Influence of walnut trees (Juglans regia L.) on soil urease activity

Soil urease is an enzyme catalyzing the hydrolysis of urea. The activity of the enzyme influences the content of ammonia ions in soil and thereby the fertility of the soil. 5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthalenedione (juglone) is a compound which inhibits urease. The compound is released by trees of the Juglandaceae family (walnut trees) and is present in their leaves, roots, husks and fruits. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of walnut trees on the activity of soil urease. Urease activity was determined in the soil beneath the tree crown and beyond.It has been shown that soil urease activity is higher in the area outside of the tree crown than beneath it. Less active urease slows down the natural nitrogen cycle resulting in decreased soil fertility. The lower soil fertility slows the growth of plants. This shows non direct influence of juglone on the growth of plants in the vicinity of walnut trees.The greatest difference in urease activity beneath and beyond the crown was observed near the oldest tree. This indicates that the development of the crown and root system increases the amount of secreted juglone.Soil active acidity and exchange acidity were measured. The study did not show a significant correlation between soil urease activity and soil acidity in the observed pH range

Zespół ROHHAD u 9-letniego chłopca — opis przypadku

  ROHHAD syndrome (Rapid-onset Obesity with Hypothalamic Dysfunction, Hypoventilation, and Autonomic Dysregulation) is characterised by rapid-onset obesity in young children, hypoventilation, and hypothalamic and autonomic dysfunction. The exact aetiology of the disease remains unknown, and the number of reported cases seems to be underestimated. We present the case of a nine-year-old male patient suspected of ROHHAD due to weight gain since early childhood, decreased height velocity, hypoventilation, hypodipsia, excessive perspiration, and pyrexial episodes. The presented symptoms, and laboratory and imaging findings met the criteria of ROHHAD syndrome. ROHHAD should be considered in differential diagnosis for obesity in children. Early identification of the disease prevents potential complications specific for the syndrome, in particular a life-threatening cardio-pulmonary arrest. Patients with ROHHAD require regular follow-up by a multidisciplinary team. (Endokrynol Pol 2016; 67 (2): 226–231)    ROHHAD (Rapid-onset Obesity with Hypothalamic Dysfunction, Hypoventilation and Autonomic Dysregulation) to rzadki zespół charakteryzujący się pojawiającą się we wczesnym dzieciństwie szybko narastającą otyłością, hipowentylacją oraz zaburzeniami funkcji podwzgórza i układu autonomicznego. Przyczyny zespołu pozostają nieznane, a diagnostyka i postawienie ostatecznego rozpoznania nastręcza wielu trudności. Przypuszcza się, że liczba przypadków zespołu jest znacznie niedoszacowana. W pracy zaprezentowano pierwszy w Polsce przypadek 9-letniego pacjenta z otyłością, zwolnieniem szybkości wzrastania, zaburzeniami oddychania, hipodypsją, nadmierną potliwością i epizodami gorączek. Całość obrazu klinicznego, wyniki badań laboratoryjnych i obrazowych spełniają kryteria rozpoznania zespołu ROHHAD u prezentowanego pacjenta. Zespół ROHHAD powinien być brany pod uwagę w diagnostyce różnicowej otyłości u dzieci. Wczesne postawienie rozpoznania może pomóc uniknąć powikłań wpisanych w obraz zespołu i zabezpieczyć pacjenta przed najgroźniejszym z nich — czyli nagłym zatrzymaniem krążenia i oddechu. Pacjenci z zespołem ROHHAD wymagają wielospecjalistycznej opieki i systematycznych badań kontrolnych. (Endokrynol Pol 2016; 67 (2): 226–231)

Microwave-assisted synthesis and characterization of novel chitosan-based biomaterials for pelvic organ prolapse treatment

Pelvic organ disorders affect up to one in four women in the United States. The prevalence of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is increasing with each year, particularly in the setting of prolonged life expectancy and an aging population. Current treatment approaches, including polypropylene monofilaments are associated with numerous painful and worrisome side-effects. Therefore, scientists are looking for new solutions. A promising alternative to the current treatment is tissue engineering, which can be utilized to re-create support to the vagina and pelvic organs. Tissue engineering requires the use of three-dimensional scaffolds, derived from biocompatible materials. Chitosan is a natural polymer, obtained from shellfish exoskeletons. It is known for its biodegradability, lack of cytotoxicity and non-pyrogenicity. Due to the presence of free hydroxyl and amino groups, it may undergo various modifications. In this paper, we describe a new type of chitosan-based biomaterials, which can be used as a new alternative scaffold that may provide support to prolapse organs. The chitosan scaffold was obtained under microwave radiation using multifunctional amino and organic acids. We discuss the scaffold's characteristics, with an emphasis on its chemical structure and morphology. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis confirmed cross-linking processes with preservation of free amino groups. Moreover, mechanical durability, the stability and swelling ability of the scaffolds in a simulated body fluid were investigated. All of the prepared scaffolds demonstrated very good antioxidant activity and biodegradability. Importantly, the biocompatibility of chitosan scaffolds was examined on human vaginal VK2/E6E7 cell line. No evidence of toxicity was documented, and the cells maintained their presence on the studied materials. These results allude to the lack of toxicity of the scaffolds, and indicate that chitosan-based scaffold should be further investigated in in vivo studies as they may be a promising alternative treatment to pelvic organ prolapse.Web of Science70349147

Defense Responses in the Interactions between Medicinal Plants from Lamiaceae Family and the Two-Spotted Spider Mite Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae)

This study aimed to determine the effects of plant species on the biological parameters of Tetranychus urticae Koch and the time of mite infestation on plant physiology in Ocimum basilicum L., Melissa officinalis L. and Salvia officinalis L. Mite infestation induced various levels of oxidative stress depending on plant species and the duration of infestation. Host plants affected T. urticae life table parameters. The low level of susceptibility was characteristic of S. officinalis, which appeared to be the least infected plant species and reduced mites demographic parameters. Infested leaves of S. officinalis contained elevated levels of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA) compared to control. In addition, higher membrane lipid peroxidation and higher activity of guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) and lower activity of catalase (CAT) were recorded with a longer mite infestation. In contrast, O. basilicum appeared to be a suitable host on which T. urticae could develop and increase in number. In basil leaves, increasing levels of hydrogen peroxide and MDA with elevated GPX activity and strongly decreased catalase activity were recorded. Knowledge of the differences in mite susceptibility of the tested medicinal plants described in this study has the potential to be applied in breeding strategies and integrated T. urticae pest management in medicinal plant cultivations

Treatment of osteomielitis in patients with diabetic foot ulcers — retrospective analysis of surgical and conservative treatment outcomes

WSTĘP. Zapalenie kości często towarzyszy infekcjom w przebiegu zespołu stopy cukrzycowej i w znacznym stopniu zwiększa zagrożenie amputacją kończyny. Nie ma zgodności na temat najlepszego sposobu leczenia tego powikłania. MATERIAŁ I METODY. Autorzy niniejszej pracy porównali wyniki leczenia 31 pacjentów z zapaleniem kości: 16 chorych, u których wykonano resekcję zmienionej kości, oraz 15 pacjentów, których leczono zachowawczo. WYNIKI. W obu grupach średni wiek pacjentów nie różnił się istotnie. W grupie leczonej zachowawczo wynosił 56,8 ± 6,9 roku, w grupie leczonej chirurgicznie 61,6 ± 10,4 roku (p = 0,12). W czasie trwania cukrzycy nie zaobserwowano istotnych statystycznie różnic między pacjentami w grupie leczonej chirurgicznie a osobami z grupy leczonej zachowawczo (odpowiednio 16,0 ± 9,9 roku i 12,8 ± 6,2 roku; p = 0,35) ani w wyrównaniu cukrzycy ocenianym na podstawie stężenia hemoglobiny glikowanej (HbA1c) mierzonej w czasie istnienia owrzodzenia (średnie stężenie HbA1c w grupie leczonej chirurgicznie 8,3% ± 1,1, w grupie leczonej zachowawczo 8,2% ± 1,02; p = 0,97). W obu analizowanych grupach całkowity czas gojenia był zbliżony (grupa leczona chirurgicznie — średni czas gojenia 242,0 ± 133,6 dnia, grupa leczona zachowawczo — 178 ± 60,8 dnia; p = 0,20). Stwierdzono natomiast, że efektywny czas gojenia był istotnie krótszy w grupie leczonej chirurgicznie — średni efektywny czas gojenia rany w grupie pacjentów leczonych chirugicznie wynosił 132,1 ± 102,2 dnia (zakres 39-480 dni) i był statystycznie istotnie niższy (p = 0,004) niż w grupie leczonej zachowawczo, gdzie wynosił on 178,5 ± 60,8 dnia (zakres 108-334 dni) WNIOSKI. Przeprowadzenie zabiegu chirurgicznego powoduje skrócenie efektywnego czasu gojenia rany, co może sugerować, że resekcja zajętej kości może być bardziej efektywną metodą leczenia. Obserwacja ta wymaga sprawdzenia w prospektywnych badaniach randomizowanych.Osteomyelitis is a frequent complication of chronic diabetic foot ulcers which significantly increases the risk of limb amputation. There is controversy as to the best method of treatment for this condition. In our study we compared the outcomes of surgical and conservative treatment of 31 diabetic patients with foot ulcers and osteomielitis. There were 16 patients in surgical and 15 in conservative group. Mean age in both groups was similar (56.8 ± 6.9 years in the surgical group and 61.6 ± 10.4 years in the conservative group; p = 0.12) . Mean diabetes duration did not differ significantly between the groups (surgical group 16.0 ± 9.9 years and 12.8 ± 6.2 years; P = 0.35) nor did the diabetes control as assessed by HbA1c level (mean HbA1c level 8.3% ± 1.1 and 8.2% ± 1.02 recpectively; P = 0.97). The mean total healing time was similar in both treatment groups (surgical group 242.0 ± 133.6 days and conservative group 178 ± 60.8 days; p = 0.20). However when we compared the total healing time in conservatively treated group (178.5 ± 60.8 days range 108– –334 days) and the healing time of the wound after amputation in surgery patients (132.1 ± 102.2 days, range 39 do 480 days) the post-amputation healing time was significantly shorter (P = 0.004). Therefore we concluded that surgical intervention might be the better option for treatment of osteomyelitis in diabetic foot patients. The prospective randomized study is needed to confirm this observation

HLW Melter Control Strategy Without Visual Feedback VSL-12R2500-1 Rev 0

Plans for the treatment of high level waste (HL W) at the Hanford Tank Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) are based upon the inventory of the tank wastes, the anticipated performance of the pretreatment processes, and current understanding of the capability of the borosilicate glass waste form [I]. The WTP HLW melter design, unlike earlier DOE melter designs, incorporates an active glass bubbler system. The bubblers create active glass pool convection and thereby improve heat and mass transfer and increase glass melting rates. The WTP HLW melter has a glass surface area of 3.75 m{sup 2} and depth of ~ 1.1 m. The two melters in the HLW facility together are designed to produce up to 7.5 MT of glass per day at 100% availability. Further increases in HL W waste processing rates can potentially be achieved by increasing the melter operating temperature above 1150�C and by increasing the waste loading in the glass product. Increasing the waste loading also has the added benefit of decreasing the number of canisters for storage

FINAL REPORT INTEGRATED DM1200 MELTER TESTING OF BUBBLER CONFIGURATIONS USING HLW AZ-101 SIMULANTS VSL-04R4800-4 REV 0 10/5/04

This report documents melter and off-gas performance results obtained on the DM1200 HLW Pilot Melter during processing of AZ-101 HLW simulants. The tests reported herein are a subset of six tests from a larger series of tests described in the Test Plan for the work; results from the other tests have been reported separately. The solids contents of the melter feeds were based on the WTP baseline value for the solids content of the feeds from pretreatment which changed during these tests from 20% to 15% undissolved solids resulting in tests conducted at two feed solids contents. Based on the results of earlier tests with single outlet 'J' bubblers, initial tests were performed with a total bubbling rate of 651 pm. The first set of tests (Tests 1A-1E) addressed the effects of skewing this total air flow rate back and forth between the two installed bubblers in comparison to a fixed equal division of flow between them. The second set of tests (2A-2D) addressed the effects of bubbler depth. Subsequently, as the location, type and number of bubbling outlets were varied, the optimum bubbling rate for each was determined. A third (3A-3C) and fourth (8A-8C) set of tests evaluated the effects of alternative bubbler designs with two gas outlets per bubbler instead of one by placing four bubblers in positions simulating multiple-outlet bubblers. Data from the simulated multiple outlet bubblers were used to design bubblers with two outlets for an additional set of tests (9A-9C). Test 9 was also used to determine the effect of small sugar additions to the feed on ruthenium volatility. Another set of tests (10A-10D) evaluated the effects on production rate of spiking the feed with chloride and sulfate. Variables held constant to the extent possible included melt temperature, plenum temperature, cold cap coverage, the waste simulant composition, and the target glass composition. The feed rate was increased to the point that a constant, essentially complete, cold cap was achieved, which was used as an indicator of a maximized feed rate for each test. The first day of each test was used to build the cold cap and decrease the plenum temperature. The remainder of each test was split into two- to six-day segments, each with a different bubbling rate, bubbler orientation, or feed concentration of chloride and sulfur

Multidifferential study of identified charged hadron distributions in ZZ-tagged jets in proton-proton collisions at s=\sqrt{s}=13 TeV

Jet fragmentation functions are measured for the first time in proton-proton collisions for charged pions, kaons, and protons within jets recoiling against a $Z$ boson. The charged-hadron distributions are studied longitudinally and transversely to the jet direction for jets with transverse momentum 20 $< p_{\textrm{T}} < 100$ GeV and in the pseudorapidity range $2.5 < \eta < 4$. The data sample was collected with the LHCb experiment at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.64 fb$^{-1}$. Triple differential distributions as a function of the hadron longitudinal momentum fraction, hadron transverse momentum, and jet transverse momentum are also measured for the first time. This helps constrain transverse-momentum-dependent fragmentation functions. Differences in the shapes and magnitudes of the measured distributions for the different hadron species provide insights into the hadronization process for jets predominantly initiated by light quarks.Comment: All figures and tables, along with machine-readable versions and any supplementary material and additional information, are available at https://cern.ch/lhcbproject/Publications/p/LHCb-PAPER-2022-013.html (LHCb public pages

Study of the B−→Λc+Λˉc−K−B^{-} \to \Lambda_{c}^{+} \bar{\Lambda}_{c}^{-} K^{-} decay

The decay $B^{-} \to \Lambda_{c}^{+} \bar{\Lambda}_{c}^{-} K^{-}$ is studied in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5 $\mathrm{fb}^{-1}$ collected by the LHCb experiment. In the $\Lambda_{c}^+ K^{-}$ system, the $\Xi_{c}(2930)^{0}$ state observed at the BaBar and Belle experiments is resolved into two narrower states, $\Xi_{c}(2923)^{0}$ and $\Xi_{c}(2939)^{0}$, whose masses and widths are measured to be $$m(\Xi_{c}(2923)^{0}) = 2924.5 \pm 0.4 \pm 1.1 \,\mathrm{MeV}, \\ m(\Xi_{c}(2939)^{0}) = 2938.5 \pm 0.9 \pm 2.3 \,\mathrm{MeV}, \\ \Gamma(\Xi_{c}(2923)^{0}) = \phantom{000}4.8 \pm 0.9 \pm 1.5 \,\mathrm{MeV},\\ \Gamma(\Xi_{c}(2939)^{0}) = \phantom{00}11.0 \pm 1.9 \pm 7.5 \,\mathrm{MeV},$$ where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second systematic. The results are consistent with a previous LHCb measurement using a prompt $\Lambda_{c}^{+} K^{-}$ sample. Evidence of a new $\Xi_{c}(2880)^{0}$ state is found with a local significance of $3.8\,\sigma$, whose mass and width are measured to be $2881.8 \pm 3.1 \pm 8.5\,\mathrm{MeV}$ and $12.4 \pm 5.3 \pm 5.8 \,\mathrm{MeV}$, respectively. In addition, evidence of a new decay mode $\Xi_{c}(2790)^{0} \to \Lambda_{c}^{+} K^{-}$ is found with a significance of $3.7\,\sigma$. The relative branching fraction of $B^{-} \to \Lambda_{c}^{+} \bar{\Lambda}_{c}^{-} K^{-}$ with respect to the $B^{-} \to D^{+} D^{-} K^{-}$ decay is measured to be $2.36 \pm 0.11 \pm 0.22 \pm 0.25$, where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second systematic and the third originates from the branching fractions of charm hadron decays.Comment: All figures and tables, along with any supplementary material and additional information, are available at https://cern.ch/lhcbproject/Publications/p/LHCb-PAPER-2022-028.html (LHCb public pages