Rhizotoxicity of aluminate and polycationic aluminium at high pH

Although monomeric Al species are often toxic in acidic soils, the effects of the aluminate ion (Al(OH)4-) on roots grown in alkaline media are still unclear. Dilute, alkaline (pH 9.5) nutrient solutions were used to investigate the effects of Al(OH)4- on root growth of mungbean (Vigna radiata L.). Root growth was reduced by 13 % after 3 d growth in solutions with an Al(OH)4- activity of 16 μM and no detectable polycationic Al (Al13). This decrease in root growth was associated with the formation of lesions on the root tips (due to the rupturing of the epidermal and outer cortical cells) and a slight limitation to root hair growth (particularly on the lateral roots). When roots displaying these symptoms were transferred to fresh Al(OH)4- solutions for a further 12 h, no root tip lesions were observed and root hair growth on the lateral roots improved. The symptoms were similar to those induced by Al13 at concentrations as low as 0.50 μM Al which are below the detection limit of the ferron method. Thus, Al(OH)4- is considered to be non-toxic, with the observed reduction in root growth in solutions containing Al(OH)4- due to the gradual formation of toxic Al13 in the bulk nutrient solution resulting from the acidification of the alkaline nutrient solution by the plant roots

Toxic effects of Pb2+ on the growth and mineral nutrition of signal grass (Brachiaria decumbens) and Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana)

Although grasses are commonly used to revegetate sites contaminated with lead (Pb), little is known regarding the Pb-tolerance of many of these species. Using dilute solution culture to mimic the soil solution, the growth of signal grass (Brachiaria decumbens Stapf cv. Basilisk) and Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana Kunth cv. Pioneer) was related to the mean activity of Pb2+ {Pb2+} in solution. There was a 50% reduction in fresh mass of signal grass shoots at 5 mu M {Pb2+} and at 3 mu M {Pb2+} for the roots. Rhodes grass was considerably more sensitive to Pb in solution, with shoot and root fresh mass being reduced by 50% at 0.5 mu M {Pb2+}. The higher tolerance of signal grass to Pb appeared to result from the internal detoxification of Pb, rather than from the exclusion of Pb from the root. At toxic {Pb2+}, an interveinal chlorosis developed in the shoots of signal grass (possibly a Pb-induced Mn deficiency), whilst in Rhodes grass, Pb2+ caused a bending of the root tips and the formation of a swelling immediately behind some of the root apices. Root hair growth did not appear to be reduced by Pb2+ in solution, being prolific at all {Pb2+} in both species

Minimally Invasive Spleen-Preserving Distal Pancreatectomy in Obese Patients: Factors Related to Clinically Relevant Pancreatic Fistula

\ua9 2025 The Author(s). The International Journal of Medical Robotics and Computer Assisted Surgery published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.Background: Minimally invasive spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy (MI-SPDP) provides superior outcomes compared with open surgery, with robotic techniques showing better short-term results than laparoscopic techniques, particularly in obese patients. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the surgical approach on postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) incidence in obese patients undergoing MI-SPDP. Methods: A retrospective analysis of obese patients from 16 international centres compared robotic (R-SPDP) and laparoscopic (L-SPDP) approaches. Perioperative outcomes and factors associated with clinically relevant POPF were analysed using univariate and multivariate methods. Results: Among 130 patients (57L-SPDP, 73R-SPDP), POPF incidence was significantly lower in the robotic group (15.1% vs. 42.1%; p = 0.001). The Comprehensive Complications Index was also lower (8% vs. 15%; p = 0.002). Laparoscopic approach (OR = 4.0), pancreatic body transection (OR = 2.6), and non-stapler stump closure (OR = 3.2) were independently associated with higher POPF rates. Discussion: Robotic MI-SPDP reduces POPF in obese patients. Transection at the pancreatic neck and stapler-based closure can improve outcomes

High mortality within 90 days of diagnosis in patients with Cushing's syndrome: Results from the ERCUSYN Registry

Objective: Patients with Cushing's syndrome (CS) have increased mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the causes and time of death in a large cohort of patients with CS and to establish factors associated with increased mortality. Methods: In this cohort study, we analyzed 1564 patients included in the European Registry on CS (ERCUSYN); 1045 (67%) had pituitary-dependent CS, 385 (25%) adrenal-dependent CS, 89 (5%) had an ectopic source and 45 (3%) other causes. The median (IQR) overall follow-up time in ERCUSYN was 2.7 (1.2-5.5) years. Results: Forty-nine patients had died at the time of the analysis; 23 (47%) with pituitary-dependent CS, 6 (12%) with adrenal-dependent CS, 18 (37%) with ectopic CS and two (4%) with CS due to other causes. Of 42 patients whose cause of death was known, 15 (36%) died due to progression of the underlying disease, 13 (31%) due to infections, 7 (17%) due to cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease and 2 due to pulmonary embolism. The commonest cause of death in patients with pituitary-dependent CS and adrenal-dependent CS were infectious diseases (n?=?8) and progression of the underlying tumor (n?=?10) in patients with ectopic CS. Patients who had died were older and more often males, and had more frequently muscle weakness, diabetes mellitus and ectopic CS, compared to survivors. Of 49 deceased patients, 22 (45%) died within 90 days from start of treatment and 5 (10%) before any treatment was given. The commonest cause of deaths in these 27 patients were infections (n?=?10; 37%). In a regression analysis, age, ectopic CS and active disease were independently associated with overall death before and within 90 days from the start of treatment. Conclusion: Mortality rate was highest in patients with ectopic CS. Infectious diseases were the commonest cause of death soon after diagnosis, emphasizing the need for careful clinical vigilance at that time, especially in patients presenting with concomitant diabetes mellitus

High prevalence of venous thrombotic events in Cushing's syndrome: data from ERCUSYN and details in relation to surgery

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients included in the European Registry on Cushing's syndrome (ERCUSYN), compare their clinical characteristics with those who did not develop VTE and identify risk factors for VTE. Design: A retrospective observational cohort study. Methods: Data extraction from the registry was taken on February, 7, 2022. At the time there were 2174 patients diagnosed with Cushing's syndrome (CS) and 95 VTEs were reported in the database. Results: Of 95 VTE events 70 (74%) were in pituitary-dependent CS patients, 12 (12.5%) in adrenal-dependant CS, 10 (10.5%) in ectopic CS, and 3 (3%) in CS due to other causes. Sex, 24-hour urinary free cortisol (UFC) value at diagnosis, as well as the number of operations remained statistically significant predictors of VTE. Of patients who were treated with at least one surgery, 12 (13%) VTE occurred before and 80 (87%) after the surgery. Nearly half of these VTEs occurred within six months since the operation (36; 45%). Over half of the centers that reported VTE did not routinely anticoagulate CS patients. Anticoagulation schemes varied widely. Conclusion: Patients with CS have an elevated risk of developing VTE for an extended period of time. From ERCUSYN cohort patients have higher risk for VTE if they need multiple surgeries to treat CS, are males and have high UFC values at the diagnosis of CS. Since there is no agreement on thromboprohpylaxis, a protocol for VTE prevention that is widely adopted appears to be necessary for patients with CS

Cushing's syndrome in the elderly: data from the European Registry on Cushing's syndrome

Objective To evaluate whether age-related differences exist in clinical characteristics, diagnostic approach, and management strategies in patients with Cushing's syndrome (CS) included in the European Registry on Cushing's Syndrome (ERCUSYN). Design Cohort study. Methods We analyzed 1791 patients with CS, of whom 1234 (69%) had pituitary-dependent CS (PIT-CS), 450 (25%) adrenal-dependent CS (ADR-CS), and 107 (6%) had an ectopic source (ECT-CS). According to the WHO criteria, 1616 patients (90.2%) were classified as younger (<65 years old) and 175 (9.8%) as older (>= 65 years old). Results Older patients were more frequently males and had a lower Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist circumference when compared with the younger. Older patients also had a lower prevalence of skin alterations, depression, hair loss, hirsutism, and reduced libido, but a higher prevalence of muscle weakness, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, venous thromboembolism, and bone fractures than younger patients, regardless of sex (P < .01 for all comparisons). Measurement of urinary free cortisol supported the diagnosis of CS less frequently in older patients when compared with the younger (P < .05). An extrasellar macroadenoma (macrocorticotropinoma with extrasellar extension) was more common in older PIT-CS patients than in the younger (P < .01). Older PIT-CS patients more frequently received cortisol-lowering medications and radiotherapy as a first-line treatment, whereas surgery was the preferred approach in the younger (P < .01 for all comparisons). When transsphenoidal surgery was performed, the remission rate was lower in the elderly when compared with their younger counterpart (P < .05). Conclusions Older CS patients lack several typical symptoms of hypercortisolism, present with more comorbidities regardless of sex, and are more often conservatively treated

A many-analysts approach to the relation between religiosity and well-being

The relation between religiosity and well-being is one of the most researched topics in the psychology of religion, yet the directionality and robustness of the effect remains debated. Here, we adopted a many-analysts approach to assess the robustness of this relation based on a new cross-cultural dataset (N=10,535 participants from 24 countries). We recruited 120 analysis teams to investigate (1) whether religious people self-report higher well-being, and (2) whether the relation between religiosity and self-reported well-being depends on perceived cultural norms of religion (i.e., whether it is considered normal and desirable to be religious in a given country). In a two-stage procedure, the teams first created an analysis plan and then executed their planned analysis on the data. For the first research question, all but 3 teams reported positive effect sizes with credible/confidence intervals excluding zero (median reported β=0.120). For the second research question, this was the case for 65% of the teams (median reported β=0.039). While most teams applied (multilevel) linear regression models, there was considerable variability in the choice of items used to construct the independent variables, the dependent variable, and the included covariates

A Many-analysts Approach to the Relation Between Religiosity and Well-being

The relation between religiosity and well-being is one of the most researched topics in the psychology of religion, yet the directionality and robustness of the effect remains debated. Here, we adopted a many-analysts approach to assess the robustness of this relation based on a new cross-cultural dataset (N = 10, 535 participants from 24 countries). We recruited 120 analysis teams to investigate (1) whether religious people self-report higher well-being, and (2) whether the relation between religiosity and self-reported well-being depends on perceived cultural norms of religion (i.e., whether it is considered normal and desirable to be religious in a given country). In a two-stage procedure, the teams first created an analysis plan and then executed their planned analysis on the data. For the first research question, all but 3 teams reported positive effect sizes with credible/confidence intervals excluding zero (median reported β = 0.120). For the second research question, this was the case for 65% of the teams (median reported β = 0.039). While most teams applied (multilevel) linear regression models, there was considerable variability in the choice of items used to construct the independent variables, the dependent variable, and the included covariates