Parámetros edáficos, crecimiento y rendimiento del cultivo de trigo bajo diferentes manejos

Las prácticas de manejo pueden afectar la producción de los cultivos a través de su influencia en la distribución de la materia orgánica, la capacidad de almacenaje de agua del suelo y la dinámica de nutrientes. La experiencia se realizó en la EEA INTA Oliveros durante el ciclo 92/93, sobre un Argiudol ácuico. El objetivo del trabajo fue determinar el efecto del manejo sobre parámetros del suelo y el crecimiento y rendimiento del cultivo de trigo (Triticum aestivum L.) en una rotación trigo/soja (Glycine max (L.) Merr) realizada en forma continua durante 11 años y en una situación proveniente de una pastura antigua. Los tratamientos de labranza fueron: labranza convencional con arado de rejas (LC) y labranza vertical con cincel (LV) en la rotación trigo/soja y labranza convencional con arado de rejas en la situación proveniente de pastura (PC). En los tres tratamientos se aplicó nitrógeno en dosis de 100kg N ha-¹, dejando testigo sin fertilizar (100N y 0N, respectivamente). Se evaluaron propiedades del suelo en superficie (0-21cm), en distintas etapas del cultivo: densidad aparente (DA); porcentaje de agregados estables al benceno, alcohol y agua; porosidad estructural (PE); carbono orgánico total (COT) y humedad volumétrica (HV). Además, se determinó DA y HV a los 21-36cm y 36-70cm de profundidad. La densidad aparente del suelo a los 0-21cm y 21-36 cm de profundidad, fue significativamente mayor en LC (P?0,05) con respecto a LV y PC, en todas las fechas de muestreo. El tratamiento PC presentó en las tres fechas de muestreo un mayor porcentaje de agregados estables al benceno, alcohol, y agua; mayor PE y mayor contenido de COT (P?0,05), con respecto a los tratamientos LC y LV. Se halló una relación inversa entre DA y PE (r²= 0,70). El porcentaje de agregados estables al alcohol se correlacionó positivamente con el COT (r²=0,86). El contenido de humedad en superficie fue significativamente menor (P<0,05) en LC con respecto a LV y PC, en la mayor parte del ciclo del cultivo. A partir de los 21cm de profundidad, PC presentó los valores más elevados de HV. La acumulación de materia seca en LC fue el 45,8%, 64%, 73% y 73% de lo acumulado en PC en las etapas de macollaje, encañazón, antesis y madurez fisiológica, respectivamente; mientras que LV acumuló un 76,7%, 83,4%, 85% y 95% con respecto a PC, en las mismas etapas de crecimiento. El rendimiento del cultivo en LC fue el 73% de lo obtenido en PC (para 100N y 0N); mientras que para LV fue el 85,5% (parcelas 100N) y 93,1% (0N) de lo hallado en PC. La mayor compactación, la inestabilidad de la estructura, la menor acumulación de COT y humedad del suelo que presentó LC, pudieron incidir negativamente en el crecimiento y rendimiento del cultivo.The tillage practices can affect crop production through their influence on distribution of soil organic matter, available water-holding capacity and nutrient dynamics. The experiment was conducted at the EEA INTA Oliveros, during 1992/93 in an Aquic Argiudoll. The aim of the study was to determine the effects of management practices on soil properties and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) growth and grain yield in a continuous wheat-soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr) rotation (11 yr.) and a plot coming from a long-term pasture. Tillage treatments were: moldboard plowing (LC) and chisel plowing (LV) in wheat-soybean rotation, and moldboard plowing in the plot coming from pasture (PC), with two levels of nitrogen (0 and 100 kg N ha–1). Soil bulk density (DA); the percentage of stable aggregates to benzene, ethanol and water; structural porosity (PE), total organic carbon (COT), and volumetric water content (HV) in the 0-21cm layer were evaluated during the growing season. Soil bulk density and HV in the 21-36cm and 36-70cm layers were measured. Soil bulk density at 0-21 cm and 21-36 cm depth was significantly higher in LC with respect to LV and PC (P?0.05). The percentage of stable aggregates to pre-treatments with benzene, ethanol and water, PE and COT were significantly higher in PC with respect to LC and LV (P?0.05). Soil bulk density was inversely related to the PE (r2=0.70). The percentage of stable aggregates to ethanol was directly correlated to COT (r2=0.86). Volumetric water content in the top layer was lower in LC than in PC and LV. While PC showed the highest values in the depths of 21-36cm and 36-70cm. Dry matter under LC was 45.8%, 64%, 73% y 73% of that obtained in PC at tillering, stem elongation, anthesis and physiological maturity, respectively. Dry matter under LV was 76.7%, 83.4%, 85% y 95% with respect to PC, in the same growth stages. Grain yield in LC was 73% of that obtained in PC for both levels of N, while grain yield in LV was 85.5% and 93.1% of that obtained in PC for 0 and 100 kg N ha-1; respectively. A negative impact on wheat growth and grain yield could have been due to a greater soil compaction, soil structure instability, lower soil organic carbon and lower soil water content under LC

Multimodal treatment for local recurrent malignant gliomas: resurgery and/or reirradiation followed by chemotherapy

The therapeutic management of recurrent malignant gliomas (MGs) is not determined. Therefore, the efficacy of a multimodal approach and a combination systemic therapy was investigated. A retrospective analysis of 26 MGs patients at first relapse treated with multimodal therapy (chemotherapy plus surgery and/or reirradiation) or chemotherapy alone was performed. Second-line chemotherapy consisted of fotemustine (FTM) in combination with bevacizumab (BEV) (cFTM/BEV) or followed by third-line BEV (sFTM/BEV). Subgroup analyses were performed. Multimodal therapy provided a higher overall response rate (ORR) (73 vs. 47%), disease control rate (DCR) (82 vs. 67%), median progression-free survival (mPFS) (11 vs. 7 months; P=0.08) and median overall survival (mOS) (13 vs. 8 months; P=0.04) compared with chemotherapy. Concomitant FTM/BEV resulted in higher ORR (84 vs. 36%), DCR (92 vs. 57%), mPFS (10 vs. 5 months; P=0.22) and mOS (11 vs. 5.2 months; P=0.15) compared with sFTM/BEV. Methylated patients did not experience additional survival benefits with multimodality treatment but had higher mPFS (10 vs 7.1 months; P=0.33) and mOS (11 vs. 8 months; P=0.33) with cFTM/BEV. Unmethylated patients experienced the greatest survival benefit with the multimodal approach (mPFS: 10 vs. 5 months; mOS 11 vs 6 months; both P=0.02) and cFTM/BEV (mPFS: 5 vs. 2 months; mOS 6 vs. 3.2 months; both P=0.01). In conclusion, in recurrent MGs, multimodal therapy and cFTM/BEV provide survival and response benefits. Methylated patients benefit from a cFTM/BEV but not from a multimodal approach. Notably, unmethylated patients had the highest survival benefit with the two strategies

Retrospective analysis to evaluate the efficacy and the safety of Bevacizumab in the treatment of recurrent malignant gliomas

Abstract Background There is no consensus therapy recommended for recurrent malignant gliomas (MGs). In 2009, Bevacizumab (BEV) was approved by the FDA as single-agent for recurrent glioblastoma (GBM). The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the efficacy and the safety of BEV alone or in combination with Fotemustine (FTM) in recurrent MGs. This represents an interim analysis of a larger study on BEV in MGs patients. Methods We analyzed 17 recurrent MGs patients, 12 GBM (70.6%) and 5 anaplastic gliomas (29.4%), underwent first-line therapy with Stupp regimen. BEV was administered as off-label therapy, at a dose of 10 mg/kg every 14 days, in 13 patients as third-line therapy and in 4 patients as second-line therapy associated with FTM. The assessment of MGMT methylation and IDH1 mutation was conducted. Results One complete response (5.9%), 7 partial responses (41.2%), 3 stable diseases (17.6%) and 6 progression diseases (35.3%) were assessed using RANO criteria. Median PFS (mPFS) and OS (mOS) were 5 and 8.3 months respectively, with a 6 months-PFS of 41.2%. Methylated patients and wild-type IDH1 patients showed longer mPFS and mOS without statistical significance. Six patients (35.3%) experienced long response with high number of cycles (11-40), long PFS (11-40 months) and OS (12-42 months). BEV was well-tolerated with grade 1-2 proteinuria and hypertension in 53% and 47.1% of patients respectively. Only one patient developed grade 3 proteinuria after 30 cycles and another one developed pulmonary embolism. No other grade 3-4 toxicities were observed. Conclusions This retrospective study showed the efficacy and the safety of BEV alone or in association with FTM in the treatment of MGs. The protocol (No: Beva-Glio/Sep 2016)

A simplified genomic profiling approach predicts outcome in metastatic colorectal cancer

The response of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) to the first-line conventional combination therapy is highly variable, reflecting the elevated heterogeneity of the disease. The genetic alterations underlying this heterogeneity have been thoroughly characterized through omic approaches requiring elevated efforts and costs. In order to translate the knowledge of CRC molecular heterogeneity into a practical clinical approach, we utilized a simplified Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) based platform to screen a cohort of 77 patients treated with first-line conventional therapy. Samples were sequenced using a panel of hotspots and targeted regions of 22 genes commonly involved in CRC. This revealed 51 patients carrying actionable gene mutations, 22 of which carried druggable alterations. These mutations were frequently associated with additional genetic alterations. To take into account this molecular complexity and assisted by an unbiased bioinformatic analysis, we defined three subgroups of patients carrying distinct molecular patterns. We demonstrated these three molecular subgroups are associated with a different response to first-line conventional combination therapies. The best outcome was achieved in patients exclusively carrying mutations on TP53 and/or RAS genes. By contrast, in patients carrying mutations in any of the other genes, alone or associated with mutations of TP53/RAS, the expected response is much worse compared to patients with exclusive TP53/RAS mutations. Additionally, our data indicate that the standard approach has limited efficacy in patients without any mutations in the genes included in the panel. In conclusion, we identified a reliable and easy-to-use approach for a simplified molecular-based stratification of mCRC patients that predicts the efficacy of the first-line conventional combination therapy

Serratia marcescens in a neonatal intensive care unit: two long-term multiclone outbreaks in a 10-year observational study

We investigated two consecutive Serratia marcescens (S. marcescens) outbreaks which occurred in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of a tertiary level hospital in North Italy in a period of 10 years (January 2003-December 2012). Risk factors associated with S. marcescens acquisition were evaluated by a retrospective case-control study. A total of 21,011 clinical samples was examined: S. marcescens occurred in 127 neonates: 43 developed infection and 3 died. Seven clusters were recorded due to 12 unrelated clones which persisted for years in the ward, although no environmental source was found. The main epidemic clone A sustaining the first cluster in 2003 reappeared in 2010 as an extended spectrum ?-lactamase (ESBL)-producing strain and supporting the second epidemic. Birth weight, gestational age, use of invasive devices and length of stay in the ward were significantly related to S. marcescens acquisition. The opening of a new ward for non-intensive care-requiring neonates, strict adherence to alcoholic hand disinfection, the timely identification and isolation of infected and colonized neonates assisted in containing the epidemics. Genotyping was effective in tracing the evolution and dynamics of the clones demonstrating their long-term persistence in the ward

COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test Screening in Patients on Hemodialysis

Introduction. Patients receiving in-center hemodialysis are extremely vulnerable to COVID-19. It is unclear if routine screening of asymptomatic hemodialysis patients is an effective strategy to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks within the dialysis unit. Methods. We conducted a retrospective analysis of in-center hemodialysis patients who underwent bimonthly COVID-19 rapid antigen test screening from February 15(th) to December 26(th), 2021. Nasal rapid antigen testing was performed in all asymptomatic patients. All rapid antigen-positive tests were confirmed by RT-PCR nasopharyngeal swab. Besides universal rapid antigen screening, RT-PCR testing was conducted in all symptomatic patients and contacts of COVID-19 subjects. Results. Overall, 4079 rapid antigen tests were performed in 277 hemodialysis patients on chronic hemodialysis with a mean age of 68.4 +/- 14.6 years. Thirty-eight (0.9%) rapid antigen tests resulted positive. Only five (13.8%) positive-rapid antigen tests were also positive by RT-PCR testing. During the same period, 219 patients regularly screened by rapid antigen tests bimonthly underwent 442 RT-PCR nasopharyngeal swabs for clinical reasons. RT-PCR testing yielded a positive result in 13 (5.9%) patients. The time elapsed between PCR and the negative-rapid antigen test was 7.7 +/- 4.6 days (range 1.8-13.9 days). At the end of the follow-up, 6.4% of the population on in-center hemodialysis contracted COVID-19, and routine rapid antigen tests detected only 5 out of 18 (27.7%) COVID-19 cases. No outbreaks of COVID-19 were identified within the dialysis unit. Conclusion. Bimonthly rapid antigen screening led to the early diagnosis of COVID-19 in less than one-third of cases. The short incubation period of the new SARS-CoV-2 variants makes bimonthly test screening inadequate for an early diagnosis of COVID-19. More frequent tests are probably necessary to improve the utility of COVID-19 nasal rapid antigen test in patients on hemodialysis

Weekly Rapid Antigen Test Screening for COVID-19 in Patients on Hemodialysis

COVID-19 is a concerning issue among in-center hemodialysis (HD) patients. To prevent COVID-19 diffusion in our HD facility, weekly rapid nasal antigen test screening was performed for all asymptomatic patients on chronic HD. This study aimed to assess the performance of weekly rapid antigen test in detecting SARS-CoV-2 infection among asymptomatic patients receiving HD

Parámetros edáficos, crecimiento y rendimiento del cultivo de trigo bajo diferentes manejos

Las prácticas de manejo pueden afectar la producción de los cultivos a través de su influencia en la distribución de la materia orgánica, la capacidad de almacenaje de agua del suelo y la dinámica de nutrientes. La experiencia se realizó en la EEA INTA Oliveros durante el ciclo 92/93, sobre un Argiudol ácuico. El objetivo del trabajo fue determinar el efecto del manejo sobre parámetros del suelo y el crecimiento y rendimiento del cultivo de trigo (Triticum aestivum L.) en una rotación trigo/soja (Glycine max (L.) Merr) realizada en forma continua durante 11 años y en una situación proveniente de una pastura antigua. Los tratamientos de labranza fueron: labranza convencional con arado de rejas (LC) y labranza vertical con cincel (LV) en la rotación trigo/soja y labranza convencional con arado de rejas en la situación proveniente de pastura (PC). En los tres tratamientos se aplicó nitrógeno en dosis de 100kg N ha-¹, dejando testigo sin fertilizar (100N y 0N, respectivamente). Se evaluaron propiedades del suelo en superficie (0-21cm), en distintas etapas del cultivo: densidad aparente (DA); porcentaje de agregados estables al benceno, alcohol y agua; porosidad estructural (PE); carbono orgánico total (COT) y humedad volumétrica (HV). Además, se determinó DA y HV a los 21-36cm y 36-70cm de profundidad. La densidad aparente del suelo a los 0-21cm y 21-36 cm de profundidad, fue significativamente mayor en LC (P?0,05) con respecto a LV y PC, en todas las fechas de muestreo. El tratamiento PC presentó en las tres fechas de muestreo un mayor porcentaje de agregados estables al benceno, alcohol, y agua; mayor PE y mayor contenido de COT (P?0,05), con respecto a los tratamientos LC y LV. Se halló una relación inversa entre DA y PE (r²= 0,70). El porcentaje de agregados estables al alcohol se correlacionó positivamente con el COT (r²=0,86). El contenido de humedad en superficie fue significativamente menor (P<0,05) en LC con respecto a LV y PC, en la mayor parte del ciclo del cultivo. A partir de los 21cm de profundidad, PC presentó los valores más elevados de HV. La acumulación de materia seca en LC fue el 45,8%, 64%, 73% y 73% de lo acumulado en PC en las etapas de macollaje, encañazón, antesis y madurez fisiológica, respectivamente; mientras que LV acumuló un 76,7%, 83,4%, 85% y 95% con respecto a PC, en las mismas etapas de crecimiento. El rendimiento del cultivo en LC fue el 73% de lo obtenido en PC (para 100N y 0N); mientras que para LV fue el 85,5% (parcelas 100N) y 93,1% (0N) de lo hallado en PC. La mayor compactación, la inestabilidad de la estructura, la menor acumulación de COT y humedad del suelo que presentó LC, pudieron incidir negativamente en el crecimiento y rendimiento del cultivo.The tillage practices can affect crop production through their influence on distribution of soil organic matter, available water-holding capacity and nutrient dynamics. The experiment was conducted at the EEA INTA Oliveros, during 1992/93 in an Aquic Argiudoll. The aim of the study was to determine the effects of management practices on soil properties and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) growth and grain yield in a continuous wheat-soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr) rotation (11 yr.) and a plot coming from a long-term pasture. Tillage treatments were: moldboard plowing (LC) and chisel plowing (LV) in wheat-soybean rotation, and moldboard plowing in the plot coming from pasture (PC), with two levels of nitrogen (0 and 100 kg N ha–1). Soil bulk density (DA); the percentage of stable aggregates to benzene, ethanol and water; structural porosity (PE), total organic carbon (COT), and volumetric water content (HV) in the 0-21cm layer were evaluated during the growing season. Soil bulk density and HV in the 21-36cm and 36-70cm layers were measured. Soil bulk density at 0-21 cm and 21-36 cm depth was significantly higher in LC with respect to LV and PC (P?0.05). The percentage of stable aggregates to pre-treatments with benzene, ethanol and water, PE and COT were significantly higher in PC with respect to LC and LV (P?0.05). Soil bulk density was inversely related to the PE (r2=0.70). The percentage of stable aggregates to ethanol was directly correlated to COT (r2=0.86). Volumetric water content in the top layer was lower in LC than in PC and LV. While PC showed the highest values in the depths of 21-36cm and 36-70cm. Dry matter under LC was 45.8%, 64%, 73% y 73% of that obtained in PC at tillering, stem elongation, anthesis and physiological maturity, respectively. Dry matter under LV was 76.7%, 83.4%, 85% y 95% with respect to PC, in the same growth stages. Grain yield in LC was 73% of that obtained in PC for both levels of N, while grain yield in LV was 85.5% and 93.1% of that obtained in PC for 0 and 100 kg N ha-1; respectively. A negative impact on wheat growth and grain yield could have been due to a greater soil compaction, soil structure instability, lower soil organic carbon and lower soil water content under LC

Long-term functional outcomes and quality of life after partial glossectomy for T2 squamous cell carcinomas

INTRODUCTION: Partial glossectomy and reconstruction strategy for malignant tongue tumors influences speech and swallowing. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate long-term functional outcomes after partial glossectomy for pT2 mobile tongue carcinomas with a maximum dimension between 2 and 3 cm. Different reconstruction strategies (with or without pedicled flap) were compared. METHODS: Twenty-two patients with at least 12 months followup were included. Clinician-based and self-reported instruments were used to analyze tongue motility, speech intelligibility and articulation, swallowing, and quality of life. RESULTS: Patients with a higher tongue motility had better articulation and lower dysphagia. Avoiding pedicled flap reconstruction seemed to guarantee lower impairment of speech and swallowing. Worse functional outcomes induced a lower quality of life. CONCLUSION: Partial glossectomy results in tongue motility impairment and consequently alterations of oral functions. Since the type of reconstruction impacts long-term outcomes, it should be adequately planned before surgery