Defining optimal soybean seeding rates and associated risk across North America

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] seeding rate research across North America is typically conducted in small geo-political regions where environmental effects on the seeding rate × yield relationship are minimized. Data from 211 individual field studies (∼21,000 data points, 2007–2017) were combined from across North America ranging in yield from 1,000– 7,500 kg ha−1. Cluster analysis was used to stratify each individual field study into similar environmental (soil × climate) clusters and into high (HYL), medium (MYL), and low (LYL) yield levels. Agronomically optimal seeding rates (AOSR) were calculated and Monte Carlo risk analysis was implemented. Within the two northern most clusters the AOSR was higher in the LYL followed by the MYL and then HYL. Within the farthest south cluster, a relatively small (±15,000 seeds ha−1) change in seeding rate from the MYL was required to reach the AOSR of the LYL and HYL, respectively. The increase in seeding rate to reach the LYL AOSR was relatively greater (5x) than the decrease to reach the HYL AOSR within the northern most cluster. Regardless, seeding rates below the AOSR presented substantial risk and potential yield loss, while seeding rates above provided slight risk reduction and yield increases. Specific to LYLs and MYLs, establishing and maintaining an adequate plant stand until harvest maximized yield regardless of the seeding rate, while maximizing seed number was important with lower seeding rates. These findings will help growers manage their soybean seed investment by adjusting seeding rates based upon the productivity of the environment.Fil: Gaspar, Adam P.. Dow Agrosciences Argentina Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada.; ArgentinaFil: Mourtzinis, Spyridon. University of Wisconsin; Estados UnidosFil: Kyle, Don. Dow Agrosciences Argentina Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada.; ArgentinaFil: Galdi, Eric. Dow Agrosciences Argentina Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada.; ArgentinaFil: Lindsey, Laura E.. Ohio State University; Estados UnidosFil: Hamman, William P.. Ohio State University; Estados UnidosFil: Matcham, Emma G. University of Wisconsin; Estados UnidosFil: Kandel, Hans J.. North Dakota State University; Estados UnidosFil: Schmitz, Peder. North Dakota State University; Estados UnidosFil: Stanley, Jordan D.. North Dakota State University; Estados UnidosFil: Schmidt, John P.. Dow Agrosciences Argentina Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada.; ArgentinaFil: Mueller, Daren S.. University of Iowa; Estados UnidosFil: Nafziger, Emerson D.. University of Illinois; Estados UnidosFil: Ross, Jeremy. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences; Estados UnidosFil: Carter, Paul R.. Dow Agrosciences Argentina Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada.; ArgentinaFil: Varenhorst, Adam J.. University of South Dakota; Estados UnidosFil: Wise, Kiersten A.. University of Kentucky; Estados UnidosFil: Ciampitti, Ignacio Antonio. Kansas State University; Estados UnidosFil: Carciochi, Walter Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata; Argentina. Kansas State University; Estados UnidosFil: Chilvers, Martin I.. Michigan State University; Estados UnidosFil: Hauswedell, Brady. University of South Dakota; Estados UnidosFil: Tenuta, Albert U.. University of Guelph; CanadáFil: Conley, Shawn P.. University of Wisconsin; Estados Unido

Human G Protein–Coupled Receptor Gpr-9-6/Cc Chemokine Receptor 9 Is Selectively Expressed on Intestinal Homing T Lymphocytes, Mucosal Lymphocytes, and Thymocytes and Is Required for Thymus-Expressed Chemokine–Mediated Chemotaxis

TECK (thymus-expressed chemokine), a recently described CC chemokine expressed in thymus and small intestine, was found to mediate chemotaxis of human G protein–coupled receptor GPR-9-6/L1.2 transfectants. This activity was blocked by anti–GPR-9-6 monoclonal antibody (mAb) 3C3. GPR-9-6 is expressed on a subset of memory α4β7high intestinal trafficking CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes. In addition, all intestinal lamina propria and intraepithelial lymphocytes express GPR-9-6. In contrast, GPR-9-6 is not displayed on cutaneous lymphocyte antigen–positive (CLA+) memory CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes, which traffic to skin inflammatory sites, or on other systemic α4β7−CLA− memory CD4/CD8 lymphocytes. The majority of thymocytes also express GPR-9-6, but natural killer cells, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils, and neutrophils are GPR-9-6 negative. Transcripts of GPR-9-6 and TECK are present in both small intestine and thymus. Importantly, the expression profile of GPR-9-6 correlates with migration to TECK of blood T lymphocytes and thymocytes. As migration of these cells is blocked by anti–GPR-9-6 mAb 3C3, we conclude that GPR-9-6 is the principal chemokine receptor for TECK. In agreement with the nomenclature rules for chemokine receptors, we propose the designation CCR-9 for GPR-9-6. The selective expression of TECK and GPR-9-6 in thymus and small intestine implies a dual role for GPR-9-6/CCR-9, both in T cell development and the mucosal immune response

Reduction in the incidence of type 2 diabetes with lifestyle intervention or metformin.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes affects approximately 8 percent of adults in the United States. Some risk factors--elevated plasma glucose concentrations in the fasting state and after an oral glucose load, overweight, and a sedentary lifestyle--are potentially reversible. We hypothesized that modifying these factors with a lifestyle-intervention program or the administration of metformin would prevent or delay the development of diabetes. METHODS: We randomly assigned 3234 nondiabetic persons with elevated fasting and post-load plasma glucose concentrations to placebo, metformin (850 mg twice daily), or a lifestyle-modification program with the goals of at least a 7 percent weight loss and at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week. The mean age of the participants was 51 years, and the mean body-mass index (the weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters) was 34.0; 68 percent were women, and 45 percent were members of minority groups. RESULTS: The average follow-up was 2.8 years. The incidence of diabetes was 11.0, 7.8, and 4.8 cases per 100 person-years in the placebo, metformin, and lifestyle groups, respectively. The lifestyle intervention reduced the incidence by 58 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 48 to 66 percent) and metformin by 31 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 17 to 43 percent), as compared with placebo; the lifestyle intervention was significantly more effective than metformin. To prevent one case of diabetes during a period of three years, 6.9 persons would have to participate in the lifestyle-intervention program, and 13.9 would have to receive metformin. CONCLUSIONS: Lifestyle changes and treatment with metformin both reduced the incidence of diabetes in persons at high risk. The lifestyle intervention was more effective than metformin

Defining optimal soybean seeding rates and associated risk across North America

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] seeding rate research across North America is typically conducted in small geo-political regions where environmental effects on the seeding rate × yield relationship are minimized. Data from 211 individual field studies (∼21,000 data points, 2007–2017) were combined from across North America ranging in yield from 1,000– 7,500 kg ha−1. Cluster analysis was used to stratify each individual field study into similar environmental (soil × climate) clusters and into high (HYL), medium (MYL), and low (LYL) yield levels. Agronomically optimal seeding rates (AOSR) were calculated and Monte Carlo risk analysis was implemented. Within the two northern most clusters the AOSR was higher in the LYL followed by the MYL and then HYL. Within the farthest south cluster, a relatively small (±15,000 seeds ha−1) change in seeding rate from the MYL was required to reach the AOSR of the LYL and HYL, respectively. The increase in seeding rate to reach the LYL AOSR was relatively greater (5x) than the decrease to reach the HYL AOSR within the northern most cluster. Regardless, seeding rates below the AOSR presented substantial risk and potential yield loss, while seeding rates above provided slight risk reduction and yield increases. Specific to LYLs and MYLs, establishing and maintaining an adequate plant stand until harvest maximized yield regardless of the seeding rate, while maximizing seed number was important with lower seeding rates. These findings will help growers manage their soybean seed investment by adjusting seeding rates based upon the productivity of the environment.Fil: Gaspar, Adam P.. Dow Agrosciences Argentina Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada.; ArgentinaFil: Mourtzinis, Spyridon. University of Wisconsin; Estados UnidosFil: Kyle, Don. Dow Agrosciences Argentina Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada.; ArgentinaFil: Galdi, Eric. Dow Agrosciences Argentina Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada.; ArgentinaFil: Lindsey, Laura E.. Ohio State University; Estados UnidosFil: Hamman, William P.. Ohio State University; Estados UnidosFil: Matcham, Emma G. University of Wisconsin; Estados UnidosFil: Kandel, Hans J.. North Dakota State University; Estados UnidosFil: Schmitz, Peder. North Dakota State University; Estados UnidosFil: Stanley, Jordan D.. North Dakota State University; Estados UnidosFil: Schmidt, John P.. Dow Agrosciences Argentina Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada.; ArgentinaFil: Mueller, Daren S.. University of Iowa; Estados UnidosFil: Nafziger, Emerson D.. University of Illinois; Estados UnidosFil: Ross, Jeremy. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences; Estados UnidosFil: Carter, Paul R.. Dow Agrosciences Argentina Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada.; ArgentinaFil: Varenhorst, Adam J.. University of South Dakota; Estados UnidosFil: Wise, Kiersten A.. University of Kentucky; Estados UnidosFil: Ciampitti, Ignacio Antonio. Kansas State University; Estados UnidosFil: Carciochi, Walter Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata; Argentina. Kansas State University; Estados UnidosFil: Chilvers, Martin I.. Michigan State University; Estados UnidosFil: Hauswedell, Brady. University of South Dakota; Estados UnidosFil: Tenuta, Albert U.. University of Guelph; CanadáFil: Conley, Shawn P.. University of Wisconsin; Estados Unido

Recommendations for developing effective and safe paediatric and congenital heart disease services in low-income and middle-income countries: a public health framework

The global of paediatric and congenital heart disease (PCHD) is substantial. We propose a novel public health framework with recommendations for developing effective and safe PCHD services in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). This framework was created by the Global Initiative for Children\u27s Surgery Cardiac Surgery working group in collaboration with a group of international rexperts in providing paediatric and congenital cardiac care to patients with CHD and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in LMICs. Effective and safe PCHD care is inaccessible to many, and there is no consensus on the best approaches to provide meaningful access in resource-limited settings, where it is often needed the most. Considering the high inequity in access to care for CHD and RHD, we aimed to create an actionable framework for health practitioners, policy makers and patients that supports treatment and prevention. It was formulated based on rigorous evaluation of available guidelines and standards of care and builds on a consensus process about the competencies needed at each step of the care continuum. We recommend a tier-based framework for PCHD care integrated within existing health systems. Each level of care is expected to meet minimum benchmarks and ensure high-quality and family centred care. We propose that cardiac surgery capabilities should only be developed at the more advanced levels on hospitals that have an established foundation of cardiology and cardiac surgery services, including screening, diagnostics, inpatient and outpatient care, postoperative care and cardiac catheterisation. This approach requires a quality control system and close collaboration between the different levels of care to facilitate the journey and care of every child with heart disease. This effort was designed to guide readers and leaders in taking action, strengthening capacity, evaluating impact, advancing policy and engaging in partnerships to guide facilities providing PCHD care in LMICs