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Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men worldwide and it is most frequent in high-income countries (World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research, 2007; Globocan, 2012). Despite affecting large numbers of men, the aetiology of the disease is poorly understood. Moreover, none of the well-established risk factors such as age, ethnicity or a family history of prostate cancer are modifiable. Other prostate cancer risk factors that have been identified include adult obesity and dietary components, each of which are potentially modifiable, as well as non-modifiable risk factors such as adult height, genetic polymorphisms and hormonal factors. The contributions of these factors to the aetiology of prostate cancer are, however, unclear (Gronberg, 2003; Hsing and Chokkalingam, 2006). Adult anthropometry has been evaluated in relation to prostate cancer risk in several studies. Two meta-analyses have established that taller men have an increased risk of prostate cancer, however the effect sizes are modest (MacInnis and English, 2006;Zuccolo et al, 2008). Recently we found that tall boys, especially in late childhood, had an elevated risk of developing prostate cancer in adulthood (Cook et al, 2013). Additionally, several studies have found indications that adult obesity increases the risk of prostate cancer. However, the effect of greater adult body mass index (BMI; kg m−2) on prostate cancer risk is relatively weak (ranging in magnitude from a 3 to 6% increased risk per 5 kg m−2; MacInnis and English, 2006; Renehan et al, 2008), although the effects appear to be stronger for aggressive and fatal prostate cancers (MacInnis and English, 2006;Discacciati et al, 2011; Discacciati et al, 2012). As the growth of the prostate organ starts early in life, and the development of prostate cancer likely occurs over a long period before it manifests clinically, it is plausible that this process originates early in life (Freedland and Platz, 2007; Wilson, 2011). Consequently, childhood may represent an essential period where early exposures could affect prostate cancer risk later in life. Excess weight during childhood has various adverse consequences for long-term health (Ahlgren et al, 2004; Baker et al, 2007; Reilly and Kelly, 2011). Only a few studies have, however, investigated if childhood body size is associated with the risk of prostate cancer in adulthood, and their findings are equivocal (Andersson et al, 1995; Ilic et al, 1996; Giovannucci et al, 1997; Hsing et al, 2000; Dal et al, 2004; Jeffreys et al, 2004; Robinson et al, 2005; Barba et al, 2008). The only cohort study using measured heights and weights did not find an effect of childhood BMI, but this study was limited by a low number of prostate cancer cases as well as a wide age range of the included boys (Jeffreys et al, 2004). The remaining studies relied on a mid-life recall of childhood weight (Andersson et al, 1995; Ilic et al, 1996) or body size (Giovannucci et al, 1997; Hsing et al, 2000; Dal et al, 2004; Robinson et al, 2005; Barba et al, 2008), which might have resulted in exposure misclassification bias that usually results in attenuation of effects towards the null. We investigated whether a larger BMI in childhood, independent of and adjusted for height, as well as longitudinal changes in BMI during childhood were associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer in adulthood in a large Danish population-based cohort of men. In addition, to examine whether changes in diagnostic procedures over time and the stage of the cancer affected these associations, we conducted additional analyses exploring the effects of the introduction of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing and the Tumour, Node, Metastasis (TNM) stage of the neoplasm.

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of different laboratory methods for diagnosing parvovirus infection in dogs. Experimental infection was induced in 12 puppies. After the onset of manifest disease symptoms, the dogs were subjected to daily clinical observation, and virus detection was performed using immunochromatography and haemmaglutination test, while immunofluorescence was applied for the detection of the virus within the intestinal epithelium. The clinical form of the parvovirus infection was provoked in all dogs that were in contact with sick animals, and all affected animals died. Symptoms observed in affected dogs included apathy appetite loss, vomiting, dehydration and profuse, haemorrhagic diarrhoea. Immunochromatography and haemagglutination confirmed the presence of the virus in the faeces one day after manifestation of clinical symptoms in 100% of the affected dogs. On day 2 the virus was detected in 85% and 53% of the sick animals by the methods of haemagglutination and immunochromatography respectively. Before death, the virus was detected by haemagglutination and immunochromatography in 61% and 15% dogs, respectively. Immunofluorescence assay revealed the presence of the virus in tissue samples of small intestines in all infected animals. Parvoviroza pasa je teško, kontagiozno oboljenje i javlja se u manjim ili većim enzootijama u čitavom svetu. Oboljevaju sve starosne kategorije pasa ali prvenstveno štenad. Iako su simptomi oboljenja veoma izraženi, tačna dijagnoza se ne može postaviti samo na osnovu kliničkog pregleda. Etiološka dijagnoza se bazira na dokazivanju virusa. U cilju ispitivanja vrednosti različitih laboratorijskih metoda za dijagnostiku parvovirusne infekcije pasa, eksperimentalno je izazvano oboljenje kod 12 štenadi. Posle pojave simptoma bolesti, psi su bili podvrgnuti svakodnevnoj kliničkoj opservaciji i vršeno je dokazivanje virusa u fecesu imunohromatografskom metodom metodom hamaglutinacije i u crevnom epitelu metodom imunofluorescencije. Klinički oblik parvovirusne infekcije izazvan je i kod svih pasa koji su bili u kontaktu sa obolelom životinjom i sve obolele životinje su uginule (mortalitet 100%). Kod obolelih pasa je uočena apatija, odsustvo apetita povraćanje, dehidracija i registrovan je profuzan, hemoragičan proliv. Imunohromatografskom metodom i metodom hemaglutinacije, virus je dokazan u fecesu prvog dana nakon pojave kliničkih simptoma bolesti kod 100% obolelih pasa. Drugog dana metodom hemaglutinacije virus je dokazan kod 85% obolelih pasa, a imunohromatografskom metodom kod 53% životinja. Pred uginuće metodom hemaglutinacije virus je dokazan kod 61% pasa, a imunohromatografskom metodom samo kod 15% pasa. Metodom imunofluorescencije virus je dokazan u uzorcima tankog creva kod svih zaraženih pasa.

This research uses a game-theoretic approach to analyze electric power provision for irrigation in Andhra Pradesh, based on results from interview and survey data. Farmers face a coordination problem of collectively preserving electric power quality and a linked dilemma of obtaining sufficient electric infrastructure capacity from utilities. Low equilibria prevail due to asymmetric payoffs and farmers not knowing electric network properties. The findings derived from survey data, empirical tests, and model synthesis indicate how the capacity dilemma can be overcome to enable coordinated technology adoption via farmers' and utilities’ investment into energy-efficient and economically viable technology. Coordinated demand-side measures could effectively reduce energy use and support adaptation to climate change.

Soluble free phenolics (SP), PVPP-bound tannins (PVPP-P), flavonoids (TF) and proanthocyanidins (PA) content, as well as the DPPH-radical scavenging capability of the whole grain of 17 different Triticum spp. accessions were analyzed. The content of SP ranged from 976 to 2927 μg CE/g, while PVPP-P ranged from 335 to 1412 μg CE/g and TF from 0.16 to 1.12 μg RE/g of dry whole grain. The presence of PA in the whole grains has not been established. The values for DPPH-radical scavenging activity were rather moderate, under 40 % of neutralized radicals. A positive correlation between DPPH-activity and analyzed phenolics was recorded in twelve of seventeen genotypes (r=0.73-0.99). Trans-cinnamic acid was the major compound among phenolic acids and quercetin among flavonoids found in wheat varieties. The data obtained should enable the selection of the accessions rich in biologically active compounds that could further be processed into functional food with possible health benefits associated with higher antioxidant properties. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. TR-31066]

Understanding the distribution of grazing activity and its management is valuable to en- sure the sustainability and productivity of heterogeneous grasslands. Controlled behavioural studies can provide insight into the cognitive abilities of herbivores and suggest new approaches to improve their grazing distribution. We compared the behaviour and diet selection of sheep and cattle in 1-ha fescue (Festuca arundinacea S.) plots, in which the number and size of preferred ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) patches were varied. Five different patterns were used to investigate the effects of ryegrass abundance and spatial distribution on the searching success of the herbivores. Both heifers and ewes grazed ryegrass more when its abundance increased from 1.5 to 6% , and also when ryegrass was aggregated into a few 8 × 9-m patches, rather than being dispersed into a larger number of 3 × 3-m ones. Neither the interaction between ryegrass abundance and patch size, nor that between herbivore species and patch size was significant. At 6% abundance, aggregating ryegrass into a single 24 × 24-m patch tended to further increase its use by heifers, but not by ewes. Fescue less than 1 meter from the nearest ryegrass patch was usually selected more than the fescue located further away. Fescue be- tween 1 and 5 m from the nearest patch was never selected more than the fescue located further away. Our results, together with those for the diet selected by sheep, cattle and deer, when offered patches of a preferred food in aggregated or dispersed patterns, indicate that over a wide range of abundance, it is advantageous for herbivores to forage on patchy resources when the preferred vegetation is aggre- gated. This corroborates the prediction that foraging costs associated with patch distribution are in- volved in determining diet selection in patchy grasslands, but our results suggest that it is also influenced by some social characteristics of the animals, such as their social attraction and social tol- erance.

Noninversion tillage with tine- or disc-based cultivations prior to crop establishment is the most common way of reducing tillage for arable cropping systems with small grain cereals, oilseed rape, and maize in Europe. However, new regulations on pesticide use might hinder further expansion of reduced-tillage systems. European agriculture is asked to become less dependent on pesticides and promote crop protection programs based on integrated pest management (IPM) principles. Conventional noninversion tillage systems rely entirely on the availability of glyphosate products, and herbicide consumption is mostly higher compared to plow-based cropping systems. Annual grass weeds and catchweed bedstraw often constitute the principal weed problems in noninversion tillage systems, and crop rotations concurrently have very high proportions of winter cereals. There is a need to redesign cropping systems to allow for more diversification of the crop rotations to combat these weed problems with less herbicide input. Cover crops, stubble management strategies, and tactics that strengthen crop growth relative to weed growth are also seen as important components in future IPM systems, but their impact in noninversion tillage systems needs validation. Direct mechanical weed control methods based on rotating weeding devices such as rotary hoes could become useful in reduced-tillage systems where more crop residues and less workable soils are more prevalent, but further development is needed for effective application. Owing to the frequent use of glyphosate in reduced-tillage systems, perennial weeds are not particularly problematic. However, results from organic cropping systems clearly reveal that desisting from glyphosate use inevitably leads to more problems with perennials, which need to be addressed in future research. Non-inversion tillage with tine or disc based cultivations prior to crop establishment is the most common way of reducing tillage for arable cropping systems with small grain cereals, oilseed rape and maize in Europe. However, new regulations on pesticide use may hinder further expansion of reduced tillage systems. European agriculture is asked to become less dependent on pesticides and promote crop protection programmes based on integrated pest management (IPM) principles. Conventional non-inversion tillage systems rely entirely on the availability of glyphosate products, and herbicide consumption is mostly higher as compared to plough-based cropping systems. Annual grass weeds and catchweed bedstraw often constitute the principal weed problems in non-inversion tillage systems and crop rotations concurrently have very high proportions of winter cereals. There is a need to redesign cropping systems to allow for more diversification of the crop rotations to combat these weed problems with less herbicide input. Cover crops, stubble management strategies and tactics that strengthen crop growth relative to weed growth are also seen as important components in future IPM systems but their impact in non-inversion tillage systems needs validation. Direct mechanical weed control methods based on rotating weeding devices such as rotary hoes may become useful in reduced tillage systems where more crop residues and less workable soils are more prevalent but further development is needed for effective application. Owing to the frequent use of glyphosate in reduced tillage systems, perennial weeds are not particularly problematic. However, results from organic cropping systems clearly reveal that desisting from glyphosate use inevitably leads to more problems with perennials, which need to be addressed in future research.

Supplemental Data; International audience; Oleaginous photosynthetic organisms such as microalgae are promising sources for biofuel production through the generation of carbon-neutral sustainable energy. However, the metabolic mechanisms driving high-rate lipid production in these oleaginous organisms remain unclear, thus impeding efforts to improve productivity through genetic modifications. We analyzed the genome and transcriptome of the oleaginous diatom Fistulifera solaris JPCC DA0580. Next-generation sequencing technology provided evidence of an allodiploid genome structure, suggesting unorthodox molecular evolutionary and genetic regulatory systems for reinforcing metabolic efficiencies. Although major metabolic pathways were shared with nonoleaginous diatoms, transcriptome analysis revealed unique expression patterns, such as concomitant upregulation of fatty acid/triacylglycerol biosynthesis and fatty acid degradation (β-oxidation) in concert with ATP production. This peculiar pattern of gene expression may account for the simultaneous growth and oil accumulation phenotype and may inspire novel biofuel production technology based on this oleaginous microalga.

Skeletal muscle is a plastic tissue during development with distinctive acute and chronic response to maternal protein restriction. This study evaluated gene and protein expression of key-enzymes of glycolytic pathway (HK2, PFK, PDK4 and CS), and fatty acid oxidation (CPTI and beta-HAD) of two different types of skeletal muscle [soleus and extensor digitorium longus (EDL)] from offspring rats at 30 and 90 days of age, exposed to maternal isoenergetic low protein diet throughout gestation and lactation. Pups from dams fed 17% protein diet (n=5, normal protein, Np), and low protein pups from dams fed 8% casein diet (low protein, Lp, n=5) were evaluated. Offspring were sacrificed either 30 or 90 days old. Soleus and EDL were analyzed for mRNA and protein expression by quantitative PCR and western blotting, respectively. Soleus was more affected by Lp maternal diet at 90 days by down-regulation of key enzymes of glycolytic pathway, in particular HK2 and PDK4 with a concomitant reduction of (beta-HAD mRNA. For EDL, the effects of Lp maternal diet were more pronounced at 30 days, as the transcriptional key enzymes of glycolytic pathway were down-regulated. One important finding was that the observed acute (30 days) transcriptional changes did not remain in adult Lp rats (90 days), except for PDK4. The robust PDK4 mRNA down-regulation, observed in both soleus and EDL, and at both ages, and the consequent down-regulation of the PDK4 protein expression can be responsible for a state of reduced metabolic flexibility of skeletal muscle in response to maternal low protein diet.

Nutrient enrichment can simultaneously increase and destabilise plant biomass production, with co-limitation by multiple nutrients potentially intensifying these effects. Here, we test how factorial additions of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium with essential nutrients (K+) affect the stability (mean/standard deviation) of aboveground biomass in 34 grasslands over 7 years. Destabilisation with fertilisation was prevalent but was driven by single nutrients, not synergistic nutrient interactions. On average, N-based treatments increased mean biomass production by 21-51% but increased its standard deviation by 40-68% and so consistently reduced stability. Adding P increased interannual variability and reduced stability without altering mean biomass, while K+ had no general effects. Declines in stability were largest in the most nutrient-limited grasslands, or where nutrients reduced species richness or intensified species synchrony. We show that nutrients can differentially impact the stability of biomass production, with N and P in particular disproportionately increasing its interannual variability.

Oleaginous microalgae are promising sources of energy-rich triacylglycerols (TAGs) for direct use for food, feed and industrial applications. Lobosphaera incisa is a fresh water unicellular alga, which in response to nutrient stress accumulates a high amount of TAGs with a high proportion of arachidonic acid (ARA). The final committed step of de novo TAG biosynthesis is catalyzed by acyl-CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferases (DGATs), which add a fatty acid (FA) to the final sn-3 position of diacylglycerol (DAG). Genome analysis revealed the presence of five putative DGAT isoforms in L. incisa, including one DGAT of type 1, three DGATs of type 2 and a single isoform of a type 3 DGAT. For LiDGAT1, LiDGAT2.1, LiDGAT2.2 and LiDGAT2.3 enzyme activity was confirmed by expressing them in the TAG-deficient yeast strain H1246. Feeding experiments of yeast transformants with fatty acids suggest a broad substrate specificity spectrum for LiDGAT1. A significant TAG production in response to exogenous ARA was found for LiDGAT2.2. Cellular localization of the four type 1 and type 2 DGATs expressed in yeast revealed that they all localize to distinct ER domains. A prominent association of LiDGAT1 with ER domains in close proximity to forming lipid droplets (LDs) was also observed. The data revealed a distinct molecular, functional and cellular nature of type 1 and type 2 DGATs from L. incisa, with LiDGAT1 being a major contributor to the TAG pool. LiDGATs of type 2 might be in turn involved in the incorporation of unusual fatty acids into TAG and thus regulate the composition of TAG. This report provides a valuable resource for the further research of microalgae DGATs oriented towards production of fresh-water strains with higher oil content of valuable composition, not only for oil industry but also for human and animal nutrition.