Thyroid dysfunction caused by second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors in Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia

BACKGROUND: Thyroid dysfunction is a well-known adverse effect of first-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), like sunitinib. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of second-generation TKIs on thyroid function. METHODS: We retrospectively assessed the effect of the first-generation TKI imatinib and the second-generation TKI nilotinib and dasatinib on thyroid function tests in 73 Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph-positive) chronic myeloid leukemia patients. RESULTS: Overall, 33 of 73 (45%) had one or more thyroid function test abnormalities during follow-up. Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism were found in 18 of 73 (25%) and 21 of 73 (29%) cases after a median of 6 and 22 weeks, respectively. In most patients (29 of 39, 74%) thyroid dysfunction was transient without clinical symptoms. Therapy of hypo-/hyperthyroidism was required in three patients. Thyroid dysfunction never resulted in the discontinuation of TKI therapy. Under treatment with imatinib, nilotinib, and dasatinib, thyroid abnormalities were detected in 25%, 55%, and 70%, respectively. Four of 55 patients (7%) treated with nilotinib had evidence for an autoimmune thyroiditis (antibody positive in 3 of 4 patients) with an episode of hyperthyroidism preceding hypothyroidism. CONCLUSIONS: Thyroid dysfunction is a common adverse event with second-generation TKI therapy in patients with Ph-positive chronic myeloid leukemia. Although the mechanism is still unclear, the high frequency of thyroid abnormalities, including autoimmune thyroiditis, warrants regular and long-term monitoring of thyroid function in these patients

Changes in meltwater chemistry over a 20-year period following a thermal regime switch from polythermal to cold-based glaciation at Austre Broggerbreen, Svalbard

Our long-term study gives a rare insight into meltwater hydrochemistry following the transition of Austre Brøggerbreen from polythermal to cold-based glaciation and its continued retreat. We find that the processes responsible for ion acquisition did not change throughout the period of records but became more productive. Two regimes before and after July/August 2000 were identified from changes in solute concentrations and pH. They resulted from increased chemical weathering occurring in ice-marginal and proglacial environments that have become progressively exposed by glacier retreat. Carbonate carbonation nearly doubled between 2000 and 2010, whilst increases in the weathering of silicate minerals were also marked. In addition, the end of ablation season chemistry was characterized by reactions in long residence time flow paths like those in subglacial environments, in spite of their absence in the watershed. Furthermore, the retreat of the glacier caused the sudden re-routing of meltwaters through its immediate forefield during 2009, which more than doubled crustal ion yields in this particular year and influenced chemical weathering in 2010 regardless of a low water flux. Such a “flush” of crustally derived ions can be meaningful for downstream terrestrial and marine ecosystems. We therefore find that, during glacier retreat, the recently exposed forefield is the most chemically active part of the watershed, making high rates of weathering possible, even when ice losses have caused a switch to cold-based conditions with no delayed subglacial drainage flowpaths. In addition, the drainage system reorganization events result in significant pCO2 depletion in an otherwise high pCO2 system

Crescimento, produtividade e coloração dos chips de tubérculos de batata produzidos sob alta disponibilidade de potássio Growth, yield and chip color of potato tubers grown under high potassium availability

O objetivo do trabalho foi quantificar o crescimento e a produtividade e avaliar a coloração de chips de tubérculos da cv. Asterix de batata produzidos sob alta disponibilidade de potássio. O experimento foi conduzido no Departamento de Fitotecnia da UFSM, RS, em abrigo telado de 200m², no período entre 28/08/2004 e 30/11/2004. Foram empregadas sacolas de polietileno contendo 1,4Kg de substrato orgânico (Plantmax®), com um tubérculo por sacola. Os teores disponíveis de nutrientes contidos no substrato foram de 95; 1.506; 7.831 e 2.948mg kg-1 de P, K, Ca e Mg, respectivamente. Os cinco tratamentos consistiram de doses suplementares de K fornecidas diariamente por fertirrigação, através de cinco soluções nutritivas contendo 3,5; 5,5; 6,5; 8,0 e 9,5mmol L-1 de K. As quantidades totais de k disponibilizadas em cada sacola através das soluções nutritivas ao longo do período experimental foram de 912,3; 1.433,7; 1.694,3; 2.085,3 e 2.476,3mg por planta, respectivamente.O crescimento da área foliar das plantas aumentou linearmente com a disponibilidade de K. Não foram observados efeitos significativos sobre o número, a massa seca e a produtividade de tubérculos e a qualidade dos chips. Níveis elevados de adubação potássica não exercem efeito depressivo na produtividade de tubérculos e na qualidade dos chips de batata.<br>The objective was to verify the effect of high potassium availability on plant growth and tuber yield and chip color of potato, cv. Asterix. The experiment was conducted in a 200m² polyethylene greenhouse at the Departamento de Fitotecnia, UFSM, from August, 28 to November, 30, 2005. Polyethylene bags were filled with 4dm3 of organic substrate (Plantmax ®) and one tuber was planted. The P, K, Ca and Mg availabilities were 95; 1,506; 7,831 and 2,948mg kg-1, respectively. Plants were daily fertigated with nutrient solutions containing supplementary K doses of 3.5; 5.5; 6.5; 8.0 and 9.5mmol L-1. Potassium available in each bag during the experimental period was 912.3; 1,433.7; 1,694.3; 2,085.3 e 2,476.3mg per plant, respectively. The leaf area index increased with K availability. There were no effect on tuber number, dry mass and yield and chip color. High K fertilization rates does not affect tuber yield and chip color of potato