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Aims In this study, the species indicator test was used to identify key bacterial taxa affected by changes in the soil environment as a result of conservation agriculture or conventional practices. Methods and Results Soils cultivated with wheat ( Triticum spp. L.) and maize ( Zea mays L.) under different raised bed planting systems for 20 years, that is, varying crop residue and fertilizer management, were used. Taxonomic- and divergence-based 16S-metagenomics, and IndVal analysis were used to study the bacterial communities and identify indicator taxa (genus and OTU97) affected by agricultural practices. Although, some phyla were affected significantly by different treatments, the taxonomic assemblages at phylum level were similar. Bacterial taxa related to different processes of the N-cycle were indicators of different fertilization rates, for example, Azorhizobium, Nostoc and Nitrosomonas. A large number of OTU97 were indicators for conventionally tilled beds and their distribution was defined by soil organic carbon. IndVal analysis identified different taxa in each of the residue management systems. This suggests that although the same organic material remains in the field, crop residue management affects specific taxa. The taxa indicator of the burned residues belonged mainly to the order SBR1031 (Anaerolineae, Chloroflexi), and the genera Bacillus and Alicyclobacillus. Conclusions N-fertilizer application rates affected N-cycling taxa. Tillage affected Actinobacteria members and organic matter decomposers. Although the same crop residue was retained in the field, organic material management was important for specific taxa. Significance and Impact of the Study In this study, we report that agricultural practice affected soil bacterial communities. We also identified distinctive taxa and related their distribution to changes in the soil environment resulting from different agricultural practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A phylogenetic analysis of the archaeal community in the soil of the former Lake Texcoco showed that some of the clones identified were affiliated to Archeae that reduce nitrate (NO3 −) to nitrite (NO2 −) and NO2 − to unknown products under aerobic conditions. Previous research suggested that this indeed might occur when an easily decomposable C-substrate is available, but little is known about the factors that control the possible processes involved. The sandy clay loam soil with pH 10 and electrolytic conductivity 56dSm−1 was spiked with 1000mg glucose-Ckg−1 soil (GLUCOSE pre-treatment), 200mg NO3 −-Nkg−1 soil (NITRATE pre-treatment), or left unamended (CONTROL pre-treatment) and conditioned for eight days. Pre-treated soil was then added with 1000mg glucose-Ckg−1 soil and 200mg NO3 −-Nkg−1 soil and amended with ammonium (NH4 +) (AMM treatment) and l-glutamine (GLUT treatment), acetylene (C2H2) (ACE treatment), oxygen (O2) (OXI treatment), left untreated (CON treatment) or sterilized. No abiotic factors affected concentrations of NH4 +, NO2 − or NO3 −. In the CONTROL pre-treatment, concentration of NO3 − decreased 170mg Nkg−1 soil within 72h, in the GLUCOSE pre-treatment with 182mg Nkg−1 soil within 2h and in the NITRATE pre-treatment with 272mg Nkg−1 soil within 168h. Mean concentration of NO2 − was 3.2mg Nkg−1 soil in unamended soil, 5.7mg Nkg−1 soil in the CONTROL pre-treatment, but >20mgkg−1 soil in the GLUCOSE pre-treatment and ≥40mgkg−1 in the NITRATE pre-treatment. The application of NO3 − and glucose increased the mean concentration of NH4 + compared to the unamended soil independently of pre-treatment. It was found that microorganisms in the alkaline saline soil of the former Lake Texcoco can reduce concentrations of NO3 − while releasing NO2 − under aerobic conditions when an easy decomposable substrate is available without it being directly related to microbial activity and this being more outspoken when glucose or nitrate were previously added. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study with level III of evidence. OBJECTIVE: To describe different anthropometric and body composition parameters of adolescent girls with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), comparing them with the standards of a healthy age-matched population. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Body growth and development of adolescent girls with AIS seems to differ from the healthy subjects, especially at perpubertal stages. Young scoliotic adults have been found to be taller, lighter, and thinner than age-matched healthy population. Body composition profile taken from measurements of skin-fold thickness, bony diameters at different levels, and arm and legs perimeters has not been previously reported in AIS patients. METHODS: A nonconsecutive series of 52 AIS girls (mean age: 13.9 years) with an average scoliotic curve of 27° Cobb (range: 20-58) underwent an anthropometric study. None of the AIS girls had been treated previously with spinal surgery. The control group consisted of 92 girls without spine deformity, matched in age (mean: 13.8 years). Weight, height, and skin-fold thickness in millimeters at six levels were measured. Body mass index (BMI), Ponderal index, percentage of body fat, percentage of muscular tissue, fat mass, lean body mass, muscular weight, bony weight, and residual weight were calculated using standard rules to estimate body composition. The somatotype components (endomorphy, mesomorphy, and ectomorphy) were calculated according to the Carter equations. RESULTS.: Compared with the control population, scoliotic girls had a significantly lower mean weight (51.4 ± 10.2 kg vs. 54.7 ± 8.1 kg; P < 0,05), a lower BMI (20.1 ± 3.4 vs. 21.4 ± 2.4; P < 0.001), and a higher Ponderal index (43.2 ± 2.4 vs. 42.2 ± 1.6; P < 0.01). Girls with AIS showed a progressive decrease of the BMI as the age increased. The percentage of body fat was also lower in scoliotic girls, without significant statistical differences (14.1 ± 3.8 vs. 15 ± 3.6). Out of the 52 AIS girls, 11 (21.2%) showed a BMI below 17.5, which has been considered the limit for anorexia. In the control group, only 3 of 92 girls (3.3%) had BMI below that level. The somatotype differed also between scoliotics and controls: higher in the ectomorphic component (3.29 ± 1.68 vs. 2.40 ± 1.11; P < 0.001), and lower in the mesomorphic component (2.86 ± 0.82 vs. 3.70 ± 1.11; P < 0.01) in AIS patients. CONCLUSION: The differences in some anthropometric parameters (weight, IMC, IP) and in the somatotype suggest that the idiopathic scoliosis not only disturbs normal spine growth but also seems to have implications on the whole corporal development. Whether these changes could be related to abnormal spinal growth or subsequent to nutritional changes in AIS still remains uncertain. Presumably, some endocrine factors affecting body composition and growth might be involved in the etiology of idiopathic scoliosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To characterize the bacterial community of taberna, an alcoholic traditional beverage from the Southern part of Mexico produced by the fermentation of the coyol palm sap ( Acrocomia aculeate). Methods and Results: Bacterial 16S rDNA libraries were constructed from metagenomic DNA extracted during the fermentation process at 0, 60 and 108 h. A total of 154 clones were sequenced, and 13, 10 and nine unique sequences were found at each sampling time. At the onset of the fermentation, Zymomonas mobilis, Fructobacillus spp., Pantoea agglomerans and other Gammaproteobacteria were detected. After 60 h, lactic acid bacteria were found and 30% of clones in the library were related to Lactobacillus nagelii, L. sucicola and L. sp. By the end of the experiment, i.e. after 108 h, the bacterial community included Z. mobilis, Lact. nagelii and Acetobacter pasteurianus. Conclusions: Our results suggest that Z. mobilis population represented an important proportion of the bacterial community (60-80%), as well as the lactobacilli during the fermentation process. The bacterial diversity was low and decreased as the fermentation progressed. Significance and Impact of the Study: This culture-independent study suggests that Z. mobilis and lactobacilli play an important role in the alcoholic fermentation of the taberna beverage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the poly-axial locked plating system inserted through a minimally invasive approach for the treatment of three-part fractures of the proximal humerus. Twenty-three patients with a three-part fracture of the proximal humerus treated with a poly-axial locking plate through a percutaneous approach were available for clinical and radiological analysis at a minimum of 2 years follow up (average 36 months; range, 24-54 months). To assess objective and subjective outcomes the Constant Score (CS) and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score were obtained. All complications were recorded. There were 17 women and 6 men, with a mean age of 62 years (range, 18-86). All fractures healed. At final follow up, the mean forward flexion, external rotation and internal rotation were 126°, 44° and L1, respectively; the mean CS was 64 and the mean DASH score was 23. Twelve patients (52%) had a postoperative complication, which included screw cut-out, stiffness and infection. The poly-axial locked plating system through a minimally-invasive approach may be an appropriate treatment for three-part fractures of the proximal humerus and may reduce the biological aggression of conventional plate fixation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Although D- patients should receive red blood cells (RBCs) from D- donors, the scarcity of D- blood components in certain situations makes the transfusion of D+ RBCs unavoidable. Therefore it is recommended that guidelines be developed in order to standardize transfusion policy in these scenarios. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We have prospectively evaluated a policy for the use of D+ RBCs in 905 D- patients. The amount of D- RBCs saved as well as the incidence of hemolytic reactions and anti-D alloimmunization were assessed. RESULTS: 554 patients received D- RBCs while 351 received a total of 1032 D+ RBCs, all of them within our criteria for the acceptable use of D+ RBCs. This strategy allowed us to save 25.6 percent of D- RBCs (1032 out of 4024 RBCs requested). No hemolytic reactions were reported. The incidence of alloimmunization was 21.4 percent. Most patients who developed anti-D did so within the first 2 or 4 RBCs transfused (64% after the first 2 RBCs transfused and 88% after the first 4). In multivariate analysis the age of less than 77 years was the only predictor for alloimmuization (HR = 2.48 [95% CI = 1.21-3.81]; p = 0.014). CONCLUSION: The use of D+ RBCs in selected D- patients does not induce adverse reactions and allows the saving of a significant number of D- RBCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor about the efficacy of allogeneic transplantation in treating subcutaneous panniculitic T-cell lymphoma is presented.

Discusses the case of a 60-year-old male who developed pruritic dermatitis after using zinc acexamate to treat gastric and duodenal ulcers. Clinical characteristics; Patch test results.