avoiding the decline of the breed. The genetic variability at 10 microsatellite loci were investigated in a sample of 100 unrelated Markhoz goats (77 females and 23 males). The investigated population was reared at the Sanandaj Markhoz goat Performance Testing Station in Kurdistan, Iran. Markhoz goat, a multipurpose breed, is one of the most valuable genetic resources in Iran. All the studied loci were found to be polymorphic and a total number of 52 alleles were identified with an average number of alleles of 5.2. Moreover, some population genetic indices, such as observed and expected heterozygosity, observed and expected number of alleles, Shannon's index, Nei's expected heterozygosity, and polymorphism information content were also calculated. Despite the decreasing population size, Markhoz goat genetic diversity is still conserved. The breed seems to have a good level of genetic variability and, as a consequence, a potential margin of adaptability to environment and for future genetic improvement.</p