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A three year experiment was carried out on sandy soil with a vegetatively propagated single clone of Phyllostachys iridescens in Gödöllő, Hungary to investigate the effect of water availability on the number of developing and aborted shoots and the number, diameter and height of culms in a newly planted grove. Part of the experimental plot was provided with drip irrigation and irrigated 3 times a week during the vegetation period from April until the end of October in all years. The first experimental year (2010) was a moist year, while during the second (2011) and third year (2012) there was drought during spring and summer. The number of shoots that developed into culms did not significantly increase over the years in unirrigated control plants, while in irrigated plants there was a three to four fold increase in culm recruitment compared to initial values. There was no significant difference between treatments in culm diameter and culm height during the first two experimental years. However, there was a five fold significant difference in these parameters in the last year. We found a strong (R²=0.90, P=0.001) correlation between culm diameter and culm height. Our results prove that water supply during the growing season is of vital importance to developing temperate bamboos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background In Japan, effective educational methods to promote understanding of developmental disorders (DD) among young people have not been established, something that is necessary for an inclusive society. Aims This paper aimed to identify both the positive aspects and areas for improvement in a problem-solving program for middle and high school students on the topic of DD called inochi Gakusei Innovators Program (i-GIP). The study also sought to determine the changes in attitudes toward DD that occurred as a result of participating in the program. Method Semi-structured interviews were conducted online, with middle and high school students who participated in i-GIP, university students who helped manage the program, and cooperators with DD or their families. Inductive thematic analysis was conducted, and codes and themes were identified. Results Positive aspects of i-GIP included its project-based learning approach, raising awareness and understanding of developmental disorders, and the proactive attitude of the students. Areas for improvement in the program were identified, including program administration and addressing challenges related specifically to DD. Changes in attitudes and behavior toward DD were reported, along with improvements in interpersonal relationships. Conclusions and implications This study suggests that incorporating a project-based approach can be a useful manner to learn about DD among young people., Competing Interests: The authors have declared financial relationships, which are detailed in the next section., (Copyright © 2024, Murata et al.)

The effects of chrysotile asbestos on lung and pleural carcinogenesis by N-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)nitrosamine (DHPN) in male Wistar rats were studied. Chrysotile, 30 mg per rat, was injected into the left pleural cavity and 3 g/kg body wt. DHPN was injected once into the abdominal cavity. Lung tumors (adenoma, adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and combined carcinoma) occurred at the highest incidence (100%). Adenocarcinoma was seen in 4 of 11 (36%) rats killed at 35 weeks and in 6 of 12 (50%) rats killed at 52 weeks, squamous cell carcinoma occurred in 1 of 11 (9%) rats killed at 35 weeks and 3 of 12 (25%) rats killed at 52 weeks, and mixed carcinoma was seen in 1 of 12 (8%) rats killed at 52 weeks, which received chrysotile and DHPN. Adenocarcinoma was seen in 9 of 11 (82%) rats which received DHPN only and killed at 52 weeks. Mesotheliomas were seen in 2 of 11 (18%) rats, killed at 35 weeks, and 3 of 12 (25%) rats, killed at 52 weeks, which received chrysotile and DHPN. Hyaline thickening of the pleura was seen in 100% of rats receiving chrysotile. Mesothelial cell hyperplasia and adenomatous and/or fibromatous growth of the mesothelium were seen in the pleura on both sides, ranging from 36% to 50% and 31% to 64% in rats receiving chrysotile and DHPN, respectively. Asbestos bodies were seen in the pleura on both sides and in the lung.

The carcinogenic effect of N-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)nitrosamine (BHP) was studied in newborn Wistar rats. Tumors were induced in the lung (adenoma), pancreas (adenoma), kidney (nephroblastoma), and ovary (benign granulosa cell tumor) at 24 weeks after the treatment and in the lung (adenoma and adenocarcinoma), liver (hemangioma, hemangioendothelioma, and hepatocellular carcinoma), pancreas (adenoma), kidney (renal cell carcinoma and nephroblastoma), thyroid (adenocarcinoma) and ovary (benign and malignant granulosa cell tumors) at 52 weeks. The highest incidence of tumor was seen in the liver of rats applied BHP within 24 hours after birth. These results indicate that newborn Wistar rats are more susceptible to BHP than are adult rats.