Fifth European Dirofilaria and Angiostrongylus Days (FiEDAD) 2016

Peer reviewe

TRY plant trait database – enhanced coverage and open access

Plant traits - the morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and phenological characteristics of plants - determine how plants respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels, and influence ecosystem properties and their benefits and detriments to people. Plant trait data thus represent the basis for a vast area of research spanning from evolutionary biology, community and functional ecology, to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem and landscape management, restoration, biogeography and earth system modelling. Since its foundation in 2007, the TRY database of plant traits has grown continuously. It now provides unprecedented data coverage under an open access data policy and is the main plant trait database used by the research community worldwide. Increasingly, the TRY database also supports new frontiers of trait‐based plant research, including the identification of data gaps and the subsequent mobilization or measurement of new data. To support this development, in this article we evaluate the extent of the trait data compiled in TRY and analyse emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness. Best species coverage is achieved for categorical traits - almost complete coverage for ‘plant growth form’. However, most traits relevant for ecology and vegetation modelling are characterized by continuous intraspecific variation and trait–environmental relationships. These traits have to be measured on individual plants in their respective environment. Despite unprecedented data coverage, we observe a humbling lack of completeness and representativeness of these continuous traits in many aspects. We, therefore, conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements. This can only be achieved in collaboration with other initiatives

Can the gastrocolic trunk of Henle serve as an anatomical landmark in laparoscopic right colectomy? A postmortem anatomical study

BACKGROUND: The use of the gastrocolic trunk of Henle (GTH) as a landmark has been advocated in laparoscopic right colectomy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the GTH as a possible landmark in laparoscopic right colectomy in the context of the adjacent arteries. METHODS: Corrosion casting (30 specimens) and anatomic dissection were performed on formol-fixed cadavers (12 specimens). RESULTS: The GTH was found in 34 specimens (81.0%). Among its closely related neighboring arterial vessels, the right colic artery was the most frequent (19 cases [55.9%]). It passed by the GTH at a mean distance of 3.6 mm. The course of the arteries in relation to the GTH was caudal and parallel in most cases (29 [85.3%]), but there was also a significant portion of crossing schemes (11.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Although the GTH is a constant and conspicuous anatomic entity, it is not easily accessible, because of its tight relations to the right colon arteries. Instead, the authors advocate the use the superior right colic vein as an anatomic landmark leading to the GTH during laparoscopic right colectomy

Efekti različitih sistema gajenja kukuruza i kontrole zakorovljenosti na status slobodne energije i sadržaj biljnih pigmenata

Rotation is a cropping system that has many advantages and ensures better crop growth and yielding. Its combinination with other cropping measures can ensure optimal crop density for maximal growth and photosynthesis efficiency. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of different cropping systems: monoculture and two rotations, including maize, wheat and soybean (MSW and MWS), and different weed management methods (weed removal by hoeing, application of a full recommended herbicide dose (RD) and half that dose (0.5 RD), and weedy check) on weed biomass and maize growth parameters - leaf area index (LAI), free energy, contents of chlorophyll and carotenoids, grain yield, and their possible relationships in two fields of the maize hybrids ZP 677 (H1) and ZP 606 (H2). The lowest LAI and grain yield were found in monoculture, particularly in weedy check, which had relatively high weed infestation. Higher weed biomass was also observed in herbicide treated plots in monoculture. Such high competition pressure indicates a stress reflected on reduced LAI and chlorophyll content, and increased free energy and content of carotenoids. On the other hand, rotation, particularly if it is combined with the application of herbicides or hoeing, had a positive impact on yielding potential by increasing LAI and the contents of chlorophyll and carotenoids, and decreasing free energy. Keywords: Maize; CroppingPlodored, kao sistem gajenja ima brojne prednosti koje se ogledaju u boljem rastu i prinosu useva. Njegovom kombinacijom sa drugim merama gajenja moguće je obezbediti optimalnu gustinu za maksimalan rast i efikasnost fotosinteze. Cilj ovog rada je da se ispita uticaj različitih sistema gajenja: monokulture i dva tipa rotacija koja uključuju kukuruz, pšenicu i soju (MSW i MWS), zajedno sa različitim merama kontrole zakorovljenosti (okopavanje, upotreba preporučene (RD), polovine preporučene (0,5 RD) doze herbicida i kontrola bez uklanjanja korova) na biomasu korova, parametre rasta kukuruza – indeks lisne površine (LAI), slobodnu energiju, sadržaj hlorofila i karotenoida, prinos zrna, kao i njihove međusobne odnose kod dva hibrida kukuruza: ZP 677 (H1) i ZP 606 (H2)). Najniži LAI i prinos zrna bili su ostvareni u monokulturi, posebno u kontroli, zajedno sa relativno visokom zakorovljenošću. Veća biomasa korova je bila u tretmanima sa herbicidima u monokulturi. Ovakva situacija bi mogla da ukaže na prisustvo stresa koji se odražava na smanjenje LAI i sadržaja hlorofila, kao i povećanje vrednosti slobodne energije i karotenoida. Sa druge strane, plodored, posebno u kombinaciji sa herbicidima ili okopavanjem ispoljio je pozitivan uticaj na prinos preko povećanja LAI, sadržaja hlorofila i karotenoida i smanjenja slobodne energije

Termodinamička karakterizacija ranih efekata fitotoksičnosti sulfonilurea herbicida kod linija kukuruza

Variations in susceptibility of maize lines to herbicides depend on different factors. Visible signs of phytotoxicity do not occur in the first few days after application when plants are tolerant to some herbicides. The aim of our experiment was to study susceptibility of 16 ZP lines to nicosulfuron and foramsulfuron 48 hours after application in the 2006-2009 period. The alterations in dry matter content, as well as thermodynamic parameters of free energy and enthalpy, were analyzed. The examined parameters show that season had a significant influence on phytotoxicity expression, with high EWRC values obtained together with high values of free energy and dry matter during the cold season with lower precipitation level (period after herbicide application). In susceptible lines, the phytotoxic effect induced an increase in dry matter and free energy. Phytotoxic effects of nicosulfuron and foramsulfuron have basically different impact on system energetic properties: the effects of nicosulfuron could be connected to greater energy consumption, and the effects of foramsulfuron to increasing potential energy, mainly from metabolism, which could be associated with a “metabolic burst”. From that point of view, the examined parameters can be successfully used as indicators of herbicide stress immediately after application.Variranja osetljivosti linija kukuruza na herbicide zavise od različitih faktora. Prvi znaci fitotoksičnosti, odnosno tolerantnosti na neke herbicide mogu biti prisutni već tokom prvih dana nakon primene herbicida, dok još nisu ispoljeni vidljivi znaci. Cilj rada je bio da se ispita osetljivost 16 ZP linija kukuruza na nikosulfuron i foramsulfuron, 48 sati nakon njihove primene tokom 2006-2009. godine. Analizirane su promene sadržaja suve materije, kao i termodinamičkih parametara tj. slobodne energije i entalpije. Ispitivani parametri su pokazali da sezona ima značajan uticaj na ispoljavanje fitotoksičnosti. Visoke vrednosti fitotoksičnosti su dobijene paralelno sa visokim vrednostima slobodne energije i suve materije tokom hladne sezone sa nižim nivoom padavina u periodu nakon primene herbicida. Fitotoksični efekti su kod osetljivih linija doveli do povećanja suve materije i slobodne energije. Fitotoksični efekti nikosulfurona i foramsulfurona su se suštinski drugačije ispoljili na energetske karakteristike sistema: efekti nikosulfurona bi mogli biti vezani za veću potrošnju energije, dok bi efekti foramsulfurona mogli biti vezani za povećanje energetskog potencijala, uglavnom preko metabolizma, što bi moglo da ukazuje na „metaboličku eksploziju“. Sa te tačke gledišta, ispitivani parametri bi mogli uspešno da se koriste kao indikatori stresa izazvanog herbicidima, neposredno nakon njihove primene

The anatomical and surgical consequences of right colectomy for cancer

Current practice when performing right colectomy for cancer is to divide the feeding vessels for the right colon on the right side of the superior mesenteric vein

Kreftbehandling med isolert ekstremitetsperfusjon

For lokalavanserte bløtvevssarkomer og metastaser fra melanom lokalisert til ekstremitet kan mutilerende kirurgi eller amputasjon være nødvendig for å oppnå lokal kontroll. Isolert ekstremitetsperfusjon med cellegift i høy dose kan være et alternativ til amputasjon for denne pasientgruppen

Lymph node distribution in the d3 area of the right mesocolon: implications for an anatomically correct cancer resection. A postmortem study

Data on lymph node distribution in the right colon D3 area are scarce, especially for nodes posterior to the superior mesenteric vessels

Mechanisms of detoxification of high copper concentrations by the microalga Chlorella sorokiniana

Microalgae have evolved mechanisms to respond to changes in copper ion availability, which are very important for normal cellular function, to tolerate metal pollution of aquatic ecosystems, and for modulation of copper bioavailability and toxicity to other organisms. Knowledge and application of these mechanisms will benefit the use of microalgae in wastewater processing and biomass production, and the use of copper compounds in the suppression of harmful algal blooms. Here, using electron microscopy, synchrotron radiation-based Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, and X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy, we show that the microalga Chlorella sorokiniana responds promptly to Cu2+ at high non-toxic concentration, by mucilage release, alterations in the architecture of the outer cell wall layer and lipid structures, and polyphosphate accumulation within mucilage matrix. The main route of copper detoxification is by Cu2+ coordination to polyphosphates in penta-coordinated geometry. The sequestrated Cu2+ was accessible and could be released by extracellular chelating agents. Finally, the reduction in Cu2+ to Cu1+ appears also to take place. These findings reveal the biochemical basis of the capacity of microalgae to adapt to high external copper concentrations and to serve as both, sinks and pools of environmental copper

First experience with (224)Radium-labeled microparticles (Radspherin (R)) after CRS-HIPEC for peritoneal metastasis in colorectal cancer (a phase 1 study)

Background: Peritoneal metastasis (PM) from colorectal cancer carries a dismal prognosis despite extensive cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS-HIPEC). With a median time to recurrence of 11-12 months, there is a need for novel therapies. Radspherin (R) consists of the alpha-emitting radionuclide radium-224 (Ra-224), which has a half-life of 3.6 days and is adsorbed to a suspension of biodegradable calcium carbonate microparticles that are designed to give short-range radiation to the serosal peritoneal surface linings, killing free-floating and/or tumor cell clusters that remain after CRS-HIPEC. Methods: A first-in-human phase 1 study (EudraCT 2018-002803-33) was conducted at two specialized CRS-HIPEC centers. Radspherin (R) was administered intraperitoneally 2 days after CRS-HIPEC. Dose escalation at increasing activity dose levels of 1-2-4-7-MBq, a split-dose repeated injection, and expansion cohorts were used to evaluate the safety and tolerability of Radspherin (R). The aim was to explore the recommended dose and biodistribution using gamma-camera imaging. The results from the planned safety interim analysis after the completion of the dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) period of 30 days are presented. Results: Twenty-three patients were enrolled: 14 in the dose escalation cohort, three in the repeated cohort, and six in the expansion cohort. Of the 23 enrolled patients, seven were men and 16 were women with a median age of 64 years (28-78). Twelve patients had synchronous PM stage IV and 11 patients had metachronous PM [primary stage II; (6) and stage III; (5)], with a disease-free interval of 15 months (3-30). The peritoneal cancer index was median 7 (3-19), operation time was 395 min (194-515), and hospital stay was 12 days (7-37). A total of 68 grade 2 adverse events were reported for 17 patients during the first 30 days; most were considered related to CRS and/or HIPEC. Only six of the TEAEs were evaluated as related to Radspherin (R). One TEAE, anastomotic leakage, was reported as grade 3. Accordion >= 3 grade events occurred in a total of four of the 23 patients: reoperation due to anastomotic leaks (two) and drained abscesses (two). No DLT was documented at the 7 MBq dose level that was then defined as the recommended dose. The biodistribution of Radspherin (R) showed a relatively even peritoneal distribution. Conclusion: All dose levels of Radspherin (R) were well tolerated, and DLT was not reached. No deaths occurred, and no serious adverse events were considered related to Radspherin (R)