Biophysical and Economic Evaluation of Hedgerow Intercropping Using SCUAF in Lampung, Indonesia

IndonesianStudi ini mengungkap dampak jangka panjang (20 tahun) tiga sistem USAha tani dengan menggunakan pendekatan model bioekonomik, yang disebut Model Soil Change Under Agro Forestry (SCUAF). Teknik konservasi introduksi USAha tani tanaman lorong Flemingia dibandingkan dengan dua jenis sistem USAha tani tradisional yaitu perladangan berpindah dengan masa bera tiga tahun dan sistem USAha tani tanaman pangan sepanjang tahun. Tingkat erosi dan kesuburan lahan menurun secara drastis pada sistem USAha tani tradisional, khususnya pada sistem USAha tani tanaman pangan sepanjang tahun. Dalam 20 tahun, sistem USAha tani tradisional ini kehilangan volume lahan hampir 20 kali, dan unsur hara (soil nutrient) mendekati tiga kali lebih besar dibandingkan dengan teknologi konservasi tanaman lorong. Produktivitas tanaman menurun pada ketiga sistem USAha tani, tetapi penurunan cukup tajam (81%) terdapat pada sistem USAha tani tanaman pangan sepanjang tahun dan hanya 30 persen pada sistem USAha tani tanaman lorong. Sistem perladangan berpindah memiliki Net Precent Value (NPV) paling rendah. Dalam jangka panjang, teknologi konservasi tanaman lorong mampu memberikan keuntungan finansial yang tertinggi dan dapat menjamin keberlanjutan USAha tani. Namun demikian, teknologi introduksi ini membutuhkan dukungan modal yang relatif besar pada tahap awal, sehingga dalam implementasinya perlu didukung dengan kebijaksanaan perkreditan di samping kepastian status penguasaan lahan.EnglishThis study reveals long term (20 years) impact of three farming systems using an approach of bio-economic model called Soil Change Under Agro Forestry (SCUAF). An introduced conservation technique of Flemingia inter-cropping system was compared to two traditional farming systems i.e. shifting cultivation with three years fallow and a long year food crop farming system. Soil erosion rate and land fertility decreased drastically on land used for traditional farming system especially for that of the long year food crop farming system. In 20 years, the traditional farming system lost soil volume almost 20 times and soil nutrient for almost three times compared to that of hedgerow inter-cropping farming system technique. Plant productivity for all techniques decreased, however, the long year food crop farming system experienced the most (81 %) compared to hedgerow inter-cropping using SCUAF (30% ). Net Present Value (NPV) for shifting cultivation was the lowest. In a long term, the hedgerow inter-cropping using SCUAF gives the highest financial profit and assures farming sustainability. However, this introduced technology requires relatively high capital support at the initiation phase so that it needs PRIVATE credit policy support besides land holding status certainty

Neuronal RARβ signaling modulates PTEN activity directly in neurons and via exosome transfer in astrocytes to prevent glial scar formation and induce spinal cord regeneration

Failure of axonal regeneration in the central nervous system (CNS) is mainly attributed to a lack of intrinsic neuronal growth programs and an inhibitory environment from a glial scar. Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) is a major negative regulator of neuronal regeneration and, as such, inhibiting its activity has been considered a therapeutic target for spinal cord (SC) injuries (SCIs). Using a novel model of rat cervical avulsion, we show that treatment with a retinoic acid receptor β (RARβ) agonist results in locomotor and sensory recovery. Axonal regeneration from the severed roots into the SC could be seen by biotinylated dextran amine labeling. Light micrographs of the dorsal root entry zone show the peripheral nervous system (PNS)–CNS transition of regrown axons. RARβ agonist treatment also resulted in the absence of scar formation. Mechanism studies revealed that, in RARβ-agonist-treated neurons, PTEN activity is decreased by cytoplasmic phosphorylation and increased secretion in exosomes. These are taken up by astrocytes, resulting in hampered proliferation and causing them to arrange in a normal-appearing scaffold around the regenerating axons. Attribution of the glial modulation to neuronal PTEN in exosomes was demonstrated by the use of an exosome inhibitor in vivo and PTEN siRNA in vitro assays. The dual effect of RARβ signaling, both neuronal and neuronal–glial, results in axonal regeneration into the SC after dorsal root neurotmesis. Targeting this pathway may open new avenues for the treatment of SCIs. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) often result in permanent damage in the adult due to the very limited capacity of axonal regeneration. Intrinsic neuronal programs and the formation of a glial scar are the main obstacles. Here, we identify a single target, neuronal retinoic acid receptor β (RARβ), which modulates these two aspects of the postinjury physiological response. Activation of RARβ in the neuron inactivates phosphatase and tensin homolog and induces its transfer into the astrocytes in small vesicles, where it prevents scar formation. This may open new therapeutic avenues for SCIs

Optimal health and disease management using spatial uncertainty: a geographic characterization of emergent artemisinin-resistant Plasmodium falciparum distributions in Southeast Asia

Background: Artemisinin-resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasites are now present across much of mainland Southeast Asia, where ongoing surveys are measuring and mapping their spatial distribution. These efforts require substantial resources. Here we propose a generic ‘smart surveillance’ methodology to identify optimal candidate sites for future sampling and thus map the distribution of artemisinin resistance most efficiently. Methods: The approach uses the ‘uncertainty’ map generated iteratively by a geostatistical model to determine optimal locations for subsequent sampling. Results: The methodology is illustrated using recent data on the prevalence of the K13-propeller polymorphism (a genetic marker of artemisinin resistance) in the Greater Mekong Subregion. Conclusion: This methodology, which has broader application to geostatistical mapping in general, could improve the quality and efficiency of drug resistance mapping and thereby guide practical operations to eliminate malaria in affected areas.</p

Tetranuclear d-f Metallostars: Synthesis, Relaxometric, and Luminescent Properties

International audienceA novel ditopic ligand DTPA-ph-phen, based on 1,10-phenanthroline and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) units, has been designed and fully characterized by (1)H, (13)C, and 2D-COSY NMR spectroscopy, IR and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) techniques. The DTPA core of the ligand specifically binds Ln(III) ions (Ln = Eu, Gd) resulting in formation of the [Ln{DTPA-ph-phen}(H(2)O)](-) complex. The photophysical properties of the Eu(III) compound have been investigated, and the complex shows characteristic red luminescence with an overall quantum yield of 2.2%. Reaction of [Gd{DTPA-ph-phen}(H(2)O)](-) with Ru(II) leads to further self-assembly into a heterobimetallic metallostar complex containing Gd(III) and Ru(II) in a 3:1 ratio. This tetranuclear [(Gd{DTPA-ph-phen})(3)(H(2)O)(3)Ru](-) complex (Gd(3)Ru), formed by the coordination of Ru(II) to the 1,10-phenanthroline unit, has been characterized by a range of experimental techniques and evaluated toward its feasibility as a potential bimodal optical/MRI agent. The Gd(3)Ru metallostar shows intense metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) transition resulting in intense light absorption in the visible spectral region. Upon irradiation into this MLCT band at 450 nm, the Gd(3)Ru complex exhibits red broad-band luminescence in the range of 550-800 nm centered at 610 nm with a quantum yield of 4.8%. Proton nuclear magnetic relaxation dispersion (NMRD) measurements indicate that the Gd(3)Ru complex exhibits an enhanced relaxivity value r(1) of 36.0 s(-1) mM(-1) per metallostar molecule at 20 MHz and 310 K. The ability of the complex to noncovalently bind to human serum albumin (HSA) was investigated, but no significant interaction was detected

Discovery of a Potent and Selective EGFR Inhibitor (AZD9291) of Both Sensitizing and T790M Resistance Mutations That Spares the Wild Type Form of the Receptor

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors have been used clinically in the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients harboring sensitizing (or activating) mutations for a number of years. Despite encouraging clinical efficacy with these agents, in many patients resistance develops leading to disease progression. In most cases, this resistance is in the form of the T790M mutation. In addition, EGFR wild type receptor inhibition inherent with these agents can lead to dose limiting toxicities of rash and diarrhea. We describe herein the evolution of an early, mutant selective lead to the clinical candidate AZD9291, an irreversible inhibitor of both EGFR sensitizing (EGFRm+) and T790M resistance mutations with selectivity over the wild type form of the receptor. Following observations of significant tumor inhibition in preclinical models, the clinical candidate was administered clinically to patients with T790M positive EGFR-TKI resistant NSCLC and early efficacy has been observed, accompanied by an encouraging safety profile