The response of wheat genotypes to inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense

It is well documented in many studies that plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are capable of increasing plant growth and productivity in a range of agricultural crops, reducing dependence on chemical amendments and maintaining a safe environment. Over the last two decades PGPR inoculants have been increasingly used in agriculture to improve crop productivity and farming system sustainability. Such eco-friendly technologies are needed to address sustainable food security and to avoid global dependence on hazardous agricultural chemicals which ultimately destabilize agro-ecosystems. The nitrogen fixing bacteria, Azospirillum brasilense, has been an important PGPB (plant growth promoting bacteria) used to enhance the growth and yield of many crops globally. This is attributed mainly to its ability to produce phytohormones. While much is known about A. brasilense, the promising effect of PGPBs in general in the field is limited by factors that influence their survival and activity in the rhizosphere. The attachment of bacteria to roots is an essential and necessary condition for the establishment of an effective association. This association is dependent upon the population density of active PGPB cells in the rhizosphere which are able to compete with indigenous bacteria. However, how survival and persistence of inoculant bacteria in the rhizosphere, the effect of inoculum on the rhizosphere community, in particular the nitrogen fixing community, and the effect of plant genotype contributes to plant growth promotion by Azospirillum in the field have not been widely studied. Better understanding of the plant x inoculum interaction requires determining if there is an effect of plant genotype and monitoring and estimation of the persistence of PGPB in the rhizosphere. The overall aim of this project was to examine the effect of the wheat (Triticum aestivum) genotype x Azospirillum interaction on colonization of roots and plant growth promotion. These effects were studied under both controlled hydroponic conditions in the laboratory and in the field. Plant growth parameters and bacterial colonization of the rhizosphere were determined in both conditions. Differences in root characteristics of twenty three diverse wheat genotypes were observed after growth in the hydroponic system; however responses to inoculation with A. brasilense Sp7 and Sp7-S were variable. In some cases growth parameters were increased and in others they were decreased. There was an apparent increase in responsiveness to inoculation with azospirilla by synthetically derived genotypes observed in root length measurements but otherwise there was no trend according to the genetic source of wheat. Microscopic observations confirmed the different root colonisation patterns by Sp7 and Sp7-S. However, colonisation pattern was not influenced by plant genotype. Relationships between shoot dry weight and root growth parameters were positive as expected but were strengthened with inoculation

Pain management in patients with dementia

There are an estimated 35 million people with dementia across the world, of whom 50% experience regular pain. Despite this, current assessment and treatment of pain in this patient group are inadequate. In addition to the discomfort and distress caused by pain, it is frequently the underlying cause of behavioral symptoms, which can lead to inappropriate treatment with antipsychotic medications. Pain also contributes to further complications in treatment and care. This review explores four key perspectives of pain management in dementia and makes recommendations for practice and research. The first perspective discussed is the considerable uncertainty within the literature on the impact of dementia neuropathology on pain perception and processing in Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, where white matter lesions and brain atrophy appear to influence the neurobiology of pain. The second perspective considers the assessment of pain in dementia. This is challenging, particularly because of the limited capacity of self-report by these individuals, which means that assessment relies in large part on observational methods. A number of tools are available but the psychometric quality and clinical utility of these are uncertain. The evidence for efficient treatment (the third perspective) with analgesics is also limited, with few statistically well-powered trials. The most promising evidence supports the use of stepped treatment approaches, and indicates the benefit of pain and behavioral interventions on both these important symptoms. The fourth perspective debates further difficulties in pain management due to the lack of sufficient training and education for health care professionals at all levels, where evidence-based guidance is urgently needed. To address the current inadequate management of pain in dementia, a comprehensive approach is needed. This would include an accurate, validated assessment tool that is sensitive to different types of pain and therapeutic effects, supported by better training and support for care staff across all settings

Pain management in patients with dementia

There are an estimated 35 million people with dementia across the world, of whom 50% experience regular pain. Despite this, current assessment and treatment of pain in this patient group are inadequate. In addition to the discomfort and distress caused by pain, it is frequently the underlying cause of behavioral symptoms, which can lead to inappropriate treatment with antipsychotic medications. Pain also contributes to further complications in treatment and care. This review explores four key perspectives of pain management in dementia and makes recommendations for practice and research. The first perspective discussed is the considerable uncertainty within the literature on the impact of dementia neuropathology on pain perception and processing in Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, where white matter lesions and brain atrophy appear to influence the neurobiology of pain. The second perspective considers the assessment of pain in dementia. This is challenging, particularly because of the limited capacity of self-report by these individuals, which means that assessment relies in large part on observational methods. A number of tools are available but the psychometric quality and clinical utility of these are uncertain. The evidence for efficient treatment (the third perspective) with analgesics is also limited, with few statistically well-powered trials. The most promising evidence supports the use of stepped treatment approaches, and indicates the benefit of pain and behavioral interventions on both these important symptoms. The fourth perspective debates further difficulties in pain management due to the lack of sufficient training and education for health care professionals at all levels, where evidence-based guidance is urgently needed. To address the current inadequate management of pain in dementia, a comprehensive approach is needed. This would include an accurate, validated assessment tool that is sensitive to different types of pain and therapeutic effects, supported by better training and support for care staff across all settings.publishedVersio

Factors Associated with Revision Surgery after Internal Fixation of Hip Fractures

Background: Femoral neck fractures are associated with high rates of revision surgery after management with internal fixation. Using data from the Fixation using Alternative Implants for the Treatment of Hip fractures (FAITH) trial evaluating methods of internal fixation in patients with femoral neck fractures, we investigated associations between baseline and surgical factors and the need for revision surgery to promote healing, relieve pain, treat infection or improve function over 24 months postsurgery. Additionally, we investigated factors associated with (1) hardware removal and (2) implant exchange from cancellous screws (CS) or sliding hip screw (SHS) to total hip arthroplasty, hemiarthroplasty, or another internal fixation device. Methods: We identified 15 potential factors a priori that may be associated with revision surgery, 7 with hardware removal, and 14 with implant exchange. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards analyses in our investigation. Results: Factors associated with increased risk of revision surgery included: female sex, [hazard ratio (HR) 1.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25-2.50; P = 0.001], higher body mass index (fo

De ontwikkeling van een kennissysteem ter ondersteuning van het configureren van digitale telefooncentrales

Het digitale telefoniesysteem 5ESS-PRX kent een zeer modulaire en gedecentraliseerde structuur. Hierdoor zijn met dit systeem telefooncentrales te creëren, die onderling sterk in omvang, functie en hiërarchie kunnen verschillen. De schijnbaar ongelimiteerde mogelijkheden maken echter het configureren van deze telefooncentrales tot een omvangrijk en ingewikkeld proces. Daarom is door APT NEDERLAND BV een informatiesysteem (PRIDE) ontwikkeld, dat configureren van een 5ESS-PRX-centrale verzorgt. Het configuratieproces wordt door PRIDE als een aantal uit te voeren configuratie-stappen gepresenteerd. Desondanks blijft het configureren voor de gebruiker een complexe aangelegenheid die niet eenvoudig in handboeken is op te nemen…Applied SciencesElectrotechnie

Estimating incidence and prevalence rates of chronic diseases using disease modeling

Contains fulltext : 175738.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)BACKGROUND: Morbidity estimates between different GP registration networks show large, unexplained variations. This research explores the potential of modeling differences between networks in distinguishing new (incident) cases from existing (prevalent) cases in obtaining more reliable estimates. METHODS: Data from five Dutch GP registration networks and data on four chronic diseases (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD], diabetes, heart failure, and osteoarthritis of the knee) were used. A joint model (DisMod model) was fitted using all information on morbidity (incidence and prevalence) and mortality in each network, including a factor for misclassification of prevalent cases as incident cases. RESULTS: The observed estimates vary considerably between networks. Using disease modeling including a misclassification term improved the consistency between prevalence and incidence rates, but did not systematically decrease the variation between networks. Osteoarthritis of the knee showed large modeled misclassifications, especially in episode of care-based registries. CONCLUSION: Registries that code episodes of care rather than disease generally provide lower estimates of the prevalence of chronic diseases requiring low levels of health care such as osteoarthritis. For other diseases, modeling misclassification rates does not systematically decrease the variation between registration networks. Using disease modeling provides insight in the reliability of estimates

Can peak expiratory flow measurements reliably identify the presence of airway obstruction and bronchodilator response as assessed by FEV1 in primary care patients presenting with a persistent cough?

Background-In general practice airway obstruction and the bronchodilator response are usually assessed using peak expiratory flow (PEF) measurements. A study was carried out in patients presenting with persistent cough to investigate to what extent PEF measurements are reliable when compared with tests using forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) as the measure of response. Methods-Data (questionnaire, physical examination, spirometry, PEF) were collected from 240 patients aged 18-75 years, not previously diagnosed with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), who consulted their general practitioner with cough of at least two weeks duration. The relationship between low PEF (PEF <PEFpred - 1.64RSD) and low FEV1 (FEV1 <FEV(1)pred - 1.64RSD) was tested. A positive bronchodilator response after inhaling 400 mu g salbutamol was defined as an increase in FEV1 of greater than or equal to 9% predicted and was compared with an absolute increase in PEF with cut off values of 40, 60, and 80 l/min and Delta PEF % baseline with cut off values of 10%, 15%, and 20%. Results-Forty eight patients (20%) had low FEV1, 86 (35.8%) had low PEF, and 32 (13.3%) had a positive bronchodilator response. Low PEF had a positive predictive value (PPV) for low FEV1 of 46.5% and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 95%. Delta PEF of greater than or equal to 10%, greater than or equal to 15%, or greater than or equal to 20% baseline had PPVs of 36%, 52%, and 67%, respectively, and Delta PEF of greater than or equal to 40, greater than or equal to 60, and greater than or equal to 80 l/min in absolute terms had PPVs of 39%, 45%, and 57%, respectively, for Delta FEV1 greater than or equal to 9% predicted; NPVs were high (88-93%). Conclusions-Although PEF measurements can reliably exclude airway obstruction and bronchodilator response, they are not suitable for use in the assessment of the bronchodilator response in the diagnostic work up of primary care patients with persistent cough. The clinical value of PEF measurements in the diagnosis of reversible obstructive airway disease should therefore be re-evaluated

Creatine protects against 3-nitropropionic acid-induced cell death in murine corticostriatal slice cultures.

Contains fulltext : 57359.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access)In murine corticostriatal slice cultures, we studied the protective effects of the bioenergetic compound creatine on neuronal cell death induced by the mitochondrial toxin 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP). 3-NP caused a dose-dependent neuronal degeneration accompanied by an increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in the cell culture medium. An increased ratio of lactate to pyruvate concentration in the medium suggested that metabolic activity shifted to anaerobic energy metabolism. These effects were predominantly observed in the 24-h recovery period after 3-NP exposure. Creatine protected against 3-NP neurotoxicity: LDH activity was reduced and aerobic respiration of pyruvate was stimulated, which resulted in lower lactate levels and less cell death. In both striatum and cortex, apoptosis in 3-NP-exposed slices was demonstrated by increased activation of the pro-apoptotic protein caspase-3 and by numerous cells exhibiting DNA fragmentation detected by the terminal transferase-mediated biotinylated-UTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) technique. Creatine administration to the 3-NP-exposed corticostriatal slices resulted in a reduced number of TUNEL-positive cells in the recovery period. However, in the striatum, an unexpected increase of both TUNEL-positive cells and caspase-3-immunostained cells was observed in the exposure phase in the presence of creatine. In the recovery phase, caspase-3-immunostaining decreased to basal levels in both striatum and cortex. These findings suggest that 3-NP-induced neuronal degeneration in corticostriatal slices results from apoptosis that in the cortex can be prevented by creatine, while in the more vulnerable striatal cells it may lead to an accelerated and increased execution of apoptotic cell death, preventing further necrosis-related damage in this region