Herbicide Residue and Weed Control in Switchgrass

Purposes of this study were to find an effective herbicide for control of grassy weeds in a pasture, to adapt known laboratory procedures for analyzing residues and to determine amounts of residues during the growing season in treated plots. Nine herbicides were screened for controlling grassy weeds, primarily downy brome (Bromus tectorum L.) in a native pasture. Data indicated 2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-s-triazine (atrazine) applied postemergence at 1 lb/A was the most effective at 85% control. The following year, atrazine, 2-chloro-4, 6-bis­ (ethylamino)-s-triazine (simazine) and 2, 2-dichloropropionic acid (dalapon) each at 1, 2 and 3 lb/A were applied preemergence to switchgrass pasture. Of primary concern was control of grassy weeds; downy brome, green foxtail (Setaria virdis (L.) Beauv.) and yellow foxtail (Setaria glauca (L.) Beauv.). Atrazine effectiveness remained nearly constant through the summer with 50% grassy weed control. Simazine control was not significantly (P \u3c .05) different from that of atrazine. Dalapon effectiveness decreased from 90% to 61 % and gave significantly (P \u3c .05) higher percent control than either triazine. Atrazine and simazine were significantly (P \u3c .05) higher in broadleaf weed control than dalapon. Atrazine and simazine caused no injury to the switchgrass. Dalapon, however, resulted in severe injury or death to the desirable grass. All herbicides increased in effectiveness as the rate of application increased. Herbicidal carry over as recorded in July 1970 was evident. Laboratory procedures for atrazine and simazine residue analysis included column, thin-layer and hydrogen-flame gas chromatography. Dalapon was analyzed using electron capture gas chromatography. No recordable atrazine and simazine residues (less than 5 ppm) were found in vegetative samples beginning with the June harvest. Dalapon applied in May at 1, 2 and 3 lb/A decreased to less than 3 ppm in late summer harvest

Meniscal transplantation and its effect on osteoarthritis risk : an abridged protocol for the MeTEOR study : a comprehensive cohortstudy incorporating a pilot randomised controlled trial

Objectives: Subtotal or total meniscectomy in the medial or lateral compartment of the knee results in a high risk of future osteoarthritis. Meniscal allograft transplantation has been performed for over thirty years with the scientifically plausible hypothesis that it functions in a similar way to a native meniscus. It is thought that a meniscal allograft transplant has a chondroprotective effect, reducing symptoms and the long-term risk of osteoarthritis. However, this hypothesis has never been tested in a high-quality study on human participants. This study aims to address this shortfall by performing a pilot randomised controlled trial within the context of a comprehensive cohort study design. Methods: Patients will be randomised to receive either meniscal transplant or a non-operative, personalised knee therapy program. MRIs will be performed every four months for one year. The primary endpoint is the mean change in cartilage volume in the weight-bearing area of the knee at one year post intervention. Secondary outcome measures include the mean change in cartilage thickness, T2 maps, patient-reported outcome measures, health economics assessment and complications. Results: This study is expected to report its findings in 2016

Galectin-Glycan Interactions as Regulators of B Cell Immunity

Cell surface glycans and their glycan-binding partners (lectins) have generally been recognized as adhesive assemblies with neighbor cells or matrix scaffolds in organs and the blood stream. However, our understanding of the roles for glycan-lectin interactions in immunity has expanded substantially to include regulation of nearly every stage of an immune response, from pathogen sensing to immune contraction. In this Mini-Review, we discuss the role of the ß-galactoside-binding lectins known as galectins specifically in the regulation of B-lymphocyte (B cell) development, activation, and differentiation. In particular, we highlight several recent studies revealing new roles for galectin (Gal)-9 in the modulation of B cell receptor-mediated signaling and activation in mouse and man. The roles for cell surface glycosylation, especially I-branching of N-glycans synthesized by the glycosyltransferase GCNT2, in the regulation of Gal-9 binding activity are also detailed. Finally, we consider how dysregulation of these factors may contribute to aberrant immune activation and autoimmune disease