Influência da mistura de sulfato de amônio com uréia sobre a volatilização de nitrogênio amoniacal

Com o objetivo de avaliar a influência da mistura de sulfato de amônio com uréia sobre a volatilização de nitrogênio amoniacal (N-NH3), realizou-se um experimento em laboratório climatizado do Departamento de Solos e Nutrição de Plantas (ESALQ/USP). Em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, foram utilizados cinco tratamentos com cinco repetições. Cada tratamento foi obtido pela mistura de uréia (330 mg) com sulfato de amônio (0, 75, 150, 225 e 300 mg). As misturas de fertilizantes foram aplicadas na superfície do solo (Latossolo Vermelho distrófico, textura média/arenosa) contido em recipientes plásticos de 400 cm³. O N-NH3, volatilizado aos 3, 8, 15 e 23 dias da incubação, foi coletado em recipiente com ácido sulfúrico e indicador alaranjado de metila. Variáveis que influenciam a qualidade da mistura de fertilizantes, como higroscopicidade, granulometria e ângulo de repouso, também foram avaliadas. A volatilização do N-NH3 depende do pH do solo. A mistura de uréia (330 mg) com sulfato de amônio (300 mg) reduziu significativamente as perdas de N-NH3 sem afetar a qualidade da mistura em relação aos atributos físico-químicos avaliados, apresentando eficiência técnica e agronômica para o fim proposto.

Erosividade da chuva: distribuição e correlação com a precipitação pluviométrica de Teodoro Sampaio (SP)

Foram separadas 812 chuvas individuais consideradas erosivas de uma série contínua de 19 anos de registros de dados pluviográficos. As chuvas selecionadas foram cotadas, digitalizadas e, posteriormente, analisadas pelo programa desenvolvido por Cataneo et al. (1982). O fator erosividade da chuva, expresso pelo parâmetro EI30 médio anual calculado, foi de 7.172 MJ mm ha-1 h-1 ano-1, fator esperado no local pelo menos uma vez a cada 2,33 anos, com uma probabilidade de ocorrência de 42,9 %. Os valores anuais de erosividade de Teodoro Sampaio, esperados nos períodos de retorno de 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 e 100 anos, foram, respectivamente, de 6.831, 8.666, 9.877, 11.046, 12.546 e 13.675 MJ mm ha-1 h-1 ano-1. No semestre de outubro a março, ocorreu 74,0 % da erosividade anual, sendo 45,7 % de dezembro a fevereiro. Observou-se elevada correlação entre o parâmetro EI30 médio mensal e o coeficiente de chuva (P²/P). Portanto, a equação de regressão determinada permite que seja estimado, com boa margem de segurança, o fator R para outros locais que não disponham de dados pluviográficos, mas que, entretanto, tenham dados pluviométricos e condições climáticas semelhantes às de Teodoro Sampaio (SP).

Retenção de água em dois tipos de latossolos sob diferentes usos

A curva de retenção de água é específica a cada solo e depende de vários atributos do solo. Assim, objetivou-se avaliar a influência de atributos do solo na retenção de água em Latossolo Vermelho distrófico (LVd) e Latossolo Vermelho eutroférrico (LVef) sob diferentes sistemas de uso e manejo. Os sistemas de uso e manejo foram: algodão, cana-de-açúcar e mata. As amostras de solo foram coletadas nas profundidades de 0-10, 10-20, 20-30 e 30-40 cm, para determinar a composição granulométrica, densidade do solo, matéria orgânica, Fe2O3, Al2O3 e a curva de retenção de água. A matéria orgânica não demonstrou participação efetiva na retenção de água, e a densidade do solo revelou maior correlação positiva com a retenção de água. O LVef apresentou maior retenção de água em todas as tensões e a mesma capacidade de água disponível (CAD) em relação ao LVd.

Volatilização de N-NH3 de fontes nitrogenadas em cana-de-açúcar colhida sem despalha a fogo

Com a colheita da cana sem queima, espessa camada de palha é depositada sobre o solo. A presença da palha modifica o agroecossistema, exigindo reformulação na tecnologia de manejo da cultura. Na adubação nitrogenada da cana-de-açúcar, a uréia é a fonte de N mais utilizada e, quando aplicada sobre a palha, apresenta elevadas taxas de perda de N-NH3 por volatilização. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a eficiência agronômica de fontes nitrogenadas em sistema de colheita de cana sem queima prévia por meio de medidas das perdas de nitrogênio por volatilização da amônia, da determinação da qualidade e produtividade da cultura. Este estudo foi desenvolvido a partir de um experimento de campo, realizado na região canavieira de Piracicaba (SP), com a terceira soca do cultivar SP 80-1842, cultivado em Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo distrófico arenoso, colhido sem queima e mecanicamente. A dose de nitrogênio foi de 100 kg ha-1. Os tratamentos estudados foram: T0- testemunha, T1- uréia, T2- uran, T3- uréia + sulfato de amônio e T4- resíduo líquido enriquecido com N. Perdas por volatilização de amônia foram avaliadas por meio de coletores semi-abertos estáticos. Os tratamentos T1 e T3 apresentaram maiores perdas por volatilização de NH3 (36 e 35 %, respectivamente)e os tratamentos T2 e T4 apresentaram menores perdas (15 e 9 %, respectivamente). As soqueiras responderam em produtividade à adubação nitrogenada e às perdas ocorridas por volatilização de N-NH3.

Critères de sélection et d'adaptation d'un instrument de mesure pour la recherche clinique

The goal of this paper is to provide clinicians and researchers, who may not be experts in psychometrics, with a guide for the selection and adaptation of an instrument for clinical research. Issues related to the concept to be measured, the targeted clientele, the selection criteria for the instrument (algorithm), the strategies for translation and adaptation, as well as potential bias related to the administration of an instrument are reviewed and discussed.

Pedotransfer functions to estimate proctor test parameters under different tillage systems

The Proctor test is time-consuming and requires sampling of several kilograms of soil. Proctor test parameters were predicted in Mollisols, Entisols and Vertisols of the Pampean region of Argentina under different management systems. They were estimated from a minimum number of readily available soil properties (soil texture, total organic C) and management (training data set; n = 73). The results were used to generate a soil compaction susceptibility model, which was subsequently validated using a second group of independent data (test data set; n = 24). Soil maximum bulk density was estimated as follows: Maximum bulk density (Mg m-3) = 1.4756 - 0.00599 total organic C (g kg-1) + 0.0000275 sand (g kg-1) + 0.0539 management. Management was equal to 0 for uncropped and untilled soils and 1 for conventionally tilled soils. The established models predicted the Proctor test parameters reasonably well, based on readily available soil properties. Tillage systems induced changes in the maximum bulk density regardless of total organic matter content or soil texture. The lower maximum apparent bulk density values under no-tillage require a revision of the relative compaction thresholds for different no-tillage crops.

Neoadjuvant treatment with docetaxel plus lapatinib, trastuzumab, or both followed by an anthracycline-based chemotherapy in HER2-positive breast cancer: results of the randomised phase II EORTC 10054 study.

BACKGROUND: Neoadjuvant trials conducted using a double HER2 blockade with lapatinib and trastuzumab, combined with different paclitaxel-containing chemotherapy regimens, have shown high pathological complete response (pCR) rates, but at the cost of important toxicity. We hypothesised that this toxicity might be due to a specific interaction between paclitaxel and lapatinib. This trial assesses the toxicity and activity of the combination of docetaxel with lapatinib and trastuzumab. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with stage IIA to IIIC HER2-positive breast cancer received six cycles of chemotherapy (three cycles of docetaxel followed by three cycles of fluorouracil, epirubicin, cyclophosphamide). They were randomised 1 : 1 : 1 to receive during the first three cycles either lapatinib (1000 mg orally daily), trastuzumab (4 mg/kg loading dose followed by 2 mg/kg weekly), or trastuzumab + lapatinib at the same dose. The primary end point was pCR rate defined as ypT0/is. Secondary end points included safety and toxicity. pCR rate defined as ypT0/is ypN0 was assessed as an exploratory analysis. In June 2012, arm A was closed for futility based on the results from other studies. RESULTS: From October 2010 to January 2013, 128 patients were included in 14 centres. The percentage of the 122 assessable patients with pCR in the breast, and pCR in the breast and nodes, was numerically highest in the lapatinib + trastuzumab group (60% and 56%, respectively), intermediate in the trastuzumab group (52% and 52%), and lowest in the lapatinib group (46% and 36%). Frequency (%) of the most common grade 3-4 toxicities in the lapatinib /trastuzumab/lapatinib + trastuzumab arms were: febrile neutropenia 23/15/10, diarrhoea 9/2/18, infection (other) 9/4/8, and hepatic toxicity 0/2/8. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates a numerically modest pCR rate increase with double anti-HER2 blockade plus chemotherapy, but suggests that the use of docetaxel rather than paclitaxel may not reduce toxicity. CLINICALTRIALSGOV: NCT00450892.

De novo LMNA mutations cause a new form of congenital muscular dystrophy.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a new entity of congenital muscular dystrophies caused by de novo LMNA mutations. METHODS: Fifteen patients presenting with a myopathy of onset in the first year of life were subjected to neurological and genetic evaluation. Histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses were performed for all patients. RESULTS: The 15 patients presented with muscle weakness in the first year of life, and all had de novo heterozygous LMNA mutations. Three of them had severe early-onset disease, no motor development, and the rest experienced development of a "dropped head" syndrome phenotype. Despite variable severity, there was a consistent clinical pattern. Patients typically presented with selective axial weakness and wasting of the cervicoaxial muscles. Limb involvement was predominantly proximal in upper extremities and distal in lower extremities. Talipes feet and a rigid spine with thoracic lordosis developed early. Proximal contractures appeared later, most often in lower limbs, sparing the elbows. Ten children required ventilatory support, three continuously through tracheotomy. Cardiac arrhythmias were observed in four of the oldest patients but were symptomatic only in one. Creatine kinase levels were mild to moderately increased. Muscle biopsies showed dystrophic changes in nine children and nonspecific myopathic changes in the remaining. Markedly atrophic fibers were common, most often type 1, and a few patients showed positive inflammatory markers. INTERPRETATION: The LMNA mutations identified appear to correlate with a relatively severe phenotype. Our results further broaden the spectrum of laminopathies and define a new disease entity that we suggest is best classified as a congenital muscular dystrophy (LMNA-related congenital muscular dystrophy, or L-CMD).

T cell affinity regulates asymmetric division, effector cell differentiation, and tissue pathology.

The strength of interactions between T cell receptors and the peptide-major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) directly modulates T cell fitness, clonal expansion, and acquisition of effector properties. Here we show that asymmetric T cell division is an important mechanistic link between increased signal strength, effector differentiation, and the ability to induce tissue pathology. Recognition of pMHC above a threshold affinity drove responding T cells into asymmetric cell division. The ensuing proximal daughters underwent extensive division and differentiated into short-lived effector cells expressing the integrin VLA-4, allowing the activated T cell to infiltrate and mediate destruction of peripheral target tissues. In contrast, T cells activated by below-threshold antigens underwent symmetric division, leading to abortive clonal expansion and failure to fully differentiate into tissue-infiltrating effector cells. Antigen affinity and asymmetric division are important factors that regulate fate specification in CD8(+) T cells and predict the potential of a self-reactive T cell to mediate tissue pathology.

Association of genetic variation with systolic and diastolic blood pressure among African Americans: the Candidate Gene Association Resource study.

The prevalence of hypertension in African Americans (AAs) is higher than in other US groups; yet, few have performed genome-wide association studies (GWASs) in AA. Among people of European descent, GWASs have identified genetic variants at 13 loci that are associated with blood pressure. It is unknown if these variants confer susceptibility in people of African ancestry. Here, we examined genome-wide and candidate gene associations with systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) using the Candidate Gene Association Resource (CARe) consortium consisting of 8591 AAs. Genotypes included genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data utilizing the Affymetrix 6.0 array with imputation to 2.5 million HapMap SNPs and candidate gene SNP data utilizing a 50K cardiovascular gene-centric array (ITMAT-Broad-CARe [IBC] array). For Affymetrix data, the strongest signal for DBP was rs10474346 (P= 3.6 × 10(-8)) located near GPR98 and ARRDC3. For SBP, the strongest signal was rs2258119 in C21orf91 (P= 4.7 × 10(-8)). The top IBC association for SBP was rs2012318 (P= 6.4 × 10(-6)) near SLC25A42 and for DBP was rs2523586 (P= 1.3 × 10(-6)) near HLA-B. None of the top variants replicated in additional AA (n = 11 882) or European-American (n = 69 899) cohorts. We replicated previously reported European-American blood pressure SNPs in our AA samples (SH2B3, P= 0.009; TBX3-TBX5, P= 0.03; and CSK-ULK3, P= 0.0004). These genetic loci represent the best evidence of genetic influences on SBP and DBP in AAs to date. More broadly, this work supports that notion that blood pressure among AAs is a trait with genetic underpinnings but also with significant complexity.

EULAR recommendations for the management of large-vessel vasculitis.

Objectives: To develop European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommendations for the management of large vessel vasculitis. Methods: An expert group (10 rheumatologists, 3 nephrologists, 2 immunolgists, 2 internists representing 8 European countries and the USA, a clinical epidemiologist and a representative from a drug regulatory agency) identified 10 topics for a systematic literature search through a modified Delphi technique. In accordance with standardised EULAR operating procedures, recommendations were derived for the management of large vessel vasculitis. In the absence of evidence, recommendations were formulated on the basis of a consensus opinion. Results: Seven recommendations were made relating to the assessment, investigation and treatment of patients with large vessel vasculitis. The strength of recommendations was restricted by the low level of evidence and EULAR standardised operating procedures. Conclusions: On the basis of evidence and expert consensus, management recommendations for large vessel vasculitis have been formulated and are commended for use in everyday clinical practice.

EULAR recommendations for the management of primary small and medium vessel vasculitis.

Objectives: To develop European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommendations for the management of small and medium vessel vasculitis. Methods: An expert group (consisting of 10 rheumatologists, 3 nephrologists, 2 immunologists, 2 internists representing 8 European countries and the USA, a clinical epidemiologist and a representative from a drug regulatory agency) identified 10 topics for a systematic literature search using a modified Delphi technique. In accordance with standardised EULAR operating procedures, recommendations were derived for the management of small and medium vessel vasculitis. In the absence of evidence, recommendations were formulated on the basis of a consensus opinion. Results: In all, 15 recommendations were made for the management of small and medium vessel vasculitis. The strength of recommendations was restricted by low quality of evidence and by EULAR standardised operating procedures. Conclusions: On the basis of evidence and expert consensus, recommendations have been made for the evaluation, investigation, treatment and monitoring of patients with small and medium vessel vasculitis for use in everyday clinical practice.

Monumenta antiquissimae historiae Arabum , post Albertum Schultensium collegit ediditque cum latina versione et animadversionibus Jo. Gottfr. Eichhorn,...

Comprend : Animadversiones criticae in Hamzae "Historiam regni Joktanidarum" ab Alberto Schultensio editam

Vagus nerve stimulator treatment in adult-onset Rasmussen's encephalitis.

We describe a patient with adult-onset Rasmussen's encephalitis (RE) responsive to vagus nerve stimulation. This previously healthy woman developed RE in the right hemisphere at the age of 27. Despite antiepileptic drug polytherapy, she continued to experience subcontinuous, simple-partial left-sided motor seizures and slowly progressive cognitive impairment. Resective surgery was not considered owing to the preservation of left motor skills. She was implanted with a vagus nerve stimulator at the age of 41; after 6 months she experienced a greater than 50% reduction in seizure frequency, which persisted over 2 years together with improvement of her neurological and cognitive status.