A small-scale granular-activated carbon (GAC) system was evaluated for removal of the plant growth regulator paclobutrazol [(2RS,3RS)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-4,4-dimethyl-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)pentan-3-ol] from water. A solution with 50 µg L−1 of paclobutrazol was passed through canisters filled with 0.50–4.75 mm particle size (8 × 30 US mesh) granular-activated carbon at a flow rate of 6 L min−1. Paclobutrazol solution was exposed to varying amounts of contact time with GAC by increasing the number of filters in series. Analysis of samples using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) found that paclobutrazol concentration decreased by 90 and 99% with a contact time of 12 and 59 s, respectively. In bioassay tests, broccoli hypocotyls at 14 days were 104% longer and begonia dry mass was 36% greater when treated with solutions that had a contact time of 59 s compared with the 0 s of GAC exposure. With the highest GAC contact time, begonia dry mass was the same as for plants treated with a zero paclobutrazol solution. Bituminous coal and coconut shell GAC sources were equally effective in reducing paclobutrazol concentration based on broccoli hypocotyl length, and paclobutrazol concentration measured using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Removal of paclobutrazol was not affected by solution pH from 4.0 to 10.0.

The objective was to evaluate removal efficacy of agrichemicals from water using a small-scale granular activated carbon (GAC) system. The GAC system consisted of a series of three 1.9- to 4.1-L filter canisters filled with 8 × 30 US mesh (595 to 2380 μm) bituminous coal GAC. In experiment 1, 11 agrichemicals (acephate, bifenthrin, chlorpyrifos, flurprimidol, glyphosate, hydrogen peroxide + peracetic acid, imidacloprid, paclobutrazol, didecyldimethylammonium chloride (DDAC), triclopyr, and uniconazole) used in greenhouse and nursery production were exposed to 0, 12, or 64 s of GAC contact time. Chemical concentrations were prepared at a 1:10 dilution of a recommended label rate for ornamental crops to represent a possible residual concentration found in recaptured irrigation or surface water. In experiment 2, three other chemicals [iron ethylene diamine-N,N′-bis(hydroxy phenyl acetic acid) (iron-EDDHA, a chelated iron fertilizer), soracid blue dye (a fertilizer dye), and sodium hypochlorite (a sanitizing agent)] were also tested with 0, 12, 38, or 64 s of GAC contact time. Agrichemical concentration was reduced with 12 s of GAC contact time compared with the 0 s for all chemicals tested, and in most cases was further increased at 64-s contact time. Chemicals reduced below their minimum detection limits with 64 s GAC included acephate, flurprimidol, paclobutrazol, uniconazole, peracetic acid, DDAC, and chlorine (free and total). Percent reduction for other chemicals with 64 s GAC was 72.2% for bifenthrin, 89% chlorphyrifos, 85.3% imidacloprid, 99% glyphosate, 99.4% triclopyr, 99.3% hydrogen peroxide, 47.6% iron-EDDHA, and 94.6% soracid blue dye. Iron-EDDHA and soracid blue dye could be used as indicator chemicals for onsite monitoring of GAC filter efficacy. Results indicate that GAC filtration can remove a wide range of agrichemical contaminants commonly used in greenhouse and nursery production, although the required contact time in commercial production is expected to be greater than in this research study.

We were interested to read the article by Milner and Snaith: 1 Milner R.C. Snaith B. Are reporting radiographers fulfilling the role of advanced practitioner?. Radiography. 2017; 23: 48-54http://www.radiographyonline.com/article/S1078-8174(16)30063-3/fulltext Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (30) Google Scholar Are reporting radiographers fulfilling the role of advanced practitioner? Which encouraged much discussion within our research group. This relevant article raised, amongst other things, the issue of radiographer involvement in research at a time when this is a hot topic, certainly in our region as we forge ahead with our Radiology Research Strategy and embrace the success of the University of Leeds Radiographer Research Study Day. 2 University of LeedsRadiographer research study day. 2016 Google Scholar Response to letter by Roe et al. regarding a previous article by ourselves; Are reporting radiographers fulfilling the role of advanced practitioner?RadiographyVol. 24Issue 1PreviewWe would like to thank Roe et al.,1 for their letter in response to a previous article by ourselves; Are reporting radiographers fulfilling the role of advanced practitioner?2 We agree that there are inconsistencies in post graduate education and this will be exacerbated by the Department of Health (DH) expectations of the advanced clinical practitioner role.3 There is a real need for reporting radiographers, and other such roles, to recognise and fulfil the broader functions of advanced practice, and embrace the challenges as set by the professional body and DH. Full-Text PDF

Osteoarthritis (OA), a common form of arthritis is mainly characterized by inflammation, joint pain and cartilage degeneration but without any effective pharmacological cure. Obese are at risk of OA. We have previously reported the effects of dietary berries in improving cardio‐metabolic outcomes in obese adults. To our knowledge no previous reports have examined the effects of berries on OA. Thus, in the present study we examined the hypothesis that strawberries will improve metabolic profiles and symptoms of pain in obese participants with radiographic evidence of knee OA. In a randomized placebo‐controlled crossover trial obese participants [n=17 (Females 13, Males: 4); age: 56±7y; BMI: 39±6 (mean±SD)] were randomized to one of the two groups: strawberry (50g freeze‐dried) or placebo, each for 12 weeks. Blood draws, anthropometric measurements and surveys for pain scores [visual analog scale of pain (VAS) and Measure of Intermittent and Constant Osteoarthritis Pain (ICOAP)] and quality of life indices [Health assessment questionnaire disability index (HAQ‐DI)] were administered at screen, 12, 14 (washout) and 26 weeks of the study. We found significant decreases in pain scores (VAS) in the strawberry vs. placebo group at 12 weeks (0.71±0.31 and 0.90±0.47, respectively, p<0.05). While no differences were noted in biochemical profiles, especially, glucose, HbA1c, total‐ and LDL cholesterol and C‐reactive protein, HDL‐cholesterol was significantly lower in the strawberry vs. placebo group at 12 weeks (50±16 and 55±6.5mg/dL, respectively, p<0.05). Thus, strawberry bioactive compounds may help alleviate pain symptoms in knee OA. These findings deserve further investigation in larger trials.Support or Funding InformationCalifornia Strawberry Commission, NIH grant U54GM104938 (OSCTR)

Greater numbers of persons aged over 80 years are admitted to intensive care units (ICU) compared with 15 years ago. Outcomes other than death such as physical dependence and cognitive impairment and treatment burden are important to older people.

In a series of experiments with Salvia farinacea 'Rhea Deep Violet' under high air temperatures and light levels, s-abscisic acid (S-ABA) was evaluated for reducing evapotranspiration rates (ET) and for the potential side effect of injury due to high leaf temperatures. Plants were sprayed with S-ABA at a range of 125 to 1000 mg.L-(1) and then moved to a simulated retail environment under full sun (811 to 941 W.m(-2)), 30% shade, or 57% shade. Injury was rated on a scale of 1 (no burn) to 5 (extensive burn), with an injury rating of 3 considered unmarketable. On 15 June, 2010 (maximum air temperature 36.7 degrees C) ET for plants in full sun sprayed at 1000 and 125 mg.L-1 was 35% and 80% of control plants. For plants sprayed at 1000, 125, and 0 mg.L-1 midday leaf temperatures were 37.7, 31.0 and 26.3 degrees C and injury ratings were 5.0, 2.8, and 1.0, respectively. On 12 May (maximum air temperature of 30 degrees C) ET in full sun for plants treated at 1000 and 125 mg.L-1 was 20 and 66% of control plants. For plants in 1000, 125, and 0 mg.L-1 treatments, leaf temperatures were 31.8, 27.5, and 24.1 degrees C and injury ratings were 3.5, 1.0, and 1.0, respectively. On 2 June (maximum air temperature 33 degrees C), plants treated with 1000 mg.L-1 and held in either full sun, 30% shade, or 57% shade had leaf temperatures of 36.9, 34.0, and 32.0 degrees C and received injury ratings of 3.8, 1.2, and 1.0, respectively. There was a significant multiple variant correlation for amount of injury with S-ABA concentration and air temperature. These results with S. farinacea indicate that to reduce the risk of injury from high tissue temperatures under hot conditions users should either apply lower concentrations of S-ABA or the plants should not be displayed in full sun.

Abstract Background International standard adjuvant radiotherapy regimens following primary surgery for early breast cancer have historically delivered a high total dose (50Gy) in 25 small daily doses (fractions) over 5 weeks, however randomised trials, including START, indicate that a lower total dose delivered in fewer, larger fractions (Fr) is likely to be at least as safe and effective (START Trialists' Group, Lancet 2008 & Lancet Oncol 2008). With patients remaining at risk of local relapse for many years, information on long-term outcomes is needed to provide confidence in clinical practice. Here, we report 10-year follow-up of the UK START Trials testing 13- and 15-Fr regimens in terms of local cancer control and late adverse effects. Methods Between 1999 and 2002, 4451 women with completely excised invasive breast cancer (T1-3, N0-1, M0) were randomised after primary surgery to comparisons of 50Gy in 25Fr over 5 weeks vs 41·6Gy or 39Gy in 13Fr over 5 weeks (START A), or 50Gy in 25Fr over 5 weeks vs 40Gy in 15Fr over 3 weeks (START B). Women were eligible if aged over 18 years and did not have an immediate surgical reconstruction. Protocol-specified principal endpoints were local-regional (LR) tumour relapse and late normal tissue effects. Analysis was by intention to treat. Findings Median follow-up in survivors is now 9.3 years in START A and 9.9 years in START B, with 139 LR relapses in START A and 95 in START B. In START A, the 10-year rate of LR relapse was 7.4% (95%CI 5.5–10.0) after 50Gy, 6.3% (95%CI 4.7–8.5) after 41·6Gy and 8.8% (95%CI 6.7–11.4) after 39Gy. In START B, the 10-year rate of LR relapse was 5.5% (95%CI 4.2–7.2) after 50Gy and 4.3% (95%CI 3.2–5.9) after 40Gy. Clinician assessments suggested lower 10-year rates of any moderate/marked late normal tissue effects after 39Gy (43.9%; 95%CI 39.3–48.7) and similar rates after 41.6Gy (49.5%; 95%CI 44.9–54.3) compared with 50Gy (50.4%; 95%CI 45.8–55.3) in START A and lower rates after 40Gy in START B (37.9%; 95%CI 34.5–41.5) compared with 50Gy (45.3%; 95%CI 41.7–49.0). From a planned meta-analysis of START A and the START pilot trial (Owen et al, Lancet Oncol 2006), the adjusted estimate of α/β value for tumour control was 3.5Gy (95% CI 1.2–5.7) and for late change in photographic breast appearance was 3.1Gy (95% CI 2.0–4.2). Interpretation Long-term follow-up confirms that breast cancer and the surrounding dose-limiting healthy tissues respond similarly to radiotherapy fraction size and thus that appropriately-dosed hypofractionated radiotherapy is safe and effective in treatment of patients with early breast cancer. 41·6Gy in 13Fr and 40Gy in 15Fr each appear comparable to 50Gy in 25Fr in terms of local-regional tumour control and late normal tissue effects. These results support the continued use of 40Gy in 15Fr as standard of care (UK NICE Guidance 2009) for women requiring adjuvant radiotherapy for early breast cancer. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr S4-1.

Objective: To determine health related quality of life (HRQoL), functional status and re-admissions in patients 80 years and older three months after cardiac surgery Methods: Pilot prospective cohort study. Primary outcome measure: Change in HRQoL scores between baseline and three months following cardiac surgery Results: Sixty-three cardiac surgery patients were enrolled. The most frequent surgical procedures were CABG in 27 (43%), CABG + AVR/MVR in 18 (29%), AVR/MVR in 16 (25%). 61 (97%) were elective. Mean (SD) age was 83.2 (2.5) years, 56% were men, and mean (SD) length of hospital stay was 13.4 (5.9) days. Baseline self-reported co-morbidities included hypertension in 39 (62%), osteoarthritis in 27 (43%) and back pain in 21 (33%). After three months follow-up, there was no significant change in HRQoL domain scores (SF-36) or functional status scores compared to baseline. Fifty-one (81%) said that cardiac surgery had been worthwhile. There were two (3%) in-hospital deaths. One (2%) patient died and 16 (25%) were re-admitted to hospital during three month follow-up. Conclusion: Octogenarians are no worse three months after cardiac surgery than before surgery. Patient's expectations of cardiac surgery may account for why the majority thought that surgery had been worthwhile despite it making no significant change to HRQoL. Other reasons why HRQoL did not change may be related to short follow-up time, the high levels of baseline co-morbidities or an individualised construction of HRQoL. Further investigations of octogenarian's views of what HRQoL means are warranted.

Impatiens walleriana and Petunia x hybrida are important flowering annuals and drought stress during shipping and retail display can be significant limiting factors in marketability. S-Abscisic Acid (S-ABA) is being evaluated for use prior to shipping to reduce transpiration and delay wilting during retail. Petunia and impatiens were grown in 11-cm containers until plants reached a marketable stage. S-ABA was applied as a spray at concentrations of 500 to 2000 mg.L-1 and then irrigation was withheld. In both crops, S-ABA decreased transpiration water use and increased the time to wilt. S-ABA at 2000 mg L-1 had more effect on transpiration and time to wilt compared to 500 or 1000 mg L-1. The response to S-ABA was greater in petunia than in impatiens. A negative side effect observed in impatiens was a decrease in the number of flowers on sprayed plants. In a separate experiment, S-ABA caused a reduction in flower number following both spray and drench applications, and the effect increased with S-ABA concentration. Neither AVG nor 1-MCP prevented the impatiens flower abscission caused by S-ABA. In petunias, a side effect of both spray and drench applications was yellowing of lower leaves. S-ABA spray applications did not cause the loss of turgor and lower leaf wilting that has been observed with drench applications. In 'Dreams White' petunia, S-ABA caused some flowers to turn dark and senesce. S-ABA will be useful in commercial production to reduce the amount of crop loss due to drought stress during retail. However, strategies for mitigating the undesirable side effects are needed.

Objective: To explore what quality of life means to octogenarians following cardiac surgery. Design: Qualitative study involving semi-structured questions administered to three focus groups. Setting: Five hundred bed private Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. Participants: Ten men and women aged 80 years and older who had cardiac surgery in the previous 3–12 months. Results: Octogenarians agree to cardiac surgery for convenience and survival rather than relief of symptoms. Participants were happy with how the decision to have surgery was made. They were passive in the decision-making process because of their faith in modern medicine. Participants were happy with the results of the procedures which in all cases met their expectations. Occasionally there was little change in overall health after surgery due to pre-existing co-morbidities or secondary complications. Octogenarians readily adapted to these limitations or attributed them to natural aging. Octogenarians viewed quality of life as arising from independence, autonomy and social connectedness. Conclusion: Octogenarians have numerous reasons for agreeing to cardiac surgery. They frequently have surgery for convenience, likening it to being "fixed", like fixing a car. We found little evidence of shared decision making (i.e. between patients and doctors). Octogenarians view quality of life chiefly as meaning retaining independence and social connectedness, factors which therefore merit explicit consideration in assessing the risks associated with cardiac surgery.

Commercial production of poinsettias is increasing in low latitude locations where supraoptimal temperatures and marginally inductive photoperiods for poinsettia flowering exist in the fall season. Presently, we have investigated the impact of these conditions on development of the floral display in three modern, early flowering cultivars ('Prestige Early Red', 'Freedom Red', and 'Early Red Splendor'). Three temperature (21, 24, and 27 degrees C average daily temperature) and photoperiod (11.5, 12.5, and 13.5-h dark) regimes were applied in two separate experiments. Data collected were the number of days from the end of night interruption lighting through anthesis and the number of bracts per lateral branch on each plant every 10 days. The hue angle and chroma of a representative colored bract collected from each plant at the time of anthesis was measured with a colorimeter. In all three cultivars, the number of colored bracts was reduced at 27 degrees C compared with plants grown at 21 or 24 degrees C. The hue angle, a measure of redness, was not significantly different for bracts collected from 'Freedom Red' and 'Prestige Early Red' plants grown with each temperature regime, however the hue angle of bracts collected from 'Early Red Splendor' plants increased from 25 to 71 degrees with a temperature increase of 24 to 27 degrees C. This change corresponds to the presence of more green hues versus red hues in the bracts to the extent that these plants were unmarketable. With the reduction in dark period length from 13.5 to 12.5-hours dark, the average number of colored bracts per lateral on 'Early Red Splendor' was reduced from 7.3 to 3.3 in contrast to 11.8 to 8.8 in 'Freedom Red' and 9.2 to 8.4 on 'Prestige Early Red'. Plants with less than five colored bracts per lateral were deemed not marketable. These data indicate that cultivar selection is vital to produce marketable poinsettias in warm, low latitude locations.http://www.actahort.org/members/showpdf?booknrarnr=893_96