Effects of plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) on yield, growth and nutrient contents of organically grown strawberry

The effects of plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) on the fruit yield, growth and nutrient element content of strawberry cv. Fern were investigated under organic growing conditions between 2006 and 2008. The experimental plot was a completely randomized design with 3 replicates. Three PGPB strains (Pseudomonas BA-8, Bacillus OSU-142 and Bacillus M-3) were used alone or in combination as biofertilizer agent in the experiment. Data through 3 years showed that the use of PGPB significantly increased fruit yield, plant growth and leaf P and Zn contents. Root inoculation of M3 and floral and foliar spraying of OSU-142 and BA-8 bacteria stimulated plant growth resulting in significant yield increases. M3 + BA-8, BA-8 + OSU-142, M3, M3 + OSU-142 and BA-8 applications increased cumulative yield by 33.2%, 18.4%, 18.2%, 15.3% and 10.5%, respectively. Number of fruits per plant significantly increased by the applications of M3 + BA-8 (91.73) and M3 (81.58) compared with the control (68.66). In addition, P and Zn contents of strawberry leaves with bacterial inoculation significantly increased under organic growing conditions. Available P contents in soil were increased from 0.35 kg P2O5/da at the beginning of the study to 2.00, 1.97 and 1.82 kg P2O5/da by M3 + OSU-142, M3 + BA-8 and M3 + BA-8 + OSU-142 applications, respectively. Overall, the results of this study suggest that root inoculation of Bacillus M3 alone or in combination with spraying Bacillus OSU-142 or Pseudomonas BA-8 have the potential to increase the yield, growth and nutrition content of strawberry plant under organic growing conditions

Breast cancer in association with thyroid disorders

BACKGROUND: The relationship between breast cancer and thyroid diseases is controversial. Discrepant results have been reported in the literature. The incidences of autoimmune and nonautoimmune thyroid diseases were investigated in patients with breast cancer and age-matched control individuals without breast or thyroid disease. METHODS: Clinical and ultrasound evaluation of thyroid gland, determination of serum thyroid hormone and antibody levels, and fine-needle aspiration of thyroid gland were performed in 150 breast cancer patients and 100 control individuals. RESULTS: The mean values for anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies were significantly higher in breast cancer patients than in control individuals (P = 0.030). The incidences of autoimmune and nonautoimmune thyroid diseases were higher in breast cancer patients than in control individuals (38% versus 17%, P = 0.001; 26% versus 9%, P = 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate an increased prevalence of autoimmune and nonautoimmune thyroid diseases in breast cancer patients

Prevalence of Subclinical Hypothyroidism among Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction

Introduction. Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is defined as a serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level above the upper limit of normal despite normal levels of serum free thyroxine. There is growing evidence that SCH is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. We tried to investigate prevalence of SCH in acute myocardial infarction patients. Methods and Results. We evaluate free T3, free T4, and TSH levels of 604 patients (age 58.4) retrospectively, who have been admitted to the coronary intensive care unit between years 2004–2009 with the diagnosis of ST elevation (STEMI) or non-ST elevation acute myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Mild subclinical hypothyroidism (TSH 4.5 to 9.9 mU/l) was present in 54 (8.94%) participants and severe subclinical hypothyroidism (TSH 10.0 to 19.9 mU/l) in 11 (1.82%). So 65 patients (10.76%) had TSH levels between 4.5 and 20. Conclusions. In conclusion, 65 patients (10.76%) had TSH levels between 4.5 and 20 in our study, and it is a considerable amount. Large-scale studies are needed to clarify the effects of SCH on myocardial infarction both on etiologic and prognostic grounds

Bioactive content and antioxidant characteristics of wild (Fragaria vesca L.) and cultivated strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) fruits from Turkey

In this study, some biochemical (total soluble solid content, pH, acidity and vitamin C) and in vitro antioxidant activity, total phenolic content, total ellagic acid and concentration of anthocyanins of fifteen wild strawberry genotypes (Fragaria vesca L.) and one commercial strawberry cultivar Camarosa (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) sampled in Northeastern Turkey were determined. Antioxidant activity of fruit samples was determined by DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and FRAP (Ferric reducing antioxidant power) assays. Notable differences were found both among wild strawberries and also between wild strawberries and cv. Camarosa. Among the strawberry accessions tested, the total phenolics ranged from 138 mg to 228 mg gallic acid equivalent per 100 g fresh fruit. The total monomeric anthocyanin content was the highest in wild genotype FV-2 (53.51 mg/100 g) while the lowest in FV-6 as 25.11 mg per 100 g fresh weight basis. The total ellagic acid content was between 15.18 and 26.36 mg per 100 g. All wild strawberries had higher antioxidant activity than cv. Camarosa. Thus, it can be concluded that wild strawberry is a good source of polyphenols, ellagic acid and antioxidants

Long-term results of diaphragmatic plication in adults with unilateral diaphragm paralysis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In this study we aimed to evaluate the long-term outcome of diaphragmatic plication for symptomatic unilateral diaphragm paralysis.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Thirteen patients who underwent unilateral diaphragmatic plication (2 patients had right, 11 left plication) between January 2003 and December 2006 were evaluated. One patient died postoperatively due to sepsis. The remaining 12 patients [9 males, 3 females; mean age 60 (36-66) years] were reevaluated with chest radiography, flouroscopy or ultrasonography, pulmonary function tests, computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and the MRC/ATS dyspnea score at an average of 5.4 (4-7) years after diaphragmatic plication.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The etiology of paralysis was trauma (9 patients), cardiac by pass surgery (3 patients), and idiopathic (1 patient). The principle symptom was progressive dyspnea with a mean duration of 32.9 (22-60) months before surgery. All patients had an elevated hemidiaphragm and paradoxical movement radiologically prior to surgery. There were partial atelectasis and reccurent infection of the lower lobe in the affected side on CT in 9 patients. Atelectasis was completely improved in 9 patients after plication. Preoperative spirometry showed a clear restrictive pattern. Mean preoperative FVC was 56.7 ± 11.6% and FEV1 65.3 ± 8.7%. FVC and FEV1 improved by 43.6 ± 30.6% (p < 0.001) and 27.3 ± 10.9% (p < 0.001) at late follow-up. MRC/ATS dyspnea scores improved 3 points in 11 patients and 1 point in 1 patient at long-term (p < 0.0001). Eight patients had returned to work at 3 months after surgery.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Diaphragmatic plication for unilateral diaphragm paralysis decreases lung compression, ensures remission of symptoms, and improves quality of life in long-term period.</p

Phytotherapics of Amazonian and Cerrado biome’s medicinal plants as an alternative approach for preventive and/or curative therapy of diseases by emerging Coronavirus variants

Em face da constante emergência e reemergência de patógenos virais, como no momento atual por SARS-CoV-2, a terapia da COVID-19 tem sido polêmica. Vacinas anti-SARS-CoV-2 estão em desenvolvimento, mas a eficácia e segurança são discutíveis. Raras exceções, os fármacos são obtidos de produtos naturais ou tem sua imagem química em base ao que a natureza nos proporciona, assim que, continua--se a prospecção na biodiversidade nacional, de novas promessas na resolução dos constantes desafios que surgem de formas evolutivas virais, enquanto buscam o equilíbrio ecológico com seus hospedeiros

Global wealth disparities drive adherence to COVID-safe pathways in head and neck cancer surgery

Peer reviewe

The impact of surgical delay on resectability of colorectal cancer: An international prospective cohort study

AIM: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has provided a unique opportunity to explore the impact of surgical delays on cancer resectability. This study aimed to compare resectability for colorectal cancer patients undergoing delayed versus non-delayed surgery. METHODS: This was an international prospective cohort study of consecutive colorectal cancer patients with a decision for curative surgery (January-April 2020). Surgical delay was defined as an operation taking place more than 4 weeks after treatment decision, in a patient who did not receive neoadjuvant therapy. A subgroup analysis explored the effects of delay in elective patients only. The impact of longer delays was explored in a sensitivity analysis. The primary outcome was complete resection, defined as curative resection with an R0 margin. RESULTS: Overall, 5453 patients from 304 hospitals in 47 countries were included, of whom 6.6% (358/5453) did not receive their planned operation. Of the 4304 operated patients without neoadjuvant therapy, 40.5% (1744/4304) were delayed beyond 4 weeks. Delayed patients were more likely to be older, men, more comorbid, have higher body mass index and have rectal cancer and early stage disease. Delayed patients had higher unadjusted rates of complete resection (93.7% vs. 91.9%, P = 0.032) and lower rates of emergency surgery (4.5% vs. 22.5%, P < 0.001). After adjustment, delay was not associated with a lower rate of complete resection (OR 1.18, 95% CI 0.90-1.55, P = 0.224), which was consistent in elective patients only (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.69-1.27, P = 0.672). Longer delays were not associated with poorer outcomes. CONCLUSION: One in 15 colorectal cancer patients did not receive their planned operation during the first wave of COVID-19. Surgical delay did not appear to compromise resectability, raising the hypothesis that any reduction in long-term survival attributable to delays is likely to be due to micro-metastatic disease