The use of plant materials as soil amendments is an uncommon practice amongst major farming communities in Ghana, although it is necessary for soil fertility improvement. An examination of the ...effects of soil amendments is necessary to encourage the use of under-utilized organic resources in Ghana. Thus, a field experiment was conducted using 8 different tropical plant materials mixed with chicken manure as soil amendments for growth of tomato as a test crop. The plant materials included Leucaena leueocephala, Centrosema pubescens, Sesbania sesban, Gliricidia sepium, Mucuna pruriens, Pueraria phaseoloides, Azadirachta indiea, and Theo- broma cacao. There were two other treatments： one with equivalent amounts of chemical fertilizers and the other with no-fertilizer input （control）. Plant materials were mixed with chicken manure to obtain a uniform carbon-to-nitrogen （C：N） ratio of 5：1. Except the no-fertilizer control, all treatments received the same amount of nitrogen （N）. To clarify the decomposition pattern of the plant materials in soil, an incubation experiment was conducted using only the plant materials before the field experiment. The Glirieidia treatment released significantly more mineral N than the other plant materials in the incubation experiment. However, the tomato fruit yield was not enhanced in the Gliricidia treatment in the field experiment. The known quality parameters of the tested plant materials, such as total N, total carbon （C）, C：N ratio, and total polyphenols, had minimal effects on their mineralization dynamics. Azadirachta showed the best synergistic effect with chicken manure through significantly increasing soil microbial biomass and fruit yield of tomato. This result provides insights into the possible adoption of Azadirachta in combination with chicken manure as a soil amendment in small-scale agricultural holdings.
Aim: To compare anterior chamber depth measurements by three non-contact devices—the IOLMaster, scanning peripheral anterior chamber depth analyser (SPAC), and Visante anterior segment optical ...coherence tomography (AS-OCT) Methods: Prospective, cross sectional study of 497 phakic subjects over 50 years of age attending a community clinic in Singapore. Anterior chamber depth of the right eye was measured using all three techniques by the same investigator. Depth measurements were made from the corneal epithelium to the anterior lens surface. The values obtained were compared using Bland–Altman analysis. Results: 232 men and 265 women were examined (mean (SD) age, 63.4 (7.9) years). Mean anterior chamber depth was 3.08 (0.36) mm with IOLMaster, 3.10 (0.44) mm with SPAC, and 3.14 (0.34) mm with AS-OCT. A significant difference was present between the anterior chamber depth measurements recorded by the three devices (p<0.0001). Mean differences between the measurements were: AS-OCT v IOLMaster, 0.062 (0.007) mm (95% limits of agreement, −0.37 to 0.25 mm) (p<0.0001); AS-OCT v SPAC, 0.035 (0.011) mm (−0.44 to 0.51 mm) (p = 0.0001); SPAC v IOLMaster, 0.027 (0.012) mm (−0.57 to 0.50 mm) (p = 0.027). Conclusions: AS-OCT gave systematically deeper anterior chamber measurements than SPAC and IOL-Master. However, as the differences found were small they are unlikely to be clinically important.
Panax notoginseng is a commonly used Chinese herb. Although a few studies have found that notoginseng shows anti-tumor effects, the effect of this herb on colorectal cancer cells has not been ...investigated. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of colorectal cancer that interferes with the growth of cancer cells. However, this compound has serious side effects at high doses. In this study, using HCT-116 human colorectal cancer cell line, we investigated the possible synergistic anti-cancer effects between notoginseng flower extract (NGF) and 5-FU on colon cancer cells.
The anti-proliferation activity of these modes of treatment was evaluated by MTS cell proliferation assay. Apoptotic effects were analyzed by using Hoechst 33258 staining and Annexin-V/PI staining assays. The anti-proliferation effects of four major single compounds from NGF, ginsenosides Rb1, Rb3, Rc and Rg3 were also analyzed.
Both 5-FU and NGF inhibited proliferation of HCT-116 cells. With increasing doses of 5-FU, the anti-proliferation effect was slowly increased. The combined usage of 5-FU 5 microM and NGF 0.25 mg/ml, significantly increased the anti-proliferation effect (59.4 +/- 3.3%) compared with using the two medicines separately (5-FU 5 microM, 31.1 +/- 0.4%; NGF 0.25 mg/ml, 25.3 +/- 3.6%). Apoptotic analysis showed that at this concentration, 5-FU did not exert an apoptotic effect, while apoptotic cells induced by NGF were observed, suggesting that the anti-proliferation target(s) of NGF may be different from that of 5-FU, which is known to inhibit thymidilate synthase.
This study demonstrates that NGF can enhance the anti-proliferation effect of 5-FU on HCT-116 human colorectal cancer cells and may decrease the dosage of 5-FU needed for colorectal cancer treatment.
Extending visiting hours in adult intensive care units (ICUs) promotes family-centered care, but physicians may be concerned about increased distractions from visitors 1. We sought empirical evidence ...within our 20-bed medical ICU, assuming that distractions could cause medical errors 2. During office hours (07.30 to 17.30 on weekdays; 07.30-12.30 on weekends), two physician teams shared the patient load. Each team comprised one attending physician, one senior resident, and two junior residents. Observations of residents, being front-line medical staff, were performed during two time periods, before and after implementation of extended visiting hours in 2015. For each time period, observations were performed by different groups of six nurse researchers, following a standard method 3. For each observation session lasting 150-180 min, a pair of observers (A and B) independently recorded the duration, type, source, and severity of distractions. Distractions were defined as breaks in attention, evidenced by observed behaviour such as orienting away from a task or responding verbally 4. Analysis was based on the data of observer A only, while reliability was assessed using the data from observer B. All physicians gave informed consent to be observed, and no one declined participation. Ethics approval was obtained (DSRB/2011/00279). From 11 May to 26 June 2011 (previously reported 3), visiting hours were restricted to 12.00-14.00 and 17.00 to 20.00 (total 5 h), and from 8 May to 9 July 2017, visiting hours were extended to 09.00-21.00 (total 12 h). Mean distraction frequency did not differ between both time periods (4.36 ± 2.27/h versus 5.00 ± 2.68/h, t test P = 0.262), even after adjusting for resident seniority using multiple linear regression (P = 0.303). The distribution of current activities and distraction characteristics differed, though predominant type, sources, and severity of distractions were similar (Table 1). The duration of distractions was short, and median duration per distraction was shorter in the later time period (2 min versus 1 min, P < 0.005). Reliability, as assessed by agreement of all observed distractions between observers A and B, was excellent in both time periods (99.1% and 96.1%, respectively). Table 1 Characteristics of distractions Variables studied Restricted visiting hours Extended visiting hours P value Sessions observed 38 39 NA Total observation time, h 100.4 117 NA Number of distractions 444 585 NA Start time of sessions observed Morning (07.30-12.00), n (%) 23 (60.5) 21 (53.8) 0.554 Afternoon (12.00-17.30), n (%) 15 (39.5) 18 (46.2) Frequency of distractions/h, mean ± SD 4.36 ± 2.27 5.00 ± 2.68 0.262 Distraction duration (min), median (IQR) 2 (2-4) 1 (1-2) < 0.001 Current activity at the time of distraction, n (%) < 0.001 Writing notes 97 (21.8) 150 (25.6) Conducting ward round 84 (18.9) 35 (6.0) Entering treatment orders 75 (16.9) 148 (25.3) Reading notes 61 (13.7) 162 (27.7) Talking to a colleague 47 (10.6) 49 (8.4) Examining a patient 37 (8.3) 11 (1.9) Entering medication orders 14 (3.2) 3 (0.5) Performing non-sterile procedure 11 (2.5) 7 (1.2) Performing sterile procedure 9 (2.0) 9 (1.5) Talking to a patient 3 (0.7) 4 (0.7) Talking to a patient’s relative 3 (0.7) 6 (1.0) Performing resuscitation 2 (0.5) 0 (0.0) Giving medications 1 (0.2) 1 (0.2) Type of distraction, n (%) <0.001 Asked to speak to colleague 177 (39.9) 367 (62.7) Asked to write treatment orders 61 (13.7) 43 (7.4) Asked to attend to a patient 61 (13.7) 25 (4.3) Asked to sign a document 31 (7.0) 5 (0.9) Going to the toilet/going elsewhere 30 (6.8) 89 (15.2) Asked to perform a procedure 29 (6.5) 7 (1.2) Asked to speak to a patient’s relative 25 (5.6) 18 (3.1) Drinking/eating 21 (4.7) 14 (2.4) Asked to write medication orders 7 (1.6) 13 (2.2) Asked to administer medications 2 (0.5) 4 (0.7) Source of distraction, n (%) 0.026 Other doctor 156 (35.1) 207 (35.4) Nurse 135 (30.4) 147 (25.1) Self 83 (18.7) 164 (28.0) Phone call 30 (6.8) 28 (4.8) Other healthcare worker 24 (5.4) 21 (3.6) Relative 14 (3.2) 15 (2.6) Patient 1 (0.2) 2 (0.3) Monitor alarm 1 (0.2) 1 (0.2) Severity of distraction, n (%) <0.001 No effect on activity 13 (2.9) 82 (14.0) Momentary pausea 136 (30.6) 193 (33.0) Complete pauseb 210 (47.3) 288 (49.2) Abandons activity, attends to distraction 85 (19.1) 22 (3.8) aActivity resumes during distraction bActivity resumes only after distraction ceases IQR interquartile range, NA not applicable, SD standard deviation Overall, distractions among ICU doctors were common (~4-5 distractions/doctor/h), and this is consistent with data from other studies using different observation methods 5. There was also no significant increase in the frequency of distractions after implementation of extended visiting hours in the ICU. Being asked to speak to family members constituted a small proportion (<5%) of the distractions, and therefore our study did not provide empirical support for the concern of increased distractions from visitors due to extended visiting hours.
Valerian is a medicinal herb that produces anxiolytic and sedative effects. It was suggested that valerian acts via gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic mechanisms. Previous studies showed binding of ...valerian extract to GABA receptors, but the functional effect of the binding has not been demonstrated. In this study we evaluated the GABAergic effect of valerian extract and one of its major constituents, valerenic acid, on brainstem neuronal activity in an in vitro neonatal rat brainstem preparation. We first observed that muscimol, a GABA(A) receptor agonist, decreased the firing rate in most brainstem neurons in a concentration-related fashion; 30 micro M produced a 38.9% +/- 3.0% (mean +/- SE) inhibition compared with control values (P < 0.01; 50% inhibitory concentration IC(50), 2.0 +/- 0.1 microM). This effect was antagonized by bicuculline (10 microM), a GABA(A) antagonist. Then we showed that valerian extract 3 mg/mL induced a 29.6% +/- 5.1% inhibition with an IC(50) of 240 +/- 18.7 microg/mL, whereas 100 microM valerenic acid induced a 22.2% +/- 3.4% inhibition with an IC(50) of 23 +/- 2.6 microM (both P < 0.01). Bicuculline antagonized the inhibitory effects of both the valerian extract and valerenic acid. In addition, pretreatment with valerian extract or valerenic acid decreased the brainstem inhibitory effects produced by muscimol (both P < 0.05), suggesting that these compounds play an important role in the regulation of GABAergic activity. Data from this study suggest that the pharmacological effects of valerian extract and valerenic acid are mediated through modulation of GABA(A) receptor function. Thus, valerian may potentiate the sedative effects of anesthetics and other medications that act on GABA receptors, and presurgical valerian use may cause a valerian-anesthetic interaction.
Valerian is an herb used in treating anxiety and insomnia. We observed that the valerian effects are mediated through brain gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors in a rat brainstem preparation. Thus, valerian may potentiate the effects of anesthetics that act on GABA receptors, and presurgical valerian use may cause a valerian-anesthetic interaction.
ABSTRACT
Recent advances in simulations and observations of galaxy clusters suggest that there exists a physical outer boundary of massive cluster-size dark matter (DM) haloes. In this work, we ...investigate the locations of the outer boundaries of DM and gas around cluster-size DM haloes, by analysing a sample of 65 massive DM haloes extracted from the Omega500 zoom-in hydrodynamical cosmological simulations. We show that the location of accretion shock is offset from that of the DM splashback radius, contrary to the prediction of the self-similar models. The accretion shock radius is larger than all definitions of the splashback radius in the literature by $20-100{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$. The accretion shock radius defined using the steepest drop in the entropy and pressure profiles is approximately 1.89 times larger than the splashback radius defined by the steepest slope in the DM density profile, and it is ≈1.2 times larger than the edge of the DM phase space structure. We discuss implications of our results for multiwavelength studies of galaxy clusters.
•Drought stress reduced 137Cs concentrations of blackgram.•Hydraulic conductivity correlated positively with the 137Cs concentrations.•Different blackgram varieties differed in 137C concentrations in ...each organ.•K moved more freely than 137Cs to aerial parts for drought tolerance variety.•Distribution of 137Cs was influenced by growth performance and water movement.
Plant uptake and distribution of radioactive caesium (137Cs) was examined in an effort to determine how plant-water interactions differ between two blackgram plant varieties with different salt tolerance. Salt-tolerant U Taung-2 (BT) and the salt-sensitive variety Mutpe Khaing To (BS) were grown in pots filled with 137Cs-contaminated soil obtained from Nihonmatsu, Fukushima, Japan. The average soil 137Cs concentration was 1084Bqkg−1, and the soil type comprised sandy clay loam, where the sand: silt: clay proportion was 62:18:20. After growing for 15 days in a temperature-controlled growth chamber, plants were subjected to drought stress conditions by addition of either 10 or 20% polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000) to the soil to reduce the osmotic potential of the soil, or to field capacity conditions (0% PEG).
Analysis of the growth traits and water relations revealed the different strategies employed by the two blackgram varieties under water stress conditions. No differences were observed among the two varieties under field capacity conditions. However, under both drought stress conditions (10 or 20% PEG), the reduction in total leaf area, total biomass and plant growth analysis parameters, in addition to the relative water content, were higher in BS than in BT plants. Both plant varieties exhibited lower 137Cs concentrations in the leaves, shoots and roots under drought stress conditions compared to plants subjected to field capacity conditions. Under drought stress conditions, BT plants showed uptake and translocation of 137Cs from the roots to shoots and leaves, while this activity was seriously limited in BS plants, and especially in the leaf portion of BS plants treated with 20% PEG. In BT plants, potassium moved more freely than Cs from roots to the aerial parts of the plant under water stress conditions, while this was not the case in BS plants. Examination of the hydraulic conductivity showed a positive correlation with the 137Cs concentration in leaf and stem. Our results showed that the accumulation and distribution patterns of 137Cs among part of the blackgram tissues were dependent on plant growth performance, water movement pathways, and selective absorption.
Bunium persicum or Black Zira is one of the endangered species in the land of Persia. The main purpose of this study was to investigate microtuberization of B persicumin in order to use in germplasm ...storage and commercial production. Seeds of B. persicum were used as explant. Different culture media (MS, 1/2MS and B sub(5)) along with different concentrations of jasmonic acid (JA) (0, 2 and 5) were used individually as basal media and also in combination with two different temperatures (15 and 20 degree C) to develop appropriate media for microtuberization. Moreover, propagated microtubers were then vernalized and acclimatized in order to transfer to greenhouse. The results revealed that by increasing in concentration of JA, weight and length of microtubers increased significantly. MS medium seemed to be the most effective basal medium for this plant. In contrary, this study indicated that MS medium and 5 mM JA were the most suitable combination for in vitro culture establishment and short-term maintenance of tested B. persicum. Also, 15 degree C showed significant effect on increasing the weight of microtubers.
ABSTRACT
The diffuse plasma inside clusters of galaxies has X-ray emitting temperatures of a few keV. The physical mechanisms that heat this intracluster medium (ICM) to such temperatures include the ...accretion shock at the periphery of a galaxy cluster, the shocks driven by merger events, as well as a somewhat overlooked mechanism – the dissipation of intracluster turbulent motions. We study the relative role of these heating mechanisms using galaxy clusters in Lagrangian tracer particle re-simulations of the Omega500 cosmological simulation. We adopt a novel analysis method of decomposing the temperature increase at each time-step into the contribution from dissipative heating and that from adiabatic heating. In the high-resolution spatial–temporal map of these heating rates, merger tracks are clearly visible, demonstrating the dominant role of merger events in heating the ICM. The dissipative heating contributed by each merger event is extended in time and also occurs in the rarefaction regions, suggesting the importance of heating by the dissipation of merger-induced turbulence. Quantitative analysis shows that turbulence heating, rather than direct heating at merger shocks, dominates the temperature increase of the ICM especially at inner radii r < r500c. In addition, we find that many merger shocks can propagate with almost constant velocity to very large radii r ≫ r500c, some even reach and join with the accretion shock and becoming the outer boundary of the ICM. Altogether, these results suggest that the ICM is heated more in an ‘inside–out’ fashion rather than ‘outside–in’ as depicted in the classical smooth accretion picture.
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