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Offers (from the perspective of a first-year teacher) five guidelines to student teachers to help make their student teaching semester more useful and enjoyable. Includes a response from a veteran English teacher. (SR)

Subsurface soil acidity is a serious constraint to crop production and is inherently difficult to correct through conventional application of lime. Thus, new approaches to ameliorate subsurface soil acidity are needed. A column leaching experiment was established to determine whether the plant residues, when combined with lime, could facilitate lime dissolution and alkalinity movement down soil columns (10 cm in diameter × 45 cm long) to ameliorate acid subsurface soil layers. Five plant residues from canola (Brassica nappus L.), field pea (Pisum sativum L.), lucerne (Medicago sativa L.), oats (Avena sativa L.) and vetch (Vicia villosa L.) (C/N ratios of 52, 13, 16, 53 and 12, respectively) were mixed with soil (18 g dry matter kg⁻¹) in the top of soil columns (0–10 cm) either limed (target pH 7 in CaCl₂) or non‐limed and incubated for 3 months at 25°C. Soil columns were leached six times over the 3‐month incubation period and destructively sampled at 1 and 3 months for chemical analysis. The soil amended with plant residues created favourable pH gradients and facilitated downward movement of alkalinity when lime was added. However, net increases in pH in the 10–12‐cm layer after 3 months were only observed in two non‐legume residue‐amended treatments (canola and oat residues, 0.22–0.43 pH unit increase), but not in three legume residue‐amended treatments (field pea, lucerne and vetch residues), although those treatments had the greatest pH increase in the short term (1 month). In conclusion, surface incorporation of lime in combination with plant residues accelerated the amelioration of subsurface acidity in the immediate zone (10–12 cm) below the amended layer. Canola and oat residues were superior in terms of increased soil pH over a longer term (3 months), possibly due to their higher C/N ratios. HIGHLIGHTS: Can plant residues, combined with lime, facilitate alkalinity movement down soil columns? Few studies have examined leaching, alkalinity movement and pH gra

This document provides descriptions of simple intervention techniques that day care center staff can use to help working parents and support young children's mental health. Discussion begins with the proposition that when children let adults know through their behavior that they are troubled, the children deserve a joint effort of parents and teachers to help them understand and cope with their actions. Joint effort, however, is not always possible. Parent involvement on every level of child care programming is not easy, neat, or tidy. Working parents may have difficulty in maintaining a balance between work, home, and social life, and being good parents. Parents find help in a center where they are welcome. They also find opportunities for establishing extended family networks. A flexible staff can respect the wishes of the idiosyncratic family while maintaining the values to which the center is committed. Just as parents' values must be respected, so must those of the child care provider. If the values of most parents and staff are incompatible, the situation will work out poorly for everyone involved. Parent-teacher conferences, held at least every 4 months, offer good opportunities to learn what can be done by staff to improve the quality of life for the child in family and center settings. (RH)

Il paziente nefropatico cronico facilmente presenta alterazioni morfologiche e funzionali dell'apparato gastroenterico. I segni più comuni e precoci nella sindrome uremica cronica sono rappresentati dai disturbi gastrointestinali. Da alcuni decenni abbiamo a disposizione dei farmaci con potente azione inibente la secrezione acida gastrica: gli inibitori di pompa protonica (IPP) hanno una struttura chimica affine, uno stesso meccanismo d'azione e sono molto importanti per il trattamento delle patologie acido correlate, per l'eradicazione dell'Helicobacter Pylori, per la prevenzione e la cura della gastropatia da farmaci antinfiammatori non steroidei (FANS). Somministriamo ai nostri pazienti questa classe di farmaci, con terapie che continuano nel tempo, nonostante la risoluzione della malattia (gastroprotezione). Ma gli IPP possono essere utilizzati indistintamente nei nefropatici cronici oppure sarebbe utile conoscere il profilo del farmaco per una corretta scelta? In questo articolo si argomenta che i loro effetti collaterali non sono molto rilevanti e sono abbastanza simili: il loro impiego nel lungo termine è sicuro. La potenza e l'efficacia dei vari IPP, dall'analisi comparativa dei vari trial clinici, risulta essere molto simile sulla base dei milligrammi di sostanza utilizzata. L'unica eccezione illustrata in questo lavoro è rappresentata da 6 pazienti in emodialisi, trattati con lansoprazolo (15 mg), che presentavano gastriti e ulcere peptiche complicate da gravi episodi di ematemesi e melena con conseguente anemia. Tutti gli IPP hanno dimostrato un'efficacia clinica sovrapponibile, tuttavia vanno valutati di volta in volta i vantaggi (relativi) di ciascun IPP. I criteri di scelta di un IPP sembrano basati, principalmente sulle indicazioni autorizzate, sulle formulazioni disponibili, sul profilo di sicurezza del farmaco., Chronic nephropathic patients often present morphological and functional alterations of the gastro-enteric apparatus. Gastrointestinal diseases represent the most common and early signs. PPIs presented for many decades an important inhibitory effect on gastric acid secretion: they have a common chemical structure, a common mechanism of action and they are very important for treating acid-related pathologies, for Helicobacter Pylori eradication, for preventing and curing NSAIDs gastropathies. We prescribe this class of drugs to our patients even after the pathology resolution (gastroprotection). However can PPIs be indiscriminately used with chronic nephropathic patients or is it necessary to know the drug profile, in order to make a better choice? In this paper we argue that collateral effects are not very relevant and that they are very similar: their long-term usage is very safe. Power and efficacy of the different PPIs results very similar on the basis of how many milligrams of substance has been used and on the basis of clinical trials. The only exception that is shown in this paper is represented by 6 haemodialysis patients, which have been treated with lansoprazol (15 mgs). They presented gastritis and peptic ulcers, which were complicated by episodes of severe hematemesis and melena, with a consequent anaemia. Even though all PPIs have shown a similar clinical efficacy it is important to evaluate from time to time the (relative) advantages of each PPI. Criteria for a correct choice should be based mainly on official indications, on available doses and on the safety of the drug.

Chronic nephropathic patients often present morphological and functional alterations of the gastro-enteric apparatus. Gastrointestinal diseases represent the most common and early signs. PPIs presented for many decades an important inhibitory effect on gastric acid secretion: they have a common chemical structure, a common mechanism of action and they are very important for treating acid-related pathologies, for Helicobacter Pylori eradication, for preventing and curing NSAIDs gastropathies. We prescribe this class of drugs to our patients even after the pathology resolution (gastroprotection). However can PPIs be indiscriminately used with chronic nephropathic patients or is it necessary to know the drug profile, in order to make a better choice? In this paper we argue that collateral effects are not very relevant and that they are very similar: their long-term usage is very safe. Power and efficacy of the different PPIs results very similar on the basis of how many milligrams of substance has been used and on the basis of clinical trials. The only exception that is shown in this paper is represented by 6 haemodialysis patients, which have been treated with lansoprazol (15 mgs). They presented gastritis and peptic ulcers, which were complicated by episodes of severe hematemesis and melena, with a consequent anaemia. Even though all PPIs have shown a similar clinical efficacy it is important to evaluate from time to time the (relative) advantages of each PPI. Criteria for a correct choice should be based mainly on official indications, on available doses and on the safety of the drug., Il paziente nefropatico cronico facilmente presenta alterazioni morfologiche e funzionali dell'apparato gastroenterico. I segni più comuni e precoci nella sindrome uremica cronica sono rappresentati dai disturbi gastrointestinali. Da alcuni decenni abbiamo a disposizione dei farmaci con potente azione inibente la secrezione acida gastrica: gli inibitori di pompa protonica (IPP) hanno una struttura chimica affine, uno stesso meccanismo d'azione e sono molto importanti per il trattamento delle patologie acido correlate, per l'eradicazione dell'Helicobacter Pylori, per la prevenzione e la cura della gastropatia da farmaci antinfiammatori non steroidei (FANS). Somministriamo ai nostri pazienti questa classe di farmaci, con terapie che continuano nel tempo, nonostante la risoluzione della malattia (gastroprotezione). Ma gli IPP possono essere utilizzati indistintamente nei nefropatici cronici oppure sarebbe utile conoscere il profilo del farmaco per una corretta scelta? In questo articolo si argomenta che i loro effetti collaterali non sono molto rilevanti e sono abbastanza simili: il loro impiego nel lungo termine è sicuro. La potenza e l'efficacia dei vari IPP, dall'analisi comparativa dei vari trial clinici, risulta essere molto simile sulla base dei milligrammi di sostanza utilizzata. L'unica eccezione illustrata in questo lavoro è rappresentata da 6 pazienti in emodialisi, trattati con lansoprazolo (15 mg), che presentavano gastriti e ulcere peptiche complicate da gravi episodi di ematemesi e melena con conseguente anemia. Tutti gli IPP hanno dimostrato un'efficacia clinica sovrapponibile, tuttavia vanno valutati di volta in volta i vantaggi (relativi) di ciascun IPP. I criteri di scelta di un IPP sembrano basati, principalmente sulle indicazioni autorizzate, sulle formulazioni disponibili, sul profilo di sicurezza del farmaco.

Introduction: Stroke may result in decreased trunk muscle strength and limited trunk coordination, frequently determining loss of autonomy due to the trunk impairment. Furthermore, sitting balance has been repeatedly identified as an important predictor of motor and functional recovery after stroke. Given the importance of the trunk, it is therefore mandatory that validated tools be available to assess its performance. Asystematic review of the currently available clinical measurement tools to assess trunk performance after stroke has been carried out. Evidence Acquisition: We searched the PubMed database from January 2006 to April 2017 to select articles which reported or included a clinical measure of trunk performance used in an adult stroke population. The data collected were integrated with the results of a previous review published in 2006. A total of 302 articles were identified, of which 19 were eligible for inclusion. Evidence Synthesis: Numerous clinical tools have been validated to assess trunk performance after stroke, including the Trunk Control Test, the Trunk Impairment Scale, the Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke, the Ottawa Sitting Scale, the Modified Functional Reach Test, the Function In Sitting Test, the Physical Ability Scale, the Trunk Recovery Scale, the Balance Assessment in Sitting and Standing Positions, and the and Sitting-Rising Test. Conclusions: Several scales and tests have been demonstrated to be valid for assessing trunk performance in stroke. Some of these have already been refined by Rasch analysis to increase their psychometric characteristics. Further psychometric analysis of these tools in large and different samples is, however, still needed.

Introduction: Stroke may result in decreased trunk muscle strength and limited trunk coordination, frequently determining loss of autonomy due to the trunk impairment. Furthermore, sitting balance has been repeatedly identified as an important predictor of motor and functional recovery after stroke. Given the importance of the trunk, it is therefore mandatory that validated tools be available to assess its performance. Asystematic review of the currently available clinical measurement tools to assess trunk performance after stroke has been carried out. Evidence Acquisition: We searched the PubMed database from January 2006 to April 2017 to select articles which reported or included a clinical measure of trunk performance used in an adult stroke population. The data collected were integrated with the results of a previous review published in 2006. A total of 302 articles were identified, of which 19 were eligible for inclusion. Evidence Synthesis: Numerous clinical tools have been validated to assess trunk performance after stroke, including the Trunk Control Test, the Trunk Impairment Scale, the Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke, the Ottawa Sitting Scale, the Modified Functional Reach Test, the Function In Sitting Test, the Physical Ability Scale, the Trunk Recovery Scale, the Balance Assessment in Sitting and Standing Positions, and the and Sitting-Rising Test. Conclusions: Several scales and tests have been demonstrated to be valid for assessing trunk performance in stroke. Some of these have already been refined by Rasch analysis to increase their psychometric characteristics. Further psychometric analysis of these tools in large and different samples is, however, still needed.

Background: Various genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have been done in ischaemic stroke, identifying a few loci associated with the disease, but sample sizes have been 3500 cases or less. We established the METASTROKE collaboration with the aim of validating associations from previous GWAS and identifying novel genetic associations through meta-analysis of GWAS datasets for ischaemic stroke and its subtypes. Methods: We meta-analysed data from 15 ischaemic stroke cohorts with a total of 12 389 individuals with ischaemic stroke and 62 004 controls, all of European ancestry. For the associations reaching genome-wide significance in METASTROKE, we did a further analysis, conditioning on the lead single nucleotide polymorphism in every associated region. Replication of novel suggestive signals was done in 13 347 cases and 29 083 controls. Findings: We verified previous associations for cardioembolic stroke near PITX2 (p=2·8×10-16) and ZFHX3 (p=2·28×10-8), and for large-vessel stroke at a 9p21 locus (p=3·32×10-5) and HDAC9 (p=2·03×10-12). Additionally, we verified that all associations were subtype specific. Conditional analysis in the three regions for which the associations reached genome-wide significance (PITX2, ZFHX3, and HDAC9) indicated that all the signal in each region could be attributed to one risk haplotype. We also identified 12 potentially novel loci at p<5×10-6. However, we were unable to replicate any of these novel associations in the replication cohort. Interpretation: Our results show that, although genetic variants can be detected in patients with ischaemic stroke when compared with controls, all associations we were able to confirm are specific to a stroke subtype. This finding has two implications. First, to maximise success of genetic studies in ischaemic stroke, detailed stroke subtyping is required. Second, different genetic pathophysiological mechanisms seem to be associated with different stroke subtypes. Funding: Wellcome Trust, UK Medic

Mutations in the PINK1 gene cause autosomal recessive Parkinson's disease. The PINK1 gene encodes a protein kinase that is mitochondrially cleaved to generate two mature isoforms. In addition to its protective role against mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis, PINK1 is also known to regulate mitochondrial dynamics acting upstream of the PD-related protein Parkin. Recent data showed that mitochondrial Parkin promotes the autophagic degradation of dysfunctional mitochondria, and that stable PINK1 silencing may have an indirect role in mitophagy activation. Here we report a new interaction between PINK1 and Beclin1, a key pro-autophagic protein already implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's and Huntington's diseases. Both PINK1 N- and C-terminal are required for the interaction, suggesting that full-length PINK1, and not its cleaved isoforms, interacts with Beclin1. We also demonstrate that PINK1 significantly enhances basal and starvation-induced autophagy, which is reduced by knocking down Beclin1 expression or by inhibiting the Beclin1 partner Vps34. A mutant, PINK1(W437X), interaction of which with Beclin1 is largely impaired, lacks the ability to enhance autophagy, whereas this is not observed for PINK1(G309D), a mutant with defective kinase activity but unaltered ability to bind Beclin1. These findings identify a new function of PINK1 and further strengthen the link between autophagy and proteins implicated in the neurodegenerative process.

Targeted-therapies enhancing differentiation of glioma-initiating cells (GICs) are potential innovative approaches to the treatment of malignant gliomas. These cells support tumour growth and recurrence and are resistant to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. We have found that GICs express mGlu3 metabotropic glutamate receptors. Activation of these receptors sustained the undifferentiated state of GICs in culture by negatively modulating the action of bone morphogenetic proteins, which physiologically signal through the phosphorylation of the transcription factors, Smads. The cross-talk between mGlu3 receptors and BMP receptors was mediated by the activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. Remarkably, pharmacological blockade of mGlu3 receptors stimulated the differentiation of cultured GICs into astrocytes, an effect that appeared to be long lasting, independent of the growth conditions, and irreversible. In in vivo experiments, a 3-month treatment with the brain-permeant mGlu receptor antagonist, LY341495 limited the growth of infiltrating brain tumours originating from GICs implanted into the brain parenchyma of nude mice. While clusters of tumour cells were consistently found in the brain of control mice, they were virtually absent in a large proportion of mice treated with LY341495. These findings pave the way to a new non-cytotoxic treatment of malignant gliomas based on the use of mGlu3 receptor antagonists. © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration is expected to exceed 500 parts per million and global temperatures to rise by at least 2°C by 2050 to 2100, values that significantly exceed those of at least the past 420,000 years during which most extant marine organisms evolved. Under conditions expected in the 21st century, global warming and ocean acidification will compromise carbonate accretion, with corals becoming increasingly rare on reef systems. The result will be less diverse reef communities and carbonate reef structures that fail to be maintained. Climate change also exacerbates local stresses from declining water quality and overexploitation of key species, driving reefs increasingly toward the tipping point for functional collapse. This review presents future scenarios for coral reefs that predict increasingly serious consequences for reef-associated fisheries, tourism, coastal protection, and people. As the International Year of the Reef 2008 begins, scaled-up management intervention and decisive action on global emissions are required if the loss of coral-dominated ecosystems is to be avoided.

Glasshouse and field experiments were conducted over a period of 8 years (1994-2002) in Australia to understand the mechanism of tolerance to environmental stresses, particularly in response to increased soil phosphorus concentration. Studies included factorial experiments on white clover, cotton, and wheat subjected to frequent defoliation, water deficit and/or waterlogging stresses in different agroclimatic conditions. Morphological, physiological and anatomical measurements indicated importance of root growth and root activity, particularly the potential root hydraulic conductance of basal primary roots and associated uptake of water and nutrient under environmental stresses. An increased supply of soil phosphorus above adequate amounts appears to increase the potential root hydraulic conductance per unit leaf area as a result of substantial increases in the number and size of xylem vessels. Under adverse environmental conditions, high-P supply also appears to increase the leaf expansionrate, size of the cell, and the size and number of vacuoles in each cell to store more solutes and water.

Metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors are G-protein coupled receptors activated by glutamate, the major excitatory neurotransmitter of the CNS. A growing body of evidence suggests that the function of mGlu receptors is not restricted to the regulation of synaptic transmission. mGlu receptors are expressed in a variety of peripheral cells, including inter alia hepatocytes, pancreatic cells, osteoblasts and immune cells. Within the immunological synapses, mGlu receptors expressed by T cells might contribute to the vast array of signals generated by the antigen-presenting cells. mGlu receptors are also found in embryonic and neural stem cells. This suggests their involvement in the pathophysiology of brain tumors, which likely originates from cancer stem cells similar to neural stem cells. Ligands of mGlu3 and mGlu4 receptors are potential candidates for the experimental treatment of malignant gliomas and medulloblastomas, respectively.