Aspects of steaming the soil to reduce weed seedling emergence

Aspects of using steam for intra-row weed control in organic row crops are presented

Gideon Greif: Vi græd uden tårer.

Anmeldelse af:Gideon Greif: Vi græd uden tårer. Billeder og vidnesbyrd fra gaskamre og krematorier i AuschwitzOversat af Tom Havemann, med forord af Therkel Stræde. INTROITE! publishers, 201

Analysis of heterogeneity and epistasis in physiological mixed populations by combined structural equation modelling and latent class analysis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Biological systems are interacting, molecular networks in which genetic variation contributes to phenotypic heterogeneity. This heterogeneity is traditionally modelled as a dichotomous trait (e.g. affected vs. non-affected). This is far too simplistic considering the complexity and genetic variations of such networks.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In this study on type 2 diabetes mellitus, heterogeneity was resolved in a latent class framework combined with structural equation modelling using phenotypic indicators of distinct physiological processes. We modelled the clinical condition "the metabolic syndrome", which is known to be a heterogeneous and polygenic condition with a clinical endpoint (type 2 diabetes mellitus). In the model presented here, genetic factors were not included and no genetic model is assumed except that genes operate in networks. The impact of stratification of the study population on genetic interaction was demonstrated by analysis of several genes previously associated with the metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The analysis revealed the existence of 19 distinct subpopulations with a different propensity to develop diabetes mellitus within a large healthy study population. The allocation of subjects into subpopulations was highly accurate with an entropy measure of nearly 0.9. Although very few gene variants were directly associated with metabolic syndrome in the total study sample, almost one third of all possible epistatic interactions were highly significant. In particular, the number of interactions increased after stratifying the study population, suggesting that interactions are masked in heterogenous populations. In addition, the genetic variance increased by an average of 35-fold when analysed in the subpopulations.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The major conclusions from this study are that the likelihood of detecting true association between genetic variants and complex traits increases tremendously when studied in physiological homogenous subpopulations and on inclusion of epistasis in the analysis, whereas epistasis (i.e. genetic networks) is ubiquitous and should be the basis in modelling any biological process.</p

The P2X7 Receptor: A Key Player in Immune-Mediated Bone Loss?

Inflammatory diseases are often multiorganic diseases with manifestations not related directly to the primary affected organ. They are often complicated by a generalized bone loss that subsequently leads to osteoporosis and bone fractures. The exact mechanism for the accompanying bone loss is not understood in full detail, but factors such as glucocorticoid treatment, immobilization, malnutrition, and insufficient intake of vitamin D play a role. However, it has become evident that the inflammatory process itself is involved and the resulting bone loss is termed immune-mediated bone loss. It stems from an increase in bone resorption and the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 1 beta and has been shown to not only mediate the inflammatory response but also to strongly stimulate bone degradation. The purinergic P2X7 receptor is central in the processing of these two cytokines and in the initiation of the inflammatory response, and it is a key molecule in the regulation of both bone formation and bone resorption. The aim of this review is therefore to provide evidence-based novel hypotheses of the role of ATP-mediated purinergic signalling via the P2X7 receptor in immune-mediated bone loss and -osteoporosis

Abdominal Symptoms and Incident Gallstones in a Population Unaware of Gallstone Status

Introduction. Symptoms associated with newly formed gallstones have never been studied in a population unaware of their gallstones. The objective of this population-based cohort study was to determine which debut of abdominal symptoms was associated with newly formed gallstones. Materials and Methods. A cohort study was performed of a random sample from general population of Copenhagen. Participants had ultrasound examinations and answered questionnaires about abdominal symptoms at baseline and two reexaminations over 12 years. Participants were not informed of gallstone status. Inclusion criteria were no gallstones or cholecystectomy at baseline and attending a reexamination. Results. Of 3,785 participants, 2,845 fulfilled inclusion criteria. Changes in overall abdominal pain were not significantly different between incident gallstones or gallstone-free participants. Multiple adjusted logistic regression analyses showed that incident gallstones were significantly associated with debut of abdominal pain with projection, localized in the whole upper abdomen, and of longer duration. No significant associations for functional symptoms were identified. Conclusions. A new onset of abdominal pain with projection, localized in the whole upper abdomen, and of longer duration is associated with newly formed gallstones in participants unaware of gallstone status. Functional symptoms should not be the indication for surgical treatment

Natural History of Insulin Sensitivity and Insulin Secretion in the Progression From Normal Glucose Tolerance to Impaired Fasting Glycemia and Impaired Glucose Tolerance: The Inter99 Study

OBJECTIVE—The aim of this study was to describe the natural history of insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity in the development of isolated impaired fasting glycemia (i-IFG), isolated impaired glucose tolerance (i-IGT), and combined IFG/IGT