A different approach to soil analysis: Indicative studies

Soil analysis is a tool that has been employed with the primary goal of providing recommendations for soil rectification, crop productivity and for soil health management. Time tested methods like ammonium acetate extraction and diethylene triamine penta acetic acid (DTPA) are commonly used for analysis of bioavailable nutrients. However, there are some limitations to these methods as both extraction fluids are buffered to neutral or near-neutral pH. Hence extracted nutrients represent a “potential or ideal-case” fertility status of soil instead of an “actual” field status. In the ‘Regular methods’, we are overlooking the role of pH, the master variable, in determining the availability of nutrients. Hence, in ‘Modified methods’, the extraction fluid is buffered to actual soil pH. Results obtained with over 150 random samples representing a range of pH, have indicated a difference in values between regular and modified extraction methods. The modified methods (MM) of ammonium acetate and DTPA extraction adjusted to soil pH were found to be better than regular method (RM) for estimation of calcium, magnesium with ammonium acetate and iron and manganese with DTPA in alkaline soils above pH 8.0. For a complete picture of soil health, productivity and fertility, microbiological and enzymatic analysis of soils were included in the present study. Soil solution equivalent medium (SSE) was found to be the appropriate culture medium for microbial counts. A linear relationship was found between urease activity and available nitrogen of soil

Hypothermic Oxygenated New Machine Perfusion System in Liver and Kidney Transplantation of Extended Criteria Donors:First Italian Clinical Trial

With the aim to explore innovative tools for organ preservation, especially in marginal organs, we hereby describe a clinical trial of ex-vivo hypothermic oxygenated perfusion (HOPE) in the field of liver (LT) and kidney transplantation (KT) from Extended Criteria Donors (ECD) after brain death. A matched-case analysis of donor and recipient variables was developed: 10 HOPE-ECD livers and kidneys (HOPE-L and HOPE-K) were matched 1:3 with livers and kidneys preserved with static cold storage (SCS-L and SCS-K). HOPE and SCS groups resulted with similar basal characteristics, both for recipients and donors. Cumulative liver and kidney graft dysfunction were 10% (HOPE L-K) vs. 31.7%, in SCS group (p = 0.05). Primary non-function was 3.3% for SCS-L vs. 0% for HOPE-L. No primary non-function was reported in HOPE-K and SCS-K. Median peak aspartate aminotransferase within 7-days post-LT was significantly higher in SCS-L when compared to HOPE-L (637 vs.344 U/L, p = 0.007). Graft survival at 1-year post-transplant was 93.3% for SCS-L vs. 100% of HOPE-L and 90% for SCS-K vs. 100% of HOPE-K. Clinical outcomes support our hypothesis of machine perfusion being a safe and effective system to reduce ischemic preservation injuries in KT and in LT

A Low Cost Local Level PV Panel Assembly Process Targeted at Rural Energy Supply in Developing Nations

There is a huge potential to utilise solar power in developing nations, however the expensive nature of solar panels is preventing this market growth at the local level. Widely available and low cost materials and methods are imperative for solar panel assembly for rural energy supply if the mass uptake of Photovoltaic (PV) in developing nations is to be realised. In this research a novel and inexpensive assembly for PV panels using commercial silicon PV cells was developed using alternative materials and techniques. The panels were subjected to laboratory testing in Leeds, UK and field testing in Gwalior, India. The materials used for the assembly were polyethylene terepthalate (PET), for encapsulating the solar cell, and polycarbonate (PC) sheet, for the facing and backing of the panel. The aim was to demonstrate that the cheaper encapsulation technique and materials do not affect solar panel efficiency compared to more common ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and glass fabricated panels and commercial solar panels. We are able to show that a solar panel assembled with PET and PC produces similar results in terms of power and efficiency to the standard assembly method using EVA and glass. As well as competing with current panel assembly the solar panels used in this research are cheap and simple to make, making them suitable for rural energy supply

Nature apps on Google Play April 2013

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is elevated in various cancers, where it has been shown to effect cell migration and invasion and angiogenesis. While, PAI-1 is a secreted protein, its intercellular levels are increased in cancer cells. Consequently, intracellular PAI-1 could contribute to cancer progression. While various small molecule inhibitors of PAI-1 are currently being investigated, none specifically target intracellular PAI-1. A class of inhibitors, termed aptamers, has been used effectively in several clinical applications. We previously generated RNA aptamers that target PAI-1 and demonstrated their ability to inhibit extracellular PAI-1. In the current study we explored the effect of these aptamers on intracellular PAI-1. We transiently transfected the PAI-1 specific aptamers into both MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and studied their effects on cell migration, invasion and angiogenesis. Aptamer expressing MDA-MB-231 cells exhibited a decrease in cell migration and invasion. Additionally, intracellular PAI-1 and urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) protein levels decreased, while the PAI-1/uPA complex increased. Moreover, a significant decrease in endothelial tube formation in HUVECs transfected with the aptamers was observed. In contrast, conditioned media from aptamer transfected MDA-MB-231 cells displayed a slight pro-angiogenic effect. Collectively, our study shows that expressing functional aptamers inside breast and endothelial cells is feasible and may exhibit therapeutic potential

Expression of RNA aptamers in MDA-MB-231 cells.

<p>(<b>A</b>) MDA-MB-231 cells were transfected with the aptamers (Sel2, SM20, and WT15). Total RNA was isolated from transfected (+) and non-transfected (-) cells, then RT-PCR analysis were performed. Expression of the aptamer, PAI-1, uPA, uPAR, and β-actin is shown. This experiment was repeated at least three independent times with similar results. (<b>B</b>) The transfected and non-transfected cells were plated in a 96-well dish and allowed to grow in serum containing media for 72 hours post-transfection. The first time point (0) was assessed at 24 hours post transfection. An MTT assay was performed 24 hour intervals. The data was normalized to control cells (set at 100%) at each given time point. Each data point was performed in triplicate. The experiments were repeated at least twice with similar results.</p

Adenocarcinoma in Crohn's disease: the pathologist's experience in a tertiary referral centre of inflammatory bowel disease.

The aim of the present study is to describe the histological and mutational characteristics of a series of both large and small bowel adenocarcinomas in patients with Crohn's disease from a tertiary referral centre of inflammatory bowel disease. Bowel adenocarcinoma was diagnosed in 11 (1.7%) of 660 consecutive patients submitted to surgery for histologically proven Crohn's disease in 5 years. The following data were collected: tumour site, stage and grade, intracellular/extracellular mucin, lymphovascular invasion, immunohistochemistry for keratin 7, keratin 20 and CDX-2, mutation analyses of KRAS, B-RAF, PI3K and microsatellite instability. A strong predominance of male gender was observed (10/11). Four (36.4%) adenocarcinomas arose in the small bowel, five (45.4%) in the anus/rectum, and two (18.2%) in anastomosis. Furthermore, all cases of anorectal adenocarcinoma showed >50% of extracellular mucin, with associated KRAS mutations in three of five. No influence in cancer incidence by infliximab therapy was observed.Our series, one of the largest on the topic with immunomorphological and molecular deepening, showed that bowel adenocarcinomas in Crohn's disease have an aggressive behaviour and a strong predominance of extracellular mucin. In surgical specimens from Crohn's disease patients, mucinous-looking anal fistulas and ileal areas of adhesion/retraction should always be extensively sampled

Summary of Morphological Data from HUVEC Tube Formation Assay.

<p>Summary of Morphological Data from HUVEC Tube Formation Assay.</p

Benign metastasizing leiomyoma of the lung: PET findings.

We report the case of pulmonary benign metastasizing leiomyoma in an asymptomatic 64-year-old woman who underwent hysterectomy for a uterine leiomyoma 26 years earlier. Routine chest radiograph revealed bilateral diffuse nodular opacities within the pulmonary lobes. Thoracic computed tomography (CT) scan showed peripheral lung nodules that do not display contrast enhancement. Positron emission tomography (PET)-CT with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG PET-CT) demonstrated no significant metabolic activity of the nodules. The lesions were diagnosed as benign metastasizing leiomyoma by histopathologic examination. To our best knowledge, this is the first case studied combining CT and FDG PET-CT technique

Effects of RNA aptamers on migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells.

<p>MDA-MB-231 cells transfected with Sel2 (<b>A</b>), SM20 (<b>B</b>), and WT15 (<b>C</b>) were added to transwell inserts. For migration assays, the cells were added to uncoated transwell inserts and allowed to migrate for 18–24 hours at 37°C. For invasion assays, the cells were added to transwell inserts coated with Matrigel. The cells were allowed to invade for 24 hours at 37°C. Chemo attractants were added to the lower well. Results shown represent the average +S.D. from three independent assays that were performed in duplicate. All data were normalized to migration or invasion in non-transfected cells, which was set at 100%. *<i>p</i><0.05 compared with PAI-1 alone. Each data point was performed in triplicates and the experiments were repeated at least three times with similar results. *p<0.05, **p<0.01.</p