Warm-Season Grass Monocultures and Mixtures for Sustainable Bioenergy Feedstock Production in the Midwest, USA

Biomass yield and adaptability to a broad range of environments are important characteristics of dedicated energy crops for sustainable bioenergy feedstock production. In addition to yield potential, the role of species diversity on ecosystem services is also growing in importance as we seek to develop sustainable feedstock production systems. The objective of this study was to compare the biomass yield potential of the commercially available germplasm of native warm-season grasses in monocultures and in blends (mixture of different cultivars of the same species) or mixtures of different species across an environmental gradient (temperature and precipitation) in the Midwest, USA. Warm-season grasses including switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman), indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans[L.] Nash), sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula [Michx.] Torr.) and Miscanthus × giganteus (Greef and Deu.) were planted in 2009. Biomass was annually harvested from 2010 through 2015 for Urbana, IL and Mead, NE but only in 2010 and 2011 for Ames, IA. The effect of species in monocultures and mixtures (or blends) on biomass yields was significant for all locations. In monocultures, the annual biomass yields averaged over a 6-year period were 11.12 Mg ha−1 and 10.98 Mg ha−1 at Urbana and Mead, respectively, while the annual biomass yield averaged over a 2-year period was 7.99 Mg ha−1 at Ames, IA. Also, the annual biomass yields averaged across the different mixtures and blends at each location were 10.25 Mg ha−1, 9.88 Mg ha−1, and 7.64 Mg ha−1 at Urbana, Mead, and Ames, respectively. At all locations, M. × giganteus and ‘Kanlow N1’ produced the highest biomass yield in monocultures while mixtures containing switchgrass and big bluestem had the greatest mixture yield. The results from this multi-environment study suggest mixtures of different species provided no yield advantage over monocultures for bioenergy feedstocks in Illinois and Nebraska and both systems consistently produced biomass as long as April–July precipitation was near or above the average precipitation (300 mm) of the regions

Concert recording 2014-02-10

[Track 01]. Sonata in G minor, H 542.5. Allegro / C.P.E. Bach -- [Track 02]. Sonata in G minor, H 542.5. Adagio / C.P.E. Bach -- [Track 03]. Sonata in G minor, H 542.5. Allegro / C.P.E. Bach ; J. Brahms -- [Track 04]. Cantata 21. Seufzer, tranen, kummer, not / J.S. Bach -- [Track 05]. Miniatures. I ride an old paint (U.S.A.) / William Grant Still -- [Track 06]. Miniatures. Adolorido (Mexico) / William Grant Still -- [Track 07]. Miniatures. Jesus is a rock in the weary land (U.S.A.) / William Grant Still -- [Track 08]. Miniatures. Yaravi (Peru) / William Grant Still -- [Track 09]. Miniatures. A frog went a-courtin\u27 (U.S.A.) / William Grant Still -- [Track 10]. Rue burq / Theresa Delaplain -- [Track 11]. Dream gardens / Robert Mueller -- [Track 12]. Sonata in C, op. 100. Con moto / Edmund Rubbra -- [Track 13]. Sonata in C, op. 100. Elegy lento / Edmund Rubbra -- [Track 14]. Sonata in C, op. 100. Presto / Edmund Rubbra -- [Track 15]. Czardas / Vittorio Monti ; arranged by Reift

Whole exome sequencing to identify genetic causes of short stature

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Short stature is a common reason for presentation to pediatric endocrinology clinics. However, for most patients, no cause for the short stature can be identified. As genetics plays a strong role in height, we sought to identify known and novel genetic causes of short stature. METHODS: We recruited 14 children with severe short stature of unknown etiology. We conducted whole exome sequencing of the patients and their family members. We used an analysis pipeline to identify rare non-synonymous genetic variants that cause the short stature. RESULTS: We identified a genetic cause of short stature in 5 of the 14 patients. This included cases of floating-harbor syndrome, Kenny-Caffey syndrome, the progeroid form of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, as well as 2 cases of the 3-M syndrome. For the remaining patients, we have generated lists of candidate variants. CONCLUSIONS: Whole exome sequencing can help identify genetic causes of short stature in the context of defined genetic syndromes, but may be less effective in identifying novel genetic causes of short stature in individual families. Utilized in the clinic, whole exome sequencing can provide clinically relevant diagnoses for these patients. Rare syndromic causes of short stature may be underrecognized and underdiagnosed in pediatric endocrinology clinics

Microdamage generation by tapered and cylindrical mini-screw implants after pilot drilling

Objective:  To investigate the relationship between mini-screw implant (MSI) diameter (1.6 vs 2.0 mm) and shape (tapered vs cylindrical) and the amount of microdamage generated during insertion. Materials and Methods:  Thirty-six cylindrical and 36 tapered MSIs, 6 mm long, were used in this study. Half of each shape was 1.6 mm in diameter, while the other half was 2.0 mm. After pilot drilling, four and five MSIs were inserted, respectively, into fresh cadaveric maxillae and mandibles of dogs. Bone blocks containing the MSIs were sectioned and ground parallel to the MSI axis. Epifluorescent microscopy was used to measure overall cortical thickness, crack length, and crack number adjacent to the MSI. Crack density and total microdamage burden per surface length were calculated. Three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test the effects of jaw, and MSI shape and diameter. Pairwise comparisons were made to control the overall significance level at 5%. Results:  The larger (2.0 vs 1.6 mm) cylindrical MSIs increased the numbers, lengths, and densities of microcracks, and the total microdamage burden. The same diameter cylindrical and tapered MSIs generated a similar number of cracks and crack lengths. More total microdamage burden was created by the 2.0-mm cylindrical than the 2.0-mm tapered MSIs. Although higher crack densities were produced by the insertion of 1.6-mm tapered MSIs, there was no difference in total microdamage burden induced by 1.6-mm tapered and 1.6-mm cylindrical MSIs. Conclusions:  Pilot drilling is effective in reducing microdamage during insertion of tapered MSIs. To prevent excessive microdamage, large diameter and cylindrical MSIs should be avoided

A Systematic Review of the Cost-Effectiveness of Chemotherapy Regimens

Background The rising cost of chemotherapy dramatically increases the burden on healthcare and presents new challenges in achieving optimal patient outcomes. New treatments, in general, are more specialized but show minor progress in regards to efficacy. Accordingly, the threat of overpaying for chemotherapy regimens has increased. There is a need for a comprehensive review to compile relevant studies in order to inform clinician decisions on the basis of cost-effectiveness and quality of life. Objectives Therefore, the aim of this project is to assess the cost-effectiveness of anticancer medications with a special focus on the quality of life of patients undergoing chemotherapy, with the intent to form recommendations that unite evidence-based literature with clinical practice. The long term goal is to create a clinical reference for prescribers to use in order to make more informed decisions on chemotherapy regimens. Methodology In line with the objectives above, eligibility criteria was established to refine the database results. An initial literature search will be conducted to verify appropriateness of the eligibility criteria and search terms. Upon finalizing study selection parameters, abstracts will be reviewed and full text articles will be retrieved. Grey literature will be searched to eliminate publication bias. Hand searchers will be performed to ensure all studies in relevant journals will be retrieved. Selected articles will be reviewed and rated based on a modified GRADE approach. Studies will be synthesized based on GRADE score and pharmacoeconomic analysis. Analysis ­­ Studies will be given a preference status based on their GRADE score and pharmacoeconomic analysis. Final recommendations will be made at the professional judgements of the researchers based on pharmacoeconomic data extracted from studies weighted by preference status

A Systematic Review of the Cost-Effectiveness of Chemotherapy Regimens

Background: The rising cost of chemotherapy dramatically increases the burden on healthcare and presents new challenges in achieving optimal patient outcomes. New treatments, in general, are more specialized but show minor progress in regards to efficacy. Accordingly, the threat of overpaying for chemotherapy regimens has increased. There is a need for a comprehensive review to compile relevant studies in order to inform clinician decisions on the basis of cost-effectiveness and quality of life. Objectives: The objective of this project is to assess the cost-effectiveness of anticancer medications with a special focus on the quality of life of patients undergoing chemotherapy, with the intent to form recommendations that unite evidence-based literature with clinical practice. The long-term goal is to create a clinical reference for prescribers to use in order to make more informed decisions on chemotherapy regimens. Methodology: In line with the objectives above, eligibility criteria were established to refine the database results. An initial literature search will be conducted to verify the appropriateness of the eligibility criteria and search terms. Upon finalizing study selection parameters, abstracts will be reviewed and full-text articles will be retrieved. Grey literature will be searched to eliminate publication bias. Hand searchers will be performed to ensure all studies in relevant journals will be retrieved. Selected articles will be reviewed and rated based on a modified GRADE approach. Analysis: Studies will be given a preference status based on their GRADE score. Final recommendations will be made at the professional judgments of the researchers based on pharmacoeconomic data extracted from studies weighted by preference status

Biomarker panel predicts survival after resection in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: a multi-institutional cohort study.

Background: Up to 60% of patients who undergo curative-intent pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) resection experience disease recurrence within six months. We recently published a systematic review of prognostic immunohistochemical biomarkers in PDAC and shortlisted a panel of those reported with the highest level of evidence, including p53, p16, Ca-125, S100A4, FOXC1, EGFR, mesothelin, CD24 and UPAR. This study aims to discover and validate the prognostic significance of a combinatorial panel of tumor biomarkers in patients with resected PDAC. Methods: Patients who underwent PDAC resection were included from a single institution discovery cohort and a multi-institutional validation cohort. Tumors in the discovery cohort were stained immunohistochemically for all nine shortlisted biomarkers. Biomarkers significantly associated with overall survival (OS) were reevaluated as a combinatorial panel in both discovery and validation cohorts for its prognostic significance. Results: 224 and 191 patients were included in the discovery and validation cohorts, respectively. In both cohorts, S100A4, Ca-125 and mesothelin expression were associated with shorter OS. In both cohorts, the number of these biomarkers expressed was significantly associated with OS (discovery cohort 36.8 vs. 26.4 vs 16.3 vs 12.8 months, P < 0.001; validation cohort 25.2 vs 18.3 vs 13.6 vs 11.9 months, P = 0.008 for expression of zero, one, two and three biomarkers, respectively). On multivariable analysis, expression of at least one of three biomarkers was independently associated with shorter OS. Conclusion: Combinations of S100A4, Ca-125 and mesothelin expression stratify survival after resection of localized PDAC. Co-expression of all three biomarkers is associated with the poorest prognostic outcome