First observations of the microvine development under 100 % LED (light emitting diodes) illumination

In order to reduce energy waste for artificial lights and subsequent air conditioning in plant growth chambers, the aim of this preliminary study was to evaluate the feasibility of growing the microvine under 100 % of LED illumination. Plant growth under two different LED lights was compared amongst each other and with plants maintained in greenhouse conditions. Regarding the impact on the reproductive and vegetative systems, the study showed that LED light is suitable to grow microvines in confined environments. Plants exposed to LED light exhibited similar leaf emergence rate but reduced vegetative and reproductive organ size compared to plants grown in the greenhouse. Photosynthesis for plants exposed to LED light was higher than what is usually observed on grapevine under natural conditions.

Berry size variability in Vitis vinifera L.

In order to study the mechanisms of berry growth in Vitis vinifera L. we analysed cell division and pericarp enlargement of 6 genotypes showing high variability in berry size (range: 49-90 %. Both, cell number and cell volume were involved in the small-sized berries of the flb mutant producing wild-type-like berries. The differences of berry size observed in other small-sized clones were only due to cell expansion. The data suggest that the variability of berry size in V. vinifera cultivars predominantly results from modification of cell enlargement. Conversely, in wild-type-like berries, the variability of berry size could result from both, cell division and cell enlargement.

The Comparability of Men Who Have Sex With Men Recruited From Venue-Time-Space Sampling and Facebook: A Cohort Study

Background: Recruiting valid samples of men who have sex with men (MSM) is a key component of the US human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) surveillance and of research studies seeking to improve HIV prevention for MSM. Social media, such as Facebook, may present an opportunity to reach broad samples of MSM, but the extent to which those samples are comparable with men recruited from venue-based, time-space sampling (VBTS) is unknown. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the comparability of MSM recruited via VBTS and Facebook. Methods: HIV-negative and HIV-positive black and white MSM were recruited from June 2010 to December 2012 using VBTS and Facebook in Atlanta, GA. We compared the self-reported venue attendance, demographic characteristics, sexual and risk behaviors, history of HIV-testing, and HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevalence between Facebook- and VTBS-recruited MSM overall and by race. Multivariate logistic and negative binomial models estimated age/race adjusted ratios. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to assess 24-month retention. Results: We recruited 803 MSM, of whom 110 (34/110, 30.9% black MSM, 76/110, 69.1% white MSM) were recruited via Facebook and 693 (420/693, 60.6% black MSM, 273/693, 39.4% white MSM) were recruited through VTBS. Facebook recruits had high rates of venue attendance in the previous month (26/34, 77% among black and 71/76, 93% among white MSM; between-race P=.01). MSM recruited on Facebook were generally older, with significant age differences among black MSM (P=.02), but not white MSM (P=.14). … See full text for complete abstract

Сравнение эффективности применения трастузумаба в течение 6 и 12 мес в адъювантном режиме при лечении пациенток с ранним HER2+ раком молочной железы в рандомизированных исследованиях III фазы

Представленырезультаты многоцентровых клинических исследований, на основании которых применение трастузумаба в течение 12 мес в адъювантном режиме было регламентировано в США и Европе как стандарт при лечении пациенток с ранним HER2+ раком молочной железы (РМЖ). Приведены данные многоцентрового рандомизированного клинического исследования фазы III (PHARE, NCT00381901), целью которого было сравнение эффективности применения трастузумаба в течение 6 или 12 мес по принципу «noninferiority». Результаты этого исследования, полученные при медиане периода наблюдения 42 мес, не подтвердили предположения, что применение трастузумаба для адъювантной терапии в течение 6 мес у пациенток с ранним HER2+ РМЖ не менее эффективно, чем в течение 12 мес, хотя при сокращении длительности лечения несколько снижается уровень кардиотоксичности.The results of multicenter clinical trial on the basis of 12-month adjuvant use of trastuzumab administered in the US and Europe as a standard in the treatment of patients with early HER2+ breast cancer are presented. The data of a multicenter rando mized clinical trial, phase III (PHARE, NCT00381901), the purpose of which was to compare the efficacy of trastuzumab for 6 months or 12 months on the principle of «non-inferiority» are considered. The results of this study obtained under a median follow-up 42 months, did not confirm the assumption that the adjuvant use of trastuzumab for 6 months in patients with early HER2+ breast cancer is not less effective than at 12 months, although the reduction in the duration of treatment is somewhat reduced level of cardiotoxicity