State control can result in good performance for firms

State firms are now hybrid organisations, say Ciprian Stan, David Ahlstrom, Mike W. Peng, Kehan Xu and Garry D. Bruto

Fertilization management improves the yield and capsaicinoid content of chili peppers

Chili, one of the most cultivated plants in the world, from the genus Capsicum sp., has great importance both in human nutrition and in the pharmaceutical industry. This study provides detailed information on the impact of chili crop fertilization on the production and accumulation of capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin. During the vegetation period, 235 kg∙ha−1 NPK (chemical—Ch), 270 kg∙ha−1 NPK (organic—O) and 250 kg∙ha−1 NPK (mixed—Ch + O) fertilizers were applied on six varieties of chili pepper (De Cayenne, Traian 2, Turkish, Sigaretta di Bergamo, Jovial and Chorbadjiiski); all versions were compared with the control (Ct). The determination of capsaicinoid compounds from chili pepper samples was done using high‐performance liquid chromatography, HPLC‐UV/VIS. The chili pepper plants reacted differently according to the fertilizers used, both in terms of the production and accumulation of capsaicinoids. The highest production was obtained for the case of mixed treatments in all cultivars, with the highest production being found for Sigaretta di Bergamo (40.61 t∙ha−1). The capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin content was influenced by both the type of fertilizer used and the variety of chili pepper. The accumulation of capsaicinoids in the chili fruits was found to be dependent on cultivar and fertilization management; higher amounts of capsaicinoids were found to accumulate in the fruits of the Chorbadjiiski variety treated with chemicals (0.83 mg∙g−1 capsaicin and 0.53 mg∙g−1 dihydrocapsaicin) compared with the amounts found for untreated De Cayenne (0.52 mg∙g−1 capsaicin and 0.33 mg∙g−1 dihydrocapsaicin)

Dynamic of phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, and yield of rhubarb under chemical, organic and biological fertilization

In recent years, rhubarb is being increasingly cultivated, as it provides early yields when the vegetables supply to market is deficient and shows high levels of both polyphenols content and antioxidant capacity in edible parts. In 2017, we investigated crops of the rhubarb cultivar Victoria to the fifth year of production. Comparisons were performed between three root phase fertilizations—chemical (NPK 16-16-16®), organic (Orgevit®), and biological (Micoseeds MB®)—plus an unfertilized control. The determinations of polyphenols, the antioxidant capacity, and the yield indicators from the stalks (petioles) of rhubarb were made at each out of the 10 harvests carried out. The highest yield (59.16 t·ha−1) was recorded under the chemical fertilization. The total polyphenols content and antioxidant capacity varied widely from 533.86 mg GAE·g−1 d.w. and 136.86 mmol Trolox·g−1 d.w., respectively in the unfertilized control at the last harvest, up to 3966.56 mg GAE·g−1 d.w. and 1953.97 mmol Trolox·g−1 d.w. respectively under the organic fertilization at the four harvest. From the results of our investigation, it can be inferred that the chemical fertilization was the most effective in terms of yield, whereas the sustainable nutritional management based on organic fertilizer supply led to higher antioxidant compounds and activity

Cetuximab-Taxanes-Platinum-Fluorouracil/Capecitabine (C-TPF/C-TPX) – a Feasible Option for Recurrent HNSCC with Negative Prognostic Factors. Literature Review with a Case Presentation

Concurrent chemo-radiotherapy with Cisplatin is the standard treatment for locally advanced non-metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC), but induction chemotherapy (IC) followed by chemo-irradiation, even controversial is a widely accepted option, especially in high-risk cases. A regimen including triple association (platinum-taxanes-fluorouracil) is generally considered superior in efficacy, but may be associated with severe toxicity. In the case of recurrence, the options are limited and the prognosis is generally unfavorable. Chemotherapy alone or in combination with an anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody (Cetuximab), immunotherapy or re-irradiation for selected cases are feasible options in loco-regional or metastatic relapse. We present a case of nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC), with negative prognostic and predictive factors multimodally treated with an intensive chemotherapy regimen associating Cetuximab with a median survival higher than the median value reported in most studies. Replacing 5 Floururacil with Capecitabine and Cisplatin with Carboplatin may be an option to increase treatment tolerance and should be evaluated in randomized trials. The use of induction chemotherapy as a “new standard” before radio-chemotherapy for cases with negative prognostic factors should also be the subject of future studies. Re-challenge with platinum is also an option that needs to be re-evaluated

Skin Cancers of the Head and Neck Region: the Real World Epidemiological and Therapeutic Data from the Cancer Registry of Dolj County

The majority of skin cancers of the head and neck are represented by basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and cutaneous squamosal cell carcinoma (CSCC), both non-melanoma skin cancers. Identified in the early stages, the cure rate is considered high. Sun protection and early identification of suspicious lesions are the optimal strategies for these cancers to be associated with higher response rates and favorable cosmetic results. Even if the incidence is lower, 10% to 25% of melanomas could also be identified in the head and neck region. For advanced stages or for cases ineligible for optimal surgical treatment, the multimodal approach including adjuvant radiotherapy, chemotherapy, biological therapy or immunotherapy must be decided in a multidisciplinary team. We set out to retrospectively evaluate the data of patients with skin tumors in the head and neck region included in the cancer registry of Dolj county between January 2000 and December 2019. Seventy-three patients were subsequently identified who met the inclusion criteria. The median age of the patients was 73 years (46 to 98). Forty-six cases of these were BCC, 15 CSCC cases, 1 adenoid cystic carcinoma case, 1 malignant melanoma case and one case without histopathological confirmation. The ratio between BCC and CSCC in our study is 3:1, in concordance with the ratio identified in the literature. The vast majority of cases come from the urban environment, surgery being the main treatment, especially for the early stages. Adjuvant radiotherapy was administered both in cases of BCC and epidermoid carcinoma. Adjuvant polychemotherapy, interferon therapy and re-irradiation have also been used. Considering the main risk factor, exposure to the sun, it is possible that the predominance of cases from cities is caused by underreporting of these types of cancer in rural communities where the main occupation is agriculture, associated with sun exposure, but also by a lower addressability or non-compliance with the inclusion in the oncological monitoring programs. The current existence of some modern oncological therapies, including immunotherapy for CSS and malignant melanoma, justifies a better monitoring and inclusion of these cases in multidisciplinary evaluation. Superficial radiotherapy, which has now become less accessible in our country, due to the implementation of radiological safety rules and the conversion of equipment from the former Soviet Union cobalt and superficial X-ray radiotherapy device to modern liniac accelerators focused on modern techniques radiotherapy is necessary to reduce the risk of recurrence in the case of resection with inadequate margins of non-melanoma skin tumors

Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System score (PI-RADS) and Glutathione S-transferase P1 methylation status (GST-P1) in the diagnosis of prostate cancer patients with borderline PSA values

Objectives. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential use of Prostate Imaging – Reporting and Data System version 2 (PI-RADS) in combination with Glutathione S-transferase P1 (GST-P1) expression for an improved diagnosis of prostate cancer, in patients with inconclusive values of prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Materials and Methods. The study was conducted on 80 patients for whom PSA values were evaluated and were found to be inconclusive (4-10 ng/ml). These patients underwent imagistic evaluation (PI-RADS), followed by transurethral prostate biopsy, with the evaluation of GST-P1 expression and histopathological examination (for diagnosis confirmation). Results. By combining the results of PI-RADS and GST-P1 the capacity of the tests to correctly identify healthy subjects, with an area under curve of 0,832 (95% CI 0.732–0.907), with a sensitivity of 73,25% and a specificity of 77,78%. Conclusions. PI-RADS lesions and GST-P1 methylation testing when PSA levels are in a “grey zone”, provide a better specificity and sensitivity by comparison through single testing. Testing patients with inconclusive PSA levels allows for a more accurate diagnosis and less over-diagnosis by non-invasive procedures, such as repeated biopsies

Influenţa diferitelor tipuri de fertilizanţi ecologici asupra capacităţii agroproductive la cinci cultivare de tomate

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the influence of the application of fertilizers allowed in organic farming to an assortment of autumn tomatoes. The research was conducted in the didactic and experimental field of the Vegetable growing discipline, at U.S.A.M.V. Iaşi. The experiment was of a bifactorial type, testingthe influence of the cultivar with five graduations (Perra D`Abruzzo, Firmus F1, Raluca; Bilbo F1 and Rio Grande) and of the fertilization with three graduations (unfertilized, organic fertilization with Humic and the application of a product based on microorganisms, namely Micoseeds MB) underthe conditions of the cropyear 2019. The cropwas established by seedlingsof 45 days, in strips of two rows, the distance betweenthe strips being 90 cm, and between rows,of 50 cm. The distance between plants in arow was 25 cm, resulting in a density of about 57 thousand plants per hectare. The results obtained demonstrate the efficiency of the products used, the yields obtained in the case of fertilized variants being higher compared to the non-fertilized variant, for all five cultivarsused

Azimuthal anisotropy of charged jet production in root s(NN)=2.76 TeV Pb-Pb collisions

We present measurements of the azimuthal dependence of charged jet production in central and semi-central root s(NN) = 2.76 TeV Pb-Pb collisions with respect to the second harmonic event plane, quantified as nu(ch)(2) (jet). Jet finding is performed employing the anti-k(T) algorithm with a resolution parameter R = 0.2 using charged tracks from the ALICE tracking system. The contribution of the azimuthal anisotropy of the underlying event is taken into account event-by-event. The remaining (statistical) region-to-region fluctuations are removed on an ensemble basis by unfolding the jet spectra for different event plane orientations independently. Significant non-zero nu(ch)(2) (jet) is observed in semi-central collisions (30-50% centrality) for 20 <p(T)(ch) (jet) <90 GeV/c. The azimuthal dependence of the charged jet production is similar to the dependence observed for jets comprising both charged and neutral fragments, and compatible with measurements of the nu(2) of single charged particles at high p(T). Good agreement between the data and predictions from JEWEL, an event generator simulating parton shower evolution in the presence of a dense QCD medium, is found in semi-central collisions. (C) 2015 CERN for the benefit of the ALICE Collaboration. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).Peer reviewe

Production of He-4 and (4) in Pb-Pb collisions at root(NN)-N-S=2.76 TeV at the LHC

Results on the production of He-4 and (4) nuclei in Pb-Pb collisions at root(NN)-N-S = 2.76 TeV in the rapidity range vertical bar y vertical bar <1, using the ALICE detector, are presented in this paper. The rapidity densities corresponding to 0-10% central events are found to be dN/dy4(He) = (0.8 +/- 0.4 (stat) +/- 0.3 (syst)) x 10(-6) and dN/dy4 = (1.1 +/- 0.4 (stat) +/- 0.2 (syst)) x 10(-6), respectively. This is in agreement with the statistical thermal model expectation assuming the same chemical freeze-out temperature (T-chem = 156 MeV) as for light hadrons. The measured ratio of (4)/He-4 is 1.4 +/- 0.8 (stat) +/- 0.5 (syst). (C) 2018 Published by Elsevier B.V.Peer reviewe