Влияние на торенето върху износа на макроелементи с биомасата на слънчоглед

The study was conducted under pot experimental conditions with Alluvial-meadow soil. The aim of the trial was to evaluate the effect of different nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and silicon fertilizer rates in the soil and their impact on the uptake of basic macronutrients with sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) biomass. The experiment included 16 variants of increased fertilizer rates in 3 replications. Data on the yield of fresh and absolutely dry biomass from the aboveground part of plants and on the content of N, P, K, Si, Ca and Mg in the dry biomass was obtained. According to the data obtained, the content and uptake of the examined macroelements with the sunflower biomass were significantly influenced by the rates and fertilizer combinations. The highest uptake of nitrogen was in the variants with the following rates: N200, N300, and N400. The changes in the macroelements’ uptake followed the changes in the quantities of the relevant elements in dry biomass in the variants of the experiment. By increasing the fertilizer rates the content of N, P, and Si, and their uptakes with sunflower biomass was increased. This trend with potassium was expressed to a lower extent.Проведено е изследване в условията на съдов опит върху Алувиално-ливадна почва. Целта на експеримента е да се оцени ефективността и взаимодействието на различни норми на азотни, фосфорни, калиеви и силициеви торове в почвата и влиянието им върху износа на основни макроелементи с биомасата от слънчоглед (Helianthus annuus L.). Опитът включва 16 варианта на торене с 3 повторения. Получени са данни за добива от свежа и абсолютно суха биомаса от надземната част и съдържанието на N, P, K, Si, Ca и Mg в получената суха биомаса от растенията. Съгласно получените експериментални данни съдържанието и износът на изследваните макроелементи с биомасата са повлияни значително от торовите норми и комбинации. Най-висок е износът на азота във вариантите с норма N200, N300 и N400. Установено е, че измененията на износите на изследваните макроелементи следват измененията на количествата от съответните елементи в сухата биомаса по варианти в опита. С повишаване на нормите на торене се повишава не само съдържанието, но и износът на N, P, и Si. При калия тази тенденция е изразена в по-малка степен

Predictive imaging of chemotherapeutic response in a transgenic mouse model of pancreatic cancer: Imaging of Chemotherapeutic Response

The underglycosylated mucin 1 tumor antigen (uMUC1) is a biomarker that forecasts the progression of adenocarcinomas. In this study, we evaluated the utility of a dual-modality molecular imaging approach based on targeting uMUC1 for monitoring chemotherapeutic response in a transgenic murine model of pancreatic cancer (KCM triple transgenic mice). An uMUC1-specific contrast agent (MN-EPPT) was synthesized for use with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and fluorescence optical imaging. It consisted of dextran-coated iron oxide nanoparticles conjugated to the near infrared fluorescent dye Cy5.5 and to a uMUC1-specific peptide (EPPT). KCM triple transgenic mice were given gemcitabine as chemotherapy while control animals received saline injections following the same schedule. Changes in uMUC1 levels following chemotherapy were monitored using T2-weighted MRI and optical imaging before and 24 hr after injection of the MN-EPPT. uMUC1 expression in tumors from both groups was evaluated by histology and qRT-PCR. We observed that the average delta-T2 in the gemcitabine-treated group was significantly reduced compared to the control group indicating lower accumulation of MN-EPPT, and correspondingly, a lower level of uMUC1 expression. In vivo optical imaging confirmed the MRI findings. Fluorescence microscopy of pancreatic tumor sections showed a lower level of uMUC1 expression in the gemcitabine-treated group compared to the control, which was confirmed by qRT-PCR. Our data proved that changes in uMUC1 expression after gemcitabine chemotherapy could be evaluated using MN-EPPT-enhanced in vivo MR and optical imaging. These results suggest that the uMUC1-targeted imaging approach could provide a useful tool for the predictive assessment of therapeutic response

Evaluating risk, safety and efficacy of novel reproductive techniques and therapies through the EuroGTP II risk assessment tool

STUDY QUESTION Can risks associated with novelties in assisted reproduction technologies (ARTs) be assessed in a systematic and structured way? SUMMARY ANSWER An ART-specific risk assessment tool has been developed to assess the risks associated with the development of novelties in ART (EuroGTP II-ART). WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY How to implement new technologies in ART is well-described in the literature. The successive steps should include testing in animal models, executing pre-clinical studies using supernumerary gametes or embryos, prospective clinical trials and finally, short- and long-term follow-up studies on the health of the offspring. A framework categorizing treatments from experimental through innovative to established according to the extent of the studies conducted has been devised. However, a systematic and standardized methodology to facilitate risk evaluation before innovations are performed in a clinical setting is lacking. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION The EuroGTP II-ART risk assessment tool was developed on the basis of a generic risk assessment algorithm developed for tissue and cell therapies and products (TCTPs) in the context of the project 'Good Practices for demonstrating safety and quality through recipient follow-up European Good Tissue and cells Practices II (EuroGTP II)'. For this purpose, a series of four meetings was held in which eight ART experts participated. In addition, several tests and simulations were undertaken to fine-tune the final tool. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS The three steps comprising the EuroGTP II methodology were evaluated against its usefulness and applicability in ART. Ways to improve and adapt the methodology into ART risk assessment were agreed and implemented. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Assessment of the novelty (Step 1), consisting of seven questions, is the same as for other TCTPs. Practical examples were included for better understanding. Identification of potential risks and consequences (Step 2), consisting of a series of risks and risk consequences to consider during risk assessment, was adapted from the generic methodology, adding more potential risks for processes involving gonadic tissues. The algorithm to score risks was also adapted, giving a specific range of highest possible risk scores. A list of strategies for risk reduction and definition of extended studies required to ensure effectiveness and safety (Step 3) was also produced by the ART experts, based on generic EuroGTP II methodology. Several explanations and examples were provided for each of the steps for better understanding within this field. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION A multidisciplinary team is needed to perform risk assessment, to interpret results and to determine risk mitigation strategies and/or next steps required to ensure the safety in the clinical use of novelties. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS This is a dynamic tool whose value goes beyond assessment of risk before implementing a novel ART in clinical practice, to re-evaluate risks based on information collected during the process

. Evaluating risk, safety and efficacy of novel reproductive techniques and therapies through the EuroGTP II risk assessment tool.

Study question: Can risks associated with novelties in assisted reproduction technologies (ARTs) be assessed in a systematic and structured way? Summary answer: An ART-specific risk assessment tool has been developed to assess the risks associated with the development of novelties in ART (EuroGTP II-ART). What is known already: How to implement new technologies in ART is well-described in the literature. The successive steps should include testing in animal models, executing pre-clinical studies using supernumerary gametes or embryos, prospective clinical trials and finally, short- and long-term follow-up studies on the health of the offspring. A framework categorizing treatments from experimental through innovative to established according to the extent of the studies conducted has been devised. However, a systematic and standardized methodology to facilitate risk evaluation before innovations are performed in a clinical setting is lacking. Study design, size, duration: The EuroGTP II-ART risk assessment tool was developed on the basis of a generic risk assessment algorithm developed for tissue and cell therapies and products (TCTPs) in the context of the project 'Good Practices for demonstrating safety and quality through recipient follow-up European Good Tissue and cells Practices II (EuroGTP II)'. For this purpose, a series of four meetings was held in which eight ART experts participated. In addition, several tests and simulations were undertaken to fine-tune the final tool. Participants/materials, setting, methods: The three steps comprising the EuroGTP II methodology were evaluated against its usefulness and applicability in ART. Ways to improve and adapt the methodology into ART risk assessment were agreed and implemented. Main results and the role of chance: Assessment of the novelty (Step 1), consisting of seven questions, is the same as for other TCTPs. Practical examples were included for better understanding. Identification of potential risks and consequences (Step 2), consisting of a series of risks and risk consequences to consider during risk assessment, was adapted from the generic methodology, adding more potential risks for processes involving gonadic tissues. The algorithm to score risks was also adapted, giving a specific range of highest possible risk scores. A list of strategies for risk reduction and definition of extended studies required to ensure effectiveness and safety (Step 3) was also produced by the ART experts, based on generic EuroGTP II methodology. Several explanations and examples were provided for each of the steps for better understanding within this field. Limitations, reasons for caution: A multidisciplinary team is needed to perform risk assessment, to interpret results and to determine risk mitigation strategies and/or next steps required to ensure the safety in the clinical use of novelties. Wider implications of the findings: This is a dynamic tool whose value goes beyond assessment of risk before implementing a novel ART in clinical practice, to re-evaluate risks based on information collected during the process. Study funding / competing interest(s): This study was called EUROGTP II and was funded by the European Commission (Grant agreement number 709567). The authors declare no competing interests concerning the results of this study