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Romiplostim is a thrombopoietin (TPO) receptor agonist approved for children and adults with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) for ≥6 months, recommended as second-line treatment. This phase 3b, single-arm, multicenter study investigated long-term efficacy and safety of romiplostim in children ≥1 to

The development of a second malignancy after the diagnosis of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a rare event. Certain second malignancies have been linked with specific elements of leukemia therapy, yet the etiology of most second neoplasms remains obscure and their optimal management strategies are unclear. This is a first comprehensive report of non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs) following pediatric ALL therapy, excluding stem-cell transplantation. We analyzed data of patients who developed NHL following ALL diagnosis and were enrolled in 12 collaborative pediatric ALL trials between 1980-2018. Eighty-five patients developed NHL, with mature B-cell lymphoproliferations as the dominant subtype (56 of 85 cases). Forty-six of these 56 cases (82%) occurred during or within 6 months of maintenance therapy. The majority exhibited histopathological characteristics associated with immunodeficiency (65%), predominantly evidence of Epstein-Barr virus–driven lymphoproliferation. We investigated 66 cases of post-ALL immunodeficiency-associated lymphoid neoplasms, 52 from our study and 14 additional cases from a literature search. With a median follow-up of 4.9 years, the 5-year overall survival for the 66 patients with immunodeficiency-associated lymphoid neoplasms was 67.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 56-81). Five-year cumulative risks of lymphoid neoplasm– and leukemia-related mortality were 20% (95% CI, 10.2-30) and 12.4% (95% CI, 2.7-22), respectively. Concurrent hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis was associated with increased mortality (hazard ratio, 7.32; 95% CI, 1.62-32.98; P = .01). A large proportion of post-ALL lymphoid neoplasms are associated with an immunodeficient state, likely precipitated by ALL maintenance therapy. Awareness of this underrecognized entity and pertinent diagnostic tests are crucial for early diagnosis and optimal therapy.

ObjectiveTo test for an association between duration of epistaxis and clinically relevant bleeding in the following 12 months in children with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP).DesignProspective cohort study.SettingThe national UK Paediatric ITP registry, a multicentre prospective clinical registry of new cases of ITP between 2006 and February 2020.PatientsAll children aged between 2 months and 16 years in participating UK centres.ExposureEpistaxis at presentation defined as none, 30 min.Main outcome measuresIncident severe bleeds, combined moderate and severe bleeds and drop in haemoglobin (Hb) by ≥20 g/L.ResultsThe sample included 1793 patients, of which 334 had epistaxis 30 min. In the 12 months following presentation, 19 had a severe bleed, 140 had a moderate bleed and 54 had a drop in Hb ≥2 g/dL. Epistaxis >30 min duration was associated with increased odds of severe bleeds (OR 1.43–15.67), moderate or severe bleeding (OR 1.33–4.2) and drop in Hb (OR 1.23–6.91). Shorter duration epistaxis was not associated with increased odds of any outcome. A trend for increased odds with longer duration epistaxis was significant for all outcomes.ConclusionsThe longer the duration of epistaxis at presentation with ITP, the higher the risk of a clinically significant bleeding event in the 12 months following. This should inform clinical severity ratings and treatment decisions.

Contains fulltext : 219893.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Closed access) BACKGROUND: Treatment of venous thromboembolism in children is based on data obtained in adults with little direct documentation of its efficacy and safety in children. The aim of our study was to compare the efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban versus standard anticoagulants in children with venous thromboembolism. METHODS: In a multicentre, parallel-group, open-label, randomised study, children (aged 0-17 years) attending 107 paediatric hospitals in 28 countries with documented acute venous thromboembolism who had started heparinisation were assigned (2:1) to bodyweight-adjusted rivaroxaban (tablets or suspension) in a 20-mg equivalent dose or standard anticoagulants (heparin or switched to vitamin K antagonist). Randomisation was stratified by age and venous thromboembolism site. The main treatment period was 3 months (1 month in children /=1 dose), were centrally assessed by investigators who were unaware of treatment assignment. Repeat imaging was obtained at the end of the main treatment period and compared with baseline imaging tests. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02234843 and has been completed. FINDINGS: From Nov 14, 2014, to Sept 28, 2018, 500 (96%) of the 520 children screened for eligibility were enrolled. After a median follow-up of 91 days (IQR 87-95) in children who had a study treatment period of 3 months (n=463) and 31 days (IQR 29-35) in children who had a study treatment period of 1 month (n=37), symptomatic recurrent venous thromboembolism occurred in four (1%) of 335 children receiving rivaroxaban and five (3%) of 165 receiving standard anticoagulants (hazard ratio [HR] 0.40, 95% CI 0.11-1.41). Repeat imaging showed an improved effect of rivaroxaban on thrombotic burden as compared with standard anticoagulants (p=0.012). Major or clinically relevant non-major bleeding in participants who received >/=1 dose occurred in ten (3%) of 329 children (all non-major) receiving rivaroxaban and in three (2%) of 162 children (two major and one non-major) receiving standard anticoagulants (HR 1.58, 95% CI 0.51-6.27). Absolute and relative efficacy and safety estimates of rivaroxaban versus standard anticoagulation estimates were similar to those in rivaroxaban studies in adults. There were no treatment-related deaths. INTERPRETATION: In children with acute venous thromboembolism, treatment with rivaroxaban resulted in a similarly low recurrence risk and reduced thrombotic burden without increased bleeding, as compared with standard anticoagulants. FUNDING: Bayer AG and Janssen Research & Development. 01 januari 2020

Dogs are a popular pet in the United Kingdom, and walking a dog is widely recognized as an important part of dog ownership. A number of different restraints can be used when walking dogs on leashes, such as collars and harnesses. Previous research has examined the behavioral effects of walking dogs on head and neck collars. Harnesses are often anecdotally proposed to be more beneficial to dog welfare than other alternative restraints; however, to date, the effects of walking dogs on harnesses have not been investigated. The aim of this study was to determine the behavioral responses of dogs walked on neck collars or harnesses. The broader purpose of this study was to examine if the type of restraint worn causes stress in dogs. To explore this, a within-subject counterbalanced design was used. Thirty privately owned dogs were recruited within 2 groups (each group: n = 15); those previously walked on a harness and those previously walked on a neck collar. Dogs were walked for 20 minutes each while behavioral indicators of stress were recorded. After this trial, owners were given the alternative walking restraint and returned a week later to perform a second 20-minute walk. Behavioral indicators were again recorded. No significant differences were found between behaviors shown by dogs when walked on either collar or harness. However, dogs with a history of being walked on a collar showed increased low ear position. This may suggest that these dogs are more stressed; however, because of the lack of support from the other stress indicators, motivations, such as indicating appeasement toward their owners, should also be considered. These findings suggest that, at least for the specific harness and collar trialed, neither neck collars nor harnesses are eliciting stress in dogs. However, future research determining the long-term effects of neck collar and harness use would be beneficial.

Standard treatment for Glanzmann thrombasthenia is platelet transfusion. Recombinant activated factor VII has been shown to be successful in patients with Glanzmann thrombasthenia with platelet antibodies or who are refractory to platelet transfusions. The Glanzmann Thrombasthenia Registry prospectively collected worldwide information on the effectiveness and safety of platelet transfusion, recombinant activated factor VII and/or antifibrinolytics for the treatment of bleeds in patients with Glanzmann thrombasthenia. Data relating to 829 non-surgical bleeding episodes were entered into the Glanzmann Thrombasthenia Registry (severe/moderate: 216/613; spontaneous/post-traumatic: 630/199). Recombinant activated factor VII alone was used in 124/829 bleeds, recombinant activated factor VII+antifibrinolytics in 107/829, platelets±antifibrinolytics in 312/829, antifibrinolytics alone in 219/829, and recombinant activated factor VII+platelets±antifibrinolytics in 67/829. The proportion of successful treatments to stop bleeding was 91.0% in cases treated with recombinant activated factor VII only, 82.7% for recombinant activated factor VII+antifibrinolytics, 72.7% for treatment with recombinant activated factor VII+platelets±antifibrinolytics, 78.8% for platelets±antifibrinolytics and 84.7% for antifibrinolytics alone. Treatment failure was documented in 18 bleeding events (2% of the total treatments), the majority of which were in patients receiving treatment with antifibrinolytics; bleeding re-started in 6% of bleeds after initial effective treatment. Thirty-five adverse events were reported, none of which was a thromboembolic event. Among treatments that included recombinant activated factor VII, only one patient reported three possibly drug-related non-serious adverse events (nausea, dyspnea and headache). To conclude, non-surgical bleeds were common and often severe in Glanzmann thrombasthenia; both platelets and recombinant activated factor VII appeared to be effective, and with good safety profiles, for the treatment of non-surgical bleeds. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT01476423.

Standard treatment for Glanzmann thrombasthenia, a severe inherited bleeding disorder, is platelet transfusion. Recombinant factor VIIa is reported to be effective in Glanzmann thrombasthenia with platelet antibodies and/or refractoriness to platelet transfusions. We aimed to evaluate recombinant factor VIIa effectiveness and safety for the treatment and prevention of surgical bleeding in patients, with or without platelet antibodies and/or refractoriness, using data from the Glanzmann Thrombasthenia Registry, an international, multicenter, observational, post-marketing study of rFVIIa. Between 2007 and 2011, 96 patients were treated for 206 surgical procedures (minor 169, major 37). History of platelet antibodies was present in 43 patients, refractoriness in 23, antibodies+refractoriness in 17, while 47 had no confirmed antibodies/refractoriness. Treatments analyzed included antifibrinolytics, recombinant factor VIIa, recombinant factor VIIa+antifibrinolytics, platelets±antifibrinolytics and recombinant factor VIIa+platelets±antifibrinolytics. The most frequent treatment for minor procedures was recombinant factor VIIa+antifibrinolytics (n=65), and for major procedures, recombinant factor VIIa+platelets±antifibrinolytics (n=13). In patients without antibodies/refractoriness, recombinant factor VIIa, either alone or with antifibrinolytics, and platelets±antifibrinolytics were rated 100% effective for minor and major procedures. The effectiveness of treatment for minor procedures in patients with antibodies and refractoriness was 88.9% for recombinant factor VIIa, 100% for recombinant factor VIIa+antifibrinolytics, 66.7% for platelets±antifibrinolytics and 100% for recombinant factor VIIa+platelets±antifibrinolytics. One of four adverse events reported for surgery was considered recombinant factor VIIa-treatment-related (non-fatal thromboembolic event in an adult female receiving recombinant factor VIIa+platelets+antifibrinolytics). For all patients, regardless of platelet antibody or refractoriness status, recombinant factor VIIa, administered with or without platelets (±antifibrinolytics), provided effective hemostasis with a low frequency of adverse events in surgical procedures in Glanzmann thrombasthenia patients. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov identifier: 01476423.

Objective To evaluate the effects of a therapeutic outcomes monitoring (TOM) program on selected process and outcome measures. Design Prospective, controlled, multicenter study. Setting Community pharmacies throughout Denmark (16 intervention, 15 control). Patients Five hundred patients with asthma aged 16 to 60 years and treated in primary care. Intervention TOM is a community-based program for pharmaceutical care. Using a structured, seven-step, cyclical outcome improvement process, TOM pharmacists identify and resolve (or refer) problems with drug therapy that, if not addressed, might result in therapeutic failure or adverse effects. Equal emphasis is placed on the patient's perspective (e.g., coping, control, and empowerment) and the professional's perspective (e.g., adherence, patient knowledge, and therapeutic problems). TOM requires cooperation among pharmacists, patients, and physicians. Main Outcome Measures Asthma symptom status, days of sickness, health-related and asthma-specific quality of life, use of health care services and resources, and satisfaction with health care and pharmacy. Intermediate Outcome and Process Measures Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), knowledge of asthma and asthma medications, inhalation errors, and drug therapy problems in the TOM group. Results The mean individual differences for TOM and control patients were tested. Beneficial effects were found for the following outcome measures: asthma symptom status, days of sickness, and health-related and asthma-related quality of life. Satisfaction with health care and pharmacy varied throughout the course of the project, with no significant difference between groups at the final evaluation. Although not statistically significant, differences in use of services were considered to be clinically significant and encouraging. Beneficial effects were found for knowledge of asthma and medications, inhalation errors, drug use and drug therapy problems. No significant differences were found for PEFR. Conclusion The project demonstrated that therapeutic outcomes monitoring by community pharmacists is an effective strategy for improving the quality of drug therapy for asthma patients in primary health care.

A dense mucous layer in the large intestine prevents inflammation by shielding the underlying epithelium from luminal bacteria and food antigens. This mucous barrier is organized around the hyperglycosylated mucin MUC2. Here we show that the small intestine has a porous mucous layer, which permitted the uptake of MUC2 by antigen-sampling dendritic cells (DCs). Glycans associated with MUC2 imprinted DCs with anti-inflammatory properties by assembling a galectin-3-Dectin-1-FcγRIIB receptor complex that activated β-catenin. This transcription factor interfered with DC expression of inflammatory but not tolerogenic cytokines by inhibiting gene transcription through nuclear factor-κB. MUC2 induced additional DC-conditioning signals via intestinal epithelial cells. Thus, mucus does not merely form a nonspecific physical barrier, but also constraints the immunogenicity of gut antigens by delivering tolerogenic signals.

Background Respiratory distress syndrome remains a significant problem among premature infants. Mechanical ventilation through an endotracheal tube remains the mainstay of respiratory support but may be associated with lung injury and the development of chronic lung disease of prematurity. Efforts are needed to reduce the duration of mechanical ventilation in favour of less invasive forms of respiratory support and to improve rates of successful extubation. Non-invasive respiratory support has been demonstrated to be less injurious to the premature lung. Standard practice is to use nasal continuous positive airway pressure (n-CPAP) following extubation to support the baby's breathing. Many clinicians also use nasal biphasic positive airway pressure (n-BiPAP) in efforts to improve rates of successful extubation. However, there is currently no evidence that this confers any advantage over conventional nasal continuous positive airway pressure. Methods We propose an unblinded multi-centre randomised trial comparing n-CPAP with n-BiPAP in babies born before 30 weeks' gestation and less than two weeks old. Babies with congenital abnormalities and severe intra-ventricular haemorrhage will be excluded. 540 babies admitted to neonatal centres in England will be randomised at the time of first extubation attempt. The primary aim of this study is to compare the rate of extubation failure within 48 hours following the first attempt at extubation. The secondary aims are to compare the effect of n-BiPAP and n-CPAP on the following outcomes: 1. Maintenance of successful extubation for 7 days post extubation 2. Oxygen requirement at 28 days of age and at 36 weeks' corrected gestational age 3. Total days on ventilator, n-CPAP/n-BiPAP 4. Number of ventilator days following first extubation attempt 5. pH and partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the first post extubation blood gas 6. Duration of hospital stay 7. Rate of abdominal distension requiring cessation of feeds 8. Rate of apnoea and bradycardia 9. The age at transfer back to referral centre in days The trial will determine whether n-BiPAP is safe and superior to n-CPAP in preventing extubation failure in babies born before 30 weeks' gestation and less than two weeks old. Trial registration number ISRCTN: ISRCTN18921778

Despite increased hunting pressure accompanied by habitat degradation, the current distribution of Nubian ibex Capra ibex nubiana in Saudi Arabia closely resembles that of historical record and spans a wide diversity of habitat types. Efforts are under way to conserve the species and two special ibex reserves have been created.

Objective: To design a pharmaceutical care model, and develop and field test a set of community pharmacy guidelines and practice support materials-Therapeutic Outcomes Monitoring (TOM) modules. Design: Concept interviews with pharmacists, physicians, and patients; development and field testing of practice guidelines. Setting: Community pharmacies. Participants: Five independent, five chain, and two clinic site pharmacies. Interventions: A prototype TOM module for asthma was developed through a seven-step process. Concept interviews were held with pharmacists, physicians, and patients to determine the desirability and feasibility of the TOM concept, prototype, and materials. Two field tests were completed and modifications made. Results were gathered through further concept interviews at the completion of the second field tests. Main Outcome Measures: Participants' opinions and experiences. Results: Pharmacists, physicians, and patients expressed favorable attitudes about community pharmacists' participation in this pharmaceutical care model. Of the 12 participating pharmacists, 7 successfully implemented TOM in their practice sites and participated in the project throughout the testing; 49 patients were recruited into the study; and 22 patients remained in the program at the end of the second field test. In providing TOM services to these patients, the two most problematic areas for the pharmacists were in documenting care and reporting to physicians. A final phase of the TOM project has not been conducted in the United States because of insufficient numbers of patients for evaluating patient outcomes. Conclusion: The TOM project was successful from a technical but not a marketing perspective. Useful practice guidelines can be written and taught to pharmacists. Enrollment of patients was difficult, and the concept is not likely to spread spontaneously within the existing market for pharmaceutical services.

The science of crop pathology exists to play a vital part in making a farmer's practical venture as economically productive as possible, but it does not at present make full impact. It is very easy to concentrate on our desire for scientific understanding and to neglect our duty to be useful to farmers. It is, however, our responsibility so to direct our energies as to make proper scientific proportion the basis of all calculation involved in decision making in the farming industry, thus securing an economic increase in the abun­ dance of food. This chapter is designed to assist in the development of this approach.

Immature inflorescence culture and subsequent plant regeneration was practiced for four successive cycles using a Triticum crassum × Hordeum vulgare hybrid cultured on Kao's medium supplemented with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (5 mg/mL). In one line, chromosomal mixoploidy was observed among both mitotic and meiotic cells. Variation in chromosome number of 20 to 98 was observed in mitotic and 14 to 68 among meiocytes in the first cycle regenerants. The range in chromosome number decreased in subsequent regeneration cycles. Fragmented chromosomes were observed at low frequencies in both groups of cells. The high frequency of univalents at meiosis was attributed to possible elimination of chromosomes carrying meiotic pairing control genes.Key words: somaclonal variation, hybrids (intergeneric), tissue culture, chromosomal mixoploidy.

In studying the effects of diseases on crop plants more attention must be paid to the host than it usually receives. The green plant is able to compensate for damage to its organs, and a quantitative estimate of this action is essential to rational interpretation of economic losses from disease. Work in this field is progressing, and results of practical importance have been obtained by the artificial defoliation of plants and other techniques.

Summary 1 The growing points of more than 100 plant species of diverse habit have been examined between 1937 and 1939, in order to find the exact times of flower initiation. 2 Types of organization for flowering may be classified into (a) direct-flowering plants, (b) indirect-flowering plants, (c) cumulative-flowering plants and (d) climax flowering plants. Initiation of the flower in (a), (b) and (c) may either begin (i) during the period of maximum vegetative growth or (ii) when vegetative growth is at a minimum. In the latter class, any direct cause of flowering operated entirely or largely by external influences, such as those affecting the vigour of photosynthesis, would appear to be eliminated. 3 Abnormal flowering of some indirect-flowering plants during the autumn of 1938 suggests that their physiological rest periods were concluded at that time. Their normal extension of dormancy until the following spring is probably a direct effect of winter climate. 4 Plant habit, as annual, biennial, perennial, does not appear to affect the time of flowering, unless associated with a store of food, but not all plants with stored food flower early. 5 A series of correlation diagrams of the two variables, temperature and time of flowering, has been prepared from the Royal Meteorological Society's phenological data. These suggest that temperatures before the initiation of flower bud formation, in addition to those at other periods of floral development, may affect the time of flowering. Some species appear to be hastened by higher temperatures than normal at this period, e.g. ivy, and yet other kinds by temperatures lower than normal, e.g. coltsfoot. 6 Flower emergence in thirteen wild plants is hastened by a temperature higher than that of normal climate for a period just before the time of opening.

An examination of the percentages of total carbohydrate, nitrogen (Kjeldahl) and ash has been made at various times in the growth cycle in six plants of varying growth habit. The time of formation of the flower initial in four species (fumitory, leek, radish and yellow water-lily) corresponds to a maximum in the curve showing percentage of total carbohydrate plus percentage of ash in the whole plant. The other two species (pea and bean) make their flower initials very early in the growth cycle, at a time when the amounts of carbohydrate plus ash are high because of the attachment of the plant to the large seed. These two species therefore also make their flower initials at a virtual maximum of carbohydrate plus ash. All six species of plants studied have mobile carbohydrate. The distribution of nutrients after flowering is discussed.

First earlyEpicure potato crops escape the heavier losses from potato root celworm because of a differential effect of temperature on host and parasite “Varietal efficiency” of tuber production has been combined with yield, length of growth cycle, temperature and daylengths to show that a variety suitable for “celworm escape” must have a high efficiency during low temperatures and short, dull days whilst maintaining the efficiency at high temperatures and longer days. Differing reactions ofEpicure andKerr's Pink to late blight on the foliage and on the tubers are explained by their differing Cp/Rs ratio values which in turn reflect the varietal effeiency.

(1968). An Approach by Computer to the Prediction of Crop Yields. Pest Articles & News Summaries. Section B. Plant Disease Control: Vol. 14, No. 4, pp. 347-352.

The degree of host receptivity (disease potentia) of the potato to the late blight fungus can be measured by the Cp/R8-ratio (see text).

Summary The validity of forecasts of the first appearance of Potato Blight based on Beaumont's (1947) temperature-humidity rule has been investigated for the west of Scotland. Forecasts were all valid after the last days of June for the five years from 1944 to 1948, and were not valid before that time. This period is suggested as the ‘zero time’ of validity of forecasts in Ayrshire, and available evidence suggests that it varies for different districts. The effect of foliage Blight upon overall yield cannot yet be specified with accuracy. Forecasts would, nevertheless, be useful for protective sprays used to diminish the spread of Blight to the tubers. Such sprays should, nevertheless, always be used in conjunction with destructive sprays when possible. Reliable prophesies of the first appearance of Blight would also be valuable for timing the application of destructive sprays in the special case of seed crops of Epicure potatoes in the early districts of Ayrshire. The amount of Blight appearing naturally on the tubers is greatest when the disease develops slowly on the foliage. Such years may also bring a greater proportion of ware to seed, and there is a tendency for more Blight to appear on seed-size tubers than on the ware. Years of quick development of Phytophthora on the leaves have relatively little Blight on the tubers when no control of the disease is attempted.

Summary Species of the larger fungi have definable preferences for particular ranges of pH of the substrate. The majority favour acid conditions but a minority prefer alkaline reaction. Some genera also appear to have similar definable preferences. The ecology of coprophilous species depends very largely upon reaction of the medium. Most humicolous basidiomycetes require a high average water content in the substrate. Studies of two ecological changes suggest that this factor is of major importance. The autumnal maximum of fungal fructification reflects the only time of year when soil temperature, soil water, and the level of available nitrogen, are simultaneously sufficient. Ecology of the lignicolous fungi can be investigated in the field by correlated measurements of pH and ‘hardness’ in order to determine the particular type and stage of decay. Rotting wood generally undergoes a change from very acid to neutral reaction; bark provides approximately neutral conditions throughout.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 1 The temperatures of dormant and opening fruit buds of apple, black currant and raspberry have been investigated by thermoelectric methods. 2 Apple buds are warmer than the air by day, and usually cooler at night. Warming seems to be effected by radiation from the sun, since a screened bud was cooler than the air during the daytime as well as at night. Cooling would seem t o be a direct result of evaporation from the bud, with radiation as an important secondary factor on clear nights. 3 Black currant and raspberry buds are usually cooler than the air at all times. Buds of these plants were opening, whilst apple buds were dormant, and it would seem that loss of heat by evaporation dominates even the warming effect of the sun during the day. 4 Apple buds seem to have a mechanism of resistance against frost, whilst no evidence of such protection has been found in black currant buds. 5 Results are discussed further under the various headings of the text. In eonclusion, we desire to express our sincere thanks to Prof. J. H. Priestley for extensive help in the prosecution of the investigation here recorded, to Mr J. W. Eves of Leeds University, and to Mr A. Potts of the Fruit Station, Osgodby, for valuable assistance in obtaining the 1932 records.

The effects of climate on both host and parasite have been studied for two serious crop diseases of west Scotland. First-early Epicure potato crops in the coastal belt of Ayrshire and Wigtownshire make appreciable tuber growth before the soil temperature rises to 43°F, which is the minimum temperature of activity of the potato-root eelworm, Heterodera rostochiensis. By the time the earliest crop is lifted early in June, cysts of the eelworm are white or yellow in colour. It is shown that such cysts make little contribution to the permanent soil infestation, thus explaining the low infestations of land consistently devoted to the growth of first-early crops. Later lifting allows the cysts to become brown, and such cysts add considerably to the permanent soil infestation. The initial period of eelworm-free growth on first-earlies limits the loss in yield to 30 to 40 per cent, as compared with 80 to 100 per cent loss if the variety Epicure were planted later, at the time for a maincrop variety. Correlation coefficients have been calculated for comparisons over eight years between the percentage of club-root disease on swede turnips and monthly means of air and soil temperatures, bright sunshine and rainfall, for the separate months from May to October. Significant and near-significant correlations show that a low incidence of the disease is associated with a relatively high soil temperature in July, relatively high amounts of bright sunshine in June, July and September, relatively low rainfall in September and relatively high rainfall in October. The differential effect of soil temperature on host and parasite with potato-root eelworm is a ‘disease-escape’ mechanism but the effects of bright sunshine on the amount of club-root disease are considered to be, in the present setting, an effect upon disease involving growth of the host.

Two earlier papers have established (1) that the late-flowering chrysanthemum, a typical “short-day” species, flowered in autumn because of a disability in nocturnal translocation which limited the amount of carbohydrate available at the growing-point during the short nights of summer (Grainger, 1938), and (2) that many plants which flower in spring and early summer actually begin the formation of their flower initials in the autumn and winter of the previous year (Grainger, 1939). Such plants might conceivably be “short-day” kinds, since the actual transformation from vegetative to floral organization of the growing-point was accomplished when the days were short. It therefore appears necessary to investigate their relative diurnal carbohydrate metabolism, in order to discover whether it has any causal relationship with the time of actual flower initiation, as was demonstrated for the late-flowering chrysanthemum. The present paper describes the results of such an investigation, and also of certain contributory studies as to the converse effect of flowering upon metabolism, the relative amount of energy used in flowering, and the possible inadequacy of nutrition in very floriferous plants.