Potential denitrification stimulated by water-soluble organic carbon from plant residues during initial decomposition

Denitrification usually takes place under anoxic conditions and over short periods of time, and depends on readily available nitrate and carbon sources. Variations in CO2 and N2O emissions associated with plant residues have mainly been explained by differences in their decomposability. A factor rarely considered so far is water-extractable organic matter (WEOM) released to the soil during residue decomposition. Here, we examined the potential effect of plant residues on denitrification with special emphasis on WEOM. A range of fresh and leached plant residues was characterized by elemental analyses, 13C-NMR spectroscopy, and extraction with ultrapure water. The obtained solutions were analyzed for the concentrations of organic carbon (OC) and organic nitrogen (ON), and by UV-VIS spectroscopy. To test the potential denitrification induced by plant residues or three different OM solutions, these carbon sources were added to soil suspensions and incubated for 24 h at 20 °C in the dark under anoxic conditions; KNO3 was added to ensure unlimited nitrate supply. Evolving N2O and CO2 were analyzed by gas chromatography, and acetylene inhibition was used to determine denitrification and its product ratio. The production of all gases, as well as the molar (N2O + N2)–N/CO2–C ratio, was directly related to the water-extractable OC (WEOC) content of the plant residues, and the WEOC increased with carboxylic/carbonyl C and decreasing OC/ON ratio of the plant residues. Incubation of OM solutions revealed that the molar (N2O + N2)–N/CO2–C ratio and share of N2O are influenced by the WEOM's chemical composition. In conclusion, our results emphasize the potential of WEOM in largely undecomposed plant residues to support short-term denitrification activity in a typical ˈhot spot–hot momentˈ situation

Phase II Trial with Carboplatin and Bendamustine in Patients with Extensive Stage Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Background:Bendamustine is an alkylating agent with hybrid activity and proven efficacy in small-cell lung cancer associated with a favorable toxicity rate. This phase II study of carboplatin/bendamustine was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of this combination in patients with extensive disease small-cell lung cancer (ED-SCLC).Methods:Fifty-six untreated patients with ED-SCLC were enrolled. Their median age was 63 years. Sixty-seven percent of patients were male and 18% had a World Health Organization performance status of 2. Bendamustine was administered as a 30- to 60-minute infusion at a dose of 80 mg/m2 on days 1 and 2, and carboplatin was given at an area under the curve of 5 on day 1 of a 21-day cycle.Results:Fifty-five patients were assessable for response and toxicity. The overall response rate was 72.7% (95% confidence interval: 59%–84%), with one complete remission (1.8%). The median time to progression was 5.2 months (95% confidence interval: 4.2–5.6). At the time of evaluation, 71% of the patients had died. The median survival time reached 8.3 months (95% confidence interval: 6.6–9.9). The major toxicity of this regimen was myelosuppression, including grade 3 or 4 neutropenia (46%), thrombopenia (26%), anemia (15%), and infections (11%). Toxic death was recorded in two patients (3.6%).Conclusions:The carboplatin/bendamustine regimen is a well-tolerated cytostatic combination in ED-SCLC with activity comparable with that of other platinum-based regimens. Further investigations, such as a phase III trial, are currently planned

Dysfunction of spatacsin leads to axonal pathology in SPG11-linked hereditary spastic paraplegia

Hereditary spastic paraplegias are a group of inherited motor neuron diseases characterized by progressive paraparesis and spasticity. Mutations in the spastic paraplegia gene SPG11, encoding spatacsin, cause an autosomal-recessive disease trait; however, the precise knowledge about the role of spatacsin in neurons is very limited. We for the first time analyzed the expression and function of spatacsin in human forebrain neurons derived from human pluripotent stem cells including lines from two SPG11 patients and two controls. SPG11 patients'-derived neurons exhibited downregulation of specific axonal-related genes, decreased neurite complexity and accumulation of membranous bodies within axonal processes. Altogether, these data point towards axonal pathologies in human neurons with SPG11 mutations. To further corroborate spatacsin function, we investigated human pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons and mouse cortical neurons. In these cells, spatacsin was located in axons and dendrites. It colocalized with cytoskeletal and synaptic vesicle (SV) markers and was present in synaptosomes. Knockdown of spatacsin in mouse cortical neurons evidenced that the loss of function of spatacsin leads to axonal instability by downregulation of acetylated tubulin. Finally, time-lapse assays performed in SPG11 patients'-derived neurons and spatacsin-silenced mouse neurons highlighted a reduction in the anterograde vesicle trafficking indicative of impaired axonal transport. By employing SPG11 patient-derived forebrain neurons and mouse cortical neurons, this study provides the first evidence that SPG11 is implicated in axonal maintenance and cargo trafficking. Understanding the cellular functions of spatacsin will allow deciphering mechanisms of motor cortex dysfunction in autosomal-recessive hereditary spastic paraplegia

Das Stigma von Suchterkrankungen verstehen und überwinden = Understanding and overcoming the stigma of substance use disorders

Understanding and overcoming the stigma of substance use disorders Abstract. Stigma does harm to individuals with substance use disorders (SUD), and it increases the burden of SUDs. It presents a barrier to help seeking, results in lower treatment quality and increases social and health related consequences of SUDs. This applies to both the individual, societal and economic consequences of substance use. Moreover, stigmatizing persons with addictions is an ethical problem, since it discriminates against a certain group and infringes on their human dignity. Dealing with substance use disorders without stigma is possible. Eliminating the stigma of SUDs means finding better ways to deal with SUDs and to make these ways available to everyone. Instead of devaluing, marginalizing and disciplining persons with SUD, empowerment and appreciation need to be at the core of dealing with SUD in prevention, treatment and every day life

Deconstructing the enduring appeal of the Third Reich

One of the interesting aspects of contemporary culture has been the continuing appeal of the Third Reich (1933-1945) in the modern imagination and this essay examines reasons for this continuing appeal. It is suggested that the reasons for this continuing appeal are complex, although possibly include: 1) the aesthetic and audio-visual nature of the regime, 2) the general appeal of a militaristic society, 3) technological achievements during the regime, 4) the historical idiosyncrasy of the regime, and 5) the discourse of tragedy which can be applied to the regime. The essay concludes with an attempt to examine the implications of the appeal of the Third Reich for the task of education for peace