Bikini anterior hip replacements in obese patients are not associated with an increased risk of complication.

PURPOSE: Direct anterior approach (DAA) arthroplasty has generated great interest because of its minimally invasive and muscle sparing nature. Obese patients are reported to be associated with greater incidence of complications in primary joint replacement. The purpose of this study was to compare patient outcomes and complication rates between obese and non-obese patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) through a Bikini direct anterior incision. METHODS: This retrospective, single surgeon study compared the outcome of 258 obese patients and 200 non-obese patients undergoing DAA THA using a Bikini incision, over a 5-year period. The average follow-up was 3.2 years (range 1.1-5.6 years). RESULTS: There was no statistically significant differences in the complication rate between the two groups. The obese group recorded 2 major (venous thromboembolism and peri-prosthetic fracture) and 2 minor complications (superficial wound infection), compared with the non-obese group, which recorded 2 major (deep-wound infection and peri-prosthetic fracture) and 1 minor complication (superficial wound infection). Patient-reported outcomes (WOMAC and Harris Hip Scores) showed significant post-operative improvements (p < 0.001) and did not differ between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Bikini DDA THA does not increase the complication rate in obese patients and offers similar clinical improvements compared to non-obese patients.

Efficacy and safety of rucaparib in previously treated, locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma from a phase 2, open-label trial (ATLAS).

BACKGROUND: ATLAS evaluated the efficacy and safety of the PARP inhibitor rucaparib in patients with previously treated locally advanced/unresectable or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (UC). METHODS: Patients with UC were enrolled independent of tumor homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) status and received rucaparib 600 mg BID. The primary endpoint was investigator-assessed objective response rate (RECIST v1.1) in the intent-to-treat and HRD-positive (loss of genome-wide heterozygosity ≥10%) populations. Key secondary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) and safety. Disease control rate (DCR) was defined post-hoc as the proportion of patients with a confirmed complete or partial response (PR), or stable disease lasting ≥16 weeks. RESULTS: Of 97 enrolled patients, 20 (20.6%) were HRD-positive, 30 (30.9%) HRD-negative, and 47 (48.5%) HRD-indeterminate. Among 95 evaluable patients, there were no confirmed responses. However, reductions in the sum of target lesions were observed, including 6 (6.3%) patients with unconfirmed PR. DCR was 11.6%; median PFS was 1.8 months (95% CI, 1.6-1.9). No relationship was observed between HRD status and efficacy endpoints. Median treatment duration was 1.8 months (range, 0.1-10.1). Most frequent any-grade treatment-emergent adverse events were asthenia/fatigue (57.7%), nausea (42.3%), and anemia (36.1%). Of 64 patients with data from tumor tissue samples, 10 (15.6%) had a deleterious alteration in a DNA damage repair pathway gene, including four with a deleterious BRCA1 or BRCA2 alteration. CONCLUSIONS: Rucaparib did not show significant activity in unselected patients with advanced UC regardless of HRD status. The safety profile was consistent with that observed in patients with ovarian or prostate cancer. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03397394). Date of registration: 12 January 2018. This trial was registered in EudraCT (2017-004166-10).

Platelet PD-L1 suppresses anti-cancer immune cell activity in PD-L1 negative tumors.

Strategies that interfere with the binding of the receptor programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) to programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) have shown marked efficacy against many advanced cancers, including those that are negative for PD-L1. Precisely why patients with PD-L1 negative tumors respond to PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint inhibition remains unclear. Here, we show that platelet-derived PD-L1 regulates the growth of PD-L1 negative tumors and that interference with platelet binding to PD-L1 negative cancer cells promotes T cell-induced cancer cytotoxicity. These results suggest that the successful outcomes of PD-L1 based therapies in patients with PD-L1 negative tumors may be explained, in part, by the presence of intra-tumoral platelets. Altogether, our findings demonstrate the impact of non-cancer/non-immune cell sources of PD-L1 in the tumor microenvironment in the promotion of cancer cell immune evasion. Our study also provides a compelling rationale for future testing of PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitor therapies in combination with antiplatelet agents, in patients with PD-L1 negative tumors.

Real-world outcomes of nivolumab and cabozantinib in metastatic renal cell carcinoma: results from the International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium.

Objectives: In the present study, we explored the real-world efficacy of the immuno-oncology checkpoint inhibitor nivolumab and the tyrosine kinase inhibitor cabozantinib in the second-line setting. Methods: Using the International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium (imdc) dataset, a retrospective analysis of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mrcc) treated with nivolumab or cabozantinib in the second line after prior therapy targeted to the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (vegfr) was performed. Baseline characteristics and imdc risk factors were collected. Overall survival (os) and time to treatment failure (ttf) were calculated using Kaplan-Meier curves. Overall response rates (orrs) were determined for each therapy. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was performed to determine survival differences between cabozantinib and nivolumab treatment. Results: The analysis included 225 patients treated with nivolumab and 53 treated with cabozantinib. No significant difference in median os was observed: 22.10 months [95% confidence interval (ci): 17.18 months to not reached] with nivolumab and 23.70 months (95% ci: 15.52 months to not reached) with cabozantinib (p = 0.61). The ttf was also similar at 6.90 months (95% ci: 4.60 months to 9.20 months) with nivolumab and 7.39 months (95% ci: 5.52 months to 12.85 months) with cabozantinib (p = 0.20). The adjusted hazard ratio (hr) for nivolumab compared with cabozantinib was 1.30 (95% ci: 0.73 to 2.3), p = 0.38. When adjusted by imdc criteria and age, the hr was 1.32 (95% ci: 0.74 to 2.38), p = 0.35. Conclusions: Real-world imdc data indicate comparable os and ttf for nivolumab and cabozantinib. Both agents are reasonable therapeutic options for patients progressing after initial first-line vegfr-targeted therapy.

Overall survival by clinical risk category for high dose interleukin-2 (HD IL-2) treated patients with metastatic renal cell cancer (mRCC): data from the PROCLAIMSM registry.

BACKGROUND: Prognostic scoring systems are used to estimate the risk of mortality from metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Outcomes from different therapies may vary within each risk group. These survival algorithms have been applied to assess outcomes in patients receiving T-cell checkpoint inhibitory immunotherapy and tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy, but have not been applied extensively to patients receiving high dose interleukin-2 (HD IL-2) immunotherapy. METHODS: Survival of 810 mRCC patients treated from 2006 to 2017 with high dose IL-2 (aldesleukin) and enrolled in the PROCLAIMSM registry data base was assessed utilizing the International Metastatic RCC Database Consortium (IMDC) risk criteria. Median follow-up is 23.4 months (mo.) (range 0.2-124 mo.). Subgroup evaluations were performed by separating patients by prior or no prior therapy, IL-2 alone, or therapy subsequent to IL-2. Some patients were in two groups. We will focus on the 356 patients who received IL-2 alone, and evaluate outcome by risk factor categories. RESULTS: Among the 810 patients, 721 were treatment-naïve (89%) and 59% were intermediate risk. Overall, of the 249 patients with favorable risk, the median overall survival (OS) is 63.3 mo. and the 2-year OS is 77.6%. Of 480 patients with intermediate risk, median OS is 42.4 mo., 2-year OS 68.2%, and of 81 patients with poor risk, median OS 14 mo., 2-year OS 40.4%. Among those who received IL-2 alone (356 patients), median OS is 64.5, 57.6, and 14 months for favorable, intermediate and poor risk categories respectively. Two year survival among those treated only with HD IL-2 is 73.4, 63.7 and 39.8%, for favorable, intermediate and poor risk categories respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Among mRCC patients treated with HD IL-2, all risk groups have median and 2-year survival consistent with recent reports of checkpoint or targeted therapies for mRCC. Favorable and intermediate risk (by IMDC) patients treated with HD IL-2 have longer OS compared with poor risk patients, with most durable OS observed in favorable risk patients. Favorable risk patients treated with HD IL-2 alone have a 2-year OS of 74%. These data continue to support a recommendation for HD IL-2 for patients with mRCC who meet eligibility criteria. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROCLAIM, NCT01415167 was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov on August 11, 2011, and initiated for retrospective data collection until 2006, and prospective data collection ongoing since 2011.

Impact of contemporary patterns of chemotherapy utilization on survival in patients with advanced cancer of the urinary tract: a Retrospective International Study of Invasive/Advanced Cancer of the Urothelium (RISC).

Background: Cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy is the standard treatment of advanced urinary tract cancer (aUTC), but 50% of patients are ineligible for cisplatin according to recently published criteria. We used a multinational database to study patterns of chemotherapy utilization in patients with aUTC and determine their impact on survival. Patients and methods: This was a retrospective study of patients with: UTC (bladder, renal pelvis, ureter or urethra); advanced disease (stages T4b and/or N+ and/or M+); urothelial, squamous or adenocarcinoma histology. Primary objective was overall survival (OS). Eligibility-for-cisplatin was defined by Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≤ 1, creatinine clearance ≥ 60 ml/min, no hearing loss, no neuropathy and no heart failure. Cox regression multivariate analyses were used to establish independent associations of cisplatin versus noncisplatin-based chemotherapy on OS. Results: 1794 patients treated between 2000 and 2013 at 29 centers were analyzed. Median follow-up was 29.1 months. About 1333 patients (74%) received first-line chemotherapy: the use of first-line chemotherapy was associated with longer OS: [hazard ratio (HR): 1.91, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.67-2.20]. Type of first-line chemotherapy received was: cisplatin-based 669 (50%), carboplatin-based 399 (30%) and other 265 (20%). Cisplatin use was an independent favorable prognostic factor (HR: 1.54, 95% CI: 1.35-1.77). This benefit was independent of baseline characteristics or comorbidities but was associated with eligibility-for-cisplatin: eligible patients treated with cisplatin lived longer than those who were not (HR: 1.74, 95% CI: 1.36-2.21), while such benefit was not observed among ineligible patients. About 26% of patients who did not receive cisplatin were eligible for this agent. Median OS of ineligible patients was poor irrespective of the chemotherapy used. Conclusions: The importance of applying published criteria of eligibility-for-cisplatin was confirmed in a multinational, real-world setting in aUTC. The reasons for deviations from these criteria set targets to improve adherence. Effective therapies for cisplatin-ineligible patients are needed.

Frequent PD-L1 expression in primary and metastatic penile squamous cell carcinoma: potential opportunities for immunotherapeutic approaches.

BACKGROUND: Despite aggressive multimodal therapy, locally advanced and/or metastatic penile squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, indicating a need for new therapeutic options. Given the emerging clinical utility of immunotherapeutics, we sought to assess the incidence and potential clinical significance of PD-L1 expression in penile SqCC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Using an anti-PD-L1 primary antibody (clone 5H1), immunohistochemistry was carried out on whole tumor sections from 37 patients with penile SqCC treated at our institution between 2005 and 2013. PD-L1-positive tumors were defined as those with membranous staining in ≥5% of tumor cells. Association between PD-L1 expression and clinicopathologic parameters was examined using Fisher's exact test. Correlation between PD-L1 expression in primary tumors and matched metastases was assessed using the Spearman rank correlation coefficient (ρ). The difference in cancer-specific mortality between PD-L1-positive and -negative groups was examined using the log-rank test. RESULTS: Twenty-three (62.2%) of 37 primary tumors were positive for PD-L1 expression, and there was strong positive correlation of PD-L1 expression in primary and metastatic samples (ρ = 0.72; 0.032 < P < 0.036). Primary tumor PD-L1 expression was significantly associated with usual type histology (P = 0.040) and regional lymph node metastasis (P = 0.024), as well as decreased cancer-specific survival (P = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of primary penile SqCC tumors express PD-L1, which is associated with high-risk clinicopathologic features and poor clinical outcome. These data provide a rational basis for further investigation of anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1 immunotherapeutics in patients with advanced penile SqCC.

Dimensiones de la apófisis pterigoides en pacientes con y sin disfunción Temporomandibular / Dimensions of the pterygoid process in patients with and without temporomandibular dysfunction

Introducción: La función muscular condiciona cambios dinámicos en la orientación de sus fibras y posteriormente en su longitud real; estos cambios tensionales producen una remodelación en la estructura ósea interna del hueso de inserción y luego de un per¡odo de tiempo pueden condicionar cambios significativos en la arquitectura del hueso donde actúan. Objetivo: comparar las dimensiones del ala externa de la apéfisis pterigoides através de tomograf¡a de haz cónico en pacientes con y sin disfunción temporomandibular. Materiales y métodos: se evaluaron 60 tomograf¡as de haz cónico de pacientes con disfunción temporomandibular y 60 tomograf¡as de pacientes sin la condición, entre los años 2010 y 2011. Resultados: se estableció que la longitud media del ala externa de la apófisis pterigoides, en pacientes con disfunción temporomandibular fue de 17,01 ñ 3,64mm en el lado derecho y de 16,21 ñ 3,51mm en el lado izquierdo; y en pacientes sin disfunción temporomandibular fue de 11,86 ñ 1,97mm en el lado derecho y 11,98 ñ 1,85mm en el lado is se encontró relación estad¡sticamente significativa entre el lado de mayor longitud del ala externa de la apófisis pterigoides y dolor ipsilateral (p<0,05). Conclusiones: existen diferencias altamente significativas en la longitud del ala externa de la apófisis pterigoides, medida en tomograf¡a de haz cónico, entre los pacientes con y sin disfunción temporomandibular (p<0,001).

Introduction: Muscular function determines the dynamic changes in orientation of its fibers and later in its length, these pressure changes occur in the structure remodeling bone marrow insertion internal and after a period of time may determine significant changes in the architecture bone where they act. Objectives: To compare lateral plateïs dimensions of pterygoid process (LPPP) by cone beam computer tomography (CBCT) in patients with and without temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD). Material and methods: 60 CBCT of patients with TMD and 60 CBCT patients without that condition, from 2010 to 2011. Results: Results showed patients with larger LPPP and with TMD were 17.01 ñ 3.64mm on right side and 16.21 ñ 3.51mm on left side; and in patients without TMD were 11.86 ñ 1.97mm on right side and 11.98 ñ 1.85mm on left side. We found statistically significant relation between the side of major length of LPPP and pain in the same side (p <0.05). Conclusions: There was highly significant differences in LPPP length, measured in CBCT, between patients with and without TMD (p <0.001).

Estudio comparativo de dos instrumentos para determinar la ubicación del cenit gingival en dientes anterosuperiores / Comparative study of two instruments to determine the location of gingival zenith of maxillary anterior

Objetivo: Determinar la ubicación y nivel del cenit gingival de dientes anterosuperiores y comparar ambos parametros con el uso del calibrador digital y compas de puntas secas según género y hemiarcada. Materiales y Métodos: Se incluyeron modelos de estudio del maxilar superior de 20 estudiantes de la Facultad de Estomatología de la Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia con edad promedio de 21,05 años (18-24). Se registró en ellos los parámetros mencionados tanto con calibrador digital como con compas y regla. La comparación de mediciones fue mediante la prueba t de Student, y U de Mann Whitney, además se aplicó el coeficiente de correlación de Pearson. Resultados: El promedio del desplazamiento del cenit gingival usando el calibrador digital en el incisivo central (IC), incisivo lateral (IL) y canino (C) fue de 0,72mm, 0,36mm y 0, 11mm distal del eje longitudinal del diente respectivamente, el promedio con uso del compás fue de 0,71mm, 0,39mm y 0,11mm en el IC, IL Y C distal del eje axial respectivamente. La distancia promedio del nivel del cenit gingival con calibrador fue de 0,59 mm y con compás de 0,63 mm. No se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en ninguno de los casos (p>0,05), se encontró alta correlación entre las mediciones con ambos instrumentos, además no se encontró diferencia estadísticamente significativa en las mediciones por género y hemiarcada. Conclusión: El compás puede ser utilizado como método alternativo para dichas mediciones por ser más accesible y sencillo de usar.

Objective: To locate the displacement of the gingival zenith and the gingival zenith level of the maxillary anterior teeth and compare both parameters using the digital caliper and the two points divider by gender and quadrants. Materials and Methods: It was included models of the maxillary arc of twenty students of the School of Dentistry of the Peruvian University Cayetano Heredia with an average age of 21.05 years (18-24). In the models were measured the mentioned parameters with a digital caliper and with a two points divider and a ruler. The test t-Student and the test U-Mann Whitney were used to compare measurements; also the Pearson correlation coefficient was applied. Results: The average of the gingival zenith displacement using the digital caliper was of 0.72mm, 0.36mm and 0.11mm for the central incisor (CI), lateral incisor (LI) and canine (C) distal to the axis respectively, and using the two points divider the measurements were of 0.71mm, 0.39mm and 0.11mm for the CI, LI and C distal to the axis respectively. The distance of the gingival zenith level was of 0.59mm with the caliper while with the two points divider was 0.63mm. There were no statistically significant difference in any of the cases (p>0.05), it was found a high correlation between both measurements; also there were no significant difference about gender or quadrant. Conclusion: Two points divider can be used as an alternative measurement instrument for the parameters mentioned since is more accessible and easy to use.

Efectos de la chicha morada y café sobre el esmalte dental bovino blanqueado con peróxido de hidrógeno / Effects of chicha and coffee on bovine enamel bleached with hydrogen peroxide

Objetivo: El propósito de este estudio in vitro fue evaluar la susceptibilidad del esmalte dental bovino expuesto a chicha morada y café después del blanqueamiento con peróxido de hidrógeno (PH) al 35% con y sin calcio. Material y metodos: Setenta y dos dientes de bovino fueron blanqueados con peróxido de hidrógeno a 135% con y sin calcio (Whiteness HP Blue® - FGM Y Whiteness HP Maxx® - FGM, respectivamente) y se expusieron al café instantáneo, refresco de maiz morado artificial y saliva (control) por 30 minutos diarios durante 28 dias. El color se midió con el espectrofotómetro Easy-Shade (VITA). El cambio de color se registró a las 24 horas, 7, 14 y 28 días después del blanqueamiento. Las diferencias de color fueron analizados por la prueba de Kruskal Wallis y U de Mann-Whitney. Resultados: Los dientes blanqueados sin calcio expuestos al café fueron estadísticamente mas susceptibles a la pigmentación comparado con la chicha morada (p<0,05). Cuando se utilizó PH a135% con calcio no se encontró diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p>0.05). Conclusion: Los dientes expuestos al café son más susceptibles a la pigmentación que la chicha morada. Los dientes blanqueados con peróxido de hidrógeno a135% sin calcio presentan mayor susceptibilidad a la pigmentacion por café.

Objective: The purpose of this study in vitro was to evaluate the staining susceptibility of bovine enamel exposed to chicha and coffee after bleaching. Material and methods: Seventy-two bovine teeth were bleached with 35% hydrogen peroxide (HP) with and without calcium (Whiteness HP Blue ® - FGM and Whiteness HP Maxx ® - FGM, respectively) and were exposed to instant coffee, artificialpurple corndrink and saliva (control) 30 minutes daily for 28 days. The color was measured with Spectrophotometer Easy-Shade (V/TA). The color change was recorded at 0, 24 hours, 7, /4 and 28 days after bleaching. The color differences were analyzed by the Kruskal Wallis and Mann-Whitney test. Results: The calcium-free bleached teeth exposed to coffee were statistically more susceptible to pigmentation compared with chicha (p <0.05). When using 35% HP with calcium did not find statistically significant differences (p> 0.05). Conclusion: Teeth exposed to coffee are more likely to stain than chicha. The teeth bleached with 35% hydrogen peroxide without calcium show higher susceptibility to pigmentation by coffee.

Evaluacion de tres técnlcas de irrigación de conducto radicular frente a la actividad del enterococcusfaecalis / Evaluation of three techniques of root canal irrigation activity against enterococcusfaecalis

Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio in vitro es comparar la eficacia antibacteriana de tres técnicas de irrigacion del conducto radicular: presion positiva, presion negativa y sónica frente a una cepa de enterococcusfaecalisatcc 2012. Materiales y Metodos: Raices de premolares extraidos calibrados a 16mm de longitud apico coronal fueron contaminados con Enterococcusfaecalis ATCC 29212 por 21 días y luego distribuidos aleateoriamente en 3 grupos experimentales con 24 especimenes cada uno: grupo 1, presion positiva con agujas 27G insertadas a 4mm de la longitud de trabajo; grupo 2. Fue irrigado activando las puntas endosónicas a 3mm; grupo3, con el sistema EndoVac. El volumen de irrigantes utilizado para todos los grupos fue de 13 ml. El grupo de control negativo fue irrigado con solución salina (volumen total: 13ml). Se tomaron muestras después de la irrigación para cultivarlas, a las 24 horas se contabilizaron las unidades formadoras de colonias (UFC's). Resultados: Los tres grupos experimentales fueron más efectivos que el grupo de control negativo en la disminución de la cantidad de bacterias. Conclusiones: No se encontró diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre los tres grupos evaluados.

Introduction: The different types of bacteria found in the root canal suggest that is necessary to pursue a correct cleaning of it; thus, by means of the irrigation techniques disinfection will improve. The aim of this in vitro study is to compare the antibacterial efficacy of 3 different irrigation techniques. Methods: Roots of premolars extracted teeth calibrated to 16 mm in apex-coronal direction were contaminated with Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 within 21 days and then randomly divided into 3 experimental groups of 24 specimens: group 1, positive pressure irrigation with 27G needles inserted up to 4 mm short of the working length; group 2, same as group 1, but complemented with final irrigant activation by the EndoSonic tips; and group 3, irrigation with the Endo Vac system. The irrigants used in all experimental groups were NaOCI and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). The diameter preparation was constant for the groups ISO .40/.04 (RaCe). The irrigants volume was 13mL for all the groups. The control group was irrigated with saline solution (total volume, 13 mL). Samples were taken after irrigation procedures for cultivation and successively colony-forming units (CFUs) were counted after 24 hours. Results: The 3 experimental groups were more effective than the negative control group in reducing bacteria. Conclusions: There was no statistical significant difference between the 3 techniques.

Bioremediation of Cd-DDT co-contaminated soil using the Cd-hyperaccumulator Sedum alfredii and DDT-degrading microbes.

The development of an integrated strategy for the remediation of soil co-contaminated by heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants is a major research priority for the decontamination of soil slated for use in agricultural production. The objective of this study was to develop a bioremediation strategy for fields co-contaminated with cadmium (Cd), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), and its metabolites 1, 1-dichloro-2, 2-bis (4-chlorophenyl) ethylene (DDE) and 1, 1-dichloro-2, 2-bis (4-chlorophenyl) ethane (DDD) (DDT, DDE, and DDD are collectively called DDs) using an identified Cd-hyperaccumulator plant Sedum alfredii (SA) and DDT-degrading microbes (DDT-1). Initially, inoculation with DDT-1 was shown to increase SA root biomass in a pot experiment. When SA was applied together with DDT-1, the levels of Cd and DDs in the co-contaminated soil decreased by 32.1-40.3% and 33.9-37.6%, respectively, in a pot experiment over 18 months compared to 3.25% and 3.76% decreases in soil Cd and DDs, respectively, in unplanted, untreated controls. A subsequent field study (18-month duration) in which the levels of Cd and DDs decreased by 31.1% and 53.6%, respectively, confirmed the beneficial results of this approach. This study demonstrates that the integrated bioremediation strategy is effective for the remediation of Cd-DDs co-contaminated soils.

Evaluation of emission of greenhouse gases from soils amended with sewage sludge.

Increase in concentrations of various greenhouse gases and their possible contributions to the global warming are becoming a serious concern. Anthropogenic activities such as cultivation of flooded rice and application of waste materials, such as sewage sludge which are rich in C and N, as soil amendments could contribute to the increase in emission of greenhouse gases such as methane (CH(4)) and nitrous oxide (N(2)O) into the atmosphere. Therefore, evaluation of flux of various greenhouse gases from soils amended with sewage sludge is essential to quantify their release into the atmosphere. Two soils with contrasting properties (Candler fine sand [CFS] from Florida, and Ogeechee loamy sand [OLS] from Savannah, GA) were amended with varying rates (0, 24.7, 49.4, 98.8, and 148.3 Mg ha(-1)) of 2 types of sewage sludge (industrial [ISS] and domestic [DSS] origin. The amended soil samples were incubated in anaerobic condition at field capacity soil water content in static chamber (Qopak bottles). Gas samples were extracted immediately after amending soils and subsequently on a daily basis to evaluate the emission of CH(4), CO(2) and N(2)O. The results showed that emission rates and cumulative emission of all three gases increased with increasing rates of amendments. Cumulative emission of gases during 25-d incubation of soils amended with different types of sewage sludge decreased in the order: CO(2) > N(2)O > CH(4). The emission of gases was greater from the soils amended with DSS as compared to that with ISS. This may indicate the presence of either low C and N content or possible harmful chemicals in the ISS. The emission of gases was greater from the CFS as compared to that from the OLS. Furthermore, the results clearly depicted the inhibitory effect of acetylene in both soils by producing more N(2)O and CH(4) emission compared to the soils that did not receive acetylene at the rate of 1 mL g(-1) soil. Enumeration of microbial population by fluorescein diacetate (FDA) and most probable number (MPN) procedure at the end of 25-d incubation demonstrated a clear relationship between microbial activity and the emission of gases. The results of this study emphasize the need to consider the emission of greenhouse gases from soils amended with organic soil amendments such as sewage sludge, especially at high rates, and their potential contribution to global warming.

Effects of different rates of fly ash and sewage sludge mixture amendments on cation availability and their leachability.

A leaching column study was conducted to evaluate the leaching of cations from soils amended with a mixture of (1:1) fly ash (FA) from Port Wentworth power plant, Savannah, GA: sewage sludge (SS) from President Street water pollution control plant, Savannah, GA. Two sets of soil-leaching columns (30-cm high and 7.5-cm diameter; 15 columns per soil) were prepared with a fine sandy soil from Florida (Candler fine sand; pH 6.8) and Georgia (Ogeechee loamy sand; pH 5.6). The top one inch of soil from each of these columns was amended (3 columns per treatment) with 1:1 mixture of SS and FA at either 0, 24.7, 49.4, 98.8 or 148.3 Mg ha(- 1) rate. After saturating the columns with deionized water, 18 cycles of intermittent leaching and drying was performed on weekly basis. Leaching of major cations and changes in ionic strength and pH were evaluated on half pore volume (220 mL) of leachate collected at each event. Results of this study indicated that leaching of cations increased rapidly up to the 3rd leaching event, and then rapidly decreased and the concentration of cations reached somewhat similar to that of unamended soil columns. Effects of soil type and rates of amendments on leaching of major cations along with changes of pH and ionic strength are discussed in this paper.

A comparison of anion concentration in surficial groundwater sampled from two types of water quality monitoring wells.

Groundwater sampling for monitoring the presence and concentration of contaminants can be done using either depth integrated monitoring wells (MW) or depth specific multi-level sampling (MLS) wells. Depth specific multi-level sampling wells (MLS) are cost-effective, easy to install, and provide very detailed information about the vertical gradient in contaminant concentration. In contrast the MW sampling provides information on the presence of contaminant over large representative area. This study was conducted in two 33 ha blocks of a commercial citrus grove (Valencia orange trees on rough lemon rootstock) in a well drained Ashtabula fine sand (hyperthermic, uncoated, Typic Quartzipsamments). The depth to surficial groundwater at monitoring locations varied from 1.4 to 5.6 m, and the lateral groundwater flow rate was approximately 0.08 m d(-1). Anions were measured in groundwater sampled at 3-week intervals from four pair of MW and MLS in each of the two blocks. Since the screened portion of the MW in this study was placed in the top 150 cm of the surficial aquifer, the sampling parts of the MLS within this depth (2nd and 3rd ports) were considered for comparison. The results showed that the concentration of NO(-/3)-N, SO(2-/4) and Cl(-) in the MW samples were similar to the mean of the 2nd and 3rd port MLS sample concentrations over a one year period of sampling. Therefore, MLS sampling provides a technique to assess the groundwater quality very similar to that which can be obtainable by MW technique. In addition, the MLS provides useful information on the vertical gradient of solute concentrations thus allows evaluation of the short-term impacts of land management changes on solute concentrations in the very top layer of surficial aquifer in cost-effective manner.

An evaluation of sources of nitrogen in shallow groundwater using (15)N abundance technique.

A (15)N abundance technique was employed to identify the source of NO(3)-N in groundwater under three commercial citrus production sites in central Florida. Water samples were collected from 0 to 300 and 300 to 600 cm depths in the surficial aquifer and analyzed for NO(3)-N and delta N-15 (delta (15)N). Groundwater samples were also collected in a residential area adjacent to one of the citrus groves and analyzed for NO(3)-N and delta (15)N. The delta (15)N values were in the range of (+)1 to (+)10% in both depths underneath the citrus groves. The range of delta (15)N measured in this study represents the range expected for groundwater that was impacted by NO(3)-N originated from mineralization of organic N from the soil as well as from the crop residue. There are occasional high delta (15)N values which are indicative of the effects of NH(3) volatilization losses of applied fertilizer N. The range of delta (15)N values for groundwater samples collected from the residential area adjacent to the citrus groves was very similar to that from the groundwater underneath the citrus groves. Thus, the source of NO(3)-N that impacted the groundwater under the citrus groves also impacted the groundwater in the adjacent residential area.

Adsorption/desorption of copper by a sandy soil amended with various rates of manure, sewage sludge, and incinerated sewage sludge.

Organic amendments are sometimes applied to agricultural soils to improve the physical, chemical, and microbiological properties of the soils. The organic fractions in these soil amendments also influence metal reaction, particularly the adsorption and desorption of metals, which, in turn, determine the bioavailability of the metals and hence their phytotoxicities. In this study, a Quincy fine sandy (mixed, mesic, Xeric Torripsamments) soil was treated with 0 to 160 g kg(-1) rates of either manure, sewage sludge (SS), or incinerated sewage sludge (ISS) and equilibrated in a greenhouse at near field capacity moisture content for 100 days. Following the incubation period, the soil was dried and adsorption of copper (Cu) was evaluated in a batch equilibration study at either 0, 100, 200, or 400 mg L(-1) Cu concentrations in a 0.01M CaCl2 solution. The desorption of adsorbed Cu was evaluated by three successive elutions in 0.01M CaCl2. Copper adsorption increased with an increase in manure rates. At the highest rate of manure addition (160 g kg(-1) soil), Cu adsorption was two-fold greater than that by the unamended soil at all rates of Cu additions. With increasing rates of Cu additions, the adsorption of Cu decreased from 99.4 to 77.6% of Cu applied to the 160 g kg(-1) manure amended soil. The desorption of Cu decreased with an increase in rate of manure amendment. Effects of sewage sludge amendments on Cu adsorption were somewhat similar to those as described for manure additions. Likewise, the desorption of Cu was the least at the high rate of SS addition (160 g kg(-1)), although at the lower rates there was not a clear indication of the rate effects. In contrast to the above two amendments, the ISS amendment had the least effect on Cu adsorption. At the highest rate of ISS amendment, the Cu adsorption was roughly 50% of that at the similar rate of either manure or SS amendments, across all Cu rates.

Soil pH and anion abundance affects on copper adsorption.

Copper (Cu) input to agricultural soils results from Cu containing pesticides and or that in soil amendments, such as manure or sewage sludge. Soil and soil solution properties influence the adsorption and desorption of Cu by the soil, which in turn determines its plant availability and/or phytotoxicities. Effects of different anion enrichment in the equilibrium solution on Cu adsorption by different soils (pH range of 6.2-9.9) were investigated in this study over a range of Cu concentrations. With Cu concentrations in the range of 0-100 mg L(-1) in the equilibration solution, 95-99% of applied Cu was adsorbed by all three soils. The adsorption of Cu was similar regardless of using either 0.01 M CaCl2 or Ca(NO3)2 as the equilibration solution. When the Cu concentration in the equilibration solution was further increased in the range of 500-2000 mg L(-1), the adsorption of Cu decreased from 60 to 24% of applied Cu in two soils with pH 6.2-7.9. In a high pH soil (pH=9.9), the Cu adsorption decreased from 77 to 34%. Addition of incinerated sewage sludge (ISS) to a Palouse silt loam soil (pH = 6.2) increased the Cu adsorption as compared to that by unamended soil. This was, in part, due to an increase in the soil suspension pH with ISS amendment.