Transcranial direct current stimulation of the mouse prefrontal cortex modulates serotonergic neural activity of the dorsal raphe nucleus

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Clinical Features, Cardiovascular Risk Profile, and Therapeutic Trajectories of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Candidate for Oral Semaglutide Therapy in the Italian Specialist Care

Introduction: This study aimed to address therapeutic inertia in the management of type 2 diabetes (T2D) by investigating the potential of early treatment with oral semaglutide. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between October 2021 and April 2022 among specialists treating individuals with T2D. A scientific committee designed a data collection form covering demographics, cardiovascular risk, glucose control metrics, ongoing therapies, and physician judgments on treatment appropriateness. Participants completed anonymous patient questionnaires reflecting routine clinical encounters. The preferred therapeutic regimen for each patient was also identified. Results: The analysis was conducted on 4449 patients initiating oral semaglutide. The population had a relatively short disease duration (42%  60% of patients, and more often than sitagliptin or empagliflozin. Conclusion: The study supports the potential of early implementation of oral semaglutide as a strategy to overcome therapeutic inertia and enhance T2D management

Review of studies analysing glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) occurrence in groundwater

The herbicide glyphosate (N-phosphonomethylglycine) has been the most commonly applied herbicide worldwide for the past 40 years. This review aims to present and discuss the state of knowledge concerning groundwater contamination by glyphosate and its metabolite, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA). A dataset of 48 reports and articles reporting glyphosate and AMPA detection in groundwater worldwide was constructed from published literature. Specific attention was given to the analysis of available studies on glyphosate and AMPA transport in groundwater to investigate groundwater contamination factors. The information presented in this review highlights detectable groundwater contamination in several countries globally, with many cases exceeding European groundwater quality standards. Both agricultural and non-agricultural applications of glyphosate can be significant sources of pollution, and proximity to agricultural fields is a significant risk factor. AMPA has two primary sources, glyphosate and amino polyphosphates, but very little information is available about the origin of AMPA detected in groundwater. Glyphosate and AMPA transport to groundwater can be significant in well-structured soils rich in macropores, where it generally occurs via preferential flow. An inverse relationship was highlighted between the groundwater depth and glyphosate and AMPA occurrence and concentration in groundwater; however, some discrepancies among the studies were identified. Heavy rainfall shortly after glyphosate application poses a high risk of its transport to groundwater. Seasonal trends in glyphosate and AMPA in groundwater, related to application timing, agronomic practices, and weather conditions, were also observed. Finally, risk-management measures are proposed.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author

Effect of sewage amendment on the dissipation of terbuthylazine, its degradation compound desethyl-terbuthylazine, and S-metolachlor in a field study

This study evaluates the effect of sewage amendment (SA) on the dissipation of terbuthylazine, its degradation compound desethyl-terbuthylazine, and S-metolachlor in the soil. The experiment was conducted at Padua Experimental Farm (Italy). Herbicides dissipation was evaluated in soils differently fertilized for three years: with inorganic fertilizer, with sewage sludge, and with a combination of them. Terbuthylazine and S-metolachlor were applied on sorghum as a formulated product at a dose of 2.8\u2009L ha-1, and their dissipation was followed for 2.5 months. The concentrations of herbicides and one metabolite in soil were analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The dissipation of terbuthylazine and S-metolachlor followed a pseudo first order kinetics; they dissipated faster in soil amended only with inorganic fertilizer than in soils amended with sewage or sewage\u2009+\u2009inorganic fertilizer. The reduction in mineralization of the herbicides after sewage addition can be attributed to the reduced herbicide availability to microorganisms. The degradation of terbuthylazine led to the formation of desethyl-terbuthylazine. SA slowed down the formation and the degradation of desethyl-terbuthylazine, leading to a higher amount measured at the end of the incubation. These findings have practical implications for the assessment of the environmental fate of terbuthylazine and S-metolachlor in agricultural areas

Effect of Vegetative Buffer Strips on Herbicide Runoff from a Nontilled Soil

Buffer strips can reduce herbicide runoff fromcultivated fields due to the ability of vegetation to impede the flow of surface runoff, promote infiltration, and adsorb herbicides. Conservation agriculture hasmany environmental advantages, but the transition phase froma conventional to a conservation systemis a critical period, especially for surface runoff. In 2015, a field in Italy that was transitioning from conventional to conservation agriculture was tested to analyze the efficacy of different types of buffer strips in reducing the runoff of three herbicides compared with no-buffer plots. At each runoff event, water volume was measured and terbuthylazine,metolachlor, and mesotrione concentrations were determined. Buffer strips were able to reduce the number of runoff events by 63% to 83%. The runoff volumes were significantly reduced in the presence of buffer strips, whereas no differences were found between different types of buffer strips. Among herbicides, mesotrione was not detected in runoff water samples. The highest losses of terbuthylazine and metolachlor were from plots without buffer strips during the first three runoff events. All types of buffer strips significantly reduced the total losses of terbuthylazine and metolachlor in the monitored runoff events, with a reduction of more than 99%. This study confirmed that buffer strips are a very effective mitigation system against surface water pollution by herbicides, even in agronomic situations that promote runoff

Engineering: Cornell Quarterly, Vol.11, No.3 (Autumn 1976): Alternatives for Technology

IN THIS ISSUE: What Price Wind Power? /2 (From the point of view that alternative sources of energy will have to be developed in the near future and that economics is the key to which options are feasible, Professor Dennis G. Shepherd assesses the potential of wind power.) ... Intermediate Technology: Its Place in Our World Today /12 (Biggest is not always best, any more than small is always beautiful, maintains Professor Bart Conta in a discussion of how an intermediate level of capitalization is often more appropriate than high technology in terms of both economics and the quality of life.) ... Rural Domestic Energy Self-Sufficiency: A Cooperative Student Research Project /19 (A Student Originated Studies grant from NSF enabled a group of fourteen students to spend the summer investigating ways in which a rural household in Tompkins County, New York, could become more energy self-sufficient. Results and implications of the case study are discussed by Alan Wyatt and Laura Masin.) ... Commentary: National Prospects for Solar Energy Use /27 (ERDA representative William R. Cherry discussed current and possible applications of solar energy in one of a fall series of lectures for freshman engineers.) ... (Vantage: Water Power from Fall Creek in Cornell's Past-and Perhaps-its Future /30 (A photo-essay on a scenic and practical asset.)... Register /36 ... Faculty Publications /44 ... Editorial /4

Dissipation of terbuthylazine, metolachlor, and mesotrione in soils with contrasting texture

This study evaluates the dissipation of terbuthylazine, metolachlor, and mesotrione at different depths in soils with contrasting texture. The field trial was conducted at the Padua University Experimental Farm, north-east Italy. The persistence of three herbicides was studied in three different soil textures (clay soil, sandy soil, and loamy soil) at two depths (0\u20135 and 5\u201315 cm). Soil organic carbon content was highest in the clay (1.10%) followed by loam (0.67%) and sandy soil (0.24%); the pH of soils was sub-alkaline. Terbuthylazine, metolachlor, and mesotrione were applied on maize as a formulated product (Lumax\uae) at a dose of 3.5 L ha 121. Their dissipation in the treated plots was followed for 2 months after application. The concentrations of herbicides were analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The dissipation of terbuthylazine, metolachlor, and mesotrione could be described by a pseudo first-order kinetics. Terbuthylazine showed the highest DT50, followed by metolachlor and mesotrione. Considering the tested soil, the highest DT50 value was found in clay soil for terbuthylazine and metolachlor, whereas for mesotrione there was no difference among soils. Significant differences were found between the two soil depths for terbuthylazine and metolachlor, whereas none were found for mesotrione. These results suggest that soil texture and depth have a strong influence on the dissipation of terbuthylazine and metolachlor, whereas no influence was observed on mesotrione because of its chemical and physical properties

Dynamics of Glyphosate and Aminomethylphosphonic Acid in Soil Under Conventional and Conservation Tillage

This study investigates the adsorption and dissipation of glyphosate and the formation/dissipation of AMPA in non-tilled (NT) and conventionally tilled (CT) soil at 0-5 and 5-20 cm depth. Glyphosate adsorption was mainly related to the different NT and CT soil properties (clay and amorphous Al oxides), whereas an effect of the soil management could not be identified. Glyphosate dissipation was initially fast, and it slowed down later. The initial glyphosate concentration in NT soil at 0-5 cm was significantly lower than the dose applied due to the interception by the weeds and crop residues. AMPA began to form early after treatment and persisted longer than glyphosate. The DT50 range was 8-18 days for glyphosate and 99-250 days for AMPA. Longer glyphosate and AMPA DT50 were observed in NT soil compared to CT soil but, for glyphosate, the difference was significant only at 5-20 cm. Higher glyphosate and AMPA concentrations were detected in NT than in CT soil at the end of the study at 0-5 cm. The differences in glyphosate and AMPA DT50 and persistence were mainly attributable to the influence of different NT and CT soil characteristics. However, other factors could have contributed to the different glyphosate and AMPA dynamics between the soils, like glyphosate wash-off from crop residues on NT soil with the rainfall, the delayed glyphosate return to the soil by weed root exudation or weeds decomposition, and the NT soil compaction which may have reduced the microbial degradation of glyphosate at low concentrations

A new rapid procedure for simultaneous determination of glyphosate and AMPA in water at sub \u3bcg/L level

Glyphosate is the most used pesticide worldwide and its impact on the environment is becoming increasingly significant. Glyphosate and its main metabolite AMPA are frequently detected in streams and rivers. In this study, an analytical method is presented that combines Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography with mass spectrometry (UHPLC ESI-MS/MS) for glyphosate and AMPA analysis in environmental water samples. The method was developed starting from an application of Waters Corporation, and involves the use of an alternative derivatizing reagent, the commercially available AccQ.Tag (TM) Ultra Derivatization Kit (Waters Corporation, Milford, MA, USA). The kit contains the derivatizing reagent 6-aminoquinolyl-N-hydroxysuccinimidyl carbamate (AQC). Derivatization takes place directly in the injection vial and no sample pre-concentration is needed. The derivatization is simple, quick and robust, which fits well within the needs of a routine method for the analysis of glyphosate and AMPA. Derivatized glyphosate and AMPA were recorded in positive ion mode. The method demonstrates a good linear relationship in the concentration range from 0.2 mu g/L for glyphosate and 0.05 mu g/L for AMPA to 100 mu g/L and an accurate recovery. The method developed has been successfully applied to the determination of glyphosate and AMPA in 23 runoff water samples collected from a field in the Po Valley (North-East Italy), an agricultural area where glyphosate is widely used

Germination Response of <i>Datura stramonium</i> L. to Different pH and Salinity Levels under Different Temperature Conditions

Weeds can be one of the most severe threats to crop production, especially when they are widespread and highly adaptable. Part of the adaptive strategy of plants is the ability to germinate in different conditions. Germination is the first developmental phase of plant life and is fundamental for its establishment. In this work, the germination of two populations of Datura stramonium L. at two different sites in Croatia (one cropped, the other non-agricultural) was tested under a wide range of salinity stress, 4, 8, 12, and 16 dS/m, and pH stress, values 1–9, at two temperature ranges of 15–25 °C and 18–30 °C. The results show that this species can tolerate high salinity, with a high number of seeds germinating, even under the highest level of saline stress and especially at higher temperatures: 21.7% of seeds germinated at 15–25 °C and 51.2% at 18–30 °C. D. stramonium also appears to be quite acid tolerant, with a significant reduction in germination only at pH 2, and no germination only at pH 1. Germination was always higher at higher temperatures, independently of abiotic stress. Although there were some differences between the two populations in the final germination percentages, they were similar in their responses to the abiotic stresses