Young temperate tree species show different fine root acclimation capacity to growing season water availability.

Background and aims: Changes in water availability during the growing season are becoming more frequent due to climate change. Our study aimed to compare the fine-root acclimation capacity (plasticity) of six temperate tree species aged six years and exposed to high or low growing season soil water availability over five years. Methods: Root samples were collected from the five upper strata of mineral soil to a total soil depth of 30 cm in monoculture plots of Acer saccharum Marsh., Betula papyrifera Marsh., Larix laricina K. Koch, Pinus strobus L., Picea glauca (Moench) Voss and Quercus rubra L. established at the International Diversity Experiment Network with Trees (IDENT) field experiment in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada. Four replicates of each monoculture were subjected to high or low water availability treatments. Results: Absorptive fine root density increased by 67% for Larix laricina, and 90% for Picea glauca, under the high-water availability treatment at 0-5 cm soil depth. The two late successional, slower growing tree species, Acer saccharum and Picea glauca, showed higher plasticity in absorptive fine root biomass in the upper 5 cm of soil (PIv = 0.36 & 0.54 respectively), and lower plasticity in fine root depth over the entire 30 cm soil profile compared to the early successional, faster growing tree species Betula papyrifera and Larix laricina. Conclusion: Temperate tree species show contrasting acclimation responses in absorptive fine root biomass and rooting depth to differences in water availability. Some of these responses vary with tree species successional status and seem to benefit both early and late successional tree species. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11104-023-06377-w.

The effect of levofloxacin on the lung microbiota of laboratory rats.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the short-term effect of levofloxacin on the microbiota of healthy lungs. Material and methods: Male F344 rats received either no levofloxacin (n = 9), intravenous levofloxacin (n = 12), oral levofloxacin (n = 12), or subcutaneous levofloxacin (n = 14). Rats received a clinically applicable dose (5.56 mg/kg) of levofloxacin via the assigned delivery route once daily for three days. On day four, lung tissue was collected and the lung microbiota composition was investigated using 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. Results: Untreated lungs showed a microbiota dominated by bacteria of the genera Serratia. After treatment with levofloxacin, bacteria of the genus Pantoea dominated the lung microbiota. This was observed for all routes of antibiotic administration, with a significant difference compared to no-antibiotic control group (PERMANOVA: P < 0.001; homogeneity of dispersions: P = 0.656). Conclusion: Our study is the first to demonstrate the effects of levofloxacin therapy on lung microbiota in laboratory rats. Levofloxacin treatment by any route of administration leads to profound changes in the rat lung microbiota, resulting in the predominance of bacteria belonging to the genus Pantoea. Further studies regarding the role of long-term application of broad spectrum antibiotics on induction of lung, allergic and autoimmune diseases are indicated.

Opportunities for use of radiation therapy in penile cancer based on patterns of care in the United States from 2007 to 2013.

BACKGROUND: Radiation therapy (RT) is an effective modality for the treatment of squamous cell carcinomas of the penis. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network recommends consideration of primary radiation for penile preservation, in surgically unresectable tumors, and as adjuvant therapy for positive margins, bulky groin nodes or pelvic nodes. We performed a population-based analysis to evaluate the usage of RT in penile cancer from 2007 to 2013. METHODS: We used the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database to identify men diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the penis from 2007 to 2013. Patients were grouped as early stage (T1-T2N0), locally advanced (T3-T4N0), node-positive (T1xN1-3) and metastatic. We used linear regression model to test for factors associated with adjuvant radiation in node-positive patients. RESULTS: We identified 2200 men diagnosed with penile cancer between 2007 and 2013. Of these, 66.4% had early stage, 10.7% had locally advanced, 15.5% had node-positive, 3.2% had metastatic cancer. Among patient with early stage cancer, RT was used in 14 patients (1.0%) and postoperative radiation in an additional 45 patients (3.1%). Among 340 patients with node-positive cancer, 62.1% received surgery alone, 5.6% radiation alone, 21.8% surgery with adjuvant radiation, and 10.6% neither surgery nor radiation. Of patients who had surgery, 26.0% had adjuvant radiation. On univariate analysis, higher nodal stage (N2-3 versus N1) was associated with adjuvant radiation (p = 0.02), while there was a trend for higher T-stage (T3/T4 versus T1/T2) (p = 0.08) and history of prior malignancy (p = 0.06). On multivariate analysis, only higher nodal stage (N2-3 versus N1) was associated with use of adjuvant radiation [hazard ratio (HR) 1.94, p = 0.03]. CONCLUSIONS: A small percentage of patient who are eligible for primary or adjuvant RT in the United States receive this treatment. Further work should be done to assess barriers to use of radiation in patients with penile cancer.

Bladder Preservation With Twice-a-Day Radiation Plus Fluorouracil/Cisplatin or Once Daily Radiation Plus Gemcitabine for Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: NRG/RTOG 0712-A Randomized Phase II Trial.

PURPOSE: Fluorouracil plus cisplatin and radiation twice a day (FCT) is an established chemoradiation (CRT) regimen for selective bladder-sparing treatment of muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Gemcitabine and once daily radiation (GD) is a well-supported alternative. The current trial evaluates these regimens. METHODS: Patients with cT2-4a muscle-invasive bladder cancer were randomly assigned to FCT or GD. Patients underwent transurethral resection and induction CRT to 40 Gy. Patients who achieved a complete response (CR) received consolidation CRT to 64 Gy and others underwent cystectomy. We administered adjuvant gemcitabine/cisplatin chemotherapy. The primary end point was the rate of freedom from distant metastasis at 3 years (DMF3). The trial was not statistically powered to compare regimens, but to assess whether either regimen exceeded a DMF3 benchmark of 75%. Toxicity and efficacy end points, including CR and bladder-intact distant metastasis free survival at 3 years (BI-DMFS3), were assessed. RESULTS: From December 2008 to April 2014, 70 patients were enrolled, of which 66 were eligible for analysis, 33 per arm. Median follow-up was 5.1 years (range, 0.4 to 7.8 years) for eligible living patients. DMF3 was 78% and 84% for FCT and GD, respectively. BI-DMFS3 was 67% and 72%, respectively. Postinduction CR rates were 88% and 78%, respectively. Of 33 patients in the FCT arm, 21 (64%) experienced treatment-related grade 3 and 4 toxicities during protocol treatment, with 18 (55%), two (6%), and two patients (6%) experiencing grade 3 and 4 hematologic, GI, and genitourinary toxicity, respectively. For the 33 patients in the GD arm, these figures were 18 (55%) overall and 14 (42%), three (9%) and two patients (6%), respectively. CONCLUSION: Both regimens demonstrated DMF3 greater than 75%. There were fewer toxicities observed in the GD arm. Either gemcitabine and once daily radiation or a cisplatin-based regimen could serve as a base for future trials of systemic therapy.

Production of Hymenolepis diminuta in the Laboratory: An Old Research Tool with New Clinical Applications.

Hymenolepis diminuta, the rat tapeworm, was first described in 1819 by Rudolphi and was studied extensively in several laboratories during the mid to latter part of the twentieth century. More recently, the primary use of the organism had been for educational purposes. The organisms require an intermediate insect host to complete their life cycle, making them non-transmissible to other rats or to humans under typical laboratory or educational environments. The organisms effectively colonize rats, but not humans or mice, and are easily maintained in laboratory. They are, with exceedingly rare exceptions, benign (e.g., nonparasitic) in humans, mice, and laboratory rats. Although the benign character of the helminth makes it ideal for educational purposes, the fact that no pathology is associated with colonization has led to decreased interest in the H. diminuta as a model for modern research where efforts are largely motivated by interests in medicine and health. However, more recently work with the "biota alteration" model of inflammatory disease has established that reintroduction of helminths into Western society, a practice often referred to as "helminthic therapy," is potentially a way of lowering inflammation without compromising immune function. For this effort, the lack of pathology and benign nature of the organism makes H. diminuta an ideal subject for study. In this chapter, we describe production of H. diminuta using laboratory rats and introduction of the organisms into laboratory mice as a model for their effects in humans.

Identification of Site-specific Recurrence Following Primary Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer Using C-11 Choline Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography: A Nomogram for Predicting Extrapelvic Disease.

BACKGROUND: Management of recurrent prostate cancer (CaP) after radiotherapy (RT) is dependent on accurate localization of the site of recurrent disease. OBJECTIVE: To describe the anatomic patterns and clinical features associated with CaP recurrence following RT identified on advanced imaging. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Retrospective review of 184 patients with a rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) after RT for CaP. INTERVENTION: C-11 choline positron emission tomography/computed tomography (CholPET). OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Recurrence patterns were classified as pelvic soft tissue only (as a surrogate for potentially salvageable disease) versus any extrapelvic disease, and clinical features were compared between patterns. Multivariable logistic regression was used to generate a predictive nomogram for extrapelvic recurrence. Discrimination was assessed with a c-index. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Recurrence site was identified in 161 (87%) patients, with 95 (59%) sites histologically confirmed. Factors associated with the detection of recurrence included the difference between PSA nadir and PSA at CholPET (odds ratio: 1.30, p<0.01) and National Comprehensive Cancer Network high-risk classification (odds ratio: 10.83, p=0.03). One hundred (54.3%) patients recurred in the pelvic soft tissue only, while 61 (33%) had extrapelvic recurrence. Of 21 patients who underwent CholPET prior to meeting the Phoenix criteria of biochemical failure, 15 (71%) had recurrence identified on CholPET with 11 localized to the pelvis. On multivariable analysis, the difference between PSA nadir and PSA at CholPET, time from RT, and National Comprehensive Cancer Network risk group were predictive of recurrence outside of the pelvis, and a nomogram was generated with a c-index of 0.79. CONCLUSIONS: CholPET identified the site of recurrence in 87% of patients with a rising PSA after RT; most commonly within the pelvis in potentially salvageable locations. A predictive nomogram was generated, and pending external validation, this may aid in assessing the risk of disease beyond the pelvis. These findings underscore the importance of advanced imaging when considering management strategies for patients with a rising PSA following primary RT. PATIENT SUMMARY: We identified anatomic patterns of recurrence in patients with a rising prostate-specific antigen after radiotherapy using C-11 choline positron emission tomography/computed tomography. Most recurrences were localized to the pelvis and we were able to generate a tool to aid in disease localization prior to evaluation with advanced imaging.

PRE-CLINICAL AND CLINICAL VALIDATION OF AN ANTI-CANCER MODALITY THAT ABLATES REFRACTORY, LOW GROWTH FRACTION TUMORS.

Intratumoral expression of the E. coli purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) gene was originally described by our laboratories as a means to inhibit growth of solid tumors in vivo. The approach generates purine bases that disrupt DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis, a unique mechanism when compared with all approved or experimental cancer therapeutics. Use of PNP has been validated by numerous laboratories worldwide against human tumor xenografts (lung, liver, pancreas, bladder, glioma, and prostate, among others). Data from a recently completed phase 1 clinical trial has indicated substantial anti-cancer activity in human subjects with no serious toxicities.

Effectiveness of disinfection therapies and promotion of osteoblast growth on osseotite and nanotite implant surfaces.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of 4 procedures to disinfect implant surfaces intentionally inoculated with bacteria and afterward to evaluate osteoblast viability to the disinfected implant surfaces. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-eight commercially pure Osseotite and Nanotite titanium implant discs were inoculated with Porphyromonas gingivalis. The implant surfaces were disinfected with EDTA, tetracycline, citric acid, or neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser. The implant discs were then placed in cultures of osteoblast cells. RESULTS: Osseotite implant discs were easier to disinfect compared with the Nanotite implant discs. Citric acid and tetracycline were the most effective solutions for the disinfection of P. gingivalis from the Osseotite implant discs. CONCLUSION: The Nanotite implant discs were the most difficult to disinfect, likely because of their chemical and physical properties. Citric acid and tetracycline were most effective for disinfecting the Osseotite implant discs, and further clinical research is needed to verify these effects in vivo. The Nd:YAG laser was the weakest disinfection method, and it is not recommended for disinfecting implant surfaces until its effectiveness is improved.

Delayed magnetic mismatch negativity field, but not auditory M100 response, in specific language impairment.

Recent studies show that electrophysiological markers of auditory processing such as the cortical 100 ms response (M100) and the mismatch field, derived from magnetoencephalography, might be used to identify children with autism spectrum disorders--M100 peak latency--and to stratify children with autism according to the degree of language impairment--mismatch field peak latency. The present study examined the latency of right superior temporal gyrus M100 and mismatch field in a cohort of children and young adolescents with specific language impairment (n=17), in comparison with age-matched and nonverbal intelligence quotient-matched typically developing controls (n=21). Neither group showed symptoms associated with autism. Although M100 latency (reflecting early auditory processing) did not distinguish controls from children with specific language impairment, the later 'change detection' mismatch field response was significantly delayed (by >50 ms) in the specific language impairment group. Linear discriminant analysis confirmed the role of mismatch field latency (92%) but not M100 latency (8%) in distinguishing groups. The present results lend support to the claim that a delayed M100 is specific to autism spectrum disorders (with relative independence of degree of language impairment) and that a delayed mismatch field reflects an abnormality more generally associated with language impairment, suggesting that mismatch field delay in the present specific language impairment group and previously reported in autistic children with language impairment may be indicative of a common neural system dysfunction.

The effect of insecticide application sequences on the control and insecticide resistance status of the peach-potato aphid, Myzus persicae (Hemiptera:Aphididae), on field crops of potato.

Experiments were done on commercial potato crops in the UK to investigate the effect of different insecticide sequences on the control and insecticide resistance status of Myzus persicae (Sulzer). The work was done to provide field validation of similar laboratory studies done in 'field simulators'. To ensure adequate aphid populations and to influence the initial resistance status of the aphid population, cultured M. persicae from a clone of known resistance status (esterase R1, kdr heterozygote, non-MACE (modified acetylcholinesterase)) were inoculated into both experiments. Two-spray programmes starting with lambda-cyhalothrin (a pyrethroid insecticide) gave poor control in comparison with programmes starting with pirimicarb (a carbamate insecticide) or pirimicarb-containing mixtures. This concurred closely with the results obtained from single applications in field simulator studies. Treatment sequences containing pymetrozine (a pyridine azomethine insecticide) were also effective, though slower-acting. This again concurs with field simulator studies. The proportions of aphids carrying different resistance mechanisms were largely unaffected by treatment in these experiments. The implications of these results for field control strategies are discussed.