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Abstract Biochar has been found to interact with N transformations in soil but the mechanisms remain largely unknown. In this study we investigated the priming effect of combined biochar and urea inputs on soil inorganic N pools through an isotope tracer approach. Biochar was applied in combination with urea in two complementary laboratory experiments: (i) in the first one, three 15N-labeled organic amendments (wheat straw (WS)), its biochars produced at 350 °C (B350) and at 550 °C (B550) were added to soil in combination with unlabeled urea; (ii) in the second experiment the three same, but unlabeled, amendments were added to soil in combination with 15N labeled urea. This system allowed partitioning between three N sources: native soil N, biochar-derived N and urea-derived N. In addition, CO 2 fluxes were measured to follow total C mineralization in soil and N 2 O emissions were monitored. The proportion of N that mineralized from biochar was always below 0.5% of the added N. The co-addition of urea increased the concentration of NH 4 + derived from B350, but not from B550, demonstrating the lower mineralization of N in biochars produced at 550 °C. Whereas the addition of WS led to a rapid immobilization of N, we found that despite their high C:N, none of the biochars, applied at a rate of 1.5%, immobilized inorganic N in soil. On the contrary, significantly higher NH 4 +concentrations derived from native soil organic N (SON) and urea were found throughout the incubation when B550 was added. This effect can be attributed to an apparent priming effect since a net decrease in CO 2 fluxes was recorded when biochar was added to the soil. The addition of glucose (a low molecular weight carbon source) stimulated an increase in CO 2 fluxes in all treatments along with a net N immobilization in soil. However, both biochars significantly reduced C readily available to microbes, as proved by lower soil CO 2 fluxes, and limited the immobilization of NH 4 + induced by glucose addition. Our results suggest that biochar may partially offset the mineralization of easily available organic C, buffering the immobilization of inorganic N in soil when labile organic compounds (e.g. root exudates, fresh manure, etc.) are incorporated. Highlights • Less than 0.3% of the biochar-N mineralized in soil after 42 days. • Urea addition did not favor the mineralization of high temperature biochar-N. • Biochar at 550 °C increased soil native NH 4 +, most likely due to apparent priming. • Biochar increased the NH 4 +/NO 3 − ratio of urea-derived inorganic N. • Biochar offset the N immobilization in soil caused by glucose addition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytoremediation is a cost-effective “green technology” that uses plants to improve the soil properties of polluted sites, preventing the dispersion of pollutants and reducing the mobility of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) through their adsorption and accumulation by roots or precipitation within the root zone. Being highly tolerant to pollutants and other abiotic stresses, giant reed ( Arundo donax L.) is a suitable biomass crop for phytoremediation of contaminated soils. We report the results of a two-year open-air lysimeter study aimed at assessing the adaptability of giant reed to grow on industrial substrates polluted by Pb and Zn and at testing commercial humic acids from leonardite as improvers of plant performance. We evaluated giant reed potential for: 1) biomass production for energy or biomaterial recovery; 2) PTE phytoextraction and 3) soil fertility restoration. Chemical fertility was monitored by measuring soil C while soil biological fertility was estimated by quantifying the abundance of bacterial functional genes regulating nitrogen fixation ( nifH ) and nitrification ( amoA ). Giant reed above-ground growth on the polluted soils was slightly lower (− 16%) than on a non-polluted soil, with a preferential storage of biomass in the rhizome acting as a survival strategy in limiting growing conditions. Humic acids improved plant stress tolerance and production levels. As aerial biomass (shoots) did not accumulate PTEs, the plant in question can be used for bioenergy or biopolymer production. In contrast, below-ground biomass (rhizomes) accumulated PTEs, and can thus be harvested and removed from soil to improve phytoremediation protocols and also used as industrial biofuel. Giant reed growth increased the abundance of N-cycling bacteria and soil C in the rhizospheric soil, as well as reduced soil Pb and Zn EDTA extractable fraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioenergy crops are well known for their ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase the soil carbon stock. Although such crops are often held to be in competition with food crops and thus raise the question of current and future food security, at the same time mitigation measures are required to tackle climate change and sustain local farming communities and crop production. However, in some cases the actions envisaged for specific pedo-climatic conditions are not always economically sustainable by farmers. In this frame, energy crops with high environmental adaptability and yields, such as giant reed ( Arundo donax L.), may represent an opportunity to improve farm incomes, making marginal areas not suitable for food production once again productive. In so doing, three of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations would be met, namely SDG 2 on food security and sustainable agriculture, SDG 7 on reliable, sustainable and modern energy, and SDG 13 on action to combat climate change and its impacts. In this work, the response of giant reed in the marginal areas of an agricultural district of southern Italy ( Destra Sele ) and expected farm incomes under climate change (2021–2050) are evaluated. The normalized water productivity index of giant reed was determined (WP; 30.1 g m − 2 ) by means of a SWAP agro-hydrological model, calibrated and validated on two years of a long-term field experiment. The model was used to estimate giant reed response (biomass yield) in marginal areas under climate change, and economic evaluation was performed to determine expected farm incomes (woodchips and chopped forage). The results show that woodchip production represents the most profitable option for farmers, yielding a gross margin 50% lower than ordinary high-input maize cultivation across the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sprint runners achieve much higher gait velocities and accelerations than average humans, due in part to large forces generated by their lower limb muscles. Various factors have been explored in the past to understand sprint biomechanics, but the distribution of muscle volumes in the lower limb has not been investigated in elite sprinters. In this study, we used non-Cartesian MRI to determine muscle sizes in vivo in a group of 15 NCAA Division I sprinters. Normalizing muscle sizes by body size, we compared sprinter muscles to non-sprinter muscles, calculated Z-scores to determine non-uniformly large muscles in sprinters, assessed bilateral symmetry, and assessed gender differences in sprinters' muscles. While limb musculature per height-mass was 22% greater in sprinters than in non-sprinters, individual muscles were not all uniformly larger. Hip- and knee-crossing muscles were significantly larger among sprinters (mean difference: 30%, range: 19-54%) but only one ankle-crossing muscle was significantly larger (tibialis posterior, 28%). Population-wide asymmetry was not significant in the sprint population but individual muscle asymmetries exceeded 15%. Gender differences in normalized muscle sizes were not significant. The results of this study suggest that non-uniform hypertrophy patterns, particularly large hip and knee flexors and extensors, are advantageous for fast sprinting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cover image, by G. G. Handsfi eld et al., is based on the Original Article Adding muscle where you need it: non‐uniform hypertrophy patterns in elite sprinters, DOI: 10.1111/sms.12723. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Of the various biomass crops, one of the most promising for bioenergy or biochemical production is giant reed ( Arundo donax L.): It is tolerant to a wide range of environmental stresses and can therefore be cultivated on marginal lands which cannot be used for traditional food crops. An open field experiment was carried out in a soil subjected to accelerated erosion so as to evaluate the agronomic and environmental impact of giant reed during the first 9 years of cultivation. In a low-input cropping system, the crop gave an interesting biomass yield and gross income when grown on marginal hilly lands in southern Italy affected by climatic constraints and accelerated erosion. Its cultivation had favourable effects on environmental quality, thanks to the improvement in soil fertility (soil organic matter and N increase), mitigation of climate change (C storage in the soil) and reduction in soil loss by erosion (reducing soil erodibility and increasing vegetation cover). Winter harvest was found to be more advisable because it reduced biomass moisture and N content, thus improving biomass quality (fewer problems in storage and industrial use) and cropping system sustainability (higher N return to the soil and hence less need for N fertilization). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nephroureterectomy with excision of a cuff of bladder remains the standard for managing upper tract transitional cell carcinoma, which could, in selected cases, be managed conservatively. In 10 years we have treated 67 reno-ureteral unities (r.u.u.) for urothehal tumors; 36 r.u.u. with low-stage and low-grade disease (28 patients, 8 with bilateral tumor and 2 solitary kidney), were treated by an endoscopic approach; in 34 cases (3 for high grade recurrences after conservative approach) nephroureterectomy was performed. In 36 r.u.u. treated by ureteroscopic approach, we observed 3 high-grade recurrences (nephroureterectomy) and 22 low-grade (G1-G2) recurrences. Each r.u.u. received an average of 2.08 ureteroscopic operative procedures. The patients were followed up fora mean of 47.6 months after initial treatment and currently they are all recurrence free. Nine patients (13,4%) with suspect tumor of the upper tract had no carcinoma in the ureteroscopic biopsy. Ureteroscopic approach of upper urinary tract urothelial tumors in the current literature has been used successfully, resulting in recurrence rates ranging from 31% to 65% and disease-free rates of 35% to 86%. Progression and metastatic rates are low and correlate with tumor grade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To compare the efficacy of short-term parenteral prophylaxis with piperacillin/tazobactam (P/T) with long-term oral prophylaxis with ciprofloxacin in preventing infective complications after transrectal prostatic biopsy (TPB). Patients and methods Patients scheduled for TPB were randomized to receive P/T (2250 mg intramuscular) twice daily for 2 days (Group 1), or ciprofloxacin (500 mg orally) twice daily for 7 days (Group 2), beginning on the evening before the procedure in both groups. All patients received a 100-mL phosphate enema 3 h before TPB. Evaluation included self-recording of body temperature in the 3 days after TPB, and culture of mid-stream urine (MSU) samples taken before and 3 and 15 days after TPB. Patients with indwelling urethral catheters or taking antibiotics or immunosuppressive drugs were excluded, as were patients with positive MSU cultures before TPB. Results Of the 138 evaluable patients, 72 received parenteral P/T and 66 oral ciprofloxacin. Bacteriuria (> 105 c.f.u./mL) after TPB occurred in two of 72 (2.8%) patients in Group 1 and in three of 66 (4.5%) patients in Group 2; this difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.1). However, of the five patients with bacteriuria, two were symptomatic and both were in Group 2. Pyrexia occurred in only one patient in Group 2 with symptomatic urinary tract infection, and required hospitalization. No other patient reported a body temperature openface> 37.5°C or drug-related side-effects. Conclusions This prospective study showed that short-term prophylaxis with P/T was associated with a low rate of asymptomatic bacteriuria, requiring no further treatment, whereas although the rate was similar on long-term prophylaxis with ciprofloxacin patients required further treatment, with one needing hospitalization. We recommend short-term prophylaxis with P/T despite its disadvantages of cost and parenteral administration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Patients with serious psychiatric illness (SMI) have a reduced quality of life and life expectancy than the general population. Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a clinical aspect determining who should be considered to reduce the risk of serious and chronic organic factors, even more significant in the elderly. Objectives To evaluate metabolic screening of elderly patients with severe mental illness (SMI). Aims To evaluate the importance of routine screening of metabolic parameters in elderly guests of residential facilities with or without SMI; metabolic screening at baseline and after two of hospitalization. Methods Elderly inpatients (44 Tot) with Severe Mental Illness (SMI: bipolar disorder: 34%; schizophrenia: 46%; other: 20%) vs elderly inpatients (78 Tot). Data collected at baseline: psychiatric diagnosis; any previous diagnosis of hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia; ECG. At baseline and for two years were administered following scale: BPRS; PANSS; Qli; MMSE, ADL. Results After two years metabolic screening has recorded at least one of the new interactions between the five factors of MS (ATP III) in 50% of patients with: one (34%); two (21%); three (11%); four (3%) new altered parameters. In MS inpatients, 53% of new metabolic alterations were recorded in 53% (MS inpatients) vs 23% without MS after two years. Conclusions Our results showed a higher frequency of MS in patients with SMI than comparison subjects. Haloperidol was the antipsychotic medication that caused minor impact on the development of metabolic disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite their proven efficacy and tolerability, many patients are often switched among antipsychotics therapies due to the lack of therapeutic response. Many physicians begin to switching antipsychotics with the original intention to discontinue the drug, and, continue with another therapy. Several new antipsychotics available allow us to improve the long- term therapy. Methods: Nineteen year open label study in ‘real world’ setting in 121 inpatients with schizophrenia (DSM-III -> DSM-IV-TR) observed first time in 1992 in a neuropsychiatric centre and subsequently clinically evaluated until 2011; data collected and compared to switching between antipsychotics (from haloperidol to clozapine, risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine, aripiprazole). At baseline: epidemiogical and biological parameters, PANSS, QLindex and, subsequently, with CGI-S scores during every clinical visit of control [T1 → T7]. The overall analysis carried out with EZAnalyze(c) ver.3.0. Results: In the clozapine group remission rates were higher than other groups; Interrupted therapy: 27.62% of patients with risperidone, 34.85% with quetiapine. A consistent number of patients (8.04%), who have suspended the ‘first’ therapy with haloperidol, have assumed again the therapy with haloperidol toT7. Outcome was good in 28.4%,intermediate in 50,1% and poor in 21%. CGI-S T7 vs T0 (Severity of illness= p: 0,0066; Global improvement = p: 0,02844; Efficacy index =p: 0,00597) Conclusion: Study suggested that most clinically stable outpatients with schizophrenia maintain remission states after being switched to atypical antipsychotics; a T7 (19 years) a consistent number of patients assumed again haloperidol with satisfactory rate of 51.18% then previous pharmacological treatments with a atypical antipsychotics. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]