Catch Crops in Organic Farming Systems without Livestock Husbandry - Simulations with the DAISY model

This paper presents simulations of the soil-plant-atmosphere model DAISY based on an organic crop rotation with incorporation of different catch crops following pea as a leguminous cash crop. Special emphasise was put on the simulation of N-mineralisation/-immobilisation and of soil microbial biomass N. The DAISY model was able to simulate soil mineral N and soil microbial biomass N after soil incorporation of catch crop plant residues to some extend. Several processes need further attention and may be integrated into the DAISY model: (1) soil tillage induced mobilisation of organic material including considerable amounts of organic N, (2) winter killing of sensitive plant species and varieties, (3) decomposition of plant residues at the soil surface as occurring after winter killing, (4) decomposition of easily decomposable plant residues at low temperatures, (5) soil microbial residues as an organic pool temporarily protected against turnover. Furthermore, reliable criteria for the subdivision of green plant residues into an easily decomposable pool and a more recalcitrant pool have to be developed

Chondrocalcinosis and osteoporosis in a patient with renal tubular disorder

We report the case of a 50-year old male patient presenting with a combination of chondrocalcinosis and osteoporosis related to a renal tubular disorder. Laboratory studies revealed hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, hypocalcemia with renal wastage and metabolic alkalosis, compatible with a renal tubular transport disorder with similarities to Bartter's and Gitelman's syndrome. Calcifications of the menisci and cartilage on X-rays of knee joints suggested chondrocalcinosis, which has been associated with Gitelman's syndrome. Radiologically suspected osteopenia was confirmed by a bone density scan that revealed osteoporosis of the vertebral column. An association of osteoporosis with hypercalciuria, which commonly occurs in Bartter's syndrome patients, has been reported. Upon treatment of the renal tubular disorder with spironolactone and a thiazide diuretic in combination with calcium and magnesium supplementation, the electrolyte abnormalities resolved and arthralgias disappeared. Our case demonstrates a renal tubular dysfunction with features of both Bartter's and Gitelman's syndrome along with concurrent chondrocalcinosis and osteoporosis. Furthermore, the occurrence of osteoporosis in this relatively young patient, in the absence of other risk factors, demonstrates that renal tubular disorders should be suspected in presenile osteoporosis. Vice versa, since osteoporosis usually is asymptomatic before fracturing, patients with renal tubular disorders should be examined for osteoporosis

Biomaterial-induced sarcomagenesis is not associated with microsatellite instability

Sarcomagenesis, in contrast to carcinogenesis, is poorly understood. Microsatellite instability has been implicated in the development of many cancers, in particular those associated with chronic inflammatory conditions. In an experimental animal model, rats developed not only a peri-implantational chronic inflammatory reaction, but also malignant mesenchymal tumors in response to different biomaterials. Therefore, it was the aim of our study to test if the development of biomaterial-induced sarcomas is characterized by a mutator phenotype. A multiplex-PCR approach was designed to screen biomaterial-induced sarcomas for the presence of microsatellite instability. Seven different microsatellite loci were tested in ten tumors for microsatellite instability using a fluorochrome-labelled multiplex-PCR and subsequent fragment analysis. All tumors provided a microsatellite-stable phenotype at all loci tested. Our data suggest that microsatellite instability is rarely or not at all a feature of malignant transformation of biomaterial-induced soft tissue tumors. Thus, there is no evidence that a mutator phenotype is a hallmark of biomaterial-induced sarcomagenesi

Home care providers to the rescue:a novel first-responder programme

To describe the implementation of a novel first-responder programme in which home care providers equipped with automated external defibrillators (AEDs) were dispatched in parallel with existing emergency medical services in the event of a suspected out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).We evaluated a one-year prospective study that trained home care providers in performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and using an AED in cases of suspected OHCA. Data were collected from cardiac arrest case files, case files from each provider dispatch and a survey among dispatched providers. The study was conducted in a rural district in Denmark.Home care providers were dispatched to 28 of the 60 OHCAs that occurred in the study period. In ten cases the providers arrived before the ambulance service and subsequently performed CPR. AED analysis was executed in three cases and shock was delivered in one case. For 26 of the 28 cases, the cardiac arrest occurred in a private home. Ninety-five per cent of the providers who had been dispatched to a cardiac arrest reported feeling prepared for managing the initial resuscitation, including use of AED.Home care providers are suited to act as first-responders in predominantly rural and residential districts. Future follow-up will allow further evaluation of home care provider arrivals and patient survival